School in Bahu's Name - Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Lucknow, Jan. 22: Call it playing the perfect pa-in-law.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has decided to gift a girls’ school to the people of Daulatpur and the buzz is he will name it after “hamari bahu” Aishwarya.

What exactly the name will be has yet to be worked out, but sources close to Bachchan quoted him as saying “it will bear Aishwarya’s name”.

The school, to be built on a 1.09-acre plot in Barabanki district, has revived whispers about the dispute the actor was involved in last year. But this plot — No. 711 — is different, though close to No. 702 that is now owned by the gram sabha.

The foundation-laying ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, at which Bachchan is expected to unveil a plaque carrying his name. Three former chief ministers — Farooq Abdullah, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chandrababu Naidu — are likely to attend, apart from the star-studded Bachchan clan.

Although Bachchan baiters have been questioning his motive in building the school and even alleging “he wants to clear his conscience”, a former Mulayam minister said the actor merely wanted to contribute his bit to increase literacy among girls.

The actor had floated such a suggestion even in the middle of the legal wrangle last year in which he has been cleared by Allahabad High Court.

“Why didn’t Bachchan talk about the school before the dispute? It has come as an afterthought. But good sense, whenever it comes, is welcome,” a Bahujan Samaj Party leader said.

“We would call it a school to clear his conscience.”

A spokesperson in the Delhi office of Bachchan’s wife Jaya confirmed the Barabanki inauguration on Sunday. He said the proposal for the school had been announced last year.

“Mr Bachchan does not need any counselling from anyone on his social commitments,” Arvind Singh Gope, a Samajwadi member, said.

Samajwadi Party sources said the school was likely to be run by a trust and would provide free education to girls from underprivileged families.

- TheTelegraphInidia

Vivek and Abhishek are set to work together

Sounds like a good joke. However, our sources confirm that Bollywood Actors Vivek Oberoi and Abhishek Bachchan would be sharing the screen pace with each other in the Apoorva Lakhia's movie "Mission Istanbul".

This Bollywood movie would be produced by Sunil Shetty and he says that he doesnt have any problem to feature both the actors at the very single screen.

"Why should they have any problems? Abhishek is a thorough professional actor. He has not problem working with anyone. And werent they both part of "Shootout At Lokhandwala" ? Yes,they do have scenes together in "Mission Istanbul". And I'm sure they will do them splendidly. Its a very unfair to bring in personal matters and question professionalism. Neither Abhishek Bachchan and Vivek have expressed any misgivings about working together," Shetty said.

Shetty, currently shooting for his TV show ‘Biggest Loser’, confirms the vast star cast of his forthcoming venture.

“We’ve already confirmed Bobby Deol, Vivek, Abhishek, Shabbir Ahluwaliah. Tusshar Kapoor has problems with the combined dates required with the other actors. The problem is now being worked out,” he said.

The leading ladies are also being finalized. “They’re integral to the action. I need ladies who can kick ass as effectively as the boys,” says Shetty.

Elaborating on the preparations for the film, Shetty said: “‘Mission Istanbul’ is being made on an international scale. The theme requires an international vision. My director is browsing for F-X teams from abroad. It will be top-of-the-line technicians. They’re a step ahead not because they’re more talented but because they’re more professional.”

“We can no longer get away with sub-standard spectacles. Guys who shot ‘Dhoom’ or the forthcoming ‘Cash’ have brought an unparalleled expertise to our cinema. In both forthcoming projects ‘Mission Istanbul’ and ‘Raaste’ with Abhishek, Aishwarya, John and Sikandar Kher, I’m getting top notch technicians associated with the best of Hollywood cinema. We’re spending Rs.250 million on ‘Mission Istanbul’ and ready to spend more. I trust my director Apoorva Lakhia completely,” he said.

- Bollywood Gossips

Whats up ? Ramu !!

