Rajinikanth in appreciation of Paa

Tamil superstar Rajnikant was extremely impressed with Amitabh Bachchan's performance in 'Paa'. According to him, Big B has set very high standards for actors, by playing a 12-year-old progeria patient convincingly in the movie.

Amitabh Bachchan posted in his blog on Sunday: 'Had a surprise visitor in Rajnikant in my room at the Fariyas (resort, Lonavala). He is shooting for 'Robot' with Aishwarya (Rai) in and around Lonavala and dropped in for a chat. He had seen 'Paa'. I had organised it for him to see it at a private theatre in Chennai and he was meeting me for the first time after that. He had wanted to speak immediately after the film got over, but somehow we missed each other.'

Whoever watches Paa, agrees with the fact that it is warmly accepted both by critics and audiences alike. 'Rajni was exuberant this morning. And we spoke for more than an hour about 'Paa'. He said we are all upset after seeing the film, not so much because of the content and its emotional quotient, but because now that 'you have done this, what are we going to do',' wrote the 67-year-old.

Vidya Balan carries Auro piggyback

While Abhishek Bachchan has carried his dad playing the progeric Auro piggyback in Paa, Vidya Balan had to carry another actor playing the younger version of Auro. This physically-challenged 3-footer was almost the same weight as Vidya.

She tripped and fell while doing the scene. She suffered an acute back-ache for a long time. Says Vidya, "It's a passing shot. But I don't think any actress in the world has done it. Carried a 53-year old man playing her son. But then which other actress my age gets to play Mr Bachchan's mother?" Vidya says she might have hesitated in playing a mom if it was to a real child. "But with Mr Bachchan it was a straight yes."

This man's name is Little Kiran. But he's anything but little age-wise. Though height-challenged 3-feet nothing, Little Kiran who has played parts in a number of Hollywood films including segments of Narnia, The Lord Of The Rings and Star Trek was brought to Mumbai for Paa.

"At first the idea of carrying a 53-year old man who happened to be a very warm and talented Gujarati artiste from London was very discouraging. But when you're doing a film that you know somewhere is creating an unprecedented world, you tend to get defiant as an actor."

The effort has paid off. On Saturday night Vidya's family saw Paa for the first time along with the Bachchans. "And my sister Priya howled all through. To her I'll always be the little baby of the family and she the protective Didi. She couldn't believe the trauma of a mother that I was projecting in Paa."

The best part comes now. Vidya, with all her nurturing personality can't get along with kids in real life. "If I hold a baby for a while I get stressed. In Heyy Babyy, the baby would bawl every time I had to carry it. In Paa I had to mother a man who was far older. It took a lot of getting used to. The fact that Mr Bachchan kept referring to me as 'Maa' as soon he entered the sets, sure helped." Incidentally, the next project has Vidya playing his daughter in Sanjay Leela Bhansali-produced Chenaab Gandhi.

"Isn't that amazing? It takes a lot of getting used to. But I feel blessed. I'm done with trying to be someone I am not. I went through a period of tremendous turmoil when I was struggling to do roles that didn't come naturally to me. But now in hindsight I think that confusion helped me pick Paa, Ishiqya and Chenaab Gandhi. It's gratifying to know today directors think of me for specific roles and not just as one of many choices."

There's a lot of talking about Vidya's aesthetic clothes in Paa. "All thanks to Sabysachi Chakraborty. I think he understood my body language and my personality perfectly. And he dressed me up beautifully without overstepping the parameters of my character."

Vidya Balan speaks about Abhishek

Vidya Balan had an exciting time working with the father-son duo in Paa. She had last worked with Abhishek in Guru. She feels Abhishek is a fantastic co-actor and finds his working style quite impressive.

“Since Abhishek doesn't rehearse, you don't really know what he is going to do when the director calls for a shot. When a take is called, there is so much give and take that actors exchange. This is why when he starts delivering his dialogues; you react in a way that was probably never planned. It eventually helps you bring about something intuitive,” she said.

