'Wolverine' Actor Hugh Jackman is the new face of Micromax

Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman has been chosen over a Bollywood star as the brand ambassador of Indian mobile handset brand Micromax. He says he is a "huge lover" of India.

"I am extremely thrilled and honoured to be part of the Micromax family. I am a huge lover of India as it is one of the most exciting countries in the world and we also share our love for cricket," Jackman said in a statement.

Jackman is known for films like "Les Miserables", "The Wolverine" and "Prisoners".

His association with Micromax will start with its new smartphone Canvas Turbo, which will be launched in India soon.

"Phones are genuinely time saving devices that can help you live a better life while juggling around with different situations," he said in a statement.

He is convinced about the features offered by the brand's new Canvas range.

"The new Canvas phone from Micromax is a leap in innovation with great sense of fun and amazing features that helps me balance my work with all the different roles that I play in my everyday life," added the 45-year-old.

The Micromax family believes Jackman "truly embodies the aspirational, reinventing and fearless persona of the brand".

Box office: 'The Wolverine' steals a march on 'Issaq', 'Nasha' and 'Bajatey Raho'!!

Not for the first time, a Hollywood movie scored over new Bollywood releases at the Indian box office as the new Hindi releases Issaq, Nasha and Bajatey Rahoopened to a dull response in comparison with the Hugh Jackman-starrer The Wolverine. 

The Wolverine roared at the box office worldwide on its opening day, with $65 million from North America itself. In India, the film trumped the multiple small budget releases to register a good opening day collection of Rs. 3.15 crore net in its English and dubbed versions. 

Of the Hindi releases, Bajatey Raho managed a somewhat face-saving collection with the opening day figure ranging between Rs. 1.20 crore to Rs. 1.35 crore net. The film has got mixed reviews and will need to show a substantial rise on Saturday and Sunday to make an impact. 

Poonam Pandey’s much awaited debut Nasha opened to poor reviews and fared decently only at single screens. The film’s first day collection is likely to be in the ballpark of Rs. 90 lakh. 

Similarly, Issaq, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet starring Prateik Babbar and newcomer Amyra Dastur, saw a lukewarm response with a first day collection in the range of Rs. 1 crore. The film has mostly got poor reviews. 

The other release, Luv U Soniyo, unanimously panned by the critics, opened dismally. 

Meanwhile, the last week’s release D-Day rounded off its first week at Indian box office with Rs. 26 crore net. Ramaiya Vastavaiya was just marginally better with Rs. 26.80 crore in first week. 

All eyes are now set on the big releases of August: Chennai Express, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!, Madras Cafe and Satyagraha.

Shah Rukh Khan: Hugh Jackman Can Dance And Sing Better Than Anyone Else

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose dancing skills were praised by none other Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman, said he feels that The Wolverine actor can sing and dance better than anyone else in the world.

A humbled Shah Rukh wrote on Facebook: "Hugh Jackman my friend u can dance...sing...act...fight better than anyone else in the world. U r Wolverine..the one and only!!!"

In a recent interview to a leading daily, Hugh Jackman said that he is open to Bollywood offers however he would have to work on his Hindi and the latka-jhatkas of Bollywood.

In his interview, 44-year-old Hugh Jackman, told the daily that Shah Rukh Khan had taught him a few steps during his India two years ago for the FICCI Frames seminar in 2011. And that he was "not as good as Shah Rukh at the Bollywood dancing."

The actor who has essayed the role of Wolverine in six X-Men film series, over the last 13 years, is all set for the release of his latest The Wolverine on July 24, 2013.