Boney Kapoor has just returned after almost a month and a half abroad. Back in Mumbai he’s ready to shoot Wanted Dead And Alive with Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia and Aseem Merchant. But the surprising aspect of Boney’s production plans is Satish Kaushik who has split professionally with Boney’s brother Anil Kapoor to join hands with Anupam Kher and create their own production house. Boney has surprisingly decided to include Satish in his filmmaking bouquet.
Neha Dhupia is proud to be associated with something which symbolizes the essence of a lady. has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the Jewellery Credit Card of ICICI Bank and Geetanjali Jewellers who have come together for this first of its kind credit card in India. Jewellery purchase will become extremely convenient and a lot of dreams will come true.
David Dhawan’s son Rohit, 23, is all set to don the director’s cap. He is working on a romantic script and the film is expected to go on the floors from mid-2008. Rohit has studied cinema at NYU. His father proudly declares that he worked in the upcoming Partner as an associate director. It seems Rohit has a different style of direction. He has directed a special FX part in Partner for his father. David Dhawan feels blessed and relieved of responsibility while working with his son.
Kunal Kohli’s film Fanaa has been awarded by Navbharat Times’s Udaan Awards for promoting Hindi language. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli was felicitated by Amitabh Bachchan, who was a chief guest in an award function organized by Navbharat Times. Kunal Kohli has finished pre-production work and is planning to start his new film which is a love story. He has signed Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee for main lead while Rishi Kapoor will be seen in a guest appearance. His film goes on floors in September.
Awarapan will be available in ciemans in Pakistan and Morocco on July 13th. In Pakistan, Awarapan would release in key cities like Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi with as many as 15-17 prints. Director Mohit Suri feels proud of Awarapan crossing the border. That is the underlying theme of the film. He says, “The walls have been broken and I am looking forward to the response from the Pakistani audience.” The 24-year old Roxen vocalist, Mustafa Zahid said: “I saw Awarapan on Saturday in Mumbai despite the raging monsoon. Not because I’ve sung for it, but I honestly believe that it’s among the finest movies to come out of Bollywood in recent times. As a citizen of Lahore, I would love to see every Pakistani going out to watch Awarapan in cinemas. I am a Muslim and this movie has portrayed an accurate picture of my community, who believe in one God and also in the fact that if you free someone God comes to you and helps in adversity. We are ready to be the first in Pakistan and I am proud to be a part of Bollywood history in my own little way.” The Bhatts must be rejoicing at the wide international visibility given to Awarapan, including a range of unconventional countries. Besides the US, UK and UAE, not many know that Studio 18 has released the film in as many as 13 other countries such as Indonesia, Spain, Norway, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Fiji, East Africa, South Africa, Philippines, Denmark, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It will be opening in Ireland very soon.
Aamir to play cricket with fans at a mall. Producer Aamir Khan along with Excel Home Videos have planned a unique cricket match at a mall in Mumbai. The Match scheduled to be played between the Lagaan XI and 11 lucky consumers of the DVD or VCD purchased from any Landmark store in India. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm and will be a spectator’s delight. The event organized by Excel Home Videos in association with Landmark stores will witness a galaxy of film personalities associated with the film. The limited over match will be played at the mall, barricaded by nets, with area for the general public to enjoy the game. The otherwise reclusive Aamir Khan, will also be dining with 10 lucky consumers of the Lagaan Collectors Edition wooden DVD Box set.
Ashwini Bhave is replaced by Prakeesha Lonkar. Ashwini, who acted in films like Randhir Kapoor’s Henna, Yash Chopra’s Parampara and was last seen in the Salman Khan starrer Bandhan, had shifted base to San Francisco, US after getting married. She had shot for a few days for Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Aashayein, playing the role of a christian nun along with John Abraham. But director Nagesh was not satisfied with her look and performance and she subsequently had to leave the film. Her replacement now is Prateeksha Lonkar who earlier acted in Kukunoor’s films Iqbal and Dor.
Screenwriters can make a huge difference in movies. Realizing the potential of the writers, Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts has announced an open offer of Rs. 1 crore to a screenwriter who can bring forth a complete, bound script and, on the first hearing by the Mukta Arts selection committee, is acquired by them. Ghai says its a fair price when we are going to spend upto 50 crores to prodce a film. Screenwriting is going to be the highest paid profession in the near future.
Vikram Bhatt is gearing up to start a horror film soon. His next film is his most ambitious project to date. It’s a period-horror film called 1920. It’s a work of fiction. “I’d say, it’s the most dynamic script I’ve come across. More powerful than RAAZ”, Vikram says. No starcast has been decided yet. Vikram and Dheeraj Ratan have jointly written the script of the film which will be made under the newly floated banner, A.S.A. Films P. Ltd.
Anupama Chopra has written a book on bollyood – KING OF BOLLYWOOD. The book reveals how Shah Rukh Khan, a middle-class Muslim boy from Delhi, broke into the insular, nepotistic world of Bombay show business and emerged as a superstar. His larger-than-life tale takes us through the colorful and idiosyncratic Bollywood movie industry, where fantastic dreams and outrageous obsessions share the spotlight with extortion, murder, and corruption. KING OF BOLLYWOOD is the first comprehensive narrative account of Bollywood published by a major US publishing house, Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books). The book is being distributed in India by Om Books and Westland Books Pvt. Ltd. The book will also be available in Hindi, Marathi and German translations. The will be released on August 9 in India.
Anmol Malik, daughter of ace music composer Anu Malik is all set to make her singing debut as the lead playback singer. She has lent her voice for Satish Kaushik’s forthcoming film that stars Sheena Singh and Ruslaan Mumtaaz. Informs Anu Malik said, I have composed full album of Tere Sang and Anmol has sung for it. We had recorded one song with her and then producer and director Satish Kaushik loved her voice and decided that Anmol will do playback for the lead actress. Trained by her father Anmol has been singing since the age of three. She has sung for many films as child singer but this is the first time she will sing for main lead. Tere Sang also marks a debut of Sheena Singh, daughter of actress Sadhana Singh.
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