Mallika considered for PROVOKED?

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Jagmohan Mundhra has clarified that he had never approached Mallika Sherawat for PROVOKED at any point of time. Mundhra's clarification comes in the wake of fresh media reports that Mallika would have probably been in Aishwarya Rai's shoes if she had accepted the prestigious assignment. "I am surprised how the facts have been misconstrued. Mallika was never considered at any point for the role in PROVOKED. My producers had approached her for an erotic thriller called PRIVATE MOMENTS. The film was based on an English film, SEX IN THE CITY. However, Mallika's secretary told them that she was not available. The film was subsequently made with an actress called, Aruna Sheel, and was shown in the Cannes festival last year. That was all there was to it. Mallika would never have fit into the role of PROVOKED," Mundhra reveals.
Meanwhile, Rahman's background score in the film is something to watch out for, according to Mundhra. "Rahman has been quite passionate about the film and it reflects in his music," Mundhra says.

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"If Karan says, I can pose nude also"!

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From 'Jism' to 'Barsaat', Bengali babe Bipasha Basu indeed has come a long way. The lady, pioneer in showing skin, has changed her too a lot with the change of time and taste. With the failure of films based on sex only, Bipasha, who once said she has no qualms doing hot and bold scenes, now changed her decision. Recently she has announced that she will not do any film that focus on female sexuality. "I'm tired of the sex symbol tag," said Bipasha. But if the director is Karan Johar, Bipasha is ready to shed. After working with the directors like Suneel Darshan, Sunjay Gupta, she is now looking forward to work with legendary Yash Chopra. Though she's already doing a Yash Chopra production 'Dhoom 2', but as she said, "I'd like to be directed by Chopra or his son Aditya." Bipasha hopes, one day Karan will definitely call her up for any of his films. Bipasha is so crazy to work with Karan that she said under Karan's direction she is ready to pose nude also if scripts demand. What say!

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Aishwarya Rai in 'The Rising'!

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Aishwarya Rai in 'Mangal Pandey - The Rising'?
It is hard to believe but that is how the film is being sold to British audiences. Many of the publicity hoardings of Ketan Mehta's historical carry Aishwarya's name.
In fact a popular British website, very clearly mentions her name, not once but twice, along with the film's leading stars Aamir Khan, Toby Stephens, Rani Mukherjee and Amisha Patel.
It must be noted that Aishwarya had been almost finalized for the role of Jwala, the widow rescued from the Sati funeral pyre by a British officer.
But Aishwarya declined when the makers refused to give her more than a bare outline of her character and plot.
Amisha Patel happily stepped into the role.
While Aishwarya shrugs and laughs off this desperate attempt to draw reluctant audiences into theatres, her US agent Simone Sheffield is far more vocal about the attempt to mislead the public.
Says Sheffield: ''The Rising' is the film that Aishwarya refused! Producers and distributors are selling the film in the UK as an Aishwarya Rai starrer. It is sad that they have to resort to this to get the audience into the theatres.'

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Italian actress or Preity as Sonia Gandhi?

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Jagmohan Mundra, who just finished directing Aishwarya Rai in "Provoked", is all set to launch "Sonia" and the buzz is that Italian actress Monica Bellucci will play the role of Sonia Gandhi.
Indian actress Preity Zinta is also said to be in the running for the role based on the Congress president's life.
Mundra said "Sonia" would be an epic love story about a woman who loved a man and then fell in love with the country in which she lived.
"As I see it, Sonia's decision to join politics that she intensely disliked was an extension of her love for Rajiv (Gandhi, the late prime minister). It was aimed at protecting the family name and restoring glory for the Congress party," Mundra told IANS.
"Sonia" is based on journalist Rasheed Kidwai's bestseller "Sonia-A Biography" (Penguin). A Britain-based company, CEE (i) TV UK, has secured the film rights for an undisclosed sum of money.
On a trip to India for the project, Mundra said he intends to cover the time period from Gandhi's journey from Orbassano to Cambridge in 1964-65 to May 2004 when she renounced the post of prime minister, stunning the nation and pulling the rug from under the feet of those harping on her Italian origin.
The film is also likely to cover her marriage, domestic life in a joint family, the birth of her children, Maneka Gandhi's entry into the family in 1974, brother-in-law Sanjay Gandhi's death, husband Rajiv Gandhi joining his mother, Maneka Gandhi's ouster from the Gandhi household and mother-in-law Indira Gandhi's assassination.
The film will also include her days as late prime minister's Rajiv Gandhi wife, his assassination, Sonia Gandhi leading a life of a political recluse for seven years, joining the Congress party in 1998 to carry the mantle of the Nehru/Gandhi legacy, her political naiveté and painstaking education eventually leading to the Congress triumph of 2004.
"Her life story is extraordinary with the hand of destiny playing an important role," said Mundra, who is known to make women-oriented films.
Mundra's about to be released film "Provoked" is the real-life story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a Punjabi woman in Britain who sets her husband on fire after suffering 10 years of domestic violence.
Ahluwalia was given life imprisonment but she was set free when the Black Sisters movement in London got the case reopened and convinced the judiciary that she had been "provoked" into murdering her husband.

