Saturday, September 30, 2006

Aishwarya Rai’s decade long innings in Bollywood

It’s been ten long years since Aishwarya Rai came into the Hindi film industry and there’s been no looking back for her. She was crowned ‘Miss World’ in 94-95 and then moved onto acting. Although she had several flops at the start of her career this actress came into the limelight with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and his ‘Devdas’. The actress received accolades of praise for her performance in these films. Unfortunately although Ash has even been seen in several Hollywood films, box-office success is again eluding her. However Ash has endorsed several international brands and even though she has not had a big hit film in a long time, yet the actress has her own high brand value. However Ash will be seen after a long time in quite a few films this year, like Dhoom 2, Umrao Jaan, Guru and Hollywood films Provoked and The Last Legion.Recently bollywood star Ash was even responsible for creating a traffic jam in the Middle East country of Dubai where she was shooting for a beauty product. Though she knows she is one of the most beautiful faces in the world, Ash manages to keep a firm head on her shoulders. She claims that she has been promoting many international brands and her association with almost all her brands has been a long standing one. She has endorsed these products not only in India but in other countries too, so in this way she feels she has managed to cross borders. Ash claims that even while endorsing her products especially after she became Miss World she has always put in a lot of thought into which brands she endorses. She has always been responsible as to which products she endorses. Ash has always played different roles and different characters in all her films; she says “I have been blessed to work with different directors and in different roles in my films. The audiences have wanted see me in different roles that’s why I have been able to do them.” This year she has films where she plays many different roles again like Umrao Jaan which is a period film where she plays a courtesan. She plays the victim of domestic violence in her Hollywood film Provoked, in Dhoom 2 she plays a modern woman and she plays a warrior in the Hollywood flick The Last Legion. But at times it does bother Ash that she has been solely judged by her looks rather than her acting. However she believes that with her films on hand this will soon change.More than her films again the actress has always been in the news for her personal life rather than her professional life. She had a volatile relationship with co-star Salman Khan which was highly publicised. Recently again the actress was in the news for her relationship with co-star Abhishek Bachchan . In fact she will be seen opposite him in quite a few films like Guru, Umrao Jaan and now even Sarkar 2. According to rumours beau Abhishek has been responsible for getting her most of these films and convincing directors to cast her opposite him. But Ash is unfazed by any rumours, she claims that although she is uncomfortable with her personal life being splashed for public scrutiny, she has now come to terms with it and just considers it an occupational hazard. However Ash says “In my personal life I decide what I want to share and what I don’t want to share.” The actress has even appeared on the internationally acclaimed ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ and she feels that whatever show you are on there should not be any pretenses to be someone else. One should always be themselves and be true to themselves. Finally Ash is extremely happy about the way her career has moved so far and she says “The incredible amount of love that I have received from the audiences and my fans is very satisfying and is definitely a special feeling.”

Monday, September 25, 2006

Aishwarya’s look in Umrao Jaan arouses curiosity

When one of the most beautiful women in the world goes behind the veil, it is natural for her fans to be curious.
As J.P. Dutta’s most awaited venture Umrao Jaan is coming close to its release, the cine lovers are getting curious about Aishwarya Rai ’s look in the movie.
The director has still not disclosed much about her look and has kept Ash’s all-new avatar under wraps. After Devdaas it will be Ash’s second movie in which she will be seen portraying a character from history.
In order to create a right look for Ash’s character of the courtesan and poetess Umrao Jaan in the film, Dutta is said to have gone into meticulous detail in costumes and jewellery. He has also created the authentic ambience by using the right architecture and antique items.
But more than the costumes and ambience, it is the performance of the leading actors on which the success of the movie hinges.
According to Dutta, Ash has worked intelligently to bring the right nuances in the mannerisms and body language of her character. The movie’s dialogues are in Urdu and Ash had to get the right voice modulation to bring conviction to her performance.
The movie is a musical love story of a courtesan Umrao Jaan based on Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa’s novel. In 1981, filmmaker Muzaffar Ali directed the first screen adaptation of Ruswa's book, starring Rekha in the title role. Rekha won a National Award for her performance.
It goes without saying that cinegoers will compare Ash’s performance with Rekha and it will be a great challenge for Ash to match up to her predecessor’s style.
J. P. Dutta insists that his film is not a remake of Muzaffar Ali’s ‘Umrao Jaan’, but an original take on the courtesan’s life, based on the script written by his father O.P. Dutta.
The flick will mark Dutta’s comeback after LoC Kargil and his first experiment with a women-centric theme. Most of Dutta’s previous flicks were based on warfront, which left little scope for his female cast.
The movie buffs are also curious to see the chemistry between Ash and Abhishek Bachchan who will pair opposite each other in this film after Kuch Naa Kaho .
‘Umrao Jaan’, made on a budget of Rs. 200 million, was shot mainly in Jaipur. It also stars Shabana Azmi , Sunil Shetty , Arshad Warsi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda .
The lyrics of the film are written by Javed Akhtar and the music is composed by Anu Malik.
The film is slated to release this Diwali.
Source :Apunkachoice

