Newsarchive March 2008

Kareena’s ‘emotional’ bond with Akshay

Kareena Kapoor says that she feels most comfortable while working with Akshay Kumar as she has watched him giving his first shot as a school kid. On the other hand, Akshay has known Kareena right from school!

According to the actress, Akshay is the most ‘shining’ star that Bollywood has right now.

"He is a pivotal part of this film which is a great role for him and I think working with Akshay for me is always a lot of fun and games and I just do not realize when we start shooting and when we finish. Throughout my career I think I have enjoyed working with Akshay Kumar the most and I hope to continue to work with him throughout my career,” Kareena signs off.

Akshay Kumar to play Tatya Tope

The movie will reportedly be co-produced by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Bollywood producer Firoz Nadiadwala. Vinay Shukla (of ‘Godmother’ fame) will direct the film.

Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who shares an excellent working relationship with Akshay Kumar, has reportedly talked to the actor about the film. Akshay has expressed interest but has yet to sign on the dotted line. Rumour also has it that Deepika Padukone is being considered for the part of Rani Laxmibai.

If Deepika agrees to act in the film, it would be her second film with Akshay after "Chandni Chowk To China" which is presently on the floors.

Daredevil Akki!

The team captained by ‘hot-in-news’ Virendra Sehwag is charged by this development. Reveals a source, “Akshay Kumar’s image truly represents the team’s spirit. His inclusion will inject more enthusiasm into the team.”

Akshay was known to play cricket on the grounds near Red Fort and even hike to India Gate to indulge in his favourite sport during his Delhi days. Even now, the actor often takes time out of his hectic schedule to catch up with the action on field.

Akshay joins Bachchan world tour!

After Lara Dutta opted out due to a leg injury, Akshay Kumar has stepped in once again (he was earlier supposed to be part of the tour). This only makes the tour even more promising than it already is, considering Akshay's 2007 hit-hat-trick. However, he will only perform in certain cities due to schedule constraints. Fans, hope that your city is one of them!

Organizers are currently in the process of finalizing other popular Bollywood names for the tour. Many of them will only perform in certain venues, which will keep the tour fresh and exciting and surprise audiences with guest appearances. Additionally, composers Vishal and Shekhar will be part of the tour as well.
Looks like the Unforgettable tour is becoming quite a hot proposition!

From waiter to Bollywood superstar

In an industry dominated by the Khans, a plain Kumar has been quietly carving out his own special niche. The rise and rise of Akshay Kumar up the ever-slippery Bollywood ladder has amazed anyone remotely aware with the career path of the former waiter in a Bangkok restaurant whose lone claim to fame when he first entered the industry nearly two decades ago was his expertise in martial arts.

Neither of the other two Khans, Aamir and Salman, are rated number one in the box-office.

"Welcome", "Namastey London", "Heyy Babyy" and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" together grossed over five billion rupees (S$173 million) in box-office collections. And, lo and behold, Bollywood was hailing the rise of a new star-hero.

The late hero Rajinder Kumar used to say 'Khuda meharban, gadha pehlawan' (When God is kind, a donkey can be a lion). Kumar himself was dubbed Silver Jubilee Kumar for the large number of box-office hits in which he acted as a hero. However, there came a stage in his career when he lost his magic touch. After a string of duds on the box-office, he merely disappeared from the limelight.

But the old Delhi boy from a family of modest means, who went to Bangkok in search of work with the assistance of an uncle already working there and soon landed a job as a waiter in a restaurant patronised by visiting Indians, could not have got where he has without Lady Luck smiling on him.

But Akshay proved a fast learner. After the initial string of flops, he hit paydirt with "Khiladi". It was a huge hit. And producers followed it up with more films in the Khiladi genre.

After establishing himself in Bollywood, Akshay married Twinkle, the star daughter of yesteryears' super-duper star couple, Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, and thus stilled all controversies and rumours linking him to nubile young heroines. With nearly two decades in the industry, he also shed his bohemian image, and began to concentrate on his career. He is now working with the best production houses. Some half a dozen films with Akshay in the lead are currently on the floors. He was recently quoted in the media as having said that following the release of his now-under-production films he would become the numero uno actor-star.

Nadiadwala and Sajid Khan's next titled "Housefull"

Khan was reluctant to divulge details about the story and its relevance to the title. But he did mention that numerology played a role in the selection of the same, ""Housefull" adds up to a nine which is both mine and Sajid Nadiadwala's lucky number. "Heyy Babyy" also added up to the same number." The movie is still in the scripting stage and is expected to go on the floors late this year.

The movie will be a romantic comedy based in New York. The scripting is being done by Milap Zaveri and Vibha Singh. The movie is tentatively prepared for a summer release in 2009.

Katrina turns item girl for Akshay in "Blue"

Katrina has been offered a whopping Rs 1.5 crore for doing a dance number and a few more scenes in Shree Ashtavinayak's "Blue", which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, and Lara Dutta in lead roles. The actress didn't deny the amount and has apparently allotted around ten days for the film in the month of May.

Parag Desai, the media consultant of Shree Ashtavinayak confirmed having signed Katrina for "Blue" but didn't really confirm or deny the amount paid. In fact he even said that Katrina has a proper role in the film and not just an item number.

Akshay to romance Katrina amidst pyramids!

This time, it's for a song with Katrina Kaif in "Singh Is Kinng".

"Not surprising that Akshay wants the song to be canned in Egypt. He wants to better Shah Rukh Khan's success score with Kajol. Most trade pundits see Akshay and Katrina as the next most-successful couple after Shah Rukh-Kajol," the director said.

