Big B hopes peace returns in Egypt

Big B hopes peace returns in Egypt 

New Delhi, Jan 29(IANS) As the anti-government protests rage on in Egypt, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan reminisces about his stay in the beautiful country of pyramids and hopes it "all comes to an end soon and in peace".

"I see incredible scenes of violence and disruption on television about what is happening in Egypt and in particular in Cairo and feel so sad that this beautiful country and city and its warm and hospitable people should all come to such condition," Big B posted on his blog Bigb.bigadda.com Saturday.

"All my visits there have been so memorable and full of so many happy times. When shooting in Cairo for 'The Great Gambler' in 1975, they did not know anything about Indian films and actors. On the streets, if India was mentioned it was always ‘Nehru' - their known association with him and their own president (Gamal Abdel) Nasser and the relationship that they enjoyed," he added.

Big B also mentioned how the success of "Great Gambler" and "Mard" in Egypt changed the perception of Indian cinema in the land of sand and sun.

"Something between the ‘Great Gambler' shoot and ‘Mard', which was a colossal success in Egypt in particular, had changed the perception of Indian cinema in this historic land and I had fortunately become the receiver of the love and affection that they had been holding on to for so many years," he posted.

"There are many visitors from India that go across on holidays to this land of the pyramids and come back with such glorious stories of the association the Egyptians still have for me and I am touched and feel so blessed. And so it saddens me even more to see the anger and discomfort that they go through now and I hope fervently that it all comes to an end soon and in peace," he added.

Big B to dye beard hair for Boodha

Big B to dye beard, hair for 'Boodha'  

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) After retaining the same appearance for the last 11 years, Amitabh Bachchan has suddenly turned experimental about his looks. First he decided to sport a trimmed beard and new hairstyle in "Aarakshan" and now for "Boodha", the Big B will dye his beard and hair into a flamboyant trendy colour!

The colour is yet to be decided. According to insiders from the frantically-experimental unit, Big B would either sport a red-tinted beard and hair in the movie -- which will be directed by Telugu maverick Puri Jagannath -- or it could be various flamboyant colours.

When contacted, Jagannath said: "That's right. Bachchan sir is going totally psychedelic for his part in 'Boodha'. You see, he plays a man who is 60 but believes he's still 25. So he moves around dressed and made up like today's youngster. And if anyone calls him a boodha (old man) he is livid. He will be dyeing his beard and wig."

Even the clothesline for Big B in "Boodha" would be in keeping with his character of a man of 25. Apparently, the megastar would be borrowing accessories from his son Abhishek's wardrobe.

The film will go on floors next month.

--
Mahi

BigB Meet even Take Rokada बिग बी से मिला दो, भले रोकड़ा ले लो

Bhopal. These days in Bhopal from tea shops to squares on the Big B of the same things are happening. Big B saw someone asking you, no it is starting to learn how long he is in Bhopal. Some Arsuakdar in the device that will get them for how they are willing to spend millions.

Bhopal Prakash Jha's 'reservation' to shoot than Amitabh Bachchan Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpai etc. Charche of stars, but Big B is too much. On the one hand his in-laws got to spend time with them so long to get him the influx of those who felt Bhidane device. Big B's mother Indira Bhaduri and sister Rita Verma, sources close to the Bhopal big - big industrialists and politicians to meet Big B are taking every stunt. Alam is that people great - the lure of the big parties are giving to.

The popularity of Mr. Bachchan has become a headache for the film unit. Unit connected to the pressure on local people is being built. Others associated with the film that he came so Ajij Big B to stay in Bhopal Bhopal left. Unit connected to a source close to Big B said that people are willing to spend millions to meet. Given all this, Big B is placed in strong security. No one has been unaware of the shooting site.

Big B the time spent in-law Big B though his in-laws have spent considerable time in the hands of her mother Indira Bhaduri has also praised the dinner. But people close to the family, except they have not met anyone.

Bhopal happy Amitabh Bachchan shooting in Bhopal are enjoying the full. He also exercises at the gym with Saif Ali Khan. He wrote on Twitter that much peace shooting is going on ahead of time. Here the atmosphere and pleasant environment because of the shooting is found to be so.


HINDI

बिग बी से मिला दो, भले रोकड़ा ले लो!

