'Darr' can't be remade: Juhi Chawla

Mumbai, Sep 13, 2016 (PTI)

 As audience gets ready for web reboot of superstar Shah Rukh Khan's 1993 hit "Darr", Juhi Chawla, the leading lady of the original film, says it is not possible to remake the movie.
Late filmmaker Yash Chopra's psychological thriller was about an obsessive lover Rahul (SRK), who creates havoc in the lives of Kiran (Juhi) and Sunil (Sunny Deol).

"Darr 2.0", backed by a YRF offshoot, will feature the three main characters in an entirely new milieu, weaved in a modern, original tale of obsession and fear in the age of cyber stalking and digital crimes.

When asked about it, Juhi told reporters here, "That (reboot) is not 'Darr'. It might be inspired or have similarities to the original but it's not 'Darr'. Such films don't get remakes, people just get inspired by them to make something."

The five-part web series aims to hold a mirror to the perilous environment of online privacy invasion and social media harassment that can take a dangerous and disturbing turn, if unchecked.

It has been directed by Vikas Chandra, who was an associate creative producer on YRF's "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy".

No idea about '3 Idiots' sequel, says Boman Irani

Mumbai, Sep 13, 2016 (PTI)

 Actor Boman Irani says he is unaware about stories regarding a possible sequel to the blockbuster "3 Idiots".
Aamir Khan, who played the lead role in the 2009 film, had reportedly said he would want a sequel to the film. Even director Rajkumar Hirani expressed interest in the same.

Asked about this, Boman, who played the role of strict college dean Viru Sahastrabuddhe in "3 Idiots", said while it may be a great franchise, he hasn't heard any talks for the sequel.

"Yes, everything is a great franchise but I've no idea about this talk, never heard it myself. I am hearing it for the first time. Right now, Raju is working on another film. So no, nothing like that as of now," he told PTI.

Hirani is currently in the pre-production stage of a biopic on Sanjay Dutt, which stars actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Quizzed about a possible "Munna Bhai" part three, the actor replied, "Well, he (Hirani) is busy with that film. So, one at a time. Believe me on this one."

The 56-year-old actor was speaking at an event of "Ambi Pur" for which he is the brand ambassador.

Films I do will create my identity: Harshvardhan

Mumbai, Sep 13, 2016, PTI

His father Anil Kapoor and sister Sonam already have established careers in Bollywood but Harshvardhan, who is making his acting debut with "Mirzya", says he wants to create his own identity.

"I want to do new kind of films. I want to create my own identity. I don't look at it at that way (family legacy). I look at myself and the films that I will be doing, and that films will create my identity," Harshvardhan told PTI.

Coming from a family that boasts of actors like Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Arjun Kapoor, the newcomer has a lot to look up to but Harshvardhan does not see it as a burden.

When asked if he thinks his actor-father Anil Kapoor's name is a burden for him, Harshvardhan said, "It depends on how things go. There are pros and cons. I don't think it is a burden. I don't see it as a burden."

The 25-year-old newcomer's film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra will hit the screens October 7 but he has already signed on his next -- Vikramaditya Motwane's "Bhavesh Joshi".

Written by Gulzar, "Mirzya" is inspired by Punjabi folklore of 'Mirza Sahiban'.

"The youth today is quite mature. Everybody can relate to love, understand the theme of soulmates, music is universal and visuals are young in the film. May be in two-three weeks we will get them excited more through promotions," Harshvardhan said.

For Mehra's directorial venture "Mirzya", the budding actor transformed himself to play the dual roles of a stable boy and a warrior.

"I have got dirt on my face. It's the character which is that way. I let go my vanity for this film. It is attractive in a certain way. I did achieve physical fitness for both parts, but it is raw, athletic and rugged," he said.

"I had the facial look to carry it off, that is why I was cast. It may not look good on most people. I think I may not look good as a chocolate boy," he said.

Harshvardhan credits director Mehra for making him look good on the screen.

"I think if I am looking good then that is Mehra's magic, it is nothing about me. It's the director's medium, so it's about how they choose to present you. Mehra is the best. Also the prep took 18 months, it was like a film in itself. It helped me a lot to work on my scenes," he said.

The young actor says he doesn't enjoy the usual promotional strategies.

"We have kept it a little low profile. We have four weeks left for the film to release and it's a long time and a lot can happen in four weeks," he said.

"I think it's better at times not to go beserk in the beginning, put out your content first then step out," he said.

Usually actors visit malls, colleges, go to reality shows and daily soaps to promote their films, besides city tours. However, Harshvardhan doesn't seem to like this way of promoting a film.

