Nominations for Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Awards 2008

Best Film
A Wednesday!
Ghajini
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Jodhaa Akbar
Rock On!!
Sarkar Raj

Best Director
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!!
Ashutosh Gowarikar - Jodhaa Akbar
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Ram Gopal Varma - Sarkar Raj

Best Actor (Male)
Aamir Khan - Ghajini
Abhishek Bachchan - Dostana
Akshay Kumar - Singh Is Kinng
Amitabh Bachchan - Sarkar Raj
Hrithik Roshan - Jodhaa Akbar
Naseeruddin Shah - A Wednesday!
Ranbir Kapoor - Bachna Ae Haseeno
Shahrukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Actor (Female)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - Jodhaa Akbar
Asin Thottumkal - Ghajini
Genelia D'souza - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Kajol - U Me Aur Hum
Priyanka Chopra - Fashion

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male)
Aamir Bashir - A Wednesday!
Abhishek Bachchan - Sarkar Raj
Anupam Kher - A Wednesday!
Arjun Rampal - Rock On!!
Irrfan Khan - Mumbai Meri Jaan
Jimmy Sheirgill - A Wednesday!
Pankaj Kapur - Halla Bol

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female)
Bipasha Basu - Bachna Ae Haseeno
Ila Arun - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Kangana Ranaut - Fashion
Mugdha Godse - Fashion
Ratna Pathak Shah - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Shahana Goswami - Rock On!!

Best Actor in a Negative Role (Male/Female)
Akshaye Khanna - Race
Anil Kapoor - Tashan
Ashwini Kalsekar - Phoonk
Dilip Prabhawalkar - Sarkar Raj
Ila Arun - Jodhaa Akbar

Best Actor in a Comic Role (Male/Female)
Ashwini Kalsekar - Golmaal Returns
Mallika Sherawat - Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam
Rajpal Yadav - Krazzy 4
Shreyas Talpade - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Tusshar Kapoor - Golmaal Returns

Best Background Music
Amar Mohile - Sarkar Raj
A. R. Rahman - Jodhaa Akbar
Bapi-Tutul - Phoonk
Salim-Sulaiman - Race
Sanjoy Chowdhury - A Wednesday!
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Rock On!!

Best Music
A. R. Rahman - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na & Jodhaa Akbar
Pritam - Jannat & Singh Is Kinng
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Rock On!!
Vishal-Shekhar - Dostana & Bachna Ae Haseeno

Best Playback Singer (Male)
A. R. Rahman - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Atif Aslam - Pehli Nazar (Race)
KK - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Rashid Ali - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)
Shankar Mahadevan - Desi Girl (Dostana)
Sukhwinder Singh - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Playback Singer (Female)
Dominique Cerejo - Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein (Rock On!!)
Hardkaur & Anmol Malik - Talli Ho Gayi (Ugly Aur Pagli)
Monali Thakur - Zaraa Zaraa Touch Me (Race)
Shilpa Rao - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Shreya Ghoshal - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Shruti Pathak - Mar Jaawa (Fashion)
Sunidhi Chauhan - Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Lyrics
Anvita Dutt Guptan - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Jaideep Shani - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Kashif - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Mayur Puri - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Sameer - Pehli Nazar (Race)
Sayeed Quadri - Bakhuda (Kismat Konnection)
Sayeed Quadri - Zara Si Dil Mein De Jagah (Jannat)

Best Story
Dibakar Banerjee - Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
Haidar Ali - Jodhaa Akbar
Madhur Bhandarkar, Ajay Monga & Anuradha Tiwari - Fashion
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Shyam Benegal - Welcome To Sajjanpur

Best Screenplay
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abhishek Kapoor & Pubali Chaudhary- Rock On!!
Ashok Mishra - Welcome To Sajjanpur
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Shiraz Ahmed - Race

Best Dialogue
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Anvita Dutt Guptan - Dostana & Bachna Ae Haseeno
Ashok Mishra - Welcome To Sajjanpur
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!

Best Editor
Aarti Bajaj - Aamir
Deepa Bhatia - Rock On!!
Hussain Burmawala - Race
Nipun Gupta & Amit Parmar - Sarkar Raj
Shree Narayan Singh - A Wednesday!

