MBPA stills 2

MBPA stills

He looks soo young. Almost like Doli Sajake Rakhna days. He should maintain his weight from now, seeing that he looks so good.

MBPA wallpapers

Akshoo looks good overall. I'll say it again. Whoever released the first still should shot.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap preview

Janaradhan Wishvanbhar Rane (Paresh Rawal) a widower has spent his life bringing up his two kids Chirag (Manoj Joshi) and Gaurav (Akshaye Khanna). Janaradhan has done everything for his kids to bring them up in the best possible manner, ever since they were toddlers. Now when the duo has grown up, Gaurav takes up the responsibility of his father. They both manage the household chores and their business to the best of their abilities. Though he is the younger son, he treats his father like his son. Gaurav is on guard with the vigilance of a disciplined parent. He shouts, threatens, and fights - even locks up his father occasionally so that his prankster best friend Madhav Mathur (Om Puri) who is a divorcee, desperate to get married, does not spoil him.

Madhav and Janaradhan who are always in search of a bride for Madhav forever land up in trouble and every time Gaurav has to bail them out and face the embarrassment.

Gaurav busy managing his business starts getting prank calls from a girl who turns out to be his old college friend Sheekha Kapoor (Genelia D'souza). Sheekha is staying with her guardian Anuradha (Shobana) who is also Janardhan's first love.

Gaurav and Sheekha notice changes in the behavior of Janaradhan and Anuradha when they come face to face after many years. They come to know about their past relationship. Now Gaurav wants his father to get married to his lost love.

Gaurav and Sheekha embark upon a rib-tickling journey to arrange his father's love marriage and in the process find soul mates in each other. Of course, the path is not so smooth: there are obstacles. But then, Madhav's desperate desire for a bride comes handy. How this trio tries to arrange Janaradhan's and Anuradha's love marriage is a fun ride to watch.

Rosa falls for Akshaye

Saif Ali Khan’s ex-beau Rosa Catalano seems miffed with people referring to her as the ‘latest firang item-girl all set to upstage Yana (Gupta)’. Snatching time from her favourite Capoeira (a native Brazilian dance-exercise) fitness sessions, she says that she feels cornered.

“It’s true that dancing is my passion and I have done item-songs for a few Bollywood movies like Shaurya and the upcoming Sunny Deol’s Chamku. But I hate being tagged as an ‘item-dancer’, ‘cos there’s much more to me. Producers have now signed me on for well-defined roles like in this next Sunny Deol starrer directed by Neeraj Pathak. Then there is yet another movie Ek Second - Jo Zindagi Badal De to be directed by Partho Ghosh where I have already shot for the role of Jackie Shroff’s foreigner wife,” says Rosa.

She says that her dream on screen hero is none other than the suave Akshaye Khanna.

Rosa who’s an Italian says that she wants to meet Sonia Gandhi who also born in Italy.

“The way Soniaji has blended so beautifully into the Indian culture, her moral strength and leadership qualities are truly an inspiration for me,” she says.

Before she signs off, we decided to irritate her with the same ‘Saif’ question. So wasn’t Rosa hunting for a new emotional anchor after her bizarre break-up with Saif?

“Since I believe in giving 100 per cent to a relationship, I am in no frantic hurry to get hooked on to someone just for the heck of it. Right now I am enjoying my single status, while my ‘work’ is my constant partner,” she declares as a parting shot.

Akshaye scores another one.

Chance to meet Akshaye

Shemaroo & eBay India (www.ebay.in) presents an unique opportunity for Bollywood fans across the world to spend a day on the sets of Mere Baap Pehle Aap. This is an exclusive high profile auction on eBay India where the winner along with his / her father, will get to meet the charming and suave Akshaye Khanna and Genelia. The auction commences on May 5, 2008 with bidding starting at Re. 1 and ends on May 14, 2008.

