Bollywood Today – 22nd May 2012

the Bollywood portal keeps you updated about the latest happenings and the latest rumours doing rounds in the film industry. We inform you about the latest occurrences in the lives of your favourite stars.

• Gauhar Khan stays out of the IPL controversy that has been continuing over the past few days. The actress who was seeing Saheel Perzaada who is the fiancee of Zohal Hamid refused to comment on the issue. She said that IPL has always been controversial and she has better things to do than comment on them.
• Actor Arjun Kapoor is enjoying the attention he is receiving after his film, Ishaqzaade became a hit. According to him the credit of his phenomenal success goes to Salman Khan. The senior actor encouraged him to loose weight and encouraged to nurture his acting skills as Arjun was more into production and direction of films.
• Akshay Kumar says that he has been lucky to have been away from negative attention. He says that most of the times controversies are created on baseless rumours. He sympathised with the actors who have been marred with controversies and said that no one want negative attention. He 
• went on to say that he has been fortunate enough to not have become a victim of controversies for a long time.
• Shahrukh Khan gets involved in yet another controversy. He has been summoned to appear before a Jaipur court on the accusation of having smoked in public in April this year. The cameras caught him smoking during a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur.
• Superstar Amitabh Bachchan says that working with a genius like Baz Luhrmann has been a delightful experience. He says that he cannot divulge details about the role as he is bound by the contract. He says that working with stars like Leonardo Di Caprio and Toby Maguire has been an amazing experience.
• Salman Khan and Suraj Barjatiya have decided to make a film after a long gap. He will play the elder brother in Suraj Barjatiya’s next film which has been named Bade Bhaiyya. He will return to the romantic genre after doing a series of action films. Suraj Barjatiya said that he is writing the script and will be starting with the shooting of the film very soon.
• Though Sirish Kunder’s forthcoming directorial venture Joker is yet to release it was mentioned in the New York Times. The film which stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha was mentioned in the list of movies to be released this year. The sci-fi movie is being made in 3-D and the producers will be most likely going for an international release.
• Shahid Kapoor says that Javed’s character was the most interesting one out of the three characters he plays in Teri Meri Kahaani. The film which is being directed by Kunal Kohli also stars Priyanka Chopra. Shahid went on to say that Javed is a casanova and uses his shayaris as pick up lines. He says that he has already received  a lot of positive feedback about the character.
• The popularity of Vidya’s lavani performance in Mala Zau De, a song from Ferrari Ki Sawaari is increasing by the passing day. The producers have decided to take advantage and have arranged for a concert where Vidya will be performing live. The performance will also consist of professional lavani dancers performing with Vidya. The entire cast and crew of the film will also be present at the promotional event.
• Director Dibakar Banerjee wanted Kalki Koechlin to look ugly but adorable in his next film Shanghai. He made her cut her hair very short and made her wear grubby  t-shirts and jeans. She says that her character had to look awkward and vulnerable all at once. She continued to say that all three actors including Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi and herself had got odd makeovers for the film.
• Jackky Bhagnani seems to be a bit impatient with the delay with the release of his next film, Ajab Gazabb Love. The film  is being directed by Sanjay Gadhvi and is being produced by Vashu Bhagnani. The film is Jackky’s second outing after F.A.L.T.U. Vashu Bhagnani said that at the end of the day it was more important to make a good film.

Amitabh Bachchan’s Hollywood film’s first look revealed

Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan is a big legendary actor of Hindi cinema. The mega star is among few Bollywood stars on whom Hindi film industry is known in the world. His repute exists all over the world. He is simply loved by the world audience. Well, now his world fame has brought him another honor in terms of a Hollywood film. Yes, Bachchan has done a Hollywood movie, ‘The Great Gatsby’ directed by Baz Luhrmann. Amitabh plays a brief role in the movie and he charges nothing for it. He says he has done a one scene role in the movie in a friendly gesture.