Best Sound
Debashish Mishra - Sarkar Raj
Rakesh Ranjan - A Wednesday! & Race
Resul Pookutty - Ghajini
Sanjay Maurya & Allwyn Rego - Mumbai Meri Jaan

Best Cinematography
Alphonso Roy - Aamir
Amit Roy - Sarkar Raj
Ayananka Bose - Dostana
Jason West - Rock On!!
Ravi K. Chandran - Ghajini
Sunil Patel - Bachna Ae Haseeno

Best Special Effects
Biju D (B R Pix & Rrix) - Bhoothnath
David Bush - Drona
Pankaj Khandpur (Tata Elxsi) - Jodhaa Akbar
Merzin Tavaria (Prime Focus) - Ghajini & Love Story 2050

Best Art Direction
Nitin Desai - Jodhaa Akbar
Samir Chanda - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Shashank Tare - Rock On!!
Sunil Babu - Ghajini
Sunil Nigvekar - A Wednesday!

Best Choreography
Ahmed Khan - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Bosco-Ceasar - Zaraa Zaraa Touch Me (Race)
Farah Khan - Desi Girl (Dostana)
Rajeev Surti - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)
Raju Khan - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Snoop Dogg Group - Title Song (Singh Is Kinng)
Vaibhavi Merchant - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Action
Allan Amin - Race
Javed & Ejaz Shaikh, Ravi Dewan - Mission Istaanbul
Peter Heins - Ghajini & Tashan
Ravi Dewan - Jodhaa Akbar

Most Promising Newcomer (Male)
Farhan Akhtar - Rock On!!
Harman Baweja - Love Story 2050
Imran Khan - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Prateik Babbar - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Rajeev Khandelwal - Aamir
Sikandar Kher - Woodstock Villa

Most Promising Newcomer (Female)
Adah Sharma - 1920
Anushka Sharma - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Asin Thottumkal - Ghajini
Prachi Desai - Rock On!!

Most Promising Debut Director
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Kunal Deshmukh - Jannat
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Nishikant Kamat - Mumbai Meri Jaan
Rajkumar Gupta - Aamir
Tarun Mansukhani - Dostana

If you want an interview pay money, says Imran

It seems the success of “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” has gone to Imran Khan's head and he is flying high.

Reportedly, when Imran was recently asked for an interview by a leading television channel, he gave an appointment only after two months. Since the channel wanted the interview at the earliest they once again messaged him requesting him to spare some time.

But the channel and the reporter got a shock when Imran messaged back asking them to pay money if they wanted an interview fast.

Is it the success of the first film or Uncle Aamir's support that's making him fly so high?

May be, he should look at the box office collections of his new film “Kidnap” to come back to earth.

Imran’s inked!

Debutant Khan joins a long list of inked B-Towners

A tattoo-crazy B-Town adds yet another name to its directory.

The newest kid on the block is 25-year-old Imran Khan, Aamir Khan’s nephew and a debutant who will feature in his uncle’s production, Jaane Tu.

The film will be directed by Abbas Tyrewalla.

Though the debutante remained unavailable for comment, a source at Aamir Khan Productions reveals, “The young actor got inked with a friend who designed the tattoo and both buddies got it done at the same spot and at the same time.

The tattoo is of a sun with the letter X right in the middle of it.

The letter X denotes the generation next.

He has it on his back just below his neck.”

The source continues, “He did the tattoo for emotional reasons and is very proud of it.

It represents his state and frame of mind at that particular time.

He may go in for another one but has no plans of going in for one in the near future.

He is happy with the tattoo he has right now.”

B-Town’s tattoo crazy celebs!
Akshay Kumar
Sanjay Dutt
Esha Deol
Arjun Rampal
Saif Ali Khan
Koena Mitra
Rakhi Sawant
Rohit Roy
Raveena Tandon
Aftab Shivdasani
Apporva Lakhia

Harman versus Imraan - The battle of the debutants

Aamir Khan is determined to make a success out of his nephew Imraan's career, come what may. And even if that means taking on the competition headlong, so be it. Anything for family, seems to be the marketing motto, as Harry Baweja puts in 80-crore plus Priyanka in the hi-fi sci-fi Love Story 2050 to ensure his son's super success on July 4.

