Hrithik to star in Anurag Basu's next

There's bad and good news for Hrithik Roshan's fans in 2008. Hrithik's next starrer would not be directed by his father. In fact, papa Roshan has decided to take a long sabbatical from direction.

But hold on. Rakesh Roshan is producing a film to start in July 2008 that will feature Hrithik in a never-before avatar. "It's an action thriller with a strong love story at its heart. Anurag Basu, whom both I and Hrithik think very highly of, is directing the film for us," reveals Rakesh Roshan a week before year-end, thereby putting an end to all wild speculation about the seriousness of Hrithik's knee injury.

It's been a time of turmoil for Hrithik Roshan. A troublesome knew injury finally decided to act up seriously. "The doctors told him he needed to rest the knee completely, and I mean completely, otherwise it would give way. The injury got aggravated from all the stunts in his recent films including Krissh. It got to a point where his knee gave way completely. The doctors said he had to take complete rest for two months or face the consequences," says concerned papa Rakesh Roshan. Hrithik who has just returned from two weeks in Singapore now leaves for the Gold Coast for further recuperation.

He returns to perform an intricate item number for his father's first non-Hrithik production Krazzy 4. "Well, people always wondered how I could make a film without Hrithik. So here he is, all set to do his career's first item song. My brother Rajesh Roshan has already recorded the song and I'm putting up an elaborate set for the song to be shot in March 2008. However, let me warn Hrithik's fans, if I feel his knee is not up to it, I won't shoot the song."

Aamir Khan to produce Delhi Belly

Much against everyone's expectations Aamir is far from sitting and relaxing after leaving no stone unturned with Taare Zameen Par. One will now find him channeling all his energies towards launching his nephew, Imraan in Jaane Tu, which is to be directed by Abbas Tyrewala.

Besides this, he is also working on Delhi Belly, an action comedy that's based in Delhi. This time, Aamir will only produce and not direct it. The film will be made in English and is aimed at international audiences. Moreover, if sources are to be believed, then, a Swedish guy will direct this film, with a crew based in US and Europe. Aamir met the director during the making of Taare Zameen Par.

Salman & I were never at war: Priyanka Chopra

2007 was a year of turmoil for Priyanka. There were legal and police hassles regarding financial endeavours. At home her dad struggled with a serious illness.

Sighs Priyanka, "There were other problems created by various people. I’ve accepted those as an inevitable part of each year.

The more popular you get the more the number of people who want to target you. That’s fine. It’s a professional hazard. You’ve got to take it in your stride.

But the best happening of the year was dad coming home from hospital hopefully whole and healed. On the professional front I had Salaam-e-Ishq at the beginning of the year and Big Brother later, both box office disappointments.

But I’m going to make up in 2008 with four to five releases beginning with the comedy God Tussi Great Ho with Salman."

Salman and Priyanka seem to have made up. "When were we ever at loggerheads?" she blinks diplomatically.

"In 2007 I completed two mega-marathons Drona and Love Story 2050. These two films took up a lot of time. The shooting for these films took extra time because of the special effects. I also hurt myself while shooting for Drona."

Arrogant Kareena trashes Priyanka!

Kareena's love-hate relationship with Priyanka Chopra seems to be far from over. In a recent interview with a leading tabloid she decalred herself the only actress in town besides Rani Mukerji.

When quizzed about her biggest competition Kareena responded, "The only actress of my generation that I really like is Rani. I don't see any other actresses."

And when the journo stopped her to name Priyanka and Bipasha who are doing reasonably well Kareena in all her 'humility' replied, "I said 'actresses".

"They are actresses…" the journo retorted to which Bebo said, "I only consider Rani to be an actress. "

Apparantly, Priyanka is miffed at the unnecessary dig at her but she has a much more balanced head on her shoulders and perhaps that's why she chose her words very carefully to respond to Kareena.

