Salman beats Abhishek, goes to Madame Tussauds

Salman Khan won the world famous attraction’s public poll by a landslide. He will be soon monumentalized in Madame Tussauds. London is surely delighted about it. Salman beat nine other stars namely, Madhuri Dixit, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherjee, Karan Johar, Kajol, Lata Mangeshkar, Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and John Abraham. Abhishek was the closest contender to Salman.

Salman has agreed to sit for Madame Tussauds sculptors in Mumbai. He will be the attraction’s fourth Bollywood figure, joining fellow Indian A-listers Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The figure will be officially unveiled early 2008; a final date is yet to be confirmed.

According to Ben Lovett, PR Manager for Madame Tussauds, “Over 10,000 fans and visitors voted in our poll, and we’re over the moon that Salman Khan is the winner. The Asian market is critical to our attraction and our association with Bollywood, particularly the launch of Shah Rukh Khan earlier this year, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Asians, from both the UK and abroad, visiting and enjoying Madame Tussauds. We hope to build upon this exciting relationship with the unveiling of Salman.”

Salman Khan commented: “I am touched and honored that my fans have chosen me to appear in Madame Tussauds and hope that the figure will bring much enjoyment to Bollywood followers the world over. I very much looking forward to visiting in the future and coming face to face with my likeness.”

Salman Khan next release is Bhansali’s Saawariya starring Rani Mukherjee and debutantes Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.

'Salman Khan surprised me'

Subhash Ghai's forthcoming directorial ventures, "Yuvraaj" and "Black and White", are slated to be big-budget affairs with Mukta Arts planning to put aside a corpus of Rs 500 million for them.

While Rs 400 million will go into the making of "Yuvraaj", starring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, the remaining sum will be used for "Black and White" with Anil Kapoor in the lead. "Yuvraaj" is expected to be ready for release in 2008-09, while "Black and White" will hit the screens this fiscal.

Yuvraaj is also special for Ghai as he buries the hatchet with Salman through this film. The actors was back last night after a 22-day-long schedule in Austria. Apart from his sense of humour Sallu gave interesting inputs to Ghai regarding the film's shots.

Ghai says, "It was the last day of our schedule in Austria and we didn't have any time left to shoot an important scene. I explained the scene to Salman where he had to pull Katrina towards him while she would be walking on the street with a friend.

Surprisingly, he improvised the scene by not just pulling Katrina towards him, but taking her off-camera and reappearing in front of the camera with ruffled hair.

It was so quick and spontaneous that the entire crew burst out laughing and I got a great shot!"

The other movies under the banner of Mukta Arts that are lined up for release are "Bombay to Bangkok" (directed by Nagesh Kukunoor), "Cycle Kick", "Right Yaaa Wrong" (starring Sunny Deol and Irfan Khan) and Marathi movie "Kaande Pohe".

Screen Talk: Salman Khan’s Prem kahaani

Salman Khan’s name in the soon-to-be-released film Marigold, is Prem.
While he is Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem (his character was called Prem in Maine Pyar Kiya , remember?) he is also Willard Carol’s Prem.
Salman Khan’s name in the soon-to-be-released film Marigold , is Prem. So when we asked him if he considers the name to be lucky, he laughed and said, “Actually my character is very close to the character I played in Maine Pyaar Kiya.
It has the same innocence and vulnerability. Now, I play the same guy after 17 years.” Director Willard Carroll thought that the name Prem suited Sallu best. Some prem kahani, this!

Sallu's generosity gets better

Salman's legendary largesse now comes in even bigger packages.

Just when we hear about how he had made Govinda a part of his extended family, there's a new story doing the rounds about a new wannabe director named Prem Soni who with much fear, approached Salman with the desire to direct a film.

"Do you have any scripts ready? Okay you've ten minutes. Narrate me an idea. And you are on," said Salman.

The nervous guy narrated an idea. And that's how he got the chance to direct Main Aur Mrs Khanna.

Sohail Khan who will produce the film has been shooting with his brother Salman in Pangong and Leh for Samir Karnik's Mera Bharat Mahaan.

