Bollywood

Priyanka flying high! Now a film with Ranbir Kapoor

Written by Aly Kassam on June 11th, 2008

There was a point in time when Priyanka Chopra was written off, after pitiful performances in films like Aap Ki Khatir, Krrish and Salaam-e-Ishq. Most said she’s lost her touch after a knockout performance in Aitraaz, but she seems to have proven everyone wrong. With great films in the pipeline and three new ones on [...]

Bachao! How to save Bollywood award shows!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 10th, 2008

Note from Editors: This article was published over a year ago, but we are re-publishing it as it seems extremely relevant at the moment, with IIFA having just concluded! Some of the article has been updated. Bollywood has it all these days – glamour, talent and fantastic movies. I’m sad to say that our award [...]

Sonam speaks out on her birthday

Written by Aly Kassam on June 8th, 2008

Although Sonam Kapoor debuted on the same day as Deepika Padukone and has been forced to endure a media-made war with her fellow colleague, the two are poles apart when it comes to films. We make this statement based on the fact that while Deepika has signed 3-5 projects after her debut, Sonam has gone [...]

Imran Khan’s next co-star is Kamal Hassan’s daughter!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 8th, 2008

Imran Khan must be feeling quite lucky these days. His debut project, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, has got everyone excited and many are looking forward to watching Imran and his co-star Genelia D’Souza lend a certain sense of freshness to the silver screen come early July. But Imran is on a roll! Soon after [...]

Sarkar Raj

Written by Aly Kassam on June 6th, 2008

It’s ironic how a film with power as its central theme stars three members of one of the most powerful — if not the most powerful — families in Bollywood. And with the infamous Ram Gopal Varma behind the wheel, you can expect one hell of a ride. His films are rarely famous for their [...]

Ada

Written by Aly Kassam on June 3rd, 2008

Recently, the Hindi music industry has been bombarded with album after album after quite a lull. Two of our music reviewers (Stacey Yount and Aly Kassam) decided to mix things up a bit this time around and present a review of A. R. Rahman’s latest soundtrack, Ada, in a slightly more creative way. Considering how [...]

Katrina plans to finally…act!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 3rd, 2008

If we were to assess an actor based on hits and flops, then Katrina Kaif takes the cake for being the most successful actress over the last year or so. With hits like Namastey London, Race and Welcome under her belt, she is being approached by loads of filmmakers who hope to take a whiff [...]

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next stars Amitabh Bachchan

Written by Aly Kassam on May 27th, 2008

Apparently, though it is still slightly premature to confirm, Sanjay Leela Bhansali plans to go the historical route with Amitabh Bachchan by his side for a film based on unsung hero titled ‘Chenab Gandhi’. However, it seems that the film will actually be directed by his assistant Vibhu Puri who worked with him during Saawariya. [...]

“I was a bit concerned about a certain shot that Soha did.” – Saif Ali Khan

Written by Aly Kassam on May 27th, 2008

We recently reported Soha Ali Khan’s sudden makeover from a demure young girl into a bold and beautiful woman, as she graced the cover of Maxim India. Most that saw the shots were shocked as it seemed so unlike Soha to bare her body for a photoshoot. Older brother Saif Ali Khan felt the same [...]

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Written by Aly Kassam on May 22nd, 2008

In an attempt to salvage their once envied reputation, Yash Raj Films has teamed up with Kunal Kohli’s production house and have added a few new ingredients to their formula—thoda pyaar, thoda magic. In fact, they’ve even named their next film after this phrase which is directed by Kohli himself and brings back Rani Mukerji [...]

Sriram confirms that John-Ash film is still on!

Written by Aly Kassam on May 20th, 2008

After it was announced, there was a considereable amount of excitement surrounding Sriram Raghavan’s next film as it stars Aishwarya Rai and John Abraham in lead roles. Most were interested in the prospect of a new pair hitting the screens, but suddenly news died down; Ash signed Robot, Dhun and Mani Ratnam’s next and John [...]

