Love Story 2050

Hindi filmdom's most ambitious futuristic sci-fic - “Love Story 2050” - seems set to up the standards of special effects in the country, with a reported budget of Rs.500 million propping it.

Transformation of Mumbai into a super-futuristic metropolis, modelled on Shanghai, robot, teddy bears and an energy-blasting fight scene are some of the visual treats awaiting viewers when the film by director Harry Bajewa goes on the marquees on July 4.

Introducing Harman Baweja opposite star actor Priyanka Chopra, “Love Story 2050” is heavy on special effects and gizmos and may just be the impetus needed for filmmakers in India to invest in the country's own sprouting industry.

Even as India is emerging as the destination of choice for Hollywood studios to outsource their animation and special effects jobs, domestic film studios have been treading cautiously and are only now warming up to pumping big monies into the digital sphere.

Hindi filmmakers have for long shied away from investing huge sums on special effects and instead preferred to park most of the film's budget for remunerations of stars. As a result, though the country has the wherewithal that meets international standards, films churned in Bollywood suffer from tacky effects and graphics.

In fact, the Oscar-winning special effects for “The Golden Compass”, the Hollywood blockbuster that took $370 million at the box office last Christmas, were put together in India.

Increasingly, post-production movie work - everything from complex digital effects such as the talking armoured polar bears in “The Golden Compass”, one of which sported a fur coat with seven million individually rendered hairs, to basic colour grading, making sure shades stay consistent throughout a film - is steadily migrating from traditional centres such as Los Angles to low-cost locations on the sub-continent.

Nasscom, the Indian IT industry lobby group, estimates that the global animation market will be worth about $80 billion by 2010, and is targeting it as a prime source of future outsourcing revenues as more film work is shifted to India from the US and Europe.

Yet, Indian filmmakers form a very small portion of their clientele. The budget of “Love Story 2050” may sound high enough, but it is not.

“It is impossible to match the kind of standards that our counterparts from the West have set. It all boils down to the budget at the end of the day and with the kind of resources we work with, even though we may hire the best team out there, you can't expect results on the same lines,” says a candid Harman.

Nevertheless, the Indian filmmakers are hoping to ripe a good harvest from film merchandise and sale of rights to mobile and gaming companies to recover costs.

“Love Story 2050” features a fully animatronic robot teddy bear which was created by Oscar winner John Cox, who also worked on “Babe” and “The Host”. It also features a female robot. Similarly, airborne fight sequences will lead to spin offs like video and mobile gaming.

If India is to become more than just outsourcing sweatshops that sketched, painted and digitised ordered content, fully indigenous innovative breakthroughs are the need of the hour. And this can only happen if creative minds join hands with technical talents and create a fully Indian version of “Babe”.

With the growth in the outsourcing model reaching a plateau, big players claiming ownership of their products is the need of the hour as this co-production yields multiple sources of revenue from merchandising to licensing.

Kids lapped up Hrithik Roshan starrer "Krrish", which was loaded with special effects.

All eyes are now set on “Love Story 2050". Come Friday and both the film as well as the digital worlds will be hoping for audiences to embrace “Love Story 2050”, its hero and its lovable teddy bear - Boo.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline Heading to Custody Trial

Custody of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's two young sons will be settled in a trial in August, after an attempt to settle out of court failed on Thursday.

The pair spent the day in talks with a mediator, but Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan has confirmed that no agreement could be reached.

He tells E! News, "The mediation didn't result in an agreement that would avoid the trial set in August."

But he insists there was no breakdown in communication between the former couple, adding, "The mood was comfortable, positive and it was a mood that was consistent with opening at least a great dialogue, which is necessary.

"If the existing arrangement was acceptable to both parties... we wouldn't have to go to trial. But that didn't happen."

The trial is due to begin on Aug. 25, and will result in a final custody ruling.

Kaplan added that Federline is seeking sole physical and legal custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James. Federline was handed full custody of the boys after Spears was committed to a psychiatric facility to treat an alleged bipolar disorder following a standoff with police and childcare officials in January.

Spears locked herself and her youngest son in the bedroom of her Hollywood home and initially refused to come out when a visitation period had ended.

Earlier this week, Spears was granted an extension to her custody rights when a judge agreed she could spend one night a week with her sons.

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Reviews and rating- Mere Baap Pehle Aap

Cast: Paresh Rawal, Akshaye Khanna, Shobana, Genelia d'Souza, Om Puri
Director: Priyadarshan
Rating: 2/5

At last a Priyadarshan comedy that warms the cockles of the heart even as it makes you cackle in glee.

