'WAKE UP SID' WAKES UP THE BOX OFFICE

Ranbir starrer sidelines Govinda’s ‘Do Knot Disturb'.

Debutant director Ayan Mukerji's delightful "Wake Up Sid" about a young man and a woman five years older has not only wowed critics but pulled in the crowds too, sidelining the Govinda starrer "Do Knot Disturb".

The box office received a shock with Ashutosh Gowarikar's "What's Your Raashee" that released on Sept 25 but proved to be boring for audiences with its length and 13 songs.

But the buzz is back with "Wake Up Sid", starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma, that released on Friday (Oct 2) along with "Do Knot Disturb".

"'Wake Up Sid' is doing particularly well. We've had an possession of more than 90 percent across 17 shows over the initial weekend and it is still going strong while 'Do Knot Disturb' had only a two-day run with close to 75 percent despite 16 shows," Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas at Noida, told IANS.

"We are expecting 'Wake Up Sid' to continue a good run at least until the Diwali weekend, which has major releases like 'Blue', 'Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna' and 'All The Best'. Though we have 'Acid Factory' on Oct 9, we are honestly doubtful about its future in multiplexes," he added.

Made at a budget of around Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 million), "Wake Up Sid" has been produced by Dharma Productions Pvt Ltd and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures with around 700 prints worldwide.

"'Wake Up Sid' has had a very good occupancy and opening over the first weekend. It is a different movie for different people and is totally a multiplex movie. It is going to have an extended play," said a source from PVR Cinemas.

"It has done what 'Rock On!!' did last year... it has evoked people's hidden past and is so associative. While 'Do Knot Disturb', despite having almost the equal number of shows as the former (around six each per property) did have a good opening, but it fell flat in no time," the source added.

"Do Knot Disturb" has been co-produced by Vashu Bhagnani and Big Pictures and directed by David Dhawan. Released across 1,060 screens worldwide, it stars Govinda, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Riteish Deshmukh.

Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, however, thinks it is too early to tell.

"We kept around 10 shows each for both the movies across different properties and the result has been around 60 and 80 percent respectively for 'Do Knot Disturb' and 'Wake Up Sid'," said Raizada.

"The response for the latter has been very good and this one is in fact sustaining too but, as far as the long run is anxious, nothing can be said as the business has mostly been done during the initial weekend," he added.

RANBIR KAPOOR: I HATE BIRTHDAYS

Says a 27-today Ranbir Kapoor. He feels b'days are overestimated but cuts cakes and has havan at home to bring in the day, nevertheless.

Ranbir Kapoor doesn't like celebrating his birthdays. Today he will spend his janamdin with close friends, family and of course girlfriend Deepika Padukone at his Bandra bungalow. As he turns 27, Ranbir chats about himself, his life, and his Friday release Wake Up Sid. Read on...

What's your mood like on this birthday?

I'm worried because Wake Up Sid is releasing this week.

Are you like Sid -- do you hate waking up early?

No. Actually I am the antithesis of Sid in many ways. I like waking up in the mornings and especially when I am shooting I can even get up at 3 am. I am not lazy or aimless like Sid. I know what I want in life.

So today did wake up early?

No way! On my b'days, I like waking up late.

And how do you plan to celebrate it?

I hate birthdays! I think they are very over-rated and a day when everyone is trying to make you feel special. I don't like doing anything on my birthdays. Last night my parents (Rishi and Neetu Kapoor) and sister (Riddhima) went out for a family dinner and my birthday in. Though I am not too fond of it I always cut cakes on my birthday. Today we will have a havan at home and later my friends will drop in to wish me just another day.

Do you want any special birthday gift this year?

I would only wish that the audience come and watch Wake Up Sid. I want to tell them it's a good film. There was something very special about the script, the character Sid and my director Ayan Mukerji. I loved the script as I found he had really something to say through his story. He's one of my closest friends today. I appreciate his vision.

Best wishes

Karan Johar: I wish Ranbir luck, love and happiness on his birthday. I plead to the nation to wake up on Friday and go watch Wake Up Sid. I think Ranbir is totally Sid - he was born to play the character. It's in his DNA and body language.

Ayaan Mukerji: I hope he has a great year ahead. I don't think Ranbir is Sid - he is far more motivated and successful. Sid exists in the moment, and has an appreciation for leisure and knows how to have a good time - which Ranbir does too.

