Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Bollywood Buzz: What's making news

 
Of Akki-Duggu and the wives club

While animosity between actors is a common phenomenon, we do have a few good souls who believe in sharing an exemplary camaraderie. We have Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar who are pretty close to each other and the friendship has got to do with their respective wives who share a fine bond. Apparently, Suzzane Khan Roshan and Twinkle Khanna are thick friends; even though they are currently from the same field-interior designing, they have mutual respect for one another. The women in question share and discuss their liking for interiors and of course share a fine taste in impeccable dressing. It is learnt that both these star wives look up to each other and their respective body of work. Twinkle and Suzzane both turned to freelance interior designing post marriage and motherhood and managed to receive rave reviews for their talent.

Says a source, "They have been family friends being from the Bollywood fraternity. Both have gone through rough patches and controversies surrounding their husband's. So emotionally, professionally they have a lot to share. Now, their common professions have added another reason to bring them even closer and it has also resulted in witnessing a new emerging friendship between Hrithik and Akshay too."

It was Twinkle who had a full fledged candle making unit and then set up an interior store in the suburbs of Mumbai called 'The White Window'. And a few years after, friend Suzzane too took a leaf out of Twinkle's book, recently opening up her own store- 'The Charcoal' project, which houses articles from across the length and breadth of the world. Both started from testing the waters to becoming business entrepreneurs besides side by side designing houses.
 
How Kareena turned Chammak Challo
 

When Kareena Kapoor was approached for RA.ONE, it wasn't just the tag of 'biggest film' and 'biggest hero' that was enticing enough for her. She also wanted Shahrukh Khan to ensure that the film had at least one 'killer track' that won't just be the 'hottest song of the year' but also a class apart. Shahrukh consented and this is how 'Chammak Challo' was born with 'Criminal' being an icing on the cake.

"It's a given that RA.ONE would be watched by millions across the globe. Bebo was conscious about this, more so since it's an action movie and is centered on battle between Shahrukh and Arjun. She had to make her presence felt really strong and had a heart to heart conversation with Shahrukh," informs a source, "He further assured her that she didn't have to bother at all and made her hear 'Chammak Challo' which was designed just for her. Post that she didn't have any hesitation whatsoever as she knew she had hit jackpot."
Post that when 'Criminal' came her way, it was an added bonus for Kareena as now she had two dance numbers to dance on and that too with Shahrukh as her partner.

Says Kareena, "Yes, I wanted 'number of the year and I have been told that 'Chammak Challo' is indeed up there. On screen I have got a chance to be someone entirely different from what I have portrayed before."

Talking fondly about the film which many believe would be the biggest grosser ever, hence surpassing 200 crore total set by 3 IDIOTS, Kareena says, "When I was approached for RA.ONE, I knew that it was Shahrukh's most ambitious film. It was an honour for me that he wanted me to be there with him. I have a wonderful role in the movie and people will love my character."
 
Bad men are back with a vengeance
 
With the advent of feel good and yappy cinema and additionally the cruel hands of fate snatching away some great names like Amjad Khan, Amrish Puri etc, the bad man image in Bollywood took a beating and even proper full-fledged villains changed track and started taking on positive roles.

However, with 'masala' films and remakes back in a strong way, the villains too are back to make Hindi films spicier and more thrilling. Names like GHAJINI, WANTED, SINGHAM and MURDER 2 saw the return to screen of powerful villains who during yesteryears made life hell for the hero and the climax a nail biting affair.

If we look at recent trends Prakash Raj, with back-to-back award winning scene stealing acts in WANTED, BBUDDHAH HOGA TERRA BAAP and SINGHAM, deserves a mention as he can rightly be called an all time entertaining villain, almost in the league of greats like Amjad Khan, Pran and Amrish Puri, though he still has a long way to go and prove himself in films other than South remakes.

In fact the Bhatts who have always provided Bollywood with able and apt villains like Paresh Rawal, Gulshan Grover etc. went a step further with Prashant Narayan in MURDER 2. And this is not it as we have many more memorable performances coming up.

