Abhishek to replace Big B on Colors?

Junior Bachchan is all set to make his foray into small screen with Saturday Night Bingo, a game show which will replace his Paa's popular game show Bigg Boss.

The promos of the same are on air which mention about Abhishek’s “aaram classes” opening shortly. The show is being promoted on a website with quizzes and tips about how to test your laziness quotient and an invitation to participate too. The show claims that the audience will not have to use their mind to win cash.

Abhishek’s spoke person tells a daily: “AB Corp is not venturing in any kind of television production at this moment. Abhishek has not started shooting for it either.”

If reports are to be believed, it'll be a weekly show and will start on January 23. Apart from common people, celebrities are also exptected to participate in the show. Advertisement

MP Sachin Pilot in Paa in the form of Abhishek

Abhishek Bachchan not only plays Paa to his own father
Amitabh Bachchan in Paa but also plays the character of a Member of Parliament in the film.

Sources inform that when Abhishek Bachchan took up the role, he wanted to look perfect as a politician in the film. So he adapted the mannerism of his politician friend Sachin Pilot for the role in the movie. The steel rimmed spectacles, the long kurta pyjamas and the walk.”

“Abhishek and Sachin Pilot were friends when they studied together in the Boston University. Hence he knew how Sachin behaved and talked. He decided to use these mannerisms,” adds our source.

“Abhishek even called his friend Sachin and told him that he would be adapting his mannerisms in the film. And Sachin laughed and promptly replied, “Now that you are going to adapt my mannerism it better be good. I will watch the film.” Advertisement

Abhishek will make a good father: Aishwarya

With the release date of the much-anticipated film Paa drawing near, former Miss World turned actress Aishwarya Bachchan has been bombarded with numerous questions though she is not part of the film, as her hubby plays the father of her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan. And the most asked question is – will your hubby Abhishek Bachchan make a good paa (father)?

Aishwarya has given an answer that the Bachchans fans would like to hear. She said that her husband would surely make a good father, as he is very real, rooted and very human. She added that he is so great with kids. But they haven’t started a family, right? Well, Ash has seen her hubby having good time with his niece and nephew since the time they were babies. So, she is very sure that he would make a wonderful father.

She said that she is looking forward to motherhood. She added that she has no gender (boy/girl) preference and would welcome whatever God has in store for them.At the moment, Ash is concentrating on marketing Paa and helping her father-in-law for the premiere of the film to be held tomorrow (3rd Dec.). The film features Amitabh, Abhishek and Vidya Balan in the lead roles. It is produced under the Bachchans home banner AB Corp Ltd and directed by Balki.

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Playing Auro’s dad was challenging: Abhishek

It’s a big challenge for anyone to play the role of the father of a person who taught him to walk and act. In the movie Paa, Abhishek Bachchan plays the father of Auro, enacted by his father Amitabh Bachchan. For him, it was an entirely different experience.In an exclusive interview to Aaj Tak’s Manish Dubey, Abhishek Bachchan says that when he was offered the role in Paa, he immediately accepted it. The reason: he might never get another chance to play the role of his father’s father. He says he had spent a lot of time on his father’s back, and now he is happy to give Auro a ride on his back.Abhishek says he can’t say if what he has done in his movies is worth praising or not and adds that it’s the media and the people to decide on this.

Speaking about Paa, Abhishek says that Auro is a naughty character and playing his father was a challenging task, considering that Auro was played by Amitabh Bachchan.After make-up artists gave the finishing touch to Auro, Abhishek was surprised that a personality like Amitabh could be given such a look. He says the look, along with the personality and acting skills of Amitabh, makes Paa a great movie.He says to call Paa a family entertainer would be cliché but assures that everyone would be happy after watching the movie as the sad part of a kid suffering from Progeria is not the main theme of the movie.Abhishek also quashes all speculations that Paa is the comeback film for AB Corp. He says AB Corps is happy making one or two films a year but wants to make sure that every movie is a full-time entertainer.

On a personal front, he says he would like to take over the responsibility of AB Corp from his father. He candidly says he wants his father to slow down and rest. But also adds that he is in absolute awe of him and does not force anything upon him.Abhishek also says that he would definitely look forward to a movie where his entire family would act together. But such a movie would only happen if all members are happy with their roles and if the script demands them.Abhishek wants all people involved with his film Paa – distributors, producers, etc. – to earn from the movie and says that one of the reasons for making this movie in the budget of Rs 15 crore was that everybody should earn.Well, Abhishek may sound optimistic about the upcoming venture, but its success and Auro’s acceptance will be known once the film is released.

