If all these changes really are being made — so many that the film doesn't even really resonate Sholay anymore — then one must ask oneself: Why the intransigence when it comes to associating this project with India's greatest classic? (If the case is indeed this, then I feel the answer can be only two-part: publicity; money.)

the hindi language alone doesn't represent India. greatest? it doesn't look all that great, but I'll have to check it out first before I can laugh further

to call sholay a classic is certainly laughable. apart from the obvious commercial success of the film, the film itself was strictly a formulaic masala film w/ a huge star cast

though of course, like commando has already stated on previous occasions, its popularity alone qualifies it as a classic. in that sense, there is no denying that sholay is indeed a classic… in the league of other such classics as hum aapke hain kaun, kabhi khushi kabhie gham and of course no entry

HAHK

DDLJ

Yuvan, I didn't claim that Hindi, alone, "represents" India. Nevertheless, it is the national language, and the "Hindu"/"Bombay" film industry is the largest (most productive) in the world, and, as such, is certainly the largest in India.

Mola Ram, despite what you think of the film, I think pretty much everyone who's seen it, knows of it, will agree that Sholay is a classic Indian film. If it's not, then nothing is. I've stated that popularity is a criterion of "classicity," but I don't recall having claimed that it's the only one. Another would be longevity; another, influence. Several more, I believe, would make the list, as well, different items being important to different people. If you feel compelled to, start a poll to see what some other "Zulmies" think: "Sholay: "Classic," or "Not"? You and Yuvan's not agreeing that Sholay is a classic, does not strip it of the title; hell, the latter hasn't even watched the movie yet.

I have no doubt that Hum Aapke Hain Kaun will, indeed, one day be considered a "classic" of sorts; I'll say the same about Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge. It's not about whether or not I love the film (and I happen to like both, though I don't, for the life of me, know what I like about the former): I don't get to change its status in the film community.

It seems that the reviews of Farhan Akhtar's Don are split — praise or hatred — with most not deeming it "superior" to the 1978 Amitabh-Bachchan original (directed by Chandra Barot). As such, how do you all suppose Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay will fare, both critically and financially? It's a much (much) more contentious re-make, with people even petitioning not to have it made, so the "comparisons" will likely be all the more great. Thoughts...?

Ramu's Sholay will initially fare well at the box office, since the curiosity factor is high. After that it will most likely drop off quickly. Critically I expect it to take a drubbing.

mohit is now out.. really hope ramu isn't thinking of bringing ab jr back


IT'S OVER!

Subhash K Jha

It's over between Ram Gopal Verma and his so far blue-eyed boy Mohit Ahlawat. Mohit is out of Ramu's Sholay, he is no longer playing Amitabh Bachchan's, or Jai's, role in the film. In fact, it's unlikely that Ram Gopal Verma will ever work with his favourite protégé again.

Mohit was one of the first actors to be cast in the new Sholay. In fact while the role of the other protagonist Veeru changed hands from Abhishek Bachchan to Ajay Devgan, Mohit as Jai remained steadfast in the cast.
Overnight, Ramu has decided that Mohit "no longer fits the role of Jai." Our source says there was a showdown on the sets on Tuesday night.

So what was the big fight about? Ramu tries to play it down. He says, "There was no showdown or any such thing. It was all done amicably. Basically Mohit is now out of Sholay. See, the decision to make Sholay was taken nearly two years back when I had no clear idea of how the project would develop. I only knew I wanted to adapt Sholay.

But as Jai's character is now designed I feel Mohit won't fit the role. So we decided not to work together in Sholay right now. We may decide to work together again some other time as and when we find the right vehicle."

He makes light of the fight theory. "Fight with Mohit? That's a frightening thought. Seeing how well- built he is, Mohit would beat me up, he would win hands down," he says. "Seriously speaking, the decision about Mohit not being in Sholay was taken now only because I've been too busy shooting with Mr Bachchan and concentrating on Gabbar. Finally when I went back to Jai's role I found that Mohit no longer fitted the role."

Mohit Ahlawat, however, has a somewhat different story to tell. Guarded, and yet upset enough to speak out, he says, "I went to meet Mr Verma on Sunday, November 26, and told him that I didn't want to play Jai's role any longer because I didn't believe in the character and the Sholay that he's making. Beyond this, I wouldn't like to say anything more about a man who gave me two films and with whom I've spent six years of my life."

[quote="Commando303"]Yuvan, I didn't claim that Hindi, alone, "represents" India. Nevertheless, it is the national language, and the "Hindu"/"Bombay" film industry is the largest (most productive) in the world, and, as such, is certainly the largest in India.[quote]

Actually, Telugu cinema is the largest and most productive cinema in India. It produces more films and more profits then Hindi and Tamil films put together.

Thanks to them the position of Indian cinema is maintained throughout the world. Andhra Pradesh also holds more cinemas, studios, audience intake, and registered production companies then any other Indian state and has control over banks and financial institutions, which aid much of Hindi and Tamil cinema.

The only criticism Telugu cinema has faced is its conventional (audience friendly) screenplays - which remain stuck in the past (Jayam, Okkadu, Sye etc..). They also don't invest in the oversees market as much as Hindi or Tamil film distributors do.

Nevertheless, the Andhra Pradesh audience intake continues to increase within India, and their loyalty aids box-office grosses by viewing the film more then once, or by the denouncement of piracy.

yawn!! doom to RGV!

Are you certain? I'm quite sure that more films are made each year in Hindi than in any other language.

the new jai is… raj?!? well at least he isn’t abhishek




Ramu finds new Jai

By: Upala KBR

After Ram Gopal Varma’s alleged fallout with protégé Mohit Ahlawat and their subsequent decision to part ways, the role of Jai in Ramu’s Sholay has gone to his latest discovery, a relatively unknown model called Raj.

Raj is a wannabe actor who would drop in at Ramu’s production company, The Factory, very often. Says a source at the Factory, “Raj is a ramp model.

He came to us with someone’s reference. One of the crew noticed his picture while Sholay’s auditions were on, and was recommended to Ramu. He took Raj’s screen test and he was on.”

Says Ramu, “I finalised Raj for Jai’s character after auditioning many new boys. The reason I selected him was because I found potential and a certain spark in him that suited the character.”

I think it is hardly fair to call it the 'Hindu' film industry, specially considering that 4 of it's 5-6 biggest stars are Muslim. If anything, the 'Hindi' film industry is the most perfect example of a perfectly functioning secular industry. In fact, I am sure the percentage of muslims in the 'Hindi' film industry is more than their percentage share (13%) of the total population of India.

You are kidding, right? I mean no offence, but you have to be kidding, because if you really believe all this then you really need to recheck your facts. The fact is that the number of Hindi films produced is almost half that of all Indian films made. You do have one fact right; the viewership of films is highest amongst all states in Andhra Pradesh and they do have more cinema screens than any other state. But for you to conclude from this, that Indian cinema survives due to Telugu cinema or that Telugu cinema is what maintains the status of Indian cinema worldwide is quite far fetched. You have in your post yourself said that "They also don't invest in the oversees market as much as Hindi or Tamil film distributors do", then pray tell us how do they single handedly "maintain the position of Indian cinema worldwide", considering that they actually play no role? The very fact that Telugu cinema "remains stuck in the past" itself suggest that they are actually holding back the Indian film industry from progressing, specially considering the 'huge monetary influence', as suggested by you, that they have on the Indian film industry. Also please do tell us how many banks and financial institutions does Andhra Pradesh control. I personally cannot name even 1 bank or financial institution controlled by Andhra Pradesh from amongst the top 5 Indian banks or financial institutions.

that was obviously a typo… meant to be hindi