"Mere Baap Pehle Aap" is a deftly-scripted piece of quirky and cryptic concoction on role reversal. And if you take away all the humbug and fringe characters, at the core of this cool comedy is a father-son relationship where the father is often caught behaving like a truant child.

Paresh Rawal's guilt-stricken expressions and Akshaye Khanna's finger-wagging exasperation are simply superb. Hats off to Manisha Korde's wildly witty words that colonize the characters' comic world.

Breathe easy. There are no risqué or double-meaning jokes and no vulgar shots of women. Priyadarshan's film is clean and clever in parts and makes you forgive all the excesses of his recent films like "Bhool Bhulaiya" and "Malaamal Weekly" where the characters were constantly in a state of distress.

In "Mere Baap..." we see some restraint and subtlety in the narration and the locales are exquisite and refreshing. Sabu Cyril's art work suggests an endearing link between our cultural heritage and the rituals of laughter. The Kerala sequences are adorably quaint.

Throughout the story of a father and son finding marital bliss at about the same time, we are caught in spaces that are filled but not overbrimming. Like his earlier films, Priyadarshan's people this time go from laughter to a social message with a virile fluency.

Does a middle-aged man have the right to seek a companion when he has a child of marriageable age?

Paresh is at the receiving end of social taboos. After wasting himself in not-so-good comedies in recent times, Paresh comes into his own here as the surly, child-like dad who keeps getting into embarrassing positions for no fault of his.

If Paresh sparkles, it's because he has a screen son who shines with immense confidence. Akshaye's comic timing and his little nuances and gestures bring forceful humour to a film that may otherwise have ended up looking a little limp and unmoored.

The rest of the cast, barring the brazenly over-pitched Genelia, give winsome comic performances. It's a surprise to see the beautiful Shobana show up as the spinster that widower Paresh wants to marry.

The wedding song and dance are almost exquisite. This touch of the quasi-classical, also seen in the closing interlude of "Bhool Bhulaiya", gives the comedy a touch of refreshing grace.

Interestingly, Mohan Joshi, who's a regular in Priyadarshan films, gives a completely non-comic performance here. And Archana Puransingh, as a brassy lady cop, once again displays a penchant for parody.

Om Puri as a leery, ageing bachelor is appropriately grotesque. But one can't tell whether it's the character or the performance that makes one squirm.

The film works mainly because Paresh and Akshaye look so delightfully compatible as a father and son who have lived so closely together that they don't know which is which.

Another asset is Ranjit Barot's background music, which is surprisingly tender and strong in fits and starts.

Shilpa Shetty signs director Manish Jha for first home production

Bollywood beauty Shilpa Shetty, who's also turned producer now, has signed on filmmaker Manish Jha of "Matrubhoomi" fame to direct her first home production that will go on the floor in November.

"The untitled project is in its initial stages. It will have two heroes and two heroines. And I will be one of the heroines. As far as cast and crew go, only Manish and I are finalised ... the rest are yet to be decided," said Shilpa, who achieved international fame after winning the British reality show "Celebrity Big Brother".

The actress, who launched her production house S2 Global Productions last year, says she is making an appearance in the movie at Jha's behest.

"Manish felt the character suits me well and so I'm a part of it," Shilpa told IANS here.

Jha had earlier directed Shilpa's yoga DVD, which was shot near the backwaters of Kerala.

Talking about her future plans, Shilpa said: "I plan to produce a lot of movies that I may not be a part of. I'm also planning to re-launch my sister Shamita.

"Shamita will not be part of the first project, but I am thinking of a film for her too. The second film will be for Shamita."

The actress, who started her stint in Bollywood with "Baazigar" and gave hits like "Main Khiladi Tu Anari" and "Dhadkan", has not been seen on the silver screen for quite some time now.

"Now I am concentrating on quality films and have become choosy about subjects. My last release was 'Life... in a Metro' and 'Apne' and after that now I am doing 'The Man'," she explained.

"The Man" is a romantic thriller in which Shilpa plays an actress. It is Sunny Deol's second directorial venture after "Dillagi" and also stars Udita Goswami. Sunny himself plays the main lead.

Shilpa will also be seen in a special role in Karan Johar's "Dostana".

Besides being busy with films, Shilpa is upbeat about being part of the Bachchans' 'Unforgettable' world tour. She is set to perform at two special shows in London.

