Rumors: Chiry goes into Hinding

Megastar Chiranjeevi and his wife have gone into hiding.

Not because he is disturbed very much over his daughter Srija's marriage with a middle class fellow Sirish Bharadwaj, but because of the people who are calling on him day in and day out to express their sympthies for him.

Eversince the marriage of Srija took place, Chiranjeevi's residence is being flooded with friends, well-wishers, relatives and even his fans, who are expressing their sympthies and solidarity with him. Already, Chiru was in a state of shock given by his daughter; and this wave of sympathy has put him in the most embarassing situation.

The visitors include even Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu, while Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy called him up on phone and expressed his sympathy.

Adding to his embarassment, his brother Pawan Kalyan enacted a big drama by surrendering his weapon to the police and announced establishment of a Commonman Protection Fund, creating an impression that it was a prelude to Chiranjeevi's plans for establishing a political party. Unable to withstand pressure from all angles, Chiru is learnt to have gone into a hiding to have mental peace at least for some time.

Screen Talk: Pawan Kalyan's Land Protector!

Pawan Kalyan said that he has nothing with him other than a car, house and bank- balance.

But he bought expensive lands in and around Vijayawada and the prices increased as well.

He has Vangaveeti Radha, the MLA in Vijayawada for the protection of his lands. Radha is always standing behind Pawan Kalyan and we have said that yesterday.

There are some land dealing businesses between Radha and Pawan Kalyan as per the grapevine.


Well, nothing wrong in holding expensive properties.

It's only the rich man who can do great things these days.

Everything is revolving around money.

Pawan need no talk as the man dedicated for people renouncing everything.

Has Athidi Made Rs.21, 93, 85,644 rupees in the first 7 days.

There is a big advertisement in all leading news dailies today. The ad says, "Mahesh Babu created new record. The film collected a whopping share of 21, 93, 85,644 rupees in the first 7 days'.

That's really a grand figure. It's specifically mentioned 'share'-not even 'gross'. Ramesh Babu freshly said that the film would cross the collections of 'Pokiri' if the trend goes this way. If the figures are true that is really a true sensation and historical record.

Let us wait and see till we get the correct figure with break up in area wise.

After long journey, Saif gets his due in Bollywood

29 October , 2007,

What a long journey it has been for Saif Ali Khan! From the over-pampered scion of a nawab family to one of Bollywood's most versatile actors and a serious contender for the No.1 spot, he has truly emerged triumphant at the turnstiles.

Special: All about Om Shanti Om

One still remembers the harsh comments that accompanied Saif's debut in Umesh Mehra's Aashiq Awara in 1993. Acidic comments about his looks and appearance were the order of the Friday. A well-known columnist wrote, "Put a dupatta on Saif's head and he looks like Sharmila Tagore."

Such comments hurt all right. But they hit home, bang-on. As Saif said recently, "My detractors and their harsh comments have been my greatest incentive to prove myself."
And then, in typical Saif fashion, he leaned back for some serious self-praise. "Actually that's a good quote, don't you think?"

Special: Ranbir and Sonam in Saawariya

Saif almost always ends every observation tentatively. No wonder it took him so long to realise his worth. "But do I really know my worth today?"

The to-be-or-not-to-be debate was invented for Saif. Or so it seems. Saif never says an outright yes or no. Maybe is his clearest option and safest zone.

No wonder he remained in the zone of the probable for so many years. Looking gawky, ill at ease and out of sorts in a series of post-debut films, Saif all but finished off his career.

He was and remains to a large extent a Khan from the outside. Aamir Khan and Salman Khan belong to film families. And despite being a Delhi dude Shah Rukh Khan is more of an insider in the industry today than any other actor.

Madhuri is bask with Aaja Nachle

Yes, Saif has his mother Sharmila Tagore. But moms, as experience tells us, don't count in Bollywood. If they did, Nutan's son Mohnish Behl would've been the hugest superstar on the block.

"Mom had actually agreed to play my mother in Aashiq Awara. That was sweet of her," Saif reminisced about the "good" old days when columnists took pot shots at him for everything, from his girlie looks to alleged sexuality.

There're stories about how insecure he would get on the sets of Karan Johar's Kal Ho Naa Ho. But Saif denies them.

Best of the week on Sify Movies

He said: "You know I get paranoid about every movie. I knew from the start that Shah Rukh would be the pivot of the film. But I knew I had great lines and a great role. I was never made to feel Shah Rukh was more important to the project.

I went with very clear expectations. It was a civilised unit. Everyone was young and fun. I didn't feel like an outsider at all. I never did, though I was from outside Mumbai."

He says he never felt any need to be a part of any particular camp.

"I was always warned about camps and groups. But I always felt there was some strength to be gained from standing alone, and not being part of any camp. But at the same time if you look at it I'm quite a Yash Raj boy, in many ways.

"I started my career with Yashji in Parampara. He saw my first screen test. My first hit Yeh Dillagi was also connected with Yash Raj Films. The way they work suits me. I'm not expected to socialise with them. So the whole 'camp' thing is quite a myth for me. Really, Karan Johar and Yash Raj Films have spoilt me."

Saif's makeover has been as remarkable as that of Karisma Kapoor, who came accompanied by a truckload of flak and left at her peak as a screen queen.

