Bollywood Buzz Predictions - 54th Filmfare Awards 2009

It’s time again for the mother of all Bollywood awards shows – The Filmfare Awards - this year. And as always, the competition’s tough. But, like always, we know which nominee has its nose slightly ahead of the others (no guarantees). Here are our predictions for the major categories.

BEST FILM
Dostana
This film’s story is unique – but only in Bollywood. In the film, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham pretended to be a gay couple so they could live with Priyanka Chopra. The movie’s great script and the actors’ comic timing, not to mention Priyanka Chopra’s bikinis, helped propel this film to the top.

Ghajini
This is the third time this film has been made. First it was called Memento, then Ghajini in the South and now Aamir’s Ghajini. And the third one may have received the poorest reviews, but may have made the most money. Reason – Aamir’s great promotion strategies and the time of release (Christmas). The film broke all box-office records, collecting Rs.210 crores in two weeks.

Jodhaa Akbar
A historical masterpiece, the film was the first big hit of the year. Adding more strength to their Best Film claim are the majestic sets and brilliant performances by the lead stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
It may not have worked as well as DDLJ, but Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi did manage to create more than just a ripple at the box-office. The film marked the debut of Bangalore model Anushka Sharma.

Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
A sweet romantic film, which attracted the attention of youngsters, Jaane Tu… is arguably the best teen flick of recent times. The music was great, the stars – Genelia and Imran – looked fresh and the script was well-written.

Rock On!!
India’s first rock band film rocked for several reasons - great music, great story and fabulous acting by director-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar and telly actress Prachi Desai.

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PICK: Jodhaa Akbar

BEST DIRECTOR
A.R. Murugadoss – Ghajini
Murugadoss directed both the Tamil and the Hindi versions of Ghajini. And both films topped at the box-office. So naturally, this guy knows exactly what to do with his actors and script.

Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!!
Since this is the first time Bollywood approached such a subject, Abhishek Kapoor had no reference material to work with. But he pulled it off brilliantly.

Aditya Chopra - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
The man who made one of the longest running films in Indian movie history – Dilwale Dhulaniya Le Jayenge – is undoubtedly one of Indian’s finest directors and thoroughly deserving of the nomination.

Ashutosh Gowariker - Jodhaa Akbar
Visionary director Ashutosh Gowariker has made several great films – but none as breathtaking as this one. An epic film if there ever was one, it captured the imagination of audiences the world over.

Madhur Bhandarkar – Fashion
The director, with his socially-powerful films, offers great insight into different streams of society with each of his films. After Page 3 and Corporate, he chose the world of Fashion, which brought to light – or to the limelight – many issues within the modeling world.

Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday
This debutant director is definitely a dark horse. His film, A Wednesday, received rave reviews.

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PICK: Ashutosh Gowarikar

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Aamir Khan – Ghajini
Mr. Perfectionist does only one film a year. But the time and effort he puts into each of them shows every time.

Abhishek Bachchan – Dostana
After the disaster that was Drona, AB Jr. finally delivered with Dostana. While he has proven that he can do drama in the recent past, this is the first time – after Bunty Aur Babli – that the actor showed his real worth.

Hrithik Roshan - Jodhaa Akbar
While all the others have been fighting for the #1 title this year, Hrithik Roshan has been quiet, but has let his acting do the talking. His performance as the emperor Akbar was very persuasive.

Akshay Kumar - Singh Is Kinng
Akki can do anything. He’s proved himself as a serious actor and as a comedian. Singh is Kinng was a huge hit and the actor – if not the best – is certainly raking in the moolah.

Shah Rukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
SRK – who doesn’t really need any more awards – excelled in this double role.

Naseeruddin Shah - A Wednesday
Arguably the most accomplished actor on this list, Naseerudin Shah did well in this startling film.

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PICK: Hrithik Roshan

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan - Jodhaa Akbar
After her marriage, this was her first big release, and she depicted Jodhaa fabulously. How one can forget the fearless sword fighting?

Anushka Sharma - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
For a newcomer to get a nomination at the Filmfares is commendable on its own. This actress is certainly on her way to the top.