"After a long time, I'm a part of such a big tour. This is the second time I will be performing with Amitji. It will be a real pleasure and joy to be part of such a mega tour. It will be a finale with all the actors on the same stage," she said excitedly.

"Besides, I am very happy to perform in London - the place which has given me so much," she added.

The star-studded world tour featuring superstars like Amitabh, Abhishek, Aishwairya, Preity Zinta, Riteish Deshmukh and music directors Vishal-Shekhar will kick off July 18 at Toronto. It will later travel across the US including cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and New York, and then head to London.

Carla should always wear heels

Carla Bruni may be a style icon for many, but socialite Nancy Dell’Olio has advised the French first Lady to opt for heels, as she does not look glamorous in her ballet pumps. The Italian celebrity, who makes it on to the style pages for all reasons other than clothes, has claimed that Bruni is a sartorial sinner as far as style is concerned. Nancy said that Bruni, in an attempt to look taller than her short hubby Sarkozy, opts for flat shoes, which certainly doesn’t look glamorous. She then advised the former Italian model to wear heels as they look more glamorous. “Always wear heels — don’t be like Carla Bruni. She has a short man, I see the problem. But if you want to look glamorous, you have to go for heels every time,” Nancy, said.

Best-Song Oscar Rules Change

Oscar bosses have changed the rules so that no more than two tunes from any one film can be among the Academy Awards Best Song nominations.

This year, three of the five nominees for Best Song came from the film Enchanted. The winner was "Falling Slowly" from Once.

A spokesperson for the Academy says, "There continues to be no limit on the number of songs from a given film that can be submitted for consideration, but no more than two songs from any one film may be nominated for an Academy Award."

Movie updates

Synopsis:

Bill is a former golden boy of the banking industry. He made multi-million dollar deals buying and selling the debt of emerging countries. Now he is a fugitive running from a prison term. On the verge of suicide, he is taken in by Angela, a kind hearted, free spirited Latina whom he never would have encountered in his previous life. Through soul searching conversations ranging from politics to philosophy, sex and other worldly pleasures, they begin a passionate affair which will ultimately change the course of Bill's life.

Synopsis:
Maxwell Smart is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23. Smart is partnered instead with the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99. Given little field experience and even less time, Smart--armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm--must thwart the doomsday plans of KAOS head Siegfried.

Brad Pitt Flies to Italy for Radiohead

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt left his pregnant partner Angelina Jolie at home in France to jet to Italy to watch British rockers Radiohead with his pal Edward Norton.

The two actors--who met on the set of 1999 film Fight Club--were spotted enjoying the concert in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday evening.

The pair was joined by Pitt's friend Marianne Pearl, the woman played by Jolie in last year's A Mighty Heart.

Pitt was photographed laughing and joking with his friends and showing them pictures of his children on his camera phone, according to People.com.

Pitt and Jolie have three adopted children--Maddox, 6, Zahara, 2, and Pax, 4, from Vietnam--as well as their biological 2-year-old Shiloh. They are currently expecting twins.

New Hollywood 'Star' Names Unveiled

Cameron Diaz, Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Shakira, Ben Kingsley and husband-and-wife team William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman are among a glittering list of names who will be awarded stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.

The hot list also includes Kyra Sedgwick, Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds, Tim Burton, Ralph Fiennes, the Village People, John Stamos, bands Rush and the Miracles, as well as Disney character Tinkerbell.

Twenty-five celebrities have been approved by a committee and will be presented with their stars provided they agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years and pay $25,000 to cover the cost of protecting the star.

Jamie Spears Thrilled with New Baby

Jamie Lynn Spears with mom Lynn

Britney Spears and her family are "thrilled" with the arrival of Jamie Lynn's newborn daughter, reports proud grandfather Jamie.

The 17-year-old sister of pop star Britney gave birth to Maddie Briann, her first child with fiancé Casey Aldridge, at Mississippi Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, Mississippi, on Thursday.

And family patriarch Jamie, who was said to be present at the birth, insists the entire family is delighted with the newest member of their clan.

He tells Life & Style magazine, "We're thrilled, we're all absolutely thrilled."

Spears and Aldrige became engaged in March. The teen star stunned the Spears family when she announced her pregnancy news last year, at the age of 16. They had reportedly been delaying their wedding until after the birth of their child.

Wayne asked to change his nationality!

