New Thums Up ad will have two Akshay Kumars

February 12th, 2009

New Delhi: Action star Akshay Kumar will have the pulses racing in his latest Thums Up ad, in which he plays two characters - each leaping into the air to grab a bottle of the soft drink.

“The new campaign comes with loads of action, adventure, drama and humour. This time, my fans are sure to have double the fun,” said Akshay, the brand ambassador of Thums Up, in a statement released here Thursday.

Shot by Australian director Jon Gwyther in Sydney, the advertisement will see the two avatars of the actor competing with each other to be the first one to grab the bottle of the soft drink without letting their feet touch the ground.

While, the first avatar will be shown to be an intense character, the other will be a fun loving person.

On big screen, the actor portrayed a double role for the first time in the 1997 movie “Aflatoon”.

Destiny & Desire

February 12th, 2009

Shilpa Shetty’s away in Nashik shooting for the Indo-Chinese venture The Desire this Valentine’s Day. She hopes boyfriend Raj Kundra will come visiting. Keeping her guessing, Kundra smiles back indulgently. So will he or won’t he? Read on to find out...

She’s togged in a form-flattering little black dress and he is dressed nattily in a black suit. She’s smiling a lot and he’s beaming proudly. She’s dazzlingly beautiful and his sparkling wit sets him apart. Happy to be together, Shilpa and Raj are evidently in love. The coosome twosome is in a celebratory mood as they “gift each other” 11.4 per cent ($15.4 million) stake in Rajasthan Royals, the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions. It’s good to catch Shilpa-Raj in a tell-all mood. Over a protein bar, Shilpa shares her thoughts about her Mr Right and he joins the chat-fest:

Business and pleasure, is a heady cocktail! How did you two meet ?
Shilpa : It began with a business meeting when we met for the launch of my signature perfume S2. Soon we became good friends. I really admire his business acumen and vision.

What’s that one quality that you looked for in your Mr Right? What do you like the most about Raj?
Shilpa : Simplicity! And the fact that he’s so secure with himself and has no complex about being around a successful woman. He’s proud to be on my side, he celebrates my achievements with me. That’s what I like about him.
Raj: There is no ego between us, we respect each other and if one person is more famous it doesn’t make the other person smaller, does it?

What’s the best and worst about dating Shilpa Shetty?
Raj: In terms of business, the best thing is that her networking is so good and the worst thing is that with her there is hardly any personal life! I am a great believer of The Secret, I know for sure that whatever you believe in really happens. We believe that we were destined to be together.

Now tell us of your plan for Valentine’s Day.
Shilpa: What plan? We aren’t even meeting! I am away shooting for The Desire in Nashik. But if I know him, he will surprise me by visiting me. Won’t you?
Raj: (Smiles) Why ever not?

Any gifts that you have thought about?
Raj: A stake in Rajasthan Royals is our Valentine’s gift to each other. And that’s pretty expensive, I assure you.
Shilpa: Rajasthan Royals is indeed an important strategic business investment for us, but I am expecting a special Valentine gift.
Raj: (chokes mockingly) Please get me some water...

Why Rajasthan Royals?
Shilpa: During the last IPL season we were in Tirupati during the final match between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings XI. There was no television in our hotel and Shamita was relaying the commentary to us over the ’phone. Raj and I had bet on Rajasthan Royals and I remember going hoarse screaming with delight when they won the match on the last ball. We won! I think we were destined for Royals.
Raj: Like me, Royals were the underdogs last year. There were no expectations from them but through their scintillating performance they made a mark. They emerged champions.

How important is winning for you? Are you ready to take on Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta?
Shilpa: I am a winner, it is very important to win. But in cricket the spirit is the most important. And hey, the competition is not between SRK, Preity or me - it’s between our teams. It’s more about camaraderie. I got into the IPL circuit only because it was Raj’s idea and trust his business sense implicitly. I wasn’t following any trend. But we will learn from their mistakes, that’s for sure.

Which mistakes, Shilpa?
Shilpa: Buying players at exorbitant rates and overspending on marketing and merchandising. Although our aim is to Bollywood-ise the game with music video and better marketing strategy, the main focus remains on the game.

