Hottest Bollywood Gossip-2

Minissha lashes out at 'Bheja Fry 2' director

Mumbai: Minissha Lamba is miffed with Sagar Ballary, the director of "Bheja Fry 2" and her forthcoming "Hum Tum Aur Shabana", who has been reportedly bad-mouthing her.

Shocked and hurt, Minissha feels it is Ballary's attempt to publicise his films.

"I used to consider Ballary a friend. But if by maligning me he is trying to get publicity, then he's hardly a friend," she says.

Minissha also feels this is Ballary's way of getting even with his "Bheja Fry 2" producer Mukul Deora, with whom Ballary was apparently at loggerheads during the shoot.

Ballary has accused Minissha of shooting a promotional video for "Bheja Fry 2" behind his back.

Minissha retaliates: "I think I got caught in the cross-fire between Ballary and the producer of 'Bheja Fry 2'. Since he couldn't hurt the producer in any way, he has chosen to make me a scapegoat."

"If the producer asked me to do a video I'd naturally do it. Why was Ballary opposed to it? It's so sad I've done two films with him. I play the title role in 'Hum Tum Aur Shabana'. So how can he threaten to chop off my role?" Minissha asks.

Minissha believes Ballary should have been "more responsible" with his words.

Minissha replies, "I worked in two of his films. I did 'Bheja Fry 2' although I had a small role. I did it for Sagar Ballary. And this is what he does!"

"I can understand him wanting publicity for his film. But at my cost? Not by destroying my reputation," she insists.

"If Sagar Ballary had a problem with me, he could've told me personally about it. It takes years to build a friendship. It takes just a few careless remarks to ruin it," Minissha says.

After Ballary's outburst, Minissha has not bothered to get in touch with him. "What is there to ask him? Does he feel negative publicity would help the film? 

Salman aims to outdo all Khans by dancing

Mumbai: With his newly acquired confidence as a box office champ, Salman Khan is now working on proving himself as the best dancer among all the Khans.

This was his brief to his current favourite choreographer Mudassar Khan, when they started shooting the track "Desi beat" for his upcoming "Bodyguard".

"Salman is hell-bent on proving he's the best dancer among the Khans. When 'Desi beat' was being planned, Salman very clearly told Mudassar that he wants to be the best dancer among all the Khans. Salman shot the song like crazy," a source says.

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As if getting his favourite choreographer was not enough, Salman also got on board a song director to shoot the number.

The concept of a song director joining the choreographer for a star is still novel in Bollywood. Sanjay Leela Bhansali served as a song director in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "1942: A Love Story" even as Farah Khan was the choreographer.

And now Salman, we hear from reliable sources, wants to patent this collaborative style of shooting a song.

"Salman will work simultaneously with a choreographer of his choice and a dance director in all his major song and dance numbers," says the source.

When asked about the "Bodyguard" number, producer Atul Agnihotri confirmed: "We got Mudassar and also a song director, Sumit Dutt. The number rocks."

The collaboration that started with "Dabangg" where Salman gave Mudassar the chance to choreograph the song "Humka peeni hai", has now reached a stage where Salman insists on bringing his blue-eyed choreographer in all his films as a lucky mascot. Looks like, Salman has found his own version of what Saroj Khan used to be for Madhuri Dixit.

For the "Bodyguard number", the source adds: "Mudassar was told to take Salman out of his comfort zone as a dancer. Salman has never done this before. This is the first time Salman has followed a choreographer's instruction to the minutest detail."

'Bubble Gum' an honest effort, worth a watch

Cast: Sohail Lakhani, Apurva Arora, Tanvi Azmi, Sachin Khedekar

Director: Sanjivan Lal

Bubble Gum is a ripe teenage story which is made with a genuine thought and effort. Had the film been promoted extensively the outcome would have been better than an empty cinema hall.

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The film talks about the life and high-drama of a teenager’s life. A true and believable story that we’d all say has happened to all of us at some point of time in life. The film begins with Vedant (Sohail Lakhani), who considers himself to be the cool guy and is madly in love with Jenny (Apurva Arora). He tries his level best to get close to her but sometimes he is nervous and most of the other times it is his adversary, Ratan who spoils the game for him.

Vedant's handicapped elder brother Vidur (Delzad) has come home to stay for ten days. Due to his condition and being away for so long he has no friends in the locality. His parents played by Tanvi Azmi and Sachin Khedekar coax Vedant to help his deaf and mute brother to mingle and make friends. But Vedant has different priorities and considers his brother nothing more than just a burden while Vidur wishes for nothing more than his brother’s happiness.