Rock singer Kelly Jones made Wayne Rooney promise that the footballer would change his nationality to Welsh before singing at his wedding reception. ‘The Stereophonics’ frontman also made Rooney pledge that he would play for Leeds next season. The 34-year-old was flown by private jet to the bash in Italy by Wayne’s wife Coleen as a surprise. “My opening line was, ‘So Wayne, your missus rang and asked us to do this’. I said, ‘On one condition — as long as he plays for Leeds next season and changes his nationality to Welsh,” a UK website quoted him as saying. “Me and Adam, who plays in the band, played an hour of hits and requests. Wayne and his family every word. He loved it. It was a good crack,” he added.

Manisha is Hollywood actor's spiritual guide

Scottish actor Gerard Butler seeks help from Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala to preserve his knowledge about spiritual healing.

Chennai's Oneness University, which aims to put every individual in touch with his faith through spiritual guidance, has become the hub of international celebrity attention. Demi Moore is a regular visitor and Butler went there too.

But Butler, who has acted in films like "300" and "The Phantom", didn't know how to retain the knowledge of healing for a long period, so he rang up Manisha, a spiritual comrade, for help.

The "Bombay" and "Dil Se" star has been attending courses regularly at the university and proved to be of great help to the Hollywood actor.

"Yes, Gerard did talk to me on his way back from the Oneness University in Chennai where I've been visiting and attending courses regularly. He was happy to be there. But worried that once you leave the university, the teachings and the spiritual aura would just evaporate," Manisha told IANS.

Manisha, who's heavily into spiritualism, gave the actor some invaluable information on how to preserve inner peace even when not at the venue.

"A close Danish filmmaker friend told me about the Oneness University. I checked out the university and loved its environment and teachings. I decided to stay away from public life and focus on my spiritualism," says Manisha.

"In fact, the man I'm seeing right now is also very spiritual. At this stage, I needed a companion who'd share my passion for spiritualism. I'm trying to get him interested in the Oneness course."

Manisha says, "All my life I've been a seeker. I've been trying to find inner peace through travel and books. The Oneness course solved all the questions on life and existence."

She admits that of late the roles being offered to her have not been interesting enough.

"I wanted to focus on other aspects of life. This Oneness course has changed my life completely. I've become so much calmer and more focused.

Her next plan is to direct a film. In fact, she recently went to New York University to learn editing and direction.

"I know I have it in me. Some day soon I'll direct a film. But it has to be a natural process. I won't persuade myself to do anything I don't believe in. I never have. I've been approached by some responsible producers and I might just take the plunge."

Summer 2007 rating and reviews

Director: Suhail Tatari
Cast: Sikander, Gul Panag, Uvika Chowdhary, Arjan Bajwa, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 3/5

Summer 2007 is as unpredictable as the Mumbai rains and once it starts off, it shows no signs of ceasing. That’s perhaps why this film may fall short of expectations, but kudos to a first time director and producer to invest in such a film.

The film talks of the Indian youth, sitting snug in the urban environment, oblivious to the plight of rural India which feeds one of the biggest economies in the world. The film starts off as a campus caper, indulges into college politics, shifts focus to issues in rural India, talks about ruthless landlords and calls for a change as it concludes.

Here’s a group of five medical college students (with nicknames showcasing the yuppie American lifestyle that we are fast adapting) who have a carefree approach to life and consider themselves cool. Rahul aka Butter (Sikandar) is the group-leader who had a failed relationship with Priyanka aka Pepsi (Uvika Chowdhary). Qateel aka Kats (Arjan Bajwa) is the Casanova while Bagani aka Bugs (Alekh Sangal) is the despo dude. The munificent Mother T aka Vishaka (Gul Panag) completes the company.

Post a futile romance track dealt in a flashback between Sikandar and Uvika, a university election episode triggers off the main issue that the film maker wants to focus on. To escape the unnecessary complications of elections, the group shifts to the interiors of rural Maharashtra in a village stuck by farmer suicide.
And typical of today’s college youth that the director is wanting to showcase, the five plan a vacation to Goa, while officially they are supposed to work as interns in the village hospital. Until they awake to the piteous plight of the poverty-struck people there through the village doctor Mukya (Ashutosh Rana).

And while the story concentrates on the upliftment of the underprivileged, it also brings to light the role of the cruel zamindar (Vikram Gokhale) and his archetypal debauched son (Prosshant Narayanan) who torment the villagers with excessive-interest rate credits. But instead of just highlighting the problem, the film maker has attempted to find a solution for the poverty stricken farmers. Reformed criminal (Sachin Khedekar) offers monetary solution to the oppressed in the form of micro-credit loans, which in reality won Dr. Mohammad Younus from Bangladesh the Nobel Peace Prize.

