SRK gifts Italian bike to Sanjay Dutt & acoustic guitar to Priyanka Chopra

We all know that Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt will be making a cameo in Shah Rukh's upcoming film Ra.One. Well, Dutt who willingly did the cameo in the film for free was 'repaid' with a thoughtful gift by SRK.

Dutt, whose passion for bikes is well known, received a gift worth approx Rs. 15 lakhs in the form of a high-end Italian cruiser bike from SRK! Speaking about this, Dutt said "I really appreciate what Shah Rukh has done. It's a thoughtful gesture."

And that's not all. Priyanka Chopra shot for Ra.One yesterday, despite it being her birthday. The shoot went on till late night. SRK however, thanked Priyanka in his own sweet way. Since Priyanka loves musical instruments, he gifted an expensive acoustic guitar to the actress, after the shoot.

Karan Johar plans Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham sequel...

A sequel to the 2001 blockbuster starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan is in the pipeline, confirms Karan Johar

Ten years after its release the multistarrer blockbuster Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, finally gears up for a sequel.

Though Amitabh Bachchan had been blogging about the possibility of a venture that takes the travails of the Raichand family forward, for some time now, director and producer Karan Johar confirmed to Mumbai Mirror that he would indeed like to recreate the magic of K3G, soon.

Admitting to the fact that K3G 2 is indeed in the pipeline, Karan said, "It's a workable idea. I am no longer averse to it. It would be a bold step if I make it."

Also, the fact that the six key cast members of the film - Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor are all gung-ho about the sequel makes the project a certainty.

"It's very strange. But all the six main members of the cast are as dear to me now as they were 10 years ago when I made the film. I'm sure they're as charged about the sequel as I am," said Karan, who had already revealed his plans about the sequel to the concerned members of the cast.

In fact, the seed of the idea for a sequel was planted by one of them.

"At first, when his friends suggested a sequel, KJo just laughed it off saying that it was financially impractical to attempt something so big in this day and age.

However, Big B made him realise that a sequel was not only possible but also desirable. Mr Bachchan also said that only Karan could pull it off," informed a source.

Talking about the sequel, Big B even revealed on his blog, "It would be a story on the growth of the brothers and the problems that arise because of their independent understanding and working of the business empire of the father, a split within them and so on..."

The recent success of sequels added to Karan's conviction. With the Golmaal, Dhamaal and Murder franchises doing better than most first time films this year, the idea for a multistarrer sequel gained ground.

With Dostana 2 failing to take off, a sequel to the Raichand family saga might be what Dharma Productions needs to join the trend.

Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham in 2001 was nominated across fifteen categories at the Filmfare Awards.

It won five, making this one of the 'tallest family films' by Dharma Productions. And if all goes well, we may soon be seeing the Raichands repeat their success on screen, ten years after they first made an appearance.

Don 2 Movie trailer : First Look

Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Kunal Kapoor
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Releasing: December 23rd 2011

Kunal back to books for flying exam

Actor Kunal Kapoor, whose second passion after acting is flying planes, is busy with physics and mathematics queries for his flying exam so that he can get his licence soon.

Kunal has been been spending a considerable amount of time locked up in his study for good results and enjoying going back to books.

"I remember, in school, I used to dread exams but for an actor, every Friday is like the biggest possible exam. So now, every other exam really seems like a cakewalk. And it's actually great fun going back to books. It takes you back to your college and school days, especially the dozing off before the end of the lecture bit. I am loving the experience!" said Kunal.

The 33-year-old will be seen next in Farhan Akhtar's "Don: The Chase Continues" with Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra.

Priyanka Chopra's 'Don 2' stunt double dies

New Delhi, July 12 : Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra's "Don 2: The Chase Continues" stunt double Bibi, a girl from Berlin, passed away Monday due to unknown reasons. Priyanka, and her co-star, Shah Rukh Khan paid their condolences on Twitter.

