Abhishek bachchan News, Filmography, Awards, Biography, Photos, Articles, Features

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes opening

2007-05-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

Once she is back in India, Rai said she would continue work on her latest film, the 16th-century royal love story "Jodha-Akbar." The Cannes Film Festival runs to May 27.

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes opening

2007-05-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

Rai was in the audience - and on the red carpet - for Wednesday's opening-night festival screening of Wong Kar-wai's "My Blueberry Nights," but said she hoped to return to her vacation by the weekend.

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes opening

2007-05-21T03:50:00.002-07:00

Rai, 31, a former Miss World, interrupted her honeymoon for a flying visit to the Cannes Film Festival. She is in the French Riviera resort as part of the team of models for cosmetics company L'Oreal.

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes opening

2007-05-21T03:50:00.001-07:00

"This is the first travel where people start calling you, 'Hello Mrs. Bachchan, good evening,"' Rai said Wednesday. "I've maybe done a double take at times, but pleasantly so, it makes us smile, so it's been good," she said.

Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes opening

2007-05-21T03:49:00.001-07:00

Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai is a household name in many countries. Now the actress, who married fellow film star Abhishek Bachchan last month, is getting used to a new moniker.

Abhishek to only do a cameo in Laaga Chunari…

2007-04-27T05:02:00.000-07:00

Will Abhishek's presence in Pradeep Sarkar's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag be billed as 'guest appearance'? The buzz is that Abhishek agreed to do what looks like an extended cameo only because of his long association with Yashraj films.

In fact, earlier Abhishek agreed to do Dhoom 2 only because he didn't want to break up the Dhoom team.

Says a source, "No one says no to Aditya Chopra, and Abhishek accepted Dhoom 2 knowing fully well that the role would be far more timid as compared with Hrithik's. And now in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Abhishek's does an extended cameo. It's still not decided if Abhishek will be billed a guest appearance by Yashraj Films for Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. But the film belongs to the ladies Jaya Bachchan, Rani and Konkana. The men –Anupam, Kunal Kapoor and Abhishek—are at best, supporting characters."

Incidentally, Abhishek joins Rani for the shooting of Laaga Chunari Mein Daag in June after his honeymoon.

Rani anticipates no awkwardness, and so what if she wasn't invited for the wedding? "It doesn't matter whether I was at the wedding or not. I wish Abhishek and Ash all the best. I know how hard it is for an actress to work so hard and still find the right person to love. I'm looking forward to Abhishek joining me for Laga Chunari…All his scenes are with me. I'm sure we'll have a ball," Rani told a friend.

Aishwarya, Abhishek in Tirupathi

2007-04-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

Abhishek, Aishwarya in Tirupathi

2007-04-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

Abhishek, Aishwarya in Tirupathi

2007-04-25T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Big Fat Ash-Abhishek wedding

2007-04-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

With Abhi-Ash's not-so-ordinary wedding just around the corner, the buzz outside Prateeksha, the famous Bachchan residence, has reached a fever pitch. From excited fans to the media, everybody is snooping outside the main gate to get a glimpse of what's happening inside.

Abhishek Bachchan, the scion of Bollywood's first family, and Aishwarya Rai, one of the most beautiful women in the world, who got engaged in January following the premiere of their film "Guru", are set to tie the knot in the presence of close family members and friends at the Bachchan bungalow in the posh locality of Juhu, Mumbai.

No stone is being left unturned by the Bachchans for the upcoming nuptials.

From the 16-page gold-embossed wedding card to the Z-grade security ring with 300 guards and rumoured swipe cards for entry, the minutiae of the celebrity event have plunged all into a tizzy.

Though the April 20 wedding date has neither been confirmed nor denied by the two families concerned, ongoing hectic preparations are proof that the mega wedding is going to take place as scheduled.

The two Bachchan bungalows - Prateeksha and Jalsa - now resemble well-guarded fortresses and workers can be seen constructing the mandap (dais) within the bungalow premises.

The ceremonies are set to start from April 18 with mehndi (henna), followed by sangeet (music) the next day. According to reliable sources, a special kind of mehndi has been ordered for the ceremony, like the one brought by Liz Hurley for her marriage with Arun Nayar last month.

Aishwarya will wear a traditional hand-embroidered sari with intricate gold work on her wedding day, said the actor's favorite designer in an interview published on Tuesday.

Neeta Lulla said, she designed the sari and a red and gold embroidered flowing skirt and cropped blouse for the actor to wear at a "mehendi'' ceremony on Wednesday. In Indian weddings, mehendi, or henna, is applied in elaborate tattoos on the bride's hands and legs.

Lulla told Mumbai-based newspaper that while she had designed some of Rai's outfits, the actor would also wear a sari created by famous Indian designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

A red and blue air-conditioned tent with huge mirrors is being readied in a garden adjoining the Bachchan's suburban family home for what is billed as India's "wedding of the year.''

The sangeet preparations are apparently entrusted to Abhishek's sister Shweta Nanda. Shweta's friends are queuing up to her, as they want to perform to the song "Kajra-re" from "Bunty Aur Babli" for the ceremony..

Ace choreographer Sandeep Soparker has been roped in to teach dance steps to Abhishek's friends for the occasion Both Rai and Bachchan have been practicing a dance routine they plan to perform before a selected group of relatives and friends during a musical ceremony on Thursday, the daily said.

Security has been beefed up to 'Z' grade and over 300 guards are deployed to tackle any eventuality, like gatecrashers or crazy fans breaking in. Rumour has it that the guests will have to use swipe cards for entry.

Some last-minute invitees are being included in the guest list, this time from the bride's side. The wedding card along with boxes of cookies-chocolates is now being dashed off to the bride's filmmaker-friends along with a personal request from the bride to be, her mother or her secretary.

The wedding is going to be a close-knit affair as Amitabh's mother Teji Bachchan is ailing. Invitees have been sworn to secrecy about the wedding details and also about the contents and look of the wedding card, the dress code etc.

"The fact is every guest is under an unwritten oath of secrecy. We aren't even allowed to talk about the wedding among ourselves. I'm not even discussing it with my wife.

We're being offered money by sections of the media to divulge details. One newspaper, which wanted to be shown the wedding card, even offered me the equivalent of what I make for five days of shooting. I naturally refused," said an invitee.

Among those invited are director Yash Chopra, filmmaker Karan Johar, industrialist Anil Ambani and influential politician friends of the Bachchan family.

"I have not been invited to the wedding. Regardless, I wish the couple best," Shah Rukh Khan told Mumbai tabloid .

"The Bachchans have asked us to keep this wedding a private issue and therefore we are maintaining silence," said actor Suniel Shetty, who has been invited to the exclusive function.

Media reports said that jewellery for the Ash had been specially brought from eastern Kolkata city, while henna used to decorate the bride's hands came from Rajasthan state. The bride will also receive famed silk saris from the city of Varanasi, in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

The wedding card is embossed in gold and personally signed by the groom's father Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya's parents.

Gregarious pals of the Bachchans, like Karan Johar, have retreated into a shell, pretending to be immersed in work or shooting to avoid talking about the wedding.

Abhi, Aish in London

2007-04-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

With just a few weeks to go for their marriage, what are Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai doing in London?

Over the weekend, Ash and Abhi were in Malaysia where they performed at Zee Cine Awards. Now they have flown to London for another important event.

The couple will grace the premiere of Aishwarya’s much-awaited movie Provoked on Tuesday evening at the Empire Theatre, in Leicester Square. ‘Provoked’ is set for a worldwide release on the coming Friday.

The organizers have reportedly made special arrangements for Abhi and Ash’s stay in London. The couple might stay an extra day after the premiere to do some shopping for their wedding on April 20.

Sources say Aishwarya will continue to shoot for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s movie Jodha Akbar until a few days before the wedding.

‘Provoked’ is based on a real story of a Punjabi woman in the UK who suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband. Tired of torture, she killed her husband one day and was sent to prison, where, she said, she found freedom.

The movie was first screened at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, which was attended by Ash, director Jagmohan Mundhra , and Kiranjit Ahluwalia, whose story the film is.

Salman Khan invited to Abhishek-Ash wedding reception?

2007-03-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Rumour has it that Salman Khan has been invited to the wedding reception of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai .

While the Abhi-Ash wedding will strictly be a private affair (with relatives and close friends of the Bachchans and Rais), a large number of Bollywood celebrities are expected to attend the reception. And reports have it that Salman Khan, Aishwarya’s ex-flame, has also been invited.

According to the buzz, it was Amitabh Bachchan himself who called Salman’s father Salim Khan (who co-wrote scripts for many Bachchan films) and invited the entire Khan family to the reception.

Vivek Oberoi , another ex-boyfriend of Aishwarya, has reportedly not received invitation either from the Rais or the Bachchans.

It is also learnt that Salman Khan is planning to gift Abhishek a specially tailored Sherwani as the wedding gift.

Abhishek thinks Big B’s acting in 'Nishabd' better than 'Black'

2007-03-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

Amitabh Bachchan has once again surprised his fans with his superb performance in Nishabd .

Bachchan’s performance in Ram Goal Varma ’s film is very unconventional by Bollywood standards. He has no punchy dialogues, no long monologues and no passion-filled spiels. Big B’s character in the film is very realistic and so is his performance.

Terse dialogues are punctuated by long silences in which camera lingers on Bachchan’s facial expressions. Just by a single expression, Big B brings out a series of thoughts his character may be going through. It is a performance of great control and equanimity.

Abhishek Bachchan , who had some apprehensions about the movie when he saw the rushes months back, was reportedly moved to tears by Big B’s performance after a special screening of the film last week.

So much that Abhi thinks his dad’s performance in ‘Nishabd’ is better than in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black .

“He (Abhishek) feels my performance in Nishabd is better than Black. Abhishek made an interesting observation. He said I had huge props in Black. In Nishabd I performed without any,” Mr. Bachchan is quoted as saying by a Mumbai-based tabloid.

Abhishek was not the only one. Even filmmaker Ravi Chopra was deeply moved after watching the film.

Source:

Double celebration for Abhishek as 'Guru' completes 50 days

2007-03-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

It is time for celebrations to continue as Bachchan household as two of the films starring Abhishek Bachchan has achieved a box office milestone.

While 'Dhoom 2' would be completing 100 days this weekend, 'Guru' too has entered in its 8th week hence completing 50 days at dozens of centers. While for 'Dhoom 2', the credit has gone to Hrithik Roshan in a major way, for 'Guru' Abhishek Bachchan can stake the claim for coming in his own and deliver a superlative performance.

This Mani Ratnam film has already netted more than 40 crores and still showing promise of a few more weeks at the theaters before the film's original DVDs and VCDs hit the stands.

Source: IndiaGlitz

The pleasant surprise for Abhishek Bachchan

2007-02-06T03:54:00.000-08:00

Mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan gave his son Abhishek Bachchan a pleasant surprise on his birthday on Monday.

Bachchan surprised Abhishek with a Rs 1.7 crore white Bentley car as a gift.

Abhishek’s lady love the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai , who was unable to go to Bikaner to usher in the birthday, was present at the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport with a bouquet to greet him on his arrival in Mumbai.

Abhishek later went for a drive in the new car with Ash and soon after drove back to the Bachchan residence in suburban Juhu.

Ash's gift, if any besides a bouquet, remains a guarded secret.

"Her gift to Abhishek is too personal and confidential," Ash's secretary Hari Singh said.

Earlier, Bachchan along with Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh flew to Junagarh Fort in Rajasthan where Abhishek was shooting his forthcoming film Drona , to cut the birthday cake at midnight.

"I have been coming to Rajasthan on and off for various reasons. This time, however, I am here to celebrate Abhishek's birthday," Bachchan told reporters at Nall airport.

After getting off the chartered flight from Mumbai, Bachchan went directly to the hotel where his son and other members of the crew were staying, and spent the rest of the day watching the film shoot, the sources said.

The local fan club had made a beeline at the airport on hearing that the megastar was coming.

Jaya Bachchan and Ash could not join them there but were able to meet Abhishek as he returned to Mumbai by evening.

When asked about why Ash did not join Abhishek at Junagarh on the 'D' day, Singh refused to comment saying it was a personal matter.

Abhishek Bachchan on Guru

2007-01-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

Abhishek Bachchan obviously needs to introduction. His film Guru where he plays the title role is all set to hit the screens this Friday and IndiaFM caught up with him in an exclusive interview where he spoke about the film, on working with Mani Ratnam, his co-stars and a whole lot more.

This is your second movie with Mr. Mani Ratnam, how was your experience with him?
Working with Mani is always a great experience. According to me, he is possibly the most gifted and talented director that we have in India today. He is a great ambassador to Indian cinema, and just to get the opportunity to stand in front of his camera is a matter of great pride and honour for any actor. I know a lot of actors who strive to work with him. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to do two films with him already.

What is Guru all about?
Guru is about Guru. I think the poster has brilliant lines. It says a villager, visionary, winner. It is the life story of Gurukant Desai. It is a rag to riches story of a common man from a small village who has a large dream- a huge dream and how he sets about achieving it. It is a very interesting film. After a long time, we are going to get to see a film which is specifically about just one character and its growth.

You are playing Gurukant Desai. Tell us something about this role, and how did you get into this character?
I guess Gurukant Desai is from a small village in Gujarat, how he leads his small village in the chase of his dreams. He finishes his studies and comes to Mumbai. Gurukant’s greatest ability is that he never says No. He never gives up and he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal. Once he has decided he wants to achieve something he will do whatever it is to achieve it.

As the film’s promotion line says, “the most controversial man of the year”, tell us something about that. What is the controversy in the film?
There is no controversy in the film; it is just that Gurukant Desai, through the screenplay of the film ends up being very controversial because when you start achieving what you have set out to achieve. He ruffles a few feathers; people who have already established and who rule the country are not really happy with this common man who has come out of nowhere and who is achieving stuff that even they have not managed to achieve. Especially when he achieves it in a span of five years which they have taken generations to achieve.

So obviously, when there is a new entrant into a field who starts doing very well, the people at the top do not like it. So, hence, there is a huge campaign to try and bring him down. The authorities do not believe how somebody can have such a meteoric rise and they do not want this man to succeed. Hence he is always dragged into the controversy which is a bit sad because in life when something does have a meteoric rise, we do not tend to believe it. Gurukant Desai is one such a character who does achieve and does achieve very fast through his sheer hard work and brilliance. Hence he turns out to become a very controversial figure, so the tagline, “the most controversial man of the year.”

What is the one thing you like about this character?
I like the fact that despite achieving whatever he achieves near the end of his life where he has conquered all his dreams; he still has never lost that small town boy in him; you can still see that villager within him. In other words, he stays very routed to where he is from. He remembers where he is from and I like that about him. I think it is very important, no matter who you are, where you come from or what you have achieved to remain routed.

I like his brilliance. I think he is a brilliant mind, the schemes he devises when he faces to the problem, how he decides to tackle that problem, he does it all on his feet and he is very fast and he is a brilliant mind, I like his mind.

So is that the reason you took up the film?
I think that first and foremost, when a director like Mani Ratnam offers you a film; I do not think any actor has to really bother about what the role is going to be. It just so happened that when Mani came to me with the film I knew that it is going to be a great character like this. Guru is a film, which actors do not get everyday. I am pretty convinced that I will never get a movie or a character like Guru ever again. It is once in a lifetime opportunity and there was no way I was going to let that up.

We spoke to Mani Ratnam and he said that you have put on the weight for your character, is it true?
What does it like? Yes, I put on eleven kilos for the film.

