Posts Tagged ‘sonal chawla’
Priyanka Chopra is a sharp woman with a firm business head on her shoulders. Knowing that her jodi with Abhishek Bachchan had proved to be popular, she sees no reason to let a little tiff come in the way of another hit together. So, she has decided to extend the olive branch to Bachchan Jr. The actress has been sending feeler messages to Rohan Sippy to be cast in his next opposite Abhishek Bachchan.
The Abhishek-Priyanka jodi became quite a hit in Rohan Sippy’s Bluffmaster. The duo worked in a couple of movies thereafter and was appreciated. But it may be recalled that the friendly bonding between the two had been strained last year at a film award event when the two wanted to dance to the same number and a misunderstanding ensued.
Abhishek, who had even jokingly called Priyanka his heartthrob on national television in the past, hadn’t taken kindly to Priyanka’s obstinate behaviour at the event, and thereafter the two never crossed paths again.
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A source reveals, “Priyanka has sent feelers to Rohan and is keen to work on this project. She has heard the gist of the script and she liked it. Moreover, Abhishek Bachchan’s presence has attracted her to the film. She finds him fabulous as an actor and loves their on-screen pairing.”
The director, of course, takes the diplomatic route. Rohan says, “I would definitely love to work with Priyanka, as she is a fabulous actress and I really enjoyed working with her. However, I have not yet approached anyone for the female lead for this film till I lock in some other critical casting.”
Even if he hasn’t made up his mind, has Priyanka been artfully bringing herself to his attention? He says, “That’s totally flattering. She is one of my favourite actors.”
Producer Ahmed Khan and lead actor Shahid Kapoor have donated school utilities used for their film to three schools that needed them
Although choreographer-turned-producer Ahmed Khan’s Paathshala’s shooting is over, the props used for the film’s shooting are still in use. Ahmed and Shahid Kapoor, the film’s lead actor, donated the props used for the film – school bags, notebooks, benches and stationery to three needy schools teaching underprivileged children. The film is directed by Milind Ukey.
Paathshala deals with contemporary and socially relevant issues regarding children’s education. Ahmed had erected a massive set of a school at Film City where classrooms, dormitories, the principal’s cabin, staff rooms, huge corridors, a basket ball court, garden, assembly hall, music room and canteen were recreated.
Ahmed says, “We had several benches, school uniforms, school bags, notebooks and stationery that we used for the film. After the shooting, we decided to donate all these basic school utility items to the underprivileged kids studying in schools.”
The items have been donated to two schools in Mumbai, one in Malad and the other in Malvani and a third school (a nursery), on the outskirts of Pune.
“We had several children acting in our film. Some were child actors who auditioned for the part, while others were underprivileged kids from the slums. It was because of the latter that we decided to help the needy schools. Apart from the benches that we made for the film, we made some more benches at our cost and donated them as well. Why not help them out in our small way by providing basic infrastructure?” adds Ahmed. The film also stars Ayesha Takia and Nana Patekar.
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| Paathshala |
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 30, 2009)
While the whole world believes that Katrina is recuperating in London with her family, a reliable London source tells us that she is actually in New York. Incidentally, Ranbir Kapoor is also in New York shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaana Anjaani. Coincidence? We don’t think so.
Post her surgery in Mumbai, Katrina flew off to London claiming to spend New Year’s Eve with her family. Katrina, who ushers in the New Year with her mother and siblings each year, was particularly thrilled about the family reunion this time round, because she was looking forward to playing with her sister’s little son. But apparently, family has been sidelined in favor of some companionship.
One can’t help but wonder how she planned to keep her jaunt to New York a secret. It’s a small, small world after all. When we called her grandmother’s place in London, a relative said, “Oh, but Katrina is in New York.”
However Katrina said, “I’m very much in London. It’s a joke in my family about me being in New York because I’m harassed by many calls.”
Kaif also skipped beau (or is it seriously ex-beau now) Salman Khan’s birthday in favour of New York. Ranbir and Katrina met on the sets of Raajneeti but their friendship really took off when they shot Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. For the last few months, Ranbir has been in an on-off relationship with Deepika Padukone while Katrina’s relationship with Salman Khan has slowly ground to a halt.
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2009)
Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna will be seen in the same frame for the first time. Akshaye has been signed by Farah Khan for Tees Maar Khan and is playing the parallel lead.
Farah confirms the news. She says, “Akshaye Khanna is playing a pivotal role. We needed a big name and an established actor, who had a good comic timing. Khanna fitted the bill perfectly. Moreover, Kumar and Khanna have never worked together so this is a fresh combination of co-stars. It is a very unique role and the second most important character in the film. Kumar is playing the title role, while Khanna is playing Atish Kapoor.”
