"I hope I get that much needed commercial box office success" – Ruslaan Mumtaz

“I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but everyone has unanimously said that I look like no other actor in the film industry. There is no one as good looking as me they say”, quotes Ruslaan Mumtaz. Sitting casually as if he were ten to fifteen films down, this young actor possesses confidence which is sky high. Is that good? Is that bad? Only the box office can judge him better. Awaiting his third release is Ruslaan. The guy from Earth, he is humble, sweet and rooted…rooted to his films and to what he does best – acting. UK’s Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama’s London correspondent caught up with the upcoming actor to know more about Jaane Kahan Se Aaye Hain , Riteish Deshmukh, Nikhil Advani and why Jacqueline Fernandez is a better gamble than Katrina Kaif in Bollywood.

Your third release. First didn’t work, second got a critical acclaim. Will the third one get you the much needed commercial success? I hope I get that much needed commercial box office success. As an actor, I’ll keep on working but as a hero, these are the few chances you get early on in your career. If I don’t deliver this time around, it’ll get tougher and tougher each time. One day a point comes that everyone will say, “Ruslaan, you cannot become a star, so please act.” I don’t want to reach that stage. I hope because of Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, producer Nikhil Advani and director Milap Zaveri, people come to see Jaane Kahan Se Aaye Hain. I hope I get that much needed commercial box office success.

What sort of feedback have you been getting for the film on what’s working and what’s not? All I can do is get it out there. I don’t know what works. Marketing, bikini shots, etc. For me, everything works. But there is a film like this which exists. It is a different attempt. It is a young film. College people will go and watch it but the older people least care about our film. That’s the feedback I’m getting currently.

Special effects films have mostly failed at the box office in our industry. Will JKSAH fall prey? JKSAH isn’t a special effects film. But it has four sequences in the film that the VFX guys have worked on which has come out very well in the film. We do not have any effects to show off. As much it is about this girl who comes from Venus, you’ll hardly see any special effects. As I said earlier, it is a real film.

Is the film a kriss kross, a miss match of sorts when it comes to romance? That’s what we hear. Friendship is love. We’ve had this theme in lot’s of movies before. JKSAH is also around the same area. The concept of JKSAH is – A boy from Earth and a girl from Venus. There isn’t a miss match or a kriss kross. You need to see the film to see what happens.

Is JKSAH a risk as far as the genre is concerned? Any film is a risk, isn’t it? If you make a film with Akshay Kumar, you have to make it at a certain budget, a budget higher than a Riteish Deshmukh film. JKSAH is a risk and even an Akshay Kumar film is a risk. JKSAH is a risk and even an Akshay Kumar film is a risk.

How gorgeous is the woman from Venus? Jacqueline is a very good actress to have in a film because she is gorgeous. I really like the fact that she has dubbed in the film herself. She has done a good job. As an actress, there is nothing to stop Jacqueline. After two three films of showing how beautiful she looks, I’m sure Jacqueline will be doing some meatier and meaningful serious cinema too.

Is she as lucky as Katrina? Jacqueline is better than Katrina Kaif in all departments. May be she has come to India to become an actress by looking and getting inspired by Katrina Kaif. But may be Katrina happened by chance. She got a lot of luck. Katrina learned through her way but Jacqueline learnt and came. There is a lot of difference in both their personalities.

Do you see yourself doing an ensemble cast film or a few solo projects too? My first two films were solo projects. After seeing both my earlier films, I got bored of myself. If I as a viewer cannot watch my films again and again, that means I need to work with other actors who are interesting. I watch Riteish’s films. Whichever films he has been a part of in the last five years, I’ve never missed any. To do a film with him makes sense as an audience also. The way my role was written tempted me even further to work in JKSAH. After reading, I found out that any young actor like me would really benefit from this film. So I grabbed this brilliant opportunity to work with Riteish and Jacqueline. After seeing both my earlier films, I got bored of myself.

Is your role meatier? To be honest, Riteish and Vishal have got lengthier roles in JKSAH. But my role is very important. The importance given to my character is very strong. I’m very happy. I wasn’t in the publicity of JKSAH and I still didn’t have any insecurity. Once the audience leaves the theatre, they’ll surely take me with them.

