Preity Zinta accuses Har Pall producer of non-payment of loan

National award-winning director Jahnu Barua's film Har Pall starring Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja has now got itself involved in yet another controversy and this time it is between the lead actress and the producer of the film. Preity Zinta has accused the producer of borrowing her money and not responding to her calls.

Har Pall was ready for release in 2009 but has been stalled ever since Shiney was accused of raping his maid in the same year. The makers are now planning to release the film next year.

Recently, a Bollywood daily reported that Preity didn't have the time to promote the film and is not bothered about its outcome. Refuting the claims, Preity tweeted, "Just saw an article in DnA stating that I don't have time to promote my movie Har Pall ! Absolutely false and baseless piece of News ! Wish journos wud call u & ask 4 a comment as opposed to listening to a source who does not exist. I don't appreciate being part of someone's Views!!"

She further added that the producer of the film had cheated her by borrowing money from her, "The truth is that the Producer of Har Pal borrowed money from me & now refuses to even take my calls. So now he is avoiding me ! So him asking me for Dates & me refusing is a totally baseless story ! Hope DnA is listening cuz we pay for a news paper not a views paper.

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Dev Anand was keen to make an extension of 'HRHK'

Film critic Taran Adarsh talks about his association with Dev Anand.

"Condolence messages and obituaries are pouring in from across the globe. Dev Anand, the most charismatic and lively star I knew, is no longer amidst us, but he leaves behind a body of work that's hard to erase from our memory. I have had the privilege of interacting with Dev-saab on a couple of occasions. His zest for life was unparalleled, his passion for cinema was unmatched, his mind would be constantly thinking of newer stories that he'd like to tell the world.

My last interaction with the legend was during the release of his film Chargesheet. In mid-September, I received a call from Dev-saab, who wanted to chat with me about his new film and his plans for the future. This was one opportunity I didn't want to miss. We fixed a date and time. Unfortunately, the shoot had to be called off since he wasn't feeling too well on that particular day. But the evergreen star gave another appointment and lived up to it. He seemed weak as he walked out of his car, but the enthusiasm was captivating. I haven't seen my television crew respond to any actor the way they responded to Dev-saab that evening.

Dev-saab had plans for the future. He wanted to make an "extension" of his cult classic Hare Rama Hare Krishna. But he denied categorically that he was planning a remake. "Can you remake Gone With The Wind? Can you make West Side Story again? Because if you do make a remake, you make it with the conviction that you're making a hit, but what's the guarantee ki us waqt chali thhee, to aaj bhi chalegi? You're admitting to yourself and to the world that you've no other idea but to make a remake. Accept the defeat that you're money conscious and not theme conscious," he said.

While on Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Dev-saab shared an interesting anecdote, which not many are aware of. "Dada Burman [S.D. Burman] was not just a music director, but was almost like a pillar of Navketan. Every time I decided to make a film, I'd go to Dada Burman. 'Dada, this is my story idea. Do you like it?' 'Haan, definitely banao', 'Bilkul na banao', he'd react instantly. When I told him about Hare Rama Hare Krishna, he said, 'Dev, yeh bhai-behn ka ajeeb angle hain, hippies ka. Kyun banate ho? ' I was disappointed then, but I saw his son [R.D. Burman] sitting next to him. I told him, 'Dada, if you have even a bit of hesitation, please allow me to take Pancham [R.D. Burman] for the film. The subject is truly interesting and I want to make it. That's how Pancham stepped into the picture," Dev-saab reminisced.

Dev-saab's dream of making an extension of Hare Rama Hare Krishna, unfortunately, is now incomplete. Will his son Sunil fulfill his dream?"

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Hrithik Roshan turns associate director for Krrish 2

Hrithik Roshan, who plays a superhero in Krrish 2, has decided to help his father Rakesh Roshan in the direction department. Hrithik is now going to be the associate director of the film.

Hrithik has earlier been an assistant director to his father in films like Koyla and Karan Arjun and has always helped his father whenever they work together.

The first schedule of the film started on December 1 at Filmistan Studios with Vivek Oberoi, Kangna Ranaut and Priyanka Chopra. Hrithik is not a part of the first schedule but instead of sitting idle at home, he decided to help his father with the film's direction.

Hrithik will join the cast in front of the camera in the second schedule.

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Hrithik Roshan voted as The Sexiest Asian Man

Hrithik Roshan has been adjudged as 'The Sexiest Asian Man' of 2012 by the Eastern Eye Weekly. According to a survey conducted by the Eastern Eye Weekly, Hrithik beat his contemporaries by the biggest ever margin in the history of the men's list.

