London Dreams vs. Aladin

Two big budget films are releasing this weekend. Whose wish to be successful will come true? Celebrity astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi helps us decode the answers.

“The title LONDON DREAMS adds up to Number 41 (5) – the symbol of this number is controlled power and success. So, going by this description, it seems the film would sail safely,” predicts Bhavikk.

He continues, “Of the cast, Salman is in his 44th year and the title, adding up to Number 5, does not really work in his favour. He might receive extreme reactions for his work. Like the year 2009, Ajay is also a Number 2 person, but he being in his 41st year will receive mixed reactions too. On the other hand, Asin also has just entered her 25th year (26th October, 1985), which is not great news either.”

“It seems the film’s run may be short-lived, but it will not be a losing venture,” is Bhavikk’s last word on London Dreams.

“The title ALADIN adds up to Number 15 (6) – this octave of Number 6 is fine, but does not support Number 4 and Number 8 people. The title role is being played by Riteish Deshmukh, who was born on December 17 – that makes him a Number 8 person. So, the vibration of the title does not go in sync with its main lead. And that’s bad news,” predicts Bhavikk.

He continues “Even Mr. Bachchan is a Libran partially ruled by Number 8 ( Saturn ) and hence, his role and enactment may also come under fire. Even otherwise, the year 2009 does not support people, things or work associated with Number 8. So, the chances are still bleak.”

Bhavikk concludes, “It seems Bollywood will have to churn out some more ideas from its dream factory to ‘fantasize’ the audiences. Unfortunately, Aladin isn’t the winning idea!”

The London Dreams cast is no less than neck-deep in promoting the film, though only Friday will tell if it has been able to entice crowds. London Dreams has a Dubai premiere, and Aladin could have done the same, but chose to stay put on home ground, perhaps because it has a more 'Indian dream' of conquering the nation's box office, unlike London Dreams, which has international aspirations.

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Salman Khan promoting latest movie in London

He arrived in the city from Dubai

Salman Khan, who landed in London this morning (October 28) after the Dubai premiere of Vipul A. Shah's “London Dreams” last night, is getting into top gear to promote the film, which previews in the UK on Thursday, October 29.

In addition to doing one-on-ones with select media at his Central London hotel today, it is believed he will be visiting the studios of Sunrise Radio and Asian Star Radio tomorrow at 3pm and 5pm respectively to promote “London Dreams” live on air.

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In Pics: Salman Khan Selling 'London Dreams' Movie Tickets In Delhi

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Shah Rukh, Aamir were first choices for ‘London Dreams’

It was to be a Raj Kumar Santoshi project

Not many will be aware that filmmaker Raj Kumar Santoshi was about to manage the formidable coup of getting Aamir Khan & Shah Rukh Khan together on the big screen together for the first time in “London Dream”s.

At that point, it was to be titled Rashque ('jealousy' in Urdu), which is the film's underlying sentiment. The two stars are said to have even attended joint narrations.

Following the story narration, both the actors loved the script and wanted to sleep over it before committing themselves. Santoshi is rumoured to have pursued the two superstars relentlessly and even chased alternatives like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, before giving up when the casting did not fructify.

As destiny would have it, Salman Khan took “London Dreams” to filmmaker Vipul A. Shah, who started afresh on the script. The former automatically stepped into Aamir's shoes while Ajay Devgn was roped in by Vipul Shah to step into Shah Rukh's.

This also became coup of sorts as the two stars reunited ten years after featuring together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's smash hit, “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”.

"London Dreams" releases worldwide on October 30 and is being marketed and distributed internationally by Studio 18.

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London Dreams - Movie Stills

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Asin’s London Dreams

South sensation Asin made a smashing debut in Bollywood with Aamir Khan and from then on there has been no looking back for the doe-eyed beauty.

Asin will now share screen space with Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan in one of the most highly anticipated musical film of the year London Dreams. The multi-budgeted film has Salman and Ajay reuniting after almost 10 years and the audiences are waiting to see their onscreen camaraderie again. After the smashing success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ajay and Salman haven’t finally got a chance to work together and director Vipul Shah promises fireworks.

