After Blue, its Blue 2

The seats are still warm from last week’s release Blue but a sequel to the big budget film is already in the works. Tentatively titled Blue 2, get ready for a bigger, better and definitely more expensive production, which will go even further with it’s thrilling special effects. Blue actor Sanjay Dutt told a tabloid that they will be starting with the sequel immediately. "It was a thrilling experience shooting for Blue in the Bahamas. Tony (director) is ready with the idea for Blue 2 and he has promised that there will be more sharks and action in the sequel," says Sanjay. The actor went on to tell of the trials and tribulations over the shooting of the original. "For me, Blue was an extremely difficult film to shoot. The same goes for the director Anthony D'Souza. Hats off to the producer who believed in the film and invested so much money in it. I don't know about others but I had a tough time while shooting as I was scared when I saw 50 sharks around me." Blue 2 is rumoured to begin shooting in Australia and will reportedly star one more key male actor other than Akshay Kumar, Sanjay and Zayed Khan. Who do you think should complete the male quartet in Blue 2?

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Lara Dutta hopes for mega hit Diwali with ‘Blue’

New Delhi, Lara Dutta, who has been creating waves with her svelte figure and bold avatar in the promos of “Blue”, hopes the film turns out to be a hit and makes her Diwali really special.

“Blue”, also starring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Zayed Khan is centered on an underwater treasure guarded by sharks and is slated to release Oct 16, just a day before Diwali.

“My next film after ‘Do Knot Disturb’, ‘Blue’ is releasing just a day before Diwali, so I’m hoping that it does well and my Diwali becomes a bumper Diwali,” Lara, who was wearing a pink satin dress, told reporters here.

The former beauty queen-turned-actress was in the capital to attend the 25th edition of MMTC’s Festival of Gold.

Asked how she planned to celebrate the festival of lights, Lara said Diwali would be a family affair for her this year, unlike last time.

“Diwali is a festival meant to be celebrated with family, but last year I was shooting in Singapore for ‘Do Knot Disturb’. So this year I’ll be spending time with my close ones,” Lara said.

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Snakes and rainspost poned Billo Barber

IANS | Tuesday, 16 September , 2008, 10:31

First it was a snake in Lara Dutta's room and then torrential rains - the shooting for Priyadarshan's forthcoming Billo Barber in Tamil Nadu was indeed chaotic, says actor Irrfan Khan. He recounts how a poisonous snake entered Lara's room at night while the cast was filming in Pollachi in Coimbatore district. But Lara didn't panic at all. "To her credit, Lara handled the situation very sensibly and bravely, probably because she didn't know how poisonous the snake was. If it had bitten her it would've been disastrous," Irrfan said. The actor, who plays the barber's role in the film that also stars Shah Rukh Khan, can't stop praising Lara. "I've realised that facing the camera with her was as challenging as co-starring with Tabu or Dimple Kapadia. Lara is the most underrated actress I've worked with." Lara was also a little tense as her mom had apparently taken ill. "I could sense she was tense and dealing with a situation on the phone. But she never let it affect her work," Irrfan said. Apart from snakes, the heavy rains also gave the unit a tough time. But they had to continue shooting as Shah Rukh Khan had to get back to Mumbai. Said Irrfan: "Pollachi is one of the most peaceful spots in the world. Though prone to the monsoon vagaries at this time of the year, never did we imagine that the weather could act so unpredictable. "Suddenly during the last two days the weather acted up more than all of us who were facing the camera. We were in panic. Because there was no way Shah Rukh could delay his departure. Priyan had to wrap up his work at any cost. So we had no choice but to shoot through the rain which was harrowing." And when the King Khan wrapped up and left the shoot, the whole unit missed him terribly. "Shah Rukh is as entertaining off camera as he's on screen. We all bonded big time. Now that he's no longer with us in Pollachi we find that spark is gone out of the unit. Seldom have I missed a co-star after shooting with him or her," said Irrfan. The actor, who has acted in films like The Namesake, Life In A Metro and Maqbool, said that he had brought his family to Pollachi. "I always take my wife and two sons to as many outdoors as possible, even if it means making my kids skip school. It's the only way we have of finding time together. In fact I'm out of Mumbai shooting till the end of the year. And I'll try to get them to come with me whenever possible."

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Saif, Lara Dutta bag Rajiv Gandhi awards

The 11th Rajiv Gandhi annual award has been given to Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Lara Dutta.

The awards were given on Sunday by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. The distribution function was attended by many politicians and prominent personalities of the bollywood.

Saif, Lara Dutta was awarded with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Award for their contribution to the Indian cinema.

Expressing happiness, Saif said that he has achieved first such award, which is not completely related to film industry.

Lara Dutta also thanked the jury members for this honor. She said that she is an appreciative of vision and thinking of Rajiv Gandhi. She termed it as a great achievement of her career.

Salman rocks Rajiv Gandhi awards

Mr. Deshmukh also honoured Padma Bhushan Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Kalyani Group for his outstanding contribution to the field of business.


Journalist Vir Sanghvi was also honored for his contribution in the field of journalism.

Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, Model turned actress Yukta Mookhey, Indian wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, Anna Hazare and Sameer Gehlaut were also honored at the function. Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Rakhee Sawant entertained the audience by their performance.

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Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt have narrow escape

While shooting for mega movie, Blue, in the Bahamas, Akshay Kumar and Sunjay Dutt barely escaped with their lives while doing a stunt scene.

The Scene required the blasting of a ship while Akshay Kumar and Sunjay Dutt accompanied by cameraman Peter Zuccarni were nearby about 50 meters under water.

While the crew took utmost care to ensure that all precautions were taken, they didn’t expect the impact of the blast, especially underwater, to be as powerful as it turned out to be.

It was a harrowing moment for the entire team, but luckily the cameraman used his presence of mind and got Sanjay Dutt, Akki and himself out of trouble quickly.

Back on shore, while the actors thanked their stars for being alive, they also thanked the cameraman for his bravado.

Blue is said to be one of the most expensive movies of 2008 and is being shot on the sunny beaches and blue waters of the Bahamas.

With an impressive star-cast comprising of Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan along with some spectacular stunts and breathtaking underwater sequences, Blue is surely one film to look forward to.

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