Mumbai, Jan 30 (IANS) After targeting Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for his remarks supporting the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL, the Shiv Sena Saturday dragged in Aamir Khan, calling the duo "2 Idiots".

"In real life, Aamir and Shah Rukh have been proved as '2 Idiots' as both are making stupid statements supporting the cause of Pakistani cricketers," said a statement in the party's Hindi mouthpiece Dopahar Ka Saamna.

"On the one hand, while SRK is openly displaying his love for Pakistani players, Aamir has even put nationalistic sentiments in his utterances on this issue," said the statement in the tabloid, which hit the stands this afternoon.

"According to Aamir, if any cricketer is good, he would like to have him in his team, it makes no difference to him which country he belongs to," said the statement.

The statement is accompanied by a digitally altered picture of the recent record blockbuster "3 Idiots". It shows the head of Aamir (the star and promoter of the movie) popping out of a drum and SRK sticking his tongue from another drum - signifying the accompanying heading of "2 Idiots".

Aamir had said Friday that if he were to select IPL players he would do so only on the basis of their performance and not nationality.

The Shiv Sena Friday hit out at Shah Rukh, who is also the Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner, after he said he would have picked a Pakistani player for IPL matches if his team had a slot.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said if the actor was so keen on them, "he could go play his matches in Lahore, not in India".

Thane Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde announced that no film of Shah Rukh would be screened in the district.

Both actors have not reacted to the Shiv Sena's tirade.

Labels: Amir-Khan, Sha-Rukh-Khan

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan is extremely happy that his production venture "Peepli Live" was received well by the audience at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, US.

"Our film 'Peepli Live' was really well-received here at the Sundance Film Festival. We had our first screening on the 24th (Jan) at the Egyptian Theatre, Park City. Super reaction right through the film, and huge ovation at the end. Audience really seemed to love it," Aamir posted on his blog Wednesday.

Directed by Anusha Rizvi, "Peepli Live" is a satire on rural life in India. It features Raghuvir Yadav along with debutant actors from Madhya Pradesh.

The actor, who has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third highest civilian honour, in this year's Republic Day awards, says he was waiting for the reactions for "Peepli Live".

"I was really keen to see the reaction here at Sundance as I wanted to get a sense of how a non-Indian audience reacts to the film. Ninety percent of the audience was non-Indian. I am now even more certain that this film has the potential to engage a world audience.

"The big challenge, when we release the film worldwide, will be to get them (audiences) in. It doesn't have any stars and is in a language that they don't understand," he added.

Labels: Amir-Khan, Peepli-Live

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who is riding high on the success of "3 Idiots", couldn't have asked for more. When the actor received the "wonderful news" of getting a Padma Bhushan, the nation's third highest civilian honour, in the US Monday morning, his mother's smiling face flashed in his mind.

"I'm so happy to receive this unique honour. The first thing that comes to my mind is my mother's smiling face," Aamir SMSed from Utah, US, where he is attending the Sundance Film Festival. His production venture "Peepli Live" had its world premiere there Sunday night.

Directed by Anusha Rizvi, "Peepli Live" is a satire on rural life in India. It features Raghuvir Yadav along with debutant actors from Madhya Pradesh.

"Indeed this has been a good day for me. First my film 'Peepli Live' gets a superb response here at the Sundance Film Festival, and then I receive this wonderful news of receiving the Padma Bhushan.

"I only wish, I was back home right now. I would like to thank god for these happy moments, and all my fans and well-wishers for their love, support and good wishes," added the 44-year-old who is already a recipient of the Padma Shri.

The actor has blazed a new trail to success with "3 Idiots". According to latest reports, Aamir's "3 Idiots" that takes a critical look at the education system in the country has become the biggest grosser by earning Rs.382 crore world wide till date.

Labels: Amir-Khan

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan, whose recent release "3 Idiots" takes a critical look at India's education system, feels that the infrastructure in the country should be remodelled so that physically challenged people can move around without hindrance.

"Our society barely thinks about the physically handicapped people. It's necessary. There should be proper infrastructure - be it buildings, theatres, roads - everywhere so that they can too have a comfortable access to every places like a normal person does," said Aamir, honouring 18 achievers of the IBN7 Bajaj Allianz Super Idols awards here at the Taj Lands End hotel Tuesday.

