Since we are in a recession, I thought I'd start this for time pass. Time for some silly questions every weekend.
Are you irritated when people confuse Akshaye Khanna with Akshay Kumar and vice versa? Why do people still do it? Though Akshay Kumar has earned my goodwill recently for sheer hard work, I mean, come on there's no comparision.
I just noticed that I automatically type the e at the end.
Advani is also slated to direct another film for his banner, which is tentatively titled Chand. The movie is scheduled to go on floors in February next year. "The movie is about a child's journey from a remand home. We are in talks with Akshaye Khanna for this film," informs Talreja.
(Business of Cinema)
I really hope Akshaye striked up a partnership with Nikhil Advani and gets to star in some of the more commercial vehicles. Come on Akshaye, do it!
What's Farhan Akhtar making next, after DON? Sure, he produced HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. and awaits the release of ROCK ON!! [he makes his acting debut with this film], but he hasn't placed himself on the 'Director's Chair' for a while now. But the wait is over!
Farhan begins filming VOICE FROM THE SKY from next month onwards. Is it an English film? "It's not! But it's a film that has tremendous international appeal. There's an audience for this film beyond India," Farhan's partner Ritesh Sidhwani confirms, "It's a period film set in 1905 in Kolkata. It's about a child and the telephone invention. It's a fairytale. In fact, Farhan wanted to make this film immediately after DIL CHAHTA HAI." So far, only Akshaye Khanna has been confirmed for the film.
Meanwhile, Ritesh and Farhan have also made Zoya [Farhan's sister] realize her dreams. Her directorial debut LUCK BY CHANCE is already complete. "Zoya has been working on the script since last five years. It's about the film industry that she has seen since her childhood in the 1970s, till now. It's about a struggling actor [Farhan Akhtar], a superstar [Hrithik Roshan], a Punjabi producer [Rishi Kapoor], a junior artiste [Konkona Sen Sharma]. Plus, a whole lot of stars making special appearances, including Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan," Ritesh divulges.
A sequel to DON is also in the pipeline. "Two people whom we didn't know at all came up with the idea of the sequel. We fell for it instantly. The script is finally complete and we begin filming next year," Ritesh states. Of course, Shah Rukh Khan would head the cast of the film.
A period film? Will it work? The story does have some Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost kinda vibe to it. Please, let it be better than that. Hope Akshaye has a great role in it. So far, it looks like the child's movie.
If you are depressed by total lack of news about Akshaye, you can make up by watching Hulchul tomorrow. 15th August, on Star Gold at 4.30.
Although Akshaye Khanna bonds big-time with his dad he has sworn never to share screen space with him.
"I worked with my dad in my first film Himalayputra. It was an absolutely terrifying experience. There're certain people whom you shouldn't work with. My dad is one of them.
Mr Bachchan is another. To stand in the same frame as them confidently is impossible. They've such an overpowering screen presence. It's very difficult to match my father on screen. It's that quality.
Either you have it or you don't have it. I very frankly don't have it. I just don't have that kind of presence. There're some actors who just wash you away on screen. My dad is one of them."
Akshaye doesn't feel the same way about any of his contemporaries. "But yes, Govinda is another actor I feel the same way about. He's a very EFFECTIVE actor.
Govinda is a very scary actor. Even Sanjay Dutt has such an overpowering screen presence."
Interestingly and ironically Akshaye Khanna has done two very different and dimaterically opposite father-son films in two successive years
While Feroz Gandhi's Gandhi My Father featured Akshaye Khanna as Mahatma Gandhi's estranged son, in the new Priyadarshan comedy Mere Baap Pehle Aap he plays Paresh Rawal's son adamant to get dad married.
"Can you imagine two more contrasting father-son films?" Akshaye Laughs. "Mere Baap…is a genuine feel-good film. I like doing such films.
Every father and son would want to share the easygoing rapport between me and Paresh. My character puts his father's happiness ahead of his own. The son is more like a father, and vice versa.
Paresh's character is so childlike. My character is constantly shouting at and disciplining his dad. It's a very heartwarming kind of relationship. Paresh and I have always gotten along. We spend a lot of time together when we're working."