 "It's shocking how unpredictable life can be. Bibi, my stunt double from Don 2 passed away. Taught me all I did in the film," Priyanka posted on her Twitter page.

"RIP Bibi... here's a prayer for her and courage her family...from all of us on Don 2," added the 28-year-old, who is said to have some heavy duty action sequences in the movie.

Shah Rukh, who plays the main lead, wrote: "A prayer from all in Don 2 for our friend & stunt girl Bibi...who left us for a better place. Lov u (sic)."

However, both the actors did't say what was the reason behind Bibi's death.

"Don 2: The Chase Continues", directed by Farhan Akhtar, is the sequel to the 2006 film, "Don: The Chase Begins Again", which itself is a remake of the 1978 film "Don".

The film is set for release in Dec 2011.

Shah Rukh Khan crosses million mark on Twitter

New Delhi, July 11 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has got more than a million followers on Twitter a little over a year-and-half after joining the micro-blogging site.

"Celebrating the million mark by watching Bambi with my daughter. Feeling the warmth...thanx all. Love u," Shah Rukh posted on his page Monday.

The actor, who hooked on to Twitter in Jan 2010, amassed over 10,000 followers within the first 24 hours of joining the Bollywood brigade on the website.

However, Shah Rukh is not the first Indian celebrity to achieve this feat, as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, author-politician Shashi Tharoor and actress Priyanka Chopra crossed the million-mark before him.

These days, the 45-year-old is gearing up for the release of his superhero film "RA.One", which will hit the screens this Diwali.

Big B is 'stunning actor and gentleman,' says King Khan

Toronto, June 26 : For King Khan, Big B is still the super star of Bollywood.

Asked about his super status at a press conference here, Shah Rukh Khan said the credit for his success should be given to "people who work behind scenes".

It would be wrong for him to claim the whole credit for his current status, said King Khan.

The super star said Big B remains "the most stunning actor and a gentleman".

About his long absences from the IIFA Awards, he said: "I know a lot of people make a thing of the seven years that I have not been at IIFA ...it has no personal angst to it. It is just that it falls during the summer holidays for my young kids.''

Shah Rukh Khan said the media has created a myth that film stars are petty-minded people who get together under one roof at awards ceremonies.

When a Star TV reporter asked why Bollywood stars don't show up together at major awards ceremonies, King Khan said: "That's no big deal. Any star who has the time, comes. Yeh apke damage main hai ke actors/actresses ek chhat ke niche naahi aana pasand karte. Achhi baat yeh hai ke sab masroof hain aur masroofiat se aa nahi sakte. Otherwise none of us has any issues."

Turning to the reporter, the Bollywood super star said: "I actually don't understand your question. We all have been under one roof many times and we are very proud of all the award functions, IIFA specially, around the world. Whenever we are called, we attend."

Further, King Khan angrily said: "Your channel said (some time ago) that I am not going to a function because Mr Bachchan is there. That's not true. That's rubbish. But we cannot question your rubbish...(like that) we are so small-minded...All of us come together whenever we have the time to perform, especially when we go to present our best face internationally, like here in Toronto."

SRK, Anushka win best actors at IIFA

Toronto, June 26 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was named the best male actor for Karan Johar's "My Name Is Khan", while Anushka Sharma picked the trophy for her role in "Band Baaja Baraat" at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards here.

Anushka, who played a lively wedding planner in the movie, received her trophy from Shilpa Shetty Saturday night. Shah Rukh got his award from Anil Kapoor and American actress Hilary Swank, a surprise attraction at IIFA.

The best director award went to Karan Johar for "My Name Is Khan" - a story of a Muslim boy suffering from Asperger's syndrome.

What made Johar's award even more special was that he was presented the trophy by "Jerry Maguire" actor Cuba Gooding Jr, who was joined on stage by Indian beauty Bipasha Basu.

"Dabangg" took away the best film award.

