Victory has Sri Lankan premiere

Special Victory premiere tonight for Indian, Lankan cricketers playing there

Post Chandni Chowk to China's seven premieres around the globe, having an overseas premiere has become quite the rage. Keeping with the trend, director Ajit Pal Mangat is having a Victory premiere in Colombo (Sri Lanka) for the Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers.

Since the movie is based on cricket and on a cricketer's life, director Ajit Pal Mangat was keen to have a special premiere for the Indian team. Initially, it was supposed to have a premiere in Australia, but since the entire Indian cricket team is in Sri Lanka playing in the Wealthsurance Cup ODIs, Sri Lanka was an obvious choice."

A source reveals, "After the Mumbai premiere yesterday, the cast flew down to Sri Lanka early today morning for the premiere to be held tonight."

The source further adds, "A lot of cricketers from the Sri Lankan team like Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya feature in the movie. Indian cricketers like Praveen Kumar and Yusuf Pathan also feature in the movie and are also playing in the one-dayers in Sri Lanka.

Apart from the cricketers who have featured in the movie, Hurman especially wanted Sachin Tendulkar to watch the film. The cast will stay back for the Indian team's second one-dayer and pray for their victory."

Hurman says, "I am very excited as I will be watching Victory with the Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers; some have also featured in the movie. We will also be having Sachin Sir and Yuvraj Singh watching the movie."

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Amitabh gets World Economic Forum's Crystal Award

Amitabh Bachchan receives the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award tomorrow for achieving outstanding excellence in art

Tomorrow, Amitabh Bachchan will receive the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award 2009 at a glittering ceremony at Davos (Switzer- land), along with Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer Mallika Sarabhai for outstanding excellence in the field of culture and having used art to reach out to other cultures.

The Crystal Award pays tribute to the decisive role of arts and culture in creation of global understanding and peace. It's another feather in Bachchan's cap.

Bachchan flew to London on Thursday morning and to Davos today. The WEF brings together top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world.

This year's 39th annual gathering at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland will focus on ways to ward off recession and save jobs amidst a financial crisis in the world markets.

Speaking to us about winning the Crystal Award, Bachchan speaks from London, "Honouring me at this prestigious forum where world leaders congregate in politics, business and allied virtues is very humbling.

I believe that in honouring me they do not honour an individual but my country and the Indian film industry, endorsing importance of India in the world diaspora."

After receiving the Crystal Award and staying on for a day at Davos, Bachchan will fly down to New York to attend the premiere of Pink Panther 2 on February 3 along with son Abhishek and daughter-in-law, Aishwarya who stars in the film.

Bachchan adds, "After the premiere, we will be staying on and bringing in Abhishek's birthday on February 5. There is no particular celebration it will just be with family. That's bigger than all the celebrations put together."

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Despite injury, no rest for SRK

Shah Rukh Khan landed in India this week for a surgery on his left shoulder. But two days within his coming back home, Khan was seen at a promotional event of his sitcom Ghar Ki Baat Hai at Taj Lands End.

But that’s not the only thing. King Khan, who will be out of action – read filming for My Name is Khan – for eight weeks, will be making appearances, promoting Billu Barber and filming for adverts in his period of “rest”.

After attending a launch of Red Chilies’s Idiot Box’s first show on January 27 and then on February 1, SRK will be a part of the Nach Baliye finale. SRK will be on the show to promote his home production movie Billu Barber along with the leading lady of the movie Lara Dutta.

A source from the show informs, “We were thinking about many options but when we heard that Shah Rukh was in India, we approached him. And he agreed to be a part of the show which was very nice of him. In the last season he came to promote his movie Om Shanti Om and we received a good response for it so we were keen on calling him on the show again.”

Shah Rukh is also expected to film a couple of advertisements for the products he endorses. He will also be looking into the IPL plan for his team Kolkata Knight Riders. The IPL season will begin soon and Khan is looking at potential players for his team.

“Since I have a forced holiday of eight to nine weeks, I will be attending most of the creative meetings of Idiot Box (SRK’s TV production house). It is fun to attend it and it also helps to flesh out stories. I want devote some time for the promotion of Billu Barer which I could not do as yet as I wasn’t here,” says SRK.

Shah Rukh injured his left shoulder while performing an action sequence during the shoot of Dulha Mil Gaya. He was recently in the US for a 45 day shoot of Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan. But with his shoulder injury re-surfacing, Khan took the decision to come back home for surgery. He has been advised 8 weeks of complete rest after the operation. But it looks like rest is the last thing on SRK’s mind!

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Ash on the sets of Endhiran in Brazil

After enhancing the beauty of Brazilian beaches in Dhoom 2, Ash returns to the exotic locales of Brazil and Peru in South America to shoot for sci-fi thriller Endhiran with Rajnikanth. The film, budgeted at Rs. 165 crore will release in 2009.

Aishwarya Rai with a local at Machu Pichu, Peru


Red-clad Ash with the white-clad Peruvian dancers


Ash getting her make up done at this gorgeous white sand desert oasis


Gorgeous Ash poses with a tourist


Don't Look at Me is what Ash seems to say


Aishwarya Rai and Rajnikanth pose with tourists and fans who visited their set at Machu Pichu in Peru


Ash, in colourful clothes with make up that enhances the beauty of her eyes, doing what she does best


Rajnikanth in a song sequence with Peruvian dancers


The quintessential Bollywood hero and heroine moment.

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Zayed crazy about Hrithik

Hrithik Roshan is busy collecting accolades and trophies for Jodhaa Akbar and one man who is extremely proud of his achievements is his bro-in-law Zayed Khan.

When we last spoke to Zayed, we found out that the Khan wanted to do something ‘monumental’ as well. “I’d love to play a historic role, but I have miles to go before I get to do what Hrithik is doing. Hrithik is extremely hard working and for me to reach there will require a lot of maturity,” said Zayed. Now his saala’s compliment must be no less than an award for Hrithik... after all family comes first, right Hrithik?

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Vidya Balan gets chatty...

At the heart of a star resides a child that Vidya occasionally gets to nurture when she can free herself from the trappings of her profession, when she surprises morning-walkers at the Victoria Memorial lawns at the crack of dawn or has luchi sabji at Shri Hari before catching a morning flight to Mumbai.

Stardom doesn’t allow her indulgences, but Vidya isn’t complaining. Recollections of things past and an urge to experience some of what has been left far behind, even in small measures, doesn’t let her get blinded by the stardust.

“Nothing matches the innocence of a child. My mother’s name is Saraswati. Vidya is a very common name among Tamil Brahmins. Since education always takes a precedence over everything else, Vidya was a natural choice of name for us. We Tamil Brahmins celebrate Saraswati Puja on Vijaya Dashami. We’d offer books, pens and ghungroos at the deity’s feet. Trust me, that one day of being told not to study seemed like a huge loss just before the exams,” she says, recalling the compelling urge she’d invariably feel every Saraswati Puja to do her revision!

Conversation soon meanders towards the importance of education, especially when the success rate of drop-outs in the industry is pretty high. “I’m thankful to my parents for insisting that I give up Hum Paanch and complete my graduation. Education gives wings to broaden the horizons. I’d not judge the success stories of school drop-outs in the industry. I’d only say that one must not waste a chance to get educated, since there are so many others wanting and yet not being able to do so.

Recently, I ran the Mumbai Marathon for an NGO that supports the education of the girl child.” Yet, what Vidya doesn’t support, is how today’s children are being taught to only score the highest marks. “While it’s nice to see driven children, I wish they could fit into a system where education is an end in itself and not a means to an end. Today’s children have an instant reply to every question. In the name of professionalism, parents are often forcing child artistes to pick up the fine art of being battery-operated,” she says.

So, how is she as a student, when it comes to working with different directors with diametrically opposite working styles? “With Mani Ratnam, you will hardly get an okay when you expect one. It’s only when you are unsure, that he will say that the shot is okay. While Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) goes for multiple takes, Raju Hirani loves spontaneity.”

Challenging her skill with the constant process of learning and unlearning, has instilled in Vidya a renewed confidence in her strengths and an understanding that there is something about her vintage appeal that continues to mesmerise her audience, waiting to see her light up the screen again with Ishqiya and Pa this year.

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Preity's thinking of children

It’s Bollywood cutie Preity Zinta’s birthday today.

But you needn’t worry about a present. For, the bubbly, 34-year-old actress has got a bagful of gifts that she wants to distribute after a “small get-together with friends”. Talking to BT yesterday, Preity said, “I want to do something more meaningful. I feel like it’s my new beginning and I want to do something completely different. I’m going to be a part of this campaign called Light a Billion Lights where you sponsor electricity to a complete village which works on solar technology. That is something I’m going to do.”

Then, Preity also intends to sponsor the education of underprivileged children. “I feel the only difference between a rich and a poor kid is that the former has the resources to get proper education whereas the poor kid doesn’t. I feel if a poor kid is given the same, he will do much better than the rich kid,” said the actress who is hell-bent on making a difference in whatever capacity that she can. “God has given me so much so now I feel it’s my turn to give back,” explained Preity. And what will she gift herself today?

“I was thinking of buying myself a luxury car but then everytime I drive on bumpy Mumbai’s roads, I get disappointed and change my mind!” But if there is one wish she has for herself this year, then Preity wants her IPL team to lift the trophy this year. “It has these little diamonds on it and diamonds are a girl’s best friend — so you know what I mean, don’t you,” smiled the pert actress saucily.

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SRK loves Priyanka more than Deepika or Kareena

If Priyanka Chopra declares from the rooftops that she is Shah Rukh Khan's biggest fan then it is with reason. The superstar, who has been taking more than a passing interest in the music of the films he produces, decided to give away a large portion of his duet in " Billu Barber " to her.

"Shah Rukh took very close interest in each one of the songs. He isn't a musician, but he has an instinctive ear for music. It takes him just a few seconds to approve or cut down a track," told composer Pritam Chakraborty.

With the songs meant for Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, Pritam faced no problems.

"Shah Rukh loved his songs with Kareena ('Marjani') and Deepika ('Love mera hit hit'). They were straightforward dance songs with shared grooves between Shah Rukh and Kareena and Deepika," said Pritam.

The song with Priyanka needed special treatment and Shah Rukh made Pritam re-work and re-record the song.

"Shah Rukh's song with Priyanka 'Khuda-ae-kher' is not an item song. It's a love ballad that the pair playing Bollywood superstars emote to in front of the camera. Being a love song Shah Rukh felt there wasn't enough of the female presence in the vocals. He made me re-record the song with more for the female vocalist (Dominique) to do since he wanted Priyanka to have an equal number of lines," the composer said.

"It was entirely Shah Rukh's idea to give Priyanka more lines in the song. He's a very generous entertainer. If you see him on screen he never tries to steal the limelight from his heroines. Even ' Khai ke paan banaras wala ' in 'Don' had a lot of Priyanka in it although it was entirely Shah Rukh's song," Pritam added.

Asked about Shah Rukh's generosity, Priyanka sighed and said: "What do I say? Now do you know why he's my favourite?"

Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta, who play a rustic couple in "Billu Barber", will later be seen enacting the same Shah Rukh-Priyanka ballad.

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SRK mends bridges with Manoj Kumar

Signaling the end of the bitter war that ensued between Shah Rukh Khan and yesteryear actor Manoj Kumar with the release of Om Shanti Om in 2007, Shah Rukh visited Manoj recently and spent nearly four hours with him.

He shared some light moments with Manoj’s grandchildren too. Shah Rukh also went to enquire after the health of Manoj’s ailing mother-in-law, Savita Devi, who is SRK’s late mother’s good friend.

Says Manoj, “Look, there wasn’t ever an epic war between us that we wouldn’t meet again. He made a mistake and apologised for it. My 94-year-old mother-in-law had to be recently operated upon, and Shah Rukh wanted to meet her. My mother-in-law used to make khakras for Gandhiji. She is a former MP from Congress and Shah Rukh’s mother was a social worker, that’s how they met.”

Ask him more about the visit and Manoj continues, “Shah Rukh asked me why I was not making films anymore. I asked him what his problem was if I don’t make any and just rest at home. We joked about it. It was nice to meet him, I hardly interact with present day stars. I’ve just spoken to Aamir Khan over phone. And imagine, I haven’t met Salman since the last 19 years, despite his father, Salim Khan, being one of my closest friends.”

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John Abraham on GQ cover

Kissing a man with stubble is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush to get there!

Well, one really does not have to be a psychologist or a psychoanalyst to read the minds of the million women whose mind must be playing with the aforementioned saying! The reason? Well, it's none other then the Johnny boy of Bollywood: John Abraham and his killer look that he is sporting on the cover of the recent issue of men's magazine GQ.

Even before you read the article, the photographs are absolutely enough for anyone to start worshipping this hot hunk with zero negative attitude! The entire interview is less of an 'interview' and more of an inner-view of this man, whose Greek God looks have already taken the world by storm! One can get to know what ails John, his take on the 'most frustrating thing about dealing with the media', his motivation, his style and motors and the most sensitively sensational question 'Is John a one woman man?' Check out GQ to know more.

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Production News: '3 Idiots' set to release on Christmas this year

Under Production Films

'THE DESIRE' COMPLETES FIRST SCHEDULE Indo-Chinese project The Desire has completed its first shooting schedule in Kerala. Produced by Sharad Hegde under the banner of C-9 Motion Pictures in association with Indish Creations, it stars Xia Yu, Shilpa Shetty, Jaya Prada, Sheetal Menon and Nakul Vaid. Director: R. Sarath. Music: A.R. Rahman. ITEM SONG FOR 'YEH KAISA ABHIMAAN' Producer Gopal Krishna Shrivastava and director Sabir will picturise an item song for YEH KAISA ABHIMAAN on Kashmira Shah, Sikander Kharbanda, Navneet Shrivastava, Milind Gunaji, Abhishek, Shabnam, Aina, Pragati, Usha Piramal, Meru and Mohan Joshi from 30th January to 3rd February at Film City. Choreography: Kanu Mukherjee. Music: Adesh Shrivastava. Banner: Sipra Movies. 'EK SECOND - JO ZINDAGI BADAL DE' PROMOTIONAL SONG A promotional song for Saroj Entertainment Private Limited’s Ek Second - Jo Zindagi Badal De will be filmed. It is slated for release on April 3. Produced by Rachanaa Suniiel Singh and directed by Partho Ghosh, the film has music by Arvinder Singh. Cast: Introducing Suniiel Singh, Mommar Rana, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Rosa Catalano and Nikita Anand. '3 IDIOTS' SET TO RELEASE ON CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR 3 Idiots is all set to release on 25th December, 2009. After the stupendous success of Ghajini and Taare Zameen Par, which were released on the Christmas weekend, another Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots is gearing up for a winter 2009 release. Directed by Raju Hirani, the film also stars Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani and marks the debut of Mona Singh (Jassi fame). 3 Idiots had already completed its first schedule in Ladakh and Shimla in September 2008. The second schedule (33 days) started in early January 2009 at IIM, Bangalore. The cast and crew will be back in February to complete its last schedule in Mumbai. After the Bangalore schedule, the film will be 80% complete. 3 Idiots is written by Abhijat Joshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani. The lyrics are by Swanand Kirkire and music is being composed by Shantanu Moitra. The film is being produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra under the banner Vinod Chopra Films.

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B.O. update: 'Luck By Chance' & 'Victory' start slow

The two new releases, LUCK BY CHANCE and VICTORY, had a slow start on Friday in India. What comes as a surprise is the fact that the two films were well-publicized prior to their release. LUCK BY CHANCE started on a 25% - 30% note at plexes, while VICTORY was 10% to 20% at several screens.

LUCK BY CHANCE has an advantage of a strong word of mouth and glowing reviews by the English media in India, which should help the film consolidate its position over the weekend. The exhibitors are hopeful that the business should pick up from Friday evening onwards.

VICTORY isn't carrying positive reports and the word of mouth is strictly average/below average. Also, the reviews are far from flattering and that makes its survival chances remote, unless a miracle occurs.

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Luck By Chance - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

One has often heard, read and seen [on screen] the positive and negative aspects of Bollywood. It would be erroneous to state that LUCK BY CHANCE does a pol-khol of the glamorous industry. Let's put it this way: The film mirrors the behind-the-scenes drama and manoeuvring exactly the way it occurs in showbiz. Watching LUCK BY CHANCE is like experiencing it first-hand.

If you're associated with Bollywood, if you know how the machine works, you'd laud and applaud, laugh and smile, identify and understand and at times, empathize and sympathize with the characters in LUCK BY CHANCE. Zoya Akhtar's take on an industry that attracts millions of hopefuls year after year is bang on target.

Almost three decades ago, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's GUDDI depicted a star-struck teenager's [Jaya Bhaduri] obsession for a top star [Dharmendra]. Along with the core issue, the film highlighted the behind-the-scenes hard work and labour that went into making movies.

LUCK BY CHANCE taps almost every important facet of Bollywood and presents assorted characters you've encountered some time in life: An over-ambitious aspirant who knows to make the right moves; an actress trying hard to get that big break, even if she has to compromise; an icon of the 1970s who desperately wants her daughter to be a star; a producer who looks at riding on big names, script be damned; a failed actor now looking at direction to redeem his career.

One of the prime reasons why LUCK BY CHANCE works is because the writing [Zoya Akhtar] is simply wonderful. Right from the characters, to the individualistic scenes, to the way Zoya puts them in a sequence, LUCK BY CHANCE is easily one of the most cohesive scripts this side of the Atlantic.

The verdict? Leave aside everything and hitch this joyride called LUCK BY CHANCE. It would be sacrilege to miss this one!

Sona [Konkona Sen Sharma] arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming a film star. She does whatever it takes, to make it. Vikram [Farhan Akhtar] has just moved to the city leaving the comforts of his Delhi home. He is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. Gradually, Sona and Vikram develop a romantic relationship.

Rolly [Rishi Kapoor] is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster launching Niki [Isha Sharwani], the daughter of 1970s superstar Neena [Dimple Kapadia]. The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan [Hrithik Roshan], is the superstar.

Zaffar decides to opt out of Rolly's film and that creates havoc in Rolly's life. Rolly decides to cast newcomers and finally, Vikram is shortlisted for the main role...

LUCK BY CHANCE picks up characters straight out of life and that's the beauty of this script. The interesting part is that each of these characters has a story running parallel to the main story. Although the writing is foolproof, this review would be incomplete if one failed to acknowledge a number of scenes that are the hallmark of this enterprise...

Note the sequence when Rishi Kapoor breaking down after Hrithik has walked out of his movie. It moves you!

On the lighter side, Farhan strikes a conversation with Dimple at a movie premiere and extols lavish praises on her.

Much later, an angry Dimple instructs Isha to patch up with Farhan, soon after Farhan and Isha's debut film has been declared a success. Watch the moments when Dimple recalls her early years.

The sequence featuring SRK.

If Zoya's writing is superb, her execution of the written material deserves distinction marks. This may be Zoya's directorial debut, but she treats the difficult subject like a veteran. Javed Akhtar's dialogues are remarkable. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is a mixed bag; the score could've been better. However, the choreography of the circus song is remarkable. Carlos Catalan's cinematography captures the right moods.

Farhan Akhtar is evolving into one of the most dependable actors of his generation. He's very real, very believable. No wonder, this character stands out. Konkona Sen Sharma is exceptional. The supremely talented actress delivers a sparkling performance yet again. Rishi Kapoor is incredible. A performance that merits the highest praise. Dimple Kapadia is in terrific form. It easily ranks amongst her most accomplished works. Juhi Chawla is first-rate. Isha Sharwani does her part well. Sanjay Kapoor springs a surprise. He registers an impact. Aly Khan is perfect.

Hrithik Roshan is truly wonderful. Note the sequence when he strikes a conversation with Karan Johar, only to realize that he himself had paved the way for Farhan in the industry. Only an accomplished actor could've handled this sequence with aplomb. Amongst the A-listers who make fleeting appearances in the film, the one who registers the maximum impact is Shah Rukh Khan.

On the whole, LUCK BY CHANCE is an outstanding film in all respects. A magnificent outing from the producers of ROCK ON!!, LUCK BY CHANCE is sure to prove an extremely lucky and rewarding experience at the box-office. Strongly recommended!

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Victory - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

LAGAAN and IQBAL are landmark films on cricket. The response to LAGAAN specifically was so electrifying [and emotional] that theatres turned into stadiums during the penultimate cricket match in the film.

VICTORY traverses a different route altogether: This one revolves around a cricketer, talks of the highs and lows in his life, how greed, arrogance and lust almost ruin his career, but how he regains his lost form and becomes a hero all over again.

The difference also lies in the fact that the sportsmen in the film aren't actors, pretending to be cricketers, but real-life cricketers. And that makes the goings-on identifiable.

