Cannes Diary Day 2: Waiting For Ash

Alan Roberts' Hotel
It wasn't the way my day was meant to start. Woke up to some disturbing personal news that pretty much had me stressed all day. But the good part is, I know things are getting better.
Spent the early part of the morning waiting for Aishwarya Rai to show up. Or Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as she reminded me when I forgot to add her last name in my on-air introduction. Met Aishwarya at the L'oreal suite on the 7th floor of the Martinez Hotel. I tell you, that suite has one great view, overlooking the Croisette, looking down at the revelers, and across to the wide expanse of clear blue, never-ending sea.
Aishwarya was late. Almost an hour and a half late. But that may not have been her fault as much as it was the fault of the scheduling guys at L'oreal.
The interview was DULL. As most interviews with Aishwarya usually are because she's always so defensive. I've never understood why. But she always is.

CAPTION: American actress Eva Longoria (left) laughs as she arrives with Bollywood star and former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai to the opening night ceremony and the premiere of the film Blindness at the 61st Cannes Film Festival
I asked her if it was going to be a little celebration of sorts when Abhishek, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan get to Cannes this evening, since the family will be together today the first time since Abhishek and Aishwarya celebrated their first wedding anniversary together in April. Aishwarya didn't like that question apparently and insisted that "We" (the media, who else?) could draw our own inferences but the family only planned to spend some time together, as they normally do when they can. (I still don't know what was so offensive about what I asked, but what the hell, I can't be bothered with trying to figure out!)
That done, it was time for the "Kung Fu Panda" stars. First Jack Black, who is undoubtedly one of the funniest actors working today. The man was friendly, chatty, engaging, and just SO cool. I asked him if he could relate to the role he played in the film - of a misfit with impossible dreams - and he took it so sportingly and said that's exactly why he did the film. Because he felt exactly like that! Gosh, we could do with some more such sporting, unassuming guys in Bollywood!
Next stop, Dustin Hoffman. Just as funny, but mostly poker face. He's one of the finest actors in the business and he's such a humble gentleman! First I had to stop going giddy with excitement about meeting one of my heroes. I mean, he IS Benjamin Braddock! Didn't all of us grow up on "The Graduate"? Here was my hero, being warm and friendly and asking about India, and enquiring about the blasts in Jaipur, and just being so NORMAL. We had a great interview and I could swear I felt like he was happy to chat longer but his publicists edged me out of his room so the next journo could take his turn.
By the time I returned to my room, it was about 5pm and both my colleague Karma and I were starving. We hadn't had a bite since breakfast (which was just cereal and a glass of juice!) But there were some technical issues that needed to be sorted first. We needed a battery light for our camera if we had to shoot in the late evening.
Take it from me, it's not easy finding a battery light in the middle of Cannes. Nobody had one. And just when we decided we'd buy a torch and strap it on the camera, Karma found exactly what he'd been looking for!
Fortunately we could eat now. A lousy pasta and some French fries consumed, we return to our room to shower and change and take on the night. No, no, we're not off to party. We have an event to cover. An event Preity Zinta will attend.
Such is life - my day begins with a Bollywood beauty and ends with one. Hopefully this one won't make me wait hours for an interview!

Khali all set for Kushti in Bollywood

The Indian World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star, The Great Khali is all set to make a mark in Bollywood.
The star of the ring makes his debut with a film aptly titled Kushti. At the wrap-up party of the movie directed by TK Rajeev Kumar, Dalip Singh Rana, stood tall, putting even the talented comedian Rajpal Yadav in the shadows.
“Khali has done a great job in the movie. Khali is the requirement of the film. The film revolves around him,” says actor, Rajpal Yadav.
“He’s a fantastic actor and has a lot of rhythm. He is also a very gentle human being,” says director, Rajeev Kumar.
Khali is confident that his work in the film will please and entertain his fans.

Victory venkatesh in surender reddy ' s direction

Director Surendar Reddy is busy in finalizing the star cast for his high budget film Modhativadu with Saikumar Son Adithya. The film will go on floors from 1st June.After this film Surendar reddy will make a film for Suresh productions. Nallamalupu Bujji will be the production partner.Venkatesh will be the hero. This film will go on floors from September.By the time, Venkey will complete Chinathakayala ravi and Surender reddy will complete ‘ Modhativaadu’.

Balakrisha reaches top within one year

1.As for the direction of his Astrologer Karuparthy Malleswar Rao, Balakrishna performed Pooja in Konaseema recently
2.Malleswar Says- Balakrishna ki thvaralo Maha Raja Yogam paduthundani.
3. 10th June nundi Maha Raja Yogam Star authundi, which happens to be the birthday of NBK.
4. Balakrishna reaches to top by 9th April 2009.
5.After 10th June, Balakrishna may announce his political entry at any time.
6. Grahalanni strong ga vundatam valla, Balayya keerthi Prathistalu baga peruguthayi

Dhooram triller Bhoomika as producer

Bhomika Chawala is entering in to production with the banner 'DownTown Films banner'.
Bhoomika and her husband Barath Takur will look after the production works. They planned 5 films right now, 3 scripts are ready to go on floors.
The film film will be a Thriller with Bhoomika and Charmy playing lead roles. And the film is titled as 'Dhooram'. Allari Ravi Babu who made Anasuya with Bhoomika will direct this film.
The regular shoot of the film will start from September.

