Munnabhai 3: Sanjay is my first option

Arshad Warsi on wanting to cast 'less troublesome' actors for his debut direction and who will finally helm 'Munnabhai 3' 

Ever since working back-to-back in two Munnabhai projects, Arshad Warsi has decided his former co-star Sanjay Dutt is one name he wants to rope in for his own film. More so, as he feels Sanju baba is probably the easiest actor to work with in the industry. 

Arshad says he is eagerly looking forward to this film, an action thriller, and the first name that comes to his mind to cast in the film is Sanjay. He points out, “Vashu Bhagnani has signed me as the director. For the cast, Sanjay is my first option. I want to work with actors who are less troubling in nature.”

Ask him to elaborate and Arshad says, “The new generation of actors are really cool. Since this is my first project as a director, I want to work with actors who would actually help me make this film.” 
The actor also says he is looking forward to discuss the script with his friend and filmmaker Raju Hirani. Arshad also rules out rumours about Rajesh Mapuskar directing the third film in the Munnabhai franchise.

He says, “Raju will be directing Munnabhai 3. I have heard the first part of the script and I love it. Hopefully, towards the end of next year we should start shooting.”

While also stating that the shoot schedule of his upcoming film Der Ishqiya, helmed by Abhishek Chaubey, has been postponed, Arshad says he is willing to try other cinematic genres too. 

He says, “I am a pretty decent actor and people appreciate my comedy. But I want to try everything under the sun.” 

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How much more tax? Sonam Kapoor says the government is 'corrupt'

The government's decision to levy 12 percent service tax on film and TV actors has left many fuming. While veteran actress Hema Malini feels it would burden producers further, actor Arshad Warsi believes it would leave many actors jobless and Sonam Kapoor says the government is "corrupt".

Many feel it's time the government stopped harrassing actors.

"This move is going to encourage a parallel economy. Artists take cheques, there is no black money or cash. Now they will want to take cash. It will become a burden on the producers. As it is the government does not help film industry and now this will become a problem, " Hema told.

The government announced plans to levy the tax on actors' acting as well as endorsement assignments, starting Sunday. It will be in an addition to the income tax they pay.

Vipul Shah, who produced "Singh Is Kinng" and "Force", is worried about the producers' woes. 

"It is a terrible decision. They have the left the producers with nothing. Maybe they are under the myth that the film industry has lot of money and so decided to put a tax on it. The ticket rates don't have any service tax, so ultimately it is the producers who pay it from their pockets, " Shah told. 

He says the decision will have a direct impact on producers of small budgets films. 

"More films will lose its money in the coming days. Just imagine about the small budget films and other regional films... how do they pay service tax on every technician? I hope they realise that its a wrong decision, " the producer added. 

Actors are dejected by the move.

"With this service tax, there will be some more jobless actors... Blame it on the tax?

Very soon all actors' payment will go directly to the government and they will start giving us the little per cent that is left for us as salary, Arshad tweeted Monday.

Terming the decision as "ridiculous", Divya Dutta tweeted: "'They' have no idea how some of the actors survive in this tough terrain of our profession. We are as much employed professionals as any in any field.

"I strongly appeal every one of our faculty to stand 'tall' against the implementation of such injustice. Please spread the word." 

Divya believes this development will impact the strugglers more than it would affect the established stars.

"That tax thing is okay for those who (are) doing well, but for those who (are) struggling, not a good news to pay more, " she added. 

Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, who is set to make her acting debut with "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi", is disappointed. 

"And just as I've turned 'actress', the government has decided to also charge 12.5 per cent service tax to all actors! This is too much. Kitna nichodogey yaar (How much will you squeeze us)?" posted Farah.

Calling the government "corrupt", actress Sonam said: "We are just filling every politicians pockets with money. If my money really went into developing my country I'd be more than happy to give it."

