Nikhil Dwivedi Richa Chaddha get steamy in TAMANCHEY

Nikhil Dwivedi post the outstanding positive reviews for his performance in RAAVAN, SHOR IN THE CITY is rumoured to play a role close on the lines of real life romance of Abu Salem and Monica Bedi in TAMANCHEY.

Says a source from the film, "TAMANCHEY is an aggressive, passionate acidic love story between two criminals whilst on the run from the law. Nikhil's character is called Munna. Based on the lives of gangsters, TAMANCHEY will be a realistic take on the lives of the people in the underworld, using a lot of facts merged with fiction with references to real gangster incidents.

	view TAMANCHEY stills

Nikhil Dwivedi and Delhi based Richa Chadda apparently even shot a very steamy scene which is slated to be one of the boldest acts in Bollywood, whilst shooting for their schedule in Gujarat that will replicate Azamgarh Abu Salem's birthplace."


Sources also confirm that a lot of research has gone in the script and during the pre-production of the film to re-create, authentic scenarios and exact sets. The source continues that Anurag Kashyap loved the script and supported producer Suryaveer to the hilt by helping them with the team and also with the casting of not only the leading man and Richa Chadda, but every single cast member.

Meanwhile Nikhil has also been reading the Godfather series and has done real life research on gangsters so that he gets the character pitch right.

Speaks a lot on 'Actors Integrity' - Wot say!

Read more...

Big B condoles death of Satyadev Dubey

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan condoled the death of legendary Indian theater actor Satyadev Dubey who passed away in a private hospital in Mumbai at the age of 75 on Sunday.

"Sudden news of the passing away of Satyadev Dubey...a huge theatre icon...committed and passionate about his craft... Condolences," Bachchan tweeted.

	AMITABH BACHCHAN

Dubey was in coma after suffering from a massive epileptic attack. He was admitted in a private hospital since September. 

"Satyadev Dubey... played a small but significant role in DEEWAR with me .. the dock scene where he refuses to pay 'hafta'," he posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Dubey won the 1978 National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Shyam Benegal's BHUMIKA and 1980 Filmfare Best Dialogue Award for JUNOON.

Read more...

Abbas-Mustan: PLAYERS is faster than THE ITALIAN JOB

As is a known fact, PLAYERS (based on THE ITALIAN JOB) deals with a gold heist where a group of youngsters come together to pull off an impossible task. With ample scope for action and thrills, the story by itself holds quite a lot of promise and Abbas-Mustan promise that audience won't be disappointed.

''THE ITALIAN JOB was made way back in 2003 and from then till now, technology has advanced in a big way. We kept that in mind while executing our script and that would reflect in the visuals as well. While we have kept the basic flavour of the film intact, from the sheer look and narrative perspective, PLAYERS is far more fast paced and has a racy feel to it,'' says Abbas Burmawala.

	ABBAS-MUSTAN

Termed as men-in-white who are masters of thriller genre, Abbas-Mustan have been known for their suspense flicks right from the days of KHILADI till RACE. What has always stood out in their films is the lack of any predictable elements. Can audience expect many more surprises in store with PLAYERS as well?

CHECK OUT: Abbas-Mustan shrug off Abhi's 'rough patch'

''I can assure you that twists here are more than what you saw in RACE. Moreover, since PLAYERS also involves a lot of action, you would see the coming together of suspense, thrills and some daredevil stunts. Moreover, there won't be anything predictable here and you would be continuously guessing about what would happen next,'' adds Mustan Burmawala.

''See, the thing is that whenever we make a movie, we start thinking like an audience. While going through a script, we keep asking ourselves if we can already see what would happen next. Only if we are able to surprise ourselves do we go ahead with a scene,'' he added further.

Well, we are waiting to get surprised as well!

Read more...

Kareena: I will always be ten steps behind Karisma

Just a few days back we broke the news around how Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor may end up clashing with each other in the Summer of 2012 when their films TALAASH and DANGEROUS ISHQ arrive together. Though it is almost certain that the makers of DANGEROUS ISHQ (Vikram Bhatt) would think rationally and shift the film's release date, for audience in general and Kareena in particular, there is quite some excitement in store, what with Karisma making a comeback.

"This is going to be a great year for the Kapoor sister," says a trade expert, "While Kareena would be rubbing shoulders with Saif Ali Khan and Imran Khan in AGENT VINOD and EK MAIN AUR EKK TU, complete an author backed HEROINE and begin shooting for CHENNAI EXPRESS with Shahrukh Khan, Karisma would be making a comeback with DANGEROUS ISHQ and would then kick-start SATTE PE SATTA remake with Sanjay Dutt There is a lot happening in the Kapoor household and the ladies of the house are busier than ever."

