By: Anand. J (Cinema Correspondent for Monsoon Journal)
Oscar Anupam
Anupam Kher has been signed by none other than the ace Oscar winning director Ang lee for his movie LUST, CAUTION. The makers and the actor closed the deal on January 3, 2007 and the actor will begin filming for this venture soon. Ang Lee has directed oscar winning films including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain. The movie LUST, CAUTION is being made in Chinese language. Its an ultimate honor for the Indian actor to work in an International film project by the world acclaimed film director. LUST, CAUTION is an espionage thriller set in World War II era in Shanghai. Anupam kher’s role is said to be one of the key role in the movie. Well done Anupam.
Pushkar Aishwarya
Aishwarya Rai has been in news the whole of year 2006. Starting with a broken love with her ex-boyfriend Vivek Oberoi, year 2006 saw the media flashing news anything and everything about Aishwarya Rai. Rumors were agog that Aishwarya wedded Abishek Bachchan secretly in a South Indian temple. Rai’s family has supposedly challenged the priest who broke the news. Another news about someone sending her money in an envelope from South Africa was blown out of proportions. Latest we hear is about a drunken bodyguard of Aishwarya Rai supposedly misbehaved with the crowds and the security guards at the Pushkar temple when actress paid a visit. Ash reportedly was paying a normal visit to the temple after her film shooting of Jodha-Akbar was over. She is paired with the current heart-throb Hrithik Roshan in the movie and it’s a period film. Ash maintains an astounding silence through all this media controversies.
Baddie Hrithik
After Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish, Rakesh Roshan plans to start the shoot of the third film in the series in 2007. It is reported that the film will start rolling in the second half of 2007. Hrithik Roshan who plays the character of a Super hero in this film wishes to do something new this time. He wants to be a baddie (negative role) in the super hero film. He is even ready to give the super hero title for playing a negative character. However, since he already plays the role of both the father and son in the film, negative roles seems to be a big no. Discussions are still on to cast him as a villain in the movie with an altogether different get-up. Audience loved Hrithik in Dhoom-II especially for his camouflaged characters he played. Whether Hrithik turns a baddie, wait and watch.
Howzatt Kumble
Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble will be soon seen on Silver screen with a debut in yet another cricket-based flick Meerabai Not Out. Produced by Pritish Nandy’s PNC (Pritish Nandy Communications) and directed by award winning Marathi director Chandrakant Kulkarni, the movie also stars Mandira Bedi in the lead along with Anupam Kher, Mahesh Manjrekar and Eijaz Khan. Mandira’s husband Raj Kaushal, who has earlier directed Anthony Kaun Hai, will be the line producer. Mandira seems to fit the bill perfectly, as she is well acquainted with the game. She shot to fame due to Sony Entertainment Television’s cricket show Extra Innings during the last World Cup. She will be a part of next year’s Cricket World Cup as well. Kumble is going to do a cameo in the film. The team is hoping to release the movie before the World Cup starts. Meerabai Not Out is all about cricket and the story revolves around an avid cricket fan as well as Mandira.
Crorepati Shah Rukh
Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is back. And Shahrukh Khan is going to be hosting it instead of Amitabh Bachchan. So, does the tussle between SRK and Big B continue? After replacing him as the brand ambassador of Navratan Oil and ICICI Bank and being the new age ‘Don’ Shahrukh is all set to get onto the hottest seat of Indian Television. Wonder how will he re-christen Computer ji? C…C….C….Computer ji…Anyone….Kaun Banega Crorepati will be produced by Siddhartha Basu’s Synergy Communications. Says Siddhartha, “KBC with SRK will bring a whole new set of audience to STAR PLUS. Although I have been associated with KBC ever since it began, this is literally a new beginning for me. SRK’s wit, energy, excitement and enthusiasm will rub-off onto all of us and together as a team we hope to create some magical moments on television.” So, who makes a better host….Big B or SRK? Do let us know your thoughts.
Kajri Aamir
Aamir Khan plans his work meticulously. Everything is planned well in advance. But then he is also known to pull up surprises. Kareena Kapoor had been ecstatic about working with Aamir in Mani Rathnam’s ‘Lajjo’ early next year. Maybe she will have to wait a bit longer as Aamir may be launching his own home production a remake of Tamil hit film ‘Ghajini’ this January. The film has been tentatively titled ‘Kajri’ and will star Aamir in the lead role (A part played by leading Tamil actor Surya to ultimate perfection). Ravi K Chandran will be the cameraman. In a news published in a popular Mumbai tabloid, director of the original A R Murugadoss (He is directing the Hindi remake too) admitted that Aamir has told him that they will be starting the film soon. It has also been learnt that Aamir wants to cast Asin (She played Kalpana, the main heroine in the original) in the Hindi remake too. But the problem is that Asin can’t speak Hindi and since the film is going to be shot in Sync Sound, it won’t be possible for her to speak her own lines. If at all Asin is cast in Aamir’s remake, then she shall give all the top Bollywood heroines a run for their money. If Asin is not cast opposite Aamir, then in your opinion who do you think should be cast opposite Aamir in ‘Kajri’?