Akshaye's astrological forecast

Akshaye will remain in the limelight because of his performance in the films in 2009. This year will also see him work hard on honing his skills as an actor.

Akshaye heads to gym

For his role in Priyadarshan’s hard-hitting tale of honour killing in Bihar Ajay Devgan needs to have a specially toned-up physique.

Priyan tells us why. “I’ve turned the horrific tale of an actual incident in Bihar of an inter-caste romance into a full-on actioner. See, I wanted to keep it real. At the same time I wanted to make it riveting for the audience. So while shooting on an authentic location (Karaikudi is like a small town in Bihar) I’ve made my two heroes Ajay and Akshaye Khanna into full-on action heroes. This film has the kind of real stunts never seen in Hindi cinema.”
Priyan has roped in his old action director B Thyagarajan and a stunt director from South Africa , Frances to devise action scenes which would take the director’s Bihari drama into the region of riveting realism.

Says Priyan, “When I say real action I mean fight scenes that are the opposite of cable-wired flips somersaults, jumps and leaps. This time Ajay has gone as raw as it can get.”
The action sequences have both Devgan and Khanna locked in hand-to-hand combats, and other very basic forms of physical aggression that went out of vogue with the old Kung Fu films.

For this Devgan needed to get into a different shape. And so did Akshaye.
In fact, Akshaye is a new convert to the gym . Till this schedule in Karaikudi started. And Ajay persuaded Akshaye to head for the gym.

“Yes, we’ve a set up a terrific gym in this wilderness. It’s been set up in an under-construction building. It has all the equipment,” says Bipasha. “We all work out in it. Ajay and I, of course. Paresh Rawal also works out. Akshaye Khanna only used to play squash for exercise. Now he’s started going to the gym. They need to get into a specific shape for this film.”

Before producer Arbaaz Khan can shift Bihar to Vai near Mumbai for the shooting of Abhinav Kashyap’s Dabangg, Priyadrashan has relocated a village of Bihar in Karaikudi, a Tamilian small-town 80 kilometers away from Madurai to shoot for his very real headline-derived intercaste love story that shook rural Bihar some time ago.

Doesn’t the film take Priyan into a space completely different from his award-winning Kanchivaram?

“Not at all. That was a different kind of reality. This is different,” says Priyan.

A substantial movie for Akshaye after a long time. Can't wait.

Best Villain Award

Akshaye wins a best Villain award for Race

Akshaye out of Basra?

Akshaye not in Basra anymore.

Priyadarshan's movie's shooting on

Every director has a favorite heroine and most often, for inexplicable reasons, like David Dhawan's casting of Rambha or Priyadarshan of Rimi Sen. Well, now Priyadarshan has changed loyalties and his current favorite is Rituparna Sengupta, another Bong sensation.

Sengupta said, "I was first cast for Priyan sir's film with Percept Picture Company, Bum Bum Bole with Atul Kulkarni and Darsheel Saffary. After that film was complete, I got a call from his office offering me a role in his latest political thriller, which is yet to be titled."

Priyan is currently shooting his film on the Kerala Karnataka border with Ajay Devgan, Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu. Rituparna added, "The film is based on the caste war of North India and I play an integral part of the film, whose character is helped by Akshaye Khanna."

Priyan had first cast Sen in Hungama. He was impressed with her commitment to work and therefore cast her in his other films like Garam Masala and Kyon Ki. But it now appears that his loyalties have shifted to Sengupta, who also has a National Award for Best Actress to her name. Additionally, Priyan has also cast another Bengali beauty - Bipasha Basu - in the main lead.

Akshaye to be a judge in beauty contest

In South Africa

Akshaye dances in live concert

Found it on youtube. Is it recent or is it old? Either way its nice.

Akshaye at Sanju's bday

Akshaye at Sanjay Dutt's 50th bday.

