Farhan-Deepika a fresh pair: Vijay

Vijay Lalwani is keen to see how his directorial debut Excel Entertainment’s Karthik Calling Karthik fares at the box office. The film starring Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone releases on February 26.

The chemistry between the ‘odd’ couple has been the topic of discussion within the filmi circuit, as well as among the junta. However, he doesn’t find it an unusual pair. “It’s a fresh pair, not an odd couple. They haven’t been cast together before this and that makes them an interesting pair. And the most important aspect is that they have been cast as per the characters that they are playing. Both of them suit the roles they have to enact,” says Vijay, who turned to filmmaking after being associated with the advertising industry. He even has 150 TV commercials and various print campaigns to his credit.

The debutant director is obviously a bit nervous as the movie draws closer to it’s release. “I have been busy with the promotions. But the feeling so far has been more excitement than nervousness. I think the nervousness bit will seep in now,” he smiles.

Vijay says he never felt nervous or stressed while directing Farhan, who is a director himself. “We never had trouble while working on the film. I think he gave me the job because he was convinced about it. Also I think as an actor he had enough to worry about. Apart from that it was only an asset to have him on the set,” says Vijay.

And not just Farhan, Vijay has good things to say about Deepika too. He adds, “Deepika was an absolute professional. It was great working with her. I think this will be one of her best performances.”

I was ready to marry Rakhi: Manmohan

If you thought Manmohan Tiwari would clam up if the topic of Rakhi Sawant comes up, think again.

The Ganga kinare wala, as he came to be known on Rakhi Ka Swayamvar is quite open about the fact that he considered the show as a stepping stone into the world of acting, something that has come true with the show Jamunia. “But why is the finger being pointed at me? Even Rakhi was playing a game and if she was not questioned, then why me? She fooled 16 men but thankfully God spared me,” he says. But what if the item girl had actually gone ahead and selected him as her pati? “Toh hum shaadi kar lete. Then I would have taken her to Bihar with me, seen if she is able to milk cows, make dungcakes and if she would be able to take care of my parents. If she would have been able to do all that for two months, then I would have been with her all her life,” he adds.

And what would he say to her if he came across her, considering they both are in the TV industry now? He laughs, “Kya kahenge? Jai Ram Ji Ki kahenge!”

Help, I tweet at 4 am: Shahid

Having finished all his assignments, the actor has no projects on hand at the moment besides his dad's film Mausam. A timely visit to papa Pankaj Kapoor's spiritual guru in the hills has shown Shahid the virtues of stillness in an otherwise-overactive lifestyle.

Says Shahid, “All I can say is, faith makes all things possible. That's why it's called a leap of faith. I was working 20 hours a day till the 20th of January. I was working insanely. When I woke up on the 21st I had no work to go to. Initially, I felt a sense of freedom. Then immediately it was followed by panic...what do I do with myself? I’ve become an insomniac and started tweeting at 4 am. I don’t feel tired. I feel I haven’t earned the right to rest. And I don’t know what to do with myself!”

However, there is the upside. “Everytime I’ve sat at home without work it has worked for my career. I did it before Vivah and before Jab We Met.” Shahid will be doing only one film in 2010, and that is his Dad Pankaj Kapoor’s Mausam. He will serve as a hands-on technician, spotboy whatever...for his dad’s project. “While I’m being directed by my Dad I’d like to learn in every department. I want to learn about cinematography, choreography and direction. Most of all I’d learn a lot about acting from my Dad. I want to try and absorb from him.”

The thought of acting in front of his father petrifies Shahid. “It’s a very scary thought. But in life you’ve to face challenges. Of course, there’s anxiety and fear about acting in front of my father. I quite often think I’ve given a decent performance. And then when I hold a trial show for my father all the confidence crumbles.”