Mr. Akshaye Khanna said, "We had a great time shooting for this film. Everyone was so chilled out throughout the shoot that we would like to extend this experience to our fans. We hope that with this exclusive auction on eBay India will help us reach out to true Bollywood lovers across the world. Enthusiast fans can just log on to www.ebay.in and win an entire day of masti and non-stop action."

Ms. Mansi Maroo, Co Producer, Shemaroo Films said, "We are delighted to associate with eBay India for our forthcoming release of Mere Baap Pehle Aap. Spending a day on the sets is a great way to experience the way a movie is made and we want to offer this rare opportunity to our fans. This is our first ever online auction for fans and we are looking forward to an enthusiastic response from Bollywood fans."

Ms. Deepa Thomas, Senior Manager - Pop Culture, eBay India added, "We are excited to have this unique opportunity for Bollywood enthusiasts on eBay India. eBay India is the destination for Bollywood lovers where they can find hundreds of unique products related to Bollywood such as Autographed memorabilia, posters, vintage magazines, LP records, dolls etc. We are happy that more movie companies are using the eBay platform to reach out to Bollywood fans across the globe."

Directed by veteran film director Priyadarshan - Mere Baap Pehle Aap is in the process of shooting their last song in Mumbai on May 20, 2008. The star cast of this film includes Akshaye Khanna, Genelia, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, National Award Winner Shobhana and Archana Puran Singh among others. The movie is slated for box office launch on June 13, 2008.

So log on to www.ebay.in and win this exclusive opportunity along with your dad for a fun filled day with your favourite stars.

About Shemaroo

Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd is an integrated Film Production, Post Production, Distribution and Animation player. With an excellent library of Hindi films, it has penetrated into the Satellite TV scene. In Sony Entertainment Television, Shemaroo is a joint venture partner with Sony Pictures Entertainment, USA.

Shemaroo Entertainment has produced and released Hindi films like Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye, Omkara, Manorama - Six Feet Under & Animation film Bal Ganesh, which all have been successful at the box office. Shemaroo Entertainment is all set to release its second animated film Ghatothkach - Master of Magic, releasing on the 23rd of May.

Shemaroo Entertainment has also been a part of making regional movies like Majha Navra Tujhi Baiko, Bakhula Namdev Ghotale in Marathi and the Bengali film Anuranan being hailed as the new wave of Bengali cinema.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap marks Shemaroo Entertainment's entry into the Comedy genre of mainstream Bollywood film. Helmed by the best comedy film maker of the country, Priyadarshan.

About eBay India
eBay India (www.ebay.in) is India's leading online marketplace. It is a unique and exciting marketplace with the largest person-to-person trading community in the country. eBay India is a trading platform offering auctions, fixed price and classifieds modes of person-to-person trading. eBay India has 2 million registered users from 670 cities in India. eBay India (formerly Baazee.com) is a 100% subsidiary of eBay Inc. The popular categories on eBay India include technology, lifestyle and collectibles. Thousands of sellers sell on eBay India daily across 2,000 categories of products.

About eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and businesses. On any given day, there are millions of items across thousands of categories for sale on eBay. eBay enables trade on a local, national and international basis with customized sites in markets around the world. Through an array of services, such as its payment solution provider PayPal, eBay is enabling global eCommerce for an ever-growing online community.

(PRWeb)

Akshaye looks like....

Since the topic is out of the hat, here are a few people I have been told resemble our Akshaye (Errol Flynn is my contribution). They are all beautiful people but I think Akshaye beats them all.








Oh, yes I forgot. And him. Don't believe me? Watch The Prestige. I literally felt he was copying Akshaye in there.

MBPA posters

Hey, Akshaye and Genelia do look good together. She has lost some weight and so has he.

Thanks rade!

Akshaye ---John Cusack?

Beth compares Akshaye Khanna with John Cusack. Here, we think Akshaye is incomparable but I really don't think John Cusack is an apt comparision.

Akshaye, dark horse of the year!

