http://www.apunkach oice.com/ scoop/bollywood/ 20070730- 6.html

Aishwarya and Abhishek on 'Koffee With Karan'
30th July 2007 22.55 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh

The newly weds will be the guests on the last episode of this
season's Koffee With Karan.

Curtains are set to go down on Karan Johar's famous chat show once
again. And like the last time, this time too Karan is looking
forward to end the season with the best of tinsel town.

Yes, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan will be Karan's guests on
the show's last episode.

Karan Johar , who has been getting honest confessions out of his
guests on his shows this season, is expected to have a frank, heart-
to-heart conversation with the newly weds in which he will touch
upon numerous subjects from their love affair to their marriage and
Bollywood career.

It would be interesting to see who will win the rapidfire round, Ash
or Abhi.

Although there is no confirmation, it is being speculated that
Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan may also make an appearance in
the second segment of the episode featuring Ash and Abhi.

Whatever the case, one thing that is sure is that Karan wants a
grand finale. He plans to give away special Koffee awards to the
Best guests of this season in various sections like best rapidfire
contestant and best supporting guest.

Reports have it that he is roping in celebrities like Malaika
Arora , Rahul Bose , Rohit Bal and Cyrus Broacha to be the jury for
these awards.

The episode will be shot in the coming days and will be aired in
August.

After wrapping Koffee with Karan, Karan will start working on his
next movie, which, needless to say, will star his best buddy Shah
Rukh Khan again.

Well, seasons come and seasons go. But some things never change.

kishore

http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/Bangalore_ Times/New_ job_for_Abhish
ek_/articleshow/ 2230906.cms

New job for Abhishek
25 Jul 2007, 0000 hrs IST,MARK MANUEL,AGENCIES

GOOD morning, Bangalore. We present Abhishek Bachchan as guest
editor of today's edition.

Abhishek arrived to do the job dressed in classic blue jeans and
white shirt, a Black Sabbath belt, sunglasses instead of the
hairband on his head, and dusty, brown Harley Davidson calf-length
boots.

A cup of coffee later (" with lots of sugar" ), he was sitting at
the head of an edit meeting, three cell phones kept on silent, a
notepad in front of him. He writes with his left hand. Yes, Amitabh
Bachchan is left-handed we know, but he writes with his right hand.

Actually, both are supposedly ambidextrous. The editorial team ran
its list of stories for the day by him for approval. Most, Abhishek
accepted straight off the bat; some, he hemmed and hawed over;
others he suggested changes to.

A story on Pratibha Patil (president elect, he reminded us), was no
big deal unless the issue was handled in a non-feminist way. "She
was elected not because she is a woman, but because she qualifies
for the job, so let's not make this a male-female thing," Abhishek
said, ticking off the story.

As for Sanjay Dutt's day of judgement coming around the time of his
birthday , he thought about for a while, then said, "I wish Sanju
Sir lots of peace; you should see him on the sets, everybody loves
him.

I wish you could get the opinions of all the lesser-known people he
works with: the light boys, for instance, or the unit hands who get
him lunch from home."

When he was told that fashion designers were turning film
directors , Abhishek frowned: "What's new in somebody from a
creative field becoming a film director? Journalists have also done
that. Creativity is the foundation. You just learn a new craft if
you've got that."

He doesn't watch television soaps, but he knew of the saasbahu
sagas. When told that Gautami Kapoor's husband, actor Ram Kapoor,
had allegedly lobbied to get her to replace Smriti Iraani in Kyunki
Ki..., Abhishek's comment was, "He should, he's her husband!" Our
Page 3, he said, was the pioneer of lifestyle supplements. "I breeze
through the rest and keep this for the end."

Fitness is a sore subject because he isn't into it. He admires
Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and even Shah Rukh Khan because they
work on being fit. "Dad, at 65, wakes up at 5.30 and is at the gym
till 8," he remarked wryly. An actor should be visually pre sentable
or audiences will not accept him. He enjoyed doing the Backbeat
page, though, like his father, he dislikes his industry being
referred to as Bollywood.

