"My chemistry with Aamir can't be repeated" - Pooja Bhatt

“Bipasha and John in Goal will be different from what they were in Jism. Don’t expect the same kind of magic. Give them a break,” says Pooja Bhatt, producer of Jism, the first film that brought John Abraham and Bipasha Basu together. The smoldering sparks between the two had set the sea in Pondicherry on a crackling fire. “My chemistry with Aamir Khan in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin can’t be repeated,” she said, reiterating the intensity quotient between stars, maybe the ‘It’ factor that remains etched forever. The other two films that this duo has done, Aetbaar and Madhoshi sank without a trace.

Pooja looks back at Jism with fond memories. She still remembers how John agreed to do the film even though the heroine was not cast and in spite of knowing that his female counterpart will be having the more meatier-n-juicier role. In fact Pooja had told the hunky model that the song ‘Awarapan’ (picturised on him) will be remembered much more than ‘Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai’. “When John and Bipasha will look back through the mist of time, they’d realize Jism is and will always be the defining film in their career.”

Bipasha has recently been anointed as the sexiest woman in Asia by a UK based newspaper. What are your comments? “I’m glad that Asia has woken up to the fact that Bipasha is the hottest. That was the reason why I had made her the face of my film. She was on all the hoardings. How often do you see a woman on the hoardings of films?” Well, let’s rewind to Jism yet again. The raw sensuality oozed by Bipasha was a mind boggling experience for the viewers. How did you convince her into doing such a role as this? “Bipasha had her apprehensions. As a woman I would never disregard female form. But I can’t create that magic again,” Pooja says.

What about John? You’ve directed him in your debut film Paap. How do you rate him as an actor? “John is a director’s actor. He surrenders completely. If John is bad in a film then it is the director who’s bad. His debut in Jism was sensational but people woke up to him only after Dhoom,” Pooja sighs.

Pooja Bhatt is a busy woman who is always in the middle of something or the other. She is writing a book and considering the fact that she is a fantastic writer (her columns in a Mumbai tabloid are a testimony to that), it will be a treat worth looking forward to. But, for now she is not willing to talk about the book writing experience at all. Alright, let’s get you guys some dope on the big budget movie she is directing next starring Aap Ka Surroor star Himesh Reshammiya. So, is the budget really a whopping Rs 30 crore? “Yes it is. We are shooting in three continents in places like Morocco (most of the film will be shot here), England, Dubai, India and Pakistan.” What do you think of Himesh’s acting talent? “I work with people because I believe in them,” Pooja signs off.

Source : Indiafm.com

I wish Kareena happiness: Shahid Kapur

He was on the eve of just being written off as just another cute face. Then he was a scalding hot item in the gossip columns following the break-up with Kareena Kapoor. Mercy be, he's now back in the reckoning with Jab We Met.

Q. It's been quite a while since Vivah and you were almost written off. But once again you've bounced back with a film that wasn't expected to click following your break-up with Kareena Kapoor.

Ans: (Laughs) That's how it was with Vivah too. The promos were so simple and the sensibilities so different that no one had given the film an ice cube's chance in hell. But I was confident of both Vivah.. and Jab We Met. With most love stories you get that been-there-done-that feeling. But the story was fresh and had the right mix of the modern and the traditional to appeal to audiences across the country.

Q. But as a title does Jab We Met have the right connect?

Ans: The characters are very contemporary and the backdrop small town India. The two English words and one Hindi are the right mix.

Q. One hit a year, is that the strategy now?

Ans: Ideally, I'd like to have three releases in a year. But I sat at home for six months after Vivah because none of the offers excited me. It's not the kind of risk taken by someone who's just been around for three years. But I didn't want to go on the sets till I believed in a film.

Q. Aditya Kashyap of JWM was a lot like Shahid Kapur.

Ans: I hope so. I tried to become him. But yes, there were certain parallels. Like him, I'm 26 too. Having started out at 22 , I've also had to handle many pulls and pressures. But I'm not as quiet as Adi.

Q. You didn't give any inputs to Imtiaz Ali?

Ans: There was no need. His script was so complete. It dipped, post-interval. After Geet and Adi's constant interaction in the first half, I think people missed seeing them immediately after the interval. But we needed that 10-minute break to establish Adi's changeover in personality.

Q. "Does your boyishness still come in the way of you playing the average movie hero?

Ans: I don't think so and even if it did I can't fight the fact that I'm 26. But getting a heroine is still a problem? Let's leave that problem to the directors.

Q. Even though the split is official, will you and Kareena continue as a screen pair?

Ans: Why not? I hold her in high esteem as an actress. But we need the right script.

Q. You must have thought the relationship was for keeps?

Ans: Yes I did.. but that should be understandable to anyone.. we were together for four years. But that's life!

Q. She's 26 and it's being said that you drove her away by insisting she turn vegetarian, get into meditation, cut down on her work and get into the whole fitness routine. There was no fun left in the relationship.

Ans: All I can say is that there are no hard feelings. I respect Kareena and wish her happiness.

Q. You're still called the chhota Shah Rukh Khan. Do the comparisons rankle?

Ans: No, I'm humbled by the comparison. He's the biggest superstar in the country. But hey, I have a long way to go. Give me five years to prove myself.

Q. Why is the film in which you will be directed by your father (Pankaj Kapur) taking so long to get going?

Ans: My father is an actor first, he gets heaps of offers. He's had to wrap up several commitments. I'm an actor too, I've to clear five months for him. It's a big and complicated film. It's taking him time to write it.

