Feb 20, 2010
SRK in middle of controversy once again, courtesy Lux Cozy
Click above for event stills No sooner that the controversy around SRK's comments on Pakistani cricket players has settled down, the actor finds himself in yet another controversy related to the IPL. This time round, it's the courtesy of inner wear brand Lux Cozy, of which, SRK is the recently appointed brand ambassador. The story goes that, since SRK is the brand ambassador of the said brand, it was rest understood as to they will be sponsoring the uniforms for Khan's T-20 team Kolkata Knight Riders, besides a monetary angle of course. All was well so far. Now the twist in the tale is that the Lux Company is owned by the Todi brothers (Ashok and Pradip). They are the same Todi brothers who were charged with apparently leading to the suicide of computer graphics designer Rizwanur Rehman, a Muslim, after he married Ashok Todi's daughter Priyanka, who was a Hindu by religion. This news had made it to the national headlines and remained atop for quite sometime. This 'sponsorship' move by SRK for KKR with the said brand has not been taken kindly by many. That's the reason why it has sparked anger in many people's heart. Not just that, since it has a religious pinch to it, a few religious bodies too have come in the forefront to express their opposition. In the lieu of all this, there has been a meeting that has been arranged which will include artistes, actors, dancers, writers, performers and also a few prominent names express solid opposition to the controversial tie-up. Watch this space for further development on this issue.
Big B, Abhishek upset with tabloid claiming Ash's 'pregnancy plans are delayed'
Being a celebrity comes with its share of perks and also controversies, not forgetting the ever prying eyes of the media and the rumour mills that never fail to function. The latest to be hit by this is the Bachchan family. Just recently, a popular tabloid carried reports about the Bachchan bahu regarding her health issues. The tabloid stated that Aishwarya, who has apparently been trying to conceive for a while, is suffering from stomach tuberculosis and hence is unable to conceive. The paper has gone so far as to say that the Bachchan family has since covered this up by adopting the stance of 'it will happen when it has to' which has enraged the senior Bachchan. Big B expressed his anger on his blog, stating, "I write to you today in deep anguish, pain and disgust. This article is completely false, completely fabricated, unsubstantiated, insensitive and of the lowest quality of journalism there ever was. I am the head of my family. Aishwarya is not my daughter-in -law; she is my daughter, a woman, a lady in my house and home. If anyone will speak derogatorily about her, I shall fight for her till my last breath. If you have something to say to the men in the house, Abhishek or me, I shall bear it. BUT ... if you shall make injudicious remarks on the women in my home, I shall not tolerate it!!!" He continues, "I am too incensed and angered by the contents!! Not a single portion of the article is true!! I have much to comment upon on this, but shall hold on till another day." While Abhishek too has been very upset about this and is displaying his discontent on the matter through his tweets since yesterday, calling the article totally baseless.
John, Abhay and Genelia roped in to endorse LG mobile phones
After reading the headlines, we are dead sure that all of you Bollywood 'fan-atics' must be smilingly thanking heavens and blessing the director for having brought together the likes of John, Abhay and Genelia: three of the Gen-Next Superstars under one roof! John Abraham, Abhay Deol and Genelia D'Souza have been chosen as the brand ambassadors for the LG range of mobile phones. According to Bollywood Hungama's confirmed sources, the three have been appointed by the electronics major LG (it's the first time that the said company has roped in any brand ambassadors) to be the face of LG Mobiles. The source also added that the three stars were chosen amongst others, since they represent the company's brand values of excellence in performance. As brand ambassadors, John Abraham, Genelia D'Souza and Abhay Deol will play a key role in connecting the brand with the consumers. This could surely be one of the biggest endorsement deals of recent times.
Actor Nirmal Pandey passes away
Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away today afternoon. Nirmal, a graduate from the National School of Drama, is known for his performances in films like Bandit Queen, Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Godmother and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya amongst many others. His next release is Lahore which comes out next month. Pandey, reportedly, suffered a major heart attack which caused his unfortunate demise. We at Bollywood Hungama offer our humblest condolences to the actor's family and friends.
