Priyanka Chopra: Bajirao Mastani is a Milestone in My Life

Priyanka Chopra in a still from Bajirao Mastani.

 

Priyanka Chopra gets emotional as the shooting of Sanjay Leela Bhanasali's period drama Bajirao Mastani comes to an end. She was juggling between her shooting schedules in Los Angeles, where she is working on TV series Quantico and Mumbai, to complete the shoot of the film and is thankful to the director for giving her a 'a milestone' in her life

Alia Bhatt Would 'Love' to Play This Pakistani Singer in Biopic

Alia Bhatt photographed at an event in Mumbai.

 

"I would love to do biopic on Pakistani pop sensation Nazia Hassan who died at an early age of 35. She was a singer and I am a singer too, so it will be interesting. I did not think much about it but I think I should do it now," Alia told reporters at a media interaction in Mumbai

Aishwarya's 'Comeback' Jazbaa in Its Opening Weekend is Rs 15.24 Cr

A still from Jazbaa.

 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's comeback movie Jazbaa has shown consistent performance at the box office over the weekend, with Sunday collections being Rs 5.52 crores. With its first weekend collection figures, Jazbaa continues to lag behind movies like Katti Batti (Rs 16 crores) and Hero (Rs 21 crores)

Vaani Kapoor is Befikre Heroine. She Has 'Waited and Waited' For It

Vaani Kapoor has been zeroed in for Aditya Chopra's Befikre.

 

Vaani, who's first and last (so far) Bollywood venture has been the 2013 Yash Raj production Shuddh Desi Romance, opens up about the "tuff" years she has had since her debut which also starred Parineeti Chopra and Sushant Singh Rajput. She confesses that while she expected offers to pour in, the scenario was just opposite.

Deepika on Fighting Depression: It's Important to Know There's Hope

Deepika Padukone at the inauguration of her NGO.

 

"We need to stigmatize mental illness and spread awareness about it. I know in the current scenario we lead stressful lives but you have to keep reminding yourself that it is important to live, love and laugh. After all that is what life is all about," Deepika said during the launch of her foundation Live Love Laugh

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Very Happy With Court's Selection For the Oscars

Nawazuddin Siddiqui photographed at an event in Mumbai.

 

"I am very happy that Court has been selected as India's official entry at the Oscars. It is a wonderful film and it is amazing that a very fine movie has been selected. Sometimes the selection is great and sometimes it is not that good but this time it has been a very good choice," said Nawazuddin

Suniel Shetty: Bollywood Should Make More Films Like Mary Kom

 

 

"I feel Bollywood should make more movies on Indian sports personalities, just like 'Mary Kom', which is a trendsetter film," Suniel said at Omung Kumar's birthday party. After movies on boxer MC Mary Kom, sprinter Milkha Singh, athlete Paan Singh Tomar, there are more biopics in the offing

Salman Khan Reportedly Robbed by 4 Girls in Mumbai Nightclub

Salman will soon be seen on the silver screen in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

 

While the other 'fangirls' kept Salman occupied, one of them was apparently busy collecting his belongings. Salman, 49, has reportedly refused to file a First Information Report (FIR), but has asked for his security cover to be increased.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan was reportedly mugged by a group of four girls who disappeared with his wallet, sunglasses and 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan pendant,' while he was obliging them with a picture. (Also Read: Sultan First Look: Salman Khan is Bare-Chested, Spoiling for a Fight )

The incident reportedly occurred a few days ago in a nightclub in a Mumbai suburb. While the other girls kept Salman occupied, one of them was apparently busy collecting his belongings. Salman, 49, has reportedly refused to file a First Information Report (FIR), but has asked for his security to be tightened.

Meanwhile, the actor is busy prepping for his upcoming film Sultan, the first look of which was shared by him on Twitter on Friday. Rumour has it that actress Parineeti Chopra has been approached for the role of his leading lady in the Ali Abbas Zaffar-directed film which is likely to release on Eid in 2016.

He will soon be seen on the silver screen in Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo opposite Sonam Kapoor.