Asin Thottumkal – Ghajini
Yet another newcomer in Bollywood, the actress has received a lot of praise for her role in South films.

Kajol - U Me Aur Hum
A very good actress, she acted very well in her husband’s directorial debut. However, the film didn’t work at the box office.

Priyanka Chopra – Fashion
After three flops, Priyanka bounced back with Dostana and Fashion, both of which did very well. She has been nominated for Fashion.

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PICK: Priyanka Chopra

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Adhyayan Suman: I am getting six-pack abs

Adhyayan Suman recently inaugurated C’est La Vie gym in Bandra. The up and coming actor tells us about his fitness routine, foods he loves and hates and why he wouldn’t want to influence anyone to follow the crash diet he put himself on to lose 60 KGs in six months.

We have heard you lost 60 KGs in six months. How did you put on all that weight?
My parents have pampered me endlessly. They thought I was a growing child or badhta bachchan who needed to eat. So they fed me all the food I loved like butter chicken. Before I knew it I was 120-130 KG and six feet tall. I looked really bad.

How did you lose the weight? What was your motivation?
It was my dream to become an actor. I gave myself two choices: to eat all the time, get fat and look bad or to lose weight and become an actor. Acting is more important to me than eating all the time. So I worked out really hard for four hours everyday.

What was your diet like during that time?
I followed a very wrong, crash diet and I wouldn’t want anyone to follow it. The diet wasn’t right but I wanted to lose weight more than anything else. I ate very less. It was apple with coffee in the morning, few slices of chicken for lunch, fruits in the evening and 3-4 bottles of water for dinner. I used to feel dizzy and sick. I follow a balanced and guided diet now

What is your diet like right now?
I have a protein shake before my workout. I do cardio in the morning. Then I have a banana. I have roti, green veggies and brown rice for lunch. I have a protein shake in the evening and do weight training for two hours. Dinner is dal, chicken and soup. I avoid rotis at night.

Do you have any binge days? What are your favourite foods?
I binge every 15 days when I go out and eat whatever I want. I love eating red Thai curry, fried rice, butter chicken and sweet and sour chicken. I have a weakness for chocolates; I can’t live without them. Every 3-4 days, I cheat and take a bite of Cadbury and KitKat, instead of eating an entire bar. I love Cadbury.

Tell us about the health foods you eat. Do you like energy drinks?
I hate having protein shakes because I mix it with water. It is tasteless. I can’t even have it with milk because that is fattening. I love eating ghar ka khana and that is really healthy. I am too younga nd energetic to rely on energy drinks.

Tell us about your exercise routine. What’s your favourite and least favourite exercise?
I do two hours of cardio in the morning; I run at Andheri Sports Complex. I do weight training in the evening; 2 body parts each day. I love climbing stairs and running. I love to work out my back muscles. I hate doing abdominal exercises but the end result with sculpted abs looks great.

Are you working on six-pack abs?
Yes, I am getting six pack abs and a sculpted body for my next film. It is a romantic action comedy but I can’t talk about it right now.

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Who’ll take home the Black Lady

Tonight is the night of the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 — Bollywood’s glitziest, most glamorous and prestigious awards show of the year.

Slumdog Millionaire isn’t in the reckoning, neither is Danny Boyle. Instead, there’s Dostana, Ghajini, Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Jodhaa Akbar, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Rock On!!

And, contending for the director’s trophy are AR Murugadoss, Abhishek Kapoor, Aditya Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Madhur Bhandarkar and Neeraj Pandey. Which film will get the coveted Black Lady and which director will take her home tonight? The countdown to find out is on, and the curtain will go up on the awards show and ceremony at Yash Raj Studio at 7 pm. You will get an exclusive telecast of the starry night on Sony Entertainment Television on March 8, at 8 pm.

