Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra is in a dilemma about whom to cast as Milkha

Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra is in a dilemma about whom to cast as Milkha Singh in Bhag Milkha Bhag. While the filmmaker wants Abhishek Bachchan to play the title role, Milkha Singh himself insists that Akshay Kumar would be the ideal choice.

“I strongly feel that my role should be played by Akshay Kumar. Being a Punjab da puttar, he has the right physique and also acts well,” Milkha says.

But a source says, “The fact is that Rakeysh Mehra doesn’t want to take a final call till he and Prasoon Joshi, who is the film’s story, screenplay and dialogue writer, have finalised the script.”

When asked if he wants Abhishek to play the lead role, Rakeysh Mehra says, “It’s too early to speak about who will play the role. Nothing has been finalised yet.” Bhag Milkha Bhag is scheduled to go on the floors next year.

Action star Akshay Kumar enjoyed a tight slap from a monkey

Action star Akshay Kumar recently enjoyed a tight slap from an extraordinary monkey. The ‘Khiladi Kumar’ did not mind it at all and took it sportingly as it was a part of a comic sequence in ‘Housefull’.

The actor was happy that the monkey, in question, was a special one - a Hollywood star. The monkey named Tara, a10-year-old female capuchin, rose to stardom as Captain Barbossa`s monkey ‘Jack’ in the Johnny Depp-starrer ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’.

Tara is a superstar and according to reports, she has a whole range of toys designed after her character in the ‘Pirates…’. Sources reveal that when producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sajid Khan tried to get the monkey’s dates for their film, they came across a problem. Her dates clashed with those of Akshay Kumar. The producer-director finally managed to get one day for their shoot and the comic shot was completed at one go.

Sajid Nadiadwala is trying his best to get Tara’s dates to promote the film and bring her safely to Mumbai. After all, she is no less a star than Akshay Kumar.

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Actor Akshay Kumar arrested for full four hours in Tees Maar Khan

A simple handcuff scene in ‘Tees Maar Khan’ turned out to be a nightmare for Akshay Kumar as the ‘key to his freedom’ was lost. While shooting for Farah Khan’s upcoming project, the action hero had no inkling that he would remain arrested for full four hours.

Talking to a news daily, a close source said, “A production hand had accidentally broken the key while pulling it out of the handcuff before the scene. But Akshay had slipped on the cuffs and the lock clicked into place. He was taking it lightly because he assumed there was an extra key. But when Farah realised the duplicate key wasn’t there, she asked for a locksmith to be summoned before rolling the camera.”

The locksmith arrived 20 minutes after the shot was over. But to everyone’s shock, the handcuff did not open.

Talking about the whole episode, Farah Khan said, “The locksmith couldn’t open the handcuff because it was an imported one and had a complex locking mechanism. So I had no other option but to send somebody to the other end of town, where my team member had forgotten the duplicate key. I was surprised that they had forgotten to bring the extra key to Film City, but there was nothing else we could do to salvage the situation.”

During this ordeal, Akshay maintained his calm, did not once lose his temper over the negligence of the ‘Tees Maar Khan’ unit and patiently waited for help.

“But I used the time to complete other shots of Akshay which required him to be in handcuffs. If we had the keys, he wouldn’t have had to wear them for more than an hour in all. But yes, it was high drama. However, I must say that it was sweet on Akshay’s part not to grumble or delay my shoot,” added Farah Khan.

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Farah Khan`s `Tees Maar Khan` is set for a December 24 release

Farah Khan`s Akshay-Katrina starrer `Tees Maar Khan` is set for a December 24 release worldwide.

"I am really happy that we will be releasing `Tees Maar Khan` on Christmas eve. It is a very kid-friendly, holiday season kind of film, full of fun, big dance numbers and action comedy. It is just the kind of film you would want to watch in the holidays," said director Farah Khan about her third directorial venture.

The film is produced by Shirish Kunder under Farah`s home production `Three`s Company Pvt Ltd.` along with Akshay Kumar`s `Hari Om Productions`.