Then it was time for a photo call, and Abhishek Bachchan mingled
with the design team as they went to work on their computers. (Read
Abhi Speak, his comment on every page.) And then his phones came on,
one after another; there was a call waiting. "It's the wife, are we
done?" he whispered. Aishwarya had returned from a Jodhaa-Akbar
shoot late the previous night and had just woken up. She had a
question for the team: "When are you sending my husband home?" He
prepared to go, scooping up phones and sunglasses.

kishore

http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/Calcutta_ Times/Ive_ maintained_ a_on
e-pack_/articleshow /2230993. cms

'I've maintained a one-pack
25 Jul 2007, 0000 hrs IST,AGENCIES


For a self-confessed foodie like Abhishek Bachchan, exercising is a
daunting task.

"I love junk food. I love eating Frankies at a store in front of my
house in Bandra," he says. And what about burning the calories after
consuming the carbs?

"I like to fool myself that I workout. At present I'm suffering in
the gym," he humours, making a face. But the actor agrees that in
his field it's a must to look fit and presentable. "I'm the only
actor who has been able to maintain a one-pack for eight years."
Abhishek recollects how during the making of Guru he was asked to
put on 11 kilos to suit the character he was playing. "I didn't know
that it would be so difficult to lose that weight."

And what does he have to say about actors like John Abraham, Hrithik
Roshan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan who are praised for their
physique?

"I really appreciate the way they maintain themselves. Look at John
and even Duggu (Hrithik).I also admire SRK and now I heard that even
Aamir is toning his muscles. Salman Khan too has such a fab body."
Closer home, he admires his dad Amitabh Bachchan. "

My dad is one great example of a fitness freak. I wish I could be
like him." So, does Abhishek have a personal trainer? "No I don't .
But my father has one and so I piggy-back on him." But what about
his soul? "Nobody can tell you how to keep the soul fit. You need to
be positive and happy."

Abhi Speak

'Nowadays people don't like to watch actors who are out of shape. I
hope to emulate actors like John, Hrithik, Salman and SRK some day.
They are so dedicated and work out religiously in the gym. I think I
should get myself a trainer'

kishore

http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/Cities/ City_Supplements /Lucknow_ Ti
mes/Chemistry_ between_Abhishek _and_Aish/ articleshow/ 2231093.cms

Chemistry between Abhishek and Aish
25 Jul 2007, 0000 hrs IST,AGENCIES

Dhai Akshar Prem Ke. Translated it's film speak for I love you. It
was also the first film that Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai
worked together in and struck up a friendship .

Never mind that the film crashed and burned at the box office, the
duo became best friends. "It was the first time we worked together
and we have fond memories of the film. It was a lot of fun," says
Abhishek of his first interaction with Ash.

They went on to do Rohan Sippy's Kuch Naa Kaho together and then
jived for Bunty Aur Babli's hit item song, Kajra Re, with Amitabh
Bachchan matching steps with his son and now bahu. They still hadn't
started dating even as they began filming for Umrao Jaan. It was in
the film Dhoom 2, when they worked together (despite not being
paired opposite each other) that Cupid struck. "We started dating in
the latter half of the film as Dhoom 2 was shot for over a-year-and-
a-half ," smiles Abhishek.

So, when did he know that she was 'the one' ? "

There was no defining moment as such. You just know... you don't
know. I cannot explain in words," he says.

And then of course their smash hit Guru which had them playing
husband and wife on screen. "There are so many things I love about
Aishwarya. She's very human and unaffected and down-to-earth . A
simple little girl who's always smiling and that's very endearing,"
says the man in love.

Their love affair started on set, culminated in marriage on April 20
this year and now continues even as the two actors film for Ram
Gopal Varma's Sarkar 2 . And Abhishek, Ash and Amitabh share the
same initials of AB.

So will he name his child with the alphabet A?

"I haven't thought about it, but it's a cool idea. And I think kids
shouldn't be planned. Such things should just happen," he adds.

Has Ash changed anything about him?

"Yes, she tries to make me eat healthy food as she knows I have
unhealthy habits," he laughs.

kishore

http://www.radiosar gam.com/films/ archives/ 5366/my-father- written-by-
abhishek-bachchan. html

My Father - written by Abhishek Bachchan
by postedRadiosargam

Abhishek Bachchan has often featured on the page of RadioSargam. com –
in news stories, special features, reviews and more. However we've
never truly featured a heart-to-heart with the talented actor…until
now! Instead of asking him a load of boring pre-planned questions,
we decided to give Abhishek the freedom to discuss anything and
everything! In this exciting new column, he gives a fascinating
insight into family life…

Abhishek Bachchan on his father

I'm often asked questions regarding my relationship with Mr Amitabh
Bachchan. The answer has become customary. He's primarily my father,
which is his most important role in my life. He's undoubtedly my
hero too, but that's his secondary role!

