Yash Chopra launches five shows

The famous Bollywood director-producer-screenwriter Yash Chopra, is all set to colour the small screen ‘red’ from 1st of January. Yash Chopra’s YRF TV has partnered with Sony Entertainment Television exclusively to launch five shows which will be aired on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively between 8pm and 10pm.

Yash Chopra’s banner, Yash Raj Films, specialises in emotional and dramatic movies, though it has also attempted other genres too in films like Dhoom, Dhoom II, Chak De India and New York.

Of the five shows, one is a reality show, Lift Kara De, which will feature one celebrity each week. Karan Johar will host the show. The other four are fiction shows. On the other hand Sony Entertainment Television, is banking on YRF TV to improve its fortunes.

Nikhil in search of junior Akki

Nikhil Advani has started the shooting of his new movie Patiala House but still the director hasn't been able to find the right face to play the junior Akshay Kumar. Nikhil Advani is also planning to launch a talent hunt to find the suitable teenager who looks and behaves like Akshay.

The scenes are part of a flashback where Akki's on screen father, Rishi Kapoor, interacts with his 17-year-old son. The director also said that the talent hunt is just an option.

On the other side Nikhil has also approached Akshay's cousin to play the character. The director also needs an actor to play young Rishi Kapoor. The earlier plan of casting Ranbir Kapoor as Rishi was dropped.

Acting or directing for Farhan

The filmmaker-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar first faced the camera while acting for The Fakir Of Venice which was directed by Anand Surapur. It was a great experiment for Farhan which made him realised that it was possible for him to opt the acting career. When Rock On!!! came along, the role that he played was so much like his real life character that it was impossible to say no to the film.

When asked about the challenges that he faced doing a film like Karthik Calling Karthik, Farhan asserted that the very first challenge was that there were many scenes in the movie with just one character where the actor is alone in a room on the phone or waiting for a call to come. He was so exhausted that he wanted to move on to the next scene.

In an interview, Farhan Akhtar was asked that out of the two acting and direction which fascinates him the most. To this the actor replied that he feels more comfortable while direction because as a director you only get excited about films that you believe in and know you can direct. On the other hand, as a actor Farhan has to experince much more. For him it is possible to direct wider range of films than to act in.

Rakesh Roshan decides to direct Krrish 3

Finally, Rakesh Roshan has decided to direct Krrish 3. First the director, wanted Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra to direct the film, but dropped the idea after Delhi 6 had a disastrous fate.

Hrithik Roshan who is more comfortable working with his father is also helping him with the script. Currently, both Roshans’ are busy with Kites and will begin working on Krrish 3 only after Kites releases.

Rakesh Roshan confirmed the news by asserting that, Krrish 3 is still in it's scripting stage and there is still time for the movie to go on the floors.

Karan waits for 18 December

The first look of the much awaited Karan Johar's Shahrukh Khan and Kajol starrer flick My Name Is Khan will be put on public display on 18th December along with the Indian release of James ‘Titanic’ Cameron’s ‘Avatar’. The director has left no stone unturned to promote his film.

Karan Johar has been working with full dedication in the editor’s room as he wants the best possible look of the preliminary promos. Being the reason, that this is his most proactive mega-project and secondly, his last film ‘Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna’ failed at box office.

We hope, this time around, Karan Johar will create the right buzz and the film will be worth a watch. The film is salted for release on last quarter of February.

To de-glam Bebo was a tough task for Hirani

Director Raj Kumar Hirani found it difficult to de-glam Kareena Kapoor the glamorous Bollywood babe, in a bid to make her look more convincing in his upcoming flick 3 Idiots.

Raj Kumar Hirani told that though Kareena Kapoor was very co-operative, the director still faced difficulty in giving Bebo a girl-next-door look, as she already looks pretty sizzling without make-up too.

