Amitabh Bachchan, Dutt at loggerheads in Aladin

Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, known for their tremendous screen presence, are at loggerheads in Aladin, an adventure film in which the Big B plays a genie.

In recent times, the two stars have worked together in half a dozen odd films like Shoot-Out At Lokhandwala, Eklavya - The Royal Guard, Deewar - Let's Bring Our Heroes Home, Viruddh and Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin.

However, the one which clearly stands out amongst the crowd is Kaante [2002] which when released seven years back had given a different dimension to their on-screen rivalry.

Now the two veteran actors will be at loggerheads again in Eros International's Aladin.
"Both the actors are fighting it out in Aladin. It's a different energy altogether when actors like these are pitted against each other. This time around it is 'Genius - The Genie' (Big B) v/s 'Ringmaster' (Sanjay Dutt)," director Sujoy Ghosh said.

Kaante was known for Sanjay Dutt's dialogue - 'Major, Tu Sirf Bhaukega Ya Kaatega Bhi [Major, are you only going to bark or even bite]?' In real life, Sanjay is known for respecting the Big B, he said.

Bachchan in one of his blog had mentioned how Sanjay stops smoking and even hides his lighted cigarate if he (Bachchan) walks into his room.

"When two actors like these are pitted opposite each other, there are bound to be fireworks. Now whether these would be through power packed dialogues or some intense scenes or symbolic gestures is something that would be for audiences to see once the film arrives in October. However, I can assure that those looking for a man-to-man combat, whether physically or verbally, won't be disappointed", said Sujoy who is said to have created enough dramatic sequences featuring the two.

"I couldn't have wasted this opportunity for anything," he said.

"Both of them have appeared in quite a few movies together but their characters have more often than not shared cordial relationship with each other. In Aladin, they are on different sides of the fence and have fought it out in the middle," Ghosh said.

Starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius - The Genie, Ritiesh Deshmukh as Aladin and Sanjay Dutt as 'Ringmaster', Aladin also marks the debut of Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandes who is paired opposite Ritiesh.

With music by Vishal and Shekhar, Aladin is produced by Eros International in association with Sujoy Ghosh's production company Boundscript.

Kylie Minogue to sing for Rahman

Just her fees and recording of the video will add around Rs 10 crore to the already sky high budget of Blue

Madonna didn’t respond because she was going through a bitter divorce, Rihanna asked for a sum that was not affordable, so finally it is Kylie Minogue who’ll be making history as the first international A-list pop star to lend her voice for a mainstream Bollywood music director.

According to sources, the Australia-born crooner who has sold more than 60 million records, has agreed to sing for AR Rahman. Kylie will be coming to India by January 2009 with her entourage to record the song with Rahman. She has reportedly charged the producers of the film about Rs five crore as her fees ($1 million).

“The song will be recorded for the film Blue, which has Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Lara Dutta. The producers also want Kylie to make a music video of the song. In all probability, the song might be shot in Hollywood,” says the source.

The total cost of hosting the star in Mumbai and recording the song and music video could well cost the producers an extra Rs five crore. The company negotiating with Kylie confirmed that they are very close to inking the deal.

“We are negotiating with an international artist. Within two to three weeks, we’ll make a formal announcement,” said Rajnigandha Shekhawat of Nine Winds, which is handling the film’s communications. Sources also revealed that there were a fresh round of negotiations last week. The singer, sources say, is not afraid of visiting Mumbai though she is well aware of the recent terrorist attack.

The production cost of Blue is already hovering around Rs 130 crore - without the expense they are incurring for Kylie’s song. With the last leg of shooting left, at Rs 140 crore-odd, Blue might race past Rajnikanth’s Endhiran to become the costliest film to be produced in India.

2008: The super-couples of Bollywood

What is Bollywood without its duets? How glossy would be Bolly premieres without hand-in-hand entries?
Bombay has always celebrated its couples, from Himanshu Rai-Devika Rani to Saifareena. It has been an Eden for lovers, both on and off the screen. The Bolly buff, on his part, has made these romances a part of Indian mythology.
Here is a list of Bollywood's super hit couples of 2008. Watch out! There is a sursprise in store!

After intelligence officer, Sanjay Dutt plays ganglord

After playing a military intelligence officer in Rahul Dholakia's "Lamhaa", Sanjay Dutt is all set to play a ganglord again in "Gangs Of London".
Sanjay plays the leader of the Khalsa gang in a London neighbourhood that protects the Asian community from drug abuse and prostitution. And if Shabina Khan has styled Sanjay's salt-and-pepper beard look in "Lamhaa", it's Arjun Khanna providing him with an all-leather, chains-and-boots look for "Gangs Of London".
Apparently Sanjay, who is rapidly losing weight, is still to lose the paunch. But by the time "Gangs Of London" starts shooting in July next year, he is expected to get rid of all the flab.
"My brother Jassi, who studied filmmaking in New York, is directing 'Gangs Of London' now. Jassi has been researching the various ethnic gangs of London and their looks. And he has come up with this incredible look for Sanjay," producer Bunty Walia said.
Added Jassi: "The look we've designed for Sanju in 'Gangs Of London' has never been tried before."
There's just one problem with sporting a specific look for a film - Sanjay can't shoot for any other film. For instance, two songs of Ajay Chandok's movie "Chatur Singh Two Star" are pending until the actor finishes shooting "Lamhaa" with his film-specific new look.
And now it would be the Khalsa look that would keep Sanjay bound to one project.
"It's not so much a Catch 22 situation for Sanju as it is a Catch-Sanjay situation for me. By giving him a specific look, I'm making sure I can hold on to his attention and dates at one stretch with no distractions," said the director.
Originally, ad filmmaker Shamim Desai was to direct "Gangs of London", but he has been replaced by Jassi.
Bobby Deol is expected to play Sanjay's brother in the film. Also starring in the project are Suniel Shetty, Shaad Randhawa, Dino Morea and Tusshar Kapoor. All of them play members of Sanjay's gang.
Sanjay has earlier played a gangster in films like "Vaastav", "Khalnayak" and the "Munnabhai" series.