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Jackie Shroff plays a friendly ghost

After a long hiatus, a children's film "Bhoot Unkle" with Jackie Shroff in the title role will hit the screen next month.

Directed by Sumiet Sehgul, the film is releasing Oct 6.

Jackie says he is excited to play such a role.

"It's a very funny, enjoyable, and sweet role," says Jackie.

The story revolves around a 12-year-old orphan Shyam, who has faced many tragedies and hardships in life.

One day he stumbles upon a haunted place and accidentally solves a mystery, which allows him to access a magical power that changes his life.

After unveiling frightening secrets, Shyam is burdened with the responsibility of saving his town from the clutches of an evil man. And his 'bhoot' (ghost) uncle comes for his help.

Jackie had played a similar kind of role in "King Uncle" but in that film he was portrayed as a serious person and kids were in awe of that character.

On the contrary, kids love bhoot uncle as he helps them in need.

"It was a refreshing experience working with kids in this film. They are born actors. And more than me, it is the kids who are going to steal the hearts of young and old audiences alike," says Jackie.

The film's producer Krishn Choudhary is quite gung-ho about its box office success saying since the target audience are kids there cannot be a better time to release a film of this genre during the Dussehra, Diwali and Id vacations.

Indian rapper Baba Saigal scored the music for the film and the story written by Aneesh Arjun Dev.

With children's films being a rarity and the summer nearly coming to an end, "Bhoot Unkle" has a fair chance of luring the kids.

Sushmita at her candid best

She is known for her bold ways but here is Sushmita Sen like you've never heard her before.

The Bollywood diva talks on relationships, on competing with Aishwarya and a lot more. Here are some excerpts

After all your relationships you don抰 trust men, you don抰 think they are emotionally attached to the relationship?

That statement is not about men it is about women

Can you explain that?

Which means I am not saying men are not. I am saying women are.

Are what?

Women are more emotionally involved when promiscuous

And men?

That was not in the quote, so now are you asking me

Yes I am asking you now?

I could simplify a statement like that for women because I am one. I can抰 do that for a man. But having said that, one of the most beautiful equations I have, whether they are friends or men on an emotional level, involved with me or that of my father or brother. All the men in my life, this world would be incomplete without men.

Aishwarya and Sushmita was their competition at that point of time?

Definitely, we were part of the pageant

How bitter was the competition?

Couldn抰 have been bitter

How intense was it?

Also not very intense. I will tell you why. I was nobody with nothing to lose. She was somebody who already had panel of judges saying, that being just one aspect of it, all participants were looking at her. What we are doing here and that she should win. You know sometimes you have to make it to being someone actually achieving things for your own self to realise that this superior-inferior thing, the complexity, insecurities exist when you are nobody.


So much of gosssip around you, at any point you had a nervous breakdown handling such kind of situation?

I must have come to a nervous breakdown at least thrice in 12 years.

What was the reason?

Because of me compromising on a thought which I so wanted to do and I didn抰 for the larger good not for myself, for myself I would have like to have done the other. But when it starts becoming a matter at the cost of other human being, someone I love very much. At that time I have the tendency to take a step back. Maybe thrice in my life I have done that. I have a very strong conscience Arnab, cannot live without that. So at times when I have gone against it, it has questioned me and it has made me stronger. I have said to myself that the one thing I will do is try-fail, try-fail but not land up in hospital.

Saif, your ma's looking for you

Sharmila Tagore complains about Saif's incorrigible ways, especially his habit of disappearing from her life

Sharmila Tagore has reason to complain against her son Saif Ali Khan. "When I send an SMS to my daughters Saba and Soha, they reply immediately. Saif is impossible. He gets in touch with me at 3 in the morning when he's in trouble. But when I want to get in touch with him, he's nowhere to be found," she says.

"But you can't hold grudges against Saif for too long. He'll charm you within moments," she adds.

With Saif growing into a fine actor, Sharmila Tagore is a proud mother. She says, "I think everyone got an anxious SMS from Saif when he first heard that he would have to shave his head for Omkara. And then he proceeded to do exactly what he wanted. I advised him against shaving his hair. But he went ahead and did it

Esha, how r u?

