Deepika first for Saif
November 30, 2007
Although Saif Ali Khan is all set to turn a producer next year with his film Agent Vinod to be directed by Sriram Raghavan, there are rumours that before the film goes on the floors, he will start work on his second home production.
Saif is keen to start a film with Jab We Met director Imtiaz Ali in which newcomer Deepika Padukone will play the leading lady.
Our source says, “Saif’s film with Sriram Raghavan will happen some time late next year as the filmmaker is currently busy with the John-Aishwarya starrer for producer Rohan Sippy. In the meantime, Saif is quite keen to start a film with Imtiaz Ali. Saif was very impressed with Jab We Met and he had a long chat with Imtiaz. Saif loved one of Imtiaz’s scripts, and he immediately roped in the Jab We Met director for his next film with Deepika.”
Although the film is a love story, it also has a number of realistic elements. Saif then approached Deepika to star in his home production. She has loved the script. She will be signing on the dotted line soon and is pretty excited about the project.
The source adds, “Saif has already roped in Kareena Kapoor for Agent Vinod.”
When contacted, Saif Ali Khan said, “It is too early to comment on anything as we are still scripting the film. We will make the necessary announcements when everything is finalised.”
Dino Morea angry with the Bhatts
November 29, 2007
The buzz going around is that Dino Morea is very disappointed with the Bhatts for not approaching him and Bipasha Basu for Raaz 2
Our source says, “Dino is miffed because the Bhatts are approaching other actors for the sequel but did not even consider the two original stars of the film.” He also tells us that Dino even met with the Bhatts to talk about this but nothing came out of it. “Muzamil Ibrahim has been approached for Raaz 2. But he has turned it down,” says our source.
When contacted, Dino Morea said, “Yes it is true that I am disappointed with the Bhatts for not considering me and Bipasha for Raaz 2.”
He adds, “Raaz was a huge hit and I’m sure the audience would love to see the lead pair together again in Raaz 2. Also, if you look at the sequels that have been made so far, like Krrish, Munnabhai, Dhoom 2 or even the current Golmaal Returns, the makers have more or less retained the original cast of the film. I believe that the Bipasha-Dino pair will create the same magic in Raaz 2.”
Dino tells us that it was he who first came up with the idea of making a sequel to Raaz. He says, “I was shooting for Pooja Bhatt’s Holiday in Goa when the idea struck me. Mahesh Bhatt was there with us so I went up to him and told him about it. We did a bit of brainstorming on Raaz 2. He was all charged up about it.”
When contacted, Muzamil Ibrahim was slightly evasive about the film. He said, “I don’t think I am in a position to say anything right now. Mohit is currently working on many scripts and I am being considered for several projects. We are yet to sit down and talk about it.”
Neil Mukesh gets more films courtesy Shahid Kapoor
November 29, 2007
If all goes well, legendary singer Mukesh’s grandson Neil Mukesh will sign a three-film contract each, with Eros and Ashtavinayak respectively. If sources are to be believed, these projects were originally meant for Shahid Kapoor.
Our well-placed source in the industry says, “Ashtavinayak had spoken with Shahid but he kept dilly-dallying. He did not tell them why he was not saying a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, but he kept buying more time.”
Well, Shahid’s loss became Neil’s gain. “They have approached Neil Mukesh now. In the next couple of days, Neil may finalise not one but a three-film contract with them,” the source adds. When contacted, Neil confirmed that he was in talks with Eros and Ashtavinayak. “By the end of this week, things will be final. I have liked the subjects which have been narrated to me,” he says.
A close friend of Neil tells us, “In one of the ventures which have gone to Neil, Ashtavinayak definitely wanted Shahid. They even told Neil that they had planned that project with Shahid in mind earlier.”
When contacted, Parag Desai, official spokesperson of Ashtavinayak, maintained that Ashtavinayak is still in talks with Shahid. Shahid’s close friend said, “Shahid is open to working with Ashtavinayak, but they haven’t come to him with a final script yet. They met in Filmistan on Monday.”
