Zayed crazy about Hrithik

Hrithik Roshan is busy collecting accolades and trophies for Jodhaa Akbar and one man who is extremely proud of his achievements is his bro-in-law Zayed Khan.

When we last spoke to Zayed, we found out that the Khan wanted to do something ‘monumental’ as well. “I’d love to play a historic role, but I have miles to go before I get to do what Hrithik is doing. Hrithik is extremely hard working and for me to reach there will require a lot of maturity,” said Zayed. Now his saala’s compliment must be no less than an award for Hrithik... after all family comes first, right Hrithik?

M.F. Husain loves 'Yuvvraaj'

Subhash Ghai has found a new fan in M.F Husain. The legendary painter is so impressed by Ghai's latest offering “Yuvvraaj” that not only has he watched it twice in the theatre but has also offered to make a painting on the movie.

Ghai's multi-starrer has received mixed reviews everywhere, but it is Husain's appreciation of the movie that has Ghai feeling honoured.

When contacted, the renowned painter was all praise for the movie: “‘Yuvvraaj’ is the kind of movie we get to see once in many years. I have always been extremely fond of Subhashji's work and ‘Yuvvraaj’ is one of the finest movies I have seen in a long time. I wonder on what basis are the people criticising the movie; I feel it is a beautifully made film with extremely melodious music and some brilliant performances."

"Yuvvraaj has been a marvellous experience. I am flattered by Hussainji's appreciation for the movie. It is an honour to hear such words of appreciation from a legend like M.F Husain. I am also very deeply moved by his offer to make a painting on ‘Yuvvraaj’; this is by far the biggest compliment I have received on this movie," said Ghai.

B.O. update: 'Yuvvraaj' 40% - 60% start, 'Dostana' 1st wk nett 28 cr.

Subhash Ghai's ambitious fare YUVVRAAJ started well in the morning shows. The shows in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and NCR were almost packed, but the noon shows showed a decline as the film performed in the 40% - 60% range. The film picked up during the evening shows, but it remains to be seen where it tilts on Saturday and Sunday. YUVVRAAJ is crucial for both, Ghai and Salman Khan, who've been facing rough weather professionally.

Meanwhile, last week's DOSTANA was rock-steady on Friday, the first day of its second weekend. The trade is hopeful that the business will be strong on Saturday and Sunday as well. The first week nett [India] is approx. Rs. 28 crores [as per Dharma Productions]. Fantastic!

Yuvraaj - Movie Review

Every step you take, every move you make... we'll be watchin' you. Have altered the lines of a famous song. For, this one's applicable for Subhash Ghai, a proficient storyteller, one of the most successful stories from this side of the Atlantic. Irrespective of how his films are received at the ticket window, Ghai's movies are always under scrutiny. You watch every film with a magnifying glass.

YUVVRAAJ is no exception!

Ghai's forte has been drama. Recall the dramatic moments in KARZ, VIDHAATA, MERI JUNG, RAM LAKHAN, KARMA, SAUDAGAR. He re-visits the genre with YUVVRAAJ. Besides, YUVVRAAJ is his most opulent work thus far. It has a sweeping effect, the film makes a stunning visual statement.

Honestly, YUVVRAAJ isn't Ghai's best work, but post YAADEIN, KISNA and BLACK & WHITE, YUVVRAAJ salvages him, even redeems the storyteller.

The story [Ghai] mirrors a universal truth. Greed leads to disputes and in turn, ruins all relationships. A fact you've heard or witnessed time and again in real life. While the story is captivating, the screenplay doesn't really do justice to the thought. Also, Rahman's music acts as a soothing balm, but the problem is, it takes time to grow on the listener. And that could be a deterrent.

Yet, in all fairness, YUVVRAAJ is a notch above the commonplace. If you intend spending your hard-earned money on it or devoting 3 hours of your precious time on Ghai's new outing, chances are you won't regret it.

Deven Yuvvraaj [Salman Khan] is a chorus singer, in love with Anushka [Katrina Kaif]. Her father Dr. Banton [Boman Irani], however, is dead against this relationship. Things take a turn when Deven's father passes away and he returns to London to stake claim on his father's wealth.