VICTORY may not be a true-life account of any one person, but you can't help but draw parallels with people who led a wild life off the field. Also, any sports-based film works if it arouses the right emotions and VICTORY does so towards the final moments. But there's a hitch. The film could've done with a shorter running time [instead of approx. 2.35 hours] and a tight script. More on that later!

Final words? A few interesting moments don't really help. This one tries to hit a boundary, but ends up taking a single.

VICTORY tells the story of Vijay Shekhawat [Hurman S. Baweja], who hails from Jaisalmer. Soon, he becomes India's latest world-class batting sensation and is catapulted to superstardom.

However, the glam and glitter makes the young, vulnerable Vijay stray from his true vocation of cricket. Unfortunately, this leads to a loss of focus and to a miserable drop in his performance. But by the time Vijay realizes his mistake, he finds himself thrown out of the Indian cricket team. Suddenly, the hero becomes a villain in everyone's eyes. His father [Anupam Kher] suffers a paralytic stroke.

This tragedy awakens Vijay's conscience. He wants to redeem himself in the eyes of his father and every Indian. Against great odds, he once again makes it back to the Indian team and gets to play in the finals of the Champion's Trophy against Australia, where he plays a stellar role in enabling India to win the Trophy.

Ajitpal Mangat chooses a difficult subject for his directorial debut. Placing immense trust on a newcomer [Hurman] and casting real-life characters could be tough and demanding, besides being expensive [cricketers' fees and paying for the various stadiums]. But Ajitpal achieves the required results.

The initial moments are very mediocre, but the pace picks up when Hurman goes astray, when he can't digest success, when he falls into wrong hands [Gulshan Grover]. The graph is erratic; sometime interesting, at times boring. However, what rescues the film from failing are the penultimate moments, especially the one when Hurman faces the final ball.

On the flip side, the writing isn't convincing at several points. The first 30 minutes of the enterprise makes you break into a yawn, frankly. Also, the film is stretched in the second hour for no reason and could've done with some tight editing. The songs in this hour are a big deterrent.

Ajitpal Mangat makes a confident debut as a director, but VICTORY would've made a stronger impact if the writing [screenplay: Ajitpal Mangat, Kannan Iyer] would've been watertight. Anu Malik's music is listless. Barring 'Balla Utha' and 'Money Money', the remaining songs are of the fast-forward type. Cinematography is excellent.

Hurman S. Baweja displays the required confidence. He gets the body language right, looks dapper when required and conveys the required emotions well. Only thing, he needs to control his expressions at times. Amrita Rao does very well, although this isn't her film actually. Anupam Kher gets it right yet again, especially towards the second hour when he suffers a paralytic stroke. Gulshan Grover is very effective.

On the whole, VICTORY is a strictly average fare. Barring a few moments in the second hour, there's not much that you carry home.

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Ash be next to join politics

After 'Munnabhai' Sanjay Dutt, it could be the turn of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as a Samajwadi Party candidate.

Samajwadi Party workers and leaders in Bihar have decided to offer Aishwarya the party ticket for the Madhepura seat against Janata Dal-United (JD-U) national president Sharad Yadav, a party official said.

In view of the overwhelming demand of the party workers, the Samajwadi Party Bihar parliamentary board has recommended Aishwarya's name to party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Senior party leader Tulsi Singh told IANS that a large number of party workers and people had requested him to convince Mulayam Singh to give the party ticket to Aishwarya from Madhepura. Singh is chairman of the party's state parliamentary board.

The Madhepura seat is held by the Rashtriya Janata Dal's Pappu Yadav, who is serving life imprisonment in Tihar Jail in Delhi for his involvement in the murder of Left leader Ajit Sarkar. His wife Ranjita Ranjan is a Lok Janshakti Party MP from Saharsa.

JD-U leader Sharad Yadav is likely to contest from Madhepura, his old seat.

In the last Lok Sabha polls in 2004, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, the RJD chief, won from Madhepura by defeating Sharad Yadav. Lalu Prasad later resigned the Madhepura seat and opted to retain the Chapra seat.

Madhepura, a rural seat, is dominated by the backward Yadav caste. Last year, Madhepura was hit by devastating floods when the Kosi river changed its course after a breach upstream in Nepal.

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Deepika wants to launch her website

Deepika Padukone is very happy as she has been declared the most searched celebrity on Yahoo! India in 2008, beating competitors like Katrina, Bipasha and Kareena.

Though she is not an internet addict, Deepika is planning to launch her own website in order to stay in close touch with her fans and provide them with an update on her life and career. Apparently, she answers all the emails fans send her.

To begin with, she is searching for a suitable domain name for her website.

Even though Deepika plans to launch her website, she says she uses the internet mainly for emails and is not so much into surfing the internet. For that matter, she doesn’t even like sending an SMS. She prefers the good old telephone when it comes to connecting with her near and dear ones.

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Harman adds fuel to rumour of affair with Amrita Rao

Adding fuel to rumours of an affair with Amrita Rao, actor Harman Baweja played the perfect escort to his "Victory" co-star at a promotional event at a jewellery shop in Mumbai.

"Where's Amrita? I need to escort her; otherwise she will get crammed with people," Harman told officials at the event.

The actors were at a jewellery showroom and fans were eagerly waiting for them outside the shop to get autographs. It was then that Harman caught hold of Amrita's hand and led her away from the crowd.

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Emraan Hashmi shares his plans for 'Raaz 3' and fatherhood

His "Raaz 2" has got an encouraging opening and actor Emraan Hashmi (pictured left) is all set to work in the third installment of the spooky thriller. He also feels secure enough to start a family now.

"We're trying for a baby and we should be parents by next year. One is never prepared for fatherhood. And if I wait to be fully prepared, it will never happen. But I'm getting into the mindset now," Emraan, who is married to Parveen Shahani, told IANS.

Talking about "Raaz 3", he said: "Yes we're on," said Emraan. "The third part will also be directed by Mohit Suri and I'll play the lead. The rest of the details are yet to be decided. The cast of the second 'Raaz' film was totally new. And I think I'm going to be the only actor common to 'Raaz 2' and '3'."

Emraan feels vindicated by the audiences' response to "Raaz 2", which also starred Kangana Ranaut and newcomer Adhyayan Suman.

"My wife kept telling me I should try the genre. I had never done horror before. It's believed in the trade that horror films open well and then soon fizzle out. But then it was also believed that a film looking at the seamier side of cricket ('Jannat') would never do well.

"I like to walk the lonely path. That's why you don't see me at parties and functions. Maybe that's why I play the part of the loner and watch another guy take away the girl I love," Emran said, drawing attention to his loser-lover's role in "Awarapan" and now "Raaz 2".

Emraan, who has been lying low during the publicity of "Raaz 2" thanks to all the focus on real-life pair Kangana-Adhyayan, says he didn't feel left out.

"Kangana and Adhyayan were a real-life couple. I can't concoct an affair just to be noticed. I was confident my work would speak for itself. Sure enough I believe people clap when I come on screen the first time. I do have fan base, though it might be small," he said.

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Ranbir's on Oye! It's Friday this week

How would you feel if you see your father romance your first crush? Well, Ranbir Kapoor reveals he had a similar experience as a teenager.

On the upcoming episode of Farhan Akhtar's TV show "Oye! It's Friday!" Ranbir pours his heart out and admits that he felt cheated when he saw his dad, Rishi Kapoor, romancing his childhood crush Madhuri Dixit, a source from the channel said.

"Ranbir confesses that as a teenager, he had a huge crush on Madhuri and that he even had posters of her in his cupboard. He talks about the time when he finally got to meet her on the sets of 'Prem Granth' only to find his father romancing Madhuri in the film," the source said.

The episode will be aired on NDTV Imagine on Friday (January 30) at 10pm.

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Mugdha Godse looks forward to 'naach-gaana' in Jail

Model-turned-actress Mugdha Godse (pictured left), who scorched the screen in Madhur Bhandarkar's offbeat film "Fashion", now hopes to do a typical song and dance role in "Jail".

"I'm looking forward to doing naach-gaana (singing-dancing) after playing an unconventional role in 'Fashion'. Surprisingly, all the offers coming to me now are of that variety," said Mugdha.

"Jail", also being directed by Bhandarkar, will be a two-hour thriller about a jail escape. In the film, Mugdha is paired opposite actor Neil Nitin Mukesh and the director feels they make a "great pair".

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‘I haven’t ever forgotten my marriage anniversary’

You are back on television once again but this time as producer.
Yeah...I started my acting career with serials like Circus and Fauji. I got to learn a lot of things. I got into films because of having worked in serials.

After Circus, you are once again working with Aziz Mirza on the television front.
Yes. Nothing would have been possible without Aziz Mirza’s expertise, advice, and guidance. I would have been nowhere without him.

What made you venture into TV when low TRPs have become the order of the day?
You need support and friends who think alike. We have been discussing this since last two-three years. There is risk for sure but NDTV Imagine was confident that we were competitive enough. I want the young people in my film production house Red Chillies to diversify into different arena.

What kind of programmes will your production house churn out?
There is nothing specific that we are planning for television. I have been a film producer for the last eight to nine years and have an acting experience of 20 years. I can bring a difference to television in terms of presentation of content. I will try to bring cinematic value to television.

Why did you choose title Ghar Ki Baat Hai for this sitcom?
It’s a good title. It has lyricism in it. We had another title called Devdas Ki Maut which was not so happening. The serial is about a family, their neighbours and different situations that they face in life thus its Ghar Ki Baat. If you ask me why comedy, personally I like comedy more than anything else.

Do you think this serial has your Ghar Ki Baat?
Well television industry doesn’t have that much money to have a set like my home. Jokes apart, it will have everybody’s ghar ki baat with lots of spice. Its first episode has Sumit Raghavan forgetting his anniversary. Interestingly, I haven’t forgotten my marriage anniversary yet. Even otherwise there are stories like these happening in my home too.

Will you be making a special appearance in the serial?
Yeah I will be making special appearance as and when required. We will try to rope in more special stars if required.

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Madhuri has ‘loo’ meetings

Well, ZOOM’s lavish Mumbai premiere of Danny Boyle’s Oscar nominee was indeed a million dollar opportunity for our photogs.

Madhuri Dixit looking resplendent as ever caught everyone’s attention. In fact, when Mads went to use the restroom, there was a huge queue of producers, etc, waiting outside to get a glimpse of her. Mads in Mumbai — is a rare photo-op, na?

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John Abraham's pole stint

John Abraham has hurt his leg badly yet again.

It was while shooting for David Dhawan’s film Hook Ya Crook that the accident happened. A unit hand informed us that John had to slip down a 20-foot pole for a scene. He didn’t get it right and slid quite badly. Unfortunately for John, he landed directly on his leg. Despite being ordered take some rest, John quickly treated himself to some first-aid medication, and went pole sliding all over again. This time he got it right, and then rushed to the X-ray clinic. Talk about wanting to get it right, hook ya crook.

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Ranbir enjoys a threesome

But hey, hang on...there is more masala coming up here.

Ranbir Kapoor Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor were seen chatting and laughing away without a care in the world...now that’s a ‘believe-it-or-not’ moment, isn’t it? Guess the trio have buried the hatchet, or at least our million-dollar pictures say so.

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20 Bollywood stars light up Luck By Chance

Step aside, everyone. The buzz is that debutante director Zoya Akhtar is making a dhamal entry into Bollywood today with Luck By Chance — the film that’s been produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and whose story and script has been penned by Zoya herself.

Happily, Bollywood’s the backdrop of this film and Zoya’s got film stars, filmmakers, fashion and costume designers shining in each frame, making it the first production of its kind.

The story is that she’s got over 20 prominent and interesting faces from Bollywood involved in the narrative of Luck By Chance. Ritesh explains, “In terms of how many celebs we have, the starcast is quite big; but the film is an insider’s journey into Bollywood and shows what mayhem goes into making a Hindi film. So we had to take real people from the industry. And all play themselves in the film.” A huge and challenging task. Ritesh adds, “Thank God Zoya didn’t write the script bringing all of them in one frame. It would have been crazy. They all form an integral part of the narrative and each appears at different intervals.”

So in just three hours, the audience will get to feast on Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Dia Mirza, Vivek Oberoi, Boman Irani and others. And, to her credit, all these busy stars took time off their schedules to shoot for Zoya... but none of them charged for their appearances.

“Everyone went out of their way to adjust a day or two. All of them are friends who Farhan and Ritesh have worked with before,”says Zoya.

“They know that we will not exploit them. There is a certain level of trust between us and that’s why the film was possible,” she said.

Luck By Chance is presented by Big Pictures and Excel Entertainment and has Farhan and the very watchable Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead. The cherry on the cake is Hrithik Roshan, who plays a superstar in the film.

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Priyanka Chopra turns pink

The leading lady of Bollywood today, Priyanka Chopra seems to be building a fine working rapport with Rajasthan.

She has shot for her film Drona here, and then she came back in July last year to shoot for a commercial near Jaipur’s Jal Mahal, and now she’s back in Jodhpur again in just six months time to shoot for yet another commercial, this time for a beauty soap brand. Priyanka landed at the Jodhpur airport on Tuesday afternoon amidst heavy security. Our source present at the airport said, “Priyanka landed here around 1 pm. Though a large number of her fans had turned up to greet her and catch a glimpse of their star, she preferred to quickly push through the surging crowd and head for her hotel.” The actress will be in Jodhpur till today. On her earlier visit to Jaipur, Priyanka who was unavailable for comment on Tuesday, had told JT, “I just love the state and the fact that its people are still connected to their cultural roots. I want to go around the place, but my hectic schedule doesn’t allow me to do so.”

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Abhi on a weight loss spree

Raavan happens to be Abhishek Bachchan’s third movie with Mani Ratnam. And the actor seems to go that extra mile for the moviemaker everytime.

In both Yuva and Guru, he worked hard to achieve the perfect look for the character. Abhishek’s role in the films was quite appreciated, so we guess all that work did pay off.

And now, the actor is at it again. For his role in Raavan, Abhishek is on a strict diet and has been travelling, shooting for the movie, along with a personal trainer, Sameer Jora.

A source tells us, “Abhishek is on a no carb diet. And he’s made sure that if he won’t have carbs then other people in the unit won’t either. So he doesn’t let anyone have any sweets. But, he did eat a ladoo on the sly once.”

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Gorgeous Lara Dutta graces the cover of Grazia

Lara Dutta may not have had a single release last year barring a cameo in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and giving the voice-over for the animated flick Jumbo. However, the gorgeous beauty would be seen in quite a few films this year such as Billu Barber, Blue and Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai.

Before setting the silver screen on fire, Lara is seen at her glamorous best as the cover-girl for fashion magazine 'Grazia' in their January issue. The stunning beauty is seen in a chic burgundy colored dress and one look at her in this outfit and you will know why she was crowned 'Miss Universe' few years ago.

This issue is simply a must have for all die-hard Lara Dutta fans.

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Juhi Chawla on working with Rishi Kapoor after 12 years

The lovely Juhi Chawla was reunited with her favourite co-star Rishi Kapoor after 12 years. And she was shocked by the change in him.

''Earlier when we did all those films like Bol Radha Bol and Eena Meena Deeka, there was no question of shooting in the night. So when there was a night shoot for Luck By Chance I said, 'O Oh, here comes trouble. I'll agree. But knowing Chintuji... He will never agree. 'But he shocked me. He continued shooting in the night even after I packed up with no sign of grumpiness."

Laughs Juhi, ''He has changed, not counting the delayed Karobaar, the last time we worked together was in Daraar in 1996. It was always fun working with him, though he was always grumpy and that hasn't changed. Now he's far more flexible and thoroughly enjoying himself. But otherwise he's still the same. He still shouts at me and everyone on the sets. That's Chintuji.''

But Juhi was shocked to see the change in Rishi in other ways. ''He used to be so fastidious about the timings. He'd shoot completely by the clock, and then leave not a minute before or after. Now he's far more flexible."

Fans of Juhi Chawla have something to look forward to. The lady returns in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance, albeit in a cameo.

"I play Chintuji's loud Punjabi wife, a loud wannabe socialite. I wear garish clothes and makeup. I've even coloured my hair a bright blonde. It was fun. But it's just a guest appearance."

Juhi admits sheepishly she hasn't been able to keep up with her friends in the industry including Rishi Kapoor. "I live in South Mumbai now. It takes a good two hours to get to Juhu-Andheri. I just can't do it. For work I can go anywhere. But not to socialize."

Juhi finds it easier to go to London than Film City. "I've been asked to come to London for the premiere of Luck By Chance. I might go for that. I'm cut off from all my industry friends, including Chintuji. But I always feel close to the industry even when I don't meet the folks regularly."

Juhi will now be seen on television. But only as a judge on the new season of the reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.

"Luckily I'm not expected to change into some aggressive creature for the show. They told me I don't have to act, just be myself and the participants aren't dancers to begin with. But that's okay. I don't know how to judge participants. We'll learn on the job."

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"One single mistake becomes a nightmare for Vijay Shekhawat" - Harman Baweja

His debut film Love Story 2050 may not have set the cash registers ringing but Harman Baweja is not one to sit and brood over the past. Instead the good looking actor is already gearing up for his next big release- Victory- which opens across cinema halls tomorrow (Jan 30th ). Harman was live on Bollywood Hungama's celeb chat where he interacted with his fans about his film Victory and much more. For all those missed the chat, we bring you an opportunity to check out the exclusive chat excerpts.

Harman Baweja: Hi All

Ganesh: hi Harman, how r u feeling excited or nervous?
Harman Baweja: Definitely very excited and looking forward to this Friday... need your best wishes and hoping you enjoy Victory.

Karthi: hi Harman, we heard that u are going to act in a Tamil remake Ghilli, is it true?
Harman Baweja: Well, i have seen the film and loved it... And i m currently doing a Hindi remake of Bomirallu with Genelia D'Souza & Anees and, I hope I can do the remake of Ghilli too.

Rai: hi Harman. Your favorite track from the movie!
Harman Baweja: "Tune Re" extremely soulful and perfect for V Day.

Sue: hi...who is your fav cricketer who acted in the film?
Harman Baweja: ..Sachin Tendulkar...Sachin Tendulkar...Sachin Tendulkar

Syanab: what are your upcoming films??
Harman Baweja: My upcoming movies are... It's My Life, What your Rashi (Priyanka Chopra).

Navd: hi Harman, how was it working with Amrita?
Harman Baweja: she is a pure, simple, sweet girl and her off screen image is identical... I look forward to work with her again..

susmo177: hi Harman….what's your role in the film?
Harman Baweja : I play the character of Vijay Shekhawat , a small town boy, who dreams to be a part of Team India, realizes his dreams. The real drama unfolds once he becomes a part of Team India, which becomes a nightmare because of one single mistake.

Sneha: hi sir, where did u learn dancing from?
Harman Baweja: Michael Jackson has been my trainer from past 10 years... I have been aping him by watching him on TV.

Bolly: hey Harman...who are your favorite actors and actresses in Bollywood? Wish you all the best in your career
Harman Baweja: Shahrukh Khan... Aamir Khan...

Singh: what part of India are you from?
Harman Baweja: I was born in Chandigarh, brought up in Mumbai and now playing Rajasthani...

Anwaar: hey Harman, how much you rate your acting out of 10??
Harman Baweja: rather than rating me my acting skill, i would leave it on my fans and producers... It's really hard to rate one own self.

Faizan: hi Harman, what are the chances do you see for ur film?
Harman Baweja: when you watch victory you will feel that it's close to the real story for the fact that 45 international players sharing the screen space, which makes it, look so real... but it's an inspired story.

Rocker cool: Harman, are you planning to work with Ajay Devgan?
Harman Baweja: i would love to work with Ajay Devgan, during my Asst Director i worked on 4 films with him... He is like elder brother to me.

Muni: hai Harman. What is fav cuisine?
Harman Baweja: I love Rajma Chawla.

Zora: What is your expectation form the film?
Harman Baweja: Whichever film i do... i give my 100%... I expect positive feedback from my film.

Sue: Who do you think is a best new comer?
Harman Baweja: Ranbir, Imran and Neil.

Harman Baweja: it was great chatting with you all and i look forward for my next interaction….do take out time and watch Victory... its an extremely passionate film.

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Akshay 'adopts' six wrestlers

Bollywood action star Akshay Kumar has 'adopted' six wrestlers, who are economically backward, in a bid to popularise the sport, an official said on Wednesday.

"Akshay's decision came days before the 10th All India Wrestling Championship opens in Mumbai on Feb 1. Participants and lovers of this sport from all over India are expected to gather here," said Sanjay Nirupam, Congress spokesman in Maharashtra and organiser of the event.

