Salman Khan says that Aamir is No.1

Bollywood star Salman Khan is so impressed with Aamir Khan after watching "Peepli Live" that he has given him the title of "Mr.Midas touch".

"Mr. Midas touch has produced a picture. Midas touch ’matlab ke’ (means) Aamir Khan. ’Peepli Live’ has a mad-ass touch. Especially the press should see the film," Salman posted on his Twitter page.

With Aamir’s last three films -- "Taare Zameen Par", "Ghajini" and "3 Idiots" - declared blockbuster hits, Salman seems to have chosen an apt expression for his colleague.
"I didn’t let Aamir touch me after the film. Agar mujhe gold mein badal deta toh? (What if he touched me and I would have transformed into gold?)," Salman quipped.

"Peepli Live" is a satire on farmers’ suicides and it has been directed by Anusha Rizvi and produced by Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd. The movie is in the spotlight for its slick promos and quirky music. "Everybody should watch this film. It is comedy, tragedy, khulasa, sansani, breaking news...," said Salman.

Bipasha tweeted about the incident.

Not just men, even women can’t seem to keep their hands off Bipasha Basu who has been drooled over, stalked and even harassed by her many fans.

An interesting incident happened recently. Bipasha was flying to Bangalore to be at the wedding anniversary of her parents. Upon arriving in the city, Bipasha was cornered by an aunty who all but smooched the actress.

“Funniest thing happened at BLR airport entrance! One aunty pulled me down almost pinned me to smooch me! Somehow I was saved! Near escape!” Bipasha tweeted about the incident.

Funnily, this is not the first time Bipasha was harassed by a female fan. A similar incident happened in Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka for IIFA I was saying hello 2 ppl outside d hotel, 1 girl pulled my hand n bit my finger hard! But today’s aunty shocked me more!” Bipasha wrote.

Sonam Kapoor is gaining

Sonam Kapoor’s ‘Aisha’ may have added another link to her list of flops but the girl definitely is on the like list of most of the film makers. She is already going to wrap up Anees Bazmee’s Thank You, which is being shot in Canada. And now, she has agreed to be part of Abbas Mustan’s version of the Hollywood film The Italian Job opposite Abhishek Bachchan, her co-star in ‘Delhi 6’.

The role was earlier meant to be played by Katrina Kaif but the actress ditched the makers due to date problems. It was here that stylish Sonam Kapoor stepped in. With the kind of fan following Sonam Kapoor has managed to make and also with Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bobby Deol starring as well, the movie is surely going to make some stirs.

Priyanka says about Katrina

You have the movie Anjaana Anjaani and the TV show Khatron Ke Khiladi on air Comment.
I’m really enjoying this moment. Two of my projects are going to be displayed - one is Khatron Ke Khiladi and the other in Anjaana Anjaani. It’s been just a few days since the release of the theatrical trailers of AA and it has been getting a tremendous response. And this is just the beginning, when the film releases, I hope it gets even bigger.

It has been seven years since you entered the industry? How would you assess those years?
I think I have done a lot in these seven years. I started very young when I was 17 and now I have won a National Award, my films have worked, my performances have been appreciated. It feels really good to look back and smile.
What happens when a film of yours doesn’t do well?
I cry for at least four weeks, I hate failures.

And is interacting with colleagues a con of stardom? Have you ever been in a cat fight?
I’m not that kind of person, I’m friends with most of the people around me. I really admire Kajol, Kareena is such a talent - I have worked with her in Aitraaz. Katrina is gorgeous; we debuted in the same year, we had the same Kathak guru. I admire her for being a self-made person - she came from another country and she couldn’t speak Hindi! Deepika, Mashallah, what a face God has given her. And Sonam is someone I have known for a while now; we have common friends and we hang out together.

Q What is Vishal Bhardwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf all about?
Saat Khoon Maaf is a black comedy, and I play character, the likes of which you have not seen till now in our films.

Mandira Bedi is now all set to endorse lingerie brand Bodycare

She shot to fame with the popular daily soap ‘Shanti’. The she went on to create stirs with her noodle straps and excited spontaneous comments as a cricket presenter and after juggling different roles as an actor in TV serials and films, host, and participant in reality shows, Mandira Bedi is now all set to endorse lingerie brand Bodycare which she calls as a cute and fun brand.

“Indian women consumers are becoming more cautious these days in choosing lingerie, which is in effect helping the growth of branded lingerie in India. Bodycare is a cute, girly and fun brand. It’s an exciting opportunity for me because I get to put my own input into the brand - that’s the main reason I agreed to do it,” Mandira said in a press statement adding, “The collection ranges from comfortable, yet stylish innerwear, easy wear to sensuous lingerie.”

Bodycare managing director Sanjay Dawar said, “In recent times men’s innerwear industry has seen a plethora of celebrity endorsement from the biggest leading names in Bollywood. On the other hand, in the women’s innerwear segment, there is just one brand that has dared to venture in this league and that is Bodycare.”

Koena Mitra missing from Silver Screen

Actress Koena Mitra may be missing from the silver screen but she has had the opportunity of being the only Indian celebrity invited to the Teens choice Awards 2010. It was an overwhelming experience for the actress as the event gave her an opportunity to meet stars and biggies who have always awed her.

“It was a great experience to meet people who I thought were difficult to reach. People who I loved watching were right in front of my eyes like the twilight team which ruled the evening and I have always been a big fan of David Beckham, I got to see him in person. Plus, the energy of the show was a new experience all together,” she says.

Talking about her experience at the blue carpet, the actress said, “Blue carpets are a different thing all together, its like a mela where you have so many people around along with their entourage, its difficult to stand and chit chat over there but greeting people is a normal thing over there it happen on the streets in studios and the same happens at blue carpets.”

“I am glad that I was invited, since the time my management team has taken over my work, several invitations have been coming let that be award functions or premiers,” she added.

