 
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Amitabh Bachchan Priyardarshan join hands with Toonz
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (IANS) Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, ace director Priyadarshan and animation major Toonz Animation have joined hands to prepare a Rs.20 crore 3D animation film titled "Twinergy".
Addressing reporters on the eve of Technopark-based Toonz  celebrating its first decade of operations, its CEO P.Jayakumar said that the  pre-production work is over and the production of the film has commenced.  
"This is a 90-minute 3D animation film in English. Bachchan cleared this  story after hearing seven ideas from us. We had a three-hour discussion with him  in Hyderabad where he was assisted by Abhishek  and Aishwaraya.  At the end of it, he zeroed in on three and finally gave the nod for 'Twinergy'  ," said Jayakumar. 
The film tells the tale of a royal family, united by  love and divided by misunderstanding and how they adopt two twins into their  fold. 
The funds for this mega project have been arranged by Toonz and  Priyadarshan is expected to spend a week here in the Toonz studio and would  again join the team when the post-production work begins. 
"The  post-production part will happen in Mumbai because Bachchan  is particular about the quality of post-production. The film would be released  hopefully by Diwali next year," said Jayakumar. 
Toonz Animation has  emerged as the preferred one-stop studio for entertainment majors and its client  list includes Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures Corporation,  Hallmark Entertainment Productions, Lionsgate Entertainment, Cartoon Network,  BBC, Sony Entertainment and Marvel Characters. 
Elaborating on their  initial years, Jayakumar said that the initial years were tough and they lost a  lot of money. 
"But now things have changed and our pipeline is full for  the next three years. Now we are in a position to select what we wish to do and  we have now started to outsource work to Korea, the Philippines and China. We  are now making money," he added. 
Toonz today employs 350 professionals  in the studio here with a good spread of expatriate animators. 
They have  also set up an academy for training animators and by now they have 11 centres in  the country here and their first overseas centre is now opening shortly in  Jordan.
Big B makes Aladin a cool family entertainer Movie Review Rating ***1/2
By Joginder Tuteja
Film: "Aladin"; Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandes, Saahil Khan, Ratna Pathak; Director: Sujoy Ghosh; Rating: ***1/2
"I am still a teenager", says Amitabh Bachchan right at the  beginning of "Aladin", setting the mood for the film to follow. Young at heart  and fresh in treatment, "Aladin" wouldn't have been possible without him. 
Playing Genius - The Genie could  have gone either way since he is expected to be whacky, quirky, a little  eccentric, a bit mad and hugely lovable. 
The narrative is clearly  divided into two sections. If the first half is more children friendly, the  second half has a lot going for teenagers and above. 
There is some fun in store for  children with a donkey's head replacing Riteish's, his guitar turning into a  frog and him being thrown in the air after being turned into a balloon. The  funny antics that follow may not have grown ups rolling with laughter, but  should surely keep the smiles on. 
Amitabh's 'Yo dude' act keeps the fun  going. He adopts a completely different body language as the flamboyant genie,  who is happy moving on with the times, and could give the younger generation a  run for its money. 
Meanwhile,  Sanjay Dutt's Ringmaster character makes on and off appearances, though one  would have expected to see more of him. 
The entire past about Aladin and the  Genius gets a little confusing. 
The real fun begins in the second half  with the battle between good versus evil. Sanjay becomes more prominent on  screen, the past is unearthed, action and thrills take centrestage and the best  of VFX is unveiled. 
The visuals  belong to the never-seen-before variety, especially the ones where Big B is  shown repenting about his misdeeds. The flashback sequence is extremely well  done too. 
Sujoy Ghosh does well in conjuring the imaginary world of  'Khwaish' that gives the film a visual appeal. This is further enhanced by the  presence of newcomer Jacqueline Fernandes. Riteish is likeable as the young man  who gets superpowers towards the film's end, hence keeping an option for a  sequel. 
