The trick behind Akshay's double role in 8x10 Tasveer

Filmi double roles have always fascinated us. To make them possible, techniques like shooting in several layers, shooting with the help of chroma are common practice. But if we talk about Akshay Kumar's 8x10 Tasveer, there is certainly something unique.

Akshay's double role: The best sequence and the most challenging one too! No chroma shots, but frame by frame rotoscoping (technique of cutting out the images) done by Vfx house Prime Focus. All of Akshay's shots were shot twice in two different layers using a dummy character in front of him. Later, the dummy character was rotoed out from each frame and was replaced by Akshay shot in a separate layer.

"It was a long sequence and was shot on the boat where everything was shaking. As the part of the post production, we had to roto out Akshay in each and every frame; besides, all the shots needed to be stabilized because of the shake. The scene where both the Akshays are fighting was the most challenging one," says Merzin Tavaria, Creative Head, Prime Focus.

Frame by frame rotoscoping was done to replace the image



Dummy characters were used for the reference.


Dummy character was rotoed out frame by frame



The dummy character was rotoed out from each frame and was replaced by Akshay shot in a separate layer

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B.O. update:- '8x10 Tasveer' is dull, reports negative

The new Akshay Kumar starrer 8 x 10 TASVEER had a dull start at most multiplexes, garnering a 30% - 40% start at major plexes across the country. At certain places, the response was below that. However, the film was poor at most single screens. The industry feels that the film should've had a better start at plexes due to two reasons: [i] Holiday on Friday and [ii] Paucity of big releases since last few weeks.

However, the reports are negative, with people not liking the second half. The film is not likely to show a big jump during the weekend.

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Nagesh needs 8 x10 Tasveer to work

Nagesh Kukunoor is often described as a "maverick" as his movies do not follow the usual style of Indian films. And this time too, his film 8x10 Tasveer, releasing on April 3 is expected to create quite a stir. A supernatural action thriller, Nagesh is banking on the film to be a hit. After all, he has spent a staggering 55 crores making it.

A source reveals, “The film has been very close to Nagesh from day one. His relationship with Percept allowed him to get Akshay Kumar to act in the movie. Akshay and Percept have a mutual understanding and that is how Akshay landed the project.”

As for the budget, the source reveals that the film’s initial financial plan not so generous. “Initially, the budget was an estimated 30 crores but once shooting started, it went beyond it. Finally, it amounted to 55 crores. Jumping 25 crores over the budget is not easy for an investor but Percept showed faith in Nagesh.”

The source adds, “As it is a supernatural action thriller, Nagesh wanted the locations to be perfect. He traveled to Canada and South Africa to scout for the right places to shoot. When he chose to shoot in those places, a 30 crore budget did not seem to be enough. That’s how it shot up to 55 crores. As for Akshay Kumar, he was paid Rs.15 crores only.”

Director Nagesh has his hopes pinned on the movie not just because of Percept’s expectations for it. The source says, “Only once the film is declared a hit at the box office will Nagesh be able to release Aashayein. Aashayein is ready for release but no one is ready to buy it. If 8x10 Tasveer does not click at the box office, it is doubtful that Aashayein will ever see the light of day.”

Talking about Nagesh’s upcoming film Ye Hausla, the source says, “Ye Hausla’s first scheduled has been shot for in Rajasthan but because 8x10 is releasing, all Nagesh’s energy is focused on the film. He will probably continue with Ye Hausla after 8x10 is released.”

8x10 Tasveer is in a very tricky situation. Releasing on April 3, the film’s run will coincide with the upcoming IPL (Indian Premiere League) as well as the producers vs. multiplexes strike that is set to take place on April 5. The source says, “Akshay wanted the film to release early because his other films too are releasing in the coming months. He was pretty excited about the film when he saw the final copy even though he was not happy when he was actually shooting the film.”

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Akshay's '8X10' release in trouble

The release of "8X10 Tasveer", an Akshay Kumar-starrer supernatural thriller, is in trouble over a financial clash between the movie's co-producers, Percept Picture Company and T-Series.

On March 4, 2009, the co-producers signed an agreement according to which T-Series would walk out of the film and take back the money (50 percent of the total agreed cost it had put in the film), if the money was paid by Percept on time through post-dated cheques, said a statement by T-Series.

The walkout decision by T-Series was a "business decision by both the parties", said Vinod Bhanushali, T-Series president, marketing media publishing (TV).

While Percept's first payment of Rs.50 lakh was received by T-Series, the second and final cheque of around Rs.6.67 crore was dishonoured by the bank, the statement said.

"They were supposed to pay us as per a contract signed by both, and since the cheque for the final amount has bounced, we are legally again the co-producers of the film," Bhanushali told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"It's a case of cheating. We have the right to move court over the cheque bounce," he said.

"We are sure to get a stay over the release of the film until the matter is sorted out." The film is scheduled for release April 3.

Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the thriller revolves around Jai (Akshay) who has a supernatural gift to see into the past by touching the 8X10 sized photograph of dead people.

Besides Akshay, it also stars Ayesha Takia, Vinod Khanna and Sharmila Tagore.

Navin Shah, CEO, Percept Picture Company, shrugged off the matter as a "goof-up" by the bank.

"The matter has been sorted out. There was some miscommunication from the bank's end and hence there was a hiccup. The movie is releasing on time, April 3," he said.