 

Bollywood Wishes 'Evergreen, Inspiring' Rekha on 61st Birthday

Rekha was last seen on the silver screen in a cameo in Shamitabh

Known for her roles in films like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khubsoorat, Silsila, Utsav and Khoon Bhari Maang, Rekhaji also received the Padma Shri, India fourth highest civilian honour. She was last seen in a cameo in Shamitabh

Bollywood celebrities wished evergreen actress Rekha on her 61st birthday. While some called her 'ageless', others said they found her 'inspiring.'

Known for her roles in films like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khubsoorat, Silsila, Utsav and Khoon Bhari Maang, Rekhaji also received the Padma Shri, India fourth highest civilian honour. She was last seen in a cameo in Shamitabh.

Here is what the stars tweeted:

 

Salman Khan to Priyanka Chopra: 'All the Best' For Quantico

Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra photographed in Mumbai.

 

Bollywood Reacts to Paint Attack on Columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni

Sudheendra Kulkarni speak to the media in Mumbai on October 12. (Image courtesy: AFP)

 

Members of the film fraternity including Mahesh Bhatt, Rishi Kapoor and Sona Mohapatra have strongly criticised the paint attack on former journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai

Members of the film fraternity including Mahesh Bhatt, Rishi Kapoor and Sona Mohapatra have strongly criticised the paint attack on former journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising a former Pakistan minister's book launch in Mumbai.

Rishi Kapoor said that the act is "unpardonable" while Mr Bhatt noted that it not only brings shame on to the society, but also "debunks our claims to be a democracy". (Also Read: Rishi Kapoor on Meat Ban and 'Radhe Baby' in Long Expected Tweet)

The stir created after the cancellation of Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's concert is yet to die down when some suspected Shiv Sena workers attacked Mr Kulkarni, allegedly for organising an event to launch a book by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

The incident happened when Mr Kulkarni was leaving his home in south-central Mumbai on Monday morning. A group of around a dozen alleged Shiv Sena activists threw black paint on him.

 

Neil Nitin Mukesh: Rajshri’s cinema is so pure that it will never be outdated

Renuka VyavahareRenuka Vyavahare,TNN | Oct 13, 2015, 12.00 AM IST

Modest, humble and well-spoken, Neil Nitin Mukesh has been roped in by Sooraj Barjatya to play a grey character in his forthcoming Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP), but in real life, Neil embodies the good old values of a quintessential Rajshri hero to the T.
Excerpts from a chat...
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is your first film with Rajshri Productions. Going by their sensibilities, who among the cast was the most gharelu on set? The director and captain of the ship, Soorajji, is the most gharelu. On the first day of my shoot, I just couldn't believe that this is the kind of atmosphere in a Sooraj Barjatya film. There's so much peace, no noise or no extra shouting around. In my career, right from a child actor to an assistant director and then a lead actor, I have done various films and gone through the rigmarole of working with directors who have been extremely temperamental. Coming from there and getting into a Barjatya film was a completely new experience. Initially, I was very confused, wondering if Soorajji was liking my work or not because he would never say anything. There was never a shout or a scream. He would just nod or smile. The smile would be there even if he was upset about work not going his way. I think what I learnt from him was the art of patience. Initially, I thought it was a lie, a facade, as it was too good to be true till I realised that actually we were the lies on his set because that's how his upbringing is. That's how his films reflect the values that are inculcated in him. Working with him has been a dream come true for me.
READ: Consider myself lucky to work with Salman, Sooraj: Neil Nitin Mukesh
How was it playing a negative role in a Barjatya film? Most of the characters that I have played are grey but not completely bad. Even Johnny (in Johnny Gaddaar) isn't bad. It's the situation that makes him do things. Soorajji approached me keeping that in mind. He judged me as an audience more than a director and that's when he offered me this role. My character in PRDP is a rebel with a cause. He's got a reason behind doing what he is doing. There is so much angst in him. He is the younger stepbrother (of Salman), who is rebellious. He's so layered. It's one of my most difficult characters as for roles like these, you have to make sure that your fellow onscreen characters hate you but your audience relates to you, understands you and falls in love with you. To strike that balance is the most difficult thing.

