Close call for Ameesha: 'It shocked me like anything!

Ameesha Patel narrowly survived an accident during 'Shortcut Romeo' shoot but she's unfazed by the whole experience

Accidents while making a film is not uncommon. Sometimes it involves the crew member and sometimes, the stars themselves. Ameesha Patel was recently a part of one such happenstance.

 At the time of the reported accident, she was with Neil Nitin Mukesh in a high-rise building on the 30th floor shooting for her upcoming film Shortcut Romeo.

The action sequence they were shooting required height so the setting included lots of props including rods and planks.

Unfortunately, one of the planks snapped and crashed down. Before this occurred, both the actors were relaxing on the floor underneath. But as soon as they realised that it was no longer safe, they ran to safety.

Ameesha confirms, “Neil was fidgeting with my cellphone and we were just checking out our Twitter pages when this happened.

The plank fell just inches away from us and it shocked me like anything! But thanks to our quick reflexes, we both took to our heels and avoided the worse. We could have been injured but all we got was a terrible scare.”

She had been busy working with the actor for the past six months and now enjoys a good rapport with him. “Neil is a very friendly guy and fun to work with. He’s not only sweet and well-mannered but also a really good actor.”

On being asked about the character she plays in this particular film, Ameesha informed that it’s a wicked role and she’s enjoying every bit of it.

“I’m playing this bitchy, smart, manipulative woman who won’t take things lying down. It’s very different from what I’ve played until now. It was a challenge to play a negative role, in fact.”

The movie is a remake of a Tamil film and is directed by Susi Ganeshan. Ameesha compares the storyline of the movie with a chess game and reveals the plot is full of twists.

She is all praise for the South Indian director too. “He’s excellent at what he does. He’s very well-planned and doesn’t leave anything to chance. And when you’re working with someone like him, it brings a lot of confidence, ” adds the actress.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Neil Nitin Mukesh's dream project

A closet writer turned producer, Neil Nitin Mukesh, has finally decided to go public with the script that he has been working on for some years now.

Reportedly, the actor, who has recently finalised the romantic thriller, titled Paidaar, has asked the director of Superstar, Rohit Jugraaj, to direct the film, which goes on floors in December.

A source informed that Neil and Rohit hit it off during the shooting of Abbas-Mustan's Players, which was scripted by Rohit. "That's when Neil told Rohit about his dream project Paidaar. Apparently, Rohit also helped Neil with the final shape of the screenplay," said the source.

With the news of Neil's latest endeavour doing the rounds, the industry is abuzz with speculations about the likely cast of the film. And reportedly, the actor's rumoured ex-flame Deepika Padukone is a strong contender for the female lead.

As for Neil, he has decided to don the role of music composer as well. And we hear that the actor and his reputed singer father, Nitin Mukesh will sing one of Mukesh's classic evergreens. The source added that besides composing the music, the father and son are likely to also produce the film.

When contacted, Nitin confirmed, "Well, yes it's true. But I can't reveal details. I've been working on this script quietly for years now. I was wondering who would direct it for me. Then, when I got to know Rohit Jugraj, I knew I had found the director capable of doing justice to my dream project.

Rohit and I are not only like-minded, but also very compatible in our creativity. I can't wait to start the film. I'll be singing all the numbers for my character. Apart from this, I can't reveal anything more right now."

'Sweetheart' Neil, 'darling' Sonam!

Sonam Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh have been sharing sweet nothings off the sets of Abbas-Mustan's "Players". Both the actors took to Twitter to shower compliments on each other.

"Last day of my song with @NeilNMukesh! He's a sweetheart...Even when he steps on my feet," Sonam posted, while Neil wrote: "Great day at shoot with my darling @sonamakapoor. I've troubled her loads. But she is simply amazing."


As Sonam pointed out, the actors were busy shooting for a song for "Players", a Hindi remake of British film "The Italian Job". The movie is a multi-starrer, and also features Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Bobby Deol, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher.

I am not dating Asin, says Neil Nitin Mukesh

Neil Nitin Mukesh, who desperately wants to break the box office gremlin after his last film ‘Lafangey Parindey’ bombed badly, is now only focused on reviving his dipping career and is quite upset about his rumored liaison to the southern star Asin.
Back in Mumbai after a month long shooting schedule in Russia for his upcoming film ‘Players’, Neil seemed to be quite infuriated with the recent reports of him dating Asin that has been making news for sometime.
Talking about his link-up rumors, Neil stated, “To begin with I am not seeing Asin. I don't know how these rumours take life. Regular friendships become affairs and suddenly someone else other than me and my family are making career decisions for me."

