Posts Tagged ‘bipasha basu’
WHERE ARE THE ROLES? Lara Dutta, Bipasha Basu, Sonam and (above) Vidya Balan
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 5, 2010)
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, January 2, 2010 – 12:49 IST
Although his De Dana Dan is a hit, Priyadarshan is on the look-out for a serious image for his films with titles to match. For his next film, which is about caste wars and forbidden inter-caste marriages in Bihar, Priyadarshan wanted a title that would convey the flavour and feel of the Bihari milieu.
Priyan wanted to call the film Gangaajal, not knowing that the title had already been taken for another Bihari fable.
Says Priyan, “I thought something like Gangaajal was the best title for this film because it allowed audiences to know exactly where the plot and characters were going.”
In his mind he had settled for the title as the best one for his film, until he shared it with his leading man Ajay Devgn. To his horror, Priyan was told by Ajay that Prakash Jha had already used the title. Ajay knew about Jha’s Gangaajal because he had played the lead in it.
Then began the search for another title. Now Priyan’s Bihar based drama is called Nishaad.
Nishaad starring Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu and Akshaye Khanna had been shot without a title all this while mainly because Priyan wanted the film to have a hard-hitting title.
Finally Priyan’s script and dialogue writer came up with Nishaad because the director barely knows any Hindi.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Bollywood lets its hair down as 2009 comes to an end and raises its hopes for 2010
TEAM BT Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; December 31, 2009)
AMITABH BACHCHAN: In the New Year, the entire family is hoping to do the kind of work that would please the audience and carry the company forward. Our New Year wishes? May 2010 bring peace and well-being. May it fill us with pride as a nation. May our glory spread further. May we progress in all walks of life. And may the year keep me alive to witness the country, the film industry and my family prosper and progress. I look forward to the coming year passing peacefully.
KATRINA KAIF: I couldn’t hope for a better New Year’s day. I’m in London with my sisters and brother having the time of my life. We have lots of fun when we all are together. After I started working I have hardly seen my siblings. So meeting them is always special and a festival to mark our meeting, is the cherry on the cake. My mother forced me to leave my cell phone behind in Mumbai, so I’m almost cut off from Bollywood. What hopes for 2010? Lots of hard work and hopefully hits.
SHAH RUKH KHAN: I will be at home (Mannat) with Gauri, Aryan, Suhana and a couple of close friends like Karan Johar. Being with close family is the one thing I truly cherish.
AKSHAY KUMAR: Tina, Aarav and I are in Goa. I normally take a vacation from December 29 to January 2 because it includes a double celebration. Tina’s birthday on December 29, and then the New Year’s eve party. Honestly what can be better than spending time with your loved ones? This is a commitment I have made to my family.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE: I will be home in Bangalore with my parents and my sister. Then I go to Goa to wrap up the last fortnight on Ashutosh Gowarikar’s film. Every year I hope that the following year is as exciting as the previous year and I’m very happy with the way my professional life is going. Hope 2010 is the same.
RANBIR KAPOOR: I start shooting for Siddharth Anand’s film in the US from January 2. Since I didn’t wish to be in an aircraft on New Year’s eve, I left India on December 27. My entire family is in Dubai as tomorrow is my paternal grandmother’s birthday and the family is treating her to a one-week holiday there. I wish I could join them!
KAREENA KAPOOR: Saif and I are in England. We are catching up with Saif ’s Oxford batchmates and their spouses. I’m dying to wear my fur coat and sniff the English chill… looking and feeling every inch a diva. We work hard all the year around to make this happen, so let me enjoy myself.
BIPASHA BASU: I’m performing tonight. Then there will be a small get-together with friends. I always like to keep my New Year’s plans uncluttered. Home is the best place to be on any special occasion. And New Year will be a nonfilmy evening at home. Beyond that my only resolution for 2010 is, love yourself.
VIDYA BALAN: I bring in 2010 with my birthday tomorrow… no one can forget it! What hopes do I have for 2010? Oh plenty! After watching Mr Bachchan at work in Paa, I realised being focussed on your work to the point of shutting out everything else is not something I need feel guilty about. Now I’m all set to be seen as this full-blown, seductive, sexually-charged woman in Ishqiya. It brings an entirely new perspective to my personality for the audience. That’s what I’m hoping for in 2010… to find new aspects to my personality through the roles I play.
AJAY DEVGN: Kajol, Nysa, my parents, cousins, sister and her family and I will all be at our Karjat farm house. We’re planning an extended holiday. I start work only from January 2, so does Kajol. So in the meantime it is going to be a huge, long party.
AMRITA RAO: I wonder what 2010 has in store for me… Resolutions sound nice to the ears but adhering to them is a matter of destiny!
AMISHA PATEL: I have a show in Dubai. I will be working and then I will take a holiday. I always like working on New Year’s day because I feel you will then be working throughout!
