Anil Kapoor to star in 'Mission Impossible 4'

It's Hollywood calling for Anil Kapoor. The actor has been signed on for an important role in one of Hollywood's biggest film franchises - 'Mission Impossible'.

Anil starred in the multiple Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' following which he got a major role in '24', one of the most watched television series in the US. He will now be seen in 'Mission Impossible 4' alongside Hollywood's top stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.

"At this point I can only say that I have been contacted for ‘Mission impossible 4' and I have said yes for the role," Anil said.

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Shakira in No Problem?

Anil Kapoor is trying his hardest to get the Latin singer on board No Problem

Anil Kapoor is trying his best to get Latin American performer Shakira to shoot a dance track for Anees Bazmee's No Problem. If he succeeds in his efforts, this will be her first appearance in a B-Town flick.

Says a source close to Anil, "It's not an item number. The film's composer, Pritam has composed a song set to the lyrics of Shakira's Hips Don't Lie. Anil thought it would be great to have the pop singer gyrating to her own song. He is very keen to have Shakira on board and has spoken to Andre in Wizcraft to speak to her."

The source adds that if Shakira agrees the entire star cast -- Anil, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sunil Shetty, Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut, Neetu Chandra and Paresh Rawal will also perform with the Latin-American singer.

Hips Don't Lie is a remake of Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's 2004 song Dance Like This. Shakira wrote some parts of the new version, and co-produced. Hips Don't Lie became a global success, topping charts in at least 55 countries. It became Shakira and Wyclef's first (and to date, only) number-one single in the U.S.

The promos of No Problem and Toonpur Ka Super Hero come with Anjaana Anjaani, which releases today. Says a source close to Anil, "It isn't true that Kunal Kohli's Break Ke Baad promo is releasing with AA. No Problem and Toonpur was always supposed to come out with AA. While Toonpur Ka Superhero is a live action animation film directed by Kireet Khurana, produced by Kumar Mangat and Krishika Lulla, and starring Ajay Devgn and Kajol. No Problem is a comic family entertainer."

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Anil's 24 act has found him fans

Anil Kapoor series 24 gets wows from Sachin Tendulkar and Mithunda

Anil Kapoor's 24 act has found him fans in Sachin Tendulkar and Mithun Chakraborty.

The eighth and final season of the popular American TV show, featuring the actor in a recurring role as Omar Hassan, president of the Republic of Kamistan has got B-Town abuzz.

A source close to Anil says, "Sachin Tendulkar has been a fan of the series and has been following it for a long time. He recently met Anil at Mukesh Ambani's residence over dinner and congratulated him on his performance. Sachin told the actor that he was completely bowled over by his performance! And added that he followed the serial only to watch Anil now. AK himself was overwhelmed by Sachin's warmth and admiration."

Says Mithun, "Anil was mesmerising in 24! My wife (Yogita Bali) follows the serial everyday but I am not a regular follower but when I saw him for the first time I was stunned! I couldn't wait, so I sent him a message in jest, early the next morning, asking him where he learned to act so well! He is a fantastic actor. I was so moved by Anil's performance that when he was shot in an episode I had tears in my eyes."

Mithun adds that he's always found Anil to be a very hard-working actor. "I used to teach him in Roshan Taneja's classes. He always gave his 100 per cent."

Anil says, "I was shocked when Mithun messaged me. He was like my teacher and he taught me movement. I have got great foreign reviews and praise from Abhishek, Aishwarya and Sachin but Mithun is special and praise from him moved me the most. I know him from the time he came from Kolkata as Gouranga, then he became known as Mithun the actor in Mrigaya, the star and finally, a superstar."

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Shabana held her b'day bash at a Juhu hotel

Shabana danced her way into her sixties with a birthday bash held at a Juhu hotel.

The theme of the party had most of her guests wearing some sort of headgear. While we take a look at who was there, here's what happened at the bash...

Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek and Jaya Bachchan

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar.

Amitabh Bachchan

Rekha

Anil Kapoor, Farah Khan and Zeenat Aman

Rakesh Roshan

Farhan Akhtar

Tabu

Dia Mirza and Vidya Balan

Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor

Shatrughan Sinha

Baba and Shaukat Azmi

Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak

>> The b'day girl and Jaya Bachchan got heads turning when they grooved to Hindi film hits including the chartbusting Munni Badnaam Hui.

"People have never known Jaya and me to be dancers. They were shocked to see us dancing to Munni," laughs Shabana.

>> Zeenat danced to Laila Main laila from Qurbani.

>>The cake, which had slums on it, was specially ordered by Azmi's hubby Javed who called it Shabana Nagri.

