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Aalim to go to Malaysia with Saif Ali Khan!
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 02, 2007]  



Celebrity stylist Aalim of Hakims Aalim fame has a very extensive clientele of top Bollywood Actors who are so loyal to the trendsetter that they just can't do without him.


Case in point being Saif Ali Khan's special request for Aalim to travel with the star all the way to Malaysia for an awards show! Aalim is all set to go to Malaysia and help style Saif Ali Khan's look for the entire tour.


Well, now our stylist will have to add scissors and combs to his luggage too!

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T-Series too launches low price Home Video entertainment
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 02, 2007]  



Moser Baer has created a sensation of sorts in the home video circuit by launching DVDs and VCDs at a mere Rs. 34 and Rs. 28 respectively. Promising to catch hold of more than 7000 titles in due course of time, the company is planning to capture this blooming market in a big way.

Soon after the announcement of Moser Baer's specially priced DVDs and VCDs, entertainment giants T-Series too have entered the ring and announced it loud and clear that they are not the ones who could be left behind. They too have launched an exclusive collection with low priced DVDs and VCDs that cost just Rs. 45 and Rs. 38 respectively.

With the biggies entering the fray and coming with hundreds of old and new titles at such affordable prices, there is only one winner and one looser here - the customer and the pirates respectively!

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Now a book called 'Tera Kya Hoga Kalia'
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 02, 2007]  



Anyone who claims to be a Hindi film buff would certainly be knowing the origin of the cult dialogue 'Tera Kya Hoga Kalia'.

More than 30 years after the classic 'Sholay' was made, a book by the name of 'Tera Kya Hoga Kalia' is being released today. Written by Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, the book is being unveiled in an event at LE MERIDIEN, New Delhi that would be graced by the presence of Viju Khote and Mac Mohan.

Readers would remember that the two veteran actors played Kalia and Sambha in the Ramesh Sippy classic.

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Pace picks up for KYA LOVE STORY HAI
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 03, 2007]  



Pace is picking up fast for Lovely Singh directed KYA LOVE STORY HAI as the film continues to make its presence felt increasingly with every passing day.

Apart from the good visuals contributing to the promos looking interesting with a lively look and feel, even its cast is looking all fresh and charged up. One actor for whom this is indeed true is Ayesha Takia who has feasted in a big way on sea food in South Africa!

This is one of the reasons why Ayesha continues to sport a cute-n-chubby look in the promos of the film which is releasing on April 20.

During the shoot of the film in Cape Town, it seems Ayesha and her mum Faridah were regulars at the famous Ocean Basket restaurant in Victoria Wharf at the Waterfront. Ocean Basket is known in Cape Town for its brilliant sea food, which Ayesha is extremely fond of apparently!

"There wasn't a single day when the two wouldn't visit Ocean Basket," laughed our source.



The other person associated with the film who is laughing all the way too is Alisha Chinoy who has now has an instant hit in the form of 'It's Rocking'. After shooting right back in Bollywood with 'Kajra Re', she can't really conceal her excitement. After 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Don' and 'Dhoom: 2' last year, she has now lent her voice to Kareena Kapoor.

With the track 'It's Rocking Yaara Kabhi Ishq To Karo' becoming a hit, Alisha is smiling. "I am overwhelmed with the audience response," she says, as she gets ready to fly to London for the Pop Idol. "Pritam called me in and gave me a background of the film and the song. He sung the 'mukhda' and the remaining for me, and it really rocked! I knew we had another hit on hand. Within next hour-and-a-half flat, I completed recording the song!"

She agrees that the popularity of the song has trebled because of the rocking visuals. "Kareena looks splendid in the song. The picturisation is fantastic!" she beams.

What is also notable about the song is that it also incorporates yesteryear's hit track 'Ude Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri Kunwaariyon Ka Dil Machle' at places. While everyone knows that this chartbuster has been rendered by Alisha Chinoy, what is not known is that the male voice in this number that's crooning the old 'Naya Daur' track happens to be Alisha's business manager, Anupam Amod alias Bobby.

Bobby is not merely Alisha's manager. In fact he is an upcoming playback singer whose first album was 'Tere Liye', a compilation of remix of old Hindi hit numbers. Bobby shot to fame after he won the MTV Video Ga Ga contest and sung the famous 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' remix. Bobby is said to have been performing several live shows with Alisha for years now before the latter asked him to handle her work.

