Aditya Chopra and Rani adopt Katrina!

Katrina is spending a lot of time at the Yashraj Studio discussing her career with Aditya Chopra

Although Aditya Chopra is younger than Salman Khan, Katrina reverently calls him "Adi Sir". That doesn't come as a surprise as the reticent Chopra is currently advising Katrina on her career moves.

Katrina has been slated to be the leading lady of Yash Chopra's next directorial venture which will star Shah Rukh Khan, thereby bringing to fruition Katrina's dream of breaking the embargo on her pairing with SRK because of Salman having had a place in her life.

Salman's non-ambiguous declarations about his single status has liberated Katrina from the obligation of keeping up appearance of them being together.

She's now pursuing her heart unfettered, especially when it comes to her career. And, at the moment her heart is set on the film with SRK.

Not only Aditya Chopra, Yashraj's favourite leading lady Rani Mukherjee too has taken to Katrina in a big way. There's a big bonding between the two actresses, and Katrina is certainly not seen as a threat to the senior actress.

In fact, both Rani and Aditya have "adopted" Katrina. Much in the same way that Salman and his family had earlier "adopted" her.

All her waking hours are spent at Yashraj Studios where she is polishing up her clothes, lines and character-contouring for the film.

Even otherwise, Katrina these days loves spending time at Yashraj getting gyan from "Adi Sir" who is closer to her generation than "Yash Uncle" (Yash Chopra).

When asked about her proximity to Yashraj and Aditya Chopra, Katrina says, "I am very close to them. Adi Sir is someone I look up to and seek advice from.

For all my reputation of delivering hits, I'm still new to the industry and the odd one out. I don't have too many friends in Mumbai. That's why I constantly need a family member around me."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge - Movie Review

Cast: Saqib Saleem, Saba Azad, Tara D'Souza, Nishant Dahiya and Prabal Panjabi

Director: Nupur Aastana

Rating: ***

"Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge" is a sweet teen romance in the times of broadband connection, social networking sites and fake IDs! It explores the pros and cons of the proposed 'fraaandship' networking in our lives. It offers food for thought with - "SACH is the key word and face to face connection is the best connection."

A new era love story, the film revolves around four characters - Vishal Bhatt (Saqib Saleem), Rahul Sareen (Nishant Dahiya), Preity Sen (Saba Azad) and Malvika Kelkar (Tara Dsouza).

Set in a college campus, Vishal with pal Hacky (Prabal Panjabi) are up to pranks with fellow classmates. These initial scenes are a direct rip-off from the Hollywood film "The Social Network".

After a few complicated moments one realises that prankster Vishal is a good writer who pens lyrics for rockstar pal Rahul. Girls are crazy about Rahul, but Rahul seems indifferent towards them.

Also on campus is an odd, boorish and unladylike Preity Sen who is good at photography. She happens to be friends with the hot and happening Malvika Kelkar.

It so happens that Malvika's id pops up on Rahul's profile page and since he is disinterested in adding friends on his Facebook, Vishal takes the initiative. But unknown to him Malvika's id is being operated by friend Preity. And that's where the complication in the love story begins.

Vishal chats with Preity thinking it is Malvika. And Preity chats with Vishal thinking it is Rahul. They are head over heels in love in their virtual world.

Meanwhile, the college is celebrating its silver jubilee. The theme for the evening is - A photographic documentary of the romantic history of the college. Vishal and Preity are forcibly thrown together for the project. The inevitable happens. They are attracted to each other, but they still fantasise about their virtual relationship.

But how long can fake identities sustain the real love? Reality bites when they confront each other.

Nupur Asthana has deftly handled this complicated love story. In the beginning one does get a bit disoriented trying to establish the complicated relationship. But after the initial hi-cups, the story sets in. The first half is nothing to write home about and the second half gets you hooked.

"Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge" is a hackneyed love story but excitingly brewed with fresh faces. With an expressive visage, the film belongs to Saqib Saleem and Saba Azad. They are faces to watch out for in the long run.

The bright attractive cinematography adds to the visual impact that captures the spirit of a foreign college campus.

The dialogues are witty but at times seem to go a bit off tangent especially during the bar scene between Rahul and Malvika.

Music by Raghu Dixit makes a commotion of ear-splitting happening on dance floor. The lyrics by Anvita Dutt is 'Yuppie' and unusual. Vishal Dadlani's coarsely vocals gels well with screechy voice of Aditi Singh Sharma and evokes out the musical confrontation in Hinglish "hip-hop" melodic mode.

The film tries honestly to create a bond of friendship with its set of urbane viewers and succeeds to a large extent in delivering it. A movie worth a dekho.

