No IPL clash for Ferrari Ki Sawaari!

By Hindustan Times

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrari Ki Sawaari, some of the films able to tackle cricket, has now been pushed forward to after IPL Season 5. “Yes, we’re not approaching April 27. We haven’t locked a date yet, but it surely it will be in June after the IPL,” confirms writer-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

He adds that it’s not because he's frightened of the contest from cricket, but because some shots should be canned. And he didn’t wish to have a release on his head and an incomplete film on his hands. “I set to work on Ferrari Ki Sawaari when 3 Idiots (2009) was still being shot. It’s taken us four years to jot down it. It’s one in all our finest scripts, and that i need to give it the time it deserves,” says Vinod, recalling Hollywood filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s three commandments, the second one being ‘thou shall entertain without selling your soul’.

Insisting that money hasn't ever been his driving force, Vinod points to the truth that in place of profiting from his hit franchise and raking in Rs 100 crore within the first weekend itself, he’s been writing Munnabhai Ki Atmakatha for the last four years. The film is finally able to be flagged off this September.

“At a time when films are made just for the primary weekend, Amitabh Bachchan, seeing Ferrari Ki Sawaari, pointed it out that I’m still making my movies for Mondays. I hold him in great regard. He was one of the crucial first to look the film,” says Chopra who has shown the film revolving around a bit of boy whose dream of driving a Ferrari takes him to the Lord’s cricket pitch, to around 300-400 people from different walks of life. “Around 1,000 will see it at special screenings through May with us being attentive to their inputs. Then we take the film into the theatres and to a bigger audience.”

Sonam Kapoor opts out of Mani Ratnam’s next!

By Hindustan Times

Sonam Kapoor has opted out of Mani Ratnam’s new Tamil film, which launches veteran Tamil actor Karthik’s son, Gautham. The role has now gone to the impending Tamil-Telugu actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu who may also make her Bollywood debut with Assi Nabey Poore Sau. Samantha was speculated to make her Hindi debut with Ek Deewana Tha.

“At this point in her career going Southwards for Sonam would give the incorrect signal to the filmmakers in Bollywood. Mani had his heart set on Sonam since she suited the young, innocent, effervescent and complicated girl’s role to the hilt. He needed to search for a last-minute replacement,” said a source.

Shah Rukh might have been Munnabhai: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

By Hindustan Times

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra says that Shah Rukh Khan had always been his first choice for many of his films, be it 3 Idiots, 'Munnabhai MBBS', or the yet-to-be released Ferrari Ki Sawari. "Shah Rukh was offered '3 Idiots', 'Ferrari Ki Sawari', 'Munnabhai' and other films. He's our first
guy - we visit him first and if he says no, then we move on," Chopra told reporters here.

Shah Rukh had backed out of 'Munnabhai MBBS' on account of back trouble and will not do '3 Idiots' as a result of date issues.

If Chopra had his way, SRK would has been the Munnabhai of 'Munnabhai MBBS' and Sanjay Dutt would have played the small role of Zaheer, a cancer patient.

"Today, I BELIEVE Sanjay is ideal as Munna and same way Sharman fits the central role in 'Ferrari Ki Sawari'. It's all about writing and getting the best actor for the fitting role, that is difficult," Chopra said.

I don’t need to let my audience down: Sujoy Ghosh

By Hindustan Times

Director Sujoy Ghosh has decided to take it easy. Prod him about his next film after the critical and box office success of the Vidya Balan-starrer Kahaani and he says, “I’ve got success after two flops — Home Delivery (2005) and Aladin (2009). Now I NEED to retain my audience and never allow them to down. I WILL BE ABLE TO take a while to determine what to do next.”

Made on the cheap of Rs 15 crore, Kahaani raked in Rs 14 crore at the first weekend of its release, says producer Jayantilal Gada, Pen Movies. Gada adds, “The total income from three weeks have been Rs 53 crore in India, Rs 4 crore overseas and another Rs 10 crore from music, home video and satellite rights. The whole money it has made up to now is Rs 67 crore. For this type of low-budget film, it’s a very good figure.”