Hrithik, who ranked third last year on the poll, got votes from all over the world from fans of different ages and cultures via social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and others this year. Last year's winner 'Rockstar' Ranbir Kapoor finished at sixth place.

While Shahid Kapur occupied the second place, Bollywood's 'Badshah' Shahrukh Khan came in the third and Salman Khan in the fourth position. The highest placed Pakistani was once again Ali Zafar (5), the highest placed British star was Jay Sean (9) and the highest placed sportsman was World Boxing champion Amir Khan (10).

Indian batsman Virat Kohli (18), was the highest new entry in the 2011 list. Other big debutants included Abhishek Bachchan (17), Prateik (20), Ajay Devgn (29) and Farhan Akhtar (34).

Other notable names in the list are John Abraham (7), Akshay Kumar (9), Arjun Rampal (11), actor Imran Khan (12), Saif Ali Khan (13), Atif Aslam (16), Riz Ahmed (21), Siddhartha Mallya (31), Mahendra Dhoni (33), Aamir Khan (35), Zaheer Khan (39) and hip hop star Shizzio (46).

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Vivek Oberoi's next renamed Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli

Vivek Oberoi's next which was initially titled Gyrah Chalis Ki Last Metro has since been renamed to Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli (KLPD). The film which is produced by Amit Chandra has been undergoing change for some time; even the star cast is modified and will include Mallika Sherawat.

Incidentally, the film has been in the headlines off late as it was taken to be the sequel to the Sanjay Khanduri's 2007 sleeper hit Ek Challis Ki Last Local, with the name Gyrah Challis Ki Last Metro doing the rounds. However, the most interesting facet of the development of this film is the signing of Mallika Sherawat.

The source goes onto add that when Sanjay and Amit approached Mallika with the script of KLPD that had the actress playing a parallel lead to the actor, Mallika readily agreed to do the film as she felt the role was too good to let go off and was excited to play a content driven lead.

In the film, Mallika plays a Delhi based Punjabi bombshell who gets caught in a adventurous journey when she misses the last Metro home. Mallika would soon be back to Mumbai as the film goes on floors soon.

Amit Chandrra, the producer of the film, he states, "The film is called Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli and the film is not a sequel to Ek Chalis Ki Last Local but a new story. The only similarity between the two films is that they are comical thrillers. The film has three elements Kismat, Love and Paisa coming together in one crazy fun night in Delhi, hence the title Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli was apt."

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Director Kanwal Sharma returns to Bollywood after 11 years

In the entertainment industry, returning from oblivion is a near-impossibility. Kanwal Sharma is a name that would ring a bell among those moviegoers who whistled for Mithun Chakraborty in Jeete Hain Shaan Se singing 'Julie Julie' for Mandakini and Sanjay Dutt in Namak. The latter had to be completed with a double after Dutt was incarcerated.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Kanwal Sharma directed some very successful potboilers including Mar Mitenge, Paap Ki Kamaai and Gunahon Ka Devta. As thick as thieves with some of the top stars of the era, specially Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty and Govinda, Kanwal Sharma suddenly dropped out of sight …

…Only to suddenly resurface with a small new film and a personal story that can send a chill up anyone's spine about how cruel the film industry can be to those who fall out with fate.

Unknown to everyone including his close friends, Kanwal Sharma has been slowly and painfully recovering from a serious spine injury.

Says the 'hit' director from the 80s and 90s, "The last film I directed was Heeralal Pannalal in 1999.And then, my world fell apart."

In 2000, Kanwal slipped and fell in the bathroom. "I injured my spine very badly. I couldn't stand on my feet. My body couldn't take my own weight, so how could I even think of directing a film? So yes, for 11 years I've been out of circulation."

Admirably, there's no bitterness in Kanwal's tone. No rancour or grievance against the industry which completely forgot him, as it tends to forget anyone who is incapacitated.

Ask him if his close friends have kept in touch and the calm survivor replies gently, "Well, I've kept in touch with my friends. And that's what matters. One can't blame others for one's misfortunes. But please understand, I wasn't ill. Just unable to do what I knew best. Make films."

Kanwal has now completed a new film with newcomers.

Says the once-successful director optimistically, "It's a film titled Delhi Eye. And it's got two newcomers Manish Shrivastav and Dimple Patel in the lead. I can't hope to attract attention to a film that doesn't have stars in it."