Do you like experimenting with your characters?
I think experimentation derives from what you want to do. We do not experiment. We are actors and we enact a role. Gurukant Desai is a different role than what Jay Dixit was in Dhoom. They look different, they are different people. So you will have to do whatever it takes to make that character as believable as possible. I think if I would have put a white wig and white moustache and put on padding all over myself, it would take away from the believability factor of Guru.

Yes and it looks very artificial.
Yes, we are actors. We are meant to mould ourselves to what the character demands and Guru demanded all this, so we did it.

A. R Rehman’s has done its music. Tell us something about it?
A. R Rehman is a genius. He is a maestro and I think he is an exceptional talent and he has given some wonderful music for Guru.

Which is your favourite track?
My favourite track would probably be Tere Bina.

How was it working with Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithunda?
It was wonderful. Look at the star cast that Mani had put together. Any actor is going to be excited to work with Mithunda, Aishwarya, Vidya and with Madhavan. They all are immensely talented actors and as actors and actresses. They have achieved so much. So it is obviously a dream to get a star cast like this to work with.

What is the USP according to you of Guru? What do you think why should people come and watch Guru?
Because they want to. It is wrong to say what the USP of the film is because there in itself you defeat the purpose of the film. I think that a film has to entertain you. That is the most important thing and you cannot have one unique selling point of a film. Why should people come and watch the film? They should come and watch Guru if they want to watch the film. It is as simple as that. They should not come and watch the film, because it has some fantastic songs. It is a nice star cast and the costumes are good. They should come watch it because they want to watch it.

What is the first thing comes to your mind, when I say Guru?
The movie. Nowadays whenever anybody says Guru I think of the film.

Tell us something about your other film.

I am currently shooting for a movie called Drona, which is directed by my friend Goldie Behl but the next release after Guru, would probably be Jhoom Barabar Jhoom which is directed by Shaad Ali. After I finish Drona, I will start work on Sarkar and take things forward from there.

Hello I am Abhishek Bachchan

2007-01-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

Toronto mayor David Miller has personally invited Abhishek Bachchan and the star cast of ‘Guru’ for the world premiere of the film ‘Guru’- India 's first mainstream international premiere in Canada.

Says Mayor Mr. David Miller, “It's a pleasure to host the world premiere of ‘Guru’ in Toronto. This presentation represents a landmark event for the city of Toronto and all of Canada. It is an unprecedented occasion for the city to have film artists of the stature of Mani Ratnam, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, along with the producer Bobby Bedi choose to premiere this major film outside of India. That they would select our city is an indication of the high regard Indian filmmakers have for Toronto. This is an opportunity to bring Indian Cinema to a larger appreciative audience and, at the same time, to further develop economic, creative and personal ties between our two countries."

Abhishek Bachchan, who plays the main protagonist in the film seemed pretty excited about ‘Guru’ being the first film to be premiered in Canada. Says Abhishek, “Hello, I'm Abhishek Bachchan. You have always come to see my movies and now its time to come and see you. Join me for the world premiere of my film ‘Guru’ in Toronto, Jan 11, 2007 . See you there!!”

The organizers are expecting around 10,000 people to line up the street for a glimpse of the Abhishek Bachchan and Aiswarya Rai for the red carpet premiere in true Hollywood style.

The film opens in theaters Canadawide Cineplex, AMC and Empire January 12th, 2007

Source: Indiaglitz

Preview: Guru - A tale of a visionary

2006-12-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

A Mani Ratnam film is special. So what if he hasn't tasted box office success in Hindi films so far, his work has always been par excellence, whether it is 'Dil Se' or 'Yuva'. With 'Guru', he embarks into narrating an epic tale that is supposed to be based on none other than Dhurbhai Ambani. Coming together of Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Mithun Chakravorty, Madhavan and Vidya Balan along with A.R. Rehman and Gulzar handling the music department is a good enough reason to check out the film.

Guru Kant Desai, simply called as Guru [Abhishek Bachchan], belonged to a small village called Idhar situated in Gujarat. Coming from a humble background which comprised of a headmaster father, he was always taught to be content with what one has got rather than aspiring for something that may not be achievable by any means, whether it is materialistic or non-materialistic. But Guru had different plans.

He wanted it all!

So whether it was dreams, house or a village to live in, Guru always dreamt of something bigger. And all this since he was confident that he had it in him to achieve that, especially with a belief that he was the one who would be writing his own destiny.

And soon a simple villager was en route to be one of the biggest visionary ever.

He started his journey from a modest village in Gujarat to Bombay which was soon flourishing as the financial capital of India. It was year 1958, and those were the days when the rich ruled the world of business and newcomers hardly had any place in the sun for them. But Guru knew it was achievable, and he surely had ways to find a way for himself, whether by hook or by crook.

And the one who was with him in his journey throughout was Sujatha [Aishwarya Rai], who at one point of time was hesitant to marry Guru but it was a matter of time when she fell in love with him after being together as a couple in a one-room chawl! Her relationship with him became so strong over the years that regardless of what others had to say about him, for her Guru was the one who stood for love!

But this was not an emotion that Manikdas Guptha (Nanaji) [Mithun Chakravarthy] and Shyam Saxena [R. Madhavan] shared!

Nananji ran a newspaper called Swathantra and years back was pretty impressed with the kind of fire that he could feel within Guru. He knew that Guru was a young lad who had it in him to be successful and though his walk towards his destination seemed too fast, he attributed it to his young blood. He was warned about some of Guru's so-called evil ways but for Nananji, Guru was spotless.

Until he realized the truth...a bitter one at that. And now he wanted to fight to bring it to fore for all to see. Even if it threatens to destroy Guru....or even himself.

The same realization had struck Shyam too who didn't really have much love lost for Guru due to the way he worked and wanted him to be punished for his unethical and materialistic ways. He was ready for a fight and was all set to enter the arena.

But it wasn't as if Guru didn't have anyone else who cared! Apart from Sujatha, he also had support in the form of Meenu [Vidya Balan], a young woman who limped and could be seen on a wheelchair. From her childhood, she had seen Guru and while she could see Nanaji and Shyam being critical of him, for her he was the man to be respected and admired since he was the only one who never asked her about her handicap. Also, she could see that Guru's journey to the top was full of obstacles and hence a lot of things happened en route which in an ideal scenario should not have happened!

And during this journey, Guru knew only one fact that mattered most in his life - to be big. In fact not just big, but the biggest! And soon the man who had a strong vision turned into a winner!

A winner who could make a fortune in spite of coming to Bombay with only Rs. 15000 in a suitcase. From a modest beginning with a small establishment called 'Shakti Trading' that was set on 350 sq ft. and only had one telephone, one table and three chairs, he was running a company that was recognized as the first Indian company to reach Forbes Top 500 after 40 years.

Guru's philosophy behind making this happen? Think big, Think ahead, Think fast!

Want to see this tale unfold on the big screen? Then wait for next year to begin as the film releases all over on January 12th!

Source: IndiaGlitz

Aishwarya Rai performs puja in Varanasi with Bachchans

2006-11-27T03:50:00.000-08:00

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai , Bollywood mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan performed a puja at a temple in Varanasi in the early hours on Monday fuelling speculation about a marriage between Bachchan Junior and the former Miss World.

According to the district administration sources, Samajwadi Party general-secretary Amar Singh along with Bachchan and Abhishek, Shweta Nanda, brother Ajitabh and his daughter Namrata and Ash arrived in Varanasi around 10 pm on Sunday. They stayed at a five-star hotel in Varanasi.

Jaya Bachchan was already in the city for the past few days for the shooting of a Yash Raj banner film.

Sources in Varanasi said that the puja was performed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

There have been considerable speculation in the media about marriage between Abhishek and Ash but neither family has confirmed it.

Bachchan had said in London on November 9 this year that he wanted Abhishek to settle with a "good girl" of his choice.

Asked about the prospect of Abhishek marrying Ash, the older Bachchan had quipped: "I have also heard about it. You should ask the people who spread the rumour".

Abhishek and Ash have starred together in films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke , Kuch Naa Kaho , recently-released Umrao Jaan and Dhoom 2 as also Mani Ratnam `s forthcoming Guru .

Astrologer Chandramouli Upadhyaya met the Bachchan family at the hotel for more than half an hour.

Later, he told reporters that there was no discussion on Abhishek`s marriage and the Bachchans have come here to offer prayers at the Kashi Viswanath temple and the Sankatmochan temple to overcome a problem relating to the horoscope of Ash.

Source: Apunkachoice

Ash, Hrithik Kiss Heats up Bachchans

2006-11-27T03:49:00.000-08:00

Aishwariya Rai and Hrithik Roshan share a smoking hot chemistry between themselves in ‘Dhoom 2’. And in a moment of intimacy they end up lip locking too. The scene has been picturised aesthetically. But this display of emotions and other short clothes worn by Ash hasn’t gone down well with Bachchans who reportedly watched the final version of ‘Dhoom 2’ recently.

It is being said that Amitabh, Jaya and Abhishek were upset with Ash’s decision to smooch on screen after having said no in her English films. It seems they also don’t approve of the short stuff she’s worn at her age. Now, what’s age got to do with short stuff! When she can carry it off with élan, then what does age has to do with it. It seems Bachchans have forgotten what Big B did in that insipid ‘Boom’ and he seems to have a hot equation with an eighteen year old Jiya Khan in forthcoming ‘Nishabd’ too. Abhishek on his part has lip locked with Rani in ‘Yuva’ and ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ so what’s the big fuss on what Ash is doing?

Guys, when (or if) you’ve decided on a filmi daughter-in-law then deal with the package that comes along with it. What do you say…

Source: IndiaGlitz

Dhoom 2 Review

2006-11-27T03:45:00.000-08:00

Those blue-diamond-eyes make the king of thieves go ‘Krazy Kiya’ on her ‘Dhoom Again’ beats. And that’s not all guys. If you wish to saunter your way into the magnificent world of fantastic babes, brilliant-stunts-n-special-effects and whistle-evoking locations then Sanjay Gadhavi’s ode to Fantasy ‘Dhoom 2’ is meant for you. It would be unfair to compare the sequel to Bombay-to-Goa chor police excitement of ‘Dhoom’. For both are different in many ways. But in spite of everything going right for it, there’s something missing in ‘Dhoom 2’. I am sure you’ll notice that when you watch it (oh yeah it’s surely worth watching).

Alright…When I entered the theatre I didn’t have any notions of watching something outstanding in terms of a revolutionary story idea that can affect the mindset of the country like a RDB or Munnabhai’s Gandhigiri. It’s all about entertainment…That’s the punch line of a film like ‘Dhoom 2’. I’m all for it dude. But when you promise something out-of-this-world, and compromise with your own risk-taking-ability one feels let down. For Aryan (Hrithik) is the perfect thief who can pull off unbelievable heists on a moving-train-top in Namibia or through the skating zone of Mumbai Museum with superlative efficacy. He is the master of disguises and honestly Hrithik looks like a pinch-me-can-it-be-true Dream.

The problem arises when such a dare devil stuntman loses his focus and falls head-over-elbows in love with another thief (also a police mole) Sunehri (Aishwariya). They play basket ball and try their hands with various cuisines while you are left wondering….Hey…how about getting down to some work guys. Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) on the other hand has good old Ali (Uday Chopra) who has now turned a cop and a pregnant wife Sweety (Rimi Sen in a special appearance) to contend with. He gets down to some ‘Touch Me Touch Me’ groovy dancing with fellow cop Shonali Bose (Bipasha Basu) and Ali oogles himself to death at her sister Monali (Yes guys Bipasha in a double role….One good reason to chase this Dhoom) as she sets Rio’s beach sand on fire with her dare-bare-bikini-peep-show.

Hrithik and Ash make for a smoking hot pair. It’s great to feast your eyes on the christmas-turkey-crispness of Ash in those hot pants and in-shape-bare-belly. She looks cool being on the coy-negative-side. Hrithik carries off the Krrish flavour. This man is a God. Six-pack abs, talking-with-the-wind-locks, stylized body language, fantastic dressing sense and snazzy dance steps are the biggest plus points of ‘Dhoom 2’.

It’s a worth watching movie just because of Roshan alone. This man’s ambitions are unmatched as compared with anyone else around. And he’ll do anything to make them come true. The visual effects by Tata Elxi and action by Allan Amin is first rate. Cinematography by Nirav Shah and Vikas Shivraman is one of the best you’ve ever seen in Hindi cinema. Salim-Suleiman’s background music rocks (Check out the rock guitaring in the train sequence).

On the flipside, the whole plot goes haywire due to the love story between Aryan and Sunehri. I couldn’t help but recall John Abraham’s Kabeer act in ‘Dhoom’. He was a different kinda thief. But he was focused. As a viewer you sympathized with his end and yet his character graph doesn’t confuse you. In ‘Dhoom 2’ the biggest flaw is the sudden shift in the story where Hrithik undergoes a 360 turnaround in his character graph and from the most wanted criminal (If he is pulling off crimes worth Rs 30 to Rs 150 crores then he must be the biggest) he becomes a Mr-Goody-Two-Shoes loverboy willing to do anything (cry baby cry) to make his love life happy.

Uday Chopra as Ali impresses with his wisecrack one liners. In fact he elicits the biggest laughs from the audience. Yet, he is given a short shrift. His Baywatch touch-downs with I-can-give-Pamela-Anderson-a-run-for-her-money Bips on Rio beaches are a fabulous sight to watch. Wish we could have had more of him rather than him being an underused-side-kick. Bipasha looks gorgeous (She is a peep-show-factory and the guys most certainly won’t mind that) but her two diametrically opposite roles leaves you a bit confused as to what was she supposed to do in the film except flaunt that made-to-perfect shapeliness.

Abhishek looks haggard and disinterested. It is apparent Hrithik, Uday, Ash and Bipasha had worked hard on their bodies while Junior Bachchan’s puffy look is an eye-sore. Dude, do something about these crucial weighty issues. Right! One of the highlights of ‘Dhoom’ was its music. ‘Dhoom Machale’ became a national anthem. But the same can’t be said about ‘Dhoom 2’. Except for ‘Krazy Kiya Re’ and ‘My Name is Ali’ none of the songs make you go ‘Dhoom’.

Finally, get it right, ‘Dhoom 2’ is meant for the youngsters. And they’d like it too. All the adrenaline-rushing ingredients shall make them go ‘Dhoom’. I’d say watch it without any expectations and you shall have a fun ride. Yeah, it’s worth the hype. Partially…

Dhoom 2: Worth-a-touchdown-to-the-nearest-theatre

Star Rating: ***

Source: IndiaGlitz

Abhi-Hri: Who’ll Make Bigger Dhoom?

2006-11-23T04:54:00.000-08:00

It goes without saying that Sanjay Gadhavi’s ‘Dhoom 2’ has generated a tremendous buzz both amongst the audience as well as the trade. There are several factors which are being discussed but one of the hottest one being Hrithik Roshan cast opposite Abhishek Bachchan at a time when both are figuring amongst the top names in Bollywood. I say opposite because Hrithik plays a negative character to Abhi’s good samaritan. So, who do you think will elicit the bigger whistles Come-Dhoom tomorrow?

Hrithik made a dream start with ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ that catapulted him to dizzying heights of fame while Abhishek took more than a dozen flops to rise to his present stature. Incidentally ‘Dhoom 1’ was the first certified hit to his name (‘Yuva’ established him as an actor of immense potential but it couldn’t do magic at the ticket window) and he is back with the sequel with a flop in ‘Umrao Jaan’ as his last release. Hrithik on the other hand is riding high on the huge success of his superman caper ‘Krrish’.