"Last year, when Akshay attended the programme, he had publicly expressed a desire to adopt a few wrestlers to encourage more to take up the ancient Indian sport. We are happy that he has honoured the commitment," Nirupam told IANS.

Nirupam introduced six of the year's best wrestlers to Akshay on Tuesday evening and the star readily accepted the proposal. The wrestlers are - Bipin Varma, Ajay Yadav, Kallu Yadav, Gopal Yadav (all from Mumbai), Amol Patil (Jalgaon) and Ranjeet Nalawade (Kolhapur).

Nirupam said that the 'adoption' means that Akshay will sponsor their diet for the next five years.

"Wrestlers usually hail from economically backward sections and are unable to afford the specialised diet to excel in the challenging sport. Akshay's sponsorship will go a long way in helping these six wrestlers confidently tackle domestic and international challenges, including the next Olympics - our prime target," Nirupam explained.

While Akshay is a self-confessed fitness freak and martial arts lover, his father Hari Om Bhatia was an accomplished wrester from Punjab.

Akshay had committed last year that he would bear the costs - "whatever be the amount" - of the professional needs of the selected wrestlers and ensure that their career did not run aground due to financial constraints.

The Wrestling Championship is organised by Maharashtra Wrestling Association (MWA) and will see the participation of a few women wrestlers too. The event will be held at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.

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Ego clashes between Sanju and Akki

Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision's under production movie “Blue” is in trouble once again.

Billed as the most expensive film ever to be made in Bollywood, the deep sea drama has periodically been facing glitches.

First there was an underwater mishap in Bahamas. Then it was stalled again due to the busy schedule of Sanjay Dutt and his political plans. And now, a new problem has cropped up.

Reportedly, there have been huge ego clashes on the sets between Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt.

Both of them are senior actors and each wants to be given more prominence than other. If one is given more attention, the other gets upset and vice-versa.

The shoot has been stalled as none of the actors are said to be giving their dates for this project.

The movie stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Zayed Khan and Lara Dutta.

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Anil Kapoor to star in Boyle's next movie

After making the award-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, British filmmaker Danny Boyle wants to shoot his next film in Mumbai as well.

He is now planning to make a movie based on the nightlife in Mumbai. It will be a thriller and will star none other than Boyle's favourite, Anil Kapoor.

Anil confirmed the news and said he is doing a thriller with Boyle. However, he refused to divulge further details about the movie.

The director is already on a high after winning several prestigious international awards and securing ten Oscar nominations for “Slumdog Millionaire”.

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Preity to replace Farhan Akhtar

He has been a successful director, actor and even singer, but it seems Farhan Akhtar couldn’t quite make it as a TV chat show host.

After his show “Oye! It’s Friday” on NDTV Imagine refused to take off, despite featuring A-list celebrities such as Shah Rukh, Aamir, Hrithik and Priyanka, Farhan is likely to be ousted from the talk show and will most likely be replaced by Preity Zinta.

Karan Johar is said to have been the desired replacement but as he is busy with the shooting of “My Name is Khan”, the filmmaker could not commit to the talk show.

So Preity now is one of the favourite contenders and the second in line is Anupam Kher, although nothing has yet been finalised.

When the channel was contacted about whether it is going to take the show off air, it was said there is no such plan. They also said they are happy with the show even though it does not fetch the desired TRPs.

Meanwhile let’s have a look at the statistics. Star Plus serial “Bidaai” is highest on TRP with 8.54%, “Balika Vadhu” on Colors with 8.28%, while “Oye! It’s Friday” has only 0.82%. Did the channel see these ratings before being happy about the show?

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Work secondary for mummy Kajol!

Kajol is not just a talented actress but also an ideal mom.

When it comes to giving time to her daughter Nyasa, mummy Kajol’s work takes a back seat. She is currently shooting with her dear friend Shah Rukh in US for My Name is Khan. We heard Kajol has already informed her director friend Karan Johar that she won’t be able to stay away from her darling daughter for a very long time. So KJo made sure that things were in order so that he could get Kajol to spend some quality time with Nyasa. So, Kajol would finish her shots quickly and then return to dote on daughter dearest!

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Shilpa's latest desire

Trust Shilpa Shetty to go that extra mile for her roles.

And the latest on the Bollywood hottie is that she has just started learning Odissi dance for her role in the Indo-Chinese venture Desire. A source close to the actress said, “Shilpa is enjoying learning the Indian dance form. Being a trained dancer, the intricate Odissi dance steps come to her very easily and Shilpa is really enjoying learning the art.” The actress has been quite charged about the film, in which she plays a professional dancer. “Playing a dancer in a film has always been Shilpa’s dream and she’s maha-excited about this one,” added the source. Seems like Desire has made the Shetty gal’s desire come true finally!

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My Name is Khan heads to the White House

Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan is currently being shot in Los Angeles. But sources from the set say that the crew will be heading to Washington in the future as well. That’s because Johar plans to shoot a sequence at the White House as well.

“Karan wants to shoot a sequence at the White House. The film is set against the aftermath of 9/11 in America and keeping the storyline in mind, Karan thinks filming at the prestigious White House will be a coup of sorts for him,” says the source.

However, there are many complications involved with filming at the White House. First and foremost being that no one is allowed to film inside it!

“From what the officials have said no one has really been allowed to film inside the White House. Sure we can set up the crew and film it from the street like how most tourists do but what Karan wants is to be inside the main gates. Getting that isn’t going to be so easy,” says the source.

But knowing Karan Johar, he has the ability of managing things that others can’t. While shooting Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum, the director had rented the entire British Museum for the day for a hefty price - all for one sequence that has Hrithik Roshan dance on the long winding steps of the Museum.

Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan revolves around a Muslim called Rizwan Khan played by SRK who suffers from Aspergers syndrome (a form of autism which impacts social interaction abilities). US authorities detain him after mistaking his disability as suspicious behavior. Kajol plays his wife. It is believed that the film is based on a real life story.

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King Khan will undergo surgery soon

Shah Rukh Khan is back in Mumbai after finishing a 45 day long schedule in US for Karan Johar’s next My Name Is Khan. However, this is no good news. The actor is in the city to get operated on his shoulder. He hurt his shoulder while filming for an action sequence for Dulha Mil Gaya in December.

A source close to actor informs, “He had hurt himself while shooting Dulha…, it was a severe injury, but since he had made a commitment to Karan for the 45 days shoot in US for Karan’s movie, he shrugged off his shoulder surgery that his doctors had advised him to undergo before leaving for LA.”

The source went on to say, “He was on medication when in the US and his pain recurred so he came back to India on Sunday. He has been consulting surgeons here too. Since he wants to get back to filming as soon as possible they have suggested that he undergoes surgery. He is suffering from immense pain in left shoulder and will be operated for the same.”

The actor still decided to attend the launch of his first show on Tuesday evening in Mumbai with his immovable left shoulder. He arrived covering his left shoulder in a red and black scarf. He complains of shoulder ache when he laughs. But he managed to hide his pain during the launch and he was his usual best with his witty remarks. He also mentioned: “I have returned to India for a compulsory long break. I have been advised to rest for at least 8 to 9 weeks.”

SRK had previously undergone back surgery in London in the year 2003 and before that in 2000 the actor went through a knee surgery. This time he is expected to do his surgery in Mumbai as traveling is impossible for him. The date and day of the surgery is not yet decided.

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Hrithik Roshan and Susanne learning Spanish

Hrithik Roshan had learned the basic of Spanish to pull off some of the sequences in his upcoming film Kites. But now we hear the actor has got so good at it that he plans to continue learning it and has also enrolled wife Suzanne for Spanish lessons.

"He was learning Spanish because in Kites he had to speak some basic lines. But after having spoken with Barbara (Mori) off sets too, he decided to take it further. And thanks to his interest, Suzanne got keen as well. And so now both of them are taking Spanish lessons," says a source close to the actor.

"They have got themselves a teacher who comes home and teaches them. And then both of them speak to Barbara who has become a really close friend of the family's," adds the source.

When contacted, Suzanne confirmed the news to us. "Yes we both are learning Spanish but I'm not comfortable in speaking now," says the elusive Mrs. Roshan.

Hrithik Roshan's Kites is one of the most awaited films of 2009. It is slated for release around Diwali later this year.

The actor suffered an injury on Tuesday evening while filming. During the shot, a piece of glass pierced his wrist and he was immediately rushed to the newly opened Ambani Hospital in Lokhandwala and was later discharged.

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Sushmita hits the gym!

Of late Sushmita Sen has been receiving a lot of flak for her tremendous weight again. The actress who made men weak in the knees in her chiffon saris in Main Hoon Na, was seen looking bloated and fat most of last year.

But sources close to the actress tell us that there is a new and super slim Sushmita who is about to be unveiled soon.

“With the amount of criticism she was getting for her weight again, Sushmita hit the gym with a vengeance. She has been working out twice a day and has been following a strict diet regime as well,” says the source.

And has it helped?

“It sure has! She has already lost 18 kilos and is looking smoking hot! She has four films set for release this year and she wants to look her best. She is glowing these days,” adds the source.
The former Ms Universe had been in the news for her immense weight gain. In fact it is believed that Sen was specifically asked by one of the products she endorses to shed the weight before they would film her adverts for promotion. So Sushmita went on a crash diet and looked good for the camera early last year. But then the weight came back! In fact when spotted at a film premiere in the second half of 2008, Sushmita looked much heavier than her usual thin frame.

Also probably what is pushing Sush in cutting the flab is her upcoming marriage to boyfriend Mudassar Aziz. Although no official announcement has been made, the actress did take Aziz to meet her father recently. Mudassar too has said that he is very keen to marry Sushmita and in due time the duo will tie the knot.

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Kangana Ranaut going Aamir's way

Raaz- The Mystery Continues has been declared the first smash hit of 2009. The film is said to gross 35 crores before the weekend arrives and naturally this has the main protagonist of the film, Kangana Ranaut, smiling from ear to ear. In fact when we spoke to Kangana, she said she was pretty confident about the success of her film.

Below is an excerpt from the interview:

How was your overall experience of working in Raaz?
It was good in all aspects and the kind of character I have executed in Raaz, it needed a lot hard work. And I went through it and did my part as an actor. And I also discovered that when working in horror film a lot depends on the character and the treatment of the film. I think Mohit has done a really good job. In fact every one in the film has been impressive be it Emraan or anyone.

What about Adhyayan?
He is a good actor. There is no doubt and he absorbs things before enacting it. That's what I saw on the sets of Raaz. He has worked very hard for his part and at the same time he was a great support for his co-stars.

Tell us something about him that no one knows…
(laughs) He is a complete foodie and he eats all the raashan kept in my home!

He sings too!
Yes he sings well but he is self obsesses! I was the first one to hear him singing.

You are one of the very few people who work on one film at a time. Are you learning from Aamir?
Aamir is my all time favourite actor! He is a true actor…And somewhere even I think that rather than doing ten films in a year I should do one film and that's all. But of course risk is there in doing just one film and so I am really careful about the kind of movie I choose to do.

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"Harman has a great sense of humor" - Amrita Rao

By Joginder Tuteja

2008 was an eventful year for Amrita Rao. She started off with My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves which in spite of not doing well at the box office, at least helped showcase a different (read glam) side of hers. A special appearance in Shaurya followed but the role was so small that it went relatively unnoticed. However, she bounced back with Welcome To Sajjanpur where in her 'gaon ki gori' role, she went on to win hearts all over again. From a village setting, she graduated to playing a small time girl in Victory which is now finally getting ready to hit the screens this Friday.

Even though the film primarily belongs to Harman Baweja and the dozens of cricketers who have consented to be a part of the project, Victory does promise to have something meaty for Amrita Rao also to showcase her acting skills. The pretty girl with a characteristic laugh gets on a free wheeling chat with Joginder Tuteja as she talks about Victory being primarily a Harman Baweja film and how he was fully prepared for the role before facing the camera.

Amrita, first things first, there have been quite a few talks about real life references for Harman's character in the film. Yuvraj, Dhoni - number of names have been thrown around! Do you want to shed light on this? Also, were you too given any reference points when you read through the script?
Let me say that Victory is a Vijay Shekhawat story that could speak of every cricketer who hails from a small town and goes on to be a part of the Indian cricket team. The film talks about any aspiring cricketer who rises to the top. And no, even I didn't receive any reference points before the shoot. I play the character of a medical student from a small town who is a friend of this young boy who goes on to be a cricketer. However, in the process of getting rich and famous, he starts losing his bearings. I act as his conscience when he is down in the dumps.

So how did you go about approaching the role?
It was quite interesting because I could easily identify with Vijay's character here. In real life, I have some shades of him because I have gained reasonable popularity and hence have to watch every step that I take in my life. I come from a profession which is so challenging and demanding. The whole world judges you on every move of yours and I realize that how important it is to be surrounded by good company of real friends. There are chances of fake people around you who could be responsible for you being pulled down.

You sound emotional about the importance of real friends...
That's right, because there are only a few who could call one. These are the real friends who matter most to you because eventually they bring with them positive influences. How eventually you are going to transfer such positive influences in your work is something that is of utmost importance. In this sense, I am playing that other side in Vijay's life who tries to bring to him those positive influences. Since I could identify Vijay's situation very well and empathize with what he was going through, it became an interesting experience.

So what was that strong factor in Victory that made you sign the film?
Its script and the canvas. For the first time in Bollywood history, there is this film coming which literally has 45 international sportspeople coming together. In Manmohan Shetty, we have one of the biggest producers associated with the project. And then of course there is Harman. Clearly, Victory had number of reasons for me to go for the film.

You have worked in around 10 odd films while for Harman it was just his second film. Did you two have a mutual bond that allowed you to give him suggestions or point out areas of improvements due to your prior experience?
I didn't actually have to come up with suggestions since Harman himself comes from an industry background. He has assisted his father and wasn't a newcomer at all when he worked in Victory or for that matter Love Story 2050. He was very much aware about the whole operation and the works. He was fully prepared when he stepped in to shoot for Victory. This is why, never once did I feel that I had to interfere or help him.

You seem to be impressed with your co-star…
I truly am because he is so very good. I will give him 100% marks for his act in the film; he is just so correct there. I didn't once find him conscious or nervous. I have worked with so many established actors but even when I was working with him; it all seemed just the same. He is very energetic and has a great sense of humor. He keeps everyone laughing on the sets but once the director begins to call the shots, he knows when to get serious and perform.

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Akshay looks south

After his bad experience of travelling to Chandni Chowk and China, Akshay Kumar is now planning to go south.

Akki has apparently asked producer Ratan Jain to get the rights of hit Telugu movie “Maska”.

The film starred Ram, Hansika Motwani and Sheela in the lead. It is an action comedy and Akshay has shown deep interest in making its Hindi version.

After Aamir went southwards, remaking “Ghajini”, everyone wants to follow in his footsteps. Let’s see if it works for Akshay too.

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Court okays release of John Abraham starrer Aashayein

The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea by Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment (RBE) challenging the release of John Abraham starrer Hindi movie "Aashayein" because co-producers of the movie had allegedly changed the storyline of the movie.

RBE, which purchased the rights of the film, approached the court alleging the film's co-producers - Percept Ltd. and Super Cassette Industries - misrepresented facts and indulged in fraud, besides changing storyline from the previously agreed upon script while signing the distribution agreement.

Justice Manmohan Singh said that RBE should be compensated by the co-producers and asked them to deposit 30 percent of Rs.4 crore (Rs.40 million) paid by it for buying the film's rights and asked Percept Ltd and Super Cassette Industries to deposit the money within a week.

RBE had paid Percept and super cassettes around Rs.4 crore, out of the total deal value of Rs.18 crore (Rs.180 million) in June 2008 and entered into an agreement for theatrical, non-theatrical, world satellite, television and overseas home video rights.

In its petition, RBE submitted that as per their distribution agreement with the two co-producers, RBE was to pay Rs.18 crore for the rights of Nagesh Kukunoor-directed "Aashayein", which was supposed to be a commercial film, and was assured that the co-producers would not deviate from the storyline.

But when the complete film was shown to RBE in July 2008, it did not resemble the original storyline. It was not even a commercial film and character of John Abraham was changed from a compulsive gambler discovering fortunes of life to a cancer patient, it said.

However, Percept and Super Cassettes denied receiving any such communication from RBE after they were shown the movie.

The court said the film was complete and ready for release and it would be harmful for actors, investors and exhibitors if it stopped "Aashayein" at this stage.

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New TV show promises fun, comedy and dance

Siddhartha Basu-headed television firm BIG Synergy is set to adapt Britain-based reality show "Britain's Got Talent" for Indian television, which he promises will enthral audiences with its "masti (fun), mazaak (comedy), naach (dance)".

The show will be called "India's Got Talent" and be telecast on entertainment channel Colors.

"Yes, this will be on Colors, and is a breakthrough in terms of genre, as it is a search for India's most entertaining act, whatever the kind of performance, and not just limited to individuals or a particular age group. It's a true variety show, a multi-talent hunt which promises to enthral," Basu told IANS.

The show is about finding the best talent act and will feature singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts, and other talents of all ages. It is being licensed from international production company FremantleMedia.

According to Basu, "India's Got Talent" will be about "masti, mazaak, naach, gana (singing), hasna (laughter), rona (crying) and a whole lot more".

There have been rumours that Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has been roped in as one of the three judges on the show and that Bhojpuri star Ravi Kissen will host the show, but Basu refused to disclose details.

"Discussions are on to get an entertaining and credible set of hosts and judges, but I'm not in a position to comment on any names at this stage," he said.

The promos of the show are already on air. However, the launch date is still not fixed.

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Family way it is for Bebo

Kareena Kapoor is one of the busiest actresses these days.

And if she’s not shooting for a film, she is busy with her many endorsements, and if it’s not films or endorsements, then she loves vacationing in the Swiss Alps with boyfriend Saif. That leaves her with very little family time, you know!

So now, our gorgeous Bebo is complaining. In the last few months she hardly got any quality time with family.

And was actually feeling homesick! So what did big sis Karisma do? She waited for Kareena in Mumbai and they both indulged in a lot of gupshup. We are sure Bebo is raring to go once again.

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Dabboo Ratnani's Designer Calendar 2009

Sometimes a picture can say more than multitudinous words. For a great photograph sparks off diverse connotations and impacts the subconscious in a manner that can't be defined. That's the beauty of Dabboo Ratnani's Photography. It's an Art Form that's unique and goes much beyond the Obvious. Recently Dabboo launched his 10th Annual Calendar for which he shot 48 top Bollywood stars. Bollywood Buzz caught up with him and he shared a few of the pictures from this Designer Calendar exclusively with us for all you guys. Let's bring you Dabboo's impressions about each one of these pictures.

Mallika Sherawat
She wanted to do something which was not the usual. You've always seen sexy pictures of Mallika but we wanted to keep that oomph factor there in the picture and still do something. So both of us brainstormed and we thought let's try something with guns and try something more action image yet still keeping that sexy image like Charlie's Angels.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
I shot lots of pictures in that outfit, the beautiful red gown that Anahita Shroff had done. We did a lot of full lengths, some tight close ups & finally went in for an extremely tight close up for the final choice of picture. The kind of toning that I have given the picture has kind of whitewashed everything else except the eyes and the mouth so the whole attention goes on to the expression to her eyes.

Shahrukh Khan
We had actually frozen on using a white formal shirt but then when I was going through his wardrobe I came across a red shirt. His boy said yeh zyada nahi pehente hain, so I said its ok I'll ask him and he said ok sure whatever you want me to wear. I haven't used any lights in the picture. Although it's an indoor picture, the source of the light was the chrome plated light which was in his library at home.

Kajol
With Kajol it so just happened on the way to the shoot I saw a man who was sitting on the carrier of a taxi. This was one day before the shoot and he was tying something on the carrier and sitting on top which made an interesting composition for me.

Priyanka Chopra
Every picture is different... some have props some don't. This is one of the pictures which doesn't have any prop except for all black on black where she is wearing a black dress. We've used lot of black in that picture. It's more like a fashion shot. The picture is looking simple but that's the beauty of that picture.

Lara Dutta
We shot in a stud farm where we had a horse in the background. It was a great fun picture, more energy, more the mood of the picture that we tried to capture. Although it's very sexy but it does not look anywhere close to vulgar. That's the beauty of that picture.

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More honours for Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle's acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire" has taken home two more major US film industry awards over the weekend, winning the top prizes from both the Screen Actors Guild and the Producers Guild of America.

Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan, British Indian actor Dev Patel, and newcomer Freida Pinto received the overall cast prize for the Mumbai-set rags-to-riches saga at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 25) night from Anthony Hopkins.