Before the release of his much awaited and talked about film Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag , Mr. Varma definitely must have had ‘Butter- flies’ in his stomach. Moreover, since it was not just any usual copy or remake heard of but was a remake of the legendary film, Sholay . Well the film did release and as expected ( especially by Ramesh Sippy) Varma did get his share of flaks pelted at him, but what was really unexpected was that people who usually butter him up too melted away. So when we have the famous and popular ‘Butter ad’ take a dig at him saying, “Ab tera Kya hoga Ramu” one cannot help but be the mean Gabbar Singh to him.

- indiafm.com

Abhishek Bachchan paints for kids

Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan tried his hand at painting for ‘India on canvas’, an art-charity project initiated by Delhi based NGO ‘Khushii’.

The charity project was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gurcharan Kaur, Praful Patel and former cricketer Kapil Dev here yesterday.

‘Khushii’ also opened their ‘art-for-charity’ site, where one can log on and bid for the works of painters like M F Hussain, Tyeb Mehta and Satish Gujral.

The proceeds of the auction will be utilised for a number of projects for children and adolescents run by the NGO. A similar auction last year raised Rs 1.5 crore.

— BollywoodGossips.Net

Casting Ouch: Shilpa Vs Ash

'Pink Panther 2' casting has now become the hotly debated issue in Bollywood. Contrary to latest media reports, Aishwarya’s international agent Simone Sheffield says, "Ms Rai was the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film Pink Panther 2."

The casting director Ilene Starger too endorses this fact by saying, "We did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya. Period. Ash was the actress I envisioned when I read the script. Her intelligence, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us are thrilled to work with her.”

A couple of actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in. It’s sad. If either of them had been offered a role in such a big budget international film, they’d have jumped at the opportunity instead of passing it up.”

Giving her side of story to SantaBanta, Simone says, "Please look at the original document received from Shilpa and you will see a standard letter signed by an office assistant and NOT by Ilene Starger."

"NO WHERE in the letter is there an offer for Shilpa to read, appear or even consider appearing in the film.....it is merely an invitation for Shilpa to submit a tape of herself. PERIOD.....this process is standard in the industry," she adds.

Last week, Ash shot for the film in Paris shooting alongside Steve Martin (who reprises his role as Inspector Jacques Clouseau) and Andy Garcia (Vincente) and has now returned to Mumbai to complete Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj.

- SantaBanta.Com

'I wanted none other than Aishwarya'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

Ash to pair with John Abraham

Despite John and Abhishek not sharing any warm vibes, Aishwarya has signed a candy-floss romance with the Bollywood hunk.

She is in talks with producer Rohan Sippy for a movie that will have John playing her leading man in a romantic story with heavy doses of adventure as well. It will be directed by Sriram Raghavan , the man who directed Ek Haseena Thi .

The yet-untitled film will be shot at exotic locations in foreign countries. The locations are being finalized. The movie’s shooting will most likely begin in November this year.

Aishwarya is presently shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj in Hyderabad and could not be reached for her comment.

John, on the other hand, has also been busy shooting songs for his movie No Smoking and filming for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Aashayein .

Aishwarya Rai is not Pregnant!

Refuting the reports about Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, Abhishek Bachchan has made clear it amply clear that his wife is too busy to start a family.

In fact, she is going to be very busy shooting for the next two years. Just after completing the shooting of Sarkar Raj, the actress will fly to Europe for her third Hollywood venture which is a sequel to Hollywood blockbuster Pink Panther.

It is also reported that the actress will be playing the female lead opposite Steve Martin. Actors Andy Garcia, John Cleese and Alfred Molina have also joined the crew of Columbia Pictures/MGM's ‘The Pink Panther 2’.

Ash will star as a detective along with ‘Spiderman 2’ villain Molina and Garcia, who join forces with bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau, to be played by Martin, to catch the thief who has been stealing artifacts around the world.

Cleese will play Clouseau's superior chief inspector Charles Dreyfus in the movie, according to reports.

Agent Cody Banks director Harald Zwart will be directing the film, which was penned by Scott Neustadter, Mike Weber, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel and Steve Martin.

The film will be produced by Robert Simonds and Ira Shuman will be executive producer.

It is also learnt that Ash will start shooting for a film with Abhishek Bachchan to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions early next year.

With a such packed shooting schedule ahead Ash might just be glowing with work only.