'Dabangg' bags seven IIFA awards

Toronto, June 26 : Salman Khan starrer "Dabangg", last year's biggest Bollywoodhit, was adjudged the best film at the glittering 12th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards here. The action-comedy bagged seven awards.

Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was named the best male actor for his performance as an asperger patient in Karan Johar's "My Name Is Khan", while Anushka Sharma received the best female actor for her lively role of a wedding planner in "Band Baaja Baraat".

The city's Roger's Centre erupted in cheers Saturday evening when Shah Rukh received the award from Anil Kapoor and Hollywood actress Hillary Swank who greeted the audience with a "Namaste".

Paying tributes to Yash Johar, whose seventh death anniversary falls Sunday, King Khan said: "I am glad that I could receive this award on this day. I have received so much love that tonight I am a Torontonian."

Karan Johar, who got the best director award for "My Name Is Khan" and said: "This is my first IIFA award. It couldn't have been possible without the brilliance of the protagonist of the film - Shah Rukh Khan. I dedicate it to my dad...I love and miss him."

In all, "Dabangg" bagged seven awards, including best female debut for Sonakshi Sinha.

Presenting the award to Sonakshi, yesteryears' diva Hema Malini said: "I saw this girl and never thought she will become an actress."

A beaming Sonakshi said: "Toronto, itna pyar (so much love). Thanks for giving me the gift of IIFA. I will cherish it forever."

Ranvir Singh won the award for best debut male award for his role in "Band Baaja Baaraat" Accepting the award from veteran actor couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, the young actor said: "It is special to me as the award is presented by my idol. (But) it is just the beginning."

The award for male supporting role went to Arjun Rampal for playing a politician in the political thriller "Raajneeti".

"'Raajneeti' is very close to my heart...I hope that I can be like Dharamji fifty years in the industry," said Arjun. Prachi Desai won the trophy for female supporting role for her performace in underworld drama "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai".

Mamta Sharma won the award for best female playback singer for her song "Munni Badnaam" in "Dabanng".

"I love you so much... Shah Rukh I love you much... Toronto I love you so much," said Mamta as Arshad Warsi handed her the award in the company of show co-hosts Boman Irani and Ritesh Deshmukh as well as Shah Rukh Khan.

The award for best male playback singer went to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for "Tere mast mast do nain" from "Dabanng".

For best lyrics, the award went to Niranjan Iyengar for penning "Sajda" and "Noor-e-Khuda" in "My Name is Khan". The award was accepted by Karan Johar on his behalf. For best music direction, the award went to Sajid-Wajid and Lalit Pandit for "Dabangg".

The award for best story went to Shibani Bathija for "My Name is Khan". It was presented by Brett Lee, Fardeen Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala.

The award for best screenplay went to Abhinav Kahsyap and Dileep Shukla for "Dabangg". Zeenat Aman, Prakash Mehra and Sant Singh Chatwal presented the award.

The award for best dialogue went to Vishal Bharadwaj for "Ishqiya". Mallika Sherawat and Brian White - her co-star in a Hollywood movie - presented the award.

Sonu Sood received the award for best performance in a negative role for "Dabangg".

Dharmendra won an award for his half-century in Indian cinema, while the Outstanding Achievement Award went to Sharmila Tagore.

Handing Sharmila the award, Shabana Azmi said: "I am honoured to present this award to an actress for whom I have the highest regard - a path-breaker, achiever, a person who has been successful in every avatar she has chosen."

Sharmila said the award was "such a satisfying thing. It's fantastic. After Dharamji, it is a tough act to follow".

She recalled Dharmendra's large heartedness when he agreed to a change in schedule for the shooting of a film when she had to "rush to Calcutta for personal reasons as Tiger (her husband) was in the West Indies".

Asha Bhosle received the Lifetime Achievement Award. "She has been my favourite singer. She creates magic in ordinary songs," said Subash Ghai, presenting her the award. Priyanka Chopra wowed the crowd by performing a medley of Bhosle's songs before the award was presented.