And Ghosh hopes to continue his winning streak. “Now, producers have began to have more faith in me. Hopefully, getting finances for my next film won’t be a problem.”

However, he insists he’s unsure of what’s coming next. “There are a few ideas I'M toying with. I'LL not do a thriller next.

However, all of it will depend on how the script shapes up. Kahaani started with the speculation of unveiling the universal emotion of motherhood, after which other things added up. I didn’t start off to make it a thriller,” he says.

So will he persist with his leading lady, Vidya for his next venture too? Ghosh says, “She is very choosy. Provided that I'VE an excellent script will she agree.”

Early 2013 wedding for Saif-Kareena?

By Hindustan Times

Buzz is that actor-couple Saif Ali Khan, 41, and Kareena Kapoor, 31, will tie the knot only early next year.

“Saif and Kareena have decided to tie the knot early next year. It might either be Jan or early February. The venue and the functions aren't yet finalised,” reported Mumbai Mirror. The actors’ spokesperson, however, called it a rumour.

SRK desires to see the flavor of Bengal

By Hindustan Times

The Indian Premier League (IPL) season five starts on April 4, with a grand opening in Chennai. The second one match of the league, played between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Daredevils, is scheduled for April 5 on the Eden Gardens.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, owner of KKR, has added an area element to his team, no less than so far as the cheerleading squad is anxious. “SRK, being the emblem ambassador of West Bengal, wanted the flavor of the state in his team. As cheerleaders, only girls from Kolkata will perform,” says Vishal Kanoi, choreographer of the KKR cheerleading team.

Kolkata-based Vishal has had vast experience in training local students in various dance styles. The 12 cheerleaders were selected from the thousands who auditioned all across Kolkata. Vishal says, “Models, dancers, students and others came for auditions, that have been judged by me. They did freestyle dancing for 30 seconds and then we started short-listing candidates. Final selections were done by the KKR management.”

Kanoi adds, “You can expect a regional touch to all the cheerleading package.” Vishal may even choreograph the outlet ceremony of KKR’s first match. “It could be done keeping in mind the sport, town and brand KKR itself. SRK wants the most productive for his team relating to game play and entertainment.”

KKR’s Kolkata opening ceremony may also showcase performances by dhaak (traditional drum) players and chhau dancers (tribal dance practiced in Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand) together with a surprise flashmob within the stadium.

Men buy more lingerie than women: Neha Dhupia

By Hindustan Times

Neha Dhupia won't have too many box office hits to her credit, however the actor is now getting a variety of hits on her latest online enterprise. The previous Miss India, known for her fashion sense, has now proved to be a sensible businesswoman to boot.

Taking about her retail website, she says, “I started a web based business called Herstyle.in in November 2011 to sell lingerie. I USED TO BE amused to listen to rumours that I USED TO BE planning to launch a clothing line. I never had the sort of plans but there have been numerous reports about it.”

Ask her why she chose to sell women’s lingerie and she or he says, “There are only a few lingerie websites for ladies in India, and most don’t have a number of options. Individuals are selling stuff online like clothes, shoes, bags, air tickets and so forth. Lingerie is very important too. Every woman needs it, so why not?” The actor, together with her team of designers, handpicks lingerie styles for her website. Talking a few surprise revelation at the job, she says, “I saw statistics that say men buy more lingerie than women.”

Neha reveals that she hopes to expand her business now.

“I plan to bring out new products and ideas,” she says, adding, “But I can’t share them now as someone might get ‘inspired’ and crack it before me. I'LL be a wise businesswoman and keep my mouth shut.”

Ask her why she kept the inside track about her venture quiet, and he or she says, “I am not the boastful kind and that i don’t believe in tom-tomming plans without action like many other stars. You can talk big, but tough to prove your worth. I don’t need to be an empty vessel making sounds.”

