Latest Gossips From The Cinema World
Latest Gossips From The Cinema World

Vijay of Zanjeer pays his tribute to film maker Prakash Mehra, who gave him that big break!  It is Amitabh who speaks his heart out, after reading the news of Prakash Mehra’s death. “What is it about death that draws one away into a vaccum and then starts filling it up with memories of nostaglia? It was early 1971 when I first met Prakashji at the Raj Kamal studios. He had come to ask me to work for his first home production film Zanjeer. Salim-Javed who had written the script had suggested my name to him.  He hada few successes as an individual director with the stars of the day-Dharamji and Shashiji, and wanted to go independent.

That first meeting translated into a relationship, much documented now, in the annals of Hindi cinema history. Prakash Mahra was an all-rounder in his craft. he was first a writer, and coming from the North, had a great sense of the language. Writers gain recognition because of their inert story-telling capcity, and that was Prakashji’s forte.  He was  a teller of stories that imbibed the qualities of drama and emotion and the farcical-all within the content of our rich national moral, culture and ethics.  All of his films contained sufficient quantities of this. He was also a gifted lyricist, which many were unaware of.

He was a singer too, and many of the tunes which were selected for his songs were actually sung by him to give the music directors what form or tenor he expected. What he did not posses or what he paid scant respect to was technology.  Complicated cameras, editing jugglery, excessive reliance on cinematic calisthenics,  were distasteful to him.  ‘Log Kahani dekhne Aayenge, Camera Ki Kabaddi Nahin,’ was his repeated refrain. He would place the camera at a spot and allow the scene to progress for as long as the artists could go. When we erred, he would not ask for a retake. He would only cut the shot and move  closer or at a different    angle, and ask us to continue from where we last stopped.

His early years of  apprenticeship with some of the most proiminent makers of the time, had perhaps insulated him from any of the modern techniques.  He was a simple man who came from humble beginnings. His commercial success never ever betrayed his respect for the people that he grew up with or with those that remained with him during his phenomenal journey.He addressed me enddearingly as ‘Lalla’ as did I him and each time he would  be impressed by the shot that I gave, he would  quietly walk up to me and kiss my forehead. He had an air of fun and comedy around him, and many a humorous moments in his films were on the spot instincitve introductions, though his own suppressed laughter , during the time of its enactment once the cameras were rolling, remained a perennial distraction for the atrist and more particularly for the sound recordist.

ON many an occasion, we had to plead with him to leave the set in order to be able to can the shot without interruption. He remained my neighbour thorughout his film career, sympathetic and caring in the moments of distress and exuberant in our moments of joy.  He named hsi second son Amit after me, and reamined a proud father to his other two, Sumeet and Puneet. he bore the trauma of his ailing wife, lying in coma for years at his house with great fortitude. We have indeed lost a great film maker and a wonderful human being, Lalla I shall miss you , may you remain in peace, where ever you are.” Amitabh Bachchan.

Controversies never seem tostop chasing PriyaMani, but the National Award winning acress, isn’t perturbed by them.  First, there is a report that she would be on the cover of a well known men’s magazine after she sported a swimsuit in the Telugu film Drona. ” Yes, I’ve heard the news, but the magazine never appraoched me. I’ve previouly been on the cover of many regiona magazines and its always a pleasure to so exclusive shots,” she says.

There was also another news doing the rounds, about the actress being paid 20 lakhs, in addition to her remuneration for her Drona act, but since the film didn’t do well, the producer didn’t honour the payment. “Its false, I’ve recieved the amount that was promised to me. Initially, the producer was hesitant because Drona didn’t fare aswell as expected, but he later settled the dues. I appreciate his professionalism,” says Priya.

It was further said that she would be a part of Mahesh Babu’s forthcoming Varudu. In fact, it was even reported that the two had done a photoshoot together. “First of all, I’ve never done a two heroine project, which is what Varudu is expected to be. Secondly, I have never seen or met Mahesh Babu, so where is the question of me even doing a photoshoot with him?” she laughs adding, “if its a lead role, I wouldn’t mind working with him.”

