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Friday 26 July 2013

I was an aggressive teenager: Kirron Kher!

Actress Kirron Kher has disclosed that during her teens she was aggressive, never took harassment lightly and even slapped a boy once for troubling her.

During a chat with comedian Kapil Sharma on his show "Comedy Nights with Kapil", Kirron threw light on her teen days. The 58-year-old mentioned that if any man harassed her, she would give him a taste of his own medicine, told a statement.

Kirron narrated an incident that happened in a theatre back then. A boy nudged her and she instantly turned around and slapped him.

Kirron has acted in films like "Sardari Begum", "Bariwali", "Devdas", "Dostana" and "Main Hoon Na".


Known for playing strong characters on screen, she told that if anyone tried to eve-tease her, she would not leave him without replying back. 

Special screening of 'Satyagraha' for Anna Hazare team?



A report claiming that Prakash Jha's forthcoming movie "Satyagraha" is inspired by Anna Hazare's movement seems to have made the members of the social activist's team curious who are said to have placed a request to watch the political drama.

"We have our eyes on 'Satyagraha' no matter what the director says. We know that the film is inspired by the Anna' movement and that Amitabh Bachchan is playing Anna. We just want to ensure that Anna or the movement is not being criticised," told a source.

The trailer of the movie urges people to stand up for their rights.

When contacted Jha, he told, "I am not being judgemental about Anna or the movement. 'Satyagraha' is inspired by facts, but it's a fictional take. The film is not about Anna Hazare or his movement. If a direct request from Anna comes to us, we will look into it."


"Satyagraha", which features a host of good actors - from Amitabh, Ajay Devgn and Manoj Bajpayee to Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Amrita Rao - is slated for an Aug 30 release. 

Mahesh Bhatt congratulates SRK, Salman on reunion!


Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan's reported patch-up at an Iftaar party has impressed Mahesh Bhatt, who tells it was bound to happen.

"Both have hugged each other and have sent a message across the nation that there are differences, but it's not like that we cannot overcome them," told Bhatt.

"In the pious month of Ramzan, in which people forget their mutual differences and talk about peace and harmony, it was inevitable that at an Iftaar party people would meet and won't hug each other."

Bhatt even congratulated the two.

"I congratulate both of them. They have created a very positive environment in the country," told the filmmaker who directed SRK in "Duplicate".

Salman and Shah Rukh were not on talking terms post a fight at Katrina Kaif's birthday bash in 2008.


We were comfortable filming sex scenes, say Shilpa & Shadab!



Shilpa Shukla and Shadab Kamal, lead actors of director Ajay Bahl's first feature movie "B.A Pass", reiterate that they were in their comfort zone while shooting sex scenes in the movie about male prostitution.

Shilpa, however, feels that getting into the skin of the character and delivering dialogues were reasonably more difficult for her.

"I think everybody will assume that shooting sex scenes must have been difficult, but I am an artist and if I you will ask me, I would say that I faced difficulty in delivering my dialogues," told "Chak De! India" fame actress at a press conference.

For Shadab, who has been a theatre artist, it was nothing new and he tells he was within his comfort zone.

"I think it was within my comfort zone. I don't see them as something that I learnt during the film. As an actor from theatre, this is something I learnt while acting on stage. You are given different kind of scenarios and scripts and you learn and grow as an actor," told debutant Shadab.

"You realise this is life, we are just trying to replicate real life," he further added.


The movie, which has already traveled to several film festivals, is set for an Aug 2 release. 

Same book inspires directors!

Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are seemingly set to direct movies on two different female gangsters based on the same source material.

Years ago Bhardwaj had gone to Bhansali with a script about reincarnation, which he wanted the latter to direct. That movie never happened. But now both the distinguished filmmakers' destinies are joined in a strange way.

Both the filmmakers have secured filmmaking rights from chapters out of S. Hussain Zaidi's bestseller "Mafia Queens Of Mumbai", about female gangsters.

