We’ve had a full on couple of weeks so apologies to all for a very , very late BollySpice column. We’ve had a whirlwind: a premier; our shows; Bollywood Nights and meetings galore – sometimes we wish we could clone ourselves!
It was fun hooking up with the Roshans at the Dorchester a few hours before the premier of Kites in London’s Leicester Square. Hrithik was in high spirits despite being initially scared that the premier could have been cancelled due to the ash cloud restricting flights into London.
Hrithik is one of the most down to earth grounded superstars – he actually cares for his fans and was amazed at the turnout – Leicester Square was awash with people awaiting his arrival – some had stood behind the barriers for almost 8 hours! Barbara was on form – she just sizzles on and off screen – but we have to say it was the lovely understated Suzzane that rocks – she just lights up a room!
Rakesh Roshan was focused and determined and very energetic – he is already planning his next movie and director Anurag was in sprightly form. The film may have received mixed reviews but it’s worth a watch!
Shahid is loving Scotland – he is amazed at how down to earth and welcoming Scotland is and can’t wait to start shooting in Edinburgh for his dad’s Mausam with Sonam Kapoor. Who knows we may get to see his legs as we’ve told him to get himself a kilt – A Kapur Tartan!
Scotland seems to be a popular destination – Abbas Tyerwala and his gorgeous wife Pakhi called us while roaming the glens on a short break and were amazed at the freshness and sheer wilderness. The buzz about his new film with John Abraham and Pakhi – which has been shot entirely in the UK, is good. Abbas is looking for a new title rather than 1-800 A – Love Story any suggestions?
Nikhil Advani is a busy busy bee shooting Patiala House and Southall almost came to a standstill when word got out Akshay Kumar was in town. The film, which is all about a Southall family, reunites Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia (who happens be Akshay’s mother-in-law). Expect wonders from Anushka Sharma, who is quietly pleased with the reaction to her performance in Badmaash Company. Akshay who is a true Punjabi charmer wowed all and sundry when he shot a song sequence with cricketer David Gower at the historic Oval. The movie’s out in November – in time for Diwali and Akshay plays a Sikh corner shop worker from Southall who dreams of playing cricket for England.
Taking about directors Tarun Mansukani is working feverishly on the finishing touches to the script of Dostana 2 – he’s in London soon and we can’t wait. His totally infectious sense of humour gets us in fits! Abhishek and John reprise their roles and will Katrina be the femme fatale? Watch this space! And talking about Tarun he is not too bad as an actor – do check him out as the anguished shopkeeper in Kurbaan!
We caught up with Prakash Jha last week – he is quietly confident about Raajneeti – the multi-starrer political thriller, which releases this week. Prakash is totally impressed by Katrina Kaif’s work ethic and dedication – she took intense Hindi diction lessons and re dubbed her dialogues all at her own insistence. He also clarified rumors – yes, there was a creative intensity with Nana Patekar; Ajay Devgun is not miffed at the publicity and a steamy sex scene with hunky Arjun Rampal was shortened as it was deemed too hot! We are expecting wonders from this movie – could be another milestone for Ranbir Kapoor. You can catch our chat with him on our Love Bollywood shows on the BBC Asian Network this weekend.
Raveena Tandon – who is one of our favorite icons form the 90s joined us last week and revealed she is now making a semi comeback. The “mast mast” girl is now happily married, enjoys being a mum and has finally made up with archrival Karishma Kapoor – their daughters attend the same school and are best friends. Lolo and Raveena now hang out together and laugh at their old bitter rivalry and catfights! Raveena is looking forward to the release of Revathi’s Aap Ke Liye Hum in which she stars with Jaya Bachchan and has just signed Aag – The Fire in which she plays a strong Rajhastani woman who fights against rural injustice.
This week’s Raj&Pablo’s REWIND IN TIME is Shah Rukh Khan’s debut movie Deewana. One of the biggest hits of 1992 and directed by Raj Kanwar this is full of melodramatic twists and turns and stars Rishi Kapoor, Diviya Bharti, Shah Rukh Khan and Amrish Puri. Diviya plays an exuberant young girl who falls in love and marries Rishi Kapoor, a pop star. All is well till his evil uncle – a villainous Amrish Puri, murders him. Diviya embraces widowhood until SRK arrives on the scene and eventually marries her. But then suddenly SRK finds out that Rishi Kapoor has survived his murder attempt – what will happen next?
SRK won his Filmfare Award as the Best Male Debut and steals the second half, Diviya Bharti is excellent and her untimely death – she died in mysterious circumstances after falling off a balcony – was a big loss to the industry; Rishi Kapoor despite his multicolored knitwear is on form. The highlights of course are Nadeem Shravan’s award winning music with ‘Payaliya’ and ‘Tere Umeed Tera Intezar’ classic Bollywood tunes.
Of course we have some song videos for you to see!
Rishi and Diviya in ‘Payaliya’:
Shah Rukh and Diviya in ‘Aisi Deewangi’
Watch this one – 90’s emotional Bollywood at its best!
We all had a blast at our Raj&Pablo’s Bollywood Nights as we celebrated being BINDAAS on Bank Holiday Sunday. New pop sensation Abbas Hasan wowed the audience and we all shook our Jhatkhas & Matkhas till the wee hours. If you are in London at the end of June do join us!
Till next week,
Love Us Love Bollywood
Raj&Pablo xx
Catch us on the BBC’s definitive Bollywood Show –
LOVE BOLLYWOOD – Raj&Pablo -BBC ASIAN NETWORK
SAT&SUN – 9am – 12pm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/lovebollywood/
