Karan Johar carries Kajol's excess baggage

It is possibly the first time Karan Johar is facing trouble shooting for a film and giving his a hard time is apparently his good friend Kajol, also the leading lady of his movie “My Name is Khan”.

Karan first had a tough time convincing Kajol to do the film. She finally gave him the nod, but is now proving very difficult to please.

Reportedly, Kajol first asked Karan to give her more on-screen presence and Karan had to modify the script as per her requirement. She then refused to go to LA without her daughter Nysa, who initially couldn’t travel with her to Los Angeles because of a problem with her visa. Karan had a tough time convincing her to leave for LA without her daughter as his shooting schedule would have been disrupted if Kajol didn’t show up on time.

Now again Karan is said to be facing a problem. Kajol is apparently taking nine people along with her to LA. She, her daughter Nysa, her sister Tanisha, her mom Tanuja, her hair dresser and her fashion designer with assistants. And what’s more, she has even asked Karan to give Tanuja a small role in the film!

Work secondary for mummy Kajol!

Kajol is not just a talented actress but also an ideal mom.

When it comes to giving time to her daughter Nyasa, mummy Kajol’s work takes a back seat. She is currently shooting with her dear friend Shah Rukh in US for My Name is Khan. We heard Kajol has already informed her director friend Karan Johar that she won’t be able to stay away from her darling daughter for a very long time. So KJo made sure that things were in order so that he could get Kajol to spend some quality time with Nyasa. So, Kajol would finish her shots quickly and then return to dote on daughter dearest!

My Name is Khan heads to the White House

Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan is currently being shot in Los Angeles. But sources from the set say that the crew will be heading to Washington in the future as well. That’s because Johar plans to shoot a sequence at the White House as well.

“Karan wants to shoot a sequence at the White House. The film is set against the aftermath of 9/11 in America and keeping the storyline in mind, Karan thinks filming at the prestigious White House will be a coup of sorts for him,” says the source.

However, there are many complications involved with filming at the White House. First and foremost being that no one is allowed to film inside it!

“From what the officials have said no one has really been allowed to film inside the White House. Sure we can set up the crew and film it from the street like how most tourists do but what Karan wants is to be inside the main gates. Getting that isn’t going to be so easy,” says the source.

But knowing Karan Johar, he has the ability of managing things that others can’t. While shooting Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum, the director had rented the entire British Museum for the day for a hefty price - all for one sequence that has Hrithik Roshan dance on the long winding steps of the Museum.

Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan revolves around a Muslim called Rizwan Khan played by SRK who suffers from Aspergers syndrome (a form of autism which impacts social interaction abilities). US authorities detain him after mistaking his disability as suspicious behavior. Kajol plays his wife. It is believed that the film is based on a real life story.

KJO Unplugged!

He is known for playing his cards, or shall we say, brewing his coffee well ...always-be it as a producer, director, host or cameo actor. And of course he has his own set of humour that adds a flavour to every thing he does. Karan Johar gets candid with our correspondent.

Is it true that you have become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena?
Oh my God! I expected you to start with DOSTANA and you shot the other way...(laughs). It's all right. See, I have not become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena in a true sense, but I have given them some suggestions to abide by if they are interested in working in my next films. I have asked Kajol to lose some flab for MY NAME IS KHAN. And I told Kareena not to lose weight for an unnamed Dharma Productions film to be directed by a friend Rensil D'Silva.

I understand Kajol's weight loss, but Kareena's size zero is quite 'in' now...
That's a myth and may be a momentary craze. But the truth is Indian audience always prefers a healthy (not fat) heroine...this size zero concept is not for Hindi film heroines, at least that's what I feel.

You will be directing again after quite some time. Tell us more about MY NAME IS KHAN?
MY NAME IS KHAN is a film based on the psyche of a Muslim man whose name comes up in the suspect list of terrorists post 9/11. Yes, as usual, this film has Shah Rukh as the hero and Kajol as the heroine. And I will be directing a film after quite some time. The trio will be back to sizzle the screen after KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. So you may as well call it my comeback as a director.

We heard it took you long to persuade Kajol to sign the film. True?
Kajol is always like that...she knows she can never say 'No' to me...still she tries in vain. But the point is, I am very happy that she has finally agreed to do the film because only she can play her character in the film.

Why is Shah Rukh an indispensable part of almost every Dharma Productions film? Is it because he sells?
Shah Rukh is definitely one of the biggest stars in Bollywood and his screen presence does make a difference. But the reason why he is in almost all our films is something different. My father (Yash Johar) was very fond of Shah Rukh, in fact he considered him to be family, which of course, SRK is. And when I decided to make films, he said: 'Beta, if possible, try to involve Shah Rukh in all Dharma Productions projects.' Besides, Shah Rukh has been a friend, philosopher and guide...it's an old association and old habits die hard.

Exclusive: SRK and KJo on the sets of My Name Is Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Karan Johar have given us some of the biggest blockbusters of Hindi cinema such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Hence, when the trio is coming back with a film after a hiatus of nearly 8 years, then expectations are bound to be gargantuan.

