Imaad Shah unhappy with Bollywood 'formula' films :

Imaad Shah unhappy with Bollywood 'formula' films

If Naseeruddin Shah feels he doesn’t “see great movies emerging” from Bollywood, son Imaad, too, isn’t very impressed.  According to him, our films “could be better in terms of quality and storytelling.” He adds: “In fact, we should be particular about our films because they are constantly in the global eye. And since our movie culture is more than 50 years old, we should come out with brilliant cinema. But we’ve largely been stuck with formula-driven films,” he says.

Although Imaad made his debut in 2006 with his father’s Yun Hota To Kya Hota, he has been very choosy about his projects, with just two more films (Dil Dosti Etc. and Little Zizou) in his filmography. Ask him if the quality of films deterred him from taking up offers and he shoots back, “Of course, they have. Thanks to my family’s name, I feel I’ve a responsibility, which is a challenge I enjoy. And since I have high standards to live up to, I have to do well in whatever I take up,” he says.

Imaad also admits that he has consciously kept a low profile while turning down several offers, many from big production houses. “I’m a very private person. Generally, I want to keep my privacy intact,” says the actor-musician, adding that he wants to package his career in a stylish and charismatic way. “That’s probably why I’ve been very picky about my films.”

But unlike his father, Imaad is hopeful about producers’ attitudes finally changing. “Even they realise that a standard formula no longer works, with films worth crores falling flat in empty theatres. And I think it’s largely happening due to the influx of young creative minds including filmmakers and music directors,” he says.

These days, what has Imaad all excited is his debut as a music director in Prawal Raman’s 404, in which he has also played an erratic genius in a cameo performance. “In terms of Bollywood music, songs from the past couple of decades have been very repetitive. But now, we are fusing different kind of sounds with Hindi film music,” he says.

An excited Imaad further informs that the lyrics of 404 have dirty and real Hindi lyrics. “There are a lot of phrases and lines, which we hear everyday,” he says, adding that members from his band The Pulp Society have also collaborated with him. Imaad is now getting ready to travel to Patna, Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai with his father’s theatre group, Motley, besides readying for a few performances next month with his band.

Already thin “Anushka” asked to lose extra kilos by YRF!

Lean and fit Anushka Sharma has been asked by Yash Raj Films to shed some extra inches and acquire a leaner and fitter body! Now we all know the ‘Band Baaja Baarat’ beauty already has a lean frame. One can’t call the pretty actress chubby by any standards. So why did Yash Raj sermon such a diktat?

The actress had a long break after her last hit BBB and according to sources close to the talented girl she had been binging a lot for the past few days. Speaking to a daily a source said, “A foodie that she is, she binged on her favourite delicacies and let herself go. YRF has instructed her to go slow. The actress began working out with her trainer and got a toned look. Since she has a high metabolism rate, losing weight quickly isn`t a problem."

Yash Raj is known for its strict weight norms. In the past, several leading ladies have been asked to shed weight for the banner. From Preity to Rani to Aishwarya to even Deepika, all have had to follow strict diet regime to fit the role.

The production house is very strict when it comes to the fitness of their heroines. While signing a film, their contract insists they be of a certain weight and have a specific Body Mass Index.

‘Karan Johar’ approaches ‘Salman Khan’ for his next  film.

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar recently approached Salman Khan for his next film despite knowing his close friend Shah Rukh Khan’s bitter relationship with the hunk of an actor.

Indeed, the last time Salman worked for Dharma Productions’ was way back in year 1998, in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’.
It is believed that Salman’s comeback hits ‘Wanted’ and ‘Dabangg’ have changed the equation as the bad boy of Bollywood seems to have become the current favourite of Karan Johar.

Apparently, the ice broke when Karan Johar asked Salman Khan to be a part of ‘Koffee With Karan’. However, Salman agreed to do the show for a price, which would go as a donation to his foundation. While Karan denied paying up for a celebrity on his chat show, he is currently in talks with the actor for a film to be directed by Rensil D’Silva.

Considering KJo’s friendship with Shah Rukh, his sudden shift towards Salman’s could spell doom to his association with SRK.
Talking to a daily, a source said, “After ‘Kurbaan’, Rensil is directing a fantasy-action caper on the lines of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. When Karan Johar heard the script, he absolutely fell in love with it. Both Karan and Rensil felt Salman was perfect for the main part.”

