Jaipur, Jan 30 (IANS) Protestors disrupted the screening of Salman Khan-starrer "Veer" in two theatres here Saturday, alleging that the film had twisted facts and hurt the sentiments of the Rajput community, police said.

Members of the Shri Rajpur Karni Sena, an outfit of the Rajput community, gathered at two theaters in the city at 11.30 a.m. and tried to stop the screening of the film.

The protestors became violent and pelted stones, breaking glass panes of Trinton Mall in Jhotwara and Vaibhav complex in Vaishali Nagar, police said.

Police baton charged the mob resulting in minor injuries to few protestors.

"We first tried to speak to them and tried to pacify them. But seeing the protest turn violent, we were forced to resort to 'lathicharge' (baton charge). We have arrested 20 members of the Karni Singh Sena for disturbing peace," a police official told IANS.

B.S. Shekawat, a member executive committee of the group, said: "We were protesting against some facts shown in the film about Rajputs that we think are totally against our traditions.

"The film shows a Rajput girl being crowned as a ruler even though her father is alive. It is completely against our tradition," he said.

"How can the crowning ceremony take place when the father is alive? Especially for girls?" he asked.

"We want objectionable scenes to be removed. It really hurts the sentiments of our community," Shekhawat said, adding that if the director of the film fails to do so, then more such protests would be organised.

Labels: Veer

New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Salman Khan's much ambitious period drama "Veer" has fallen flat at the box office despite having an extended weekend for business, thanks to Republic Day. The movie has not gone beyond an average 45 percent occupancy over the initial weekend.

Released Friday, the film was a solo release, but has failed to attract masses.

" 'Veer' is an average movie. While the constant on Friday and Saturday was only 44 percent occupancy, it dropped to 39 percent on Sunday and has been on an average only 43 percent over the initial weekend," Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas at Noida, told IANS.

"It is now expected to fall around 30-35 percent. We were running 19 shows per day and in the new week, we will change it to eight shows per day," he added.

Written by Salman 20 years ago, the film was co-produced by Eros International Media Ltd presentation and Vijay Galani's Moviez production.

Made at a budget of around Rs.44 crore, (Rs.440 million) 'Veer' has been directed by Anil Sharma and marks the big screen debut of Zarine Khan, who is said to have a close resemblance to Salman's actress girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

Set in colonial India, the film encapsulates a period when the British enslaved India with their divide and rule policy and kings and nawabs fell for it, except for the Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought till their last breath. Salman plays one of the bravest and strongest Pindari soldiers named Veer.

"There has been a major drop in the movie. 'Veer' is a period movie and audiences have not been able to relate to it. The movie got only around 40 percent of opening because there was no competition considering it was a solo release," said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas.

"Now that we have an extended weekend due to Republic Day, may be it gets some footfalls as people don't have any other movie to watch," he added.

Piyush Raizada, director of Delite Cinema that upgraded itself into a two-screener, however, claims that movie is diong a good business.

"'Veer' is doing very well and the collections are fantastic considering it's a long weekend," said Raizada.

Labels: Veer

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) Flaunting one's body in a bikini is no more taboo in Hindi films, but new entrant Zarine Khan, who debuted with "Veer", says she would never be able to don a two-piece costume on screen.

In "Veer", the Mumbai girl was covered from head to toe throughout the film. But is she ready to play a chic urban girl and wear contemporary costumes in her future movies?

"I am more than willing to do so. What I am sure about though is that I would never be able to wear a bikini. That's because I am constantly thinking that I am fat, I am fat, I am fat. Till the time this voice reverberates inside my head, I will always be apprehensive," Zarine told IANS.

"I'm very conscious about my weight. In fact, during my school and college days, I used to weigh as much as 100 kilos. It's only now that I weigh a lot lesser. I want to play all kinds of roles and get into the kind of attire that a Hindi film heroine is required to wear.

"However, before that I will have to get rid of all the excess weight that I currently have on me. It's just a few more pounds to go and after that it should all be well," said Zarine.

Zarine, who plays princess Yashodhara in "Veer" that has Salman in the lead role, understands that if she wants to be in the business of showbiz, she will need a good figure.

"Whatever role that I consent to play, it has to be done with dedication. However, I'm a new entrant and there are so many established actresses who are taking the size zero route. Obviously, I can't beat them due to my body structure, but I wish to get into shape to the best of my ability," she said.

Narrating her journey of weighty issues, Zarine said: "It was only after I started doing modelling that my weight went down by 40-45 kilos from an original 100. I have a tendency to lose and put on weight. This is why while working on 'Veer', I was so happy. For a change no one was asking me to lose weight."

In "Veer" she was not required to look skinny; therefore she could even pile on chocolates.

