I am ready to work with Rekha again: Big B

MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha shared magical chemistry on the silver screen and the pair became one of the most sought-after couple of B-town.

But they haven’t been seen together since they last sizzled in Yash Chopra’s brilliant ‘Silsila’, way back in 1982. However, years after, Big B has once again expressed that he doesn't mind working with Rekha.

Amitabh, who still manages to enthral the audience with his performances, is open to work with his alleged ex-flame, but what he demands is a good script. "If I get a good story and I like it, then we can certainly work together," explains Senior Bachchan.

On being asked about Rekha’s and Sachin Tendulkar's nomination in the Parliament, he said, "People who are nominated in Parliament are honourable and are eligible for appreciation." Well, we’ll surely convey your appreciation to her, sir. I am ready to work with Rekha again.

Amitabh Bachchan suffers minor chest injury

Amitabh Bachchan has said that he suffered a minor chest injury during an action sequence on the set of Ram Gopal Varma's Department.

Just a few days ago, son Abhishek Bachchan was also injured while filming a chase sequence in Jaipur for Bol Bachchan.

The elder actor wrote on Twitter: "A minor incident on set during semi action sequence. Got hit on chest rib cage, some damage inside, pain on breathing, bearable! (sic)

"Guess its the season for injury. First Abhishek, now moi."

Bachchan's Twitter account was flooded with tweets from concerned fans and the 68-year-old actor quickly tried to pacify them.

"Okaay I seem to have let loose a cannon !! It will heal. Do not worry All shall be well," Bachchan wrote.

"People of twitter world, relax! Should never have mentioned. Just an accidental hit by either an elbow or the butt of a carbine."

The actor was criticised for announcing daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pregnancy on Twitter, but defended his actions by saying his fans on Twitter are his family. Source

Amitabh Bachchan donates £1300 to widow

Amitabh Bachhan has given 100,000 (£1,300) rupees to a widow who appeared on his TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Aparna Malikar, a 27-year-old widow from Vara-Kawatha village in the Yavatmal district, will feature in a special episode of the reality game show hosted by Bachchan, in which she won Rs. 640,000 (£8,500). Moved by her story and her desire to educate her children, Bachchan made a personal donation.

According to NDTV, the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) chief said: "It was a pleasant surprise to receive a demand draft and a signed letter from Bachchan by a special courier from Mumbai.

"In the letter addressed to Aparna, Bachchan wrote: "Aparnaji, despite all the hardships, you have displayed great courage, this is really commendable. I welcome your views on the education for your children. Here is a small gift from me. Please accept it."

Tiwari said that VJAS has thanked the actor for his gracious gesture to the widow. He urged civil society members to come to the aid of more than 12,000 farm widows who are facing starvation.

In a special dispatch from Mumbai, IANS had highlighted the plight of Aparna, a school dropout, a widow at 25 and mother of two girls.

In the Kaun Banega Crorepati episode, she said her first step would be to clear off her late husband's farm debt of Rs. 60,000 (£800) and spend the remaining amount on her daughters' education.

Bachchan returned as host on the fifth season of the show.

Amitabh Bachchan acts for free in Baz Luhrmann's 'Great Gatsby'

Amitabh Bachchan has described his single scene in The Great Gatsby as a "gesture" to director Baz Luhrmann.

The actor has refused any payment for the role of shady businessman Meyer Wolfsheim, who helps Jay Gatsby accumulate his mysterious fortune.

Bachchan wrote on his blog: "Baz Luhrmann, during his private visit to India last year, had dropped by my office to meet me and presented me with some paintings of a prominent painter that was accompanying him.

"He called last month and wondered if I would do this small role in his film and I agreed. It is a gesture. I have refused any remuneration on this too."

Bachchan, who will appear with Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio in the adaptation, cautioned against seeing the role as a breakthrough for Indian actors.

He said: "We must remember a most basic fact. We are the Indian film industry and they Hollywood from America. There shall always be a prominence to American actors in Hollywood, just as there is a prominence of Indian actors in Indian films.

"A Shah Rukh, Salman or Aamir may well be an unknown face in one of the towns in Midwest USA, but so would a Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise in Yevatmal or Giridih."

24 star Anil Kapoor recently said that appearing in Hollywood films has given his acting career a new lease of life.