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Bipasha Basu is ready for a makeover

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There's a huge change happening in Bipasha Basu's career. No, it's got nothing to do with her love life.
Bipasha has decided to turn a new leaf. "And that's strictly to do with my career," she laughs throatily, as only she can.
"I'm tired of the sex symbol tag. When I came around with 'Jism' it was the only film of its kind. And it was a very classy take on a woman's sexuality. Though 'Jism' is a film I'll always remain proud of, I've decided to stop doing films that focus on female sexuality.
"Every other girl who comes in is doing it in a most subverted way. And I don't like being clubbed with women who take off their clothes just for the heck of it... No matter what I do I can never be cheap or vulgar."
Bipasha's unstated - shall we say, diplomatic? - remark is directed at the Mallika Sherawats and Neha Dhupias of our cinema who take the 'show' in show world a little too seriously.
Bipasha smiles knowingly.
"I wouldn't like to comment specifically on what anyone else is doing. But, yes, I've had just about enough of this 'liberated' image. Now I want a new kind of audience for myself. I want the women, kids and family audiences to come and see my film."
Hence Bipasha's new bunch of films is wholesome 'parivarik' (family) presentations.
"Yup," she purrs proudly. "Beginning with 'Barsaat' that has released. Now there's 'No Entry'. Though outwardly it looks like a naughty comedy, 'No Entry' is absolutely clean.
"I had fun doing Suneel Darshan's 'Barsaat'. Everyone knows what kind of films Suneel makes. 'Barsaat' is a conventional love triangle with Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra and me.
"And that isn't all. I've another love triangle 'Humko Deewane Kar Gaye', with director Raj Kanwar. It features Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and me. I guess Suneel Darshan and Raj Kanwar are as mainstream as it gets."
The new slim and still seductive Bipasha has plans of going even higher up the mainstream ladder.
"Sure I want to work with Karan Johar. I'm already doing a Yash Chopra production 'Dhoom 2'. But I'd like to be directed by Chopra or his son Aditya. I know it will happen. I've the confidence."
The confidence comes from the happiness of sharing her life with John Abraham.
"There're constant attempts to cause a rift between us in the media. But we've too much respect for each other's feelings to be shaken by gossip and idle talk."

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SRK to perform live in Delhi !

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For the first time the people of Delhi can see their very own and favourite superstar Shah Rukh Khan performing live, but it will be for a noble cause. The King Khan wants to spread awareness about the disabled and the importance of creating a barrier-free world for their lot.
According to sources, the mega concert, being organised by 'National Center For Promotion Of Employment For Disabled People' (NCPEDP), will take place at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium (on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the organisation) on September 17.
Rani Mukerji, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan and Malaika Arora are also expected to perform at the show but according to the organisers their participation is still to be confirmed.
It may be recalled that just about a week or so back, Shah Rukh Khan, along with Preity Zinta had launched a drive to clean Bombay.

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"I am not cynical about marriage," Kareena!