But Priya is  already working on a Telugu film with actor Jagapathi Babu and director Madan. The same team where she worked with on Pellina Kothalo. The shooting will begin from June.  And what about rumors linking her with actor Prithviraj? ” We are just good friends because our mothers  were collegemates, and we’ve stayed good friends. But the rumors of Prithvi being engaged is false,” she clarifies.  As she is gearing up for her next movie, Raavan, the actress  is thrilled that she got the opportunitiy to interact with Abhishek Bachchan who is  her co-star in the film.

Affordable fashion-that’s a promise from Asin. That’s exactly what’s in store for you at Fashion @Big Bazaar, and if that’s not incentive enough, then check out who’s shopping there. It is none other than the Bollywood’s latest sensation-Asin. The actress, winner of the Filmfare best debut [female] 2009 for her performance in Ghajini, has joined youth icon and captain of Indian team MS Dhoni, as the brand ambassador for Fashion@Big Bazaar.  “I’m really excited to be assocaited with Big Bazaar, since it is trusted by millions of Indian customers, and offers colletions of great bargains,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev Agarwal, concept head, Fashions@big Bazaaar, said, “Fashions…. retails fashion apparel and accessories that appeal to a broad spectrum of age groups. And with Asin endorsing the brand, it will definitely boost tha appeal of our  ready to wear women’s collection.” The clothes here, range from daily casuals, to college wear, office wear, and garments for special occasions.  Asin is sure to make a great impression on people, just as she does from her films.

Who would have thought that even big boys will fight over silly things like tattoos? With Bollywood stars though, anything is possible. Heard that one of the reasons for friction on the sets of  the Akahsy Kumar-Sanjay Dutt starrer flick Blue, which was shot in the Bahamas, were the tattoos on the leading men’s bodies! Akshay wears his son’s Aarav’s name on his upper back, while Sanjay Dutt has the most envious collection of  four tattoos including a lion on different parts of his body-back, forearm, etc.  According to a unit source, who witnessed the filming of a underwater sequence, Akki apparently saw Sanju’s tattoos and suggested to an assistant director that perhaps Sanju baba should cover his tattoos with make-up, because it wouldn’t go with the character he was playing, and Sanju agreed to the suggestion.

Later, when someone told him that Akki was jealous of his tattoos, whcih is whya he asked for them to be covered, Sanju was apparently disturbed. Akshay denies all this talk and says, “Sanjay and I are very cordial with each other. Where do these  constant rumours od stress between us keep coming from? ” He said that even after watching the promos of Chandini Chowk……, one of the first to congradulate him was Sanjay. At a party for Blue, the two guys posed for the shutter bugs. “When  Sanju visited the sets of De Dana Dan, we hugged in view of all the full unit,” says Akki, adding “please dont’ waste your time by asking me ridiculous questions,” he says. Must say teh assistant director who has been spreading these stories of rivalry between Akshay and Sajnu, must be going BLUE in the face!!!

Though, Shahana Goswami is yet to sign on the dotted line, she doesn’t fear any backlash while essaying the role of Shuba in21/5/1991-The Hunt For Rajiv Gandhi’s Killers. while recent reports on Shahana  have been more speculative about her relationship with co-star Adhyayan Suman, which she rubbishes as a public stunt for Jashn-the actress would rather comment on her forthcoming works, one if which is, reportedly, the role of Subha in AMR Ramesh’s 21/5/1991-The Hunt……. “I was approached for this role in March when I met Ramesh, but thereafter, I haven’t heard anything from him. In fact, I thought that the role was offered to somebody else, until recently, I heard my name in the cast of the film. I’m yet to read the script, and if everything works out well, I suppose I’ll be playing Subha,” she says. Doesn’t she have any reservations about playing a suicide bomber in the film that’s been directed by Ramesh of Cyanide fame?