Anil Kapoor, accepting on behalf of the "Slumdog Millionaire" cast, dedicated the award to the slum children shown in the movie.

"They deserve this award. They set our performances," he said. "It's the children who've done it, not us."

The Oscar-nominated film tells the heart-warming story a young man from the slums of Mumbai who risks all for love and for a shot at instant wealth as a contestant on the Indian version of the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

Patel, who plays the protagonist, and Pinto, his ladylove, introduced the film clip at the event.

"Slumdog Millionaire" also won the top prize from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday (January 24), giving it another boost in the race for the Oscars next month.

The top award from the Producers Guild of America or PGA goes to the movie's producer, in this case Christian Colson, whose previous feature credits consist of three relatively obscure thrillers.

Meanwhile, following its 10 Oscar nominations and expansion into more theatres, "Slumdog Millionaire" has jumped into the North American Top Five for the first time in its 11-week run with its weekend gross soaring by 80 percent to $10.55 million.

Now running in 1,411 theatres across America, up 829 from last weekend, the film has to date grossed a total of $55.92 million, according to the movie website boxofficeguru.com.

The Producers Guild award is considered an important bellwether for Oscar success as its members make up an important constituency of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes on the Oscars.

In its first 19 years, 12 of the PGA's top film picks went on to win the Academy Award for best picture, including last year's champion "No Country for Old Men" although the producers missed the mark for three straight years starting in 2005.

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Padma Shri awards for Akshay, Ash and Helen

Yesteryears' dancing queen Helen, Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, action star Akshay Kumar and music maestro Hridyanath Mangeshkar are among those named for this year's Padma Shri awards.

The inimitable Helen, 69, carved a niche for herself with her dancing skills in songs like "Mera naam chin chin choo", "O haseena zulfon wali", "Aaa jaane jaan", "Piya tu ab to aa ja", "Yeh mera dil pyaar ka deewana" and "Mehbooba mehbooba". According to critics, she sizzled but was never vulgar.

Aishwarya, 35, entered filmdom after winning the prestigious Miss World crown in 1994, and delivered hits like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Devdas", "Taal" and "Guru". She also earned critical acclaim for her performances in films like "Chokher Bali", "Raincoat" and "Jodhaa Akbar".

Aishwarya is a regular at the Cannes Film Festival since 2002, and was a member of the Jury at Cannes in 2003. She has been associated with several Hollywood projects, including “Pink Panther 2”.

Akshay Kumar, 41, who churned out the biggest hit of 2008 “Singh Is Kinng”, has established himself as an action hero. He has hits like “Khiladi”, “Mohra”, “Main Khiladi Tu Anari” to his credit. The versatile actor proved his mettle in romantic dramas like “Dhadkan”, “Dil To Paagal Hai” (guest appearance), “Aitraaz” as well as comedies that include box office winners like “Hera Pheri”, “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”, “Garam Masala” and “Namastey London”.

Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, 71, the younger brother of singing legend Lata Magheshkar, is known for composing soulful tunes in Marathi films - “Sansar”, “Jait Re Jait”, “Umbartha” and “Nivdung”.

He has also composed music for Hindi movies, “Lekin”, “Maya Memsaab”, “Mashaal” - to name a few.

Others from the entertainment world named for the Padma Shri include ghazal singer Penaz Masani and playback singer Udit Narayan.

Veteran broadcaster Ameen Sayani, who has mesmerised old and young alike for decades with his golden voice, has also been conferred with the Padma Shri in recognition of his contribution in the field of broadcasting.
One of the most popular announcers of All India Radio (AIR), Sayani, 77, became a household name with his signature "behno aur bhaiyo" catchphrase in musical programmes like "Geetmala".

Sayani has immensely contributed in the development of commercial broadcasting in India.

According to the Limca Book Of Records 2005, he has presented over 54,000 radio programmes and around 19,000 commercial spots and jingles, making waves in the radio world of India, Sri Lanka, the US, Canada, Britain, UAE and New Zealand.

His legendary countdown began on Radio Ceylon and continued over AIR's Vividh Bharati for almost 46 years.

He has also produced and presented film personality interviews, plays and skits, musical features, quiz shows, career guidance and AIDS awareness programmes, feature film promotional trailers, etc.

Sayani was also a part of various movies like "Bhoot Bangla", "Teen Devian", "Boxer", "Qatl". He appeared in these movies in the role of an announcer.

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Shah Rukh to recreate Mogambo

After his tremendous performance as a villain in “Baazigar” and “Darr”, Shah Rukh Khan may again be seen as a villain in a film.

SRK has reportedly been offered the role of Mogambo in the sequel to “Mr. India”.

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is presently working on the sequel, which is titled “Mr. India 2”. Shekhar, who is very close to Shah Rukh, is said to have made this offer to him.

It will be a role of a lifetime for Shah Rukh if he accepts the offer.

Mogambo was earlier played by the late Amrish Puri and to date remains one of the most iconic negative characters in a Bollywood film. Puri’s performance, especially the line “Mogambo khush hua”, is still remembered by the masses.

Shekhar short-listed Shah Rukh as the actor has given noteworthy performances as a villain and Shekhar feels no one can do better justice to Mogambo’s role than SRK.

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi will also be seen in “Mr. India 2”.

Now we are awaiting Shah Rukh's answer, which we hope be in the affirmative.

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Sushmita awaiting clearance to play Benazir Bhutto

Former beauty queen and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen will be enacting the role of Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a biopic to be made by Pakistani filmmakers.

Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

"Yes, I am keen to play the role. The producers are waiting for a clearance from the Pakistan Peoples Party (Bhutto's party). Once we get the go-ahead, we will start the movie," Sushmita had earlier told reporters.

Sushmita is reportedly working hard to get into her character by reading extensively on the life of Bhutto and watching footages on her. She is simultaneously working on her Urdu diction as well.

Co-produced by Pakistani producers Zaid Aziz and Henna Rai of Karachi production firm Vox Vision and Leicester-based Sum Films respectively, the film will be bilingual - made both in English and Urdu.

Tentatively titled "Benazir Bhutto: The Movie", it will be shot at various locations in Pakistan, the US, Britain and Dubai, where Bhutto spent years as a student and later as a political leader in exile.

Apparently, Mahesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films is also battling out to make a biopic on the leader.

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Kat & Ranbir: Dance Pe Chance

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif had a tough time on the sets of Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani, which also stars Salman Khan in a cameo. Trouble started when Ranbir and Katrina found it difficult to perform a few complex dance steps by choreographer Ahmed for the song Follow me.

Both Ranbir and Katrina asked Ahmed to change the steps, but Ahmed stood his ground. Director Santoshi didn’t interfere. A source on the sets said, “While Ranbir was not getting a large part of his steps right, Katrina had trouble with a few steps given to her. Although Ranbir and Katrina put in a lot of effort, they failed to follow the instructions.”

“To be fair, the steps were not at all easy as the song is a fast one,” our source added.Ahmed confirmed the story and said, “I didn’t want to change a single move. Rap songs primarily have close-up shots but this song mostly has long shots.”

Ahmed isn’t the first choreographer to have differences with actors. Fortunately, after practice over three long days, Ranbir and Katrina eventually got their steps right. Ahmed said, “Finally, Ranbir and Katrina came out with flying colours. You will see the results on-screen.

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Shilpa’s kitchen tales

Shilpa Shetty sure knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

The actress recently spent some time with beau Raj Kundra where she cooked some delicious dishes for him. “Even Shamita joined in, and helped Shilpa cook. Together they made fruit punch, Salmon and chicken appetisers with a dip, mozzarella salad, roasted parsnips vegetables and corn pulao with roasted chestnuts,” said a friend of Shilpa’s. Now that’s some treat, right Raj?

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Preity Zinta to hold a Kings XI Punjab Cup

Preity Zinta, the owner of Kings XI Punjab, sure knows how to boost the confidence of her players. Her players were very motivated through the tournament by Preity's presence during all the games whether they were successful or they lost the match.

And Preity now wants to attempt to give chance to budding cricketers to showcase their skills.

Her Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will hold a cricket seminar and tournament in Chandigarh and Mohali. The aim of the seminar and tournament will be to conduct a T-20 tournament between the teams of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K. It is also a platform for the states to connect with different communities of the nation.

"My aim is to promote cricket at the grass root level and to nurture new talent. I also want everyone involved to have fun," says Priety.

The tournament is being conducted in conjunction with the state associations and in particular the PCA. KXIP Cup matches would be played in a league format among five teams i.e. two from Punjab and one each from the other three states. Each team will comprise of 14 players and two officials. A total of 11 matches will be played in the tournament.

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Bollywood bigwigs rock the stage at the 15th Annual Nokia Star Screen Awards

The 15th Annual Nokia Star Screen awards was a star-studded affair with Bollywood bigwigs walking the red carpet at the 1st official film awards of this year. Apart from the infamous spat that took place between Ashutosh Gowariker and Sajid Khan, the award ceremony also saw some high voltage performances from some of the biggest names in tinsel town. Bollywood Buzz brings you a glimpse of some of the sizzling acts of the big night.

2008 was a year Priyanka Chopra would not forget for a long, long time. The gorgeous actress had as many as 6 releases last year out of which Dostana and Fashion raked in the moolah big time. Priyanka set the stage on fire with her sizzling moves on chartbusting tracks such as 'Desi Girl' and the crowds were needless to say...speechless.

Among the many newcomers who debuted last year, Anushka Sharma is a name that will stay fresh in out minds for a long time. This beautiful 'Taani' of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi fame showed that she can indeed 'Dance' if given a 'Chance'. It was her first ever performance at an awards show and she did live up to everyone's expectations.

The reigning Queen Bee of Bollywood Katrina Kaif had the male audiences gasping for breath as she performed to some pulsating numbers from her hit films like Singh is Kinng and Race.

After all the girls' performances it was time for Bollywood's latest rock star Arjun Rampal to take centre stage. Currently riding high on the popularity of Rock On, Arjun looking uber-cool in washed out jeans and a black fitted ganji, set the stage on fire with his breathtaking performance. What's more in the grand finale act, he even called Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra on stage to join him for an impromptu gig. The crowds surely couldn't have asked for more.

For those who missed all the live action at the 15th Annual Nokia Star Screen awards, don't miss tuning into Star Plus on Sunday 25th Jan at 8pm IST.

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Premiere of 'Slumdog Millionaire' - Video

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There’s more to Mughda than just good looks

After taking the modelling industry by storm and winning some prestigious titles, Mugdha Godse took to films like a duck takes to water and won over critics as well as masses with a superb debut in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion.

And the accolades haven’t stopped pouring in ever since. Recently, she won the prestigious Lions Gold Award for the best debutante actress. Besides, she also topped an online poll for the most popular actress in Bollywood, leaving other established heroines far behind. A delighted Mugdha tells us, “What makes such awards special is the fact that they come from the people. After all, it’s the audience that sits through our films and decides how good you are. There are no lobbies, no campaigning; it’s something that comes straight from their hearts. I feel so honoured to have been accepted like this after my very first film. Fate has been really kind to me. However, I realise that this recognition also puts extra responsibilities on my shoulders and every performance of mine will be thoroughly scrutinised from now on. But I am well prepared.”

Talking of future moves, the industry is abuzz with reports that she has been signed for Madhur’s next film Jail, while Chitrangada Singh has replaced her in the Rajeev Khandelwal starrer Peter Gaya Kaam Se. She remains non-commital and says, “The announcements will be made in due time. Things are looking good professionally and I have signed a three-film deal with a leading production house.” She truly considers her film-innings as a new beginning in life and shares, “You know, I decided to redo my house after my first film; by having it painted, getting carpentry and stuff. It’s a new beginning for me and I wanted to have new vibes and new colours in everything.”

While Mugdha keeps getting compliments on her great looks, she finds Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit to be “two of the most beautiful Indian women.” She is also a complete mama’s girl. “You know, she wanted me to become a singer when I was a child and I even used to go to music classes for the same. But I am a terrible singer and that didn’t work out. So, I have been learning Kathak for the past two years and she appreciates that,” she says.

Do her parents like her on-screen image? “My mother is not very comfortable with me wearing short dresses. But at the same time, she understands the demands of my profession. But she keeps reminding me that I look the prettiest in traditional Indian attire,” she smiles. Given that fortunes swing every Friday in B-town, how confident is she about sustaining the good run? “See, I always knew about my figure, looks and confidence being my strong points. However, I am also talented and will prove that in the long run,” she declares. On how people perceive her to be, she says, “While many feel that I must be snobbish as I was a supermodel, the truth is that I am very modest and a bit reserved.” Anything interesting on the personal front? “As of now, I want to immerse myself in work. Love can wait,” she signs off.

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Asin has a lot of plans!

The pretty Asin could do with some beauty sleep.

Post-Ghajini, the actress hasn’t been able to rest much. It’s no surprise that everyone wants a bit of her success pie. “Forgive me if I sound low, but I have been sleeping two to three hours and running from one shoot to another,” explains Asin, as we catch up after another exhausting shoot. Sleep apart, Asin has no complaints. After playing the girl-next-door in Ghajini, the South actress gets to glam it up in her next movie London Dreams. And to add to it she gets to star opposite another Khan — Salman — in this one! So, which Khan does she prefer? “You can’t expect me to choose between them. That’s not fair, both are legends,” she exclaims adding, “You can’t compare them. They are poles apart and yet similar. The common factor is that they are both genuine people.” And yes, SRK is on her wishlist too. “He seems to be a very charming person. I hope something comes up soon,” she prays.

It’s been a year now that Asin has moved to Mumbai from Kerala. Moving to Bollywood was a natural step for the 23-year-old. “It wasn’t a planned move. Ghajini was being remade and since I had worked in the original I was offered the remake. Everything else was a big bonus,” she smiles.

Though her first movie has brought her a lot of accolades, she also had to face some nasty rumours. So, is she ready for the fireworks? “I am never ready for rumours! The best way to deal with them is to ignore them. We are a small family and my father looks after my career. He is always with me, so they know whatever I am upto,” she shrugs. And what about the alleged catfight with Jiah Khan? “Our portions were shot entirely at different times. We came together only for one scene and even then we got along like a house on fire. When I got to hear of the rumours I was surprised and I am sure so was Jiah,” she says.

Ask her to describe herself and she says, “I know it sounds a bit corny, but I would say I am sugar, spice and everything nice.” And yes, she’s absolutely single too. “At the moment, the only man in my life is my dad,” she laughs.

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Kangana's Magical Makeover

Unconventional beauty Kangana has come a long way since her filmi debut in 2006. She is known for her eclectic fashion sense and her erstwhile skinny and now slim frame allows her to carry off anything and everything. We trace how her looks have changed over the past two years. (And we aren't complaining!)

Legs: At 5'8", the Pahadi chick always had long fair legs. But earlier they were a lot skinner but now they have a definite shape and some more flesh on them.

Cleavage: Kangana was so thin earlier that she had almost no cleavage. But it looks like her weight gain has made her comparatively heavier on the top

Arms: Waif like Kangana previously had skinny arms. Now she has added some more muscle and mass to it giving her upper body a much fuller frame.

Lips: Kangana's upper lip is very thin in the first picture and is quite full in the second picture. Her lips appear more proportionate now. But one can't help but wonder if this is the handiwork of an accomplished make up artist or is it a little help from the doctor?

Nose: In the first picture, her nose appears blunt and broad while in the second picture, it is sharp with a definite shape. (Hmmm... wonder how she got that!)

Overall frame: Kangana was extremely skinny earlier. But compared to her earlier waif like frame, she can now be called voluptuous. That is why she is flaunting her newly acquired curves in a saree. The hair has been tamed too and the elegant saree has replaced the jeans and tee.

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Mohit Suri: After RTMC you won't walk in dark areas

Mohit Suri's much talked about horror film Raaz – The Mystery Continues hits theatres this weekend. Starring Kangana Ranaut, Emraan Hashmi and Adhyayan Suman, the film promises to give shivers down your spine.

We ask Mohit Suri to pick his five spookiest parts of the film:

5. The locations of this film are really very scary. We have shot in barren places like Mukesh Mills, Simla and ruins of Bhangarh and when you will see these places in the context of the film you will not want to go there alone ever again!

4. The strongest part of this film is the background score which is silent in its own way but will frighten everyone.

3. The paintings which are shown in the film which show the story of Nandita (Kangana Ranuat)

2. Kangana performance in the film will hold everyone's attention. She is really very scary. And similarly Emraan Hashmi's grey character is something to look out for

1 .There is a one scene where Kangana meets with an accident on the road and Emraan witnesses it.

The director on a parting note leaves us with one caution: This film will surely disturb your mind and whoever will watch the film will not walk alone in dark areas ever again!

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Manisha Koirala turns villain for Mani Ratnam's Ravana

Remember Manisha Koirala? This Nepali actress, whose only claim to fame is her role in Bombay, had simply vanished into oblivion. But the actress is now back. She has bagged a role in Mani Ratnam's Ravana and the actress is currently in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh shooting for this film.

"She has got an important role to play in Ravana. Her act will be a negative as she is playing Ravana's sister. She has joined the whole cast and crew in Madhya Pradesh and she is very happy that finally after so many years she will be seen in a different role," says a source close to the actress.

Manna, as she is affectionately called in the industry, has prepared hard for bagging this role. "She is really preparing for this film. It is a golden opportunity for her to comeback into main stream Bollywood. Mani sir asked her to reduce her weight and she was on a weight losing spree to be able to pull off the role," adds the source.

And it looks like being signed by Mani Ratnam is helping Koirala attract attention of other filmmakers as well. "She is in talks with Rajkumar Santoshi for another project. This will be her second film with him after Lajja," says our source.

Manisha Koirala was last with Kay Kay Menon in Sirf. Her much delayed film Mehbooba with Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan also released last year. But both films bombed at the box office.

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Raaz - The Mystery Continues - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

The team behind RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES have often clarified that it's not a sequel to RAAZ, one of the most interesting cinematic experiences, besides being the biggest Hit of that year. Yet, you cannot but draw parallels with the first film of the franchise.

Horror as a genre hasn't been tapped to the optimum in India. We've witnessed spooky fares in the past and some of them have succeeded in making you break into a cold sweat [BHOOT stands tall in this list]. Last year's PHOONK and 1920 were scary movies as well.

There's tremendous curiosity to watch RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES, but does it scare the living daylights out of you? Fortunately, yes!

The story [Mohit Suri] is absorbing and Mohit treats the subject like a veteran, as if he knows the genre very well. There're moments that make your heart beat faster, you watch the events with eyes and jaws wide open. Sure, there're blemishes as well, but they don't overpower the plusses or make you change your opinion about the film. While the beginning and the middle of the film is engrossing, it's the end that could've been better thought of.

Wanna get scared? Wanna get goose pimples? Buy the ticket for RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES pronto. It lives up to the hype and expectations completely.

A brooding artist Prithvi [Emraan Hashmi] experiences mysterious and distressing visions about Nandita [Kangna Ranaut], a woman he has never met, while he paints on canvas. Intrigued by these visions, Prithvi tracks her down and warns her that these are not merely paintings of her, but accidents that are waiting to happen.

At first, Nandita refuses to believe him and dismisses him as an eccentric stalker. However, the striking resemblance between Prithvi's paintings and the near-death incidents in her life is hard to ignore.

Now, one of Prithvi's paintings has revealed her as dead. The only way she can change her fate is to unravel this mystery with his help, at the risk of alienating herself from her boyfriend, Yash [Adhyayan Suman]. But he refuses to believe in Prithvi's premonitions. Will Nandita risk her love and her life to unravel this mystery?

Most of us have heard, witnessed or perhaps had a first-hand experience of supernatural. The present-day generation may, perhaps, term it as wild imagination or hallucination, while the believers may have their point of view. Mohit and screenplay writer Shagufta Rafique's characters in RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES are believers and non-believers, both.

Mohit smartly builds up the atmosphere. Sample these: Emraan and Kangna's first encounter at a mall and minutes later, inside an elevator; the New Year bash when Kangna is 'attacked' by spirits; Kangna's experience in her bathtub and also when she looks at the mirror; Kangna almost jumping off a cliff; the highpoint sequence, when angry bulls attack Emraan and Kangna. Incredible sequences all! Mohit has handled the most difficult portions with panache.

However, the entire flashback part, towards the pre-climax, is not as convincing. The ending too could've been better in terms of writing, although Mohit has filmed it exceptionally well.

Mohit's choice of the subject as also the actors is right. This is, without doubt, his finest effort to date. Shagufta's screenplay is watertight at most times. Like always, the Bhatts come up with a lilting musical score and at least two songs -- 'Soniyo' [Raju Singh] and 'Maahi' [Sharib-Toshi] -- are first-rate compositions. Ravi Walia's cinematography is up to the mark. The effects are impressive.

