By Jilawatan

2010 saw the Bollywood lose out Rs. 3 billion at the box-office in spite of the most hyped mega budget films with super stars in them. But 2011 kick started the year in a good way with Rani Mukherji and Vidya Balan and so far the films released have raked in good moolah for the industry and is showing good signs of profit with a mixed bag of releases so far.
‘No One Killed Jessica’: The hard hitting film on the murder of Jessica Lal was the first film to release this year on Jan 7th. Rani Mukherji was back in the big screen as the journalist hurling abuse and standing up for justice along with Viday Balan as Sabrina Lal. The film collected Rs. 389 so far and is still going quite strong at the theatres after two weeks.
‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ and ‘Turning 30!!!’: Two films of different genre released on 14th Jan and both did well in the box office. While the first flick brought Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol on-screen again in a full out commercial laugh riot movie with emotion, drama, romance and thrill. On the other hand ‘Turning 30’ dealt with the real life crisis of women who turns 30 and how they deal with it, Gul Panag did justice to the role in the light-hearted yet a thoughtful flick. “YPD’ collected Rs. 350 over the week and ‘Turning 30’ also didn’t do bad as it has collected Rs. 50 million.
‘Dhobi Ghat’: The Aamir Khan venture released on 21st and has opened to the box-office collection of Rs.9.3 million. The film is different from any film that has released so far this year, it is the directorial debut of Kiran Rao and is heart wrenching in the way it has showed Mumbai. The city has become the character of a film and according to the critics she has done a commendable job.

One just hopes that as the month ends with the release of another comedy film ‘Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji’ featuring Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, the trend of profit continues. Also it follows throughout the year and Bollywood sees the face of profit in 2011 again with the long list of powerful releases.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is going to enact the late South Indian sensation Silk Smitha. She will be accompanied by another Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan in this forthcoming film, which deals with Smitha’s life.

Apparently, the film won’t deal with the entire life of Silk Smitha, rather it will concentrate more on her relationships. Directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film is being tentatively titled ‘Dirty Picture’.

The officials from the production house are likely to discuss with Ajay Devgan on this topic very soon. Ajay is supposed to essay the role of a renowned filmmaker, who was involved with the actress Silk Smitha in her glory days.

No dirty dancing for Vidya
Vidya gave her nod of consent to Ekta though she is yet to sign the papers to finalize her inclusion in this project. But director Milan Luthria is very much interested to sign Vidya to play the role.

Vidya Balan will undergo a month-long rigorous training under skilled choreographers from the South to get the late siren’s eye, lip and hip movements right. Apparently, there will be a lot of movements that will involve heaves and thrusts.

But Vidya will not indulge in any dirty dancing as the film will be made as a very classy, urban flick. The film will focus on the real Smitha and not the sleaze she was known for. It will delve behind her screen persona and look into what led to her tragic death.

When contacted, Ekta said, “I haven’t formalised anything with Vidya but yes, Milan sir and I plan to get a lot of research and training done before the project begins. The film basically deals with two imperfect people in an edgy relationship.”

Remembering the temptress Silk Smitha
Silk’s life echoes that of Marilyn Monroe. Coming from a very poor family, she found fame in ‘Vandi Chakaram’ in 1979.

Her career progressed rapidly as she catapulted to the top of South Indian film industry with films such as ‘Moondram Pirai’ and ‘Layanam’.

She was mostly associated with playing sultry femme fatale roles that invariably involved the intimation of sex, gangster.

Silk Smitha’s career eclipsed in her thirties, she tragically took to drink and amidst financial problems, she committed suicide at the young age of thirty-five in 1996.

By Jilawatan

After the mega success of Race, filmmakers Abbas-Mastan have confirmed that they have retained Saif Ali Khan and Anil Kapoor for the sequel Race 2. However, the new additions to the cast will now include John Abrahams and Priyanka Chopra.

Vidya Balan is quickly becoming one of the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema. After winning loads of acclaim for Paa and Ishqiya, the talented actress has now been signed for a woman-centric project to be directed by Sujoy Ghosh of Aladdin fame. The movie has been titled as Kahani.
In a shocking twist to the rape drama surrounding Shiney Ahuja, his domestic worker, who claimed to have been raped by the actor in June last year, now says the alleged incident never took place. It is believed that the 20-year-old was coerced to make the statements at the insistence of the person who secured her the job at Ahuja’s house. The sudden turn of events has raised much suspicion as police officers once claimed that medical evidence proved the rape had occurred and now, suddenly, the maid has gone missing.