Raj Kumar Hirani then decided to give the ‘Kambakht Ishq’ actress thick glasses as to make her look more convincing. 3 Idiots that also features Sharman Joshi and Madhavan is being said to be another blockbuster. Read on more about Aamir Khan's horoscope.

Imperfect is perfect

Imperfection seems to be the perfect mantra to get the cash registers on a roll. Rajkumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, which got released in November, connected well with the audiences. The film was one of the high grossers at the box office this year.

And with this the trend continues with some of the other mega releases lined up ahead. Quickly peep inside. Pyaar Impossible and Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year, which will be released under the Yash Raj banner, as well as Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 3 Idiots all of them have one common thread to them- imperfection. The main lead actors in these films are not good-looking or dosen't have everything ideal about them.

The promos of Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year showcase Ranbir Kapoor as someone who scored 38 percent in 12th standard and wanting to be a salesman, whereas, 3 Idiots revolves around the life of three IT students, while Pyaar Impossible showcases Uday Chopra portraying the role of a nerdy geek.

As filmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra states, "Earlier there were mostly black and white characters that were shown in films. But now there are a lot of grey shades which are coming to the fore. Imperfect is good."

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra whose film Rang De Basanti in 2006 created storm at the box office showed Aamir Khan as an ex-college student, who continues to live fun-loving life even several years after his graduation.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra also said that these characters are a reflection of society. Our society is now more interested in real issues be it religious, social or any other.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra, while discussing about the concept of perfection and imperfection, says that his upcoming flick 3 Idiots is about non-conforming. It's a fun film, and it talks about following your heart. It is true that people want to watch films that they can easily relate to. A dose of realism is important so that people can connect with the movie.

Aishwarya is the best says Vipul

The beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s admirers list is growing day by day. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mani Ratnam prefer Aishwarya as the top most Bollywood heroine.

And now, one more biggie of Bollywood Vipul Shah has been added to the statement ‘We-adore-Ash’ list. Vipul Shah who impressed the audiences and critics with the films Waqt: The Race Against Time, Namastey London and Singh Is Kinng is now directing Aishwarya and Akshay Kumar in Action Replayy. Know more about horoscope of Akshay Kumar.

Vipul Shah also said that working with Aishwarya has been a revelation. She has been very dedicated towards her work. A movie that travels in time is not really easy for actors. Also with Akshay, Aishwarya makes an attractive on-screen jodi.

Priyadarshan plans to make film with Aamir

After making comedy flick De Dana Dan, with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, director Priyadarshan is now planning to make a film on AIDS with Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan.



Films are meant to generate a mass reaction. Priyadarshan also stated that there is no point in making a film with one of the biggest stars of the country which only a handful of people want to watch. Priyadarshan who's a film buff understands about the film market and what the audiences want from a flick.

Priyadarshan wants to make films for the masses. Even if it’s about the mafia Khatta Meetha with Akshay Kumar and Trisha or whether it is the stigma attached to inter-caste marriages in a film with Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu and Akshaye Khanna, he will speak in the language of the common man.

The very talented director also said that he never make films for critics. But he makes his own films, even his movies like Kala Pani and Kanchivaram, were made only for mass audience. Read more about the horoscope of Aamir Khan.

Rajkumar Santoshi To Make APKGK Sequel

Giving the successful hit of the year with a different kind of love story and winning various appreciation from the critics Rajkumar Santoshi is now planning to make a sequel of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Rajkumar Santoshi so much impressed by Ranbir Kapoor that he wants to cast Ranbir in his upcoming ventures.



The effortless performance of Ranbir Kapoor has left everyone spellbound. Now it seems like Ranbir Kapoor is now all set to challenge the biggies of Bollywood.

Rajkumar Santoshi was considering Sunny Deol and Shahrukh Khan for his new venture but now Ranbir is on his mind. Let's see what happens !

