Independence Day special: Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan- Who is the most patriotic actor in B-town?

As India celebrates her 66th year of independence, we revisit some fabulous recent performances by contemporary actors that instilled a sense of national pride in our hearts. Take a look….

Indian cinema celebrated 100 years of its glorious existence this year. In this journey of cinematic bravura we have seen many filmmakers evoking national pride by portraying moving stories on the silver screen. Mega stars have been wearing patriotism on their designer sleeves with panache. As we polish up our patriotic spirit on Independence Day, we ask BollywoodLifers to vote for the most patriotic hero of contemporary times.

This year Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Mikha Bhaag portrayed the deeply moving and incredibly inspiring story of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh, who made the nation proud by winning a record 77 races out of 80 that he ran in. For the portrayal of this larger-than-life figure Farhan Akhtar went that extra mile and produced what can possibly be called the best performance of his career.

From sculpting his body to perfection to understanding every nuance of this layered story, Farhan Akhtar gave his blood and sweat to play the lanky Flying Sikh. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is certainly the most inspiring, feel-good film of the year.

We take a look at some rousing stories of recent times that made us feel proud of the country we belong to. Take a look at our choices and tell us who you think has portrayed the most devoted patriot over the past few years.

Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor to come together on screen after 22 years

They were part of the cast of Delhi-6, however, the duo didn't have any scenes together. But Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor will face each other on the big screen after 22 years to play friends, who have not spoken to each another for 25 years, in Sudhir Mishra's Mehrunissa.

The duo, who were last seen together in Shashi Kapoor-directed 1991 film Ajooba, will go through a period of rehearsals and workshops to play two hostile friends in Mishra's film.

According to a source close to the project: "The two friends, one a Muslim and the other a Hindu, fell out because they were both in love with the same girl. Now 25 years later, they will confront each other."

Mishra wants the two actors to get comfortable being uncomfortable with one another.

"Bachchan saab and Rishiji have to project the friction of two people, two friends who know one another so well that they can remain bonded even without talking for so many years," added the source.

Chitrangada Singh plays the girl they both fell in love with. But most of her scenes would be with the actors who play the young Big B and Rishi.

Mishra will begin shooting the film in September in a start to finish schedule in Lucknow.

Bollywood celebrities to promote health awareness through caller tunes

The next time you call a friend, don't be surprised if you hear Amitabh Bachchan talking about controlling blood pressure, John Abraham giving health tips on how to avoid obesity or Parineeti Chopra asking you to safeguard yourself against cardio-vascular diseases.
The Health Ministry in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated a project where Bollywood celebrities would be giving health tips through mobile phone caller tunes.

The silver screen stars have lend their voice to the first-of-its-kind initiative for promoting health awareness.

The unique 'Donate Your Caller Tune For a Cause' campaign was launched on the World Population Day on July 12, 2013 for creating public awareness about the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and for providing other health tips.

Launching the initiative, Union Health Secretary KN Desiraju said, "We are facing a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, a large proportion of which are preventable by modifying behavioural risk factors like unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, consumption of tobacco products and alcohol etc. It is important that we explore innovative mediums such as caller tunes to create awareness on such issues."

The celebrities and the causes they have supported are Amitabh Bachchan (high blood pressure), Jaya Bachchan (breast and cervical cancer), Akshay Kumar (unhealthy food), Ranveer Singh (fitness), R Madhavan (diabetes), John Abraham (obesity), Shankar Mahadevan (stroke), Shaan (anti-tobacco), Cyrus Broacha (stress) and Parineeti Chopra (cardiovascular disease).

WHO Representative to India, Nata Menabde, emphasised on the need for more such initiatives.

"The idea is to reach out with creative messages for adopting healthy lifestyles. India has one of the largest mobile users in this world and on an average, a person receives around 15 calls a day, making the space of caller tune an untapped area for promoting health causes," said Menabde.

She said celebrities have proven to be good ambassadors for various causes and their involvement adds a lot of value to the campaign.

Under the initiative, a donation is made when people give up their regular caller tunes and replace them with any one of the health awareness messages or subscribe to 'Donate your caller tune' available on website www.donateyourcallertune.in.

IIFA Awards 2013: Amitabh Bachchan to grace ceremony in Macau?

