Hot Bollywood Gossips and Sexy Actress

He is among the most versatile actors we have in Bollywood today. Having started out as an action hero with films like Phool Aur Kaante, Jigar, Vijaypath etc., this talented actor slowly moved on to display his serious and sensitive side in films like Zakhm, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Company. Just as one thought he is getting typecast, he made a dramatic turnaround by starring in some laugh riots like Golmaal, Golmaal Returns and All The Best. In case you are still wondering whom we are talking about, it is none other than the super talented Ajay Devgn

Ajay’s latest release Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge opened recently to some amazing reviews and the film has been growing from strength to strength with each passing day with both the masses and the classes lapping up this laugh-riot. Hence it’s rather apt that we have Ajay as our ‘Atithi’ on Bollywood Hungama’s Live Video Chat. Ajay would be there to chat with all of you on Wednesday, March 17, at 1430 hrs IST. This is one rendezvous you surely don’t want to miss.

Plans for bringing Kareena and Shahid Kapoor together to promote their pending project Milenge Milenge have been called off. It has now been decided by producer Boney Kapoor that the pair will promote the film individually. This, to avoid Kareena who’s in a committed relationship, any embarrassment and awkwardness, although Shahid who had no objections to collaborating with Kareena on the promotion seems unaware of these developments.

When asked if he’d be willing to promote the film jointly with Kareena, Shahid says enthusiastically, “Yes, I’ll do everything I can to promote it. Of course I’ll do everything in my power to see the film gets properly released. It’s my film.”

Shahid says he has no problems whatsoever promoting the film with Kareena. However, producer Boney Kapoor feels it’s wiser and more discreet to let Shahid and Kareena do separate promotional work.

Says Boney, “We’re getting Shahid and Kareena to do separate promotional activities. That way we give them space to be comfortable with the situation and also we get twice the amount of publicity for Milenge Milenge that we would if the pair promoted the film jointly.”

Shahid has not only decided to go all-out for Milenge Milenge, he has also been taking interest in the release date to ensure that it releases at a time when it is likely to get the best audience.

He recently had a meeting with producer Boney Kapoor and they mutually agreed to postpone the release from April to later during the year.

Says Shahid, “We met and took a joint decision. Boneyji was co-operative. Otherwise I’d have had three releases-Milenge Milenge, Paathshala and Badmaash Company-in one month.”

Boney says he’s getting Milenge Milenge ready for release in the last week of June or the first week of July. “Milenge Milenge would be Shahid’s last release until his father’s film Mausam. Kareena and he look gorgeous together.”

In fact Shahid is enormously enthusiastic about Milene Milenge. Last week he met the film’s director Satish Kaushik. Says Satish emotionally, “Though we live in the same building Shahid and I never meet! I know him from the time he was a child. On Saturday night, we bumped into each other in our high-rise compound after a party. We spoke for nearly an hour about Milenge Milenge. Shahid told me the project is very dear to him and that he would go all out to promote the film however my producer Boney Kapoor and I wanted. Shahid is at our disposal. He also asked me to update him on music video shoot.”

He’s the Deol who has managed to break away from the norms and made a niche for himself. Like they say maturity and age are far from synonymous, Abhay Deol has done what most people would steer clear from, and that is to be unconventional in every possible way. Thanks to that, he managed to find respect and appreciation among the film fraternity and his fans. And we are sure this Young Deol, will keep surprising us with each passing Year.

Here’s wishing Abhay one the most unconventional and happy birthday from Bollywood Hungama.

The nation is mourning the death of their dearest little bahu Anandi
but media reports suggest that this is just a move to gain in more
eyeballs and that Anandi will return after remaining in coma for few
days. Well, a new twist has now emerged to this saga with sources
claiming that Anandi will return back to life but she will lose her
memory.

Karisma Kapur became a mother for the second time yesterday
afternoon. She delivered a healthy baby boy at a South Mumbai hospital.
Her parents, Randhir Kapoor and Babita, her younger sister, actress
Kareena and her boyfriend Saif Ali Khan and their close friend Lovely
Singh were the first ones to reach the hospital and check on the mother
as well as the baby.

India’s most celebrated music director, Oscar and Grammy Award winner
A R Rahman, has planned a music tour to salute Bollywood and Indian
music. He has reportedly teamed up with producer Deepak Gattani and
creative director Amy Tinkham, who is famous for creating live musical
concerts for Britney Spears, Back Street Boys and Mariah Carey.

Talented director Tanuja Chandra, who has made some hard-hitting films like Dushman, Sangharsh and Sur, is all set to start her next directorial venture.

