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After creating quite a furore at the Bigg Boss house, Ajaz Khan is busy whipping up a storm in Cape Town forFear Factor with both his off and on camera hi-jinks.While his presence on the show riled Kushal Tandon and Gauhar Khan enough to send them scampering back to India, Ajaz's stunts for the show seem to have impressed the yesteryears' super stunt-man Mudhu Balwant Shetty's son Rohit Shetty enough to offer him a major role in his next film Ajay Devgn- Kareena Kapoor starrer Singham 2. Says a source from Cape Town, "Rohit Shetty has made the announcement of casting Ajaz on camera. Rohit was impressed not only by Ajaz's stunts on camera he also found him entertaining and funny off camera. On an impulse Shetty offered Khan a role."I tried to congratulate Ajaz. But he quickly begged off any comment. Apparently the channel Colors has placed a blanket ban on all media interaction with the Fear Factor contestants after the Kushal- Gauhar- Ajaz tamasha in Cape Town.
For many a 'rickshaw wallahs' in Mumbai and Delhi, it's going to be a call of 'Aaj Din Hai Sunny Sunny Sunny' starting tomorrow morning. Not just would Sunny Leone be meeting a select few in mumbai and chatting with them, she would also be flagging off the rickshaw branding campaign for Ragini MMS 2."'Ragini ka naya MMS dekha kya?', 'Ragini yahaan baithi thi', 'Do mein zyaada mazaa hai' are some of the tantalizing captions that would be plastered on close to 7000-odd rickshaws in the two cities. Since these vehicles are on the move through the length and breadth of the city, it makes for a continuously engaging campaign," informs our source. Since Ragini MMS 2 is aiming for a wide section of audience, a teasing campaign like this with Sunny herself getting into an interactive mode is being looked at as a masterstroke by many. "We had done this earlier during Ragini MMS back in 2011 and the feedback had been overwhelming. Scores of others aped us subsequently. An auto rickshaw campaign tends to gain good visibility. Sunny enjoys unprecedented popularity among the masses and the Ragini franchise reaches out to the lowest common denominator," says Tanuj Garg, CEO - Balaji Motion Pictures. However, while that happens, we would first like to see the reactions of Mumbai's auto rickshaw drivers who will find themselves with sunny tomorrow morning in Andheri.
No films, no commitments, not even the captaincy of the CCL. Suniel Shetty has put aside his entire career and priorities for his father's sake. To make sure his ailing father is comfortable, Suniel Shetty has converted an entire flank of his home in South Mumbai into an ICU.At the moment nothing matters more to the worried son than his father's health. Sighs Suniel, "I haven't had a proper night's sleep for three months now. It's a very mixed kind of feeling for me. On one hand, my daughter Aathiya is getting ready for her film career. On the other hand my father is very unwell. So the excitement of Aathiya's debut is sadly diminished. At the moment we're all focusing on looking after my father." This is the reason Suniel Shetty has not been playing the CCL matches. "I haven't been able to practice for the matches. So how can I play? In fact I cancelled my flight to Hyderabad on the morning of the game this week. Aftab Shivdasani who is the vice-captain is far more familiar with the one-day format of the game. I do play cricket. But I belong to the old test-match style of cricket." Suniel is aghast about the stories that he had an on-field fracas with Aftab. "How can I 'come to blows' with anyone, least of all a guy as sweet and gentle as Aftab? It is very embarrassing to read such stories, especially at a time when I am going through a personal crisis. Right now nothing is more important to me than my father's health." Suniel is in fact saying no to movie offers. "There will be many opportunities for work later. The time spent with my father now is much more vital and valuable." Suniel is not the least perturbed about his precious darling daughter's shooting schedules outside Mumbai. "I know she's in completely safe hands. Salman Khan's production crew is like family to us. They look after both Aathiya and Sooraj like their own children." Suniel gives Salman a pat on the back for standing by Sooraj. "Salman instinctively knew the boy was being victimized. He stood by Sooraj, insisting that he will make Hero only with Sooraj and Aathiya. I think it requires courage to stand by people in this industry."
Amajor group song-and-dance sequence for Anees Bazmee's Welcome Back, scheduled to be shot this week,featuring Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Nana Patekar and Dimple Kapadia had to be scrapped at the last minute, apparently because the track composed for the shooting was not ready.Says a source, "Since the song is to be film on a bevy of A-listers composer Anu Malik, producer Feroz Nadiadwala and director Anees Bazmee wanted the song to be as perfect as it can get, on a par with the other blockbuster numbers like 'Mera Naseeb Mein' from Manmohan Desai's Naseeb and the title song of Amar Akbar Anthony, or Farah Khan's 'Deewangi Deewangi'inOm Shanti Om."Like they say, aim big, and you have to slog accordingly. Says Anees, "We all felt we were not getting that kind of grandeur in the sound that would justify the presence of Anil, John, Nana, Dimple and Shruti in the same frame. So rather than shoot with an under-whelming song we decided to postpone the shooting of the number until March-end when we are sure to get the track that we want." Getting all the busy stars together again in March is easier said than danced. Anil has apparently expressed his inability to spare dates later. Efforts are on to somehow co-ordinate all the stars' dates in March-end or April. SighsAnees, "Luckily for us we have time. Feroz wants to release Welcome Back on Christmas day. So even if we shoot the song later during the year there will be no delay." In the meanwhile Anees leaves with his entire cast for a month-long schedule in Dubai from March 10. "We are all there, plus Naseeruddin Shah Saab who replaces Feroz Khan also joins us in Dubai this time." The last time Naseer, Anil and Nana got together in the same film was for Vinod Chopra's Parinda. And that wasn't such a happy occasion. Says Anil, "I've always gotten along well with both Nana and Naseer. They are moody. But I am not." Ab dekhna hai how well Naseer and Nana get along together this time.