It seems SRK’s loss is Salman’s gain! 

Sonakshi's latest crush

Sonakshi's  latest  crush

Ranbir's charm seems to be inescapable. That what it is for the latest Bollywood heartthrob -- Sonakshi Sinha too.

According to reliable sources, Sonakshi is the latest victim of Ranbir's charm. It is known that Sonakshi is smitten by Ranbir's aura so much so that she does not mind speaking about it in the open.


According to our sources, "Though lately the rumours about Sonakshi and Ranbir trying to work together have been gaining momentum, the fact of the matter is that Ranbir is Sonakshi's latest crush. And Sonakshi does not hide this feeling even publicly. At a recent event, Sonakshi openly talked about liking Ranbir Kapoor and also about her eagerness to work with him."

Ranbir on his part is quite cautious about his friendship with Sonakshi. Sources reveal that Ranbir is making all efforts to stay away from link-up stories with Sonakshi even though they were recently spotted hanging out together.

Ajay to do a double role in his next :

Ajay to do a double role in his next

Devgn plays both good guy and bad guy in the upcoming film 'Winners'

Twelve years after playing a double role in Hindustan Ki Kasam, Ajay Devgn does it again for an action thriller Winners, directed by Abbas-Mastan.

Says a source, "The Shemaroo project has Ajay essaying both positive and negative characters. The story revolves around a robbery. 

AJ has wanted to play a grey character for some time now and was waiting for the right time.

When the director duo narrated the character of an intelligent conman, he was very excited. Shooting begins in South Africa and Dubai by year-end."

Never happened
A few years ago the star was to essay a double role in Rajkumar Santoshi's Ashoka that of father Ashoka and his son Kunala but the film was shelved. Ajay was even offered the role of the villain in Krrish 2 but he wasn't happy with the character sketch so he turned it down.

Confident stride
The source adds, "While most heroes are opting for double or multiple hero projects Ajay is doing a double role at this stage in this career because he has had a good run last year and is confident of bringing money to the producer's table."

Devgn's spokesperson says, "Yes Ajay is in talks with Shemaroo for playing a double role but it's too early to say anything. Once everything is finalised, we will announce it."

Deepika Padukone to get a new look in Rana?

Deepika Padukone to get a new look in ‘Rana’  ?

She may be the hottest diva in Bollywood today, but our Superstar is not pleased with her super model look in his upcoming film Rana. Recently Deepika was in Chennai to do a photo shoot with Rajni. However, after the photo shoot, Rajni has asked the make up team to rework on Deepika's look. Since Rana narrates the story of three different generations, Rajni wanted Deepika to look like a traditional South Indian girl who is simple yet beautiful at the same time. Rana, directed by K.S. Ravikumar, is produced jointly by Rajni's daughter Soundarya and Eros International. A.R. Rahman will compose the music while Ratnavelu (ofEnthiran fame) is the cinematographer.

The budget for this magnum opus is estimated to be around Rs. 100 crores. According to reports, the film will be set in three different eras and our Superstar will sport three different looks. Rana is expected to go on floors next week in Chennai.

Saif Ali Khan pops the question to 

Kareena finally

Is it wedding season in B-Town? Former Miss World Lara Dutta tied the nuptial with tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi early this year. And filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and his ladylove Kalki are all set to enter into matrimony this month end. It seems star couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor too is headed towards the altar. Rumours have it that Saif has already popped the question to Kareena.

Sources close to the couple have stated that an official announcement is on the anvil after the release of Saif’s home production ‘Agent Vinod’ which stars the two in the lead. Saif, is waiting for Kareena’s answer.

Now we all know what Bebo’s answer is going to be. But Saif wants her to decide the date and time for the wedding.

Kareena has already made a good rapport with Saif’s kids and his family. Saif is also known to be friendly with Kareena’s mother and sister. Now all are just waiting for the official announcement.

When will wedding bells ring for this star couple? Perhaps only Kareena can tell!

