Neil bags SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER 2?

	NEIL NITIN MUKESH

In SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER,Randeep Hooda had played a petty goon who entered Jimmy Sheirgill's princely state as a driver and dreamt of being a prince himself one day. In the love story that followed, Mahie Gill took advantage of Randeep and deceived Jimmy. Well, now that the film's sequel has been announced, there is an exclusive dope that we managed to lay our hands on.

According to out source, "The sequel begins with Jimmy playing a paralysed character with Mahie taking over his empire (or whatever is left of it), calling the shots and aiming at being a 'maharani' in this film which is set in today's times. Interestingly, the plot would be much thicker and meatier this time around. Neil Nitin Mukesh's entry into the picture would totally change the scenario for Sahib as well as Biwi." "He is definitely not playing a gangster like Randeep. He is in fact playing another prince with Rajputana blood running through his veins," the source added. 

Of course the makers are tight lipped about Neil's exact characterisation in the film though it is expected to be grey as well, considering the fact he has received appreciation for such roles ever since he portrayed JOHNNY GADDAR. Also, apparently Tigmanshu was quite impressed with his 'princely looks' that were on display in one of his recent fashion shows. With Neil bringing on the vintage charm, it pretty much sealed the deal for him.

Though Neil didn't deny being approached for SAHIB BIWI AUR GANGSTER 2, he chose not to comment on his characterisation and look. He sent back a text stating, "It is too premature to talk about that."

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No Bollywood films in 2012 Berlin International Film Festival so far!

Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) has about 50 films in its Panorama section that includes Panorama Main, Panorama Special, and Panorama
Documente sections. These films are selected out of thousands of films considered. The 62nd edition of Berlinale has unveiled 20 titles now.

However, the list does not have any Indian film so far. Generally, a few Indian films find their place in Panorama every year. In 2011 it had showcased two Indian films - 7 KHOON MAAF (SEVEN SINS) by Vishal Bhardwaj, and PATANG by Prashant Bhargava. There is a Korean film FROM SEOUL TO VARANASI by Kyuhwan Jeon that has a remote Indian connection. There are five Asian films in the list so far including films from Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

	view 7 KHOON MAAF movie poster

The List Of Announced Features

INDIGNADOS by Tony Gatlif, France (Panorama Special)

ELLES by Malgoska Szumowska, France/Poland/Germany (Panorama Special)

10+10 by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Wang Toon, Wu Nien-Jen, Sylvia Chang, Chen Guo-Fu, Wei Te-Sheng, Chung Meng-Hung, Chang Tso-Chi, Arvin Chen, Yang Ya-Che and others, Taiwan

DEATH FOR SALE by Faouzi Bensaidi, France

DIE WAND (THE WALL) by Julian Roman Polsler, Austria/Germany

DOLLHOUSE by Kirsten Sheridan, Ireland

FON TOK KUEN FAH (HEADSHOT) by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Thailand/France

FROM SEOUL TO VARANASI by Kyuhwan Jeon, Republic of Korea

HOT BOY NOI LOAN - CAU CHUYEN VE THANG CUOI, CO GAI DIEM VA CON VIT (LOST IN PARADISE) by Vu Ngoc Dang, Vietnam

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON by Ira Sachs, USA

KUMA by Umut Dag, Austria

LA MER A L'AUBE (CALM AT SEA) by Volker Schlondorff, France/Germany

L'AGE ATOMIQUE by Helena Klotz, France

LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR by Sheldon Larry, USA/Canada

MEI-WEI (MY WAY) by Kang Je-kyu, Republic of Korea

MOMMY IS COMING by Cheryl Dunye, Germany

PARADA (THE PARADE) by Srdjan Dragojevic, Serbia/Republic of Croatia/ Macedonia/Slovenia

THE WOMAN WHO BRUSHED OFF HER TEARS by Teona Strugar Mitevska, Macedonia/Germany/Slovenia/Belgium

WILAYA by Pedro Perez Rosado, Spain

XINGU by Cao Hamburger, Brazil

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Sachiin Joshi close to Salman or Shahrukh?

