Kapoors set the stage for Ranbir

Rishi Kapoor to co-produce son Ranbir's world concerts

Ranbir Kapoor's first world concert tour, which kick-starts in June 2011 and goes on till the the third week of July covering 16 cities in Europe, the US and Canada, would have Rishi Kapoor co-producing the world event along with the Moranis.

This is the first time that Rishi Kapoor is actively involved with producing live concerts.

Rationalises Rishi, "And why not? This is the first time that my son will be stepping on to a live stage. I want to make sure everything goes right. So yes I'm producing and presenting the live concerts. With my experience in live concerts I know I can be useful. I don't want anything to go wrong for my son."

It is being reliably learnt that Rishi will for the first time share a public platform with his son.

Yes , Ranbir will be seen dancing with his super-dancer father for the first time.

Rishi tries to dodge giving a categorical answer to that one. "There's talk on this. We're thinking of a retro section. We're exploring the possibility of Ranbir and I coming together. But right now I can't tell you more on this."

Rishi is also evasive on the rumours that Deepika Padukone has not yet been signed for the shows, apparently because there would be friction between Deepika and Katrina when they're together for so many weeks.

Says Rishi, "All I can tell you is that we have Katrina, Priyanka and Shahid Kapoor are on board. Deepika is likely to be on board. She hasn't been signed yet. No Bollywood concerts have happened abroad in the last three years. Audiences abroad were bored of watching our stars perform the same songs over and over again.

My boy has waited patiently for three years until he thought he was ready to face a live audience. He has turned down all offers to perform at awards functions. And that's his show's USP. When actors perform at awards functions, these are beamed to dozens of countries across the world. Therefore there is no novelty left in watching a star dance on stage. My son has never been seen live."

A singer from Pakistan is also being finalised. While the first lap of Ranbir's world tour will take him to Europe, America and Canada, the second lap, expected to begin in 2011 will take Ranbir to the Gulf and South Africa.

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In Pics: Kapoor Family at the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

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Chintu - First Look

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In Pics: Rishi Kapoor Gives Special Lecture at Whistling Woods International

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Papa Rishi preaches money to Ranbir

So everyone thinks that this dashing Kapoor is a Mommy’s boy.

Well, the way it appears, he probably is, and some lovely gals out there aren’t too thrilled about it too. FYI... we aren’t talking about Ms Dee, dahlings. She is quite a favourite in the Kapoor khandaan... at least that’s what we heard. On the other hand, while many Bollywood Daddies play the perfect ‘Godfather’ to their star-kids (we aren’t naming the ABCs here), Rishi Kapoor prefers to let his beta fly solo. Yeah, he knows exactly what is happening in Ranbir’s life (professional and otherwise) but he doesn’t interfere in the script narrations, meetings with producers and directors.

Ranbir makes his own choices and his own mistakes, too. Of course, there’s one area where the Sr Kapoor takes charge — in matters of money. Apparently, Ranbir is not too good at handling his finances (especially now that the bank balance is getting heavier), so Pa takes over and keeps tab on all the moolah he’s making. We’re sure young RK is more than happy to have him do that, so long as no one has a say in matters of the heart. Right, loverboy Ranby?

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Large number of Bollywood stars cast their votes

From Aamir Khan to Anil Ambani, India's biggest celebrities on Thursday (April 30) came out in droves from their air-conditioned homes to wait in queue patiently for their turn to vote -- and urge the young to step out and exercise their franchise in the third round of the staggered parliamentary elections.

In the great equaliser that are the elections, the stars of the silver screen and the celebrity industrialists were the cynosure of all eyes but got no preferential treatment.

Among the early voters, when polling started at 7 a.m. in the 10 constituencies in Mumbai and Thane in Maharashtra, was industrialist Anil Ambani who voted in south Mumbai with a battery of media cameras clicking away.

Dressed down - except for designer glares to shield them from the harsh sun - and ready to use their star power to urge people to do their duty, the stars hoped their message of patriotism would hit home.

Aamir Khan, who broke his holiday in the US with his children, said after casting his vote: "I have travelled 48 hours to cast my vote, so people can certainly go out from their homes to cast their vote. If you love your country, this is the day to show it. I'm happy to see so many senior citizens casting their vote here. I appeal to the youngsters to come out and vote."

