Exciting time for Bollywood ahead

The box-office is in for a Rs 400 crore party. And that too hosted by the big daddies of Bollywood. Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots, which is slated for a December 25 release, is closely followed by Hrithik Roshan’s Kites on January 15, Salman Khan’s Veer on January 29 and Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name is Khan on February 12. So much so that over Rs 400 crore are said to be riding on an investment of Rs 275 crore, within a span of 42 days!

While the movie buffs wait for cinematic feast, industry pundits claim it’s one of the best times for Bollywood. “There couldn’t have been a better opening for the new year,” says Munish Sharma of Satyam Cinemas. Agrees filmmaker Anil Sharma, who is set to release his costume-drama Veer, “The 3-month-long strike here was a huge setback. Now, beginning with Paa, the next five months are perfect.”

What makes these Fridays even more exciting is the line-up of biggies endorsing them. “Aamir, Hrithik, Salman and Shah Rukh are marketing geniuses. As they outdo each other in publicity and distribution, it would lead to better returns at the box-office,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Adds Manish Porwal of Percept Pictures, “December and January is a good period, especially in North India. Christmas, New Year, Lohri and the Valentine’s Day are occasions when people step out together to celebrate.”

While the filmmakers refrain from sharing their details of prints and distribution strategies, insiders claim that Big Pictures has huge plans for 3 Idiots. “They have bought the rights of 3 Idiots for Rs 150 crore, and they plan to distribute it massively. Aamir has jumped the count of his earlier releases by sending out as many as 4,000 prints. And to capitalise on the Christmas euphoria, the film will open on Wednesday, instead of Friday,” says a source from a prominent studio.

“Reportedly My Name is Khan has been bought by Fox Star Studios for Rs 100 crore. While they will put their international experience to capture the widest market, SRK won’t leave any stone unturned,” says trade analyst Indu Mirani.

I want a man just like Raj: Shamita Shetty

Actress Shamita Shetty, who has just opted out of TV reality show Bigg Boss, is elated about elder sister Shilpa marrying London-based businessman Raj Kundra on November 22 and says she also wants a "perfect man" like her brother-in-law to-be.

"Raj is just so absolutely wonderful. He is so calm, intelligent and good-looking. There could be no one better than him for Shilpa. He is just so perfect. I also want a man like him in my life," Shamita told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The 29-year-old actress was until now a part of the third season of reality show Bigg Boss and came to know of Shilpa's engagement only a week back. She has now taken a voluntary exit from the show to be able to be with her sister for her last few days at home. The episode will be aired tonight.

Shamita said: "It feels fantastic to be out. I am just so excited about Shilpa's wedding. Oh my god! She is getting married. I want to go home, cry, hug and chat with her. She has sent me a picture of her engagement ring on my Blackberry but it's very hazy. So can't wait to see that. We tell each other everything, so I know how difficult it must have been for her to get engaged without me around. But since I got to know about her wedding date, I wanted to be with her no matter what. Family definitely comes first for me."

Shamita was also worried about the clothes she would wear for the wedding functions, but to her surprise, her elder sister had already taken care of it all.

"I was so worried about who will stitch my clothes within 10 days and how I will manage it all. But I just spoke to Shilpa and she said she has organised a few options for me. So I'm very happy that I don't have to start planning from scratch," she said.

Shamita says her respect for Shilpa, who won Celebrity Big Brother, the international version of the show in 2007 after facing racist remarks, has risen by leaps and bounds after her stint in Bigg Boss.

"I have begun to respect Shilpa so much more. I haven't even faced 50 percent of what she must have faced. She was in a different country, with people from different cultures - it must have been hugely different. I can't even imagine how she went through all that," she said.

As for her own stay in the Bigg Boss house, Shamita said: "It feels great and fantastic that I wasn't asked to leave. But I felt sad that I had to leave the house. My stay was pretty okay - but I didn't have an option. I had to leave for Shilpa's wedding."

She is also happy about getting three "really good friends" in the form of Tanaaz Currim, Bakhtiyaar Irani and Aditi Govitrikar. But when asked to name the most conniving contestant, she said diplomatically: "I won't take any names and I don't want to be judgmental."

Bigg Boss has 13 celebrities locked up inside a secluded house for 84 days and kept under constant camera surveillance without any contact with the outside world.

Nandita Das lets on her Children's vision

Actress and activist Nandita Das is dear to every cinema lover in India. As someone who is passionate about cinema and serious about giving good cinema a voice, she has been associated with Childrens Film Society and other worthy groups in the past. In Hyderabad for the 14th International Childrens' Film Festival, she said that film festivals like the one in question do not just mean premiering of movies but have a larger context. It is fostering the faculties of mental development and cultural appreciation among children.