Hrithik outsmarts Abhishek

The whole world knows about Hrithik's 15 different get ups in one of the most talked about films- DHOOM 2. The film has been postponed to November end. It was supposed to release along with DON and UMRAO JAAN on 20th October. Director Sanjay Gandhvi informed a daily that they are still busy with the post-production work and they don't want to rush into anything. The film has been shot in Rio and Namibia and is an out an out entertainer.
Hrithik plays a con man in the film who outsmarts Abhishek Bachchan every time, owing to his different looks (disguises) one being a dwarf and a woman also. The film seems twice as exciting as DHOOM and promises some mind-boggling stunts and action scenes. Moreover watch out for some sizzling scenes and catch the stunning Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu in ultra chic avatars.
Source :Glamsham

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Aishwarya Rai does bold stunts in THE LAST LEGION

Aishwarya Rai and her predilection to the West is evident now. After MISTRESS OF SPICES and PROVOKED, it's THE LAST LEGION with Colin Firth that marks her next international release.
As per reports in a tabloid, Aishwarya plays a Byzantine warrior named Mira in the film. The filming of the movie took place in Tunisia and Slovakia and is based on Valerio Massimo Mandredi's novel of the same name. It is set in 470 AD and deals with the story of Rome's last emperor. The film also has Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya has performed some bold action stunts, adds the tabloid.
As for her Bollywood projects, watch out for the stunning actress in DHOOM 2. Then there's Mani Ratnam's GURU, J.P Dutta's UMRAO JAAN and Ashutosh Gowarikar's JODHA AKBAR lined up.

http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/06/sep/14_aishwarya_the_last_legion.asp

Bollywood News

Sneha Ullal 'Replaces' Aishwarya Rai in a Hollywood Film

Mumbai, Sep 19: Sneha Ullal is about to play the female lead role in a Hollywood film for which the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai was the original choice.
Actor-producer Tom George Kolath, winner of the Best Feature National award and Indian Panorama award in 2004 for Malayalam film 'Akale At a distance', is all set to foray into Hollywood with his directorial debut 'Gandhi Park'.
'Gandhi Park', starring Sneha, Anupam Kher , Brandon Sommers, Vikaas Kalantri, Sush Nayar among others is a contemporary, cross culture romantic comedy.
At a press conference in Mumbai Monday September 18 night, Tom, announcing his film said it is a passionate love story and deals with the realities when an Indian girl falls in love with an American boy. It is about the ensuing family tension, the inherent conflict of cultures, and the pressures of going against the family traditions that are set in stone.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Aishwarya Rai does a Tata Young now?

Can the audience imagine DHOOM 2 without a music video? Especially after the huge success of the 'Dhoom Machale' in DHOOM which saw Tata Young gyrating to the racy track along with John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan. The riot causing chartbuster made waves and caught everyone's attention. Well the audience seems to be in for yet another treat.
If the grapevine is to be believed, Arjun Sablok has been roped in to direct the promotional video starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in DHOOM 2. Director Aditya Chopra has even had a hush hush meeting with Arjun whose directed films like NA TUM JAANO NA HUM and NEEL N NIKKI earlier. The music video will be choreographed by none other than Shiamak Davar and the film releases on 24th November.

Aishwarya Rai sneak into the semis, Preity Kajol and Rani move ahead.

Aishwarya Rai maintained her unbeaten run at the Most Popular Bollywood Star 2006 contest here at desifans.com as she beat her long time rival Sushmita Sen in a somewhat closely fought contest to reach the semi finals.

The contest was swaying Sushmita Sen’s way till the halfway and then Ash leaped forward in the last few days to win the round 54:44. The Dhoom2 girl meets Fanaah girl Kajol in the semi finals. Kajol after a dream comeback in Faana is still in the hearts of thousands of fans. She proved that by winning her quarter final round by beating beauty queen and much younger counterpart Priyanka Chopra comprehensively in a 67:33 margin.
Bollywood hot and sultry bomb shell was not much of a fight for the hugely talented Rani Mukherjee. The bengali actresses fought it out with Rani, the queen she is, winning 61% of the total votes. In another quarter final, Preity Zinta just walked over Kareena Kapoor winning more than 72% of the popular votes. With the hits lined one after another, Preity surely has a huge number of fans .. and even in her semi final match, she is leading over Rani by a decent margin.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan paired in 'Sarkar 2'

The hottest couple in the tinsel town will be seen together in Ram Gopal Varma’s sequel of Sarkar .Although there are still months left for the project to go on the floors, Ramu has confirmed the presence of Aishwarya Rai in Sarkar 2 . She will play the lead role opposite Abhishek Bachchan .

Hrithik, Aishwarya Rai in a Music Video for Dhoom 2?

Dhoom 2 without a music video……….no way, there has to be one! Rumors are rife that Sanjay Gadhvi’s highly awaited Dhoom 2, which is under the Yashraj banner, will have a promotional music video just like Dhoom had which featured Tata Young along with the lead male stars of the film. Arjun Sablok directed the music video.