Aishwarya Rai is really beautiful: Hugh Jackman

In an exclusive interview,  Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman speaks about his next film and the Indian film he really liked - My Name is Khan. 

Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman is a popular name in India as well, esp. for his Wolverine act in the X-Men series. His upcoming film Real Steel releases this Friday in India, simultaneously with its global release. In an exclusive interview to Gaurav Malani , Hugh speaks about his next film Real Steeland his view on India and Indian films. 

Are you aware that both Hugh Jackman and Wolverine enjoy a massive fan-following in India? 
Well, if that's true then I am really happy. I hope I get all the love and support for Real Steel as well. 
  
Talking about 'Real Steel', does it have the popular 'man v/s machine' theme? 
It revolves around the concept, where machines have taken over the boxing ring replacing human. So, it is a kind of Man v/s machine but it has a different take to it. 
  
What would you say is the USP of the film - boxing robots or the father-son bonding? 
I'd say both. It's a proper mix of both and that's its USP. 
  
Dakota Goyo (who plays the son in Real Steel ) has been winning rave reviews. What do you have to say about the young talent? 
He is a very talented young lad and I am proud of his work. He deserves the appreciation he is getting. 
  
How heavy-duty is the action in the film and can kids watch it? 
Certainly kids can watch the film. My kids are going to watch it. There is no blood shed so it's a safe watch for the entire family. 
  
Did you ever try your hands at boxing before this film? How good are you at the sport? 
I have always been a crazy supporter of sports especially boxing but I never got an opportunity to try my hand at boxing as much as I got in Real Steel . 
  
Is a sequel to Real Steel in the offing? 
That question goes for Steven Spielberg. 
  
Real Steel releases simultaneously in India with its US release. How important is the 
Indian market for any Hollywood film today? 
It has become extremely important in today's date. The growing success of Hollywood films in India proves that there is a huge demand for Hollywood films. 
  
How was your experience the last time you came to India during FICCI in March 2011? 
It was wonderful, had a great time. People over there are so warm and humble. They made me feel at home. 
  
How was your interaction with Shah Rukh Khan and Vidya Balan? 
They both are amazing human beings. Extremely warm and humble. 
  
Other than Shah Rukh Khan, any Indian actor that you can recollect at the back of your mind? 
I met Aishwarya Rai also. She is really beautiful. 
  
Have you seen any Indian films? What do you think about them? 
I have seen My Name is Khan  and I quite liked it. 
  
Given a chance, would you like to work in any Indian film? 
  It would be my pleasure 
  
When do we see you in India again? 
I hope soon.

I am tired of comparisons: Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan does not like being compared with either Bollywood legends or B-town rookies

FILM TALK
 "I've seen a lot of ups and downs and have not forgotten my early days in the industry, when a few of my films didn't do well. I used to travel in a bus in those days and the people who recognized me would criticize those films. I have come a long way and tasted success as an actor, but my kids would keep saying that I don't make films for them. So I decided to do something different for cinema itself and that's how Ra.One happened. After 20 years in the industry, the numbers game doesn't bother me. My passion for doing good cinema remains the same as before and I want everyone to do well. There's no rivalry with anyone."

SUPERHERO'S BUMPY RIDE "Five years ago, when we thought of Ra.One, there were genuine apprehensions about the huge expenses and many felt it would be difficult to recover the costs. But everyone was very supportive and I am glad that we went ahead with it. And let me clarify that the poster of the film hasn't been copied from anywhere."

PROMOTIONAL SPREE "Today, with so many platforms being available, it's important to promote a movie ahead of its release. Earlier, films would be released elsewhere the week after it was released in Mumbai. But today, it's about maximizing the profits in the first weekend and the era of films completing silver jubilees and golden jubilees is over. I will never shy away from promotional activities because I believe in letting my audience know what to expect from my films. Besides, promotions also draw a certain percentage of non-regular movie-goers to theatres."

NO COMPARISONS, PLEASE "I am sick and tired of being compared all the time! Just like it's not fair to compare me to a legend like Amitabh Bachchan, however flattering it may be, it's equally unfair to compare me to every second newcomer. Without sounding rude, I just want to say that in the last 20 years, I have done enough quality work to carve out my own identity."

ME, THE WORKAHOLIC "I've been so busy for the past one month that I have been sleeping at around 11 every morning after working non-stop in the night. Shooting for Don 2 has been physically exhausting. However, as an entertainer, all these things seem like a cakewalk when a film of yours does well. And once a film of mine is completed, my wife is among the first to watch it and give me her feedback."

MY KIDS, MY WORLD "I'm blessed to have such lovely children. I'll be happy if they study well and are happy in whatever they choose to do. Fame and money are secondary."

Ayesha Takia: I never stopped being a heroine

She maintains that she never really went away, but actor Ayesha Takia is treating her upcoming love story as a comeback film after a hiatus of two and a half years. "I never stopped being a heroine. I began acting when I was four and bagged my first film as a heroine at the age of 15," she says. 

Ayesha, who hit a career high with her stirring performance in Dor, is reuniting with her favourite director Nagesh Kukunoor for her return. "I know him socially and bumped into him one day. That was when he told me about this project and I took it up because Nagesh will never offer me anything less than the best," says Ayesha, adding, "The critics noticed me as a performer only with Dor."

The actor had gone off the radar after her marriage to hotelier Farhan Azmi, which she says helped her change her outlook towards life. "I never planned anything in my life. When I got married, I decided to take a break. I wanted to travel, see life differently and discover things about myself," says Ayesha. During this self-imposed hiatus, the actor also found a new calling. Ayesha and Farhan are currently giving finishing touches to their new property - a 100-year-old bungalow that is being converted into a boutique hotel in Goa. "We had this concept in mind for a long time and we plan to bring to take this to other cities as well," she says.

