gossip artis HOLLYWOOD~BOLLYWOOD~MALAYWOOD

Shocking: Mallika, Bebo Flop!

Going by the dismal fate of the latest Bollywood concert Rock Stars abroad it would be a long time before any organizer or stars would dare to venture into a world tour abroad.

Last week the last stop for the Rock Stars entourage桽alman Khan, John Abraham, Mallika Sherawat, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor梩urned out to be a nightmare that the stars aren't likely to forget.

"There was almost nil attendance!" says a shell-shocked source. " The show at Wembley in London had to be cancelled because there was hardly anyone there to see our so-called Rock Stars! In all 500-600 people turned up to watch our great entourage. You should've seen the expression on their faces.

On the evening before at Birmingham the attendance was hardly any better. There were around 15,00 people in all. Fortunately the show at Birmingham didn't have to be cancelled.

But what happened at Wembley has sobered and cautioned our entire Bollywood fraternity.I don't think the stars are likely to go on concert tours for a long long long time to come."

The worst blow was yet to come. Sahara India had acquired tv filming rights of the cancelled concert.

"Their expensive equipment and large crew had to return without any footage. There's a lot of financial accounting to be done. The organizers haven't even started counting their losses in the UK as yet," says the source.

So is it a no-no for Bollywood concerts abroad? "For others stars? Yes, they're unlikely to go for a long time after this experience," says the source. "But if it's a concert featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai tickets will sell like hot cakes any time."

Salman Khan and John Abraham returned to Mumbai on Monday. Shahid and Kareena are expected back later during the week."

Malikka Sherawat


Kareena Kapoor

Akshay Kumar rocks UK with his Heri Pheri

Akshay Kumar's 'dream run' at the overseas box office continues! After the huge success of his earlier films like 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', 'Garam Masala', Deewane Hue Paagal' and, most recently, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' in the United Kingdom, the latest Akshay-starrer 'Phir Hera Pheri' has opened to an excellent response at the UK box office.

A sequel to Priyadarshan's laugh riot 'Hera Pheri', the Neeraj Vora-directed 'Phir Hera Pheri' figured at number eight in the UK box office charts in its opening week with collections of 125,366 UK pounds (Rs 87 lakh) from just 36 cinema screens, ahead of the Hollywood film 'Mission Impossible III' and Kunal Kohli's 'Fanaa'.

What is more, the film, which opened to a stupendous response all over India following its release on June 9, had the second highest per screen average of 3,482 UK pounds (Rs 2.5 lakh) in the UK among the top ten, ahead of films like 'X-Men: The Last Stand', 'The Da Vinci Code','Poseidon', 'RV' and 'Mission: Impossible III'.

Trade observers say Akshay Kumar's typical brand of Comedy in 'Phir Hera Pheri' has had audiences "laughing all their way to the ailes" while winning for the actor rave reviews from the film critics at home and abroad.

Akshay's brilliant comic timing had earlier fetched excellent collections for Priyadarshan's 'Garam Masala' and 'Deewane Hue Paagal', both of which proved to be hits in the United Kingdom.

In fact, critics say that Akshay, along with the inimitable Paresh Rawal, is the soul of 'Phir Hera Pheri', which also stars Suneil Shetty, Bipasha Basu and Rimi Sen, contributing immensely to the film's strong initial.

That the strong showing of the film in the UK is largely due to the immense draw that Akshay Kumar has come to enjoy in the overseas territories is evident from the fact that the other comedy release of the week, Priyadarshan's 'Chup Chup Ke' had collections far lower compared to 'Phir Hera Pheri'.

In this sense, the strong showing of 'Phir Hera Pheri' at the UK box office, following close on the heels of the stupendous success of his last film 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye', only reiterated the immense draw of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar overseas, putting him in the league of the 'Khans' - Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.

Urmila & Akshay were sell-out

Jet lag seems to have been invented for Urmila Matondkar. She has barely touched Mumbai after wowing Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies with her performance, when she's off to IIFA on Thursday.

