Don 2 to be released in 3D format

After the success of Vikram Bhatt’s Haunted 3D, every other filmmaker in town is planning to either make or convert his film in 3D format. The latest buzz is that Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment are planning to release their eagerly awaited SRK starrer Don 2 in 3D.

After seeing a few 3D conversion tests, the duo was convinced that Don 2 in 3D will only further enhance the impact. Needless to say, foreign technicians will be working on the 3D conversion process.

Don 2 will be released in Hindi and dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as well. The film opens worldwide on Dec 23.

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.

Jessica Simpson – The Fashion Mogul

Jessica Simpson launched her own fashion collection in 2007 and already she’s breaking records with its success. This year her fashion line is set to make $1billion! Jessica Simpson is now the highest earning celebrity in the fashion business. New York magazine featured Jessica on the cover and inside she is quoted to say;

“I never thought I’d be some fashion mogul!

Initially her collection included handbags, shoes and boots but now it includes cosmetics, watches, clothing, luggage, swimwear and of course her own fragrance. The Jessica Simpson Collection is now in the same financial league as fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Vera Wang.

Jessica says that her range doesn’t focus on trends but rather on ‘basics’. It’s been said by sources close to Jessica that she is a sharp business woman, with a great work ethic and that much of her success is knowing what women want.

Akshay Kumar signs Ludacris for Breakaway music video

By the looks of it, one certainly thinks that Akshay Kumar is going all out to ensure the success of his first Indo-Canadian venture Breakaway. In the past, Akki has worked with international music sensations like Kylie Minogue and Snoop Dogg, and carrying his ritual forward, the star has now roped in well known hip hop artist Ludacris for his home production.

Breakaway, which is directed by Robert Lieberman and stars Vinay Virmani, Russell Peters, Rob Lowe, Camilla Belle and Anupam Kher, is a cross-cultural drama set in the Indo-Canadian community of suburban Toronto, Canada.

Akki for sure is over the moon with Ludacris signing on for the music video of Breakaway.

Dibakar Banerjee to make political thriller titled Shanghai starring Abhay Deol

Though Dibakar Banerjee’s next film is called Shanghai it won’t be shot in China. And though this political thriller has a wonderful role for the female protagonist it won’t star Katrina, as expected.

But Banerjee is sold on his old favourite Abhay Deol. What’s more, the uncompromising director has even modified the main character in the script of his next film Shanghai accordingly.

Dibakar now hopes that Abhay’s next two films, which are out-and-out commercial ventures, would work. “This would automatically help my project to acquire an enhanced commercial clout. Although let me add we’re making it on a tight budget of Rs. 12 crores with no frills. Shanghai is not an extravaganza. And it certainly won’t be shot in China!”

The film will be produced by PVR.

Thanks to the success of Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti, gritty political thrillers seem to have a life beyond the film festivals. Laughs Dibakar, “I told my writer, thanks to the success of Raajneeti we now know there’s a market for more than just teenybopper romances and farcical comedies. Shanghai, let me tell you, is not set in China. The title describes a mindset. Beyond that I wouldn’t like to reveal the plot.”

This is the same project that Dibakar wanted to make with Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif. “But Imran said no to Shanghai,” informed Dibakar. “That’s when me and writer Urmi Juvekar decided to change the character. With Imran out the script suddenly, it became more gritty. The protagonist’s character was naïve and innocent when Imran was to play him. Now he’s not that innocent.”

Dibakar hopes that Shanghai would take Abhay’s career to the next level of stardom. Says the director, “When an actor evolves the project too changes. When I did Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye with Abhay that was a different actor. Today after Dev D (for Abhay) and Love Sex Aur Dhokha (for Dibakar) we’re both in a different zone creatively.”

Dibakar recently returned from the Munich Film Festival which concluded on July 4. His Love Sex Aur Dhokha had four screenings in Munich.

Dibakar was overwhelmed by the response, “The Indian films in Munich were not your typical Bollywood films. Nor were they obscure offbeat kinds. They were successfully unconventional films like mine and Abhishek Choubey’s Ishqiya. One of my screenings was held on the day Germany was playing for the World Cup against Argentina. And we were still full!”

