Ajay who's currently shooting in Chandigarh for Son of Sardar , says he's happy to have chosen Gujarat over other states for his pet project. He says, "Gujarat has always been close to me because my films have worked very well here.

Whether it is Golmaal series or Singham , my films have been a favourite with the masses. I have always enjoyed my promotional trips to Gujarat.

Also there are no corruption issues in Gujarat government and the policies are clear." Incidentally Ajay's farmhouse at Karjat and home in Mumbai work under solar power (less)

However, none got him as much recognition as the Salman Khan , Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta starrer. And now, he is back.

This time to launch his son Azim. Interestingly, the controversial filmmaker has kept his connection with the film or the film's hero a secret.

However, when Mirror approached Nazim, he had no qualms in admitting that the 24-year-old hero of Qasam Se Qasam Se is indeed his son. "Azim is my son.

And I have not withheld my name during the promotion of the film due to my past. It's just that Azim met this pharmaceutical businessman Dharmendra Nath Thakur, who wanted my son for the first production of their banner New Mumbai Talkies.

I will not deny the fact that I am behind the film. And yes, I am one of the producers.

" He even said that his past has in no way affected his son's career. "Meri controversies se isko koi matlab nahi hai.

Azim has already got two film offers - one with Amitabh Bachchan and the other with Nana Patekar ," he added (less)

A three-release year seems like a lean one for you, after a six-release one. I want to come down to two! Hamari life mein bhaag daud kitni hai.

Do mahine se ghar nahi gaya hoon; just went for one day. I've been in Patiala all this time, shooting for "Sardar".

For 50 days I didn't even watch TV! I've been completely disconnected. You don't get shot at home for such prolonged absence? Nahi, ghar pe daant nahi padti, but I myself realize that I need to spend more time at home.

I do manage. Sometimes they come for the outdoor; they came there (Patiala) for 7-8 days.

Bachchon ke school bhi hai na, they can't take too many holidays. When did you last have to attend a parent-teacher meeting? Umm.

..

one and a half years ho gaya! I went for a function about three months back, though. My daughter insisted.

What's your Gujarat project about? Was rather surprising to see you at the press conference on solar projects there. Hats off to Modi to create a project like this, frankly.

..

I came to know that they were coming up with these tenders etc for solar power projects as a policy. I had partners who'd handled projects in power earlier.

The policy seemed very clear, so we asked for a meeting. We went there and said we're interested, our company fits into all the criteria that have been laid out.

He saw all that, and he said, done. I asked, who do we need to meet now? He said, you've met, it's done, now we'll follow up and coordinate, you don't have to come back.

They're so pro-business. Gujarat is the only state where there's no deficit of power, and now they're selling it outside.

And I believe in solar; I have had it in my farm, my home, even when it was far more expensive. So this excited me, both personally, and because the policies were very clear, very etched out.

For a long while, the political fallout of being seen near Modi, let alone so unequivocally in praise of Modi, would be a deterrent; but first Mr Bachchan, and now you, have been quite unapologetic about that. Look, I really don't know, I don't really bother about that, because the fact is that I am not getting politically involved in anything.

My funda is clear. As far as business goes, he's a fabulous businessman, he's doing great for Gujarat.

So I don't see a problem, why would anyone? Baaki politics hamari samajh mein aata nahi hai, aur na humko samajhna hai. Kajol's been quite low profile recently.

Yes, after Yug, she wanted to take it easy for a while. She's occupied with the child.

And she's happy that way, right now. The industry is obsessed with the word 'comeback'.

You must hear it often in her context? 'Comeback'. Yes (laughs).

Yeh word samajh mein nahi aata mujhe. Waise toh Kajol ne teen comeback kiye hain! I think the audience has changed.

Pehle kehte thay ki actresses ki ek age limit hoti hai. Now it is much better.

But only for those actresses who are known as actresses. If you've survived only on glamour , then you can't get older and still carry on.

