Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor died at 79

MUMBAI: Legendary Bollywood heart-throb Shammi Kapoor, whose energetic acting and dancing style heavily influenced modern-day Indian film stars, died on Sunday aged 79.

“Shammi Kapoor ji passed away this morning at 5:15 am,” Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Twitter, using the Hindi honorific, saying Kapoor had brought “flamboyance and joie de vivre” to the screen.

Nikhil Gangavane, a family friend who headed the official Shammi Kapoor fan club, said the actor had been admitted to the private Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai within the last week.

“He was on a ventilator for three or four days. He was having some chest infection, which he had had for the last one or two years. He died of renal failure this morning,” Gangavane told AFP.

“He had been undergoing dialysis for the last six or seven years but developed complications.”

Kapoor’s dance performances in romantic hits such as “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” (You’re One of a Kind, 1957), “Dil Deke Dekho” (Give Your Heart and See, 1959) and “Junglee” (Wild, 1961) earned him comparisons with Elvis Presley.

Key to his success was his avid interest in music. Kapoor personally selected the songs he would dance and mime to, mindful that they needed to fit his exuberant on-screen style.

In doing so, he and singers like Mohammed Rafi provided some of the industry’s most popular and memorable tunes.

But he admitted much later that he was never a natural dancer, even if his original moves were a big draw for audiences and made him an unlikely romantic hero.

“The truth is I could never learn to dance. I even tried coaching classes but failed,” he told the BBC in a 2006 interview. “I always had a sense of music and rhythm. And that worked in my favour.”

In later years, as he withdrew from acting and directing, Kapoor became a champion of the Internet and was the founder-chairman of the Internet Users Community of India, maintaining a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

His own web site www.junglee.org.in profiled his famous family, the Kapoors, who have dominated Hindi-language cinema virtually since its inception.

He described himself on his Twitter account profile as a “Renaissance man, retired actor, computer buff”.

Tributes flooded in immediately from fellow actors and fans.

“It is a terrible shock. Shammi Kapoor was a wonderful human being. He is eternal,” actress Saira Banu, who starred alongside him in “Junglee”, told the CNN-IBN television news channel.

Film director Karan Johar described Kapoor on Twitter as “one of the finest and strongest men I knew” while Priyanka Chopra, one of today’s most glamorous Bollywood stars, said she was “at a loss” after hearing the news.

Kapoor’s cremation is expected on Monday. AGENCIES

Priyanka Chopra to release her international music album

She has wowed the Indian audience with her acting as well as crooning skills and now Priyanka Chopra is all set to venture onto the world stage releasing her debut music album.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Desi Hits, have signed a worldwide recording agreement with actress Priyanka Chopra. As a part of this deal, Priyanka will release her debut music album in North America with Desi Hits through Interscope Records and in other International markets on Island Records UK.

A trained Western Classical singer, Priyanka is currently in the studio, writing and recording her debut pop album, which will be sung in English. Troy Carter, CEO of Atom Factory, who also manages Lady Gaga has signed with Priyanka to manage her music career across the globe.

“It has been a long cherished dream which is finally coming true”, said Priyanka Chopra about her music debut. “I am truly excited to have an opportunity to present my musical dimension on a world platform. I am privileged to be a part of the Universal Music – Desi Hits family and to be working with some of the most illustrious names in the music industry. This is a fascinating new experience for me and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey”, added Priyanka.

Priyanka is also the first major international signing for Desi Hits, which was founded by Anjula Acharia-Bath in partnership with UMG in 2010 as the pre-eminent home for highly creative artists with Indian/South Asian roots. Ms. Acharia-Bath, the Chief Executive of fusion multi-platform media company Desi Hits!, flew to India with UMG UK Chief Executive David Joseph to sign on Priyanka.

“Priyanka is an international superstar who has captivated millions around the world. Her foray into the American music industry meets the vision of our company, which strives to fuse the best of the eastern and western culture to create magic. It’s truly a dream come true, and we are very excited to bring this multi-talented artist to the rest of the world,” said Anjula Acharia-Bath, CEO of Desi Hits!

“Pop music has always had a love affair with Indian culture and with Priyanka’s unique talent and experience, we have the opportunities to push the boundaries of popular culture,” stated Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “I feel this is an amazing opportunity for all of us.”

“Bollywood has had Priyanka to itself for too long,” commented David Joseph, Chairman and Chief Executive of Universal Music UK. “She has exceptional talent and we look forward to launching her recording career around the world.”

“We believe wholeheartedly in Priyanka’s talent, drive, and creative vision,” stated Anthony Saleh, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Atom Factory. “We are confident in Priyanka’s ability to redefine pop music on her own terms”

Her music debut will add another dimension to this actor, humanitarian, green crusader and brand ambassador. Priyanka Chopra, one of the most recognized talents in Indian cinema, is a recipient of the prestigious Indian National Film Awards amongst many others. She is acknowledged as one of the most versatile actors with many path breaking performances. Priyanka is also actively involved in her role as the National Ambassador for UNICEF in India and the Green Ambassador of a nationwide environment awareness campaign in India.

