Films and Entertainment News

» Khali all set to step in Bollywood
Click above for more stills The renowned international wrestler Dalip Singh Rana a.k.a Khali is all set to step into bollywood with a film titled Kushti is directed by Rajeev Kumar. The film made under Venus Films will also have Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Nargis and Manoj Joshi, sharing screen space with Khali. Bollywood Hungama got up-close with the cast and crew of Kushti to find out what was it all about. Shedding some light on the storyline Rajpal informs, "The story set in a village revolves around a postman played by me who is trying to get his gal (Nargis). Unfortunately, for him, her father is a wrestler and wants his daughter to marry one too, which happens to be Khali. Now in order to marry Nargis I have to fight Khali and defeat him." With all praises for the gigantic wrestler, the director Rajeev Kumar says, "Khali is an extremely down to earth and professional guy. He gave his 100% to the film. Initially, I was quite apprehensive as to how will things shape up considering his huge body and attitude but he got into the skin of the character very easily that things eventually started falling in place." Indeed yesterday (May 16) was a big day for Khali, mainly for two reasons, one being the announcement of his film Kushti and secondly for receiving an IFDB (International Federation Diploma in Body Building) award. Khali, very excited about his career in Bollywood says, "I had been flooded by many offers before but due to constant warnings about the corruption in bollywood I withheld myself from signing films." He goes on to add, "However, after meeting Rajeev Kumar and Rajpal Yadav, all my fears vanished and I had a wonderful time working with them. Kushti is a musical film and I hope my Indian audiences watch and at the same time like it." Kushti is in its post-production period and is expected to release this year.

» India's short film goes to Cannes
Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke, a short nine-minute duration film from India has been chosen for the 61st Cannes International Film Festival. The Festival is to be held from May 14 to 25, this year. This silent film highlights the different lifestyles of children living on the streets of New Delhi. Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke has been directed by Manoj Srivastav a co-produced by him and Naresh Sain.

» ‘Veer’: love story with war background
Vijay Galani Moviez's VEER is all set to roll in the first week of August. It is a period film, a love story with war background, set in 1900. Salman Khan plays the lead role, while a new girl will star opposite him. The hunt is still on for a new face. The film also features Mithun Chakraborty in a key role. A number of British actors have already been signed to play important characters. Producer: Vijay Galani. Director: Anil Sharma. Writer: Salman Khan.

» IIFA to honor Rahman, Shyam Benegal, Mumtaz
The International Indian Film Academy announced the special award winners of the Idea IIFA Awards 2008. The award for 'Outstanding Contribution by an Indian in International Cinema' will be presented to A.R. Rahman; Shyam Benegal will be recognized for his 'Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema' and Mumtaz will be honored for her Achievement in Indian Cinema. The winners will be presented with their trophies at the IIFA Weekend, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from June 6-8.

» Adlabs opens in Nagpur, Sholapur
Adlabs Cinemas has opened at Nagpur and Sholapur. The two screen Sangam Adlabs at Nagpur has a total seating capacity of 1122, while the two screen Bhagwat Adlabs at Sholapur has a total seating capacity of 649. Adlabs Cinemas has 160 screens spread over 60 properties nationwide.

» Shantipriya reinvents her career, joins television
Shantipriya is stepping into small screen now. She will be playing Goddess, Mata Vaishnav Devi, in a soap named after the goddess. After facing the camera for the first time opposite Akshay Kumar in Saugandh, Shantipriya made her presence felt in films like Ikke Pe Ikka, Phool Aur Angaar and Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana. And, now with her debut in television, she will get to play not only Goddess but her avatars as well. With this show, Shantipriya makes her entry into Tellywood. The show has already gone on floors and she has begun essaying the character of 'Mata'.