Hrithik and Abhishek are as different as chalk-n-cheese. Roshan magic relies on his excellent histrionics, superb dancing style, drop-dead-handsome looks, chiseled-to-perfection physique and a charismatic screen presence. Abhishek, on the other hand can ignite a fire through those deep-coal eyes, languid body language (It is finally finding its own vocabulary other than his father’s), versatile style of acting, can adapt to different production houses, gets along very well with everyone, has emerged as a fine dancer and sang his way to the nation with his ‘Bluffmaster’ rap-around.

What they have in common is the influence of their respective fathers in their lives as well as careers. All the big hits of Hrithik so far be it ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’, ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ and ‘Krrish’ have come under his father Rakesh Roshan’s baton. He is yet to prove himself outside his comfort zone (‘Dhoom 2’ can very well be that answer). Abhishek on the other hand was always compared with dad Amitabh Bachchan’s acting style. To be fair to him, Abhi is emerging out of his father’s shadows and has given hits with varied directors like ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ (Shaad Ali), ‘Sarkar’ (Ram Gopal Verma), ‘Dus’ (Anubhav Sinha), ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’ (Karan Johar) and ‘Bluffmaster’ (Rohan Sippy).

Hrithik and Abhishek were pitted together for the first time in Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’. The film flopped miserably. Hrithik’s role was bigger than that of Abhishek but the critics lauded Abhishek’s performance while Hrithik’s loud performance came for severe criticism. It’s been a full circle since ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’. Now, who in your opinion is going to be the highpoint of ‘Dhoom 2’? Hrithik Roshan or Abhishek Bachchan. Take a pick….

Source: Indiaglitz

“I could have out-danced Ash, Hrithik,” says Abhishek Bachchan

2006-11-23T04:52:00.000-08:00

“I am convinced that I could have out danced Aishwarya and Hrithik Roshan, Bipasha and Uday ‘toh baye haath ka khel hai’,” says Abhishek Bachchan jokingly in this exclusive interview. ‘Dhoom 2’ is a sequel to ‘Dhoom’ and Abhi is one of the actors (other than Uday Chopra) who have been repeated in the sequel and obviously he is very excited about being a part of such a big film as this. As for his rivalry with Hrithik then Bachchan Junior feels that Roshan makes him work harder. Over to the man himself:

Did you expect Dhoom to be such a blockbuster in the first place?

We actors expect all our films to be blockbusters because we put that kind of effort into them, we hope for the best we’d all worked very hard, we knew we had something normal and unique and simple. We then worked towards making the best possible film that we could make and thankfully the audiences appreciated our efforts.

Dhoom 2 will be your first sequel, did you have to reprise your mannerisms and attitude from the first role?

(In jest) Actually my first sequel was ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, which I played a very prominent role, ….I did, I was the main guy in the film yaar, …then? So ‘Dhoom 2’ was my second sequel. Being a sequel it was that much more easier, because you know the character, you know what the character can do and cannot do and having worked on an entire film being that one particular character, it was interesting because in the sequel we just got to tweak Jai Dixit a bit but we didn’t have to establish his character as it was already established, so we got to play with him a bit, for e.g. in Dhoom 2 I feel Jai Dixit is slightly more relaxed that’s reflective in the way he dresses in his general attitude. I’d like to be believe he’s a bit more cooler in this film, cool in the sense he’s calmer and more level headed, has things more planned out.

How different or similar is Dhoom 2 from Dhoom?

It’s the same genre but I believe it’s a different film. I’d like to believe it’s a bigger and better film but being the same genre it can be associated as the same kind of film, but what I really liked about ‘Dhoom 2’ was that its not about fast bikes and thieves, it’s more than that. And at first I remember questioning Adi and Sanjay saying that it should have more of what the original had, to which Adi had a very good answer that if you give them the same thing again, they are going to get bored of it. The very reason why the audiences liked ‘Dhoom’ if you do that in ‘Dhoom 2’ they will say okay, what are you serving this time?

You have Hrithik and Aishwarya as your adversaries, what do they bring to the Dhoom board?

They bring a whole different dimension, they bring a whole lot more viewers we’d like to believe, we’ve been very selfish Uday and me in ‘Dhoom 2’, we’ve hired bigger stars so that more people come to watch the movie (in jest).

You have played a con man in Bunty Bubli and Bluffmaster, and in Dhoom 2 you play the cop, which is tougher and why?

Everything is challenging, the endeavour is to do challenging work and to push yourself to do work that you have not done in the past. So I thing everything has to be challenging, if it’s not challenging, it’s not going to be fun, and you’re not going to enjoy what you are doing and if you are not enjoying what you are doing, then you are going to be dishonest to your profession, which is sacrilege for us. Having said that, keeping in mind that I believe that your work should be challenging, the challenge in Dhoom 2 was to make Jai Dixit that much more interesting than he was in the first part, yes, he’s the same character and I am repeating myself here, but that’s where the challenge lay, having kept the same foundation, how do you make him more interesting this time round, how do you retain the audiences attention on him?

How did you like the music of Dhoom 2 as compared to Dhoom?

(Answered all in jest in his inimitable style) I think the music of ‘Dhoom 2’ is weaker than Dhoom …that’s because I only have one song in this film and in another song I am standing by the bar. I am convinced that I could have out danced Aishwarya and Hrithik Roshan, Bipasha and Uday ‘toh baye haath ka khel hai’. I have only 1 song in ‘Dhoom 2’ in ‘Dhoom’ I had 3 songs. I think it’s very unfair…but what can I do. It’s nice music

Did you do your stunts yourself and what was it like?

We did a lot of the stunts, but being an action film, there are a lot of safety precautions that are taken. Amin our stunt co-coordinator especially is very meticulous when it comes to safety and very very particular, so there are a lot of stunts that every actor is very willing to do and very keen to do buy Amin didn’t allow us coz he thought that we didn’t really need to do it. He believes in the mantra of safety first, and that his actors don’t need to do each and every stunt.

Did you feel you were in competition with Hrithik while shooting the film?

No not at all, I’ve never been one person who believes in competition, instead of competition I would like to believe Hrithik is more of an inspiration for me. He makes me work harder, he makes me a better actor, and he makes me want to do my best, so he’s more inspiration than competition.

Source: IndiaGlitz

Dhoom2 : Trailer 2

2006-11-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

Dhoom2 : Trailer 1

2006-11-19T00:59:00.002-08:00

Guru : Trailer 3

2006-11-19T00:59:00.001-08:00

Guru : Trailer 2

2006-11-19T00:59:00.000-08:00

Guru : Trailer 1

2006-11-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

Guru Promo is a spellbinding Experience

2006-11-15T03:21:00.000-08:00

Villager…Visionary….Winner….The master is back. And he is back to his supremely different ways. To his credit, the muse sparkles brilliantly as if clay turning into a priceless mural. The promo of Mani Rathnam’s ‘Guru’ is a spellbinding experience that leaves you stunned. For it is a treatise in transition from a simple villager taking pleasure in honking a school bell, climbing the temple stairs to an ambitious businessman who enthuses his workers to dream of becoming the biggest private company of India.

Abhishek Bachchan is looking stunningly real. The childish scampering of youth merges with the confidence of an entrepreneur conjuring big plans. Eyes of eagle can envisage the consequential future while making tough manipulative decisions. There’s a changing graph in his body language for it is apparent that he put on weight for the part when he is shown to have grown in years. His comfortable stance with Aishwariya Rai is palpable. A R Rahman’s goose-pimple-evoking background score creates an unmistakable aura of its own.

In other words, ‘Guru’ seems to be an amazingly promising film from whatever one can make from the sixty second promo that captures moods and has minimal dialogues. I guess, it’s going to be another landmark film in Abhishek Bachchan’s career.

Source: Indiaglitz

Exclusive Synopsis of Dhoom 2

2006-11-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

BACK IN ACTION... DHOOM:2 reinvents the action comedy genre and propels it into the 21st century.

Ali’s (Uday Chopra) dream of becoming a police officer has come true. He is now ACP Jai Dixit’s (Abhishek Bachchan) ‘right hand man’. Together, they are trying to keep a tight leash on the crime in India. Little do they know what they are going to be up against.

Enter Aryan - Mr. A (Hrithik Roshan) - A hi-tech international thief. After pulling off a series of impossible heists all over the world, his next target is Mumbai, India. The case is given to ACP Jai and Ali. Helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together is ACP Shonali Bose (Bipasha Basu), Jai’s college mate, now a police officer in her own right. For the last two years Shonali has been tracking these amazing thefts and is now an expert on this thief, who no one has seen.

Once in Mumbai, Mr. A finds his match in Sunehri (Aishwarya Rai), a petty yet clever thief. She makes him an offer he finds very hard to refuse. A partnership! Aryan accepts.

And so the game begins – a game of cat and mouse – a game of good v/s bad.

The “COPS” - Jai, Shonali and Ali; and they are after Aryan and Sunehri – “The ROBBERS”.

From the desert of Namibia to the backwaters of Goa, the mean streets of Mumbai and the ancient forts of Rajasthan, and finally to “Wild n Exotic” Rio, Brazil.

Does ACP Jai Dixit manage to nab Mr. A? Or does Mr. A prove to be too much for him?

Never-Seen-Before Action Sequences, Hi-Tech Heists, Breathtaking Hi-Speed Chases, Non-Stop Laughter and Excitement will lead you to the answer to these questions.

Go On…! Enjoy the RIDE…!! ONCE AGAIN…!!!

Source: Indiaglitz

Ash-Abhishek to marry next year

2006-10-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

According to Kannada newspaper ‘Vijayakarnataka’, Aishwarya and Abhishek will tie the knot sometime in February, 2007 and Aishwarya will officially announce the news on her birthday, November 1.

The story was revealed to the newspaper by Bachchan family's astrologer Chandrashekhara Swamiji. According to him the year 2006 will be unlucky for the married couple and so he advised Aishwarya and Abhishek to marry in 2007.

There is, however, no official confirmation of the reported wedding. The two stars, who have been romantically linked since over an year now, have consistently refused to confirm media speculation on the issue.

Past media reports have suggested that the couple have kept their wedding plans in abeyance pending a nod from the

Bachchan family, something that has so far not been forthcoming. In the recent past Ash has made great efforts to assuage any misgivings that the Bachchan family may have harbored about her abilities as a homemaker. Her efforts at winning the hearts of the Bachchan family include a hospital visit to Abhishek's grandmother Teji Bachchan and frequent visits to the Bachchan home. Recently she and her family spent their Diwali with the Bachchans.

According to the report, Aishwarya (born in Dhanu Rashi) and Abhishek (born in Kumbha Rashi) marriage was likely to face roadblocks in 2006 problems but, from October 27, when the planetary positions change, both Ash and Abhi will have the support of Jupiter (Guru-bruhaspathi).

A horoscope match was confirmed in Nov 2005 when Amitabh's brother, Ajitabh, visited a priest in Bangalore in the company of Abhishek, at the behest of Teji Bachchan.

It is reported that the ailing Teji Bachchan is very keen to see her grandson wed.

However it still remains to be seen how much truth lies behind all these rumours. Aishwarya has always been tightlipped about the relationship while Abhishek has managed to evade the topic whenever he has confronted the issue.

Is it another publicity gimmick ahead of the release of Aishwarya and Abhishek starrer movies - Dhoom 2 & Umrao Jaan?

Source: Santabanta

2006-10-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:44:00.002-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:44:00.001-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:43:00.002-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:43:00.001-07:00

Uday Chopra, Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan , Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:42:00.001-07:00

Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:41:00.001-07:00

Uday Chopra in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Uday Chopra, Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:40:00.001-07:00

Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan , Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:39:00.001-07:00

Uday Chopra in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:37:00.001-07:00

Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:36:00.001-07:00

Hrithik Roshan, Uday Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

2006-10-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2

Abhishek, Rani paired again

2006-10-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee make one of the hottest couples on screen.

Abhishek is bound to be envied by his peers. He is considered as the most suited hero to Bollywood’s two top heroines – Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee .

Last seen with Rani in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna , Abhi now awaits two films, Umrao Jaan and Guru , with Ash.

And now the latest tinsel tattle has it that Abhi and Rani have been paired once again for a Yash Raj flick. Filmmaker Aditya Chopra is said to have planned his next venture even as his present project Tara Rum Pum is on the floors.

The film will be a multi-starrer featuring a host of Bollywood stars. Apart from Abhi and Rani, Chopra is learnt to have finalized Konkana Sen , Kunal Kapoor , Jaya Bachchan and Anupam Kher .

The movie will mark the coming together of Abhishek and his mother for the first time in full-fledged roles in a Bollywood film.

The yet-untitled film will be based on a female centric theme. Rani and Konkana will play daughters of Jaya Bachchan and Anupam Kher. Abhi will be paired with Rani, and Kunal will play Konkana’s love interest.

Pardeep Sarkar director of critically acclaimed film Parineeta , has been roped in to direct the movie.

Earlier, Sarkar had approached Vidya Balan for the same role which is now offered to Konkana. But Vidya couldn’t be part of the project because of date problems.

The movie will be shot in Varanasi after the completion of ‘Tara Rum Pum’, which stars Rani and Saif Ali Khan.

Source: Apunkachoice

The Mallika Sherawat item song with Abhishek in Guru

2006-10-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some exclusive pictures from Mani Ratnam’s forthcoming film Guru… and remember you saw it first only on IndiaFM.

Firstly we see Abhishek Bachchan in a clean shaven look after a very long time. It is rumored that he is playing the reel life role of the late business magnate Dhirubai Ambani. Check him out in his polished suit in this title role. On the right corner is him again in another look, however this time being more casual with a cap on.

In the picture in the middle we see Abhishek and none other than Mallika Sherawat on a horse carriage somewhere in Europe. This is taken from the special ‘item number’ song that has been picturized on Mallika. The song is the only part of the film where she will be prevalent.

Apart from Abhishek Guru also stars Aishwarya Rai as his lady love with Vidya Balan, R Madhavan, Arya Babbar and Mithun Chakravarthy in pivotal roles.

Source: IndiaFM

I want to work with Shah Rukh again: Abhishek

2006-10-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed rumours of tensions between him and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and says he would love to work with Khan again.

"I don't know where these rumours came from! Shah Rukh is the country's biggest star. Who am I to be insecure about Shah Rukh? I'm thankful to just be in the same film as him. After 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK), I told Shah Rukh and Karan (Johar) to please consider me for their next film. Because I want to work with Shah Rukh again and I've learnt so much from him! I just wanted to spend as much time as possible with him."

Abhishek can't stop praising Shah Rukh, who he says loves taking care of people.

"He's very hospitable. On the sets he was concerned about everyone. He never indulges in petty bickerings. He's the most selfless person on the sets... He's bothered only about the film, never about himself," Abhishek told IANS.

And the actor reasserts that there were no tensions between anyone on the set of 'KANK' in New York.

"We really had a ball in New York. It couldn't have gotten any better. I've never seen a more organised producer than Karan Johar and I've never been happier on a film set."

Bachchan Junior agrees that a lot of his own personality has gone into his performance in 'KANK'.

"Since Karan has observed me closely from my childhood, he knows me as a person - my mannerisms and even my emotions. I think he absorbed a lot of these into my performance."

He considers himself lucky to be part of the film as it gave him the opportunity to work with the biggest Bollywood stars.

