These days many filmmakers are cashing on the current trend of bold and lewd lyrics like the Dum Maaro Dum, or Mutton, or Karma's a bitch. And it looks like Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan doesn't want to be behind the times.
In fact, he would want to be ahead of times otherwise why would he remind us about the item number Ishq Kameena he did with Aishwarya Rai in Shakti few years back. So would he want to do an item number today? "Haan, woh Sheela ki jawani thi aur yeh hai Shah Rukh ki adhed umar," he guffawed.
Well, but SRK values freedom of expression and respects all kinds of lyrics. "I have no issue with these lyrics as the young generation is exposed to international music as much as the Eastern ones. Also, it all depends upon the situation, kabhi kabhi kuch jam jaata hai (sometimes certain lyrics fits into the situation) and conveys the meaning. And then we have the Censor Board to take a call," said Shah Rukh, who remained as witty as ever. "But I am feeling bad for Karma" (referring to karma is a bitch song) he said in his usual inimitable style and dimpled smile.
The superstar, who was recently hospitalized for allergic bronchitis and viral fever, would not have imagined even in his wildest dreams that his hospitalization would result in fake news of his death circulating all over the internet.
As soon as the news spread, Rajini fans, thronged to online forums and sites to find out the truth. Such was the impact of the rumour that "Rajinikanth death" and "Rajinikanth died" became the top two most searched for keywords online last Sunday . Some websites even went to the extent of posting fake pictures of his death, with the message – Born on December 12, 1950, Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, famous as Rajinikanth, died at the age of 61.
Expressing shock over such false reports, Rajnikanth's family finally released an official statement on May 16 that said he was fine and had to take some rest following his recent hospitalization. "I don't know where these rumours started from. These are false. He is in good health and is resting at home," his wife Latha said in the presence of media.
Though heaving a sigh of relief following the confirmation of their star being well, Rajini fans are not willing to take this as 'just another joke'. Shaleen Asghar, a die-hard Rajini fan, said, "Bloggers should be careful in spreading news without verification. Rumours are not good. It is quite annoying to note that people do not check the authenticity of any news and spread it onwards." Akhil Das too expressed a similar opinion and said, "I am shocked to read about this stupid rumour. Rajini sir is a superstar and a very respectful man. And what do these guys gain anyway by spreading such false news?"
In an exclusive, Amar Singh explains the infamous tape, the Bipasha connect, and how his old association with Bollywood's foremost family - the Bachchans - is no longer what it was.
In an exclusive, Amar Singh explains the infamous tape, the Bipasha connect, and how his old association with Bollywood's foremost family — the Bachchans — is no longer what it was
If the Bipasha tape is indeed fabricated, why Bipasha, of all the people in the world? What's the connection?
I'll tell you. I studied it. First of all, my unqualified apology to Bipasha. I am born and brought up in Bengal. By heart, I am a Bengali...
...Umm, and when it is election time, politically, I am a UP Thakur?
I worked in a Bengali movie called Sesh Sanghat which was on the Naxal issue. In fact, when the film, which espoused the cause of the landless farmers, was a huge hit. I can speak chaste Bengali, perhaps better than many residents of Kolkata. My education is in Kolkata, my base is in Bengal. So why should I not call myself Bengali? As a fellow Bengali, my unqualified apology to Bipasha. Apart from the fact that the age gap between me and her is huge, I have only seen Bipasha twice in my life, that too, in a crowd. Once at the premiere of Viruddh, in which John acted as Amitabh ji's son. At that point of time, I was very actively associated with AB Corp, as everyone knows. I am, incidentally, still officially vice-chairman of AB Corp; how far I am going to be there, I don't know. The second time I saw her was at a special screening of Lamha. That's about all. She must be knowing that this man is Amar Singh, and I knew that she was Bipasha Basu. Barring that, I have had no interaction whatsoever with Bipasha.
None at all?
I am not someone who runs away from relationships, of any nature. They are not something to be ashamed of, or embarrassed about. But here, there is nothing to deny. My 2005-2006 24 hours, 365 days' taped telephone conversations can be checked, there is not a single conversation between me and Bipasha. And thank god it is not there. The Bipasha Basu of 2006 phoning somebody would be very flattering for anyone, but I did not get that opportunity of feeling flattered. And any lady is unlikely to talk like that... ladies rarely propose. It is the habit and perogative of men to propose, and we are also often disposed. A lady will not chase Amar Singh!