He's always conducted himself like an ordinary parent at home, never
allowing his work to accompany him home. This means our family has
seldom reflected on his abilities in the same manner the entire
world tries to interpret him. However I am Mr Bachchan's greatest
fan. I have watched all his films…over and over again! Of course I
never enjoyed watching him getting beaten by anyone on screen. I
think that's natural because as a child you do not want your father
being beaten by anyone. But it was pleasant to know that he would
return home safely, out of harm's way.

Its important to discuss the comparisons sometimes made between Mr
Bachchan and myself. I don't dream of parallels in front of the
camera, otherwise I would never be able to perform accurately.
Therefore I simply shut off and concentrate on work. Lets not forget
Mr. Bachchan has reached the highest levels and remains the best. I
know I am not the best, so why bother to even begin comparing?

My metamorphosis from an actor's son to an actor has been very
simple. There is a saying that a fish's child need not know how to
swim. I believe that somewhere down the line acting runs in my
blood. I have grown up in this industry. Hence, it is not alien to
me. I am quite used to the ways of this industry. I am very
comfortable here. I would be at sea if I were doing something else.
I have a marvellous support system, fantastic parents to counsel and
prop me up.

If any choreographers wanted to portray me like dad, well maybe I
might have danced like that in a few of my films. But there was no
conscious effort from my side to do it like him. That would be
demeaning his work. I am the son of my parents, so I am going to
look like my parents. I hope to have some of their acting genes in
me too.

I am not trying to play the brooding romantic that father used to
play in his early days. At the moment, I do only whatever inspires
me to act. That changes everyday. You get up in the morning and you
want to play different emotions.

It's nice that I am working with newcomers because we have all
reached the exciting early stages of our careers. It is high time
that fresh talent comes up in the industry. Let us see whether we
can make a difference. I admit the Bachchan tag will continue to
stick on forever. Certain people have even advised me to remove my
surname and then just act as Abhishek. But I would never want to do
that ever. Who doesn't want to be related to Amitabh Bachchan and
not flaunt it? Anyway, I am now scheduled to work with him. People
have felt the jitters working along such a great actor…its not any
different for me! Let's see how I am able to work with him…

WRITTEN BY ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

kishore

http://www.mumbaimi rror.com/ net/mmpaper. aspx?
page=article& sectid=30& contentid= 2007070404105335 98275589e

Putting on an act

Abhishek Bachchan and Viveik Oberoi will perform together in scenes
in Mission Istanbul. Have they sorted out their differences over Ash
or will they have to put on a better act?

Posted On Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Subhash K Jha


Abhishek Bachchan
Unlike Shootout At Lookhandwala where Abhishek Bachchan and Viveik
Oberoi came in mutually exclusive segments, Abhishek and Viveik will
be performing scenes together in Apoorva Lakhia next, Mission
Istanbul. And neither has any problem doing so.

Says producer Suniel Shetty, "Why should they have a problem?
Abhishek is a thorough professional. He has no problem with anybody.
Yes, they do have scenes together in Mission Istanbul. And I'm sure
they'll do them splendidly. It's very unfair to bring in personal
matters to question their professionalism. The script is still being
worked out. Neither Abhishek nor Viveik have expressed any
misgivings about working together. There's unnecessary speculation. "

Suniel confirms the vast cast. "We've already confirmed Bobby Deol,
Viveik, Abhishek, Shabbir Ahluwaliah. Tusshar Kapoor has problems
with the combined dates required with the other actors. The problem
is now being worked out…."

The leading ladies are now being finalised. "They're integral to the
action. I need ladies who can kick ass as effectively as the boys,"
says Suniel.

Mission Istanbul is being made on an international scale. "The theme
requires an international vision. My director is browsing for F-X
team from the outside. It will be top-of-the-line technicians from
abroad. They're a step ahead not because they're more talented but
because they're more professional. The guys who do car stunts do
just that. The other stunts are performed by other specialists. "

Viveik Oberoi
Viveik OberoiThe film will be shot abroad. "We're shooting
completely in Turkey. The government there will extend all
assistance to us. Fortunately, right now India and Indian cinema are
very happening across the world," he says.

