It'd be great if Heroine goes to Cannes: Arjun

By Hindustan Times

Actor Arjun Rampal says he could be happy if Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine or Sudhir Mishra's Inkaar are showcased on the forthcoming Cannes film festival. "I'D like to. That could be a film that deserves to be there. If Heroine may also be showcased there, will probably be great," said the actor.

In fact, Bhandarkar's Heroine was announced with Aishwarya Rai on the Cannes last year. But later, as a result of Ash's pregnancy, the director needed to replace her with Kareena Kapoor.

"There is a Sudhir Mishra film in addition that I'VE just finished, that's also perfect for Cannes. So yeah, if I WILL BE ABLE TO showcase that, great," the 39-year-old said while being presented because the brand ambassador of alcohol brand Chivas.

The actor is anticipated to make an appearance at this year's Cannes festival, which begins May 16 as Chivas is the official partner of the event.

While Heroine stars Kareena within the title role, Inkaar has Chitrangada Singh opposite Arjun.

HeroineTalking about his association with Chivas, he said that in the first place he was sceptical about being related to an alcohol brand but he strongly believes that life is ready experience.

"I considered it myself that are meant to I represent a brand like Chivas because I also represent health, I represent fitness. But, on the end of the day all of it comes all the way down to something - you wish to do everything for your life. My philosophy is that whatever you would like to do, it's a must to do but haven't any habits," said Arjun.

"As long as you haven't any habits you are able to do everything. That habit even means understanding an excessive amount of and being too thoughtful about your diet. It's a must to experience everything, life is set experience," he added.

Arjun also reveals that he didn't drink till he was 21 and had a powerful reason behind it.

"The first time I had a drink was on the age of 21, that's quite late. I USED TO BE training to be an athlete, I had a need to run the 400 meter for India but that did not happen," said the actor.

He is currently shooting for Heroine and is ready to start out work on Prakash Jha's Chakravyuha soon

Deepika Padukone enters top ad league?

By Hindustan Times

The incontrovertible fact that she is without doubt one of the youngest leading ladies in Bollywood appears to be working wonders for Deepika Padukone at the present time. The most recent news is that the 26-year-old actor has apparently been signed on for a whopping sum of Rs 5 crore (for a year) by a well-liked soap brand she endorses.

The actor was the face of the wonder soap for nearly four years. So when her agreement came up for renewal a couple of days ago, the emblem managers went out in their option to retain the Om Shanti Om (2007) actor. Taking into account her youth connect, brand recall and long association with the brand, they apparently made her a proposal she couldn't refuse.

When contacted, ITC Limited that owns Fiama Di Wills refused to touch upon the figure. However, the spokesperson says, “Deepika is an ideal embodiment of a 21st century woman and she or he has gone a ways in building awareness for our brand. She stands for today’s woman’s innate confidence, style and taste.”

Shop talk
Industry experts also feel that the ‘youth factor’ works in Deepika’s favour in terms of ads. “It’s her biggest USP. Way to her age, she has numerous time to head within the industry. Sometimes its beneficial for actors as it also allows companies to strike up long-term deals with them,” says ad guru Prahlad Kakkar. However, consistent with Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media, Deepika has mostly endorsed beauty and cosmetic brands. Calling them “safe options”, in comparison to Kareena Kapoor’s list, which incorporates a number of shoes, gadgets or even two-wheeler brands, she says, “Still, if she was signed on for an enormous sum, it’s not surprising. Brands generally want consistency.”

The actor’s latest pay cheque, meanwhile, has put her at the top of the charts within the ad world. Before this deal, she was within the category of actors who charge no more than Rs 3 crore for an ad. Industry estimates reveal that actor Katrina Kaif currently charges around Rs 4 crore, Kareena is paid about Rs 3.5-4 crore per endorsement and Priyanka Chopra around Rs 3-3.5 crore.

Ra.One animator Charu Khandal's first surgery successful

By Hindustan Times

Charu Khandal, who's battling for all times in Kokilaben Ambani hospital after a drunk Honda City driver hit her, underwent a surgery for the primary time since her accident, today. The surgery was conducted for removing the blockage in her neck, reports NDTV.