भोपाल। इन दिनों भोपाल में चाय की दुकानों से लेकर चौराहों तक पर बिग बी की ही बातें हो रही हैं। कोई पूछ रहा है कि बिग बी को देखा क्या, तो कोई ये जानने लगा है कि वो भोपाल में कब तक हैं। कुछ रसूखदार इस जुगत में हैं कि उनसे कैसे मिला जाए इसके लिए वे लाखों खर्च करने को भी तैयार हैं।

भोपाल में प्रकाश झा की फिल्म ‘आरक्षण’ की शूटिंग के लिए अमिताभ बच्चन के अलावा सैफ अली खान, दीपिका पादुकोण, मनोज वाजपेयी आदि सितारे भी हैं लेकिन बिग बी के चर्चे कुछ ज्यादा ही हैं। एक ओर उनकी ससुराल वालों को उनके साथ लंबा समय बिताने का मौका मिला है तो उनसे मिलनी की जुगत भिड़ाने वालों का भी तांता लगा है। बिग बी की सास इंदिरा भादुड़ी और साली रीता वर्मा के नजदीकी सूत्रों का कहना है कि भोपाल के बड़े-बड़े उद्योगपति और राजनेता बिग बी से मिलने का हर हथकंडा अपना रहे हैं। आलम ये है कि लोग बड़ी-बड़ी पार्टियां देने का भी लालच दे रहे हैं।

श्री बच्चन की ये लोकप्रियता फिल्म की यूनिट के लिए सिरदर्द बन गई है। यूनिट से जुड़े स्थानीय लोगों पर भी दवाब बनाया जा रहा है। फिल्म से जुड़े कुछ लोग तो इतने आजिज आ गए कि उन्होंने बिग बी के भोपाल में रहने तक भोपाल को छोड़ दिया है। यूनिट से जुड़े एक नजदीकी सूत्र ने बताया कि लोग बिग बी से मिलने के लिए लाखों रुपए खर्च करने को तैयार हैं। इन सबके मद्देनजर बिग बी को जबरदस्त सुरक्षा में रखा गया है। किसी को भी शूटिंग स्थल की जानकारी नहीं दी गई है।

बिग बी ने ससुराल में बिताया वक्त हालांकि बिग बी ने अपनी ससुराल में काफी वक्त बिताया है और अपनी सास इंदिरा भादुड़ी के हाथ के खाने की तारीफ भी की है। लेकिन परिवार के नजदीकी लोगों को छोड़कर वो किसी से नहीं मिले हैं।

भोपाल में खुश हैं बिग बी बिग बी भोपाल में शूटिंग का पूरा आनंद ले रहे हैं। उन्होंने सैफ अली खान के साथ जिम में एक्सरसाइज भी की। उन्होंने ट्विटर पर लिखा है कि शूटिंग काफी शांति से समय से आगे चल रही है। यहां का वातावरण और शूटिंग के खुशनुमा माहौल की वजह से ऐसा हो पाया है।

Amitabh Bachchan pays special visit to mom in law in Bhopal

Big B pays special visit to mom-in-law 

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) No matter how busy his schedule is, megastar Amitabh Bachchan squeezes in time for special family moments. The actor went out of his way to spend time with his mother-in-law in Bhopal, where he is currently shooting for Prakash Jha's "Aarakshan". 

"I just made her (my mother-in-law) happy by visiting her home here in Bhopal and having dinner with her. She is in her late 80's, God bless her, and lives surrounded by a whole bunch of her relatives and children's children. And still cooks delicious home food, " Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com. 

The 68-year-old also took his wife Jaya along with him. 

"Since I had taken a private charter from Mumbai to Bhopal and since the plane was going back empty, I took Jaya along with me to spend a few hours with her mother. She was most delighted and has gone back to Mumbai, " he added.

Amitabh Bachchan acknowledges his fans greetings as he arrives in Bhopal.

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan waves to his fans as he arrives in Bhopal.

Big B acknowledges his fans greetings as he arrives in Bhopal.

Salman responsible for Big B-IIFA fallout?

Salman responsible for Big B-IIFA fallout?

Amitabh Bachchan has been the brand ambassador for International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) right from the start of the awards in 2000. But recently, he severed all ties with the IIFA and Salman Khan seems to be a major cause.

It seems that the speculations about IIFA snubbing Big B are not true, in fact, it is the veteran star who didn't want to be associated with them. And a major cause seems to be Salman Khan.

"Without taking Bachchan's opinion, they not only held the event in Sri Lanka but also signed up Salman Khan to host it. These awards were Bachchan's baby, and hence he was terribly hurt," a source toldMumbai Mirror.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce announced a boycott of Colombo by southern actors and filmmakers and said it would shun the Bollywood actors who would choose to go to Sri Lanka. Thereafter, IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya along with Shah Rukh Khan and many others stayed away from the event, reported the tabloid.

However, IIFA wanted Amitabh back and tried hard to make him change his mind. "How can IIFA say 'no' to Bachchan? His popularity cuts across all generations. In fact, they kept coming back to him. They tried their best to persuade him to continue with them, but Bachchan was adamant. He told them politely but firmly that he was not interested in the association anymore," added the source.

Amitabh Bachchan, however, had a different story to tell. "IIFA says my services are not required,” the star had earlier tweeted.

Amitabh Bachchan, who has been the brand ambassador for IIFA since 2000

Amitabh Bachchan, who has been the brand ambassador for IIFA since 2000, is no more associated with it.

