Warner Bros ties up with People Tree Films

Warner Bros. Pictures India has entered into an exclusive three picture deal with People Tree Films. This pact covers the production and distribution of three films to be released by Warner Bros. The agreement was announced today by Nikhil Advani and Mukesh Talreja, Partners, People Tree films and Blaise Fernandes Country Head for Warner Bros. Pictures India. Jaane Kahaa Se Aayi Hai staring Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez & Ruslaan Mumtaz under the direction of Milap Milan Zaveri is a romantic comedy about a woman from Venus who crash-lands on Earth looking for love. She befriends a born loser who is extremely unlucky in finding love who helps her in her quest of finding true love. The music direction of the film is by Sajid & Wajid. The film in currently in production and is slated to release in summer of 2009.

Chandbhai is Nikhil Advani second directorial venture with Warner Bros. after Chandni Chowk to China. Akshaye Khanna & Vidya Balan star in this emotional heartrending story of how a struggling director transforms a rebel inmate of a remand home. It tells the story of how two characters change their life by facing their inner demons and embracing life and happiness in the process. Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy are the music directors of the film. The third film is Basra starring Akshaye Khanna and directed by Navdeep Singh. It's a story of a spy and a cop’s lives intertwine in a dangerous game of espionage, betrayal and revenge triggering off from the deserts of Iraq and moving through the underbelly of Mumbai's drug and flesh trade and finally ending at the powerful corridor's of politics in Delhi. "Both Nikhil Advani and Mukesh Talreja are dynamic creative individuals whose vision we share. We hope to have a long and successful association with People Tree Films in the future” says Richard Fox, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. International. "It's a pleasure to associate with People Tree Films after working with them for Chandni Chowk to China which has shaped up extremely well" says Blaise Fernandes, Country Head, Warner Bros. Pictures India. "Each of these films belongs to a different genre. Jaane Kahaa Se Aayi Hai is a romactic comedy whereas Basra is a political thriller. Chandbhai is a film that has been close to my heart for a while now and I am glad to start this as my first project after Chandni Chowk to China" says Nikhil Advani, Partner People Tree films. "We are proud to associate with Warner Bros for three more film after Chandni Chowk to China. We are looking at releasing Jaane Kahaa Se Aayi Ha in the summer of 2009, Chandbhai during Diwali 2009 & Basra will hit the cinemas at the end of 2009" says Mukesh Talreja, Partner People Tree films.

Bollywood discovers a new passion….. B-Boing

By Subhash K Jha:

Mera Pehla-Pehla Pyar star Ruslaan Mumtaz is getting up very early in the morning to do some serious B –Boing for his next film.In case you think it's something naughty and unmentionable here's the dope. B Boing is a combination of martial arts and various dance forms like hip-hop breadance. It also requires the practitioner to be proficient at free-style gymnastics. In brief…much grief. B Boing requires rigorous and continuous training for at least six months. And Ruslaan, habituated to late nights and late mornings is falling off with exhaustion. "My B Boing trainer is Deepak Kumar. It's truly exhausting, but finally very rewarding. I'm learning all the intricacies of the art, twirling on my kneecaps on the floor and getting up in a flash, using one finger to rotate on the floor, gyrating hands-free…it's very challenging. But also very very tiring.I find myself sleeping off most of of my free hours. But it's worth it because I am required to be skilled in B -Boing for my new film Jaane Kahan Se Ayee Hai."Isn't this writer Milap Jhaveri's film where Ayesha Takia plays an alien? "That's right, " Ruslaan reveals. "And I play this guy who's skilled at B-Boing. Threrefore all the special training."Ever since Ruslaan began waking up early morning to train, his life has changed completely. "I've no time or wish to go out with friends or party, or to even catch a movie. I've been practising the skill for a month. And I need to be at it for at least six full months before I can even look convincing in the film. I wonder if I'll survive! But I'm enjoying it. Milap and I have become buddies. I was there for his engagement last week. We want to make Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai very different for me in terms of looks and personality from my first two films. In Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar and Tere Sang I've a very soft romantic image. But in Jaane Kahan Se Ayee Hai I'm working on a new sinewy look."Though it's now catching on as latest passing fancy B- Boing is not entirely new to the film industry. Rakhi Sawant is adept at it. Grins Ruslaan "That's right. Boy, she can really twirl and rotate on the floor! Though I wouldn't like to try to match steps with her.For my role in Milap's film I've to dance not to compete with Rakhi but to impress Ayesha. I hope I succeed."Incidentally Ruslaan's next release Tere Sang is all about teenage pregnancy. "I'm paired with a new girl Sheena Shahabadi in Tere Sang. Ayesha is going to be my first established heroine. I'm scared. I'm a total newcomer in front of her."

LINK: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=23872

Ruslaan Takes Dedication to the Next Level

He was the cutie who debuted in Robbie Grewal's college love story Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3) and very soon became the first love of millions of young ladies all over the world. However soon after Ruslaan Mumtaz disappeared and left his fans in much distress.To finally put an end to your distress girls we have some good news. Ruslaan has been busy pleasing the directors that have him roped in for some of the biggest projects in the coming months.One such director is Kal Ho Na Ho maker Nikhil Advani whose Chandi Chowk to China is getting ready to release very soon. Word has it that Advani has Ruslaan literally dancing on his fingers with extra gym routines to get more into shape, even though his fans would beg to differ regarding the need for this, and dancing classes to match his co-stars in the project.Looks like Ruslaan is really showing a whole new level of dedication with hours spent sweating in a jump and then shaking a leg at dance classes.Well girls at least now you know where to find your favourite hottie!

LINK: http://www.bollyspice.com/view.php/1941-ruslaan-takes-dedication-to-the-next-level.html

Riteish Deshmukh voluntarily takes a backseat

By Subhash K. Jha, October 13, 2008

You've heard of actors demanding extra songs and dialogues from their co-stars. But have you ever heard of an actor offering to relinquish songs and dances for the betterment of the film?That's what Riteish Deshmukh did on the sets of Milap Jhaveri's Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai last week. On being told he was required to do an elaborately choreographed song sequence Riteish questioned the wisdom and sheer logic of his character breaking into intricate dance steps and offered to let the film's young romantic lead Ruslaan Mumtaz do all the dancing. Disbelieving of the confidence level displayed by his co-star, Ruslaan says, "The choreography by Bosco-Caesar involved a lot of B-Boing which is the hip-hop style of dancing. The girls Jacqueline Fernandes and Sonal Sehgal begged off and were given easier steps. That left only me and Riteish. But Riteish put his foot down. He said, 'How can I dance so well when I play a loser?' And he volunteered to just stand quietly while I danced." Ruslaan is all praise for his co-star. "Not too many actors would be happy without songs and dances just to be in character. Riteish is allowing me to do all the hero-giri because he says I play the filmy hero and therefore I should do all the filmy stuff.Riteish Deshmukh voluntarily takes a backseat By Subhash K. Jha, October 13, 2008 - 11:21 IST
You've heard of actors demanding extra songs and dialogues from their co-stars. But have you ever heard of an actor offering to relinquish songs and dances for the betterment of the film?That's what Riteish Deshmukh did on the sets of Milap Jhaveri's Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai last week. On being told he was required to do an elaborately choreographed song sequence Riteish questioned the wisdom and sheer logic of his character breaking into intricate dance steps and offered to let the film's young romantic lead Ruslaan Mumtaz do all the dancing. Disbelieving of the confidence level displayed by his co-star, Ruslaan says, "The choreography by Bosco-Caesar involved a lot of B-Boing which is the hip-hop style of dancing. The girls Jacqueline Fernandes and Sonal Sehgal begged off and were given easier steps. That left only me and Riteish. But Riteish put his foot down. He said, 'How can I dance so well when I play a loser?' And he volunteered to just stand quietly while I danced." Ruslaan is all praise for his co-star. "Not too many actors would be happy without songs and dances just to be in character. Riteish is allowing me to do all the hero-giri because he says I play the filmy hero and therefore I should do all the filmy stuff.
Riteish Deshmukh voluntarily takes a backseat By Subhash K. Jha, October 13, 2008 - 11:21 IST
You've heard of actors demanding extra songs and dialogues from their co-stars. But have you ever heard of an actor offering to relinquish songs and dances for the betterment of the film?That's what Riteish Deshmukh did on the sets of Milap Jhaveri's Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai last week. On being told he was required to do an elaborately choreographed song sequence Riteish questioned the wisdom and sheer logic of his character breaking into intricate dance steps and offered to let the film's young romantic lead Ruslaan Mumtaz do all the dancing. Disbelieving of the confidence level displayed by his co-star, Ruslaan says, "The choreography by Bosco-Caesar involved a lot of B-Boing which is the hip-hop style of dancing. The girls Jacqueline Fernandes and Sonal Sehgal begged off and were given easier steps. That left only me and Riteish. But Riteish put his foot down. He said, 'How can I dance so well when I play a loser?' And he volunteered to just stand quietly while I danced." Ruslaan is all praise for his co-star. "Not too many actors would be happy without songs and dances just to be in character. Riteish is allowing me to do all the hero-giri because he says I play the filmy hero and therefore I should do all the filmy stuff.Riteish Deshmukh voluntarily takes a backseat By Subhash K. Jha, October 13, 2008 - 11:21 IST
You've heard of actors demanding extra songs and dialogues from their co-stars. But have you ever heard of an actor offering to relinquish songs and dances for the betterment of the film?That's what Riteish Deshmukh did on the sets of Milap Jhaveri's Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai last week. On being told he was required to do an elaborately choreographed song sequence Riteish questioned the wisdom and sheer logic of his character breaking into intricate dance steps and offered to let the film's young romantic lead Ruslaan Mumtaz do all the dancing. Disbelieving of the confidence level displayed by his co-star, Ruslaan says, "The choreography by Bosco-Caesar involved a lot of B-Boing which is the hip-hop style of dancing. The girls Jacqueline Fernandes and Sonal Sehgal begged off and were given easier steps. That left only me and Riteish. But Riteish put his foot down. He said, 'How can I dance so well when I play a loser?' And he volunteered to just stand quietly while I danced." Ruslaan is all praise for his co-star. "Not too many actors would be happy without songs and dances just to be in character. Riteish is allowing me to do all the hero-giri because he says I play the filmy hero and therefore I should do all the filmy stuff.
Riteish Deshmukh voluntarily takes a backseat By Subhash K. Jha, October 13, 2008 - 11:21 IST
You've heard of actors demanding extra songs and dialogues from their co-stars. But have you ever heard of an actor offering to relinquish songs and dances for the betterment of the film?That's what Riteish Deshmukh did on the sets of Milap Jhaveri's Jaane Kahan Se Aayee Hai last week. On being told he was required to do an elaborately choreographed song sequence Riteish questioned the wisdom and sheer logic of his character breaking into intricate dance steps and offered to let the film's young romantic lead Ruslaan Mumtaz do all the dancing. Disbelieving of the confidence level displayed by his co-star, Ruslaan says, "The choreography by Bosco-Caesar involved a lot of B-Boing which is the hip-hop style of dancing. The girls Jacqueline Fernandes and Sonal Sehgal begged off and were given easier steps. That left only me and Riteish. But Riteish put his foot down. He said, 'How can I dance so well when I play a loser?' And he volunteered to just stand quietly while I danced." Ruslaan is all praise for his co-star. "Not too many actors would be happy without songs and dances just to be in character. Riteish is allowing me to do all the hero-giri because he says I play the filmy hero and therefore I should do all the filmy stuff.
LINK: http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2008/10/13/12019/index.html#

