When work on KIDNAP began a year back, it was mainly the coming together of two Sanjays - Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gadhvi - that got the excitement quotient on. Minissha Lamba was a pretty face with good acting skills, as evidenced in films like YAHAAN and HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. while Imran Khan was a newbie who was roped in for a role which clearly had grey shades.
The film started progressing well and as it got close to the finishing line; its fortunes started improving for better. Reason? The release of JAANE TU� YA JAANE NAA happened at just the right time. A star called Imran Khan was born and suddenly KIDNAP started looking much bigger with Sanju-Imran clash in the offering.
"Of course it helps the film even further", says Minissha Lamba who has enjoyed an eventful year so far with successful films like BACHNA AE HASEENO and SHAURYA, "Imran is a superstar today and that is only adding on to the mileage that the film is getting."
Getting nostalgic, Minissha reveals, "I remember the days when we were shooting for the film, Imran used to talk about how JTYJN had shaped up. He was quite positive about the film and had these great vibes about the strength that it carried. He was waiting for it to release and since I was already working with him in KIDNAP, I knew that he would be simply fantastic in whatever role he would play."
Talking about her own BACHNA AE HASEENO, Minissha says that she is proud of the film. "I don't see films multiple times even if it is one of my own. However, BACHNA AE HASEENO is an exception as I have already watched it four times. Do I have any intentions of making it 5 in a row? Definitely yes", concludes Minissha with a wink
Minissha: It helps that Imran is a superstar today
Arjun Rampal is Malaika's 'Lucky Boy'
'Small town girl' Bipasha Basu knew that in Ranbir Kapoor she had found her 'Lucky Boy'. All this happened when they last came together for BACHNA AE HASEENO. However, guess who has turned out to be Malaika Arora Khan's 'Lucky Boy'? He is none other than Arjun Rampal with whom she is coming together on screen for the first time.
As an item girl who picks and chooses her projects with utmost care, Malaika has shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan ['Chaiyya Chaiyya - DIL SE', 'Kaal Dhamaal' - KAAL], Anil Kapoor/Nana Patekar ['Hoth Raseele' - WELCOME], Suneil Shetty ['Mahi Ve' - KAANTE] and Bobby Deol ['Tak Le' - BICHOO] to name a few. She did come up with quite a few celebrities last year in HEYY BABYY and OM SHANTI OM as well.
Now, after a gap, Malaika has appeared with Arjun Rampal for an item number 'Chori Chori Dekhe Mujhko' that has a Turkish setup to it, just like 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from DIL SE. Put to tune by Chirantan Bhatt and sung by Sunidhi Chauhan, this seductive number has Malaika at her seductive best with Arjun for company.
Incidentally this is quite a role shift for Arjun Rampal who in a matter if few weeks has been seen as an introvert rock star [ROCK ON], a serious filmmaker [THE LAST LEAR] and now as a full-on commercial item boy. However, Malaika and Arjun don't just appear as an item couple and in fact also have a part to play in EMI that has Sanjay Dutt in the lead (as Sattarbhai). Directed by Saurabh Kadra, the film also stars Urmila Matondkar, Aashish Chaudhary and Neha Uberoi in principal roles
Sania Mirza and Shahid Kapoor are in Love
Call it Kismat Konnection but Shahid Kapoor's love life is once agian under the scanner. So, who's the lucky girl? Is it Vidya Balan or Sania Mirza?
According to reports, Shahid and Sania are spending a lot of quality time. On Wednesday, the two were spotted remained together for nearly eight hours on the sets of director Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminay, which also stars Priyanka Chopra and Amol Gupte.
Though Sania didn't arrive with Shahid, but once she dropped by, they were almost inseparable. What was surprising was their body language said it all. When Shahid was not facing the camera, he spent all his time with Sania. Sania spent a lot of time with Shahid in his vanity van as well.
But what about Vidya?
Talking to a tabloid Shahid says, "Vidya and I are good friends. Nothing beyond that. We shot Kismat Konnection for sixty days in Toronto. It's the first time I have done such a long outdoor. We only had each other for company. Everybody had to get to know each other and become friends."
