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Akon wants Shahrukh’s help
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‘No One Killed Jessica’ is waiting for its Leading Lady
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Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan to quit smoking and drinking
New Delhi: Children`s films without stars don`t make it big at the box office and that`s a prime reason why choreographer Ahmad Khan roped in Shahid Kapoor for his first production "Paathshala".
Shahid has a nearly 40-minute appearance in the film.
International pop singer Akon who is in India to lend his voice for Shahrukh Khan starrer, science thriller ‘Ra 1’ wanted to rope in Shahrukh Khan to raise funds for Haiti relief work. He is in talk with Shahrukh Khan. Akon is working on Haiti relief work along with another musician Wycleaf Jean.
Talking about the earthquake-affected area, Akon says, "There is so much more that can be done and needs to be done. I visited Haitia while back and it was a moving experience. I think it's not something that's restricted to one particular part of the world, but a global situation that needs to be addressed.
I definitely plan to talk to Shah Rukh and see what we can do to raise aid for those in need. The plan is to get as many people involved as possible."
Shahrukh was impressed with Akon’s singing and to welcome him, he has thrown a big bash where many Bollywood celebrities were present. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, ‘Ra 1’ stars Kareena Kapoor also.
Talking about the earthquake-affected area, Akon says, "There is so much more that can be done and needs to be done. I visited Haitia while back and it was a moving experience. I think it's not something that's restricted to one particular part of the world, but a global situation that needs to be addressed.
I definitely plan to talk to Shah Rukh and see what we can do to raise aid for those in need. The plan is to get as many people involved as possible."
Shahrukh was impressed with Akon’s singing and to welcome him, he has thrown a big bash where many Bollywood celebrities were present. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, ‘Ra 1’ stars Kareena Kapoor also.
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Shahid and Kareena break their Silence
Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor
Recently, Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan hugged and patched up; even Kareena has ended her cold war with Aishwarya. All of this happened at Karan Johar’s birthday party last year. Karan has taken his role as Bollywood Peacemaker to the next level. Last week, Karan played a catalyst, making Shahid and Kareena not only acknowledge each other’s presence, but also strike up a conversation. The patch up took place at Shahrukh’s bungalow, Mannat, where King Khan had his celebration of My Name Is Khan.
A source said, “Shahid and Kareena came face to face, everyone thought they would simply ignore each other like they have done so many times in the past. But this time, Karan happened to be present right there and instead of marching past each other they slowed down for a bit. And the rest, as they say, is history.” They both had a warm exchange and even Saif joined them later. Kareena and Shahid were both unavailable for comments. Kareena’s spokesperson said, “Kareena has no problem with anybody, including Shahid.”
**************************************************** ‘No One Killed Jessica’ is waiting for its Leading Lady
Vidya Balan
The original plan to cast a big star for the role of Jessica Lal, the assassinated model from Delhi, in the upcoming movie ‘No One Killed Jessica‘ has fallen out. Vidya Balan is playing Jessica’s sister Sabrina Lal and Rani Mukherji is playin the role of an investigative journalist. However, the chance of finding an established actor to play the small role of Jessica Lal has faded out. The directors and producers are facing a lack of choice and have decided to cast a newcomer for this role.
A close source says, “Once Vidya and Rani were cast, established actresses who were approached guessed the will have a very little to do especially as the character who gets murdered in the early part of the story. Now they have no choice but to cast a newcomer.” Director of the movie Rajkumar Gupta confirmed saying, “We are looking at casting a new girl as Jessica. We feel the impact of the crime on the audience’s mind would be far greater if the actress playing Jessica is an unknown face, we are looking at a theater actor for Jessica’s role and for other smaller roles.” Siddharth Roy Kapoor of UTV said, “Apart from Rani Mukherji and Vidya Balan, all the other characters in the film form the supporting cast. They are good actors but not known faces.”
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Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan to quit smoking and drinking
Aamir Khan
Recently, at the success party of 3 Idiots, many people noticed that Aamir Khan did not drink alcohol. Even a couple of days earlier at his nephew’s engagement party, Aamir did not even have champagne. According to the news on January 1, 2010 Aamir decided to give up smoking and drinking for the rest of his life. Aamir said, “The next time I invite you home, I will treat you with beer, but I will drink nimbu paani.”
When asked him the reason for quitting drinking and smoking he says, “I just felt like doing it from within. There is no specific reason. Yaar I have put on 10 kilos in recent months. Also, sometimes, I tended to overdo the drinking bit. And I hate it when I feel unhealthy. Therefore, I just decided that I wanted to quit alcohol for life. As for cigarettes, I was never a regular smoker. But I have decided to give it up too.”
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Delhi Belly waiting for Aamir’s Approval
Aamir Khan
It has been months now that Abhinay Deo’s movie Delhi Belly is ready and is waiting for Aamir Khan’s approval. However, the films release is going to take a long time. Sources reveal that, “Aamir was unhappy with the final version of the film and has sent it to a studio in Los Angeles for editing. With this new development, it does not look like the film will release till early next year.”