The award is an initiative by the channel in partnership with the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper group to recognise and celebrate those who have overcome their physical challenges to achieve success as well as the individuals who worked tirelessly for the rights of people with special ability.

Rajdeep Sardesai, the editor in chief of IBN 18 Network, told IANS: "I think there is so much negativity in the media. Unless we focus on these kinds of positive stories how will we inspire the next generation? In my case, it happened by working with Ability Foundation (a charitable trust that works to empower disabled) on a project. I realised the remarkable work these people were doing and it shook me."

"It will be an annual event. There are so many such people and it won't be that difficult to find 18," he added.

Television actress and politician Smriti Irani, who was also present at the award ceremony, appreciated the effort and said she is also planning to work with Ability Foundation.

"This is extremely appreciable and an inspiration to those who want to achieve something. People who don't try because of their disablility, I think this award will be an inspiration for them. I am going to work on a project with Ability Foundation and it will be a new beginning for me," she said.

Music director Anu Malik, Lalit and Aadesh Shrivastava were also present.

Labels: Amir-Khan

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Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) He has given back to back hits like "Taare Zameen Par", "Ghajini" and "3 Idiots" in the last three years but Bollywood actor Aamir Khan claims he has "no recipe" to make a successful film and he doesn't know what audiences want.

"I don't have any recipe (for success). Lot of us often forget that the business we are in by definition is basically selling stories... We have to be different each time. I have to reinvent myself, I have to be different - that's the demand of my job. It's not something that I am thinking and doing," Aamir said.

"I am attracted to scripts that move me emotionally and when you have such stories to tell, it doesn't matter how unusual it is, people connect to it," he added.

The 44-year-old who was here at the Economic Times Awards also stressed that he is oblivious to the audience demand in terms of content.

"I've no idea what audiences want. I only have an idea about what I want... When I read a script, I go with my gut and then it just happens," he said.

Aamir's latest outing "3 Idiots" has smashed all records and become Hindi cinema's highest grosser till date with collections crossing Rs. 240 crore worldwide.

Labels: Amir-Khan

Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who tackled the problem of dyslexia in his 2007 hit "Taare Zameen Par" and threw light on the pressure of studies in his latest outing "3 Idiots", Sunday called for encouraging children to question rather than just memorising facts.

"We put our children in compartments and teach them to memorise... We must encourage them to be free thinkers and free spirited. It has to start from the young age. We must encourage them to question and make mistakes. We must hear a child's view," Aamir said.

The 44-year-old was here at The Economic Times Awards.

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Lucknow, Dec 25 (IANS) A hotel where Aamir Khan stayed incognito can heave a sigh of relief. The Uttar Pradesh authorities have decided not to cancel its license, days after it was found to have let the Bollywood actor stay without establishing his true identity.

Hotel Saraswati in Mugalsarai town, some 300 km from Lucknow, in Chandauli district has been let off with a warning.

"After probing the matter for over a week, we finally decided not to cancel the license," Chandauli district magistrate Rigzin Samphel told reporters.

"However, we have warned the manager and owner of the hotel that if they are found giving hotel rooms without establishing the identity of individuals in future, the license would surely be cancelled," he added.

Aamir stayed there as part of the promotion strategy for his new movie, "The Three Idiots."

Police had served a notice to Hotel Saraswati Dec 15 seeking an explanation for "flouting the basic rules for allotment of rooms in a hotel".

The hotel in its reply did not mention anything about Aamir's stay, but accepted that procedural identification was not carried out while giving rooms to the actor's team.

According to police, for promoting his movie "3 Idiots", Aamir Khan roamed around Varanasi district in the guise of an elderly Maulana and stayed in Hotel Saraswati.

According to police, in the name of Akram Shah and Co, seven rooms were booked for Aamir and his team in the hotel. The actor arrived in Varanasi Dec 11 and headed to other destination Dec 13.

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Aamir Khan can't stop praising Kareena Kapoor's acting skills and her looks. The actor says he couldn't have asked for a better co-star than her for his forthcoming film "3 Idiots".