Is Akshaye happy with the quality of cinema he's doing? "I do the films I get. And I'd rather be in a successful film than a good film. Having said that I must say Gandhi My Father is the single-most important film of my career. Probably my best work. I'm immensely attached to it.
Interestingly 2008 is Akshaye's year of comedy. "Agreed my next release Short Cut after Mere Baap Pehle Aap is also an out-and-out comedy. But Race was not a comedy."
If you say so, Akshaye.
(santa banta)
God, we missed you so much, Akshaye!
Shemaroo Entertainment has released the home production film Mere Baap Pehle Aap on home video. Directed by Priyadarshan, Mere Baap Pehle Aap is a comedy flick.
While the VCD of the film is priced at Rs 99, the DVD will be retailed at Rs 299.
This movie portrays unconventional father-son relationship, played by Paresh Rawal and Akshaye Khanna.
Archana Puran Singh, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Shobana, Genelia D’Souza, Rajpal Yadav and Manoj Joshi also have played important characters in the film.
The DVD includes bonus content such as the making of the film, deleted scenes from the film and the promotional video ‘Mere Baap Pehle Aap.’
He might come across as another surprise on the list. Not much has been written about Akshaye Khanna though a lot has been seen and heard about him. Akshaye had a big hit with Race where he repeated the negative act in Abbas-Mustan film with finesse. Add to that he is the only actor to have an additional film on his list that met with average to above average success – Mere Baap Pehle Aap .
(Filmfare)
Akshaye has had a very good year so far box-office wise, much better than many bigger stars and this is the first time a film mag even mentions it.
A great pairing, limited only to this cover.
Please send me more such links/ scans if you have any. I'd love to post any magazine covers of Akshaye paired with an actress.
I am bored of having no new news of Akshaye to post here. So, to make up, go and see these lovely caps Beth took from Kudrat. Wish I was as good at taking screen caps. I suck at it.
Coming to Kudrat. I saw the movie only once. That too on TV! I don't possess the DVD either. I know the movie was horrible and yet another daddy fixation story, this time, Akshaye plays both dad and son! But these pics made me realise how wonderful Akshaye was when he first appeared on screen. I want to go back there. Himalay Putra, Border, Mohabbat, Kudrat and Doli Sajake Rakhna. They maybe awful movies but they are still special because they featured a young actor so radiant and so special.
Katrina Kaif's birthday party has sparked off furious activity (and we're speaking literally) at Mannat and Galaxy Apartments. The showdown between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan has snowballed into a regular camp war, casting its effects across Bollywood. Both Khans are furious, their supporters are worried.
The industry is already taking sides. SRK's supporters camped at Mannat the whole day yesterday, discussing the incident and its fallouts. Sajid Khan and writer Mustaq Sheikh were the first to arrive. Then the calls started coming in. Farhan Akhtar called to offer support, so did Javed Akhtar. Arjun Rampal and Karan Johar made it clear that they were on his side. Kunal Kohli called SRK too. Yash Chopra called to enquire what exactly had happened, making it clear where the loyalty of Yash Raj Films lies.
Meanwhile, At Salman's place too the supporters and supportive calls streamed in. Kapoor called to commiserate with Salman. So did Fardeen and Zayed Khan. Kareena Kapoor called Sallu too. Akshaye Khanna called and tried to cheer him up. Govinda's support is obvious for Sallu, he didn't even need to call. Sajid Nadiadwala is away in Los Angeles, so probably unaware that everyone is indulging in a show of support.
Aamir Khan's well-meaning efforts seem to have been in vain. The industry is abuzz with the feeling that this is the end of the road for the Salman-Shah Rukh relationship. Neither of them is in any mood to relent.
(Mumbai Mirror)
Didn't know Akshaye belonged to Salmaan camp. Stay neutral, Akshaye, as always.
