 DEC 18 - Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is overwhelmed by the
reaction Ajay Devgan and the crew of Omkara (director
Vishal Bhardwaj, producer Kumar Mangat and screenplay
writer Robin Bhatt) got from the people of Pakistan
(particularly Karachi, where the Kara Film Festival is
being held). We spoke to Bhatt and Devgan from Karachi
yesterday.
Says Bhatt, “I’ve gone with many stars to the festival
before, but I have never seen a response like this. For me,
it was a moment of fulfillment to see the Pakistani people
respond to a mainstream Indian star in such a huge way.”
Emotional moment
Adds Bhatt, “I wish I could give the people of India a
glimpse of what we saw and experienced there. From the
moment they stepped into the PIA craft to the time they
stepped out, they were showered with rose petals. Thanks to
the kind of reception Ajay got, it was tough to escort him
out of the airport. Ajay himself seemed stunned by the
magnitude of the reception. I don’t think he’s gotten this
kind of reception anywhere in the world.
At the screening of Omkara on Saturday night, there were
more beautiful young women than men present. We had to have
a second show as the first one was houseful and the demand
was too much. I was impressed by the dignity the Omkara
unit showed in handling the media after the screening.”
However, Bhatt experienced a special moment when he saw the
normally taciturn Devgan grappling for words. “I have known
Ajay for years, but I have never seen him so moved or so
emotionally articulate. He is not an expressive person. But
Ajay was so moved by the warmth and hospitality showered on
him by the Pakistani people that after the show he told
them, ‘If you don’t stop giving me this kind of welcome I
will go mad’. That was his first line when he addressed the
audience.”
Snowed under
When we quiz Devgan about his emotional reaction, he
mumbles, “I don’t remember what I said, but yes, I was very
moved by the response I got from the people. They were
clapping and cheering and I got very emotional. I said I
would go mad. Karachi is a lot like India. I expected the
reaction to be good, but this was much more than what I had
dreamt of. I am overwhelmed by their love. It was a good
feeling.”
Were rose petals showered on them while they were on their
way out from the airport to the Pearl Continental Hotel?
“Yes,” says Ajay, sounding embarrassed.
According to Mahesh Bhatt there were lots of young,
beautiful women at the screening of Omkara. “I don’t know
about that,” Ajay says, adding, “All I know is that the
people loved Omkara and it was obvious by the way they
reacted and asked questions at the press meet.” (Mid-Day) |
 DEC
18 - After singing his own composition 'Kehta Hai Babul' for Baabul,
Amitabh Bachchan is back to crooning. He has recorded a song for Vishal
Bharadwaj, who's directing a special song in Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd,
reported TOI. Varma can't stop raving. "You have to hear how Mr
Bachchan sounds. It is better than even the song in Baabul, which I
then thought was the best."
Meanwhile, news is that there are chances Big B may not campaign for
the Samajwadi Party in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. Amar Singh
tried to woo him, but he declined since he does not intend to join
politics once again. |