He meets his two estranged brothers Gyanesh Yuvvraaj [Anil Kapoor] and Danny Yuvvraaj [Zayed Khan] after almost twelve years. But things aren't hunky-dory between them...

Ghai has an eye for visuals and every frame of YUVVRAAJ seems like a painting on celluloid. Unmistakably, that's the first thing you notice as YUVVRAAJ unfolds.

It takes time to absorb YUVVRAAJ. In fact, Ghai doesn't open all his cards at the very outset. It's only when the father [Javed Shaikh] passes away and Mithun Chakraborty, the Executor of the Will, enters the scene that the wheels start moving.

The film gathers momentum after the interval. If the first hour has a few by-now-famous Ghai scenes, the second hour sees Ghai in form, with a number of sequences staying in your memory. The penultimate 20-25 minutes are the best. Watch Anil go through the handycam with disbelief, watch Anil and Salman's act during the concert, watch Salman's emotional outburst towards the end... also the titles [brings back memories of OM SHANTI OM].

On the flip side, the screenplay is erratic. There're constant highs and lows in this journey, the film works in patches. In fact, the screenplay falls prey to predictability and mediocrity at places.

Ghai handles the dramatic scenes with flourish. Rahman's music is soothing, but you expect more because Ghai's movies are embellished with lilting music that you recall even after 2 or 3 decades. Kabir Lal captures the striking beauty of Europe well. The output is superb. The sets [Omung Kumar] are truly majestic.

YUVVRAAJ belongs to Anil Kapoor, who towers above the entire cast and delivers a natural, believable performance. Salman's looks are inconsistent. At times the boyish look is intact, at times he looks bloated. Ditto for his hairstyle. His performance, however, is better, mainly towards the finale. Zayed tries hard and convinces in a few scenes. Mithun Chakraborty is fantastic in a brief role.

Katrina looks angelic. Despite the focus being on the three men, she registers an impact. Boman Irani is credible, especially in the scene when he steps out of the Operation Theatre towards the end. Aushima Sawhney is confident. Anjan Srivastava and the pack of villains/vamps look straight out of RAM LAKHAN and TAAL.

On the whole, YUVVRAAJ is interesting in parts, with the penultimate 20/25 minutes taking the film to an all-time high. At the box-office, the package [a mammoth cast, Subhash Ghai, A.R. Rahman, the stunning locales of Europe] should ensure a hearty opening and with no major opposition in the forthcoming week, it should keep its investors smiling.

Bollywood's first underwater song

At the moment Zayed Khan is the happiest and the unhappiest actor from Bollywood. He's on top of the world because he'll soon be shooting the first underwater song- sequence ever in Hindi cinema.

Excited as hell Zayed who has been stationed in Bangkok and Phuket for the past month says, "It's never been done before. On the concept level itself, it sounds too outrageous... The entire cast singing in the deep-sea. That's unique-man!" Hate to burst Zayed's bubble. But decades ago in Anmol Moti claiming to be India's first underwater film Jeetendra and Babita sang 'underwater', which was actually a swimming pool. So yes, Blue is the first Bollywood film that will have the entire cast of Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Lara, Katrina and Zayed doing a song sequence in the deep sea. A baffling concept for sure.

Laughs Zayed, "Yes. But you've to see how we're going to do it. The director got the concept from an ad. We all jumped at it. It's not often that you get to do something so unique." But with the excitement comes the damper. Inclement weather in Bangkok is playing havoc with the Blue schedules. Says the anxious and depressed Zayed, "We knew it was going to rain in Bangkok and Phuket. But not like this! Apparently, this area has never had so much rain. Everyday we're losing precious time. Today again, we're stuck indoors while it pours outside. The producers are losing Rs. 25 lakhs per day. And moreover we can't extend the shooting because we-Sanju Sir, Akshay and I-can't give combined dates for a long time," said Zayed on Saturday.

A good excuse for the unit to bond? "Not really. I'd rather be back home with my wife Malli (Malaika) and son Zidaan. I miss them specially my son. I want to watch him grow, not be away for long periods from home, and miss this phase in my son's life." Zidaan can't travel with Papa all the time. "He came with my wife to the Bahamas when we were shooting there. But he can't keep traveling all over. He has to develop an immunity system. I do miss my son. But my wife emails me his pictures everyday."