Says Sohail, "It's true Bhai and I are on the constant look-out for scripts and directors for Sohail Khan Productions. Of course we've friends like David Dhawan. David has just done a great job with Partner.

But we need new talent. When Prem Soni who used to work for Star India, approached Salmanbhai he asked him to narrate an idea. He loved what he heard and sent Prem to me.We're now casting for the film."

Govinda has already been given the go-ahead to play the male lead.

Laughs Sohail, "Govinda is part of our family now. He's free to be in all our films."

As for his stint in Mera Bharat Mahaan Sohail explains, "I'm shown going a biking trip with Vatsal Seth. So it's basically the both of us throughout, though we both have leading ladies…fortunately."

Salman's toughest dancing jig

If all goes well, we'll be seeing Prabhu Deva and Salman Khan sharing screen a jig or a jive in Wanted Dead And Alive…and it 'And', not 'Or'

As the excited producer Boney Kapoor stresses. "We started shooting from 21 July with two songs in Bangkok and then rest of the film will be shot in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai."

Boney is specially excited by the fact that his leading man Salman and his director Prabhu Deva will have releases simultaneously on July 20.

"Salman has Partner and Prabhu's Telugu remake of Munnabhai MBBS with Chiranjeevi in the lead are being released on the same day. So to my delight Prabhu and Salman are bonded from the start."

Yes, Boney sees them shaking a leg together in Wanted Dead And Alive. "Though Prabhu's brother Raju Sundaram will be the official choreographer, I'm sure Prabhu will make a token appearance as a good-luck charm."

Wanted Dead And Alive is a remake of the Telugu hit Pokhiri. "But we're completely taking out the Telugu aspect of the theme. In spirit Pokhiri and its remake will remain the same. But in treatment the two films will be as different as Salman and Mahesh Babu who played the original role."

This would be Prabhu Deva's first Hindi directorial venture. Any apprehensions? "Not really. I've known Prabhu from the time he choreographed and danced with Madhuri in the number "Que Sera Sera' in Pukar. I know what he's capable of."

Blog: Making peace with Salman Khan

My Dear Salman,

You must be flush with the success of your latest movie, and given your superstar status, you may not care less, but I have a confession to make.

I have finally made my peace with you.

You may be shaking your head with incredulity, since you certainly have never heard of me, and probably never will, given the very different worlds we inhabit. However, I know all about you. From how your face has changed over the years (did even you realize that a year ago, your face had softened a bit around the edges, but has regained its chiseled look now), to the color of the shorts you wore in a certain song sequence to details of all your relationships. Before you start worrying about me being a stalker, let me lay you at rest. I am no stalker. Indeed I can't even say I am much of a fan of yours.

What I am is the husband of someone who is an incorrigibly devoted fan of yours.

Such a devoted fan that when I told her I had an idea of writing a piece about you, she grabbed me by the collar, threatening me not to make fun of you or your often shirtless status, something I do find a mildly amusing substitute for acting. On reading this line, she is now sulking next to me.

While I say that today I have made my peace with you, it wasn't always the case.

Some three years ago, when I first met my wife, I would bristle at times when she'd get all tongue-tied at the mention of your name or seeing a trailer for one of your movies. At that time, I must confess to having fallen prey to the green eyed monster more than once, feeling the helpless envy of a man who could never hope to compare with the larger than life persona of a superstar. A man whose feeble attempts at staying fit could never compare with your gym sculpted biceps and whose wisecracks could never compare with the wit and charm that comes with retakes and professional scriptwriters.

Over time, as our relationship blossomed and we got married, I began to see you as something I would have to accept as part of the territory. An occupational hazard of sorts, much as I suspect, she would view my bemoaning the difficulty of using the chainsaw bayonet in Gears of War on my Xbox 360 or boring her with outlines for my latest book.

Of late, as I've learnt what goes into creating a great relationship the only way one can- by immersing oneself in it every day, I have come to see you in a totally different light. I guess after a point, every relationship reaches a stage when one stops thinking what each individual enjoys more. What's important is just being together, and doing things together, whatever the excuse that brings that togetherness. So today I realize that seeing her eyes light up on seeing you on screen is not a threat, but indeed a treat, because seeing her happy is what matters more than my once insecure ego. I have learnt that being in love with one's partner and being a fan of a screen idol are not mutually exclusive.

