Latest news with #OMG:OhMyGod!
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Umesh Shukla denies Rs 8 crore bribery rumours involving Aamir Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra: 'PK' row
Umesh Shukla denied rumors that Aamir Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra bribed him with Rs 8 crore to shelve 'OMG: Oh My God!'. He explained similarities with 'PK' were coincidental, as both films explore religion. Both movies remain popular for their thought-provoking themes and storytelling. Aamir Khan 's 2014 blockbuster 'PK' faced comparisons to Akshay Kumar's 2012 film 'OMG: Oh My God!' since both tackled themes related to religion. Recently, Umesh Shukla , the director of 'OMG', dismissed rumors suggesting that Aamir and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra bribed him to halt his film's release. Clarification on Bribery Allegations In a recent interview with Friday Talkies, Umesh dismissed the bribery rumors, clarifying that the claims about Vidhu offering him Rs 8 crore to not make the film were merely gossip and never happened. He emphasized that Rajkumar Hirani , Abhijat Joshi, Chopra, and Aamir Khan are all highly talented and dignified individuals who would never engage in such petty behavior. Similar Ideas and Independent Creations Shukla revealed that his play had been running in theatres for a long time, and that 'PK' writers Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi had already seen it. He suggested they might have independently developed similar ideas. He added that if 'PK' had been released before his film, people might have accused his work of resembling 'PK'. According to him, when creators explore similar themes, some overlap is natural—just as in a love story, where expressions like 'I love you' are expected. Continued Popularity of Both Films Both 'PK' and 'OMG: Oh My God!' achieved tremendous success at the box office and have remained beloved by audiences over the years. Their thought-provoking themes and engaging storytelling continue to resonate, making them popular choices for fans who enjoy revisiting these films time and again.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan, Vidhu Vinod Chopra Bribed OMG Director With Rs 8 Crore To Shelve Akshay Kumar Film?
Both films dealt with a similar subject, and thus, comparisons were drawn after the release of PK. When Aamir Khan's PK was released in theatres, it became a massive hit at the box office. However, some compared it to Akshay Kumar's OMG: Oh My God! The films dealt with a similar subject, and thus, comparisons were drawn. OMG director Umesh Shukla addressed this in a conversation with Friday Talkies. He also addressed rumours about Aamir Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra bribing him to shelve the film. Umesh Shukla said, 'I think they might've had a similar idea in mind. If PK had released before my film, people might have said that mine resembled PK." While OMG was based on a play written by Umesh, PK was penned by Rajkummar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. Umesh mentioned that his play had been running for a long time, and the team of PK had watched it. He said, 'Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and writer Abhijat Joshi had all seen my play. So, when someone works on a similar subject, there's bound to be some reflection. If you're making a love story, and someone says 'I love you' in that film, well, of course they will, it's a love story." He also addressed bribery rumours and said, 'At that time, there were even rumours that Vidhu Vinod Chopra gave me Rs 8 crore to not make the film. But that was just gossip, Nothing of the sort ever happened. All of them, be it Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Chopra, or even Aamir Khan, are too talented and dignified to do something so petty, like offering money." In earlier interviews, Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi denied copying OMG for their script. They mentioned that they conceived the early screenplay in 2000, but had to make major changes due to its similarity with the Hollywood film, Inception. However, by the time they started editing the final film, the Akshay Kumar starrer hit the screens. The 2014 Bollywood film PK, directed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Aamir Khan, is a social satire and science fiction comedy-drama that explores themes of religion, faith, and blind belief through the eyes of an alien. Meanwhile, OMG – Oh My God! is a satirical Indian film directed by Umesh Shukla and starring Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Mithun Chakraborty. The 2012 film is a bold and thought-provoking take on religion, blind faith, and organised worship.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘They said Vidhu Vinod Chopra bribed my with Rs 8 crore to not make OMG': Director Umesh Shukla opens up on PK comparisons