The rumour mills were moving that Sachiin, who was once close to Shahrukh, is getting closer to Salman Khan during the Celebrity Champions League preparations. But now the news is that Sachiin Joshi is still friends with Shahrukhas he celebrated the New Year's eve with the King Khan in Dubai.

	SACHIIN JOSHI and SHAHRUKH KHAN

Apparently, the JMJ Vice-chairman has been in Dubai for a while now, preparing for the Celebrity Champions League, which starts a little later, this month. He is set to play for the Mumbai Heroes, which is captained by Sohail Khan. As expected, that has got the rumour mills moving with sources from the industry suggesting that Sachiin is getting closer to Salman Khan, who is also a part of his brother's team. It seemed that Sachiin had left his friendship with the DON 2 star behind in the hope of getting on good terms with Mr. Dabangg himself.


However Sachiin put all those rumours to rest by celebrating New Years with none other than SRK himself. Sachiin and Shahrukh have known each other for years now so much that Shahrukh even introduced the AAZAAN star at IIFA after the film was showcased at Cannes, a gesture Sachiin understands and appreciates. While it was unexpected that the duo would run into each other for New Years, they both couldn't be happier to ring in 2012 together.

Earlier in the day, they enjoyed a game of football together and later watched the mesmerizing fireworks light up the Dubai skyline. Sachiin himself has reiterated the fact that playing for Sohail Khan's Mumbai Heroes won't change anything between him and SRK. He understands the importance of friendship in Bollywood's fickle world. So no matter which team he plays on, he is intent on making sure that the people who mean something to him are not left behind.

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Underworld to rule the Bollywood in 2012

This year will see several Bollywood films narrating the untold stories of real life mafia

When Bhiku Mhatre called himself the King of Mumbai, it sent shivers down the spines of many wannabe gangsters, on and perhaps even off screen. That was 14 years back.

Though Ram Gopal Varma himself is skeptical about being able to bring Satya back to life, the mysterious tales of the mafia continue to fascinate filmmakers.

Attracting applause to a stylishly shot gang war sequence, cut to a remixed retro number, is probably on the wish list of every other filmmaker these days.

Gangs on the silver screen

No wonder why bombs and bloodshed or even dons and their molls, promise to rule the big screen in 2012.

So while we see a younger, more vulnerable, Vijay Deenanath Chauhan back to take his big revenge against the local mobster in Agneepath, we also see Akshay Kumar play Dawood Ibrahim's onscreen avatar in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2.


Hrithik in Agneepath

While Zilla Ghaziabad recreates the rivalry between two real-life gangs in Ghaziabad, Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur talks about the unsolved mysteries of the coal mafia in Jharkhand.

Says Milan Lutharia, "Gangsters have always lent themselves to larger than life cinema. I believe characters who are on the other side of law are much more interesting to the audience and the underworld provides perfect fodder for such stories." However, though the genre remains the same, the plot is also heavily subjective to what the filmmaker wants to show.

Like the OUATIM sequel, which will primarily be about a love triangle involving two men in positions of power in the underworld.


Sanjay Dutt on the sets of Zilla Ghaziabad

Or even Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala that promises to be an elaborate recounting of the famous Indian dacoit Manya Surve's life. Adds Gupta, "During his time Manya was the only gangster who was a graduate. There are over 820 cases registered against him. So we are getting down to the smallest of small details."

Recreating Satya?

From Deewar to Parinda to Satya, there are too many Indian masterpieces emerging filmmakers go back to, as reference points for the genre. However, many feel that it is difficult to replicate the benchmark these films did.

Says director Karan Malhotra, "I consider Ramu the god of gangster cinema. No one can emulate what he did. But yes, I have a vision, which I have tried to achieve through Agneepath.

The gang-wars in the film do not form the crux of the story, but act as a catalyst." So while they capture the dark deeds of these antiheroes, their glamorous lifestyles play a major part within the film too.


Akshay Kumar's look in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2

Adds Milan, "In OUATIM, after a long time there was so much colour and extravagance in a film about gangsters. So I think filmmakers are trying to reinvent the genre in their own way."

An offer we cannot refuse

Many of them like director Anand Kumar are also unravelling stories about smaller gangs, that may today just find a mention in the dusty files of local police stations. Kumar's next titled Meerut Junction will be set against the backdrop of the rail mafia.

