So, Billu Barber had now become “Billu”.

This movie is based on the Malayalam flick “Katha Parayumbol” starring which was a great hit. Rajini wanted to capitalize on the success and ventured into making Tamil remake “Kuselan only to face a severe loss to the extent of returning of the advances.

As, the Hindi version is now ready to hit the theaters tomorrow, there are butterflies in many stomachs and the director Priyadarshan is leading from the front. His co-writer Mushtaq Sheik has promptly declared that the story of Billu is no way similar to that of Kuselan. He said that the movie has been differently portrayed and is shown as a re-birth of Billu. Lara Dutta leads the female pack which also contains today’s busiest Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, The Dostana girl Priyanka Kapoor and OSO fame Deepika Padukone

This Red Chillies movie, portrays Irrfan ( Billu) as a barber in a small village. The sharp tongued and principled Billu could not resist the business going form bad to worst. As the life goes on, a day dawns with news that a movie shooting would take place in his village and the hero would be none other than his childhood friend Shahrukh Khan (Sahir Khan). Billu by chance reveals the past details to his wife and the message slowly spreads the entire village as Billu is friend of the film star Sahir. The entire village starts treating him better and many recommendations pour on him for his help to meet the super star. Billu on the other hand becomes apprehensive and increasingly worried in the fear of superstar’s inability to recognize him. So, he tries to avoid meeting the superstar and the entire village turns opposite. This time going much aggressive and ridiculing him. The way he overcomes his problems and the recognition he gets from his childhood friend and superstar is all about the movie.

The music by Pritam, has not generated enough interest but who knows, the marketing and advertisement can make wonders.
As, Shahrukh wanted to perfect in the making of this film, he seemed to have researched on the lives of barbers and so is Priyadarshan.
Shahrukh conveyed that he would follow a separate strategy for the promotion of this movie and said that there would be no copying of anyone else’s methods. He was referring to the leading actors having a haircut and moving giving the feel of the movie.

Well, this way he seems to have taken care of Lara Dutta who was being questioned by the media and friends as being sidelined compared to the trio Deepika, Kareena and Priyanka in promotions.

There is sure a good entertainment awaiting the fans through this programme.

She just has started a blog mylaradutta.com and has decided to reach her fans with as much truth as possible about the rumours and wrong information involving her. She conveyed as the celebrities always being at the receiving end due to absence of proper platform to express their opinion.

To start with she has strongly refuted the claims that she and Dino Morea are game. She clarified their association as friendship dating back to the childhood days when they studied together even before they turned 10years of age. That being the case, she vehemently objected to the friendship being painted in a different manner and added that she loves Dino as a person and adores his hard work as well as commitment.

Well! What commitment?

The latest in comparison is the number of lines a lady gets to sing with Sharukh in their songs. Priyanka doing a song “Khuda- ae- kher” with Sharukh seems to be enjoying a special place in Billu Barber . Initially when Sharukh heard the song, he felt that the song being a romantic one should have equal if not better female presence. Thus, he seems to have made Pritam Chakraborty the composer to redo the song with equal number of lines for Priyanka too. Priyanka also made timely benefit of this gesture, sighing to near ones, as the main reason to declare SRK as her favourite.

On the other hand, the song Marjani with Kareena and Love mera hit hit with Deepika have gone ahead without changes. But this probably may not affect SRK who seems to have understood the way of handling more ladies. Deepika is roped in Billu Barber to facilitate mending ways with Farah Khan which started when they worked together in Om Shanti Om. For Kareena .different kind of happiness was provided by airing her song ahead of others.

A master of art indeed!

Mumbai, London, 24th January 2009: Eros International, the leading London-listed Indian media and Entertainment Company, will release worldwide Red Chillies Entertainment’s BILLU BARBER on 13th February 2009.

Shahrukh Khan’s Billu Barber is a slice of life, a feel-good musical with elements of romance, comedy and drama produced by Red Chillies Entertainment where Eros once again joins hands with the King Khan to release the film worldwide. Starring Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta and Shahrukh Khan, this is the first time that SRK and renowned director Priyadarshan come together.

Billu Barber is a story of a simple ordinary man who led an extra ordinary life. Bilas Rao Pardesi was living in his village with his wife Bindiya and two great kids. Life was bitter sweet…we can say more sweet than bitter. One day a superstar came into their lives and everything changed. Life changed, people changed, friends changed, the village changed but one man did not…Billu Barber. Will this ordinary man redefine the words ordinary? Will the world see the greatness behind his small existence? And most of all, will life ever be the same for Billu Barber again?

Commenting on the announcement, Pranab Kapadia, President Distribution – Europe & Africa, Eros International said, “Billu Barber is an extension of the fantastic relationship Eros enjoys with Shahrukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. After the huge success that Eros and Red Chillies enjoyed with Om Shanti Om, we are excited about leveraging our global distribution in promoting Billu Barber. With Priyadarshan’s special, the film is bound to touch the hearts of the audience.”

Billu Barber releases worldwide on 13th Feb.

Advance UK previews on 12th Feb.

About Eros International
Eros International is a leading integrated studio in the rapidly growing Indian media and entertainment sector, involved in the production, acquisition and distribution of filmed entertainment content across current and emerging formats including cinemas, home entertainment, television and new media.

Established in 1977 with a vision to become the gateway for Indian content worldwide and Hollywood content in India, Eros has over three decades of market leadership in creating a global platform for Indian cinema. Strong globally recognised brand, extensive distribution network and an unrivalled library of over 1,900 films render Eros a steadfast market positioning today. In 2006 Eros became the first Indian media company to get listed on AIM, LSE. Eros operates in 5 continents and over 50 countries with diversified assets and worldwide offices throughout India, the United Kingdom, USA, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Fiji and the Isle of Man.

Press Contacts
UK: vaishali.malhotra@erosintl.com
US: Niyati.nagarseth@erosintl.com
India: amita.naidu@erosintl.com

It is the claim of Kareena that her song with Shahrukh was the first one to be aired on TV and hence her role and the song carry importance. Well, she also claims to have already done a juicy song in Don with Shahrukh and that still remains in the minds of the people.

While this is the case with Kareena, Priyanka has a different reason to cheer. Her opportunity to do the song with Shahrukh itself is seen as a great occasion. As an ardent fan of Shahrukh, she conveys wholeheartedly her willingness to do anything for him and it is just a matter of his invitation that is needed.

Deepika Padukone, the third diva is using this opportunity to clear the supposedly created misunderstanding in the media about her fall-out with Farhan Khan. Now, with Farhan choreographing her song in Billu Barber, Deepika was too quick to communicate to the media that they were friends and there was no such issue called Misunderstanding.

Well, Shahrukh’s ploy pays off. Keep three ladies together, they will ensure enough publicity.