Ruslaan Mumtaz is busy gyming, dancing

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Friday, October 03, 2008]

Now that Ruslaan Mumtaz had got a big project under his belt, he is making sure that he leaves no stone unturned to be the best. Ruslaan has signed a film called Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai with director Nikhil Advani of Kal Ho Na Ho fame, no less.
And even before the shooting starts Ruslaan has had to work rather hard for the film. Advani has asked Ruslaan to get in good shape, even though Ruslaan has a very good and well-maintained physique. But, well, the character demands him to be in better shape, so the director asked Ruslaan to pull up his socks.
And now one can catch Ruslaan in a gym for two hours every day sweating it out. And that's not where it ends. Ruslaan was also asked to join a dance class so that he could be on a par with his co-stars. So after the gym, Ruslaan spends as many as six hours in dance class, getting training from the renowned choreographers Bosco and Ceaser.
Well, like they say mehnat ka phal meetha hota hai, with so much hard work Ruslaan is sure to get diabetic with all the sweet success!

LINK: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/42038.html

Ruslaan's Good Samaritan act for Satish Kaushik

September 24, 2008 1:15:22 PM IST

Bollywood Trade News Network
Ruslaan Mumtaz (MP3 fame) is a very kind hearted person, whenever he sees that someone is in trouble or someone needs help, without giving any second thoughts he immediately lends his helping hand towards the person in need. Recently Ruslaan was shooting at Dalhousie, a hill area, for Director Satish Kaushik's TERE SANG. The location was very beautiful and weather was also lovely. But as usual the climate used to change a lot but Satish Kaushik was determined to finish the shooting there only. But the most difficult part of the shoot was the location was far behind from the hotel, where the cast and the crew used to stay. It takes 20min to climb up the hill and 20min to climb down. But in Satish Kaushik's case he used to take 45min to climb up and climb down. Because he is overweight and an asthma patient so he could not climb up in 20min. Ruslaan was sympathetic to see his situation so he told his boy that whenever Satish Kaushik will be ready to climb up just give him a call so that Ruslaan also can join him. And whenever Ruslaan's boy saw Satish Kaushik he immidiately informed Ruslaan and like a Good Samaritan Ruslaan used to give him company so that Satish Kaushik does not feel alone! and they both walked slowly and reached their destination.

LINK: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08/sep/24-ruslaans-good-samaritan-act-for-satish-kaushik-090806.asp

Ruslaan Mumtaz - the one-take hottie!

Posted by Simranjeet @ 9:19 am May 18, 2008

Tadka spice - He might have been locked up inside his vanity van, but Ruslaan Mumtaz has got far more than just good looks!
All right! The whole industry is agog with newcomers making waves, or at least trying to, every now and then. Some have got it big with their very first movies like Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone, but some are slowly climbing the stardom ladder, and cute hunk Ruslaan Mumtaz belongs to the second category. Son of actress Anjana Mumtaz (she played Prem Chopra’s wife in the blockbuster Koi… Mil Gaya, does that ring a bell?), model turned actor Ruslaan Mumtaz made his debut in Robby Grewal’s Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, last year.
Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, better known as MP3 in trade circles didn’t quite stir up the box office but found it’s takers in a majorly young audience, though the movie was largely ignored on the bigger front. Ruslaan Mumtaz, the lead of MP3 , was noticed not just for his to-die-for good looks but also for his acting talent, which some critics thankfully noted and appreciated in the movie. On the sets of director Vikram Singh’s next, Mastang Mama, starring Ruslaan, the actor got locked inside his vanity van. That’s before a production unit member broke the lock by entering inside through a window.
And the media actually got busy appreciating his cool attitude, as Ruslaan went ahead and gave a perfect shot in one take. (Though we don’t understand why he would have shouted and shrieked… was the van on fire because of this guy whom girls find too hot? The thing we would like our readers to know is that the actor is a promising star in the making, and has been nicknamed ‘one-take Kumar‘ by the director of Mastang Mama as he has completed all his shots for the flick in one shot all the way!! Amazing na! Ruslaan has two more projects lined up for release this year.
When Ruslaan made waves with the remix video ‘Aap jaisa koi’ a few years back, he was touted as being more beautiful than all the three ladies of the video combined! But now, the film industry has got a promising actor, though it is still early to picture him big, if he doesn’t keep getting quality work. Ruslaan baba should slowly, but surely move up and work with more well known directors if he is to make his mark in tinselville. Do we see a Ranbir Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh getting competition? YUP! You bet, and we hope that all the girls reading this do go ahead and watch Ruslaan’s movie Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, and make sure the AC is full on! Haha! The Tadka team wishes Ruslaan Mumtaz all the very best for his career. Hope to see you up there, soon!

LINK: http://bollywoodtadka.com/2008/05/18/ruslaan-mumtaz-the-one-take-hottie/

Fourth Wall Productions' MASTANG MAMA completed

September 18, 2008 2:37:00 PM ISTBollywood Trade News Network

Nikhil Panchammiya's Fourth Wall Productions new comic fare titled MASTANG MAMA starring Ruslaan Mumtaz, 'Tare Zameen par' fame Tanay Chheda, and Gulshan Grover has completed its last schedule in Mumbai. MASTANG MAMA also stars Kulraaj Randhawa TV soap 'Kareena Kareena' fame, Asrani, Brijendra Kala and Dinesh Lamba. The film is directed by debutant Vikram Singh who has also written the story and screenplay of the film. MASTANG MAMA is a story of a dysfunctional Mama and Bhanja relationship. A completely mad cap situational comedy, this story evokes the charm and confusion of old time Kishore Kumar films and will take viewers on a roller coaster ride of laugh for 120 minutes.

LINK: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08/sep/18-fourth-wall-productions-mastang-mama-completed-090811.asp

Hazel Celebrates Her Birthday With Ruslaan Mumtaz And Nakul Mehta

The gorgeous actress Hazel celebrated her birthday with Sanjay Suri, Nakul Mehta and boyfriend Ruslaan Mumtaz in a five star hotel in Mumbai. Wearing a red outfit, Hazel is looking glamorous and elegant. Check out the pictures of the birthday party.

LINK: http://www.stampastory.info/story.php?title=hazel-celebrates-her-birthday-with-ruslaan-mumtaz-and-nakul-mehta

Ruslaan Mumtaz caught red handed

September 12th, 2008

Ruslaan Mumtaz of MP3 fame, while returning from the shoot of his latest film ‘Mastang Mama’ was stopped by a traffic policeman at the Dadar Circle allegedly for jumping the signal which Ruslaan was sure he had not. But the policeman insisted he had. He asked Ruslaan to produce all document, such as license, registration book, insurance papers, PUC, etc. though all were in order, after much deliberation he told Ruslaan that he may go. As Ruslaan was about to leave the policeman once again tapped on the window glass signaling Ruslaan to lower it. Ruslaan in a exasperated tone said “now what?”
The policeman said he would like to give him a piece advice if he, Ruslaan does not mind and won’t feel bad. He kept on repeating this for the over 5mins till Ruslaan assured him he does not mind and to get on with whatever advice he wanted to give. By this time our young hero was totally exasperated.
To Ruslaan’s astonishment the policeman said “go straight down this road and after the second traffic light you will see a medical shop selling ayurvadic hair oil.” “Why” said Ruslaan. The policeman replied ‘ As you are an actor after a few years you will start loosing your hair but if you use this oil you will have healthy hair and will not have to wear wigs or caps’.Looks like everyone wants to make a ‘Mama’ out of Ruslaan. - (SAMPURN)
Categories: Bollywood News and Gossip Ruslaan Mumtaz

Ruslaan’s getting advice from policemen!

7 Sep 2008, 0011 hrs IST,TNN

Just a few days back, Ruslaan Mumtaz of MP3 fame was returning from a shoot when he was stopped by a traffic policeman for jumping a signal. Ruslaan insisted he had not and finally the policeman let him go but even as Ruslaan was rolling up the window, the policeman stopped him again. To the actor’s astonishment, the policeman said, “Go straight down this road and after the second traffic light, you will see a medical shop selling ayurvedic hair oil.” Ruslaan couldn’t understand why the policeman was telling him this. “You will start losing your hair in a few years and as an actor, you should be careful about that. But if you use this oil you will have healthy hair and will not have to wear wigs or caps.”

Ruslaan brings back Salman's MPK days!