Hulchul and Hugama were not only hits but there's a lot of goodwill in public about them. Many of my friends who don't normally care for Akshaye really liked him in those two movies. MBPA is looking damn funny and good too. Is he on a way to a hat-trick with Priyan? Second straight hit of the year? First major solo hit? Finally, getting his due at the box-office?

If he does it, it will be on his own with no help from bollywood bigwigs. Go Akshoo!

BTW, I have watched the promo already like 15 times in the last 20 minutes.

First thought. Genelia is looking good too. She will make a nice couple with Akshaye.

Second thought. Will Akshaye be overwhelmed by Paresh and Om Puri or will he hold his own?

Third thought. Akshaye's pronunciation is remarkable. When he says sadguni, the ni at the end ,which many can't pronounce properly, is so spot on.

Lastly, they haven't shown Shobhana yet. The best is yet to come.

First promo of Mere Baap Pehle Aap

Parayi aurat ko dekhna, tauba tauba tauba.

Hilarious! Akshaye has gotten really good at comedy no? This movie is getting more exciting by the day.

Shortcut sold

The Indian Film Company Limited (TIFC) has stitched three co-production deals as part of its movie ramp up programme. The lineup includes a movie with Abbas Mustan titled Life Partner while Arshad Warsi is making I Believe in Angels and Road Movie is with Dev Benegal.

TIFC is a specialist film investment firm where TV18 Group has substantial interest.

While Life Partner starring Govinda, Fardeen Khan and Tusshar Kapoor is being directed by Rumi Jaffrey, I Believe in Angels is being directed by Kabir Kaushik.

"Road Movie will be directed by Dev Benegal and currently we are working on the cast and crew of the film," said India International Film Advisors CEO Sandeep Bhargava.

Furthermore, the company had entered into a co-production deal with Kaleidoscope Entertainment for a two-film deal, with working titles Lajjo and Baby.

TIFC has also acquired the satellite rights for seven films that include released films namely Showbiz, Superstar, The Train and Agar and yet to be released films namely Bhootnath, Khela and Karma & Holi.

The company has acquired the worldwide distribution rights of the film Shortkut - The Con is On from Anil Kapoor Films Company. The film is directed by Neeraj Vohra and stars Akshaye Khanna, Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao. The film is scheduled to release in the second half of fiscal year '09.

TIFC has also acquired the domestic theatrical and satellite rights for Aamir Khan's only release in 2008, Gajini. The film is directed by A.R. Murgadoss, has music by AR Rehman and is a remake of the Tamil film, also called Gajini.

TIFC has signed talent agreements with three directors namely Sanjay Ghadvi, David Dhawan and Abbas Mustan.

TIFC and Sanjay Ghadvi have planned to commence shooting of their first film by Q2 of fiscal year 2010 and that of the second film by Q2 of fiscal 2011. Sanjay Ghadvi is currently directing Kidnap produced by Shree Ashtivinayak which has been acquired by TIFC for worldwide distribution.

The company has signed David Dhawan to direct one film, tentatively scheduled to release in December 2010. In addition, TIFC is also co-producing David Dhawan's next film, a sequel to Partner named Tom and Jerry which is being co-produced with Sohail Khan Productions starring Salman Khan, Govinda and Lara Dutta.

Director duo Abbas Mustan will be directing one film for the company, tentatively planned for release in Q1 of fiscal year 2010.

The company had earlier sold the worldwide distribution rights of Halla Bol, a co-production with Sunrise Pictures and directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi. The film was released on 11 January 2008.

BTW, shouldn't it be 2008? I'd die if it was 2009. Why is it taking so long anyway? It was announced much before MBPA.

Hey, I'm trying and trying but can't access the trailers or the preview of MBPA.

New pics

Damn he is fit. Now he should get a good stylist.

MBPA completed in secrecy

After an action entertainer RACE, Akshaye Khanna would be seen again in a family comedy, courtesy Priyadarshan with whom he reunites for MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP.