For that, you need to be an actress. The others complain, this is not fair, but then they have to realise that you have to be an actress actress.

Who are the actress actresses today, then? Don't even go there. Hardly find any.

In today's time, hardly any. They all have their plus points, all are successful.

But if you say actress - not really. In today's time? Yesteryear's cinema had more appreciation for acting skills as opposed to vital stats, you mean? See, shuru se it has been there.

There have been actresses, and there have been good looking glamorous girls, and both have worked. In the really older days, you weren't wearing a bikini, you weren't showing off your body, so khubsoorti toh chahiye thi, lekin performance chahiye tha to last.

What's your position on the whole " The Dirty Picture " telecast drama? I don't know what to say on this. I believe the theme of the movie was an issue.

But that argument will never end. I'm seeing promos on TV that have explicit and suggestive language - I don't understand how they're OK for TV if a movie like that isn't.

Talking of National Award winning movies not being fit for telecast, are you aware that " Omkara " has not been approved for telecast till date? Kumar Mangat (the producer) says that he's placed all the cuts he's been asked to, and submitted it six times, but it hasn't been cleared for screening on TV. No, I didn't know that! There's no vulgarity in "Omkara"; once you edit the expletives out, what would the problem be? (less)

It has certainly altered his style statement. Recently CS spotted him at an event without his trademark hat after a long, long time.

When we asked him whether he'd forgotten it at home, he told us, "It's too hot to wear a hat. It just makes me sweat more.

But, now that I'm going sans my signature hat, I try to add colour to my ensemble in different ways. Maybe, wear a vibrant tee or a funky belt.

" Well Narendra, the no-hat look is not taking much away from your 'cool' quotient for sure. Mumbai's hot summer seems to have affected fashion designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed in a big way.

It has certainly altered his style statement. Recently CS spotted him at an event without his trademark hat after a long, long time.

When we asked him whether he'd forgotten it at home, he told us, "It's too hot to wear a hat. It just makes me sweat more.

But, now that I'm going sans my signature hat, I try to add colour to my ensemble in different ways. Maybe, wear a vibrant tee or a funky belt.

" Well Narendra, the no-hat look is not taking much away from your 'cool' quotient for sure. Mumbai's hot summer seems to have affected fashion designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed in a big way.

It has certainly altered his style statement. Recently CS spotted him at an event without his trademark hat after a long, long time.

When we asked him whether he'd forgotten it at home, he told us, "It's too hot to wear a hat. It just makes me sweat more.

But, now that I'm going sans my signature hat, I try to add colour to my ensemble in different ways. Maybe, wear a vibrant tee or a funky belt.

" Well Narendra, the no-hat look is not taking much away from your 'cool' quotient for sure. Mumbai's hot summer seems to have affected fashion designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed in a big way.

It has certainly altered his style statement. Recently CS spotted him at an event without his trademark hat after a long, long time.

When we asked him whether he'd forgotten it at home, he told us, "It's too hot to wear a hat. It just makes me sweat more.

But, now that I'm going sans my signature hat, I try to add colour to my ensemble in different ways. Maybe, wear a vibrant tee or a funky belt.

" Well Narendra, the no-hat look is not taking much away from your 'cool' quotient for sure (less)

The chief minister is reported to have suggested Kutch as the location for the proposed film city. Dutt said no final decision has been taken about either the location or the investment.

Gujarat is emerging as a hot destination for Bollywood players as actors Shatrughan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon and Paresh Raval have also met the chief minister in connection with film-related projects. Check out Sanjay Dutt’s homepage (less)

Ajay met Modi in a bid to explore the possibility of setting up a solar power project in the state, an official aware of the developments said. The actor was all praise for his leadership qualities and style of governance and extended his greetings on the occasion of the state's golden jubilee, he said.

Ajay recalled how during a shooting schedule for a film in Kutch he had found the backdrop picturesque. He said he looked forward to acting in more films in Gujarat.