"I've to go to Dubai because my friend Manish Malhotra has a fashion show there. But I won't be performing this time. Thank God! I'm so exhausted. Trinidad was so exhilarating! I visited the island for the first time.

Though the population there is of Indian origin they don't speak Hindi. But they're crazy about all things Bollywood. I did one solo act then I my grand finale with Akshay Kumar brought the house down."

Speaking of Akshay brings a smile to Urmila's voice. "Akshay and I go back a long way. We did a film Aflatoon some years ago. He's such a livewire on stage. And if I may say so myself, I love dancing. So it's a double pleasure when your partner on stage turns out to be as enthusiastic as Akshay."

Urmila couldn't see much of the beautiful island though. "We barely got in, rehearsed and went on stage. I wish I could've seen a bit of the island. But the show went so well. I kept hearing these depressing reports about other world concerts from Bollywood. And I got scared. Fortunately our show in Trinidad was a sell-out."

Back home Urmila's travelling plans seem endless. "Onir my director of Bas Ek Pal says I should be given a travelling trophy. After I return from Dubai I'll be going to Karachi for the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam. I'm really looking forward to that since it's my all-time favourite film."

This would be Urmila's second visit to Pakistan. "Last year I had been to Lahore.People said it's like Delhi, and that's true. Now I'm going to Karachi which I'm told is like Mumbai. So I'm sure I'll feel quite at home."

About dropping out of Apoorva Lakhia's Shootout At Lokhandwala, Urmila says, "What's the big deal? Actors are always in and out of projects. I thought it better to opt out now rather than have date issues later.

Because I'll be busy with other events during the time the film was to be shot. But I'm sure Apoorva Lakhia will make a really good film. I've rarely seen a director so passionate about his script. I'd love to work with him in a future project."

Urmila Matondkar

SRK & Extra-marital relations!

After making inroads in the UK and US, Indian films are now becoming popular in France, Germany and Poland, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said.

The Bollywood hearthrob, who was here for the release of the soundtrack of his new film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, told newsmen that the film, scheduled to be premiered on August 11 will have a sub-title in French.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Karan Johar's first directorial role in five years, is a story of two complex relationships of marriage, disappointment and ultimately betrayal.

On the theme of the film - extra-marital relations - Khan who has so far featured in a string of super successful love stories including Dil to Paagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer Zaara said it showed "the sign of maturity of the director.

"It is a great story, with great music," he said.

Asked whether Bollywood directors produced films keeping NRIs in mind, Johar said "we are quite emotional people and we produce films for Indians, whether in India or abroad."

Set in New York, the story revolves around the relationship between Dev (Shah Rukh Khan), and Maya (Rani Mukherjee). They are both married to different people. Dev is married to Priya (Preity Zinta) and Maya is married to Rishi (Abhishek Bachchan).

However, when Dev and Maya meet, the holes in their respective marriages become more apparent as they realise that they are perfect for each other.

Asked whether he planned to work in Hollywood films, Khan who has won more awards at the Filmfare awards than any other star in the history of Bollywood said, "I have not been offered any Hollywood roles.

"I feel very proud of those Indian actors and actresses who have been offered Hollywood roles."

Noting that Bollywood has a global audience of three billion worldwide, Khan said he was grateful to people who are kind to him.

On the song and dance in the film, he said "I love the fact that Karan and Farah Khan always stretch my dance skills, and create scenes that are so vibrant and colourful in all the films we have worked on together."

"The mood of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is very different... more sensitive in some scenes and yet much more exuberant in others. The soundtrack and the dances will take you on a parallel roller coaster to that of the film and the characters themselves," he said.

Johar said, "many people view the music and dance in Bollywood films as purely incidental. I believe that the music is integral to the film, and for me it is developed very closely within the framework and structure of the film."

Bipasha is more than just a pretty face!

