Check out the video right here:

Emraan Hashmi in Ghanchakkar Movie Stills

While Mahesh Bhatt, with typical insouciance, dismisses the unsavoury rumours and confirms their new collaboration is titled Invisible, a source close to the project sniggers, “We really don’t who stands to gain from these reports about Emraan being ‘miffed’ with Bhatt sahab because of announcements suggesting the star is doing another film with the Bhatts.”

Emraan Hashmi, Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt

“Emraan shares the kind of rapport with Mahesh Bhatt where Bhatt sahab only has to ask, and Emraan would do the film. But the Bhatts have never believed in mixing professional and personal relations. If they did, they would’ve launched Bhatt sahab’s son Rahul long ago. Every actor who works with Vishesh Films is free to choose the projects he or she wants. And that goes for Emraan as well,” the source added.

Confirming that the project with his nephew Emraan is titled Invisible, Mahesh Bhatt said, “Emraan is in New York. I spoke to him just an hour ago and he certainly didn’t sound even remotely miffed. Our relationship is not built on quicksand.”

About Invisible, the filmmaker said, “Emraan is starring in our next mega-project entitled ‘Invisible’, which Vikram Bhatt will direct. It’s an original story written by Shagufta Rafique and Vikram Bhatt.”

Vikram, who is unwell, said, ” ‘Invisible’ would be an entirely new optical and emotional experience for the audience.”

Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut has the unique ability of grabbing the focus in the little stints she does in her films. Careful observation will tell you that the lady in all her films, barring a few like Tanu Weds Manu, has never had the film’s entire focus on herself alone. Beginning with Gangster, her role has never had the sparkling onus all on herself. Being a Emraan Hashmi, Shiney Ahuja film, it was her powerful acting that helped her get noticed.

Even in the Anurag Basu venture Life In A Metro, she managed to grab eyeballs despite the presence of more experienced and powerful actors like Kay Kay Menon, Shilpa Shetty, Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan. Matching up her level of skill with theirs, she was majestic in her little role in the film.

Continuing to her last film, Shootout At Wadala, the script has cringed on every character saving that of Manya Surve played by John Abraham. Despite this loophole, she manages to bring tenderness on screen with the overflowing grace of her character.

Lately the buzz has it that Ranaut is picking her roles very carefully. Loaded with impressionable work, she fantastically juggles between projects. Her most important upcoming lead will be Filmkraft’s Krrish 3. An Indian Superhero film, the film will be an all-in-all Hrithik Roshan affair with Priyanka Chopra playing his prime aide. Procuring the second female lead in the film, it won’t be surprise if she manages to scrape through with commendable reviews for her role. But will she be able to stand out in the film?

With a meaty on screen stint in the film, we just hope that the lady will once again create wonders with her character.

However Kangana, even after years in Bollywood has maintained her professionalism intact. She said, “I’m an actor. I get assignments, I do my work and I stay totally detached from my movies. It’s good if a film does well but that’s not going to change my attitude or commitment to my work.”

“(Director) Rajkumar Gupta has done a great job in the film. He has written such an interesting script. Both Emraan (Hashmi) and Vidya have performed extraordinarily. From the trailer you can tell that it’s a full-on entertainer,” Siddharth, managing director of Studios, Disney UTV, said here.

“I am sure it will be a great film,” he added here Friday night on the sidelines of a special screening of Bombay Talkies

A comedy-thriller, Ghanchakkar  is slated to release June 28. It is produced by UTV.

Siddharth Roy Kapoor

Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif

According to a leading daily, Sanjay is all set to revive the project and is looking out for both Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif for the roles of Mastani and Kashibai respectively. Padukone, is the leading lady in Bhansali’s upcoming film Ram Leela opposite supposedly beau Ranveer Singh. Ram Leela is scheduled for October 2013 release, following which Sanjay plans to begin the pre-production work of Bajirao Mastani. The film is expected to go on floors by April 2014.

Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan

Though there are antithetical reports over the film’s leading man, according to our sources, Sanjay is considering both Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor for the role of Bajirao. Salman has been on a low in the last few weeks, given his court dates for the 2002 hit and run case and his check up in U.S. However, the prime most reason why there are second thoughts over him is because of the overpowering haunting ghost of the Sanjay Dutt verdict, with something similar looming large on Salman as well.

In case Ranbir achieves an edge over Salman, the situation of the film will be replicable of the 1981 stint Silsila. With his ex-girlfriend Deepika and alleged current girlfriend Katrina working along with him in the same celluloid frame, this will undoubtedly rake excessive interest from the audiences.