Your interactions with Nikhil Advani. We all know that his debut film Kal Ho Naa Ho rocked. His Salaam-E-Ishq bombed but I really loved that film. He is supremely talented. I really liked Chandni Chowk to China also and I got hammered by a lot of people for it but that’s my opinion. When Nikhil Advani offers a film, not even big stars say ‘No’ to him. So there was no chance I’d ignore JKSAH. He is respected and knows his stuff too well. My look and the way I’ve been presented was approved by Nikhil and that’s what he knows best.

By Devansh Patel, April 8.

LINK:http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/04/08/6118/index.html

Ruslaan is happy playing second fiddle

Ruslaan Mumtaaz has been seen in two movies MP3 and Tere Sang . But in his third film, he is not playing the lead. Ruslaan plays Riteish Deshmukh's friend in Jane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. He is, however, nonchalant about being the second lead."This is the first time I have done such a big film. It is the kind of film I would like to go and watch. So I thought why not be part of it. Also, working with Riteish was great as he is extremely humble. I remember a time when I was supposed to dance in front of 100 of dancers and I was quite nervous. But Riteish supported me really well," says Ruslaan.And though his mother has been an actress, Ruslaan says Bollywood is a strange and tough place to be in, especially when your films do well."Bollywood is a tough place to survive. If a film works, everything works for you but if it does not, then you stumble too. You can only try to do some good work," he says. Interestingly, even as he plays the second lead, his character happens to be that of a superstar."I play the only serious character in the film. I actually play someone like Hrithik Roshan whose debut film is a hit and becomes a superstar," Ruslaan adds.

LINK: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/90761/Cinema/Ruslaan+is+happy+playing+second+fiddle.html

Ruslaan’s guide? Schwarzenegger!

It’s not a new thing for an actor to start working out for a film. But then, it’s also true that most of them have their trainers to thank once they’ve built up their bodies. But this is one actor who’s gone for a severe body-building regime, sans any instructor! Ruslaan Mumtaz has built up some wonderfully toned six-pack abs, all on his own, for his upcoming movie Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. He says, “I’m playing a superstar in the movie and the character is inspired by Salman Khan. So obviously, I had to show off a well-built body. But when I spoke to some instructors, most of them told me about taking supplements and other artificial things that totally put me off, and I decided to do without the instructors.” So how did he manage to build those abs? “It was Arnold Schwarzenegger who came to my rescue,” comes the prompt reply. Did we hear that right? He says, “Oh yes, you did. So what if he was not there in person? I started with watching his workout videos. But then, by the time I’d reach the gym, certain bits would skip my mind. So I bought his book which I would carry along with me to the gym. In fact, the other people working out there would also, at times, come up to me asking for tips.” Wasn’t it a rather risky thing to follow a self-help book all by yourself? “I would say doing physical exercises naturally is much better than taking artificial supplements! And anything natural is always the best. Many people might like to take shortcuts, but I prefer working hard. And the world is witness to the results of the exercises prescribed by him, whether it’s to do with him... or very soon, me!” he adds.

Ruslaan Mumtaz is training in B-Boing for his role in Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai

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 break dance. 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 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 Aayi 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. Therefore, 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 Aayi 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 Aayi 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.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2008/11/11/4492/index.html

