Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Big B doing Malayalam film only for Mohanlal

I'm doing Malayalam film only for Mohanlal: Big B  

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is off to Ooty to shoot for his Malayalam project and says he gave his nod for the film only because of his admiration for southern superstar Mohanlal.

"My admiration for Mohanlal could never have made me refuse this offer and so I do it for him," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

"Mohanlal has been and still is one of the most incredible talents from Kerala and the Malayalam film industry. I have admired him and his work through many years of my existence in this profession. He has a unique body and face language. You get the feeling that he is doing nothing, yet it results in the most amazing results - natural, without effort and effective. Just such a joy to watch him," he wrote.

The offer for the yet-to-be-titled project came to Amitabh when he went to Kerala to attend the celebration of sound technician Resul Pookutty's Oscar victory last year.

"It was there that Mohanlal, a guest at the occasion, had come up to my room with his director Major Ravi to put up this idea and this proposal. A few weeks later, they all came to meet up with me in Mumbai to set up all the details for the shoot," he posted.

The 67-year-old is working for free in the movie.

"(They) put up the inevitable question that most producers do of remuneration! I had laughed at them. What? Charge you for working for three days in a Mohanlal film? An actor I admire? You must be joking! No way, no fees, no nothing. Just tell me when I have to report and where. That is all."

There won't be any language barrier for Amitabh as he is playing a north Indian character.

"The film will be in Malayalam, but my character is north Indian so I shall be speaking in Hindi, with the odd sentence in Malayalam. Now that shall be tough, but effort shall be made, let's see what happens," he wrote. 


--
Mahi

Friday, June 25, 2010

Working with Aamir Khan would be a joy Amitabh Bachchan

Working with Aamir Khan would be a joy: Amitabh Bachchan  

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, June 25 (IANS) Lately he has been interacting a lot with Bollywood perfectionist Aamir Khan and even convinced him to join Twitter. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan admits it would be nice to work with the talented actor, but there is no project in the pipeline yet.

"Why would you assume that when two actors meet and have dinner together they would be doing a project together? Aamir was in the same hotel as me. He called, we met and went out for a meal. Just another social evening, nothing more," Big B, who recently dined with Aamir in London, told IANS in an interview.

"Working with Aamir would be a joy, particularly if he were to direct the film," added the megastar who is unperturbed by the negative feedback of his son Abhishek recently-released "Raavan".

"People pay to go and see a film. If they do not like something, they have the liberty to criticise it... It's filmmaking. Happens the world over. One accepts the public verdict, learns from it and tries again," he said.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: You have started signing films after a long gap. Please describe the projects.

A: Yes, I had not signed a film for a while. There had been an accumulation of five films one after the other, due to the multiplex strike. All of them have released, barring one. I have signed up with Raj Kumar Santoshi. There are projects on the verge of finalisation with Pritish Nandy Communications, Prakash Jha, Puri Jagannath, Abbas Mustan and of course R. Balakrishnan.

Q: In London, you had dinner with Aamir Khan. Any projects with him?

A: Why would you assume that when two actors meet and have dinner together they would be doing a project together? Aamir was in the same hotel as me. He called, we met and went out for a meal. Just another social evening, nothing more. Though working with Aamir would be a joy, particularly if he were to direct the film.

Q: Any projects featuring you and Abhishek?

A: I hope there will be. There are talks in progress; when they are ready we can talk about it.

Q: Does the criticism Abhishek's solo films "Delhi 6" and now "Raavan" strike you as being unjust to him?

A: No not all. People pay to go and see a film. If they do not like something, they have the liberty to criticise it. I cannot understand why you particularly mention 'solo'. None of my successful films 'Deewar', 'Trishul', 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Sholay', etc were solo. Abhishek too has had his share of solo successes and non-successes. Some work, some do not. It's filmmaking. Happens the world over. One accepts the public verdict, learns from it and tries again.

Q: I remember your emphatic support of "Guru". Do you feel as strongly about "Raavan"?

A: Yes, but in different ways. "Guru" was straight storytelling and Mani's brilliance in its presentation was very clear to observe. "Raavan" is asking me to study and think and analyse and probe. It's taken a while to comprehend, so it is not immediate. It is driving me to intellectualise something that most viewers are not prepared for when they go to see a film...

Q: Ratnam and Abhishek have worked thrice together and it's about time you got a chance to work with him. Is a film with Mani round the corner?

A: I wish it was true, but there is no such offering. Could you put in a word for me?

Q: I can't help asking...you're tweeting and blogging. Do these means of communication make the press redundant for you?

A: How could you possibly ask this question at the end of this most exhaustive response of mine to the press! No, the media will never be redundant. Yes, I blog and tweet and Vog and soon shall also video blog, but the press shall always have its presence and importance. For me, these mediums are a wonderful opportunity to connect with my fans and well-wishers independently and instantly.

