Kajol defies doctor's orders; watches 'We Are Family' in theatre

By now it is an established fact that Kajol goes out of her way for friends. To no one's surprise, she defied doctor's orders on Friday and braved it to a suburban theatre to watch We Are Family because she had promised her friends producer Karan Johar and director Siddharth that she would.

Says the emotional director, "That's Kajol for you. A true friend. She's going to be a mother and she's a month away from delivery. She wouldn't have done this under normal circumstances."

Doctors have advised Kajol to avoid all strenuous activity. And apparently, husband Ajay Devgn has been going out of his way to ensure Kajol moves out of the home as little possible.

But Kajol being Kajol, she went where her heart took her.

Says Siddharth, "I was on tenterhooks until Kajol saw the film. I knew she would be brutally honest in her opinion. When she said she loved the film and that we had got on screen what we had set out to make I was relieved."

Box Office: 'We Are Family' collects Rs. 2.75 cr. on Thursday

WE ARE FAMILY lived up to its title by attracting families in good numbers! Instead of having a wide release on Thursday [2nd September] due to Janmashtami, Karan Johar and UTV decided to open the film in limited shows [3-4-5 shows] at limited centres [main multiplexes] and the response was excellent. The film collected approx. Rs. 2.75 cr. nett on Thursday, making it the second highest opening in limited preview shows.

The word of mouth amongst the target audience of the film, namely women and family audiences, is wonderful and the Friday evening occupancy as well as Saturday and Sunday numbers are expected to be very strong.

MOVIE REVIEW: We Are Family

Okay, WE ARE FAMILY is the official adaptation of Chris Columbus' STEPMOM [1998] and lots of us have already watched this Julia Roberts - Susan Sarandon starrer. Even otherwise, the story of a woman, diagnosed with a terminal illness, entrusting her kids to the 'other woman' before she does the final salute, gives the feeling of deja vu. But WE ARE FAMILY is not a tear-jerker. Sure, it has dollops of emotions, but also integrates the light moments wonderfully in those 12 reels.

In the good old days, in the 1960s and 1970s specifically, well-made family films struck an instant chord with viewers across the spectrum. But with the changing times, the quantum of well-made socials made a rapid decline. WE ARE FAMILY belongs to the Rajshri gharaana and tells the story of a family facing two life-changing developments: The woman of the house is diagnosed with a terminal illness and two, there's a stepmom on the scene. A difficult subject to handle, without doubt.

But debutant director Siddharth P. Malhotra surprises you constantly. Casting the best available talent for two pivotal parts and doing complete justice to their roles is tough. Very tough. But the ease with which he handles the tense moments between the women and also the emotional finale shows he has learnt his lessons well from his peers.

Final word? WE ARE FAMILY is for the family. It is well acted, deftly written, entertaining and broadly appealing drama. Watch it with someone you love!

Maya [Kajol] is the perfect mother. Her life revolves around her three children, Aleya [Aanchal Munjal], Ankush [Nominath Ginsberg] and Anjali [Diya Sonecha]. Despite being divorced from her husband Aman [Arjun Rampal], Maya has ensured that everything runs smoothly in her house, under her watch, and that they continue to remain a happy family unit.

When Aman introduces his girlfriend, Shreya [Kareena Kapoor], a career-oriented woman, the situation takes an unexpected turn. However, Maya is diagnosed with a terminal illness and circumstances bring the two women under the same roof. Can two mothers make a home?

With a plot like this, you expect WE ARE FAMILY to be an out-and-out serious outing. However, the film has its serious moments, but the director ensures that it doesn't come across as a gloomy and serious fare. In fact, the generous dose of light moments in the narrative keeps the drama fluid. There's an inherent sensitivity that the director brings in, which keeps you involved for most parts.

On the flip side, the film tends to stagnate in the middle of the second hour. One expects the story to move forward, but there's not much movement here [thankfully, the film picks up wonderfully towards the penultimate reels]. Also, the music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is a complete letdown. You feel it all the more because Dharma is synonymous with excellent music. The only redeeming track in the enterprise is 'Let's Rock', which is high on energy. S-E-L need to reinvent themselves by experimenting a little more.