"Why just chocolates? I also got to eat other junk stuff which I had to earlier sacrifice. Any actress would have thought 1,000 times before eating the kind of things that I got on a platter on the sets of 'Veer'. Having said that, I had to be reasonably conscious about not becoming 100 kilos again. I was regular with my workouts to maintain a curvaceous body."

Zarine is now biding her time before she gets ready for her next venture.

"I am taking things slow and waiting for what best comes to me next. Industry has been supportive so far though I'm looking forward to something concrete. I'm taking things slow; there is no hurry," she said.

Labels: Veer, Zarine-Khan

Labels: Veer

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Monday issued notices to production house Eros International Pvt Ltd and actor Salman Khan on a complaint of copyright violation in the just-released Hindi film "Veer".

Justice V.K. Shali issued notices to all the respondents for Feb 4.

The film is co-produced by Eros International and Vijay Galani.

Author Pavan Choudhary filed a lawsuit against the film, alleging that some concepts of the film have been taken from his book "Trilogy of Wisdom".

Choudary has sought damages of Rs.20 lakh (Rs.2 million) from the producer and director of the film Anil Sharma for alleged violation of copyright.

Choudary said in his petition that he had earlier sent a legal notice to the film's makers not to use his concept, but they went ahead with the release.

"Veer", a period drama, was released Friday.

Labels: Veer

New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS) The Delhi High Court will Monday hear a lawsuit against Salman Khan-starrer "Veer" and its director Anil Sharma for alleged illegal use of some concepts from author Pavan Choudhary's book.

In the lawsuit, Choudhary has alleged that some of the concepts of the film "Veer" are from his book "Trilogy of Wisdom".

Choudary has sought damages of Rs.20 lakhs (Rs. 2 million) from the producer and the director of the film Anil Sharma for alleged violation of his copyright for making illegal gains by lifting a portion from his book.

"The producer, the director, and the story writer are well aware of his extraordinary and remarkable reputation and are also well aware that use of idea and concept that India should not be a 'Sone Ki Chidiya but Baaz' in the film are violative of intellectual property rights," says the petition filed through advocates C.S. Yadav and Pandey Rajiv Rajhans.

Choudary submitted in his petition that he had earlier sent a legal notice to the film's makers not to use his concept, but they went ahead with the release.

"Veer", a period drama about the bravery of pindari soldiers in Rajasthan, was released Friday.

Labels: Veer

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Director Anil Sharma admits he had creative differences with Salman Khan over the making of "Veer", penned by the actor himself, but everything was finally sorted out.

Anil Sharma, who earlier made "Gadar : Ek Prem Katha", told IANS: "Salman was not just the main actor in 'Veer', he was also the writer. We had a lot of differences of opinion. The way he narrated the story and the way I perceived it as a director were different.

"Moreover I brought in other writers Shailesh Verma, Shaktimaan (who wrote my 'Gadar') and Krishna Raghav. Raghav did all the research. So Salman's story has been interpreted in the way I thought right."

He said Salman insisted that Anil watch his source of inspiration, the Yul Brynner-Tony Curtis 1962 film "Taras Bulba". "But we couldn't get a single print of the film. So I had to make do with the images that I had in my mind from childhood.

"They made the film in Russia last year. I saw that version. 'Taras Bulba' was the story of the father Yul Brynner, played by Mithun Chakraborty in my film. 'Veer' is not the father's story. It's the son Salman's story. And we had to relocate the entire story from 16th century Russia to colonial India," Anil said.

While Salman Khan has become the face of "Veer", the director has taken a backseat so far.

Speaking up finally he says, "For three years now all kinds of things have been said and written about 'Veer' and my relationship with the project and actors. The truth is we were making a very difficult film. And there were bound to be creative differences. But we sorted them out."

Anil admits he never wanted Salman's favourite composers Sajid-Wajid to do the music of "Veer". "I had heard their tunes in his earlier films and I was sure Sajid -Wajid weren't the right ones for a period drama like 'Veer'. I met them reluctantly and was surprised by their understanding of Hindustani music. We worked really well together. And the fact that I could convince Gulzar saab to work with Sajid-Wajid was a stroke of luck."

He also brushes off talk of "Veer" being an epic like "Gadar".

"Please don't expect 'Gadar' in 'Veer'. 'Gadar' was far more dramatic and emotional. 'Veer' is targeted more at today's younger audiences," he said.

Talk is that Salman Khan had apparently first gone to his friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali to direct "Veer". When Bhansali declined, Salman vowed to make the same story with another director. Anil Sharma was chosen because of "Gadar".

Labels: Salman-Khan, Veer

Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Bollywood star Salman Khan is leaving no stone unturned to promote his upcoming period drama "Veer" that releases Friday, even if it means participating in a race with top jockeys.

