Aamir Has To Be A Little More Careful

Abhay Deol was right. Post the super success of his ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ and Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Murder 2', he was confident that stocks of their next film together, ‘Shanghai’, would be sky high.
Well, his belief has stayed on to be true, what with the makers of ‘Shanghai’ willing to take on none less than Aamir Khan.
“‘Shanghai’ has been confirmed for release on India’s Republic Day i.e. 26th January next year. Now this is the same date that was locked for Aamir Khan’s next with Reema Kagti which is rumoured to be titled ‘Dhuaan’”, confirms a trade source.
Now this is nothing less than shocking because in the times when no film would dare to come anywhere close to an Aamir Khan starrer, ‘Shanghai’ has taken it heads on and that too after making a sudden announcement. “It makes sense though for the film since it is a political thriller and reflects the state of the country that we live in. With corruption and scams all around us, it is a good marketing strategy to bring a topical film like on the Republic Day”, adds the source.
One wonders though whether Aamir would be equally thrilled with this development since this would be pretty much a first for him. Whether it was ‘Ghajini’, ‘3 Idiots’ or ‘Dhobi Ghat’, all of them have arrived without anyone daring to enter Aamir’s territory. However Emraan and Abhay are pretty much doing that now.
Says Dibakar Bannerjee, “Frankly I have been stunned by the performances from our stars and our character artistes. I can safely say that all preconceived notions that people have about both Abhay and Emraan are going to be shattered by this movie. I can’t wait to get to the edit table to shape this movie into one that will bring out the best of these performances.” On the other hand Kamal Gianchandani, President, PVR Pictures (which has produced the film) also confirmed that ‘Shanghai’ would arrive on 26th January since there is ‘no better date’. Source
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Be Ready To Witness High Class Action In ‘Force’

Well-known action director Allan Amin was the one to introduce Bollywood with the concept of stylized action and special effects. He all started with MISSION KASHMIR followed with QAYAMAT: CITY UNDER THREAT, DHOOM series, DUS, CHOCOLATE: DEEP DARK SECRETS and many more. However his upcoming action film FORCE starring John Abraham doesn’t consist of the stylized action, which is in vogue.
Allan says FORCE is much different from his other films as the action here is much real, ‘The action in FORCE is all real. We haven’t made use of cables or any equipment or special effects for that matter. Moreover John has good caliber who did all the stunts by himself. What with lifting a bike or jumping off from a great height he did it all without the help of cables or airbags. And must say he performed it quite naturally.’
Certainly whatever Allan does he does it with much elan and elegance but what about the audiences who are used to watching stylized action these days and under such circumstances how FORCE action will appeal to the masses? To which he answers, “No it’s completely stylized in its own way but without losing its originality. When you’ll watch the film you’ll come to know.”
Ask him if it became a time consuming process to have real action and he says, “Though time consuming but it was fun shooting it naturally.”
He may have designed best of the action sequences for the various films he did in his career but finds FORCE as his most challenging action film till date. “Yes FORCE has been the most challenging film in my career as it was all done without using any cables or any other aid,” says Allan.
Allan further talks about the most difficult and the best action sequence in FORCE. “The most difficult was the one where John goes running behind several buses lined up and jumps from one bus to another as it was to be shot without the use of cables. While the best one was the bike sequence where John lifts the heavy bike and throws it. Actually I just asked John to lift it halfway but he decisively lifted the whole bike. Even the introduction scene of FORCE is one to watch out for.”
Allan and John’s bonding dates back to the time when John was about to make his mark in the industry. Says Allan, “I know John from long time. We have worked together for the films like KAAL, DHOOM, etc. We share a good rapport. There is a sort of good understanding and comfort level between us.”
Ask him about the return of action genre or the genre gaining its lost glory and the prudent action master says, “It’s just a phase of life where everything comes and goes back.”
Allan becomes diplomatic when it comes to selecting his favourite action hero in Bollywood. “Everybody is good. I enjoy working with all of them,” says Allan on a parting note. Source
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Don’t Mess With Shahrukh Khan

