BOLLYWOOD 2001
Looking Forward

AKSHAY SIGNS NEW KHILADI FLICK!
We are about to find out whether the audience are tired of Akshay Kumar's Khiladi routine, as the actor releases his latest addition in the form of 'Khiladi 420' this Friday. However, Akshay is obviously thrilled about the way that this one has turned out, and has decided to sign yet another Khiladi film - which will be called 'Khiladi v/s Khiladi'. Once again, the movie will be produced by Keshu…but what about the other cast details, which are currently being discussed and negotiated? Who will fill the boots as the bond-girl style heroine in the film? Rumours were floating around that Urmila was being considered, but now we hear that Amisha Patel is a strong contender. Guess we'll have to wait and see until it is confirmed!

KARISMA AND NANA CAST TOGETHER!
Here is the latest dope on that Boney Kapoor film that Karisma has signed - you know, the one that originally starred the one and only Sridevi, who was later replaced by Kajol, who was then swapped for Karisma! Anyway, the film is supposed to be a Bollywood remake of 'Not Without My Daughter' and although Shah Rukh in no longer in the lead, he will apparently make a guest appearance in the movie. Nana Patekar, whose career has been going no way for too long, has also been signed for the film.

YUKTA SIGNS HER 'BIG' BOLLYWOOD DEBUT!
Yukta Mookhey is hoping that her debut film 'Pyaasa' is the best move for her new career in Bollywood, but surely she could have done better? For a start, A. Muthu - who directed the terrible 'Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya', directs the film. Lets hope he does a better job with this film! Secondly she has chosen to be paired opposite newcomer Aftab Shivdasani, rather than the bankable stars like the Khans or Hrithik. Well, lets just hope her gamble pays off…only time will tell!

IS URMILA'S CAREER BACK ON TRACK?
Urmila is desperately trying to keep her place in Bollywood secure, but is her career a sinking ship? After all, there has not been a rush of good projects coming her way, which is a strong indication about her future. However, Urmila is a fighter and will not give up easily - and quite frankly, she has been unlucky at the box office for the last couple of years. The latest news is that she has signed the big banner movie 'Om Jai Jagdish' which will also star the likes of Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan and Tabu. Way to go Urmila - we're sure you'll be back as the industy's sex bomb in no time!

PREETI JHANGIANI SIGNS BIG FILM
After the success of 'Hera Pheri', many people have been looking forward to its follow-up 'Awaara Paagal Deewana'. The comedy reunites the hit team of the first time, including actors Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty. Newcomer Aftab Shivdasani also joins the team. We have been waiting for a while now to hear which female stars will be joining the lads in 'Awaara Paagal Deewana', and now our questions have been answered. Twinkle Khanna was the first female lead, to be signed for the film. However, after the huge success of Mohabbatein, it is interesting to see that newcomer Preeti Jhangiani will also be featuring in the credits. This is great news for the newcomer, who joins Mohabbatein co-stars Jimmy Shergill, Uday Chopra and Shamita Shetty in the race to sign new films. Now we just have to wait to hear about the others!

GOVINDA TURNS TO PAST DIRECTORS
Govinda is working hard to make sure that 2001 is better than the last year, and is turning to those people who have given him some box office success in the recent past - even if it was in small doses! Looking back on the year 2000, its not hard to remember that 'Hahd Kardi Aapne' was one of Govinda's better films and therefore it makes sense that he turns to its director Manoj Agarwal for another film. Luckily for Chichi, Manoj was willing to help and has signed the comedy king for his next big budget movie, co-starring Raveena and Sonali. Next year an important one for Govinda, lets just hope this is a move in the right direction!

MANISHA GETS LUCKY WITH NEW FILM!
Manisha was hoping that good producers and directors may finally start approaching her again after her big release 'Lajja' hits the big screen, so she must be thrilled that someone has knocked on her door already! We are talking about none other than Kamal Hassan, who has decided to sign Manisha for 'Abhay', even if its only a special appearance. So, the days of Manisha sitting at home thinking about how to handle her career are over. She can now get out there and do something about it!