"I've never worked in a film so big before. You've the country's two biggest stars - Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in the film. And I was the junior-most member of the cast, given the chance to stand in the same frame as them. I felt very lucky."

The actor says that 'KANK' is one Karan Johar film that didn't overwhelm him.

"Karan's cinema always overwhelms you with the grandeur, the larger-than-life treatment. In 'KANK' I came out quiet and thinking."

Abhishek also hit out at Karan's critics and said that making a film like he does was actually very tough.

"I always thought making his kind of cinema is very tough. Now after working with him, I respect Karan's cinema even more. Even those who don't like cinema will sit up and take notice. He's taken a subject no one expects him to and has tackled it sensitively."

"Karan has beautifully juxtaposed a very commercial language with real believable characters and situations," remarked Abhishek.

Despite being the junior-most member of the crew, Abhishek felt as though the whole shoot was like a holiday due to the comfort level he shared with all his co-stars.

"I was working with my friends - Rani, Preity, Shah Rukh and Dad ... They're people I hang around with regularly. It was like a holiday and it was a bonus with Rani there as I have worked with her extensively earlier. Shah Rukh and Preity are friends ... We meet at Shah Rukh's house often. Instead of meeting after work we met at work as well," said Abhishek.

Source: IANS

Abhishek promotes Ganga for Dad

2006-10-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan loves his dad. But the love has just extended its arms towards Bhojpuri cinema. Amitabh, who adds star value to the Bhojpuri multi-starrer Ganga, has his son promoting the trailers of the film.

Abhishek introduces the characters in the promos of the film which is doing rounds of television. Though he is not in the film, Abhishek comes in between shots of the promo.

Some days back, Amitabh made up for Abhishek’s absence for the music launch of Umrao Jaan. This indeed is a very close knit family.

Hema Malini also plays a pivotal role in the film. Ganga also stars two Bhojpuri superstars, Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kissen along with Nagma. The film is being produced by Amitabh Bachchan’s long time make up artist, Deepak Sawant.

Source: IndiaFM

Umrao Jaan no remake: Abhishek

2006-10-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

London: With three back-to-back mega-buck capers lined up this Diwali, Abhishek Bachchan has a lot to cheer about. His forthcoming release is J P Dutta's magnum opus Umrao Jaan.

CNN-IBN correspondent Akanksha Banerji caught up with the star in London to get his take on the film.

Akansha Banerji: Your latest film Umrao Jaan is releasing on November 3. While comparisons are going to be inevitable, how do you think this it is going to be different than the earlier version?

Abhishek Bachchan: Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Muzzafarji's Umrao Jaan. So, I don’t have any authority to comment on his film. I think it would be unfair for me to comment upon something, which I haven’t even seen. I am not really bothered if people think they need to compare the two films. J P saab never set out to make a remake. He has only made an adaptation of the book, not of Muzaffarji's film.

Akansha Banerji: J P Dutta was the director you started your career with. What was it like working with the same director as a newcomer and now as an experienced actor?

Abhishek Bachchan: This is our third film together. We worked together in LoC in between. I keep telling him jokingly that doing a J P Dutta film is like going on a holiday for me. In fact it’s like coming back home.

Akansha Banerji: Has it got any easier for you to work with your father? Now that you two have done so many films together.

Abhishek Bachchan: It just gets worse actually. You can’t get over with the fact that you are standing in the frame with what is considered the best. It's overwhelming and overpowering. But the best part of doing films with dad is that I get to spend a lot of time with him.

Akansha Banerji: So what else is coming up this year? What are your forthcoming projects?

Abhishek Bachchan: I have got Umrao Jaan releasing on November 3, Dhoom II releasing by the end of November and also Guru which will come up by the year-end.

Source: CNNIBN

Ash-Abhishek in Yash Raj's next?

2006-10-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

The audience will perhaps have an overdose of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan this year. They have a spate of films lined up. They will soon be seen in UMRAO JAAN, DHOOM 2, GURU and SARKAR 2. Looks like the smashing jodi is all set to rule hearts this Diwali. Well not only that, their fans are in for yet another treat! If the grapevine is to be believed, they have signed another film together. Yash Raj's next venture to be directed by an in-house debutant will see them sizzle again. However Aishwarya's Business Manager, Harii Singh said that he was not aware of any such news.

But for now keep your eyes glued to UMRAO JAAN and DHOOM 2 that has them in diametrically different looks!

Incidentally Abhishek Bachchan has been roped in as the brand ambassador for BIG FM Chennai, radio station. The ADAG Adlabs radio venture will take off in Chennai and Hyderabad next week. South starlet Asin is the female brand ambassador.

Source: Bollywood Trade News Network

Aishwarya, Abhishek speak cautiously about their relationship!

2006-10-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have kept their fans guessing whether the relationship between them is just friendship or something more.

Trust Aishwarya to be tightlipped and Abhishek to be diplomatic when answering the questions regarding their relationship. In a recent TV interview, the two spoke about each other, but in very cautiously chosen words.

Ash said she and Abhi have grown to be 'very good friends' who are 'very comfortable working with each other'. Ash added that she shares 'a wonderful camaraderie' with Abhishek.

Abhishek, on the other hand, called Ash 'a very close friend' with whom 'it is always a pleasure to work.'

He also took a jab at the media by insisting that the private lives of actors should be left to themselves and should not become grist for rumour mills.

Ash and Abhi will soon be seen in two movies : J P Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' and Mani Ratnam's 'Guru'. They will also work together in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2'.

Source: ApunKaChoice

Abhishek promoting the upcoming films of his dad

2006-10-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

In a classic case of a young boy turning into a matured individual, it is a heartening sight to see Abhishek Bachchan promoting one of the upcoming films of his dad.

Yes, you heard it right. Abhishek, who is all set to rule the last quarter of 2006 with 'Umrao Jaan', 'Dhoom - II' and 'Guru', is batting for 'Ganga', a 'bhojpuri' film starring Big B as a family patriach. He has been roped in to introduce the film and its male leads Ravi Kissen and Manoj Tiwari for the promos.

He can be seen on the music channels introducing the film in an interacting mood with the viewers while clips of 'Ganga' fill the gaps between his statements. The film is also special for Chota B since it marks the film making debut of Deepak Sawant, the makeup man of Big B.

Also starring Hema Malini and Nagma, 'Ganga' directed by Abhishek Chadda is touted as the biggest film coming out from Bhojpuri land!

Source: IndiaGlitz

“Abhishek Is Very Clued-in,” says Ash Jaan

2006-10-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

“Abhishek is very clued-in,” said Aishwarya Rai at the Music Launch of her Big Ticket Period extravaganza ‘Umrao Jaan’ in a plush Mumbai hotel.

It was after a long wait of eight months that Ash was coming before the Media Bazaar. Dressed in a creamy-white-golden saree, she looked svelte in that Dhoom physique and Nakshatra Diamond smile.

Abhishek’s absence was more than made up by his illustrious Dad Amitabh Bachchan who graced the occasion with élan. And as the ‘Kajra Re’ duo hugged warmly, the shutterbugs went in a dizzy….One more….They screamed….

So guys, if you are reading all this in a management school in Australia or UK and are a super Hindi filmi buff, then I can safely say…All this Jhakaas Nights happen only in Mumbai. The city rocks. In spite of every thing. Well, talking about the night of music and classical tastes, ‘Umrao Jaan’ is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. And considering it’s trying to match the sheen of Muzaffar Ali’s classic a good twenty five years ago, all eyes-n-ears are eager to dole out their bit of criticism-n-praise.

Lemme give you the dope on the who’s-who present that eventful night. Well, apart from AB Senior and Ash (They unconsciously competed with who gets more flashbulbs), there was loudmouthed director J P Dutta (Dude, chill a bit, why do you have to take yourself so seriously), his wife actress of yesteryears Bindiya Goswami, Shabana Azmi (Looking lovely in a peacock colour saree…But alas she just couldn’t handle the cameras hogging Ash while she was left with a stray limelight on her face in the grim night), Lyricist Javed Akhtar (Jovial as ever), Lata Mangeshkar (She preferred to keep quiet but her presence is terrific), volatile music composer Anu Malik (Must say, the guy is a paragon of positive energy), the managing director of T-Series Bhushan Kumar (Take my word, this success story is very humble…I literally bumped into him unconsciously…But he just smiled back without a trace of indignation) and dress designer Anna Singh (Her costumes are gorgeous but she seemed to be in a bad mood that day). One could also trace Divya Dutta, Puru Raj Kumar, Alka Yagnik and Parikshit Sahni other than a deluge of media force.

The promos of ‘Umrao Jaan’ were shown on a big screen while the set by Bijon Dasgupta specially created in the Hotel premises were Grand. Now, it would be improper to compare the two ‘Umrao Jaan’s’. For they represent two different generations and mindsets. As for the music of the film, when you compare it with the present lot, it’s most certainly original. The semi classical raag based songs soulfully sung by Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam do evoke curiosity and interest. It remains to be seen whether it manages to withstand the passage of time that the earlier version so successfully achieved.

‘Umrao Jaan’ may just steal the thunder from ‘Don’ and ‘Jaaneman’ due to the super chemistry between Ash and Aby Baby. It’s time to wait and watch.

Aish and Abhishek

2006-10-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

J P Dutta’s magnum opus ‘Umrao Jaan’ stars Bollywood’s most sought-after pair – Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. Rai, though, has been infamous for not being vocal about her relationships, and also for allegedly refraining from giving her partners their due - an accusation made very blatantly in the past.

And even now, when the buzz is indicating a blossoming romance with the junior ‘B’ – Aishwarya does not seem to have much to say, choosing to speak only of their on-screen chemistry together – which she credits the film’s director for – rather than the relationship they share.

“We've grown to be very good friends, and hence we have a wonderful camaraderie... we are very comfortable working with each other, and interestingly Mr J P Dutta is his mentor, as he says it's a constant homecoming when he's with him - he's family... and with me it was an honour to work with a director like him and such a subject,” she rambles.

On the other side, Abhishek Bachchan seems oblivious to the tactics that Ms Rai has been using very well during her past relationships. Cast opposite the gorgeous lady, he seems to be deriving immense pleasure in the idea of keeping it all a ‘private’ affair!

“She's a very close friend, she was one of my first co-stars and it's always a pleasure working with her, being a friend it's nice to hang out with her... I have always maintained that we actors are public figures and for God sake leave us our private lives, that's all we have,” remarks Abhishek

With things on both sides not very clear, the anticipating audience will for now have to be content with their on-screen romance.

Source: TimesNow

Abhishek in Paris but will be back for one day for Dad's birthday

2006-10-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

Abhishek is currently flying high. In more ways than one. Having completed a chunk of the shooting of Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom in London he has now moved with the unit to Paris where they shall be parked for some time now.

"I miss home, specially since my grandmother is in the hospital. Also today (Saturday) is the release of the Umrao Jaan's music soundtrack, a big moment for all of us who have been working on this project. Unfortunately it wasn't possible for the music company to hold over the release until my return. Nor was it practical for me to fly back to Mumbai for a day. So I just had to miss the occasion. But I'm very proud of the soundtrack. It's very different from what we hear these days and far removed from the hip-hop that I've been identified with, but nonetheless very very charming. I'm very fond of the music. JP Saab , Anu Malik and Javed Akhtar have an extraordinary tuning."

Back in Paris, Abhishek refuses to be flattered by being chosen as Asia's sexiest man by a magazine. "I don't even know what sexy means. These are appellations best not taken seriously. But yes, I'm deeply humbled and flattered. Because I've never ever thought of myself as anywhere near sexy. However if people have voted for me, then I respect that. But I'm certainly not going to suddenly acquire an extra swagger just because I've been called sexy. From where I come, I've seen both the highs and the lows. It's all temporary. And the trick of survival is not to take the trappings seriously. There's no guarantee for a tomorrow in show business. Admitted my dad has proved to be a survivor. But they don't make his kind of entertainers every day."

Speaking of Dad, Abhishek returns to Mumbai just for one day for the senior Bachchan's birthday. Though no celebrations are on the cards this year, Abhishek makes it a point to be near his dad every year for his birthday.

On a less joyous note, Abhishek is somewhat alarmed by a report all over the internet that he asked the immigration in England if he should "drop his pants" during their customary investigation .

"I was aghast when I saw myself quoted with these cheap words all over the net. Firstly, I don't speak like that. Secondly, I'd never be rude to officials who are merely doing their job. It's not their intention to harass you. Considering what the world situation is, we must all co-operate and be patient. "

… Speaking of rudeness, a Lucknow scholar who plays the role of Rusva (the man who wrote Umrao's biography) in Umrao Jaan is quoted as saying , "Abhishek's well-sculpted body is far outweighed by his arrogance."

Chuckles Abhishek, "I've never met this gentleman. And the proof of this fact lies in the fact that he has called my body well-sculpted."

Source: IndiaFM

Abhishek Jhooms with Frank Lampard

2006-09-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yashraj camp has done it again. After getting international pop star, Tata Young, to perform an item song in Dhoom, Yashraj Films have now tied up a deal with Chelsea, a leading football club of UK. The reason for the involvement of Chelsea in the film is that Abhishek Bachchan plays a die hard Chelsea fan in the film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom which is being directed by Shaad Ali.

Players like Frank Lampard and John Terry along with other members of the Chelsea team will make an appearance in the film. The Chelsea team manager is very excited on the team’s involvement with Bollywood. They will present Abhishek Bachchan with a jersey of the team. It will be a real bonus for Abhishek Bachchan too since in real life too, Abhishek is a big fan of Chelsea.

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom also stars Priety Zinta, Bobby Deol, and Lara Dutta in lead roles. Amitabh Bachchan also plays a cameo in the film. Rumors are rife that Aishwarya Rai will also be making a cameo in the film in an item number. Let us wait and watch.

Source: Indiafm

The turban trouble of Abhishek Bachchan in 'Umrao Jaan'

2006-09-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan faced a unique problem while shooting for Umrao Jaan that stars the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai in the title role.

Reports are that since the film required actors to be garbed in period costumes and lots of jewellery, it would take a long time for the actors – Abhishek, Ash and others – to get ready for the shot.

But Abhishek had an additional burden – the ‘saafa’ or traditional turban – which was so long that it took at least ten minutes to tie it around his head.

Director J.P. Dutta had appointed a special ‘saafawala’ to be around Abhishek whenever he needed the turban to be tied around his head.

The saafawala would tie it around Abhishek’s head just before a shot, and in-between shots, Abhishek would take it off as he found it cumbersome.

Things were going on smoothly till one day the saafawala simply disappeared. Everyone got busy looking for the saafawala and the shoot invariably got delayed.

Finally, the unit came up with a solution and one of the production hands was taught how to tie the saafa and was positioned next to Abhishek throughout the shoot.

Only then did Abhishek’s saafa problems come to an end.

'Umrao Jaan' is scheduled to release on October 20, 2006.

Deepika Padukone opposite Abhishek Bachchan?

2006-09-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rumours are that upcoming model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone has been signed opposite Abhishek Bachchan for a forthcoming film.

The film is rumoured to be ‘Delhi 6’ to be directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra , who last directed the mega hit Rang De Basanti .

Deepika has already been finalized for Farah Khan 's next ‘Om Shanti Om’ opposite Shah Rukh Khan .

‘Om Shanti Om’ is Deepika’s debut film and will go on floors in December.

Deepika has done a three-month acting course from Anupam Kher 's Actor Prepares Academy and also knows Bharatnatyam.

Deepika surely has lady luck on her side for she will be sharing the same frame with SRK and then also work with Abhishek at the very onset of her career.