Sanjay is good but how one wishes that he had at least a couple  of dramatic scenes with Amitabh. 
However, the film completely belongs  to Amitabh who totally steals the show. Watch him in "Genie Rap" and you'll know  why. 
The story of "Aladin" is legendary and Genie and Jasmine are known  worldwide. This is why it requires courage for a filmmaker to set the film in  contemporary times and come up with his own take on a well loved tale. 
Ghosh does exactly that as he lets  his imagination go wild and spins a tale that ends up relating the past, present  and future of these characters. This VFX filled entertainer is just the right  recipe if one is looking for a family entertainer. 
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I Talk to Myself on my Blog
Amitabh Bachchan Jacqueline Ritesh Deshmukh Godrej Diwali Aladin Winner Contest
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Promotions of films a test of patience Amitabh Bachchan
Mumbai, Oct 28 (IANS) Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, who is currently busy promoting his film "Aladin", says that movie promotion is not only an art but also a test of one's patience.
"Promotions of films has now become an art, an exercise in  management, a test of patience and an ability to be able to answer the same  questions in and out with the same intensity and conviction that you may have  expressed in the previous interview," Amitabh  posted on his blog.
Amitabh also said that he admires journalists  relentless pursuit for exclusives. 
"They are all around you waiting in  anticipation for their turn to arrive, to be able to turn on their microphones  and cameras, to put on that TV anchor demeanour and strike out. I have admired  their relentless pursuit for that exclusive, their determined effort to get  something out of their subjects which has not been covered by the other rivals,  present merely inches away," he wrote. 
Further praising journalists, he  wrote: "The speed with which they (journalists) all operate is incredible. How  they devise the look of the interview, what would need to be shown as a clip to  enhance the program, the reference material of the past, the music and the  editing of the material they have, the headlines that need to be created and  then finally the presentation on the broadcast. 
"...But there is never ever a  complaint, an objection to a delayed request and neither is there need to bring  out competition at the street level. There is a deep understanding and respect  for each other. A desire to share information and to see that it is disseminated  in a manner that would be the requirement of their seniors." 
Releasing  Friday, "Aladin" is the modern version of the fantasy story and also stars Riteish  Deshmukh and Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline  Fernandes.
Aladin is good family film with lovely ambience & fantastic special effects Big B
Bollywood Hungama was privileged to have him here  with us on the Celebrity Chat, as he answered the volley of questions that came  his way from his innumerous fans. Think you lost out on the opportunity? We have  the extract of the chat here just for you.
Amitabh Bachchan: Hi  this is Amitabh Bachchan only on Bollywood Hungama.com
Pravin:  Hello Amitji
Amitabh Bachchan: Hello Pravin...how r u  doing???
Niraj: Amitabh Saab, I have no words to thank you for  giving us an opportunity to chat with you. Kindly tell me whether many years  back you had a Yahoo Messenger Chat A/c with the name 'amitabh_bachchan_hero'?  
Amitabh Bachchan: Niraj, no I never had an account like  that
Siddhant: What is ur next film after Aladin sir?  
Amitabh Bachchan: Siddant, the next film after Aladin is  Paa
Nhik: It simply Gr8 to Chat With a legend like U
Amitabh  Bachchan: Its lovely chatting to a legend like you as well. 
Taha:  hi Amitabh uncle you have any movie with Zayed and Fardeen? 
Amitabh  Bachchan: No I am afraid not taha Niraj: Amitabh Saab, why is it so that the media which  writes about the celebrities (good or bad-in whichever way it is beneficial to  them) gets a lot of opportunities to meet and interact with the celebrities  & the fans due to whose love and appreciation the actors become stars and  superstars don't get even 1% of what the media gets?
Amitabh Bachchan:  Niraj...you write to me and I will give you an opportunity to meet me.  Conversely, you could come on my blog. 
Nhik: Tell me about your  new movie "ALADIN" Its Looks Superb
Amitabh Bachchan: Nhik....Aladin  is a good family film, great music, lovely ambience and fantastic special  effects. 
