Saif Ali Khan tasted immense success with his debut production venture ‘Love Aaj Kal’ which has left him full of positive energy and hopes. Now, Saif is all geared up for his second project which happens to be a spy thriller `Agent Vinod` directed by Sriram Raghavan and says the delayed project is very much on.
“A lot has been said about `Agent Vinod`, but we are very much on track. Final touches are being given to the script and at the end of March we should have the film on the floors,” says Saif.
Besides this movie, Saif is also keen to start with ‘Race 2’ and says “I definitely want to work on `Race 2`. To do a romantic comedy is also something that stands high up in my list, but then I am just waiting for a great script to come my way.”
Saif has given quite a few hits in his career and regards some of his movies as the right push for his career. He says, “I would think that `Hum Tum` was a definite milestone film in my career. Yes, there was `Kal Ho Na Ho` which was a good success as well, but then I was a second lead there. Soon followed `Salaam Namaste`, which further set the pace in my career. In the earlier years, `Yeh Dillagi` was definitely a landmark movie. Then came `Main Khiladi Tu Anari`, which again worked quite well for me. There were also `Kachche Dhaage` and `Kya Kehna` which were decent successes and then of course `Dil Chahta Hai` which was another landmark film.”
Saif feels that his career has been good and just the way he wanted. He adds, “Being Cyrus` was nice and offbeat too and then considering the kind of perception that people had for me, `Omkara` turned out to be huge as it showed quite some range. And now as we stand, I have a production like `Love Aaj Kal`. So, yeah, it`s not that bad after all.”
Ajay Devgan made his entry into Bollywood with superhit action film ‘Phool Aur Kaante’. Since then, the actor has done a variety of roles ranging from romantic movies to comedies. Now, the actor has decided to go back to his first love, action. Ajay has joined hands with Rohit Shetty to re-make superhit Malayali action film ‘Puhtiya Mukham’ and has bought its rights for an undisclosed amount.
The original movie starred Kerala superstar Prithviraj and was one of the biggest hits of last year. Rohit Shetty says, “I have seen PUTHIYA MUKHAM three times. Ajay and I have been wanting to do a hardcore action film for the last three years. At last, we are doing it!”
The film is scheduled to go on floors by year end or early next year. Ajay has already a lot of films in line awaiting release this year including Ashwni Dhir’s ATITHI TUM KAB JAOGE?, Prakash Jha’s RAAJNEETI, Kireet Khurana’s TOONPUR KA SUPERHERO, Priyadarshan’s GARAM HAWA, Bunty Lutharia’s ONCE UPON A TIME and Rohit Shetty’s GOLMAAL 3; that begins shooting this April.
Fourth Wall Entertainments’ is ready with their next project, ‘Tum Milo Toh Sahi’ directed by Kabir Sadanand. The movie which is all set to release on 2nd April 2010 stars Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Suniel Shetty, Vidya Malvade, Anjana Sukhani and Rehan Khan.
The story deals with love at different ages and defines love as the meeting of hearts, the meeting of minds and the meeting of souls. The film is all about ordinary people who save an old Irani café against all forces that stand against us and our traditions.
The distribution rights of the film have been acquired by PVR Pictures. Speaking about distributing the film, Mr. Deepak Sharma, Head of Worldwide distribution, PVR Pictures said, “Our team watched the film and were moved with the simplicity of the film. A film from the heart will surely touch hearts across the country. Also the pairing of Nana Patekar and Dimple Kapadia who have gotten together after a gap of 15yrs is something which is refreshing and I am sure audiences will enjoy this immensely.”
Pankaj Kapoor had a number of options in his mind for the female lead of his project ‘Mausam’ opposite his son Shahid Kapoor right from Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi, Govinda’s daughter Narmada, to Alyque Padamsee’s daughter Shazahn Padamsee and Anil Kapoor’s daughter Sonam Kapoor.
Among all the star daughters who were strong contenders for the role, the one who bags in the role is Sonam Kapoor who has the vote of not only all the unit members of the film but also of Pankaj’s wife Supriya Pathak who had developed a fondness for the girl while shooting for ‘Delhi 6’ along with her.
It may be mentioned here that Sonam was chosen for the film without an audition.
Reliance BIG Pictures and Rakesh Roshan are waiting eagerly for their romantic mega project ‘Kites’ to hit the silver screen. The movie stars Hrithik Roshan and Mexican model Barbara Mori and will release worldwide in Hindi and English versions on 21st May in over 60 countries. The trailer of the Hindi version will be screened on 1700 screens worldwide on Friday, 12th February, where as the trailer of the English version will be released shortly in 1000 screens.
“We have always believed that Indian films and talent can enjoy the same success and recognition internationally as in India. Kites is a first-of-its-kind Indian film and it has already generated huge interest. We are proud to present the first look to a worldwide audience,” said Sanjeev Lamba, CEO of Reliance BIG Pictures.
Directed by Anurag Basu, the movie also stars Kangana Ranaut, Kabir Bedi and Nick Brown. The English version of the movie is presented and reworked by well-known Hollywood director Brett Ratner.
Despite a strong filmi background, dazzling beauty, perfect figure and dancing skills, Esha Deol has not been able to carve a niche in Bollywood. It has been a long time she has appeared in a movie. Now, the wait is finally over as the gal is all set to make a re-entry through her mother Hema Malini’s next flick ‘Tell Me Oh Khuda’. Esha is quite excited about the project as she has been involved in the project from the onset.
Says Esha , “After a long time, I’m enjoying each day of my shoot. This is one film I am not acting in. I am just being myself. It’s today’s story. So I have the liberty to be myself.”
