Abhi: Sonam was a revelation

After the runaway success of Dostana, Abhishek is back in one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi 6.

Although it’s set in Delhi, just as Rakeysh’s previous mega hit Rang De Basanti was, it’s not only about the city. “Delhi 6 is a story about India. If it was set in any other Indian city, it would have had the same charm. I play a guy from New York who comes to India and discovers it,” says Abhishek.

Starring opposite Abhishek is the still-new-on-the-scene Sonam Kapoor. “Sonam was a revelation,” says Abhishek, “She’s a wonderful person and actress. She brings a fresh feel to the film. I’ve known her for a long time. She’s a great co-artiste too.”

Abhishek says Rakeysh and he were always looking for an opportunity to work together. “We were waiting for the right script,” he adds.

Then there’s Mani Ratnam, with whom Abhishek has done two films — Yuva and Guru — and has another, Ravana, in the making. Does he like working with the director? “I don’t work with Mani Ratnam; Mani Ratnam works with me,” he says as a matter-of-fact.

Rumour has it that there will be a follow-up to Drona, but Abhishek clarifies, “There is no sequel.” But he won’t say as much about the Feroz Nadiadwala-Rob Cohen Hollywood venture that his father is supposed to be part of. “Talks are still on,” is all he’ll say.

What about Aishwarya’s role in Pink Panther 2? “She was fantastic. It wasn’t just about getting a Hollywood break but about doing a movie in another language,” he says. As for whether he’s looking to head to LA, he says, “I’m happy doing good movies here. If something comes along, I’ll do it.”

So, how big a fan or critic is Ash of his films? “I always ask my family for their opinion. They give their honest views and I take them,” says Abhishek.

When asked what he feels about his marriage to Ash being followed so closely, he says, “We are public figures. It’s natural to be in the news and I’m okay with it.” Who is his fave B-town actress? “I’m married to my favourite actress,” he signs off.

CC2C is last big movie till summer

CC2C is one of the biggest releases of the year. Starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone in a double role and having been shot extensively in India and China on a big budget, it is being premiered around the globe and promises to be a fun, masaledaar roller coaster ride; a quintessential Bollywood masala blockbuster.

But unfortunately for Bollywood the next big release after CC2C is the other Akki starrer on May 29.

January end will see films like Luck By Chance, Raaz – The Mystery Continues and Slumdog Crorepati releasing. And while no one doubts the story line or success chances of the film, the fact still remains that none of them star big A –list actors.

Slumdog is a brilliant film, no doubt, but it is not a Bollywood film. Luck By Chance stars Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead. They both are brilliant actors but don't fall in the superstar bracket. Raaz – The Mystery COntinues has Kangana, Adhyayan and Emraan but they aren't A-listers yet. The film, like most Emraan Hashmi films will probably be a hit because it has been made on a small budget and the music is chartbusting. And ending the months is Ajit Pal’s Victory. Harman Baweja and Amrita Rao are not stars. The film might draw in people because of its cricket theme but not for the stars.

The films of February veer on the arty, indie, experimental and small budget side. There is Devdas' modern version, Dev D starring Abhay Deol who is a critically acclaimed actor but hasn't sparkled at the BO yet. Billu Barber has Lara Dutta and Irrfan in the lead. SRK is there only to add star.

Delhi 6 is very intriguing and appealing but AB Jr. hasn’t yet made it into the superstar bracket. Next is Nandita Das' Firaaq which has been applauded at festivals but it isn't a commercial film and boasts of super actors like Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah and not Bollywood’s masala superstars. Ketan Mehta's biopic on Raja Ravi Verma, Rang Rasiya starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen, has also got standing ovations at festivals but its release keeps getting postponed. Not everyone knows Randeep and Nandana and the film is likely to click with only a niche audience.

March maybe a very hot month but it doesn't have any hot releases. There is Anil Kapoor's Shortkut: The Con Is On which has been in the making for a very long time. Amrita Rao isn't a hottie who sets the BO on fire even if she sports a bikini and Sanjay Dutt hasn't had a hit since Shootout at Lokhandwala in 2007. It is a thriller. This genre seldom draws in the crowds (A Wednesday is a brilliant exception) and recent thrillers like Kidnap and Maharathi have been disappointments.

Deepak Tijori's Fox stars Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol. Deepak has made awful films like Khamosh, Fareb and Oops in the past so it isn't wise to bank on this film.

April fares even worse than March in terms of sizzling hot releases. Dharma Productions' romantic comedy Wake Up Sid starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor is the only flick that merits a mention. Revolving around a young guy falling for an older woman, it may be a fantastic film but it is a small film that might just become a surprise hit.

Finally, the big Bollywood blockbuster will arrive on May 29 in the form of Kambakht Ishq. It has superstar Akshay Kumar playing a romantic and an action hero, queen bee Kareena Kapoor plays a model in the film and it has been shot on a lavish budget (courtesy producer Sajid Nadiadwala) across USA, Italy and France with certain segments shot in Mumbai.

Hollywood heavy weight Sylvester Stallone has a cameo in the flick along with bombshells Carmen Electra and Denise Richards. Hip hop sensations Beyonce and Sean Kingston will feature on the soundtrack of the film. With an international cast and locations, premieres across the globe are bound to happen. So, it promises to be your quintessential, leave-your-brains-at-home-and-have-a-Bollywood-blast kind of blockbuster.

And so it looks like Bollywood fans will have to wait for the Khiladi Kumar to return to big screen once again to entertain us!

Abhi sizzles and Sonam goes brown in Dubai

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6 starring Sonam Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan was showcased at the Dubai International Film Festival.

Take a look at the trio.

Gain Some, Lose Some: Sonam, who has put on some weight and Abhishek, who has lost some weight make a perfect picture


Honeymooning Couple: Co-stars Abhishek and Sonam pose against the grand Burj-Al-Arab hotel. They look like a couple on honeymoon


Hair Story: Abhishek's wearing a cap to hide his new Ravan look. He has probably gone bald for the film. Sonam has colored her tresses a deep brown


Stolen Whispers: Abhishek talks to Sonam as director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra looks on.


We're Here: The Delhi 6 trio is proud be at the 5th Dubai International Film Festival.

2009 to be Abhishek Bachchan's year!

Year 2008 may not go down as a memorable one for Bachchan junior, what with his DRONA being declared a box office disaster and his destined to succeed SARKAR RAJ proving to be an average show. The only silver lining was Karan Johar's Tarun Mansukhani directed DOSTANA, which has done very well at the turnstile. With DOSTANA inching towards an above average status from India (already a super–hit in the Overseas) good luck seems to be back in Abhishek Bachchan's life. And it appears from the superb promos of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's DILLI 6 that lady luck is here to stay with Ab's Baby for a while.

Yes, the promos of DILLI 6 (or DELHI 6?) are out on all leading satellite channels and portals and going by the response that it has generated, it appears that Abhishek has another winner on hand. Music maestro A.R. Rahman's lilting background musical score on the harmonica and ghatam enthralls the senses and once again expectations surmount that Rahman will create magic, just like he did with RANG DE BASANTI. Sonam's pretty, innocent looks, Abhishek Bachchan's brooding, intense visuals and the historic old Delhi, all conjure up a beautiful picture and build up the audience's curiosity.

Looks like Rakeysh is continuing from where he left off in RDB. And in the process we feel that 2009 may well be Abhishek's year, especially now that Mani Ratnam's RAVANA is progressing at a brisk pace towards completion and Rohan Sippy's next with Abhishek is on the anvil from January!

Delhi 6 - First Look