TUSSHAR, ABHISHEK FIGURE IN BHAGNANI's NEW FILM
Vashu Bhagnani doesn’t seem to be disheartened by the non-performance of R.H.T.D.M. The man is all set to start his next film, which will star Vinod Khanna, Jackie Shroff, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Tusshar in the lead. Bhagnani is yet to finalize the leading ladies for the film. Considering that the film will have some of the big male actors, there is scope for some top female actresses getting the lead roles. The film will be directed by young choreographer Ahmed Khan.

 JEETENDRA TRYING TO CASH IN ON 'SON RISE'
The pint-sized Tusshar Kapoor has made an emphatic entry into the tinsel world with a successful debut. With the sun shining bright on the lad, Dad Jeetendra is trying to make hay. Yes, the “Jumping Jack” has decided to make a film with sunny Tusshar in the lead. The film, being produced by Shobha Kapoor and sister Ekta, is said to be a romantic drama with Esha Deol playing Tusshar’s love interest. This will be Tusshar’s second film with Esha Deol, after Sanjay Chhel’s “Kya Dil Ne Kaha”. To be directed by Anurag Basu, the yet-to-be-titled film will also introduce Natasha, who will form the jagged edge of the love triangle. The Mahurat clapboard was sounded on June 25 at Royal Palms. Since then, a couple of romantic and song sequences have been canned. Tusshar, who is reported to be upbeat about the film, is all praise for its gripping story by Rajeev Zaveri and Anurag Basu.

 TUSSHAR & HRITHIK TOGATHER?
Rumors going around the tinsel town are that friends Rakesh Roshan and Jeetendra are thinking of pairing their sons Hrithik and Tusshar together in a film. However, nothing has been finalized as yet and the things are just in preliminary stages. With Tusshar looking good in the promos of Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai, and Hrithik already the hottest name in showbiz, the movie would be really something to look forward to.

 TUSSHAR EARNS A PLACE IN BHAGNANI's CAMP
The success of Tusshar Kapoor’s debut film “Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai” has opened many avenues for Jeetendra’s son. Call it a coincidence or a stroke of luck. But adding an extra ‘s’ to his name has proved propitious for Tusshar Kapoor. In the industry where nothing succeeds like success, Tusshar’s hit debut is like any newcomer’s dream come true. In fact, so glad is the film’s producer Vashu Bhagnani with the film’s performance that he has decided to make Tusshar a regular in his camp. The good news for the jumping jack junior is that Vashu Bhagnani is planning to make another mushy romance with him in the lead. The film, yet-to-be-titled, will once more have Satish Kaushik wielding the megaphone. According to the industry grapevine, Bhagnani was willing to repeat the same winning pair of “MKKH” and, therefore, had approached Kareena to play the female lead. But the Kapoor girl couldn’t spare the required dates. There is further speculation that Bhagnani is roping last year’s Miss Asia Pacific Diya Mirza to pair opposite the effervescent Tusshar. Meanwhile, Tusshar’s next release is Sanjay Chhel-directed “Kya Dil Ne Kaha” opposite debutante Esha Deol, the snooty daughter of Hema Malini.

 TUSSHAR KAPOOR HAS A LONG WAY TO GO
Jumping Jack Jeetendra’s son Tusshar couldn’t have asked for a better break under the arc lamps thanks to his lineage. While his first film, Satish Kaushik-directed “Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai”, is yet to hit the turnstiles Tusshar feels overburdened by the slew of films in his kitty. Tusshar will pair with another newcomer Esha Deol in two of his forthcoming films – his home production Koi Aap Jaisa and Padmalaya’s Kya Dil Ne Kaha. If that was not enough Tusshar recently signed a TIPS film tentatively titled Friends which will be directed by the debutant director Shaina Nath ( daughter of Rikku Nath). Having made such an emphatic start in the Bollywood Tusshar is both excited and nervous. He concedes that being a star son he is “burdened by the lofty expectations of the movie buffs” and is under tremendous pressure to live up to the credentials of his distinguished pedigree. “No matter how many godfathers you have when you are before the camera you are own your own and have to deliver goods to get a foothold in the industry,” says the young man who will soon make his big screen debut opposite Kareena Kapoor. Though a tyro before the camera Tusshar feels confident of his craft. He has done a course in dramatics while studying Management at the University of Michigan USA and also learnt acting at the Roshan Taneja acting academy. He has also learned the ropes of the trade in Bollywood assisting David Dhawan in film production. A shy, meek and introvert lad Tusshar Kapoor has got his first break served on the platter. But he is refusing to be labeled as the jumping jack junior. He wants to find his own identity rather than known as the son of Jeetendra and younger brother to TV diva Ektaa Kapoor.