RA.One - Music Review

Music Directors: Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani

Lyricists: Vishal Dadlani, Niranjan Iyengar, Kumaar, Panchhi Jalonvi, Anvita Dutt and Anubhav Sinha

Singers: Akon, Hamsika Iyer, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani, Clinton Cerejo's Choir, Shruti Pathak, Nandini Srikar, The Prague Philharmonic Choir, Sidd Coutto and Sukhwinder Singh

Rating: *** 1/2

Shah Rukh Khan's "RA.One" has been generating curiosity since beginning and expectations have been high from its music as well. The album of the film lives up to the expectations, thanks to composers Vishal-Shekhar for packing a musical punch for the sci-fi movie.

The film offers 14 tracks, including remix versions and theme tracks.

It starts on a rocking note with the already popular number "Chammak Challo". A clear winner all the way, the song, which has Hindi, English and Tamil words in the lyrics, makes you groove.

An interesting thing about the track is that it's crooned by international artist Akoon, who has voiced not just the English lyrics but Hindi ones too. Hamika Iyer supports him by singing Tamil words. A fun dance number, "Chammak Challo" is here to stay and it will surely become DJs' favourite.

The song also has a few other versions, including a remix by Abhijit Vaghani, another remix by DJ Khushi and an international version.

Then comes "Dildaara", a mush melody at its best. Sung by Shafqat Amanat Ali, it has John Lennon's song "Stand by me" mixed into it and the combination is interesting. The song boasts of various genres.

Then comes another Akon number called "Criminal", a peppy and upbeat track that also has Vishal Dadlani and Shruti Pathak behind the mike. An amalgamation of Hindi and English lyrics, "Criminal" is a perfect party number.

It also has a remixed version by DJ Amit.

Next is "Bhare naina" and it will make you sit up and take notice. The song has been sung by The Prague Philharmonic Choir, the chorus group that came here all the way from the Czech Republic to sing the song with Nandini Srikar and Vishal-Shekhar.

If the semi-classical flavour in the number sets a pensive mood, use of orchestration takes it to another level. The choir makes the song sound very international, but its soul and feel are Indian.

Then there is "Right by your side", an ordinary composition crooned by Sidd Coutto. A regular fast-paced composition, it is a happy and exuberant track.

"Raftaarein" reminds one of R.D. Burman compositions. Sung by Vishal-Shekhar, it is a perfect chase track. The style of composition is very similar to that of Burman and, despite being a situational track, it leaves its mark.

Up next is "Jiya mora ghabraaye", a fusion of rock and semi- classical. It has a very strong musical arrangement and impressive vocals by Vishal Dadalani and Sukhwinder Singh and the song will be liked by hard rock lovers. Interesting composition and a good attempt.

Then the album offers three instrumental theme tracks called "Comes the light", "I'm on" and "Song of the end". On the whole the album is worth buying and offers some interesting and entertaining tracks. Kudos to the music composers!

First Look - Akki as Rowdy Rathore

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha

Rowdy Rathore is an upcoming Bollywood action film directed by Prabhu Deva starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles.

Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala, the filming started on 10 August 2011. It is the third remake of the Telugu film Vikramarkudu.

Synopsis

Rowdy (Akshay Kumar) is a small-time thief and crook who is crazy about acts of daredevilry. One day, he gets the shock of his life when a young girl turns up and claims him to be her father.

After recovering from the stunning blow, he slowly starts to find out the truth behind the claim. It turns out that the girl is the daughter of IPS Police officer Vikram Singh Rathore (also Akshay Kumar).

Vikram is the long-lost twin of Rowdy. After the two meet, in an excitement shock, Vikram Rathore is confronted by underworld-gangsters who then murder him right infront of Rowdy, and therefore Rowdy has to fill into Vikram's position in the police force aswell as his home, and find out who his murderers' were and why they killed him.

The Dirty Picture -Movie Preview

Imagine a make-up girl who became an extra and then the most wanted heroine of the early 80s.

Chronicling the meteoric rise and steep fall of the erstwhile screen sensation, The Dirty Picture is set against the colorful and entertaining backdrop of the fierce male-dominated South-Indian film industry of the 80s.

The quintessential siren, Silk, knew her audiences, and it didn't seem like anything would stop the ambitious starlet, till it did, in the form of unrequited love.

To the world, she was the queen of sensuality. But at heart, she was just another woman yearning for love in a ruthless world.

Balaji and Milan Luthria team up again after their smash hit, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, to create a humorous yet poignant entertainer, which is already in the news for being the most keenly anticipated musical drama of the year.

Salman leads the Southern invasion in Bollywood

Cinema from way down India has captivated the audience world over. No wonder the big guns in Bollywood have jumped on this gravy train

"The most popular movies at the multiplex this past weekend included, The Lion King, Moneyball, Drive and Dookudu: Daring & Dashing."

