Ash, Abhi too busy for 2009

January 19th, 2009

If you are thinking to cast Ash or Abhi in your next flick then do not waste any more time in shaping your thoughts but take prompt action as the duo's calendar is occupied by other producers. The year is going to be quite hectic for both Ash and Abhi. They have signed films in couple as well as in individual. If Abhishek has signed few films in single, Ash also has number of new assignments in her kitty.

The list goes as Ash and Abhi is going to star in Mani Ratnam's path-breaking film Ravan. Next Ash has another big budget film of Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Hrithik opposite her. Bhansali desires to flaunt their chemistry threesome than Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar. Then coming up is Abhinay Deo's thriller teaming Ash-Abh to be produced by Excel Entertainment. According to Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment, "It will be a thriller film and the entire shooting of the movie will be in Thailand, Greece, London and Istanbul. Abhinay Deo and I want a particular look for the film. We want something different in the film’s visual quality that people have never seen before."

For the first time Aishwarya will share screen space with Akshay Kumar who will play the lead role in the film. Both Akshay Kumar and Vipul Shah will co-produce the movie.

A new title for Bharath's flick

January 19th, 2009

The Tamil remake of blockbuster Bollywood hit 'Jab We Met' was tentatively titled 'Raja Rani'. However, the production house Moserbaer has now opted for a title change. The new title for the movie is 'Oruvarai Oruvar Sandhithom'.

Starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, 'Jab We Met' was a big hit wooing youngsters to theatres in Mumbai. To be remade in Tamil starring Bharath and Tamanna in the lead cast, the movie will be directed by Kannan, a former associate of Mani Ratnam. He recently churned out Jayam Kondan starring Vinay and Bhavana. Moserbaer promises that that the Tamil version would be a thorough entertainer and we would make suitable changes in the script to suit Tamil audience, said the director.

Big Fight: It's Priyanka vs Kareena once again

January 18th, 2009

Now that the ultra-prolific and passionately-productive Shyam Benegal has decided to revive his costliest project Chamki, a desi version of Georges Bizet's 1845 opera Carmen the question is, who will play the challenging title role of a free-spirited fiery-tempered gypsy?

Though Benegal is at the moment reluctant to reveal details, sources close to the project claim that the closest contenders for the role are Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

Both have already been approached in the past for Chamki. But chose to opt out before the final yes for various reasons.

Says the source, "Kareena was excited to begin with. She was supremely charged by the role and what Shyam Babu had done with her sister Karisma in Zubeida.

But then she opted out, as she often does from offbeat challenges like Deepa Mehta's Water and Rituparno Ghosh's Raincoat pleading it was too early for her to attempt something so unconventional.

Then came Priyanka Chopra who was quite kicked about the part. But she and the film's then-producer Sanjay Gupta had a fall-out earlier when she had said no to his Musafir. The role then went to Urmila Matondkar who had monetary issues with the producer."

With the film changing hands from Sanjay Gupta to Reliance it is undertood that money is no longer an issue.

If sources are to be believed Chamki has now gone back to the two original choices Kareena and Priyanka.

Says the source, "Kareena continues to have reservations about non-mainstream cinema. She was recently offered another heroine-oriented film by Rituparno Ghosh. She declined.

Barring Pritish Nandy Communications Chameli she has never returned to non-mainstream cinema. But now Chamki, set in Rajasthan, is being re-designed as a big broad epic musical with super choreography and lavish songs by Javed Akhtar and A R Rahman. No expense will be spared to make Chamki a big blockbuster."

According to sources Priyanka more than Kareena is the natural choice to play Chamki since the role requires a trained dancer.

Priyanka when contacted said she was open to the offer. "But I read the script ages ago. The whole project now has to evaluated afresh. And who wouldn't want to work with Shyam Benegal?"

'Slumdog Millionaire' makes $43 mn to jump back in US Top 10

January 19th, 2009

Washington (IANS): Following its sweep of the Golden Globe Awards, British director Danny Boyle's hit film "Slumdog Millionaire" has jumped back into the North American Top Ten with a 56 percent increase in its weekend sales.

With an estimated gross of $5,900,000 over the January 16-18 weekend, the Mumbai-shot and set film in its tenth week even surpassed the total grosses of Akshay Kumar's "Chandni Chowk to China", Aamir Khan's "Ghajini" and Shahrukh Khan's "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" combined in the US.

Running in 582 theatres across US, down 19 from last weekend, the film based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel "Q&A" registered a per-theatre average of $10,137 to take its total gross to a staggering $42.74 million.

With more mainstream multiplexes interested in playing the film with Golden Globe winning music by Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman now, Fox Searchlight plans to expand its run this Friday to about 1,300 theatres.