Still in its filming stages `Tees Maar Khan` is already in news because Farah opted for Akshay Kumar instead of Shah Rukh Khan with whom she has delivered hits like `Main Hoon Na` and `Om Shanti Om`.

"Tees Maar Khan will be our gift to audiences this holiday season. It`s a great film with a great script and with Farah you know you?re in for a treat with larger than life scenes, great music, hilarious dialogues ..The movie will have you laughing uncontrollably," Akshay Kumar said.

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Khiladi Kumar Akshay includes risky action stunts in Action Replay

…that’s why we call him Stunt King; no matter how serious the risk is or however fatal it might be… Khiladi Kumar Akshay is always a game for action stunts.

Hardly he had touched the Indian grounds after a trip to Germany, Akki said to have immediately hopped on to the sets of ‘Action Replayy’. What’s in that you ask? Arre, the actor in fact had been in Germany to take on a hydrotherapy course to treat his ailing back. And the day when he landed in the city, Akshay took on the shooting schedule which includes risky action stunts.

Sources found that Akki is currently shooting high-voltage action sequence on bikes with Rannvijay. Everyone in the unit were said to be quite apprehensive about him performing the stunts. However, Akshay not only refused to use a body double but also has been relentlessly pushing himself for the action scenes.

The action scenes involve Akshay doing a chase sequence by jumping from one speeding bike to another.

Action Replayy’s director Vipul Shah however is hovering over the actor like a concerned mom, sources revealed. He is said to be taking special care of Akshay as he does not want any situation where his back injury has even the slightest chance of aggravating further.

Stunts are all fine, but Akshayji thoda dyaan rakhna; after all health ka mammla hai!

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Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary

In the times when some marriages are broken off even before a formal ceremony could take place (eg Rakhi Sawant), Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna have come far.

The couple celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary recently and their marriage is rock steady despite all the lip locks Akshay had with the likes of Kareena Kapoor and Denise Richards last year.

Incidentally, on his ninth marriage anniversary, Akshay was at the Mumbai marathon where he met an elderly couple (in their 90s) who were celebrating their 78th marriage anniversary on the same day.

Akshay clearly was deeply moved to meet the couple and he did mention them when he stepped on stage.

“I just met a man in his nineties and he and his wife are in their 78th year of married life. There are so many things to learn from their lives,” said the actor.

Akshay will next be seen in his home production Khatta Meetha and Vipul Shah’s Action Replay. He’s also shot for Sajid Khan’s comedy Housefull.

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Anees Bazmee is now all set to roll his next film titled Thank You

Ever since the Lady Luck has started smiling on Anees Bazmee , there has been no looking back for him. He is what one would call as the man with the ’Midas Touch’. Testimonies to this, stand in the form of blockbusters hits like Singh Is Kinng, Welcome, No Entry... to name a few.

Anees, who is busy with his next magnum opus No Problem, that has a gigantic cast of all the possible topnotch names, is now all set to roll his next film titled Thank You that stars Akshay Kumar . Speaking exclusively to, Anees confirmed the news saying "Yes. I am starting UTV’s Thank You. And so far, I have just signed Akshay Kumar. The rest of the star cast is yet to be finalized. All that I can say right now is that it will be a romantic comedy."

When we spoke to Vikas Behl, Chief Operating Officer- UTV Motion Pictures, he said "We are thrilled to have Anees Bazmee and Akshay Kumar on board for Thank You. It’s an absolutely delightful story and will be a hilarious comedy. We hope to take comedy to the next level with Thank You."

Here’s hoping that Anees ’Midas Touch’ Bazmee continues his golden marathon run with Thank You at the Box- Office.

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Akshay Kumar never losses any opportunity to make a dig at SRK

Akshay is a smart khiladi and he never losses any opportunity to make a dig at SRK.

Yesterday at the Film Producers Guild Apsara Awards function in Mumbai, the Khiladi played his game and smartly made a dig at Shah Rukh when he was invited to present the award of Lifetime Achievement to the Bachchan senior.