The first one that we will get to witness soon enough is Arjun Rampal in RA.ONE. Arjun essays the title role of RA.ONE and seeing the way the makers have kept his role and even his looks (till a few days back) a secret, and the manner in which they have introduced the character in the sixty second teaser with the line- "Tum Raavan ko har saal is liye maarte ho kyun ki tumehein pata hai ki who kabhi mar nahin sakta" (You kill Raavan every year because you know Raavan can never die), is enough to show why we can look forward another great villainous role. And we are sure that Arjun Rampal would turn out to be the surprise factor of RA.ONE and will get as much applause and 'seetis' as Shah Rukh Khan himself.

Next we can look forward to Sanjay Dutt's version of 'Kancha Cheena' (the role made immortal by Danny Dengzongpa) in Karan Johar's remake of Amitabh Bachchan's classic AGNEEPATH. The menacing look and the blood curdling laughter that kick starts the first promo is proof enough that we have another memorable performance by a strong villain coming up.

Even Vivek Oberoi, who has till now essayed only anti hero and grey characters in films like COMPANY and SHOOT OUT AT LOKHANDWALA is turning a full-fledged villain with KRISHH 2. And the list goes on.
How Vivek is trying to impress Roshans for KRRISH 2
 
 

While it has just been revealed that Vivek Oberoi's character in KRRISH 2 would be on lines of JOKER that was played by Heath Ledger in the last offering from the BATMAN franchise - THE DARK KNIGHT, there is more that our sources have managed to dig out. As per them, Vivek is taking a step forward in the Rakesh Roshan directed affair by learning how to gamble. Reason being that this is one of the core traits that his character carries in the film.

"Vivek likes preparing to the largest extent possible for his films, especially when they are character driven," says a source, "Remember how he made round of slums when he had to prepare for the role of 'Chandu' in his debut film COMPANY? He maintained a scruffy look all the while since he wanted to make sure that his director Ram Gopal Verma was impressed enough with his preparation."

"Now for KRRISH 2, he is playing the game no less," he continues, "It is the biggest film ever of his career and to make sure that Rakesh Roshan gives him brownie points before he hits the sets, Vivek is going all out in his preparation. He isn't taking the film lightly at all."

To ensure that this indeed happens, Vivek is in fact maintaining a diary of his daily progress so that he masters at least on skill every two days.

"Yes, he is doing that and in fact more," the source adds, "Every day he makes sure to go through the bound script and note down the finer nuances in his diary. He is jotting his thoughts judiciously and formulating the character's psychology, body language and mannerisms. He has played a criminal before in quite a few films, the other notable flick being 'SHOOT OUT AT LOKHANDWALA'. However a criminal of the kind of intensity in 'KRRISH 2' is a different ball game altogether."

Well Vivek, here is hoping that this intensity indeed comes alive on the big screen when we see you in KRRISH 2.
One film 8 divas! Can Nikhil do it?

 
 They say two actresses working in the same film mostly spell trouble for the filmmaker in question because they never see eye to eye. Director Nikhil Advani seems to be gunning for mission impossible, because his ambitious project will have not two, not four but eight heroines. Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Deepika Padukone and Genelia D'Souza — if you thought that was the guest line- up for the new season of a hit television chat show, think again! If all goes according to plan, Nikhil will bring the eight divas in his next film, which he plans to make next year. This would be, of course, Bollywood's first true- blue, chick flick boasting an all- female star cast.

Nikhil — maker of films such as Kal Ho Naa Ho , Patiala House and Chandni Chowk To China — is currently working on the script of his yet untitled project. "Not much is known about the film yet but Nikhil has indicated it will pay homage to the Indian woman and trace womanhood in all its hues," a source said. Early buzz coming in indicates the film will capture the changing essence of the Indian woman through four generations. Madhuri, Shabana and Dimple will represent one era while Karisma will define the second. Rani and Preity will feature in the third segment of the story while Deepika and Genelia would stand for the GenNow woman, according to sources.

