Big B turns dialogue writer for Last Lear

Conquering new peaks has become a bit of a habit for Amitabh Bachchan. He did it yet again on the sets of his English-language film Last Lear when he penned down some on-the-spot Hindi dialogues for a scene with Preity Zinta and Bengali superstar Prosenjeet.

Director Rituparno Ghosh, reluctant to reveal details, admits that Bachchan has indeed penned the Hindi dialogues for a scene in Last Lear. 

"Since the film is almost in English, Last Lear has been my easiest film to date. But this is a film-within-a-film plot. There was a scene where Preity and Prosenjeet are supposed to be enacting a tense dramatic scene in a Hindi film, Gosh told the agency.

"I casually asked the Big B to help me out, not even thinking he'd take me seriously. Before I knew it he went into a corner and asked everyone, including me, to leave him alone. In no time at all the dialogues were ready!"

Hence, in Last Lear we would be hearing for the first time dialogues written by the Big B.

"That isn't the only first for Amitda in Last Lear. This is his first full-length English-language film and also the first film where he plays an actor doing a film within the film."

Slumdog children back on streets

Nearly 20 children who acted in the Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire' have been thrown on the streets after Mumbai civic authorities Thursday morning demolished nearly 50 huts in a slum here, terming the slum unauthorised.

Azharuddin Ismail M. Shaikh, the main child star of the movie, said a team of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) came unannounced this morning, ordered them to move out of their shanties in Garib Nagar slum of Bandra East and demolished them.

'We have nowhere to go. We are just sitting on the road in the blazing sun right now. All our belongings and other household goods have either been thrown out or damaged. We don't know what we will eat today,' Azhar, crying inconsolably, told IANS.

When contacted, Assistant Municipal Commissioner H (East) Ward U.D. Mistry said the MCGM had specific orders from the headquarters to clear off all hutments which are constructed on the main drain in Bandra East.

'It may have happened that these celebrity children's homes also fell in this category, but we have to follow orders,' Mistry said.

He added that if eligible, all the displaced persons would be provided alternative accommodation before the monsoon, expected to hit Mumbai early June.

In the meantime, the families of Azhar and his co-star Rubina Ali Qureshi are now pinning their hopes on getting a flat as promised by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The flat allotment was delayed since the elections were announced but now the model code of conduct will be lifted Monday.

This is the second time in the past five years or so that the MCGM has demolished the shanties in the area. Since the last demolition, the families, including those of the 'Slumdog' artistes, have been living in a park or pavements, said a resident, Yakub Abdul Sheikh.

After Yuvvraaj fiasco, Subhash Ghai turns to comedy

New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) After his last directorial venture “Yuvvraaj” failed at the box office, Subhash Ghai is now set for his first production of the year “Paying Guest”, which he says is based on a humorous play that ran for two years in the US, Britain and the UAE.

“‘Paying Guest’ is an out-and-out comedy based on a play of the same name and directed by Paritosh Painter. It ran for two years in the US, UK and UAE. Now the movie too is being directed by the director of the play,” Ghai told IANS in an e-mail interview.

“Paritosh has done an equally good job as the director of the film. It will sure be a blockbuster, something I can predict at this moment,” the filmmaker said.

The multi-starrer revolves around five close friends who stay together in Dubai and is set to hit screens next month.

“In a comedy film like this, you really need genuinely talented actors rather than only a star who has a sale value. So we decided on Shreyas (Talpade), Javed Jaffery, Ashish Chowdhary, Celina (Jaitley), Neha Dhupia and so on,” he said.

So does he feel comedy is the flavour of the season?

“I completely feel that comedy is the flavour of the season. Today stress levels are so high that people like comedy, even mindless comedies if it’s entertaining,” said Ghai.

“Nowadays, people don’t have time to appreciate your poetry or cinema unless you compel them to go and watch it, but that’s a tough proposition for a filmmaker today,” he added.

Ghai, whose production house Mukta Arts Pvt Ltd has produced successful films like “Aitraaz” and “Iqbal” among others, says his banner believes in churning out films of all budgets and genres.

“My company is a major movie production company in Mumbai for which I direct one film and we produce three to four films a year with various directors and all kinds of budgets and genres.

“For example, we produced ‘Aitraaz’, ‘36 China Town’ and ‘Yuvvraaj’ with big budgets and ‘Iqbal, ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ and ‘Black and White’ as small budget movies,” said Ghai.

The director-producer has himself directed hugely popular films like “Karz”, “Hero”, “Karma”, “Saudagar”, “Pardes” and “Taal”.