The first look of Amitabh Bachchan’s film has been revealed and it shows Bachchan in altogether a new avatar. The movie has been generating huge buzz in India. Bachchan makes a friendly appearance alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. Bachchan essays the role of Meyer Wolfsheim. The reports have it that the first trailer of the movie, which lasts two minutes and 22 seconds, has also been released.

The Great Gatsby is Amitabh Bachchan’s maiden Hollywood project. Although he makes a cameo nonetheless he is seen prominently all over the trailer. About this film and his Hollywood maiden venture, Bachchan has also revealed on his blog. He tells that the Australian director Baz Luhrmann had come to his office in 2010 and had a meeting with him and then in August 2011, he called and asked if he (Bachchan) was available for a small role in the film. Amitabh agreed and refused to take any remuneration for this role.

In the scene, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio) introduces Nick Carraway (Maguire) to Meyer Wolfsheim (Amitabh Bachchan), a notorious gambler. Meyer calls Jay and Nick’s attention to his cufflinks made from human morals. The movie is being filmed in Sydney these days.

Meet Jai Courtney: Your Newest Action Movie Crush

While leafing through paparazzi pictures looking for cute guys, which is just what I do on sunny pre-summer Fridays much like today, I came across some photos from the set up of the upcoming action flick Good Day to Die Hard. Yes, the name is really ugly, butdamn who in the blessed bejesus is this guy walking around set in a tight take top giving us not just tickets to the gun show, but putting us on the guest list to an illegal black market arms emporium. Turns out his name is Jai Courtney. It also turns out I'm in love.

Now, the action star with the bulging chest and upper arms that look like a hedgehog crawling through a pair of panty hose, is a long tradition (see Hugh Jackman, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, and everyone else with a Y chromosome and their name above the title) it was the surprise of seeing someone who I didn't know walking around like he's just waiting for his Men's Health cover. In the latest installment in the Die Hardfranchise (and the first since 2007) Jai plays Jack McClane, the son of Bruce Willis' John McClane. Turns out that Jai was tapped for the role after an exhaustive search. The movie doesn't come out until February, but for a no-name like The Possibly-Not-Talented-But-Surely-Fine Mr. Courtney, this is as close to a big break as any actor gets these days.

The only reason we didn't recognize him from the picture is that he is currently sporting the shaved pate preferred Bruce Willis and other actors handy with a gun and a stunt double. If he had the golden ringlets from his last role, we would have recognized that torso anywhere. Jai, who hails from Australia (where they apparently do not know how to spell "Jay"), played Varro on the Starz! half-naked schlockfest Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Considering this is a show about men in leather diapers grimacing at each other, I watched every single episode (twice). Courtney played Varro, Spartacus' best friend who he had to kill in the arena. Sad.

However, today is not a day to mourn. No! It is a day to rejoice in this new drool factory we have discovered. Considering he's not only in a Die Hard movie but also in the next Tom Cruise picture, I have a feeling I'm going to be dreaming of those abs for a few years...or at least until Magic Mike comes out.

