It’s been a fun filled Bolly roller coaster of a week – we chatted to Vivek, Diya, Arshad, Jiah Khan, Fereena Wazir and Alyssa Mendoza. However, first of all we want to thank you so much for all your comments on last week’s Meena Kumari feature – what a star and yes, we will be looking back at other Bollywood Legends in the future! Do try and get a copy of Pakeezah we highly recommend it.
Jiah Khan is a very focussed and determined star that is excited about Sajid Khan’s Housefull. The movie has Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Desmukh, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal, and Jiah. The London raised girl loved the girly camaraderie on the sets – from changing make up, hairstyles and diet tips. There was no bitchy cat fights on the sets and all the girls gave the guys a run for their money, but one thing that amazed Jiah, who has acted with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and the intense Aamir Khan, was Akshay Kumar’s perfect comic timing.
Another “home grown” talent is the gorgeous Glaswegian girl Fereena Warsi. She is giggly bright and has a snarky Scottish sense of humour and was laughing when she told us her life has become like a Bollywood movie. Fereena was on holiday and was ‘spotted’ she went to the world famous camel fair in Rajahastan. And now her first release – Shatrughan Sinha’s launch pad for his son Luv – Saadiyan is all set to release. Fereena was in Bollytastic heaven when she was acting with Divatastic legends – Rekha and Hema Malini. The divine Rekha took Fereena under wing and was full of youthful exuberance. Fereena couldn’t believe she was in the same movie as stars she used to watch on videos rented from her local video shop in Glasgow. Saadyian releases this week and is an old world Bollywood romance on the trials and tribulations of young love during the days of post partition. Adnan Sami’s music is brilliant and we can’t wait to see it.
Talking about music, the buzz for Prince is phenomenal and Vivek is nervous, excited and elated. Vivek is on form and told us he has put all his energy into this thriller of a man who looses his memory and is on the run with six days to live. And yes he does get to kiss all three co-stars! One of the things we love about Vivek is his understated efforts for charity and the betterment of India’s disposed. A wee secret – his charity efforts come from his mum who is one of the sweetest most determined ladies and emanates goodness. Vivek will be back in London in April before the release – Watch this space!
Last week saw the release of Arshad Warsi’s home production Hum Tum Aur Ghost which was shot entirely in Newcastle. The cinematography is fantastic and makes Newcastle look wonderful. Diya – who is now thinking of branching into production as well, stands out in this story about a man who ‘sees dead people’. Arshad is pleased with the reaction he received for his performance in Ishqiya and says so many women have come up to him complementing him on his “storm bharri eyes” (kohl) look from the film. And yes he will be starring in Golmaal 3!
One of our big surprises this week was Alyssa Mendoza – she’s the voice on our favourite work out treadmill track -‘Uff Tere Ada’ from Kartik Calling Kartik. Alyssa who is in her second year at St Xavier’s College is extremely shy and surprised at the success of the track. She only recorded it as guide vocal for her dad Loy Mendosa (Shankar Eshan Loy) but everyone – including Farhan loved her vocals so much they kept it for the movie. It was on constant playback while the movie was filmed and Deepika loved it!
Our Raj&Pablo’s REWIND IN TIME is Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s masterpiece – 1942: A Love Story. The movie with a screenplay by Sanjay Leela Bhansali was released in 1994 stars Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. Set during the “Quit India” campaign it follows the turbulent love story of Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala. Anil’s dad is a pro British sympathiser while Manisha’s a freedom fighter. This movie was a turning point in Manisha’s career, despite being rejected for her first screen test. Initially Shah Rukh Khan was considered as the hero. The songs are superb – it was Rahul Dev Barman’s last movie as music director before his untimely death. ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha’, ‘Kuch Na Kaho’ and ‘Rim Jhim Rhim Jhim’ are all picturised with a larger than life scope. When you watch it you realise why Vidhu Vinod Chopra swept the Filmfare awards – winning 6 – its simply magical.
Check out these two videos to see the filmimagic!
‘Pyar Hua Chupke Se’
Till next week,
Love Us Love Bollywood,
Raj&Pablo xx
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