He adds, " We have extensively researched on the rail mafia and discovered that there are many stories which have never been told. So I decided to make this film." Dibakar Banerjee's next too sketches out the crime scene back when Kolkata was still called Calcutta.

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Bollywood's Hottie Brigade: Almost a generation apart

The age gap between the lead actor and actress seems to be only widening over the years 

Ever since the beginning, the Hindi film industry is known to be male-dominated. No wonder that after a point in time, younger faces have been paired with actors, once the established actresses have crossed the 30- years mark.

Besides, a newer girl adds to the novelty in the lead pair, and consequently increases curiosity about the movie.

So it's not surprising that 26-year-old Deepika Padukone was the first choice as Saif Ali Khan's heroine for the makers of Cocktail and Race 2, while Asin, also 26, was the first choice for Bol Bachchan toplining 42- year old Ajay Devgn and Thanedaar Returns featuring 52-year-old Sanjay Dutt.

Glamour quotient

While not exactly conceding that a pair's novelty wears off after a few films, Ramesh Taurani, producer of Race and its forthcoming sequel maintains that actresses like Rani Mukerji, who has worked with the three 45- year old Khans - Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh - is doing very well on her own. "Like in No One Killed Jessica, or Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nach Le.

In fact, they're doing women-oriented films, " he points out, adding that Katrina (now 27) and Deepika certainly add the glamour quotient. "In Race and Race 2, we needed a comparatively newer girl. A new casting brings a different freshness to the film."


Salman Khan (46 yrs) and Katrina Kaif (27 yrs) in Ek Tha Tiger

Novelty factor

In the same vein, Sajid Khan, director of Housefull and Housefull 2 asserts that he's always believed in fresh combination.

"From my viewpoint, I want to give the audience something they haven't seen earlier. So Housefull was the first film Deepika signed opposite Akshay Kumar (43) while Heyy Babyy was his first movie with Vidya Balan (then 29). The novelty of a new pair is different from a star combination you seen before, " he states.


Saif Ali Khan (41 yrs) and Deepika Padukone (26 yrs)

Fresh approach

On the other hand, distributor Suniel Wadhwa points out that a different pair is important when the actor has three-four films in a year.

"Like Akshay Kumar, who has Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore and Joker (both with the 24-year-old Sonakshi Sinha) lined up this year.

Last year he had Patiala House with Anushka Sharma (23) and Thank You with Sonam Kapoor (25). So it's essential for him to have a different heroine in each movie, " he explains, adding that Shah Rukh Khan's next is Yash Chopra's return to direction after Veer-Zaara.


Sanjay Dutt (52 yrs) and Kangna Ranaut (24 yrs)

"Back then, Rani (26 then) and Preity Zinta (then 29) were at the top. But now Rani (32 now) has a different image after No One Killed Jessica.

YRF is looking for universal appeal, so Katrina and Anushka are apt for the film with SRK. Like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was targeted more towards the mass audience than the multiplexes, " he sums up.

Shorter shelf life

However, S Kumar Mohan, one of the producers of Sanjay Dutt's Thaanedaar Returns, attributes it to age catching up with the actresses.

"Heroines have a limited age in acting. And whether the hero has a hit or a flop with a heroine, he wants to be paired up with a different face each time.

Also, a fresh pair with a newer actress adds to the glamour quotient and also increases the audience curiosity, " he observes.

Equally upfront is Manoj Desai, executive director of Maratha Mandir, G7 Cineplex in Mumbai, as he says that age of an actress shows on the face.


Ajay Devgn (42 yrs) and Asin (26 yrs)

"Age never spares anyone. So sometimes over-repetition of a pairing may cause a loss in novelty value. Besides, the audience likes to see a different combination on screen, " he states.

Hero-oriented industry

To sum it up, Sajid Khan doesn't shy away from attributing this trend to the male-dominance in the industry. "Both Hollywood and Bollywood are hero-oriented industries.

Although of late, heroines have been getting their due abroad and here, no heroine can make a film run on her own steam the way a hero can.