"Kareena is outstanding... an instinctive actress, extremely committed, a team player... we get along well. And she's good looking... what more can one ask for?" Aamir said in a press statement.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, "3 Idiots" also features Sharman Joshi and R. Madhavan. It is releasing Friday

Labels: 3-Idiots, Amir-Khan, Kareena

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Aamir Khan, who has been criss-crossing the country in disguise to promote his new film "3 Idiots", has been denied permission to spend a day with the Indian Army's cadets at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

"The film star had sent a request to the defence ministry to spend a day at OTA. But it has been declined and the ministry has not given any reason for it," sources said.

Aamir wanted to interact with the cadets and wanted to see their lives from close quarter.

Nearly 500 cadets from the Short Service Commission cadre pass out from the military institution every year.

It is yet not clear whether Aamir wanted to spend a day at the army institution for his future project or to promote "3 Idiots" releasing this Friday.

The movie revolves around three friends and their college days and marks Aamir's return to the big screen after a year. The actor has created a buzz because of the innovative ways he has been promoting the film.

To market the film, Aamir has been travelling across the country in different get-ups. His travels have so far taken him to Varanasi, Madhya Pradesh's Chanderi district, former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's home in Kolkata, Jaipur and Punjab's Faridkot district.

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Faridkot (Punjab), Dec 20 (IANS) Village-girl Ramandeep Kaur in Punjab's border district of Faridkot did not have anything in common with well-known cricketer Sourav Ganguly till Saturday. Not until Aamir Khan, disguised as a documentary filmmaker from abroad, landed up at her village on the eve of her wedding.

The bride and her family of Churchak village near Jagraon could not in their wildest dreams imagine that the disguised filmmaker was none other than the Bollywood star until he told them so himself.

The actor had last week played a similar prank at Ganguly's house after he landed up in Kolkata disguised as a fan of the former Indian cricket captain.

Dressed as a hippie-looking foreigner visiting India for documentary filmmaking, Aamir attended the pre-wedding celebrations in Kaur's village near Jagraon town, 250 km from Chandigarh.

"Aamir Khan came to the wedding functions. Initially, we were told that he was a documentary maker. When his real identity was revealed, there was even greater joy and excitement in the household and the entire village," Ramandeep's father Jasvir Singh told IANS Sunday.

Ramandeep's wedding to groom Gurjit Singh was solemnised Sunday as per Sikh religious rites.

The winter chill of north India did not stop Aamir from being part of the rural wedding ceremonies Saturday night for over two hours despite having reported sick just a day earlier at Jaipur.

The trip, of course, was part of Aamir's ongoing promotion of his yet to be released film "3 Idiots".

"Some people approached us a few days back that someone wanted to shoot a rural wedding. That person came as a commoner and was treated as any other guest. Only later we were told that he is Aamir Khan," said Jasvir Singh, a farmer and landlord.

The actor not only sang and danced with men and women at the wedding but also ate dinner with them. He even gifted a ring to the bride after the 'Mehendi' ceremony.

He left only past midnight - perhaps headed for another undisclosed location in disguise.

But before doing that, he did not forget to invite the new couple to come to Mumbai for the premiere of his latest film later this week - this being his wedding gift for the honeymooners.

Labels: Amir-Khan

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan Sunday clarified that he did not stay at the Saraswati hotel in Varanasi in disguise and it was only his crew members who put up there. His revelation came after the hotel owner was charged by the state police for violating the identity verification rules for guests.

"I heard the news and felt very bad. I was not staying at the hotel, although I won't share where I was staying, it's a secret. It's for the authorities to find out where I was staying," he told Star News in an interview.

"It was not the fault of the hotel owner as he assumed that I was there after meeting my crew members," he said, adding he wanted the hotel authorities to be exonerated.

"I am a strong advocate of taking care of security concerns, and hotels must check the identity of each and every one staying in their hotels," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh police Wednesday said that Aamir Khan checked into Hotel Saraswati in Mughal Sarai area of Varanasi Dec 10 along with nine other people. They checked out Dec 13.

Aamir Khan had reportedly booked the room in the name of someone else. In all, seven rooms were booked in the name of "Akram Shah and party".