Adds Suniel, "We can no longer get away with sub-standard
spectacles. Today the guys who shot Dhoom or the forthcoming Cash
have brought an unparalleled expertise to our cinema. In both my
forthcoming projects Mission Istanbul and Raaste (Abhishek,
Aishwarya, John, Sikandar Kher) I'm getting top-notch technicians
associated with the best of Hollywood cinema. We're spending Rs 25-
30 crore on Mission Istanbul. I'm ready to spend more. I trust my
director Apoorva Lakhia completely."


kishore

http://www.timesnow .tv/Big_Bs_ advice_to_ Abhishek/ articleshow/ 2164743.
cms

Big B's advice to Abhishek
Sunday, July 01, 2007 11:10:59 am

Amitabh Bachchan has always been known for being son Abhishek's
biggest fan, standing up for him even when his career was going
through quite a rough patch. But it looks like there is one strength
that the Big B wishes the junior Bachchan would pull his socks up
over - and no, it's not his acting or dancing skills, but his rather
weak Hindi.

"It is true that this generation has trouble with speaking Hindi -
even my son Abhishek finds it difficult, and that's why I ask him to
try and talk to me in Hindi to improve his pronunciation and
vocabulary – but he doesn't listen to me," said Amitabh, who was
present at a function held in Mumbai by the Navbharat Times (NBT).
The newspaper celebrated its 57th anniversary on June 28 by
honouring people from different professions who have encouraged the
use of Hindi in day-to-day life.

Well, considering Abhishek's recent rather lukewarm performances, we
think he had better take Papa dearest's advice if he hopes to ever
achieve the senior Bachchan's superstar status. But with a wife like
Aish, we are sure that the only language Abhsihek is keen on picking
up these days is the language of love!

kishore

http://www.theasian news.co.uk/ entertainment/ bollywood/ s/229/229699_ it
_can_happen_ to_you.html

It can happen to you

Bollywood heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan talks to Asian New's chief
reporter Shelina Begum about his role in his latest blockbuster,
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and how anybody can fall in love especially when
they're least expecting it.

LIFE'S looking up for one of Bollywood's number one stars, Abhishek
Bachchan.

He married one the most beautiful women in the world, Aishwarya Rai,
he's celebrating the successful IIFA awards and his new film Jhoom
Barabar Jhoom is climbing high in the UK box office.

Advertisement" It's been a hectic few weeks, but everything is
looking great at the moment," said a cheerful Bachchan.

"I had a wonderful time in Yorkshire, it was a shame I couldn't see
more of it as I was rehearsing in Sheffield for my stage
performance, but me and my family will definitely like to come back
and visit on a holiday.

"And now am looking forward to see how fans like my forthcoming
movie, it's a very energetic film with great music and I hope people
enjoy it."

In Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - Dance Baby Dance - Bachchan plays Rikki, an
Indian lad living in Southall, London.

Whilst waiting for his fiancé to arrive at Waterloo Station, Rikki
meets Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) who is more "Brit than the Queen
herself". Alvira is also waiting for her fiance to arrive.

To kill time, they end up telling each other their "how I met my
partner" stories.

Rikki met his fiancé Anaida (Lara Dutta) at The Ritz (Paris), the
same night that Princess Diana and Dodi walked out of the hotel and
later tragically died.

Alvira met her prince charming at Madame Tussaud's. When a gigantic
wax model of Superman falls from the ceiling, Alvira is a sitting
target, but Steve (Bobby Deol), a lawyer by profession saves her
life and steals her heart!

While stories unfold, time passes and the two strangers start
enjoying each other's company and find that they are alarmingly
attracted to each other!

Surely something like does not happen in real life?

"Of course it can" laughs Bachchan.

"Love can happen at first sight, it can happen when your not even
looking for it and it might even take time.

"It really depends on the situation.

"The notion that two engaged people who have met for the first time
and are attracted to each other is not so far fetched at all.

"However, it makes a very interesting story line."

Bachchan said he enjoyed playing a Southall lad and felt he
was "back home" as they were shooting in the main Asian high streets.

He said: "Sometimes I didn't feel as though I was in England.

"It's amazing how you can come to a completely different country and
feel so much at home.