I have had good friends in the past but probably because I was in a relationship, people never thought or spoke that way... probably because no one knows what is happening in my personal space and I have become very private because the last one year has been too in my face."
So when will he tell the world about his lady love? "I don't feel the need of screaming it out to the media," Shahid retorts.
"I will tell friends who I feel answerable to, and people who are close to me, and the rest of the world will find out in due course of time because at the end of the day, I am a celebrity and I am not going to be sitting in my room all my life, with my girlfriend," he quips.
When Katrina's voice met her
Katrina recently got surprised at an airport when Akriti Kakkar went up to her and introduced herself.
It was only then, Katrina came to know that it is Akriti who has given the voice for her hit songs from the films 'Namastey London', 'Apne' and 'Welcome'.
Normally only few film lovers bother to know the singers whose voices their favourite actors were lip synching in the hit songs.
The same is the case with most of the actresses too.
So Katrina was very happy to meet Akriti as she too had not taken the trouble to know the singers who gave their voices for her famous songs.
For Akriti too the meeting in Airport proved to be exiting as she feels that her voice suits Katrina's delicate personality perfectly.
Kareena and Shahid in cold war
Lover, friends and now foes. Shahid and Kareena have entered into a cold war. After dumping him almost a year a go Bebo is making sure that Shahid is never cast opposite her.
When Imtiaz Ali, director of Jab we Met, approched Bebo for another project with former beau Shahid she expressed her discomfort quite clearly and asked him to replace him with someone else. Finally Akki was offered the role and he happily accepted.
We also hear that Bebo was extremely upset with Imtiaz, because he did not cast her in his next flick and preferred Deepika to co-star with Saif.
Imtiaz, who is back from London after a long schedule of Saif's movie says, "I guess everyone assumed that Kareena would be part of it. Moreover as Saif is the producer, it was just taken for granted.
As a director I have to see what the storyboard demands and accordingly do the casting. It's not that there was any tussle on that front; the fact that we are working together again proves it."
However after a much-publicised break-up Shahid has drwan into a shell.
A gentle query about his one-time friend Kareena Kapoor, and Shahid sounds diplomatic and cagey, “Kareena and I rarely talk. We are not in touch with each other. I guess this is something, which happens naturally. Beyond that I would not like to talk about it.”
Ram Gopal Varma to produce film on Veerappan
Noted Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma is planning to make a film on the life of the dreaded sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, who was gunned down by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force.
Slain brigand's wife Muthulakshmi told reporters here today that Prashant Pandey, writer of Varma's latest film 'Sarkar Raj', would direct the film on Veerappan and the script was ready.
Muthulakshmi, who had earlier toyed with the idea of producing the film herself, said she had recently met Varma and given him valuable inputs for the movie.
She said the film would track the Veerappan's from his early days to his last when he was shot dead in an encounter with the STF in 2004.
The film would also provide an insight into how she fell in love with the man, who was wanted in connection with over 100 murders, including those of police personnel, besides poaching of elephants.
She said new faces would be chosen for the film and Varma would soon hold a media briefing to announce details.
Muthulakshmi, who is tipped to play her real life role, ruled out any part for her two daughters in the film.
Meanwhile, her desire to build a memorial at neighbouring Moolakadu, where Veerappan's body is buried, appeared to have run into problems amidst reports that the government was against any form of glorification of the smuggler.
While the local panchayat was yet to consider her petition seeking permission for building the memorial, officials said the burial ground came under the Public Works Department and only they could grant the permission.
Akshay-Dutt team costly for BLUE producers!
While a section of the trade and smaller filmmakers are crying themselves hoarse at the unrealistically high prices that the top stars are demanding, it seems as if it hardly matters to those who can afford to.
As per sources, Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar, who star in Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision's upcoming BLUE, were recently lodged at Phuket's (Thailand) Banyan Tree Hotel suites by the concerned producers, as they were there for the shooting. Unbelievable as it may sound but the per-day charge of one suite was - Thai Baht 60,000 or in other words, Rs. 80,000!
Little wonder that the film's budget is going up and threatening to touch the sky!
