| |
| Hum to chale: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. pic/ PRADEEP DHIVAR |
Aishwarya Rai is an international name. And she wants nothing less for her hubby Abhishek Bachchan. According to a source close to the couple, "The actress has been pushing Abhishek to give Hollywood a shot. She has been urging him to initiate talks with her agent. And AB's baby has finally agreed to get some representation abroad."
The source continues, "Abhishek was quite thrilled with the reviews he received for Guru in Hollywood.
And now he wants more. Earlier he wanted to establish his name here.
But now that he has done that, he wants to go to H-town. Abhishek is quite proud of Ash's international films, and after he spent some time on the sets of The Pink Panther, he decided to work seriously towards his own international career."
Kaam do
Ash is already a big name in Hollywood, and after her marriage to Abhishek, they are often talked about as a power couple from Bollywood. Bachchan Jr landing a Holly flick now seems more of a possibility than it ever did before.
While it may be quite some time before Abhishek actually signs a Hollywood film, he's already searching for the right agent to represent him, "Ash has made many friends in Hollywood, and this will definitely help Abhishek get decent projects."
Back home, the only projects occupying Abhishek's time are Drona and Rakeysh Mehra's Dilli 6, while Ramu's Sarkar Raj is already wrapped up.
Shabana loves debutants
Azmi goes with her instincts in Rohit Roy's directorial debut
too little on our plates? Shabana Azmi and Nasseeruddin Shah in Rice Plate
Shabana Azmi, who always considers herself open to experimentation, has worked with a debutant director again. Rice Plate, one of the stories in this week's release, Dus Kahaniyaan is directed by actor-turned-director Rohit Roy.
"I have been working with debutants from Shekhar Kapoor (Masoom) to Manish Acharya (Loins of Punjab).
Usually I go by my instincts when approached for a film by a newcomer," says Azmi.
Ek plate idhar
Producer Sanjay Gupta had initially offered her another project and then came Rice Plate. "When Rohit and Sanjay approached me for Dus Kahaniyaan, there was the novelty of seeing so many stars together. Thought I have worked in ensemble films before like Honeymoon Tavels Pvt Ltd, but this was distinct."
In Rice Plate, Azmi plays a Tamilian woman who hates Muslims. "The film is about prejudices. It makes a plea for humanism. It is not easy shooting at public places like CST and Bandra station but Rohit was totally into it."
Azmi admits that she asked Rohit for a lot of support. "I wanted to get the Tamil accent right and not just say ai ai o. Rohit had to look for a Tamil teacher and for the look, the stylist, Disha Pahadi and I scoured the shops of Matunga for the saris and jewellery," says Azmi who is also seen as judge on the SaharaOne reality show Jjhoom India.
Right ya Wrong?
Kay Kay accepted a role Irrfan refused, director Neeraj Pathak convinced Khan to do the role
When Irrfan Khan heard the script of Right Ya Wrong from director Neeraj Pathak, he turned it down. 
Says a source, "Irrfan really liked the script but he thought Sunny's role was better. So he opted out."
Although Neeraj thought Irrfan would be best for the part, he then went ahead and signed on Kay Kay Menon."
Change of mind
Neeraj Pathak admits, "I had a big problem convincing Irrfan for the role. He kept on saying it is Sunny's story and there is no role for me. I then approached Kay Kay Menon who agreed to do the movie.
But just before the movie was going on the floor, I called Irrfan and told him, 'You are missing out on something good and will repent not doing this film'."
He continues, "I don't know what suddenly happened to him, he called me on his Krazzy 4 and asked me to narrate the script to him. This time he agreed to do the role. Even Sunny wanted Irrfan for the role, and now we have him here."
Uska kya?
When we asked Neeraj about pushing out Kay Kay, he says, "I had a little issues about money with Kay Kay, things were not 100 per cent finalised." The film also stars Irrfan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Ishaa Koppikar, Kirron Kher, Aryan Vaid and Anjan Srivastav.
Irrfan adds, "When they first approached me, I had date problems. But by the time they approached me again those issues had got resolved. I heard from others that Subhashji (Ghai) and Sunny (Deol) were keen to have me in the film and to have such big people wanting me in their films is an honour so I said yes.
Also I have known Neeraj for the last 12 years. He had given me my first break in Ghaath. For old time's sake, I decided to give the film a try."
Lage Raho Munna-bhai
Sanjay Dutt has turned brand ambassador for NGO Save The Children
Value of money: Sanjay Dutt in the ad with the children from the project
Sanjay Dutt is associated with many causes and now he has become the brand ambassador for the NGO Save The Children an organisation founded by late Vipula Kadri, mother of Mana (Sunil) Shetty 25 years ago.
Sanjay says, "I love children and the work that Save The Children is doing is wonderful.
Sunil and Mana are my family.
When they asked me to become the brand ambassador for Save The Children, I didn't hesitate.
If by lending my name to a cause if I can help make the lives of these children better by even one per cent, then I am willing."
Dream work
Sunil Shetty adds, "Save The Children was my mother-in-law's dream and today her children, Mana, Rahul and Isha are fulfilling it with their spouses supporting them. Sanju was one of mom's (Vipula) favourite sons and who better than him to become the face of Save The Children.
It's a Rs 1 concept by Pantaloon in Big Bazaar where every Rs 1 that a customer gives away will make a difference to the children of the foundation.
For every Rs 1 given by the customer Kishore Biyani will give Rs 1 too. Sanju has lent his name and face to the cause and will request people to give them one rupee. Your Rs 1 could make a big difference to the children of lesser Gods."
Bachcha log
Sunil adds that Sanjay loves children and was willing to do the campaign. "When we asked him he immediately gave three hours out of his busy schedule to shoot the ad. Mana gave the presentation to him and he agreed. I was never involved."
Mana Shetty adds, "Save The Children has 255 children and is a special educational center for special kids. We also have a Save Our Sisters campaign that gives vocational training to girls who have been sex workers to rehabilitate them in society and the Balwadi programme, which with the help of the BMC, tutors primary school children from slums."
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Book Talk
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
0