Star Cameos Will Bring Audiences: Debutant Director

Mumbai, March 6 –

Milap Zaveri, writer of rib-tickling comedies ‘Masti’ and ‘Heyy Babyy’, is turning director with ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’. Apart from Riteish Deshmukh, who plays the lead, he has roped in big names for brief appearances to add to the film’s commercial value.
After getting Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan, Amrita Rao and Boman Irani to make guest appearances, Zaveri made a last minute decision to rope in glam queens Deeepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Vidya Balan for cameo appearances in his film.
‘The only star is Riteish Deshmukh. Jacqueline Fernandez and Ruslaan Mumtaz will become stars after the film is released. Until they do, I need to get audiences into theatres. That’s why we need to rope in more stars in cameos,’ Zaveri told IANS.
The cameos with the five actresses are expected to be shot next week, just three weeks ahead of the film’s release creating a major last-minute pre-release situation. The film is releasing April 9. ‘That’s true. I’m roping in the names you’ve mentioned. Shooting at the last minute would be no problem because all of the star appearances are in the first reel, so I just have to re-edit the initial reel. Also, I’ve kept slates in the pre-final print announcing the various star cameos which I’ve filled up as and when they’ve been available,’ he said.
Besides his own clout in the industry as a long-standing and successful writer, Zaveri’s producer Nikhil Advani is also using his good wishes to rope in the glam queens to add a dash of allure to ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’.
Advani has apparently sent out messages to Deepika, Priyanka, Anushka, Vidya and Katrina who have all agreed.
While Anushka will shoot her portion on the sets of Advani’s ‘Patiala House’, the other ladies will touch base next week and do the needful.
‘Vidya would be slightly difficult since she’s shooting in Delhi. But we’ll manage,’ said Zaveri who is expected to fly down to Delhi to get Vidya’s cameo in place.
‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’ is about the film industry and the director is expected to rope in all the stars that can be crammed in the film. Luckily for Zaveri he has a producer who can get his friends to do the needful.
‘The stars making special appearances have been absolutely wonderful. Akshay insisted on seeing a part of the film before doing his cameo. Akshay speaks about Ruslaan Mumtaz’s character in the camera. Sajid Khan left the shooting of his ‘Housefull’ and drove down to our location. In fact, he saw Jacqueline dancing and decided to rope in her for the item song in ‘Housefull’.
‘And do you know, Karan Johar actually agreed to be snubbed by Ruslaan Mumtaz! Ruslaan plays a superstar and in the film he refuses to take Karan’s calls.’
Farah Khan has a full-fledged role as a director. But the biggest sport so far seems to be Boman Irani who shot for just the trailer of ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’.
‘That’s true. Boman is not in the film, only in the trailer. Everyone, who has made an appearance in my film, has been wonderful. I guess it comes from being around for so long.’

Akshay to do a cameo for Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai

By: Tushar Joshi.

Date: 2010-02-23
Akshay Kumar plays himself in Jaane Kahan Se Aayi HaiAkshay Kumar couldn't say no when Milap Zaveri asked him to do a cameo for his film Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. The director has worked as a writer for two of the actor's films -- Heyy Babyy as well as Housefull, and so when he asked the Khiladi to do a special appearance in his film, the actor agreed instantly. Milap says, "It was generous of Akshay sir to do a special appearance in my directorial debut. He plays himself in the film and speaks about the character of Desh played by (Ruslaan Mumtaz)."About the sceneDescribing the scene a source says, "Akshay's character is that of a Bollywood actor. He's Akshay Kumar in the film, but unlike his real-life persona his character is a bit bitchy." The scene is between Akshay and Desh who's a superstar played by Ruslaan Mumtaz. "Akshay is asked by someone to introduce Desh and talk about his stardom. On camera he says really nice things praising him, but as soon as the camera is turned off he starts bitching about Ruslaan. It's a funny way of showing how some actors in the industry react."Nikhil Advani, who's producing the film, was shooting with Akshay for Patiala House a few weeks back. Since Akshay was busy with the shoot, they shot his cameo for Milap's film on the Patiala House sets itself.

LINK: http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/feb/230210-Akshay-Kumar-cameo-Jaane-Kahan-Se-Aayi-Hai.htm

Posts Tagged ‘ Ruslaan Mumtaz ’

With hundreds of new faces, how are you supposed to know which ones are going to rise and which are going to flop?
Well, Bravura is here to tell you who to keep on your Bollywood radar!
First on the list is Neil Nitin Mukesh. This Mumbai born actor is sure to make it big in Bollywood. He started off his major acting career with a starring role in Johnny Gaddaar and then went on to win our hearts in his recent role as an innocent taxi driver in New York.
From Mukesh, we move on to the “sexiest male actor,” Ranbir Kapoor. Although he has been in the movie industry since 2007, this performer first caught our eye with his role in Saawariya for which he won Filmfare’s Best Male Debut Award. He then went on to play roles in Bachna Ae Hasseno and Rocket Singh. But Kapoor recently left an exorbitant impression on us with award from People Magazine’s as the “sexiest male actor.”
Sexy and talented? Well, we know this actor is going places!
To top this list of this list of unique entertainers is Ruslaan Mumtaz. He made a debut with his major roles in MP3, Tere Sang and Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai. This highly talented actor is making his next appearance in a upcoming Hollywood movie Christopher’s Miles. One thing is for sure, whether in Hollywood or Bollywood, this actor is definitely one to keep an eye on.
LINK: http://bravuraartist.com/tag/ruslaan-mumtaz/