For the first time at the IIFA, Star Plus channel presented the Hottest Pair award to Anushka Sharma and Ranvir Singh for which 15 million votes were cast online.

"Anushka, you make me feel hot," said Ranvir accepting the award in her company.

The first Green IIFA Award by Panasonic went to actress Priyanka Chopra. "This was totally unexpected," the actress said.

Ritiesh Deshmukh bagged the award for best performance in a comic role for the film "Housefull". Irrfan Khan, whom Anil Kapoor lauded for his performances on the global stage, received the IIFA award for his international performances.

Shah Rukh Khan blames smoking habit on days with theatre

Toronto, June 27 : Bollywood super star Shah Rukh Khan blames his initial days with theatre for his smoking habit.

Recalling his days as a theatre actor in Delhi, he said: "I remember when a fireplace was put up, the guys used to go behind the fireplace to smoke and put out the fire. That's how I also started smoking and it is not my fault. It has (this habit) got all to do with theatre."

The Badshah of Bollywood, who arrived in Toronto for the 12th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony, said he would love to return to theatre as it was his first love.

"I belong to theatre. I started off doing a lot of stage in Delhi... first small time and then a little on the streets. Always the desire was to be a theatre actor. I used to work with John Barry and even Sheilaji - a lot of wonderful producers, directors. We used to go out and perform in small little theatres and on stages."

He added, "The Kingdom of Dreams (in Gurgaon) wants me to come and perform under the tutelage of Shiamak Davar."

Challenging Dawar and making fun of his knee problem, he said, "My dance is better than yours even on one leg."

When a reporter asked him in lighter vein in Hindi, "Kya mard ko dard naahi hota: (whether a man like him doesn't feel pain) - Shah Rukh replied in the same vein - "Mard ko bahut dard hota hai" (the man feels a lot of pain). 

The actor said he was advised two weeks ago not to perform, but he didn't want to go back on his commitment to Wizcraft "who have been very kind to me all these years".

He said his knee surgery is scheduled for July. 

Shahrukh unlikely to perform at IIFA

Toronto, Jun 24 : Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is doubtful to perform during the Floriana Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) function to be held here tomorrow due to his fractured left knee.

"It would be hard for me to perform with a fractured knee but hopefully, I will try to entertain the people of Toronto on the stage," the Bollywood heart throb told mediapersons after he was given a rousing welcome at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on his arrival from India this morning.

With young girls and boys shouting "Shahrukh" and "King Khan" and a small troupe of Toronto youths performing in front of him at the lobby which was joined by Sharukh, the actor said he is attending IIFA after six years and is looking forward to the D-day.

"My family and children are with me and we hope to enjoy the next three days in Toronto," he said. 

The actor also confirmed that his next venture Ra.one is complete and post-production is underway.

Sharukh would attend a media briefing later in the day.

Badshah Shah Rukh Khan gets grandest treatment in Toronto

Toronto, June 25 : Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is truly Bollywood's badhshah and his welcome at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York hotel was proof enough!As around a hundred fans, who waited to catch a glimpse of the actor at the hotel lobby Friday morning, the actor broke into an impromptu little jig despite his knee injury - turning his entry into a mini red carpet walk!

Looking dapper in a casual jacket, jeans and sunglasses, the actor arrived at the hotel amid much cheer, applause, and shout outs from girls who went "SRK, come here, SRK come here".

Ever since the IIFA kickstarted, fans have been awaiting Shah Rukh's arrival, and they didn't want to miss it for anything.

Natasha Khalfan, a crazy SRK fan took off from work, and reached the hotel at 8 a.m. even when she knew he won't arrive before 10 a.m.

"I have taken day off just to see Shah Rukh. I have been following him on Twitter, and he has been writing about his flight and his injury. Whoever wanted to miss the chance of seeing him! Oh my god...I just saw SRK!," an over-excited Khalfan told IANS.

