Why would Shah Rukh do that to me: Ajay Devgn

In one of his most candid interviews, Ajay Devgn talks about everything -- from his favourite toons to his rivalry with Akshay Kumar

Ajay Devgn is a risk-taker. He debuted as an action star but today he's just as popular in the comedy and the drama genres. With four successive hit films in a row, he has never been in a better position.

While most actors are comfortable in their comfort zone, AD has acted in films as diverse as Raajneeti and Golmaal 3 this year.

And his Friday release is a live animation film, which has not been attempted by any A-List actor in India.

I spend an interesting hour with the actor at his Juhu bungalow to chat about his latest film Toonpur Ka Superrhero over cups of coffee. Read on...

Your fav cartoon characters while growing up?
Tom and Jerry were my favorite toons. I found them cute and maybe because I liked action, I liked their attacks on each other. Also the cat-and-mouse games were quite intelligent and interesting.

Do you still watch cartoons?
Yes, with my daughter Nysa, who watches cartoons all the time. She knows I love Tom and Jerry so whenever I walk in, she puts that on and we watch it together.

Your favourite animation film?
There are several but my favourite is The Lion King because it's a complete film. It can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. It has the right kind of emotions, fun moments, good music and a message given without being preachy.

Who's your favorite superhero?
I like Superman because he has actual powers and doesn't need any gimmicks. Also he's a superhero and yet human, and has an emotional connect.

What cartoons does Nysa watch?
She's always watching cartoons on all the different TV channels. I don't even know the names " there are so many new ones now!

Has Nysa seen Toonpur Ka Superrhero? What was her reaction?
Yes, she has seen it with all her friends and they all loved it! She plans to see it again.

How does Toonpur compare with Hollywood animation films?
It is on par with Hollywood animation films. Whatever happens to the film tomorrow, nobody can predict now, but after I saw the film, I told Kireet that this kind of animation has never been seen before in India.

I also told him, 'Whatever happens to the country after watching the film I don't know, but you have gone to Hollywood'. That's for sure! In Hollywood, people recognise talent for what it is and Kireet is extremely talented in the animation field.

Why has this genre never been attempted by an A-List actor?
Kireet narrated the script to me and I liked it. He has a great animation background and has won several National awards but I wasn't still very sure because in our country there's still a hitch that Hollywood cartoons are of a much higher standard. So though I liked the concept, I wasn't sure about how it was going to happen.

So we shot a scene and then he did all the animations and came back to me. Kireet told me that this was the quality of the film that we would shoot but I still wanted to see the final quality. We saw it on print at the theatre and it was fabulous. That's when I said yes. I felt we had an opportunity to make something never done before in India, and we should do it.

Did you also do this for Nysa?
I won't say exactly that I did it for my daughter but yes, she was in my mind. I did it because the concept was nice and very different.

There has been a buzz that Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One and Toonpur Ka Superrhero are the same especially about the part about the child wanting his dad to become a Superrhero. Comment.
Honestly speaking, I don't know where this came from because I don't know Shah Rukh's story, nor does he know the story of Toonpur. So how can we decide whether it's similar or not? Also, Toonpur was shot almost two years ago.

Any comments about the Guppy vs Bappi Lahiri controversy?
He's filed a case without seeing the film. It's not a wise decision. See the film first and then take a call. I can understand Bappida's point of view because 'Bappi' and 'Guppy' sounds alike. But the clothes and jewellery worn by the character and his style may just as well be Elvis Presley's.

Did you plan Toonpur's release along with Tees Maar Khan tomorrow because of your rivalry with Akshay Kumar?
Why would I want to harm my own film for so-called rivalry? I would be the happiest if my film was a solo release. TTMK is a big film.

Why would I want to clash with a film and eat into each other's business? It would be foolish of me to do something like that, which I am not. The only reason we had to come out on December 24 is because Toonpur is a film that needsa long weekend. I needed a week which continued from Sunday to the next week and that's Christmas week because it's a time when children want to go out and have fun.

We had no choice. We were almost ready six months ago but didn't release it then as we wanted a Diwali or Christmas release.