Back when Rajkumar Hirani's PK hit the theatres, there was considerable buzz around its striking resemblance to OMG: Oh My God!, the sleeper hit comedy directed by Umesh Shukla that released about a year earlier. While OMG was adapted from a theatre play written and directed by Shukla himself, PK was an original screenplay penned by Hirani and his long-time collaborator Abhijat Joshi. Now, years later, Umesh Shukla has finally addressed the comparisons and longstanding plagiarism rumours in a candid interview with Friday Talkies. Speaking about the conceptual similarity between the two films, Shukla said: 'I think they might've had a similar idea in mind. If PK had released before my film, people might have said that mine resembled PK.' He also pointed out that his play had been running on stage long before the movie adaptation, and that many from the PK team were familiar with it. 'Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and writer Abhijat Joshi had all seen my play. So, when someone works on a similar subject, there's bound to be some reflection. If you're making a love story, and someone says 'I love you' in that film, well, of course they will, it's a love story.' Over the years, speculation has swirled that Shukla was paid off by the PK team, especially Aamir Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, to shelve OMG, considering the thematic similarities. Shukla finally addressed those claims head-on: 'At that time, there were even rumours that Vidhu Vinod Chopra gave me Rs 8 crore to not make the film. But that was just gossip, Nothing of the sort ever happened. All of them, be it Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Chopra, or even Aamir Khan, are too talented and dignified to do something so petty, like offering money.' Also Read | Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani reunite after 3 Idiots and PK, announce biopic on the 'father of Indian cinema' Dadasaheb Phalke PK was widely compared to OMG soon after its release, fueling conspiracy theories that Hirani had paid Shukla to stall his project. In his defence, Hirani had firmly denied such claims in a statement to a leading daily: 'Please, please call Umesh Shukla and ask him, or call Paresh. This is absurd, How can someone say something like this?' Even Aamir Khan weighed in, calling the reports baseless: 'It's all lies… fabricated. You should be very careful about what you believe.' In earlier interviews, both Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi had clarified that the original screenplay of PK, conceived in the late 2000s, was markedly different. However, they later revamped it after realising it bore similarities to Christopher Nolan's Inception, which had just released. Ironically, by the time they completed filming and began editing, OMG: Oh My God! had hit the screens, and they again noticed a few thematic overlaps. Nonetheless, they stayed the course and released their film. Despite the controversy, PK went on to become a massive box office hit and is now considered one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.
NDTV
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Weekend Binge: From Hera Pheri To Welcome - 70 Shades Of Paresh Rawal
New Delhi: You must have been living under a rock if you have not heard about the recent drama between Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar over the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3. After Paresh Rawal revealed that he will no longer be part of the third instalment of the iconic comedy franchise, Akshay Kumar sued the veteran actor for ₹25 crore. But today, as the legendary actor turns 70, let us set the drama aside and celebrate his incredible contribution to Indian cinema. Here is a special weekend watchlist dedicated to Paresh Rawal: 1. OMG: Oh My God! – JioHotstar As the sceptical atheist Kanji Lalji Mehta, Paresh Rawal shines in this thought-provoking satirical drama about blind faith and religion. The blockbuster also features Akshay Kumar in a pivotal role. 2. Hera Pheri series – Prime Video The franchise, which includes Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri, is a cult comedy ride where Paresh Rawal's iconic Babu Bhaiya steals the show with his wit, timing and unforgettable one-liners. He is the heart, soul and hilarious confusion of the whole chaos! 3. Table No. 21 – Zee5 A gripping thriller where Paresh Rawal plays a game master with a dark twist. The Aditya Datt directorial touches upon the social issue of ragging. 4. Andaz Apna Apna – Prime Video A cult classic where he plays a double role – Teja and Ram Gopal Bajaj. His scenes with Crime Master Gogo (Shakti Kapoor) are comedy gold. 5. Chachi 420 – YouTube There is hardly any 90s kid who has not watched this cinema gem. In the project headlined by Kamal Haasan, Paresh Rawal plays the suspicious and quirky landlord. 6. Chup Chup Ke – Prime Video Yes, the same movie where Shahid Kapoor pretends to be mute and deaf. Paresh Rawal is seen as Gundya, the caring yet comical fisherman. His chemistry with Rajpal Yadav is one of the highlights of this romantic comedy. 