Ajay Devgn makes his action film return

Ajay Devgn, who started off as an action hero returns to the genre after almost eight years

It does seem strange that Ajay Devgn, who started out as an action hero, is making a comeback in that genre again after over eight years.


Ajay Devgn in Singham

The last time he did a full-on actioner was with Harry Baweja's Qayamat. Back then, he conceded that the idea to do an action movie was to see if at 33, he was as fit as he was at 22, when he debuted in Phool Aur Kaante. Today, at 42, the actor states that forget 33, he's much fitter now than he was during his first movie.

It's no surprise that Ajay has always performed all his stunts himself. However, there were a couple of instances when the actor was asked if he'd like to have a body double, but he steadfastly declined.

A crew-member from the sets of Singham says, "Not only did Ajay refuse suggestions of a duplicate, but most of his action scenes were okayed in one or two takes."



"Before we started shooting for the film, I was a bit apprehensive ¦ Because the actions are so extensive and stylised, I wondered whether I'd be able to pull them off," Ajay confesses, enthusing that once he began working on Singham, all his doubts were cast aside.

Owing his perfect action shots to the years of experience in this genre, Ajay says, "After doing action for so many years, you know how to move, how to fall... so you're able to minimise chances of any injury. Also safety measures have increased considerably over the years."

Fit hai toh hit hai
About his sinewy physique in Singham that has also been appreciated by Bollywood's original macho man Salman Khan, AD says, "I've always followed a healthy lifestyle, never overdoing anything."

So now that he's tested his fitness levels and stunt skills, hope it won't be another few years before we see him in an action movie.

"I don't plan what film I'm going to do next. It all depends on which subject excites me at that point in time," says the actor adding, "After Golmaal, it's only the script of Singham that we deemed right for an action-fuelled comeback."

Ajay's health guide
Prashant Sawant, who helped Ajay Devgn flesh up tells us about his fitness regime for the film...

"While working towards sculpting his body he would work on each body part two hours every day. Sometimes, we mixed it with cardio," reveals Prashant. For the fight sequences, they focused on shoulders, arms, chest and abs. "Then Ajay trained each part every alternate day with 500 push-ups."

Prashant banished carbohydrates from his star's diet. "High intake of protein was required, so every two hours Ajay took high-protein stuff like chicken breast, egg whites. For lunch, he'd eat rotis and vegetables."

Cop trouble for Sanjay Dutt

The actor is being questioned about his portrayal of popular slain cop Pritam Singh

Playing his first-ever real-life character is proving to be more problematic for Sanjay Dutt than he had imagined.

His role, based on the life of notorious policeman Pritam Singh of Bulandshahr, in Zilla Ghaziabad has created quite a stir among the slain cop's fans and family.



The latest to join the bandwagon of supporters is Singh's brother, who apparently wants minute details of Dutt's portrayal of the cop.

Says a source, "Though notorious for using unlawful methods to nab criminals, Pritam Singh is a legend in his region even 13 years after his death. No one wants his story to be twisted or distorted.

There is a fear among his supporters and followers in Uttar Pradesh that he may be portrayed as a law-breaker."

Apparently, when news reached Bulandshahr that a film was being made on the city's favourite cop, suspicious groups of people travelled to Wai in the suburbs of Mumbai to check out the celluloid Pritam Singh.

Unfortunately for them, they couldn't meet the actor as he joins the shoot of Zilla Ghaziabad much later.

No tweaking
Confirming these developments, the film's producer Vinod Bachchan says, "Yes, there have been anxious inquiries about the way we're portraying Pritam Singh.

His brother S P Singh wants to know how his brother is being portrayed in our film, and also Dutt Saab's approach towards the role. He doesn't want Pritam Singh to come across as an anti-social character."

A meeting between S P Singh and Sanjay Dutt is quickly being arranged to avoid any trouble when shooting with the actor begins.

Dutt is expected to fly to Lucknow for the meeting.

There is also talk of bringing S P Singh onboard as creative consultant to avoid the usual troubles that biopics almost invariably face in this country once the film is released.