Clad in a black t-shirt, blue jeans and donning a yellow helmet, the 44-year-old raced with six jockeys at the Mahalakshmi race course Sunday, winning the event and being awarded a trophy.

"I was a bit nervous (before the race). If I'd have lost, people would have thought Salman lost the race and if I'd have won then they would have said that he had to win because he is a star," Salman told reporters here after the race.

"But I'd like to clarify that it was not a set-up and was a genuine race. I gave my best along with the jockeys and so did they," he added.

The epic has been produced by Vijay Galani and Sunil A. Lulla. It has been written by Salman.

It also marks the big screen debut of Zarine Khan in the female lead. Mithun Chakraborty, Sohail Khan and Jackie Shroff also play pivotal roles in the movie.

Labels: Salman-Khan, Veer

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) After playing a prince early in his career in portions of 1992 film "Suryavanshi", macho star Salman Khan is returning to period drama in his latest venture "Veer" that releases Friday.

Interestingly, the epic has been written by Salman 20 years ago and is an Eros International Media Ltd presentation and Vijay Galani Moviez production.

"I had written the story 20 years ago, but at that time it wasn't possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did... I showed the story to my father (noted writer Salim Khan) and the biggest fear was what is he going to say. But he said it's a good story," Salman had told IANS.

Made at a budget of around Rs.44 crore, (Rs.440 million) "Veer" has been directed by Anil Sharma and marks the big screen debut of Zarine Khan, who is said to have a close resemblance to Salman's actress girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

"It's a love story set in the backdrop of a war for independence. I play a Rajasthani princess," said Zarine.

Shot extensively in Rajasthan, it is a story of bravery, treachery and love.

Set in colonial India, the film encapsulates a period when the British enslaved India with their divide and rule policy and kings and nawabs fell for it, except for the Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought till their last breath. Salman plays one of the bravest and strongest Pindari soldiers named Veer.

As Veer takes on the might of the British Empire, he also has to fight the conniving King of Madavgarh as well as his own jealous tribesmen. The stakes are high as he has to avenge his father's dishonour as well as get over the hurdles in love as he romances princess Yashodhara, the daughter of his sworn enemy.

Also shot in Britain, it is also the first Bollywood film to be shot in the premises of Buckingham Palace.

Despite having the facility of special effects, the film also boasts of using thousands of real horses and other animals for authenticity.

What is to be seen is whether "Veer" relives Salman's last year's magic at the box office thanks to massive hit "Wanted", which marked his return to action.

Labels: Veer

Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Bollywood star Salman Khan, who is awaiting the release of his pet project "Veer", says his father, acclaimed screenplay writer Salim Khan, is a real 'Veer' (braveheart).

"My father is a real 'Veer' as he has always faced tough times with courage and I salute him for that," Salman said in a press statement.

"I remember, when I was young, I flunked in maths. I was terrified to face my father and disclose the fact to him. Somehow I gathered guts to tell him; to which he politely reacted and told me not to worry and spoil my vacations. Exams are not the real test. Still, 'beta agli baar zara dhyaan se padhna (Study well the next time),'" added Salman.

"Veer" has been penned by Salman himself. It is a story set in colonial India and encapsulates a period when the British enslaved India with their divide and rule policy and kings and nawabs fell for it, except for the Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought till their last breath.

Salman plays one of the bravest and strongest Pindari soldiers in the film, which releases Jan 22.

Labels: Veer

Mumbai, Jan 11 (IANS) Salman Khan says period dramas usually give the impression that people in past eras never used to laugh, but promises that his new movie "Veer" will have its light moments.

"We haven't followed the regular format. This has emotion, drama and comedy unlike other period films, which always casts an impression that no one used to laugh in those days," Salman told IANS in an interview.

"The language has undergone a huge change. The dialogues are in contemporary language but would show that people of that time used to speak and behave like this," he added.

"Veer", slated to release Jan 22, is a story of bravery, treachery and love. The story revolves around the 18th century Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought to their last breath to save their land. Salman plays the lead role.

Throwing light on how his co-star Zarine Khan joined the cast, Salman said: "The film is of a different genre, so we needed a young fresh look. More than that we needed somebody with a yesteryear look. How our grandmothers and great grandmothers used to look, we needed someone like them.

"Just two weeks were left to start the film and we didn't have anyone who would fit the role. We were searching left, right and centre and met her by coincidence on the set of Subhash Ghai's 'Yuvvraaj'."

Salman denies any resemblance between Zarine and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

"Except being fair and having a sharp nose, I don't see any similarity between them. Give god that credit for not making two people identical," said Salman.

