Kambakkht Ishq Grosses Rs1 Bn In First Week

Despite mixed reviews for its weak storyline, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor starrer romantic comedy Kambakkht Ishq has grossed Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) at the box office in its first week.

Distributed worldwide by Eros with around 2,000 prints worldwide, Kambakkht hit more than 1,400 screens in India and about 600 overseas in a combination of prints and digital format.

Directed by debutant Sabbir Khan, it released across India as well as in Pakistan, Britain, US, Australia, Europe, South Africa, Fiji Islands, the Middle East and Malaysia, among others.

Released on July 3, the film opened to extraordinary advance bookings courtesy its unprecedented buzz and has brought a new lease of life for Akshay's flagging career after two major duds Chandni Chowk To China and 8X10 Tasveer.

"Kambakkht Ishq is doing exceedingly well in all the overseas markets. All major markets like US, Gulf, Australia and even Pakistan have shown extraordinary box office performance in first week," said Pranab Kapadia, president of Eros International in a statement released here Friday.

Kapadia looks after Eros' distribution in Europe and Africa.

Nandu Ahuja, the senior vice president who looks after distribution in the domestic market for the company, says after the overwhelming weekend collection, the movie is going steady.

"The film has remained steady during the week post the stupendous opening weekend. The film is continuing to show fabulous collections and we are sure the film will continue to enjoy a fantastic run," he said.

Co-produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Sunil A Lulla, the film was made on a budget of Rs 62 crore (Rs 620 million) including print and advertisement costs and has grossed around Rs 70 crore (Rs 700 million) in the domestic market and Rs 21 crore (Rs 210 million) overseas.

The music and digital rights of the film have fetched around Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million).

The film earned around Rs 19 crore (Rs 190 million) worldwide on its opening day.

Apart from the death-defying stunts by Akshay, the film also has much publicised cameos by Hollywood stars like Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

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Kareena Kapoor Says.... Mens Are Dog !

Shocked? Please do not be as that is what Kareena Kapoor, the svelte, sexy bombshell of bollywood thinks of men in her upcoming mega budget flick Kambakht Ishq.

The sex goddess of tinsel town plays the character of Simrita, who is a supermodel and a hard core feminist. Kareena Kapoor’s character in the film not only hates men but also abhors falling in love with them. She locks horn with her co- star Akshay Kumar to prove the superiority of fairer sex in the film. However, soon the world turns upside down for Bebo when she falls in love with the handsome hunk Akshay Kumar. The film has been mostly shot in the US and other exotic locales by producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sabbir Khan. The ambitious flick is slated for a world wide release on July 3 as the multiplex strike has already ended the stalemate between the producers and the exhibitors.

Sources close to production house say that Kareena Kapoor will look in a different avatar than her zero size figure in Yashraj Films’ ‘Tashan.’ In fact, the script required her to have a fuller body to be able to do justice to the role of supermodel Simrita and Kareena went for achieving a rounded body under her trainer.

As Kareena Kapoor elaborates on her body, ‘The role required me to be fuller and more style-conscious and I have done exactly that. It’s very challenging to change your body type but as an actor that’s what you want to do- always challenge yourselves.’

Insiders reveal that as Kareena Kapoor was playing a supermodel in the film, she had sixty pair of shoes to choose from everyday before starting the shoot. This was done by designer Aki Narula to make Kareena Kapoor think and behave like a supermodel before going for the shoot of the film every day.


Kareena has all praise for her co- star Akshay Kumar who plays the part of a stuntman in the film. ‘Kambakkt Ishq’ is the seventh time that Kareena and Akshay Kumar have been together in a film and so their on- screen chemistry in the film is superb.

It is for the first time that a bollywood film has been shot in Hollywood-at Kodak Theatre, Universal Studios and Water World - in a big way. However, Kareena Kapoor-Akshay Kumar starrer required the backdrop of Hollywood as part of the script and has not been thrown in just to have some effect on the audience.