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Farhan rejects film with Abhishek

Apparently, Abhishek and Farhan Akhtar were the first choices for the two parts and since director Rohan Sippy, Abhishek and Farhan are childhood friends, no one saw any problems in the casting. Rohan’s film is being produced by his father Ramesh Sippy, a close family friend of Farhan’s father Javed Akhtar.Although both Rohan Sippy and Farhan Akhtar remained unavailable for comment, a source close to the project said, “Farhan was indeed the first choice to play Abhishek’s co-star.

The on-screen partnering was patterned on those Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor films that Farhan’s father once wrote. Farhan declined the offer, much to the dismay of Rohan’s team, which hadn’t thought of anyone else.”Since the role is as important as Abhishek’s, Rohan and Abhishek have now zeroed in on John Abraham for the same role.“The problem with Abhishek-John is that audiences will immediately think of Dhoom where again, Abhishek played an undercover cop, as he does in Rohan’s film. Rohan’s film is not a light bantering caper like Dhoom.

It’s dark and does an expose on the drug racket in Goa which ends with one of the principal politician characters being exposed as the kingpin,” said the source.

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Aishwarya ditches hubby Abhishek for Akshay

Love and all is fine in its own place, really. When it comes to one’s career, I suppose one needs to be a little ruthless at times, right? At least that’s how Juicy Mausi feels. And so, when I heard that Ash ditched her husband Abhishek for Akshay Kumar, I did not really think it was weird or ‘wrong’. It so happens that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has opted out of her husband Abhishek Bachchan’s film Crooked produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani citing ‘date problems’.

Apparently, the dates clash with her other commitment – Vipul Shah’s Action Replay starring Akshay Kumar.Since Action Replay is neariAsh ditches hubby Abhi for Akking completion and Crooked is going on the floors not before January 2010, Juicy Mausi doesn’t think there should’ve been too many chronological problems.However, one needs to prioritise certain things in life.

Of course, when one wants to get ahead! And it’s not like Ash is leaving her husband Abhishek altogether. They are still very much together darlings.

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Abhishek-Aishwarya in State Dinner top 10 wish list

At a time when there is a virtual scramble for first State Dinner of US President Barack Obama on November 24 in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a US news outlet has come out with its own top 10 wish list of the invitees.Topping the list released by Politico ? known for coverage of the Capitol Hill and the White House ? is top industrialist Mukesh Ambani, who met the President early this year. He is followed by writer-turn activist Arundhati Roy.”As India has assumed a larger role on the global stage, Roy has spoken out against globalisation, Indian poverty and the country’s nuclear weapons programme ? though she has often stirred up controversy,” Politico said and put Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat next on the list, followed by Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.”Rai and Bachchan (or Ash and Abhi, as they are known to their fans) are the biggest stars of Bollywood.

They have billions ? not millions ? of fans; Bachchan has starred in more than 40 movies, and Rai can earn up to USD 15 million per film. If Obama needed to boost his popularity around the world, here is his ticket to the heart of India,” it said.West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi too makes it to the wish list on the basis of him being the grandsons of Mahatma Gandhi; given the personal admiration of the Father of the Nation by Obama.”But politics and admiration for Mohandas aren’t the only things that Gopalkrishna and Obama have in common ? both have written books, and both have two daughters,” it said.Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American to be elected as Governor of a US State, Raj Goyle ? the fast emerging young Democratic leaders are the two Indian American politicians in the wish list; which also includes Raghubir Goyal, White House Correspondent, India Globe.

Politico’s wish list also includes Jeffrey Immelt, General Electric.”As CEO of General Electric, Immelt knows a thing or two about India. His company is one of the biggest US investors in India. And since GE owns NBC Universal, Immelt knows a thing or two about celebrity and the news business. With NBC and GE stock both struggling, an invite for Immelt might be a much-needed vote of confidence,” it said.

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Dad is a naughty child: Abhishek

Ask Abhishek Bachchan if he was happy to carry his dad Amitabh Bachchan around on his shoulders while shooting for R. Baalki’s Paa, and the guy gets emotional.”It was really nice carrying him,” says Abhishek, adding that it got him really nostalgic. “As I child, I remember looking down at everyone as I would sit on my father’s shoulder,” he adds.

Abhishek gets emotional talking about his bond with his father and says this was one way he could relive memories. Only this time, he was the father. “And he (Amitabh) is a very naughty child!” he adds.Interestingly, Abhishek adds that he is trying to figure a way to keep the equation between him and his father the same in real life as well!

