Qurbani remake not on

There were reports of Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gupta putting their enmity behind and collaborating for the sake of the late Feroz Khan on the remake of Qurbani. But Sanjay Dutt's spokesperson has rubbished these rumours. Sanjay Gupta was considered to direct the film because his films are very stylish, glamourous, technically slick and glossy and the remake of Qurbani had to have a high glamour quotient.

Sanjay’s spokesperson Dharm Oberoi says, "Nobody has approached Sanjay Dutt to do the movie and he is not starring in the remake. We will never work with Sanjay Gupta again. Currently, Sanjay Dutt is shooting for Ajay Devgan's All The Best in Goa. It is directed by Rohit Shetty of Golmaal fame."

Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gupta have worked together on films such as Kaante, Plan, Musafir, Shootout at Lokhandwala and even floated a production company called White Feather Films together. Their friendship was well known. However, after Shootout at Lokhandwala, Dutt accused Gupta of cheating him of money and that was the end of their friendship. At the time, Sanjay Dutt was doing Gupta's directorial venture Alibaug but he opted out and was replaced by Irrfan.

Sanjay Gupta was not available for comment but in a previous interview, he denied reports of them getting together for the remake of Qurbani.

In Pics: Hrithik, SRK arrive at Feroz Khan's prayer meet‎

"No one from the Industry turned up for Feroz Khan's funeral" - Celina Jaitly

On Monday evening Celina Jaitly was very upset, and not just because her mentor and guide and friend Feroz Khan had passed away.

At the funeral in Bangalore, Celina was horrified to see the poor turn-out from the film industry. "There was just me, Sajid Khan, Sanjay Gupta and Kishen Kumar. No one else came from Mumbai except the entire family of Feroz Khan .Among the top stars there was only Hrithik...But he's family to the Khans."

Celina can't hold back her tears. "I was shooting in Delhi when I heard of Feroz's death. I couldn't get a direct flight, so I flew into Bangalore from Mumbai. I had to. I couldn't hold myself back. Feroz Khan was not just the man who gave me my first break. He was my dear friend. I am close to both his children Fardeen and Laila. As for Feroz, what can I say? I could discuss anything from Oscar Wilde to the latest Bollywood film with him. He inspired, amused and amazed me with his knowledge and enthusiasm."

The last time Celina met Feroz was three weeks ago. "I met him at the Breach Candy hospital. He got into his Versace track suit to meet me. That was the man, stylish even when he was in acute pain. He had needles sticking out of his body but he was wearing Versace. He said to me, 'Celina Baby (that's what he called me) Look at what these f***ers have done to me."

She bursts into tears. "I'll miss him so much. I've lost a dear friend, a father-figure. Years ago he had made Zeenat Aman a bikini girl in Qurbani. He made me the same in Janasheen. I'm very proud to be a Feroz Khan heroine."

Amitabh Bachchan remembers Feroz Khan

Describes him as a flamboyant filmmaker

Mourning the death of veteran actor Feroz Khan, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that despite several attempts in the past the two could not work together.

"There were many attempts by both of us to work together but somehow it didn't work out," Amitabh posted on his blog.

"He will be remembered for his passion and commitment to the craft. May his soul rest in peace and may the Almighty give his family strength to bear the loss," he added.

The flamboyant actor-filmmaker died on Sunday at his farmhouse in Bangalore after battling cancer for a year. He was 69.

Amitabh describes Feroz Khan, who made hits like "Dharmatma" and "Qurbani", as a flamboyant filmmaker.

"A flamboyant filmmaker, one that in the middle of his acting career became a producer and director and gave us some very memorable films - all with a certain stamp of flamboyance.

"What he displayed in his persona, reflected in the way he made his films. In many ways, he pioneered a certain flash and sophistication in his very first venture as a maker and that remained with him and all his films throughout," he wrote.

Amitabh also pointed out that Feroz Khan always had a "progressive and visible difference in the way he functioned" including the "content of the subjects he chose, in the unique casting that he did or in the fresh talent that he introduced in music and presentation".

Amitabh recalled the recent Stardust award function where Feroz Khan was given the Stardust Pride of the Industry award.

"In a most poignant moment, his son Fardeen had received it on his behalf from Jaya (Bachchan) on stage - Feroz being too ill to be present," he added.

We have been preparing ourselves for Feroz's death

Akbar Khan says his brother was fearless to the end

He was gracious and loving till the end, says Feroz Khan's brother Akbar. He added that they had been preparing themselves for his death for quite a few months.

"For three months now we've been watching him slowly sink. We prayed to either relieve him from pain, or life," Akbar told IANS.

Feroz Khan died on Sunday (April 26) at his farmhouse in Bangalore after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 69. The entire family was gathered in Bangalore for the funeral, which took place on Monday (April 27).

"The entire family was here towards his end literally feeding him out of our hands," said the grief-stricken sibling. "And he enjoyed his glass of wine in the evenings with us till the end. He was a very loving friend and bhai (brother).

"We buried him next to our mother. It's unfortunate that we couldn't bring him back to Mumbai for so many of his friends and well-wishers to see him for the last time. But his last wish was to lie eternally next to our mother in our home town near Bangalore. And we had to fulfil that wish."

Akbar, who recently made the historical epic "Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story", says that contrary to his flamboyant image, Feroz Khan was a sensitive person.

"He was much loved by all his friends and colleagues. Contrary to his flamboyant image, he was a very gentle sensitive soul. Even in his frail condition towards the end he'd get up from his chair to greet each one of us in the family no matter how old or young. He was a friend first, then a father-figure," said Akbar.

"He was fearless even when faced with death. He was the apple of our mother's eyes. All of us five brothers and two sisters looked up to him. We've lost a father-figure. But he's relieved of his pain. But he was fearless to the end. He didn't even fear death. He'll always be with us."