While Bhardwaj would soon be making a movie based on Zaidi's account of Ashraf Khan alias Sapna, the gangster whose only mission in life is to eliminate her husband's killer Dawood, Bhansali would be directing a movie based on the life and crimes of female gangster Gangubai Kothewali, the dreaded female crime-lord, known as 'The Madame Of Kamathipura'.

Fascinatingly both the movies on female gangsters by Bhansali and Bhardwaj are expected to go on the floors at the same time time next year.

A source told, "Bhansali is as fascinated by Gangubai's life as Bhardwaj is by Ashraf Khan.

"The important thing is the principal casting. Both the directors have gone into other projects before taking on Hussain Zaidi's female gangsters' stories because they're still searching for the right actress. In the next couple of months, they would crack the casting."

In the meantime, another filmmaker Shashi Ranjan is already halfway through his biopic on another female gangster Archana Sharma.


Ranjan confirmed he is shooting Sharma's story with Mahima Chowdhary in the lead. 

'B.A. Pass' a path-breaking film, says Mahesh Bhatt!



Ace filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is highly impressed with Ajay Bahl directed forthcoming erotic drama "B.A Pass" and has termed it a "path-breaking film".

He is confident that this movie will be recalled even after many years to come.

The film is told to be based on one of the stories titled "The Railway Aunty" by Mohan Sikka from the book "Delhi Noir", and it talks about male prostitution. In the movie, actress Shilpa Shukla will be seen as Sarika Aunty.

"I assure you that people will talk about 'B.A. Pass' for many years. There are a lot of films, in which there are big stars, but are no where to be seen after the opening weekend of their release. But this film will be recalled even after 20-25 years down the line," Bhatt told during the film's press conference.

"It's a path-breaking film," he further added.

Bhatt also praised Bahl for his efforts in his debut movie.

"According to me, Ajay Bahl is a superstar director of tomorrow," told the filmmaker known for directing critically acclaimed films like "Saaransh", "Arth" and "Zakhm".

"He has brought out the stark realities of modern India in a very engaging way and has served in a thriller format," he further added.


Presented and distributed by Bharat Shah, "B.A. Pass" is set to release Aug 2. 

Stereotyping is the most common practice, says Vinay Pathak!


Actor Vinay Pathak, often seen playing light-hearted characters in movies like "Chalo Dilli", "Dasvidaniya", and "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi", tells one gets typecast from his or her first film itself.

"In our film industry, from the first film, you get typecast. And this is everywhere. Stereotyping is the most common practice," Vinay said.

But the true challenge lies in doing the job differently, he feels.

"In my case, I have tried to do different characters. They are not all comic roles, they are very strong characters," told the 45-year-old who plays a serious role in his next "Bajatey Raho".

Directed by Shashant Shah, "Bajatey Raho, a revenge comedy, also starring Vishakha Singh, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey and Dolly Ahluwalia, is coming out Friday.

Shooting for the movie in Delhi's winters was "wonderful" for the actor, who also enjoyed collaborating with his old friends Shashant and Ranvir. "Finally, we were coming together to do a film," he further added.

After being part of about 40 projects, the actor concludes that comedy comes from situations and not characters.

"I am not playing a deliberate comic character. The comedy comes out of situations. Like even in 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', my character was a real character and had no quirky code of conduct. He was stuck in situations, which created real, poignant and funny situations," he told.

For Vinay, the director's vision is important.

"Executing the script and vision of the director are important... The challenge is to tell the story the way he (director) wants it to be told," he told.


Dia Mirza would love to team up with Vidya Balan!


Producer-actress Dia Mirza is busy casting for three movies being made under her banner and tells she would love to work with "Kahaani" actress Vidya Balan.

She co-owns production house Born Free Entertainment along with her beau, businessman Sahil Sangha, and actor Zayed Khan. "Love Breakups Zindagi" was their first project.

