Aakorsh first song

A new pic or an old one?

Akshaye back with a bang

The reclusive Akshaye Khanna has always been known for his acting skills. But after his last hit Race, over two years back, the actor has only been seen in box office duds like Short Kut and Mere Baap Pehle Baap. However, now it looks like the actor is all set to change that and was simply biding his time.

According to sources, before the end of this year, Akshay has three big banner releases lined up that will wow the audience. He will be seen in Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan, Priyadarsahn’s Aakrosh and finally in Anees Bazmee’s next titled No Problem.

While in Tees Maar Khan Akshaye will be working for the first time with Akshay Kumar and Farah Khan, his other releases will see him teaming up with old pals. Akshaye had earlier worked with Priyan in Doli Sajake Rakhna, Hungama, Hulchul and Mere Baap Pehle Aap.

He is also a favourite with director Aneez Bazmee (Deewangee), and producer Anil Kapoor (Gandhi My Father and Short Kut). Hope all these biggies will be able to put Akshaye back in the race. Only time can tell.

It was getting pretty unbearable and this is great but he doesn't have any movies after that. Hope I won't have to wait another two years for another AK movie.

Best Friends

Aamir Khan names Akshaye as his best friend in Bollywood.

Aakrosh first look

Like it!

Aakrosh website

Aakorsh official website.

Follow the links to Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Thanks for the links.

Akshaye on Priyan and Aakrosh

Priyadarshan couldn’t have timed it better. His hard-hitting action thriller about love across caste barriers and honour killings based on a Times of India report, releases worldwide on October 1.

A year ago, when Priyan joined hands with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak (Omkara), the makers hadn’t envisaged that parts of India would be under siege of the khap panchayats. Big Screen Entertainer’s Aakrosh has Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna playing CBI officers - one on special deputation to the village and the other, the local officer. The other cast members are Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal, Reema Sen and Amita Pathak in a stellar role.

Another USP of the film is the music by the current Bollywood craze Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Mangat is very confident the film will hammer the right message as far as honour killings go. “This is a topic that has taken India by storm. Ours is a hard-hitting commercial film that is likely to drive home the message to the masses and the gentry,’’ he says. “Omkara got me awards. Aakrosh should get me awards and rewards.’’

Ajay, whose equity is bullish after three hits - All the Best, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, feels the film will work. Says the actor, “Bollywood is going through an interesting and important phase. Today a filmmaker has the liberty to address a topical issue within the mainstream format, combining entertainment and a social message. I revel in roles that have a very life-like quality. Here the cops are not cardboard cut-outs but people you can identify with. Aakrosh is a racy thriller that keeps you on the edge.’’

For Akshaye, his relationship with Priyan has a deep-rooted understanding. Says he, “I’ve probably the most number of films with Priyan. I’m well-versed with his style and his narrative. Aakrosh was a great experience. Ajay and I are coming together after our last successful outing Deewangee, so that’s another added incentive.’’ Bipasha says her role has very interesting shades. “You’ll get me as Seeta and Geeta,” she smiles.

The National Award-winner Priyadarshan, who has handled comedies and social dramas with equal ease, says Aakrosh will get him the accolades he got for Viraasat, Kala Paani, and his recent Kanjeevaram. “I’m sure it should also bring in the required box office numbers because I have been getting incessant messages after the theatrical trailer that played before Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai,” said the director.

Akshaye dropped from The Italian Job and added to Race 2?

The shy Bobby Deol will be seen in a multi-starrer that doesn’t include his dad and brother after a long time. He has been signed on for Abbas-Mustan’s remake of The Italian Job. The actor will be working with Abbas-Mustan again after a long time. The director duo and Bobby have delivered super hits like Soldier, Ajnabee and Humraaz in the past.

Our source said, “The director duo have made many films in the past with Bobby but their last film Naqaab did not work at the box office. This will also be the second film where we will see Bobby and Abhishek Bachchan together after Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Both of them will be playing lead roles in the film while Neil Nitin Mukesh will be playing the negative lead. There were reports that Akshaye Khanna would be acting in the film, but he will be doing Race 2 with the directors and not this film.”

As per reports the film will go on the floors in November.

We want confirmation that he's been added to Race 2 but why can't he be in both movies?