The charming actress says that Abhishek always tries to do something that enhances a scene, and that his eyes speak a magical language that does the trick. “This is something that I had said even during the time of 'Guru' and I am glad he has retained this quality even after all these years,” said the actress.

Paa and Big B

ABCL’s ‘Paa’ will release this week on the 4th of December. In collaboration with Reliance BIG Pictures, the film is waiting to hit nearly 700 screens on the very first day. For its premiere, Amitabh Bachchan has specially the two superstars of Bollywood – Shahrukh and Aamir.

In addtion to the rest, a special preview screening of ‘Paa’ has taken place in London. The film has several elements which are a completely novelty to Indian cinema. For the first time the real life father-son (Amitabh-Abhishek) are playing reversal roles. Amitabh plays the son who is affected by Progeria, while Abishek is his father and Vidya Balan is his mother. To look at it more closely, one could be mistaken that the film is about the disease itself. But, ‘Paa’ mainly is based on the father and son relationship doesn't really preach about the rare disease.

Amitabh Bachchan spoke, “This is not an issue-based film to show the problems of Progeria. This is just a simple film about a child who happens to be suffering from Progeria.” The film has also led to several doubts about the real disease and its depiction in the movie. About this Big B clarified, “We had to take some cinematic liberties. We have taken liberty with the height. My height is well- known and it would have been pretence to show me short and would have looked very deliberate. I don't think Balki wanted that. There is no deliberation on Progeria in the entire film.”

The Bigg Boss secret is out

The curtain rises finally and the secret about the Bigg Boss 3 final participants is out in public.

It has been reported that the final contestants include Sherlyn Chopra, Claudia Ciesla, Poonam Dhillon, Tanaaz and Bhakhityaar Irani, Kamaal R Khan, Farah Naaz, Vindoo Dara Singh, Shamita Shetty and Lovleen Mishra.

This is going to be a big game with Big B hosting the show. It seems that the total number of participants is 14, but all the names are not yet revealed. This show is going to be quite different from the first two seasons. One of the sources said: “The house has lots of space and a very modern look. The girl’s room have pink colour while the guys will be of blue. There is a different room made all together for the contestants to perform their task which is huge. There will be lots more fun and drama that can be expected for this season.”

Lets wait and watch for the show as well as check out the TRP results!

Aishwarya is down with fever

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is down with fever. Amitabh Bachchan has posted the following in his blog, sharing his concern for her health.

"Aishwarya has taken ill and is down with chest infection and flu like symptoms. Had a high fever yesterday but is settling down today," Big B wrote from Singapore. "It's worrying to be so far away from children and not be there to look after them. Yes, they are mature and married and responsible, but children will always remain children!"

The veteran actor is in Singapore to look after his friend and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who had undergone a heart surgery there.

Aishwarya has been busy along with Abhishek, shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Ravana. Get well soon Aishwarya!

I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh - says Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan said on a TV program recently, "I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh. He has money and so he owns a team.”

This was for a celebrity chat show ‘Kahiye Janab’ on Zee News, during a conversation on the IPL.

Amitabh also sent a congratulatory SMS to Dhoni, on receiving Padma Shri but did not get a response. But he holds no grudge against the star cricketer. "He must have been busy, there's no need to make an issue out of this."

Abhishek plays Amitabh’s dad in Paa.

The team of R Balakrishnan (Balki) and Amitabh Bachchan are back together with a new project ‘Paa’. The duo had come up earlier with the unique Cheeni Kum where Amitabh plaued a 64-year-old in love with a woman of 34.

Amitabh here plays a 13-year-old who is affected by a genetic disorder named Progeria. He ages three times faster and gets old physically. Vidya Balan plays Amitabh’s mother, and guess who plays his father. Yeah! Abhishek Bachchan! The director is mum about revealing anything else in the movie. However, he will find ways to make the public aware of the disease prior to the release of Paa.

Aamir Khan launched 'Bachchanalia'

Living legend Amitabh Bachchan’s biography was recently lunched in Mumbai. Perhaps Mr. Bachchan felt that Aamir was the best choice for this honor.