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who was in South Africa for the Indian Premier League cricket matches, also made it a point to be in Mumbai on election day.

Sonali Bendre, who was among the early voters, said: "Voting is our birthright. People sacrificed their lives to give us this right."

Added veteran actor Rishi Kapoor: "It is our basic right to vote, so people should vote. We need to elect the right person."

Echoing the sentiment, well-known lyricist Javed Akhtar asserted: "Your vote is your voice. We want better infrastructure and security system."

"People are becoming more responsible. We have large number of first time voters," is how the versatile Boman Irani put it.

Director Kunal Kohli too urged people to vote saying: "It is an important election with important issues. I think terrorism and economic slowdown are important issues."

Amongst the others who made it a point to vote were Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, John Abraham, Celina Jaitley, Sonam Kapoor and Rahul Bose.

More than 13 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose among 196 candidates, including 17 women, in the fray for the third, final and smallest phase of polling in Maharashtra.

The constituencies where polling took place on Thursday are Mumbai North, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai South; Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Palghar.

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Kal Kissne Dekha - First Look

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Luck By Chance - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

One has often heard, read and seen [on screen] the positive and negative aspects of Bollywood. It would be erroneous to state that LUCK BY CHANCE does a pol-khol of the glamorous industry. Let's put it this way: The film mirrors the behind-the-scenes drama and manoeuvring exactly the way it occurs in showbiz. Watching LUCK BY CHANCE is like experiencing it first-hand.

If you're associated with Bollywood, if you know how the machine works, you'd laud and applaud, laugh and smile, identify and understand and at times, empathize and sympathize with the characters in LUCK BY CHANCE. Zoya Akhtar's take on an industry that attracts millions of hopefuls year after year is bang on target.

Almost three decades ago, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's GUDDI depicted a star-struck teenager's [Jaya Bhaduri] obsession for a top star [Dharmendra]. Along with the core issue, the film highlighted the behind-the-scenes hard work and labour that went into making movies.

LUCK BY CHANCE taps almost every important facet of Bollywood and presents assorted characters you've encountered some time in life: An over-ambitious aspirant who knows to make the right moves; an actress trying hard to get that big break, even if she has to compromise; an icon of the 1970s who desperately wants her daughter to be a star; a producer who looks at riding on big names, script be damned; a failed actor now looking at direction to redeem his career.

One of the prime reasons why LUCK BY CHANCE works is because the writing [Zoya Akhtar] is simply wonderful. Right from the characters, to the individualistic scenes, to the way Zoya puts them in a sequence, LUCK BY CHANCE is easily one of the most cohesive scripts this side of the Atlantic.

The verdict? Leave aside everything and hitch this joyride called LUCK BY CHANCE. It would be sacrilege to miss this one!

Sona [Konkona Sen Sharma] arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming a film star. She does whatever it takes, to make it. Vikram [Farhan Akhtar] has just moved to the city leaving the comforts of his Delhi home. He is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. Gradually, Sona and Vikram develop a romantic relationship.

Rolly [Rishi Kapoor] is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster launching Niki [Isha Sharwani], the daughter of 1970s superstar Neena [Dimple Kapadia]. The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan [Hrithik Roshan], is the superstar.

Zaffar decides to opt out of Rolly's film and that creates havoc in Rolly's life. Rolly decides to cast newcomers and finally, Vikram is shortlisted for the main role...

LUCK BY CHANCE picks up characters straight out of life and that's the beauty of this script. The interesting part is that each of these characters has a story running parallel to the main story. Although the writing is foolproof, this review would be incomplete if one failed to acknowledge a number of scenes that are the hallmark of this enterprise...

Note the sequence when Rishi Kapoor breaking down after Hrithik has walked out of his movie. It moves you!

On the lighter side, Farhan strikes a conversation with Dimple at a movie premiere and extols lavish praises on her.

Much later, an angry Dimple instructs Isha to patch up with Farhan, soon after Farhan and Isha's debut film has been declared a success. Watch the moments when Dimple recalls her early years.

The sequence featuring SRK.

If Zoya's writing is superb, her execution of the written material deserves distinction marks. This may be Zoya's directorial debut, but she treats the difficult subject like a veteran. Javed Akhtar's dialogues are remarkable. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is a mixed bag; the score could've been better. However, the choreography of the circus song is remarkable. Carlos Catalan's cinematography captures the right moods.