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Arshad finds Katrina Kaif boring

She might have impressed everyone with her looks and dance skills, but Bollywood siren Katrina Kaif has failed to charm Arshad Warsi. The actor finds the beauty pakao, i.e. boring. Arshad, who caught Katrina's Mango Slice ad on television, found her boring in it. 'How pakao is Katrina in the Slice ad, kairi pakadti hai aur vo aam ban jata hai.Angoor do toh shayad Wine banjayegi,' he tweeted.

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Bipasha Basu & Arshad Warsi comments together in Satte Pe Satta

Casting is on in full swing for the Satte Pe Satta remake being directed by Soham Shah. The flick, toplining Sanjay Dutt is a co-production between the actor and Shree Ashtavinayak.While it is known that Vidya Balan will play Hema Malini's character, the latest from the sets is that Bipasha Basu has been roped in to play the crippled Seema, originally played by Ranjeeta. Bips most likely will adhere to character demands, wheelchair et al.

Reunion: Also, Arshad Warsi will have an on-screen reunion with Sanjay Dutt with SPS. He plays one of Dutt's siblings in the film. Their last last pairing as Circuit and Munnabhai respectively was a much-loved one. The two haven't been seen together bade parde pe, since.

While we reported that Warsi dropped out of Kabir Kaushik's Maximum at the last minute ('Dropout Warsi'; Feb 9) due to script disagreement, it is now learnt that he was also offered Satte Pe Satta and the dates were clashing with Maximum.

A friend confirms this but speaks up in the actor's defence, "He was doing Maximum only because of his friendship with Kabir. On realising his role had no meat and was nothing like what was narrated to him, he decided to walk out. It is Sonu's film and Arshad was reduced to a guest appearance."One's loss is another's gain, then!

The Other Side: Dharam Oberoi, Dutt's business manager and the producer of the SPS remake denied the developments. Mere Bhai: Besides Arshad Warsi, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan and Shreyas Talpade will play some of the brothers in the remake,which goes on floors Mid-April on location in Panchgani

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Golmaal 3: Opening Today

With Golmaal 3, director Rohit Shetty completed a successful rib-tickling trilogy, striking the right chord with the audiences and giving tough competition to Vipul Shah's romantic Action Replayy at the box office. Both the biggies were scheduled for a Diwali release and hit the screens Friday.

"The content of Golmaal 3 is very good. People are enjoying it a lot and it has been houseful so far. It is a good time pass and full paisa vasool movie. Action Replayy has opened a little weak and is not pikcing up," Ashwini Singh, business head of SRS cinema, told IANS. Satish Garg, owner of G3S Cinemas, said: "Golmaal 3 is going very good. We have an occupancy of 100 percent and the advance booking is rocking. Action Replayy is okay with close to 40 percent occupancy.

For Golmaal 3, Shetty teamed up with Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Mithun Chakraborty, Kunal Khemu, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Johny Lever and Ratna Pathak-Shah. Just like its previous two installments, it is full on entertainment and people are lapping up the laughthon, while Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai starrer Action Replayy, in which the story travels to the past, has got a lukewarm response.

"Golmaal 3 has taken the screens by storm and is doing better at all sites across Delhi. It has 60 percent occupancy, while 'Action Replayy' has 30 percent. Both have good advance for Sunday, however, Golmaal 3 has much more. Action Replayy should pick up tomorrow (Saturday) onwards," said Jayendra Banerji, vice president Satyam Cinemas.

Yogesh Raizada of Waves Cinemas said: "All votes are in favour of Golmaal 3. It has got a good initial and public swing due to its recall value. It has an occupancy close to 70 percent. It has good advance booking till Sunday and the ratio is 60:40. Action Replayy is a new concept and its acceptance is yet to be seen. It has managed to get an occupancy of 40 to 50 percent only."

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Vidya-Kangna to star in Dhamaal 2

Dhamaal 2 has been shelved, Indra Kumar has surprised everyone by managing to get his cast together.

Apart from all the actors in the first film, he has managed to rope in Vidya Balan and Kangna Ranaut for the sequel.

Our source said, “The film was shelved as Sanjay Dutt was not keen on working on part two after which Indra Kumar put this film.

