Salman Khan comes clean on the alleged support to Raj Thackeray's MNS

A couple of days ago, Salman Khan made it clear in a press conference that he had in no way, supported the MNS agenda of hostility towards Uttar Bhartiya's (people from UP, Bihar). There were alot of stories swirling in the press that he along with a few other prominent film personalities had supported Raj Thackeray. But this was very diffeent from the actual story. The truth is that they had only supported his freedon of speech and were opposed to the court gagging him in his statements to the press and media.

Sallu said, "Raj is a very dear friend and I know him for very long. But I have not supported his cause. My father (Khan senior) just said that Raj has the freedom of speech, nothing more."
This innocuous statement was twisted by the media to mean that a few film artistes actaully supported the MNS agenda. Among them were Maharashtrian actors like Nana Patekar, Shreyas Talpade, and Sajid Khan and a few others.

Salman who has had a mixed year with a hit in Partner and a super flop in Saawariya is looking forward to a couple of important projects like God Tussi Great Ho, Yuvraaj and remake of Telugu super hit Pokiri.

Salman argued that his own family were originally migrants - father from Madhya Pradesh, maternal Grand father from Kashmir, and paternal Grand father from Kashmir. Thats the reason he said it was impossible for him to support such demands.

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.

Waiting for Sunday!!!!

The advertising schedules for movies must be longer than earlier now, because I noticed that Sunday the movie has been on air for some time now. But the movie has not been released yet. What I am trying to say is that the producers are releasing their promos and trailers and the rest of the marketing material even earlier than usual.

Of course Om Shanti Om (OSO) and Saawariya were a bit unique due to the cat fight the makers of the two movies got into. But nevertheless it is obvious the marketing cycles of movies have increased drastically and so have the budgets. That means that even though movies are a lucrative business they are forking out that little just to ensure that their movie is in the public eye.

Anyway Sunday is scheduled for Jan 25 according to the official Sunday website. So will watch it and let you guys know. I am also supposed to see Bombay to Bangkok (if I get the tickets...i love freebies), so will give you the dope on that one too. Ciao.

I like the indie films like Bheja Fry coming out, which allow newer fresher stars to shine on the big screen.