Watch Rann Amitabh Bachchan urges media

Watch 'Rann', Amitabh urges media

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) While his latest outing "Rann" has been touted as an anti-media film, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan maintains otherwise. He has urged the fourth estate to watch the film and decide for themselves.

Clad in a maroon velevet bandgala, the 67-year-old, who was here for the red carpet premiere of the movie, insisted the film is a "pro-media" drama.

"You (the media) should go and watch it. It's actually a very pro media film. I hope you enjoy it," Amitabh said.

Also present at the event were some members of the star cast Riteish Deshmukh and Gul Panag and director Ram Gopal Varma.

Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi also made it to the do.

Co-produced by Madhu Mantena and Sheetal Talwar, "Rann" also stars Paresh Rawal in a pivotal role.

Movie Reiview Rann a razor sharp biting look at the real world ****

Rann', a razor-sharp biting look at the real world (IANS Movie Reiview)
By Subhash K. Jha

Film: "Rann"; Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sudeep, Paresh Rawal, Rajat Kapoor, Neetu Chandra, Gul Panag, Suchitra Krishnamurthy; Director: Ram Gopal Varma; Rating: ****

"Rann" is that rare cinema about the collective conscience which we often like to think has gone out of style. Like Mehboob Khan's "Mother India" and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's "Satyakam", "Rann" shows how tough it is to hold your head high up in dignified righteousness in a world where ethics crumble faster than cookies in wide-open jar left out too long in the sun.

Ironically, there isn't much sunshine in "Rann". The film has been shot in an anaemic light, symbolizing a world that's largely losing light.

Cleverly, Ram Gopal Varma situates his morality tale in the cut-throat world of the electronic media where the TRP is god and deadlines the devil. And may the voice of the conscience rest in peace.

Without wasting time Varma introduces us to the plethora of characters who colonise the bowel of a declining channel run by the idealistic Vijay Harshvardhan Malik (Amitabh Bachchan). Malik believes there's room still for the straight and narrow path in a business where grabbing attention is the murder of all invention.

The glistening sweat on ratings, challenged eyebrows are captured through tight close-ups of worried faces that the camera - Amit Roy's sharply cruising lenses moving from face-to-face with obstinate restlessness - that give nothing and yet everything away.

As in Varma's "Sarkar", the moral battle lines in the media-run tale of "Rann" are drawn between the idealistic patriarch and his US-returned hyper-ventilating son Jai (Kannada star Sudeep) who is so anxious and ambitious, you know he will eventually cause trouble for his ideologue dad's news-worthiness.

Trouble arrives in the flabby form of a seedy politician Pandey - played by Paresh Rawal and he re-embraces villainy with lip-smacking relish - who plunges into the TRP war on television with no sense of propriety, legalese or the law.

Pandey pompously tells Jai before they both conspire with the help of a rival television tycoon (Mohnish Behl) to trash the idealistic Harshvardhan's reputation.

The plot accommodates more characters that a miniature touristic island in the holiday season. Not one of the characters need any explanation or occupy a superfluous place in the plot.

Varma's concern for the characters is genuine but non-judgemental. Each characters even the relatively-shadowy women, emerges as casualty of an over-competitive society where morality goes out of the nearest window.

The narrative is taut, restless and biting in its depiction of corruption in supposedly responsible places.

While much of film's inner fire burns outwards from the pithy and peppery writing (Rohit Banawlikar), the essential core of idealism is preserved in the understated relationship between the idealistic young rookie Purab Shastri and his mentor Harshvardhan. Wish this bonding was built on.

As restless as his camera, Varma gives no space to the complicated labyrinth of relationships to grow. We are left to gauge the depths and dimensions that underline the furious flow of empathy and antipathy between various characters by reading between the lines.

The first two-thirds of the narrative creates a gripping patchwork of television, drama and politics and how the three worlds often come together to destroy the basic fibre of human morality.

It's the last quarter of the narrative where Harshvardhan, after realising he has been taken for a ride by his own son's over-ambitiousness, that packs in the maximum punch.

Cleverly borrowing the premise for its climax from Mehboob Khan's "Mother India", "Rann" moves aggressively but confidently into its passionate finale where the patriarchal television tycoon must expose some harsh home-truths to cleanse his own conscience.