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Actor Karishma Kapoor's marriage with Sunjay Kapur has soured. And with the consequent legal fallout becoming fodder for public's consumption, the Kapoors have undergone much anguish. As the otherwise chirpy Kareena Kapoor says rather emotionally from Mauritius, "We are undergoing a lot of trauma because of whatever is happening in my sister Karishma's life. She has fought every battle to be where she is. When I was young and she had just stepped into the industry, I have seen her crying the nights away due to professional problems. She'll tide over this crisis as well and emerge stronger than ever before."Is Kareena now cynical about marriage? "Not at all. To each his own, every person's experience is different in life," said Kareena.

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Who's getting ready to take on Ash?

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Aishwarya's last few films may not have hit bull's eyes, but her glamour and popularity is merely unbeaten in India. However how long it will remain unchallenged, it is a million-dollar question. Because a gal finally arrived, who is getting ready to take on Aishwarya Rai. Have you got the name? Yes she is Meera, Pakistan's popular actress, called Aishwarya Rai of Pakistan. Not only Meera dared to beat Aishwarya in the role of 'Umrao Jaan', she said recently in an interview that she is sexier than Aishwarya. "In fact I really wish that we get the same role in different films so that I can show I am prettier, sexier and more glamorous than her. I am ready to throw an open challenge - I will make a much better 'Umrao Jaan' than her," she quips.Meera's first Bollywood venture 'Nazar' created huge ripples due to her on-screen kiss, and her forthcoming film 'Kasak' opposite Lucky Ali promised to set the screen on fire.

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"I could think of no one but her for .....," new man in Kareena's career!

NEW

Though it has not been many years since Farhan Akhtar has stepped into the film industry, but as the son of Javed Akhtar and Shabana Aazmi and as a successful director of 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Lakshya' Farhan is already a star. As you know Farhan is making a remake of old classic 'Don' and for this he has already signed up Shah Rukh and Priyanka Chopra and as per latest she is contemplating on Kareena for the role of the glam vamp, originally played by Helen. "I could think of no one but her for the role," said Farhan. Kareena is also very excited over her newfound fan's high acclaim. "Oh! So cute!" After all Farhan is also young, handsome and sexy, so what differs? Is Shahid Kapur fuming now?

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I'm not that good actor: SRK

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan today ruled out his plunging into national politics, saying that changing his profession was "very difficult" for him."Changing my profession is very difficult for me. I do not understand politics at all and it is not my job," he said to questions from newspersons.Khan was asked whether he had any plans to plunge into politics as he was a renowned actor. "I am not such a good actor," he said adding, he would not even like posters depicting him as a political figure.To a question about punctuality, the actor said he was always "punctual."Khan said his next film project would be launched some time next month.

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Salman to break matki on Lord Krishna's B'day

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This year's festival of Janmashtmi will see Bollywood star Salman Khan breaking dahi handis at an event in Mumbai.
As learnt, Salman will play 'govinda - the matki breaker' at a Janmashtmi event at the Jambori Maidan ground at Worli, Mumbai, on August 27, Saturday.
The event will have a strong dose of music to pep up the handi breakers. There would be DJ mixing by music director Dabbu Malik apart from the usual Jhankaar Beats orchestra. Sangita Ahir, a Bollywood producer, is organizing the event.
Last year too, Salman was the chief guest at a similar event in Mumbai on Gokulashtami. However, he did not break any matkis. This year, he would.

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Sharukh Khan's Latest News

NEW-2005/08/23-Shah Rukh's 'no' to Hollywood?

Keeping the recent trend of Bollywood stars going abroad, we asked Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan that if he gets any lucrative offer from Hollywood, he will accept it or not. However the box office king clearly ruled out the possibility and said at the time there is no option about Hollywood. "Why should I go Hollywood, Bollywood is a very self-dependent film industry. And I feel lucky to work here," clarified Shah Rukh.