Director Siddharth P. Malhotra handles the dramatic portions best. The tense moments between Kajol and Kareena, the confrontation between the two and also the cold stares that they exchange time and again have been captured very well. The gradual transformation in Kajol's looks, from striking and energetic to pale and morose, is also well projected. The finale is the best part of the enterprise and can be best described in one word: Outstanding. However, like I pointed out earlier, the writing could've been tighter towards the second hour.

Mohanan's cinematography is eye-catching and the locales of Australia only enhance the look of the film. Niranjan Iyengar's dialogue are decent at places, but a few lines are amazingly real. The background score [Raju Singh] is first-rate.

WE ARE FAMILY gives the two popular actresses an opportunity to sink their teeth into strongly drawn, juicy, challenging and interesting female roles that move beyond the normal stereotypes. The scene stealer is, without doubt, Kajol. She expresses the gamut of emotions brilliantly and speaks a million words even when silent. This is yet another incredible performance from an actor par excellence. Kareena excels yet again and her sequences with the kids are a delight. In fact, casting Kareena as the stepmom is just right, since she's the only actor who can stand up to Kajol in high-voltage scenes and that's because Kareena is a powerful actor herself. Arjun continues to surprise. ROCK ON, HOUSE FULL, RAAJNEETI and now WE ARE FAMILY indicates the growth of this actor. He handles the emotional moments well too. The kids - all three of them - are superb. In fact, the casting of the kids [done by Shanoo Sharma] is an ace.

On the whole, WE ARE FAMILY is a perfect family film with a good mix of emotions and humour. Plus, a brilliant climax, which will ensure that the film grows with a strong word of mouth. The last film which came close to being a family outing was PAA. Before that, the only quintessential family film was BAGHBAN. WE ARE FAMILY is the kind of film that should work instantly with ladies and when ladies watch such films, they bring their spouses and children along. Recommended!

RATING: 3.5/5

Shahrukh Khan joined Arjun and Kareena in press meet to promote We Are Family

Shah Rukh Khan has decided he will be part of every Karan Johar production in some capacity or the other. In I Hate LUV Storys, Shah Rukh did a small voiceover. Unfortunately, he couldn't be accommodated anywhere in We Are Family although SRK was quite adamant to feature somehow.

"Ek photo hi daal do kisi shot mein," he kept urging Karan.

Not one to give up even when his wish has gone way past its fulfilment phase, SRK barged in sportingly at a media meet with Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal and insisted on conducting an interview with the pair...

"Just as a good luck charm," as SRK put it.

On Wednesday afternoon SRK just decided to drop in at the venue of the interview and said, "Even I am part of the family. So I'm joining them to promote the film."

Director Siddharth Malhotra can't get over the magic of the moment. "It is such gestures that make Shah Rukh who he is. It is his ability to make people feel special that makes him the superstar and the King."

Siddharth had entered the media meet when he saw an exceptional bustle at the venue. He jokingly asked what the clamour was about.

"SRK aa gaya kya? I asked sarcastically. Imagine my surprise when someone turned around and said that's precisely what has happened and that SRK was doing an interview with Kareena and Arjun for my film."

One now hears that SRK will make his presence felt in all of Karan Johar's films on one way or another.

Says Karan, "Shah Rukh is just about the most generous human being I know."

Kajol reveals her 'We Are Family' doubts

One of Bollywood's finest actresses, Kajol says she was not keen to do 'We Are Family' because it had a first-time director. She also believes being a mother in real life made a difference to her body language in the film where she is shown to have three children.

"Definitely. I think you always have doubts while working with first-time directors and it's very sensible to do that," Kajol, 35, said about her latest film helmed by Siddharth Malhotra.

"I don't think you should have complete confidence in first-ime directors, you have to depend on yourself as well," said Kajol who had many years ago teamed up with Aditya Chopra in his directorial debut 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' that went on to be a huge hit.

Now that 'We Are Family' is ready for release, she is quite positive about the film, a Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood comedy-drama 'Stepmom'.

"Lots of films can't be remade. If there is a magic in a film, that cannot be rejuvenated. But there are some films that can. I think 'Stepmom' is one of those. We couldn't have done this in English. If we have tried to do it in English, it would have flopped miserably," Kajol said.