AAMIR Khan says his next movie, Dhobi Ghaat, will not arrive in December, breaking the tradition set with previous blockbusters Taare Zameen Par (2007), Ghajini (2008) and 3 Idiots (2009). Dhobi Ghaat, which marks the directorial debut of Khan’s wife, Kiran Rao, features the perfectionist actor together with Pratiek Babbar and has been scheduled to release in February next year.
There’s a new addition to Kajol’s family as the powerhouse actress and her husband, Ajay Devgan, became proud parents to a baby boy on Monday. The couple also have a seven-year-old daughter named Nysa. Perhaps they can now say We Are Family!

The sudden death of actor Muralli, 46, came as a shock to all who knew this humble, unassuming but talented actor. He succumbed to a heart attack in the early hours of September 8. Muralli made his film debut in 1984 in the Kannada film Prema Parva, which was directed by his father, Sidhalingaiyah. He shot to prominence through his second film, Poovilangu, and cemented his place in the industry with his third film, Pagal Nilavu, the film which introduced director Manirathinam to the Tamil film world. This was followed by a series of box-office failures, broken by the release of Pudhu Vasantham. The film was a huge hit and a trendsetter, firmly re-establishing Muralli as an actor of note in Kodambakkam. Others major hits to his name include Idhayam, Poomani, Pohrkalam, Vetri Kodu Kattu, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Anandham and Sundhara Travels. His last film was Baana Kaathaadi (still to release in South Africa) which launched his son, Adharva, as a lead actor. Muralli is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Less than a week after Muralli’s death, Kodambakkam lost yet another talented artist with the demise of playback singer Swarnalatha last Sunday. Swarnalatha, 37, had been suffering from diminishing breathing ability for the last year and did not record during that period. Her singing debut was in 1987 under the music of MS Visvanathan when she sang the duet Chinnanjiru Killiye Kannamma from Needhikku Thandanai with KJ Yesudas. Swarnalatha enjoyed the most success with composers Illaiyaraja and AR Rahman. Her first hit song was the immortal Aaatamaa Therottamma for Illaiyaraja in Captain Prabhagaran. Other notable hits she enjoyed with Illaiyaraja were Pohvoma Oorkolam (Chinna Thambi), Maasi Maasam (Dharma Dhurai) Adi Raakamma Kaiyai Thatttu (Thallabadhi), Yen Ulle Yen Ulle (Valli) and Malai Kohyil Vaasalil (Veera).

With AR Rahman, she enjoyed hits such as Mukaala Mukaabala (Kaadhalan), Uyire (Bombay), Maya Machindhra and Akadaannu (Indian) and the song that won her the national award for best playback singer, Poraale Ponnuthaayi (Karuthamma). She was a spinster and lived alone.

Rajinikanth’s Endhiran continues to record more firsts for Tamil and Indian cinema. Last Saturday the film’s trailers were released at a function that brought together a host of actors, producers and directors. What stood out about Rajnikanth was the simplicity with which he arrived and his constant modesty about the extent of his role in the film. The trailer has been received with great excitement and enthusiasm as cinema halls begin to announce their showtimes for what is easily the biggest Indian film ever. At the Mayajaal complex in Chennai’s East Coast Road, Endhiran will have 60 shows a day, with the first fortnight expected to be booked out when the first day of bookings open. Endhiran is the first Indian film to cross the 1.3-billion rupee budget and is also the first Tamil film to be released internationally by HBO. It is also the first Indian film to have a day-and-date release in China. Endhiran is also the first Indian movie to have two Oscar winners in its team – music composer AR Rahman and sound engineer Ressul Pookutty.
Kamalhassan and Bollywood’s Anil Kapoor are to come together on screen in a dual-language production that will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi. Kapoor has been very vocal in his admiration for Kamalhassan and approached him to do a joint venture. He was delighted when Kamalhassan agreed. Further details about this joint venture will be made later this week.

By Jilawatan

There had been many speculations floating around the market about Ekta Kapoor’s next venture. The latest news to hit tinsel town is that the producer is getting ready to rope in Ajay Devgan for her upcoming film which will be based on late sexy siren of South, Silk Smitha.

Buzz has it that Ajay would be playing a prominent role in the film with Vidya Balan.

Ajay to play a filmmaker in the film
It’s learnt that Ekta Kapoor is very keen to sign Ajay in her forthcoming venture after her last stunner ‘Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai’ with the actor had a good run at the box-office.

Incidentally, Ajay still hasn’t given a go ahead to be part of this Balaji film. It’s believed that Ekta’s production team is planning to meet the actor this week.

Speaking about Ajay’s character in the film, a source close to the film stated, “Ajay will play a reputed filmmaker who was involved with Silk Smitha during her heyday. The film is not based on Silk Smitha’s entire life. It focuses more on her relationships.”

While Vidya and Ajay are still taking their time to be part of this biopic, director Milan Luthria, however believes that only Vidya would be perfect to play the character of Silk Smitha.

