A new battle has erupted in Bollywood between Yash Raj Films and Ajay Devgn Films over their respective Diwali releases.
BATTLE
Yash Raj Films are preparing for the mighty swansong of the legendary Yash Chopra's Jab Tak Hai Jaan, whereas Devgn's release date of the comedy Son of Sardaar which features Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Juhi Chawla, is on the same day.
Though the release dates of these movies were fixed a while ago, Devgn has filed a complaint with the Competition Commission accusing Yash Raj Films of using its power to manipulate exhibitors into limiting screenings for his new production.
According to exhibitors, the problems began a few months ago whenEk Tha Tiger, another blockbuster from Yash Raj Films, was released.
They were told that they would get the Salman Khan starrer only if they agreed toJab Tak Hai Jaan being released during Diwali. Now Devgan, whose last movie, Bol Bachchan, was released on 1200 screens, is struggling to secure 400 screens.
SECURED
ARJUN Kapoor secured his third movie with Yash Raj Films after the success of Ishaqzaade. Kapoor and Ranveer Singh will play friends opposite Priyanka Chopra in Gunday, directed by Ai Abbas Zaffar, who made Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
AWARD
DESPITE being away from the screens for a few years and enjoying motherhood, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to make her mark in the industry. The brilliant beauty made a public appearance with her daughter in France on her birthday on November 1, as she received a civilian award from the French government for her contribution to the arts. The honour was awarded three years ago, but Ash postponed the ceremony because her father had become critically ill. Celebrating the achievement with her was proud father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, who tweeted: "Many years ago, the French decorated me with the Legion d'Honor, their highest medal. And now, the family prides itself with having two members gaining recognition from the French."
PRAISE
AS predicted in this column last week, after two weeks of opposing views on Naayagan from actor Kamalhassan and producer Muktha V Srinivassan, excerpts taken from a new book on Manirathinam presents a third side to the whole scenario. Manirathinam's generous praise of Kamalhassan and his vision in shaping the film has settled the issue by refocusing everyone's attention on the glory of the end product.
SA RELEASE
VIJAY'S Thupaaki, which is written and directed by AR Murugadhaas - of Ghajini and 7aam Arivu fame - will be released in SA on Friday, on the local big screen circuit.
Kaajal Agarwal plays the female lead in this action thriller that is set exclusively in Mumbai and features the music of Harris Jayaraj.
QUIT
IN a surprise move, KS Ravikumar, who was working with Soundarrya A Rajnikanth on Kochadaiyaan, has dropped out of the project without citing reasons to the media.
Although 80% of the film had been shot and Ravikumar has been replaced by R Madhesh, everyone now wants to know the reasons for his sudden decision.
THRILLER
GOUTHAM Vasudev Menon will relaunch Yohan Athiyaayam Ondru, a spy thriller he had planned with Vijay. After Vijay had expressed reservations about the modern theme and his own image, Menon cast Ramesh Babu in the lead role. The film will be made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