Dharmendra tides over gizmo-phobia to send his first ever SMS to daughter Esha

Dharmendra proved to be a doting father when he sent his first SMS to daughter Esha who is in South Africa, when he could not contact her over the phone, despite trying for a long time. This is an achievement in itself, because Dharmendra is known to be uninformed about technology. Blissfully distanced from gizmos, messaging is something one doesn't normally associate with Dharampaaji.

This only shows the rapport he shares with his daughter. "He loves Esha so much that for the first time he typed out an SMS to send to Esha in South Africa. I checked with Esha to make sure that she got it. It was a very precious moment for us," says Hema Malini.

Meanwhile, Dharmendra is not the only one fussing about Esha and Ahana. With her birthday just around the corner, Hema Malini is equally concerned about their future. "Every birthday of theirs makes me more concerned. I'm getting worried. It may be too late soon. I need to produce a film with Esha and myself in the lead. No filmmaker is able to use Esha properly. I want to produce a film where Esha will play the lead and Ahana will do production work. It's time Ahana got a chance to prove herself behind the camera. I must start a production house right now and get both our daughters involved. Even Dharamji feels it's important for me to give them that  start," says Hema Malini.

The hunt is already on for a good script-writer who can develop an idea that Hema has for a film featuring her and Esha. "That's my top priority now."

Talk veers to Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay. "Dharamji told Ramu that if his Sholay turned out badly he'll take him to the top of that famous water tank in Sholay and both of them will jump off. I agree with him. But why should Dharamji jump off? If Ramu messes up I'll be as upset as Dharamji," she says.

Speaking about Ramu's plans to remake Sholay, Hema expresses her doubts. "How can Sholay be remade? Even Ramesh Sippy could not make Sholay again. I suspect Ramu will be inspired by Sholay to make something else altogether and he'll do a brilliant job of it. Ramu is a terrific technician. What he has done with Esha in Darling is amazing. I'd definitely prefer Ramu to let Esha play Basanti. It makes sense, doesn't it?"

Our guess is as good as yours
What Dharampaaji's SMS could have run like:
• "Beti, I tried calling u, but these netwrks r alwaz jammd. Ma kasam, in kamino ka toh main khoon pee jaunga

Akshaye Khanna as blue-eyed boy

Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna seems to be the blue-eyed boy of director duo Abbas-Mastan, who vouch that he is one of the most talented actors.

Whether Akshaye's film is a hit or flop the duo continues to cast him.

After "Humraaz", Akshaye featured in their recently released "36 China Town". The film did satisfactory business at the box office and the actor earned rave reviews for his performance.

He is now working in their next flick with Anil Kapoor and Saif Ail Khan to be produced by Tips.

With most of the directors repeating Akhsaye, he certainly has carved a niche for himself in filmdom.

His talent has always been appreciated by critics.

Kajol to play Sita?

The hottest grapevine doing the rounds is that Raj Kumar Santoshi has found his Sita, opposite Ajay Devgan. Sita will be played by Ajay's real life wife Kajol.

While Santoshi and Ajay have done films together before like 'Lajja' and 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh', this is the first time Kajol will act with the director.

Even more of an interest, is that this is the first time the actress will be working opposite husband Ajay, since their daughter Nysa was born. The couple last worked together in Anil Devgan's 'Raju Chacha', which was released in 2000.  

Sanjay Dutt's Mohabbat Ho.. to finally release NEW!

Sanjay Dutt's much delayed movie Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse will finally see the light of day.  

Apart from Dutt, the film also stars Chandrachur Singh, Shamita Shetty, Puru Raj Kumar and Paresh Rawal. It is directed by Ravi Talwar and Sanjeev-Darshan have provided the music.

"At last I am a relieved man. Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse has been okayed by the Censors with U/A certificate and plans are to release the film soon," says producer Satish Khanna.

"The film is a love triangle between Sanjay Dutt, Shamita Shetty and Chandrachur Singh. Thanks to Sanjay Dutt's Lage Raho Munnabhai, my movie has become a hot proposition now. More than 50 per cent of the shooting has been canned in Dubai. The film has been made on a budget of Rs 35 million (Rs 3.5 crore). The music rights have been already acquired by Lara Music Company," Khanna adds.  

Madhuri to Star in Vikram Phadnis Film?