Ghai has planned five more productions this year including “Right Yaa Wrong”, “Hello Darling” and three new projects to be launched soon.

Asked about the ongoing tussle between the producers and multiplexes over sharing of revenue, Ghai said the root of the problem is that both the sides are not considering the other’s grievances.

“It’s a tussle of business interests. Both are right with their grievances but not ready to consider the other’s point of view. I think producers asking for 50 percent, 40 percent and 35 percent in first three weeks respectively is a fair demand whereas in the fourth week it should be re-negotiable as per the merit of the film.

Mallika Sherawat Up Coming Movie Hisss Wallpaper

Here is the first look poster of malaika shewrawat’s upcoming movie hisss which is directed by jennifer lynch.

do you think it is scary????

Shooting of Total Ten film on Mumbai Terror Attacks Underway

On location shooting of forthcoming Bollywood film ‘Total Ten’ is underway in Mumbai.

The film would star Rajan Verma, who essays the role of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive during the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.

Produced by Hari Om Sharam, Anand Pandrey and Kumar, Total Ten is budgeted at a meagre Rs. 3 crore and shows the journey of Kasab from Pakistan to the trial court in Mumbai.

The other actors performing the movie are Sudesh Berry, who plays Vijay Salaskar (former Senior Police officer and encounter specialist), Homi Wadia, who plays Hemant Karkare (former Chief of Mumbai anti-terrorist squad), Ashok Kulkarni, who plays Ashok Kamte (former Additional Commissioner of Mumbai police) and Ashish Vidyarthi, who plays Tukaram Ombale (former assistant sub-inspector of Mumbai Police).

All these brave men were killed while fighting the terrorists in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Describing the theme of his movie, Surendar Suri said that Total Ten was a tribute to these Mumbai police officers who paid the ultimate price while fighting for their countrymen.

“The title of the film ‘Total Ten’ if you read then you will come to know that there were only ten Mumbai police officers who got Ashok Chakra (bravery awards) and only those people get Ashok Chakra who have performed some heroic deeds. So this film is my tribute to their bravery,” said Suri.

Rajan Verma said he believes that the movie will give a message to those youngsters who have gone off track but not to trod the path of terrorism.

“This is not a mere film but it’s a message from those terrorists who are churned out of so called terror factories. We don’t have to finish one terrorist but we have to close those terror factories. And these terror factories will stop when the raw material (the youngsters) supplied to them is stopped. Through this film I have to give a message to those youngsters who have gone astray not to become terrorists,” said Verma.

Kasab was one of 10 gunmen who arrived in Mumbai last November via sea route from Pakistan to terrorise the city, killing 166 people. (ANI)

Kareena Kapoor wears dress worth 8 Lakh

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor will sport a dress worth Rs.800,000 for a song in ‘Kambakkht Ishq’. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala had specially ordered it for the actress from Paris.

‘When the song was completed and the whole crew had a look, it looked very beautiful and eye catching. But most importantly everyone’s eyes were stuck at seeing Kareena’s dress. Kareena was looking gorgeous. The dress cost Rs.800,000,’ said a source close to the producer.

The filmmaker has also gifted the dress to Kareena as she looked really pretty wearing it.

‘Sajid Nadiadwala is a wonderful person at heart. He always makes sure that his cast and crew is happy. Kareena was happy after receiving such an extra-ordinary gift from Sajid bhai. She was short of words to express her feeling after she received the gift.’ added the source.

Kareena plays a supermodel in the movie, which has Akshay Kumar in the male lead. It also stars Hollywood biggies Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

IANS

Kambhakt Ishq First Look and Movie Stills

First look of Movie Kambakkht Ishq

Scheduled to release this summer, the Akshay Kumar - Kareena Kapoor starrer, directed by Sabbir Khan is already creating a huge buzz and promises to be one of the biggest entertainer to hit screens this year.

An exciting ‘chemistry’ between a dashing stuntman in Hollywood who lives by the mantra ‘women are only good for...’ and a firebrand model who can more than stare down the most arrogant male with her caustic wit and sardonic tongue, Kambakkht Ishq creates a perfect premise for a thrilling battle of the sexes.

Eros is highly focused on Kambakkht Ishq - an exciting marriage between the east and the west, a romantic comedy and action with Hollywood favorites Sylvester Stallone, Brendan Routh and Denise Richards playing interesting roles in the film as well.

Eros International will be unveiling the first look of its highly awaited film ‘Kambakkht Ishq’, a co-production with Sajid Nadiadwala. The trailer will accompany Eros’ Aa Dekhen Zara which is releasing this Friday, March 27, 2009.