"Since we are doing it in a different language, we had to change the script and make it more Indian. I personally think it's a different film from what 'Stepmom' originally is. When you watch the film, the premise of the film remains the same, but there is so much else there that I hope you come back with the feeling that it's a different film altogether."

Though it was her best pal, director-producer Karan Johar's production, Kajol really didn't want to do a film soon after 'My Name Is Khan'.

"I was not interested in doing a film at that point of time. I didn't want to sign anything. I was really tired doing 'My Name...'. I didn't want to hear the script. I wanted to chill and take a break for at least three months. When they insisted, I heard the script and I really liked it," said Kajol.

'We Are Family' is different from what Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon played in 'Stepmom', she says.

"I had seen 'Stepmom' very, very long back. I didn't watch it before doing the film because I didn't want it to influence me and I really think Maya is a very, very different character from what Susan Sarandon played," said Kajol.

Kajol has a daughter in real life and is expecting her second child. She feels being a mother in real life makes a huge difference as far as the body language is concerned.

"When you become a mother and you are raising your daughter, there is something about a mother's voice that you get. God gives it to you. Most children respond to it and I think it comes instinctively.

"I think even in the film where your body language is concerned, I feel it makes a difference. I won't say you take it from normal life, it's just an instinctive part of taking care of a child or being very hands on over there," she said.

She played mother to a boy in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'My Name is Khan'.

"Handling three children was more difficult - no two ways about it. That kid in 'My Name...' was very good and he was much older actually. Here, Diya (Sonecha) was five, Nomi (Nominath Ginsberg) was seven and Aachal (Munjal) was 12; so this was a complete range of children. But they were very sweet and enthusiastic," said Kajol.

Asked if her work distracted her from enjoying her pregnancy, she said: "I don't think that anything can distract you from being pregnant. You know that you are pregnant and 24x7 nothing can take that fact away from you and nothing can distract you from it.

"But, yes, it's nice working. It's good to know that I can still work. I was very, very nervous the first time around, but this time I am very comfortable and I know what to expect. So it's much easier to handle it," said Kajol.

She rules out any possibility of being a director ever.

"Not really, I am a reader. I like to read more than anything. My definition of a producer and director is they are the ones who get paid to have an ulcer in the stomach," said Kajol.

The devastating 'We Are Family' moment

Filming the Indian version of Elvis Presley's track ‘Jailhouse Rock’ in the forthcoming film ‘We Are Family’ was more like a nightmare for the crew and director Siddharth Malhotra describes it as the most devastating moment of the shooting.

Releasing September 3, the film starring Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal is the Indian version of the Hollywood hit ‘Stepmom’.

Earlier, producer Karan Johar had obtained the rights to the song ‘Pretty Woman’ for ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ fairly easily. This time too getting the original copyright holders of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ to say yes was easy enough.

The nightmare began later.

Apparently just days before filming, the official contract arrived from the US. To their horror, Karan and director Siddharth discovered that they were not allowed to use any image, visuals, dance steps or even the words associated with the original Elvis song!

At that late juncture everything from the dance steps, to the set to the lyrics had to be changed and the Elvis' classic song ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was titled ‘Dil khol ke let's rock’.

"The contract arrived just days before shooting. We got to know that we couldn't use anything to do with Elvis. We had everything ready, the set, the costumes, the songs and words... Most importantly we had images of Elvis splashed all over and we had incorporated the words from 'Jailhouse Rock' into the track. All that had to be scrapped."

For a while Karan and Siddharth contemplated scrapping the song altogether.

"What is the point of a tribute to Elvis when we couldn't use his face, his dance steps, even his images as props on the sets? We couldn't even replicate any of the lyrics from the original and had to rewrite the words on the spot. So what could we use?

"It was the most devastating moment of the shooting. First, Kajol was three months pregnant and we had to change all her steps. Then we had to change everything because we hadn't read the contract."

Matters got worse when the little girl playing Kajol's younger daughter suddenly fell sick with chickenpox.

"We had to rewrite the scene explaining her absence in the song. It was a nightmare. And one we'd never like to go through again," said Malhotra.