"Vidya is someone who I would love to cast in the film. She is a dear friend with a great temperament. She is an easy person to be with and is a powerhouse performer," Dia said in an interview.

Her wish list doesn't end on Vidya. Adding more names, she told, "I would love to work with Huma Qureshi and Richa Chadda - they are very talented actors."

Talking about the status of three projects, Dia told, "We are in the process of developing three films."

"We will start filming in October. We have invested a year-and-a-half in scripting. It is everything that we stand by...All three will release mid next year," she told.

The common thread between the three movies is "universal human stories".

"They are all human interest stories. If I had to streamline the genre, I would say each one of them is coming-of-age stories. The milieu of the characters is different. I am excited about the quality of writing. Each writer was given a-year-and-a-half. It has been an exciting and exasperating process," she told.

Filmmaking is different from narrating good stories on celluloid.

"A lot of us are in a hurry to just make a film. I was clear that whatever I do, it should take care of everything. The priority was story. I wanted to tell unique stories," she told.

The actress also added that she is not keen on acting in her movies.

"I will not take up any role, if the film does not need me," she told.


Sharman Joshi and Meera Chopra will shoot for '1920 London'!






Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has titled the third installment of "1920" as "1920 London" and he is likely to begin shooting for the film with Sharman Joshi and Meera Chopra in August.

"The third installment will soon go on floors in August. Sharman and Meera will play the lead in the film and it is titled '1920 London'," a source close to the filmmaker disclosed.

"1920 London", produced by ASA Production, will be shot completely in London.


Vidya Balan likes living other person’s life!


From a single mother to a sex symbol, Vidya Balan has portrayed a range of characters on the big screen and tells acting allows you to live another person's world.

"I don't think it (acting) is about proving oneself. It is about inhibiting another person's world, one you have not been in before. I think as an actor, living a person's life is exciting," Vidya said in an interview.

Vidya was freshly seen as a plump loud Punjabi woman with an unusual dressing sense in Rajkumar Gupta directed "Ghanchakkar" and the actress tells she always finds a way to connect with her characters, and managed to do with this one too.

"There is also a part of them, which I connect with. My character in 'Ghanchakkar' is not someone who I could identify with her initially, but the point of identification was that she was just happy with herself. I might not be happy with myself all the time, but I love people like that. You find that point of identification with the character," she told.

Although at the box office, "Ghanchakkar" couldn't do much, but the critics and audiences praised Vidya's act.

She finds appreciation humbling.

"I feel humbled when people say that. I am just doing work, which I believe in," told the actress who played central roles in "Kahaani" and "The Dirty Picture", but was okay being second fiddle in "Ghanchakkar".

"In 'Ghanchakkar', Sanju (Emraan Hashmi) was the central character. I was not the protagonist. I was ok with it as I love the character. I don't have set notions and don't take on that kind of pressure. My only dream was to be an actor and I am living my dream to the fullest," she told.

Vidya is married to Siddharth Roy Kapur, managing director of Studios, Disney UTV, but unlike her husband, she does not want to enter production business.

"I don't want to start producing films. I am very greedy about being an actor and I always have a producer at home," she told.

What about creative satisfaction?

"After 'The Dirty Picture', I thought I had done everything that needed to be done. But I was even taken aback when Rajkumar Gupta came to me with 'Ghanchakkar'. I felt grateful to him that he could think of me in this diametrically opposite character. But he was also making a diametrically opposite film."

Now Vidya will be seen with Farhan Akhtar in "Shaadi Ke Side Effects".


Richa Chadda is pleased to carve a niche for herself!


Actress Richa Chadda, whose performance was appreciated in "Gangs Of Wasseypur" and "Fukrey", is pleased to carve a niche for herself on her own.

"It's a wonderful time to be in the showbiz and now we can say that there is space for everyone in the industry," Richa said. The Delhi girl added that she is "more than happy and proud that I have made a space for myself without any filmy backup".

"The journey has not been easy but it's worth the wait," told Richa, who will be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Ram Leela", which is she considers her big ticket in Bollywood.

