Smokin'

Your assignment? Find out when this is from and post the links here.

Update: So, this was from Arjun Rampal party at Taj in September? Thanks for the tip. Another pic.



I like this pic more n more. It's gotta kind of sexy cool vibe to it.

Sunday Eye Candy

No actress got these many rave reviews after Vidya Balan in Parineeta. Haven't seen her act in Sorry Bhai yet but am already in love with her. Wishing really badly she'd be cast opposite Akshaye. They'd make one terrfic couple. I am sick of Amrita Raos and who' she-s who are cast opposite him. Akshaye needs a sexy, powerful heroine to recharge his batteries. We recommend Chitrangada Singh!

Akshaye Khanna - Cosmopolitan Top Sexy Man

AKSHAYE KHANNA
AGE: 33
WHY? Who can resist those dimples, the naughty smile and innocent eyes? The fact that he is single only makes us think we stand a chance!

(Cosmopolitan)

Akshaye in Top 20 Sexiest Men--Cosmopolitan

He's at 11. That's a pretty good, cerebral list. He's just one place behind Shah Rukh and ahead of Salman. We also get a new mag pic in ages. Looking for a bigger scan.

Paresh on Akshaye

If you consider Akshay Khanna and Abhay Deol as new actors then I have no issues. I will like to work with them over and over again.

Did Bacchans backstab Akshaye?

Looks like there's more to the eye than what's reported to that Teen Patti story. Did Amitabh backstab Akshaye? On top of this, they went to media with stories of how Akshaye refused to do the role. Disgusting.


Now Bachchans backstab Akshaye Khanna, actor replaced by Ajay Devgan

According to sources, actor Akshaye Khanna had been approached by producer Ambika Hinduja for a guest role in Amitabh Bachchan headlined Teen Patti. But, when he arrived on set for the shoot, fellow actor Ajay Devgan was already there shooting scenes that he was supposed to feature in.

A source in the unit reveals, "Akshaye had agreed to be a part of the cameo and he was all geared up to shoot but when Amitabh learnt of the guest role spot, he called Devgan (who was linked to the project in the initial stages) and asked him to shoot for the two-day part in the film. Devgan agreed immediately."

A source close to Devgan admits, "Though he is shooting for his home production Toonpur Ka Hero, Ajay immediately agreed on the special request of Bachchan as he is very close to the Bachchan clan.

When Amitabh was approached about this sudden urge for calling Ajay and not letting Akshaye know, he responded by saying, "No, I have not called Ajay. I don’t even know whether they (Khanna and Devgan) are doing a cameo in the film. The director decides all this. Check with her."

Fans of Akshaye Khanna are not happy about this. Discussing the situation on a Bollywood discussion website, one fan writes, “Akshaye is probably the only person who has helped Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai in getting a hit film – Subhash Ghai directed Taal. For Big B to do this to him and not even let him be aware that he was being replaced is back-stabbing – something which the Bachchans seem to be doing left right and centre. Akshaye really needs some work now. Ajay is doing films all over the place”

Radio Sargam is a sensationalistic site but sometimes its hits are true and they also print news found nowhere else. If this is true, why is Akshaye keeping mum? BTW, does anybody have any idea what fan forum that could be?

Music preview of Shortkut

Anil Kapoor is keeping busy. While first half of 2008 saw him appearing in three films as a lead protagonist - Black & White, Race and Tashan - second half of the year is ending with Yuvvraaj. Meanwhile, he is all set to unleash his production Shortkut - The Con Is On which is expected to arrive on 23rd January 2009.

This writer got an exclusive hearing of the songs that have been composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. There are four songs in the film's soundtrack where the musical team is seen in its elements once again.

Title song 'Shortkut', which is also the opening number in the album, is quite rhythmic and makes for a peppy hearing. A theme song, what makes it special is the sheer energy that Shankar Mahadevan fuses into it in the capacity of a singer.

