Billu premiere for barbers and hairstylists

In a move to appease the Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan is planning to invite various barbers and hairstylists for the premiere of "Billu", which was earlier titled "Billu Barber".

"As far as I know, Shah Rukh is planning a premiere for the various barbers and hairdressers' associations, so they'd see and know that the film doesn't ridicule them in any way. In fact, the film is a homage to the hair-cutting technique. I can't understand how there can be a protest about the film or its title without anyone seeing the film," Priyadarshan told IANS.

According to Priyadarshan, Shah Rukh is not inviting friends from the industry for the screening.

The film was earlier titled "Billu Barber", but when Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai objected to the use of the word "barber" in the title, Shah Rukh, who is producing the film and making a guest appearance, decided to change it.

"I'm in Chennai. Shah Rukh Khan tells me all the posters hoarding with credits will blacken out the word 'barber'. If it was hurting anyone's sentiments, I'm okay by it," Priyadarshan said.

He wonders how the word 'barber' could be okay in other languages and not in Hindi.

"Does it mean half the Indian population is not put off by the title and the other half is upset about it? I don't understand the controversy. And I've left it entirely to Shah Rukh to deal with it."

The director has no plans of being in Mumbai for the release of "Billu". "I've done my best. And Irrfan Khan in the title role is the best homage that can be paid to any profession."

Priyan does wonder, and so do we, if we as a collective nation protest too much.

Irrfan Khan plays the title role and is paired with Lara Dutta in the film, which is releasing on Friday (Feb 13). Shah Rukh will make a guest appearance along with Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.

"SRK is planning a premiere for barber's associations" - Priyadarshan

It's final. Billu Barber will now be called Billu. And the director Priyadarshan seems resigned to the title's fate. "I'm in Chennai. Mr. Producer Shah Rukh tells me all the posters hoarding with credits will blacken out the word 'Barber'. If it was hurting anyone's sentiments I'm okay by it."

In a flash move to appease the hairdressers' associations of Mumbai, the premiere of Billu in Mumbai later this week will exclusively invite members of various barbers' and hairstylists' associations.

Priyadarshan reveals Billu's premiere plans. "As far as I know, Shah Rukh is planning a premiere for the various barbers and hairdressers' associations, so they'd see and know that the film doesn't ridicule them in any way. In fact Billu is homage to the hair-cutting technique. I can't understand how there can be a protest about the film or its title without anyone seeing the film."

The premiere, according to Priyan, won't invite Shah Rukh's friends from the industry, only members of the hair-cutting community. Priyadarshan wonders how the word 'Barber' could be okay in other languages and not in Hindi. "Does it mean half the Indian population is not put off by the title and the other half is upset about it? I don't understand the controversy. And I've left it entirely to my producer Shah Rukh Khan to deal with it."

Priyan has no plans of being in Mumbai for the release of Billu. "I've done my best. And Irrfan Khan in the title role is the best homage that can be paid to any profession." Priyan does wonder, and so do we, if we as a collective nation protest too much.

Pics: What's been happening in tinseltown

Asin unveils her Filmfare cover, Vidya Balan at a musical concert and some more

I am Number One: That is what Asin seems to be saying


Too Much: That's Asin on the cover. We aren't fans. And her red and gold combination is a bit too shiny and loud. Tone it down, girl!


Bored: Vidya looks bored at a musical concert. And she shouldn't step out without her make up and hair done


Wah Ustaad Wah! That's the musical genius performing


Twosome: Kay Kay Menon and Rukhsar at a press meet for the Stoneman Murders


Grrr: Priyadarshan at the launch of horror film Grrr.

Priyadarshan calls Slumdog Millionaire cheap, trashy

Angry director hates the way Mumbai is portrayed

Indian movie director Priyadarshan has joined the bandwagon in slamming Danny Boyle's underdog saga "Slumdog Millionaire" and has called the film a "cheap trashy mediocre version" of erstwhile Bollywood hits.