The book titled 'Bachchanalia' is a compilation of cherishing moments of Mr. Bachchan's childhood days till date. This was a touching moment for all the Bachchans.

Mr. Prefectionist spoke a few words of praise and expressed his admiration for Big B. Abhishek and Aishwarya spoke words of gratitude to be part of Amitabh’s family. Finally, Amitabh Bachchan thanked the publishers and film writer Bhawana Somaaya, who co-authored the biography.

Bollywood's Best Movie Of The Year 2008

It’s not often that we get to say ‘Thank God It’s Friday’. (No, not the restaurant, the day.) How can we when most films that release on that much-awaited day are not worth the cost of the popcorn?

So when the few that do live up to the hype, that make us cheer instead of hoot and are, simply put, total paisa vasoolcome our way we have to doff our hats to them.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Shah Rukh Khan in a geeky hairstyle and moustache. Aditya Chopra’s great return after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. So we were willing to overlook the fact that King Khan’s heroines are getting younger with every passing year. Moreover, earnest performances and the humour that permeates the film make up for a story that lacks conviction.

Ghajini

If Shah Rukh Khan sported a six pack in Om Shanti Om, Aamir Khan was determined to go two up. A year’s hard work got him a body Arnold Schwarzenegger would envy-with the requisite eight packs firmly in place. But we don’t like the movie just because we’d like to slice up Aamir and have him for dessert-we like it for the gripping story, the fantastic action and the amazing acting.

Rock On!!

It was almost like That Thing You Do, but it wasn’t, too. What it was was crazy fun and foot tapping music. We hand it to Farhan Akhtar-the man can work it behind the camera and in front of it, too.

Welcome to Sajjanpur

Shreyas Talpade went rustic. Amrita Rao exchanged her tank tops for cholis. And together they created ‘simple’ magic. We were left asking why directors can’t KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) anymore.

Jodhaa Akbar

It was conceived on a large scale-both on screen as well as on the clock. But we loved the imagination and the courage that it took to go the historical way when everyone said nay. The chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai was just the cherry on top.

Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na

After mamu Aamir’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, it took nephew Imran Khan to make us long for the halcyon days of college. The formulaic climax of an airport scene aside, everything else found an echo in us-right from Pappu to the funeral for a cat.

Khuda Ke Liye

It takes a lot to criticise your country. And when your country is Pakistan, it takes much more than normal. But Shoaib Mansoor did just that and the result took both India and Pakistan by storm.

Bhoothnath

Now, who wouldn’t want to see Big B as a ghost. Instead of talking to a mirror, he can now walk through them! But this take on Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost grabbed us because of the chemistry between Amitabh Bachchan and the tiny tot Aman Siddiqui.

Bachna Ae Haseeno

In a film named as a tribute to father Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir was the show stealer. Despite his three sexy co-stars-Miniisha Lamba, Bipasha Basu and Deepika Padukone. Not only did it script an interesting and refreshing story, it also had some great performances.

10Aamir

Our reviewer said, “Finally, a film that one can blindly recommend after a cascade of disasters.” And we agree. Rajeev Khandelwal surprised us with his mastery over acting and the suspenseful story did the rest.

Summer 2007

It’s about a group of friends, medicine and farmer suicides. A strange combo? But then strange bedfellows make for interesting storytelling.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

A film meant to tug on the heartstrings, it lived up to expectations. Based on the Mumbai train blasts, it unravels the story through the lives of six different people. Though a little like an Indianised version of Crash, it still managed to make us cry.

Amitabh Bachchan gives some tips to Miss Sri Lanka Jaqueline Fernandes

Jaqueline Fernandes, Miss Sri Lanka 2006, who is making her debut alongside the Big B as Princess Jasmine, got some tips while shooting for Aladin. And it was from none other than the Big B himself! We caught up with the beauty and got her take on working with Amitabh Bachchan, her film and much more.