"Shooting was fun. We didn't get harassed by fans, if anything they
were great and I wish we had spent a bit more time interacting with
them.

"I also got time to go and watch Chelsea play. I am a huge fan, and
whenever there was a home game I was there.

"It was great and so much fun to watch a real match. There are huge
Chelsea fans in India and Manchester United are not the only ones
who dominate the football scenes."

As for his character, Rikki, Bachchan admits it was a challenging
role.

"Rikki loves the UK but he has Punjabi blood running through his
veins and he misses India.

"He's very representative of the hundreds of young men and women who
have left India to settle in England because they want a better life
and though they love living in their new country, they still
miss `home'."

Though that maybe the case with many people, Bachchan is not quite
ready to pack his bags and leave Mumbai.

He said: "I love England. My family loves this country and even
though we spend a lot of time here, India is still our home and I
cannot see myself shifting anywhere else just yet."

Bachchan's dad, acting legend, Amitabh Bachchan also makes a special
one-song appearance in the film where he appears in the title track,
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

"It's always fun working with dad," said Bachchan.

"I don't really get nervous because we've now worked on a few
projects together.

"If anything we actually get to spend time together and that's
really important," he added.

As for the future, Bachchan is looking forward to working with wife
Ash and they are both starting filming together on a new project in
two weeks tim.

Next year fans will also see them together in the UK on their
Unforgettable Tour.

kishore

http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/Cities/ City_Supplements /Bombay_Tim
es/Abhiash_not_ hubby-wife_ in_Sarkar_ 2_/articleshow/ 2163794.cms

Abhiash not hubby-wife in Sarkar 2
1 Jul, 2007 l 0000 hrs ISTlSubhash K Jha/TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ram Gopal Varma reveals plot of the film with Brand Bachchan in it.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma took time off from finishing his Sholay
extravaganza and planning the start of shooting (it's on July 4, in
Hyderabad) for Sarkar 2, to talk to BT about his forthcoming films.
This, in the manner of Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather II ,
promises to be one of the most eagerly looked forward to films in
Bollywood... if only because Varma has got Brand Bachchan together
for the first time. Excerpts from an interview:

You're getting together Bollywood's first family for the first
time...

Yes, but I didn't cast them as the first family. I signed Aishwarya
long before she got involved with Abhishek. And they aren't a couple
in Sarkar 2. Abhishek is already married to Tanisha in Sarkar,
remember?

But the audience will look at the couple in a different way...

I disagree. Once the audience enters a theatre , it creates its own
ambience in the first 10 minutes. Unless a film is designed to
accentuate personal equations between actors, audiences forget what
relationships actors share in real life. Sarkar 2 hasn't been
written to play up the Abhishek-Aishwarya relationship.

Does Big B play a semi-retired character?

Yes. Sarkar ended showing the senior Bachchan in retirement. But in
Sarkar 2, Abhishek isn't willing to take over the mantle. We pick up
the story from there. Abhishek's character will be substantially
more in the forefront. But like every son in a business empire,
he'll continue to look up to his father for guidance and support .

Are you doing Sarkar 2 only because everyone other filmmaker is into
sequels?

It was Abhishek's idea. We decided on Sarkar 2 even before the
shooting for Sarkar was over. The characters seemed to tempt me
enough to give them renewed life.

Didn't you feel this way about any of your other films, Satya for
instance?

Most of my films are remakes of my own cinema. Satya was a remake of
my Drohi, Bhoot was a remake of Raat. Obviously, the way the two
sets of films were made was different. I've been tempted to do
sequels quite often. But not Satya . Everyone died at the end of
Satya. In Sarkar, the political family has immense scope to reinvent
their lives. In Sarkar 2 , I'll use whatever I left behind from
Godfather 2 and 3 and Good Fellas.

But Sarkar wasn't The Godfather, it was more like a story of the
Thackeray family...

Well, the father and son conflict was inspired by Marlon Brando and
Al Pacino. The Godfather was never about the mafia. It was a family
drama.


kishore

http://www.apunkach oice.com/ scoop/bollywood/ 20070626- 4.html

Abhishek and Aishwarya in Switzerland
26th June 2007 22.00 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh

No, the couple is in Switzerland not for an extended honeymoon.

Ever since their wedding in April, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya
Rai have been trotting the globe together. First they went to
honeymoon in Tahiti Isles. Then they made a brief visit to Cannes
before flying off to London.

