Jodhaa Akbar music on UTV's own labe

Jodhaa Akbar, the much awaited film of Ashutosh Gowaikar is the talk of the town. Besides, the biggest star cast comprising Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, the music of the film boasts of its composition by A.R Rahman. Oddly enough, BIG Music, which had acquired the rights of the music, has backed out. And, now it is UTV Motion Pictures, the producer of the film, which will launch the music company of its own to secure the music rights of the film.

Confirming the news, Siddharth Roy Kapur, the COO of UTV Motion Pictures, said that UTV along with AGPPL (Ashutosh Gowaikar Productions Private Limited) came down to this conclusion that UTV music would not have gotten a better launch than the perfect combination of A.R Rahman, Javed Akhtar, Ashutosh Gowaikar, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. He also added that Jodhaa Akbar was the apt platform for UTV to launch its music company.

Also, Kulmeet Makkar, the head Honcho of Big Music, admitted about their back out from the project since UTV was not providing enough time for the promotions. UTV will now promote the music with their own label.

Nevertheless, the music director of the film, A.R Rahman, does not stop raving about the music and said the music of Jodhaa Akbar is contemporary so that it satisfies both critics and music lovers.

Cricketer Sreesanth launches Hanuman Merchandise

Hanuman, the Indian Super-Hero returns, not only on the silver screen but also in your home, with the launch of the Return of Hanuman merchandise this winter season. In a significant development, Percept Picture Company (PPC) and Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd (PRIL) yesterday announced the introduction of customized products, which will be available exclusively at all Big Bazaar stores across the country. Cricket’s bowling sensation S. Sreesanth launched the merchandise at Orchid City Centre, Mumbai.

After taking the country by storm with their first edition of the Super Hero – Hanuman; Percept Picture Company returns to the silver screen with Return of Hanuman and creates a brand with the pioneers of the retail revolution in India - Pantaloon Retail India Ltd. As a part of the marketing tie-up, the entire range of movie merchandise - which includes Accessories, Apparel, Stationery, Toys, Books, Crockery will be marketed through 75 Big Bazaar and 25 Stand alone Food Bazaar stores.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Preet Bedi, CEO, Percept Picture Company said, “Hanuman is the first and the biggest superhero franchise in India. Big Bazaar has specially designed merchandise of the film, which has a wide variation from Toys to Stationery, Crockery to Apparel, which will be loved by kids. We believe that animated movies have a huge impact on kids and through the movie and the merchandise we will be able to connect with them at an emotional level. The merchandise and other initiatives are no longer film-led, instead they are character-led and this time our aim is to develop Hanuman as a brand”

Says Mr Rajan Malhotra, CEO, Big Bazaar, “We are confident that the Hanuman Returns merchandise is going to be huge success and it’s a prelude to many more such initiatives.”

Abhishek Bachchan in Taare Zameen Pa

Taare Zameen Par is a story of a kid suffering from dyslexia. To create awareness about this disorder an example of Abhishek Bachchan is used in the film, who also suffered from this disorder. Aamir Khan took prior permission from the Bachchans to make this reference and use Abhishek’s name and picture as an example of success in spite of suffering from dyslexia at a young age.

Abhishek is among the crème de la crème of Bollywood today. The disorder did not stop him from creating a place for himself in the film industry and become a successful star. That’s the message Aamir gives to the kids in the film. Like Abhishek, many known personalities fall in this category, which include the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Alva Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Winston Churchill, Keanu Reeves, Albert Einstein and Tom Cruise.

Taare Zameen Par is all set to release on December 21 and marks the directorial debut of Aamir Khan.

"Kashmir is the next Morocco for world cinema" - Rahul

Rahul Bose has just finished shooting in the bitter winter of Kashmir for Santosh Sivan's second Hindi film, Dastan. But he's never felt warmer. "The last time I had been to Kashmir I was 4. I had no recollection of the Valley. We shot in freezing bleakness. The weather was very Russian. It was like Adventures of Narnia coming to life…all white with snow and certainly gloomy. But the shapes of the Chinar trees covered with snow transports you to another world."

Rahul can't stop raving about the now-tranquil Valley, “The warmth we experienced there was amazing. The army and police were fully co-operative. But we never needed them. My prediction about Kashmir...with the kind of vehicles, hotels, food, and tourism infrastructure that it now boasts of, Kashmir according to me is going to be the next destination for international cinema…like Morocco became seven years ago. Very few international locales haven't been explored yet. Kashmir is definitely going to be that destination.”

Apparently, Rahul, Anupam Kher and the rest of the crew escaped near death when their car skidded off the steep slippery road. Says Rahul, "That's what was reported. But it isn't true. It was also reported that I was driving when the car skidded. Not true at all. I haven't touched the steering wheel of any vehicle in Kashmir. No sensible actor touches vehicles in a production unit. You lose your insurance if you do such stupid things. We were in Chandanvadi shooting the glacier when at around 10 am, it began to snow. We decided to go back from 30,000 feet above sea level to downhill to Pahalgam. The cars began to slalom. We stopped our cars, and all of us walked for 2 ½ hours down the mountains in that snow- storm. It was sensational. 25 years of rugby stood me in good stead that morning. And don't forget, I'm a boy from the hills. I'm from Kasauli."