"Bebo is a more senior and hopefully more mature actress than me. I guess she’s qualified to comment on my calibre," says Priyanka and adds, "When I reach her level of experience maybe I too can comment on the calibre of my contemporaries and juniors. I’d just like to let my work speak for me. And that includes Aitraaz where Kareena was also a part.

So what’s the problem between Priyanka and Kareena anyway?

"I don’t know. From my end there’s none. I recently met her at a Diwali cards party. And she was fine with me. Only she can answer why she thinks so poorly of me.

As far as I’m concerned I think she was splendid in Jab We Met. I like to give credit where it’s due. And you know what? On some level it’s flattering when colleagues give you importance."

Priyanka gets introspective: "I love my work. I love my friends who are loyal to me. Nothing and no one else matters. I’ve already had enough to stress at home with my father’s illness. I’d like only positive energy to be spread through my work."

Though their rivalry goes a long time back but they briefly made up earlier this year when they appeared together on KBC 3 with Shah Rukh Khan, their Don.

However, their relations are now once again gone sour and the cold war is on...

'Sunday' to arrive a week earlier

With JODHAA AKBAR getting postponed to 15th February, a number of release dates are likely to get reshuffled. Producers with wisdom are bound to avert the clash and Kumar Mangat is one such producer.

Mangat’s forthcoming film SUNDAY, directed by Rohit Shetty and starring Ajay Devgan, Ayesha Takia, Irrfan Khan and Arshad Warsi, was initially slated for release on 1st February. Now that JODHAA AKBAR has been pushed ahead to February, Mangat has decided to re-schedule the release date of his film. In this case, the film has been preponed by one week. Instead of 1st February, the film will now release on 25th January.

Meanwhile, 2008 seems to be an eventful year for Kumar Mangat. The enterprising producer will have a series of films releasing this year, starting with SUNDAY [25th January], 123 [21st March], MONEY HAI TO HONEY HAI [23rd May] and HAAL-E-DIL [June]. All these films are Eros International presentation.

Avoiding the 'First Week' jinx

While on release dates, the makers of RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMAAA have decided to shift the film from 4th January to 18th January. Reason? The first week of January, for some reason, has proved unlucky for films. For some inexplicable and baffling reason, the first release of every year hasn’t worked at the box-office, year after year.

Take a look:
2007: Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamaana
2006: Jawani Diwani, 15 Park Avenue, Devaki
2005: Vaada, Rog, Yehi Hai Zindagi
2004: Ishq Hai Tumse
2003: Talaash
2002: Pitaah
2001: Galiyon Ka Badshah
2000: Mela, Bulandi
1999: Sikander Sadak Ka
1998: A dubbed film
1997: Aastha
1996: Himmat, Jurmana, Smuggler
1995: --
1994: Aasoo Bane Angaarey

Will Aamir act in his wife's film?

Aamir Khan is enjoying the current phase. People from all walks of life have been responding to TAARE ZAMEEN PAR in a big way. The actor-director has had private viewings of his film for friends/colleagues in the industry like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, Rajkumar Hirani, John Matthew Mathan and Aditya Chopra. In fact, so overwhelmed was Adi that he even sent an SMS to the actor, complimenting him on the outstanding effort.

Ask Aamir if he’d continue making films and the actor shoots back instantly, “If something excites me, why not? It could happen anytime. It could be next year or even after ten years. The script should excite me.” Meanwhile, wife Kiran is planning to make her directorial debut next. Will his production house produce the film? “I’d love to produce it, but she wants to make it on her own steam,” he says. And will he act in it? “I’d love to. It’s a fantastic script, but she has to take a call on whether she wants to cast me,” he retorts.

Meanwhile, Aamir has denied that Shankar has approached him to star in ROBOT, the film he was planning with SRK. “It’s a rumour,” he clarifies. What about DHOOM 3? Is he a part of it? “That’s another rumour,” he laughs.

Bobby signed for Karan Johar's next production

It's been a slow and steady climb for the langorous Deol. After losing out on plum assignments like Mani Rathnam's Yuva and Apoorva Lakhia's Mission Istanbul, Bobby Deol suddenly bounced back last year with a stellar performance in Yashraj Films' Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Though the film was a dud, Bobby was widely appreciated.