Big B adopts freedom fighter; pledges to support her financially
There is a famous dialogue of the famous film Munnabhai MBBS, which says "Munna...tum toh khuda ho... tum kuch bhi kar sakte ho". Well, the very lines hold immense water and truth for the man whom we better know as Amitabh Bachchan aka Big B. The legendary actor, recently in an awards function, just couldn't help showing off his soft side as he got immensely moved by the strength and conviction of a 90 year old freedom fighter lady named Gayatri Devi and her fight for her pension, so much so that he decided to take care of her for the next five years. Big B wrote in his blog stating that, "All she wants is her due - her pension - Rs 3,500 /- per month from the Government!" For starters, Gayatri Devi has been on a protest on the streets of Delhi since the last four years in order to get her freedom fighter's pension restored. The pension money that she was getting from the Bihar government under the "Samman" pension scheme for freedom fighters since 1997 was suddenly stopped in 2002. What's worse was that it was reasoned that her money was stopped because her name appeared in a list of fake freedom fighters. Despite the old lady's running from pillar to post, justice was totally denied. Umpteen pleas and appeal to the ministers fell on deaf ears. Now that Big B has planned to adopt the lady, the lady has not stopped smiling since then. They don't call Big B a superstar with a heart of gold for nothing!
Sajid Khan shoots 'Apni Toh Jaise Taise' remix version with Housefull cast
Sajid Khan and his Housefull team comprising of Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan have been busy shooting a full on dhamakedaar track since the last 3 days at Mumbai's Filmistan Studios. The track is a brand new remix version of the super hit song 'Apni Toh Jaise Taise' from the 1981 Big B starrer Laawaris. We got in touch with Sajid Khan, who shared some more details of what promises to be a blockbuster song. "Yes...we've been busy shooting the 'Apni Toh Jaise Taise' track since the last 3 days. Besides all the main actors, the song also features Jacqueline Fernandez. 'Apni Toh Jaise Taise' is a cult favorite and the way Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have remixed it is something which has to be heard to be believed. Mika has sung the song and we've also used the vocals of Kishoreda who sang the original version. Farah has done the choreography." Akshay Kumar tweeted about the song this morning saying, "Though nothing close to the original...we've tried our best. Hope it lives up to all your expectations." When asked if the song would feature in the film, Sajid said, "Of course...it comes during the pre-climax. It's a complete fun song and we"ve all had a blast shooting it." Looks like this one has chartbuster written all over it.
My Name Is Khan is triumphant entry for Star-Fox in Bollywood
Star-Fox, the American co-producers of Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan are mighty pleased with the outcome of their first international collaboration. Interestingly, the music in MNIK is not being seen as a hindrance for the international market. Says Vijay Singh, CEO Star-Fox, "The songs are not lip-sync and they do not hamper the flow of the narrative. The myth that the songs must be lip-sync has been broken. The idea is to push the boundaries and see how far we can take Bollywood. MNIK has raised the bar for Indian cinema. Abroad, my colleagues in LA are surprised by the kind of numbers we're getting in the US. Khan has performed 2 1/2 times better overseas than any other Indian film. It's a great moment for Bollywood. Nobody knew what the upper limit for profits was for Bollywood internationally. People leave the theatre with a message in their heart. We all went through some difficult times initially. But that's all behind us now." Singh says the Star-Fox headquarter in LA were watching the progression of MNIK very carefully. "We always believed in the film. Right from Day 1, they were looking at Khan not as a film on issues but an epic love story. That's what attracted us to the project in the first place. We've put the film in different countries keeping in mind the different audiences. In the UK we've given it the highest number of prints possible. We worked very closely with Karan Johar and then marketed the film according the cultural requirements of the specific countries. Our colleagues all over the world were taken into confidence. We don't see the international market as a spill over of the Indian market. We spent money in every market to set up the film keeping in mind the specifics." Says Vijay, "Audiences for Indian cinema are changing all over the world. MNIK had the biggest and the best talent in Hindi cinema." And now Star-Fox will produce another Hindi film. "This time more of an entertainer on a far less lavish budget but with an underlying message," promises Vijay Singh.
Wishing Sajid Nadiadwala a very happy Birthday
He is among the most respected producers in Bollywood who has many super-hit films to his credit. Yes we are talking about the one and only Sajid Nadiadwala- the man who has given us entertainers like Jeet, Judwaa, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, Heyy Babyy, and Kambakkht Ishq. Sajid, who has some big films like House Full and Anjaana Anjaani up for release this year, celebrates his birthday today and we at Bollywood Hungama wish him loads of happiness on this special day. You too may post your birthday wishes in the comments section below:
Live Chat: Karan Johar on Feb 19 at 1600 hrs IST
He is one of the most successful filmmakers of Bollywood, what with blockbusters like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and the latest My Name Is Khan to his credit. Yes, we are indeed talking about the one and only Karan Johar who is enjoying each and every moment of his latest success. With My Name Is Khan breaking records by the dozen, Karan Johar is surely a happy and relived man. For all those who have loved his films, we give you once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of getting up, close and personal with Karan through an exclusive video chat. Yes folks....you heard it right, Karan would be live on Bollywood Hungama's Celeb Chat to interact with you on this Friday, Feb 19, at 1600 hrs IST. This is one chat session you surely don't want to miss!
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