When contacted, Shahid said,”I am in talks with Ashtavinayak and we will be working shortly once a script is finalised. I have met up with Eros too, but they haven’t come to me with a subject yet. As for Neil, I am happy that he is doing an Ashtavinayak film, but maybe that’s not the one that that I have been approached for.”
After Sriram Raghavan’s Johnny Gaddar, Neil will be seen in Sudhir Mishra’s Tera Kya Hoga Johnny co-starring Soha Ali Khan. Also, Neil has signed a 2-film deal with Adlabs. Meanwhile, Shahid is shooting for Aziz Mirza’s Lucky Charm opposite Vidya Balan.
Ramu’s Sarkar Raaj in trouble
November 29, 2007
As if the copyright problems of the film Sholay were not enough for Ram Gopal Varma, now partners of his film Sarkar have charged Varma with copyright violation. K Sera Sera, the producers of Sarkar, have sent Varma a legal notice claiming they have copyright on Sarkar, so any sequel to the film belongs to them and cannot be made by any other production house.
Amar Panghal of K Sera Sera told this reporter, “We have the copyright on Sarkar and any sequel to the film belongs to us. Sarkar is our property and nobody can use it.” K Sera Sera claims to have sent the first notice to Varma in May when the film went on the floors, but got no reply from Varma.
“We are losing our patience and will soon be forced to take legal action against Varma,” Panghal said.
Ram Gopal Varma and K Sera Sera parted ways last year. Varma’s company made four projects for them which included Ab Tak Chhapan, My Wife’s Murder, Ek Hasina Thi and Sarkar.
Varma moved out of The Factory, the office space he shared with K Sera Sera last year, and launched his film Sarkar Raaj, the sequel starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. If insiders are to be believed, the sequel was part of the 10-film contract with Adlabs. The film’s title — Sarkar Raaj — belongs to Adlabs and is registered with the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers (AMPTPP).
Adlabs sold the distribution rights of the film to Balaji for Rs 38 crore, which included theatrical and worldwide satellite rights of the film just a few days before the release of Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag.
Pravin Nischal of Ram Gopal Varma Films said, “It is a very vague thing. Our lawyers are looking into the matter.”
In another development, Varma has sent a notice to Super Cassettes, terminating the audio and video rights of Sarkar 2 or Sarkar Raaj alleging breach of contract. However, Bhushan Kumar when contacted said, “They are trying to get out of the deal by blaming us for not making payments. We have proof to show that payments have been made, besides four out of the 14 films have already been delivered to us.”
Super Cassettes has also alleged in its reply to Varma that the director has not revealed to his lawyers that they (Super Cassettes) have spent Rs 1.4 crore in the publicity of Ram Gopal Varmaki Aag for which Varma has given adjustment letters to Super Cassettes against video rights.
Spot boy steals Priyanka Chopra’s watch
November 29, 2007
A spot boy on the sets of the film Champu was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing a wrist watch worth Rs one lakh that belongs to actor Priyanka Chopra. The theft occurred when she was shooting for the movie at Thakur College in Thakurgaon, Kandivli (E).
Sub-inspector Kishor Naik, Samata Nagar police station, said, “Chopra claims to have kept the Tag Heuer watch, along with some other personal belongings, in her vanity van when she stepped out for filming. She had asked Arvind Upadhyaya, 29, a spot boy, to sort her belongings and keep an eye on them.”
Some time later, Upadhyaya allegedly went to Chopra and said he could not find the watch in the van. On completion of filming, Chopra went back to the van and began searching for the watch.
“She suspected Upadhyaya. When we searched his bag, we found the watch,” said Naik. Upadhyaya, a resident of Mira Road, has been booked for theft.
Ayesha Takia is enjoying love
November 29, 2007
‘Love’ according to Takia is… “A lot of things. One can’t quite describe it but yes, it’s something my life revolves around.”
So has the actress done anything crazy in love? “Not quite,” she tells us maturely. “I’m just enjoying it. Just being honestly in love with someone and being there for him is good or crazy enough.”
