Ace Director JP Dutta, who last directed UMRAO JAAN that brought Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan together a decade back, is all set to return with another film based on Indo- China war.

Reportedly the movie was said to feature Abhishek Bachchan, Sooraj Pancholi and Pulkit Samrat. However, Sooraj isn’t part of the film.

The source clarifies, “There are reports doing the rounds of Sooraj Pancholi, starring in filmmaker JP Dutta's upcoming film PALTAN. Sooraj is not doing the film. The reports are baseless and completely untrue.”

Here’s hoping for further development on the ongoing project.

Anand Surapur’s THE FAKIR OF VENICE which was supposed to be Farhan Akhtar’s Bollywood debut is finally going to see the light of the day. The makers of the film released its trailer today and it’s quite interesting.

THE FAKIR OF VENICE is a story of man (Farhan) hired to find a fakir who can bury himself for an art installation project in Venice.

The film’s story revolves around the relationship of these two people. Will they succeed in their endeavor to con the art world?

Watch the official trailer below:

The release date of the film hasn’t been declared yet so we will have to wait and watch when this film will hit the silver screens.

Tall, talented, gorgeous Pooja Batra, also an ex Miss India Asia-Pacific, as a model she has done more than 250 events and endorsements way back in 90s. Her claim to fame was with Anil Kapoor, Tabu starrer VIRASAT. Post that she did quite a few films in Bollywood and later moved to LA. She has also done a Hollywood film ONE UNDER THE SUN which was screened at Cannes film festival last year in which she played an astronaut. The lanky actress also did few Punjabi and South Indian films.

And now she is back in Bollywood with upcoming psychological thriller MIRROR GAMES, wherein she essays the role of a psychologist.

In an exclusive candid conversation, Pooja spoke at length about her journey in Bollywood, her regrets, her take on relationships and why she will not do any bold scenes in Bollywood. She also spilled beans about her deepest secrets.

Excerpts of the interview:

POOJA BATRA

What inspired you to take up acting?
I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which half of the world has it. If I watch a movie, I get inspired and it stays in my mind for 15 days. I think that’s how I got drawn towards acting.

After a hiatus you will be seen in a Bollywood movie MIRROR GAMES. Comment
Yes, I am back with MIRROR GAMES and I play a police psychologist for which I did a lot of therapy sessions which I was going through in my real life as well. It’s just that I don’t stay here but I have done a Punjabi movie in the past, a Hollywood movie ONE UNDER THE SUN wherein I have played an astronaut, who goes to Mars and comes back to earth with super powers. As my comeback film is releasing soon, I am actually both excited and nervous for the movie.

As you are back, how has Bollywood evolved according to you. What changes you are witnessing?
Bollywood has changed there is a huge shift as new actors, new directors, new people are coming in. You just can’t see the old people now. The content is really great nowadays. I have worked with Varun Dhawan and trust me the new breed of actors and cinema are brilliant.

How has your Bollywood journey been so far?
It started off very well. I wanted a better role, a better production house, a better director, some more roles like, Anita in VIRASAT, a substantial role which I see now. I left films when my career was going good. I believe had I stuck around, things would have been different. I have learnt from the experiences. You are supposed to go through various aspects. I opted for what majority of Hollywood stars do. I went through a normal life and shifted my base to a different country. Despite staying in LA, I have a strong base in Bollywood and Hollywood. Had I stayed here things would have been different for me.

Why are you so picky and choosy about roles?
After VIRASAT I became typecast, same kinds of roles were being offered to me. I wasn’t happy with the roles. Life took over, and I took a break, I want to do roles that I haven’t done before. An actor’s job is to portray real characters. I wanted to do roles like Anita in VIRASAT, Priyanka Chopra’s role in MARY KOM, but back then such scripts weren’t written.

Do you regret any thing in your life?
Everyone has regrets, so do I. There are certain decisions that I have made and also a phase of my life. But things happen for the best.

How do you plan your career now?
I live by the day. I don’t think much and I am hoping good roles come my way.

What do you consider while taking up a project?
There are three major aspects on the basis of which I select a film and it’s – script, script and only script. And then comes certain variables like co-actors, directors and distributors.

How important is socializing in parties to get the right film?
You have to be seen at the right party and by the right people and be pretentious.

Are you comfortable doing bold scenes.
I don’t want to do a bold scene in India. A film like HATE STORY 3 is not what I call a bold movie; but a film like BOYS DON’T CRY is what I call a bold film.

