FIRST LOOK: Housefull

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Another multi-film deal for Jiah Khan

Jiah Khan may be out of UTV Motion Pictures' "Yahoo", but the young actress has quite a few reasons to cheer. Not only has she been roped in for a separate two-film deal by the same production house, she has also signed a three-film contract with "Ghajini" producer Madhu Mantena.

"I think I owe her that," said Mantena. "Specially after the way she has been treated."

Things didn't work out between UTV and Jiah as it was felt that she didn't suit the character in "Yahoo" opposite Shahid Kapur.

"God has a unique way of evening things out. I must admit I was very low after what happened. When Madhu's call came it was like a sign from heaven," said Jiah.

The actress has met up with the producer and one of the films that she has apparently been signed on for is the much talked-about sequel to "Ghajini", the action hit that had Aamir Khan in the lead.

But Jiah does not want to reveal much at this early stage.

"It's much too early to talk about what we're doing together. But the important thing is Madhu came forward when he thought I was in a situation. UTV, whose film 'Yahoo' I lost, have also signed me for a two-film deal," the actress said.

Why sign Jiah for two films after the "Yahoo" fiasco?

"I'm too small, too new and too much of an outsider to comment on why UTV did what they did. I did work for almost two years on 'Yahoo'. I performed a very difficult dance number with Shahid. And I was very proud of matching steps with Shahid. Like I said it's not mine to question why."

Jiah has also signed Sajid Khan's "House Full" where she has two other leading ladies - Deepika Padukone and Lara Dutta - fighting for Akshay Kumar's attention.

"But I've my own track. And I get to do comedy for the first time. I was very good at comedy in acting school," the youngster quipped.

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Jiah dropped after three weeks of shoot

Which young actress replaces her?

Actors have often been dropped after signing a film. In Jiah’s case, things have really gone far. The actress has been dropped by Ken Ghosh from his film "Yahoo" after she shot for a whole three weeks.

She was signed before "Ghajini" because Ken thought Jiah would soar in the popularity charts after the film was released.

Despite Jiah’s repeated interviews about how Aamir praised her, all the limelight was snatched away by Asin. And when Ken saw the rushes of his film with Jiah, he just did not like her performance. So he promptly dropped her.

Now Genelia D’Souza is playing her role.

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Ladies who leave little to the imagination

Underwear is not meant to be seen but some B-town women prefer to flaunt it. All we think it shows off is their bad taste! Take a look.

Kangana Ranaut: We usually love her quirky style sense, but this Charlie Chaplin look with a transparent top doesn’t work for us.


Gul Panag: We know that Gul is ample-chested, but we didn’t need to know that she likes black bras. No side-shows please!


Sonali Kulkarni: The poor woman is always caught in the wrong outfit. She just forgot to wear a slip under this dotted dress, revealing more than she intended to.


Jiah Khan: This is India, not UK, so make sure your top doesn’t reveal your black bra in public. Use your hair to cover your assets if you have to!


Amrita Arora: She could borrow some style tips from sis Malaika or BFF Bebo. Wearing a black bra under a white tee is a fashion faux pas. Totally uncool!

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Jiah Khan fights for the safety of birds alongwith PETA

After having the likes of John Abraham, Rakhi Sawant and gang doing their bit towards the prevention of the unethical treatment towards animals, it's the turn of the seductress actress Jiah Khan to do her bit for the same. And what more could be a better occasion that the auspicious festival of Makar Sankranthi. The ad has Jiah Khan dressed as a wounded bird wrapped in kite string and next to the tagline 'Cut the Glass-Coated Manja, Not Birds' Wings". The ad was shot by the ace photographer Farrokh Chothia.

While on one hand, the festival means lots of happiness to one and all, on the other, its really sad news for the birds because when 'manja' falls on trees and electric poles; it cuts through the wings of birds that become entangled in it. While glass coated manja might be effective at cutting an opponent's kite line, it is also deadly for thousands of pigeons, crows, owls and other birds who become entangled in it.

Speaking about the ad, Jiah said "Glass-coated manja is a public health hazard and causes an excruciating death for birds that get entangled in it. We're asking participants in the Makar Sankranthi contests and all kite-flying competitors to immediately stop using glass-coated manja and to conduct their sport in a way that isn't deadly to humans and wildlife."

First Nishabd, then Ghajini and now the supersonic ad for PETA, needless to say that, Jiah girl is surely on a roll and how!

