Billu Barber: Private screening for 400 barbers from King Khan

February 12th, 2009

Shah Rukh Khan or King Khan has invited 400 barbers from Private screening of Billu Barber, or Billu that it is now being called.

In this case Shah Rukh Khan is going the Aamir Khan way in promoting his latest film Billu Barber. the buzz is that Khan has invited over 400 barbers to attend the premiere of the film. This also comes amidst the rumors that Hairdressers Association are pestering SRK and gang to change the barber word from the films title.

Priyadarshan, director of Billu Barber says, “Instead of having celebs over for the premiere of Billu Barber, Shah Rukh has planned to invite 400 barbers and their families to the premiere. His idea is to welcome barbers for the premiere on February 12, as the film revolves around Irrfan Khan, who plays a barber. Things are just getting organized for the premiere and the office is also in talks with the barbers’ association to get everything sorted for the big day.”

However Uday Takke, president of Hair Dresser association says, We want Billu Barber to be called Billu Hairdresser as barber is a derogatory and insulting term. We choose hairdressing as a profession because it is an art. Also there are many women hairstylists if Billu Barber becomes a hit, women hairdressers will be called barbers too!”

However SRK on the issue says, “Oh wow! So much for freedom of expression. We have not made this film to disrespect anyone. As a matter of fact, when a title of the film is kept after the protagonist, it is only to honor that character.”

Lara sparkles in white on the cover of Man's World

February 12th, 2009

Mumbai: Since the time she stormed onto the scene winning the Miss Universe title, there has been no looking back for Lara Dutta.

Lara is on every man's wish-list and hence it comes as no surprise to see the beautiful actress gracing the cover page of Man's World in the February issue.

Lara who has a major film Billu up for release this week is seen in a short white dress.

In an exclusive interview, Lara talks about her experiences portraying a de-glam role for the first time and how she feels proud to be known as a comedian.

However, what makes the issue a complete must have for all Lara fans is the fact that it gives you 15 ways to impress Lara and take her out on a date.

With Valentine's Day round the corner, this issue will indeed come in handy.

Desi Lara Croft

February 12th, 2009

After playing a sword-wielding heiress in Arundhati, pretty Anushka would be seen as a martial arts exponent in her next film Billa.

In this Tamil remake, she donning the role of an avenging angel, played by Nayantara in the original. "I trained for a couple of days to get the postures and kicks right," she reveals. The exercise would have been easier for the actress since she is a professional yoga trainer. The svelte actress will be seen in a swanky role, while Prabhas would be appearing as a debonair don. A striking pair indeed!

Mukta Arts to release Paying Guest on 24 April

February 11th, 2009

MUMBAI: Mukta Arts' next film release titled Paying Guest - Chipak Gaye is slated to release on 24 April.

The film is an adaptation of a theatre play titled Paying Guest, ' which ran for two years in the US, the UK, the UAE and India. It is written by Paritosh Painter, who also makes his directorial debut with this movie.

The film stars Shreyas Talpade, Javed Jaffery, Ashwini Choudhary, Vatsal Sheth, Johnny Lever, Celina Jaitley, Riya Sen, Neha Dhupia and Sayali Bhagat. It has music by Sajid Wajid.

Come fall in love with Katrina this Valentine...

February 11th, 2009

This week love is in the air on Oye! It's Friday! as it brings you an array of stars to add charm to your Valentine's Day. Fall in love with the beautiful and sensuous Katrina Kaif and celebrate love in a sufiana style with Kailash Kher.

It's love that's all around in Oye! It's Friday - a Valentine's Day special episode with Katrina Kaif where she candidly talks about the controversies and link ups surrounding her career. Katrina even shared some of the most cherished moments of her life and helped Farhan with a secret to the 'Perfect Smile'. Moving on, she also talks about her experience of working with her favorite co star 'Khiladi Kumar' on various films the two have done together. The beautiful actress even teaches Farhan her favorite dance moves.

Also as Hussain Kuwajerwala grooves to hot and happening numbers of 2008, from 'Nagada', 'Jee Karda' to 'Dil Haara'. Seeing Hussain's foot tapping performance even Katrina couldn't hold herself back from swaying on 'Jee Karda'.

Further, Oye! will dazzle the audience with the accomplished playback and sufi singer Kailash Kher who takes the show to another level with his eloquent voice as he enthralls with his performance on some of his celebrated numbers like 'Bagad bam' and 'Tauba Tauba'.

