I want to be a good role model: John Abraham

Under normal circumstances real-life couples tend to stay away on screen from each other. But going against the norm John Abraham decided to work with girlfriend Bipasha Basu in Goal.

Vivek Agnihotri is directing the film.

Explaining his decision to act with Bipasha again, John told IANS: "Bipasha and I just didn't have the opportunity to come together. What was being offered wasn't tempting. Both Bipasha and I feel Goal works as a whole.

"Besides I've played A-division soccer, I captained my football team in school and college. Soccer is in my blood, just like bikes."

So which sport does John prefer now?

"Soccer was a favourite in school. Bikes now. I never rode bikes in school, so football was my passion then. Doing Goal is like catching up with my past. Bipasha and I are shooting it in a three-month schedule in London."

After finishing Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking in mid-January John took a small break.

"I took a small break and then went into Goal. I didn't need to practice too hard on my soccer. So I was chilled in London, in more ways than one."

As for the resurgence of sports films, John is all for it.

"It feels great to have sports films. If after watching Shah Rukh Khan in Shimit Amin's Chak De India girls start playing hockey and if after watching me in Goal kids take up football, then great! Cricket brings out the passionate patriot in all Indians, why not soccer?"

As a youth icon John takes his responsibilities very seriously.

"As an actor it's important for me to be a very good role model. Whenever I consider an offer this responsibility is always in the back of my mind."

But what about the villain in Dhoom and the chain-smoker in No Smoking?

"My role in No Smoking won't send out the wrong signal. When people will see the larger picture, they won't imitate my smoking. My character goes through so many upheavals in the film.

"And Anurag is so confident about every shot. No Smoking is different from every film I've done. I didn't mind working for 18-20 hours at a stretch because it feels like family."

Interestingly, John used to be a smoker.

"I quit. Then I took up smoking for No Smoking. But I'm strong enough to not become a smoker. Everyone on the sets smoked quietly. Since it's banned on the sets, we used to sneak into a corner collectively for a smoke."

The actor, who is multitasking, is happy with his roles in life.

"I'm happy with my clothes brand, calendar and my movies. I want the brand John Abraham to outlive the man. It's important for me to build a brand name for myself."

By : - Ram Tiwari

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Santoshi happy with ‘Halla Bol’ release postponement

Subhash K. Jha: Taking a cue from the clash of “Saawariya” and “Om Shanti Om” at the box office, director Rajkumar Santoshi is playing safe by postponing the release of his new movie “Halla Bol” by two weeks.
Though the director was out of the country when the producers took the decision to shift the film’s release, Santoshi is all for it as “Taare Zameen Par” and “Welcome” were to be released on the same day.

“Since there’re two other big films scheduled for Dec 21, I see no harm in being cautious and shifting “Halla Bol” forward. The film’s leading man, Ajay Devgan, sat down with the producers and decided this. I agree completely with their decision,” said Santoshi.

Santoshi is currently in Los Angeles finalising the technicians for his two lavish period films, one on emperor Ashoka, which he will begin shooting in the beginning of 2008, and the “Ramayan”, which comes at the end of next year.

Both the films have actor Ajay Devgan in the lead.

He said: “Both these films require tremendous pre-production detailing. I can’t afford to think about ‘Halla Bol’ at the moment. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve done my best.

“Contrary to reports, the movie is not set in the film industry. Yes, the hero is a film actor and there’re passing references to stars and events. But Ajay could be any professional. ‘Halla Bol’ , a wakeup call for our collective conscience.”

By : - Ram Tiwari

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Shoaib Akhtar may take up Bollywood role

The Rawalpindi Express, who earlier had turned down a role in Mahesh Bhatt’s film “Gangster”, has changed his mind.

“A film director is coming to meet me in Bangalore when we go there for the final Test later this week,” Akhtar told reporters here.

“I’m open to acting offers in Bollywood. Let’s see how things shape up this time,” the Dawn quoted Akhtar, as saying.

Akhtar also said that it was entirely hid decision to play the Kolkata Test.

“The team management didn’t force it on me,” he added.

By :- Ram Tiwari

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‘Cheeni Kum’ director plans Abhishek-Amitabh film

Ad-maker R. Balakrishnan’s first feature film “Cheeni Kum” got resounding critical acclaim and decent commercial success. But Balki, as he is popularly known, is now writing his second film titled “Pa” featuring the Bachchan father-son duo.

“After ‘Cheeni Kum’ I was back in advertising. This is a good time to make ad films, so I’ve been directing quite a lot of ad films,” Balki told IANS.

Balki makes ad films for Lintas where he still works in spite of his success as a filmmaker.

“The ad featuring Abhishek (Bachchan) and a panchayat is mine. In addition, I’ve recently directed ads for Tata tea, Bajaj and Surf Excel.”

“This has been a good year for advertising. But now I need to get back to my film. I confess I’ve been a little slow with the scripting of ‘Pa’. But now I’m just about to complete the screenplay.”