The police said that the hotel did not follow government directives on verification of the identity of every hotel guest and, therefore, the owner is liable to give an explanation or else he would lose his licence.

However, Aamir was spared by the administration. "Aamir is not to blame and it was the duty of the hotel management to have the correct name of the guests in their records," police said.

The actor had gone to the Hindu holy city to search for his roots - his mother hailed from Varanasi.

Aamir did manage to trace his family connections and visited some relatives living in the city.

Labels: Amir-Khan

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan turned a Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh when he surprised a weaver by spending hours at his humble house along with Kareena Kapoor, sharing simple home-cooked meals with the family and leaving only two hours past midnight.

Aamir, 44, who has come up with a unique way to promote his forthcoming film "3 Idiots", called on the surprised weaver Hukum Koli and his wife at their brick-and-mud house in Pranpur village in Chanderi district.

That was on Monday. The actor's office said he decided to spend quality time with the family along with his co-star Kareena. Both are among the highest paid actors in Bollywood.

And Aamir and Kareena did not waste the weaver family's time.

Both of them not only wove a sari, with generous tips from the weaver and his wife Kamlesh, but also savoured a meal of pooris and 'lauki ki subzi'.

The sari made by Kareena and Aamir will go for auction through an NGO, and the money will go for the development of the village. The sari carries the names of both the stars.

"I want to create awareness among the youth to make handloom a more integral part of their wardrobe. It is like wearing Italian shoes because they are handmade. The same goes for handloom," Aamir told a team of people travelling with him.

Hukum Koli said that both the actors also bought saris for their families. And Aamir promptly gifted one to Kareena too.

Kareena told media persons that it was an NGO that had alerted Aamir about the plight of the weavers and the dying art of Chanderi sari making.

"The saris are sold for thousands in cities but the weavers get only a small fraction of that," she said.

Chanderi, a town of historical importance surrounded by hills, lakes and forests, is known for its handloom. These off white saris were traditionally made of cotton, but over the years they started using silk threads.

Aamir's sudden visit to a rural heartland triggered comparisons with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who earlier taken British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to a village in his Amethi constituency.

The 39-year-old politician had spent the entire night at Dalit Shiv Kumari's house, while Miliband went to Dalit woman Karma's place and slept on her cot. Both had dinner with the hosts.

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Lucknow, Dec 16 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan's incognito stay in a Varanasi hotel has put its owner in trouble, with the police charging the hotel with violating the identity verification rules for guests.

Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal said Wednesday that Aamir Khan checked into Hotel Saraswati in Mughal Serai area of Varanasi Dec 10 evening along with nine other people. They checked out Dec 13.

The popular star had gone to the Hindu holy city looking for his roots -- his mother hailed from Varanasi.

Aamir did manage to trace his family connections and visited his distant kin living there.

In an obvious bid to save himself from being mobbed, he chose to let the rooms be booked in the name of someone else. However his Mumbai address and phone number in the hotel records were correct.

But the usually lax Uttar Pradesh Police suddenly turn into a stickler for rules.

Brij Lal said: "We do not deny that a popular actor does require some secrecy but entering a hotel under a false name is not done."

Seven rooms had been booked in the name of "Akram Shah and party".

Brij Lal said: "The hotel has not cared to follow government directives on verification of the identity of every hotel guest. Therefore, the owner is liable to give an explanation or else he would lose his licence."

The government has, however, spared Aamir. "Aamir is not to blame. It was the duty of the hotel management to have the correct name of the guests in their records."

Labels: Amir-Khan

Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) Film star Aamir Khan was not allowed inside former Indian cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly's palatial residence by the guards who told the actor disdainfully that the batsman was not at home. However, the guards cannot be faulted, as Aamir was in disguise.

The celebrated actor was on the latest leg of his two-week country tour in different get-ups as part of his unique way of promoting his forthcoming film "3 Idiots".

Attired in a black shirt, sporting a hippy-like mop of hair, and carrying a bag, Aamir walked the streets of Kolkata asking people the way to Ganguly's residence and sought entry into the house claiming to be a fan of the cricketer. "I want to take a photo with him."

