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Mallika Sherawat cast with ‘Avatar’ star Laz Alonso in Love, Barack
Mallika Sherawat has been cast opposite Avatar co-star Laz Alonso in the feature Love, Barack, a political romantic comedy set during the frantic and intoxicating days leading up to 2008 U.S. Presidential election. Mallika will play the female lead and central character Aretha Gupta, a devoted, local Obama volunteer coordinator. The story, a snapshot of a moment in time that was filled with hope, change, and passionate debate, follows the romantic and political rollercoaster that develops when, the month before Election Day, Democrat Aretha unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome, dynamic African-American working for the local McCain office. On signing up for the film, Mallika said, “Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I’m very lucky to be working with him.” To be directed by Doug McHenry, the film will also feature acclaimed actress Ruby Dee (Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominee for 2007’s American Gangster) and comedy veteran Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.
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Mallika Sherawat cast with ‘Avatar’ star Laz Alonso in Love, Barack
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Live Chat: Vijay Lalwani on March 12 at 1600 hrs IST
about 39 minutes ago - No comments
In the last few years, many ad filmmakers such as Pradeep Sarkar, R.Balki, Rensil D’Silva, etc. have made an entry into Bollywood as directors. The latest person from the ad fraternity to join the film fraternity is none other than Vijay Lalwani, director of the recently released romantic thriller Karthik Calling Karthik (KCK). The Farhan- Deepika starrer has been garnering rave reviews and Vijay’s directorial skills have fetched him a lot of praise. Now that the film is released since two weeks, we at Bollywood Hungama give you a chance to ask Vijay Lalwani all that you want about KCK, his future projects and much more through an exclusive Live Video Chat on Friday, March 12, at 1600 hrs IST. Don’t miss!!!
Life Goes On
about 39 minutes ago - No comments
The drama explores the relations between a grief stricken father and his three daughters. Set in London, the time is now, the family of Indian origin- part of the UK Diaspora. With his wife’s sudden death, Sanjay is suddenly thrown into close proximity with his three daughters. The drama unfolds over five days from the day when Manju dies to day of the funeral. Haunted by memories, grappling with this devastating loss, missing the mediating influence of his wife, Sanjay finds himself assessing and carving out new relations with his three daughters. He is faced with a further crisis when he discovers his youngest and most loved daughter Dia, has a Muslim boyfriend -Imtiaz. Confused and angry, Sanjay leaves home and wanders the streets of London one night. With an unexpected series of events, Sanjay is forced to face his past demons, his trauma over the partition of India when as a child, he was forced to leave his home with his parents. Finally to come to terms with his old and unspoken prejudice about Muslims, in the larger context of the country in the grips of Islam phobia as the events of 7/7 and the consequences of the Iraq war reverberate. As he sits drenched and tired on a bench on Hampstead Heath and watches the sun rise – Sanjay puts his demons to rest. At the funeral he has come to terms with himself, he allows the Muslim boy to join the family rituals and sees his daughters for what they are and not what he expected them to be. The shadow of Shakespeare’s King Lear bears on this contemporary and free adaptation. It works functionally as a sub- text in the film as we see Sanjay and Dia within the contours of the mythical Lear and Cordelia.
Ranbir-Katrina shoot extra scenes for Raajneeti
about 3 hours ago - No comments
When Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif met for a shoot on Monday, it was just like old times when they shot for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Raajneeti last year. The twosome was fiercely competitive when they shot for the two films. So it was when they shot again together on Monday. The competitive spirit has taken over Raajneeti in a big way. Both Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif see the film as a passport to the National Awards. With stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Bajpai, Nana Patekar and Ajay Devgn in the cast, the young stars of the show have decided to pull out all stops to ensure their performances are noticed at the right places. All efforts are now on by Ranbir and Katrina to ensure optimum audience participation in Raajneeti. A music video, only a part of which will be included in the film and the rest used for promotion, is to be shot. Says the director Prakash Jha, “We certainly don’t want to pitch Raajneeti as a dry political drama .Ranbir and Katrina are big commercial stars. We want their fans to see our film as an entertainer. At an edited length of about 3 hours’ playing-time, we want viewers to be glued to the edge of their seats. I wouldn’t call it a multi- star cast film .I’d call it a multi-actor film.” With the Ranbir-Katrina jodi being hotter-than-July, a certain amount of spicing up is certainly the order of the day. And the hit jodi is more than willing to shoot extra days to ensure the product gets them maximum attention. On Monday, Ranbir and Katrina did some additional shooting for Raajneeti at Mona Shourie’s Future Studios long after their dates for Raajneeti had dried up. Ranbir Kapoor just back from Las Vegas rushed to the shooting. close-ups and continuity shots were shot with the two. A sizzling music video featuring Ranbir, Katrina and Arjun Rampal is also on the cards. So who says politicians can’t dance? Says Prakash, “We did some patchwork shooting on Monday, close-ups, etc. Yes. It’s for the betterment of the end-product. We all want Raajneeti to be a big success. Katrina and Ranbir have surrendered themselves completely to the project and will do whatever is required.”