Rani and Kareena have no scene together in Aamir’s next : Cat Fight

Rani and Kareena have no scene together in Aamir’s next : 

Cat Fight

Whoever said, B-Town actresses can never be friends are in a way right. Once good friends, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, who had worked in ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’ have maintained thick distance from each other for quite sometime now for reasons unknown.

However, the duo is all set to work together in Reema Kagti’s Aamir Khan starrer yet to be titled flick.

Talking to a daily, a source said, "The script is such that Rani and Kareena`s characters never cross paths. So, there is no need for them to shoot with each other. Thus, they are never even on the sets together. Not that there is a problem between the two.”

But celebrities do know how to mince words and sound politically correct.

“They are professional and respect each other. In fact, Bebo has been telling people on the sets how much she likes Rani as a person and actor. Bebo has many kind word for her contemporaries, so this one comes straight from the heart”, the source added.

Suniel Shetty returns to action films : action begins now

Suniel Shetty returns to action films : action begins now

Actor Suniel Shetty is taking a giant leap over his sea of multi-starrers and comedies to come back to the genre of his genesis - action with a patriotic outing. “I'm coming back to action. It’ll be a contemporary commando movie set in Kashmir. I’ve toned myself down for it. I’ve done my food bit right so far and now I need to rip off and chisel myself completely,” says Anna, as Shetty is fondly called in a leaner than ever avatar.

Prod more on the same, the 49-year-old says, “It's in scripting stage. But it should go on floors sometime in June-July and come out next summer.”

Shetty, who instantly became the contemporary He-Man of Bollywood after his debut Balwan (1992), also revealed that his film is facing a challenge as “permission to shoot is a problem as the film's based in Kashmir”.

Apart from his action resurrection, Shetty is also gearing up to return to the small screen. “It's a fitness-based reality show and I'll be anchoring it,” says the actor, who has earlier hosted a fat-to-fit reality show Sabse Bada Loser Jeetega.

Deepika Padukone faces chapati challenge

“Deepika Padukone” faces  ‘chapati’ challenge .

Actress Deepika Padukone was embarrassed when she couldn’t make a roti for a cooking scene in upcoming film, Aarakshan, while her co-star Saif Ali Khan was amused and said it reminded him of a scene in Kaalia where Amitabh Bachchan helped Parveen Babi make an egg.

While breezing through one of the most difficult scenes with Big B in Aarakshan, Deepika froze when she had to make perfectly rounded rotis. Apparently she asked director Prakash Jha to change the menu, but he was adamant. “I was so embarrassed, I can totally cook, but rotiis a challenge. As with life, the most simplest of things some times get to be a hardest to master,” said Deepika. A source says,
“Deepika just stood there helplessly looking at camera, at her director and her co-star Saif Ali khan who grinned beside her.”

Deepika’s attempts at makingrotis came out in abstract shapes, sizes and maps of unknown countries. Seeing her comical trials, Saif came to her rescue with no success.

Finally, Jha had to personally show Deepika how to make perfectly-rounded rotis. Saif said, “It was interestingly funny, reminded me of the scene inKaalia where Amitji helps Parveen Babiji to make an egg. Thank god, it wasn’t an egg for Deepika.”

Miss India wants to work with both SRK and Aamir

After winning the Miss India International crown, Ankita Shorey has set her sights on the Bollywood and has both Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan on her wish-list of co-stars.

The 24-year-old model says films are her first love, and she wants to live out her life in front of the cameras. “Acting is and will always be my first love. Even before I won the pageant, I was working towards becoming an actress, and the crown will hopefully ease my way a bit,” Ankita told PTI.

Ankita, who has already shared screen space with King Khan in an advertisement for a cosmetics brand, said Shah Rukh had an immense commercial appeal, while Aamir had an “experimental edge.”

“I want to live my entire life on the big screen and want to work with all the top names in the industry. I love both Shah Rukh and Aamir. Aamir is a fearless actor who experiments a lot, while Shah Rukh has an unparalleled commercial success. SRK just sweeps you off the feet with his charm,” she said.

She reckoned that it was the best time to be a newcomer in the Bollywood as the industry had spawned various genres to choose from.

“We have everything from typical ‘masala' song and dance to experimental films coming out of the industry. That gives an aspiring actor a lot of opportunity, and more than anything I want to prove my versatility,” Ankita said, citing the example of the former Miss India, Priyanka Chopra.

