Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan recently got a belated birthday gift — an Apple iPad — from his sister Shweta Nanda which is not yet available in the Indian market.
"His sister has just got him his delayed birthday gift... the much talked of and recently hogging much of the limelight — the iPad," Abhishek's father and megastar Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog. "He has spent the entire day sorting out this rather sleek looking gadget and I dare say it is indeed a marvellous piece of equipment. Have pestered the daughter to get me my birthday gift in advance and present me one as well," he added.
Ipad is a 9.7 inch touchscreen tablet which is just 0.5 inches thick. It is thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook and delivers a battery life of up to 10 hours.
Asin seems to be following in the footsteps of her former co-star Salman Khan, who is known to hop into rickshaws on impulse and even engage in antics like driving one late at night.
Recently, when Asin was heading to Madurai airport to catch a flight, she took up an unusual dare by her friends - to travel in a bullock cart.
A source close to Asin reveals, “It is a two-hour drive to Madurai airport from Kairaikudi. Asin was to catch a flight to Mumbai and was accompanied by three friends. On the way, they spotted a bullock cart and one thing led to another. When her friends challenged Asin to ride on it, she immediately agreed.”
But when Asin got out of the car and jumped on to the bullock cart, the owner was shocked to see the actor. “He initially thought that Asin just wanted to click some pictures, but when she asked to ride in the bullock cart, he was flabbergasted.
Since the flight was a little delayed, Asin and her friends had some time on hand, so they travelled in the bullock cart for over 25 minutes before getting back in the car,” adds the source.
Even more than the bullock cart owner, people travelling on that road were stunned to see the actress and stopped to click pictures. “Some of them came running to ask her for autographs. It was an adventurous ride for the actress and she enjoyed it thoroughly,” adds the source.
Confirmed Asin’s spokesperson, “She has an adventurous streak and enjoyed the bullock cart ride.”
Is Preity Zinta the richest girl in Bollywood today? It would seem so. The pretty co-owner of the Punjab IPL team, rough estimates say, is worth a whole lot of moolah.
Preity’s stake in her cricket team alone is valued at around Rs 350 to Rs 400 crores. Some cricket experts say the figure is higher. Besides which, the actress is also likely to be the legal heir of Shandar Amrohi, who is one of the co-owners of Kamalistan Studios (that originally belonged to Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi).
This property is also valued at hundreds of crores and is the cynosure of the eyes of several builders. There is a strong rumour that suggests that at some point, the astute business woman that she is, Preity will sell some part of her IPL stake and redevelop the Kamalistan property alongwith a high-profile builder from Pune. Since the perky Bollywood actress is currently travelling with her team and has no time to even breathe, news reports suggest that she will build on her other dreams eventually.
Bollywood star Salman Khan is the latest actor from tinsel town to have joined the micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Arbaaz ne kaha ke Tweet karna toh banta hai boss. Chalo now, whoever was being me, party over, baju hatto please (Arbaaz said that I must Tweet. So now whoever was being me, please move aside)," Salman said in his initial posts.
The actor was welcomed on Twitter by jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali who is amongst the most regular celebrities on the website. "Hey guys please welcome the one and only superstar actor Salman Khan on Twitter @BeingSalmanKhan. Big shout to him," Farah posted.
While a lot of Bollywood actors have joined Twitter, stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, et al, are yet to get bitten by the Twitter bug.
The top three girls in Bollywood — Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra are obsessed with just one thing — that is the National Award.
Right now PC is smiling like a Cheshire cat because she has already beat her two contemporaries in the quest for the highest acting honour given out by the Indian Government. “I’ve won my National Award when I’m still in my 20s,” says Priyanka. “I’m one of the youngest girls to get this honour and of course I’m thrilled,” says the actress who walked away with the Best Actress Award for Fashion.
Now, Kareena who has borrowed Priyanka’s director Madhur Bhandarkar to make some saga on a mix of Marilyn Monroe and other actresses’ lives, is also hoping that she will receive the National Award for her Madhur movie in 2011. Not to be outdone, Katz is keeping her fingers crossed that she gets the National Award for Rajneeti. Of course, Katz keeps saying that her role is effective but not very lengthy, blah, blah but deep inside she is hoping that post-Rajneeti the junta and the Republic of India starts taking her seriously as an actress. She seems to have had enough of being just a glamour doll who happens to be ‘lucky’.
Synopsis:
Frank Oz's 2007 black comedy laugher Death at a Funeral is given the remake treatment with an urban spin in this Chris Rock-penned production. The comedian will head up an ensemble that comes together after a death in the family, with disastrous results. Rock penned the script with Aeysha Carr for director Neil LaBute (The Wicker Man).
Hey everyone! It’s the last Poster Edition of Movie News and Views for 2009! I thought about recapping the year but… it’s not my style for this column. Here’s the last tidbits of Hollywood info from me until next year,
- The “300” prequel (“299?”) has been announced and its current title is “Xerxes.” It’s the battle of Marathon through the ink of Frank Miller.