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When Abhishek plays Paa to Amitabh Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan has turned a father, that too of a 13-year-old kid! Don’t get surprised. Junior B is playing dad to his actual father – Big B – in their upcoming movie Paa.It takes five hours for the make-up and 68-year-old Amitabh Bachchan is made to look like a 13-year-old kid as he plays a character called Aaro, suffering from progenia in the film. So an older Amitabh is given child-like looks in the movie. Of course, a whole lot of prosthetics and make-up techniques go into getting the right look. All thanks to international make-up artist duo – Christian Kifle and Dominic – as Big B’s make-up was just perfect.

To achieve this kind of looks, the subject is completely stripped off his clothes and is covered in a layer of make-up. Everything from his nose, eyes and mouth are covered leaving just about a sufficient opening for the person to breathe.In fact, it has been so overwhelming for Bachchan that he has often blogged about the experience.”I drove back to the hotel to another trial of make up for Paa. This has just gotten over and even after a hot shower bits and pieces of prosthetics linger irritatingly all over the body. It almost feels to an outsider as though I were losing all my skin,” he wrote recently.

And for every scene Amitabh had to go through the ordeal of a five-hour make-up routine. Interestingly, it did not end just there. Big B had to sit through another hour and a half routine to take the paint off.”The prosthetics and make up timings are improving as is the ability to eat something with it on. My speech suffers whilst I am in the cover of the moulds. But it comes as an added advantage to the play in the character I portray,” Big B adds.

The makers of the film went through a three-month trial with Big B for a look test. Make-up artists tried new looks everyday before finalising one for the character.

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Abhishek-Aishwarya get 25-crore for ad!

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan to be seen together for the first timein an ad for a soap. Buzz is, they have beenpaid Rs 25 crore. After their marriage, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have seldom been seen apart. Be it filmi events, the Cannes festival, films such as Sarkar Raj and forthcoming films Raavana and Crooked or even a recent episode of the Oprah Winfrey show, the doting couple is always seen hand-in-hand, smiling happily much to the delight of photographers.

Now, the couple is ready to take brand Bachchan to an altogether next level with a soap commercial. Buzz is that they are being paid a whopping Rs 25 crore for the ad. The deal, which has been kept under wraps, was finalised four days ago.Explaining why the couple was paid an exorbitant amount, that too for an ad film, a source said, “The endorsement market is booming right now. Also, it will be the first time that Abhishek and the Bachchan bahu will be seen together in a commercial.

The couple had been in talks for a long time with the ad filmmakers, who were extremely keen to get the two together. They finally agreed to be part of the ad last week.”

The ad is likely to be shot abroad. Advertisement

Abhishek-Kareena come together

Over the years, Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor have been quite vociferous about not wanting to work together after his marriage to Karisma Kapoor was called off. Now things seem to be looking up as Kareena and Abhishek are in the mood to move on and have agreed to star together in a film after six years. Buzz is that the two have been signed for Abbas Mustan’s untitled film, a remake of the Hollywood film, Italian Job. The movie will also star Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles.A source says, “Initially talks were on with Saif Ali Khan but he did not have dates and Abhishek Bachchan replaced him.

Although Saif and Kareena’s chemistry would have sizzled onscreen, it will be nice to watch Abhishek and Kareena after Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, which was their last film together in 2003. Both actors made their acting debut together in Refugee and have been in the industry for years but have only starred together in two films till date.”While Kareena’s manager Zahid denies that she has signed the film, a source close to Abbas Mustan says, “The directors always had Kareena in mind and now they have managed to get Katrina on board too.The film will go on the floors in April and like every Abbas Mustan film, this too will also be shot on a lavish budget at international locations.

The directors are clear about who they want to cast in the film.”The Italian Job (2003) rights are with Studio 18. CEO Sandeep Bhargava of Studio 18 says, “We have the rights of Italian Job. Abbas Mustan are working on the script and will also direct the film. The movie will go on the floors sometime next year.”When asked about the star cast, Bhargava says, “We can’t approach any actors till the script is ready.”Despite several attempts, Abbas Mustan remained unavailable for comment.

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Abhishek Serves Homemade 'Halwa' to Kargil Jawans

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan had a home made surprise in store for the soldiers during his recent trip to Kargil; 'Gajar Ka Halwa' and 'Aam Ras' cooked by his superstar wife Aishwarya Rai amd mother Jaya Bachchan.

Abhishek travelled to Kargil to pay tribute to the war heroes ahead of Vijay Diwas on July 26 and met with the soldiers.

The actor who took an 8-hour long drive to pay his tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Kargil war 10 years ago, also had a special message for the soldiers from his legendary father Amitabh Bachchan.

Abhishek who was in the high altitude region recited the famous poem 'Agnipath' composed by his late grandfather Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

The junior Bachchan also visited some of the locations where Kargil war was fought and recounted his experiences while shooting for the movie "LOC Kargil", which was inspired by the war.

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