Tusshar was always confident of LOVE U...MR.KALAKAAR !

Despite facing stiff opposition from sister Ekta Kapoor's horror thriller, RAGINI MMS, Tusshar Kapoor's LOVE U MR. KALAKAAR! is doing quite decently as can be gauged from our Saturday update in which we had already briefed our patrons about the box-office trends of the bunched releases of last Friday.



In his conversations with the media during the promotion of his latest release, Rajshri's LOVE U...MR. KALAKAAR, Tusshar had categorically stated that he was very confident about the film being loved and appreciated by one and all. And he had attributed his confidence to the subject of the film which he felt would appeal to all. He disclosed that although the story was a very modern one but there was the intrinsic family values, simplicity of thoughts and honesty one associates with Rajshri brand of films, and therefore it would relate to all sections of the society as it had just the right kind of balance and the film is both modern and sober as well.

Definitely one can say that Tusshar is riding high, especially after the moderate success of SHOR - IN THE CITY and now the decent response to LOVE U...MR KALAKAAR.

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Mahesh Bhatt's film on Iraq

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is currently making news for his first play as a producer that highlights the plight of the Iraqi people. The play titled: THE LAST SALUTE, is based on a book written by the Iraqi journalist Muntazer-al-Zaidi, who became world famous after hurling shoes on American president George Bush in 2008.

The play is getting rave reviews in India. Mahesh Bhatt had invited the Iraqi Journalist to watch the play in Delhi recently.

Speaking to us about his play, Mahesh Bhatt says, "It was heartening to see the response to this play. It is for the time that we are looking beyond the biased media reporting and touching the real issues that the people of Iraq are beset with. Sometimes I feel if I as a filmmaker can see what is happening in Iraq, I wonder why the media can't fathom the real issue."

So, would we see him making a film on this play that depicts the angst of the Iraqi people, the filmmaker adds, "It would really need courage to make a film on this subject. At the moment I am trying to showcase my play to more people and we are planning to take it to Dubai soon."

Mahesh Bhatt, who has always been vocal about the plight of the Iraqi people, has taken the lead to bring the suffering of the Iraqi's on a public platform.

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Yash Chopra collaborates with A. R. Rahman and SRK

Its known fact that maverick filmmaker Yash Chopra is directing a film after a long time but what's new is for the first time; Yash Chopra and A. R. Rahman have come together for the music of this project. It is indeed a special announcement of two industry stalwarts collaborating on a film.

Speaking on this, Yash Chopra was effusive in his praise for the talented music director. "I am starting work on the music of my as yet untitled film with the very talented Rahman. Apart from the great honour that he has consistently brought to our country, he is also someone that has created some outstanding and memorable music, something which is very important and dear to me and my films. I am looking forward to creating some wonderful music combining Rahman's contemporary world music sensibilities and my old world sensibilities of lilting melodies."

A. R. Rahman, while speaking about working with Yashji for the first time said, "I am very excited to work with Yashji and I am humbled by his faith in me for his film. I have seen that Yashji always portrays music as the inevitable essence of love and divinity in his movies. I hope as a team we can bring tremendous joy to all."

On the various conjectures about the cast for his movie, Yashji also said, "Everyone knows that when I make a movie, Shahrukh will be involved with it. He is like family to YRF and I have always regarded him as one of my own. There will be two leading ladies in my film. Once Adi gives me the final draft of the script, I will finalise the two girls who will be cast along with Shahrukh."

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At 200 crore, SRK has no competition

It has been over a year since Shahrukh Khan's film released at the box office. His last outing MY NAME IS KHAN is still making waves for being the first global crowd puller from the bollywood stable.

Interestingly, this low-lying phase is not without its share of rewards for SRK. He has two big budget films RA.ONE and DON 2 slated for release in 2011. The total estimate of both these projects is pegged at over Rs 200 crore, which is by far the highest box-office figure riding on any actor this year.


According to trade observers, "SRK is far ahead of the other Khan's as far as the cost of his movies is concerned. Moreover, SRK's films will release at such a time when there is little or no competition for him. His tough competitors; Salman Khan and Aamir Khan are steering clear of his release dates. Aamir infact has no release this year while Salman's film READY and BODYGUARD will release before RA.ONE and DON 2."

