A to Z Bollywood

According to IANS :

Amitabh Bachchan tore a ligament in his wrist while shooting a song and dance sequence for Sujoy Ghosh’s film ‘Alladin’.

But the show goes on.

‘It’s nothing,’ he brushes off what any other actor would have taken as a cue for a shooting break. ‘I was shooting a dance. While doing a movement something gave way in my hand. But it’s in control. No big deal.’

But director Sujoy Ghosh has another story to tell about the incident earlier this week. ‘Sir is in considerable pain. But he insists on continuing. Anyone else would have curled up and called off the shoot. But that’s what makes him special.

‘When the injury occurred Thursday he didn’t allow us to know what happened. Throughout the day he hid his pain and continued dancing. Only at the end of the day did we get to know what had happened.’

The Big B is hoping he’ll be all right in a week.

‘Yes, it’s true I’ve continued shooting. Can’t allow losses on the job, as far as possible. It’s okay. Such things happen in life. A ligament in my wrist is torn. The treatment is on. I should be all right in a week.’

According to Smashits :

Sameera Reedy is known as the desi Jennifer Lopez in Bollywood. Though she appreciates this as a compliment, she says no to erotica, which includes smooching and bold scenes. She explains why she is no keener on doing such roles. She says her steamy scenes with Anil Kapoor in ‘Musafir’ had created waves and that the Indian audience isn’t yet ready for such erotic scenes. Is she going for an image makeover? She replies, “No, but, I won’t do such scenes till the audience is matured. I shall play bubbly, young characters in my forthcoming movies.”

In spite of her no for erotica, Sameera is on top, professionally. She is working in Mira Nair’s film Migration. What’s this all about? “The movie is on AIDS starring Shiney Ahuja and Irrfan. The movie will release next year.” She refuses to comment on gossips taking round about her personal life. She wonders from where all these rumors originate. She puts at rest all the link ups with her co-stars like NTR Junior, director Sanjay Gupta and a European DJ.

She adds, “I am also appearing with Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Saif Ali Khan in action thriller Race.” Though relatively junior she didn’t feel uncomfortable in the company of big stars. After all, they are professionals, she adds. Ask her about her Hollywood connect, and she doesn’t stop raving about it. “I met George Clooney there and he complimented me on the saree I was wearing and on my traditional bindi and bangles. Besides, I also met Shakira, who is too coy and very pretty.”

According to Smashits :

Controversies don’t leave Sushmita Sen rest in peace though she is least bothered about. The controversies arise mostly about Sush’ linkups with her colleagues. This time round, the former Miss World is reportedly linked up with none other than her director. You may recall that Mudassar Aziz is directing her latest movie Dulha Mil Gaya. What has prompted reports of Sush-Aziz affair? Cine circles attribute this to her hand-in-hand walking at various occasions. Aziz doesn’t deny it though but at the same time asserts that they have been friends only, of course, since their Zindaggi Rocks days. Sushmita was the lead actress in Zindaggi Rocks while Mudassar was just a newcomer who had written the dialogues for the film. At present, Mudassar is directing Vivek Vaswani’s film Dulha Mil Gaya which stars Sushmita Sen as the female lead opposite Fardeen Khan.

Tara Sharma, Mohit Chadha and Shah Rukh Khan are in a special appearance. Incidentally, these very circles are abuzz with reports that Mudassar is being noticed moving along another girl associated with the film these days. Who is this latest lasso in Aziz’s life? The girl in question is singer Anoushka Manchanda of the VIVA band fame. The cine circles explain it thus: Anoushka and Mudassar became ‘good friends’ during the shoot of Dulha Mil Gaya . “She used to hang out with Mudassar not just on the sets but even after shoot”. Besides, Anoushka has recorded as many as three songs for the film and has also bagged a small role only because of her proximity to Aziz, these circles add. Though Anoushka confirms that she has sung three songs for Dulha Mil Gaya but wishes Aziz to talk about her role in the movie. Mudassar also acknowledges the fact but adds that it’s just a brief appearance in the film.

Like Sush, Anoushka says that Azis is her great friend. “I know him since the time when he wrote Zindaggi Rocks . I had sung the title track of that movie. We all were like a family.” Hence, Sush need not be linked up with Aziz as she has been a bold and purely professional. She doesn’t mince words. Let’s not bother about her walking along Aziz. After all they are vital parts of a movie.