This is the day you’ll find the stars dressed in their classiest, formal best. Black ties and tuxedos, ball gowns and jewellery, a fabulous and entertaining fashion show live on the red carpet. On stage, masters of ceremony and the new flavours of the season, Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, led by veteran host Karan Johar, will take an exclusive and invited audience through the razzmatazz of the night. To give you a sneak peek behind the curtain, there’ll be the lovely Katrina Kaif dressed by Rocky S dancing to tracks from her films Yuvvraaj and Singh is Kinng. “It’s my first show for the Filmfare Awards and I am very excited,” said Katz. “Shiamak Davar has choreographed my numbers with such elegance. I think the Filmfare Awards is comparable to the biggest and best international film awards functions in every way,” she said.

Then there’s Shahid Kapoor, also excited to be performing here after four years, and promising to rock the stage with a medley of songs, including Mauja Hi Mauja and Nagada Nagada. And Abhishek Bachchan is also slated to make a spectacular entry with the title track of Delhi-6, before going into some more and wrapping up with the popular Desi Girl from Dostana. Bipasha Basu will set the stage on fire with Neil Nitin Mukesh, performing tracks from Aa Dekhen Zara. Farhan Akhtar and his band promise to live up to their reputation and rock on the night to a thrilling and pulsating finale.

In the midst of all this entertainment, the envelopes will be opened on stage to reveal the winners of the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 one by one. Who gets the Best Actor from among Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan and Naseeruddin Shah? And will newcomers Asin and Anushka Sharma decide the Best Actress between themselves or will one of the old favourites — Priyanka Chopra, Kajol and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan —take home the Black Lady? Time will tell. And the awards are just hours away.

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Exclusive: Grahpravesh for Saif and Kareena

Kareena Kapoor joined by beau Saif Ali Khan and her parents performed a small grahpravesh puja at her new home in suburban Mumbai. The actress has purchased two flats in Rose Queen in Khar. At around 11.30 this morning Karisma, Babita, Randhir, Kareena and Saif got together for an intimate puja.

Saif and Kareena

“Saif and Kareena arrived together. Saif was in a white kurta and jeans with a red bandana. He was carrying the flowers for the puja in his hand. Kareena was dressed casually as well in a green tee and jeans. Karisma had worn a pink kurti with jeans. They kept a small gathering at home. From the industry just Shabina Khan, the designer, was also present at the ceremony. The puja lasted for about 40 minutes,” informs a source.

Puja in Kareena's home

“After that all the drivers and staff was called up to the flat on the sixth floor. Everyone was included in the puja... the pandit present put chandan ka tikas on their foreheads,” adds the source.

Karisma Kapoor leaves after the ceremony

In the preparation for the puja, the building management had been requested to get the members to park their cars outside the building.

Friend Shabina Khan

This was done to accommodate the numerous cars that came with the stars. Food from Lucky Restaurant in Bandra was also seen going up to the flat.

Saif and Kareena leave after the ceremony

All the guests were given small tokens before they left. In fact even the staff was given and they all were given small boxes which included samosas and mithai. After the puja was over, the pandit was whisked away from the other gate so that the media did not get a hold of him. In fact the stars themselves got into their cars and made an exit to avoid being photographed.

It is believed that Kareena will be moving in with mum Babita in the coming week. Sister Karisma is also expected to move in slightly later as her duplex on the tenth floor of the same building is not yet complete.

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Stars set for the Filmfare Awards!

The Filmfare Awards, which take place today at Yash Raj Studios, are the most prestigious awards in Bollywood. We tell you who will be performing and hosting the event.

A source tells us, "Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor will be hosting the awards. The duo will have the audience in splits with its comic script. They are rehearsing throughout the day. They will be replacing Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. Besides Imran and Ranbir, Farhan Akhtar and Karan Johar will also be hosting.

As always, there will be a lot of song and dance this year. Bipasha Basu will be performing many of her hit songs. As part of the medley, she will dance to songs from Bachna Ae Haseeno and then Aa Dekhen Zara with Neil Nitin Mukesh. Then there's also Katrina Kaif, who will be dancing to Race and Singh is Kinng tunes. Abhishek Bachchan will also dance and they've got a special Dostana set planned.