Meanwhile, actress-politician Hema Malini, who is busy campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, catches her breath to remember Feroz Khan and says he was the only colleague to use an endearment for her and give her a sensuous avatar in his hit film "Dharmatma".

"He was the first and last man who called me 'baby'. No one has ever dared. I wish they would. What a suave man he was," Hema told IANS.

"When I agreed to do 'Dharmatma' he made it very clear I was there in the first-half only. He said, 'You can't say no, baby!' That was a new experience for me. My mother was more shocked than I was. With everyone addressing me as 'ji' it feels nice if someone comes up with a term of endearment.

"Earlier this week I was in Darjeeling campaigning when someone from the crowd shouted out 'Hemu' and disappeared into the mountains. I felt good because that's what my near and dear ones call me," she added.

Feroz Khan calling Hema 'baby' was not the only change that he brought to her life.

"He decided to take on the challenge of making me look more glamorous and sensuous than ever before. That was a tough job because I was constantly fighting to cover myself up more than those costumes by Parmeshwar Godrej allowed. I don't think I've ever used so many safety pins in my entire lifetime. He wanted me to be as uninhibited as today's heroines. That wasn't possible for me."

Hema shot in Afghanistan for "Dharmatma" and says it was a memorable experience.

"I don't think any film unit had gone there before. It was a memorable experience. And we really had to rough it out. It was freezing cold in Kabul. We had to stay in tents. In the evenings, we'd all sit together and prepare for next day's scenes.

"Otherwise after shooting I always kept to myself. But he persuaded not just me but also my mother to join the unit in the evening. 'Come on, mom. Join us.' My mother was taken aback. We're basically very shy people. But he'd make her part of the discussions. That's the way to make films. One gets so charged and enthusiastic. I wish Feroz Khan and I had done more films together," Hema said.

Feroz ji was like a father to me: SRK

Bollywood is in a state of shock at the sad demise of veteran actor Feroz Khan. Calling his death a big blow to the industry, the film fraternity has paid tribute to his remarkable contributions.

Many actors have flown to Banglore from various parts of the country to attend the last rites of this legendary figure.

His brother Sanjay Khan, who reached Bangalore after his death, said, "He was a lion. He was a wonderful, passionate man. His contribution to the film industry is immense. It's a deep loss to the family. I can say that there was a lion who used to roar but today he is no more."

Even King Khan expressed grief and said that he was like a father to him. Shah Rukh said, "I miss Feroz saab a lot. His death is a personal loss. Fardeen had told me about his illness. I was emotionally attached to him because my father too died of the same illness. I still remember when I met him for the first time and he kissed and hugged me. Whenever I met him after that he always showered his love on me and treated me like his son. He is one of the most beautiful people I have met in the film industry."

Bollywood actor Arbaz Khan too said that he was shocked when he came to know about Feroz Khan's death through an SMS. "I convey my condolences to the entire family. It's a very difficult time for Fardeen and other family members. I am so disturbed after hearing this sad news."

Other actors like Celina Jaitely, Malaika Arora Khan, and Zeenat Aman have expressed their condolences on his death. Zeenat Aman has reportedly said that she remembers Feroz Khan as a legendary actor for his memorable and inspiring work in the film industry.

Feroz Khan's last wish was to remake Qurbani

Feroz Khan's last wish before he passed away in Bangalore was to finish his dream project - a remake of his 1980 blockbuster film "Qurbani".

"His last wish was to remake 'Qurbani' as 'Kurbani'. He was very keen that the film be made again and was working towards it," Rajkumar Tiwari, Feroz Khan's manager of 25 years, told IANS over phone from Bangalore.

"When he fell ill, he realised that a lot of energy was required to make a film, so he took a break and was adamant that he will make the film. Few songs had already been recorded. This project was his last wish and I am sure someone will take it forward," he added.

Feroz Khan passed away late on Sunday at his farmhouse in Bangalore after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 69.

He had announced "Kurbani" at the 2006 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) event in Dubai. His son, actor Fardeen Khan, was to reprise his father's role in the new version of the romantic thriller.

Apart from Feroz Khan, the original also starred Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman and Amjad Khan in pivotal roles.

The actor had also decided to star in the remake of the film. According to media reports, he had roped in filmmaker Sanjay Gupta to wield the megaphone for the movie. When contacted, Gupta refused to comment on it.

Anand Raj Anand, who has been signed to direct the music for the remake, said: "We had already recorded three songs for 'Kurbani' but his health was an issue. Right now I don't want to comment anything more on this as I am very sad about hearing of his demise."

With hit songs like "Aap jaisa koi" and the title qawwali "Qurbani qurbani", the music of the original was a chartbuster.

Bollywood's style icon Feroz Khan is dead

Flamboyant Bollywood actor, producer and director Feroz Khan has died after losing a year-long battle with cancer.

Khan, 69, died at 0130 local time on Monday (2000GMT Sunday) at his farmhouse in southern Bangalore state.

His funeral is due to take place in Bangalore city later on Monday, his family said.

The actor, who appeared in more than 50 films, became one of India's best-loved heroes with his role in the 1980 hit film Qurbani (Sacrifice).

His son Fardeen Khan is also a Bollywood actor and model.

Feroz Khan made his Bollywood debut as the co-star in the movie Didi in 1960 and went on to star in a number of films in the 1970s and 1980s.

Although Qurbani was the biggest hit of his career, he is also known for Dharmatma (A virtuous soul) which was inspired by the Hollywood film, The Godfather.

Some of his other hit films include Jaanbaaz (Brave heart) and Dayavan (Kind-hearted).

The last film he acted in was Welcome in 2007. For his work, Khan was given several prestigious awards by the Indian film industry.