Bipasha has a reputation for being a versatile actress, starring in thrillers, romantic comedies and super-natural flicks, but it's her latest role in Abbas Mustan's next untitled film that has garnered all the attention. Bipasha, who plays a double role for the first time is looking even better with her new hairstyle. In Part One of this exclusive interview from the Britannia Hotel in Docklands, the actress explains why she will never be content simply to be a pretty face

Actress Bipasha Basu has become a name to be reckoned with in Bollywood where she is now in the same league as other major female power players such as Rani Mukherjee and Kajol.

She first came to public attention in Abbas Mustan's Ajnabee with co-star Akshay Kumar. But it was her role as Sonia Khanna in Jism which caused something of a stir.

Since then she has appeared in 21 films and her latest release Phir Hera Pheri is currently playing in cinemas across the UK.

She said: "So far in my career I've had 23 releases but we can only sign the films and start to shoot. You never know when a film is going to be released. At times the film gets shelved, delayed or hits the cinemas before time. So, releases are not in our hand."

In a span of five years, Bipasha has done several films and with multiple releases one wonders how she can cope up with this pressure?

She said: "Initially I did a lot of work. I was working for almost 18 hours a day during my first three years. This resulted in headaches and falling sick. Yet I was so lost in my work that I kept on doing it.

"Secondly, when you are not having any knowledge in the industry, you are always trying to get a foothold and make a place for your own self because you like your job and acting being your profession, you have to do it."

She adds: "Now I've become a little more intelligent. I look after myself and I have cut down to 12 hours a day."

Bipasha admits that she works hard on all her roles like she did for her role in the film Jism opposite boyfriend John Abraham but Phir Hera Pheri was a different experience.

She recalls: "There is no substitute for hard work. Yes, there are times when you play the love interest and there's not much to do but to look pretty. Phir Hera Pheri was a hilarious experience because I was working with two of the most humorous actors of Bollywood - Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar.

"That's where I had to put in double the hardwork to match their comic timings on the set and off the set which is almost impossible."

Looks like Phir Hera Pheri was a fun-filled roller coaster ride for Bipasha. Believe me, it's true, I've seen the film and it has it's moments of humour and laughter.

Bipasha's first film Ajnabee gave her the break she needed in Bollywood, thanks to the director duo Abbas Mustan. Now she is back with them after five years to shoot for their next untitled film in London. I was on the sets when she gave her first take.

"Abbas Mustan are genuinely nice people. They are my first directors and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have been an actress because if my first experience was bad, I definitely would not have done this film.

"Today, they have given me a fantastic role in this film. It is a thriller based on a situational comedy and the role I play is the most pivotal point of this particular film," said confident Bipasha.

She jumps back to her latest release Phir Hera Pheri and insists that it is a must-see movie because it has value for money. Excited about the film, she said: "Phir Hera Pheri is a laugh riot, it's a chase and it's greedy.

"Every actor is chasing money and every character is trying to out do the other. This film is a sequel to the original Hera Pheri. It's a story of three characters - Raju, Baburao and Shyam and what happens when they become rich. The audience will really enjoy every scene in the film."

She smiles when she recalls reading the script which sees her once more teamed up with Akshay Kumar and admits that he is gifted with comic timings. As far as Bipasha is concerned she has improved remarkably since her last comic caper No Entry.

She said, "My No Entry days were quite shy as a person. I was a bit uncomfortable doing comedy scenes. Now things have changed. I have learned the art of comedy and that's to be an out an out lunatic and go all the way and do it."

With a sequel to Hera Pheri called Phir Hera Pheri in cinemas and Abbas Mustan's comic thriller in development, Bipasha Basu is surely giving her competitors a run for their money.

Neha Dhupia stepped into Urmila Matondkar's shoes

Neha Dhupia stepped into Urmila Matondkar's shoes in Apurva Lakhia's real life drama 'Shootout At Lokhandwala'. Producer Sanjay Gupta finalized her for the role of Sanjay Dutt's wife. She offers, " Sanjay G has also signed me for another film which will be part of his 'Dus Kahaniyan' I'll be starring in a film called 'Highway' which is written by Vishal Bhardwaj and will direct Hansal Mehta. 'Chup Chup Ke' seems to have triggered off a new phase in my career."