With Kareena's Kya Love Story Hai track blaring on television and radio, Alisha and Bobby have brought the dance-loving audience on their feet! Literally!

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Sunny Deol dons two different looks for BIG BROTHER
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 03, 2007]  



Guddu Dhanoa's BIG BROTHER is slated for a April 13th release and the promotion is catching up heat too.

The film that also stars Priyanka Chopra, Danny and Farida Jalal starring in it has Sunny Deol donning two different looks.

So while he is seen in the trademark clean shaved look with the kind of hair style that he has been sporting post his directorial venture DILLAGI, in some portions of the film he would also be seen in a rough and tough persona. In this look, he sports a beard while his hair is let loose.

As per the demand of the situation where his character takes different shades, Sunny Deol's look changes in this action drama.

The film is special since it is after a while that a Sunny Deol movie would be released where he would be seen in his vintage action avtar.

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Kareena

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Ali Zafar kicks a storm with 'Masti Ke Din'
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 04, 2007]  



Ever since his album HUQA PAANI released, Ali Zafar has been a known name on both sides of the border. His tracks in the album created quite an impression and soon he turned out to be one of the most sought young talents around.

His return with the album MASTY has justified the hype around him as yet again he has arrived with an album that is young at heart and is catching up well with the music lovers. After the music video of the first promotional number 'Sun Re Sajaniya', he is now seen rocking the show with 'Masty Ke Din', the title song, where he has managed to create quite a storm.

A number that takes you back to the stage shows set in early 80s films with Kishore Kumar in full throttle, 'Masty Ke Din' has been picturised and choreographed well too with an out and out rock look and feel given to it.

Ali Zafar makes great use of the platform provided by director Shiraz Bhattacharya as he gives an all around performance to ensure that the song is noticed not just for its music but also the way it looks.

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"Everyone would love to miss ECKLL" - Neha Dhupia
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 04, 2007]  



"Everyone would love to miss ECKLL" - now when the lead actress of the film makes a statement like this, the makers of the film would certainly be caught shivering. But this time around, the statement is not meant to be taken literally since Neha Dhupia says so not for the film but the actual miss out of a train.

On being asked the reason behind making such a statement she laughs saying, "Yes, people would really-really love to miss their last local at 1:40 AM once they watch the film." And why is that so? "Haven't you read the punch line of the film which says - 'dhaaye ghante, dhaaye crore' [2.5 hours, 2.5 crores]?" she questions amusedly.

Well we have? "In that case let me tell you that the lead pair in the film gets richer by 2.5 crores due to the situations that arrive after they have missed their last local train at 1:40 AM. The manner in which they earn this money is so exciting that everyone would love to hop on to the journey as taken by them. And the only way to do this is by missing the train and living through the experience!"

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After HUM TUM, animation reaches next level in TRRP
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 04, 2007]  



Remember the adorable characters HUM and TUM in Saif Ali Khan-Rani Mukherjee starrer HUM TUM?

The two worked perfectly fine in taking the narrative of the movie forward. Now Yash Raj Films' next offering TA RA RUM PUM has taken a cue from their own successful formula and gone a level up by incorporating an entire track featuring animated characters.

Well, this not all as this time around the track also intersperses entire TRRP family comprising of Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee and their two lovely kids!

An out and out animated number that is as flawless as it can get, whether it is Hollywood or Bollywood, the title song 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' features a bear family of 4 that dances along and makes merry with the TRRP family.

Watch out for it and you would surely be smiling along all the way!

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Shiney a womanizer? Naah!
IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



Grapevine never seems to cease. And when it turns outright insensitive and bizarre, one can't help but just be amused.

Recently it was 'revealed' in one of the leading newspapers that Shiney Ahuja turned a little naughty while shooting at a campus crowd in New Delhi. So called reports/sources indicated that Shiney invited three girls over to his vanity van, and that too one at a time and sweet talked them [whatever it means!].

As it happens in case of most of such cases, it has turned out to be just another gossip as clarified by Dale Bhagwagar, spokesperson and publicist to Shiney Ahuja.

As per Dale, nothing of that sorts happened and if one wants to believe that, it is his at his/her own risk since this story was nothing but a wishful, frivolous and fake gossip.

Hope this clarifies the matter and gives gossip mongers an opportunity to move on to some other happening in the tinsel world!

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"Originally I had a special appearance in SLBB" - Celina
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



Celina Jaitley is extremely happy about the way her role has shaped up in this Friday's release SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM.