August 28, 2008 2:09:04 PM ISTBollywood Trade News Network
Those missing the sweet romantic Salman of MAINE PYAAR KIYA days needn't miss him anymore--he is back! No, Salman Khan hasn't gone under the scalpel nor have we got hold of a time machine! Director Nikhil Advani has found someone to step into young Salman's shoes. Ruslaan Mumtaz (son of famous actor Anjana Mumtaz) fits the bill of the character similar to the one played by Salman in MAINE PYAAR KIYA. This chocolate hero of MERA PAHELA PAHELA PYAAR who had left many school girls drooling over his lover boy looks can now get to see him in at least four films next year. Of them the first film which he has signed is Nikhil Advani's JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI -- a sweet romantic comedy. Though Ruslaan is acting as a second lead with Ritesh Deshmukh the fact that he was considered for the role because of his similarity to Salman's college boy looks in MAINE PYAAR KIYA is quite a talk in Bollywood these days. Salman is one of the best-looking guys in the industry and many still feel he looked his best during the MAINE PYAAR KIYA days. So Ruslaan, it's time for you to get ready to handle some crazy female fans, now that you have stepped into Salman's shoes! Great going dude.

LINK:http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08/aug/28-ruslaan-brings-back-salmans-mpk-days-080806.asp

The Maine Pyaar Kiya Sallu is back

Nikhil Advani seems to have found a replacement for the lovable Prem
By Buzz18 . Aug 28, 2008.

Every teenage girl in the early nineties had a crush on Prem - the immortal romantic character played by Salman Khan in Maine Pyar Kiya. And guess what we heard, he's BACK!
No, Sallubhai does not have a twin brother half his age. Neither is he cloning himself. And the wax statue at Tussaud's is, believe me 'lifeless'. It's just that director Nikhil Advani seems to have found the right man to fit into Sallu's shoes.
The newfound Sallu is none other than the MP3 (Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar) boy Ruslaan Mumtaz, the son of actor Anjana Mumtaz. According to Nikhil, Ruslaan is the perfect person to takeover Sallu's loverboy image as he has already left quite a few girls drooling over him with his last film.
The boy, we get to hear has signed four films. The first being Nikhil Advani's Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai which is a sweet romantic comedy. Though Ruslaan will only be the second lead in the film which will star Ritesh Deshmukh and Jacline Fernandiz.
Well, we don't know whether he can grow up to be the real Sallu, but one thing's for sure, Ruslaan's loverboy looks and Salman'ness' seems to be helping him big time.

LINK:http://www.buzz18.com/news/movies/the-maine-pyaar-kiya-sallu-is-back/78371/0

RUSLAAN PACKS A PUNCH

[08 Apr 2008]
“I CAN’T COMPLAIN THAT RANBIR IS RISHI KAPOOR’S SON, SO HE GOT ‘SAAWARIYA’”
SOMETIMES PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS ALL YOU NEED TO GET A HEADSTART IN LIFE. LIKE MANY NEW HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WHICH SASHAYED INTO THE THEATRES LAST YEAR, RUSLAAN MUMTAAZ TOO MADE A MARK IN THE TINSEL TOWN. HE KNOWS HIS STRENGTHS AND IS WELL AWARE OF HIS WEAKNESSES. ARMED WITH HIS CHOCOLATE BOY LOOKS AND WILL TO MAKE IT BIG, THIS NEW KID ON THE BLOCK HAS EVERYTHING GOING FOR HIM AND HOW. Studying in the New Era High School, Panchgani, little did Ruslaan know that he would soon be following his mom Anjana Mumtaaz’s footsteps into the film industry? Post his graduation from NM College, Mumbai, things started changing for this young man when he started doing theatre, then modelling and joining Shiamak Dawar’s dance class and in a span of 3-4 years of doing it all, got ‘Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar’. Ask him if he always wanted to be an actor and he says, “I decided to be an actor in the 2nd year of my college. We had these entrance exams for MBA and there was a course called IMS which I joined. And I did really badly on the first day of the mock test. I was always good in my studies but don’t know why I did so badly. After that when I was sitting outside with my friends, they said looking at my score which was the lowest of them all, ‘you act yaar, don’t get into this’. They were quite confident about it. So from that day onwards I gave acting a thought.”Didn’t his parents oppose his decision? “I didn’t tell them for years. I was doing a little bit of theatre and some workshop actually and they didn’t know that. When the workshop got over, there was a play. So I just told my mom that day, I want to be an actor so come and watch my play. And she was like ‘are you mad, don’t be an actor and all’. But later since I had called everyone she came to see the play with the entire family, my grand parents, my aunts and uncles, everyone. I thought it’s a big day so everyone should be there. When we were returning after the play in the car there was pin drop silence like nobody had anything to say to me. I think they were scared coz they didn’t know what to say as they had seen the worst performance ever. So when we came back home I said ‘I know it’s bad but you can tell me something at least. Where I can improve or how I did, anything.’ My mum just said one thing, ‘whatever you do, just don’t act’. I had supposedly been atrocious. (Laughs) Because of that reaction, somewhere I thought that now I need to prove it to them that I can act. So then I started doing theatre and I was totally into it. At one time I was doing three plays. From the time I woke up, I had rehearsals from 9 - 12 for one play and other till six and the next one from 7 -12, so my whole day went like that. I worked so hard for 3-4 months that I started becoming more comfortable with my acting. But I made sure I never called my parents for any of the plays. Through my plays somebody saw me and they asked me to audition for an ad and that’s how I got my first ad. After some seven ads I got ‘Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar’ (MP3) so there was really not much time in between,” explains Ruslaan.Was it easier getting offers since his mom was already a known actress in the industry? “My dad was anyway against it coz he is not from the film background and my mom even though she is from it, kept telling me that ‘everyday there are hundreds of boys who come in the industry, who are better looking than you and they can’t make it in the industry so why would you make it? It’s not that somebody is launching you. These are some random people whom you are working with and what makes you think you are going to make it.’ She told me right in the beginning that she is not going to call people to tell them to take me. ‘I never made it like that and I am not going to do it for you’. Even for her work she doesn’t call people and tell them to take her. This was when I was starting out but when the movie released and they saw it they had respect for what I did and were more open to what I had to say. The thing is that they know I enjoy my work. And when they see me and they don’t feel ashamed, for me its half the battle won,” he justifies.
Was the decision to sign your debut film well received at home? “Things were just rolling too fast so we really didn’t have the time to say anything. When ‘MP3’ happened I read the scripts and decided that I wanted to do it. My mom was really worried because she had seen a bad performance and after that she had just seen my ads. She was worried as to what I am doing in the film and when it’s her name and stuff. But I was very comfortable and by the time I reached the set I was very confident. So when the film was complete I told my mom to see it. She went with my aunt. I was supposed to go but last moment I backed out as I thought she will be watching me or she will have some expression on her face or might say something, so I thought that I should stay out of this so that I don’t have to listen to ‘don’t act’ again,” he speaks animatedly.“She went there and I told her to call me during the interval but she didn’t call me. I kept waiting and I was thinking to myself, ‘was I so bad’? Then she called me after two hours and said ‘you have actually chosen the right profession and I am sorry, I was wrong about you earlier’,” beams the proud lad.Now that his debut film has long gone by, how has the industry’s reaction been? “There are many big people in the industry who have been in touch with me not because they are fond of me or they are working with me but just because they wish well for me. But they do tell me, ‘you are not bankable as an actor now so we can’t take you for our projects but one day we will’. I also know how things are and that there is also something known as box-office which is beyond talent and capabilities of an actor.” He continues, “You know what, I had played the role of a very young guy so some people tend to think that I am 17 years old and they are waiting for me to grow up. In the industry we don’t accept characters; they think it’s that person. That’s when we see the typecast thing happening. Because somewhere I knew while doing this film that I will have to lose weight and there is not much of dancing or any other thing that the filmi heroes do. I knew I will be typecast but the actor in me just said that maybe things are changing now.”Last year’s, over the top publicity stunts, star kids and their debuts being the hot topic; did he ever feel that all this had marred his debut? “Competitions and things like that will go on forever. This year was my first year so I was competing with the people who came with their debut film this year. But from next time onwards I will be competing with all the actors of the industry. From now on there is no debut for me. If I want to be nominated I will have to be nominated for the best actor’s category only. So I have to work anyways for that. I can’t complain that Ranbir is Rishi Kapoor’s son, so he got ‘Saawariya’. It’s not that. Everyone has a different way of getting things for themselves. Sometimes there are so many people who come from Delhi who end up doing serials. I, at least have my house here, so I can wait for two years and maintain myself. Just looking at somebody and saying that ‘oh I don’t have it going well for me’ is stupidity. Sometimes if I want to motivate myself I look at people below me and if I feel that I am rocking now, then I see the people above me, just to balance myself,” he speaks as a matter of fact and continues, “I think it’s a nice attitude. Because when you go to parties and people look at you and give you so much of attention, I feel, it’s so cool. Then suddenly I feel, ‘no there is still lot to do’. Sometimes I feel very down and out and think that people are doing so much better than me, then I just look at other people who are as talented as me but aren’t lucky enough to get even a good film. I have 2-3 films and I get offered one film everyday. Not that all of them are worth doing but at least there are people who show interest in me.”Talking about attention how has the female populace reacted to him? Does he notice the, ‘oh he’s so cute’ giggles around him? (Smiles) “The fan following that ‘MP3’ has garnered are very young. So I didn’t know that I have fans. I didn’t know what ‘MP3’ had done as a film or what I had achieved. It was just recently when I went to a college to judge a competition. It was my first time as a judge. There were 800 people in the audience and when I went up on stage to speak they didn’t let me say anything for at least five minutes. They kept saying, ‘I Love Ruslaan’. I had thought that my film had flopped. But I guess people saw the pirated copy or bought DVD’s or saw it on the internet. But the fan following I have is very young. They are in their teens. I think somewhere I always got female attention all through my school so I don’t make much of it.”For someone who says he doesn’t have a girlfriend does he talk about all this with his parents especially when he is bound to attract more of female attention as the time goes by? “We talk about it when we get letters from girls. They are very nice ones. I get a lot of letters from out of Bombay also. They send me questionnaire and they want me to fill it and send it back but I don’t,” he says sheepishly. “But sometimes I feel that I should send my pictures at least. And sometimes through family or when my dad meets people his friends’ kids tell him to send my pictures. I do whatever I can. Since I have not changed much I don’t know how to react to all these things. I cannot register all this, to an extent, because I still live the same way and I didn’t change my lifestyle much.
The things I did before MP3 I still do. If I don’t want to drive I will take a rick to gym. Sometimes when I am walking on the street I know that girls look at me. At times girls bump into me and I hear them say, ‘I touched him, I touched him’. That’s the time I realise that ok there is a change,” he speaks modestly. This change may be just the start of what it feels to gain stardom and live with it and the projects that he is getting will only push him towards the spotlight. For starters, he is roped in by Satish Kaushik for ‘Tere Sang’ with Sheena, actress Sadhana Singh’s daughter, Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Satish Kaushik and Sushmita Mukherjee. “I met Satishji and he said I like you and we will plan something together. What happens is that when you meet people they all say the same thing. So I really didn’t believe him then. I thought he was just being polite. He said that, ‘you are very good. You are like Shaahid (Kapoor) and I am surely going to work with you. Then 3-4 months down the line he hadn’t contacted me or said anything. So when I got ‘MP3’, I started working on it. Half way through ‘MP3’ Satishji called me and said, ‘I have a film so come and do it’. When I said I couldn’t, he said he would look for someone new because he wanted to launch a new guy. Then he did his hunt and search and all. The look for both the films (‘MP3’ and ‘Tere Sang’) was same. They both needed a17 years old so I knew that it’s quite tough to get a 17 year old guy. I mean a guy who looks 17. So I told Satishji , ‘Sir aapko koi nahi milega.’ And I don’t know why but I was just a little bit over confident. I was a bit arrogant. I said ‘sir aapko mujh se better nahi milega aap dekh lo’. I told him like that and I came home. My mom asked how could I speak like this with him. Then even I realised that was a little over the top. He called me after one month and asked if I will test for the film. I agreed and I gave many tests and I got the film,” he informs. Apart from that he has signed Milap Zaveri’s film, which is produced by Nikhil Advani with Ayesha Takia and Riteish Deshmukh, titled ‘Jaane Kahaan Se Ayi Hai’, Anupam Kher’s film which is still in initial stages and the recent one being ‘The Last Pharaoh’ by the director Christopher Miles where he plays the title role. Phew! With the going this great whoever is complaining!

