Actress Katrina Kaif, who has worked with Saif Ali Khan in Phantom, says he’s a true gentleman, who is also very intelligent. “Intelligent, very knowledgeable and a true gentleman” is how Katrina describes Saif. Phantom is the directorial of Kabir Khan, who has explored the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in the movie.
While they shot several action scenes, Katrina said “only Saif was given machine gun in the movie.”
She said the “best shooting happened in Lebanon ... which is where you see the tents and guns and the whole portion where Saif is shooting the machine gun and I have my gun. That was definitely the most exciting and funniest portion.”
Phantom is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Siddharth Roy Kapur.
Kaif sang the birthday song for her Phantom co-star Saif Ali Khan on the sets of singing reality show Indian Idol Junior.
Shot on Saif’s 45th birthday on August 16, the episode will see the Kamli diva singing the song. It wasn’t just Katrina who showcased her singing talent as Saif also went behind the mic and sang songs like My dil goes mmmm... and Shukran Allah. He also strummed the guitar, read a statement.
Saif and Katrina — who were on the sets of Indian Idol Junior for the promotion of their forthcoming movie Phantom — were joined by the show’s judges Sonakshi Sinha, Salim Merchant and Vishal Dadlani.
Sonakshi’s star mother Poonam Sinha also visited the sets. — IANS


Jackie Shroff overwhelmed
with response to Brothers


Actor Jackie Shroff says he has been receiving overwhelming response for his performance as a father to Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra’s characters in Brothers. Asked about the over Rs.50 crore opening weekend for Brothers and the reactions he has received, Jackie told mediapersons: “I thank God. The industry has offered a lot of love and respect for this film. I’ve received a lot of phone calls and messages. Tanuja told me that my performance had made her cry. Even Renuka Shahane complimented the film and my work.”
Brothers, directed by Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, has had a promising start at the box office. Jackie will next be seen in the educational drama Chalk N Duster with Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla, and suspense thriller Chehere alongside Manisha Koirala and Gulshan Grover. — IANS

Anurag Kashyap on
Busan Film Fest jury

Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be on the jury of the 20th Busan International Film Festival’s New Currents competition in the Asian films section. Since the inception of the fest in 1996, the New Currents section presents current trends in Asian films by discovering and introducing new filmmakers.
The New Currents jury consists of celebrated filmmakers and film professionals from wide ranging genres to search for new directors with strong spirits.
Sylvia Chang, one of the most acclaimed actresses and female directors in Asia, has been appointed head juror of the New Currents competition section. She has been actively engaged in filmmaking aside from her acting career as a representative Hong Kong film icon since the 1970s, read biff.kr.
The other members of the jury include Kashyap, South Korean director Kim Tae-yong, German actress Nastassja Kinski and American film critic Stephanie Zacharek.
The five New Currents jurors led by Sylvia Chang will be in Busan in October for an assessment of the films selected for this year’s competition. The two selections will each be awarded $30,000 at the closing ceremony.
National Award winning filmmaker Vetrimaaran’s next Tamil directorial Vada Chennai with actor Dhanush will be made in two parts. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is said to have inspired Vetrimaaran for this.
“This film Vada Chennai spans across three decades in the life of a gangster. It can’t be told in one part. It was Anurag Kashyap who suggested Vetrimaaran to make the film in two parts,” a source close to Vetrimaaran told IANS.
Anurag and Vetrimaaran have been good friends since the former saw the latter’s award-winning Tamil film Aadukalam.
“They’ve been good friends over the last few years. They discuss their scripts every now and then. Anurag had told Vetrimaaran to write how much ever he wants and then decide whether the story could be told in one part or two or more,” he said.
In Vada Chennai, Dhanush will be essaying the role of a gangster. Vetrimaaran’s next release will be Tamil thriller Visaaranai, which will soon have its world premiere at Venice International Film Festival. — IANS


Hemsworth and family
turn tourists in Boston

Actor Chris Hemsworth and his family turned tourists in Boston during a break from filming Ghostbusters. Hemsworth, who is currently filming the new Ghostbusters movie with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, got a surprise visit from wife Elsa Pataky and their children over the weekend.
Just four days after his 32nd birthday on August 11, Hemsworth, Pataky and their children headed to downtown Boston on Saturday, where they were spotted strolling through the Boston Public Garden, reports people.com.
According to onlookers, the Hemsworth family walked around, and headed to the Swan Boats. Hemsworth pushed one of his children in a stroller, while his daughter India, 3, walked alongside. “He was letting her run around, and following her,” a fan who spotted the family said, and added: “They stood at the boats for a bit and then decided to keep walking.”
Later, the Hemsworths strolled over the Public Garden’s scenic bridge before heading to check out the balloon stand. — IANS

Britney Spears may
leave Las Vegas

Singer Britney Spears is not sure whether she wants to renew her residency at The Axis at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
“I’m not really sure. I haven’t made up my mind. I really love doing the show. It’s a lot, a lot of fun but I’m kind of torn right now. I don’t really know what I want to do,” eonline.com quoted Spears as saying.
If she doesn’t go ahead with a new deal, her last few performances of Britney: Piece of Me will take place later this month through October with final shows happening over the  New Year’s Weekend. She marked her 100th show on Friday night.
But a new contract is currently on the table. Spears has been in the studio working on new music. “We’re having fun right now. I’m working with some women who are amazing writers. I have ballads and, of course, dance music-fun cheeky sexy stuff,” she said. — IANS