Asin replaces Katrina in Yash Raj project?

If our sources are to be believed then Aamir’s Ghajini girl Asin is all set to become Shah Rukh Khan’s girl in the upcoming Yash Raj project.

Katrina Kaif was initially being considered for this project but the King Khan made a conscious decision of keeping away professionally from anything that’s related to Salman, Katrina’s name was dropped.
“But then there was also a problem having Asin in the film.” sources further reveal. “The Yash Raj project was to go on floors during 2009 but Asin was committed to do a Priyadarshan project co-starring Akshay Kumar.

In fact Akki himself had suggested her name and she had landed in a catch 22 situation as rejecting the Yash Raj project would mean taking on the biggest production house’s ire and refusing Akki’s film would mean hurting him. Since, Akki herself had suggested her name, Asin was not able to back out of it.

But then luck favoured the Southern beauty as recently Akshay announced his inability to shoot the Priyadarshan project in 2009 and allotted dates of March 2010.

Now her dates for 2009 end got free and she intimated Yash Raj about it. Now the buzz doing the rounds of industry circles is, Asin may be replaced from the Priyadarshan project with Katrina Kaif. Now that would make it a full circle if it happens so!”

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Movie Review : Aa Dekhen Zara

AA DEKHEN ZARA had the potential to be an exciting fare, but the post-interval portions prove a deterrent. The fantastic promotion coupled with the popular musical score will ensure ample footfalls in the opening weekend, but the film lacks the stamina to run steadily.

An interesting thought may not necessarily translate into an interesting screenplay. AA DEKHEN ZARA is a prime example of this statement.

Think about it... A man inherits his grandfather's camera and with the camera comes the ability to see the future. What an idea, Sirji... But AA DEKHEN ZARA is akin to a bottle of soda, which starts off with a lot of energy, but the fizz settles down faster than expected.

AA DEKHEN ZARA had great potential to be a riveting thriller, but halfway through the film, you realize that the writers have run out of ideas. In fact, by the time the film reaches the finale, the viewer is terribly confused [like the writers of this film]. This is one jigsaw puzzle that remains unsolved even after its culmination.

In a nutshell, AA DEKHEN ZARA promises the moon, but what you eventually get in return is merely a mirage.

Ray [Neil Nitin Mukesh], a struggling photographer, has nothing going for him... until he inherits a very special camera from his grandfather which changes his life in a way that he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.

The power of the camera changes Ray's destiny overnight. His life becomes one big roller coaster ride that takes him from rags to riches and also helps him meet the love of his life, Simi [Bipasha Basu], who is a DJ with a mind of her own. Everything is hunky dory.

As they say with great power comes great responsibility and in Ray's case, also great danger. He must now face up to the dark side of reality and win not only against the evil forces, but also against fate.

Come to think of it, your imagination can run wild with a premise like the one in AA DEKHEN ZARA. But the film runs out of fuel midway.

Director Jehangir Surti has an eye for visuals, but he ought to know that the viewer wants to listen to a good story, told in the most simplistic manner. You ought to be extra careful if you're attempting a suspense thriller. You need to disentangle the knots in such a way that the mystery doesn't remain a mystery in the end. In this case, it still remains a mystery.

15 minutes into the film and you're drawn into Neil's world. You are exhilarated every time he wins a lottery or race. The introduction of the negative force [Rahul Dev] is smartly handled as well. But the plot slackens thereafter.

Let's get specific, the second hour is a problem. The screenplay should've packed some great moments, but the writers seem to take an easy way out. Sample this. While on the run, Neil and Bipasha suddenly break into a dance in a tacky pub. Prior to that they jump from the roof of the hotel and land straight into the pool. The cat and mouse game gets more and more confusing with the finale only adding to the chaos.

Jehangir Surti can't do much since he's saddled with a poor script. Music is the sole saving grace. The songs are youthful and energetic, one of the reasons why AA DEKHEN ZARA has generated tremendous interest. Cinematography is good. The chase and stunts are well canned.

Neil Nitin Mukesh showed great promise in his debut film and you only expect him to climb the ladder in his next release. Sadly, the screenplay doesn't give him that opportunity. Bipasha Basu is alright. She looks great though. Rahul Dev is perfect for the part. Biswajeet [Neil's grandfather] has a tiny role. Sophie Chaudhary adds to the glamour quotient. She doesn't get much scope, frankly. Bobby Vats is okay.