The film was started and completed without much hype and now as MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP is aiming for a release in the month of June, its promotion has kick started. But why this secrecy around the project? When most films tom-tom about everything from pre-production to shooting tid-bits to any trivial thing related to the making of the film, how come MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP escape the media eye?

"That's because this is the way Priyan sir loves to operate", says a close associate of Priyadarshan, "He doesn't want people to be knowing so much about his films way in advance that it looses it's charm once it hits the screens. He wants audience to explore his films by themselves on the screen rather than reading or seeing too much about it in newspaper, magazines or news/music channels. This is why the film has been intentionally completed in secrecy."

Starring Paresh Rawal as Akshaye Khanna's 'baap', the film features Genelia D' Souza as Akshaye's leading lady. The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Shobhana, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi and Archana Puran Singh.

(Glamsham)

Movie website

Here's the website of MBPA.

Saif or Akshaye?

Hey, now that Tashan has flopped horribly, I wonder what happened to all those people who claimed Race was a hit because of Saif. Apparently, as in Race, Saif is largely secondary in Tashan as well. How come if he is such a big star he can't make Tashan get a decent initial even with bigger stars in it? And let's not forget that Saif had a record bad year last year.

OK. Race did not become a hit solely because of Akshaye. It worked because it was a relatively well-made movie. There were a number of stars who colelctively brought people into theatres( and remember saif starrers all bombed last year) but after the people come to theatre, you need to have a decent product to keep them there. Which Race was. Now what worked in the movie? And which star has had the biggest weight to carry? Among males, it is undoubtedly Akshaye.

Yes, his performance his wanting when compared to his usual high standards but he's far better than the rest of the cast. He was there throughout the movie, while Saif is barely there in the second half. So, if the interest of the audience was kept up, it was largely due to his performance. Crediting Saif in Race is like saying Bipasha had dnothing to do with the movie but Sameera somehow does.

Yeah, Saif may have greater exposure but once you see the film it's clear it was Akshaye who did the heavylifting. So, will people start admitting to Akshaye's star power?

BTW, whenever there are a coupe of stars in a movie, you immediately have a proxy fight going on in the media, a bunch of stories about which star gets the max credit, with each star's camp pushing himself or herself. Nothing wrong with that. It's how the game is played in bollywood. So far, you didn't get too many stories of those type for Akshaye. It's because he doesn't use media to push his star status. He does his job, goes home and enjoys his life. Couldn't care less less about what media think about him. I know some of us are slightly exasparated with him about that but that's our Akshaye.

MBPA stills

I got these from Indiafm forum. Also posting Shobana pic. She's a great actress, hope she and Akshaye have are in a lot of scenes together.

Akshaye talks about Shortcut

After playing a cunning conspiring step-brother in ‘Race’, Bollywood’s bad guy Akshaye Khanna has turned in to a director for his upcoming movie.

But wait …Akshaye is not directing the movie but is playing the role of a director in the film. Shooting in Bangkok for Neeraj Vors’s ‘Shortcut’, the actor talks about the roles that get his heart racing.

Akshay who is a favourite with the director duo, Abbas Mastan, says that he absolutely enjoys working with the duo.

‘They give me the freedom to make the best use of my space as an actor. They`ve tremendous trust in me. Somehow they like nine out of my 10 suggestions. They allow me to improvise quite a lot.”

Not willing to divulge much about his current projects, the actor said, “ Vora’s film has a lot of theatre actors. It`s a character-based energetic film. I like doing energetic films.”

The movie shall see Amrita Rao as playing the lead opposite Akshaye, while Arshad Warsi will play a `bad` actor in the movie, which is set on the daily patterns of the film industry

When asked about his equation with his co-actors in ‘Race’, the actor went all smiles and said, ”Race isn`t the first multi-starrer I`ve done. It`s never easy to find proper space for all the actors in a cluttered cast. But there was no such problem in Race.”