“Pa” would be the third film to feature Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek as father and son after “Sarkar” and its sequel “Sarkar Raj”. And Balki promises this one will be far more moist and sentimental.

By :- Ram Tiwari

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Naseer, Shabana to come together after 20 years

The legendary Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi will be seen together onscreen after two decades in Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaniyan. The 10-minute story titled Rice Plate is being directed by Rohit Roy, who is making his debut as a director. Naseeruddin and Shabana have always been an exceptional pair on screen and have 14 films together to their credit beginning with Shyam Benegal’s Nishant in 1976. The other successful films were Goutam Ghose’s Paar, Shekhar Kapoor’s Masoom and Kalpana Lajmi’s Ek Pal. The last film in which they were seen together as a pair was Vijaya Mehta’s Pestonjee in 1987. “We have been wanting to work together for quite some time now. We like and trust each other after working together for so long. She is a very good actress,” says Naseeruddin.

Commenting on the film, Shah said, “The attention span of the audience is becoming less. They either flick a mobile phone or a remote control. They can’t watch anything for more than 30 seconds. I am sure Dus Kahaniyan will be received well.”

By :- Ram Tiwari

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‘Khoya Khoya Chand’ role my most glamorous yet: Soha

Soha Ali Khan says she enjoyed working in Sudhir Mishra’s “Khoya Khoya Chand” as it has been her most glamorous role till date.

“For me personally it was a beautiful and unique experience. The past is always exciting. It was so much fun dressing up for this role. This was my most glamorous role to date,” Soha told IANS in an interview.

Asked if the film was based on the relationship between Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman, Soha said: “Sudhir Mishra is definitely inspired by them. But the central romance between my character and Shiney Ahuja’s is simply reminiscent of all romances in the film industry in the 1950s. You could say my character is a professional colleague of Waheeda Rehman.”

Soha said she had to work hard for the role and spent four months improving her command over Urdu.

“I had to do a lot of preparation - from learning to ride a horse to sword fighting to classical dancing and a sexy cabaret number,” she said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: “Khoya Khoya Chand” is your second period film.

A: You mean after Rituparno Ghosh’s “Antar Mahal”. But, my god, they are two completely different eras! I love going back in time. That’s why I studied history. Even when I take off my makeup and wear a pair of jeans people say I belong to a different era.

Q: Is this a film about Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman?

A: Sudhir Mishra is definitely inspired by them. But the central romance between my character and Shiney Ahuja’s is simply reminiscent of all romances in the film industry in the 1950s. You could say my character is a professional colleague of Waheeda Rehman.

Q: Could she be Sharmila Tagore?

A: My mother would be a generation removed from my character. My mother would probably have grown up watching my character from “Khoya Khoya Chand”. My mom thinks I look like her only in passing. But everyone thinks I look a lot like her.

Q: Today you seem to prefer unconventional roles.

A: That’s a narrow place to be in. It slots you as serious and arty. I’m a fun person in real life. I like to make people laugh. And I’d like to do that on screen. But there aren’t too many comic roles written for female leads. I don’t know why.

Q: So, are you funny in “Khoya Khoya Chand”?

A: I’m spunky. Sudhir Mishra’s female characters are very strong. They do cry. I think he has got strong passionate women in his life. It’s liberating to be a female protagonist in Sudhir’s cinema.

Q: You’ve played several liberated characters.

A: Not too many. In “Ahista Ahista” I was repressed. “Khoya Khoya Chand” is my first author-backed film. I had to do a lot of preparation - from learning to ride a horse to sword fighting to a classical dancing and a sexy cabaret number.

Q: Sexy cabaret number?

A: Yeah. That was my brief. That was something I had never done. I had to drop my inhibitions completely. So far one did such things in the privacy of the bedroom. I had great fun doing it.

Q: Do you think the average 20-something will connect with the 1950s like you did?

A: Oh, but I didn’t connect so easily with that era. Although my mom was an actress in the 1960s I haven’t watched that many films from the 50s. I found the language archaic. For this role I spent four months with an Urdu teacher. But the minute I got on to the sets Sudhir asked me to forget what I had been taught.

Because my character was being groomed into stardom she had to speak with the faults. In fact, many times I had to consciously speak incorrectly. But then when my character shot for the film within the film I was able to speak correctly.

Q: What do you think of our films going back to an era gone by?

A: For me personally it was a beautiful and unique experience. The past is always exciting. It was so much fun dressing up for this role. This was my most glamorous role to date.

By :- Ram Tiwari

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Aish hits the ramp in the capital

New Delhi: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked the ramp in a bid to endorse the launch of a new bridal collection of luxury watches. However the lady could not resist talking about her own marriage and honeymoon. The most famous daughter-in-law of the Indian film industry finally made her first appearance on the ramp after her grand wedding amidst clicking shutterbugs and a cheering Delhi crowd.
Aishwarya says that she is a happy girl after her wedding. “I feel so blessed. I wish we had more time off. Abhishek and me keep talking about our honeymoon,” adds Aishwarya.

