Bollywood News

Mumbai: Actress Juhi Chawla, who will be seen with Madhuri Dixit for the first time in "Gulaab Gang", says she doesn`t think they will get another chance to work together in future.
Madhuri and Juhi were contemporaries in the 1990s but they never worked together during their prime.

"I think this (`Gulaab Gang`) was the last chance I got to work with her (Madhuri Dixit) and I don`t think we will again get a chance to work together in future," Juhi told reporters Monday at the screening of Bengali movie "Jatishwar" here.

"Gulaab Gang" has a very strong script and Juhi feels that such stories are not churned out in bulk, therefore, she isn`t so hopeful of seeing her and Madhuri on the big screen together again.

"It happens once in a lifetime when we get such a good script and where we can work together with such dedication. So, I don`t imagine that we will again be working (together). That`s why the film is exciting for us as actors," said Juhi.

Juhi recalls the time when she missed the opportunity to work with Madhuri because of rivalry.

"There were times when I had a chance to work with Madhuri, but at that time we were rivals and I was like, `I will not work with Madhuri at all`," Juhi spoke candidly.

"Now I agreed to do the film (`Gulaab Gang`) as I felt it would be an amazing cast with such an awesome script," she added.

"Gulaab Gang", co-written by director Soumik Sen and producer Anubhav Sinha, is inspired by a group of women activists in the Bundelkhand region and talks about women empowerment.

It features Juhi and Madhuri in completely opposite roles. While Madhuri stands for justice, Juhi stands for political power as she plays a stubborn politician.

"Gulaab Gang" is slated to release March 7, a day before International Women`s Day.

Juhi is eager to talk about the movie.

"I am waiting for the promotions to start. I will be happy to talk about the film. It was a unique experience while working in the film. I enjoyed it," she said.

Sonakshi Sinha has been used as a prop in most of the movies, but one cannot regret that the actress proved her mettle in acting with 'Lootera', and her excellent act in that movie has landed her an offer to perform in Broadway.

A source said, "A theatre group based in New York has approached her for a Broadway adaption of O.Henry's 'The Last Leaf'. She recently got a call from them and is really excited about it."

'Lootera' was said to be heavily based on O.Henry's acclaimed short story and it was Sona’s best performance till date.

The source added, "Her acting in ' Lootera' caught the eye of the theatre group. The play's Broadway run is planned for the coming summer. She will look at her diary and take a call soon."

Many popular Hollywood celebs have performed at Broadway in the theatre district of New York.

Sonakshi was unavailable for a comment but her spokesperson said, "Yes, she has got an offer to perform there and she will take a call soon."

Well, now it won’t be a shock that the actress soon gets a chance to star in Hollywood flick as well

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan started his day Monday with dubbing for a tribute to late director-screenwriter K.A. Abbas, who gave him his first break.

The actor took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the director for "Saat Hindustani".

"(I) had started day at 7:30 a.m. ... dub for a tribute to KA Abbas, for his centenary. K.A. Abbas gave me my fist film," Amitabh posted on the microblogging site Monday.

Abbas has also helmed films like "Shehar Aur Sapna", "Dharti Ke Lal" and "Roop Lekha".

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Monday presented a cheque of Rs.1 crore to the director and producer of Hindi film "Bullet Raja" as it was extensively shot in Uttar Pradesh.

Director Tigmanshu Dhulia and producer Rahul Mita also thanked the chief minister for financially assisting films shot in Uttar Pradesh, an official said.

They accepted the cheque of Rs.1 crore given by the state government under its amended film policy of 2001.

The government has decided to give facilities such as tax rebates and financial assistance to films based on Uttar Pradesh's culture, tradition and lifestyle and shot extensively in the state.
Yadav said his government was committed to promoting films that bring tourism to the state and create job opportunities.

The Samajwadi Party government also recently announced a three-month tax holiday for Madhuri Dixit starrer "Dedh Ishqiya", also shot in Uttar Pradesh.

This year's first big film deal has been done. The distribution rights of writers-turned-directors Sajid and Farhad's film, Its Entertainment, starring Akshay Kumar, has been sold to Jayantilal Gada's company for over Rs 100 crore.