Earlier doctors couldn't operate on her as her spine was swollen.

The accident came about within the early hours of Sunday around 1 am, when the 28-year-old victim was returning home within the auto along with her sister Ritu and friend Vikrant Goyal.

The young animator has suffered multiple fractures in her leg and spine besides grave injuries on her head after the black Honda City rammed into the automobile rickshaw, which turned turtle near Sriji restaurant.

Ritu and Goyal also received severe injuries within the accident, police said.

The trio was immediately rushed to a close-by private hospital where Charu is battling for all times and two others are undergoing treatment.

Manoj Gautam, who was behind the wheels of the automobile was arrested on Sunday for rash and negligent driving. He was subsequently granted bail, police added.

Rani Mukherjee in Paan Singh Tomar director's next

By Hindustan Times

If all goes well, Rani Mukherjee will work in Tigmanshu Dhulia's period film. The movie relies at the lifetime of Begum Samru who started out as a nautch girl in 18th century India, eventually becoming the ruler of Sardhana, a principality near Meerut, reports Mumbai Mirror.

“Last week, Tigmanshu had a protracted meeting with Rani at her office in Juhu. She loved the role and agreed in principle,” a source told the tabloid.

The source went directly to explain why Rani was zeroed in on for the role. “The role is tailor made for Rani. Tigmanshu wanted someone who can hold the film on her own,” he said.

Rani too apparently is raring to work with Dhulia. “Rani loves Tigmanshu's variety of filmmaking. He's soon going to move for a recce,” added the source.

Tigmanushu Dhulia has directed films like Haasil, Charas, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and more recently Paan Singh Tomar.

About Begum Samru
Begum Joanna Nobilis Sombre was popularly referred to as Begum Samru. She started her career as a nautch girl in 18th century India, and finally became the ruler of . She Sardhana, a principality near Meerut. Later on, she played a key role within the political power struggle in 18th and 19th century India.

She was the pinnacle of a professionally trained mercenary army, inherited from her European mercenary husband, Walter Reinhardt Sombre. This mercenary army consisted of Europeans and Indians. She could also be considered the one Catholic ruler in India, as she ruled the principality of Sardhana in 18th and 19th century India.

Jacqueline to make a Hollywood debut?

By Hindustan Times

After Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's and Bipasha Basu's Hollywood outing, its now model-turned-actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who's ready to make a touch in a Canadian-British venture.

The 26-year-old have been approached for Definition of Fear, a project that marks the directorial debut of producer James Simpson.

"I has been approached for that. Talks are on, nothing was finalised yet," Jacqueline told PTI in an interview.

Born in Sri Lanka, the previous beauty queen made her acting debut in 2009 in Bollywood with Aladin alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, after which again appeared alongside Deshmukh within the romantic-comedy Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. Both the movies were box office duds.

However, her last outing opposite Emraan Hashmi in Murder 2, was one of the vital highest grossing films of 2011.

The actor can be next seen in Sajid Khan's Housefull 2 which has ensemble star cast including Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Asin, Zarine Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty and Boman Irani. The film releases on April 5.

Earlier, Aishwarya featured in a Hollywood film, titled The Pink Panther 2 and Bipasha Basu would soon be seen in Singularity.
Jacqueline has also been signed up for Pravegaya, her maiden outing in Sri Lankan film industry.

"I have always had lot of support from Sri Lanka and those was really nice and supportive. There are many Bollywood fans in Sri Lanka. Right now, our country is shaping up and our glamour and picture industries also are opening up. I WOULD LIKE to be there.. either to turn support or be part of it in some way," the previous Miss Sri Lanka said.

SRK, Katrina mobbed at Mumbai airport

By Hindustan Times

Though SRK and Katrina arrived on the Mumbai airport within the early hours, a mini mob was waiting outside to greet the stars, reports Mail Today. "Shah Rukh and Katrina chose to go away from the principle exit gate, which was strange. They might have left from the non-public exit meant for VIPs. It is usually that the film's publicists want the 2 superstars to be seen together frequently before the release," an eyewitness told the daily.