Prakash Jha completes Rajneeti's shoot

The most famous Indian film director-producer-screenwriter Prakash Jha who is best known for his films like Damul, Mrityudand and Gangaajal has completed the shooting of his upcoming flick Rajneeti, that features bollywood's barbie doll Katrina Kaif portraying the role of a politician. Know more about horoscope of Katrina Kaif.

Prakash Jha told that Rajneeti will release on May 28 2010. The film has been produced and directed by Prakash Jha and is presented by UTV Motion Pictures and Walkwater Media Limited.

Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai and Ranbir Kapoor are part of the cast. Under the post-production stage the film was shot over two schedules, one was started in February-March 2009 and the other in September-October 2009. The flick, shot completely in Bhopal a day before the planned schedule.

Sudhir Mishra-Director with a difference

Image via Wikipedia

Sudhir Mishra born in Lucknow is a Bollywood Film Director and screenwriter most acclaimed for his movies that do more than just entertain the audience. It can be said that film making caught his eye at an early age as his father DN Mishra was a founder member of the Lucknow Film Society.

Sudhir Mishra finished his graduation from Delhi university and formed a theater Group called "Workshop Theater" with Badal Sircar and worked on many plays with the latter. Sudhir left for Pune after working with Badal Sircar for one and a half years. He spent his time at FTII(Film and Television Institute of India) where his younger brother Sudhanshu Mishra was studying at the time.Though Sudhir spent his time at the institute.he never actually studied there.
The director moved to land of dremas and opportunities, Mumbai and stepped in Bollywood as an assistant director and scrptwriter in comedy classic "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron" in the year 1983 directed by Kundan Shah.He later on, worked with "Mohan Joshi Haazir Ho !" directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza and with Vidhu Vinod Chopra in Khamosh(1985).
Though he had considerable contributions to the above films,he made his directorial debut with his film "Yeh Woh Manzil Toh Nahin' in the year 1987 for which he won the National Award for the First Film of a Director. But he didn't stop there,Sudhir Mishra went on to make many films which recieved not only crtical acclaim but prestigious awards too. Some of such films include, Main Zinda Hoon(1988), Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin(1996),Chameli(2003) and the most noted movie of his film career till date, "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi".
His other awards include National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues for the film Main Zinda Hoon releasd in the year 1988 and Filmfare Best Story Award for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in the year 2005.
Films directed by Sudhir Mishra:

• (Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin(1987)
• Main Zinda Hoon(1988)
• Dharavi(1992)
• Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin(1996)
• Calcutta mail(2003)
• Chameli(2003)
• Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi(2005)
• Traffic Signal(2007)
• Khoya Khoya Chand(2007)

Farhan Akhtar mobbed at Madhavrao Scindia Awards ceremony

Farhan Akhtar who was praised for his 2001 directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai was recently mobbed at the Madhavrao Scindia Awards function in Kanpur. The Rock On!! star had to be locked inside a room for almost an hour till the crowd was gone. Farhan Akhtar was honoured for outstanding performance in cinema.

Intellectuals, industrialists and politicians were witnessed at the awards function. But the young mob became quite excited after seeing Farhan. After Rock On!! wherever Farhan goes, people expect the star to sing for them which becomes really hard.

I don't want to work with new comers says Karan Johar

In the first half of Karan Johar's conversation with Raja Sen, the filmmaker spoke about stepping out of his comfort zone, and being more honest as a filmmaker.

As the film-faffing continues, Johar discusses the problem of stars and image, the basic Bollywood screenwriting hurdle that should never change, and why he would never cast newcomers in his films.

Some of those are the way they are, and the way they will be. I think if I yank myself totally out of my zone, it might affect me. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have also composed music that is completely different: there is no lipsync song in My Name Is Khan, it's all background. And the music is not Western at all, barring the fact that it's somewhere fusion based. Also it's got different voices, people I haven't worked with.

When I spoke to Shah Rukh, I said 'look, it's very important that you play even this character as a mainstream hero,' because that's one call that I took commercially. I felt he had to be an endearing character, no matter what. So if that takes bringing about a certain level of 'cutiefying' at times, or toning down the disorder in areas but still maintaining a regular pitch, I think it's imperative.