The film is apparently a romantic comedy and stars Rajeev Khandelwal and Vir Das in lead roles. The hunt for the female lead is still on. The as-yet-untitled film will be produced by Anuj Saxena’s Maverick Productions. The film is likely to go on floors in the middle of this year.

Aamir Khan’s intellect is not a facade he puts on for his films but he is truly a man who knows exactly what he’s talking about in all seriousness. To validate that is the fact that he has been invited to a highly prestigious summit in New Delhi today- the 13th March with none other than the esteemed Oscar Winning director James Cameron.

The Summit is being held on the subject of Reality v/s Idealism and will also see young Bollywood actors Asin and Ranbir Kapoor who would be the voice of the Youth of Bollywood. Asin would be speaking on how the youth can break free and think out of the box to bring change in a country that is much in need of it.

The two young stars will also be attending the exclusive gala dinner which will be addressed by James Cameron and Aamir and what makes all of this extremely special is the fact that only a select few personalities have been invited to this summit and dinner. Therefore this is an extreme honour and recognition of one’s work to be present there.

The Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai girl is surely spreading her magic. It’s Jacqueline Fernandez who is creating the craze and how! Coming April would see Jacqueline opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt spreading the ‘Wow! Factor’ for a Pepsi commercial and if you’re wondering why Jacqueline then the ad filmmaker is asking why not.

The story goes that the ad filmmaker of Pepsi commercial had Ranbir and Sanju baba in tow but was on a lookout for a face that is not only fresh but compliments Ranbir and adds the much needed glam factor to the commercial. Nikhil Advani being a good friend of the ad filmmaker showed some promotional videos and scenes of his upcoming production Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. Says a source, “The makers were blown away by Jackie and insisted that they wanted her in the ad.” So convinced were they about Jackie that when the dates of the commercial and the promotional video of the film were clashing, the makers adjusted their dates to suit Jacqueline’s. As a matter of fact even after the commercial, the entire team couldn’t stop raving about her.

Well Jacqueline, just like Pepsi, seems like you too have a Wow Factor in you.

It’s probably a season that can see a beautiful coming together of Bollywood and Philanthropy. Not that we’re surprised but instead it makes us very proud how some of the most popular stars have taken it upon themselves to do their bit for the society. The name that has just pencilled itself in to this group is the pretty Preity Zinta who has been appointed the goodwill ambassador of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in India.

One might think that she would give a few speeches and do a few commercials and be done with. But no! Miss Zinta takes such responsibilities quite seriously. The lady would be travelling to the rural areas of Punjab where AIDS is quite rampant, and create awareness as to how one can keep the disease at bay.

If that wasn’t enough, she has taken the decision that all the players of her IPL Premiere League team - King XI Punjab will be donning red ribbons and for the match against Delhi daredevils, an HIV positive person will do the toss to spread the message against stigma and discrimination.

The lady is truly a bundle of surprise. Besides shooting an AIDS commercial with her team’s captain Kumar Sangakkara and other team players, the team will be donating 25% of the profit they earn from selling their merchandise to UNAIDS.

India is home to 2.3 million HIV positive people; it makes us so proud to know that someone like Miss Zinta, who holds the position to create awareness about AIDS, is taking her responsibility so seriously.

Sanjay Gupta now treads a new path and is launching his new brand White Feather Arthouse Films. He is signalling off this journey with two films that are slated to chart new territories in the realm of `new age sensibility’ movies. The two films are The Great Indian Butterfly and Pankh.

The first film to be released is The Great Indian Butterfly that releases on the 26th of March, 2010. Directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, the film stars Aamir Bashir, Sandhya Mridul, Koel Purie and Barry John. The film has already been invited to prestigious film festivals like the Indo-America Arts Council Film Festival and the River to River, Florence Indian Film Festival, which is the first festival in the world to be devoted entirely to films from and about India. The Great Indian Butterfly is about a young couple searching for a mystical butterfly that brings peace, love, luck and happiness. Even though a simple story, the film recounts the complexities of a changing India. Says Sarthak Dasgupta, “We have made a difference in the world through the power of our ideas. The film tries to capture that unique Indian spirit. It’s not esoteric and complex. It’s a simple story of discovery in present day India”. The Great Indian Butterfly will be releasing on March 26.