On the whole, AA DEKHEN ZARA had the potential to be an exciting fare, but the post-interval portions prove a deterrent. The fantastic promotion coupled with the popular musical score will ensure ample footfalls in the opening weekend, but the film lacks the stamina to run steadily.

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Sanju in Chatur Singh Two Star

Sanjay Dutt, in a brand new avatar, will hit Indian cinemas as the eponymous Chatur Singh Two Star.

He will be playing the role of a bumbling cop who knows everything but might destroy himself. This will be Sanju’s first comedy after the Munnabhai franchaise.

The film is a Movies and More Entertainment production produced by Mohammad Aslam and directed by Ajay Chandhok.

It also stars Amisha Patel, Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover, Suresh Menon and Satish Kaushik with music by Sajid Wajid.

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Aamir Khan turns Sardar

Aamir Khan will soon be seen in a new get up - that of a sardar. And this time it isn't for a movie but for an advertisement.

Aamir will be seen as a sardar in the latest campaign for Tata Sky. The advert will go on air next week and here are some details

A source informs us, “Aamir’s new Tata Sky ad will hit our screens soon. It is rumored that Asin will also be part of it as their chemistry in Ghajini was very well appreciated. Aamir will play a Sardar in this new ad.”

He further adds, “Making the ad has been quite a hush-hush affair and Aamir the perfectionist, is as usual taking special interest in the ad be it the concept, the production design, costumes, dialogue, background score and everything else. This is the first time he is playing a Sardar, so he hopes people will like this new avatar of his, as they have liked every other look. He is not part of the IPL, he doesn’t own a team and he isn’t a mascot so this is his way of being in the spotlight at that time.”

We contacted the agency that is making the ad but they weren’t ready to divulge any information. “We cannot give any information or any information on the ad till it is released sometime next week,” said an employee of the agency who are behind the advertising campaign for Tata Sky.

Aamir is one of the few actors whose adverts have a story like feel to them complete with proper dialogues, comedy and often some light intimate moments - be it the Monaco ad where he plays a prankster student or the Tata Sky ads with Gul Panag in which they play a couple. The Tata Sky and the Tata Sky Plus ads met with great response from the audiences as they were witty and Gul and Aamir shared good chemistry.

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What's happening in Bollywood

Deepika Padukone, Kabir Bedi and Dimple Kapadia at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, Vijay Mallya gets gorgeous and hot men to India and SRK loves his scarves

Showstopper

Deepika Padukone looked more gorgeous than ever as the former supermodel walked the ramp for Ranna Gill at the finale of the WLIFW.

Royal Touch

Dimple Kapadia and Kabir Bedi looked like Greek royalty as they walked the ramp for JJ Vallya at the finale of the WLIFW

Me and my Scarves

Shah Rukh Khan is seriously addicted to his scarves. From red to blue to brown to grey, he has one in every colour

Thank God for Mallya

Dr. Vijay Mallya has brought gorgeous Formula One racers Adrien Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella to India to be part of “Force India Drivers”.

Hearty People

Healthy heart ambassador Akshay Kumar with Mukesh and Nita Ambani at the launch of Asian Heart helpline “126126”

Rock Star

Looks like the Rock On hangover is something Farhan will never get rid of. He performed over the weekend with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and a few international bands

All Charged

David Dhawan with John Abraham and Shreyas Talpade on location in Hyderabad for Hook Ya Crook. John looks super charged

Reunion

Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Bachchan, Subhash Ghai and Danny celebrate “Acting Mahaguru” Roshan Taneja’s completion of 45 years in the field.

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Adhyayan Suman: Kangana is perfect

Kangana Ranaut turns 21 today. So what is beau Adhyayan giving her and what does he love most about her? Read on to find out.

“KANGANA has not given me a gift list as yet. I want to give her a memorable gift and do something to surprise her. It is too personal to talk about,” says Adhyayan about his birthday plans for her.

However, our source tells us, “Adhyayan is throwing a party over the weekend for Kangana where he has invited Jashnn costars Shahana Goswami and Anjana Sukhani, among others like Mohit Suri and Emraan Hashmi. Soniyo is Adhyayan’s all time favourite song and he loves to sing it at every opportunity because it is a sweet, romantic song that was picturised on him and Kangana. He will obviously dedicate the song to Kangana on her birthday.”