That was how Los Angeles Times introduced the Telugu flick to an American audience. Actor Mahesh Babu was sitting proudly right beside Ryan Gosling (one of the top contenders for the Oscar's next year).

Now if that doesn't indicate how rapidly cinema from South India is spreading its wings, we don't know what ever will!

Who knew that there'd be a time when the 'English' audience would google Tollywood to find out more about yet another industry that rhymes with Hollywood.

And it's not just about this one film. For the first time in decades, a Malayalam film Adaminte Makan Abu (made in a shoestring budget) will be representing the country at the Oscars.

When 14 Tamil films bagged the biggest titles at this year's National Awards, the world sat up and took note.

From Fox to Warner, some of the biggest Hollywood studios are in talks with everyone from A R Murgadoss to Kamal Haasan for upcoming film projects.

Remakes galore

Salman Khan obviously seems to have become the remake king of South films with every other star following suit.

From Wanted to Ready and now Bodyguard, the Southern remakes have seen Sallu miya laughing his way to the bank.

And there's little chance he's going to give up on this money mantra. Now buzz is that the star is all set to star in the Dookudu remake as well.

Says writer Kona Venkat, who worked on Ready in Telugu and Hindi, "When a South film comes to Bollywood, it's bigger and better.

It's clearly a phenomenon that will continue till the time people within South India make entertaining films that give value for money."

From John Abraham, who has managed to bag a solo hit (Force) through a South remake (Khaaka Khaaka), to others like Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn, starring in an action-packed South Indian masala remakes seem to ensure best returns these days.

John says, "I wanted to explore the action space and when I saw Suriya's Khaaka Khaaka, I was completely blown away. The way they deal with action down South is pretty raw, a lot like Hollywood I think."

Director's cut

Not surprisingly, the trend has given a platform to Southern director.

When director Siddique makes Bodyguard in Malayalam within less than 10 crores and he sees an opportunity to recreate his movie in a budget of over 50 crores, his creative canvas automatically widens.

From Siddique, who is now dreams of remaking his Mohanlal starrer Vietnam Colony, to critically-acclaimed director like Blessy, who will bring to life the hit film Pranayam with Amitabh Bachchan, to Srinu Vytla, who will direct his first Hindi film if the Dookudu remake materialises, a whole new crop of directors now seem to dominate the space.

Says Siddique, "Bollywood is any day big in terms of reach. That does not mean we will not make films in our own languages. But this is a step up for us."

Acting up

However, for some reason South Indian heroes have never really managed to make it big in Bollywood.

Be it Vikram, who disappeared after the super flop Raavan, or even Suriya, whose much-anticipated Hindi debut with Rakthacharita managed to impress only a select group of Ramu fans, to even Rana Dagubatti, who hasn't really been inundated with offers since Dum Maro Dum, none seem to have cashed in on the Southern invasion.

Says R Madhavan, who will always enjoy a bigger stature in the Tamil space, "Eventually it's about doing good work.

Yes, everyone wants to be a superstar at the end of the day, but it's not possible to rule various worlds of cinema at one point.

As long as I am satisfied with my work, I will continue working in films from all different languages."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Revealed: The truth behind Chitrangada's exit from Krrish 2'

Apparently, 'Krrish 2' producer Rakesh Roshan refused to pay for her extended staff

Though the actress has stuck to her stance about date issues over her decision to walk out of Krrish 2, apart from the buzz that she felt her role was turning into a cameo, there is more to why Chitrangada Singh decided to opt out of the superhero flick.

What also irked the actress was the working style of producer Rakesh Roshan.

Everyone in the industry knows that the filmmaker is tightfisted and that any unwanted expenditure on the sets has to be strictly avoided.

Something perhaps the actress was unaware of initially.

Says a source close to Chitrangada, "An actress is used to working with a paraphernalia around her which includes the make up person, hairdresser, attendants and her other staff who attend to her needs during the filming.

Normally the production house bears the costs of these people. Obviously, Roshan was in no mood to incur any additional expense apart from what the unit would supply."

Adds the source, "As Chitrangada's role was that of a mutant, the producer felt that the make up guys that he had hired for the film would be sufficient for her.

And that there was no need of incurring the cost of additional people with her."

Coupled with the fears about the length of her presence in a film that starred Bollywood biggies Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Vivek Oberoi, Chitrangada decided to step out. The makers then roped in Jacqueline Fernandes.

The source further maintains, "Chitrangada felt there was no point shelling out from her own pocket.

Considering the logistics of the project this is something she could not understand. Not that she is a big star who could afford to incur expenditure on the sets as well."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Prabhu Deva to direct an action flick with Ajay Devgan

After completing Rowdy Rathore with Akshay Kumar, Prabhu Deva will direct an action flick with Ajay Devgn.

Let's see how the ace dancer-choregrapher makes Devgn shake a leg too.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com