"'Slumdog Millionaire' is nothing but a cheap trashy mediocre version of those commercial films about estranged brothers and childhood sweethearts that Salim-Javed used to write so brilliantly in the 1970s. And please quote me clearly on this. If the Golden Globe and Oscars committees have chosen to honour this trashy film it just shows their ignorance of world cinema," Priyadarshan told IANS.

Priyadarshan, whose much-acclaimed film on the silk weavers of “Kanjeevaram” was shown alongside Boyle's film at the Toronto Film Festival last year, feels Indians are exercising prideful property rights over a film that denigrates Mumbai.

"I saw the film with a mixed audience at the Toronto Film Festival. The Westerners loved it. All the Indians hated it. The West loves to see us as a wasteland, filled with horror stories of exploitation and degradation. But is that all there's to our beautiful city of Mumbai?"

He is surprised that Mumbai is celebrating a film that shows only the city's underbelly.

"Why are we taking this treatment? Just because a white man has made 'Slumdog Millionaire', we're so happy with it? I've read Vikas Swarup's novel 'Q&A'. It should have been made by Mani Ratnam. Then you'd have seen what he would have done with Mumbai."

The angry director wonders why there isn't a single shot in 'Slumdog...' that shows the more aesthetic side of Mumbai?

"Why has Danny Boyle not taken one shot of Marine Drive? Do his slum dwellers exist only within their slums? And look at the absurdities...A boy becomes a national hero on a game show. One cop takes him under arrest and interrogates him relentlessly. Where is everyone else? Is this kind of confinement possible in this day and age when television cameras enter your bedroom? If one of our filmmakers had made the same film we would have blasted him out of business."

"Let them give as many Oscars as they like. We don't need to be impressed," ends Priydarshan angrily.

Exclusive: Billoo Barber Trailer

There is No THE END for this jodi

Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif are at it once again. The hit jodi, that was last seen in Singh Is Kinng last month, reunites for yet another comedy flick.

Only this time, it's directed by Priyadarshan.

A source in the industry reveals, "After the success of Singh Is Kinng, there was a strong buzz that it would be their last film together. The producer of the film, Vipul Shah announced, however, that the on-screen hit couple would be seen in his untitled film, which he intends to start after London Dreams. But it seems that Ratan Jain of Venus Records and Tapes have got Katrina to sign on the dotted line for his next multi-starrer titled De Dana Dan opposite Akki. The comedy film is directed by Priyadarshan and also stars Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Neha Dhupia and Sameera Reddy."

The source further adds, "This is going to be the Akki and Kat's fifth feature film together. In the past, all the movies they have been paired in have gone on to be blockbusters; except for their very first film together, Raj Kanwar's Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. However, De Dana Dan is going to mount the sets by November this year and will be shot in a single two-month long schedule in Singapore. Earlier, the southern actress Asin was meant to be opposite Akki. Due to date problems, however, she won't be doing the film."

Producer Ratan Jain remained unavailable for comment while Katrina Kaif refused to comment.

Akshay and Katrina's past movies together
Singh Is Kinng (2008)
Welcome (2007)
Namastey London (2007)
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)

Priyan and Deepika together

Three years ago, Deepika Padukone was supposed to make her debut in a film to be directed by Priyadarshan. She opted for Shah Rukh and Om Shanti Om instead. Priyan had taken the snub on his chin. Now they’re finally working together.

“I’m so glad that she did Om Shanti Om and not my film, she got lucky” says Priyan tongue-in-cheek, finally breaking his long silence. “Yes, she was being seriously considered for a film called Pirates about music piracy.

But the film didn’t work out,” says Priyan. Deepika will now be seen in a small role in SRK’s home production Billoo Barber, which is being directed by the South director.

Priyan had been trying to rope in Shah Rukh for years. “I had offered him four other films. I never made those films. You can’t make a film written for Shah Rukh with anyone else. Now, when he finally gave me 65 days, he said he’s busy with the IPL and I’d have to adjust dates accordingly.”

Billoo Barber is a remake of Tamil film Kadha Parayum-bol which Priyan’s regular writer Sreenivasan directed.

