Latest news with #EkAjnabee
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amitabh Bachchan was handed a CD of a Hollywood movie, instead of script of 'Ek Ajnabee', recalls producer Bunty Walia
After going through a difficult time in the 1990s, Amitabh Bachchan was successfully making a comeback in Bollywood in the early 2000s. During this time, filmmakers in India had no concerns about remaking Hollywood films, even without buying any rights, as the laws regarding these matters weren't strictly in place at the time. Following the trend, Big B was also given a CD of Hollywood movie—but, surprisingly, without a script. The actor who is considered the best actor in the Indian film industry , was obviously shocked when he was handed the CD and asked if he would want to do the Indian version of the film. Inspired by ' Man on Fire ' Producer Bunty Walia discussed the filming of Ek Ajnabee, which was directed by Apoorva Lakhia and starred Arjun Rampal , on Friday Talkies' YouTube channel. Lakhia stated that he was inspired to make the film after seeing the Denzel Washington film Man on Fire. The two believed that Amitabh would be the most suitable candidate for the role if they decided to remake it. Lakhia had previously made his Bollywood debut in Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, starring Abhishek Bachchan. Pitch without a script According to Bunty, 'I talked to Amitabh sir's secretary, Sheetal ji, and we fixed up a meeting with him. When I met with him, he asked me for the script, and I told him that we didn't have any script, and I handed him the CD of Man on Fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo I told him we were going to 'Indianise' it and then make a film.' Bachchan asked, "What do I do with it?" because he didn't understand what they were attempting to do. Walia continued. Their degree of readiness certainly did not impress his secretary. 'I remember Sheetal ji looking at me like I was a fool. We didn't have a script or schedule for the film, and we were trying to sign him for the film. He gave us dates for many months later and told us straight that now it was our job to convince Amitabh sir to do the film.' Despite this, Amitabh Bachchan finally agreed to play the lead in Ek Ajnabee, which came out in 2005 and won praise for his powerful performance.
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Gave Amitabh Bachchan a Hollywood film's CD instead of a script when I went to sign him, recalls producer: ‘He asked what do I do with it?'
In the early 2000s, Amitabh Bachchan was successfully mounting a comeback in Bollywood after enduring a tough period in the 1990s. During this time, filmmakers in India had no qualms about remaking Hollywood films, even without buying any rights as the laws regarding these matters weren't strictly in place at the time. Keeping up with the trend, Big B was also offered the remake of a Hollywood film, but interestingly, without a script. The actor, who is often regarded as the greatest actor in the Indian film industry, was directly handed the CD of a Hollywood film and was told that they will Indianise it if he came on board, which, obviously, left the actor shell shocked. While appearing on Friday Talkies' YouTube channel, producer Bunty Walia spoke about the making of Ek Ajnabee, which was directed by Apoorva Lakhia, and also starred Arjun Rampal, and said that Lakhia decided to make this film after watching Denzel Washington-starrer Man on Fire. The duo thought that if they wanted to remake it, Amitabh would be the best man for the job. Right before this, Lakhia had made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost. Bunty recalled, 'I talked to Amitabh sir's secretary, Sheetal ji, and we fixed up a meeting with him. When I met with him, he asked me for the script, and I told him that we didn't have any script, and I handed him the CD of Man on Fire. I told him we were going to 'Indianise' it and then make a film.' Walia added that Amitabh was confused with what they were trying to do and asked him, 'What do I do with it?' His secretary was definitely not impressed by their level of readiness. 'I remember Sheetal ji looking at me like I was a fool. We didn't have a script or schedule for the film, and we were trying to sign him for the film. He gave us dates for many months later and told us straight that now it was our job to convince Amitabh sir to do the film.' ALSO READ: Bollywood's biggest hairstylist died penniless, family was left with 'nothing to eat' despite counting Bachchans, Kapoors as friends After borrowing money from his father and talking to the actor, Walia was able to sign him for the film, but even though the veteran actor had said yes to the project, he still had his reservations about playing an action hero. Walia talked about shooting in Bangkok and shared how Amitabh was curious to know why they signed him. 'We had some time on our hands, and Amitabh sir asked me, 'Why did you guys sign me? I am an old man.' I smirked and said, 'If you think you are old, then so many people from the industry should just retire'.' Amitabh's time shooting Ek Ajnabee was certainly eventful, as previously shared by Apoorva Lakhia during his appearance on Friday Talkies. The director shared that while roaming around Bangkok after shooting one day, Big B ended up going to a strip club called Exotic p****. 'I told him, 'Sir, this is Patpong; there are live shows here. If I take you, there will be riots. He said, 'No, we will go.' So, I said, Let's go.' Big B would make new plans every day after filming was over, and according to Lakhia, he would reach the set right on time, even if he had been clubbing the night before. Apart from Amitabh, the cast of the film also included Arjun Rampal, Rucha Vaidya, Perizad Zorabian, and Akhilendra Mishra. The movie it took inspiration from, Man on Fire, was directed by Tony Scott.
