Shahid Kapoor to star in Sabbir Khan’s next titled Heer And Ranjha

After directing the Akshay Kumar- Kareena Kapoor starrer Kambakkht Ishq last year, Sabbir Khan is now ready to get rolling with his next project, once again for producer Sajid Nadiadwala. The film in question is a love story tentatively titled Heer And Ranjha and the buzz is that Shahid Kapoor has been signed to play the male lead. The hunt for the female lead is still on.

The makers are still tight-lipped about the project as it’s too early to talk about it but in all probability the film will go on floors sometime in Feb 2011. As for Shahid, this would be the project that he would be jumping onto after wrapping up dad Pankaj Kapur’s Mausam. Incidentally, this is the first time that Shahid would be working with Sajid Nadiadwala who has worked with almost all the big names in the industry. Director Sabbir Khan too has been working extra hard on the script of this young love story. With the combo of Sajid, Shahid and Sabbir coming together, this one promises to be another fun-filled entertainer.

Nadiadwala announces release date of his musical Anjaana Anjaani

Celebrations are continuing for Sajid Nadiadwala. While his Housefull is holding on well at the box office after a terrific opening, he is also readying up plans for his first ever musical Anjaana Anjaani. The film is now all set for 24th September release.

“That’s right, 24th September is the confirmed release date for Anjaana Anjaani. This is the first ever 100% romantic musical film from my banner. I can proudly say that this is the best ever music made for a film of mine”, says Nadiadwala.

Coming from him, this is indeed a tall statement since traditionally; music has stayed on to be one of the highlights of his movies. Right from Jeet till Housefull, his movies have been remembered for their popular appeal. Whether it is Judwaa, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jaan-E-Mann, Heyy Babyy or Kambakkht Ishq – movies coming from the house of Nadiadwala have boasted of at least one chartbuster track.

“Well, it’s going to be an entirely different experience in case of Anjaana Anjaani”, says Nadiadwala who certainly has an eye on mass entertainers, “Vishal-Shekhar, who have composed the music of my film, have touched a new high this time around. There are seven songs in the film and I can comfortably state that they have managed to do something which is on the lines of Aashiqui. Music created by Nadeem-Sharavan for that film is considered cult today. I am sure Anjaana Anjaani too will find similar space for itself in years to come.”

Association of Vishal-Shekhar and Siddharth goes back a long way. After creating music for Siddharth’s debut film Salaam Namaste, Vishal-Shekhar also collaborated with the young filmmaker for Ta Ra Rum Pum and Bachna Ae Haseeno.

While Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are the obvious star attraction in Anjaana Anjaani, Nadiadwala continues to be mighty excited with the way music has shaped up for his film.

“For director Siddharth Anand as well as me, Anjaana Anjaani has been en entirely new experience. For some movies, the highlight factor is action or comedy; in case of Anjaana Anjaani it is music. Vishal and Shekhar have given their best ever score till date”, says Nadiadwala.

Other than being conscious about the way music has shaped up for his film, Nadiadwala also ensured that the best of the best was roped in for Anjaana Anjaani when it came to technical front. The film’s DOP is Ravi Chandran, Sharmishtha Roy has handled art direction while Nakul Kamte is the sound designer.

“We have roped in number of top technicians, most of whom are National Award winners”, says Nadiadwala proudly, ” Anjaana Anjaani was meant to be a quality fare and I am glad that it has lived up to my vision on how a romantic musical should be.”

Well, going by the confidence that Nadiadwala has in his film, one looks forward to see how the film has indeed shaped up. Come 24th September and we would know.

Arjun Rampal keeps low profile post grandmother’s demise

It’s a bitter sweet moment for Arjun Rampal, where on one end his multi starrer film Housefull is up for release, on the other hand he is drowned in grief due to a personal tragedy.

Arjun is faced with the demise of his grandmother whom he was extremely close too. It’s a personal loss for the actor and he is therefore keeping a low profile. While all the other actors are going all out and promoting the film, it seems like Arjun might take time away from some of the activities as he comes to terms with this sudden misfortune.

