After proving his ace skills with films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Devdas’ and ‘Black’ Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants to return to innocence. Now he has teams up with two newcomers for his next film ‘Saawariya’. It is love story cum debut vehicle of two star kids - Ranbir (Rishi-Neetu Kapoor son) and Sonam (Anil Kapoor daughter). Bhansali talks about Saawariya.

Saawariya stars two fresh faces.

It is important to move away from expectations - your own and others. ‘Black’ broke many rules. After ‘Devdas’ people said it was hara-kiri for me to make a dark film. But it was a spontaneous decision. ‘Saawariya’ is again straight from the heart. And Sonam and Ranbir emerged from a completely natural instinct to cast the right faces for the two leads.

Ranbir-Sonam is a complete star material

The kids came to assist me. Ranbir joined me two years ago on ‘Black’ when he just returned from abroad. A little later Anil Kapoor called to say his daughter is back in India and wants to work only with me. The first thing I noticed about them was that they were complete star material. I told them they were the kind of faces I’d like to put before the camera. At that time Ranbir and Sonam said they weren’t sure. Later they confessed they had come with the primary intention of being noticed and cast by me. It’s a confession that melted my heart. (more…)

Dimple Kapadia wants to play different kind of roles (Dil Chahta Hai, Leela) and now she will be seen as Katy - a Parsi woman romancing a young man (Saif Ali Khan) in her forthcoming film ‘Being Cyrus’ made by debutant director Homi Adajania.

Being Cyrus has also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Saif Ali Khan and Boman Irani. Talking about the film she also says she is not averse to play a role opposite her ex husband Rajesh Khanna.

Is Being Cyrus on relationships?
It is not on complications in relationships. It is not on dysfunctional marriage either. How would I describe the film? I would say it has a lot of black humour in it. (more…)

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently got a standing ovation at an Award function from audiences of all ages, to welcome him back after his long respite and congratulate him over his splendid performance in ‘Black’.

Amitabh who is on an award-winning spree said in an interview that he is yet to get used to applause and reflected his wish to again work with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after the super success of Black.

The audience gave you a standing ovation at a recent function.

It was such an overwhelming moment to see the audience’s reaction to me. I just didn’t know what to say. I had a tough time trying to control my emotions when I saw the audience up on its feet for me. I’ve no adequate words to describe what I feel each time I get the love of the people in this country. (more…)

Rishi Kapoor just received Lifetime Achievement award at the Zee function in Mauritius and will be seen in Yash Raj Films ‘Fanaa’. The veteran actor is on a new high these days.

How do you feel about receiving the Lifetime Achievement award?
It’s a great feeling. When I was coming back, I met two guys at the airport who said I still looked young. So please let me clarify that I haven’t been conferred this honour because I have become old; it’s just that I have been appreciated for the body of work I have done in the last 34 years, and I have accepted it. I have not closed shop.

Yes, I have shut the door on singing songs and romancing girls. Now, the real Rishi Kapoor will emerge. I am as much in love with my work as I was when I first faced the camera. (more…)

March 4, LIC-Zee Cine Awards 2006 function is being held in Mauritius, telecast live on Zee TV from 7pm and who is who of Bollywood is attending it. Are u Game?

Star Anchors:
The oomph girl Mallika Sherawat and the known director Karan Johar are hosting the Awards. Mallika is known for her peppy tongue and this time she will be unstoppable. Another interesting thing to look forward is her dressing which always creates shock. Karan who has hosted such events two times before will be a delight to look at. Those who have seen Karan’s hit TV talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’ know how naughty he is and if one remembers Mallika was the hot topic of discussion in more than one episode. It will be so much fun to watch them together. Arjun Rampal, Konkona SenSharma and Gulshan Grover are the other celebrity to hosts for the show. (more…)

After getting loads of appreciation and grabbing major awards from all big awards ceremonies for his critically acclaimed film ‘Black’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is working on his next masterpiece. But this time he is in experimental mood.

His film Saawariya (Beloved) has the fresh pair of Ranvir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in the lead. Ranvir is son of Rishi and Neetu Singh and Sonam is Anil Kapoor’s daughter. Saawariya is about innocent love and though this film Sanjay wants to rediscover his own innocence.

Sanjay who is very particular about music in his films has also changed the entire music team of his new film. He has given the privileged seat of music director Ismail Durbar to composing maestro Pyarelal’s nephew, Monty - who has also done the background score of Devdas and Black. Sanjay feels there is a kind of beauty, spirituality and sensuality to his music which Saawariya needed. (more…)