Suniel Shetty & his wife to be brand ambassadors of Raheja Waterfront

Gone are the days when actors were only actors on the silver screen. Today, they are springing from almost everywhere as not just mere actors, but producers, directors, script writers and last, but not the least brand ambassadors (although, the last option is the most lucrative one of all of them).

That 'Mr. Muscleman' Suniel Shetty is synonymous with hospitality business is well known. He has now taken this a step ahead and has become the brand ambassador of Raheja Waterfront . The source added that Suniel will be sharing his 'brand ambassadorship' with his wife Mana Shetty.

Repeated attempts to establish contacts with the Shettys proved futile.

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Vidya Balan's cameo in Dum Maaro Dum

Vidya Balan seems to be seen in more cameos these days. Only recently we informed you about her cameo in the multi-starrer comedy Thank You. Now news has it that Vidya would also be seen doing a cameo in Rohan Sippy's Dum Maaro Dum.

The buzz is that Vidya plays Abhishek Bachchan's wife in the film. It may be recalled that AB Jr. and Vidya did make for a cute pair in Paa, hope they are able to re-create the same magic once again in Dum Maaro Dum.

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Kangna Ranaut to play Abhishek's life partner in RGV's Department

Day by day, Kangna Ranaut is becoming the talk and the toast of the town. At a time when the industry folks started hurling comments like being 'typecast' as an actress who plays the damsel in distress kind of roles, came a film called Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, in which she played the 'heroine' to the hilt! Post OUATIM came Tanu Weds Manu, a film in which she was appreciated to the core.

Well, the good time seems to be on a 'role' for Kangs, as the reports state that she met with RGV to be finalized as the leading lady for his forthcoming film Department, a film about three cops and the extra-constitutional activities they engage in to maintain a civil society. Reports also have it that she will be playing the role of Abhishek Bachchan's soul-mate and life partner.

With Game's release just around the corner (in which she plays a police officer), one would be more than eager to know about her role in Department!

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Get ready for Sheetalbhabhi.com, the film

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Lucasfilm - Prime Focus to convert Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace to 3D

Lucasfilm, one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies, and Prime Focus, the global visual entertainment services company have announced their collaboration on the 3D conversion of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace for theatrical release, heralding a new era in Star Wars entertainment.

Utilizing Prime Focus' proprietary View-D process, the conversion is scheduled to hit 3D theater screens on February 10, 2012. Involving meticulous crafting and attention to detail by Prime Focus' global contingent of artists, the 3D release promises a wonderfully immersive experience for devotees of the original, and a big screen introduction for a whole new generation.

"It was incredibly important to me that we have the technology, the resources and the time to do this right," said Star Wars creator George Lucas. "I'm very happy with the results I've been seeing on Episode I."

Prime Focus founder and CEO Namit Malhotra said, "Wherever you are in the world, the Star Wars films have become part of the very fabric of filmmaking - the epitome of the big screen experience. To be chosen by Lucasfilm as a trusted partner, and to be given the time and the opportunity to re-present this series as a new experience to both old and new audiences alike, is an incredible honor. For a project of this importance and magnitude, Lucasfilm and ILM would only have chosen a company with the best talent in the industry, leading proprietary technology and infrastructure, a production-proven pipeline and unmatched scale. I am hugely proud that Prime Focus is that company."

The extensive conversion process is being completed under the close supervision of John Knoll, Visual Effects Supervisor for ILM.

"Getting really good results from stereo conversion requires a lot of attention to detail and it is imperative that you take the time to get it right - and that's just what we're doing," said Knoll. "We're taking a different approach than you might expect. George's vision has been to add dimension to the film in subtle ways. This isn't a novelty conversion, with things jumping out at the audience; our ambition is been to enhance the Star Wars theatrical experience, utilizing the latest tools and techniques."