On the acting front, both Emraan and Kangna vie for top honours. Emraan is excellent. He conveys a lot through facial expressions and that's the sign of a proficient actor. He's just getting better and better with every film. Kangna is top notch. After FASHION, this one's another power-packed performance from the actress. Adhyayan Suman is super-confident and registers a strong impact, especially towards the climax. He shows promise. Jackie Shroff is quite okay in a brief role.

On the whole, RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES is rich in the horror quotient and that is one of its major USPs, besides the highly competent performances by its principal cast and a lilting musical score. At the box-office, this one will continue the winning streak of Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films. The 4-day weekend [Monday, January 26 in a holiday] will only cement its status further. Go for it!

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Shekhar Suman says Sorry to Akshay Kumar

When Shekhar Suman made critical remarks about Akshay Kumar vis-a-vis Chandni Chowk To China little did he know it would blow up into such a huge point of debate. In a reconciliatory gesture, Shekhar sent an SMS on Thursday morning apologizing to Akshay.

"It was never my intention to offend Akshay. And if I've done that, then I've no hesitation in saying sorry. Akshay is too much of a good soul for me to hurt him. He should've realized my comments had nothing personal about them."

Shekhar is taken aback by the backlash to his tongue-lash. "I never knew my opinion would matter so much. I reacted as an outraged viewer. I've always admired Akshay Kumar's resilient climb from the bottom rung to the top of ladder. In fact I tell my son Adhyayan that Akshay Kumar is a role model to follow. Self-made superstar." Sadly a section of Akshay's supports including the Chandni Chowk director Nikhil Advani saw Shekhar's comments as below-the-belt attempts to get publicity for Adhyayan's release this week.

Shekhar laughs off this accusation. "My son is talented enough to do without such cheap props. We don't need to use big names to get noticed. Adhyayan's performance in Raaz 2 will speak for itself. I'd say exactly what I did about Chandni Chowk even if my son's film wasn't releasing."

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Kareena, Katrina and Yana to dance at beauty pageant

Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Yana Gupta are set to add a dash of glamour at the grand finale of PC Jewellers Miss India Worldwide pageant to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on January 31.

"There will be a mix of beauty, talent and glamour at the finale of the pageant, with Bollywood beauties shaking a leg with the participants; it will be an evening to remember," host Deepak Tijori said at the press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Deepak's Tijori Entertainment is hosting the show with Kaleidovision.

The 20 finalists will go through a 10-day grilling regime.

"Training is not going to be a cakewalk for them. They will have to go through a tough and hectic regime of around 14 hours a day, which means they cannot take it easy," said Mehar Bhasin, who will look after the grooming of the contestants.

"The finalists will undergo an exclusively designed training and grooming regime that includes fitness, diction, psyche, aptitude, hair and make-up sessions. The training will enhance their confidence not only for the finale, but for further rounds to be held on the international stage as well," she added.

Beauty expert Blossom and Samantha Kochhar will take care of their beauty and hair, while fitness tips will be given by model-turned-actors Milind Soman and Rahul Dev.

Designer duo Rahul and Rohit Gandhi of the label Cue will design cocktail and evening wears for the participant. Madhu Jain and Milind Soman of the label M will design Indian traditional wear for the grand finale.

What makes this pageant different from other beauty pageants is the fact that even short girls may take part.

Tijori said: "This pageant is not restricted by banalities like physical shortcomings; the absence of height criteria and swim suit rounds makes it different from the conventional pageants.

"Majority of the Indian girls do not match the height criteria of other beauty pageants. Though they might have oodles of talent one shortcoming ruins all their chances of applying there. We understood this thing and came with a concept that will cheer up many beautiful and talented girls all over India."

Miss India Worldwide started 17 years ago and the contestants were primarily selected from the Indian diaspora. But it was felt that the pageant without a participant from India would be incomplete.

Then Tijori Entertainment and Kaleidovision took its franchisee from the Indian Festival Committee (IFC), a pioneer organisation conducting Indian pageants and fashion shows, in the US and worldwide.

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Preity Zinta's British connection

Preity Zinta has revealed that her ancestors were true blue British.

However, the actress doesn’t mind when people are confused about her identity.

"Some people think that I am a South Indian, while some feel that I am a Muslim. There have also been fans who have asked if I hail from Himachal Pradesh," she laughed.

"In the early 18th century, when the Rajputs had earned a reputation for 'killing for their honour', marital alliances between the two races became quite common. Thus was born the Zinta clan, a mix of British and Rajput blood. I am that rare combination," says Preity.

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Sanjay Dutt wants to pattern political career on Obama

After promising Gandhigiri, actor-turned-politician Sanjay Dutt has found new inspiration in Barack Obama and he wants to model his political career after the new US president.

"Like him, I am quite an outsider and an individual who has gotten over many levels of prejudice. I'd like to think of myself as the regular friendly guy next door who came into politics from the cold," said Sanjay, expected to contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow as a Samajwadi Party candidate.

"Plus, Obama is a complete family man like me. I'd certainly like to pattern my political career on him," Sanjay told IANS.

He is perhaps the only Bollywood star to have spent time with Obama.

"I met him when he was a senator. I'd marched in an Independence Day rally with him when he was a senator. And we hit it off well. In fact, recently I was called by the UN to be felicitated by Obama's and (former US president Bill) Clinton's families. Unfortunately, Obama couldn't be there," he said.

Now Sanjay is planning to meet Obama during his next visit to the US.

"As the UN's ambassador on malnutrition, I've to again go to the US shortly. I plan to meet up with Obama," he said.

Right now Sanjay is taking his "Munnabhai" fame Gandhigiri seriously in real life.

"I haven't touched alcohol in months. I've become a lemon-water man now. I don't even sneak a drink. If I do, I'll be back guzzling the beverage. For me it's always all or none. The only time I drank was December 31 and that too just a bit."

The actor, currently shooting for "Blue", "Lamhaa" and "Luck", says his next political move depends on the legal system. He has been convicted for possessing illegal firearms ahead of the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai and is out on bail.

"I'm hopeful I'd be allowed to contest the Lok Sabha elections. They've allowed (former cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party MP) Navjot Singh Sidhu, who's like my brother, why shouldn't they give me a chance? He was booked under section 304 of IPC (Indian Penal Code) which amounts to culpable homicide.

"Navjot is a wonderful man. Things happen in life. The honourable court understood that and gave Navjot a chance to serve our people. Why can't they give me the same chance? My recent track record is very positive. I'm the UN ambassador on malnutrition. It's a great honour for me and the country."

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Nepal bans Chandni Chowk To China

As protests continued to erupt on the streets of Kathmandu on Thursday (January 22) over Bollywood's first Kungfu comedy "Chandni Chowk to China", the new Maoist-led government officially banned the film.

The formal ban by the ministry of information and communications came as cinemas in Nepal had on their own stopped screening the controversial film on Wednesday.

All Kathmandu valley cinemas, from multiplexes like Jai Nepal, Kumari, Gopi Krishna and Barahi, to smaller ones like Guna and Ashta Narayan, hurriedly dropped the Akshay Kumar-Deepika Padukone starrer and began showing the earlier Bollywood release "Ghajini" or waited for another Bollywood film "Raaz" to be released on Friday.

The decision, that would cost the distributors of the films millions of rupees, was taken after angry protests began over the erroneous claim in the film that the Buddha, Nepal's best-known religious icon, was born in India.

"The Buddha was born in Nepal, learn to respect Nepal's identity and sovereignty," students screamed during a protest rally before an engineering college in the valley on Thursday (January 22). In the Lainchaur area near the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, protesters marched in silence, waving placards.

"The trouble was created by the narration in the film," said Nepali film director K.P. Pathak, who heads the Nepal Film Directors' Association that is urging audiences to boycott all foreign films that project wrong messages.

"About five minutes into the film, the narration introduces the hero as someone born in India, the Buddha's birthplace," Pathak told IANS.

The Buddha was born prince Siddharth in Lumbini in south Nepal in 623 BC. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit south Nepal every year to pay their homage to the apostle of peace.

Before being released in Nepal on Friday, "Chandni Chowk to China" was viewed by Nepal's censor board who objected to the dialogue. Subsequently, the distributors deleted it.

But though the offending dialogue was removed, the word got around and students stormed the Jai Nepal cinema on Wednesday, tearing down the posters of the film.

Remembering the violence that flared up in 2000 after wrongly attributed comments to Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, the distributors of "Chandni Chowk to China" on Wednesday decided to can it.

"It's not just Kathmandu valley," officials at the Gopi Krishna cinema told IANS. "No hall in Nepal will show that film. There is a virtual ban on it."

Despite the cinemas heeding public sentiment, the protests continued on Thursday with students saying that the CDs and VCDs of the film that have reached Nepal still have the offending dialogue.

The controversy has also created bad blood between Indians and Nepalis on YouTube with messages becoming abusive.

However, the most clinching argument comes from someone signing in as Prynka.

"The bottom line is," Prynka says, "the movie is very disappointing and it has definitely angered a lot of Nepalis for disregarding a very important part of our history....

"No one would expect a movie under the Warner Brothers' banner to have such ignorant mistakes."

"Chandni Chowk to China", the first Hindi film to be shot in China, is directed by Nikhil Advani and produced by Sippy Films as well as Warner Brothers.

The Lumbini Development Trust, that manages the Buddha's birthplace, said Indian tourist agencies also misguide travellers into believing that the Buddha was born in India.

"Before the Nepal government changed its visa policies, tourists would be brought to Nepal without being told they were entering a different country," Nepal's official media on Thursday quoted the public relations officer at the trust, Gyanin Rai, as saying.

It also reported the Maoist Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami as saying that the spread of such false information should be stopped.

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Chandni Chowk to China creates virtual rift among Asians

Bollywood's much-awaited first Kungfu comedy Chandni Chowk to China has created a rift on YouTube with Indian, Chinese and Nepali members trading insults.

The film, co-produced by Warner Brothers Pictures and directed by Nikhil Advani triggered protests with its statement that the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in India.

While many YouTube members have pointed out the mistake, saying he was born in Nepal, the correction is being opposed by some, creating an abusive environment.

A member signing in as provoked11, says, "Nepal Nepal Nepal!!!... Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. But he got enlightenment in Gaya which is in India. So let's not be confused. He was born in Nepal but he became Gautam Buddha in India."

"Buddha was born in an Indian forest," claims Luckyankraj while Hemantmehndi is more aggressive. "Nepal was born from India," the member says. "Therefore, Buddha is from India. Nepalese people get outta this India movie trailer. Go watch your own movies if they're that great."

The outburst is countered by Chanchaltam, who says: "Your language belies you. You can't be a good cultured Indian. If you go to ancient historical times then people can also argue that India was born from Nepal. Just a case of the son becoming bigger than the father."

Besides the Buddha's birthplace, there is also a growing fight over where Kungfu, the martial art form made famous by Bruce Lee with the 1973 film "Enter the Dragon", originated.

Says bobbzhere81: "India is the birth place of all martial arts. A saint named Bodidama carried this art from Madras (now Chennai) to China."

At this, protests come from lajabo0009, who says: "This is not true. India is the birth place of Buddhism but China is definitely the birth place of Kungfu (martial arts). Without China, Kungfu would have never developed to its current form.

However, the most clinching argument comes from Prynka, who enunciates what the bottom line is.

"The bottom line is: the movie is very disappointing and it has definitely angered a lot of Nepalis for disregarding a very important part of our history....

"No one would expect a movie under the Warner Brothers' banner to have such ignorant mistakes."

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Chandni Chowk to China sparks protest in Nepal

"Chandni Chowk to China", India's first made-in-China film, has angered Nepal for its erroneous references about the Buddha. Enraged students on Wednesday (January 21) tore off the posters of the romantic comedy at Kathmandu's best-known Jai Nepal cinema and the furore caused authorities to shelve the screening of the film.

The protests began over a comment in the film that the Buddha was born in India.

Born Prince Siddharth, the founder of Buddhism, the Buddha was born in Lumbini, in present day southern Nepal, which draws thousands of visitors every year.

Before its release on Friday, the film was vetted by Nepal's censor board which asked for the offending scene to be removed.

The Jai Nepal cinema was screening the movie with the cut ordered by the board but the word got around, triggering public anger.

The protesters are also asking the Maoist government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to take up the issue with the Indian government.

Protests are not restricted to students. K.P. Pathak, a member of the Nepal Film Development Board as well as chief of the Nepal Directors' Association, has urged Nepalis to boycott the film, the Dainikee.com website reported.

"This film projects wrong information," the website quoted Pathak as saying. "We are asking the audience to boycott all such films."

Directed by Nikhil Advani, "Chandni Chowk to China" is co-producer Warner Brothers' second Hindi film and casts Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone in lead roles.

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Aamir Khan’s flattered by cool Katz!

So Ghajini has become the biggest grossing movie in the shortest possible time span? Hmmnn! Why aren’t we surprised? ‘Coz its Aamir boy who wore the ‘thinking cap’ (he probably has it screwed on) for the promotional blitzkrieg.

No wonder this Khan has audiences of all shapes, sizes and ages wrapped around his muscled finger (or is it his entire body?). Not only the junta, even industry folks (hot babes with boyfriends included) are in awe of Aamir’s sense of perfection. Recently during an interview with us, Katrina Kaif commented that Aamir Khan has the best body in the business. We’re sure AK must’ve been maha-khush on hearing this, though in his usual nonchalant style he told us, “I’m flattered by what Katrina said.

If you ask me, I like John’s physique. I think he has a great body. I only did what was required for my role. I think Salman has got a great physique, too.” Aha ... we’re sure Sallu will love the latter part of Aamir’s response, but the bit about Johnny boy? We sooo doubt that he’ll agree with his dost. For ‘butt’ obvious reasons, na?

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Lara & I are very close: Dino

It’s official now. Lara Dutta and Dino Morea are madly in love.

A common friend of Lara and Dino told us yesterday, “It’s not that Lara and Dino feel awkward about their relationship, but the fact is that they have taken a joint decision not to talk much about it.”

Earlier, there were reports that Lara had shifted into Dino’s house in Bandra, Mumbai. Our source said, “That’s not true. The two of them spend a lot of time together, but they have their respective homes. Yes, they both reside in Bandra but Lara stays in Anstel apartments while Dino stays at his bungalow.”

Our source added, “Both Lara and Dino have had ups and downs in their personal lives. So, they are maintaining a low profile this time. They do go out together but they don’t want to make their relationship apparent by openly indulging in public displays of affection.”

When contacted, Dino refused to talk about his relationship with Lara. On being probed further, he simply said, “Lara and I are very close. Lara is a very beautiful and intelligent girl. I don’t want to say anything more than this at this point of time.”

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Slumdog bags 10 Oscar Nominations, Rahman 3

As expected, Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards at the 81st Academy Awards. Rahman has bagged 3 nominations for his compositions in the film.

A. R. Rahman is nominated for Best Original Score category where he competes with Danny Elfman (Milk), James Newton Howard (Defiance), Thomas Newton (Wall E) and Alexandre Desplat (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). And in the Best Song category, Rahman has been nominated not once but twice in the same category.

Director Danny Boyle is up against David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Gus Van Sant (Milk), Stephen Daldry (The Reader) and Ron Howard (Frost/ Nixon) in the fight for Best Director.

In the Best Picture category, Slumdog Millionaire is up against The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, Frost/Nixon and The Reader

Simon Beaufoy's adapted screenplay is up against those of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Doubt and The Reader

Disappointingly Slumdog hasn't been nominated in any of the acting categories. But Dev Patel who plays Slumdog Jamal Malik is ecstatic. He says "Now that we have been nominated, I am sure we will win also. But every year so many good films are released and so I can just cross my fingers. Actually if Slumdog Millionaire has to win an Oscar then I think it should go to our directors Danny (Boyle) and Loveleen (Tandon) because Loveleen has only taught us about the culture."

Here is a list of all the categories Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated in:
Best Picture
Best Sound Mixing
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Editing
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Director
Best Original Score
Best Song: Jai Ho
Best Song: O Saya

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Irrfan Khan gussa with Big B

While Slumdog Millionaire is the toast of the media all over the world, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has made headlines by publicly slamming it. The superstar was upset with the way India’s poverty had been highlighted in the picture. This has saddened the film’s actor Irrfan Khan who plays a cop in the movie.

“I don't know why some Indians feel shy to accept that India is a poor country. We are still a developing country. More than half of population is still poor. Everyone is not a superstar or rich. In India kids still die because of malnutrition. So what if one movie shows poverty in India? The film doesn't show that Indians are bad…it only shows the life in the slums" says Irrfan Khan.

The actor goes on to add that the film is based on a book written by an Indian and that the film has only put on reel what is mentioned in the book.

"I guess Mr. Bachchan has not read the book which is actually written by an Indian writer called Vikas Swaroop. And it is not that the book talks about children who are staying at Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Bandra's Pali Hill. In the book only it was about slum children. It’s not like the book has something different and he (Danny Boyle) has shown something else. He has not done any imaginary thing with this film…it's the book which he put into his film,” argues Irrfan, “It is not possible for him to show children from a rich family becoming millionaire. And I guess Danny has done a wonderful job in the film. Inspite of arguing or saying that he has shown only poverty we should be proud that he has brought a Golden Globe Award for India. It is because of him only that Indian movies have reached those doors which earlier were not possible."

Even Anil Kapoor who bagged the role of the quiz master after Boyle was unable to reach Shah Rukh Khan or get Amitabh’s dates is upset with the comments made.

“India is a democratic country and we all had a right to say what we think and even you can show your review about the film after watching it. So what Mr. Bachchan has done is that he has just presented his views about the film,” says Anil diplomatically.

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Aishwarya - The World's most desirable woman!

For those who thought that world's most beautiful woman Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is loosing her sheen and her time is all over now will have to rethink about it. As the pretty lady is here to stay and she has proved the same by winning the World's Most Desirable Women title.

Recently in an annual survey titled 'Top 50 Most Desirable Woman in the World' conducted by one of the leading men's portal had Ash at the 48th spot while popular American singer Beyonce rounds the list off on the 50th position. The survey which asked voters to select their ideals on the basis of intelligence, charisma and ambition was topped by American actress Eva Mendes. Some other prominent names on the list were Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba.

Surely Ash has once again made us proud and confirmed that her winning streak will go on and on...no matter what people pronounce about her.

Kudos to Ash! Wish the most desirable woman a hearty congrats

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KJO Unplugged!

He is known for playing his cards, or shall we say, brewing his coffee well ...always-be it as a producer, director, host or cameo actor. And of course he has his own set of humour that adds a flavour to every thing he does. Karan Johar gets candid with our correspondent.

Is it true that you have become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena?
Oh my God! I expected you to start with DOSTANA and you shot the other way...(laughs). It's all right. See, I have not become a 'dietician' to Kajol and Kareena in a true sense, but I have given them some suggestions to abide by if they are interested in working in my next films. I have asked Kajol to lose some flab for MY NAME IS KHAN. And I told Kareena not to lose weight for an unnamed Dharma Productions film to be directed by a friend Rensil D'Silva.

I understand Kajol's weight loss, but Kareena's size zero is quite 'in' now...
That's a myth and may be a momentary craze. But the truth is Indian audience always prefers a healthy (not fat) heroine...this size zero concept is not for Hindi film heroines, at least that's what I feel.

You will be directing again after quite some time. Tell us more about MY NAME IS KHAN?
MY NAME IS KHAN is a film based on the psyche of a Muslim man whose name comes up in the suspect list of terrorists post 9/11. Yes, as usual, this film has Shah Rukh as the hero and Kajol as the heroine. And I will be directing a film after quite some time. The trio will be back to sizzle the screen after KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. So you may as well call it my comeback as a director.

We heard it took you long to persuade Kajol to sign the film. True?
Kajol is always like that...she knows she can never say 'No' to me...still she tries in vain. But the point is, I am very happy that she has finally agreed to do the film because only she can play her character in the film.

Why is Shah Rukh an indispensable part of almost every Dharma Productions film? Is it because he sells?
Shah Rukh is definitely one of the biggest stars in Bollywood and his screen presence does make a difference. But the reason why he is in almost all our films is something different. My father (Yash Johar) was very fond of Shah Rukh, in fact he considered him to be family, which of course, SRK is. And when I decided to make films, he said: 'Beta, if possible, try to involve Shah Rukh in all Dharma Productions projects.' Besides, Shah Rukh has been a friend, philosopher and guide...it's an old association and old habits die hard.