Shooting for Dharma Productions' My Name Is Khan starring SRK and Kajol in lead roles is currently underway in and around Los Angeles. The buzz is that SRK plays a person suffering from Asperser's Syndrome (an autism related disorder) who gets into trouble with cops abroad especially because of his surname 'Khan'. Kajol plays SRK's better-half in the film. Even though the film has a serious undertone, with best buddies SRK, KJo and Kajol coming together, the atmosphere on the sets is one of fun and frolic.

SRK's witty one-liners combined with KJo's wacky sense of humor is sure to keep the unit members entertained. As for the film, all eyes are curious to see if these three best buddies can translate their real life Dostana onto reel-life one more time.

Bollywood biggies' look revealed

It's known that Director Mani Ratnam is maintaining tight security on the sets of his upcoming film RAVANA and also lots of secrecy so as to not reveal the star cast - Aishwarya Rai & Abhishek Bachchan's look in the film.

It seems like now our longtime inquisitiveness about the look of the star cast in RAVANA is fulfilled. Recently Abhishek was spotted along with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in his new short hair look at one of the events.

It is being said that this could be Abhishek's look in the film.

Seems like short hair is the new demand of the tinsel fashion. A few days back even Shah Rukh was seen sporting shorthair look which as per the reports Shah Rukh will be seen sporting in Kjo's upcoming MY NAME IS KHAN.

Also, the cutest hunk of Bollywood, Shahid Kapoor, who has been keeping away from the media glare and maintaining a relatively low profile for quite sometime now, is sported in a very trendy new hairdo. Recently, he made an appearance in one of the events with his new look and it is being held that this could be his much touted look in the film KAMINAY.

Sonya Jehan in My Name is Khan

Sonya Jehan (pictured left), grand daughter of singer-actress the late Noor Jehan, will be seen in Karan Johar's forthcoming movie “My Name is Khan”.

The actress, who debuted with Akbar Khan's “Taj Mahal” three years ago and was also seen in the movie “Khoya Khoya Chaand”, is highly excited about working under a big banner.

She will be playing the second lead with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol playing the main lead. SRK is shown as an autistic and will be seen sporting a complete new look with cropped hairstyle. The film is being shot in Los Angeles.

Looking forward to 2009 in Bollywood

The New Year has dawned with a promise of more entertaining and thought-provoking cinema from Bollywood. Will new milestones be reached in 2009? Here’s a look.

If 2008 ended on a promising note, 2009 begins with a bang, with some big banner movies set to hog the marquee. The Bhatt camp’s Raaz - The Mystery Continues and the Sippys’ Chandni Chowk To China with Akshay Kumar at the helm would be the two scene stealers of January, which will also witness the release of Zoya Akhtar’s dark comedy on Bollywood, Luck By Chance , due for January 30 release along with Harman Baweja ’s second film Victory . Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire , a Golden Globe nominee and an Oscar hopeful, might get released in January after its successful run at overseas box office.

The month of February would see the release of movies like Priyadarshan’s Billu Barber and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra ’s Dilli 6.

This year will see directors like Anurag Basu and Imtiaz Ali returning after a break of one year. While the Rakesh Roshan produced Kites can hit the theatres any time around mid year as the movie is still in the making and its major chunk is still to be shot, Imtiaz Ali will comeback with yet another love story, untitled yet, starring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan .

Rajkumar Hirani will not give any Munnabhai jhappi, but will return with a thought-provoking film that takes a dig at our education system in 3 Idiots which is based on bestseller novel ‘Five Point Someone’ and has Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. Most likely, ‘3 Idiots’ would close 2009.

Lavishly budgeted movies in this period of recession may appear absurd but they would be one too many in 2009. London Dreams by Vipul Shah, Kambakkth Ishq by Sajid Nadiadwala , and the Salman Khan -written historical drama ‘Veer’ are some of the celluloid mammoths that would roar in 2009. ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ is particularly special as it has some Hollywood biggies in cameos for the first time in an Indian masala movie.

On the contrary, industry giants like Yashraj and Dharma Productions have few movies lined up this year. There is no news as to when Karan Johar’s much anticipated My Name Is Khan with Kajol and Shahrukh Khan is going to release. Possibly, by this year end. Yashraj will begin this year with New York directed by Kabir Khan and starring John Abraham , Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif . Katrina would also be seen in a love story Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani with Ranbir Kapoor .

Himesh Reshammiya will be back with a movie named A Love Issshtory , again paired opposite two beautiful ladies. You can also watch some off-beat parallel cinema like Dev. D , Aur Devdas , Tera Kya Hoga Johnny , Wake Up Sid , Delhi Belly , Lamha , Teen Patti , Johnny Mastana which has Amitabh Bachchan in the lead, Nagesh Kukunoor’s Eight By Ten or the Bipasha Basu starrer Pankh or Mallika Sherawat ’s nagin act in Hisss .

Some serious directors would dabble in comedy for the first time. Ashutosh Gowarikar is trying some rib-tickling humour in What's Your Raashi with Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja. And Vishal Bharadwaj will return with Kaminay which stars Shahid Kapur and Priyanka in the lead.

And not to forget, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is returning back to what he does best and directing a movie with Hrithik and Aishwarya Rai . Ash would also be seen in Mani Ratnam’s next with hubby Abhishek Bachchan .

From the look of it, 2009 holds out a promising spread.