IIFI 2009 organisers fight over Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is in the news for all the wrong reasons. He has become the bone of contention between the two organisers of the International Film Festival of India (IIFI) 2009.The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) alleged that the Directorate of Film Festival (DIFF) did not want to invite Amitabh to the festival. Rajendra Talak, member of ESG’s Red Carpet Committee, claimed that ESG wanted to invite the Big B to the festival but DIFF was not interested.

Talak said that they felt Amitabh should grace the occasion but couldn’t do anything, as the final decision was taken DIFF. He added that ESG was not even allowed to recommend names to the Directorate.On the other hand, Director of DFF, S M Khan denied the allegation of the EGS. He said that they didn’t receive any formal or informal proposal from EGS to invite the superstar to the festival. He added that they didn’t receive any request even though he was in touch with the EGS.

Amitabh had earlier expressed his eagerness to attend the IIFI.When asked why he is not attending this year’s festival, he said that the question should be asked to the people who organises it.The IIFI 2009 will be held in Goa from November 23 to December 3.

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Amitabh is Aishwarya’s time keeper!

Bollywood’s leading beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan believes that when it comes to time management, there is no better example than her father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The 36-year-old actress who is currently shooting Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzarish with Hrithik Roshan, said that the Big B inspires her to be punctual.”His commitment and dedication is an example for everyone to follow,” Ash told reporters last night at the launch of a new product of the international watch brand she endorses.

The actress who is a globally known face thanks to her high-end endorsement deals and international films like The Pink Panther and Bride and Prejudice said that she likes to enjoy the present and live it to the fullest whether it is professional or family commitments.”We live such busy and hectic lives that we just sail through the moment. The pace of our lives is so hectic that we don’t get to feel what now is all about,” she said.

The former beauty queen who recently completed shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Raavan slated for a mid-2010 release, said that she does not have any regrets.”I have a positive approach. Times can be good or bad. I look at all experiences as a learning curve. Sanjay (Bhansali) reminded me that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam has completed ten years. Subhash Ghai also recalled that Taal has also turned 10. Times flies fast and I consider myself blessed,” the actress said.

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Wedding bells for Shilpa, Raj today

The much-awaited marriage of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her long time beau Raj Kundra is going to take place today evening. The whole nuptial tie ceremony is expected be one of the most happening events in the film industry.According to the reports Bollywood’s who’s who are expected to be in attendance in Lonavala, a place in Mumbai, where the marriage will take place. Before the marriage, it was her wedding card, which created a buzz for it’s look and content. Both Shilpa and Raj want to have a royal marriage so they insisted that their wedding card should reflect the same.Well knonwn designer Tarun Tahiliani is the man who will dress up Shilpa for this royal marriage. He has designed a special wedding gown for her.

Her beau Raj Kundra has chosen to wear creations by Shantanu and Nikhil.In fact Shilpa expressed her feelings to her fans by writing on her blogs just sometimes back. She wrote, “To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I’m going through a lot of mixed feelings – happiness, excitement, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well. “Both Shilpa and Raj have been dating since 2007 and Shilpa termed her marriage as a very significant moment in her life.”Honestly it still hasn’t sunk in completely, it’s a strange emotion, can’t describe it The only consolation is that I’m tying the knot with Raj – a man who lets me be myself and doesn’t want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters, ” she wrtoe.

But Shilpa tried to overcome all her nervousness in the Sangeet ceremony, which was held in Khandala on Saturday. She herself danced on a Bollywood number from the film ‘Chandni’.

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Salman-Aishwarya love story on reel now

Small-time filmmaker Javed Khan is all set to make a film that is said to be based on one of the most talked about love stories in Bollywood — that of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The film titled Ajab Hai Ishq is gearing up to go on the floors soon. Javed Khan, who is producing the film and also playing the lead role of Salman Khan in the film, says, “If a love story is depicted authentically and emotionally, the film will surely attract the audience.

Ajab Hai Ishq is a love triangle. The story resembles the real life story of Ash and Sallu.”In real life, the two actors may have gone their separate ways, but Javed will show a different version. “I want to send home the message that if you love someone, you should get married to her or him. Leaving your loved one in the lurch will not bring peace in your life.”

Interestingly, singer Salamat, who recorded the title track of the film recently, had earlier sung the emotional number Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam from the Salman-Ash film by the same name.

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No English for Amitabh Bachchan

In a time when actors are demanding that their dialogues be written in English, here’s an actor who stands tall and different. Yes, we are talking about Big B who recently demanded that his dialogues be drafted in Hindi instead of English.The incident happened during the shoot of his upcoming film RANN. According to reports when Big B demanded his dialogues to be written in Hindi, it first took everyone by surprise.

But, later considering the fact that the veteran actor comes from a literary background and is the son of the well known literary poet Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan, it must not be tough to fathom the actual reason for the actor’s preference of Hindi over English. Big B’s act has shown that the actor still believes in the richness of India’s national language despite everyone getting carried away by the lure of the western lingo.

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Marriage still Aishwarya’s sweetest experience

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish with Hrithik Roshan, and Vipul Shah’s Action Replay opposite Akshay Kumar, made a fleeting public appearance in Mumbai recently to launch a new watch collection. Speaking on sidelines of the event, Aishwarya explained she has recently been spotted only in commercials because she has been busy shooting.She is set to shoot a commercial for the watch brand too, and revealed director Bhansali was very accommodating. “I was too busy shooting when the brand approached me to be a part of their commercial and launch.

