Film Industry

Pataudi palace is out of bounds

Actor Saif Ali Khan, who was recently made the nawab, won't allow film shoots at his ancestral palace


Actor Saif Ali Khan may belong to the Bollywood fraternity, but he has no intention to allow film shoots to take place at the Pataudi palace. The actor, who was recently anointed the 10th Nawab of Pataudi, was clear that he would make no allowances for Bollywood when it came to his ancestral place.
Saif, who recently came on a chat show, confessed that he wouldn't like Bollywood shoots to happen at the Pataudi Palace as it could lead to littering, which will disturb the the sanctity of the palace.
"Preity was narrating an incident of shooting at the Pataudi palace when he (Saif) instantly said that, 'I don't mind you shooting at the palace, but there are a lot of other people who I won't be able to tolerate shooting there.' Saif didn't clarify who he didn't want on his family premises, but said that he doesn't want shoots to happen at the palace," says a source.
According to Saif, his tolerance level for people littering the palace compounds is barely minimal. "Saif confessed on Preity's chat show that he can barely tolerate it. But, he made it clear that he doesn't mind good friend Preity shooting there as she has always made sure to take good care of the place, by not allowing others to litter or abuse the place," said the source.
Sources also said that most applications to shoot at the Pataudi palace have been kept on hold or not approved. Sources also said that Saif will soon keep the Pataudi palace out of bounds for film shoots.

When Akki went missing!

The shoot of his upcoming film was held up, when the crew members couldn't find actor Akshay Kumar


While shooting for his upcoming film, actor Akshay Kumar went missing for a while leaving the crew members in a state of chaos. Akshay who was shooting for the film in London was invited by some Indian students to visit the Oxford University. The actor too readily accepted their invitation and went to Oxford apparently without informing anyone.
All the Indian students were aware of the fact that Akshay was well trained in martial arts. On his arrival they requested him to teach them a few tricks and show a few moves. Akshay, who is a fan of martial arts, was more than happy to oblige. But the actor's true passion came into picture, when he got so engrossed in teaching and helping them that he lost track of time and forgot about the shooting. "Akshay was honoured that the students wanted him to teach them martial arts. He got so involved in interacting with them that he lost track of time. Since, he didn't inform anyone about his whereabouts, the crew was in trouble. They were frantically searching for him, but he was no where to be found," says a source.
Director Rohit Dhawan confirms, "The students took him along with them during lunch break but he disappeared for the next couple of hours. He got so engrossed that he actually forgot about the shoot. I sent my assistants to find him, but they took a lot of time to track him down and eventually they found him in the lawn of one of the colleges."

It doesn't bother me'

…says Asin Thottumkal about facing a barrage of criticism and box office results silencing detractors

Actor Asin knows about the deluge of criticism that hit her when Ready was about to release but she says that she chose to keep quiet. "I haven't let any praise to go into my head and at the same time, I didn't let any criticism bog me down. You should never let your work get affected by anything," she says.
Asin, who just celebrated her birthday a couple of days back says that she never bothers about what the future holds for her. Instead she has always concentrated on the present.
"I just ensured that I deliver what is being expected of me. I don't think what will happen if things go wrong. On the contrary, I try to ensure that I will do it in such a way and it doesn't go wrong. I think if you really put your hundred per cent into anything that you are doing, then you don't bother about the outcome. Because you don't feel guilty about the fact that you could have done a better job, you know that you have done the best you could have done," says the actor.
Asin has just gifted herself a plush apartment in Kochi and she admits that it has always been her dream to sit by her sundeck and watch ships pass by. "I have always been quite a romantic and I love to sit at some place, sip something and stare at the open sea and see the huge ships passing by. You know what? If you come to my place and sit by my sundeck, you will see ships anchored at the port. It's a romantic sight and I would love to take some time off and stare at the open sea. It's something that I have wanted to do for long time and I guess I will be able to do it soon (she reveals that she has been shooting non-stop for a year now and hasn't been able to take time off soon)," she says.

Trebling the trinket drama

Men are now indulging their vanity and get adventurous with 3D jewellery



If you had any doubts about men's fashion, take a look at the latest addition to their world — the trinkets have just acquired a new dimension with 3D jewellery.

"Three dimensional jewellery has much drama to it," explains Dushyant Sand, director of Azra Jewels. He highlights that though it's new in India, the trend is picking up fast. "It is also a great gift for the less traditional men. Cufflinks in 3D designs is the best option." For those seeking a personal touch, "it can be customised by putting the initials of the person in a 3D format."
Evidently, men are aware that there are options for them as well. And have hence started to experiment with jewellery. "Be it colours or accessories, men are now demanding the best of it. It is important to find what is comfortable and stylish for any man," says Mahesh Jagwani, managing director of jewellery store Mahesh Notandass. "Cuff-links, brooches, chains, rings and sherwani buttons sell most for us," he adds.
Actor Karan Grover, who loves wearing fancy bracelets and rings, believes that jewellery isn't only for women. "Men too can carry off jewellery with the right attitude and fashion sense. I have a thing for gold bracelets, and the concept of 3D jewellery only seems to make it more exciting. It's time we experiment with jewellery too," he says. "This (3D jewellery) reflects that youth like funky jewellery. I would love to try it out myself and I guess I'll carry it off pretty well. And especially the rings… somehow I feel they'll become a rage," he adds.
While it is justified for the fashion conscious ones to look forward to this new design, even men who aren't much into jewellery, like singer, rapper Ishq Bector, are thrilled about it. "Though I'm too rough to wear any jewel as I either lose it or break it… a lot of my friends love it," says Ishq, calling it a good gifting option.
Actor Arya Babbar, however, has a different take. "I know 3D's in vogue…it's not exactly my style. So you won't see me sporting those fancy ones often. The only piece that I cherish the most is my 3D silver miniature boxing glove pendant – I never leave home without it