We sent the script to the National Autistic Society, just to read the dialogues. Because there are a lot of things characters like Rizwan Khan don't say. They say things literally, so there are a lot of expressions they won't use. And then we sent the first bits of rushes to people, to see if we're doing okay. Because we needed to know. You see, it's such a varied disorder and there are so many strains of it, there's no one way of doing it. So one had to strike that balance between the projection of this character on mainstream celluloid and getting the facts right.

So, therefore, having Shah Rukh and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Sharmishtha [Roy, art director] and Manish [Malhotra, costume designer] and all the people I've worked with earlier were also important. But I think all of them have been challenged. I don't think they've done something like this. We're very far away from the release, and one can never be sure, but the feeling definitely was that we haven't done this before. So either we could have totally screwed it up or maybe got it right, so that's something that I don't know. At all.

My name is Khan is a serious film. No doubt about it. That's why it has a world of its own, its own beat. But I would say it's a drama, a quintessential drama which is definitely serious. There's nothing frivolous about it.

Karan Johar speaks about his new film My Name Is Khan. He says he is not comfortable working with newcomers that’s why he chose Shahrukh Khan and Kajol and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy for his film.

Rensil D'Silva's film called to be lengthy

Debutant director of Bollywood industry Rensil D'Silva's upcoming romantic flick Kurbaan is said to be longer than the show-timing which multiplexes approve. Rensil D'Silva's film is called to be formidable and lengthy.




Produced by Karan Johar Kurbaan has turned out to be two hours 37 minutes long after editing. Rensil D'Silva exclusively speaks about his directorial movie Kurbaan and said that this flick is not a documentary on terrorism. Infact totally based on global issue. The fast-paced thriller is scheduled to release on November 20.

The movie features Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles.

RITUPARNO GHOSH

Rituparno Ghosh is one of the contemporary Bengali directors in India. Starting his career in the year 1992 the well admired director has been recognized for his works worldwide.




Rituparno Ghosh was born and brought up in Kolkata. He studied at south point high school and later joined Jadavar Uiversity to pursue his education in economics. Both his parents were closely associated with filmdom. His father was a documentary filmmaker.

Rituparno Ghosh has always professed that he has admired the works of Ingmar Bergman, Krzysztof Kie Lowski, Bille August, Quentin Tarantino, Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Wong Kar-Wai and Pedro Almodovar.

In a little over a decade, Rituparno Ghosh has established himself as one of the best directors in contemporary Indian cinema. Though he has largely worked in Bengali, his native language, with stories and themes that are rooted in Bengali culture, his films have broken geographical and linguistic barriers by reaching national and international film festivals.

Though his first film Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring), made in 1992, a children’s film won an international award, it failed to get a public release in theatres. However, the film was later shown several times over at small festivals for children’s films and also on the small screen. Unishe April went on to win the Swarna Kamal or the National Award for Best Film as well as Best Actress for Debashree Roy.

A unique element in a Rituparno Ghosh script is its distinct structure, which changes with every film he directs. Unishe April opened with the shocking scene of an untimely and sudden death. Whispers and hushed tones underscored the grief of a little girl in shock, till we were surprised to discover that the entire unfolding was in flashback. The narrative of Dahan is sandwiched between letters penned by one of the two main female characters to her sister away in Canada. It is in Utsab (2000), that one finds Rituparno in total control.

Based on his own story, Titli (2002) offers the usual Rituparno fare of a filial relationship in conflict being resolved in the end. But the ambience is unusual. For the first time in his career, Rituparno moves his script beyond the confines of the four walls to shoot it almost completely on location among the scenic landscape of Kurseong. Raincoat (2004, Hindi) starring Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai, was an unabashed plagiarization of The Gift of the Magi with suitable shifts in time, relocation, characterization, storyline and socio-cultural backdrop.