Neha Dhupia


Urmila Matondkar


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-9-2006 12:41 PM ]

Urmila Matondkar performed in an event in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies

After performing in an event in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies Urmila Matondkar is off now to IIFA. She shares her experience; "I visited the island for the first time. People there don't speak Hindi but are crazy about Bollywood. My act with Akshay Kumar brought the house down. Akshay is such a livewire on stage. It's a double pleasure when your partner on stage turns out to be as enthusiastic as him." After returning from Dubai she is going to Karachi, Pakistan for the premiere of 'Mughal-e-Azam'. "I'm really looking forward to that since it's my all time favorite film," she says.

Mahima Chaudhary has bought a 5500sq ft duplex apartment

Mahima Chaudhary has bought a 5500sq ft duplex apartment on Oberoi SkyGarden at Lokhanwala in Andheri. She owns 12th & 13th floor, which houses a gymnasium, swimming pool and kid's play ground. It's her 2nd property in Mumbai. Fashion photographer and a close friend of her, Vicky Idnani says, "Mahima loves open spaces. So she prefers to stay in big houses. She believes in style and is keen on doing up the house well. Wood and glass have been used to extensively in the interiors. She has made her house look like a grand five-star suite." Her mother takes charge whenever she is out of town.

Moon Moon, Raima or Riya

Browneyes

erra & yusry bercerai... ok lah takde jodoh..

tapi masa kawin dulu dilabel wedding of the year.. siap jual vcd kawin

sedih eh bila berakhir macam gini

iansuryani

SITI 'AKAN NIKAH OGOS', ERRA BERCERAI

KUALA LUMPUR - Akhirnya, artis popular Malaysia, Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, dikatakan akan mengakhiri zaman bujangnya tahun ini.

Siti, yang kisah cintanya dengan 'Datuk K' menjadi perbualan hangat, dijangka melangsungkan perkahwinannya Ogos ini, menurut laporan semalam.

Walaupun berjaya merahsiakan kisah sebenar hubungan beliau dengan Datuk Khalid Mohd Jiwa, ahli perniagaan berusia 47 tahun itu, Siti Nurhaliza berkata beliau sudah bersedia untuk menuju gerbang perkahwinan.

'Insya-Allah, jika terjadi dalam tahun ini, Siti sendiri yang akan mengumumkannya secara rasmi. Jangan bimbang, itu janji Siti,' kata beliau sebagaimana ditukil akhbar Utusan Malaysia semalam.

Penghibur berusia 27 tahun itu berkata begitu sewaktu mengulas spekulasi yang terus mengaitkan perkahwinannya dengan Datuk Khalid, atau 'Datuk K', yang dilaporkan akan berlangsung Ogos depan.

Menurut penyanyi itu, beliau tidak menafikan perkara yang baik seperti perkahwinan harus disegerakan.

Sementara itu, kisah cinta pasangan Erra Fazira dan penyanyi Yusry Abdul Halim (KRU) pula berakhir semalam.

Yusry mengesahkan di hadapan Hakim Syarie Ghazali Ahmad di Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Petaling Jaya bahawa beliau telah menceraikan isterinya, Erra Fazira, atau Fazira Wan Chek, dengan talak satu di kediaman mereka di Damansara Utama 26 April lalu.

Erra, 32, yang berbaju kebaya, menangis hingga tidak dapat berkata-kata dan hanya mengangguk setelah ditanya hakim tentang lafaz cerai yang disebut oleh suaminya ketika mengesahkan perceraian mereka. - Utusan Malaysia, Bernama.

Originally posted by Browneyes at 17-6-2006 10:31 AM
erra & yusry bercerai... ok lah takde jodoh..

tapi masa kawin dulu dilabel wedding of the year.. siap jual vcd kawin

sedih eh bila berakhir macam gini

perkahwenan yg takda barakah... baik kawen misyar~~~ buang2 duit ajer!!!

