He was the small screen heart throb of the late 90's with his lovable performance in the hit series 'Just Mohabbat', and also ventured into modelling and commercials. Later he made his debut in films with the Abbas-Mastan flick Taarzan: The Wonder Car. The film didn't work at the BO, but Vatsal managed to get noticed for his talent. His big success came with 2008 release - Heroes, which also starred biggies like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol and Mithun Chakraborty. Now Bollywood Hungama gives you an opportunity to chat with this rising star who'll be seen in Toh Baat Pakki. Vatsal will be live on Celebrity Video Chat on Thursday, February 11, at 1600 hrs IST.Feb 11, 2010
Live Chat: Vatsal Sheth on February 11 at 1600 hrs IST
He was the small screen heart throb of the late 90's with his lovable performance in the hit series 'Just Mohabbat', and also ventured into modelling and commercials. Later he made his debut in films with the Abbas-Mastan flick Taarzan: The Wonder Car. The film didn't work at the BO, but Vatsal managed to get noticed for his talent. His big success came with 2008 release - Heroes, which also starred biggies like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol and Mithun Chakraborty. Now Bollywood Hungama gives you an opportunity to chat with this rising star who'll be seen in Toh Baat Pakki. Vatsal will be live on Celebrity Video Chat on Thursday, February 11, at 1600 hrs IST.
Mumbai theatres attacked; warned not to screen MNIK
They say that Promises are meant to be broken, a statement that holds immense water in the field of politics. And it is this 'promise' by the leading political party Shiv Sena that gave assurance to the makers of the much anticipated film My Name Is Khan, starring SRK, Kajol and others. The said party had assured the filmmakers that they will let the film run on screens without any hassles from their side. However, the party workers yesterday attacked three theatres in Mumbai (Shreyas Theatre-Ghatkopar, Mehul Talkies-Mulund, and Metro Big Cinemas-Dhobi Talao), that will be screening the Karan Johar directed MNIK. Bollywood Hungama has also got the oven-fresh news that Cinemax Cinemas have stopped advance bookings for the film, directed by Karan Johar which releases on Friday. Leaves of all Mumbai policemen have been cancelled in order to ensure the smooth proceedings of the shows. The security cover at the single screen theatres as well as the multiplexes have been more than doubled, while MNIK's lead star Shah Rukh Khan's security has been increased. Even though there was stone pelting at the said theatres, the situation in Metro Big Cinemas was reported to be the worst as party workers went onto vandalize and tear one of the screens. An official with Metro Cinema, requesting anonymity, told Bollywood Hungama, "The 'modus operandi' adopted by the party workers was really something. They entered the theatre on the pretext of watching a film. Within a few minutes, there was some stone-throwing outside the theatre. When we went to control that, the workers in the theatre started their act of tearing the screen apart. The damages are too huge to be even spoken about." 
A certain Mr. Prakash Shah (name changed on request) from Mehul Talkies, who was present at the time of the incident, told us that at around 12.45 pm, a mob of about 14 -15 people entered through the main door and started damaging the theatre property. They started off by breaking the glass door, windows, and then attacked the canteen. If that wasn't enough, they even entered the cinema hall where a Marathi film Shikshanacha Aaicha Gho was being screened and threatened the present audience with dire consequences if they came to watch MNIK. The overall damages are an estimated Rs. 1 lakh plus." He further added, "What was more shocking was the fact that nobody from the said mob was carrying the party flag! And the whole incident lasted for almost 15 minutes". The situation was slightly different at Shreyas Theatre, Ghatkopar. When we spoke to one of the theatre staff there, he said, "I am just not going to reveal my name to you as I fear losing my job, if any of the party workers gets to know that it was me who spoke about the incident." After repeated assurances from our end, he revealed, "Yesterday, at around 9 am, about 50 policemen arrived at the theatre stating they were here for 'bandobast'. When we asked them what was the need for the 'bandobast', they said that they were anticipating some trouble. They also enquired if we had got any threatening calls from any political party to stop the screening of the forthcoming film MNIK. And since we had not received any calls from anyone, we replied in the negative. The policemen then went on with their duty of providing security to the theatre. Then, at around 12 noon, some 12-15 men from Shiv Sena armed with their party flags started shouting anti-SRK slogans. The policemen stationed outside immediately flung into action and brought the situation under control. However, four party workers managed to sneak inside the theatre and told the management to not screen MNIK." There were groups of the party workers who were also seen protesting and shouting slogans in the areas of Kanjurmarg, Bandra, Khar and other parts of the city. A senior official from the police department told us, "There were around 13 party workers whom we arrested from Mulund, and around 23 detained in Ghatkopar and Kanjurmarg in connection with the said protests." The damages also got extended upto Maratha Mandir, New Empire and also Minerva. The situation was slightly upheaval here SRK's face in MNIK poster was blackened, stating that this was just sampler of what to expect once when the film gets released. Readers my also recall that yesterday afternoon MNIK's director Karan Johar had visited the Police Commissioner D. Sivanandhan, who had assured full co-operation and security. News also had it that cine-goers who will have to show their identity cards before they can watch MNIK. There will be policeman in civil clothes who will be inside the theatres in order to prevent the miscreants resorting to any kind of trouble.INOX Leisure Ltd. acquires 43.28% stake in Fame India Ltd.