The director during his time worked with the biggest of names including Naseeruddin Shah in Malaamal. For a role of a cop in his new film, Kawal approached all his old friends. Finally, it was the Shyam Benegal favourite Rajit Kapur who stepped into the part.

"Rajit Kapoor agreed to play a crucial role of a cop after 80 percent of the film was complete. And Amitji very kindly agreed to release the music. So I can't say I haven't been lucky," says Kanwal Sharma hoping his old friends would get to know that he's back on his feet and behind the camera once Delhi Eye is released.

"I can only hope for the best. Destiny has given me a second chance. I never thought I'd walk again, let alone make another film."

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Anushka & Ranveer slam gossip mongers

She may be four-film-old, but Anushka Sharma is yet to learn to take the gossip written about her in the stride. She still gets worked up every time something nasty comes out in print. "It doesn't bother what the media thinks and writes about me, but I get disturbed thinking how the frivolous news-piece would affect my parents, who are from a non-film background. My parents are answerable to our close relatives and I wonder how they would be tackling such nonsensical gossip," Anushka tells me.

"The latest rumor doing the rounds is that I am an anorexic, that I am taking size zero to another level," Anushka says, seeming rather upset about it. Ranveer Singh, her co-star in Band Baaja Baaraat and now Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, jumps to her defense. "Anushka and anorexic? No way! She eats like no other person. She loves junk food. Some people don't have the tendency to put on weight. She's one of them," Ranveer states.

Meanwhile, both Anushka and Ranveer rubbish the rumors that a couple of scenes of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl were re-shot at Yash Chopra's behest. "Absolutely untrue," both scream in unison, "Not a single scene of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl has been re-shot. How can the media print such ridiculous stories, knowing fully well that we're in the last leg of film promotions? How can you re-shoot the film and partake in the promotional activities at the same time? Is it humanly possible? I wish a section of the media was far more responsible."

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao blessed with baby boy

Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao have been blessed with a baby boy. The baby was born through IVF to a surrogate mother on December 1 at a private clinic in Mumbai.

Due to certain medical complications, the couple was advised go for IVF-Surrogacy. Aamir and Kiran are but obviously delighted with the arrival of their new bundle of joy.

We extend our heartfelt wishes to Aamir and Kiran on this joyous occasion.

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Preity Zinta signsFrench actress Isabelle Adjani for Ishkq In Paris

Preity Zinta, who is just done with wrapping up her chat show Up Close and Personal with PZ, is now busy with her maiden production venture Ishkq In Paris. Preity has now gone ahead and signed award-winning French actress Isabelle Adjani to play the central role in Ishkq In Paris.

Isabelle Adjani is a French film actress and was named 'The most beautiful woman in film' by Time magazine, this year. Preity and director Prem Raj sent Isabelle the script a few months ago and within a few days they got a reply from her saying she loved the script and would meet them in Paris to discuss the details. Isabelle plays the narrator in the film, who introduces the characters and the city of Paris. Ishkq In Paris is a passionate love story set against the backdrop of the Parisian fashion world.

Isabelle has already started learning Hindi, while Preity is learning French as the film will have a mix of both Hindi and French. Isabelle is working on her accent and the finer nuances of the language as she starts shooting for the film on December 12.

Preity is over the moon about signing Isabelle as it is like a dream come true for her.

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama

Tanu Weds Manu director gears up for his next projects

Tanu Weds Manu director Aanand L. Rai has been in the news off late for his upcoming projects- the sequel of Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhana. There have been a lot of speculations regarding the casting of these two films.

While the cast of the Tanu Weds Manu sequel will remain the same as the first one, that is Kangna Ranaut and R. Madhavan, Anand is still in the process of finalizing the cast for Raanjhana. Anand is in talks with Shahid Kapur for the lead of Raanjhana, as he wants an actor with a boyish charm and feels that Shahid will suit the role to the tee, but no actress has been finalized opposite him.

With recent media reports of Rai having finalized Shahid and Kangna for Raanjhana and rifts between the two actors doing the rounds, a source close to the director clarifies, "There is some sort of mix up here. Kangna is working on Tanu Weds Manu sequel and the team has been meeting Shahid for Raanjhana, so there is no question of any sort of rift between the two actors as they are a part of two different movies!"

Anand is supposedly in the scripting stage for both the movies and will start working on them as soon he is ready with the final drafts of both the scripts. Looks like we have a lot to look forward to from this talented director in the coming year.

Courtesy : Bollywood Hungama