Ask her if there is any actress opposite Khanna, she says, “There is just one actress opposite both the Akshay(e)s. It is a strange script and I cannot divulge details about it.”
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| Akshay Kumar | Akshaye Khanna |
After six long years of hard work, Shahid Kapoor is now taking a much need break. He is flying off to Goa today with his childhood friends to celebrate the New Year and spend some leisure time.
Shahid’s best friend Shriram, who he is meeting after years, is also joining the actor for this holiday. A source close to the actor says, “Shahid has been shooting back to back for the past few years. He had no break between films. After Jab We Met, he went into Kismat Konnection followed by Kaminey, Yash Raj’s untitled and now he is finishing the patchwork of Chance pe Dance. Kaminey especially, was a tiring film to shoot.
The source continues, “Now that all the pending work of his films is over, along with his prior commitments, the actor is taking a much needed break. This will be his first holiday in the past six years. He is off to Goa with his childhood friends and will celebrate the New Year with them. It is a complete boy’s holiday and he is going to unwind and relax to the fullest. The all-boys-gang will stay in a hotel in North Goa, one of the liveliest places in the month of December. The hotel has a private beach where he will have some privacy and might indulge in some water sports too. The actor is not into gambling, but being out with his friends on a holiday, he might just join them.”
The source adds some details, “Shahid wants a quiet and relaxing holiday and will disconnect himself completely from his work. He has already informed his directors and producers that he won’t be available for those days. He returns on January 1, but will only resume work on January 4.”
Shahid’s publicist confirms, “Shahid is going for his first holiday in six years with his school friends, including his best friend Shriram. They will be celebrating New Year in Goa.”
| (Pic: Deepak Turbhekar) |
Beauty seems to run in the Rai family. As if having one beauty pageant winner Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not enough, her sister-in-law, Shrima Rai too has added glory to the family. Shrima, first runners up in Mrs India 2009, was among the top ten finalists at Mrs Globe 2009 contest.
She also won the ‘Most Beautiful Face’ title among 40 contestants from all over the world. Shrima is a banker by profession.
The beauty pageant was held on December 13 in Bratislava, Slovakia in Europe. An elated Shrima told Mumbai Mirror, “I am extremely happy and excited at the moment. It was a worthwhile experience. I was accompanied by my husband Aditya Rai. He was on cloud nine when I won this title. It was a different experience meeting married women on the same stage from all over the world.”
Her parents and in-laws couldn’t accompany her since they were busy with their work commitments. “Each one of them called and congratulated me, including Aishwarya,” adds Shrima.
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| Aishwarya Rai Bachchan | Shrima Rai (left) |
Like other beauty pageant winners, Shrima is open to acting offers. She says, “I wouldn’t mind acting if something constructive and fruitful comes my way.”
Monikangna wary of shooting lovemaking scene in Guzaarish due to Hrithik’s wife?
Posted on: December 26, 2009
Rumours of her husband’s alleged intimacy with Kites’s co-star Barbara Mori has invoked a fierce need in Sussanne to protect her turf. She is now keeping a sharp eye on Hrithik and is not about to take any chances. The insecurity probably stems from hurt over the increasing reports about Hrithik’s roving eye.
On October 29, Mumbai Mirror disclosed that Monikangana and Hrithik Roshan have a passionate lovemaking and kissing scene in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious venture Guzaarish. The potential for trouble is undeniable. An alert Sussanne is now making her presence felt on the sets of Guzaarish. Her strict supervision is making the leading lady Monikangana distinctly uncomfortable.
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| Hrithik Roshan | Sussanne Roshan |
Apparently, Bhansali’s new find has confided in him, begging out of the lovemaking scene. Monikangana seems to be developing cold feet due to Sussanne’s prying and her presence on the sets.
The story goes that Bhansali wanted Hrithik and Monikangana to spend quality time together, so that the passionate scene seems effortless and natural on screen. A source says, “However, Sussanne used to intrude on their space often. She even followed Hrithik to Goa. Feeling anxious, Monikangana thought that it would be better if she expressed her reservations to the director. Frankly, Monikangana did the right thing. She was sensing that Sussanne seemed to be indirectly conveying to her in no uncertain terms that Hrithik is her husband. That was the limit.”
That puts the director in a spot, and he has to skillfully work his way around the situation. “It is unlikely that Bhansali will humour Monikangana’s apprehensions. But if he goes ahead with his plan, we wonder if he will succeed in shooting a crackling lovemaking scene with a wary leading lady,” adds our source.