What kinds of roles you are eyeing at?
I would love to do a film based on the life of Rani of Jhansi. I believe I have that look of hers, and I am intrigued to action as I am a green belt.

The trend of biopic is here, which actor you think is suitable if a biopic is made on you?
Alia Bhatt can play me in my biopic.

What is important for you being a great actor or a huge star?
Both are equally important. People appreciate your acting and more and more people see you both these add value to the success of an actor’s life.

Do you think male actors are paid more than female actors?
There has been a disparity always. It has been by and large a male-dominated industry.

Had you not been an actor what would you be?
I had got a call for Indian Air force for female Pilot profile. I was selected and I had to join, wearing those white canvas shoes and with that long list of things that I had to do, simultaneously I was modeling and doing movies. When I weighed the two glamour quotients, I found myself interested in films. But it wasn’t easy to convince my family initially and I wasn’t comfortable doing it.

Being in this industry, every actor needs to be fit. What’s your fitness regime?
I like exercising and I am an active person as LA is a hike centric city I love it the most. I am training in MMA. Apart from being a fit person, I am also a very good cook.

As you have gone through a lot in personal life, what is your take on relationships now?
I have no relationship advice to give to anyone. I can just say go with the flow, everyone has their own journey. I believe relationships are individualistic.

Define Pooja Batra in one word?
Capricious!

What are your upcoming projects?
I have lent my voice for a documentary which talks about sex and human trafficking.

Dear Kabir Khan

As a cinephile I like the way you tell your stories and make entertaining yet very insightful films.

You made your directorial debut with KABUL EXPRESS and went on to bag ‘Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director’ at 54th National Awards. Your other films NEW YORK, EK THA TIGER, BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN made people look forward to your films eagerly. Your last film PHANTOM may have received mixed reviews but nevertheless it lived up to expectations people have from your films.

With just 6 films to your credit as a director you have carved a niche for yourself in this industry which is a very big achievement and the kind of success ratio that you have is enviable for all other directors out there in this industry.

First of all I would like to thank you for making an adaptation of a very beautiful, earnest and poignant film like LITTLE BOY. Really your decision of making an adaptation of LITTLE BOY reflects the kind of sensitive and wise filmmaker you are.

So as you gear up for TUBELIGHT I have few questions for you in this regard and hope you won’t mind answering them.

Ever since the announcement of TUBELIGHT was made why not even for once you spoke openly that this film is an adaptation of LITTLE BOY? It was only when the teaser of the film was out that it was ‘officially’ declared from your side that this film is an adaptation.

Secondly during the song launch event of ‘Radio Song’ you said that only a seed of an idea has been taken from the original film rest everything is changed. But sir I have watched the original film and it’s clear that apart from the main theme there are several other things you have taken from the original as it is. My question is why are you shying away from accepting this fact? Are you worried that if you admit it then the excitement surrounding TUBELIGHT would get killed?

Even the tag line “Kya Tumhe Yakeen Hai?” is the direct translation of the line “Do you believe you can do this?” from LITTLE BOY, which you claim that it has been suggested to you by Salim Khan sir.

Other very important thing that I want to ask you is did you watch the recently released BAAHUBALI 2? Even if you haven’t watched it yet I am sure you must be at least aware of its phenomenal success. Interestingly the makers of this film didn’t go out of their way to promote their film or tried to create any kind of buzz surrounding it prior to its release.

Perhaps it was their confidence in their product that didn’t require any kind of ‘over the top’ promotions.

But I wonder why you are resorting to ways of every other maker to promote your film in such a fashion. I am sure few would say that when you are in a showbiz industry you have to follow the trends but sir from when did you start following the conventional path?

I am really very curious to know what’s making you promote your film in such an aggressive manner. Are you not confident of your product? Or is there any fear of being left out? I know it’s neither of these reasons but then why bombard the audience with so much of promotional stints?

The beauty of the film LITTLE BOY lies in the story of a faith of an 8-year-old boy and his undying love for his father. The soul of this film lies in this little boy’s faith in his capabilities to bring back his father from the war. And sadly this soul is missing from what we saw in the first trailer of your film.

It also makes me wonder about the thought process behind casting a 51-year-old actor in the place of a child? I don’t know how you are going to justify this decision of yours but for a person like me the soul of original story got killed the moment I saw a 51-year-old acting like simpleton in the role which was originally played by an 11 year old child!

We understand that having a big star in one’s project helps to make one’s story reach out to a larger audience but does that means that you should fit in a big star even in those scripts which doesn’t require a star’s presence?