Even Hollywood biggies like Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh have played cameo in the film thereby making a truly international project. Sajid Nadiadwala had approached even Arnold Schwarzenegger to play a part in the film but he could not do so, as he held a public office in the US.

Though Schwarzenegger is not in the film, but Akshay Kumar will be seen performing some breathtaking stunts under Hollywood’s stunt director Spiro Razatos. Akki has also used the same bike which had been earlier used by Tom Cruise in ‘Mission Impossible’.

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Shahid Kapoor Ditches Priyanka Chopra

Before you read too much into the headlines, let us clear that Shahid Kapur did ditch Priyanka Chopra, but by giving the press meet of their upcoming film Kaminaay a miss at the IIFAs in Macau yesterday.

Shahid who was to attend the press conference with his co-star Priyanka Chopra and director Vishal Bharadwaj failed to turn up and the meet was cancelled much to the surprise of all those gathered.

Earlier the actor was to perform for the numbers from the film along with Priyanka to promote their film. However, Priyanka withdrew from the performance and later Shahid backed out too. A section of the media reported that the duo were dating and personal problems resulted in their withdrawal from the awards. However, Shahid Kapur has claimed professional commitments and Priyanka will attend the awards, though not perform at the awards. Well we wonder what’s the equation here is? Personal or professional Shahid has certainly let Piggy Chops down.

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Shanty Home Of‘Slumdog’ Child Star Spared In New Slum Demolition

MUMBAI, India --
City authorities demolished the homes around the recently rebuilt shack of “Slumdog Millionaire” child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail but left his standing Saturday.

A bulldozer and about 30 men leveled about 18 shanties in the section of the Garib Nagar — “city of the poor” — slum where Azhar, 10, and his family live. They left another dozen partially standing.

Azhar’s was untouched.

The city tore down the same homes, including Azhar’s, 16 days ago. The next week, authorities leveled the nearby lane where “Slumdog” co-star Rubina Ali lived.

By Saturday, most residents in Garib Nagar had finished rebuilding their makeshift shacks, often by taking out high-interest loans from local moneylenders.

Azhar’s father, Mohammed Ismail, said their home was spared because authorities knew about his son’s role in the Oscar-winning movie.

“Azhar has got an award. They respect that. I appreciate it. When they first demolished our house, they didn’t know,” Ismail said as he sat in the shack, recently tacked together from sheets of cheap metal, torn tarpaulins and blankets.

The state’s top official on Friday granted government apartments to both Azhar and Rubina, paid for with funds from the local chapter of the ruling Congress party. “Slumdog” filmmakers have also promised them homes. The families are now trying to figure out if they’ll be able to keep both.

Azhar said he’d like two apartments — one for himself and one for his parents — but also wants all his neighbors to get houses too.

“Before giving me a home, they should give it to my friends,” he said.

Eight-year-old Mahejbin Qureshi stood near a pile of broken boards and bent nails, all that remained of her home after a bulldozer shoved it into the fetid river that runs through Garib Nagar.

“They broke my home,” she said, tears streaming down her face as she held her baby brother in her arms.

U.D. Mistry, an official with the city’s Bombay Municipal Corporation, said the huts were destroyed because they were illegal. He said Azhar’s was spared because his family can prove they lived in Garib Nagar before 1995, which gives them some property rights.

Mistry said the city has no plans to provide homes to any other residents.

“There is no policy to relocate them because these huts are illegal,” he said.

But neighbors say they too have proof of residence before 1995.

“I have a ration card. My name is on the electoral rolls. I have electricity bills,” said a distraught Sayeda Abdulrahman Shaikh, a 30-year-old mother of five. “I showed them, but they destroyed my house anyway.”

Like many of the children of Garib Nagar, her son Salman, 12, was an extra in “Slumdog Millionaire.”

“We worked with Azhar. If they are getting houses, why not me?” Salman asked, sweating in the hot sun. “We are being ignored.”

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Deepika Padukone More Gorgeous than Angelina Jolie?

Is Bollywood beauty, Deepika Padukone more beautiful then Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who is often touted as the world's most beautiful woman? Well according to Hollywood director Rob Cohen she is! Rob Cohen who's directed films like 'The Fast and the Furious' and 'The Witches of Eastwick' was quoted as saying, "Deepika Padukone is gorgeous and more beautiful than Angelina Jolie." Wow, now that's quite a statement!

Deepika is no doubt one of the most beautiful ladies in Bollywood. But her fashion, beauty and advertising campaigns have launched her into the international scene as well. She's often been seen in Italy at international fashion shows and more. Plus there's her dozens of magazine covers from, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Maxim Magazine, which also named her 'The Hottest Girl on the Earth'! All this seems to have caught Rob Cohen's eye as well.

The director has also said that he would be interested in casting Deepika in his next Hollywood film project. Apparently both parties are in the talking stage but neither one is commenting until the deal is on lockdown. But if the deal goes down, this will definitely be one of the biggest Bollywood crossovers to Hollywood ever. From the sounds of it, it might happen very soon!

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Kareena Kapoor And Shahid Kapoor Together Again

contemplate this for a second - can you imagine having to see your ex-boyfriend or girl-friend at just about every big work function you have, on top of being scrutinized in the media and having tons of mutual friends. Well that's the case with ex-lovers Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor as they have to face each other at various award shows, and share many common friends. Well they're about to face each other again, as the dubbing process for their film, 'Milenge Milenge' is coming to an end.

So you might be wondering how they made this film after breaking up, well they didn't. 'Milenge Milenge' was filmed in 2006 when Shahid and Kareena were still very much an item. Yet, now that the two have split we can bet seeing themselves together on screen has got to be totally awkward! The gossip is that they are both hesitant about seeing each other as a couple onscreen once again and are even trying to stall the release!

However, Boney Kapoor, the film's producer says, "with the film industry face-off with the multiplexes on, the situation is fluid. However, I will release three films, including 'Milenge Milenge,' between June and December." He went on to say, "She [Kareena] has almost completed her dubbing and he [Shahid], too, has dubbed some portions and will finish his work shortly." Even Kareena's secretary backs up the claims of the two stars finishing the film.

Another interesting tidbit, is that we hear Kareena also keeps tabs on her ex, and most recently displayed a keen interest in Shahid's rumored new love, Priyanka Chopra. Now we don't know if all that's true, but wouldn't it be interesting if it was?! Designer Shabina Khan who is a friend of both says it's not true however, and that Kareena and Shahid are just cordial with each other, but that's where it ends. Hmm... we kind of have to agree with her on that part. The way Kareena and current beau Saif Ali Khan display their love, it would be kind of hard to imagine her still being hung up on her ex!


Kareena Wants Priyanka Out Of Shahid's Life

It has been almost one and a half year that Kareena Kapoor split with Shahid Kapoor and hooked up with Saif Ali Khan. But both Kareena and Shahid have regularly been in touch with each other since then. There are rumours that Kareena is upset over Shahid's budding romance with Priyanka Chopra and feels Priyanka is not the right girl for Shahid.

It may be recalled that Kareena and Priyanka had once been good friends having worked together in Andaaz and Aitraaz. But once Priyanka started dating Kareena's ex Shahid the relationship between the two actresses soured. Kareena also fears that Priyanka will never publicly admit her love for Shahid and will dump him like the why she dumped Hurman Baweja.

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Kareena Smooches Akshay

Kareena Kapoor is not only adding glam to her up coming flick kambaqt ishq by wearing a bathsuit, she has also indulged in a steamy liplock with co-actor Akshay Kumar in the movie.

Now our young Bebo was not quite comfortable with the idea of kissing her 40+ year old co-star, the reason was that Akki was elder sister Lolo’s leading man during her hey days and Kareena was only a 12-year-old little kid who would shy away from Akki whenever she accompanied Karisma to her shootings.

So it was equally awkward for Akshay too ‘coz she is just a kid in front of him. However the kiss was neccessary for the story and both of them gave their professional commitments a priority over their personal thoughts.