- Kevin Smith’s “A Couple of Dicks,” will be renamed “Cop Out.”
- As if there isn’t enough emphasis on special effects, 15 movies are competing for Visual Effects Academy Award. The Oscars will be broadcast live on March 7, 2010 on ABC.
- For those who have converted (or are like me, recently converted) Frodo and Company will be on Blu-Ray on April 6, 2010 (you can pre-order on March 2). All three of the “LOTR” will be in one set, released in their Theatrical Versions. For those wanting the Extended Editions, you’ll have to wait longer (dammit).
- The U.S. Congress is fighting unemployment by investing $30 million into fighting movie piracy. No word on combating ninjas…
- “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” The eagerly-awaited mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead has attached director David O. Russell (“Three Kings”). The production has officially announced the involvement of Natalie Portman as not only a producer but the lead actress as well. This just keeps getting’ better and better…
- Nic Cage is in the new “Kick-Ass” movie. That might cause it to lose the credibility it had…
- “The Runaways” is a film about the girl group formed in the 70s that featured Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, and Lita Ford. The film is loosely based on Currie’s book, “Neon Angel: the Cherie Currie Story” and stars Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart as Currie and Jett, respectively.
- MTV is remaking “Teen Wolf” as a TV series.
- What do you get for the cinema aficionado who has every DVD? Why not a book? Specifically, “Stanley Kubrick’s Napoleon: The Greatest Movie Never Made.” At a spry 2874 pages and very Limited Edition, no movie nerd would be complete without it. For $700.00, it’s a veritable steal! Hurry now! Supplies are limited! Check out the website at:
- Good news for indie-makers: Paramount Pictures is allocating funds for movies that cost $100k and less. If you can sell a movie that would have a budget under that, you may get to see it on the silver screen. This is inspired by the performance of “Paranormal Activity” at the box office. Ah, the little $15,000 film that could…
- Following “Avatar,” James Cameron is helming a 3-D remake of “Fantastic Voyage.” Wonder what kind of love story exists on the microbial level…
- Future candidates for Remake Radar: “Romancing the Stone,” “Overboard,” “Amityville Horror,” “The Howling”
- To further Nic Cage’s money problems, his ex-wife is suing him for $13 million.
- The domestic Box Office is expected to break the $10 billion dollar mark. Those blockbusters are really adding up…
- Howard Stern was selected, at random, to be part of the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations committee. That should be fun…
- According to Jeff Bridges, “Iron Man” had no script. I knew it!
- Feeling that he has not achieved what he set out to do as an actor, Alec Baldwin is quitting acting after his contract with “30 Rock” is up. I understand, man. I sat through “Mercury Rising.”
- Universal Studios is introducing “flipper” technology: insert a dolphin… no, wait. Much like the unfortunate HD DVD, the technology has Blu-Ray on one side of a disc and standard DVD on the other. This is for those who have yet to by Blu-Ray, or maybe they already own a player and want the ability to flip it over for s&g. The first to go to this newfangled technology will be the “Bourne” trilogy of movies.
- “Shrek Forever After” will be the fourth, and final, of the CG animated green ogre series.
- Dirk Benedict has announced he will have a cameo in the new “A-Team” movie. That leaves Mr. T as the only living “team” member. I can’t figure out how to fit “I pity the fool” in this…
- Apparently the WB is waiting out their legal disputes with the Siegel and Schuster estates before getting back into the “Superman” franchise.
- If you’re a fan of the “Happy Gilmore Swing” (which requires a running start before whacking at the ball with the club), don’t go to Canada. The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has deemed it illegal.
Boxer Vijender Singh receives the 'Arjuna' award from President of India Pratibha Patil (L) during the sports and adventure awards ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi on August 29, 2009. Vijendra was conferred the award for his achievements in the field of Boxing
Katrina Born on July 16, 1984 Katrina Kaif is one of eight siblings, all girls, from a mother who is a Caucasian of British Nationality, and a father who was formerly from Kashmir, India, but who has since acquired British citizenship.
Katrina grew up in Hawaii, but was brought up in London, UK. She started modeling accidentally when she was in Hawaii at the tender age of 14, when she was approached for a jewelery campaign. Thereafter she continued modeling in London.
Continuing to model was the reason she got her break in a Bollywood movie “Boom” offered by none other than film-maker Kaizad Gustad.
She was flooded with modeling assignments the minute she set her foot on Indian soil, especially with her innocent expressive face, hour-glass figure, and drop-dead gorgeous looks.
Professionally she started off as a model with photographer Atul Kasbekar, and upon being accepted, she received offers from LG, Cola, Fevicol, Lakme, & Veet. It was the Lakme commercial that got her noticed. She retained Matrix as her Manager to accept work on her behalf and at the price she deserved.
Moving to different culture and country was not much of a culture shock for her, as she states that no matter where you come from, the bottom line is that everyone wants to be loved, respected, and cared for.