I DIDN'T WANT TO WIN ANY BEAUTY PAGEANT: DEEPIKA PADUKONE

Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone says she always wanted to carve a niche for herself in the glamour industry but without taking part in a beauty pageant, unlike many of her colleagues.

"I had set up an objective to become a model without winning any beauty pageants," Deepika told choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan on STAR Plus' "Tere Mere Beach Mein".

But the actress didn't give any precise reason for her aversion to taking part in beauty contests.

A lot of Indian actresses including Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, Celina Jaitley, Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza joined Bollywood after earning fame through national and international beauty pageants.

A FLOORED FAN GETS HUGGED BY RANBIR KAPOOR TWICE

Pari Gandhi, a student at the Malini Kishore College in Juhu, (she comes from Rajkot, Gujarat) bunked her college, on hearing from a friend that her favourite actor Ranbir Kapoor was going to be there at an event in the city.

The day turned out to be like a dream, and she got to kiss her idol, and even got two hugs from him. Ranbir was attending a CNN-IBN contest for his next release, Wake Up Sid.

Pari says, "I think this was one of those rare occasions when I sneaked out from class and bunked college. But I had to meet Ranbir Kapor. It's been one of my dreams to see him in person. My mom and I are huge fans of his and have watched both his releases.

My mom loves his and thinks he looks like my brother Pawan. In fact, we are all planning to go and watch Wake Up Sid as Ranbir's character appears to resemble my brother a lot - lazy, can't tie his own shoes, etc."

At the event, Pari walked up to Ranbir and told him, "I know Deepika is your girlfriend and she won't like it, but I want to be your girlfriend." She even proposed to him in front of the crowds and he told her, "You can be my girlfriend for today" and hugged her.

Pari, who took part in a dancing contest, continues, "When I first saw him, I almost swooned. He is so good-looking! He mingled with my friends comfortably and was at ease. I told him that that if he liked my performance, he had to hug me again. I didn't want to perform but the temptation of getting another hug from him was tempting, so I did. He hugged me - obviously, he liked my performance."

Not surprisingly, she doesn't think he makes a cute pair with his girlfriend Deepika Padukone, "I don't think they look good together. I am jealous of Deepika," concludes the fan, who has Ranbir's posters on my bedroom walls and cupboards. "I wasn't feeling well that day and my voice had gone or I would have even sung for Ranbir."

KARAN JOHAR IN GUINNESS BOOK

Bollywood seems to have taken the Guinness Book of records by storm. Karan Johar’s blockbuster occurrence Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is all set to create history.

Music composer Krish is planning to use 223 singers to croon each and every word of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’stitle soundtrack Tum Paas Aaye from the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Never has there been a song sung by so many singers in this unusual, one-word-a-singer style. The original song composed by Jatin Lalit is defined as one of the most romantic songs in Bollywood.

Krish says, ‘It has got the right pauses, is light and has got mass appeal.’ Krish has reportedly roped in some big names from the music industry for the song and will announce the details soon. On the other hand Karan Johar too is excited by the unique experiment and a source close to the director says, “Karan was really happy when he heard that Krish was planning on using the song in such a unique manner, not only did he feel that it was a great concept but he really appreciated the fact that Krish used his song. He’s planning on using the song in the animated remake of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, titled Koochie Koochie Hota Hai.”

Poor Priyanka couldn’t make it last time around, and we wish all the luck to K-Jo to make it to Guinness this time around!

RANVIR AND KOKO TO WED

News is Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey are all set to tie the knot this December.

The couple has been dating since the past 3 years when they first met during the shooting of Mixed Doubles. The odd couple have never been cautiously about their relationship and are seen at many do’s together.

A source close to the actors said, 'They had been waiting for the right time and lastly zeroed down on December 27th as the date of the wedding. Everyone is excited but they are being very hush hush about it. With Wake Up Sid releasing around the same time, she doesn’t want something to affect the movies release.'

But an actor who has worked with Konkona in the past exposed, 'They are complete misfits as a couple, I remember during a wrap up party, Ranvir was totally sloshed and was behaving very badly with Konkona. I didn’t know why she was putting up with his behaviour and it seemed like it was everyday thing for them. I really wanted to knock some sense into her.'

When we contacted Ranvir Shorey, the actor refused to comment. If the news of their wedding is true, we wish the odd couple all the very best indeed.