Kung Fu Yoga

[GeneChing]

The official trailer is not a trailer at all - it's a photo montage. But what can you expect from an article that's titled 'Jackie Chang'?

Indo-Chinese joint film venture 'Kung Fu Yoga' starring Jackie Chang wraps filming
Chandan Das | Feb 15, 2016 02:33 AM EST


Indo-Chinese joint venture movie ‘Kung Fu Yoga’ featuring Jackie Chan and Bollywood stars nears completion. (Photo : YouTube/ “Kung Fu Yoga” official trailer screenshot)

Filming of the Indo-Chinese joint venture film "Kung Fu Yoga," starring the 60-year-old Chinese martial arts star Jackie Chan and a host of Indian actors, is nearing completion.

Directed by Stanley Tong, who was at the helm of some earlier films starring Chan, began shooting "Kung Fu Yoga" late last year. The film will highlight the USPs of India and China.
In fact, "Kung Fu Yoga," a part of a three-film agreement signed between India and China during the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinpingt to India in 2015, was originally scheduled to cast Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and others. However, the Indian actor later withdrew from the movie citing his busy schedule. The project was undertaken keeping in view the increasing popularity of Bollywood films in China, Mid-Day reported.
In "Kung Fu Yoga," Chan portrays the character of a Chinese archaeologist on a mission to recover lost treasures of the ancient Magadh Empire in India. During the course of his search, Chan meets an Indian professor, portrayed by Disha Patani, who not only trains him in martial arts and yoga, but also helps the archeologist in his treasure hunt, Digital Journal reported.
The plot of "Kung Fu Yoga" also includes some fantasy scenes, such as time travel with Chan and the Patani travelling back to Bimbisara's era some 2500 years back. Bimbisara is said to be one of the first to write a dissertation on the yogic path and finding joy.
The story of the movie changes between the present and various periods in the past. "Kung Fu Yoga" also gives a glimpse of ancient Indian history, showing the rise and growth of the Magadh Empire. The movie briefly focuses on famous characters from ancient Indian history, for instance there are sequences featuring Chandragupta Maurya, a ruler from Magadh who was among the first to establish a pan-India empire. In addition, "Kung Fu Yoga" also shows Chandragupta's mentor Chanakya, who is famous for his books Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti, which are based on politics and good governance.
Earlier, another Bollywood heroine Katrina Kaif was selected to portray the Indian professor. But the producers later opted for Patani, who is a trained gymnast. Considering the fact that Chan is an expert in martial arts, "Kung Fu Yoga" will include a lot of action scenes. Perhaps this was the reason for giving the lead female role to Patani.
Watch the official trailer of "Kung Fu Yoga" below:

[GeneChing]

Well maybe. You'd think if filming is wrapped, it would be too late for Disha to 'be joining the cast'. Alas...Indian web news...

FEB 17, 2016




Jackie Chan has reportedly wrapped up shooting for the famed Indo-Chinese venture, “Kung Fu Yoga.” The film stars many Indian actors along with Chan and has been shot in China, Middle-East, and Tibet.

“Kung Fu Yoga” tells the story of a Chinese professor of archaeology who is travelling to Tibet to find the famed lost treasure of Magadha empire. It is an Indian empire that flourished in Nothern India and Tibet in 600 BCE.

Chan plays the professor in the movie. His character, Jack, meets and teams up with the beautiful Indian professor, Ashmita and her assistant Kyra to find the lost treasure. Jack’s assistant, Xiaoguang (Lay Zhang) and Nuomin (Miya Muqi) join in on the quest too. But Sonu Sood’s character, Randall, who is the descendant of the rebel army leader from centuries ago, who first acquired the Magadha treasure.

The entire company goes to Tibet where they clamour to get their hands on the treasure. When they are all in a cave, a scuffle ensues and Sood’s character Randall manages to snatch a really big diamond from the treasure before the rest of the company is buried in ice.

When Chan and the Indian professor and their crew manage to get out of the cave and the snow, they find out that the diamond is being auctioned off in the Middle East. When Chan tries to get the diamond back from Randall, a chase ensues and the diamond is finally taken by Ashmita who isn’t just a professor, but is a descendant of the Magadha empire.

It is rumored that the Indian actress Disha Patani might be joining the cast as Jackie Chan’s love interest, report Yibada and Digital Journal. Other members of the cast include Amyra Dastur, Tomer Oz, Arif Rahman, and YiXing Zhang. The movie will be directed by Stanley Tong.

Photo Source: Facebook / Kung Fu Yoga

[GeneChing]

A diya is a little oil lamp, just in case you don't speak Bollywood.