If someone had to create a fake, he could have had another name, more easily linked to you. Why Bipasha, of all people?
Yes, that is what I have also been thinking about. If it was Dimple, or other film stars of my age group, who are quite friendly with me...
Surely there are film stars not of your age group who are also quite friendly with you?
See, 'friendship' is being used very casually. Acquaintances are also being described as friends. Many of my good friends, who have made it big, refused to recognise me as a friend when they thought I was left behind, because there was a lot of gap in our status. And when I grew in stature, someone who met me twice or thrice in life began dropping my name and telling people that we were 'very good friends'. For twenty years I treated Jaya Bachchan as family. Twenty years is a hell of a lot. There were moments when I stood by her. And when one moment of decision came for her (to stand by me), I looked around, and she was not there for me!
I treated Jaya Bachchan as family, and that I feel sorry for the demise of such a beautiful relationship. And beyond that, I will not open my mouth.
So, to clarify – I am not friendly with many people. I share my life with friends, I can give my life for friends, I can take a life for friends. That is what friendship is.
So who are your friends today?
Well, it is very difficult to say. After transplantation of my kidneys, I think God has shown me real life. From 1996 onwards, there was no stop in my career; there was rapid growth and rise. There was all the time limelight. The halo was so artificial. God decided to tell me, you think you are powerful? I will tell you who the hell you are. And he took both my kidneys, and spoilt 70% of my intestines. For one and half years I was away from politics. What crisis of health does to a political person, as depicted in Prakash Jha's Raajneeti, is not at all filmy. With decline of fortune and health, comes the change in attitude of powerful people, moneyed people, industrialists. But this is what politics is. There is only the head, there are only goals, there is only ambition – and for that, anybody can be sacrificed. Even the sacrifice of Amar Singh by Jaya Bachchan for one more Rajya Sabha term is legally and morally justifiable. This is what raajneeti is.
The question - Bipasha...
But the pertinent question you are asking again and again – why, of all person, Bipasha? The answer to that is – in the making of Omkara, I played a pivotal role. I assisted Kumar Mangat a hell of a lot. The credits began with: Thank You, Amar Singh ji. Somebody put two and two together and figured that I had an association with Omkara team.
I am not denying it is my voice – but that is not how I would speak to a lady. I have spoken that line to a naughty male friend of mine – some bitchy men to men talk. It is along the lines of "I have become old, I am not interested in girls" conversation. I'd like to make clear that it is not Bipasha.
I will not tell you with whom I was talking, but he is also a celebrity, he is also a known person. So yes, it is my voice, and I am not embarrassed to accept that. I know a film actor – a faded star – was very hostile towards me, spreading canards about Bipasha and me at that point of time
When Omkara was being made?
Yes, when it was being made and I was actively associated with it. Bipasha had nothing to do with any of it. The objective was to defame me; she just became a victim of crossfire. I am searching for the papa of this tape. Many people are helpless in such situations; but I am not helpless.
Aren't people from Bollywood hesitant to call you now?
Those who used to talk, are still talking. Those who are scared, good luck to them. Bollywood is not particularly worried about such things. If they were worried about that, the Salman Khans and Sanjay Dutts would have left the industry long back.
How much has your once talked-about bond with the Bachchans changed?
So long as I am in my company, I will be in ABCL. If I leave the board of my own company – since I am spending a lot of time in politics – then I will request Mr Bachchan to leave the board of AB Corp also.
That'll be the formal split?
No, it will have no correlation with my strained relationship with – actually there is no strained relationship also, because I cannot afford any strain of relationship with the Bachchans. My deep sense of agony and hurt is with Jaya Bachchan. No other family members has not caused me any agony or hurt. So I have no reason to be apprehensive about their conduct. But unfortunately, in this case, honourable Jayaji happens to be the lady of the house. And if you are not having good terms with the lady of the house...
Your aana-jaana in that home will lessen?
It will almost stop. My affection for Abshishek and Aishwarya, my respect for Amitji, and my good wishes for Jayaji remain the same, but definitely the level of interaction cannot be the same.