While Vipul is all praise for his multi-talented leading male stars, he is in awe of his leading lady as well. Asin who had producers queuing for a chance to work with her after her debut film Ghajini was signed by Vipul for London Dreams well before her maiden venture. In London Dreams, Asin plays Priya, a young music enthusiast who joins Arjun's (Ajay Devgan) rock band in London.

‘I had seen Asin in a couple of big South films and really liked her work. I was looking for someone who could essay a beautiful Iyer girl, adept at both classical and western dance, and yet look like she's been born and bred in London. I signed her even before the first promo of Ghajini came on television. Taking a newcomer opposite two big stars was a risk but I was confident of her and followed my instinct. When Ghajini clicked, I knew I had made the right decision.’ Vipul spoke of his leading lady.

Asin was even offered Wanted but the role eventually went to Ayesha, Salman Khan had said, “Ayesha was meant for Wanted and Asin for London Dreams, they both justify their roles and were meant to be a part of these films only.”

After her lively performance in Ghajini, we cant wait to see Asin light up the big screen in London Dreams.

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London Dreams - Movie Stills

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Asin and Salman are the newest foes in town!

Hot-head actor can't seem to get along with new ice-maiden from the South!

Salman Khan has a new addition to his list of foes, and Asin probably has a first. This is a case of frenemies- friends turned enemies, as Asin and Salman are no longer on talking terms.

Asin and Salman got along like a house on fire when they started shooting for London Dreams. In fact, he even told her protective father Joseph Thottumkal that he couldn’t stop him from speaking to his daughter. He was recommending Asin to all who would listen to him. Katrina didn’t take to this very kindly and the duo reportedly had a tiff over Asin.

A StarBoxOffice source leaks some juicy details. “Now Asin and Salman don’t get along and no one knows the reason why. They can hardly stand each other; this is evident from the fact that they don’t have promotional discussions with Vipul Shah together. Asin’s father, Vipul and Salman have discussions together but Asin is not present when Salman is discussing things with Vipul. Asin meets him later on and poor Vipul has to explain the same thing twice."

We pity him because he has to say the same thing (when asked about his movie, star cast, etc) ten times to different media personnel during promotional interviews and now the same thing is happening with his star cast. It’s like he has to switch on a pre-recorded tape. Obviously it is a waste of time.

Asin thought she had struck gold as she shares a good equation with Aamir Khan and Salman had taken a fancy to her, guiding her career and allegedly even helping her to purchase a flat. But their pleasant equation has gone kaput! She has learnt how fickle relationships in Bollywood are and how diplomatic one has to be. We think an army of people will have to stand between them at all the promotional activities!

Vipul Shah denied the story as he needs the entire cast to promote his expensive pet project. As long as they do it, it doesn’t matter what methods they use.

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Asin upset with ‘London Dreams’ promo

Salman Khan-Ajay Devgan steal limelight

Now that the first promo of Vipul’s Shah’s “London Dreams” has been released, leading lady Asin is said to be not too happy with the very small footage that she has got in the trailer.

While Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan feature prominently in the promo, Asin has just one shot, which is a bit disappointing considering how big a hit was “Ghajini”, her debut Hindi film and she has a lot of expectations from “London Dreams”, her second Bollywood release.

Asin apparently has raised her voice against this and has directly spoken to director Vipul Shah.

According to sources, Asin went and met Vipul and voiced her displeasure against the first theatrical promos. Vipul told her that since it is a story about two friends, Salman and Ajay have been shown prominently. He also tried to convince her that she is an important part of the film and the rest of the promos will feature her prominently.

But Asin reportedly was way far from being convinced.

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London Dreams - First Look

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Is London Dreams a copy

The industry is abuzz with rumours that Vipul Shah’s ambitious and anticipated musical London Dreams is a copy of 1984 Oscar-winning film Amadeus.