Setting aside rumours of ego-hassles between him and Saif Ali Khan, the actor stated that he shared a pretty good rapport with all his co-stars. “Saif and I had a fantastic time during `Dil Chahta Hai`. And let`s not forget Saif and I also spent a lot of time together during J.P. Dutta`s `LOC`. In `Dil Chahta Hai`, we were buddies. In `Race`, we`re brothers but battling constantly. But I had never worked with all the three girls - Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy.”

Looks like a rehash of an old story.

Scandal Rag

OK, I'm not posting these stories from Midday or the pics. I think it's quite disrespectful. The guy had a night out, so what? Everyone does. It's not a big crime.
I am seriously thinking of pulling down the post below and I don't like the harsh tone of the comments either.

Yeah, I know drinking too much affects both his health and looks and I hope he does less n less of it. But, as fans we should be standing up for him, not be judgmental.

I am so angry with Midday for publishing those private pics when he wasn't feeling good, especially October ones. That's paparazzi journalism at its worst.

Magic Club Party

Personal touch

Actor Akshaye Khanna is in high spirits these days. We hear he is so pleased with the way his next release – Mere Baap Pehle Aap – has turned out, that he is now paying personal attention to the promotions and all.

Akshaye has taken time out to sit down with the design team, has conducted brainstorming sessions and given briefs as to what the first promo of the film should look like. Will his 'personal touch' be the Midas touch and help the producers make some big bucks at the box office? Let's hope so.

(Filmfare)

Glad he's invloved and hope he makes them avoid debacles like the first still they released.

Akshaye stands on his ground

After working together with films like Humraaz, 36 China Town, Naqaab and the recent box-office success Race, one would think Akshaye Khanna was a favourite of Abbas Mustan. Think again! When the director duo approached Akshaye to do a film for them as producers they were in shock. The star demanded fees of six Crores from the makers.

When the makers asked him to reduce the fees considering their long association, Akshaye replied that he would gladly reduced the fees if the duo were directing it but since a newcomer is directing the film he won't reduce the fees.

(Bollyvista)

Go Akshoo!

Let the truth be told

Akshaye has finished off that alien impostor who was trying to fool the world by passing off as Akshaye. Akshaye is back!

Why Akshaye is so sexy?

An attempt to therorise about the self-evident mystery. But if anyone can try, the French can. Thanks Beth for the tip

I especially like this bit:

What I especially enjoy is the connection that is made between “the teen-idol façade” and “the soul of a thinking man”: it’s the same contrast that we find between “moving comfortably and gracefully” and “in his own mystique”. Here’s an actor that makes people – fans, reviewers, whoever – read his attractive exterior appearance as a sign of a deeper interior. Quite a feat, because in the Bollywood mainstream culture of today, you normally have to fight to convince your audience that there is something behind your pretty face (or other parts). Somehow, you’re often the victim of the superficiality that you’re earnestly trying to avoid. Well, look, one guy at least just steps in, and everybody eyes him with envy: “Ooooh, he looks deep, he’s mystical, elusive”. (Hope you don’t mind all this Akshaye).

There’s something in hairy virility which just exudes what they call “magnetism”. To me there’s another word for that magnetism – pheromones. Now even though you can’t smell them through the internet, or on the screen, there are many ways to suggest they’re there! And probably Akshaye has them naturally! But there you go: a pleasing smile (warmth), twinkling eyes (intelligence), and strong jaws (sexuality), all this can easily be sublimated into charisma, mysticism and what have you. The stronger you suggest a distance between nature, or instinct, and a charming gallantry, the more exciting it is! Because in between lies the chasm of adventure and transgression which we feel is so important.

Start Dreaming

BTW, since I've let off all my steam about the first pic, can I say that it's after a long,long time that we are seeing Akshaye in a solo movie? How many years after are we seeing the first pic of a movie having only Akshaye in it? Sign of things to come?

Now that's more like it!

The first one with Genelia is quite nice. The others are ok. Looks like they picked a gaudy theme for the song with Paresh.