Don't you consider Akshay your rival or competitor?
Not really. I know we always have had releases on the same day for the last year or so, including this Diwali but that's a coincidence. Nobody plans this. Like the Golmaal 3 release date was decided when we started shooting for the film.

A tabloid reported that Shah Rukh allegedly urged Eros to release Toonpur with Tees Maar Khan to spite Farah Khan...
Rubbish! Why would Shah Rukh do that and why would any producer listen, do it and harm his own film? When you make a film, the most important thing is THE FILM. You want the film to work, that's why you make the film and that's how you decide the release date, the marketing, promotion and publicity of the film.

If you had to cast any other actor in your role in Toonpur, you'd pick...
Nobody can be as good as I am in the film! (Starts laughing) I know it sounds pompous but it's a very difficult film to do because here I am acting with nobody around me. I am doing action sequences and emotiing with nobody around. It's a very difficult performance.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

When Sunidhi totally felt like 'Sheila'

Singer Sunidhi Chauhan is on cloud nine. And why shouldn't she be? 'Sheila Ki Jawani' has come and conquered the whole of India and is raring to become a chartbuster hit in the country.

While people still love Munni from Dabangg, Sheila from Tees Maar Khan is equally popular. Speaking to the media, Sunidhi Chauhan says that she is very pleased with what Sheila has done for her career.

Though Sunidhi Chauhan is already a renowned item singer in Bollywood, seldom has it happened that her songs have caught the attention of moviegoers even before the film has hit theaters.

Sunidhi Chauhan very modestly announced that the entire credit for the super success should be given to Tees Maar Khan music composers Vishal and Shekhar.

Vishal Dadlani is also the lyricist of the chartbuster song 'Sheila Ki Jawani', and we have to agree that it is the lyrics of the song which has brought instant success to not only Sunidhi Chauhan but also Katrina Kaif, making the actress an overnight item queen.

In a statement to the media, Sunidhi Chauhan says that an item number with Farah Khan was long overdue. The singer – director duo were supposed to work together in Farah Khan's previous ventures Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om.

However, things did not work out. Sunidhi Chauhan though is not complaining. 'Sheila Ki Jawani' has more than made up for the absence of the singer in Farah Khan's earlier projects, the song is blaring everywhere from marriage ceremonies to discotheques.

Sunidhi Chauhan now remembers how she followed Farah Khan's advice and felt like Sheila while recording the song!

The story of Mahie and Randeep's love bites

That's director Tigmanshu Dhulia's solution to the bee sting marks on actors Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda's necks from shooting in a bee-infested haveli

The team of Tigmanshu Dhulia's Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster is in a stinging position. The haveli in Baria, Gujarat, where the film is being shot, is infested with beehives.

Groans Dhulia, "We look like a mess. Some of the actors have swollen faces and lips. These will obviously show on camera, more so since we're using a very sophisticated camera, the Alexa, for the first time in Indian cinema."

Short of time, Dhulia hit upon a novel idea to camouflage the bee-utiful faces of his actors. He has turned those red swollen welters on Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda into love bites in the script.

Laughs Dhulia, "Those swellings had to be justified. They play lovers on the run. Their passion borders on mutual destruction. I wanted the lovemaking to be extremely violent, almost like two people making war on society by making violent love on screen."

He adds, "I've shown Randeep and Mahie go further in their love-making than any Indian film so far. I'd have gone even further if I thought the censor board would allow it."

"The haveli that we are shooting in is colonised by bee-hives. They haven't taken kindly to the shooting in their territory, " he concludes.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

I had given 'X' amount of flops. I can't run away from that: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek gets introspective about luck, his career, his last film, his Pa and the coming year

Abhishek Bachchan never wanted to be the country's biggest star like his dad. People expected him to be. He just wanted to act, like many other star kids.

But he wasn't ANY star kid. He was the Big B's son. So his flops always seemed bigger and his hits never big enough. Somewhere along the way, he accepted it as his destiny.

He didn't defend himself and stopped his dad from defending him. He went into hiding after his (or rather Mani Ratnam's) last dud, Raavan.

He emerged after Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (KHJJS). Though it opened poorly, he is proud of the film. Read on to find out why as far as he is concerned, the film is a success.

