Bollywood Instyle

Shahrukh Khan’s childhood dream has come true. Bollywood’s reigning superstar made it to Madame Tussauds in London, when he unveiled his wax statue among much fanfare. Accompanying him was his demure wife, Gauri Khan, who garlanded the Khan in wax. He is the third Bollywood star after Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai to be honored thus.  Dressed in the famous Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge outfit, the statue comes alive and reminds you of the super-hit that starred Shahrukh and Kajol epitomizing their star-jodi power.

As reported, the statues of famous English footballer David Beckham and that of his wife Victoria had to make way for the King’s statue. Shahrukh is in glamorous company with the sexy Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and the beautiful Jennifer Lopez keeping him company.

King Khan arrived at the prestigious museum in a Bentley Arnage, followed by a Bentley Azure, and walked the red carpet. The entire Baker Street was blocked to accommodate the Khan’s visit. The entourage made it to the first floor where Shahrukh’s waxwork is placed right next to that of Hollywood star, Will Smith. John Travolta’s statue too is at handshake distance.

Keeping in view Shahrukh Khan’s worldwide popularity and massive fan following, his statue has been accorded larger space with a plasma television running an audio-visual of the Bollywood superstar and a huge poster of his in Don forming the backdrop.

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Minissha Lamba in the Year 2007

Bollywood’s upcoming actress Minissha Lamba does not actually have a busy calendar this year, but she does have two interesting projects on line. She plays the role of a Parsi girl in Reema Kagti’s “Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. The script that fascinated her no end was what she had been dreaming about. Abhay Deol, whom she is paired with, makes for her lover, and they are crazily in love with each other. The other couples too are a crazy lot with unique quirkiness defining their characters.

Another movie that has come her way is Ananth Mahadevan’s “Anamika – The Untold Story”. Koena Mitra plays Dino Morea’s childhood sweetheart, while Minissha is his second wife in the movie based loosely on the novel “Rebecca”. She plays a young girl who is pushed into a new world unknown to her. Her life is a constant struggle, as she tackles all kinds of situations to find a new identity, meaning to life, and new love.

Isha to Act in Kalpana Lajmi’s Film

Isha Kopikar has been offered the role of a courtesan in Kalpana Lajmi’s next film. The pretty actress is thrilled to bits, especially when the role comes following Ashwaraya’s in Umrao Jaan. Although Ash failed to set the screen on fire, Ishaa is quite confident that she will do justice to the role.  The film that still seeks a title is based on a popular novel Sanyasi and Sundari.  Since it is a period film taking viewers to the times of Ashoka, it reflects upon the position of women then. Lajmi insists that it is not a movie about a nautch girl. According to her, courtesans were a respected lot and not treated as prostitutes. They were endowed with intellect and were skillful, the reason why they earned respect.

Shooting for the movie is billed to start in April this year and will be shot at one go. With financial constraints, Lajmi cannot afford to spend on large and luxurious sets. The movie will be shot with Rajasthan locales in the backdrop. Isha is a director’s actress and Lajmi is sure that she will be able to bring the best out of the talented actress.

Eklavya, according Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has made terrific initial collections; and the effervescent director is pleased as punch. “The film is running to full multiplexes and is doing roaring business in Delhi and Mumbai,” said Chopra, who could barely conceal his excitement. “In the first three days, in these two cities, the film has grossed more than Lage Raho Munna Bhai did in the same period.”

Carried on Chopra in the same vein, “There are two ways to look at a film like this. It is likely that single-screen theaters with inferior sound and projection systems, especially in non-metro cities, will see a drop in audience. The multiplex audience, however, have been most enthusiastic.”

The statistics, as revealed by the producers, say it all. On the opening day in Delhi, Eklavya was able generate Rs.1.85 crores worth of business, while in Mumbai the collections were Rs.1.76 crores. In comparison, Lage Raho Munna Bhai managed Rs.1.32 crores on day one. Eklavya has made Rs.5.5 crores in just three days in Mumbai.

The movie is reportedly doing good business in USA too. The demand for the movie has seen more prints being introduced in Los Angeles mid-week.

Since the movie is of just 107 minutes duration, the multiplexes have managed to squeeze in extra shows. The opening may have drawn formidable reviews, but conflicting reviews are ruining Chopra’s day. Many trade analysts have given the thumbs-down to Eklavya. According to analyst Vinod Mirani, “The appreciation for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya remains limited to the media. The paying public has rejected the film, making it a commercial failure.”

According to London-based The Evening Standard, Webber has offered Shilpa a meaty role in the famous musical Bombay Dreams. Shilpa, who became a household name overnight in UK because of the controversies she was involved in in the reality show Big Brother, has also been reported to be offered a role in a TV series How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? by Webber. The Bollywood actress’ spokesman Max Clifford too has confirmed Webber’s initiative at discussing some offers.

According to Clifford, the 31-year old actress is keen on accepting new challenges of a theater career after having spent 15 years as a Bollywood movie actress.

Shilpa is a highly sought after individual ever since her winning stint at Big Brother. She has been reportedly offered a handsome sum to write her memoirs in the reality show, with special reference to the controversial racist episode where she was badmouthed and insulted. She will also be busy negotiating numerous endorsement deals.

Webber had earlier approached Norah Jones to play the lead role. But, owing to her busy recording and shooting schedules, she turned down the offer. The role that Shilpa has been offered will depend on her singing skills.

