Sherlyn Chopra accuses Damadamm director

MUMBAI: Actor-turned-producer Sherlyn Chopra roped in Damadamm director Swapna Joshi to helm her debut production in September.

The budget of the entire film, tentatively titled The Oscar Girl, was Rs 5 cr. However, after a three-day shoot in Mumbai, Sherlyn was informed that the director had already spent about Rs 1.5 cr. Fuming, she demanded a breakdown of the expenses, which Swapna and executive producer (EP) were unable to provide.

“On September 15, Emmanuel Productions Pvt. Ltd. entered into an agreement with Swapna. I was shocked to see that those three-days had cost me Rs 1.5 cr, when its budget was Rs 5 cr,” says Sherlyn, who also stars in the film. She adds, “I sent e-mails to the director and EP asking them why the song shoot was held in haste. I wanted to know how they spent Rs 1.5 cr. But they don’t have any justified account. I am yet to decide what legal action to take.”

Sherlyn is now in the process of finding a new director and team for the rest of the project. “I have terminated the director’s team, the EP, his team and all their loyalists from the crew,” says the producer, who is also hunting for a title for the movie as well as a lead actor.

The music will be composed and directed by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Gulzar is penning the lyrics. “This time, I’m in full control of the story, screenplay and dialogue. Very soon, I will sign a director, who is on the same page as I am,” she says.

We tried to contact Swapna for her side of the story, but she remained unavailable to comment.

Read more »

Posted in: ENTERTAINMENT

Naseer, 61, the dancing star!

MUMBAI: In 1989, he had put on his dancing shoes for the first time for Tridev’s hit track Oye Oye. A few weeks ago, he was seen running around trees with Vidya Balan in the popular song from Milan Luthria's The Dirty Picture, Ooh La La. And now, Naseeruddin Shah is putting his best foot forward for three dance numbers in Hriday Shetty’s Chaalis Chauraasi.

“Funnily, I have had to dance in two films this year, when I haven’t danced on two numbers for more than 20 years now. I never thought I’d have to do this all over again,” says Shah, smiling. He will be seen dancing to three songs in the film — Badmast, Setting Zhala and a remix of the ’80s hit Hawa Hawa.

Tell Naseer that co-star Atul Kulkarni feels he dances really well and he asks with a laugh: “Is it? I feel I can give people the confidence that you can make a fool of yourself (by dancing badly) without worrying about it.”

Luckily, the gruelling dance sessions that Naseer sweated it out for, for The Dirty Picture, helped him in this project.

“When Hriday told me that I have to do these dance numbers, I was already practicing. But I’m glad, since it helped me get my body language right for the characters in both films,” says the 61-year-old actor, who has won three National Awards.

Recalling why it took him “precisely a minute” to take up Chaalis Chauraasi, he adds, “The story was utterly engrossing. I couldn’t come across even a single scene which, I could say, was lifted, inspired or a tribute to something. It’s a wonderful script.”

Ask Naseer why he chooses to work with new directors — Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday), Ribhu Das Gupta (Michael), Kabir Kaushik (Maximum) and now Hriday — and he quips: “Devsaab (Dev Anand) used to say this and I love to quote it — they make me feel young! I have had my stint with the masters of cinema. Now, I want to interact and work with youngsters. And it’s just a coincidence that young people are offering me the roles I like to do.”

Naseer set to star in Dedh Ishqiya!

A few days ago, Naseeruddin Shah was “not in the loop” about the Ishqiya sequel, Dedh Ishqiya. But finally, the actor confirms the news. “Among films, the only thing in the pipeline is Abhishek Chaubey’s sequel to Ishqiya. I don’t know much about it yet and, in fact, I haven’t even been formally approached,” he laughs. “But I am looking forward to it. Besides this, I’m in no mood to do any other film right now.”

Read more »

Posted in: ENTERTAINMENT

Vidya-Farhan in Shaadi Ke Side Effects?

MUMBAI: Remember the Mallika Sherawat-Rahul Bose starrer Pyaar Ke Side Effects? The makers of the film are now planning a sequel to Saket Chaudhary’s 2006 hit, titled Shaadi Ke Side Effects. However, they are looking for a new pair to cast this time. Interestingly, Vidya Balan has been offered the part of the female lead, and Farhan Akhtar, the male.

“Yes, they have approached me for the film,” confirms the actor, who received a lot of critical acclaim for her last release, The Dirty Picture.

It was also reported that Vidya apparently demanded more money than Farhan did. Ask her about this and she says, “I don’t know where the talk of money is coming from. We haven’t reached that stage yet. And besides, I have never spoken about my remuneration in public. And I will continue not to do so.”

Before Farhan and Vidya, buzz was that Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor were being considered to play the lead roles. It was also suggested that Kareena Kapoor would be replacing Sonam.

Meanwhile, Vidya is yet to decide what she feels like doing next. “I haven’t signed any new film yet. I’m hearing a lot of scripts. Let’s see how things go. This year, I haven’t had the time to sit through narrations or read scripts actually. It takes me a long time to decide which film to do and which ones to turn down,” says the actor, who will soon be meeting No One Killed Jessica (2011) director Raj Kumar Gupta regarding his upcoming film, Ghanchakkar.

Read more »

Posted in: ENTERTAINMENT