Call it the grapevine effect or the demand-supply ratio, but the stories about Madhuri Dixit抯 celluloid comeback are innumerable. After having turned down offers by Ram Gopal Verma and Shaji Karun, the latest bit of news doing the rounds is that Madhuri is all set to wear grease paint for fashion designer Vikram Phadnis

Juhi Chawla unplugged

Catch the vivacious Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla on Bollywood Tonight (Zee Muzic) as she talks to Komal Nahta on her journey from Qayamat to Qayamat till now.

To be aired on September 29 at 8 pm,she says she regrets refusing films like Raja Hindustani, Judaai, Dil to Paagal Hai, amongst others and attributed it to flying high after the success of Darr and Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke.

Juhi is an involved mother and speaks of her hectic schedules attending school functions, PTA and combining them with her many social engagements. Singing is a hobby for her and she admits that she no plans of taking up direction any time in the future.

Bobby winks, while Preity fumes

Met Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in London while they were shooting for Shaad Ali's Jhoom.

Claims that when he waved to Bobby, the actor winked at him and waved back. Preity, however, seemed upset because people were crowding around her.

Abhishek Bachchan, who also stars in the film, plays a die-hard Chelsea soccer team fan.

Bobby Deol


Preity Zinta

Abhishek and Aishwarya, always together!

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai intend to do more films together so that they spend more time in reel and real life. Ash has agreed to be a pat of Ram Gopal Varma's 慡arkar' 2, where she will share screen space with the two famous Bachchans

Salman, Kareena mobbed

Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor got mobbed by media persons on Friday when they arrived in the Capital to inaugurate Mumbai-based designer Purva Kothari's first jewellery exhibition.

Kothari's designs are sold under the brand name Intrea.

Apart from media persons, star-struck guests went berserk when Salman and Kareena entered the Roshanara Hall of Taj Palace. The race among lensmen to capture the actors resulted in shifting the spotlight from Kothari and her designs to the stars.

Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel got ignored too. He was seen chatting with a friend in a corner.

Salman, who was at his charming best, refused to talk about his upcoming film Jaan-e-Mann. "I will not talk about my film. Ask me about fashion and jewellery," he chuckled.

He then talked about his style statement. "I always wear an earring and this bracelet," he said pointing towards his bracelet.

Salman also showed his pierced bellybutton. "My sister got it done so I also went ahead."

Kareena, looking gorgeous in jeans and a shirt, whetted the media's appetite. From fashion to films - she answered all their queries.

She said, "I am very fond of jewellery and that's why I am here. I have a couple of friends in Delhi, mainly designers," said Kareena who was wearing one of Kothari's creations.

Asked about Rang de Basanti being nominated as India's official entry for the Oscars, she said, "I loved Rang de Basanti. It is one of my favourite films. I am very happy that it is going to the Oscars. I will keep my fingers crossed".

With these two stars hogging the limelight, hardly anybody showed interest in the exquisitely designed jewellery on display.

Intrea is a joint venture between Kothari and diamond merchant Ketan Seth.

Salman Khan & Kareena Kapoor

Shah Rukh Khan with Anubhav Sinha?  

Shah Rukh Khan is now busy till September 2008. After he is through with Yash Raj Films

ICICI banking on Shah Rukh Khan

ICICI Bank has roped in Shah Rukh Khan as its global brand ambassador. CNBC-TV18 takes a look at where King Khan invests his money.

揑 make films with my own money; I don抰 borrow money. I have never done that so far from a bank or privately. In the old fashioned way, I go and buy properties,

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is a product of the people and proud of it

The wry tone and the infectious laugh accompanying the words sum up the speaker's appeal: He is a superstar adored by millions for his escapist musicals, but he is also down-to earth and confident enough to joke about it all.

Yes, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is a very intelligent man.

His look was subtly different on Saturday, however, when the 40-year-old actor was in town as an ambassador for India's ICICI bank.

Usually clean-shaven, Khan met the press at Republic Plaza sporting a bit of stylish stubble.

"Why the beard?" he was asked.

"The girls like it," came the instant reply.

"Which girls?"

"My little girl at home," deadpanned King Khan, to chuckles from around the room.

The repartee continued as Khan, the man who re-energised Indian cinema, feigned ignorance of his popularity.

