LATA TO SING IN ASHA'S DEBUT FILM

Lata Mangeshkar has given her nod to sing a song in sister Asha Bhosale's film "MAAEE". The film is directed by Mahesh Kodiyal and Produced by Subhash Dawar and Nitin Shankar.

Reveals Asha, "Lata didi has agreed to sing the title track of my film Maaee and I am very happy."

The title track is yet to be recorded and will be scheduled as per Lataji's availability. The song has been composed by Nitin Shankar.

CRICKETER YUVRAJ - MERA NAAM KAREGA ROSHAN

Not many must have heard of cricketer Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, a menacing tear away fast bowler of his time, but could not make much of a mark as he had to compete with the legendary cricketer Kapil Dev and also due to his injuries.

For all those who are wondering as to why we are talking about cricket and ex-cricketer Yograj Sigh, we would like to acquaint them with the fact that Yograj Singh is quite a well known actor of Punjabi films and has acted in as many as 30 films. And he is just not a regional film actor as he was recently seen in Rakyesh Ompraksh Mehra's TEEN THAY BHAI as 'dadaji'.

However, for those who have not noticed the still handsome Yogaraj yet the good news is that he is all set to produce a film, tentatively titled MERA NAAM KAREGA ROSHAN. As per Yograj, his film will be about his father's wishes, his own struggle and also the achievement of his illustrious son, ace cricketer and man of the series of the recent World Cup that India won, Yuvraj Singh.

Here's wishing more success to Yograj Singh in his innings as an actor!

BOLLYWOOD BOX OFFICE REPORT - THIS WEEK

This week will see the release of Vipul Shah's Barnali Ray Shukla directed, "KUCCH LUV JAISAA". Of course there are a few lesser known projects like "COLLEGE CAMPUS", "ME MAMU & 7" etc. also listed for release but it will be the Shefali-Rahul starrer KUCCH LUV JAISAA that will take the pole position, especially with its 'hat ke' treatment and theme!

Last Friday's three releases, PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA, 404 and KASHMAKASH (dubbed), failed to cut much ice with the audience and it was just PKP that saw some patronage (stable with low end collections in the weekdays too), while 404 and KASHMAKASH failing from the first show itself.

The audience instead preferred the Hollywood release, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES and its dubbed version, SAMUNDER KE LOOTERE: EK ANJAAN RAHASYA.

AJAY DEVGAN MAKES HIS TELEVISION DEBUT

Indian television has managed to attract most of the Bollywood big wigs - be it for their movie publicity or judging a reality show or hosting it. This time, it has managed to beckon yet another Bollywood star Ajay Devgan, who will be seen co-hosting the third season of UTV Bindass's Emotional Atyachaar along with the host Pravesh Rana. Graciously stepping in after having been a guest last season, Ajay will add a layer of his captivating and dynamic persona on to the show. Ajay will personally review the stories, interact with the leads and give his views on where the story truly stands.

Confirming this news, Ajay Devgn says, 'I was a guest in Emotional Atyachaar last season's opening episode. This time around I will be co-hosting two episodes for the season 3. It was important for me to be on a show which I associated with.'

The third season of India's biggest youth reality show, Emotional Ataychaar 3 goes on air from 11th June.

AMITABH IN A NEW LOOK IN "BUDDAH HOGA TERA BAAP"

Amitabh Bachchan is looking uber-cool in his stylish avatar in Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and AB Corp's "BUDDAH-HOGA TERA BAAP" complete with scarves, jazzy shirts, designer denims, branded glares and even two watches!

Yes...two watches it is! And this was none other than Bachchan's personal touch to the styling of his character in the film.

Not many know that AB is very fond of wrist watches and is sometimes spotted wearing 2 at a time! So when he turned up wearing 2 watches on the first day of the BUDDAH shoot, he left everyone around amused by this unique style.

At that moment, director Puri Jagannadh came up with the idea of Bachchan sporting two watches throughout the movie considering his flamboyantly stylish character. Needless to say, Big B was more than happy to mix some of his own personal style with his on screen style and will be seen wearing two watches throughout the movie!

Going by Bachchan's larger than life persona, we think he is one of the few people who can carry such a quirky style with such elan!

BUDDAH will see AB return as the 'angry old man' in a role that the audiences have longing to see him in since ages! The movie hits theatres on 1st July.

IS SONAKSHI TRACING VIDYA'S FOOTSTEPS?