With Pankh, which releases on the 2nd of April they set out to present trailblazing movies. This film pushes the envelope so far that it has torn it open. It has already generated a raging controversy in the media. The film stars Bipasha Basu, Mahesh Manjrekar, Lilette Dubey, Ronit Roy, Sanjeeda Sheikh and introduces two new kids Maradona Rebello and Amit Purohit. It is directed by Sudipto Chattopadhyay a national award winning director. The film is a heart rendering tale of the plight of a young man with a traumatic past. It reveals the sordid reality of gender confusion within a dramatic and controversial context. About a young boy who plays a girl’s role on screen. Says Sudipto, “This was a story that needed telling. It is a film that will touch every sensitive soul. Pankh is Bollywood’s wildest take so far.” Pankh will be releasing on April 2.

According to a communique received from Mukta Arts, RIGHT YAAA WRONG has opened at 21 screens in Pakistan today [Friday]. This is the first Sunny Deol starrer to release in the neighbouring country.

Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey have been teamed in a suspense-thriller, which will go on floors shortly. Produced by Denis Selarka and directed by first-time director Amitabh Verma, the suspense-thriller has every character knitting a conspiracy against the other. The film will be shot in Alibaug.

Says producer Denis Selarka about his yet-untitled film, “Every character has grey shades. Every character is trying to outdo the other. There is a mastermind though.” Plans are on to release the film in November this year.

Kareena Kapoor is busy with films and endorsements that are pouring her way while sister Karisma is on the family way.

Karisma Kapoor, 36, gave birth to a baby boy today morning at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He is Karisma’s second child after her daughter Samaira.

Gathered at the hospital along side Karisma is the entire Kapoor family to give the latest arrival a grand welcome.

Bollywood Hungama congratulates Karisma and the Kapoor family, on this very special day and wishes them the very best.

With immense stardom comes immense credibility. How and why is completely debatable. But it’s a fact that Kareena Kapoor can easily vouch for.

The Bollywood Diva is a wanted entity by one and all brands. If Anne French, Sony Vaio, Head and Shoulder and Airtel weren’t enough, joining their league now is Sony Ericsson. Yes! Kareena will now be the brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson Mobiles. No wonder then that she is termed as the endorsement queen in Bollywood.

The ad film of her newly adopted brand has been directed by Director Anuj Alia, and is shot in Mehboob Studio. With a line up of big films and a number of endorsements deals, this woman is completely on a roll.

A year back, Tansen was a hot project in the making. While Barjatyas from Rajshri Productions were backing this mega budget project, Satish Kaushik was already on board as the director of the film. Though there was no official confirmation on the main lead, it was being whispered in the industry circles that Abhishek Bachchan had already been sounded for the much coveted role.

However, post Karzzzz, Delhi 6 and Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi, all seemed to be forgotten about Tansen. Abhishek Bachchan had double trouble with Drona followed by Delhi 6. Karzzzz was a shocker for Satish Kaushik because in spite of so much hype, it was the remake factor that went against it. As for Barjatyas, their small budgeted Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi (Sonu Sood, Esha Kopikar) didn’t quite turn out to be another Vivah and folded up rather soon. Tansen seemed to be a talk of the past and it was more or less apparent that it was shelved for good.

This is where a pleasant surprise comes in with Satish Kaushik coming out of a brief hibernation (as a director) and announcing that the epic musical drama is still pretty much on. Explaining the delay in the film coming on floors, Satish Kaushik says, “Tansen was a big budgeted film and we wanted to give it the best possible platform. We could have got it earlier but then there was a big slap of recession during last couple of years. However, the film never stopped and we continued to work hard on the script.”

As things stand now, the script is being written by Irshad Kamil, popular lyricist who has written number of chartbuster songs for composer Pritam. As per Kaushik, Barjatyas are gung go about the project and taking active interest in giving Tansen the best shape possible so that it lives up to the great expectations that audience has from a character and film of this stature.

“Raj (Barjatya) Babu and Sooraj Barjatya are sitting on the script sessions with us from Day One”, says Kaushik, “In fact there have been days when we have worked on it for more than 12 hours at stretch. They are totally involved in the making of Tansen and even though Sooraj isn’t directing it, he is taking active interest in the film. In fact just a few days back, we spoke again on taking the film forward. I hadn’t announced any new film after Karzzzz since my time was completely eaten up by Tansen. Rest assured, Tansen is pretty much on and certainly not shelved.”