Shahid remembers a nightmarish incident when he had to act in front of the great Pankaj Kapoor. “ I remember this one time when we were shooting for Jab We Met near Khandala. Dad dropped in and was watching me on the monitor. And I just couldn’t give my shot! I actually had to tell my dad to leave. I tactfully told him to proceed, and I’d join him for lunch. He immediately understood. And my next shot was okay.”

Explaining his reason for staying away from all other projects Shahid says, “It’s a film very close to my heart because after 35 years of acting, Dad is finally directing a film. After being the best actor in the country (that’s what I believe him to be) he has decided to make a film with me in the lead because he wants to project me in a certain way. It’s a huge sacrifice for someone who does so little work as an actor. The least I can do is to be there unconditionally for him during the time that he makes the film.”

To prepare for Mausam Shahid needs to go train as pilot at a military academy. Says Shahid, “I don’t want to reveal right now what all I’ll be doing. But yes, I do play an airforce pilot. But if you think I’ll learn how to fly a plane for the film then all I can say is, I haven’t reached that stage of madness.”

Neil excited for Dhoom 3

If rumours are to be believed, Sanjay Gadhvi is being summoned back to Yash Raj Films for the third part of the Dhoom franchise.

Gadhvi was spotted last week with Neil Nitin Mukesh, who is Yash Raj’s current blue-eyed boy.

According to a source, “Neil who’s very close to Yash Raj Films has convinced Aditya Chopra to let Gadhvi do the third Dhoom movie. Neil himself is very keen on being part of the third installment. Adi assured him there would be room for the young actor who’s currently shooting for Yash Raj’s Lafange Parinde.”

The other option is that Aditya Chopra will direct Dhoom 3 himself, something that Aditya is most happy to explore. Also, every actor associated with Yash Raj barring Shah Rukh Khan wants to be part of the bumper franchise.

When contacted, Gadhvi doesn’t discount the possibility of doing Dhoom 3. He says, “Everyone keeps asking me about Dhoom 3. But the franchise belongs to Yash Raj Films. If Adi asks me to do it, I’d take the plunge, no two ways about it. Anything for Adi.”

Adi, on his part, is contemplating the pros and cons of getting Gadhvi back into the Yash Raj fold.

Says Neil Nitin Mukesh cautiously, “Who doesn’t want to be part of the Dhoom franchise? I’d love to be in Dhoom 3. If Adi directs it, nothing like it. I’ve met Sanjay Gadhvi for a movie over a meal of rajma and chawal, and that’s all I can tell you right now.”

As things stand, the Dhoom 3 project is expected to go on the floors by the end of this year or early next year.

And Neil is definitely doing a project with Gadhvi. Says Neil, “Gadhvi and I are on. Whether it is for Dhoom 3 or something else I cannot say right now.”

Anil Kapoor's second honeymoon

After an exhilarating time at BAFTA (The British Academy of Film & Television Arts) on Sunday evening where he hobnobbed with Matt Damon, Mickey Rourke and Harvey Weinstein, Anil Kapoor took off for Paris on Monday night with his wife Sunita for what qualifies as a second honeymoon.

Getting uncharacteristically romantic and nostalgic, the actor suddenly takes a journey into his courtship days. “During our student days, Sunita and I had gone to Nice in France with friends.”

It was there that love really blossomed. Anil blushes as he recalls, “Those were the days. We had no money. I remember I had 10-15 francs in my pocket and I wanted to show Sunita the entire city on that! We’d have a hearty breakfast in the hotel and I’d stuff the bread from the hotel in my pocket to eat later for lunch.”

Anil had vowed he would take Sunita back to France one day. Says the actor, “We’re taking a train from London to Paris. It’s all very romantic. It’s a rare holiday for us. Though Paris is Sonam’s favourite city, she couldn’t accompany us because she’s shooting.”

Anil had done his round of socialising before he took off with his wife. He describes the evening at BAFTA, “Do you know, I shook hands with and congratulated Katheryn Bigelow the minute she got the best director award? It was such a glorious moment for women directors. Everyone thought James Cameron would get it for Avatar.”