 TUSSHAR KAPOOR HERE COMES JUMPING JACK JUNIOR
A bunch of star kids has thronged the tinsel town in the last couple of months. Latest to step into his father’s shoes is the young lad Tushar, Jeetendra’s son. Now, unlike other glam-struck star kids, Tushar didn’t want stardom served to him on a platter. Instead of hopping on to the Bollywood bandwagon at the first available opportunity, Tushar preferred getting some experience first. So he learned the nitty-gritty of filmmaking under David Dhawan during the making of “Chal Mere Bhai”. Once attuned to the vagaries of showbiz, it didn’t take him long to clinch his first acting assignment opposite Kareena Kapoor in Vashu Bhagnani’s forthcoming “Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai”. Directed by Satish Kaushik, the film also casts Amrish Puri, Dilip Tahil and Himani Shivpuri, and has music by Anu Malik. For Tushar, a tyro before lens, acting comes naturally. Although his first film is yet to see the light of the day, directors are making a beeline to sign him. Recently the star kid snapped up the lead role in Sanjay Chhel’s next film, in which he will pair with another debutante Esha Deol. No doubt, Tushar’s acting career has got off to a flying start. Will he be able to walk in his father’s footsteps and make a place for himself under the arc lamps? Time will tell.

 TUSSHAR KAPOOR WANTS A DATE!
The actor wants to start a relationship soon! Newcomer Tusshar Kapoor is keeping busy with work at the moment, but also admits that he would like to start dating a girl and start a relationship with that special someone. Although Tusshar was in a rather serious relationship quite some time back, he has been single for a while now and spending most his time shooting for films instead. Young Tusshar made the perfect debut in last year's surprise hit Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai and the year ended perfectly after he picked up the Best Male Newcomer and this year's Filmfare Awards. He will soon be back once again with his second movie, Kya Dil Ne Kaha, which pairs him opposite another star kid, Esha Deol. It also features veteran actor Rajesh Khanna.

 " KUCH TO HAI " UNIT IN NEW ZEALAND
Producers Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor and director Anurag Basu will start a 15-day shoot for Shri Siddhivinayak Films’ KUCH TO HAI in New Zealand from February 1. Starring Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol.

