Superstar Salman Khan says his recent blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan was first offered to his close friend Aamir Khan who suggested the Dabangg star’s name. Bahubali director S S Rajamouli’s father K V Vijayendra Prasad wrote the initial script of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Salman wasn’t the first one to listen to the script, rather it was Aamir.
At a special press conference on the success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman was asked if Aamir was offered the film first.
“Yes, Aamir told me that Prasad had come to him and he sent him to me. So this is just Aamir sahab’s generosity,” Salman said.
Asked about Prasad’s contribution to the film, Salman said: “The father of Bahubali director Rajamouli wrote the subject of Bajrangi Bhaijaan. So the first question we asked him was why didn’t you ask your son to direct the film and why not there (south India)?
“He said that was because there was a difference in language. He said if this film has to be made, it has to be made very authentically.”
Despite being from the southern film industry, Prasad is no stranger to Bollywood. “He saw Ek Tha Tiger, and keeps on telling me that he wants to meet my father. Before starting any film, he would watch Deewaar, Zanjeer, Sholay and only then begin the film,” said Salman.
According to a report, Aamir had certain issues with Prasad’s script and sought some modifications in it. However, Prasad refused to oblige.
The report said Hrithik Roshan was the next one to be approached. He liked the script but felt that it was expensive. Salman eventually heard it and instantly gave him the signing amount. — IANS



Jolie to executive produce
animated film on Afghan girl



Angelina Jolie has signed on to executive produce the animated film The Breadwinner, which centres on a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The film is an adaptation of Deborah Ellis’s young adult novel of the same name and will be directed by Nora Twomey from a screen story by Ellis and screenplay by Anita Doron, reports hollywoodreporter.com.
“Millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution,” Jolie Pitt said.
“I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana,” she added.
The story is about Parvana, who disguises herself as a boy to become the breadwinner of the family when her father is unfairly imprisoned. The Breadwinner also showcases culture, history and beauty of Afghanistan. A version of the film will be produced in Dari in addition to the English-language version. The project is slated to go into production in August, and due for completion in early 2017. — IANS

Mark Wahlberg to star in Partners police comedy


Actor Mark Wahlberg will star in Partners, an action comedy that puts a new spin on the buddy cop picture concept. Instead of the prototypical brother-romance, this film will pair him with a female partner.
Wahlberg will play a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective who falls for a beautiful woman after a one-night stand, reports deadline.com. Then he learns she is an FBI agent and his new boss on a high profile case. Leverage Entertainment’s Stephen Levinson will produce the film. Wahlberg will next be seen onscreen with Will Ferrell in Daddy’s Home, and he’s currently shooting Deep Water Horizon for Lionsgate. — IANS

Sholay defines Hindi
film industry, says KJo

Filmmaker Karan Johar is a huge fan of the iconic film Sholay and says it defines the Hindi film industry. “Whenever I speak about Sholay, internationally also, I say we should not term it Bollywood, it should be called Sholay ... It defines us as a film fraternity. Pre-Sholay and post-Sholay, that’s what we are. It is truly a text book film (sic),” Karan said during the trailer launch of his latest romantic comedy Shaandaar.
Karan also revealed that he has seen the Ramesh Sippy directorial, which will complete 40 glorious years on August 15, a “100 times”.
“I’ve seen Sholay 100 times, like everybody living in this country must have. I have attempted to dance on glass like Hema Malini and my mother nearly slapped me when I came back home,” he said.
He also revealed that when he first saw Sholay, the film was in its sixth year and he watched it twice back-to-back.
Asked about the most shaandar (stylish) personality in Bollywood, Karan promptly replied: “Most ‘shaandar’ personality in film industry is Amitabh Bachchan.” Sholay stars Amitabh, Dharmendra and Hema Malini. — IANS

Imran, Kangana bonded over tattoos

Katti Batti actors Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut bonded over tattoos while filming the Nikhil Advani directorial. When Kangana and Imran were to meet for the first time, the perfect ice-breaker moment ensued. They started talking to each other about tattoos. Kangana is also seen flashing a Bijli tattoo in the trailers and her love for tattoos gave birth to the thought of Payal (character played by Kangana in the film) sporting a tattoo throughout the film. Also, while the make-up artist would take an hour to draw Kangana’s tattoo, the same time was used up by Imran’s make-up expert to hide his permanent inking.
“It was ironical ... we both used to spend around one hour everyday before the shoot. She trying to get her tattoos done and me trying to hide my tattoos,” Imran said in a statement. Katti Batti, produced by UTV Motion Pictures, is set to release on September 18. — IANS


Rahman to perform
in London on Indian
Independence Day

Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman is set to perform at London’s O2 arena on August 15, India’s Independence Day, after five years. “Dear Fans and Friends from London, Looking forward to seeing you all @ the O2 arena on the 15th of August,” the composer tweeted.
The official website of O2 arena read: “The double Grammy and double Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner, returns to The O2 after five years, with a one off greatest hits show on Saturday 15 August 2015. He will be joined by very special guests including; Neeti Mohan, Javed Ali, Karthik, Haricharan, Jonita Gandhi and Hriday Gattani.”
The music maestro made history when he became the first Indian to win two Oscars in a year, 2009, for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, the rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum-dweller. The Mozart of Madras had also bagged two awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy for his song Jai ho from the same film. — IANS