Several stars have expressed their desire to set up projects in the state. Among those who have met Modi recently are: Anupam Kher, Shatrughan Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.

Indo-Asian News Service Ajay Devgn wants Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to see and give his views on his recently-released film 'Raajneeti'. The two met at the state secretariat on June 10.

Ajay met Modi in a bid to explore the possibility of setting up a solar power project in the state, an official aware of the developments said. The actor was all praise for his leadership qualities and style of governance and extended his greetings on the occasion of the state's golden jubilee, he said.

Ajay recalled how during a shooting schedule for a film in Kutch he had found the backdrop picturesque. He said he looked forward to acting in more films in Gujarat.

Several stars have expressed their desire to set up projects in the state. Among those who have met Modi recently are: Anupam Kher, Shatrughan Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.

Indo-Asian News Service Ajay Devgn wants Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to see and give his views on his recently-released film 'Raajneeti'. The two met at the state secretariat on June 10.

Ajay met Modi in a bid to explore the possibility of setting up a solar power project in the state, an official aware of the developments said. The actor was all praise for his leadership qualities and style of governance and extended his greetings on the occasion of the state's golden jubilee, he said.

Ajay recalled how during a shooting schedule for a film in Kutch he had found the backdrop picturesque. He said he looked forward to acting in more films in Gujarat.

Several stars have expressed their desire to set up projects in the state. Among those who have met Modi recently are: Anupam Kher, Shatrughan Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.

Indo-Asian News Service Ajay Devgn wants Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to see and give his views on his recently-released film 'Raajneeti'. The two met at the state secretariat on June 10.

Ajay met Modi in a bid to explore the possibility of setting up a solar power project in the state, an official aware of the developments said. The actor was all praise for his leadership qualities and style of governance and extended his greetings on the occasion of the state's golden jubilee, he said.

Ajay recalled how during a shooting schedule for a film in Kutch he had found the backdrop picturesque. He said he looked forward to acting in more films in Gujarat.

Several stars have expressed their desire to set up projects in the state. Among those who have met Modi recently are: Anupam Kher, Shatrughan Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.

Indo-Asian News Service (less)

However, Akshay Kumar and his camp followers stoutly deny any motive behind the special screening. They advocate that Akki simply wanted to bring to the notice of powers that be that the system was crushing the common man through rampant corruption and red tape.

In fact, in the film Akshay Kumar enacts the character of a corrupt road construction contractor and in a very subtle and humorous way brings out the corruption in the concerned departments. Akshay Kumar?s move assumes special significance as Kamal Nath is currently holding the portfolio of Road Transport and Highways in the Union Cabinet in Delhi and the film openly talked about the corruption in road construction and how it is rebuilt by corrupt contractors after every monsoon.

Akshay Kumar starrer flick has Trisha Krishnan opposite her playing the role of a Municipal Commissioner at the Phaltan town. In fact, the lady is ex-girlfriend of Akshay Kumar in the film and hates him for his past deeds.

The film has been directed by veteran director Priyadarshan.However, the trade reports were not encouraging about the response at the box office.

In fact, the film failed to enthuse audiences as it was mainly a satire but had been promoted as a comedy. The audiences, who visited theatres expecting a comedy, were not pleased at watching a dramatic satire instead.

Now, if Akshay Kumar could get some sort of relief for the film from Govt. in the form of tax exemption, it might turn out to be a profitable proposition at the box office.

Akshay Kumar starrer flick has Trisha Krishnan opposite her playing the role of a Municipal Commissioner at the Phaltan town. In fact, the lady is ex-girlfriend of Akshay Kumar in the film and hates him for his past deeds.

The film has been directed by veteran director Priyadarshan. -- k k rai Send comments: 0comments (less)

The chief minister is reported to have suggested Kutch as the location for the proposed film city. Dutt said no final decision has been taken about either the location or the investment.

Gujarat is emerging as a hot destination for Bollywood players as actors Shatrughan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon and Paresh Raval have also met the chief minister in connection with film-related projects (less)