“‘Drona’ is my biggest, my best” – Abhishek Bachchan

The countdown has begun for the two biggies that are slated for release this Idd: DRONA and KIDNAP. A lot is riding on these two films. In terms of economics, both are expensive films. Plus, the careers of Abhishek Bachchan [DRONA] and Imran Khan [post JAANE TU… YA JAANE NA] are at stake. Will DRONA live up to the humungous expectations?

“It’s my biggest and best film so far,” Abhishek Bachchan tells me. He’s supremely confident this time. “I don’t speak like this, do I? But DRONA is different. It’s the most expensive film I am associated with. Besides, Goldie [Behl; the director] has executed the subject remarkably,” he states.

Abhishek and Goldie have got together after more than seven years [BAS ITNA SA KHWAB HAI was released in July 2001]. In between, in 2006, Goldie had plans of making a thriller with Abhishek, but decided on making an adventure fare instead. “Goldie was disheartened after his debut film failed. Later, he diversified into television; he wanted to make his company secure before he announced his next film,” Abhishek reminisces.

Abhishek credits his directors for the [sterling] performances he has delivered in films like YUVA and GURU [Mani Ratnam] as also SARKAR and SARKAR RAJ [RGV]. “If at all DRONA works — and I hope it does — Goldie should get the credit for it. He has worked very, very hard. I am sure, the Indian audiences haven’t seen an adventure film like DRONA before,” he says confidently.

Abhishek has worked in the DHOOM series as also SARKAR and its sequel. There’s talk that a sequel to DRONA is in the offing. “Oh yes! Goldie has written so much in the intervening period that he’s ready to take the DRONA series forward. In fact, the possibility of a sequel can easily be explored,” he adds.

Akshay – Anees again!

The Akshay Kumar – Anees Bazmee jodi is the hottest and biggest combination today. This jodi has delivered two back-to-back hits in WELCOME and SINGH IS KINNG. The combo was planning to team up for the third time for a Studio 18 project, but trustworthy sources tell us that the project is not happening.

“Akshay has signed a UTV film. Hopefully, we should be teaming up there,” Anees Bazmee informs me, “There’s no bad blood with Studio 18. It’s just that things didn’t work out. But I am directing another film for them, which might star Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.”

Anees is expected to take this project forward once he’s through with the ongoing schedule of the Nana Patekar, Harman Baweja, Genelia starrer he’s making right now.

Irrfan Khan to learn the art of hair cutting for Billo Barber

Irrfan Khan is very excited about signing Priyadarshan’s new project Billo Barber where he plays the title role and becomes the first Indian actor to actually learn the art of hair-cutting.

“Not hair-styling, mind you. I don’t want to learn the barber’s art from some posh salon in a 7-star hotel. That kind of hair cutting I know already. I’ve done it to my kids. The bonafide Barbers hold the scissors in a different manner and the way they hold the customer’s hair is different. I am actually going to sit with a roadside Barber and observe him at work. As soon as I finish learning you’ll be the first person whose hair I’ll cut and then probably Shah Rukh Khan who’s my co-star in Billo Barber.”

He has already started shooting for the film. “We complete the film by July.” Irrfan is hugely kicked about this co-star. “Shah Rukh is such a sport. He called me and said ‘I’ll dance in the film while you do the acting’. He’s so comfortable in his space. I want to learn that from him. I want to be comfortable in my surroundings. That’s the only plan I have for my career.” Irrfan was longing to work with Priyadarshan. “I saw his recent film Kanjeevaram. Excellent film. If he has been doing a spate of comedies it’s because that was the market’s demand. Billo Barber will take him into a different league. It’s a very moving story.”

Irrfan admits he had to act restrained in his most recent release Krazzy 4. “When we were shooting there were moments when I had to hold myself back. They wanted to focus more on the story. Many of my proposed scenes were eliminated. But I’ve no complaints. Krazzy 4 is popular with kids. I always wanted to do a film that kids would love. I’ve been doing too many grownup films.”

So why doesn’t Irrfan direct a film? “Only when it comes naturally to me. I’ll only direct when I find a story so compelling that I want to share it with the audience. It may come very soon,” signs off Irrfan.

Aftab Shivdasani plays Akshay Kumar’s sibling in Kambakth Ishq

Aftab Shivdasani’s only film as the main lead (not counting Indra Kumar’s Daddy Cool which also has Suniel Shetty) Aloo Chaat with TV actress Amna Sharif is complete.

Even as the suddenly-reclusive Aftab Shivdasani turns producer to create an interesting acting opportunity for himself in a couple of months with a film to be directed by Glen (one -half of the Glen-Ankush duo who directed Aftab in the little-seen sci-fi cloning tale Jaane Kya Hoga with Bipasha Basu), the actor quietly took off for LA to shoot for Sajid Nadiadwala’s much-publicized Kambhakth Ishq. And he plays Akshay Kumar’s chota bhai in the film. Both the actors are cast as stunt-men in Hollywood and have a lot of scenes together where they perform some unbelievable high-flying scenes.