According to Smashits :

After having a hat trick of three super comedy successes this year , Akshay Kumar , once known as an action man of Bollywood would soon be noticed in the fourth major comedy in 2007. His three major comedies have been - ‘Namastey London’, ‘Heyy Babyy’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’. Now, Akshay is gearing up for the release of ‘Welcome’ , his next big laugh-out-loud comedy, releasing on December 20 worldwide. ‘Welcome’ , being touted as the biggest release of Eid and Christmas, marks the return of the Akshay-Katrina pair for a third time, besides assembling the biggest ensemble cast comprising Paresh Rawal , Anil Kapoor , Feroz Khan , Nana Patekar and Mallika Sherawat .

Currently, Akshay is busy shooting ‘Singh Is King’ in Australia. He says that his ‘Welcome’ is going to be the biggest laughter riot, and wonders if this movie would end his comedy era. ” No , certainly not as comedy comes as naturally to me as action! Next year I have a variety of films on the anvil. I am getting back to action with ‘Chandni Chowk To China’ and ‘Tashan’ . He adds, “Earlier, I was synonymous with action and got the khiladi tag. Now, with my last few films being successful comedies, I’ve become synonymous with comedy!”

According to Smashits :

Is Sarkar Raj inspired from Nandigram incident? The movie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is reportedly based on a real life theme. However, the movie’s director Ram Gopal Varma doesn’t agree with it. In fact, he asserts, ‘Sarkar Raj’ is the sequel to Sarkar, which did quite well, and now with three Bachchans in the sequel there are high expectations from this one, too. Verma denies that a large part of ‘Sarkar Raj’ is based on the real life conflicting issue of Nandigram. This is to recall that ‘Sarkar Raj’ will be the first film after Abhishek tied the knot with Ash and the two of them along with Amitabh will be seen in vital roles in the film.

Sources close to Verma reiterate that ‘Sarkar Raj’ is supposedly based on a conflict between father and son and it is also said to be based on the real life drama of the construction of a dam, which is being opposed by many. Incidentally, the situation in the film is very similar to the real life issue in Nandigram where the West Bengal government decided to set up a chemical unit in the village of Nandigram and for this a huge dam was to be built.

However, the villagers came out in full force to oppose the government’s decision. They cut off all roads to the village. The government then deployed 3000 policemen and other officials to use force and break the villagers’ resistance. What followed was a detrimental clash between the villagers and the policemen and quite a few people lost their lives. This appears that Varma has used the Nandigram issue as a secondary reference in the film and has been extremely careful not to use direct references. In any way, Varma does not want to cause any unnecessary controversy this time round for his film.

According to Smashits :

Tanishaa, younger sis of Kajol, is known to keep her personal life personal. So, we may not know where her relationship with actor Uday Chopra stands today. However, she knows what kind of a man she wants. She tells us, “An interesting man for me would be one who is good at riding the bike and one who also loves to read.” Does Uday possess these qualities? About herself, she says, “I’m a dreamer and a hopeless romantic, like every typical Piscean.” So, if this is the girl you dream of, well, get ready, but must possess more than Uday otherwise forget about it.

According to Smashits :

Dia Mirza is happy to play in short films. She is not bothered about the length of her role or that of the movie, either. She wishes to remain in the mainstream of cinema. Fans of Dia Mirza are happy that their favorite actress is being seen in ‘Dus Kahaniyaan’ released this Friday (December 7). Only recently, her fans might have noticed her playing a small role in Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Shoot Out At Lokhandwala’. Many of us may not be aware that Dia had signed ‘Dus Kahaniyaan’ before signing ‘Shoot Out At Lokhandwala’, but the latter got released first. The actress confesses that she was not very keen on doing a ten-short-films film (’Dus Kahaniyaan’) and was sure that she would refuse it. “I wasn’t sure about what ‘Dus Kahaniyaan’ - a film with ten short stories would be like? But when I heard the script, I realized how innovative this film was going to be. So, I agreed to do the movie, and surprised myself, too!” Dia doesn’t go by the length of a movie. That’s why she would soon be seen in another short film titled ‘Zaheer’ starring Manoj Bajpai and being directed by Sanjay Gupta. When asked about ‘Zaheer’, Dia says the movie has two characters who meet each other by chance, and gradually get to know each other. Later, they discover that they are not what they imagine they would be. Interestingly, Dia had a special appearance in ‘Om Shanti Om’, too. ‘Dus Kahaniyan’ is going to be her fourth release this year. However, this doesn’t mean she is on signing spree. She says she would rather be selective of the work she takes on. After all, she has had a bitter experience in the past in this respect.

