‘Tere Bin Laden 2′?

Another sequel in the making? Trustworthy sources have whispered in our ears that producers Pooja Shetty Deora and Aarti Shetty and director Abhishek Sharma are planning a sequel to TERE BIN LADEN. The low cost film, helmed by a first-time director and starring talented names such as Ali Zafar and Pradhuman Singh, ranks amongst the successful films of 2010, which, very frankly, is a big achievement since a majority of biggies made a deep hole in the pockets of their investors.

However, director Abhishek Sharma doesn’t rule out a possibility of TERE BIN LADEN 2. “Yes, we have had discussions [about the sequel], but till we don’t hit upon the right idea, there’s no point going ahead with it. Pooja, Aarti and I genuinely feel there’s no point announcing a sequel, if the script isn’t in place. If we hit upon an interesting idea some day and if we feel that the second part will be better than the first, we will go ahead and make one. But not in the immediate future.”

The soft-spoken director adds that he’s working on a few concepts, apart from TBL 2, and has discussed it with his producers. “But nothing is finalized right now,” he adds.

Ramu pitched Vivek against Abhishek?

Everyone is wondering why Ram Gopal Varma suddenly decided to move forward his Rakht Charitra (RC) sequel from November 19 to December 3 after making a noise about taking on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish.

The official explanation is, RC2 was not ready on time. That according to a source is pure hogwash.

The real reason why Ramu, the master of marketing manipulations has chosen December 3 is so that he could pitch his Vivek Oberoi starrer against Abhishek Bachchan’s prestigious historical release Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.

Says the well-informed source, “Ramu likes to create an extra buzz around his films. When Phoonk 2 was released with Chance Pe Dance, Ramu tried to pitch the crow in his horror film against Shahid. Abhishek and Vivek are seen to be at loggerheads. Ramu intends to play up their rivalry. Although both actors have worked repeatedly with Ramu the filmmaker is not averse to deliberately pitching them against one another.”

Ramu feigns ignorance about his marketing maneuver. “The reason Rakht Charitra 2 was delayed is because the post-production took longer than we thought it would. I didn’t even know our film was coming on the same day as Abhishek’s. Not just that, both are based on true stories. Vivek and Abhishek play real- life characters in the two films. Having said that, let me also add that a lot of our marketing focus for RC2 would be on the Tamil superstar Suriya whom I regard as next only Rajnikanth in popularity. Since he’s making his Hindi debut, we’re trying to figure out ways to bring him in front of the Hindi audiences.”

This, according to the source, is exactly why Ramu has chosen to peg his sequel on the old Abhishek-Vivek rivalry. Says the source, “After the rejection of Rakht Charitra in the Northern belt, Ramu can’t take a risk with the sequel. Suriya may be a superstar in the South. In Hindi, even Rajnikanth doesn’t have a market. RC2 has no songs and items to promote. At most, Suriya can do some interviews before its release. He can’t create an excitement around the film.”

Protests Ramu, “We are not insecure about Suriya’s acceptance in Hindi, neither is he. We’ve a fusion-version of Rakht Charitra parts 1 & 2, in Tamil Nadu that we’ll release on December 3. As for the Hindi release, the film will work not because of the actors but the theme.”

John Abraham signed for Housefull sequel

In his directorial debut Heyy Babyy, Sajid Khan had Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan as his leading men. In his second directorial venture, Housefull, Akshay and Riteish were joined by Arjun Rampal. Now in the sequel of Housefull, it’s John Abraham who would be sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh.

Confirming the same, Sajid Khan says, “Yes John has been confirmed along with Akshay and Riteish for the sequel of Housefull. These are the only 3 names confirmed as of now; the rest of the cast is yet to be finalized.”

When asked why John, Sajid says, “Why not John? When you see the film, you will get the answer to your question. On a serious note, it was a collective decision taken by us. Akshay and Riteish are very fond of him. He is a good friend of mine. This is the first time John will be working with Sajid Nadiadwala as well as with me. Besides John and Akshay shared great chemistry in Garam Masala and he fits the part perfectly in my film too.”

The sequel of Housefull will be Sajid’s next directorial venture post which he be directing a film for Vashu Bhagnani. “Yes…the sequel of Housefull goes on floors first in May-June 2011. Post that, I will be doing the film for Vashu Bhagnani.”

Bhansali – Prabhu Deva join hands

It’s official! Prabhu Deva, the super-successful choreographer turned director, will direct a film for Sanjay Leela Bhansali. No, it wouldn’t be a musical, but – hold your breath – an out-and-out action film. That’s not all, Prabhu has also signed Amitabh Bachchan’s home-production, which is expected to star Abhishek Bachchan in the lead.

“Well, I am in talks with various production houses,” the media-shy Prabhu tells me, “But the first project to start will be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. We hope to begin filming next year. In fact, a clearer picture will emerge in a week or two from now. Akshay Kumar will head the cast of this film.”

What about the sequel to WANTED? “Oh, I would love to direct it and am also waiting for it to happen,” he smiles. We are awaiting too!

