PicShik Blog

A lot is being written and said about Govinda persuading writer-director Neeraj Vora to change the title of his comedy Run Bhola Run to Do Lucky.But no one knows that the alternative title belonged to Govinda. “That’s right, ” laughs the actor on Tuesday morning bright and early, as he prepares to leave for his shooting. “Do Lucky was a title registered with my production company Govinda Entertainment. I suggested it to Neeraj in place of Run Bhola Run and he gladly accepted it. See, Run Bhola Run sounded too much like a sequel to Bhagam Bhag. I told Neeraj he might as well call his film Bhagam Bhag 2.Just because you put two ‘runs’ in the title it doesn’t mean the film will run, ” jokes Govinda. In fact the title for Ravi Chopra’s Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai was also suggested by Govinda. “They had some problems with the other title Pappu Paas Ho Gaya. I thought Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai is far more appropriate.” Govinda has also been accused of stalling the shooting while a numerologist was summoned on the sets of Neeraj Vora’s film to change the title. “Why would I summon anyone else?’ reasons Govinda. “I’m a very good numerologist myself. In fact many years ago when I started my career I changed my name from Govind to Govinda, and it worked.”.

Kareena has been flashing a huge diamond ring on her hand for a while now which led to the speculation of her marriage with Saif Ali Khan. Obviously the love smitten couple gave enough fodder to the gossipmongers over the weekend.Kareena, unlike Saif, had been keeping mum about the affection she felt for him, finally decided to put a full stop on wild gossip of her marrying the star. Ending weeks of speculations of her marrying Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor said that wedding bells can wait for 5 to 6 years, she is not in a hurry for any decision. “Shaadi mein to abhi 5-6 saal hain” said Bebo told media persons today. The actress, who was earlier involved with Shahid Kapoor, has however made no secrets of her relationship with Chote Nawab. The love that blossomed on the sets of their upcoming film ‘Tashan’ matured into an affair to watch out for when the Prince of Pataudi decided to wear his heart on his sleeve. The famous tattoo “Kareena” on Saif’s arm was followed by a dazzling diamond ring on Bebo’s ring finger, sparking rumours that the two were engaged. Our sources tell us that it is her mother Babita, who is holding Kareena back from making any commitments. For Saif, its his third serious affair after ex-wife Amrita Singh and Italian girlfriend Rozza Catalano.

Known as a versatile actor Ajay Devgan is spinning out one hit comedy film after another and the latest of the series is Rohit Shetty’s ‘Sunday’.Normally, Ajay is accused of avoiding the media, but we caught him up during the shooting of ‘Sunday’ and discussed a whole lot of things. He was candid as well as casual during the conversation. Here are the excerpts.

Q: Any special reason for accepting the role in ‘Sunday’?
A: Actually, I was charmed by the story of the film. Can you imagine what will happen if ‘Sunday’ disappears from one’s life?

The story of this film is its specialty and here we don’t have to make faces to make the audience laugh. I think that if one’s intentions are right, everything is possible. And this is what I have done.

Q: After having done the role of an honest police officer in ‘Gangajaal’ how does it feel to play a corrupt cop?
A: (Laughingly) Frankly speaking, it is feeling great as I have done two different types of roles in these two films.

Actually, ‘Gangajaal’ is a very serious film, while ‘Sunday’ is a comedy. The characterization of the police has not been taken too seriously in ‘Sunday’.

Q: How much do you enjoy doing comedy roles?
A: According to me, making comedy and comedy happening are two different things. I enjoy doing comedy roles because this not only entertains the audience, but also the performers.

And it is a known fact that comedy not only makes us laugh, but also makes us forget the stress and strains in life.

Q: Already two of your films have been released in the first month of the New Year. Is it a double ‘dhamaka’ for your audience in 2008?
A: I cannot comment on this and leave the issue to the audience.

Personally, I am not too happy with two films being released at the same time. It has been often seen that when two films of an actor releases at the same time, they clash between them.

Nevertheless, certain things are not in our hands and so we can do little about it. The best thing is that the stories of these two films are entirely on different lines.