Speaking to the media, she also said, "We are conducting the festival in such a way that our country gets recognition internationally. 70 films from 20 countries will be screened at the fest. Dignitaries from over 500 countries are participating."

As Nandita Das also plans big with her Children's Film Society, the event will, in all likelihood, fulfill the vision it has set itself for. That Hyderabad is the venue for this well-meaning fest makes its residents happy.

CM takes a dig at violence in Tollywood movies

“I cannot understand the ‘diskum diskum’ (full of fights) movies of today. I cannot also understand the story and message, if any,” he said even as Tollywood represented by the likes of Dasari Narayana Rao squirmed in their seats. “It is difficult for me to digest the change as I love watching old movies. Times have changed, so have values, I suppose,” Rosaiah said.

In the two-hour long programme, the audience was treated to a variety of dances from across the world. But what had them in splits were the children, Komali sisters and Ruby Mathews, who repeatedly referred to the CM as ‘Rosaiah uncle’.

Responding to the emotional speech of Dasari Narayana Rao who said Telugu films and Telugu artists were being neglected by the Union government for awards, Union minister for information and broadcasting Ambika Soni said there was no question of any state being discriminated.
Oscar award winner Gulzar suggested that the CFSI should make proper use of the dozens of children’s films and songs lying with it.

Information and public relations minister J Geeta Reddy, actor Venkatesh, CFSI chairperson Nandita Das also spoke. During the week-long children’s film festival, 70 films from 20 countries will be screened. Films by child TV reporters of Medak at the instance of Unicef will also be shown.

At the inauguration, a souvenir brought out by the authorities was not released. Sources said this was because the message of PM Manmohan Singh for the film festival was not included in it. There were messages of President Pratibha Patil, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and others

Udaya Bhanu as item girl in Leader

Noted anchor Udaya Bhanu is doing an item song in Rana’s debut film ‘Leader’.

Priya Anand and Richa are the heroines in this film. The movie is being directed by Sekhar Kammula of ‘Anand’, ‘Godavari’ and ‘Happy Days’ fame.

The prominent AVM banner is producing this movie. The film is set to release on 24th December.

Kammula, known for his soft and youthful films is now directing a romantic flick with faction backdrop for the first time.

Uday Bhanu recently did an item song in Posani’s ‘Mental Krishna’. She is getting good offers for doing item songs but is not accepting any, because she is getting huge remuneration for anchoring TV programs.

Bride-to-be Shilpa going through 'mixed feelings'

Shilpa Shetty, who is marrying London-based Raj Kundra on November 22, is facing pre-nuptial blues. She admits she is experiencing 'mixed feelings' as the D-day draws near.

"To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I'm going through a lot of mixed feelings - happiness, excitement, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well," Shilpa posted on her blog shilpashettylive.com/blog/.

The 34-year-old actress is tying the knot with businessman Raj Kundra, whom she has been dating since 2007.

"Honestly, it still hasn't sunk in completely, it's a strange emotion, can't describe it. The only consolation is that I'm tying the knot with Raj - a man who lets me be and doesn't want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters," she said.

"Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it come responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make ours a success."

Shilpa says she has been busy with the wedding preparations for the past two weeks but is also trying hard to fulfill her professional commitments so that she can set out for a one-month honeymoon with Raj after the wedding.

She is currently shooting in Hyderabad for the last schedule of Indo-Chinese project Desire.

"I'm shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I'd left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! Because I am shooting for a song here), (I'm handling) guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding," she said.

The actress is now only hoping that her younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a participant on reality show Bigg Boss 3, comes out to be with her in the "last few days at home".

Shilpa will have a quiet wedding ceremony with close friends and family on November 22 and has plans for a lavish reception two days later.

Asin says No to Abhishek, Deepika Padukone says Yes

Amidst the tribulation of bitter spilt Deepika Padukone has a reason to smile. With Asin out of Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelein Gay Hum Jee Jaan Se, Deepika Padukone is all set to star opposite Abhishek Bachchan in the film.

Ashu who is known to portray actresses in a beautiful way in his films zeroed in on Dippy after cautuious Asin stepped out of the running citing date problems. Though he also considered Genelia D’Souza and Sonam Kapoor for the role but in the end it was Deepika who got lucky.

The news about Deepika being a part of the film was confirmed by Ashutosh’s wife, Sunita.

A source says,"Deepika is more than happy to be working with Ashu sir and immediately grabbed the role. For the first time, she is paired with Abhishek and is very excited to be working in a period film (the film is about the Chittagong Uprising). She has already started preparing for her role.”

Since Bachchan Jr is part of the film, rumours were rife that Aishwarya Rai would be signed too but both Ashu and Ash later denied it. Deepika begins shooting for the film in Goa with AB Jr this Monday.