**BY SUNAINA CHANDRAN

LINK:http://www.magnamags.com/magnamags/content/view/1458/56/lang,english/

Some crazy female fans, now that you have stepped into Salman's shoes

Those missing the sweet romantic Salman of MAINE PYAAR KIYA days needn’t miss him anymore--he is back!
No, Salman Khan hasn’t gone under the scalpel nor have we got hold of a time machine! Director Nikhil Advani has found someone to step into young Salman’s shoes. Ruslaan Mumtaz (son of famous actor Anjana Mumtaz) fits the bill of the character similar to the one played by Salman in MAINE PYAAR KIYA.
This chocolate hero of MERA PAHELA PAHELA PYAAR who had left many school girls drooling over his lover boy looks can now get to see him in at least four films next year. Of them the first film which he has signed is Nikhil Advani’s JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI -- a sweet romantic comedy. Though Ruslaan is acting as a second lead with Ritesh Deshmukh the fact that he was considered for the role because of his similarity to Salman’s college boy looks in MAINE PYAAR KIYA is quite a talk in Bollywood these days. Salman is one of the best-looking guys in the industry and many still feel he looked his best during the MAINE PYAAR KIYA days.
So Ruslaan, it’s time for you to get ready to handle Some crazy female fans, now that you have stepped into Salman’s shoes! Great going dude.

Ruslaan wants to be the king of romance

13 Aug 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Ruslaan Mumtaz seems to be another contender for a spot in the romantic hero category. After playing the chocolate boy in Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar, he’s doing yet another romantic role in Nikhil Advani’s Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. Though Ruslaan is acting as a second lead with Ritesh Deshmukh, it is rumoured that he was chosen for the role as he looks similar to a younger Salman Khan. Now, Salman is one of the most good-looking guys in the industry and being compared to him is an honour for any newcomer. It’s time to take up the challenge Ruslaan!

LINK:

Mama’s boy Ruslaan Mumtaz

Ruslan Mumtaz, the rising star of MP3, has just completed shooting for Satish Kaushik’s Tere Sang. It will be released near to the end of this year. In this film also, audience will enjoy him acting as a seventeen year guy. How long will he continue posing seventeen on screen? Ruslan’s prompt reply comes on this quiz, “This is for the last time that I am working as a seventeen year guy. I can assure you. It’s only because I don’t think I’ll be looking fit enough for such characters any more. Better I’ll look for some matured characters. And again, if I still look like a teen, I’ll barely have any intention to work for such characters. It’s time to grow up. Actually I signed up Tere Sang much before doing MP3 and during that time I was getting offers for such characters only.”

Bhojpuri actress Sadhna Singh’s daughter Heena is appearing opposite to Ruslan in this film. Flicks like Mastang Mama and Jaane Kahan Se Aai Hai are most highlighted names among the queued projects of Ruslan.

These days Ruslan is busy shooting for Mastang Mama. While asked about the film, Ruslan says, “It’s basically a children movie and I am playing the character of the uncle in the film.” Completing with Mastang Mama Ruslan will get busy with shooting for Jaane Kahan Se Aai Hai from the month of August.

At the outset of his career Ruslan is getting differect genres of films. “I cannot sign any film. Till the time I am convinced with my character I even don’t go to sets”, explains Ruslan.

Talking about the gap in films after MP3, Ruslan says that he is barely bothered about that. He believes audience like only good films. So, Ruslan prefers to utilize his spare time to get prepared for something better. His utilization of time includes gym, dance classes and meeting directors.

What does his mother, Anjana Mumtaz, the actress from the last generation, think about her son? Ruslan excitedly replies, “My mother is really happy with me.” But why does she not come on screen anymore? “She is retired now. She thinks I’ll take care of everything. For the time being her line is ‘earn money and give it to me’. And being a good boy, I also have started handing her money earned by me,” Ruslan winks expressively.

Rajnee Gupta (SAMPURN)

नाबालिग गर्भवती के सवाल को उठाती तेरे संग

मुंबई। सतीश कौशिक की नई फिल्म तेरे संग अखबार में छपी एक घटना से प्रभावित लगती है। इटली में रहने वाली 13 वर्षीय लड़की ने गर्भधारण कर लिया था और उसने अदालती आदेश के बावजूद गर्भपात कराने से इनकार कर दिया।

दरअसल नाबालिग गर्भवती के सवाल पर यह अखबारी खबर पूरे विश्व के लिए खलबली मचा देने वाली थी। इसी घटना पर आधारित सतीश कौशिक की फिल्म तेरे संग रिलीज होने को तैयार है। इस फिल्म में 17 वर्षीय हीरो का किरदार रुश्लान मुमताज निभा रहे हैं और 15 वर्षीय नाबालिग गर्भवती के रूप में सीमा साहाबादी है। सतीश कौशिक ने कहा, इस फिल्म में हमलोग नाबालिग गर्भवती के विषय को उठा रहे हैं। आजकल शादी से पहले सेक्स किसी भी उम्र की परवाह नहीं करता है। हमलोग नवयुवकों के बीच होने वाले स्वच्छंद यौन संबंध से आंख नहीं चुरा सकते हैं।

रुश्लान मेरा पहला पहला प्यार में पहली बार परदे पर दिखे थे। उन्होंने कहा कि इस फिल्म की शूटिंग के दौरान उन्हें कैमरे के सामने किसी भी तरह की कठिनाई नहीं हुई। रुश्लान चरित्र अभिनेत्री अंजना मुमताज के बेटे हैं और इस फिल्म की अभिनेत्री सीमा, साधना सिंह की बेटी है।

LINK: http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/cinemaaza/star/interview/204_213_203752.html

शूटिंग के दौरान चोटिल हुए रुस्लान

मुंबई। लगता है कि अभिनेता रुस्लान मुमताज का दुर्घटनाओं से गहरा नाता है। पहली फिल्म मेरा पहला पहला प्यार के दौरान सेट पर वह दो बार बुरी तरह से गिर पड़े थे। इस बार फिल्म तेरे संग की शूटिंग के दौरान उन्हें पैर में चोट आई है।

पुराने चरित्र कलाकार अंजना मुमताज के बेटे रुस्लान ने बताया, इन दोनों फिल्मों के दौरान हुई दुर्घटनाओं को मैं महज संयोग मानता हूं। तीसरी बार की इस दुर्घटना के बावजूद मैं अपने काम पर असर नहीं पड़ने दूंगा। गौरतलब है कि रुस्लान अपनी पहली फिल्म के दौरान साइकिल और इस बार रेसिंग मोटरबाइक से चोटिल हुए हैं।

LINK : http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/cinemaaza/star/interview/204_213_204828.html