Source: Apunkachoice

Abhishek Bachchan on the cameo in Lage Raho Munnabhai

2006-09-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

The unexpected has almost become the expected for Abhishek Bachchan. After the surprise appearances in Kunal Kohli's Hum Tum and Siddhartha Anand's Salaam Namaste, Abhishek Bachchan gets the audience all revved-up with his surprise appearance in Raj Kumar Hirani's Lage Raho Munnabhai.

So what gives? "Nothing!" says Abhishek from London where he's shooting for Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. "Producer Vinod Chopra called and asked me if I'd do a small cameo. And I said yes. It's as simple as that." The fact that Vinod Chopra and Abhishek's father are working together in Eklavya also weighed in favor of Abhishek's guest appearance.

"I wouldn't call it a guest appearance. There are no guests in a film. Either you're part of a film, or you're not. Whether it was the small but significant part of Rani's husband in Hum Tum or the wacky doctor in Salaam Namaste or Diya Mirza's husband in Lage Raho Munnabhai, I play a character in the films. I don't believe in the concept of guest appearances."

Some years ago Abhishek had done a walk-on appearance in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham which was finally cut on editing table. "I had to wait for KANK to get a role in Karan's cinema." Smiles Abhishek who's in London for most of this month for Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom which teams him Preity Zinta, Lara Dutta and Bobby Deol, the last mentioned for the first time.

"As kids Bobby and I attended so many birthday parties together. It's good to be working with him at last," says Abhishek emotionally.

Source: IndiaFM

Abhishek ready to be gay icon

2006-09-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Actor Abhishek Bachchan says he's ready to be an icon for homosexuals as well.

Asked by a national daily if he would feel comfortable having a big following among gay men, Bachchan said, "Great! Why not?"

"Appreciation and love from any quarter is welcome," he was quoted as saying.

While such a sentiment would surprise few in Hollywood, homosexuality remains a taboo in India.

Even in Bollywood's relatively liberal social circles, there are few openly gay personalities.

As for his female fan base, Bachchan jokingly said, "You bribe them very well and keep them on payroll."

Abhishek Rates His ´KANK´ Performance Better Than ´Sarkar´

2006-09-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

It may come as a surprise to many that Abhishek Bachchan finds his performance in Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' better as compared to that of 'Sarkar'.

Giving the reason Abhishek says , " I'd choose 'KANK' because an actor should improve on a daily basis . If you're not an observer and if you're not trying to improve on a daily basis , your creativity will stagnate and that's suicidal for an actor . Your endeavour should be to be a better actor than you were yesterday . There are innumerabale ways to perform a scene and one should try to discover those ways . Based on that , 'Sarkar' released last year in July and a year later 'KANK' released . By merit of those 365-odd days , I've improved . I'd like to believe that my best performance is my last performance ."

Source: Planet Bollywood

Abhishek Bachchan in Salaam-e-Ishq?

2006-09-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

Just recently we informed you about the possibility of presence of Riteish Deshmukh in Vipul Shah's Namastey London. Bobby Deol who was shooting for Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom also visited the sets of Shah's film that stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in lead roles.

Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq is also presently being shot in London. Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra are shooting for a song sequence since the last couple of days. And this time, Abhishek Bachchan, who is shooting in the same city for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom with Preity Zinta ended his day early to come on the sets of Salaam-e-Ishq and spent some time with director Nikhil Advani and friends Salman and Priyanka. So there's buzz again of the probability of Abhishek Bachchan making a guest appearance in the Salaam-e-Ishq.

To add to the rumors of Salman-Priyanka feud, one of the sources who was present on the song shoot says, "Throughout the entire shoot Salman and Priyanka (who had many scenes together) never said a single word to each other".

Another interesting fact is that Priyanka Chopra's bodyguard is the same as Akhshay Kumar's (on sets of Namastey London), which makes one wonder that Akhsay Kumar does so much for Priyanka's safety.

Source: IndiaFM

I know who's done what in KANK - Abhishek Bachchan

2006-08-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

Has the response to KANK turned out to be what you thought it would?
Far greater, in fact. The boxoffice figures are there to prove it. I've never been a part of such a success. I think the first week collection of KANK is larger than all my releases put together. This is a league I'm just not acquainted with. It's wonderful to be part of such a venture. But it's entirely Karan's baby.

Your smallish role has fetched you incredible praise.
First of all, I don't think I've a small role in KANK. I think I've a very important role to play in the film. Thank you, Karan!

Everyone wants to know how you know so much about marriages?
I've no knowledge of a marriage whatsoever. I just followed Karan's directions very obediently. The credit for whatever you consider to be my performance in KANK must go to Karan.

Tell me about the first-hand responses to your performance?
I don't know! I've been very busy working on Dhoom 2. I haven't had a chance to interact with people too much. But I'm always thrilled when my work gets noticed. But like I said I can't take any credit for it. I'm not trying to be modest. I'm not a modest person. I'm a realist. I know who's done what in KANK. The real hero of the film is Karan Johar.

Do you think the controversies are good for KANK?
What controversies? There's debate on KANK, not controversy. The good thing about debate is you get both negative and positive but always-healthy reaction to the film. Very few films get that. Whether you agree with KANK or not, it's taken Karan to a new level. I think he has unfairly been labeled 'a candyfloss maker'. The mistaken belief that he makes frivolous films has fallen to the ground. I think Karan is a very important director in the history of Indian cinema. KANK is a sensitive work.

Do you think Karan took a big risk in moving away from his comfort zone?
The best part is, Karan isn't judgemental, just observant on marriages and extra-marital affairs. He isn't telling people to leave their spouses. He just asks a harsh but real question - what if you meet your soul-mate after marriage? Shah Rukh and Rani are the protagonists. But Preity and I are never shown as negative characters. In fact I find the relationship between our characters quite fascinating.

What about your relationship with Rani?
I felt Karan should have given my character Rishi something negative to do. He loves his wife immensely. He's basically trying to be as perfect a husband and can be. And that's how the audience has perceived my character. Despite that, Rani's character moves away. So I felt Karan needed to give my character some dark areas. Whereas Shah Rukh's character does have reason to stray because his wife has no time for him, my character's wife has no such alibi. Why does Rishi-Maya's relationship break up?

Why?
That's exactly what I kept asking Karan. He told me, 'One could be in a seemingly perfect marriage. Still your spouse may not connect with you.' I thought that was a very intriguing thought, put forward beautifully in the film. We never thought everyone would unanimously love the film. We hoped they'd discuss it. And Karan has pulled it off .

Generally such discussions and debates are for art-house films?
For me such categorization makes no sense. To me a film is a film is a film….

Do you think an Indian wife would move off from a marriage to the ideal husband, the way Rani does?
Of course! Such things do happen.

Are extra-marital affairs an inevitable part of contemporary society?
No, they're neither inevitable nor justified. I'm totally against extra-marital affairs. I'd personally never have an affair after marriage. But I won't be judgemental about those who do.

Source: IndiaFM

Curiosity builds over Ash and 'Umrao Jaan'

2006-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

As the release date of J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' nears, TV channels, newspapers and magazines seem to be falling over each other to present the first images of Aishwarya Rai from the film.

'We are inundated by calls from all the newspapers and channels for Aishwarya's pictures from 'Umrao Jaan',' said a source from Dutta's camp.

Dutta has kept Aishwarya's new avatar under wraps.

'So far Aishwarya has played a modern woman in films except in 'Devdas' where people liked her a lot. They are waiting to see her as the courtesan Umrao Jaan. People in the trade are positive about the film because of Dutta,' said Delhi-based distributor Sanjay Mehta.

'Aishwarya is not known as a bankable actor. People think of her as wooden. She can't emote. But Dutta is not only a good director, he is also a good technician. He knows how to extract work from his artist. We are confident that Aishwarya must have played the role convincingly,' he added.

Mehta couldn't be more right -- Dutta had put Aishwarya under rigorous training so she could play the role made famous by Rekha in the original.

'People are also curious to see Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan's chemistry on screen,' added Mehta.

The obvious question is whether Aishwarya can ever match up to Rekha?

Said Dutta: 'Aishwarya has given her best to the film.'

Dutta has gone into meticulous detail in costumes, jewellery and the look of the period film in terms of buildings and indoors too. He has used real jewellery for Aishwarya, Abhishek and other members of the main cast.

He has relied heavily on Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa's novel 'Umrao Jaan' to add authenticity.

'He gave the minutest details to Anna Singh and his wife Bindiya. They have carried out his vision exactly the way Dutta wanted it to be,' said an insider.

In 1981, Muzaffar Ali directed the first screen adaptation of Ruswa's book. It was a masterpiece and Rekha's performance as an emotionally unfulfilled courtesan was appreciated with a National Award.

'Umrao Jaan', which marks Dutta's comeback after his damp squib 'LOC Kargil', is said to be his first women-centric film.

Dutta defends himself and says he has always given a lot of dignity to women in his films be it Smita Patil in 'Ghulami', Dimple in 'Batwara', Meenakshi Sheshadri in 'Kshatriya' or Kareena Kapoor in 'Refugee' -- all were strong, dynamic women.

'All my films have been on weapons, war and patriotism, so, a lot of people feel I make male oriented films.'

'Umrao Jaan' made on a budget of Rs.200 million was shot mainly in Jaipur. It also stars Shabana Azmi, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

If Asha Bhonsle was the voice of Rekha, Alka Yagnik will sing for Aishwarya Rai. Javed Akhtar has penned the songs for this classic tale and Anu Malik has composed it. Malik's daughter Anmol is learnt to have lent her voice to a young Aishwarya in the film.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Guru Releases on December 22nd

2006-08-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

A Grand Finale for a year that created the biggest block busters in the history of Indian cinema. The year 2006 has turned out to be a year filled with the biggest films. The year that saw mega films like ‘Fannaa’, ‘Krrish’, ‘Omkara’, ‘KANK’ and with some more to go like ‘Don’, ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Janeman’, ‘Dhoom2’ and ‘Eklavya’, it’s only fitting that it ends with a film by the master Mani Ratnam titled ‘Guru’.

Staring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, R Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakravarthy in the lead. This film will release on 22nd of December, 2006 and according to people who have seen the rushes of the film say, it marks another leap in the career of Abhishek Bachchan just like Yuva had catapulted him to an actor status.

Abhishek Bachchan in LAGE RAHO...?

2006-08-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

The audience is always in for some surprise these days. Filmmakers roping in actors for cameos seems to be an added advantage. After Arjun Rampal and Kajol in Karan Johar's KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA, Chunky Pandey in Farhan Akhtar's DON, it's Abhishek Bachchan in Rajkumar Hirani's LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI.

As per reports in a tabloid, Abhishek is the surprise package in the film. He plays Dia Mirza's husband who is Boman Irani's daughter. Boman plays a loud rich Punjabi builder, very different from his previous role in the film. So LAGE RAHO...has three additions this time...Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan (replacing Gracy Singh) and AB junior.

Incidentally Abhishek has done quite a few cameos in the past including RAKHT, HOME DELIVERY, EK AJNABEE, HUM TUM and SALAAM NAMASTE.
Source: Glamsham

Umrao Jaan - Really coming on October 20th?

2006-08-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

Less than a couple of months to go and October 20th finds itself to be a much discussed dates in the coming days!

Week of Diwali always brings with it an unprecedented hype about the movies releasing in the closest Friday. 2 years back there was one of the most interesting clash of Veer Zaara [superhit], Aitraaz [hit], Mughal-E-Azam [hit] and Naach [flop]. Last year too there were three films that released in the same period - 'Garam Masala' [hit], 'Shaadi No. 1' [below average] and 'Kyun Ki' [flop]. This year the scene is bigger and better with both 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' and 'Jaan-E-Mann' firmly placed to fight amongst them, though indications are that both should prove to be big hits.

While Neeraj Vora directed Arjun Rampal-Dia Mirza starrer 'Familywala' doesn't really seem to be a probable release on the same day due to tough competition, one is not sure about the release of 'Umrao Jaan'. Though there have been speculations galore during last 48 hours about its actual release day [while there were murmurs about film being postponed, film maker J.P. Dutta insists it is indeed October 20th], one wonders about the impact of the decision!

It's a known fact today that the film's opening week holds most weight [in fact more than 50% of the collections from an entire run come from first week itself for a biggie]! For this the magic formula is to flood the market with as many prints as possible. Gone are the days when 300+ prints were considered good. Now it is the 500+ count that drives the show. With neither 'Don' nor 'Jaan-E-Mann' being the kind of flicks that would settle for anything less than 500 each, where does that leave 'Umrao Jaan' for which even the publicity has not yet begun and also doesn't really boast of any hype or buzz whatsoever?

If Dutta is waiting for some publicity blitzkrieg to begin with a splash then well, that splash needs to happen sooner than later. In an age of on-your-face-publicity where one just can't afford to miss a single opportunity to reach out to the audience, just 7 more weeks to go for a film's release without any news is quite surprising.

This brings one to the question if 'Umrao Jaan' is indeed releasing on October 20th? And even if it does, would it come on the number of prints that could take it past the safety mark in a couple of weeks itself?

Or would the movie create more impact if it releases a couple of weeks after 'Diwali', though before 'Dhoom 2' that arrives on November 24th to avoid a clash?

In a game of wait and watch, this indeed is becoming a painful, though interesting watch!
IndiaGlitz

Guru based on Ambani? – Abhishek clarifies!

2006-08-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

In a recent interview to a news channel, Abhishek clarifies the prevailing doubt about his recent movie Guru whether it is based on the life of the business tycoon Ambani. While slamming the reports about the story of the movie’s correlation with Ambani family, Abhishek says he is proud to be a part of the movie.

He also let out that he is portraying a businessman’s role in the movie in three different stages of life – young, middle aged and old. He further asserts that he is comfortable working with Aishwarya and Manirathnam since he has worked with them before.

On a question about marriage, Abhishek declares that he has not reached the stage of marriage in his life since he feels he has to do bigger things in life. Yes, his parents have left it to him, he further says. Well we agree, being the heartthrob of millions, let him have the time of his life and get the most out of his bachelorhood before getting hooked, what say?

IndiaFM

When Hrithik advised Abhishek

2006-08-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

Over last few weeks, media has gone overboard in writing about so called wars between Amitabh Bachchan - Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan - Shahrukh Khan and even Hrithik Roshan - Abhishek Bachchan.

While Big B, King Khan and Aby Baby have clearly denied any rift between, this time it is Hrithik Roshan too who has got a clean chit from Abhishek himself. In one of the interviews when Abhishek was questioned if there was any controversy with Hrithik who is his professional rival, Abhishek denied it point blank. In fact on being asked if he cared about the role of his co-star in 'Dhoom 2', he said he had never worried about the length of the role of his co-stars in the film and mainly concentrated on his own performance.

He also narrated incidents where Hrithik had personally come over to him and told him point blank if he wasn't looking good in a particular shot or his make up/dress etc. were not in place. Hrithik's take was that since cinema is a visual medium one should be extra careful about how one presents himself on the screen. No wonder Abhishek can't forget this sweet gesture.

And some say that two film personalities sailing in the same boat cannot be friends!?

Source: IndiaGlitz

‘Umrao Jaan’ not postponed

2006-08-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

The gossip mills are working overtime. Their latest ‘creation’ is that J.P. Dutta has postponed the release date of his Abhishek-Ash starrer UMRAO JAAN from October 20 to November 24 because J.P. didn’t want to clash with the two biggies [DON, JAAN-E-MANN] that are slated for release on October 20, the Diwali/Idd week.