When the film first came in news, Satish Kaushik was heard as stating - “Abhishek is someone who can play the role well as he also has a certain star status and fan following. He has the look and intensity. He also has the dialogue delivery of his father. And we do need a Tansen who thinks in Hindi and talks the language fluently.” Even spokesperson from Rajshri had admitted that Abhishek was approached for the role. He had said, “Yes, we have spoken to Abhishek about Tansen and he has agreed to sit with us for the narration once our script is done. We are still busy scripting the film. ”

So coming to the million dollar question, is Abhishek Bachchan finally playing the role of Tansen? There is a shocker in store as Satish Kaushik goes on record to state that the young man hasn’t been finalised for the film yet. “No, Abhishek is not confirmed for Tansen. There is an entire rethinking being done on the film’s cast. Why just Abhishek, nobody has actually been decided and formalised to star in Tansen. We would be casting in a couple of months and it would be there for all to know then.”

With probability of Abhishek featuring as Tansen seemingly quite low, one wonders whom do Satish Kaushik and Barjatyas have in mind for the title role. There are only a handful of actors who could fit in well when it comes to a period film. Add to that the genre being musical and the film’s scale being high, there are further limitations that are set when it comes to making a project viable. Watch this space for more!

The big news

Now this development really gets the antennas stand right up with all attention reserved for what next is really in the offing. Believe it or not but a major Hollywood-Bollywood collaboration is right up in the anvil and two of the bigger superstars from different ends of the world are all set to share screen space. The film in question is Xtrme City and the men in question - hold your breath - Shah Rukh Khan and Leonardo Di Caprio.

Yes, even though all of this seemed like a dream till a few years back, it is indeed turning out to be a reality since work is progressing on brisk speed to get the scripting in place for the film. There is quite some action on pre-production front as well and Xtrme City is looking positive at going on floors by end of 2010. If that indeed happens, Shah Rukh can well be expected to be really busy all through 2010 and 2011 with Ra 1 and the sequel of Don required to be wrapped up before Xtrme City starts taking a shape.

How it happened

Informs our source, “Not many know but when Shah Rukh visited Berlin for the premiere of My Name Is Khan, his agenda also included a groundbreaking movie deal. He was power-dining with Hollywood bigwigs like director Martin Scorsese and screenplay writer Paul Schrader over the project which is touted to star Bollywood’s reigning superstar with Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo Di Caprio. Karan Johar, David Weisman and screenplay writer Mushtaq Shiekh were present at the meeting.”

The film doesn’t really come as a complete piece of surprise though. Yes, Shah Rukh’s presence has raised quite a few eyebrows though one could have expected to see this coming since his close friend and associate Mushtaq Shiekh had already been commissioned to write the film. The director was finalised as Paul Schrader, the same man who had made Robert De Niro come up with a career defining act in Taxi Driver. On the other hand, Mushtaq has made Shah Rukh Khan go over the top as never before in Om Shanti Om.

When Paul Schrader had earlier visited India in 2008, he had indeed talked about collaborating on a project that would marry Indian ethos with Western sentiment. His Xtrme City was touted to combine the cinematic traditions of both Bollywood and Hollywood and provide wholesome cross-culture entertainment. For this purpose, he had written the film along with Mushtaq who does come with a super strong Shah Rukh connection. In the past, he has authored bestselling biographies for Shah Rukh Khan like ‘SRK: Still Reading Khan’ and ‘Shah Rukh Can’. He has also written books like ‘The Making of Asoka’, ‘Devdas - The Indian Hamlet’ and ‘The Making of Om Shanti Om’. Of course his claim to fame are screenwriting credits for Om Shanti Om, Billu and Shah Rukh’s under production Ra 1.

At that time, another piece of announcement had stated - “This groundbreaking production will showcase a Bollywood mega-star and a Hollywood movie-star sharing top billing in a major motion picture. The film is destined for both the subcontinent and international markets. In fact, Xtrme City is already in the process of casting the two star leads. The film is going to be a hugely mounted affair with a multi million budget.”

The superstars
However, not many would have assumed that the two leads would be none other than Shah Rukh Khan and Leonardo Di Caprio. Meanwhile, Paul Schrader had been hinting all along that he would work only with the biggest Bollywood star and that is why he was keen to sign Shah Rukh for the leading role. It was also quite clear that if the two actors indeed sign up on the dotted line to star in the multi-million project, both Shah Rukh and Leonardo Di Caprio would get top billing. Xtrme City will be an action-thriller set in Mumbai covering the criminal underbelly of the city.

When contacted, Mushtaq Shiekh said, “It’s too premature to discuss the casting of the film. But yes, Shah Rukh and Leonardo did meet up in Berlin. The meeting was just a casual one; they were there for the premiere of their films Shutter Island and My Name Is Khan respectively. The highlight of the meeting was Karan Johar who entertained everyone with absolutely delightful Bollywood trivia.”