Sonakshi Sinha may be the flavour of this season given the fact that her debut film is still plucking awards here and there, but there is a parallel debate going on about this DABANGG girl and that has to do with the kind of roles that she has chosen to play.

Increasingly many industry insiders are tracing parallels between Sonakshi Sinha and Vidya Balan. Though the two actresses might actually belong to different generations, but it seems they have a lot in common.

Adds our source, "The reason for drawing comparisons between Vidya Balan and Sonakshi Sinha have their own logic. Firstly, like Vidya, Sonakshi is trying to project an image of the earthly heroine. Not only that, both Vidya and Sonakshi are reluctant to expose their bodies beyond a certain point. While, Vidya might have changed her ideas now given the fact that her upcoming film "THE DIRTY PICTURE" will have lot of skin show, Sonakshi for the moment seems to be overlooking this fact."

No one can deny that bollywood actresses who have tried to play safe have ended up paying big time and even changing their stand later, Sonakshi Sinha seems to be making the same mistake. Adds a bollywood veteran, "Vidya Balan has come a long way. Now, she has no issues with exposing her body. I think it dawned on her late that bollywood actresses with little sex-quotient don't make up for popular icons. Now, she is trying to go for an image makeover with THE DIRTY PICTURE."

Now, the onus is on Sonakshi to take a few tips from Vidya. Her ban on bikinis and exposing her body is not a success formula that worked with her apparent inspiration Vidya Balan, so most likely it won't work for her too.

SALMAN'S DABANGG WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Salman Khan couldn't have asked for more. As per the latest reports, his much popular film DABANGG, which has sweeped the maximum awards this year, has now bagged the wholesome entertainer award of 2010 at the prestigious 58th National Awards announced in New Delhi.

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor starrer DO DOONI CHAR won national award for best hindi feature film, while Vishal Bhardwaj's ISHQIYA won 2 National Awards - for best music and for best female playback singer, his wife Rekha Bhardwaj. Suresh Wadkar bagged the best playback singer male award.

The national award for best actor is shared by Malayalam actor Salim Kumar for ADAMINTE MAKAN AVU and Tamil actor Dhanush for AADUKALAM. Tamil filmmaker Veerimaran was named best director.

Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Paradhar and Tamil cinema's Saranya Privannan won the National Award for best actress for their performances in the films BABOO BAND BAAJA and THENMERKU PARUVAKKAATRU respectively.

ASIN'S BIKINI ACT IN "HOUSEFULL 2"

Good times times for actress Asin has started. After a lull in her career, her calendar suddenly looks overactive. Now, with READY opposite Salman all set to roll, the actress is also getting set to shoot for Sajid Khan's HOUSEFULL 2 soon.

But, amidst all this frenzy, Asin is harbouring a few dilemmas too. According to our sources, one of the biggest confusions Asin has for the moment is about her bikini act in HOUSEFULL 2 and the poor actress can't seem to decide.

Our sources further add, "Asin's dilemma is rooted in her earlier stand when she had not done any bollywood films. Over the years, Asin has cultivated an image of being true to her traditions, but it seems her brush with bollywood has shaken her fundamentals. Now, Asin knows that to survive in bollywood she has to have some hot-quotient too and donning a bikini might be the introductory step in that direction."

The issue now for Asin is how to take that plunge. Though, all reports and predictions seem to hint that Asin would have to strip-down in HOUSEFULL 2, but the actress seems to be undecided still. The confusion seems to be only getting complex by the day. Well, let's hope this two piece act is only one step away for Asin.

25 YEAR OLD MODEL TURNED ACTOR, KIRTI KULHARI IN "SHAITAN"

"SHAITAN" is becoming the talk of the town for its unusual promos but no one is more excited about its release than the 25-year-old model-turned-actor Kirti Kulhari, who is playing the role of a lower middle-class girl. She is the one who brings sense and sensibility to the frivolous group of youngsters and is the turning phase of the film.

Kirti Kulhari who has been the face of many a brands in the past stepped into cinema just a while back and made her debut in the film KHICHDI as Parminder. Kirti has also been a national badminton player in her school days in Mumbai. With no family connections in bollywood she maintains that, 'I'm finding my own way into meaningful films as I don't have a godfather'.

