Shabana Azmi keeps her date with Nepal

Though Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan dropped his plans to visit Nepal in view of the growing dispute over the revered Pashupatinath temple, another cinema icon from India, Shabana Azmi, has kept her date with the Himalayan republic.

Shabana, who had first come to Nepal in 1974 to take part in the filming of Dev Anand's "Ishq Ishq Ishq", Monday returned on a three-day visit to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Shabana, who is also a former member of parliament and social activist, is in Nepal as the SAARC Goodwill Amabassador for Uniting against HIV/AIDS and TB, an honour she shares with renowned Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya.

"I feel fully committed," she told the media Tuesday.

"The human rights aspects of living with HIV/AIDS are responsible for my involvement in these 18 years."

Shabana, who was the first Bollywood actor to take part in a public service film 15 years ago that projected the message that AIDS does not spread by touch, said myths still abound about HIV/AIDS.

"There are doctors, lawyers, politicians and mainstream people who still think people with HIV/AIDS deserve to die because they are immoral," she said.

"People still believe AIDS is a product of western culture and satellite TV and it's only truck drivers and prostitutes who have AIDS.

"It is unjust, unfair and untrue."

Contrary to the perception that stigma about AIDS prevailed in the poor segments of society, it is the middle and upper classes who show greater prejudice, Shabana said.

"There are horror stories," said the star who acted in the 1997 film "Positive", that was part of the four-film "AIDS Jaago" project conceptualised by director Mira Nair to generate awareness about the disease.

"People have been tied in chains and kept in dungeon-like situations like they used to do with lepers (in the past).

"An entire village was not allowed to vote because one person had AIDS. No official was ready to go there."

The rise of HIV/AIDS is also related to sexual discrimination and lack of empowerment for women, Shabana said.

She pointed out that while AIDS cases had decreased among commercial sex workers after they were educated about condom usage, it had gone up among housewives.

"It is alarming," Shabana said. "It shows housewives can't negotiate condom usage."

Shabana believes that she has a role to play in sensitising the media and women empowerment.

She also underscores the need for a united approach to battle AIDS.

"The porous border (between India and Nepal) shows how susceptible we (all) are," she said. "It is not the day of nations fighting AIDS but regions (fighting together)."

Shabana, who met Nepal's Health Minister Giriraj Pokhrel Tuesday will also call on Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Wednesday.

Besides, she is scheduled to visit an orphanage.

The tinsel town gives a quiet welcome to 2009

This time New Year saw a quiet celebration from Bollywood stars as the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the ongoing recessionary phase led to cancellation of events and tightened security everywhere. The Taj, Oberoi and Trident hotels opted out of hosting their annual New Year parties.

Amitabh Bachchan spent a low key evening at home with wife Jaya Bachchan. Abhishek and Ash were in Ooty in the state of Tamil Nadu busy shooting for their next. Preity Zinta is vacating overseas. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor went for a pre-planned holiday break after Saif was released from the hospital a few days ago. Ajay Devgan continued his annual celebrations at his farm house at Karjat on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Ameesha Patel and Raima Sen set the stage afire with their performances at the Country Club for New Year celebrations. Also, Sanjay Dutt hosted a party at home to welcome the oncoming year.

 

Big B, Abhi and SRK in Kal Kisne Dekha

The three superstars Amitabh, Abhishek and Shahrukh are now coming together for Vivek Sharma’s Kal Kissne Dekha and all three are doing cameos. Sharma is obviously thrilled as he gets the creme de la creme of Bollywood to play cameo for his film which is the debut vehicle of Jacky Bhagnani and Vaishali Desai.

“SRK is making a special appearance in the film and is coming at a very important time in the film’s climax.

He is a good friend and like a brother to me and for him to agree to be a part of Kal Kissney Dekha is like a blessing”.

Says Vivek, “Abhishek Bachchan is a part of one of the romantic songs which is going to be shot in New Zealand in the first week of January”.

Hope this one does’t depress like Anil Devgan’s Haal-e-Dil.

Big B invited to Tehran Film Festival

Amitabh Bachchan has been invited to the prestigious Tehran Film Festival where he will be honore with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Although Big B is honored by the invitation, he is still not sure if he can attend the event.