NEW-2005/08/23-Please save 'Veer':Shah Rukh

Sarabjit Singh who is facing charges of espionage in Pakistan on Thursday was hoping for clemency as a peace dividend from improving relations between the historically bitter rivals.Shah Rukh Khan and other actors have also thrown their weight behind the campaign to save Singh. "He has already served 15 years in prison and purely on humanitarian grounds we appeal for his release," said Khan, whose recent blockbuster film Veer-Zaara centres around an Indian who spent years in Pakistani prisons on trumped-up espionage charges.PM Manmohan Singh has assured Singh's relatives that he would himself speak to Musharraf and seek his intervention in the matter. The matter was officially raised with the Pakistani authorities on Wednesday when India's High Commissioner in Islamabad called on the Pakistani Foreign Secretary.MPs on both sides pledged to raise the matter with their respective Governments. While Singh's family was hoping for clemency, Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday said Islamic law would not permit Musharraf to use his presidential authority to pardon Singh. "In Islamic law, only the heirs (of the victims) can give the pardon.Nobody else can," he told an Indian TV station. Top diplomats from both countries were due to meet in Islamabad towards the end of the month when the issue was likely to be raised, if it was not resolved before then.Sarabjit Singh's relatives say he is a simple farmer who was arrested after he strayed across the Pakistani border from his northern frontier hometown of Bhikiwind in Punjab state drunk in 1990.Pakistan says he was working for the Indian intelligence agency RAW when he was arrested in the eastern city of Lahore. His sister Dalbir Kaur says her brother has been confused with Manjit Singh, whom the Pakistani authorities want for a series of bombings in Lahore in 1990.Pakistani officials said he had confessed to his crimes and was using Manjit Singh as an alias. After 15 years of litigation, the Pakistani Supreme Court upheld the lower court verdicts this week and ordered his hanging but set no date for the execution.Singh's lawyers are to apply for a judicial review and if that is turned down, their only hope would be a presidential pardon from Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf.Janata Dal (United) party, meanwhile, has sent a petition to Musharraf pleading for Singh's life, media reports said on Thursday. "Mr Sarabjit Singh is a poor young man ... and his execution will destroy the lives of his family members," the petition reads. "This situation can easily be avoided by the government of Pakistan adopting a humanitarian approach, especially in view of the prevailing climate of goodwill between the two countries. We appeal to the government of Pakistan to reconsider its decision."Singh's relatives have threatened to commit mass suicide if the sentence is carried out, prompting action from the Indian authorities as film stars, lawmakers and television networks rallied behind the growing campaign to save him. "We want to convey our feelings to General Musharraf through the people of Pakistan that my husband is innocent and he must be released immediately," said Singh's wife, Suhkpreet Singh.

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"Karishma depriving Samaira"!

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Yesterday August 24 was the date for Delhi based industrialist Sunjay Kapur to submit rejoinder following the affidavit filed by wife Karishma Kapoor at the Delhi High Court claiming herself as the real guardian of their four-month old daughter Samaira. In the rejoinder, Sunjay dismissed Karishma's charges and claimed as the father he is the natural guardian of his daughter, not Karishma. Sunjay also urged the Delhi High Court to make his daughter Samaira a party to his petition challenging the issue of a passport to the five-month-old girl.In a fresh application, Sanjay Kapur urged the court to make Samaira a co-petitioner and appoint him the girl's next friend because he was the natural guardian of his daughter.Kapur had, in his previous petition, said Samaira had been issued a passport without his consent.Sanjay Kapur also dismissed Karishma's charge that his interests were adverse to Samaira's.He charged Karishma with not acting in the best interests of the child as she proposed to take a five-month-old baby to the US on an illegally obtained passport.By doing so, she was depriving Samaira of the right to the company and care of her father, Sanjay Kapur mentioned.

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"She has a lovely waistline that makes...."!

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How does Priyanka look in the eye of actor Arshad Warsi? Here is Arshad's reply. "Her mouth would make a lollipop so happy. She's got a lovely waistline that makes you want to hold her. She looks really nice in a body hugging salwar kameez or low waist jeans with a short top," said Arshad.

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Ash in Ketan Mehta's next?

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After huge success of 'Mangal Pandey', director Ketan Mehta is planning to make yet another historic movie, and this time on Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi. As per Ketan the movie too would be of 'Mangal Pandey' scale and grandeur. And for the role of Rani Laxmi Bai, Ketan has already approached none but Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai. "I have spoken to Ash. But let's see," Ketan said to us.

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Madhuri's lips have the power to emote mild sensuousness."

