BOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Dilip Kumar sways Pakistan
Even as Indian and Pakista-ni politicians trade charges, exch-ange threats and expel diplomats, Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu are now on a much-talked-about visit to Pakistan. The thespian is in Pakistan to receive the rare honour of Nishan-e-Imtiyaz, conferred on him by the government of Pakistan. There was a hue and cry against the award in some anti-Pakistani circles. There were threats too, asking the thespian not to visit Pakistan but he felt “it was only in the fitness of things” that he received the honour, which had nothing to do with the politics between the two countries. “I hope my visit will build bridges of love, peace and harmony between the people of the two countries,” he said.

Amitabh, Abhishek in an ABCL film
Amitabh Bachchan Corpo-ration Limited is finalising plans to make a film teaming up Amitabh and his son Abhishek. The script is ready and the other details are still being worked out. Meanwhile hectic preparations are being made by producer-director JP Dutta to start his film with Dilip Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan.

Newman, Costner teamed
Academy Award-winner Paul Newman has been cast alongside Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn in Warner Bros’ romantic drama Message In A Bottle, to be directed by Luis Mandoki.

The film is a poignant romantic drama about a single mother and a widowed shipbuilder. The film will be produced by Denise DiNovi, Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson and has screenplay by Gerald Dipcgo of Phenomenon fame, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.

BBC, Discovery see eye to eye
The BBC and Discovery Communications, Inc today signed an agreement to create the greatest global force in non-fiction broadcasting. The wide-ranging joint venture between BBC Worldwide and DCI will lay the foundation to crate joint ventures to co-produce and commission BBC non-fiction programmes, create and distribute quality television channels around the world and draw on each other's production archive.

FWICE's Magic... released
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees and its affiliates have released a unique book titled Magic & Mystique of Indian cinema, TV & Video. Artist-turned-filmmaker MF Husain officially released the book at a function at ISKCON Auditorium, Juhu, Mumbai.

Nawalkar beckons Nana, Madhuri to Marathi films
The cultural affairs minister of Maharashtra, Pramod Nawalkar has called on all the popular Marathi stars in Hindi films like Nana, Madhuri, Urmila, Sadashiv, Renuka Shahane and Mohan Joshi “to go back to their roots and do some Marathi films to save Marathi cinema which is in a state of decay right now.”