I’m still approachable: Ayushmann Khurrana

If Ayushmann Khurrana has been in the news for “Vicky Donor” and his song “Pani da rang”, he also hogged limelight for his tantrums. But the Bollywood’s new entrant refutes rumours, saying it was shocking to hear negative things about himself.

“Even I was shocked when I got to know about these rumours. It’s just that I am doing lesser stuff, so it’s not easy to say no to people and sometimes it’s not easy for a person of a certain stature to accept a negative answer from a newcomer,” Ayushmann told IANS.

The 28-year-old actor said he was “more approachable as a person when I was part of TV and is still approachable”. The only difference is that now he asks “people to get in touch with my manager”, unlike earlier when he would talk to people directly.

“I guess that shift was hard for people,” he added.

Asked how important it is to pick and choose things in the industry, he said that “it’s very important to be choosy as it’s all about the choices one makes”.

But he also mentioned that one cannot predict results.

He said: “You can make a particular choice depending on the character or the director or the kind of script, but you cannot have control over the rest of the things. It’s good to make right choices.”

“Even when I was doing television, I made the right choices by being part of the youth channel and not just being another anchor,” said the actor who debuted in films with “Vicky Donor” followed by “Nautanki Saala”.

His next is Yash Raj Films’ untitled project. Written by Habib Faisal, it is directed by Nupur Asthana, and the cast also includes Rishi Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.

Talking about his character in the film, Ayushmann said: “I play a corporate guy in the film, which is again different as I have never experienced the corporate world in my real life. I am a creative person. And it’s a love story in times of recession.”

“It’s a sweet, simple, two-hour story of three characters – Sonam, who is my love interest, and Rishi Kapoor, who is her father and an IAS officer.”

Ranveer hopes moustache prove lucky for him too

Actor Ranveer Singh feels cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja’s handlebar moustache proved lucky for the Indian cricket team in the ICC Champions Trophy. He hopes his own moustache reaps gold for him at the box office.

“I am happy about handlebars are back! If you see, Shikhar Dhawan sports them, Ravindra Jadeja also and see how their luck is shining. We have lifted the Cup, thanks to handlebars,” the 27-year-old said here Tuesday at the launch of a special edition of “Mills and Boon” featuring the poster of Ranveer and Sonakshi Sinha’s “Lootera” on the cover.

“I hope my handlebars are as lucky for me as they have been for Team India. I am glad and if I may say so, I may have started a trend,” he added.

Ranveer’s moustaches are for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film “Ram Leela”, where he is been paired opposite Deepika Padukone.

Ranveer says if he could, he would love to continue sporting the look.

“If I was left to be, I would have grown hair this long, a similar beard…if I wasn’t playing characters in my line and was left to be. That’s how I would have been in my personal life. I’m very attached to my moustache, I love twirling it,” Ranveer said.

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, “Lootera” stars Sonakshi Sinha and hits theatres July 5.

Gangster film, urban comedy on ‘Issaq’ director’s mind

Bollywood director Manish Tiwary, who is awaiting the release of his next film “Issaq”, says he has plans to make a gangster film as well as an urban comedy in the near future.

In fact, he has already finished scripting his gangster film “Mohabbat Miyan”, and says the urban comedy is in its scripting stage.

“The gangster film which I wanted to make is called ‘Mohabbat Miyan’. Then there is this urban comedy too. ‘Issaq’ gave me an opportunity to deal with drama, action and romance. And now these two films are there,” he said.

Before “Issaq”, Tiwary had helmed youthful film “Dil Dosti Etc”.

“I wanted to do something different in view as well as setting,” he said.

“Issaq” stars Prateik opposite Amyra Dastur. It will release July 26.

‘English Vinglish’ hits 90 screens in Germany Thursday

A dubbed version of Indian actressSridevi’s comeback movie “English Vinglish” opened in as many as 90 screens in Germany Thursday.

The movie was highly appreciated in India and some international destinations when it released in 2012.

Produced by Eros International in association with R. Balki, the movie marked the directorial debut of Gauri Shinde, who hopes the movie will do well in Germany.

“I am extremely happy that ‘English Vinglish’ is spreading across continents. In my last visit to Berlin, the response for the film was overwhelming during a festival and now I look forward eagerly to the countrywide response,” Shinde said in a statement.

Its producers too hope that the “global triumph” of the movie continues.

“We are confident of opening up further new avenues for exhibition,” said Pranab Kapadia, president (Marketing and Distribution), Eros International.

“English Vinglish” is the story of a middle-class woman Shashi Godbole, a character essayed by Sridevi, who is skilled at many things except the English language. Her husband and daughter often bully her, but she emerges strong and takes up the challenge of learning the language while on a trip to New York.

Movie Review: Fukrey

Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Richa Chaddha, Vishaka Singh, Priya Anand

Director: Mrighdeep Singh Lamba

Producer: Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani.