The Board of Directors of INOX Leisure Ltd. (INOX), promoted by Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. (GFL), today announced that it has acquired 43.28% stake in the Shroff family promoted Fame India Ltd. (Fame), which owns the chain of Fame Multiplexes. The acquisition creates one of India's largest multiplex networks with a combined strength of 55 multiplexes, 204 screens, and a total seating capacity of 57,891 seats. Fame also has subsidiaries such as Big Picture Hospitality Services - its food business JV, Headstrong Films - its film production JV and Shringar Films, its film distribution business. In a block deal executed through the BSE today, INOX bought 43.28% stake owned by the promoter family of Fame, for an all-cash consideration of Rs. 66.48 crores. The transaction is entirely funded by INOX's promoter company, GFL as a shareholder loan. This acquisition shall be followed by an open offer to acquire a further 20% stake in Fame, for cash, as per SEBI regulations. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deepak Asher, Director - INOX Group of Companies said, "It has been our stated goal, when we launched our first multiplex around 8 years back, to be a significant player in the Indian multiplex space and redefine the movie going experience in India. This philosophy, of being a market leader, runs across all our businesses. Today, we are pleased to announce to our stakeholders, that we have translated this vision into reality - we have one of India's largest network of multiplex screens and have truly raised the bar in providing a world class cinema experience to our patrons." Mr. Shravan Shroff - Managing Director, Fame India Ltd. said, "I have always believed that a consolidated play would have a strategic advantage in the business and that led us to consider this association with INOX. Our decision was driven by our belief in INOX's professional management and strong shareholder focus, which we believe would translate into a value add for all Fame stakeholders. We are proud of having been associated in creating India's largest multiplex network, which we believe will offer an unparallel reach to film producers and consumers. INOX had previously acquired Calcutta Cine Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL) a Bengal Ambuja company. The acquisition, which kick started the consolidation phase in the multiplex industry gave INOX access to an additional 9 multiplexes in West Bengal and Assam. INOX currently has 30 operational properties, with 109 screens and a seating capacity of 31401 in 21 cities across India. Fame has 25 operational multiplexes with 95 screens and a seating capacity of 26487 in 12 cities.
Dharmendra-Sunny-Deol to shoot in Varanasi in April for Yamla Pagla Deewana
In Samir Karnik's Yamla Pagla Deewana, Dharmendra and Bobby Deol play a father-son con-men duo in Varanasi. Sunny plays an upright man married to a Canadian living in Canada who gets to know after two decades that he has a father and brother in Varanasi. The film is about Sunny's journey into his past and into a culture that he had left behind. Karnik will shoot in Varanasi in April. The interesting part of the film is the bum-chum relationship between father Dharmendra and son Bobby, when in real life Bobby is intimidated by his father. Laughs Karnik, "Not so any longer. Thanks to the preparation for my film, both Bobby and Sunny have loosened up with their Dad." While Bobby is paired with television actress Kulraj Randhawa, the Canadian leading lady for Sunny is yet to be finalized. The film's shooting starts on Feb 15. "And we release Yamala Pagla Deewana on December 24, Aamir Khan's slot. This year he won't have any release in the last week of December. So we've decided to release our film in that slot," announces Samir Karnik. Incidentally, Karnik's lucky mascot, little Dwij Yadav who features in all of the director's works so far, won't be part of Yamla Pagla Deewana. "Let him grow up off camera now. He's my insurance for the future, just like Rakesh Roshan has Hrithik," says the director emotionally. The film's title is obviously inspired by the chartbuster 'Main Jat Yamala Pagla Deewana' from Dharmendra's 1975 blockbuster Pratiggya. Karnik intends to record a remix version of the Mohd Rafi hit. The director introduces a new composing duo Nouman Javed and Rahul Seth, one of whom happens to be from Pakistan. Says Karnik, "I heard Nouman's music on the internet and asked him to send me his songs on the MP3 format. Then I took another new composer Rahul Seth to Dubai and we recorded the songs in a Nouman's land (Dubai)." While doing a re-mix of the old hit may be considered a stroke of clever marketing, bringing the father Deol and his two sons together hardly qualifies as a novel strategy. Says Karnik, "I know Dharamji, Sunny and Bobby have been brought together earlier in Apne. But that was a very emotional drama. Yamala Pagla Deewana is an out- and- out comedy."Akshay continues to do dangerous stunts, this time for Action Replayy