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Ghajini is a historic hit

Ghajini is the first Bollywood film to cross the Rs.100 crore mark in one week, leaving Rab Ne… and Singh is Kinng far behind.

Posters across the city read, "Historic Hit in 14 minutes and 52 seconds."

The spokesperson for Ghajini says, "Ghajini has had the biggest box office opening and collections this year. It is the first movie to cross more than 100 crores in a week. The collections, as of 31st December, were Rs. 140 crores and we are still counting."
She further adds, “The poster reads 14 minutes and 52 seconds because Aamir loses his memory every 14 minutes and 52 seconds. The money Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi earned in 3 weeks, Ghajini took a week to earn."

The cast and crew of Ghajini recently celebrated with a success party on December 30. Ghajini had already made Rs.110 crores by then.

In spite of the unfavourable reviews, Ghajini smashed all previous opening-week records. It earned Rs.90 crores during the Christmas weekend because of all the pre-release hype the film generated. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi earned 63 crores in its opening weekend. It grossed Rs. 90 crores in its first week. Singh is Kinng earned Rs. 29 crores in its opening weekend and its total earnings are Rs. 128 crores. 2007’s biggest hit Om Shanti Om has earned almost Rs. 156 crores worldwide.

Commenting on the success of the film, Aamir says, "I am very happy that Ghajini has broken so many records. Numbers don't matter to me as people's appreciation is more important. I was really stressed before the release, especially with the case, but everything's going well now."

Regarding who the number one actor is, Shah Rukh or him, he said, "People decide who is number one."

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Will Ghajini's playing time of 3 hours be pruned for multiplex purposes

The big Christmas Release Ghajini has a longer story to tell than is considered healthy for the multiplexes. The film's playing time of 3 hours makes it the second-longest film of 2008 after Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbar.

And didn't that click? "Precisely," avers producers Madhu Mantena who also co-produced the superhit Tamil version of Ghajini with Allu Arvind. "It's not the length. It's the performance. You could have a really boring two-hour film. On the other hand, you could've a really gripping film that's three hours long."

Ghajini would have been lengthier by at least 5 minutes. "We were thinking of adding theatrical trailers to the feature. That would've added 5 minutes extra to the playing- time and good 30 minutes lost during the day at the multiplexes," explains Madhu and refutes the charge that the film is ultra-violent. "It's not a tale of violence. It's a tale of retribution. And at the moment after 26/11 everyone wants answers. Films about retribution are always liked."

As for the charge that Ghajini is a remake of Christopher Nolan's Memento, Madhu says, "There are other Hollywood films on same theme of short-term memory loss like Finding Nemo and 50 First Dates. So why single out Memento?"

Ah, foolproof method of avoiding copyright litigation.

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Jiah Khan does her sexiest photo shoot for Maxim

With her oh-so-sensuous act in her very first film, Jiah Khan made everyone go Nishabd. Now this bold and beautiful bombshell does her hottest ever photo shoot for Maxim India. Jiah features as the cover girl on the December edition of Maxim and her super-sexy photo shoot will surely leave all you guys asking for more.

Maxim has been known for featuring hot-n-happening B-town celebs on their cover page and this time it's the sultry Jiah who is all set rise the mercury levels this December. For those who came in late, December is a crucial month for Jiah as her much awaited second film, Ghajini, hits the marquee, where she shares screen space with none other than superstar Aamir Khan.

Speaking about getting Jiah on board for this exclusive photo shoot, Anup Kutty-Editor, Maxim India, says "We had been getting too many requests from our readers to get Jiah to do a Maxim shoot. And with Ghajini around the corner, we figured this would be the best Xmas gift we could give to all Maxim fans. This shoot will definitely raise a few eyebrows and get Jiah the kind of attention she truly deserves."

The super-hot photo shoot was shot by an ace photographer R. Burman and needless to say, Jiah is maha-thrilled with the overall experience. "It was a lot of hard work but great fun shooting for Maxim. I am usually portrayed as sexy, but actually I consider myself just a regular girl. The photographer R. Burman made me very comfortable at the time of the shoot. I feel the photo shoot has helped me discover the best out of myself", says Jiah Khan.

With the release of Ghajini around the corner and now this super-sexy photo shoot for Maxim; Jiah surely is the flavor of the month.