With her attention thus divided, will she do fewer films? "I am enjoying this phase in my life and am very happy being a businesswoman. But acting has always been part of my life and it just can't go away," she says.

And while Ayesha is looking to work her way back into the mainstream, she isn't ready to shimmy and show skin for an item number. "Item numbers are not my scene at all," says the actor.

But much has changed in Bollywood since her hiatus - the industry has become more competitive with newer faces stepping in. But the bubbly actor is unfazed. "There has always been competition, then and even now. I never noticed it, though," she says.

Shah Rukh Khan: Kareena Kapoor has no time for me

Total FilmyKareena Kapoor has no time for me: Shah Rukh KhanTimes of IndiaHe has produced India's most expensive film 

He has produced India's most expensive film to date and the music launch of Ra.One at Film City on Monday was a suitably glittering affair. 

We learn the rights for telecasting the film's music launch has been sold to a television channel, surely a first.

At the packed venue, SRK lifted a noticeably heftier Kareena who had come in late, and joked: 'She no longer has time for me, yeh aaj kal sirf chote chote Khans ke saath kaam karti hain.' Bodyguard, anyone?

Imran Khan dances to Sheila on KBC

Imran Khan grooved to sizzling number "Sheila ki jawaani" for a special episode of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" and he copied Katrina Kaif's dance steps too!

Imran Khan grooved to sizzling number Sheila Ki Jawaani for a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati and he copied Katrina Kaif's dance steps too!

The two actors, who are busy promoting their soon-to-release film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, will be seen on megastar Amitabh Bachchan-hosted show Thursday.

Imran danced on Sheila Ki Jawaani... and also copied her famous steps, and gets an applause and a pat on the back from original Sheila, Katrina.

According to a source from the sets, both the actors were quite enthusiastic. Katrina, who has learnt how to play a guitar for the film, even strummed the instrument for Big B, while Imran sang for him.

The 68-year-old wished both Imran and Katrina all the best for their film, which releases Friday. The movie also features Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar.

Naseeruddin: Hits or flops don't determine my future

Hits or flops don't determine my future: Naseer National award-winning actor NaseeruddinShah, who has acted in over 70 films in his so far 35-year-long caree






National award-winning actor Naseeruddin Shah, who has acted in over 70 films in his so far 35-year-long career, says he never worries about the fate of his films at the box office.

"I don't have any tensions about Friday. I'm very grateful that I don't have to live sleepless nights thinking whether the film will work or not. The success or failure of a film is what bothers a director and a producer. My job is to work in it. What work will I get in future is not dependant on the fact whether my last film was a hit or flop," the 62-year-old actor told IANS.

From offbeat to commercial to international movies, he has proved his mettle everywhere.

The versatile actor is known for his performances in Ijaazat, Sparsh, Aakrosh, Masoom, Karma, Tridev, Sir, Iqbal, A Wednesday and his Hollywood venture The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Bodyguard smashes all records

Everyone was forecasting " Bodyguard" to open to big box-office collections, but no one anticipated the massive response the movie ended up generating. The film, which opened on Eid on Wednesday, ran to packed houses in the country, with trade analysts predicting the collections to be in the range of `18-20 crore. 

During the last couple of years, it was Salman's other big ticket release, "Dabangg" (`14.35 crore), and Aamir Khan's "3 Idiots" (`12.5 crore), which had shown the biggest openings.

Says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, "Salman is something else now. I think the movie has earned almost `20 crore on day one and over the weekend, it will cross `85-90 crore." Komal Nahta is more conservative in his estimates and pegs the weekend collection at `65-70 crore. However, Nahta says the film has broken all international records too. Says Nahta, "In Dubai, the movie opened on Tuesday because that's when Eid was celebrated. While "Dabangg" had opened with 7 lakh dirhams (`87 lakh), "Bodyguard" made 11 lakh dirhams (`1.36 crore). In London, the movie opened with a collection of 60,000 pounds (`44.4 lakh) on Tuesday, which too is unheard of. It has broken all previous records for any Bollywood film."

While analysts hail Salman and the film as a box office miracle, multiplex and single screen officials tell us that various strategies have come together to help the film. Says Tinku Singh, group president, SRS group, "In NCR, we ran 53 shows in Faridabad, and 22 and 30 shows in Gurgaon and Indirapuram. The total collection on day one was `24 lakh. It is houseful across the country. After the "Aarakshan" fiasco, everyone's rejoicing with this movie. And the thing to remember here is that the movie opened on a Wednesday, so it will have five days, plus two more weekends at least, to make a lot more money."

Also, "Boduguard" opened to weekend pricing across most multiplexes, giving them much more revenue. However, PVR Cinemas chose to go ahead with weekday pricing for Wednesday, and reported 95% occupancy in the morning shows, and 100% occupancy towards the evening. Out of 550 shows in PVR halls, approximately 325 were played in Delhi and Punjab. Says Deepa Menon, vice president, corporate communications for PVR Cinemas, "The movie saw an excellent opening in Delhi-NCR, ending the day with nearly 95% occupancy, which is quite phenomenal. This definitely is one of the biggest openings on day one that we've seen."

Even in single-screen theatres, the film has done record-breaking business in Delhi-NCR. While Vishal in Rajouri Garden reported a total of `4.5 lakh in four shows, all four shows were houseful in Delite, said Sunil Parashar, media coordinator for Dellite. Sheila Cinema in Paharganj too, saw four full shows, totalling a collection of over `3 lakh. Says Parashar, "During "Ready", ticket prices had been increased by 20% even in single-screen halls. But for "Bodyguard", even at normal single-screen prices, the movie has broken all records. Most single screens are houseful till Sunday."