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Posts tagged chennai express
Ajay offers support to Ekta and her Eid release OUATIM 2?
11 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Ajay Devgn offers support to the producer for her Eid release which is clashing with Chennai Express
Upala KBR (DNA; May 11, 2013)
Last Diwali Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan clashed at the box-office. This year, Akshay Kumar and SRK are coming together on Eid day with their films Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again and Chennai Express. Battle lines are drawn and everyone is expected to take sides, or stay neutral, because there is just too much at stake.
The industry may claim that they are one big happy family but it’s war when two big banner films with big stars release on the same day, as it was proven last year when Jab Tak Hain Jaan clashed with Son Of Sardaar. Ajay is still smarting from the experience as he felt that he was cheated of a decent release because of Yash Raj Films monopoly (see box). He filed a case against YRF for Unfair Trade Practices that he is still fighting.
When Ajay saw that the same thing was happening to Ekta, he called her and offered her his unconditional support. He said he would fight on her behalf and promote the film. Whatever she needed in terms of support, he would be there for her. A source reveals, “When Ajay heard that Ekta too was being subjected to the same tactics as Ajay with her film OUATIM 2 by UTV, he called up Ekta in front of the UTV executives and asked her if she needed any help. Reportedly, UTV told all single screen theatre owners that if they want to screen Himmatwala, they would have to dedicate four shows in a day to More >
Race against time: SRK doesn’t let Deepika go for world tour with Ranbir?
11 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 10, 2013)
In a recent interview to Mirror, Ayan Mukherji, director of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani was all praise for his lead pair, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, for putting their past behind and maintaining a cordial relationship on the sets. Karan Johar, who is producing the film, had also planned a world tour with the exlovers to promote the film. However, it seems Shah Rukh Khan vetoed the idea.
Mirror has learnt that SRK has thrown a wet blanket on the much-anticipated trip scheduled to take off early this week.
Apparently, he and Rohit Shetty, the director of his ambitious project Chennai Express, sat Deepika down and talked her out of the plan. They categorically told her that they need her to devote all her time to complete the film.
Deepika tried her best to reason with SRK and Rohit, but to no avail. “She was clearly told that if she did not cooperate, they will not be able to release their film on Eid. She was also reminded about the leeway given to her in the past when she kept dividing her dates between Shetty’s Chennai Express and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela,” a source close to the developments said.
The latest is that, even Ranbir is not going for the tour and no prizes for guessing, Karan and Ayan aren’t too amused with their publicity drive been thrown out of gear.
“As of today, the tour stands cancelled. The whole idea was to have Deepika and Ranbir together,” the source said adding, “It was a professional More >
SRK to leave for London to get his right shoulder operated?
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Upala KBR (DNA; May 1, 2013)
Shah Rukh Khan will be going under the knife again. The actor will have the surgery on his right shoulder in London, post the completion of Chennai Express and IPL, in July.
Says a source, “Shah Rukh has been shooting high octane action sequences for Chennai Express which has taken a toll on his shoulders, especially his right one. His left shoulder is already weak as he had a minimally invasive surgery at the Breach Candy Hospital a couple of years ago. The right shoulder got aggravated with time as pressure was put on it in the past few months. The pain became much worse after Shah Rukh, who loves doing all kinds of stunts for his events, performed at an award show recently. SRK is just waiting for the last schedule of CE to wrap up, and then he will leave for London with his family. After his operation, Shah Rukh will be completely confined to his bed for a month before he can take on any physical activity.” Post his recuperation, he starts shooting for Happy New Year directed by Farah Khan.
Shah Rukh is currently being treated by Dr Sanjay Desai, who had operated on his left shoulder in 2011. Dr Desai is one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in India, who has the credit of bringing world-class arthroscopic shoulder surgery to India. An insider reveals, “Depending on the condition of SRK’s shoulder Dr Desai may operate it in Mumbai but if he can travel, he will go to London.”
His other injuries
Left cervical (neck) – In 2006, SRK was doing More >
Deepika Padukone is 2012′s most desirable woman
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; April 29, 2013)
India has voted and chosen the Times 50 Most Desirable Women of 2012 presented by Peri Peri Skinwear. The 7.01 lakh votes received online on www.itimes.comcom/polls along with our vote decided the winners. Bombay Times talks to Deepika Padukone who tops the list.
What according to you makes you the most desirable woman of 2012? I do hope that my desirability comes from my work and the person I am and it’s not just limited to the physical attributes. I am told I come across as a person who is warm and real. At the same time, they aspire to be like me as I am a young achiever without any film industry background.
Who would be the most desirable man for you? Not as a daughter, but I find my dad really desirable and admire him for the person he is. In the way that he handles his success or the human being he is or his being an achiever but yet being simple and humble. Men of that generation are rare to find today. That’s what I will want in my man when I decide to settle down.
Amongst my co-stars, at the moment my most desirable man will be Shah Rukh Khan. In my first film Om Shanti Om, I was new and extremely quiet and was just absorbing the experience. Working on Chennai Express has brought me closer to him and I can call him a friend. On a daily basis, I see a lot of goodness in him. He is extremely generous and is the warmest person I have met. And I can say this with a lot of confidence.