कॉमेडी करना मुश्किल नहीं: रुसलान मुमताज

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
-रघुवेंद्र सिंह
मुंबई। पिछले साल आई फिल्म एमपी3 से हिंदी फिल्म जगत में एक नए चॉकलेटी हीरो रुसलान मुमताज ने एंट्री ली। हाल में निखिल पंचमिया की निर्माणाधीन फिल्म मस्तंग मामा के सेट पर तरंग ने रुसलान से उनकी फिल्मों, करियर और भावी योजनाओं पर बातचीत की..
सुना है कि आप फिल्म जाने कहां से आई है को लेकर उत्साहित हैं?
मैंने निखिल आडवाणी की पिछले दोनों फिल्में देखी हैं। दरअसल, उनकी फिल्में गुणवत्ता वाली होती हैं। यही वजह है कि मैं उनकी फिल्म जाने कहां से आई है को लेकर उत्साहित हूं। मुझे जब उनकी फिल्म का ऑफर मिला, मैं बहुत खुश हुआ। यह रोमांटिक-कॉमेडी है। इसमें रोमांस वाला पार्ट मैं और कॉमेडी वाला पार्ट रितेश देशमुख कर रहे हैं। लेखक मिलाप जवेरी इस फिल्म से निर्देशन में आ रहे हैं। वैसे, मैं फिल्म मस्तंग मामा को लेकर भी उत्साहित हूं।
मस्तंग मामा किस तरह की फिल्म है और उसमें आपका रोल क्या है?
यह मेरी पहली कॉमेडी फिल्म है। कहानी छब्बीस वर्षीय मामा और आठ साल के भांजे के इर्दगिर्द घूमती है। इसमें मैं मामा की भूमिका में हूं। मामा बिल्कुल निकम्मा है। अचानक उस पर अपने भांजे को संभालने की जिम्मेदारी आ जाती है। अब ये दोनों एक साथ होते हैं, तो कैसी परिस्थितियां उत्पन्न होती हैं और उनसे वे कैसे निपटते हैं, यही इसकी कहानी है। इसमें मेरे अॅपोजिट कुलराज रंधावा हैं।
कॉमेडी करना आसान लगा या मुश्किल?
मुझे मुश्किल बिल्कुल नहीं लगा। मैं एमपी3 के रोहन के किरदार की तरह ही इसमें मामा के किरदार को एंज्वॉय कर रहा हूं। मैं हर तरह के अभिनय में खुद को सहज पाता हूं। इसलिए मेरे लिए मुश्किल कुछ भी नहीं है।
क्या वजह है कि सतीश कौशिक निर्देशित फिल्म तेरे संग की रिलीज लगातार खिसक रही है?
दरअसल, पिछले दिनों उस फिल्म की शूटिंग के दौरान मुझे घुटने में चोट लग गई थी। इसी वजह से दो महीने तक फिल्म की शूटिंग रुक गई। फिर सतीश जी कर्ज की शूटिंग में व्यस्त हो गए। उसके बाद मस्तंग मामा करने लगा, लेकिन अब वह फिल्म पूरी हो चुकी है।
ब्रिटिश फिल्मकार क्रिस्टोफर माइल्स की फिल्म की शूटिंग कब शुरू हो रही है?
किसी कारणवश फिल्म कि शूटिंग अगले साल खिसक गई है। वैसे भी हिंदी फिल्में हमेशा मेरी प्राथमिकता होंगी।

LINK: http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/cinemaaza/star/interview/204_213_400556.html

Fashion for me is just being oneself: Ruslaan Mumtaz

July 17th, 2008

With ‘MP3′ behind him and Satish Kaushik’s ‘Tere Sang’ coming up, the young actor thinks he doesn’t need to be thrift anymore! Here the budding actor shares few fashionable moments with Sabir Rahman.

Q: What is fashion according to you?
A. Fashion for me is just being oneself. If you can’t carry something, don’t go for it.

Q: Where do you mostly shop from?
A.I mostly shop in Dubai and in London from a shop called River Island.

Q: Any brands that you prefer?
A. River Island is my favourite brand. Apart from that, I wear Armani Exchange’s t-shirts and I like Zara, too.

Q: While at home, you mostly wear…
A. I wear Track pants and a t-shirt

Q: Your gym wear is like…
A. Most of the time I come back from dance classes and the gym, so I’m mostly in track pants and a t-shirt.

Q: Do you go for the formal look at times?
A. Very rarely. Till date I don’t have a suit. And I haven’t stitched one till now. Formal for me it would be jeans, shirts and a jacket.

Q: What’s your casual look like?
A. Casual would be jeans, shades and a t-shirt.

Q: What do you prefer for evening wear?
A. I like wearing jeans, t-shirt and a jacket.

Q: What about night wear?
A. At night while sleeping I wear pajamas and a t-shirt.

Q: what about accessories?
A. Not really, I just wear a watch and I’ve a ring which I bought from River Island.

Q: Which brand do you favour for footwear?
A. I prefer Nike and Shock. Most of the time, I’m wearing those shoes.

Q: Must-haves in your shaving kit…
A. It’s the razor I guess.

Q: Which is the latest perfume that you bought?
A. David of Cool Waters which I use during the day and Isimiaki during the night.

Q: Which colours do you think are a must in a wardrobe?
A. Black.

Sabir Rahman (SAMPURN)

LINK:http://www.realbollywood.com/news/2008/07/ruslaan-mumtaz-fashion.html

Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar (2007)

By octron • Jul 24th, 2008 • Category: 2007, Drama, Romance
MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar is a Bollywood film starring Ruslaan Mumtaz and Hazel in the lead roles.It is written and directed by Robby Grewal.It is a flick that takes you back to your school days.Back to the times when you had your first crush.However,you may not have pursued the girl you loved to the extent the young protagonist in ‘Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar’ does – right to the Eiffel Tower in a Tom Cruise style.For teenagers,‘MP3’ is a film they can directly relate to. For adults,it is a trip down the memory lane.And mind you,memory never fades when it comes to one’s first love.You always remember it.There may be nothing stellar about MP3,but everything about the film is surely refreshing.It has a refreshing storyline,two new faces (and captivating ones at that),youthful music (not necessarily addictive), good cinematography,and fine direction from Robby Grewal.
The film tells a sweet love story between Rohan (Ruslan Mumtaaz) and Ayesha (Hazel).Rohan and his group of friends enjoy the school life to the fullest.They attend classes,bunk them,talk about girls,talk about their sexy schoolteacher, play pranks, and do all the things that any pack of brats of their age would do.Ayesha (Hazel) is a fresher who has come from abroad.Her first meeting with Rohan is a bit bizarre.After a series of interesting encounters,the two become friends and eventually fall in love.What follows is the usual teasing and bantering by their friends.But there are also those who don’t want the love story to succeed.A misunderstanding drives Ayesha away from Rohan.She leaves for Paris.Separated from Ayesha, Rohan realizes how much he loves her.He vows to find her again.Even if he has to cross the continents and propose her right under the Eiffel Tower,just like Tom Cruise did to Katie Holmes.The best thing about MP3 is that its director Robby Grewal has tried to tell the film’s story not from an adult’s perspective but from the point of view of a teenager. The jokes and pranks in the film are somewhat childish.But that doesn’t put you off.Rather, you relate to them and smile indulgently.The movie also works because of good performances by Ruslan and Hazel.Ruslan has a clear dialogue delivery.He is also very convincing in playing a besotted teen.Hazel is charmingly beautiful but is not so expressive in her acting.Among other actors,Kanwaljeet (as Rohan’s father) does a good job.

Link: http://www.filminagari.com/index.php/2008/07/drama/mera-pehla-pehla-pyar-2007/

Anupam Kher all set to direct his second film

The film will star Ruslaan Mumtaz, of Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar fame; shooting begins next January:

By Subhash K Jha

Anupam Kher is all set to turn director again — and he has cast young Ruslaan Mumtaz, who recently made his debut in the teenybopper romance Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar.After directing the heavyweight cast of Waheeda Rehman, Urmila Matondkar, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan in Om Jai Jagdish, why is Anupam directing a one-film old youngster?Explains Anupam, "The industry needs at least three dozen new actors. There are just a handful of stars now ruling Bollywood. Most filmmakers cannot afford them. We sincerely need to cultivate new talent. That's where our acting school comes in. We're trying to create a bank of talent for Bollywood. And if I don't use my own students, why would other directors do the same?"Further elaborating his plans Anupam says, "It would be a romantic film featuring Ruslaan. He's an ex-student from my acting school and for my second attempt at direction I needed a face that was sensitive and vulnerable, which suits him perfectly." The veteran actor toyed with the idea of casting Ruslaan after the young actor's appearance in Mera Pehle Pehla Pyar got him encouraging reports."But the clincher for me was his second film Tere Sang which Satish Kaushik is directing for our production company. Ruslaan's confidence level, his dancing and emoting were just right for the character I've in mind," says Anupam.Anupam's untitled directorial venture goes on the floors in January-February. "All I can say right now is it's going to be a young film about youthful aspirations. And it will touch on contemporary issues," he signs off.<<>

LINK:http://epaper2.mid-day.com/midday/scripts/epaper/epapermain.aspx?queryed=12&getda=h&eddate=07/08/2007

Ruslaan all set to shake a leg

The newcomer regrets the fact that he couldn’t showcase his dancing skills in his debut film
By; SUBHASH K JHA
The Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar (MP3) kiddie heart-throb Ruslaan hates the fact that his debut film offered him no chance to dance. “Everyone from Hrithik Roshan to Shahid Kapur did a lot of dancing in their debut film. What about me? I’ve trained with Shiamak,” says Ruslaan who was spotted earlier this week watching his debut film at a downtown theatre. Ruslaan finally got to dance at a Bollywood event in Yorkshire. “I trained with Anupam Kherji for acting and with Shiamak Davar for dancing. Like every wannabe I wanted to dance on screen in my first film. Unfortunately my debut film MP3 has very little dancing… unless you count that bit of an improvised jig I do on the bed in one of the scenes.” Ruslaan performed an item with Sheena, his costar in his next film Tere Sang, the event in Yorkshire. “It was my first stage performance and I can’t say I wasn’t nervous. But I do enjoy dancing,and I do it reasonably well,” says the youngster. The level-headed 24-year old has his own take on stardom. “It’s not enough for kids to like me. The film has to work in totality. I feel MP3 isn’t the usual soppy and unbelievable love story. So many scenes have happened to me and to my director Robby,” he says. Being character-actress Anjana Mumtaz’s son didn’t help Ruslaan. “I discovered I had no advantage. I was always interested in acting I started from scratch. I auditioned for MP3. I wanted to start with something more mainstream. But the minute I read the MP3 script I knew that was what I wanted to do. As for my second film, I thought Satish Kaushikji would make a masala film. But Tere Sang has also turned out to be quite different from the conventional love story in Hindi.” Speaking on his two co-stars so far, Ruslaan says, “Hazel and I had done an ad together. I knew they were looking out for someone who was like Hazel. So I recommended her. In Tere Sang, I’ve Sheena who’s the daughter of my mother’s colleague (Sadhana Singh). Very frankly it makes no difference to me who my co-star is. I’m focused only on my work. I can be paired with anybody.” Any fears for the future? “I just don’t want to end up as an also-ran. And by the way, my surname Mumtaz doesn’t come from my mother. That’s my father’s surname,” he says.

