One of contemporary Hindi cinema’s most inventive filmmakers, Ram Gopal Varma, unites a who’s who of cross-generational acting heavyweights in his latest piece of cinematic artistry, Department, opening its doors in the UK on 18th May 2012 through B4U Pictures and presented by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

With all the markings of another classic and following the tradition of earlier superhits such as Company, Sarkar and Sarkar Raj, Varma takes audiences on another rollercoaster ride to the dark side – this time into the guarded inner echelons of the police ‘department’, where the unnerving power struggles quickly separate the men from the boys.

Testifying the film’s thematic mantra that ‘Real Power Comes From Real Men’, Department features acting heavyweights that transcend the generations as veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt appear alongside Tamil artist and rising star of Hindi cinema, Rana Daggubati. Not for the faint-hearted, the film consistently packs a punch with state-of-the-art action sequences, a gripping, fast-paced narrative and powerful dialogues that will surely establish themselves as iconic lines that define the zeitgeist of Indian cinema. More

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently complained of ‘excruciating’ pain, on his blog and it seems that the pain is giving him a lot of trouble.

Reportedly, Bachchan, who underwent surgeries for inguinal hernia in February, this year, will be going to Los Angeles for treatment. Buzz has it, that the 69-year-old actor will not do any more assignments, till September 2012.

“It was the first time since the operation in February that Bachchan saab felt such severe pain and had to go for a CT scan soon afterwards. It is believed that Mr. Bachchan is not doing any film before September as he’s going to Los Angeles, in May-June, where he will undergo a few tests and the required treatment to be sure,” a source was quoted saying.

However, the veteran actor will shoot for Rohit Shetty’s, Abhishek Bachchan-Ajay Devgn starrer Bol Bachchan.

“That’s also because Abhishek is acting in the film and has a very strong role in it. And Ajay, who’s producing it, is like family. Besides, it’s not going to be stressful as Bachchan Saab’s part will be shot in just a couple of days.”

We wish Big B a speedy recovery. Source

Expressing happiness over his name being cleared in the Bofors payoff scam, mega-star Amitabh Bachchan, however, said Wednesday that he is “pained” that it came after 25 years.

Speaking to reporters here, Bachchan welcomed the revelations made by the Swedish investigators in the Bofors case. He said he had “lived with humiliation and loss of reputation” all these years.

“I am happy that the truth has emerged after 25 years,” he said.

However, he wished that his father, the late Harivanshrai Bachchan, had lived to see this development. “My family knew the truth on Bofors all along, from day one,” Bachchan said. More

A girls college will be setup by superstar Amitabh Bachchan in Uttar Pradesh named after his daughter-in-law and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

According to a leading daily, an aide from Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL) informed that the Daulatpur village committee has handed over the land to Amitabh Bachchan Sewa Samiti (ABSS), a newly formed organisation and the construction will commence soon. Reportedly, there would be a school from nursery to class 12 and later it will be upgraded to a degree college.

Initially, the responsibility for construction of the college was allotted to actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada’s Foundation. However, it has now been given to ABSS.

Bachchan had laid the foundation stone of Aishwarya Rai College in the Daulatpur village on January 27, 2008. Source

Amitabh Bachchan, who’s gearing up for the release of his film Department, is all praise for Punjabi pop and playback singer, Mika Singh.

Mika has crooned a new song, kammo for Bachchan in Department and Big B it seems is very pleased with the singer.

The 69-year-old took to his blog to praise Mika, writing, “Mika, the voice of some our most popular songs in the Industry, has done another one for me – Kammo in Department. He has a unique different voice, which I have been following from the time of his early numbers he did, soon after his elder brother Daler Mehndi, hit the charts.”

“Often he sends messages of concern and affection. At times of what he does at stage shows, where he sings medley’s of my songs. Grateful that he does so. I wish him the best always,” the superstar further added. More

Now here’s some fantastic information for fans of superstar Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan. News is that Sanjay Dutt has paid a stunning tribute to Big B with a special remake of Bachchan’s iconic track ‘Thodi Si Jo Pi Li Hai’ from NAMAK HALAAL for RGV’s much awaited DEPARTMENT.

The upcoming action drama will see a most unique remake of the original Bachchan classic masterpiece picturised on Dutt and ace choreographer Ganesh Acharya.

With the original rights to the song being bought, music director Bappa Lahiri has rendered a contemporary take on the Big B song and it has been sung by none other than Sukhwinder Singh.