On hold and was all set to start another film with Dutt, Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna.

However that got shelved too. Now Indra Kumar has managed to start working on Dhamaal 2 as Dutt is happy with the script. Arshad Warsi, Ritiesh deshmukh and Javed Jaffrey too have given the film a go ahead.”

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Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan ISHQIYA raw, wildly unpredictable

The plot of the flick revolves around the character of two thieves played by Naseeruddin Shah (Khalujan) and Babban(Arshad Warsi). Khalujan is Babban’s uncle, but they are as different in their temperament and behavior as chalk and cheese. While, Khalujan is fed up with a gangster’s life with guns and wants to settle in his native village, Babban thinks otherwise.

Babban is young and hot blooded. He is cynical and does not value the finer things of life, like true romantic love, and believes only in physical attraction. On the other hand, Khalujan is emotional and values true love more than anything else.This difference of perception and love manifests itself clearly when they go to their friend’s place to hide from their boss.

The friend is not there and they meet his widow Krishna Verma (Vidya Balan).While Khalujan sees the gorgeous lady with an emotional eye and falls for Krishna Verma, Babban sees her physical attributes and gets attracted towards her physically and perhaps lustily.However, a twist in the story makes Khalu and Babban run for their life. What happens after that with Krishna Verma, Babban and Khalujan is revealed in the rest of the film.PERFORMANCE

Naseeruddin Shah, the veteran of bollywood who plays the character of Khalujan, enacts his part with élan. His tough looking physique and soft heartedness towards Vidya Balan presents a contrasting and most humane characteristic realistically. He is obviously pick of the lot, especially for his shocked facial expression after knowing the truth about love angle between Arshad and Vidya Balan.

Arshad Warsi, who plays the character of Babban in the film, has grabbed the chance to showcase his talent after Munnabhai MBBS’ circuit. The man looks so natural and effortless in his performance.performance. The wild and raw character has Vidya Balan in full flow, and the gorgeous actress comes out of all these with flying colors.

The child actor also leaves his imprint while interacting with Arshad Warsi in the film. Others, like the one playing Vidya’s husband, also enacted his part well. Others provided able support to the main cast of the film.

The direction of Abhishek Choubey has spark of making of a genius. Abhishek shows his mastery of the craft in the number ‘Dil To Bachcha hai ji’, where he handles the change of events with consummate ease. Even the love making sequence between Arshad and Vidya has been shot aesthetically.The movie really becomes engrossing in the second hour but it becomes somewhat confusing in the climax sequence. It could have been simpler for the hoi polloi and aam janta, but it does not mean that the director has lost his grip even once.

The music of Vishal Bhardwaj is one of the highlights of the flick. Two numbers ‘Ibn batuta’ and ‘Dil To Bchcha hai ji’ are already popular with the audiences. The cinematography by Mohan Krishna is up to the mark. Dialogues suit the rural set up and add punch to the storyline.

STARDUST VERDICT Naseeruddin Shan, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi have done a splendid job in the film. The wild and unpredictable rawness of ‘Ishqiya’ is superb. The superb music should attract the viewers to theatres. A brilliant fare.

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Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi's chemistry

Ever since the promo of Ishqiya aired on air, its raking tremendous response and the on-screen chemistry between the actors has become the talk of the town. A well-known off screen chemistry between Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan has transformed beautifully on the screen which is quite evident from the Ishqiya promo.

Talking about their off-screen chemistry the funny man Arshad informs, “Vidya is a lovely human being, very warm and nice.” Arshad narrates an incident. “While we were shooting in Wai I would leave in the night to have dinner with my kids and come back by morning.

So, my driver would drive in full speed so that I could be on time on the sets. However, Vidya would be scared of all this and would put ash-tilak on my forehead before I would leave for dinner.” Arshad also fondly adds, “She is an amazing actress. A good human being in Vidya appeals first for me and then the beautiful actress in her which comes as a combo in the end.” Ishqiya is slated to release on 29 January, 2010.

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