Priyanka, Kareena, Harman, Vidya, Vivek, Zayed to walk ramp

The International Indian Film Academy [IIFA] will be showcasing unique events in an attempt to enable Indian cinema aficionados experience stardom. The highpoint of this year's IIFA celebrations would be the glamorous IIFA Fashion Extravaganza with leading Indian and Thai designers presenting their fashion lines at this prestigious platform.

What makes the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza even more special is that the beneficiary is the IIFA Foundation, a charity organization set up by IIFA to support families of the film industry workers who have been adversely affected during the production of a film. .

Scheduled on the second day of the IIFA Weekend Bangkok, the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza, presented by alternative clothing brand Mufti and Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, will be held at one of Thailand 's most high-profile venues, the Siam Paragon Hall. .

The glitzy extravaganza, hosted by Karan Johar, will showcase designs by Alta Moda, Mufti, Sabyasachi, Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra and Vikram Phadnis. Choreographed by Lubna Adams, it will feature 25 Thai models and 15 Indian models adorning jewelry from Gitanjali Lifestyle and Diamrusa. .

Leading Indian stars will walk the ramp as showstoppers for their favorite designers. While Vidya Balan will add elegance to Sabyasachi's line, Kareena Kapoor will up the glam quotient for Manish Malhotra's designs. The cast of the forthcoming film DE TAALI, Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh and Ayesha Takia, will walk the ramp for Vikram Phadnis and the LOVE STORY 2050 couple -- Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja -- will be showstoppers for Rohit Bal. .

The MISSION ISTANBUL cast -- Zayed Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Shriya Saran, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Nikitin Dheer, Shweta Bharadwaj -- also promise to set the ramp on fire, while showcasing the look of the film. ACID FACTORY, a film that has just begun production, will also share its first look with Dia Mirza, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea and Aftab Shivdasani walking the ramp, partaking in the revelry.

New 'Mission Istanbul' Trailer

First Look - Mission Istaanbul

Wish Zayed Khan, a very Happy Birthday

He is one of the impeccable Khans who is shaking Bollywood, not merely with his good looks, but also with his immense acting talents!

He is undoubtedly the Brand Ambassador of the 'GenNext' brigade! We are talking about the super cool dude Zayed Khan, who celebrates his Birthday on April 27. Having Sanjay Khan as his father, the suave Feroze Khan as his uncle, Hrithik Roshan as his brother-in-law, and Fardeen Khan as his cousin brother, acting & good looks had to be the 'but naturally quintessential element' in his blood!

Having made a smashing debut with Chura Liya Hai Tumne, which was followed by the smash hit Main Hoon Na, this cool-dude of Bollywood has no looking back since then! Having some real cool films coming up like Yuvraaj, Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge, Mission Istaanbul besides others, future is indeed very bright for him!

So, people what you are waiting for! Go ahead and wish this B-Day boy by posting your wishes below!

Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision's next 'Blue'

2008 should mark the revival of the action genre. Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan will be performing daredevil and death-defying stunts in their forthcoming films. Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision, makers of BHAGAM BHAG, MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, GOLMAAL and JAB WE MET, are ready to make one of the most expensive films ever made in India. The genre is action.

Titled BLUE, the top production house has assembled an impressive line up of stars, which includes Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. Tony, a new director, has been entrusted the directorial reins of this project.

“Major action portions of the film will be shot underwater in Bahamas. In fact, the cast will be undergoing extensive training in underwater stunts before we begin filming,” Suniel Shetty tells me. Reportedly, the film is budgeted at more than Rs. 100 crores.

Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama

Workentine Day

It’s no-play for B-Town actors, at least, most of them as they get ready to face the cameras on a day for dilwaale

You see them sizzle the celluloid with their on-screen ardour.

Whether running around trees (old style) or singing of love and lust in a rain-drenched numbers, we think actors epitomize the perfect coo-some twosome.

Yet, on Valentine’s Day, most of them will do nothing more exciting than work. With shootings eating up their entire day, our Bollywood love bugs will be whispering sweet nothings, only to the camera though.

Aishwarya Rai
I’ll be attending the premiere of Jodhaa-Akbar in Delhi on Valentine’s Day. But Abhishek will be with me. So no complaints.

Bipasha Basu
We’re going for a short trip to Cape Town. For the last three years on Valentine’s Day, John and I have been in different countries. I’m looking forward to this flash holiday.

