Nadiadwala plans a star-studded premiere for Kambakht Ishq

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who has collaborated with Hollywood biggies Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards for his forthcoming film "Kambakht Ishq", has invited them for a grand premiere of the film in India later this year. He hopes it will help wipe away the traumatic memories of the Mumbai terror strikes from the tourists' mind.

"It's a do or die thing for me after 26/11. I don't feel like a Bollywood producer at the moment. I'm reacting as an Indian," Nadiadwala told IANS.

Post-26/11, the premiere of the Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer has become a show of strength for Nadiadwala as an Indian more than a producer. Invitations have been sent out to Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

"Let's just say I want my Hollywood team to come and erase 26/11 from Mumbai's tourist map. I'm going to leave no stone unturned to make sure Stallone and others go back with only the fondest memories of Mumbai.

"If six months ago I'd have laid out the red carpet for the Hollywood members of the cast, now I'm putting my entire production machinery and powers of hospitality on the block.

"The 'Kambhakt Ishq' premiere is not about our entertainment industry any more. It's about Mumbai and India. I want Hollywood to come to Mumbai and taste our hospitality. Nothing has changed in the country. We're still as warm and welcoming as we used to be," said Nadiadwala.

Over 20 foreigners were killed in the Mumbai terror strikes.

"'Kambhakt Ishq' is not just an exciting business venture after what happened to Mumbai in November. Suddenly all of us have become more sensitised. We need to prove a point to the world and to ourselves... I realise there's a black mark against Mumbai's name on the tourist map after 26/11. We will erase it. And to do that we need to invite the outside world to come to Mumbai and see that Mumbai is safe. I promise you, Stallone won't go back with any apprehensions about our city."

Carmen Electra to arrive in Mumbai in February to shoot with Akshay

American model, pin-up star, entertainer and performer Carmen Electra will arrive on February 10, 2009 in Mumbai to shoot with Akshay Kumar for Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakht Ishq.

Carmen, who is known for her skin show in Baywatch and horror spoofs like Scary Movie and Meet The Spartans, has been roped in at a price, unheard of among desi item girls.

Carmen, it is reliably learnt, will be shooting with Akshay Kumar in Mumbai on February 10 to a song that is being specially composed for the occasion.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala says, "It's too early to talk about this. But yes, we're shooting a promotional music video with Akshay Kumar and a foreign female celebrity.

At the moment we've wrapped up the entire shooting of Kambhakt Ishq. It's by far the most expensive film I've ever produced. But when I look at the action scenes featuring Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Sylvester Stallone, I'm more than happy."

When Carmen comes in on Feb 10, she and her entourage will be provided the top–most amenities and security. Preparations for her arrival have already started.

She'll be the second international pin-up girl to come to India early next year. In January 2009, Barbara Mori will come down to Mumbai for Hrithik Roshan. In February, it's Carmen Electra for Akshay Kumar.

"Are we in for one major international sizzler for every month in the calendar next year?" jokes the source, confirming Carmen's presence in Mumbai on Feb 10.

Akshay and Kareena shooting for Kambakth Ishq in Venice

The very statement that 'Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor are being paired together' brings all the makings of a Bollywood blockbuster in one's mind! Having said that, if we were to mention that Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh join Akki and Bebo in the film, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest Hindi films ever! Well, this film is none other than Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakth Ishq! Needless to say that, with this, it becomes India's first film to boast of such a huge Indian and International starcast! The film is a romantic comedy about an Indian stuntman who takes Hollywood by storm.

The above pics were taken in Venice where Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor were shooting last week for a song sequence. From the looks of it, it seems like Akshay is trying his best to woo Kareena. The scale at which this film is being shot already makes it a potential blockbuster. Looks like there's no stopping for Akki!

Stallone to attend India premiere of Kambakht Ishq

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has hit it off so well with Sylvester Stallone while shooting for "Kambakht Ishq" that he has convinced the "Rocky" star to attend the premiere of the film here as well as to work together in more movies.

"Yes, Stallone will be coming to Mumbai for the premiere. In fact, we have hit it off so well that I've convinced him for more collaborations with us," Nadiadwala told IANS.

"However, it's too premature to talk about any concrete plans between the two of us. He did give me a book to read, but that doesn't mean I'm making a movie out of it, not yet."

The producer has huge plans for "Kambkaht Ishq". He plans to have an international release of the English version of the movie at the same time with the Hindi in April-May 2009.

"It'll be a much shorter version of the original. While the Hindi version will be around 130 minutes, the English version will be 90-100 minutes long and without any song."

Nadiadwala is working on the English version of "Kambakht Ishq". Though Akshay is all set to finally go international with his first English-language film, he won't be heard speaking in his own voice.

"I'll get dubbing artistes from outside India to dub for everyone, excluding Sylvester Stallone. Akshay certainly can't make himself comprehensible to American audiences in his own voice," said Nadiadwala from Vicenza in Italy, where the last portion of "Kambhakt Ishq" is being shot with Kareena, Akshay, Aftab Shivdasani and Amrita Arora.

To knock off the elaborate Hindi song sequences for the English version, Sajid is getting a creative music director from Hollywood as a consultant.

"We've zeroed in on three guys who specialise in editing Hollywood musicals including the gentleman who did 'The Wedding Singer'. I'll hire one of them to put together the English version of 'Kambhakt Ishq'. I don't want it to be seen as a dubbed Bollywood film. I want it to be on a par with the American releases, just as slick."

This is where the presence of Stallone, Denise Richards and "Entourage" star Holy Valencia would help.

"These stars would help bring in the American audience and establish a connect with the film. Like in India, most audiences won't care about Stallone and other Hollywood stars. They'll just go to watch Akshay."

Nadiadwala is hoping "Kambakht Ishq" would be the international launch of Akshay's career.

"He has it in him. And we've worked really hard to give 'Kambakht' an international look and feel. My film has gone way above budget. I don't think I'll ever be able to make a film so expensive. The ticket fare to Europe alone costs what was the entire budget of my first production."

Superman star Brandon Routh in Kambakkth Ishq

After roping in big Hollywood stars like Slyvester Stallone and Denise Richards for "Kambakkth Ishq", producer Sajid Nadiadwala has now also cast Brandon Routh, better known as Superman, in the film.

Starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, the film is being directed by Sabir Khan. And Brandon has just finished shooting an extensive action scene with Akshay.

"Akshay and Brandon had to perform a stunt scene together. It was the most crucial scene of the film. It was dangerous too. Brandon was very impressed with Akshay after watching him perform dangerous stunts for the film. He was surprised that Bollywood actors perform the stunt scenes themselves," said a source.

Both the stars exchanged tips on fitness action and martial arts.

"It was fun to see them bond. Brandon was very happy working with the team of 'Kambakkth'. As it is, it was such a big coup to get Brandon," added the source.

Brandon is quite popular among kids.

"'Kamabkkhth Ishq' will grab children's interest as well, as they will get to see their Superman sharing space with Indian action king Akshay," said another source.