Plot: Fukrey is about four young guys and their ambition to make it large in life! They would just about anything to get some fame and a lot of money. Choocha [Varun Sharma] dreams something every night which helps  Hunny [Pulkit Samrat] analyse the dream and derives it into a lucky lottery number. The youngsters wish to capture their exam question papers well in advance which requires alot of money and for that they need someone who could invest in their ‘business’. Lali [Manjot Singh] and Zafar [Ali Fazal] are two similar kind of guys with the same mentality and aspirations and they decide to join Choocha and Hunny in their quest. But when they grab a loan from  Bholi Punjaban [Richa Chadda], who plays a female gangster,  their whole journey turns into a roller coaster ride filled with troubles and plights.

Technical aspect: The screenplay is fast and pacy and the movie’s plot is rightly in sync with the way the movie moves. The soundtrack of the film is pretty good with  ’Fuk Fuk Fukrey’, ‘Jugaad Karle’ and ‘Ambarsariya’, all catchy and amazing songs to hear. The dialouges are very witty and enjoyable. There is one problem and that comes in the end, the movie doesn’t just end when you thought you would and this makes you a little anxious as I believed it was a bit stretched.

Performances:  Pulkit, Manjot, Ali and Varun, all of them have done a wonderful job and get a lot of time to shine on the screen. Pulkit just beams of confidence and looks like a great future ahead of him. Manjot performs brilliantly aswell. Ali who was last seen inAlways Kabhi Kabhi is top class with his performance but Varun does a great job making you laugh and roll on the floor! Richa Chadda has done her part very convincingly and her introduction in the movie doesn’t bore you even though the trailers were focused on it. Pankaj Tripathi and Vishaka Singh have also done justice to their roles.

Sonam finds Nawazuddin’s act challenging

Actress Sonam Kapoor, whose latest film “Raanjhanaa” has set the cash registers ringing, now wants something as challenging as Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s role in “Bombay Talkies”.

“I recently watched ‘Bombay Talkies’ and Dibakar Banerjee’s film in that is my favourite among the four (stories). The way the story was conveyed and it was performed so beautifully, I thought it must be so challenging for an actor to do something like that,” the 28-year-old said here Sunday at an event held to promote short films.

“I love a challenge, so it would be great if I could do something like that,” she added.

“Bombay Talkies” is an amalgamation of four short films by Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar,Anurag Kashyap and Banerjee. Nawazuddin, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, had to learn a bit of Marathi for his part for the film. He attended workshops to perfect his accent.

‘D Day’ was most challenging role for me: Shruti Haasan

Actress Shruti Haasan says she could not let go off the opportunity to work in forthcoming movie “D Day” as it is the most challenging role for her so far.

The 27-year-old is glad that she is part of the movie which is helmed by Nikhil Advani.

“When I was approached for this film, I couldn’t say no to it. It’s the most challenging role so far. I am glad I am part of this film,” Shruti said.

Shruti, who made her Bollywood debut with 2009 movie “Luck”, will be seen opposite actor Arjun Rampal. She insists that her role in the movie is not bold.

“I won’t say bold but it’s a very sensual role and Arjun Rampal made me feel very comfortable. Arjun is a wonderful co-star to work with,” she said.

“D Day” also stars Rishi Kapoor, Huma Qureshi

 and Irrfan in prominent roles. It is slated for July 19 release.

Aditi Rao Hydari’s wish list

She has done five Hindi films so far and showed her versatility. Now, Aditi Rao Hydari has got a list of people with whom she wants to work –Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor feature on her wish list.

“I actually have a list of people that I want to work with and I am working towards it,” Aditi told IANS.

“I would like to work with Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor… It’s a long list because there are so many beautiful actors playing such interesting roles and that makes this place more interesting for girls like me to come and work here,” she added.

The 26-year-old made her Bollywood debut with a small role in “Delhi 6″, but with “Yeh Saali Zindagi” and “London, Paris, New York” she graduated to big roles.

She also featured in Ranbir-starrer hit musical “Rockstar” and her career seems to be moving in the right direction. Her next is “Boss” with Akshay Kumar.

Talking about her choice of roles, she said: “I want to work in an epic love story, a piece of literature that is made into a film as well as a dance film.”

What about item songs?

“The fact they are called item numbers is a problem. Once you call it an item number, it immediately means something demeaning. It’s a way of dance,” she added.

Citing example of Madhuri Dixit, she said when she dances, “it’s not an item number. She is just dancing… if a dancer dances, it looks like an exciting dance number, but if someone who doesn’t know how to dance is asked to do it, it’s going to be an item number”.

“I think a dance track is a wonderful track. We Indians have dance and music in our blood and that is what makes our films what they are, they are fun and there is nothing wrong with them… I would love to dance in a film,” she added.

Prabhudheva, Shahid to dance to ‘Gandi baat’

This one’s likely to be a visual delight – dancing ace Prabhudheva and actor Shahid Kapoor will groove together for the first time for “Rambo Rajkumar” in a song called “Gandi baat”. They are excited.