"Rann" takes us into a world where right and wrong are more financial than moral issues, where the people who make news conveniently forget that the source is often the nadir of the conscience.

"Rann" is a razor-sharp bitter and biting look at the real world of rapidly-moving moral issues.

Varma extracts superlative performances from the entire cast. From Ritesh's heartbreaking idealism to Neetu Chandra's part as Jai Malik's secret love interest.

As expected Bachchan as the conscience of the plot, presides over the speeedened proceedings with a thoughtful and gentle performance. His climactic speech makes all of us sit up and think about the quality of work we do in order to keep up with the competition.

Luckily, Bachchan's consistently excellent output is never dependant on the 'competition' around him. Ironically, his character is forced to stoop in order to conquer the TRPs.

Varma, who has been lately guilty of making fairly compromised films, rises above the morass of mediocrity with a meteoric force, letting other filmmakers know what he is capable of achieving if he sets his heart to it.

"Rann" defines the role of the electronic media in today's context with remarkable virility and dramatic force. This is Varma's best work since "Company".

Amitabh Bachchan launch new version of Mile sur mera tumhara Video

Amitabh Bachchan launches new version of Mile sur mera tumhara

Mumbai,January 26 (ANI):Mile sur mera tumhara,the iconic song that had the entire nation humming to its tunes has been revived and we have the mega project Phir Mile Sur that brings together celebrities from different fields and regions to convey beautifully the theme of united India.Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan on Monday launched the new version of song the eve of republic day in Mumbai.Created in 1988 by Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad and promoted by Doordarshan,mile sur mera tumhara video was intended to instill a sense of pride and promote unity amongst Indians.

STAR Plus airing a series of programmes

Television viewers in the Middle East will be able to watch The Nokia 16th Annual STAR Screen Awards exclusively on STAR Plus on Friday, February 12, 2010.

The awards were held in Mumbai on January 9. Amitabh Bachchan bagged the best actor award for "Paa", while Vidya Balan was named the best actress for the same movie.

Rajkumar Hirani got the best director award for "3 Idiots", which was also won the best film award.

A segment of the awards show was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan and Shahid Kapoor. The evening, which was attended by the who’s who of Bollywood, included performances by Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.

In the lead up to the Screen Awards, STAR Plus will air the following programmes:

Best of STAR Screen Awards on Sunday, January 31, at 9.30pm.

Nomination Special (curtain-raiser) on Sunday, February 7 at 9.30pm.

Red Carpet on Friday, February 12 at 1.00pm.

Amitabh Bachchan Speaks About Rann Part 2 Interviews

Agneepath Movie Rann Moive

Rann Movie Reviews

Ramgopal Varma is itching to tell a new story in his movies. You may garland him for his efforts or loathe him if you feel letdown, but you need to hand it to him for picking up stories that defy stereotype.

This time, in RANN, the maverick film-maker does an expose on the games the heavyweights in the media play to further their interests. RGV goes into the newsrooms and also behind it and throws light on the politician-industrialist-media nexus. Also, it's an insider's account of how news channels that are greedy for ratings sensationalize stories to grab eyeballs.

On surface, you don't want to know what goes behind the scenes and how, at times, news are 'created' by vested interests. But RANN scratches the surface and opens a can of worms. RANN also mirrors the fact that just like there are good and bad people in every field, there're some rotten ones in the media too who succumb to temptations and create news to climb the ladder of success.

RANN is a serious film and RGV knows what he's talking this time. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that you recall RGV's SARKAR while watching RANN, even though the two films are as diverse as chalk and cheese. You recall SARKAR because RANN is an equally powerful film that shows a world we've only seen from the exterior.

RANN is for those who enjoy serious cinema. It's more for the intelligentsia, for the thinking viewer. Definitely not for those who seek refuge in frivolous masala capers.

Vijay Harshvardhan Malik [Amitabh Bachchan] is the founder of a private news channel, India 24/7. A hardcore upholder of journalistic ethics, his channel is battling for survival. Jay [Sudeep], his son, looks at his father's news channel purely as a business enterprise that must make profits to justify its existence. He hates that his competition [Mohnish Bahl] is doing better than him.