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Madhuri Dixit may not be seen regularly on screen now, but people still misses her. Her sensuous lips still haunt young guys. Recently Bengali actor Neil Mukherji said in an interview that Madhuri would be remembered forever for her sensational lips. "Her's is probably the most sexiest lips I can think of," opined Neil. Even he keeps Madhuri one-step ahead of voluptuous Mallika Sherawat in case of their seductiveness. "For me Madhuri's lips are more seductive compared to Mallika's bodyline and curves. Her lips have the power to emote mild sensuousness."

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Sunjay forced me to leave Delhi - Karishma!

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Finally Karishma Kapoor uncovered the wound caused by her Delhi-based husband Sunjay Kapur and that too before Delhi High Court. Last Saturday, in an affidavit, filed through Karanjawala and Co Karishma said Sunjay had "deserted" her when she shifted to Delhi after marriage.Recently, Sunjay had issued a restraining order on Karishma's attempt at taking Samaira to the US.Seeking dismissal of Sanjay's petition on ground of lack of jurisdiction - as the passport was issued by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) Mumbai, Karishma alleged that "barring a few occasional visits to meet their daughter, the petitioner has played no part in the upbringing and welfare of the minor child even today." Calling him a "disgruntled husband", Karishma said that he was using their four-month old daughter Samaira as a "pawn". Karishma also said in that affidavit that she was forced to leave Delhi in January 2005 and shift to Mumbai where Samaira was born. However court fixed August 26 as the next date of hearing. So finally the shadow war between Karishma and her husband Sunjay moved on to court.

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"I'm going all out to get my due," Kareena!

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Kareena Kapoor, who is presently jobless at home, said recently in an interview that she's is ready to go all out to get her due. "No man can take my career away from me. I can sacrifice anything and anyone for success. I'm going all out to get my due. Don't underestimate the fire within me," said Bollywood's firebrand actress Kareena. Even a year ago, it was all going according to play. Kareena had the best backers: Yash Raj Films, Mani Ratnam, Sooraj Barjatya, Karan Johar, Subhash Ghai. But the script went horribly wrong. ''All the films flopped. What to do?'' she shrugs.Kareena's next release is however 'Milenge Milenge' with beau Shahid Kapoor, and recently she has signed up for Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' remake, which has Shah Rukh, Priyanka Chopra in other leads. And Kareena is now all to overcome the pack-up time in her career.

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Ash to campaign in Pakistan for....!

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Aishwarya's appeal in this subcontinent is irresistible; Pakistan Govt. felt it now. Pakistan Health ministry has all set to cash in on the popularity of the Bollywood Queen and for that they already have invited her to kick-start polio immunization campaign in the country. "This year, we plan to build up excitement in the next round of polio campaigns scheduled for the last week of September by inviting two polio ambassadors of the region, namely Aishwarya Rai and Pakistani pop star Javed Ahmed," says Pakistan health minister Mohammed Nasir Khan.

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"Preity slept with me" Salman's remark and Preity-Ash talk!

NEW

After media published the transcript of controversial telephonic talk between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, actress Preity Zinta went through a very tight situation as Salman Khan (who said to be one of her best friends in the industry) in his two years back telephonic chat with Aishwarya took her name in a so derogatory manner and said "he had a regular sex with Preity". Though Salman said same thing about another leading gal Dia Mirza, but Dia didn't face problem like Preity. As Dia is now going single so she didn't have to answer to her boyfriend's

raised eyebrows as Preity. Preity is presently dating with industrialist Ness Wadia. There is buzz that Preity was so frustrated to prove her virginity to Ness that she made a call from Ness' cell from Italy. But much to disappoint the pretty actress, Aishwarya told her that the tapes were not doctored. And Ness was so angry over Preity that he stopped talking with her for several days. However they made up later and few days back they were spotted together on the street in Mumbai with broom in hands to make area clean. But we think it was to prove "we are still going strong", right?

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Priyanka apologized to Ash for ......!