Continues Priyan, “Irrfan Khan plays the title role and Shah Rukh plays a superstar called Saahil Khan. It’s inspired by the mythical friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama but done in a completely contemporary context. It’s about a village and the changes that happen when a superstar descends on the village. What people don’t know is that there’s a very strong suspense element in the film,” informs Priyan.

SRK grabs Akshay’s role

Priyan initially approached Akki for Billoo Barber; SRK heard the story and wanted to produce and act

The Akshay Kumar-Shah Rukh Khan rivalry appears to have just got hotter. SRK claims that Billoo Barber, his next home production, directed by Priyadarshan, was initially offered to Akshay but the Khiladi refused it. Everyone knows that Akshay is one of Priyan’s favourite actors so he was the first choice. But when Akki declined, SRK grabbed it.

Shah Rukh admits, “Billoo Barber was offered to Akshay Kumar but he turned it down. Priyan was doing another film with me. Then he spoke to me about Billoo Barber and asked me if I would do the 10-day role in the film. I asked him to narrate the story. I told him that I would not only act in it but even produce it.”

The actor says he simply loved the script. “It’s a story based on Krishna and his friend Sudama. It’s a very sweet story. The thought is nice. But it’s not fair to call it a Shah Rukh Khan film. It is about Irrfan Khan, his wife and two kids. Billoo Barber is a remake of a Malayalam film (Kadha Parayaumbol) and has been rewritten by the same writer. The Hindi rights are with us while the Tamil rights are with Rajnikanth. In Malayalam it was made with Mammooty.”

About the film’s cast and credits, SRK says, “The film has Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani Sir besides myself. Kareena has done a guest appearance. Deepika will also do a guest appearance and there might be another heroine. Music is by Pritam and lyrics by Gulzar.”

When asked about Ameesha Patel and Tabu turning down the film, Shah Rukh points out, “I have been reading about all the actresses refusing the project but I would never lie to an actor to get them to do the role. I told Priyan Sir to tell them that it is not the greatest role in the world; but it is not a role that will go unnoticed. I told this to Urmila, Manisha, Juhi… Amisha didn’t do the role because we thought she looks too young to play a mother with Irrfan. It wasn’t like she left it or we threw her out. Tabu refused because she didn’t like the role. Vidya (Balan) said no because she did not want to play a mother to two grown-up children. But the kids are 10 and 12 year olds they are not my age!”

Continues Shah Rukh, “When I sat down with Lara, I told her that you do certain roles because of the film and she agreed. Juhi and Rani have often told me ‘I don’t have a great role in the film, I am just doing the film because it’s a very sweet film.’ I believe in that… if the product is really good, everybody shines. I could be great in a film, but if it is not good, then it doesn’t work. I really wanted to make Billoo Barber and Insha Allah we will release it by September.”

However a source close to Akshay denies that he was offered Billoo Barber. “Priyan might have thought of approaching Akshay but he definitely did not offer it to him.”

Upala KBR

Deepika dances for SRK

After the astounding debut in Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om , Deepika Padukone will be sharing screen once again with her first co star Shah Rukh Khan for Priyadarshan’s Billoo Barber .

Billoo Barber is an adaptation of the story between Lord Krishna and Sudama which will be produced by SRK’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment. Deepika will be paired opposite SRK in the film.

Director Priyadarshan confirms, “Yes Deepika is part of Billo Barber and she will be doing an item number too. We have recently shot Kareena’s item song, while Deepika’s number will be shot in July.”

It is going to be Deepika’s first item number, it will also be used for the promotion of the film. The song will be choreographed by Pony Sharma who choreographs all of Priyadarshan’s movies.

Deepika is currently shooting for Siddharth Anand’s Bachna Aey Haseeno , Nikhil Advani’s Chandni Chowk To Chaina and Imtiaz Ali’s next.

Reshma Kelkar

"SRK has some great rules!” - Priyadarshan

Actor Shah Rukh Khan needs to be applauded — not just for his success in films, or then his new found success on the cricket arena, but for his manners on the sets.