And now, from Yashraj, Bobby moves to another biggie. He is now been signed by Karan Johar for his untitled production to be directed by debutant Tarun Mansukhani. The film already has Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham in it. So, where does Bobby fit in?

"You wait and watch," promises Karan. "Bobby is going to surprise everyone in Tarun's film. We needed a certain presence and an actor with specific personality for one of the leads. Bobby fitted the bill. He's going to be the band mutthi of Tarun's film."

Priyanka Chopra who plays the female lead in this breezy romantic film is looking forward to working with Bobby. "He and I go back a long way. I've worked with both Bobby and Sunny. If Sunny was my hero in my first film The Hero, Bobby and I did Kismat and Barsaat together. He has a fabulous role in Karan's film,” enthuses Priyanka.

Noted filmmaker G. P. Sippy passes away Click here to add this article to My Clips

Veteran Bollywood producer G.P. Sippy breathed his last on December 25 at night after prolonged illness. He was 93 years old.

Sippy, a scion of rich Sindhi family, started his career selling carpets and then moved on to the construction industry when the Bollywood bug bit him. His Bollywood career flagged off with the film Sazaa in 1951 and then he followed it up with popular films like Brahmachari, Andaz and Seeta aur Geeta.

However, G.P.Sippy is best remembered for producing one of the biggest blockbusters of Hindi cinema – the magnum-opus-Sholay, directed by his son Ramesh Sippy, which released in 1975 and went on to break many records thereafter.

His other noticeable films include Saagar, Aatish, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Zamaana Deewana with his last film being Hamesha starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol.

The prominent filmmaker was also the chairperson of the Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India (FTPGI) on four occasions from the 70’s to the 90’s.

Arbaaz Khan's first female director

From Madhur to Madhurita…That's name of Arbaaz's first female director with whom he is doing a mature extra-marital drama entitled Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye. "Actually I already have a female director at home," jokes Arbaaz. "Malaika think she directs my entire life. But seriously, I was very impressed by Madhurita Anand's mature script about love marriage and adultery. It's got me and Raima Sen."

Arbaaz also has the main role with his brother Sohail in the home production Kissan, which Puneet Sira (who directed Sohail in I…Proud To Be An Indian) is directing. "It's a rural story and the problems caused by migration. Sohail and I play brothers, and that's the best part of it. Which reminds me, Malaika and I are together though only for an item song in Shaadi Ke Side Effects. I'm looking forward to doing a full-fledged film with her," chuckles Arbaaz.

The sudden upsurge in his career fills Arbaaz with optimism. "I had reached a point in my career where I thought nothing more would happen, and that it was time for me to pack up. Now I'm finally doing the work I'm comfortable in."

Hadbahedi is now Yahan Sab Theek Hai

Bobby Bedi's Rishi Kapoor starrer Hadbahedi that got its title from a village in Himachal Pradesh has undergone a name change.

"The film is now called Yahan Sab Theek Hai. We decided the earlier title was too much of a tongue twister," informs Rishi who is currently in one of the busiest phases of his career with a number of plum assignments including Raj Kanwar's Sadiyaan.

Says Rishi, "In Yahan Sab Theek Hai I get to play Rishi Kapoor. It is being directed by theatre personality Ranjit Kapoor. Priyanshu Chatterjee and Kulraj Randhawa play the romantic lead. The film has many actors from the National School of Drama. It's a wonderful experience working with all this new talent."

Photo Feature: Oldest Photograph of 1840

In 1814, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce created the first photographic image with a camera obscura, however, the image required eight hours of light exposure and later faded. Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre is considered the inventor of the first practical process of photography in 1837. That's what the history of still photography says.

The above photograph was taken somewhere in 1840 and it is archived in the oldest photographs documents now. So, this can be called the photograph that was taken in first phase in India. The ladies in this photograph were temple dancers (devadasis) as mentioned in a brief description along with this photograph.

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