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

How Abhishek fell in love with Ash!!!

Abhishek Bachchan said his wife is uncomplicated and "always smiling," in a newspaper interview published Wednesday, describing how he met and fell in love with Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai.

Bachchan and Rai were married in April in what Indian media dubbed "The Wedding of the Century" — an extravagant affair that had photographers and cameramen camped for days outside their homes in suburban Mumbai.

The two became friends when they worked together on the 2000 movie "Dhai Akshar Prem Ke," but cupid didn't strike until they filmed "Dhoom 2" five years later, he told.

They were paired together again in Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) but it wasn't till Aishwarya and he jived together to the beats of Kajra Re in Bunty Aur Babli, right under the eyes of dad Amitabh Bachchan, that the sparks began to fly.

The romantic drama, Umrao Jaan, was supposed to be their big film together.

When it hit the floors Abhishek and Aishwarya had not started dating, but well before its release they were known, though not acknowledged, to be an item.

The film, though made with a lot of passion, failed to stir audiences and onscreen chemistry between the couple remained lackluster.

Dhoom 2 shortly followed Umrao Jaan. Though Abhishek was not paired opposite Aishwarya the two spent a lot of time together on the sets and that seems to have done it.

"We started dating in the latter half of the film as 'Dhoom 2' was shot for over a year-and-a-half," he said.

"There are so many things I love about Aishwarya. She's very human and unaffected and down-to-earth," Bachchan told The Times. "A simple little girl who is always smiling and that's very endearing."

But he said it was difficult to pinpoint when he fell in love.

"There was no defining moment as such," said Bachchan. "I cannot explain it in words."

Has life changed after marriage? Bachchan says Rai was pressuring him to change his diet.

"She tries to make me eat healthy food as she knows I have unhealthy habits," said Bachchan.

I have the best wife in the world: Abhishek

Now there is one more reason for the Bachchan's to smile. Bahurani Ash has once again made it to the list of top 10 beautiful women in the world. She is voted on the list which was about the 100 most beautiful women, in the July issue of Harpers and Queen. The list is topped by Angelina Jolie followed by model Christy Turlingron.

Ash has been ranked ninth two years ago as well. Wonder what Abhishek has to say. He has been saying that he has the best wife in the world. Guess he wont we too surprised after all! At 33, it's wonderful that he has been able to hold on to her beauty and booty as well. Lets hope she gives her hubby – who is younger to her – a lesson or two on looking fitter and better.

Abhishek & Vivek join hands!

Apoorva Lakhia seems to have pulled off the impossible – signed up Abhishek and Vivek for his next thriller, for which a crack team of Hollywood technicians and FX specialist is being assembled by the producer Suniel Shetty.

Belying recent reports that Abhishek had turned down a role in Mission Istanbul because Vivek too was included in the cast, Mumbai Mirror reports that the two star will not just feature in the film but share screen space.

"Why should they have a problem? Abhishek is a thorough professional. He has no problem with anybody," says producer Suniel Shetty, somewhat facetiously we believe.

"Yes, they do have scenes together in Mission Istanbul. And I'm sure they'll do them splendidly. It's very unfair to bring in personal matters to question their professionalism. The script is still being worked out. Neither Abhishek nor Vivek have expressed any misgivings about working together. There's unnecessary speculation," he adds.

Mission Istanbul will be shot exclusively in Istanbul and feature four lead roles.

"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…," says Suniel.

The female leads are yet to be finalized for the fast paced action thriller.

"They're integral to the action. I need ladies who can kick ass as effectively as the boys," he adds.

Suniel, is in the process of assembling a crack team of technicians and FX specialists for the film. "I'm getting top-notch technicians associated with the best of Hollywood cinema. We're spending Rs 25-30 crore on Mission Istanbul. I'm ready to spend more. I trust my director Apoorva Lakhia completely."

Suniel's next project Raaste, will feature Abhishek, Aishwarya, John and Sikandar Kher.

