Mr. India 2 will be a 3D film

When Mr India was released back in the mid eighties, the advent of SFX into Bollywood was still a long way off.

But in terms of visual appeal, right from Sridevi’s romantic love song with an invisible man, avenging Hanuman statues and a myriad other thrills, basically camera tricks, it managed to tickle a generation of movie watchers.

And now producer Boney Kapoor, who is readying a sequel (Mr India 2), is going the whole hog - not only has he decided to incorporate the best SFX available today, but he will also shoot the film in 3D.

“I want to take this film to the highest level. 3D would be a terrific experience with this kind of subject. We were toying with the idea for a long time, but finalised things only a few days ago,” reveals Boney.

The sequel will star Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in the lead role (they were last seen together in the 1997 Judaai) while Salman Khan will play the larger than life villain.

Since a lot rides on technology, the budget of the film has shot up to nearly Rs 100 crore. “Yes. That’s true. I am also bringing down foreign technicians to do Salman’s look. He will be seen in a negative role that will be remembered for a long time.

It’s also something he has never been attempted on this scale before. Even for us, it will be a big challenge to project Salman as a negative character,” adds Boney.

The film will also star a young couple. “I have not zeroed in on who it will be, but they could be known faces. I still have to finalise the director. Currently, two writers are busy completing two separate scripts. I will be choosing one of them,” says Boney.

Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi Kapoor to make a debut

Bollywood actres Sridevi’s daughter Jhanvi Kapoor will make a debut in Telugu film opposite Telugu actor Nagarjuna's Son.

Incidentally, Karthika, the daughter of another yesteryear’s actress Radha will also make her debut opposite Nagarjuna's elder son Naga Chaithanya, while Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi will do her first film opposite Nagarjuna's younger son Akhil.

Sridevi is taking every step carefully for the career of her daughter, and to make her more fit and fine for the acting profession, some sources say that Sridevi has sent Jhanvi for training in action and expressions for three months under a professional teacher.

Sridevi's painting to be auctioned

Bollywood actress Sridevi’s newly developed passion for painting has gone international. Her painting Thoughts has been accepted by a reputed international art auction house. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to Sridevi’s favourite charity.

At the moment, Sridevi is in unwilling to talk about her passion for painting. However, her husband, Boney Kapoor confirms the news and says, “Yes, Sri’s painting has been accepted for an auction by a well-known international art house.

The auction will take place in April and all the money that Sri gets from it will be donated.” Incidentally, this is the first time that the now reclusive actress has made her paintings public.

“Only two friends, bollywood superstar Salman Khan, after he was released from the Jodhpur jail, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra, have been gifted a painting each by her. She has been painting religiously for some time now,” says her proud husband.

Boney says his wife spends 4-5 hours a day painting. “It is generally in the evening. After she has finished with household duties and is done with our daughters’ homework, Sri locks herself away to paint,” adds Boney.

“After me and the kids, painting is her main passion. Now her paintings have reached a level of professionalism where they can fetch a handsome price.”

Where does this new passion leave Sridevi’s plans to return to acting? Boney replies, “Sri has been acting since the age of four. She is the only child artiste to have reached the number one position in Hindi films. She will return to acting only when something special comes her way.”