SOHAIL KHAN BECOMES ONE MAN SHOW!
What is the solution when you want to break into Bollywood as an actor, but nobody wants to sign you? Ask Salman Khan's brother Sohail, who has desperately been trying to become an actor for ages and ages with no luck. Well, poor old Sohail has taken matters into his own hands, and will star in a film that he will direct himself…clever solution, huh? But then there is the small matter of finding a good producer who has faith in Sohail. No problems, he can produce it himself! Writer? Yup, you've guessed right, Sohail once again! The film is called 'Dil Tujko Diya' and is truly a one-man show!

AJAY DEVGAN FINDS SOMETHING NEW FOR 2001!
Ajay Devgan must be trying something new for 2001, how else can we explain the fact that he has signed a David Dhawan film? He obviously doesn't mind about the fact that he is replacing Salman in the film 'Hum Kisise Kam Nahin', which also stars Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. The role is something that Ajay has never tried before, but the actor is confident that he can do a good job. Ask David Dhawan the same question and he politely replies with a similar answer, that Ajay is great for the film, he is going to be so good in his role blah blah blah. However, look at Dhawan's face when he answers, and you cannot help thinking that he would prefer Salman Khan in the role any day!

AFTAB AND FARDEEN ARE PROVING THEIR WORTH IN BOLLYWOOD!
Two new boys who are trying to find popularity in Bollywood are Aftab Shivdasani and Fardeen Khan. Both actors have had a lot of faith put into them by the film industry, who are offering them roles left, right and centre. To prove that there is no rivalry between them, the duo is even coming together for the movie 'Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega'. Directed by E. Niwas, the film also stars Bollywood dream girls Sonali Bendre and Twinkle Khanna. "You will see the boys as you've never seen them before" comes the statement from director-saab. Well, we've heard that line before a million times! Besides, we've hardly seen Aftab and Fardeen on the big screen, so seeing them in different roles is not exactly a hard task!

THE BACHCHANS: IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR
There has been plenty of talk about this for a while now, but it looks like things are finally being confirmed. What are we talking about? The latest ABCL film that is set to star Amitabh, Abhishek and Jaya Bachchan together on the big screen for the very first time! Amitabh's old buddie Rakesh Mehra will do the directing honours, and all three Bachchan family members are bound to have fantastic roles. Interest in this movie is red hot at the moment, so stayed logged onto radiosargam for more information soon…

SUNNY AND AISHWARYA TRY THEIR LUCK AGAIN!
After their first attempt to star in a movie together failed, Sunny Deol and Aishwarya Rai have decided that its time to try again. It wasn't actually that long ago that the two popular Bollywood stars were signed for the big budget project 'Indian', which met with a series of delays and was eventually scrapped altogether! However Pahlaj Nihalani has resigned Sunny and Ash for his next movie, and promises that this time it will make it to the big screen. We've already seen Aishwarya make her debut with one Deol, now its time to see whether she fares any better with the other one!

RAM GOPAL VERMA STARTS PLANNING HIS NEXT
Director Ram Gopal Verma is working hard on a new film with has been tipped to be a worthy follow-up to his blockbuster 'Satya'. RGV wants to concentrate in the script at the moment, and he has made a little more time for himself but making the film a 'no-song' zone, just like Satya. He doesn't have to spend much time thinking about which actress to cast either. Urmila is expected to lead the way in the heroine department, but that is hardly a surprise, is it? As far as the hero is concerned, we hear that a certain Nana Patekar will be the main hero. Wow, yet another promising film for Nana, is the man planning a second coming in Bollywood or what?

M.F. HUSSAIN SIGNS SONALI FOR NEXT MOVIE!
According to certain reports, the painter M.F. Hussain has enjoyed making Gajagamini so much that he wants to start making a new film straight way! It doesn't matter that the audience is still trying to figure out Gajagamini, because the man is on a roll. The strangest thing is that Hussain wants to take away the one praiseworthy thing in his last film and replace her! We are taking about Madhuri Dixit of course, who will not feature in his next movie. Apparently Sonali Bendre has bagged the lead role instead. Now, we wonder whether it was M.F. Hussain's choice not to feature her, or whether Madhuri was wise enough to say no herself!

WRITTEN BY ROBEEL HAQ