"I even said 'I love you' to him, and can you imagine...he looked at me, and smiled back. Oh my god! It's the most precious moment of my life," said the recently married Khalfan, who tells that her husband proposed to her "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" style.

Gujarati girl Viral Paun was another fan, who had been awaiting Shah Rukh's visit, and says she didn't sleep at all the last night because she feared missing Shah Rukh's arrival.

There were other young girls - Riya Oommen and Shikha Jagwani from Mississauga, who felt "luckiest" to reach the hotel at the same time as Shah Rukh even when they didn't know about his flight timings.

"What a perfect timing!" The die-hard "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" fans screamed excitedly, and added: "This is the closest as it could get! We were just in time to see him. He is the most talented actor!"

Even the security personnel had a hard time managing the crowds.

"Many actors have come ever since the IIFA kickstarted. But managing Shah Rukh Khan has been the hardest!" said a hotel official.

Shah Rukh has returned to IIFA after six years, and he will be performing at the IIFA awards night after seven years.

Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra paired for 2 States

There has been a lot of discussions surrounding  the casting of the movie ‘2 States’, which is based on Chetan Bhagat’s ‘2 States’. But after some time, the casting of the movie has been finalized, and it will have Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra.

The past few days has seen some questions raised only about the female lead of the movie, as Shahrukh was already finalized. Earlier, director Vishal Bhardwaj had insisted on having a fresh face to play the role of a south Indian girl, but later Bhardwaj and Shahrukh had decided that Priyanka would be best for the role. Questions were also raised if the ‘Kaminey’ actress being a Punjabi would be able to pull off the role of a south Indian role.
Now even the producer Sajid Nadiadwala and the director are convinced that the actress can work on the south Indian accent to do justice to the role. There was also a point when the makers of the movie were considering a south Indian actress for the role. The movie will go on floors in the second half of the year 2012. 2 States is a story of two youngsters in love and belong to two different states, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. The story is about the struggle of the couple to convince their parent for their wedding.
If Priyanka is able to match the class of the south Indian accent, this will prove her ability to become a great actor. Time will tell!

Ash: Past, present and future

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant. And at the time when IIFA is on top of the mind, Sr Bachchan’s ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’ is all set to release and Aishwarya’s film ‘Heroine’ is on the floors, frenetic activity all over and the announcement by a proud grandfather – dadaji to be has started creating a frenzy of speculations and stories about the pregnancy, the timing of the film among others.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant. And at the time when IIFA is on top of the mind, Sr Bachchan’s ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’ is all set to release and Aishwarya’s film ‘Heroine’ is on the floors, frenetic activity all over and the announcement by a proud grandfather – dadaji to be has started creating a frenzy of speculations and stories about the pregnancy, the timing of the film among others.

After Bachchan tweeted about Ash’s pregnancy, he got over 2843 new tweets in half an hour congratulating him. But then the Twitter world was also abuzz with some accusations – One whether he had timed the announcement to scuttle the IIFA awards of which he was the Brand Ambassador earlier. Or whether he had done the announcement to publicise his low profile film ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap’.

But whatever the accusations may be, Amitabh is surely a prod Dada now.This ensures that they have the third generations Bachchans by birth. As Amitabh tweets and we retweet, “Amitabh and Ajitabh, first generation Bachchan... then Abhishek and Bhim and now Abhishek’s and Aishwarya's…”

Ash’s pregnancy has thrown up many interesting angles.

1: What happens to Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Heroine’?

A: Madhur was made aware of her pregnancy before the shooting went on floors. Ash has been finishing her shots with ease and ensuring that she finishes her work before she puts on a lot of weight. Ash is still making public appearances and is looking plump as well. And that has also made Madhur wary of a lot of things. The kind of shots he has been taking are all his wide angle shots. Madhur has also used a second camera to do the close up shots so that he does not need to get the same location later as well.