Jaqueline says, “I got the chance to learn a lot from this living legend! I feel really fortunate that I got to share my Bollywood debut with such a great actor.” She adds that even though she was really nervous on her first day on sets the veteran actor put her at ease. She reveals, “On the very first day of shooting I was quite nervous to act in front of Amitabh Bachchan. But he was very calm and even told Sujoy, the director, to let me settle down.”

Big B even attempted to help her calm down by talking to her. Jaqueline says, “He started chatting to me and I told him about growing up and how that everyone in Sri Lanka loved his movies as well!”

Time obviously flies when you are having fun because the actress soon realized that they had been talking for over half and hour. She says, “We chatted for quite some time and he gave me some useful tips. Since my Hindi is not so good he told me to read Hindi newspapers and watch Hindi movies to improve. By the end of our chat I was really comfortable.”

About the film Jaqueline says that the Big B is the best thing in the film. She says, “The film has everything… action, romance, comedy, drama and revenge. The most fascinationg work has been done by Mr. Bachchan. We’re all just waiting for the film to be released!”

Aladin and Mystery of Magic Lamp was earlier suppose to release with Ghajini but due to untimely bad health of Big B put the release of this film on-hold as still Amitabh Bachchan part is still remaining and so the film tentatively release date will be in May - June 2009.

Top 10 Jodis that should never be paired together in Indian cinema

We have seen Bollywood’s all time favorite Jodis like Amitabh-Rekha, Dharmendra-Hema Malini, Dilip Kumar-Madhubala and Shahrukh-Kajol, set the silver screen on fire with their on-screen chemistry. Ever wondered if Bollywood could go wrong?? This week ‘10 on 10’ brings you Top 10 Jodis that should never be paired together in Indian cinema, only on Imagine Showbiz.


This week on ‘10 On 10’, watch Jodis that don’t share the on-screen charisma and will never make us shout; Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Host Shonal Rawat, gives us a run through of Top 10 celebrities that should never be cast opposite each other. At 5′ 6 Aamir Khan is a strict no-no against the soaring Deepika Padukone at 5′ 10.
Bollywood has more such NoNo’s with Abhishek Bachchan and could-have-been-saali; Kareena Kapoor, whose personal glitch might affect their professional life. That’s not all, as this match-breaking episode shows us strictly prohibited Jodis like Shah Rukh & Katrina, Aishwarya & Saif, Akshay Kumar & Rani and many more.
Watch the jodis you might never see on celluloid only on ‘10 on 10’ on Imagine Showbiz at 1 pm on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008.

Big B says, "I'm starting on the 15th with Leena Yadav's Teen Patti

The Big B will be back to work finally from today (November 15). He resumes work after a much- needed break in Udaipur.
Confirming his return to the arclights, the Big B says, "I'm starting on the 15th with Leena Yadav's Teen Patti. There isn't much pending work there."
He was in Udaipur taking a break with his personal physician accompanying him. "I needed to get away from home. I needed time to myself, to read and write. And to watch the films that I've been meaning to for a long time. It was so peaceful out here. I should do this more often. But where is the time to take time off?"


They don't call him the Big B for nothing. Generous and considerate towards his fans and well-wishers to the point of self-destruction, the Big B is more than willing to meet the disappointed hordes who were turned away on his birthday after his sudden illness.
"My fans are never a burden. They are welcome any time. I publicly meet them every Sunday and specific ones get to meet me on my films' sets. No issues there."
The Big B regrets the fact that his illness took away his fans' excitement on his birthday. "However, health issues do not wait for an opportune moment. They happen. It is nature. It is biological. We do not have control over them. Yes, this one happened on my birthday. So what?"
He is supremely pleased to be home. "But I do regret not being able to meet the well-wishers who assemble to greet me. I am sure they have understood the gravity of the situation. There will be other moments to make up for the loss."
Family friends like Karan Johar and Sanjay Dutt who are abroad, kept calling to express their concern throughout the Big B's week-long hospitalization. And he was overwhelmed and embarrassed by the extra attention.
Commenting regretfully on the postponement of Abhishek and Aishwarya's schedule of Mani Ratnam's film, the Big B says, "They were to leave the next day but stayed back and rescheduled their programme because of my condition. I generally do not like the idea of attention and of disturbing others with my condition, but I shall respect their decision even if they disagree with me. Particularly so now."
The general opinion about Abhishek is that he's as good a son to his father as the Big B was to his. The Big B says with paternal pride. "I am grateful that others think so compassionately about Abhishek. My father is not alive to give an assessment of what he thought of me as a son. But I am. And I am happy and full of pride to have Abhishek as my devoted son."
Back to work, a small portion of Shootjit Sircar's film remains to be shot. "We needed to wait for a particular climate to shoot the remaining work. That is now ready and we shall be finishing the entire shoot soon. I'm also in the process of sorting out the dates for the film to be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Good to have so much variety thrown in my direction."
In the meanwhile, AB Corp Ltd is ready to resume operations. Big B isn't too pleased by the suggestion that his production company had slowed down. "I laugh at the constant refrain of 'AB. Corp resuming production'. Resuming? We have been in production all along. Yes, they may not have attracted attention .But we are there. I shall keep you abreast as time approaches on our projects."