Now, the couple is reported to be in Switzerland. This time it is
work commitment that has taken them there.

Abhishek has gone there to shoot for Yash Raj Film's Laaga Chunari
Mein Daag . The film, directed by Pradeep Sarkar, has Rani
Mukherjee , Konkona Sen Sharma and Jaya Bachchan in main roles.
Abhishek only has a brief role in the flick.

Ash, quite understandably, is accompanying her hubby on his Swiss
sojourn. She has already shot her portions for Ashutosh Gowarikar's
movie Jodha Akbar , which will be her next big release later this
year. She is paired with Hrithik Roshan in the film.

In her interviews Ash has been saying that she is absolutely
enjoying her married life with Abhishek. While at IIFA, she even
went on to say that she has "the best husband in the world."

Incidentally, Abhishek had called her "the best wife" a day before
that.

Well, they definitely are Bollywood's best couple presently.

kishore

gifa awards show abhishek bachan
http://youtube. com/watch? v=8aEaSxvVVzs

gifa awards show abhishek bachan part 2
http://youtube. com/watch? v=kWOPcMR85GY

gifa awards show abhishek bachan part 3
http://youtube. com/watch? v=E5_3t03sYsg

gifa awards show abhishek bachan part 4
http://youtube. com/watch? v=fwRqvnFR6mA

enjoy

kishore

http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/Cities/ City_Supplements /Lucknow_ Ti
mes/No_war_between_ Bunty_and_ Babli/articlesho w/2148378. cms

No war between Bunty and Babli!
26 Jun, 2007 l 0000 hrs ISTlTIMES NEWS NETWORK

For those who were waiting to see deathly tension to erupt on the
sets of Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag after what's widely
been labelled the wedding snub, there was disappointing news.
There were absolutely no cold vibes between Rani Mukerji and
Abhishek Bachchan when he returned two work after a two-month break.

"How can there be?" says a close friend of both the stars. "Rani and
Abhishek have done four films. They're seen as the new Amitabh-Jaya
pair. And forget that. They're so comfortable with each other. Yes,
not being invited to the wedding did hurt Rani. She always thought
of the Bachchans as a part of her extended family and hoped they
considered her the same. Initially, she was upset about not being
invited. But the minute she met Abhishek last week after all
grievances dissolved instantly."

Rani and Abhishek are back having fun on the sets as though nothing
has happened.

"Nothing about Abhishek has changed after marriage. He's still a
major prankster filled with masti. When Rani realised this, she
immediately dropped her defences. The party spirit that prevails
every time Abhishek is around is back. The set for Laga Chunri Mein
Daag resembles a picnic spot," says the source.

Joining the revellery are Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Senshar ma. "In
fact Abhishek has known both the director Pradeep Sarkar and Kunal
for years. Abhishek often jokes that he wants to be as thin as
Kunal," says the source.
The buzz on the sets of Laga Chunri... is that Abhishek hasn't
changed one bit. "Marriage hasn't made him less bratty. It would
take a lot more than marriage to the most beautiful woman in India
to change Abhishek," jokes Abhishek's buddy.

kishore

http://www.indiafm. com/broadband/ video/Interviews /DTCnBv28/ 3/Abhishek-
Bachchan-Speaks- About-Jhoom- Barabar-Jhoom. html

enjoy

kishore

http://www.xpress4m e.com/life/ pulse/bollywood/ 20001750. html

Shooting With Abhishek Bachchan BM

Abhishek Bachchan talks about his movie Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and how
he enjoys working alongside his parents.

How was it working with dad (Amitabh) in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom?

It was great, but you have to forget about personal relationships on
the sets as it may hamper your performance. But yes, working with
dad and mum is a lot more fun as I get to spend quality time with
them.

I get to spend a lot of time with them (on set), which we normally
can't do due to our busy schedules. Abhishek Bachchan


We normally don't get enough time as a family due to our busy
schedules. I had a blast with dad, especially on the sets of Jhoom
Barabar Jhoom.

How do you rate Shaad Ali (director of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom)?
When you have Shaad directing a film, you know there's going to be
oodles of attitude and a very distinctive style. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
is a representation of what Shaad is like in real life. He already
gave everyone a hint about how crazy and flamboyant he is in Bunty
Aur Babli. It's totally his film.