2: What happens to other announcements like Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Ladies And Gentlemen’?

A: This film may well be shelved or postponed. Santoshi had been refused by many actors and his film ‘Power’ went powerless after Ajay Devgn pulled out of it. His Katrina Kaif starrer also had to be shelved because the actress was not giving him dates. That left him with this film starring Abhishek and Ash. But then this romantic comedy may well be shelved because of that.

3: What happens to Ashutosh Gowariker’s dream of uniting Ash and SRK?

A: Well, that does not seem possible for a few years now.

Bollywood lacks good young actors, says Kabir Bedi

Toronto, June 24 : Veteran actor Kabir Bedi rates Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor as the two best young actors in Bollywood today.

"But frankly there is dearth of young bright talented actors coming through. That's what Bollywood lacks today,'' feels Bedi who is one of the few Indian actors to make it to Hollywood.

"The problem could be also due to the fact that older actors keep reinventing themselves. Salman Khan is still there, Shah Rukh Khan is still ruling there. Akshay Kumar is there,'' Bedi told IANS here.

"But Ranbir and Shahid are the two most promising new-generation actors, and I want to see more young actors in Bollywood,'' he said.

However, he feels there is no death of young actresses.

"Bollywood has seen no such problem when it comes to new actresses. We have so many of them. We have just seen Anuskha Sharma come from nowhere. We have Deepita Padukone who too came from nowhere. We have Priyanka Chopra who has been on the scene for about 10 years now. She also came from nowhere. So I think are some very good young actresses.''

Asked what he thought of Deepa Mehta's description of Bollywood as "Indian kitsch'' and not true representative of Indian culture, he said, "Deepa is a great filmmaker of finer sensibilities. These may be her elitist views, but Bollywood does reflect India and its Indian culture. That it is has a huge audience worldwide shows that it reflects Indian culture.''

Later, speaking a discussion on 'Hollywood, Bollywood and Beyond,'' Bedi said Bollywood is a potent symbol of India.

He said though has not worked much in Bollywood, he has no hesitation calling himself a Bollywood actor.

"Bollywood is the most potent symbol of India. It has promoted (communal) unity. It has promoted Hindi as India's national language. Bollywood unites India,'' he said.

Bollywood is magic, says Ontario Premier

Toronto, June 24 : The song, the dance, the drama, the action withstanding - Bollywood is "magic", said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty at the inaugural press conference of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards here Thursday.

"More than the glamour, action, drama, Bollywood is all about magic!" McGuinty, who heads the government of Canada's largest province of which Toronto is capital, told reporters.

"We have the second largest community of Indians living outside Canada. But of course the Canadians should be prepared to be awed and amazed by the magic of Bollywood. Canadians will soon know look at Shah Rukh Khan as Johnny Depp and Priyanka Chopra as the Angelina Jolie of Bollywood," he added.

McGuinty recalled a strange but humourous brush that he had with the frenzy attached with the Hindi film industry n his last visit to Mumbai.

"I came for an event, and the paparazzi went click, click...till one man said...'Sir, you're blocking my view of Celina Jaitley'! I was zapped. I have never been able to recover from that...but that gave me a good sense of how crazy people are for Bollywood," he said.

IIFA is a three-day extravaganza and has brought a flurry of stars including Mallika Sherawat, Anil Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Boman Irani, among others to Toronto. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be adding glamour to the event too.

Indian consul general Preeti Saran hopes the event will boost the bilateral relations between the two countries with Bollywood's "midas touch".

IIFA Awards: Bollywood stars cast spell on Toronto

By Gurmukh Singh , Toronto, June 23 : Bollywood cast its spell on Toronto and the city's landmark 'Raja' York Hotel looked like an extension of any Indian hotel as scores of stars streamed in for the 12th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards June 25.