Prabhudheva, who is directing the movie, said he is very “excited” to perform alongside Shahid, who in his opinion is one of Bollywood’s most talented performers.

“I’m very excited about the song and Shahid and I are already rehearsing for it. It’s a fun and peppy track,” he said in a statement.

Shahid said he is “really looking forward to doing a full dance song with Prabhu sir. His style is very new for me, so it’s a challenge. But I am loving it!”

The song, composed by Pritam, will be shot in a bar setting. Rehearsals for the number are in process.

Producer Viki Rajani says: “‘Gandi baat’ will be well remembered as we have two of the biggest and best dancers matching steps to a peppy track for the very first time.”

The song is “high on tempo” keeping in mind the energy that Prabhudheva and Shahid are capable of, Pritam said in a statement. He is “extremely confident that they will take ‘Gandi baat’ notches higher”.

‘Krrish 3′ to hit screens November 4

It’s final. “Krrish 3″ is set to release on November 4, a day after Diwali this year, says filmmaker Rakesh Roshan.

“‘Krrish 3′ will finally release on November 4, that is Monday,” said producer-director Rakesh Roshan confirming the final release date of the film for the first time.

Rakesh Roshan also confirmed for the first time that the first official trailer of the film would be attacked to Rohit Shetty’s “Chennai Express”.

“Yes our trailers will be out on August 8,” he added.

Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan

 had been in talks to decide the crucial Diwali release date for “Krrish 3″.

While earlier the film was to be released on Sunday, November 3, which is Diwali, the Roshans were under pressure to postpone the release by a day.

“The Diwali day, that is November 3, had been locked in for the release. But then distributors and exhibitors felt people like to stay home on Diwali night for Laxmi Puja. It was felt November 4, that is the day after Diwali, would be far more favourable as a release date for ‘Krrish 3′,” said a source close to the Roshans.

Shradhha Kapoor bags a big role opposite Siddharth Malhotra

Shraddha Kapoor has reached new heights with the success of her latest movie ‘Aashiqui 2′. According to recent reports, the pretty lady has bagged a role opposite Siddharth Malhotra in Ekta Kapoor’s, ‘The Villain’. 

Confirms an insider, “Yes, she (Shraddha) has been selected to play the leading lady, opposite to Sidharth Malhotra. After ‘Aashiqui 2’ turning out to be a huge hit, Shraddha is in demand now.”

Mohit Suri, who directed ‘Aashiqui 2′ will also be directing ‘The Villain’ too. The search for a sizzling hot actress for the female lead has been going for a while now and looks like Shraddha Kapoor is going to be the ‘chosen one’.

Adds our insider, “Post the success of ‘Aashiqui 2’, Shraddha Kapoor was considered the best for the role. Both Mohit and Ekta are convinced that she’s best suited for the character.”

Tushar Hiranandani (of ‘ABCD’ fame) will be the screenplay director of the movie and the dialogues have been written by Milap Zaveri, who’s last venture ‘Shootout at Wadala’  has received immense praise from critics and audiences!

Saif, Riteish, Ram Kapoor in triple roles for ‘Humshakal

Actors Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor will take on triple roles in comedy entertainer “Humshakals”, which will go on floors in September and will hit the screens June 6, 2014.

The Pooja Entertainment and Films Ltd. and Fox Star Studios’ project will be helmed by Sajid Khan, who has earlier directed comedies like “Heyy Babyy”,

“Housefull” and “Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen”.

“The film promises to be a laugh riot, as the trio unleash total madness and confusion in their triple avatars,” said a statement.

Alia Bhatt won’t be seen acting with Dhanush!

There were some really strong speculations that surfaced which suggested director K V Anand has selected young actress Alia Bhatt

 to play the female lead in his next venture opposite Dhanush.

But the director has spoken out and has denied those reports while admitting he did approach alia for the movie.

Anand says, “We approached Alia Bhatt for the film, and I even narrated the story to her. She was very excited, and liked her role. But, she didn’t have the required dates. We are planning to go on floors with the project from August 17, and Alia had free dates only for the first few months. She had other commitments post that. So, we haven’t signed her on.”

The director tells us that he’s in the process of finalising the cast and crew. “We are looking at a few names to play the lead. We will first lock the crew by this week, and an official announcement from the production side will be made,” he says.

Farhan & Sonam promote Bhaag Milkha Bhaag on India’s Dancing Superstars 0

Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor promoted their upcoming film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag on the dance reality show ‘India’s Dancing Superstar’ at Filmcity in Mumbai, on Monday late noon.

Speaking about ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, Farhan Akhtar said, “At times it’s nice if we can look back into history and see the kind of sacrifices that people have made and how they have put the national pride before themselves, submitted themselves physically and emotionally to a task that was a way bigger than a lot of people can imagine is achievable. That is very inspirational.”