But meaningful cinema turned quite the opposite for her when she was shooting for one of the toughest scenes in the film, which was being shot in Navrang cinema. The scene required her to be really edgy, nervous, screaming a lot but she was feeling from that. What really got her into it was when shooting the scene, the slap that Gulshan was to give her, respectively, turned out to be a little realistic. The scene involved Kalki slapping her & while they were screaming at each other, Gulshan comes and slaps her & bangs her head on the wall.

The rehearsals of the same went fine, but during take the scene went slightly out of hand, where by mistake Gulshan really slapped her hard, which took her by surprise and before she could react, he banged her head to the wall hurting her head as well as she was not prepared. She broke down crying and all these reactions which came so naturally during that time were canned by the director and he mentioned that he would never get another take which was so real without realising that Kirti was actually hurt.

Though they took another take of the scene but this one has been retained in the film & one scene that Kirti will never forget in her life. 'I have scenes which were very tough. For me, it was a very disturbing experience. Because even though you are an actor, you don't always act, there are moments when you actually feel what is happening in a scene. Many a times during the shoot I cried to vent my emotions; it was very tough,' she said.

MAHESH BHATT MAKING FILM ON IRAQ

Bollywood most popular filmmaker, Mahesh Bhatt is currently making news for his first play as a producer that highlights the plight of the Iraqi people. The play titled: THE LAST SALUTE, is based on a book written by the Iraqi journalist Muntazer-al-Zaidi, who became world famous after hurling shoes on American president George Bush in 2008.

The play is getting rave reviews in India. Mahesh Bhatt had invited the Iraqi Journalist to watch the play in Delhi recently.

Speaking to us about his play, Mahesh Bhatt says, "It was heartening to see the response to this play. It is for the time that we are looking beyond the biased media reporting and touching the real issues that the people of Iraq are beset with. Sometimes I feel if I as a filmmaker can see what is happening in Iraq, I wonder why the media can't fathom the real issue."

So, would we see him making a film on this play that depicts the angst of the Iraqi people, the filmmaker adds, "It would really need courage to make a film on this subject. At the moment I am trying to showcase my play to more people and we are planning to take it to Dubai soon."

Mahesh Bhatt, who has always been vocal about the plight of the Iraqi people, has taken the lead to bring the suffering of the Iraqi's on a public platform.

SALMAN WITH KATRINA IN THEIR NEXT MOVIE "EK THA TIGER"

Bollywood superstars, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will now be seen in Yash Raj Films next movie, EK THA TIGER , especially in the times when they are no longer a pair in real life.

"The million dollar question is - 'Will they able to be pull it off in the film?' Despite being actors, it is difficult for anyone to be normal in front of the camera when there has been so much speculation around their personal relationship for all this while. Also, even on screen they haven't been dynamite either with YUVVRAAJ, their only true blue romantic tale, being a disaster," says a trade analyst.

Salman and Katrina had come together in MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA as well which was a success but then didn't have any moments of any on-screen chemistry being ignited as it was a comedy instead of being a romance drama. Also, their biggest hit together till date, PARTNER, had Kat paired opposite Govinda.
"Please don't bring in the talk about 'chemistry' without knowing what EK THA TIGER is all about. Do you even know what Salman and Katrina do in the film," says a close associate of the two actors when asked if he feels audience would be deprived of chemistry between the two.

He even grows on to throw a salvo, "A bad film like YUVVRAAJ couldn't have been salvaged by any actor, leave aside the two of them. It is the power of script that brings in chemistry and Yash Raj Films along with director Kabir Khan can well be expected to have done their home work well."

AAMIR KHAN TO HOST A CHAT SHOW

Now Bollywood superstar, Aamir Khan will be on a TV show. The maverick Khan has been approached to host a chat show and if sources are to be believed, Aamir has agreed upon the proposal.

The show is believed to be on the lines of the hugely popular The Oprah Winfrey show and if all goes well, Siddharth Basu`s Big Synergy will produce it for Aamir.

As far as the details about the show are concerned, the programme will largely addresses the common man`s problems. Khan is said to have warmed up to this concept, as it deals with issues pertaining to the ordinary citizens of the country.

The format undertakes picking one person from the multitude and talking about any issue, injustice or a personal problem that the person is dealing with.

The show will begin with a documentary on the person`s life and the issue that he is grappling with. Following that, there would be a segment where Aamir would interview the person concerned in a packed studio.

Well, it definitely sounds interesting, let’s see how the show fairs once it debuts on TV!