The story takes a turn when a corrupt politician, Mohan Pandey [Paresh Rawal], decides to use the channel to his advantage by using Vijay's son-in-law Navin [Rajat Kapoor]. Pandey aspires to be the Prime Minister and indulges in a vicious campaign against his political opponent.

Navin is the most insecure man on earth and won't rest till he becomes the number one industrialist in the country. He, in turn, involves his brother-in-law Jay in Pandey's game plan.

A film like RANN would fall into the pit if [i] its writing wouldn't be razor-sharp and [ii] the choice of actors would be incompetent. RGV's movies, generally, are embellished with competent actors who deliver super performances. In this film, every member of the cast shines in his/her role, the length of the role notwithstanding.

The writing is watertight and convincing. Besides, the subject matter has been presented in the most simplistic manner, which makes it easy to decipher. However, the episode showing Riteish's investigation tends to get confusing at one point, but the climax compensates for the minor hiccups here and there.

Amit Roy's cinematography is eye-catching. Dialogues are power-packed. In fact, one can identify with the well-penned dialogues. The background score plays a crucial role. It heightens the impact of various scenes.

Amitabh Bachchan is spectacular yet again, especially towards the finale. His speech and the way he delivers it are remarkable. Sudeep is terrific. To stand up to giants like Bachchan and Paresh Rawal is no mean achievement. Riteish is only getting better and better with every film. In fact, he surprises you constantly.

Paresh Rawal, seen in an RGV film after a long, long time, is at his vicious best. Rajat Kapoor is incredible. Mohnish Bahl gets the role of a lifetime and he sinks his teeth into it. This film should open new vistas for him. Gul Panag is natural and so easy on the eyes. Neetu Chandra does her part well. Suchitra Krishnamoorthy is too good. Rajpal Yadav contributes to some funny moments. Neena Kulkarni and Simone Singh are perfect for their parts.

On the whole, RANN is truly a well-made film. No two opinions on that. The film should be patronised by viewers of serious, sensible cinema. Recommended!

BH

Happy Republic Day 26th January

Happy Republic Day 26th January

Republic Day 26th January Greeting Cards

Amitabh Bachchan launches new version of 'Mile sur mera tumhara

Amitabh launches new version of 'Mile sur mera tumhara'
Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan released the new version of the patriotic song "Mile sur mera tumhara" here on the eve of Republic Day. It is now titled "Phir Mile Sur" and Bollywood megastar was excited about the fact that he is the only one who has been repeated in it.

"People from film industry along with so many other individuals have given their voices to make this wonderful song of India. I am the only person in the song who has a repeat value," Bachchan told reporters at the Hotel Taj Lands End.

"I am very, very thankful that they have considered me to have the opportunity to stand along with my son and daughter-in-law to make it a very historic piece of music," he added.

"Mile sur mera tumhara" was conceptualized and conceived by late Suresh Mallick and it was first aired on Doordarshan on Aug 15, 1988, and after 22 years Arti and Kailash Surendranath have recreated and presented it as "Phir mile sur".

From vocalists Bhimsen Joshi and Balamurali Krishna to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, tabla maestros Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussain to sportsmen Narendra Hirwani and Prakash Padukone featured in the original. Well-known film personalities like Amitabh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mithun Chakraborty, Jeetendra, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Kamal Haasan, Sharmila Tagore, Tanuja and Waheeda Rehman too appeared in the national integration song.

"I have always felt that Indian cinema has bonded people irrespective of cast, creed or religion. When we buy a ticket in cinema hall we never see whether the person sitting beside me is a Hindu or a Muslim or a Sikh. We all enjoy the same film. We all laugh at the same jokes, we sing the same song, we cry at same emotion," he added.

More than 60 known personalities, including actors Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Juhi Chawla along with other prominent personalities feature in the new version of the song.

It features 22 superstars, 18 musicians, 13 artistes and singers and 15 other known personalities.

"Phir mile sur" will be initially aired on Zoom Tuesday.