	KAREENA KAPOOR and KARISMA KAPOOR

In that case how about a wishful thinking where one sees the most exciting time for Kapoors with her and Karisma fighting it out for the top slot in next couple of years. Now how would that be for the industry and the filmgoers?

CHECK OUT: Kareena promotes Karisma

"Well, I don't think that will ever happen," says Kareena with a wide grin. "I will always be ten steps behind Karisma at every stage of my career. I love and respect her beyond films. The day she comes on screen again, she will be the undisputed queen of Hindi cinema," she adds on a parting note.

Aah, now that's some sister speak here!

Read more...

Bollywood gets dirtier this year

The year 2011 saw many young starlets of Bollywood making headlines, interestingly not for the good reasons. While someone supposedly became a target of casting couch, another got a call from a pimp and one even alleged a magazine for morphing her photograph and publishing it nude on the cover page.

	VEENA MALIK

To start with Veena Malik, who first grabbed many eye-balls for her witty acts in television reality show Bigg Boss, recently made headlines as she opposed a popular magazine for publishing her nude photograph. According to the Pakistani bombshell, the magazine morphed her photograph and thus she filed a legal case against the publishing house. If media reports are to be believed, Veena even went missing post this incident. Later, the actress called a press conference to clear this rumour and mentioned that she was resting at a hotel after taking some medicines.

	MINK

Mink, who came in limelight as she participated in the Shahrukh Khan hosted television show 'Zor Ka Jhatka', came all out to declare that she has got a call from a pimp. According to the actress, the pimp offered her huge amount to spend a night with a businessman or politician. May be, she refers to this incident as a bigger jhatka than her reality show. But, the actress did not shy away from talking about it and made news in almost all news agencies.

Read more...

Post TDP & CHAALIS CHAURAASI Naseer the new item boy!

Upcoming actress and one of the hottest sensation to have hit Bollywood recently isShweta Bhardwaj, who, with her brief appearance in films like MISSION ISTANBUL and LOOT, is now the talk of the tinsel town. And with her item number 'Setting Zhala' in CHAALIS CHAURAASI (4084) already making waves, things are going to get hotter for this beautiful actress.

Naturally Shweta is very upbeat about her special number but credits it more to her co-star and veteran actor Shah, who is also seen dancing to her tunes in the foot tapping dance number, along with other actors like Atul Kulkarni, Ravi Kissen and Kay Kay Menon. But Shweta is all praise for Naseeruddin Shah and says, ''As I had told you (and you must have seen it) Naseer Sahib is in 'Oye Oye' form. In fact after 'Ooh La La' and now 'Setting Zhala' he is the new item boy! He can work magic with his eyes. The song is mainly Maharashtrian (like Madhuri's SAILAAB song), but has Konkani touches too.''


Certainly, first with ''Ooh La La' and now 'Setting Zhala'', we are sure that Shweta is absolutely right when she says that Naseeruddin Shah is the new item boy of Bollywood and judging from the audience response they too feel the same!

Read more...

Nilanjana makes Vivek Oberoi 'Go Green'

Bengali model-actress Nilanjana Bhattacharya is up for a social cause. The bong beauty, who is a member of Go Green campaign, has approached her ZILLA GHAZIABAD co-star Vivek Oberoi  to support the cause.

Go Green is a campaign about growing more and more trees. When Nilanjana asked Vivek to be a part of it, Vivek was more than happy to oblige. The actor promised her that he will definitely support the cause once he is done with his shooting.

	NILANJANA BHATTACHARYA

Says Nilanjana, ''Vivek is already into a lot of social work....so who better than him to support the cause.''


Nilanjana recently burned the screen by doing a dance sequence along the lines of the song 'Munni Badnaam Hui' in Telugu movie DUNIYA. The actress has also shot for many advertisements.

Read more...

Lady Gaga sued by former assistant

Lady Gaga's former personal assistant has filed a lawsuit against the pop diva claiming that she had to cater to the singer's every whim, at every hour of the day and night, handling her schedule, finances and food.

Long Islander Jennifer O'Neill endured 13 long months as the domineering diva's personal aide.

According to court papers, the Garden City girl could barely muster a poker face while ensuring the promptness of a towel following a shower and serving as a personal alarm clock to keep [Gaga] on schedule.

O'Neill said that there were no breaks for meals "or, at times, even sleep," and she was required to be on hand for anything the Grammy Award-winning singer needed, at her "earliest waking hour" or for "spontaneous, random matters in the middle of the night."