Enter Aamir Khan with nephew Imraan's Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and on same Friday as Harman's debut. "The Bawejas were shocked," says a source close to the film. "They had planned and strategized their film's release almost six months in advance. They had spoken to all their potential competitors from Salman and God Tussi Great Ho to Ram Gopal Varma and Sarkar Raj to Apoorva Lakhia 's Mission Istanbul and Aziz Mirza's Kismat Konnection to Yashraj and Tips. Harman called them up personally to make sure his film comes on a freed Friday. Then suddenly Aamir showed up to create an almost Saawariya-Om Shanti Om crisis. Jaane Tu's release was nowhere in sight when Love Story 2050 was announced. Suddenly they came out of the blue! "

Harry Baweja made a panic call to Aamir. Says the source, "Harry Baweja knows Aamir from the time he did B. Subhash's Love Love Love where Harry was an assistant director. Ever since then they've been in touch. When they spoke, Aamir told Harry he was indeed thinking of coming on 4 July. The reason given was that Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap in which Imraan has a key role was coming on July 25. Aamir reasoned that Imraan couldn't have two releases too close to one another. Later, the Bawejas were horrified to know that Kidnap was scheduled for August 22. Harry urged Aamir to move his film to July 11. But Aamir is adamant. "

Incidentally, Genelia Dsouza who plays Imraan's leading lady is also Harman's girl in his second release Victory. "The Bawejas first trailer started on a Sunday. That same day a blog went up saying 'Imraan Versus Harman'. That's when the Bawejas first came to know that the Khans were planning to release on the same day. Since then there has been a systematic campaign to bring down Harman on the blogs with comments like 'Harman looks gay'. He looks like a lot of things. But not gay. One of the blogs comments cattily on actors like Hrithik Roshan and Harman Baweja relying on their physique. Someone even broke into a website sponsoring Harman's film and defaced it. They even changed Harman's picture to an unidentifiable man, and said the film was budgeted at 60,000 rupees and was to be released for 30 seconds in July 1950. The Bawejas traced the defacers to Delhi. The identity of the hackers was used just once, to deface Harman's face."

Harman smiles off all the competition. "Healthy competition is always welcome. I'd rather focus on my work. We've just started the promotion of our first song. It's one of the costliest songs ever filmed."

Imran Khan flaunts his girlfriend at his debut film’s music launch

Hum saath saath hai: Kiran Khan, Avantika Mallik and Imran’s mother Nuzhrat Hussain and (left) Imran and Aamir Khan. Pics/ Yogen Shah

Imran Khan, Aamir’s 25-year old nephew and the star of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, may be following his mama’s professional footsteps but on the personal front, he appears to be different from Aamir. While Aamir had hidden his girlfriend and later wife, Reena (now they are divorced and Aamir has since re-married Kiran Rao) during his entry into the film industry, Imran proudly escorted his girlfriend, Avantika Mallik to the music of launch of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na on May 20 at Shammi Kapoor’s residence.

Says a source, “Last week, when Aamir, Kiran, Mansoor Khan and Naseer Hussain’s daughter Nuzhat (Imran’s mother and Mansoor Khan’s sister) came for the music release at Shammi Kapoor’s residence, Kiran and Nuzhat were quietly seen accompanying a young, pretty girl. She’s 23-year old Avantika, apparently Imran’s girlfriend and daughter of TV18’s head honcho, Vandana Mallik. Imran and Avantika met at a social event a few months ago and since then have become inseparable. Avantika came for the event and was seen chatting comfortably with Imran’s mother and Kiran. She’s quite a familiar presence in Aamir and Imran’s home. At the music launch, during Imran’s speech, Avantika was seen proudly clapping and cheering him on”

Imran makes his debut in Abbas Tyrewala’s Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na produced by Aamir Khan Productions, where he plays the role of Jai Singh Rathore. He will also be seen in Shree Ashtavinayak’s Kidnap with Sanjay Dutt and Luck directed by Soham Shah.