In an interview , he told us that “Chokher Bali (2003) was been a long-time dream-come-true for me. I love to make films on subjects I understand the most. I feel I understand the inner feelings of women, their passion, agony and sufferings.”

Today, Rituparno Ghosh is the only filmmaker in Bengali cinema to have successfully transcended the borders of language, culture and casting to make films in Hindi and English.

Madhur Bhandarkar's 5 films will be held at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival

The Life member of the ‘International Film and Television Research Centre’ and the ‘Asian Academy of Film and Television', Madhur Bhandarkar’s five films will be held at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival between November 14 and 20. The films are Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate, Traffic Signal and Fashion. Hollywood celebrities such as Salma Hayek, Lucy Liu and Samuel L Jackson will be gracing the event.




Madhur Bhandarkar also said, "It is a great moment for me." Around 25 Indian films will be screened during the festival. Some of the big fames gracing the event will be legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, actress Sridevi and her producer husband Boney Kapoor, director Madhur Bhandarkar, Slumdog Millionaire star Irrfan Khan and writer Vikas Swarup, etc.

Subhash Ghai SRK-Sunny's peacemaker

Bollywood's top most actors Shahrukh Khan and Sunny Deol are now friends again. Yes, both the stars had a fallout way back in 1993. The two made up at Subhash Ghai's bash that took place on October 24. SRK and Sunny ended the 16 years long cold war. Lately, Shahrukh Khan had an ego clash with Sunny Deol during the making of Yash Chopra’s Darr.

A source present at the party said, “Shah Rukh had come in earlier in the evening and he was sitting in one of the private sections at the party venue with Karan Johar and his other friends. Sunny Deol was accompanied by director Neeraj Pathak, who he was chatting with, when Ghai suddenly went up to the reticent actor and took him to the private section. Subhash Ghai headed straight to Shah Rukh and reintroduced the two warring actors. SRK and Sunny shook hands and gradually warmed up to each other and were later seen chatting animatedly with lyricist Prasoon Joshi.”

Maker of notable films include Kalicharan ,Karz, Hero, Meri Jung, Karma, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal, the director did a great work too !!!!

All izzz well

The first look of Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots recently got unveiled at a press conference at Metro which saw an enthusiastic response. The story of the film is based on three students at an engineering college which are portrayed by Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi.

All these three stars rubbished rumours of a fight between the director Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan. Rajkumar Hirani added to his statement that Aamir had even helped him out with the sub-titling of the film.

Vinod Chopra too expressed his gratitude towards Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan saying that it was a big pleasure working with actor like him. The movie that has been acquired by Reliance Big Pictures is set to hit the big screen on December 25. We can say that all is well....

IMTIAZ ALI- A MAN OF COMMON TASTE

In Osian's film festival, Imtiaz Ali said "I don't want to make movies for a limited audience. When I am taking money from somebody else and making a movie I need to recover cost. I automatically think on those lines while directing a film because I am a man of common taste."




The 38-year-old director does not want to be in the league of "different" filmmakers.

He does not want to prove that he is a different director or that he wants to re-invent himself with his movies. He just want to tell those stories which he thinks he can show the best. He says he is a victim of his own limitations. Imtiaz Ali has become one of the most sought after directors in Bollywood post the success of 'Jab We Met' and 'Love Aaj Kal'. The film, despite its girl-meets-boy theme, struck a chord with the audience because of Ali's innovative story-telling method.

In an interview Imtiaz Ali said "Bollywood is in that phase now when people are bored of formula films, so we directors are under no compulsion to make a certain kind of movie. We can make them the way we want to. We are happy to be directing films at this point of time". "Before the films release we tend to say things to the media to sell the film. I try to lie as little as possible.

Imtiaz has always accepted the flaws in his films and is ready to accept the criticism openly when they are released. Ali said in an interview," None of my movies have been perfect, after a while I do see defects in them and wish that I could correct them."