Bollywood Hungama feels the loss of the actor and extends its deepest sympathy.

Housefull makers give press shows the skip

In what could be seen as a radical departure from the norm, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has decided to do away with any press screening of his new summer biggie Housefull which releases tomorrow.

His logic for this somewhat historic move is simple. Why allow adverse comments to go out when the film is about to be released?

Admitting he has aborted press screenings for Housefull, Nadiadwala says, “When my last film Kambakkht Ishq was released, the reviews were up on a day before, on Thursday. None of them did my film any good. Now we have Twitter where comments are spread faster than viruses on the computer. It may sound arrogant but I’m not holding press shows because my film can’t afford the criticism.”

But why is Nadiadwala so sure the press won’t like the film?

Says the producer, “My film has a monkey slapping Akshay Kumar, a dog, a tiger and sleepwalking father who suddenly comes awake to sing, ‘Papa Jag Jayega’. It isn’t the most logical of films. It’s for the masses. So let the critics watch it with the masses on Friday.”

However, Nadiadwala has been gracious enough to call up every critic in Mumbai personally to explain his position. “I hope they understand. They’re all my friends. In fact I have made the stars of my next film Anjaana Anjaani sign a NDA (non disclosure agreement) to keep information away from Twitter. If critics are willing to do the same I’d be happy to show them my film in advance. But the habit of tweeting and posting comments on new films on Facebook has to stop. It’s very damaging.”

Adds Housefull director Sajid Khan, “I have no clue why the press screening is not on. I’m not the producer, merely the director.”

"No one better than Eros in overseas" – Sajid Nadiadwala

“There’s no one better than Kishore Lulla (Eros) in overseas,” says long time associate Sajid Nadiadwala who has joined hands yet again for his hot-n-happening next release Housefull. “Kishore is one of the finest human beings I have met and a very fair person. There’s an outstanding chemistry between me and Kishore. He’s not merely a businessman but he’s also very sensitive about his films,” Nadiadwala adds.

Sajid-Kishore bonding goes back to successful films like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Heyy Babyy, Kambakkht Ishq and now Housefull which is carrying excellent reports. “Whenever we’ve worked, we’ve created a buzz. Heyy Babyy grossed Rs. 50 crores and it was the biggest grosser of Akshay’s career then. The first day collection of Kambakkht Ishq was No. 1 as it had Rs 8.5 crores.” Alright, how was your experience of working on Housefull? “Fantastic. Kishore gives a free hand in making the film. He has a brilliant office infrastructure in Mumbai handled by his brother Sunil Lulla. Hope our association works well in Housefull as well and it breaks all records.”

Housefull will be having one of the “biggest, widest releases. It will release in 2000 + screens across the world,” Nadiadwala informs. As for his superhit combo with Eros, Sajid hopes that it will continue to reap rich dividends even for their eagerly anticipated project Anjaana Anjaani starring Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor which is releasing in a few months time.

Moonlight Serenade

Moonlight Serenade, The winners of the DVD are deb c (21), Neville Thompson (23), Alicia (42) and Ambre (64).

The musical romance stars one of my favorite actresses, two-time Academy Award-nominee Amy Adams. She is wonderful in this movie. It’s a treat to hear her angelica voice as she sings familiar standards.  I only wish she was in a better story. The hurdles at the beginning of the movie are unclear and make it hard to understand the tribulation the main characters endure.

Alec Newman co-stars as a successful financial manager by day and a complicated musician by night, hears an angelic and beautiful voice outside his window one night, accompanying him as he plays the piano.

The mysterious voice turns out to be Chloe (Adams), the coat check girl from the local jazz club.  Nate pursues Chloe, but it is Chloe who persuades Nate to form a musical act with her. As the pair’s melodic collaboration heats up, their professional relationship soon becomes personal and develops into something more than just a shared interest in music.

Apparently, Adams work on this film in 2006 after she finished Junebug.  Moonlight Serenade sat in post-production and just recently was released to DVD.

Harman,Kareena Named Worst Actors At Golden Kela Awards

INDIA NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor Harman Baweja was named worst actor and Kareena Kapoor got the worst actress title on Friday night at the second annual Golden Kela awards, a spin-off on Hollywood’s Razzies.