Bobby Deol’s bereavement makes Thank You’s Canada schedule go haywire

Personal setbacks and crises often mean losses worth crores for film producers especially if the film is shot abroad. But in the case of Anees Bazmee’s Thank You, where a long schedule in Toronto had to end suddenly because of Bobby Deol’s father-in-law illness and death, the loss runs into not just the production on-hand (Thank You) but also Boney Kapoor’s sequel to No Entry entitled Be Positive.
While Boney has declared his next production would be the sequel to No Entry, Anees shocks by declaring that the script is not even close to being ready.
Says Anees, “While I’ve an idea for the Hera Pheri sequel which I am working on for producer Feroz Nadiadwala I’ve absolutely no idea which way the sequel to No Entry would go. The comedy is the hardest genre to write. And I can’t plunge into a funny film until I’ve the script ready. I’ve just had no time to think about an idea for No Entry Part 2.”
With the Thank You schedule going haywire after Bobby’s abrupt departure from Toronto, Anees is now organizing a schedule in Mumbai to synchronize with the unfinished schedule in Toronto.
Says Anees, “When Bobby had to leave from Toronto we still had one big song and some scenes to be shot. We’ve started the shoot in Mumbai from September 13. The song will come later .”
It was meant to be a big chorus song featuring Irrfan Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Rimi Sen, Sunil Shetty and Bobby. Organizing the dates of all these actors was problematic.
Sighs Anees, “This is the first time I’m doing two films together. Setbacks are bound to happen. We’ve to take it in our stride.”
One hopes Boney Kapoor too will Be Positive about Bobby Deol’s disrupted schedule.

Kunal Kapoor signed up for Don 2

Here is good news for all the Don fans. Farhan Akhtar is back to the job of making a sequel to the successful remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Don. As reported earlier, Arjun Rampal won’t be starring in this project. Because of some differences he has left the project and the worthy replacement is none other than the Rang De Basanti hunk Kunal Kapoor.

Expressing his sheer delight on being part of the project Kunal tweeted, “Yes, I am doing Don 2.. Very excited!! Really looking forward to working wit King Khan and Farhan ( how nice, tht rhymes )”. From the original cast, the sequel will have Shah Rukh Khan, Boman Irani, Priyanka Chopra and Om Puri. Kunal has quite an important role to play and this is probably his chance to shine among some of the biggies from the industry.

Singh Is Kinng-2 ready to roll, Katrina’s dates awaited

Before the brand runs out of steam Akshay Kumar has decided to run into the next instalment of Singh Is Kinng. Vipul Shah who was in two minds has decided to direct the sequel since Anees Bazmee seems too busy to do the needful.

Says Vipul, “Yes, after much planning and plotting, and two years since the first film, we’ve finally cracked an idea that works. My writer Suresh Nair and I are happy with what we’ve come up with. And yes I’ll be directing the sequel.”

Though Vipul is not willing to reveal much of the plot for the sequel at this juncture – at least not on record – it’s reliably learnt that the sequel would begin where the first Singh Is Kinng trailed off, namely in Australia and then move to another country, apparently Canada which is Akshay’s second home.

Akshay’s haste to start Singh Is Kinng 2 has a root cause. While playing a mona Sardar in Patiala House in London last month, he was repeatedly asked by Sikh fans in Great Britain when they’d get to see him as Singh again.

Akshay immediately contacted Vipul from London and also urged him to direct the sequel. Says Akshay “Yes a lot of fans in the UK are eager to see us do a sequel to Singh Is Kinng again. And I’ve asked Vipul to get on with it.”

There is only one hitch. Singh’s queen Katrina is completely booked till next year.
And the sequel cannot be made without her. Laughs Vipul, “She won’t let me or Akshay make it without her. We’ll just have to see how her dates are worked out.”

Man sent to jail for stalking Idol host

LOS ANGELES: A judge on Monday sentenced a man to the maximum sentence of two years behind bars for stalking American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Go here to read the rest:
Man sent to jail for stalking Idol host

Sex stays top of UK box office for third week

LONDON: Sex and the City 2 held on to top spot at the British box office for a third week after last month’s debut of their sequel notched up one of the year’s biggest opening takes.

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Sex stays top of UK box office for third week

Live Chat: Jahan Bloch on June 8 at 1500 hrs IST

In the year 1994, producer-director Mehul Kumar gave us the hard-hitting film Krantiveer starring Nana Patekar and Dimple Kapadia. The film went on to become a smash-hit at the B.O. and now 16 years later, Mehul Kumar is ready with the sequel titled Krantiveer-The Revolution.

The film is extra special as it marks the debut of Mehul Kumar’s daughter Jahan Bloch who plays the role of a fiery young journalist in the film. If the promos of the film are anything to go by, Jahan surely seems to be an actress to watch out for in the days to come. Bollywood Hungama gives you a chance to participate in a live Video Chat with Jahan Bloch on Tuesday, Jun 8, at 1500 hrs IST. Don’t miss!

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