RITESH DESHMUKH: Friends and I are contemplating how to ring in the New Year. It’s not compulsory to indulge in anything fancy, even a quiet time with good friends does the trick!
ARSHAD WARSI: I am looking forward to three releases in 2010. Will start Raju’s film next year so it’s going to be an eventful year. I haven’t a plan for New Year as yet. I’ll be with family and friends.
ANUSHKA SHARMA: I don’t do much for the New Year. Actually I do nothing. I just wish my family and go to bed.
SHABANA AZMI: As usual I’ll be with my family and a few close friends for the New Year.
IRRFAN KHAN: On every festive occasion I try to visit my mother in Jaipur. But for the New Year I made plans to be home. Beyond the New Year I’ve made no plans. I’ve noticed every time I’ve chalked out a plan for myself, life has humbled me. I leave all my plans to God.
MUGHDA GODSE: I am dancing at a live performance in Delhi tonight and will spend New Year with family and close friends. I’ve a horror film tentatively titled Help coming up for release. My co-star Bobby Deol is such a sweetheart. I hope to find a guy like him this year. Where are all the gentlemen?”
HEMA MALINI: I won’t be doing anything much for New Year. I’ll be with my family and rehearsing for my dance show which is on January 2.
POOJA BEDI: I’m having a small get-together on the terrace of my beachfront penthouse with flowers, candles and an incredible view of the entire city, with my father, my children and a few loved ones.
SUSHMITA SEN: I normally travel overseas. However, Alisah, my younger daughter, can’t travel abroad yet because she doesn’t have a passport. Hence it will have to be a beach resort in India.
ASIN: For me it will be a quiet New Year with family. I wanted to make it for Christmas itself, however I will ring in the New Year at my family home in Kerala.
By Subhash K. Jha, December 17, 2009 – 12:26 IST
What would’ve been a routine birthday bash for Sameera Reddy on Sunday night turned out to be a very special occasion when Priyadarshan, who has just given the actress her first hit since Race in De Dana Dan, turned around and said, “You’re in my next film.”
Sameera who has become very close to Priyan and his wife Lizzie and in fact spends all her free time during her frequent visits to Chennai in their house is still reeling in pleasure. “I couldn’t have got a better birthday gift. Firstly it turned out to be Priyan and Lizzie’s marriage anniversary. So we had my birthday and their anniversary party at Shristi Behl’s residence. All three of us Lizzie, Priyan and I cut a cake.”
The icing on the cake was Priyan’s impulsive offer. “I don’t need to ask him what it is or in which film. I trust him completely. He gave me a role in De Dana Dan that did justice to my presence. This, at a time when I was desperately trying to shed my sexy image.”
Not many people know this but Sameera has a secret special appearance in the Bihar based film that Priyan is shooting with Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu.
“How do you know about this?” Sameera demands to know. “So that makes it three films with Priyan. I’m really lucky to have Priyan and his wife as friends. Now when I go to Chennai is like a second home to me thanks to the work that I do. In fact my latest Tamil hit was mixed in Priyan’s studio in Chennai, so the bond thickens.”
Her prestigious film Nagesh Kukunoor’s Yeh Husla remains stuck.
Says Sameera softly, “That’s because the producers Percept have bungled. They’re in a real financial mess. They owe almost everyone associated with them quite a lot of money.”
Sameera herself remains solitary in Mumbai. “My sister Meghna is now married to a Greek and settled on the most exotic Greek island. My brother-in-law spoils me silly. They both love me because I convinced our conservative dad about the unlikely marital alliance.”
Especially after her sister’s marriage Sameera really misses a man in her life. “It gets really lonely. And I know I’m looking my best these days. Thanks to yoga, I’ve lost oodles of flesh. But what’s the point of looking good when you’ve no one to admire you?”
Age may be just a number. But in Bollywood, Sameera knows her time is numbered. “At the party at Shristi Behl’s, I just kept staring at Twinkle Khanna. She was glowing. She just keeps getting better with the years. I hope I look as radiant when I reach that age.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Rahul Mahajan goes looking for a bride on Rahul Dulhaniya Le Layenge, and also ends up with a sister. Raveena Tandon will perform the role of the didi, which is a pity for that’s the last role any man would imagine the gorgeous actress in.
Raveena is being paid a whopping figure to lend her moral support to Rahul Mahajan and his quest for the perfect bride.
 |
 |
The TV channel has been negotiating with Raveena for a day’s shoot and to promote the show. Ravi Kisen, who played Rakhi Sawant’s brother, ended up hosting another show on the channel, Raaz Pichle Janam Ka. Reliable sources from the channel say that Raveena has been offered a bomb to appear in an episode as Rahul’s sister and select a girl for her ‘brother’.
