Amitabh Bachchan likely to be the chief guest for 45th IFFI in Goa 2014

Amitabh Bachchan likely to be the chief guest for 45th IFFI in Goa

Indian cinema legend AmitabhBachchan is likely to be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 45th Indian film festival of India (IFFI) scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20 to 30.

Briefing the media on Saturday, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that Amitabh Bachchan's name is on top of the list of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the Goa government's nodal agency for IFFI. Goa has been hosting the IFFI from 2003 and has been declared a permanent venue for the IFFI.

Parrikar however said that Bachchan's name as chief guest for the IFFI inaugural has to be approved by the directorate of film festivals, government of India and only then would the ESG formally request Bachchan to be the chief guest.

Incidentally Parrikar was the chief minister of Goa when the state hosted IFFI for the first time in Goa in 2003. He is credited with creating some of the crucial infrastructure for the film festival including the Inox in Panaji.

Stating that the government is making profits from the Inox, he said his government will now draw up plans to boosting more film infrastructure since Goa has been declared the IFFI's permanent venue in India. For example, the government will earmark funds to improve the acoustics at the newly-built Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium on the Taleigao plateau. The stadium will then be utilized for IFFI-related programmes.

Amitabh Bachchan enjoys crusader anchor role on Kaun Banega Crorepati 8 proma

Amitabh Bachchan enjoys crusader anchor role on KBC 8

Kaun Banega Crorepati 8 is all set to start in August on Sony and the show's host and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says if through the show they can bring a positive change in a participant's life, it gives them great satisfaction.

"Yes, I do," Big B said when asked does he enjoy the role of a crusader-anchor on KBC.

There are many contestants that come to the game show with great aspirations and expectations and if through the show and the game, we can give them an opportunity to become a game-changer in their life, it gives all of us great satisfaction," he said.

"Kyunki yahan sirf paise hi nahin ... dil bhi jeete jaate hain," added the 71-year-old who bowls over the contestants with his compassion and warmth.

Amitabh, who has been associated with the show since its inception, took a break in 2007 and Shah Rukh Khan stepped in to host KBC 3.

How would the new season be different from the earlier seasons?

"KBC starts in August and preparations are on for that as well, and it would not be prudent of me to disclose just yet what the changes are. But suffice to say that the basic format shall obviously remain the same. The dressings will project the difference," he said.

Zohra Sehgal lovable co-star : Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan remembers Zohra Sehgal: An immensely lovable co-star

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday mourned the death of Indian cinema and theatre doyenne Zohra Sehgal, remembering her as an immensely lovable co-star, who lived a journey of 102 years.

“Zohra Sehgal passes away at 102 yrs… what a journey and what an immensely loveable co star! Prayers for her blessed soul!!” Amitabh tweeted after the news of Sehgal’s death in New Delhi.

The actor had played a chilled-out mother to Big B’s character in the critically acclaimed 2007 film Cheeni Kum, but his memories of her go way back in time, when he was a child. Once earlier, Amitabh had shared how he had met Zohra as a child when she visited his hometown Allahabad. “My family has a special relationship with Zohra Sehgal. Zohraji used to work with Prithvi Raj Kapoor in Prithvi Theatre. Prithvi Raj Kapoor had a cordial relationship with my father and whenever the Prithvi group visited Allahabad, we used to meet Zohraji,” he had said before the actor turned 100 in 2012.

The actor’s zest for life and charm continued to inspire generations. A tireless performer, she used to stay in New Delhi with her daughter, renowned Odissi danseuse Kiran Sehgal.

Each of Balki’s films with me has been novel: Bigb

 Amitabh Bachchan says all his movies with filmmaker Balki have been out of the ordinary.

Amitabh Bachchan and R. Balki have had a fruitful association with the unique love story Cheeni Kum and Paa, a film on progeria.

Now they have teamed up for Shamitabh and the megastar says that like their previous projects this one is also something different.

“Each one of Balki’s films with me have been novel, out of the ordinary and most challenging. Shamitabh is no different,” said Bachchan when asked about his experience working with the filmmaker in Shamitabh.

They are currently shooting in Europe and the 71-year-old said that it has so far been “exhilarating”.

When asked if it was a coincidence that the film’s title Shamitabh so closely resembles his own name, he said: “I do not have the liberty or the permission to reveal that yet, but on seeing the film there shall be greater clarity.”

Shamitabh also marks the film debut of Kamal Haasan and Sarika’s daughter Akshara. Southern star Dhanush, who is a big fan of Bachchan, also features in the movie.

This will be Dhanush’s second Hindi film after the hit Raanjhanaa and Big B describes his young co-star as “an exceptional artist”.

“He enjoys a huge fan and star following in his own territory in South, as well as in the project that he did in Hindi in Mumbai. I am not aware of him being an unabashed fan of mine, quite the contrary.

“Akshara’s is a first effort, which does not look like a first,” he said.

Apart from Shamitabh, Bachchan has said yes to Shoojit Sircar’s Piku.

“Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s production directed by Bejoy Nambiar, and a few others have been green lighted. Once I get closer to their schedules, I shall be in a better position to talk of them,” Bachchan said.

Amitabh Bachchan feels about his next flick 'Shamitabh'!

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan finds ace director R Balki’s upcoming venture ‘Shamitabh’ ‘out of the ordinary’ and ‘challenging’ like his earlier projects – Cheeni Kum and Paa. 

When asked to share his experience working with Mr. Balki, Big B said, “Each one of Balki's films with me have been novel, out of the ordinary and most challenging. Shamitabh is no different."

Over film’s title Shamitabh, which is every close to Big B’s name, he said, “I do not have the liberty or the permission to reveal that yet, but on seeing the film there shall be greater clarity."

Amitabh is currently shooting in Europe for the film which also marks the debut of Kamal Haasan and Sarika's daughter Akshara. Southern star Dhanush also will be seen in Shamitabh.

Apart from Shamitabh, Mr Bachchan has said yes to Shoojit Sircar's Piku.