The internet is becoming a vast medium for the future. Most of the requests for interviews have also reduced because the media picks up all the daily news from our blogs and tweets. Look at the vast amount of information that these mediums provide on individuals you would perhaps have never had the opportunity to interact with. It should be allowed to grow and prosper, its use and misuse notwithstanding. 

--
Mahi

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Caning regular feature in my school Big B

Caning regular feature in my school: Big B  

New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says caning was a "regular feature" in his school, but he strongly opposes the practice.

"I must admit that caning was a regular feature during our stay in the school...As students, we did not resist or fight against it. It was part of our curriculum in a sense and I think we were better off with it than without. Indeed, there were occasions when we opted for it as against, when given the choice of an alternative," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

The 67-year-old, who studied at the Sherwood College in Nainital, says caning was considered acceptable in his school and students used to take it in a sporting way, with some even making fun of their bruised posteriors.

"The whole procedure was to me and I would like to believe for others too, a very fair and formal affair, this business of caning. We knew what the punishment would be if there was infringement, so it wasn't as though you were suddenly caught forcibly and beaten black and blue in front of the entire school," he added.

Amitabh's remarks come on the heels of a class 8 student of Kolkata's La Martiniere School, Rouvanjit Rawla, committing suicide apparently because he was caned by the principal, Sunirmal Chakravarthi. 

The actor says corporal punishment should be discouraged in schools now.

"That was 1956! It is 2010 now. If now, Abhishek or Shweta (his daughter) or Agastya and Navya-Naveli (his grandchildren) were to be even spoken loudly against, it would incense me. Times have changed and so have circumstances. I would strongly oppose corporal punishment in schools now," he posted. 

Big B with Jaya Bachchan red carpet World Premiere of the film Raaven in London

--
Mahi

Amitabh Bachchan at Raavan World Premiere London


Big B with Jaya Bachchan red carpet World Premiere of the film Raaven in London

Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan arrives with wife Jaya Bachchan on the red carpet, for the World Premiere of the film Raaven, at the BFI, British Film Institute, in London.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bachchans Kapoors bond over dinner

Bachchans, Kapoors bond over dinner  

Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently dined with his family as well as Rishi-Neetu Kapoor and says they had fun remembering good old days.

"Abhishek and Aishwarya have flown in just this evening after hectic and tiring procedures being conducted for the promotions on 'Raavan', and it was such a delight to be all together again. Took them out to dinner, caught up on events and times, laughed, went back on time when Abhishek and Shweta were little kids. 

"Narrated to the 'bahu' (Aishwarya), the brattish antics of her husband when he was small, when in walked Rishi and Neetu Kapoor for dinner at the same restaurant. We talk of old times, of the numerous fun times had on the sets of the films we did together, both with Rishi and Neetu," Amitabh posted on his blog.

Amitabh teamed up with Rishi in hits like "Naseeb", "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Coolie" and with Neetu he featured in films like "Parvarish" and "The Great Gambler".

Apart from being colleagues, Bachchans and Kapoors are relatives too. Amitabh's daughter Shweta is married to Rishi's nephew Nikhil Nanda.

"They are now my relatives - Rishi's sister's son is married to my daughter Shweta. We compliment them on Ranbir and his latest release 'Raajneeti', they compliment us on Abhishek and 'Raavan'," he wrote.  

IIFA awards event in Colombo Sri Lanka

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I feel exonerated Amitabh Bachchan

I feel exonerated: Amitabh Bachchan

New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) "One breathes freely again", said megastar Amitabh Bachchan after a petition seeking a criminal case against him for not honouring his commitment to build a women's college was dismissed.

"...I feel exonerated in the immediate matter of the land. The justice system has prevailed. The courts have dismissed the petition filed," the actor posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com after a court in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district dismissed the petition Friday.

"The case has been won and one breathes freely again. Breathes freely again because of the reassurance the legal system gives to individuals who are wrongly and unjustly implicated. Breathes freely again because those that indulge in frivolous complaints and cause considerable anguish to the victimised have been given a lesson by the justice system," he added.

In 2006, Amitabh, along with his wife Jaya, son Abhishek, Aishwarya and close friend Amar Singh visited Daulatpur village and declared that a women's college, named after his daughter-in-law Aishwarya, would be be built there.

However, when there was no activity on the plot ever since, the village head moved the court.

Amitabh is particularly upset on being targeted time and again.

"Year upon year month after month, some accusation or the other is directed towards me or my family. Ridicule and callous statements follow and what remains in the minds of the people is these negative untruthful impressions," he posted.

