Diu is famous for its Nagwa Beach and historic places like Nayda Cage. Sources said the cast and crew has started shooting of the film from today.

However, it was not immediately clear if other actors from the movie - Akshay Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Raima Sen and Sameera Reddy too would be here for the film shoot, sources added (less)

If the industry rumors are to be believed, then, the film stars the likes of Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Vidya Balan and Sameera Reddy. There were rumors that the suave Kunal Kapoor was also a part of the starcast.

When Bollywood Hungama spoke to the PRO of Kunal, they simply denied Kunal being a part of this flick. What's really stunning is that everyone associated with this film is totally tightlipped about this venture.

From what we have learnt, the filming of Bullet Train will start from September 5 and the film will extensively be shot in London (less)

However, Bullet Train that has Ajay Devgn and Anil Kapoor in the lead is now being produced by veteran producer Ratan Jain, who is another Priyan faithful. Ratan has produced Garam Masala and De Dana Dan with Priyan and they have a good tuning.

Guess the ties of the rakhi are not strong enough. Or is it a simple case of money overruling emotions (less)

The film rolls next month in London on a start-to-finish schedule. "I don't know why people are referring to the project as Bullet Train.

I have yet to think of a title," points out the director."It was solely due to my personal rapport with Mohanlal that he agreed to be part of the film," says Priyan about his casting coup.

"He does not want to act in Hindi films. I am aware that he had refused Vishal's project yet I was undeterred.

"Seven years ago, the Malayalam cinema icon had acted in Priyan's films in the South. "I was keen to work with him again.

He is super selective, yet he agreed to share space with Bollywood stars."Mohanlal figures among India's top paid stars alongside Rajnikanth.

Buzz was that the South superstar had cited a mind-boggling remuneration for Saat Khoon Maaf. But in Priyadarshan's case it was not money but his old association that mattered.

Adds Priyadarshan, "The superstar will be seen doing a cameo in the movie and his role will be crucial in the pace of the thriller."In B-Town, Mohanlal was earlier seen in Company and Ramgopal Varma Ki Aag (less)

After the 43-year old Akshay Kumar, 27-year old Trisha?s co-star is going to be the 24-year old Pratik Babbar. Says Trisha, ?The second Hindi film is a love story with just me and the guy in central roles.

It?s a subject that can?t go wrong. I?ve already done the Tamil version of this film Vinaaithandi Varuvaya.

Now the same director Gautham Menon is remaking it into Hindi with Pratik Babbar and me. I think we should be kick-starting it in August.

I am excited because unlike Khatta Meetha where I don?t have a central part this one has a central role for me?. Trisha sounds wiser than her years when she says, ?It was important for me to line up a second Hindi film before the first was released?.

More blunt talk from this unusual beauty? Coming up! Trisha actually confesses that she had her lines in Hindi dubbed in her first film. When you tell her that Akshay Kumar said she spoke Hindi well Trisha laughs it off.

?Did he say that? I must thank him. The truth is, I was a bit nervous about doing my own lines in Hindi.

I?ve done so many Telugu films. But I don?t know the language at all.

I know the grammar in Hindi but I can barely manage to speak it?. (?To aapki Hindi achchi hai?? I ask.

?Han Achchi hoon (sic.)?, she replies).

Trisha continues, ?In Chennai no one speaks in Hindi. I was a little worried about my Hindi since my character in Khatta Meetha is from a fluent Hindi-speaking belt.

So both Priyan and I decided that I wouldn?t dub my own lines. But it?s not a problem.

I know I?ll soon master it. It?s simpler than the South Indian languages?.

Trisha is a 27-year veteran of Tamil and Telugu films. ?I was so busy doing Tamil and Telugu films that I didn?t get time to consider Hindi films although offers did come.

Also I wanted to do something that would give me a wide audience. I chose Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar.

It can?t get any massier than that.Their combination always works?.

Trisha is candid enough to admit she doesn?t have that much to do in Khatta Meetha. ?It isn?t a heroine-centric role.

But I felt it would give me visibility. Look, I may be known in the South.

But in Bollywood no one knows me, not yet. I just wanted to be seen.

When I started in the South I did smaller parts with big heroes. That always worked for me.

One needs to be a part of hit films especially at the start.? Priyadarshan is Trisha?s Christopher Columbus.

?He launched me in the South seven years ago. Now he?s launching me in Hindi in Khatta Meetha.

He had promised he?d launch me in the right vehicle. In five minutes I knew I wanted to do Khatta Meetha.

First, I want to make sure I establish myself in Hindi before I do more experimental roles. This is the trend I followed in the South as well.

? On working with Akshay she says, ?In the Khatta Meetha unit Akshay was the only person I didn?t know. And he wasn?t just my co-star he was also my producer.

He was really sweet. Priyan and Akshay are by now like family to one another.

They made sure I was comfortable. This was one of the most professional units I?ve worked with.

? She?s pretty cool about the age difference. After all she?s currently a Tamil film in Europe where her co-star is the 55 -plus Kamal Haasan.

Speaking excitedly from Europe Trishna says ?I?ve been away from home for almost forty days. Though I?ve my mom with me I do miss home.

But the shooting with Kamal Sir and Maddy is great fun.? Trisha is ready to settle down in Mumbai.

?It would depend on the offers. I?ve always had relatives in Mumbai.

I?ve also done a lot of ads in Mumbai. Though my family won?t move out of Chennai, I am hardly in one city anyway.

? (less)

Ajay has also earned accolades in the negative roles also and he is again doing the same thing for Priyadarshan's next movie, which is a remake of Hollywood film Speed. Ajay has proved his powerful acting in the negative roles in the films like Deewangee, Apaharan, Shikhar, and Company.

In his upcoming movie Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, Ajay will be seen playing again a gangster. Devgan will play a terrorist in Priyadarshan's lastest venture.

The original Hollywood version of Speed was directed by Jan de Bont, which was released in 1994. The actor will be seen placing a bomb in a subway train in the Bollywood version, whereas in Bont's movie, it was on a bus.

Director Priyadarshan informed, ?In our film, we have changed the bus by a train?. Informing about the location in London, he added, ?We have managed to take permission for shooting in a station in London and also inside a train.

We had to give lots of effort but at last we did it. Without the train and the actual locations, it does not make any sense to shoot the film?.

The film, which is yet untitled, stars Manoj Bajpai, Kangana Ranaut, Suniel Shetty, Sameer Reddy, and Tusshar Kapoor apart from Devgan. Informing about the cast, Priyadarshan said, ?Kangana is signed to star opposite Ajay and this is for the first time I am working with both of them.

Sameera and Tusshar will also be seen as terrorists. My favorite actor Suniel Shetty will appear in a very special role? (less)

The actor is working on a new look for the film, which is being shot extensively in London. An excited Tusshki says, "It's always interesting to portray a dark character.

I am lucky to have a chance to play different roles in my forthcoming films." Can't wait Kapoor says he's looking forward to performing some daredevil stunts in the action flick.

"There will be some super stunts in Priyan's film. I can't wait to be a part of them.

I haven't done too many action films so I can't wait to begin work." The project will be the actor's sixth film with Ajay.

"He's one of the reasons why I am doing the film. I am completely at ease when Ajay's around.