Q: These days you are the leading man in most of Rajkumar Santoshi’s films …
A: First of all let me make one thing very clear. I don’t have any hang-ups working with anyone in this entire film industry and I work with anyone and everyone with whom I find myself free and relaxed.

Unlike many, I do not belong to any camp and it is also not necessary that I will be in all the films of any particular director. And everyone in the industry is aware of this.

What is happening is mere coincidence and I can tell you one thing and that is if a director finds a more competent actor than me for any particular role in his film, I would prefer to withdraw myself from the project.

Q: It is often said that you try to avoid the media …
A: (Laughingly) No, there is no truth in this. I never avoid the media, but it is true that I am a bit lazy on this matter.

Q: Would you like to say something about your film ‘You Me Aur Hum’?
A: Well, this is my film and what can I say about it. I put the responsibility of talking about the film on you…

Q: What inspired you to make this film?
A: Just like that. The idea came to me all of a sudden and I decided to make a film of the topic to satisfy my dreams or wishes.

Today very few people are aware of the fact that before becoming an actor, I have worked on all the aspects of filmmaking that remain behind the scene. Through this film, I am trying to revive my old memories.

Q: Why have you chosen Kajol for this film and not any other heroine?
A: I have not taken Kajol in the film, but it is she who has shown eagerness to work in the project. She liked the story very much and she proposed to act in the film. Fortunately, even today we are actors and not mere husband and wife before the camera.

Q: We are told that Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are quite annoyed over the comments made against them in you film ‘Halla Bol’. Would you like to comment on this?
A: Don’t you think that all these is utter nonsense? After all, even I am an actor and who would like to make fun of himself.

I don’t feel that we have hurt anyone’s sentiments through this film. But if we deliberately want to demean someone there are thousand and one ways for this.

Q: Do you sincerely believe that stardom can be used effectively to create awareness among the masses?
A: Certainly. But I also believe that if the media is helpful even the common man can make himself through the media. We have tried to convey this message through ‘Halla Bol’.

Q: So, you feel that the media has become very strong?
A: Don’t you also think so? Today the media is certainly very powerful and I want to give you an example. Today if you write something wrong or untrue about me only I and those close to me will know that this is a gossip.

But more than 80 percent of the people will believe what you will write. And interestingly, if I need to clarify my stand, I will again have to seek the help of the media as I don’t have any other alternative.

It is only the media that has told the people that Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are annoyed with me.

The two actors never conveyed this to me. So I appeal to the media to realize their responsibilities and present the truth before the people.

Q: Tell us something about your forthcoming films.
A: My forthcoming films include Rohit Shetty’s ‘Golmaal Returns’ and Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Ashoka – the Great’. Right now we are working on the story of ‘Ashoka’.

In addition, I had another film titled ‘Mr Fraud’, but this has got stuck owing to Sanjay Dutt. There are a number of other films, but they are in very preliminary stages and it would be too early to say anything about these.

Actors Ajay Devgan And Kajol are all set to star in their next home production, an animated action movie titled Toonpur ka Superhero to be directed by Canada based Kireet Khurana, and will have music by Anu Malik.This action animated flick that will feature Ajay in and as Toonpur ka Super Hero is made with an ambitious budget of Rs 40 crores. The film comprises of 70 per cent live animation sequence, on the lines of Who framed Roger Rabbit —where human actors and toons shared screen space. Ajay Devgan says, “It’s a film for everybody, because fun and entertainment today are enjoyed by everybody, but because it’s an animation, it has been written with kids in mind.” It’s a home production in the true sense of the term with wife Kajol also featuring in it. But it’s their daughter Nysa who’s looney about the toons. Says Kajol, ” I’m an avid cartoon watcher, and it’s because of my daughter I don’t get to watch anything else, but I think it should be good fun. Let’s see what i can do out of it. When asked if her daughter was excited about seeing her parents in an animated film she said, “No, she isn’t bothered about that. In fact, she is only interested in meeting the characters of Toonpur.” When asked how will she manage to do that, she is quick to reply ” I don’t know yet, haven’t figured it out but I guess I will just play it by the ear.” With daughter Nysa all excited and wife Kajol as his co-star, Ajay Devgan is on his way to be the next superhero of Bollywood after Hrithik Roshan in Krrish. So what if his villains are cartoons.