Milos Forman directed Amadeus revolves Austrian musicians Salieri and Mozart. Salieri is immensely jealous of Mozart’s talent. He thinks his own music is pure and Mozart’s compositions are outlandish. He tries to thwart Mozart’s musical attempts and even gets his hands on Mozart’s original work through his wife and passes it off as his own. In the end, his envy gets the better of him and he murders Mozart.

London Dreams, shot extensively in London, Paris and Punjab is the story of two childhood friends, played by Ajay and Salman who want to be rock stars. So they grow up and fulfill their dreams and both of them fall in love with Asin, the dancer of their band which is called London Dreams. It is about the rivalry between them and also about who finally gets the girl.

If London Dreams is a contemporary adaptation of Amadeus then, Ajay Devgan will play Salieri whose music is pure, Salman will play the outlandish Mozart and Asin will play Salman’s love interest. Shaka Laka Boom Boom starring Bobby Deol, Upen Patel, Celina Jaitley and Kangna Ranaut, was an awfully made take on Amadeus.

When contacted, Vipul Shah said, “London Dreams is not similar to any film. It is an original piece of work. Why does everybody have to doubt an Indian filmmaker? Just because it is about two guys who are in the world of music, so it becomes like some other film?”

Let's just wait for his dreams to unfold. London Dreams releases on October 30, 2009.

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Exclusive Watch: London Dreams - Movie Trailer

LONDON DREAMS - THEATRICAL TRAILER (HQ) STARRING SALMAN, AJAY & ASIN

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'I want to live like a normal guy'

Salman Khan, who recently landed in Mumbai after a shooting schedule in London, attended a rare public event to announce that he would indeed be back on Season 2 of his game show “10 Ka Dum”, which takes off on Saturday, May 30, on Sony TV.

We caught Salman in one of his coolest moods as he spoke about his return to the small screen and his four back-to-back films this year.

Here’s what he said…

You are back on ‘10 Ka Dum’. How was the experience of doing Season 1? Are there going to be any changes in the format in the new season?

It was a great experience last year and hence I am back on the show. About the format, I think what has worked so far should not be changed.

‘10 Ka Dum’ brought the real Salman Khan to the people. Can you tell us a bit more about the real you?

When we do a movie they think this guy is acting. But it is completely different when we do such a show. Everybody’s character has a lot of shades. Like what I am to you might not be the same as what I am to another person. The show brought out what I am in general.

We stars also have problems like everybody else. Somewhere it affects us too. So if we are not in the right mood and get rude with someone, we also call that person back and behave overtly nice as well to make him feel better.

What all did you learn while doing the show?

What I got to understand is that the way I think in general is how the masses think as well. So somewhere I have not been alienated from the common man.

I want to live my life like a normal guy. I want to travel in a rickshaw or go to Barista for a coffee like everybody else.

They expect me to be this star which I don’t want to be at all times. So when I don’t want to be the star you guys get a lot of material to write about me!

Coming to your fee for the show, we hear you have cut down on it. Is it true? How much have you charged?

Yes I have cut down on my price. But that is just by a small margin.

For now there are going to be 14 episodes of ‘10 Ka Dum’ only?

Yes, that is what they have decided as of now. I don’t know what the plans are after that.

On to films… What are your forthcoming releases?

The first movie to release probably would be ‘Wanted: Dead And Alive’, then I will have ‘Main aur Mrs Khanna’, then ‘London Dreams’. By Diwali we shall have ‘Veer’.

Four films in such a short span…wouldn’t that be too much for the audience?

What do you mean? I think it would be wonderful to release movies everyday! (Laughs)

How much of ‘Veer’ is complete?

We have finished the London schedule and Rajasthan schedule which was the most difficult. I thought it would be difficult to shoot action scenes for ‘Wanted’, but ‘Veer’ was way more difficult. Now we have some 35-40 days of shoot left.

You don’t seem to be doing films which have serious subjects.

There are so many problems in the world. So when I do a film I do it thinking that in those two hours I should make the person laugh and feel relieved and then go back to his regular life.

