NEWS: 'Barfi!' leads Filmfare nominations

Anurag Basu's "Barfi!" has won maximum nominations, including for best film, best actor, best actress and best director, for the 58th Idea Filmfare Awards 2012. Yash Chopra's last directorial "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" follows close behind.

"Barfi!", a heart-warming love story of a deaf-and-mute man, essayed by Ranbir Kapoor, with an autistic girl (Priyanka Chopra) has received nine nods. Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" stands a chance to win across seven categories.

Apart from Ranbir and Shah Rukh, those vying in the "best actor in a leading role" (male) are Hrithik Roshan ("Agneepath"), Irrfan ("Paan Singh Tomar"), Manoj Bajpayee ("Gangs Of Wasseypur") and Salman Khan ("Dabangg 2").

Priyanka apart, those nominated in the "best actor in a leading role" (female) category are Deepika Padukone ("Cocktail"), Kareena Kapoor ("Heroine"), Parineeti Chopra ("Ishqazaade"), Sridevi ("English Vinglish") and Vidya Balan ("Kahaani").

In the best director section come Anurag Kashyap ("Gangs Of Wasseypur"), Gauri Shinde ("English Vinglish"), Shoojit Sircar ("Vicky Donor") and Sujoy Ghosh ("Kahaani") along with Basu ("Barfi!").

For the best film trophy, the nominations are: "Barfi!", "English Vinglish", "Gangs Of Wasseypur", "Kahaani" and "Vicky Donor".

Crime thriller "Gangs of Wasseypur" has clinched a total of six nominations, Karan Johar's action-packed "Agneepath" remake has five nods, and "Vicky Donor", about sperm donation, has secured four.

"English Vinglish", "Kahaani" and "Talaash" have been nominated across three categories each.

A Monday night party here to announce the nominations was attended by Priyanka, Deepika, Anushka Sharma, Imran Khan, Sridevi, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Huma Qureshi.

This year Filmfare has created a special trophy with a gold base to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema. These will be given out to winners Jan 20 at the YRF Studios here.

ZEE Cine Awards 2013 - Winner List

It's one of the biggest audience-chosen awards in Bollywood. And it was sure a treat. The Zee Cine Awards 2013 set Mumbai ablaze with all the glamour of the Hindi film industry. Hosted by Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh, there were a few hits and misses, a few surprises and most expected. Here are the winners!

Best Film - Barfi!
Best Director - Anurag Basu (Barfi!)
Best Actor (Popular) – Salman Khan (Dabangg 2)
Best Actress (Popular) – Priyanka Chopra (Barfi)

Song of the year – Radha (Student Of The Year)

Best Film (Critics) - Kahaani
Best Director (Critics) - Sujoy Ghosh (Kahaani)
Best Actor (Critics) – Ranbir Kapoor (Barfi!)
Best Actress (Critics) – Vidya Balan (Kahaani)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Talaash)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Anushka Sharma (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)

Best Actor in a Negative Role - Rishi Kapoor (Agneepath)
Best Actor in a Comic Role - Abhishek Bachchan (Bol Bachchan)

Best Debutant Director – Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish)
Best Male Debut - Arjun Kapoor (Ishaqzaade) and Ayushmann Khurrana (Vicky Donor)
Best Female Debut - Ileana D'Cruz (Barfi!) and Yami Gautam (Vicky Donor)

Best Playback Singer (Male) - Sonu Nigam for Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Agneepath)
Best Playback Singer (Female) - Shreya Ghoshal for Saans (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)
Best Music – Pritam (Cocktail)
Best Lyricist - Kausar Munir for Pareshaan (Ishaqzaade)
Best Choreography - Ganesh Acharya for Chikni Chameli (Agneepath)
Best Background Score - Ajay-Atul (Agneepath)
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Fresh Singing Talent - Shalmali Kholgade for Pareshaan (Ishaqzaade)

Best Action Director - Prabhu Deva (Rowdy Rathore)
Best Story – Sujoy Ghosh and Advaita Kala (Kahaani)
Best Screenplay - Anurag Basu (Barfi!)
Best Dialogue - Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sanjay Chauhan (Paan Singh Tomar)
Best Sound Design - Kunal Sharma (Gangs of Wasseypur)
Best Cinematography - Ravi Varman (Barfi!)
Best Editing - Namrata Rao (Kahaani)
Best Production Design - Rajat Poddar (Barfi!)
Best Action - Rowdy Rathore

Best Marketed Film - Ek Tha Tiger
Best use of Media - Salman Khan
International Icon Award (Male) – Shahrukh Khan
International Icon Award (Female) – Katrina Kaif

Special Award for Films grossing 100 crores at the box office in 2012 - Rohit Shetty (Singham), Kabir Khan (Ek Tha Tiger), Ashwini Dhir (Son Of Sardaar), Sajid Khan (Housefull 2), Karan Malhotra (Agneepath), Prabhudeva (Rowdy Rathore), Anurag Basu (Barfi!), Arbaaz Khan (Dabangg 2)

Ranbir beats cousin Kareena in box office race

Ranbir Kapoor's deaf and mute character in "Barfi!" seems to be giving cousin Kareena Kapoor's glamorous avatar in "Heroine" a run for her money!