" The next six months are packed as he completes work on Rajshri's film Love You Mr Kalakaar! and begins the promotion of Shor and Golmaal 3. "I just have the next few days to myself.

After that, I will be shooting non-stop for my forthcoming films." Apart from Tusshar, Bullet Train stars Ajay Devgn, Kangna Ranaut, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com (less)

And now two movies later..

. guess what? Sameera has become Priyan's favourite.

Trade sources say that whenever he sees a suitable role for her, Priyan quickly dispatches his assistants to sign on Sam. What's more, he doesn't just sign her for mindless roles.

In his next — Bullet Train — sexy Sam is playing a terrorist. Wow! (less)

Talking of KHATTA MEETHA, the Akshay-Priyadarshan combo has mostly collaborated on non-stop laughathons, but their new outing together, KHATTA MEETHA, has an interesting premise and is laced with straight-out-of-life situations. "I am glad the promos are radiating the right signals," Akshay tells me.

Similarly, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI isn't the usual story that we've watched over and over again. Reportedly, both Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi have delivered powerful performances in this film, which is decorated with real-life incidents.

Note this new trend: More and more are actors ready to experiment with real roles, instead of taking the easy route by acting in frivolous movies (less)

Both the above mentioned films were to release on Oct 1 but better sense prevailed among producers Sohail Maklai (of Knock Out ) and Kumar Mangat (of Aakrosh ) and eventually it has been decided that while Aakrosh will release as scheduled on Oct 1, Knock Out will come out on either Oct 8 or Oct 15. Knock Out directed by Mani Shankar is an edge of the seat thriller starring Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut while Aakrosh directed by Priyadarshan is a story about honour killing starring Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu in lead roles.

Considering that the lead actors of the two films Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn are also good friends, we are sure that taking such a mutually beneficial decision wouldn't have been too hard for the makers of the respective films (less)

So, it was in Baramati, Pune, where Akshay shot for several months this year for the new Priyadarshan film Khatta Meetha . He discovered a small temple in a far-off place that he immediately felt a connect with.

Akshay began to frequent that temple every day. "Earlier, he wouldn't tell anyone where he'd disappear to early in the morning, or any time of the day.

Soon we found where he was off to. What we didn't know was that he had taken a mannat that he'd return to the temple when 'Khatta Meetha' was ready for release," said a source from the unit.

Directed by Priyadarshan, "Khatta Meetha", which also stars southern actress Trisha, is releasing July 23. So, early one Saturday morning, Akshay took a chartered flight, just before he left for Manali to shoot a song with Aishwarya Rai for Vipul Shah's "Action Replay", to fulfill his mannat in his favourite temple at Baramati.

While Akshay refused to comment saying religion was a very personal matter, a source very close to him said, "Akshay takes matters connected to god very seriously. He wouldn't leave for Manali to shoot until he had fulfilled his mannat in that temple in Baramati.

" (less)

It gets weirder. The director was to work with Manoj Bajpai for the first time, in an untitled thriller but the actor decided to opt out and now Boman Irani has stepped in.

There's more. Kunal Kapoor comes in place of Sunil Shetty.

Says Priyan, "I've done many films with Sunil. His dates couldn't be worked out, so Kunal is now doing the part.

I like to constantly work with actors I haven't worked with before." About Sameera doing Tusshar's role he says, "When Tusshar's dates weren't working out I modified his role and cast Sameera in it.

" Sameera was to do another part in the film, which has now been scrapped. Now the film's final cast is Ajay Devgn, Kangna Ranaut, Anil Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, Boman Irani and Sameera Reddy.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com (less)

Priyadarshan is excited about the project as it is his first thriller, but he also disappointed about having to shelve the Prateik film. Priyadarshan is now looking forward to the release of his next movie, Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar.

Meanwhile, Goldie Behl's movie starring Prateik has also been shelved. Priyadarshan has been forced to shelve his film with Prateik Babbar and a cast of newcomers.

Reason? His producers backed out, claiming they do not want to invest in a film that has no known star. Priyadarshan is unhappy that he was not given the opportunity to discover fresh talent.

He will now use the dates he had allocated to make a thriller with Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan. Priyadarshan is excited about the project as it is his first thriller, but he also disappointed about having to shelve the Prateik film.

Priyadarshan is now looking forward to the release of his next movie, Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar. Meanwhile, Goldie Behl's movie starring Prateik has also been shelved.

Priyadarshan has been forced to shelve his film with Prateik Babbar and a cast of newcomers. Reason? His producers backed out, claiming they do not want to invest in a film that has no known star.

Priyadarshan is unhappy that he was not given the opportunity to discover fresh talent. He will now use the dates he had allocated to make a thriller with Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan.

Priyadarshan is excited about the project as it is his first thriller, but he also disappointed about having to shelve the Prateik film. Priyadarshan is now looking forward to the release of his next movie, Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar.

Meanwhile, Goldie Behl's movie starring Prateik has also been shelved. Priyadarshan has been forced to shelve his film with Prateik Babbar and a cast of newcomers.

Reason? His producers backed out, claiming they do not want to invest in a film that has no known star. Priyadarshan is unhappy that he was not given the opportunity to discover fresh talent.

He will now use the dates he had allocated to make a thriller with Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan. Priyadarshan is excited about the project as it is his first thriller, but he also disappointed about having to shelve the Prateik film.

Priyadarshan is now looking forward to the release of his next movie, Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar. Meanwhile, Goldie Behl's movie starring Prateik has also been shelved.

Priyadarshan has been forced to shelve his film with Prateik Babbar and a cast of newcomers. Reason? His producers backed out, claiming they do not want to invest in a film that has no known star.

Priyadarshan is unhappy that he was not given the opportunity to discover fresh talent. He will now use the dates he had allocated to make a thriller with Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan.

Priyadarshan is excited about the project as it is his first thriller, but he also disappointed about having to shelve the Prateik film. Priyadarshan is now looking forward to the release of his next movie, Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar.

Meanwhile, Goldie Behl's movie starring Prateik has also been shelved (less)

Speaking of which, Ajay Devgn is getting his close buddy and director Milan Luthria to complete his triology on Mumbai. After the super success of Taxi No 9211, based on Mumbai, Milan is coming out with two new movies with the same scenario.

First up is Once Upon a Time in Mumbai – a romantic action film starring Ajay, Emran Hashmi and Kangna Ranaut. The film is expected to release around end of July.

It will be later followed by a fast-paced action thriller with a surprise ending which is based on ..

. Mumbai again! No surprises there! The movie will be produced by Kumar Mangat, also an Ajay faithful.

However, the hero of the film may not be Ajay after all. Hmm.

..

apparently the actor has some prior commitments to finish. Check out Ajay Devgn’s homepage (less)

The makers Venus Films have now announced that the film will go on floors on 10th September 2010. Bullet Train will be a one of its kind action thriller to be shot entirely in the United Kingdom.

Taking director Priyadarshan out of his comfort zone, the film will be on par with sleek Hollywood action flicks. Says producer Ratan Jain, "We've had a longstanding equation with Priyadarshan over the years -all of the comedies we've worked on have done brilliantly at the Box oOfice.

For our fifth project, we wanted to take on a novel concept and that was how Bullet Train was born." The film that will be shot across London, Scotland, Wales and Birmingham will have 4 major action sequences as highlights specially choreographed by an acclaimed UK based action director.