I believe KHJJS didn't get a good opening, as it wasn't promoted well. Agree?
If you say that, I will accept it, because I look at it as a reaction. But I also feel that a film like this cannot be promoted like any other normal film. I can't promote this film as the same way as Dostana, by going on reality shows etc, because you have to maintain the dignity of the film.

Postmortems important or waste of time?
Postmortems are very, very essential. I learnt something important from Ashutosh during the making of this film a completely different way to analyse a film from what I have been doing. He always says to ask yourself: What goal did you set yourself when you decided to make this film? Have you achieved that?

If you did that, that's a form of success. Success should not always be measured with box office. I never thought like that before. I am an industry kid. I believed that if you make a film, it should make money, it should be a box-office success.

Your last few films haven't done well. Bad luck or bad films?
(long pause) I don't know. Luck plays a huge factor, but we take the easy way out by saying it's bad luck. Having said that, everybody's making a big deal about it.

My last two films have not worked but people are conveniently forgetting that I had a Dostana and a Paa before that. But it's a mixture of everything. At the end of the day, the genre doesn't matter. You just have to connect with the audience. Maybe they didn't connect with the films I have done.

Do you think you get singled out for more criticism because of whose son you are?
No. I've never thought like that, because I would like to believe I am not given special treatment, in the positive or the negative way. I think you get what you deserve. I've also been on the other side of the fence, when my films were doing well and no one was criticising me. In the end you have to give a successful film, that's all they want.

I meant the media, not the audience.
The media is an audience as well, I don't differentiate. That's something people don't understand about me. I equate them on the same level. I don't get affected by criticism. After my first two films, I did. I was young, immature, and I was like, 'Hey, I am working very hard, why are they doing this to me?' Then when you gain a bit more experience, you wonder, 'Why am I fighting this?' 'Why have I got it into my head that somebody has an agenda against me?'

The fact of the matter is that my films are not working. So if my films are not working, there has to be a reason for that. If my movies were doing exceptionally well and I was still getting criticism, I could have got negative about the whole thing.

Why do actors think, 'Oh I have been singled out!'? To think that I am being singled out because I am my father's son would've been a very easy crutch and convenient. What's the fact of the matter?

My last film did not work. If it did work, would you say the same thing? Oh, they are being nice to me because I am my father's son? No, it's a very easy crutch to use. You should go out there and take it on the chin when you deserve it.

Did you tell your dad not to talk about your films? He stopped that after Raavan.
For a parent, I think that's very sad. Any parent reading this would agree. You've made a father so aware that he cannot pass comments on his own son's work.

But we have to accept the fact that some people don't appreciate Amitabh Bachchan, the icon, passing comments on his son's work. So be it. I know what he thinks of my films because he tells me to my face. When I do a good job, I get a big hug.

When I don't, I am told what I've done wrong and how to improve it. I've done a lot of work to get my parents' approval and it puts me on the top of the world when they like my work. And when they don't, I get advice from two of the best actors in the industry, so....

When Prahlad Kakkar made digs at you, you hit back. It was one of those rare times you reacted. Why?
I didn't react to what he said about me. I know Prahlad. He was at my wedding. He is a fun guy. I have no absolutely no problem with what he said about me and that's because it is the truth.

What did he say?
That I had given 'X' amount of flops. I have. I can't run away from that, it's my reality, I accept it. He said I should be in the Guinness Book of Records. I am already there (for breaking a record during the promotion of Delhi-6). I have absolutely no problem with what he said about me. But I have a huge problem with people taking potshots at my film industry.

A large group of people work very hard and make films with a lot of blood and sweat. It's unfortunate that we are always targetted.

To call the industry a mom-and-pop store where only sons and nephews (get a chance) is unfair.

You want to say something about me, fine. No problem, go ahead. But don't take potshots at the film industry. I feel very strongly about it maybe because I have been born and brought up in this industry.

I have grown up in this fraternity, playing with the spotboys and lightmen on my father's sets. They are all like my extended family and that's why I reacted.

Any reaction to Anurag Kashyap's comments on KHJJS and your dad.
I have nothing to say about that.

