Prabhu Deva wants to make horror movie
After directing the two action flicks Wanted and Rowdy Rathore, Prabhu Deva says he would like to venture into the horror genre. "Everybody tells me to only do action films, but I would love to do horror too," Deva said. The 39-year-old filmmaker's action thriller Rowdy Rathore, set for a June 1 release, stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha. Deva said: "I selected Akshay because the character is tailor-made for him. He is a director's delight. On the other hand, this is only Sonakshi's second film, but it seems that this is her 25th - she is so professional and so good." - IANS
Big B and Aamir Khan vie for icon status
Some of the biggest names in Bollywood will contend for the title of India's Prime Icon. According to a statement released by the network Big CBS Prime, the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and AR Rahman will vie for viewer votes to bag the title, in the show premiering next month. The winner could be any male figure from the field of entertainment, business, politics and sport. Visit www.bigcbs.com for details.
Anurag Kashyap off to Cannes
The filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who is screening three of his films - Peddlers and both parts of Gangs of Wasseypur - in this week's Cannes film festival, says he is thrilled to be recognised at the world's most prestigious film event. "It's good to see how our dedication and passion are finally being appreciated. We are managing to climb the ladder of success gradually," Kashyap said before leaving for Cannes. "Foreign festivals are a great platform. We had made Peddlers keeping in mind the international audience, but the choice of Gangs of Wasseypur was just out of the blue. I have not done any preparations but I am a little nervous about what's going to happen." A supporter of independent cinema, Kashyap believes a better distribution network is key to making niche movies succeed in India. "I think our distribution system needs to be cracked," he said. "Just like how multiplexes cater to Hollywood films across the world, it is important to create theatres that cater only to niche movies. Only then would they prosper." - IANS
Yash Raj to produce Nicole Kidman film
The Indian studio Yash Raj Films Entertainment announced on Friday it will produce and finance Grace of Monaco, starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Olivier Dahan. The movie chronicles the efforts of the late Grace Kelly to make peace between France and her adopted country of Monaco. The film is scheduled to begin production in southern France this September. YRF Entertainment is also currently overseeing post-production on Peter Glanz's forthcoming comedy feature, The Longest Week, starring the Hollywood actors Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde. - IANS
Abhishek Kapoor: support desi, not foreigners
Giselli Monteiro, Barbara Mori and Amy Jackson are just some of the foreign faces taking Bollywood by storm. But the filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor dislikes the trend. "Our obsession with white girls playing leads in Indian films is extremely detrimental to the psyche of the Indian girl. As bad as selling fairness cream," Kapoor posted on Twitter. "Our Indian girls are being sidelined in favour of this Caucasian invasion. STOP this madness and recognise our own beauties." Kapoor, who is working on Kai Po Che!, based on Chetan Bhagat's novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, adds that he is especially disturbed when filmmakers cast foreigners as Indians. "I have no problem with a Caucasian girl playing a Caucasian. But selling her as a Punjabi or an Indian is deluding the audience and also making the Indian native woman feel inadequate. Extremely harmful to their psyche, and people in power should be more responsible," he tweeted. - IANS
