Vivek Oberoi was supposed to be taking part in Sujoy Ghosh’s Aladdin starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Ritesh Deshmukh, as Ritesh’s friend in the film. However, that is the case no longer. As always, the rumor mills start churning out a number of reasons why.

One idea that is circulating is that Oberoi’s asking price is too high. Another suggests that Bachchan isn’t very keen to work with Oberoi. Whatever the reason, Oberoi has decided to opt out of the film, easing the pressure off Ghosh.

Sahil Khan is the man stepping into his shoes, as the film begins shooting during the first week of January, if all goes according to plan.

Interestingly enough, Aladdin is supposed to be the first Bollywood film to be shot entirely in front of a green screen. All the scenes will be done in front of a digital screen and later worked on and enhanced by SFX technicians.

After 29 years in the role of director, Subhash Ghai will soon be removing the director’s cape and concentrating his efforts in other ventures. His company, Mukta Arts, which opened its doors in 1978 will be celebrating its 29^th anniversary tomorrow, October 24^th .

Ghai promises that he won’t just be getting up and walking out, but rather, he will be pacing himself and only directing one film per year until he phases himself out.

He has just completed the shooting of his film Black & White, staring one of his favorite heroes down through the years, Anil Kapoor. At this time, he is all over Europe shooting Yuvraaj with Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. After this film, he will only direct seven more over the next seven years and then give up directing altogether.

Realizing that his being overworked at times has effected the quality of his films, he feels that the decision to opt out of direction is the best one he could make after much deliberation over the situation.

Ghai’s dream, Whistling Woods International has come to fruition and he wants to do more with it. Working to groom future actors, directors and technicians, while still producing films, is what Ghai wants to put his heart, soul and experience into, to make the school an even bigger success.

With everyone anxiously looking forward to Madhuri Dixit’s comeback after a long five year sabbatical from films, you would imagine that the music for her reentry to Indian cinema would be the best they can be for the occasion. Sure enough, the compositions for the tracks of Yash Raj Films’ Aaja Nachle meet all the expectations.

Aaja Nachle is under the direction of cinematographer-turned-director Anil Mehta, and this is his debut film. The subject matter of the film is theater life and Madhuri will hold true to being a beautifully flowing dancing queen, to the music that will have you wanting  to dance with her.

Praises are due to music director Salim-Sulaiman, lyricists Jaideep Sahni and Piyush Mishra for creating the amazing tunes sung by Sunidhi Chauhan (Aaja Nachle, Soniye Mil Ja and Koi Patthar Se Na Maare), Sonu Nigam (Ishq Hua Hi Hua, Is Pal and Koi Patthar Se Na Maare), Shreya Ghosal (Ishq Hua Hi Hua, Is Pal and Koi Patthar Se Na Maare), Richa Sharma, Kailash Kher and Salim Merchant (Show Me Your Jalwa), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Ore Pia), Sukhwinder Singh (Soniye Mil Ja), Sonia Saigal (Dance With Me) and Marianne and Madhuri Dixit (Nachle Reprise).