Bollyburst 6

Ash and Abhishek in London for “Robot” premiere
The Hindi version of Rajnikanth’s latest film was unveiled on 30th October in London, with appearances from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her husband Abhishek. She spoke about how special the movie was to her, and said it would be a “landmark film”. Her supportive husband was full of nothing but praise, and said that the film is “everything that Indian cinema is about”. Robot/Endhiran have been released in over two thousand screens internationally, with about half of them in India alone. The film cost a whopping Rs. 160 Crores to make, but is sure to not only recover those costs, but reap massive profits too. Make sure you catch this blockbuster at a cinema near you!

A family affair
For the first time, actress Tanuja will share a screen with her daughter, Kajol, and son-in-law, Ajay Devgn, as they team up for a film combining live action and 3D animation – Toonpur Ka Superhero. The film, the first of its kind in India, is directed by animator Kireet Khurana, and is about “a reel life hero who accidentally lands into a world of cartoons and becomes a real life hero”. Music has been done by Anu Malik (Kambakkht Ishq, Love Story 2050), and the film is slated for a December release.

By Royal Decree…
Mallika Sherawat’s upcoming film “Hisss” also features Her Royal Highness, Princess Lakshmi Bai of Travancore. After some trepidation, the princess eventually agreed to appear on screen! Hisss is about a vengeful snake goddess who bestows infertility and even death upon those that dare to cross her. An American traveller, played by Jeff Doucette (who appeared as Father Crowley in Desperate Housewives), travels into the forest and captures a male cobra, thus unleashing a series of horrific events. The film has been shot in both English and Hindi, and has been directed by American director and screenwriter Jennifer Chambers Lynch.  The princess’ role is said to be key to the plot, and shares some dramatic scenes with Irrfan Khan who also stars. Hisss is due to be released towards the end of October this year.

Not just any love story
Director Danish Aslam’s upcoming romantic comedy Break Ke Baad tells of childhood sweethearts Aaliya and Abhay (played by Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan respectively) who, when faced with the prospect of different ambitions and a long-distance relationship, decide to go on a break. The film follows these two young adults as they experience the real world in different countries but grow and develop as people…together. Music has been done by the duo of Vishal-Shekhar (Anjaana Anjaani, Dostana) and produced by Kunal Kohli. Check out the trailer below, and be sure out Break Ke Baad, out November 26th.

Hrithik waxes lyrical
Hrithik Roshan will become the latest Bollywood persona to be replicated as a wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s in London. His statue is due to be unveiled at the start of next year, and is estimated to cost £150,000. He will stand alongside wax models of Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, and Hrithik has said that he felt overwhelmed at the news of receiving this honour, and that it “reaffirms my belief that nothing is impossible”. He is the youngest Bollywood star to be featured at the museum, and has only been in the film industry for a decade. He said he was undecided as to what his statue should wear; “Send ur votes in for d classic suit or Dhoom” he tweeted. Can’t wait to see the final product in January 2011!

Kavya Rajagopal (c) thamarai.com