''I've had a terrific working relationship with Akshaye'' - Genelia D'Souza

“I’ve had a terrific working relationship with Akshaye” - Genelia D'Souza In an industry dominated by Bong Babes and Punjabi Kudis, she is one of the few Catholic girls out to make a mark. We are talking about the cute and bubbly Genelia D'Souza who debuted opposite Riteish Deshmukh in Tujhe Meri Kasam and was later seen with him in the comic-caper Masti. Subsequently, she went down South and acted in a dozen odd Telugu and Tamil films, most of which were blockbusters. She is now back with a bang in Bollywood and would first be seen alongside Akshaye Khanna in the family entertainer Mere Baap Pehle Aap. Post that she would be seen working with two of the most talked about newcomers- Imraan Khan in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na and Harman Baweja in It’s my life. In this exclusive interview with us, Genelia talks about her experience down South, her comeback plans and life in general

After a long gap you are all over the place with two back to back releases; First Mere Baap Pehle Aap and then Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na. How does it feel?
Oh it feels fabulous to be back with a bang. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of welcome I get with these two releases.

You debuted with Riteish in Tujhe Meri Kasam and even did the comic-caper Masti. Where did you suddenly disappear after that?
(Laughs) Well I didn’t disappear. I was busy with films down South. In fact in my first year itself, I started shooting for 3 of my films simultaneously. All 3 of them were in 3 different languages- Boys (Tamil), Satyam (Telugu) and of course Tujhe Meri Kasam (Hindi). So you can say I debuted in 2003 in three different languages (smiles). Subsequently, my next couple of years were already booked with films in Telugu and Tamil.

After nearly a dozen odd Tamil and Telugu films…have you picked the language?
Well, I definitely understand it and I can speak to save my soul (smiles) but am not perfect grammatically as I live here in Mumbai.

In the past a lot of Bollywood stars like Nagma, Jyothika and Simran didn’t really come back to Bollywood after becoming big stars down south. You are really popular down south, so what made you come back to Bollywood?
I guess it was the kind of offers that I got and the kind of faith that Priyan sir and Aamir had in me that brought me back. However, for me it’s never been that I didn’t want to come back or that I wanted to do only films in the South. I am open to any good offers and prefer to just go with the flow and take things as they come.

A lot of people say that you look refreshingly different…so what’s the secret behind this new look?
Is it? I don’t know (laughs)…I guess I have just grown up (smiles)

In an industry dominated by Bong babes and Punjabi kudis you are one of the few Catholic girls out to make a mark; how does it feel?
It feels challenging. I am looking forward to it. Right now, I am too new to be looking at destiny as totally fulfilling. I am just waiting to see what my releases have in store for me.

Are there any differences in the style of working here in Bollywood and down south?
Honestly, I really don’t think so mainly because the people I have worked with here are equally professional as the people down South.

Your next release is the Priyadarshan comedy Mere Baap Pehle Aap. The title itself makes you smile. What’s the film all about?
Yeah precisely that’s the basic idea why we chose the title because it’s a family comedy entertainer. It’s about a guy searching for a bride for his father and the entire hilarious journey.

What about your character in the film?
Well, I play a girl who helps Akshaye in searching for a bride for his father. She is a very lovable character.

So are you the one who plays the bride in the end?
Hmmm…for that you will have to come and watch the film.

You are working with seasoned actors like Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri in Mere Baap Pehle Aap? How has been the experience?
Fabulous. I feel for someone like me who is not from a filmy family, one of the only ways you can learn is by being a keen observer of such experienced stars. Working on Mere Baap Pehle Aap gave me that chance. It was indeed a really good learning experience for me watching actors like Akshaye, Pareshji and Om Puri ji perform.

A lot of people feel Akshaye is quite an introvert. So did he open up to you?
I’ve had a terrific working relationship with Akshaye Khanna. I feel he is a lot quieter than some of the other actors but he is definitely not uncomfortable to be with.

How was it working with Priyadarshan?
Fantastic. Priyan Sir and I have somehow almost missed working with each other. He was to do my first ad but that didn’t work out. So we have always been wishing that we get a chance to work with each other and I am glad that he gave me this opportunity to act in his film. It’s a role which gives me a lot of scope to perform, so I am happy.

Post that you have Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na which is touted as the grand launch of Aamir Khan’s nephew Imraan. How does it feel?
I am really looking forward to that film.

You are also doing the Hindi remake of one of your Telugu blockbusters Bommarillu in which you are paired opposite Harman Baweja. What’s the film all about?
It’s a sweet romantic film directed by Anees Bazmee. It’s quite a coincidence as I starred in the original Telugu version Bommarillu. The film was a big success and even fetched me a Filmfare award for Best Actress. The same film was also remade in Tamil called Santosh Subramaniam. It just released last week down South and has got a terrific response. I am glad they didn’t need to find a replacement for my character. I am probably one of the few actresses who have starred in the remake of the same film in 3 different languages so it kind of gives me a high.