Shahid Kapoor gets selective
Few stars practice what they preach as a source revealed, 'Stars rarely use the brands they so passionately promote. What concerns them is only the money. The only star who chooses to be an exception is Shahid Kapoor.'
According to the source Shahid wants to endorse only those brands that he believes in. 'Corporates queue outside his home hoping to crack a deal with him to endorse their brands. But Shahid is very selective and wants to sign brand that he believes in.
The actor understands that his fans have a certain image of him and he has a certain responsibility towards them and does not want to disappoint them by signing each and every brand. Also he would prefer that there is no brand clutter, so that even the selective brands that he endorses will benefit the brand.
Shahid knows that his fans look upon him as their role model and he has an image to live upto.
He strongly believes in endorsing only those brands that match not only his image but also benefit his fans.'
Shahid believe that he rather wait than jump into the endorsement bandwagon needlessly.
Let's celebrate Katrina Kaif's birthday
When she stepped into India with an inclination to model and a notable British accent, she was yet another UK-born confused desi, a pretty face looking forward to make it big in Bollywood. When she made her debut with forgettable BOOM, she faced heavy flak from the industry. But to her luck and sheer dedication & hard work she has proved everybody wrong. Today the scenario is different. In a very short span of time this utterly ravishing beauty has managed to reach the top league where many are still vying to make it. Today all those wagging mouths are singing praises of her triumph.
Her fate changed with blockbuster hits like MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, SARKAR, HUM KO DEEWANA KAR GAYE. With that there was no looking back for the pretty lady and then in 2007 she starred in the back-to-back hit list of NAMASTEY LONDON, APNE, PARTNER and WELCOME. And started off with a smashing entry RACE in 2008. Also her upcoming mega projects SINGH IS KIING, YUVRAJ with the likes of Akshay Kumar and beau Salman Khan indicates a promising future ahead.
A delight to watch on screen, she recently also won the coveted title of the sexiest woman in the world by London's FHM magazine.
With enough reasons to celebrate let's wish the sultry siren Katrina Kaif an eventful birthday and all the best wishes for her progressing career on her 24th birthday today.
JTYJN does better than TZP
Believe it or not but Imran Khan starrer JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA has done better than Aamir Khan starrer TAARE ZAMEEN PAR at the box office. While both the films had a debutant director at the helm, Abbas Tyrewala has scored bigger box office returns in it's first week (against LOVE STORY 2050) when compared to Aamir Khan whose TAARE ZAMEEN PAR was pitted against WELCOME last year. Well, the numbers say it all. Read on.
When released on 21st December 2008, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR had taken a good start, though not excellent, and went on to do steady business in its first week. The film's first week collections read just a little over 16 crores though good collections in weeks to follow meant that the film broke 60 crores barrier and went on to earn a blockbuster status for itself.
As things stand today, though it has to be seen whether JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA would accomplish similar feat, first week's collections indicate great box office outing for this film that has redefined the careers of Genelia D'Souza and Manjari Fadnis.
The film has crossed 20 crores in one week flat while released on similar print count as that of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR. Collections have been stupendous all over, as a result of which the number of prints has been increased in a major way resulting in increased shows due to heavy demand for the film.
Good news for the film is that JAANE TU... euphoria has continued well into it's second week as well. With no competition at all in its second week, the film is all set to gain from strength to strength and earn further crores for itself.
Brand 'Aamir Khan' has worked. And how!
Salman-Sohail together again
After creating a riot in MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, Salman Khan and Sohail Khan would be seen together again. The brothers are pairing up once again for GOD TUSSI GREAT HO, the promos of which are back on air again, though concentrating on song and dance routine this time around.
Readers may remember that over the week gone by the film's promos had gone off air. There were murmurs that this was done at the insistence of Salman Khan who felt that the promos were not up to the mark. Also, the promos clearly indicated that GOD TUSSI GREAT HO was a direct rip off of Jim Carrey/Morgan Freeman starrer BRUCE ALMIGHTY.
However, a couple of new promos have been cut and unleashed on the music channels which concentrate primarily on fun, masti and maza.