In a real way, how I relate to you has mirrored, or perhaps even catalyzed, what I have learnt about relationships over the last couple of years.

So Salman, from someone who isn't even much of a fan, the very best of luck. Keep doing what you do best, and keep bringing a smile to the face of your fans- especially my wife.

Best regards,

Mainak

Hope Salman and Aamir are reading this

First there was Jai and Veeru. Then came Munna and Circuit. And now please welcome Prem and Bhaskar.

David Dhawan's 'common sense and nonsense' mascots in Partner are creating a laugh riot across screens all over the country. Never mind the critics David and his musketeers don't give a damn about them the verdict is crystal clear. Partner is a surefire hit.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Partner is unabashedly inspired by the Will Smith starrer Hitch but unlike the original, which was a romcom, David has treated Partner as a buddy flick. It's a smart move since the crackling chemistry between Salman Khan and Govinda holds the entire madcap enterprise. Watch the duo in the scene where Salman teaches Govinda to chill while dancing and you know that these two guys are the new pin ups for the buddy movie genre.

If Salman plays the uber cool dude to the hilt then Govinda is the personification of a filmi loser. Displaying great comic timing, both the actors play up the contrasts in their personas, make good-natured digs at each other and in the process bring down the house. The camaraderie doesn't seem forced and the laughs seem genuine too. The viewer has a great time because he can sense that the actors are having a great time together. All in all Team Partner deserve kudos for bringing e smiles back at the BO.

The success of Partner reaffirms Salman's smashing track record in two-hero projects. Salman is perhaps the only hero in the top league who has worked with most of his rival contemporaries and more often than not the films have been victorious at the BO. The most heartening aspect about Salman's two-hero projects is that there having hardly been any stories of power struggle or infighting with the other actor. No wonder Govinda calls him as “the most secure actor” he's worked with.

Salman's first double hero film was Saajan with Sanjay Dutt. A self confessed Sanju fan, Salman has also work with his idol in Chal Mere Bhai, Yeh Hai Jalwa and the aborted Dus. In all these enterprises, Salman's affection for “Baba” (as Salman calls him) comes across. He's been more than happy to be in Sanju's company.

Salman and Shah Rukh Khan made for successful combo in Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. The pairing works on many levels. While SRK's high voltage energy smacks you the moment he appears on screen, Salman on the other hand, slowly envelops the screen and makes you want to be his best friend.

I also love watching Salman and Akshay Kumar together. They kicked up a fabulous beach bash in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and were totally in forms in Jaan-E-Mann. In both their films, they've squared over a women. They do pose a tough choice for any girl since both of them are extremely good looking and stylish. There is also a healthy sense of rivalry between them, if you look closely you can see them sizing up each other, which of course has worked fabulously in their on-screen escapades.

Salman has also had a fruitful association with Anil Kapoor in Biwi No. 1, No Entry and Salaam-e-Ishq. Interestingly, in all these films, Salman and Anil have bonded over infidelity and marriage. There is great comfort between them and the films reflect that.

Salman has also paired off successfully with Sunny Deol (Jeet) and Saif Ali Khan (Hum Saath Hain). And of course who can forget Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam where Salman played the passionate lover to the hilt as opposed to Ajay Devgan's sacrificing husband? The one scene that they had together where Salman teaches Ajay to sing was just not enough. Sanjay Leela Bhansali should have given us more since the duo displayed fabulous rapport. Honestly, we felt cheated. I really hope that London Dreams is revived so that we can enjoy watching these two actors stir up a great musical rhapsody.

Last but definitely not the least, someone please order a sequel to Rajkumar Santoshi's cult classic Andaaz Apna Apna. Aamir Khan and Salman were born to play their Amar Prem avatars. Their comic one-upmanship antics were howlarious and their timing was perfects. This one is screaming for a second serve. Hope Salman and Aamir are reading this.