Bollywood star Bachchan in first Hollywood film

MUMBAI — Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan will appear in his first Hollywood film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in a new adaptation of classic novel "The Great Gatsby", according to Warner Bros. Pictures.
The 68-year-old star of 1970s hits "Sholay" (Sparks) and "Deewaar" (Wall) joins DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan in Australian director Baz Luhrmann's version of the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Warner Bros. said in a statement from California on Tuesday that shooting started this week and Bachchan will play Meyer Wolfsheim, a shadowy organised crime figure who helps the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby make his money.

Bachchan was in Australia last month, where most of the filming will take place, but he did not disclose on his daily blog whether the trip was to finalise his appearance.

Instead, he wrote cryptically on August 29 as he was about to return to India: "Time has been spent well and hopefully judiciously. Days ahead will tell us whether it was fruitful or not."

The "Big B", who has a fanatical following in India and among fans of Hindi-language cinema abroad, has starred in some 150 Bollywood films. In 2008, he released his first English-language film, "The Last Lear".
Maguire, star of the "Spider-Man" franchise, plays Nick Carraway, the would-be writer and narrator of the novel, who comes to New York from the US Midwest in 1922 to make his fortune.

DiCaprio plays the lead role of Jay Gatsby, while Britain's Mulligan plays his lover, Carraway's cousin, Daisy Buchanan.The film is being made on a $150 million budget and due for release next year, according to the imdb.com website.

"The Great Gatsby" has been adapted for cinema four times previously, including in 1974 with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.

Luhrmann, a fan of Bachchan who has said that Bollywood's trademark song and dance routines influenced his Oscar-nominated "Moulin Rouge", described Fitzgerald as "a passionate believer in the power of cinema".
"The vision and the goal of our remarkable cast and creatives is to do justice to the deftness of Fitzgerald's telling, and illuminate its big ideas and humanity." Source AFP

Amitabh Bachchan to open museum in father's honour

Amitabh Bachchan is reportedly planning to open a museum dedicated to the poetry of his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

The actor explained that he felt the speed of modern communication had diminished the importance of classic literature and language.

"I do believe that the richness of our language is getting lost. We used to spend a lot of thought and lot of energy behind what was written and spoken. Perhaps it was a lot richer in earlier times," Bachchan told IANS.

"I don't want to blame today's generation. The time has changed, communication has become very rapid and very quick."

The 68-year-old, who is an advocate of social networking site Twitter and has his own blog, said that he wants to preserve the richness of the Hindi language.

"I've been thinking for a long time about opening a museum where I could store my father's well-known works that can be used for research work. I hope we are able to fulfill our plans to open a museum soon and preserve his iconic works."

Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who died in 2003, is credited with works such as Madhushala and Agneepath, and is regarded as one of the greatest Hindi poets of the 20th century.

Amitabh Bachchan has been actively promoting his father's works internationally.

"I didn't know that my father's work is popular in not only India but also abroad," he said. "On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of my father, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New York had invited me for the recital of his works at the Lincoln Centre and there were at least 3,500-4,000 people who had come as an audience."

He is now planning to travel the world reciting his father's poems.

Amitabh Bachchan creates new record by singing title track in 'Acapella' style

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan created a new record by singing the title track of his forthcoming film 'Bbuddah - Hoga Terra Baap' in 'Acapella' style -- the first ever in India.

Acapella music is a solo or a group vocal or singing without any instrumental sound.
Interestingly, music directors Vishal-Shekhar had been planning to do something unique with Mr Bachchan since quite sometime and they came up with the idea of using the acapella style to create a memorable number for ‘Bbuddah’. When the duo approached Mr Bachchan with this suggestion, the actor immediately agreed to do it, a release said here today.

Music director Shekhar Ravjiani said ''We wanted to try something new with this song. We did the basic setup and then Mr Bachchan replaced every track with his voice. He recreated the sounds of approximately 10 to 12 instruments, from drum to bass to the snare to the chorus. In a nutshell, he did everything required to make a song.'' Produced by Viacom18 and AB Corp, ‘Bbuddah-Hoga Terra Baap’ is written and directed by Puri Jagannadh and also stars Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon, Sonu Sood, Sonal Chauhan, southern actress Charmi and South Indian baddie Prakash Raj.