 
| Amitabh Bachchan: Nhik....Aladin is a good family film, great music, lovely ambience and fantastic special effects. | 
Amitabh Bachchan: Thank you so much! I do hope you go and see Aladin with your entire family
Niraj: Amitabh Saab, you recently mentioned in an interview with Pratibha Advani that you were a big fan of Dilip Saab. What is your opinion about another living legend of the same period - Dev Saab? He has mentioned in his autobiography that when you did a music release of his film many years back, the shirts you both were wearing were similar - checks and buttoned up collars. Were you his fan in your childhood?
Amitabh Bachchan: Yes!we all are and he is a remarkable human, great compassion for cinema and his friends.
Ameeruddin: As Salam Walekum Amit Jee
Amitabh Bachchan: Thank you so much Ameeruddin...pls go and see the film.
Noor: Which is your favorite movie till date sir?
Amitabh Bachchan: Noor...All of them.
Amitabh Bachchan: Arielle...I love Mauritius...and the Mauritian people...I shall never forget the warm welcome they give me whenever I come there...Hopefully I should be there soon.
XYREO: Hello sir hopes you are well; I wanted to know the progress on your web site that Zapak was developing???
Amitabh Bachchan: Still working at it xyreo
MAX: Sir, how do u feel working with the new breed of directors?
Amitabh Bachchan: Wonderful Max...their enthusiasm, energy and desire to excel is most impressive
| Amitabh Bachchan: Wonderful Max...their enthusiasm, energy and desire to excel is most impressive | 
Amitabh Bachchan: It's a privilege chatting to you MAX and I don't believe in all these glorious epithets that are attached to my name
Neeroz: Hello Mr. Bachchan is there going to be any movie involving everyone from ur family?
Amitabh Bachchan: Neeroz...not so far
Arielle: What's your next after Aladin? What's the film all about? And also tell us something about Paa?
Amitabh Bachchan: Arielle...Paa is a story of a 12 year old child who suffers from Progeria... an ageing ailment. I play the child and Abhishek plays my father.
Arielle: When will you work with my most favorite actor - Akshaye Khanna after Deewaar? Is it true that you replaced him with Ajay Devgn in Teen Patti? Have you watched Akshaye Khanna's performance in Gandhi My Father and Race? How was it? What do u think of him as an actor and how do u rate him as a performer?
Amitabh Bachchan: I think in the younger breed Akshaye is one of the finest talents. I have never involved myself in the casting of my films. I didn't and have not had anyone replaced.
Amitabh Bachchan: Aakash...go and see both films.
Dkhan: Could you tell us anything about Shantaram?
Amitabh Bachchan: Dkhan...Mira Nair met me and gave me the script but has not progressed further. I believe the film has been shelved
| Amitabh Bachchan: Dkhan...Mira Nair met me and gave me the script but has not progressed further. I believe the film has been shelved | 
Amitabh Bachchan: siddhant..There are none.
Fatima: Amit jee, what is your fav desi food?
Amitabh Bachchan: Fatima... Oh GOSH... There are many...difficult to narrate all of them here.
Nile: Sir do you believe that there is a genie lamp somewhere :)
Amitabh Bachchan: Nile...I believe in a force which is unknown and I hope that it will work as a Genie in everyone's lives.
Ameeruddin: Amit Jee....how is your health now?
Amitabh Bachchan: Very good Ameeruddin
Nhik: Thanks Sir and Tell Me Abt the WORKING EXPERIENCE with the New Girl and Ritesh?
Amitabh Bachchan: Nhik...they are both wonderful...Jacqueline is a foreigner but has worked very hard to learn the language and comes across as a breath of fresh air. Riteish is a most accomplished artist and I always wish him well
Avinashpatalay: Sir - I live in UK and sadly there is not enough publicity for Aladin as I have been expecting. It gives a just another run-out-of-mill movie though I know it's a great product from Sujoy. BTW - any chances of revival of Borivali with Naseeruddin Shah?