His first three films have revolved around the subject of love, but Ali insists that there is no deliberate reason why he chooses to explore this topic repeatedly, be it in his first film 'Socha Na Tha' or his latest 'Love Aaj Kal'.

RAJKUMAR SANTOSHI

Rajkumar Santoshi is an Indian film director and producer of Hindi films. He is the son of choreographer P.L. Santoshi. His movies strive for realism. Santoshi often relies on original screenplays instead of adapting Hollywood movies and adding 'naach gaana' (magic mix). While Santoshi has gained the recognition of his peers, he is rarely nominated for awards.




Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol have worked in many films like Ghayal, Ghatak and Damini that were Bollywood hits. Sunny Deol won the best actor for Ghayal and the best supporting actor for Damini.

Santoshi is known to repeat actors of his choice in a series of consecutive movies. He is one of the pioneers of the item number having Aamir Khan in Damini, Mamta Kulkarni in Ghatak, Urmila Matondkar in China Gate, etc. His films are well-made and are well-accepted by the Bollywood audience. He has also made movies starring famous actors such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

Rajkumar santoshi is a award winning director and producer in Bollywood. His movies often are hard hitting, real and he avoids remakes. He is also known to bring out the best in the actors. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) saw Ajay Devgan as the freedom fighter. The movie won a National Film Award. Khakee (2004) was another success for Santoshi.

His last release was Halla Bol (2008). His next release is a comedy, Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, starring Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor. The movie will be released in theaters in 2009.

With a title that is too long, and quite unlike a typical Bollywood name, the upcoming romantic comedy ‘Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani’ has already made its presence felt.

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, who has delivered some great serious cinema to his credit, the film promises to be a rocker, regaling the audience with its romantic storyline interspersed with comedy.

The title of the film has already generated quite an interest amongst the public.Named after the film’s central character, Prem, the title brings out the essence of the character, who according to Santoshi, is a strange fellow. The film is a romantic tale of two youngsters, Prem and Jennifer, played by Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.

POOJA BHATT

Pooja was born on February 24, 1972 in the Gujarati-speaking Bhatt family. Her dad's name is Mahesh, and her mom's maiden name was Loraine Bright. After the marriage, her mother changed her name to Kiran Bhatt. Mahesh separated from Loraine and re-married Soni Razdan, an actress in her own right. The Bhatts live in Bandra, Bombay. She'd dreamt of reaching the stars some day. While still a child, Pooja Bhatt wanted to become an astronaut.

She has two step-sisters Alia and Shaheen; and one biological brother Rahul. Noted Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi and Film Director, Mohit Suri, are her cousins.

Her uncle, late Balwant Bhatt, and grandfather, late Nanabhai Bhatt, both on the paternal side, were popular Bollywood movie directors.

Pooja made a debut with her dad's production 'Daddy' when she was just 17 years old. She plays the estranged daughter of an alcoholic father, played by Anupam Kher.

She got famous when she was casted against Aamir khan in “ dil hai ki manta nahi” . In this movie too she plays the daughter of Anupam Kher. The movie, along with most of its songs, did well at the box office. She was also appreciated in 'Zakhm' and 'Sadak'. Her acting career spanned from 1989 through to the year 2001.

Her body paint pictures, which were inspired by the work of Demi Moore, made Pooja a controversial name in the traditional Indian media.

She married her long-time boyfriend, Munish Makhija on august 24, who is also known as Udham Singh, a host of Channel V and owner of a restaurant in Goa, during the year 2003.

Slender and good-looking, this Piscean has launched her very own production company 'Pooja Bhatt Productions' during 1996 and released 'Tamanna' under its banner. The off-beat story is about an orphan brought up by an eunuch. Unfortunately, this movie did not too well at the box office.

She has also appeared in a documentary titled 'Sunset Bollywood (2005)' in which she talks about yesteryear heart-throb Rahul Roy.

