Jaya gets Samajwadi seat after dumping Amar Singh

In a tactical move, the Samajwadi Party on Wednesday renominated Ms Jaya Bachchan to the Rajya Sabha.

This was a big surprise as there was widespread speculation that Ms Bachchan would be dropped due to her connection with the expelled leader, Mr Amar Singh.

Her renomination also stunned Mr Singh, who appears to be getting isolated from “old and trusted friends”, particularly the Bachchans.

While Ms Bachchan was said to be abroad, Mr Singh accused the SP chief, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, of “driving a wedge between him and the Bachchans”.

Mr Singh also “congratulated” Jaya Bhabi (Ms Bachchan) “for opting for the party in place of her devar (brother-in-law, or Mr Singh himself).”

The announcement on Ms Bachchan’s renomination was made in Lucknow by the SP’s UP unit chief, Mr Akhilesh Yadav, who is the SP chief’s son.

Ms Bachchan’s term was scheduled to end on July 4. This will, technically, be Ms Bachchan’s third term in the Upper House. She had cut off her links with Mr Amar Singh by staying away from his ‘Kshatriya rally’, which was attended by a few loyalists including Ms Jayaprada who were subsequently expelled.

Big B in Tagore adaptation

If all goes well, Amitabh Bachchan may be seen working in a film, whose story is penned by Rabindranath Tagore. The project is going to be helmed by Bengali superstar, Prasonjeet, the son of yesteryear matinee idol, Biswajeet. While the father made it big in Bollywood in the sixties, the son who had followed his father’s footsteps with Meet Mere Man Ke had no such luck. However, he did shine in the Bengali film industry with several hit films to his credit.

Now, after a span of 20 years, Prasonjeet is making a comeback to Bollywood. But this time, as a filmmaker. “Prasonjeet is all set to make a film on Rabindranath Tagore’s story. And he approached Bollywood superstar, Amitabh Bachchan, for the lead role as he felt no one else fits the bill better,” said a source.

When contacted, Prasonjeet confirmed the story, but refused to divulge any details. “The film is to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate. Amitabh Bachchan is just apt for Rabindranath Tagore’s story that I am going to adapt in the film. I don’t want to reveal much at this point of time.”

Big B, Santoshi team for 'The Outsider'

After aweing the audience with his towering performances in 'Rann' and 'Teen Patti', megastar Amitabh Bachchan has now signed a fresh project 'The Outsider' with director Raj Kumar Santoshi.

"Finally, I have accepted Raj Kumar Santoshi's new project 'The Outsider' to be produced under the banner of Feroze Nadiadwala," Bachchan wrote on his blog stating he was coming together with the production house after a huge gap.

"I think we did something in 1973, perhaps 'Adalat'…and then nothing," Big B said.

The superstar, who had three releases in a span of last three months -- in 'Paa', 'Rann' and 'Teen Patti', said he had signed his last film more than a year ago.

"I signed my last film more than a year ago and have not accepted anything fresh since. Primarily, of course because I have not been offered much. But whatever has been offered I have taken as a result of taking something rather than not having anything. I have not shot for a film for almost a year," he wrote.

"The last time I did that, I went into disaster mode. It must not happen again. I must start and start now."

Big B's last film with producer-director Santoshi was 'Khakee'. He was also slated to direct A B Corp's 'Ranveer' starring the Bachchan father-son duo, but the project was scrapped.

Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan claim top honours

Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan were cited as best actor and best actress respectively at the star-studded 55th Filmfare Awards ceremony here late on Saturday.

Bachchan won the award for his role in “Paa”, while Vidya Balan claimed the trophy for her role in the same movie. As Bachchan was not present in the ceremony, Vidya Balan took the award on his behalf.

Hosting the gala night were Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, whose one liners had the audience in splits. Their on-stage chemistry was much appreciated by the Bollywood stars present at the ceremony at the Yash Raj Studios.

“3 Idiots” was declared the best film, while Rajkumar Hirani claimed the best director award for the movie.

A.R. Rahman won the best music director for “Delhi 6”.