Looks like all’s well between Big B and Wizcraft, and the Bollywood legend might return as the face of IIFA in its 14th edition

After a decade-long association with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, Amitabh Bachchan, then the brand ambassador of the annual event, had a tiff with organisers Wizcraft International Entertainment. This was because the Bachchan family had refused to go to Sri Lanka for the awards in 2010 owing to some opposition to Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s film Raavan in the neighbouring country.

And so, Salman Khan had famously taken over the mantle from Big B, and was seen everywhere at the Sri Lankan IIFA Weekend. But last year again, the big stars of Bollywood like Amitabh, Salman, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar (Aamir Khan doesn’t attend award ceremonies) missed the event. It was evident that the IIFA party was losing sheen.

It seems now Sabbas Joseph of Wizcraft has called a truce and Big B is likely to be the face of the international Bollywood awards ceremony again. And Bachchan will make his comeback at a familiar venue – The Venetian Macao hotel in Macau, where the 2009 IIFA Weekend was held.

Looks like Wizcraft preferred to go with Macau looking at its experience with The Venetian, and rejected Vancouver’s bid earlier this year. Let’s see if Shahrukh and Salman will turn up for the IIFA Awards 2013!

Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar: Who will play a stylish baddie in Dhoom 4?

As Aamir Khan gears up to bring to life a never-seen-before kind of villain in Dhoom 3, we hear that Salman Khan could be roped in to portray the dangerously desirable bad man in the film’s next edition…whenever it happens. Who do you think should be next in the ‘negative’ stakes?
The Dhoom films have catapulted the bad guy’s career to a level that no hero role could do. Remember what it did for John Abraham (Dhoom) and Hrithik Roshan (Dhoom 2)? Miles away from the regular caricatureish, flat-out baddies, Dhoom villains are suave, sophisticated and irresistibly sexy. They do their job with clinical precision and almost always outwit the good guys.

This year, in the film’s third edition, Aamir Khan will be seen playing the hep and happening dark character. While we are waiting to see Mr Perfectionist donning the mantle of a cooler than cool baddie, we are equally exited to predict who else in star studded B-town – from Salman Khan or Shahrukh Khan and from Ranbir Kapoor to Akshay Kumar- has it in him to portray a really hot bad man in the movie’s sequels ( Shall we say Dhoom 4, Dhoom 5 and so on), if they are made. You tell us!

Amitabh Bachchan in love with Shahrukh Khan’s baby son AbRam!

 

Big B met SRK’s little one at the latter’s Eid party on Saturday
When Amitabh Bachchan recently met Shahrukh Khan’s newest family member, he was all praises for AbRam. Soon after the party was over, Amitabh tweeted, “Back after spending a lovely warm evening at Shahrukh’s house. A party for Eid, his little new born, AbRam, who looks adorable.” AbRam is Shahrukh and Gauri’s baby boy, through surrogacy.

Apart from spending time with SRK’s baby, Amitabh had a fun-filled Eid with his grandchildren too. His daughter Shweta Nanda, visited him on Eid, along with her kids Navya Naveli and Agastya. What more, Big B watched SRK’s latest release, Chennai Express with Agastya. With the newfound joy in SRK’s life, looks like there’s a newfound bond too between SRK and Big B!

Salman Khan becomes India’s most searched celebrity online!

The Mental actor races ahead of the biggies like Sachin Tendulkar, Ranbir Kapoor and even Kim Kardashian

Salman Khan’s popularity is mind boggling! The Dabangg dude not only rules the box office but the millions of hearts all across the globe. People want to know everything that bhai is associated with-be it his films, his girlfriends, his bindaas style and his antics ensure that he is always in news. No wonder that Sallu is the most searched celeb online. Such is bhai’s might, that he has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar!

The survey was conducted by Vuclip for the year’s second quarter and revealed that Salman, one of the most eligible bachelors in Bollywood, is the most searched celebrity online in India. The 47-year-old topped the list with his style and charisma leaving behind other top models, actors, cricketers and singers. Surprisingly, the actor was also featured as the second most searched celebrity after Ayu Azhari, a famous actor, in Indonesia.

Interestingly, Katrina Kaif features second on the list while batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Ranbir Kapoor and Kim Kardashian occupy the next positions, in the same order.

What is also surprising is that Salman’s nemesis Shahrukh Khan could not make it to this coveted list and even Amitabh Bachchan’s absence was quite conspicuous.

