Monica Bellucci to play Sonia Gandhi
May 30, 2006
Sex bombshell Italian actress Monica Bellucci plays the role of Sonia Gandhi in biographical film of Jagmohan Mundra.
After his film Provoked starring Aishwarya Rai, Jagmohan Mundra is looking at the sexy Italian Monica Bellucci. According to Internet reports, Sonia Gandhi does not officially approve the biography. What the heck Monica is set to do her best in Bollywood!
Sunanda Murli Manohar, producer, has confirmed the news. She said: “We were waiting for Monica to hear the script. Her confirmation finally puts a seal on the deal. She’s excited about the prospect of playing Sonia Gandhi. The script by Carl Austen has gone through a number of re-drafts and now we’re ready to roll.”
The film will be in English and is based on Rasheed Kidwai’s book ‘Sonia – A Biography’.
Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta too were reportedly considered for the role but Monica due to her striking physical resemblance to Gandhi was believed to be the best suited and hence selected.
The film is however not an official biograhy. Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Sonia Gandhi said, “We are not aware of the film. But as far as cooperating with its production is concerned, we will not do it as it is not an official bio-pic.”
Priyanka Chopra as Chamki Chameli
May 30, 2006
With all big banner films in her kitty, Priyanka Chopra’s career is certainly looking up. And now there is another one added to her list. She has been roped in to play the lead in the Hindi adaptation of Carmen, titled Chamki Chameli. Produced by Sanjay Gupta, it will be directed by Shyam Benegal. The same role was first offered to Kareena Kapoor and then Urmila Matondkar. Jimmy Shergill was paired opposite Urmila. Now that, Priyanka will be in the lead, a replacement is required for Jimmy. A special appearance by Sanjay Dutt is also in the offing.
If we remember correctly, Priyanka and Sanjay Gupta were not exactly on the best of terms, when she opted out of Musafir. Putting the past behind, the duo is starting afresh, by working together.
Jaju files a complain against Chota Shakeel
May 30, 2006
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra found herself in more trouble after her former manager, Prakash Jaju, today claimed he has received threats from underworld don Chota Shakeel over his tiff with the actress.
“I received a call from a person claiming to be chota Shakeel this morning threatening me that I should withdraw the case against Priyanka and that I should stop talking about her to the media. I have now asked for police protection,” Jaju told here from Indore.
Jaju has been at loggerheads with Chopra for the past couple of years claiming that she owed him Rs 67 lakh as fees for promoting her films. The actress, however, has refuted the claim and last week filed a complaint stating that Jaju had been threatening and harassing her.
Jaju said he had plans to return to Mumbai tomorrow, but had now put off his plans and would only return after he got police protection. However, police sources in Indore said so far no police protection had been given to Jaju.
“Just half an hour before I got the international call, I received a call from her father (Ashok Chopra) saying I would see a “chamatkar” (miracle) in half and hour. They don’t want to pay the money and that is why they are using all these tactics,” he added.
Jaju said he would prefer that Priyanka sat down across a table and settled the matter herself with him, instead of “using other people”.
Jaju has approached the Indore police and registered a complaint against Chhota Shakeel, Priyanka and her father Ashok Chopra at the Mhow police station in Indore.
Hrithik speaks against politicians
May 30, 2006
Hrithik who has been ultra-busy promoting his forthcoming film Krissh and shooting action sequences for it, is enormously upset by the backlash that Aamir has received for his support for the ‘Narmada ‘ andolan.
Says Hrithik, “I’m ashamed to live in a country where one political party can use the power given to them by the people to try and punish an individual for his opinion and rob him of his democratic rights.
And only because he believes in a righteous cause that goes against the interests of the political party concerned.
The concerned party has shown the highest level of immaturity by trying to using power to stop the screening of Fanaa in an attempt to scare off Aamir and thereby threatening the entire film fraternity against taking a stance of any social or political issue in the future.”
Hrithik laughs mirthlessly. “You know what’s really ridiculous? They haven’t understood what Aamir is trying to say. He’s not against the dam, only for the rehabilitation of the people who’d thereby be homeless. It’s preposterous.