With 16 years in the industry and more than 50 films to his credit, Khan conceded that he is "somehow always associated with groups that have excelled in their field".

Such as in 1998 when Khan's Dil Se (From the Heart) became the first Indian film to hit the box office top 10 in Britain. It was later voted as one of the 100 Greatest Musicals by Channel 4 viewers there.

Shot partly in picturesque Kashmir and Bhutan, the film's most stunning sequence had Khan and his troupe gyrating on a train that was winding through India's northeastern hills.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The One With A True Heart Will Take The Bride) was another first, becoming the longest-running film in Indian cinema history, having been screened for nearly 600 weeks since its release in 1995.

Though these and many of the 40-year-old actor's other films have been labelled as populist fantasies - simple stuff without trenchant messages - the actor casually dismissed these accusations on Saturday, saying "cinema is for entertainment" and "messages are for the postal service".

The People's Jester

Though he seems uneasy playing the star, Khan doesn't shy away from championing Bollywood's rise.

"Indian film has changed over the years," he said in answer to a question from Today. "When I travel, I buy books for my children

Report: Former Indian superstar Madhuri Dixit to make a comeback in Bollywood

Former leading lady Madhuri Dixit is planning a Bollywood comeback, the actress said in a newspaper interview, but she gave no details of her plans.

Dixit told the Times of India newspaper in an interview published Tuesday that she would play a role in a new film to be produced by her business manager, Rikku Rakeshnath.

One of Bollywood's most sought-after stars in the 1990s, Dixit gradually stopped taking on roles after marrying a U.S.-based Indian surgeon in 1999. Her last hit movie, released in 2002, was "Devdas,'' in which she played a courtesan in a saga of doomed love.

"If I'm going to be away from my family for my film, it better be worthwhile,'' said Dixit, 39, who has two young sons.

Rakeshnath said he would start work on the film soon. "It was on Madhuri's insistence that I decided to start my own production house,'' he said. "Madhuri will be acting in one of the films I plan to start shortly.''

Raveena gifts home for animals

That Raveena Tandon is a staunch animal activist has been a rather known appellation for her by now. The actor has just taken her 憇top cruelty towards animal

Salman Khan to walk the ramp

Be it for his sister Alvira or jewellery designer Farah Khan, Salman Khan is always game for walking the ramp.

Salman is known for turning the heat on at fashion shows with his unique ramp attitude, his cool demeanor and his habit to break into a jig or doff his shirt off on the catwalk.

The actor will now walk the ramp for the designer duo Priya and Chintan抯 Couture Show on Wednesday this week.

The two designers are said to have designed a special sherwani for Salman. It will be a beige coloured, pure silk sherwani with gold and bronze embroidery on it.

Salman is a good friend of Chintan and agreed to walk the ramp for the show when the designer asked him to.

Around a month back, Salman and many other Bollywood stars had participated in a show to launch a male-jewellery line by Farah Khan. Salman was in his elements on that show. True to his style, he took off his black jacket and threw it on the crowd.

Salman case hearing deferred

A local court on Tuesday deferred till November 7 the hearing in a case relating to the killing of an endangered black buck here allegedly by Bollywood star Salman Khan.

Judicial magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit was to hear the case against actors Salman, Saif Ali Khan, actresses Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu and a local resident Dushyant Singh.

Since the magistrate was on leave, it was transferred to another court which adjourned the case till November 7, Salman's counsel Hasitmal Sarswat said.

The case relates to hunting of black bucks in Kankani village of the district on the night of October 1, 1998.

A film unit was shooting for Rajshree Production's Hum Saath Saath Hain when Salman allegedly shot the endangered species of gazelle.

He has been convicted in two other poaching cases September-October 1998.

New Don can't match original: SRK

SRK says the original Don was what made him want to become a hero.

Shah Rukh Khan's new film Don promises to be a blast from the past but still falls short of the original, says the actor.

No matter where the Baadshaah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan goes, there is only one thing on his mind - promoting his films.

This time round in Singapore he was caught talking about his new film Don and how the original Don got him hooked to acting.

揤ery few people get to live their dreams and Don must have been one of films that made me want to become not a movie star but just a hero. I wanted to be Don, be cool and sing Khaike paan Baneras waala,