Dibakar feels the praise for LSD from abroad is a sign of the changing attitude of the West to our cinema. “What I liked was the fact that we were judged as world cinema, not ‘Bollywood’. 70 percent of the audience at each screening was German. I feel Indian cinema will take a while to not be seen as anything more than a diversion by international audiences. But we’re getting there.”

Back home, Dibakar continues to spend all his waking hours with his adopted daughter.

Says the proud father. “Ira now has two front teeth. Watching her become an integral part of my wife’s and my life is the greatest joy of I’ve experienced. I plan to return to direction next year.”

Cricket no-ball drama set to cost Asif film role

MUMBAI: Mohammad Asif may be dropped from an Indian film in which he was supposed to play a cricket coach after it emerged he was one of the three Pakistani players embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal.

The 27-year-old pace bowler was due to star in a Malayalam-language film about a Pakistani cricketer who travels to the southern Indian state of Kerala to teach students.

However, director Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri is having second thoughts in the wake of a scandal that erupted after a British newspaper alleged Asif and Mohammad Amir bowled no-balls by arrangement in last week’s fourth test against England.

Captain Salman Butt was the third player named in the report.

“If he (Asif) is guilty, I cannot take him in the film as it will impact public sentiment and the success of the film,” Namboothiri told Reuters by telephone on

Prachi Desai chosen as brand ambassador of Goa

Prachi Desai has been very choosy as far as brand endorsements are concerned. This time however, Prachi has tied up not with a brand but Goa tourism.

The Government of Goa has signed Prachi as the brand ambassador of their ever-colorful state. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, an elated Prachi said that, “I am definitely overjoyed at this. It’s definitely a rejoicing phase, especially, after the success of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. I go to Goa pretty often; this place has always proved lucky for me. Being the brand ambassador of Goa means a huge responsibility on my shoulders. The Goa officials want to deliver the plain simple message that Goa is definitely a place to be in and people would want to come here again and again.

Prachi concluded by saying, “I have just shot a TVC for them and have also been a part of the tourism conference that was recently held in Goa. As a brand ambassador, I will do whatever is expected me.”

Arjun Rampal no longer part of Don 2

Farhan Akhtar’s film Don, which released in 2006, proved to be a turning point in Arjun Rampal’s career. Post Don, Arjun bagged a series of big films such as Om Shanti Om, Rock On etc. and his character of Jasjeet in Don is still remembered by one and all.

However, there is sad news for all Arjun Rampal fans as the actor wouldn’t be seen in the eagerly awaited sequel Don 2. Although the buzz is that there were some creative differences between Farhan and Arjun over his character in the sequel, no one knows the real reason as to why Arjun has decided to walk out of the project.

Confirming the same, Arjun tweeted last night, “Hey Guys, Yes it is true won’t be part of Don 2. Wish the team all the success. I am sure it will be a super film.”

It will now be interesting to see which actor replaces Arjun and gets the chance to play Jasjeet in Don 2.

Sajid Khan teams up with Vashu Bhagnani for his next

After the success of Housefull, Sajid Khan is all set to start his next directorial venture. But this time, he is teaming up with producer Vashu Bhagnani.

Bollywood Hungama spoke to Vashu, who confirmed this news. “Yes, Sajid and I have come together for my next as a producer. However, it’s still really early to give any details out, as we are yet to finalize and finish any kind of script. Though once the script is ready and the casting is done and locked, we will make an announcement of the film. Till then, all that I can say is yes we have teamed up.”

Well, with Sajid Khan teaming up with Vashu, seems like Bhagnani is making big plans for his production company.

Omi Vaidya to play one of the lead roles in The Italian Job remake

One actor who seems to have benefitted the most from the success of 3 Idiots is Omi Vaidya. Omi, who played the role of the nerdy Chatur Ramalingam in the blockbuster film to perfection, has now bagged some really plum projects.

Only recently Omi was signed by Madhur Bhandarkar to play one of the lead roles alongside Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi in the rom-com Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji and even as he begins shooting for that film, the talented actor has bagged yet another prestigious project.

Director duo Abbas-Mustan have roped in Omi to play a pivotal role in their remake of the Hollywood hit- The Italian Job. The role is said to be as big as any lead role and needless to say Omi is thrilled to bits. Abhishek Bachchan, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif are part of the cast of this big project while Omi is the latest addition.

Looks like this ‘Silencer’ is indeed here to stay.

Next Page »