Presently, she is busy shooting in Udaipur for her next film "BAD". Praising her team, she told that "it's great to work with Randeep Hooda and Pooja Bhatt. It's a very unusual film."


John Abraham loses weight for 'Madras Cafe'!

Actor-producer John Abraham, who is known for his perfect body, had to shed weight for his upcoming movie "Madras Cafe".

The movie is a political-thriller and has been directed by Shoojit Sircar. The story deals with terrorism and civil war and was reportedly shot in Sri Lanka and India.

"I had asked John to lose weight for this film and he did that. If he stands in a crowd he should not stand out he should look like one of them as he is not hero in the film. Heroism of the film is the content and not John," Sircar said.

"You will see a new John in this film," he further added.

Sircar, who has worked with John in his earlier project "Vicky Donor", tells that they now share a great relationship.

"Now we are good friends its a good relationship. We are planning for few more films together. We want to take this relationship ahead he never interferes in my work and its vise versa. I don't know marketing so he takes care of it," he told.


"Madras Cafe" is slated to release August 23. 

Southern stars Hansika Motwani and Simbu confirm relationship!



Southern actress Hansika Motwani and Tamil actor Silambarasan aka Simbu have confirmed that they are in a relationship. However, Simbu tells any decision related to their marriage will be taken by their respective families.

Hanskika had been rubbishing rumors about her link-up with Simbu, but she has at last opened up on micro-blogging site Twitter.

"(I have) been hearing many rumors about my personal life, so just want to clear (the air).Yes, I'm seeing STR (Simbu) and hence I wouldn't like to talk about my personal life," Hansika wrote on her Twitter page.

Verifying the news, Simbu wrote on Twitter: "Yes, I'm with Hansika and right now she is doing really good and marriage will be decided by our family. (I) hope you will respect our privacy".

Ever since the duo started shooting for Tamil movies "Vaalu" and "Vettai Mannan", it was reported that they had developed fondness for each other.

While Simbu is busy shooting for "Vaalu", Hansika is now busy wrapping up Tamil comedy "Biriyani" and Telugu untitled multi-starrer with Vishnu Manchu.


Rishi Kapoor decides to take his weight issue into his hands!


The rotund Rishi Kapoor, presently going through what he calls the best years of his acting life, has at last decided to take his weight issue into his hands. He is doing yoga, and hopes he can "kick" away his alcohol intake.

Apparently, Rishi, with notable help from his diet-conscious wife Neetu Singh, wanted to shed the flab a year back. But director Nikhil Advani had a particular girth in mind for Rishi to play an international terrorist in "D-Day".

But now the 60-year-old has become seriously weight conscious.

"Yes, I've already started doing yoga. That gives me peace of mind. I'm unhappy about the fact that I can't kick my habit of consuming alcohol. It's not good for my health. That's one thing I'd like to change in my life. And I will," told Rishi.

"I'd also like to cut down my weight. But my producers get worried about the continuity in their films. 'Please finish my film and then lose weight'. they say. Uss chakkar mein nahin ho raha hai (That's why I'm being unable to lose weight). But now I'll certainly take care of my weight," he further added.

Rishi is getting rave reports for his act in "D-Day", which released Friday.

"It feels good. I know it's happening quite frequently these days," he chuckled, and added: "I've waited very patiently for this rush-hour. I am getting the variety of roles that I always craved for. If in 'D-Day' you see me as a terrorist, in Maneesh Sharma's 'Shuddh Desi Romance', you'll see me as a Marwari wedding planner."

Rishi has a total of seven releases in 2013.

"I must tell you, some people close to me disapproved of my presence in 'Housefull 2'. Some felt this was not my forte, but I wanted to prove that I could do equal justice to my villainous character in 'Agneepath' and the goofy dad's role in 'Housefull 2'. I enjoyed myself doing that part," told the actor, who is the father of present heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor.

