Bollywood focus: Fardeen Khan

Bollywood actor Feroz Khan’s and Sundri Khan’s son Fardeen was born on the 8th of March 1974. He was born in India but has since studied abroad.

Bollywood actor Feroz Khan’s and Sundri Khan’s son Fardeen AKhan was born on the 8th of March 1974. He was born in India but has since studied abroad. Fardeen completed his education in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the USA.

After he finished his education Fardeen returned to Mumbai to enter the film industry. He made his debut with Prem Aggan which released in ’98. The movie , unfortunately, was a flop and failed miserably at the box office. His second film, directed by Ram Gopal Verma, titled Jungle, was a hit and served to launch his career in Bollywood.

After this success, his next couple of films went unnoticed and he made a come back in 2003 with Khushi. This film too flopped but his performance made an impact on the critics. In 2004 his performance in the movie Dev with Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri and Kareena Kapoor. He received critical acclaim for it. Fardeen's No Entry in2005 was one of the greatest hits and was also the year’s highest grossing films. Post No Entry, none of his films have fared well at the box office .

Before getting married, Fardeen dated Ruheen Jaiswal for five years, following which he married Natasha Madhwani. She is the daughter of former actress Mumtaz and business tycoon Mayur Madhawani based in Uganda. On May 6th 2005, the two were engaged in London and the marriage took place on the 14th of December 2005 via a registeration service. Apparently the wedding festivities lasted for three whole days and was held at the Hyatt and JW Marriott hotels. The ceremony followed traditional Muslim and Hindu rites and was attended by the who’s who of filmistan. Fardeen’s wife’s mother Mumtaz and his father Feroz have played lovers onscreen many a times in the ’70.

In an unfortunate event, Fardeen who is considered as today’s youth icon was caught red handed while trying to buy cocaine from a drug peddler at an ATM in Juhu Vile Parle Development Scheme. The police caught the duo with a total of 9gm of the drug.

Aishwarya Rai lashes back at the media

Aishwarya Rai was recently seen in Delhi at a diamond jewellery launch. It was the launch of a brand that she endorses. The beautiful Bachchan bahu looked every bit resplendent at the do.

At the event, Ash was seen fuming at the media for putting words into her mouth. An angry Aishwarya said, “If you want to ask questions, do that. Please do not attribute statements to me.” She further said as a clarification, “If you want to know, I started my career with Tamil films. I am doing Hindi films. I have done some Bengali films and I also have done a couple of Hollywood projects. That doesn’t mean that I am shifting anywhere. It is just a part of broadening your experience in cinema.”

There are also reports that Hollywood actor, Will Smith has approached her for a film. She said, “I’d love to work with him. I love the kind of cinema he has done. But I have not been able to chalk out time for his film.”

For Aishwarya, year 2008 will be the year of some big films. Her first film post marriage with hubby Abhishek will be released in 2008. Also, Ashutosh Gowarikar’s mega budget, epic film, Jodhaa Akbar will release in the same year. Then there is the Hollywood film, Pink Panther 2 slated to release next year as well. And now, the possibilities of a film with Will Smith! Well, 2008 seems to be definitely the year of this star.

Bollywood focus: Bobby Deol

Vijay Singh Deol, better known as Bobby Deol, was born in Mumbai. He is the younger son of the veteran actor Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur.

Vijay Singh Deol, better known as Bobby Deol, was born in Mumbai. He is the younger son of the veteran actor Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur.

When he was 10 years old he made a very brief appearance in the 1977 movie Dharam Veer, where he played the younger version of his father's character.

His next movie Tango Charlie too flopped in India but it was a massive hit in the USA. The movie earned him mammoth critical acclaim. His latest release this year, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom also didn’t do as well as expected. Though the movie flopped, Bobby Deol received great reviews for his comic acting.

He overshadowed the other actors in the movie with his sheer comic skills. 2007 also saw the release of Apne, in which Bobby Deol co-starred with his father, Dharmendra and older brother Sunny Deol, together for the first time. This movie did quite well.

This strapping Deol is married to Tanya Ahuja and has two sons, Aryamaan and Dharam.

Aamir certain of Taare Zameen Par’s success

Aamir Khan’s first directorial venture Taare Zameen Par is on the verge of release. However, like often happens, its release date will clash with that of the purely commercial film, Welcome. The fact that industries current hottest paid, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif are in the lead in Welcome and it is an out and out comedy film as compared to Aamir’s Taare Zameen Par which deals with a sensitive topic.