Catch this all for love Valentines Day special of Oye! It's Friday.

Divya Dutta gets abusive in Delhi 6

February 11th, 2009

Divya Dutta, who will be seen in the much-awaited Delhi 6 has reportedly used a very crass dialect in film. Divya has been given a total gypsy look and essays the role of a local hottie called 'Jalebi' who uses the typical Mardon ki Bhaasha!

What's more, her trainers for the same were none other than the whole cast and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra himself who used to teach the actress the choicest of gaalis and the tone of voice.

Apparently, the sweet and bubbly actress has spoken words that she has never even heard, let alone used in her life! "At first, I was very apprehensive about the whole thing but then I just got used to it; I felt like one of the guys. I remember when I had to deliver my first dialogue, the cameraman had this weird expression on his face. I got so scared but then suddenly everyone broke into an applause, which was very flattering. Rakeysh and everyone have been very supportive and encouraging throughout," says Divya.

Aishwarya could be the new 'Rani Laxmibai'

February 11th, 2009

Mumbai: As soon as Sushmita Sen's directorial debut project on Rani Laxmibai was shelved, director Ketan Mehta decided to revive his own project on Rani Laxmibai.

Ketan Mehta has taken the decision to revive Rani Laxmibai after hearing that Sushi Sen's film based on the same subject has been shelved. Aishwarya Rai might play the title role in Ketan's film.

Sushmita Sen's loss is Ketan Mehta's gain. After Sushmita's directorial debut based on Rani Laxmibai was shelved, Ketan Mehta wasted no time in grabbing the opportunity to revive his magnum opus based on the same subject. Incidentally, Ketan had aborted his project after he got to know that Sushmita was making a film on similar lines.

But now, with Sushmita shelving her project, Ketan is more than happy to revive his project. A source said, "When Ketan learnt that Sushmita is no longer making Rani Laxmibai, he immediately got back into action to revive his erstwhile abandoned project. He is now working on the film and is also in talks with Aishwarya Rai to play the title role."

Sanju-Manyata celebrate first marriage anniversary

February 11th, 2009

Mumbai: Bollywood couple Sanjay Dutt and Manyata have celebrated their eventful one-year of marriage at their Mumbai-based Pali Hill residence.

However, sister Priya Dutt was not present on this occasion. It is noteworthy here that Sanjay's family's refusal to accept Manyata caused a rift between him and his sisters.

It's been an eventful year for Sanjay and Manyata Dutt, who got married as per Hindu customs on Feb 11, 2008. The one-year of their marriage was full of events as the duo landed in legal net over the validity of their wedding, which was followed by tiff between Priya and Sanjay Dutt. On the other hand, Sanjay Dutt has launched his own production house after marriage and has kicked off his political career too.

Abhishek Bachchan, Amar Singh, Shatrughan Sinha, Vilasrao Deshmukh and several other celebrities were attended the big bash of their togetherness.

Munnabhai has kicked off his political career from Lucknow Lok Sabah constituency on Samajwadi Party ticket.

The preparations for the party was personally supervised by Manyata.

Shah Rukh Khan is Extremely Busy Man

February 11th, 2009

He may well be Bollywood's numero uno actor; now Shah Rukh has also taken over a new crown. SRK is Bollywood's busiest man today. Shah Rukh has recently been on a signing spree and has signed for a mammoth 30 films. This practically gives him no dates until April 2010.

Apart from his film assignments, SRK has his hands full with TV commercial assignments, private launches and his home production banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, which produces content for TV and Film.

Amongst the 30 films that SRK has signed, 3 are with close pal Sajid Khan. Eleven of these films will have a significant potion being shot abroad. This practically leaves Shah Rukh with no time for himself or family.

Akshay Kumar Plays Superhero in 8 X 10

February 11th, 2009

Akshay Kumar is back on the action front. After jumping from tall buildings, cars and elevators, Akshay jumped off a cliff from a height of around 160 feet for Percept Picture Company's 8 X 10. Director of 8 X 10, Nagesh Kukunoor said, “This is the first time that I am doing an action film and when you have someone like Akshay, things are easier. There are a couple of breathtaking action sequences in the film. This particular sequence was earlier supposed to be shot in Canada during our first schedule. The scene required Akshay to sprint from a long distance and jump into the water. Though we did some rehearsals with a duplicate, the fall was done by him in one take and it was amazing. Though we all freaked out, Akshay was absolutely cool about it.” When we asked Akshay about the stunt, he just smiled and said, “I love doing action scenes and that's about it.” The shooting is currently on in Moil Farm in Carbo.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is all geared up to do what he knows the best, action sequences, in his upcoming movie 8 X 10.