“What rubbish!” J.P.’s tone says it all, “It’s all speculation. I haven’t postponed UMRAO JAAN, nor will I do so. Like I said earlier, the Idd week is crucial for my film. And why should I postpone my film to a latter date? I have already completed the film, so why delay it? October 20 is the date for UMRAO JAAN.”

That clears it: It’s DON versus JAAN-E-MANN versus UMRAO JAAN this Diwali/Idd.

Source: IndiaFM

Exclusive: Abhishek, the rising son

2006-08-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

Mumbai: He is the rising star of Hindi Cinema and a performer with immense potential. Say hello to the young and restless Abhishek Bachchan.

Rajeev Masand: Your new film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is one that everyone is talking about and your performance in the film is being discussed animatedly. I think it is safe to say that your performance in the film is one that most people have enjoyed immensely.

Your character portrays an ideal man and perhaps an ideal husband. He is one who loves his wife unconditionally, is betrayed by her and later forgives her and embraces her as a friend.

In your opinion, is it easy to forgive to someone who has broken your heart?

Abhishek Bachchan: I think it is. I have been asked this question several times during the making of this film that would be logical to love someone so dementedly that even being betrayed by her, you are ready to forgive and forget. It seemed logical to me because forgiveness is in the very grain of humanity.

Rajeev Masand: Success has come to you after a lot of hard work and perhaps after a spate of failures. Do you cherish it much more because it did not come to you overnight and perhaps all that easily?

Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t know how to react to all this success because I have not tasted it before. People ask me how does it feel to be that successful.

I only ask them, "Have you forgotten who I live with? " That is my standard of success. Everybody cherishes his success and so do I.

When I had started my career as an actor with J P Dutta, I was not ready for it. I was this 21-year-old kid, excited to get the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming an actor.

I trusted JP Dutta blindly and followed what he said. Whatever appreciation I got for my work was because of him.

I have been shooting for Dhoom II with my friends Hrithik (Roshan) and Uday (Chopra) whom I have grown up with. We often discuss our work and I have been sitting with Hrithik and talking about it.

I was telling him about the time when I used to finish a scene and used to get excited that thankfully I did manage to remember the dialogues.

Whenever I would look at the script and see how many times my name has appeared on it, I used to panic to see so many dialogues to remember and so many scenes to complete.

My focus would not be on giving a performance or to best deliver a line, but it was simply to finish the work and meet the requirement. I think, that is the first indication that tells that you are not prepared and perhaps not even capable enough to do your job.

So, I set about working on it. Most of the reviews and most of them by you actually, were full of criticism about me.

I was told that I have bad hair, bad makeup, no dialogue delivery, couldn’t dance and so on. These were the things that were said about me. But I did not go defensive about them. I thought perhaps I need to work on my dialogue delivery, hair, make up and all those areas.

Whereas actors tend to take criticism in a negative way, I took it very seriously in a positive way. If you come to my room you will find three of your reviews on my wall.

But I highlighted portions where my performance has been criticized and decided to work upon it. My goal was to make sure that next time when someone writes a review about me; there should be a mention that I have improved.

Rajeev Masand: Dhoom was perhaps the turning point in your career as it was your first ‘undisputed’ hit film. How do raise the ante for its sequel?

Abhishek Bachchan: By hiring the services of Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan!

Just kidding! I think the exciting thing about doing a sequel is if the actors have already been there in the prequel, you don’t have to do much. Uday and myself knew everything about the characters.

It’s the same unit and our chemistry and rapport did help. But the tension is about making it more interesting and taking that one step further.

I don’t want to sound pompous but Dhoom II is just bigger and better. One reason is because it has a bigger star caste. Our aim was to make a bigger action film, which is more entertaining, and take it to a higher level. So, I hope we achieve that with this film.

Rajeev Masand: Hrithik Roshan and you are friends of course, but the fact is that you are also contemporaries and rivals at the same time.

When you are signing a film with other actors in it, what do you look for apart from your own role in it? Is it really important to know what the other actor is doing in that film?

Abhishek Bachchan: It never has important been for me. I rightly or wrongly have always believed in the people that I have worked with.

I truly believe that whatever success I have achieved today has a lot to do with somebody like Hrithik who has called me once in a while and told me things like, ‘Hey! You are looking bit fat in this, you need to work at this portion, your visual appeal is important’ and things like that.

He is very giving with his advice and he has pushed me to improve. I owe a lot to him.

Rajeev Masand: Is it rare to find such generous co-actors?

Abhishek Bachchan: I have never had a problem there. In fact I have been very lucky to always get supportive and protective co-actors to work with. They always felt sorry for me for I was so bad. They always thought, "poor chap. He is the weakest link. Let’s just help him out."

Rajeev Masand: Were you always destined to be an actor?

Abhishek Bachchan: Can’t say if I was destined to, but yes, I always wanted to be an actor.

Rajeev Masand: Do you often wonder what you would have been doing, had you not become an actor?

Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t wonder, but perhaps I could have been a struggling actor. I would have been ‘pounding the pavement’ (as you call in actor’s lingo), outside producers’ office asking them for some work.

Abhishek says, he has always shared a special bond with father Amitabh Bachchan.

Rajeev Masand: But you could not have been anywhere else but in films, isn’t it?

Abhishek Bachchan: Yes, definitely. No doubts about it.

Rajeev Masand: You worked in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ which people say has been your best performance so far. Now that you are again working with him in ‘Guru’, playing a character whose span from a young man to an elderly person has been covered as a journey, what else is special that you find in it?

Abhishek Bachchan: Mani Ratnam is indeed the most special aspect of Guru. When he is directing a film, an actor doesn’t need to ask for anything else.

I signed Yuva without even hearing its script. It was weird.

I knew Mani from the days when he made Bombay because ABCL Ltd then had distributed the film. Shad (Ali) arranged my meeting with him and there he asked me if I would be interested in working with him. I almost fell off my chair. Here I was sitting in front of Mani Ratnam and it he who was asking me, whether I wanted to work with him or not. I was almost going to ask him, “Do I have to pay you for giving me a role in your film?”

Getting the chance to work with him for a second time is truly a blessing, because you have got over with the fear of working with ‘ Mr Mani Ratnam’ and have become more comfortable with him. To add to it, Aishwarya (Rai) who started her career with Mani is also a part of the film. Everybody knew each other, so it was very comfortable.

Any role that Mani gives you is assured to be interesting, intriguing and very tough.

Guru has been a very tough film and challenging to do. I hope it turns rewarding, more so for Mani because he has worked very hard on it. He is truly a genius and deserves every bit of the credit that he gets.

Rajeev Masand: Is it true that Guru is inspired by the real life story of Dhiru Bhai Ambani?

Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t think I can rightfully comment on this because Mani would be answer this question. But I’m sure Mani has been inspired my many persons. I don’t think it is particularly based on any body’s life.

Many people have inspired Mani. He is somebody who is very ‘worldly wise’ and like most directors he too derives inspiration from different things. I think it could be an amalgamation of many inspirational stories. I’m sure he never wants to convey that such-and-such film is depicting so-and-so’s life.

Rajeev Masand: There is one question that I asked your father and now I’m asking you. Shah Rukh Khan is playing ‘Don’ in the remake of the yesteryear’s blockbuster hit film. So are Salman Khan and his brothers in a remake of Amar, Akbar, Anthony. Tell me if you have the choice to remake one of your dad’s films, which one would it be?

By the way, your father said Deewar could be the one fit for you.

Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really tough. Actually all of them are so great that they all could be remade. Most of the ones that I have wanted to be a part of have already been made.

But I think Kalia is one film that I would like to be remade with me playing the lead because I loved that film as a kid.

I can’t choose a film that needs to be remade but I can definitely tell one film that I would not want to be remade.

Rajeev Masand: Which one is that?

Abhishek Bachchan: I think Black is one film I would never want to be remade because I would not be able to match up to that level of acting.

Kalia and Kala Pathar are some of the films that I have seen inactively as a child. I used to see my dad beating up bad guys in these films. I used to get excited and beat up my sister enacting him.

These films would be fun to do but doing Black would be traumatic.

I think I would want to act in a remake of one of my dad’s film because I want to go through the enjoyment of just doing it. It would be fun to live a character ‘on-camera’ that I have seen and enacted as a child. I would also like to do it more on an emotional basis.

Rajeev Masand: As an actor, you have been working for eight-years now. I’m sure you must have known your strengths and weaknesses by now. What would you consider as your strength?

Abhishek Bachchan: I have a lot of good friends in the industry who continuously are willing to work with me. That’s lot of strength for me, seriously.

Rajeev Masand: How do you react to the tag of ‘most eligible bachelor’ being attached to you?

Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really embarrassing. I would much rather they call me a successful actor. I’m not complaining, as long as they look upon me favourably. But I would much rather that I’d be known for my work.

Rajeev Masand: Well, are you uncomfortable with all the attention that is being paid to your ‘romantic life’?

Abhishek Bachchan: Not really. It’s part and parcel of your job. When you become an actor, you must know that you are a ‘public property’. That’s fair enough, but what you make of your public image is up to you.

I keep my private life private because I don’t want people to know what pajamas I go to bed in, on what side of the bed I sleep, what I say to my dad or how I talk to my mother when I order my lunch. That is something personal and I want to keep it just to myself.

We conduct our lives on a public stage but please I would request people to leave ‘this’ bit to us so that we can keep our sanity. Am I uncomfortable? I would say no. Because I know that an actor’s life comes under immense scrutiny and observation.

If you don’t like it then you shouldn’t become an actor. If you want to be there, then you must know how to deal with it.

Rajeev Masand: With the growing interest, do you think that you have to hide increasingly?

Abhishek Bachchan: No. I have always led my life openly. My life is like an open book. As long as my family and loved ones know what’s going on in my life, nothing really matters to me. There is nothing worth hiding. I am not doing anything wrong.

Rajeev Masand:Are you amused by all the stories that you read everyday. Things have been said like horoscopes being matched, impending marriage and so on. Literally, it’s become a case when almost everyday there is a new story about your personal life.

Abhishek Bachchan: It makes some very interesting reading. I am impressed with the people who write them. Their creativity and power of imagination is truly incredible. I am actually looking for all such people to hire them as scriptwriters. They are brilliant in what they do.

Rajeev Masand: Do all these stories create any kind of awkwardness when you meet your co-stars that you have been linked with?

Abhishek Bachchan: No not at all. It’s not given all that importance, honestly. We are actors and know that this happens on a daily basis. It doesn’t affect us at all. You become immune to it.

If I meet a female co-star of mine who they have recently ‘married’ me off to or ‘divorced’ me with, or somebody I have ‘cheated’ upon or whatever of the sort, I don’t even talk about it. I think our friendships are far stronger to be affected by something like that.

Like recently there was a story about how Shah Rukh Khan and my father are having this huge war and that my father allegedly has ‘forced’ Karan (Johar) to add a song of mine in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

First and foremost, my dad and I are not the kind of people who would do something like that. Secondly, we are in no position to do that. Thirdly, it’s sad that people who write such lies when witness that we all are together, must have been feeling very stupid and little.

Shah Rukh is very close to our family. He is somebody I have got to know through my father and mother. My mother is immensely close to him and he is a wonderful person.

When it comes to Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna I would like to state that I have no false illusions of a grandeur.

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’s lead hero is Shah Rukh. I am just the supporting lead and perhaps the third main lead in the film.

I am not presumptuous or precarious enough to think of myself as equal to Shah Rukh yesterday, today or tomorrow. Shah Rukh is the biggest star that we have in the country. I think he is a fantastic person to look up to as an idol.

And I really don’t have the power to convince Karan to add a song of mine in his film. I am just happy being a part of the supportive caste in his film. In fact I am just happy to be a part of the film.

Rajeev Masand: Putting all the rumours and the controversies aside, being young, successful and popular, does the question about your marriage comes up in the family? It’s only natural for them to raise such a question, isn’t it? Is that something that they are waiting for?

Abhishek Bachchan: No, never thankfully. My parents have not been the sorts to pressurize me on something like that.

They have never been that narrow-minded to raise such a question. They know the kind of life actors’ lead and they respect that. They have always been very broad-minded and would not impose themselves upon me ever.

Even in terms of marriage, they have left it upon me to decide. They always say, "let us know when you are ready and we will be fine with it."

Rajeev Masand: So when do you think you would be ‘ready’ for marriage?

Abhishek Bachchan: Not in the near future at least. I have just started my career and there is a lot that needs to be done.

I think there is a lot to achieve before one can settle down in life. But then again, you may never know. Tomorrow you might just turn around and walk into someone wonderful and say, "Wow, this is it."

Rajeev Masand: Finally, what is the best thing about being a movie star?

Abhishek Bachchan: The love that you get. You can’t really explain it. Anywhere you go, you have an audience that comes up to you to shake hands with you.

You don’t even know them but they are truly excited to see you. It’s an emotion that is hard to explain. It’s just an amazing experience.

And, secondly, I get to wake up every morning and live my dream. I can’t think of a better job.

Abhishek Bachchan: Well, best of luck. Let’s hope you can always live your dream. We will be looking forward to lots more exciting movies from you.

Abhishek Bachchan: Thankyou.

Source: IBNlive

Zee Muzic brings Abhisekh Bachchan on 'Bollywood Tonight'

2006-08-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

First part of the interview will witness Abhisekh talk about his latest movie Kabhi Alvida Na kehna with Komal Nahata on Friday 18 August at 8 pm.

Few excerpts from the interview -

Abhishek in his true humble style says " I agreed to do the film despite such great actors cos I knew nobody would be watching me and so I wouldn't be shouldering the responsibility." A fine actor who has been appreciated for his brilliant performance in KANK says " I am not a modest person at all infact im very realsitic". According to him, two great performances in KANK were those of Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan and he explained why - "Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan totally deserve the No1 status that they enjoy because they work vere very hard at it.."

Catch Abhishek Bachchan speak about his role in the biggest film of the year, only on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm, on Zee Muzic.

The second part of the interview on Monday 21 August on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm where Abhishek talks on personal issues.

Abhishek admits to being a Mamas boy but his Dad is his best friend. When asked about his journey from Refugee to KANK, he says "The most humiliating part of my line of failures early in my career was to see the crestfallen faces of my parents at the end of every trial show. Two such great actors and their son was failing film after film." When asked which role of Amitabh Bachchan would he like to see himself doing, he says "Don't ask me which role of my dads film I would like to repeat. Ask me which role I wouldn't like to play and that is BLACK" . To know why, tune in to Bollywood Tonight @ 8PM.

Tete-e-tete with Jr. Bachchan

2006-08-19T02:36:00.000-07:00

From a hero who tanked at the box office to KANK, Abhishekshek Bachchan has come a very long way indeed. Aby's baby chats up with our correspondent Autreyee Choudhury about his next big projects and more.

TN : Are you a woman's guy?

Abhishek : I'd like to be. I hope I am. I strive to be if you are asking me if I am like Rishi Talwar - my character in KANK, I'd like to be.

TN : KANK is a mature love story. Do you think Indian audiences are finally ready to accept sex and extra marital affair as a fact?

Abhishek : Coming from the civilization that gave birth to Kamasutra, I don’t think we've been alien to the concept. Indian audience have always accepted a good film - it's not what story you tell, it's how well you tell it.

TN : Personally, do you agree with an extra marital affair?

Abhishek : No I don't.

TN : In KANK, your father plays kind of a raunchy character?

Abhishek : Raunchy? I will be sure to tell him you called him raunchy (smiles).