As an actor, any resolution for 2011?
I don't have resolutions. They are the first thing to go out the window.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ranbir's midnight ruckus at Deepika's house

The Ranbir Kapoor – Deepika Padukone love story does not seem to reach its end anytime soon in the future.

Leggy lass Deepika may have vented her anger sitting on Karan Johar's couch and subsequently changed relationships among many within the Bollywood fraternity, but Ranbir Kapoor is unfazed.

And if his attitude towards Deepika Padukone is anything to go by, the Kapoor lad is also in the mood of reconciliation!

Though this may sound unbelievable, Ranbir Kapoor was reportedly spotted in front of Deepika Padukone's building on several occasions following the popular 'Koffee With Karan' spat.

Reports in the media claim that Ranbir Kapoor was photographed in front of the Cozy Home Apartments building where Deepika Padukone puts up in Mumbai in the late hours of the night.

According to these reports, Ranbir Kapoor could be seen repeatedly calling up Deepika Padukone and urging the security guard of the building to allow him to enter his ex girlfriend's home.

However, the guard on duty could not do so because according to a rule of the Cozy Home Apartments, anybody is not allowed to enter without the permission from the owners!

So did Ranbir Kapoor move away a loser? Not at all, in true filmy style, the Kapoor boy stood adamant in front of Deepika Padukone's house constantly ringing her to receive access.

A source who was present in the area when the incident took place at around 12.45 am in the night has said in a statement to the media that he overheard Ranbir Kapoor pleading to Deepika Padukone to let him enter her home so that he may be able to explain his situation.

Well, we are not really sure what he had to explain considering that he has already spoilt his image by admitting that he really cheated on former girlfriend Deepika during his chat on 'Koffee With Karan'.

Last heard, Deepika Padukone did let him enter when he refused to stop creating a fuss but not after more than half an hour of public drama. Did they kiss and make up inside? Watch this space for more!

Oooh So Nasty Priyanka: Does Kareena have a computer in the first place

Bollywood ladies are known for their catfights. But so openly ahem!!

But then, K Jo can make that happen on his show ‘Koffee with Karan’. Kareena and Priyanka got engaged in this real nasty fight. Friendly during the making of Aitraaz but then later turned foes over the fact that Priyanka ‘Piggy Chopps’ was with her ex beau Shahid Kapur, the duo exchanged scathing remarks between each other.

Taking another potshot at the female scion of the Kapoor khandaan, Piggy Chopps said that though she is extremely flattered at being praised by the lady for her acting skills, she doesn’t know of anyone in the industry who takes her seriously. Work wise or personally? Well Saif has to answer that.

Kareena aka Bebo asked innocently as to where on earth did Piggy Chopps get that ‘accent’ of hers. And pat came the reply from our Desi Girl “from the same place where her boyfriend (Saif Ali Khan) got his." This was a smart reminder to Bebo and all those who were tuned in, that apart from chote nawab Saif, even she had the good fortune to study abroad.

And here is the one that stole the show. The question which Karan asked on the show was that what she would like to steal from the computers of Bollywood superstars like SRK, Shahid, Kareena and others. Miss World very promptly enquired giggling "Does Kareena have a computer in the first place?"

Naughty Piggy Chops; now that‘s underestimating Bebo a bit too much. Even if she doesn’t have one, I guess Saif must have gifted her one, by now. Or even better, the company for whom she models can surely gift their brand ambassador one single piece. Isn’t it?

Hrithik Roshan: The Star Who Just Can't Say No To Shahrukh Khan

November 27, 2010 : Hrithik Roshan the dancing sensation of Bollywood has a distinct attraction for his senior Shahrukh Khan.

it seems as if the two were really meant to be brothers as was depicted in the KJO flick 'Khabhi Khusi Kabhi Gham' a few years ago.

Recently when Shahrukh Khan wanted to see the Sanjay Leela Bhansali flick 'Guzaarish' at his place Mannat in Mumbai, he had got arrangements to see it with his family and friends.