"It has been fantastic working with Suneel Darshan in the film", she says with a visible glee, "And to think of it when I started off shooting for the film, it was only meant to be a special appearance!"

Now that's quite a news. How did the shift to a lead actor happened? "I had finished shooting for the first schedule and so happy was Suneelji with the way I portrayed my character of a PR person that he offered to increase my role. Now who wouldn't want to play a full fledged character in a film like SLBB that has such a fabulous script? So there I was extending my stay with the film and this is the reason why you see me so prominent in the film's promotion."

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Time to bring home a problem called LOVE
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



For all the married and unmarried people out there, there is an opportunity to relive a problem called LOVE!

Remember the punch line of this year's release SALAAM E ISHQ which stated the same for the 6 couples in the film? Now you can cherish the moments yet again at your home as the film's DVDs and VCDs are coming to town on 7th April.

Now those who shunned the film believing that it's 3 and a half hours length was a hindrance to visit the theaters, may choose to break their film viewing into parts and enjoy this mega effort by director Nikhil Advani.

Also one waits to see if the DVD version of the film has an additional 30 minutes footage too since Nikhil had mentioned prior to the release of his film that if accepted by the audience, he may add on another 30 minutes with the final cut of the film.

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After SALAAM NAMASTE, Saif and Javed back with TRRP
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



One and a half years after the release of SALAAM NAMASTE, Saif Ali Khan, Javed Jaffri and director Siddharth Anand are reuniting with TA RA RUM PUM.

In the film, Javed plays the character of Harry, a team manager. It is him who discovers the talent of Saif, a pit-crew worker in a racing team. He realizes the potential that Saif had in him to be in the big league as a car racer and works as his Manager to get him right up there.

And soon Rajveer Singh [Saif Ali Khan] is turned into RV!

Incidentally this is Javed's only release since the bizarre character he played in SALAAM NAMASTE.

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FIRST LOOK - Sambha and Kalia together again
IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



Just recently we mentioned about the release of a book by the name of 'Tera Kya Hoga Kalia'.

Written by Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, the book was unveiled by Viju Khote and Mac Mohan who played Kalia and Sambha respectively in SHOLAY.

Here we present to you an exclusive first look of Sambha and Kalia coming together again.

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Box office analysis
Exclusive By Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



First weekend performance of latest release

First things first - there was something strange about the way 3 releases of the Friday gone by were promoted. While DELHII HEIGHTS came from the producers who have a monumental success in the form of Rajnikanth starrer mega-film CHANDRAMUKHI [based on which Priyadarshan is currently filming BHOOL BHULLAIYA], KHANNA & IYER was a Subhash Ghai baby. In spite of two such big names associated with the films, there was hardly any promotion built up.

On the other hand SAY SALAAM INDIA suffered from zero promotion due to new producers behind the film. Result was that none of the three films even took a face saving opening, let alone being appreciated or rejected by critics or 'junta'. In fact doomsday was visible when number of websites/newspapers/publications even failed to carry out a review of SAY SALAAM INDIA and KHANNA & IYER.

To think of it, DELHII HEIGHTS may have been left wondering if it was a good idea for it's review to have come out at all? Because whatever was said about it, there was hardly anything in that could have brought a smile to people involved.



Three debutant directors attempted to make a name for themselves in the film world - Anand Kumar [DH], Subhash Kapoor [SSI] and Hemant Hegde [K&I]. Out of the three, the only person who could be heaving a sigh of relief is Subhash since his film has been criticized mainly for wrong timing [SSI is based on cricket] than anything else. The man has shown promise and made sure that his film would turn out to be a good DVD watch eventually. Talking from box office point of view, each of the 3 films sound like a definite dud and cannot expect a stay at the theaters beyond a fortnight!

Last week's movies

As was visible in the trend for the first week graph of NAMASTE LONDON, the film has fetched good opening numbers. At 15.5 crores, the film is already in the profit zone since the film was sold at a reasonable price. What has certainly worked in it's favor is decent word of mouth (as mentioned in last week's column), India's World Cup exit (night shows and weekends have immensely benefited from this) and last but not the least lack of any competition (none of the 3 releases of last week have made any mark).

Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif have broken the lead pair jinx after the non-performance of HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYE while director Vipul Shah has kept his success record intact after AANKHEN and WAQT. While the film is doing well in the entire country, it is tremendous in Delhi [2 crores] and NCR [further 1 crore +]. Mumbai has done decent too with collections in the excess of 2.25 crores while Ahmedabad is good at 75 lakhs. The way film is being patronized, it should see a fall in the range of 30%-40% instead of a conventional 50% fall.