The film explores the sibling relationship and touches on topics of jealousy, insecurity, adjustments beautifully. ‘Bubble Gum’ portrays the mentality of teenagers where all they mostly think about are their image, material needs and a time when they consider friends more important than family.

Director Sanjivan Lal has captured the minute details of a middle-class life at a time when phones were considered a luxury, where kids sucked on Phantom chocolates to be termed cool. The flow of the story is well-maintained till the end and doesn’t lose focus from the main characters and their story.

The child actors look like they were indeed picked up from the locality with absolute and genuine expressions without going over the top. Sohail Lakhani plays the lead character with finesse. Apurva Arora had very few dialogues in the film in spite of playing the central character but played the shy girl next door well. Delzad as the deaf and mute brother did a marvelous job. Tanvi Azmi looked and played natural while Sachin Khedekar was great. The ‘khalnayak’ Ratan too left no stone unturned to play the antagonist in the film. The other child-artists too gave a genuine performance.

On the whole, the movie is truly touching and worth a watch. It may not be a blockbuster but would be ideal for a DVD viewing

The Real Kalam meets the Reel Kalam

Smile Foundation's I AM KALAM was specially screened for the former Indian President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, at his Delhi residence today. Producer Santanu Mishra, director Nila Madhab Panda along with the two little heroes of the film Harsh Mayar and Husaan Saad had gone to Dr. Kalam's residence to screen the film for him and also take his blessings, now that the film is ready for a nationwide theatrical release. 

I AM KALAM revolves around the story of a child who is inspired by Dr. Kalam; and his trials and tribulations when he dares to dream to become like him. The film has so far won 1 National Award and 11 international awards. I AM KALAM is the first film ever in India to be produced by a development organization - Smile Foundation. I AM KALAM is releasing on August 05 across India.

	HARSH MAYAR and HUSAAN SAAD MEET DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM

Impressed after watching the promo of the film, Dr. Kalam stated, "While watching the film, some thoughts went in my mind that I have met 12 million youth in a decade from all over the country. The movie made me realize that every person can make changes in others lives. We should promote education in villages. I have started PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) scheme. We need to create employment to parents so that they can send their children to school. I ask myself, 'What have I learnt?' I have realized one thing that children are a big force. The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and below the earth. We have got 600 million youth; no other democratic country has got this."

"If you have great aim in life and acquire the knowledge, it does not matter who you are you will reach your goal. Urban education is not enough, good education must reach remote villages. The recent right to education bill that Parliament has passed for compulsory free education is not sufficient. We need good primary teachers because he will create a creative classroom. My aim to become a space scientist came when I was a 10-year-old child in British India of 1941."

CHECK OUT: I AM KALAM's actor Harsh Mayar meets Big B

"I was studying in a panchayat school. I remember my science teacher Shiv Subramani Iyer and he once taught us about how the birds fly. He even took us to sea shore to show us how they flew and changed the direction. This is where my dream was born. I knew that I will do something related to flight. I took physics, learnt about aeronautics engineer and space scientist. And my teacher is my idol."

In addition, he also asked the producer Santanu Mishra and director Nila Madhab Panda to take his film to rural schools and colleges.

Getting an appreciation from the inspirer himself is yet another achievement for this film. I AM KALAM has already got a special request from the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, for a special screening for the royal family at the Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles' attention was drawn to the film when it was screened at the opening gala of IFFLA 2011 in Los Angeles and also won the Best Feature Film Award by audience choice. There is a royal protocol that has to be followed. Once the formalities are taken care of, the director and producer along with the lead cast of I AM KALAM will be travelling to London to screen the film at the Buckingham Palace.

Happy with the film's accomplishment so far Mr. Santanu Mishra, Producer of I AM KALAM and Co-Founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, "When we were making the film, we never expected it will win hearts of people across the world. We had just focused on making a special film and our efforts have paid off. It certainly feels very good that we have been able to draw attention of people across the world irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age and interest towards this cause of sending every child to school. Our goal is almost accomplished given the overwhelming response the film has got the world over. And once it gets the similar kind of response from the Indian audience at its theatrical release scheduled for this August, the full circle of accomplishments will finally be etched."