Hrithik Roshan who was quite unwell had stayed back home to relax even as his wife Sussanne went for the special screening at SRK's place. Sussanne and Gauri, Hrithik's and Shahrukh's wives respectively are the best of friends and they always spend a lot of time whenever time permits

But just after the film had started, there was a phone call from the big brother Shahrukh Khan to Hrithik Roshan, saying that he was very impressed with the latter's work in the movie. SRK immediately asked Hrithik to be at his place so that they could have a one on one chat about the great role that Hrithik had portrayed as a paraplegic.

Now, as is well known, Hrithik just cannot say no to SRK. So out he popped from bed and rushed to Mannat forgetting all about his fever and stuff.

Well, reportedly the two discussed everything about portraying characters with chronic diseases on screen and since SRK had also portrayed the role of a mentally affected patient in KJO'S flick My Name Is Khan, he perfectly understood Hrithik's character of Ethan in Guzaarish who was a paraplegic.

Well, what do we call it? Mutual understanding of one bro for another?

--SAMPURN

Sachcha Bhai: Salman Khan to launch Rahul Bhatt

Bhatt Jr. will debut in an action film with Salman Khan's help Mahesh Bhatt's reticent son Rahul has quietly moved out of the family fold. Salman Khan will launch the star kid shortly in an action film.

Bhai (as Salman is known in the industry) befriended Bhatt Jr during his stay in the Bigg Boss house, has now taken him under his wing. Sallu has even begun to advise Rahul on his life and career.

Get lean

Apparently, Khan feels that Rahul needs to shed his beefy look that doesn't quite match his vulnerable face. The older actor also believes that an actioner would be the best launch vehicle for the Bhatt boy.

Wouldn't working in his own home production be a better deal? Our source avers, "Neither Bhatt Saab nor his son was comfortable with the idea.

It's just not in the boy's personality to piggyride on his father's name. He is fighting hard to shrug off the label of just being his father's son."

On the same page
According to a source, Rahul will be part of Arbaaz Khan's Dabangg 2 as well. He chooses to play down his excitement at finally being launched and that too by Sallu.

"Yes, Salmanbhai is working on something for me. I trust him completely. He says action and emotion are my forte. I believe that. We're both on the same page. And that's a relief."

Ironically, producers have suddenly woken up to the youngster's existence. Anurag Basu, who was once to launch Rahul in a Vishesh Films production is now working Rahul into his next project.

Sighs the newbie, "I've waited long enough. I went into Bigg Boss so people would see me as more than just the faceless son of Mahesh Bhatt. It worked."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

The Great Khali: Bigg Boss 4 Gets Its Strongest Captain This Week!

Bigg Boss informed Seema about the end of her rule and she was asked to suggest two names for next captain. The former ‘bandit queen’ took the name of Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari and Khali as she thinks that Manoj had been a good captain earlier and Khali has the quality to prove himself as a captain.
Finally, the voting for the probable captains takes place and it was a open nomination where most of the housemates preferred Khali because all of them wanted to give him a chance to prove his leadership qualities. Seema looked very happy when she was relieved from captaincy. She congratulated Khali for his new job and said that now she will see how he manages to keep people awake during the day time as he used to sleep himself when she was the captain. Khali thanked everyone for choosing him as the new captain.
On the other hand, Ashmit seemed unhappy with Sara as she voted Manoj Tiwari instead of Khali. Hrishant approaches Khali asking him to remember the housemates, who have made him the house captain. However, in a lighter mood he asks Khali not to name him during the nomination process on Sunday because the one nominated by the captain will go directly for public nomination.
Now, we will have to see how successful he will be as the Bigg Boss house captain. Will he be able to control the naughty boy Hrishant from doing unruly things? Above all, will he be able to control his own sleep during day time? Keep watching Bigg Boss to get the answers or watch this space for more!

 

Sonam, Ranbir, Deepika: War of words get ugly

Sonam, Ranbir, Deepika: War of words get 

ugly  Ranbir Kapoor's dad blasts them both for making fun of his son on Koffee With Karan, says it's case of sour grapes with the girls
PS: Strangely blames host Karan Johar for instigating them

The Koffee With Karan episode featuring Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor which aired last Sunday is threatening to spoil the relations between the Kapoors and the host Karan Johar.

The two actresses, who have both been linked to Ranbir Kapoor, took potshots at the actor throughout the show and this has angered his parents and extended family like his aunt Rima Jain.