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SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

First things first! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE deserves all the accolades and awards that it has been receiving of late and will continue receiving in the future. Also, in this writer's individualistic opinion, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE doesn't make a mockery or an attempt to sell the poverty of India to the West.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE depicts life on the mean streets of Mumbai, so what? Doesn't it exist? Should we ridicule the effort it just because a gora has made it? We don't raise a noise when Indian film-makers do so, so why now? Double standards!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is, at heart, a love story and director Danny Boyle treats it like a Bollywood film. In fact, the screen writing [Simon Beaufoy] is so smart, so energetic [he must be a big fan of Bollywood] that everything is spoon-fed to the viewer, unlike most international films.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is dark and gory at places, but at the end of it all, it offers a ray of hope for those who've been plain unlucky when it comes to the materialistic things of life and most importantly, love.

So what's the final word? Jai Ho!

Accused of cheating and desperate to prove his innocence, an eighteen-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai reflects back on his tumultuous life while competing to win the prized money on India's 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'.

Jamal [Dev Patel] may not have a penny to his name, but that could all change in a matter of hours. He's one question away from taking the top prize on India's most popular television game show, but as with everything else in Jamal's life, it isn't going to be easy.

Arrested by police under suspicion of cheating, Jamal is interrogated by the authorities. The police simply can't believe that Jamal could possibly possess the knowledge to get this far in the game, and in order to convince them of how he gained such knowledge, Jamal begins reflecting back on his childhood.

As young boys, Jamal and his older brother Salim lived in squalor and lost their mother in a mob attack on Muslims. Subsequently forced to rely on their own wits to survive, the desperate siblings fell back on petty crime, eventually befriending adorable yet feisty young Latika as they sought out food and shelter on the unforgiving streets of Mumbai.

Though life on the streets was never easy, Jamal's experiences ultimately instilled in him the knowledge he needed to answer the tough questions posed to him on the show.

Danny Boyle and screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy join hands to create one of the most engaging rags-to-riches story of a boy raised in the slums of Mumbai. A few scenes may put you off completely, but if you're a Mumbaite, you must've surely encountered such characters on the back of your street.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE keeps you hooked, there's not a single dull moment and most importantly, your heart pines for the lovers [Jamal and Latika] to unite, after all that they've gone through in life. That's one of the prime reasons why SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE works big time.

If Boyle's direction and Beaufoy's screen writing works, so does A.R. Rahman's exuberant musical score. The background score is eclectic, while the song 'Jai Ho' [at the conclusion of the film] is mesmeric. The camera [Anthony Dod Mantle] captures the streets of the metropolis remarkably. Note the chase at the very start, with a constable chasing the young Salim and Jamal in the slums. Brilliant!

Dev Patel is top notch, while Anil Kapoor is highly competent. Freida Pinto does very well. Irrfan Khan gives his individualistic style to his role. Mahesh Manjrekar and Saurabh Shukla are first-rate. Madhur Mittal [older Salim] is alright. Ankur Vikal spells terror. Special mention must be made of the young actors in the film; they are such fine actors. Especially the young Salim and Jamal.

On the whole, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a must-see! One of the finest films of our times, this one should not be missed for any reason.

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Juhi Chawla wears a new look

Juhi Chawla is wearing blonde highlights in hair hair for her role in Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut "Luck By Chance" (pictured above).

Juhi, last seen in Ravi Chopra's "Bhootnath", will play veteran actor Rishi Kapoor's wife in the film.

"Playing Minty was so much fun! And moreover I got to colour my hair blonde, which was something I had never done before," said Juhi.

"When Zoya offered me the role I was extremely thrilled. Even though I was told it was not a big role, I didn't mind as it was different from all the other characters I have played before, and that was the most exciting part," she added.

"Luck By Chance", releasing on January 30, stars Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma and has a much-hyped guest appearance by superstar Hrithik Roshan.

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Shahid wants to be 'best among best'

Bollywood eye candy Shahid Kapur says he only wants to compete with the crème-de-la-crème in the industry.

"Why should I compete with any one person? I would like to compete with the best and want to be the best among the best. That is where I want to reach ultimately," Shahid told IANS.

However, the actor doesn't mean competition in the literal sense.

"A lot of times I see a great performance and get inspired to work better. I feel competition is a wrong term, I think it's more about professional camaraderie and appreciation of someone's work and finding reasons to work harder the next day," he added.

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I’m not Superman: Akshay

You would have thought with the appalling reviews and public criticism his 2009 non-starter Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C) received in India, Akshay Kumar would have retreated to a corner to sulk and lick his wounds .

Far from it! Bollywood’s action hero who laughs, cries, sings, dances and kickboxes in the film that producer Warner Bros’ American audiences and the Hollywood press (also, Indian kids) actually enjoyed, is standing on his feet having taken the punches squarely on the chin... BT put him on the mat and got him to deliver straight replies to some more punches...

With this flop, it’s being said your golden spell is over...
But my so-called flop has generated Rs 45 crore in the first weekend... it’s the fourth highest, three-day box office collection in the history of Bollywood. Besides, I never said this was the greatest film ever made. I told everyone, ‘It’s a senseless film, leave your brains at home.’ I accept it for what it is, I love it for what it is, and I will stand by it and say that’s the film we wanted to make and we made. I pray you like it, and I’m sorry if you don’t. But I didn’t break my back doing it to have my own fraternity later stab me from behind...

But you’re hugely successful, you had the opportunity to choose ... did you make the right choice?
I accept failure, no problem; failing isn’t the scary part, reading newpapers is what brings me out in a cold sweat! Mistakes I can live with, but regret is one thing I can do without. I did my best, I’m not Superman, if I never fall how will I pick myself up to climb again!

Shekhar Suman says you ought to apologise for CC2C...
Bollywood is a family, if you have a problem come to my house and discuss it with me over tea, don’t poison the minds of our public. Have you ever heard me hurt anyone? But Shekar Suman’s not the only one. His son’s film releases tomorrow and I wish him the very best. I hope no one ever talks about Shekhar’s son the same way he spoke about me.

Where does CC2C leave you?
Thank God I’m not considered number one or anything of the sort. I’m happy being the underdog that has to struggle. It’s what I’m used to doing and it’s where I’m happiest. I can get on with being the dude who just wants to make films. Wish me luck ...

What is the road ahead like?
Bumpy, full of pot-holes, but I’ll reach my destination ... I work hard, I do good things with my money, and all I want to do at the end of the day is go home and play with my innocent son. No film, no money and no amount of success is more precious than that. I’m lucky, every month my son’s dying to see another one of my films!

People say you’ve lost your trademark modesty with success...
No one can ever take away my modesty. I haven’t changed since the day I started, in fact I’m even more mellow now than I used to be. People are dying to pull me down. I understand why. But I won’t become too big for my boots. Have I ever thrown my weight around or abused my position in the industry? Why do you think after all the flops I am still here!

You gave away your Best Actor award in the Popular category to Aamir Khan. People claim that magnanimity was not the reason behind your grand gesture...
Of course they will, you only hear crap about me around release time; they did it to me before Singh Is Kinng and are doing it again now. I gave my award to Aamir because I felt he deserved it. Just because he doesn’t turn up for awards doesn’t mean I can pretend it doesn’t belong to him. I was honoured to be given the award and, to be honest, it took a lot for me to give it away. Aamir knows why I did what I did, he understands me, why can’t people? Everybody’s not corrupt.

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Despite dud, Akshay has four-midable 2009

2009 may have begun on a debacle of a note for Khiladi Kumar with CC2C going under but he has many chances to regain his lost glory. Unlike his competitors, who have only one or two films each scheduled for release this year (My Name is Khan for SRK, 3 Idiots for Aamir, London Dreams and Veer for Salman, and Kites for Hrithik), Akki has four.

Here are the films he will be hoping will keep him in the A-hero slot that he fought so hard to get last year.
Interestingly, he has films in all sorts of genres.

Film: Kambakkht Ishq
Genre: Action
Akshay's character: Stuntman
Release: May
X-Factor: Sylvester Stallone, Kareena in a golden bikini

The chick factor in Kambakkht Ishq comes from Kareena Kapoor and Bond Girl Denise Richards, and it is likely to be one of Akshay's two big films this year. A quintessential big budget Bollywood potboiler it has more going for it than just big stars from Hollywood. The jodi of Kareena and Akshay clicked in Aitraaz and though Tashan flopped, Kareena's performance and look were the rage. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has delivered blockbusters like Heyy Babyy and Mujhse Shaadi Karoge and so understands what hit films are about (even if Jaan-e-Mann flopped). Writer Anvita Dutt Guptan (Dostana and Bachna Ae Haseeno) also has the touch. Shot in US, Italy and France, the film also has Playboy Playmate Carmen Electra with Sean Kingston and Beyonce Knowles on the soundtrack. This will help with desi audiences abroad. The movie's editors tell us that Kareena has filled out her bikini a little more voluptuously than she did in Tashan.

Film: Blue
Genre: Thriller
Akshay's character: Scuba Diving Thief
Release: Christmas
X-Factor: Underwater shots, sharks

Tagged Bollywood's most expensive flick ever (its budget has crossed 100 crore) Blue is not an Akshay solo movie; it also stars Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan and Katrina Kaif. If such things matter anymore, given that most films are shot abroad, it also stars the islands of the Bahamas as well as what are promised to be very slick stunts. This is the second movie that Akshay will circle as one of his two big hits of '09. AR Rahman has scored the music, which features the singing of Aussie pop sensation Kylie Minogue. Lara and Katrina have been given the pretext of taking off their clothes, while the men are apparently looking bronzed and fit. If the movie has a half-decent story, it should fly.

Film: De Dhana Dhan
Genre: Comedy
Akshay's character: ?
Release: Second half
X-Factor: Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty and Akshay team up again after Hera Pheri 1 and 2

The last time Akshay worked with director Priyadarshan, they delivered Bhool Bhulaiyya. Before that, Hera Pheri and Garam Masala. This time they're making a comedy that sees another reunion: Akshay with Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, who also starred in Hera Pheri.
While the movie does not have the makings of a top rate blockbuster, given its comic tilt, its success will keep Akshay in that zone where people will assume that just the star and a decent script are needed for a film to rock.

Film: Eight By Ten
Genre: Sci-Fi
Akshay's character: Fortune Teller
Release: April
X-Factor: Arty film

This is Akshay's riskiest movie this year, and is being directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Risky on three counts. First: Nagesh's last film, Aashayein starring John Abraham, is yet to release because apparently its producers find it too arty. Second: Nagesh has never worked with an A-star before and might not know how to handle one, given that his films are plot-focussed. Third: Fantasy and Sci-Fi have never worked in India with a couple of exceptions (think of the disaster of Love Story 2050). Akshay has Ayesha Takia for company and her role in Dor for Nagesh, while it was splendid, was not heroine material for Bollywood.
While the movie has a small budget (apparently Akshay also isn't charging as much as normal), if it releases early in the year it might cause more mouths to chatter and speculate if Akki really deserves to be in the top bracket after all.

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Sanju's slashing sideburns become rage

Aamir Khan had his fans lattoo over his cropped hair and slashed parting. Now Sanjay Dutt has got designer sideburns for his new movie, Luck. Will this be as big a hit as well? His hairdresser Alim certainly hopes so.

"It's a sidelock with 3 triangles opposite each other," said Alim, "Sanju can carry off anything larger than life… his aura is really huge! He will set a new trend with his facial hair."
Sanju baba says the look came from a conversation with director Soham Shah.

"Soham is very talented and has a very creative outlook. We both sat and discussed the look and I'm very happy that Aalim has styled me exactly as we envisioned," he said.

Alim has been styling Sanjay's hair for many years.

Soham said: "I wanted a look which he had never worn before. I designed a couple of looks on photoshop and Sanju suggested a particular style. Aalim took it to a different level with his international styling experience."

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Danny Boyle: Bollywood stars had no dates for me

Danny Boyle is the man of the moment. His film Slumdog Millionaire has wowed the West and won him countless awards – the most recent being the Golden Globe. The director behind Hollywood films like Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Millions and Sunshine says he had no choice but to take Anil kapoor as the rest of the so called A listers in Bollywood had no time for him.

“In Bollywood stars are so busy with their work that they don't have time. Even in Hollywood stars are not so busy which I found very strange,” says Danny whose first choice for the role of the quizmaster was Shah Rukh Khan and subsequently Amitabh Bachchan. However the director says that neither of the two biggest Bollywood stars had any time or dates for him.

“But later Lovleen introduced me to Anil Kapoor and he was the only actor who had the dates to do my film. Then I watched his films like Mr. India and Taal and I loved his performance so I signed him but afterwards I have realized that he is the only candidate who could do this role,” says Boyle.

One of the main concerns for the popular international director was the accent. Boyle was worried about the accent and the fluency in English as far as Anil was concerned.

“I thought we would have to work hard for dubbing but when I met Anil he could speak English and that also in an American accent. And not only with Anil… I enjoyed working with Lovleen also. I didnn't want a 20 year old boy or girl to play a character of 6 year old kid and so Lovlin suggested that we could take three different kids to play the same character and these kids were brilliant. Even for the characters of Jamal and Latika played by Freida … the casting was done by Lovleen. I remember we had taken so many auditions for Freida's role but just couldn’t find the right person and then Lovleen showed me Freida's audition and I was convinced,” says Danny.

The international director who is pegged to take home the awards on Oscar night next month says he has also become a fan of Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan who plays the cop in Slumdog Millionaire.

“I would love to say one thing... Irrfan Khan is one of the greatest actors in your industry. I have become a fan of him,” he says.

When asked about the criticism directed towards his film by some people including superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Danny seems unperturbed. “To get criticism is a part of making a film. It will only help me grow in my profession. And I guess every one has right to show their feelings especially in India because it is a democratic country!"

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Adhyayan Suman: RAAZ - TMC could well be your last horror film

Adhyayan Suman would be making his debut with RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES (he insists that HAAL-E-DIL was a faux pas and hardly a debut) and is obviously mighty excited about its prospects. He also reinstates the belief once again that this is one of the scariest films to have been churned out of Bollywood.

''I have been scared of watching horror films ever since I remember. In fact I used to shut my eyes whenever anything related to horror came on TV. I was watching RING one day and said to myself that 'Boss, this is it. No more horror movies''', says Adhyayan.

When I tell him that RING made me too completely swear off Hollywood horror flicks, he says, ''Then rest assured that RAAZ - TMC would be the last Bollywood horror film of your life. It is going to shock you at so many junctures.''

Ask him if working in the film impacted his psyche as well and he nods in agreement, ''It does become spooky actually. After I came back home after the shoot, all the 'daravana' scenes used to keep playing around in my mind. I used to feel ki kahin peeche se haath na aa jaaye, mera mirror mein face na change ho jaaye! (Someone's hand doesn't come up from behind me; my face doesn't change in the mirror)''

''On the sets it is still okay because the entire unit is there with so many activities happening around you. But once you are alone, you get damn scared. I was glad once the shooting got over'', smiles Adhyayan.

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Deepika skipped sister's National Golf Tournament for CC2C premieres

Being a star at 23 is not easy. Deepika has no friends in Mumbai. And she doesn't have any qualms in admitting it.

So busy is the stunning actress that she went off for the North American and London premieres of Chandni Chowk To China just when her sister Anisha was playing at a National Golf Tournament in Pune.

"Yes Anisha who's five years younger to me and the baby of the family was playing in Pune just when I left for my premieres. I'd have definitely liked to watch her," says Deepika wistfully. "But then maybe having family around to watch her play would make her self-conscious. She needs to find her own identity away from the family cocoon. And for that we need to leave her alone to swim in the waters and face the storms. So in a way it was good that I wasn't around when she played."

Deepika has been traveling unchaperoned all through the year. "Both me and my sister have been taught to be self dependent. I am 23 and very proud of it. I'm young and raring to go. Age has nothing to do with maturity. I started traveling alone at a very young age (12) as a badminton player. That made feel responsible from a very young age. I learnt to travel in a team share dormitories and bathrooms. You could say I've roughed it out. My parents made sure my sister and I were brought up with normal working class values."

She says she isn't into celebrations. "I've never been the partying type. I'm not much into celebrations ever since I moved to Mumbai to become an actress. I don't have any friends to call over. Earlier when I was in Bangalore I used to call all my friends over for my birthday and then take them bowling or to watch a movie..."

She trails off. "Now all my free days are spent with my family. My entire family comes down from Bangalore to Mumbai for my birthday every year. It becomes a family reunion time. They came to visit me around my birthday. My Dad, mom and sister were here. We also paid a visit to Tirupathi."

And now Deepika travelled all across the US, Toronto and London, all on her own.

"Why do you say that?" she shoots back. "I had the Chandni Chowk To China team with me. We were hopping from city to city. The only sleep I got was on flight."

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The great fall of 'China'

It could've been a hat-trick, but it isn't. RAB NE BANA DI JODI worked. So did GHAJINI. Had CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA not bit the dust, the industry would've continued its winning streak. We enjoyed the starters [RAB NE BANA DI JODI], we enjoyed the meal [GHAJINI], but the dessert [CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA] left a bitter taste.

By now, everyone knows that CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA has under-performed in its opening weekend, so let's not waste time crying over spilt milk. Let's highlight the repercussions a biggie like CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA has on the industry when it falls flat on its face.

As I pen my thoughts, I can't help but recall the various conversations I've had with several prominent distributors and exhibitors over CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA. Everyone's unanimous that Akshay Kumar is repeating himself. That he needs to reinvent himself. Enacting similar roles in film after film is only going to take him the Salman Khan and Govinda way. He needs to pull up his socks.

Is his popularity dwindling? Not really, but he needs to take stock of the situation and accept roles that defy the stereotype.

Perhaps, Nikhil Advani, the creator of CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, may not have come to terms with the fact that CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA has nosedived. Most film-makers are in complete denial when their movie fails, at least in the initial days. They feel the world has an agenda against them, the world is out to pull them down. But the Daily Collection Reports [with the distributors] should serve as an eye-opener for all film-makers and also actors who shut their eyes to reality.

The kadwa sach is, CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA has failed and failed big time. Monday onwards, the business has crashed completely.

The failure of CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA should serve as an eye-opener for all producers who sign a star first and hunt for a story later. In this case, Nikhil Advani made a poster first, showed it to Akshay [who loved it apparently] and then wrote the script. Bizarre, isn't it?

The question is, will Warner Bros. lose money on CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA? Looking at its theatrical performance in India as also in the key international markets [U.S.A., U.K.], it's certain that CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA will make a hole in the pockets of its investors.

A terrible waste of a terrific opportunity!

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Vidya Balan runs for Nanhi Kali with Verve Magazine at Mumbai Marathon

Vidya Balan pledged her support to Project Nanhi Kali, along with Verve magazine, at the recent Mumbai marathon. On the sunny morning of 18th January 09', Vidya ran alongside 35,000 Mumbaikars at the 6th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, for Nanhi Kali.

Inspired by the projects outreach to over 48,000 underprivileged girl children in poor urban, and remote rural tribal communities, Vidya decided to come forward to support the cause and the project, along with Verve magazine. She also spent time interacting with 'nanhi kalis'. While the young girls were extremely happy to see their favourite star in person, Vidya too was very impressed by them.

The energy was palpable at the Marathon which showcased the spirit of Mumbai and Mumbaikars, who participated this year not only for their favourite charity but also to show solidarity post the 26/11 terror attacks.

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"Suddenly there is a whole mission to 'Kill Akshay'" - Vipul Shah

Chandni Chowk To China may not have taken a huge opening as was expected out of it. However, a large section of media has chosen to target Akshay Kumar and have started writing obituaries about him. Unreasonable as it may sound; the backlash seems to be completely uncalled for, especially for a man who till about a fortnight back was hailed as 'the darling of the masses'. Vipul Shah, Akshay's friend, director and producer, gets into a freewheeling chat with Joginder Tuteja and shares his views about the reasons that have perhaps led to such 'venom being spewed on Akshay Kumar' (in his own language). Over to Vipul!

Mission 'Target Akshay'

"I think the only thing that Akshay has done wrong is that he has never been a part of any camp. He has never picked up any favorites with media or has tied up with journalists (it's a shame that some of them are called journalists). Unfortunately he is not a part of any politics and believes in the policy of 'do your work and go home'. Today, when people are getting an opportunity to tarnish and target him, he doesn't have people to defend him. Everyone is clearly having a field day."

All HITS forgotten?

"And by the way, why are we forgetting that he is the same man who in the last 3 years has seen 21 films of his getting released out of which 17 have been hits. He is the most consistent actor, star and a lot more than that. Just because one film of his doesn't take a kick start as expected, people out there have started making judgments. It's like Sachin Tendulkar failing in one innings and people saying that he should retire! See, these kinds of elements are always there and neither Akshay nor any of his directors or producers would be bothered about it."

Of course Akshay is disappointed!