He writes on his blog,” The Film Festival in Tehran invites me to honour me with a Lifetime Achievement Award. I wonder if it will be possible for me to go there. I have another decoration in Davos at the (World) Economic Forum that I have accepted around the same time. So many awards, so little time! “

Congratulations Big

Jiah doesn’t mind being covered

Jiah Khan who wore only shirts and forgot her pants in her debut film Nishabd with Amitabh Bachchan is seen in different Avatar in Ghajini, where she is fully clothed.

She says, “No one’s seen me in my new look yet. I’m playing a medical student and I’m covered from head to toe for the most part. The role is amazing, so I didn’t mind being completely covered up. But I do have a song in which you’ll see a different look. It’s very stylish in a Jennifer Lopez kind of way.”

Ask her about her coldness with Asin and she says, I’ve met Asin twice and she’s a nice girl. I had my bit of fame when I made my debut in Nishabd. Now, it’s Asin’s turn as it’s her Bollywood debut.”

Well it’s good that she doesn’t believe in bygones.

Check out biggest Bollywood Khandans of Kapoors and Bachchans photo

Check out this rare picture featuring the biggest Bollywood Khandans of Kapoors and Bachchans.

In the photo you can see Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Karishma Kapoor, Shweta Bachchan, Goldi Bhel and Abhishek Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan is No 1, says Aamir Khan

New Delhi, Amid the war of words between the three Khans - Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman - the "Ghajini" star Aamir has declared that it is none other than superstar Amitabh Bachchan who is still the number one in Bollywood."For me Amitabh Bachchan is No 1. Do Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan say they are number one? No one who sits on the top needs to say he is number one. Others keep claiming to be there," said Aamir.
Recently, Shah Rukh sparked a controversy by proclaiming himself the biggest brand and saying there cannot be any competition with him.
Commenting on that Aamir said: "I don't believe in competitions with others. I only compete with myself."
After a phase of cold war with his contemporary Shah Rukh, Aamir says he can't dare to fight with him.
"Do you think I could dare to fight with Shah Rukh. He is a good friend and so I can't fight with him. I respect him a lot," said Aamir, who was in capital over the weekend to promote his forthcoming film "Ghajini".
The actor, who was is town giving his fans the “Ghajini” cut at an event, was in a jovial mood but tried his best to avoid queries about his cold war with Shah Rukh.
He joked that by turning into a barber for a day, he was even promoting Shah Rukh's next venture “Billo Barber”.
His antics did not just end at that.
Aamir's forthcoming ventures is titled “Three Idiots” and the actor said the title should be rightfully given to the three Khans of Bollywood - including himself, Shah Rukh and Salman.
“My forthcoming film after 'Ghajini' is Rajkumar Hirani's 'Three Idiots' and I play the character of an idiot with R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi. But I think Shah Rukh, Salman and I are truly the three idiots of Bollywood,” Aamir said.
He also cast a dig at Salman when he asked the crowd whether they want him to flaunt his body that he has toned up especially for “Ghajini”.
"Who wants to see my eight packs?" he asked. But when there was a loud “Yes, we want to” from the audience, Aamir said: "Only Salman can show his packs. I can't do it. It's not my cup of tea.”

Big B impresses Madhavan with golfing skills

 

Mumbai, Actor R. Madhavan, known for his golfing prowess, says he was surprised by his "Teen Patti" co-star Amitabh Bachchan's skill at the game. Madhavan has won prizes for the game while Amitabh had never played golf before. "Or so he said," said Madhavan.
"But seeing how he played, I was shocked. No one except Mr. Bachchan can be so good at a game he has never played before," Madhavan told IANS.
It happened suddenly when one day Big B decided to join the young actor at the golf course in Pune where they are shooting for the movie.
"I thought I'd be privileged enough to teach him a few moves. I was stunned at the way he played. He was spectacular. And if this was his first time ever at golf then I've just become an even bigger fan of his," said Maddy who played an Amitabh admirer in "Ramji Londonwale" and even got the superstar to make an appearance at the end of the film.
"I don't know how he did it! He's unbelievably athletic. His hand coordination is extraordinary. Other people generally take four years for what he did on the golf course on his first day... and so easily. He has phenomenal pick up powers whether it's on the golf course or on the (movie) sets," Madhavan said.
In the film, Amitabh plays the professor who tutors five of his brightest proteges, played by Madhavan, Siddharth Kher and newcomers Druv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor for high-stakes gambling. It is being directed by Leena Yadav.
Not much of a card player either, Big B picked up the card game so fast for "Teen Patti" that he left Madhavan and other team members gasping.
"He is extraordinary in whatever he does. I feel like his pupil," said Maddy.
"And then I go right back to playing the student in Raj Kumar Hirani's 'Three Idiots'. But being around Big B, I always feel like a student."