JACKIE CHAN’S DESI TADKA IN JODHPUR
By Sanyukta Iyer, Mumbai Mirror | Mar 10, 2016, 04.56 AM IST


Top: Disha Patani (l); Amyra Dastur (r)
The action star will fly down to shoot a Bollywood masala number.

One of India's most exotic heritage hotels, The Jodhpur Palace, will soon be lit up with a million diyas for Jackie Chan's Kung Fu Yoga. The international action star is set to don a bright red kurta, green mojris and a dhol around his neck, as he flaunts his newly-acquired laktas and jhatkas to a Bollywood-style masala song along with Disha Patani, who features in Neeraj Pandey's MS Dhoni - The Untold Story, and Mr X actress Amyra Dastur in the scenic Rajasthani city.

On March 20, the multi-lingual action-mystery-adventure featuring Chan and Sonu Sood, will roll in India. "Since Jackie Chan is flying in, the entire venue is being cordoned off. Security checks have already begun and an international team of bodyguards is being brought in with the unit," a source close to the development informed Mirror.

Directed by Stanley Tong, the Indo-Chinese production's first schedule rolled in Beijing, followed by Dubai, and was wrapped up last month in Iceland. "The Indian schedule will be the last one and the most expensive," adds the source.

The film follows a renowned archaeology professor at the fictional Terracotta Warriors Museum in China who teams up with an Indian counterpart to locate India's lost Magadha treasure in Tibet. "They are joined by several other interesting characters as their search leads them to India. Sonu plays Randall, a descendent of a rebel army leader who claims a right to the royal treasure. The unit will also be shooting at a yet-to- be-revealed location in India, which will appear as the "Sacred Mountain to unlock the treasure" in the film," the source concludes.

[GeneChing]

Not fight choreographer, dance choreographer. It's a Bollywood flick after all...

'Kung Fu Yoga:' Farah Khan to choreograph Jackie Chan; Chinese star to don Indian look
March 22, 2016 17:20 IST
By Parismita Goswami


Jackie Chan IANS

Jackie Chan, who is shooting for his upcoming Indo-Chinese film "Kung Fu Yoga," will soon be in India for a song shoot. The film, which also has Bollywood actor Sonu Sood in a key role.

Interestingly, the grand dance number will feature the film's cast — Chan, Sonu, Amyra Dastur and Disha Patani — and will be choreographed by Farah Khan. According to a report in DNA, Sonu persuaded Chan to incorporate a song in the film and also suggested Farah's name to the makers. Farah had earlier choreographed for the Chinese film "Perhaps Love" (2005).

The report further said the bilingual song would be shot in different places in India, China and some other countries. Chan will also don an Indian look for the song.

"Jackie is expected to fly down by April to shoot for it. It will be a Hindi-English song and will have Indian dancers flown to China and wherever else they will shoot the song, which includes shooting at The Jodhpur Palace in Rajasthan. Jackie will don an Indian look with a bright red kurta, green mojris and a dhol around his neck. After shooting in Jodhpur, they will fly to Beijing for the next part of the song, [sic]" a source told DNA.

"Kung Fu Yoga" is a part of the three-film agreement signed between India and China during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India last year. The China regulators hope the films will unite Chinese martial arts and Indian culture. Directed by Stanley Tong, "Kung Fu Yoga" is scheduled to be released later this year.

Chan had earlier visited to India in 2013 and had even collaborated with Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat for the 2005 film "The Myth."

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

Love the Shinework logo.

China’s Shinework Pictures Unveils Fund, Slate of Co-Production Movies (EXCLUSIVE)
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief


COURTESY OF SHINEWORK PICTURES

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | 02:30AM PT
Well-established Chinese TV producer, Shinework Media has launched a feature film division with a high-powered slate of co-production movies.

Shinework Pictures, which is already producing the $65 million Jackie Chan film “Kung Fu Yoga,” says it expects to deliver 3-5 movies per year.

The slate was unveiled Tuesday in Xi’an, the historic city where the Silk Road International Film Festival is currently being held.

The lineup announcement was complemented by the launch of a film finance fund. The scale of the fund was not immediately confirmed though as this stage it is understood to have received investments from private equity sources, predominantly high net worth individuals.

“The film fund and production company’s slate will be focused on commercial China co-production films that will appeal to the China box office and international markets with budgets ranging from $10 million to $60 million,” the company said in a statement. The model sees Shinework Pictures fully- or co-financing development and then bringing in partners and using the fund for the co-production.