Lastly, what are your expectations from your two forthcoming releases?
I just hope to be noticed and be appreciated for the work that I have done.

Shammi Kapoor and Aamir Khan unveil 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' music album

Buy Imran, get Ghajini free!

Aamir is offering Ghajini as a package deal with his nephew Imran’s debut to TV channels

Harman Baweja’s Love Story 2050 and Imran Khan’s (Aamir Khan’s nephew) Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (JTYJN) are both releasing on the same day. Both films are being marketed aggressively. One way of promoting a film is throug media tie-ups, with publications and TV channels to give editorial support.

Says a source, “Aamir is in talks with some TV channels for the tie-up of Imran’s film and he has offered Ghajini to anyone who will take it as a package deal with JTYJN.”

Harman’s debut was fixed on July 4 long before Aamir’s home production JTYJN, chose the same date to make its release. Now the two newbies are pitted against each other, even though the films are not in the same category.

Love Story 2050 is a mega budget film and has star value thanks to Priyanka Chopra, while JTYJN has been made on a more modest budget and has Genelia D’Souza. Aamir realises that, and so he wants to push his nephew’s film.

Says a source, “Aamir is great at marketing. Look what he did with Taare Zameen Par. And now he has put all his marketing skills behind Imran’s film. He has personally looked into every aspect of the film. From the story to the post-production. When the film was complete, he blogged about his nephew, introducing him to all his fans.”

All the comments made by readers were in favour of Imran, which is fine, but there were many anti-Harman comments which were surprising.” The negative Harman comments have now been deleted.

I am readying myself for my next release. JAANE TU. When I say ‘my’ I mean Aamir Khan Productions’. After Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par this will be our third release and I am keen to complete a hat-trick. Today the first promo breaks on TV.

It should be up on the website www.jaanetu.com as well. This will be my nephew Imran’s first film, I think I’ll post a photo of him. Tell me what you think of the promo, and him.

Aamir's nephew's real name is Imran Pal

One of the 'promising' newcomers in Bollywood this year is Imran Khan (Aamir Khan’s nephew) who makes his debut with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. According to Aamir, his uncle the late Nasir Hussain had left no stone unturned to promote him when Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was released. And Aamir felt it is only correct to return the favour.

But who is Imran Khan? Not many people know, Imran is Nasir Husaain's grandson but he is not directly related to Mansoor Khan. Mansoor Khan is Nasir Hussain's son from his second marriage. Nasir Hussain had a daughter from his first marriage who lives in New York. Imran Khan is her son and his real name is Imran Pal. His father is Anil Pal.

Apparently Mansoor Khan has no ties with his step-sister so he is keeping his distance from Imran. But Aamir is promoting Imran big time! Wonder how this will affect the Mansoor-Aamir relationship. If sources are to be believed, their relationship was quite strained when Mansoor ditched Aamir and signed SRK for Josh. But then Mansoor has retired from Bollywood and lives a reclusive life in Ooty , so I guess, it really doesn't matter any more.

Harman Baweja clashes Imran Khan on July 4

This year's summer holidays will be bereft of much excitement as not many big films are not slated to release. The few exciting ones listed are BHOOTHNATH (9th May), WOODSTOCK VILLA (23rd May), SARKAR RAJ (6th June) and MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP (13th June).

However, it is the month of July which will not only witness monsoon showers (in most parts of the country!), but will also see the introduction of two talented newcomers, whose families are respected and are well established names in Bollywood and who carry a lot of hope on their young but strong shoulders.

Obviously we are talking about producer-director Harry Baweja's handsome son, Harman Baweja and Aamir Khan's good looking nephew Imran Khan, who are set for a slugfest. The reason being their debut ventures - Harman Baweja's LOVE STORY 2050 and Imran Khan's JAANE TU YA JAANE NA, are both slated to release on the same day that is the American Independence day, 4th of July, as per reputed trade journals.

While the exciting promos of both the awaited ventures are doing the rounds of various satellite channels and web portals, it looks like the audience is in for an interesting and a competitive clash of the future superstars of Bollywood!

Abid