Revealing a secret about his girlfriend, he says, “Kangana loves to eat and on Valentine’s Day I cooked a meal for her. So this time, I won’t be cooking,”

Is there anything he would like to change about his dainty damsel? “Kangana is the perfect woman and I wouldn’t want to change anything about her. She is so nice, humble and patient. She has brought a lot of peace, calm and a positive attitude in to my life. I used to be impatient and impulsive before I met her. I am always going to be there for her no matter what and support her through everything in life. I will give her all the happiness and whatever she desires”

“I wish her all the success and happiness in the world. She is a fantastic actress and I hope she becomes number one soon. I just want her to have everything that she desires and may God bless her,” says the doting boyfriend.

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Saif Ali Khan Visits Disco in Dubai

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Kabir Bedi and Dimple Kapadia walks the ramp

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Wanted - First Look

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"Slumdog Millionaire didn't touch me personally" - Aamir Khan

Bollywood A-lister and Padmashree awardee, Aamir Khan, joined CNN's special edition of 'TALK ASIA' filmed in front of a live studio audience in Mumbai, where he shared with host Anjali Rao his opinion on leading Bollywood actors, his sentiments on the Mumbai terror attacks and more. CNN 'TALK ASIA' with Aamir Khan will be aired first on Wednesday, March 25 at 1800hrs IST and repeat telecast on Saturday, March 28 at 1000hrs and 2000hrs IST. The program can also be viewed at www.cnn.com/talkasia after the first airing. We brings you the exclusive excerpts of the same:

It's a real pleasure to have you with us today so thanks so much for making yourself available again. Your most recent film Ghajini is now the biggest Bollywood success ever. Did you have any idea that it would be quite as huge as it is?
You can hope that, you can hope that for all of your films. But you can never really tell until you see the film with the audience, how it's going to play with the audience in the theatre. So I think in Ghajini what we set out to make we were in fact able to achieve that. I realized that I'm making a hardcore mainstream film after really long, which is fine. I guess I'm happy to do that.

After this movie made it so big, people said that you were the real "King Khan". And that you'd kicked Shahrukh off his perch because he appeals to the masses but you've managed to do this thing that loads of actors would love to do. In that you've had both critical and commercial success in spades. How do you do that? How do you stop from being pigeon-holed in one box or another?
Well, you know I just do work which excites me and which I enjoy doing. I just do work which makes me happy. And I have absolutely no intentions of kicking Shahrukh off his pedestal. Though I have to say I don't think he ever was on it. (Audience laughs) but in my opinion the actor who I really look up to is Mr. Bachchan (the elder?) Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. He is someone who's work I really like and he's a fantastic actor and the kind of stardom that Mr. Bachchan has seen none of us can ever hope to see. So for me he's the guy.

Good Lord, I hope thinking and looking at your work out doesn't bring back too many painful memories for you, I mean were there not days you just went "oh for a goodness sake no movie is worth this hell?!"
It was tough, it was really tough, and actually there's a joke in my family and friends, when you want to get Aamir to do something, make a movie around it and he'll end up doing it. So I never thought I would ever train, it's not something I'm in to, but when I had to do it for the film I just went all out, did the best I could. It was really painful and it was really tough and when I look at myself like I was the other day looking at the photographs you know how it began and then what I saw I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't believe. So when I think about it now, it just seems like a distant dream, because in the last eight months I haven't trained, because for the new film that I'm doing, my director looked at my physique and said now I want you to lose all of this. So I had to work towards losing it all for the new film that I'm shooting for.

You're not only a major actor but you also had your directorial debut in Taare Zameen Par. What was it like for you switching to the other side of the camera, at the same time obviously and starring in it?
It was tough, mainly because I wasn't meant to direct the film to begin with. So I kind of jumped in a week into the shoot. I just went with my gut. Actually I didn't even have time to think, quite honestly. And now when I look back I realize that I had reached a point in my career where I had wanted to direct a film for really long, and the pressure kept keeping me away from it. The fact that it happened this way didn't give me a chance to think and decide, you know. I just jumped into it because I had to, and I ended up making the film, you know, to the best of my abilities. So I didn't really, you know maybe if I hadn't done that I wouldn't be directing for the next 10 years more, I don't know. So I guess I'm glad it happened finally because I'm happy with the way the film turned out and I'm happy with the way the kind of impact it had on people.

