Bollywood Zone : Blog, Movies, Celebs

Looks like Ranbir Kapoor’s kitty is filling up fast. The actor has been roped in for Ravi Chopra’s next film to be directed by Rahul Dholakia (of Parzania fame). Currently, he is shooting for an untitled Yash Raj film starring Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Minissha Lamba.

Ravi Chopra’s film is a story of two friends. The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, Dholakia takes the safe route and wants the production house to do the talking. He says, “I am in advanced talks with B R Films. We are thinking of casting Ranbir. It would be better if you speak to B R Films about this matter.”

But a friend of Dholakia confirmed that Ranbir will star in a B R Films’ project. “B R Films is very impressed with Dholakia. Ranbir was their first choice. Ranbir too, loved the script,” the friend said.

Ravi Chopra remained unavailable for comment. We sent him a text message, but he did not reply.

The Kapoor scion is rocking not only in his professional life, but in the personal front as well. He is currently dating his Saawariya coactor, Sonam Kapoor.

Dholakia on the other hand, is busy gearing up for Bunty Walia’s film Lamha starring Sanjay Dutt.

Himesh Reshammiya seems poised to doff his trademark cap for his next film. What’s more, he’s gone ahead and named the film Aap Ka Surroor-Ay Himesh Bhai. And the creative excuse behind the rather narcissistic name is that it will enable audiences to connect better with him.

After Himesh Reshammiya made his debut with Aap Ka Surroor, eager audiences and filmi pundits alike have been wondering what to expect from him next. And Himesh, in his characteristic style, has not only decided to come up with a sequel to his debut film but has also decided to name it after himself.

Titled Aap Ka Surroor- Ay Himesh Bhai, the film is not just an example of the singer/ composer/ actor’s narcissistic streak. Himesh, apparently will play himself in the film. He will sport two looks in the film, one of which will be minus his trademark cap.

Prashant Chadha, director of the film, says, “I have been with Himesh right from his first video and understand him very well. I even know what he means to his fans. They will instantly connect with Himesh Bhai and hence the title.”

As for his look, Prashant says, “Himesh will have two distinct looks in the film. I don’t want to reveal much at this point. As the director of the film, I will also attempt to make a film of a different genre. We aspire to take Himesh to a different level. With Ay Himesh Bhai, we will prove just that. It is also a challenge for me considering that from promos to music videos to films, it is a mighty leap.”

This new Deol dude seems to have a lot of guts. While one would expect Abhay Deol to work with the biggest banners in showbiz, he has opted for a string of first time directors. “I am far from nervous about working with a new director; in fact, I have a record of working with four newcomers in my short career span. And being fairly new myself, it’s a whole lot of fun working with new guys. Director of Manorama 6 Feet Under, Navdeep Singh, is the fifth new director I am working with,” explains Abhay. Now that’s quite a bold move, considering he’s still trying to get a foot-hold in the industry.

Rahul Bose may not be the quintessential Bollywood hero, but he’s a star alright. And though Rahul prefers to be called an ‘actor’ instead of a ’star’, his popularity with the multiplex audience is undeniable. “Once an actor, always an actor. The star status has little to do with acting abilities,” he feels.

Having been appreciated for his performances over the years, the actor has now added yet another feather to his filmi cap. A retrospective of his films will be held at Masala! Mehndi! Masti! (North America’s largest celebration of South Asia inspired arts) to be held at Toronto between July 26 and 29 (not to be confused with the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival). The festival honours and highlights achievers from South Asia. “It’s a huge honour for me,” says Rahul and with good reason. He is the first Indian actor to have a retrospection of his films being held at the fest. But, what makes this one more special is that the festival coincides with his birthday on July 27. “This is the best birthday gift, I could’ve ever hoped for,” says the actor. Interestingly, the festival organisers have planned a bash for the actor’s birthday. “I already feel like I’m 60. Because that’s the age, by which actors or filmmakers hope to have a retrospective of their films,” he laughs.

On a serious note he adds, “It’s flattering as an actor. They said they chose my films, because they found my movies representative of modern urban India and thought that I represent urban Indian culture.”

Talking about the eclectic mix of films his repertoire boasts of, he says that most of his films have been a reflection of the times and have carried some message. “They are all modern fables. Be it English August or Mr & Mrs Iyer, Split Wide Open, my directorial debut Everybody Says I’m Fine or the more recent Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s Kaalpurush.”

Looking back at the journey he’s had so far, he reveals, that he has never regretted doing any film. “I think an actor’s career is not made by the films he does, but by the films that he hasn’t done. And as long as I can choose my
films I am a happy man,” he philosophises.

And does he intend to do more commercial flicks a la Bollywood style? “Not really. My dal chawal is art house cinema. And the occasional commercial films like Takshak, Chameli or Pyar Ke Side-Effects are like biryani. I like them every once in a while, but dal-chawal’s my favourite any day,” explains Rahul.