The film's producer Ramesh Taurani confirms, `We have signed the deal.`

He, however, refused to divulge details on the deal. Trade analyst Vikas Mohan adds, `Jayantilal Gada has bought the worldwide rights including satellite rights of the film for about Rs 100 crore. It is a big deal of 2014.`
Gada maintains, `We always try to give the best to the viewer.` The film features Tamannah, Sonu Sood and Mithun Chakraborty. It was slated to release on May 1, but now it has been pushed to August 8. 

Sanjay Dutt has his few close friends to thank for staying by his side in his time of crisis

With Sanjay Dutt's wife Maanayata undergoing treatment at Parel's Global Hospital for a possible lung tumour, these are certainly trying times for the incarcerated actor, now out on parole.

But luckily for him, his friends and family have been by his side all through. Close friends, including producer Bunty Walia and director Apoorva Lakhia, have been regularly visiting the couple at the hospital.

A source close to the star says, `Apart from his family, both Apoorva and Bunty have been there for Sanju all through. Worried about his wife's health, Sanjay has stayed put in the hospital and his sisters have been taking turns to babysit their twins Shahraan and Iqra. Also, with this hospital being quite far from their Bandra residence, he now wants her to be moved to a hospital that's closer to their home.`

Says Bunty Walia, `Most people are enquiring about her health on the phone, as not many are allowed to visit her in the hospital. I am sure once she is home, many more of their friends will drop in to check on her.`

Among others who have visited the star wife are the cast of the film Hasmukh Pighal Gaya, which is being produced by Maanayata under the banner Sanjay Dutt Productions. However, her children haven't been able to visit her due to the hospital's policy that doesn't allow visits by children less than 10 years of age. 

Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan had to give 21 retakes for one scene for their upcoming film Shaadi Ke Side Effects.

It was an emotional scene, but they would end up giggling resulting in takes after takes. Director Saket Chaudhary says, `I really don't remember the number of takes, but it was Vidya who first started breaking into a laughter and then Farhan did the same.

It went on for some time till they regained their composure to give the scene to be okayed by me.'' 

'Satya 2' actress Anaika Soti features in a Tamil film opposite Siddharth
After making her debut in Ram Gopal Varma's Satya 2, Anaika Soti got noticed and bagged a Tamil film Kaaviya Thalaivan.

The historical fiction film directed by Vasanthabalan has Siddharth as her co-star. With her girl-next-door looks, Anaika took on the offer to make her debut in the South film which has A R Rahman scoring the music.

The newcomer says, `It has been a beautiful journey. I have always loved watching movies and the whole idea of exploring yourself with the different roles that one gets to play in the movies really excites me about film business. Ram Gopal Verma has been a fantastic director and I am what I am because of him. I love it here.`

The actress admits that the response to her recently released film has been thrilling to say the least. Right now, she is chilling out at home before she resumes work on her next film. CS chats with her about her family, success and her special friendship with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Excerpts from an interview.

Bollywood actress and producer Malaika Arora Khan said she is happy that the career graph of her actor brother-in-law Salman Khan is soaring with the passage of time.

"We have tremendous respect for the person he (Salman) is and for his craft. I think with every film he gets better. Very few men survive that long (on screen) with that kind of intensity and fan following... It is amazing," Malaika told PTI.

She said in the extended family of Khans every festival and occasions like birthdays are celebrated with gaiety. "There is healthy respect for everybody. Everybody values each other's time and position.

There is lot of fun, joking and fooling around that happens whenever we meet," she said. With the kind of work we do, it is difficult to sit and chat every single day of life but whenever we meet whether it is for birthdays or even a casual lunch, it is always fun, she added. Malaika, known for her item numbers, has mostly done cameos in various films.

When asked about it, she replied, "if there is something worthwhile for me, something that excites me, I will do it". Malaika will be seen doing a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Happy New Year'.
"I have just done a cameo, there is no dancing this time. It is a sweet cameo... It is something that I had done in 'Om Shanti Om'. I am playing myself," she said on her role.

The production company of her actor husband and Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan has delivered two back-to-back hits with 'Dabangg' and 'Dabangg 2'. The actress, who is working closely with Arbaaz in his company, has denied the buzz that they are coming with 'Dabangg 3' in near future.

"There is nothing on that front yet. Our next project is 'Doli Ki Doli', which we start in next couple of months. We are only concentrating on that," she added.