Ekta Kapoor Planning A Biopic On Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin?

After legendary athlete Milkha Singh and ace boxer Mary Kom, its time for former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin's life to feature on celluloid. TV and film Producer Ekta Kapoor has reportedly started working on a biopic on the cricketer-turned-politician.

The 50-year-old former Indian skipper's cricketing career came to an abrupt end in the wake of match-fixing scandal in 2000. The Hyderabadi cricketer, who has played 99 Tests and over 300 ODIs, is considered one of the most stylish batsmen the game has ever seen.

Although Ekta is yet to go on record about the project, there is a strong buzz about it. "Till the time we don't formalise things we would not like to say anything at the moment," an industry source told PTI, without confirming or denying this development. It is reported that the producer signed a contract with Azharuddin, Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, sometime back to acquire the rights for his biopic.

Although an official announcement is awaited, it is learnt the film is expected to go on the floors later this year.

There is a buzz that three actors - Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh - are on the wish list of the filmmakers for the lead role.

Ronit Roy: I will do anything for Ekta Kapoor

One of the highest paid actors of television, Ronit Roy has worked in shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Bandini and Adaalat.

Now, he will start shooting for a new month-long supernatural series called Khauff Ki Adaalat, to be aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

He discusses his shows with Rajul Hegde, and tells her why he doesn't allow his children to watch television.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

My spiritual journey has taught me that there are good and bad spirits. Life after death, death after life... that is the cycle. 

If that is the supernatural, then I believe in it.

You have not acted in a daily soap after Bandini. Have you cut down on TV work to concentrate on films?

I don't have time. I would go home once in 10 days during my daily soap days. Now if I do the same thing, my children will not speak to me (smiles).

After Udaan, I did Midnight's Children, Student Of The Year, Shootout At Wadala, Anurag Kashyap's Ugly and Boss.

I have to balance my security business (Roy runs a security agency called ACE, which provides security to Bollywood stars), films and television. But I still work 12 hours a day, 25 days a month. To make a 90-minute thriller episode, it takes almost the same time as a daily soap, which is 23 minutes per episode, five days in a week.

'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara' avoids name controversy

Prevention is better than cure - goes the saying and the makers of 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara' literally felt keen to follow this popular proverb about being safe. In forthcoming Balaji's 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara', Sonakshi Sinha essays the role of Yasmeen, Shoaib's (Akshay Kumar) love interest.

However according to the latest development, Sona's screen name has been changed to Jasmeen. So the story goes that a well-wisher informed the film's makers that Yasmeen Joseph happens to be yesteryear's actress, Mandakini's name in real life. The makers, who were oblivious to this factoid, were stunned at the coincidence.

As the love story of this doe-eyed beauty with a notorious Don is no secret, the makers have decided to change Sonakshi's screen name from Yasmeen to Jasmeen and are re-dubbing the relevant portions in the film. No one wants unwanted controversies after all! Also starring Imran Khan in lead, 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara' is slated to release on August 15th.

IT Raids Ekta , Jeetendra And Tushar Kapoor Mansion And Offices

MUMBAI: Income Tax officials on Tuesday conducted searches at Balaji Telefilms' facilities and the residence of its promoters — producer Ekta Kapoor and her actor-father Jeetendra — here for suspected tax evasion.

Sleuths from the department swooped down on seven locations across the city, including the yesteryear star and his daughter's residence in suburban Juhu, as part of the searches, which began at 0700 hours, I-T sources said.

Balaji Telefilms' office and studio are also among the seven premises where searches are being conducted, they added.

The searches are being carried out for suspected tax evasion and a team of over 100 officials is on the job, the sources said.

The personal office of Ekta Kapoor, who made it big with television soaps, before venturing into films, and her actor-brother Tushar Kapoor in suburban Bandra was also searched, they said.

According to the sources, the statements of Ekta Kapoor, the joint managing director at Balaji Telefilms and Jeetendra, the company chairman, are likely to be recorded later.

Officials at Balaji Telefilms were not available for a comment immediately.

Shares of the listed Balaji Telefilms were trading 4.41 per cent down at Rs 43.35 a piece on the BSE at 1132 hours, with the 30-share benchmark up 0.13 per cent.

Source : TOI

Akshay Kumar And Ekta Kapoor Unhappy With Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai 2 Director

Filmmaker Ekta Kapoor seems to be unhappy with a few portions of her upcoming movie, "Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2" and has reportedly asked the director to reshoot those sequences.

Ekta, who is said to be very adamant in her decisions, has reportedly ordered director Milan Luthria to reshoot the portions including the climax of the gangster flick to give it the utmost perfection.

"After seeing the rushes, Ekta sent a message to Milan that several portions of the film, especially the climax, needed to be reworked. The director argued that it did not gel with his vision," a crew member was quoted by Mid-Day as saying.

"Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2" (OUATIM) is a sequel to 2010's film with the same title. While the previous instalment of the gangster flick featured Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Prachi Desai in lead roles, the cast of upcoming sequel includes action star Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha.

According to the source, Akshay was of the opinion that few scenes of the "OUATIM 2" should be reshot, strengthening Ekta's decision

"Akshay too feels a reshoot is necessary. This has further strengthened Ekta's cause to call the shots and ensure that Milan does a reshoot."

This is not the first time Ekta has demanded a reshot of sequences of her movies. Her previous venture, "Ek Thi Dayaan" was also reshot over which she had "creative differences" with the co-producer of the movie Vishal Bhardwaj.

"OUATIM 2", which also features Sonali Bendre, is set to take on Shah Rukh starrer "Chennai Express" on 8 August.