'I have waited long enough for Aamir

After delaying his dream project for over a year, Anurag Kashyap has now decided to go ahead with it minus the actor

This time last year, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was celebrating the success of his home production Udaan.



Exactly a year later, however, Kashyap's flight of fancy has been cut short. Bombay Velvet, his dream project and clearly his most ambitious film till date that was supposed to star Aamir Khan, will now be made without the superstar.

Sadly, after a year long wait, the filmmaker has given up on the one face that would have been the strongest selling point of the film.



"I am going ahead with Bombay Velvet without Aamir. He is a very busy man and I have waited long enough. I don't even know if he wants to do the film," says the director.

Interestingly, it was Anurag himself who had once declared that if Aamir wasn't on board, he would much rather not make the film.


The book that inspired Bombay Velvet

But now that Bombay Velvet, which was conceived some years ago, has been stuck in a limbo for a while, the filmmaker has decided to go ahead with it sans the actor.

Apart from the star cast, film's budget has also been a major cause for concern. 

About the film
The film, set in the 60's is an adaptation of Gyan Prakash's book Mumbai Fables that encapsulates the city's literary and architectural history.

The film therefore aims to re-create the city that was, a good five decades ago.

"There is every chance that the audience would see the queen's necklace with an absolutely clear skyline, minus all the skyscrapers," adds the director.

With the estimated budget of the sets alone expected to be between R 15-17 crores, this would be Anurag's most expensive venture yet.

And if Aamir was on board, the budget would definitely double if not less. "Studio 18 is producing the film and money is not an issue here," Kashyap is quick to clarify.

The director, who is busy with Gangs of Wasseypur and That Girl in the Yellow Boots, is expected to announce the final starcast of Bombay Velvet very soon.

For now, John Abraham, Naseeruddin Shah and Kay Kay Menon are part of the project that will go on floors in 2012.

Kashyap vs Khans

2009- Buzz was that there was a misunderstanding between Anurag and Shahrukh Khan. Apparently, SRK was keen to be a part of Bombay Velvet but, according to Anurag, he was not fit for the role.

2011- Post the success of Dabangg, Anurag lashed out at Salman Khan on twitter claiming that his brother Abhinav Kashyap was ousted from the Dabangg sequel.

2011- At a press conference for his film Shaitaan, Anurag took a dig at the Khans saying he did not need a Khan to promote his film.

Mallika Sherawat's wants an international music video

Mallika Sherawat wants to appear in an international music video.

She's so desperate that sources reveal the Hissss actress has been calling up music managers in the west letting them know how excited she is on taking up new offers. A source reveals, "Mallika's Hollywood agents have gone into overdrive positioning her as the hottest Indian actress from Asia." We wonder what Bipasha has to say, since she's someone who's did a cameo in Jay Sean's song Stolen.

Salman-Bebo alag alag

Hello sweets, I’m in a sombre mood and have cancelled all my appointments. Why? Well, I’m doing an Ash! There she was all pregnant and glowing with Junior B by her side, when she made that politically correct decision and called off the award function. What have I called off? Err, hmm, you know my mandatory visits to the spa! I haven’t had my nails done ever since I heard about the blasts! Yes, I’m no Ash but I can also make my small sacrifices But love, it appears to be season of sacrifices even for star-crossed on-screen lovers Bebo and Dabangg Khan. Now, now, calm down darlings, they are not dating each other! But my khabru insists that there is no heavy duty romance between the two in Bodyguard! Apparently, it is a one-sided romance! Don’t be surprised if you see Sallu play the obsessive lover to an indifferent Bebo. He has mastered this role to perfection. Remember, dus saal pehele, he had knocked desperately all through the night on Ash’s door. Hmm, who knows he might even win the national award as the performance will certainly come dil se. Oops. Now did I say something wrong?

