While Naseeruddin Shah at 60, would be Priyanka Chopra‘s oldest husband in Saat Khoon Maaf (earlier entitled Ek Batta Saath), Neil Nitin Mukesh has just been signed to play her youngest husband.

Though age-wise, Neil is a few months older than Priyanka, Neil, it is reliably learnt, initially felt he would look incompatible with her.

Says a source, “Neil didn’t want another situation like Aa Dekhen Zara where everyone commented on how incompatible Bipasha and he looked. At the same time, he’s a big fan of Priyanka‘s work. So when he heard that his colleague Ranbir Kapoor was working with Priyanka and prepared himself to match Priyanka‘s maturity level (Ranbir has stubbled, lean red-eyed look in Anjaana Anjaani), Neil was game for it.”

Neil‘s character will require a heavy physical transformation. He will apparently be unrecognizable on screen.

Says Neil from the location for Yashraj Films’ Lafange Parinday, “When I heard the script, I was zapped. This was something I had to do. I play one of Priyanka‘s husbands, the youngest of the lot. The fact that I get to be in the same film as actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Mohanlalji was incentive enough. I read even Irrfan Khan is in the film.” (However sources close to the project deny Irrfan‘s casting).

While all the actors playing Priyanka‘s husbands (and these include an unknown American actor) have been finalized , the seventh actor is yet to be finalized.

Neil starts shooting for Saat Khoon Maaf from April. “I’ve a somewhat crowded date diary this year. I join Abbas-Mustan from June to December for The Italian Job.”

Neil, who moved to Powai to be near Yashraj Studios to avoid the daily traffic to and from South Mumbai, is wondering if he made the right move.

“The traffic on that side of town is just as bad. It’s excruciating to travel even from Powai to Yashraj Studios. On Thursday, I had a day off and I invited my mom over to do up my new home the way I wanted it.”

Neil, who has been a part of a joint family household all his life, says he has no time to miss his family in Powai. “Because I use that old flat of ours only to sleep….alone!”

The Board of Directors of INOX Leisure Ltd. (INOX), promoted by Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. (GFL), today announced that it has acquired 43.28% stake in the Shroff family promoted Fame India Ltd. (Fame), which owns the chain of Fame Multiplexes. The acquisition creates one of India’s largest multiplex networks with a combined strength of 55 multiplexes, 204 screens, and a total seating capacity of 57,891 seats. Fame also has subsidiaries such as Big Picture Hospitality Services – its food business JV, Headstrong Films – its film production JV and Shringar Films, its film distribution business.

In a block deal executed through the BSE today, INOX bought 43.28% stake owned by the promoter family of Fame, for an all-cash consideration of Rs. 66.48 crores. The transaction is entirely funded by INOX‘s promoter company, GFL as a shareholder loan. This acquisition shall be followed by an open offer to acquire a further 20% stake in Fame, for cash, as per SEBI regulations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deepak Asher, Director - INOX Group of Companies said, “It has been our stated goal, when we launched our first multiplex around 8 years back, to be a significant player in the Indian multiplex space and redefine the movie going experience in India. This philosophy, of being a market leader, runs across all our businesses. Today, we are pleased to announce to our stakeholders, that we have translated this vision into reality – we have one of India’s largest network of multiplex screens and have truly raised the bar in providing a world class cinema experience to our patrons.”

Mr. Shravan Shroff – Managing Director, Fame India Ltd. said, “I have always believed that a consolidated play would have a strategic advantage in the business and that led us to consider this association with INOX. Our decision was driven by our belief in INOX‘s professional management and strong shareholder focus, which we believe would translate into a value add for all Fame stakeholders. We are proud of having been associated in creating India’s largest multiplex network, which we believe will offer an unparallel reach to film producers and consumers.

INOX had previously acquired Calcutta Cine Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL) a Bengal Ambuja company. The acquisition, which kick started the consolidation phase in the multiplex industry gave INOX access to an additional 9 multiplexes in West Bengal and Assam.

INOX currently has 30 operational properties, with 109 screens and a seating capacity of 31401 in 21 cities across India. Fame has 25 operational multiplexes with 95 screens and a seating capacity of 26487 in 12 cities.
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