That Shilpa Shetty is no more single is a stale news now. Shilpa has found company in UK based businessman Raj Kundra. Kundra was introduced to Shilpa last year by her manager Farhath Hussain with a proposal to launch a perfume. Their professional association blossomed into a relationship in a matter of months. Now, this Raj Kundra is quite close to Shilpa and has been truly accepted by the Shetty Parivaar. Proof? Raj is currently in Mumbai and is busy planning to hold sister Shamita’s party at China House next week. Shamita’s birthday falls on February 5. A source close to the Shettys reveals, “The guest list and the menu are being discussed in great detail. Raj has become close to the Shetty family and Shamita is especially fond of him. She feels he’s right for her sister.”

Taking a cue from the flops produced under his banner during 2007, producer Aditya Chopra has now pulled out all stops and is reported to be rolling up his sleeves to direct his own film starring two Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan in lead roles.And Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta, both favorites of Aditya, are expected to be part of the project which will be shot in Greece, Australia and Dubai. Contrary to the genre of romantic films produced by Aditya’s banner, the new project will have more of action and humor. According to sources, Both Shah Rukh and Hrithik have plenty of free dates on their calendar as do Rani and Preity. Aditya is currently readying the final draft of the film and hopes to start pre-production work in March so that shooting can commence by June - July. Last year, other than Chak De! India, all other films from Aditya Chopra Productions flopped at the box office. The string of flops included ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’, ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’, ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ and ‘Aaja Nachle’. As this has cast a doubt about Aditya’s Midas touch, he has decided to direct a film himself this year. In the past, Aditya directed two films – ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995) and ‘Mohabbatein’ (2000) and both proved to be runaway hits. Now he wants to revive the magic again. -Chandan Das

Sajid Khan may soon lose his funny man image. Instead he may be bestowed with the crown of a man with one of the best bodies in the business, especially in Bollywood.Don’t be shocked as the Heyy Babyy director is seriously working on his physique. So much so that he has already lost close to 20 kg in last couple of months and is aiming at reducing further flab as he looks forward to having a well toned physique in a quarter from now. But why this sudden fascination for coming up with a new persona? Is he deciding to give himself a role in his upcoming film? “You got it right, I have an important part to play in a film, though not mine. It is for another director and the role offered to me is that of a lead actor in a sole hero project”, he says looking directly into your eye. Before you hit the panic button, Sajid breaks into a laugh and says, “Come on, I am kidding. I am not looking at facing the camera for a film. It is just that it was high time I worked on my body as well. After Heyy Babyy especially, I had put on a lot of weight. I had to get in shape pronto before my body started falling all over the place.” “The next immediate step was to get into a strict regime and follow it judiciously. I guess the effort is paying off. Shah Rukh Khan has been a great source of inspiration as well. He used to comment that I was not looking after myself at all. Once I saw him in Om Shanti Om, I said to myself - ‘This is it’! It is just a matter of taking a resolve and I guess this time around, I am going all out to ensure that the resolve is not broken.” It’s not just Shah Rukh Khan who is responsible for Sajid Khan’s revived interest in body building (even as a 16 year old teenager, he used to work out before he left it all). Sylvester Stallone, well into his 60s, is another actor who has inspired him. “I just saw the latest Rambo and I have to tell the world that if at all you have been a Stallone follower, go for the film now. It is men like him and Shah Rukh who make your mouth wide open. In clearly his most violent and challenging of the Rambo series, Stallone has been supremely impressive, especially in the way he has continued to work on his body. Just talking about his physique is giving me goose bumps; I am certainly going to watch the film again.” Concluding the conversation, Sajid Khan declares, “If Shah Rukh Khan can build a six pack abs, mark my words I will beat him to it and build eight pack abs.”