Hot Gul Panag at 'Straight' Premiere

Gul Panag looking hot at Straight Premiere

First Look of Main Aur Mrs Khanna Movie

First Look of Main Aur Mrs Khanna Movie

Lovemaking Scenes cut from Mani Ratnam's Raavan

Mani Ratnam is being extra careful in making his adaptation of the Ramayana starring Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The film, which revolves around the kidnapping of Sita, has been adapted to suit modern times.

Aishwarya plays the role of a married woman, who is kidnapped by Abhishek.

Soon they get attracted to each other and the story progresses. Mani's Raavan is played by AB Jr.

Mani is being extra cautious about not incurring the wrath of religious groups and has done away with an intimate scene between Aishwarya and her kidnapper.

Abhishek's sister commits suicide after being humiliated by Vikram (who plays Ash's husband), so Abhi kidnaps Ash and takes her into the jungle.

Over time, they develop feelings for each other and there's a subtle love track between them.

There was also a love-making scene between Ash and Abhishek in the script but Mani decided to do away with it after realising the sensitivity of the subject.

An insider adds, "Mani has tried to keep away any parallels between Ramayana and his film.

Even though he may deny it, the fact remains that the film is a modern day adaptation of the epic, with the focus being on the Ravana-Sita chapter."

The film has Govinda in the role of Hanuman while Nikhil Dwivedi plays Laxman.

STATIONed in Kolkata

AbhiAsh were shooting for Mani Ratnam's Raavan in Kolkatta. Although Abhishek wrapped up his shoot on March 5, he stayed back for three days to spend time with his wife.

A source from the unit reveals, "The last three-day schedule was a night shoot at Chitpore railway station in Kolkata.
The shoots used to start at late night-early morning, as they only had permission to shoot after 9.40 pm after the last train left.

Abhishek was present on the sets all the three days." The crowd at the station was very difficult to handle. Extra security was called at the station as people had gathered to see the couple.

Hot Scenes from movie Karma Aur Holi

Slumdog footballer Becomes 'Oscar' winner

Colaba youth won the Heroes Award for using football to spread education in his slum neighbourhood through his Oscar club

India and Mumbai have yet another Oscar winner in Ashok Rathod (20), a resident of the Babasaheb Ambedkar slums in Colaba, who won the Real Heroes Award instituted by CNN-IBN, in partnership with Reliance Industries Ltd. Rathod, who won in the youth category, is an inspiration to the 100-odd youngsters in his neighbourhood.

He began the Oscar Club in Colaba in 2006, which primarily coaches members in football and rugby, as an outlet for teens in difficult circumstances. Rathod says it was with a strong urge to change the world that he started the club. "I was lucky that I could attend school and meet people who changed my life, and the life of others in the slums where I grew up," said Rathod. It was in school and a chance encounter with a non-governmental organisation that helped Rathod fine-tune his skills in not just playing football, but also rugby and the art of mentoring slum youth.

Rathod says his most painful experience has been watching his friends fall prey to drugs and gambling. "This sparked off the urge to make life different. I began training children to play football over the weekend after making them promise that they would have to attend informal reading, writing and arithmetic classes for free thrice a week," Rathod adds. "Our condition is that if you want to play, you have to study. You need not be a good player. We are now working on ways to convince conservative slum-dwellers to send their girls to school," he says.

Rathod was among 24 real heroes who were given the award and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each on Thursday. "He has given us a new purpose in life. He is our hero," says Shankar whose friends Govind and Maruti practice football and rugby as a team with him at the Oval Maidan.

I won't waste my time on Delhi-6: Emraan Hashmi

Still basking in the afterglow of the Raaz success, Emraan Hashmi came online to chat with his fans on buzz18.com. Here is the excerpt of the chat.

[tausif] asks: assalamualikum

Hi everyone...glad to be chatting with you all. What are you waiting for? Ask

[hee] asks: hey! so when do we see u next?

Tu Mile releasing in July...definitely watch it. I am paired with Soha.

[sam] asks: I like u r acting in Footpath,after that Jannat i like raaz now your expression and acting.But some movies are not really nothing to make u act why u choose those?Please go for movies like footpaths role

Well i made few mistakes and chose bad films. I am being more cautious. Hopefully u will see another char like Foothpath next year.

[hee] asks: u have worked with newcomers...is it better to work with them or with established actresses>?

newcomers...b'coz they bring along a freshness in the film.

