Kiran Rao’s ‘Dhobi Ghat’ to be premiered at Toronto fest

‘Dhobi Ghat’, directed and produced by Aamir Khan’s wife Kiran Rao, will have its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), organizers announced here Tuesday.

Aamir Khan, who plays the lead role of a painter in his wife’s directorial debut, and Om Puri will also be feature in galas and special presentations at the festival.

Set in Mumbai, ‘Dhobi Ghat’ revolves around four people who are separated by class and language but drawn together in compelling relationships.

Shai, an affluent investment banker on holiday, strikes up an unusual friendship with Munna, a young and beautiful laundry boy with ambitions of being a Bollywood actor, and also has a brief dalliance with Arun.

As they come closer together, their complicated relationship no more remains a secret.

The 35th film festival, which runs from Sep 9 to 19, will have 15 galas and 35 special presentations this year.

Apart from Kiran Rao, films by Robert Redford, Michael Winterbottom, Guillaume Canet, John Cameron Mitchell, Mike Mills and Andrucha Waddington will have their world premiere here.

Top filmmakers like Woody Allen, Sylvain Chomet, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Tran Anh Hung, Mike Leigh, Julian Schnabel and Im Sang-Soo will also make their North American premieres here this year.

Apart from Aamir Khan and Om Puri, galas and special presentations will also feature performances by Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard, Clive Owen, Colin Firth, Juliette Lewis, James McAvoy, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Christopher Plummer, Natalie Portman, Ryan Reynolds, Sam Rockwell, Amy Ryan and Hilary Swank.

“On the occasion of our 35th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce this selection of important and notable films,” said Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF, at a press conference here Tuesday.

“The richness and diversity of this year’s galas and special presentations programmes reflect the abundance of exciting works from established and emerging filmmakers in the world of cinema.”

Added Cameron Bailey, festival co-director: “We are honoured that filmmakers choose our Festival to premiere their films to the world.”

The world’s top audience-driven film festival features about 300 films from more than 60 countries each year.

The festival will move into its new headquarters – Bell Lightbox – in the heart of Toronto this year.

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Aamir Khan beating Shahrukh Khan Filmfare List

Whether you talk about Aamir Khan beating Shahrukh Khan in the Filmfare power list for consecutive three years or in fetching Danny Boyle's upcoming movie Bombay Velvet, the 'Khans fight' is probably the most interesting fight.

Well, the news for the moment is that Aamir has once again overtaken Shahrukh and has replaced him in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's upcoming movie titled Ferrari Ki Sawari.

It was reported that Vidhu Vinod was very confused about the lead actor of his next project.

But now it seems Aamir's 3 Idiots has done the magic for him and the filmmaker has chosen him for the movie.

It is also reported that the assistant director of Vidhu with all the production executives conducted a survey, in Mumbai, (Bandra to Juhu).

The survey was on who in Bollywood would fit the role of a father to a nine-year-old kid.

The result of the survey was surprising because not only Aamir but also actor Sharman Joshi scored more votes for the role than the King Khan.

Now, it seems that this survey made the decision of the filmmaker easier, as even the audiences wanted to see Aamir in a fathers role.

There is a buzz that Raj Kumar Hirani will be directing the movie.

Well, seems that this movie is also going to create history like 3 Idiots.

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Aamir regularly inquiring about Darsheel’s second film Bumm Bumm Bole

Aamir Khan got busy with various other projects, so much so that the TZP star Darsheel Safary had sadly confessed that Aamir Uncle was no longer in touch with him.

But now, with Darsheel’s second feature film on release, Aamir has been taking a keen interest in the way things are going, presumably because he doesn’t want Darsheel or his parents (unfamiliar with the ways of Bollywood) to make any wrong career moves for Darsheel.
In fact, Aamir has been regularly inquiring about Darsheel’s second film, Bumm Bumm Bole, and has shown a keen interest in watching it.


Says Darsheel excitedly, “My parents have invited Aamir Uncle to see the film. I really want him to see it, so he can be proud of me.”
Lately the two heroes of Taare Zameen Par have been bonding again.

Taare Zameen Par DVD Release

Says Darsheel, “Aamir Uncle came to my school for the release of the Taare Zameen Par DVD. He also came home for dinner.”