Raveena, who was seen as a judge on two children shows earlier, is also making an appearance as a judge on another channel. For the current offer, her answer simply depends on the moolah: up the offer by five lakhs and she will be the world’s best sister.
“Raveena has asked for a whopping Rs 30 lakh and the channel is offering her Rs 25 lakh for the episode,” says a source. “She normally charges around Rs 8 lakh an episode if it is a running show.”
Confirming the development, Shailaja Kejriwal, EVP Content of the channel says, “Talks are on with her at the moment. But it has not been confirmed as yet.”
And if she has her way, she would be the highest paid actress on TV. Incidentally, Bipasha Basu who is going to be seen on a show produced by Red Chillies, has also asked for a similar amount and is being paid less than what she has asked for. “No, the amount you mention is rubbish,” says Kejriwal.
Sanskriti Media and Entertainment
| |
 |
| Raavana |
Mani Ratnam’s Raavana, which is an adaptation of the Ramayana and Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti that is based on the Mahabharata, will release between two weeks of each other.
Initially, both the films were expected to hit the theatres in February 2010. But, due to the multiplex owners strike and a complex melee of other things the two epic films have been pushed to May 2010.
Trade circles are excited as the contemporary versions of the most followed Indian mythological tales will be pitted against one another. Raavana is very important for Aishwarya, who is playing Sita. So is Rajneeti for Katrina. An actor from the unit said, “Rajneeti is a very taut confrontation drama which will showcase Katrina in new light.”
 |
| Rajneeti |
The two films have had their fair share of controversies. Nana Patekar walked out of Rajneeti three days before the film’s shooting came to an end, whereas, Bipasha Basu had to exit Raavana hours before the shoot.
Floods ravaged the sets of Raavana; and Manoj Bajpai’s accident put a small spoke in Rajneeti’s progress. And yet when it comes to the release, both films are expected to release around the same time.
Gauri Khan takes to Crime!
Posted on: November 21, 2009
SHARIN WADER BUTANI Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2009)
It’s enough to make Bollywood sit up in horror… but this is not that kind of rumour. Shah Rukh Khan’s stunning and fashionable wife Gauri is reportedly doing a TV show for a popular channel that’s based on investigative crime stories. Not one to get into the reality show genre, Gauri’s production house is working on short crime stories on the lines of the hit TV show CID. Apparently, the buzz is that the Bollywood Badshah would like to rule Tellyland as well. And after producing a couple of shows for the idiot box, SRK is keen to do one like America’s Next Top Model which is hosted by Hollywood sizzler Tyra Banks. For this, Shah Rukh has apparently roped in Bollywood hottie Bipasha Basu and his show will be called Female Model Hunt.
The three-year-old cold war between Bipasha Basu and Vidya Balan has ended, thanks to Bipasha. The two actresses who would often bump into each other at social dos refused to acknowledge each other.
This happened recently at the party of All The Best at a suburban five-star hotel.
The buzz is that the two actresses have not been seeing eye-to-eye ever since rumours of John Abraham’s onscreen and off-screen chemistry with Vidya during Nikhil Advani’s Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) started doing the rounds. Apparently, the whispers regarding the two started when they shot a romantic scene under a dupatta. It is said that despite Advani calling for a cut, John and Vidya continued to remain inside the dupatta for at least a minute before coming out of it.
There were reports that Bipasha had persuaded John not to work with Vidya after Salaam-E-Ishq. This time however, Bipasha let bygones be bygones.When Vidya entered the party, Bipasha was already present. While chatting with everyone, the cast and crew of the film reminded Vidya that she was the original choice for Bipasha’s role in All The Best.
 |
||
| John Abraham | Bipasha Basu | Vidya Balan |
During the course of the conversation, Bipasha, who was also in the group, broke the ice by approaching Vidya. A source says, “Bipasha just went up to Vidya and hugged her.”
Vidya, who didn’t expect such warmth from Bipasha, was shocked.
The source adds, “Before it could all sink in, Bipasha was already talking to her with a big smile on her face. Later, John too spoke to Vidya.”
Bipasha did not deny that she met Vidya at the party. However, she maintains, “I never had any problem with Vidya. Many ridiculous stories are printed every day in the media. I don’t change my attitude towards people according to them.”
However, Vidya chose to remain mum about the issue.
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 15, 2009)
Twenty-four-year-old Tariq, born to a Kashmiri father and Jewish mother, landed in Srinagar with zero finance and a shooting kit packed into just one suitcase. “I decided to make a film in Kashmir because I found that no outside voice accurately captured the daily life of the average Kashmiri,’’ he says when asked what compelled him to come so far away
to make a film. “I thought a movie introducing the lives of a few Kashmiri citizens and their daily hopes and fears would reveal them more intimately than the usual western documentaries on the Kashmir situation or Bollywood films which only use it as an exotic backdrop. I want my film to make a statement and hope it starts a debate on Kashmir.’’