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Despite setbacks GHAJINI to release on time

After his first injury, followed by a more grievous one the second time around, Aamir Khan has been advised a three weeks rest by his doctor. For the few who are not very aware of the happenings, we are referring to the climax shooting of Aamir Khan's next release, GHAJINI, where unfortunately the actor perfectionist was injured twice during the climax action sequence.

Needless to add that the unfortunate happenings have provided fodder feed to the gossip mongers, who have already done a few 'breaking' scoops. The news have mostly centered on how Aamir Khan's stubborn approach has led to the postponement of GHAJINI from its already announced October 2 release date.

However, Aamir Khan's close family sources assure us that Aamir is determined to stick to the original release schedule of the film, come what may!

Well, knowing the 'Bhuvan' of LAGAAN, we are not surprised, and here is wishing Aamir a speedy recovery.

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Jiah joins Aamir does dangerous stunts in Ghajini

Female power is in. Deepika Padukone is busy matching Akshay Kumar's kicks and somersaults in Bangkok for Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk To China. Nearer home in Hyderabad, Jiah Khan matched stunt strides with Aamir Khan.

Though thankfully, she hasn't had any mishaps yet. Jiah's lithe stunts in Murugadoss' Ghajini are every bit as heart-in-the-mouth as Aamir Khan's. The only reason Jiah's action scenes aren't being talked-about are because she isn't talking about it. "I can't! I'm not allowed to," she quakes with contractual terror. "But yes, I've done a lot of action scenes in Ghajini. They've been extremely unnerving."

The action sequences require Jiah to match Aamir kick for kick. "And they are one reason I had to lose so weight," she admits, having returned from Hyderabad where the Ghajini shooting was wrapped up earlier this week. "The schedules don't suffer because of Aamir's accident at all. We resume in the middle of May as per schedule."

On Tuesday Jiah started shooting in Mumbai for Ken Ghosh's film with Shahid Kapoor. "That's the film I'm not supposed to do," she jokes. "It's so cheap to send compromising messages in someone else's name," Jiah suggests that the sms messages that embarrassed Shahid Kapoor and almost had her out of the project were sent off by someone else in her name.

"I've never sent sms to people in the industry beyond work. I'm so new to all this manipulation scheming and negativity. I'm just so happy to be doing two films like Ghajini and Ken Ghosh's film where I've completely different roles."

Subash K. Jha

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Jiah's in and out of Ken's flick

The actress was replaced by Katrina, but now she’s back in the project

Jiah Khan has shot for two days for Ken Ghosh. She read it in the papers that she’s out of the film and that Katrina replaced her in Ghosh’s new film with Shahid Kapoor. There’s just one small problem. Jiah hasn’t been informed about it.

Says Jiah, “I’ve already shot for two days for the film with Shahid. After that, there were scheduling issues. My dates for Ken’s film were clashing with Aamir and Ghajini.

I couldn’t let the Aamir project suffer at any cost. It’s my chance to create the impact that I couldn’t, after Nishabd.”

Now Jiah is all set to shoot for Ken’s film. “I’ve already given my dates for Ken’s shooting. No one has so far informed me that I’m not in the film. So it’d be right for me to assume the project remains as it is.”

Tell her that the director Ken Ghosh has gone underground and that talks of Jiah being replaced by the current lucky mascot Katrina are gaining momentum, and Jiah falls quiet, then whispers, “I’m new to all this.

I keep to myself. I’ve no idea what people do in this industry.” Jiah will have learn the hard way that PR skills are as important as professionalism.

Kat was in…
On April 21, Katrina hinted that she’d been signed for Ghosh’s film, “There is a lot of reshuffling going on.

There’s a date problem but that’s not the issue. I can always adjust dates for the people at UTV who are my friends.

Till these issues are settled, I cannot comment if I’m doing the film or not.

Now she’s out…
Director Ken Ghosh suddenly surfaced to say Jiah was back in the project.

“I’ll let my producers UTV clear all the misunderstanding. Jiah is very much in the project.”

Subash K. Jha

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How stars celebrate their Holi-Day

Urmila Matondkar: "I'll be working on Holi-day. So no Holi for me."

Shabana Azmi: "It would be as usual an open house for friends and family for Holi at my parents' home in Janki Kutir. There will be a generous flow of non-toxic colours, gana-bajaana and khana…a long-standing tradition in our house as part of India's ganga-jumna tehzeeb.

Shefali Shah: "My husband Vipul and I will be having a get-together at home. We'll have close friends over. Lots of food, bhang, out-of-tune karaoke, dumb charade…and lots and lots of laughter.