Q. Tell us more.

Ans: "Sorry but I've been instructed to keep my mouth shut (laughs). Let dad speak about it, he'd be able to represent it better.

Q. Your father and you come from different schools of acting. Won't that make things difficult?

Ans: I've never been to an acting school. I'll pretend I'm a student going to class every day and follow my father's instructions, pretty much. For me the biggest high was when after a show of JWM my father told me, "Shahid, I think you can act."

Q. Ever thought of getting into film production?

Ans: It's too premature for that. Production requires organisation, experience and maturity. Right now I don't feel the need. I wouldn't want to be distracted from my main job.

Q. Is your brother, Ishaan, going to follow in your footsteps?

Ans: He's only 13 and studies are a priority now. Give him time to grow and decide for himself. I'd love it if he became an actor too.

Q. How is it going with Lucky Charms?

Ans: Aziz (Mirza) uncle's films are feel good, they're simple and warm. Vidya Balan has a new look in the film.

Q. What about you?

Ans: There's not much you can do with a boy struggling to find a job abroad. I've grown out my hair, the look is peppy. Also, he's very talkative because he relies on his wits.

Q. There's been quite a bit of gossip about Vidya and you. She's supposed to have played hostess at a special screening of JWM.

Ans: Over a hundred people were invited to the screening. Vidya and Amrita Rao were two of them. They're my heroines and I was keen that they should see JWM. Beyond that, what can I say? It's just gossip.

Source: www.hindustantimes.com

Ronaldo not to promote 'Goal', Bipasha disappointed

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu's plans to get her new friend, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, to promote her feisty football flick "Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal" have come a cropper. Explaining the cause of the change in plans, the actress said: "There's a huge problem. I was very keen and so was John (Abraham) and everyone else in the team. But then the sponsors got in the way.

"Ronaldo is part of the Manchester United Team whose sponsors are Nike while our film 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal' is sponsored by Reebok. We had almost signed up with them. But now it seems impossible."

Apparently, the 22-year-old footballer is as disappointed as Bipasha.

"You know they were thinking of getting another celebrity footballer to promote our film. I offered to get Ronaldo. I had personally spoken to him. And he seemed very pleased to help a film that was so close to his heart. But then man proposes, sponsor disposes. Nowadays nothing gets done without the sponsors' consent," said the disappointed actress.

The entire cast of the movie wear Reebok shoes throughout the film.

"And I was the only girl among all the boys playing on the field. To be honest John, Arshad (Warsi), Boman (Irani) and the other male actors had all the fun. But I did get to kick some ball off camera and off field," said Bipasha.

Bipasha plays a Pakistani medico who rushes to the field every time a player gets injured. "I wore no makeup. It's a very realistic film that focuses on racial discrimination against Pakistanis, Indians and Bangladeshis in the UK . In one way or the other, we all face discrimination in life. Yeah, I've faced it too...How come I wasn't signed to play one of the footballers?" she guffawed.

Shahrukh beats Tom Cruise at UK Box Office

Be it London or Mumbai, waiting a couple of hours to get a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan seems to be okay with fans. As was the case when the actor visited the sets of Jhoom India.His latest habit of walking into reality shows doesn't just end with promoting Om Shanti Om. He actively interacted with all and sundry on this show too and expressed his heartiest thanks for watching Om Shanti Om."I thank you all for watching my film and making it a huge hit. It's even more special because it’s my big solo production,” Shah Rukh said.Om Shanti Om has overtaken Tom Cruise-Meryl Streep starrer Lions for Lambs at the UK box office – an achievement worth taking notice. But SRK played the Hollywood comparison in his usual witty style."Everyone says I can't beat anyone in Bollywood. So now on take on Hollywood stars,” he said.With two hits in his kitty, and innumerable public appearances still going strong, SRK sure can take on any star world over.

31 stars including Shahrukh make a special appearance in the Deewangi song including Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Rekha, Jeetendra, Ritesh Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Shabana Azmi, Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Arbaaz Khan, Amrita Arora, Vidya Balan, Juhi Chawla, Saif Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Dharmendra, Tusshar Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, Urmila Matondkar, Sunil Shetty, Govinda, Bobby Deol etc. Nobody charged Shah Rukh anything for making an appearance in the Deewangi song. Everybody did the song gratis. Knowing Shah Rukh Khan, he sent each of the stars who made a special appearance in the film, a gift hamper. The gift hamper had stuff like a Tag Heur watch, a Nokia mobile phone and other items.

Starcast of Race walks the Provogue Ramp

SRK bowled over by Om Shanti Om; gifts Farah a Mercedes

After seeing the final print of 'Om Shanti Om', Shahrukh Khan is bowled over by the film to such a great extent that he has pronto gifted Farah Khan a white Mercedes.Apparently 'baadshah' of Bollywood was highly impressed by the entertainment quotient of the film and deemed fit to acknowledge and reward Farah for her hard work and treatment meted to 'Om Shanti Om'.Says Farah, "Shahrukh and I saw the copy around a week back and he was very happy with the results. Next thing I know, I was gifted a Mercedes."Knowing Shahrukh Khan for being generous with his friends, it may not really have been a bolt out of blue. "A Mercedes wasn't something that I was expecting as a gift", informs Farah, "To be honest I was surprised!"