Bollywood Paradize: 12/29/08

Aishwarya is very special to me: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Post under Star Talk

The maestro of movie making Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to return to direction with a film that will star one of his favourite actresses Aishwarya Rai with Hrithik Roshan….a first in the filmmaker's oeuvre.

Neck-deep in pre-production the last thing Sanjay needs is fake reports about actors and films who are allegedly working with him. A wild story about Sanjay signing a Pakistani actor finally persuades him to break his silence. He sets the record straight, once and for all.

You seem to have quietly gone and signed a young Pakistani actor called Imran Abbas for Heera Mandi.
So quietly that even I don't know about it. I haven't signed anyone called Imran Abbas. I'm not making Heera Mandi right now.It may happen much later. When it does we'll think of the casting.

At the moment you're working on another film?
I'm directing another film with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. I'm very excited about the film, and so are they.

So no newcomers in this film?
No.I need an experienced crew this time. I need their expertise. I've worked with many newcomers like Ismail Durbar, Nusrat Badr, Shreya Ghosal, Monty Sharma, Ranbir and Sonam.

You continue to be fearless in spite of Saawariya?
This is the time when we filmmakers need to be fearless and experiment with themes. Fearlessness is my biggest asset as a filmmaker. I will continue to make films that come from deep within me.

I cannot make assumptions on people's tastes and make films accordingly. My very first film Khamoshi: The Musical didn't do well at all. A lot of people think it's my best work.

So are you as proud of Saawariya as the rest of your films?
Of course. In fact a Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or a Devdas can be made again. But Saawariya can never be made again. It's my rarest work in terms of treatment. It had beautiful performances and visuals.

I tried to put a stage-play on film. Of course at the end of the day the audience decides what it likes. But in this case the audience was conditioned not to like Saawariya.

So have you met this Imran chap?
Moin Beg who has written Heera Mandi wanted me to meet this actor.So on Moin's persistence I did meet him almost a year ago. I immediately realized he wasn't the actor I was looking for.

The next thing I know, I'm supposed to be arranging this guy's visa to India. What nonsense! Just because I don't speak out people take advantage of my silence. Please don't exploit my name for your own advantage.

Why don't you clarify the misconceptions when they occur?
Kuch to log kehenge, kehne do. I can't bring myself to become the master of sound bytes. But beyond a point silence is construed as a sign of acceptance.I don't even meet new actors, technicians, musicians or lyricists.

I've already decided whom to work with in my next project. So why waste time meeting people you won't be working with? And why go to Pakistan to get actors? We've very talented people in our own country.

There were reports that some actors including your own protégé Ranbir Kapoor didn't want to work with you?
(laughs) Poor me. People are writing out tragic tales about me every day. They are even deciding what film I'm making and also helpfully casting actresses in them.

There's a whole section of people who spend their time spreading false rumours about my films. I wish them luck. Maybe stories about me sell. I've to believe in my work and focus on it. But when the misrepresentations go beyond my tolerance power it's time speak up.

The truth is, Ranbir and Sonam would be there for me whenever I need them. However at the moment I'm making a film with Hrithik and Aishwarya.

What prompted you to sign Hrithik?
Hrithik and I wanted to work together for a very long time. I've always been impressed by his sincerity as an actor. I was waiting for the right opportunity to sign him. Working with Hrithik would be a new and rewarding experience.

You and Aishwarya created magic in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. Time for a hat trick?
Aishwarya is very special to me. She suits the role in my new film to perfection. When she read the script she was deeply moved. Of course true friend that she is, she told me she would've agreed to work with me even if I didn't send her the script. But it's important for an actor to be convinced of what he or she is doing.

Will this Hrithik-Aishwarya film be your first for an international market in English?
But Black was also in English. It is important for me to make my films for our market. Having said that we must take our cinema to the remotest corner of the world. Today the spoken language is no barrier.The spoken language in our country is as much Hindi as English. I want to capture that feeling of everyday conversations.

2008 was a great year for you?It was the year when an Indian director was invited for the first time to direct an opera in Paris?
Yes, I had a wonderful a time. I loved directing the opera That was an exceptional honour and an unforgettable experience. I managed to write the script that I wanted to and got the cast I wanted. I may be producing a couple of films. It's been a year of hard and fruitful work.And 2009 will mean even harder work.

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Salman and I are not ganging up against Shah Rukh: Aamir Khan

Post under Aamir Khan, Bollywood News, Salman Khan, Shahrukh khan, Star Talk

Why was this copyright issue brought up at the last time?
This copyright issue has been with us for quite some time now and the producer of the film Allu Arvind was trying to resolve the issue in the court.

The information I have with me was that the hearing was over by 10th December but the order came on the 23rd December. We appealed on the same day and you won't believe how happy I am today that our film is officially releasing. The producer has deposited Rs. 5 crore in the court and there is no stay on the film.

Whoever has seen the film are saying that there is a lot of violence shown in the film.
The response I've just got before I came in to meet you all is that the film is being appreciated and the kind of advance bookings for Ghajini is the highest ever for a Hindi feature film because it's four times more than the previous films. I am happy that there is a lot of excitement surrounding the film. I am waiting for the response from the audience.

How different or difficult was it to portray a character who talks more with his eyes than his mouth?
To play the character was very difficult but I don't want to say anything about my role. Please let the audiences come out and we will talk then.

Normally a film title is based on the name of a hero or heroine. This one is based on a villain called Ghajini.
The film is called Ghajini because it's the only clue which the hero has. That's the only name he wants to find and kill.

What was your biggest inspiration while you did Ghajini?
Surya, the actor who was in the original Tamil version of the film Ghajini. He has done a fantastic job. After watching the film, I was a bit hesitant whether to do the film or not. I was in two minds. Surya convinced me and said that I was the only one who could do justice to the character. He pushed me to do Ghajini.

