Anshuman Jha replaces Prateik in Amit Chandra's film

Actor is slated to play the nerdy- geeky detective in the upcoming dark thriller, after equations have apparently changed between the producer and Prateik

When it comes to casting an actor, choosing and chasing is an everyday story in B-Town. Turns out Anshuman Jha has found himself on the right side of this routine as he has effectively substituted Prateik in Amit Chandra's forthcoming film.

There was buzz doing the rounds that Prateik was supposed to be cast in the project but equations have apparently changed between the producer and the actor. As a result, Anshuman is slated to play the nerdy-geeky detective in an upcoming dark thriller. Moreover, Amit feels that the Bollywood newbie fits the role to the T.

Anshuman's acting abilities are known but his screen presence is something special. His simplicity and energy makes him incredibly easy to work with, adds Amit who produced KLPD, Anshuman's most recent film.

Incidentally, the actor has also signed one more film deal with Amit's production house. However when we speak to him, Anshuman downplays the 'replacement theory' and states that he'd rather focus on his work. As of now, I just want to concentrate on good scripts. That's my ultimate aim.

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Super fit Prateik is ready to take on Salman Khan and John

After seeing the rushes of his next film, Prateik is glad his intense workout schedules have finally paid off

Fitness enthusiast Prateik has been bulking up for long, but never had a chance to display his brawn on screen. Having done films like Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Dhobi Ghat, Dum Maro Dum, Aarakshan, My Friend Pinto and Ekk Deewana Tha, the youngster's characters in these projects did not provide an opportunity to flex his muscles.

However, his next release directed by Manish Tiwary does and after seeing the rushes, the actor feels all the efforts were worth the efforts.

Says a source, The film is in the editing stages and Prateik is keenly awaiting its release. Whenever we think of Bollywood's fab bod guys, Salman Khan and John Abraham come to mind. Prateik feels he is the new crop of young actors who, too, want to take on the washboard abs scene.

Adds the source, Prateik, who has never shown his taut body in his films, is seen in a super-fit look in his next film. He has always preferred the macho look, rather than the lean look. What started as a workout for the film has found a very prominent place in his daily routine.

The actor regularly works out at a gym in Bandra without fail for two to three hours daily. He also follows a particular diet and never cheats on it.

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Prateik walks down the memory lane

Prateik visited St Xaviers College recently as a judge during the college's annual festival

He had a gala time interacting with the students and sharing his own memories from his college days. The kids had also prepared a special act in his honour. In the meanwhile, Prateik has been busy doing a lot of shoots for style magazines.

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Prateik bonds with the Babbars

Prateik attends half sister Juhi's birthday dinner; bonds with the Babbars

Looks like it is the case of the family who eats together, stays together. Prateik, who was recently invited by his half-brother Aarya Babbar to have dinner with the family, apparently bonded with the family over some scrumptious grilled food menu.

Prateik’s relationship with the Babbars has not really been very cordial over the years, with recent buzz that the actor appearing in half sister Juhi’s ex-husband Bejoy nambiar’s TV show had made matters worse. However, our sources say that following this family dinner that took place at a suburban hotel in the city, all seems to be well again.

Our source says, “Prateik called to wish Juhi on Friday as it was her birthday and to enquire about the havan that usually takes place at the Babbar residence as a family tradition. 

But by that time the havan had already started. Aarya then invited him for dinner. Prateik not only got gifts for his didi but also for the other members of the family. The Babbar brothers were seen bonding well over healthy grilled food.” 
According to the source, it was a close family get-together where the entire Babbar family along with son-in-law Anup Soni was present. He adds, “The brothers called for a special chef to cook healthy grilled food for them as they follow a strict diet. They were even dressed in a similar way.

Aarya Babbar is happy he got an opportunity to bond with Prateik and says, “When he came, there was a moment of not knowing what to do but just a hug took us back to what we were. We exchanged our BB pins. Altogether it was a perfect family evening, we discussed everything from fitness to food.”

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Prateik possessive about Amy!

Prateik, who is in relationship with British actress Amy Jackson, admits he is very possessive and protective about his girlfriend.

The actor got candid about his love life on UTV Stars' "The Chosen One" and said that he and Amy are very serious about each other and very much in love.

He also said that he's very possessive and protective about her.