NEW

Aishwarya simply can't get over what happened with Rohan Sippy's film, 'Bluff Master'. Actually, she just can't take it anymore. Starting right from 'Chalte Chalte', with Rani Mukherji stepping into her shoes, almost every heroine in the industry seems to be keen on putting her stumpy foot into her dainty slippers. According to Ash, when she was doing 'Kuch Na Kaho' with Rohan Sippy, opposite Abhishek, Rohan had asked her to do 'Bluff Master'. Being a friend she thought that was enough and banked on the director's word. But now that Priyanka Chopra has been signed in, Ash is beginning to see the bluff from both ends. "Since I know him, I didn't think it was necessary to enter into a formal agreement, I was therefore hurt.. if I know what Rohan had in mind, maybe I would have insisted on a formal contract,' she said. And about Priyanka Chopra, she said, "she accepted knowing fully well that I was approached first." Just like Rani, Priyanka too says she did not intend o snatch her role and has apologized. But Ash has neither forgiven Rani nor is she likely to forgive Priyanka.

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Urmila Matondkar signed by Shyam Benegal!

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The acclaimed Indian director Shyam Benegal is busy working on his latest movie Chamki, which stars the talented Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar in the lead role. The story looks at the life of a small community in Rajasthan, who officially work as entertainers (snake charmers, dancers etc) but are also involved in petty crimes such as cross border smuggling. Jimmy Shergill is playing the male lead opposite Urmila. Shooting for the project should begin in India towards October 2005.
Says Pravesh Sippy [who was earlier with Popcorn and is now the C.O.O. of WSG Pictures], "We hope to start filming CHAMKI in October-end." Meanwhile, the production house has also acquired the rights of a book, 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari', which will take shape of a film soon.

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Aishwarya joins shooting for 'The Last Legion'

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Aishwarya Rai has left Mumbai to shoot for Hollywood film "The Last Legion" in Tunisia

where she will join actors Colin Firth and Ben Kingsley in her first major international project.
"'The Last Legion' is my first major legion abroad," she said remarking on her first international project.
"It's a long journey for me in more ways than one," she said, remarking on the recent controversy sparked by a purported conversation between her and Salman Khan in which the latter revealed his alleged links with the underworld.
"It's all destiny," Aishwarya sighed. "Anyway I'd rather look ahead than behind.
"Now it's time for another new experience, another challenge. New explorations, new discoveries every single day - that's life! I look forward to a positive existence, always..."
Internationally Aishwarya seems poised at a new beginning. Two of her projects -Jagmohan Mundra's "Provoked" and Paul Mayeda's "Mistress Of Spices" - are ready for release.
In "Last Legion" she plays Mira, a rebel warrior. The role requires a lot of stunts and horse riding.
"I'm looking forward to all of that. Never done it before. Just after playing a warrior I go straight into the ultra feminine mould in J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan'."
"The Last Legion" also stars adolescent actor Thomas Sangster in a pivotal role.

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Father's illness has Rani worried

NEW

That Rani Mukherjee is not her usual bubbly self these says was evident even at the premiere of "Mangal Pandey - The Rising". Her father, producer Ram Mukherjee, has been unwell with chest congestion and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Breach Candy Hospital.
"Yeah, I know. People did notice I was tense. And I am. It's because of dad. He has been unwell. I didn't want to attend the premiere. But for Aamir's sake I had to be there. If it was another premiere I'd have stayed away. But not this one. I just zipped in and zipped out for Aamir's sake."
Sounding uncharacteristically downbeat, Rani confides: "Actually my father hadn't been well for 20 days with chest congestion. When it got worse we finally had to admit him to the hospital. They discovered a pneumonic patch in his chest. It's hindering his breathing. He has been in the ICU for the last four days. Though he isn't getting any worse, he's not getting any better. We can only wait and watch."
Considering her busy schedule, this crisis must be quite a burden on Rani's time.
"I'd actually like to cancel my shooting and just be with him. But it'd do no good. They're very strict about visiting hours at the Breach Candy hospital. So I've requested my producer to let me go during visiting hours. For the rest of the time, I'm shooting. In a way it's a blessing. Otherwise, I'd just be brooding all the time," says papa's girl sounding more sombre than I've ever heard her before.

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Rani Mukherji’s father in ICU

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Not many might remember Ram Mukherji as the yesteryear filmmaker of movies like Hum Hindustani, Leader and Ek Baar Muskurado. But it would be easier to identify him as actress Rani Mukherji's father. A couple of days back Ram Mukherji who was down with flu suffered with severe breathing problems and was immediately moved to hospital. Though still in the ICU, his condition has improved and he has recovered from his chest congestion and respiratory problems. Rani and his brother Raja Mukherji were beside their father for two days. Rani resumed shooting for Ravi Chopra’s Babul only on Friday.