Priyanka Chopra to speak at MTV’s Youth Marketing Forum

Youth Icon and one of India’s leading actors, Priyanka Chopra, will be speaking at the MTV Youth Marketing Forum on ‘The Age of Sinnocence and Cinema’ scheduled on the April 29, 2011 in Mumbai at ‘The Comedy Store’ – Palladium.

Priyanka Chopra, a prodigious performer who has entertained millions with her histrionics over the years, is truly a perfect blend of beauty and intellect. At the Youth Marketing Forum, Priyanka Chopra will share her views on the evolution of Indian Cinema and its depiction of youth culture in films over the years. Her own journey, being a case in point…from being a beauty pageant winner to carving a niche for herself in Bollywood with fan following worldwide.

Titled ”MTV Age of Sinnocence’ the day-long event will engage a colossal convergence of thoughts, experience and ideas.

Sunny Deol to judge a stunt based reality show

After Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra who hosted stunt based reality shows on T.V., it’s now time for Sunny Deol to become a judge for a stunt based reality show called Jaanbaaz.

Sunny, who is riding high post the success of Yamla Pagla Deewana, has now decided to do everything in his capacity to entertain his fans and what better way than judging a stunt based reality show.

Taking into consideration the fact that Sunny was one of the original action heroes of Bollywood, it comes as no surprise to see him judging a stunt based reality show. We can’t wait to see the man with the ‘Dhai Kilo Ka Haath’ back in action.

Priyanka Chopra begins shooting for Anurag Basu’s Barfi

If anyone thought they could catch Priyanka Chopra playing a mentally challenged girl in Anurag Basu’s Barfi, they are in for a disappointment. Priyanka is much too nervous to perform in front of onlookers. She has made it clear she needs optimum privacy for this part. For an actress who has braved through the toughest sequences of love-making and violence in Saat Khoon Maaf in the presence of a full crew, this need for seclusion is a startling departure from the norm.

But this is no ordinary role of a mentally challenged girl. Priyanka took extra time to prepare. Those close to her say she has been withdrawn tense and edgy for the last two weeks.

Says Priyanka’s business manager, “She has been tense lately. She has not been going out or entertaining friends.”

The pall of silence apparently fell on Priyanka after she began meeting people suffering from the mental condition that her character in Barfi suffers from. Says a source from the team, “It freaked Priyanka out. She simply stopped meeting her friends. She first had to digest the enormity of the mental condition and then understand how to project it without seeming to act.”

Most of her recent roles have required Priyanka to get into an aggressively performing mould for the camera. For Barfi she needs to go the other way. Says the source from Burfi, “She needs to look like she is not acting. That is the brief from Anurag Basu.”

No one will be allowed on the set when Priyanka Chopra starts shooting for Barfi in Mumbai. Only the skeletal crew will be present when she does her first scene with Ranbir for Barfi.

Known to play audacious never-done-before characters, Priyanka Chopra suddenly got cold feet about her role of a physically challenged woman in Barfi.

For the first time in her career Priyanka has cancelled shooting to give herself more time to prepare for the very complicated part. The shooting was to commence on March 11 but then got pushed to March 24.

Says a source, “No one except leading man Ranbir Kapoor, director Anurag Basu and the cameraman will be allowed to be around when Priyanka begins shooting on Thursday.

Says a source close to Barfi, “It’s very strange. But the first stint of Priyanka’s two new films Agneepath and now Barfi both got cancelled. In the case of Barfi, she personally asked director Anurag Basu to postpone the shooting. She was that nervous about it. She has never been this way about any of her roles before.”

Apparently, the shooting was to begin with a very complex sequence for Priyanka on March 11.

Priyanka just didn’t feel she was prepared for the part.

Says a source, “Priyanka just didn’t want to play the mentally challenged girl by using the normal tools of self-expression. As Anurag has written the part, the girl Priyanka plays suffers from a very subtle psychological disorder. It took Priyanka some time to understand her character’s mental disability. She needed more time to get into character. She asked for the shooting to be postponed.”

According to sources she still doesn’t feel she’s ready. But Barfi can’t wait any more.

After the first day’s shooting, Siddharth Roy Kapoor of UTV, who is producing the film exulted, “It was great, super-charged atmosphere. Both Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were really enthusiastic. And Anurag Basu was happy to be back shooting. We all think we’re on to something special.”

World Cup eclipses 7 Khoon Maaf

MUMBAI: The Cricket World Cup 2011 has over shadowed Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest presentation ”Saat Khoon Maaf” which was expected to lead the box office.

The film is a thriller, a dark comedy and comes riding on enticing trailers and promos.

However, the film, despite the presence of Priyanka Chopra in a notorious avatar, has received lukewarm response at the box office. The film has garnered mixed reviews from the critics but it hasn”t transformed into box office success.

The film is facing the World Cup hurdle and it is being reflected on its collections.