In the Nagesh Kukunoor-directed film, Akshay plays role of a psychological superhero who has some extra ordinary powers.

Kukunoor, who earlier directed flicks like Iqbal, Dor, Bombay to Bangkok and other, will try his hand at an action-thriller for the first time with this film.

Besides Khiladi actor Akshay, the film stars Vinod Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Ayesha Takia who plays the lead actress.

Jaya Prada as Shilpa Shetty’s mother in The desire

February 11th, 2009

Jaya Prada and Shilpa Shetty with an Indo-Chinese project “The Desire- a journey of a woman”. Jaya plays an Odissi Dancer and a mother as well as the dance guru of Shilpa in the film.

Madhuri Dixit at Hair and Make Up Fashion Week

February 11th, 2009

Madhuri Dixit inaugrated hair and make-up fashion week in Mumbai. The event is to give recognition to the make-up artists and hair stylists.

Madhuri Dixit, dancing queen of bollywood looked gorgeous.

Katrina to play Sonia Gandhi in Rajneeti

February 11th, 2009

Mumbai: Director Prakash Jha, who is known to make politically charged films like Gangaajal, is currently shooting his next, Rajneeti in Bhopal.

“I will certainly contend the elections this time,” says Prakash Jha:

This multi-starrer, reportedly based on the contemporary Indian political scenario, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Ajay Devgan and Nana Patekar.

It is rumored that Kaif's character in the film is inspired by the life of Sonia Gandhi..

The film which is currently under production and is expected to hit theatres later this year.

Retail therapy for Riya

February 11th, 2009

Riya Sen’s latest mantra seems to be to shop till you drop! Riya is known to be a big shopaholic and in order to keep her spendthrift ways in check she had even vowed not to shop in 2009! We hear, that was her New Year resolution.

However, resolutions are meant to be broken and that’s what the woman seems to have done too. “Yes, I have even overlooked the recession and shopped like no one’s business,” she smirks.

But as long as Riya ‘foots’ the bills herself, no one is really worried. A huge bill isn’t a big deal when you are Bollywood heroine, right Riya?

Riya Sen’s transformation in ‘Shaadi of the Dead’

February 11th, 2009

Riya Sen’s next film ‘Shaadi of the Dead’ will see the glamorous beauty scorch the screen once again by slipping into the skin of a seductress!

Produced by the well known Manmohan Shetty and Siddharth Jain, Riya will be essaying the role of a seductress opposite the very charming Purab Kohli.

‘Shaadi of the dead’ is a rib tickling comedy that is sure to keep the audiences entertained!

After having just finished Ritupurno Ghosh’s movie ‘Nauka Dubi’ where Raima and she will be seen on the silver screen together for the first time, the transformation from Sarees and a middle class look to a bombshell in ‘Shaadi of the Dead’ is something everyone is eagerly looking forward to!!

Recession and IPL hits Shahid’s Paathshaala

February 10th, 2009

Despite choreographer, director and now turned producer, Ahmed Khan’s Paathshala being ready, it seems the film has been postponed ahead for one more time. Originally the film was planned for a January 9th, 2009 release but then was postponed ahead to May 2009 for a summer vacations release. But now the industry buzz is strong the film has been further postponed to a mid-June release.

The chief reasons for the postponement are said to be the ongoing recession which will make it difficult to promote the film in a big way and the 20Twenty IPL second season starting from April and going on till mid-June. The makers don’t want to take any risk by releasing their film in this period despite it being a summer vacation for kids.

The film stars Shahid Kapur, Ayesha Takia and Nana Patekar in the main lead along with well known child stars Ali Haji (Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum), Swini Khera (Cheeni Kum), Dwij Yadav (Nanhe Jaisalmer, Heroes) and Avika Gor (Balika Vadhu). Shahid’s role in the film is that of a teacher in the film and the story revolves around a group of troubled young students. His entry in the film is supposed to be similar to that of Aamir Khan’s in Taare Zameen Par that is just at the interval point.

The budget of the film is said to be around 15 crores