Relive bond of friendship with 'London Dreams'

Massive stage settings, rock concerts and music as a binding factor, Ajay Devgn-Salman Khan starrer "London Dreams", which releases Friday, relies on the bond of friendship more than its rock background.
Produced and directed by Vipul Shah, the movie stars Asin Thottumkal in the female lead, while Akshay Kumar will be seen in a cameo. Rannvijay Singh and Om Puri too feature in the movie.

" �London Dreams' is a drama about two friends and their relationships, their roles, individuality and problems," Ajay said.

Added Asin: "It is a musical with a lot of emotions and twists in the story. But it's something that heavily relies on music."

Shot extensively in Paris and London, the story revolves around childhood friends Arjun (Ajay) and Mannu (Salman) who have a music lineage in their family history.

Arjun dreams of being on stage as a performer to live up to his grandfather's unfulfilled ambitions while Mannu has little interest in the instruments of his father, a music teacher.

Arjun's determination takes him to London where he forms a band with Priya (Asin) and others. But his friend Mannu tries to make his livelihood as a wedding band performer in the village.

Arjun eventually invites Mannu to London to complete his band contrary to his own belief that the latter can create a competition.

But Mannu surprises him by turning out to be an entertainer. With his unique style, he becomes more popular with the audiences leaving Arjun envious. His insecurity increases when he realises Priya is smitten by Mannu.

The band embarks on a three-city tour where Arjun deceives Mannu into promiscuous sex and illicit drugs. As the tour concludes, the band heads to London to perform at Wembley Stadium where Mannu comes to senses and chooses the righteous path and supports his friend.

"London Dreams" has managed a good buzz, courtesy the big names associated with it.

Noteworthy is that the songs in the movie have been shot like live concerts.

The movie is releasing with another-big budget venture "Aladin".

Asin and Farah Khan clear the air!

It was reported that Asin had refused Farah Khan’s offer to star in her next directorial venture “HAPPY NEW YEAR’. But according to Asin’s official spokesperson this news is fabricated as there was no such discussion between Farah and Asin over the movie.

Asin herself clarifies, “I am extremely upset with these rumour that has obviously been floated by vested interests. I don’t understand how such rumours crop up. Farah Khan is a close friend of mine there is no way I can refuse her. There was never any discussion over the movie. We have never discussed any work so far. This news is utter rubbish. Farah is a talented director who I look up to and above all she is a friend.”

Clearing the air completely Farah Khan says, “The rumour is a complete fabrication. I have not even written the script as yet.”

Asin will next be seen in her forthcoming release Vipul Shah’s London Dreams also starring Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan.

Asin’s French Connection

Asin loves to travel and explore different places and know more about the people and culture. During the shoot of London Dreams in Paris, Asin would go sight seeing a lot. She would visit churches, attended the mass, have street food etc.

A friend of the actress said, “When Asin was shooting for London Dreams, she went sight seeing in Paris. Asin loved the churches in Paris. She even attended the mass. Asin even tried the street food available there. In short work cum pleasure trip for Asin.”

And not many know that Asin can not only read and write but also speak the French language fluently. She’s quite a master at it. A close friend of the actress revealed, “Asin can sing French songs very fluently. In fact her college friends would tease calling her French Nightingale. French was her favourite subject. She was top scorer in the subject.”

Now we know where Asin’s love for Paris stems from? One wonders if she was a French actress in her past life.

London In Bhandup: Salman, Devgan, Asin Shoot Song for London Dreams!

Vipul Shah’s decision to shoot the last song of London Dreams in Bhandup in a makeshift maidaan representing a rock stadium turned out to be quite traumatic.

To begin, the woes in the middle, when Salman’s dog passed away during the shooting of the song, the actor broke down and wept like a baby. But he didn’t cancel the shooting.

Nonetheless this could qualify as the most difficult climactic song ever shot. Vipul Shah recently shot the final rock–concert number for London Dreams in Bhandup near Mumbai with 5,000 junior artistes cheering Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin, Ranvijay and Aditya Roy Kapoor who play members of a music band.

Says Vipul, “We were struck for the last song because of the rains. And then because of swine flu, we weren’t allowed to shoot in crowds. But I had no choice. The song couldn’t be delayed.”

Remo choreographed the song and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shankar Mahadevan sang the track.

Says Vipul, “We couldn’t get the stars fans to fill up the open-air auditorium, for the very simple reason that in the earlier concert songs for London Dreams we had seen how unruly the fans get when they see their favorite stars dancing in front of them.”