Lagaan was nominated for an Oscar back in 2001. And that movie was very much credited at the time with putting Bollywood on the map. How important do you think it is though for Indian movies to be recognized by the West?
Lagaan was made for an Indian audience. That it was appreciated and travelled across the world, and people you know, from different places loved the film, it was great and we were all happy about it, we were thrilled. But if we hadn't done that, it wouldn't have mattered as much as what the Indian audience thought of it. If you know what I'm trying to say. So up till now, we have all been making films for our own audience, which is really large and healthy. And we haven't really looked at an international audience. We haven't thought of entertaining them, or attempting to entertain them. I think the day we do decide to do that I think we'll do alright.

Slumdog Millionaire was a huge eye opener, I think, but you know for all the accolades that it got around the world, there were plenty here in India who slammed it. What did you think of it?
It didn't touch me personally. Emotionally it didn't do anything for me. And I suspect it is because I am not used to watching Indians speak English. So you know, all these slum kids talking in English, and the cop...I find it very strange...it didn't work for me because of that problem.

You were extremely vocal in your blog about what was happening when Mumbai was under siege. Just take us through what was going on with you personally during that time.
Well it was really devastating. I mean it was like a nightmare, I couldn't believe it was happening. And it was also very shocking to see, you know, the audacity with which these attacks were carried out. All the lives that were lost and so many thoughts going through my head at that time. And it was really sad that... that I mean we live in a day and age today where there all over the world there are people, certain number of people at least, who feel that this is how they want to make a point, or want to be heard, or want to hit back, by killing innocent people. Doesn't make sense to me but I guess, I mean that's how it is, that's how it is in the world today.

Certainly you were speaking to the government in part in your blogs as well, by you know, saying not to negotiate with terrorists. But you also seemed quite critical of what the leadership was doing at the time. Is that how you felt?
No, I wasn't actually. I wasn't critical of the leadership at that time. Because I think at that time they were doing the best that they could. But I am critical about, how a number of the leaders have been using religion and cast in our politics for decades now. And that only, you know, polarizes people. It spreads a lot of poison and negativity in society.

Your response to the Mumbai terror strikes, sort of threw back memories of your 2006 movie Rang De Basanti hit, which was, you know, very political, widely hailed as really getting the youth of this country involved in politics. Is it important to you as well to make movies that aren't just about candy floss?
Yes of course. I think that the kind of person I am, I get attracted to certain kind of stories. So I can't help it, I mean, you know. A film like a story like Rang De Basanti comes to me and it actually inspires me first. You know I feel, Wow, this is something I wanna be part of. And you know so first it affects me.

There's a certain formula that works very well in Bollywood. But back in 2001, Lagaan completely went against any of that formula, you know. It was a film that nobody wanted to take on, a script that nearly died. It was more than three and a half hours long, full of you know, a cast of relative unknowns, compared to you. And yet the film was a smash hit... Now you obviously took on that project because you believed that it would work. But did other people think that you were just bonkers?
Yeah. Well they think that all the time actually. Every time I start a film they're like hmmm this time he's going to really mess it up. Everyone who knew me was like, 'He's nuts, he's really done it this time. And then when I did Dil Chahta Hai also, or you know, even Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par they were like hmm childcare and education, ok. But it's also exciting, you know when you pick things which are unusual and difficult and are breaking the rules of mainstream cinema.

Nobody would produce Lagaan. So in the end after a bit of convincing, you had to step in and do it. But it sounds like there were major issues with it. I mean, there was one scene where you had to find 10,000 villagers from somewhere and the town wasn't even built yet. As a producer, you would've had to handle that, I guess. So just talk me through some of the hurdles that you had to get over to do this movie.
Well, Lagaan was especially difficult film to do. I mean period and very large cast, so many actors you know. And just getting everyone ready for the first shot at eight o'clock was, you have to reach there at four and start getting ready it was quite insane.

In the morning?
In the morning, yes. And the cricket was really tough. Because you know the ball and the bat doesn't do what you want it to do. And the 10,000 day was a big one because we had to put a lot of teams, went into villages, and said listen we're shooting a film, and a lot of these villagers haven't seen a film in their lives. Let alone act in it.

After the break, as Bollywood actors go, Aamir puts the private in private life, still that doesn't mean that we're not gonna be getting personal. The house that we saw in that clip, you spent a lot of time there as a kid, apparently.
Well not that house in particular but in Panchgani, in that hill station.

