Aamir EC’s National Icon

The Election Commission has signed up leading Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as its ‘national icon’ in the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Aamir will be part of the EC’s voter awareness initiatives.

His main task would be to encourage more and more people to vote in the General Elections. Aamir joins the league of four other ‘national icons’ – Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, boxer MC Mary Kom, badminton ace Saina Nehwal and former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

As per sources, the national icons will reach out to people through programmes such as systematic voter education and electoral participation (SVEEP), which aims at increasing voter turnout as also quality of electoral participation in terms of informed and ethical voting.

Naseeruddin, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor “Dharam Sankat Mein”

Bollywood veterans Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal and Annu Kapoor will soon be sharing screen space for a satirical comedy titled Dharam Sankat Mein.The movie is apparently an official remake of the 2010 British comedy ‘The Infidel’, which revolves around identity crisis, where a man of Muslim origin discovers that he was born to a Jewish family and later, was adopted. It is being said that Paresh Rawal will play the title role while Naseeruddin and Annu Kapoor will play prominent roles in the film. The film will be directed by debutant Fuwad Khan and is slated to go on floors soon. The film is produced by Viacom 18.

Ranbir Charmed By Alia

It seems that Ranbir Kapoor is charmed by the powerful performance of Alia Bhatt in Highway. Rumours has it that Ranbir has been clean sweeped by Alia’s brilliant performance in her last movie, so much so that he even asked Imtiaj Ali to cast her opposite him, in his next Window Seat. Alas, Imtiaz has already finalised his cast for the film, and finalised Deepika Padukone for the lead role. If one believes rumours then Pooja Bhatt is inclined to bring Ranbir and Alia together, in her remake of Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi and if all goes as planned, both will make an interesting pair to watch for.

Nawazuddin Replaces Farhan

According to a report by Mumbai Mirror, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will replace Farhan Akhtar in Rahul Dholakia’s Raees. He’s reported to play the cop who chases don Shahrukh in the film. The film is set in Gujarat and Shah Rukh apparently plays an Indianised mafia head in the film. Earlier Mumbai Mirror has reported that a team of Hollywood make-up artistes is being flown down to do the look tests with him. They will be experimenting with different hair styles, beards, eyebrows and scars. Since the role is performance oriented, Nawaz seemed fit to essay the role.

Sallu Walks Out On Akki

Salman Khan is known for his generosity while doing cameos in other actor’s film. The only thing which he asks is that he be the centre of attraction. It seems that Akshay Kumar has not been aware of this fact. Both Salman and Akshay were to shoot for the title track of Fugly, sung by Honey Singh, recently. Salman when realised that Akshay is hogging most of the limelight in the song, he quietly walked of the sets, after shooting for the first stanza of the song. The young cast of the film being produced by Akshay, including Mohit Marwah, Vijender Singh, Arfi Lamba and Keira Advani, were excited to have Salman on set, their happiness was short-lived. Despite the efforts made by director Kabir Sadanand, Salman refused to shoot the rest of the song, which was centred on a lyrical exchange between Akshay and Salman.

By Nilabh Krishna