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Salman back to shoot "Babul"

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After staying completely out of the public glare since the tape scandal broke out, and not even stepping out of his home, Salman Khan is back on his feet. And the first film he's shooting for is Ravi Chopra's Babul where he plays Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law. Ravi Chopra who had incurred heavy losses due to the rains that flooded the city recently has now stabilized and started off with the shooting of his film.
However Chopra who has planned a start-to-finish schedule for Babul will now have to take a break because the actress of his film, Rani Mukherji will take an off in between for Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

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An Exclusive: Ash making the cash, and why not?

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When the going gets good, why shouldn't our stars make merry? Atleast in the case of Aishwarya Rai, she is very much in demand our here, as she is abroad too. She has silently slipped into her third international project, titled THE LAST LEGEND, which is currently being shot in Los Angeles and for which Ash has flown out on 2nd August and will return in October. Her earlier two alien oeuvres were Gurinder Chadda's BRIDE AND PREJUDICE and Jagmohan Mundhra's PROVOKED. Naturally, with this method of work ethics, she can not only complete her films in time, but also earn for herself, big name, international acclaim and of course, the big bucks in short time. Whereas down in Bollywood, her new films are yet to take off. That's the difference between Hollywood and Bollywood!

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Ash: Mistress of spices

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Mistress Of Spices is ready to hit the theatres soon. Director Paul Berges, husband of Gurinder Chhada, is pleased with the product he has on hand. Dispelling rumors that the film was ghost directed by wife Chhada, he said, "People can say whatever they want. My wife and I know the truth. People were going to talk anyways." Berges is very impressed with Ash. He said that she was a delight to work with. "It was during the making of Bride and Prejudice that Gurinder and I thought about Ash as Tilo, her character in my film. I must say that she fitted the character to the T. She has done a wonderful job. We have no regrets about casting her." Berges said that he was not nervous but really excited about the release of the film. "I'm excited. The release of my film is the one thing that I'm looking forward to."

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Priyanka Chopra on Sahara One's game show

Big screen personalities making appearances on the small screen in daily soaps or game shows have off lately turned into a trend. The latest to join the bandwagon is Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka will be seen on Sahara One's game show 'Dial One Aur Jeeto' with the show's host Aman Verma. Incidentally Priyanka had played Verma's sister in Andaaz. It will be a special episode to celebrate the 100-episode completion of the reality show.

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Abusive SMSs to Preity: Five held and later.....!

Finally Mumbai police caught five youngsters, namely, Arif Mirza, Farooq Sheikh, Tausif Patel, Uday Nikalje and Silven Lobo, for making prank calls and sending abusive SMSs to actress Preity Zinta in the name of Bollywood star Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. As per police source, after a strong reprimand they were all let off, since the youths have no criminal motive. Six days back on August 3, Preity Zinta had lodged a complaint at Khar police station, and police took only five days to identify the persons behind it. The youngsters are all from Pune, and as per investigation report the mobile phone of Arif Mubarak Mirza, Pune was used for the purpose. Though the actress had dictated her cellular service provider not to divulge her mobile number, but too much to her annoyance one of the accused Uday Nikalje, who is also an employees of a franchisee company of the cellular service provider had leaked it to his friends.

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Offer to host TV program: SRK on monetary negotiation!

If everything falls into places, and the monetary deal works out, a TV channel might rope in Shah Rukh to host a program on TV.Incidentally, SRK started his acting career in TV, so this could be a comeback. Sources close to the star reveal that the monetary negotiations are still on, with the head honcho of the TV channel meeting Shah Rukh at his bungalow, Mannat, recently. But the question remains; can SRK fit back into the small screen after his big success on the big screen, only time will tell.

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Deadline is past: Now Salman is free to....!

Controversy has been hounding Salman from the time Ash moved out of his life. And now the allegation are turning much much more serious. So father Salim Khan took help of the industry astrologer, and sister Alvira's good friend, Sunita Menon. And according to her advice, Sallu must stay out of the limelight till August 1. That's why he wasn't seen even at the premiere of 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya'. But now that the deadly deadline is past, we hope to see a Salman sans sankat.