Says a source, “We keep reading about Akshay Kumar’s exploits at LA, how he performed various stunts, how he met Sylvester Stallone, etc. But Aftab has done the same stunts and also shared screen space with Stallone. He sees no reason to tom tom his work. His logic being, ‘When the film is released everyone will know anyway. What’s the point of talking about it.’ In fact, Aftab has withdrawn into a shell ever since he broke up with Yana Gupta. He refused to talk about it even when he was offered front-page coverage by papers. That required guts when your career isn’t going great guns. And when his career didn’t seem to be getting anywhere he quietly decided to produce a film and create an exciting opportunity for himself.”

Aftab admits he isn’t inclined to promote his cause these days. “I’ve been shooting for Kambhakth Ishq in LA. Yeah, I play Akshay Kumar’s sibling. We both play stuntmen. So it kinda runs in the family and it’s a family that kinda runs fast. The role requires considerable physical skill and energy.”

Aftab underwent rigorous training to look and feel fit enough to pull off those daring stunts at Universal studios. “The stunts are dangerous. But everything is so professional here in Hollywood. Safety while doing action scenes is top priority not just for the lead stars but also for the stunt men. Otherwise the experience of working at Universal is no different from the studios back home,” Aftab says in a matter of fact tone.

He enjoyed working with Stallone. But doesn’t think it’s no reason to call up key journalists back home. “I’ve scenes with Sly Stalllone. He was a pleasure to work with,” is all Aftab will say. As for the perception that he has moved to the second lead Aftab chuckles, “I don’t know about that. Everyone is entitled to his or her perception.”

Kareena and I share clothes: Karisma

Rubbishing rumours that her sister Kareena Kapoor was ever a size zero, Karisma said that the two share their clothes.

“There is nothing like size zero,” Karisma told reporters here Thursday and added: “We even share our clothes.”

The star of films like “Zubeida” claims her sister is just trying to stay fit saying: “Both of us love to eat, we are complete foodies and no she isn’t a size zero. Kareena worked really hard just to be fit.”

This year Kareena bagged all the popular awards for her performance in “Jab We Met“.

Commenting upon her sister’s achievements, Karisma said: “I am a very proud sister. I guess the good values in her have really paid off.”

Although Karisma has not been a regular on the big screen post-marriage, she made a special appearance in Farah Khan’s film “Om Shanti Om“. She was seen shaking a leg with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a dance sequence in the song “Deewangi deewangi” last year.

“Yes, I have been laid back on this front to be with my family,” she said.

On being asked whether she would be seen in a project with Kareena soon, Karisma maintained that they have been offered many scripts to work together, but whenever it would happen, they would announce it on a big scale.

Ajay Devgan walks out of Reality Show “Rock N Roll”.

Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan, who is currently on the judging panel of Zee TV’s reality show “Rock N Roll Family” along with his wife Kajol and mother-in-law Tanuja, is usually a calm and reserved man. But recently, he lost his cool and stormed out of the set of the show.

The actor lost his patience when the existing families in the competition objected to newly selected families who were made to enter the show as ‘wild card entries’.

“If you guys know best, then carry on. I will not tolerate a change of format halfway through the show,” Ajay said and left the set.

He was irked by the existing participants’ plea to alter the current format of the show.

He pulled Kajol along with him too.

“Rock N Roll Family” is a music and dance competition where three generations of family members participate. Initially, there were 12 families who participated in the show.

Brijesh from the Saxena family initiated the argument. He said: “It is unfair to introduce two new families at this stage of the competition. While we have struggled to reach this far in the competition, suddenly two new families will just have a cakewalk on the show.”

He also proposed the re-entry of those families who have already been eliminated.

Ajay reacted saying that even if the participants had any disagreements, they should have addressed it earlier.

Shahid Texts Bebo: Saif Not Happy With it

Kareena’s new look might not be adored by the audiences, but it has surely left the ex-boyfriend, Shahid Kapoor impressed. The actor who saw the latest flick of his ex-girlfriend didn’t really like the movie, but was left mesmerized by her new sexy look. He thus, immediately messaged her saying that he found her new thin look sexy. Kareena couldn’t reply instantaneously, but sent him a message later thanking him for the compliment. The whole act wasn’t liked by the present boyfriend Saif Ali Khan though. He insisted Bebo to cut all contacts wit Shahid to which Kareena refused to right away. She said that Shahid is her “good friend” and that she couldn’t break all contacts with him.
Lets wait and watch if all that “impress the family” act of hers really comes in use or just go in vain…;)