Priyanka-Harman in Ashutosh’s next

Written by Aly Kassam on May 19th, 2008

After conquering the box office and critics with his last effort, Jodhaa Akbar (which just completed 100 days in theatres), Ashutosh Gowariker has eagerly finalized his next project which is set to be a romantic comedy. The flavour of the season seems to be real life couples acting together in the reel world, with Priyanka [...]

Vidya hints that she is no longer single!

Written by Aly Kassam on May 18th, 2008

She has fixed up her wardrobe, signed some exciting films and is raring to go. Vidya Balan chats to Mumbai Mirror briefly about her latest release, Kismet Konnection and the special person in her life. Is it Shahid Kapur? Read on to find out! Instead of denying with a simple ‘No comment’, Vidya gushes about [...]

Jodis to look forward to in 2008!

Written by Aly Kassam on May 11th, 2008

Abhishek-Aishwarya, Saif-Rani, Akshay-Katrina… YAWN! Is it just me or are Bollywood jodis getting exhaustingly repetitive and dare I say…boring? With so many actors in the industry, why is it that filmmakers opt to shuffle the same ten or so names around and call it a new pair? Tired of what’s been done over and over [...]

Tashan director talks about the film’s failure

Written by Aly Kassam on May 2nd, 2008

Before the film released, director Vijay Krishna Acharya who wrote the Dhoom series for Yash Raj Films kept extremely mum. Finally, after the film has released to bad reports and collections, he speaks up. Firstly, he refutes the fact that Tashan hasn’t worked with the masses. “I have seen the film in 12 different places. [...]

Chitrangada Singh turns down Aamir Khan!

Written by Aly Kassam on May 2nd, 2008

Most would consider it unthinkable, but Chitrangada Singh maintains that Aamir Khan’s next production Delhi Belly just wasn’t for her. After astonishing critics and audiences in Hazaaron Kwhaishein Aisi, Singh disappeared from the filmy scene and has recently announced that she is signing films once again. She is on board for Onir’s Sorry Bhai and [...]

Abhi-Ash sign another film together?

Written by Aly Kassam on May 1st, 2008

For those who liked their pairing in Guru, you’re lucky. And for those who are sick of hearing Aishwarya-Abhishek film announcements, I’m sorry to make matters worse. Rajiv Menon, who earlier directed Aishwarya in the Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain, has announced his next project to be presented by Eros International starring none other than Abhishek [...]

Rahman’s ‘Ada’ six years in the making

Written by Aly Kassam on May 1st, 2008

The maestro is back in the news after mesmerizing with his last outing Jodhaa Akbar. After delivering the music for one of the most grand and majestic films Hindi cinema has seen, A.R. Rahman’s next outing is in the form of a more modest venture. Debut director Tanvir Ahmad’s Ada with the tag-line “A way [...]

Box Office Update: Tashan opens poorly in North America

Written by Aly Kassam on April 29th, 2008

As the facts and figures begin to roll in, it’s becoming quite apparent that the not-so-great reactions to YRF’s multistarrer Tashan have translated into poor box office collections. Most expected the film to take a thunderous start Overseas considering the star power involved in the film, but numbers have another story to tell. The opening [...]

Bollywood in a sad state after ‘Tashan’ debacle?

Written by Aly Kassam on April 26th, 2008

So the verdict is out for all to witness; Yash Raj Films’ action entertainer Tashan is not on par in terms of filmmaking and after an average opening is expected to take a huge drop. In fact, it pains us to note that such horrible reviews for a film haven’t been seen since RGV Ki [...]

Amisha Patel to do an item number in Kunal’s ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’

Written by Aly Kassam on April 24th, 2008

She came and she conquered. And then she flopped. Such is the story of Amisha Patel who was once one of Bollywood’s top actresses after delivering back to back hits in Gadar and Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. After a string of flops, her career took a serious dip. But it seems Amisha hasn’t let this [...]