Only recently, the man was shooting in Bandra — never mind the chaos, anticipation and high pressure levels at the IPL, the actor was on the sets giving every take his best shot for Priyadarshan’s Billoo Barber .

Now, we obviously landed up there. And Priyan was all praise for his actor. “He is one actor who doesn’t carry his mobile with him for a shot. It’s a brilliant habit, and no actor that I’ve worked with so far has managed to do that. They are addicted to their cell phones, but SRK has some great rules!” he says.

So, while Karan Johar and Farah Khan may constantly complain about Shah Rukh not replying to SMSes or answering calls, it looks like these diligent spots on the Khan leopard are going to be hard to change.

Kareena, Deepika's item numbers in Billo Barber

Priyadarshan's forthcoming film Billo Barber has been in the news ever since it was announced, as this is the first time that the talented director is working with the 'Baadshah of Bollywood', Shah Rukh Khan. The film which stars Irrfan Khan in the lead role is a story of friendship between a poor villager and a big star and is completely different from Priyan's usual comic fares.

The latest buzz doing the rounds is that the film will have an item number featuring none other than the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor and the super-hot Deepika Padukone along with King Khan. While Kareena has already shot for the number, it is believed that Deepika would be shooting her part later this month.

When Kareena last grooved with Shah Rukh in Don, the song went on to become a chartbuster. As for Deepika, her pairing with SRK in Om Shanti Om also re-wrote the box-office history. So will the same magic be created this time round too? Well….our guess is as good as yours.

Hera Pheri cast gang up for another film

The cast of Hera Pheri will have a reunion of sorts as they gang up for yet another film.

Ratan Jain of Venus has signed Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal for his next, to be directed by Priyadarshan. The film will also have three actresses who will be finalised soon.

The project roll is September and will be completed in a start-to-finish schedule by the year-end.

An insider reveals, “This is the same project Venus has signed Akshay for, at a whopping Rs 40 crore. The makers have zeroed down on an appropriate script.

Though there was an official sequel to Hera Pheri that repeated the cast, it wasn’t directed by Priyan as he doesn’t believe in doing sequels.” Phir Hera Pheri (2006) was directed by Neeraj Vora.

It’s different

Confirming the development, Jain says, “Yes, it is true that we have signed the actors. However the comparison to Hera Pheri didn’t strike us till now.

My film is totally different from Hera Pheri; the only similarities between the two are the principal cast and the director.”

Characters galore

He adds, “We are still looking for three actresses to be a part of the film. We will cast according to the script requirements.

The film will be shot in and around Mumbai and will have at least 20 character actors who will be zeroed upon soon.”

Amul Sharma, Mid-Day

SRK's new film titled 'Billoo Barber'

SRK will soon start shooting for Priyadarshan's film Billoo Barber. A Red Chillies Entertainment venture, the film also stars Irrfan Khan in the title role.

Billoo Barber is an adaptation of the story of friendship between Krishna and Sudama.

Our well-placed source from Red Chillies Entertainment says, “Billoo Barber is a story based on the relationship between Krishna and his childhood friend Sudama. Priyadarshan is adapting this story of friendship between two friends - one rich and the other a poor villager - in a completely new avatar. Here SRK represents Krishna, he plays an actor. On the other hand Irrfan Khan represents Sudama and plays a village barber. The two are friends from school who grow up and drift until they meet again.”


SRK will be seen romancing three different ladies including Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. He has already begun shooting with Kareena but is in talks with Deepika and Priyanka.

For the second female lead opposite Irrfan, Priyadarshan is scouting for a powerhouse performer, someone like Smita Patil. According to our source Ameesha Patel and Tabu are being considered for the second lead. Adds the source, “Shah Rukh will take the final decision about the cast.”

The lyrics are written by Gulzar and the screenplay is by Mushtaq Sheikh and Manisha Korde.

Billoo Barbar is Priyadarshan's 75th film and is rather reluctant to let us in with more on the film He says, “It's too early to give out details about Billoo Barber. Red Chillies will make an official announcement at the right time.”

Ashwini Deshmukh, Mumbai Mirror