Shahid Kapoor will also dance - first to songs from Kismat Konnection, then to songs from Jab We Met. Plus, Farhan Akhtar will do Rock On with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It'll be Farhan's first Filmfare performance.

However, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor, all of whom performed at other awards shows this year, won't be performing this time. Another person audiences will certainly miss is SRK, who is recovering from his shoulder injury.

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What's happening in tinseltown

Kareena, Saif, Abhishek and Farhan Akhtar had a busy 24 hours!

Finally Home: Kareena and Saif walk out of her building in suburban Mumbai after finishing the Grihapravesh puja


Abhishek Overdose: Abhishek, dressed in the same all black outfit was seen launching Motorola’s AURA phone at Vie Lounge and on Farhan Akhtar’s show, Oye! It’s Friday at Yash Raj studios yesterday.


Mr. Magnanimous: Abhishek Bachchan, brand ambassador of Motorola gifted the first phone, worth a whopping Rs.1.2 lac to designer Manish Malhotra.


The Cutie with the Beauty: Farhan Akhtar chats with Kangana Ranaut on his show, Oye! It’s Friday. Kangana looks pale but he dress and peep toes are stylish and pretty.
(Pic courtesy: NDTV Imagine)


Daddy’s Girl: Priyanka Chopra, looking chic in black and white inaugurates her father, Dr. Ashok Chopra’s clinic, Studio Aesthetique in Andheri.

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Farah Khan choreographs for Amrita Arora

Farah Khan has renounced choreography except when it comes to her dear friends and family. Here's what will happen at Amrita Arora’s sangeet during her wedding to Shakeel Ladak.

The choreograph-turned-director will work on a skit for the sangeet party to be held on March 5. Farah told us, “Malaika is the mastermind and I am helping her out. She wants to keep it a big surprise so it wouldn’t make sense to talk about it.”

However, our source did give us the scoop, saying, “Saif-Kareena and Arbaaz-Malaika will dance to wedding songs such as Maahi Ve and Bole Chudiyaa, among others. It will be a Bollywood-style affair full of drama, romance and comedy.”

The guest list for the wedding week includes the who’s who of Bollywood -- Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Arjun and Mehr Rampal, Saif Ali Khan, Chunky and Bhavna Pandey, Anil Kapoor, Tusshar Kapoor, Sajid and Wardha Nadiadwala, Farah Khan and Shirish Kunder, Zayed Khan and wife Malaika, Fardeen Khan and wife Natasha, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, Karan Johar, Preity Zinta, Manish Malhotra, Ashley Rebello and Vikram Phadnis among others.

Our source gave us another bit of gossip: “Salman Khan will be there at the wedding. He will fly down from Jodhpur especially for this. Therefore, Shah Rukh is not likely to attend, but Gauri Khan will be there.”

Wedding schedule
Like sister Malaika, Amrita, a Christian, has chosen a Muslim husband. And just like Malaika, Amrita will have two ceremonies -- a church wedding and a nikaah. On March 1, there is a huge party for family and friends of the bride and groom at a posh suburban nightclub. The church wedding is on March 4 at Bandra Church. On March 5, Salman Khan’s sister Alvira Agnihotri will host the musical bash that Farah Khan is choreographing. March 6, the final day of the celebrations, will see a nikaah ceremony at Taj Lands End in the afternoon followed by a reception in the evening.

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Pop star Kylie arrives in Mumbai

International pop star Kylie Minogue arrived in Mumbai yesterday to film the video for the Sanjay Dutt- Akhay Kumar starrer Blue. The actress turned singer is expected to stay in the city for a week.

“She made a quiet entry into the city yesterday evening. She is staying at The Renaissance in Powai. That is better for her as they will be filming in Film City. They will be filming for the song in the coming week. Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar will also feature in the video,” informs a source from the production house.

It is believed that Kylie was paid almost 5 crores to appear on the one track in the film. The song was recorded with A R Rahman in London the day after the musical genius bagged the BAFTA for his score for Danny Boyles Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire.