Leading music director Pritam has been signed to compose the music for this film (less)

The director has also made other replacement like he signed Boman Irani replacing Manoj Bajpai and Kunal Kapoor in place of Suniel Shetty. Priyadarshan was quoted saying that he had earlier worked with Suniel in many films but for this film, the actor could not work out the dates.

The director added that he likes to experiment and work with those actors with whom he has never worked before. After all these replacements, the final casting of the film includes the names of Ajay Devgan, Anil Kapoor, Boman Irani, Kunal Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut and Sameera Reddy.

Ratan Jain will be producing the movie, which is likely to hit theaters in 2011 under the banner of SRK Entertainment and Movies Pvt. Ltd.

The film reportedly deals with a train robbery. Priyadarshan is supposed to start the shooting of the movie on September 10, 2010.

The director has also reportedly signed Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal in an important role and this has not been taken positively by many B-town film personalities (less)

Akshay, his gorgeous wife Twinkle and their beta Aarav will now follow other Bollywood superstars and take their month-long annual vacation overseas. And, when he comes back Akki, who is easily the most hardworking guy in B-Town, will plunge straight into three films simultaneously.

He has to promote Khatta Meetha; he has a Tees Maar Khan schedule and, of course, some work on Action Replayy as well. Check out Akshay Kumar’s homepage (less)

Kangna, take a bow, for you’ll now be rubbing shoulders with Sanjay Dutt as well as Ajay Devgn. While one more hero is likely to be added to the cast, Kangna will be romancing both Sanjay and Ajay in the film.

A source from the unit of Rascals says, “ Sanjay and David Dhawan wanted someone very sexy for this role. In addition to being very glamorous, the character is also required to be very funny.

” This will be Kangna’s second film with Ajay after Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. Apparently, director of Rascals, David Dhawan, had spoken with Kangna at a recent award function and had told her that he would like to work with her in the near future.

The source adds, “At that time, Kangna had no clue that David was referring to Rascals. Eventually, when she received the offer from him a few days ago, she was pleasantly surprised.

She loved the role and agreed to do it.” We sent a text message to David Dhawan, who shot back saying, “No heroine has been finalised yet.

” But our source maintains, “Kangna is doing Rascals. She will start shooting for it very soon.

” Check out Kangna Ranaut’s homepage (less)

"Our country is said to be a growing superpower with the fastest growing economy but still we do not have good roads because corruption has seeped deep in our system," Akshay, who plays the role of a road contractor in the film, said. When asked if there was any occasion where the actor had to pass money under the table, Akshay admitted, "Yeah.

..

it was way back when I had to get my car's registration number that I had to bribe." But the 42-year-old actor added that he would not do it again as he is scared of getting caught the next time.

The star, who is also producing Khatta Meetha , would prefer to make films and speak about such issues. Akshay also chose to ignore the recent controversy where he was called a 'jackass' by a film critic for posing with ailing cartoonist RK Laxman as a publicity gimmick for Khatta Meetha at a Mumbai hospital.

"It is all part of so called journalism. Whether it is good or bad, it is your opinion.

I rather choose to ignore it and not react," Akshay said. Akshay was thankful to Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who had taken offence regarding the usage of the word and had reacted on microblogging site Twitter.

The actor silenced another controversy regarding the track 'Bullshit' in Khatta Meetha which takes potshots at corrupt politicians. "No one has come to us and said anything about the song as yet.

We are not taking names of any individual or political party in the track. We are just commenting about the corruption," Akshay said.

Khatta Meetha which also stars south Indian star Trisha is set to hit the theaters on July 23 (less)

A source says, ���Vidya asked for a price which she deserves after she catapulted to the top bracket of actors, post the success of Paa and Ishqiya. She asked for Rs 1.

5 crore (approximately). Like any other actor would in her place, she too has hiked up her market price.

��� According to the film industry standards, the market prices of Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are believed to be Rs 1.5 crore (approximately) and that of Priyanka Chopra's around Rs 1 crore.

Hence, given Vidya's career graph in Bollywood, it is surprising that neither Inder Kumar nor Ashok Thakeria, the producer of the film, objected to Vidya's exit from the film. ���Inder and Ashok failed to understand the need of the hour.

Despite discussions, the makers of the film and the actress could not meet at a common consensus,��� adds the source. Meanwhile, Vidya's friend insists the actress quit the project for qualitative reasons.

She stands up for Vidya and says, ���Yes, the news is true. Vidya is definitely not doing Dhamaal 2.

But that's simply because she didn't find any meat in the portrayal of her character. She would have loved to attempt comedy with this film but it's okay.

There is always a next time.��� Interestingly, Vidya has locked horns with her Dhamaal 2 co-star Kangna Ranaut in another film Bullet Train, which is to be directed by Priyadarshan.

Bullet Train, which stars Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn, is largely going to be shot on a train from London to Glasgow. Producer of Bullet Train, Ratan Jain has clearly worked out the economics of his film much in advance.

He has no qualms in giving the lead role to the actress who is willing to settle for the price he has to offer. He confirms, ���Between Vidya and Kangna, whoever agrees to do the role at a lesser price, will get to play the part in my film.

The availability of dates will of course be another important factor.��� Despite repeated calls and text messages, Vidya remained unavailable for comment.

Check out Vidya Balan���s homepage (less)

Kangna Ranaut is an interesting mix of innocence and equanimity. Life is currently "very good'' to her.

Her slate is choc-o-bloc. Post the super-success of Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai for which she won accolades for her role as a yesteryear actress, it's raining films and assorted roles in her backyard.

Says Kangna, "I don't think any other actress in Bollywood has as many films as I do.'' But, hello, she is not being immodest.

In the next six months she has four films slated for the marquee. And unlike many actresses who are content to be typecast, Kangna is fortunate to have a wide array of roles to bite into.

In October she'll be in Sohail Maklai's racy thriller Knockout with Sanjay Dutt and Irrfan Khan where she plays a journalist. Then there's Tanu weds Manu where she plays a wannabe girl from small town Kanpur .

But, of course, the high point of her career is producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's Game where this 23-year-old plays an Interpol officer. "It is by far the most difficult role I've attempted,'' says Kangna.

"It was challenging to prepare for this role of a British girl from London who is actually quite like a man in many ways,'' she says. The reason why she found this role so hard to prepare for is because she had no reference point of a girl who has stayed in London and speaks with a Brit accent.

Having said that, the mountain beauty drops a bomb. She confesses that she has seen precisely sexi-seven Hollywood films in her entire life, and around 25 odd Bollywood films.

"So it wasn't as if I knew a lot about FBI agents or CIA officials,'' she points out. "And officers on special duty in our Hindi cinema are very different from their foreign counterparts.

Abhinay Deo, the director of Game, helped me a lot by breaking the role down for me so I could interpret it correctly.'' Kangna says Excel Entertainment (Ritesh and Farhan) were actually toying with the idea of getting a guy for this role.

"However, they felt that a guy chasing a guy thing didn't have that much of a novelty, so they changed it and I'm fortunate that they got me to do the role instead. I had to make sure that I got the body language perfect.

There is nothing romantic or sensual about this Interpol officer. Yet my director didn't want to go overboard with the stiffness and appear like too masculine.

Believe me, it was a challenge. And Game is a film that I just enjoyed preparing for.