Now whoever is the publicity guy who picked the first pic, he should be shot. He nearly sent me into a depression.That was a very bad pic in a very bad angle. How could they use that!

Akshaye is lookin damn fine. Everythin is fine with the world!

Akshaye cures me!

You know how dejected I was on seeing MBPA first pic. To get over it I started surfing net and I stumbled on this magnificent photoshoot of Akshaye. I don't know when it's from but I think it's fairly recent (I'm also including an old pic I never saw). This is a hint of what I have in mind when it comes to Akshaye, this is what I have in mind whenever I go off a rant about his look and styling(in movies or pics). Frankly, I think only one photoshoot has ever done complete justice to him and that was the Filmfare Classic one but this comes close. Just see how damn sexy he is in his natural state. Who kidnapped our Akshaye and put an alien in his place? I want to know.









I am healed, though not reconciled to MBPA yet!

Why Akshaye why?

Oh God! Where to begin? That yellow! And that hairstyle! If this is disturbing to even his most loyal fans, what should ordinary audiences think? Why are they trying to make him a Govinda II when he so obviously his not and cannot be! He is a Cary Grant-Errol Flynn type of guy. When will the dimwit bollywood directors realise that?

But my biggest worry is the story itself. Based on the first look, it looks as if Priyadarshan is on to rehashing his old staples yet again. Hopefully, the rest will be better than this.

If they want the movie to work, they better replace this still with something else. Quickly!

More on MBPA

view HULCHUL movie stills

view HULCHUL movie stills
What a strange co-incidence this is that Priyadarshan has proved to be very lucky for two very diverse actors, both of whom have similar sounding first names (except for an extra 'e'!). Yes, we are talking about top star Akshay Kumar and top actor Akshaye Khanna. They both have given a sizeable number of successful films with Priyadarshan.

While enough has been said and written about the Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan combo, let us check out the non stop success record of the Akshaye Khanna and Priyadarshan team. Though they started with the critically acclaimed DOLI SAJA KE RAKHNA in 1998, it was in 2003 that Akshaye Khanna and Priyadarshan created HUNGAMA at the box-office. The very next year they again caused HULCHUL at the ticket window.

With the big success of RACE behind him, a rejuvenated Akshaye Khanna is looking forward to a hattrick of success with Priyadarshan. The project in question is the June release, MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP, which is a typical Priyadarshan comic caper. An added attraction of the movie is that a major portion of the film has been shot on the world famous tourist attraction, the exotic backwaters of Kerala.

Akshaye attends a friend's bday party

Akshaye Khanna has been so busy shooting of late in Bangkok that it almost seemed like he’s gone off the circuit. Except for a tiny reminder in the recently released Race where he’s packed in a good show. He’s been in Thailand for over a month and will be stationed there till April 20 till the schedule of ShortKut doesn’t get over.

The actor flew down to Mumbai to celebrate a friend’s birthday last weekend and he had a blast at a plush restaurant, The Dome on Marine Drive along with a bunch of his pals. The lucky friend in question was Anmol Mehta, diamond merchant Shekhar Mehta’s son, more famous in the recent past for his allegedly torrid affair with the sexy Urmila Matondkar. But all that’s history now and he was seen having a good time with the boys.

(Maxabout)

Another Akshaye movie rumour

Though Samir Karnik is providing final touches to Heroes starring Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta, the director has been signed by Halla Bol producer Abdol Siddiqui for his next.

Hawayein remake

According to a source, “The makers have already got a bunch of actors to feature in the film. Bobby Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Amrita Rao, Soha Ali Khan, Sunil Shetty, Dino Morea, Tabu and Vatsal Seth have been cast. The makers plan to add a few more later.”

It is learnt that the film has the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination as the backdrop. The plot revolves around four couples who are caught in the crossfire.

Adds the source, “It is inspired by Ammtoje Mann’s Hawayein (2003). The film dealt with a sensitive subject but due to the lack of stars, it did not do well. The makers feel that bigger names can make the subject come alive again.”