‘We Are Family’ releasing dates changed

Dharma Productions’ ‘We Are Family’ has announced a change of plans in its releasing dates.

Earlier, the film was planned for September 3rd release. Now according to the production statement, the film will be released a day ahead, that is, on Sept 2nd instead. That’s because Janamashtami falls on Sept 2nd and it’s a day when most parts of India will have a holiday. This in turn will be favourable for the film in terms of extended weekend footfalls.

Produced by Karan Johar and directed by debutant Siddharth Malhotra, ‘We Are Family’ stars Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in the lead. The film is an official remake of Susan Sarandon-Julia Roberts starrer Hollywood flick ‘Stepmom’.

We Are Family & Dabangg comes together this EID

The Eid week was supposed to witness the clash of two biggies - Karan Johar's WE ARE FAMILY and Salman Khan's home-production DABANGG. The promotion of the two films have already commenced with a bang. While the first promo of WE ARE FAMILY, launched with I HATE LUV STORYS, came in for tremendous appreciation, the promo of DABANGG, launched some days back, created a tehalka of sorts, with everyone calling it a Hit, even before its release.

The latest is, Karan Johar and UTV have decided to bring WE ARE FAMILY one week earlier. The film will now arrive on 3rd September, not 10th September. Which means, a solo release for both WE ARE FAMILY and DABANGG. Also, there won't be a maara-maari for screens. Plus, the business won't get divided. A wise move, indeed!

Kads pitches in to help Bebo

Kareena Kapoor will not have to handle the promotional events of We Are Family on her own. Her co-star Kajol will be helping out too, despite being in the advanced stage of pregnancy. Kajol is recording interviews promoting the film this week itself. These interviews will be aired before the film's release.

Kajol was not expected to be able to handle the promotional events as they will be held around the time of the film's release on September 10, which in turn, is very near Kajol's expected date of delivery. So Kareena was expected to promote the film on her own, but now Kajol has decided she will share Bebo's burden.

We Are Family, the official remake of the Hollywood film Stepmom, also stars Arjun Rampal. It is produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and directed by Siddharth P Malhotra.

Kajol to leave the stage for Kareena

Oh Baby!! Kajol’s due date for her next baby clashes with the promotional activities of Karan Johar’s next ‘ We Are Family’ the official remake of ‘Step Mom’ which starred the magnificent Julia Roberts and the wonderful Susan Saradon.

Karan Johar's Hindi version of Step Mom will have only Kareena Kapoor and not Kajol touring the country for promotions. That's because Kajol is expecting her second baby and will be in no position to travel so much at that time.

So it’s all left for Bebo to charm the press and the audience and share the maximum lime light during Eid, this September when the movie will hit the screens. Siddarth Malhotra, the director of the film said, "Yes the film is releasing on Eid. It is everybody’s film and all the actors would be present whenever they are available. Expecting Kajol to travel everywhere is asking a bit too much."

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: We Are Family

The first official Theatrical Trailer of We Are Family (2010) Hindi Bollywood Film

Star Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Arjun Rampal

Director: Siddharth Malhotra

Producer: Karan Johar

Releasing: 10th Sep. 2010

Check out: Exclusive 3rd & 4th poster of 'We Are Family'

We are Family - Promotional Photo

FIRST LOOK: We Are Family

Karan Johar's "WE ARE FAMILY" flags off tomorrow - First Look

Karan Johar Tweets: Our 3 day campaign for WE ARE FAMILY flags off 2mor!!! Its releasing SEPTEMBER 10th....So here's the 1st of the 3 day campaign starting today as promised...hope u guys like it !!! (cont).

Karan Johar's Stepmom remake titled as We Are Family

It starred Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts and it will now star Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. The Stepmom remake that has been in news for quite a while had been haggling for a fitting title for quite sometime. While on one side the release date was a big question mark, Karan Johar turned to twitter to look for an apt title.

He left the title open for discussion to all his followers and in came the rather creative and some humorous options. Today, on twitter, Karan has finally announced the final and official title of his remake film, which is We Are Family. As about the release date, the tweet said, "...will post the release date in a few days!!"K

We Are Family stars Kajol, Kareena and Arjun Rampal and is directed by debutant Siddharth Malhotra.