The emphasis on co-productions reflects the core business of Shinework Media and its founder Jonathan Shen. The company is producer of “World Film Report,” the weekly highbrow show on China Movie Channel (CCTV6.) Through the show’s international activities Shen has led outreach activities and been recognized by the United Nations’ World Peace Award and by the French Ministry of Culture.

“Shinework has a long history of introducing Chinese audiences to international culture so we have focused on co-productions to give Chinese films an opportunity to successfully reach international audiences,” said Shen, chairman and CEO of Shinework Pictures.

“China is the focus now for filmmakers worldwide, yet cultural and language barriers have made it challenging to access the Chinese market. Shinework is bridging the East and West to remove these barriers and become the next leading international Chinese film company for co-productions,” Daljit DJ Parmar (“The Lifeguard”,) Shinework Pictures’ VP of international told Variety.

Co-productions will be structured either according to Chinese regulations on co-producing or according to bilateral treaties. In some cases the movies may be the first to use treaties or help the treaties come to fruition. The slate includes the first China-Iran co-production and the first China Kazakhstan co-production.”

Titles include: sci-fi action film based on a Stan Lee character “Monkey Master,” structured as a co-production with India and being co-produced with Cinema Capital Advisory; Canadian animation “Zodiacation” with a script developed by Gerry Swallow (“Ice Age Meltdown”) and Arne Olsen; comedy action film “Way To Shaolin,”being made with Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation; drama “Composer” a biopic about Chinese composer, Xian Xing Hai to be made with Kazakhfilm; sports drama “Blades of Steel;” war actioner “Escape Shanghai,” about the WWII race for the first atomic bomb; and sports drama “The Wolf,” about a Chinese soccer player who follows his dream of playing professionally in Brazil.

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan to dominate New Year season with 2 films

By Zhang Rui
China.org.cn, September 28, 2016

Kung Fu megastar Jackie Chan hopes to dominate the Chinese film market during the New Year season with two new action-comedies.


A poster for "Railroad Tigers" and "Kung Fu Yoga." [Photo / China.org.cn]

He announced on Tuesday that his "Railroad Tigers" will open in China on Dec. 30, while another film, "Kung Fu Yoga," will hit Chinese screens on Jan. 28, 2017, the Chinese New Year's Day.

"Railroad Tigers" will be directed by Ding Sheng. The movie is set in wartime China in 1941 and features Chan as a railroad worker who leads a team of civil guerrilla force using their knowledge of the train network to disrupt Japan's wartime engine and steal food for the starving Chinese population.

Ding previously worked with Chan on action-comedy "Little Big Soldier" and police-thriller "Police Story 2013."

"Kung Fu Yoga" will be directed by Chan's longtime collaborator Stanley Tong, and will tell the story of a renowned professor of archaeology and his team who are treasure hunting in India, Iceland and UAE. Tong has worked with Chan in several classics, including "The Myth," "CZ12," "Police Story 3: Super Cop," "Police Story 4: First Strike," and "Rumble in the Bronx" – the later created the so-called New Year season for Chinese film market in 1995.

This is the first time the martial arts super star will present two big-budget comedies in this particular season.

Jackie Chan just proved his continual box office potential this summer with "Skiptrace," which grossed 888 million yuan (US$132 million).


A poster for "Kung Fu Yoga." [Photo / China.org.cn]


A poster for "Railroad Tigers." [Photo / China.org.cn]

I've been saying Jackie needs to return to what he does best - action comedies - but then Skiptrace kinda sucked.

[GeneChing]

Bollywood number in 'Kung Fu Yoga' treat for Jackie Chan fans: Sonu Sood
IANS | Sep 30, 2016, 06.42 PM IST