A legal notice has been sent to jewellery brand Agni for illegally using the unreleased song, Chammak Challo, from Shah Rukh Khan’s next film Ra.One at the recently held India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) 2011.
The song, which is sung by Akon and has been picturised on the leading lady of the movie Kareena Kapoor, has already been leaked online a few months ago.
The brand played the song while showcasing their creation on the fourth day of IIJW held last week in Mumbai.
Actress Amrita Rao along with other models was seen walking the ramp for Agni, while the song played in the background.
T-Series that owns the music rights of the film have sent a legal notice to the brand, asking for a compensation of Rs 2 crore.
Bhushan Kumar, the head honcho of the music label confirms the news, “Yes, we have sent a legal notice to Agni for using our unreleased song without prior permission. It is an illegal thing to do. We are moving court and suing them for about Rs 2 crore. One needs to get a license to use any song for a show. However, for an unreleased song you cannot even obtain a license.”
A source from SRK’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment says, “SRK was livid when he learnt that the unreleased number has been used by the brand.”
The source further adds, “The scratch version of the song was leaked on the internet a few months ago, which was probably picked up by the jewellery brand. It is a very careless mistake. Surely they knew that the song requires license.” Source
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Amitabh Bachcan Is In Full Supoort Of The Indian Cricket Team

The Indian cricket team is getting brickbats after it lost its World No.1 Test crown to England. But Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan supports the team, saying that rubbing them off completely after the loss is a ruthless way of dealing with the situation.
“For years and till not too far away, our cricket team and its captain (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni were the masters. One loss in England and suddenly they are incompetent. People reaction is as subtle and as ruthless as this,” Big B posted on his blog.
“It requires immense acumen to be where they put you and in some manner to maintain it. Some understand the futility and the improbability of the situation and reconcile to it. Others and many others do not. Once there, they believe they are there and nowhere else. This is not entirely an adverse situation.”
“It is quite possible that it thrives too. Others succumb to the moment, understand and accept. This is not entirely wrong too. Both can co exist, its a matter of reconciling with its complexity,” Bachchan added.
Earlier this week, Indian team tasted humiliating defeat after they lost the series by 3-0. The newspapers and the cricket legends have been criticizing their performance in foreign turf by calling it Indian team’s worst performance in recent years. Source
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You Will Have To Wait More For Dhoom 3

Aamir Khan’s current schedule has him shooting for director Reema Kagti’s next film, getting in shape for Dhoom 3 and ideating for his much-awaited talk show, being produced by Siddharth Basu’s Big Synergy on the lines of the Oprah Winfrey show.
But news is that he is trying hard to juggle dates between shooting episodes for his TV debut and Dhoom 3.
Incidentally, the Yash Raj production has already been delayed, thanks to papa-to-be Abhishek Bachchan.
Says a source, “Yash Raj is very particular about their shoot dates; they don’t really juggle things around. They are now working with Aamir on a schedule that is conducive to both.”
However, buzz is that the actor is putting all his energies in the pre-production of the talk show.
Adds the source, “This is Aamir’s first time on television and he obviously wants nothing to go wrong. He is looking into every little detail of the show.
There are many short-films and documentaries that are part of the format, so there are a lot of elements to be looked into.”
Apparently, Aamir has roped in his Delly Belly composer Ram Sampath to give music for the documentaries that will be aired as part of the show. What’s more, perfectionist Khan will not just be personally supervising the edits, but apparently will also rope in friends from the industry to make guest appearances on the show.
Aamir is scheduled to start shooting for his TV show in September, the first of 20 plus episodes he is expected to do. It is expected to go on air in January next year.
And since his next film with Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor is also expected to release around the same time, don’t be surprised if you see a parallel publicity strategy for the both by the superstar. Source
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Akshay Kumar To Play The Role Of Kanhaiya In His Next Flick

He charmed the ladies with his flirty style and now he will literally turn into the Hindu God who is known for his popularity among Gopiyaans. Yeah, buzz is that Khiladi Akshay Kumar is going to don the role of Lord Krishna in his next film.
According to sources, the film is based on Paresh Rawal’s popular Hindi play titled ‘Krishan Vs Kanhaiya. After watching it recently, Akshay said to have been so impressed with the story that he planned to turn it into a full-length movie. The play deals with the conflict between an atheist and God.
The project, sources revealed, will be co-produced by Akki’s banner Hari Om Productions and Paresh. While Akshay will play Kanhaiya, hunt is on for an actor who will do Krishan’s part. Source
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The Idea Of ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ Came From Matrimonial Ads