TN : He's playing a very open minded character, but there is a certain section of his fans who are offended or who've got mixed response

Abhishek : You will have to ask me, he has not said any such thing to me but I think he's done a wonderful job once again.

TN : You’ve two films coming up - Dhoom II and Umrao Jaan. One is more of a guys' film, macho and the other one is a little mellow. Which role was more comfortable for you?

Abhishek : They both are great fun, I don’t think any role is easy to perform and I would not want to do a role which is easy. I've enjoyed doing both films immensely.

TN : But which image are you more comfortable with?

Abhishek : Neither, I am just happy with the Big B standing in the background.

TN : You're also doing Guru with Mani Ratnam. Considering, Yuva with Mani was a turning point in your career, now has there been a change in equation with Mani Ratnam?

Abhishek : No, it hasn't changed, it's the same. Mani is a genius and according to me he's one of the most talented directors we have and it's an honour to work with him. I was blessed to be given another opportunity to work with him. I am really excited about Guru and am looking forward to its release.

TN : Between you and your father, you have endorsed many products. Have you left anything at all for the other stars?

Abhishek : There is no competition. I do the work that is offered to me.

Source: Times Now

Promo review - Dhoom 2

2006-08-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz

Is it going to be the biggest sequel of all?

After 'Phir Hera Pheri' went on surpass the business of 'Hera Pheri' by leaps and bounds, 'Krrish' turned out to be one of the top blockbusters of all times and hence in process broke the records set by 'Koi..Mil Gaya'. While 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' is looking set to be the third sequel success in quick time, 'Dhoom 2' [now popularly known as D2] too is turning out to be yet another exciting and high adrenaline drive from the makers of the original 'Dhoom'.

If having Abhishek Bachchan in the lead was not enough, the sequel now also stars Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu as the added attractions with the usual suspect Uday Chopra completing the mega starcast of the film. With the coming together of Yash Raj Films and Sanjay Gadhvi, the director of 'Dhoom', expectations are only sky high from the film. Also with Hrithik having scaled the heights of action with 'Krrish', it is but natural to expect a much BETTER, a much BIGGER and a much GRANDEUR affair from D2.

With 3 months to go before the release of the film, Yash Raj Films in there true tradition have unveiled the promo of the film along with the screening of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' that has been distributed by them. And doesn't the promo just promise a rollicking ride of your lifetime ahead?

This 100 second promo of D2 begins with an announcement of a female newsreader in the background who speculates over the next line of action of this big time thief/robber! A couple of shots later that show some glimpses of some cool gadgets, a larger than life aerial view of a full length train in the middle of a desert successfully manages to bring you on the edge of your seats. A razor sharp shot of a man tied to ropes while skating along with a train running at a speed on the upwards of at least 100 km/hours [yes, you read it right] is enough to set the adrenaline rushing for any normal living soul!

After setting the context of this actioner in 25 seconds flat, it's time to introduce the 'cool' characters of the film. A sound of whistle with trademark Pritam beats brings Hrithik Roshan at the center of the frame who is shown walking with a carelessly unbuttoned blue shirt and a white vest underneath! Look of the film remains blue throughout when Abhishek Bachchan is the next to come as he walks in a blue outfit in a place that resembles a railway platform. Aishwarya's deep neck blue top is surely going to invite a lot of sighs as she looks western'chic while Uday Chopra prefers to go topless with outstretched arms inviting love with twinkle in his eyes. Bipasha is the last to appear and she does well to hold herself amongst the crowd with a skin hugging top and a gun holster to boost, hence giving herself a very western look.

Introductions over and there is time for some real action to begin that starts with Hrithik Roshan skating in black leather outfits while beating the fast moving traffic behind. Rearranged version of the title song 'Dhoom Machale' forms the part of the background score as everyone from Uday, Abhishek to Hrithik join the action on road [bikes] and water [skate boats]. It's not just the action but a lot of eye candy that keeps you glued to the screen with an arrival of Bipasha Basu in a two piece striped bikini on a beach. Ash too is not far behind as she dances along in a club while attired in mini. There are some more song'n'dance shots to follow that feature the trio of male leads.

A minute into the promo and mood shifts to high voltage drama with Abhishek looking forward to picking up the challenge. The words uttered by him ['Tumse Milke Bahaut Maza Aayega...we will have fun'] set the ball rolling with shots of some daredevil action filling in the gaps between his sentences. A jump atop the train through a glider followed by a cool looking Hrithik getting ready for his plan of action in his gadget laden lab bring the action back in form. The song in the background continuous as well with a gravity defying fight amongst the two men at the top of the train. But the cake is taken by a sequence where Hrithik is gliding once again on the road, this time doing so under a large carrier truck. Some more gadget assisted stunts follow before Abhishek and Uday stamp their authority with a gun each pointed towards the frame.

Well, is that all? Certainly not, as indicated by Hrithik when he conveys the message to Ash - "The Game Is Not Over"! Check out for the heart stopping glimpses of a collage of shots that feature the two hanging down steep mountains, a sequence that has never before attempted in an Indian movie before.

One thing is clear after the promo ends - the film is going to put Allan Amin, the action director of the film, firmly on the map of International class action choreographers. In spite of all the big names involved with the film, 'D2' seems to be an Allan Amin film all the way.

The wait should be worth it for this sure shot success in the making that arrives all over on November 24th!

Big B/AB - A brand to reckon with

2006-08-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz

Has the coming together of Big B and son AB become a brand?

Looking at the box office outcome of the three films where they have acted together, it certainly seems to the case. Their first time coming together in 'Bunty Aur Babli' last year created a storm and brought the movie to the second biggest hit of the year after 'No Entry'. Immense curiosity and hype about the film reached a turning point when they were actually cast as father and son in Ram Gopal Verma's homage to 'Godfather' - 'Sarkar'! The 'chemistry', if one can call it that way, was phenomenal to say the least in 'Sarkar'.

With two successes in hand, it was but natural to see more of the pairing in the coming months. Karan Johar jumped on the very idea of it and cast the two together in 'Kabhi Alvida Ne Kehna'. No wonder the story of a party-lover boy with an equally colorful father to boast was a draw that none could resist.

Since there are all indications that KANK would turn out to be yet another BIG success story of 2006, it marks the hat-trick of winners for the father-son duo hence establishing them as the MOST reliable brand!

2006-08-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

Abhishek takes away Shah Rukh's film

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has had a mixed reaction from the trade

While the new age people from film industry has been talking about the richness of the making and the thought behind the film, the old timers are shocked to see the unfamiliar ending given in the film stating that this was the big reason why the film has failed to touch hearts in the Indian belt. The film has some outstanding collections from the Overseas territory as Karan tells us. But in India, the film has taken a bit of a beating. "It is a great thought, but because of the subject smaller centres in India haven't liked the film so much. The film will make loads of money from bigger cities and overseas," says Vashu Bhagnani who feels that Abhishek Bachchan has emerged a star from the film.

Does that mean that the film did not benefit the man for whom it was made for – Shah Rukh Khan?

2006-08-12T02:29:00.000-07:00

Guru: First Look

2006-08-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

Abhishek and Rani : always married on screen!

Apunkachoice

It is an unusual coincidence that whenever Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee have acted together in a film they have played married couples.

They may not have made a romantic couple in real life, but Abhishek and Rani are indeed the inseparables on the silver screen. In all the films they have acted together – be it Goldie Behl’s Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai or Mani Ratnam’s Yuva or Shaad Ali’s comedy Bunty Aur Babli – Abhi and Rani have played married couples.

And in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna , the two stars play spouses again. However, this time, not all is hunky-dory in their marriage. Abhi plays a temperamental husband who at one point in the film even accuses Rani, his wife, of not being able to bear a child. Rani, on the other hand, plays a woman whose marriage with Abhi has been more of a compromise. Their marriage is full of self-doubt and lack of passion.

Speaking about Rani, Abhi says it was most easy working with her as he has shared the screen space with her many times in the past.

Rani holds no different view.

2006-08-12T00:09:00.000-07:00

I was bowled over by Shah Rukh: Abhishek Bachchan

By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Abhishek Bachchan has two major releases lined up for August, 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK) and 'Umrao Jaan', and they are vastly different from each other. But he is not worried.

'As my luck would have it, both 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Kabhie Alvida...' are being released back-to-back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained, I'm happy,' Abhishek told IANS in a chat.

Apparently it was easier for Abhishek to get under the skin of his character in Karan Johar's romantic drama 'Kabhi Alvida...' than J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan', a period film.

'Actors always bring a lot of themselves into their characters. At the end of the day the character is being performed by the actor and the character must therefore have elements of the actor. It's very important for me to identify with the character I play. Otherwise, I can't play him convincingly,' said Abhishek, who confesses he is bowled over by co-star Shah Rukh Khan's humility and hard work.

'When you work with him you realise he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a human being.'

Excerpts:

Q: Why are you suddenly so out of the media loop?

A: It wasn't intentional. It's just unfortunate. I've been travelling abroad and in India, shooting. I haven't had the time to sit and talk to anyone lately.

Q: Your plate certainly looks full.

A: I've always worked at this pace. I've to work with what I've got and deal with it to the best of my abilities. I'm still trying to complete one film before moving on to the next.

Q: You've two acutely antithetical films - 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK) and 'Umrao Jaan' coming up one after the other.

A: It's only after I did my first period film 'Umrao Jaan' that I realised how modern we tend to be in our everyday conduct as individuals. I had to try and forget my natural body language and demeanour and re-acclimatise myself. That was a challenge.

Then again, when you've a director like J.P Dutta saab, he guides you through any complexity. Interestingly, I came to 'Umrao Jaan' straight from KANK, straight from as 'Karan' in New York to Lucknow in the 19th century.

Q: A very challenging time for you as an actor?

A: No different from how it has been in the past. I've chosen a challenging job. As my luck would have it, both 'Umrao Jaan' and KANK are being released back-to-back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained, I'm happy.

Q: Apparently in Johar's film you play a character very close to your heart?

A: Actors always bring a lot of themselves into their characters. At the end of the day the character is being performed by the actor and the character must therefore have elements of the actor.

Karan knows me so well. He has used a lot of my personality for my character in KANK. But let me tell you, it's very important for me to identify with the character I play. Otherwise, I can't play him convincingly.

Q: How was it working with Shah Rukh Khan in KANK?

A: Only after you work with Shah Rukh do you truly understand why he is who he is and why he enjoys his position. He's such a humble and unassuming person in real life.

When you work with him you realise he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does. My advice to any actor who works with him is to interact with him off the sets for a week before shooting begins. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a human being. I've never seen a more hard-working actor.

Q: You seem totally bowled over.

A: I really hope I get to work with him again and again. Shah Rukh is an immensely generous actor. He almost concentrates more on getting the other actor's performance right in a scene than his own!

When I was stuck in a scene he readily helped me out. The amount I've learnt from him about conduct as a person and an actor is insurmountable. He truly deserves his superstardom.

Q: And Preity?

A: KANK was our first film together apart from a little bit of work together in 'Salaam Namaste', when she was just lying on an operation table and screaming. She was no longer lying down in KANK. But she was still shouting at me. She's brilliant in KANK.

Q: She claims you can out-chatter her.

A: With Preity it's a bit of an ego problem. Since I'm a very sore loser, I've to try and outdo her in talking. I love Preity. She's one of the nicest persons I've met. So I'm looking forward to working with her again in Shaad Ali's 'Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom'.

It's exciting because of the cast. Preity, of course, is one of my favourite people on earth. Then there's Bobby Deol whom I've known since I was a kid. I've had a deep desire to work with him. There have been many projects in the past together, which didn't work out.

Q: You're also doing the sequel to 'Dhoom'?

A: One of the plus points of doing a sequel is you already know the character. I play the same character. Then there's an equation already built with the crew. So, you automatically get into the groove.

The exciting part is to build a new mood in the given parameters. We can't serve the same thing to the audience. It's a new cast and a new plot. Hopefully, it will be much better and bigger than the first 'Dhoom'.

Q: And Hrithik Roshan?

A: 'Dhoom 2' is my second film with Hrithik after 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon'. He isn't just hardworking, he's seven notches above that. Through his hard work he pushes me to work. What's wonderful about actors like Shah Rukh and Hrithik is they aren't just concerned about their own performance but also their film. It's great fun just hanging out with him. 'Dhoom 2' is a party.

Q: How's it working with R. Madhavan in Mani Rathnam's 'Guru'?

A: We got to know each other really well when I was doing a remake of his Tamil film 'Run'. I'm very fond of Maddy and his wife Sarita. It's wonderful to get in front of the camera with Maddy.

Q: How's it working with Rathnam again?

A: 'Yuva' was a turning point in my career. And all credit to Mani for this. 'Guru' is a challenge. Mani likes to push his actors. He likes to break conventions. He gives you a scene, then you work it out as logically as you can. He then takes it and flips it around completely. He likes to go against the grain. The actor had better rise to the occasion.

Q: What's on the anvil?

A: After Shaad's film is over I'm doing a film with my friend Goldie Behl. 'Drona' is the working title. After Goldie's film I go on to Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2'. Then I move on to Rakeysh Mehra's 'Delhi-6'. After that it'd Rohan Sippy's film next year.

Q: You and Mehra go back a long way.

A: Yes, I'm very excited to finally work with him. Rakeysh and I were supposed to do our first feature film together. It never worked out. We've been trying to collaborate for 10 years now. I'm glad we finally cracked it. 'Delhi-6' is a very interesting subject.

Q: Finally, suddenly you're in so many endorsements?

A: My criterion to endorse a brand is simple. Would I use the product and am I comfortable endorsing the product? It's very important for the brand ambassador to have faith in the product. I believe in the products I endorse.

Q: Are you conscious of your public conduct?

A: You've to be true to yourself in your private and personal conduct. We have to realise we've a huge responsibility towards the public. They look at us to set examples and we've to be conscious of that. Having said that, I must say I'm what I am and I behave the way I've been brought up to behave.

2006-08-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

Preity and I've an ego problem: Abhishek Bachchan

santabanta

Abhishek Bachchan Talks Shop With Subhash K Jha

Q: Why are you suddenly so out of the media loop?
A: It wasn't intentional. It's just unfortunate. I've been travelling abroad and in India shooting. I haven't had the time to sit and talk to anyone lately.

Q: Your plate certainly looks full.
A: I've always worked at this pace. I've to work with what I've got and deal with it to the best of my abilities. I'm still trying to complete one film before moving on to the next.

Q: You've two acutely antithetical films Umrao Jaan and Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna (KANK) coming up one after the next?
A: It's only after I did my first period film Umrao Jaan that I realized how modern we tend to be in our everyday conduct as individuals. I had to try and forget my natural body language and demeanour and re-acclimitize myself. That was a challenge.

Then again, when you've a director like J.P Dutta Saab he guides you through any complexity. Interestingly I came to Umrao Jaan straight from KANK, straight from 'Karan' times in New York to Lucknow in the 19th century.

Q: A very challenging time for you as an actor?
A: No different from how it has been in the past. I've a chosen a challenging job. As my luck would have it, both Umrao and KANK are being released back to back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained I'm happy.

Q: How was it working with Shah Rukh in KANK?
A: Only after you work with Shah Rukh do you truly understand why he is who he is and why he enjoys his position. He's such a humble and unassuming person in real life. When you work with him you realize he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does.

My advice to any actor who works with him is to interact with him off the sets for a week before shooting begins. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a humanbeing. I've never seen a more hard-working actor. On the sets he was always there for Karan and for his co-stars…He made sure everyone ate and performed properly.