“She has done everything, from a Dostana to a Saat Khoon Maaf, and I aspire to do the same.”

Ankita, who attended a Buddhist monastery after studying history, said her early years equipped her well for life in the fast lane.

Britney lookalike banned 

on `Britain`s Got Talent`

The bosses of `Britain`s Got Talent` have decided to ban a Britney Spears lookalike`s raunchy performance on the show at the last minute after they deemed her act as too "risky" to be shown to a family audience.

Lorna Bliss, 30, who bears a striking resemblance to Spears, failed to impress the ITV1 programme`s judges Amanda Holden, David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre.

Femalefirst.co.uk reports that last year Ofcom, an independent regulator and competition authority for the Britain communications industries, stood against TV moghul Simon Cowell and ITV1 for showing raunchy performances by Rihanna and Christina Aguilera on "The X Factor".

So now Lorna`s sexy act is being cut from television screens.

"Until yesterday Lorna was in the show, but when they saw the edit they thought it was too risky. Simon likes the show to be as sexy and controversial as possible but now is not the time to be taking chances," An ITV insider told Daily Mirror.

Preity Zinta to star in Jai Ramji; will play a gangster in the film #

Preity Zinta to star in Jai Ramji; will play a gangster in the film

Preity Zinta will be seen on the big screen after a long hiatus. The actress will be playing a gangster in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Jai Ramji. Though currently Preity has her hands full with the on going IPL and her TV show Guinness World Records, Preity is also gearing up for her return to the silver screen.

Jai Ramji will be a gangster film, set in eastern UP. When we reported details of the film last month, the female lead was yet to be finalised. But now, Preity has been roped in for the film. Preity, who has heard the script and has agreed to do it, is yet to sign on the dotted line though. Preity will be a part of the gang, which includes actors such as Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan and Randeep Hooda.

The film is said to go on floors in July and should be wrapped up by end of this year.

Salman, Ajay help Sanjay Dutt beef up for ‘Agneepath’

Once considered an inspiration for millions of fitness freaks, Sanjay Dutt has gradually lost the status of a fit actor. After being mocked by appearing to be overweight in films like ‘Blue’ and ‘All the Best’, the man has decided to get back in shape as he is all set to play villain Kancha Cheena in ‘Agneepath’ remake. And in this effort, his buddies Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn are going lend him a helping hand.

Sanjay Dutt, while shooting for a small role in Salman’s ‘Ready’, was given an exercise chart and a diet plan by the ‘Dabangg’ star. Sallu seems to be going all out to help Sanjay beef up for his next role in ‘Agneepath’.

Speaking to a daily, a source said: "Sanju is religiously following Salman`s diet advice. If all goes well, when Sanju starts to shoot his portion as the baddie for Agneepath in May, he will be perfectly beefed up."

Confirming the report, Sanjay said, "I had to do it for me and all my fans. I had to be in shape again, and want to thank Ajay (Devgn) and Salman (Khan) to push me to get back. Ajay inspired me to work out and get this look during the ‘Rascals’ shoot in Bangkok. He is like a brother to me."

Well, when there is someone as robust as Hrithik Roshan playing the antagonist, shaping up to perfection becomes all the more essential.

Are we right Sanju?

Abhishek-Ajay in remake of 1979 “Golmaal”

Director Rohit Shetty is all set to make another Golmaal, but this one will not belong to the popular Golmaal series. Shetty will make a re-make of the original Golmaal, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in 1979. The film will star actors Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan.

On the insistence of Devgn, the director will be re-making Golmaal (1979), one of the finest comedies that B-Town has produced till date. Reportedly, Ajay will be producing the film and has already decided on the cast of the film.

To avoid the confusion between the remake and the Golmaal series, the film will be called as Bol Bachchan. Abhishek will essay the role that Amol Palekar played in the original, while Devgn will play the role played by Utpal Dutt.

Ajay chose Junior Bachchan because he is very fond of the actor and treats him as his younger brother. Mid Day reports that Abhishek confirms the news of the re-make, “Ajay was very keen that we do one, and Rohit has rewritten the script with such affection and so cleverly."