Big B And Abhishek Bachchan on new show Bingo

Amitabh Bachchan And Abhishek Bachchan on new show Bingo

I know how media works and functions Amitabh Bachchan

I know how media works and functions: Amitabh Bachchan (Interview)
By Dibyojyoti Baksi

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a media baron in forthcoming film "Rann", says he was among the pioneers of satellite television in the West long before it came to India and has a fair idea how a channel runs.

"I was one of the pioneers of satellite television in the United Kingdom and New York. We ran Asian television there. We were actually the first ones who did that many, many, many years ago before satellite television came here. So, yes, I know how it works and how it functions," Bachchan told IANS in an interview here.

"But now, of course, it has become a huge industry. It's a very intricate process, a very difficult task and extremely competitive. I have been to some of the (news) studios and I have seen how they function - (it's) a massive task," he added.

Bachchan had endorsed one of the first satellite Asian TV channels in Britain in the early 1990s - TV Asia before it was taken over by ZEE Network.

The megastar clarifies that "Rann", which releases Jan 29, is pro-media and not at all about media bashing as has been reported.

"It's a little premature for the media to think like this, but you know 'Rann' is a very pro-media film. In the film what I do as part of the media (industry) is nothing dishonourable. I (have been) put across as a very honourable person and whatever I do is very pro-media."

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, "Rann" is about business and consciousness in electronic media and the moot point of the film is what edges the other.

"Whether business wins over consciousness or otherwise, that would always depend upon the owner of the channel and that's the crux of the story. It's a battle between business and consciousness.

"Does Mr.Vijay Harshvardhan Malik (played by Amitabh in the film), who is a symbol of purity and integrity, succumb to things like 'I don't care about business, I want to keep my consciousness' or 'to hell with conscience, I will have to save my business'; that's what the story will be," said Amitabh.

The actor also said that he didn't borrow any mannerisms from media personalities like Prannoy Roy or Rajdeep Sardesai.

"I don't try imitating any particular action of anybody. I try to be myself," said Amitabh, but added Ram Gopal Varma might have taken inspiration from the two while creating a character.

"These are elements which we see every day. Yes, when we are making a film on electronic media, it is very difficult to ignore them (Prannoy or Rajdeep) or not be inspired by them."

While Amitabh appreciates the positive impact of the media, he maintains that it is not flawless.

"Media is a very powerful medium. It's the voice of the nation. It informs and also forms opinion. It has the power to be able to influence you in forming a decision. It has a power to change governments... Now, when one entity has so many powers, are there any drawbacks? Are there any loopholes there? Do people use them or misuse them? These are some of the issues that the film deals with," he said.

The actor, who recently criticised the paid news syndrome in an interview, said the media is not solely responsible for such practice where the source of information is kept under wraps.

"Somebody has to bring the concept. You are the medium and they have to publish it or broadcast it. It is your decision whether you want to do it or not. One doesn't mind provided there is a disclosure. Disclose what you are doing, then it is fine. If it is made transparent, I don't see any harm. Let everybody have some kind of transparency."

Amitabh Bachchan and Neetu Chandra at promotion press Meet Rann Movie

Amitabh Bachchan and Sudip at a press conference as part of promotion of 'Rann' to be directed by Ram Gopal Verma, in Bangalore.

Amitabh Bachchan addressing a press conference as part of promotion of 'Rann' to be directed by Ram Gopal Verma, in Bangalore.

Actor Neetu Chandra at a press conference duing promotion of the film 'Rann' directed by Ram Gopal Verma, in Bangalore.

50 percent tax exempt for Paa Amitabh Bachchan thankful

50 percent tax exempt for 'Paa'; Amitabh thankful (Lead)

Bangalore, Jan 23 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's film "Paa" has been granted 50 percent tax exemption in Karnataka as it has created public awareness about the disease progeria. The legendary actor, who was present in the city, thanked the state government for recognising the sensitive elements of the film.

"We have made a film like 'Paa' with lot of professional commitment and hard work. I am really happy that the Karnataka government has decided to make an exemption of tax for this film," said Amitabh at a joint press conference with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa here.

"I am also happy that the film will be viewed by him and his cabinet colleagues besides the honourable members of the legislature," he added.

Yeddyurappa said though he has not yet seen the film and would be seeing it later in the evening with the legislators and ministers, he has heard that the film has been able to create awareness on the disease progeria.