And it’s not like B-town stars are incapable of playing a simpleton’s role. How can we forget Hrithik Roshan as Rohit Mehra in KOI..MIL GAYA? Hrithik outdid himself as an actor when he played this role. The conviction with which Hrithik had portrayed that character of intellectually disabled made people fall in love with both the character Rohit Mehra as well as the actor himself.

Sadly this conviction was lacking or didn’t come across vividly in the 2 minute long trailer of your film.

We all know that a passionate filmmaker never makes a film just for earning money; they always try to make a film so that everyone right from a common man, cinephiles to a critic loves it in equal measures. But frankly speaking this film is not at all exciting me in any way.

I am sure that you must be having very valid answers for all my questions and perhaps upon receiving your answer I might start looking at things from broader perspective. On the flipside may be Salman Khan would prove us wrong and blow our minds away with his acting prowess once the film releases, you never know.

Till then all the best for your film.

Best Regards
A cinephile

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the publication. The company does not take any responsibility for the views.)

Power house performer Irrfan Khan is a very creative man and we all know that. His opinions, his choice of films reflects his intellect and taste.

The actor who otherwise keeps a low-profile on social media now made his debut on a social media platform meant for a photo sharing.

The first picture that Irrfan shared on this site was very amusing and unusual. Dressed to perfection in the Jai-Veeru outfit and striking a perfect pose, Irrfan made an impressive debut by recreating the iconic shot from cult classic film SHOLAY.

In another black and white picture shared by him we can see a young Irrfan wearing glares and riding a horse like a true blue retro hero.

Seems like the actor will keep posting his all amazing throwback pictures and thereby keep treating his fans

With so many B-town star kids gearing up for their Bollywood debut, how can our television stars’ kids be left behind?

Popular TV actress Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak is all set to make her Bollywood debut. Reportedly Palak will be starring opposite Darsheel Safary (of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR fame) in a film titled QUICKIE.

Her mother Shweta was quoted saying to PTI as, “Yes, Palak is making her film debut. She is in talks for a film with Darsheel too. The official statement will be out soon.”

Here’s wishing Palak a bright career in Bollywood. All the best gal!

Before you jump the gun let us clarify that Vidya Balan jokingly shared that her TUMHARI SULU director gave her a credit card post which she doesn’t need any other credit.

Showcasing her witty side actress Vidya Balan shared a picture on a photo-sharing site, in which she is seen holding a credit card.
 
The caption which Vidya gave to this picture was quite hilarious. She wrote, “Who needs credit when your director gifts you this card ?!! ??# Thankoo Suresh Triveni ???.

Who needs credit when your director gifts you this card ?!! ??# Thankoo Suresh Triveni ????.

A post shared by Vidya Balan (@balanvidya) on May 26, 2017, at 1:30 am PDT

If one remembers just few days back Kangana Ranaut was caught in credit row with the writer of her upcoming film SIMRAN. So with Vidya captioning her picture like this we wonder if this was directed towards Kangana or it was just done in fun.

We wonder what Kangana has to say about this now.

While it’s a known fact that the entire nation is smitten by the sizzling chemistry between Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif who at one point in their life were dating each other, there is one director who wants to capture this chemistry in his lens.

And it’s none other than Karan Johar! According to a report in DNA, the AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL director is keen on casting Salman and Katrina in his next.

A source was quoted saying in report as, “While KJo’s next directorial will be with Ranbir Kapoor, he wants to produce a film with Salman and Katrina in the lead as he finds their chemistry sizzling. Earlier, the same film was to star Pakistan actor Fawad Khan along with Katrina, but with the ban on Pakistani actors during AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL, that is not happening. Hence the filmmaker was keen to rope in Salman. The script is being reworked for Dabangg Khan and to make the character more suitable to him. The pre-production work on the film has begun.”

However with no official announcement made we will have to wait and watch if KJo’s wish gets fulfilled. Till then watch this space for more.

Salman Khan’s TUBELIGHT is one of the most awaited films and yet again Salman is seen in a very beautiful role. He plays Laxman who loves his brother Bharat and wants to get him back from the war in the film. It’s a very sweet story and also shows the bond between brothers.

This isn’t the first time Salman is doing a fun-loving film he has earlier portrayed such roles as well.

During media interactions when asked Salman on what basis he chooses positive stories and underdog roles. “I always prefer the story of an underdog. I like tales that are rags to riches, or even about unsung heroes. I have negativity in real and reel life,” he said.

TUBELIGHT releases this Eid.