Amitabh Bachchan to fill in Feroz Khan’s place in Welcome sequel

Amitabh Bachchan to replace Feroz Khan in the sequel to Welcome, according to our reports!

Anees Bazmee has confirmed that Welcome Back sequel to the 2007 comedy flick  Welcome would star Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor in the same roles that they played in the first installment of the film. There were reports suggesting that John Abraham has been chosen to replace Akshay Kumar

 in the film. But those reports have been rubbished.

Anees says that,  ”John Abraham is playing the lead in Welcome Back. He joins Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor who were part of the Welcome cast. But John is not stepping into Akshay Kumar’s role, as reported. We’ve eliminated Akshay’s part and created a new hero’s role. So John’s role is completely new. As for Nana and Anil, they’ll reprise the roles of Uday and Majnu.”

Producer Feroz Nadiadwala’s punctured relationship with Akshay Kumar has put Anees in a dilemma as he shares a good rapport with Akshay Kumar. At first, the plan was to bring in John Abraham in place of Akshay. But as Anees felt that Akshay would not be happy with the same, the role was completely scrapped and an entirely new hero’s script was written to settle in John.

Dharmendra does Punjabi rap in ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

Veteran actor Dharmendra seems to be getting younger with age. The 77-year-old has done a Punjabi rap for the title track of his upcoming film “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2″. He has also sported a rockstar-look for it.

A glimpse of this song has already been incorporated in the movie’s theatrical trailer, which was unveiled in March.

Sharib Sabri, who has composed the song with his brother Toshi, said the song is special.

“For the first time, we will be seeing Dharamji doing Punjabi rap on the screen. His rapper look, with the rings on his fingers, is really special in this song,” he said.

The entire cast of the film — Dharmendra’s sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, as well actorsNeha Sharma, Kristina Akheeva and Annu Kapoor — will be part of this song, composed by Sharib and Toshi and choreographed by Caesar Gonsalves, said a statement.

Neha says the veteran star’s energy and enthusiasm on the set were age-defying.

“Dharamji was the youngest Deol on the sets during the making of this song. The coolest things to do were given to him. He has these hot ladies sitting around him in the video, which is a cute moment,” she said.

The title track of “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2″ will be released in May, while the film will hit the screens June 7.

Aamir Khan: People had lashed out at me and my way of working

The Bollywood’s perfectionist Aamir Khan was once told that he won’t last long in the Bollywood industry, can you believe that?

The man who has given Bollywood mega hits like Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, says that due to his ‘one film at a time approach’ industry people often told him that his career will be over soon.

Aamir began as a child actor at the age of eight in Nasir Hussain’sYaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) and ‘Madhosh‘ (1974). Eleven years later, he made his acting debut as an adult in Ketan Mehta’s ‘Holi‘ (1984) that went unnoticed. The actor’s first notable leading role came in 1988 in the film, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, which was directed by his cousin and Nasir Hussain’s son Mansoor Khan.

The actor has completed 25 years in the film industry and given notable performances in films like Dil, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke, Andaz Apna Apna, Rangeela, Ghulam, Sarfarosh, Earth, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Sarfarosh, Rang De Basanti, Fanna, Taare Zameen Par, Ghajini, 3 Idiots and others. 

“I am happy and surprised to complete 25 years in the industry. When I was new I was not aware where and how my career will head. I was told an actor’s life is of five years as public then gets bored of seeing them,” said Aamir Khan.

Aamir Khan admits that he chooses a film from his heart and he doesn’t do movies to achieve name, fame, money and doesn’t really care much which banner is making the movie.

“My this mantra to do a film has been questioned by many people in the industry. I remember industry people telling me that I would be out of this industry soon due to my one film or less films approach, and that my method was not right. People had lashed out at me and my way of working. But I never got deterred and followed what my heart said,” he said.

Shahrukh: I can’t become a politician all of a sudden!

The King of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan has struck out the possibility of joining politics unlike some of his colleagues already have!

Shahrukh Khan speaking to a local daily in India said, “I can’t become a politician all of a sudden. It’s a professional field and you have to educate yourself for that.”

