Anurag Basu and his producer Rakesh Roshan don't see eye-to-eye on Kites, so much so that the director says he has no inkling when Kites is releasing.Says Anurag, "I'm just a technician on the film, just like the cinematographer or editor. I know as much as anyone else who has worked on Kites. But I've heard the film is being released on May 14 or May 21. I don't know which date it actually is. But I'm happy it's finally being released." For the first time, Anurag Basu openly admits there were differences with producer Rakesh Roshan. "I wouldn't call them creative differences. Because we were both creating the same film and moving in the same direction. But yes, Rakeshji's vision of cinema is quite different from mine." There were constant arguments between the producer and director about how the film was to be shot. Explains Anurag, "See, Rakeshji was not just the producer of Kites. He's also a very big director with a vast experience as filmmaker behind him. He naturally had very strong opinions on how the film should be shot." Anurag has learnt the hard way never to make a film for a producer who's also a director. "It's all fine now. Over and done with. I just hope all the hard work is worth the effort." Kites was taken away from Anurag and given to Hollywood director Brett Ratner to be edited. Anurag was none too pleased with the unexpected shift of power in the creative equation. Significantly, Anurag doesn't feature in any of the publicity and marketing of Kites. Says the director, "I still maintain I had no creative differences with Rakesh Roshanji. When I didn't have any hesitation in walking out of my first directorial venture Kuch Toh Hai when I had differences with my producer Ekta Kapoor, why would I not do the same with Kites if necessary, when I've proved myself as a director with Gangster and Life...In A Metro."
He is a man, who has definitely not just changed the rules of the game, but also has rewritten it, in his own terms. He is none other than Bollywood's very own Akshay Kumar. He is one of the Numero Uno stars that Bollywood can easily back on due to his mass appeal. No wonder then, not just the filmmakers, but also the ad fraternity guys are queuing up at his doorstep to sign him on. After having endorsed a million products including the likes of Thums Up, Levis, X-Box 360 etc..., the superstar will now be seen endorsing wireless solutions provider Micromax. According to Bollywood Hungama's confirmed sources, Akshay has been signed by the said telecom company in accordance to his 'instant connect' with the classes and masses alike. The source also added that knowing Akki's 'market status', the said company has shelled out a 'macro' bomb of an amount as Akki's remuneration. No wonder they say, ' Make hay...while the sun shines'! What say, Akki baba!
Amrita Arora, who got married to Shakeel Ladak in March '09, gave birth to a baby boy yesterday morning. At the hospital with her was her husband Shakeel and her family members. Bollywood has welcomed the new addition with the first Tweet coming from Riteish Deshmukh that said, "Congratulations AMU n Shakeel. It's a beautiful baby BOY." We Bollywood Hungama congratulate and give our best wishes to Amrita and Shakeel.
Veteran actor-producer Sujit Kumar, who worked in innumerable Hindi films passed away this morning, at the age of 75. Kumar was well-known for his roles in film like Aradhana, Ittefaq, Dharam Veer and innumerable Hindi films in the 70's and 80's. Sujit Kumar was suffering from cancer for a long time. He is survived by his son Jatin Kumar and daughter Henna. We at Bollywood Hungama offer our condolences to his family.
She enthralled us with her serene voice as a singer and later engrossed us with her action packed performance in the film Luck. Her father for decades now has provided us with unending, engrossing and valuable entertainment. She is Shruti Haasan. Better still, she has even been voted as the Best Debutant Actress '09 on the Bollywood Hungama Surfer's Choice Movie Awards. And now Shruti will be live exclusively on celebrity video chat on Monday, February 8, at 1500 hrs IST. Don't miss your chance to chat with this talented actor-performer.
He is someone whom everyone under the sun wants to be. His is a surname that everyone wants to adopt. He is the 'son', like whom everyone wants to shine! We are talking about the one and only Abhishek Bachchan, who also happens to be our Birthday Boy of the day. Hailing from one of the most popular and powerful 'filmy' families, Abhishek entered the tinsel town with a bang in the form of his debut film Refugee. One has to give to this man, as, despite the poor B-O response to many of his initial films, he kept the 'Bachchan' flag flying sky high with his perseverance and hard work. All of this paid rich dividends and how! Today, Abhishek is one of the most sought after star, not just in Bollywood, but also in the TV land too! He is what one would call as the 'Lambi race ka ghoda'. A sample of the films that escalated Junior AB to the top slot includes the likes of the path breaking Yuva, Bunty aur Babli, Sarkar, Bluffmaster, Guru, Dostana... too name a few! With Jaya Bachchan as mother, Amitabh Bachchan as father and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as his better half, life seem to be totally complete for this dude! Bollywood Hungama invites each one of you to join the celebrations of Abhishek Bachchan's grand Birthday bash, simply by posting your wishes below:
Maneesh Sharma, Associate Director of the SRK starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which created box office history for both Yash Raj Films and Shah Rukh Khan, has been entrusted with directing the next YRF project. Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film will star newcomer Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma as the lead pair. Ranveer, a complete fresher with no modelling or acting experience, was selected after his very first audition, having impressed Aditya Chopra instantly. On the other hand this will be Anushka Sharma's third film with YRF after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Parmeet Sethi's directorial debut in which she stars alongside Shahid Kapoor. The untitled film tells the story of two just out of Delhi University students, Shruti (Anushka Sharma) and Bittoo (Ranveer Singh) who reluctantly set out on their tumultuous entrepreneurial venture. Together their friendship and business enters the ups and downs of the lavish world of the glamour and glitz of Delhi baaraats and weddings! Shooting of the film commences today and the film is scheduled for release later in the year. Maneesh, who will be making his directorial debut with this project, has been with the Yash Raj Banner for many years and, apart from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, has also assisted on films such as Fanaa and Aaja Nachle
2010 began on a great note for actor Emraan Hashmi who became a father yesterday. Emraan's wife Parveen delivered a baby boy and both mother and son are doing fine. We at Bollywood Hungama extend our heartfelt wishes to Emraan and his family on this joyous occasion. You too can wish Emraan by posting your wishes below:
It's finally happening. The crisis-ridden life of Adnan Sami is finally turning a gentle corner. And he's ready to take that long-delayed plunge into acting. The project, it is reliably learnt will feature Adnan in an unexpected role. Even more unexpected is the fact that Adnan will be directing the untitled film which is expected to have three leading ladies. The film with a screenplay co-written by Adnan is expected to roll later this year. It was to start in February 2010 but got delayed because of Adnan's marriage this week. Says Adnan, "I'd have actually started my acting career long ago if all this sh**t hadn't happened in my life. My personal battles took priority. Now that I'm out of it I am launching my production with me in the lead." Speaking on his acting debut Adnan says, "I wanted to play a man who did things I didn't do. The whole point of acting is to assume personalities that you cannot be in your own life." So we probe Adnan to know what he's playing. "I play an impostor, a con-man, a man with an angelic face who has a dark sinister side to his personality."