The actress who chose to pair a bright green dress with shocking purple stockings explained, “Ivan is my stylist who is doing a fantastic job with me over here, Teens choice is about young and stylish people and I wanted to wear a structured outfit and when he got me the D&G dress I realised we think similar.”

Trisha reveals bollywood actors list

Trisha eyes to play a long inning in the Bollywood film industry and she targets only those actors who are already established and can make her presence more prominent. Her dreams actors are SRK and Aamir Khan and she yearns to work with them someday. She adds, “I would love to work with established stars like Aamir and SRK. Also, young actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan are very promising.”
Well, this choice is obvious for any newcomer, but one would wonder that why she didn’t name her ‘Khatta Meetha’ co-star Akshay Kumar, whom she was praising like anything before the movie’s release?
She even states.

When I started my career in South, I worked with well packaged filmmakers and will follow the same in Bollywood. Since I want to establish myself here, I intend to be part of well packaged films.” Does she mean that she does not want to work in films like ‘Khatta Meetha’ anymore? The meaning can be best interpreted by the actress herself.

Trisha further explains, “As I am venturing in this industry I am making cautious moves...Also, I am choosy about the films I do. I want to slowly and gradually make a mark in this industry as well.” Right now, she doesn’t have any ‘well-packaged’ films kind of offers, but she would be seen for the time being with Prateik Babbar in a Tamil movie remake.

Salman and Aish clash at Box office

Salman Khan was keen on releasing Dabangg on Eid and, as the man wanted, the film is releasing on September 10. But it is not going to be solo release. The Aishwarya Rai-Rajnikant film Endhiran (‘The Robot’ in Hindi), which will release in three languages, is also set for release during that time.

This box office clash was also the reason why Karan Johar postponed the release of his production We Are Family to September 3. Siddharth Malhotra the director of We Are Family says, “Dabangg and Shankar’s Robot are releasing on Eid. So we have Bollywood’s Rajnikanth (Salman) and Rajnikanth on the same day. It just made no sense for us to release with them. We are coming a week earlier, aaram se.”

But, Endhiran’s release date is still not confirmed, according to industrywallahs. But if the clash happens, it is a win-win situation for the both the movies. If Dabangg will do expectedly good in Hindi belt, Endhiran, which has Rajnikant and Aishwarya for the first time on silver screen, is sure to have a great opening in the south. Moreover, one can’t neglect Rajni’s god-like status there.

In fact, Rajnikant who has not visited Mumbai for the last 15 years will make a rare public appearance for Endhiran’s music launch in the B-town.

Emraan and Bipasha Pairs together

Now, this pair-up could raise a couple of brows. The cute Emraan Hashmi who looks younger than his age (unless he’s playing broody roles) is set to team up with Bipasha Basu in the sequel of the hit movie Murder.
We hear that the Bhatts (producers) are planning to come up with the second version of the 2004 thriller that had Mallika Sherawat playing an adulterous opposite two men, Emraan and Ashmit Patel. Mallika, however, has been dropped from the sequel and Bipasha is reportedly being roped in.
If true, this would mark Bipasha’s return to the Bhatt camp after a gap of many years. She worked in the banner’s films Raaz and Jism at the start of her career. Emraan Hashmi, on the other hand, has been a regular in the Bhatt camp.


Moreover, director Anurag Basu has also been snipped from the sequel. The buzz is that Mohit Suri, who has already made the sequel of Raaz (as Raaz - The Mystery Continues) will direct the Murder sequel as well.

Aamir’s peepli is famous in Villages

People from these villages thanked him for making their villages famous and invited him for a visit to their native places. Later, Aamir came to know that there were more than 1000 villages known by the name “Peepli”! Aamir’s forthcoming film is titled ‘Peepli Live’.

Aamir, touched by the loveable gesture of the villagers, has asked his office to keep the letters. He was surprised to find that all the letters had the same address of posting. His movie is set in in Peepli Bhadwai village in Madhya Pradesh.

‘Peepli Live’, produced by Aamir Khan, is a satire on the farmer suicides and the subsequent government response. The movie, directed by Anusha Rizvi, stars Omkar DasManikpuri, Raghubir Yadav, and Nawasuddin Siddiqui. The film is all set for a release this week.

Asin is dedicated to her work

The lass from Kerala, Asin, sure is dedicated to her work. She has been shooting non-stop for the last two months. She shot for Ready with Salman Khan in Colombo and then travelled all over to shoot for her endorsements.
Sources inform that “Salman was impressed by her professionalism. The actress has been shooting non-stop for 22 hours almost every day.
But she did not let her hectic schedule affect the unit and nor did she cause any delays. In fact, she would shoot her portions on the sets, then fly to other locations for her ad shoots and rejoin the unit in Colombo.”
The next schedule will begin soon in Bangkok and Mumbai.

Mallika Sherawat weared salwar kameez for a change in New Jersey

A sweating Mallika Sherawat, dressed in off-white salwar kameez for a change, had a trying time as she had to waive her hand constantly under scorching heat and shouted ‘hail to India’ as she made her attendance on India Day Parade in New Jersey that marked India’s 64th Independence Day. This is an annual event held by the Indian Business Association in association with scores of other Indian American Organizations to celebrate India’s Independence.
With thousands of people to the one mile parade route, more than 25 floats including ones by Air-India, Western Union, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Friends of Gujarat, three marching bands, and hundreds of marchers, parade organizers and police agreed that it was biggest in its history. The crowd figures was estimated variously by the Chandrakant Patel, president of the Indian Business Association that organized the parade as somewhere near 40,000 and other veteran parade watchers, as somewhere around 20,000. But the crowd did not just consist of Indian Americans although they were indeed were the overwhelming majority.

Well, given the heat was scorching and the crowd overwhelming and Mallika used to being revealed in a dress rather than being covered, we hope it was not too uncomfortable for the ‘Hisss’ star!!

Aisha failed to make a bumper start

Though Aisha failed to make a bumper start and had just around 30-35% occupancy, the redeeming factor was its weekend collections. As per trade figures the movie’s worldwide first weekend collections are around Rs 26 crore approx, which is not bad given the movie is a chick flick.