'Indian heroines are extremely beautiful'

…says Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, while he also recounts how a near-fatal car accident almost killed him

Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman

He's one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood, and unarguably one of the best character actors, the world has seen so far. But ask Morgan Freeman to name his favourite Bollywood heroine, he shys away. "Can't tell you about my favourite, but can surely tell you that Indian heroines are extremely beautiful and exude a lot of simplicity," says Morgan.
The Hollywood actor admits to watching 'Indian films.' "I have seen Indian films and I think they are amazing. The whole singing and dancing bit is phenomenal," he says, disagreeing with the popular notion that Bollywood films are escapist. "The audience has to be convinced with what is showcased to them in a movie. Indian cinema is loved and recognised across the global today. And that says it all!" At 74, Morgan says that 'he would to shake a leg in a Bollywood film.' He adds, "I would love to visit India some time soon." On being asked about his next film, he talks about playing a doctor who designs a prosthetic limb for a dolphin. "Well, this whole story is a true dolphin tale based on the guy. I don't look anything close to him, nor do I don't sound like him. There's nothing between us that matches. But it is based on a real guy and yes, I have met him," he informs.
We finally come to the most difficult question: his near-fatal car accident three years ago in August? "It hasn't slowed me down. Knock wood, because I'm still workable. And when I'm doing something, there's no pain. Sometimes when I'm just still, it'll grab you like some kid, who beats you up and bites you real hard," says Morgan.

The next Bond gal? Why not?!

Actor Sonam Kapoor, talks about doing her first action girl role, and kicking butt



With most heroines today wanting to match up to their male counterparts, actor Sonam Kapoor is not one of those to be left far behind. Sonam, who confesses to have grown up in a house surrounded by boys, says being one among them came naturally to her. No wonder the transformation from playing the sweet girl-next-door to some adrenaline pumping hard core action roles. Sonam is all set for her next release, Abbas Mustan's Players in which she will be seen in an entirely new look, one that she has always wanted to do. "Even when I was growing up, I only had cousin brothers who were my age. I was the only girl so naturally I had to catch up with them. I have had bruised arms, I have climbed tress, jumped from the first storey of buildings and everything that guys do. That is where my love for action stems from," she explains.
In the film, the pretty actor has done most of the stunts herself, something she is very proud about. "A lot of stunts required me to drive fast cars and jump out of them. When the producers asked my father if I could drive, he said, 'Yes, but she drives like a maniac'. I love cars and speed. I have inherited that from the maternal grandmother. She's very old and can't drive now, but she would drive her car all the time in her younger days. Though I do not drive my BMW that often, I love my Audi Q7. I drive around in that all the time," Sonam says talking about her love for driving. In fact the first time she drove the car was when she was 15. She took her dad, actor Anil Kapoor's most expensive car and after a two hour drive all around Mumbai, she banged the car while parking.

So with all the action, would Sonam consider playing the next Bond girl if it was offered to her? "Of course", she squeals, "I would totally love to play a Bond girl. As long as I get to kick some butt, and not just look hot, I am definitely in for it. Having said that the role also has to be substantial."
The young actor who was also in Delhi for Lady GaGa's concert after the F1 party says she is going for another GaGa concert soon. "This time, I actually went because a couple of my friends from Delhi wanted to go. I have already gotten tickets to GaGa's concert at Manchester, where I am heading to shortly," she reveals.

NO Clash of the titans!

Buzz is, Hollywood's Tom Cruise starrer MI4 will release a weekend earlier in India than its global slot, just before actor Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don 2 — why?


Grapevine has it that the producers of the Hollywood biggie Mission Impossible 4 have apparently preponed the global release date of December 21 to December 16 in India and a few other parts of Asia. This news has caused much surprise among fans and industry trade watchers because, if true, the reasons for pre-poning it are unclear. The expectations over the Tom Cruise starrer have doubled in India ever since the announcement of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor being a part of the franchise broke out. But the apparent preponement of the release date has fuelled speculation that the producers of the Hollywood flick didn't want to risk releasing their film in the same weekend as that of Ritesh Sidhwani's Don 2, which releases worldwide on 23 December, and also stars Shah Rukh Khan.

A source from MI4 distributors in India, Viacom 18 refuses to confirm anything. "There will shortly be an announcement about the confirmed release date, and the reasons for doing that. We are not sure if 16 December is the date as there are still closed door meetings on it. The picture will get clear in two or three days," says the source.
Trade analyst Amod Mehra agrees that though Tom Cruise is huge in Hollywood, a Bollywood film is always preferred over an English one in India. "It is a smart move on their part to have pushed the release to an earlier date.. Producers today prefer a solo weekend where their film can do good business. It is a win-win situation. Besides, if MI4 turns out to be good, then they'll have the last three weeks, right from 16 December to the New Year to themselves," he said.
An industry insider however reveals that Don 2 starring SRK is the only reason why a huge franchise like MI 4 has decided to release their film a week earlier. "Never before has it happened that a film releases in India, before it does in the US, especially when it is a Hollywood film. Tom Cruise is a huge entity, but in India, Shah Rukh Khan is bigger, even if Hollywood franchise stars Anil Kapoor in it.," he says.
Interestingly, SRK is often referred to as the 'Tom Cruise of India' on the global movie front.