The sweet and simple love story of a mute and deaf boy in "Barfi!" seems to have touched the heartstrings of viewers who are still flocking theatres to savour the unconventional romantic flavour. On the other hand, "Heroine", with an an overdose of glitz, doesn't seem to have the same effect on the moviegoers.

It is obvious from the fact that the Rs.30 crore-"Barfi!", released Sep 14, has raked in Rs.82.05 crore net at the domestic box-office, while "Heroine", which released a week later, has garnered just Rs.32 crore. Made at a budget of Rs.20 crore, it has recovered the cost, but is not as big a success as "Barfi!".

Both the films have been produced and distributed by Disney UTV.

"'Barfi' is performing exceedingly well across all international markets. The movie is resonating with audience and such sustenance across second weekend and weekdays is rare to see in recent times! Exhibitors all across have retained a good number of shows despite new releases," Amrita Pandey, executive director - syndication, international distribution, Studios, Disney UTV, said in a statement.

"Barfi!" is India's official entry to the prestigious Academy Awards in Best Foreign Language Film.

Gaurav Verma, director, India Theatrical Distribution, Studios, Disney UTV, says that it is like "icing on the cake".

"The second weekend saw more and more people coming in for the film and seeing the response we are in talks with exhibitors to add more screens for 'Barfi!'" he added.

As far as the international markets are concerned "Barfi!" seems to be ruling the roost there too. It has earned $4.82 million, while "Heroine" collection is $1.75 million as of Tuesday.

But Pandey claims that none of the female-centric films in recent years have received a response as good as "Heroine".

She said "Heroine" had a "phenomenal opening in all major international markets"!

"This was a highly anticipated movie and our marketing push has helped pull in massive crowds to theatres," she added.

Box office: 'Heroine' disappoints, 'Barfi!' still sweet

While Madhur Bhandarkar's film gets a slow start at the BO, 'Barfi!' is on an upward swing 

Madhur Bhandarkar's much-anticipated Heroine released with mix response. Although it was expected to get a huge opening and the producers released 2000 plus prints, the film didn't live up to the expectations. The trade feels that though the opening was good for a woman-oriented film, the film failed short of expectations.

Heroine has managed to earn Rs 22.49 crore in its first weekend (Friday Rs 7.35 cr, Saturday Rs 7.41cr and Sunday Rs 7.73 cr) On the other hand, Barfi! has collected around Rs 57.14 crore in its first week and Rs 15 crore in its second weekend making its total to Rs 62.14 crore in the first 10 days.

An interesting study of the moolah raked in by woman-oriented films in recent years in their first weekend indicates Rs 8.82 cr for 7 Khoon Maaf, Rs 10.85 cr for Tanu Weds Manu, Rs 12.02 cr for No One Killed Jessica, Rs 29.89 cr for The Dirty Picture, Rs 13.25 cr for Kahaani, Rs 6.28 cr for Hate Story and Rs 17.38 cr for Jism 2.

Girish Wankhede, official spokesperson of a multiplex chain says, `The reviews and the audience reactions for Heroine are mixed. And for Barfi!, the timely Oscar entry announcement has boosted the collections and in fact we are thinking of increasing shows at our theatres.` 

Trade analyst Atul Mohan says, `I think both Barfi! and Heroine should have been spaced out as both are from the same production house.` Trade expert Amod Mehra adds, `Heroine has nothing new to offer and the second half is dragging. It is a depressing film and will loose at least 20 to 30 per cent of its investment.`

INTERVIEW: Ileana D'Cruz: Ranbir and Priyanka not my Friends

Barfi! actress on her first Bollywood co-star and her lessons in love

Ever since Barfi! released, people haven't stopped talking about Ranbir Kapoor. However, the film also marked South actress Ileana D' Cruz's Bollywood debut. 

Not only does she essay the role of the film's narrator, she also plays a significant character in the film's storyline. Despite recuperating from a bout of food poisoning, Ileana chats with us about riding high on the film's success and Barfi! being a major milestone in her life.

What a time to fall sick!
I have been living out of hotels for so long. This is just a rare case.

You must be feeling better already given the audience's response to Barfi!?
I was very confident that people would love the film. Some people have described the phenomenon as the Barfi! fever.

You have two lead actors playing disabled characters. Was it difficult to play normal?
Call it my guts or whatever you want to. I did the film as I knew I would never be a part of such a film ever again in my life. I too was not very sure in the beginning if I would be able to pull off the role. I didn't have to speak much in the film. My eyes did the talking.