It's a never-been-seen before character as far as Bollywood goes.'' It doesn't stop there.

While her contemporaries are falling over each other trying to grab films, Kangna's booked way for the next year having signed on Priyadarshan's Hindi adaptation of the Bullet Train; Indra Kumar's comedy Double Dhamaal; David Dhawan's Rascals; and, a film with debutant Chiraag Paswan. "Then I have been reading scripts and considering a few more projects.

But now dates are an issue because I have signed on a lot of films and all are good,'' she shrugs. What does one say? Get ready for a Kangna Ranaut film festival.

For her the game has just begun (less)

Did someone say the recession is over? Far from it. Movies are religiously getting shelved, dumped and relegated to the backburner especially if they don't star A-listers.

The prolific Priyadarshan discovered it the hard way. He found out that star discoveries have gone of fashion with Dev Anand.

After a very long time he was all set to make film with newcomers this July. But he has abandoned the idea now.

There were no buyers for a project with newcomers. The film about the longings, desires, loves and dislikes of the young was supposed to be cast completely with new faces along with Pratik Babbar.

The project couldn't go beyond Pratik. Says the disheartened director, ?I met only Pratik for the film.

The other newcomers, I couldn't even get a chance to cast because the producers backed out. No one wants to back a project without stars.

? To fill the time in July that Priyadarshan had allotted to the film with newcomers he has quickly put together a new multi-starrer which stars Ajay Devgan, Anil Kapoor, Suniel Shetty and Vidya Balan. The prolific Priyan who starts shooting this quickie in July says, ?I'm quite excited about this project.

It's my first thriller. I needed to get away from my comedy image.

Doing a thriller would provide me that chance.? In fact Priyan is none too happy with his latest release Khatta Meetha being pitched in the promotions as a full-on comedy.

Says Priyan angrily, ?Khatta Meetha is not a comedy like De Dana Dan. It's a satire on the road mafia.

You'll have to ask the producers why they're pitching it as a comedy. Probably because Akshay Kumar and Priydarshan equals comedy?? Priyan seems resigned to resorting to stars time after time to get audiences in.

?It's frightening how my attempts to make a film with newcomers were thwarted. If I can't do it who can? So the question is, how can we get new talent into cinema?? Incidentally the young film is not the only Pratik Babbar starrer to be shelved.

Goldie Behl's film starring the talented young actor which was to be shot in the monsoon at Mumbai has also been shelved (less)

?But the film is not called Bullet Train. Nor is it inspired by that film.

I don't know where this wrong news came from! It's inspired by Speed. The difference is that we've translocated the terror attack from a bus to a train ? says Priyan as he prepares to shoot this untitled thriller from September 1 on a speeding train between London and Glasgow.

Says the director, ?We've got permission to shoot on an actual London station and a train. It took some a effort.

But we did it.I don't think it would've made sense to shoot the film without the actual location and train.

? The most unusual part of the film is the casting.While Manoj Bajpai (a first for Priyan) has been cast in a positive role as the enigineer trying to control the train's speed so that the bomb doesn't go off, Ajay Devgn plays the ace- terrorist.

The last time he was cast in a negative role was in Raj Kumar Santoshi's Khakee. Says Priyan, ?I've just signed Kangna opposite Ajay.

I've never worked with Kangna before. Tusshar Kapoor and Sameera Reddy have also been cast as terrorists.

My other favourite Suniel Shetty is also there in a very special role.? Apparently Devgn recommended Kangna.

The film is written by Priyadarshan, along with Robin Bhatt (who also co-wrote Priyan's soon-to-be-released Aakrosh) and Aditya Dhar Says Priyan, ?I've never directed a thriller before. As for Khatta Meetha it's already done and out of my system.

After 81 films how can I get excited about a release? But Khatta Meetha is not a comedy.? (less)

Riteish is, of course, a Maharashtrian, and this is what he had to say about Akki's role. "Last night Akshay showed me footage of 'Khatta Meetha' - absolutly thrilled to see AK play a Maharashtrian character Sachin Tichkule," Riteish posted on his Twitter account.

And Akshay has apparently done such a great job speaking the language that Riteish might be a little envious. "Akki's Marathi in KM is better than mine (grrrr)" He went on to add, "Priyan (director Priyadarshan) looks in full form- Finally a film on ROAD constructions, Contractors and POT HOLES.

Akki's best line is when he says i make my livelihood by contracting the same ROAD- again n again n again- truth behind road constructions." That's a good line for sure.

But to feel better about his Marathi maybe Riteish should try speaking Punjabi in his next, and try to get some compliments from Akki! Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh are good friends, and have co-starred together in the recent hit 'Housefull' and 'Heyy Babyy' earlier. And now Riteish is happy (and maybe just a little bit jealous) to see Akshay play a Maharashtrian character in his new movie.

Riteish is, of course, a Maharashtrian, and this is what he had to say about Akki's role. "Last night Akshay showed me footage of 'Khatta Meetha' - absolutly thrilled to see AK play a Maharashtrian character Sachin Tichkule," Riteish posted on his Twitter account.

And Akshay has apparently done such a great job speaking the language that Riteish might be a little envious. "Akki's Marathi in KM is better than mine (grrrr)"He went on to add, "Priyan (director Priyadarshan) looks in full form- Finally a film on ROAD constructions, Contractors and POT HOLES.

Akki's best line is when he says i make my livelihood by contracting the same ROAD- again n again n again- truth behind road constructions."That's a good line for sure.

But to feel better about his Marathi maybe Riteish should try speaking Punjabi in his next, and try to get some compliments from Akki! Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh are good friends, and have co-starred together in the recent hit 'Housefull' and 'Heyy Babyy' earlier. And now Riteish is happy (and maybe just a little bit jealous) to see Akshay play a Maharashtrian character in his new movie.

Riteish is, of course, a Maharashtrian, and this is what he had to say about Akki's role. "Last night Akshay showed me footage of 'Khatta Meetha' - absolutly thrilled to see AK play a Maharashtrian character Sachin Tichkule," Riteish posted on his Twitter account.

And Akshay has apparently done such a great job speaking the language that Riteish might be a little envious. "Akki's Marathi in KM is better than mine (grrrr)"He went on to add, "Priyan (director Priyadarshan) looks in full form- Finally a film on ROAD constructions, Contractors and POT HOLES.

Akki's best line is when he says i make my livelihood by contracting the same ROAD- again n again n again- truth behind road constructions."That's a good line for sure.

But to feel better about his Marathi maybe Riteish should try speaking Punjabi in his next, and try to get some compliments from Akki! Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh are good friends, and have co-starred together in the recent hit 'Housefull' and 'Heyy Babyy' earlier. And now Riteish is happy (and maybe just a little bit jealous) to see Akshay play a Maharashtrian character in his new movie.

Riteish is, of course, a Maharashtrian, and this is what he had to say about Akki's role. "Last night Akshay showed me footage of 'Khatta Meetha' - absolutly thrilled to see AK play a Maharashtrian character Sachin Tichkule," Riteish posted on his Twitter account.

And Akshay has apparently done such a great job speaking the language that Riteish might be a little envious. "Akki's Marathi in KM is better than mine (grrrr)"He went on to add, "Priyan (director Priyadarshan) looks in full form- Finally a film on ROAD constructions, Contractors and POT HOLES.