Released at select cinemas across country, THE NAMESAKE has found maximum patronage in it's target center Mumbai from where it boasts of almost 50% collections. Out of the 1.25 crores earned across the country, Mumbai accounts for 60 lakhs which tells the tale. Delhi is second best with 15 lakhs +. Though till last week a lukewarm opening weekend made even these kind of figure look impossible, the current total does indicate that the response to the film isn't in the poor range as was an earlier indication.

From the past



Let's just not blame India's World Cup exit for the debacle of HAT TRICK. The problems were aplenty. Promotion was just not good enough to create any hype whatsoever for the film, music released just 10-12 days before the arrival of the film, there was no concrete idea given to interested filmgoers on what exactly the film was about....the list is really long.

The  reason why one is forced to make an extra effort to analyze the fall of a film like this is that director Milan Luthria and writer Rajat Arora had actually come up with a well made film that saw its way down the barrel due to reasons as mentioned above! In the second week, the film crashed completely after a poor first week as it saw a disastrous 80% fall. With mere 70 lakhs coming in, the film has managed to cross 4.5 crore but it looks near impossible that it would be able to touch the 5 crore mark.

JUST MARRIED followed a similar box office pattern as after a 80% fall and 75 lakhs coming in, the film is all but wrapped up at 4 crores. Since the film has been made at low costs, the losses won't be huge but one does feel sorry about Fardeen and Esha since they did come up with a good performance in an average film that hardly found any takers. The film does have its chances in the DVD circuits though.



After a 90% fall in its second week, RED took a 80% fall in the third week to come up with negligible collections of an unmentionable 5 lakhs across the country. The film has been shown a permanent 'red' signal at 3.5 crore. WATER isn't any better as after a 70% fall last week; it suffered another 60% fall with just 10 lakhs coming in. Inching towards the 1.5 crore mark, the film is already out in the 'original' DVD version [though the pirated copies have been out for almost a year].

For the first time since its arrival, HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. saw a significant fall though the absence of any other notable film in the running still ensured a place in Top-5 for it. Increasing its total by 25 lakhs to come closer to the 12 crore mark, the film should now be out soon on the DVDs. Mumbai still continues to be the city which is patronizing the movie most though the film has done well in rest of country's major centers too.

On the other hand VIVAH continues to gain from smaller centers with 15 lakhs further added on bring its total to 31.5 crores in its 20th week. The film stands to be a sure shot silver jubilee and now it has to be seen whether it manages to traverse an extra distance.

In the future

Two contrasting films release over this long weekend [Friday is a holiday due to 'Good Friday'] - SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM and PROVOKED. On an average Friday, an Aishwarya Rai movie would have always been the more hyped, publicized and talked about. But in case of Jag Mundhra directed PROVOKED it is hardly the case as the film's promotion has been quite lukewarm. Add to it a subject that counts as 'serious' amongst regular 'junta' and the film only finds it's target audience as intelligentsia or those who are interested in cinema about real incidents. Even though the film is said to be well made (as per insiders), it is not expected to take a notable start and would rely a lot on post-release promotion and word of mouth.

Suneel Darshan's SLBB has all the trappings of a 'masala' fare and with popular songs to boast and some interesting treatment; it could have been an automatic choice for a very good start. Sadly Bobby Deol is not going though the best phase of his career while Upen Patel is a new arrival which means that in spite of promise of an engrossing fare, the film would be able to take a start only in the average/above average range [50% +]. Nevertheless exciting promos have done the trick and if the film gives good vibes on the opening day, it has all the trappings of a safe venture and a moolah earner since Darshan has mainly targeted city audience for his latest venture.

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Wanna get Ayesha's black dress from Miss You Everyday?
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 05, 2007]  



In a unique programming coup, the ever-popular Film Cafe on the BBC Asian Network (UK) has scooped Tusshar Kapoor & Manish Malhotra together, through Studio 18 UK.

The young film star and the industry's No.1 dress designer will co-host Film Cafe live on Saturday 14th April from 11 am (British Time) with British-Asian actor and BBC presenter, Ameet Chana.