"I think we can just put out the trailer, songs, have nice interviews and do things related to our film and then let the marketing team take over," he said.

"Why go to reality shows? We need to figure out different ways to promote a film. It's my first film so I will do it. If people accept me I will have it my way," he added.

The romantic-drama also marks the debut of Saiyami Kher, niece of noted actress Tanvi Azmi.

Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif re-team for 'Tiger Zinda Hai'

Mumbai, Sep 13, 2016 (PTI)

Superstar Salman Khan and former girlfriend actress Katrina Kaif are returning for the sequel of their 2012 action-romance "Ek Tha Tiger".
Titled "Tiger Zinda Hai", the YRF film will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, unlike the first movie, which was helmed by Kabir Khan.

Today on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha, Zafar made the announcement on Twitter.
"Tiger Zinda Hai @BeingSalmanKhan #katrina kaif. Nervousness and excitement," he tweeted alongside a poster of the film.

Under the name of the movie, the poster has a caption written, "An Indian Agent. A Pakistani Spy. Against A Common Enemy."

The first movie centered around an Indian spy code-named Tiger (Salman), who falls in love with a Pakistani spy (Katrina) during an investigation.

The sequel will release next year on Christmas, when Katrina's former beau Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Sanjay Dutt's biopic is likely to arrive in theatres.

"Tiger Zinda Hai" marks the fifth film of Salman and Katrina together after "Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?", "Partner", "Yuvraaj" and "Ek Tha Tiger".

Besides these movies, Salman had a cameo in Katrina-Ranbir's "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", while the 33-year-old actress made a special apperance in the actor's 2011 film "Bodyguard".

"Tiger Zinda Hai" is Salman and Katrina's second big screen outing with Zafar.
While the 50-year-old actor worked with the director in the recently released blockbuster "Sultan", Katrina and Zafar teamed up in 2011 for "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan".

Kriti Sanon excited for 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'

Mumbai, Sep 13, 2016, PTI

Actor Kriti Sanon says she is eagerly looking forward to start her next "Bareilly Ki Barfi", which goes on floor in October.

The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana who reportedly owns a printing press, while Rajkummar Rao plays an author.

Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Kriti will be seen playing a liberal thinking girl from Uttar Pradesh in the movie.

"I am very excited about 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'. I love the title. We are going to start shooting in October in Lucknow. I loved 'Nil Battey Sannata' so I am looking forward to working with Ashwini. It is a sweet and different kind of story," Kriti told reporters.

The 26-year-old actress was speaking at a special screening of "Pink" last evening. The film, starring megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu among others is scheduled to release on September 16.

There have been reports for a long time that the star is dating actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who is her co-star in the upcoming "Raabta".

When asked, if she has seen the trailer of his upcoming "M S Dhoni" biopic, she said, "I am bored of this topic. Ask me something else... I have seen Dhoni's trailer, the film is looking good."

Deepika Padukone, Vin Diesel clicked in Sabyasachi's ensemble

Mumbai, Sep 12, 2016 (PTI)

Deepika Padukone stunning in a Sabyasachi Mukherjee outfit is not new, but what comes as a huge surprise for the fans is that this time alongwith the actress, her Hollywood co-star Vin Diesel has also sported a creation of the Indian designer.
Deepika is set to make her Hollywood debut with Diesel's "xXx: Return of Xander Cage".
The duo have been clicked wearing Sabyasachi's outfits. The said picture has been shared online by the designer on his Instagram account.

The photo shows Deepika dressed in a black outift, while Diesel is seen in a red sherwani. Both are all smiles while posing together for the camera.

"#VinDiesel @vindiesel in a #Sabyasachi #Sherwani #HandCraftedInIndia @deepikapadukone #DeepikaPadukone #xXxTheMovie #ReturnOfXanderCage #TheWorldOfSabyasachi," the designer captioned the photo.

It is not clear yet if the duo will sport the dresses in the movie or if these are for a standalone photoshoot.

"xXx: Return of Xander Cage" is the third instalment of the hit action franchise "xXx". It will arrive in theatres on January 20, 2017.

Jay Z, Aamir, Rahman to join Coldplay at charity concert

Mumbai, Sep 12, 2016, (PTI):

American musician Jay Z, along with Bollywood A-listers like Aamir Khan, AR Rahman, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranveer Singh, will join Coldplay for its debut concert here on November 19.

Other big names for the concert, which is part of Global Citizen Festival, are Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar, Arijit Singh, Shradhha Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Monali Thakur, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Dia Mirza and Monali Thakur, the British band announced on its Twitter page.

The tickets will be free for the fans, who sign up to become a Global Citizen and participate in the campaign of Global Citizen initiative to support causes like education, equality and sanitation.