Esha is all praises for her director Mayur Puri who is known to her since her Dhoom days. “With Mayur it’s very easy. We know each other so well and are on the same page creatively,” she says.
Whether the film can create magic on the screen and set Esha’s career on the right track, only time can tell.
Milap Zaveri who has impressed everyone with his writing skills is making his directorial debut with ‘Jaane Kahan Se aayi Hai’ starring Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ruslaan Mumtaz and Sonal Sehgal.
With this film, former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to impress her fans with her fluent Marathi and the person who has taken up the responsibility of traching the beauty with the language is her co-star Riteish Deshmukh, who is taking up the opportunity between shoots to teach Jackie his mother tongue.
Jackie is new to the industry and is making a conscious effort to improve her Hindi and to learn Marathi. Courtsey Riteish, her Marathi is getting better than her Hindi now!
On Tuesday afternoon Katrina along with her ‘Rajneeti’ co-stars Arjun Rampal and Manoj Tiwari flew into Patna in a private jet hired by Prakash Jha. They headed straight from the airport to Jha’s residence in the suburbs. The reason was the inauguration of her director Prakash Jha’s news channel at Patna’s Shri Krishna Memorial Auditorium amidst other big names like Manoj Tiwari and Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Katrina’s presence on the stage made the crowd nostalgic. Even Nitish Kumar had to admit that his presence was not required with Katrina around.
The best part of the entire event was Katrina wooing her audience with her Bhojpuri dialogues trained by Prakash Jha who admits it wasn’t easy coaching Katrina to speak a few line in Bhojpuri. “But it worked, and how. Katrina had the whole of Bihar eating out of her hands. It was so unexpected from someone who has the reputation of barely managing her Hindi,” chuckles Jha.
Prakash cannot just stop praising Katrina and says, “Katrina had no idea of her popularity in Bihar. She has a very deep connect with audiences. She has the kind of image that Hema Malini has. Not one cheap remark, no jostling crowds, no. They now call her Bihar Ki Beti.”
Katrina, Arjun and Manoj flew back to Mumbai late Tuesday night. Prakash Jha intends to hold the premiere of ‘Rajneeti’ in Patna instead of Mumbai.
It seems like Bollywood has lost Mallika Sherawat completely to Hollywood. The latest project bagged in by this sexy bombshell is ‘Love Barack’ where she is cast opposite none other than AVATAR co-star Laz Alonso. The movie is a political romantic comedy set during the frantic and intoxicating days leading up to 2008 U.S. Presidential election to be directed by Doug McHenry. The script has been written by Los Angeles Times contributing writer Gary Goldstein and Francis Kenny is the Director of Photography.
Mallika Sherawat will play the female lead and central character Aretha Gupta, a devoted, local Obama volunteer coordinator. The story is based on a romantic and political rollercoaster that develops when, the month before Election Day, Democrat Aretha unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome, dynamic African-American working for the local McCain office.
Other stars that make up the cast include veteran actress Ruby Dee (Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominee for 2007’s American Gangster) has also joined, comedy veteran Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.
No wonder an elated Sherawat says, “Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I’m very lucky to be working with him.”
Shahrukh Khan is leaving no stones unturned to make his superhero flick ‘Ra 1’ from his production house Red Chillies Entertainment a grand one. After roping in Kareena Kapoor as the female lead, he has now his eyes set on the Hollywood action legend Jackie Chan. The production house has sent him a detailed script with the action scenes and a brief synopsis of his character and is awaiting an affirmative nod from him. Jackie is being considered for the role of a scientist who helps SRK in fighting off the bad guys.
Ra1 will be shot in Miami and Hollywood crew is being used for the film. Cinematography is by Ueli Steiger (”The Maiden Heist”), while David Benullo (”Shadow Man”) is screenwriter.
Katrina Kaif made her Bollywood debut with ‘Boom’. The film bombed at the box-office, but Katrina created stirs with her hot skin show for the flick. Nevertheless, her career soared high slowly and of late, she has refrained from much exposure in her recent films.
But as she is set to exude appeal for ‘Dostana 2’, she will don a bikini for the film. Priyanka Chopra had impressed everyone with her goldne bikini in ‘Dostana’ and now, Manish Malhotra is designing Katrina’s beach wear and selecting the colors that suits her the most.
Dostana 2 will have Katrina in a more sexy look than her cute look which she has been seen with in her recent flicks.
The music of Farhan Akhtar’s much awaited film, ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’, was released recently at a suburban multiplex of Mumbai amidst the cast and crew of the film. The trio of Shankar Ehsaan Loy has introduced a new singer in the film, Elisa Mendonsa, who happens to be Loy’s daughter.
Talking about the music of the film, Farhan said, “Shankar Ehsaan Loy could never manage to disappoint anyone with their music. Honestly, Karthik Calling Karthik has some of the best songs heard. I hope everyone will like it as me.”
Explaining the reason for not having sung himself for any song in the film, Farhan said, “There was no need for me to sing in this film since my character didn’t required to. Karthik doesn’t even talk much in the film so if I start singing, it would look out of character. Even in Luck By Chance I didn’t sing. In Rock On, singing was an integral part of the performance. So it depends on the film.”
Talking about the film and its making, Director Vijay Lalwani said, “This is my first film and I desperately wanted to get the film made. So honestly, I never thought whom to cast as Karthik. For me, Karthik was the main character in my story. When we started our company Magic Beans, Amit and I thought why not try Excel out. I narrated the script to Farhan and he was on. Even Deepika said yes to it, which was surprising. So everything fell into place.”