Aisha, which opened on 475 screens in India and 135 screens overseas is doing expectedly good business at multiplexes; the movie has been well received by youngsters, especially style-hungry gals. Touted to be India’s answer to Sex & The City, Sonam Kapoor’s film is being referred to as an ‘effervescent, coming-of-age’ film.

PVR Pictures Head (Worldwide Distribution) is quoted as saying, “We are extremely delighted with Aisha’s initial response at the box office and expect the film to set a new benchmark for female protagonist centric films in India.”

Last Friday’s release Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai had a good first week of approx Rs 33.50 crore. The collections of the film are still rolling in.

Khatta Meetha dropped in week two with around Rs 7 crore approx collections as per early estimates. The two-week total is around the 39 crore approx mark. The movie isn’t a hit, or a flop.

Neetu Chandra keep herself busy

Neetu Chandra may not have too much film work, but she knows how to keep herself busy. She’s now a favourite with dress designers who are constantly looking for showstoppers at the various fashion events. Rocky S roped Neetu in as the showstopper for his fashion show in Delhi this week and the very next day Neetu was chosen by Neeta Lulla for a show in Chandigarh.

The actress says, “Being a ramp showstopper gives me a different kind of high and confidence.” She adds, “Most of the time I get piercing looks or raised eyebrows, followed by a lot of instant attention, love, affection and warmth from the audience. It feels as if I got a thousand jadu ki jhappis all together. It’s ecstatic and I love all of it.” Romp on, Neetu, romp on!

Priyanka Chopra in Silence

Director Anurag Basu came up with the strong and powerful subject in ‘Silence’, but the movie has been suffering delay due to the starry issues of the female actresses. Earlier Priyanka Chopra was supposed to play the lead role in the film, but when Asin and Katrina Kaif who were earlier chosen for equally pivotal roles in the film chose to opt out fearing that they would be sidelines with Priyanka playing the plum role, the project’s future seemed to be at dismay. It was then that Piggie Chops decided to take action as she felt that ‘Silence’ is too powerful a project to be stalled. So, she took a step which no leading actress would dare to and she decided to swap roles and go for the one which was comparatively weaker so that the project moved further.

Now, PC essays a mentally challenged person alongside Ranbir Kapoor, who enacts a deaf mute guy in the hero and director Anurag Basu intends to take Priyanka Chopra to a mental asylum to help her get into the skin of her role.

Confirming the news, Priyanka said, “I will start shooting for Anurag’s Silence in January 2011 after completing Don 2. I am preparing for my role. I need to undergo training to perform the role perfectly. I am happy to get such a challenging role, which many of my age do not get.”

Freida makes me happy and inspires me, says Dev

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star Dev Patel can’t stop praising his girlfriend Freida Pinto. He says that she is one person who inspires him at every step and makes him happy. He feels at ease when she is around.

“Love makes you feel safe but excited at the same time. Freida makes me happy and inspires me. I am a mushy guy,” he said.

“You get to show a different side of yourself that you are not very comfortable showing other people. It’s great to have someone to come back to who you can be real with, because you are playing characters all day long,” he added.

Aww that’s sooo adorable. Hope they stick to each other forever.

Deepika Priyanka and Katrina together

If two’s a pair, three’s a crowd! Not really when the three in question happen to be lovely lasses from tinsel town. This glamour galore is going to be in the sequel of Dostana.

We already know that Katrina Kaif is set to play the object of affection of two straight men (Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham) pretending as gays. Now there’s another name being bandied about. That of Deepika Padukone.

It’s certainly getting hotter.

Director Tarun Mansukhani, who is revamping the sequel’s script, is believed to have asked producer Karan Johar to rope in Deepika for the movie, and Karan, quite capable of pulling off casting coups, has apparently discussed the role with the Om Shanti Om actress.

It is learnt that Deepika’s role is not just a cameo; in fact, it’s a significant part in the sequel. Now it has to be seen how Kat reacts to it, given the kind of vibes these two actresses share. And don’t forget that Priyanka Chopra, the original desi girl, will also have a guest appearance in the film.

Karisma Kapoor leaked her Wedding video in internet

Fans of Karisma Kapoor, who was one of the top-notch actresses not far ago, are in for a happy surprise. The light-eyed actress’ wedding video has been leaked online for all to watch and enjoy. According to reports, Karisma’s marriage video has been leaked on the popular video site YouTube. In the 8-part video, bride Karisma looks stunning and is seen with groom Sanjay Kapur and the entire Kapoor family along with celebrity friends and relatives.

A younger looking Kareena Kapoor is also seen mingling with guests and smiling prettily.

The video is highly entertaining and the elaborate and ornate wedding ceremonies are deftly picturised. There are many A-list film personalities to watch out for. Sridevi and Boney Kapoor are spotted along with their two daughters. Salman’s brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan are seen in the video with family. Even Vivek Oberoi is seen participating at the wedding.

Amongst other celebrities are BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, his wife Poonam, Sangeeta Bijlani and Sheeba.

Karisma Kapoor was previously engaged to Abhishek Bachchan but they split due to unknown reasons and Karisma married her childhood friend Sanjay Kapur in 2003 at a private ceremony in Mumbai where media was not allowed.

Salman make sure the contestants don’t turn too voyeuristic

Salman Khan seems to have matured a lot over the years. The actor, who was once known for his short temper, is now even laughing at himself on occasions. At the launch of Bigg Boss 4, when Salman was asked how would he deal with the inmates of the house, the actor shot back saying, “I have lived with inmates, so I’d be happy to deal with them.”

Salman will be the fourth celebrity to watch over the contestants, after Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty and Amitabh Bachchan in the first three seasons. But he wouldn’t want to be inside the house, he says. “I wouldn’t want the camera to constantly follow my private life. But yes I am looking forward to have some fun with them. I have watched the show and enjoyed it immensely and this time I’ll enjoy it more because I’ll be the host,” he says. “With due respect to Shilpa Shetty and Amitabh Bachchan, I plan to make the show more interesting,” adds the actor on a cheeky note.