RGV talks about his inspiration of remaking the cult song for DEPARTMENT, “Like millions of others I have always been a huge fan of ‘Thodi Si Jo Pi Li Hai’ song from NAMAK HALAAL and I felt to picturise it on Sanjay Dutt will be a fitting tribute to Mr. Bachchan’s classic masterpiece!” More

Contrary to reports that he might not host the sixth edition of the reality game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, megastar Amitabh Bachchan seems all prepared to take the hot seat again.

“Off for a meet with Sony for next KBC… planning, peration, execution… will keep you informed on its broadcast and other details,” Mr Bachchan wrote on twitter.

Mr Bachchan underwent abdominal surgery in February and was advised rest for sometime. Due to his health issues there were reports that he might not host the show.

KBC is the Indian version of the UK game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The show, first aired in 2000, was hosted by the 69-year-old actor making his maiden appearance on television. More

Before coming on stage, Salman preferred to wait in his vanity van till Big B finished his rehearsals
In showbiz, it is the hardest to live by the adage forgive and forget. No wonder, awkward moments faced by actors make for interesting stories. On Monday evening, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan faced one such moment, when they were present at the same time at the venue for the IPL opening night in Chennai.

But, Salman ensured that he kept away from a run-in with Big B, by steering clear from the stage area until the senior actor was finished with his rehearsals. “Since Salman got to the venue around the time Amitabh was rehearsing on the stage, he chose to wait it out in his vanity van before he came on the stage,” says a source. While the two stars do exchange pleasantries when they come face-to-face in public, the Bodyguard hero this time spent time in his vanity van with his crew. More

A galaxy of stars, including Amitabh Bachchan and American pop star Katy Perry, set the ball rolling for the fifth edition of Indian Premier League with a glittering opening ceremony which enthralled the audience at the YMCA College of Physical Education on Tuesday.

The opening ceremony starts with Amitabh Bachchan’s poetry reading session. Later the mega star will take the oath for the tournament.

Having proved its success in the past four editions with growing popularity, the Indian cricket board’s money spinning event is launched with the IPL Opening Nite. More

The Bollywood grapevine is buzzing with rumours about Amitabh Bachchan shooting for his next film, towards the end of April. Industry sources reveal that the actor could feature in a song in Ajay Devgn’s next release, also featuring Abhishek Bachchan in the lead. The 69-year-old legend had been resting after two abdominal surgeries earlier this February and recently returned to face the camera for a promo of the upcoming Indian Premiere League.

According to our source, director Rohit Shetty has five days of shoot left, including a song. “The song features all the principal actors — Ajay Devgn, Abhishek, Asin Thottumukal and Prachi Desai. Someone suggested getting Amitji to also feature in this song, as it’s a very lively and foot tapping number. Someone else in the team also suggested getting the actor to introduce the film to the audience,” said our source. More

Modern technology has overshadowed the feel of original music, rues Amitabh Bachchan, who is recording his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Madhushala in his voice. The megastar is also skeptical about the poetry connecting with today’s youth.

“Singing the verses of Madhushala, the alaap and lending orchestral brilliance to the basic structure that I made in an impromptu setting on my piano. What a different world this is… “We crave today in music sittings for the age of unplugged instrumentation. The reality and the joy of listening to the original sounds of string and dholak. Of the great masters and their wares – the Sarod, the Shehnai, the Sarangi, the Sitar. All lost and buried under the weight of modern sounds, mastered and manufactured through science and technology. All gone and overtaken by technology,” the 69-year-old posted on his blog. More

Seems like Amitabh Bachchan can’t stay away from work too long as the megastar is all set play a special part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opening ceremony April 3.

The 69-year-old, who underwent two abdominal surgeries last month, will host the ceremony in Chennai.

“Asia Cup over soon and then IPL …opening extravaganza in Chennai .. and yours truly a small part of it …nervous as hell. April 3 is the day for the opening, preparing for it already…getting back into the grind,” he tweeted.

“And yes the show will be on Sony…meeting all the Captains and teams will be such an honour ..seen all of them on TV, now personally,” he added.

Season 5 of the IPL will feature 76 matches, over a period of 54 days in the month of April and may. Total of nine teams are participating in the cricket league.

“Mr. Bachchan will play a part in IPL opening ceremony,” BCCI vice president Niranjan Shah told IANS. He, however, he refused to give any details. Source