What difference will you two make to Rajasthan Royals?
Shilpa: Hey, I am the only Indian co-owner on Royals, the rest of them are British. So I will bring in my native spirit and put my expertise and experience in films to marketing, merchandising and music video. Of course, you can expect a dhamakedaar video!
Raj: The marketing budget has been upped three times over this time so there will be hip merchandise - new tee-shirts, minibats and on-line club memberships. There will be value for fan loyalty.

Dancing yes, but what’s your connect with sports?
Shilpa: I was a volleyball player at the Bombay Zonal level, I was a good sportsperson. I played some bad cricket under our building. But my dad is a crazy cricket fanatic and he can rattle off cricket statistics like radio. He’s updating me with my cricket know-how these days.

How’s your good friend Vijay Mallya taking you as an adversary?
Shilpa: When he heard about my IPL entry, he went ‘Oh my gawd!’ And I replied - everything is fair in love and cricket!

Love, cricket and marriage. When’s the big day?
Shilpa: Don’t worry, whenever we plan to get married we will call a press conference. Nothing is hidden from you. Right now I am busy shooting for The Desire and The Man co-starring Sunny Deol. Then the IPL matches! Where is the time?
Raj: Oh yes, it is a busy year ahead.

Sanju creates ruckus

February 12th, 2009

A lady who lives in the same building as Sanjay Dutt was noticeably irritated with the commotion during the actor's wedding anniversary bash.

Lately, actors and their late night parties have caused enough trouble. After irate neighbours complained to the police about too much noise during Preity Zinta and Hrithik Roshan's birthday parties in January, it was Sanjay Dutt's turn on the night of February 10. Sanjay and Manyata Dutt had to face one of their building resident's ire while a lavish party to celebrate their first wedding anniversary was on in full swing at their Pali Hill residence on Tuesday night.

A middle-aged lady who resides on the first floor of the same building as Sanju created quite a ruckus about several media persons gathering outside the building. She clearly told all the media persons to immediately leave the vicinity as she was getting disturbed.

Interestingly, Sanjay happened to notice the lady frantically interacting with the media when he came out of the building premises to see off his guests, Abhishek Bachchan and Amar Singh. Sensing that the lady was unable to deftly handle the situation as there was a lot of commotion, Sanjay went up to the lady and politely asked her to calm down.

An onlooker said, “The lady looked very upset but when she saw Sanjay, she immediately calmed down. Things definitely got better after Sanjay spoke to her and politely explained the situation to her.”

Commenting on the incident, Dharam Oberoi, CEO of Sanjay Dutt Productions, said, “The lady is a lawyer. She was getting disturbed due to all the noise outside the building. Everything was eventually sorted out.”

When asked if she had called the policemen who were seen outside the building, Dharam replied, “I don't know anything about that.”

Ayesha Takiya to quit film industry

February 12th, 2009

Ayesha Takiya’s decision to get married and quit the film industry has inconvenienced only those filmmakers who had not started their projects with her.

She has served a notice to all the filmmakers who haven’t started work with her saying she’d like to opt out.
One such director who’s left in a panic situation is Jagmohan Mundhra whose Indianized version of The 40-Year Old Virgin is now heroine-less. This is the second film in a row after Rumi Jaffrey’s Life Partner when Govinda is stranded without a proper leading lady even after shooting extensively.

Says Mundhra, "That’s because we can’t sign any and everyone opposite Govinda. He’s a a huge star and a brilliant actor. And his co-star needs to match his comic timing. Ayesha Takia fitted the bill in every detail."

The role required an innocent chulbuli, totally Indian girl oblivious of the facts of life.

Says Mundhra, "It’s almost the role of a child-bride…. innocent and tomboyish, like Jaya Bhaduri in Uphaar or Moushumi Chatterjee in Balika Badhu . I could only think of Ayesha Takiya… Even Amrita Rao who would seem like a natural choice for innocent characters is now turning into a glamorous entity on magazine covers. So I guess we’re really short of innocence in Bollywood these days. I don’t know what to do because Govinda has given us dates in November. I’ve less than a month before I shoot the Indian portion of the romantic comedy. We shot the British portion of Govinda’s romantic comedy in September with a French actress Lucia. "

With no sign of the childbride for Govinda among the established actresses, Mundhra has now decided to cast a newcomer.