But when asked that if he had no choice, who would he prefer to be locked up with, Salman retorts, “Many whose names I can’t reveal to you. But yes, if Sanjay Dutt comes along, we will have great fun.”

Salman says that he’ll make sure the contestants don’t turn too voyeuristic. Speaking of controversies on the show, he says, “Competition is always there in any field. As long as it is healthy it is fine. Bigg Boss has always confused me. It is amazing to see how people react under unique circumstances and to what level they can go to win the show. People enter the house as celebrities but once inside they become real people.”

Salman’s previous show Dus Ka Dum was a huge hit, which raises expectations for Big Boss. “I am a common man. I have a lot of respect for my audience. I don’t care about this celebrity image and I connect to people because I don’t differentiate. Moreover I’m a straightforward person who can’t play politics and mask my feelings,” he confesses. Speaking of the real big boss in his life he says, “It’s my dad. He controls all my actions and reactions.”

Imran Khan and Katrina in Yash Raj Movie

Bollywood actor Imran Khan has finally bagged his first film under the Yash Raj banner and will be seen romancing actress Katrina Kaif in the yet-to-be-titled film.

The film, a romantic comedy, is written and directed by debutant Ali Abbas Zafar and will be produced by Aditya Chopra. It is scheduled for a 2011 release and will go on the floor mid-September.

This is the first time Imran and Katrina will be seen sharing screen space.

Deepika say no to Bodyguard

Deepika’s fondness for Salman Khan is well known. She even confided to her friends that she was very keen to share screen space with him. The latest news that has filtered in is that she has refused an offer to play the lead in Atul Agnihotri’s

Salman starrer Bodyguard, a remake of the Malayalam hit by the same name.
Our source said, “Atul approached Deepika as he felt she was apt for the role. The two met up and he narrated the script. She wanted to be a part of it but dates got in the way.”

Apparently, Atul wanted bulk dates stretching over a month but Deepika’s tight schedule didn’t permit her to do so. “Deepika couldn’t allocate more than 20 days at a stretch. None of the parties could reach a compromise so Deepika had to say no.” Atul now plans to approach Sonakshi Sinha for the role.

Aamir Khan has never been offered a film by KJo

Aamir Khan’s newly found camaraderie with filmmaker Karan Johar has been catching all eyeballs of late, therefore giving rise to the endless speculations about their collaboration for an upcoming venture. However, defying the much-hyped buzz, Aamir has revealed that he’s never been offered a film by KJo.

A few days back, there were reports the Karan’s planning to rope in Bollywood icons SRK and Aamir together for one of his upcoming flicks, but Aamir had declined the offer because of his supposed rivalry with SRK.

But now, clearing the air on the same, Aamir has said that he was never offered a film by KJo.

When asked if he is willing to work with Shah Rukh, Aamir said that he doesn’t have a problem with it if the material is good and it excites both of them.

Asha Bhosale posted interesting music

Amidst a war of words on who was responsible for the spurt in malaria cases in Mumbai, veteran playback singer Asha Bhosale, who posts interesting music and film trivia, today struck a different note on Twitter, commenting on the epidemic.

"Mumbai: Machhar war is in full swing", Asha said on the microblogging site.

This was followed by another tweet ’Machhar’ Raj, which elicited some queries by her followers to which she was quick to clarify that she was not referring to MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

"I meant too many mosquitoes buzzing adn flying around...I was only talking about the machhar (mosquito) problem all over the country. You are seeing some hidden meaning in my words," she said.

The noted singer asked her fans not to create unnecessary controversies, or else she would have to stick to "namaste, dhanyavaad & thank you."

"Controversies are created in a person’s mind. Words are harmless (as you have seen), Its how you perceive them that creates problems. Right? ", she said.

Asha told another follower, "Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna..".

The post comes soon after Raj Thackeray blamed the migrants for the malaria epidemic in Mumbai. Even Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and rural development minister Jayant Patil, also the guardian minister of the city had attributed the rise in malaria cases to migrant construction workers in Mumbai.

Kangana Ranaut and Ajay Devgan is hit on screen

Who would have thought that Kangana Ranaut and Ajay Devgan would make an onscreen couple that would catch the fancy of not just audiences but the astute dream merchants of Bollywood as well?

The two actors are wowing the viewers with their superb chemistry in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and even as the film still runs to good occupancy, producers are queuing up to pair Ajay and Kangana together.

We hear that the awesome twosome have three films in which they would be paired up again.

Priyadarshan wants Ajay and Kangana together for his tentatively titled film ‘Bullet Train’. Likewise, David Dhawan wants the duo for his ‘Rascals’; and producer Kumar Mangat, a good friend of Devgan, wants Kangana opposite the droopy eyed actor for his film as well.

Truly, nothing succeeds like success.

Amirta Rao has take new Avatar

Amrita Rao donning a bold avatar in the Bollywood movie Short Kut had astounded many. However the actress, who is best recognized for portraying the image of a traditional Indian girl on the silver screen, claims that she is not going for a complete change. The 29-year old actress says that she has no uncertainties in portraying characters that have a variety of shades and her celluloid-image depends on the type of roles that she bags.

She rubbished the claims of many who said that she donned her ‘bold’ image in order to get roles. She said that her image has got nothing to do with her getting roles, since she’s comfortable with her own style. She adds that her every approach is from the same spirit that truly represents the diverse avatars of the standard Indian girl.

She also says that she never had any formal training in acting and she has put in her heart and soul in every role she has got so far. She signs off by saying that as an actress she needs to believe in herself immensely in order to make the audience realize her acting potentials.

Is Kartina and Ranbir love each other?

Previously there had been speculation that Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif had coordinated their trips to New York City. And the history repeats. Rumours have been pouring in that the duo spent quality time together in London.