Tariq was a one-man unit and had to use a news channel’s permission to shoot his film in Srinagar. He mobilised ordinary Kashmiris to be part of Zero Bridge, including collegians who came for the audition. “There is so much talent here,’’ he says. “People want to be part of cinema but there is simply no encouragement from the state. Most of the cinema halls in Kashmir are now army bunkers.’’
Indeed, most aspiring artistes from Kashmir have had to leave their home state to fulfil their creative urges elsewhere, and despair of the arts ever flourishing in their home state. Dr Amit Wanchoo, a Kashmiri Pandit, faced a lot of resistance when he started his rock band, Immersion, in 1999. “From the kind of crowd our shows pull in, it’s obvious that Kashmir is an entertainment-hungry state, but there is certainly no political will to promote art, cinema and music in the state,’’ he says. “They don’t even provide security for shows. One has to perform at one’s own risk.’’
Film-maker Ashok Pandit, who made a Hindi film on Kashmir, points out that given the complete lack of infrastructure, it is impossible for Kashmiri cinema to grow. “There is no cinema, television is banned and no funds are made available to those interested in film-making,’’ he says. Pandit has been trying very hard to push the state government to encourage at least television serials but finds it extremely reluctant.
The climate of fear is also a factor a factor to reckon with. A source from Jammu & Kashmir tourism reveals that of the eight cinema halls in Srinagar, four have been converted into army bunkers. The remaining ones are perpetually guarded by the army but audiences are nervous about walking into them because of the constant attacks by militant groups who are anti-cinema to boot. “Given this fear and the general deprivation, the locals are more concerned about making ends meet rather than expressing their creative instincts,’’ says Pandit.
Bollywood has been filling up the state’s exchequer in the past, but more and more separatist groups are against Hindi film-makers shooting in Kashmir. Last year, Rahul Dholakia commenced his film Lamha, allegedly based on the lives of Muslim separatist leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Shahidul Islam, a former insurgent commander, and Dukhtaran-e-Millat leader Asiya Andrabi, the Kashmiri women’s morality brigade so committed to Kashmiri separatism that her sons are already pledged as martyrs to the cause. The shooting in the Valley ran into rough weather when Andrabi took offence to Bipasha Basu playing her character and Geelani, Islam and others became wary.
Says Anil Raina, a Kashmiri journalist who introduced Dholakia to the separatists, “They conveyed to Dholakia that they were against the film. They were afraid that his realistic style of film-making would portray them negatively and it would go against their efforts. I had to intervene and convince them otherwise. At my behest, Dholakia changed many characters in the film. As I played a central part in getting the film on track, I didn’t want anything to go against us. After all, I have to live here with my mother and don’t wish to be slaughtered at the hands of the separatists.’’
The Bollywood Merry Go Round
Posted on: November 13, 2009
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2009)
When Hrithik Roshan blazed into Bollywood with Kaho Na Pyaar Hai in 2000, he almost wrested the reigning Badshah Shah Rukh Khan’s throne. With the paparazzi adding to their woes SRK and Duggu started out on a wrong foot. And SRK, who was hanging mid-air at a Filmfare Awards’ night event, joked saying, “Come Hrithik… come and pull me down.” However, that was another day. Today both Duggu and SRK are bonding big time. Sources say, “Every other night, the King and the Prince are dining together.’’ What makes their friendship more special is the fact that the girls, Gauri Khan and Sussanne Roshan, are also thick.
Aamir Khan admits that he didn’t approve of Salman Khan’s cavalier attitude to his work when they were filming Andaz Apna Apna. Said Aamir, “I even ticked Salman, Raveena Tandon and Paresh Rawal off during AAA because they had issues to resolve with the producer. And, they were treating the project badly.’’ Today Salman and Aamir are very good friends. Salman’s sketches on the Ghajini superstar are the piece de resistance at Aamir’s residence, and the boys often bond over a drink when AK’s wife Kiran Rao is out on her work assignment. Aamir even said, “That confrontation we had years ago has actually strengthened our bond.’’
Akshay Kumar admits that Suniel Shetty and he shared a hatelove relationship when they started out and now they have a love-love relationship which was in full force during the shoot of De Dhana Dan. Suniel said, “We were immature, yaar, now we’re men in our 40s. Where is the question of us fighting? It all seems so silly. Akki and I are not the best of friends but we do enjoy a camaraderie that is there for everyone to see.’’ If the Bollywood men are bonding big time, the women too have left their previous grievances aside and become friends. Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu who argued like cats during Ajnabi are now friends. And so are Bebo and Preity Zinta. Guess when the boys and the girls realise that they aren’t hunting the same game, they let their guard down.
Fenil and Bollywood 