Tusshar Kapoor: "I stopped playing Holi years back. But this year I'll have to attend the Holi bash specially arranged for my new film 123."

Malaika Arora: "I won't be playing Holi this year as I'm holidaying in Dubai"

Nandana Sen: "On Holi day I'll be traveling back from Khajuraho to Mumbai. I'll be coming home just for a day. I'll be sad missing Holi, though. It's my absolute favourite among the Holidays in our calendar.

Manoj Bajpai: "I don't celebrate Holi. I hate being dirty with colour and mud."

Riya Sen: "I'm not sure I'll be playing Holi or not. It'd depend on my mood."

Koena Mitra: "I haven't played Holi during the last few years. This year I might go for a Holi bash being hosted by a dear friend. Since it's inside the house and only close friends are invited it'd be safe. I'll therefore go."

Amrita Arora: "I'll be at home on holi. Who wants to step out?" Celina Jaitley: "I'm shooting on the day before Holi, so no masti. But I'll definitely put gulaal on my buddies

Ravi Kissan: "Arrey bhaiya, making bhang with my own hands and giving it to friends. That's my pleasure for Holi that no one can take away."

Anuraag Sinha: "This is my first Holi right after the release of my first film Black & White. I'm going to freak out with friends and family

Mahesh Bhatt: "22nd March happens to be the day my friend and mentor U.G Krishnamurthy died. I don't play Holi. I'm going to Bangalore to release a book of mine that's been translated into Kannada.

Jiah Khan: "I'm shooting, and I can't play Holi. I'd have loved to get splashed in colour! Holi is one of the most beautiful festivals of our country and it symbolizes our zest for fun.

Aryan Vaid: "I'm not a big fan of Holi I'll be in Pune with friends, considering it's a long weekend.

Subash K.Jha

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No age bar in Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan, 42, finds it hard to digest that his heroine, Deepika Padukone, who towered over him in Om Shanti Om, is a mere 21.

I’m double her age, but if I were to kiss her, I’d probably reach her stomach,” SRK joked on a television show, when asked about the age gap between them. And down south, Shriya Saran, 25, sizzled on the streets of France with a 58-year-old Rajnikanth in Sivaji. Earlier in the year, Amitabh Bachchan romanced a 34-year-old Tabu In Cheeni Kum and an even younger Jiah Khan in Nishabd — but in these cases, the stories themselves were May-December romances.

But with most of the reigning heroes in their 40s and a new crop of very young lead actresses arriving on the scene, pairings across age divides are a trend these days. “Older heroes have always romanced younger starlets in our films, but it has become more common now,” says Ashwin Naidu, assistant director of Cheeni Kum. “Stars like MGR, Shivaji and and N T Ramarao have always run around trees with girls half their age. And as long as an artiste is saleable, age doesn’t make a difference,” he says. Ashwin adds that the Indian hero never grows old. “Even if he’s 50 or 60, the audience will still accept him playing a 25-year-old college-goer. But I’m not sure if the same applies to heroines,” he says.

Filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh too had a 19-year-old Deepika romancing a 30-plus Upendra, in Aishwarya. “But I made Uppi look much younger by giving him a makeover and he looked a convincing 25. He played an ad executive in the film, so the look suited him — he had a goatee, ear stud and some really cool wristbands and chains. The pairing was a big hit,” says Indrajit. He agrees though that when a 40-year-old hero plays a college-goer, it does look silly. “But big stars like SRK, Rajnikant and Chiranjeevi get away with it because of mass appeal,” says the filmmaker.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal if you’re paired opposite a hero who’s older to you, because it’s all make believe anyway,” says Sivaji girl Shriya. “People shouldn’t confuse reel-life with real; it’s not like I’m romancing a 50-plus man off-screen,” she laughs. “Anyway, when I was doing Sivaji, I never felt awkward playing the love interest of Rajni sir. In fact, I felt lucky because I was getting to learn so much from him; his age was not a concern,” she adds.

Actress Priyanka Upendra, who debuted in Kannada in Kotigobba with a much older Vishnuvardhan, says “But I don’t think the age gap is an issue because most established stars are over 40,” she says. “Also, they don’t look their age because they’re fit and well-maintained. And fans who treat their heroes like gods will accept anything they do. Kotigobba ran for 100 days. Besides, I think fans might actually like to see their heroes romancing a younger heroine.”

Madhu Daihtota, TNN

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