“But Milan Luthria, who will direct the film, is very keen on having her get into Silk Smitha’s shoes. You need a Malyalam girl who has a very Indian type of body for this role,” further added the source.

Interestingly, Vidya had been approached earlier about the film, but she’s still hasn’t taken a decision. According to sources, the film will only focus on behind the screen persona of Silk Smitha.

Vidya Balan in ‘Kill Bill’ remake
After seeing her performances in ‘Paa’ and ‘Ishqiya’, director Sujoy Ghosh is all set to rope in Vidya for his forthcoming flick.

According to sources, Sujoy’s forthcoming Hindi film will be a remake of Hollywood film ‘Kill Bill’.

Inspired by ‘Kill Bill’ which was a top revenge drama, Vidya’s role will be similar to that of Uma Thurman’s in the original. Sujoy found Vidya apt to be cast in the role of a woman who gets betrayed by the people she trusts and how she settles scores with them.

Furthermore, sources added that Vidya is excited to be part of this bold action film, as till date she hasn’t performed any stunts and high action sequences.

By Jilawatan

Rumours of a fall out between Nana Patekar and Prakash Jha can finally be put to rest. Prakash Jha is producing Nana’s second directorial venture after Prahaar.

The film tentatively titled Paanch Pandav is based on the epic Mahabharata.

While Ajay Devgan will play the lead role of Arjuna, Irrfan Khan is Yudhishtira and Vidya Balan is Draupadi in the film. Om Puri has been finalised to play Shakuni and Rehan Khan will play Nakula. Our source says, “Prakash Jha’s production team is hunting for a muscular actor for Bhima’s role and a relatively new actor for Sahadeva’s character. Prakash Jha will start working on Nana’s film after the release of Raajneeti.

Paanch Pandav will go on the floors by the end of this year.”

It was reported earlier that Nana was planning to launch his son Malhar in his next directorial venture based on autism and had approached Deepika Padukone to play the female lead. The source says, “That film has been put on hold for now.”

Nana had recently announced at a film event that Prakash Jha would produce his next directorial venture.

Prakash Jha says, “Whenever Nana decides to direct a film, I will be more than happy to produce it.”

Declining to divulge details, Nana says, “I will talk about the film when I make it.”

By Jilawatan

Not many are aware that Vidya Balan was the first choice for Ajay Devgan’s home production, All The Best. She was first approached by Ajay and Rohit Shetty, the director of All The Best, but eventually this very same role went to Bipasha Basu.

By Jilawatan

Bipasha Basu is known for not being friends with her co-stars, especially the female ones. She has admitted to having an issue with Katrina Kaif. She and Kareena had a tiff during the making of Ajnabee, and she didn’t even get along with Neil Nitin Mukesh, her co-star in Aa Dekhen Zara. Her problem with Vidya Balan started when John and Vidya starred together in Salaam-e-Ishq. The two had intimate scenes in the movie which sparked rumours about something cooking between the two. A little later, news of a split between John and Bipasha followed and Bips had asked John to not do film with Vidya.

Though they have avoided each other at previous events, Bipsha Basu extended the olive branch to Vidya Balan at the recently held success party forAll The Best. A source tells us, ‘Bipasha was already present at the party when Vidya walked in. She has worked with Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan in the past, which is why she was there. Vidya was talking to cast and crew members who told her that she had been considered for Bipasha’s role in the movie. Suddenly, Bipasha walked up to her and hugged her. Vidya was a little surprised with Bips’ display of affection. They then talked like old, long lost friends.’

Bipasha refused to acknowledge that she had had a problem with Vidya Balan, who refused to comment on the issue. Don’t be surprised if you read about Bips’ new-found friendship with Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor.

By Jilawatan

You might not be aware that actress Vidya Balan was approached initially for Ajay Devgan’s home production movie “All The Best”. Rohit Shetty, the director of “All The Best” had chosen Vidya balan earlier but eventually this role went to the hot and sizzling Bipasha Basu.

According to the sources, “Ajay and Rohit wanted extensive dates from Vidya for their 45 days long shooting schedule in Goa. But since Vidya had already committed her dates to few other important projects she expressed her inability to assign so many days at one go.”

Well, then Vidya’s loss turned out to be Bipasha’s double gain as during the Goa shoot, Bips ended up getting friendly with Ajay Devgan. And now post, All The Best, she has landed with yet another film with Ajay.

She has been signed up by “Kumar Mangat” and “Ajay Devgan” for their new project opposite the talented actor “Akshaye Khanna” which will be directed by “Priyadarshan” and is based on the subject of honour killings.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan Halla Bol Movie Stills. She is looking quite happy with Ajay Devgan.

Jilawatan

Vidya Balan Halla Bol Movie Stills. She is looking quite happy with Ajay Devgan.