Aksahy said, “Sir(Mr. Bachchan) is a legend and he still inspires other actors and makers to make remake of his films and act in them”.

Shahrukh was present at the event where he performed and also walked with the best actor trophy for ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’.

Obviously, Akshay was referring to Don sequel Don 2. According to sources it was the remake of ‘Don’ by Farhan Akhtar that sowed the first seeds of difference between SRK and Amitabh Bachchan who previously where on very good terms.

The prankster Akshay who is known for his mischievous behaviors in sets with his co-stars knows very well that he single-handedly can’t tackle the Khans as they are three of them, so he smartly takes the cover of Bachchan make him his dhall (read shield) and go Scot free as any reaction by SRK will be taken as an attack on Big B and Akshay can laugh at his attempt of adding more fuel to the fire.

Well, instead of sorting out the differences between the two icons of the Indian film industry, Akshay is more interested in making pranks and helping in stretching the gap between the two.

Anyways the news that Khiladi Kumar has made some dent in SRK’s camp and is doing 2 films for Farah is not entirely true. It’s a fact that Akshay will be doing another film with Farah to be produced by her husband, but the truth is Farah who is a strong supporter of SRK is directing ‘Tees Mar Khan’ only to support his husband Kunder who needs a standing after the mega flop ‘Jaan-e-man’ starring Akshay and Salman. Akshay and Farah’s hubby Shirish Kunder are good friends and hence Akshay has said yes to ‘Tees Mar Khan’ and Farah didn’t approach Akshay for the role.

She did approach SRK who agreed on the condition that Farah will direct the film under his banner. Things didn’t materialize and hence Farah who is married and has triplets

Wanted to support her husband and hence agreed to direct ‘Tees Mar Khan’ starring Akshay.

Akshay can continue to take digs at SRK and fill the gossips pages next day but the truth that he was not the first choice of ‘Tees Mar Khan’ and he got the film when SRK said ’no’ will always remain the truth.

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Akshay Kumar has developed a huge craze among girls

Akshay Kumar has developed a huge craze among girls! The action star was recently mobbed by besotted models who insisted the actor to consider them in his upcoming flick ‘Tees Maar Khan’ while he was attending a Farah Khan-choreographed lingerie show.

Well, the star-struck models did more than flaunting their stunning figures as the whole action turned into a catfight. With Akshay starring in ‘Tees Maar Khan,’ the models deduced that the star might need a leading lady and flooded the actor with requests.

Talking to a news daily, a close source said, “Akshay and his wife Twinkle were seated in front of the stage. Those girls were smiling at Akshay from the ramp itself.”

Incidentally, as soon as the show was over, a bunch of models walked up to the actor and said, “‘Tees Maar Khan’ mein fit kara do.” A surprised Akshay told them that the flick required only one lead actress. The scene soon turned ugly as the girls started fighting among themselves. Realising that the girls won’t budge, Akshay sent them to Farah, the director of the film, by warding them off as, “Please understand. It doesn’t work like this. You have to speak to Farah only.”

When enquired Farah, the choreographer turned director said, “Yes, I know about this. Those girls were auditioning for Akshay. All the girls who participated in the show had great bodies. I have collected quite a few portfolios in the last few days. Let’s see who gets selected eventually.”

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Director Anees Bazmi is all set to move on to his next projects

Director Anees Bazmi is all set to move on to his next two projects ‘Hera Pheri Part 4’ and ‘Thank You’ both with Akshay Kumar in the lead.

While ‘Hera Pheri Part 4’ celebrates the return of the characters conceived by Priyadarshan with the Big B added into the comic brew to make the concoction spicy; ‘Thank You’ which brings Akshay back together with his hit heroine Katrina Kaif is supposed to be Anees Bazmi’s most intense romantic film to date.