Aakrosh on Oct.1

In Bollywood, these days it's become quite common for filmmakers to use common sense and avoid a clash between two big films. Only recently, you had Karan Johar prepone the release of his home production We Are Family from Sept 10 to Sept 3 in order to avoid a clash with the eagerly awaited Salman Khan starrer Dabangg.

Now yet another clash has been averted between Sanjay Dutt starrer Knock Out and Ajay Devgn starrer Aakrosh. Both the above mentioned films were to release on Oct 1 but better sense prevailed among producers Sohail Maklai (of Knock Out) and Kumar Mangat (of Aakrosh) and eventually it has been decided that while Aakrosh will release as scheduled on Oct 1, Knock Out will come out on either Oct 8 or Oct 15.

Knock Out directed by Mani Shankar is an edge of the seat thriller starring Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut while Aakrosh directed by Priyadarshan is a story about honour killing starring Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu in lead roles.

Considering that the lead actors of the two films Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn are also good friends, we are sure that taking such a mutually beneficial decision wouldn't have been too hard for the makers of the respective films.

Akshaye on facebook

Akshaye on facebook! Nah, it's just fans like us.

Why won't he take trouble to twitter at least like his brother?

Aakrosh First Promo

Wow. This looks like one of the best movies Akshaye has made in a while. Probably, the best after DCH and Gandhi--My Father.

Update: I have read speculation on net that this movie is based on Mississippi Burning. I haven't seen the movie but from the reviews it appears that the role Akshaye is playing is quite small compared to the other one. Sigh. Hoepfully, it gives him enough to make an impact.

Finally...............

I am hearing Aakrosh promos are out on Indian cable tv. Please somebody put them on youtube or at least post your reactions.

Eligible

WTF? Only no.9?

Akshaye is absolutely the best actor in Bollywood

Farah Khan's TEES MAAR KHAN is already under way big time and is all set to for a Christmas release. The director of the film, Farah Khan was all praises for Akshaye Khanna, who is playing a pivotal role in the film.

Said the filmmaker, "I have worked with Akshaye Khanna in his very first film, BORDER. He has changed a lot. He has matured a lot. I don't think we have a better actor than Akshaye Khanna in our industry. He's a superb actor."


Farah Khan also feels that Akshay Khanna is very underrated. "He's highly underrated. But only he is responsible for it because he never does his own publicity. He doesn't go to parties or does photo shoots. He is very low key. But in TEES MAAR KHAN he is absolutely the surprise package," said the director.


THis certainly represents a great change from Farah's previous stance towards Akshaye. The way she's building him up, I hope these two forge a constructive relationship like the one Akshaye has with Anil Kapoor, Priyadarshan and Abbas-Mustan
TEES MAAR KHAN, which releases on 24th December 2010, also stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif.

Akshjaye confirmed for The Italian Job remake

Finally the most talked about Bollywood remake of The Italian Job is underway. After a long delay, director duo Abbas-Mustan have managed to get together the cast for the remake of the Hollywood superhit. The film already had Abhishek Bachchan playing the lead role but there were question marks over who would play the leading lady as no actress has been finalised. Katrina Kaif had initially agreed to sign the film but backed out due to date problems. However, the film is now scheduled to go on the floors and the remaining cast has been finalised.

Our source said, “Abhishek Bachchan will play the lead role played by Mark Wahlberg in the original film while veteran actor Dharmendra has been signed on to play the role of Donald Sutherland. Akshaye Khanna, Kunal Khemu and Neil Nitin Mukesh have been finalised to play the rest of the characters. Neil will be playing a negative role in the film for the first time and the female leads are yet to be finalised. This will be the first time that Abhishek Bachchan will work with Dharmendra in a film. Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan have worked together in umpteen films including the classic Sholay and it will be interesting to watch them onscreen sharing the same frame

Whose role do you think he'' reprise?

Blogorama

Apparently, there's a blograma is going on and everybody and their moms are dumping on my poor Akshoo. I'll say in my best Chris Crocker imitation though: Leave Akshoo's hair alone!

Thanks Beth for the link.

Stag party

On Tuesday afternoon Anil Kapoor not known to throw open the doors for too many social occasions, hosted a very special small and intimate lunch for his co-stars of Anees Bazmi’s No Problem.