Baweja won the Worst Actor award for his performance in What’s Your Raashee? while Kareena was adjudged Worst Actress for her role in Kambakkht Ishq.

The chief guest of the evening was Bollywood funnyman Cyrus Broacha, who was awarded the Cyrus Broacha Memorial Award.

“It’s great. I’m thrilled. I hope to win this award every year,” Cyrus said in his cheeky fashion.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar won the Bas Kijiye Bahut Ho Gaya (Please stop its enough) Award!, asking him to stop making films. In a great crossover moment, even Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards won the Baawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke (Have you gone nuts) Award for participating in expensive flop Kambakkht Ishq alongside Kareena and Akshay Kumar.

The worst supporting actor (male and female) went to Ranvir Shorey and Deepika Padukone respectively for their roles in Chandni Chowk To China. While the worst film went to Kambakkht Ishq, Ashutosh Gowariker was declared worst director for What’s Your Raashee?.

The function at the India Habitat Centre here was complete with digs at actors, from old timers to the new ones. After hearing open digs at veteran actors Rajendra Kumar, late Feroz Khan and filmmaker Yash Chopra, Cyrus said: “If we want to abuse, we should abuse everybody.”

Rahul Ram, the vocalist of popular band Indian Ocean performed a humorous take on the song Nani teri morni… and Raat ke musafir.

Jackky Bhagnani and Shruti Haasan were declared the worst newcomer actors for their roles in Kal Kissne Dekha and Luck respectively.

Rani Mukerji-starrer Dil Bole Hadippa! was given the Most Original Story award for being copied from Hollywood’s She’s The Man while her pairing with Shahid Kapoor in the same was named the Worst Pair.

In the special award winners category were director Kabir Khan and producer Aditya Chopra who were the recipients of a Lajja (Shame) Award for the Worst Treatment of a Serious Issue in New York, Abhishek Bachchan won the Dara Singh Award for worst accent in Delhi-6.

In the same category, an Insensitivity Award went to Chandni Chowk To China while a Black Award for Emotional Blackmail went to Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Paa.

None of the stars named for the awards were present at the gala. Launched by Random magazine last year, the gala is a spin-off on Hollywood’s Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as the Razzies, which recognises the worst in cinema.

Blue Is The Most Dangerous Film I’ve Done,Akki

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who has performed innumerable death-defying stunts in his nearly two decade old films career, says his upcoming underwater thriller Blue is his “most dangerous” film ever.

“This experience has pushed just about everyone involved to their absolute limits – from the producer’s bank balance, to the director’s maximum efforts for his first baby, which just happens to be the most dangerous movie I’ve ever been a part of,” Akshay posted on his blog akshay.bigadda.com.

Blue, which is about an underwater treasure hunt, has been directed by debutant Anthony D’Souza. Releasing Friday, it also features Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan, Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif along with Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue in a cameo.

The movie is being touted as the most expensive ever in the film with industry insiders claiming that producer producer Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd has splurged Rs.80 crore on its making.

D’Souza brought down Hollywood’s renowned underwater cinematography specialist Pete Zuccarini, who shot for Pirates of the Caribbean series, to shoot underwater scenes. James Bomalick of Indiana Jones fame was also engaged to choreograph the action sequences in the movie.

Shooting with such world-renowned experts has been one memorable experience for Akshay.

“What I loved shooting about this film other than the extreme stunts, the pressure and hardcore diving sessions with all those hungry sharks around, was the fact that I got to work with the most talented team I’ve ever come across.

“Pete Zuccarini is a person I’ll never forget. He taught me not only to look like a fish but act, swim and feel like I belonged underwater and that’s why I pushed myself to my limit in this film,” posted Akshay.

The 42-year-old further wrote that the crew’s dedication motivated him to “attempt” at being a human dolphin for them.

“I trained myself to be able to handle whatever these guys could throw at me. When there is an entire crew waiting for you to nail a shot, you do not want to go wrong. I respected their time and effort and they respected my attempt at being a human dolphin for them,” he added.