Katrina took a break from shooting from Zoya Akhtar’s film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, to spend some time with her family in London. While Ranbir Kapoor who was shooting in Delhi, also landed up in London to shoot an ad film. The duo met and was spotted laughing and having loads of fun together.

According to a source, “There have been rumours about Ranbir and Katrina for some time now. Both of them have denied any possibility of a relationship so far and on earlier occasions too both have denied being with each other overseas. However, the fact is that both of them were at the same place and a meeting could not have been averted.”

Oberoi say NO to Big Boss 4

Vivek Oberoi is awaiting the release of his next flick ‘Rakta Charitra’ with RGV and is busy with its promotions these days, but the actor has already another project ready for him.

If the sources are to be believed, Oberoi has been approached by the producers for hosting ‘Big Boss 4’ after the offer was turned down by Big B and SRK. Earlier Vivek had also been approached for the new season of ‘Swayamvar’ after Rakhi Sawant and Rahul Mahajan.

However, the news could be just rumors as sources close to him say with confidence that Vivek has no such plans in mind. A source close to him said, “What? Vivek is hosting ‘Big Boss’? Now that’s some news because Vivek is definitely not doing the show. Yes, there have been some murmurs around him hosting the show but none of that is true.”

“It can be stated with confidence that Vivek is not even remotely contemplating getting into television. He has things to look forward to in the world of movies. There is Rakta Charitra getting ready for release. Also, there is a film happening with Mani Ratnam. He would like to totally concentrate on that rather than getting his attention diverted to other mediums,” he added.

Director Ashutosh Gowarikar says about Deepika

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker says that actress Deepika Padukone has brought energy and feistiness to the character of Kalpana Dutta, the 17-year-old revolutionary of the Chittagong Uprising, on whom his next film is based.

Gowariker said Deepika’s efforts to breathe life into the character was very endearing. "She has brought energy in feistiness into the character," he said.

Deepika is paired opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Gowariker’s film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, which releases later this year.

The film which, a period thriller is inspired by a true event and based on the book Do and Die written by Manini Chatterjee.

Speaking about Kalpana Dutta, Gowariker said," Kalpana Dutta was just 17 when the Chittagong Uprising took place. She was a voracious reader and was inspired by stories of the youngest revolutionaries. Along with her friend Pritilata Wadadar, she played different roles within the revolutionary movement, including that of a courier-transporting acid from Calcutta to Chittagong. After she was released in May 1939 from jail she got married to communist leader PC Joshi. The author Manini Chatterji is her daughter-in-law."

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is Gowariker’s first epic period thriller and is based on the book Do And Die which centres on the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s. The film has been shot mostly in Goa along with portions in Mumbai.

I am not unpopular says Mugdha

The myth in Bollywood is that actresses are rarely friends with each other. Mugdha Godse, whose film Help with Bobby Deol is due to release soon, gets along well with her female co-stars. She has acted with Priyanka and Kangna in Fashion and Bipasha in All The Best and says, “It’s a myth that actresses don’t get along. We - Priyanka, Kangna and I - got along really well. Priyanka used to tease me by calling me, ‘Debutante debutante’.

She would say, ‘Arre debutante kahan hai hamari? She taught me how to put glycerine for the sad scenes.” On her rapport with Bipasha, Mugdha says, “Bipasha and I were also chilled out. We were very cordial with each other. We weren’t the best of friends but does that make us enemies? When news of our supposed rift came out, I was tense and called Bipasha. She coolly said, ‘Girl, just chill. Wel-come to the industry’ and I was rel-ieved.”

NAUGHTY @ FORTY at Manali

With more and more film makers opting for foreign locales, the scenic beauty of our desi hill stations seems deprived of glittering film stars these days. Manali, which once had been the fav destination for romantic numbers had last seen Bollywood stars only with Vipul Shah’s Akki-Ash starrer ‘Action Replay’.

The hill station has sprung to life once again with the crew of the Jagmohan Mundhra directed NAUGHTY @ FORTY pepping up Manali as they reached here on Sunday with the pretty and young Yuvika Chaudhari. The crew will shoot at various locations including the famous scenic spots of Manali and it’s surroundings, like Solang Valley, snow laden Marhi, the dangerous Rohtang Pass, the incredible Rahla fall, heritage village Nagger along with the extremely picturesque Kothi and Gulaba valley.

With as long as twenty days’ shooting schedule, the locals and tourists of Manali will sure get a taste of filmdom up, close and personal.

Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan’s love affair has open

Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan’s love affair had always been an open secret. Thoguh the couple never denied their linkup, they never officially admitted it. However, recently the duo felt that there was no point in denying a known fact anymore and so, the two came out candid on their relationship when they were spotted together during the Delhi Couture Week.

Explaining why they chose to open up their affair now, Khemu said that they were not hiding their relationship earlier on either. “It just didn’t make sense to talk about it until we were sure of our feelings. When people were speculating about our relationship we were just hanging out together. We did two films together but we weren’t in a relationship then.”

“Now we’re sure of one another. We’re both private persons. Relationships are complicated. They need space to grow. In any case, I am not the kind to wear my heart on my sleeve,” he added.

Kunal admits to have met Soha’s family twice. He says, “I was in Delhi, so I met them. I’m a big fan of both Sharmila Tagoreji and Pataudi Saab. They represent the pinnacle of the two religions of our country: cinema and cricket.” Not to be left out, Soha has also met Kunal’s parents. “She comes home for dinner sometimes. I told them about Soha. And they left it at that.”

However, he stresses on the fact that marriage is not on their cards right now. “I am not saying no to marriage. But I don’t know about the future. I don’t plan beyond the next two days. I didn’t plan my career. At the moment, I’ve signed no new films.

It’s very important for an actor to be associated with films that will get completed and released. Recently, recession had put a lot of actors out of work. It’s better to be honest about our work.

Both Soha and I need to focus on our careers. I got to do Zakhm when I was a child. I don’t know if I’d ever get a role like that again.”