Apart from the marital bliss, what’s also keeping Aishwarya excited is her big Hollywood project, the Pink Panther sequel with Steve Martin which she just finished shooting for.”It was a great ensemble cast,” says Aishwarya. Talking about her wedding and the excitement, she also spoke about the recent controversy surrounding IT notices to the Bachchans.

By :- Ram Tiwari

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Amrita Rao takes on glamorous role in song for next movie

Amrita Rao known for her girl-next-door image, is all set for a makeover in Sahara Motion Pictures’ ‘My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves’. The petite actress will be seen in a smoking hot new avatar in a very sensual song titled Tum Miley, choreographed by Bosco-Caeser. The song has been shot in Goa and Amrita is sporting a halter top and a mini skirt. Amrita says, “Tum Miley is all about attitude and style. The styling is fresh and Bosco-Caeser have done an excellent job with the song. It’s a different look for me and the song is a very feel-good, romantic number. I felt I was on a picnic while shooting for the song.”

When asked whether she was apprehensive about her makeover since she had a squeaky clean image, Amrita says, “You have to surprise your audience at times. There has to be a change.”

By :- Ram Tiwari

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Twin daughters for Aishwarya and Abhishek

At least on the silver screen, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan will be seen as a married couple with twin daughters.

In Mani Ratnam’s forthcoming film Guru , Aishwarya Rai plays Sujatha, a small-town girl who is forced by her father to marry a man (Abhishek) she does not love. Against her will, she goes to live with her husband in Mumbai. Slowly, her animosity is replaced by love and she starts calling him Guru. The two then start a family.

Reports have it that Ash and Abhi will be shown as parents of twin daughters in the film. The roles are played by real-life twin sisters, Sana and Alina.

However, the two girls may not have much footage in the film. They will reportedly feature in the closing scene standing with Aishwarya when Abhishek addresses a gathering of people.

The movie is believed to be inspired from the life of Dhirubhai Ambani who came from a small village and started a company that eventually became one of the biggest business houses in India.

Besides Ash and Abhi, the film has Madhavan playing a man who hates Guru. Vidya Balan plays a handicapped woman. Mithun Chakraborty plays an influential figure, an owner of a newspaper.

‘Guru’ is set for release early next year.

By the way, Abhishek also plays father of twin sons in Shaad Ali’s movie Jhoom Barabar Jhoom . Interestingly, his two sons are named Hrithik and Roshan.

By :- Ram Tiwari

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recommends everyone to get married

It's very difficult to articulate, put it down in just a few sentences because it's obviously a very, very wonderful and joyous phase and I strongly recommend it," she said when asked about her feelings of being a married woman.

"Well, it's a beautiful chapter in my life and it's a fantastic part of the journey. I'd recommend (it) to every one of you out here and I am blissfully happy. What more can one say," she added.

Aishwarya and Abhishek tied the knot in April, and industry analysts say their marriage created Bollywood's ultimate power couple with public interest in the couple being likened to Hollywood duo of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Earlier in the day, the former Miss World dazzled audiences as she took the ramp wearing a blue sequenced ensemble at the launch of the Bridal collection of Swiss watch company Longines of whom she is a brand ambassador.
By :- Ram Tiwari

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I am very selective about work, says Aishwarya

"Whether it is films or endorsements, I am - and have been - very selective about my work. I take up work which suits and fits in my schedule," Aishwarya told IANS.

"I don't take projects that I cannot handle because I believe in totally fulfilling the commitments made my me," she added.

The actress won the Miss World pageant in 1994 and started her stint in Bollywood with "Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya".

She gave hits like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam," "Devdas" and "Dhoom-2" but was for long termed as emotionless on-screen by critics.

However, Aishwarya proved her mettle by acting in films like "Provoked" and "Guru," and said she enjoys getting into the skin of varied roles.

"I have always tried to pick up a variety of projects as I want to have different experiences with different projects. Also preferences for roles grow with time."

She was recently in the capital to launch the bridal collection of watch brand Longines that she endorses. And like every woman, she is happy about possessing a range of them matching her various outfits.

"The first watch that I received was gifted to me by my family. Now, I have a variety of them in my wardrobe and I enjoy it, like any other woman."

"With saris I sport timepieces with delicate and feminine dials. However, my personal favourites are Watches with chunky dials."

Commenting on her upcoming films she said: "It was a fantastic experience shooting 'Pink Panther 2'. It was wonderful as the schedule was just perfect for me. And 'Jodhaa Akbar' took its duration, as it is a period film."

Apart from director Harald Zwart's much-talked about Hollywood flick and Ashutosh Gowarikar's historical epic, she has Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar Raj" in her kitty.
By :- Ram Tiwari

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