He added, “I don’t I look down on politics. Asking me whether I have thought of entering politics is as good as asking me if I have given a thought to becoming an astronaut. It’s what I’ve done all my life. I think I should try and do what I do best, which is also questionable at times. Honestly, I have no inclination towards politics,”

This comes as Shahrukh Khan earlier insisted not to comment on any “serious issues” including politics after his comments regarding “what it is like to be a Muslim in post 9/11 world” created furor.

Shahrukh Khan’s article also became an instrument to trigger political war between Indian and Pakistan that outraged Indian leaders after Hafiz Saeed and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik invited Shahrukh to Pakistan and asked Indian government to provide security to the star respectively.

The superstar has been busy filming his movie Chennai Express with Rohit Shetty andDeepika Padukone. So much so, that he’s been missing some important IPL matches of his team Kolkata Knight Riders. After all, Chennai Express has to meet its deadline of August 8 release this year.

Also, if rumours are to be believed then It seems that the initial music score of Chennai Express developed by composer-duo Vishal-Shekhar didn’t impress the actor much. A source close to the film says that SRK then asked director Rohit Shetty to make the necessary changes.

Salman Khan’s presence lingers in Bombay Talkies

It is a known fact that Salman Khanwon’t be seen in Bombay Talkies. Though his contemporaries likeShahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar andAamir Khan are all present, Salman Khan won’t be a part of the movie. While nobody has confirmed the reason for his absence, there have been certain speculations and rumours doing the rounds.

However, the makers of the title song of Bombay Talkies haven’t forgotten our country’s numero uno superstar. You can still feel his presence in the song which has been released and has already brought a smile and some sweet old memories.

“The title song has a wide variety of singers who have come together for the actors with whom they have given many chartbusters. One such singer is S. P. Balasubramaniam who was Salman’s voice in Maine Pyaar Kiya, Saajan and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun to name a few. Now in Bombay Talkies, there is a portion which has a, Didi Tera Dewar Deewana, setting to it,” informs a source.

For that a set was also designed which was a replica of the famous number featuring Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit. However Salman’s unavailability for the song hasn’t deterred the makers to bring him into the song!

“This is the reason why they have not just retained S. P. Balasubramaniam’s voice, they have also included the shots which should actually have featured Salman. Now there is a youngster, from whose point of view the song is seen, who would be seen in this portion. It is the best that the makers could do in order to refrain from curtailing the song, and in the process leaving out S. P. Balasubramaniam who was heard after a hiatus, and still retain the essence of the song,”  the source added.

So while Shahrukh Khan (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge), Akshay Kumar (Khiladi) and Aamir Khan (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak), are reveling in the references being made to their films as well as the superstar status they have earned over the years, Salman has his virtual presence doing the trick with the ever-so-memorable staircase of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun keeping his legacy alive.

Monday Bollywood Box office report – April 29

Last weekend there was only one release in Bollywood which was of “Aashiqui 2″ starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shradha Kapoor. Director Mohit Suri ‘s movie has got mixed reviews from the critics, mostly on the negative side. Lets take a look at Bollywood box office report for the last week.

Aashiqui 2 has managed a huge collections at the Box office. Considering it has very fresh cast and with IPL going on, it has collected 24 Cr at the box office. The film’s success has left everyone stunned as no one expected this kind of success from this movie. It has managed to capture the attention of the younger crowd.

On Friday, it has opened to a huge turnout, collecting almost 5 Cr on the opening day itself. Most of the crowd came from single screens. Most of the multiplexes went for the English movie Iron Man 3. The success can also be attributed  to summer holidays that have started.

Looking at the pace it is going, it surely will beat “Ek Thi Daayan”  collections and reach 30Cr target. Next week, it will be a battle between two heavy weights Bombay Talkies andShootout at Wadala. It surely will be an interesting week at the Box office.

Sanjay Dutt back on business, resumes shooting

Sanjay Dutt is a man of his word and when he said he would try his best and complete all his projects, he wasn’t lying. Sanju baba is determined to complete his work before surrendering himself and has so far completed the dubbing for his upcoming film Zanjeer and if rumours are to be believed, he has been handed over a cheque of 1.5 crore as dubbing fee.