I mean what kind of IQs do these gentleman have? They’re behaving like bullies from school. I think these naysayers need to grow up. I’m with Aamir all the way.”
More power to the Hrithiks of the entertainment industry who have the guts to stand by their harassed colleagues.
Aamir supported by Bollywood
May 30, 2006
Shabana arrived in London on 27 May and through TV got to hear about the blocking of Fanaa in Gujarat by BJP activists.
Shabana is shocked. “The attack on Aamir Khan must be condemned in the strongest words possible because it is completely unjustified. Vested interests have been attempting to turn his remarks for the rehabilitation of project affected people in the Narmada dam into remarks against Gujarat.
Aamir has only said what the Supreme Court has said. It is insane to ask him to apologise for his remarks that have been twisted out of context on the basis of canard and innuendo.
I am very proud of what Aamir has done – joined issue in giving voice to the voiceless. Any attempts to harm him and intimidate him will only make his resolve stronger to fight for social justice. The film industry needs to stand solidly behind Aamir Khan and recognise that it is crucial to express solidarity with him. Today it is Aamir, tomorrow it can be XYZ.”
It’s not that Shabana has any issues on people protesting against Aamir. “In a democracy the right to protest is an intrinsic freedom. If people wish to demonstrate against Aamir Khan by holding placards outside the theatre showing Fanaa it is acceptable.
However threats of violence should be dealt with firmly by the State and firm measures should be taken to maintain law and order. It is the State’s business to ensure that those citizens who wish to see the film should have the freedom to do so.
No political party has the right to jeopardise a film that has been duly cleared by the central board of film certification”.
Riya spread bad rumors about Koena Mitra
May 30, 2006
Reacting to a news item published in a Mumbai tabloid about her facelift, actress Koena Mitra has sent a legal notice to it demanding unconditional apology for publishing inaccurate information on her.
According to the notice, sent Thursday, Mid Day was asked to publish Koena’s view on the entire matter with the same prominence – on the front page of ‘Hit List’ section within three days of receipt by them.
In the news item published May 25 under the headline “Koena, Riya in ‘face’ off”, reporter Vicky Lalwani wrote that Koena had undergone a facelift and substantiated his claim with quotes from director Santosh Sivan.
Koena, however, has denied Lalwani’s claim.
According to her lawyer, Koena was shocked and surprised at the incorrect and inaccurate news report and called it a work of mischief by the reporter.
Koena is also in the process of taking up the matter with Sivan, with whom she is working in “Money Money Money”.
“She will verify whether he (Sivan) made the derogatory and disparaging statement about her or it’s just a figment of the reporter’s imagination. After that she will decide on the future course of action to be pursued against him,” her lawyer said.
Initially, Riya Sen, her co-star in “Money Money Money”, spread rumours about Koena’s facelift.
However, Koena has refused to comment on this, saying it will get dirty.
“In the beginning they were quite friendly with each other but when Koena started getting more attention on the sets, Riya got jealous and started spreading rumours that her co-star underwent a facelift,” said a source close to the actress.
Bollywood lacks talent – Yash Chopra
May 30, 2006
Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra says the Hindi film industry is facing intellectual bankruptcy.
“I feel there is a greater need for new ideas. Someone called it a complete intellectual bankruptcy. We need good stories, scripts and actors. Only then can we make good films,” Chopra said on CNN’s chat show “The Scene”.
“There has been so much progress in the digital and technical side. People are talking about looks, costumes and make-up – everything should be flawless. But we are not giving importance to content as we did before.”
Chopra began his career as a director and after churning out successful films like “Deewaar”, “Kabhi Kabhi” and “Chandni”, he started producing and distributing films.
But his ultimate dream was to have his own studio.
“In 1995, my son Aditya Chopra’s first film, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ gave us so much money that all our dreams were fulfilled. Last year, by the grace of god, on Oct 12 Yash Raj Studios opened and my dreams were fulfilled.”
Mumbai means a lot to Chopra who has spent most years of his life working here. Living in any other city is out of question for the filmmaker.