Even though Anees is keen on getting into the romantic mode apparently Anees’s leading man Akshay is eager on doing a comedy. Says Anees, “Comedy is what sells these days. To make people laugh is a blessing and I’ve done it repeatedly without resorting to vulgarity. The script is ready. And this time apart from the regular ‘Hera Pheri’ cast of Akshay,Suniel Shetty , Paresh Rawal I’ve also written a special role for Amitji who plays the catalyst in this comedy. It’s every director’s dream to work with Amitji and I’m no exception.”

Having said this however, Anees doesn’t want to get stereotyped as a comedy maker, “I’ve been in the business of writing and directing for more than 30 years. Apart from comedies I’ve done some really romantic films like ‘Pyar To Hona Hi Tha’ and ‘It’s My Life’ which is ready for release. Produced by UTV ‘Thank You’ is my most romantic subject to date which brings Akshay and Katrina together again.”

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Akshay Kumar is happy to talk about a variety of topics

De Dana Dan releases and Akshay Kumar is happy to talk about a variety of topics revolving around him, his work and his personal life. Whether it is his superstar status, underperformance of Blue, friends in the industry, the games people play, the Friday suspense, diplomatic stands, detractors - Akshay talks about all of this and a lot more in a candid conversation.

Even though Blue and Kambakkht Ishq took a very good opening, there have been questions around your superstar status. Doesn’t that bother you?
There will always be questions around my ’Super Star’ status. This honour/ label doesn’t come with a box of marshmallows and a trophy; this label comes with a few slaps from some rotten fish and a dead mouse in your bed nearly every Friday.

It is said that the barometer of star popularity is if he can get an opening. After that it is up to the film to perform. Can one expect a similar trend for De Dana Dan as well?
Yes, it is my job to bring in the crowds and leave the rest to the magic of the movie. Those who don’t like my work can feel free to have an issue with it. That’s the way I would learn. I am forever indebted to those who appreciate my effort. And lastly, those who couldn’t care whether I dropped off the face of this earth, well, I will keep trying for your praise one day.

Akshay Kumar Talking about opening, Blue took a very good start when it released this Diwali. In fact it was one of the best ever. However, by your own high standards, it underperformed. Have you tried analyzing the reason?
Oh, I could analyze the movie until the cows come home. No movie is perfect, even the best ones for that matter. I know what could have been better and I know what to work on but as of now, that’s between the director and his actor. To my high standards it was Bollywood’s best attempt at an underwater adventure and no one can take that away from the film. The rest, I agree, is questionable, but that entirely depends upon whether you are the type to walk into a theatre and rip movies apart for the sake of it. Or whether you just like to enjoy good cinema!

Meanwhile, you don’t seem to be having too many friends in the industry though. It seems like they are waiting for a movie of yours to crash so that they can attack you. Any thoughts?
Let’s be cognizant of the fact that no one is anybody’s friend in this industry. It’s impossible actually, and everyone knows it. People befriend people to get somewhere in life. This is not a dig, it’s purely human nature. "I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine, now come over for dinner while I charm you and your wife" - this is how every industry works.

You don’t seem to be holding back...
I know what I am saying is harsh but then if you ask me a blunt question, I can only give a blunt answer. I wasn’t brought up with politician blood in me, I am peas and carrots. Do not get me wrong. No doubt people have immense respect for each other in this industry. It’s actually very humbling to witness it. It’s just that I hold my dearest friends very high in my life and I don’t like the word being thrown around like a ping pong ball.

How about the attacks on you?
As for attacking me, no one could ever hurt me. Words are words, opinions are opinions and life goes on. Centuries back, we were convinced that the world was flat! It’s up to the people who and what do they listen to. You just have to stay calm and remember that your family loves you and that’s all we ever need.

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Shilpa Shetty gave a royal miss to ex-lover Akshay Kumar

Shilpa Shetty gave a royal miss to ex-lover Akshay Kumar at her wedding, but the brass band that was called in to play at her marriage brought back the memories of her sour love affair. Just before the pheras were about the begin, the band started playing some romantic love songs from Akshay Kumar-Shilpa Shetty starrer ‘Dhadkan’, giving a shock to all present. Even as the band had just begun playing, members from Kundra and Shetty’s families rushed to instruct them to stop the music immediately.