Pooja continues to produce and direct movies as well as make appearances on the small screen, especially Zee TV's 'Anthakshari', with hopes of encouraging talented youngsters.

Awards and nominations:

1991-Filmfare Award for Lux Face of the Year

2005-Popular Award for Best debuting Director for Paap (2003)

Films produced: Tamanna, dushman, zakhm, sur:the melody of life, jism, paap, vaada, rog , holiday.

Films directed: paap, holiday, dhokha, kajraare

As production designer: jism, paap, rog.

Rajiv Rai

Rajiv Rai was born in 1955 in Mumbai, India. Rajiv Rai is an Indian film writer, editor and director. Rajiv in his directing career has directed all this films under his father's production company Trimurti Films. Rajiv Rai made his debut as a director with the 1985 film Yudh.

Rajiv wrote and directed several Hindi blockbuster films in the action and thriller genres 1989 film Tridev, Vishwatma in 1992, Mohra that he directed in 1994 and Gupt in 1997.

Rajiv Rai's films are also notable for their fantastic music that also helped the films to be successful hits. Rajiv Rai married Bollywood actress Sonam, who was one of the leading heroine in Rajiv's directed films like Tridev and Vishwatma in the 1990s.

In the year 1997, Rajiv Rai had to leave India with his family for the UK after it was believed that the director was working for the Mumbai underworld don Abu Salem.

After a few years break from the Bollywood industry, Rajiv returned to directing with his comeback projects Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) and Asambhav (2004). Although, both the films badly failed at the box office.

Rohit Shetty

Rohit Shetty is a Bollywood director, presenter and cinematographer. Rohit Shetty was pretty much interested in films since childhood as he hails from a film family. Rohit Shetty completed his Secondary School Certificate at St Mary's School, Mumbai.

Rohit Shetty started working as an assistant to Kuku Kohli during Ajay Devgan's and Madhoo debut starrer film Phool Aur Kaante. After that Rohit Shetty assisted him in Ek Aur Kohinoor, but due to some reasons the film was never released. Rohit also worked with Kuku Kohli in Suhaag that featured Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar and Karisma Kapoor, other films were Haqueeqat and Zulmi.

After that Rohit Shetty also worked with Anees Bazmee on Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, followed by Ajay's home productions, Hindustan Ki Kasam and Raju Chacha. During the making of Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Rohit decided to make his own film. When developing a special bond with actor Ajay Devgan, Rohit Shetty planned to make Raju Chacha.

As a director Rohit directed Zameen in 2003, Golmaal in 2006 which was a big laugh riot. A sequel to Gomaal which was titled Golmaal Returns was also directed by him. In 2008, Rohit made Sunday and in his latest film All The Best-Fun Begins is releasing this Friday worldwide and the film has been produced by ajay Devgan and it stars Bipasha Basu, Ajay Devgan playing the lead roles.

Mukul S. Anand

Mukul S. Anand was an Indian film director and producer who was born on 11 October 1951. Mukul S. Anand made his debut as a director with the suspense thriller film Kanoon Kya Karega in 1984. Mukul S. Anand then in 1985 directed Aitbaar which was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's classic Dial M for Murder. The film which first brought Mukul S. Anand recognition was the epic film Sultanat (1986).




Mukul's first box-office success was Insaaf that came in 1987. His next 1990's film was Mahasangram. Mukul finally in 1990 made a crime thriller Agneepath that featured Bollywood's superstar Amitabh Bachchan which won Big B a National Award for Best Actor.

His another notable film that was a family drama Hum (1991) was a huge success. Mukul S. Anand again worked with Amitabh Bachchan in the epic film Khuda Gawah (1992) which won Mukul the Filmfare Best Director Award.

Mukul's last completed film was Trimurti in 1995 which starred Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan but failed at the box office. The last film on which the director was working was the action adventure film Dus which remained incomplete and unreleased after his death on September 7, 1997. In 2005 the producer of Dus Nitin Manmohan decided to make another film with the same title.