The actor seems to be enjoying his newfound status as a leading man to the hilt.

Omkara was definitely a new beginning. When Vishal Bahradwaj zeroed in on him to play the Indian Iago, Saif was, as usual, unsure. He never says an outright yes to any role, not even when it comes to a film like Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai. That film clearly was the turning point in his career.

Farhan was sure he wanted only Saif to play the confused, naïve and confounded Sameer. As usual Saif wasn't convinced. Four years later, Saif was the same indecisive entity when Bharadwaj offered him Langda Tyagi.

"I was in Jaipur. And I began to think about how Vishal came down here to narrate Omkara to me. One morning I was sitting on a beautiful lawn in Jaipur's Rambagh Palace with no work to do. Vishal was sitting in front of me. At that point of time I was wondering why I was being offered a negative role. Vishal really pushed me. He told me he was worried because it was an important part. From getting me to cut my hair to delivering my lines properly... he was quite paranoid.

"Initially, I read my character's lines with a bit of an English accent. Looking back, I could've taken it even further. But it was correct timing. Everything fell into place."
Siddharth Anand, who's a close buddy, gave Saif's career as a leading man a further boost with Salaam Namaste. Siddharth thinks Saif is constantly doing roles that challenge him to make his presence felt.

Saif admits he's incapable of enjoying the gift of the present. "Perhaps. But at least I'm conscious of it. I'm always anxious about the future."

At the moment he's more relaxed than ever before and hogging the limelight for his alleged affair with Kareena Kapoor.

"On the sets of Omkara people would say there were four National Award winners. My first impulse would be to wonder who was the fourth after Vishal, Ajay Devgan and Konkona Sen. Then I'd realise, 'Oh shit, the fourth National Award winner is actually me!'"

Saif has the final word. "I may seem like a bundle of contradictions most of the time. But there's a method to my madness which is apparent only to me a lot of times."

By Shamsheer (Sify)

Non-bailable warrant issued against Aamir Khan

hamsh
BHOPAL:24-Oct-2007.

A Bhopal court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Aamir Khan after the actor failed to appear thrice before the court to defend himself in a case of 'disrespect' to the national flag.

First class judicial magistrate V S Muwell asked the police to bring the actor to the court on November 7. The judge dismissed his lawyer's explanation that the actor didn't know he had to appear in the court.

The complaint was filed by a local lawyer in August, saying at an event in Indore to promote a car as a brand ambassador for its manufacturer, Khan "dishonoured" the tricolour, which was stuck on top of the car much late after the function was over.

The Supreme Court has cautioned trial courts against issuing non-bailable warrants without verifying the frivolity of complaints. It has also said that an NBW could only be issued if a person fails to honour previous summons and bailable warrants.

Suresh Kanga, who filed the complaint against Khan, said, "The national flag was stuck on top of a car and remained there even when the function got over late in the night. The court admitted my complaint and asked the actor to appear before the court on three occasions. He was even issued warrants twice but did not come."

When Khan's lawyer argued that the actor had not received the previous warrants, the judge said it was not possible that the actor had not known about the developments in the case.

By Shamsheer (NDTv)

Rishi Kapoor plays himself in Hadd Behadd

Mumbai, October 24, 2007.

Not too many actors get the privilege of playing themselves in a film. Recently, Bobby Deol played himself in Nanhe Jaisalmer. Now it's Rishi Kapoor's turn.

"It's a film called Hadd Behadd. It's a super social comedy and I've a great role. Yes, I play myself, Rishi Kapoor," Rishi told IANS.

Hadd Behadd is the directorial debut of theatre personality Ranjit Kapoor who had scripted films like Bandit Queen and Mangal Pandey.

"It's great to work with a young, enthusiastic team. This is a character-driven film. So there're lots of actors from the National School of Drama. Priyanshu Chatterjee and Kulraj Randhawa play lead roles. Really, at my age I couldn't have asked for a better role," said Rishi who is all keyed up about his son Ranbir's maiden release Saawariya.

Rishi is on tenterhooks about the impending release of his son's debut film and is visiting religious places to pray for his son's success.

"Dad gets so tense, I'd have been a nervous wreck just watching him. But he's taking time off to visit all the gurdwaras and temples in and around Himachal. In one of the temples, the priest came up to dad and said, 'I know your son is about to start his career. This is with Devi Ma's blessing.' And he gave dad a chunni as an auspicious token. It was a moving gesture, and one that I'll cherish for ever," said Ranbir.

By Shamsheer (H.T.)

Salman Khan is new Tarzan!

22-oct-2007

Finally Salman Khan has all the reason to take off his shirt.

The brawny star will bew now seen as Tarzan, in a film to be directed by Anees Bazme.

It will be directed towards children, as Salman recently discovered he has a huge fan following among children and plans to dedicate the film to them.

"I want to do the film for children," says Sallu and adds, "I have found out that I have a huge fan following among kids, and I want to dedicate this film to them.

" He even promises a whole new hair style for the role, one that is sure to, in his words, "will become a style statement.

" When asked if he see a market for such kinds of movies, Salman replies, "If Hemant Birje could make Tarzan a hit film 20 years ago, then I am sure I too can make it."

By shamsheer (santabanta)