The trade buzz is that papa Rakesh Roshan is busy giving finishing touches to the script of Krrish 2.

While no one on board will give an official comment it is said that Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan will have a double role in the film, with Dr Jekyl/Mr Hyde traits. It is also hinted that since SFX are such a craze with the teens, the baddie in this very popular sequel will be part-robot-part-human and technicians from abroad will fly down specially to work with Roshan Senior, who has an envious box office track record. And who will romance Hrithik in this caper?

Allegedly Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif will play the lead, but of course since everything is premature, and official sources keep dismissing the whole premise as a figment of the media’s imagination. However, the fact is that the father-son combo of Roshans usually create a flutter even if they sneeze.

Bikram Saluja’s latest work, ‘An Actor’s Inspiration’, feels like an Indianised version of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’ and Martin Scorsese’s ‘Raging Bulls’, only that it is a for-private-circulation-only coffee table book and not a movie.

It is like watching a movie in the photographic format with the narrative threading the whole work together.

“I wanted to do something independently,” says Saluja. “When I started out with the book, the work coming my way wasn’t interesting enough and I didn’t want to do just anything for the sake of being in circulation,” he says candidly.

So rather than waiting for the right stuff to come, Saluja drew inspiration from his favourite movies to create his own destiny. “Making a full fledged film at that time seemed like an enormous task. But I needed to find for myself the right artistic expression, to learn and to expand my horizons.”

“I was fortunate enough to have worked with some great photographers during my modeling days, and when I pitched the idea of doing a photographic book to two of my close friends who are also photographers, they were game for it and we decided to collaborate.”

A look at the book and his passion for what he was doing is hard to miss. The elaborate sets, the fine photography and the immaculately put together book took 4 years to create.

“Finding the right concept and to be able to do justice to what I had started out to do was a daunting task. It needed to be though provoking, challenging and of course it had to be related to cinema,” says Saluja.

And this book could well be the ‘break’ Saluja needs. When asked if this could be is stepping stone to movie making, Saluja is quick to reply. “Absolutely! This has definitely set a base. I was working not just in the capacity of an actor but in each and every department right from conceptualizing and interpreting to working with actors, to locations, post production,” he says.

“It was pretty much like putting a film together the only difference being that we were shooting through a still camera and not a movie camera.”

The foreword for the film has been written by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. “As an actor, everyone dreams of sharing screen space with him. With Amitabhji writing the foreword for my book, I feel that I have been able to share space with him in some small way. It’s like his seal of approval,” quips Saluja.

Saluja says he looks forward to acting. “For the past two years, I have been totally into this book, so it’s been much like a sabbatical. I’ve lived like a hermit living in obscurity for the past two years with only one thing on my mind. But yes, if I get roles that I like then I am more than happy to get back into my actor’s shoes. If not, then I have plans to write my own script and direct.”

And if his movies would be anything like his book, it will surely be something to watch out for!

Source: Meghna Lal/ India Syndicate

That isn’t all. She has just been declared as the sexiest Asian actress by a leading Asian website from London.

But the girl remains grounded, so much so that she refuses to budge from her abode in a bustling part of Mumbai. “I know I’ve been reading about relocating my home. I admit I’ve looked at a few properties. But nothing seriously. Though it’s a little noisy on my street I’m too attached to the place I stay in. I’m also too lazy to make a move. Yes I’ll need a bigger place when my sister Isabelle joins me. But right now she’s studying acting in the US. There’s still time,” yawns Bollywood’s hottest and sexiest girl.

So is she planning to move home? “Not at all. I’ve always wanted a home by the sea. But I love my current home too much. So no plans of moving”

No plans of signing any new films yet either. “It’s very sweet of directors to mention my name in forthcoming projects. I feel privileged. But I haven’t said yes to anything new. At the moment I’ve cut my workload by half because of my ill health.”

As for being designated one of Asia’s sexiest women by Eastern Eye Katrina laughs, “Me? Hot and sexy? Nah. People should see me at home. I’m painfully unglamorous. Just another working girl making a living.”

Source: Bollywood Hungama

Julia Roberts is impressed with Mrunalinni Dayal’s forthcoming film Dhuaaan – The Fire Within based on a true story, but won’t be able to attend the premiere due to prior commitments.