 A roar went up every time a star entered the hotel. GulshanGrover broke away from his minders to pose with his fans and sign autographs. Arshad Warsi could be seen talking animatedly to his well-wishers before disappearing in the elevator.

Kabir Bedi, JavedAkhtar, Shabana Azmi and Lisa Ray had a lively chat during a discussion on 'Hollywood, Bollywood and Beyond'.

According to organisers, Zeenat Aman, Vikas Bahl, Irshad Kamil, Sajid Sharafat Khan, Madhavan, Mamta Sharma, Esha Deol, Nikhil Dwivedi, Syed Javed Ahmed Jafri, Kunal Kapoor, Hema Malini, Ameesha Patel, Chandan Sanyal, Abhinav Kashyap, Genelia D'souza, Kangna Ranaut, Kunal Kapoor, Mahie Gill, Rakesh Roshan, Ronit Roy, and Subhash Ghai too have arrived in Toronto.

Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Zayed Khan, Bipasha Basu, Sonu Sood and Boman Irani are already in Toronto for the biggest-ever Bollywood show in North America.


The show begins officially Thursday with the screening of 20 films in threatres across the Greater Toronto Area. These films include "Chak De India", "Singh is Kingg", "Patiala House", "Namastey London", "Dil To Pagal Hai", "Dabangg", "Border" and "Dil Bole Hadippa".


The show will culminate in awards in 15 categories Saturday.


Nominations for the best film include "Band Baaja Baaraat", "Dabangg", "My Name is Khan", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai", and "Raajneeti".


For best direction, nominations include Maneesh Sharma ("Band Baaja Baaraat"), Abhinav Kashyap ("Dabangg"), Sanjay Leela Bhansali ("Guzaarish"), Karan Johar ("My Name is Khan"), Milan Luthira ("Once Upon a Time in Mumbai") and Vikramaditya Motwane ("Udaan").

Salman Khan ("Dabangg"), Hrithik Roshan ("Guzaarish"), Shah Rukh Khan ("My Name is Khan"), Ajay Devgan ("Once Upon a Time in Mumbai") and Ranbir Kapoor ("Raajneeti") will vie for honours in the male lead role.

For lead female role, Anushka Sharma ("Band Baaja Baaraat"), Kareeena Kapoor ("Golmaal 3"), Ashwariya Rai Bachchan ("Guzaarish"), Vidya Balan ("Ishqiya") and Katrina Kaif ("Raajneeti") are in the fray.


"Dabangg", "Ishqiya", "Raajneeti" and "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai" have also been nominated for screenplay and dialogue.

Over 800 delegates, including Bollywood stars, directors and producers, are being flown from India, according to organizers. 

Over 40,000 visitors are expected to descend on Toronto to pump nearly $30 million into the city's economy.

IIFA starts today

Toronto, Jun 23 : The world's biggest Bollywood bash in the North American city of Canada begins here today, as India's cinematic royalty descends on the city to mark their entry in the American-Indian community.

The lavish, three-day showcase of film, music and fashion known as the International Indian Film Academy(IIFA) celebrations promises to unleash a cavalcade of Indian song, dance and matinee idols. It all leads up to a performance-laden awards ceremony set for Saturday that is often-described as the Indian Oscars.

Indian actor Boman Irani, who will co-host the festivities at the Rogers Centre, promises all the subtlety of an impromptu Bollywood group-singing when festivities officially launch while his co-hosts of Saturday's bash with Ritesh Deshmukh, who landed in Toronto will introduce his feature, "Double Dhamaal" with co-star Mallika Sherawat at a gala screening tonight.

King Khan along with his family is expected to reach Toronto this afternoon while Roshan family including Hritik, Javed and Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor and several others have reached the city.

The awards bash has proven to be the hot ticket of the weekend. All 16,000 of the 22,000 tickets available to the public sold out in minutes. Irani, who reached here yesterday along with other actors told UNI that there's going to be lots of songs and dance, lots of colours, besides lots of fun and the people of Toronto would be able to see their actors performing in front of them.