Bollywood's bongshell Bipasha Basu who is currently busy shooting for the comic caper Humshakals, might be seen next in Siddharth P. Malhotra's production.After directing We Are Family, Siddharth P. Malhotra will be venturing into production and has even roped in Partho Mitra to direct the movie. Though the newly turned producer has maintained silence over the details of the film, he claimed that Bipasha has shown interest in the project. On the other hand, Bipasha is busy stretching her wings beyond Bollywood and has released her own accessories line The Trunk Label as well as fitness DVDs.
The crew of Nikhil Advani's Hero left for Manali, Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday to shoot some heavy-duty action sequences with Sooraj Pancholi and a couple of romantic duets with Sooraj and his co-star Athiya Shetty.The romantic songs to be filmed on the debutant couple would be completely original tunes composed by Sachin- Jigar. Says a source, "Initially Nikhil planned to use a remixed version the original romantic duet from Subhash GhaiHero-'Tu mera janu hai tu mera dilbar hai'. But with music the company Saregama charging through the roof for the original songs, Nikhil Advani has opted to get fresh songs recorded." The new romantic duet that would be shot in Himachal took some time to be composed. "Nikhil Advani's films have always boasted of outstanding songs and music. He asked Sachin-Jigar to compose a romantic duet to rival Laxmikant- Pyarelal's 'Tu mera janu hai' and 'Pyar karne wale' from the original Hero." The director also plans to shoot intense action sequences in Himachal. Says the source, "Sooraj will do bare-backed action scenes shot at a very high altitude. The idea is to make the action sequences top-notch since the word is that Jackie Shroff's son Tiger in his debut filmHero-Panti has done some of the finest stunts ever in a Hindi film. Sooraj's forte is drama and emotions. Stunts don't come as naturally to him as they do to Tiger. Sooraj has been practicing hard to master the stunts. The Hero team has devised some intricate action scenes for Sooraj in the rugged rocky Himalayan terrain."
John Abraham, who has always been at the forefront to help anyone in whatever way possible, has indeed made him a darling of millions in real life. In addition to that, he also supports a lot of social causes, without making much noise about it. One such cause to which he has now been associated with is called 'Fever Voice Of Change', which is an initiative by Fever 104 FM in order to bring about a transformation in our society, as its the call of the hour. Talking about this, he said that his mother does a lot of charity work; mostly in the direction of helping the cancer patients and that he lends his full support to her. Talking about John, Harshad Jain of Fever said that John is an ultimate youth icon and that they couldn't have found a more responsible partner.
Shankar Mahadevan's track 'Mujhse Hogi Shuruaat', which has been produced by his online music academy, has now been nominated in the 'Best Activist Anthem' category of the 2014 Honesty Oscars.The campaigning and advocacy organization ONE and Accountability Lab unveiled the nominations for 'Honesty Oscars 2014'. These awards are given to the creative work of activists and organizations that fight global corruption and will be given to those getting maximum number of votes. The names of the winners will be announced on March 2, also known as the night of the Oscars.
Sarah-Jane Dias, who will be seen this year in films like O Teri, Happy New Year and Angry Indian Goddesses, is taking western singing lessons these days for a reason. Sources close to the actress suggest that she will be lending her voice for a few tracks in her untitled upcoming film.When contacted, Sarah did confirm about the vocal training but refused to give any information about the film or its title. Sources also confirm that since a month she has been taking vigorous training in both singing and contemporary dance and was recently spotted at Ashley Lobo's dance school.