It is a reprise of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI situation in the number 'Chalti Kya' which is seeking audience attention. Taking off from a situation similar to that of the title song of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI that had Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar vying for Priyanka Chopra's attention, 'Chalti Kya' sees Sohail Khan replacing Akshay Kumar and matching steps with Salman and Priyanka.
Sohail has been in the news for the last 10 days mainly due to a riotous guest appearance in JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA. Along with Arbaaz Khan, he was the surprise package of the film and got the house down with his Rajasthani cowboy antics. The film has got him extensive mileage and one is left wondering that why is he not seen demonstrating his fun side more often to the audience?
In the coming days, Sohail and Salman would be seen a part of films like HELLO, MAIN AUR MRS. KHANNA, HEROES and AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY.
Sushmita Sen and Govinda patch up
After the success of 'Partner', the 'jodi no 1' of comedy, actor Govinda and director David Dhawan, will again try to tickle the funny bones of the viewers with 'Do Knot Disturb'.
But this time their association is extra special because it unites Sushmita Sen and Govinda, who have been at loggerheads for quite a long time now.
The two have known each other for a long time but a misunderstanding caused a rift in their bonding. Things boiled to such an extent that Sush even walked out of director Dharmesh Darshan’s film because Govinda was her co-star in it.
It was David Dhawan who finally cast Sush and Govinda together in his comedy, which is currently on the floors.
The chill between the two actors was apparent for the first few days of shooting. Eventually, the two decided to break the ice and discuss the issue over which they had fallen apart.
According to a source: “The two sat and talked about the matter. Finally, all the misunderstandings have been cleared and the two are on talking terms again.”
Lara Dutta is also working in the film. Dhawan has also roped in successful comedians like Riteish Deshmukh, Rajpal Yadav, Ranbir Shorey and Sohail Khan, besides his lucky mascot Govinda.
Salman-Sohail together again
After creating a riot in MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, Salman Khan and Sohail Khan would be seen together again. The brothers are pairing up once again for GOD TUSSI GREAT HO, the promos of which are back on air again, though concentrating on song and dance routine this time around.
Readers may remember that over the week gone by the film's promos had gone off air. There were murmurs that this was done at the insistence of Salman Khan who felt that the promos were not up to the mark. Also, the promos clearly indicated that GOD TUSSI GREAT HO was a direct rip off of Jim Carrey/Morgan Freeman starrer BRUCE ALMIGHTY.
However, a couple of new promos have been cut and unleashed on the music channels which concentrate primarily on fun, masti and maza.
It is a reprise of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI situation in the number 'Chalti Kya' which is seeking audience attention. Taking off from a situation similar to that of the title song of MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI that had Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar vying for Priyanka Chopra's attention, 'Chalti Kya' sees Sohail Khan replacing Akshay Kumar and matching steps with Salman and Priyanka.
Sohail has been in the news for the last 10 days mainly due to a riotous guest appearance in JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA. Along with Arbaaz Khan, he was the surprise package of the film and got the house down with his Rajasthani cowboy antics. The film has got him extensive mileage and one is left wondering that why is he not seen demonstrating his fun side more often to the audience?
In the coming days, Sohail and Salman would be seen a part of films like HELLO, MAIN AUR MRS. KHANNA, HEROES and AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY.
Bipasha and Shahid- Johnny dushman
We hear that Ms 'professional' Bipasha Basu walked out of the shoot of Jo Jeeta Woh Hi Superstar's finale as she wasn’t happy to be part of a show, which also featured Shahid Kapur and Vidya Balan.
The actress turned up for the shoot at Film City but when she realised that Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan would also be on the reality show, she refused to shoot and left the venue without informing anyone. Everyone on the show was shocked at Bipasha's behavior.
Later she claimed that as she was under contract with Yash Raj Films, they would be upset if she appeared on the show as she featured in their upcoming film, Bachna Ae Haseeno.
As a result, Endemol had to call up Yash Raj and check if the actress was under any contract. Yash Raj's reply came as a breather for the channel and the producer who were on tenterhooks throughout Wednesday. They stated that the actress was under no contract with them!