Doesn’t this fact upset Aamir? This is what Aamir had to say; “I am quite confident about this film. I think it is a very safe film. It will be very popular and people will like it very much… Of late I have been keener towards off beat stories and they are usually successful at the box office… Also, though I think I am a good parent, this film has brought me closer to my children.”

After the audience’s positive response to off beat films like Iqbaal, Apne, Chak De, Dhan Dhan Dhan Goal, may be there is actually a less tapped market for ‘different’ films. Aamir says, “There was a time when we used to think that if we made a film without the age-old formula, people will not like it. I never believed in it though.”

Aamir Khan leads quite a seclude’s life. He is hardly seen in the regular Page 3 parties and neither does he take part in any Bollywood award ceremony. Recently he even refused to get his statue done at Madame Tussauds. He explains, “I am closely associated with the industry. Every human being has a different priority and want. Mine is to entertain and keep my audience happy.”

Ask him if he’d rather continue as an actor or a director, he says, “If I see a story which I want to direct, I’ll take it up. On the other hand, if I feel like acting in the film, I do that. It’s not like people have not acted as well as directed. Look at Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutta and Shantaram.”

He goes on to talk about his forthcoming film, a remake of the south Indian super hit, Ghajini. He says that the title has not been decided yet. Well, this confident actor has proved his mettle as an actor. It’s just a matter of hours before we get to see his directorial prowess.

Katrina to do Yuvraj & Hello with Salman

Bollywood is abuzz with the rumours of the break up of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. While some say that it is Salman’s possessiveness that’s led to the break-up, other’s blame Katrina’s independent nature for the split.

Katrina made her debut with Amitabh Bachchan in Kaizad Gustad’s Boom. Though the film didn’t do well at the box office, she did get noticed. Somewhere around that time, Salman met Katrina at a party and was bowled over by her simplicity.

The two started dating each other. That’s when he signed her for his home production, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. Later, Katrina also did a cameo in Ram Gopal Verma’s Sarkar.

However, even after doing a couple of more films in Bollywood and down south, Katrina couldn’t find a footing in the film industry. She almost got lost amongst the barrage of newcomers. Till Namastey London happened! This film with Akshay Kumar was one of 2007’s biggest hit. Then came the super hit Partner, with Salman, Govinda and Lara.

Now that Katrina has established herself in Bollywood, she no longer consults with Salman before signing a film, which was the case till she was just another beautiful face. Katrina will be soon seen opposite Akshay in Singh Is King and Welcome. What has seemingly miffed Salman Khan has the fact that she even signed a film with Shahid Kapoor.

She has two films opposite Salman Khan, titled Hello and Yuvraj. She is also working hard on improving her Hindi as well. Well, considering her efforts and the number of films she has in her kitty seems like, Katrina will be very soon known as a superstar than just a pretty face.

Kareena & Salman back to being friends

Reports are that Kareena Kapoor and Salman Khan are back to being friends. The two have finally agreed to work together in Sohail Khan’s Mr & Mrs Khanna.

The reports of an ongoing cold war between Kareena and Salman have been there since quite some time. It all started when, Kareena’s then boy friend, Shahid and Salman were performing for a dance show. Apparently Shahid suggested some changes in the way Salman dances and the latter got miffed. According to Salman, Shahid should have shown the respect meant for a senior.

Since Kareena as very much in love with Shahid then, she also supported him. This led to the tiff between Kareena and Salman. He was even to do an item number in her shelved film, Milenge Milenge. Bu towing to the fallout, he decided against it.

Now that Kareena is no longer dating Shahid, seems like, she wants to go back to being friends with Salman. Well, the two stars have had just one film together, Kyun Ki, and even that did not do well at the box office. Wonder what the chemistry would be like in the new film?

Kareena might star in Sajid Khan’s next

Reports are that after the super success of Sajid Khan’s directorial debut, Heyy Babyy, he is planning to make yet another comedy film. IN his next film, he wishes to cast Kareena Kapoor. The film is going to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

Apparently, he has shown her the rough draft of his script and Kareena has said yes to the project as well. Sajid’s film is going to be a comedy with three lead actresses and sources say that Vidya Balan is going to be one of the three leading ladies. Well, with Vidya and Kareena already in the cast, wonder who’ll be the third beauty who’ll complete the casting coup?