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Amitabh Bachchan is an icon for many a budding actor but his son, Abhishek says his own acting style is more like that of his mother, Jaya.

"Dad is an inspiration to the whole world. His creativity, dedication are legendary. He is a great source of inspiration. However, my acting style is more like my mother.

I would like to believe that I have the best of both," the junior Bachchan told reporters in an email interview.

Abhishek, who suffered a setback at the box-office with ‘Drona’ last year, hopes for a turnaround with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's ambitious film about Delhi.

The actor considers himself to be lucky to to get the opportunity to work with some great veterans in Mehra's film.

"The script was novel and had a great narrative but the clinching factor was the cast. When Rakeysh discussed with me who he wanted to cast in the film, I just knew that I had to be a part of this film.

"Where will any actor get the opportunity to stand in the same frame as all these great actors we had in this film. It was an awesome experience," Abhishek said.

The story of ‘Dilli 6’ is set in the backdrop of the walled city. Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Om Puri and Atul Kulkarni are in important roles in the film which has Abhishek and Sonam Kapoor in the lead.

When asked about his character in the movie, Abhishek, who is celebrating his 33rd birthday tomorrow, said, "I am playing the character of Rohan Mehra who is born and brought up in New York.

"Roshan has never been to India but the course of the film brings him to his ancestral home for the first time. The challenge of the character was to stick out and blend into the surroundings." he said.

Abhishek is working with Mani Ratnam for the third time in ‘Ravana’ where his co-star is his wife Aishwarya.

"Mani continues to push the envelop and do something new each time. We like to work with each other. This is also my second film with Ash after our marriage and it continues to be a wonderful experience to work with her."

He has earlier worked with Mani Ratnam in ‘Yuva’ and ‘Guru’.

Abhishek says he is proud of his wife's achievement.

Aishwarya recently received Padamshri award for her contribution to Indian cinema.

"It is a great honour to receive. I am proud of Aishwarya. Truly well deserved. I feel very blessed to be a part of a family which has received this honour 5 times," he said.

Abhishek has no regrets about some of his films not working at the box office last year and considers them to be a learning experience.

"Last year was a great learning experience for me. I don't have any regrets or complaints. I got to work in such diverse film in one year. 'Sarkaar Raaj', 'Drona' and 'Dostana'. A good film will work and a bad one won't." he added.

source:screenindia.com

The green-eyed beauty who was in town to launch the Longines watch collection said she did not mind the kissing scene between hubby Abhishek and John Abraham.
Presently shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Ravana with hubby Abhishek in Kerala’s feisty forests, Aishwariya Rai Bachchan recently flew to Mumbai for a day. One to be with her dad, retired Merchant Navy Officer Krishna Raj on his 70th birthday and secondly, being brand ambassador of Longines watches she was to introduce their new collection. Dressed in a Cinderella-like white-and-black gown the beauty looked fresh despite performing her wifely duties and going about her hectic work schedule. Aishwariya is looking forward to the release of her Hollywood flick Pink Panther, is working on Shankar’s Robot and Mani’s Ravan (working title) and reveals that she is in discussion with Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Sanjay Leela Bhansali for their forthcoming ventures.

“The keyword is time management and I say it’s all about managing it and not questioning it! I learnt this a long-time back when I would always chalk-out a schedule for myself depending on how much I could fit in,” gushes the beauty.

She reacts with a grin when asked why she did not do Dostana and what was her reaction to Abhishek’s kissing scene with John Abraham in the film. “That’s okay, it was part of the film,” she replies coolly, “I’d have accepted Dostana, but it was my first offer immediately after marriage. Since the focus was on the chemistry between Abhishek and John and not on a love story, my presence would have taken that away from them.”

She concedes that both Abhishek and she are always attracted by films which give them a chance to experiment with their looks and characters. And she wants to give the audiences a different Aishwarya every time. “Not that I plan my moves, as something great always comes along. Like the role I play in Ravan is something completely different from what I did in Mani Sir’s Iruvar and then Guru.”

