Saif-Kareena set a last week of January 2013

With Agent Vinod out and Kareena’s films scheduled to wrap up by December, the couple prepare to wed in the last week of Jan

The most eagerly awaited Bollywood event in recent times has surely been the big Pataudi-Kapoor wedding. The question had never been 'will they or won't they' but rather 'When will Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan tie the knot?' And though both the actors have remained tight lipped, speculations have refused to die down. While many predicted a 2012 wedding, soon after the release of Agent Vinod, Mumbai Mirror has learnt that the couple will finally get married early next year.  A source close to the couple told Mirror, "Saif and Kareena have decided to tie the knot early next year. It would either be January 2013 or early February. The venue and the functions are to be finalised." In fact, the couple has decided to hold the wedding as soon as they finish shooting for their current projects. Kareena, who starts work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film with Ranveer Singh on July 21, will get free by the end of this year. The details of the grand shaadi will be worked out then.  Earlier this year, Saif had said, "Marriage is a question that I won't answer until I am done with the release of Agent Vinod." It seems, he is still not in the mood to talk. He chose not to revert when asked. Kareena too was evasive. Guess a big announcement is on its way…

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Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani They’re jolly good fellows

Mirror spends a day with Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani who were at their wittiest best on the sets of their upcoming film Jolly LLB

They upheld the true meaning of being a doctor. And then they indulged in Gandhigiri. Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani, who had united for the successful Munna Bhai series, will once again come together for a film on the nuances of law. And Mirror caught up with the two actors on the sets of Subhash Kapoor’s film titled Jolly LLB at Filmalay Studios (Mumbai) on Wednesday.  EXCLUSIVE: Boman and Arshad have fun on the sets of Jolly LLB The first thing that struck us when we entered the studio was that everybody was too ‘jolly’. Perhaps they were taking the film title too seriously? But later we realised that it was the two actors Boman and Arshad keeping up a constant flow of jokes. In fact, their camaraderie made us wonder what brought the two so close.  The friendship began 17 years back. “We did this play called Roshni. There was this scene where Sharon Prabhakar, at her sexiest best, was  sitting on a sofa. And meanwhile, Boman and I had to dance in full Elvis Presley regalia. I just can’t get the scene out of my mind,” explained Arshad. And everyone on the sets, possibly trying to visualise Boman dressed as Elvis, started laughing.

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Pee Cee moves up to Antilla

The actress along with Rajkumar Hirani was at the helm of affairs at a glittering bash for Sachin Tendulkar hosted by the Ambanis

This could not have been better timed for a beleaguered Priyanka Chopra. On Monday, the cream from Bollywood, sports, business, politics and culture gathered to congratulate Sachin Tendulkar at a glittering bash hosted by Mukesh and Nita Ambani. And the Ambanis chose Pee Cee and Rajkumar Hirani to entertain the guests, anchor the show and plan the bash that stretched well into the wee hours of the morning. Interestingly, among the audience were several of the actress' former friends, who are no more cordial with her. And there were those who are working with her as well. And if eye witnesses are to be believed, it turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for Pee Cee to let the world know that she may be down, but not out. Especially not with powerful well wishers like the world's richest and most influential behind her. And the intelligent girl that she is, Pee Cee

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Again, Aamir raises the bar

Mirror takes you to the gym where the actor has been keeping a punishing fitness schedule to get a lean six-pack look for his next

Years back, while looking out for a muscular actor for a role in his film Ghulam, Aamir Khan had met a struggler, who looked fit but couldn’t act. Khan had at that time advised the young man to get into bodybuilding instead. And it was the same Satyajit Chourasia who was responsible for Aamir’s eight-pack-abs for his 2008 blockbuster Ghajini. And the rest, as we know, was history. However, a couple of years later, for Reema Kagti’s thriller Talaash, Khan needed a different body type. Mirror tells you how Mr Perfectionist got into shape this time around. A video released last night shows how Aamir went through an impossible fitness regime. Swinging from monkey bars and lifting weights, the actor sweats it out and that’s just for the look.  When contacted, Dheepesh Bhatt, owner of the gym where Aamir has been working out told Mirror, “I had accompanied Aamir on a 20-day schedule in Pondicherry. Since then he has been working out with me.”

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Starting on a divine note

Mirror spots Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone shooting for Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani at the Hadimba temple in Manali

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Vidya vs Pee Cee for Madhur’s political drama

It's official. Madhur Bhandarkar's next is neither Fashion 2 (an idea he had only toyed with) nor Aashiqui 2 (which co-producer of Aashiqui Bhushan Kumar had approached him for). Nor is Bhandarkar taking up Sanjay Leela Bhansali's idea of remaking the South blockbuster Ramana in Hindi. 

But as Mirror can reveal, Bhandarkar's next after Heroine will be a political thriller set against the politics in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The filmmaker has zeroed down on two heroines for the project- Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra for the politician's role. 

A close friend of the filmmaker told Mirror, "Vidya would suit the role of the mature politician to the T. And after working with Priyanka, Bhandarkar has developed a very good professional rapport with her as well. So let's see which girl wins the race." 

The character is that of a very vulnerable woman from North India, who, in a span of five years, grows into a  bold and conniving woman to survive in the cut-throat political world. She will be clad in sarees for most part of the film. "Political films are Madhur's forte. His 2003 Satta based in Mumbai, received critical acclaim," said the friend.

Explaining why Bhandarkar is not going ahead with Bhansali's offer, the friend said, "Madhur does not believe in remakes. He did consider Bhansali's offer, which came about 15 days ago, but decided against it. So Ramana is ruled out."

Bhandarkar's friend also revealed, "Madhur is talking to UTV Motion Pictures and Eros International for this one. Both the corporate houses have shown a lot of interest in the project."