The goss about Akshaye seeing Urvashi made me think. It fits a pattern. He is always sweet on newcomers. He was hot with Riya Sen and she had had first film with Akshaye, he was rumoured to be sweet on Jyothika and she debuted opposite him and now Urvashi, who needless to say starred opposite him in her first movie. Does he like to play Prof.Higgins to every new Eliza Doolittle or what?
From this blog:
Akshaye Khanna has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. But there’s something that might cheer him up now. He has signed a film with his on-off girlfriend Urvashi Sharma and the two will be thrown in each other’s company for three months in New York. Urvashi who was once touted as a name to watch out for, after signing an eight-film contract with Tips, went underground after the debacle of Naqaab. After a year’s gap, she is back to Mumbai and work has come to her instantly. Initially the producers were circumspect about asking Akshaye to play the main lead opposite her, and were thinking of launching a newcomer. But when Akshaye heard the script he was more than willing to be a part of the project, and had no issues with working with her.
Let the speculation begin!
Who would ever forget Akshaye Khanna's memorable performance in Farhan Akhtar's immensely successful directorial debut DIL CHAHTA HAI?
And now as per the latest buzz the two are all set to bond once again with the forthcoming venture VOICES FROM THE SKY, an unusual film about the evolution of telecommunication system. Farhan had announced about this project quite sometime back and was considering Saif Ali Khan for the movie. But for some reasons Saif couldn't be a part of it and ultimately Farhan finalized Akshaye Khanna. When Akshaye heard about the script he was so kicked off by the character that he immediately gave his nod to Farhan. Farhan is looking forward to begin the shooting by the year end.
Meanwhile he is busy with the promotion of his upcoming film ROCK ON!! as a debutant actor which is set to hit the screens in coming August.
(Glamsham)
Another comedy from the stable of Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd will be Neeraj Vora's RUN BHOLA RUN casting Govinda, Tusshar Kapoor, Tanushree Dutta & Amisha Patel. Not just this, Neeraj Vora will be once again directing another laughathon titled ONE WAY TICKET starring Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna & two more Heroines
(Glamsham)
I am glad he's got on board with Astavinayak. I was always wondering why he wasn't signed up by more corporate biggies out there.
Keep signing more movies, Akshoo. Way to go!
Looks like Vancouver has some great fans of Akshaye. I like what they call him. "Bollywood dreamboat." Also, found this review:
When I first saw Akshaye Khanna in a Bollywood film at a friend's place, I was smitten. The photogenic star was definitely good looking, but I was also attracted to the depth, sensitivity, and intelligence he projected on screen that was different from other Bollywood actors I'd seen.
So when I found out he was starring in Gandhi, My Father which is playing at the Granville 7 (which still has one of the cheapest prices in town for a first run film at $7), I was eager to see how he fared in the complex and challenging role of Harilal Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's eldest son, who suffered in the shadow of his famous father.
(Even Will Smith was impressed by the film.)
This biopic informs us that Harilal often wanted an education so he could become a barrister like his father. But his father had other plans for him, such as enlisting him in his passive resistance campaigns which began in South Africa.
Due to his lack of proper schooling and repeated entrance exam failures, Harilal developed a chain of problems that increased as he grew older. His inability to secure a job resulted in a number of debts. His relations with his family, including his wife (endearingly played by Bhumika Chawla) and children, became progressively strained. His turn to drink for escape resulted in alcoholism that worsened and compounded his difficulties.
Tragically, he ended up wandering the streets as a beggar. The irony that his father, who led his nation to independence, could not help his own son with his personal struggles resonates throughout the film.
The film is blessed with gorgeous cinematography, including vibrant scenes of Hindu ceremonies. The pacing suffers from an awkward sluggishness that eventually resolves as the weight of the story gains greater momentum.
Khanna turns in a thoughtful performance, though at times he does tend towards overacting. Darshan Jariwala is convincing as Mahatma Gandhi, who seems utterly perplexed and impotent to help his floundering son, even though some of his own strict decisions led to his demise.
Though many public personas often have troubled relationships in their personal lives, it seems irreconcilable that such a compassionate figure as Mahatma, who reached out to innumerous lives, could not figure out how to aid a life so close to him.
(Straight)