Prime Focus has delivered work on films such as Avatar, Shrek, Tron: Legacy, Narnia: Voyage of The Dawn Treader and most recently Sucker Punch. Deploying its global View-D conversion crew on the Star Wars project, led out of the Prime Focus Hollywood office, artists in Los Angeles, London and Mumbai are delivering shots via Prime Focus' 'Global Digital Pipeline.' In collaboration with ILM, the meticulous conversion is being completed with the utmost respect for the source material, and with a keen eye for both technological considerations and artistic intentions.

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John and Bipasha signed up as brand ambassadors for Wella Hair Colour

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu make the hottest couple not just onscreen but off screen as well. The couple will now been seen together for a huge brand endorsement.

Bollywood Hungama's reliable sources said that John and Bipasha have now been signed up as brand ambassadors for Wella Hair Colour. Wella has been a respected brand world over for hair products.

The official announcement of the same is awaited

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News Break: 'Ready' first look

Are you ready for the first look of the latest Salman Khan starrer READY? Post WANTED and DABANGG, Salman Khan has emerged one of the biggest crowd pullers of Hindi cinema and every film of his carries humungous expectations. While READY is confirmed to hit the screens globally on 3 June, the producers will reveal the first look poster of this keenly anticipated film on 5 April, while the first promo will be unleashed on 15 April. "We are trying to plug it during the IPL as well," READY producer Bhushan Kumar informs me.

Meanwhile, the worldwide theatrical distribution rights of READY have been picked up for a fantastic price.

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Sid Jain talks about animated Andaz Apna Apna and other line up of IRock this yea

At the on-going FICCI-FRAMES 2011 convention in Mumbai, Sidhartha M Jain of iRock announced quite a few interesting films which his company would be making in the days to come. iRock is the name behind films such as the forthcoming flick Ragini MMS and Shaadi Of The Dead.

Speaking at FICCI-FRAMES 2011, Sidhartha said, "We are ready with Ragini MMS which is India's first found footage reality horror film. The film is made in association with Balaji's ALT Entertainment. Post that we have India's first zombie comedy film Shaadi Of The Dead starring Abhay Deol and we are in the process of finalizing a few other actors. It's a never before seen concept of zombies gate-crashing a big fat Punjabi wedding. We also have a film called Bloody Veer in the pipeline and also have plans to make India's first space adventure film."

However the last project which Sid announced took everyone by surprise. He said, "We would also be making an animation sequel to a very popular film - Andaz Apna Apna. We are pretty focused that we are creating content for the youth in the age group of 13-35 years."

iRock, which received initial funding form Manmohan Shetty, also has Mr.Shekar Kapur on board as a Mentor. In fact, Shekhar is closely involved with iRock's forthcoming project Shaadi Of The Dead.

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James Cameron visits Priyan's Malayalam film set in Abu Dhabi

The Titanic-Avatar's director James Cameron is planning a film based in India. In Abu Dhabi earlier this week, for a media summit, Cameron suddenly landed up on location to watch Priyadarshan shoot a Malayalam film with Mohanlal.

Cameron spent a good two hours with Priyan and his leading man. "He didn't know anyone from the Indian film industry except Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He didn't know me or my work. But had an insatiable curiosity about what I was doing and where I came from. He is going to watch my Kanchivaram," says Priyadarshan proudly.

When James Cameron suddenly dropped in on location at Abu Dhabi to meet Priyadarshan, the Avatar director only knew he was going to meet a prolific South Indian filmmaker. When Cameron heard Priyadarshan's output he was shocked.

Cameron, who has directed barely 32 films in 33 years of his career, thought he had heard wrongly. And considering Priyan's thick accent, it'd be easy for a Canadian to misunderstand.

Speaking from Abu Dhabi, Priyan laughs, "When I told him that I had made 81 films he just couldn't believe it, and asked me to repeat the number. Cameron makes one film every 3-4 years. For him to understand how we filmmakers operate in India is impossible."

Cameron was under the impression that Priyadarshan only directed South Indian films. On hearing of Priyan's track-record in Hindi, Cameron desired to watch his Bollywood films. But Priyan shied away from exposing his Bollywood side to Cameron.

