Andhranews

Bombshell Mallika Sherawat has now been signed to play a female cadet in the Indian Army along with Sahil Khan in the forthcoming film Fauj Mein Mauj. The film, which is produced by Ravi Walia, is being directed by debutant Murli Nagavalli, who has been an assistant to filmmaker Priyadarshan.

While the producer and director refused to divulge the details regarding the film, reports say that it is inspired by the 1980-Howard Zieff-directed comedy titled Private Benjamin. Starring Goldie Hawn in the lead role, Private Benjamin is about a sheltered, high society young woman who, on a whim, decides to join the Army when her husband dies on their wedding night. She finds herself in a more difficult situation than she ever expected when her superior makes sexual advances.

When contacted, Sahil Khan revealed that 40 per cent of the film has been shot in Pune. “The film is based on the Army and this is the first time that we are coming out with a humorous subject based on the Police Academy kind of series. Hence, the director and producer are very low key about the entire project. We will be leaving for Manali soon for a lengthy shoot,” he says.

After completing the hush-hush Mahatma Versus Gandhi for actor-turned-producer Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna has been signed for another film by his senior. “Anil is producing and acting, whereas I’ll be just co-starring with him. We are starting by the year-end. It’s a fantastic script. It’s going to be directed by a South Indian director. I’m looking forward to working with Anil again after Taal,” Akshaye said.

“Anything Anil asks me to do, I’ll do blindly. I love all actors. I love their honesty and their lies. But there’re certain co-stars whom I’ve genuinely learnt from. Anil is one of them. Every time I go to Anil’s office I come out with new positive thoughts. I might be depressed or upset when I visit Anil. But after the visit, I come back feeling much better,” he added.

Akshaye goes gaga over his co-stars in his latest film Aap Ki Khatir. “Everyone is outstanding. But Priyanka Chopra is specially good. I’m not joking, she’s wonderful in the film. I really respect Priyanka. And that’s an odd thing to say that for someone who’s so much junior to me. She has a tremendous zest for her craft. I’m very impressed by her,” he said with a smile.

Sandwich, earlier titled Hum Do Hamara Ek, was the long-pending Smita Thackeray film that finally saw the light of the day last week. Aap Ki Khatir, the other release this week, is a film with a fresh subject based on Clare Kilner’s The Wedding Date. Trade analyst S. Kumar Mohan calls it a “girlie film” whose appeal cannot survive in the male heart for more than 10 minutes.

“This is the kind of film women like, a flick based on romance, jealousy, betrayal and secrets tumbling out. No wonder the original Hollywood film has been written by a woman,” he laughs. “Also, how does one explain the concept of male escorts, something that is not yet known in India? The only male escorts in India are unpaid brothers,” he quips. Mohan says it is this blind imitation of foreign films that alienates the Indian audience from a movie.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh raises a lot of questions about Aap Ki Khatir. “Suniel Shetty is shown as someone who has been brought up in New York, then how can you justify his irrational and fickle-minded behaviour regarding Amisha’s past? Why does Priyanka go back to Akshaye? Is it on a rebound since Dino doesn’t love her, but loves her sister? Why does Dino broach the topic with Amisha a day before marriage? All this is just not happening. Aap Ki Khatir could have been an invigorating experience, but it turns out to be a half-hearted effort that lacks the stamp of an accomplished storyteller,” he says.

Trade analyst Vikas Mohan says, “The film has ingredients to please the multiplex audience, but it has not opened to full houses. It is going to have a tough time in sustaining itself. As for Sandwich, it is a non-starter.” “Had Sandwich released earlier when Govinda was a brand name in comedy, the film could have done good business. Govinda looks out of shape and his onscreen antics are a big yawn. Raveena and Mahima’s garish makeup and outfits give the film a stale look,” Taran concludes.

Janet Jackson has revealed her brother Michael made her life a misery when they were growing up by bullying her about her weight. The singer claims her world famous sibling constantly teased her about her figure when they were teenagers, leading to her developing a complex about her size.

She confessed to Britain’s Q magazine, “I was always made to feel like a fat kid by Michael. He’d say, ‘This is what your butt should look like’”, and show me a picture from a magazine. “He was such a happy kid, but then when he became a teenager he got issues. That’s when he became an introvert and projected all that onto me. He called me brutal names, like fat butt, and say it was meant affectionately. It really affected me.”

Janet recently lost over 50 pounds after bulking up for a role in new movie Tennessee.
The pop star eventually had to pull out of the project after filming clashed with the recording schedule for her new album. Mariah Carey will now play the role originally offered to Janet.