Confirming the report, an eyewitnes told a daily, “The band members were shocked and were wondering what went wrong. They looked quizzically at the people who were ordering them to stop the music of ‘Dhadkan’ but all that they got in return were harsh glares.

“At this point they were categorically told, `Akshay ki film ka gaana mat bajao`.”What’s more, the band members were asked to stop the music until further orders.

“They started playing a fresh batch of songs only around 5 pm, and this time, of course, they didn’t have any Akshay song on their list. It was quite a hilarious situation. Imagine the crestfallen band on one side and the livid guys who came running out from the bungalow. We wonder what was going on in Shilpa and Raj `s mind at that moment when this incident happened,” adds the eyewitness.

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I don't make it a hobby to help heroines-Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar minces no words when it comes to praising Katrina Kaif. The two look good together on screen and often Akshay is credited for boosting Kat’s career when she needed it the most. Often it is said that Akki is the star to whom Kat hitched her wagon on her way to super stardom. But Akshay doesn’t like to make much noise about it. He credits Kat’s beauty and potential for her success and adds that he would go ahead to help any damsel in distress.

“I don’t make it a hobby to help heroines. I wait and I watch and I will of course be there to guide any damsel in distress. However, a ’Katrina’ doesn’t walk by a film set everyday. They are one in a million for a reason,” Akshay is quoted as saying in an interview. Katrina herself is so fond of Akshay that she agreed to do Priyadarshan’s movie De Dana Dan, only because Akshay asked her to even though her role in the film isn’t very substantial.

“I know when Katrina says she’s doing it for me, it means she respects me enough to say yes to something without question. There aren’t any questions around the script etc... It’s a plain and simple talk of ’Yes Akshay, when do you need me?’.” Akshay revealed. Akshay himself is under no illusion that ‘De Dana Dan’ won’t do anything great to Kat’s career.

“’De Dana Dan’ isn’t going to better her career. But yes, it is just good for her to work in different environments. A movie like this is a first for her. She still needs to touch every aspect of her audience and she knows it,” said Akshay.The film releases this Friday.

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I'm very happy to be associated with Farah Khan-Akshay Kumar

The latest news to hit the scene involves not only one of Bollywood’s most successful actor-Akshay Kumar but Bollywood’s most loved director Farah Khan . Farah Khan of MAIN HOON NA and OM SHANTI OM fame has just signed Akshay Kumar for her next directorial venture titled TEES MAAR KHAN. The film will be produced by Shirish & Farah’s home production "Three’s Company Pvt Ltd." and co-produced by Akshay Kumar’s "Hari Om Productions".

Talking about choosing Akshay Kumar as the lead confirms Shirish Kunder "I had written this film with Akshay in mind and was initially planning to direct it. But when Farah and I formed our production company, we mutually thought it best that she direct this film while I take the responsibility of a producer. Akshay and I shared a great rapport while working on JAANE-E-MANN, and I have been looking forward to work with him again. This project gives me that opportunity"

Farah Khan’s last movie was, OM SHANTI OM, which at the time of its release was the highest grossing Hindi film of that time and ever since the who’s who of the industry wanted to work with her.

Quotes Farah Khan "It’s our first project under Three’s Company Pvt Ltd. and we are very excited.. Akshay Kumar comes under the bracket of the top 3 actors in the industry. TEES MAAR KHAN as a script is right up my alley. It’s brilliant and Akshay suits the role perfectly as Shirish wrote it with him in mind. It will be a pleasure to be working with him"

Talking about his next venture with Shirish and Farah, Akshay Kumar said "Farah is the strongest most capable woman in the business and the best in the business for that matter. She holds the most respect from the biggest of people. TEES MAAR KHAN is going to be a special film because it has the best of both worlds -Farah’s talent as a director and Shirish’s story telling ability... I’m very happy to be associated with this project and I’m sure Farah will make sure we live up to the title and make this film larger than life"

From the looks of it the teaming one of Bollywood’s most successful directors-Farah Khan and one of the industry’s most successful actors -Akshay Kumar do make quite a force to reckon with.