There was a lot of talk whether Shah Rukh Khan will be able to step into the big shoes of Big B when he decided to conduct Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) made so famous by Amitabh Bachchan. King Khan has gone on to win hearts through his spontaneity, panache and good humor. His unpredictability, warmth and genuine love for people actually shows. He loves to call people by names that he loves to give them; in that, Guggilla became Gugs for Shah Rukh, and nobody minded that. Creating a personal rapport and equation with candidates at the hot seat is what endears the superstar to the audience. His high fives and warm hugs, and accepting a woman participant’s marriage proposal (all in good humor, of course!) marks how unpredictable and fun-loving can the show get.

Where Amitabh Bachchan brought an air of dignity to the show, Shah Rukh has added a new dimension of fun and laughter to KBC. He even went ahead and parted with his big brand wrist watch presenting it to one of the spellbound participants. Gugs, the beneficiary, said that he would in return present the superstar with a gold watch that his wife had presented to him on their wedding. Such emotions are what Shah Rukh Khan is able to generate through his warmth and generosity.

There is no point in having comparisons between two top people belonging to different generations. Amitabh is Amitabh and Shah Rukh is Shah Rukh. Both are respected and loved for the jobs that they do. Amitabh did a colossal job with KBC, and Shah Rukh is doing his in his own inimitable way. So, leave them alone, and let them be.

Big Mouth Jade Goody had to bid goodbye to Big Brother after creating quite a furor by her racist comments on Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. The Shetty girl, riding high on a sympathy wave, had millions gunning for her tormentor Jade. According to estimates, more than five million viewers voted out the illiterate former nurse.

The response was terrific and unprecedented with 82% votes confirming Goody’s eviction from the reality show. Goody did manage some sympathy votes after she cried on the show claiming she was not racist. After the results of eviction were announced, Jade hugged Shilpa and said: “I’ll be alright. I know why it is. It’s because of what I said the other day.”

Chancellor Gordon Brown, on a visit to India told Sky TV that there was strong support for Shilpa, and they were doing enough to get the message across. He said that showing solidarity to Shilpa’s cause was one way of demonstrating Britain’s tolerance and fairness.

Earlier, a major sponsor had withdrawn its support, which spread panic among the Channel 4 ranks. This prompted the Big Brother honcho to playact a rapprochement between the aggressor and victim. The executives went into damage control and in a 90-minute session they extracted a statement from Shetty saying that she did not feel a victim of racial taunts. They also forced Goody to apologize for her conduct. But, the damage had been done, and no amount of post-event sootheners was going to assuage the hurt sentiments.

Ratings shot through the roof, and to beat the accusation of profiteering from the sordid drama, the channel declared that money from the eviction vote in millions will go to charity.

If his fans’ wishes were to come true, Govinda should be setting the box office on fire with his comeback flick Bhagam Bhag. But, at 48 and pretty much overweight, will Govinda be able to pull his weight in the movie? With top comedy stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal co-starring, the movie is expected to do well, and also resurrect Govinda’s flagging career.

Trade analyst Komal Nahata believes that Govinda can continue to rule if he is choosy about the films he does. Govinda’s career nose-dived in 2004 though he had given powerhouse performances in many of his earlier movies. The Hero No. 1, was always late on the sets, and had the producers and shooting staff on tenterhooks. His highhandedness was tolerated because he was a big draw at the box office. The moment his magic waned, producers turned their back on him.

His roles were getting too repetitive and, as a result, his antics started to jar the nerves. His films Khulam Khula Pyaar Karenge and Sandwich sank without a trace. Different genre films Albela, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, Shikari, and Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain all bombed at the box office one after the other. It clearly showed that Govinda’s rule at the box office was over, and he needed to re-invent himself to create an impact on his now distancing fans.

Let us wait and see what magic Bhagam Bhag creates to resurrect Govinda’s sunken career. Can Govinda create the magic of yore is a million dollar question.

Ignoring strong hints from Hema ‘Basanti’ Malini to consider her daughter Esha Deol as and in the role of Basanti in Sholay 2, Ram Gopal Verma has gone ahead and signed little known Nisha Kothari for the role. Ramu has thrust the mantle of Basanti on a three-movie-old flop actress, despite the fact that Basanti’s role is quite central to the story. Basanti will be known as Ghungroo and not Basanti.  And missing will be the quintessential tonga, Dhanno, and the famous dialog: “Bhag Dhanno bhag, Basanti ki izzat ka sawwal hai”. Ramu has moved on with the times and envisaged Ghungroo as a three-wheeler driver, instead. Let us wait and see whether this Ghungroo creates any sound bytes a la Basanti of yore.

You saw him do those mighty leaps across the screen in Krrish, but all does not end there for Hrithik Roshan. The heartthrob of millions continues the leapfrog act having just overtaken the super Khans by miles. Hrithik’s been reported to have signed a whopping Rs.35 crores ($7.5 million) deal with Adlabs for three movies. That makes the handsome star the highest paid actor in Bollywood. According to the grapevine, Amir Khan gets between Rs. 7 – 9 crores ($1.5 - $1.7 million) per film, while Shahrukh Khan earns between Rs. 6 – 7 crores ($1.2 - $1.5 million), and Salman Khan anywhere between Rs. 4 – 5 crores ($1 - $1.2 million) per movie. The icing on the cake is that the debonair Hrithik gets to pick the script, directors and co-stars of his choice. Well, that is one mighty deal.