Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged august 29
What’s wrong if people lobby for bills?-Aamir Khan
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 29, 2011
He’s a superstar — but his latest appearance wasn’t filmi. In an exclusive chat with Srijana Mitra Das, Aamir Khan discussed his role in the Jan Lokpal movement, people’s right to peaceful protest and the task facing MPs:
When did you join the Jan Lokpal movement? The last time Anna sat in protest. He got my attention onto the issue of the bill. I went on the net, researched the government’s draft and the Jan Lokpal draft. I was not impressed by the government’s draft — but I found the Jan Lokpal a strong anti-corruption mechanism. I wrote a letter to the PM and Anna.
Was picketing MPs’ houses an idea you gave Team Anna? ‘Picketing’ is a loose word but yes, I spoke with Arvind Kejriwal 10-15 days ago when I did mention my thoughts. In a democracy, the person I’m electing is my MP. We can’t all fight elections and sit in Parliament. We select one person to do so on our behalf. Strong, forceful communication with our MPs is essential. Each MP votes on bills. If my MP doesn’t convey my thoughts, I won’t vote for him next time.
The Lokpal Bill too is now in Parliament. We must continue sustained dialogue with our MPs until the Bill is finally passed.
Did protests force Parliamentary procedure? This is a democracy. Everyone has a right to protest. This protest was entirely peaceful, no force was used. In what other way could the people communicate with their elected representatives? There is no recall. All bills are passed with political More >
Leander Paes loses his voice
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2011)
Leander Paes’ fans will finally get to see him on screen. However, they’ll not hear him in the film Rajdhani Express. Director Ashok Kohli has decided to get Leander’s voice dubbed by another actor.
Kohli admitted, “We decided to get his voice dubbed by actor Amitosh Nagpal. Leander has a very strong English accent, when he speaks Hindi. This would not go well with the character he plays. However, that’s not the only reason. Leander is also abroad most of the time and waiting for him to dub would delay the film by months.”
Though Leander is unaware of his voice being dubbed, Kohli denied any conflict with the tennis star. “Our agreement clearly stated that the final call on dubbing rests with us. However, if Leander wants to try it out, we would readily agree,” added Kohli.
Aarakshan released in Punjab thanks to Ajay?
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha have sorted out their differences, to collaborate again for Satsang
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2011)
In Bollywood, every bridge that burns can be built again. More often than not, the mending is undertaken for the sake of good work. And hence, Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha too have decided to forget their past differences and work together once again in Jha’s next, Satsang.
A source revealed to Mumbai Mirror, “Ajay wanted to let bygones be bygones. When he came to know that Prakash Jha was facing opposition in certain states regarding the release of Aarakshan, Ajay decided to help him out in whatever way he could. He just made a few calls to his acquaintances in Punjab and helped Prakash have a disturbance-free release in the state.”
After Prakash Jha came to know of Ajay Devgn’s gesture, the filmmaker offered the actor his next film. “The script has interested the actor. It is about corruption and is called Satsang. Jha had said last year that Katrina would be a part of this film,” added the source. This is the first time Devgn and Kaif would work opposite each other.
According to the buzz in the industry, Ajay and Prakash fell out when Prakash asked the actor to be a part of Aarakshan. “Ajay felt the role did not have enough scope for him as an actor. He had already played a guy from a lower caste in Raajneeti. It just did not challenge him. Jha did not take it well and went ahead with Saif,” said the More >
Dhoom 3 shoot not getting postponed?
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Abhishek Bachchan’s plans to take off from the filming of Dhoom 3 to spend time with his family has been squashed
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2011)
On July 29, Mumbai Mirror had reported that the Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom 3, which was to go on floors in November, was postponed. And the decision came in light of soon-to-daddy Abhishek Bachchan’s request to spend time with his wife Aishwarya Rai, who is expected to deliver around November.
However, even though Chopra agreed to postpone filming, a source informed that Abhishek will still have to sacrifice his sanctioned paternity leave for his professional commitments.
Reportedly, Dhoom 3 will go on floors in November as previously planned because Aamir Khan’s dates are not flexible at all. “It is not advisable for the producers to try negotiating with Aamir as his dates clash with the time Abhishek wished to take off from the shoots.
Hence Aditya Chopra asked him to reconsider taking leave,” said the source.
Subsequently, Abhishek has agreed to cancel his leave and report to work. “It was a professional decision on his part. He readily agreed when he understood the problem that the producers were in.
Aamir does only one film at a time and he allots his dates well in advance. Abhishek will get a customary two days off on the day of delivery. And he is content with it,” added the source.
The film, which also stars Uday Chopra, will hit theatres on December 25, More >
The best way to survive is to be you-Akshay Kumar
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Akki was swinging from monkey bars when he realised he has completed 20 years in Bollywood
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2011)
In 1991, a tall, dark and good looking 24-year-old man made his Bollywood debut with Pramod Chakravarthy’s Saugandh. A year later, with Abbas-Mastan’s college thriller Khiladi, the actor tasted success.