Silsila (1981) Movie Poster

While it will be a smart move on the part of Bhansali and the actors to team up together for the film and cash in on their existing not so harmonious relationship, most trade analysts agree that this will result in a greater doom for Bhansali’s dream venture! The actresses were last seen together at the 2013 IPL opening ceremony and were visibly ignorant and cold towards each other.

While troubled interpersonal relationships are almost a norm in Bollywood, there are still a few actors who win the race at being the most controversial warring actors and still exhibit an amicable vibe.

Akshay Kumar – Shilpa Shetty

Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty on the sets of Big Boss

They did not work together again after their elaborate romance turned conspicuously sour! Still, after a long span of many years, Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty came back together on the episode of Big Boss, where Akshay appeared to promote his show Khatron Ke Khiladi. Later, they reappeared together on Nach Baliye Season 5 where Shilpa was a judge and Akshay came to promote his film Special Chabbis 26. Well certainly all’s not hunky dory between the ex flames, they have moved on a long time and learnt the art of being publicly civil with each other.

Deepika Padukone – Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in a still from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Movie

Former couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone have maintained their friendship despite ending their romance. Though Deepika made bitter remarks about Kapoor on Koffee With Karan, the actors are coming back to sizzle the silver screen with their upcoming film Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Not only that, they are also scheduled to promote their film and tour UAE and UK together. The promotional tour clearly indicates all’s well and friendly between ex lovers!

Katrina Kaif – Salman Khan

Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan In Ek Tha Tiger Movie Stills

During their relationship days, Katrina once exclaimed how Salman hates candle light dinner and is unromantic. The media highlighted their break up on a large scale. However the two remained friends even beyond the end of their relationship. Salman and Katrina seemed to share a warm emotional connect on the sets of Ek Tha Tiger. More recently, Katrina Kaif walked the ramp for Salman’s NGO Being Human. Katrina has still remained Salman’s family; despite their relationship fazing out!

Sanjay Dutt – Madhuri Dixit

Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit

No one can forget this beautiful Bollywood affair. Almost set to be together for a long time, the duo separated because Dutt found himself entangled in legal issues related to the 1993 Bombay Blast case, for which he was recently convicted. The two were shooting for Subash Ghai’s film Saajan, which they managed to conclude amicably. In his last release Zila Ghaziabad, Sanjay was seen referring to ex-girlfriend very fondly. Years later, after both have moved into happier space, old stings matter much less.

Govinda – Neelam

Govinda and Neelam Kothari

After starring together in a host of popular films, Govinda was smitten by Neelam. He was so much in love that he wanted to marry her. But she kept denying Govinda, who later married the girl his mother chose for him. She went to date Bobby Deol, another relationship which ended bitterly. Recently the actress tied knot with actor Sameer Soni. Reportedly, actor Govinda sent his best wishes to the couple.

Preity Zinta – Ness Wadia

Preity Zinta And Ness Wadia

The duo was the most charming couple for a long time. Their relationship rocked for a good half a decade following which the couple broke up. Mommy Naureen Wadia heaved a sigh of relief as she never liked Miss Zinta too much. However, the two still continue to co-own their joint IPL team Kings XI Punjab.

Dino Morea – Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu And Dino Morea

The two dated for a long span during the 1990s. Despite their breakup, the two have maintained very cordial relations with each other. Recently actress Bipasha Basu unveiled Dino’s fitness brand DM fitness. After 5 years of their relationship, the two drifted apart following which Bipasha dated beau John Abraham for many years.

With the list being endless, actors today are more passionate than egoistic, more professional. They meticulously weigh their brand value and sensibly co-relate it to the success and revenue it can probably rake. Controversies can easily be deemed as the passport to greater anticipation and excitement from audiences, it would be sensible move to iron out differences and swallow the pride. All for the greater cause of fame and success!

Emraan Hashmi

For Emraan Hashmi, Ek Thi Daayan has marked a kick-start to an eventful year that would also see the arrival of Ghanchakkar and Ungli. One gets into a tête-à-tête with Emraan as he gears up for completion and continued rounds of promotion for his upcoming films.

Are you in primarily for hardcore commercial cinema now or are you happy to be getting into an experimental zone as well?

See, as much as you want to reach dazzling heights at the box office, sometimes you have to do films, which are for the other kind of audience. These films may not be necessarily perceived as the kind that come with the capability of clocking high numbers. Still, they have to be done, a case in point being Shanghai. Yes, in such films too you have to make sure that there is no loss.

How do you ensure that though? After all, a star also comes with a burden of heavy price tag.

