Bachchan and bachcha to go on world tour!

big-ticket attraction: Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan live in concert — together!
Wizcraft, the event management company, has pulled off a casting coup of sorts for their next series of global stage shows in 2007.

Bachchan Senior is forthright when he says, "Yes, we have been approached by Wizcraft.

We are in talks with them. Abhishek and I will be proceeding for a world tour together next year."

Hush-hush project
Though planning is still in the initial stages, the aim is to have the father and son together in a star-studded music and dance extravaganza. Details about the tour are hush-hush and Wizcraft is not willing to divulge much at this juncture.

Sabbas Joseph of Wizcraft says, "I cannot divulge anything on that front at the moment. We are still in conversation with them. The process is in the early stages."

Incidentally, Bachchan Sr is the brand ambassador for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, the brainchild of Wizcraft, conceptualised in the year 2000. The IIFA awards are held annually in different countries to celebrate Indian cinema on a global platform.

Big-ticket show
Though the Bachchans have performed on stage across the globe at various events, including the IIFA awards, this is the first time that the father-son duo will come together for a series of concerts. And as all such extravaganzas go, the logistics are mind-boggling.

Wizcraft has already taken the first few steps for their big-ticket show. The Bachchans are already taking time off from their shooting schedules next year for the tour.

For several years, Wizcraft has been organising stage shows across the world with Bollywood and international stars. So the thought of seeing the Bachchans together will surely be lapped up by star-struck NRIs the world over.

Party hoppers

From the looks of things at the ongoing Lakm Fashion Week, it seems the dust has settled on the star turnout (or lack thereof). So even while Priyanka Chopra, Fardeen Khan, Neha Dhupia and Emraan Hashmi put in an appearance at Vikram Phadnis' debut show, the event is increasingly turning lacklustre. Nevertheless, out B-Town brigade doesn't need an excuse to party, so they all headed to a South Mumbai nightspot to break into a jig post the fashion show. Here's a look…

Pooja Bedi Sophie Chaudhary Gul Panag Ishaa Koppikar and Amrita Rao Emraan Hashmi with fiance Parveen Arpita and Alvira Khan

Liar! Liar!

Amrita Arora Amisha Patel

A 'paper' that bases its sole existence on printing denials about our stories has done it again. They've fabricated Amisha Patel's quotes denying that Salman Khan tried to organise a patch-up between her and estranged brother Ashmit. The fact that Ashmit corroborated our story speaks volumes. What's more, a very surprised Amrita Arora (a khaas member of the Khan parivar) called us from London to expose Amisha's lies. "Why is she denying the story? It definitely happened and there are plenty of eye-witnesses to vouch for it," Amu said. Silly Amisha 'forgot' to tell boyfriend Vikram Bhatt about her 'brotherly bonding', hence the denial. Why? Who knows. We gave up trying to figure out this girl a loooong time ago. It's King Khan's birthday today… …so you can watch SRK jabber about co-star Rani Mukerji on Star Gold today and tomorrow at 8.30 pm. SRK says, "Rani has been working with me since her second film. As she has grown as an actress, she has also grown very close to me. We are at ease working together. We do not feel awkward doing any scene. I would be little awkward when I had to shoot shirtless with a heroine, but I have a great comfort level with Rani. And this was even better in Paheli, as it was our own production. Even though she did not have dates or time, she was very forthcoming. She would come and spend all day on the set with the heavy jewellery, costumes and make-up. There is a lot of friendship here." Sure, darling! Goli maar bheje mein

Bipasha Basu and John Abraham Javed Jafferi with wife Habiba Roshan and Shaheen Abbas Shreyas Talpade

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu are one busy couple. After their Fashion Week outing, they made their way to the premiere of The Departed at Fun Republic on Tuesday night. Bips was colour coordinated in pink, while Johnny boy was his usual casual self. The star-studded premeire had several of them posing with a gun in hand. Wonder who they had in mind as the 'dearly departed'! Anu Malik Anu's a year older Anu Malik shares his birthday with King Khan today, but the music composer has not planned any birthday bash. Umrao Jaan, for which he has scored the music, also releases this week, so that's going to be a welcome birthday present. Interestingly, Anu and Shah Rukh go back a long way, right since Baazigar to Main Hoon Na. Here's wishing Anu a happy and melodious year ahead! RAZA'S BOLLYWOOD Q What would be Ekta Kapoor's advice to her obese friends? A Khana kum khaake khudko kalorie-konscious karo. Kabhi kabhi khakhra khao. Kayee kilos kum karo.

Vinod Khanna turns baddie

Why the sudden comeback to films?
It was early this year when I decided to get back to films. I have never really considered politics as a career. It has been more like social service. Also, I have exhausted my savings. Apart from my house here, I run two households in Delhi and Punjab. I have to take care of the education and other needs of my children for which I need to start earning again. So now, I'm back to doing what I know best. Risk is going to be my comeback film.

Are you tired of being a Member of Parliament?
When I was a minister and held a portfolio in the previous government, I wasn't allowed to take up an independent career as laid down by the Constitution of India. But now that I'm a MP, I can practice another profession. Also, this is my third tenure in my constituency and I have addressed all the major infrastructure-related issues. So I can concentrate on films.

How did Risk happen?
Interestingly, my youngest son, who is 15 years old, happened to get hold of a DVD of the film D and insisted that I watch it. A week later, I got a call from Vishram Sawant's (D's director) office. He came home and gives me a narration. At that time I hadn't seen D so I asked Vishram about the films he has done in the past. He said D and it immediately struck me that he's the same guy my son had told me about.

Why did you choose to play a villain?
Every other actor wants to play a negative character on celluloid these days. Even I wanted to do something striking and different. However, I have not indulged in any special styling for my character. I play a baddie who is compassionate yet vicious.

Who is your fave villain?
Pran saab is my all-time favourite villain. Apart from him, I loved Eli Wallach in Sergio Leone's The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Do you intend to get into production?
I intend to set up a production house and even direct films in the future. I recently shot for an Indo-Pak production directed by Hriday Shetty. Subhash Ghai has also signed me on for a film that he's directing, and, of course, Vikram Bhatt's film along with my sons.