After Aishwarya-Abhishek, it is Bipasha-John in Miami

By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai, May 2 : The two "Dostana" heroes had a pleasant break while shooting in Miami. First Abhishek Bachchan had wife Aishwarya Rai join him on their first wedding anniversary and then John Abraham had Bipasha Basu for company.

"It's just for three days. My work got over on Monday in Switzerland, so I decided to rush to Miami to be with John before I went on to my next shoot," Bipasha said, happy at the thought of finally seeing John after a month.

The Karan Johar-produced "Dostana", being directed by Tarun Mansukhani, also stars Priyanka Chopra in the female lead.

Bipasha was shooting in Europe with Ranbir Kapoor for "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

"I really enjoyed myself in the European summer. I had a super time shooting with Ranbir and my director Sid (Siddharth Anand). In fact, the entire unit was loads of fun. Italy was paradise. I enjoyed my time in Capri, Rome and Zurich."

After her brief holiday in Miami, Bipasha rushes to Bangkok to join Neil Nitin Mukesh for a 40-day schedule of new-director Jehangir Surti's "Freeze".

Interestingly, in both "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and "Freeze", Bipasha plays a woman slightly older than her co-stars.

--- IANS

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John Abraham's father connects with 'Aashayein'

Mumbai, May 1 : Director Nagesh Kukunoor recently unveiled the first look of his forthcoming film "Aashayein" (hope) starring John Abraham. Although the lead man was not present, his parents filling in for him said they have a special bond with the title of the film and the word 'hope'.

John's father, Abraham John, said: "My father, John's grand father, was a great believer in hope and all through his life believed and preached that even at the darkest of moments of life there is always a ray of hope. Even when he was 95 years old, he kept preaching to everyone to see life as a bright star and not a burden."

"I am extremely proud of the films that Nagesh makes," said Abraham John.

John Abraham is currently shooting in Miami for Karan Johar's "Dostana".

Immediately after seeing the first look of the film, John's parents called him in Miami and the actor was surprised to known that his parents had attended the function on Kukunoor's request.

In fact, John's parents had suggested to him to do this film after hearing the script.

"Aashayein" is an uplifting drama and the title of the film is inspired by the popular song from Kukunoor's "Iqbal".

The film also stars television actress Sonal Sehgal, Vikram Inamdar, Sonali Sachdev, Farida Jalal, Girish Karnad and Anahita Nair - the "Chak De! India" girl.

--- IANS

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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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