Strangely, Karnik denies being a part of the project. He says, “I haven’t been approached by the producer and nor have we got any actors on board.

I am busy with the post-production of Heroes and I will then make a film for Sunny Deol’s home production and one for Zee Films. The producer is merely using my name to build his brand.”

However, Siddiqui insists, “I have signed Samir for the project which we will roll soon. The story is also in place.”

The source further adds, “Samir Karnik has also been issued a signing amount.”

(Mid-Day)

Oh, How I love him!

A great video tribute to Akshaye from Race here:


Thanks for making the video.

A small qubbile. I think it missed the cutest moment in Race which occurs in Pehli Nazar song when Akshaye pulls that fashion designer off the stage and sashays Bipasha on the ramp. Still, a great video tribute. Thanks. You Rock!

Sober thought

We have just two more Akshaye movies this year and he hasn't signed any new ones. It's gonna be one long year.

Race tribute

A short sweet video for the weekend.

Fardeen replaces AK

It looks like Akshaye Khanna is getting too big for his boots. Akshaye, who was Rumi Jaffrey's first choice for his upcoming film was dropped from the project when he asked for a whopping fee.

The film which is being produced by Abbas-Mustan will now have Fardeen Khan in Akshaye's place. A source says, 'Fardeen is very happy with the film since he hasn't signed up for a film for a long time. He was very busy attending to his father Feroz Khan who was recuperating from a knee problem.'

Akshaye, who is an Abbas Mustan favourite seems to have been replaced too speedily by Fardeen. The film will also star Govinda who is on a film signing spree after his comeback vehicle Partner. Meanwhile, Jaffrey is completing his directorial venture, God Tussi Great Ho with Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan.

Akshaye has a huge hit, so what do you expect him to do? Decrease his fees?

I'm glad he isn't doing Life Partner ( it sounds so downmarket) and it's good Fardeen replaced him as he replaced Fardeen in Race.

Race grosses over 90 crores in 2 weeks!

Tips Films’ latest flick Race has totted Rs 900 million (Rs 90 crores) worldwide.

In India, the film has grossed approximately Rs 700 million (Rs 70 crores); whereas in the UK and US, the film has collected Rs 100+ million (Rs 10+ crores).

In its first week, the film has collected $1,184,265 (Rs 47,340,991) from 96 screens in the US; whereas in the second week it collected $241,938.

On the other hand, in the UK, Race grossed £687,415 (Rs 54,765,066) from 45 screens.

Apart from the US and UK, the movie has raked in another Rs 100 million (Rs 10 crores) from overseas markets like the UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand amongst others.

The film, which stars Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy, has been distributed by UTV Motion Pictures. Race is directed by Abbas Mustan.

The film released worldwide with more than 1250 prints. It is being screened across 1300 screens in India, of which 450 are digitals. In the overseas market, it released almost in 300 screens with 56 in UK, 118 in the US, 30 in the Gulf, 14 in Australia and the balance in the rest of the world. In Pakistan, Race released with 15 prints across nine cities including Lahore, Karachi and Hyderabad.

Race international reviews

action-thriller lark about two wealthy step-brothers who engage in a protracted game of murder, revenge and deceit over women and a large chunk of insurance money.

The horse racing scene in Durban, South Africa serves as the contemporary backdrop, though the foreground is chiefly made up of lavish apartments, ridiculously beautiful women, fast cars and fireballs.

The wildly paced story involves the debt-laden elder brother Ranvir (Saif Ali Khan) who tries to get his alcoholic sibling Rajiv (Akshaye Khanna) to straighten out his life by marrying his friend Sonia (Bipasha Basu). She, of course, has eyes for Ranvir, as does his PA Sophia (Katrina Kaif), so things have that reassuring ring of emotionally complicated melodrama right from the get-go.

But even before any vows are exchanged, an intricately plotted and marvelously devious tangle of schemes, double-crosses, triple-crosses and even quadruple crosses (!) begins to unravel at a clip that is so unrelenting it actually becomes self-consciously funny.