While Katrina was wearing a loose black lowers teamed with a pale seagreen summer jacket and a sleeveless black tee, SRK wore a black leather jacket, white Tshirt and denims.

The London stint of the film began on February 22 and included filming at Borough Market, Jubilee Walk, the Tower Bridge and Canary Warf.

The yet-to-be titled film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, started shooting for its first schedule within the third week of February in London. It's been making a huge buzz everywhere because the first look was unveiled. And the chemistry between SRK and Katrina who've paired up for the primary time is solely superb!

SRK is worked up about pairing up with Katrina for the primary time. “I’ve just got to work with Katrina (actor Katrina Kaif). She puts in numerous effort to make her character look and sound believable,” said Shah Rukh in a up to date HT interview.

Akshay, Katrina pair up again after Namaste London!

By Hindustan Times

After the success of Namastey London, Welcome and Singh Is Kinng, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif are ready to create the silver screen magic again with AR Murugadoss's next, reports Mumbai Mirror.

Akshay Kumar apparently recommended Kat with whom he has delivered numerous hits. The tabloid has reported that Murugadoss has asked Kat to play the feminine lead in his upcoming project.

“Katrina and Akshay have done six films together. They share an excellent rapport and feature a sizzling onscreen chemistry. Murugadoss was only too happy to take Akshay's suggestion about casting Kat within the female lead for his film,” a source told the tabloid.

The film is scheduled to move on floors in November 2012.

Akki and Kat have worked together in films like Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye, Namastey London, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, De Dana Dan and Tees Maar Khan.

Talaash Movie Trailer – Will it's successful or a flop?

^Talaash is the name of Aamir Khan’s next Bollywood movie. Written and directed by Reema Kagti, Talaash also stars Rani Mukherji and Kareena Kapoor. It’s a suspense thriller where Aamir plays the role of a cop called Surjan Singh Sekhawat. Deadly! Talaash might just thrill your brains out. Let’s hope it does – the last decent [...]

Amitabh Bachchan, Subhash Ghai patch up after 25 years

By Hindustan Times

Subhash Ghai decided to bury the variations of 25 years with Big B when he visited the megastar recently at Jalsa, reports Mumbai Mirror.

Ghai and large B weren't on talking terms even since creative differences cropped up between the 2 throughout the making of Devaa, reports Subhash K Jha for Mumbai Mirror.

But all that may be a thing of past now, because the filmmaker is now planning to rope in Big B for his next.

“I went to satisfy him at his home without a hidden agenda, simply to meet up with him and want him a speedy recovery. It was long due. I'M his admirer. I’d like to work with him. We'd like a perfect script. I consider him the most efficient actor within the country after Dilip Kumar,” Ghai confirmed to the tabloid. Big B too confirmed that Ghai had visited him.

The megastar however is recovering from his recent surgery and is taking over selective projects. Will he say yes to Ghai?

The forged of ‘Shootout at Wadala’ promote the film

Sanjay Gupta is busy in this day and age along with his next project ‘Shootout at Wadala’ which happens to be a sequel to ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’. The movie is predicated at the real life encounter at Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Sangam Nagar, Wadala, Mumbai on November 1, 1982. On this encounter the Mumbai polcie shot dead the infamous gangster, Manya Surve. Slated for a 7 December, 2012, release, the movie stars Anil Kapoor as ACP Isague Bagwan, John Abraham as Manya Surve, Kangna Ranaut as Vidya Joshi, Sonu Sood as Dawood Ibrahim, Manoj Bajpai as Sabir Ibrahim, Tusshar Kapoor as Sheik Munir, Ronit Roy as Inspector Raja Tambat and Mahesh Manjrekar as Inspector Shinde. With such an excellent star cast, the movie is unquestionably an awaited one. Take a look at the forged of the flick on the promotions of the same…..

Ranbir Kapoor in Abhinav Kashyap’s next

With an array of releases and with a few of very promising projects in his kitty, Ranbir Kapoor is probably the most promising actors in our industry at the moment. So, it didn't come as a surprise when Abhinav Kashyap (Dabangg fame) chose him because the central character for his next project. This may be Abhinav’s second directorial venture so one can be based in Mumbai and Ranbir might be seen as a street smart tapori with a pure tapori accent. Abhinav Kashyap himself will co-produce this film with Viacom 18.