» Shah Rukh Khan starts shooting for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Click above for more stills Who would think that 13 years have passed since the first time this jodi came together? At that time, the director was merely the scion of a great filmmaking family and the star was best known for taking on negative roles that no one else would. Then the magic they conjured up in their first film together, redefined Hindi cinema and set them on their respective paths to the heights of glory. Now 13 years after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge first took the country by storm, and eight years after Mohabbatein, the jodi of Aditya Chopra, superstar director, and Shah Rukh Khan, superstar actor are together again, this time for the latest from Aditya Chopra as director, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi with newcomer Anushka Sharma who joined in on the first day of shoot. It was evident that Shah Rukh Khan was approaching this new role with his old comrade, with as much gusto and passion as ever. "Starting the first day of shooting is what still gives me goose bumps like nothing else," said King Khan. "And to make films with Yash Raj, that too when Adi is directing, is an experience that is more than 100% exciting. Yash Raj Films is, and will always be, home for me and who doesn't love coming home? Yash ji and Adi have always given me roles that have gotten me love and appreciation from fans all over the world. And this time Adi has again written a character for me to play that I think will become as beloved as Raj of DDLJ was. I am going to be trying as usual to hit it out of the park with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi." And with these words, Shah Rukh Khan signed off from the first day of shooting, conveying to the world that something special was in the air, the most awaited film of the year was rolling as planned, and the Aditya Chopra - Shah Rukh Khan jodi was again creating that little bit of magic! Newcomer Anushka Sharma who was eagerly looking forward to this day…the first day of shoot, for her the dream has just begun! Yash Chopra was also present on the sets of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi on the first day of shoot to bless his son and the unit at the onset of this new production.

» iDream Productions announces sequel to Jajantaram Mamantaram
iDream Productions' Jajantaram Mamantaram received quite a phenomenal response (especially from the bachcha party) when it released five years back. Now, the makers are all set to make a sequel to the film which starred Javed Jaffrey in the lead role. Bollywood Hungama spoke to Ashish Bhatnagar-CEO -iDream Productions to get the facts, “Yes, we are going ahead with the sequel of Jajantaram Mamantaram. It should start rolling by the end of this year and we are looking to release it around May 09. It is tentatively titled Jumbo J2M2.” says Ashish We also quizzed him on the cast and other details, “Yes, Javed Jaffrey would be the main lead but we are in the process of casting for the other cast members. The film would be directed by Soumitra Ranade (who also directed the original). The sequel is being planned on a much bigger scale,” signed off the CEO of iDream Productions.

» Wishing Sonal Chauhan, a very Happy Birthday!
Download Sonal Chauhan wallpapers This incident happened just recently, during the final exam of English Literature. The question paper had the question as "Write the synonym of the words like 'Eternally Natural Beauty". All the scholarly people wrote more or less the following (since they had by-hearted from the Dictionary), "Eternally Natural Beauty is an adjective, which signifies in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest)." Phew! Too much of gyaan that! Well, but you know what, the guy who topped the exam was the one who wrote that the synonym as 'Sonal Chauhan'! For starters, Sonal is the same chic who was crowned as the Miss World Tourism 2005, who is also the first Indian to have claimed Miss World Tourism title. She is all set to set the screen afire with her blazing performance in Jannat, opposite Emraan Hashmi. What could be best for this girl than her debut film releasing on her birthday! Well, waste no time and post your wishes for this Jannat girl.

» Cannes Diary 2008: Day 2
Click above for more stills * Despite hopes that the business would pick up on Day 2, it remained as sluggish as Day 1, compared to the market in the years gone by. There was a pervasive wave of disappointment among the exhibitors in the Riviera and Palais about business being slack. That said, many market attendees were hopeful of the weekend! * Variety did a special spotlight on the Indian film industry titled "Beyond Bollywood" emphasising on Indian cinema spreading its wings internationally. The feature additionally had a special tribute to Mukta Arts turning 30 and Whistling woods. * Screen International ran a special feature on the hot films from different countries being showcased at the market. From Asia, among a number of Chinese and Taiwanese product, Jodhaa Akbar(UTV), Taare Zameen Par (UTV) , Tahaan (iDream), Road, Movie (Studio 18) and Little Zizou (Studio 18)were the five selected. * Preity Zinta made a quick appearance at the Chopard Beach Party (Preity is the brand ambassador of Chopard). Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended the screening of Blindness, the opening film of the festival, presumably courtesy of L'Oreal. * The market is bracing for the opening party at The Majestic Beach tonight! (Media and international business expert, Tanuj Garg, will do an honorary Cannes 2008 diary for Bollywood Hungama. This will feature periodic updates on the mood and the action on The Croisette over the next fortnight. Tanuj is currently Marketing & Distribution Head for the UK & Europe at Studio 18)