Shah Rukh gets back at Aamir - are they taking the media for a ride?

After Aamir poked fun at Shah Rukh and said that SRK was the Number 2 actor in the country, trailing him who was at number one, SRK poked fun at Aamir in his inimitable style. At most times Shah Rukh is pompous and conceited but he is smart enough to realize when to look humble and humorous. And this was an opportune moment. If he had disagreed with Aamir then he would look like an arrogant ass (which he is at times), but he played it down by accepting that Aamir was number 1 and he was happy that Aamir was considering him as Number 1.

If that is the case why does he keep throwing quotes around to all who care to listen (and there are not a few media people who lap up all his gab fest) that he is the finest actor in the country. He loses no opputunity in declaring that he is the best. Well, we agree he works very hard, is a great role model for the country (has not killed any endangered species, not beaten up his wife or girlfriend, has not killed people by drunken driving, etc) but the best???? Perhaps the most successful, thanks to the great rapport he has to the most important camps in the Industry (Chopra's, Johars, Farah, etc), thanks to the 'close' relationship with Karan Jhar who has given him his biggest (and most painful to endure) hits (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham). And most importantly the bad taste of Indian viewers.

Best actors shouldn't that club be reserved for good actors and not stars - though an actor can become a star. Actors like Aamir Khan, Shiney Ahuja (the great new hope for the Hindi Industry), Kay Kay Menon, Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Amrish Puri, Balraj Saini (yeah...i am going back in time). Perhaps stars like Saif, Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut will join this club, but SRK and company? No Ways!!!

Aamir Khan in Rajkumar Hirani's next movie

Apparently since Shah Rukh Khan has backed out from doing Hirani's next film he has on to his next film. It is named Idiots. It will feature Khan. This has been posted on Aamir Khans blog and obviously it has been given the go ahead by Aamir himself.

The movie is on a college campus, and deals with five 'useless' students. Remind anybody of Golmaal. But of course if Aamir is involve with this project it will be special and something to look forward to.

Shah Rukh Khan was supposed to act in a film by with Munnabhai director Rajkumar Hirani. But there was a big scrap with Vidhu Vinod Chopra's movie Eklavya being selected for the Oscars and when some Industry asses took potshots at Chora and his movie he hit back saying some earlier choices were not all that great. In the list he mentioned Paheli of SRK. This obviously got SRK's goat, the conceited ass that he is and he then refused to do Hiran's next movie as Hirani and Chopra are a known tag team in the Bollywood Industry. Vinod Chopra is also the film's producer.

Due to this development Hirani moved on to his next project.

Fitting revenge for Aamir Aamir Khan - May start attending award functions!

It is an old story that Aamir Khan does not attend the Indian award ceremonies excepting the Nationals. This is due to the reason that there is great corruption or nepotism in handing out the awards. Stars close to the organizers tend to be favored more and those who do not suck up top the committee ate ignored in spite of good performances. Aamir is one of those who don't pay much attention or special treatment to such programmes and hence he also keeps way from such functions.

I remember in the eighties when Anil Kapoor was the reigning star he used to sweep the awards. Be it Filmfare, Screen or what ever few awards were there then. He even got it for a pretty lousy films like Beta. He was the reigning star then with Mr. India, Ram Lakhan, Parinda, Eshwar, and quite a few hits in a row. He was also touted as the person to take over from Amitabh Bachchan. Yes, he was (is) a fabulous actor too, unlike some hammy superstars of today. But it was obvious the person with the biggest bank balance picked up all the Bollywood awards.

The same routine continues today with the biggest gainer being Shah Rukh Khan. His acting is pretty painful, but he delivers the hits, has stupid girls going gaga over him, has the nation searing by him and by that logic picks up most of the awards. The net result, starred in several dozen films, acted in? Two! Swades and Chak De India. And awards for almost all the movies.

Now a lot of corporate companies have jumped in and the number of award shows have also increased. So that means almost any star will get an ward, if not in this show then another one. He just has to be nice or pay up money for an ward and it is his. And yes, he or she may be also asked to dance or do some routine on stage. And then he is presented an award by a grateful awards committee.

So it isn't a surprise that Aamir chose to keep away from all the mess. But him deciding to attend such functions now could be because his star child actor Darsheel Safary has been nominated for a Best Actor category for an upcoming award ceremony. This means the delightful scenario that if he wins, he beats the super stars like SRK, Akshay and others vying for the same award. What fitting revenge it will be for Aamir if this happens. His protege thumping the actors who have been in the industry for donkey's years and yet got beaten by a kid.