For Nikhil, the middling success of his latest film Patiala House , released earlier this year, was a respite of sorts after the back- to- back duds Salaame- Ishq and Chandni Chowk To China , which followed his blockbuster debut Kal Ho Naa Ho . While the cast would indeed be a power- packed one if it falls in place, the star who has generated maximum excitement is Madhuri. Her comeback has been a subject of widespread discussion ever since she made it clear she would be returning to India to settle in Mumbai with hubby and kids. Meanwhile, Nikhil's wishlist cast has raised curiosity because of a few reasons.

First, Shabana would return in a film with Madhuri for the first time in around 14 years after Prakash Jha's 1997 film Mrityudand . Madhuri and Dimple had last worked together in the 1988 film Ram Lakhan . Karisma has worked with Madhuri only once, in Yash Chopra's 1997 blockbuster Dil Toh Pagal Hai . Elsewhere, Rani and Preity, whose off- screen relationship has often been a tense one, haven't worked together since Karan Johar's 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna . It also remains to be seen how Deepika and Genelia, who have never worked together, fit into Nikhil's scheme of things.

Abhay's new film is a spooky take on DDLJ

Till the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ( ZMND) , Abhay Deol preferred to stay away from commercial cinema. Now it seems that the success of ZNMD has changed his mindset as he gets ready to romance Genelia D'souza in typical filmy style in the upcoming Rock The Shaadi . Abhay and Genelia are shooting for the film in Jaipur. It is said that in the movie Abhay will be seen crooning and performing romantic sequences in Shah Rukh Khan- style. The film is a horror comedy that reportedly spoofs Dilwaale Dulhania Le Jayenge . On cue, Abhay's Punjabi loverboy character is said to be based on Shah Rukh's character Raj in DDLJ . However Abhay has refuted reports his character is a blind copy of SRK's Raj.

Singing is Priyanka's new love
A couple of months ago Priyanka Chopra announced her intention to cut a music album that would mark her debut as a singer. The actress has been hanging out with several international pop stars these days — from Lady Gaga to Jay Sean — and has claimed she will try to collaborate with these big names in her debut album. Priyanka wrapped up shooting of Anurag Basu's Barfee , co- starring Ranbir Kapoor, on Friday and immediately left for Los Angeles to prepare for her album. "Packing packing... Craziness... off to LA tonight... Making music is magic! Will miss home but looking forward to new adventures... Xoxo ( sic)", she tweeted. Priyanka is also going to write lyrics for a few songs in her album and is said to be thrilled about the idea.

SRK says Big B's the only Don
 
Shah Rukh Khan is all set to release Don 2 in December and the superstar is obviously not in the mood to invite the wrath of Bollywood's original don, Amitabh Bachchan. If you recall, when SRK's Don opened in 2006, Big B fans were not too pleased that he was rehashing an old hit of their favourite hero. So, this time, SRK has already started waxing eloquent about Bollywood's original Don much before the sequel's release. "For me, Don is only one and that is Amitabh Bachchan. He is the Shahenshah and the only superstar of the film industry. His greatest achievement is not only in the film industry but also in his personal life, which is worth noting. "He has provided us with every kind of entertainment. He started more trends than most and has been the inspiration for most people to join the acting field than any other actor in the world. "He is the best actor in the world on par with stalwarts such as Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. He is the greatest human being of the film industry," Shah Rukh said. Speaking about his Don flicks, SRK added: "Our intention of doing Don was to pay tribute to Amitabh ji . Our aim was not to tamper with the movie and thankfully it was appreciated. I was very scared to do the movie but Don 2 is completely different from the first one so this time the fear is less. "I hope Amit ji likes Don 2 . I am blessed to be born in the period of Amit ji . I want to experience all his great works. I am a huge fan of his masterpieces such as Don , Sholay and Namak Halaal ," He added

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