Bipasha was left with no choice but to return to the sets on Thursday and shoot for the show but not before she put forth a condition to the channel that there should be a long gap between her and Shahid's segment.
Katrina and Salman's birthday plans
Voted as the “Sexiest Woman in the world”, beau queen Katrina Kaif will be celebrating her birthday in Ooty with her partner and Bollywood’s bad boy Salman Khan.
It’s been heard that Salman will be traveling all the way to Ooty, on 16th July, to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday, putting aside all the rumors of his break-up with this gorgeous babe. Katrina is nowadays shooting there for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani with co-star Ranbir Kapoor. The film is been directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.
Recently there had been rumors about the couple’s break-up and that Salman slapping Kat baby twice, but they managed to put everything aside and proved everyone wrong.
In the mean time they were spotted at many nightclubs, restaurants, parties and recently at Vipul Shah’s, Singh is Kinng’s music launch, too.
We wish Katrina Kaif a very happy birthday in advance and best wishes for her upcoming movies also.
Aamir Khan breaks his promise again
Bollywood star Aamir Khan had promised his fans that he will stop smoking after the release of his home production 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na'. The movie has been released and is declared a hit, but he is not able to keep himself away from smoking.
Aamir made a honest confession on his blog that he has begun smoking again and wrote: 'Bear with me folks, I'll give up once 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' releases.'
Aamir posted this on his blog site www.aamirkhan.com June 18.
'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na', debut vehicle of Amair's nephew Imran Khan, hit the marquee on July 4 and got overwhelming response at the ticket window. But the star has failed to keep his promise.
The actor was allegedly seen smoking while he was in the capital for a live-dial on Hindi news channel. The actor went out to an adjacent office complex to smoke since smoking was not allowed within the premises.
But overwhelmed by the response to his recently released film 'Jaane Tu...ya Jaane na' from critics and masses alike including screen icon Amitabh Bachchan, the actor-producer Aamir Khan seems to have "mended fences" with Big B.
In his recent blog post after release of 'Jaane Tu...', Aamir said, "We (the cast and crew ) were on a live dial on Aaj Tak (for the film promotion) and the caller was Amitji! You can imagine our surprise.
We almost fell off our chairs in shock. He had such kind words to say about the film and the cast and crew, which was extremely encouraging.
Amitji is not only the biggest star that Hindi cinema has ever seen but an extremely graceful and generous human being."
Bachchan was irked by Aamir's unsolicited comments last year about 'Black' which fetched the megastar a national award.
Aamir had reportedly termed the film as "insensitive" and "manipulative" and had said that the performances of the actors were "over the top".
Bachchan, who took the comments very personally, said, "I cannot comment whether my performance was towering or not. But Aamir may be right on the other...may be the performances did go 'over the top' of his head."
However, Aamir later clarified that his observations were towards the film and the way it was handled and not towards any of the actors.
He wrote on his blog that he had the right of opinion as an audience and said that he was critical of 'Black' for depicting a child with severe difficulties as being ill treated instead of being treated with love, care and understanding.
Shahid Kapoor: The new romantic icon
KISMAT KONNECTION is all set to change hero Shahid Kapoor's 'kismat'.
After having delivered two back to back solo hero hits like VIVAAH and JAB WE MET, Shahid is all set to rock the box office with his next release KISMAT KONNECTION. The trade is agog about the whopping price the film has been sold for and trade watchers are predicting superstardom for Shahid.
Obviously all this praise is well deserved as Shahid has proved both his box office clout and his acting prowess with two back to back hits. And now with 'KISMAT KONNECTION he is all set to woo the NRI market that was solely the territory of the three Khans!
The sensation is doing his first NRI romance with Aziz Mirza's KISMAT KONNECTION. Aziz Mirza says that the role would have been perfect for Shahrukh Khan ten years back and now only Shahid suits the role! And he is right as after the 3 Khans, it's only Shahid who suits the lover boy to the T. He is everyone's favourite romantic hero!