[upasana] asks: what do you think of Slimdog Millionaire as a film? and what do you think of Delhi six? How do they compare with the kind of films you star in

I've heard D6 is not good so I wont waste my time. Slumdog after all the hype...my wife is forcing me to go with her.

[ravi 880] asks: hi, imran how u feel when u kiss ur co-star in front of all the unit

it feels gr8...thats why i do it so often. But it is definitely not for everyone. Better left only to me.

[hee] asks: How was it working with Soha and what is Tu Mile all about? With u in a film we can always expect something different right?

soha is very chilled out...and a fine actor. Tum Mile is definitely one of my fav films i have worked on. It opens in July.

[jjbhoi] asks: emraan .. are you acting in any hollywood movie now a days besides hindi films? if yes , which one is in your kitty?

No not yet...i wud prefer to stick to Hindi as of now.

[rohit008] asks: Who do you think is the hottest actress in Bollywood?

There are so many of them very hard to choose one. But if i had to pick on I'd say Kangana.

[sam] asks: thanks , i really a great fan of you from Footpath especially the acting .Work is work now each and every movie contains so many kisses it is turning to a normal thing now, to attract audiance or marketing stratergy?

Ya when i started it everyone followed...but i guess i will always be the original

[deepak] asks: what is important to be a Good actor good Looking or good acting?

A=[ Ans ]:i dont have the former...so hopefully i have a bit of the latter to make me click.

[upasana] asks: hi emraan heard you have had an eye problem.... how are you feeling now?

Thinking of getting the eye removed tomorrow. And then i cud do a pirate's role...a one-eyed pirate.

[imam] asks: when r we gona see u in some intelligent thriller?

i m doing a thriller called raftaar 24x7...which releases in aug. There's Neha and Sagarika with me.

[ravi 880] asks: what is ur basic phylospy in life

Just chill out..dont take too much stress...AND KEEP KISSING

Q=[ayancs84] asks: Emraan r u doing any comedy movies ?

not at the moment...i tried doing one but i turned out to be my worst nightmare...it's called Good boy Bad boy. But i wudnt mind a good comedy.

[shrijhapallath] asks: hi emraan iam ur gr8 fan ur too cool onscreen like ur so much and how was it working with co stars in raaz-2 i liked it so much

at any point of time i was working only with Kangana in the film. It's only in the climax that we had more than two people so it was great.

[nasreen] asks: hi am a big fan of urs...any movies of urs releasing apart from the bhatt camp?

Ya Raftaar in non Bhatt and hopefully if Once upon a time in Bombay happens...i am open to doing films outside Bhatt camp

[sam] asks: I saw one incident in some reality show some blood came out for that also a girl came and try to hold you so tightly u also got upset that time,Anyway what exactly happened with you.Everything okey with you or you really hurt by that incident.

No not really...it was something that was done in fun by the show people, can't take these things seriously.

[tapansharma] asks: do you particularly act with a certain set of directors? atleast we can see that...any specific reasons for the same?

Just that we have a great success rate and am willing to work with any director who gives me an interesting script. Have had hits with Mohit Suri, Kunal, Anurag.

[jjbhoi] asks: emraan .. what is ur hobby? what you most like to do during leasure?

I like to google myself...recently i hav got into still photography also

Movie Veer makers fined Rs.20 lakh

A while ago there was news about how the unit of Salman Khan's ambitious period film Veer was in trouble for causing damage to the Amer fort. For the uninitiated, the shooting at the sixteenth century Amer fort was brought to a halt after six days following a wall collapse.

The Rajasthan High court gave its nod for the shooting to resume but this decision comes with a rider. The picture is not clear though. The damage to the historical structure may or may have not been done but the Veer producers have to abide by the condition.

The producers have been asked for Rupees 20 lakh for damaging the wall of the protected Amer fort. The producers will have to pay and they've been given four days, two to shoot and two to wind up. Then they have to leave.

Vijay Galani, the producer of Veer has said, "The crew will have to wind up the shooting within four days and pay Rupees 20 lakh as compensation to the government. This amount will be utilised to restore the fort and to give to those injured in the wall collapse. I'm happy that the court has made this order."

But this might prove to be a temporary relief for the producers. The Ministry of Culture at the Centre has taken a serious note of the damage caused to the fort's wall and an enquiry has been ordered.

Abhishek has only 11 lines in Delhi-6

Here's a secret about the much-anticipated Delhi- 6.
Abhishek Bachchan doesn't speak much in the film. In fact, Rakeysh Mehra lets out that Abhishek has barely 11 lines to speak in the whole film!

