Witness Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham in new movie Dostana
When it comes to visual appeal, it rarely gets better than the trailers of Dostana, which means friendship.
The big-budget film, produced by Bollywood's A-list producer Karan Johar, boasts super-toned boys (John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan) and bronzed babes (Priyanka Chopra and Shilpa Shetty) prancing around the Miami beaches in true Baywatch style.
But unlike the hit TV series of that name, the film's plot is not about lifeguards saving damsels in distress at sea.
Instead, it's about a couple of regular guys who go on a charade to woo the girl of their dreams. And basking in all the attention is none other than Priyanka Chopra.
"It was one big party-like atmosphere on the sets. Abhishek and John are thorough professionals and we got along really well. Also, we enjoyed great comfort level since this was not the first time I was working with them," says Chopra in an interview conducted during her visit to Dubai several weeks ago. For all those who have been out of the Bollywood loop, Chopra enjoyed considerable success with movies that featured these actors in the lead roles.
"Dostana is unlike the run-of-the-mill romantic comedies. It has a twist and a theme that has not been explored before in Bollywood. The camaraderie and the chemistry between us is another focal point," she adds.
Chopra is not alone. If the production notes are anything to go by, Bachchan and Abraham jumped on board as they found the script engaging.
"When I go in for a script narration, I go in with the intention of turning it down. But this time it was different, I was laughing during the narration and I thought to myself, if I am finding it funny, the audience is sure to do the same," says Abraham. His decision was made easier when he learnt that Bachchan Jr was to be his co-star.
"The minute I knew that it was Abhishek, I just closed my eyes and said that I would do it. The chemistry between the male stars is equally important and between us, that factor is taken care of," adds Abraham. Case in point: their earlier pairing in the action thriller Dhoom (allegedly a replica of the Hollywood hit Car) hit the bullseye with the viewers and was one of the biggest blockbusters of 2004.
The goodwill gesture was reciprocated in equal measures by Bachchan Jr, who plays the role of a male nurse in the movie.
"John is a dear, dear friend. This is our second film together after Dhoom and it was wonderful to play a character like this. He [John] is unbelievably funny in the film too," says Bachchan.
Another highlight is the blink-and-miss song appearance by the former UK Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty.
Matter of friction
The crux of Dostana may mostly be about long-lasting friendship and the production notes for the same may lead us to believe that the good-looking trio consider friends as their family.
But their track record and the number of fall-outs in the past tell a different story. Here's a look at their common enemy. For all you know, this movie about friendship may inspire them to extend their well-toned arms and engineer a make-up in true Bollywood style. The trio's common enemy is Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan.
Priyanka Vs Salman
Salman allegedly recommended his girlfriend Katrina Kaif for a role in the project London Dreams. Priyanka was originally slated to play that role.
Boiling point
Salman refused to romance Priyanka or hold her hands for the movie God Tussi Great Ho. In turn, Priyanka allegedly was cooped up in her make-up room for hours and delayed the shoot endlessly. Suffice to say, the movie was a disaster at the box-office.
Abhishek Vs Salman
"My wife's enemy is my enemy" rings true in this case. The acrimonious fall-out between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her former boyfriend Salman left no scope for any friendship between them. It's said that their appearances at social dos are engineered so that they don't cross each other's path.
Melting point
Matters have begin to thaw with Salman extending the proverbial olive branch time and again. From sending congratulatory SMS after their engagement to offering to promote one of Abhishek's films, the friendly overtures are getting stronger by the minute.
John Vs Salman
They just hated each other's guts and made no efforts to hide it.
Boiling point
When John snatched a multi-million dollar energy drink endorsement deal from right under Salman's nose.
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