Recounts Priyan, "When he got to know I make Hindi films too, he wanted to see some of my work in Bollywood. But I am not showing him my Hindi films. I want him to watch my Kanchivaram. Most, including me, consider it my best work. It is also my most Indian work. I want him to get a feel of the real India through Kanchivaram."

Priyan will send Cameron a DVD copy of Kanchivaram. "We exchanged email IDs and phone numbers and I intend to keep in touch with him, and not only because I admire his work so much but also because he was such a humble down-to-earth man. He kept telling me to shoot as it was approaching dusk and the light would fade."

Priyan wanted to attend Cameron's lecture on the 3D technique in Abu Dhabi. "But I couldn't get the time. I'm going to connect with Cameron now and we'll exchange ideas. A joint venture? Why not?"

In fact, Priyan and Cameron have already discussed a collaborative endeavour. We are not supposed to know about it. But it's apparently a film that Cameron will produce and Priyadarshan will direct.

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Kareena Kapoor to be brand ambassador of Lavie range of handbags

The charm and the magic of Bebo is not just restricted to Bollywood but has reached the shores of ad world too!

Well, after having lent her name and face to a million products, Kareena Kapoor will now be seen as the brand ambassador of Lavie range of handbags, inform Bollywood Hungama's reliable sources. The source also added that Kareena will be shooting for a TVC and also press ads that revolve around the theme 'Me, Myself & I'.

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Zarine Khan signed for Housefull 2

The cast of Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull 2 directed by Sajid Khan seems to get bigger by the day and the latest addition to the cast is Zarine Khan.

Zarine, who debuted opposite Salman Khan in Veer, joins Asin and Jacqueline as the female leads of the film. Meanwhile the 3 male leads are of course Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and John Abraham. However it's not yet revealed whom Zarine is paired opposite as the story is full of twists and turns.

With such a mammoth cast, the makers sure have a House Full of stars.

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Celina Jaitly injures her hand

The gorgeous Celina Jaitly had a freak injury when she sprained her hand while doing some household work. Though it's not a major scare, the actress has been advised to take it easy for a few days.

Celina has a major film Thank You releasing next month (April 8) so she would be hoping she recovers soon so that she could take active part in the promotions of the film.

We wish Celina a speedy recovery.

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Yash Raj Films launches youth films studio called Y-Films

A while ago we had informed you that Yash Raj Films is planning to launch a new division targeting the youth. The wait has now ended as Yash Raj Films has launched its youth films studio called Y-Films. The new division is a dynamic, vibrant start-up at the intersection of films, creativity and youth culture that hopes to challenge the norm and detonate boundaries. It promises to give the youth a creative outlet and voice that will entertain and unite on films and beyond.

The youth is the largest movie going audience - both in India as well as overseas. However, currently there has been no focused attempt to create films for them, unlike the West where the teen film is a genre of its own. And given the fact that over 70% of India is below the age of 35 - it's too big an audience to ignore.

Y-Films is headed by Ashish Patil, formerly head of youth music channel MTV in India. Patil adds, "Y-Films promises to deliver kick ass films of the youth, by the youth, for the youth. And be a platform for new talent - both on screen and behind the scenes - who will challenge, break and set new rules of story telling. Get ready to spread the Y-rus!"

The films will be laser-focused on the universe of the young covering all genres - thrillers, comedies, chick-flicks, capers - with some really fresh music. It's an aggressive slate with the first film - Luv Ka The End, an 'anti-rom-com' - gearing up for release on 6th May, 2011 starring Shraddha Kapoor and a fresh new cast. The promos for this are expected to break at the launch event end-March.

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Veteran actor Naveen Nischol passes away

Naveen Nischol was one of the very few actors who were successful in films as well as television. The talented actor passed away this morning due to heart attack.

After having made his debut with the Hindi film Sawan Bhadon in the year 1970, Naveen went on to do films like Buddha Mil Gaya, Victoria No. 203, Dhund… to name a few and of course the most recent being Khosla Ka Ghosla and Break Ke Baad. He also became a big name on television in the 90s due to the popular TV serial 'Dekh Bhai Dekh'.