Taare Zameen Par - the after effects

Its public knowledge that when Aamir's home banner venture, Taare Zameen Par began, it was Amol Gupte who was the director of the film. After a while Aamir Khan took over the direction, as he was not happy with the way things were shaping up. He offered Amole the option of having his movie produced by some other production house, but Amole opted to continue with Aamir.
So Aamir gave the credit of creative director to Amole and took over the mantle of director. The entire story, concept and nitty gritty of the movie is attributed to Amole because he has worked with such children before. So even though he was unhappy with the situation, but still wanted Aamir to be the one to produce the movie because of his long association with him and the fact he trusted Aamir to get his message across. And what we got was another brialliant effort from Aamir. It impacts the viewer very similar like his earlier films like Rang De Basanti, Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Ishq, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Rangeela, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, 1947 Earth, Dil, and Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

Now Aamir has given an interview saying he regrets this incident as it has spoiled his relationship with Amole. He wished all could be back as normal but it will be difficult as Amole will never be able to forget this embarresment and it will always haunt their friendship.

Ranbir Kapoor in a Time Machine?

Shekhar Kapur the reputed Bollywood director gone to Hollywood will reportedly finally make his long-delayed project Time Machine. But the main lead has been changed and instead of Aamir Khan, it will star Ranbir Kapoor.

One unusal fact is that even Ram Gopal Varma had also hoped to make a film called Time Machine with Shah Rukh Khan but that too never took off. That makes the name Time Machine some what of a jinx.

The initial cast also included Naseeruddin Shah, Rekha and Raveena Tandon, and that will obviously change as Raveena has sort of retired and a younger actress would be required opposite Ranbir.

Ranbir will be looking forward to getting a hit under his belt and getting rid of the jinx tag which is given to new comers till they get a hit. Once that is done, film makers are less tensed about signing on the star. He has a quirky Saawariya to his credit so far and will need to do better.

Shekhar Kapoor is the reputed director of a few big Hollywood movies and in an earlier spell in Bollywood had directed Mr. India, Joshilay, and Bandit Queen. He was supposedly working on a prequel to Elizabeth - the Golden Age.

One more success for Aamir

After the resounding success of his last movie (both critical and commercial) Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has gone and added one more achievement to his list. That is a victory over smoking. He has been writing on his blog for some time now that he is trying to kick the butt but it hasn't happened so far.

But he has finally managed to kick the habit which is really commendable because I know of many friends who have tried umpteen times and have failed. They had tried all techniques, going turkey, reducing slowly, smoking on scheduled days- all ending in failure. In fact some guys ended smoking more than normal.

So it is great that a role model like Aamir has managed to defeat the cigarette. In fact Shahrukh has been in the news for his smoking in public places and for his attempts to give up smoking too. But he has failed and is keen to give it up as he has kids of an impressionable age at home. Also to show his fans and the public that such battles can be won.

Even the health ministry is after the stars as quite a few recent movies have shown stars smoking and this definitely glamorizes the act. So after having a great last two years with a lot of hits (Taare Zameen Par, Fanaa, Dil Chahta Hai) and rare flops (Mangal Pandey - The Rising)

Darsheel new actor in tinseltown - in crackling form in Taare Zameen Par

The child actor Darsheel Safary who stars in Taare Zameen Par has made a confident and likeable attempt at playing the troubles Ishaant Awasthi. The film belongs to him and he is the principal character in the film and even Aamir Khan the big draw of the movie appears only at the half time of the movie. In fact if you take away Aamirs portion in the movie it appers an out and out Darsheel movie.

One never gets bored as the story is engrossing and audiences immediately sympathise with the child as he is impish, fragile and yet brilliant at the same time. But one needed a strong and firm character to play Ram Shankar Nikumbh and Aamir Khan plays it without a false step.

One realy can't be sure who to credit Darsheels acting to - the director, assitant directors, creative directors (Amole Gupte) or to the lad himself. It is a role of a lifetime and one wonders if such a role wil be written again and if it is, will it be enacted so wel again. And there is the factor that Darsheel is from a reputedly well off family, so this might be the last film in some time. We might have to wait till he has goten his studies and graduation out of the way.

Here's wishing him all the success in life and a thanks to him, Aamir and the team of Taare Zameen Par who enteratined us so splendidly.

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Rajnikanth to star in Shankar's Robot

It has been made official that Superstar Rajnikant has agreed to play the main role in Robot. The movie is supposed to be directed by hot-shot director Shankar. This is indeed big news as two of the biggest names in tamil cinema have come together and the result will have cine fans licks their chops in anticipation.

Check out this article in rediff for more details.

Shankar has been trying for years to start this project and announcing the casting of this film in the press for years now. He started with Kamal Haasan, but the Tamil star had a box office fiasco in Alavandaan and, also had creative differences with a director who is very firm about what he wants. Later Shahrukh Khan was supposed to do it. and the last star pencilled in was Aamir Khan.

And now finally it has been Rajnikanth who has been finalised, which will be good as the two are both from the same industry and this will help in the smooth production of the movie.

Here's looking for a lively Robot from Shankar and Rajnikanth, the Boss.

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