Akki's best line is when he says i make my livelihood by contracting the same ROAD- again n again n again- truth behind road constructions."That's a good line for sure.

But to feel better about his Marathi maybe Riteish should try speaking Punjabi in his next, and try to get some compliments from Akki! Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh are good friends, and have co-starred together in the recent hit 'Housefull' and 'Heyy Babyy' earlier. And now Riteish is happy (and maybe just a little bit jealous) to see Akshay play a Maharashtrian character in his new movie.

Riteish is, of course, a Maharashtrian, and this is what he had to say about Akki's role. "Last night Akshay showed me footage of 'Khatta Meetha' - absolutly thrilled to see AK play a Maharashtrian character Sachin Tichkule," Riteish posted on his Twitter account.

And Akshay has apparently done such a great job speaking the language that Riteish might be a little envious. "Akki's Marathi in KM is better than mine (grrrr)"He went on to add, "Priyan (director Priyadarshan) looks in full form- Finally a film on ROAD constructions, Contractors and POT HOLES.

Akki's best line is when he says i make my livelihood by contracting the same ROAD- again n again n again- truth behind road constructions."That's a good line for sure.

But to feel better about his Marathi maybe Riteish should try speaking Punjabi in his next, and try to get some compliments from Akki! (less)

"I actually did want to dub for my lines in Khatta Meetha . I can read and write Hindi very well; my spoken Hindi is quite good too," Trisha, who is in Europe shooting for her new Tamil film, told PTI.

"Since I enact the role of district collector, the spoken language had to be impeccable. It had to be perfect Hindi with no slang being used whatsoever.

" While for a regular role in a conventional Bollywood film it could have possibly worked, but the spoken language for this role had to be perfect. This is what Priyadarshan felt and he suggested the same to Trisha.

"For my very first film, Priyan didn't want anything to go against me. He didn't want to take any risk and brought in a professional dubbing artist.

I didn't mind because her voice is quite close to that of mine. It totally resembles and those familiar with my work down South won't find much difference.

So it is a win-win situation for all." Though she doesn't regret missing out on an opportunity to dub for Khatta Meetha , for her coming films she certainly wants to dub.

"Of course I would love to dub my own lines in my subsequent Hindi films. I am working harder on my diction and that would show in my next film.

" When it comes to movie, Trisha is certainly not a newbie as she has close to 35 films to her credit down South. In the industry for more than 7 years now, she has seen quite a lot and is pretty much established and feels her Bollywood debut has come at the right time.

"With Khatta Meetha I am looking forward to more audience acceptance and appreciation coming in. I am also quite keen to see how people from South react to it.

I have put 110 per cent in Khatta Meetha and can't wait for 23rd July when the film releases," she said. She makes her Bollywood debut with Priyadarshan as a director and Akshay Kumar as the leading man.

Could it actually have got any better than this for Trisha? "I don't think so. This is as good as it could have got.

It was this very combination that made me take this step. Ever since my movies in South started doing well, there were questions around when would Bollywood happen for me.

"This is why when Priyan called and said that he had a film for me with Akshay, I had no reasons to say no. It was a meaty role and everything was just so perfect.

Everything just happened over a 10 minutes phone call, as simple as that." (less)

It's definitely not a film where I am singing and dancing around trees. But it's good enough for a launch and Priyan has projected me very well, " Trisha told in an interview.

"Khatta Meetha", which has Akshay Kumar in the lead, is a remake of 1988 Malayalam film "Vellanakalude Naadu", which saw superstar Mohanlal play the protagonist. And Trisha says Akshay's comedy is the "highlight" of the movie.

"It's the remake of a very, very old film he had done. I can't reveal much.

..

It's a love story but Akshay's comedy would be the highlight of the film. I think these days audiences are looking for a sensible film.

..

" she said. The story revolves around a struggling road construction cotractor, Sachin Tichkule (Akshay Kumar), who dreams big but it never comes true as he has no money to pay bribes.

To make matters worse, the new municipal commissioner turns out to be his ex-girlfriend (Trisha), who now hates him. "I am not doing comedy in the film; my role is pretty much serious.

So it's a very nice balance because Akshay plays a very funny guy, " Trisha said. The actress said that it was Priyadarshan who had launched her in south India as well in his film "Laysa Laysa" (2002).

"Priyan launched me in the south. So we know each other and are family friends too.

When he moved to Bollywood and started doing Hindi films, he had told me that we should do something together later and that he would call if something really interesting came up, " she said. So how comfortable is she with Hindi? "I can read and write Hindi very well.

The only problem is living in the south, especially in Chennai, I had not been speaking Hindi for the last 10-15 years. But I think I've done 10-15 Telugu movies and I still don't know the language at all.

My Hindi is any day far better than that, " Trisha said (less)

According to Jain, the film will take Priyadarshan out of his comfort zone of making comedies and will be on par with sleek Hollywood action staple. "We have had a longstanding equation with Priyadarshan over the years.

All of the comedies we have worked on, have done well at the box office. For our fifth project we wanted to take on a novel concept and that was how Bullet Train was born," Jain said.

The director-producer duo have churned out comedies like Hungama,'Hulchul,'Garam Masala and De Dana Dan . 'Bullet Train', which will be shot across London, Scotland, Wales and Birmingham will have four major action sequences as highlights, specially choreographed by an acclaimed UK-based action director.

The film also stars Tusshar Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Sameera Reddy and Boman Irani. The music is by Pritam (less)

The actor is working on a new look for the film, which is being shot extensively in London. An excited Tusshki says, "It's always interesting to portray a dark character.

I am lucky to have a chance to play different roles in my forthcoming films." Kapoor says he's looking forward to performing some daredevil stunts in the action flick.

"There will be some super stunts in Priyan's film. I can't wait to be a part of them.

I haven't done too many action films so I can't wait to begin work." The project will be the actor's sixth film with Ajay.

"He's one of the reasons why I am doing the film. I am completely at ease when Ajay's around.

" The next six months are packed as he completes work on Rajshri's film Love You Mr Kalakaar! and begins the promotion of Shor and Golmaal 3. "I just have the next few days to myself.

After that, I will be shooting non-stop for my forthcoming films." Apart from Tusshar, Bullet Train stars Ajay Devgn, Kangna Ranaut, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty and Vidya Balan (less)

Kangna was actually nervous about working with Ajay and she even confessed that she felt like a novice next to him. However, the Kangna-Ajay pair has generated so much interest in Bollywood that more and more filmmakers are signing on these two actors.

Priyadarshan will team Kangna with Ajay in his Bullet Train (tentative title); David Dhawan will use her with Ajay in Rascals and she will also be sharing space with the broody-eyed actor in another film with Kumar Mangat. Guess now Kangna will have to get to know Ajay better because of the number of projects they are signing together (less)

According to Jain, the film will take Priyadarshan out of his comfort zone of making comedies and will be on par with sleek Hollywood action staple. "We have had a longstanding equation with Priyadarshan over the years.

All of the comedies we have worked on, have done well at the box office. For our fifth project we wanted to take on a novel concept and that was how Bullet Train was born," Jain said.

The director-producer duo have churned out comedies like Hungama,'Hulchul,'Garam Masala and De Dana Dan . 'Bullet Train', which will be shot across London, Scotland, Wales and Birmingham will have four major action sequences as highlights, specially choreographed by an acclaimed UK-based action director.