‘Bbuddah’ releases on July one, the release added.

'Illegal' Amitabh Bachchan set demolished

A film set constructed for Amitabh Bachchan's new production has been demolished over claims that it was illegal.

The structure, which was part of the Bhopal set of Aarakshan, was pulled down following a court order, AFP reports.

Director Prakash Jha commented: "It would have been dismantled within a month. Everyone in Bhopal knew it was a set.

"Shooting had taken place between January and March but the film's schedule was now disrupted. Now we have to work out alternative arrangements."

The film was originally scheduled to take between 60 and 70 days to complete.

An earlier film shoot by Jha in the Madhya Pradesh city was cancelled following protests over shooting in a hospital.

Amitabh Bachchan wants to ride this beauty!

After riding what he calls the "beast bike" for "Bbuddah - Hoga Tera Baap", megastar Amitabh Bachchan is eager to buy his own Harley Davidson.

"What is it with men and the sound of a mean machine. The roar of a speed car, the rush of air and sound in a double exhaust bike, that kick of acceleration as you push the pedal flat, that jerk of change on the Concord, when it was functional, as it went from normal to Mach 3 at 55,000 feet in the air! Is it the same with the ladies too?" Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

"Soon after it was the adrenalin pumping beast bike, the Harley 'twixt my legs. And what a monster it is. I have to say though that having done it, and for the first time, it is an experience that now coerces me to have one of my own.

OOOOO! Baby!! It is another world as you stride all the leather and studs and white metal that surrounds you. Quite something!" he further wrote.

Meanwhile, age seems to be taking its toll on the 68-year-old.

"Running at 70 is a bit of a bother! You feel you can move with some fluidity, but no! The legs do not respond to what the mind is telling it to do and you suddenly realize that the weight of your body is not that lithe anymore," he wrote.

"So as I sit down on my 'blogespherechair' to fill in my adventures, I am cushioned with hot water bags and electronic heating devices to ease out the numerous folds of muscles, that had remained dormant and in retirement for a very long time," he added.

Bachchan to tattoo Aishwarya’s name

MUMBAI: It looks like Abhishek Bachchan is off on the path made by Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Apparently, the actor has planned to express the love for his wife, Aishwarya by tattoeing her name on his wrist.Abhishek is planning to ink Aishwarya’s name permanently on his body but he is confused about the design.

Abhishek Bachchan revealed his desire to ink Aishwarya’s tattoo during the promotional event of ‘Dum Maro Dum'. He said that he wanted to express his love for Ash by flaunting a tattoo.

India's World Cup victory breaks Amitabh's superstition

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan's belief that India loses a cricket match whenever he watches has finally been broken, thanks to the World Cup final that he watched on TV and saw India defeating Sri Lanka.

"Yesterday (Saturday), that age old superstitious finicky belief, that if I were to watch a game it would result disfavourably for us, broken and shattered for good I would imagine," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com late Sunday night.

Amitabh's son Abhishek had admitted recently that they do not watch India's matches, and get constant updates on phone instead, due to the superstition. But neither could resist the temptation of watching the final.

"Yes, I did not see the India-Pakistan (match), I did not see the India-Australia (match), and for most of the time resisted this final too. But I have no idea what prompted me to switch (to) the game on after we were 33 for 2 (sic) and tottering. And when Dhoni smacked that six for victory, it smacked my superstition too out of my life," added Amitabh.

The father-son duo, along Aishwarya Rai, came onto the streets late Saturday night, after the match to celebrate India's victory.

Bachchan's wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong

Amitabh Bachchan is the first Bollywood actor to get a wax figure at the world famous Madame Tussauds museum in Hong Kong. His statue features in the Hall of Fame section and was unveiled by award-winning actor Moses Chan.

With a successful career spanning 40 years, Amitabh has four National Film Awards to his credit. The 68-year-old's wax avatar sports a black sherwani with red buttons, teamed with a white pyjama.

"There are more and more Indian visitors taking the star-studded journey through Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. We are sure that the new Amitabh Bachchan wax figure experience will appeal to our Indian visitors, who will get to meet their legendary star here, as well as other local and international visitors," Kelly Mak, general manager, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, said in a press statement.

