Miss World’99 Yukta Mookhey in Pyaasa
After winning the beauty pageant title of Miss World ’99 last year, Yukta Mookhey makes her debut in Bollywood with producer Ramesh Sharma and director A Muthu’s Pyaasa opposite Aftab Shivdasani and newfind Sayed Zulfi. Being made under the banner of Triple Aar Movies, the film also stars Govind Namdeo, Anang Desai, Sanjay Narvekar, Smita Jaikar, Arif Zakaria, Mukesh Tiwari and Akhilendra Mishra. Based on a story by Ikram Akhtar, it has cinematography by Harmeet Singh, action by Bhiku Verma, art by Gayatri Marwah, sound by Jagmohan Anand, lyrics by Faaiz Anwar and music by Sanjeev-Darshan. The film will go on floors from January 3, 2001 with a 25-day non-stop marathon shooting spell in Kulu-Manali wherein three songs and many other romantic, dramatic and thrilling scenes will be canned.

Veeru Devgan back with Parwana
Producer-director Deepak Bahry concluded the first week-long shooting spell on December 15, for his Bahry Films’ Parwana wherein many dare-defying action scenes were canned on a jail set erected at Natraj studios, under the supervision of action director Veeru Devgan, who is back into foray after a gap of five years. The film stars Ajay Devgan, Ameesha Patel, Paresh Rawal, Sayaji Shinde, Gulshan Grover, Kader Khan and Danny Denzongpa. Based on a story-screenplay by Rajeev Kaul-Praful Parekh, the film has dialogue by Tanveer Khan, cinematography by Damodar Naidu, art by Bijon Das Gupta, sound by Chotu Bhai, editing by Naseer Hakim, lyrics by Sameer and music by Sanjeev-Darshan. Imran Gilani is the production executive.

Salman-Shilpa starrer marches ahead
Another ten-day shooting spell for producer Bubby Kent and director KS Adhiyaman’s Karishma International’s Prod. No. 7 was held at Malad Link Road and various other locales of Mumbai wherein many dramatic and thrilling scenes were canned on Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty and other major artistes. Based on the story by KS Adhiyaman himself, the film has screenplay and dialogue by Rumi Jaffery, cinematography by WB Rao, action by Mahendra Varma, art by R Varman, sound by Ijaz Ahmed, editing by DN Naik and music by Himesh Reshammiya. Lucky Sharma is the co-ordinating producer and Ajay Paul is the executive producer of the film. It’s a Bharat Shah presentation.

Sunil-Arshad shoot for Raj Kumar Kohli’s film
Sunil Shetty and Arshad Warsi along with Munish Kohli, Mohini Sharma and Raj Babbar participated in a week-long shooting spell for producer-director Raj Kumar Kohli’s Shankar Movies’ Prod. No. 25 that commenced from December 13 at Kamalistan studios and various Mumbai locales. Many dramatic, romantic and electrifying scenes were canned. Also starring Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Aftab Shivdasani, Aditya Panscholi, Manisha Koirala, Rambha, Sharad Kapoor, Rajat Bedi, Siddharth, Payal, newfind Kiran Rathod and Raju Mawani with Sonu Nigam in one of the romantic leads, the film is based on a story by Aatish and has dialogue by KK Singh, cinematography by Thomas Xavier, action by Tinu Verma, art by Sunil Singh, sound by JP Saigal, lyrics by Sameer and music by Anand Milind. It’s a Nishi’s presentation.

Yeh Dil Ashiqana back from Ooty
The unit of AK International’s Yeh Dil Ashiqana returned from Ooty on December 14, after completing a 30-day marathon shooting schedule wherein many romantic, dramatic, emotional and comic scenes were canned on the new romantic pair Karan Nath and Jeevidha alongwith Aroona Irani and Johny Lever. The film also stars Aditya Panscholi and Mukesh Rishi. Being produced by Aroona Irani and directed Kuku Kohli, the film has cinematography by Baba Azmi, choreography by Saroj Khan and Farah Khan, art by Amit Mishra (Pappu), sound by Naeem Sheikh, editing by Sanjay Jaiswal, lyrics by Sameer and music by Nadeem-Shravan.

Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata to roll
TP Aggarwal’s Magnum Opus Star Entertainments Ltd.’s Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata will go on the floor on January 14, 2001 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi. The muhurat shall be attended by celebrities from the world of politics as well as the entertainment industry. A mega multi-starcast shall be announced shortly. The film has cinematography by Nadeem Khan, music by Hriju Roy, lyrics by Mehboob, screenplay by Azeez Burni and Lawrence John, dialogues by Lawrence John, art by Sunil Singh, sound by Jagmohan Anand, editing by Sunder Mulya, choreography by Jojo Khan and action by Babu Khanna. It is conceived and directed by Osho Raja.

Musical launching of Aftab-Preity starrer Jo Chahe Ho Jaaye
Producers Suraj Prakash and Ajit Dewani and debutante directors Glenn-Ankush will launch their Kareena Sanah Combines’ Prod. No. 2, titled Jo Chahe Ho Jaaye on December 22, with a song recording by music director Viju Shah. Penned by Ibrahim Ashq, the song will be rendered by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. The film stars Aftab Shivdasani, Preity Zinta, Sharat Saxena and Raj Babbar. One more heroine is under finalisation. The film also has lyrics by Sameer.

Bokadia’s 50th film Pyar Zindagi Hai
KC Bokadia’s 50th film Pyar Zindagi Hai, starring Vikas Kalantri, Ashima Bhalla, Rajesh Khanna, Mohnish Bahl and Asawari Joshi is heading towards completion. Shot on exotic locations in Uttar Pradesh - Almora, Nainital and Ranikhet and at RK Studio, Kamalistan, Film City and other places in Mumbai, the most significant feature is that this is KC Bokadia’s 50th film. Singer Bali Brahmbhatt makes his debut as a music director with this film.

Himmesh Reshamiya signed
Director David Dhawan and producer Kanchan Ketan Desai and co-producer Ketan Manmohan Desai have signed music director Himmesh Reshamiya to compose music for MKD Films’ Prod.No.6. The first song was recorded on December 12 at Sound City. It was penned by Sudhakar Sharma and sung by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. Two more songs will be recorded soon. After a five-day shooting spell at Kamal Amrohi Studios, the film was shot for ten days at different New Delhi locales featuring Salman Khan, Amisha Patel, Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, Rinke Khanna, Navin Nischol, Sharad Kapoor, Kadar Khan, Kiran Kumar, Shahbaaz Khan, Jaspal Bhatti, Master Ajay Nagrath and Anupam Kher. It has story-screenplay by Yunus Sajawal-Imtiaz Patel, dialogue by Rumy Jaffrey, cinematography by KS Prakash Rao, art by R Varman and action by Mahendra Varma. Prakash Pange is the executive producer. This Manmohan Desai presentation, is now ready in eight reels.