On the career front, Rishi has been going through a continued spell of success with movies like "Student Of The Year", "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" and "Chashme Buddoor" doing well in a row.

"I did one scene for Yashji's sake in 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. I haven't seen the film. But I'm told that scene is very important to the film," he told.


About the present boom-time in his career, Rishi told, "I don't know whether it's because of the multiplex culture, but I've been saying no to more films lately than I've ever done in my life. Or maybe other younger actors are not available. Why else would an actor of my age get so many pivotal roles? The only 60-plus actor in our industry who was doing main roles was Mr. Bachchan. In my earlier days, no one gave me a chance to experiment with my looks and my character. I was only made to sing songs and romance pretty girls. I'm doing performing parts only now. We were all trapped in our respective images in the 1970s and 1980s. Even Mr. Bachchan was mostly doing action roles." 

Girish Kumar could be a superstar, says Sonu Sood!

Actor Sonu Sood, who essays the role of Shruti Haasan's brother in "Ramaiya Vastavaiya", is amazed by the film's lead actor, debutant Girish Kumar's performance. He tells there's a future star in him.

"The performance that he (Girish) has given...I would never expect it from a newcomer. This kind of performance comes only after 10 to 12 films...you become camera-friendly, in dubbing also your voice sounds good...," Sonu told.

"Girish has done it all in his first film itself. I think that's a beginning, you are going to see a superstar," further added the 39-year-old.


"Ramaiya Vastavaiya" is a remake of Prabhudeva's directorial debut Telugu blockbuster "Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana". 

Mahie Gill is again an alcoholic woman!

Actress Mahie Gill has showcased her versatility movie after movie, and in her new project "Gangs Of Ghost", she will play an alcoholic woman.

"Mahie will be seen in a prominent role in the film. She will be seen playing an addictive alcoholic actress in the film. She has pulled of her part really well," told a source close to the movie's team.

Almost 70 percent of the film's shooting has already been done in Surat, and it is for the first time that Mahie is trying her hand at the comedy genre. She has previously been seen in movies like "Dev D" and "Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster".

"Gangs Of Ghost" is directed by Satish Kaushik.

Producer Ratan Jain bought the rights of 2012 Bengali blockbuster "Bhooter Bhabishyat", which is being remade in Hindi as "Gangs of Ghost".


Jaya Bachchan teary-eyed for 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'!



Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan couldn't hold back her tears after watching a special screening of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", which says the strife and struggle of Indian sprinter Milkha Singh's life.

"Jayaji seldom attends film screenings these days. But she made it a point to be there for 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' because of the family's very close relations with the film's director Rakeysh Mehra and Farhan (Akhtar)," told a source from "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".

"After the screening, she just couldn't control her emotions. She called Farhan aside and wept openly, telling him he had lived the pain, suffering and triumph of Milkha," further added the source.

Farhan refused to comment on Jaya's emotional response to the movie and his act, saying it was a private moment.


When contacted, Jaya told, "I loved it. Farhan was brilliant. I enjoyed a film so much after a long time." 

Divya Dutta’s an 'unconventional' item number!



Critically much-admired actress Divya Dutta, who has been amassing praise galore for her act in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", is now ready to groove to an "unconventional" item number in an forthcoming movie.

Divya is going to perfect her moves for an item song, the details of which have been kept under wraps.

Excited about doing her first item song, Divya told in a statement: "This is certainly something I haven't done before. I agreed to do an item song only because I know it's not going to be a conventional one."

Going by the actress' past work in movies like "Veer-Zaara" and "Delhi-6", one can guess Divya will add her magical touch to the dance number too.


Katrina’s visit to Fatehpur Sikri Dargah for blessings!

Has a visit to the Sufi shrine of Sheikh Salim Chisti here become a must for Katrina Kaif before the release of her movie? Is the shrine proving lucky for the actress?

Katrina visited Fatehpur Sikri, about 35 km from Agra, and offered prayers and quickly left before anybody could know about her visit.