After the Golden Globes, the heart warming story of an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who goes on to win a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" game show, is expected to score multiple Oscar nominations when Academy Award nominations are announced January 22.

Meanwhile, in a Sunday editorial Washington Times described it as "the kind of movie Hollywood used to make - a film that transmits eternal verities and has universal appeal."

Calling the film "a stinging indictment of a Hollywood culture that is bereft of decent values," the US daily said: "The movie instructs as much as it entertains. It will have enduring value for providing a vivid snapshot of a nation undergoing tumultuous modernization."

The film "stands in sharp contrast to the typical Hollywood fare that encourages promiscuity, greed, individualism and cynicism," it said comparing it with others nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture, Drama: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road," and "Frost/Nixon."

"Each has artistic merit, but the films are about dreary subjects and have protagonists who have dubious morals at best," the Times said. "'Slumdog Millionaire' demonstrates that if American filmmakers are unwilling to highlight our core values, others will rise to fill that void."

Akshay Kumar Beats Shahrukh Khan in Taxes

January 18th, 2009

Shahrukh Khan may have ruled the box office in 2008, with 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' beating Akshay Kumar's record of 'Singh is Kinng,' but that wasn't the case when it came to paying taxes! With his numerous endorsement deals and his own company, Red Chillies, Shahrukh usually turns out to be the country's highest tax payer. But with no releases from Red Chillies in 2008, that wasn't the case. According to the income tax department, Akshay has paid the highest advance tax this year: Rs 19 crores!! Talk about a lot of dough! Shahrukh has paid Rs 15 crores. Phew! Either way that's a whole lot of moolah!

Unlike last year, Red Chillies didn't pay any advance tax this year. In 2007, they paid 2.5 crore, probably due to the success of 'Om Shanti Om.' Funny isn't it though, as Akshay beats Shahrukh, it's bittersweet as he has to shell out more cash, which is never a good thing especially in these economic times. But we're pretty sure Akshay's not having any problems, especially with the whirlwind tour he's been enjoying with the premieres of 'Chandni Chowk to China.'

Guess the Kinng beat the Baadshah in this round, but let's see if he can do it again with 'Chandni Chowk to China' releasing this Friday!

Deepika was six when she first saw her first Akshay-movie

January 18th, 2009

‘Chandni Chowk To China’ boasts of two of the latest hot-properties of Bollywood - Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone. While the former has an impressive experience behind him to add the required punch to his one-liners or his kicks, Deepika has the freshness of a winter rose. But the age-gap between the two leading actors was only fully realised when Deepika made an interesting revelation.

“I was just six when I watched Akshay’s ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’!” Deepika said to a news daily.Talking about this discrepancy, Akshay joked, “The other day I was telling Karisma, who was my first heroine, that I want to play hero opposite her daughter Samaira.”

Considering that Khiladi Akshay was already a pro in the Industry at that time, he might as well belong to a higher generation. So much for the generation gap!

A look on Stardom addict Bollywood actresses

January 18th, 2009

Addiction is always dangerous whether it is liquor, money or stardom. Stardom is also an addiction, which has taken its toll on Bollywood actress. Now it seems that Bollywood has got new success mantra in form of newcomers. Now a day, giving break to new faces in big banner films has become a trend in Bollywood.

There are several examples of such actress in the industry like Malika Sheratwat All the local delivery boys and grocery shop owners hate Mallika Sherawat for her high handed starry attitude.

Mallika stays in Mumbai's up market suburb Versova area along with her brother. In the same Raheja complex that she stays other film personalities like Amrita Rao and Rohit Manasi Roy too say apart from many other TV celebs. We have found out from those staying around her that she is one of the most hated celebs around!

A source told us, “She unashamedly throws her diva like attitude even while working out in her society's gym. She doesn't like people around when she is working out. She yells at all those who even look at her for a brief second when she is doing her work outs. She doesn't even the spare the poor delivery boys who want to use the same lift which she is entering. She makes them wait and uses the lift alone. If she orders anything from the near by grocery shops and the delivery chap is late by even 5 minutes she gives him a lashing of his life. She also orders him to not stand outside her flat for the lift and either use the stairs to go down or take a lift from a floor below. That's the reason why grocery shop owners hate her big time. She should understand that she is no top actress and her recent back to back two flops should teach her some humility especially when dealing with less fortunate people!”

One wonders whether it is the same Mallika who once cried hoarse about her middle class up bringing in small town Rohtak and how she empathized with middle class working people. Success or failure really does strange things to people in Bollywood but it seems extremely extreme in case of the salacious actress!