Tamil star Simbhu, who is reportedly besotted with Telugu actor Tapsee, fought hard with director Dharani to cast her in the Tamil remake of Dabbang, but his efforts were in vain. The popular actor was adamant on casting Tapsee, but director Dharani felt that Telugu actor Richa Gangopadhyay would be the ideal choice. “Simbhu fought hard with director. But the director finalised Richa,” says a source. We have known male stars to recommend their favourite heroines, but never so blatantly. With Vaanam also bombing at the box office, the star needs a “hit”; he should be focused on his work and not poke his nose into the director’s domain.
She's confident that there will be no case against her
Minissha Lamba, who was detained by customs authorities at Mumbai airport for carrying undeclared jewellery worth Rs.50 lakh while returning from her much-hyped visit to the Cannes Film Festival, says there will be no case against her.
"I have given my statement and the fact is that the jewels don't belong to me. They were given to me to wear at Cannes by Anmol Jewellers, so I don't think there is any case against me. The jewelers will be called to verify that those are their jewels and that's it. It's an open and shut case," the 26-year-old actress said.
Minissha was in Cannes for the premier of Woody Allen's 'Midnight In Paris'. She returned May 18 to Mumbai by an Emirates flight via Dubai.
Why was she detained for 16 long hours?
"It was just a procedural thing. It wasn't anything terribly serious. But the whole process is very time consuming. That's why it takes time," said the actress of films like 'Yahaan', 'Kidnap' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'.
On May 19, Minissha visited the customs commissioner's office in Mumbai to complete some paperwork, but the jewellery has been confiscated and is now in government custody.
This is not the only problem that Minissha had to face during this trip. The actress also lost her bag at Nice airport. However, she is still in high spirits.
"The Cannes experience was fantastic, only the last day was a bit stressful because I lost my bag and when I returned, I was detained. But otherwise it was great and I don't think anything can mar the experience I had at Cannes," said the actress.
It seems Bipasha Basu, who has wrapped up shooting for Abbas-Mustan's 'Players' in Russia, faced a lot of language issues there. She says her sign language skills have improved after her stay in the country.
"Last day in St. Petersburg! Russia is a wonderful and beautiful place! Schedule for 'Players' wraps today! People in Russia are sweet! My skills in sign language have improved after this trip!" Bipasha posted on Twitter.
The movie, a Hindi remake of the American film 'The Italian Job', about a team of thieves, will see her teaming up with Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher.
Bipasha says "Russia will surely add great visual appeal to 'Players'!"
Arbaaz Khan concedes that he may produce another film before he takes up the Dabangg sequel
Arbaaz Khan does not want to take any chances when it comes to giving the best for his superhit film Dabangg's sequel. His brother Salmaan Khan is busy with other commitments and he does not want to rush things.
Arbaaz Khan does not want to rush into filming of the sequel to his blockbuster flick Dabangg
"Salman Khan is a big star. He has several films lined up before he gets ready for Dabangg 2. He has to finish Atul (Agnihotri)'s Bodyguard.
Then he has to start two films later this year, one for Yashraj and the other for brother Sohail. This is the first time Salman is working with Yashraj.
And we're all very excited about it."
Arbaaz reluctantly admitted that he might produce another film in the meantime. "If I come across something exciting, or a script that feels right, I'll be happy to pick it up. But the problem is, who will star in a quickie? It's not just Salman who is busy.
Ranbir, Imran, and other actors are all committed for the next couple of years. I'd rather focus on getting Dabangg 2 in place."
Arbaaz is confident that Dabangg has a long shelf life and that the sequel can wait. Recently, he was in Chennai for the mahurat of the Tamil version of Dabangg.
"I met the actors who are playing Salman's role and mine. They are fine artistes and I wish them luck. Dabangg is also being remade in Telugu. The film has such a long shelf life. Why should I worry about starting the sequel? We need to focus on creating a good product, not on giving headlines to the papers."
Delayed The schedule of Dabangg 2 has already been postponed twice. Earlier, shooting was deferred to December 2011, which was again changed to January 2012. According to new plans, the shoot will only begin in the the middle of next year. Meanwhile, the search is on for an item song that can match up to Munni.
Salman will play an agent of India's premier external intelligence agency in Kabir Khan's next
Salman Khan seems to be getting ready to play his most realistic character yet. In Kabir Khan's much talked-about film, that will go on the floors towards the end of the year, Salman will play the role of an undercover agent for India's external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The role of a secret agent will be quite different from the flamboyant roles Salman has been doing of late
To get into the mind of a RAW agent would require a level of intellectual preparation that Salman, who believes in spontaneity, has never undertaken in his life.