Amitabh Bachchan: avinash...I am not in charge of the publicity but I will put in a word to the distributors. I doubt if Borivali will be made with Sujoy.
Amitabh Bachchan: Lovely talking to you...there are many questions but there are many time constraints too... Thank you for being with me and thank you Bollywood Hungama for giving me this opportunity.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Bigg Boss 3 gets government notice for vulgarity
New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) The third season of the reality show "Bigg Boss 3", hosted by iconic film star Amitabh Bachchan, has landed in trouble with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Monday sending a notice to Colors channel for "offending good taste" and for the use of vulgar language.
The channel has been asked to show cause for its actions within  five days, failing which it will be taken off the air. 
"It has been brought to the notice  of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that certain parts of the  reality show �Bigg Boss 3' telecast and re-telecast on Colors channel offend  against good taste and decency and are not suitable for unrestricted public  exhibition," says the show-cause notice. 
The notice says the language used by  some participants is abusive and the show contains visuals which appear to be  obscene and violative of the government's programme code. 
It also points out that recently in  one of the visuals, one participant has been shown pulling down the shorts of  another participant. "This has offended the sensibilities of many viewers," says  the notice. 
The ministry has  asked Colors not to carry content on the show that "constitutes a violation of  the programme code as enshrined in the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995,"  failing which it will be taken off the air. 
Recently, one of the participants in  the show, actor-director Kamal R. Khan, was thrown out for violent  behaviour. 
The reality show is  based on the international show "Big Brother" in which 13 celebrities are locked  in a house for 84 days and monitored round-the-clock by 40 cameras.  
Hospital trysts inspired Amithabh health endorsements
The actor, who has in the past been a brand ambassador for the  advertising campaigns like pulse polio, HIV/AIDS, cancer, was in Goa to  kickstart operations of Silver Star, a diabetes charity foundation, as its  international patron.
"A lot of  it came to mind during my several escapades after my accidents and visits to  hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs)," Amitabh said.
The Bollywood superstar, who  launched Silver Star's mobile diabetes assessment unit in Goa and donated Rs.11  lakh towards the initiative said "he was happy" to endorse causes related to  health.
"When you speak of medicine and healthcare, any amount of  charity is welcome," said Bachchan, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes.  
BigB and Riteish were wary of Shiamak

When Big B and Riteish were wary of Shiamak
By Joginder Tuteja
Mumbai, Oct 25 (IANS) Selective when it comes to Bollywood  assignments, Shiamak  Davar got interested in "Aladin"  when told by director Sujoy Ghosh that "Genie Rap" was a song designed for kids.  Insiders however claimed it wasn't really an easy track to put in place as the  actors - Amitabh  Bachchan and Riteish  Deshmukh -- were wary of the choreographer.
The first and foremost reason for it was  Shiamak's reputation of making his actors go through some unusual dance moves.
Riteish, who plays the title role in "Aladin", said: "The moment I was  told that the song would be choreographed by Shiamak, I knew that I had to get  my act right. Of course I have enjoyed success with a few dance numbers over the  years, but one is always wary of dancing to the steps created by someone like  Shiamak."
"Make A Wish" a.k.a "Genie Rap" has been on the air for a  month now and has found an immediate connection with the audiences. A delightful  track with the colour red holding prominence in a majority of frames, it carries  a good
visual appeal.
Other than highly colourful picturisation,  there is also the presence of Amitabh, Riteish, a couple of dozen gorgeous  dancers, some cool VFX and of course a foot tapping tune created by composers  Vishal and Shekhar. Of course the man who has added his own flavour to the  entire package is none other than Shiamak.