Part of O'Neill's 75,000 dollars-a-year job was "ensuring the availability of chosen outfits", which was no small task considering her ex-boss is best known for wearing a meat dress to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and dressing like a "human condom" for a appearance on Good Morning America.

O'Neill filed a lawsuit against the pop queen's Mermaid Touring company in Manhattan federal court last week for $ 380,000 in unpaid overtime, the New York Post reported.

She claimed that she worked 7,168 hours of unpaid overtime toiling at under the reign of the queen of the Little Monsters.

Along with her back pay, the American University graduate is also seeking unspecified damages.

A spokeswoman for Gaga branded the lawsuit "completely without merit."

Read more...

Salman Khan loves his 'Chikni Chameli'

Katrina Kaif is garnering a lot of praise for gyrating to item number "Chikni Chameli" in Karan Johar's forthcoming film "Agneepath", but the actress says the "lavni" style dancing was not a cakewalk for her.

"The response to 'Chikni Chameli' has been fun so far. It was hard work. It was very fast and it was not a style I was used to, but I took it as a challenge...

I think we all went for it as a team and did the best we could. I am happy people are liking it," the 27-year-old actress said here while launching new range of Panasonic airconditioners.

Even actor Salman Khan is smitten by the song and Katrina is happy about this.

"He has not told that to me but I think that's a great thing. He has a great taste in music and songs. So, if he likes it then it's great," said Katrina who featured in two more item numbers in "Shiela ki jawani" and "Bodyguard".

New Year is round the corner and Katrina is pleased with the way 2011 shaped up for her.

"2011 has been a really great year for me. All the goals I had in hand, I think everything turned out really well.

I am very grateful for that...The best I could have wanted to come out of every project has come true this year," said Katrina who had two releases this year - "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan".

Industry members are also smitten with the song. They feel it will definitely be a USP of Karan Johar's remake of his father's classic "Agneepath", and overshadow "Munni", "Sheila", "Shalu" and "Jalebi bai" item numbers.

Composed by national award-winning duo Ajay-Atul, the spicy song, sung by Shreya Ghoshal, is the Hindi version of their own Marathi hit "Kombadi palali".

The lyrics of the number, penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, are as cheesy as they could get, but the rhythm is extremely peppy and catchy. And Katrina's vigourous moves and sensual expressions, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, go in total sync.

The 26-year-old had set a benchmark with "Sheila ki jawaani" last year, but with this song, she has surpassed it with her killer desi look.

"Agneepath" director Karan Malhotra is all smiles and believes Katrina has done full justice to the song.

"I think the way the song was made, it was so wonderful, that only a topmost actress could have done justice to the song.

And as far as Katrina is concerned, her USP is that she has never been seen in any film in that kind of zone that 'Chikni chameli' is in...which is why she also stands out in that atmosphere and that is why the song is catching a lot of eyeballs, " Malhotra said at the music premiere of "Agneepath".

As much as he avoids talking in media about Katrina, even Salman Khan, her former beau, couldn't stop raving about the song.

"I love the song! I saw it a few days back and I am completely smitten by it. A lot of hard work has gone behind it and it is visible on the screen. Hats off to Katrina. She has come a long way, " Salman said at a recent event in Mumbai.

A 30-second promo of the song was first launched, followed by an over two minutes-long video on YouTube. The video has registered over 3 million hits so far, and producer Karan Johar is ecstatic.

"The nation is singing and dancing to 'Chikni chameli', so I am really excited about it. It is already an established big hit song, " Johar said.

According to Atul Gogavale, "Katrina spent eight days in rehearsal before starting to shoot the song. It took nine days to finish the shoot, and her energy levels never saw a dip."

"This song has a very high tempo and requires speed in steps. Even if I or someone else wants to dance to it, you cannot match up to the tempo for more than two minutes. But Katrina just took it to another level. She has left us speechless, " he said.

Celebrities from the film fraternity feel Katrina has raised the bar of item numbers with her energetic dance steps.

Writer Milap Zaveri tweeted: "Katrina's dance steps in 'Chikni Chameli' are too brilliant and energetic! But there should be a disclaimer saying 'Don't try this at home!'"

"'Chikni chameli' from 'Agneepath' is just outstanding. I have never seen an actress dance like Katrina does - she raises the bar to another level, " tweeted Ritesh Deshmukh, who recommended Ajay-Atul as composers for the film.

Even choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, who has choreographed item numbers like "Kajra re" says she is in awe of Katrina's effort.

"Katrina is looking very good in 'Chikni Chameli' and I told Karan (Johar) about it. I really loved it and whenever Katrina comes and does a song like this, you know what the effect is, " she said.