Christened Khiladi Kumar after his first blockbuster, Akshay Kumar slowly but steadily rose to stardom. Completing 20 years in Bollywood, the actor recalls his struggle to the top, marriage to superstar Rajesh Khanna’s daughter and missing his own father.
“I was in my gym swinging from the monkey bars, the day I officially completed 20 years in the industry. Honestly, I didn’t know what to feel. Back then, I never thought I would still be making movies 20 years down the line. I remember taking my family for the first screening of my debut film thinking, ‘There you go, this is enough to make them proud’.
Their happiness gave me the strength and determination to try harder every day. At every screening, since my first, the smiles on their faces make all the pain and effort seem worthwhile,” recalls the actor.
Born in Amritsar, raised in Delhi and then working as a chef in Bangkok, Akshay had no connections to the film industry.
And after his initial break, the actor had to try really hard to create his own space in the industry. “No matter how much you are loved or respected, the minute you lose focus, or make a small mistake, More >
Kamal’s search for heroine for Viswaroopam continues
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Lata Srinivasan (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2011)
Kamal Haasan still does not seem to have found the right heroine to romance in his upcoming action film Viswaroopam. It all started with Dabangg’s Sonakshi Sinha signing on Kamal Haasan’s Viswaroopam and then supposedly opting out once the project didn’t start in July. However, there were rumours that she ‘was asked to leave’ as she didn’t develop a lean physique for the film. Meanwhile, Deepika had also apparently been offered Rajini’s Rana and Kamal’s spy thriller but the young diva opted for Rajini’s film over Kamal’s. Vidya Balan, who also is said to have been approached, turned down the film for reasons unknown. Once it was clear that none of these Bollywood actresses had signed on the film, Sonam Kapoor’s name suddenly started doing the rounds but the actress clearly denied being approached by Kamal. Then it was the turn of Zaheer Khan’s girlfriend, Isha Sharvani’s name to crop up. She’s also believed to have been roped in for Viswaroopam, but clearly not in a role opposite Kamal. Most recently, sources said the 180 girl Priya Anand was called for a screen test by Kamal but the actor’s spokesperson denied this.
Now however it looks like Kamal has zeroed in on none other than the Bollywood girl who has made Kollywood home, Sameera Reddy! A source says, “Sameera was recently approached by the makers to play a role in Viswaroopam. However, as the actress is busy shooting for Vettai and Vedi and Kamal is out of country, More >
Love is eternal. But today I love myself-Delnazz
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Separation after 14 years of marriage and her father’s death were devastating. But Delnaazz is emerging out of her difficult phase with a smile, finds Roshni K Olivera
BOMBAY TIMES (August 29, 2011)
You’re going through a divorce (from Rajev Paul) after 14 years of marriage. It must be a difficult phase… Yes, obviously it’s difficult. The period 2010-2011 was really miserable in terms of the separation and also losing my dad — someone I loved dearly and looked upto. It’s like the two men who were very important in my life were gone. Both the things came together. It was traumatic but I have been the kind of person who has always been positive about life. I say this because I have been through my share of ups and downs before, and I went through all the lows with a smile. Even now, I have chosen to live happily by concentrating on work, taking care of myself and my health. Earlier it used to always be my family. For a change now it’s about me and only me (smiles). If you look at life positively, you can convert your weakness into strength.
Are Rajev and you in touch? Not really.
What went wrong? We have separated and the world doesn’t need to know what happened between us. The two of us know what went wrong and we don’t need to talk about it. But when a couple divorces, people like to analyse and wonder what may have gone wrong. All kinds of stories have been making the rounds and that can be upsetting. Somebody said that Rajev wanted babies while I did not. There is More >
Anushka and I have drifted apart-Ranveer Singh
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Ranveer Singh talks about Anushka Sharma, Sonakshi Sinha, love and more…
Upala KBR (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2011)
For the last time, are you dating Anushka? We are two young, attractive people. When people saw us going out and sharing wonderful chemistry, they speculated. The truth is, Anushka is a very good friend. Unfortuantely, we have drifted apart now.
So you were not in love? I was very attracted to her. I don’t know if I’ve ever been in love. I don’t know what love means. I have felt strong and deep emotions for people who are not related to me by blood. I don’t know if that’s love but yes, I’ve felt attraction and affection for Anushka.
Did you and Anushka split because she wanted to concentrate on her career? No. We have drifted because we don’t get to see each other as much as we used to. I think circumstances drove us apart. We worked together continuously for a year in Band Bajaa Baaraat and saw each other everyday. Over a period of time we made common friends and hung out together going for dinners and movies. Now that our work is over, Anushka has forged her own path and signed on lots of movies. Now we don’t meet each other at all.
Are you closer to Sonakshi now? I do find Sonakshi very attractive, but we are not dating. I have met her many times and we share a healthy friendship. Right now I am single. I wouldn’t mind if love comes along, but for the moment it’s work over love.
Is Sonakshi a better friend or Anushka? Anushka! I am much closer to More >