Emmi wants moolah

Emmi is showing his true rang finally! He is no longer willing to play resident chamcha to his mentors — the Bhatts! Oh, don’t be shocked! That is how this duniya is darling! The Bhatts exploited their in-house star by paying him peanuts for all their films. Emmi had no choice but to survive on the crumbs. After all, career ka sawaal tha! But guess, he was just bidding his time to extract his pound of flesh. The moment the tide turned in his favour, he upped his price. Serves the Bhatts right! You can’t exploit loyalty, love! But have they learnt their lesson? Na baba, they are already looking at plan B! Haven’t you heard stories of how Emmi and Randeep Hooda are fighting on the sets of their latest flim? So I sent the driver (who is back break ke baad) to dig out some dirt. “Madam, Bhatt saab ko Randeep zyada pasand hai,” he pants. Aha! The Bhatts are promoting Randeep now! Kyon? Elementary my dears! He is their new blue-eyed boy and their latest bakra!

Sona goes missing

Main chup rahoongi! No love, how can I keep quiet? Who will give you all the juicy khabar then? That’s Sona’s new mantra, not mine. What happened? The moti actress seems to have inherited her father’s blunt tongue and has offended her colleagues with her brash remarks. My driver who is ekdum vela, now that my appointments are all cancelled, puts in his two bit, “Madam Sonakshi ko toh koyi pasand nahin karta, woh bolti zyada hai.” Motu Sona’s extra Dabanng attitude coupled with the heavy weight may have impressed Sallu but not Kamal Haasan, who promptly dropped her from his film. So the embarrassed actress has taken off on a vacation. She even tweeted about how she is visiting three continents in 12 days. And before you naïve souls think it is a big deal, here’s what my catty pal smirks, “Oh darling, by three continents she just means the Dubai-London-NYC route.” Clever Sona! This way she doesn’t have to answer any phone calls on why her dear family friend Kamalji dropped her like a hot potato! Told you na, in this industry even dosti is need-based!

I'm quite ok with age: Amitabh Bachchan

I just about manage to act... Is Amitabh Bachchan's response when asked if he might ever direct. The 68-year-old spoke to TOI about his latest film and how it feels growing old

Isn't age more of an issue with actors than with other people?

It's an issue with everybody. Finally you reach a certain stage, and there are cut-off dates – as in government services – you know, you can't work beyond a certain age... So they feel that this is an age beyond which you won't get the maximum out of a person, or whatever. I think sportspersons are greatly affected by this. They have limitations because of physicality; beyond a certain age, they will have problems. We have rare examples like Sachin (Tendulkar) or Rahul (Dravid) who're still there, or Martina Navratrilova, who have defied that.

But after a certain point, because of the age factor, you get certain roles according to your age. I can't possibly be playing a college student or romance a young girl. Ok, we made some exceptions in films like "Cheeni Kum" and "Nishabd", but they were more, I would say, about the unusualness of those stories. Otherwise you normally get to play the senior patriarch or the retired judge.

Or you have something unusual like "Paa". But this ("Bbudaah Hoga Terra Baap") was challenging because of someone's fantasy that he wanted to see me doing those kind of things again. It's physically exacting at this age. But because I'd made a commitment, and because there were these moments in the film – the singing, the dance and action – so I said ok, and somehow managed.

Did you ever experience any insecurity about growing older?

No, I'm quite ok with age.

No apprehensions? Did you ever wish you were younger, or experience something like a mid-life or quarter-life crisis?

God and life have been very kind to me. I've had the benefit of my profession, the opportunity to play different characters and roles, and work with some of the finest talent that the industry has had. That in itself is sufficient to last me a lifetime. I'm just fortunate that at this age I'm still getting opportunities to work and play good roles and I thank the filmmakers for that. But I would accept the process of life, the process of aging, and go along with it and say, I'm fortunate with what I have.

Do you have any retirement plans, or does the word 'retirement' even feature in your plans?

