"No Problem" update

The gusty winds and threatening dark clouds that hovered over Durban on Thursday didn't in any way hinder the gruelling shoot of Anees Bazmee's No Problem at Sibaya.

It was around 2pm that the cast and crew broke for lunch. An affable Bazmee, warmly togged up in his jacket and beanie, grabbed a quick bite to eat before joining me in the plush lounge area of the hotel, which was where they spent the morning shooting scenes.

After nipping outside to put out his cigarette, Bazmee settled into a luxurious tan-coloured couch for our tête-à-tête.

With comedy being Bazmee's forté, I asked him to shed light on the complexities of directing what is arguably one of the most challenging genres.

"I think, not only for a comedy, any film needs a good script. Sometimes if the script is good, you can make a bad film. But if the script is bad, you cannot make a good film. I am first a writer and then a director. My job is to convey the story in a very interesting way.

"Comedy relies on gags, but I don't like buffoonery. I don't like my characters to simply make faces to get the audience to laugh.

"I create a situation wherein my actors are doing a very serious job and the audience is laughing," he calmly explains.

As for his casting coup, Bazmee admits: "I am very, very lucky. It is not difficult, because we are all friends and I have already worked with Akshaye Khanna in Deewangee, so we have a good rapport. Paresh Rawal, I worked with in Welcome. Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), I have wanted to work with for so many years.


"Anil Kapoor (who is also producing No Problem), I worked with in No Entry and Welcome and both films were hits.

"Sushmita Sen and Kangna Ranaut are very good actresses and they liked the script."

When pushed on whether the female actresses get ample scope, he reassures: "Ja, they do. You remember in No Entry, Bipasha (Basu) and Lara (Dutt) were leads. The same goes for the heroines in Welcome. In this film, Kangna is doing comedy for the first time and I must say that she is doing a fantastic job. Both actresses will surprise audiences."

On bringing his film shoot to South Africa, Bazmee smiles: "It has always been a lucky place for me. I discussed it with my producer and he was happy. This is the first time I am shooting in Durban, though."

Interestingly enough, the story idea for No Problem has been gestating for over 15 years.

Although reluctant to ruin the surprise by revealing the plot, Bazmee hinted that it was a crime comedy with loads of action.

As for his rib-tickling titles, he chuckles: "It is very important for a film. It should always be a novel word. I like this title No Problem because, in this film, there are lots of problems."

Psst … Bazmee will be teaming up with his Singh is Kinng star, Akshay Kumar, for Thank You, a UTV produced film.

"I will shoot in January as I still have to write the screenplay and dialogues, which will take some time. It will be shot abroad," he confided.

Kangana's Next "Manu Weds Tanu"

Kangana Ranaut is loosening up. She’s played dark characters too many times - be it an alcoholic, a neurotic, a schizophrenic or a drug addict. Now, she’s getting inclined towards softer, mushier roles.

The actress has already changed the lane by signing director Anees Bazmee’s comedy film No Problem. Now, she’s given her nod to a full-on romantic film ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ to be produced and directed by Aanand L Rai.

In the film, Kangana plays Manu while Madhavan will play her groom Tanu.

The film’s director says he hopes Kangana and Madhavan’s fresh pairing will appeal to the audiences.

Kangana herself is looking forward to the film excitedly.

“I am so done with exploring my dark side…it’s time for a change and getting romantic seems like a good idea,” she is quoted as saying in a media report.

Kangana’s next release would be Kites with Hrithik Roshan.

"No Problem" shooting in Durban

Bollywood celebrities Sushmita Sen and Akshaye Khanna have been taking in the sights of KwaZulu Natal during the filming of the romantic comedy No Problem,set at various locations including the Camelot Golf Club in Hillcrest and La Mercy Beach.

The movie, directed by Anees Bazmee, will be filmed in the province for two weeks, before the cast and crew head for Cape Town for a further two to three weeks. POST has learnt that Kangana Ranaut and Paresh Rawal are also in Durban.