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| Monikangana Dutta (Pic: yogen shah) |
While Monikangana remained unavailable for comment, Bhansali’s spokesperson refused to acknowledge the problem. He said, “There is no lovemaking or kissing scene between Monikangana and Hrithik in Guzaarish.”
After Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye (2008), the successful combination of director Dibakar Banerjee and Abhay Deol will be seen again. The untitled film is a political thriller involving an assassination. Abhay will play one of the protagonists.
Confirming the news, Dibakar says, “The film is based on a European novel published in the mid-1960s. We are still negotiating for the rights of the book. Ever since I read the book, I wanted to convert it into a film. Of course, I will adapt it to Indian sensibilities. The film deals with three principal characters. Abhay plays a South Indian judge, while the other characters are a journalist who sells soft porn to magazines and an expat social worker, who will be female.”
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| Abhay Deol | Dibakar Banerjee |
Currently Dibakar is talking to a few heroines who will star with Abhay. He says, “I need one girl. She will be finalised in the next few days. But the biggest challenge in this film is that Abhay Deol will have to learn Tamil. He plays a Tamilian and has to speak several lines in Tamil throughout the film. For that, he will be first learning the language,” Dibakar added.
The director will take a short break after the release of Love, Sex Aur Dhoka (LSD). He adds, “This movie has completely drained me emotionally and I need to give sometime to myself. The script is already written and ready and will only go on floors by the end of next year. Unconventional subjects are my forte, but this film will not be bolder than LSD. Trust me, you will not have seen a bolder film than LSD in your life.”
Is this a Balaji production roo? That’s the buzz, we told him. He says, “There are no producers as such on board yet.”
Although Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known to be a strict disciplinarian on the sets, his love for kids is relatively unknown. Recently, he gifted Hrithik Roshan’s son Hrehaan a 3D videogame console, Nintendo Wii.
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| Sussanne with Hrehaan Roshan |
A source says, “Sussanne Roshan drops in on the sets of Guzaarish quite often. She was even present with the kids at the outdoor schedule of the film in Goa. The director, who is close to his nieces and showers them with gifts, was often seen playing with Hrithik’s sons after pack-up. In no time, he grew extremely fond of both the kids.”
Talking about the reason for gifting, the source says, “Bhansali learnt that Hrehaan is fond of videogames and is keen on buying the new Nintendo Wii. Without wasting a single day, he ordered the game and gifted it to Hrehaan. Hrehaan was excited about receiving the unexpected gift and thanked Sanjay with a warm hug.”
It’s not just Hrehaan who loves to play the game, even Hrithik is hooked on to it. The source adds, “Hrithik, who is tech-savvy, is addicted to the new game. He plays the game with the kids whenever he is home.
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| Sanjay Leela Bhansali |
This game also doubles up as a workout for the body.”
Bhansali denied the story. However, a source close to Bhansali says, “Bhansali is extremely fond of Hrehaan and Hridhaan.When he learnt of their wish to buy a Nintendo Wii, he decided to gift it to them.”
Abhay Deol’s production house, Forbidden Films, is ready to take off and will start shooting its first film, Basra, in January 2010. It is an out-and-out action film based on the drug racket and human trafficking. Navdeep Singh, who directed Manorama-Six Feet Under, will direct the film.
Abhay plays the lead and Chitrangada Singh puts in a guest appearance. Soniya Mehra (Victoria No 203) has also been roped in for an important part. Shahana Goswami is paired with Nikhil Dwivedi.
A source reveals, “Basra is an edgy and dark film. Soniya will play a teenage hippie who is involved in drugs and eventually becomes a victim of human trafficking after being kidnapped. Shahana plays a journalist, while Nikhil is a cop. It is an ensemble cast and script.”
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| (L) Soniya Mehra (R) Abhay Deol |
The source continues, “As the film is an action thriller, Abhay is building his body. His role is that of a secret agent. You can call him an undercover cop who exposes the entire racket. The movie has its base in Basra, a city in Iraq, notorious for its involvement in drugs. It will be shot in Dubai, Kuwait, Delhi and Mumbai.”
Director Navdeep confirms, “The film deals with drug rackets and we have signed Soniya and Nikhil. The title Basra was chosen as it is a city in Iraq which is apt to the subject of the film.” Probably the film will also be shot in one of the cities in Iraq. Navdeep says, “Yes, we are looking for locations in Iraq, probably Kuwait. The movie will go on the floors in January and most probably release by the end of next year.”