You were 12 years old when you saw Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). I was 12 and on our insistence, my mother bought us three tickets for HAHK in black for Rs 1,500, which was really unaffordable back then. My dad was travelling abroad for shows at that time. My mom was given a monthly expenditure (Iss mahine ka kharcha itna. Uss samay Rs 1,500 picture ke liye kharch karna bahut badi baat thi). She still bought those tickets to not disappoint us. On our way back home, she said to me in the taxi, 'I know you hope to become an actor, so I am hoping that one day you work with these guys (Rajshri). These are the kind of films you are supposed to be doing.'
Were you apprehensive that Rajshri's 'melodramatic family template' may seem dated for today's audience? Not at all. In fact, I feel it's a major clutter-breaker. Unfortunately in our cinema, if we have one hit film, people tend to follow that pattern for the next 10 films. Rajshri designs their pattern. Their cinema is their cinema. When you are entering their world, you are very aware of doing so. The risk you take is a very calculated risk as you know you want to be a part of their world. For me, their cinema is so pure that it will never be outdated. I tell this to everybody I meet. How much money does it cost to buy happiness? You can't. Maybe a guy having bhel puri on the road would be happier than me sitting in a restaurant having a seven-course meal. Similarly, happiness is something that all of us want and Soorajji's films teach you that. They open your eyes and show that there is more to life than just running behind something that might not make you happy. I've done a lot of thrillers in my life but I am the biggest sucker for love stories and family dramas. That is what Indian cinema has always revolved around.
You recently spoke about imitating Salman Khan on the set of PRDP. Did you try imitating the leading lady Sonam Kapoor as well? I have worked with Sonam in Players before. This is our second film together. She has a lovely sense of humour, but you have to be careful sometimes. You have to know her mood and analyse her. When she is happy and you mimic around, she will take it sportingly, but otherwise you have to be careful.
Both you and Salman are close to your families. Was this a perfect amalgamation of people coming together in a film that propagates family values? We are Indians. We are raised with great family values. Our culture is such and somewhere our films reflect that. However, films are also a medium that breaks the norms and transports you into a world or a space which is make-believe. It could be a genre like Johnny Gaddaar, so I might not be like the person I portray onscreen but films are art and at the end of the day, it's my bread and butter. I have to do it. PRDP is the first film that comes close to probably what my culture or upbringing really is.
In an ensemble cast (like PRDP), everyone must have a different style of working. How did you hit the right note? Luckily for me, I started my career with an ensemble cast in Johnny Gaddaar, followed by Players and New York. So I have the experience. The best you can do is not get bothered about anybody. Irrespective of what people say to you. Just hear it and leave it. Do what you believe in because it's easier to advise than to follow and filmmaking is a craft where you don't shoot linear. It is non-linear, so you are the only person who's actually keeping a tab on your character from start to end. There are many gyaanis, who share their gyaan. At the end of the day, you should know what you want to do with your character.

Shahid Kapoor: Vikas Bahl's Films Always Have a Happy Vibe

Shahid Kapoor photographed in Mumbai.

 

"If you can't get along with the people with whom you are working with for 40 days, it turns out to be worse for you. Thankfully, the whole crew was very young so it was very easy to bond with them. And we used to go out and party a lot," said Shahid

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is gearing up for his upcoming film Shaandaar co-starring Alia Bhatt, said that his director Vikas Bahl's films always have a happy vibe. "While we were shooting for Shaandaar, the atmosphere was really wonderful. Alia and I immediately got along very easily and also our director Vikas Bahl is a man of positive nature," said Shahid. "Vikas is always easy going, cool and composed on the set. I feel his nature his films always have a happy vibe," he added.(Also Read: Vikas Bahl: Intention of Filmmaking Should Be Making Money) When Shahid was asked about his experience of working with the crew of Shaandaar abroad, he said: "If you can't get along with the people with whom you are working with for 40 days, it turns out to be worse for you. Thankfully, the whole crew was very young so it was very easy to bond with them. And we used to go out and party a lot. I have never worked with a team who really loved partying so much."

Ahead of Edinburgh Speech, Shah Rukh Khan Reveals 'Biggest Learning' of His Life

Shah Rukh Khan photographed in Mumbai.

SRK, who has been busy filming Rohit Shetty's Dilwale in Hyderabad, revealed that he had been shooting continuously after which he left for Edinburgh on the same day. Life is indefinitely 'full and fast.' Dilwale, expected December, also stars Kajol, opposite SRK

'Heartbroken' Rishi Kapoor Fell For Neetu Singh After Tiff With Girlfriend

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh have been married for over 35 years

 

"I remember I had an argument with my girlfriend at the time and I was very heartbroken. Trying to win her back, I had taken Neetu's help in writing telegrams to my girlfriend. As time passed, I began to realise that Neetu is the one for me as I began to miss her when I had gone to Europe for a shoot," Rishi Kapoor said.

