Sanjay as Chhatrapati Shivaji after MUNNABHAI

After the super hit movie ‘Munnabhai’ series, Sanjay Dutt is all set to rock the screen – the gladiator style, by playing the role of Indian history’s most ferocious warrior known, Chhatrapati Shivaji, in an upcoming venture.

Reports reveal that Sanjay is preparing himself for the role, by extensively studying the ways and behavioral conduct of the Maratha revolutionary.

However, the industry bigwigs involved with the project are apparently tight-lipped about the same as they’re waiting for Dutt’s current assignments and legal hassles to be sorted out, according to reports.

According to a source close to the project, "We can’t see anyone except Sanjay Dutt as the brave and flamboyant Maratha warrior, galloping across the screen, sword in hand. We want someone who comes close to Russell Crowe’s character in ‘Gladiator’ or ‘Robin Hood’."

Sources reveal that the mega project will be directed by Soham Shah, however, the helmer does not give the clear picture. He says, "All I would say at the moment is I can never make a film without Sanjay Dutt. He’s my mentor, guru, guide and support. If in spite of ‘Kaal’ and ‘Luck’, I’m still directing a project as big as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it’s because of the trust and support of Mr Dutt. At the moment, I’m getting ready to direct a film for Sanjay Dutt Productions. Then I’ll start work on the Shivaji project."

Grapevine has it that the filmmakers are also considering making Shivaji Chatapati film a Hindi-Marathi bi-lingual. Well, this surely sounds interesting. What say!

Horrible pics of Sanjay Dutt from LAMHAA

Swine flu's Hits on Kerala

According to H1N1 monitoring cell of the health department, More than thirty people have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, the highest number of 16 cases were reported from Thiruvananthapuram followed by Kollam (7), Kannur (3) and Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram one each.

However, no death has been reported after one patient died of the infection at Ernakulam General Hospital on June 9, taking the H1N1 toll in the state to 47 since its outbreak last year.

A pregnant woman Aashia Qasim Sheikh, 25, died at the Sion hospital on May 30 of swine flu after she developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a complication commonly resulting from swine flu. Her baby could not be saved.

But 3 people have succumbed to the virus in Mumbai and 17 cases of swine flu have been recorded since May this year.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has put its health department on alert and urged people not to avoid flu-like symptoms.

"If the patient is screened and there is a strong suspicion of swine flu, Tamiflu will be administered immediately," Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar told reporters, "We have asked all hospitals to keep the standard operational procedures that we devised last year in a state of readiness so if there is a need, we will be able to revive them within 24 hours."

According to H1N1 monitoring cell of the health department, More than thirty people have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, the highest number of 16 cases were reported from Thiruvananthapuram followed by Kollam (7), Kannur (3) and Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram one each.

However, no death has been reported after one patient died of the infection at Ernakulam General Hospital on June 9, taking the H1N1 toll in the state to 47 since its outbreak last year.

A pregnant woman Aashia Qasim Sheikh, 25, died at the Sion hospital on May 30 of swine flu after she developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a complication commonly resulting from swine flu. Her baby could not be saved.

But 3 people have succumbed to the virus in Mumbai and 17 cases of swine flu have been recorded since May this year.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has put its health department on alert and urged people not to avoid flu-like symptoms.

"If the patient is screened and there is a strong suspicion of swine flu, Tamiflu will be administered immediately," Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar told reporters, "We have asked all hospitals to keep the standard operational procedures that we devised last year in a state of readiness so if there is a need, we will be able to revive them within 24 hours."

Big’B’ Again on ‘KBC 4

The fourth season of the KBC with BIG B the show will commence by the end of 2010 on a new entertainment channel as a source from the TV industry said, “The show will now be aired on a different channel.”

By the way, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ marked Big B’s first appearance on Indian TV in year 2001. In 2005, the second season of ‘KBC’ was called ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati Dwitiya’, which carried almost double prize money - Rs 2 crore. However, with Big B falling ill, the second season came to an abrupt end in 2006. Although Big B announced that he would soon return to the show, it was Shah Rukh Khan who hosted it in 2007.

Talking to a news daily on why Big B is indispensable to ‘KBC’, a source said, “Both, Bachchan and Shah Rukh, respectively brought their distinct individuality on the table, but frankly speaking, Shah Rukh’s histrionics did not do go down well with the audience. There was a vast difference in the TRPs between the two seasons hosted by Bachchan and the third season hosted by Shah Rukh.”

“An official announcement will be made very soon,” the source added.

With Bollywood’s living legend Amitabh Bachchan as its host, ‘KBC’ saw unparallel success. Even cinema halls faced the burnt of ‘KBC’, as they reported a slump in the sale of tickets during night shows.