The issue it chooses is noble and novel and also, to an extent, the approach is decent. The director has convincingly worked on the transition of the protagonists from carefree collegians to concerned citizens.

Debutante Suhail Tatari’s direction is intermittently impressive and he does derive decent performances from the cast. Ashutosh Rana is the scene-stealer in his resourcefully restrained act. Despite his clichéd characterization, Prosshant Narayanan strikes with a natural performance. Gul, Arjan and Uvika are fair. Alekh’s quest to lose his virginity does irritate occasionally. Sikandar once again surprises us with his screen presence and casual air of indolence that speaks volumes of his mastery of his craft in such a short time.

Comparisons to Rang De Basanti are inevitable. But unlike the pedestal of a score by AR Rahman, a production house like UTV, a director like Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and the magic of Aamir Khan, Summer 2007 is made on a modest platform, but the affect is the same.

Three stars for the film maker and its actors, but many more stars for bringing to light the state of affairs of the Indian farmer, who struggles to find his place in a news scenario which is dominated by eyeballs for glitz and glamour.

Will Smith and Daughter to Battle on Big Screen

Will Smith and his daughter Willow are set for a big-screen battle in July, when their new films are released on the same day.

Seven-year-old Willow Smith's film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is set to hit theaters on July 2--the same day her father's new superhero movie Hancock opens.

And the actor has already let his daughter know he plans to win the box office crown.

Willow explains, "He said, 'Sorry, baby, but I got to stomp on you.'"

"He thinks he is going to be beat me, but I think not. I think I am going to beat him."

Britney Spears Avoids Charges in Car Accident

LOS ANGELES - Officials said on Monday they will not file charges against pop star Britney Spears over a photographer's claim she ran over his foot as she backed up her car in a crush of paparazzi.

A photographer filed a police report about six months after the incident in November. But prosecutors said the only way the paparazzo's foot could have been where the video showed it to be was if he himself had put it there.

Joseph Shidler, deputy district attorney, noted in a report that Spears' car was surrounded by photographers, and that a voice on the video told her to back up.

"We have no evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect was aware that the victim's foot had been struck by the car," Shidler wrote. "There was much commotion and noise at the time and there is no proof that the suspect was aware of what had happened."

Prosecutors said the video, which circulated on the Internet, does not show the photographer's foot being run over. But Shidler added that, "the only way the victim's foot could have been where the video indicates it to be was by the victim placing it in that location."

Rani learns cricketing lessons

After playing an angel in "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic", actress Rani Mukerji is all set to do another unconventional role - she plays a cricketer in Yash Raj Films' next venture and is busy practising on the field!

"I don't know if any actress has played a cricketer before. But I'm playing one for sure. In fact, I've been learning cricket regularly on the field for the past two months. I can most certainly play the game convincingly now, though not as good as professionals yet. It's a very big challenge for me," Rani told IANS from her swanky new home here.

So is she equipped to join the Indian Premier League now (IPL) now?

"I don't know about that. But I'm definitely enjoying it. My practical sessions are on in full swing."

She will also for the first time be paired opposite Shahid Kapur in the film that will be directed by debutant Anurag Singh.

Rani says she is hungry for new roles. "At this stage of my career I feel I need new challenges. When Kunal Kohli offered me an angel's role, I was kicked. I don't now of any actress who has played an angel before.

"Also, for the first time I was playing a character who couldn't cry. Now they can stop saying Rani cries so much in all her films. It was pretty cool to play a character who actually doesn't know how to cry and who had to fly around like Hrithik (Roshan) in 'Krrish'."

Being suspended on a harness, she says, was not easy.

"It required a lot of physical strength to assume the correct 'flying' posture on the harness. I guess it'd be equally difficult for me to look convincing as a cricketer. But I'm glad to be doing work with challenges."

So is she ok working with a first-time director?

"It isn't as if I haven't worked with new directors before. I was in Shaad Ali's first film 'Saathiya', remember? And Kunal Kohli started his career with me in 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge'," she quipped.

After an angel and a cricketer what would Rani like to play?

"Maybe an astronaut like Kalpana Chawla. And I'd also love to play a doctor. I've never done that before. Come to think of it I've never worked with Shahid Kapur before either. I'm doing so now."