Soha, too, candidly admitted her relationship and said, “I am seeing a wonderful actor called Kunal Khemu. And he is lovely. It’s not a secret, but it’s not something that I am going around announcing either. You know, we both are young and both are in films, both are exploring films, and we enjoy spending time together. I feel life is incomplete without having someone to share it with. Your happiness is doubled and your sadness, halved, when you share it with someone. It really helps in both situations - happy and sad.”

Wonder if brother Saif Ali Khan going gaga over his relationship with Bebo gave some boost and kick to Soha to get candid about her affair too!!!

Red and black Shruti Haasan

Red and black. Those are the colours in which musician/actor Shruti Haasan said her room was painted back in her hometown, Chennai, and the choice, to, expressed just how off the beaten track she prefers to walk. Clearly, they remain her happy colours because she also arrived for her appointment with , as celebrity guide for the Culture issue dressed in - yes, red and black!

If South superstar Kamal Haasan’s translucent-skinned, multifaceted daughter chooses to march to the beat of a different drummer, it’s so ok with because traditionally, the Greats in music, drama, painting, literature, indeed any artistic medium have seldom followed the straight and narrow.

Shruti, with her traditional grounding and global schooling in music, life (!) seemed to fit right into this space. She effortlessly bantered on diverse subjects: from the need to focus on the disappearing traditional gharanas of classical music to the wonders of the sarod, to Lady Gaga’s money spinning music. And then debated on how tattoos (at latest count she’s sporting five) are much misunderstood, globally!

Straddling the contemporary, still embracing the traditional, 24-year-old Shruti’s questing outlook, her wise answers, her absolute self-possession bring out all that is best in young minds today. And bring us faith in Gen Next’s competence as custodians of our culture for our tomorrows.

Arbaaz Khan speaks about his brother Salman

Arbaaz Khan is making his first film as a producer with his brother Salman, but naturally. He believes that when an actor plays a role that has a part of him it, it becomes easier for him to play the role well and make an impact.

Arbaaz says, “When I heard the script of Dabangg, I saw Salman slipping into the character very easily. The film is about a man who doesn’t go down the beaten track, he lives by his convictions, no matter what the opposition is.”

Arbaaz’s first film as a producer, Dabangg, means fearlessness. Ask him whether Salman’s fearless image influenced the choice of the title and he says, “He is made of many personalities; being fearless is one of his many traits. But he is not reckless. He feels, ‘I will do what I believe in, I have faith in my ability and I will do that’.”

Salman has faced several adverse situations and Arbaaz thinks what keeps Salman going is “his own personality. He manages to pull himself out of situations thanks to his own mental strength - that is what the man is all about. Of course, his family is always there with him.”

Arjun Rampal talk about Kajol

Ever since Arjun Rampal has completed shooting for Karan Johar’s We Are Family, the actor has not stopped gushing about his co-stars Kajol and Kareena.

“I had a great time shooting with them. Kajol likes it when you don’t invade her space and respect it. But otherwise she is a lot of fun. She is a brilliant actress and a personal favourite among all my female co-stars. She is so good that your eyes well up with tears when she is emoting on screen. She is phenomenal and so is Kareena,” says Arjun.

Despite being sandwiched between two phenomenal actresses, Arjun has managed to hold his own in the movie. “It’s not easy but then I have managed to stand apart amongst five talented actors in Rajneeti. However, yes I have to work hard to be noticed in any film, not just this one. These days there are very few solo hero films. The film is the star today. Even if you put in individual efforts, if the film is not right, it is bound to fail. No one comes to see me as an individual actor; it is the team effort that works. Any role isn’t just about negative or positive emotions because there is good and bad in all of us. Thanks to the media, today the audiences know that you do not necessarily have to have an image,” adding, “By the way I am the solo male lead in this film.”

While he is busy romancing the ladies in We Are Family, the actor is looking forward to Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra One. “It is the most physically challenging role that I have ever played. It is a look-oriented role. It is an ambitious film, which will remind you of the erstwhile superhero films. I can’t reveal more than that,” he concludes.

Anil Kapoor says he is tired

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor says he is tired of his link to Oscar winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" and wants to move on.

The 50-year-old star played game show host Prem Kumar in Danny Boyle’s 2008 movie.

In an interview to Britain’s GMTV, Anil urged his fans and friends to stop asking him about his "Slumdog..." success, reports contactmusic.com.

"It was such a long time (ago). Very nostalgic, but I want to get over it. I want to forget about it but people won’t let me forget about it. I just want to move on. Please, let’s move on. I’d been in 100, more than 100 films, (before Slumdog)," he said.

Rahman is back again in Chennai

Music composer A.R. Rahman’s international career which has taken off in a biggish way after "Slumdog Millionaire" keeps encountering snags, thanks to long-pending assignments back home.

According to sources, Rahman has to keep interrupting his international plans to be home for various pending assignments. The harried composer is now seriously thinking of putting all home-made assignments on hold to concentrate on building his career abroad, or else he feels he would lose the international advantage he obtained after "Slumdog Millionaire".

Says a friend of Rahman: "The Indian assignments after ’Slumdog Millioniare’ have been very time-consuming, especially ’Raavan’ where Rahman not only had to do two versions of the music in Hindi and Tamil, but director Mani Ratnam also asked him to give three to four tunes for every lyric before one was selected. The music of ’Raavan’ took more time than Rahman could afford, with the result that other Indian assignments primarily Abbas Tyrewala’s untitled John Abraham-Pakhi starrer got left behind."

At the moment Rahman is back again in Chennai for mixing the music of Abbas’ film. But the background score of the film which releases in October is still be done.

No one is admitting it, but one of the primary reasons why Tyrewala’s film got delayed is the music score which Rahman has been serving up piecemeal, for no fault of his, since the composer was committed to be out of the country for half the year for his world concerts.

Says the source: "Rahman had to continuously keep breaking his international tours and other projects to be home for various reasons, like the music release of ’Raavan’ and other things. He has begun to feel that his international career would never take off if he has to keep returning home."