Madonna wants to meet Amitabh

Madonna is currently busy with her divorce, A-Rod and her Sticky  & Sweet tour however the Queen of Pop is eager to meet Shehenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan some day.

In an interview when Madonna was asked, Madonna is synonymous with song and dance, just like Bollywood movies. Does Bollywood appeal to y4eou? She said, Thank you for the compliment! To me, Indian cinema means musicals. When I was in India, I really wanted to see a Bollywood flick but didn’t manage to do so. But I have heard a lot about Mr Amitabh Bachchan, I would love to meet him some day.

What about you Big B? Are you eager to meet Madonna?

Big B & Tabu to team up yet again

The chemistry of Big B and Tabu received rave reviews in ‘Cheeni Kum’. Now, this legendry actor and the talented actress are teaming up yet again for the period film “The Legend Of Kunal” where Big B will be playing emperor Ashoka and Tabu will play his wife Tishyarakshitra. Incidentally, this will be Tabu’s next venture after ‘Cheeni Kum’.The film will be directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi (who made ‘Pinjar’) and produced by Amitabh’s company AB Corp Ltd.“Tabu had not a moment’s hesitation in saying yes to the role of emperor Ashoka’s powerful wife Tishyarakshitra, so powerful she swayed the entire Mauryan empire with her politics and aura. We needed an actress with the strength of conviction,” said Dwivedi.“History and its cinematic treatment demand the characters to be true to their antecedents. And emperor Ashoka, who is caught in his twilight years in my film, had to be played by Bachchan saab. Only he possesses the gravity, sobriety and personality along with being the age required.I wouldn’t make Ashoka without him. As for Tabu, she plays his young, fiery, assertive wife. She’s an actress I’ve wanted to work with for a very long time. Again, only she could play Tishyarakshitra,” Diwedi added.In addition, the film will star Arjun Rampal as emperor Ashoka’s son Kunal. Amrita Rao will play his wife Kanchanmala.“Again, I cast them because of their suitability rather than saleability,” Dwivedi said.“In fact, Amrita was recommended by Jaya Bachchan. Tabu and Amrita have many dramatic confrontation scenes together. I needed an actress who could hold her own against someone as powerful as Tabu. Amrita is delicate but strong,” he added.

Amitabh Bachchan To Star With Robert Di Niro

Its East meets West as India’s star of the millennium Amitabh Bachchan is all set to share screen space with the most iconic actor of Hollywood Robert Di Niro. They are going to work together on a film directed by Paul Schrader.

A source reports, “The Hollywood director had made a secret trip to Mumbai a couple of months back for location hunting. The person who was assisting him throughout the trip was director Anubhav Sinha, who was instrumental in bringing the director to Mumbai and will be collaborating with Schrader on the project. The film will be shot extensively in New York, Mumbai and Dubai.”“Yes, we are working on a big project that will involve A-list stars from both Hollywood and Bollywood. But I won’t be able to reveal details right away,” confirms Anubhav.“Amitabh Bachchan, on the other hand, has confirmed that Paul Schrader has already had a preliminary discussion about the film when he was in Paris at that time.Sources say that Bachchan has okayed the project and all actors, including Robert De Niro, will be given a bound script of the film by March next year. All the actors are expected to sign on the dotted line by that time and shooting will begin from April 2009,” adds the source.This surely seems to a be a movie to watch out!