The day after Akshay landed in Mumbai after his back treatment he was doing some of the most dangerous stunts affordable to a star. Before he left for his back treatment, Akshay Kumar was unsure if he could ever return to normal health-related activities that he liked, let alone action sequences. In fact, Vipul Shah's action-laden climax for Action Replayy which was to be shot after Akshay's return, was seriously jeopardized. But after the hydro- therapy that he underwent in Germany last week, Akshay Kumar returned to work, more confident than ever before, ready and eager to shoot heart-stopping stunts for Action Replayy. When Vipul offered to change the climax, Akshay laughed and told him to stick to the original plan. Not only was Akshay seen hanging from cables doing stunts and flying through the air, he even cajoled his co-star Kirron Kher to try the aerial stunts. Speaking from Manori where director Vipul Shah shot Akshay's action sequences with action direct Allan Amin immediately after the actor's return from Germany, the director confided, "It's true we were very unsure about what shape Akshay's back would be in once he returned from his hydro treatment. The climax of Action Replayy required very complex and strenuous stunts on wire-cables. I offered to change the climax and do away with the cable stunts. After all, those are tough even for actors with normal healthy backs. Akshay told me to wait until his return before taking a final call." The actor's recovery post his treatment has been far quicker and complete than imagined.Vipul just can't stop gawking at the actor's recovery level. "Why just me? The entire cast including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and others just can't believe Akshay's capacity to bounce back on his feet. Here we were thinking of doing away the cable stunts and somehow managing the climactic action without the planned aerial shots. But Akshay has been wired and suspended midair for almost a week now. Cable stunts are really tough on the back. But Akshay was super-confident on his return." Akshay was so kicked by the idea of starting afresh on his newly-repaired back that he even encouraged Kirron Kher to join him on the cables in Manori. Says Vipul, "A shot required her to join Akshay in the air. Kirronji was at first hesitant. But we ensured her it was fully safe to be suspended with cables. Akshay is so charged and enthusiastic, he will soon have the whole cast and crew on cables. We are shooting funny action sequences. But hanging midair from thousands of feet is as dangerous whether done for fun or otherwise." Akshay who sounded discernibly pained before his restorative trip to Germany is raring to go. "I'm back on my feet and doing action scenes for Vipul's film. The treatment worked fully and I have completely recovered." Apparently, Akshay has recommended the hydro-treatment to Sunny Deol who suffers a chronic back problem and has undergone to major surgeries to repair his back. For Akshay, surgery was never an option, even when his back had given way a decade back and he was laid up for six months.
The first promo of 'Koochie Koochie Hota Hai' with 'My Name Is Khan' prints
Watch out for the promo of KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI when you watch MY NAME IS KHAN. The animation version of KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI seems like one joy ride and promises to infuse life in the animation industry, if the first promo of the film is an indicator. Having star voices of SRK, Kajol, Rani Mukherji, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sajid Khan, Simi Grewal, Anupam Kher and Sanjay Dutt, KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI should be a fun watch when it hits the screens later this year. KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI is directed by Tarun Mansukhani, who made his directorial debut with DOSTANA.'Striker' strikes on You Tube
STRIKER may have proved a damp squib at the box-office, but Studio 18 is thrilled at the response the film has garnered on You Tube. The film was premiered on the net the same day it was released theatrically in India. A nominal fee [$ 4.99] was charged for viewers in U.S., while viewers across the globe [except India] got to watch the film for free. The revenue was generated via ad support on You Tube. "Till Monday evening, the film had been viewed by around 2.25 lac viewers across the globe. Frankly, we didn't expect the film to generate such enthusiasm, but the numbers have brought cheer," Hemant Bhardwaj of Studio 18 confirms. Bhardwaj is not in a position to state the kind of revenue the film has generated on You Tube. "We should get to know the exact numbers by the month-end. It's a first for us and the first for You Tube too," he states. The strategy could pave for additional revenue for film-makers/studios. "That's right! A film like ISHQIYA doesn't get released in U.K. Similarly, STRIKER doesn't open in U.K. and U.S. due to absence of face-value. So what choice do we have? How do we beat pirates, who will anyway sell the pirated stuff in open? That's why we decided to premiere the film on You Tube and reach out to viewers at one go," Bhardwaj reveals. The distributor feels that it's just the beginning. "We may explore newer horizons in times to come. Right now we're just testing the waters. But it could turn out to be a really big territory tomorrow," he confides.Live Chat: Sharman Joshi on Feb 10 at 1500 hrs IST
He tickled your funny bone with Style, Golmaal and Shaadi No. 1; played the high spirited guy in Rang De Basanti! Yes, we're talking about Sharman Joshi. The actor, back in the limelight after a stellar performance in 3 Idiots, is ready with his next release Toh Baat Pakki with Tabu. To know more about his upcoming projects and life after 3 Idiots, catch up with the star in an exclusive Bollywood Hungama Video Chat on Wednesday, Feb 10, at 1500 hrs IST. Don't miss this one!Tabu to feature in music video for Rashid Ali's debut album
