Akbar Khan’s magnum opus ‘Taj Mahal’ starring legendary Pakistani singer Noor Jehan’s granddaughter Sonya Jehan as Mughal empress Mumtaz Mahal, will be screen across theatres in Pakistan from April 28.

Khan while formally announcing the launch of the movie in Pakistan, said that the screening of the film would help promote cultural exchanges and as friendly relations between Pakistan and India. “Taj Mahal carries a strong message of love and I am here to convey it to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

He also said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has also expressed his delight over the showing of an Indian movie in Pakistani cinemas. He further said that the two countries should also embark on co-productions in the future. (more…)

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Indian version of Shakespeare’s famous novel ‘Othello’ has been invited to Cannes Film Festival and for the promotions of the film in a big way its makers are taking the entire cast including Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma and Vivek Oberoi along with director Vishal to the festival.

At Cannes, the film will have a six to seven minute screening. Actress Kareena who is much charged up about the film said, “I’m definitely planning my trip to Cannes this summer. I believe Ajay and Saif will also come along. The producer, Kumar Mangat, is going so far as to put up an Othello stall at Cannes. I think it’ll be a great experience. People are already curious about it.”

Meanwhile, Othello name deciding contest with a relevant tagline ‘What’s in a name’ (which is also taken from Shakespeare) will open up to the public next week where the public will choose their favorite title among the three short listed one’s - Omkara, O Saathi Re and Issak. (more…)

Though Salman Khan has overcome his recent jail memories (where he had to stay three nights over the animal poaching case), his impending ‘Rock Stars’ concert where he was to perform his role along with Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, has been postponed because was not granted permission from court for international shooting and live concerts.

One of show’s organizers, Bunty Wallia confirms the postponement. “The shows were supposed to start in Calgary on 21 April and were to go on over the weekends. Now we’re starting the shows in the first week of May, going into June. As of now, that’s the plan. But obviously further decisions depend on Salman. There will be no Rock Stars concerts without Salman.”

As of now Salman has begun practicing on songs and dances he will perform at overseas road shows. He is practicing six hours a day for the concert that will tour the United States, Canada and Europe next month, his brother Sohail Khan told. “He’s concerned about delays in the Rock Stars concert and is making every effort to get his schedules back on track. It’s almost like a junoon (passion)”, said Sohail Khan. Salman has also resumed acting in movies stalled due to his arrest. (more…)

Director Raj Kanwar whose Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ released recently is upset with actress Bipasha Basu’s indignant protests over promotional material of the film and her notion that she is being projected as a second leading lady.

The puzzled director said, “Why is she doing this? A film is like one complete body and soul. You are either part of it, or you are not. If the hand, which is part of the body, declared I’m not part of the body, it isn’t right. She has done my film. And before she did it she knew what she was getting into.”

He added, “We had never put it in an agreement that she will or won’t be part of our publicity. Bipasha isn’t a guest star in the film. We wanted to project ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ as a love story with two heroes and two heroines. Now she’s quoted in an interview as saying she has only one song in my film. That isn’t true. She has two major songs.”

Bipasha had fumed over the promotional material of the film, “We had mutually agreed that I wouldn’t feature anywhere in the publicity or promos because it’s not a triangular love story and I have a tiny role. They used my photos without my knowledge and consent. I never shot for a single publicity still with them. Obviously they have got it from another film of mine.” (more…)

Rituparno Ghosh has given Akshay a role that will be remembered for a lifetime and the actor who has mastered the art of action and comedy is eager to triumph as an intense lover. Now Akshay is having an image makeover by growing his chest hair and a beard for his traveler look in ‘Rahgeer’ - the film inspired by Dev Anand’s ‘Guide’.

You can very well imagine Akshay in Rahgeer by getting a hint from his long haired look in the recent cola ad of ‘Thumbs Up’ where he has done some great stunts.

Now back to Ghosh’s Rahgeer. Rituparno has asked the actor to look his worse … oops! best for the part as Vidya Balan’s lover. Rituparno chuckled, “The smooth suave look just doesn’t go with the character that Akshay is supposed to play in Rahgeer. Akshay has pomised some serious hair growth before we leave for Bangkok for the shooting” (more…)

Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif intense love story ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ has just hit theatres. So Akki talks about it and his upcoming films.

How is Humko Deewana Kar Gaye different from your previous work?
To start with, Humko…’ begins where most love stories end. By which I mean, when two people are living together and everything is going well, there’s a perfect match. Suddenly, one person falls in love with somebody else. It happens in everybody’s life. Even if the person you fall in love with is imperfect for you, it happens. You can’t predict love. The USP of the film is that people can relate to this subject. Sometimes, you have to go back on your commitment. Love is not like a business deal, where you have everything planned out. It happens that you sometimes can’t work it out; you realise your heart is somewhere else. ‘Humko…’ starts at a point like that.

You've mentioned that it's a very personal story. How?
We’ve treated it with a great amount of intensity, and it has a very real slice of life. It’s taken from a real story, about a couple from Toronto. (more…)

Talking about her latest release ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ model turned actress Katrina Kaif says she is a moody person. She also said that her co-star Akshay Kumar made her feel extremely comfortable.

Tell your fans something about your big release Humko Deewana Kar Gaye?
It’s about a girl who goes trousseau shopping, and unexpectedly meets a guy with whom she has an unexpected connection. Love is genuinely like that. It’s not something that you anticipate or expect. The twist in the film lies in the fact that they are both engaged to other people. The movie then progresses on to deal with different types of love - you have love out of duty, you have love out of respect, love out of passion, and the choice one finally makes between duty, respect and your heart. And there in lies the beauty of the film. It’s a romantic film, with slight elements of comedy. It’s neither a slapstick like Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya or too serious like Sarkar.

Music of 'Humko...' has become a big hit. What do you feel?
The film has lovely music and I’m glad it’s doing well. It’s at the top of the charts.

What was your experience working with Akshay Kumar and Bipasha Basu? (more…)