What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

Using the formula so many unsuccessful romantic comedies have employed before it (looking at you,Valentine's Day), What to Expect When You're Expecting wrangles a cast of big name stars, but drops them in roles perfectly aligned with their sensibilities. Paired with a relatable central concept — one way or another, we've all seen a side of pregnancy — director Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine) pulls off a comedy that's sweet, poignant and, most importantly, funny. The experience of having a baby presented in the film isn't glorified or glamorized, nor is it a one-person job resting on the women's shoulders, making What to Expect a blockbuster comedy that delivers a little something for everyone.
Taking place primarily in Atlanta, What to Expect bounces back and forth between a handful of couples with babies on the brain: Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) and Gary (Ben Falcone) are desperately trying to get pregnant, while Gary's NASCAR legend father, Ramsey (Dennis Quaid), is (frustratingly) having no problem with his trophy wife Skyler (Brooklyn Decker); Weight loss TV personality Jules (Cameron Diaz) takes home the top prize at a celeb dance-off at the same time she discovers she's carrying her dance partner Evan's (Matthew Morrison) child; Holly (Jennifer Lopez) and Alex (Rodrigo Santoro) are finally ready to take the plunge into the world of adoption, but the actual process turns out to be an uphill battle; and Rosie (Anna Kendrick), a food truck owner, has a wild night out with her competition (and former flame) Marco (Chace Crawford), that puts them both in a difficult situation. If you guessed she's pregnant, you'd be correct.
What to Expect's DNA is a closer to match Woody Allen's Every Thing You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask than anything out of the generic rom-com playbook. The screenplay fromHeather Hach and Shauna Crossm is sharp, with even the silliest and most expected gags landing thanks to the comedic talents of Banks, Diaz, Kendrick and the wicked rapport of the "Dude's Group," sporting Chris Rock, Thomas Lennon, Rob Huebel, Amir Talai and Joe Manganiello. Even Decker, who outshines her costars in Battleship, holds her own, taking the bubbly blonde to a whole other level
The movie makes a bold move to mix the less shiny moments of pregnancy in with the broad comedy and the results are mixed. Rosie and Marco's struggle with their accidental pregnancy takes a dramatic turn that doesn't feel earned in the grand scheme of things. Kendrick handles it with grace, but pregnancy in its darkest moments require breathing room and with so many stories to juggle, What to Expect can't afford it. Jennifer Lopez is the movie's biggest weakness, a thread that never digs deep (or illicit laughs) from the roller coaster ride of adoption. The couple's predicament forces J.Lo to stick mostly to pouting and is completely overshadowed by the movie's highlights.
Thankfully, those highlights are plentiful. Whether Diaz is spoofing Biggest Loser with her satirical take on TV personalities, Banks is having a meltdown during her keynote at a baby expo or Rock is delivering a profanity-laden soliloquy on why dads need to man up, What to Expect keeps laughs coming. Hollywood rarely gives birth to a comedy that's both hilarious and honest. What to Expect hits both chords, defying expectations.

Ryan Reynolds in Talks for 'Highlander'

The Highlander motto is "There can be only one." Translation: There can be only one Canadian actor hot enough to play the immortal warrior in the upcoming remake. Nope, not Hayden Christensen. Ryan Reynolds.

The 35-year-old actor is in talks with Lionsgate-Summit to star in the fantasy action film based on the 1986 cult classic. Though there are no details as of yet on the script, the original film followed an immortal Scottish swordsman who battled other immortals until only one is left standing.

Even if it fails to live up to the original, as past TV adaptations and sequels have done, at least there's a good chance we'll get to see Reynolds with his shirt off.

Will Smith Talks 'Men in Black 3' -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

Where were you the last time a Men in Black film was released? I'll tell you where I was: At a decrepit old theater on the Jersey Shore, putting off my high school summer reading. This was back in the days when Will Smith songs could actually be heard on modern radio stations, and Jaden Smith was just your average Hollywood multi-millionaire rugrat.

Well folks -- times have changed. Will hasn't been seen on the big screen since 2008'sSeven Pounds, big-screen summer blockbusters have become increasingly dark to meet the moviegoing public's growing cynicism, and Will's children Jaden and Willow legally own a portion of your soul. No, really: It's in their contracts.

Thankfully, after a long delay, Men in Black is back to remind the world that summer popcorn flicks can be light-hearted, fun, engaging, and even family-friendly. Hollywood.com was able to screen the film earlier this month, and sat down with star Will Smith to discuss his newest badass alien adventure. Smith was very excited to re-join the franchise, but he did offer some words of warning: Watch out, Jaden.

The film won't hit theaters until May 25, but you can check out Hollywood.com's exclusive interview below. Be sure to check back later for our chats with Josh Brolin and director Barry Sonnenfeld.