Abbas Tyrewala, in Chennai with Rahman for the mixing of his film’s music, jumps to the composer’s defence. "Yes Rahman has been a little tied up and therefore unable to deliver quickly. But that’s because he has to be constantly moving back and forth between India and the US. ’Raavan’ took much longer than Rahman thought. I’m not worried about my music. It’s almost done. Whatever time Rahman takes is finally worth the while."

In the meanwhile, Rahman has not signed a single new assignment in Mumbai or Chennai in the last few months.

After completing Abbas Tyrewala’s music, Rahman will now focus on consolidating his career abroad.

Salman Khan, the bad boy of Bollywood says Asha

While commenting on the Lindsay Lohan arrest and coniction, Asha tweeted thus: “Salman Khan’s wondering why Lindsay Lohan got 90 days jail 4 drunk driving? These Americans don’t know how 2 treat their Stars!”

The veteran singer shows rare courage to show how a senior professional should behave when one of their ilk gets into legal problems. Recently, when Akshay Kumar was compared to a jackass by a scribe, Amitabh Bachchan rushed to help the superstar and trash the journalist community.

Salman Khan, the bad boy of Bollywood, was found on the other side of law several times. He was accused of killing a blackbuck in the ’90s.

Akshay and Aamir are exemplary tax-payers in Bollywood

They are two of the highest tax paying celebs from Bollywood and now they are urging the aam admi to pay taxes rightly and on time in a latest documentary by the Income Tax Department.

The 20-minute-long documentary will have Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan spreading the message of tax compliance. It will have Om Puri’s voice-over and also feature Priyanka Chopra reportedly.

The documentary will be unveiled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee during the first-ever Income Tax day celebrations on July 24 in New Delhi, to mark 150 years of taxation in the country.

Akshay and Aamir are exemplary tax-payers from Hindi film industry. Akshay paid an advance tax of Rs 9 crore in March this year, taking his total advance tax payment in the current financial year to Rs 18 crore. Aamir with an advance tax payment of Rs 12 crore stands second.

Priyanka Chopra in Silence

Director Anurag Basu came up with the strong and powerful subject in ‘Silence’, but the movie has been suffering delay due to the starry issues of the female actresses. Earlier Priyanka Chopra was supposed to play the lead role in the film, but when Asin and Katrina Kaif who were earlier chosen for equally pivotal roles in the film chose to opt out fearing that they would be sidelines with Priyanka playing the plum role, the project’s future seemed to be at dismay. It was then that Piggie Chops decided to take action as she felt that ‘Silence’ is too powerful a project to be stalled. So, she took a step which no leading actress would dare to and she decided to swap roles and go for the one which was comparatively weaker so that the project moved further.

Now, PC essays a mentally challenged person alongside Ranbir Kapoor, who enacts a deaf mute guy in the hero and director Anurag Basu intends to take Priyanka Chopra to a mental asylum to help her get into the skin of her role.

Confirming the news, Priyanka said, “I will start shooting for Anurag’s Silence in January 2011 after completing Don 2. I am preparing for my role. I need to undergo training to perform the role perfectly. I am happy to get such a challenging role, which many of my age do not get.”

Shahrukh Khan’s wife Gauri Khan in Commerical

Superstar Shahrukh Khan’s wife Gauri Khan has been known to shy away from cameras though she has been associated with the entertainment world sharing the background scene. She designed SRK’s costumes for the movie ‘Baazigar’, was the producer for ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’. But this is the first time she will be facing the camera and that for a commercial with hubby King Khan.

The duo will be seen together in a commercial for a rather popular furnishing house to be shot by Sunhil Sippy (director of ‘Snip’) and slated to be filmed in Mumbai shortly. The other team members will be Sunhil’s friends Makarand Deshpande and Saurabh Shukla.

Though Gauri has had a lot of offers for commercials earlier but things never seemed to work out. This would be her first start and with this, the SRK-Gauri team would give competition to other star couples who rule the endorsement world these days, Abhishek and Aishwarya, Saif and Bebo… to name a few…..

Katrina and Abhishek as New Jodi

Tired of seeing Katrina Kaif on screen time and again with Ranbir Kapoor, and Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai? Well, a new Bollywood jodi is in the works.

Katrina and Abhishek have lately been green-lighting one film after another, and as things stand today the duo now has three films in their kitty. Which means they are going to be busy shooting together for many months this year and early in 2011. Knowing how secure Ash is in her marriage with Abhi, we’re sure she won’t be jealous of her hubby’s budding working relationship with the most beautiful woman in the industry, apart from herself, that is.

Abhishek and Katrina will first team up for the sequel of Dostana. The film’s shoot will begin in August when Katrina returns to Mumbai after completing the shoot of Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in Spain.

Kat and Abhi would also get together for Abbas-Mustan’s Hindi remake of the Hollywood crime thriller Italian Job.

The hat-trick would complete with a Vipul Amrutlal Shah film which will be a romantic comedy to be shot in January next year.

Pooja remake of Arth movie

Pooja Bhatt wants to remake her father’s film Arth but with a contemporary take and a heavy dose of glamour, substance and drama. Pooja feels that the younger generation can learn a lot from a film like Arth. However, though she has made up her mind about making the film, she still has to decide the cast.
The original was made in 1982 and starred Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi and Kulbhushan Khar-banda.
The story of Arth was inspired from Mahesh’s own life. He was ashamed of having cheated on his wife. The real life incident formed the plot of his story.”

Priyanka sent Twitter to her fans

Actress Priyanka Chopra may be quite busy these days with the shoot of films like ‘Anjaana Anjaani‘ and ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’, going on but she makes it a point not to miss the fun in her life. She had a gala all-girls party on her 28th birthday in Phuket, an island in the south of Thailand and will be back in Mumbai on July 27.

As she went on with six of her girlfriends, she posted on micro-blogging site Twitter: ‘Off for my sinful holiday with my girls! Oh sooooo needed it… See you guys in paradise.’