VINAY PATHAK WILL BE SEEN AGAIN IN "BHEJA FRY 2" ON JUNE 17

Joining the ranks of legendary comic franchises is BHEJA FRY with Bollywood's very own tramp Bharat Bhushan!

Following in the footsteps of Hollywood's massively successful Charlie Chaplin series and Peter Seller's PINK PANTHER - the comic adventure that takes us through the antics of a bumbling but good-hearted character is India's first full fledged comic franchise - Sagar Ballary's BHEJA FRY!

After the runaway success of the comic caper BHEJA FRY comes the sequel BHEJA FRY 2 that guarantees to have audiences laughing off their seats. The film promises to carry the mad antics of Vinay Pathak to a higher plain on a much larger canvas than BHEJA FRY Part I

Says a trade source, "Sequels are produced with the hope being that the existence of the original movie provides a built-in audience for the follow-up movie. However very few understand that the film needs to really have a strong connect and fan following - BHEJA FRY has that potential. Audiences looked forward to a sequel right after the film released."

This time around the good hearted but not worldly-wise, tax inspector, Bharat Bhushan (Vinay Pathak) is back to fulfill his long cherished dream of becoming a singer. To further his ambition he enters a game show hoping to win a cash prize with which he can make his own music album. Eventually Bhushan goes on to win the competition which also gifts him a free stay on a cruise ship.

17th June, get ready for BHEJA FRY 2 a roller coaster comic adventure aided by bigger budgets and a bigger starcast that promises to be even bigger, madder and funnier than ever before.

PRAKASH JHA'S UPCOMING MOVIE "AARAKSHAN"

The local authorities demolished a major set of Prakash Jha's upcoming film "AARAKSHAN"in Bhopal. The demolition was ordered by the District Magistrate's office. Patchwork scenes with Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan were scheduled to be shot on the set later this month.

Prakash Jha Productions had taken land on lease from the Minal Residency Group, not realizing that it was disputed property.

From end-January till end of March shooting continued on the constructed set.

The set that has been demolished included an entire bungalow that belongs to the character played by Mr. Amitabh Bachhan in the film and parts of the tabela, where informal schools were set up in the film. This particular set was spread over an acre and a half of land.

Prakash Jha, "We had no idea that the land where we had constructed was disputed. But I do feel that even though the demolition had to go through, the authorities knew we had constructed only temporary structures for the purpose of shooting. Why demolish it? It would have been dismantled within a month. Everyone in Bhopal knew it was a set. The demolition has definitely upset our plans. The reason we had left the set standing was because there were a couple of patchwork scenes with Saif and Deepika that remained to be shot. Now we have to work out alternative arrangements."

ADM Bhopal, Mr. Rajnish Shrivastava, "It was an illegal structure, so it was demolished. The High Court had directed us to demolish the structure. We did what we were supposed to, because the construction on that area was not legal."

AKSHAY KUMAR TO SING FOR "KHATRON KE KHILADI 4"

Bollywood action hero, Akshay Kumar is going to lend his voice for the title song of his upcoming action-adventure reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi 4".

"Akshay is singing a couple of opening lines," said a source from Colors channel.

The title song will be turned into a music video featuring all the contestants for the fourth season of the show, which has been shot in Cape Town, South Africa.

For this season, the channel has chosen 13 female celebrity participants -- each teamed up with a male partner.

The celebrity participants include former Indian women`s cricket captain Anjum Chopra, models Diandra Soares, Alesia Raut and Poonam Pandey, actresses Aarti Chhabria, Smita Bansal and Aashka Goradia, item girls Sambhavna Seth and Kashmera Shah, two VJs - Bani and Mia Uyeda, singer Mauli Dave and Dina Singh who is actor Vindu Dara Singh`s wife.

"Khatron Ke Khiladi" is the Indian version of the internationally hit show "Fear Factor", and involves dangerous tasks involving height and even creepy crawlies. It is expected to go on air in June.

KAJOL WANTS TO BE A PERFECT MOTHER

Bollywood famous actress, Kajol seems to have decided against doing films this year. Like before, Kajol has once again decided to give her family precedence over her films.

Kajol who is active on the ad front revealed this plan of not doing films recently. According to her, "I would not be doing any films this year. Yes, on the ad front I will be active but as far as my films are concerned, I have decided to take a break and spend time playing the role of a perfect mother instead."