Ever since Kareena Kapoor renounced the Miss Attitude title, the crown has been sitting idle and lonely, looking for the next best lovely lady. It's finally got some takers, at least that's what the jury comprising of some industrywallas and media folks have to say. But there's one girl out to prove the filmi adalat wrong this time. People believe that after the success of Gangster, Kangana Ranaut has been giving producers a whole lot of attitude. But that's quite contrary to the truth. In fact, one of the reasons she accepted the role in Metro, was her great rapport with director Anurag Basu.

He had given her her first break in Bollywood, a successful one that too. It's something Kangana will remember as long as she's around. “Kangana's not in awe of herself; she understands that if you're a good actress you'll stand out one way or the other,” says her close director friend. That little bit of spunk and attitude – we like it. If there's an excess just throw it away not around.

Rimi Sen bagged Dhoom, Baghban and a slew of other high-profile projects.
She has bagged some of the bes roles in Bollywood movies and she is also disliked by her co-stars because of her attitude problem, people say that she has a very foul mouth!
No one likes her. Lonely at the top?

Kareena Kapoor wore it for a long time and then renounced it, guess what? It's the attitude crown. But now the crown has found a new head to rest upon. This new head belongs to Kangna Ranaut, the glamorous Bollywood actress. Kanga is crowned the ‘Miss Attitude' of Bollywood because she is soaring high after the little success of her movie ‘Gangster'. Known for her skin show, Kangna has started throwing lot of attitude on the producers and has made a demand for a pivotal role in all the films including the multi-starrers. Recently Kangna was seen in her friend Anurag Basu's film ‘Life in a Metro'. Kangna accepted to do this film because Anurag was the first person who gave a break in Bollywood. And it is something Kangna would remember throughout her life. A friend of Kangna tells Delhi Times that “Kangna is not in awe in herself; she understands that if you are good actress you will stand out one way or the other.” Well, God only knows who is right- the producers who are facing the heat of Kangna's attitude or the actress' friends.

Celina jaitley is one the media's favourite gals. Firstly, this babe flirts with the camera beautifully; ask the lensman, he will tell you about the killer picturesshe makes. Celina courts controversies too, and she doesn't escape the shutterbugs hounding her for bytes. Now is not this reason enough for the media-folk to adore her. No attitude, no starry hang-ups —-we couldn't have it better. “The media has always been kind to me; they have given me a chance to prove myself. And i know how tough it is being a scribe, why should i give them any attitude?” says Celina Jaitley, who will next be seen in Shakalaka Boom Boom. Now that's the attitude we tend to prefer!

She is the number one actress in Bollywood. It all started with the super-duper success of her last release JAB WE MET, which catapulted her to the top league. Post that she has been riding high in both her professional and personal life. With looks to die for and a pencil-thin figure, Kareena Kapoor is not only the highest paid actress in the country but also the flavour of the year. Now, the million-dollar babe is all set to re-enforce her numero uno status with her latest release Tashan. Everybody's already raving about Kareena's Tashan in the film.

Says a source who has just seen the film, "With Tashan, Kareena has established her clout in the industry. She has never looked so scorching hot before on screen and she has never been so good in a film! She positively sizzles. Whatever the fate of the film, Kareena Kapoor is here to stay. She is numero uno. "

That's Kareena's Tashan for you! And Kareena's ecstatic about all the praise she has received for Tashan. "I think it's a tailor made role for any actress. I think I am extremely lucky to get this role. It's like a hero's role, it has action, romance, song, dance everything in it besides which I think it has a lot of closeness to me, the kind of girl she is, very headstrong, knows her emotions."

The Numero Uno, Kareena Kapoor has proved to one and all with her performance in Tashan that there is nobody to shake her up and mess up with her race to fame!

Mumbai, Sameera Reddy seems to be quite a gutsy girl. The actress remains unflustered despite being attacked by property goons while helping girls from an orphanage who were being evicted.

Sameera said she was unhappy with the attitude of the film fraternity to the trauma of the hapless girls. She maintains while people from all other walks of life came forward to help, the people from the entertainment world did not bother.

Sameera “The response from all over the country was overwhelming - corporate people, working-class, even domestic servants offered support. Middle class people were willing to dig into their pockets and give Rs.50 to help these kids.

Priyanka Chopra who recently presented a speech at the Global Leadership Forum in Kuala Lumpur received good reviews for her performances in Aaitraz and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. The actress?s position then rose in the film industry and she is currently being offered some of the best films with big productions banners. However recently the actress seems to be developing a starry attitude on the sets of her films. On the sets of her film Salaam-E-Ishq she recently threw many diva tantrums and gave the film crew a tough time.