The number which is expected to get the house on fire though is 'Koi Ye Na Jaane' that has a Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy stamp all over it. A core Indian number with naughty traits to it, the song reminds of the title song of Salaam-E-Ishq. Picturised on Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao with a beach setting to it, the song has fun quotient as its USP.

From fun, it's time to get into a romantic rendezvous with 'Nau Baje' that sees the coming together of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. It is nice to hear Alka Yagnik since she is selective in her choice of songs (her 'Tu Muskura' from Yuvvraaj still lingers on). A soft number with a poetic touch to it, this number which is picturised on Akshaye Khanna and Amrita Rao has a strong R.D. Burman influence to it.

Finally there is 'Mareez-E-Mohabbat' about which buzz has already been created ever since the word spread about Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt making a special appearance for this item song that also features Amrita Rao. A peppy track, it has the potential to be the next 'Kajra Re' in the making if choreographers Bosco-Caesar have done their job well in getting the right moves on.

Shortkut - The Con Is On is directed by Neeraj Vora and also stars Simi Garewal along with Chunkey Pandey. Anees Bazmee, who has given three back to back hits in the form of Singh Is Kinng, Welcome and No Entry, has written the screenplay of the film. The soundtrack is expected to arrive in the middle of December.

A detailed review would follow soon. Watch this space!

(indiafm)

Shortcut Release

Shiortkut releasing on 26th Jan along with Luck By Chance and Raaz 2.

Production Issues

Straight from the horse's mouth:

Aren’t you directing Voice From The Sky?
Yes, I intend to direct that film. We had cast Akshaye Khanna but there are certain production issues that have to be sorted out. I will also be making the sequel to Don with Shah Rukh Khan. It will go on the floors sometime next October or November.

Bad News: Voice From the Sky postponed

Director-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar has postponed his next directorial venture, Voice From The Sky, to act and produce a psychological thriller to be directed by debutant Vijay Lalvani.

Farhan said, “Voice From The Sky is currently being pushed forward. Instead, Ritesh Sidhwani and I are producing a film that will star me in it. We start in March. It is a really good script.

I have a great role in the film. And that’s what finally tilted the scale towards my taking up another acting assignment.”

Farhan and Riteish would be joining hands with Surge Entertainment to produce this film.

(Mumbai Mirror)

Good question

Good question.

Why Neha Oberoi? Sanjay Dutt is promoting her apparently. I think because Akshaye is so accomodating, he is taken for a ride by his producers. Right from Riya Sen and Joythika, every fresh-faced muppet gets to be cast against him. Some like Genelia are good choices. But come on. They don't sign big heroines opposite him because he doesn't demand it. Just as they don't get him a good wardrobe because he doesn't throw starry tantrums either.

I had to bitch about that because it's been on my mind for some time but I am glad Akshaye is doing the role. If in fact, he is. I won't be sure until we shooting starts.

Glory days

Neha Uberoi cast opposite Akshaye

Subhash Jha confirms the news? Akshaye is definitely in a Sanjay Dutt produced movie. Neha Oberoi is cast opposite him.

Akshaye dubs for Shortcut, loses a small role

If Amitabh Bachchan were to request another actor to make an appearance in his film, it is doubtful whether anyone in their right minds would refuse. And actor Ajay Devgan did just that. He gracefully agreed to the Big B''s request, according to reports.

It seems that there was a cameo in the film Teen Patti, being produced by Ambika Hinduja and directed by Leena Yadav. The makers approached Akshaye Khanna, but he was not able to do the film, hence they started looking for another actor.

But the problem was to find an actor who would be willing to step in at the last minute and act in a film dominated by the Big B. Surprisingly, not many were interested. Hence, the Big B decided to step in himself and use his personal charm.

Well, he seemed to have succeeded as actor Ajay Devgan instantly agreed to do the cameo in Teen Patti, which will require him to shoot for a couple of days. It seems that Akshaye was called at the last minute to dub for Shortkut, where he plays the lead.