Kajol is also excited about the way her hubby's career is going from success to success. Talking about Ajay Devgan, Kajol adds, "Ajay has constantly evolved as an actor, a star and as a person and he deserves all the stardom and success that is coming his way. After all he has always been one of the finest actors in the industry."

Well, after winning herself a Padma Shree and a Filmfare last year, it seems Kajol can afford to sit on her laurels for the moment.

"PAAR KA PUNCHNAMA" RELEASING ON MAY 20, 2011

Bollywood new movie, "PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA" explores the beauty of love, the bliss of love, the enchantment in love, till you actually get into it! "It is them we wanted, till we wanted them no more" - Rajat, Chaudhary and Liquid, three best friends utter these same cries. You always envy the man with a girl, till you find your own and then you wonder if this is what is called - a woman, a shouting, moody, crazy being!

Rajat, Chaudhary and Liquid are stuck in heir boring jobs and crave for women to add some spice into their lives. The unfortunate Rajat soon finds one - Neha, she is everything that he ever wanted! It is all so good and rosy; till Rajat gives into a misunderstanding of Neha's and moves in to live with her. Till then Neha was a part of his life, but now Neha is his only life! Chaudhary meets Riya when he helps his acquaintance Varun, by getting his girlfriend Riya, a job. Oh how well they get along - Chaudhary and Riya, why she is stuck with Varun, she wonders. Her wonderment takes a real turn and Riya becomes chaudhary's girlfriend, for he understands her; simple. Liquid is extremely happy on finding Charu at work, the first and only girl he has ever spoken to in his whole life. Charu adores him but only as her best friend.

At the end of it all you can just say that 'something changed you till you stopped recognizing yourself!' voice Rajat, Chaudhary and Liquid. Is that a danger warning? They wonder - What does your brain tell you at this moment - run, run, run for your life, my man! We men can say today that our success is any day greater than that of our fathers; they were successful because of the women in their lives, we are successful in spite of the ones we have!

SOUTH INDIAN SUPERSTAR, "RAJNIKANTH" HOSPITALIZED

Bollywood and South indian actor, Rajnikanth is suffering from both allergic bronchitis and high fever.

He was admitted earlier on Friday last owing to dehydration induced exhaustion.

After the phenomenal success of ROBOT (ENDHIRAN), which was dubbed in Hindi as well, the southern actor has started working on his new film RANA with Deepika Padukone in Chennai.

He plays three roles in the film on the Mahurat sets of which he fell sick on April 29 and had to be hospitalized first.

NANA PATEKAR'S "SHAGIRD" IS ALL SET TO RELEASE ON MAY 13

 

Bollywood famous actor, Nana Patekar's solo lead film, "SHAGIRD" is all set to release on 13th May.

SHAGIRD is a fast- paced action thriller cop drama that unfolds in the capital city of Delhi amidst the nexus of cops politicians & the mafia.

Delhi Crime Branch Officer Hanumant Singh (Nana Patekar) - a respected yet feared officer whose tactics and ethics are questionable, mentors Mohit (Mohit Ahlawat) a new junior officer in his team Their ideologies cross paths when a notorious gangster Bunty Bhaiya (Anurag Kashyap) enters the fray.

Together, Hanumant Singh & Bunty Bhaiya work for a power hungry politician Rajmani Singh (Zakir Hussain), who rules the state using unethical means and will not let anything or anyone come in his way.

In this nexus, who stands right and who stands wrong? Who crosses the line in the grey zone of law, crime & politics? Who wears a mask and who comes out a winner forms the rest of the story.

Find out when the film releases on 13th May.

POPULAR TV STAR SULAGNA PANIGRIHI IN "MURDER 2"

The fact that the Bhatt camp has always given bollywood its most memorable talent is something no one can deny. Keeping this trend in mind, the Bhatt camp is all set to unveil their fresh discovery in the soon to be released film "MURDER 2".

Mohit Suri's sequel to MURDER will introduce Sulagna Panigrihi as one of the central characters. Sulagna, who has earlier worked extensively in various popular television serials is kicked about her debut role.

Talking about her shift from TV to films, Sulagna seems to be quite clear in her choice. Says she, 'I won't deny that television has given me a popular identity. But having spent four years in this industry, I was looking at a good film break and that was when MURDER 2 came my way. I am extremely fortunate to be part of this film which has shaped up extremely well and I am happy to have bagged one of the central roles in the film.'

Sulagna has earlier been part of popular TV shows like AMBER DHARA, DO SAHELIYAAN and BIDAAI.