There was just one problem. The female co-stars Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut and Neetu Chandra were not invited for the wrap-up lunch at Anil Kapoor’s office.

This was a bit odd considering wrap -up parties are meant for the entire crew.The ladies being a must since they add a glamour quotient.

Even the director was missing from what seems to be the most exclusive wrap-up party in the history of Indian cinema.

Says Anil stubbornly, “No no. Only Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and I were there from the cast. There were a few other associates. But that’s it. We wanted it to be a stag party. Just so that Sanju, Akshaye and I could bond araam se, just have a boys’ afternoon.”

The “boys” spoke about things that are generally avoided when ladies are around.

So why was Anees left out?

Chuckles Anil, “How can Anees be left out? He has left for Canada to shoot with my daughter Sonam for Thank You. Anees is like family.

I’ve done three comedies No Entry, Welcome and now No Problem with him. And just when No Problem was complete he starts shooting with Sonam. So you see, there’s a family tie with Anees.”

Anil lets out that he was responsible for Anees turning director. “It happened during the shooting of Mr Azaad 16 years ago.

The director T Rama Rao was unavailable for a week. I suggested Anees who had scripted the film, take over for that one week. Even then I knew what Anees was capable of.”

Apparently Anees would also like to launch Anil’s son Harsh. Says Anil, “It’s too early to think of that. Harsh has not decided what he wants to do.”

The wrap-up party for No Problem was over-due. “We rushed back from South Africa after the shooting. We had no time for a party.

So I decided we boys should get together in Mumbai. I won’t call it a farewell party. Sanju, Akshaye and I are too close to disperse after a movie.”

So, No Problem shooting is complete. Great news.

Jaldi Five with Akshaye

Your best film till date? Why?

Dil Chahta Hai and Gandhi My Father. Dil Chahta Hai has established me in the industry in a new way. And Gandhi, My Father is something which I enjoyed doing.

What do you appreciate most in woman?

Kindness and silence. Beauty, of course, and cooking skills. The latter is very high on the list.

Do you have any OCDs?

I don’t like noise. I have no OCDs of the kind that will make you laugh.

What are the things that complete your days?

A good workout, especially in the outdoors. I am the one who doesn’t do a workout to lose weight, but because I love doing it, and that’s when I enjoy it.

What kind of a person were you in your childhood?

I used to be a stupid, little boy, not fully understanding the responsibility of being a professional. But now I am grown up. Films are something where you cant afford to be a pain in the ass.

Lola interviews Akshaye

Akshaye interviewed by Lola on Channel V. I don't have the video yet but go here for the transcript. It's a very amusing fun interview.

Nishaad is now Garam Hawa

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak and Ajay Devgn had a title clash for their next, a Priyan film. On Friday night, after a heated discussion between the two, the film was finally christened Garam Hawa.
'Garam Hawa' was apparently Paresh Rawal's suggestion. Paresh says, "Amongst all the titles, Garam Hawa had the strongest impact."



Action time
Priyadarshan says, "Initially, I was a bit sceptical about calling it Garam Hawa. My film has lots of violence and action, and the title needed to carry a strong punch. None but GH suited it best!" Akshaye Khanna echoes the thought.

Kumar Mangat informs us that there were five titles in contention. "We had selected Ardh Satya, Nishaad, Man Maani, Garam Hawa and Isshaq. The film is an action-thriller with tongue-in-cheek humor. I felt people might connect to MS Sathyu's Garam Hawa and remember that film. I liked Man Maani and Isshaq as the film revolves around a love story upon which honour killing and other plots unfold."

Ajay Devgn argues, "How many of this generation would know about MS Sathyu's Garam Hawa and relate to it? Also the film is not a love story but around the honor killing in a village and the two guys, an army and CBI officer who come to investigate it, so Isshaq would give it a different connotation. It's an action-thriller.

Make an impact
'Man Maani' sounds too frivolous and would give the impression of being another emotional comedy. I thought with the right kind of action and visuals, Akshaye and I with guns would make a tremendous impact with the title of Garam Hawa. In fact, we could even have a song in the film based around it."
Akshaye, Paresh and Priyan silently supported Ajay until Mangat reluctantly conceded defeat.

I think Akshaye will rock this movie. I'm liking his look.