"Akshay is extremely concerned about the kind of backlash coming towards him and the film. He is feeling at a certain level that despite what media has to say about the film, his audience should not feel let down. It can happen to the best of the people but the way stories are being generated, it seems as if Akshay has almost finished the entire industry with just one film. What are we smoking? It's really sad! People should realize that he is the only actor who does 4 films a year and still sees so much of success. Now today, if you want to crucify him then well, only God can help you."

The 'J' factor at play?

"Jealousy - I guess that too has played a major role in the kind of backlash that is being generated. They feel that Akshay earns a lot of money and I have realized that in my interaction with people. They are jealous about him reaching this position and now they have got a chance to open their mouths. Well, do that as long as you don't misuse the freedom of expression. But please don't jump to conclusions. Otherwise it would be a shameful incident in Indian cinema when so-called underperformance of one film would lead to a select bunch of people trying to finish him off. Well, keep trying because ultimately audience would anyways come to see his next film."

Why are we demoralizing the industry?

"While media and some people with vested interest are targeting a man who has come up to such a level through so many hardships in life and done something that people can only dream to achieve, they are only demoralizing others in the industry. Akshay is a man who has come from nowhere and created a space for himself. Today, you want to ignore all his hard work put for so many years; the ton loads of entertainment he has provided to millions out there. Show me one actor whose film hasn't lived up to expectations. When you see CC2C, Akshay has tried his best. Now may be you like the film or not is a different question but can you say that Akshay hasn't made an effort? There is a limit to what an actor can do!"

Akshay should retire? What nonsense!

"If you want to say that because of one film an actor should retire then I would say that please watch your mouth and language. Because I am so sure that Akshay would deliver a hit next, and that should be soon, and once that happens, the very same people would be touching his feet. That day is not far off! Suddenly there is a whole mission to 'Kill Akshay'. Well, let me tell you that he is much stronger a person that he won't die because of one CC2C. He won't vanish and instead would do a lot more for people. So please save your opinion because tomorrow you would be returning to him for an interview and a front page cover!"

It's not only about Akshay

"Yes, Akshay happens to be a very near person in my life but honestly speaking, Anyone including myself would've been disappointed if people would have talked in the same way. What disgusts me most is the attitude of some people in India who are targeting an actor. It is sad because at the time when the industry is not going through its best patch, we are not supporting each other. Seriously, we don't need enemies from outside when we have a good chunk of them from inside the industry. These are the people who are harming themselves. At the end of the day, this industry sees collective success and failure. If one film does well, it benefits 10 more films that are coming next. And if one fails, it impacts 10 more which are going to be released next."

Am I angry? No!

"I am not angry at the mischief makers; I am just analyzing the situation with a balanced approach and feeling sad at our outlook towards our colleagues. If we continue to have such an outlook in the times when the industry is not going through the best time then obviously our growth should be restricted. We pull each other down rather than supporting, hence we deserve to remain at a lower level. My point is, let's forget about Akshay and think about yourself. You are just damaging yourself!"

Akshay is not alone

"I can recount 100 such cases when someone has been pulled down so badly. A few months back, it happened to Himesh Reshammiya. Earlier, after Saawariya, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was said to be finished. Harman got to hear so much due to Love Story 2050. After Drona, Abhishek was written off and even though Dostana was a success, a large section of media didn't want to believe it earlier on but later relented. This is our cynicism at play and mind you, one film cannot make or break anyone. Forget a superstar; it could even be the case for a newcomer. Yes, I choose to be vocal about it because perhaps this is what the first time when it is not just backlash but venom being spewed out. I have never seen something like this before and I hope I don't see it ever again!"

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Chandni Chowk To China grosses Rs 330 million in India

Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone starrer Chandni Chowk To China has grossed Rs 330 million (Rs 33 crores) in its opening weekend in India, including paid previews.

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, Warner Bros India director sales Neeraj Goswami says, "We are happy to have crossed Rs 300 million (Rs 30 crores) mark in India, considering that not many films grossed that amount in 2008. We are happy with weekend numbers."

When queried about public reaction towards the movie and Warner's expectations of the first week collections, Goswami said, "Well the reaction towards the movie has been mixed. We'll be able to judge this week's expectations only once Monday's collection come in entirely, which should be by tomorrow. But the movie should manage to do well this week since the coming weekend is long. There are new releases this week but every movie has their niche audience."

Slated to release this week is the much acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle along with Vishesh Films and Sony BMG's horror flick Raaz - The Mystery Continues. These films will find a good window with Monday (26 January) being a holiday.

Chandni Chowk To China released on 16 January. In the US the film was released in 134 cinemas. At the time of filing this story, the weekend overseas collections of the film were not available with Warner Bros.

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Aamir blogs after a long time

Aamir Khan has finally posted a new entry on his blog, after a considerable period of time.

According to Aamir he stopped blogging because he did not want to use it as a medium to get publicity for “Ghajini”.

“The sad thing about that is, that then, I don't end up sharing with you a lot of the process and what I am feeling at that time. Films are my life and I would like to share it first hand... So henceforth, I am not going to bother about that," he wrote.

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Nadiadwala plans a star-studded premiere for Kambakht Ishq

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who has collaborated with Hollywood biggies Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards for his forthcoming film "Kambakht Ishq", has invited them for a grand premiere of the film in India later this year. He hopes it will help wipe away the traumatic memories of the Mumbai terror strikes from the tourists' mind.

"It's a do or die thing for me after 26/11. I don't feel like a Bollywood producer at the moment. I'm reacting as an Indian," Nadiadwala told IANS.

Post-26/11, the premiere of the Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer has become a show of strength for Nadiadwala as an Indian more than a producer. Invitations have been sent out to Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

"Let's just say I want my Hollywood team to come and erase 26/11 from Mumbai's tourist map. I'm going to leave no stone unturned to make sure Stallone and others go back with only the fondest memories of Mumbai.

"If six months ago I'd have laid out the red carpet for the Hollywood members of the cast, now I'm putting my entire production machinery and powers of hospitality on the block.

"The 'Kambhakt Ishq' premiere is not about our entertainment industry any more. It's about Mumbai and India. I want Hollywood to come to Mumbai and taste our hospitality. Nothing has changed in the country. We're still as warm and welcoming as we used to be," said Nadiadwala.

Over 20 foreigners were killed in the Mumbai terror strikes.

"'Kambhakt Ishq' is not just an exciting business venture after what happened to Mumbai in November. Suddenly all of us have become more sensitised. We need to prove a point to the world and to ourselves... I realise there's a black mark against Mumbai's name on the tourist map after 26/11. We will erase it. And to do that we need to invite the outside world to come to Mumbai and see that Mumbai is safe. I promise you, Stallone won't go back with any apprehensions about our city."

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“Nobody’s father can ask me to shut up” - Sajid Khan

After the public spat between the show’s host Sajid Khan and best director award winner Ashutosh Gowarikar (pictured left) at the recent Star Screen Awards, it seems the industry has gone against Sajid and are all supporting Ashu.

Even Sajid's sister Farah Khan, who intervened to sort out the matters on the stage, is not able to clear the air.

Subhash Ghai has gone a step ahead and is sending a text message to everyone in his phone book, The SMS reads: “All respected filmmakers and artistes fully support Ashutosh Gowarikar's stand to speak on Screen awards against the cheap and humiliating jokes on industry people in public, where they are supposed to honour the contestants and the winners... it was height of making commercial awards function as a cheap entertainment show at the cost of celebrities, artistes and individuals. Industry shall stop going to attend such functions in future if such arrogance continues."

To update those not in know, the verbal fight between Sajid and Ashutosh took place during the awards function in Mumbai on January 14.

As a co-host of the Star Screen Awards, along with his sister Farah, Sajid had been cracking jokes at the expense of many celebrities. When Ashutosh Gowarikar came on stage to accept his award, he voiced his displeasure at Sajid’s humour and also the fact that he was not allowing many award winners to give an acceptance speech. He also said that the people would rather listen to the artistes than Sajid’s jokes.

When Sajid told him that the jokes were part of the script, Ashu asked him to shut up and walked off. Not one to take such a thing lying low, Sajid put in the last word by saying, “Nobody’s father can ask me to shut up”.

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Critics slam Chandni Chowk To China

“Chandni Chowk To China” had generated immense pre-release hype and was predicted to surpass even the record-breaking run of “Ghajini” at the box office.

However, the Akshay Kumar-Deepika Padukone starrer, which opened in India on January 16, has not impressed film critics.

Almost all the reviews have slammed “Chandni Chowk To China”, with most critics giving the film a low rating of 2 stars or below.

“Not enough light-hearted fun in C2C, you are hardly ever amused," writes Deepa Gahlot.

"One wishes Nikhil Advani had fine-cooked the script and screenplay a bit more before serving it. This comedy film does not evoke any laughs," writes Sarita Tanwar of Mid-Day.

Maynak Shekhar of Mumbai Mirror gave only one and half stars and called the movie, "Such bull in a china-shop!"

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Mughda Godse in 'Jail'

After successfully debuting in his “Fashion”, Mugdha Godse is likely to be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar's next film, “Jail”.

The filmmaker reportedly wants to cast her in the film, which is a male-centric movie about under-trial inmates. Neil Nitin Mukesh will be playing the lead in the film.

Mughda has refused to comment on her being a part of “Jail” but said she would be very happy to work with Bhandarkar again.
Praised for her work in “Fashion”, Mugdha has already secured a three-film deal with Percept Picture Company.

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Kareena voted a youth icon

Kareena Kapoor is the only actress to make it to the list of Top 10 Youth Icons in a survey conducted by an Indian newspaper, among people between the ages of 18 and 25, across 10 major cities.

The list includes Shah Rukh Khan, M.S. Dhoni, Aamir Khan, Rahul Gandhi among others. NSG commandos secured the number one position in the survey.

This year Kareena has four films scheduled for release: “Kambakkth Ishq”, “Main Aur Mrs Khanna”, Karan Johar's untitled film and “3 Idiots”.

Kareena will also be seen in a special appearance in Shah Rukh Kan's forthcoming film “Billu Barber”. Her song 'Mar jani, mar jani” is already on air and not many know that she said yes to do the song just a day before it was shot.

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I'm excited to be working with Rani

Bollywood's boy-next-door Shahid Kapur, who is working on his first film under the Yash Raj banner, is all praise for his co-star in the film, Rani Mukerji.

"I'm excited to be working with Rani. I have seen so many performances of hers and actually felt - 'Now, that's a performance!'. So working with an actor who has done such good work can be a great learning experience," Shahid told IANS in an interview.

The young actor, who has been riding high on his success post hit film "Jab We Met", is delighted by his association with Yash Raj Films, the most sought after banner of the Hindi film industry.

"Only when you work in a Yash Raj film, you understand why people want to get associated with the banner," said Shahid. The as-yet-untitled film is under production.

"Their way of functioning is so professional. The kind of respect that is given to you, the way you are treated and the way work is done is just a fabulous experience," he added. He was recently in New Delhi as the brand ambassador of Pioneer, electronic car audio and home theatre entertainment products.

Starting off his career by working in music videos and advertisements, Shahid made his Bollywood debut as a background dancer in Subhash Ghai's "Taal". After four years, he made his debut as a lead actor in "Ishq Vishk", after which he got associated with films like "Fida", "36 China Town", "Chup Chup Ke", "Vivah" and the highly lauded "Jab We Met", among others.

Born to acclaimed actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, Shahid says he is "fortunate" that he will soon be directed by his father, something that he always wished.

So is he nervous or excited about the project?

"A little of both. I consider myself very fortunate because I feel my father is the best actor in the industry - not one of the best. And to be directed by an actor who has worked for 30 years is simply great."

"He is stepping down from acting for a few months to direct a film just for me. But I'll make sure that he continues his acting after that, because he is just so good that it's always a learning experience to see him on screen," said Shahid.

The actor's upcoming film "Kaminay", directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, has attracted a lot of attention because of its unusual title and the efforts to keep Shahid's look under wraps. Shahid has said it is the "role of a lifetime" for him.

"I think Vishal is one of the best directors I have worked with. Honestly, he has offered me the role of a lifetime. I feel very lucky that he chose me to do this part. It's a very difficult and challenging part, however, very exciting at the same time and different from what I have done so far in my career," elucidated the actor.

The actor is also doing his second film with director Ken Ghosh.

In spite of being one of the best dancers in Hindi filmdom, Shahid was extremely nervous before learning a new dance form called Krumping for Ghosh's film "Yahoo".

He said: "I am a huge fan of Justin Timberlake. I remember the first day of rehearsals with Justin's choreographer Marty, suddenly I started getting sweaty hands and became nervous."

"I was feeling that it's very nice to see the videos of people and say that we too can dance like them. But when you actually get down to do that, it does make you feel a little nervous," said Shahid.

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I want my performances on stage to be exclusive and rare: Kareena Kapoor

You’ve apparently made up your mind to not do any more stage shows.

That’s not true at all. I never said that. But I won’t dance at weddings and private functions. I’ve done it in the past. But I won’t do it any more. I don’t want to or need to do such things. Dancing for a proper staged event, including awards functions, is fine. In fact, I’m dancing at an event in Delhi in the last week of January.

You’d refused to dance with other actresses at an awards function...
I had nothing against dancing for the function. The Moranis (the organisers) were discussing it with me from the time I was going on holiday. I was out of reach for a week. But before I left for my holiday, I told them I didn’t like the five-diva act concept. I had informed them of this before I left for my holiday. I didn’t want to be a part of it. Is that a crime?

You had informed the organizers of your reservations in advance?
Oh yes, well in advance. So, I didn’t ‘back out’. I love awards and love to dance at awards functions. Last year, I danced at all the awards functions. This year, I don’t have the time to rehearse for these functions. See, for the kind of films I’m doing, I’ve got to be completely there. I can’t take out four hours to rehearse. I’ll dance next year. I want my performances on stage to be exclusive and rare.

But the general perception is that you don’t enjoy being on stage.
Oh, I love it! But not right now. I’ve to give my best to my roles. As an actor, that’s my first priority. I’d like to give 100 per cent of myself to the camera. I was shooting in Bangalore for 3 Idiots. I will be in Mumbai for a couple of days to shoot an ad. And then I leave India to shoot for an international magazine.

How is it going with 3 Idiots?
I’m totally blessed to be working with Raju Hirani and Aamir Khan. I’m not there for the whole Bangalore schedule. Beyond that I can’t say much about the film...except that I’m not playing one of the idiots.

You’ve also decided not to talk about your relationship with Saif Ali Khan?
Too much was said and written about us in 2008. So, until our relationship goes to the next level, there’s no need to talk about it.

Do you feel there is a Saif-Kareena overkill in the media?
There’s a curiosity about us because we’re seen as a glam couple. We both laugh about it. Saif looks at himself in the mirror and asks, ‘Do you think I’m glamorous?’ I tend to be very open about my feelings. We’ve never hidden our relationship, but we’ve said enough. This year, let our films talk.

You’ve just been on a holiday. Have you come back looking healthier?
If by that you mean have I put on weight, then yes. I have. I need put on weight for 3 Idiots and Rensil d’Silva’s film. In the Marjani song I’m looking... slim. But not paper thin. I’ll continue to be healthy and eat healthy. I snack here and there. But I’ve become so conscious of my fitness level that I can’t eat at irregular hours. I wake up with yoga.

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I don’t regret turning down Slumdog: SRK

One week after the Golden Globes and Slumdog Millionaire, Shah Rukh Khan talks to BT about going to LA and walking on stage with lead actress Freida Pinto in hand to present Danny Boyle’s film on Mumbai with the prestigious award. “It was a historic moment and I felt proud to be an Indian,” said the actor who was introduced as the King of Bollywood and who...yes, had rejected the role in the film that subsequently went to Anil Kapoor!

How different was the Golden Globes from our award shows?
The people are very gracious and are genuinely happy for each other’s success. In India we go to such functions only to collect our own awards and sneak away. There people stayed back and shared the happiness in the get-together.

Were you intimidated by Hollywood’s biggies?
No, I felt confident like always. Given a chance, I would have shown them some Bollywood pelvic movements!

What stopped you?
I don’t know how they would have taken it, they are not familiar with our humour, it would have been a little out of place.

How are Hollywood’s A-listers?
Usually I am very anti-social. But that night I was taken around and it was wonderful to meet everyone. People spoke very graciously about Bollywood. I am naturally shy of women, but when I saw Demi Moore, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez, I must say... they are so beautiful! I was introduced to Mark Antony and Dustin Hoffman, too. There was Beyonce and Gerard Butler whom I know from before. Emma Thompson, who I know since the last three years, blew me a flying kiss.

You regret not accepting the role that Anil Kapoor played?
No. I know Danny felt bad about it. But he is such a good human being. And his love for India is something very special. After I saw the film, I thought Anil had done a fabulous job and deserves every bit of the
success.

Other roles that you refused (Lagaan, Munnabhai MBBS and now 3 idiots) went on to make big news...
There shouldn’t be any afterthought once a decision is made. Nobody could have done a better job than Sanjay Dutt in Munnabhai... Yes, I was keen to do Lagaan, but Ashutosh and I didn’t get a producer at that time. I wasn’t into production then. And I didn’t do 3 Idiots which Aamir is doing now. Looks like Aamir was destined to do both the roles. He is brilliant, no doubt. Everything isn’t made for me alone. God has given me enough, I’d better be happy and contented.

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CC2C Breaks Akshay's Winning Streak

The highly publicized Chandni Chowk to China has flopped and how. It is being hailed as the worst film to come out of Bollywood in recent times.

Shekhar Suman is fuming over what a waste the film is. He has been quoted in a tabloid as saying, "Akshay Kumar owes an apology to the nation. For the first time, multiplex audiences were booing a film. I am upset with Akshay for doing such a film. He has lost it after seeing success. Akshay was better when he wasn't in the race. Now his brains have turned topsy turvy. Singh is Kinng was illogical too but at least it was entertaining. I want a refund of all the Akshay Kumar films I have seen. CC2C isn't just disappointing and amateurish; it offends the sensibility of the viewer as well. There hasn't been a film as sad or horrible as CC2C this far! I declare January 16 to be declared National Mourning in India, as it's the day cinema died!"

Akshay's Singh is Kinng got a bumper opening because of the hype but Chandni Chowk didn't manage that either. People who saw the paid previews were so disgusted with the film that they warned all their friends to steer clear of the film. Then critics were unanimous in their decision to pan the movie.

In recent times, movies like Ghajini and Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Na have been so successful that multiplexes have had to increase shows to accommodate audiences. But now they are in trouble as the shows of CC2C, a movie that is only three days old, are running empty and they have to reduce the number of shows.

Interestingly, like the incredulous plot of the film, the making of the film also defies any logic and was an act of sheer over-confidence. It seems Akshay liked a poster featuring him with standing with two crossed swords. So he asked Nikhil Advani what was the script of the film. Nikhil replied that there was no story or idea, it was just the poster that they had. So Akshay asked him to write the script based on the poster and that he would work in his film which had a "new way of working" that is the poster is ready before the script.

Nikhil Advani's first flick, Kal Ho Naa Ho, looked so much like Karan Johar's previous flicks: K3G and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai that many people believed that KJo had not only produced but also ghost-directed the film. With debacles like Salaam-e-Ishq and Chandni Chowk in his kitty, we know for sure that he didn't direct KHNH.

Tashan, which released in April 2008, was the first monumental disaster of that year. It starred Akshay as well. Now with Chandni Chowk to China, Akshay has raised the bar for how bad a film can be.

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Despite Ghajini, Asin needs London Dreams hit

Aamir Khan’s Ghajini has had not one but two success parties - one of relief after the film was a declared a hit over its first weekend, and the other after the film crossed Rs 200 crore.

But the film's lead actress Asin hasn't managed to reap the benefit she would have expected to, after being seen as the next big thing in Bollywood.

“When it was learned that Asin had been signed opposite Aamir in Ghajini, Bollywood looked up and took notice. She soon became one of the faces to be watched out for. But her kitty of films is not really showing it. Her next big film is London Dreams and that was signed even before Ghajini had released,” says a source close to the actress.

Another thing that may have backfired for Asin is the next to no interaction she has had with the media. And that, the source said, was deliberate.

“Both Asin and Jiah had been kept completely away from the media. She was barely there for an event or two. Also the fear that she can’t speak Hindi properly is unfounded and she can hold her own in an interview. In fact the media in the south know her as one of the best interviewees," the source said.

The only thing that did come Asin’s way by way of business after the release of Ghajini was an advertisement with Ghajini co-star Aamir Khan for Tata Sky as well as one for Tanishq.