With this project in his hand, Ranbir gets the consideration of being the one actor in Bollywood to be under the hands of both Kashyap brothers. He's working with elder brother Anurag Kashyap’s period film Bombay Velvet.

Currently, Ranbir is busy together with his role of a deaf and mute character in Anurag Basu’s Barfee and a romantic role in Ayaan Mukherjee’s Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.

Vivek Oberoi to play Dawood in biopic

By Hindustan Times

Until a couple of days ago, actor Vivek Oberoi and director Sanjay Gupta were embroiled in a standoff over the role of Dawood Ibrahim in Shootout At Wadala. Sanjay called the star “a joke”, Vivek stated that he read the script but “didn’t just like the role at all”, and had no option but to show it down.

And now, while Sanjay ropes in Sonu Sood to play the gangster in his sequel to Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007), in accordance with the lifetime of gangster Manya Surve, Vivek is readying to behave in Bollywood’s first-ever biopic of Dawood that’s prone to start sometime next year.

The actor is adept at bringing underworld dons to the massive screen. He started his career with a gritty portrayal of Chandu Nagre — supposedly in response to don Chhota Rajan — in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company (2002) followed by a menacing Maya Dolas in Shootout At Lokhandwala.

Producer Amit Chandrra — who's producing Vivek’s upcoming Kismat Luv Paisa Dilli (KLPD) also starring Mallika Sherawat — will back the brand new biopic too. The film aims to solve what gave the gangster cult status, besides showcasing his human side.

“The makers are yet to start out their research for the film. Plans were afoot to start the project sometime in 2012, but since Vivek is caught up with back-to-back films this year, they have got pushed it to 2013,” says an insider as regards to Chandrra. “Amit isn’t in a rush either, since any such project will need extensive homework.”

Vivek’s choc-a-bloc date diary includes films like Krrish 3, Zilla Ghaziabad and Kumar Taurani’s next. When contacted, Chandrra — busy with the post production and editing of KLPD — confirms: “It’s an idea we're all very excited about, but things are still at an overly nascent stage. Let’s see the way it goes.”

On Monday afternoon, Mumbai was reeling under the scorching sun. But a nondescript lane in Khotachiwadi, Girgaum, experienced rains way to a faux drizzle sequence for Kumar Taurani’s next. Tentatively titled Jayanta Bhai, it features Vivek Oberoi and Neha Sharma.
Once we reached the sets amidst a clutch of heritage homes, a drenched Vivek was busy testing his sequence at the monitor, whilst wife Priyanka ate her bowl of pomegranate. The shot in question had Neha running out within the rain, with an umbrella in her hand, before stopping to strike up a talk with Vivek.

“My character is a gangster, but he’s not within the same bracket as Chandu (Company, 2002) or Maya (Shootout At Lokhandwala, 2007). He's a loveable person, who likes to speak in English even though it’s broken and wrong,” says Vivek with a laugh.

Despite the long wait and hot weather, quite a lot of fans, including older women and kids, lined as much as take a sneak peek. All this, as debutant director Vinnil Markan calmly checked out the entire shots at the monitor, while instructing his production team at the minutest of details like Vivek’s hair and Neha’s umbrella. Once the combo shot was okayed, Vivek stepped right into a corner and the unit moved the set around. Neha went in for a break. Soon, a production member informed Vivek of a running sequence throughout the lane. As we were about to leave, a production guy offered Vivek a couple of green chappals, however the actor checked out his blue slippers and said: ‘Yeh continuity ki chappal hai, beta. (These chappals are supposed to be worn for continuity of the scene.)’

Bollywood’s other Dawoods
Akshay Kumar’s character in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 is supposedly according to the D Company leader, but will reveal his romantic side.

Sonu Sood will play Dawood in Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout At Wadala, retelling the gangster’s many brushes with rival Manya Surve within the ’70s.

Emraan Hashmi portrayed Dawood’s rise to power in Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai... (2010). Ajay Devgn’s brooding and rugged character of Malik in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company was also apparently inspired by the feared don.