What Sonam said

Declared Ranbir was unsexy, and that she had seen it all during the shooting of Saawariya when he dropped the towel for the infamous scene, and wasn't interested anymore. She also ridiculed his fashion sense.

And let Deepika know that she found it admirable that Deepika held on to Kapoor for so long. Ending by saying that Ranbir badly needed a stylist and that he is a terrible boyfriend and he can never stay faithful.

What Deepika said

When KJo asked her what she'd like to give Ranbir Kapoor, she said: a box of condoms. Hinting at his over-active libido or an unfortunate incident with one of his girlfriends? Your guess is as good as ours.

When asked to rate him in sex appeal, the former girlfriend put him last on her list. She also said that that if she woke up as RK someday, she'd go back to sleep. She also made digs at him for cheating on her.

The piece de resistance was when she revealed that once, when RK was at KJO's house, her ex was offered a glass of juice and a silk robe by his maid.

Some people who saw the episode felt the two actresses had gone overboard with their opinion on Ranbir. Naturally RK's parents are upset. Rima and Neetu are currently on a holiday in New York and haven't seen the show but they got calls from "well-wishers" from India who informed them about the fun poked at the Kapoor lad.

An industry source reveals, "Neetu was so mad when she heard what the two actresses had said she called up Karan and fired him for allowing that kind of talk on the show." Rishi Kapoor makes no bones about hiding his hurt and anger. 

Although he claims he hasn't seen the show, he admits, "We definitely feel cheated and hurt. My wife and sister are in New York and they were very upset when they heard about the show.

Neetu was very hurt and upset and she spoke to Karan about it. We didn't expect this from him because Karan happens to be a close friend but he instigated both the girls to say all those things!"

A disturbed Rishi continues, "We've done so much for Karan... We have gone twice on his show. We even gave bytes for the show featuring Imran and Ranbir out of pure love for Karan.

In return, what does he do? Provoke guests on his show to get better TRPs? There's no respect for relationships. Neetu and I go on his shows out of love for him. He gets paid for the show while we do it for love and affection. Karan shouldn't do this to us or all the Kapoors will severe ties with him and not work with him."

When pointed out that it wasn't the host but Deepika and Sonam who poked fun at his laadla, Papa Kapoor says, "Well to put things in the right perspective, all I can say is that with both the girls it is a case of sour grapes. I have known Sonam's father Anil for years.

All I will say to the girls is: in stead of doing all this concentrate on your careers. Why do you run shows that have so much gossip?

I have done Koffee With Karan earlier with Neetu, my brothers and sister; there was great camaraderie and laughter on our show. We didn't run anyone down. I don't think you should encourage people to wash dirty linen in public. You will never see Ranbir running anyone down."

When asked if he'd tried to talk to Anil about Sonam's comments, Rishi says, "What can I say to Anil? Everyone is family here and these girls are like my children. I don't want to get into fights involving my son's friends.

It just shows their (Deepika and Sonam) class. I would like to tell them to stop giggling all the time and instead grow up and behave maturely. They are there on the show because they are their father's daughters and not because of their work! I would advise them to stop talking about their colleagues and running them down."

The Other Side

"Neetuji has not called me and I am unaware of any of this... spoke to Ranbir and he was totally cool and understands the nature and vibe of the show!! He is possibly the coolest guy I know... so he was totally fine!!" Karan Johar

My wife and sister are in New York and they were very upset when they heard about the show. Neetu was very hurt and upset and she spoke to Karan about it. We didn't expect this from him because Karan happens to be a close friend but he instigated both the girls to say all those things. We have done so much for Karan in return, what does he do?

Provoke guests on his show to get better TRPs? There's no respect for relationships. He gets paid for the show while we do it for love and affection.

Karan shouldn't do this to us or all the Kapoors will severe ties with him and not work with him. Well to put things in the right perspective all I can say is that with both the girls it is a case of sour grapes. It just shows their (Deepika and Sonam) class.

I would like to tell them to stop giggling all the time and behave maturely. They are there on the show because they are their father's daughters and not because of their work! I would advise them to stop talking about their colleagues and running