The film also stars Tusshar Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Sameera Reddy and Boman Irani. The music is by Pritam (less)

They have said the “script will be used for research purposes only; students, filmmakers, writers and actors are among our regular patrons.” A pleased Priyan said, “It’s a great honour that the script of KM will be used for research by students of cinema.

I feel that it is also a recognition of the hard work involved in writing the script.” Priyan also said that The Bullet Train is not the title of his next film.

“I’m working on a title for the film and we will begin shooting in London from the first week of September,” he said (less)

But Ishqiya came along and Priyan chose Garam Hawa . But now that title too had to be hastily abandoned and Priyan has called his film Aakrosh .

Explains the exhausted director, "We wanted to call it Garam Hawa as homage to M.S.

Sathyu's classic film of that name. But then Mr.

Sathyu got very upset. We received a letter from him questioning our right to use his title.

We immediately abandoned Garam Hawa . In order to use Aakrosh as the title, we got the original Aakrosh 's director Govind Nihalani's permission.

He was very generous about it." Of late, Priyan has been working over-time.

"I need a break. I've four films this year.

Aakrosh and Khatta Meetha are almost complete. Then I'm going into a film about the loves and lusts of the youth for which I want to cast newcomers along with Prateik Babbar.

I'm starting this film in July. Finally, I want to make my realistic no-frills film on AIDS at the end of this year with Aamir Khan in the lead.

I'll go to him only when my script is ready." Priyan says he needs a star like Aamir to have a large receptive audience for the AIDS film.

"I'm more successfully known for my comedies in the North. However, even if Aamir declines, I'll still go ahead with the AIDS film.

" (less)

The film is to be titled Department! After the release of Aisha in early August, producer Anil Kapoor takes off for a long vacation in the US. Priyadarshan's next project Bullet Train with Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Kunal Kapoor and Sunil Shetty chugs along with a London schedule in September.

The movie, being produced by Eros, also has Vidya Balan and Sameera Reddy. That's an entire compartment full of actors.

Neil Nitin Mukesh will star in a B R Films project slated to be the launch pad for Ravi Chopra's son Kapil. Apparently, Neil fits the character well, leaving Kapil to wait for a while for his debut.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com (less)

Khiladi Kumar's common man role and his restrained performance have gone down well with the audiences, particularly in the single screen theatres and the film has grossed over Rs 20 crore in the first three days of its release. It's a case similar to last year's Salman Khan starrer Wanted which did excellent business in the single screen theatres though it didn't fare that well in multiplexes.

Ultimately, a film being a hit of a flop depends on the budget and its selling cost. The film was sold at Rs 30 crore.

A TV channel bought satellite rights for Rs 12 crore, overseas rights went for Rs 5 crore, Rs 4 crore for music and Rs 2 crore for home video rights. To sum it up, the film had already made Rs 23 crore even before the release.

A trade source adds, "Khatta Meetha was made with a budget of Rs 30 crore (including print and publicity) and has already made Rs 48 crore in pre-sold rights and digital revenues even before the movie hit screens on Friday."Says Priyadarshan, "Three things worked for Khattha Meetha: Akshay attempted to do something different.

Secondly, it is a clean, family film. And last but not least, Akki put in an earnest performance.

"Akshay, who is currently in Toronto says, "It turned out to be a win-win situation as they bought the film under recession. If my distributors are happy I am happy.

Also I'm pleased that the film has worked with the masses. The film is about the common man and if they have liked it, that works for me.

"Priyan feels his films are for the common man and that's why they are accepted despite poor reviews. "Some of my films that have been critically acclaimed have not worked with the janta.

" Dhilin Mehta from Ashtavinayak says, "In order to save on production cost, some producers in B-Town are trying a new strategy. They jointly produce movies with one or two other production houses with at least one very popular star cast and another regional star for a B-town mainstream film.

Such joining of forces drastically reduces cost of production and all players bring their specific expertise to the table. Post recession, Khatta Meetha is the first product where the producers have done precisely that.

" (less)

Khiladi Kumar's common man role and his restrained performance have gone down well with the audiences, particularly in the single screen theatres and the film has grossed over Rs 20 crore in the first three days of its release. Just like Wanted It's a case similar to last year's Salman Khan starrer Wanted which did excellent business in the single screen theatres though it didn't fare that well in multiplexes.

Ultimately, a film being a hit of a flop depends on the budget and its selling cost. The film was sold at Rs 30 crore.

A TV channel bought satellite rights for Rs 12 crore, overseas rights went for Rs 5 crore, Rs 4 crore for music and Rs 2 crore for home video rights. To sum it up, the film had already made Rs 23 crore even before the release.

Release ke pehle..

. hit! A trade source adds, "Khatta Meetha was made with a budget of Rs 30 crore (including print and publicity) and has already made Rs 48 crore in pre-sold rights and digital revenues even before the movie hit screens on Friday.

" Says Priyadarshan, "Three things worked for Khattha Meetha: Akshay attempted to do something different. Secondly, it is a clean, family film.

And last but not least, Akki put in an earnest performance." Akshay, who is currently in Toronto says, "It turned out to be a win-win situation as they bought the film under recession.

If my distributors are happy I am happy. Also I'm pleased that the film has worked with the masses.

The film is about the common man and if they have liked it, that works for me." Priyan feels his films are for the common man and that's why they are accepted despite poor reviews.

"Some of my films that have been critically acclaimed have not worked with the janta." 'A new strategy' Dhilin Mehta from Ashtavinayak says, "In order to save on production cost, some producers in B-Town are trying a new strategy.

They jointly produce movies with one or two other production houses with at least one very popular star cast and another regional star for a B-town mainstream film. Such joining of forces drastically reduces cost of production and all players bring their specific expertise to the table.

Post recession, Khatta Meetha is the first product where the producers have done precisely that." Courtesy: Mid-Day.

com (less)

It's a satire on the road mafia. You'll have to ask the producers why they're pitching it as a comedy.

Probably because Akshay Kumar and Priydarshan equals comedy?" Priyan seems resigned to resorting to stars time after time to get audiences in. "It's frightening how my attempts to make a film with newcomers was thwarted.

If I can't do it who can? So the question is, how can we get new talent into cinema?" Incidentally, the Priyan film is not the only Prateik Babbar starrer to be shelved. Goldie Behl's film starring the talented young actor which was to be shot in the monsoon in Mumbai, has also been shelved (less)

We start in October." Priyadarshan however prefers to be guarded.

He says, "As soon as I wrap up Aakrosh, I begin work on my next movie with a bunch of newcomers. This will be around July-end and it will be a start-to-finish project.

Only after this film can I think about my next." But the source maintains, "As it is too early, Priyan is playing safe and not talking about it.

But the stars are looking forward to be part of the heist film." Though they have been around for decades, Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn have never featured in a film together.

Director Priyadarshan, a favourite of both stars, might just have the honour of helming a film featuring the two.Buzz is that Priyan is planning a film called Bullet Train with the duo.

The project is in the extremely initial stages with plans to shoot it entirely in London.Devgan is currently working with Priyan in Aakrosh (formerly called Garam Hawa) along with Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu.

Says a source, "Priyan has sounded off Anil and Ajay and both have agreed to be part of the project. It is in the scripting stage at the moment.