Looks like, bhai has now become the official King Khan of Bollywood. Right BollywoodLifers?

Kaun Banega Crorepati 7 promo: What is Amitabh Bachchan’s punchline this time?

If you stop learning in life, you will stop tasting victory, says megastar Amitabh Bachchan, in the first promotional trailer of the forthcoming season of popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati

The communication campaign for the show’s new edition is centred around the theme - Seekhna bandh toh jeetna bandh. It will be beamed on the small screen this week.The promo showcases how a certain Mrs Dhingra decides to turn into a wedding planner, and sidelines her learning by saying that what’s the point of learning at her age. What follows is a series of misjudgements in her business, leading to losses. Then she rues: “Kaash kuchh seekh liya hota (wish I would’ve learnt something)”. That’s when Amitabh, the show’s host walks into the frame, urging people to continue learning things in life.

The new season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, a widely popular show based on international show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, will go on air on Sony Entertainment Television towards August-end or early September.

The previous seasons of the show focused on different ideologies. In 2010, the show promoted Koi Bhi Sawaal Chota Nahin Hota (no question is insignificant), while the 2011 edition focused on how Koi Bhi Insaan Chota Nahi Hota, which translated to how no person is smaller than another. While KBC 2012 conveyed the message – Sirf Gyaan Hi Aapko Aapka Haq Dilata Hai, telling masses how only knowledge helps you get your rights.

Big B, 70, changed the face of Indian television when he hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. Its season seven now, we wonder if Mr Bachchan will be able to weave the same magic as before. Guess that’s something we’ll have to wait to find out, no?

Hrithik Roshan versus 15 Bollywood stars!

It’s gonna be a clash of the titans at the box-office this Diwali – buzz is that Hrithik Roshan will take on 15 stars from Bollywood on the day Krish 3 releases

According to reports Hrithik’s hugely anticipated superhero flick Krrish 3 will release alongside the animation film Mahabharat. Interestingly, Mahabharat is a Rs 50 crore project that has 15 stars lending their voices to the various characters, from Amitabh Bachchan who plays Bheeshma, to Vidya Balan as Draupadi and Sunny Deol as Bheem! Krrish 3 is Hrithik’s favourite baby and the actor has given more to this project than any actor ever has to any assignment. With bigwigs like Big B and Vidya associated with the competition, it might just dampen the opening that the Roshan lad might be aiming for.

On the other hand, the makers of Mahabharat have spent seven years on their ambitious project and will not want any kind of spoiler getting in the way of their release date. We heard that Pen India may just adjust the release date of the mega project to avoid any possible battles at the box office, even though the film will be in theatres during the Diwali month. With both parties having invested so much time and effort into their films, we certainly hope that each manages to carve out a special niche, even if they release on the same day. After all, while we love phatakaas at the box-office, we don’t like anyone getting hurt, especially during the festive season!

Cannes 2013: Will Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walk the red carpet with baby Aaradhya?

We hear that the world’s most beautiful mother and B-town diva Ash will walk the red carpet at the French Rivera with daughter Aaradhya. Grandpa Amitabh too will make his ‘grand’ presence felt at the prestigious do, but papa Abhishek will not make it to Cannes this year. Read on to know why…

While most of our B-town folks create shoo-shaa over getting that rare opportunity to fly to the Cannes and soak in its enviable glory, there’s one diva who has been so regular at the prestigious film festival that she knows the glamorous locale like her own backyard. And that name is – no prizes for guessing – none other than Aishwarya Rai Bachchan! The Bachchan bahu has been basking in the media glare all these years at the international fanfare.

This year too, we hear, Ash will attend the 66th Cannes International Film Festival. And guess what! Even her angelic daughter – baby Aaradhya Bachchan – will accompany her gorgeous mom at the red carpet. Now, isn’t that exciting?

What is not so-exciting though is the fact that papa Abhishek Bachchan will not be seen at the event this year, since he will be busy shooting for his forthcoming action movie Dhoom: 3. Sigh! But making up for AB Junior’s absence will be the grand daddy (or shall we say the adorable grandpa) of B-town, Amitabh Bachchan. Big B is already in the news in the global media for his larger than life presence in Baz Luhrmann’s much-talked about movie The Great Gatsby. And now the 70-year-old megastar is gearing up to rock the Cannes with granddaughter Aaradhya in toe!