Shooting with Santosh Sivan for the second time was an exhilarating experience for Rahul. "Last year we shot Before The Rains in Kerala which was cold enough. Now Kashmir got so much colder that Kerala seems warm in comparison. I've told Santosh our next movie together better be in a warm 7-star hotel."

Rs. 30 – Rs. 40 crores?

Is Akshay Kumar charging anywhere between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 crores [inclusive of a cut in the profits] per film? That’s the buzz in the industry! “I keep reading fluctuating figures in the newspapers, every second day. It’s far from true,” Akshay smiles.

So what’s the truth? Isn’t he demanding a cut in the profits of the film? “Yes, I am and I don’t see any harm in it. If you’re selling the film on the strength of an actor, why shouldn’t I get a share in it? Make your money, but give me a share too. In any case, my fee is never on the higher side. For me, not just my producer, everyone involved in the film has to make money. The economics have to work for everyone,” Akshay reasons.

Meanwhile, Akshay is enjoying the current phase of superstardom. “I’ve consistently delivered hits in the past, but it’s only now that people have woken up to an actor called Akshay Kumar,” he smiles.

'Action Replay

The Akshay Kumar – Vipul Shah Jodi is all ready to strike again. The duo started with AANKHEN, followed it up with WAQT – RACE AGAINST TIME and then NAMASTEY LONDON. The combination is now involved in SINGH IS KINNG, being helmed by WELCOME director Anees Bazmee.

Meanwhile, Vipul has almost completed the script of his next film -- which he will direct himself -- with Akshay once again. It’s titled ACTION REPLAY. “But it’s not an action film,” Akshay corrects me, sounding excited at the idea of working with one of his favourites once again.

However, there’s a possibility that Vipul might opt for a Hindi title for the film. “The English title [ACTION REPLAY] gives an impression that it’s a hardcore action film, which it isn’t. Also, English titles have their limitations in the heartland. People identify more with a Hindi title,” Vipul explains his point of view. I agree!

Meanwhile, Vipul will finalize the balance cast and crew in a few days from now!

Saif okays Soha & Siddharth's Love

So, all the rumours about Soha and Siddharth (from Rang De Basanti) were not baseless and the couple is actually together and rocking.

The duo can be spottedat various city hotspots. Not only that, we hear that Siddharth has met Saif and his parents and the family has actually put the stamp of approval on his romace with Soha.

Says a source, “It was during the shooting of Rang De Basanti that Soha and Siddharth became extremely close. They had been in a relationship for more than a year but couldn’t come out openly with it because he had gone through a divorce from his childhood girlfriend Meghna, last year. "

"Siddharth is a reserved person, he liked Soha’s bubbly nature and positivity towards life. Gradually, they both discovered that they had more than a deep affection for each other.

Saif asked Soha over to his Bandra apartment along with her boyfriend. When she arrived, she was surprised to see her parents present as well. Saif had called them over dinner to meet his little sister’s object of affection," he adds.

We hear that within minutes of meeting Siddharth, Saif was completely charmed while mom and dad too were impressed with the guy’s down-to-earth attitude.

Siddharth based in Mumbai-now for the shooting of Chandan Arora’s Striker.

Hrithik is a take home type guy: Gul Panag

Q-What are the must have qualities in your man?

A- Compassionate and understanding. He should know what I want without me having to say it.

Q-Can your friendship for him ever blossom into love?
A- Yes, why not, it can happen that the person, who I may have always thought to be just a buddy, may suddenly become someone I love. Dil ki ghanti kab baj jaye,, kisi ko nahi pata.

Q-Is it possible that ‘he’ doesn’t understand you sometimes?
A- Possible. Men may just be acting if he says he understands you.

Q-If ‘he’ is among current Bollywood hunks, who would he be like?
A- Most girls would love to choose Hrithik (even though he is happily married) as he is the ‘take home and show mom’ type of guy. If I wanted somebody more interesting, then it would have to be like Bacchhan Junior.

Q-Is changing partners ok with me?
A- Its normal, one does grow out of love. Today I may like A, tomorrow B may come along and in that situation if I still stick to A, then I would be doing injustice to him, for though I will be with him, my heart will be with the other guy.

Q- What if others girls make a pass at your man?
A- I would feel jealous and ask those chicks to stay away from my guy. I will not give the PC answer that I am happy that my guy is being appreciated.

Q-Since he is from Mars and I, from Venus, will the twain ever meet?
A- Yes, we both have our differences, but how we reconcile them is what makes a relationship tick.

Q- What do you think of metro-sexual men?
A- I bet metro-sexual men are vainer than woman. They spend more time in front of the mirror then their women. Some men have houses full of mirrors, where they keep checking their profile.

On the whole, I like metro-sexual men for there is competition right at home - on who looks better. So, he can be a metro-sexual man.

Q-Is approval from your parents a must?
A- Yes, I would prefer a love marriage which is arranged by them. If my parents don't like my guy, I will try to convince them lovingly. It would totally be wrong to dump your folks who have brought you up.

Q-‘Where should he take you out on a romantic evening to?
A- A beautiful sea facing restaurant for an expensive candle light dinner under the stars.

Photo Feature: Nude Kangana Ranaut With Soapy Foam

This is Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut's latest cover page appearance on Star Dust Film Magazine. She posed before camera in nude covering herself with only soapy foam. That's a thought provoking still for camera, indeed.