Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha will now be romancing yesteryear beauty Rekha. They are featured together in a matured love story ‘Aaj Fir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai’, directed by Ramesh Talwar. Sinha got candid with media at the launch event and spoke about films and politics.

On ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai’

This film is co-produced by my wife Poonam Sinha. She enticed me by casting Rekha opposite me and I could not refuse. My fans have also been missing me in films, as now I am in opposition this time; I can take out some time to do films.

On the director Ramesh Talwar

If Nishabd did not do well on the box office it does not mean Amitabh Bachchan is not a good actor. Ramesh is a good director I have worked with him in a play called ‘pati, patni aur woh’ and audience did like it. Hits and flops are not the parameter to judge the ability of a person.

Future projects

I am also doing a film with Hema Malini which is a romantic comedy.

On his daughter Sonakshi’s acting career

She is doing a film with Salman khan. It has a good storyline and Sonakshi has a strong role to play. Sonakshi will never let us down by doing any indecent role.

On politics

Mein film industry ka pehla villain tha jiske aane pe taaliyaan bajti thi (I was industry’s first villain whose entry was cheered on by the audience) and I was the first actor to become cabinet minister. I got recognition through films but I have been doing creative and constructive work for which Janta has always respected me. It has been possible only because of the love and support that I have been receiving from them. 

On Shekhar Suman

Shekhar has said “bhaiyya mana karenge toh chunaav nahi ladunga, bhaiya se pooncha kaha”. (I will not contest elections if brother (Shatrughan) says so, well he (Shekhar) never asked) He got personal during the election. Then I only reacted to it saying ki woh Bandar ki tarah harkat kar raha hai. Tum dusron ki pol kholte the, aaj tumhari hi khul gayee. (He started acting like a monkey. He wanted to bust others but instead he himself got busted.)   

On global warming

I am not versed with the subject but people who talk about it have been commuting in AC cars. Aise bade bade log ghadiyaali aansoo bahate hai. (These big men just shed crocodile tears)

- Deepa Mishra/ Sampurn Media

Sri Devi might not have yet zeroed upon a subject for her comeback vehicle, but she still manages to make her presence every now and then by gracing sundry events. Recently, she was spotted with hubby Boney Kapoor at the music launch of Satish Kaushik’s Teree Sang.

But if we go down the memory lane, we see that Sri Devi has always been there for director Satish Kaushik, and has always been a part of his celebrations. It has been a tradition for Sri Devi to pay a sweet gesture at Satish Kaushik’s events, by gracing them with her presence.

She yet again was present to bless the team of Teree Sang, especially debutant Sheena Shahabadi who is playing an unwed mother, in the recent Teree Sang music launch in Mumbai.

Teree Sang also stars Ruslaan Mumtaz, Satish Kaushik, Rajat Kapoor and is slated to release on August 7.

- Esha Razdan/ Sampurn Media

In the recession season another producer dares to take plunge in the show-business. Sunil Pathare unveils the first look of his first film on his 38th birthday. Mysteriously titled ‘3 Nights 4 days’ is directed by the Devang Dholakia. Cast of the youthful film includes Anuj Swahney, Farid Amiri, Madhuri Bhattacharya, Samir Aftab, Pinky Harwani, Areesz Gandh, exotic beauty Sanda Caktas and the only-known-face Hrishita Bhatt. “I have heard not less than fifty scripts before zeroing on this youth centric concept.

Story revolves around five friends who haven’t seen each other from long time and get together in one of the friends marriage. Wedding ceremony is being arranged for ‘3 Nights’ and ‘4 days’ and all that happens during this period is the film all about,” briefs the producer. “Film is about love and friendship. It also gives a picture of the changing equations between friends over the time,” shares Sanda. Youthful cast of the film seemed very excited on the inauguration eve. Maxwell’s discovery Sanda gave every Indian beauty run for their money in her snow-white dress. Cutest hunk Samir Aftab looked dashing in his casuals. Madhuri Bhattacharya carried the broadest smile all through the party in her golden-glossy dress.

Producer in his off-white suit was so putting off but director Devang Dholakia did the balancing act and graced the party in his black leather suit. Music composer Daboo Malik and choreographer Longinus Fernandes were also rejoicing the bash. Fast forward girl Bhavana Pani, don the simple black and Jimmy Shergill preferred simplicity to party this eve. Wannabe stars kept walking in the merrymaking ceremony, flaunting the best of their looks. Rachana Shah, Siddharth Koirala, Hiten Paintal and Rituparna Sengupta showed up brilliantly in the new producer’s party.

- Deepa Mishra/ Sampurn Media

Any Press kit can’t get sexier than this! The press kit which was till now just a simple tool to share the film information with the media has become creative with ‘Raat Gayi, Baat Gayi’. The reason being Pritish communication and Mirah entertainment who have included some interesting items in the press kit like Durex Condoms, Contraceptive pills, Party smart capsules, Tang energy drink, Happydent wave-2, and a Disprin tablet.

Before unveiling this press kit, the producer and presenter of the film Pritish Nandy said, “This kit is above average and will shock you for a moment. Besides that, I’m sure this will be a unique press kit you have received”

Slated to release on 31st December, 2009, the film recently won the Best Film Award at HBO’s New York SAIFF and features Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia and Dilip Tahil.

-Anil Kanojia / Sampurn Media

Bajaj Allianz in an event today announced its association with AB Crop and Reliance Big pictures’ film ‘Paa’. On the occasion, they included life insurance cover on Progeria- a rare disorder in its exclusive women specific rider that provides life insurance cover for a host of congenital disorders.

On this occasion Abhishek Bachchan said: “Me and R Balki are quite happy to be a part of this association through which we can do a bit for people who suffer from Progeria and also to help spread the awareness on the same.”

Furthermore, Kamesh Goyal, country manager and CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance said, “Considering the pie of this disorder, we don’t expect much from the sale front but we are sure that through this association we would able to flaunt our other range of products of Mahila gain riders and make it stronger. I wish all the best to ‘Paa’ and Abhishek Bachchan for his career.”

Bajaj Allianz by clubbing with ‘Paa’ has surely helped create awareness on Progeria.

-Anil A Kanojia/ Sampurn Media