Mohit Chauhan won the award for the best male playback singer for the song “masakali” from the movie “Delhi 6”, while the female playback singer honours were shared by Kavita Seth and Rekha Bhardwaj.

While Kavita was awarded for the song “Ik tara” from the movie “Wake Up Sid”, Rekha won the trophy for the song “Genda phool” from the movie “Delhi 6”.

Among the other highlights of the evening was a tribute to legendary pop singer Michael Jackson by Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who charmed the audience with his perfect dance moves.

Raavan to release at Iifa Seoul

There’s something about the Iifa. The event seems to hold definite charm for Mani Ratnam, whose big budget extravaganza Raavan may premier at this year’s edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards — to be held at Seoul in South Korea.
Of course, this isn’t the erstwhile director’s first brush with the Iifa. Yuva, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, had also premiered at Iifa. The Bachchans have a long connection with the Iifa, as Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador of the event. The move may definitely do some good for Raavan, as the Iifa is a popular event and will provide the film with some much desired international exposure and acclaim.
Slated for a July 18 release, Raavan also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachahan, Govinda and South star Vikram.

Suriya to don commando’s role in ‘Kandahar’

After Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, Tamil star Suriya has given his nod to act in the Malayalam film Kandahar, based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight to Afghanistan in 1999, along with Mohanlal.

Suriya will don a commando’s role in the film, its director Major Ravi said.

“It would take another 3-4 months for the shooting to begin. I am still in the process of getting permission from the Army and selection of locations etc. The spade work is going on,” he said.

Bachchan, who will be playing the role of the father of a hijack victim, will be making his appearance in the second half of the film. Major Ravi denied that Bachchan’s role was only a guest appearance.

The storyline was narrated to the Big B during his visit to Kerala earlier this month and he liked it and readily gave his nod.

Resul Pookutty, who won the Oscar in Slumdog Millionaire, is likely to mix the sound for the film. The female lead has not yet been decided, Ravi said.

Amitabh to pay freedom fighter’s pension

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, moved by the strength and conviction of a 90-year-old freedom fighter fighting for her pension, has decided to take care of her for the next five years.

The actor, who made the declaration at the IBN18 Network’s Citizen Journalist Awards, said all Gayatri Devi wanted was her due.

“I am moved by their plight. Particularly that of the 90-year-old lady, and have announced that I shall take care of her pension for the next five years. She blesses me,” the 67-year-old posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

“She has only that element of humanity left in her. She can barely walk. And she is old. And all she wants is her due — her pension — Rs.3,500 per month from the government!!”

Ms. Devi had been on dharna on the streets of the capital for the past four years, fighting to get her pension restored. She was getting money from the Bihar government under the Samman pension scheme for freedom fighters since 1997, and has relevant documents to support her claim. But in 2002 her pension was stopped.

She was told that her name appeared in a list of fake freedom fighters. She approached many prominent leaders and got them to write applications on her behalf, but nothing happened.

CNN-IBN then filed an RTI on her behalf. Soon after, the Delhi government intervened. It moved Ms. Devi into an old age home and granted her a destitute pension. However, her battle will continue till the Bihar government restores her freedom fighter’s pension.

Amitabh to be Gujarat’s brand ambassador

Hindi film icon Amitabh Bachchan on Monday accepted the Gujarat government’s offer to be the new “brand ambassador” for the State.

In his letter of acceptance to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Bachchan said: “You have very graciously considered my appointment as brand ambassador for Gujarat. I accept the offer with great humility. I hope we will be able to work together for the betterment of Gujarat.”

Mr. Bachchan had volunteered to act as the brand ambassador for the State during his visit to Gandhinagar on January 6 for a special screening of his film “Paa,” for Mr. Modi and other top dignitaries in the State, seeking tax exemption for the film. He was all praise for Mr. Modi and Gujarat, and said he was highly impressed by the development of the State and would like to “lend his voice and face” if the government planned any documentary to showcase the State’s case for development in tourism and other sectors. He had also described Mr. Modi as a “simple man,” unlike a head of state.

A thrilled Mr. Modi followed this up by sending him an offer to act as the State’s brand ambassador which was promptly accepted by Mr. Bachchan.