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, who has been married to actress Neetu Singh for over 35 years now, will share the secret about how he fell in love with her while appearing on actor Anupam Kher's TV show.

Rishiji, who has son Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Riddhima Kapoor with Neetu, will be seen on The Anupam Kher Show - Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, where he will talk about the shooting days of 1974 film Zehreela Insaan and how he met his wife Neetu and how he fell in love with her.

"I remember I had an argument with my girlfriend at the time and I was very heartbroken. Trying to win her back, I had taken Neetu's help in writing telegrams to my girlfriend while the two of us were shooting for Zehreela Insaan," Rishi Kapoor said in a statement.

"As time passed, I began to realise that Neetu is the one for me as I began to miss her when I had gone to Europe for a shoot. Ironically, I sent her a telegram from Europe to Kashmir saying that I was thinking of her," he added.

The episode featuring the 63-year-old will be aired on Sunday.

 

 

NEWS FROM BOLLYWOOD:

DR SHAHRUKH KHAN

Bajrangi Bhaijaan to Release in Romania

 

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A still from Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan features Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and child artiste Harshaali Malhotra in pivotal roles. The film depicts the journey of a man who discovers love and affection while taking a Pakistani speech-impaired girl back to her country

Filmmaker Kabir Khan's film Bajrangi Bhaijaan will release in Romania on October 23.

The film will release across 14 screens with Romanian subtitles. The Romanian poster designs of Bajrangi Bhaijaan will also be attached.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan features Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and child artiste Harshaali Malhotra in pivotal roles

'Shaandaar' U/A; Rom-Com Director: Vikas Bahl Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Pankaj Kapur, Sanah Kapur Rating: 

What do you call a film that seems so dizzy-headed that it doesn't know where it is headed, or wait, perhaps so sure of itself that takes a strut towards that forbidden area of superiority complex? It takes two long hours (which feels longer) for one to gauge which category 'Shaandaar' falls into. But by the end of it, you stop caring.

Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in 'Shaandaar'. Pic/Santa Banta

This film is supposedly a fairy tale with a quirky take. One would naturally expect dollops of delight, but ironically and disappointingly, Shaandaar chooses to kill us with clichés than charm us with its idiosyncrasies.

Alia (Alia Bhatt), is a nerdy, intelligent, chirpy young woman who has a yawningly predictable back story, narrated to us through Naseeruddin Shah's velvety voice. It is this voice that also informs us of some hotchpotch theory of Alia being an insomniac who hasn't slept for the last 25 years and that some day, some man will put her to sleep. She is crazy about her dad Bipin Arora (Pankaj Kapur) and sister (Sanah Kapur), but hates her mother (Nicki Aneja Walia) and conniving grandmother (Sushma Seth). You know it is a case of unimaginative casting when Seth is cast as a rich, wily woman with a pearl necklace around her neck. She must be sleepwalking through such roles by now.

Alia meets Jagjinder Joginder (Shahid Kapoor) just days before her sister's wedding in a dreamy castle. And guess what, the spirited and good hearted JJ is also an insomniac. While he constantly spars with Alia's protective father, he bonds with her over their lack of sleep and 'inability' to dream.

The fairytale setting, though seen often in rom-coms set in England, is perfect with the said castle, yards of greenery around it and platters and platters of colourful cupcakes and other such goodies making the rounds. However, what is sorely missing is the magic that generally comes along with such settings and a romantic story woven around it.

Shahid and Alia, being the talented actors that they are, make a lovely pair. In fact, one scene where they spend an evening together just goofing around is so lovely that it wistfully tells us about what this movie could have been, if the makers didn't have their head stuck in the clouds. Hope to see this pairing in a better setting. Pankaj Kapur, undeniably a brilliant actor, does his job pretty well. Sanah is confident and endearing.

The story lacks imagination, the screenplay is shoddy and the dialogues unfunny. Some humour goes unlaughed at and rest goes undigested. For instance, there's a scene where it is hinted that a respected business magazine takes money to put people on their covers, and another one when a young lad sets his grandma on fire.