Farhan Akhtar is evolving into one of the most dependable actors of his generation. He's very real, very believable. No wonder, this character stands out. Konkona Sen Sharma is exceptional. The supremely talented actress delivers a sparkling performance yet again. Rishi Kapoor is incredible. A performance that merits the highest praise. Dimple Kapadia is in terrific form. It easily ranks amongst her most accomplished works. Juhi Chawla is first-rate. Isha Sharwani does her part well. Sanjay Kapoor springs a surprise. He registers an impact. Aly Khan is perfect.

Hrithik Roshan is truly wonderful. Note the sequence when he strikes a conversation with Karan Johar, only to realize that he himself had paved the way for Farhan in the industry. Only an accomplished actor could've handled this sequence with aplomb. Amongst the A-listers who make fleeting appearances in the film, the one who registers the maximum impact is Shah Rukh Khan.

On the whole, LUCK BY CHANCE is an outstanding film in all respects. A magnificent outing from the producers of ROCK ON!!, LUCK BY CHANCE is sure to prove an extremely lucky and rewarding experience at the box-office. Strongly recommended!

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Juhi Chawla on working with Rishi Kapoor after 12 years

The lovely Juhi Chawla was reunited with her favourite co-star Rishi Kapoor after 12 years. And she was shocked by the change in him.

''Earlier when we did all those films like Bol Radha Bol and Eena Meena Deeka, there was no question of shooting in the night. So when there was a night shoot for Luck By Chance I said, 'O Oh, here comes trouble. I'll agree. But knowing Chintuji... He will never agree. 'But he shocked me. He continued shooting in the night even after I packed up with no sign of grumpiness."

Laughs Juhi, ''He has changed, not counting the delayed Karobaar, the last time we worked together was in Daraar in 1996. It was always fun working with him, though he was always grumpy and that hasn't changed. Now he's far more flexible and thoroughly enjoying himself. But otherwise he's still the same. He still shouts at me and everyone on the sets. That's Chintuji.''

But Juhi was shocked to see the change in Rishi in other ways. ''He used to be so fastidious about the timings. He'd shoot completely by the clock, and then leave not a minute before or after. Now he's far more flexible."

Fans of Juhi Chawla have something to look forward to. The lady returns in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance, albeit in a cameo.

"I play Chintuji's loud Punjabi wife, a loud wannabe socialite. I wear garish clothes and makeup. I've even coloured my hair a bright blonde. It was fun. But it's just a guest appearance."

Juhi admits sheepishly she hasn't been able to keep up with her friends in the industry including Rishi Kapoor. "I live in South Mumbai now. It takes a good two hours to get to Juhu-Andheri. I just can't do it. For work I can go anywhere. But not to socialize."

Juhi finds it easier to go to London than Film City. "I've been asked to come to London for the premiere of Luck By Chance. I might go for that. I'm cut off from all my industry friends, including Chintuji. But I always feel close to the industry even when I don't meet the folks regularly."

Juhi will now be seen on television. But only as a judge on the new season of the reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.

"Luckily I'm not expected to change into some aggressive creature for the show. They told me I don't have to act, just be myself and the participants aren't dancers to begin with. But that's okay. I don't know how to judge participants. We'll learn on the job."

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Abhishek Bachchan & Sonam Kapoor shooting for Dilli 6 in Agra

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's last film Rang De Basanti is still fresh in our memory. The film won not just critical acclaim but also turned out to be one of the biggest commercial successes of that year (2006).

Now everyone is waiting with bated breath for Mehra's next film Dilli 6. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor in lead roles and is slated to release early next year (2009).


The cast and crew of the film comprising Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Tanvi Azmi, and Waheeda Rehman were seen shooting some important scenes in Agra recently. From the looks of it, the camaraderie between AB Jr. and Sonam Kapoor seems to be really good. One can't wait to see them sizzle together on screen.

Not much is known about the premise of the film but the buzz is that the film is based on Mehra's growing up years in the popular Chandni Chowk. Whether Dilli 6 will be able to repeat the success story of Mehra's earlier film, one will just have to wait and watch.

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