There’s a popular saying in the town that ‘It drizzles when Malaika sizzles’. Assuming that this statement ‘holds water’, every Friday, please be ready with your double rain coats on, along with your umbrellas because, the Lady in question is all set to sizzle on Friday, at the convenience of your TV. The occasion being the first episode of “Idea Dhoom Macha De”, a musical show on NDTV Imagine. It’s for the first time ever on television that eleven of India’s most popular and professional singers will come together to compete at what they do best- live performance! And doing the honours is none other than the vivaciously sizzling beauty Malaika Arora Khan. The eleven performers include the likes of Anaida, Baba Sehgal, Babul Supriyo, Devang Patel, Jaspinder Nirula, Jassi, Kamaal Khan, Richa Sharma, Sapna Awasthi, Suneeta Rao and Taz, who will be pitted against each other for the prestigious title of the ‘Country’s Best Performer’. And the powerhouse names who will adorn the judges’ seats include Sharmila Tagore, Shankar Mahadevan and Prasoon Joshi. So, be ready to get drizzled under the torrential spell of the sizzle called Malaika Arora Khan!

Rumor mongers may be having a field day in inventing trouble for the yet untitled film starring John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai, but the fact is completely different.Though there have been some media reports indicating that John Abraham is miffed with this Rohan Sippy production being delayed for yet another month, it is hardly the case. Confirms Sriram Raghavan, popularly known as the man behind films like ‘Johnny Gaddaar’ and ‘Ek Haseena Thi’, “John and me had a hearty laugh at the report which came out a few days back. It was imagination at work overtime when it was published that John was unhappy about the film being delayed. First of all, what delay? It has just been moved by around a month since I am fine tuning the script. Both John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai understand this and know that this is only for the eventual betterment of the film.” What kind of fine tuning is Sriram doing to the script? Last heard, he was ready and raring to go. “That’s right”, says Sriram, “And frankly speaking I can get started and shoot at least 60 percent of the film on the trot without batting an eyelid. It’s just that the more I look at the film’s climax, the more I feel that the desired punch is missing in the climax. I myself believe that there should be a high introduced in the closing portions of the film, something which struck me more as I was narrating the film to the cast.” “If I tweak the concluding part, it would require me to take the changes in close to 40 percent of the film. I want to get this all right before getting into the shooting. Fortunately or unfortunately, writing a script is not really a tangible activity where one can lock himself for 10 days and come back with bound literature. In any case, I have always maintained a particular amount of raw stock which I want to utilize while filming and don’t believe in going overboard”, adds Sriram. Sriram may be convinced about spending a few extra days in getting the script right, but what does his busy leading players have to say on this? Aren’t they turning impatient? “They are truly with the film, but yes the fact cannot be ignored that they are busy people and have other engagements too. However, that’s ok. Even if there is a gap of around 1-2 months in between the shoot when John and Ash have to get busy with their other commitments, I have got enough on my plate to utilize that time. Making of the music and other post production related work should keep me busy.” On his part John Abraham has always maintained that he is looking forward to teaming up with Sriram who has given a new dimension to he careers of Saif Ali Khan and Neil Nitin Mukesh. He had earlier stated, “What attracts me towards Sriram Raghavan is the kind of cinema he makes. He comes with an out of the box thought process which is great. I like working with like minded people, whether it is Anurag Kashyap or Sriram Raghavan. I can’t wait to face the camera with Sriram calling the shots.” Meanwhile, the film is still waiting for its title. Sriram continues to look for a zany title which would create an immense sense of excitement amongst the audience. Till then he asks one to wait and watch for the film’s title by concluding with a chuckle, “Khandaan Ka Pata Chalte Hi Sabse Pehle Aapko Bataenge.” -Joginder Tuteja

Ranbir Kapoor will now be paired with the sultry and sexy actress Bipasha Basu in his second film. Both the actor and the actress took a day off for a photo session to check their on-screen compatibility. In this yet to be titled movie, Ranbir appears in three different get ups, including a teenager, a 28-year-old and finally a 35-year-old youth. The actor is working really hard to look the required age in his upcoming film. Now it remains to be seen how this young Kapoor scion handles the roles of the teenager and a mature man of 35 years.