Rockunlimited prays for his soul to rest in eternal peace.

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Priyanka Chopra to be brand ambassador of Nikon?

Priyanka Chopra is one person who rightly belongs to the place where she is now: 'Numero Uno'. Be it her films, hosting reality shows or brand endorsements, she is the reigning queen.

Bollywood Hungama's reliable sources inform that Priyanka has now been signed up as the brand ambassador of Nikon cameras. The source also added that the brand was looking for someone who is nothing short of a Bollywood diva. And Priyanka Chopra is someone who fitted the bill to a 'T'.

The official announcement of the same is awaited.

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Gul Panag to marry boyfriend Rishi Attari

It seems to be the year of weddings, with Lara Dutta tying the knot with Mahesh Bhupathi, and now we hear that Gul Panag will soon be walking down the aisle as well. Yes folks, the Turning 30 actress will be tying the knot with long time boyfriend and former classmate Rishi Attari, who is a pilot by profession.

Gul, who recently had a gala bachelorette party in Delhi, has her wedding scheduled to take place this Sunday in Delhi. However, the mehendi and sangeet ceremonies will be held in Chandigarh. Gul will also have a wedding reception in Mumbai for her Bollywood friends.

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Major changes in Shah Rukh's film production methods

Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Production house is no more a one-man show. In what seems to be major revision in his working methods, Shah Rukh, known to have his finger in every pie, has decided to delegate more authority and power to his extremely efficient colleagues and directors.

This critical decision must be weighed in the light of Shah Rukh's decision to devote the most time to what he really loves doing the most: acting and being with his family.

Says a source close to SRK, "All these years Shah Rukh has been able to devote himself with equal passion to a number of activities both within his own production house and outside. But now, he wants to focus on what he loves best. He wants to build his equity as an actor. At the same time he doesn't want to miss out on his children's growing years."

To implement his new energy-conservation policy, Shah Rukh has withdrawn his responsibilities towards the post-production of Ra.One.

Says the source, "Earlier whenever Shah Rukh produced films, he was hand-on in every department. This time he has left the entire production and post-production in other professional hands, so much so that he hasn't even watched the rushes of Ra.One as yet. As far as he is concerned, his job as an actor and producer in Ra.One is done. His team has now taken over."

Most of Shah Rukh's associates have observed that he has now become a team player.

Says a close friend, "Earlier he took personal charge of everything that flowed out of his production house. That has changed now. Maybe it's the IPL effect on Shah Rukh. But he now insists on other professionals in his production house doing their jobs while he does his own."

Director Anubhav Sinha confirms that Shah Rukh Khan has not seen the rushes of Ra.One yet. "I've been persuading him to watch it. But he has been shrugging it off. As far as he's concerned he's moved on. 'Picture ban gayi na. Now is the time to focus on its marketing,' Shah Rukh told me. He has always been a restless soul. Now he is even more so."

This refusal to rest on laurels and to linger on current production activities is an indication of the direction Shah Rukh's life will take in the coming years.

It's time for the superstar to let others in his company make their presence felt. It's also time for the mega-star to stop being taken for granted.

For years Shah Rukh has played cameos, done guest appearances and voiceovers for friends and strangers. Now, we are told, he won't be taken for granted.

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Asha Bhosle to make her big screen acting debut in Maaee

Talent is a strange thing. It often makes the talented do things that the world looks at and says, "Why?" Or "Why now?" Talent often has no answer other than to say, "Well, it just felt right." And so you see artistes often branching out into fields other than their own, sometimes related to what they acquired fame in, sometimes not really related. So Tagore took up painting at a later stage in his life leaving an indelible mark on the field, actors like Aamir Khan and Robert Redford decided to direct. And now it is that living legend Asha Bhosle - whose voice has been instrumental in shaping the characters that actresses were trying to portray on screen - has decided to step in front of the camera herself.