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Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor at the Mahurat shot of 'Double Dhamaal' - Photos

Aamir Khan gave the clap and Anil Kapoor directed the mahurat shot of 'Double Dhamaal' at Mehboob studios.
Aashish Chaudhary, Javed Jaffery, Arshad Warsi, Kangana Ranaut, Sanjay Dutt and Ritesh Deshmukh performing an act at the mahurat shot of 'Double Dhamaal'. Mallika Sherawat is also cast in the film but was not present at the mahurat.

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Anil, Aamir get nostalgic at Double Dhamaal launch

Anil Kapoor and Aamir Khan got nostalgic at the launch of Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria's next project Double Dhamaal.

"Anil and I have very fond memories working with Indra and Ashok. As an actor, I have done three films with Indu. We wish all the very best to the whole team and I am looking forward to a highly entertaining film," Aamir told reporters at the launch of the movie at the Mehboob Studio Wednesday.

He teamed with Thakeria and Kumar in Dil and Mann.

Anil, who worked with them in the super hit Beta, said: "Indra and Ashok are like my brothers. They are in the field since I started my career. The first film I did with them was Mohabbat. The mahurat was also in Mehboob Studio."

Walking down memory lane, Anil said when Kumar decided to turn director with Beta, he was sceptical about doing the film.

"When Ashok told me that he wants me to do a film which will be directed by Indra, I was a bit taken aback. Still, I agreed to do Beta, but had a dates problem.

"That time Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak became a big hit and Indra told me he wants to make a film with Aamir. I thought it's a great idea - he is a new director, so he would gain some experience while working with Aamir and then I will do a film with him.

"So I started encouraging him to make Dil. That time I didn't know that any director with whom Aamir works will become a big hit and that the film will be a blockbuster. I was under pressure. But even Beta was a blockbuster and we continued to be great friends since then," said Anil.

Double Dhamaal is the sequel to Dhamaal with the same star cast - Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey and Aashish Chaudhary. Actresses Kangana Ranaut and Mallika Sherawat will also feature in the film.

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I’ve gone from big to bigger: Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor is going great guns. After the international acclaim following “Slumdog Millionaire”, he is all set to make his debut on the Indian television scenario with the final season of American series “24”. He describes the action drama as “bigger than the biggest” he has done in India. “This small screen (“24”) was bigger than the big screen that I have done in India. It was bigger than the biggest that I’ve ever done,” says Anil. And how’s that? “For example, the scale of every episode was bigger than any of the films I’ve done in the past. The entire series is worth $125-150 million. I’ve never done such a big show in my career. It was very special,” adds the 50-year-old.

Based in New York (shot in Los Angeles), the around-$150 million “24” is an action-drama series starring Kiefer Sutherland in the lead as special agent Jack Bauer. The show is presented in the semblance of real time, with each 24-episode season covering 24 hours in the life of Bauer. This is the eighth and final season of the show. Anil plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), who visits USA on a peace mission to meet the president of the Unites States.

“I am definitely the first mainstream star from India to have this kind of job opportunity on television there,” he said. “There is a threat to my life and the story begins from there. I play one of the most pivotal leads of the show. I am there in most of the series.”

So how long was he in the US for the show? “I was there (LA) for six months. Basically, I was coming and going. I was also shooting a film “No Problem” in India and South Africa. So in between, I shot two schedules of the film too,” he says. And how was his international experience? “The experience has been very enriching and educative – something which I’ve never had. It was wonderful and creatively very uplifting. It has given me tremendous exposure. Never in my 30-year career have I got this kind of appreciation. It was almost as if I was some kind of ambassador from India and had made a difference to their lives. I was so overwhelmed. I think it went beyond professional respect,” says Anil.

And the actor doesn’t shy away from conceding that “it was all because of “Slumdog Millionaire”.” Rumours are rife that he is keen to move on from the “Slumdog Millionaire” success.

Ask him about it, and he says, “You always have to attach and detach and that is the only way you can create more. I don’t get attached to it and start living in past glory. I don’t want to do that. I just want to move on and look at the future rather than looking at the past.” Has Bollywood taken a backseat? “No. I can’t forget my roots. I am what I am because of that. I have moved on and I’ll do that also but I’ll keep on doing this,” he says.

He is now waiting to know the reaction of his Indian fans to his transition. “There is no transition, because for me it was from big to bigger. But I am curious and anxious to know their reactions. I am waiting,” he says. And what about the future projects? Is he working on anything currently? “I’ve got the sequels to “Race”, “No Entry” and “Mr. India”,” he says. He may star in Priyadarshan’s action movie. He is also in talks with Sophia Loren’s son, actor Ben Stiller and Fox Television.