Karan appreciates Ayan

When Karan Johar appreciates the words come out and overflow. On this occasion when the movie 'Wake up Sid!' has reported an excellent opening, he is appreciating the director of the movie Ayan Mukherji.




"Ayan has earned it all. Really, no one other than Ayan could have made this film. His story made me realize that we all have been Sids at some point in our younger days. We all have gone through that phase. We have thought like that. Pick up any family and you would find a Sid. It is this identifiable factor that had made Wake Up Sid click with audiences in a big way", says Karan Johar.

Earlier also Karan has given the opportunity of direction to first timers like Nikhil Advani (Kal Ho Na Ho), Soham Shah (Kaal) and Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana). He says that the first time directors cannot afford to be just talented and creative, they need more than that. According to him, they should be able to nurture good relationships with their cast and crew off set too.

Karan Johar sounds more like a management guru when he says, “See 80% part of a filmmaker's job is to handle people and their emotions. Once you are able to do that as a director, creativity automatically steps in. One should always possess people management skills; that makes the entire filmmaking process quite efficient."

Abrar Alvi

Abrar Alvi is an Indian film writer, director and actor. The 50s and 60s era was notable for Abrar as he was associated with Guru Dutt. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Abrar also wrote story for Kaagaz Ke Phool, Pyaasa and Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Mr. and Mrs. '55. Pyaasa is ranked as top 100 movies.




Abrar Alvi also directed the box-office hit Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam in 1962. Abrar who currently lives in Mumbai and last publicly appeared on a poignant three part documentary on Guru Dutt reminiscing his work and days with the Guru Dutt team.

Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam was also screened at the Berlin Film Festival in June 1963 and was India's official entry to the Oscars that year. Abrar Alvi also won the Filmfare Best Director Award for the film.

Sachin Bhowmick

Sachin Bhowmick is a bollywood film director who has written stories and screenplay for over 70 films. Sachin started his writing career with the screenplay for Mohan Segal's Nargis starrer Lajwanti in 1958.





In the 1960's this bollywood director was associated with several hits like Anuradha, which won him the National Film Award for Best Film, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Jaanwar (1965), Love in Tokyo (1966), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), An Evening in Paris (1967), Bhramachari (1968), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969) and Aradhana.

1970 came with successes like Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Caravan (1971), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (1977), Gol Maal (1979). His 1980 films include the following Karz (1980), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980), Bemisal (1982), Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Nastik (1983), Andar Baahar (1984), Saaheb (1985) and Karma (1986). He also co-wrote the tamil comedy movie Thillu Mullu (1981).

Sachin Bhowmick in the 1990s came up with several hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Koyla (1997), Soldier (1998), Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and Taal (1999).

In 2000 the director continued giving hits like Koi Mil Gaya, Kisna and Krrish (2006).

Sachin Bhowmick directed one film in 1973 with Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore that was titled Raja Rani which he also wrote. He was honoured with the 1968 Filmfare Best Story Award for Brahmachari, 1969 Filmfare Nomination for Best Story for Aradhana and in 1970 received the Filmfare Nomination for Best Story for Pehchan.

Akshay says no to Kunal Kohli

Kunal Kohli made four movies for Yash Raj Films owned by famed director and producer Yash Chopra. His first film under the Yash Raj banner was 2002 release Mujhse Dosti Karoge! Than followed Hum Tum, Fanaa, Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic.




Akshay Kumar has reportedly has rejected to be a part of Bollywood film director Kunal Kohli's new project, contrary to earlier claims by the director.

Kunal Kohli, who is best known for directing 2004 hit Hum Tum, had previously stated that Akshay Kumar would star in his as-yet-untitled romantic comedy but will now have to start his search again.

It is said that when Akshay read the script in totality, he found many loopholes. That’s when his interest started waning. Akshay Kumar will next be seen opposite John Abraham in Blue.