“I have absoultely no problem playing Subha as long as people know that the film is a person’s impression.  I don’t fear any publci backlash, and I find the story interesting. when we made Firaaq, we were prepared  for all sorts of comments, including negative feedback. Its high time  India made films on such subjects. But it has to be handled sensitively. Ramesh’s film, in fact, requires a lot of research,” she says. Ramesh will reportedly begin shooting in July. As of now, I am relatively free in July. I hae another film coming up in August though,” says Shahana.

Soundarya Rajnikanth, daughter of the Tamil Supremo Rajnikanth {and India’s highest paid actor with the largest fan base} parts with images f her first animated feature Sultan, that is slated for release in 2009. Incidentally, this movie will release befor the Rajni-AishwaryaRai Bachchan flick-The Robot.Rumors in the South have it that Soundarya’s production house and the Hollywood  Gaint who were to co-produce Sultan have parted ways.

But it actually turned out to be that Sultan is being made in partnership with a film corporation. Richard Fox, executive vice-president International of the foreign studio,said, ” We have been and will continue to work with Soundarya Rajnikanth. Together, our companies have a number of South Indian language projects in various stages, from early negitiations to active development. We will announce these projects at the approrpiate time. But any rumors that suggest otherwise is simply not true.”

Whe contacted, Soundarya said, ” Our multi picture deal contract with the foreign studio is positively intact as plans are on to jointly produce films in all four South Indian languages, contrary to the untoward rumors doing its rounds in the industry.”Soundarya is exalted because her appa was very excited during the shoot and was surprised when he  saw the first look of the film that is currently being unveiled . Oscar winner AR Rehman has recorded foru songs and two  are yet to be done says the star daughter. And of course, “appa is yet to dub f or his movie. He will do it after he has seen the final output.”

The Ayan star is surely going places. First, it was his neat performance as Sanjay Ramaswamy in Ghajini, that got Aamir Khan to remake the film in Hindi. And now, Suriya is all set to set foot in  Bollywood with his first Hindi film. The actor is excited about RAtha Charithra, a film he’s going to do with Ram Gopal Varma. ” It’ll be in two parts, and I will be introduced in the climax scenes of the first part,” says Suriya. He is at present shooting in Kolkata for KS Ravikumar’sAadhavan.

The film which will also star Vivek Oberoi, will revolve around the life of Paritala Ravi-a prime suspect in many murder cases. There has been talks about the film for many years now, and this time its definitely happening. “We started the discussion after I did Ghajini, but things didn’t materalise. I’m super happy that it clicked  this time around,” he states. The first part will be released in January while the second will hit the screens later next year.

Elaborating on how he got the project, Suriya says that the one-hour narration of the scritp stunned him, and he had to say yes. The actor’s eyes drew RGV into making the choice. ” he says he cast me because of my eyes and body language,” says Suriya, who will play a character called Suri in the film.

RGV has reportedly said earlier that  its not possible to do justice to the character in a film that is less than five hours lone. ” The film’s shooting would be held at a stretch but the release would be in two parts, which would be spaced over three months,” Ramu is reported to have said. So, what does RGV tell the actor? ” He told me, ” You’ll see a new Suriya in this film, I am looking foward to it,” he says.

The sad pictures from the IPL stadiums of South Africa are more or less confirmed. The vivacious Priety Zinta and the suave Ness Wadia are no longer together.  Of course, all that was between the couple was the toast of the last season’s  twenty-20-tournament in India. Television cameras covering the matches of their team Kings XI in SA, always caught them sitting separately in the stands. Not even in victory, when the team’s management spilled onto the ground, were Priety and ness seen together.

Now, the bubbly actress who isn’t openly admitting that her relationship with Ness is over, said, ” I’nnot dating anyone right now. If I did, I wouldn’t hide it. But whatever the status of my heart, I’m certainly not the type of person who would send out e-mails to people on my love life. ” This, in reference to reports at the start of the IPL that she had sent emails to her team informing the players that while Ness and she were not personally together, they remained committed  professionally to the King’s XI.