Browneyes

Originally posted by guvnor at 17-6-2006 10:35 AM


perkahwenan yg takda barakah... baik kawen misyar~~~ buang2 duit ajer!!!

hehehe~

:siok:

deaf4ever

Originally posted by Browneyes at 17-6-2006 10:31 AM
erra & yusry bercerai... ok lah takde jodoh..

tapi masa kawin dulu dilabel wedding of the year.. siap jual vcd kawin

sedih eh bila berakhir macam gini

wasted la orang2 gini..

rupa ada, harta ada, pangkat ada....  


apa lagi dorang nak??

Ntah la...baru end of last yr aku tgk VCD kawin diorg...siap ada pelakon lagi tunjukkan lakonan mcm mana Erra & Yusry dulu berkekalan..jodoh sampai ke situ je nk kata apa kan?

Vivek and Sameera having blast!

Vivek-Sameera chemistry seems to be a rocking one. Recently they were shooting a film together in Simla, where as per a source, the close bonding between the two made so many buzzes. When asked, sexy Sameera was more than applauded to say about Vivek. "We actually had a blast on the sets as well as off the sets. It was almost like I was working with a good friend of mine and not just a co-actor." However in the film they will be seen fighting with each other all through. "We actually had a lot of fun doing those scenes," Sameera said.

"Vivek is an intense actor who prepares a lot and that worked for may scenes," gushed Sameera. So the gal finally arrived? Vivek is sure very happy now.

Vivek Oberoi


Sameera Reddy

Isha Koppikar: Old flame came back in her life!

Khallas gal Ishaa Koppikar is glowing, as per recent rumours old flame actor Inder Kumar has comeback in her life.
Ishaa and Inder were seeing each other for almost four years before they decided to break off in 2001.

Then Inder got married to someone else and went through a bad patch; as per latest he is now undergoing divorce proceedings.

Now Ishaa and Inder are being spotted together on the party circuit once again, and the buzz about their rekindled romance started doing rounds in the industry. On asked, Ishaa however cannot hide her feelings about Inder. She said, "Inder is a very impulsive guy and still has to make a mark for himself." Guess what you can, now.  

揂bhishek lobbying for Ash

IIFA : Amitabh, Rani win top awards

It was a forgone conclusion that Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee would win top awards at IIFA for their performances in 態lack

Priyanka Chopra looks very sexy: Rakesh Roshan

Rekha who was stunningly credibile as Hrithik Roshan's mother in Koi匨il Gaya returns in the sequel as Hrithik's grandmother.

"She's the only link between the two films, the only character from Koi匨il Gaya who recurs in Krissh," explains the softspoken Rakesh Roshan. "Audiences will love her in Krissh."

Though Rekha plays the grand-mom there's no overt aging involved. "No no, Rekha has just greyed her hair slightly, that's it. No more aging was required. After all Rekha played a young mother in Koi匨il Gaya. So she's a young grandmother in Krissh."

Krissh carries forward the story from Koi匨il Gaya. "My incentive to do Krissh came after I saw Lord Of The Rings. If they could do an elaborate fantasy- trilogy why couldn't I doa film that continues the story in Koi匨il Gaya?"

In Krissh Hrithik plays the son of the character he played in Koi 匨il Gaya. "That's right. I was told sequels don't do well in India. It's not like that. Any well-made film runs. How does it matter to the audience if a film is related to something else?"

Made at an approximate budget of 45-50 crore rupees producer-director Rakesh Roshan has much at stake. The film is going to be released either on 23 or 30 June. "I'll take a call in a week. I'm waiting for all my special effects to come.

I don't think audiences have seen anything like this in Hindi films."

So far Indian cinema has lagged behind Hollywood in terms of spectacle. "That's because we never have budgets of 100 and 200 million dollars like King Kong and Superman. We can't play around with our visuals as much as them.

But given the financial constraints, we've achieved quite a lot in Krissh. If you liked the visual effects in Koi匨il Gaya you'll find them far better in Krissh. I wish I had the budget to do more. I tailored my vision according to my budget."