My sincerest thanks to all who gave me strength to fight another medical battle-Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who was discharged Friday from the Lilavati Hospital, is back to his blogging ways. The actor has thanked his fans for their good wishes but has hit out at the media for being "insensitive" while reporting on his illness.

"My sincerest thanks to all who gave me strength to fight another medical battle. The fans and well wishers. The media friends who wrote in on my mobile. Friends who visited me at the hospital and those that wrote in. Strangers who I never met or know," Amitabh wrote on his blog soon after his discharge, "Your love overwhelms me. Your concern for my well being humbles me. I owe so much to you.”

But while the actor thanked one lot of the public, he also slammed the media on the other hand. He expressed his displeasure at being chased when he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

"There is a muted silence outside…No one says a word, except the media. They clamour and scream for that exclusive shot, invading the sanctity of the ambulance. They would never understand the sensitivity of the situation," he wrote.

"Media is an added hindrance to a smooth, quick emergent ride to Nanavati. If they had their way they would ideally want to be seated on the stretcher with me and have me answering questions - ’What would be the celebrations for the birthday sir and will you be inviting Shah Rukh’. Insensitive. Callous,” he expressed his feelings.

Diagnosed with incisional hernia, the Big B had been in hospital for a week. He went back home in his own car and was accompanied by son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.

The star said he had plans of "rest and recuperation" at his Jalsa home apart from giving company to the women in his house for a quick glance of the moon from the roof to break their fast on "Karva Chauth", which he termed a "torturous practice".

Bhandarkar’s wishlist are Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan

National award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar has expressed his desire to work with big Bollywood superstars.

The director, known for making slice-of-life cinema, has yet to work with some of the big stars even though he has been progressively making big budget films from his Chandni Bar days to Corporate and Fashion .

Now, among stars on Bhandarkar’s wishlist are Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan .

"Apart from Big B and King Khan, I also want to work with Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan and am just waiting for an appropriate subject," Bhandarkar told a news agency.

"Big B has described me as the Hrishikesh Mukherjee of the new era during an award function and told me that I produce films that are not stereotypes. It was an honour for me," Bhandarkar said.

The director added that his films were the mirrors of the society and were not intended to sermonise to the audience. Referring to his film ’Fashion’, he said the film tries to show the reality behind the colourful world.

People related with the fashion industry should not get unduly worried as the film is an attempt to show the true picture of the fashion world and not hurt anyone associated with it.

Star Support for Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan is admitted in Lilavati Hospital and on Sunday his friends and family members came to check on the superstar.

Abhishek and his buddy Goldie entering the hospital on Sunday morning. Both Abhishek and Aishwarya left the hospital on Saturday night while Jaya spent a night in hospital

Goldie seem a little tense. He was spotted giving details over the phone.

Finally Jaya was seen leaving the hospital only after Abhishek and Goldie came.

Big B’s pal and head of Sahara Subroto Roy too visited his friend.

Congress MLA and Sunil Dutt’s daughter Priya Dutt visited Bachchan.