Darsheel is nervous about Aamir's reaction. “In Taare Zameen Par I was much smaller and very naughty.

Aamir Uncle brought (sic.) every bit of the acting out of me. I didn’t have to do anything. Now I’m 13. I’m taller, less naughty. In TZP I played a kid who was not at all like me.

The boy in Bumm Bumm Bole is quite similar to me. So I don’t know how Aamir Uncle will react.”

Darsheel admits that his co-star Ziyah Vastani was a handful. “She was sometimes irritating. She was super-stubborn.

Bahut ziddi hai woh. If she wanted a pencil she wouldn’t give a shot until she got it. I just ignored her tantrums.”

Darsheel referred to the relationship with his own sister to play the protective brother in Bumm Bumm Bole. Says Darsheel, “I have a sister of my own in real life.

So playing the protective brother who can go to any extent to make his sister smile came naturally to me.

Doing the film I realized how much I love my sister. I’d do anything for her.”

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James Cameron and Aamir Khan discussing “The Future of Cinema” in India

He will be discussing “The Future of Cinema” with Bollyood’s megastar Aamir Khan (Lagaan) in a conclave in a five star hotel in capital New Delhi, watched by few hundred over a dinner. Lasting about 90 minutes and ending around 09-30 pm, it will include questions from the attendees also. Aroon Purie, Editor-in-Chief of India’s leading newsmagazine “India Today”, will chair the session.

Describing Oscar winner Cameron’s movies, Conclave says: “...movies speak the language of immense courage and deep spirituality. His female heroes are fearless and all powerful, his men learn the power of conviction.” It talks about Cameron’s “dropping out of college to drive a truck for the local school district...selling the script of The Terminator to Hemdale Films for one dollar on the condition that he could direct it”.

“India Today Conclave 2010” whose theme is “New Decade: Great Expectations”, is being organized by “The India Today Group” at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on March 12 and 13.
“This decade holds great expectations for India and the world”, Aroon Purie, Group Chairman, says.

Speakers on other topics at the Conclave include ruler of Dubai, India’s key Government ministers, Cisco CEO, Google President of Global Sales, author Salman Rushdie, yoga expert Swami Ramdev, Harvard economics professor, Ford Motor CEO, Facebook co-founder, Godrej President, goal keeper of Indian hockey team, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Asin Thottumkal.

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Aamir to share stage with James Cameron

Our Mr. Perfectionist is going to enjoy a once-in-lifetime experience soon….

Come March 13 and Aamir Khan is reported to meet James Cameron in association with an event in New Delhi. The actor said to share the stage with the ‘Avatar’ director for a forum where they will be discussing on the topic ‘Future of Cinema’.

The actor, sources said, is looking forward to meet the Hollywood director.

For his homework on the well-acclaimed filmmaker, Aamir said to be going through all of Cameron’s films. Besides, Aamir is planning to sit with Cameron and talk to him about his views on the changing nature of films.

Sources added to say that the two will be attending a private dinner the same evening.

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Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots Plan into Kannada?

This news might give an adrenalin rush! But yes, a few reports have claimed that production house Gemini Film Circuit has bought the South Indian remake rights of Bollywood blockbuster movie 3 Idiots. Sandalwood Power star Puneet Rajkumar and Kiccha Sudeep's names are making rounds for the lead role in Kannada. Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan and Surya's names are heard for the lead roles in Telugu and Tamil.

Earlier, Gemini Film Circuit had procured rights of Munna Bhai MBBS. Upendra had remade it in Kannada as Uppi Dada MBBS, Kamal Haasan in Tamil as Vasool Raja MBBS and Chiranjeevi in Telugu as Shankar Dada MBBS. In Kannada, it came and went in a jiffy, but it was an outright winner from day one In Telugu. It was a commercially success in Tamil.


Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots is based on a novel 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat. It has been directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The movie has grossed 43 million pounds worldwide, which is a record in the history of Bollywood.

Now, the question is all about movie title. For instance one might guess it as Muuru Muurkaru, Muuru Heddaru or Muuru Avivekigalu. The short answer is that only time will decide.

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