Akki considers Amitabh the real king of Bollywood By: Bollywood Mantra Staff on 07th August 2008 RSS | SMS | Bollywood Mantra on Twitter | Subscribe

In real life, Shahrukh Khan is called the king of Bollywood but in reel life action hero Akshay Kumar is named as the 'Kinng' of Bollywood as he is starring in a film titled Singh Is Kinng. Whoever thinks whatever, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Akshay Kumar holds an altogether different attitude. He feels that the real king title only fits to that personality who has ruled Bollywood from decades and still ruling win the heart of the people through his versatile acting.

While speaking at an event to promote his new movie, Singh is Kinng, Akki said, "In my opinion, the real king of Bollywood is Amitabh Bachchan. He has been in the industry for the last 40 years while we have been here for 15 years only. To become a king, you don't need money and power. You must have positive energy and Mr. Bachchan has that."

Akki has performed with Mr Bachchan in Toronto and he is awestuck seeing his level of enery and enthusiasm. Akshay in all ways promoting his new flick Singh Is Kinng which is going to hit the threatres on August 7th.

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Akki asks Sallu when he will marry Kat?

Akshay, Salman and Katrina always garner attention. For the first time, this interesting trio has been brought under the same frame at Dus Ka Dum. The show is roping more celebrities day by day to higher up the TRP. And Salman who is also now part of the TRP game did not hesitate to withstand his wildest enemy beside his beau and very calmly digested some tongue-in-cheeks jokes from Akki.

The episode is filled up with huge fireworks and ironic comments. While Salman and Akshay continuously passed sarcastic comments on one another, Katrina stood there with a confused face. She was not able to understand the head and tail of their discussion. Intentionally or unintentionally, Akki went up to ask some personal questions to Salman. He also raised up their marriage issue and ended up asking in a diplomatic way as when he will marry his beautiful girlfriend Katrina.

Salman who never discloses his personal affair in public seemed discontented with such question but helplessly tolerate Akki’s disgraceful move.

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Bipasha hates Katrina

Sexy siren Bipasha Basu admits that she has problem with Katrina Kaif and she does not share a good rapport with her and they are in no talking terms. She further declares that earlier she had problem with Kareena too but now the problems have been sorted out and they do not have any ill feeling for one another but confirms her differences with Katrina.

Bipasha admits, "Yes there is a problem between Katrina and me. But there could be reasons for that. It could be because of our boyfriends (John Abraham and Salman Khan) but that never affected our work. We didn’t speak during Race but that never stopped us from shooting. I could walk up to Kareena and do that; but no, I can’t do that with Katrina. There is awkwardness between Katrina and me. We don’t talk to each other."

Bips brushes off the rumor that she had any problem with Deepika and feels that she is very expressive, talented and has got a very raw, on screen persona and is a great girl.

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Ranbir feels Bipasha is hot

Guess whom the Bollywood’s new heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor feels hot and spicy. If Deepika Padukone’s name immediately strikes your mind then you are totally wrong. Though Deepika is absolutely stunning and beautiful, the gal who has impressed him a lot by her sexy avatar is none other than Bipasha Basu. She tops Ranbir's hotty rating list.

Ranbir came to this conclusion while shooting with her for Bachna Ae Haseeno. When Ranbir was asked whom he finds the most sexy? He was prompt to reply, it’s Bipasha Basu. He further said, "Bipasha Basu is a senior and she has got more experience. So I don’t think it’s fair to compare the three as actors”.

But Ranbir holds some different feeling for his ladylove. To him Deepika is beautiful, talented and hardworking and moreover gorgeous. While not getting the hottie compliment from Ranbir, Deepika is definitely not happy.

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I can never be Rishi Kapoor, says Ranbir

Ranbir Kapoor, who is all set for his second release 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', says constant comparisons with his father Rishi Kapoor are inevitable, but feels that he won't be able to match up to his father's on-screen charisma.

'I know the audience seeks another Rishi Kapoor in me. But I can never be like him. He is such a spontaneous actor,' Ranbir told IANS.

Interestingly, a hit song from his father's film 'Hum Kisise Kum Naheen' inspires the title of his second film 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'.

If given a chance to act in the remake of his father's super hit 'Bobby', Ranbir said he would love to romance Dimple Kapadia on screen.

'No one can play the role of Bobby like Dimple Kapadia did. She is still so beautiful and I would love to woo her on screen again if a remake is made,' said the actor.

Ranbir was in town to promote 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' that is releasing Friday. He will be seen romancing Minissha Lamba, Deepika Padukone and Bipasha Basu in the movie.

Talking about his role, Ranbir said it is not that of a Casanova as the title hints. 'I play a next-door boy and the film is about his love life at different phases of life.'

The actor says he wouldn't like to be confined in lover-boy image.

'In both 'Saawariya' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' I play a lover boy, but won't keep myself confined to that particular image. Give me two years and you will find me beating up goons and kicking in the air,' said Ranbir who is expecting his film to do well at the box office.