The English cast of this movie has an ensemble of Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Shenaz Treasurywala, Poorna Jaganathan and Imran Khan. A close source involved with this film says, “It is tragic that despite being made in record time of a few months, the film has been stuck on the edit table for so long.” Initially, Aamir was to spearhead the editing but he got busy with his own films. However, when he did see it, he was not thrilled about it. Moreover, he made it known. Sincethe film has adult jokes and has been made in English, he wants it to be edited like an international project. Aamir already had international distribution plans for Delhi Belly and he thought the film did not match his expectations.
Frieda in talks to be the next Bond Girl
Freida Pinto
Frieda Pinto may be playing the next bond girl. Earlier, there were rumors that the makers of the movie Quantum of Solace had approached Frieda to star opposite Daniel Craig. However, things did not work out, and the plan was scrapped. Now, the makers of the next Bond movie have again short listed Frieda’s name. If she agrees to dothe film, she will be the first Bollywood actress to be a Bond girl.
Frieda, who suddenly shot to fame with the international movie Slumdog Millionaire, is one of the most famous and sought after Indian actors in Hollywood. Recently, she bagged a movie by Woody Allen, You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, and she will be paid USD 3 million for the same. Till now, Frieda has appeared on every chat show from Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman.
Shahid Kapoor is draw for children`s film `Paathshala`
New Delhi: Children`s films without stars don`t make it big at the box office and that`s a prime reason why choreographer Ahmad Khan roped in Shahid Kapoor for his first production "Paathshala"."If Shahid Kapoor wasn`t in `Paathshala`, it could become a documentary. The film is so serious and it`s so beautiful. But people wouldn`t have gone and watched just a children`s film even though it deals with a serious issue," Khan told reporters.
Shahid has a nearly 40-minute appearance in the film.
"Many people make many children`s films, but not many become known ones. If Aamir Khan would have not been in `Taare Zameen Par`, that film would have got only limited exposure. Just because of Aamir`s presence, it got a wider audience and so much appreciation.
"If I would have made a general children`s film, no one would have gone and seen it. But if Shahid Kapoor and Nana Patekar say some good dialogues, and they are in the film, people will go and watch. So they get to see Shahid and also a sensible film. These stars make the range of a film go higher, otherwise it becomes a small-time film," he added.
`Paathshala`, directed by Milind Ukey, is primarily about the Indian education system and deals with contemporary and socially relevant issues regarding children. The film, which releases April 16, also stars Ayesha Takia.
"The film is education-driven and about pressure on kids. It deals with a school...and Nana Patekar, who plays the principal, wants to make the school big by bringing reality show people in, having auditions in the school to get media coverage," he said.
It features child actors Swini Khare from "Cheeni Kum", Ali Haji from "Fanaa" and Dwij Yadav from "Nanhe Jaisalmer" and Avika Gor, the youngest `bahu` of Indian television.
Khan, who was a child actor himself, says it has been a wonderful experience working with kids as they are much more professional unlike children in his times.
"Child actors these days are very professional. On the sets, you have to call them with their character`s name, you can`t call them with their real name. They say - `Uncle, if you call me with the character`s name, I will be in the character.` They really know what they are doing," he said.
Khan, who was a child actor himself, says it has been a wonderful experience working with kids as they are much more professional unlike children in his times.
"Child actors these days are very professional. On the sets, you have to call them with their character`s name, you can`t call them with their real name. They say - `Uncle, if you call me with the character`s name, I will be in the character.` They really know what they are doing," he said.
Khan, who started choreographing for films when he was 19, is also getting another opportunity to be with kids - he has been chosen to be on the judges` panel for Colors` new dance reality show "Chak Dhoom Dhoom". He says it is tougher to deal with children on such shows vis-a-vis those who feature in films.
"Children on these dance shows want to enjoy being a dada in their colony and school for 15-20 days. But then when they lose, they blame it on the judge. They should be ready for victory as well as loss. And their parents should also be prepared.
"Kids in films are so professional. When they come for audition, we ask them to deliver six-seven dialogues. We tell them `Okay, thank you beta`. They ask `Am I in the film, uncle?` So then we say - `No beta, you can`t be in this film because the role doesn`t suit you`. They say `Okay, uncle. Take my number. Let me know if you have any other film and call me.` And then they go without making a sad face," he said.
On "Chak Dhoom Dhoom", Khan will be sharing the judge`s seat with ace choreographer Saroj Khan and actor Vindu Dara Singh.
"Children on these dance shows want to enjoy being a dada in their colony and school for 15-20 days. But then when they lose, they blame it on the judge. They should be ready for victory as well as loss. And their parents should also be prepared.
"Kids in films are so professional. When they come for audition, we ask them to deliver six-seven dialogues. We tell them `Okay, thank you beta`. They ask `Am I in the film, uncle?` So then we say - `No beta, you can`t be in this film because the role doesn`t suit you`. They say `Okay, uncle. Take my number. Let me know if you have any other film and call me.` And then they go without making a sad face," he said.
On "Chak Dhoom Dhoom", Khan will be sharing the judge`s seat with ace choreographer Saroj Khan and actor Vindu Dara Singh.