Amitabh Bachchan signs for two more seasons of KBC

 Amitabh signs for two more seasons of 'KBC'  

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who made a roaring comeback to the small screen with the fourth season of the game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" on Sony Entertainment Television last year, has been signed on for the next two seasons as well.

"Sony and I have signed on for KBC for the next two seasons... your blessings and encouragement needed in abundance!" Amitabh posted on his Twitter page.

"Kaun Banega Crorepati", the Indian version of internationally popular show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", was first launched in 2000 on STAR Plus with Amitabh as the host. The show returned for its second season in 2005 once again with Amitabh, but superstar Shah Rukh Khan was roped in as the host of its third season on STAR Plus.

Sony Entertainment Television brought back the show with Amitabh in 2010, and it recieved an overwhelming response, before it ended in December.

Now the channel is excited to carry forward their association.

"We have certainly tied up with Mr. Bachchan for the next two seasons of KBC. The next season will be on this year itself, but we have not planned when it will go on air," Ajit Thakur, executive vice president and business head, Sony Entertainment Television, told IANS.

News IANS & BS

Suspicion of explosion leaves Big B in London's biting cold

Suspicion of explosion leaves Big B in London's biting cold  

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says the London hotel where he is currently staying had to be evacuated on suspicion of an explosion in the property next door, but things are now under control.

Big B first informed of the crisis through Twitter and later gave further details on SMS of the crisis that took place near the St. James Court Hotel.

"Entire hotel evacuated... but promises to be okay soon...no terrorist threat...next door building under construction... had emergency-electric generator due to heavy rain in danger of blowing up, causing the heavy cranes on site to fall on the Hotel St. James Court...would have crushed entire building, hence evacuated...

"My room was closest to the block and just opposite...things in control now, I think...police and fire department on site have cordoned off entire area... but now saying things in control in a little more time... have been out in bitter cold for past two hours... looks okay to go back...I am safe!" Amitabh said in a text message.

Amitabh, 68, left for Europe from Mumbai for work in the wee hours of Saturday.

He had earlier tweeted: "ok ... Emergency in my Hotel in London ..everyone evacuated out on the street in biting cold... Suspecting explosion in next door (sic)...managed to get into a car and driving away from site of emergency .. Police not allowing anyone near..." 

Amitabh Bachchan no longer IIFA brand ambassador

Amitabh Bachchan no longer IIFA brand ambassador  

Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has been the brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards since their inception in 2000, will no longer perform the role - and the concept itself has been dropped.

"Due to unexplainable reasons, after announcing the event, Mr. Bachchan couldn't participate in the IIFA Weekend in Sri Lanka last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a Brand Ambassador," Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft entertainment that organizes the event, said in a statement.

"Keeping in mind the huge respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr. Bachchan and the deep relationship that we've always shared, we are not having anyone replace Mr. Bachchan.

"The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and in this regard we have already shared with them a proposal about their participation this year too. Mr Bachchan's reason for non-participation is best known to him. IIFA and Mr.Bachchan are inseparable. We will continue to pursue his participation for this year too," Joseph said.

However, there could be more to this than meets the eye as Amitabh confirmed the parting of ways on his Twitter account but put the onus on the IIFA.

"Not coming to Toronto IIFA...IIFA says my services are not required," he Tweeted.

आईफा ने अमिताभ बच्चन से किया किनारा !

आईफा ने अमिताभ से किया किनारा ! 

मुंबई। बॉलीवुड शहंशाह अमिताभ बच्चन इस बार मशहूर आइफा अवार्ड में नजर नहीं आएंगे। खबर है कि आईफा अवार्ड की पहचान बन चुके बॉलीवुड के शहंशाह अमिताभ बच्चन का दस साल पुराना रिश्ता टूट गया है। यही नहीं अमिताभ अब आईफा के ब्रांड एंबेसडर भी नहीं रहे हैं। खुद अमिताभ ने यह चौंकाने वाला खुलासा किया है। हालांकि, इन सबके पीछे की वजह साफ नहीं हो पाई है। उल्लेखनीय है कि इस साल टोरंटो में 23 से 25 जून तक आईफा अवार्ड का आयोजन होना है पर बिग बी इसमें शिरकत नहीं करेंगे।

बिग बी ने टि्वटर पर खुलासा किया है कि "इस बार वह टोरंटो आईफा में नहीं जा रहे हैं। आइफा का कहना है कि उन्हें मेरी जरूरत नहीं है।" वर्ष 2000 से शुरू हुए आईफा अवार्ड में अमिताभ ने हर साल हिस्सा लेते आए थे। उनकी पूरी फैमिली बीवी जया बच्चन, बेटा अभिषेक बच्चन और बहू ऎश्वर्य राय भी अवार्ड में हिस्सा लेते थे पर पिछले साल से आईफा और उनके बीच दूरियां बढ़ीं तो फिर खत्म नहीं हुई।

