Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: $18.7 million in first week!

Produced by Eros International Plc (“Eros”), a leading global company in Indian filmed entertainment, in association with Excel Entertainment, Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, is hitting high marks with critics, with fans, and even with stars and other industrywala! The fun filled road film, which was shot on location across Spain, stars Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol and Kalki Koechlin recorded outstanding opening weekend box office receipts of US$11.82 million (Rs. 52.50 crores) worldwide. Continuing with this trend the film has had an exceptional first week. In fact, it is still going strong in India and overseas it has been raking in the dollars. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has grossed 18.7 million dollars (108 crores) worldwide, with over US$14.86 million coming from India (Net Collection: US$10.36 million) and US$3.83 million from overseas. As we reported earlier the film debuted high in overseas charts and is at number 15 in the US and number 7 in the UK! Some major Hollywood films have not matched those numbers in one week in the US! On a per screen average basis, ZNMD ranked second, only behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2.

Expressing delight at the film’s performance over the week, Nandu Ahuja, Sr. VP – Distribution – India, Eros International Media Ltd said: “We are ecstatic with the audience as well as critics’ reactions to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The superb run of the film in the first week, especially across multiplexes has superseded all expectations and we are expecting the film to continue its excellent performance in the coming week as well.”

Commenting on the film’s overseas performance, Pranab Kapadia, President – Marketing & Distribution – Eros International plc added: “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has done incredibly well in all the overseas markets making this one of the highest grossing Hindi films so far this year. The tremendous response has been very encouraging with all major markets indicating remarkable box office results.”

With the film opening to a 90-95% capacity audiences across multiplexes in India, and maintaining steady numbers throughout its first full week, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is set to continue its superb performance through its the second weekend and beyond!

Naseer, Vidya and the Dirty Oranges!

Balaji’s forthcoming The Dirty Picture is deep into its shooting schedule and they have recently shot a song sequence. Picturised on Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah the track was shot at Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City.

For the sensational song sequence director Milan Luthria recently ordered two truckloads of oranges. Why? Well, in true South style, over a thousand oranges were rolled down a hillside as the actors danced to choreographer Pony Verma’s matkas and jhatkas — reminiscent of the erstwhile Jeetendra-starrer Himmatwala!

In The Dirty Picture, Naseer, who plays a South-Indian superstar, consented to dancing after 20 years, as it was in line with the requirements of his character. He was last seen dancing with Sonam in Rajiv Rai’s smash hit, Tridev. We know we can’t wait to see his moves!

Katrina takes Hrithik for a ride

Katrina Kaif has done away with her girl-next-door persona and has traded it in for a new biker chick avatar! For her latest release Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – co-starring Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol and Kalki Koechlin – she has learned how to ride a bike, but this passion has gone beyond just the film. She put her new talent to the test by driving co-star Hrithik around Bandra.

First came Kat riding on her own on a 100cc bike and then a 500cc bike. She looked a bit nervous but managed to gain confidence along the way.

Katrina really enjoyed the experience. “I practiced riding a light bike in Mumbai. But in Spain, I learnt how to ride a heavy one. I had to train hard for four to five days, but Zoya took just three hours to can the shot. I really enjoyed the process of learning to ride the bike,” laughs Kat, who is now “seriously thinking about buying one” to commute within the city.

Throughout the promotional campaign of ZNMD, ever since she learnt to ride a bike, the boys from the film crew kept teasing Kat. They would often say that they’d like to sit behind her and go for a ride. And Hrithik Roshan did just that! After Kat had done a few rounds on her own, Hrithik joined her by riding in the backseat behind her. “I don’t know many girls who can ride a bike, especially double seat.” Hrithik admitted, clearly impressed that Katrina kept her word.

“I’m still waiting for one to be gifted to me. No one has gifted me a bike.” Katrina stated. “I get the hint.” Hrithik teased. With banter like that, it’s no wonder why this jodi set the silver screen on fire in their big hit ZNMD.

Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol to feature in Anil Sharma's 3D flick Masters

They entertained us thoroughly in Yamla Pagla Deewana earlier this year and now the trio of Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol will once again be seen together on the big screen in Anil Sharma's 3D extravaganza Masters. It may be recalled that Anil had earlier directed the trio in the 2007 flick Apne.

Masters will be an action flick and will see the trio playing con-men. Shooting of the film is expected to begin by the end of this year and the film will be shot at various locations of Mumbai, London and even USA.

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif to go back to college

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are getting ready to head to college as they are all set to become students at the renowned Trinity College Dublin in Ireland which is one of the finest colleges in the world, where they will be shooting for YRF's Ek Tha Tiger.

Director Kabir Khan wanted to shoot some scenes at a college campus in Europe and didn't want the usual Oxford or Cambridge campus. Kabir decided on the celebrated Trinity College as he had been to Ireland to shoot a documentary on the Irish Republican Army strife in Belfast many years ago and had visited the Trinity College campus back then.

Trinity College is one of Ireland's principal third-level institutions and has been ranked highest in Ireland in international surveys.

Kabir was more than pleased when the prestigious Trinity College, Dublin granted him the permission to shoot his film Ek Tha Tiger within their premises. Trinity College is not a star struck educational institution and have put forth certain conditions. They have insisted that Salman and Katrina enroll themselves as students of the college for at least one or two classes and spend some time in an orientation exercise so that they feel a sense of belonging. The enrolling will be temporary.

Kabir has also personally guaranteed that the crew would be absolutely unobtrusive, and that the unit would be kept to a bare minimum.

Ek Tha Tiger will be shot in different countries, including Ireland and Istanbul and the stunt directors of The Bourne Identity have been roped in to do Salman's action sequences.

They leave for Dublin on August 10.

Check Out: Sanjay Dutt's look in Ra.One

A lot has been said and shot in the past few months for Shah Rukh Khan's film Ra.One. The latest being that none other than Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra will be doing a cameo in the film.

We give you a sneak peek of Sanjay Dutt's look in the film. With his trademark tattooed forearms and angled aviator shades complete with a smoking cigar, Sanju looks the part of the fearless macho man.

Though details about his exact role in the film are yet to be revealed, we are sure that Baba will be seen at his stylist best in the film.