While everyone is sad for Sanjay Dutt only few have gone ahead and done something to honour the great star. Apoorva Lakhia, director of Zanjeer had organised a huge party for Ramcharan on the occasion of his birthday. According to him it was a perfect platform to introduce Ramcharan to Bollywood hotshots, but the director cancelled the party and here’s why he did it: “We had planned this massive birthday party for Ramcharan at the Four Seasons to formally introduce him to the entire industry. But after what happened to Sanju Sir we cancelled the bash. Dil nahin kiya (our heart was not in it).”

Sanjay Dutt has gone ahead and is working on T.P.Aggarwal’s Policegiri on full speed. Rumour has it that Sanju baba didn’t want to waste a day and wanted to work even on Holi, but the producer was kind enough and insisted that Sanjay spend time with his family. He said, “We were supposed to resume shooting on Wednesday. But it was Holi. Sanjay insisted that we don’t waste any time (considering he has only a 4-week window before the doors shut on his freedom). But we insisted that he spend Holi with his family. We now resume on Thursday and wrap up the shooting in ten days.”

Aashiqui 2 teaser trailer is out!

The teaser trailer of Aashiqui 2 is out. Starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles the movie is supposed to be a romantic film with a tinge of action.

The movie is directed by Mohit Suri and is being produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar & Mukesh Bhatt under the banner of Super Cassettes Industries Ltd. and Vishesh Films respectively.

The soundtrack for Aashiqui 2 is composed by Jeet Gangulli, Mithoon & Ankit Tiwari where as the soundtrack for Aashiqui was composed by the amazing duo Nadeem and Shravan. Will this be a hit? We will have to wait and watch.

Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor sizzle the screen with jaw dropping chemistry. Though this movie is not their first, it will surely make their mark in the industry and is rumoured to turn the duo into stars overnight.

Jolly LLB to be remade in the South

It has been common news to hear of South Indian potboiler films being remade into Hindi. But in a different scenario, producers from Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam industries are queuing up for the rights to remake director Subhash Kapoor’s recent release Jolly LLB.

“Yes, we have received offers for remakes in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. We are in talks with some producers who want to buy the rights of the film.” The production house also seems to be in two minds about selling the rights to the Tamil remake. “We are into producing Tamil films ourselves, so we’ll have to discuss that further,” said Vijay Singh, chief executive officer at the Fox Star Studios, confirming the news.

However, he is tight-lipped about the producers who have approached them for the remake rights. He said,“The paperwork is yet to be completed so we won’t be able to disclose any names. Rest assured, the transaction will get done this week.”

Jolly LLB is the first full-fledged Hindi production undertaken by Fox. Made in a budget of Rs.13.5 crore, the film is on its way to make profits. Singh said,“We are expecting to bag Rs.31 crore by the end of this week. We are already in a profit making situation.”

Jolly LLB stars Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi in pivotal roles. Amrita Rao is also a part of the film.

Rejecting The Dirty Picture biggest mistake: Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut was nowhere to be seen last year. But looks like she is making up for that this year as she has continuously been spotted shooting for her various films - Queen, Rajjo, Revolver Rani.Her avatar in each film will behatke and the audience will surely be delighted.

Speaking about the different role she will be essaying in each film, she said,”There’s Rajjo, where I play a prostitute, then in Queen, I am a girl who is alone on her honeymoon! There’s Revolver Rani, Krishh 3,Shootout At Wadala and I Love NY.”

When asked why she has taken up so many hatke roles, Kangana says,”You know, The Dirty Picture was offered to me. And not doing the film has been the biggest mistake of my life. I don’t want to repeat that mistake ever again. I know I can do roles like these.”

The talented actress is all praise for Vidya Balan and credits her for revolutionising the market! Speaking of the level of acceptance that films are getting, Kangana Ranaut said,”I think filmmakers and script writers have always had such films in mind, but Vidya has to a great extent helped them gain confidence to make them as well, knowing that these films can work in the market. And I am glad that filmmakers are increasingly treading the path and trying to be different in terms of content.”

It will be good t o see the actress who was missing in action with back to back releases!

Would love to work with Salman Khan: Aamir Khan

It was in 1994 that we saw Salman Khan and Aamir Khan together in the filmAndaz Apna Apna. And nearly 20 years alter, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan says he would love to do a film with Salman Khan, if they find the right script!

“I would love to work with Salman. Andaz Apna Apna is one of my favourite films as well. He is a great person to work with. If we come across a script then we will be happy to do it,” Aamir Khan said at a recent event.