On top of it all, the practical problems faced during the shooting of this massive song; the stars were all busy elsewhere. “Salman was shooting for Dus Ka Dum. He requested them to postpone their shooting for two days. Ajay was supposed to start Priyadarshan’s shooting on those days. He asked Priyan to push his dates forward. Asin was doing an endorsement down south. Ranvijay was shooting for another film in Delhi. He flew both days and flew back. And Aditya Roy Kapoor, who was shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish, also accommodated my song.”

To compound Vipul’s troubles Salman’s dog died during the shooting. “I thought he would leave. But he continued shooting.”

Though the experience of putting the climax song together turned out to be a nightmare, Vipul is undeterred. “I’ve relieved my non-core group of technicians for my film Action Replay from their duties for now. When we regroup, they’re free to join us. Akshay and Aishwarya have promised the dates whenever we need them. If the actors are committed to a project nothing can stop a film from reaching the winning post.”

Asin ke nanhe friends

Asin who rose to fame with her last flick Ghajini, is all set for her new project with London Dreams. Along with the line of Bollywood offers, the actress has received the best offer of friendships too.

“Asin and Sridevi stay in the same colony. Thus whenever Asin has time she drops in Sri’s house to play with her daughters,” says the source.

Asin has recently shifted to Mumbai. “She doesn’t know many people, as she is very new in Mumbai. Sridevi has also helped her in her initial days over here, and this is how they all have become good friends. In other words, we can say that they are one big happy family,” adds the source.

“Asin too loves to spend time with the two daughter of Sri and they gel well with each other. Asin becomes a kid when she is with them and it’s like a stress releaser for her,” concludes the source.

Well Asin, you do have beautiful people around you… Lucky girl!

Asin caught with Dhoni at Big Bazaar

Ghajini girl Asin recently shot the new Big Bazaar TV Commercial with Indian cricket team’s captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a studio in Filmcity, Goregaon, Mumbai. Asin had been signed up as Big Bazaar brand ambassador just few months back, but had only done a print ad campaign with them since then. This is her first TV ad shoot for the brand.
It is learnt that this recent ad shoot between Asin and Dhoni took an entire day to shoot and saw many clothes changes for both of them. In fact, during the breaks both Asin and Dhoni even indulged in playing games. Dhoni seems to be fast gaining popularity amongst brands as just recently another ad featuring Bollywood hottie Bipasha Basu was seen on TV for an international shoe brand.
This new Big Bazaar ad shall be seen on TV from mid-August. Dhoni, presently is on a break since no cricket is happening till the tri series in Sri Lanka in September. Asin is meanwhile, shooting for London Dreams starring Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan and her Indo-Japanese venture.

No films for Asin in Bollywood

Asin who rose to great heights in Bollywood because of the great success of Ghajini is now without any films for the past two months. There was Asin fever after the release of Ghajini. Big producers and actors had approached her to work in their films. Producers were waiting at her doorsteps for her call sheet with the money. But she never cared about it. She only selected London Dreams which had Salman Khan in the lead. She also gave her call sheet for the English film 19 Steps which had Kamal Haasan in the cast. Asin’s father sent back the producers and directors who had come for her call sheet by saying that Asin is busy for one year. Asin also earned the wrath of other actresses.
In a short span of time she brought herself a house in Mumbai. But things have drastically changed a lot when 19 Steps was dropped. Asin also took a lot of training in Kalari arts in Kerala to act in this film. She also sustained injuries during this training. She is in a great shock now because this film has been shelved permanently. She refused to act in other films because of this film. Now nobody is in search of her. For the last two months she is idling. Now she is sending people to producers requesting for chance. But they have replied that they had signed other actresses and commenced the shooting. Now actresses like Trisha have forayed into Bollywood and this is a great challenge for Asin now. Now she is considering acting in Tamil films.

Seems like the Bollywood honeymoon is still not over for Asin, as the sinfully delicious actress seriously feels that actress can compete for the same roles and still be friends.

After being in news for sharing a dozen SMS everyday with Ranbir Kapoor’s girlfriend Deepika Padukone, Asin is hitting the airwaves again for being buddies with Anil Kapoor’s little girl, Sonam.

Being friends with Deepika and Sonam connects her with two of the most influential Kapoor clan of the Bollywood industry. Asin is a smart girl who knows to connect with the right people to move up in Bollywood.

At 23; Asin may be young, but she is definitely not naïve. A superstar down south long before Deepika and Sonam even signed their first films; Asin has been doing movies ever since she was 15 year old. She is well aware that her competitions in Bollywood are the young breed of actress, not the established ones.

All this talk of being friends with Deepika and Sonam, doesn’t go down too well if one remembers Asin’s spat with Genelia. Ms Congeniality Asin gets her claws out at the mention of Genelia.

Ahem Like they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.