So, this entire wait has finally culminated into a big ticket game for SRK. The King of bollywood is set to prove his clout once again. And with RA ONE and DON 2 already creating mass hysteria, it seems 2011 might be another year which belongs to this Khan once again.

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I’ll share income with Bollywood workers – Salman Khan

Bollywood star Salman Khan, also known as the Hindi film industry’s enfant terrible, says he wants to help workers in filmdom by sharing his income and also work for the underprivileged in society.

“Right now, I want to give a percentage of my earnings from the film that I will start to workers of the film industry,” Salman told IANS, adding the amount is not fixed yet. “It can be half of the remuneration; it can be one percent.”

“Even if everyone gives half a percent (of their remuneration), it will be huge money.

“The government takes 30 percent from (the industry) plus the entertainment tax. Where does it (money) go, I don’t know. I know that the money, whatever small percentage we give, should go to the workers in the film industry,” said the actor who gave two back-to-back hits with “Wanted” and “Dabangg”.

The 45-year-old actor says he will first strategise his initiative and then take action.

“I have to sit with all the heads of the (film workers’) associations and find out where the maximum amount of money is required. And the money would go there,” said Salman whose “Ready” will hit the screens June 3.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, “Ready” is a remake of a Telugu comedy of the same name and also stars Asin Thottumkal who teamed up with him in “London Dreams”.

The actor’s life has been dotted with legal troubles and other unpleasant incidents – if he was involved in a hit-and-run case and blackbuck killing, he has also been known for picking up fights with fellow actor Shah Rukh Khan and allegedly hitting his girlfriends.

But it seems now Salman has left them behind and set his sights on noble causes. In fact, he says he will mix work with social work by utilising some time and money for underprivileged people while promoting a film.

“I haven’t started publicising the film (‘Ready’) as yet. The way I will promote it is being finalised. Now the new funda has come up that you need 15 days to promote a film. Whenever these 15 days come, I will make sure there are 15 to 20 places where I can go and help those people under Being Human and come back,” said Salman referring to his NGO Being Human.

“When I go to these places, I would see who needs money and help. This money will not go to the administration. It will go directly to those kids who need it. Two or three operations will happen every day. When you go out for something like this, let’s not waste time by just smiling. That’s the biggest fraudulent act one can ever do,” he said.

The actor has planned to reserve a sum of the promotional budget to accomplish his charity work and hopes other actors will catch on.

“You are going to special children, underprivileged children, cancer patients and giving just a smile. What after that? I hope people, after me, catch up to this one thing and hope there is a competition on how much charity they do while going for the promotion of their film. Instead of spending the money on promos, PRs and all that stuff, let the money go into the country,” said Salman.

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Deepika to take legal action if ‘Ragini MMS’

Delhi-based Deepika, whose real life story inspired Ekta Kapoor’s upcoming film “Ragini MMS”, Friday said that if the film is not shown to her prior to its release, she will take legal action against the producer.

“I want to see the film. I have spoken to Ekta about it. She doesn’t want to show it to me, I don’t know why?” the 22-year-old told reporters here.

“I’m coming from Balaji office right now and the only answer I get is that the movie is not ready. How is it possible? The movie is releasing in one week. If I’m not shown the film before release, I will take legal action,” she added.

Deepika, who was shown the script of the film before it was filmed, said she wants to see whether she has been portrayed in the right light or not.

“When the film was being made, I was shown the script and I did read it. I have no problem with the script. But there is a lot of difference between reading the script and interpreting that on the screen. I want to see how they have portrayed my character. Because if there is something bad, then my image will be ruined,” said the Delhi girl.

“Ragini MMS”, which is produced by Ekta and directed by Pawan Kripalani, is slated to hit screens May 13 and is about a couple who go for an adventurous weekend and get filmed by 24 cameras amid some paranormal activity.

Ekta has maintained that only 30 percent of the film is based from Deepika’s incident and the rest is pure imagination.

According to Deepika, she was offered money as compensation for her story but she refused.

“Ekta asked me if I want to be paid. But I said no. she didn’t mention an amount but she said she can pay me for this. But I told her that I don’t want anything because it’s a story on my life,” she said.

In the real life incident, Dipika said, her boyfriend secretly filmed both of them involved in intimate physical contact.

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