So, what are the qualities of her beau that attracted her to him? “One doesn’t think about these things. One simply loves.”
Madhuri Dixit is a SuperStar
November 28, 2007
Iam thrilled!” says Dr Sriram Nene, the better half of Madhuri Dixit. On a visit to the city along with his superstar wife, he says, “She is a superstar for sure. I am very proud of her.”
And Madhuri can’t be happier. “We decided together that I will make a comeback. And he has been supportive throughout,” she says. However, the diva has not missed Bollywood after her marriage and motherhood. “My kids did not let me miss anything. The life that I lead there in America is the life of my dreams. I couldn’t have asked for more,” she says as hubby dearest nods.
Coming back to India had this very special incentive for Madhuri. “I am glad that my sons Arin and Ryan got a chance to come to India. They have learnt a bit of Hindi and Marathi now — the two languages that I used to converse with them. The elder one speaks a little bit of Hindi,” she says in her very Americanised accent.
But it must have been difficult for her to face the camera after all these years? “You remember the song I had done in a movie – Dhak dhak karne laga? My heart was beating really fast.” In the sabbatical that she took, Madhuri got some time to catch up with a few movies. “I really liked Kangna’s performance in Gangster, Konkona Sen Sharma is good in every movie she does and Rani, of course. She is a great actress. I don’t mind working with these girls, they are really talented,” she says.
Madhuri also has the last word. “I don’t think creativity has any age limit. I feel my life has just started. I am young at heart. I have always been like this and will always be. Who’s old?” she concludes with a laugh.
Picture of the week – Pooja Chitgopekar
November 28, 2007
Pooja Chitgopekar
Akshay Kumar favourite among Sikhs
November 28, 2007
After being declared everything from action king to gay icon to India’s only non-Khan pin-up star, Akshay Kumar now finds himself being nominated the NRI Sikhs’ favourite star. The reason? He plays a Sikh, Amrit Paal Maan Singh, in his underproduction comedy Singh Is Kinng now being shot on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Contrary to rumours that Akshay had upset the Sikh community abroad by undertaking this role, the Sikhs have in fact taken to Akshay in a big way. Says director Anees Bazmi, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. The news that Akshay is playing a Sikh has spread across Australia and we’ve a constant stream of Sardarjis dropping in on the sets to hug Akshay, show him how to wear the turban, and generally give him tips to enhance his character. They feel a deep empathy with him since he’s a Punjabi and has always been close to their community.”
Sardarjis have for long been the brunt of jokes in Bollywood. It’s the first time that the community feels it has a real hero to represent them on screen.
“We’re portraying the Sikh hero as the archetypal protector whom a woman can feel safe with in a taxi in some strange city even in the middle of the night, because the holy sword will be used to vanquish aggressors,” explains Bazmi.
Producer Vipul Shah feels Singh Is Kinng is becoming much larger than the comedy that it was originally intended to be. “The title, plus Akshay in a turban, has created a curiosity amounting to a movement among Sikhs to see their reputation salvaged by the super-hero,” says Vipul. “There’s a scary amount of expectations from Akshay that we have no choice but to deliver.”
Deepika Padukone to star with Akshay Kumar
November 28, 2007
She has proved to the world that she is just not another pretty face but can act as well. Deepika Padukone, whose work in her debut film Om Shanti Om was appreciated by all, is now set to do her next film. While her debutant competitor, Sonam Kapoor has signed her next with Hrithik Roshan, Deepika has been cast for her second film opposite Akshay Kumar. The film is being made by Rohan Sippy and Nikhil Advani and will go on the floor in January.
“Yes, we have signed Deepika and Akshay Kumar for our next. I think she is an amazing actress and has a lot of potential,” said Rohan Sippy in praise of the modelturned-actress. Deepika seems to be one lucky girl, for as a debutant she got to work with none other than the Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. And now in her second film, she will be seen with the King of Overseas, Akshay Kumar.
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