Akshaye, Ajay n bipasha in Priyan's next

Just as filmmaker Priyadarshan seemed obsessed with mindless comedy, he decided to get serious after all. He is all set to embark upon a project that quite falls in the genre of his Sazaa-e-Kaala Paani, Gardish... Priyan will direct a movie based on caste-wars set in India. When we got in touch with the director, he told us, “In Northern India there are many cases of inter-caste marriages, and sometimes children are even killed for daring to opt for inter-caste marriages. There have been many articles from the Times of India that gives a base to our story and script. In fact, the movie, a thriller, is based on an enquiry commission.”

This film will see Akshay Khanna play a CBI officer, Ajay Devgan as a Major deputed for the case and Bipasha Basu plays Akshaye Khanna’s ex-girlfriend. However Priyadarshan says that the icing on the cake is Paresh Rawal who will play the villain this time round. “Paresh always complaints that I make him the laughing stock, so he is all geared up to resurrect his career of playing a serious, horrible villain in this film,” says Priyan.

The yet-to-be-titled movie will be shot in two schedules - September and January and will release sometime in 2010.

Akshaye enjoying S.Africa

Bollywood celebrities Sushmita Sen and Akshaye Khanna have been taking in the sights of KwaZulu Natal during the filming of the romantic comedy No Problem,set at various locations including the Camelot Golf Club in Hillcrest and La Mercy Beach.

The movie, directed by Anees Bazmee, will be filmed in the province for two weeks, before the cast and crew head for Cape Town for a further two to three weeks. POST has learnt that Kangana Ranaut and Paresh Rawal are also in Durban.


Acting heavyweight Sanjay Dutt was expected to arrive last night (Tuesday) and Sunil Shetty is heading our way on Friday.

Production started on Saturday and several locals have been used as extras.

Akshaye's interview

With its hilarious plot and surprisingly good cast, Short Kut: The Con Is On is a million laughs a minute. Mathures Paul speaks to the main
protagonist

One of the most underrated actors of our times, Akshaye Khanna has been giving us hit after hit ~ Gandhi, My Father, Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love, Hulchul, and many more. A few weeks back he received the IIFA Best Villain Award for his role in Race. Khanna is very much in the news as his new film ~ Short Kut: The Con Is On ~ has succeeded in making box-office cash registers ring.
First, the plot of the film in brief. Short Kut is a comedy about the trials and tribulations of two con artistes ~ a struggling director and an actor in pursuit of their tinsel town dreams. Shekhar (Akshaye Khanna), an aspiring assistant director, and Raju (Arshad Warsi), a wannabe junior artiste, meet and strike-up a friendship. While Shekhar is extremely talented and confident, Raju is a buffoon and thinks he is God’s gift to Bollywood! As luck would have it, Raju manages to steal Shekhar’s prized script and is catapulted towards stardom. Soon Shekhar plunges into a phase of self pity and dejection, which results in his wife Mansi (Amrita Rao) leaving him. Shattered, Shekhar looks for that golden opportunity to get even with Raju.
What was it about Short Kut that appealed to you ~ Anil Kapoor or the script?
It’s always the script. Always. I respond, or react, to scripts spontaneously. We have a great personal relationship, a friendship that’s not easy to break. I cherish it and value it.

Anil Kapoor, the producer and the actor…
Actor-producer relationship is more at a professional level. A bit formal. We are careful of not upsetting each other; not to make the other feel uncomfortable. Anil is a friend and a producer. He brings commitment and passion to any project. The same goes for anything he does in life. That indeed is a great asset.

Are you satisfied with the new Hindi film scripts?
Difficult question. Generally things are getting better but not at a pace most of us would want. I think the level of writing that we see in the television or film industry in the West is higher than in India. We have a long way to go before we achieve that level of originality and diversity. (Thinks) Not only in the area of writing but every aspect of film-making ~ acting, designing, production, etc. The drama audiences watch on television or films in the West cannot be found that frequently in India.