Rajinikanth playing 20 roles in kucheludu

While Kamal is donning 10 roles in Dasavatharam, Rajini, currently working with director P. Vasu for Kucheludu, will appear in 20 looks in a song.Rajinikanth had earlier appeared as nine different characters in the song Azhagu in Baasha.The new song in Kuselan has the lyrics Saarire saare saare Pokkiri Raja Raja…Pollathavan neethan neethan, which is penned by veteran lyricist Vaali.G.V. Prakash has scored a peppy number sung by Daler Mehndi, Sadhana Sargam and Chithra.Speaking about his film, Vasu said that this song would surely delight Rajini fans and it will be a chartbuster. Apparently, Banu, the make-up artiste, who worked in Sivaji and gave the superstar a dashing debonair look is back in Kuselan. Acc

Ramba still looking for more

Rambha like Nagma was a big star in Tollywood at one time. She was a heartthrob of many youngsters and also was popular for her hot dance numbers and bold and revealing costumes.
The arrival of younger heroines like Trisha, Shreya, Genelia etc. has now made actors like Rambha and Nagma look like aunties.
But Rambha is not one to give up so easily. She made a desperate attempt to comeback once again last year. She did an item song in Yamadonga and it was received well. She also bagged a couple of offers but nothing worked out for her.
Rambha stated before the release of her film 'Dongasachchinollu' that if the film fails to click, she would retire from films. The film sunk without a trace but Rambha seems to have conveniently forgotten her promise.
She is not showing any signs of retiring but is now making renewed efforts to bag new films. She is in game for any role, big or small. All she wants is to sign film after film. Are the producers and director ready?!

Video Hansika praising NTR and kantri

hansika interview about kantri..Hansika says NTR is a perfect gentleman ,very talented etc..check out for more in the video...

Top 5 movies this week

This week is much better in comparison to last week in terms of box office collections. The release of NTR starrer Kantri has set the cash registers in motion at many cinema halls across the state.
1. Kantri
This NTR starrer produced by Ashwini Dutt and directed by Meher Ramesh opened to some very big expectations from the audience. The two heroines, Hansika Motwani and Tanisha also raised the heat considerably. The film has opened to great collections but is attracting a mixed talk.

2. Parugu

Allu Arjun's film 'Parugu' attracted a lot of media attention and curiosity. The film is about the relationship between a father and his daughters. Bhaskar, who made the super hit film Bommarillu is the director. The name of Dil Raju as producer was another big plus for the film. The film has not made it very big at the box office it is however doing reasonably well and stands at the second place.

3. Jalsa

Pawan Kalyan's Jalsa opened to some fantastic record breaking collections. Some reports say that the film has so far made over 40 crore. While there is no official confirmation about the figures, the film is now set to complete 50 days soon.

4. Bommana-Chandana

The film Bommana Brothers and Chandana Sisters opened to some weak box office collections. The good mouth to mouth publicity and the summer vacation have improved the box office collections now. The film stands at the fourth place. Allari Naresh and Krishna Bhagawan play Bommana Brothers in the film.

5. Gamyam

Krish's Gamyam has crossed the 50 days mark recently and is still going strong. The film is being patronized in a big way by the family audiences as well as the BPO crowd. The film is now at the fifth place. The novel screenplay and taking is the big draw for the film.

Genelia to pair up with Tarun for Krishnavamsi

Genelia/ Hasini, the Bommarillu girl is the choice of director Krishna Vamsy for his upcoming film with hero Tarun. Sunkara Madhu Murali who produced Khadgham with Vamsy is making the film on Kaarteekeya Creations banner.
The formal Pooja for this film was held recently in Hyderabad and the regular shoot will start from the end of this month.
After making successful Chandamama, Krishna Vamsy is directing Tarun and Genelia

Kantri pushed bujjigadu made in chennai back !

Bujjigadu- made in Chennai- the film directed by Poori Jagannath with Prabhas and Trisha is going for Censor certificate on 15th May. The film was scheduled to release on 16th of May.
But Creative Commercials Rama Rao postponed release by a week days, though the film is ready by 15th May. Now the film will be released on 22nd of May.
The reason;- NTRjr promised to do a film for KS Rama Rao. And Kantri is doing well at the box office. KS Rama Rao doesn’t want his film Bujjigadu to compete with Kantri and spoil Kantri’s business and at the same time his Bujjigadu business at the box office.So KS Rama Rao decided to release the film on 22nd May.
So Kantri pushed Bujjigadu from 16th May to 22nd May.

Gautam Menon to direct Mahesh

Mahesh Babu asked for it, and he's got it. He had earlier expressed his desire to work with director Gautam Menon in a Telugu film and now, it's soon to be a reality. A leading Mumbai-based production house, which had shelled out a fortune for a three-film contract with the actor, is producing the film. Gautam Menon earned his stripes in Tamil delivering hits like Minnale and Kakha Kakha before proving his mettle in Tollywood with the Venkatesh starrer, Gharshana. Gautam is currently shooting for a another Tamil venture titled Vaaranam Aayiram and is expected to start filming once he is done with his commitments in Chennai.