“After all the hype the Snoop Dogg video created for Singh is Kinng, the producers of Blue thought of bringing another international artist to Bollywood. Akshay will croon with the hot singer for a video for the film,” adds the source, “But unlike Snoop’s video here Kylie is flying down to Mumbai to shoot the video with Sanjay Dutt and Akshay. Numerous international artists were in the running to be a part of Blue. Fergie, the lead singer of Black Eyed Peas, and Rihanna were also in the running as was Madonna. But Madonna turned out to be too expensive. Fergie and Kylie both showed massive interest but it was also about their availability. Ashtvinayak – the producers of the film – and director Anthony D’Souza are going to direct the video themselves.”

The singer was expected to visit Akshay Kumar's home later today. "She has been personally invited by Akshay to his home. She will spend most of the evening there before heading out for some appearances.," says the source.

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Slumdog’s Team is back home

Irrfan and Oscar winner Resul Pookutty have just arrived in town. Take a look at the crowd going ga-ga over them at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai when they arrived last night.

Irrfan and Resul with his son arrive at the airport, surrounded by Mumbai Police. Resul shows off his Oscar


Too many garlands cover Resul and his wife. But they love every minute of it.


It is not everyday that a technician is recognized on such a large scale


They interact with the media from their open red car.


Resul drove away in the red car perfectly decorated for this occasion.

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Neil Nitin Mukesh in Jail!

Johnny Gaddar star Neil Nitin Mukesh will soon be going to jail. Relax, it's just for Madhur Bhandarkar's movie of the same name. The actor has been doing extensive research for his role, which will include visiting a jail.

Neil Nitin Mukesh told us he is looking forward to the shoot, which will begin in March. "I have always liked Madhur Bhandarkar's movies because they show the real face of society to a certain extent. I'm hoping for the best from Jail. The role I'm playing is quite challenging. So, I have been told to read books on Indian jails. Very soon, I will visit Thane jail and speak to people there," the actor explained.

Speaking further about his role, Neil told us, "It's the story of a common man which will add to the authenticity of the film. We will probably be shooting in the Dehradun jail and some parts of Yervada jail in Pune. I'm planning to visit both jails."

Rumour has it that the young actor will also be singing for Jail. Is that true? "I haven't been asked to sing but if Madhur wants me to, I will definitely sing. Everybody really liked my voice in Aa Dekhen Zara, but for now, I'm just concentrating on my next film with Bipasha Basu," he added.

Neil Nitin Mukesh will be seen next in Aa Dekhen Zara with Bipasha Basu and then with Katrina Kaif and John Abraham in Yash Raj's New York. Sudhir Mishraa's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny is scheduled to be released in June 2009.

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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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Feroz Khan to be discharged soon

Yesteryear superstar Feroz Khan is said to be progressing well and the doctors are hoping to move him out of the Intensive Care Unit of Breach Candy Hospital’s Oncology department soon. Khan’s doctor confirmed the news to us.

“We are very happy with Mr. Khan’s progress. I cannot discuss his problem with you due to confidentiality issues but I can assure you that he is doing well. In fact we will move him to his room later today. And if things go on as they are then he will be going home soon… very soon in fact,” says Dr. Suresh Advani who is treating Feroz Khan.

Feroz Khan was admitted in a serious condition on Tuesday to Breach Candy Hospital. On hearing the news, the entire Khan and Roshan family rushed to the hospital. Hrithik, who was shooting at Filmistan Studio for Kites, cancelled his shoot for the day to be by Feroz's side.

Khan’s secretary Tiwari says the family is now quite relieved to see his progress.

“It was tense 24 hours for the family. His health suddenly deteriorated. But now he is doing very well. The doctors are happy. But even once he goes home he has to take it very easy. He has been forbidden from traveling or doing any filming,” he says.

In fact last year when many watched Feroz Khan at the IIFAs in Bangkok they were all surprised to see the charming actor’s failing health. He looked very weak and in fact needed support to walk or climb on to the stage. He had also undergone knee surgery.

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What's happening in tinseltown

Pop Star Kylie Minogue is in town, Freida's on the cover of Vogue, Lara's borrowed treaures and glowing girls, Kareena and Manisha.