'My first film 'Saawariya' was not a commercially hit one, though it was the best possible launch that one can ever have. But this time I expect my film to be a commercially hit one.'

As for romancing his real-life love interest Deepika in the film, he said: 'Both of us have just started our career. We would appreciate if people talk about the film and our characters instead of linking our personal life with the romance on-screen.'

He also pointed out that Hindi film industry has grown highly competitive in the last couple of years and as a result all actors have to constantly reinvent themselves.

'Right from Amitabh Bachchan to Darsheel Safary - Bollywood has never been so competitive. Every day a new actor takes the reign. As a result we actors have to constantly groom ourselves,' said Ranbir.

His other films are Prakash Jha's 'Rajniti' and Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani'

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The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Director: Ron Cohen; Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford
Rating: *

There have already been quite a few summer action blockbuster movies this year, and the 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' tries to sneak in and make an impact. It is not going to succeed.

With 'The Dark Knight' already getting incredible critical and box office success, any other movie following that one is doomed, at the best, to be mediocre.

The Mummy franchise returns for a third time and the tragedy of this instalment is just how much of a good thing it squanders. It had millions of dollars and some semblance of an interesting story. But it is unforgivable for the way it wastes some very fine Asian actors like Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

The film makers chose to ignore any kind of story and the potential good acting at hand, and chose to just go for as many explosions and as much noise as possible. The plot seems to be at the service of action and some exotic locales.

It takes us to the deserts of China, the Himalayas and even allows us to encounter some snow animals called yeti.

Even the dependable actor, Brendan Fraser, gets very little from the script to build on. Another fine actress, Maria Bello, is not allowed to sink her teeth into the role.

There is no chemistry between these two lead actors or between Fraser and Luke Ford, who plays his son. Ford could go down as the most bland character in an action movie this year.

The movie starts with a flashback from history of an ancient emperor along with his army being turned to clay by a spell cast by a woman.

The woman is in love with another man and the emperor is against this union. Fast forward a few thousand years and Luke Ford's character has discovered this tomb, and well, all hell breaks loose after this.

This is also the point where the movies starts losing its wheels and just rambles on, taking us for an inconsequential ride.

The only good thing about this movie is the action. It delivers in some way.

There is nothing new in terms of technique or filming, but it does strive hard to thrill. Pre-teens may find this appealing and adults looking for a good break from anything cerebral might also appreciate the explosions.

The director Rob Cohen might have understood this a little too well and thinks he doesn't have to offer anything more than that.

The writers, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, are not interested in coming up with anything fresh or even aware of the sheer acting potential in all their actors. Each of these actors has won rave reviews for at least one other performance in other movies. They could have been given much more to handle in this one.

This movie works best when there are no expectations and demands. For the sake of pure thrill and mindless fun with action in exotic locales, this movie will satisfy.

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Singh Is Kinng

Just a word of caution before you watch this film: Singh Is Kinng is not for the intellectuals or those pretending to be one. It's not for the hard-nosed critics either.

Now read on…

Vipul Shah. Anees Bazmee. Akshay Kumar. Katrina Kaif. Four names for whom success has become a habit. That makes Singh Is Kinng the most awaited movie of the season. Must add, the wait was worth it!

You know the rules when you watch a hardcore entertainer: Just don't look for logic. If you do, too bad for you, for you would never enjoy a film of this genre and more specifically, Singh Is Kinng.

Anees Bazmee's films are very high on entertainment. The plotline may be paper-thin, perhaps ludicrous and farcical, but when did Bazmee ever promise a SCHINDLER'S LIST or a SAVING PRIVATE RYAN? Singh Is Kinng works because it delivers what it promises: Full on entertainment!

Bazmee has the knack of making immensely watchable fares that cater to the aam junta. Singh Is Kinng isn't a laughathon in entirety. Comedy, romance, action and drama, everything is well synchronised in those 2.10 hours here.

But, wait, Singh Is Kinng isn't a foolproof product. It has its share of flaws, the turn of events aren't captivating at times, but Singh Is Kinng moves so fast and packs in so much, there's no time to think or analyze.

The final word? Singh Is Kinng is a delicious and scrumptious pav-bhaji served in the finest cutlery. Your taste buds are sure to relish it... and ask for more!

Lakhan Singh aka Lucky (Sonu Sood) is the King of the Australian underworld, accompanied by his associates (played by Javed Jaffrey, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, Yashpal Sharma, Kamal Chopra and Sudhanshu Pande). Far away, in a small village in Punjab, where Lucky was born, there exists someone more notorious than him - Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar).

The village is fed up of Happy's magnanimity, which has resulted in a number of hilariously disastrous situations. Out of desperation, they decide to send him on a long trip (that will keep him out of the village for a while!) to bring Lucky back to Punjab, as his despicable deeds were maligning their image in Australia.