I asked him (Bhansali) if I could take some time out and he was generous. In fact he was happy to let me go for a while!” she said. Accompanied by her mother Vrinda Rai, Ash seemed in a reflective mood. She mused about her long journey in the film industry, calling it “wonderful”. “I like to work with a degree of passion,” she said, “I always believe in the word ‘now’, and now is changing every minute.I don’t have in any regrets from the time that has gone.We point out that marriage has made her look better than ever.

She has seen so much happiness in her life, where does matrimony rank? “I am fortunate enough to have had many great experiences. But marriage remains the sweetest experience of my life,” she signed off.

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Aamir and SRK join hands for Paa’s sake

Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have reportedly decided to forget their rivalry for the sake of Paa. Yes, come December and the supposedly warring Khans will join hands for the premiere of R. Balki’s Amitabh Bachchan-starrer in Mumbai. Confirming the good news, Big B writes on his blog: “Aamir and Shah Rukh have both assured me of their presence there, today, as I begin to send out letters and requests to block the said date from the industry.” On the other hand, the London and Dubai premieres of Paa have been cancelled. “Several issues have cropped up and it would not be prudent to go ahead with it, under such uncertain pressures and circumstances.

But Mumbai (premiere) is on … at IMAX Wadala on the 3rd of December,” Bachchan senior’s blog further informs.He is also gearing up to organise Bachchan Sandhya as a tribute to his late father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan.”Along with this (Paa premiere) is the preparation for November 28 and the ‘Bachchan Sandhya’ at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. (I am busy with) the arrangements, the invitees, the programme and its functions, rehearsals for the recitation and getting the family to gear up for its participation,” Bachchan adds.

Aamir and the Bachchans have been busy promoting their movies. Aamir’s muchawaited 3 Idiots will release on December 24.

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Kareena’s statement a shocker for Shahrukh Khan!

Everyone in the Bollywood industry knows about the growing rivalry between Badshah Khan and Aamir Khan. Bebo Dear put more fuel to the whole thing just to clear her stand that she is equally with Aamir as she is with Shahrukh! She gave Aamit the title of emperor on which Shahrukh has a bigger hand than anyone else. It’s nothing but demeaning the actor. She went on and said that an actress career is incomplete if she has not worked with Aamir Khan as he is the ultimate icon of the Bollywood clan. Now that’s quite a humble statement Bebo!

But someone must have felt very hurt. It is assumed that Shahrukh’s popularity is sinking day by day with actors like Ranbir Kapoor who is almost snatching The Yashraj Productions from Shahrukh.His magic can be found no more. Shahrukh can be seen in a sinking ship though we expect something good to happen with the actor after the release of My Name Is Khan. We can see that Shahrukh’s near and dear ones turning their face off! Can’t help Shahrukh it’s all part of the game called Bollywood.

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Shilpa Shetty’s wedding jewelry worth Rs 3 crore

Shilpa Shetty is going to embark into a new life with her beau Raj Kundra and like any other bride; she too wants to look gorgeous like a fairy. To make Shilpa beautiful, designer Tarun Tahiliani has designed a special saree that worth Rs 50 lakh. Shilpa’s jewelry also costs Rs 3 crore. During Mehendi, the bride chose to wear Kaftan instead of lehenga or saree and for the sangeet she wore Anarkali churidar-kurta. The wedding attire will see Shilpa in a traditional Bunt saree colored burgundy and red. For the reception to be held on Tuesday, Shilpa will wear a saree resemblance to a gown with 8,000 crystal work over it.

Raj will wear a black sherwani for the reception.Confirms designer Nikhil Mehra, “Raj is wearing a black short sherwani and trousers. The sherwani has a lot of textures, applique and patterns, and muted Swarovski embroidery and crystals.”He further adds, “Raj has picked up two to three more outfits from us, but I don’t know if he will be wearing them for the wedding. Raj is a very well-travelled man and the best thing about him is that he knows exactly what he wants.”

Both Shilpa and Raj are very excited about the wedding. The wedding will take place today at Shilpa’s close friend farmhouse in Khandala.

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No ego issue with Sonam Kapoor: Abhay

Abhay Deol is currently one of Bollywood’s hottest properties.The actor who has been on a roll since Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D and Dibakar Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye got those rave reviews, is once again in news courtesy Dev Benegal’s The Road Movie, a film that has taken the international film festival circuit before it comes to Indian shores. As the leading man of the film, Abhay has been jet-hopping from Toronto to Venice, New Delhi to Doha. On a day when he can actually catch his breath for a few minutes, the actor says, “I’ve bought myself a new office in Mumbai.My banner is all set to roll with our first production in the month of January 2010.My director Navdeep Singh and I are just finalising details before we go on set.”He has an achiever.

In the first leg of his journey, the young actor has gone from struggling actor to being the toast of the international film circuit; and in the second leg he has gone from being Bollywood hottie to independent film producer. Yup, in about a year, life has thrown up a myriad of opportunities for this contemporary thinking actor. But there has also been his share of controversy. Reports said he was unhappy with the treatment meted out to him on the sets of Sonam Kapoor’s home production Aisha. It is conjectured that Abhay was cooling his heels on the sets of the film in Delhi because things were haphazard.However Abhay refuses to be drawn into a controversy. Says he, “My producer should be clearing the air on any controversy surrounding Aisha.

As a professional actor I will never talk about what happened on set. I hold Sonam (co-star and part producer) in highest regard. And, there is no ego issue with her.Abhay is also expected to start work with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s banner and he is said to be in talks with producer Krishna Shah for the film on Indira Gandhi. Of course, the actor’s silent on these films too. “My producers will make the announcements as and when they have to,” he says. “All I can say is that I’m exhilarated with the work I’m doing.”

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