"But we aren't shooting in all the normal places in Egypt. We want to capture parts of the country other than the predictable pyramids," Bazmi said.

Baap of 'em all!

I met him on the sets of Singh Is Kinng . A sucker for time, Akshay is unassuming. I pose to him my first question: Why the need for a screen name? "Honestly, down the line I have forgotten why I opted for a screen name. Maybe there were just too many great Rajivs then, and I didn't want to be the first Rajiv-disaster. But I'm happy with Akshay Kumar. At least this way I get to go home and be my old self," confesses Raj...oops Akshay.

So is Akshay as successful a dad and husband as he is an entertainer? "I would love to believe that I am, but this question would be best answered by my wife, son and mother. I make as much effort as possible to be that special person in my son's life. Every minute spent with him is a day worth working for his future. I prefer not to 'act' at home. My wife can see straight through me. So it's best that I try and be a successful actor outside the house and let her bring out the best husband in me within it."

I've heard about the adventure sports Akshay undertakes with his bonny boy. Is he trying to make Aarav macho like Daddy Dearest already? "I want to make him a sportsman, and a good human being," confesses Kumar, "And all that happens when you are tough on the outside and soft on the inside..." A great parenting tip!

Standing tall – literally speaking, success still hasn't made it to his head. And every hit is just another feather in his cap...or turban should we say? How come? "They say you're successful when 'it' goes to the head. I still haven't got the heady feeling," admits Akshay, "Must mean that I still have a long way to go, and that I'm nowhere near the finished line yet. I doubt I'm ever going to get there," he warns.

So, does a powerful man have more enemies or more friends, I ask. "Well, a wise man once told me to keep my friends close and my enemies closer. Right now, no one is too close to me. So I'm either going to take it that I have no enemies, or that I must smell pretty bad," he concludes, laughing.

I'm talking Akki to Hollywood

Informs Sajid, "This would be the first Indian film to be shot within Universal Studios. We've got the permission not only to shoot within Universal Studios, but also to use their logo. Akshay Kumar plays a stuntman from Universal Studios. We also had amazing superstars from Hollywood. We're working out the legal aspects."

Sajid agrees shooting "Kambhakt Ishq" in Hollywood won't be an easy task. "It will be expensive, yes. We'll have 40-50 crew members flying to LA. We're thinking of chartering a flight from Mumbai. It'll be more economical. Or maybe we should just buy a jet," he jokes.

This is Sajid's most ambitious film to date with a budget of Rs 60 crores. Kareena Kapoor plays a brand model.

Akki turns producer

With the launch of his own production house the superstar’s become the latest entrant to join the actor-turned-producer bandwagon that includes stars like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan. His banner is called Hari Om Productions.

His first project will be helmed by a new director. Talking about encouraging new talent, the actor said, "Even as an actor, I’ve always been open to working with new directors. In fact, some of my biggest hits have been with new directors. So, I think it’s only fair that we give deserving talent a fair chance. It’s my way of giving back something to the industry. After all, I can never forget my days of struggle."

Saif Ali Khan to play "Joker"?

This movie has been on Shirish’s mind right after he made his directorial debut in the bizarre but technically sound film "Jaan-E-Mann two years ago.

With SRK out of the picture, Shirish roped in Akshay Kumar to play the lead role in "Joker", which he (Kunder) decided to produce himself. But now, the movie has hit another hurdle because Akshay is reported to have walked out.
If the latest buzz is to be believed, Shirish has now narrated the script to Saif Ali Khan who has expressed interest in the project and might eventually star in the film.

Shirish Kunder says he is presently busy in the film’s pre-production and will confirm the cast at the right time. He has already got a big production house to co-produce "Joker".

Now, that’s some progress.

Akshay is looking for a hit number

When singer Mika learnt of this he immediately SMSed Akshay. His message read: Do you want a hit?

Mika was called the very next day and briefed about a new track. We hear that he has rendered such a great song, that the demanding perfectionists, Vipul and Akshay are ‘hit’ with the outcome.

Sreejita De with Akshay in "Tashan"

Sreejita says, "I always wanted to play some substantial role and when I was short listed for DJ's new show Annu, I was very elated and felt very encouraged. The concept is very offbeat, yet people can relate to the situation through which Annu and her family go through". Looking forward to see Annu with Akki in Tashan!

Saif, Kareena & Akki's "Tashan"

The business of "Jodhaa Akbar" has been decent while other soundtracks have not been able to make a space in the listeners' heart! "Race" of late, has been doing good business and so is the music of Ajay Devgan starrer, "U Me Aur Hum".

"Tashan", the multi starrer project under Yashraj Films starring Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor hopes to rebuild the authority of Yashraj in the industry after a very average 2007, where only "Chak De India" managed to do wonders, along with "Tara Rum Pum" doing average business, while their other projects, "Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom", "Laaga Chunari Main Daag" and "Aaja Nachle" proved disasters at the box office!

Inside sources also confirm that Vishal-Shekar score a bonus with "Tashan", after giving the industry smashing scores in "Om Shanti Om". Well, as we await the much-talked about music of "Tashan" to hit the stands in the end of March, we only hope that the business as regards 'Music' in Bollywood rockets sky-high in the season to come.

The Big surprise of "Singh is Kinng"

With every move for his film "Singh is Kinng", Vipul Shah has been pleasantly surprising us. But there’s more to go. After taking his film from Australia to Mumbai to Punjab, the unit is now planning a final schedule overseas. This time they are going to shoot a major chunk of their film in Egypt.

But that’s not the surprise. So what is? The filmmaker just asks you to wait. "My biggest surprise from "Singh is Kinng" is yet to come", is the only thing that the director is willing to speak at the moment. We wonder what it will be.