Ranveer Singh, in a recent interview to More >
Akshay Kumar to clash with Rohit Shetty for the 3rd time
13 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
BOMBAY TIMES (April 25, 2013)
On the face of it, the August 8 Ramzan Eid clash between Shah Rukh Khan (Chennai Express) and Akshay Kumar (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again) seems like a fight between two Bollywood superstars. And the trade, media and public are already vying for ringside seats to the Big Clash.
But the ones who are actually fighting it out the third time around are Akki and Rohit Shetty, who had same day releases in Diwali 2009 when Akshay came with Blue and Rohit brought All the Best. Verdict: Blue failed, All the Best won. In 2010, Akshay’s Action Replayy came with Rohit’s Golmaal 3. Akshay lost, Rohit made it to the 100-cr club. In 2012, Akshay was meant to come with Khiladi 786 during Diwali. However, since a bitter battle was already brewing between Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar and SRK’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Akshay prudently moved his Khiladi to a later date.
Anyway, the fact of the matter remains that this is the third time around that Akshay and Rohit will clash. Who gets lucky in this third round is something we have to wait and watch.
Chennai Express, OUATIM 2 won’t release in Pakistan this Eid
03 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 23, 2013)
Distributors and exhibitors in Pakistan have abandoned Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chennai Express and Akshay Kumar-starrer Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again. Both were slated to release on the day of Eid, August 8, in the country.
The reason being cited is that Pakistani filmmakers want four of their films- Josh, Ishq Khuda, War and Mera Naam Afridi – to get more visibility than the Indian films.
Leading distributor Abdul Rashid, who controls a large section of the distribution chain across the border, and has been in touch with the producers of Chennai Express and Once Upon…, UTV and Balaji, respectively, communicated the decision to the two production houses.
Expressing disappointment with the developments, a source said: “Theatres in Pakistan generate maximum revenue from Hindi films. So it is really sad that this time, they did a volteface. UTV and Balaji tried reasoning with the filmmakers, but to no avail.”
According to trade sources, Pakistan’s blackout of these two films will lead to an estimated loss to the tune of Rs 20 crore. When contacted, Abdul Rashid told Mirror, “Yes, we are not releasing Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again in Pakistan. Our government wants to protect the interests of the Pakistan film fraternity.“
He also added, “We don’t mind rescheduling the two films to August 15. But piracy would have reduced the business prospects of the two films by then.” Admitting that exhibitors More >
Nayanthara refuses item number in SRK’s Chennai Express?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
BOMBAY TIMES (April 16, 2013)
Heard that the South hottie Nayanthara — yeah, the one who was dating Prabhu Dheva and almost married him — is not keen on Bollywood at all? She was reportedly offered an item song in Chennai Express, the one that was later done by Priyamani.
Nayanthara refused to be cajoled into accepting Rohit Shetty’s offer, say sources. And the reason of course has nothing to do with Shah Rukh Khan or Rohit. It is just that she wants to keep away from the industry that Prabhudheva is currently dominating.
Shah Rukh Khan sets up second temporary office in Wai?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 15, 2013)
Ever since the schedule of Chennai Express commenced in Wai, sources say Shah Rukh Khan had almost set up his home and office in the quaint village. The actor had moved bag and baggage to Wai, just outside Panchgani to concentrate on his film that clashes on Eid with Akshay Kumar’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again.
And not just the film, SRK had also been shooting for all his upcoming brand endorsements in Wai.
A source says, “SRK stayed put in Wai to leave no stone unturned in making Chennai Express as big as it gets. He was also getting his other work done sitting there. In the past one month, he had shot for five ads there, including a tea and automobile brand. The people behind the brands had to fly down to Wai to get their work done.”
A source close to the star says that SRK’s focus right now is solely resting on his upcoming film helmed by Rohit Shetty. “He is a perfectionist and considering it’s an Eid release, he is juggling time between the film, his commercials and his other work commitments.” Sources add that while 80 per cent of the shoot is complete, the last schedule of the film has just moved to Kerala.
SRK-Sonakshi all set to clash a second time?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
BOMBAY TIMES (April 12, 2013)
Sonakshi Sinha has one Khan — Salman (Dabangg) Khan — on her side most often. But Salman’s bête noire Shah Rukh Khan and she are star-crossed. A trade source made an interesting observation on how SRK and Sona are getting ready for their second face-off at the box office.
Last Diwali, Sonakshi was the leading lady of Son Of Sardaar that clashed with Shah Rukh’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan. As if that wasn’t enough, this Ramzan Eid, Sona’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again is all set to clash with SRK’s Chennai Express.
One hears the actress is perturbed about the fact that she’s in the eye of the storm — obviously, by default. Like other girls in B-Town, she too wants to do a movie with SRK and not be clashing with him.
Chennai Express makers face water woes in drought-hit Satara?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Nihit Bhave (DNA; April 12, 2013)
There’s some watery woe happening on the sets of Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express. And if you didn’t know about it, don’t worry, we’ll give you a ‘drop by drop’ lowdown. Water scarcity in the state of Maharashtra seems to have directly affected this upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer. Villagers of Wai-Satara district, where the film is being shot, apparently raised voices against the rampant use of water from Dhom dam for the film. The production house claimed they had all permissions and papers to use the site. When we ‘drilled’ deeper we found that four villagers were apparently arrested for harassing the line producer of the film for the same reasons! So here’s wishing for ‘water under the bridge’… or should we say, under the dam?