After baggin in Miss World 2000 title, Priyanka stepped into Bollywood and is, at present, one of the regining actresses of Bollywood today with a bunch of hits in the kitty ranging from ‘Aitraaz’, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, ‘Bluffmaster’, ‘Krrish’, ‘Don - The Chase Begins Again’, ‘Dostana’, ‘Kaminey’ and ‘Salaam-E-Ishq’. Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Fashion’ got her rave reviews for a mature performance and even won her a National Award.

The actress has worked with almost all of the leading men around, which includes stars like Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shahid Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor.

We wish Priyanka a wonderful year ahead and a great career in the days to come!!!

Bipasha is looking forward to do more films in her mother tongue.

Actor Bipasha Basu, who has garnered rave reviews for Rituparno Ghosh’s Sob Charitro Kalponik, says she is looking forward to do more films in her mother tongue.
“I had an amazing experience shooting for Rituparno. He is a fantastic director and he is one of the finest to explore the workings of the human mind and behaviour.

It is brilliant the way he can dissect the layers to give dimensions to a character. I am certainly looking forward to working with him,” Bipasha tells DNA.

The sassy bombshell adds, “I know of many very good directors from Bengal who are making their mark and I can see that many good Bengali films are being made.

I would want to work in a Bengali movie soon but in the ones that are different and off-beat. Rituparno is looking to make Draupadi and I hope he does it soon because that is one character I’m really looking forward to essay.”

Bipasha, whose recent release is a film set in Kashmir that explores the tension in the Valley due to politics and religion, says she has been bowled over by Rahul Dholakia, the director of movie who had also made Parzania.

Parzania, about the Godhra riots, had earned Rahul criticism from some right wing political groups who felt they were being targeted.

The film was pulled out of theatres across the nation as theatre
owners feared losses to their properties.

“His understanding of the subject is really good. Before he started shooting the film, he made sure that he had his research spot-on and all the facts were correct.

That’s commendable because a film about Kashmir is always a tricky one, given how sensitive the Valley is. He also had the guts to shoot in Kashmir and think about having a screening in Kashmir,” she says.

Priyanka came into a sex bomb overnight

No, Priyanka Chopra isn’t metamorphosing into a sex bomb overnight. Though we have no doubts about the verve and vigour in her figure, Priyanka hasn’t exactly been very bindaas about wearing the two-pieces on camera. Her Dostana ‘bikini’, despite all the hoo-ha, was actually a swimsuit.

But now, the desi girl is in the mood to wear a lot on bikinis, but on videsi beaches.

Priyanka is off to a vacation to an undisclosed location with her bunch of female friends to celebrate her birthday on Sunday. And she’s packed up a lot of bikinis to wear on the beaches during this getaway. She is proud to call herself a beach-bum.

“I can’t wait to get to my holiday spot and into my bikinis,” Priyanka is quoted to have said. She added that she’s been collecting a lot bikinis and would try them all during the holiday.

She also stated that she doesn’t fear getting photographed in bikinis because she’s confident that paparazzi won’t be able to trace her to her holiday destination.

Hope she’s not underestimating the shutterbugs.

Aamir Khan has been roped in by Yash Raj

The latest buzz doin the round in B-town is that perfectionist Aamir Khan has been roped in by Yash Raj to play a pivotal role in ‘Dhoom 3.

Recently, Aamir had thrown a lavish party for world-renowned musician Gustavo Santaolalla, where all the big shorts of the industry were present. Among them was Yash Chopra enjoying the bash. It was then, when he asked Aamir if he could be a part of the film.

Currently, Aamir is busy in the promotion of his latest venture ‘Peepli Live’ and so he is not able to pay attention to the script.

Yash Raj ‘Dhoom 3’ is going to star Uday Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan. The part one and two of Dhoom was a box office blockbuster and the makers again want to recreate the magic with ‘Dhoom 3’.

It would be a treat to see Aamir Khan in a high intensity action drama.

Shahid Kapoor is now ready to ‘MINGLE’

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor is single and is now ready to ‘MINGLE’. Well, Shahid admits that he is tried of being single and is in search of his dream girl. He wants to feel the magic of love again.

“I’m tired of my single status. May be I will run into my dream girl in Edinburgh,” says the actor who is currently in the UK shooting for his father, Pankaj Kapoor’s directorial debut ‘Mausam’ with Sonam Kapoor.

Shahid was in a relation with Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor for a long time. After that, if buzz is to be believed, he had a few unsuccessful relationships with actresses like Vidya Balan, Priyanka Chopra, tennis player Sania Mirza and most recently with Anushka Sharma.

So all you single girls!!! Be prepared. You never know, you may be the lucky one.

Well, on a serious note, hope, Shahid gets his ladylove soon.

Riya Sen is back

Since Bong beauty Riya Sen has nothing much to contribute to her acting career these days, she is doing what could be the best way to keep her in media glare, that is, party hard and be seen on Page 3. But the actress has gone a step further. This time she is in news for a super tight lip lock she implanted on the upcoming actor Suraj Pancholi (Aditya Pnacholi’s son) before several celebrities leaving the newbie utterly shocked and embarrassed.

It all happened at a party at Prive in South Mumbai where Riya got so drunk that she couldn’t control herself, got hold of Suraj and before the young actor could realize what is about to happen with him, he found himself under a hot smooch from Riya. Suraj tried to get away but Miss Sen was in no mood to set him free.

Now that’s some hot action from a hot bombshell!!

Rani Mukherjee wants work with Aamir

Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee who was last seen in Dil Bole Haddipa is eager to work with director Karan Johar again and wishes to be paired opposite Aamir Khan.

"What do u think on idea to pair Rani with Aamir? It would be great 4 me," Rani posted on her Twitter account. The 32-year-old who has worked in Karan Johar films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), posted her desire to work again with the filmmaker.

"Do u plan to make your next movie with Rani in a leading role? That would be great. Come on KJo, do a movie with Rani," she posted.
The actress has earlier worked with Aamir in films like Ghulam (1997) and Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005).