Acting heavyweight Sanjay Dutt was expected to arrive last night (Tuesday) and Sunil Shetty is heading our way on Friday.

Production started on Saturday and several locals have been used as extras.

Look Inside "Ek Niranjan"

In a spacious area on Road No. 25, Jubilee Hills, a part of Hyderabad was recreated for producer Aditya Ram’s Ek Niranjan, directed by Puri Jagannath. Art director Chinna and his team brought a natural look to their creations — a clock tower, a four road junction, by lanes, a Hanuman temple, and dhobhi ghat including house sets for the lead pair Prabhas and Kangana Ranaut. The sets cost the producer Rs. 3 crore. “Watch it on the big screen, you will find it is worth its value,” says Aditya Ram as he leads us to where the action is.

It is the hero’s house set, a bachelor pad. The mud-finished walls look like a form of terracotta work. Except for a cot and an iron chair there is not much furniture. The glass panes on the main door seem to be victims of some riot. Prabhas, in a t-shirt and tracks and wearing Hawaii slippers, faces a group of irate children. Behind them stands the heroine Kangana sporting an angry look. Jagan watches their expressions as Shyam K. Naidu’s camera whizzes to record the scene. “Cut.” orders the director once he is satisfied with the children’s antics and the hero’s quizzical look.

In the next block, a small girl takes a stone and tries to throw it at Prabhas. The hero shields himself with the iron chair. To know why he has won the wrath of the children and Kangana, one has to wait and watch it on the big screen. Jagan says it is a pure commercial entertainer with high technical inputs.

Prabhas plays a dynamic, rough and tough guy and a loner. Aditya Ram says that the title song gives a glimpse into the hero’s character. His daring acts run him into trouble and in one such act he meets the heroine and she dislikes him. This is the prelude to the scene being shot. How she changes her opinion of him and how romance blossoms are part of the theme, you are told.

Aditya Ram says that they have shot two songs in Switzerland and one at Annapurna Studios, erecting four sets for the lead pair. The music is composed by Mani Sharma. Sonu Sood plays the main villain supported by Mukul Dev, Makaran Deshpande, and Brahmaji. Posani Krishna Murali plays a key role and the humour angle is taken care of by Brahmanandam, Ali, Sunil, and Venumadhav. The first half of the story takes place in Hyderabad and the second half in Bangkok. This is the first of the ten films that Aditya Ram has announced, to be produced in association with Jagan’s Vaishno Academy. “After Pokiri this will be the biggest blockbuster from Puri Jagannath and we plan to wind up the shoot by September,” signs off Aditya Ram.

"Ek Niranjan" took shoot in Thailand

After having completed the shooting of two songs in Switzerland, the unit of director Puri Jagannath's Ek Niranjan, starring rebel star Prabhas and Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut, has landed in Thailand to shoot the climax scenes. It is learnt that the unit would stay there for about a month.

Earlier, the film was shot in a massive set of eight acres in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad and the estimated cost of this gigantic set, designed by art director Chinna, is said to be a whopping three crores.

Touted to be an out-and-out commercial movie, Ek Niranjan gives equal importance to romance, action, fun and emotion. Produced under the banner of Aditya Ram Movies, Ek Niranjan stars Mukul Dev, Tanikella Bharani, Brahmanandam, Posani Krishna Murali, Ali and Sunil in the cast. Mani Sharma has scored the music; cinematography is by Shyam K. Naidu; editing is by M.R. Varma.

Kangana Beginning on No Problem

No sooner was she back from Switzerland, the actress had to leave for yet another long schedule. This time to South Africa for Anees Bazmee’s No Problem. The film that also stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and Sushmita Sen is incidentally not only Kangna’s first big multi-starrer, but is also her first comedy, and the actress is more than looking forward to revealing her lighter side on the big screen. But what the actress is equally excited about is working opposite Akshaye.