The action-drama slated for a Jan 26, 2012 release, features Hrithik Roshan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, originally played by megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Chandan Barot's directorial venture of the same name.

Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor will also be seen in key roles in the movie.

Read more...

Shiney Ahuja's bad luck follows him

Shiney Ahuja's next film 'Ghost' hits a massive roadblock

To say that trouble has become Shiney Ahuja's middle name may not really be an overstatement. Ever since the actor has been out on bail, he has been courting controversy, one after another, especially with regards to his latest film Ghost.

Now we hear that the promotional tour of the film, between Delhi and Jaipur, went so haywire, that the organisers of the tour have sent the producers a legal notice claiming compensation worth Rs 30 lakh.

Says Mohit Garg, one of the organisers belonging to a Rajasthan based company, "We were arranging some events for the film's crew that included Shiney, Sayali Bhagat and singers Sharib and Toshi.

The itinerary had been sent to them. They not only reached the press conference at Delhi many hours late, but they also demanded a hefty sum to make an appearance at a pub at a luxury hotel in Gurgaon.

This was a prior commitment and they had no business asking for extra money. So we have sent them a legal notice. I want to make sure the film is stalled."

However, the producers of the film have a completely different side to this claim. Apparently the organisers not only disappeared from the scene, but did not even bother arranging for decent accommodation for the celebrities.



Says producer Pooja Jitendar Bedi who rubbishes the allegations, "Mohit is a liar and a thief. When we reached the Delhi airport nobody bothered to pick us up on time. Plus Shiney was made to attend many small ribbon/cake-cutting ceremonies just so they could milk his presence.

However, we complied, but the organisers left us in the lurch mid-way, forcing us to contact another agency at the last minute to complete the tour."

Pooja also denies that Shiney and gang asked for money to appear at the Gurgaon pub. "All we asked for was Rs 50, 000 to buy return tickets to Mumbai. Imagine how badly we were treated."

Adds a source, "Every actor commands a certain amount of respect and it's sad that with Shiney, things have been bad ever since his arrest. But he cannot be blamed for trying to get back on his feet."

Ghosts from his past or plain unlucky?

Read more...

Dilip Kumar speaks rare tongues

Reveals relative Adnan Sami, whose half-Afghani wife spoke to the thespian in Pashto

While Dilip Kumar's birthday this year received much coverage for its guest list, here's a new thing that we learnt about the yesteryear's superstar -- he speaks Hindko and Pashto.

The two tongues, native to Pakistan, are almost as extinct as Sanskrit, Greek and Latin.

Adnan Sami, who is related to Dilip Kumar introduced his wife, Afghani-German Roya, to Kumar and Saira Banu.

Kumar reportedly spoke to Roya in fluent Hindko and Pashto. Roya also cooked Kabuli Badam, a childhood favourite, for Kumar.

Sami, on his part, gifted Kumar a rare picture of Kumar with superstars Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand caught in a candid moment.

For those elements in the film industry, who have been spreading the rumour that the thespian is rapidly losing his memory, here's a shocker -- Yusuf saab, as he's known among friends and family, has coherent memories of his childhood.

"Yusuf Lala, that's what my father called him, is related to me. His mother was my grandmother's cousin. He treats me like a son and greeted Roya as Bahu Begum.

I converse with Yusuf Lala in Hindko. When he came to know Roya was originally from Kabul and that she spoke Pashto he broke into fluent Pashto and spent a good half an hour in earnest conversation with her, " reveals Sami.

During the course of their animated chatter (which, we believe, angered a certain Khan superstar, who was waiting to greet Kumar), Roya discovered how much Dilip Saab loved Kabuli Badam.

She sent him a dish the very next day."At 89, Yusuf Lala is so coherent, articulate, humorous and alert, " says Sami.

Read more...

Bollywood's fate at box office this year. Salman tops

Here's the report card of some of this year's big banner films at the box office 

'Tis time to take stock of the year, after the last of the big banner films has released. On the basis of return on investment (the business done by the film compared to its cost, including print and advertising), our trade experts came up with about a dozen movies that make it to the hit list.

Not surprisingly, Salman Khan makes it to the top of the list, this year too, with Bodyguard raking in Rs 150 crore at the box office. And though Shah Rukh Khan's RA.One too is said to have met the numbers, it doesn't qualify due to its high cost.

Listing Singham, The Dirty Picture, Ready, Murder 2, Delhi Belly, Tanu Weds Manu, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Haunted and No One Killed Jessica as the hits of 2011, trade analyst Amod Mehra calls it a normal year.