"I am sure Amitabh will make and act in such meaningful films in future also," he added.

Replying to a question, Amitabh said there is no political angle in his meeting the chief minister. "I had gone to Kolkata to promote my film. That does not make me a communist. I have steered away from politics and distanced myself from all the decisions taken by my wife (Jaya Bachchan) and friend Amar Singh," said Amitabh.

I am now getting roles that suit me Amitabh Bachchan

I am now getting roles that suit me: Amitabh Bachchan

Bangalore, Jan 23 (IANS) Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan Saturday said that he prefers to act in films that not only excite him but also suit him.

"Ram Gopal Varma (director of 'Rann') creates characters that excite me and 'Rann' is a film that I have really enjoyed working in," said Amitabh, while participating in a promotional press meet for his much-awaited film "Rann" at the Taj Residency Hotel here.

Seated along with Varma and Kannada film actor Sudeep, who plays his son in the movie, Amitabh said that he is happy that he is getting roles that suit him.

Complimenting Sudeep on his role, Amitabh said that the Kannada actor has done a very good job in the film.

"Sudeep is very talented and an intense actor. He has a bright future," he added.

Talking about his role in the film, Amitabh said that he plays a media baron, Vijay Harshavardhan, in the film.

"Rann is Varma's story idea. I am only an actor playing a character in the film. Vijay Harshavardhan is an honest person who is committed to certain values. His voice is truthful. I have tried to work in the confines of the script written by Varma,' he said.

"I think the media represents the conscience of the Nation. And Varma has a right to look and analyse the work of the media in his platform," Amitabh said in reply to a question.

"Media is doing its job as much as we are doing our job. We get married and media covers it," Amitabh said, adding that celebrities in the public domain should not feel unhappy because they are covered by the media.

Varma conceded that the film is closely inspired by the life of people working in media.

"I have not done a film focusing on any particular channel. I have made a film based on my own perception of the media. The characters may look realistic to some people, but some others may feel it to be a fantasy or fictional. I will leave it to the people to understand it the way they like it," he added.

Commenting on his role, Sudeep said: "I have played a character in the film which forms an important component of the story. I don't think I have played a negative role. It is a powerful character. I really loved the character."

Big B Abhishek Bachchan record inaugural episode of Bingo just in time

Big B, Abhishek record inaugural episode of 'Bingo' just in time
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) Barely hours before Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan game show "Bingo" was to go on air Saturday, channel Colors was in a panic. Its staff was running around trying to put together the inaugural episode featuring the host with his superstar father Amitabh Bachchan.

According to channel sources, Big B was busy with the promotion of his upcoming film "Rann" while Abhishek was trying to juggle dates for his movies with the television recordings.

Abhishek admits it has been a hectic time for both his father and him.

In fact the channel had another episode ready as the inaugural episode in case the episode with the two Bachchans did not work out.

"We've a bank of episodes ready. But we really wanted the two Bachchans to be together to start Abhishek's show. However, coordinating their dates was a big problem. Both of them are exceptionally busy. We finally got them to come together just a day before telecast," Colors CEO Rajesh Kamat told IANS.

Rajesh admits the recording of the episode with Abhishek and Big B was cutting it really close. "But we had no choice. We had even put the promotion on air without recording the episode. We had a bank of episodes ready. And we could've used any of them if the episode with Mr. Bachchan had not materialised," he said.

Luckily for the channel, Amitabh rushed back from Delhi just in time to record the episode with his son.

Amitabh Bachchan recieves the Lifetime Acheivement Award by Akshay Kumar at the Apsara

Actor Amitabh Bachchan recieves the Lifetime Acheivement Award by the hands of actor Akshay Kumar at the Apsara Producers Guild Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Friday night.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan receives the Best Actor award from the hands of actor couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya at the Apsara Producers Guild Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Friday night.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan with his trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role shares his smile with actress Aishwarya Rai at the Apsara Producers Guild Awards in Mumbai on Friday night

Teen Patti The big game Big B

The big game

Producer: Ambika Hinduja

Director: Leena Yadav

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley, R. Madhavan, Shraddha Kapoor, Dhruv Ganesh, Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar, Saira Mohan, Raima Sen.

