Big B Press Conference, Aamir And Ram-Lakhan

Mr Bachchan addressed a press conference a short while back to express his thoughts on the recent disclosure by an informant to journalist Chitra Subramanyam who blew the lid on the infamous Bofors Scandal 25 years back. The informant has stated that Mr Bachchan had no role in the Bofors scam and was wrongly implicated. Mr Bachchan expressed his relief at his honourable name getting cleared but he said that it would have been great if his father was alive to hear this.

Aamir Khan would be attending Ram Lakhan's son's marriage in Varanasi tonight.

A very hectic season of movies is about to start. Lots of big releases in the coming days. This will mean many interviews and a packed schedule of events. Should be fun.
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Karisma Kapoor On Salman, Aamir And Shahrukh

Interviewed Karisma Kapoor today. I waited for four hours but then this was my first interview with her and I was determined to do it anyhow. She wore a red trouser for our interview and boy she is a perfectionist for sure. During the course of the interview two people suddenly descended on us. Karisma's hair strands had to be put into place. The make up had to be perfect and the look had to be perfect. I had heard so many stories about her hard working ways but then now I experienced her perfectionist ways.

She spoke about Dangerous Ishq and how she is playing a modern girl. Why did she choose this film as her comeback vehicle? Will she be giving a tough competition to the present day heroines? Karisma answered queries from a few fans as well. So, what does she have to say about Shahrukh, Salman and Aamir? Her association with David Dhawan? What is she doing next?

I asked Vikram Bhatt if Dangerous Ishq is releasing in UK. He said, it is releasing there a week after the release in India (May 18). Karisma in my interview said its releasing in UK on May 11. I guess we should take Vikram's word. Another fan asked if its releasing in Indonesia. Vikram confirmed its releasing in Indonesia on May 11.

I met Mohit Suri later in the evening. He is busy going through the auditions for Talent Hunt for Aashiqui 2. He said that the shooting is slated to start in late May. Music, is one of the heroes of the film, according to him. And that's what they are currently working on.
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Send Questions For Karisma Kapoor

Guys send in your questions for Karisma Kapoor at faridoon@hungama.com, faridoonshahryar@gmail.com. Will try and take a few of them.

In other news, Karan Johar's Student of the year will be releasing on October 19, 2012. The film stars Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Alia, David Dhawan's son Varun and Siddharth Malhotra. The film also stars Rishi Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt. There are cameos of Shahrukh Khan and Boman Irani.

I am writing this blog awaiting boarding announcement at the Delhi Airport. We were here this morning for covering Ajay Devgn and Anil Kapoor's Lamborghini race at the F1 Circuit racing track at Greater Noida near Delhi (in fact 'near' will be an understatement since it took the same time via cab to reach from delhi airport to the race track as it took us for reaching from mumbai to delhi). I did a joint interview with Anil and Ajay. Both are tremendous actors.

We shall be featuring the first part of Aamir Khan's exclusive interview on Satyemev Jayate tomorrow. It is always a pleasure chatting with Aamir. We shall also be featuring interviews with lyricist Prasoon Joshi (who has written the anthem of Satyamev Jayate) and Ram Sampat (composer of all 14 tracks in Satyemev Jayate).

When I spoke to Prasoon about the experience of writing 'Maa' in Taare Zameen Par, I could see his eyes welling up. He told me that the emotions expressed in the song are the same that he experienced in his childhood. I have known Prasoon for a long time (much before he earned fame in Bollywood). He remembered one of the Nazms written by my mother Professor Najma Mahmood. In fact I had set that small Nazm to music and Prasoon had liked it a lot. I don't remember the tune now, but I shall reproduce that wonderful Nazm 'Gahraiyon Ka Khauf' written by my mom:

Bahut aasan nazar aaya
Hamein us roz
Apna paniyon
Par tairte rahna
Kisi ne jab kaha
Gahraiyon mein doob kar dekho
Ki andar kya hai
To hum darr kar
Samandar ke kinaare ki taraf lapke
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"Salman Is My Favourite Actor": Amrita Rao

Last few days have been super activity filled. Amrita Rao fans have been flooding me with a horde of emails and comments on my blog. It is always a hugely enriching experience to get a fan's perspective about their favourite stars. I may not be on twitter any more but it is heartening to know that so many people still remember me and follow my work. Thanks guys!

Amrita came to our office. She answered most of the questions that came her way. It was a long interview and I have tried to include as many questions as possible. She sang a song from Vivah and boy she does have a good voice. So, here are all the parts of Amrita's interview on Bollywood Hungama on the occasion of her first Twitter Anniversary. Enjoy!




1) "Aamir, Ranbir Have Been Two Of My Favourite Actors": Amrita Rao

2) "Salman Is My Favourite Actor...": Amrita Rao

3) "Kishore Da Ki Main Bahut Badi Fan Hoon": Amrita Rao

4) "Not Every Time You Get An Award": Amrita Rao

Amrita Rao's Message To Her Twitter Followers On Bollywood Hungama

Is Ajay Devgn Planning Singham Sequel?

I am in Chandigarh. Ajay Devgn has invested in a Solar Power Plant in Gujarat and there was a press conference with regards to the same. Ajay had been shotting for Son of Sardar in Patiala and he came from there. He will be back in Bombay in a couple of days time.

Before the press conference, I interviewed Ajay. He spoke on Tezz. He also spoke on Himmatwala remake, Bol Bachchan and Son of Sardar as well. Are Ajay and Rohit planning a sequel to Singham? Ajay is a shy guy who is extremely precise with his answers. It is a pleasure chatting with him as he is extremely grounded and simple.

We had a tough time sending the interview footage as we faced some technical error in our laptop. Finally we managed to send our footage through the laptop of a cameraman from a news agency. The guy was wonderfully patient and helpful.

It is well past mid night. Ajay's interview has been sent to my team in Bombay. It is being edited and inshallah will be live tomorrow morning. Hopefully you guys will enjoy. It was a hectic day but then I also combined it with a fantastic punjabi lunch doused by a sweaty stint in the gym, followed by a relaxing time in the hotel swimming pool. The hills could be seen at a close distance. Shimla is at a couple of hours from here. Wish I could escape to the whirlwind roads leading to Shimla and Kufri :(

Anyways, a day well spent. Satisfied. Smiling. Hope you guys are doing well. Good Night!
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Send Questions For An Interview With Amrita Rao

Talented Amrita Rao is completing one year on Twitter on April 21. I am doing an interview with Amrita in a couple of days. So, all you Amrita fans who've been requesting for an interview with her, now is your chance. Send in your questions and cards for her. Also send your questions on video as well. You can send all your mails to faridoon@hungama.com and faridoonshahryar@gmail.com. You can also post your questions in the comments section below. I shall choose the best questions and we will try and make it a memorable video. Enjoy!