"Informs Devgn, "It's a stylised action film based around a heist or robbery. We start in October.

"Priyadarshan however prefers to be guarded. He says, "As soon as I wrap up Aakrosh, I begin work on my next movie with a bunch of newcomers.

This will be around July-end and it will be a start-to-finish project. Only after this film can I think about my next.

"He adds, "I have not yet decided on my next project or stars. I am working with both Anil and Ajay.

Rose Movies has approached me to remake their Rajesh Khanna-starrer The Train. At the moment, it is Aakrosh followed by the movie with freshers that will be youth-centric.

A casting agency is deciding on the cast for the project."But the source maintains, "As it is too early, Priyan is playing safe and not talking about it.

But the stars are looking forward to be part of the heist film." (less)

A year ago, when Priyan joined hands with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak (Omkara), the makers hadn’t envisaged that parts of India would be under siege of the khap panchayats. Big Screen Entertainer’s Aakrosh has Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna playing CBI officers - one on special deputation to the village and the other, the local officer.

The other cast members are Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal, Reema Sen and Amita Pathak in a stellar role. Another USP of the film is the music by the current Bollywood craze Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil.

Mangat is very confident the film will hammer the right message as far as honour killings go. “This is a topic that has taken India by storm.

Ours is a hard-hitting commercial film that is likely to drive home the message to the masses and the gentry,’’ he says. “Omkara got me awards.

Aakrosh should get me awards and rewards.’’ Ajay, whose equity is bullish after three hits - All the Best, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, feels the film will work.

Says the actor, “Bollywood is going through an interesting and important phase. Today a filmmaker has the liberty to address a topical issue within the mainstream format, combining entertainment and a social message.

I revel in roles that have a very life-like quality. Here the cops are not cardboard cut-outs but people you can identify with.

Aakrosh is a racy thriller that keeps you on the edge.’’ For Akshaye, his relationship with Priyan has a deep-rooted understanding.

Says he, “I’ve probably the most number of films with Priyan. I’m well-versed with his style and his narrative.

Aakrosh was a great experience. Ajay and I are coming together after our last successful outing Deewangee, so that’s another added incentive.

’’ Bipasha says her role has very interesting shades. “You’ll get me as Seeta and Geeta,” she smiles.

The National Award-winner Priyadarshan, who has handled comedies and social dramas with equal ease, says Aakrosh will get him the accolades he got for Viraasat, Kala Paani, and his recent Kanjeevaram. “I’m sure it should also bring in the required box office numbers because I have been getting incessant messages after the theatrical trailer that played before Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai,” said the director (less)

Says a source close to Akshay, "This is the first time a film has been allowed to be shot there. Akki plays a Maharashtrian named Sachin Tichkule in the film.

The palace is shown as his home in the film and several portions have been shot there, courtesy Raghunath Raje Naik Nimbalkar, the current Raja of Phaltan and a descendant of Saibai's family. Akshay was fascinated by the history of the place.

" The source adds that Akshay didn't just meet Raghunath Raje Naik Nimbalkar but also took a tour of the entire place. "The actor was stunned by some of the old paintings housed there.

The entire Khatta Meetha unit got great support and cooperation from the Nimbalkars (through their common friend; a local, Ranjit Pawar) to shoot in Phaltan. Akki found the Raja of Phaltan very humble and sweet.

" Priyadarshan says, "Nimbalkarji, a descendant of Saibai's family, arranged everything for us and made our stay extremely comfortable. It's the first time that a film is being shot there.

It is because of him that we could shoot at various places including the municipal office and I could give the film a Marathi feel. Akshay too speaks a bit of Marathi in Khatta Meetha.

" Priyan adds, "When I went to Wai and Satara to do a recce for the film, I saw this old, beautiful palace in Phaltan -- they're called waadas in Marathi -- and was struck by the splendour of the place. In the film, Sachin's (Akshay's character) family is shown as a descendant of a Raja's family.

I wanted a typically Maharastrian backdrop. When I saw the place, I didn't have to do a thing -- it just gives you that feel.

" About Saibai Shivaji's first wife was Saibai. She was from the house of Nimbalkars of Phaltan.

He married her sometime in 1641. She bore him his eldest son Sambhaji and three daughters.

The Nimbalkar dynasty is a Maratha clan of Rajput origin. The rulers had the title of Raja or Naik Nimbalkar.

The members of the Naik Nimbalkar dynasty were the rulers of Phaltan from the era of the Yadava Kingdom till the princely order ended in 1947. Did you know? It was the actor (and not his director or the film's writer) who picked his character's name: Sachin Tichkule.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com (less)

The team was struggling to find the perfect pair of glasses that would complete Akshay's look for the ad, that's when the director stepped in and offered Akshay his glasses. "Priyan-ji has never parted with his glasses.

However, while settling on a pair for Akshay's look in the ad, he insisted that Akshay wear his glasses. Akshay was touched by his gesture, " said a source.

Priyadarshan has often praised Akshay as being the actor with the best comic timing. He recently said: "I've seen Akshay grow from 'Hera Pheri' to 'Khatta Meetha', I can proudly say that he is an actor at par with anyone else.

His body language, emotions, dialogue delivery and comic timing are impeccable with realism and subtlety to them." (less)

"I actually did want to dub for my lines in Khatta Meetha . I can read and write Hindi very well; my spoken Hindi is quite good too," Trisha, who is in Europe shooting for her new Tamil film, told PTI.

"Since I enact the role of district collector, the spoken language had to be impeccable. It had to be perfect Hindi with no slang being used whatsoever.

" While for a regular role in a conventional Bollywood film it could have possibly worked, but the spoken language for this role had to be perfect. This is what Priyadarshan felt and he suggested the same to Trisha.

"For my very first film, Priyan didn't want anything to go against me. He didn't want to take any risk and brought in a professional dubbing artist.

I didn't mind because her voice is quite close to that of mine. It totally resembles and those familiar with my work down South won't find much difference.

So it is a win-win situation for all." Though she doesn't regret missing out on an opportunity to dub for Khatta Meetha , for her coming films she certainly wants to dub.

"Of course I would love to dub my own lines in my subsequent Hindi films. I am working harder on my diction and that would show in my next film.

" When it comes to movie, Trisha is certainly not a newbie as she has close to 35 films to her credit down South. In the industry for more than 7 years now, she has seen quite a lot and is pretty much established and feels her Bollywood debut has come at the right time.

"With Khatta Meetha I am looking forward to more audience acceptance and appreciation coming in. I am also quite keen to see how people from South react to it.

I have put 110 per cent in Khatta Meetha and can't wait for 23rd July when the film releases," she said. She makes her Bollywood debut with Priyadarshan as a director and Akshay Kumar as the leading man.

Could it actually have got any better than this for Trisha? "I don't think so. This is as good as it could have got.

It was this very combination that made me take this step. Ever since my movies in South started doing well, there were questions around when would Bollywood happen for me.

"This is why when Priyan called and said that he had a film for me with Akshay, I had no reasons to say no. It was a meaty role and everything was just so perfect.