The political thriller in question will roll in December 2012. "Right now, Bhandarkar is very busy with Heroine which hits the theatres in September 14."

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PC plays jaya in new zanjeer

Remake of the 1973 blockbuster will feature the actress playing the street smart female lead albeit in a 21st Century setting

Vickey Lalwani

     

Posted On Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 02:02:01 AM

Speculations that Priyanka Chopra has been sidelined by the industry courtesy a certain powerful clique may now be put to rest. Mirror has learnt that in the upcoming remake of the 1973 blockbuster Zanjeer to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the actress has bagged the coveted role essayed by Jaya Bachchan in the original film. For her part in the new age Zanjeer that is set against an oil mafia backdrop, it is rumoured that Priyanka has been offered a cool Rs 11 crore.

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Salman Khan plays big brother

While watching the trailer of Qasam Se Qasam Se at its music launch, Salman Khan showed his support to newcomer Azim by clapping for and cheering him and complimenting him on his looks and performance. Khan also praised the film's leading lady Faith. 

An eyewitness said, "Salman's presence energised the party. Placing his arm around Azim, he showed himself to be a 'protective elder brother'. He also shared acting tips with the lead pair." 

He then went on to introduce the two to the media. "At that moment, Khan turned nostalgic reminiscing his Maine Pyar Kiya days. He also said that he eagerly looked forward to QSQS. For Azim, Salman's support has been inspirational," said the source.

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I do films that interest me: Irrfan

With the success of Paan Singh Tomar behind him, actor Irrfan deconstructs myths about the Indian actor in a Hollywood film. No formula, only character, he tells Dhamini Ratnam

When we speak to Irrfan (he dropped his surname 'Khan' earlier this month), he's inHimachal Pradesh shooting a film for Switzerland-based director Anup Singh Batla. But the actor, who offers a telephonic rap on our knuckles for getting his age wrong ("it's not 50, but close"; "it doesn't matter"; "write whatever you want"), calls this project an Indo-German-Dutch-French collaboration. Called Kissa, the film is in Punjabi, and is aimed at an international audience.

If there's one actor in Bollywood today, who can pull that off, it's Irrfan. With several big-budget Hollywood films in the pipeline, including Spider-Man 4 and Life of Pi, he is no stranger to questions like, "How did you crack the code?" His answer: There is none. Excerpts from the interview:

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It's better to be star than actor today: Abhay Deol

Actor Abhay Deol, who has carved a niche for himself in the film industry with unconventional roles, feels it is better to be a star than just an actor today as people recognize you and you keep getting work because of your stardom.

While sharing his thoughts in the India Today Conclave on "Can You Be a Superstar Without Being an Actor?", Abhay said: The truth of the matter is you can be an actor but people don't know who you are and if you are a star people know you and you get the next project," he said.

"Unfortunately it is all about making money. It is all about getting the right project and the right platform. Unfortunately here, it is better to be a star than an actor. There is no point in being very artistic when you are a star. You can at least work on your acting when you are a star," he added.

The actor admits that Bollywood is a very insecure industry as people here judge very quickly.

"It is a very insecure industry a lot of people judge on your last film. It is not that one flop is going to destroy

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when he ask him point-blank: is he married?

John Abraham gets candid about that special someone, yet keeps his cards close to his heart

Chandrima Pal

     

Posted On Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 12:25:04 AM

A conversation devised to get John Abraham to talk about his personal life could well resemble a chess board in an advanced stage of the game. He stonewalls every attempt to outwit him into confessions, matches every probe with clever wordplay. Yet, he gives us enough bits to build a story on. We are chatting inside his vanity van, where he is sprawled on a bean bag, dressed in a prisoner’s uniform for Shootout at Wadala. He has a swollen ankle, a nose that has just stopped bleeding and a deep gash on his back, he tells us. But before we can show sympathy, he laughs it off. Just as he laughs when he ask him point-blank: is he married? Engaged?

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Sallu gets bullied

Hanumant Rao Patil, a notorious film federation employee disrupted the actor's shoot and will now have to face the consequences for it

Vickey Lalwani

     

Posted On Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 02:51:34 AM

Nobody can ever dare to stop a Salman Khan shoot. But FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) guy Hanumant Rao Patil is surely an exception. Patil, a self-styled king (read mafia lord), who has been going on upstaging Bollywood shoots for the past few months and tormenting filmmakers in the Hindi cinema industry, recently stopped a commercial shoot featuring the actor that was taking place at Mehboob Studios in Bandra. In fact Salman was left cooling his heels in his vanity van. And this unpleasant incident has not gone down too well with the other members of FWICE.

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Salman takes over Kamalistan

For the first time in Bollywood, a studio is booked exclusively for a film, with an unprecedented security ring of 80 beefy bodyguards

Vickey.Lalwani

     

Posted On Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 01:15:54 AM

It is undoubtedly one of the most keenly awaited Salman Khan films. And Dabangg 2 kick started in style on Friday. Mirror has learnt that for the first time in the history of Bollywood, an entire studio has been rented exclusively for a film. Kamal Amrohi Studios (Kamalistan at Jogeshwari East, Mumbai), which houses 12 units, will not be given out on hire till the first schedule of Dabangg 2 concludes, making it a first in the  55-year-old studio’s history. What’s more, Salman has deputed 80 security personnel to guard the sets, which have recreated pockets of Kanpur.   When contacted, Shera, Salman’s bodyguard and close associate confirmed the news and added, “Yes, Bhai (Salman) wanted it this way.” Elaborating on the unprecedented security cover, Shera said, “This was Bhai’s idea. And we did not have any difficulty in convincing the studios. Bhai is close to the owner after all.”

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