Bipasha to whip up Chef avatar!

By Hindustan Times

She is busy with back-to-back films, endorsements and fitness DVDs. But Bipasha Basu has a brand new plan up her sleeve — becoming a trained cook. Apparently, she is raring to enroll in the famous culinary institute, Le Sous-chef (at either Ny or Paris) for a qualified cooking course. But
sources insist Bips is finding it tough to search out the time in her packed schedule.

“It has definitely been my dream to be an excessively accomplished cook/chef. But of late, I haven’t been capable of do any cooking because of my super busy schedule. If I ACTUALLY wish to push it and cook more, some of the ideas is to visit a correct culinary school. But because the course will take a while — no less than a few months — I’m unsure how I CAN find time for it,” confirms Bipasha.

The Race (2008) actor wants “to learn healthy types of cooking” especially desserts. Ask Bips what cuisines she wants to
master and he or she chuckles, “Definitely Oriental, Mediterranean and Japanese since they're healthier and greener with numerous seafood which I simply love. I NEED to be informed to make waffles and cupcakes. I WILL BE ABLE TO bake cakes however the idea is to bake crème de la crème desserts.”

Busy with Raaz 3 and Singularity right now, Bips admits that it’s tough to juggle her passion together with her profession. “Career wise, it’s an important time for me. Definitely I'VE plans (to be informed cooking) but I NEED TO balance that with my professional life. Let’s see if I WILL BE ABLE TO pursue a short-term crash course till then,” she says.

‘Mommy’ Bips to master cooking!
Bipasha feels one can’t become a mother if a girl doesn’t understand how to cook. “My friends, akin to Deanne (Pandey), are mothers too but they can’t cook. I always tell them, ‘what roughly a mother are you?’ Some day I NEED to have kids but before that, I NEED to shine up my cookery skills. And this doesn’t mean that I NEED to have a kid right now,” says Bips with fun. She adds, “For instance, if my mother didn’t know the way to cook, I MIGHT be very angry.”

Akshay Kumar, John Abraham in a brawl!

By Hindustan Times

Close at the heels of a far public spat between actors Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Shirish Kunder, Akshay Kumar and John Abraham almost came to blows on Friday at their film’s screening. Caught on camera by our photographer who was late in leaving the venue after the screening in their upcoming film Housefull 2 at a theatre in Mumbai, the actors got right into a heated argument that soon escalated into what gave the impression of a physical fight. While most guests had left by then, the few eyewitnesses revealed that the altercation got to some degree where the actors’ bodyguards needed to intervene. The non-public screening of the film, meant for close friends, and family, apparently ignited a debate about who was behind the success in their last hit Desi Boyz (2011), which fared well on the box-office.

“Someone made a joke comparing the two, and what started as a harmless banter suddenly got serious. Back within the day there have been some rumours of rivalry between the 2 even during their film Garam Masala (2005); in order that can have made matters worse. Either one of them are known to be hot headed anyway,” said a crew member of Housefull’s production team, requesting anonymity.

Ironically, the 2 have maintained a cordial relationship within the press as there were regular reports about Akshay’s son, Aarav, being a large fan of John. The actors who got miffed at spotting our shutterbug clicking pictures, refused to reply to our messages. ‘Everything’s well. It was only a silly argument that’s sorted,” explained the film’s spokesperson later.

Bollywood’s on a brief fuse
Of late, there were several instances of Bollywood personalities coming into physical fights and subsequently hitting headlines for the incorrect reasons. On January 29, actor Shah Rukh Khan allegedly slapped filmmaker Shirish Kunder (left) at a bash hosted by Sanjay Dutt to celebrate the success of Agneepath. On February 22, actor Saif Ali Khan got into an unsightly brawl with NRI Iqbal Sharma and allegedly punched him, breaking the latter’s nose.

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