All the Bachchans are going on The Unforgettable world Tour: Amitabh Bachchan

Last month Amitabh Bachchan was honoured by The British Academy Of Film & Teleivision Arts. He speaks to Subhash K Jha about the experience... How was the BAFTA experience? Another unique honour for you... I feel very deeply humbled and honoured. My recognition is really an acknowledgement of the Indian film industry, and indeed India. Its feels wonderful to see so much attention being given to our country. There was a retrospective of my films and some documentaries about me made by prominent people.I had to interact with the public over two evenings. British and Indian speakers spoke of my contribution and then I was asked up on stage for q&a. Clips of my work were shown as a reference alongside on the screen. Good intelligent interaction with the public. The Chairman of BAFTA ended the event by announcing me as an honorary life -time member of BAFTA. I felt really proud to be a small part of the Indian Film fraternity, receiving this distinction. Plans for the world concert featuring you with Abhishek and Aishwarya have been finalized? Yes. We hope to be in action next year around April and cover many countries. The tour is called The Unforgettable.It'll be exciting to accompany such a young and energetic group of youngsters. The joy of having Abhishek and Aishwarya along is the added excitement. The tour is expected to take us to all important countries in the world as well as internally in India too. Some additions to the cast are in planning and soon should be finalised. I feel a lot of nostalgia and anxiety within me as I take this on after several several years. But the scale of the event and the enthusiasm of the producers and cast will I hope help us in putting across a memorable experience. Would you like to do a project where all four of you feature together? You mean Jaya, Abhishek,Aishwarya and myself ? Yes we would welcome a project that involves all of us actively. We hear a lot of talk amongst makers for such projects. You've just returned from this trip to England covering IIFA, Leeds, London. How has it been for you? Its been wonderful. The family has been together. IIFA has been the best and the biggest Bollywood event since inception. It is such a joy for me to see the entire industry together in one place, entertaining, working and interacting with each other. The love and enthusiasm of the Yorkshire people,the respect and dignity with which they treated us was all so memorable.

Notice to Amitabh Bachchan for tax evasion

Mumbai, Jun 21: The Bombay High Court Thursday issued notices to Bollywood cine star Amitabh Bachchan, the Union Government, Revenue Intelligence Department and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case of alleged tax evasion and cover-up deals.

According to media reports, in the past three months, the Income Tax department had sent at least 37 notices to Bachchan, wife Jaya and Abhishek.

However, the Bachchan family maintains that they have paid taxes regularly.

Source : Asian News International.

Why everyone still hates Ash-Abhi?

The fallout from the 'Wedding of the Year' seems to still be reverberating around Bollywood.

According to an Indian portal, it has now affected director Karan Johar. The 35-year-old director and talk show host is caught between the rest of Bollywood and Amitabh Bachchan.

It has been nearly two months since his son Abhishek married Aishwarya Rai in a grand wedding, but Amitabh's decision to leave out a large number of Bollywood's denizens from the nuptial guest list is still stinging for some.

When Karan announced that he is casting Aishwarya and Abhishek in his new project - the duo is now considered to be a box-office goldmine - his good friend and frequent collaborator, Shah Rukh Khan said he wouldn't participate in the film.

The 42-year-old actor has worked on most of Karan's films under the latter's company, Dharma Productions.

That decision could also be attributed to the simmering rivalry between Shah Rukh and the 64-year-old Amitabh. There are also actors who don't want to work the newly weds for fear of being overshadowed by them.

Meanwhile, a national newspaper reported that Saif Ali Khan, who had apparently agreed to work with Aishwarya and Abhishek in the venture, has pulled out.

While his busy schedule was the official reason, the Indian media speculated that the 36-year-old actor might have been afraid of having his star diminished by the couple.

The newspaper cited an unnamed source who said, “The dates could have been adjusted. But (Saif) decided to let go.”

Aishwarya & Abhishek in IIFA 2007

Abhishek & Aishwarya arriving in IIFA 2007, Yorkshire. They were the major attraction of the show and were covered by major british media agencies.

Abhishek & Aishwarya arriving in IIFA 2007, Yorkshire. They were the major attraction of the show this year.