Protector: Pop star Kylie Minogue arrived in Mumbai last night. She looks amazing as usual and Ronit Roy who provides security to Bollywood bigwigs is there to protect her too.


Freida Fashionista: Freida Pinto continues her fashionable dream run and goes where few actresses have been. She is seen in a Louis Vuitton mini dress on the cover of Vogue India’s March issue. While the make up and hair is great, we don’t like the dress and lobster-like neckpiece. (Pic Credit: Regan Cameron, Vogue)


Borrowed Treasures: Lara Dutta liked the YSL Tribute sandals that she wore on the cover of MW so much that she kept them and wore them to the launch of Queenie Dhody’s jewellery store launch. Smart move in these times of recession! (Pic Credit: Prasad Naik, Men’s World)


Glow and No-Glow: It is amazing how stunning Kareena Kapoor looks with minimal or no make-up, a feat few actresses achieve. So radiant is her glow that she steals the show from her bride-to-be best friend, Amrita Arora, whose make up does nothing for her.


Marvellous Manisha: At an art exhibition in South Mumbai, Manisha Koirala looked super slim and her skin glowed too. We like her plain saree and her intricatedly embroidered blouse steals the show. Wow!


And He’s Back: Mohammed Azharuddin, who played Salim in Slumdog Millionaire, is back from the Oscars in LA. He is seen here with his father and the media who crammed into his chawl in Bandra East, Mumbai


I’m her Mother: While Rubina Ali was whisked by executives a TV channel for an interview, her biological mother who had left her years ago created a controversy by claiming “she is my daughter and I want her back” now that Rubina is famous.

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Freida Pinto: From Bombay's local trains into Hollywood's limousines

Freida Pinto has leapt off Bombay's local trains and into Hollywood's limousines. MANJULA NARAYAN looks at the transformation of the girl next door

AT THIS time last year, Freida Pinto was probably one of a million girls scrambling onto the woefully crowded Malad local train. Considering that she had landed some modelling jobs and had hosted a travel show, she'd have jostled with the first-class bunch which, as every commuter in Bombay knows, can be far more vicious than any second class dibba gang. Who knows, our Freida must have occasionally been battered with laptops and prodded with tweezers if she'd dared to hog the coveted gangway space next to the door. In the evenings, she'd have been sharing a frappe with Rohan Antao, her boyfriend (oops, husband?) at the local coffee shop and perhaps spending love struck weekends with him at a cottage on Manori island. She would have been hanging out with the friends she has known since her days as an English Literature student at St Xavier's College and practising her expressions in the mirror in the bathroom of the flat she shared with her Mangalorean parents and sister.

Then she landed that role in Slumdog millionaire. She began spending time with Danny Boyle and the crew, taking time out to show her leading man Dev Patel the sights including, perhaps, the Queen's Necklace, the neo-gothic buildings that had once prompted Aldous Huxley to call Bombay "one of the most appalling cities in either hemisphere", and seedily exotic Colaba. But this isn't a tourist brochure for Urbs Prima in Indis. It's a contemplation of what fame can do, and in the case of Freida Pinto, Oscar hopeful, BAFTA award winner and new darling of the red carpet, how it can take you from boarding the Churchgate fast every morning to riding around New York in a stretch limousine surrounded by stylists.

Suddenly, Vogue, Vanity Fair and Elle, are courting her, UK's Sun is advising readers on how to get her 'look', luxury London outlets are inviting her to beam at the paparazzi from their shop fronts.

YOU'RE not sure at what point Ms Pinto, who really didn't have much to do in the film, became an international sensation. Was it when she warmed the cockles of the firangi media's collective heart by mumbling through a mouthful of chocolate cake at Angelina Jolie? Was it because Jolie has anointed her for a life of stardom by advising her to "keep it real" - a bit strange coming from a woman whose own life with a million kids, zillion dollar paycheques and gadzillion international do-good programmes seems as far from reality as poor Rohan Antao is from Brad Pitt. Was it because she now speaks with a Miss India accent she couldn't have picked up at St John's Universal High School, Goregaon? Any day now you expect her to have a white-gloved-palmto- face Sushmita Sen moment.