Dressed in white, Katrina covered her face with a white scarf, according to Saif Faridi, the shrine in charge. She offered a chadar, and seemingly prayed for her upcoming movie "Dhoom 3".

According to guides, she also prayed for the success of "Jewel of India", another movie slated for release later this year.


Emraan Hashmi as a conman in his next titled ‘Shaatir’!

UTV Motion Pictures and director Kunal Deshmukh have at last zeroed in on the title "Shaatir" for their thriller, starring Emraan Hashmi as a conman.

The film was in title trouble. When the makers checked to register "Shaatir", they realized that the title previously belonged to Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd.

This was a huge cause of concern for the makers. By the way, when UTV officials met Rohit Shetty for a casual meeting since the two are working on "Chennai Express", this topic came up.

Rohit, who has had an exceptional relationship with Ashtavinayak courtesy the super hit "Golmaal" series with them, agreed to speak to the production company, and helped settle the concern.

The makers were delighted and grateful to Rohit for his help.

"Rohit was extremely helpful, he immediately spoke to Ashtavinayak and helped us get the title from them," Manish Hariprasad, creative director, Disney-UTV, told in a statement.

"We're very excited with our next production which is now called 'Shaatir'. This will be Emraan's second film with us and we are looking forward to work with him on something he has not played before and he is also very excited about playing a character of a 'shaatir' conman," Hariprasad further added.


SRK wraps up 'Chennai Express' shoot!



Megastar Shah Rukh Khan has heaved a sigh of relief as he has wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming release "Chennai Express".

"Shooting for 'Chennai Express' wraps. About 18 hours non-stop. My feet feel big and thus the world smaller... I can walk around it into the dawn now," Shah Rukh wrote on Twitter.


"Chennai Express" is an action-comedy directed by Rohit Shetty and also features Deepika Padukone. It was earlier scheduled to release Aug 8, but it will now hit the screens Aug 9. 

Farhan Akhtar recalled early day’s memories!


Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who is racing ahead with his "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" success, relived some of his early day’s memories on a visit to his alma mater, the Maneckji Cooper School.

Only this time, he went for a promotional event for the film.

"Went back to my school to unveil a '...Milkha' cover notebook. Flooded with memories. Still smiling," Farhan posted on Twitter.

"My school motto and Milkhaji's philosophy are the same - 'There is no excellence without labour'... So what better place to do this activity," he further added.

Farhan essays former athlete Milkha Singh in the biopic, directed by filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

The actor had a "big thank you" to convey to the principal, teachers, staff and students for their "generosity of time and love".


"Will cherish it, always," he further added. 

Ashish Chowdhry hurtled torn ligament during gymming!

Actor Ashish Chowdhry perhaps had an over-ambitious session at the gym as he ended up with a torn ligament following some lightweight squats.

"Torn a ligament in my back. Gotta be tucked in bed for a few days. All thanks to my over excited gymming and the 400 pounds 'lightweight' squats. Messed up for the first time by indulging in impractical heavy weights," Ashish posted on Twitter.

He also had a word of advice for those who work out.

"Weights don't matter, correct form works," further added the actor, who has featured in movies like "Dhamaal", "Paying Guests" and "Double Dhamaal".

The bed-ridden actor is making the most of this time to catch up on "lots of TV shows".


Sushant Singh Rajput mobbed by girl fans!




Young and dashing actor Sushant Singh Rajput got a taste of his growing female fan base when he was almost mobbed on a current visit to Chandigarh.

Sushant was on his way to a family function in Chandigarh, when he was mobbed by fans. His driver had a tough time parking the car, as several people engulfed the vehicle, told a source.

The actor had to wade through the crowd, guarded by security men, and he had to ultimately take refuge in the security personnel's office. The ruckus continued and it took almost an hour to escort Sushant safely back to his car, the source further added.


Blame his charming looks in the trailer of "Shuddh Desi Romance"!