"Javed Akhtar has recommended Aditi Sharma. She was featured in Subhash Ghai’s Black & White. I’ll watch the film and take a final call. But, in principle, Aditi is on."

Censor Board clears Shahrukh's Billu

February 12th, 2009

Well, if you are thinking that we are referring to the self censoring of Shahrukh Khan's upcoming Friday release Billu Barber to just Billu, you are wrong! What we are talking about here is the real censoring of the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

As per our trade sources, Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.'s Billu, starring Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta and Shahrukh Khan (in an extended special appearance), has been rated a social and given a 'U' censor certificate (C.C. No. CIL/1/12/2009) that is a universal certificate, with zero cuts. The length of the film is 3914.87 metres in 16 reels.

That Billu has been given a universal certificate by the censor board comes as no surprise as the movie is an out and out healthy entertainer with lots of emotional contents thrown, which makes it a perfect family fare, like most of Priyadarshan's films. Trade predicts a good to decent opening for Billu, which should pick up by good word of mouth, but a lot will depend upon the length and placement of Shahrukh's portions in the film.

Akshay Kumar to work for free!

February 12th, 2009

Akshay Kumar will be working free of a fee for the first time.

And it’s thanks to Priyadarshan’s father who has provoked Priyan into getting gritty.

Priyadarshan broke down and wept when his academician-father K.V. Nair , a severe critic of his son’s work now ailing in hospital, saw his son’s work in Kanjeevaram.

“My father never liked any of my films. Never. Not one. When he saw Kanjeevaram he told me for the first time he was proud of me. It was the most liberating moment of my life. I felt I had achieved all I had set out to as a filmmaker.”

And now Priyan intends to make one film every year that will come straight from the heart.

Akshay Kumar won’t charge the prolific Priyadarshan a single rupee for the film on AIDS that they will be collaborating over in August.

This is the first time that Akshay has agreed to work gratis. Could it have something to do with recession and the way the superstar’s latest film has fared at the boxoffice?

“None of the above!” quips the prolific Priyan. “Recession has certainly hit Bollywood. My sequel to Malaamal Weekly has been shelved because it’s no longer commercially viable. But a film with Akshay Kumar or Shah Rukh Khan is certainly not endangered by recession. Akshay has no cause for worry. His fee, like mine, has to vary according to the nature of the project.”

Priyan whose directorial charges are selfadmittedly Rs 11 crores, has opted for a voluntary cut in future projects . “The price factor will depend on the project. A film directed by me starring Darsheel Safary like Bam Bam Bhole can’t be sold at the sane price as a film with me and Akshay. At the same time when when Akshay and I are doing a stark film on AIDS we both leave our negotiating abilities behind. But when we work on a big project De Dana Dan none of is buying the recession theory. I think a lot of producers are using recession as an excuse for underpayment.”

The AIDS film which Priyan will direct in August is that one mandatory from-the-heart film that director has decided to make every year. “I’ve to do those films that I believe in alongside the ones that the audience wants from me. The AIDS film will be a songless 1 hour 50 minute presentation . It’s for a cause and therefore worthy of a cut Even Paresh Rawal is not charging any money for this film.”

Valentine weekend looks bright!

February 12th, 2009

Three Tamil films- Siva Manasula Sakthi, Perumal and Kudiyarasu are releasing for the Valentine weekend (Feb 13 to 15).

Then there is Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures first English film distribution Outlander and Priyadarshan’s Kuselan remake Biloo.

Among the lot Vikatan Talkies Siva Manasula Sakthi looks ideal for Valentine weekend. A boy Jeeva meets girl Anuya love-hate relationship, super songs by Yuvan and urban feel about it. But without the backing of Sun Pictures can it work at the box-office?

Sundar.C's long delayed Perumal is due for release this Friday after repeated postponements. A typical B and C kind of mass masala, with Namitha and Meenakshi for glamour. Nothing much is known about Kudiarasu, said to be inspired by the Watergate scandal!

Sun Pictures is promoting the new action hero Jim Caviezel's Outlander and its dubbed Tamil version aggressively through their channels. It's a decent action movie and provides solid entertainment and is sure to be lapped up by our audiences who likes this kind of films.

Biloo, Priyadarshan's remake of Kuselan has been lukewarm with the theatres in Tamilnadu. It is only releasing in Chennai and there is no hype around it.