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Farah Khan and her husband to rope in Akshay Kumar in place of King Khan

Farah Khan chose Akshay Kumar over good friend Shah Rukh Khan for her husband Shirish Kunder ’s ambitious next Tees Maar Khan.

Shirish has been working hard on the script of Tees Maar Khan since his last dud Jaaneman, starring Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan, sank without a trace. Insiders say the script of Tees Maar Khan was specially written keeping Shah Rukh in mind. However, after the course of events leading to differences between Shirish and Farah, they decided to rope in Akshay Kumar in place of King Khan. A source close to Farah and Shirish adds, “Shirish put his heart and soul into Tees Maar Khan, but after Shah Rukh treated him badly by asking him to direct The Zoya Factor and then passing it off to someone else without even telling him, Shirish began to keep his distance from Khan. Farah, however, maintained the same level of friendship with him, considering she had approached him for her ambitious next Happy New Year.”

So, what went wrong between Farah and Shah Rukh? The source explains, “Everything was hunky dory between Farah and him till Shah Rukh began to find unnecessary faults in Happy New Year and delayed the project by almost a year now. He made her edit the script several times, and she came to a point when she realized that he simply wasn’t interested in doing the film in the first place. Its understandable that Shah Rukh is more interested in working on Mani Ratnam’s Ra 1 and Farhan Akhtar’s sequel to Don, and wants to focus all his attention on these films. She soon roped in Akshay for the lead role in Tees Maar Khan, who is also a close friend and brother Sajid’s favorite actor and confidante. Akshay is even producing Tees Maar Khan under his home production, Hari Om Productions.”

Still, Farah had her inhibitions in roping Akki for the role, as audiences will obviously identify Shah Rukh in the title, but husband Shirish made her think otherwise. The source adds, “They have full trust in Akshay, as they know that he will take the script to an all-new level. He is a close friend, and they have a great working relationship with him." When Farah was asked whether Akshay is in her next Tees Maar Khan, she confirmed, saying, “Yes, it’s true, Akshay is a part of Tees Maar Khan, and we are ecstatic to have him on board.” Shirish, who had earlier decided to direct the film, has passed the direction duties to wife Farah. He spoke on the matter, saying, ‘I had written this film with Akshay in mind and was initially planning to direct it, but when Farah and I formed our production company, we mutually thought it best that she direct this film while I take the responsibility of a producer. Akshay and I shared a great rapport while working on Jaan-e-Mann, and I have been looking forward to work with him again. This project gives me that opportunity.’

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Akshay distributed the 2.5 lakh rupees for spotboys

A few days after the release of Blue, the film’s director Anthony D’Souza, who openly hero-worships Akshay Kumar, was traveling with the star when suddenly Akshay stopped the car, pulled out a wad of thick currency notes and gently handed it over to Anthony who was understandably stunned.

Akshay, the worst dressed male celebrity?

"This is for all the spot boys in Blue. Please divide it among them as a Diwali bonus. Blue couldn’t have happened without them," Akshay reportedly told Anthony.

Underwater trouble: Watch how Akki’s Blue stunt goes wrong!

"It was 2.5 lakh rupees and I quietly distributed it among the 18 spotboys of Blue. I kept quiet about it because Akshay asked me to. But now when you ask about it, I’ve to admit such largesse is rare in our film industry."

’’You’ve to look at it from the point of view of the spot boys who are the most neglected breed in Bollywood. No one looks their way, let alone reward their hard work. You had to see the glint in their eyes when they received Akshay’s gift. I’ve now become a bigger fan of Akshay Kumar." Meet the players in Blue.

Akshay now intends to hold a special screening of Blue for all the family and friends of the spot boys.

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