Salman Khan

The busy actor said that he doesn’t pre-decide what  kind of films he wants to do. ”I don’t pre-decide what kind of film I want to do. I go through scripts and see if there is something exciting,” he said.

Aamir Khan who is currently shooting for Rajkumar Hirani’s Peekay, will also be seen in Dhoom 3 which will be out during Christmas. Aamir is also busy with the second season of Satyamev Jayate.

“I feel that there is no such thing as perfection in a creative field like cinema. We are all artistes who are expressing ourselves in a different way. I do consider myself as someone who is extremely passionate. I enjoy my work and really throw myself into it and achieve that perfection,” says the actor who is called Mr.Perfectionist!

On being asked his secret to success, he said there is nothing specific that drives his success. ”I am not aware of why I have been successful so far. I don’t think so much. I do work which excites me and not work which is considered to have potential for blockbusters. I am not even thinking about that. I want to enjoy my work and challenge and surprise myself,” he said.

Aamir Khan’s last film Talaash crossed the Rs.100 crore mark at the box office. He is working on his next three films which will hit the theatres by 2014.

Governer to seek pardon for Sanjay Dutt

The Governor of Maharashtra forwarded a letter written by MP Jaya Prada and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh to the state home department. The letter seeks pardon for actor Sanjay Duttwho has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment by the Supreme Court in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

The public relations officer of the Raj Bhawan, Umesh Kashikar said,“The letter from Amar Singh and Jaya Prada seeking pardon for Sanjay Dutt was sent to the home department without any remarks or comments,” He further added that“Any letter given to the Governor is routinely forwarded to the home department. It does not imply the Governor is endorsing the pardon plea. I have not received the letter from the Governor’s office as yet, but have read about it in the newspapers,”. The additional chief secretary, Amitabh Rajan added that this was entirely a routine procedure.

Several other celebrities, including Press Council of India chairman, retired Justice Markandey Katju, and actor-turned-politicians like Jaya Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha sought pardon for Dutt, who has had already served 18 months in jail. The Supreme court has set a four-week deadline for Sanjay Dutt to surrender.

Monday Bollywood Box office Report – April 1

This year hasn’t been exceptional for Bollywood. Apart from Race 2 , no movie has done really well. And with the latest release Himmatwala, this doesn’t get better too.Last Friday, only one movie, Himmatwala released in theatres. Lets take a look at its collections and Bollywood box office in the last weekend.

The Ajay Devgn and Tamannaah starrer, despite having a solo release and big stars to its name and many other contributing factors, it has failed to achieve the minimum. The opening of the movie was huge. It collected 12 Cr on the first day itself. But the collections seemed to drop due to negative word of mouth and bad ratings from all the critics.

On the first week, Himmatwala has collected 31 Cr as of now. But seeing the decline in the occupancy rate from the opening day to the next day, we are left wondering if Himmatwala will atleast recover its investment. The highest blame is been thrown on Sajid Khan for his absurd story which made the new Himmatwala look like a spoof of the original.  The overseas collections also have seen  a steep decline.

The other films are doing just ok business. Aatma has crossed 10 Cr mark but its way beyond its target. Jolly LLB makers are the happiest lot, their movie have recovered the investment and also have doubled the profit. Rangrezz has been declared as a flop. “Mere Dad Ki Maruti” has been declared as an average grosser.

Next week there is another remake of an old movie releasing, we hope  ”Chashme Baddoor” does better business than “Himmatwala”.

Farahan Akthar’s “Fukrey” goes the animated way

The makers of the movie “Fukrey” have decide to go the animated way. The makers of the film say that they made an animated jingle to explain the word Fukrey.

Many people did not know the meaning of the movie and some people found it to be abusive. So to clear all the confusion, makersof the film Farhan Akthar and Ritesh Sidwani have decided to come up with an animated jingle to make people understand their movie title.

“Fukrey is a word that the people of Delhi and certain sections of north India are very familiar with. Of course, it is alien to a lot of us who are from elsewhere. Hence, the need to explain its meaning is important. Getting an animated jingle seemed like a fun way to do it because it definitely captures the youthful energy of the film,” said actor-producer Farhan Akthar.