And while professionally he’s proficient doing the balancing act between commercial and arty films, in personal life too, he knows how to juggle many hats with great elan. So, when not working, Rahul loves to indulge in his favourite sport rugby. And the actor’s equally vocal about his stand as an activist on several issues. A maverick of sorts, Rahul insists that he has always lived by his own rules and followed his heart. “I am all heart first and then brains. And that’s the only way for me to live,” he signs off.

Actor-turned-producer Sunny Deol now intends to revive his film, Prithviraj Samyukta. For starters he had announced a magnum opus based on the life and times of the powerful Rajput king almost two years back. However, due to a financial crunch Deol and his director Chandraprakash Dwivedi decided otherwise. Says Deol, “It has been my dream project and hopefully, I will be able to make that film.”

Besides Prithviraj Chauhan, Deol has some big plans for his home production Vijeta Films. He is planning to make three films for his banner. Deol says, “My father completes 50 years in the film business. So we are planning to make a film that will showcase his contributions to Indian cinema. There is another film we are planning with Anil Sharma. Also, I’m co-directing a film with Neeraj Pathak.”

Deol may be enthusiastic about his directorial debut, but he is not well prepared. He confesses,”I have been involved with the film from its scripting stage. Direction is a full-time profession and needs 100 per cent concentration. It always helps to have a co-director, as he takes some burden off your back.”

The buzz is that his directorial debut is inspired from Hollywood flick, The Bodyguard starring Kevin Costner, which revolves around a former secret service agent takes up the job of a bodyguard to a popstar. Deol, however, denies it saying, “People keep talking about it, they said about my last film too, but Man is not a copy of Bodyguard. Similarities can be possible if the subjects are same.”

Deol can’t help but talk about his brother, Bobby Deol’s performances in his recent films. “I am quite happy with my brother. Bobby is going to play a very important role in Vijeta films and will be part of all the films that we are producing.”

We haven’t seen Ritiesh Deshmukh around lately, but everyone’s waiting to witness more of his talent on screen. But his strategy seems to be somewhat different. He wants to take the slow and steady route. He could be best friends with some of Bollywood’s best, but as far his work goes, there’s no shortcut to stardom. With three films coming up for release, Cash, Heyy Baby and Dhamaal, its time for the boy to groove in to the limelight again. Right here, right now, Ritiesh!

There’s something about this angry young man, Shiney Ahuja. The actor, who is presently shooting for Hijack in Mauritius, has been demanding bigger vanity vans and desi khana. Reportedly, the temperamental actor often engages in verbal fights with helping hands on the sets, if his demands are not met with. Obviously, his latest endeavours have only added to the misery of director Kunal Shivdasani and other crew members.

Our source from Mauritius says, “Shiney is extremely stubborn. He is not ready to compromise on anything. If he doesn’t get his way, he keeps screaming at our assistant directors. He wants bigger vanity vans and he is having a lot of problems with the food that we serve.”

Shiney’s spokesperson, however, terms his demands as ‘a basic necessity’. “As far as I know, Shiney does not take any injustice lying down. What’s wrong in asking for Indian food? We all have our individual eating habits and there’s nothing wrong with it. And he needs more space that’s why he has asked for a bigger vanity van,” says the spokesperson.

The story goes that Shiney (who has already acquired the label of ‘a difficult actor’) was very cordial at the outset. He religiously attended workshops and spent time in a flying simulator to get a hang of the role as the film revolves around a hijacked aircraft. But, once he started filming, Shiney emerged from his cocoon and often showed displeasure about his dialogues and costumes. Needless to say, the actor has become unpopular on the sets.

If sources are to be believed co-star Esha Deol is not too fond of Shiney either. After the day’s shoot the duo retire to their respective rooms without interacting with each other.

Hijack is the story of a troubled father (Shiney) who makes attempts to save his daughter from the clutches of hijackers. Shiney works at an airport and the hijackers eventually land at this airport to refuel the aircraft.

One actor who is definitely celebrating is Irrfan Khan. The actor recently attended the premiere of his Hollywood film A Mighty Heart which stars none other than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and is generating an overwhelming response. What’s got Irrfan smiling even more is the fact that his other film, The Namesake, is also playing in cinemas at the same time. “Fortunately for me, Namesake is also running in America and has received tremendous response from the viewers as well as critics,” says a delighted Irrfan. “It is rare that two films of an artiste are running at the same time and the performances in both the films are receiving rave reviews. Some of the noted critics have commented that the performances are very diverse, yet powerful, and the characters in The Namesake and A Mighty Heart merge seamlessly into the storyline. This was definitely an emotional moment for me,” he adds. Now, will Irrfan score a hat trick soon, we wonder?

Zayed Khan is a happy man these days. Reason? No he’s isn’t ready for fatherhood yet, but the acquittal of his brotherin-law, Aqeel of all the drug charges in Dubai has brought a big smile to his face. “He is extremely close to Aqeel and was very upset all this while. And he was instrumental in securing the release of his brother-in-law,” says a friend of the star. Good thing that Zayed can concentrate on acting now!