While the heroine-oriented subjects are exceptions, they form only a small number of the movies made every year, " he concludes.

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Now Payal Rohatgi is dating a wrestler

After making headlines for her romantic alliance with Rahul Mahajan on the reality show "Bigg Boss", actress Payal Rohatgi now reveals that she is dating wrestler Sangram Singh, whom she met on another reality show, "Survivor India".

"I am dating Sangram right now. I met him on the show and the chemistry struck. He is very down-to-earth and a simple guy.

In fact, he is the complete opposite of me," said Payal, who was here to promote the adventure reality show that will go on air Jan 6 on Star Plus.

"I get hyper and throw tantrums, but he is much more rooted. He kept me calm during stressful times in the show.

Somehow we clicked. And to be honest, I feel I lasted in the show because of him and his friendship," she added.

Sangram won gold medals in wrestling in the Commonwealth Games and is also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Award.

Payal says Sangram was favourite among the contestants, thanks to his strong physique.

"Being a wrestler, he was considered very strong. Everybody used to be after him because they knew they would need him during the tasks, till the individual challenges started," she said.

Now the couple is working together in a film called "Valentines Night", being shot in the capital.

"I am shooting for the project with Sangram in Delhi. It's a romantic thriller where both of us are playing lead roles," she said.

"Survivor India" is the Indian version of US adventure reality show "Survivor". The show has 11 celebrity contestants and 11 commoners.

Payal Rohatgi, Shilpa Agnihotri, JD Majethia, Sangram Singh, Abhinav Shukla, Karan Patel, Timmy Narang, Sylvester Rodgers a.k.a. Sylvie, Priyanka Bassi, Rajesh Khera and Munisha Khatwani are the known names in the show.

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Do I look insecure of Bipasha: Sonam Kapoor

After Delhi 6, Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor will be seen jamming in style again in Abbas-Mustan’s upcoming action thriller Players. Sreya Basu catches up with the actors as they are busy with last moment promotions and touring across cities.

Do you think good promotion of a films helps lessen the threats from piracy? 
Abhishek: We try our best and I think the authorities are doing a good job. But there is always more than we can do.

I don’t know the roots of all these (piracy). But like I said, we need some very stringent anti-piracy laws. Once those are placed, I am sure we will be in a better position.

Sonam, you are spotting a bold and beautiful look in Players… 
Sonam: Yes. I have donned a very different look in the film. But then, I have only done six films before Players. I am around for a very short period of time…this is going to be my fourth year in the industry.

However, I always try to do something new in all my films. And ya, may be I am adventurous enough to do something like that in Players. I get bored doing same things in all films.

You are known as one of Bollywood’s most stylish actors. So it must not have been difficult? 
Sonam: Well…I had to prepare a lot for this film. I am used to doing films where I am a little more girl-next-door kind of person. For Players it was like getting into the inherent style in me, which may be you have seen in my public life and not much in my films.

It was translating that on screen and trying to figure how people will like me. I think that was one of the most important preparations I had to take.

In a multi-starrer, how much screen-time can you expect? 
Sonam: For me, a character is like my clothes…a character where she does something different or grows in a particular way…I try to do that with each and every film of mine. It has always been like a character arch for me.

People might or might not love my films, but they will always remember a Sakina (Saawariya) or a Bittu (Delhi 6) or Aisha (Aisha), and may be now Naina (Players).

For me, that’s what is most important. It doesn’t matter how big or small role I have. It’s how you play it and what character you play.

You share screen with Bipasha Basu in the film. Is there any insecurity? 
Sonam: Do we look insecure? See the promos and you will find we have our respective characters to play.

Abhishek, your on-screen attitude and styles are much alike your father Amitabh Bachchan. Do you consciously imitate his style?
Abhishek: See, I belong to this (film) industry. I have grown up in this industry…I have grown up idolizing so many people and their styles. I don’t know very many Indians who do not follow and try to idolize one of their favourite filmstars.

I remember, during my childhood there was a haircut called Amitabh Cut. We always wanted to get that. I think it’s the way of showing a fan’s love for what we do.

Like people are loving my clothes and jackets in Players. I am very happy about it.