No, I'd like to go on working. I'd like to retire if my body gave up, because our profession requires a certain amount of stamina. There are two kinds of philosophies – either you feel that you've had enough and you don't want to do any more. Or, because of your minuses, I'd say, in a physical sense, you are now not acceptable to the audience. The audience says, 'We're not liking the way he's looking, we don't want to see his face anymore', and therefore you're pushed away. Rather than wait for that moment, I think that's a personal decision that one has to take.

Sometimes actors graduate to doing senior roles – I'd happily go into that and so long as I'm accepted, I'd like to keep working. When the day comes that my body can't move or it's so debilitated that it's not acceptable to the audience, then I'll stop.

Do you want to direct or produce – get into a more off-camera role?

I wish I knew direction. I don't. I'm just about managing to act.

That's a colossal understatement.

Well... it's a great temptation, having been in the business for 42 years...

And you've been in the business for so long, you'd understand the movies...

That's not always true. There are many times when I make a suggestion, and later realise how stupid I was because I really didn't know anything about it. I'd rather go with somebody guiding me. I'd like to follow, rather than lead.

Hollywood calling for Koena

The Bengali lass, who has bagged two Hollywood assignments, is due to leave the city post September After a steamy on-screen kiss that Koena Mitra shared with American actor Kevin Sorbo in her international debut, the dusky Bengali has landed herself two more  plum Hollywood projects. Koena plays a bisexual in her current movie, which also stars Kevin Sorbo One is an untitled film, based on a true story produced by Karen Armstrong under the American Production Company Committed Artists Entertainment's banner. The film stars Miles O'Keeffe (of Tarzan fame) opposite Koena. The second movie titled Dark Romance is also co-produced by Armstrong. The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised. The starlet has reportedly been roped in for these movies to bring diversity to the cast. The shooting, which  begins in December will, take place in Canada and the United States. Hollywood ways She said, "I am in Mumbai till September, after which I will go to the US for workshops of my new Hollywood projects. Their style of working is so different from that in Bollywood. Here an actor first asks about the co-star, but there that is the last thing you know. You first interact with the casting director and then meet the producer and director," she adds. The actress, who has been away from B-Town for a while now, added, "I have an agent in the US through whom I have landed these offers. It is a new challenge for me to work in Hollywood." Exotic looks Armstrong said, "I am thrilled to have Koena attached to the project. She has been well accepted because of her exotic looks. She is a hard worker and this was clearly seen when she endured four screen tests to acquire this role." Meanwhile, Koena still has some scenes to shoot for The Story of Naomi, starring Sorbo. Directed by fashion photographer Ash Gupta and produced by Michael Hirshenson from Harry Met Sally and Princess Bride fame, the film stars Koena and Kevin Sorbo. Koena is reportedly romantically involved with both a man and a woman in the film. As part of her ticket to Hollywood, Koena has attended the Teen Choice and American Music Awards. She has also been spotted on the red carpet of many Hollywood film premieres.

Shahid Kapoor wants to work with Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha might forgive but she doesn't forget. The Dabangg actress was in talks to star opposite Shahid Kapoor in his home production, but was replaced at the last minute by Sonam Kapoor.

It seems the makers felt that Sonakshi and Shahid didn't look good together on screen. Shotgun's daughter was to do a screen test, but that never materialised once they decided to get the Kapoor girl. Now the tables have turned and Shahid wants to work with Sona, but she isn't that keen after what happened in the past.

Buzz is that Kapoor has been sending feelers to the actresss through common friends. But it doesn't look like you will see this jodi on the big screen any time soon.

Priyanka Chopra's gym woes!

While most actresses sweat it out in the gym without any complaints, Priyanka Chopra uses every trick in the book to avoid her gym sessions.

She says, "I hate going to the gym. I was supposed to lose some weight after shooting a certain part of Fashion . But everyday when my trainer would turn up, I would give her some excuse to avoid my work-out session." But her trainer found a way to work around Priyanka's dislike for sweating it out.

Priyanka adds, "My trainer realised that I hated spending time in the gym, and gave me a more outdoor kind of work out. That worked very well for me. Also, I am blessed with great metabolism, so I don't have to watch what I eat."