Harman Baweja's 'Victory' post - 'Love Story 2050'

Harman Baweja’s athletic physique and sportsman charisma got him his next movie, titled Victory, to be directed by Ajit Pal. The star cast includes Amrita Arora, playing his love interest, and Anupam Kher, his father.

“We are in the process of talking to cricketers all over the world to make this film look as authentic as possible. Unfortunately, any cricketer’s calendar year gives them only seven or eight week’s leave. Therefore, we have to rope in the cricketers according to their availability,” says Ajit Pal. In addition, when IndiaFM asked him about the status of the film, he said, “the shooting is underway with a major match sequence already shot, whereas the principle shoot begins in November.”

With cricket as the backdrop, the story revolves around a small town boy from Jaisalmer, who goes on to become the best cricketer in the world. The rest of the cast includes many a big name from the cricketing fraternity, like Navjot Singh Siddhu and Mohindar Amarnath and some Australian and some players of the New Zealand team.

Adlabs and Victory Motion Pictures together are co-producing this film.

Devgan versus SRK: Santoshi promises a different Ashoka

The versatile Raj Kumar Santoshi will start shooting his new epic on Emperor Ashoka in January. His other epic on the Ramayan with Ajay Devgan has now been postponed to the end of 2008.
Though he is not saying it aloud, Raj Kumar Santoshi's decision to make a film on the life on Emperor Ashoka with Ajay Devgan in the lead was prompted more by the failure of Santosh Sivan's Asoka than any other consideration. "I am aware of Sivan’s film. He is a fine craftsman. However, my approach and treatment to this fascinating subject will be very different. I want my Ashoka be a happening epic on the lines of Hollywood's Spartacus, Braveheart and Gladiator. Technicians from all over the world are now being finalized," says Santoshi

Santoshi, a versatile epic maker with films ranging from Ghayal and Lajja to his credit is toying with the idea making the film as a bi-lingual. "Or maybe we could just have English subtitles to the Hindi dialogues since that would look more authentic," Santoshi wonders aloud, as he prepares for the biggest challenge of his creatively fecund career.

Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Tasveer' finally named 'Eight By Ten'

Nagesh Kukunoor’s directorial Tasveer is now called Eight By Ten. The title was not due to any mishaps but purely a creative decision.

Preet Bedi, CEO of Percept Picture Company says, “It was never fixed as Tasveer. It was a working title and I am shocked to hear that it was reported as ‘the name changed’. We decided to call it ‘Eight by Ten’ six weeks ago; it was never reported because there was not reason for it.”

“The film is still being shot; one shot in Indian and one in the overseas, then the film will move into post production. Now since this film will have many special effects, the postproduction may take some time, adds Preet Bedi.

The movie features Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Takia in the lead roles. It will release by summer 2008.

Guys today are turning bisexual: Celina Jaitley

Q- How would you like to be wooed?

A- Actually, I am tired of being relentlessly wooed. Guys, give me a break.

Q- What would you do if you found that your partner was cheating on you?
A- Begin with a real hard kick and then start thinking of a million ways of making his life really miserable.

Q- Can a man and woman ever have a platonic friendship?
A- Only if the woman is involved in another relationship.

Q- If you liked a particular dude, would you propose to him or wait for him to make the first move?
A- I'd rather wait for his move, belonging to the old school.

Q- What gift would you give your guy?
A- Myself- in fancy wrapping paper. I don't think he would want anything better.

Q- How would you dress on a first date, hot or just pretty?
A- I think I would wear a nice salwar kameez.

Q- Would you want your guy to get into a fist fight if somebody makes a pass at you?
A- Yes, but only when it's absolutely necessary. I don't dig men who keep showing off their brawn for no rhyme or reason.

Q- What if the guy you like turns out to be a gay?
A- Many good-looking guys are turning bisexual. I hope that I don't end up liking a guy who swings both ways. Although sexuality is a very personal choice, I think men should decide — either they are gay or straight. Playing for both sexes is wrong by my standards.

Q- Is marriage meant for keeps?
A- Yes. Both the partners should stick to each other in riches and poverty, sickness and health. It's really beautiful to see some old couples still madly in love with each other.

Q- Among the current crop of young politicians, who do you find the best looking?
A- Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi.

Abhishek Bachchan is not doing Satish Kaushik's Lal Bihari Mritak

The pursuits of scoops and newsbreaks have turned a section of the entertainment media into a nervous and anxious wreck. The ‘sab-chalta-hai’ brand of manufactured (mis) information touches new heights with a story in a Mumbai daily where the over-enthusiastic reporter claims ‘Abhishek Bachchan is playing the true-life character of Lal Bihari Mritak.’

Both the proposed film's director and producer Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik are baffled with this story. "I never said Abhishek is playing the role. All I told the correspondent is that the script is ready and an actor to play the protagonist will be finalized shortly. I even offered to let her know the cast as soon as it is finalized. Still she wrote that Abhishek is doing the film. Amazing!"

Producer Anupam Kher, who is just back from England, is even more dazed. "I've no clue where such talk comes from. All I know is Satish and I am determined to co-produce films that make a difference. We have just completed Tere Sang, which deals with the contemporary subject of pre-marital pregnancy. We are now going to film the story of ‘Lal Bihari’. And only the correct actor will be cast."

SRK, Deepika to walk the ramp

Shah Rukh Khan, along with Om Shanti Om co-stars Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade and Arjun Rampal, will soon be walking the ramp for a fashion show displaying costumes worn in the film.