The cast and crew of the film had earlier met Dr. Kalam after the film was conceptualized and before the shooting had begun. He had met the crew and had specially spoken to Harsh Mayar (playing Chhotu/Kalam in the film) and Husaan Saad (playing prince Ranvijay) about not giving up education even while they focus on an acting career.

Smile Foundation's I AM KALAM slated for a nationwide theatrical release on August 05 is certainly an awaited treat in store for those who love meaningful yet entertaining cinema.









Ranbir Injuried

When it comes to work, our stars would be quite serious in giving their best shot and at the same time be least bothered of dangers or about their own safety. Here's our Youngistan star who was caught unaware while shooting...

Ranbir Kapoor, who was shooting for Anurag Basu's 'Barfee' recently, met with a mishap which left him severely injured. The scene involved the actor shooting in a lake, which was in fact set up in Filmcity.

According to unit sources, Ranbir was so engrossed into the shoot that as he got out of the water he hit his head on a rod that was just above him.

The blow left a deep cut on his forehead from which blood gushed out. Ranbir was immediately rushed to a doctor and the wound was treated with four to five stitches!

The shoot naturally was called-off for the day. Since it was a serious head injury, Ranbir was asked to take rest for few days. But being a thorough professional, the actor insisted to continue working, only to be stopped by Anurag.

The kids ask about marriage: Brad Pitt

New Delhi: Hollywood star Brad Pitt, who is raising six children with partner Angelina Jolie, reveals that his choices have changed after becoming a father. Now, before signing on any movie, he thinks about what his kids will see.

"I think that after becoming a father, I am changing my choices. Today, everything I do, I look at in the context of what my kids are going to see and feel. I think about everything I do now - what my kids are gonna see, how they're gonna feel. But I think they know me as a dad; I hope they would just think I'm a pretty damn good actor," Pitt said.

Pitt and Jolie have been together since 2005. They are raising six kids - adopted children Maddox, 9, Pax, 7, and Zahara, 6, and biological children Shiloh, 5, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The 47-year-old also hinted that there are chances of him marrying his actress girlfriend as they are being pressurised by their children to do so.

"The kids ask about marriage. It's meaning more and more to them. So it's something we've got to look at. If Angie and I feel it's important for the kids, then we'll get married," said Pitt.

Known for hits like "Mr and Mrs Smith", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Ocean's Eleven", Pitt had shot for "The Mighty Heart" in Pune, India.

"While in Pune, I went for a motorbike ride all by myself. I was so fascinated by the chaos, the traffic, different rules we have been having that I wanted to get out on the road. So I bought a helmet and was able to ride around quite peacefully."

He enjoyed being in India but when he comes to Bollywoood movies, Pitt says, "I don't know a lot. I can't sing and dance."

The actor is upbeat about his new film, "Tree of Life" that released in India on Friday. Directed by Terrence Malick, the film earned rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. It received the prestigious 2011 Golden Palm (Palme d'Or) award at film festival.

"For me, the adults that we are are the direct result of the children we were. In this sense 'The Tree of Life' follows the lives of three brothers who move between a loving mother, who represents the purest goodness, and a father, who is a human with his own faults," he said.

The film also stars Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain.

I like to relate to my characters: Abhay Deol

Mumbai: Actor Abhay Deol, who has now made a strong foothold in mainstream cinema after doing well in films with offbeat and alternative subjects, says he likes to relate to the characters that he plays on screen.

"I relate with all my characters. With that, I mean that there should be something in the character that I feel I relate to. For example, in 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!', I related to Lucky's ambition because I'm ambitious too. In 'Dev D', the character's stubbornness and his vulnerability is something I could relate to.

"Similarly I related to my character in 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' because it's a very real character," Abhay told.

The 35-year-old's upcoming films include "Singularity" and "Shanghai".

Oscar Academy asks for 'Bbuddah...' script

New Delhi: The script of Amitabh Bachchan's latest release "Bbuddah...Hoga Tera Baap" has been invited to be archived in the library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, says the 68-year-old megastar.

"And... the Academy of Motion Picture and Arts, Los angeles writes to me for the script of #BHTBaap, to archive in their library ..!!" Amitabh posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The movie, directed by Puri Jagannath, has Amitabh in a bold and flamboyant role of an old man who feels young.

He revisited his 'angry young man' avatar for the film, and wore bright and over-the-top clothes for it. The movie also featured Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon, Sonu Sood and Sonal Chauhan.