You spent a lot of time with Ranbir and Priyanka Chopra.
I actually don't know if I can call them friends. Despite spending more than a year with Ranbir, I hardly know him. He hardly opened up; he is so detached. In fact PC and I spoke nineteen to the dozen.

Has the film taught you any real-life lesson?
It has taught me to love without expectations. As of now, I'm all for the heart!

There was quite a time leap in the film. Was it easy looking old?
It was the most tedious process and it was quite shocking for me. Actually the make-up crew told me I didn't look old at all. I also had to get into a bodysuit, which we named the fat-suit. It was like being inside a sauna.

'Barfi!' is India's official entry for the Oscars

The magic of Anurag Basu's "Barfi!" has worked. The heartwarming movie, about love between a deaf and mute boy and an autistic girl, has been chosen as India's official entry for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The decision was taken at a Film Federation of India (FFI) meeting in Hyderabad Saturday night.

"'Barfi!' has indeed been chosen as the country's official entry this year," FFI secretary general Suparn Sen said.

The movie, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Murphy aka Barfi, and Priyanka Chopra as Jhilmil, has been lauded in film circles for its simplistic and moving narrative that has managed to tug at the heartstrings of audiences which equally enjoy commercial potboilers.

The makers are joyous about the news.

"We are honoured that 'Barfi!' has been selected to represent India as its official entry to the Academy Awards 2013. 'Barfi!' is very close to the hearts of all of us at UTV, and it gives us great satisfaction that a film we have developed and nurtured from its inception has met with so much love from audiences and critics worldwide," Siddharth Roy Kapur, managing director - Studios, Disney UTV, said in a statement.

"An added source of pride is that this is the fourth UTV film in the last seven years to have been selected to represent India at the Academy awards; our earlier selections being 'Rang De Basanti' (2006), 'Harishchandrachi Factory' (2009) and 'Peepli Live' (2010)," he added.

"Barfi!" released Sep 14, and is still drawing full houses in theatres.

'Barfi!' collects over Rs.34 crore in first weekend

Ranbir Kapoor's endearing portrayal of a deaf and mute boy in Anurag Basu's "Barfi!" has left the viewers, critics and the box office wearing a big smile. The movie, appreciated for its picturesque cinematography, has collected Rs.34.6 crore in its opening weekend.

The romantic comedy, released Friday, also features actress Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D'Cruz, who have delivered excellent performances as an autistic girl, and a rich Bengali girl, respectively.

The film, made at a budget of Rs.30 crore, talks about love beyond language and disability. With this theme, it managed to mint Rs.9.20 crore on its opening day, Rs.11.50 crore on the second day and Rs.13.5 crore Sunday.

"'Barfi' has done remarkable business. The film gathered steam with each passing day, rising to the maximum on Saturday and Sunday. It was released in less than 700 cinema halls in India, a tiny release as compared to the biggies. Occupancy at multiplexes was fantastic," tweeted film critic Taran Adarsh.

In the overseas market, "Barfi!" crossed the Rs.2 million-mark over the weekend, making it Ranbir's highest grosser overseas, ahead of "Raajneeti" and "Rockstar".

Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur says the response to 'Barfi!' has been "completely overwhelming".

"These are the moments that filmmakers, artists, technicians and producers live for. The love and appreciation that is being showered on the film from audiences and critics in India and around the world is unprecedented," said Kapur, managing director, Studios, Disney UTV.

The movie has been widely appreciated by the film fraternity too. Karan Johar has gone to the extent of saying that Basu's "genius" makes him feel "talentless".

"It's a big moment for Anurag, the cast, the crew, and for all of us at Disney UTV. This is a film we have supported and nurtured from its very inception, and it gives us a tremendous sense of satisfaction to have our creative instincts backed by the audience," said Kapur.

"Barfi!" had a tremendous buzz around it since the beginning, and with innovative promotions, the team had the audience waiting for it eagerly.

Anant Verma, director and business head, DT Cinemas, reveals the film had a rush for advance bookings from Sep 12.

"The response to the film has been excellent. It had advance bookings from Wednesday and also had many corporate bookings. There was a tremendous increase in footfall after Friday, and it is word-of-mouth publicity that worked in favour of the film," Verma said.

Verma expects weekdays to have decent occupancy too.

Gaurav Verma, director, India theatrical distribution, Studios, Disney UTV, said: "'Barfi!' has once again proved that an effective marketing and distribution with a great content can ensure that a film attracts audiences into theatres.

"We had the right strategy and identified the right cinemas for a content as unique as 'Barfi!' and simultaneously ensured that it's available to all. The result is there for all to see from the overwhelming and unprecedented response that we have received from across the country."

Movie Stills: BARFI

BARFI - New Poster

PHOTO: Ranbir,Priyanka & Ileana At Barfi Movie Trailer Launch

Barfi - Official Trailer

RANBIR KAPOOR and PRIYANKA CHOPRA'S upcoming film BARFI