The band's frontman Chris Martin, who had visited Delhi and Mumbai last year, is the creative director of the Global Citizen Festival.

The concert is happening on World Toilet Day to draw attention towards sanitation problems in the country.

The band had made headlines ever since they were spotted shooting for the video of their track "Hymn for the Weekend" from seventh studio album, "A Head Full of Dreams", which was released in December last year.

The track's video, featuring Beyonce and Sonam Kapoor, was released in January this year.

The pictures of the shoot had surfaced on social media and was followed by Martin's impromptu performance at Summer House Cafe. Martin also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit here.

Global Citizen India, in its first year, will offer a wide cross-section of content and actions focused on creating meaningful impacts in the areas of education, equality, and clean water and sanitation.

Convened in 2012, the festival is a star-studded benefit concert held annually in New York. This year's edition in the American city will feature international music celebrities like Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, metal legends Metallica, Alicia Keys and Rihanna among others.

Big B blesses Anil Sharma's son for Bollywood debut

Mumbai, Sep 12, 2016, (PTI)

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has given his best wishes to director Anil Sharma's son, Utkarsh, as he is soon going to make his bollywood debut with his father's film.
The 73-year-old actor, who worked with Sharma in the 2004 film "Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo", took to Twitter to bless Utkarsh for his debut film "Genius".

"Anil Sharma acclaimed director producer's son, Utkarsh trained in US... Making debut in Industry... My blessings and wishes...," he wrote.

Sharma also retweeted Bachchan's post by captioning it- "Power of Amitabh Bachchan is unbelievable... Today he tweeted for #Utkarsh. And so many people called me... Reg his tweet and #GENIUS #utkarsh.

Sharma is returning to the director's chair with "Genius", an action-romance, after a gap of three years. He last directed "Singh Sahab the Great", which had Sunny Deol in the lead role.

Utkarsh, who starred in "Gadar" as a child, in the role of Deol's son, will play IIT topper in "Genius". 

Sonu Nigam to return as 'Indian Idol' judge

Mumbai, Sep 11, 2016 (PTI)

Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam is making a comeback as one of the judges on singing reality show "Indian Idol" after a gap of 10 years.

43-year-old Sonu, who judged the Sony TV show for season one and two, is returning for its upcoming seventh instalment.

"For the family....  Here's #maukekidastak  ... Congrats.. We are back.. With #IndianIdol," he wrote on Twitter alongside a short video of himself announcing the comeback of the show.

Details on the other judges, hosts and the airing date of the show are yet to be revealed. The sixth season of "Indian Idol" premiered in 2012. It was judged by Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Salim Merchant. Veteran singer Asha Bhosle joined the judging panel after the audition rounds.

While the show was absent from ther small screen for four years, its spin-off, "Indian Idol Junior" premiered in 2013, followed by a second season in 2015.

Don't see sabbatical happening now: Kareena Kapoor Khan

Mumbai, Sep 11, 2016 (PTI)

From doing off-beat roles in the inital years of her career to not minding making small appearances in big ticket films and now working during her pregnancy, Kareena Kapoor Khan has always set her own rules and the actress says she is no mood to take a sabbatical post motherhood.

Kareena and her actor husband Saif Ali Khan are expecting their first child in December.
The 35-year-old star recently walked as a show stopper at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016 flaunting her babybump and is all geared up for shooting her next, chick flick "Veere De Wedding".

"If you love your job things happen naturally. I think people give too much thought that an actress has got married and now she has a kid or kids. It's (marriage and motherhood) is a natural thing but you do continue to do normal things," Kareena told PTI in an interview here.

"As we are actors, we are badgered with questions. Even if I was not an actor and may be a chef or anything else I would still go ahead with my life in this phase (referring to pregnancy). I love acting so why should I stop working."

When asked if she plans to take a sabbatical, she said, "No..I don't see it."

In "Veere Di Wedding", she will be working with Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. "We are going to decide when are we going to shoot. It might be in couple of days in October then I will pick up the film post delivery. I am definitely doing the film but we are going to work out when to shoot," she said.

"If I enjoy the film I will do it and if I don't like anything I will be blunt and tell about it. When offers come to me, I tell them (makers) openly (on doing it or not)."

Beside her professional commitments, Kareena is often seen hanging out with husband and her close friends. "There are physical changes that your body goes through. I am being normal, being the way I was earlier. I think being around happy and positive people is important. There are no midnight cravings so far," she said.

When asked if she is receiving a tip or two on pregnancy and motherhood from people around her, she said, "My mother has not given me too many advices. Saif's reaction has been that I am eating a bit too much. This is what he keeps saying."