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) Actor Sonu Sood, who is gung-ho about sharing screen space with legendary international actor Jackie Chan in "Kung Fu Yoga", says the Bollywood number in the upcoming Sino-Indian project will be a treat for his fans.
How easy was it to convince Chan for a Bollywood number?
"I convinced him one day. I remember sitting with him and having dinner, and I told Jackie that we should have a Bollywood number," Sonu told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
The "Dabangg" star says that at first, Chan wasn't convinced with the idea of a Bollywood song and dance sequence.
"He (Chan) said 'You all Indian actors can sing and dance, but we can't'. So I said, 'Don't worry... We don't sing, we just lip sync, but we should definitely have a dance number'," added Sonu.
The 43-year-old actor said Chan was eventually "very happy about" having a 'desi' number in the movie.
"Then we got Farah and we shot the whole song. It was good fun and when I saw the song I thought it will be a treat to all Jackie Chan fans," Sonu said.
Talking about Chan as a co-star, Sonu said: "Jackie is one of the most grounded people I have ever come across. Very grounded, a thorough gentleman."
Sonu and the "Rush Hour" star spent about a year shooting for "Kung Fu Yoga" in picturesque places in locations across Dubai, China, Iceland and India.
"I learnt a lot of action from him, I even learnt his Jackie Chan stunt. I loved every bit of it," he said.
For now, Sonu is looking forward to "Tutak Tutak Tutiya", which marks his foray into movie production. Directed by Vijay, the film stars Tamannaah Bhatia and Prabhudheva. It is releasing on October 7.
Would Sonu like to cast Jackie in any of his home productions?
"I'd love to. I am definitely going to pitch something to him as long as he gives me some good discount," quipped Sonu.
Directed by Stanley Tong, "Kung Fu Yoga" is part of the three-film agreement signed between the two countries during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India. The film also stars actress Amyra Dastur. It is reported that the Bollywood stars have performed some adrenalin-pumping action sequences for the movie.
This is not the first time that the "The Legend of Drunken Master" is starring along with a Bollywood actor. Chan had collaborated with Bollywood beauty Mallika Sherawat in his 2005 film "The Myth".
--IANS
dc/rb/dg

'You all Indian actors can sing and dance, but we can't' Why would Jackie ever say this? He has a great singing voice, a recording career and was trained in Chinese opera.

[GeneChing]

Clearly, The Latest Poster For Jackie Chan's KUNG FU YOGA Needs To Be Taller



As broad as action star Jackie Chan's skillset is, you can expect his latest, writer and director Stanley Tong's Kung Fu Yoga to showcase a good number of surprises and morsels for Chan fans. The film opens early next year in China with Chan in the role of Jack, an archeologist and professor who sets out on a whirlwind adventure with a beautiful Indian professor and her assistant in search of lost treasure.

Also starring are Lay Zhang of K-pop group EX0 and actress Miya Muqi and actor Aarif Rahman with Indian film stars Sonu Sood and Ileana D’Cruz rounding out the cast. With the film months away from its release, the marketing has begun for the film, and here to oblige is the latest poster for the film. Yes, it's long. Very. And yes, clearly we needed it to be taller!

(Hat tip to Felix Ng)

Great find by Film Combat Syndicate's Lee Golden.

[GeneChing]

I should check out some previous films by Amyra.

Jackie Chan's 64, but has the energy levels of an 18-year-old
TNN | Nov 3, 2016, 10.45 AM IST



Amyra Dastur, last seen in the Dhanush-starrer Anegan, is all set to act opposite Santhanam in Oodi Oodi Uzhaikanum. But even though it's been a few years since Anegan now, the actress remains fresh in our memories, thanks to her film, Kung Fu Yoga opposite Jackie Chan keeping her in the news. About to start shooting in Chennai in a week's time with Santhanam, the actress tells us why she was missing in action, how it was working with Chan, and more...

Did you know who Santhanam was before you signed this film?

Actually , I know Vishakha (Singh), and that's how I came to see a movie directed by Mani sir (Manikandan, of Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya fame), in which Santhanam has acted. And then, I met him the other day , during the puja of this film. He's a sweet person, very funny and quick-witted in real life as well, and keeps joking around. I hadn't heard of him till then, but someone told me he's the best comedian in Tamil cinema right now, and that he's also a hero now.

The next question, an obvious one, is, why did you take so long after Anegan to sign another Tamil film?

I was going to debut in Telugu film in a Puri Jagannadh film, and then, right after that, out of the blue, I got Kung Fu Yoga with Jackie Chan. I was really excited, but that film took most of my 2016. I've been shooting six months straight, till May 2016, for that film. And they had also wanted one month prior to shooting for training me.And so, I had to cancel a few south projects, and then say no to some more. After all, opportunities like these don't come every day! I must say , all the producers and directors were very understanding, and were fine with my decision. And now, I am back to meeting people, and taking up new projects.

Jackie Chan -how was working with him?

Absolutely amazing. We were shooting in different locations across the world, and we were in Iceland for 15 days - that was absolutely magical. Coming back to the man, he's 64, but has the energy levels of an 18-year-old. Not kidding! His own production, his own stunt team, he's acting; he trains his team, looks into every single thing on the set, sorts out everything that needs sorting. And the best part is, all this happens right on the set, in front of everyone, so there's no `later', or behind-the-scene thing with him. And he keeps everyone on their toes all the time. If there was a couple of hours' gap for my shoot, he ensured I was training, or learning my lines, or interacting with the stunt team... he'd keep it very interesting on the set.

Any other Tamil projects on hand? Are you comfortable acting down south now?