“I think Akshaye is a very good actor and looks effortless in doing the most hilarious scenes,” says Kangna. And though not nervous about dabbling in comedy, Kangna does admit that her sense of humour is definitely not her best trait.

“I can laugh at a good joke, but I don’t think I am a very funny person by nature,” she adds. Well Kangna, with Bazmee’s knack for comedy, shooting for his film might just do the trick for you then.

"Adhyayan Suman Helped Me Forget My Past"

Kangna Ranaut, who has moved on after her break-up with Adhyayan Suman, is miffed with the recent rumours of her link up with Puri Jagannath, director of a South film in which she stars.

Kangna says, “I should free myself from my last experience. I need to be ready to fall in love again, which I am not yet. Why can’t people imagine somebody single for sometime at least? It’s only been a month that Adhyayan and I parted ways. Frankly, I don’t intend to date anybody for a year. Can people stop linking me up with random people? Have I no emotions?”

Despite having broken up with Adhyayan, Kangna says she has fond memories of their relationship. “I have had a bad relationship (read Aditya Pancholi) and I have also had a good relationship. If it’s a bad relationship, you end up being shattered. If it’s a great relationship like Adhyayan and I had, I can’t have any bad memories. Adhyayan helped me come out of my previous relationship and experiences.”

The parting was not ugly. When the break up happened, Kangna had a talk with Adhyayan. “We respect each other far too much to insult each other. Yes, I was shocked at first. Adhyayan doesn’t want to be in a relationship at this point of time. I thought it was a nightmare but on second thoughts, I understand. I too dissuade my younger brother from being in a relationship at his age,” adds Kangna.

Kangna also asked Adhyayan if he was doing the right thing by calling off their relationship. “He is very sure. All through my relationship with Adhyayan, I wanted him to take responsibility for his actions.”

Was the break-up initiated by Adhyayan’s father, Shekhar Suman? “I wouldn’t like to comment on that,” she says.

Today, Kangna and Adhyayan are not in touch. Kangna says, “I am not a switch-on, switch-off kind of person. I need to give myself some time before we start talking again. After the break-up, we spoke just once and things felt better. After that, we haven’t spoken at all.”

After coming back from Switzerland, Kangna is now headed for Durban where she will shoot for Anees Bazmee’s No Problem. Apart from Kites, Once Upon A Time in Mumbai and Actor, Kangna has also signed a new film Manu Weds Tanu.

Kangna adds, “Right now, I am too busy doing a workshop for Anees Bazmee’s No Problem where I play a dumb girl who thinks that she is the sexiest girl on earth. Every day, I practice for an hour at home.”

Kangana Ranaut On Dus Ka Dum

It’s raining celebs on Sony’s Dus Ka Dum. Next to join the bandwagon is the stunning actress Kangana Ranaut who wooed the audience with her outstanding performance in the film “Fashion’.

As per the sources from the sets, “She had a grand entry with the other ramp models on the stage. Her catwalk was oozing confidence. The film “Fashion’ has really given huge make over to this beauty.”

Talking about her act our khabroo states, “She enjoyed the episode with Sallu’s company. They both shared a hearty laugh and danced on Salman’s song, Tenu leke main jawanga… from Salam-e-Ishq.”

A pandit was also called on the sets who gave predictions on the future of Kangana. “He said that the actress has a ghostly dosh in her kundali. Hearing this Kangana immediately replied, “Panditji don’t say this on TV, as hearing this nobody will propose marriage to me”.

Kangana Ranaut On-Set Of "Kites"

On-set pictures of Kangana Ranaut and her salsa teacher Sandip Sopparkar (who trained her for salsa on "Kites") has just released on the Internet and here are the pics.

Kangana Ranaut Shines CineBlitz

Kangana Ranaut graces the cover of the July issue of Cineblitz looking very beautiful. She is currently in Switzerland shooting "Ek Niranjan" with Prabhas and she is also preparing for "No Problem" which has Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Neetu Chandra, Sushmita Sen and Kangna Ranaut.