The film's story has been written by Salman himself and while scripting it he was scared whether his father Salim Khan, a noted writer, would approve. "I showed the story to my father and the biggest fear was what is he going to say. But he said it's a good story."

When asked why he chose to make a period film now, he said, "I had written the story 20 years ago but at that time it wasn't possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did."

This is Salman's second film as a scriptwriter. His first was the 1990 movie "Baghi" and there is a common thread running through both the scripts - the father-son relationship.

" 'Baghi' showed a good relationship between a father and son, 'Veer' does that too. I believe that father and son should be the best of friends. Today, my father and me chat, drink and chill out together.

"But if I cross my line, I run away. I stay outdoor for two months. That's the chemistry they should share. The respect should also be there," said Salman who claims that he could be a good father.

"I am not sure how good I would be as a husband, but I believe I would be a good father. One has to get married, I will also get married but haven't decided when."

The actor has been in the industry for more than two decades and has played a variety of roles, worked in various genres and sported different looks.

Asked if there was anything particular he looked forward to as an actor, he said, "No yaar. I do whatever comes my way."

Labels: Salman-Khan, Veer

Mumbai, Jan 5 (IANS) Bollywood star Salman Khan is promoting his forthcoming film "Veer" in a new way - he is meeting children and encouraging them to be confident and brave.

Salman's love for kids was seen on Sunday at Jamnabai School where 19 schools had participated in an event called Cascade.

"Salman had gone to boost confidence of the kids and told them that there is a 'veer' in you which gives you the confidence to come up on the stage and talk. Salman also distributed music CDs and danced with the kids. He gave autograph to each and every kid before leaving," said a source.

"Veer", a period drama about the bravery of a soldier, is slated for release Jan 22. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film features Salman with newcomer Zarine Khan.

Labels: Veer

Film: "Veer"; Music Directors: Sajid-Wajid; Lyricist: Gulzar; Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Sonu Niigaam, Wajid, Neuman Pinto, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Suzanne D'Mello, Roop Kumar Rathod, Shreya Ghoshal, Rekha Bhardwaj, Sharib Sabri, Toshi Sabri, Shabaab Sabri and Sunidhi Chauhan; Rating:***

Composer brothers Sajid-Wajid have come up with one of their best works in Salman Khan's period drama "Veer". The soundtrack boasts of eight songs and the music is melodious, hummable and is an interesting bouquet of various genres.

It starts with "Taali", a song brilliantly crooned by Sukhwinder Singh, Sonu Niigaam, Wajid and Neuman Pinto. The power-packed track gives the album an edge and a positive start. It is hard-hitting and makes the listener sit up and take notice.

The song also has a solo version by Sukhwinder and it has been sung with a lot of punch.

Up next is a total contrast to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's mushy track "Surili akhiyon wale". It is melodious and extremely pleasing to the ears. It also has English verses by Suzanne D'Mello, something similar to the song "O ri chhori" in "Lagaan". It's surely a likeable number and will make an impact.

It also has an extended version with Sunidhi Chauhan, who sings it in a way unlike her original style.

Then there is "Salaam aaya", currently doing the rounds of television channels. The romantic song, which has Roop Kumar Rathod, Shreya Ghoshal and Suzanne D'Mello behind the mike, is a soft, light and pleasing number. It is worth a hear.

Next in line is Sonu Niigaam's "Meherbaniyaan". It starts with a long prelude and orchestration powers over the vocals. The fast-paced number is average and offers nothing great.

Then we have a very likeable track in "Kanha", a thumri sung by Rekha Bhardwaj with ample support from Shahab, Toshi and Sharib Sabri. This is one of the best tracks in the album. A song of this genre has been incorporated in a film after a long time. A must hear.

Finally, there is an instrumental piece called the "Spirit of Veer".

On the whole, Sajid-Wajid have made an effort to make the album different and they have succeeded in doing so.

Labels: Veer

Labels: Veer

Mumbai, Dec 15 (IANS) Music director Sajid says he and his brother Wajid have tried to reflect 18th century colonial culture through their music in Salman Khan starrer period drama "Veer".

"The film focuses on British culture in India and how they used to mix with each other then. So while making the music, we combined the music of two cultures to give the actual feel of that time," Sajid told IANS at the music launch of "Veer" here Monday.

Before starting work, Sajid-Wajid did research on the instruments extensively used during that time.

Asked if they utilised original musical instruments used during that period, he said: "I made use of keyboards. When things are available, better make use of that because finally it's the sound that matters."

"Veer" is about bravery, treachery and love. The story revolves around Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought to their last breath to save their land. In the film, Salman plays a Pindari soldier.

The film has five songs and Gulzar has penned them.

Labels: Veer