In such cases, I make an exception. I may slash my fees. I may even make it one fourth of my market price. After all, I cannot be burdening a film with the same price that is otherwise tagged to a star- driven project. I have to see a project and be sure of the economics because at the end of the day it’s also my brand at stake. I am here for long term associations.

You also have an association with Bhatts. However, recently Murder 3  released and you were not a part of it. Obviously, there were constant talks around the film not really covering a greater distance due to your absence. Were you flattered for yourself or felt sad for your family?

I don’t see any reason why I should feel flattered. Eventually, it is my brother (Vishesh Bhatt) who made the film. He had a vision, filmed the plot his way and put in his best. It is a victory no less that he wanted to change the way the ‘Murder’ franchise worked.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

International films known for their impeccable way of treating the matter of such stories right, Ek Thi Daayan specifically was a sheer disappointment for its climax. The film opened at 22 screens in U.K and Ireland and earned £ 30,587 [Rs. 25.14 lacs] by its first weekend.

Having an insatiable appetite for Indian films, the Gulf circuit is crucial to a film’s success overseas. With a high expat population, mainly Indians and other South Asians, the film performed well there earning a grand total of 1, 75,000 [Rs. 94.79 lacs] in its opening weekend.

Emraan Hashmi in Ek Thi Daayan Movie Stills

Though North America box office is largely benevolent to Indian Films, Ek Thi Daayan despite releasing in 48 screens there could only rake up a measly amount of $ 65,857 [Rs. 35.71 lacs] in the circuit.

With 6 screens in Australia, the film earned an average income of $ 17,871 [Rs. 9.93 lacs]. Fiji, again high in indian population has a special place for Bollywood films. Ek Thi Daayan was released at 2 screens in Fiji and zeroed their collections on FJD 9,812 [Rs. 3.01 lacs].

The film was definitely not welcomed very overwhelmingly. While in India, we could easily reason out that IPL season’s ongoing cricket fever has harmed the film, the same excuse doesn’t stand applicable for the low overseas box-office collection. Though, Ek Thi Daayan is a grilling and refreshing paranormal plot for India, the film failed overseas mainly because the international terrain of cinema has studied every nitty-gritty details of similar themes in spectacular films before. By Indian standards, the film is inherently new in its perspective, but for most abroad they have genuinely seen better versions of similar stories before.

Kalki Koechlin and Emraan Hashmi Ek Thi Daayan Movie Stills

Nevertheless, made at a total cost (including P&A) of 24 crores, Ek Thi Daayan has collected as much as 20 crores just from non-theatrical sources. The all-India theatrical revenues will bring in the additional profits. 

The unconventional theme film opened to decent reviews from all quarters garnering very good word of mouth from the audience and is expected to make a better business today!

*Note* The exact collections will be updated soon.

The film showed and average occupancy signs in the morning shows, however, it picked up really well post afternoon shows and as per early estimates, the movie collected above 6 Crores on its Day 1 (Friday).

Emraan Hashmi Ek Thi Daayan Movie Stills

Ek Thi Daayan is expected to pick up in the weekends, what with getting a positive word of mouth and the film majorly being a mass oriented one.

*Note* The exact collections will be updated soon.

Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi in ‘Ek Thi Daayan’ Movie Stills

Given the interesting horror concept the film unravels, it is expected to pick up to greater heights in the week that will follow. However, the film will have to show elevated performance by the end of the weekend in order to sustain a high box office collection.

The initial revenue is important to collect the larger part of the film’s profit, post which the money inflow slows down in the consequent days. However, considering the budget of the film, which is considerably low, the film will easily recover the cost.

As things stand though, even this piece of ‘news’ isn’t confirmed and the makers are yet to make a final announcement around the eventual cast.

Arjun Kapoor And Emraan Hashmi

“If you see, no one from the production house or the director himself has gone on record around the change in cast. While Arjun’s name has started floating around, there is still uncertainty around whether Emraan is indeed no more associated with the film. It is all plain speculation so far. The only ones who are currently associated with the film are Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra. There is no question of one actor replacing another as there wasn’t a name announced in the first place”, says a source.

In fact one is also led to believe that the makers are still contemplating around the final cast of  Gutka.

“Who knows, may be there is a third actor who comes on. Or even better, both Emraan and Arjun may end up being a part of the film”, the source adds.

When contacted, an official from Dharma said, “We are yet to cast for Gutka other than Akshay Kumar. All that can be made official is that the film would start in March next year. Other details would be shared in due time.”

We are waiting.