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Anil Kapoor gets recognised by football star Diego Forlan

Uruguayan Diego Forlan, who bagged the golden ball as the best player of the football World Cup 2010, may not have seen many Indian films but there is one Bollyood actor he knows by face - Anil Kapoor.

"I have seen 'Slumdog Millionaire'. I saw the host of the quiz show in that movie. Here (In India) this morning on television also I have seen him," said Forlan while being interviewed by Bengali entertainment channel Mahuaa Bangla.

'Slumdog Millionaire' told the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on a quiz show hosted by Anil Kapoor.

Forlan arrived in the Kolkata recently on a three-day tour to take part in a soccer reality show organised by the Mahuaa Bangla channel.

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Sonam and dad Anil at Sahar airport

Sonam and Anil Kapoor at the Sahar airport on Tuesday. Father and daughter were returning from London where they were promoting their film Aisha.

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Anil wants to forget 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Anil Kapoor says he is tired of his link to Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' and wants to move on.

The 50-year-old star played game show host Prem Kumar in Danny Boyle's 2008 movie.

In an interview to Britain's GMTV, Anil urged his fans and friends to stop asking him about his "Slumdog..." success, reports contactmusic.com.

"It was such a long time (ago). Very nostalgic, but I want to get over it. I want to forget about it but people won't let me forget about it. I just want to move on. Please, let's move on. I'd been in 100, more than 100 films, (before Slumdog)," he said.

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I’ve had five plastic surgeries: Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor found himself a new Papa in television host Siddharth Kannan!

Anil was on Sid’s show recently when the latter asked the father of three grown up kids how he manages to look younger by the day.

Anil replied, “I’ve had five plastic surgeries.” And then suddenly he started calling Sid ‘Papa Sid’. To which Sid replied, “I always wanted a son like you beta Anil.” Anil’s daughter Rhea and music composer Amit Trivedi were rolling with laughter hearing this mad banter.

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Anil Kapoor at Delhi Couture Week 2010 - Photos

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Anil Kapoor will walk the ramp at Delhi Couture Week

Actor-producer Anil Kapoor will walk the runway for designer Anamika Khanna today (July 23) at the ongoing Pearls Infrastructure Projects Ltd (PIPL) Delhi Couture Week to promote his upcoming home production 'Aisha'.

He will be joined by actresses Lisa Haydon, Ira Dubey and debutant Amrita Puri, who feature alongside his daughter Sonam Kapoor in 'Aisha'. Sonam will will give the show a miss as she is busy shooting for Pankaj Kapoor's 'Mausam' in Scotland.

Raj Mahtani will be doing the jewellery for the show.

International brands like Christian Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo are surely a part of the actors' wardrobe for the film, but Anil and the three girls are also gracing the ramp to cheer for Anamika Khanna, who is among the Indian designers who have contributed to the film.

Other Indian designers who have styled for 'Aisha' include Varun Bahl, Ranna Gill, Ayesha Depala, Vinita Rathod, Gayatri, Atsu Sekhose and designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, who showcase under their label Cue.

'Aisha', produced by Anil's younger daughter Rhea, is based on Jane Austen's classic novel 'Emma', and also features actors Abhay Deol, Cyrus Sahukar and Arunoday Singh. The film is slated for an Aug 6 release.

The six-day couture Week began on July 20.

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Anil Kapoor meets Super Model Naomi Campbell

On his recent trip to South Africa, Anil Kapoor met ex-supermodel Naomi Campbell and her billionaire Russian boyfriend Vladislav Doronin and was surprised to learn that she was a fan of 24, a TV series, in which he features in the final season.

Anil, who is the Brand Ambassador of South Africa, was invited by the government to watch the FIFA World Cup final.

He was at the presidential suite at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg with a few friends like industrialist Lakshmi Mittal and President Jacob Zuma's son, when a messenger told him that Naomi Campbell wanted to meet him.

It is learnt that the ex-supermodel recognised Anil from Slumdog Millionaire as well as his Hollywood TV series 24.

Says a source, "Naomi kept addressing Anil as President. He wondered why until he realised that it was because he had played the role of Middle Eastern peace-keeping leader Omar Hassan, President of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan, in 24."

The actor and Naomi exchanged numbers and email IDs and promised to keep in touch. When she heard Anil's daughter was shooting in London, she also took down Sonam's number and promised to get in touch with her.

Naomi introduced Anil to boyfriend Vladislav and they spoke about how much they were enjoying their stay in SA.

