Heroes cast attend Durga Puja event in Kolkata

Shah Rukh Khan did the dhunuchi dance at a Durga Puja mandap in Kolkata last Saturday. And today, Brand Ambassador Mithun Chakraborty has invited the cast and crew of Heroes to attend the grand aarti at the Badamtola Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Mithun admits, "I invited the cast and crew of Heroes to participate in the maha aarti at Badamtola. Sohail (Khan), Vatsal Sheth and producer Vikas Kapoor are expected to attend. Vikas, the producer of Heroes, is a dear friend, and I enjoyed working in the film hence the invitation to all."

Mithin is the brand ambassador of the Badamtola Durga Puja. The actor will be dressed in the traditional dhoti-kurta for the maha aarti.

He says that this is the first time that a puja has been branded, "I want the people behind this grand industry (Pujas) to flourish like the dhaki players and the idol makers. I want at least one puja earning to go to them for the full year and I am very sure that after seeing me, some other star will brand some other puja tomorrow. I hope the corporates too join in some big way."

When quizzed if he was paid to be the brand ambassador, he says, "Money has never been a criteria. The request came from a person who is very close to my heart almost like a younger brother. I wanted to stand by this cause.

Tomorrow, if another star becomes a brand ambassador and charges mega bucks, I have no problems with that. At least, my cause will be fulfilled because wherever there is a big star, a big corporate will follow."

After the maha aarti Mithun will be flying off to Hyderabad to cheer his ICL team, The Royal Bengal Tigers, which will play against the Lahore Badshahs of Pakistan on October 12.

First Look - Heroes

A resplendent Madhuri Dixit at Jimmy premiere

Madhuri Dixit looked resplendent in a blue aqua chiffon saree with cheetah print, bright orange embroidered flowers, and orange brocade borders, at the Jimmy premiere at Cinemax, Versova on Thursday, May 8.

She was accompanied by her husband Ram Nene, and received and escorted in by a highly 'spirited' Mithun chakravorty, who acted as the de facto host for the event which marks the launch of his son Mimoh's Bollywood career.

Madhuri is in India to receive the coveted Padmashri national award for her contribution to Indian cinema. The award ceremony is on May 10.

She attended the event as a special invitee of Mithun, her co-star in films such as Pyar Ka Devta (1990), Prem Pratigyaa (1989) and Mujrim (1989). She did not stay for long, so as not to take the thunder away from Mimoh, but her appearance at the event made it truly special.

Madhuri wore a cap sleeve blouse with a deep V neckline and a matching cheetah print with her saree.

She accessorized with long dangler earrings that had chunky orange stones, a ring each on her ring fingers and a golden clutch. She had left her layered hair open.

The Barjatyas are reported to be planning a sequel to Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Madhuri fans are hopeful the actress, who turns 43 on May 15, will feature in the film.

Madhuri made a spirited and endearing come back to Bollywood in 2007, after a five year sabbatical, with Aaja Nachle, a dance extravaganza that failed to stir the box office.

B.O. Update: Dull start for new releases

The two new releases, BHOOTHNATH and JIMMY, opened to a lukewarm start at most places. While BHOOTHNATH was better with a 25%-30% opening, the film has an advantage because the audience response is encouraging. The traders are hopeful that the film would gather steam with word of mouth by family audiences.

On the other hand, JIMMY opened to a meagre 10%-15% start everywhere. Also, the reports are outright negative.

Taran Adarsh

Premiere of Jimmy

Mithun snubs Bachchans

Mithun invited everyone in B-Town for the premiere of his son’s film except the Bachchans

Last night, at the premiere of Mithun Chakroborty’s son Mimoh’s debut film Jimmy, at Cinemax in Andheri, the who’s who of B-town was present. Barring the Bachchans. Mithun personally called up everyone to come and bless beta Mimoh on his big day.

So why was the Bachchan parivaar not invited? Because the Chakrbortys were not invited to the AbhiAsh wedding? Says a source, “Amitabh and Mithun have worked together in Agneepath and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, so they are no strangers.

Mithun wasn’t happy with the way his role had shaped out in Agneepath and Amitabh went on to get the National Award for the film. And things between them soured forever.” But it goes way beyond just professional rivalry.

When Mani Ratnam’s Guru released, Mithun felt his role would suffer, but nothing of the sort happened. Mithun would never speak out openly against Amitabh and fear incurring his wrath especially now that he has started blogging. Mithun feels it better to avoid Amitabh.

When asked if he had invited Bachchan to Jimmy’s premiere, Mithun says abruptly, “No.” When asked why, he shrugs, “Because I don’t know the Bachchans that well and we can’t invite everyone. There will be too many people then.” Argue that they have been colleagues and contemporaries and the actor snaps, “Please don’t ask me anything. I don’t wish to discuss the subject. It’s best left alone.”

Mithun invited many stars and his old producer and director friends for the premiere, Mithun admits, “Yes I had invited Shah Rukh, Govinda, Salman, Sunil (Shetty), Sanjay (Dutt). Shah Rukh came and met me and said, ‘Dada, I would have come but the Kolkata Knight Riders match is on the same day and I have to be there.” Salman’s shooting in Australia but Sanju, Govinda and Sunil Shetty promised to come.”

A special invite for the premiere has gone to Salim Khan (Salman’s father) and his family. Mithun says, “Yes I am like Salman’s elder brother. Salimbhai has done so much for me when I was struggling actor. He has been a tremendous source of encouragement and support to me.

Salimbhai had first met me in a tailoring shop when I was just a graduate from the Pune Film Institute and asked me to join films. Since that day, he had recommended me everywhere to all his colleagues. Salman, Sohail, Arbaaz and Alvira have grown up in front of me. The Khans are like family.”

Amitabh has always promoted Abhishek whenever possible (especially with reference to Guru) as a proud father. Will Mithun do the same with Mimoh? “Let Amitabh do that if he wants. If Mimoh is really good, he will succeed on his own.

If he’s bad he has to learn and correct it. I feel Mimoh is 25 times a better dancer than I am. Mimoh has acted well and got distinction in dancing, fighting and action. He’s star material but he has to improve his acting. I don’t want to praise him too much or he’ll get a swollen head.

I’ve told Mimoh that he has to fight his own battles and be ready for anything because this is how life is. I was never present on the sets. The only time I came was during the song Marhaba which Nadeem, the choreographer and I helped Mimoh with the steps.”