Music: Salim-Sulaiman

Teen Patti is set in England and India and explores the underworld and gambling dens of Mumbai. Perci Trachtenberg (Sir Ben Kingsley), who is the world's greatest mathematician, meets Venkat (Amitabh Bachchan), a math genius at a casino in London. Together, with a few students and Shantanu (R. Madhavan), Venkat's fellow professor, they crack the equation behind the card game, Teen Patti. Their experiment spirals out of control and Perci finally steps in to set things right.

Producer

Ambika Hinduja

i believe that if you have a good story to tell, then you must find a great way to tell it. For me, the way was films. Serendipity Film's first venture, Being Cyrus, set the mood for the kind of cinema that excited me: Intelligent and moving films with an international mood. With Teen Patti, I wanted to take this premise to the next level. I had such a gripping story that I had to find an extraordinary cast to inhabit it. I know that we succeeded on that front. But along with acting genius, I wanted to summon the very finest technicians, who would take the emotional dexterity of my actors and my director's cinematic vision and hone it for a universal audience. Each time I watch Teen Patti it moves me not only because it's an uber-sharp, edge-of-your-seat thriller but also because it's a profoundly human story that cuts through all parameters of nationality and language and gets you in the gut. I feel so inordinately lucky to have been able to serve a film like Teen Patti.

THE BUZZ

It wll be exciting to see Hollywood legend Sir Ben Kingsley and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan share screen space for the first time in the film.

Teen Patti Amitabh Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley, R. Madhavan, Shraddha Kapoor

Amitabh Kareena bag top honours at Stardust awards

Amitabh, Kareena bag top honours at Stardust awards
By Dibyojyoti Baksi

Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has bagged the Reader's Choice best actor award for the movie "Paa" while Kareena Kapoor was adjudged best actress for "Kurbaan" at the seventh Stardust Awards here.

Rajkumar Hirani's well-made "3 Idiots" got the Reader's Choice best film of the year award even as Imtiyaz Ali bagged the Reader's Choice best director award at the star-studded ceremony Sunday evening.

Rohit Shetty bagged the Stardust Editor's Choice award for best director for his movie "All The Best". The best actor and best actress awards in the same category were given to Shahid Kapoor for "Kaminey" and Kareena Kapoor for "Kurbaan", respectively.

While "Wanted" bagged the best film in action thriller category, "All The Best" was adjudged the best comedy film.

Another special award, Superstar of tomorrow (male), went to Ranbir Kapoor for "Wake Up Sid" and "Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani", while Superstar of tomorrow (female) was grabbed by Mugdha Godse for "Jail". The hottest new filmmaker award went to Ayan Mukherjee for "Wake up Sid".

The new musical sensational (female) award went to Kavitha Seth for "Iktara" from "Wake up Sid" and the award for new musical sensational (male) went to Suraj Jagan for "Give me some sunshine" ("3idiots").

Piyush Mishra won the Stardust performance by a music director award for "Gulaal", while Subrat Sinha won the Stardust performance by a lyricist for "Radio".

Rekha was honoured with Stardust Editor's Choice Icon of the Industry award at the ceremony.

Actors Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor sizzled on stage performing to some of their hit songs.

Big B to feature on first episode of Abhishek TV show

Big B to feature on first episode of Abhishek's TV show

Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS) As Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan gets ready to make his TV debut with "Idea National Bingo Nights", he will be seen playing the game with his father Amitabh Bachchan in the inaugural episode of the show to be aired on Colors channel.

Dressed in a formal black suit, Abhishek was at his wittiest best at a press conference here Monday. With his one liners and spontaneous answers, the audience was in splits and enjoying every moment of the session.

Explaining why his father is featuring in the first episode, Abhishek said that he wants him to do some 'aaram' (rest) through the show.

"As a son, I want my father to relax a bit, slow down his work and take care of his health. But he hardly takes my advice. So I called him on this show to take some 'aaram'," Abhishek told reporters.

Being produced by Fox Television Studios India Pvt Ltd, the show will have two fast-paced rounds of the popular guessing game 'Bingo'.

Talking about this show, Abhishek said: "The sheer simplicity of the idea and the fact that this show is highly interactive is what attracted me to it. Winning here is easy, you need not answer any difficult questions or perform any strenuous physical tasks. The idea is simple - leave behind all your worries, relax and enjoy."