Do you prefer working solo as opposed to a multi-starrer?

I definitely like working in an ensemble. It's very lonely and
boring to face the camera when you're the solo lead. I'm lucky to be
included in so many multi-starrers. Having so many people on set is
like being in a huge family. It's great fun.

Can you tell us a bit about your next movie Drona?

All I can say is that Drona has loads of special effects. It was a
challenging project for me as I haven't done this kind of stuff
before. My mom (Jaya Bachchan) plays my on-screen mother in Drona
and director Goldie Behl grew up with me. So, again it was like
working with the family for me.

kishore

'Aishwarya is not unlucky for us'

It's rare for Amitabh Bachchan to bare all in an interview, but the superstar spoke out candidly in an exclusive interview to Mid-Day, the Mumbai afternoon newspaper.

Reproduced with kind permission from Mid-Day is Bachchan's tell-all interview to the newspaper's Upala KBR:

There has been speculation about Aishwarya Rai being unlucky for your family.

This is very insensitive. First, there were reports about her being a manglik before marriage, and then getting married to a tree, and now this. Every day there is some prediction about what she is, what her future will be, yeh jis ghar mein jayegi uska father-in-law mar jayega (her father-in-law will die). Aishwarya is not unlucky for us! Whatever is fated will happen.

It's all very well for the media to speculate and write, but has anyone thought about what she and her family must be going through? The worst is that the speculation has not stopped. Yeh ho gaya, woh ho gaya (this has happened, that has happened) -- all because of Aishwarya!

Have they any idea what she and Abhishek are really going through? What's marriage but the belief between two people? It's not scientific or ritualistic. It's about two minds connecting. This is my wife and she will be my wife for the rest of my life. That's it.

Do you believe in astrology?

No, I don't. Before Zanjeer released, Jaya and me had decided that if Zanjeer is a hit, we will go to London for a holiday, as I had never been abroad. When it became a hit and we told our parents that we are going on a holiday, my father said, 'If you go on a holiday with her, you must marry her.' I said fine, we got married and left. Abhishek and Aishwarya are fond of each other.

In New York, after the premiere of Guru, Abhishek called me and said that he proposed to her. I said, 'Come on home.' I asked Aishwarya if she was happy. She said yes. I picked them up and took her home. I told her, this is your home. Humko kya lena dena hai aur kuch se? (How does anything else matter?)

'Ash is not married to a tree!'

Did your brother Ajitabh go to Bangalore with Aishwarya's horoscope?

My brother did no such thing! He probably went on a personal visit. There was a report in the electronic media that my brother had taken their horoscopes to Bangalore, to show them to an astrologer, who confirmed it. What is really disheartening is that you are not willing to believe the principals, but instead some astrologer who I don't know anything about. I haven't seen her horoscope, neither has any family member.

There were reports of her being a manglik...

It is ridiculous, we don't believe in this! If two people consent, are in love with each other and want to marry, that's it. We are happy with it. We have never looked at horoscopes. I don't even know how to spell the word manglik! I don't even know what she is. How much can you take? What do you do?

Is Ash married to a tree?

Ash is not married to a tree! The cure for a manglik is that she has to marry a tree. It's a challenge -- please show me the tree she married! Bring that person who married her to the tree. Where did it happen? Aishwarya Rai getting married to a tree: do you think the media wouldn't have known about it and gone to the place?

She went to Benares with your family and prayed there...

It was November 23, my father's birthday. Every year, on that day, for the last four years, we celebrate my father's birthday with a Kavi Sammelan in Lucknow. Last year, when we decided to go, my mother was in hospital. I said we haven't had any celebration like Holi and Diwali as my mother is ill in hospital.

I am saddened that people brushed aside that aspect and did not bother about it. We decided we can't have the poetry symposium as Ma is in hospital. Jaya said it would be nice if the family came and prayed at the Sankatmochan temple in Benares so we went together.

'Nishabh was very challenging'

After a long time, a solo hero film like Cheeni Kum has done extremely well. Have audience tastes changed?

They have liked the film. We are happy that something different has been accepted, though there were apprehensions from the media that we had just done a film with a similar premise of an older man falling in love with a younger woman.

CK was lighter, more comic and in some ways it looked morally correct, as opposed to Nishabd, where the audience had a pre-conceived notion that it was morally incorrect. We will respect that as the film has not done well.