LINK: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp?login=default

CONFIDENT

BY; Rachit Gupta
Inspired by his mother Anjana Mumtaz’s career, Ruslaan Mumtaz is all set for his first break in the film industry. This young actor is armed with self- belief and the will to learn something new. In a tete-a-tete he waxes eloquent about his life,career and upcoming films
Q:What inspired you to take up acting as a profession?
A:I was in the second year of my college, when Rajshri Productions approached me with a proposal. They were head-hunting for a new face for one of their films and thought that my looks were really good. I then met Rajkumar Barjatiya and although he wasn’t too impressed with my acting, he did ask me to brush-up my acting skills and make good use of my good looks. One of the biggest production companies of the industry considering me is what got me inspired.
Q:How significant was your mother’s influence in your choice of profession?
A:My mother was never in favour of my taking up a career in acting or any other performing art. She wanted me to do something more stable in life, like an orthodox blue-collar job. But I was clear about my passions and when I joined a theatre group it really irked her. She was very nervous and thought I was perhaps taking things too lightly. But once she saw me performing on stage and in Shiamak Davar’s Academy she took to it merrily. She’s had quite a career in this industry and she is my guiding light.
Q:How did Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3) happen?
A:The producers and director Robby Grewal were looking for a young and fresh face for MP3. Robby took note of me through my stint in TV advertisements and got in touch. I gave their audition a shot and after almost a month of auditioning with around 900 guys I was given the final nod.
Q:MP3 being your first film, did you go through any special preparation for getting your debut act right?
A:Well, to be honest I was actually ready and itching to get my first film going. I was already a part of amateur theatre while I was still in college and learnt quite a lot from it. I did a lot of plays based on Premchand stories, while The Dressing Room was one of my theatre highlights. My preparation was done with three exhaustive years on stage combined with Shiamak’s Academy’s performing experiences. All that, was enough to make me confident of my acting abilities.
Q:Tell us something about your role.
A:I play a 17-year old rich, spoilt and pampered brat named Rahul, in MP3. Rahul is the cream of his friends’ circle and adored by everyone. He takes everything in life for granted and when he falls in love with Aisha, played by Hazel, he takes her love for granted as well. Eventually, life teaches him an important lesson as he discovers a new meaning to love and relationships.

Q:Was the transition from performing on stage to acting in front of the camera difficult?
A:I would not call it difficult but it was definitely a challenge. Where stage allows you to be loud and bold, the camera asks for subtlety. In fact, while shooting for MP3 Robby asked me to keep a check on my emotions and expressions. Initially as an actor it was quite frustrating to be underplaying my role to such a degree , but once I saw myself on screen I realized it was necessary. In hindsight I also understood that being different is the key, I could not just emulate the style of known stars and expect to get noticed.
Q:Any upcoming films?
A:I’ve signed a Satish Kaushik film titled Tere Sang, a young love story with a twist. Satishji was looking for a newcomer and after our initial meeting he turned me down. Three months later he gave me a call and asked me to give the auditions a try. Interestingly, I auditioned almost 30 times and it was my sheer perseverance that impressed Kaushik ji and got me the part in the film.
LINK: http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=16012

Ruslaan's pehla pehla pyaar

His pets Chirkut and Jimmy keep the actor busy

By: Tushar Joshi

Three years ago, Ruslaan found a stray dog hiding under his parked car during the monsoons. An animal lover, Ruslaan and the pup shared an instant bonding. "He started wagging his tail and even followed me up to my house," he says. About my petsRuslaan, however, had to abandon plans to keep him at home. "My mother (actress Anjana Mumtaz) has an asthama problem, so we decided to house the dog in my building's garage." The people in his building started calling the pup Jimmy to which he responded well. Talking about his other pet, Chirkut, Ruslaan says, "There was this really tiny pup that would steal food from Jimmy's plate when he wasn't looking. She was the most ugly looking pup! We would call her Chirkut and yell at her. But today she and Jimmy have become really good friends." He adds that his mom makes sure his pets are fed on time.My three lovesRuslaan also has a cat named Shah Rukh. "Shah Rukh is this tomcat who eats from the same plate as Jimmy and Chirkut. He's like a goonda and comes to my building with bruises and cuts. I can easily say that these three are the true loves of my life!" Ruslaan is presently working on Satish Kaushik's Tere Sang after the release of his debut film MP3.

LINK: http://epaper2.mid-day.com/midday/scripts/epaper/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&getda=h&eddate=07/02/2007

Ruslaan with Keira?

The actor will play a 'playboy' pharaoh in Christopher Miles' Film, Knightley may star in it

By: Subhash K Jha

Chistopher Miles, best known for his biopic The Priest Of Love on DH Lawrence, is currently in Mumbai for the casting of his next biopic. Miles' The Last Pharaoh is based on the life of the last Egyptian pharaoh, King Farouk, whose colourful and controversial lifestyle made him the brunt of innumerable barbs and arched eyebrows.Miles has decided to cast a Bollywood actor as Cairo's cool casanova. The 25-year old Ruslaan Mumtaz has bagged the dream role. Catching upHours after the deal was finalised Ruslaan says, "I had never even dreamt of getting the role. The cinematographer of my first film Amitabha Singh, is the chief-assistant DoP for Christopher's project, and he showed my pictures to the director. He was immediately stuck by my physical resemblance to King Farouk. He saw my debut film Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar and made up his mind. When he flew down to Mumbai to meet me this weekend, I couldn't believe it was all happening."The film chronicles Faroukh's playboy-ish life-style and his relationship with a British girl, to be possibly played by Keira Knightley, although the film revolves around Ruslaan's character."King Farouk died young at 45 because of his hedonistic lifestyle. The Last Pharaoh will go back to his life at 23. I'm catching up on visual and printed material on Farouk. He was quite a cool cat. He loved ladies and fast cars. So do I! And he'd acquire both in every shape and size. I'd love to do the same," Ruslaan chuckles.Mouche adoMiles wanted one final audition with Ruslaan in a moustache before clinching the deal. "The mouche is easy to grow. Now the real hard work begins," exults the young actor. "I've been given video tapes on King Farouk to study his body language and facial expressions. I must say I do resemble him quite a lot. But he was bulky, in fact fat. I've gone the other way recently and lost lots of weight. Now I've been ordered to put on weight. So I've to start binging. I can't get any luckier. I get a role any Indian actor would kill for, and I get to flirt with flab."Ruslaan can't believe what's happening to him. "After my debut, I just didn't know what to do next. I guess I've 'Miles' to go."

LINK: http://epaper2.mid-day.com/midday/scripts/epaper/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&getda=h&eddate=02/27/2008

‘I need the visibility right now’

Ruslaan Mumtaz tells Deepali Dhingra that he does not want to act in multi-starrers
Your debut film Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar was appreciated. Were you apprehensive about the result?

• Actually I wasn’t thinking much about the audience response at that time. I was more concerned about what my family and friends would think. They’re the ones who’ve seen me struggle and I wanted to see their approval. I know that if I was bad, they would have said it to me. My mother was the first person to see the film and she liked it. My father does not usually watch films but he saw my film and said that he liked it too. That was what gave me confidence. I was in London when the film released so I had no clue what was happening here. My friends used to send me text messages to let me know what the critics are saying about the film.

Did the fact that you’re Anjana Mumtaz’s son help in any way?

• By the time I started in films, my mother’s career as an actress was almost over. There’s a new breed of people who’re in production who don’t even know her. And she’s not so famous that she can walk in and say ‘take my son in your film’ and they would do that. I had to remind people of her, so it didn’t really help. But she helped me by explaining how to conduct myself in the film business and teaching me things that I would have to deal with here.

You’ve trained under Shiamak Davar for dance and have also done theatre. Did you always know you would be an actor?

• I realised in my third year of college that I wanted to act in films. All these things I did only because I knew I would become an actor someday. I told Shiamak too that I wanted to act. Everyone I knew, knew that I wanted to act in films. Even theatre was a stepping stone for me.

What’s your next release going to be?

• It’s a film called Tere Sang directed by Satish Kaushik. The post production of the film is on at the moment. The film is a teen love story and I’m opposite a new girl who is being launched with this film.

Your first film was a teeny bopper love story and so is your second film...

• As actors, you take the best from what is offered to you. This is the kind of bill I fit in at the moment and plus, there’s less competition in this bracket! (laughs) I can always build a body later and do actionoriented roles later in life.

What are the kind of films you would want to do?

• I’m going with the flow. But I do know that I don’t want to multi-starrers even though they’re the norm these days. Even for my debut, I had a lot of offers but I wanted to do only a solo hero film. I need the visibility right now. I’m not keen on doing films which have four or five heroes.
LINK: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp?login=default

‘I’m heading for a chocolate boy image’

Ruslan Mumtaz, son of actor Anjana Mumtaz, tells CT that his roots lie in Kolkata
DIPANNITA GHOSH BISWAS Times News Network
Yet another star kid joins the Bolly brigade. But what Ruslan Mumtaz asserts is that he never used mother Anjana Mumtaz’s identity to get work for himself. “It was all because of my hard work and the auditions. But I knew from the very beginning that I’d never be a one-film wonder,” says the seemingly confident 24-year-old. With already two films under his belt, MP3 (Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar) and Satish Kaushik’s Tere Sang, Ruslan has surely got off to a quick start. “Though I graduated from NM College with commerce, I always knew acting was my calling. In order to train myself, I did a lot of Hindi theatre. It did come as a shock to my parents initially since I was a studious kid with a keen interest in sports. But eventually they agreed.” So was theatre the stepping stone to films? Says he, “In a way, yes. I wanted to be comfortable with a live audience but then, I did a lot of ads, so that gave me the feel of being in front of the camera. Subsequently, I joined Shiamak Davar’s dance school.” One common strand that runs through his roles is that Ruslan plays a 17-year-old in both. “Believe me, it was very tough because the first thing I was told was to stop working out,” he recounts, adding, “But I knew that I was heading for a chocolate boy image.” Yet, Ruslan has no qualms about it. “In Bollywood, it’s not before 30 that a male lead is considered to be a hero and success comes his way.” How much has his mother’s films influenced him? “Her role in Khuda Gawah was fabulous and I just can’t forget her long monologue in the film.” And is there any actor or director he’s dying to work with? “Aamir and Salman. It’ll be a dream come true for me to be able to share screen space with them. The list of directors is really long.” But Ruslan is rooted to reality as he accepts that making a mark in Bollywood these days is quite a task. “There are so many newcomers that a film or two doesn’t really matter. Acting is a serious competitive profession.” This handsome youngster has a strong Kolkata connection too. “My dad’s from Kolkata. That’s where my roots lie. I’ve been to the city too. I’ve a model friend there with whom I hang around when I stay at our Park Street residence,” says Ruslan, who confesses to being single and ready to mingle with ‘someone really beautiful’. “I need beauty and creativity around me,” he says, with a mischievous chuckle.