अमिताभ ने कहा कि "वहां न जाने का कारण मैं नहीं हूं बल्कि खुद आईफा है। आईफा के आयोजक नहीं चाहते कि मैं टोरंटो जाऊं। श्रीलंका में भी पिछले साल हुए समारोह में भी ऎसा ही था।" ज्ञात हो पिछले साल हुए अवार्ड समारोह में भी अमिताभ ने हिस्सा नहीं लिया था। 

अमिताभ का यह खुलासा बेहद चौंकाने वाला है क्योंकि देखा जाए तो वह एकेडमी की वेबसाइट पर अभी भी आईफा के ब्रांड एंबेसडर की लिस्ट में शामिल हैं, साथ ही आईफा के एडवाइजरी बोर्ड के सदस्य भी हैं। हालांकि, आईफा की ओर से इस बारे में कोई प्रतिक्रिया नहीं मिली है।

Making Of Dabboo Ratnani Calendar 2011 With Amitabh Bachchan

Making Of Dabboo Ratnani Calendar 2011 With Amitabh Bachchan

Making Of Dabboo Ratnani Calendar 2011 With Amitabh Bachchan 

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan poses in a saloon set-up for Dabboo Ratnani's 2011 calendar photo-shoot. Check it out.

Mega Star Amitabh with Aishwarya Rai Bachan at 6th Apsara Awards 2011

Mega Star Amitabh Bachan along with Aishwarya Rai Bachan who received a special award at the 6th Chevrolet Apsara awards ceremony,in Mumbai.

Salman's ' Dabangg ' sweeps Apsara Awards 

Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Actor Salman Khan's blockbuster entertainer "Dabangg" made it's presence felt at the Chevrolet Apsara Awards Tuesday night by baggingEIGHT awards in different categories. 

The film that has been produced by Arbaaz Khan and directed by Abhinav Kashyap laid its hands on trophies for categories like best film, best actor (Salman Khan), best female singer (Mamta Sharma), best performance in negative role (Sonu Sood), best female debut (Sonakshi Sinha), best music (Sajid-Wajid), best dialogues (Abhinav Kashyap) and best male singer (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan). 

The glitzy night that witnessed power-packed performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Govinda and Anushka Sharma was attended by many Bollywood celebrities likeDharmendra, Rani Mukerji, Sunny Deol, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal and Yash Chopra among many others. 

The film that followed "Dabangg" in the awards ' tally was "Band Baaja Baraat" with six awards in it's kitty. It registered it's name in categories like best editing (Namrata Rao), best art director (T.P Abid and Sonal Choudhry), best costume design (Niharika Khan), best actress (Anushka Sharma), best debut director (Maneesh Sharma) and best male debut (Ranveer Singh). 

Apart from these, the evening also announced special awards. A new category called the President honour for outstanding achievement in cinema was conferred on Aiahwarya Rai andHrithik Roshan for their performance in "Guzaarish" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali for directing the film that dealt with the story of a magician who becomes a paraplegic after a magic trick goes wrong. 

The lifetime achievement award was given to Dharmendra for completing 50 years in the Hindi film industry. He was handed over the award by Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan. 

Other awards announced at the event include: 

Best Cinematography - Sudeep Chatterji (Guzaarish) and Santosh Sivan & V. Manikandan (Raavan) 

Best Sound Recording - Pritam Das (Love Sex Aur Dhoka) 

Best Special Effects - Prime Focus (Guzaarish) 

Best Re-recording - Tapan Nayak (Raavan) 

Best Lyrics - Gulzar (Ishqiya) 

Best Screenplay - Rajat Arora (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) 

Best Story - Anusha Rizvi (Peepli Live) 

Best choreography - Farah Khan (Tees Maar Khan) 

Best Comic Performance - Paresh Rawal (Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?) 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Arjun Rampal (Raajneeti) 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Prachi Desai (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) 

Best Director - Karan Johar (My Name Is Khan).

Moree  6th Apsara Awards 2011 Photo Gallery 

Big B admires disciplined southern film industry

Big B admires 'disciplined' southern film industry  

New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who recently did a cameo in actor Mohanlal's Malayalam film "Kandahar", says he admires the discipline in southern cinema.

"They may be in different language, but when the camera rolls we are all the same - professional, disciplined and nervous as hell! I have always admired the sense of discipline in the South," Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com Saturday.

"Have admired their management qualities and the reverence they show to fellow artists and to the profession. We in the Western parts of the nation still have a long way to go before we can match up to them in this, but I think that we are getting there.

"Cinema from the state of Kerala has always been aesthetic and sensitive even in their commercial versions, the literacy quotient being the highest in the country. Though according to recent analysis other states are catching up, if not surpassing them," he added.