Says director Farah Khan, “It’s a tie-up with Shopper’s Stop. On October 9, Shah Rukh, Deepika and the other stars will walk the ramp at a show at the Grand Hyatt wearing costumes from OSO. Shopper’s Stop will also launch an OSO clothesline based on the film’s unique look.”

Brand value

Farah informs that two lines will be launched. “One will be a retro line inspired by the vintage costumes, while the other will be a contemporary line. Apart from being affordable, both lines are extremely trendy. Shah Rukh will wear the modern line on the ramp, while Deepika will wear retro outfits from the film. Arjun (Rampal) plays a producer in OSO, so his clothes are formal suits and leather jackets, similar to what Vinod Khanna used to wear back then. Shreyas wears shirts with pop art and stretched fabric!” she says.

Farah has got into brand merchandising with OSO in a big way. She says, “Brands like Maybelline have joined in to produce a line of make-up based on Deepika’s look (she’s also the company’s brand ambassador) and Sia for jewellery.”

Ramp talk

Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar and Sanjiv Mulchandani have done the film’s look and styling. As for herself, “I won’t be sashaying down the ramp, Unless you want me to do the elephant walk!” she jokes, referring to her growing baby bump. Talking about SRK, she says he’s walked the ramp only once before for a fashion show in Delhi. “He was shy about doing it, but since it’s a professional tie-up he agreed to do it,” she says.

Govinda Srikhande, CEO, Shopper’s Stop says, “Being market leaders and innovators in retail, Shopper’s Stop has set many trends in the past. This unique association with OSO will surely set a new trend.”

'50 Lakh': a 2-city release

Releasing a film with as many prints as possible in its first round is the normal practice these days. But Percept Picture Company has decided to adopt a different strategy for their new film 50 LAKH.

Percept has decided to release the film in Mumbai city-suburbs and Pune city in the first round [10-15 screens only], not releasing the film anywhere else. Yes, you read it right. The film won’t open in any other circuit like Delhi-U.P., Punjab, Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar -- except these two centres -- in the first round.

The reason, according to Sunny Khanna of Percept, is, “We want to test the waters before we expand the release and open other territories. We want to see how it grows on the audience. We will increase the prints subsequently.”

Dino's new gameplan

Some time back, Dino Morea had announced plans of starting a film, set in the pre-independence era. Titled JOHN MOHAMMED ALI MASTER, the film was supposed to be directed by ad film maker Shameen Desai. The project is now on the backburner!

“That’s true! I don’t want to elaborate on the reasons, but I am not starting the film,” Dino tells me. Please elaborate. “I’ve started my production house called Clockwork Films. The company has started with ad films and will make feature films subsequently. The first ad to come out of my banner is the one starring Kareena Kapoor and Karan Johar,” he divulges.

On the acting front, Dino was offered two big projects recently, but the actor refused the first film since the role lacked meat. The second film, Dino says, had him playing second fiddle to a junior actor. “I am ready to wait, instead of jumping at any film offered to me,” he says. In the meanwhile, Dino has agreed to do an ‘item song’ in Jahnu Barua’s film, starring Preity Zinta.

From SRK to Saif to John

While on Anurag Kashyap, are you aware Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice for the principal role in NO SMOKING? “He was keen to do the film. He even said he’d do it for his kids. But, for some reason, he couldn’t accommodate my film,” Anurag states.

Anurag remembers those days. “I was a dejected man. PAANCH was showing no signs of releasing and BLACK FRIDAY was held up. I was desperate to start a film. One night, I text-messaged all the top actors, telling them about the script of NO SMOKING. The only person who responded to my message was John Abraham. He heard the script the very next morning and said ‘Yes’ instantly. He even said he’d get a producer to back this script,” the talented director reminisces.

Anurag continues, “In the meanwhile, Vishal Bhardwaj called to enquire if I’d be interested in starting a film for his banner. I narrated NO SMOKING to him and he suggested Saif Ali Khan’s name. But I told him that I’d already committed to John. That’s how the ball started rolling.”

'Johnny Gaddaar' wins accolades

The film fraternity rarely showers praises on films they’re not associated with, but Sriram Raghavan’s JOHNNY GADDAAR seems to be an exception. Although the film has under-performed at the box-office, several respected film-makers are extolling praises, calling it one of the finest films to hit the Indian screens in a long, long time.

“It’s an incredible film,” NO SMOKING director Anurag Kashyap tells me, “One of the finest thrillers to have come out of Bollywood.” Madhur Bhandarkar cannot stop praising the film. “It swept me off my feet. Sriram has done a fantastic job. And Neil is a star. Not only is he blessed with great looks, the level of performance is rare for a first-timer,” Madhur states.

Meanwhile, Adlabs is hopeful that the business would gather momentum in days to come since the word of mouth is very positive. “October 2 [Gandhi Jayanti] is a holiday and the business should show an upswing,” an Adlabs personnel told this writer.

Reel Buzz: What's Wrong If I'm Lesbian!

There are rumors that a Bollywood heroine is a lesbian. Freshly it is also said that she is spending longer time with females.

Can female fans feel free to move with her? They must be careful in this aspect. Gossips also say that she is getting disgust talking to men. It seems that she is keeping away from her boy friend as well these days.

But when asked about her behavior, as per unconfirmed news, she asked what is wrong in being a lesbian? Oh! She must be bringing a new revolution in this aspect. Is she going to be first Indian celebrity to claim her sexual right publicly?

She is the daughter of a yester years' hot heroine who hails from Bengal . Her nude clip shot by her boy friend also made rounds in internet.