Bahnushali, however, disagreed: "The matter has not been resolved. The deal is they have to pay us and we have not received it yet, so we are still holding our ground."

Apart from taking legal action, T-Series is seeking to stop the delivery of film prints and negatives until further notice.

They have also cautioned trade circles not to deal with any rights in the film "8X10" or play any paid or free content (both promos and songs) without prior written consent of Super Cassettes Industries Limited (T-Series). Those who violate this shall be liable for damages and legal action.

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PPC defaults the payment of 6.67cr to T-Series for Tasveer

Super Cassettes Industries Limited (T-SERIES) and Percept Picture Limited had entered into a Co-Production Agreement on 28-Aug-2008 wherein they were to jointly produce the film "Tasveer" now renamed to "8X10". T-Series was not only the joint owner of the film but all music rights were to be exploited by T-SERIES only.

However, on 4-Mar-2009 T-Series and Percept Picture entered into another agreement wherein T-Series would walk out of the film and take back the money (50% of total agreed cost of the film) if the money was paid in time through the post dated cheques. While percepts honoured the first payment of Rs. 50,00,000/- the second and final amount of Rs.6.67 crores which was given by way of post dated cheque was dishonoured today.

And now, due to failure on part of the Percept Picture to honour the second installment, since their cheque was dishonoured by their Bank, as agreed by Percept Picture in writing, T-SERIES now enters back as co-producers of the said film and have written to the laboratory to stop the delivery of film prints/ negatives until further notice in writing. T-Series shall also take all necessary legal action to protect its interest and rights.

While on the other hand all persons in public and particularly in the Film & Entertainment Industry and trade have been cautioned not to deal with any rights in the film "8X10" without prior written consent of Super Cassettes Industries Limited. Failing which if they do so, they shall be liable for damages and legal action at the option of Super Cassettes Industries (T-Series).

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Akshay Kumar: Mein Mahalaxmi race course ka ghoda nahin hoon

Bollywood’s ultimate khiladi Akshay Kumar is ready to take audiences through the realm of the supernatural in his latest film 8x10 Tasveer. In the film, he plays Jai (Akshay Kumar), a man with supernatural powers. He has the ability of peeping into the past.

In a press conference, the actor answered questions about the film, supernatural powers and the ‘Aamir-SRK-Akshay No.1’ game.

What made you sign this film?
It was the story. Also, I’ve never done a sci-fi film before and was interested. The right script came along, so I hopped onto the boat. It’s a supernatural action thriller. I hope the audiences are as bowled over by it as I am.

The name is quite ambiguous. Is it an art film?
It sounded more like the measurements of a coffin to me. But then he explained it to me. But titles hardly matter. The title Daag - The Fire is confusing too. But it was a super hit. Now, with Tasveer added, I think audiences will have a clue as to what it’s about.

Do you believe in supernatural powers? If you were given the opportunity to travel back in time, what part of your life would you revisit?
I don’t believe in supernatural powers. But my journey from Delhi to Bollywood via Bangkok has been extraordinary. If I had the opportunity, I think I’d go back in time to talk to my late father.

What was the toughest scene to shoot?
Definitely the time I had to jump off a cliff into cold water. That was fun, though. But one thing I had to get used to is working with Nagesh. I had to understand his mind, which took me five days. And I’m happy I did. I am really happy with the final product.

After watching the promos, people have started to say that your character is similar to Aamir’s in Ghajini. Is this true?
Not at all. Maybe the same guy made both promos. Although, we should have put Aamir in one scene – the film would’ve done better.

Recently Aamir Khan said SRK is not the No1 khan? Would you like to stake your claim to the title as well?
No, I don’t care about being on top. I work hard and get paid for it. Mein Mahalaxmi race course par ghoda thodi hoon. There’s no first, second or third. We are all just actors.

Bollywood is banking on you more money than any other actor’s this year. What do you have to say about this?
Yes, my films have made money. But you can’t really say anything about the future. All we can do is wait for it.

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Akshay Kumar and Nagesh Kukunoor at the 8x10 Tasveer media meet

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Akshay Kumar film not finding distributors

Thanks to the credit crunch, Akshay Kumar starrer 8 X 10 Tasveer is not finding a buyer.

Producers Percept Picture Company are now having to release the film themselves.

In fact, due to the producers-distributors battle with exhibitors over revenue-sharing, the Producers’ Guild had decided not to release any new movies from April 3rd but have relaxed their stand as regards 8 x 10 Tasveer.

This concession has been made as the guild realised that the film has already been delayed and that, combined with the strike and upcoming IPL matches, could result in an unfair delay of the film that could spell doom for it at the box office.

Does this have something to do with the credit crunch or with the fact that Akki’s last flick tanked big time at the box office?

Another Percept film affected by the crunch is Madhur Bhandarkar’s Jail.

There were rumours that Madhur was all set to leave Percept for UTV but that is not the case. In fact, Madhur and his actors Neil Nitin Mukesh, Mugdha Godse and Manoj Bajpai have even agreed to take a pay cut as a result of the film’s budget being reduced.

Madhur said, “I am co-producing Jail with Percept Picture Company. Keeping in mind the recession, we mutually decided to cut the budget.”

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8x10 Tasveer - First Look

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