Tuesday, January 11, 2011

No One Killed Jessica director in love with Rani?






Is No One Killed Jessica director Rajkumar Gupta secretly in love with Rani Mukerji? According to members of the film crew Gupta couldn't take his eyes off her whenever she was on the sets.

Divulges a source, "It was quite obvious for everyone that Raj was quite smitten by her. He found every excuse to be close to her and even insisted on playing a cameo in the film where he gets to propose to Rani's character."

The situation in the script demanded one of Rani's character's colleagues in the office to shout a marriage proposal to Rani.

Apparently, some other actor was supposed to do that role. Raj insisted on playing that role just for the pleasure of proposing to Rani.

When asked about the special bonding with his leading lady, Gupta laughs, "Yes that's me shouting, 'Marry me' to Rani in one sequence.

Someone else was supposed to do the cameo. But no one had the guts to say those two words to Rani. So I took up the challenge."

Choice made

One doesn't know how far Gupta's ardent feelings for Rani go. But one hears he has already decided to cast her in his next film Rapchik Romance, an out-and-out romantic musical with lots of songs, fun and masti.

Says Gupta, "It's too early to talk about whom I'd cast in Rapchik Romance. I'm still writing it.

But yes, it's a film I am very excited about. After Aamir and No One Killed Jessica I don't want to be typecast as the director who only makes hard-hitting social dramas.

I want to surprise everyone, including me." As for casting Rani again, "Why not?" comes the defiant retort.

Salman named best actor, Dabangg best film at Apsara Awards






Bollywood star Salman Khan Tuesday triumphed at the 6th edition of the Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards by bagging the best actor prize for hit comedy Dabangg, which was declared the best film.

Dabangg, released last year, was Arbaaz Khan's first film of the year and became the biggest box office grosser at the box office. Directed by first time director Abhinav Kashyap, the film also introduced Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha. It gave 2009's best item number Munni Badnam too.

Karan Johar got the best director award for My Name Is Khan. Set in a tumultuous post 9/11 America, the film starred Shah Rukh Khan as a Aspergers syndrome patient who sets out on a journey to prove that every Khan is not a terrorist.

In the best actress category there was a tie between Vidya Balan and Anushka Sharma - while the former was awarded for her stupendous performance in critically acclaimed Ishqiya, the latter was honoured for her role in the successful film Band Baaja Baraat.