T-Series inks 5 Film Music deal with Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd.
about 17 hours ago - No comments
The bond between T-Series and Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd. just got stronger. T-Series has acquired Music Rights of Shree Ashtavinayak’s Khatta Meetha directed by Priyadarshan starring Akshay Kumar and Trisha Krishnan, Golmaal 3 being directed by Rohit Shetty starring Ajay Devgan, Kunal Khemu, Shreyas Talpade and Kareena Kapoor, Tees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar, Akshye Khanna, Katrina Kaif directed by Farah Khan. Run Bhola Run starring Govinda, Tushar Kapoor directed by Neeraj Vora and an untitled film starring Saif Ali Khan directed by Kunal Kohli. With this mega deal T Series once again proves that they are the biggest player in the music industry.
Budget plays havoc with Rajeev Khandelwal starrer Joker
about 1 day ago - No comments
After Sanjay Gadhvi’s proposed Parisian romance 7 Days & 7 Nights In Paris which apparently has now been relocated to Punjab, we now have the Rajeev Khandelwal starrer Joker being relocated from New Zealand to Ooty at the eleventh hour. The emotional father-son story directed by Kumar Gaurav’s cousin Vikram Tuli, featuring Rajeev with the 5-year old Shrey Bawa was supposed to be shot from the end of January to the middle of February in New Zealand. But the film’s main drama has now been shot in Ooty. Rajeev feels the shift of location makes no difference to the essential emotions of the film. He has never felt more challenged as an actor. Quips Rajeev, “That’s because I’ve never had a more challenging co-star. Shrey Bawa who plays my son is just 5. But he’s a veteran compared with me. He has done innumerable ads. And he played Priyanka Chopra and Bobby Deol’s son in Dostana. He gives me the shivers. I just can’t keep up with him.” Apparently, the Bawa boy is so brilliant he makes Rajeev fumble with his lines. In the dramatic scenes, Rajeev often has to ask for retakes. Bawa gets its right the first time. Says Rajeev, “This is a very emotional father-son story. Many times I get too choked to say my dialogues. But Shrey never slips up. He’s the best actor I’ve worked with.” Where does that leave Prachi Desai who plays Rajeev’s love interest in Joker? Rajeev is mighty excited by the new jodi. “Prachi and I go back a long way. We were both part of Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji soaps. Now when I see us together in this film I wonder why no one thought of casting us together before.” Rajeev has also signed a film to be produced by Nariman Irani’s production house who had done the original Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Don. Entitled Taiynaat the Khandelwal starrer will be directed by debutant Ehsan Hyder. This would be the fourth film of Rajeev’s career and all four with debutant directors. “And there’s a fifth debutant director Vibhu Puri coming up in Chenab Gandhi,” Rajeev says happily.
Nandita Das in Kolkata to shoot for Onir’s film Afia
about 1 day ago - No comments
After winning multiple Filmfare awards for her directorial debut, it was a grand homecoming of sorts of Nandita Das in Kolkata which is not really her hometown. Nandita is an Oriya by parentage. But because of the number of films she has done in Bengali she’s often mistaken for a Bengali. So it was when she landed in Kolkata last Sunday. Armed ecstatically as she was with her 4 Filmfare awards for Firaaq, the city greeted her with open-armed ovation. “The last film I shot in Kolkata was Paddakhep (Footsteps) with Soumitra Chatterjee,” she says from the sets of Onir’s Afia. “We’re now shooting all over the city.” Nandita is naturally overjoyed with the Filmfare awards for Firaaq. “To be honest I was surprised to find Firaaq’s nomination in so many categories. It shows that even the popular space is acknowledging a film like Firaaq that tends to be slotted as a niche film. But getting 4 awards for costume, sound, editing and finally the Critic’s Choice Award for the best film of the year! It sure was a surprise.” This was the first time Filmfare award function that Nandita attended. And she’s impressed. “I had gone expecting nothing, had come to see the much talked- about spectacle, which is sure was.” Nandita feels Firaaq which was clumsily released would now get a new lease of life. “These awards are a big help to a film that was so badly released and so many people just didn’t get to see it. They create a curiosity in people’s mind. I met so many people from the fraternity who said the first DVD they were going to get is that of Firaaq!” The impact of Firaaq has stunned Nandita. “What matters to me is that people see the film as a story I keenly wanted to tell and wanted it to reach the audiences. Thankfully a film’s shelf life is much longer than a release. All those who have seen it, friends and strangers have championed the film and I am so grateful for that. I am really thankful to Filmfare and the critics who are known to be difficult to please, for helping spread Firaaq.” Nandita is now looking at directing another film. “Having won about 10 awards each internationally and in India, and getting an overwhelming reaction from those who have seen it, it is time I start my next project. I have begun thinking of a story, although the journey of bringing it to life is long.” In the meanwhile, there’s Onir’s Afia where she plays a wife desperate to be a mother. Nandita has done her own research on sperm banks before plunging into the part. “I did a bit of homework on the net and had a long chat with Onir who has done extensive research on the net…But it’s more about the space to make your own choice. And that’s a universal desire!”
Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma chosen as brand ambassadors of Vaseline
about 1 day ago - No comments
He is ‘Mr. Hot’ while she is ‘Miss Cool’. He says ‘Waah! Life Ho Tho Aisi’… while she exclaims ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. And together they form ‘Badmaash Company’! We are indeed talking about Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, who will now be seen complementing each other in YRF’s next. Well, if you thought that, this was the news that we are telling you, then, our answer is no. According to our confirmed sources, news is that Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma have now been chosen as the Brand Ambassadors of the skin care major Vaseline. This is one pair which the industry folks are waiting with bated breath to see. One may have to wait for a while to see this golden pair’s magic on the silver screen, but for now you can definitely get a glimpse of them in the TVCs of Vaseline, that’s supposed to go on air soon!
Live Chat: Vikram Bhatt on March 10 at 1500 Hrs IST
about 1 day ago - No comments
Remember the horror flick that made you jump off your seat. The one where every time something invisible used to shock Bipasha Basu, you would feel eerie too. Yes! We are talking about Raaz. The one that was directed by none other than Vikram Bhatt. After his film1920, he is now yet again ready to release the spooks with Shaapit. This time again like 1920, the film will have newcomers, namely, Udit Narayan’s son Aditya Narayan and Shweta Agarwal. Has Vikarm taken a penchant for spine chillers, here is your chance to put your curiosity to rest as we bring this director with a will to stand apart right here at Bollywood Hungama’s Celebrity Video chat. So get your questions ready and login on Wednesday, March 10, at 1500 hrs IST.
What’s next from Subhash Ghai?
about 1 day ago - No comments
What is the Showman making next? The film-maker, who has delivered a number of hits, super hits and blockbusters over the past few decades, is waiting to start his next venture. There’s talk that Ghai’s immediate film will be the remake of his yesteryear hit HERO, which made Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadhri overnight sensations. Reportedly, the remake of HERO will star Jackie’s son Tiger in the same role his father essayed in the original. But Ghai denies that he is remaking HERO. “How can I direct the same film I made three decades ago? Let someone young handle this,” the Showman tells me. So what is he making next? “Oh, I am keen to make a lavish, big-budget film this time. It would be a masala film for sure. I’ve realised that the makers keep experimenting in film after film, perhaps wanting to change with the fast-changing times, but some things — a good commercial film – always remains a favourite, it never goes out of fashion,” Ghai states. The veteran, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, is still working on the script of the film. Let’s hope Ghai bounces back with renewed vigour this time!
Sonu Sood fractures his nose while shooting for Dabangg in Wai
about 1 day ago - No comments
The shooting of Dabangg in Wai seems to be quite an accident-prone event for the cast and crew. Only last week, Salman Khan was rushed to a local hospital after he complained of smoke congestion when a fire erupted on the sets. Now Salman’s co-star in Dabangg, Sonu Sood has landed himself with a fractured nose while shooting for the film earlier this week. Bollywood Hungama spoke to Sonu who, despite the injury, is continuing shooting for the film in Wai. “Yes…It’s true that I got hurt two days ago while shooting. We were shooting a fight scene between Salman and me that is a part of the climax. During the practice, one of the fighters jumped and his knee happened to hit my nose real hard. The pain was quite severe and I was taken to the hospital for an X-ray and scan. The X-ray revealed a fracture in my nose. The doctor advised me bed rest for 3-4 days, but since we were shooting the climax scene between Salman and me I didn’t want to delay the schedule. I landed on the sets the very next day after taking some painkillers and shot for some light scenes.” One must say that Sonu has indeed shown true professionalism by continuing to shoot in spite of a fractured nose. He will return to Mumbai in a week’s time, after finishing the current schedule of Dabangg in Wai. We wish him a speedy recovery.