See, KV Sir pushed me into this world. I shot for 120 days for Anegan, and so, got used to south film industry's style of working. Also, language-wise, I find Tamil easier to fathom than Telugu. So, I am hoping to sign on two other projects here, but wait for me to finalise things, then I shall tell.
And Oodi Oodi Uzhaikanum -you'll be shooting in Chennai, right?
Yes. Anywhere between 10th and 12th of this month, I shall join the set. Mani sir has told me most of the film will be shot in Chennai, so I shall be here for a few days, I guess.

[GeneChing]

Of course, I was looking forward to Skiptrace too.

AFM: First look and deals for Jackie Chan's 'Kung Fu Yoga'
4 November, 2016 | By Liz Shackleton



EXCLUSIVE: Golden Network inks deals on kung fu caper.

Japan’s Kadokawa has snapped up action adventure Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan, which Golden Network Asia has also sold to a slew of other territories in Asia and Europe.

The film, directed by Stanley Tong and also starring India’s Sonu Sood, has also gone to Hong Kong & Macau (Intercontinental), Turkey (Tanweer), Indonesia (Prima Cinema), Singapore (Clover Films), Taiwan (Long Shong), Thailand (Sahamongkolfilm), Latin America (Swen Group), Italy (Notorious Pictures), Russia & CIS (Capella Film) and the Middle East (Gulf Film). GSC Movies has taken the film for Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Golden Network has also sold Railroad Tigers, directed by Ding Sheng and also starring Chan, to Well Go USA for North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The film has also gone to Asian territories including Hong Kong & Macau (Intercontinental), South Korea (Double & Joy), Indonesia (Prima Cinema), The Philippines (Viva), Singapore (Clover Films), Taiwan (Deepjoy Pictures) and Thailand (Mono Film), while GSC Movies has rights for Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Outside of Asia the film has sold to Italy (Notorious Pictures), Latin America (Swen Group), Turkey (Tanweer) and the Middle East (Gulf Film).

Railroad Tigers will receive a wide global release on December 30, while Kung Fu Yoga is scheduled for release on January 28, 2017, over Chinese New Year.

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

'Kung Fu Yoga' star Jackie Chan attends UNICEF's 70th anniversary with Orlando Bloom, Priyanka Chopra, David Beckham
Abbey Vannelli | Dec 20, 2016 03:02 PM EST


(L-R) Orlando Bloom, Priyanka Chopra, Angelique Kidjo, David Beckham, Femi Kuti, Ishmael Beah, Jackie Chan and guest attend UNICEF's 70th Anniversary Event at United Nations Headquarters on December 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Mike Coppola)

"Kung Fu Yoga" star and Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan attended the UNICEF's 70th anniversary event in New York. The event of United Nation's agency which handles child-related issues had once again raised awareness of the myriad problems in the world. One of those touched was Chan who was so desperate over the children's ill fate that he wished he was a superhero to save the world.
The martial arts icon was among the many stars who graced the U.N. agency's event. He was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by the agency in 2004. He used his influence as a global superstar to help the cause of children. His passion to help the needy shows whenever he answers questions emphatically.
"It's not the children's fault, sometimes it's the parents, sometimes it's the area, sometimes it's the situation," Chan told BBC about children with HIV/AIDS at the sidelines of UNICEF's 70th anniversary event. "They do nothing wrong. They are just helpless."
There are 1.8 million below 16-year-old children around the world that are inflicted with HIV/AIDS, according to UNICEF's Seventh Stocktaking Report. A bit of a good news is that the number of deaths related to AIDS among children below 5 years old had been reduced.
The Hong Kong-born actor was just willing to help when UNICEF asked him. He has known that UNICEF has helped a lot of people especially children over 70 years. He hopes that the next 70 years will be focused on fostering peace worldwide.
As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, one of Chan's ways of showing emotional support to children with HIV/AIDS is to show them the disease is not that scary. He does it by touching them and giving them a hug.
Jackie Chan: China Now Recognized by Global Movie Industry
Chan is also frustrated about children caught up in Afghanistan, Syria and in other conflict areas. Orlando Bloom, Priyanka Chopra, David Beckham, Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti and Ishmael Beah are among the other Goodwill Ambassadors present at the 70th anniversary.
The 62-year old Chinsese fa; Chan will appear in the upcoming action comedy Sino-Indian movie "Kung Fu Yoga" which will be available in theaters on Jan. 28, 2017. His co-stars enjoyed his company not only because of his acting but also of his good dancing skills. Indian actress Disha Patani who plays as a princess in the film told IANS over a phone talk from Mumbai, The Indian Express reported.
Listen to Chan's interview in the clip below:

"Chinsese fa;"?

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]