Commando And Nautanki Saala Movie Poster

Eventually both films were pretty much neck to neck as the week came to a close, what with Commando bringing in just under 18 crores while Nautanki Saala too brought in collections in the same range. In terms of footfalls though, Commando had en edge since most of its moolah came in from single screens which carry lower ticket prices. Moreover with better distributor share and controlled marketing spend, Commando is a profitable film for all concerned. On the other hand Nautanki Saala is expected to stretch towards being a coverage affair though drop in collections over the weekend were evident.

With Ek Thi Daayan releasing this weekend, one waits to see how Commando and Nautanki Saala hold on for the second week. Since the Emraan Hashmi starrer has got a good release in single screens as well as multiplexes, the Vidyut Jamwal and Ayushmann Khurranna starrer have a battle in store to bring in some more moolah before ending their box office run. However, while Commando can expect re-runs and penetration into smaller centres that would ensure revenue to trickle in, Nautanki Saala would have a good audience for itself on home video.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

Ek Thi Daayan Movie Poster

Rating: 3/5 stars (Three Stars)

Star cast: Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kalki Koechlin, Huma Qureshi, Pavan Malhotra, Rajatava Dutta

Director: Kannan Iyer

What’s Good: An unfamiliar terrain of Supernatural thriller which is sliced straight from native folklores. The film maintains its enthralling suspense for the entire first part.

What’s Bad: Plotted around stereotypical myths of Black Magic, the film tends to get predictable at places. Kalki’s character did not make any sense. The climax was shabbily done and was a clear disappointment.

Loo break: A couple of them post interval

Watch or Not?: Ek Thi Daayan is a rivetingly thought film. An enticing beginning, a well fitted melodious background score, this film will successfully spook you out. However, the film loses its momentum drastically in the second half. Not a cult film, the film deserves a pat only for the powerful performances of Konkona and Emraan.

User Rating:

Famous Magician Bobo is at the zenith of his life. At the top of his career and comfortably in love, his life has it all. Still, a spooky past involving a witch promising to return to haunt him, floods his conscience with her overpowering presence. Taking help from his childhood psychiatrist, to combat his persistent hallucinations; the events coincides with him meeting a certain beautiful lady Lisa Ray, who Bobo thinks is a witch who has come back to keep her word!

Does Bobo face his inner fears? Is Lisa really the witch? Can Bobo move on for real, keeping aside his haunting past? Ek Thi Daayan holds the answer to most of these questions, and leaves many more unanswered.

Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi in Totey Ud Gaye song in Ek Thi Daayan Movie Stills

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Script Analysis

The film’s idea is novel to state the essential. Based on a short story by Mukul Sharma, the story was improvised upon by Vishal Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj’s expertise at the theme, given the back knowledge of witchcraft, by virtue of previous research on his debut film Makdee, has come handy in scripting down Ek Thi Daayan. Unfortunately the film exactly does what you earnestly hope it didn’t! It portrays a clichéd picture of witchcraft and mostly foster the commonplace ideas on witches – long hair, hands longer than the body – the ideas sound least impressive and not to mention stereotypical. Though attempting to entertain, personally I do take offense to introducing such trends in popular cinema, like a rubbish image of Daayans.

For the entire first part till the strike of the interval, the film is hell scary! The film’s thrill stays concentrated as the director mutely bows to the fundamentals of making horror films tapping many jump-in-your seats moments.

Despite the inclusion of motor hallucinations, a Freudian concept, of Emraan’s character, the film raises pertinent doubts. One’s scientific bent of mind will occasionally try to rationalize the myths of black magic, on which the film is based. I too was compelled to hand on to its makers expert books by the likes of Marcel Mauss and other anthropologists to help them garner a better understanding of occult sciences. It is this naïve hitch that deliberately botches up a brilliant conception which blunders the film’s climax. Added on to this, is Kalki’s character which was pointless and wasn’t elucidated enough to hold any ground.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Star Performances

Emraan Hashmi managed to score impeccably this time, and without smooching anyone too much. The actor delivers his best performance by far, that will undoubtedly make you realize that he is an actor whom directors haven’t used adequately.

Konkona Sen Sharma is dynamic and epic. That woman’s versatility glitters a little more with every film she does. Effortlessly top notch, one cannot expect anything less from this fabulous actress. Always a treat to watch her on screen!

Huma Qureshi has a remarkably pleasant and confident screen presence. And Kalki Kochelin, who is an established actor in her own right, goes haywire because of loosely written character.

