Newsarchive May 2008

A homecoming for Akshay Kumar!

Akshay’s life-story would truly make for an emotional potboiler. Before he came to Mumbai and began his acting career, the actor used to work in Bangkok restaurants where he used to do pretty much everything from waiting tables and cooking food to washing dishes. From there, Akshay has today risen to the status of a sought-after mega star in Hindi film industry, but the man has not forgotten his days of struggle and penury.

"So much has changed and yet there is so much that is still the same. There are more buildings and flyovers, but the traffic is still a mess that it was. The massages here are still as wonderful and the people are still hospitable," Akshay is quoted as saying.

With "Chandni Chowk To China" Akki is returning to action after a long gap of five years. The actor says his son Aarav inspires him to do more action roles.

Akshay’s blog banter

Tell him that a ‘blog war’ has erupted in his absence and that he might have to quickly start his own blog once he’s back and he says in jest, ‘Main bolega to bolega ki blog ta hai!"

Presently, Akshay is enduring heat in Cairo, where he is shooting for "Singh is Kinng". "It has touched 48 degree Celsius here," he informs. Tell him that we are in a better position ‘weather wise’ than him here in Mumbai and he retorts, "In a day or two I’ll be off to Johannesburg, where the weather will be somewhere between 13 to 14 degrees. So I will be in better position then!"

To Bahamas via Mumbai

An industry insider reveals, "Generally, actors don’t have to be physically present to apply for visas. They are applied for by the production house as a group but Akki who is shooting in Egypt will make his way to Mumbai for two days to apply for a visa because his passport will have to be stamped. He was supposed to join the cast and crew of his other film "Chandni Chowk to China" in Bangkok but now Nikhil Advani’s crew will have to wait for Akki a bit longer."

"The actor is planning to go the Bahamas to shoot for Blue which is being directed by debutant Tonny and stars Sanjay Dutt and Lara Dutta. In fact, Sanjay too went to the embassy recently to get his visa and he got it on the spot. But Akshay is not that hassled by this trip to Mumbai, he gets a breather from work for two days and gets to spend time with family." A win-win situation, eh?

"Singh is Kinng" sets benchmarks for India distribution

The worldwide distributor of "Singh is Kinng", Studio 18 had bought all the rights of the film for little lesser than Rs. 65 crore last year before the film went on floors. The film is now releasing on 8 August and Studio 18 has begun to sell territory-wise theatrical rights of the film. As reported earlier by businessofcinema.com, Bombay territory (excluding Mumbai city) was the first to be sold out to Rakha Entertainment for Rs. 10 crore.

In CP, "Singh is Kinng" has been sold to Rajshri for approximately Rs. 2 crore, Bengal has been sold for Rs. 1.65 crore, Punjab and CI have been sold to Sajid Nadiadwala for Rs. 5.30 crore.

Studio 18 will distribute the movie in Mumbai city and Delhi/U.P.

Bollywood heartthrob wows fans

But when Bollywood heartthrob Akshay Kumar received his newest title -- Dr. -- he felt weak in the knees. "Wow," Kumar said Friday night at a crowded and excited convocation ceremony at Assumption University chapel. "This really is one of the most nerve-racking days of my life. My hands are shaking."

Kumar's arrival at Assumption University, part of the University of Windsor campus, befit the mega-stardom he enjoys back home. Windsor police held back fans crushing in for a glimpse as the Tom Cruise of India whisked past in a maroon convocation robe and hat. About 300 people, more than half Kumar fans who cheered his every move, filled the Assumption University chapel for the ceremony, while perhaps another 75 were turned away.

He went on to praise his parents, promote the idea of a strong family, and pray for strength for all. "Indians believe that our success lies at the feet of our parents," he said. "It's not I who should be receiving this award, but my parents." Aneri Chokshi, 18, who was born in India but now lives in Windsor and studies pre-pharmacy at Wayne State University, could barely contain her glee as the action hero strolled past. "I feel amazing," she said after hugging a smiling Kumar. "I had this feeling in my heart. Oh, my God, oh, my God."

Assumption University president Rev. Paul Rennick, who spent time in India when he was younger, thanked the Indian community for bestowing a certain spirituality on the world. Rennick also noted that a Hindu and two Jewish recipients received honorary degrees from a Catholic institution -- which he hopes symbolizes the kind of Catholicism that Assumption University represents, one that believes in inclusiveness for all.

Africa calling Akshay

Settling on the look

Akshay is excited about shooting in Africa. Elements from Africa have inspired his wild look on the show.

One of the names that is finalised as a contestant is Yana Gupta. "Yana jumped to the offer as soon as it was made. She’s very excited to be a part of the show."

Go Snoop!

Abhishek Bachchan kickstarted the trend with rapper Wyclef Jean on a track Hollywood meets Bollywood for an Aadesh Shrivastava video.

And, industry sources reveal that this rapper is none other than Snoop Dogg of Dead Man Walkin and Ego Trippin fame. Filmmaker Vipul Shah, however, is singing a different tune. “I have not signed up Snoop Dogg for "Singh is Kinng",” he declared somewhat testily, “I don’t know from where these rumours generate.” But, yes, Vipul did concede that there will be a track in his film where Akki will rap with an international artist. “Nothing has been finalised yet. We are still working out the details,” he added.

Akshay's gesture wins the match!

Recently at a cricket match in Delhi, when Akshay and Katrina were hanging out, Priyanka Gandhi's husband, Robert Vadhera, apparently a huge Akshay fan, reportedly expressed being impressed by the teaser of "Singh is Kinng" and added that he found Akshay's hand gesture "very cool".

An Indian Films-Studio 18 release "Singh is Kinng" will hit cinema hall worldwide on August 08.

Assumption University to honour Bollywood star

Akshay Kumar, who has starred in more than 80 Bollywood films, including the popular Khiladi series, will be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws during spring convocation on Friday, May 9 at 8 p.m. in the Assumption University chapel.

"He (Kumar) seems to have a special connection to Canada," said Reddick. "He has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavours." Reddick said Windsor has a large and growing Indian population and many international students from India study at the University of Windsor.

"We thought it was a way not only to honour the individual but a way to acknowledge the entire Indian community," said Reddick.