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Funny man-turned-director Sajid Khan doesn`t mind the `big mouth` tag. He is ready with his second film ‘Housefull’ and isn`t really bothered about reviews as he believes people, not critics, decide a movie`s fate.
"The fact is that critics don`t have to tell me whether my film is good or not. It is the job of the audience and they would decide if `Housefull` works for them," Sajid told reporters.

"Also, one thing I can state on record is that critics may give a one-star or a five-star rating to `Housefull`, but in their hearts they would like the film for sure. The same holds good for audiences who will any way watch `Housefull` multiple times regardless of the review ratings," he said.

‘Housefull’ stars Akshay Kumar in the lead along with Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan, Boman Irani, Chunky Pandey and Randhir Kapoor.

Sajid is known for taking digs at actors and filmmakers. A few weeks back, he even made fun of critics at an awards function. Did he think twice about it?

"What did I do wrong? I just picked on select critics who seem to be completely oblivious to what audiences want. May be most of them know what they are doing but then there are indeed some big critics who have goofed up repeatedly in the past," the director said.

Asked to cite some instances, he said: "I will give you an example where a critic gave three stars to both `Aladin` and `3 Idiots`. Are you telling me that the biggest flop and hit ever are alike in the way they were created? See, there have been so many instances when such critics have given a single star to films that go on to become the biggest hits of the year while movies that get four or five stars have turned out to be flops."

So isn`t he worried about his stance regarding critics backfiring? After all, his own `Housefull` is round the corner and a lot of money is at stake?

"Perhaps not all critics would be kind to `Housefull`, but what`s the guarantee that they would have been nice with their reviews had I not spoken about them at the awards function?" he asked.

According to him, ‘Housefull’ promises to be one of the biggest entertainers of the year. With music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the film is set to release April 30.

Bipasha Basu sports nine stunning looks in Pankh

Priyanka Chopra played 12 characters in "What`s Your Raashee" and now Bipasha Basu is doing much the same in "Pankh" where she sports nine different looks.
The actress plays an imaginary character in director Sudipto Chattopadhyay`s film and her different looks will reflect the attitude and mood of the hero, played by debutant Maradona Rebello. Releasing April 2, it is produced by Sanjay Gupta.

According to Bipasha, whenever Maradona feels vulnerable, she has been given a soft look and whenever he is agitated or in self doubt, she is made to look harsh.

Bipahsha also feels that designing her look was the complete teamwork of designer Rocky S, director Sudipto Chattopadhyay and new age producer Sanjay Gupta, who were instrumental and involved in designing the right look to match the attitude of the character.

"Pankh" traces the life of a boy (Rebello) who plays a female artiste as a child in movies. When he grows up and wants to be launched as a hero, he goes through gender confusion and falls in love with an imaginary actress, played by Bipasha.

"`Pankh` is a wild ride through the underbelly of the film industry. Bipasha plays an alter ego, a fantasy and we wanted her to look like the two divas - Sophia Loren and Liza Minelli from `Cabaret`. The conception and execution of the looks were a collaborative effort between the Sudipto, the director and designers Rocky S and Gavin Miguel," Gupta said in a press statement.

The film also features Mahesh Manjrekar, Lillette Dubey, Ronit Roy, Sanjeeda Sheikh and newcomer Amit Purohit.

Priyanka Chopra witnessed Ranbir-Katrina’s blossoming love

There was one person in the film industry, who knew all along that Ranbir and Katrina are love-birds. She was none other than Priyanka Chopra, who incidentally came across Katrina Kaif, when she was discreetly meeting Ranbir in the US. According to a news daily, Katrina Kaif had frequently flown to the US to meet Ranbir where he was shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala`s ‘Anjaana Anjaani’ with Priyanka Chopra.

During her visits to her beau, Katrina always made sure that she stayed away from the set of Ranbir’s film, and no-one spotted her there. She had an alibi that she was in UK with her family for the holidays but this was not the reality as she would frequently fly from UK to the US. However, Priyanka Chopra spoiled the plans by running into her and she had to be taken into confidence.

Although Katrina`s spokesperson refuted the news calling it ‘ridiculous’ and ‘sheer rubbish’ but it’s now more than confirmed that Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina are in love and it was one of the major reasons for the actor’s break-up with Deepika Padukone. It all began during the shoot of ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’, continued during ‘Raajneeti’ and is still growing strong.

Sources reveal that Katrina and Ranbir visit each other’s house often but they are not revealing their relationship. Well, we are waiting for the official announcement.

`MNIK`s smooth release not a political stunt`: Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today said that his government`s move to ensure smooth release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer MNIK in the backdrop of Shiv Sena`s threat to stall it was not a `political stunt`.