The kid who plays the younger Emraan gives a mesmerizing performance and notably so does Pavan Malhotra.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Debutant director Kannan Iyer smoothly masters the genre of the paranormal. Despite being a novice, his intelligent camera work is jolting and scares you well. The film aptly uses darkness, without trying too hard to spook you out yet not patting you off to sleep. Its pace isn’t hasty, the film’s boredom seeps in only when the screenplay is murdered post interval.

Intensely ideated undoubtedly, the film is simply symbolic of excellent cinematic vision which fails for its poor execution. Iyer manages multiple parallel plots and converges them scattered-ly in the climax . The melodious music of the film’s album pleasantly haunts especially Yaaram which will stay on the loop for you, for a while. The make up of the Daayans deserve a special mention, which actually adds remarkably to the film’s horror flavor.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: The Last Word

Ek Thi Daayan is an enriching idea of a supernatural thriller that blends the fear of paranormal with ethnic stories of Daayans, grandmothers had narrated to us as kids. The ambience it creates eventually dooms for its wavering second half and shakily written screenplay. Beginning a fresh trend in horror films, it disappoints solely for its inability to deliver innovation as promised. It is indeed watchable, but only for its first part. However, do not go with heightened expectations presuming a classic, since the second half might dampen your spirits!

Ek Thi Daayan Trailer

Ek Thi Daayan released on 19th April, 2013.

Share with us your experience of watching Ek Thi Daayan.

Emraan Hashmi visits Haji Ali Dargah before Ek Thi Daayan release

Koimoi reporters took candid shots of the actor while he visited the dargah today afternoon to offer special prayers before his important release tomorrow.

Catch the pics right here:

Emraan Hashmi visits Haji Ali Dargah before Ek Thi Daayan release

Red and green chaddar for Emraan Hashmi to take iside the Haji Ali dargah

Emraan Hashmi visits Haji Ali Dargah before Ek Thi Daayan release

Emraan Hashmi visits Haji Ali Dargah before Ek Thi Daayan release

The film has earned a U/A certificate from the Censor Board, another rarity in Emraan’s career. A supernatural thriller, the film is all set to create ripples in the box-office for being one-of-its-kind venture from the horror genre of Bollywood cinema.

Emraan Hashmi

Just six months after his big success Raaz 3, Emraan Hashmi is back with Ek Thi Daayan. While this is not a typical horror film to come out of Bollywood, it is more in the range of a psychological thriller with scares. Over to hit-man Hashmi:

Ek Thi Daayan has turned out to be a back-to-back suspense horror flick for you after ‘Raaz 3′. Was it convenient for you to slip from one film to another?
Honestly, doing something like this was difficult for me in the early part of my career. However now I can move from one film to another rather quickly. Now I know how to handle two films simultaneously. My days of net practice in films is over, it is time to play the real game.

So what’s the real game in ‘Ek Thi Daayan’? Who is this ‘daayan’ after all?
She is everything that you have heard of in fairy tales, albeit with something interesting. Did you know that she can lure you with her charm? She is beautiful when in front of you but can take a very scary form when she turns into a witch. We have heard stories of witches having their feet upside-down. We have also heard of monstrous visuals of a woman with hands longer than the body and with scary eyes. You will see all of that and more in the film. Have I succeeded in scaring you already? (smiles)

Well, some of your contemporaries are perhaps scared already, what with the continued success that you are enjoying. Moreover, after the Top 7 superstars, all of whom are 40+, the decade to come is expected to see you make your way briskly up the ladder. Any roadmap?
This may sound pompous but I have never compared my identity or benchmarked it with someone else. It is always in relation to myself. I never see box office success or failure of others to gauge how big or small I am. I only compare my film with my own last project. As clichéd as it may sound but then I am as good as my last Friday.

You must be indeed hoping a lot from this Friday’s release ‘Ek Thi Daayan’, considering the fact your last new release ‘Raaz 3′ (‘Rush’ was a delayed film after all) took the biggest opening of your career and also stays on to be your biggest grosser yet.
Of course the endeavour is for my new film to outdo my last. I do keep in mind all the numbers and the box office results of my films. But it’s unfair to compare two films and their results. It is all a function of the cast, budget and genre.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

“Probably, this (Ek Thi Daayan) is my second or third film with U/A certificate, but it’s a welcome change,” Emraan said here Sunday while promoting Ek Thi Daayan.

“As it is said that with U/A certificate, the audience increases by 15 to 20 percent. It’s great to somewhere capitalise through the content of this film, so that a larger audience embraces this film,” added the 34-year-old.

Check out the video right here:

Emraan Hashmi at Ek Thi Daayan Movie Promotional Event