Salman’s trainer in Race 2!

Here’s another buzz that reveals more on his human side. It seems Salman Khan is being a backbone to his fitness instructor, Abbas Aly, for stepping into screens.

Rumours are making its round that due to Salman’s influence, Abbas has won over few films, including big bannered ones. Abbas, who had Bipasha Basu and Anil Kapoor under his training, has in fact done few cameo roles before. He said to sources that Salman bhai is encouraging him to become a full-fledged actor. “I’m grateful to him and now, with his blessings, I’m part of Race 2 and also an international project,” Abbas revealed.

Wah! Kya baath hey!

Fardeen in London to be With His "LIFE PARTNER"

Fardeen Khan has taken the title of his forthcoming romantic comedy, 'Life Partner', quite seriously.

While the Abbas Mustan/Studio 18 co production releases worldwide next week, Fardeen air dashed to London last week to spend time with his real life partner, Natasha, and enjoy a quiet holiday with her.Remarked a source, "Fardeen hadn't seen his wife for over two and a half months as he has been shooting non stop in Goa for Ajay Devgan's home production. He has been missing her. Also, the unfortunate demise of his father has deeply affected him. He needed to escape from Mumbai and unwind."

Natasha Madhvani is the daughter of London based businessman Mayur and yesteryear's actress Mumtaz. Natasha and Fardeen have been friends since childhood. The couple will return to Mumbai in the week of release of 'Life Partner'.

Abbas-Mustan's 'Italian Job' not a con job

Mumbai, July 17 With Hollywood studios keeping a hawk's eye over the Hindi film industry, Bollywood filmmakers are growing copyright savvy and Abbas-Mustan say that their 'Italian Job' won't just be a remake of the 2003 con-caper but a 'mix n match' of the original film and its remake.

'Italian Job' was originally made by Peter Collinson in 1969 with Michael Caine in the lead. In 2003, director F. Gary Gray remade it with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron. Both the original and the remake were big hits.

'Our producer Studio 18 have bought the rights of both the 1969 Michael Caine film and the 2003 film. We're doing a mix n match of 'Italian Job'. We're taking whatever elements we like from the two Hollywood films and putting them together in our own way,' Abbas told IANS.

In the past, Abbas-Mustan have outright lifted Hollywood films like 'Disclosure' to make 'Aetraaz'. Thye put them together without radical changes.

'But this time we aren't doing that,' said Abbas currently scripting the film. 'We want to turn the 'Italian Job' into a total desi film.'

The cast is yet to be decided. But the sources said that the director plans to rope in Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Imran Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, among others.

Kareena will be part of 'Race 2': Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan was so keen to revive the 'Race' magic with Abbas-Mustan that he has convinced the producers to rope them in as directors. He reveals that girlfriend Kareena Kapoor will also feature in the movie.

"They understand the pulse of the plot. 'Race' was a fast-paced action-adventure caper. Not too many filmmakers in Bollywood would've done such a wonderful job of it," Saif told us.

"Yes, Kareena will be part of 'Race 2'. We're yet to flesh out the details. But 'Race 2' has to be bigger and larger than 'Race'. Otherwise no point in making it," he added.

Bipasha Basu's character has been written out of the script to make way for Kareena.

Produced by Tips Industries Ltd, 'Race', which also had Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, turned out to be one of the big hits of 2008. But for the sequel, Ramesh and Kumar Taurani were not keen to have Abbas-Mustan on board as directors.

But Saif has convinced the producers to launch part two with the director duo.

Apparently "Race 2" will be more gadget and gizmo-friendly, as upwardly-scaled as 'Dhoom 2' was, compared to 'Dhoom'.