 

'Friday Night Lights' Cast vs. 'Battleship' Aliens

What's that noise you hear far off in the distance? Well, it's either the "boom!" of a box office success, or the sad sound of another sinking Taylor Kitsch ship. If you stepped away from televisions, bus stops, and billboards over the past few weeks, you may have missed the fact that Peter Berg's BANG BANG BANG fest Battleshipopened today, and so far the reviews have been less than stellar-Skarsgård.

Kitsch's recent box office failures has us yearning for an earlier, simpler time — a time when we could find the brooding hunk on the small screen, playing ball with his friends in Dillon, Texas. Interestingly enough, Battleship was produced and directed by Friday Night Lights creator Berg, who brought another FNL alum, Jesse Plemons (Also known as that geeky kid who killed a guy) along for the ride.

All of this FNL nostalgia had us thinking — what if Berg had scrapped the rest of his no-name cast (Liam Neeson, Rihanna) and had instead brought along the whole Dillon crew for the ride? How would everyday folk like Coach Eric Taylor and Matt Saracen fare against an alien attack? While the results can't be certain, Hollywood.com took a fairly educated stab at what we call Friday Night Lights vs. Battleship: The Reckoning.

'Sin City 2': The Movie Finally Has a Release Date

The long-delayed, even longer-awaited follow-up to 2005's Sin City has finally been given an official release date: Oct. 4, 2013.

Original co-directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller — the latter, of course, being the writer of the graphic-novel series on which the films are based — are returning to directSin City: A Dame to Kill For, which will begin shooting this summer.

For a long time, all we had to go on for the highly anticipated sequel was years of wishy-washy speculation, but in addition to the release date, much has since been confirmed. The sequel will be shot, fittingly, in 3D and, like its predecessor, be presented in black and white; Mickey Rourke is one of several cast members returning from the first film (including Rosario Dawson and Michael Madsen, among others); and a press release teases that "huge names" will round out the rest of the cast. Could there be truth to the Angelina Jolie rumors that date back to 2006?!

An Awesome Transformation of 'Batman: The Animated Series' into 'The Dark Knight Rises' Trailer

For many people their first exposure to the Dark Knight was on Batman: The Animated Series, the awesome '90s cartoon that played after school. One eagle-eyed editor (with either way too much time on his hands or a near pathological devotion to Gotham's greatest hero) used scenes from the cartoon to recreate the most recent The Dark Knight Rises trailer. He uses the music, voice over, and graphics from the trailer but clips from the 'toon, which include a wrestler-looking Bane and a blonde Catwoman/Selina Kyle. It's not an exact representation of the trailer (which is below for comparison purposes), but it's pretty damn close. We applaud the effort it took to even get this far.

Now if only someone will turn old episodes of Jem into a Ke$ha video, then we'd really be happy.

Cannes Chatter: Marion Cotillard Already Stirring Up Oscar Buzz

The 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival is officially in full swing, with nearly everyone in Hollywood transported to the prestigious French fest for a week and a half of wheeling and dealing. Catch up on all the goings-on with Cannes Chatter.

The Oscars are eight months away, but the race has officially begun. After the Cannes premiere ofRust and Bone, the latest film from Jacque Audiard (the Oscar-nominated A Prophet), critics are already pegging Marion Cotillard as a possible contender for the Best Actress award. The Guardian is blunt: "Rust and Bone has to be a real contender for prizes, and, the odds will be shortening to vanishing point for Cotillard getting the best actress award."AwardsDaily suggests Cotillard's given her "second best performance," (the actress previously won the Oscar for her work in the film La Vie en Rose), whileRopesOfSilicon describes her work as "one scene after another of sheer perfection to the point she turns Katy Perry's 'Firework' into an emotional epiphany." I don't know what that means, but it sounds amazing. Here's the first trailer from the film:

Sean Penn caused quite a stir during a fundraising dinner at the prestigious film festival when he lambasted the press, celebrities and "the whole f**king world" for their lack of support in Haiti. In 2010, the island nation was struck by a destructive earthquake. Penn, a vocal humanitarian, quickly leapt into action, starting the J/P Haitian Relief Organization in order to rebuild and fortify the country. Now, two years later, Penn believes most people vocal during the initial catastrophe have dropped the ball. "The reason we have Haiti fatigue is because there was never a commitment in the first place," Penn commented during his Cannes dinner. The cherry on top of the call to action was a comment directed at President Barack Obama. "It is time for our formidable and elegant president to stand by side with the new president of Haiti"." [THR]

Andy and Lana Wachowski, directors of the modern classic The Matrix, unveiled their latest project, a collaboration with Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer, to a lucky audience of Cannes-goers on Thursday.Cloud Atlas, based on the novel David Mitchell, has been shrouded in secrecy since it began its production in Berlin last year. Now a three-hour cut of the era-jumping epic has been unveiled to buyers at the French film fest. It's a hot property — the film sees Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a handful of other name actors playing multiple roles across a variety of locations and time periods. Reactions are mum, but Cannes is a breeding ground for hype that could carry all the way to the film's assumed award season-friendly release. [Indiewire]

At the press conference for his latest film Chinese Zodiac, Jackie Chan dropped a major bomb for his fans. ""This will be my last action movie," the legendary martial arts actor told press at the Cannes Film Festival. "I will ask my body how long I can go…I tell you, I am not young any more." Action has always been Chan's bread and butter, but according to sources he now wants to be a "real actor." Wait, what wasThe Tuxedo then!? [E!]

Football (or as us boring Americans refer to as, soccer) isn't as popular in the U.S. as it is across the globe, but perhaps that'll change when Bourne Ultimatum director Paul Greengrass brings the compelling tale of the FC Barcelona team to the big screen. FilmNation is shopping a documentary film by the United 93director that producers claim this'll be "the singular film on football." With a style akin to documentary filmmaking, the project sounds right up Greengrass' alley, and in a press release, his enthusiasm for the film is loud and clear. "I’m excited to tell the extraordinary story of Barca and their magnificent achievements under Pep Guardiola on film. They have given the world a rare glimpse of sporting perfection, and memories that will last for as long as the game is played."

'Magic Mike': Channing Tatum & Alex Pettyfer Find Themselves, Lose Their Clothes — TRAILER

Youth is the time to find yourself. It's the time to figure out who you are, what you want, where you're going, when you'll get there, and, most importantly, why. Channing Tatum sums up the why to his choice to become an exotic dancer in the below international trailer for Magic Mike. Says Tatum's titular character, he does it for "Women, money, and a good time." But of course, that won't be enough forever. Cue: Cody Horn— the girl who can turn it all around. And her brother, Alex Pettyfer — another dude who is going to take his clothes off. Win-win.

But despite the weight of self-exploration, Magic Mike seems most concerned with having fun... and that's a great thing. While there are definitely dramatic struggles that go along with making one's living as an exotic dancer, the whole thing "is pretty funny," (another parable of wisdom delivered by Tatum in the trailer).

In essence, the movie seems to have everything. Self-exploration, romance, fun, shirtlessness, and wisdom. Enjoy each in the new trailer below!

What To Expect When You're Watching a Pregnancy Movie

The new movie What To Expect When You're Expecting arrives in theaters today, and while it may not be cut from the same cloth as its ensemble romantic comedy sisters like New Year's Eve andValentine's Day, there are still clichés to be found. After all, it is a pregnancy movie, so one can expect lots of shouting for the epidural, crazy food cravings, unbelievably beautiful women who only gain weight in their bellies, and men who initially freak out but eventually come around to celebrate the gift of fatherhood. 

Like so many movies before it — like Knocked Up,Juno, Baby Mama, Away We Go, and She's Having a Baby — What to Expect When You're Expectingdefinitely sticks to the book when it comes to pregnancy clichés on the big screen.

Check out our gallery of What To Expect When You're Watching a Pregnancy movie here! And PUSH!