Tabu, who is currently busy promoting her upcoming film Toh Baat Pakki, will soon be seen for the first time ever in a music video for Rashid Ali's debut album. In case you are wondering, Rashid is the same guy who sang the hugely popular 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' track from Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. Tabu will be shooting for the music video soon in Hyderabad and noted ad filmmaker Trilok has been entrusted the task of directing the video. Rashid's debut album is being released under KM Music label with mentor A.R.Rahman being the executive producer. Rashid, who is based in London, was in Chennai for almost 3 months busy with his maiden album. While he himself has composed and sung the songs, yet another Rahman protegee Raqueeb Alam has written the lyrics. The album is likely to release in a couple of months.Mallika Sherawat cast with 'Avatar' star Laz Alonso in Love, Barack
Mallika Sherawat has been cast opposite Avatar co-star Laz Alonso in the feature Love, Barack, a political romantic comedy set during the frantic and intoxicating days leading up to 2008 U.S. Presidential election. Mallika will play the female lead and central character Aretha Gupta, a devoted, local Obama volunteer coordinator. The story, a snapshot of a moment in time that was filled with hope, change, and passionate debate, follows the romantic and political rollercoaster that develops when, the month before Election Day, Democrat Aretha unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome, dynamic African-American working for the local McCain office. On signing up for the film, Mallika said, "Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I'm very lucky to be working with him." To be directed by Doug McHenry, the film will also feature acclaimed actress Ruby Dee (Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominee for 2007's American Gangster) and comedy veteran Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.Live - Premier League
Arsenal host Liverpool, Aston Villa entertain Man Utd, Everton play Chelsea and there are three other games on a crucial night of Premier League football.
Injured skier Vonn may miss Games
United States multiple ski medal hope Lindsey Vonn reveals she is injured and could miss the Vancouver Games.
Live - Scottish Premier League
With six games being played, it promises to be an important evening in the Scottish Premier League. Among the matches are Celtic v Hearts, Hibs v Aberdeen and Motherwell v Rangers.
Red Bull take wraps off 2010 car
Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber unveil their new Red Bull car at the start of the second pre-season Formula 1 test.
America's Cup start delayed again
Problematic weather conditions cause further delays to the start of the America's Cup between Swiss holders Alinghi and American challengers BMW Oracle.
Liverpool seal Jovanovic signing
Standard Liege tell BBC Sport that Serbia forward Milan Jovanovic is joining Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer.
English trio hold Chamakh talks
Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh reveals he has held talks with three Premier League clubs but denies signing a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal.
Italians without injured Del Fava
Italy will be without injured lock Carlo Del Fava and scrum-half Simon Picone for Sunday's Six Nations clash with England.
Hamilton replaces Hines for Scots
Edinburgh's Jim Hamilton replaces injured Leinster lock Nathan Hines in the Scotland side to face Wales on Saturday.
Tough drug tests for GB Olympians
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has welcomed the stringent drug testing of every British athlete competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Afghanistan enjoy second victory
Scotland face an uphill task to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 after losing to Afghanistan by 14 runs in Abu Dhabi.
Ireland trounce USA in qualifier
Ireland boost their hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 by beating the USA by 78 runs in Abu Dhabi.
Why is Harbhajan struggling?
In Harbhajan's case, an impression has gained ground that, he has been losing his efficacy, something which doesn't augur well for India.AP minister asks Deccan to boycott IPL-3
Furious at the IPL for shifting its opening match out of Hyderabad, the Andhra government asked local team Deccan Chargers to boycott the Twenty20 event.ICC rejects BCCI's appeal on Kotla ban
ICC rejected BCCI's appeal to lift the year-long ban on Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla ground which was deemed "unfit" due to a dangerous pitch.
Srikkanth ready to own up Test debacle
Chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth says he is ready to face the sack if held responsible for India's defeat in the first Test against South Africa.Gambhir still No. 1 Test batsman
Indian opener Gautam Gambhir continued to top Test batsmen rankings despite a poor show in first Test against South Africa in the latest ICC chart.
SA coach expects turning track at Eden
South African coach Corrie van Zyl said a bigger challenge lies for his side in the 2nd Test as he expects a turning pitch at the Eden Gardens.
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