As you've now got a lot of hair cutting experience behind you and then the legal hassles to face, do you think aap baal baal bach gaye?
(laughs) I am feeling very relieved and nice to know that there are no more legal hassles.

What have you to say on the paintings gifted to you by Salman Khan which Asin unveiled three days back?
I am truly touched by the gestures of Salman Khan. He is such a great artist and I didn't know that till I saw his work. He has made some amazing paintings on Ghajini and I thank him for that.

How did you relate those paintings with your character in the film?
One of the portraits he has made matches my looks and the personality in the film. The second one is a much conceptualized version of the same.

Pirated cd's and dvd's will be available from day two after the film releases. Aren't you angry?
I am but what can we do about it. No one is ready to take action against this crime.

How true is it that yourself and Salman are forming a team or a camp against SRK?
There is no truth in that at all. I think, Salman, Shah Rukh and me are individuals in our own right. I have a relationship with SRK and Salman. Both are friends and there are no camps or anything like that.

Anushka and Asin, both have made their debut. Who do you think will win an award come 2009?
What awards are you talking about and to whom are you asking this question! (Laughs) Only our audiences can give awards, nobody else.

How do you intend to celebrate Christmas this year?
I am going to be at home with my family for Christmas.

With so much goodwill surrounding you in the industry and your films going to the Oscars and the BAFTA's and people talking good about you and your films, this time around, are you ready to face criticism?
I am always open for criticism.

What if you get to know that Ghajini is not up to the mark?
If people don't like any of my films then I treat it as a learning experience.

What excited you to do Ghajini?
What excited me about this film was the action, the story, the exciting screenplay and above all, the love story in the film. That really won my heart. One of the main reasons I did this film was A.R. Murugadoss.

When I met him it felt like meeting a kid who has this toy in his hand. All my expectations were fulfilled after working with him. He is so clear and understands the film so well that it's really amazing.

The Oscar committee saw Taare Zameen Par and has praised it. What have you got to say about it?
The committee liked the film a lot and the concerned person called me to congratulate me on how good Taare Zameen Par was. That doesn't mean that we are nominated because I am sure he liked other films too. But the fact that he has taken the effort to call was touching and I am very happy about it.

Aamir, I've lost a bit of my memory. Can you please tell me who was the lead actor in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi?
Why do you guys do this to me yaar. You like such things, don't you? One day because of you, I'll be beaten up badly (laughs).

Who according to you has got the best body in business in Bollywood?
In male, it has to be John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan and in females it has to be Kareena Kapoor because she is very good looking and has a great body.

What is your New Year resolution?
I haven't yet thought about it. But I will be going to the theatres to watch my film Ghajini in disguise. Where and how I am going will be kept a secret (laughs).

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I don't know how I will manage this: Deepika

Post under Bollywood News, Deepika Padukone

Sajid Nadiadwala has signed Deepika Padukone opposite Akshay Kumar for his next Houseful to be directed by Sajid Khan.

The film will have Riteish Deshmukh, another hero and two more heroines. It's a romantic comedy. Deepika Padukone and Sajid (Khan) met in Bangkok. She loved the story and said yes."

This will be Deepika's first full fledged comedy film. After working with sister Farha Khan Om Shanti Om she will be now jid Khan's Houseful.

Deepika says, "The film is a comedy flick and this is the first time I will be doing something very different. I don't know how I will manage. I will try my best. Sajid has a great sense of humour and I will go by his vision.

Besides, if my director has so much confidence in me, then I just cannot let him down."

Meanwhile producer Sajid Nadiadwala is completing his next venture Kambakkht Ishq being directed by Shabbir Khan.

Sajid has also signed director Siddharth Anand to direct venture starring Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor with Deepika more or less final for it as well. It is reportedly a remake of Oscar winner The Departed.

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Why Ayesha Takia has pushed back her wedding date?

Post under Ayesha Takia, Bollywood News

The terrible 26/11 Mumbai attacks have changed a lot things for Ayesha Takia as well, just like many others.

If all things had been different, Ayesha would've been busy with her wedding preparations at the moment.

But following the attacks out of respect for the dead and the survivors, she and fiancé, restaurateur Farhan Azmi decided to wisely push their wedding to next year.

The actress had been refusing films for the last six months. She's also been giving sleepless nights to producers and had asked them to wrap up their pending projects with her fast. She has three big releases coming up in 2009- 'Wanted', 'Tasveer' and 'Paathshala'.

But now the lady has changed her stance and has gone ahead and signed a new film!

The actress has taken up south director Revathi Varma's new film. But this director is not Revathy of 'Mitr' and 'Phir Milenge' fame.

Ayesha has reportedly said, "It's a woman-oriented subject and a very interesting concept. It's a sweet story, and is based on the director's life."

At the moment the actress stresses that she isn't disappointed by the postponement and she's unwilling to disclose her wedding date of 2009.

She's added, "As of nothing has been fixed. Let's take it as it comes. The cancellation is nothing compared to the grief the people in Mumbai have faced in the last month. It's better to push my wedding back by a few months than even think of celebrating at a time like this."

Like many sad Mumbaikars, she's not celebrating on Christmas or New Year's Eve celebrations this year.

She's said, "We will sit at home and just spend time with our loved ones."

It's good to see bubbly Ayesha speak like a wise lady!

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Priyanka Chopra Bikini Maxim PhotoShoot Pictures

Post under Hot Pictures, Maxim Girls, Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra has start his Bollywood career with a debut movie opposite hot Akshay Kumar. After a short period of time she turns as the “hot in demand girl” for all industry filmmakers. We have some pictures of her bikini and as well as Maxim photoshoot.