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Anil Kapoor bowled over by Shakira, Nelson Mandela at FIFA World Cup 2010

Barely hours after Spain won the World Cup, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was fatigued and yet euphoric in Johannesburg. He had seen what he called the greatest show on earth. He was bowled over by two people - Nelson Mandela and Shakira.

Being the brand ambassador to South Africa, Anil had a ringside view of the match. And he’s most impressed.

“You have to understand the World Cup final was a self-contained experience. And the way the South African government put it together is exemplary for all, including us Indians who struggle against countless glitches when we host an international sporting event. On Sunday evening here in Johannesburg there were no glitches, no traffic jams on the roads, no seating errors, no jostling and no VIP interventions. Everything went smoothly. I’d describe it as the greatest show on earth,” he told IANS.

Anil was bowled over by Shakira. “What a presence! What a performance! She just took everyone’s collective breath away and set the right mood for the match.”

The match itself was touch and go, and Anil was hooked. “The final moments proved decisive for Spain. I realised what edge-of-the-seat excitement meant. I forgot everything in the final moments of the game, including the fact that I had flown in and had to fly out within 24 hours. It was just 96,000 people staring open-mouthed in a stadium built specially for the occasion.”

But the greatest most moving moment of the match was when Nelson Mandela arrived.

Anil chokes with emotion. “I first met Mandela for my film ‘Gandhi My Father’. But I can never get over my awe and admiration for the man. The elaborate and elegant way he arrived for the match just bowled me over. Because of his grand-daughter’s accident Mandela had not come for any of the other matches. But he made it a point to come for this one because his country hosting something so spectacular was matter of great pride for him. I just kept looking at him wondering how vindicated Mandela must be feeling to see a country he had brought to freedom, celebrating its freedom with such a wonderful event.”

Anil ran into some of his colleagues from Bollywood at the stadium. “It was great meeting Shah Rukh and Gauri, though they sat in a different area from mine. What I really enjoyed was meeting Shah Rukh’s son Aryan for the first time. What a bright goodlooking boy. He sure is a chip off the old block.”

On Monday, Anil was getting ready to return to Mumbai. “I’ve to be back to carry on with the marketing of my daughter’s film. I can’t wait to see its release Aug 6. After that I’m taking a month-long holiday in LA. I think I’ve earned myself a break.”

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Bollywood stars ready for the FIFA World Cup

SRK, Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta and many others are in Jo'burg, and having a blast

Football fever has never been more pronounced in Bollywood. Stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Imran Khan, Lara Dutta, Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt, have already reached Johannesburg to watch the World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain, and they are pretty excited.

SRK posted this picture of him and son Aryan earlier today, and wrote on his Twitter page, "We are ready for the world cup...our finals jo'bulani balls..bring it on."

He added later, "Chairman soccer in south africa was so kind to me at lunch & even made me make a speech..warmth of s africa very touching. having a blast. Ryan the rhino from our safari predicts holland will win...lets see if 8 arms or thick skin is right..ha ha."

Lara Dutta added, "Just got into Jo'burg. So far Spanish supporters outnumbering the Dutch! Had a contingent blowing their vuvuzelas right from the airport!:-) Its an amazing atmosphere! South Africa has bn wonderful hosts! Fans from across the globe r raring 2 go! EVERYONE has a jersey, headgear on."

Anil Kapoor is on his way now, but had almost cancelled his plans.

Sighed Anil, "Some work had come up. It looked like I wouldn’t be able to go to Johannesburg, though I had packed and booked seats at the stadium. But, I finally did make it. I am the brand ambassador and this is the biggest sports event," said Anil as he left for South Africa.

Another football enthusiast, Dino Morea, too seemed unsure of making it to Johannesburg. "I’m in London, all set to go. But my air ticket is not confirmed, if it doesn’t happen, then I’ll just have to watch it on television," he said.

The model turned actor is a huge football fan. "I play football and I love watching the sport. I was supporting Italy as I am half-Italian. Now, I’m supporting Spain because they have never won the Cup," he added.

Sanjay Dutt left his pregnant wife in Mumbai for the finals. He will be in South Africa with his two non-filmy best-friends.

"I wouldn’t miss the World Cup for the world. I’m the hugest football fan. I place it above cricket in my scheme of joy. I watched the silliest of games in the Cup. For the finals, I had to be here (in Johannesburg)," said the actor.

Dutt is rooting for Spain all the way. So is Jackky Bhagnani, producer Vashu Bhagnani’s son has apparently secured some of the best seats in the stadium for himself and his five friends from Mumbai.