What kind of a childhood did you have?
Well, fairly standard actually. I think my parents looked after us very well. We had a fairly sheltered life. I mean my parents were really against me getting into films. I come from a film family. My father and uncle were both filmmakers. And I faced hell at home. It was like there's no way you're getting into films. But I don't usually listen to people. I just do what I feel like. And then when they realized... actually it was more because they were concerned for me, you know. Every parent is concerned for their children. And they had been through this line and this profession is so uncertain. You know one day you're up there, the next day you're nobody and...it's a really harsh profession.

When you look back at your transformation over those years. And when you look at those clips from the 80s and 90s do you go you know what I'm really proud of that or do you go 'Oh God! I just want to die'?
I get totally embarrassed. Usually you know when I finish a film within six months I feel eh, this is not good enough. This is where we've messed up, and we could've done this, and I've grown so much as an actor and I can do this much better now. I don't like my work usually after some time, I don't like it anymore.

That's gonna be tough, because you're gonna keep seeing it?
Sooner I just don't see it. I stop seeing my work. I see it a lot when I'm on the film and you know, I see it with the audience, while it releases, that's one thing I do for all my films. I watch them with the audience. And the audience don't know I'm in the theatre.

How do they not know?
They don't know because they're already in there. And then I walk in, I stand at the back, I go into the projection room, those windows there, peep out and I can see everyone, I can hear them. So you can see them shifting in their seats if they don't like the scene. You can actually see that happen. So when the film is not working, you'll suddenly hear a lot of chairs you know, chair sounds...shifting, coughing, so you know you're losing the audience there.

Did you go in to the projection room and watch movies that didn't do so well like Mela and Mann?
Yes I did. Yes I did. It's heartbreaking. It's really heartbreaking. But I think that's what I'm making these films for, you know. I want, I'm making for the audience and I wanna be there to see how they like it. And if they don't, I wanna be there to see that.

If you had to name a characteristic of yours that's gotten you through, that's helped you to make it to be as big a star as you are now, what would it be?
I think for me it's been, I've always done what makes me happy. I realized very early in my career that you know, whenever I'm taking a decision which I think is the correct decision, or I ought to be doing this. Whenever I've done that, I've failed miserably. Whenever I thought I was being smart, I've ended up making an ass out of myself. But whenever I did what I felt like doing, it worked for me. No matter how ridiculous it may have seemed to others and no matter how impractical it may have seemed... but whenever I followed my heart and done what makes me happy, it's worked for me.

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What's happening in Bollywood

Pink and Purple: Birthday girl, Kangana, arrived for her bash in a nice electric lavendar shirt and a casual pair of shorts. And the normally sexy K, disappointed us with her flat and worn out shoes. Adhyayan looks too casual and his hat doesn't fit with what he is wearing. .

The Women Behind The Men: Directors of Fashion and Kites Madhur Bhandarkar and Anurag Basu respectively arrived with their wives in tow. Madhur's wife looks like a pretty young girl. Her silver peep toes are cute too. Anurag and his wife are both casually dressed for the occasion. We wonder when will we see a hep Basu.

How Fashionable! Arjan Bajwa arrived with Fashion co-star, Mughda Godse. While he is very casually dressed, we love Mughda's colourful top which adds just the right amount of vibrance to the outfit. Her lemon green peep-toes are very appealing and goes well with what she has worn. Notice how both have worn pointed shoes!

Perfect match: How can the stylist of Fashion go wrong? Rita Dhody has sported a nice brown stylish top (finally adding the much required zing to the boring party clothes so far!) with lovely golden sandals. We just love the woman's dressing sense.

Lending a Helping Hand: Jaya Bachchan, Lara Dutta and cancer patient Shobhit Kaushal at his art and poetry evening.

Jaago Re: Rahul Bose and Sushma Reddy are going all out to get the general public going for the elections. Rahul is getting his petition signed while Sushma is telling to don't vote for criminals.

The Ex-Factor: Bipasha Basu didn't mind striking a pose with her ex-boyfriend, Dino Morea at Gold's Gym. We love Bips spirit of agreeing to pose for the camera sans make up!

So (NOT) In Vogue: Neil Nitin Mukesh sure knows how to dress up - not! His suit-like tee and black jacket with the intense red, makes him look a tad too loud. And what's with the golden shoes dude!?

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Main Aur Mrs Khanna - Wallpapers

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