Let's speak about sex: Kalki Koechlin

By Hindustan Times

I watched Umrao Jaan yesterday. The old version. With Rekha Ji, who hasn’t earned the title Ji just because of her long years in films but in addition as a result of her perfectionist attitude to acting. She’s sublime and mature on this film despite being young on the time.

The film itself is a ‘grown up’ film, potent and tough hitting, stating the facts of lifetime of this young girl who was sold into prostitution. Though the film did average on the box office, it got critical appreciation and turned a classic. (THERE HAS BEEN the remake in 2006, which did poorly on the box office and wasn’t viewed highly by critics either).

It made me think, why, 30 years down the line, is it still difficult to make a movie like Umrao Jaan? Why will we have such trouble portraying prostitution or sex in a mature and easy way?

Sure, we’ve learnt to be ‘bold’. Learnt to turn off long legs in hot pants and using bad language with attitude. However the subject of sex continues to be taboo. Today, a movie can show girls in little or no clothing and men in tight pants gyrating in an item number and that’s accepted as a ‘family’ movie. But a lady and a man fully dressed talking about sex? Now that’s an adult movie. That doesn’t make sense to me.

Sex is everywhere. We didn't get to a population of over a thousand million by wearing bikinis. We got there wearing sarees, salwars, burqas, dhotis and kurtas. It doesn’t matter how covered up we're or aren’t, we're humans and that involves sex.

If a film like Umrao Jaan 30 years ago could speak about sex so explicitly without really showing any skin, what are we doing today after we show only skin and refuse to speak about sex? I don’t know, but something seems off. Maybe what we actually like is to disregard life around us, and dream about things we don’t have. Maybe because today, growing capitalism has taught us to wish what we don’t have. Maybe that’s why gutsier films were made 30 years ago, when it was not really easy to survive credit cards, EMIs and social networking to live our dream life. Maybe 30 years ago, real life needed to be faced. What do you think?

Bollywood blitz at Mukesh Ambani's bash in Sachin's honour

^Bollywood blitz at Mukesh Ambani's bash in Sachin's honour

Pritam to take legal action against Iranian band

By Hindustan Times

Music composer Pritam Chakraborty is strumming a unique tune. After staying tight-lipped on plagiarism charges which have been levelled against him over the years, the 40-year-old is contemplating legal action against Iranian band Barobax, who've alleged that Pritam lifted his track, Pyaar Ki Pungi (from the film Agent Vinod) from the band’s song, Soosan Khanoom. “I am planning to file a case against them. We will be able to be filing all of the appropriate legal action against Barobax including criminal proceedings,” Pritam told us over phone from Muscat.

These developments aside, the composer plans to take a break from work. “I have completely reduce now when it comes to projects. I'M doing less work. I'VE bogged down. Because the last 10 years, I'VE BEEN just running without looking left, right or centre to make a reputation for myself by doing 15-16 projects in a year. But I'VE got bored with doing the similar thing over and over over the process years,” said Pritam. “My next release is Jannat 2. Post June, people will see little or no of me,” he added. On being asked if he plans to show director, Pritam said, “No. I’ll be very bad as a director, writer or actor. I'M good for nothing else but composing music. Right now, I’ll decelerate a bit.”

Meanwhile, we check out a few of Pritam’s famous chartbusters which were ‘inspired’ from other songs.

Song: In Dino
Movie: Life... in a Metro
Copied from: Waqar Ali’s Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat

Song: Ya Ali
Movie: Gangster
Copied from: Ya Ghali by Guitara, a band from Kuwait

Song: Pyaar Ki Pungi
Movie: Agent Vinod
Copied from: Soosan Khanoom by Iranian band, Barobax

Song: Hai Junoon
Film: New York
Copied from: Indonesian band Samsons’ song, Naluri Lelaki

Song: Dhoom Machale Dhoom
Film: Dhoom
Copied from: Jesse Cook’s Mario Takes a Walk and Egyptian singer Amr Diab’s Enta Ma Oltesh Leh

Song: Dil Mein Baji Guitar
Film: Apna Sapna Money Money
Copied from: Middle Eastern group, Miami Band’s Sheloha Shela