Says a source, "Salman has always been a very spontaneous actor. Woh dil se kaam karta hai. But when he heard the script for Kabir Khan's film, Salman was absolutely fascinated.
He couldn't get over the fact that ordinary civilians sometimes act as undercover government agents. Aisa bhi hota hai kya? he asked Aditya Chopra, who went to Salman with the offer. Salman has agreed to undertake all the preparation needed for the part."
Playing a RAW agent is not quite the same experience as playing a swanky flamboyant guns-and-gals secret agent in the James Bond or Mission Impossible series.
Says the source, "It's far more complicated. Salman has to be a covert not an overt agent. RAW agents are taught to blend with the mainstream, to not stand out in a crowd, to be as nondescript as possible.
And yet, when the need arises, they need to be panther-like in their intellectual and physical agility. Salman has lately been doing extremely flamboyant parts. This one requires him to go the other way."
Saif Ali Khan, too, plays an undercover agent in his home production Agent Vinod. Director Sriram Raghavan has made sure Saif stays within the authentic zone.
But Kabir Khan, with his experience in well-researched documentary and docu-drama feature films, is looking at giving an entirely new dimension to Salman's personality.
When asked if Salman plays a RAW agent in his film Kabir Khan replied, "You know I will not comment on that." In an earlier tete-a-tete Kabir had said, "Whatever I will direct next will have to be in the realistic space.
My roots are in documentary filmmaking. And even if I make feature films, I can't stray too far away from my origins."
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has transcended geographical boundaries and won hearts of millions with his charismatic screen presence, says he doesn't consider himself a star.
"The reason I say I am not a star is because I am completely human. I still cry, I still laugh, I crack jokes, I get stressed, I feel disturbed but I think you people love me so much because I could be human," he told reporters Wednesday at the music launch of his latest production "Always Kabhi Kabhi", releasing June 17. "Even though I have this pedestal where I stand which says I am a big star but actually I am nobody till I work hard to make you smile," added the 45-year-old. To give a Midas touch to the film, Shah Rukh has appeared in a promotional song of the film "Always Kabhi Kabhi". "It's not an item number. It's the beginning of the film.
The music and the lyrics of course make it a peppy number," he clarified. This directorial debut of Roshan Abbas is also launching two new faces - Zoa Morani and Satyajeet Dubey. Actor Giselle Montario of "Love Aaj Kal" fame and Ali Fazal who did a small role in Aamir Khan-starrer " 3 Idiots" play lead roles in the film. Set in a school, "Always Kabhi Kabhi" is about four unique youngsters trying to compete with pressure of growing up and many firsts that everyone experiences in high school. As today's school life has changed a lot, King Khan could hardly identify with any except the determination of the youths to accomplish their goal. "The youth part of the film is the same as it was in my time, but the way they deal with their life has changed.
There are many things in the film that I have not done in my school life. So there are many things I couldn't identify with," said Shah Rukh. "Life has changed so much. But the thing that the film says, follow your dream, I could easily identify with. I never thought that I would come to Mumbai and do so much of work but yes I always aspired to be an actor or a sportsman. The film also shows that we should do something that I am willing to do instead of choosing the way where I can lead an easy life," he added.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, who is getting rave reviews for the trailer of his forthcoming movie "Delhi Belly", has urged people to follow his lead and adopt dogs instead of buying them through a new ad for animal welfare organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The ad features the 28-year-old with his adopted dog, who passed away recently. The message on the ad reads: "Tony Changed My Life. You Can Change a Homeless Dog's Life. Please Adopt." The shot was captured by ace photographer Avinash Gowariker.
"The fact is that there are dogs and cats and all kinds of animals roaming around the streets. Very often people buy dogs, buy cats - they see them as toys or as fashion accessories. They get bored of them and they ... throw them out of the house. That's a very horrible thing to do," said Imran in an exclusive video for PETA.
Imran, who made his debut with "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na" in 2008, adopted his dog Tony after his friend found him wandering in the streets. Imran filed a complaint with the police and learned that the person Tony had been living with had thrown him out of the house.
"Ultimately it boils down to how much you care. I care a lot about animals. If I see an injured animal, sick animal and essentially any animal I feel I could help in some way, I do that," added the actor, who hopes to open his own animal shelter some day.
According to PETA, around 25 million homeless dogs struggle to survive on the streets in India.
