Friday, May 22, 2009

Amitbah Bachchan I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh

I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh: Amitabh

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitbah Bachchan says he couldn't bid for an Indian Premier League (IPL) team because he doesn't have "as much money as (Kolkata Knight Riders owner) Shah Rukh Khan".

"I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh. He has money and so he owns a team," Amitabh said on Zee News' celebrity chat show "Kahiye Janab" to be aired on Saturday.

Amitabh sent a congratulatory SMS to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his Padma Shri and didn't get a response. But he says he holds no grudge against the cricket star.

"He must have been busy, there's no need to make an issue out of this."

The sexagenarian otherwise makes for an avid viewer of the IPL and says he watches "almost all the matches".

Big B completes Aladdin', busy with last schedule of Paa

Big B completes 'Aladdin', busy with last schedule of 'Paa'

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Fans of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan may be in for a double treat since the actor has completed "Aladdin" and is now working on the last schedule of "Paa". He says the two movies might release in close succession.

"The dubbing for ?Aladdin' is almost over. We have managed a fair amount of work already. Perhaps tomorrow we shall be able to complete it entirely. The promos shall be starting soon," the actor posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

The next in line is R. Balakrishnan's "Paa", in which he has teamed up with son Abhishek.

"'Paa' starts tomorrow again after a long gap. They have been doing extensive work with Abhishek. This is the last schedule," he added.

Amitabh's last release was last year's "The Last Lear".

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Farah Khan - a doting mother

Choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan, who is currently scripting for her next project "Happy New Year", says that in spite of her professional commitments, she spends maximum time with her kids.

"I try and give maximum time to my kids and my husband. I give 75 percent of my time to my family and 25 percent of my time to my work. I've learn't to strike this balance," Farah told IANS.

Farah who married Shirish Kunder, the editor of her debut film "Main Hoon Na", gave birth to triplets - Anya, Diva and Czar last year.

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Shruti Hassan unwinds in the kitchen

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan's daughter Shruti Haasan, who will soon be seen in "Luck", loves to don a chef's cap when she wants to unwind.

"When I want to relax, I just call my friends over at home and we enjoy digging into the food. Even if occasionally the food isn't that great, my friends are too sweet to say anything," said the actress.

"Luck" is an action thriller being produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. It also stars Imraan Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty, Danny Denzongpa and Rati Agnihotri.

Madame Tussauds New York unveils Amitabh Bachchan wax figure

Madame Tussauds New York unveils Amitabh Bachchan wax figure

New York, May 22 (IANS) A wax figure of Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan was unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York with a "Bollywood Bash" being held at Times Square here.

"We are thrilled to welcome Amitabh Bachchan to his new home in Madame Tussauds," said a statement quoting Janine DiGioacchino, general manager of Madame Tussauds New York.

"Bachchan is a Bollywood film legend and we could think of no better figure to open the new Bollywood Zone, which is an exciting addition to our Times Square attraction."

Five Bollywood dancers, dressed in colourful Lehenga skirts, performed and taught 20 middle school students traditional Indian dance at the "Bollywood Bash", the statement said Friday.

Bachchan's figure is dressed in a traditional black Sherwani suit with a gold and black scarf draped around his neck.

It is the first figure to be part of Madame Tussauds New York's all-new Bollywood Zone.

The brightly-coloured, fully-interactive area includes the "Taj Mahal", videos of authentic Indian dancers and a photo area where visitors can pose as Bollywood stars - all designed to re-create the experience of being on a Bollywood film set with Bachchan.

Over the coming years, Madame Tussauds plans to expand the area to include figures of other prominent Bollywood stars.

Bachchan has starred in more than 150 films and once held a seat in Indian Parliament.