Unlike other artistes from foreign lands, Katrina did not experience any difficulties in getting a visa nor of getting it extended in India.
Although linguistically challenged, Katrina puts on a bold face and states that other Bollywood artistes like Sridevi, who did not know Hindi, did get offers from Bollywood film-makers, and she is no different. She is taking Hindi and dancing lessons to fit in with the Bollywood culture. She likes to display a picture of her learning Kathak dancing where she used to dance 7 hours a day non-stop.
Despite of her soft gorgeous looks, she is not easily intimidated, but admits that she is very emotional, almost an incurable romantic, wears comfortable non-revealing clothes when at home, hates to do her hair, and above all dislikes make-up. Admitting to being lonely in the beginning, but now has several nice friends who she can hang out with.
Katrina Kaif recently shot for a beauty commercial in Bangkok. And she was attended to by a Chinese make-up specialist flown all the way from Hong Kong.
Besides dolling up Kat for the shoot, the Chinese lady, who was some kind of acupressure specialist, also relieved Kat’s stress and had her feeling giddy headed and light by the end of the day. In fact, those who were at the shoot feel Kat hadn’t smiled so much in a long time. Katrina has now been advised to find herself a Chinese therapist so she can get rid of stress even when she is in other parts of the world.
It is said that when Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan met an enthusiastic but, well, tubby Sameera Reddy years ago, he encouraged her to do two things. Get into shape and, pursue her big dream of getting into the movies.
Sam, who is a huge SRK fan, took the superstar’s advice to heart. And here she stands today in front of TOI readers, wearing a skimpy two-piece and flaunting a fabulous body. Says the actress, “If you’re determined, then you can move mountains.”
Asked how she got the envious curves, Sam says, “I changed my routine from weights to yoga and lots of swimming. Not only do I have an enviable tan, my supple, fit and toned figure has added to my confidence.”
When she was asked by a photographer to pose for a summer swimsuit issue, Sam took it up as a challenge. “I had to test my body to the limit in the healthiest possible way. I recommend to you guys a lot of vegetable juices, small meals and tons of water! This works as a super combo to feeling fantastic and that’s more important than just trying to get skinny,” says the sexy actress.
Well Sam, we know what you’re talking about. The photograph speaks a thousand words.
Before getting some shut-eye after an exhausting night co-hosting the 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009 with Saif Ali Khan, Shah Rukh decided to do some tweeting.
He said, “Friends tell me that I shouldn’t make fun of myself at shows. I believe if I can’t laugh at myself, I have no right to ask you to laugh with me.” He added, “Saif was marvellous...& I had a good time.”
On the girls, SRK commented, “VidyaBalan looked ravishing.. Bipasha towering...Deepika lovely & Katrina awesome. Missed Kareena...” He also had thanks to hand out, to “Kiran Kotria and Veerdas & his team for the script. Alpa. Mushtaq. Great inputs. Hope people find it as much fun as much as we had making it. All the girls who help us backstage...Ganesh Hegde..Sanjiv... my fantastic dancers...thanx for making it so easy and nice. Nothing without you.”
To Shahid Kapoor, who performed live to Michael Jackson’s This Is It, he said, “You were awesome. Well done, my man. God bless you...you are a treat to watch dancing.”
Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart - The story centers around a washed up, hard-living country music singer, Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) who’s had far too many years on the road. Playing long ago #1 hits in beer joints and bowling alleys, he meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician – and inspires Blake’s turn of redemption.
George Clooney – Up in the Air - The story centers on a corporate downsizing expert (George Clooney) who travels all over the US in pursuit of more opportunities to fire people. As he approaches the 10-million frequent flyer miles milestone and meets the frequent-flying woman of his dreams (Vera Farmiga), his cherished lifestyle is threatened as his company wants to move him to headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
Colin Firth – A Single Man - A story about a teacher in the 60’s who loses his lover in an accident and is left in a world that he no longer wishes to be a part of.
Morgan Freeman – Invictus - Set during Nelson Mandela’s presidency in South Africa, he tries to bring down the racial barriers that were previously enforced by the apartheid system of government, and plans on using the sport of rugby to do it. He enlists the help of Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), the captain of the South African Springboks, in hopes that he can take the team to the World Cup Championship.
Jeremy Renner – The Hurt Locker – An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James (Jeremy Renner), takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he’s indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji says she was delighted to see Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, "two special people" in her life, on the first day of shooting of her film "Dil Bole Hadippa".
"It was my first schedule for 'Dil Bole Hadippa'. We were shooting the song 'Bhangra Bistar' and coincidentally Shah Rukh was shooting for 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' and Aamir was shooting an ad at Yash Raj Films studios at the same time...they were all eager to see what I am doing in the song and if I am playing a man so they came and kind of gave blessing to our set in a way.
"It was really sweet because Aamir and SRK are two very special people in my life and I see their presence on the set on the first day of the shoot as a happy coincidence."
Releasing Friday, the film will see the actress playing a man too. She is starring opposite Shahid Kapoor and took cricket lessons for the role.