Matrimonial ads aren’t exactly known for their creativity or their ability to entertain. For debutant director Ali Abbas Zafar, however, the ads in the classified pages of newspapers were what inspired him to make Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
“I used to see the matrimonial page of newspapers on Sundays. It’s a very creative page. There are so many ads well written seeking brides or bridegrooms. It has ads of every caste and culture - be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh - and what’s most interesting is that all have almost same requirement,” said Zafar.
“You will find entire India together in one page. It’s so entertaining. Then I thought that if a film is made based on that subject it could be hugely entertaining with a lot of mass appeal,” he added.
The director also took inspiration from Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Chupke Chupke and Gol Maal while giving shape to his film, starring Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif.
“You will find some glimpses of those films because they are also family films, very sophisticated, clean films. My film has Dhunki and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan like songs, but it’s a clean and celebratory kind of movie,” he said. Source
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Shilpa Shetty Has Done Intimate Sexy Scenes In Her Upcoming Film

The last time we saw Shilpa Shetty on the big screen, she was prancing around on a beautiful beach in a two-piece with John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan for company.
And though her Dostana act attracted more eyeballs than she could have imagined, the Bollywood beauty is definitely in the mood to display more than just her much-envied figure.
Shilpa, who is playing an Oddisi dancer in her next film The Desire: A Journey of A Woman, has apparently indulged in some seriously bold sequences with co-star Xia Yu in the film.
“I had no qualms in doing these scenes as these sequences are an integral part of the film, and have been aesthetically shot,” says Shilpa.
It does looks like one of the most interesting characters Shilpa has essayed in her 17-year-long career.
Which is why it is not surprising that the actress would go to any lengths to make herself look convincing enough on screen.
Says a source, “In the film, a world famous Chinese painter is madly in love with Shilpa’s character Gautami, but she does not really respond to him.
These sequences are a part of the story building up to how far their friendship goes.”
The actress, who has been looking for a substantial script to come her way since her much-acclaimed performance in Anurag Basu’s Life In A Metro, seems more than happy with this project.
“The film traces Gautami’s journey through a number of years.
The love story is beautiful and the passion between the two characters is almost like a painting. I would say that it’s my character Gautami, who is bold, and not the scenes per say,” explains Shilpa. Source
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Kareena Kapoor’s Gesture For The Real Life Bodyguards

Kareena Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of her new film Bodygaurd with Salman Khan, will felicitate the real-life minders of Bollywood stars.
Kareena is planning to meet the bodyguards of Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Imran Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar and felicitate them for their work, commitment and dedication towards the protection of the stars.
Bodyguard is romantic action film directed by Siddique and is a remake of the director’s 2010 Malayalam movie of the same name. Salman had asked Shera, his bodyguard for 15 years, to launch the promo of the film.
The film is being produced by Atul Agnihotri and is slated to release on Eid. Source
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6 Months Pregnant Aishwarya Shoots For Lux Ad

Since her pregnancy news has been out, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has become a hot, favourite topic of the grapevines. While everyone was jubilant over her real-life promotion, her career break had generated enough hype as well.
Although she is in her sixth month of pregnancy, the ravishing diva is however still keeping herself active in the field by completing her commitments. Aishwarya, who is ecstatic on becoming a mom, recently shot for a Lux ad and unit sources revealed that the actress had been as dedicated as before towards her work.
Looking elegant with her baby bump, Aishwarya was dressed in peach gown for the ad shoot. Her costume was done by Manish Malhotra while makeup was by Mickey Contractor. “Ash looked amazing as usual during the shoot in Bangkok. She was glowing and full of energy and excitement,” quoted Contractor to sources.
Sources added that after completing the shoot Aishwarya flew off to London with her hubby Abhishek Bachchan. Earlier, the couple had grabbed attention with their chemistry in Lux’s previous commercial. Now let’s wait to see this yummy mummy in the brand’s new ad. Source
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