Neil didn’t recommend Asin to filmmakers

Apart from these floating relationship rumors, Neil was annoyed when a recent rumor stated that he has been recommending Asin to a filmmaker.
It had been rumored that Neil recommended Asin’s name to filmmaker Hriday Shetty by asking him to cast the actress opposite him in his film.

However, it seems when the filmmaker went ahead and approached Asin, the actress refused the role and apparently told the movie maker that the character given to Neil won’t be suitable for him.
Neil denies these rumors of him having recommended Asin to any filmmaker and also cleared the air stating that no one takes decisions on his behalf other than himself.

Asin not affected with Kareena’s remark?

Kareena has recently given hints that Asin’s acting in the Tamil remake of ‘Bodyguard’ is not as impressive as Nayanthara’s in the original Malayalam film.
Kareena, who is busy shooting for the Hindi remake of ‘Bodyguard,’ was earlier told by the director Siddique to watch the original version and the Tamil remake to understand the character in both the movies.

However, after having watched both the films, Kareena commented that southern actress Nayanthara is more realistic when compared to Asin’s acting in the Tamil film.

Meanwhile when Asin came to know about Kareena’s recent comments about her the actress stated that she is comfortable with herself and doesn’t really care what anyone has to say about her.

"Neil, Asin are very close!"

Asin Thottumkal and Neil Nitin Mukesh have been in the news for over a year now. Soon after his break up with childhood sweetheart Priyanka, Neil had been spotted having cozy dinners with the actress.

In 2010, Asin and Neil were signed up to play the leads in Ravi Chopra's film titled Pocketmaar, which has not yet gone on floors. Then, on his advice, Asin went on to buy the same car as he owns the very same car that was spotted outside her place pretty often. However, the stars, like many others before them chose to maintain that they are 'simply friends'.

Since then, there have been rumours about Neil recommending Asin to many producers.  In fact, Neil had angrily told a section of the media recently, "Asin is a very close friend, and I see no reason why I should shy away from that. I am fond of her and we are good friends, but I don't need to recommend her to anyone."

However, recently, when Hriday Shetty (son of late Shetty, the ace villain) approached Neil to play the male lead in his film, the actor heard him out and also suggested that he ask Asin to play the female lead opposite him. Which negates whatever Neil told the media earlier about not recommending Asin.

Excited with things falling into place, Shetty approached the Ghajini star. "Hriday was shocked when Asin not only refused the offer but also told him the role wouldn't suit Neil either," revealed a source.

Hriday had nothing to say to that. He couldn't imagine what was going on between the two actors. "Asin and Neil have become very close to each other. Their combined decision about the Hriday Shetty film was kind of weird and hard to explain," added our source.

While Neil who is in Russia shooting for Abbas Mustan's Players was unavailable for comment, his spokesperson said, "Neil is not dating Asin. But I am not aware of the Hriday Shetty incident." On the other hand, Asin, who will be seen with Salman Khan in Ready next, chose not to reply to our calls or text messages.

I would love to do a comedy film: Neil Nitin Mukesh

New Delhi, Feb 20 – He has always played intense and serious roles, but not many know that Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has a humorous side which he would like to explore in films. The actor is keen to do situational comedies.

‘I would love to be a part of a comedy film but it is very important what type of comedy the film has to offer. I can’t bang my head here and there and make people laugh,’ Neil told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

‘I would love to be a part of a situational comedy, something like ‘Hera Pheri’,’ he added.

Five-films-old Neil has garnered plenty of critical acclaim with serious roles in his films ‘Johnny Gaddaar’, ‘Aa Dekhen Zara’, ‘Jail’, ‘New York’ and ‘Lafangey Parindey’ but off-screen the actor admits he is a clown.

‘I am a clown off-screen and keep making people laugh with my acts. I have a great sense of humour. I am a good mimicry artiste also, a glimpse of which you would have seen in ‘Johnny Gaddaar’,’ the actor proudly said.

Last seen in ‘Lafange Parindey’ with Deepika Padukone, Neil returns with yet another dark role in Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, which is an adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s short story ‘Susanne’s Seven Husbands’.

He plays the role of the ‘lucky first husband’ to get married to Susanna, played by Priyanka Chopra.

‘Earlier, I was a bit nervous about working with Vishal but in course of time I realised he is a very humble human being and a great director. He has a different vision and explains each and everything so beautifully to an actor,’ he said.