Perhaps the signs of her acting ability were already seen in her music videos and even her on-camera interviews. No one who has seen Ashaji in her music videos can deny that she has an irresistible magnetism and undeniable charm on camera. It is that magnetism and charm that made producer Nitin Shankar decide on Ashaji as the perfect person to embody the title role in his debut Hindi Feature film Maaee. The film tells the poignant tale of what happens when a woman is abandoned by her only son and then goes to live with her daughter and son-in-law. It is a complex role, but director Mahesh Kodiyal has no doubt that Ashaji will be able to pull it off.

When asked what it was that drew her to make her big screen acting debut, Ashaji said in her inimitable style, "Well, to start with, it was something that I hadn't done so far. My fans know very well that I do whatever my heart says is good to do. And the moment this story was narrated to me, I connected so very strongly with it as a mother and a human being even though it was so far removed from my own life and experience. I knew then and there that there was no way I could let the opportunity to essay this character pass me by." It also added to her comfort that in this touching story of a mother-daughter relationship in the present day, the critical role of her daughter was being played by Padmini Kolhapure, not only another well regarded actress of Indian Cinema, but also someone she has worked with and knows well and last but not the least her son Anand Bhosle who felt that the script was great and whose opinion she trusts immensely.

Maaee goes on the floor in April this year and will be shot entirely in Mumbai. Ashaji is already bubbling with the creative energy that she brings to everything that she touches.

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Housefull 2 to be shot in virgin locales like Chile and Argentina

Housefull 2 will be shot in Chile and Argentina where no Hindi film has been shot before. "Besides these virgin locales, we're also shooting Housefull 2 in the UK, Phuket and Hong Kong," informs Sajid. It's not just virgin locations that turn on Sajid Khan. It's also virgin pairs. "That's why I've replaced all the girls. I've paired Asin for the first time with Akshay, John Abraham for the first time with Jacqueline Fernandez. We're looking for a leading lady for Riteish Deshmukh," informs Sajid Khan. Now that Riteish's good friend and co-star Jacqueline has moved on to John on screen, one wonders whom Riteish will get paired with in Housefull 2! Sajid is also excited about bringing the two brothers Randhir and Rishi Kapoor together. "I'm their huge fan. I had so much fun working with Dabooji in Housefull. And Chintuji is arguably the most natural entertainer we've ever had in our films. And guess what? I'm naming them 'Daboo' and 'Chintu' in the film as well." Sajid Khan is in principal against sequels. "I dropped plans of doing a sequel to my Heyy Babyy. But Housefull is a franchise. My producer Sajid Nadiadwala and I want to carry it forward. We've retained the name and the basic premise of a house crammed full with character chaos and comedy. Everything else is completely different from the first Housefull."      View Comments   |    Post Comments

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Adah Sharma to be the brand ambassador of Limca

The only thing that clicks in Bollywood is 'Style'. And what do you call someone who has got 'Style' in her name itself! No prizes for guessing that we are indeed talking about the gorgeous Adah Sharma, the PYT who made her dream debut with 1920, and ever since then, there was no looking back for this babe!

That Adah is a brand ambassador of many FMCG products is a known fact. And if Bollywood Hungama's ever so reliable sources are to be believed, then, Adah has now added yet another brand in her kitty. And the brand is Limca. The source also added that the basic reason for the company to zero down on Adah Sharma was because they were looking for someone who is fresh and young. And Adah fitted the bill to a 'T'.

Readers maybe aware of the fact that prior to Adah, Deepika Padukone and Hrishita Bhatt were the brand ambassadors of the brand.

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Minissha Lamba, Sonal Chauhan and Neha Sharma signed for Boodha

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It's a clear case of 'Teen Deviyaan' and a 'Boodha'. Well, we are talking about the film that stars Amitabh Bachchan and Sonu Sood, which goes by the name of Boodha.

And the 'Teen Deviyaan' signed for the film are Minissha Lamba, Neha Sharma (of Crook fame) and Sonal Chauhan. If that wasn't enough, the film already has the mega stars Hema Malini and Raveena Tandon! With the ensemble cast of the above, we are sure that Amitabh and Sonu will surely be spoilt for choices!

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