According to Smashits :

Amrita Rao, who is known for her girl next door image is all set for a makeover in ‘My Name is Anthony Gonsalves’. The petite actress will be seen in a “smokin hot” new avatar in a very sensual song “Tum Miley”, choreographed by Bosco-Ceaser. With ‘Tum Miley’ shot in exotic Goa, Amrita is sure gonna shock everyone with her halter top and a mini skirt. She says “Tum Miley” is all about attitude & style. The styling is fresh and Bosco - Ceaser has done an excellent job with the song. It’s a different new look and the song is very groovy, feel good and romantic. It was like a picnic for the shooting for the song.” And when asked whether she was apprehensive about her makeover since she had a squeaky clear image, Amrita feels that you have to surprise your audience at times. There has to be a change. But she avers that though she has shot in a mini skirt, the look is classy.

According to IANS :

Sharmila Tagore is a doting mother, but she has a grouse against son Saif Ali Khan. She says he does not keep in regular touch with her.

‘At least when I SMS my daughters Saba (Ali Khan) and Soha (Ali Khan) they reply immediately. But Saif is impossible. He gets in touch at three in the morning when he’s in trouble. But when I want him he’s nowhere to be found,’ Sharmila told IANS.
‘On his birthday he complained to Soha that he hadn’t heard from either of his parents. 
In fact, both the parents had sent him a birthday SMS, father (Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi) from Delhi and mother from Toronto, to both his New York and Indian numbers. But you can’t hold grudges against Saif. He’ll charm you within moments.’
With Saif blossoming into one of the finest actors in the country and Soha coming into her own with films like ‘Rang De Basanti’, Sharmila is one proud mother.
‘I think everyone got an anxious SMS from Saif when he had to shave his head for ‘Omkara’. I advised him against shaving his hair. But he went ahead and did it. And it really worked!’
Well, we all know who her favourite actor is as she just can’t stop talking about ‘Omkara’ and Saif.
‘I was blown away! After I saw ‘Omkara’ I really became his fan for life. I asked Vishal (Bharadwaj) where he got all that violence from Saif. As one actor responding to another, I felt he had risen to the occasion.’
‘From ‘Hum Tum’ to ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ to ‘Parineeta’ and ‘Omkara’…the diversity is admirable. I really pray for him because he has to get better and better,’ said Sharmila.
Soha, her mother says, initially showed no inclination to be in movies. ‘After she worked in a bank, she wanted to act. And my husband and I didn’t discourage her.’
But being an offspring of illustrious parents can be double-edged.
‘She’s dealt quite well with the strange and professional atmosphere and the hurtful criticism like, ‘You look like your mother and you’ve the acting talent of your father’.’
But Sharmila adds: ‘Come to think of it, Saif had to go through the worst barbs when he came in. To a large extent he has prepared the way for Soha.’
Sharmila knows that her kids have to find their own way of life.
‘As a mother I’m happy they’re working, making a living and trying to make sense of their lives. But every generation has to learn from its own mistakes. What worked for me may not work for them. I can’t run Saif and Soha’s life by remote control. Parents often believe they know best but that’s not how it is always.’
Sharmila and Soha will be seen in Aparna Sen’s film ‘Jewel Box’.
‘That project will happen if the finances are in place. I love my character. If it’s made I’ll have a ball doing it.’
‘It’s very culture-specific drama, about three different generations of Bengali women and what jewellery means to them. For my character it means better bargaining power in the household. For the second generation jewellery is an investment. For the third generation it funds a vision. Like ‘Omkara’, Aparna’s film is culture-specific. It’ll work only in Bengali.’
She speaks highly of her co-stars - Govinda and Konkana Sen Sharma - in the project.
‘Like Shammi Kapoor, Govinda is very under-utilised. And Konkona…I’m really looking forward to working with her.’
But apart from this project, Sharmila does not have any films. Her charity work, gardening and reading keep her busy.
‘At the moment I don’t have any other films on hand. I keep myself busy with my work for Unicef and with gardening and reading which are my passions. And of course meeting my children, which I don’t get to do that often.’

According to IANS :

 hand-written letter and a beautiful bunch of flowers from Amitabh Bachchan will remain the highest compliment received by ‘Saawariya’ stars Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor.

The Big B gets distinctly poetic while describing Ranbir and Sonam.

‘Have you heard Beethoven’s symphony? There’s a loud orchestra followed by a thin flute sound…This was the genius composer’s interpretation of desire and destiny…The destiny loud and ominous, the desire soft and gentle. It’s like the two protagonists in ‘Saawariya’,’ says Amitabh.

‘Ranbir is the storm. Sonam is the soft breeze. Ranbir’s presence is a storm, and Sonam is the graceful, calm, gentle breeze that flowed around him. The narrative is almost like a Beethoven symphony, where the thunderous sound of the orchestra is always followed by the soft thin flute - a symbolic interpretation of gentle desire and overpowering destiny.’