The actor sports a moustache for his role as an army man, Major Edwin Rodrigues, in the film, and says the character is inspired by his uncle Mohnish Mukesh.

So, does he plan to sport a moustache in future?

‘Let’s see how the audience responds to it. That will only decide whether or not I would sport it in future,’ he said.

Apart from Neil, the film also stars John Abraham, Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Annu Kapoor and Russian actor Aleksandr Dyachenko.

Asked if he was ever apprehensive about being a part of the multi-starrer ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, Neil said: ‘I don’t understand why everybody is asking the same question. If I had been apprehensive, I would not have taken the film in the first place.’

‘Such things sometimes create a doubt in the minds of actors like us – whether we made the right decision or not,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Neil is busy shooting for Abbas Mustan’s ‘Players’ with Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Sonam Kapoor and reveals that he has signed another film. 

IANS

5 most eligible bachelors of Bollywood

One of the biggest hassles involving Bollywood bachelors relate to their walking in and out of virtual marriages, secret marriages and rumored marriages. Nevertheless, Bollywood has its share of confirmed bachelors who seldom miss a date yet remaining single all their life. Of course, these are real heroes whom their ladyloves hate to see in the role of husband as they themselves had missed the bus during their prime time. Nevertheless, there are exceptions where the hurt hero gulps his own sorrow, yet showing little disrespect to women with whom he once happened to be in love. 

1. Salman Khan

Take, for instance, the case of Salman Khan, Bollywood Hero Numero Uno who is said to be the heartthrob of numerous females, starting from Mumbai super models to most sought after Bollywood actresses. However, looking at his filmy career chronologically we may find Salman plunging into Bollywood with the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisa, playing a supporting role. The actor’s first lead role in Sooraj R. Barjatiya’s Bollywood romance Maine Pyar Kiiya (1989) won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut Aard and a nomination for Filmfare Best Actor award, while the film itself was considered the biggest hit of the year. Of course, it also helped established his status in the Mumbai film industry. Hoiwever, Salman received international acclaim through the movie Phir Mileng (2004) where he played the role of an AIDs patient, an issue greatly appreciated by WHO. 

But in spite of Salman’s being romantically linked with quite a few actresses and having relationship with ex-girlfriends Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bij;lani and Aisharya Rai, Salman is perpetually portrayed by the Indian media as Bollywood’s most eligible bachelor.

2. Karan Johar

The next in line in the list of 5 most eligible bachelors of Bollywood, we have illustrious young bachelor Karan Johar  who had given us a handful of blockbuster movies during the recent past. In 1998, Karan directed a moving love story Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mookherjee. This was followed by Kabhi khushi Kabhi Gham, starring Amitabh-Jaya Bachchan, Sah Rukh-Kajol, Hritik Roshan-Kareena Kapoor. An entertaining comedy about children and their parents, it drew praise from all quarters and was a super hit.

3. Ranbir Kapoor

Next in line as one of the 5 eligible bachelors of Bollywood, we have charming  Ranbir Kapoor who surely is living up to the Kapoor legend. His lively performance in Ajab Prem Hi Ghazab Kahan and Rocket Singh seem to have hit the right note, bringing him all  the accolade. Being the son of actor Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, grandson of legendary Raj Kapoor and great grandson of famed Prithviraj Kapoor who first introduced cinematographic faculty in the family way back in the thirties, Ranbir will prove his talents in not too distant future.

4. Neil Nitin Mukesh

As our next most celebrated bachelor roaming the woods of Bollywood, we have  Neil Nitin Mukesh with his milky skin tone and trimmed stubble. Being the grandson of the great singer Mukesh and son of Nitin Mukesh whose famous lines in the film song So Gaye Ye Jahan from Tezaab were simply great would sure take Neil to greater heights. Neil Nitin Mukesh first appeared as a felon in Johnny Gaddar in 1997and was given due appreciation for hid role in the film, even though the film itself did not see much of box office success. However, his upcoming roles are quite encouraging and unless he gets himself much too obsessed with success, Nitin Mukesh is going to shine through.

5. Shahid Kapoor

And our last but not of least significance is one of the 5 most eligible Bollywood bachelors, we have none other than young and handsome Shahid Kapoor. The actor started his career with the romantic movie Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar. The cine idol had a romantic relation with the gorgeous actress Kareena Kapoor in the past. However, the love didn’t last for long. Shahid Kapoor is single and happy to mingle now.