Roberts watched vignettes of Dhuaaan with Claire Raskind, the publicist of her film Eat Pray, Love, while she was shooting for the film at the Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, Haryana.

“Julia is very excited about Dhuaaan because it’s based on a true story of a female protagonist like Erin Brockovich, which is a film very dear to her. Secondly because the filmmaker is a woman,” Raskind said in a press statement.

“It is a universal story of the fight against injustice, of a single individual against erring institutions. Julia has complemented director Mrunalinni on a commendable effort and wishes the film every success,” she added.

Mrunalinni invited the Pretty Woman to attend Dhuaaan premiere here on Dec 18. The actress won’t be able to attend it, but she has requested her Indian spiritual guru Swami Shri Dharam Devji Maharaj, of Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, to attend on her behalf.

“Julia, however, regrets being able to accept the invitation to personally attend the premiere in Mumbai in December and has requested her spiritual Guru Shri Swami Dharam Devji Maharaj to attend on her behalf,” said Raskind.

Dharam Devji Maharaj, who has anointed her children with Hindu names, has confirmed his attendance.

A fantasy adventure Aladin starring Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan becomes the first Hindi film to kick off the South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) here since its inception in 2004. Director Sujoy Ghosh says “it’s like a wish come true”.

Aladin, that also stars Sanjay Dutt as Ringmaster, Riteish Deshmukh in the title role and debutante Jacqueline Fernandes as Jasmine, will be screened at The Paris Theatre on Oct 28.

“It is definitely a wish come true to be chosen as the opening film for SAIFF. A lot of people have worked over a period of a long time to make Aladin and an honour like this fully makes it worthwhile. It’s a great platform for an Indian film to be showcased to a global audience. I am grateful to SAIFF for making this happen for Aladin.” said Ghosh.

“We are excited and honoured to kick off the weeklong festival with Sujoy Ghosh’s first feature film,” said Shilen Amin, SAIFF President, in a press statement.

“SAIFF’s continuing mission is to discover new artists and provide an international platform to emerging independent South Asian filmmakers to showcase their creativity. Sujoy is exceptionally skilled in storytelling and brings the latest in Bollywood’s foray into special effects, establishing never before seen practices in its film production history! Aladin will offer audiences a chance to see how films have changed and what is still to come out of our beloved film industry,” added Amin.

Negar Khan shot to fame with her first Bollywood movie Shaadi Ka Laddoo. She was born in Iran and was raised in Norway. Apart from her red-hot looks, this sexy gal is really talented. She is a singer, model and actress who made her own name within a short span.

Source: India Syndicate

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says no to reality shows due to her film commitments

A recent news story issued by a channel suggested Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was ousted by Madhuri Dixit for one of their reality shows, citing monies as an issue. It’s alarming and rather sad to see that a channel by issuing such a statement is trying to ride on the popularity of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to get publicity for their reality show.

We would wish to clarify that this is an act of fiction, fact being that ARB who is known to be a through professional had to refuse the show on account of her commitment to films. She is presently busy with a grueling schedule of GUZAARISH, while ENDHIRAN (ROBOT), ACTION REPLAY and RAVAAN is all near completion thus the subject of monies and costing never did arise as discussions did not go beyond schedules and dates.

The proposal had come to Aishwarya through the Moranis and even Shiamak did push Aishwarya to do the show but the dates could just not be worked out.

Shiamak added, “I would love to have her as she is the best and we go back a long way. I have been her teacher and worked closely with her on TAAL and numerous stage shows. For me she is a true blend of total perfection, total beauty and a complete performer. It would have been ideal if her busy schedule would have permitted her to do this show. I would have been the happiest person”.

This is not the first reality show that Aishwarya has been approached for. Various proposals have come along but her schedules thus far have not allowed her to even consider the same. We would again like to reiterate that it was wrong and unfair for the channel to proclaim that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was too expensive and therefore they had to go with another host when the discussions did not even go beyond discussing dates.

source : glamsham

Yash Raj Films has been cranking out hits (and the occasional flop) since the 70’s, and they’re surely a force to reckon with in the Hindi film industry. If you’re the least bit plugged in, it’s been hard to get away from the promos for Dil Bole Hadippa (DBH), their latest release. When even the “making of” clips promise just about all the elements that YRF is known for, the bar is set high for the sugary deliciousness they throw into the masala pot.