The need for casting directors…
In the Hindi film industry there is almost nothing called casting directors. It doesn’t exist and it never has. It’s sad. But one of the reasons for that profession not being able find its place is because we have only a few actors. You have 20-odd leading men in the industry. Maximum 25. Girls even less. There are so few people that the industry doesn’t require a casting director. If there were hundreds of actors, their (casting directors) roles would have been important.

But new actors are coming our way…
But we need many more.

Maybe viewers don’t want to accept new faces…
That’s also true. Viewers need to accept them. At times our audiences don’t accept new faces. If someone new comes, he or she is either accepted or not accepted. An actor like Imran (Khan) has been accepted. It’s not a matter of coming from an established family of actors. A person is accepted because he is accepted! As simple as that. Sonam (Kapoor) was also simply accepted. Now look at Deepika Padukone. She doesn’t have any background in acting. But she was accepted. In south India Asin is already accepted. But to the Hindi film industry she is new.

Your next film with Anil Kapoor…
We haven’t started shooting. When we start, it begins in South Africa and then moves to Mumbai.

Classy guy

This is one classy lad. No lewd jokes, humour or tasteless jibes for Akshaye

And it was obvious at a recent interview that he was doing to promote his new film. While others referred to some of the SMS jokes doing the rounds about Shiney Ahuja, Akshaye rigidly snapped, “Cut it out guys. It’s not in good taste.

Just leave this sensitive issue alone.” A moment’s silence followed before Akshaye resumed talk about every other topic, with a smile, all over again. Now, that’s sheer class.

Akshaye to work with a new director?

One is he wouldn’t want to share screen space with his father. The other is, he doesn’t want to get married. Says Akshaye, “I don’t believe in the institution of marriage. Yes, the other day a pundit predicted I’d definitely get married in 2009. He said he can write it in his blood, ‘Iss saal teri shaadi pakki.’ I was horrified. Now I keep asking everyone around me to assure me it won’t come true. The fact is, marriage is just a legal piece of paper. I don’t see why the government needs to get involved in what two people do with their lives. It’s none of their business.”

As for working with his charismatic dad, that’s also a no-no. “Even today I’d think 10 times before facing the camera with him. In terms of physicality alone he’s so powerful. No point in sharing space with him until I feel confident of matching him by at least 10 percent. As a star-son it’s a constant struggle to move away from being known as Vinod Khanna’s son and create my own space.”

Otherwise nothing has changed about Akshaye over the years. He remains as reclusive as ever. “I like it that way. I see no point in talking about myself unnecessarily. I’m not a high-profile person. I like being as low-profile as humanly possible. So I’ve no interest in reaping the benefits of a film by talking about its success. In the long run it’s the film that matters. Talking about yourself is of no consequence. It doesn’t come naturally to me.Yes, Race was a hit. If people want to remember me in Race, they will without my selling myself.”

Akshaye refuses to admit he does too little work. “It’s not conscious. In fact next year I’ve three films. If I had my way I’d work 365 days a year. As for being picky, who isn’t? Aren’t Abhishek, John and Hrithik picky? Hrithik’s last release was Jodhaa-Akbar more than a year ago. I’m starting a new comedy in South Africa with Anees Bazmi No Problem. It’s got me, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut.”

Akshaye Khanna, who has done comedies in the past with the prolific Priyadarshan will start shooting for a serious film on a caste–based marriage in Bihar with the prolific director.

“Yes, I’m doing a non-comedy film based on a caste issue with Priyadarshan. It’s got Ajay Devgan and me. Priyan has been making a whole lot of comedies. After that I’m starting another film with a new director. I don’t recall doing a film with a new director except Lateef Binny with whom I did Dehak many years ago.”

He blames someone from within the unit of his latest film Shortkut for planting stories of his differences with his co-star Arshad Warsi.
“I haven’t done it for sure. Whoever spread these stories did it for no reason than to create a stupid silly hype about the film. People enjoy reading about such battles between two actors. Even I do. Arshad and I get along quite well. I really enjoy spending time with my co-stars specially if they’re good actors. Arshad and I are at loggerheads as characters in Shortkut. But to create that antagonism on screen you’ve to be compatible with your co-star.