Initially Asin was considered as a big threat for the other well established actresses in Bollywood especially because she was very famous in the South. But then after seeing her role in the film, producers and directors aren’t overly excited about putting their money on her.

"In the current economic conditions , everyone wants well established actors who can ensure a hit," said one producer, "and as far as Ghajini is concerned it was an all out Aamir Khan film."

Asin and Jiah had relatively small roles in the film and so haven’t really been able to show their talent. "Asin’s now banking on London Dreams to really get her established,” said the source close to her.

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Directors upset with Big B’s Slumdog remarks

Indian directors are very upset with Amitabh Bachchan. From Shekhar Kapur to Kunal Kohli, Sriram Raghavan to Bhavna Talwar - all leading Indian filmmakers disagree with the Bollywood megastar’s off-the-cuff remarks slamming Danny Boyle's Golden Globe winning underdog drama Slumdog Millionaire for exposing India's "dirty underbelly".

"A film is made by a filmmaker's vision and sensibility, not nationality. Any film that tells a compelling human story and moves an audience will be appreciated by all. Human emotions are universal, be it an Indian or Western audience," Bhavna Talwar, who directed critically acclaimed Dharm.

Shekhar Kapur agrees with Talwar. "Let's get it right - 'Slumdog...' is an Indian film. It is easily the most successful Indian film ever. So what if it the funds came from outside India. The funds for 'Bandit Queen' came from the same source and it is considered an Indian film. The funds for 'Chandni Chowk to China' came from Warner Brothers, but it is considered an Indian film," Kapur noted on his blog, "Except for the director, screenwriter and one of the producers, everyone else of the 100-odd people that make a complete film unit were Indian. The film is also based on book by an Indian author.”

"Audiences do not judge a film on the basis of its maker, but how the film is made. Since 'Slumdog...' is such a good film, it would have got such a reaction even it were made by any director whether Indian or Westner," said Kunal Kohli.

Based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's bestseller Q&A, Slumdog Millionaire has become the cynosure of all festivals around the world and won four Golden Globe awards apart from bagging 11 nominations at the forthcoming BAFTA awards. It is tipped to a big draw at Academy Awards too.

Swarup too argues the film does not portray the "underbelly" of Indian poverty.

"What it shows is that stories from India are finding increasing resonance in the world. There is a huge hunger about to know about India," Swarup, currently India's deputy high commissioner to South Africa, says.

"The novel strikes a chord with ordinary people because it's about endless possibilities of life - anything is possible. The themes the novel explores like love, friendship and fate, are universal," he added.

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Sanjay Dutt’s campaigning puts his films on hold

Sanjay Dutt is currently involved in his first political campaign for the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow with wife Maanyata in tow. But what this means is that the actor’s film commitments have come to a hold. Dutt has left the filming for Lamhaa and Luck mid way.

“We were aware that Sanjay Dutt is contesting elections from Lucknow and so he had to leave from Srinagar. As a result we have had to halt the filming for a while. The next schedule is not yet finalized. In the next two days Bunty Walia will be speaking with Sanjay Dutt and getting his dates for Lamhaa,” says the film’s official spokesperson.

Not only Lamhaa, but Dutt’s films like Luck and Blue are also stuck mid way.

Sanjay’s Luck director Soham Shah says, “The filming of Luck, especially his scenes, are remaining. He is taking a keen interest both in politics and his films. Next week we are going to be in Cape Town for Luck and hopefully he will be joining us.”

Sanjay Dutt confirmed on Friday that he would be running from Lucknow for the Samajwadi Party. Dutt’s sister Priya Dutt, however, is a part of Congress and this is believed to have led to a rift within the family.

A couple of days back Priya Dutt had openly shown her disgust following Amar Singh’s announcement that her brother, actor Sanjay Dutt, would be running for the Lok Sabha elections from the Samajwadi Party, a statement from Dutt’s camp was eagerly awaited. And this was what Sanju had to say after Priya had reportedly said that she was thankful her “father wasn’t alive to see this day.”

But Dutt in return had said that he had forgiven his elder sister. “She may have said what she did in anger. But I don’t hold anything against her. I still love her,” said Dutt.

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In Pics: Stars support the Mumbai Marathon 2009

Bollywood A-listers turned up at the Mumbai Marathon to support the causes like a safer Mumbai, the fight against AIDS and uplifting the underprivileged. The marathon began in the wee hours of Sunday morning with Anil Ambani being the first marathon runner to arrive on the scene at 5 am.

Take a look.

Desi Boy: John Abraham showed off his hot bod in Dostana but he prefers to cover himself up with the Indian flag at the Marathon


Helping Hands: Arjun Rampal and wife Mehr run the Marathon with the physically disabled.


Sunshine Yellow: Vidya Balan looks good in this sporty avatar. We love the stylish glares. We hope she continues running to lose some weight!


Leggy Lads: Rahul Bose and Milind Soman show off their legs. Milind looks really tired


From Real Life to Reel Life: Anil Ambani sweats it out. Bikram Saluja's character's weight loss in 42 Kms is based on Anil Ambani


Not Without My Mother: Soha Ali Khan with mother Sharmila. We wonder where Saif is. Sharmila shows off her high fitness levels as she walks in the Marathon


Jai Ho: Tusshar Kapoor and Gulshan Grover wave flags to cheer the runners


Not Without My Husband: Politician and Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya Dutt-Roncon with hubby Owen Roncon


I'm Here Too: Media shy actor Om Puri turns up with his wife Nandita to support the Marathon.

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Big B was never approached for Slumdog Millionaire

Speculation about Amitabh Bachchan turning down the role of the game-show host in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire finally comes to an end. The Big B confirms that the offer never came to him.

Strange, considering he plays a very important part in the plot as the mega-icon of the all the slum dwellers of Boyle's Big Mumbai Drama.

The Big B would've been the most natural choice for the part of the game-show host especially since he has hosted the show Kaun Banega Crorepati (which forms such an integral part of Slumdog Millionaire) with such spectacular success in real life.

So far we had heard that the Big B and Shah Rukh Khan who have hosted the globally successful game show, were approached for the host's part.

However, the film's casting director Loveleen Tandon now confirms that the mega-stars were never approached for the character as he is much too villainous.

Says Tandon, "In fact the game show host is far more negative in the original novel (by Vikas Swarup). But we changed that. Still, audiences the world over would have been put off if they saw Mr. Bachchan playing this game -show host who wants the young hero Jamal to lose at any cost."

She continues, "We changed all of that and still found the role unsuitable for Mr. Bachchan. For God's sake, he plays the national icon in the film. We couldn't show him as cunning game-show host. We even thought of changing the identity of the slum-boy's icon from Mr Bachchan so he could play the game-show host."

"We decided against that. Mr. Bachchan is too much of our hero and too representative of Bollywood globally to be sacrificed for a character's sake. We preferred to retain his character of the entertainment badshah and cast someone else as the host."

Anil Kapoor was roped in for the game-show host's role. "But we did need Mr. Bachchan to make an appearance as himself," reveals Loveleen Tandon. It was for a scene where a mass of slum dwellers spot "Amitabh Bachchan ka helicopter" hovering in the air. The icon had to descend and sign the young hero's autograph.

"For that," reveals the casting director. "We approached Feroz Abbas Khan, the guy who has made a career out of impersonating Mr. Bachchan. He's uncanny in his imitation of the icon. Even the way the duplicate signs the autograph is exactly the way the original does it."

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Dev Patel and Freida Pinto appear together before 'People'

For all those who are wondering if the headline is 'misleading', then, let us clarify it to you... We are talking about the hottest onscreen couple of this season, viz., Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, the lead pair of the worldwide smash hit film Slumdog Millionaire.

And it is this cute-couple who have been chosen as the cover-people on the latest issue of the smash-hit magazine 'People'. This issue features an interesting interview with Dev and Freida. One has to get his hands on the magazine in order to know how the self-confessed 'skinny guy' Dev Patel swished a 'good-looking actor' to bag the lead role. If that's not enough, Freida too goes on record to speak about her first hand experience at the auditions! This issue also carries an exclusive story about Shah Rukh Khan playing a real-life hero to Kashmiri orphans. Way to go, SRK!

With the release of Slumdog Millionaire being lined up this week, it will be exciting to see if the couple manages to impress the Indian audiences and get acclaim, similar to what is happening in the west.

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Tum Milo Toh Sahi - First Look

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340 - First Look

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Jashn - First Look

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'Chandni Chowk...' gets lukewarm reception from U.S. media

American mainstream media has given a lukewarm reception to Chandni Chowk to China, the largest-ever release of a Bollywood movie in North America, calling it "a genetic experiment" and a "genre-mashup overkill".

"A veggie-slicing galoot from Delhi goes to China to realise his destiny as a martial arts master -- and just from the synopsis, I'm on board with Chandni Chowk to China," says Time magazine reviewer Richard Corliss.

But "the results of this genetic experiment are mixed. Chandni Chowk to China is probably a decent sampler for Americans who've never seen a full-out Bollywood musical since it goes heavy on the action scenes and light on the big dance numbers", he says.

The film "has the feel of one of many Indian glosses on American films, not of something fresh and foreign. For a really thrilling amalgam of Bollywood and Hong Kong, I'm still waiting", says Corliss.

The New York Times says: "Genre mixing is mother's milk to Hindi films, so it's no surprise that 'Chandni Chowk to China' can so seamlessly add Kung Fu to the usual blend of comedy, dance and melodrama."

"Chandni Chowk to China", the first Bollywood movie to be financed and distributed by Warner Brothers, "starts too frantically but settles down to become an enjoyable, if slight Saturday-matinee, picture," says reviewer Rachel Saltz.

To Washington Times, Chandni Chowk to China seems, "in some ways, like a dish at one of those Indian restaurants - its spiciness has been toned down for the American market".

"Still, it's unlike anything Hollywood puts out. The Bollywood film is unapologetically sentimental and silly, and this melodrama is no exception," it says.

Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times says in Chandni Chowk to China, "Kung fu pounds it out with Bollywood and round after round of gags, chaos and music".

"Sold as a groundbreaking convergence of Asia's leading cinematic influences -- kung fu flicks and Bollywood extravaganzas -- it also sees fit to toss in rap video fantasias, commercial parodies, James Bond tropes and Looney Tunes touches for what can only be termed genre-mashup overkill," Abele adds.

Boston Globe's Michael Hardy calls "Chandni Chowk to China" "Bollywood's all-singing, all-dancing, all-Hindi bid to conquer America".

"Backed by Warner Brothers, which is giving it the largest North American release of any Indian film to date, Chandni Chowk to China could, if successful, forecast a veritable monsoon of Bollywood imports," he says.

"But only if American audiences can accept an action hero who talks to potatoes," Hrady adds.

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"Chandni Chowk to China" gets poor response from the Viewers

Contrary to the expectations, Akshay Kumar's much-publicized movie "Chandni Chowk to China" did not get a huge response from the viewers across India. Unlike, "Singh Is Kinng", "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" and "Ghajini", "Chandni Chowk to China" failed to impress the movie-goers because of its weak story line.

Notwithstanding the stunning stunts displayed by Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, the movie falls aprat when it comes to appealing the audience. No doubt, it's a big venture, but nowhere near the movies like "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" and "Ghajini". The movie is full of action scenes and item songs and some humor too, but somewhere it lost the plot.

The biggest disadvantage hold by "Chandni Chowk to China" is its double-role sequence played by Deepika Padukone. The world is changing fast and so are the movie fans in India. They no longer approve the "double role' and "twin siblings" theme. There is no doubt that both Akshay and Deepika worked hard and fully justified in their individual roles. But eventually, they fell victim to a weak plot. the film may still do some business, but won't be a big hit...

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Kajol on the cover of M

"Blue eyes say, Love me or I die; hazel eyes say, Love me or I kill thee."

If the above statement is even one percent true, then be ready for the kill as Kajol is all ready and already on the prowl with her killer eyes, all this and more only in the latest issue of the magazine 'M'. With the magical hands of the ace shutterbug Jatin Kampani at the helm of things, it's totally needless to say that Kajol looks like a million bucks and like never before!

Kajol speaks all about her pre and post marital life, in the article that's aptly titled 'Forever Fantasy'. She also lets the cats loose as she speaks about the things that she is passionate about, her cooking, nightmares etc... With her being all set to make the comeback innings with My Name Is Khan, Bollywood is all set to sway again to her tunes! Till then, 'M' is the way to go!

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Tight schedule for Ash in 2009

It is going to be a very busy year for Aishwarya Rai. She not only has Mani Ratnam's gruelling "Ravan" with husband Abhishek Bachchan to complete, she also begins work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next movie, with Hrithik Roshan, to be shot in Goa.

But before that she goes into filmmaker Vipul Shah's next film with Akshay Kumar in the lead. Both Vipul and Akshay, who are co-producing the film, were very keen to get Aishwarya for what they describe as a genre-breaking drama.

Aishwarya has also signed up Excel Entertainment's untitled thriller to be directed by Abhinay Deo, who is currently busy shooting his directorial debut "Delhi Belly".

For the film, Aishwarya will once again team up with hubby Abhishek.

Confirming the news, Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment said: "It would be a very stylish thriller to be shot entirely in Greece, Thailand, Istanbul and London.

"My director Abhinay Deo and I want a particular look for the film. We're trying to get the DOP (director of photography) of the new Nike international commercial. If not, there's Jason West who shot our 'Rock On!'. He can capture that subtle sleek look which the subject demands. We want the film's visual quality to be something never experienced by our audience."

The film would be Aishwarya's second with Abhishek after "Ravan".

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Will Smith could do a Bollywood-style film

Hollywood star Will Smith (pictured left) says he could make a Bollywood-style film with "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle, according to a report on Friday (January 16).

Speaking at the premiere of his new thriller "Seven Pounds", he said he had been "looking at a few things" with the British director, whose film has won four Golden Globe awards and 11 Bafta nominations.

Smith visited Boyle twice while he was filming "Slumdog Millionaire" in India last year, the British director said recently.

Now it appears the project might come to fruition, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

"I am looking at a few things, so hopefully we will make something happen. I spoke to Danny a couple of weeks ago, so I suppose we will have to see if anything comes out of it," Smith said.

Boyle was quoted as saying this week that he wants to return to Mumbai to make another film.

“I'd love to do a thriller there next - the energy is extraordinary,” he told the paper.

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Sanjay Dutt confirms his entry into politics

Unmindful of objections from his family members, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on Friday night announced he would contest the next parliamentary elections on a Samajwadi Party ticket. He also said there was no dispute in his family over the issue.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, the actor said he was the eldest member of the Dutt family and so there was no need to discuss his political plans with anybody.

If there were legal hurdles to his plans, then the next step would be decided accordingly, he said in the presence of Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh.

Dutt was addressing a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence to clarify the situation in the wake of an outburst by his younger sister, Mumbai North-West MP Priya Dutt, objecting to his candidature as a Samajwadi Party candidate.

However, Dutt said that if required, he would readily campaign for her in Mumbai. "There is no dispute in the family of any kind over this issue," Dutt asserted.

Asked why she had criticised his decision to enter politics, Dutt magnanimously said: "If she has said so, I forgive her. We children always used to commit mistakes and my father (the late) Sunil Dutt always used to forgive us."

To a query that Priya had questioned his wife's credentials as the family's daughter-in-law, Sanjay emphatically said that Manyata is his wife, "she is the only Mrs. Dutt" and she is the daughter-in-law of his parents, the late Sunil and Nargis Dutt.

Dutt also said that the courts had removed charges against him under the Terrorist & Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act and he had only been charged under the Arms Act - "Whenever you write anything about me, please keep this in mind," Dutt appealed to the media.

Amar Singh called for unity of all secular forces and said that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party were together in this mission. He said he held Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her family members and the Congress party in highest esteem.

Last week, the Samajwadi Party's move to offer Sanjay Dutt the party ticket from the prestigious Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency ignited a political and family controversy.

The Mumbai unit of the Congress has softened its aggressive approach over Dutt's plans to join politics. City party chief Kripa Shankar Singh on Friday morning expressed his party's preparedness to offer Dutt a nomination if he was willing to fight as a Congress candidate.

On its part, the Samajwadi Party was also toying with the idea of pitting its Maharashtra unit chief, Abu Asim Azmi, against Priya Dutt.

Considered a strategic move, Azmi's candidature could effectively eat into the substantial north-Indian and Muslim electorate that makes up the constituency, prevent Dutt from campaigning for his sister and also prevent his family members from building pressure on him to quit the Samajwadi Party.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Friday said Sanjay Dutt should not have been booked under a tough terror law and "he is not a terrorist."
Dutt was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) for possessing an AK 47 rifle after the 1993 Mumbai blasts. His appeal against his conviction is pending in the Supreme Court.

Digvijay Singh told reporters: "My personal view is that Sanjay should not have been tried under the TADA. He is not a terrorist."

He said Sanjay's decision to join politics and the Samajwadi Party was his own and the Congress would not react to it.

"However, as far as Priya Dutt's statement that she should have got a Congress ticket for him is concerned, I would say that it should have been at Sanjay's initiation and interest if he wanted to join us," he said.

Priya had expressed her disappointment over the actor joining the Samajwadi Party since their family is loyal to the Congress. She had added, however, that it was the actor's personal decision and there was no family feud over it.

When asked about this, Singh said: "It is their personal matter. But for us, the Dutt family is very respectable and Sunil Dutt (Sanjay's father) was not only a Congress leader but also a very respected social worker".

However, Sanjay Dutt, who is expected to reach Lucknow next week to begin his campaign for the Lok Sabha elections as a Samajwadi Party candidate, will be greeted by hoardings that rake up his past and the criminal case against him.
Put up at over a dozen prominent places by a group that calls itself the Anti Terrorist Forum of Lucknow (ATFL), the hoardings read "Lucknow is our heaven, we do not want AK forty seven".

The hoardings also carry a big picture of the AK-47 rifle, mentioning that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai used it.

Dutt was convicted for illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle after the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. His appeal against the verdict is pending in the Supreme Court.

Last week, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh had announced that Dutt would be the party's candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow and if the star was not allowed to contest the polls because of the ongoing criminal case against him, his wife Manyata would become the candidate.

"We are strictly against any candidate from any party who has a criminal background and our protest is not only against Sanjay Dutt," said one of the founder members of ATFL, not willing to be named.

The member, a postgraduate student of Lucknow University, denied that his group had any association with any political party.

However, the Samajwadi Party strongly feels the hoardings have been put up at the behest of the state's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

"All the hoardings have been put up at prime locations, which earlier used to flaunt the chief minister's hoardings. This has been done to malign the image of our candidate. No one in the city could dare to put a hoarding in place of that of the chief minister if he didn't have permission from the ruling party," Shivpal Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party's acting state president, told IANS.

No one from the BSP was available for comment on the issue.

Dutt is not the first Bollywood personality to attempt a foray into politics from here. Muzaffar Ali twice contested from Lucknow on the Samajwadi Party ticket but he never won. Raj Babbar also tried his luck once from Lucknow but in vain. He later won the Agra seat on the Samajwadi Party ticket before quitting the party.

However, political analysts see a bright chance for Dutt if he contests.

"Sanjay has a good chance in Lucknow. With the Samajwadi Party naming him as its candidate, Lucknow will witness a star contesting the election for the fourth time," said Ramesh Dixit, who teaches political science at Lucknow University.

"On earlier occasions, no film star was successful in winning from this constituency. However, Sanjay has a very good chance of winning because he has some links with the city. After the partition of the country, his father Sunil Dutt came here with his family and lived in old Lucknow for a few years," added Dixit.
Contrary to what the political analysts say, prominent astrologers and tarot card readers have warned that politics does not bode well as a career for the Bollywood actor.
"His Jupiter is not strong and I do not see him getting into power and if he, by any chance, manages to win, it will bring him a bad reputation. Otherwise things are very good for him. He is an entertainer and should stick to only that," astrologer Ajay Bhambi told IANS.

"He is a blue-eyed boy of the industry because in spite of doing so many wrong things in life, he is still loved by everyone. He is the hero of the common man as he has come out victorious from the hardships that he has faced all through his life.

"But dabbling in politics will do no good to his image," Bhambi said.

The astrologer was referring to Dutt's chequered personal life which has seen him battle drug addiction and being convicted for arms possession in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

Tarot card reader Poonam Sethi says that she does not see Dutt being directly involved in politics. "My cards say he will not get involved in politics directly, his wife might take the plunge but I do not see him getting active in politics," Sethi said.

"In case he manages to get into it, it will not last for a long time; it will just be an unsuccessful stint in politics," she added.

Seema Midha, another tarot card expert and numerologist, agreed and said Dutt's political career did not seem bright. In fact his wife Manyata seems to have brighter chances than him, she said.

"He is doing so many things right now and