There's plenty of high-quality action involving expensive vehicles that have a tendency to flip over several times before exploding while the increasingly whacky story has more twists in it than an over-priced packet of Twisties.

Yet as crazy and improbable as the plot gets there's not a single hole in it, with every one of about a hundred loose ends being ingeniously tied up by final credits, so kudos to screenwriter Shiraz Ahmed.

Gun Bollywood directors Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla & Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla - aka Abbas-Mastan, as credited on screen - compose their high-octane widescreen adventure like a glossy postcard with ADD and stage their many elaborate song-and-dance numbers with equal amounts of sexual energy and plot exposition.

As is often the case with the casts of so many Bollywood films the women all look like goddesses and the guys all look like escapees from a help desk cubicle. Here they bring an exhuberant, trashy energy to their performances, which, despite the subtitles, contains a surprising amount of English dialogue sprinkled in amidst the Hindi - and it's fascinating to see how the English tends to pop up when a major character or plot point is being punched.

Please note: with the 20-minute intermission you'll be in the cinema with this prime piece of B-grade entertainment for a solid three hours, so be sure to take enough Twisties and samosas in with you.

(The Age)

Thriller helming duo Abbas-Mustan go for the max in "Race," a high-octane, star-driven murder mystery with more twists than a pretzel. South African-set yarn, centered on two scheming brothers and the equally scheming dame in their lives, delivers solid, brainless entertainment thanks to a precision-built script and performances that are all in the same key. Pic has been doing robust biz since March 21 release.
As well as adopting the hard-driven, techno-rock style (in both visuals and music) now fashionable in Bollywood actioners, the pic (scripted by Abbas-Mustan regular Shiraz Ahmed) makes their 2002 double-crosser, "Humraaz," which also starred Akshaye Khanna, look genteel by comparison. In its second half, pic sometimes seems to exist only as an excuse for another plot or character reversal, though at the end of the day, it does all logically -- if implausibly -- make sense.
Opening with a tautly staged car crash that's only explained later, story intros Ranvir Singh (Saif Ali Khan), the super-wealthy owner of a stud farm in Durban, South Africa, and his alcoholic, sybaritic brother, Rajiv (Khanna). Ranvir, who gets off on extreme sports, is so ruthless that when he learns one of his jockeys has accepted a bribe, he simply kills him.
However, when Rajiv falls for Ranvir's super-glam g.f., Sonia (Bipasha Basu), Ranvir doesn't seem worried, and even lets the couple marry. In fact, the marriage is a business arrangement: Rajiv and Sonia plan to push Ranvir off the 21st floor of his office building and collect $100 million under a double-indemnity accident clause.
That's just the beginning of a serpentine yarn that also entangles Ranvir's devoted secretary Sophia (Katrina Kaif) and even suspicious investigating cop Robert D'Costa (vet Anil Kapoor).
Despite a small core of five main characters, and an initially straightforward murder plot, Ahmed's script comes up with a whole string of hidden wrinkles to completely undermine what the viewer took for real in part one. Even small details, like Ranvir's taste for death-defying sports, become important plot points, mitigating the sheer outrageousness of several developments.
Khan, who hardly ever disappoints nowadays, is fine as the lizard-like Ranvir, but it's Khanna, often little more than beefcake in his movies, whose performance really takes on some depth. Kapoor, who doesn't even appear until just before the intermission, adds some welcome humor, though his repartee with his dumb female assistant (Sameera Reddy) doesn't really work. Basu and Kaif are nicely balanced as vamp and plain Jane, respectively.
Lensing by Abbas-Mustan regular Ravi Yadav is top-notch, and visual effects ditto. Five hard-driven musical numbers, including the pumpy title one, keep the heat high, though Basu clearly can't dance. Pic is wholly set in South Africa but some (desert) scenes were shot in Dubai.

(Variety)

Race Success Party

Was Akshaye there?

No, he wasn't.