The actor had no other option but to go ahead with his dubbing, leaving the makers of Teen Patti in a quandary. That's when Amitabh came to their rescue and asked Devgan to step in, which he did.

(mynews)

Is she Akshaye's girlfriend?

Heard a rumour. Been wondering.

Is he gonna really get this movie?

Santhoshi produced Akshaye's Doli Sajake Rakhna and offered Khakhi to him, which Akshaye turned down to work in Deewaar(why couldn't he work in both of them?).

Why would Santhoshi come to Akshaye? Because they have a powerhouse play which requires seasoned actors to headline it. Salman isn't that good an actor but he's a big star. Saif a better choice but if he won't do it, there's no way they are taking the likes of John Abraham. That leaves our Akshaye and the fact that no one in Bollywood can shine like Akshaye does in a well-written role. Akshaye got Voice from the Sky when Saif rejected it. Hope Saif keeps rejecting more roles!

I knew that both of them were in competition for the same slot in Bollywood__that of suave, sophisticated adult men who also have great range as actors. Saif beat Akshaye when he jumped on the Yashraj bandwagon, leaving Akshaye to fend for himself through downmarket comedies. But, now that Saif is in a bigger league, Bollywood needs to tap the waiting goldmine potential in Akshaye.

The next year, he's already got Voice from the Sky which should be a multiplex hit; Nikhil Advani's Chand, it that works out, should be a gritty emotional drama; and this Raj Santhoshi flick. I was getting worried that he was being typecast in Anil Kapoor comedies. I am so relieved.

Fingers crossed for the confirmation.

Akshaye in Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya?

Films based on historical adaptations have been a popular trend in Bollywood. It includes big flicks like ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Tajmahal’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ etc.

Now director Raj Kumar Santoshi also takes up the play way.
His next film is an adaptation of Asghar Wajahat’s play ‘Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhiya O Jamian He Nahin’. This film will see Akshay Khanna and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. Both will play brothers in this historical adaptation.

It is known that actor Sanjay Dutt has roped in new talent Neha Oberoi in this film. She plays a cast opposite Akshay Khanna.

The director is well-known for his films l'Khakee', 'Halla Bol' etc. Hope the magic continues.

(india-forums)


This is exciting! Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya is a huge play and I am researcing it to find out whether it will be as good as Gandhi My Father for Akshaye. Hope it is!

UPDATE: This post a while ago says that it's Sanjay and Salman with Neil Mukesh playing a third lead. Did Salaman drop out? Looks like it's the lead role (if Salman was optioned for it).Anyway, it's prudent to wait for confirmation before we start getting excited.

UPDATE 2: Looks like it was offered to Saif as well and that didn't pan out.Uh oh, was Ranbir aproached as well or is this a different movie?

Pure Akshaye awesomeness

That Familiar Panic

Today, it started. Its like you have been busy hunting for your soulmate and the process looks like fun. But as soon as you are committed, you realize the scare hiding inside you. Remember Akshay Khanna in Salam-e-Ishq or Rahul Bose in Pyar Ke Side Effects.

I am experiencing it too!

Akshaye growing beard and getting lonely again

Oi oi.. I do know that Akshaye Khanna is still rather shy and reserved types. Still, this tiddy-bitty surprises me. On Sunday morning, at the Willingdon Club, Akshoo, who regularly plays squash, was enjoying a game of badminton for a change.

He was sporting a beard which I’m told is going silver just like my Vijjy’s. Anyway, a middle-aged gent spotted him and asked his two sons if they recognised the dude with the daadhi. Akshoo ran off before the bachas could say, “A.” Really now, why can’t some people just let my Akshoo be! Meanies.

(Hindustan Times)

He has this annoying habit of withdrawing into his own space after a movie flops: no interviews, no photos, no events or parties, no movies. Snap out of it!