Isn't there a danger of her being branded a resident Yash Raj heroine since all her recent films have been with that banner alone?

"Why? Wasn't 'Saawariya' with Sanjay Leela Bhansali? And if Yash Raj is making some of the best films in our country why should I keep out just because people are talking?

"Incidentally, my marriage date Feb 10 (as reported by some media) has come and gone. Would mediapersons like to set another date for me so I can start getting my trousseau ready?"

Celina turns item girl for Ekta kapoor

Ekta Kapoor’s forthcoming film C Kkompany is going to be a multi starrer film. Apart from the main star cast of Tusshar Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Raima Sen there are many celebrities like Mahesh Bhatt, Ekta Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Sanjay Dutt doing small cameos. The latest we heard is that glam doll Celina Jaitley will also be part of the film to spice up the glam quotient with an upbeat Punjabi item number.


Ramesh Sippy, CEO of Balaji Motion Pictures confirmed, “Bosco Caesar will choreograph the song which has been written and composed by music director Anand Raj Anand. The song has been sung by Anand himself with Sunidhi Chauhan.Manish Malhotra has specially designed an outfit for her”.

When contacted Celina confirmed, “Yes it’s going to my first item song for which I will be shooting in the first week of .July.” The song which will be shown in the second half of the film, will also be used for the film’s promotion. Interestingly Celina, who has been known for her extra glam image in all her movies, is yet to do an item song. This item song in C KKompany marks her debut as an item girl for which she was paid a whopping amount.

If things go amiss, it makes us more real: Aishwarya

The Bachchan family is busy rehearsing for a perfect world tour from July. But its ethereally beautiful daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai says even if things "go a bit (amiss) here and there" on stage, it only makes the stars real and human.

"You do all that is required professionally to put up an entertaining evening for your fans and well-wishers. But very honestly, my attitude is that I would like to keep it real," Aishwarya told IANS in an interview in Bangkok where she is attending the 9th International Indian Film Academy awards event.

"I love the fact that if things go a bit here and there, it makes us so real and human," said the actress, immaculately clad in a black and white dress.

The Bachchan family is planning a world tour titled "The Unforgettable" from July that will go on till next year.

"It's incredible, the connection with fans, because they never allow you to see them let you down or you letting them down. It is great when it is real and human.

"That's the difference between in-person interaction through our stage shows as opposed to that on celluloid and an audience sitting in a theatre and watching," said the beauty queen-turned-actress who was a showstopper here.

The tour will have Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, Riteish Deshmukh and Preity Zinta. While Akshay Kumar will join them for the inaugural evening in Toronto July 18, Madhuri Dixit will perform in the US and Shilpa Shetty in Britain.

"We are excited about the guest stars as it makes it novel. In my experience it has never happened before. We are getting guest acts and it is going to be fun for the audiences as well."

She also said that they are trying to live up to the expectations of fans.

"The tour is something extensive and we have been working on it for a while. Through the fan mails and interactions with well- wishers, we get to know what people are looking forward to, apart from the most endearing part of our cinema - song and dance."

She said the audience is the true star.

"Their energy throughout the evening is unbelievable. We don't perform continuously as different artistes are performing and we have our acts, but the audiences are up on their feet throughout and that's what keeps the energy of the whole show."

On the fans who have been following her everywhere, she said: "Our people are very, very loving as you have seen over here.

"Our people come everywhere, be it an event or a film shoot. Yes, the numbers are different. At a stage show it is an entire venue and at a film shoot it is smaller. But our people give us an audience at all the different locations. There is a statistics - one in six is Indian. We are everywhere."

She feels the "the unforgettable" tour will continue the momentum that Indian cinema has gained in recent times.

"It is going to continue the ongoing momentum and going to keep it as strong as it already is. Like always, I keep reiterating that media plays an important role in our lives and in our attempt to reach the people. We are thankful to the media for giving us that kind of reach."

Rating-I m Legend

Rating: 7.2/10

Cast & Crew

Star Cast
Will Smith: Robert Neville
Alice Braga: Anna
Charlie Tahan: Ethan
Willow Smith: Marley
Salli Richardson: Zoe

Director
Francis Lawrence

Writer
Mark Protosevich

Producer
Akiva Goldsman

Local distributors
Warner Bros Pictures







Robert Neville is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable, and man-made. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and maybe the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague -- The Infected -- lurk in the shadows... watching Neville's every move... waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered... and quickly running out of time.