"See, Shiamak has an entirely  different approach to making your body move, something which is not really  conventionally Bollywood. Right from the days of 'Dil To Paagal Hai', we have  seen how innovative he is. You have to unlearn a lot of things to grasp what he  wants you to do. I too was a little wary earlier on, but then constant  rehearsals made me a lot more comfortable when I went for the take," confesses  Riteish.
Apparently it was not just Riteish but also Amitabh who knew  that it was going to be quite a challenging assignment to get into the act for  Shiamak-choreographed "Genie Rap".
"Well, Shiamak does come with a  reputation and it was a happy sign for me to see my actors getting into the  preparation mode for the song. The final effect shows and when I see the  response of viewers the world over, I am assured that the hard work and  commitment of everyone involved has paid off," says Sujoy.
A  co-production of Sunil Lulla from EEros International and Sujoy' Boundscript,  "Aladin" is all set for release this Friday. 
Bachchans Family Pic in GQ Men of the year Awards 2009
Amitabh Bachchan BigB Family photos
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Amitabh Bachchan in fresh trouble over Uttar Pradesh farmland
Lucknow, Oct 23 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan seems headed for fresh trouble over a controversial plot of farmland in Daulatpur village of Barabanki district that he purchased last year.
The 1.383 hectare plot in Daulatpur, about 40 km from here, has  been gifted to a proposed college named after his actress daughter-in-law  Aishwarya Rai. 
Amitabh had last year gifted two parts of the land to the  local 'gram sabha' or village council after he found himself in the thick of a  major controversy and court battles on account of ownership of the land.  
However, it was reported Friday that Amitabh had "gifted" the entire  piece of land to the college. 
A local village head, Raj Kumari Singh,  has decided to challenge Amitabh's giving away the land to the college.  
She said: "A land once gifted to a gram sabha cannot be gifted to  anybody else." 
Singh termed the latest land gift, executed through the  superstar's local power of attorney in Barabanki Friday, as "illegal". She said,  "I will file a formal objection against the move, which is violative of Uttar  Pradesh land laws." 
The Bachchan family laid the foundation stone of the  college on Jan 27, 2008, at a high-profile bash in the village where they also  flew in prominent politicians like Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav,  his Man Friday Amar Singh, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu  Naidu and former Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah.
Golden couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Ad
Aladin Moive Song Aladin Dey Taali
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Bihar based lawyer composes Amitabh Chalisa
Patna, Oct 12 (IANS) After "Lalu Chalisa" and "Nitish Chalisa", now there is "Amitabh Chalisa". A Bihar-based lawyer has composed a specially-structured hymn in praise of the Bollywood megastar, who turned 67 recently.
Sharad Kumar, an advocate practicising in Arrah civil court in  Bhojpur district, about 60 km from here, has penned "Amitabh Chalisa". A chalisa  is traditionally a Hindu hymn invoking 40 names of the god being worshipped, but  in recent years they have been written in praise of politicians as well.  
"I have completed it after working for three months and now got it  printed," Sharad told IANS Monday on phone, speaking in chaste Hindi. 
He  claimed that "Amitabh Chalisa" is full of real stories from the megastar's life  including the highs and lows. "I was always impressed by Amitabh," he said. 
Sharad said early this year he  decided to compose "Amitabh Chalisa" depicting the actor's 40-year-long career  in Bollywood. "I have a dream to meet Amitabh one day in my lifetime," he said.  
Sharad has collected information related to Amitabh from various  websites, newspapers, magazines and books. 
In Bihar, chalisas of  political leaders are common. The first in recent history was written in praise  of Lalu Prasad while he was the chief minister of the state in the 1990s. 
It was followed by a chalisa for his  wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, and then one for former Prime  Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and another for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.  
The "Lalu chalisa" sold 1,700 copies while the "Atal chalisa" sold 700.  
Bigg Boss Season 2 BigB Birthday Celebrations in Bigg Boss Season 3 Aladin Movie Stills






 
 