Apart from Big B, Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Farhan Akhtar, Pravesh Rana, Vindu Dara Singh, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Sonali Bendre, and Kirron Kher will be seen in subsequent episodes.

The show will go on air from Jan 23 at 9.00 p.m.

When debutants Ben Kingsley left Big B embarrassed

When debutants, Ben Kingsley left Big B embarrassed

Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan is proud to have worked with four newcomers in the new film "Teen Patti", saying even when he did not know his lines, they would be set and ready on the sets. And it was much the same with co-actor Ben Kingsley, whose preparedness left the Indian megastar a trifle embarrassed.

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Amitabh Madhavan First Look Teen Patti Press Meet

"I am proud to work with these young debutant actors. It's their first film and I am certain that when you will see the film you won't believe that it was their first film. I hope they will have a very bright future," Amitabh told reporters after the first look of "Teen Patti" at Cinemax Versova.

Amitabh worked with Siddharth Kher, Shraddha Kapoor, Vaibhav Talwar and Dhruv Ganesh in Leena Yadav's film. The movie also stars the legendary Kingsley.

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"They were very enthusiastic and determined to do their work well at this age. They were doing very well in their very first film - the way they have prepared their roles, the rehearsals they did for months to get into the character."

"Many a time I would go on to the sets and not know what I was supposed to do or my lines were not ready with me, but they were all set and ready. That was the inspiration. So every night when I went back to the hotel or came back home, I made sure that I also prepared, so that I didn't look like a fool the next morning," the superstar added.

"Teen Patti" is an emotionally riveting and razor sharp thriller about greed, deception and giant feats of imagination.

"I play the role of mathematics professor who has cracked a theory of probability and my seniors in university are discarding my findings. One day while playing cards on the computer I realise that my theory is applicable to card games. I discuss my theory with my junior professor, played by Madhavan, and he gives me the idea of visiting a casino and trying my theory," Big B said.

"The theory is if I get to know any one person's cards, by theory of probability I would be able to guess the cards of other members playing the game. That way we win a huge amount of money which in return subjects us to some unprecedented circumstances," he said.

On working with Kingsley, Amitabh said: "He is a wonderful human being. I think that's what comes through before you actually encounter him as an actor. He readily agreed to a reading rehearsal, much before we went on the set and when we were working in England he came across to the hotel where I was and we sat in our room just like two ordinary people and to my surprise he knew every alphabet of his dialogues much, much before I had even decided to sort of look at it.

"That was very embarrassing for me because I was just reading my script and he was reciting all his lines. Very, very well prepared, very considerate actor, very considerate to all his colleagues. It was a wonderful experience," he added.

"Teen Patti" is slated for release Feb 26

16th Lions Gold Awards 2009

I can barely act how can I direct Amitabh Bachchan

I can barely act, how can I direct: Amitabh

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) He is one of India's best known actors. But a modest Amitabh Bachchan says he only knows how to "prepare, perform and push off" and is not capable of donning the director's hat!

"I am often asked when I would direct a film and my standard answer to that has always been that I can barely act, where am I going to get the acumen to direct," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

"To me it (direction) has been an enormous task that can only be fulfilled by those that have passion and desire to want to tell a story. I guess sometime or the other we have all wanted to do that - to narrate a credible story. But to convert it into film is indeed another matter," he added.

The 67-year-old says he is content with his acting career.

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"I am most happy when I do not have to worry about the aspects of film making (other) than with those connected to a performance. Prepare, perform, and push off! It may sound too selfish a thought, but really what else could I ever contribute to it," he posted.

Amitabh feels that though it's a major task to direct a film, directors are not often given their due credit.

"Directing a film is an enormous task. Every aspect of it has to be understood and envisioned before any serious claim can be made on this. Which is why I think the respect and admiration and acclaim that should have rightfully been the director's is sometimes destroyed by a complete misunderstanding of what his or her contribution, in the field of direction is," he added.

The actor, who turned film producer in 1996, will be seen next in Ram Gopal Varma's "Rann" and in Leena Yadav's "Teen Patti".

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