Even if you look at ‘Khamoshi’, it was a very serious film. The original script had no humour for my character. All the humour that you find in the film was put by me.

So Sanjay (Bhansali) used to take two takes of everything in both ways and after seeing how it went for some days he agreed that it works much better with humour. In fact, I keep asking him why he makes such sad films!

Any chances of ‘Bajirao Mastani’ happening?

I don’t think so. I don’t know what Sanjay (Bhansali) has to say about this though.

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Salman makes another big-hearted gesture

Salman Khan is known to make his female co-stars comfortable while they are shooting together. He even goes out of his way to see that they are happy.

He recently made another one of his trademark big-hearted gestures while shooting for “London Dreams”.

During a casual chat with co-stars and the unit members, actress Asin happened to talk about her love for a dog. Even though she loves dogs, she said that she has never been able to own one.

Salman, who is a big dog lover, took note of this and immediately started searching for a suitable dog for Asin, which he will gift to her.

Till now Asin has not been able to own a dog because her father does not want a pet in the house. He has been delaying Asin’s demand time and again.

Will he allow one now? May be he will, after who will refuse a gift from king-hearted Sallu?

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Salman’s very supportive: Asin

Amazing, isn’t it, the way Asin Thottumkal came to Bollywood and easily conquered the film industry?

She’s the flavour of the season, everyone wants to sign her, and co-stars Aamir Khan and Salman Khan apparently cannot stop praising the southern beauty.

But, it’s hard to believe, Asin actually had rejected films like Bachchana Ae Hasino, Delhi 6, Karthik Calling Karthik and the very recent De Dana Dan with Akshay Kumar before Ghajini made her!

“It’s not as if I’ve come out of oblivion and suddenly made it big here,” said the actress who’s currently busy with London Dreams. Another film she’s thrilled about is the trilingual international project titled 19th Step that’s in English, Japanese and Tamil and in which she co-stars with the popular Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano. Asin plays an Indian princess who falls in love with a Japanese warrior come down to learn the ancient Dravidian martial art Kalaripayattu. The music for this film is scored by A R Rahman. And, Asin has to return to her home state Kerala to brush up her own Kalaripayattu skills for the film. BT spoke to her before she left...

You’ve just stepped into Bollywood and are all set to take off internationally...
I don’t see any border within India as far as cinema goes. I’m a product of Indian cinema but anything that gives me a chance to explore my creativity beyond Indian boundaries is welcome. As for making Bollywood my base, I’ll take up films that I’m convinced about. I have to quantify my presence in them. I don’t want to be just another adorning prop.

Despite refusing so many films you’re quite popular with Bollywood filmmakers...
Any other newcomer would have been tempted to take up the offers. But I don’t regret my decision. I have a certain way of working which many feel is my formula for success. Maybe I have luck on my side which I call the ‘X’ factor. I guess it’s the blessings of my parents. I hear the story, then study my character, after which I check on the director and finally the banner and the hero of the films offered to me.

Asin means...
Asin means pure, without blemish. I try and live upto my name. My parents didn’t want me to be categorised into any caste, creed or religion. If you don’t know me the name could be a boy’s or a girl’s. I have never heard the name Asin. Sometimes when I’m travelling, my papers describe me as Mr Asin. It makes me laugh! The letter A comes from Sanskrit and ‘sin’ comes from English.

What’s with Salman and you?
Even justifying it has become a big joke! Linking up co-stars is an outdated pre-publicity stunt for films. Salman’s a chilled out guy, very supportive. We have a good professional rapport.

Did Shah Rukh Khan recommend you for a Yash Chopra film and did you reject a film with Akshay?
Nobody’s come up with any offer with Shah Rukh, though I would love to act with him. And, yes, I refused De Dana Dan with Akshay because I didn’t have the dates.

How would you describe Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman and Akshay in one word?
Aamir — dedicated, Shah Rukh — charming, Salman —relaxed, Akshay — active.