Did you feel disappointed?

It was very challenging for me to do the role. I was surprised that Ram Gopal Varma could make a film of this nature, particularly when he has been known to delve more into grittier subjects on the underworld or an action film. I was surprised that he could understand some emotions in the film. We didn't want to make a film that was deliberately saying this is amoral or immoral.

I thought the way Balki divided the screenplay and brought out the situations, it was like any other commercial, romantic film -- except he was 64 and she was 34, and the father was 58, which was a pretty ridiculous situation, but it went well. I am very happy.

'I wouldn't be able to carry off a ponytail'

You are doing Balki's next film with Abhishek? It's called Pa, which is what Abhishek calls you.

Yes, that's a proposal. We have the concept, but we have to get down to scripting...

Is there a greater comfort level working with Abhishek?

In front of the camera we are all artistes. Of course, it's nice to have your family with you, go together to the studio and come back home together. Otherwise, it's like working with any other artiste.

Was the ponytail in Cheeni Kum false?

Yes.

Have you thought of keeping one, since it makes you look younger?

Naah! I wouldn't be able to carry it off. The ponytail was Balki's idiosyncrasy.

Do you know how to cook?

No. I can just about boil water.

So you wouldn't be able to cook zafrani pulao in real life?

No. I don't know the recipe. That's all dialogue. I didn't actually cook it.

'Sholay has been a huge amount of nostalgia'

You are doing Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay, where you are playing Gabbar Singh -- a role played by your close friend Amjad Khan. Is there a feeling of nostalgia? Do you miss him?

Obviously. Every step you take while working on the film, you think about what went on. Memories of any film you do always remain with you. Sometimes, when you get an opportunity to refer to it or think back on it, which happens quite often, because as you age you start thinking of your past a lot more.

Sholay has been a huge amount of nostalgia. In some ways, it's also coming full circle.

I loved Gabbar Singh's role when Salim-Javed narrated it to me. I begged Mr Ramesh Sippy that I wanted to do it. We were driving for the first time from Bangalore to the location. He didn't agree. I am happy Ramu has thrown this, as a challenge.

Will there be comparisons, as Amjad Khan made Gabbar an iconic villain?

Obviously there will be comparisons. That's fair enough. That's something one will have to live with. What is interesting is that there are diverse roles coming my way, which is not necessarily the good sounding patriarch who looks after the family.

'In Aladdin, I play a genie'

Then there's Bhootnath, where I play a ghost.

In Aladdin, I play a genie, among various roles. How many patriarchal roles can I do? If there is variety, I would want to experiment and look at it as a challenge as an actor. I never got such opportunities earlier as I played leading men.

...and had the image of an angry, young man.

That's an image that has stuck for a long time. These are descriptions and epithets that the media creates. We don't believe in it. Whenever there was a Deewar, there was an Amar Akbar Anthony, for a Trishul or Sholay, there was a Chupke Chupke.

I consider myself fortunate to have got such diverse roles with a huge range of directors. Now that I can't play the typical leading man any longer, audiences should understand that I can't always play the good man. There is such a strong identification in the minds of the audience with the personality of the actor that they hate him doing something wrong if they love him for other reasons.

Do you feel restricted as an actor by such emotions?

I am beginning to feel that now. I hope it goes away. For me to grow as an actor, my creativity must be challenged. If I say today I am satisfied by doing a good job and nothing more as it will spoil my image, I would be sitting like John Wayne on a horse for the rest of my life. John Wayne never got off a horse in any movie.

Somewhere I would feel I have missed something. The audience needs to differentiate that this is not what Amitabh Bachchan is, but a character he's playing.

 

Design for rediff.com: Uday Kuckian

 

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http://www.b4utv. com/showtime/ gossip/070620abh i-ash.shtml

Abhi-Ash second honeymoon


If insiders are to be believed Bollywood's much talked about recently
married couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are all set
to embark on their honeymoon yet again. However the destination is
being kept a secret once again. A source revealed, "Abhishek and Ash
will leave on the 24th June so that they can some quality time
together." When asked about the destination the source said, "It is a
secret. They do not want leak anything in public." It may be known that
Ash has completed Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa Akbar, while Abhishek has
finished Pradeep Sarkar's Laaga Chunri Mein Daag so this outing will be
the much needed break that the newly married couple was looking out for!

kishore