Are you Kidin’ man?

Nawazuddin Siddiqui clarifies on his Hollywood film opposite Nicole

There is a price that one has to pay for success, and even the master and passionate actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who still has his feet firmly on the ground, has to face it.

For those of you who are not quite familiar with him, he’s had a subtle climb in the industry and now has some noticeable and acclaimed performances in films tucked under his belt.

He’s earnt his respect in films such as ‘Black Friday’ (2004), ‘New York’ (2009), ‘Peepli Live’ (2010), ‘Kahani’ (2012), ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012) and ‘Talaash’ (2012).

We were quite shocked when we heard rumours that Nawazuddin’s PR had claimed that he is starring in a film opposite Nicole Kidman and has scenes with her.

When we called Nawaz, he was shooting for Kabir Khan’s next project, and promised to get back to us as soon as he was through, and as always he did.

Here is what Nawaz said: “You know me very well. I don’t have a PR as I am here to work and if my director is satisfied, that gives me utmost satisfaction. I don’t know where it came from that I’m doing a Hollywood film opposite Nicole.”

Giving us the exclusive details Nawaz told us: “You know I had this very nice mail from Garth Davis, where he asked me to do this one scene/short appearance in his film. If you want I can forward it to you. That is it! And I’m doing it.

“I don’t have the gift of the gab, but as my well-wishers had advised I try to talk, give interviews and answer queries. But not while I am shooting, as I have my utmost attention and focus on that.

“The only person I talk to is my mother who is sick, not even my brothers or relatives. People have to understand that. It really pains me to read such unsubstantiated stories,” concludes the humble actor.

‘Happy New Year’ is 7th highest-grossing Bollywood film overseas

Shah Rukh Khan

Considering that Shah Rukh Khan has a huge fan following in the overseas market, it was expected that ‘Happy New Year’ would perform exceptionally well.

Whether it was anticipated that the film would become the seventh highest-grossing Bollywood film overseas, the fact is that this Farah Khan directorial has now collected $13 million in the international circuit in just ten days.

It has now beaten the collections of three films as it jumped directly to the seventh position.

The film surpassed the collections of two of Shah Rukh’s films i.e ‘Don 2’ which had collected $11,750,000 and ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehana’, which had raked in $10,770,000.

Also ‘Happy New Year’ has now beaten this year’s entrant ‘Kick’ which had made $11,100,000 million overseas.

Wife of legendary Yash Chopra to remember his life and work

The death of Yash Chopra in 2012 left the Bollywood film industry bereft of its most iconic filmmaking talent.

Now the life and work of the legendary writer, director and producer is set to come into focus during a unique event on 7th June, as part of the 16th annual Tongues on Fire London Asian Film Festival: Europe's oldest and most respected showcase for independent South Asian arts and cinema.

REMEMBERING: Yash Chopra’s wife Pam Chopra
(here with son Udhay) will talk about her husband’s work

'Remembering Yash Chopra' will see Pam Chopra, the late director's wife, in conversation with  Rachel Dwyer, the respected Professor of Indian Cultures and Cinema at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and an authority on the work of Yash Chopra, having penned a comprehensive biography on the filmmaker a decade before his passing.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who appeared in a string of Yash Chopra productions, including such famous films as 'Darr', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Mohabbatein' and 'Lamhe', to name but a few, will also make a special appearance during the event, to be held at the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.

The evening promises a unique and unprecedented insight into the two most important aspects of Yash Chopra's life: his cinema and his family.

LEGEND: Writer, director and producer - Yash Chopra’s death in 2012 left a huge hole in Bollywood

Writing soon after the director's passing, Professor Dwyer said: "The work of Yash Chopra is one of the glories of Indian film, his career bridging the Hindi cinema of the 1950s and the globalising India of today.  Nothing made him happier than making films; then having his family and friends around him for a great meal: ‘Family, films and food’.

His wife Pamela was the centre of his world and his strength."

Pam Chopra, who married Yashji in 1970, was the filmmaker's closest confidante and most scrupulous critic and worked variously as a producer, writer and costume designer on a number of her husband's most memorable hits, including 'Kabhie Kabhie', ' Silsila' and 'Dil To Pagal Hai'; all that whilst forging a successful career in her own right as a playback singer.

Mrs Chopra's tete-a-tete with Professor Dwyer will be preceded by a documentary short film written and directed by award-winning Delhi-based documentary filmmaker Vinky Singh.

Titled 'The Master Stroke', Singh's film delves into Yashji's use of the 'Navarasa' - the nine essential emotional themes that are the fundamental building blocks of Indian art - in the unforgettable and timeless music that became the cornerstone of his films.

The evening will be capped off by another documentary charting Yashji's phenomenal career in Bollywood and a performance by Mrs Chopra herself.

‘'Remembering Yash Chopra’,
part of the 2014 Tongues on Fire London Asian Film Festival
Date: Saturday 07th June 2014
Time: 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Venue: BAFTA - 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN.
Tickets: www.tonguesonfire.com