LINK: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp?login=default

‘I want to be treated like a star’

Armed with the title role in the Hollywood flick, The Last Pharaoh, actor Ruslaan Mumtaz tells CTthat when the offer came his way, he thought someone was pulling a fast one on him
DIPANNITA GHOSH BISWAS Times News Network
You’ve landed yourself a role in a Hollywood film, The Last Pharaoh...

• It so happened that the cinematographer of MP3, Amitav Singh, had sent some clippings from the film to the Oscar-nominated director, Christopher Miles. That’s where he saw me and thought that I suited the role of King Farouk, whose biography is The Last Pharaoh. Christopher had been wanting to make this film for a long time but they were unable to find a face that resembled that of the young Pharaoh. Actually, no British or American actor could look like the Pharaoh, and the unit needed someone with a Middle-Eastern look. I auditioned for the role and Christopher came down with a few costumes. I tried them out and consequently, the role was mine.

How does it feel to be cast as the lead in a Hollywood film when you are just a film old in Mumbai’s tinselville?

• When I read the script, I thought someone was pulling a fast one on me. It’s not just a King’s role, but also the lead character. The film is replete with fight sequences, and there’s enough scope to act. It definitely took me some time to come to terms with it. Only when I signed on the dotted line did it sink in.

So, where will the film be shot?

• It will be shot partly in Jaipur and partly in Egypt. It’s a political drama and there are a lot of war sequences. I am quite excited about acting with Jonathan Pryce, who plays a negative character in the film. We’ll start filming from September.

What’s happening on the Bollywood front?

• I will begin working on Nikhil Advani’s Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai, which stars Ayesha Takia and Ritiesh Deshmukh and is directed by Milap Zaveri. In the pipeline is Mast-tang Mama, a comedy by ad film-makerturner-director, Vikram Singh. In this film, I play a young good-for-nothing mama, who’s left to look after his bhanja for 15 days. Though the film is a lot on the lines of Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke, there’s just one kid instead of three. These days, one kid is good enough to turn your life into hell!

Did you slow down after MP3 because the film turned out to be a damp squib at the BO?

• In a way, I think I did the right thing by not taking up all the offers that came my way after MP3. What I have in my kitty now is what any newcomer would dream of. In Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai, I play a 25-year-old and there’s a lot of physique to flaunt as well. For this, I have to be in shape now and I’m working out religiously.

So, is all this working out helping you on the personal front too?

• (Laughs) I have hurt my knees now, I’m completely immobile and nobody is even sparing me a glance. In fact, even when I have to work out, I sit on a chair and do so. But all I have to tell the beautiful women out there is to wait and watch.

So far you’ve played a solo hero. Do multi-starrers give you cold feet?

• I’m not too sure about ensemble cast films. When I’m cast as the lead, I’m the hero on the sets as well. I fear, if there’s another star then the unit’s attention will get diverted. I want to be treated like a star, all the time.

LINK: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp?login=default

I also want to be Hrithik Roshan: Ruslaan Mumtaz

By Subhash K Jha
Though he looks and plays 17 in Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar (MP3) he's all of 24. At 17 he had fallen in love just the way shown in the film."Many of the scenes in my debut film seem to be straight out of my own life when I was 17," says Ruslaan whose second film is almost ready."I was involved with a girl for several years. I didn't run away to Paris to meet my girlfriend like my character in MP3. But I did lie to my parents and run away to meet my girlfriend in Mahabaleshwar once. She was the absolute apple of my eye."So what happened to a love so intense? "It vanished, I guess. Once I got busy with my career as an actor I couldn't give her the same amount of time. She didn't like that. We decided to take a break. I agreed thinking we'd be together again. After a while I went to her building and waited for four hours for her to come down and meet me. She never did. That's when I knew it was over between us."Busy shooting his second film and on the verge of being signed for several new projects, Ruslaan wants no distractions from his work. "I've a large group of friends. But I hardly see them any longer. I don't go out in the evening because I want to reach the sets looking fresh the next morning. Yeah, I do miss a normal life. But I'd rather spend my free time watching movies, working out and reading." Work-outs proved a detriment to Ruslaan bagging his first film. "For the audition of MP3 I turned up looking extremely brawny.I was told to get rid of all the muscles to look 17 for my part. I wasn't too keen to do that. I didn't want to make a chocolate-box hero's debut. Every aspirant wants to be Hrithik Roshan. I was no exception."Ruslaan Mumtaz is the son of Bollywood's eternal mom Anjana Mumtaz. But having Mommie-Dearest around made no difference to Ruslaan's struggle as a wannabe star."Why just my mom? I learnt dancing from Shiamak Davar. So I thought my mom's connections added to Shiamak's reputation would help me get an entry into Hindi films."

LINK: http://123india.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=15343

MP3 Music Video

http://www.mypopkorn.com/movies/romance/mera-pehla-pehla-pyar-song-mera-pehla-pehla-pyar-hai.html?show=NjUxOA==&CID=57037&gclid=CPD41aa0l5QCFQgXewodVUrPwA

Competition for Shahid Kapoor!!!

Actor Ruslaan Mumtaz who made his debut with the recently released Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar seems to have all that it takes to make the ladies go weak in the knees. If reports are to be believed, Ruslaan charmed the leading lady of his upcoming film 'Tere Sang' so much that the teenager in question, newcomer Sheena Shahbadi got completely crazy about him. When the unit of this Satish Kaushik film was out for a long outdoor schedule in the northern part of the country recently, young Sheena tried her best to steal as much time as possible with Ruslaan. Interestingly like Ruslaan who is a star son (his mom is actress Anjana Mumtaz), Sheena too comes from a Bollywood home. Her mother is yesteryears' actress Sadhana Singh who became nothing short of a sensation with the Rajshri hit Nadiya Ke Paar.
Sheena whose identity the producers are protecting fiercely, was roped in, when the original choice Yamini Sharma (who Satish Kaushik had considered after seeing her photo in a newspaper), was dropped once she was found unsuitable for the role. "Sheena is a young girl and it's not uncommon for a girl of her age to have a crush on a good looking guy. Ruslaan obviously enjoyed all the attention. They ate together, had loads of fun and whenever possible spent time with each other in their rooms. But she tried to keep this fondness a secret, probably because her mother was mostly around. On the last day of the shoot in Dalhousie, they got lost together in the wilderness and we had to keep waiting for them to can a few shots. That day Satishji also got very irritated", says a close source from the unit.It didn't end there. Sheena also got terribly jealous of Hazel, Ruslaan's first heroine and co-star from MP3. Adds the source, "While we were shooting near the Qutub Minar, Hazel had come to our sets twice to meet Ruslaan. Sheena didn't speak to her properly and kept ignoring her. It came to such a point later that she refused to even hear her name".Ruslaan Mumtaz was unavailable for comment. But after hearing about his charms working so much on a young girl, we can only imply that Bollywood has found yet another pin up boy. By the way, as long as the crush is harmless, no one is complaining!

LINK: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/ruslaan-mumtaz-sheena-shahbadi-190607.html

Ruslaan has got a very special face: Christopher Miles

By Subhash K Jha
In his career of nearly 5 decades Christopher Miles has directed 13 critically-acclaimed films including the bio-pic Priest Of Love on the life of litterateur D.H Lawrence. Last month Miles was in Mumbai to finalize a project based on the life of the controversial King Farouk of Egypt. In a warm interview Miles reveals his plans.
You are the elder brother of one of my favourite British actresses!
Yes, Sarah Miles is my sister. In fact we're planning a sequel to her best-known film David Leans's Ryan's Daughter. We'd probably call it in Ryan's Grand-daughter.David Lean took a long time filming it. They had lots problems on that one.In fact I made two films while he made Ryan's Daughter. Later when he met me he said, 'I stopped you never did.' Ryan's Daughter was slammed by the critics when it was released. They've now changed their mind about it.
It's good to have you in Mumbai.
This isn't my first visit to the country. I've been here twice before. And my wife's great-grandfather started the Madras Times.I'm also an honorary member of the Kolkata Directors'Guild. You've such a huge and talented film industry.It's good to be here again. I'm here to finalize my project on the life of King Farouk. I was actually supposed to be involved in a book based on his life called One Of Us. That didn't turn out the way we wanted, and some of the people in it would've sued for libel. So we abandoned the book. But I decided to make a film on King Farouk based on an unknown book The Last Pharoah. It went into the King's life at age 24 when he was young enthusiastic Egyptian king when in fact he wasn't Egyptian. His father was a Graeco-Turk. The Eyptians aren't sure about where to place King Farouk.In my film set during World War 2 Farouk vacillates between the British and the Germans. It's like a Casablanca on the Niles.
So you had to cast someone foreign and exotic.
I didn't want to cast an English actor. I chose Mumbai's Ruslaan Mumtaz. It was enormously difficult. Last year my wife was in Rajasthan. That's when she spotted Ruslaan. He looks quite like Farouk.I saw Ruslaan in Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar and a part of Tere Sang. He's got a very special face.I cast him because he has a princely quality. He seems to have royal blood.Plus I think India can look a lot like Egypt. For some reason Egypt doesn't welcome foreigners. All the recent Egyptian films include The Mummy has been filmed in Morocco. My film now takes Egypt to India.
Are you saying you're going to film this Egyptian tale in India?!
Yes,you've everything here in Rajasthan including the deserts and camels. I even found an exact replica of the British embassy in Cairo in Jaipur. We start filming in October-November. The ambassador will be played by a very fine British actor Jonathan Pryce. We're finalizing the girl. But I'm going to be using a lot of the local resources from your film industry including the DOP.I've seen a wonderful film The Warrior shot in Rajasthan starring Irrfan Khan. Such cultural cross-connections are getting frequent.
You've also made a film based on the life of D.H Lawrence?
That's right! I made The Priest Of Love.And I gave Ian McKellan his first screen role. He was brilliant as Lawrence. It was also Eva Gardner's last film, sadly. I'm proud of that film.
You apparently were an academician before a movie director?
That's right. It was impossible for me to teach and make films. Only Eisenstein was able to do it. I resigned gracefully.
Do you feel all the talent from British cinema is heading for Hollywood?
I'm hoping it's heading for Bollywood. The problem is any market that makes films in English automatically becomes a slave to the American market. A good British film doesn't make back its money in Britain alone. We're always looking hopefully across the Atlantic. A success like Chariots Of Fire is rare in Britain. It's disastrous to have the British cinema rely on.