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It's Kerala over Paris for Asin

Asin has been shooting in places like Paris and London for her next film, but the actress wants to holiday in her hometown.

“I had promised myself that after Gajini, I would take a break. However, London Dreams began almost immediately. Though London and Paris are absolutely stunning places, there’s no place like Kerala. If I do get a break, I’d like to go back home for a holiday,” she says. Not just that the actress feels that with such different climates there’s no better country that one can holiday at. “I’d love to explore the lovely places in our country before venturing out elsewhere,” she adds.

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Sallu’s missing his team

When Salman and the crew finished the shooting for forthcoming film London Dreams, he asked the team to put him up at his favourite hotel in central London despite the cast and the crew staying somewhere else.

Initially, Sallu was happy to be in his comfort zone only to start missing his comrades later. He heard about the fun the cast and the crew was having together. He also missed being a part of Asin and Ajay Devgan’s mischief. Is that all he missed?

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Asin: Khan’t say!

Asin was first cast opposite Aamir Khan in Ghajini and she’ll soon be seen sharing screen space with Salman Khan.

And now with the raging Khan wars, it’s getting difficult for co-actors to handle situations when they are asked whom they prefer. Asin chooses her words carefully. “Both Salman and Aamir are great and good co-actors. As a child I used to admire Aamir Khan. I used to watch his films and Salman’s too.” Huh?

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Despite Ghajini, Asin needs London Dreams hit

Aamir Khan’s Ghajini has had not one but two success parties - one of relief after the film was a declared a hit over its first weekend, and the other after the film crossed Rs 200 crore.

But the film's lead actress Asin hasn't managed to reap the benefit she would have expected to, after being seen as the next big thing in Bollywood.

“When it was learned that Asin had been signed opposite Aamir in Ghajini, Bollywood looked up and took notice. She soon became one of the faces to be watched out for. But her kitty of films is not really showing it. Her next big film is London Dreams and that was signed even before Ghajini had released,” says a source close to the actress.

Another thing that may have backfired for Asin is the next to no interaction she has had with the media. And that, the source said, was deliberate.

“Both Asin and Jiah had been kept completely away from the media. She was barely there for an event or two. Also the fear that she can’t speak Hindi properly is unfounded and she can hold her own in an interview. In fact the media in the south know her as one of the best interviewees," the source said.

The only thing that did come Asin’s way by way of business after the release of Ghajini was an advertisement with Ghajini co-star Aamir Khan for Tata Sky as well as one for Tanishq.

Initially Asin was considered as a big threat for the other well established actresses in Bollywood especially because she was very famous in the South. But then after seeing her role in the film, producers and directors aren’t overly excited about putting their money on her.

"In the current economic conditions , everyone wants well established actors who can ensure a hit," said one producer, "and as far as Ghajini is concerned it was an all out Aamir Khan film."

Asin and Jiah had relatively small roles in the film and so haven’t really been able to show their talent. "Asin’s now banking on London Dreams to really get her established,” said the source close to her.

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On Set: London Dreams in Chandigarh

From London to Paris and now finally Chandigarh, London dreams has moved the shoot near Kurali railway station, in Chandigarh. This is the last leg of major shooting for the film. Sallu reportedly stopped shooting for his forthcoming film Veer, to shoot for London Dreams. Vipul Shah plans on shooting between January 5 and January 16. A few song sequences have been squeezed into the schedule as well.

The movie, London Dreams is about a rock band based in London. The protagonists, Slaman Khan and Ajay Devgan, play childhood friends in the film. The film is set to release on August 14th, 2009

Chal Mere Bhai: Ajay seems to have some grip on Salman.

Jat bana Salman: If Salman plays the man in a turban; does Ajay play the man in tight pants?


All smiles: Behind this pretty face is there really a stubborn, tantrum-throwing actress?


Lighting it up… … with a cigarette: Ajay takes pleasure in lighting up on screen… and in real life.


Untouched, uncaring: Devgan seems to be oblivious to the ban on smoking in public places.

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