A screen partnership is almost like a marriage, a short-term but strong commitment. If you don’t get along with your unit the film suffers. I don’t work towards it. But I just get along with my co-stars. I’m a very blunt person. If I don’t like someone, he is sure to know.”

Akshaye is full of praise for Arshad. “Shortkut is Arshad’s best performance to date. He’s better here than he was in the Munnabhai movies. I play a writer and assistant director who hopes to make his own film. I’m the only normal character surrounded by these zany people. And by the way Shortkut has the distinction of being written by two of our finest writer-director of comedies Neeraj Vora and Anees Bazmi.”

It was even said that Akshaye refused to promote his new film at a recent international event. “Nothing could be sillier. Because all of us from the film had gone with the express purpose of promoting the film. It was an insane charge.”

His last film Mere Baap Pehle Aap he says did decently enough to make money for everyone. “It’s just that the film wasn’t hyped up as a hit. No matter how nominal, the film did make profits. I can name so many films that have been declared super hits but haven’t made money. I don’t want to name them because they involve friends.”

Akshaye is satisfied with the roles he‘s doing. “I don’t see too many other actors doing the variety of roles I am doing.”

Akshaye has no plans of turning director. “I don’t think about it. It’s something that may happen. But not right now.”

Akshaye's interview

After winning awards for his negative role in Race , Akshaye Khanna strikes back with Short Kut . The actor speaks about everything from Amrita Rao’s ravishing hot look and his feud with Arshad Warsi.

Who takes a shortcut in this film and why? For love, money, success?
Arshad Warsi, who plays Raju in the film, takes shortcut and interestingly for all three.

Give us a gist of the film
Shortkut is a story of two people – Shekhar (played by me) and Raju (played by Arshad). Shekhar is some one who does not believe in taking shortcuts in life and believes in doing hard work to achieve his goals whereas Raju is some one who wants everything quickly without taking any efforts. Shortkut is their journey.

How was it teaming up with Amrita Rao after Deewaar?
It was great. I think she has grown a lot as an actor since Deewaar . I remember during Deewaar she was very raw and young and now in Shortkut she has emerged as a more matured and hard working actor.

Would you agree that Amrita is looking her best in this film?
Oh yes, I think she is looking ravishing and hot. She is definitely looking her best in Shortkut .

Shortcut is remake of a Malayalam film ( Udayananu Tharam ). Have you seen the original to understand the character better?
No, I haven’t seen the original...in fact no one from the cast saw the film. Actually Neeraj (Vora) wanted us to act afresh rather than watching the original and imitating the characters.

Has the Hindi version shaped up better than the Malayalam film?
We saw the original only once we finished shooting for Shortkut and without any doubt I think that Shortkut is much better than the original.

Reportedly, the Malayalam film was loosely based on the Hollywood film Bowfinger (Steve Martin – Eddie Murphy). Does Shortkut have similarities to Bowfinger too?
I haven’t seen Bowfinger so I really cannot have a say on this.

You play a director in the film. Do you plan to direct a film in real life in the near future?
No plans as of now of directing but may be some time in future...you never know.

What’s it about Anil Kapoor that he insists on having you in all his productions?
It is always a Pleasure working with Anil Kapoor. He is like my elder brother. I am happy that he has so much trust and faith in me that he gives me an opportunity to work with him in his productions.

Anil Kapoor is a fabulous actor. How is Anil Kapoor as a producer?
He is a fabulous producer too. He takes care of the entire cast and crew like his family, he makes sure that every thing is perfect and is always available for everyone and I think these are few of the most important qualities a producer must possess.