On the other hand Paul Schrader, who has directed 18 films, confirms that the Hollywood-Bollywood collaboration is certainly on. “I hadn’t thought about working in India”, says the man who has previously worked in Japan, Italy, Romania, Israel and Morocco. However, now I see Bollywood as the next great frontier. Xtrme City is a cross-cultural entertainment that merges the cinematic traditions of Bollywood and Hollywood. I am indeed excited to make a film which is accessible and meaningful to both Indian and American cultures.”

Adds Mushtaq, “Working on Xtrme City with a master screenwriter like Paul Schrader has been exhilarating and a marvellous illumination for me. He is tireless. We kept at it until achieving a perfect emotional balance for our story. We wanted to reveal the best of each world in surprising, entertaining, inspiring ways. That’s what I like about Paul’s screenplay. Ours is a film that never takes either culture for granted.”

The Martin Scorcese factor
Meanwhile another big name, Martin Scorcese, too turned out to be quite a handful in this meeting that saw Shah Rukh Khan, Leonardo Di Caprio, Karan Johar, Paul Schrader and Mushtaq Shiekh coming together. The man who has directed Leonardo in Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator and Gangs of New York in the past is pretty abreast with the going-ons in Bollywood as well.

“I was amazed by how Martin Scorsese was completely in sync with all that is happening in Bollywood. His knowledge about old Hindi films left me shocked”, says Mushtaq in awe, “In that one room, seeing such gigantic movie business folks was almost like seeing a mega Hollywood-Bollywood movie live. Their interest in Bollywood cinema is just as animated as how we marvel at their film culture.”

The release
Adds the source, “The film is aiming for a late 2010 shoot in Mumbai, New York and the Persian Gulf. The makers are hoping for a 2011 release. As with many Bollywood films, Xtrme City will integrate thriller, drama and comedy elements. The movie will be family-friendly though there would certainly be elements of violence. However, sex will be downplayed, though there would be quintessential song and dance routines.”

Well, My Name Is Khan has already earned its stripes in America by being declared the highest grossing ’specialty film’ of 2010. Though this tag does make one look at the overall success a little more closely, the term ’specialty’ may get a whole new perspective if he succeeds in pulling off a casting-coup. Also, it is now obvious that Shah Rukh’s hush-hush meeting in Berlin will spark off a new interest in Bollywood stars actually managing to make a Hollywood breakthrough. Will Shah Rukh lead the pack with Xtrme City? From what it seems, both Shah Rukh and Leonardo Di Caprio might be pulling off one of the biggest movie collaboration in recent times. What we have heard is just the tip of the iceberg!

About Xtrme City:
Xtrme City is an action thriller set in the brutal, impenetrable, criminal orbit of Mumbai, India. Curtis Hawkley, a former U.S. Ranger, is obliged to return to Mumbai when his father-in-law’s youngest daughter is kidnapped by a powerful underworld Don. In order to save the girl he must first find his old friend Raj Rangan, an Indian Special Forces Commando who became a crime world enforcer. After reuniting and saving the girl, the two men are drawn deeper into the “bhai” underworld of Mumbai than they expected. Sense of duty compels them to take on a system of corruption, revenge, and familial obligations.

Farah Khan displayed her motherly side recently while shooting for
Tees Maar Khan with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif at Malshej Ghat.
Akshay wanted to return home after the shoots to be with his son, who
was in Mumbai, which is why he declined the offer to stay in Malshej
Ghat for 21 days.

Pallavi Shubash, a.k.a. Aastha (Godh Bharaai) is in love. And she has
no qualms admitting it. “I have been in a relationship for five years
now,” she says, “and we are planning to get married soon.” However, she
is not too forthcoming about the identity of her love interest, only
stating that he is no Bollywood star, and that he is one of the popular
stars in the Marathi Film Industry. “I will definitely let you know when
the time is right,” she says.

Entering the industry as lead actor is the famous playback singer Udit Narayan’s son Aditya Narayan. He made quite a rage few years back as a child artist alongside SRK and Salman in Pardes and Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai respectively. But gone are those days as he is back in the industry ready with his debut as the leading star in Vikram Bhatt’s horror flick Shaapit. In fact Aditya has also written and composed the promotional song for the film. Seems like he is extremely geared up about his maiden venture.

Burdened with expectations or confident with experience, that’s for you to ask and for him to answer as he joins us for a celebrity live on Friday, March 12, at 1330 hrs IST exclusively for you on Bollywood Hungama. Be here to meet this new chocolate boy of Bollywood.