"The only difference is that big films like Bodyguard, Ready and Singham have generated huge money. Even a flop like RA.One did business over Rs 100 crore. Never before have four movies done business even close to Rs 100 crore each in the same year, " he says, adding that a Rs 22 crore The Dirty Picture crossing Rs 80 crore is huge.



In the same vein, Suniel Wadhwa of 52 Weeks Entertainment Inc, while also adding Vashu Bhagnani's F.A.L.T.U to the hit list, points out to a growth of 60 percent in the business in the June-September period.

"The expectations in the last quarter from October to December were high, with films like RA.One, Desi Boyz, Rockstar and Don 2. Only The Dirty Picture delivered to become the biggest success of this period, " he states, pegging the average growth in the business at 22 per cent, as compared to 2010.

Indore based distributor Aditya Chowksey attributes the growth in business to the upsurge in the Indian market. "At one time, Rs 100 crore gross was unheard of. Now, we're seeing Rs 100 crore net collections, " he points out, adding that the industry is no longer dependent on overseas to rake in the moolah.



"The Dirty Picture did very bad overseas, but it qualifies as a big hit due to its huge success in the domestic circuit."

Talking of the growth in the domestic market, Sunil Punjabi, CEO Cinemax says that the increase in multiplexes has seen realisation in the number of prints and screens as a result. "But the films are not delivering the numbers to come close to 3 Idiots.

It will always be the second and third weeks that define the size of success, apart from the length of the movie. Doing big numbers in the first week is expected because of the open window, " he observes.

Considering that it was the most eagerly anticipated film of the year, tradesmiths call RA.One the biggest disappointment of 2011.



"It created the highest decibel in terms of pre-release reach, quality and raised expectations of the audience, but failed to deliver. It could easily win the Best marketed film of the year award, but people didn't accept it.

No other film has got 95 percent screens on release, with no competition for nearly three weeks. An ideal situation for any movie, but it didn't match from the content perspective, " sums up Punjabi about SRK's RS 150 crore VFX-laden superhero flick.

According to Mehra, it's an alarming situation for Don 2 if single screens are not going full. Pegging the first day's collections at Rs 13 c

rore, he says that considering the response from the public, he sees it crashing after Christmas. " Don 2 has to do a business of Rs 110 crore to break even, " he says about the film that has cost Reliance about Rs 105-110 crore after buying it from Excel Entertainment for Rs 80 crore.

Top hits
1) Bodyguard
2) Singham
3) Dirty Picture
4) Ready
5) Murder 2
6) Delhi Belly
7) Tanu Weds Manu
8) Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
9) Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
10) Yamla Pagla Deewana
11) Haunted 3D
12) No One Killed Jessica



Top flops
1) Patiala house
2) 7 Khoon Maf
3) Thank You
4) Game
5) Mausam
6) Rascals
7) RA.One
8) Desi Boyz
9) Aarakshan
10) Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

Read more...

See who did not like Imtiaz Ali's 'Rockstar' one bit

Imtiaz Ali, the director of 'Rockstar', speaks after topping our poll

Congratulations. When the film released many said this is not your best work. Does this prove them wrong?
This is not my safest work for sure. Not just me, but everyone from Ranbir to Rahman Sir stepped out of their comfort zones.

We were playing it from the heart, despite knowing very well that we might fail. So now you know what this acknowledgement means to me.

Did you think you disappointed a section of loyalists by taking that risk?
One of my oldest friends Vinay Misra was one of the few people to see the first cut of Rockstar. After watching it he said that he did not like the movie a bit.

I am used to that response by now. As long as they are honest enough to let me know, I am happy being criticised. I am unfortunately surrounded by people who don't think much of me anyway.

This film has been quite a roller-coaster ride for you. Have you changed as a person post Rockstar?
I have become thinner for sure (laughs). And yes, I think I have become a little more real. I have become more accepting of people.

What's your favourite 2011 film?
It's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. And I don't just say it because a friend has made it. I am in fact more dismissive of my friends than foes.

But I was quite moved by the film, especially in the end. The poetry and the last scene where they escape the bulls were lovely moments for me.

Read more...

Kareena, PC and Sonam spotted in similar nude footwear

Arch rivals Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra stepped out in similar nude footwear for the trailer launch of their movies.

Over the weekend, PC wore the peep-toes at the Agneepath event while Bebo had worn similar footwear at the Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu launch.

Sonam Kapoor joined the gang as she was seen in them at a Christmas show event.

Read more...

Aamir Khan in the Professor Pyarelal look

Don't miss Aamir Khan in the Professor Pyarelal look.

Now that the shoot for his flick Talaash is over, the star has gone back to being clean-shaven. Chashm-e-buddoor.

Read more...