” Why would I do something stupid as that? she asked. ” Do I owe an explanation to my team members about my love life? I don’t even know their emails. For me, the line between my work and my personal life is very sharply divided,” she asserted. So, it seems the actress is single and happy to be so. No, there is nothing in the rumor that the Australian speedster Bret Lee and she are seeing each other as well. Last season,  she was linked up with Yuvaraj Singh.

Priety’s mantra used to bnever date a married man or anactor. ” That rule  for my heart  is still applicable,” she said. ” To that, I’ve added one more group of people who are taboo territory to my heart-cricketers. Going by my mantra of never mixing my personal life with my professional interests, I’ll never date a crickeeter either. One doesn’t go out with people  whom one works with,” she said.

Abhiash, laugh off the story of their moving out of the Bachchan home. Who ever said that Abhishek and Aishwarya are moving out of the family home Jalsa in Juhu and moving into their own house  Naivedya in Bandra? Bunkum!! Reports that surfaced about the Bachchan jodi waiting to finish shooting Mani Ratnam’s Ravan before performing a Grihapravesh and moving out to Naivedya, are not true at all. Ash, playing the hostess at Jalsa earlier in the month in the absence of her in-laws, [The Big B was in Macau, andJaya was in Delhi], laughed off the rumour while, Abhi sat by preparing his day’s schedule.

“I’m clueless about its origin,” she said dismissively, ” Its strange how people jump to conclusions. Once when I visited my father in the hospital, the buzz was that I was going in for a check up in the maternity ward!! Abhishek and I are at home in Jalsa. ” And its true, they are. There is a happy and positive air about Jalsa that is contagious. Amitabh himself, when Abhiash returened from a break from the Ravan shoot, had written on his blog not very long ago. ” The house is complete and full. Abhi and Ash came back…. there is something about completeness in a family. The house begins to smell right,the furniture, the lights, the food, everything about it suddenly comes to life. Such an endearing moment.”

Not that the Bachchans ar looking into the source of the rumor, but, Bollywood sources say it was spread by a certain actress  and her over-active publicist, who has been riding high lately. A family friend said, “If Abhishek and Aishwarya decide to live in their own place, his parents would be as supportive of their decision as they have always been  in everything he has done. But Abhi would never leave his family home, and Ash would never let him. She knows what family means, especially after her father’s illness, when Abhi stood by his in-laws like a son. Yes, the Bachchans do have property in Bandra, but so what? No one is going anywhere. Other stars have property all over Mumbai, how come no one talks about them relocating?”

Akshay Kumar clears the air on his supposed surrender to the police in Mumbai. A arrest warrant was issued against Akshay Kumar for being obsene on the ramp  earlier in in the month. But as filmi as it may sound, Akshay says he didn’t go th the Vakola police station in Mumbai as it had spread, to surrender. A not so amused Akshay, who’s back in Mumbai after a long one and a half month of shooting, says,” No, I wasn’t arrested.  On returning to Mumbai, I thought I’d clear up this mess that was created while I was away. So, I personally went to the police station to finish some paperwork, whish them all good morning and leave with my dignity intact. I wasn’t captured, nor did I surrender,  so there’s nothing heroic about it [unlike what people think], ” he says.

He futher added, ” It was a simple formal meeting to show that no matter how ridiculous the cause may be, one must be a gentleman adn clear one’s name. Taht’s all that happened. No handcuffs, just hand shakes !!” but what does he make of the whole unbuttoning episode? ” None of this was necessary. Those who were genuinely offended by my wife unbuttoning the top button of my jeans, shouldn’t own or watch TV. If something as small as that could cause them so much heart ache, they surely must be in constant fear of changing the channel-what if an obscene  shot of an actor/actress springs up on the screen? Such incidents only show our people in poor light,” he laughs.