Percept to release Akshay Kumar starrer Tasveer on 3 April

January 21st, 2009

Akshay Kumar's Chandni Chowk to China has been severely panned by the critics but the movie has gone on to collect Rs 330 million (Rs 33 crores) in India and RS 120 million (Rs 12 crores) from the overseas in its opening weekend. Most have started writing the actor's epitaph as they feel that he now no longer can claim the numero uno position.

However, post the debacle Akshay is back to the studios shooting for Nagesh Kukunoor's Tasveer. Shooting at Mehboob Studios in suburban Mumbai, the producer of the film and Percept Picture Company joint managing director Shailendra Singh feels that there is much ado over nothing. Singh said, "Akshay's position is still strong. My film will not be affected. Tasveer is a psychological thriller and is of a different genre. I am very confident of my product."

Keeping in mind that Akshay has two big releases, Kambakkth Ishq in May and De Dhana Dhan during Eid, Percept will be releasing Tasveer on 3 April.

This patchwork of Tasveer will wrap up the shooting for the film. According to sources, this was very much in the planning, thus quelling rumours that Akshay wanted some portions re-shot. The movie has been directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

January 21st, 2009

Akshay Kumar's Chandni Chowk to China has been severely panned by the critics but the movie has gone on to collect Rs 330 million (Rs 33 crores) in India and RS 120 million (Rs 12 crores) from the overseas in its opening weekend. Most have started writing the actor's epitaph as they feel that he now no longer can claim the numero uno position.

However, post the debacle Akshay is back to the studios shooting for Nagesh Kukunoor's Tasveer. Shooting at Mehboob Studios in suburban Mumbai, the producer of the film and Percept Picture Company joint managing director Shailendra Singh feels that there is much ado over nothing. Singh said, "Akshay's position is still strong. My film will not be affected. Tasveer is a psychological thriller and is of a different genre. I am very confident of my product."

Keeping in mind that Akshay has two big releases, Kambakkth Ishq in May and De Dhana Dhan during Eid, Percept will be releasing Tasveer on 3 April.

This patchwork of Tasveer will wrap up the shooting for the film. According to sources, this was very much in the planning, thus quelling rumours that Akshay wanted some portions re-shot. The movie has been directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

Court orders Maharashtra to release Salman Khan's dues

January 21st, 2009

A Mumbai court Wednesday ordered the Maharashtra government to clear Bollywood actor Salman Khan's dues of Rs. 2.50 million that have been outstanding for long.

Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) judge Y.D. Shinde gave his ruling on an application filed by Salman to clear his dues for acting in the movie 'Chori Chori, Chupke Chupke' that shortly before its release had became controversial with several government departments investigating the sources of its finances from questionable quarters and the suspected mafia links of the people associated with it.

As per Salman's agreement, he was entitled to a payment of Rs.15 million from the movie's producers Bharat Shah.

While Shah and filmmaker Nazim Rizvi were among those arrested, the court appointed a receiver to handle all the financial aspects of the movie post-release, Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian told reporters this evening.

Later, the court receiver deposited the income generated by the movie and the payment due to be made to Salman in the state government treasury, she added.

Shinde has ordered that Salman's dues must be cleared by the state government, but the judge did not indicate any time-frame.

Meanwhile, Shah was convicted under sections of the Indian Penal Code but not under MCOCA, while Rizvi is out on bail.

The film, a musical family drama that did above-average business, featured Salman, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee.

Katrina happy to have missed CC2C

January 21, 2009

Chandni Chowk to China hasn't proved to be a pleasant experience for Mr. Khiladi. The movie got a thrashing at the box office and got creatively slammed as well. So much so that he might lose his new Kinng Kumar title as well. The buzz is that Akki's remuneration too has fallen. It has been said that Ratan Jain, who's producing his next movie, is demanding a cut. Quite understandably so. But Kinng Kumar is in no mood to accept that and is not taking the criticism sportingly.

Rumour has it that Akki's lucky jodidaar Katrina Kaif is happy about having escaped the torturous flick. Not that she was always happy about it. In the beginning she must have despised being overshadowed by Deepika. That explains why she suddenly got very friendly with her boyfriend Ranbir as well. Actually Kat was the first choice for the double role but Kinng Kumar overconfident after his success felt that she would not look Chinese enough.

So Deepika was signed on and the movie turned out to be a disaster putting doubts on the Akki- Deepika pairing. Deepika though hasn't been too unhappy about the whole thing. In fact she's been going around saying that her Chinese look has started a new trend.

But Akki sure is unhappy about the whole thing. But that doesn't mean Kat stands to gain again. He's now considering Sonam Kapoor as his new jodidaar for one of his next films to be directed by David Dhawan's son Rohit. Well, Akki wants to be seen with someone fresh every time. Kat and Dips, please understand that.

SRK doesn't regret refusing Slumdog

January 21st, 2009

Shah Rukh Khan has a knack of staying in the limelight. First it was the success of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi that broke the jinx for Yash Raj at the box office in 2008, then the Golden Globe presentation and now all the item numbers for his upcoming movie Billoo Barber.

But for once he seems to have missed out on a huge opportunity to soak in the glory of a critically acclaimed, international award winning project! Yes we are referring to the Golden Globe winner Slumdog Millionaire.