As for the kind of endorsements she likes to do, the former Miss world smiles, “The product and campaign should be simple and understated and something that complements my personality.”

source:indianexpress.com

It's the battle of the heavy weights this week as Drona and Kidnap - two big films hit the box office unusually on a Thursday. On one hand there is Abhishek Bachchan trying to be the new superhero and giving him tough competition is newcomer Imran Khan with Sanjay Dutt.

A thriller with the new Khan on the block which promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, thrown in Sanjay Dutt and Minissha Lamba in a bikini, Kidnap has aroused enough interest for film-goers to walk into theatres first day first show.

"Kidnap is a good movie. It has a great plot," says a viewer.

But another disagrees and says, "It's a really bad movie, don't watch it."

And some have appreciated Imran's new look and the film's storyline.

"Imran is a really thrilling actor and the movie is much better than Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na," says a viewer.

So while there seems to be mixed reactions for this Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra starrer Drona — the magical adventure of a prince who is out to save the world — isn't getting a royal treatment at theatres.

"Drona was just terrible to sit through," said a disappointed viewer.

Another viewer said, "It's one of the worst movie I've ever seen."

And one viewer has a point to make as he says,” When you're making a superhero movie, make a superhero movie, Don't mix it up with Indian mythology and love".

But there are some who have appreciated the film.

"The graphics are good, but the movie is slow. Overall I'd say the movie is slow but good," said a viewer.

The risk at the ticket window is much lower for Kidnap reportedly made with a budget of Rs 20 crores as compared to Drona which costs approximately Rs 50 crores.

Having released on a National holiday, both the films are guaranteed to get a good opening. And its only a matter of a week before we find out if Imran Khan is indeed giving Abhishek Bachchan a run for his money.

by ibnlive.com

The countdown has begun for the two biggies that are slated for release this Idd: ‘Drona’ and ‘Kidnap’. A lot is riding on these two films. In terms of economics, both are expensive films. Plus, the careers of Abhishek Bachchan [Drona] and Imran Khan [post Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na] are at stake. Will ‘Drona’ live up to the humungous expectations?
"It's my biggest and best film so far," Abhishek Bachchan tells me. He's supremely confident this time. "I don't speak like this, do I? But Drona is different. It's the most expensive film I am associated with. Besides, Goldie [Behl; the director] has executed the subject remarkably," he states.

Abhishek and Goldie have got together after more than seven years [‘Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai’ was released in July 2001]. In between, in 2006, Goldie had plans of making a thriller with Abhishek, but decided on making an adventure fare instead. "Goldie was disheartened after his debut film failed. Later, he diversified into television; he wanted to make his company secure before he announced his next film," Abhishek reminisces.

Abhishek credits his directors for the [sterling] performances he has delivered in films like ‘Yuva’ and ‘Guru’ [Mani Ratnam] as also ‘Sarkar’ and ‘Sarkar Raj’ [RGV]. "If at all Drona works -- and I hope it does -- Goldie should get the credit for it. He has worked very, very hard. I am sure, the Indian audiences haven't seen an adventure film like Drona before," he says confidently.

Abhishek has worked in the ‘Dhoom’ series as also ‘Sarkar’ and its sequel. There's talk that a sequel to ‘Drona’ is in the offing. "Oh yes! Goldie has written so much in the intervening period that he's ready to take the ‘Drona’ series forward. In fact, the possibility of a sequel can easily be explored," he adds.

Also read

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by expressindia.com

When Abhishek was asked about his new found camaraderie with Salman Khan, he was as diplomatic as ever. "Salman is a senior and has been very supportive and very sweet to me and he continues to be," he said.


Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra at the music launch of fantasy film Drona in Mumbai. Drona stars Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon and Jaya Bachchan.


Abhishek Bachchan at the launch. Director Goldie Behl and Abhishek Bachchan are childhood friends and say Drona is a dream they saw as kids.


