Aftab and Yana break up!

Tinsel town is abuzz with talks of split between Yana Gupta and Aftab Shivdasani.

Their affair was not very old. Yana and Aftab did not make any attempt to hide their relationship from media. In fact, just a few months back, they had claimed that the understanding between them was so good that Yana actually encouraged Aftab to kiss his co-star Celina Jaitley in Red. But today, the equation between Yana and Aftab has changed.

Not long ago, Yana had told a tabloid that Aftab is not her taste. The Czech beauty said she takes a lot of time to know a person. She has been friendly with Aftab for months and now that she has known him, she feels he is not the person she would like to marry.

Yana, who has been married and divorced in the past, says she doesn't want to rush into a relationship only to regret later. She says she is looking for a man with whom she can happily spend the rest of her life. Marriage is high on her agenda.

Aftab, on the other hand, is learnt to have taken the split in his own stride. He is still very friendly with Yana.

Lets hope for the best for both of them!

Aftab’s set for a sixer!

According to Vikas Hotwani from DNA, along with performing at IIFA, Aftab Shivdasani will also play a cricket match against the Yorkshire team.

"The film fraternity team comprises of almost half the film industry. Apart from me, the team has actors like Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan and many more. The Yorkshire team will mostly comprise of ex-cricketers and politicians, all from Britain," Aftab said.

On the career front, the actor is keeping his fingers crossed for his upcoming movies, Speed and Dus Kahaniyaan. "I have just finished shooting for Speed that is more of an action/thriller unlike my previous movies. For Dus Kahaniyaan , it would be a little premature to say anything as we are yet contemplating our choices between two stories. All I can say is that the movie has a filmi romantic theme to it," states Aftab.

His earlier movies, however, have failed to make any mark at the box-office. While Red failed to impress critics in spite of its European noir style, Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie performed even more miserably. When asked on what went wrong, he explains briefly, "I don't really know the reason behind these movies not doing well. I feel they simply failed to connect with the audience."

Aftab's gearing up for first IIFA act

When you are out of work, you need to show some skin. If you thought that only applied to actresses, think again. Actor Aftab Shivdasani showed more cleavage than Mallika Sherawat in an interview with CNN-IBN’s correspondent Urmi Sahni on his upcoming IIFA performance.

CNN-IBN: Welcome Aftab.

Aftab Shivdasani: Thank you.

CNN-IBN: What will we see you doing at the IIFA this year?

Aftab Shivdasani: You will see me perform for the first time. And I am really excited.

CNN-IBN: We also heard about some cricket match?

Aftab Shivdasani: Yes. There’ll be a match between Indian film stars and the Yorkshire team and some other celebrities from the UK and we hope to save our faces.

CNN-IBN: What are the numbers you will be performing on?

Aftab Shivdasani: The only thing that we have short listed is Afreen from Red. Unlike the film, the song became very popular.


CNN-IBN: Thank you so much for talking to us.

Aftab Shivdasani: It’s always a pleasure.

Aftab signs 3-film deal with Sanjay Gupta

Aftab Shivdasani is in very good shape…quite literally so! He has built up his muscles and tattooed his forearm, got a new hair-style and has traded his chocolate-boy look for a smouldering one! This has worked quite to his advantage in his newly released film Red. And now, he will put his machoism to use in Sanjay Gupta’s film, where he is to play an uncouth villainous cop.

Aftab has signed a three-film deal with Sanjay Gupta. He will be doing a Chicago-based film called Jazbaa, which will go on floors this summer. Gupta has also got him to sign a film with Tigmanshu Dhulia which is a remake of award-winning Denzel Washington starrer Training Day. Aftab will play the role of a brawny cop in this film, but he will be seen in a negative role.

Sanjay Gupta believes that Aftab has been doing the wrong kind of films. Hopefully for Gupta, his films will now exploit Aftab’s talent and put him back on track!

Aftab turns producer!

There are whispers that director Vikram Bhatt and actor Aftab Shivdasani, who have worked in a string of films together, including RED – THE DARK SIDE [which opens this Friday], have decided to cement their friendship further. Reportedly, the duo has decided to start a series of films -- as producers.

“I am doing stuff on my own. I have plans to start my film, but it’s not in association with Aftab or any actor. Production is definitely on the cards, but it’s not happening immediately,” Vikram said. Currently in London for work, the director is expected back in Mumbai on Thursday, a day before RED – THE DARK SIDE hits the screens worldwide.

Meanwhile, Aftab has decided to follow his peers by producing films. In fact, he has also started a film production unit called Rising Sun Entertainment. “I don’t have any projects in mind as of now. But I hope to start the film production activities by 2007-end. I am still building a base and I wouldn’t start till the brand equity is strong enough,” Aftab said.

What prompted Aftab to get into film production? “It’s a natural extension. But I am not getting into it for the heck of it. I am pretty serious about it,” he states.

Aftab makes a cameo in Nishabd

Aftab Shivdasani plays the lead in Vikram Bhatt’s romantic thriller Red, which is slated to release on March 2 this year. But few are aware that the striking actor, all of six feet, has also made a special appearance in Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd.

Aftab confirmed, “I have not done any films with Amitabh Bachchan, but I’ve done a guest appearance in Nishabd.” Although his exact role in Nishabd is not yet known, it is confirmed that he will be seen in the film. Nishabd is a film about strange love between an 18-year old girl and a 60-year old man, played by debutante Jiah Khan and superstar Amitabh Bachchan respectively. On being asked if he was doing any other films with RGV, he said, “No, I am not doing any other films with him as of now”.

Interestingly while Aftab has not shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan so far, not many know that Aftab played Amitabh Bachchan in two films. Yes, and that as a child actor when he played a young Amitabh in Shahenshah (1988) and Insaniyat (1994).

Aftab has a lot on his plate this year. Besides his role in Red, he will also be starring in a negative role in Speed, which will release in July this year. He is also doing a film with the cheery Ayesha Takia called De Taali, which according to him is “an out an out romantic comedy”.