Anil also got to spend time with his friend Mickey Rourke. The two got close when he was promoting Slumdog Millioniare at the Oscars in Los Angeles.

Anil also got to meet and spend time with Matt Damon. “In fact,” says Anil excitedly, “Matt and I were on the same table and spent a lot of time discussing cinema. Of course, he has seen Slumdog... It’s astonishing how much Matt knew about Indian cinema.”

The other actor Anil hugely enjoyed fraternising with was Christopher Waltz who won the best supporting actor award for Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds. Anil says, “I loved Christopher’s speech.

He said if there was no Quentin, no Brad Pitt and no co-actors and technicians, he wouldn’t be there. I’ve always believed in that work ethic. Filmmaking is a team effort and an actor is just a part of that team.”

Professional Mugdha works for 22 hours

Mugdha Godse has her share of well-wishers in Bollywood. After Fashion (2008) she had All the Best and Jail in 2009. And though she has been offered chota-mota roles in several films, Mugdha is being extremely patient and waiting for the right offers.

She will next be seen with Bobby Deol in a horror flick called Help. The girl is so keen to keep the professional tag she has earned, that she actually shot for 22 hours at a stretch for a promotional song for this movie! Says a source, “Yes it is true, Mugdha worked for 22 hours straight. But she did not complain even once. She was professional and was determined to complete the shoot on time.” Such dedication will take her places for sure. Ask Madhur Bhandarkar, Rohit Shetty and all those directors who genuinely like Mugdha a lot.

The Golden Kela awards nomination

The Golden Kela awards are here, honouring the worst in Indian cinema. Jatin Varma, editor of the magazine that organises the awards, says, “This is a humorous show and even we do not take ourselves too seriously.” Not surprising, when the chief guest is the ultra whacky Cyrus Broacha.

Himesh Reshammiya and Priyanka Chopra are back in the worst actor categories. Says Jatin, “Himesh’s movies have always been a little dramatic. This year, he tried to do a more normal story, but that didn’t work. As for Priyanka, I needn’t say anything for What’s Your Raashee?!” Jatin goes on, “We aren’t saying they’re bad actors. Just that they gave a performance that wasn’t good. Everything can’t be good; one must celebrate the worst also.”

Worst Actor Male
• Himesh Reshammiya (Radio)
• John Abraham (New York)
• Emraan Hashmi (Tum Mile/Raaz 2)
• Salman Khan (Wanted)
• Harman Baweja (What’s Your Raashee?)

WORST ACTOR FEMALE
• Priyanka Chopra
(What’s Your Raashee?)
• Kangana Ranaut (Raaz 2)
• Kareena Kapoor (Kambakkht Ishq)
• Deepika Padukone
(Chandni Chowk to China)
• Rani Mukerji (Dil Bole Hadippa!)

Worst Pair
• Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone (Chandni Chowk to China)
• Sanjay Dutt and Lara Dutta (Blue)
• Rani Mukerji and
Shahid Kapoor (Dil Bole Haddipa!)
• Salman Khan and
Ayesha Takia (Wanted)
• Abhishek Bachchan and
Amitabh Bachchan (Paa)


Baawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke Award
• Akshay Kumar and Nikhil
Adwani (Chandni Chowk to China)
• Sylvester Stallone and
Denise Richards (Kambakkht Ishq)
• Nagesh Kukunoor (8X10 Tasveer)
• Ashutosh Gowarikar and
Priyanka Chopra
(What’s Your Raashee?)
• Shah Rukh Khan (Billu)

Most Irritating Song
• Love Mera Hit Hit – Billu
• Tu Paisa Paisa Karti Hai
– De Dana Dan
• Tainu Lai Ke Jaana – Jai Veeru
• Om Mangalam – Kambakkht Ishq
• Tera Hone Laga Hoon
– Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani