Monday, August 11, 2008

Arshad Warsi, during the shooting of his film Kaun Bola? (earlier titled I Believe in Angels) In Newcastle, England took time out to pay a special visit to a young fan, battling a rare lung disease.

15 year old Ayesha Ahmed a resident of Fenham in Newcastle was the name of this young fan who suffers from Wegener’s disease, an immune system disorder which affects her lungs, making it hard to breathe and she is hooked up to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day. Due to her medical complications she has to spend a lot of time in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. Arshad Warsi surprised her by dropping in her ward for a chat with her.

It had so happened that, the girl’s uncle Ifty Khan had joined the production team of Warsi’s film in Newcastle and when Warsi came to know through him the plight of his fan he immediately took a break and went on to visit her. It is learnt that poor Ayesha was left speechless on Warsi’s arrival.

A close pal of Arshad Warsi told us, “Arshad heard Ifty speaking on phone with great concern to his sister for a long time. So he asked Ifty what was the matter that’s when Ifty told him about Ayesha and how resilient, intelligent and brave she was battling such a dreaded disorder. That’s when Arshad decided to pay her a visit to boost her confidence and to cheer her up. He had shot the whole of the night till almost 5 am in the morning but yet without taking his required sleep he went down to meet her in early noon.”

In real life, Shahrukh Khan is called the king of Bollywood but in reel life action hero Akshay Kumar is named as the 'Kinng' of Bollywood as he is starring in a film titled Singh Is Kinng. Whoever thinks whatever, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Akshay Kumar holds an altogether different attitude. He feels that the real king title only fits to that personality who has ruled Bollywood from decades and still ruling win the heart of the people through his versatile acting.

While speaking at an event to promote his new movie, Singh is Kinng, Akki said, "In my opinion, the real king of Bollywood is Amitabh Bachchan. He has been in the industry for the last 40 years while we have been here for 15 years only. To become a king, you don't need money and power. You must have positive energy and Mr. Bachchan has that."

Akki has performed with Mr Bachchan in Toronto and he is awestuck seeing his level of enery and enthusiasm. Akshay in all ways promoting his new flick Singh Is Kinng which is going to hit the threatres on August 7th.

Akshay, Salman and Katrina always garner attention. For the first time, this interesting trio has been brought under the same frame at Dus Ka Dum. The show is roping more celebrities day by day to higher up the TRP. And Salman who is also now part of the TRP game did not hesitate to withstand his wildest enemy beside his beau and very calmly digested some tongue-in-cheeks jokes from Akki.

The episode is filled up with huge fireworks and ironic comments. While Salman and Akshay continuously passed sarcastic comments on one another, Katrina stood there with a confused face. She was not able to understand the head and tail of their discussion. Intentionally or unintentionally, Akki went up to ask some personal questions to Salman. He also raised up their marriage issue and ended up asking in a diplomatic way as when he will marry his beautiful girlfriend Katrina.

Salman who never discloses his personal affair in public seemed discontented with such question but helplessly tolerate Akki’s disgraceful move.

Sexy siren Bipasha Basu admits that she has problem with Katrina Kaif and she does not share a good rapport with her and they are in no talking terms. She further declares that earlier she had problem with Kareena too but now the problems have been sorted out and they do not have any ill feeling for one another but confirms her differences with Katrina.

Bipasha admits, "Yes there is a problem between Katrina and me. But there could be reasons for that. It could be because of our boyfriends (John Abraham and Salman Khan) but that never affected our work. We didn’t speak during Race but that never stopped us from shooting. I could walk up to Kareena and do that; but no, I can’t do that with Katrina. There is awkwardness between Katrina and me. We don’t talk to each other."

Bips brushes off the rumor that she had any problem with Deepika and feels that she is very expressive, talented and has got a very raw, on screen persona and is a great girl.

Guess whom the Bollywood’s new heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor feels hot and spicy. If Deepika Padukone’s name immediately strikes your mind then you are totally wrong. Though Deepika is absolutely stunning and beautiful, the gal who has impressed him a lot by her sexy avatar is none other than Bipasha Basu. She tops Ranbir's hotty rating list.

Ranbir came to this conclusion while shooting with her for Bachna Ae Haseeno. When Ranbir was asked whom he finds the most sexy? He was prompt to reply, it’s Bipasha Basu. He further said, "Bipasha Basu is a senior and she has got more experience. So I don’t think it’s fair to compare the three as actors”.

But Ranbir holds some different feeling for his ladylove. To him Deepika is beautiful, talented and hardworking and moreover gorgeous. While not getting the hottie compliment from Ranbir, Deepika is definitely not happy.

Ranbir Kapoor, who is all set for his second release 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', says constant comparisons with his father Rishi Kapoor are inevitable, but feels that he won't be able to match up to his father's on-screen charisma.

'I know the audience seeks another Rishi Kapoor in me. But I can never be like him. He is such a spontaneous actor,' Ranbir told IANS.

Interestingly, a hit song from his father's film 'Hum Kisise Kum Naheen' inspires the title of his second film 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'.

If given a chance to act in the remake of his father's super hit 'Bobby', Ranbir said he would love to romance Dimple Kapadia on screen.

'No one can play the role of Bobby like Dimple Kapadia did. She is still so beautiful and I would love to woo her on screen again if a remake is made,' said the actor.

Ranbir was in town to promote 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' that is releasing Friday. He will be seen romancing Minissha Lamba, Deepika Padukone and Bipasha Basu in the movie.

Talking about his role, Ranbir said it is not that of a Casanova as the title hints. 'I play a next-door boy and the film is about his love life at different phases of life.'

The actor says he wouldn't like to be confined in lover-boy image.

'In both 'Saawariya' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' I play a lover boy, but won't keep myself confined to that particular image. Give me two years and you will find me beating up goons and kicking in the air,' said Ranbir who is expecting his film to do well at the box office.

'My first film 'Saawariya' was not a commercially hit one, though it was the best possible launch that one can ever have. But this time I expect my film to be a commercially hit one.'

As for romancing his real-life love interest Deepika in the film, he said: 'Both of us have just started our career. We would appreciate if people talk about the film and our characters instead of linking our personal life with the romance on-screen.'

He also pointed out that Hindi film industry has grown highly competitive in the last couple of years and as a result all actors have to constantly reinvent themselves.

'Right from Amitabh Bachchan to Darsheel Safary - Bollywood has never been so competitive. Every day a new actor takes the reign. As a result we actors have to constantly groom ourselves,' said Ranbir.

His other films are Prakash Jha's 'Rajniti' and Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani'

Sunday, August 10, 2008


Director: Ron Cohen; Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford
Rating: *

There have already been quite a few summer action blockbuster movies this year, and the 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' tries to sneak in and make an impact. It is not going to succeed.

With 'The Dark Knight' already getting incredible critical and box office success, any other movie following that one is doomed, at the best, to be mediocre.

The Mummy franchise returns for a third time and the tragedy of this instalment is just how much of a good thing it squanders. It had millions of dollars and some semblance of an interesting story. But it is unforgivable for the way it wastes some very fine Asian actors like Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

The film makers chose to ignore any kind of story and the potential good acting at hand, and chose to just go for as many explosions and as much noise as possible. The plot seems to be at the service of action and some exotic locales.

It takes us to the deserts of China, the Himalayas and even allows us to encounter some snow animals called yeti.

Even the dependable actor, Brendan Fraser, gets very little from the script to build on. Another fine actress, Maria Bello, is not allowed to sink her teeth into the role.

There is no chemistry between these two lead actors or between Fraser and Luke Ford, who plays his son. Ford could go down as the most bland character in an action movie this year.

The movie starts with a flashback from history of an ancient emperor along with his army being turned to clay by a spell cast by a woman.

The woman is in love with another man and the emperor is against this union. Fast forward a few thousand years and Luke Ford's character has discovered this tomb, and well, all hell breaks loose after this.

This is also the point where the movies starts losing its wheels and just rambles on, taking us for an inconsequential ride.

The only good thing about this movie is the action. It delivers in some way.

There is nothing new in terms of technique or filming, but it does strive hard to thrill. Pre-teens may find this appealing and adults looking for a good break from anything cerebral might also appreciate the explosions.

The director Rob Cohen might have understood this a little too well and thinks he doesn't have to offer anything more than that.

The writers, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, are not interested in coming up with anything fresh or even aware of the sheer acting potential in all their actors. Each of these actors has won rave reviews for at least one other performance in other movies. They could have been given much more to handle in this one.

This movie works best when there are no expectations and demands. For the sake of pure thrill and mindless fun with action in exotic locales, this movie will satisfy.