Danny Boyle had initially approached Shah Rukh for Slumdog Millionaire for the role of game-show host but King Khan refused. As luck would have it, the role went to the veteran actor Anil Kapoor.

Though Shah Rukh claims he isn't complaining at all. Talking to the media he said that he has no regrets about turning down the role, which has put Anil Kapoor into the global limelight.

Praising Anil Kapoor for his work, SRK said that Kapoor has done a fabulous job and deserves the adulation he has received. Some of the other famous rejects of Shah Rukh inlcude the Oscar nominates Lagaan, the hugely popular Munnabhai MBBS and more recently the Three Idiots.

There were rumours that the original choice for the role was Amitabh Bachchan, but the film's casting director Loveleen Tandon denied such reports.

Interview : Karan Johar

January 21st, 2009

He is known for playing his cards, or shall we say, brewing his coffee well ...always-be it as a producer, director, host or cameo actor. And of course he has his own set of humour that adds a flavour to every thing he does. Karan Johar gets candid with our correspondent.

Is it true that you have become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena?
Oh my God! I expected you to start with DOSTANA and you shot the other way...(laughs). It's all right. See, I have not become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena in a true sense, but I have given them some suggestions to abide by if they are interested in working in my next films. I have asked Kajol to lose some flab for MY NAME IS KHAN. And I told Kareena not to lose weight for an unnamed Dharma Productions film to be directed by a friend Rensil D'Silva.

I understand Kajol's weight loss, but Kareena's size zero is quite 'in' now...
That's a myth and may be a momentary craze. But the truth is Indian audience always prefers a healthy (not fat) heroine...this size zero concept is not for Hindi film heroines, at least that's what I feel.

You will be directing again after quite some time. Tell us more about MY NAME IS KHAN?
MY NAME IS KHAN is a film based on the psyche of a Muslim man whose name comes up in the suspect list of terrorists post 9/11. Yes, as usual, this film has Shah Rukh as the hero and Kajol as the heroine. And I will be directing a film after quite some time. The trio will be back to sizzle the screen after KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. So you may as well call it my comeback as a director.

We heard it took you long to persuade Kajol to sign the film. True?
Kajol is always like that...she knows she can never say 'No' to me...still she tries in vain. But the point is, I am very happy that she has finally agreed to do the film because only she can play her character in the film.

Why is Shah Rukh an indispensable part of almost every Dharma Productions film? Is it because he sells?
Shah Rukh is definitely one of the biggest stars in Bollywood and his screen presence does make a difference. But the reason why he is in almost all our films is something different. My father (Yash Johar) was very fond of Shah Rukh, in fact he considered him to be family, which of course, SRK is. And when I decided to make films, he said: 'Beta, if possible, try to involve Shah Rukh in all Dharma Productions projects.' Besides, Shah Rukh has been a friend, philosopher and guide...it's an old association and old habits die hard.

And, what about actors like Rani Mukherjee, Priety Zinta and Kajol who do cameo in all your films, if not playing the lead in them?
My weakness and strength are my friends and I can't do without them. But it's not possible to involve all of them in every film. So I try to make sure that they play at least a small, if not a full-fledged role in my films.

Of late you have become costume designer for Shah Rukh in most of his films including OM SHANTI OM. Is it your new avtaar?
Arre, nehi yaar. I won't like to style anyone except Shah Rukh and I am sure he won't hire me, especially in times of recession. Jokes apart, I enjoy shopping...be it for Farah's (Khan) triplets or Farah herself or Shah Rukh. Whenever I come across something classy, it's SRK who flashes in my mind and I start thinking for which film or scene this dress will suit him.

You have already put your fingers in many pies. How do you manage that?
I don't think I am no longer a trendsetter, especially with Farhan (Akhtar) around. (Laughs aloud) I always did what I wanted to do at a given point of time or what a particular time wanted me to do. But of course, the producer-director part is family business and passion. Besides, that I enjoy chatting with friends for hours and that led to the chat-show. All my friends are from the film fraternity, so hosting awards functions are like interacting and leg-pulling friends.

Just now you mentioned Farhan Akhtar. So any plans to play a rockstar on screen?
You will run for your life if I open my mouth to sing.

Problems already in Harman-Amrita friendship?

January 21st, 2009

Till recently the news was that Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja broke up because of his closeness to ‘Victory’ co-star Amrita Rao.

Good girl Amrita of course denied the rumors. She and Priyanka were even spotted bonding.

The latest is that she used to be good friends with Harman but now is pretty upset with him.

The petite dame thinks he’s hogging all the limelight during the pre-release promotional campaign of their movie. She also apparently got the shocking news that it was Harman who sneaked out details about their growing friendship to get more attention.

Well, we understand that Harman is desperate to make his next movie work after his ambitious futuristic film flopped. But why make Amrita suffer for the same?

But the girl also is not taking things lying down anymore.

She thinks he’s been doing a lot of manipulation and has conveyed her displeasure to the producers.

They have got the message and must have realized that Harman is doing a lot of self promotion and has asked him to slow it down.

Well, this cherubic dame can be fiery if there’s a need. Hope Harman got the message too.