Other friends and family...

Amitabh Bachchan was approached by a TV channel to host a game show

The Shahenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan was approached by a TV channel to host a game show, 1 Vs 100. If all goes well, Bachchan will host the Hindi adaptation of the popular game show 1 vs 100, which has been created by Endemol and aired in several countries.

Our source says, “The show has a lavish budget and Bachchan’s presence as the host will take it to dizzy heights.” Buzz is that Bachchan has liked the project and the modalities are being worked out. The show is likely to be aired early next year.

The game show 1 Vs 100 was first aired in the Netherlands as Eén Tegen Honderd. 1 Vs 100 pits one person against 100 others to win a large cash prize. The 100 people are collectively known as The Mob. To win the game outright, the ‘One’ must eliminate all 100 members of the Mob by answering questions correctly. After having the opportunity to select a difficult level or a category, a multiple-choice question with three options is revealed. The Mob is given a short time (15 seconds on the US show, 6 seconds for the Australian show) to lock in their answer before The One is given the opportunity to answer the question.

If the One is correct, all Mob members that answered the question incorrectly are eliminated, bringing the lone contestant closer to winning the game. The money in the contestant’s bank increases depending on the number of mob members eliminated in that question. If the contestant eliminates all 100-mob members, he or she claims the prize money. However, if the One is incorrect, the game ends and he or she is left with nothing. In some versions, the remaining members of the Mob split the losing contestant’s winnings.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is planning an Unforgettable Tour for India

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is planning an Unforgettable Tour for India. This announcement is likely to be made on his birthday on October 11.After rocking the Bollywood fans throughout North America and Britain, the ‘Unforgettable Tour’ is now aiming on Indian cities.

The concerts will be held in Indian metropolises like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. However, the tour itinerary will be worked out only after the first concert. If the response to the concert is tremendous then it will continue to other major cities.

Wizcraft, the event management company in charge of this tour, is sorting out everything right from security to fiscal issues. These matters will be the deciding grounds for the venues too.

The organizers are said to be making fool proof plan for the success of the show. As reported earlier, the European leg of Unforgettable Tour (in Germany) was cancelled because of the low response from the audience and expensive price tickets.

The company and the Bachchans (including Abhishek Bachchan , Aishwarya Rai and Jaya Bachchan ) want to check the response in India before arranging the other schedule of the tour for the whole country.

In the meantime, the Idea Unforgettable Mega Concert will be televised on Saturday, October 11, as a tribute to Big B on his birthday.

Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Fernande in a story of Boy Aladdin

The ever green child fantasy of Aladin that is one of the favorite tale of a kid around the globe is once again is played in bollywood flick ‘Aladdin & Mystery of the Lamp’.In the movie produced by Sujoy Ghosh Ritesh Deshmukh is playing character of Aladdin whereas Amitabh Bachchan is in the role of Genie.

Other casts of the movie are Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Fernande in a story of Boy Aladdin set in modern India. The boy one day surprisingly comes across the fact what he once believed only to be story has really turned into reality. Let’s wait for the release of the movie to know more and all.

SRK with Big B together again after his last movie Veer Zaara

Yash Chopra is planning his next movie with Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan .

The filmmaker, who has made romantic films ahead of time, is gearing up for his next venture. Yash Chopra was thinking of remaking Kabhi Kabhi but has shelved the idea now. Instead, he is conceptualizing another flick in romantic genre with SRK.

It is learnt that Chopra is keen to have SRK with Big B together again after his last movie Veer Zaara . He wants to cast both the superstars in key roles. Yash Chopra himself will be directing the film, based on contemporary scenario with a fresh love-story.

Chopra generally takes a long break when it comes to direction. The time span from Dil To Pagal Hai to ‘Veer Zaara’ was a long wait.

The official spokesperson of Yashraj Films is quoted as saying: “Yashji is busy finalizing the script, but has not finalized the cast yet”.

As for now, he is busy with his son’s project Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Aditya Chopra is directing ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ and is donning the cap of director after almost eight years. His last movie was Mohabbatein .