More than 200 filmmakers and stars are expected from India and overseas, including three generations of the famed Kapoor clan headed by legendary patriarch Raj Kapoor, the Deol dynasty including Dharmendra and his sons Sunny and Bobby, superstar Shah RukhKhan, "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

There would be the premier of the film 'Chillar Party' tomorrow.

Various star-studded events include a film festival, music workshop, business forum and a music and fashion extravaganza known as IIFA Rocks expected to be hosted by Saif Ali Khan. 

Marquee concert tomorrow is expected to feature Jermaine Jackson in a special performance to commemorate the second anniversary of his brother Michael's death.

TIFF Bell Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival will hosts a salute to the Kapoor dynasty on Sunday when the clan is expected to walk a red carpet and discuss their long and influential career. 

After moving through Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East now IIFA has come to North America. The 12-year-old celebrations have previously been held in London, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau and Johannesburg.

The multimillion-dollar show is being billed as the biggest production in the film academy's history. Organizers estimate the elaborate staging involves between 800 and 1,000 performers, crew, designers, production managers, and talent .

Salman to skip IIFA

New Delhi, June 21 : All those who were expecting a face-off between the two Khans of Bollywood - Salman and Shah Rukh - at the forthcoming International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend will be disappointed as Salman has decided to skip the award ceremony.

Here to promote his debut movie production "Chillar Party", Salman confirmed that he won't be present at the three-day event which will kick off Thursday in Toronto.

"I am shooting for my next 'Bodyguard' and it is an action movie, so yes, you people won't see me there. IIFA will miss me this time," Salman told reporters at the Film Division here Tuesday.

This year, Shah Rukh is performing on the IIFA stage after seven years. The actor has attended two editions of the IIFA Weekend in the past - in Singapore in 2004, and Amsterdam in 2005. 

As "Chillar Party" will open the 12th IIFA awards ceremony and this being Salman's first production, his presence was more than expected. But it seems the rift between the two Khans has pushed Salman to stay away from the ceremony.

Shah Rukh Khan not skipping IIFA Awards

By Gurmukh Singh , Toronto, June 21 : Wizcraft, the organizers of the International Indian Film Academy(IIFA) Awards, have denied reports that Shah Rukh Khan may skip the awards ceremony here this week due to his knee injury.

"That's not true. These are just rumours spread by the media. He is definitely coming. Don't believe in these rumours," a Wizcraft media representative told IANS here.

Apart from performing at the IIFA Awards, Shah Rukh Khan will also join Vivek Oberoi at a red-carpet welcome by local South Asian cultural organizations at Sheraton Hotel Friday.

King Khan is one among the biggest Bollywood star gathering ever in North America.

As Canada's biggest city braces for its biggest South Asian show, Bollywood stars have started streaming into Toronto. "Some of these stars are already here. Bobby Deol is definitely in town," the Wizcraft representative said.

Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza, Sonu Sood, Vijay Singh Deol, Anil Kapoor and Shekhar Kapur are among those arriving Tuesday before the IIFA kick-off Thursday.

A major highlight of the IFFA Awards is that Jermaine Jackson, elder brother of Michael Jackson, will team up with Sonu Nigam to pay tributes to his brother and the late 'King of Pop'.

This performance will be part of IIFA Rocks to be presented by The Bay (short for the Hudson Bay Company - the world's longest surviving registered company) which is a famous fashion name in Canada.

To be hosted by Karan Johar and Anushka Sharma, IIFA Rocks will also feature performances by Neha Dhupia, Dia Mirza, Mallika Sherawat, the cast of Double Dhamaal, and Shankar-Eshaan-Loy.

This event will also feature collections from Indian designers Sabyasachi, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Vikram Phadnis.

The IIFA events will culminate in Floriana IIFA Green Carpet and Floriana Awards ceremonies at Toronto's famous Rogers Centre June 25.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)