Aamir dropped his disguise after he was refused entry and was warmly received by the cricketer once he returned home after scoring a ton in the Ranji Trophy outing against Delhi.

Ganguly took Aamir to his sprawling drawing room full of trophies and prizes and aesthetic paintings which astounded the actor.

"Why did you retire so soon. From fans' point of view we all felt you should have played more," Aamir said, as his wife Kiran Rao nodded approvingly.

Aamir and Kiran wound up their visit to Ganguly's place with a sumptuous Bengali dinner. But before taking leave, Aamir presented a ring to the cricketer.

"Whenever you see this ring, you will remember me," said Aamir.

"Thank you. But without the ring also I will recognise you," Ganguly replied.

Labels: 3-Idiots, Amir-Khan

Bollywood's biggest icon Amitabh Bachchan's biography 'Bachchanalia' was launched on Saturday.

The book written by popular film journalist Bhawana Somaya was lanuched by none other than the Bollywood's popular superstar Aamir Khan who was the guest of honor at the function.

"Bachchanalia is very pictorial and boasts of vintage priceless poster designs. It's very interestingly done with snippets of my films, and interesting trivia." says Big B.
--MP

Labels: Amir-Khan, Amitab-Bachchan

Jaane tu Ya Jaane Na is from Aamir Khan productions. Though Aamir himself is not acting in the film, he's launching his nephew and actor Imraan Khan who will be making his debut with the film.

The film is also the directorial debut of Abbas Tyrewala.

Besides this, Imraan has couple of films on his way. Jaane tu ya Jaane Na, a romantic comedy is scheduled to reach theaters on July 4th.
--MP

Labels: Amir-Khan

Model turned actress Deepika Padukone who made her debut in Bollywood with a double role in Om Shanthi Om is to perform in dual role again.

Her ongoing project, Chandni Chowk To China, directed by Nikhil Advani is said to feature Deepika in double roles.

The film also features Akshay Kumar who dons the role of a chef who is mistaken to be a martial arts expert. It is learnt Deepika too will be performing some action scenes in the film.
--MP

Labels: Amir-Khan, Deepika-Padukone

--MP

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New Delhi/ Mumbai, Dec 21 (ANI): Focussing on children's dilemma and their unique world, Bollywood's latest offering 'Taare Zameen Par' delves into the world of a special child for whom the colours of flowers and kites hold more appeal than grades, but the child's talent is understood only by a sensitive teacher.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan explores the children's world in "Taare Zameen Par" (TZP), which marks Khan's debut as director.

"I think my biggest challenge as a director was to translate honestly what was on paper on to the screen. I think that's what I tried to do," said Khan.

The film is about a boy aged around eight years with dyslexia, the learning disability, who retreats into a shell rather than face a world of stiff parental expectation and academic competition.

At a boarding school, where he is sent to be disciplined, he meets a teacher who doesn't expect him to score top grades and shares his world of colours, fish, dogs and kites.

"TZP is a film about children, not a children's film," writes Khan in his blog to promote the movie.

Khan, who is sometimes compared by critics to Hollywood's Tom Hanks, appears in the film as the sensitive teacher.

Khan is known as a perfectionist, who chooses his scripts with care.

Aamir felt pleased that his work had been appreciated, but he was cautious about high expectations that people have from his film.

"Well I know that high expectations bring a lot of responsibility and I'm aware of that. I'm also happy these expectations indicate to me that my previous work has been liked and appreciated a lot and that's good to know. I do the work which I enjoy doing," said Aamir.

There was a mixed reaction to the movie from a cross-section of people, but most seemed to be in its favour.

"The child acted very well. It is an emotional film. I will love having a teacher like Aamir," said Salil, a child.

Delhi-based fashion designer Gauri Karan was in favour of this movie and said, "This film is absolutely brilliant. I also want to add that it's a nice film."

The film had its share of problems when activists in Gujarat protested against the screening of 'Taare Zameen Par' over the alleged anti-Narmada dam remarks of Khan last year.

Khan's remarks against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as well as his opposition to the Narmada dam had evoked violent protests across the state last year. (ANI)
--MP

Labels: Amir-Khan