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

Movie Information
Movie Name : Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Year of Release : 2007
Release Date : 15 June 2007
Banner : Yash Raj Films
Presenter : Yash Chopra
Producer : Aditya Chopra

Director : Shaad Ali
Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta
Music Director : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyricist : Gulzar
Cinematographer : Ayananka Bose
Dialogue Writer : Habib Faisal
Screenplay Writer : Habib Faisal
Editor : Ritesh Soni
Art Director : Sukant Panigrahy
Costume Designer : Aki Narula
Sound Designer : Rishi Oberoi
Background Sound : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Choreographer : Vaibhavi Merchant
Playback Singer : Shankar Mahadevan, Neeraj Shridhar, Alisha Chinai, Zubeen Garg, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Vishal Dadlani, Vasundhara Das, Sukhwinder Singh
Publicity Designer : Fayyaz Badruddin, Yash Raj Films - Design Cell

Synopsis :

Busy London station. Delayed train from Birmingham. Two strangers waiting for the train... Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) born in Bhatinda, living in London; and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) more Brit than the Queen herself, however with Lahori blood in her veins. Crowded café. One table to share. Two hours to kill. Perfect setting for the start of a love-story. Hitch? Both Rikki and Alvira are engaged and have come to pick up their fiancés who are coming by the same train. To kill time, they end up telling each other their “how I met my fiancé” stories. Rikki met his fiancé Anaida (Lara Dutta) at The Ritz (Paris), the same night that Princess Diana and Dodi walked out of the hotel and into the paparazzi. As Rikki says, “When two lovers die, another two are a born”. They dance... they sing... they're in love! Alvira, a princess by nature discovers her prince at Madame Tussaud’s. When a gigantic wax model of Superman falls from the ceiling, Alvira is a sitting target. But Steve the Prince (Bobby Deol), a lawyer by profession saves her life but steals her heart! They also sing, they also dance and they also fall in love...Stories unfold, time passes, the two strangers start enjoying each other. That Alvira is a Pakistani Brit and Rikki originally from India... that Rikki is crooked, earthy, and rakish: dabbler in various businesses; that Alvira is prim-n-proper, wannabe blue-blood, stiff upper-lip: Asst. Manager at House of Fraser’s... none of these details matter. They have gotten alarmingly attracted to each other!Their brief encounter has created a complicated quadrangle... Rikki Thukral and Alvira Khan have gotten themselves and Steve and Anaida into a lovely mess... To get out of it both of them bend over backward, thinking quickly on their feet, dancing around each other’s emotions... After all when you’re playing musical chairs with love, there’s nothing you can do but... Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (Dance Baby Dance)!

Aishwarya Rai pumps up the Brand Bachchan value

With the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai entering the Bachchan family-fold, the “Bachchan brand” value has now crossed the above Rs 700 crore mark.

According to financial analysts and trade experts, the Bachchan brand value is worth Rs 700 crore as Bollywood mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan are brand ambassadors for various products.

Ash, becoming a part of the family now, could add to that value by several crores.

Among the actors who endorse products, Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are the highest paid stars who charge between Rs 4-5 crore for a single brand.

Ash, who was chosen by Time magazine’s Asia edition as one of Asia’s ‘100 most influential people’, is the brand ambassador for products like L’Oreal, Nakshatra Diamonds and Lux, to name a few.

Bachchan endorses products such as Reid & Taylor, ICICI Bank, Nerolac, Dabur India, Pepsi, Parker pens and Cadbury chocolates.

Abhishek endorses Ford Fiesta, Omega, Radio Big 92.7 FM, Motorola, LG Home Appliances, and American Express, among others.

Bachchan charges upto Rs 5 crore per ad, followed by Ash with Rs 3 crore per ad while Abhishek is not far behind. Abhishek’s brand value has recently gone up after delivering hits like Guru and Bunty Aur Babli .

The three stars have their own clientele and cashing in on the marriage, L’Oreal has introduced a limited edition lipstick shade under its colour riche range, tender beige for their brand ambassador Ash.

“This is the first time we have done something like this. We have never done this before,” says a L’Oreal spokesperson. The lipstick will be launched later across the country.

The more the Bachchans keep the marriage details a secret, the more people are going crazy. Brands are falling over each other to get the elusive Bachchans and their new bahu together.

Some of the other cricketers/ filmstars who have their own successful brands include Kajol and Ajay Devgan , M S Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Akshay Kumar to name a few.

The Bachchans have a huge fan following and whatever they do, fans emulate them. The products endorsed by them will be purchased by fans, adman Prahlad Kakkar said.

According to the trend today, filmstar marriages not only have entertainment value but are profitable business ventures worth several crores.

The case in point being the recent Elizabeth Hurley - Arun Nayar wedding held in Jaipur, the rights of which were sold to Hello! magazine for one million pounds.

But amidst all this the Bachchans are the main beneficiaries who will be laughing all the way to the bank.