Chavan shared stage with Shah Rukh at the inauguration of FICCI-FRAMES conference here for the first time after last month`s controversy over the film`s release in Maharashtra. The government can`t react to every development. But, when things go beyond a point and democracy is at stake, the government has to intervene, he said.

A film which has already obtained a certificate from the Censor Board need not succumb to pressures, he said. The Chief Minister thanked people of Mumbai and Maharashtra for not allowing a second censor board (Sena`s diktat). He assured total support to the film industry in terms of policy and infrastructure in the state. Chavan also sought co-ordination from FICCI to address the grievances and problems faced by the industry.

Shah Rukh said it was only because of Chavan that his film got distributed and released in Maharashtra. Yash Chopra, chairman of the FICCI Entertainment committee said the film industry has made plans to celebrate the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013.

"We will begin preparations from this year itself and seek the government`s help to organise it in the city of cinema`s birth - Mumbai," Chopra said.

India offers incredible inspiration to filmmakers and the growth potential is tremendous. Great stories and great talent have no borders, Fox Filmed Entertainment, CEO and chairman, Jim Gianopoulos said. Fox`s first Indian production MNIK is a truly global film for Bollywood, he said, adding, Fox is for forming meaningful partnerships at the local level.

Sex scene to be blurred in `Love Sex Aur Dhokha`

The controversial scene showing a bare-backed woman on top of a man in director Dibakar Banerjee`s much talked-about film `Love Sex Aur Dokha` will be blurred on screen.

The censor board Monday asked Dibakar to tone down the scene.

The director, who is mired in what he sees as an unnecessary controversy, says: `We had submitted a DVD of the film to the censor board so they`d recommend cuts in advance and avoid delays. The censor preview recommendation suggests that we blur the sex scene.`

`We were told this scene was too graphic and needed tempering. There`s no way the censors could allow the love-making scene. We`ve clearly been told that even before the film is submitted for censoring.`

When asked how bare-backed love-making scenes were allowed by censors in other films, the director chose to smile.

`I`ve been in principle against the film being perceived as a voyeur`s delight. `Love Sex Aur Dokha` is not about sex, sex and sex. Those who expect that will return disappointed,` he said.

However, a cut with reference to caste in the love story between a low-caste boy and a high-caste girl by the censor board has left Dibakar unhappy.

`This completely changes the perspective of my story as now the caste-challenged love story is turned into a poor-boy-rich-girl romance. This is not what I intended,` the director said.

Also, the song `Tu nangi achi lagti hai` modified on the audio CD to `Tu gandi achi lagti hai` has been changed in the film.

`But no complaints. Considering the controversial content my film got away easily with little cuts and an `Adults` certificate,` Dibakar said.

Abhishek Bachchan starrer to be co-produced by Fox Star

Abhishek Bachchan starrer `Dum Maaro Dum` set to be directed by Rohan Sippy will be co-produced Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and Star.

The film will be Rohan`s third movie with Abhishek, whom he had earlier directed in `Kuch Naa Kaho` and `Bluffmaster`.

"I am happy to team up yet again with Abhishek, who is a marvelous actor, and together we promise to provide edge of the seat excitement to audiences," said Rohan.

"We are committed to working with the best talent in the business and are delighted to be working with the winning pair of Rohan and Abhishek on `Dum Maaro Dum`. It`s an amazing script that we are all very excited about. It`s going to be a film to watch out for in 2010," Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, said in a statement.

The movie, an action-thriller, will be shot in Goa and also star Bipasha Basu, Aditya Panscholi and Pratiek Babbar and Telegu Star Rana Daggubati, who will make his Bollywood debut.

Aamir Khan all set to venture into regional cinema

Celebrating his birthday on a rather low note, Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood, Aamir Khan revealed his line of work for the year ahead. The versatile actor has made up his mind to promote regional cinema, which he thinks has a lot of potential both in terms of art and commerce.

Aamir stated that he is now keen to promote regional cinema and is willing to produce regional films hereon. “I would love to produce regional language cinema including Marathi,” said the actor who shared that this year he is “seriously working on to perfect his Marathi and Urdu diction.”

As we already know Aamir will not be indulging much on the acting side, however he’ll be at the helm of some important projects of Bollywood. With his usual charismatic smile and the focus towards production of films, the actor said, “This year I want to spend my time with my family members and will concentrate on my banner`s three under-production films — Peepli Live, Dhobi Ghat and Delhi Belly.”

The film industry sure has reasons to celebrate now, considering Aamir Khan diversifying with his plethora of ideas!