This makes Delhi 6 Abhishek's most silent performance to date. "He's quiet, very quiet in the film," admits director Rakeysh Mehra. "His character is more like a silent observer than a commentator."
At the film's screening at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York on Sunday evening, Delhi-6 got three standing ovations. "We were overwhelmed. Somewhere, the story of an American NRI's return to his roots connected with the New York audience. So far, our films about homecoming meant picture-postcard villages and sarson ke khet, as though 'home' was linked only to nostalgia. In Delhi-6, the protagonist comes home from one dynamic society in flux to another. I think that connected with the audiences in New York."

Hrithik's Kites sold at a whopping Amount!

It was reported that Big Pictures has bought the worldwide rights of the Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori and Kangana Ranaut starrer, Kites for 100 crores. Though the exact figure has not yet been disclosed by the concerned parties, this is probably the highest price paid for a Hindi movie!

However, a few terms and conditions have been laid while finalizing the deal of the Anurag Basu directed Kites. It is as follows: Since the film is being made in Hindi and English, the deal has been left open ended with a minimum price frozen. If the film's English version manages to be released in non-traditional markets and if the producers succeed in dubbing the film in German, Russian, French etc. for the simultaneous release of the dubbed versions (along with the Hindi and English versions), Rakesh Roshan's company will get more than the stipulated price.

Fair enough and looks like it will be a cracker of a Diwali this year as Filmkarafts' magnum opus Kites is expected to release on the festive occasion.

Billu Barber turns to Billu, as film faces hairdressers' ire

aking a cue from protests over the title of Oscar-nominated film "Slumdog Millionaire" in India, hundreds of hairdressers have slammed the Bollywood film "Billu Barber", forcing its makers to drop the word "barber" from the title.

Media reports said "Billu Barber", the story of a village hairdresser who is a childhood friend of a Bollywood actor played by Shah Rukh Khan, was criticised by an association of hairdressers who found the title offensive.

The term "barber" in India usually connotes a travelling professional in small towns and villages, who gives haircuts and shaves using minimum paraphernalia and at very low charges.

"I don't think it's wrong, they have their own take on it. Instead of going to and fro on who's wrong, we decided on the posters and hoardings ... we'll stick a paper on the word 'barber' wherever it can be done," Khan told CNN-IBN channel.

Khan, arguably Bollywood's most bankable star, talked to an association of hairdressers and salon owners and said he would hide the word "barber" from posters and billboards, and bleep out the word from the film, which releases on Feb. 13.

"I just wanted to make sure people were not unhappy," said Khan, whose production company is associated with the film.

"I still don't understand the reason but if they are so emotional about it, we will do what we can."

"Slumdog Millionaire", which has swept major international awards, has been flayed by some Indians for its portrayal of "poverty porn" while a social activist has filed a complaint against the title in a local Mumbai court.

SRK has planned to invite 400 barbers at premiere of Billu Barber

Aggressive marketing seems to be the mantra of filmmakers today. If Aamir Khan got barber’s to give the ushers at some multiplexes a buzz-cut, after his own style, to promote Ghajini, Shah Rukh Khan has gone a step further. SRK has planned to invite about 400 barbers, from across Maharashtra with their families, at the premiere of Billu Barber.

Director Priyadarshan confirmed the story and said, “Instead of having celebs over for the premiere of Billu Barber, Shah Rukh has planned to invite 400 barbers and their families to the premiere. His idea is to welcome barbers for the premiere on February 12, as the film revolves around Irrfan Khan, who plays a barber. Things are just getting organised for the première and the office is also in talks with the barbers’ association to get everything sorted for the big day.”

Red Chillies’ Billu Barber revolves around the story of two childhood friends, one a poor village barber, played by Irrfan Khan and a superstar (Shah Rukh Khan) and the equation between these friends from diverse backgrounds. The characters are based on Lord Krishna and Sudama.”

Shilpa Shetty takes a dig at Slumdog Millionaire: Now

After Amitabh Bachchan’s alleged criticism against the Oscar-nominated Danny Boyle flick ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, actress Shilpa Shetty is the latest to slam the movie.

According to the actress, ‘Slumdog’ is basically a grim portrayal of India and Mumbai in particular.

Shilpa says, "Obviously it`s about the slums. I just feel that internationally recognised films focus more on our slums and poverty. So I just wrote on my blog two days ago that for a change, I`m doing a film that focuses on the beauty of India and its culture. That`ll be interesting to watch as well."

Other than Big B and Shilpa Shetty, filmmaker Priyadarshan and actress Preity Zinta have already expressed their disappointment over the film`s content and depiction.