When the actress was shooting for Nikhil Advani?s film she was given a Mercedes Benz for her use, but the actress refused and instead asked for the use of a limousine. After driving the Mercedes Benz for a while the actress wanted something bigger and better so she decided to ask for a limousine. The actress also threw a tantrum regarding the outfits that she had to wear for the film. Priyanka made a lot of fuss regarding the clothes for the scenes in the film claiming that her clothes designs were not conducive to the London weather. Designer Vikram Phadnis who has designed the clothes for the film says ?Priyanka did have a problem with wearing one of the jackets for a scene in the film and as she is very particular about her look and styling we changed the jacket and replaced it with another one. There was no major problem but just a minor thing which was sorted out immediately.?

But Priyanka? diva tantrums did not end there; she began interfering in the scenes of the film, giving unsolicited advice and inputs for the film. However director Nikhil Advani refused to comment on the situation with Priyanka saying ? I am the not the right one to be talking about this. Why don?t you speak to the producers of the film?? Unfortunately though producer Sunil Manchanda too refused to confirm Priyanka?s diva behaviour. However another source from the sets confirmed Priyanka?s high end behaviour and lavish demands. Priyanka is currently shooting for Harry Baweja?s film Love Story 2050 . The actress was recently also upset with the fact that she was not being promoted as much as Kareena and Isha Koppikar in Farhan Akhtar?s remake Don. But Priyanka claims that these are all baseless rumours and there is no truth to them.

Actress Asin's Hindi version of the movie Ghajini has crossed 100 crores in a week but she is in the news for all the wrong reason.

According to the news she has been throwing "starry tantrums" on the sets of London Dreams. Manzoor Khan, the make up artist and hairstylist walked out of the film because they could not stand Asin's chin-up attitude.

They say "even though Asin is from the South Indian film industry she behaves as she is from Hollywood." On the other hand the producer of the film stated that Manzoor Khan was asked to leave because his work was not appropriate for the film.

Now will Asin come back to south after getting all the success in Bollywood?

Aishwarya Rai is flooded with offers for films. But her priorities right now are slightly different. She wants to focus on her family duties while doing very selective work. Says a source very close to her, "Even about Pink Panther she wasn't sure, what with Mrs Teji Bachchan being so critically ill. Aishwarya didn't want any distraction from her family duties. It was Abhishek who urged her to take up the offer. Now she's ready to sign a couple of films. But she will choose very carefully. "

Producer Rohan Sippy's film directed by Sriram which is supposed to bring the never-before pair of John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai is awaiting the leading lady's approval. Though the shooting for the untitled love story has commenced with John, Aishwarya's nod is still awaited. And the only reason why she hasn't given the green signal is because the director hasn't come up with the script yet.

Says a source close to the project, "Ash has always been very close to the producer Rohan Sippy. After all she met and got to know Abhishek on the sets of Rohan's Kuch Na Kaho. Since then she and Rohan have always been close. When this project with Sriram Raghavan came up, Aishwarya's dates were a problem. Rohan flew down to Boston where she was shooting for her Pink Panther movie to convince her. Touched by Rohan's sincerity she immediately said yes. However, she made it clear that she would like to see the script."

Months have passed but no script. Sriram was busy finishing Johnny Gaddar and then sorting his projects out. Continues the source, "Though Ash has heard Sriram's idea and loves it, she has always insisted on a script from the start of her career. Remember how years ago Indra Kumar got pissed off with her because she had asked for a script before saying yes? Ash remains unchanged in her professionalism. Whether it's a completely professional arrangement with Indra Kumar or a friendly producer like Rohan Sippy, she wants the script."

Pooh poohing stories of how she was distracted and distracting on the sets of Jodhaa Akbar the source says, "If anything Ash is today even more professional than she used to be before marriage. Forget about causing distractions by bringing guests to Karjat where Ashutosh was shooting, or not giving Hrithik Roshan his cues while he was emoting, Ash wouldn't even speak to her husband on the phone while shooting." Sriram's film is crucial for Ash because after Jodhaa Akbar and Pink Panther this would be the only film she's signing.

Concludes the source, "Some people are suggesting that Aishwarya's dates for Sriram Raghavan's film are a difficulty. Not true. She has already set aside a large chunk in the first quarter of 2008 for this film. The problem is the script. She's still waiting for it." Aishwarya who's just back from a wedding in Jaya Bachchan's family in Bhopal remains the same. "My attitude to my career remains unchanged. I remain the same. It's people around me who imagine I've become a different person. They insist on portraying me the way they perceive me to be in their minds. And never mind if they're way off the mark. One report says I'll be performing the Salsa at a soap-sponsored event. Does that look anything like me.