YRF to launch Parineeti Chopra in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has always believed in encouraging and launching new talent. Only recently it gave the industry one of the most talented newcomers in Ranveer Singh. Now YRF is all set to launch yet another new face- Parineeti Chopra- in its forthcoming film Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl directed by Maneesh Sharma.

Not many know but Parineeti happens to be actress Priyanka Chopra’s cousin. She has been working with YRF for over a year in the Marketing Department as an integral part of the Promotional and PR team. Given one-off chance to audition for the film, she impressed both Maneesh and Aditya Chopra and was immediately cast for a role as one of the “ladies” who fall prey to the smooth talking guile of Ricky Bahl.

“I think Parineeti was phenomenal in her video test. I had no doubts that I wanted her in my film. In fact, when I worked on the script, I had her at the back of my mind, having interacted with her while she was in office”, said director Maneesh Sharma.

Parineeti, like most YRF discoveries, has bagged a 3 film deal with the production house the first of which is Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl. The excited newcomer tweeted, “I am so so soooo excited to be signing 3 films with YRF, and hope all goes well with me Thank u to all those who have been wishing me well.”

Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl stars Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma who were last seen together in YRF’s Band Baaja Baaraat. Shooting of the film starts early-April and the makers are planning to release the film on 9th Dec 2011, the same weekend Band Baaja Baaraat released.

Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji opens better than Bhandarkar’s biggest film Fashion

Continuing the winning trend in 2011 so far, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Jihas now joined the likes of Yamla Pagla Deewana, No One Killed Jessica and Dhobi Ghat, all of which have been successful at the box office. Now this Madhur Bhandarkar film too has taken a decent to good opening at the box office, hence ensuring that at the least it is on safe ground and is a winning preposition at the least.

“Exactly”, says an excited Bhandarkar who has been closely monitoring the film’s progress amidst the trade, audience and industry circles, “I was getting good vibes from those who had seen Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji prior to its release. However the way audience too has given a go-ahead to the film, as can be seen in the collections over the weekend gone by, I am quite pleased.”

He has all the right reasons to be elated. As per early estimates, the film has netted in the vicinity of Rs.15 crores just from India. This is just a Rs.3 crores less than what Priyanka Chopra starrer Fashion had netted in it’s entire first week when released a couple of years ago. Of course the print count was lesser there but in the times when quick bucks are the name of the game, an early recovery for this medium budgeted film featuring Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya is being looked at pretty positively.

Says a source attached to the film, “The film has been made on very controlled budget despite big names being involved. There was no wastage involved as well as it was wrapped up in quick time. While the production cost was Rs. 22 crores, print and publicity was further Rs. 6 crores. To recover Rs. 28 crores is a cakewalk due to inherent merits that the film carries.”

With good reviews coming the film’s way and audience reaction too ranging from decent to good with no one having anything contrary to say, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji pretty much seems en route to turning into the biggest grosser ever for Madhur Bhandarkar after Fashion (which had netted Rs.27 crores).

“Well, I hope so”, smiles Bhandarkar who can shrug away the under performance of his last release Jail, “We have anyways recovered quite a lot from satellite (Rs.16 crores) and music rights (Rs.2 crores). The theatrical too was sold at Rs.13 crores which will be quite easily recovered by all involved.”

As for the audience, Bhandarkar is happy that he could successfully move away from the serious cinema that he has made in the past and give them some light hearted entertainment as well.

“In addition to that this is my first major success for a male oriented film”, adds Bhandarkar, “The film has only picked up further over the weekend. With quite a few open days ahead, we should only be benefiting further from word of mouth.”

Bombay HC rules to seal Sanjay Dutt’s property

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court ruled to seal actor Sanjay Dutt’s property in Mumbai after producer Shakeel Noorani dragged the actor to court over losses incurred due to the actor abandoning his film ”Jaan Ki Baazi” midway.

Noorani, who first launched ”Jaan Ki Baazi” in 2002 with Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra, has claimed that he received Rs two crore from Dutt, which includes Rs 50 lakhs paid to him as a signing amount.

Noorani’s lawyers said the film is 50 percent complete because Dutt failed to give dates for the rest of the shoot, costing the producer losses worth 1.5 crores.

Noorani’s lawyer further said: ” Unless Mr. Dutt pays up within 30 days, Mr. Noorani will have the right to auction the star”s residence in Mumbai”s posh Pali Hill area and his office in Santa Cruz.

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi to marry early next year

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Karan Johar might just win the award of “revelation king” what with so many secrets and speculations are brought to rest, and beans that were spilled on his show. Be it Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s break-up story or Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor’s affair, even Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka’s mutually animosity, it all came oozing out on ‘Koffee With Karan’.

And now with Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi making an appearance at the show as a couple, some interesting news is up for grabs as well. Lara and Mahesh have made a statement on the show that two will tie the knot in February; as for the date their families are busy fixing it.

There were lots of discussions about the marriage plans as the two looked clearly in love. As for the gossip part of it, lots of discussions took place on the past affairs, relationships and the link ups, a la Karan style.

Another Bollywood wedding waits in the coming New Year, and many a heart will break with Lara tying the knot.

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