Your co-stars in Players (Bipasha Basu, Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher) calls you Guruji (mentor). Why is that?
Abhishek: Arree…no, no. I am their shishya (student). I just did that film (Guru) but don’t know why they still call me that (smiles).

Who did a better job in Players-Bipasha or Sonam?
Both Sonam and Bipasha are wonderful actors, dear friends and great professionals. And I think its wonderful that they managed to transcend just the actor tag and be known for a lot of other things.

Congratulations to both of them…whatever they are doing, they are doing a great job.

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Beware Kat, Jacqueline is one of the most downloaded B-town hottie

The New Year has brought some good news for actor Jacqueline Fernandez. No, there hasn't been any announcement of any wedding date as yet.

The Sri Lankan beauty has been placed at the number four position on a list of most downloaded Bollywood female stars, after Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor, according to a survey conducted by a mobile network.

She tells CS, "I am thrilled to receive such positive feedback from the public after Murder 2. It feels great to have such a large fan following. I hope to live upto people's expectations in the future.

This year I have some exciting films on hand, and I hope that they will be favourably received by the audience."

Well Jackie, we wish you the best to take the number one position in the future.

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Rani-Aditya: Out in the open! Big announcement coming soon?

Rani Mukerji was spotted at Mumbai airport with Aditya Chopra and his folks after celebrating the New Year abroad. Is this a sign of the big announcement coming soon?

The New Year has begun on a cheerful note. First, it is now very much official that Rani Mukerji is an integral part of the Chopra parivar.

Second, that Aditya Chopra is pretty okay about being photographed and that too with Rani around!

For a change he did not run for cover and evade the flashbulbs as he always does.

Aditya along with Rani and his parents Yash and Pamela Chopra as well as brother Uday were spotted at the Sahar airport arriving together after ushering in 2012 overseas.

While they were on a holiday in the US/London, it is clear that Rani is family and was with the Chopra parivar for the celebrations. So can we expect an annoucement soon?



There has been buzz about Adi and Rani for long. Even during Diwali last year, she was very much in the scheme of things at the Chopra residence in Juhu.

Now that the filmmaker has thrown caution to the wind, there is nothing to hide anymore.

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Why do Soha and boyfriend Kunal fight so often?

The family that watches TV together, stays together. Like all families, the Khan-khandan would also have endless fights over the remote, reminices Soha Ali Khan. And not much has changed since then.

Even now, Soha and boyfriend Kunal (Khemu) keep fighting over their choice of serials and films. While Kunal likes to see American series and a lot of Hindi content, Soha loves her British crime shows and thrillers. She tells CS her love for television:

The big fight
While growing up, our family loved fighting over the remote.

My father would want to watch news, my mother would be interested in what Barkha Dutt had to say, my sister was interested in the Star World shows, while I was the one for Discovery.

One of Saif's favourite series while growing up was Remington Steele, and I remember, that we would often pause an episode and enact the character.

It was fun but bhai and I never had fights, as he was 10 years older to me. My sister and I have argued a lot over TV, as we shared the same bedroom.

Luckily now, Kunal and I like watching the same kind of content on TV. But the fights start when I put a British show. He thinks it's boring and slow. And he also finds the accent annoying. He prefers his fast-paced American series.

He also watches a lot of trailers and Bollywood trade news again and again.

I tune off at that time. We have had our fights over Bollywood films that he can watch time and again with the same interest. I can't do that. So, whenever he is out, I watch my favourite British series.

The smaller picture
Unlike Mumbai, Delhi where I grew up, was never obsessed with films. We had to do a lot of things than to just sit in front of the idiot box.

I have always been fond of TV, but when we were younger television was a bad word. We were pushed more towards pursuing extra curricular activities, outdoor sports and hobbies like reading. We had so much to do.

We would play so many outdoor games in a huge garden in front of our house. We didn't have to rely on the TV for entertainment.

Show time
But in the last one year, I have seen more TV than ever before. I take full responsibility when I say that television is a good thing.

I have my own set limits. There have been times when I have cut off from the world outside for three days, have put on my pyjamas and watched Sex in the City for hours together.

It is unhealthy but its fun to do once in a while. But I make sure this doesn't become a lifestyle.

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