The wax figure was unveiled amid a group of Bollywood dancers, who struck an Indian pose along with Chan and Mak later.

The statue will be displayed against an Indian style facade, highlighted with light bulbs. The guests will be able to enjoy a theatre-style lighting show inspired by Amitabh's movie "Aladin".

So far no other Bollywood actor has a wax figure in the Hong Kong museum.

Amitabh also has a wax statue each in Madame Tussauds' London and New York museum, respectively.

Lord have mercy on Japan "Sophie Choudry"

A host of Bollywood personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shekhar Kapur and Madhuri Dixit have expressed grief at the devastation in Japan, which was hit Friday by a massive earthquake followed by a tsunami.

The celebrities are shocked at the images of the country after the disaster and, in postings on their blogs and social networking site Twitter, they hope that the pain and suffering will subside soon.

Here's what they had to say:

Sophie Choudry: As I lay me down to sleep, can't help but think of tragedy. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. Lord have mercy.

Amitabh Bachchan: The horrible visuals of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan are just unbearable to watch! The fury of the devastation and the helplessness of those that suffer is petrifying. In this hour of grief our heads bow down in prayer and hope, for those that face this trauma and wish that we can through our thoughts give them solace and comfort.

Shekhar Kapur: Watching videos from Japan was like watching an apocalypse. Heart and prayers go out to people of Japan.

Madhuri Dixit: Can you believe another quake and tsunami? My heart goes out to them.

Gul Panag: My heart goes out to all those affected by nature's fury in Japan. Gut-wrenching images on TV.

Vivek Oberoi: Just got back and saw the heartbreaking images of the tragedy in Japan... brings back memories of the destruction and devastation I saw during the tsunami in India. The images we see on television are nothing compared to the real pain and anguish of the people going through it... my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Shahana Goswami: Feel really helpless and upset with the tsunami and what its done to Japan. All the support and love to the survivors.

Aftab Shivdasani: Shocking visuals of the earthquake in Japan... Dreading the loss of life there. It's nature's way of saying do not spoil the planet... Must respect nature before it gets too late. My condolences and deep compassion to all those who lost their loved ones in this unforeseen fury of nature. May the divine bless the souls.

Arshad Warsi: God be with the ppl of Japan...

Siddharth: The visuals of yesterday (Friday) still haven't sunk in. It's all so very tragic. 2012 does seem like just another doomsday prophecy anymore!

Shahid Kapoor: Spread the love people... Life is just too short... Japan could have been us... Live with no regrets... May god bless us all!

R. Madhavan: My heart goes out to Japan. Having lived through one in Chennai I can't even imagine how this must be.

Lisa Ray: Deeply saddened by news of natural disaster in Japan.

Sanjay Suri: Heart and prayers for all suffering in Japan. Life is so very fragile.

Divya Dutta: EverythIng that we run around for is so frivolous in front of nature's fury. Let's make every day magical as if there's no tomorrow... prayers for Japan.

Shreya Ghosal: The Japan Earthquake, Tsunami is MASSIVE!! I am just praying... Dear God, have mercy..

Amitabh Bachchan to dye beard, hair for 'Boodha'

After retaining the same appearance for the last 11 years, Amitabh Bachchan has suddenly turned experimental about his looks. First he decided to sport a trimmed beard and new hairstyle in "Aarakshan" and now for "Boodha", the Big B will dye his beard and hair into a flamboyant trendy colour!

The colour is yet to be decided. According to insiders from the frantically-experimental unit, Big B would either sport a red-tinted beard and hair in the movie -- which will be directed by Telugu maverick Puri Jagannath -- or it could be various flamboyant colours.

When contacted, Jagannath said: "That's right. Bachchan sir is going totally psychedelic for his part in 'Boodha'. You see, he plays a man who is 60 but believes he's still 25. So he moves around dressed and made up like today's youngster. And if anyone calls him a boodha (old man) he is livid. He will be dyeing his beard and wig."

Even the clothesline for Big B in "Boodha" would be in keeping with his character of a man of 25. Apparently, the megastar would be borrowing accessories from his son Abhishek's wardrobe.

The film will go on floors next month.