Toofan trailer: Ram Charan Teja sets the screen on fire!

Check out the Telugu actor along with Priyanka Chopra in the promo of Toofan, the Tollywood remake of classic Bollywood film Zanjeer

Toofan may be an Apoorva Lakhia film, titled Zanjeer in Hindi, but our glimpse of the trailer tells us it’s a full-on Tollywood style flick with all the masala elements the Southern industry is famous for. Ram Charan Teja is in fab shape as the ACP wronged and sent to jail by the baddies. He comes out vowing revenge and there’s going to be plenty of dishoom-dishoom in the film with more than a few well-shot action sequences.

Prakash Raj promises much in yet another negative character, this time as a bejewelled villain.

But it’s not all about the ACP taking on the bad guys and bashing them up. There’s romance aplenty between Ram Charan and Priyanka Chopra, who plays his wife in the film. The trailer gives you a peek into some steamy love scenes between the two as well.

Toofan is the remake of the 1973 Amitabh Bachchan hit Zanjeer. The new version is modern, slick and fast-paced, and will have Ram Charan’s legion of fans cheering for sure. He is, as the trailer declares, the man who breaks the rules to uphold the law.

Amitabh Bachchan thanks Salim-Javed, Prakash Mehra for Zanjeer turning 40!

Four decades ago when Zanjeer came, it not only rocked the box office, but also changed lead actor Amitabh Bachchan’s fortunes in films and even won him the tag of Angry Young Man

On completion of 40 years of the film, Amitabh Bachchan is ecstatic and thanks every one. Released May 11, 1973, the movie starred Big B as police officer Vijay. It was his first blockbuster after a string of flops and after the Prakash Mehra-directed action-revenge thriller, there was no looking back for him. Zanjeer 40 years of release. Goodness… an entire lifetime, an entire change of my world… (writer duo) Salim-Javed, Prakash ji, thank you,” Big B posted on Twitter.

Before Zanjeer, Amitabh grabbed attention with the 1971 hit Anand, but it was after Zanjeer that he became a star to reckon with and gave hit after hit like Abhimaan, Deewaar, Sholay, Mili, Namak Haram, and Chupke Chupke.

Zanjeer also starred Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Bindu and Ajit and a nostalgic Big B wrote: “I know I repeat the 40 years of Zanjeer … but it just does not leave the system.”

Now Prakash Mehra’s son Amit is producing the remake of 1973 classic, which is being directed by Apoorva Lakhia. Southern actor Ram Charan Teja has stepped into Big B’s shoes. The new version also stars Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt.

Uttarakhand floods: Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Yami Gautam tweet

Bollywood celebrities are disturbed over the national tragedy in Uttarakhand

Members of the Hindi film fraternity, including megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan and writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, have mourned the current situation in Uttarakhand where hundreds have died and thousands gone missing in unprecedented flash-floods and landslides.

Here’s what Bollywood celebrities had to say:

Shahrukh Khan: As insignificant as we are against Nature’s fury, a prayer of Hope for all suffering in Uttarakhand. May Allah give them strength & safety.

Amitabh Bachchan: A moment of prayer for those that suffered the floods in Uttarakhand. Many stuck, many lost. Army doing incredible job! Salute.

Javed Akhtar: Uttarakhand has become a national tragedy. So many dams, so called development. Alas, they ignored the environmentalists’ warnings.

Onir: Time for the government and all of us reflect how nature lashes back if we continue to destroy it. Commendable work done by the Army to rescue people. We as a people of the same nation need to get together and support those who have lost everything in this calamity. We have to help them rebuild their lives. It is not only the government’s responsibility.

Yami Gautam: Feels really sad and disturbed (disturbing) to see what havoc has taken place in Uttarakhand. Prayers for all those affected.

Sammir Dattani: Disturbing news of hundreds stuck and lost in Uttarakhand due to floods. Prayers for safety of all out there. The Army is doing their best.

Rajniesh Duggall: Prayers for the fellow citizens. Uttarakhand state government needs to take a step.

The celebrities took to Twitter after media reports said that many people from Chhattisgarh travelling in Uttarakhand as pilgrims were either dead or missing since the last weekend, when the mishap took place.