Abhishek hugs Jaya as she gets teary-eyed. "These are tears of happiness," she said.


Jaya Bachchan (in white) at the music launch. Abhishek's mother Jaya got very emotional at the do.


It was not the just the Bachchans who were excited about the movie. Priyanka Chopra (R), too, could not stop raving about her "hot" look in the movie.

by ibnlive.com

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In Pics: Hot & Sexy Sherlyn Chopra | Mallika's Sexiest Top 5 | Most controversial kisses ever! | In Pics: Shweta Salve hots up bikini shoot | Bollywood Sexy Videos

by yahoo.com

When the Bachchans look behind, they find that they had made a lot more foes than friends in the last couple of years and now they are trying their level best to dump their past and make more and more friends and carry only good memories forward. With this aim in view, they put a step forward of liaison. They invited Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi for a get-together in their room.

Abhishek and Kareena almost stopped working together after Abhishek’s breaks up with her sister Karishma Kapoor after engagement. The Kapoors still cannot forget this misfortune. And for Vivek, the case is almost the same. He was deeply disheartened when Ash kicked him out of her life and married Abhishek. Though Vivek tried to normalize the incident by attending Teja Bachchan’s funeral, still Ash’s betrayal pinches him inwardly.

At IIFA when Abhi invited both Kareena and Vivek to the party in their room, they both turned down their friendship call by not attending the informal get-together. Instead, Kareena preferred to just hang around with her friends, Saif, Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar and Shabina Khan. While Vivek in order to escape from media’s awkward questions, hung out with his Mission Istanbul gang in his room.

The Bachchan family visited Hyderabad not for another pilgrimage but it was a promotional visit for their new movie Sarkar Raj.

CNN-IBN finds out their views on what they felt about the movie not doing too well..

Days after the release of Sarkar Raj, the much hyped-about movie hasn't really rocked the box office. However, its biggest star, the Big B has a different opinion.

“Everyone’s loved the film and good performances have paid off,” says Amitabh.

However, when asked about the box office bombing, Big B seem to have felt a little offended. “We will give you the figures just now and then you make up your mind and tell me if the movie did not do well at the box-office,” adds Big B.

Defending the movie, Bollywood actress and the Bachchan daughter-in-law, Aishwarya said, “I don’t know who is creating these rumours and who is fanning it. I don't know where u guys come up with all this.”



Junior Bachchan however, was his usual cool self, just too happy to work with family. “Dad, Aishwarya and I worked together in the film and we thoroughly enjoyed our shoots,” says Abhishek.

The movie may have had mixed reviews, but the stars definitely don’t seem to be complaining.

Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raj is a gabfest. There's really no other way to describe this film — it's all talk and very little action. And excessive talk seldom makes for exciting viewing.

Intended no doubt to be an intense political drama, Sarkar Raj is sadly not a patch on Varma's original film Sarkar, of which this one is nothing but a watered down sequel. The Nagres, when they were first introduced to us in the 2005 film, were an uber-powerful family whose patriarch Subhash Nagre (or Sarkar as we came to know him) was a mafioso with a righteous streak. Pilfered from the plot of Coppola's Godfather, Varma's previous film ended with Sarkar's younger son Shankar following in the footsteps of his father. A US-educated lad who reluctantly embraces his destiny and joins in the family business so to speak.

It was a dramatic film, remarkably enacted by both Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, and one that left a lasting impression. Sarkar Raj doesn't have either the dramatic tone of the first film, nor a premise that's particularly engaging.

Despite his reservations, Subhash Nagre gives his beta a nod of approval when Shankar convinces him that a power plant project in rural Maharashtra will benefit the state and its people. Teaming up with an NRI corporate head, Shankar takes to the villages to gather support from the masses. Unfortunately for the Nagres, things don't go quite as smoothly as they'd hoped. Too many parties have too many interests and as a result, this project becomes something of a political minefield.