SRK, Big B & Dench to work together

It cannot get any bigger or better than this! Two icons of Bollywood and a heavyweight Hollywood A-lister are coming together to support the cause of education among the underprivileged in India.

Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Judi Dench will be working in tandem to promote education among the low-income groups of the country with the sole aim that when these kids become bread-winners, they will have a better life and in turn provide better opportunities to their children.

And bringing these top actors together is none other than the Oscar-winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty. His foundation has been silently working towards bettering the socio-economic conditions of the poverty struck groups but he believes that the time has come to go top gear. "It is unimaginable that even in the 21st century there is rampant illiteracy in India. We are making our presence felt in the world and this aspect is something that should definitely be tackled. Along with economy and cultural boom, India should not be spoken as a country that is also illiteracy stricken," Resul told TOI.

He added, "Without Amitabh Bachchan's blessing, my project would have not started at all. He has helped me with funds and goodness. It is time to implement new things. Just when I was planning different things, Judi Dench came to my rescue. She had spent eight weeks in the country while shooting her Hollywood project in Rajasthan. She saw the rich and the poor and was touched by the work that we were doing."

According to Resul, Judi will play a very active role in the project. "Judi has told me to draw plans and just tell her what is to be done and she will try her level best to do more than what has been asked of her," he said. SRK's inclusion certainly bolsters the plans further. "I have met Shah Rukh while working on his movie Ra.One.

 I told him all about our charity that is being supported by two big luminaries and he was more than keen to support. SRK is a silent benefactor and he too will be with us in this cause," Resul added.
Check out Shah Rukh Khan's homepage

Big B's Save Tiger programme in controversy

The 'Save Tiger' programme, hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachchan for a TV channel in Madhya Pradesh's Pench Tiger Reserve, has sparked off controversy with a NGO claiming the event had violated wildlife laws.

NGO Uday has complained to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the central environment and forest ministry and the state's chief wildlife warden that the 12-hour telethon Dec 12 committed gross violations of various sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violating sound limits in the tiger reserve.

"The campaign targeted profits and more TRPs regardless of the ill effect on wildlife... although it's a good move to start awareness among people and unite them for a global cause... but pros and cons should be kept in mind before organising such an event," Shehla Masood of Uday told IANS.

The programme had generated about Rs.5 crore for tiger projects in India.

Masood also said that the NTCA has informed her that they have forwarded the complaints to authorities concerned for further action.

State Chief Wildlife Warden H.S. Pabla told IANS that the complaint was "not much of a serious issue".

"The programme had been organised outside the park, so we have to see the legalities of the jurisdiction," he said.

Amitabh-Shahrukh-Hrithik walk the ramp for KJ

All the three Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham stars walked the ramp for Karan Johar. Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan were the showstoppers for Karan and Varun's fashion show on men's wear on Thursday evening.

However, the show was stolen by KJ's lucky mascot Shahrukh Khan. Shahrukh was not walking the Couture ramp this year, he was seen sitting at the front row and cheering for his designer friends. When the showstoppers Amitabh Bachchan dressed in a black overcoat with aviators and Hrithik Roshan in a military jacket, took a final bow with the designers, Karan insisted that King Khan should come up the ramp.

The showstoppers of the day Amitabh and Hrithik, walked back to SRK and Big B pulled Shahrukh onto the stage. The atmosphere was suddenly electrified with all the powerful and enigmatic personalities gracing the stage.

The sounds of claps and cheers hovered the entire venue. The audience were full of joy and enthusiasm after seeing the trio Amitabh, Shahrukh and Hrithik of Karan Johar's film Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham on stage. It was a bonding atmosphere between all the biggies of Btown. SRK hugged Amitabh and Hrithik on the stage.

Bachchan to replace Khan on 'Millionaire'

Amitabh Bachchan has reportedly been asked to return as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? after replacement Shah Rukh Khan was dropped by its producers.

The Bollywood veteran hosted the first series but was forced to give up because of a serious illness.

Khan then took over hosting duties for the third series of Kaun Banega Crorepati?, as it is called in India.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, an insider said: "Bachchan and Shah Rukh, respectively, brought their distinct individuality on the table, but frankly speaking, Shah Rukh’s histrionics did not do go down well with the audience."

The show has been off the air since 2007, after the third series received a poor response.