IIFA awards event in Colombo Sri Lanka

BigB host KBC 4 केबीसी-4 होस्ट करेंगे बिग बी

BigB host KBC 4 केबीसी-4 होस्ट करेंगे बिग बी !  
मुंबई। बॉलीवुड के शहंशाह अमिताभ बच्चन एक बार फिर छोटे पर्दे पर नजर आएंगे। सूत्रों के मुताबिक सदी के महानायक टेलीविजन जगत के अब तक के सबसे ज्यादा पॉपुलर रिएलटी शो "कौन बनेगा करोड़पति" के सीजन 4 को होस्ट करेंगे। ताजा रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक केबीसी-4 के लिए अमिताभ का नाम तय हो चुका है। इसके साथ ही शो होçस्ंटग को लेकर लंबे समय से जारी अटकलों पर विराम लग गया है। 

टीवी इंडस्ट्री के सूत्रों के मुताबिक गेम शो का चौथा सीजन साल के अंत तक टीवी पर प्रसारित किया जाएगा। इस बार यह शो स्टार प्लस के बजाए किसी और चैनल पर दिखाया जाएगा। सूत्रों की मानें तो इसकी आधिकारिक घोषणा जल्द ही कर दी जाएगी। 

गौरतलब है कि अमिताभ बच्चन ने वर्ष 2001 में कौन बनेगा करोड़पति के पहले सीजन की मेजबानी कर छोटे पर्दे पर धमाकेदार आगाज किया था। कुछ ही दिनों में केबीसी ने हर घर में अपनी जगह बना ली। वर्ष 2006 में भी बिग बी ने केबीसी द्वितीय होस्ट किया था लेकिन उनके बीमार पड़ने के बाद इसे बीच में ही रोकना पड़ा। इसके बाद 2007 में बॉलीवुड के किंग खान ने केबीसी के तीसरे सीजन को पेश किया लेकिन शाहरूख दर्शकों में अपनी खास जगह नहीं बना पाए थे। बिग बी ने हाल ही में कलर्स चैनल पर प्रसारित बिग बॉस सीजन 3 की भी मेजबानी की थी।

IIFA awards event in Colombo Sri Lanka

Friday, June 11, 2010

Petition against Amitabh Bachchan dismissed

Petition against Amitabh Bachchan dismissed  

Lucknow, June 11 (IANS) A court in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district Friday dismissed a petition seeking a criminal case against Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan for not honouring his commitment to build a women's college.

The case was sought to be registered by a woman village head of Daulatpur village who demanded action against Bachchan for allegedly "defrauding and cheating" the local population.

The college, according to Bachchan, was to be named after his star daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.

The court had directed the police to carry out a preliminary inquiry on the charges leveled against Bachchan.

It is learnt that the report absolved Bachchan of the multiple charges levelled by Raj Kumari.

"The complaint appears to frivolous as none of the charges could be substantiated by facts", a police official said.

In an application before the court, Raj Kumari had accused Bachchan of "playing fraud" on the villagers by "deceiving the local population in the name of building a women's college".

She even charged Bachchan with threatening her with dire consequences when she approached him to honour his commitment.

Bachchan, along with his wife Jaya, son Abhishek, Aishwarya and close friend Amar Singh visited the village in 2006 amid much fanfare and declared that the college would be be built there.

However, there was no activity on the plot in all these years following which the village head moved the court.

IIFA awards event in Colombo Sri Lanka

Friday, June 4, 2010

Amitabh Bachchan Ad film shooting in Gir forest



Lions walk past Big B in Gir


Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a pride of lions in Gir sanctuary, where he is shooting for a campaign to promote Gujarat tourism.

"A 5 a.m. call and what a call...into the forest and within a few hours, a miracle, eight to nine of them, an entire pride of lions! Unbelievable," an excited Amitabh, who has been appointed brand ambassador of the state, posted on his Twitter page.

"The lions walked past me... just five feet away! Amazing! Male, female and cubs, walked straight up to me, looked and went by."

Amitabh has been exploring Gujarat for some time and can't stop raving about the culture and beauty of India.

"What a magnificent country we own. And it is only when you visit these places yourself do you realise that it's not just the greatness of the domain that makes this land so wonderful and blessed, it is the man on the street, the commoner that gives this nation its strength and its glory," he posted on his blogwww.bigb.bigadda.com.

He will now head to the Somnath Temple to shoot for the campaign.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Lions walk past Big B in Gir

Lions walk past Big B in Gir 

New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a pride of lions in Gir sanctuary, where he is shooting for a campaign to promote Gujarat tourism.

"A 5 a.m. call and what a call...into the forest and within a few hours, a miracle, eight to nine of them, an entire pride of lions! Unbelievable," an excited Amitabh, who has been appointed brand ambassador of the state, posted on his Twitter page. 

"The lions walked past me... just five feet away! Amazing! Male, female and cubs, walked straight up to me, looked and went by."

Amitabh has been exploring Gujarat for some time and can't stop raving about the culture and beauty of India.

"What a magnificent country we own. And it is only when you visit these places yourself do you realise that it's not just the greatness of the domain that makes this land so wonderful and blessed, it is the man on the street, the commoner that gives this nation its strength and its glory," he posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

He will now head to the Somnath Temple to shoot for the campaign.