LINK: http://123india.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=20230

Tanay Chheda gives Ruslaan a run for his money

By Subhash K. Jha, May 5, 2008 - 11:01 IST
Ruslaan Mumtaz who just recovered from a leg injury didn't know what he was getting into when he agreed to play young Tanay Cheda's uncle in new director Vikram Singh's comedy Mastang Mama.The film which started shooting last week has Ruslaan paired with tv actress Kulraj Randhawa. But it's Tanay (Rajan Damodaran in Taare Zameen Par) who shares most playing-time with Ruslaan in Mastang Mama. And the boy is giving Ruslaan a run for his money. Laments Ruslaan, "The boy is so sharp. At that age, I was a complete dullard. Even now he gets the better of me constantly. The boy is ten years my junior. But he seems to know so much about everything from the sensex to mobile technology to camera angles. I don't think I stand a chance with Tanay," jokes Ruslaan. The twosome has been bonding for the whole of last month through acting workshops while Ruslaan has been confined at home because of a torn ligament. "In a way my injury proved a blessing for this film because I got a chance to rehearse. So there is a comfort level between me and Tanay the start. There're so many films on male bonding being made. The actors need to get used to occupying a common space," observes Ruslaan. "And although he tends to get the better of me, I really enjoy bonding with Tanay especially because I'm an only child. I only wanted a kid brother."
Link:http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/05/05/3841/index.html

Ruslaan makes Satish Kaushik remember Shekhar Kapoor

There is an interesting story that goes behind the casting of Satish Kaushik's Tere Sang.Apparently Ruslaan Mumtaz, the male lead of the film, wasn't approved in the first instance by Satish Kaushik. The director of Tere Naam wasn't convinced about roping in the young boy and told him about his discomfort.Informs Ruslaan's friend, "In first instance, Satish Kaushik told Ruslaan that he didn't quite fit in the part. Even though Ruslaan felt that he suited the part and was willing to do whatever it takes to get under the skin of the character, Kaushik wasn't convinced." This was the moment when an incident that happened more than a couple of decades back was repeated in front of Kaushik, whose last directorial outing was Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, Mallika Sherawat sterrer Shaadi Se Pehle (2006). "Ruslaan did take this rejection in good spirit but not before telling Kaushik that he would eventually revert his decision and rope him in as the lead actor", his friend says. "The incident took Satish back in the memory lane. Years back he had been a part of a similar situation when he had approached renowned film maker Shekhar Kapoor for being a part of one of his projects. Initially, even Shekhar wasn't too keen on having Satish on board. Satish too made an exit but not before claiming that Shekhar would have no choice but to call him back. As it happened, Shekhar finally relented and Satish was on." Once Ruslaan was signed for Tere Sang, a teenage romantic flick produced by Karol Bagh Productions (the new production outfit formed by Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik), the work began at a rapid pace. As per Satish Kaushik, the film is about school kids. This would be the second film for Ruslaan after Robby Grewal's MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar that he would be playing a school kid. In Tere Sang, Ruslaan, yesteryear actress Anjana Mumtaz's son, is being paired opposite Sheena Shahabadi, daughter of another actress from the past, Sadhana Singh, who acted in Nadiya Ke Paar. Sheena plays a 15 year old girl in Tere Sang.The film also stars Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Sushmita Mukherjee along with Anupam Kher who has done a special appearance in the film. Shooting of 'Tere Sang' is now complete and the film is now being readied for release.

link-http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/10/04/10196/index.html

Ruslaan Mumtaz Interview

He was trained under Shaimak for six months and also acted in theatre. Now, he is all set to make his debut in Robby Grewal’s… film Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3). He is Ruslaan Mumtaz, son of veteran character artist Anjana Mumtaz.
Director of the movie Robby informed that there was hunt going on for the male lead. How did you manage to get the film?
There were auditions going on all over India for the character of Rohan. A lot of people had auditioned. Even I had got calls from a lot of coordinators. They kept calling me, but I didn’t want to go a regular auditioning for a movie. But my mom said that since they are calling everybody in the city you should go and see where you stand as an actor. I was planning to train myself at Shaimak’s and then my mom would introduce me to directors as she is from the film line. But wasn’t ashamed of using my mom’s name but she wanted to know where I stand as an individual. Then I went and auditioned for the film and got the role.
Have you done any training in acting before this?
I did theatre for three years before doing this film. So, I was doing acting constantly. I also did modeling. I have done lots of advertisements. When this film happened I was dancing for Shaimak Davar’s troupe and I had just completed six months then I have to leave Shaimak for this film.
Did you always want to be an actor?
When I was in my S.Y.B.com I had decided to become an actor.
How influential was your mother in getting you into this profession?
To be honest my mom always worked as a deterrent as she never wanted me to be a part of this industry. As she thought that there a lot of factors involved like everyone will be talented and good looking but still there is luck factor involved and you are not sure if you will make it. Your life will change every Friday, one Friday they will put you at a height and the next they will pull you down which she didn’t want me to go through. She is a woman and had her husband to support her financially but for a man it is a very difficult situation to be in as he is the supporter of the house and if he goes wrong then everything goes down with it. A man should have a steady job and a steady income. But at that point of time when she was doing films, it wasn’t considered steady but now so many avenues like television have opened up. What’s the worst, I could be doing serials and that will give me money.
Robby Grewal’s first film Samay did not really strike a chord with the audience. How was he as a director?
What happened with Samay was that it released much before its time. I don’t know why but I saw Samay on the first day. I didn’t even imagine I would be working with Robby Grewal four years later. So somewhere we connected with each other. The kind of films he makes are for the audiences of my age group. Robby is a modern director, when you read the script I decided I wanted to do this film. You can’t decide the Box office success of a film but you can decide whether you want to be a part of the film. It’s a different film; I will call it as a Dil Chahta hai. If it works everyone will do well and if it doesn’t it will definitely remembered somewhere.
MP3 sounds a youthful title. Is your character equally young?
I am playing a seventeen year old guy who is from a rich family. His parents love him and friends love him. At that a girl who comes into his life falls in love with him but he takes her love for granted. One can’t take love for granted. And the film is about this realization.
Ruslaan talks about his co-star Hazel:
Your female co-star Hazel also makes her debut in this film?
Hazel is someone with whom I have done ad films before. When I got cast for the part of Rohan they were looking for a girl to cast opposite me. When I have done ads with Hazel before, people on the sets said that we look very good together. So I called Hazel and told her to come for this audition may be you would like to do the part. She auditioned and they liked her. She read the script and she liked it. And that’s how we did the film. So, we both were already friends, we just helped each other and went along with the film.
Any fun moments on the sets?
I am considered a very accident prone actor. On the second day of the film I had a very simple shot where I had to jump off the ramp from a cycle which was a very simple shot. But unfortunately the cycle’s tyre just snapped out. I don’t know how that happened but I just fell straight on my face and we packed up for two months. So, I delayed the shooting for two months.
Then when we got ready for our next schedule one week before the shoot I fell off a bike and again I hurt my face and again I delayed the film by another one month. So because of me the film has been delayed by three months. But luckily they didn’t decide to change the actor.
When it happened for the first time they knew it was an accident and wasn’t my fault as it happened in the front of the entire unit and everyone was scared. The doctor said it will take at least a month for the scars to go away. When the accident happened the second time, I called my director and said that Robby you have to come home because I had an accident. He came home and saw my face and said that I can’t shoot with you like this. He couldn’t do anything as it was too late. So I have a bad reputation.
For my second film which I am doing with Satish Kaushik I just happened to tell him that I am very accident prone. He was like ‘don’t talk about it because I can’t afford to have my film delayed’. And the next day I had a motorbike shot, it was a very simple shot and I had to take a turn. I was a little faster than usual and the bike just skid and I fell but we didn’t pack up as I didn’t hurt my face this time. I hurt my full body though. I completed the whole film on painkillers.
Have you signed any other movie?
I just completed a film called Tere Sang which will release in October. It is directed by Satish Kaushik and stars Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Satish Kaushik himself.
Do you want to continue being a Bollywood actor? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I don’t know. Things keep changing. I thought I would wait and once MP3 releases I would do more multiplex kind of movies. But then Satish Kaushik approached me and he is more of a commercial filmmaker. I didn’t plan, it just happened to me. He offered a good role and it’s a big film so I had to take it. It’s very difficult to plan. Whatever comes I take because I am not in a position to decide. Whatever comes my way if it is interesting and helps me go forward in life I take it. I have no clue where I will be next year at this moment.

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Link: http://www.gobollywood.com/interview/2007/06/ruslaan-mumtaz-interview.html
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