7. Golmaal: Fun Unlimited – Prime Video As the blind and ever-confused Somnath Bhardwaj, Paresh Rawal had audiences in splits with his flawless delivery and situational comedy. Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor and Sharman Joshi play key roles in the Rohit Shetty directorial. 7. URI: The Surgical Strike – Zee5 In the project led by Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal portrays Govind Bhardwaj, a character inspired by Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor. Re-watch this film because when Vicky Kaushal asks, 'How is the josh?', we all will reply, 'High sir!' 8. Hera Pheri series – Prime Video The franchise, which includes Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri, is a cult comedy ride where Paresh Rawal's iconic Babu Bhaiya steals the show with his wit, timing and unforgettable one-liners. He is the heart, soul and hilarious confusion of the whole chaos! 9. Nayak: The Real Hero – Prime Video Don't call yourself a Bollywood fan if you have not watched this classic featuring Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Paresh Rawal. We all remember how, as a corrupt politician, Paresh Rawal said, 'Apun ka ek hi funda hai — public ko thenga dikhana!' "Control Uday, control!" said Paresh Rawal (in the role of Dr Ghunghroo), and we all were left in splits. The 2007 film also features Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why Paresh Rawal Quit Hera Pheri: No Script, Flaky Details, And A Whole Lot Of Friction
New Delhi: The iconic Hera Pheri franchise has run into yet another controversy - this time involving the unexpected exit of actor Paresh Rawal, who portrayed the fan-favourite character Baburao. The situation has since escalated into a legal dispute, raising questions about creative control, contractual clarity, and an increasingly fragile relationship between Rawal and co-star Akshay Kumar. No Script, No Clarity - Just A Poster Shoot? Sources close to the development say Rawal's discomfort stemmed from the absence of a bound script or a clear narration of his character's arc. Despite being part of a promotional shoot that was widely circulated as the trio's grand return - Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Rawal - the actor had not received details about his role or its length in the film. While the announcement suggested full-scale production was imminent, insiders claim Hera Pheri 3 had no locked screenplay at the time, which raised red flags for Rawal. Legal Dispute: Breach of Trust or Lack of Contract? Akshay Kumar's production banner, Cape of Good Films, served a legal notice to Rawal, claiming damages of Rs 25 crore. They argue that Rawal accepted a Rs 11 lakh signing amount, committed to the film, and later withdrew, disrupting timelines and planning. However, Rawal's legal team maintains there was no signed agreement, no narration, and no finalised script. According to them, the actor returned the signing amount with 15% interest well before any legal communication from Cape of Good Films. They've called the suit "unfounded" and suggested Rawal had every right to exit a project that was not formally binding. Franchise Rights Tussle: Another Layer Of Conflict What complicates matters further is the dispute over who holds the rights to the Hera Pheri brand. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who launched the original film in 2000, is believed to have reclaimed the intellectual property rights. His team had allegedly warned Akshay Kumar and others against publicly promoting any new instalment without legal clearance. This ongoing battle over IP rights may have contributed to Rawal's hesitation, especially if the project was being developed in a murky legal environment. Past Friction? The OMG 2 Factor Though not directly linked, some believe the signs of a rift between Rawal and Kumar began surfacing earlier. In OMG 2 - a sequel to the 2012 film OMG: Oh My God! that starred both actors - Rawal was noticeably absent. Akshay Kumar featured in a supporting but central role as a divine messenger and co-produced the film. Rawal, who led the original, was not part of the sequel, possibly reflecting a deeper creative divergence. Creative Reservations: 'Don't Want to Repeat the Same Mistakes' In previous interviews, Rawal had expressed dissatisfaction with how Phir Hera Pheri (2006) shifted away from the grounded humour of the original. Sources say he was cautious about history repeating itself - a big reason he demanded a proper script and clarity before giving a green light to Hera Pheri 3. Without those assurances, and with multiple producers claiming control of the franchise, Rawal opted to step away. Industry Reacts: A Missing Piece Suniel Shetty, who plays Shyam in the franchise, publicly expressed shock over Rawal's exit. Director Priyadarshan also hinted that the chemistry between the trio cannot be replicated. With one of the key characters now gone, the future of Hera Pheri 3 hangs in the balance.