To be entirely fair, Sarkar Raj is not a bad film, it's just not good. There's little in the plot that's original or imaginative, and it doesn't help that Varma lazily shoots his sequel exactly the same way as he did the first film, complete with lighting tricks and booming theme music. The problem here is Varma's characters. Amitabh Bachchan plays Sarkar as a sort of preachy grandfather who's dripping words of wisdom everytime he thinks Shankar may be taking a wrong step. You might remember, much of the reason why Sarkar appealed to us so much in the first film was because he was a man of a few words. A man whose silences said so much. In this film, you long for him to be silent — if only for a few moments. Abhishek Bachchan, meanwhile, as Shankar Nagre, bears a pained expression throughout the film and does little else. As the corporate head who proposes the power plant to Shankar, Aishwarya Rai is restrained and stays within character for the most part.

The biggest blow comes in the form of the film's drudging pace. It's only two hours and a few minutes in running time, but it felt like the longest two hours of my life. A film so punishingly slow I think I felt my nails grow sitting in that seat.

So that's two out of five and at best an average rating for Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raj, it's a disappointing follow up to a very good film. Now we can only hope Part Three will be better. Because all evidence indicates that Sarkar will return.

Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)

Aishwarya Bachchan had a complete make-over in Sarkar Raj. She sports an altogether different look in the film. Sarkar Raj demands corporate look and she is styled accordingly by fashion designer Falguni Thakore. Not only her attire, her hair too is fashioned in a new style.

She is playing a character named Anita Rajan, who is a CEO of an international company, and comes to India to build a power plant. Keeping in mind the prowess of the character, Falguni incorporated some new element in her get-up. The promos give us a glimpse of Ash’s dynamic look and Falguni’s fabulous work-piece.

Neeta Lulla is a constant designer of Aishwarya but for Sarkar Raj, Ramgopal Varma opted for Falguni Thakore. The promo gives us an idea that the new designer of Ash has been able to do full justice to Ash’s character and look, successful in bringing a corporate look on her. Falguni gushed that Ramu has given her the complete freedom to decorate Ash. "Ramu wanted a strong corporate woman with a feminine touch," Falguni remarked.

Wherever Ash goes, media follows her with the same question of pregnancy. Ash is sick and tired of denying her pregnancy reports. Recently, they purchased a villa and rumor circulated all round that they purchased the villa to hide the pregnancy. To it, Ash and Abhi reacted that they had not purchased any home in Dubai to hide the greatest joy of their life.

Media followed Ash with the same question of pregnancy from Sarkar Raj promotion to the inauguration of the shopping mall on the outskirts of Delhi. Ash vehemently denied of being pregnant. Abhishek very calmly informed the media that they are not expecting a baby and incase they do, they will not keep the media in the dark and will definitely share the good news with them.

After marriage, Ash and Abhi will be paired first time ever in Sarkar Raj. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role. The film has been unveiled in a unique way where Ash and Abhi attended the function from Miami via video conference.

Aishwarya's pregnancy has become a matter of concern for all. Fans are waiting to hear the good news from Abhishek but every time their speculation turned out to be false. Recently, a magazine again raised up the coveted issue to which Abhishek refuted. He said "The report in one of the magazines about my beloved wife Aishwarya's pregnancy is false". The Bachchans are gearing for the Unforgettable Tour which is starting from July 18.

They will explore the exotic destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Trinidad & Tobago, Houston, Atlantic City, New York, Vancouver, London and Amsterdam. Abhishek further disclosed that Aishwarya will perform on the super hit song Dola Re with Madhuri Dixit and she will also groove in some other hit numbers. Apart from the three Bachchans, Akshay, Madhuri, Preity and Riteish would entertain the global audience with some tremendous performances. Kajra Re is another added attraction.

The stars had already started rehearsing for the unforgettable event and they will follow the dance step of ace choreographer, Shiamak Davar. Vishal and Shekhar will provide the music. Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd is behind this mind-blowing show.