In what's a first for Hollywood and Bollywood, Rio 2, the sequel to 2011's hit animation flick, Rio will see two of Bollywood's leading actors feature as the main voices for the dubbed Hindi version.Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan will feature as the lovable and memorable macaws Jewel and Blu respectively, for Rio 2. The English version of the movie will see the voices of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg again which will be dubbed in Hindi by Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan. Though in the past B-town actors have lent their voices on a small scale, this is the first time such a huge Bollywood association has taken place for a Hollywood franchise. Rio 2 which is one of the most anticipated Hollywood movie in India, is an adventure comedy set in the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro. The movie will feature the return of Blu, Jewel and their three kids who leave their domesticated life for a journey to Amazon rainforest. Talking about dubbing for the film Sonakshi says, "I love watching animation films, so when they approached me to lend my voice to the sequel of one of the most loved animations - Rio... I didn't have to think twice! It's a completely new experience for me and I'm very excited! It's a treat not only for the kids, but families as well!" Rio 2 in 3D releases on April 11, 2014 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu
Immediately after seeing her performance in Imtiaz Ali'sHighway Shabana Azmi rushed to the Bhatts' residence to congratulate the parents and their daughter for the extraordinary performance.The 5-times National award winning actress, acknowledged by many cineastes as among India's finest talent ever, sees Alia as the true inheritor of her talent. Interestingly Alia's father Mahesh Bhatt has compared Alia's performance in Highway to Shabana's sterling career-defining performance in Arth.Shabana who won a National award for her performance in Arth, agrees with Mahesh Bhatt's assessment. Opines Shabana, "Javed and I went straight to Alia's house after watching Highway. We were both profoundly moved by her performance. I am so very proud of her." Shabana takes no offence to Alia's father comparing his 2-film old daughter to the high-priestess of histrionics. "Mahesh doesn't say this lightly and he doesn't say it because Alia is his daughter. He compares Alia's performance to mine because he genuinely believes that the girl has achieved an exceptional level of performing prowess so early in her career. And Mahesh is right." Shabana feels Alia has got where Shabana did in Arth in no time at all. "Alia's achievement is all the more laudable because I did Arth after 9 years of facing the camera. Alia has done it in her second film. That's amazing! Alia took me completely by surprise. She possesses both vulnerability and insouciance." In fact Alia's protective step-sister Pooja Bhatt is planning a film with her baby-sister. Says Pooja, "If Student Of The Year launched Alia as a young star, Highway has launched her as an actor. I am so soooo proud of her and I shall remain ever-grateful to Imtiaz."
When Sonam Kapoor was roped in for Raanjhanaa, one of the pre-conditions set by director Aanand L. Rai was for her to attend certain acting workshops with theater actors. Now for her next film for which she begins shooting soon, Dolly Ki Doli, it would be back to the grind for the actress who saw some good critical acclaim coming her way for her performance in Raanjhanaa."Yes, Sonam would be attending an elaborate acting workshop for Dolly Ki Doli," informs a source, "In fact she would be joined by the principle cast of the film that includes Pulkit Samrat, Rajkumarr Rao and Varun Sharma (of Fukrey fame). First time director Abhishek Dogra has planned this schedule for his lead cast so that all is well in order before they arrive on the sets."The film, which is set in North, would be shot across multiple locations in and around Delhi. Most importantly for Sonam, who has a central role in the film, it was all the more imperative that she adapts to the various culture, lingo, tone and theme of the cities where she would be stepping her feet in.Meanwhile her co-star Pulkit, who follows the approach of method acting, is happy that he would be able to get his act right much in advance."I basically believe in rehearsing for three takes for a shot before going on the sets. That saves a lot of time for the crew when you have done your research as an actor. Such workshops help then," he says, "Moreover, I and Sonam are working together for the first time. It is going to be very exciting to be sharing the screen space with her."For Rajkumarr, an accomplished actor himself, this workshop would only bring him closer to the world of hardcore commercial setting.For producer Arbaaz Khan, who is stepping out of the comfort zone of Dabangg, it is going to be an altogether different and unexplored world in Dolly Ki Doli."Yes, we have planned workshops for the film," says Arbaaz, "In fact we begin with joint readings and then move on to the workshop. Once we start shooting during March/April, it is going to be a non-stop schedule across different cities. Whatever adaptation to the script and the plot had to be done, it has to be now."
Rakul Preet who made her big screen debut earlier this year with Yaariyan was detained at the Delhi airport. Apparently the actress was travelling to Mumbai and while going through the security check at the Delhi airport, a suspicious metallic object was found in her bag. On scrutiny the said object turned out to be a bullet, owing to which she was asked to step aside. Rakul was later detained for carrying a bullet in her bag by the CISF and was questioned for hours about the bullet.Later on closer examination, the 8mm bullet that is not available in India turned out to be a dummy that was used on sets of Rakul's south film shoot eight months earlier. Post this discovery Rakul was released by the police.
Sridevi, who ruled Indian cinema in the 80s and 90s, made a solid comeback two years ago with English Vinglish. However, post the massive response thatEnglish Vinglish garnered, Sridevi has maintained a distance from the silver screen.Finally, her husband Boney Kapoor announced that he is producing a film which will have Sridevi playing the main lead. While he has been mum about the rest of the cast and crew, it is being said that this one too will be a trilingual film just like English Vinglish. However, Boney Kapoor maintained that this yet to be titled film is slated to go on floor this year in the month of September or October and will be shot in Delhi.
After crooning for his films, Aamir plans to sing once again for his ambitious TV chat show 'Satyamev Jayate season 2'.Though the lyrics and music of the title track remains the same as the first season, changes have been made in the video and also some portions of the song have been re- recorded with Aamir's voice. The lyrics are written by Prasoon Joshi and the music is composed by Ram Sampat. Aiming to bring about a change in the society, Satyamev Jayate is a chat show that analyzes the deep rooted problems of the country.Post the success of the first season last year, the second season of Satyamev Jayate will go on air on March 2.