“I have been in Mumbai for 54 years. I came here as a young boy with dreams and visions. This city has given me everything. I achieved everything in Mumbai,” said Chopra who is very fond of the rains.
“I don’t think it is possible to live anywhere else now. I love to go to Delhi, Punjab, even foreign countries – but I don’t want to live anywhere. Mumbai’s infectious. Once you start living and working in Mumbai, I don’t think you can live anywhere else.”
On directing a Hollywood film, he said: “I don’t know, maybe if somebody offers, but I don’t think anybody ever asked me! I am happy in India because I don’t think Hollywood is the end of anybody’s journey. I am very proud of being an Indian film director.”
Priyanka Chopra gets threatening calls
May 27, 2006
Priyanka is shooting for Farhan Akhtar’s Don in Malaysia. Outwardly she’s totally focused on her work. But Priyank’s a troubled soul.
For the past few weeks her home in Mumbai has been barraged by anonymous calls.
According to a close family friend, “Priyanka’s family has been under siege for some time. They’re getting calls not from mobile numbers but random PCOs all over Mumbai. Every time the caller makes a threat and quickly hangs up.
It’s apparent someone very clever is masterminding the Chopras’ torture. We all know who he is. But since he seems to be working within the framework of the law there’s little we can do about it.”
Continues the Chopras’ friend, “At first her parents tried to avoid telling her about it. They didn’t want to disturb her work in Malaysia. But Priyanka got to know about it. Now she’s worried sick specially for her kid brother who’s only 15. She’s extremely concerned for his safety.”
Though Priyanka is loath to discuss the problem it’s weighing on her mind. “I really don’t want to comment on any of this. Right now my work is my main concern. But my family’s welfare is also absolutely essential.
My father is not well. He’s going into another surgery in July. It’s really sad that he’s being subjected to such anguish.”
Turning to more pleasant thoughts Priyanka brightens up at the mention of Don. “We’re having a ball in Malaysia. We’ve shot like crazy. But what we’ve shot is really quite amazing. I’ve lots of action scenes to do…
I’m looking forward to Don. But before that there’s Krissh in June. And I’m really excited about it. Duggu (Hrithik) is awesome in the film. And if I may say so, I make quite an attractive pair with him. You mark my words, Krissh is going to rock.”
But aren’t both Don and Krissh a pretext for major hero-giri? “Ah! You wait and watch what I’ve done in them. In both Don and Krissh I’m very much part of the action.”
Shahrukh steps out of Time Machine
May 27, 2006
Shahrukh Khan is angry and said he wont be acting in Ram Gopal Verma’s forth coming film Time Machine.
Shahrukh was supposed to meet Ramu recently to know more about the film and get things rolling quickly. To the King Khan’s surprise Ramu was busy with Amitabh shooting in the south and had no time to meet Shahrukh. Shahrukh got angry on this and stepped out of the film Time Machine.
Ram Gopal Verma is well known for directing a couple of movies every month. Ramu has already announced films like Ramu ki sholay, James – 2, Sarkar 2 etc etc… One really feels are these movies bound to release or its just a media hype?
Ramu always had wanted to work with Shahrukh and this decesion of the King Khan might make Ramu feel bad. Lets hope Ramu and Shahrukh settele things and make a great film for us to watch.
Fardeen takes care of his dad
May 27, 2006
We all are aware of Feroze Khan’s behaviour in the past. Be it a family function or Awards function, Feroze Khan has this habit of getting on the microphone and talking about something irrelevant.
Bollywood Hunk Fardeen’s dad did something similar a few days ago in a pub. The father son duo was enjoying in a pub late night. After some time everyoe was shocked to see Feroze Khan replace the Disc Jockey with himself. The crowd did cheer him and enjoyed as he played songs from his film Qurbani.
But Feroze did not forget to do what he is used to everytime. After playing the songs he got hold of the mic and started talking about his past in bollywood. Now this was not called for and Feroze kept talking for a long time which made some people leave. Fardeen came to the rescue and took his dad away letting the crowd to enjoy the music. All we can say is THANX FARDEEN!!!
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