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SRK praises Aamir; Aamir in result criticizes SRK!

What Shah Rukh had thought, Aamir made it wrong. It seems the box office king is in hurry to get appreciations from Aamir Khan. So he applied the way everybody uses, that is commenting something great about Aamir. Few days back, as you know, SRK said to media that Aamir Khan is one the best actors in the country. However Aamir is not that person to get into SRK's trap so easily. In fact Aamir criticized SRK instead of praising. He said, "I always suspected that SRK knows very little about acting. Now I am sure". What say!

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Kareena to seduce Shah Rukh!

Director Farhan Akhtar added new surprise to the star list, as he signed up Kareena for his 'Don' remake. Already finalized Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal will play the roles originally played by Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Pran respectively. And for the role of femme fatal Kamini, originally played by Helen, Farhan finally zeroed in on Bebo. The role involves Kareena seducing Shah Rukh Khan in the hit number 'Yes mera dil'. After 'Asoka', for the second time, Kareena and Shah Rukh to share screen space in this film, and we are eager to see Kareena's seductress avatar and that's too for Shah Rukh Khan.

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Aishwarya is miffed?

Aishwarya Rai has been at the receiving end lately for screaming herself hoarse from atop the Hollywood Hills about international offers coming her way. Quite aghast, the damsel has requested all around to listen. They only hear. I have states, “People don’t listen. They only hear. I have never claimed anything wrongly. I have never said I am doing a movie when I am actually not doing it. Don’t blame me for speculations that may arise.” Point taken Ms Rai.

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Rani opens secrets on Casablanca beach!

Rani Mukherji-Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Chalte Chalte' was a hit, but what made it rock at the box office, the question if haunts you, and if you wish to listen the raaz from none but the heroine of heroines Rani, you are helpless. Because you are in India, perhaps you were in Casablanca beach in Morocco on 21st July; we can say, you have lost something definitely. On Casablanca Sea beach Rani opened the secrets about her and the film 'Chalte Chalte'.

The Casablanca Film Festival, held recently, witnessed Rani Mukherji film retrospective showing four of her best films, namely 'Veer-Zaara', 'Chalte Chalte', 'Saathiya' and 'Black' with Arabic subtitles. Taking time off from her busy schedule Rani flew off to Morocco. "Fifty thousand people on the beach watching 'Chalte Chalte' with me, then asking me questions about the songs and dances, the idiom and language of expression," said Rani, apparently looking excited. . "It was an experience I'll never forget…not only because it was my first retrospective at any festival, but also because of the interaction that I had to undergo with the audience after my film was screened.

A lot of them were cinema students and their curiosity about our films and culture and their insightful questions made me very proud to represent our country and cinema," added the Bollywood queen.

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"Kareena and I got along like a house on fire," Priyanka!

"Kareena and I got along like a house on fire during 'Aitraaz'," said Priyanka Chopra recently, when asked about her experience of working with Kareena in 'Aitraaz'. Priyanka has worked with Kareena in 'Aitraaz' and Bipasha in 'Barsaat' who fought in 'Ajnabee'. Why? "I don't understand why. They are both such nice people. And I had a great time working with both. During 'Barsaat', I found Bipasha very very sweet. She's very real and I like that," said Priyanka.

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Amisha Researches For 'Rising'

While we are used to actresses flirting from one film to the next without doing any homework for their roles, here's one actress who did all the research to portray a significant character on screen.Amisha enacts the role of a widow during the British Raj opposite a British soldier in THE RISING. Amisha read many books about the period and considers William Dalrymple's 'White Mughal' as the reference point.Says Amisha, “I was fascinated when I read 'White Mughal' because it talks about those times. It was a reference point in terms of sketching the character, in terms of characterization. In fact, Aamir and [director] Ketan Mehta helped me all the way.”

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Bebo endorsing Eco-friendly watches

Kareena Kapoor is looking ravishing. Not in any movie but posed as the brand ambassadress. She is endorsing the Eco-drive range for the Citizen Watches. The diamond embedded timepieces come with 3-year warranty and Bebo's personal approval.

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