Everything just happened over a 10 minutes phone call, as simple as that." (less)

In fact, Trisha, who makes her bollywood debut with ?Khatta Meetha? says that Akshay Kumar was also producing the film and so had to take extra care in building relationships. On the other hand, Trisha who actually should have felt outsider as it was her first bollywood flick, was quite comfortable doing the film as she had worked with Priyadarshan?s crew before, who were all from southern India.

However, the lady was all praise for Akshay Kumar who made extra effort to make the environment friendly on the sets with her. Trisha admits that initially she was a little bit reserved due to unfamiliarity with bollywood and its working pattern.

However, when Akshay Kumar saw this happening, he took lead in breaking the ice and making her comfortable during the shooting of the film. The buzz doing the rounds in the industry is that Trisha, who had been shooting for Kamal Haasan?s upcoming flick in Europe and had no time for the promotion of ?Khatta Meetha?, has agreed to return to India one day before the release of the film.

Sources say that Trisha Krishnan will return to India on July 22(July 23 is release date) and will go whole hog for the promotion of the flick. She will also be present during premiere of the film and promote it along with Akshay Kumar and other cast and crew members.

Akshay Kumar plays the part of a road construction contractor, Sachin Tichkule, who has to grease the palms of government official to get his bills passed. Trisha Krishnan plays a saree clad de glam lady in the film.

However, the couple does show their dancing skills in a Marathi number ?Nana chi Taang?. -- k k rai Send comments: 0comments (less)

The bol of that particular number is??Nana Chi Taang?, and it has been composed by ace music director Pritam. Akki has been paired in the flick with Trisha, and this number was picturized on both of them by Priyadarshan with superb result.

In any case, Akshay Kumar is well versed in the Marathi language and speaks it fluently like a native user. And it is for this reason that he did not have any difficulty in essaying the role in the film.

The number has already caught the imagination of audiences due to its catchy phrase, which in Hindi means ?Teri Aisi Ki Taisi?. As Priyadarshan is considered to be a master director in the genre of comedy, the flick is going to be a laugh riot.

However, for Akshay Kumar it is for the first time that he will be playing the character of a Marathi Manoos on the celluloid. Though Akki has played different characters on the celluloid, but generally he excels when essaying the part of a Sardar (remember ?Singh Is Kinng? etc).

Hopefully, Akshay Kumar will be able to change that perception about his characters in films through the successful characterization of this Marathi manoos Sachin Tichkule in Priyadarshan?s ?Khatta Meetha?. Hopefully, Akshay Kumar will be able to change that perception about his characters in films through the successful characterization of this Marathi manoos Sachin Tichkule in Priyadarshan?s ?Khatta Meetha?.

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It's definitely not a film where I am singing and dancing around trees. But it's good enough for a launch and Priyan has projected me very well," Trisha told IANS in an interview.

Khatta Meetha , which has Akshay Kumar in the lead, is a remake of 1988 Malayalam film Vellanakalude Naadu , which saw superstar Mohanlal play the protagonist. And Trisha says Akshay's comedy is the "highlight" of the movie.

"It's the remake of a very, very old film he had done. I can't reveal much.

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It's a love story but Akshay's comedy would be the highlight of the film. I think these days audiences are looking for a sensible film.

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" she said. The story revolves around a struggling road construction cotractor, Sachin Tichkule (Akshay Kumar), who dreams big but it never comes true as he has no money to pay bribes.

To make matters worse, the new municipal commissioner turns out to be his ex-girlfriend (Trisha), who now hates him. "I am not doing comedy in the film; my role is pretty much serious.

So it's a very nice balance because Akshay plays a very funny guy," Trisha said. The actress said that it was Priyadarshan who had launched her in south India as well in his film Laysa Laysa (2002).

"Priyan launched me in the south. So we know each other and are family friends too.

When he moved to Bollywood and started doing Hindi films, he had told me that we should do something together later and that he would call if something really interesting came up," she said. So how comfortable is she with Hindi? "I can read and write Hindi very well.

The only problem is living in the south, especially in Chennai, I had not been speaking Hindi for the last 10-15 years. But I think I've done 10-15 Telugu movies and I still don't know the language at all.

My Hindi is any day far better than that," Trisha said (less)

Khatta Meetha is about a struggling construction contractor Sachin Tichkule with big dreams who lacks resources to realise them. He is the black sheep of the family unlike his brother, who is hugely successful albeit by using incorrect means.

And when a new commissioner takes over the municipal office, Tichkule’s woes further increase. Presented by Hari Om Entertainment Company in association with Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd, Khatta Meetha is largely a political satire on the municipal and construction dealings in India told through Sachin Tichkule’s life.

It aims at highlighting and revealing the various facets and levels of bribing and crooked tricks required for a common man to survive the system. Says Akshay, who’s got himself in Tichkule’s shoes, “Khatta Meetha is a cerebral comedy about a man caught in an uncommon situation.

This slice of film, much inspired by RK Laxman, will get you thinking and have you laughing off your seat at the same time. And like all my other films, this one too comes straight from the heart.

” Priyadarshan couldn’t agree less. “Sachin Tichkule is the most intricate character I’ve ever dealt with and Akshay has indeed put his heart and soul to bring the character to it’s zenith.

His body language, emotions, dialogue delivery and comic timing has all been done with enough realism and subtlety,” said the director and added, “Akshay scored in his role perhaps because he had lived the life of an ordinary man before becoming a star. I’ve seen Akshay grow from Hera Pheri to Khatta Meetha, and I can proudly say that he’s on par with any actor you can compare with today.

” Debuting alongside the Bollywood’s box office king, is one of South’s most sought-after actresses — Trisha and the music of the film has been composed by Pritam. Check out Akshay Kumar’s homepage (less)

One of his latest films has Ajay jumping from one speeding train on to the other. In fact the trains were travelling at a speed of 100 kmph and it was very important for Ajay to find the perfect balance while performing this life-threatening stunt.

But the actor, who is a daredevil, did his bit without a fuss. During the take, it just so happened that the 50 kg camera rig came within three inches of Ajay���s face, but the actor didn���t flinch.

Of course, everyone including the action director broke into cold sweat. Check out Ajay Devgn���s homepage (less)

"Our country is said to be a growing superpower with the fastest growing economy but still we do not have good roads because corruption has seeped deep in our system," Akshay, who plays the role of a road contractor in the film, said. When asked if there was any occasion where the actor had to pass money under the table, Akshay admitted, "Yeah.

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it was way back when I had to get my car's registration number that I had to bribe." But the 42- year-old actor added that he would not do it again as he is scared of getting caught the next time.

The star, who is also producing Khatta Meetha, would prefer to make films and speak about such issues. Akshay also chose to ignore the recent controversy where he was called a 'jackass' by a film critic for posing with ailing cartoonist RK Laxman as a publicity gimmick for Khatta Meetha at a Mumbai hospital.

"It is all part of so called journalism. Whether it is good or bad, it is your opinion.

I rather choose to ignore it and not react," Akshay said. Akshay was thankful to Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who had taken offence regarding the usage of the word and had reacted on microblogging site Twitter.

The actor silenced another controversy regarding the track 'Bullshit' in Khatta Meetha which takes potshots at corrupt politicians. "No one has come to us and said anything about the song as yet.

We are not taking names of any individual or political party in the track. We are just commenting about the corruption," Akshay said.

Khatta Meetha which also stars south Indian star Trisha is set to hit the theaters on July 23. Courtesy: Mid-Day.

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