Speaking from Johannesburg, Jackky exulted, "Man, I’ve the best view possible! I could never afford these seats, they are among the best in the stadium. An industrialist friend from Russia got me these seats. I can’t begin to express my excitement, I feel like an eight-year-old who has got his favourite toy. Me and my friends have our t-shirts, caps and flags ready. We’re rooting for Spain."

Adding to Jackky’s excitement is the fact that this is the first FIFA World Cup match he’s attending.

But for all the stars attending, there are some football lovers who had to miss the event. Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor are shooting in Colombo and Delhi respectively, while John Abraham had to cancel his plans for the finals because of a shoot with Vishal Bharadwaj.

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'3 Idiots' sweeps IIFA Awards

Kareena, Vidya share best actress honours

'3 Idiots' that created history by becoming one of the most successful films in Hindi cinema walked away with 11 trophies at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards that concluded in Colombo with a flourish early on June 6, being declared the Best Film, while the Best Director award went to Rajkumar Hirani and the Best Actress award to Kareena Kapoor for the same movie.

Kareena shared the award with Vidya Balan, who was honoured for perfectly portraying the role in 'Paa' of a single mother whose son is suffering from progeria.

Sanjay Dutt, Bollywood's affable Munnabhai, walked away with the Best Comic Actor trophy for his rib-tickling performance in 'All The Best', while Boman Irani received the Best Actor in A Negative Role honour for his brilliant portrayal of an eccentric professor in '3 Idiots'.

Sharman Joshi, who played Aamir Khan's friend in '3 Idiots', won the Best Supporting Actor award, while Divya Dutta received Best Supporting Actress honour for her performance in 'Delhi 6'.

In the special award category, well-known Hindi filmmaker J. Omprakash and Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan's maternal grandfather, who made films like 'Aap Ki Kasam' (1974) , 'Aasha' (1980) and 'Aas Paas' (1981), was honoured for his outstanding contribution to cinema.

Versatile actor Anil Kapoor, who made his mark in the international arena with British filmmaker Danny Boyle's multiple award winning rags-to-riches drama 'Slumdog Millionaire', was honoured for outstanding achievement by an Indian in international cinema. And yesteryears glamour girl Zeenat Aman was honoured for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema.

While Bollywood heart throb Salman Khan was given the Habitat for Humanity award, his not-so-good friend Vivek Oberoi, who has been in the news for all the wrong reasongs ever since he arrived for the IIFA awards, was honoured with the Panasonic Global Green award.

Pritam Chakraborty won the Best Music Director Award for composing lilting numbers for 'Love Aaj Kal' and Swanand Kirkire bagged the Best Lyrics Award for the super-hit movie '3 Idiots'.

In the playback singing category, the Best Female Playback Singer award went to Kavita Seth for crooning 'Ik tara' in 'Wake Up Sid' and the Best Male Playback Singer Award went to Shaan for the hit number 'Behti hawa sa thaa wo' in '3 Idiots'.

Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who made her Bollywood debut with 'Aladin', was declared Star Plus Debut of the Year (Female). Apart from Jacqueline, Mahi Gill, who played the modern age Paro in Anurag Kashap's new interpretation of 'Devdas' titled "Dev D", too bagged the Star Plus Debut of the Year (Female) award.

'3 Idiots' fame Omi Vadiya, who had people rolling in the aisles with his antics in the super-hit movie, received the Star Plus Debut of the Year (Male) award along with Jackie Bhagnani - the young actor who made his debut with the not-so-successful movie 'Kal Kissne Dekha'.

Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra received the Best Story Award for penning the interesting tale of '3 Idiots'.

'3 Idiots' baggged the maximum technical awards. The film won the Best Sound Recording Award for Nihar Ranjan Samal and Sachin K. Sanghvi. The Best Sound Re-recording went to Anup Dev, the Best Song Recording Award went to Sachin K. Sanghvi, the Best Background Score Award went to Sanjay Wandrekar, Atul Raninga and Shantanu Moitra, while C.K. Muraleedharan received the Best Cinematography Award for '3 Idiots'.

Bosco Caesar won the Best Choreography Award for directing popular dance moves in 'Love Aaj Kal', the Best Costume Design Awrard went to Anahita Shroff and Dolly Ahluwalia for the same film, which had Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles.

Sabu Cyril won the Best Art Direction Award and Charles Darby won Best Special Effects (Visual) Award for Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Aladin'.

For designing mindblowing action sequecnes in the crime thriller 'Kaminey', Shyam Kaushal was honoured with the Best Action Award and the Best Makeup Award went to the international make-up artists Christien Tinsley & Dominie Till for giving a progeria patient look to Amitabh in 'Paa'.

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IIFA 2010 Green Carpet - Photos

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