You have known Neeraj Vora – the writer. How was it to know Neeraj Vora as the director?
Well, I have known Neeraj Vora not only as a writer but also as an actor. I worked with him in a film called Doli Saja Ke Rakhna , in which he played a small role...and now working with him as a director was a fantastic experience...he is an easygoing director, he never pressurizes you for any thing and the best part is that he enacts each and every scene to you and makes it even simpler.

How much of truth is there in stories of you having fallout with Arshad Warsi?
There is no truth in it.

Which genre are you most comfortable in – comedy, thriller, drama?
I am comfortable doing all kind of genres provided the script is good

In times of 6 pack and 8 pack abs, do you plan to go for a chiseled look?
Every thing depends up on the requirement of the script... then if it demands 6 pack or 8 pack abs or a chiseled look...it doesn’t matter.

Have you ever taken a shortcut in real life?
Yes, I once took a shortcut when I was in college...it was my French exam and I was not prepared at all so I decided to skip the exam. When my parents came to know about this, they sent me to boarding, which was not a very great experience for me.

Do you believe there is a shortcut to success?
In today’s world any thing is possible but I personally believe that there is no shortcut to success and even if one finds it...it won’t last for long.

Would you recommend others to take shortcut or go the long path?
I cannot recommend any thing to anyone but I think one should make his/her own decision and have courage to go ahead with it and face the consequences whether good or bad.

What are your forthcoming films?
I have one more film with Anil Kapoor production called No Problem .

Shortkut Zoom Special

Part 1

Part 2

Akshaye's interview

The talented Akshaye Khanna doesn’t make much hue and cry before his films release. This time too Akshaye remains all the same before his film SHORTKUT: THE CON IS ON releases. The actor speaks to our correspondent on films, marriage and more…

Your last film MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP released almost a year ago. Quite a long gap!

The biggest reason right now has to be global recession and the multiplex strike…. But now I am doing two films and I hope I will be seen more in the theaters. I somehow try and do one film at a time, which helps me, focus on my work.

Okay, tell me something… why do you always run away from the media. They have always loved you.

(Laughs) Come on… I never do that. See I am talking to you. What do I say to the media if I don’t have anything to say? I am a very private person and I am not very comfortable discussing my private life in public. But otherwise I have never shied away from the media.

Now SHORTKUT is releasing and it’s a comedy. In the last few years you have done quite a few comedies and most have been successful. Are you in love with this genre?

(Thinks) It’s not like that. I don’t think if a film is a comedy or something else. It’s all about the script and the director. I have always loved working with Priyadarshan who is a brilliant director. SHORTKUT too is a comedy and I hope the audiences will love it because it’s a good story made by a good director and produced by Anil Kapoor.

In fact, this is the second time that you are working in Anil Kapoor’s production after GANDHI: MY FATHER, which was rather a completely different kind of film.

It has always been a pleasure working with Anil Kapoor. GANDHI: MY FATHER was a different kind of film, which I will always remain close to my heart. And that is what Anil is good at. His production house is like my own family and this time too the experience wasn’t any different. Anil says, I am like a bad habit for him and that’s why he couldn’t do away with me this time (Laughs out). He is someone who would put his soul behind the films he makes and encourages others to work harder.

But it is being said that you do not have fond memories of the shooting and had a lot of trouble…

No…no that’s completely wrong. I am rather very happy.

It’s said that you and Arshad Warsi had your differences and all was not okay between you.

That’s completely wrong. In fact we had a great time and there wasn’t any problem between us. We both are professionals and I have known Arshad as a great actor. We have also worked earlier in HULCHUL, which was a big success and both of us had some great time working together. Why should we have problems this time! (Smiles)

And what about Amrita? You have worked with her in DEEWAR earlier.

That was long back and she was very young at that time. But she has really matured over the years and has molded herself into a brilliant actress. She looks confident and has come up with a fantastic performance. Her effort shows on screen.

Tell us something about your role.

It’s a hilarious film and you will enjoy every moment of it. I play a struggling assistant who wants to become a director. And in doing so everyone is trying to con the other. Arshad plays a bad actor, while Amrita is a successful actress. She is romantically linked to me in the film but is opposite Arshad in the film within the film.

