Anil Kapoor to shoot for adult literacy

MUMBAI: Actor-producer Anil Kapoor is extremely elated to receive an award at the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards, held in Los Angeles, USA, on Sunday evening. “I didn’t expect this, but it’s a great honour for me. I’m probably the only Indian here who has got an award. It’s one of the biggest accolades for an actor, and I’m honoured and blessed to receive my trophy,” he gushes on the phone line from LA.

“I didn’t know how I’d be able to attend the do because my schedule was really tight. I had a couple of engagements in Mumbai, and without completing them, I couldn’t have taken the flight out. But it’s all been worth it.”

The actor was to take the flight to LA on Thursday and reach on Friday. But he postponed his trip by two days as he had committed to shoot a film on adult literacy at Film City, Goregaon, on Saturday afternoon.

The film is a public interest project, helmed by director-actor-producer Farhan Akhtar. It also features actors Shabana Azmi, Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra along with Anil.

Scriptwriter-lyricist, and Farhan’s father, Javed Akhtar, has written the lyrics for the video. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have composed the track, which has been rendered by singers Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam. The film has just been completed and will be aired shortly on leading channels across all genres.

“It was a noble cause for which Farhan and his team had spoken to me. I felt it was a gracious way to give back to society. We’re trying to spread an important message about adult literacy through the video,” says Anil.

“Today, if we want our next generation to be educated, we have to ensure that adults understand the meaning and importance of literacy. They must value education and strive to get their kids into schools as early as possible. As celebrities or public figures, we have to make our efforts to help the society. It’s a touching video that will connect with viewers from every age group and demographic. Javed saab’s words are magical too.”

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Imran Khan captures Kareena Kapoor

MUMBAI: It’s official. Imran Khan is set to hold an exhibition of Kareena Kapoor’s candid photographs on February 3. While the venue is yet to be decided, it is expected to be one of the art galleries in Bandra. Currently, Khan is sifting through around 60 photographs to zero in on the final 20.

For the uninitiated, Imran who has always called himself a huge Kareena Kapoor fan clicked pictures of Bebo while working together on Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. Imran feels that Kareena’s natural beauty brought out the best in his photographs.

“I think Kareena is simply gorgeous. Sometimes, I feel she has inspired me to become a good photographer,” says Imran with a laugh.

Interestingly, the Delhi Belly (2011) actor clicked all the random photographs on his mobile phone. But some of them came out really well.

“I feel I have clicked some very nice pictures of hers. When Karan saw them, he thought it will be a good idea to have an exhibition of the photographs,” says the actor.

At the moment, Imran is touring Dubai, New York and London to promote his new film.

“Once he is back in town, he is expected to decide on the final pictures and venue for the exhibition. Kareena will, of course, be present besides his close friends and family members,” says a team member from Imran’s entourage.

Imran, on his part, has been paired with Bebo for the first time in his career in director Shakun Batra’s maiden venture.

Kareena, however, has worked with his mamu Aamir Khan on 3 Idiots (2009) and the upcoming Talaash, which releases on on June 1.

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I’ll never dance at a wedding: Kareena Kapoor

MUMBAI: Last week, Kareena Kapoor sizzled on stage at two award functions after missing the first three shows of the awards season. “I was away on a vacation with Saif (beau Saif Ali Khan) so I missed them. But once I came back from Europe, I was game for some live performances. I like to dance and make some money,” she says with a smile.

At the Apsara Awards, Kareena flagged off her act with Akon’s Chamak challo… from RA.One (2011), even retaining the sexy red sari and the nose-ring.

The sari changed colours, from red to black to gold, but the nose-ring stayed in place as the Bollywood star moved into Ringa ringa ree…, the Telugu song from Allu Arjun’s Arya 2 (2009) that had inspired the Salman Khan-Asin’s Ready (2011) chartbuster, Dhinka chika….

She then got dirty with Nakka mukka… from Nakul-Sunanina Tamil hit, Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008), before rounding up the evening’s showpiece with the song of 2011, Dhanush’s Kolaveri di…, from his upcoming Tamil movie, 3.

Quiz her on whether the masala medley is a prelude to a movie down south and Kareena laughs, “Oh, I have been offered several movies down south, but never thought about doing one. With all the Hindi movies I am doing, I barely have time for friends and family. The last year was so hectic, that the break in Switzerland was well deserved for both Saif and me. The reason we zeroed in on two Tamil and one Telugu song was because they are quite the rage today. It was the first time a female actor was dancing to Kolaveri di.. and I really enjoyed myself.”

So, where will she head to next? The IIFA Awards?

“Well, they haven’t approached me yet and it would depend on whether I have dates to spare. It already promises to be a hectic year. I’ve only shot for Heroine for 11 days and have another 80 to go,” she sighs, adding brightly, “It’s always fun being on stage in front of the film fraternity. But I would never dance at weddings.”

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