The happy-go-lucky bumpkin, taking his mission a bit too seriously, embarks on his journey, accompanied by his friend, Rangeela (Om Puri), who hates Happy for dragging him into it.

The high point of his journey is his chance meeting with Sonia (Katrina Kaif), with whom he falls in love, but upon reaching his destination, things take a precarious turn as he runs into a series of comic misadventures, leaving him penniless. He is fortunate to find warmth and affection in an elderly lady (Kirron Kher).



>Following the altercation, Lucky lands up in hospital paralyzed and Happy, unexpectedly, finds the tables turned on him when he is expected to assume the role of the new King.

Few minutes into the film and you know that Singh Is Kinng is a lavish spectacle that's high on entertainment. Sonu Sood chasing a gora assassin at the very start or minutes later, Akshay chasing a hen - Singh Is Kinng starts with gusto.

And Bazmee doesn't let you wear your thinking caps all through the first hour. From India to Egypt to Australia, from the comforts of his home in Punjab, to the humble abode of a woman selling flowers in Sydney (Kirron Kher), Singh Is Kinng involves you in the journey.

And then Akshay becomes the King. Oh, how he becomes the King is equally hilarious. The sequence at the hospital (Sonu Sood is diagnosed with a weird disorder) is simply hilarious. There's a twist in the tale at the intermission point and the second hour, therefore, shifts gears - it changes from kabhi funny, kabhi drama to a prem kahani.

It's smooth sailing till there's another twist towards the pre-climax (wouldn't like to reveal it, since it would act as a spoiler). But, frankly, the film could've done without this track. The narrative, thankfully, is back on tracks soon after.

Anees Bazmee has a flair for writing great entertainers that work big time with the masala-loving junta. If you've loved NO ENTRY and WELCOME, you'd love Singh Is Kinng too.

This time, Bazmee shares the writing credits with Suresh Nair and the duo come up with some real wacky episodes. In terms of production design, this is Bazmee's most lavish fare so far. It's a grandiose product.

Pritam's music is already popular and it compliments the goings-on completely. 'Bhootni Ke', 'Jee Karda' and the title track stand out, while 'Teri Ore' is easy on the nerves. Ben Nott and Sanjay Gupta's cinematography is top notch.

Akshay Kumar takes rapid strides with Singh Is Kinng. Sure, you've seen him in comic fares time and again and perhaps, there might be a doubt, Will he carry it off yet again? Oh yes, he does!

There's no saturation point as far as this actor is concerned. He holds your attention in every sequence, irrespective of how strong the scene is, and that's the biggest compliment for any actor. Singh Is Kinng without Akki is like an ocean without marine life. Akshay rules!

The camera loves Katrina Kaif and it shows in Singh Is Kinng too. She looks bewitching and enacts her part with tremendous confidence. Kirron Kher is superb and so is Om Puri. Terrific performances!

They compliment Akki so well. Ranvir Shorey is first-rate. Sonu Sood is another actor who's finally getting his due in Hindi films. Javed Jaffrey's character works big time till he does a somersault in the pre-climax.

Neha Dhupia is engaging. The nok-jhonk between Sudhanshu Pandey and Yashpal Sharma is perfect. Manoj Pahwa is good.

On the whole, Singh Is Kinng lives up to the hype and hoopla. Want a joyride without taxing your brains? Board the Singh Is Kinng wagon.

At the box-office, the film will fetch a hurricane-like start. The paid previews, the opening weekend, the first week business, everything will be record-shattering.

Notwithstanding the new oppositions in the weeks to come, Singh Is Kinng will rule the hearts of the aam junta (whose verdict matters the most) as also the box-office, proving a record holder in the final tally. Blockbuster Hit!

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Deols helped me when I was a nobody

In her two releases in August God Tussi Great Ho and Chamku within two weeks Priyanka continues her quest to look physically different for each part.

"Not that I planned for God, Tussi… and Chamku to come one after another. But fortunately I look very different in both. In God… I'm dressed in shorts and jeans. I wear a nose-ring throughout the film…a very hip and 'today' thing to do. In Chamku I'm a school teacher. So I dress in a saree."

She is all gooey-eyed about her Chamku co-star. "Bobby and I go back a long way. He and Sunnyji are a part of my initial phase in Mumbai. Sunnyji did my first film The Hero with me when I was a nobody. He didn't have to.

But he encouraged a newcomer. I'll never forget that. As for Bobby we've done two films together before. I'd do anything for the Deols' banner Vijeta Films anytime."

Is that why she agreed to be in Chamko although it's an out-and-out Bobby vehicle?

"It's Bobby's film. But I've a substantial role. I am the shoulder he cries on. Sometimes it's good to be a shoulder instead of shouldering a film, " she chuckles.

As for Salman, "We really had a good time shooting God Tussi Great Ho. That sense of enjoyment shows up on screen."

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