After much ado and discussion, Vishal Bharadwaj has decided the title of his next Ajay Devgan - Saif Ali Khan starrer movie.

Vishal himself in an interview revealed that his adaptation of Shakespere’s ‘Othello’ would be titled - Omkara.

The film stars Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vivek Oberoi, Ayesha Takia, Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah in lead roles.

The movie - Omkara - is scheduled to start shooting in March and is planned to be completed by the stretch of 2006.

36 China Town: Movie Review

Rating: 2/5

First thing First; ‘36 China Town’ is no way comparable to 1974 cult classic suspense potboiler ‘Chinatown’ starring Jack Nicholson. 36 China Town isn’t even a thriller. 36 China Town is at best a moderate masala film with a medley of songs, comedy, romance, murder, suspense, bikinis and bums.

Abbas-Mastan who gave us hit like Khiladi, Baazigar, Soldier, Humraaz have a strange habit of dishing out half hearted attempts like Daraar, Baadshah and more recently Taarzan: The Wonder Car. At 36 China Town, loaded with an atrocious script they again find the going tough, try too hard and eventually mess it all up. (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…)

Kareena Kapoor has hit a jackpot. She has been signed by Ramgopal Varma to play Shah Rukh Khan’s sweetheart in a film on time travel titled ‘Time Machine’.

This will be Kareena’s second film opposite Shah Rukh. If you remember Kareena has already featured with SRK in his home production ‘Asoka’ and is currently doing a cameo (Helen’s role) in Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don’ starring Shah Rukh and Priyanka Chopra in the lead.

Kareena was earlier doing a sci-fi film with Harry Baweja titled ‘Love Story 2050′ opposite his son Harman Baweja but she opted out of it. Now there’s a buzz that she opted out of Harry’s film to do this one, with a bigger banner and a bigger star.

Model-actor Upen Patel’s popularity is growing so much so that he already bagged six prestigious projects even before his debut release - Abbas Mastan’s thriller ‘36 China Town’ also starring Akshaye Khanna, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

Apparently Patel has been getting plenty of offers but has been cautious in his selection. The actor said, “Yes I’ve been meeting a lot of people but it’s too early to confirm details. I’m all set for my debut with 36 China Town, and looking forward to its release. I’m glad that the industry seems to be accepting me.”

So far he has been signed by Subhash Ghai, Ashtavinayak films, Sunil Darshan, Tips, Shyam Bajaj’s next and Vipul Shah. (more…)

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi who was honored with Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum alongside Hollywood actor Michael Douglas this year and just got Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award is flirting with idea of directing films.

Even though she finds acting much more comfortable than directing, the acclaimed actress says she is open to direction. But the film has to be a human story that touches her.

Don't you think it was premature to give you the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award?
Not at all. I’ve been around for a lifetime. I came in 1974 with ‘Ankur’. I think it’s wonderful to receive the lifetime achievement award when you’re busy. I’ve never been busier as an actress as I’ve been in the last three years. When I was in parliament, I restricted my work to the time I was on vacation. Now I’m working a lot. (more…)