All his hit films were romantic films but Shahid has always stuck to romance on the Indian soil. Be it Mumbai in ISHQ VISHQ, a small town in VIVAAH or Punjab in JAB WE MET, Shahid always been in Indian romancing his girl back home. And now for the first time he is doing an out and out NRI romance where he is playing a boy living in Toronto. A slice of life character, who is simple, sweet, and confused, very much like your average boy next door. But an NRI boy this time!
Says Shahid "Yes this is the first time I am doing full fledged NRI romance. I'm not playing a rich kid living abroad like it's usually depicted in other films. I'm playing a guy who is not so well off, trying to make a living in a foreign country. He is simple, and sweet. He is the kind of guy who tells you that you can make it big if you work hard with a little bit of 'kismat' on your side!"
Well with Shahid's 'kismat' at the box office so far, looks like he will storm the NRI market too!
Genelia's resounding return to Hindi films
Actress Genelia D'Souza was first seen by the Hindi film audience opposite Ritesh Deshmukh in TUJHE MERI KASAM (2003). But her real claim to fame was the Parker pen ad with the one and only Amitabh Bachchan. In fact even Big B was very impressed with her spontaneity and spark. After that, Genelia once again made a mark when she played Ritesh's overbearing wife in Indra Kumar's laugh riot, MASTI (2004).
Genelia took a self imposed break from Hindi Films, although she continued working down South and featured in a lot of successful films. However, fate had decided to make 2008 as the year which would mark her big time return to Hindi films. After the success of Shemaroo's MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP, just last month end, Genelia's motor-mouth act in last Friday's JAANA TU...YA JAANE NA has been appreciated by all. The film has taken a superb start in cities across India and trade unanimously predicts that Aamir Khan's JTYJN, which marks the debut of his nephew, Imran Khan, is a sure shot winner. And that makes it two-out-of -two in two months for Genelia!
What a way to return to Hindi Films, Genelia.
Akshay Kumar checks in Rs. 70000 a night hotel
Even the land of the Pharaohs was excited about welcoming the 'Kinng', Akshay Kumar!
Recently, when Akshay and Katrina were in Cairo to shoot the Jee Karda song for the keenly anticipated Singh Is Kinng, the plush five-star property, Oberoi Mena House is said to have allocated the Presidential Suite for Kumar.
This was indeed a privilege because according to sources the suite is normally used for members of royalty, powerful dignitaries and international celebrities
The regally appointed Presidential Suite has a large private terrace and a view of the Pyramids. Guests in the Suite enjoy the privilege of private butler service and 24hour in-room dining. The tariff per night is upwards of Rs.70,000.
Remarks Akshay, "Egypt is one of the most splendid places I have shot in. Just make sure you leave good tips!" he laughs. "It's my first time shooting there and a sardar singing a romantic song on a pyramid for a beautiful girl is definitely something that will go down in Singh history!"
The racy Jee Karda song, shot in Cairo, is already on television. Scored by Pritam, it has been penned by Mayur Puri and rendered by Suzie Q and Labh Jan Jua.
Singh Is Kinng is an Indian Films-Studio 18 release worldwide. It is out on August 8 with previews in select locations on August 7.
Katrina's Tryst with Hindi
Despite delivering so many hits, and being a part of the industry for a while, actress Katrina Kaif is still unable to express herself in Hindi. It is a well known fact that her voice is dubbed in all her films. But her inability to speak in Hindi often lands her in quite embarrassing situations like the one recently when she had to appear on a TV show.
Katrina was to appear on a TV chat show where she was the celebrity guest. It was for a show for a yet to be launched television channel which was hosted by Sajid Khan. He has managed to rope in all his celebrity friends to ensure that his show, which resembles Star's Koffee With Karan, is a success. Stars like his sister Farah Khan, Anil Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Vidya Balan, Shahid Kapur and Sanjay Dutt, are among those who have been roped in for the show. All was fine till, Katrina was invited for the show. She kept stumbling and fumbling for words and just wasn't comfortable with the Hindi language. Finally, she requested Sajid if they could do it in English. Sajid agreed immediately. And so it was, that the format of a television show had to be modified to accommodate a star.