 "I'm not looking to compete with my Dad!
Being a star son has limited perks, says Tusshar. After that, he tells Mini Chandran-Kurian, it's only hard work and talent that counts Tusshar (Tushar as he was called before he threw in an extra 's' for luck) is the son of yesterday's megastar, Jeetendra. Poised to make his debut, watched over by his proud father, Tusshar is much like that other star kid Abhishek Bachchan, carrying the burden of great expectations. Yet he appears calm and in command of the situation, even as the shooting of his first feature Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai produced by Vashu Bhagnani and co-staring Kareena Kapoor, gathers momentum. On the anvil is another flick for Padmalaya films, co-staring Esha Deol. Excerpts from an interview:So tell us, was it inevitable, your decision to become an actor? No, it wasn't quite like that. My father was never hung up about my becoming an actor, neither was it the only thing that I wanted to do. In fact I've just completed my Bachelor's in Business Management in the US. But yes, I cannot deny that the movies are in my blood. I grew up in a filmi atmosphere, I was always aware of my father being this huge star. Even when I was studying abroad, I'd make it a point to see all the Hindi movies I could. I had to come back to India, it's the place I love most and once I was back, it was as though everything just fell into place. Vashuji approached me for a film, and the script was terrific, so it seemed the right thing to do. How was your first day of shoot? It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hell either. I had these butterflies in my tummy…! Besides, I'm extremely self-critical. But yeah, I think I'm doing okay, I'm actually growing with the film. I'm glad I have Kareena as a co-star, she is such fun on the sets. My director Satishji (Kaushik) is also very good to work with. He keeps telling me to play the character as naturally as possible. I'm enjoying myself. Is it easier for you than for other newcomers, simply because of who you are? Yes and no! I agree that unlike other newcomers, there is no desperate urgency to sign every film that comes my way, just to make pots of money. For me the script and banner are critical, I never take any step without analyzing it thoroughly. And yes, I'm lucky that I can afford the luxury of choice. I also have my father to advise me on everything. But all said and done, it is I who has to perform in front of the camera. I have to attain stardom on my own, and for that the audience has to like me, Tusshar. Being a star son takes you only up to a certain point. After that, you are on your own. The bottom line remains performance, staying power, and of course, luck. From where you stand right now, what does the future look like? Fantastic! I cannot see myself anywhere else but here, and the thrill lies in doing good as well as commercially viable cinema. Films with both gloss and content. And yes, I'm looking for success, fame and money, all in my own right. I'm not looking to compete with my Dad!

 TUSSHAR KAPOOR :CRYSTAL HOUSE
Tusshar Kapoor's palatial home in Juhu has been designed by avant-garde interior decorator, Sunita Pitamber. It's crammed with crystal, making you tiptoe about, so that you don't break something. Two elevators within the house go to the first and second floors - the first elevator for the use of the family, the second for the staff. The bar is his father Jeetendra's favourite spot. "It's warm and cosy and my dad spends his evenings there," says Tusshar.

 TUSSHAR KAPOOR IN FARIDA JALAL's FIRST FILM
Rumour : The grapevine is abuzz with the news that Farida Jalal has turned producer and has signed you to direct her first production. We've also been told that you've already confirmed Tusshar and Kareena Kapoor for the lead roles in this film, which is scheduled to go on the floors next month. If true, could you tell us what the film is all about and how the project came into being?
Anant Mahadevan : It's true that I am directing a film called YEH DIL MAANGE MORE, which will also mark Farida-ji's production debut in films. In the rut of remakes and mediocre films, Y.D.M.M. will come across as an original romantic comedy. Based on a concept by Viveck Vaswani, the film tells an interesting story of a boy and three girls, who are all trying to win his heart. I had Tusshar in mind for this role for a very long time. When I first narrated the script to him, he laughed at all the right places and reacted the way one would've expected him to. He also felt that it was well written, commercially viable and at the same time, subtly entertaining. Tusshar has an excellent feel for comedy and is among the few actors who have their heads on their shoulders. Farida-ji was also keen to get into film production with a really promising subject and endorsed it at the first instance. We haven't finalised the three girls opposite Tusshar. We hope to begin shooting for the film from July and are planning to complete it in a period of nine months.

 TUSSHAR SURPASSES DAD !
Jeetendra must be proud of his son, Tusshar. Not only has he given an impressive performance in his film Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, but the film has received 100 percent collections in Bombay, which is much more than what daddy's film Jaidev had collected!
Congratulations on a great debut, Tusshar!

  PUBLIC KO KUCH KEHNA HAI

After Tusshar said his bit in MUJHE KUCCH KEHNA HAI, it's now the turn of the audiences to express their love for him. Last Saturday, Tusshar's father Jeetendra was a witness to this, when he made his regular visit to the temple at Juhu (opposite ISKCON). As soon as he reached the temple, he found lots of youngsters waiting for him at the gate. They were waiting because they wanted to catch a glimpse of Tusshar. Since Tusshar did not seem to be around, they asked Jeetendra to give the autograph on behalf of Tusshar. Must say, Tusshar's popularity is growing with each passing day.!

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