Now, after his critically panned movies like Chandni Chowk To China, 8X10 Tasveer and Kambakkht Ishq, Akshay is hoping that Blue gets appreciated.

“If this movie gets appreciated half as much as it deserves, I’d be a very happy man. It has created a new Bollywood dimension and no matter what the outcome may be, I take my hat off to everyone who made this movie,” said Akshay.

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Blue Is The Most Dangerous Film I’ve Done,Akki was first posted on December 4, 2009 at 4:12 pm.
©2009 “India News“.

De Dana Dan Movie Review

In an interview to a music station, Akshay Kumar, the hero of this film, says: He had been told three times this script again, and still did not quite get it. This, I suppose, is a good reason to register for a film.

Akshay, it’s easy to say, is an instinctive comedian. Her career decisions should not be different. I am sure that had applied the same basis – “Eh, what’s this? Let’s make the movie, sure!” – Selecting the scripts for his recent work: Blue, Kambakkht Ishq, Chandni Chowk to China et al .

Surprisingly, the hero, halfway through, disappears from the screen altogether. Probably could not take it beyond a point. His character, a home help, nor can take your head obnoxiously demanding (Archana Puran Singh). He and his friend (Sunil Shetty) to kidnap his pet for ransom. Back home from the pet, Akshay, the servant, is considered kidnapped instead. This makes for a good plot. Not even for one quarter of this film.

Suddenly the action shifts entirely to other bullets, one after another unrelated. De Dana Dan, is the background score. Your ears begin to roll. Deciphering the narrative then becomes a minor problem in solving a math puzzle – with all the permutations and combinations.

Paresh Rawal, arguably the top movie star in Gujarat, money plays a Punjabi-swindler “Chadha Saab” instead. The cops are chasing. He has two girlfriends and their parents to their son’s dowry. All brokers Priyadarshan’s (Asrani, Rajpal Yadav, who has a day or two) are chasing someone or the other. Simply exchange purposes. Shakti Kapoor as the sleaze, is, of course, chasing a prostitute. Some sense, or is intended.

There is simply no recess of this excess.

The image is the longest known advertisement for a Pan Pacific hotel, where the action takes place and a flood at random.

The backdrop is Singapore, where, like all Bollywood films placed abroad, an Indian waiter materializes impeccable Hindi from all over:, police, children courier TV reporters … Gender is, literally, slapstick, so stick it as a character or the other gets slapped across your cheeks, often got into masala, mud or mud cake.

Millions have suffered (or unwilling) Priyadarshan past successes (and failures) of a similar flow: Dhol, Bhaagam Bhaag, Garam Masala, etc. Mere baap Pehle AAP earlier this year, the director picked up the National Award Kanchivaram: an environment warm, quiet left-leaning Tamil film about a silk weaver and his family. Few, including myself, have seen that one.

In another interview, Priyadarshan said, “Somewhere in the line I realized that if critics like a movie, not work, and vice versa. I hope the hate Dan Dana.” Well, we certainly have accomplished our half the operation. I guess it’s for the public to comply with its promises of Priyadarshan.

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De Dana Dan Movie Review was first posted on December 1, 2009 at 3:03 pm.
©2009 “India News“.

Bollywood megastar touches parents’ feet every morning for success

Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar, who recently starred with Sylvester Stallone in “Kambakkht Ishq”, owes his success to touching the feet of his parents every morning.

He told CNN:  “I would say my success lies at the feet of my parents because that’s been my biggest strength and that’s what we Hindus believe.”

Kumar is quoted as giving a piece of advice: “Every morning before you go to work just touch your parents’ feet and go ahead in life.” He has reportedly told this mantra to a lot of people and claims that they have also been successful.

Kumar has also worked in a Warner Brother movie; starred with Denise Richards and Snoop Dogg in other films; and will appear with Kylie Minogue.

Akshay and Kareena for ‘Kambakkht Ishq‘

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Bollywood megastar touches parents’ feet every morning for success was first posted on September 4, 2009 at 3:54 pm.
©2009 “News Trends“.