So, are you happy with the way you career has shaped up since your debut given that you have done a variety of roles?

In fact I am happy the way the audiences have accepted me, the kind of films I have been able to do and remain close to the hearts of my fans. There have been such good films like GANDHI: MY FATHER, DIL CHAHTA HAI, RACE, HULCHUL and HUNGAMA. So, overall I am happy. I am still trying to do good job and keep my audiences happy.

Don’t you plan to work with your father someday?

Of course I do. I wish to work with him because dad is a great…great actor and I am just keeping my fingers crossed that someday…someone comes with a good script for both of us.

You have never been linked up with your actresses.

I hate that. Thankfully it never happened and I wish that doesn’t happen to me any day. I am happy with the way I am.

So when do you get married?

(Smiles again). Not at the moment for sure. But as and when it happens everyone’s surely going to know about that. For the time being I don’t have any plans.

Akshaye on Zoom

ZoOm India’s hottest destination for Bollywood content brings to you an exclusive episode featuring the pretty Amrita Rao, the witty Arshad Warsi and the handsome Akshay Khanna as they come together to talk about their upcoming release ‘Shortkut – The Con is On’ and answer a lot many questions with host Omar Qureshi on An Encounter with Shortkut Starcast. Watch Arshad Warsi and Akshay Khanna harass the petite Amrita Rao and be a part of all the jokes and gossip circulating about the movie.

Sharing their thoughts with Omar Qureshi on why they limit themselves to mostly comedy specific roles, the handsome Akshay Khanna said, “Acting is my passion. It is what I do and love to do. So be it comedy, action or anything…I love doing everything when it comes to acting”. Added Arshad Warsi in jest, “Every 8 / 10 movies are comedy. Every second movie is made comedy by force, so you are bound to do comedy, what to do? But I enjoyed it…its fine”

In her entire career in the Bollywood film industry, Amrita Rao will for the first time be shedding her inhibition and playing a glamorous role of an actress in the movie. Akshay Khanna in an attempt to compliment Amrita states, “She has always played the girl next door but Amrita is looking hot in the movie, she enjoyed playing the role of a glamour girl. She has become Amrita “Wow” and not Rao now.” To this statement, Amrita reacted pleasantly saying, “I am a contemporary girl, I have lived in the city long enough to develop my own style”.


Akshay Khanna admits that he is not a snob and when asked about his image in the industry, his co-star Arshad Warsi defends him and explains the reason behind the misconceptions. The stars further share their experience, juicy gossips on the sets during the shoot, the experience of working with Anil Kapoor as a producer and loads more…

‘Shortkut – The Con is On’ specials on ZoOm kick started with the song ‘Kal 9 baje’ playing exclusively on the channel on June 25 & 26; and ‘Mareeze Mohabbat’ featuring Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor and Amrita Rao on July 02, 03 & 04 when ZoOm audience got the first glimpse of the video on television. The specials continued with an on-air contest around the film from June 28 to July 07 where the winner will get a chance to watch the special screening of the film with the star cast and also get to take home film merchandise, audio CDs etc specially autographed by the stars themselves.

‘Shortkut - The Con is On’ is due to release on July 10, 2009. The film is based on the story of two strugglers, one who makes it big as a Superstar (Arshad Warsi) after stealing a script, and the other whose struggle as a director (Akshaye Khanna) continues after his script gets stolen. Actress Amrita Rao plays Akshay Khanna’s love interest. Tune in into witness yourself the chemistry shared by the stars and the faith they have in the story of the movie.

So get set and watch ‘An Encounter with Shortkut Starcast’ on Thursday, July 09, 9.30pm with repeat telecast on Saturday, July 11, 2pm and Sunday, July 12, 12pm. Also get to hear who the original cast was supposed to be and how it all got changed in the last hour. All this and more…exclusively on ZoOm.