Apparently its a kiss to lookout for!

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Shilpa Shetty To Join R&B Artist Akon At IPL Finale

Johannesburg, May 21: Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty will join American R&B sensation Akon as he sings his Grammy award winning 'Smack That' at the closing ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wanderers here Sunday night.
Organisers also said here Wednesday that Katrina Kaif will join a troupe of Indian and South African dancers led by award-winning choreographer Shiamak Davar to perform the Oscar-winning AR Rahman song 'Jai Ho from 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
The two actors will be the only ones performing at the finale, ending widespread speculation here that a bevy of Bollywood beauties would feature at the closing ceremony.
Caribbean music legend Eddy Grant will perform the ever popular 'Walking on Sunshine' and his anti-apartheid hit 'Gimme Hope Jo`anna', which became an anthem in the days when the white minority government of South Africa strictly regulated everything from music and song to social gatherings.
The five-week IPL will end on a high note for Shilpa performance-wise, but this will be clouded by the fact that her Rajasthan Royals team have no hope of retaining their champion status from the inaugural series last year.
Other highlights on the night will include a perfectly synchronised piece featuring renowned percussionist Shivamani and a group of Indian and South African drummers.
Apart from the various musical acts, the crowd will also be introduced to the Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa finalists, culminating with the crowning of the winner of the beauty competition, who will get a guided tour through Bollywood as one of her prizes.
This apart, 1,500 flying lanterns will be lit and released while a thrilling pyrotechnics show using several thousand rounds of fireworks will light up the Johannesburg skyline as final awards signal the end of an unprecedented cricket event which was keenly taken up by locals, who also opened their hearts to the thousands of Indians who came to watch the series.

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Indebted To Sanju, Akki, Ashtavinayak!

The film has been making news, right from its inception. It stars some of the biggest names in the business: Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Zayed Khan, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta. Australia sensation Kylie Minogue makes her debut in a Bollywood film [she has scenes too, besides the song]. It has music by A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Abbas Tyrewala and sound recording by Resul Pookutty. All brands!
Most importantly, it's produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision, a production house that has earned tremendous respect for their fair dealings and larger than life movies: BHAGAM BHAG, GOLMAAL, MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, JAB WE MET, KIDNAP and GOLMAAL RETURNS. It can't get bigger than that. BLUE is indeed hot, piping hot!
Now here's something that caught everyone by surprise. It's not directed by a Ratnam or a Dhawan or a Bazmee. It's directed by a rank newcomer - Anthony D'Souza - who hasn't assisted anyone before. "Actually, John [Abraham] put me on to Ashtavinayak. They heard the script [of BLUE] and arranged for a meeting with Dutt-saab [Sanjay Dutt]. The rest is history," Anthony tells me.
In fact, Tony, as Anthony is called, had penned the script keeping Sanju and Akshay in mind. "When Dutt-saab heard the narration, he asked me who'd play the other lead and I said, Akshay. Dutt-saab was too gracious, he said he was very keen to work with Akshay [they hadn't worked together after AMAANAT] and if need be, he'd call him up," Tony reminisces.
The very first meeting with Akshay also proved fruitful, with the actor agreeing to act in the film instantly. "All he asked was, will you shot the way you've penned it? I can never forget Dut-saab and Akshay's deed. Had it not been their 'Yes', BLUE would've been in cold storage," the first-time director smiles.
But their faceoff is legendary. In fact, it's said that Akshay felt cheated during AMAANAT [he got sidelined] and swore, never to work with Sanju again. "In fact, Akshay asked me to watch AMAANAT, to see how good their chemistry was in that film. Believe me, there was not an iota of bitterness. You know something, both would come on the sets half-an-hour early everyday, sit together and exchange notes. The bonhomie was electrifying, trust me," Tony clarifies.
What about John? The guy who put Tony on to the producers, isn't part of the film. "It was always Zayed. In fact, Dutt-saab especially called up Zayed and spoke to him about BLUE. As for John, he's sure to star in my next film. I owe him that," Tony smiles.

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