Q: You seem totally bowled over.
A: I really hope I get to work with him again and again. Shah Rukh is an immensely generous actor. He almost concentrates more on getting the other actor's performance right in a scene than his own! When I was stuck in a scene he readily helped me out.

It's been a fantastic experience. The amount I've learnt from him about conduct as a person and an actor is insurmountable. He truly deserves his superstardom. He works hard for it, and he makes sure others work equally hard. I'm truly overwhelmed by Shah Rukh.

Q: And Preity?
A: KANK was our first film together apart from a little but of work together in Salaam Namaste, when she was just lying on an operation table and screaming. She was no longer lying down in KANK. But she was still shouting at me. She's brilliant in KANK.

Q: She claims you can out-chatter her.
A: With Preity it's a bit of an ego problem. Since I'm a very sore loser I've to try and out-do her in talking. I love Preity. She's one of the nicest persons I've met. I'm so looking forward to working with her again in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. It's going be a fun film.

It's exciting because of the cast. Preity, of course, who's one of my favourite people on earth. Then there's Bobby Deol whom I've known since I was a kid. I've had a deep desire to work with him. There have been many projects in the past together which didn't work out.

Q: You're also doing the sequel to Dhoom ?
A: One of the plus points of doing a sequel is you already know the character. I play the same character. That makes it easier for me to play him. Then there's an equation already built with the crew. So you automatically get into the groove.

The exciting part is to build a new mood in the given parameters. We can't serve the same thing to the audience. It's a new cast and a new plot. Hopefully it will be much better and bigger than the first Dhoom.

Q: And Hrithik?
A: Dhoom 2 is my second film with Hrithik after Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon. He isn't just hard-working. He's seven notches above that. Through his hard work he pushes me to work. He's only bothered with how best to do his job, and how to push harder towards excellence with every role, and that's infectious.

What's wonderful about actors like Shah Rukh and Hrithik is they aren't just concerned about their own performance but also their film. It's great fun just hanging out with him. Dhoom 2 is a party.

Q: How's it working with Madhavan in Mani Rathnam's Guru?
A: We got to know each other really well when I was doing a remake of his Tamil film Run. I'm very fond of Maddy and his wife Sarita. It's wonderful to get in front of the camera with Maddy.

Q: What's on the anvil?
A: After Shaad's film is over I'm doing a film with my friend Goldie Behl. Drona is the working title. After Goldie's film I go on to Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 2. Then I move on to Rakeysh Mehra's Delhi –6. After that it'd Rohan Sippy's film next year.

Q: You and Rakeysh Mehra go back a long way.
A: Yes, I'm very excited to finally work with him. Rakeysh and I were both supposed to do our first feature film together. It never worked out. We've been trying to collaborate for ten years now. Every year we'd think of an idea. It never worked out. I'm glad we finally cracked it. Delhi 6 is a very interesting subject.

Q: Finally, suddenly you're in so many endorsements?
A: My criteria to endorse a brand is simple. Would I use the product and am I comfortable endorsing the product? It's very important for the brand ambassador to have faith in the product. They've choose me, then I choose them. I believe in the products I endorse.

Q: Are very conscious of your public conduct?
A: You've to be true to yourself in your private and personal conduct. We have to realize we've a huge responsibility towards the public. They look at us to set examples and we've to be conscious of that. Having said that I must say I'm what I am and I behave the way I've been brought up to behave.

2006-08-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

Your new film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is about extra-marital relationships. Do you approve of the subject?

The basic question that director Karan Johar has asked in this film is: What if you meet your soulmate after you are married? But he hasn't put across an opinion, he has just asked the question.

What if you faced a similar situation?

If I meet my soulmate after marriage, I will be really disappointed.

So you see nothing wrong in extra-marital affairs?

I think it's wrong to have an extra-marital relationship.

But what if you find your soulmate after marriage?

I don't think I'll get married until I find my soulmate.

What if your parents don't approve of her?

My parents will always approve of my relationship. I will not do anything without their approval; and if there's such a situation, I will seek their approval.

You've been linked to Rani and Preity...

I was torn between their love; I found it hard to balance my affection towards both. Both were vying for my attention and they had huge fights over me. (Laughs) Unfortunately nothing as exciting as that happened. Both Preity and Rani are close to me and will always be.

The Bachchan-SRK rivalry is taking up reams of paper.

Whoever dreamt up this story? If the person who did so is happy spreading such stories, I'm happy to make him content. Unfortunately, however, it is not true; they should come and see how we are together. But they wouldn't want to see that part of our lives, as they are hell-bent on spreading rubbish.

Your equation with SRK?

Shah Rukh is a senior. I can't call him my friend; he is too senior a person for me to be casual with. I have immense respect for him, enjoy his company and hope I get an opportunity to work with him in the future too.

You seem a bit conscious in the Rock 'n roll soniye song with your father.

I am a weak artiste compared to my dad. Anyone who stands in the same frame is going to look uncomfortable and slightly out of sync. When you are standing in front of an actor like my dad, you are going to look like a fool.

The quest is to try and match him so that you don't disrespect his talent and dedication. I try but I don't think I manage to achieve that.

What about Ash?

She's a wonderful co-star and person to have on your set. She's a professional; we have done two films and are comfortable with each other.

How true are the stories of a relationship between you and her?

My life's been an open book. I don't hide things. But I don't like talking about these things, as it is disrespectful to women. I don't think you would like it if your personal life were up for judgment on a daily basis.

My private life is my private life and I'd like to keep it that way. When I have something to say I'll be the first person to say it.

But aren't you more than just friends?

I am more than friends with all of them — male or female — which includes Preity, Rani and Ash.

Don't you resent the fact that the life of the Bachchans is under scrutiny all the time?

One should be thankful that people find you interesting enough to talk about. Unfortunately, some of them have an extra-fertile imagination. I know what the truth is and as long as I know and my family knows, nothing else matters to me.

2006-08-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

More bikini show in Dhoom 2

Indiafm

Dhoom 2 is what everyone wants to know about. The sequel to the 2004 hit Dhoom, this film will also be full of action, style and hot women. And here’s some exclusive dope on the film. Earlier, there was a buzz that Aishwarya Rai will be seen in a bikini in the film. Now, adding to it, we have known that even Bipasha Basu will be sporting a bikini in Dhoom 2.

Besides, the promo of Dhoom 2, which will be going live on Indiafm.com very soon, ends with a scene where Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai jump from a very high mountain cliff. Looking at the shot we could surely say that nothing like this has been seen in an Indian film before. Also, the overall promo looks very sleek and has an international look. Now, if the promo itself is so promising, we can’t wait to see how the movie is going to be like.

2006-08-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Abhishek could get more accolades than SRK in 'KANK'

UNI

All eyes may be on Shahrukh Khan on the eve of release of Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' but a major share of the accolades for the film could well go the way of Bollywood's new teenage heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan, if initial reaction to the television promos and trailors of the film are anything to go by.

Shahrukh Khan may be playing the central character in 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' but if trade sources are to be believed Abhishek may prove to be the ultimate dark horse who gets all claps from the kids, youths and front benchers as well as the sympathy of the family audiences.

Those who have seen the rushes of the film say that Shahrukh's "overwhelming presence" in the film notwithstanding, several sequences in 'Kabhi Alvida na Kehna' which present Abhishek as the "architypical angry young man" may endear him to the cinegoers in the same way as Amitabh's angry young man persona in films like "Deewar'", "Zanzeer" and "Trishul" did in the 70s.

In the film, Shahrukh play the character of a person who, caught in a loveless marriage, falls in love with the character of Rani Mukherjee, who, while married to Abhishek Bachchan, too finds herself stifled in her marriage.

Sources in the film trade say that though the film, essentially, revolves around Shahrukh as is the case with most films by Karan Johar, the sympathies of the audiences, specially the kids and family audiences who form a major proportion of the cinegoers could well go to the character played by Abhishek Bachchan in the film.

This, coupled with the immense popularity of the two songs "Rock N Roll Soniye" and "Where's the Party tonight" in which Abhishek appears, could result in Junior Bachchan adding to his already big fan following among the kids and the youth after "Kajra Re" and "Right Here Right Now" songs in "Bunty Aur Babli" and "Bluffmaster".

Infact the song "where's the party tonight" picturised on Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta in the film, as also the "Rock and Roll Sonie" song picturised on Amitabh, Abhishek and Preity, are a huge rage among all sections, specially the youth and the children.

While both Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan come across as exquisite in the "Rock N Roll Soniye" song, which has been appearing in television promos of the film on various satellite channels for quite some time now, Abhishek is simply fabulous in the song "where's the party tonight" which already has the youth dancing to its groovy beats reminding the viewers of "Say Na Say Na" and "Right Here Right Now' from "Bluffmaster".

"Rock N Roll Soniye" could well prove to be as popular as the "Kajra Re" song in "Bunty Aur Babli" which had the whole nation dancing to its beat. Trade sources say Bollywood actress Kajol and hunk John Abraham will also be seen in this video. While Kajol's will be a fleeting appearance in the song, John is said to feature in a scene as a Disc Jockey.

Further, "What's the party tonight", which was picturised by Karan Johar recently, could create the same buzz as the "Right Here Right Now" song.

Analysts say that going by the way even the brief glimpses of the songs, in television promos of the film, have the kids and the youth going crazy, Abhishek could well run away with all the "seetis" of the front benchers as well as young boys and girls, who today constitute a major proportion of the cinegoers in the country.

2006-08-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Abhishek-Ash all the way this winter

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz

As soon as Q4 of year 2006 begins, it would be time for fans of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai to rejoice. That's because they would be seen together in not one, not two but as many as three flicks.

From October onwards, practically every month there is a Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai film lined up. First to come would be J.P. Dutta's take on 'Umrao Jaan' that releases this Diwali/Eid on October 20th. The film would be facing the might of Salman-Akshay-Preity starrer 'Jaaneman' and King Khan's 'Don'.

Exactly a month later the two would be seen in 'Dhoom 2'. Since Ash is paired opposite Hrithik Rishan in the film, it is uncertain if Abhi-Ash would have any scenes together. Still, going by their off screen liaison, it is expected that the two to have a face off. Last but not the least, after a gap of 4 more weeks, Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' would arrive that has the two playing a couple surviving the test of times.

'Umrao Jaan', 'Dhoom 2' and 'Guru' - there is a lot of variety to catch up for Abhishek-Ash fans this winter!

2006-07-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

Mani Ratnam might cast Abhishek Bachchan & Kareena Kapoor for his next flick

Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor have done their debut with J P Dutta's 'Refugee'. They never acted opposite each other after that. Now the buzz is Mani Ratnam might cast them together along with Aamir Khan in his next flick. Mani's brother said, "Aamir and Kareena are being finalized. And as for Abhishek, I am not aware of any such developments. Yes, we have approached Abhishek for a different project with Mani." This is first time she is working with Aamir, earlier he has expresses a desire to work with Kareena.

2006-07-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

When Shah Rukh Khan " Missed" Abhishek Bachchan !

By: Abid

There have been a number of silly headline grabbing stories about the so called rift between Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan . Putting an end to the yellow journalism ( and perhaps making the propogators of such gossip even more embarassed) , Shah Rukh Khan recently confessed to the editor of a leading film magazine about how he missed Abhishek , during the New York schedule of Karan Johar's upcoming blockbuster 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'('KANK') . Says King Khan , " In the New York schedule of 'KANK' , every night after the pack-up Amitji(Amitabh Bachchan) and I would sit and chat for hours . When Abhishek left for India for three days to attend his friends wedding , I missed him a lot . Actually saying this makes me uncomfortable . The Bachchans are family to us . If people wish to speculate about our inner dynamics , what can I say ? 'KANK' will be memorable because of Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan adding their inimitable magic to it ."

2006-07-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee together again?

By ApunKaChoice Bureau

They were liked together in Yuva and their act in Bunty Aur Babli set the cash registers ringing at the box-office.

And now after Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna , Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee are being sought to act together in another flick.

Reports are that director Vipul Shah wants to cast Abhishek in his next film, the script of which he is working on.

Shah, who last directed Amitabh Bachchan , Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra in Waqt – A Race Against Time , is said to ask Abhishek for dates once the script will be ready.

If this happens, it will be Shah’s first film without his favourite actor Akshay whom he is presently directing in Namaste London opposite Katrina Kaif .

Reports add that Shah wants Rani for the female lead role opposite Abhishek.

Shah had approached Rani for ‘Waqt’, but it didn't work out then due to date problems.

Hope this time it does work out.

2006-07-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

Filmography

Guru (2006) (announced) ...

Sarkar 2 (2006) (announced) ... Shankar Nagare

Sholay (2006) (filming) ... Jai

Vasundhara (2006) (in production) ...

Umrao Jaan (2006) (in production) ...

Dhoom 2 (2006) (in production) ... Jai Dixit

Autograph (2006) (in production)

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) ... Anand Bakshi (post-production)

Fanaah (2006) ... (filming)

Bluffmaster (2005) ... Roy

Neal N Nikki (2005)...(Special Appearance)

Home Delivery(2005)...(Special Appearance)

Ek Ajnabee (2005) ... (Special Appearance)

Salaam Namaste (2005) ... Narrator and Doctor (Guest Appearance)

Antar Mahal (2005) ... Vrij Bhushan, a Bihari sculptor

Dus (2005) ... Shashank Dheer

Sarkar (2005) ... Shankar Nagare

Bunty Aur Babli (2005) ... Rakesh/Bunty (Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award)

Hum Tum (2004) ... Sameer (Guest Appearance)

Naach (2004) ... Abhinav

Dhoom (2004) ... Jai Dixit

Yuva (2004) ... Lallan (Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award) & (Nominated, Filmfare Best Villain Award)

Phir Milenge (2004) ... Tarun Anand

Run (2004) ... Siddharth

Rakth(2004) ... Guest Appearance

Zameen (2003) ... ACP Jai

LOC Kargil (2003) ... Lt. Vikram Batra

Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) ... Raj

Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003) ... Kanji

Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003) ... Prem Kumar (Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award)

Om Jai Jagadish (2002) ... Jagadish Batra

Desh (2002) ... Suprabha's son

Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) ... Shiv Kapoor

Shararat (2001) ... Rahul Khanna

Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai (2001) ... Suraj Shrivastav

Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya (2000) ... Kabir Srivastav

Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000) ... Karan Khanna

Refugee (2000) ... Refugee (Nominated, Filmfare Sensational Debut Award)

2006-07-31T09:00:00.001-07:00

Abhishek Bachchan Awards

Filmfare awards:
2003: Best Supporting Actor nomination for the role of Prem Kumar in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon
2004: Best Supporting Actor win for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva; Best Actor - Critics win for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva; Best Villain nomination for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva
2005: Best Actor nomination for Bunty Aur Babli

Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
2001: Popular Award, Best Upcoming Talent nomination
2005: Best Supporting Actor win for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva

Star Screen Awards
2001: Most Promising Newcomer - Male nomination for the role of Refugee in Refugee
2005: Best Supporting Actor win for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva and Special Award in the category Jodi No. 1 nomination along with Rani Mukerji
2006: Best Comedian win for Bunty Aur Babli and Special Award in the category Jodi No. 1 win along with Rani Mukerji.

Zee Cine Awards
2005: Best Performance in a Villainous Role nomination for the role of Lallan Singh in Yuva and Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Male win for the role of Tarun Anand in Phir Milenge

Other Awards
2004, Sports World Award, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Yuva.
2004, Stardust Award, Best Actor of the Year, Yuva.