Amrita Rao
I’m shooting all day and attending a birthday party in the evening. I wish all those people in love remain so forever. And those who don’t, may they please find love this Valentine’s Day.

Koena Mitra
Since I don’t have anyone special in my life, I’d do the usual things, like watching a movie with my girlfriends, shopping till I drop and some harmless male-bashing with my girlie pals. And hmmmm, I may do some serious flirting. Is that allowed?

Priyanka Chopra
I don’t believe you need a reason or a particular day to say you love someone. When you’re in love, every day is special.

Celina Jaitly
Though I’m working on Valentine’s Day, I have a special show for the day on MTV for the singles. I’ll watch it and have a good laugh

Riya Sen
Nothing exciting. I’ll be working. I’m in Delhi on the 14th for an appearance.

Malaika Arora
I want to spend the day with all my loved ones. I don’t anyone to be alone on Valentine’s Day.

Amrita Arora
Will be shooting on Valentine’s. I wish to have my loved ones with me forever.

Tanushree Dutta
I’m shooting on Valentine’s Day. So no Valentine plan. I wish I’d be in Paris for the next Valentine’s Day.

And the guys…

Zayed Khan
It was on Valentine’s Day, five years ago, that I proposed to Malaika. So it’s a doubly special day for me. I think I’m going to try my hand at being a chef, and have a go at some fine wine that I’ve been saving up for us for a special day. We’ll be at home since we don’t want to leave our son Zidaan alone.

Neil Mukesh
Will be going out with a secret Valentine to a secret place.

Kushal Punjabi
Besides shooting, I’ll be doing what all other lovers do on Valentine’s Day. Exchang-ing cards and listening to romantic songs. What did you think?

Dino Morea
Since I’ve no love life, I’ll be doing some good for society. Will be meeting cancer patients who are couples and helping one another through life. Then I’m off to Delhi for an event.

Aryan Vaid
My Valentine’s Day plans are open. I’m single so nothing’s happening.
I want to celebrate love. It’s such an amazing time and with the Mumbai weather being so romantic, this Valentine’s Day will be special even without a play-mate.

Muzammil Ebrahim
It’s my mother’s birthday on Valentine’s Day, so there’ll definitely be lots of celebrations.

Manoj Bajpai
I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day. You don’t need one special day to show your partner how much you love her.

Farhan Akhtar
Since I’m shooting for Rock On, it’ll be a very routine Valentine’s Day for me. But the night gets exciting when I get to see an intensely romantic film, Jodhaa-Akbar.

Hrithik & Zayed proved their daredevilry at the premiere of ‘Dhoom 2’

If you thought that Hrithik Roshan and Zayed Khan are just onscreen heroes, think again. The duo recently proved their daredevilry at the premiere of ‘Dhoom 2’ at Yashraj Studios. A source reveals, “After the show got over the guests got into the elevator. The lift was filled to capacity. So it got stuck.” But Hrithik, Zayed and VJ Ranvijay came to the rescue of those trapped. The trio actually broke the elevator door and got them all out safely!

"Hello" has so many expressions and moods

we told you about Atul Agnihotri’s new venture, based on the novel ONE NIGHT @ THE CALL CENTER [authored by Chetan Bhagat]. Atul had mentioned then that he was on the lookout for a short name for the film. Well, Atul has finalized it, the film is called HELLO.

An offbeat title indeed! “Oh yes,” Atul retorts quickly, “Hello has so many expressions and moods. It’s a form of greeting. It’s akin to posing a question [Hello?]. Hello could also be a wake up call… But most importantly, it suits the theme of my film since the story revolves around a group of six call center employees. And the first word you invariably utter when you answer calls is Hello.”

While Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will feature in guest roles, Sharman Joshi, Zayed Khan, Celina Jaitley and Gul Panag have been finalized to essay the principal characters. “We need to finalize one more girl and a senior actor for the role of Military Uncle,” Atul divulges.

Another interesting development is that four music directors have worked together on the first track of the film. Yes, you’ve read that right! Music composers Sajid-Wajid and Salim-Sulaiman have joined hands for a single track, perhaps working together for the first time. How did that happen? “Friends, after all,” Atul says shyly.