Speaking of the whopping 45-50 crore budget the filmmaker says, "Whatever I've spent is visible on screen. I have't edited anything. I don't believe in over-shooting or bad planning. I make only one film every 2-3 years and I plan every detail in advance. Every location and its requirement is decided in advance. When I actually shoot I'm relaxed."

So how trendy is Krissh? "If you don't have a good story to tell all these visual effects will go for a toss. In that sense my formula hasn't changed. A solid storyline and strong emotions are always a film's backbone. But of course we've to upgrade the technique. That's the main difference between my Koyla and Krissh."

But he isn't nervous. Rakesh has recently moved into a sprawling new office complex spreading itself 35, 000 square feet. He knows he's on to novel concept in Krissh. "Let's see if audiences like what we've done."

Rakesh hasn't seen failure in a long time. "Our last supposedly unsuccessful film was Koyla and that made as much money hit films do today."

He gives a clean chit to his son Hrithik. "He's getting better with every film. Hrithik has a knack of getting into the skin of his characters. He's also of tremendous support on the sets. We work hand in hand during the shooting.

An outside hero cannot provide the same inputs because his contribution will then be seen as interference. I do accept Hrithik's suggestions. But we don't argue on the sets at all. When I place my camera he knows exactly what his father is doing."

Rakesh Roshan sees Hrithik's journey into direction as inevitable. "It'll certainly happen. He's helping me with the post-production of Krissh."

Speaking on the rest of the cast the filmmakers is all praise for his leading lady. "Priyanka Chopra is very disciplined. And that's a blessing. I've tried to change her look from her earlier films, taken her away from her skin-showing image. Still she looks very sexy.

An actress can look sensuous in a saree.. 匒nd I've worked with Naseeruddin Shah for the first time too. He plays a scientist and an inventor. It was wonderful.

I had heard certain things about Naseer. But he was a delight. He came on the sets on time, sat in a corner reading卆nd when he gave his shot, it was revelation.

We never had any difference of opinion. He did want some changes in the script when I narrated it to him. But since those changes were within the parameters of my vision I didn't mind making the changes."

60 percent of Krissh was shot in Singapore. "I needed a concrete jungle. And the Singapore tourism board was eager to have us shoot there. They provided all the permissions to shoot outdoors including the blocking of roads which would be impossible in Mumbai. In Singapore they blocked all the main roads for us at heavy rush hour."

And finally the controversy. Salim-Sulaiman has done the background music Krissh when Rakesh Roshan's resident composer, the talented Rajesh Roshan has done the songs.

Rakesh laughs off the unnecessary controversy. "When I finished shooting in December and special effect shots were in by April. At that time a thought occurred to me. Why are we so sold on tapping the overseas territory only? The South territory is also huge.

A Rajnikanth film generates up to 70-80 crores. So I decided to release Krissh in Tamil and Telugu. I took the decision in February. And I needed the background music right away for all three versions. Rajesh couldn't handle both the songs and background."

The three versions will have exactly the same vocal tunes and background music. "Rajesh got busy doing the six songs in three languages sung by the same voices. Rajesh wondered how he'd handle both. I suggested I bring in Salim-Sulaiman for the background score."

Hrithik voice will be dubbed in Tamil and Telugu by the same voice.

Says Rakesh Roshan, "This the first time that a Hindi film is being released simultaneously in two other Indian languages. Earlier I had released my Karan Arjun in South Indian languages but not simultaneously."

Rakesh Roshan will be releasing above 800 prints of Krissh. "We shot from March 2005 to December 2006. But it took me another two years to organize everything. We zeroed in on Tony Ching from China who had done The Hero and House Of Flying Daggers and Kill Bill. Tony was amazing. This is my biggest film to date."

So, will the next Rakesh Roshan film star Hrithik's son? "No no. Hrithik will star in my films. He will make a film for his son. I'll be too old to make films for my grandson匢 want to spend more time with my grandson. But the post-production of Krissh is keeping me busy at work."

Priyanka Chopra