Articles: Salman Khan - Page 3

It is learnt that as part of his act, Bachchan Jr had planned that he would step down from the stage to Ash, who was seated in the front row, and lead her onto the stage for a shimmy at last weekend's Zee Cine Awards in Malaysia.

But to their horror, Katrina and her dancers (who performed before AbhiAsh) leapt into the audience mid-way through their frenzied gyrations and dragged a suitably surprised looking Salman to the stage for some synchronised dancing.

Both couples had different choreographers for their performances. Ganesh Hedge directed AbhiAsh's segment, while Bosco-Ceasar choreographed the KhanKat's act.

When asked about KhanKat's act, choreographer Bosco Martis says, "That part of the act was Salman's own doing. It was impromptu and we did not know anything about it."

Meanwhile, Ganesh Hegde (who choreographed AbhiAsh's act) says that here too it was Abhishek's idea to go into the audience and dance.

"During rehearsals, Abhishek decided that he would go into the audience.

Abhishek had mentioned that he wanted to make Yash (Chopra) uncle dance, but I did not know exactly who he wanted to drag back on stage.

It was decided that he would do his act in the audience itself, but eventually he dragged Ash up on stage," says Hegde.

Whether Sallu did this to SS that Abhishek is none too pleased with the star's child-like behaviour.

A source adds, "Abhishek had an inkling of what Sallu was planning and even requested Pradeep Guha (CEO, Zee Telefilms) to move his performance as the show's opening act, but by then, it was too late to reschedule."

We spoke to Bunty Walia, who managed Abhishek's act, who said, "It was an impromptu act by Abhishek. Aishwarya was taken unawares and it is clear from her reaction."

Salman Khan's first international project 'Marigold' is finally gearing up for release. The film which pits the Bollywood superstar opposite Hollywood beauty Ali Larter was shot in India in early 2005. It'slikely to have a grand premiere both in India and the US.

"The film is releasing in India in May. Some portions of the film were shown in FICCI Frame and it has got a good response," informs Anuradha Singh, the editor of the film.

So how has the film shaped up? "I can't say much as the editor is always a back seater. But from what I have seen after the final cut, I can say it's a beautiful romantic film, very well shot.

It presents the colours of India on the international arena," says Singh who has also worked in 'Blood Monkey' and 'The Forest' also happens to be the first Indian female editor from India to work in Hollywood.

'Marigold' also stars Nandana Sen in a supporting role.

Now that the film is no longer held up, more than anyone else it's great news for Salman. If Ash can go west, why can't he! - (SAMPURN)

Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone, has politely declined playing Salman Khan's love interest in Boney Kapoor's next film (a remake of the Telegu hit Pokhiri).

She presently plays the female lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om, Apparently Deepika backed out at the eleventh hour in a very unprofessional manner.

Sources report Boney kept waiting for her at a suburban preview theatre for the screening of the original film, so that she could get a feel of her role. But then, her business manager called him 15 minutes before the show and said she was not interested in doing the film.

"A screening was supposed to happen but it didn't, as Deepika informed me in advance that she couldn't do it. I wanted this film to be her next after Om Shanti Om and I had categorically told her that. But she told me it won't be possible as she was committed to other projects," says Boney.

Boney continues, "I have shortlisted two new faces and I will soon announce the name of the girl who will play the lead opposite Salman. Shooting starts in June."

Deepika had a different story to tell though, "I only met Mr Kapoor once, and all I was told is that the film is a remake of a South film, Salman will be the hero and that he would produce it. Beyond that, no details were discussed. I was told that they would get back to me about the screening."

Deepika avers that she has been a model for quite some time and is known to be extremely professional.

"The screening was supposed to happen provided both parties agreed on a time and date. Later, they themselves told me that there was no point in arranging a screening if I wasn't doing the film. Mr Kapoor's secretary Shyam coordinated the entire thing. If there was a miscommunication from his end, I don't know."

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=14264

It's nothing new. When Katrina Kaif was just his drop-dead beautiful squeeze, they said Salman Khan was squeezing her into ramp shows and also helped to get her some roles in good Hindi movies. That time, he perhaps had another agenda too, just to spite Aishwarya Rai.

So, her stunning looks did matter. And her English accent (actually, she couldn't speak Hindi at all) did NOT matter! So, Kats was also squeezed in between two brothers (Salman and Sohail) in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. It was Just chill, chill, chill!

All of a sudden, however, Kats struck up a sizzling chemistry with Akshay Kumar in Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. Though the film flopped, the pair was identified as hot. And now their second starrer, Namastey London, has gone on to become a runaway hit, and she has dubbed her own voice as well!

So much so that the media has already started planting stories that Salman is getting upset with Akshay -- and Akshay has gone to say that Sallu respects him and their onscreen chemistry, and that is why the Akshay-Katrina pair has another three films coming!

So, it is difficult to understand the whirling rumours again that Salman is using his not inconsiderable clout in the film industry to promote Katrina, much to the discomfiture of his friends and even Katrina herself.

When work on the magnum opus, Bajirao Mastani, got stalled the industry assumed Aishwarya had declined the film because ex-lover Salman figured in the cast and she would have nothing to do with him in the same film.

It later turned out Aishwarya wasn't the problem. It was Salman! He had wanted Sanjay Leela Bhansali to replace Aishwarya with Kareena! Salman's priorities have since changed and his focus is now on sweetheart Katrina. Determined to have her counted amidst the top three leading ladies of Bollywood he is now asking Bhansali to give Aishwarya's role to Katrina!

Bhansali has chosen to bat defensively for the moment and has deferred shooting the venture indefinitely. The Bollywood business is abuzz now with pointers to Salman's relentless recommendations for Katrina for all films -- including the earlier hit, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, directed by David Dhawan.

One of the clauses that Salman puts up while signing a film is that Katrina has also to be signed, and many directors are willing to play along. Incredibly enough, he is known to have even asked other actresses to opt out of a film so that Katrina could replace them!

He should not forget the example of his debutante heroine in Maine Pyar Kiya (interesting coincidence in the title!), Bhagyashree, who soon after the super-duper hit got married to Himalay, and made it a condition that she would only act with him as costar. We know what happened to both of them eventually.

In Rajkumar Santoshi's London Dreams, where Salman was paired with Priyanka Chopra, his requesting Priyanka to opt out -- by giving false reasons of unavailability of dates -- to make room for his beloved Kat is out in the open now.

Katrina, on her part rubbishes rumours that Salman is helping her career in any way. After the recent success of Namastey London, she is happy and busy shooting for many films, she says.

When Subhash Ghai cast her with Salman in his just announced film, Main Yuvraj, she was categorical that her success was derived from her own hard work.

"I am delighted to be in a Subhash Ghai film," she told the media, "Ghaiji has created great heroines. But the news that Salman has got me roles is ridiculous," she added. "Ghaiji offered me Kisna earlier, but it didn't work out. He saw me in Namastey London and confirmed my role in Main Yuvraj.

Do you think directors like Ghaiji would listen to Salman while casting for their films? I am where I am on merit. I work hard to fit into the roles I play and my hard work on acting and speech has got me my success. Also, Bollywood needs fresh faces and I happen to be that face." - (SAMPURN)