The good news is if you like your Yash Raj in the style of say, oh, I don’t know…. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) (a film they reference overtly and repeatedly in DBH), you’re probably going to like this one. It’s got all the elements: a melodramatic heartwarming family story that’s just a hair shy of soap opera-ish (DDLJ), a lot of pro-Indian flag waving (literally!) extolling the virtues of the country (Veer-Zaara (2004)), some Indo/Pak sports rivalry mixed with calls of “but we’re really both pulling for peace”, a romance that starts out with the leads hating each other, some religion, a little bit of NRI love/hate, and a lead character dreaming the impossible dream. Oh, and cricket, and I don’t mean the one chirping in the mustard field.

I can’t imagine anything I’m saying here is a spoiler. Unless this is your first Hindi film, you can read the writing on the wall and predict just about every story element as it’s introduced. As with most YRF products, the plot itself name checks a bunch of other YR films one way or the other, and some scenes echo other major studio releases from the last 10 years like Jab We Met (2007). The film shamelessly pulls out all the stops to pluck heartstrings that have been touched before. It’s déjà vu all over again, but who cares when the outcome is predictably fun?

The film uses up most of its songs before the interval, including the highly entertaining “Discowale Khisko,” which shows off all the colors, rhythms and people of the filmi Panjab, with just a little bit of pride in India and reintegration of the London resident Rohan thrown in. Vaibhavi Merchant was a good selection for lead choreographer for this film, as the dance moves get away from the often cornier faux-jazz edge of Shiamak Davar and blend a folksy bhangra with a little bit of hip hop lite without seeming too twee. Shahid Kapoor trained at Damar’s hand and he sometimes needs a little bit of guidance to avoid appearing as robotic as Harman Baweja when dancing. Rani Mukherjee studied Odissi from the way back, and her dancing is loose, technical, and infectious to watch, especially when she lets go.

Thank God for Rani Mukherjee. She’s had hits, weathered some hits, and grown from her flops. With all the emphasis lately on finding actresses under 20 for 40-something leading men, it’s important that she’s still around to add the mature depth she brings to the silliness. In her dual female/male role of Veera Kaur/Veer Pratap Singh, a lot of the believability of the plot gimmicks rests on her, and she is well up to the task. Veer and Veera are large personalities who don’t give up, yet are also distinct. They are energetic without being too cloying.

Shahid Kapoor plays his role as Rohan Singh with aplomb. He trades insults with the vaguely bumpkin gavwali Veera Kaur in a comedic fashion, and acts the good yet emotionally wounded son, the order-barking cricket captain, and the love-struck puppy believably. He’s not asked to do much more than mug a bit, be a decent guy, and have muscles. He does each just fine. As an actor it feels like his best is yet to come, and roles like these may be less-than-challenging.

There’s a tiny feminist undertone to the tale in Veera’s dream of playing cricket for the Indian team at the 2011 World Cup, but before you get excited that this marks something innovative about female characters on the well-traveled path of this film, there are also two throwaway characters (Sherlyn Chopra and Rakhi Sawant) who seem to be there mostly for their small costumes. As Soniya, Chopra’s only reason for being is to contrast her “foreign” T-and-A and disdain about India with Veera’s homegrown earthy larkii. The contrasts may be so marked intentionally, and they also undercut the impact of Veera’s accomplishments. The cricket plot slows the film’s pace down in the second half, and unless you’re a sports fan you may find it hard to focus on the details.

High production values go a long way to keep DBH from falling into schlock, though when you step back from the narrative for a minute, despite all the plot lines, its thinness begins to show through. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – the film’s core is lighthearted, colorful, and positive. It raises some contemporary social issues without getting into preachyville. The Panjab here has wide-open green vistas where your future is right in front of you and everyone’s your friend.

If you let your mind relax into the journey of the film, you might not anticipate some of the plot twists, or you may not care if you do. The film’s imagery and plot are formulaic, and have largely been a winning format. How long will audiences find satisfaction in the familiar? It’s the question on everyone’s lips, but no one knows the answer.

Vidya Balan launches latest issue of Marie Claire at Crossword, Kmeps Corner in Mumbai.