The two met while shooting for "Ekk Deewana Tha" and have been together ever since. The episode will be aired Saturday.

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Prateik loves playing football in rains

A self-confessed sports fanatic, Prateik feels sports is equally entertaining as films

He points out, “If not the big screen, I would have picked sports as a career choice.”

The actor says he absolutely loves playing football in the present weather. “I played football as a kid. There were a lot of matches on Juhu beach then. I have played football in the rains with random children. Wish I could do all that again.”

Being glued to the TV during the recent Euro 2012, Prateik rues over the fact that India doesn’t have an international soccer team. He adds, “We don’t have the facilities and the government doesn’t support international football in our country, which is really sad. But Bhaichung Bhutia is doing a lot and hopefully, in a few year’s time we should have a team.”

Sometime back there was buzz that Prateik has joined the Salgaocar Sports Club, the football club in Vasco, Goa. Ask the young actor about it and he says, “There’s nothing official but it’s true to a certain extent.

We had shot in the grounds for Dum Maaro Dum, so they said we could come and play whenever we wanted. Like a friendly thing.” So will we see him working the balls there? “Bilkul, jab bhi Goa jaaonga, ” he adds with a smile.

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Prateik bonds with newcomer Prashant Kumar on films sets

During the shoot of Manish Tiwari's upcoming film based on Romeo and Juliet, there was big time bonding between Prateik and newcomer Prashaant Kumar in Varanasi

Although the two actors square off against each other in the film, but off set, they bonded over jokes and gymming. Prashaant, the boy-next-door from New York, who transformed himself into a rustic Banarasi cop, applauds Prateik’s sculpted physique and picked up a few great tips in the process.

He was pretty impressed by the fact that Prateik not only shared some tips but also gifted him a box of his own protein powder.

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What is Prateik doing in Bejoy Nambiar's TV show?

What is Prateik doing in Bejoy Nambiar's TV show? Especially after half-sister Juhi's bitter divorce with the filmmaker 


Prateik may have irked his father’s side of the family when he decided to drop his Babbar surname last year.

The young actor has now given his paternal folks yet another reason to be irked with him. Prateik features in an upcoming television series directed by Bejoy Nambiar, ex-husband of his half-sister Juhi Babbar.

Says a source, “He may consider it as a professional assignment but it was something he could have avoided. It might cause an embarrassment to them.” Juhi married Bejoy after over two years of courtship in 2007. They divorced in 2009 and very bitterly too. Last year Juhi tied the knot with telly actor-anchor Anoop Soni.


Interestingly, Prateik was present for all the events during the Juhi-Bejoy marriage. But he was conspicuous by his absence during Juhi’s marriage with Anoop.


After he had decided to drop his surname, his half-brother Aarya Babbar had lashed out at him even though his father Raj Babbar had maintained that he was his child just like Juhi and Aarya.

As reported ‘Ready to patch up?’ (Hitlist, June 26) Prateik had paid a visit to the Babbar household for his father’s birthday celebrations. Though he had distanced himself from his father’s family, this was seen as an attempt to let bygones be bygones. But looks like he has stirred a hornet’s nest again.

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Prateik, a Babbar again?

The actor paid a surprise visit to the Babbar's Juhu residence to wish his papa on the veteran actor's birthday 


After much debate over Prateik dropping his Babbar surname and withdrawing himself from the family, everything seems to be falling in place again for the family. On Saturday evening, Prateik paid a surprise visit at the Babbar’s Juhu residence to wish father Raj Babbar on his birthday.

A source informs, “Prateik had upset the entire family after he dropped the Babbar surname and did not want to be associated with his siblings and parents.

He had always given interviews saying that his grandmother, whom he fondly calls Nani, is his everything. Prateik’s brother Aarya was extremely upset over his statements and had even blasted him in the media. 

However, all of this seems to be a thing of the past. The entire family got together and had dinner and everything now seems to be fine. Prateik also spoke at length with Aarya and his mother Nadira Babbar.” 


Aryaa Babbar tells us, “This is his house as much as it’s mine and all of us were happy to have him home. All the three Babbars are really busy now; so it was a good day for the family.” 


Prateik’s spokesperson says, “There never was a breakup; they share a very cordial relationship. He wishes Raj Babbar every year on his birthday and he went to wish him this year as well.”

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