Among other things, Tusshar will talk about his forthcoming romantic comedy, Kya Love Story Hai, which releases worldwide on 20th April. The film, which is already in the news for its chartbusting music by Pritam and Kareena Kapoor's sensational appearance, is being distributed and marketed internationally by Studio 18. Ace designer Manish Malhotra has styled Tusshar Kapoor and Ayesha Takia in Kya Love Story Hai. A host of celebrity friends and professionals associated with the film are also expected to call in live.

The BBC Asian Network is also giving out Ayesha Takia's black dress from the Miss You Everyday track and Tusshar's Abercrombie & Fitch jeans as grand competition prizes.

Remarked BBC's Assistant Editor, Kuljinder Singh, "Film Cafe is the flagship Bollywood show on the Asian Network in the UK and is going from strength to strength with its exclusive and innovative programming content for listeners. We look forward to having big names as Tusshar and Manish Malhotra joining Ameet Chana live."

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Now a calendar featuring Indian and Pakistani models
IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 06, 2007]  



Indo-Pak collaboration in the world of art and entertainment is in.

This Saturday, TMZ Group is coming up with a unique collaboration of Indian and Pakistano models who have shot together for a glamorous calendar. To be held in Delhi, the event would see the models making an appearance and interact with the media.

The calendar has photographs by Suvo Das while Ken Ferns has designed the shoot and calendar.

Excepted guest list includes Australian Model Kate along with Nandita Das, Manjeet Bawa, Joy Mattew, Indrani Das Gupta, Nafisa Ali & guests from Pakistan, Austria, France and Italy Embassy.

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"It was an honor to perform on 'Pardesi' - Tanushree Dutta
IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 06, 2007]  



Tanushree Dutta, one of the few actors who has made the biggest strides in the shortest span of time in Bollywood with 3 big back to back releases slated for May (Subhash Ghai's 'Good Boy Bad Boy', Priyadarshan's 'Dhol' and Raj Kanwar's 'Raqeeb', performed on one of her most favorite chartbusters 'Pardesi Pardesi' [Raja Hindustani] at the ZEE Award in Malaysia.

She did the opening track for the theme of the best chartbusters of the decade since 1996 to 2006. Her performance drew fulsome praise from all quarters of the industry.

Says Tanushree, "I was excited to perform on the track from the film 'Raja Hindustani', since both Aamir Khan and Karishma Kapoor are my favorites. It was indeed an honor, since the film had such a cult following. With the costume and the sequence, I was truly transported to that year."

She adds, "Zee Awards were organized exceptionally well; Mr. Pradeep Guha's team did an excellent job along with the Moranis. All the arrangements were fantastic. Even my hotel room at Genting Heights was overlooking the beautiful landscaped mountains. The whole experience was just overwhelming."

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Vivek Oberoi signs 3 big projects
IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 06, 2007]  



Vivek Oberoi, who had made his debut with a power packed performance with COMPANY, is all set to set the screen on fire again with his well researched, well etched out character of the dreaded don 'Maya Dolas' in 'Shoot Out At Lokhandwala'.

The gifted actor has signed on 3 big projects and will make an announcement post the release of 'Shoot Out at Lokhandwala'.

Says a source, "Vivek is extremely selective. He has already rejected 20 offers in a month, a record of sorts like SRK and Hrithik. Though he has been keeping a low profile, he has been quietly working on his project by researching on his character, something that reminds of his work from the COMPANY days."

The source adds ' Just because Vivek has kept a low profile, its very amusing to find any director or starlet claiming in the media that Vivek is working with them in any random project. Vivek just laughs it off. But there seems to be a 'Chinese whisper' campaign working against him. He has just rejected 20 offers in one month and it takes guts. Vivek has to be really convinced of his character. He is talented and will be back big time."

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Adnan Sami's new look comeback on April 12
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 09, 2007]  



It is going to be celebrations time soon.

Not just Adnan Sami is making a comeback with his latest album KISI DIN, his new look is a revealation too as he faces the camera afer months in much lighter 'avtar'.

Adnan Sami may have lost dozens of kilos as a result of a rigorous regime but what he hasn't lost is his stranglehold behind the mike, his charm and his innocence. All of this is pretty much visible in the opening promo of the album that goes by the name of 'Teri Yaad'.

A young track where Adnan goes about proposing to a girl he had always loved only to loose her soon after, it has that melodious base to it which makes it a repeat hearing in spite of sad undertones.

With the arrival of his much awaited album on 12th April, one waits to see what are the other special attractions in this Sami offering!