The truth is her stylist George Kotsiopoulos, who'd rather commit harakiri than let a Tahiliani near Pinto, is the real star. That other Mangalorean beauty Aishwarya Rai needs to get his number quick. The boob-squash thingy she wore to the Berlin Film Festival is just the sort of outfit George would chuck into Bombay's stinking Mahim creek... as Freida's usual local lumbers slowly over it.

Which brings you to the question, what will Freida do next? Will she snap out of her fame-induced amnesia and run back into Antao's arms once the Slumdog fever dies down? Or will she find herself a Pitt replica? Whatever she does, let's hope she doesn't imitate Jolie's bizarre fertility goddess routine. With whoever.

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Rahman and wife make a style statement at Oscars

Oscar-winning music maestro A.R. Rahman's media-shy better half Saira Banu walked the red carpet at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood for the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Clad in a black kurta-churidar by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the demure wife of the maestro has by choice always maintained her distance from the limeligh till date. She was not a much known face among the Indians, let alone on the global platform before appearing at the awards.

Saira Banu was all over the TV screens worldwide when she walked the red carpet clinging to her husband's right arm throughout the ceremony.

Not much of a speaking lot, both husband and wife have had perhaps the maximum number of public appearances courtesy the worldwide success of Danny Boyle's Mumbai-based rags-to-rajah story "Slumdog Millionaire".

Rahman won two golden statuettes - for best original song "Jai ho" and best original score for the film.

Even though Rahman has proved he has impeccable music sense - as is evidenced by his twin Oscars, when it comes to following fashion trends, he completely trusts his wife Saira Banu, says his stylist Vijayeta Kumar.

"He is a very simple person and doesn't believe in doing anything flashy. He is not at all brand conscious and blindly depends on Saira for the final call," Vijayeta Kumar told IANS over the phone from Mumbai.

"The reason behind this is that Saira is more aware and keeps herself updated about the latest trends," she added.

This Mumbai-based stylist who is also a filmmaker has been associated with Rahman for over a year now. She had met him on the sets of a musical show "Mission Ustad" on 9X, for which she was the stylist.

Rahman's wife got in touch with Kumar after the show and since then she has been designing for the maestro at various concerts and award functions.

"Both of them are so amazing and down to earth. They are wonderful. It's been a wonderful experience and after his win at the Oscars, Rahman has proved that he is the best," Kumar said.

At the Oscars, Rahman was wearing a black Lanvin tuxedo and for the live performance he wore Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's creation - a black sherwani.

"The red carpet dressing is very strict so we were very clear from the beginning that he is going to wear a tuxedo. There was no question of opting for any Indian attire or repeating any outfit," Kumar explained.

"We zeroed in for Sabyasachi for the sherwani because he is the best. We had to make sure that Rahman was wearing something comfortable while performing. So what better than a sherwani and that too a Sabyasachi," she added.

Was it a coincidence that both Rahman and Saira were wearing black?

"Both of them just love black. So it was a conscious decision," Kumar maintained.

Elaborating on Rahman's style statement, Kumar said: "It is very easy to dress him because he doesn't believe in brands. He gives importance to comfort levels."

"He is a jeans and shirt man. Sometimes he wears kurtas with churidars also," she added.

Meanwhile, as India rejoiced at A.R. Rahman's double Oscar win, his brother-in-law and namesake Rahman said it is the reward for the maestro's life-long commitment to music.

Rahman, who acts in films, told reporters that a harmonium was his brother-in-laws's constant companion even during his honeymoon.

"We were told that in the middle of the night he was sitting in the next room and playing a harmonium in Kodaikanal where he had gone for his honeymoon. Such was his dedication," Rahman said.

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Is Ash a thief

There’s more to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s role in Pink Panther 2 than the rumoured two minutes of screen space, it seems.

In fact, if the buzz is to be believed, the movie would be incomplete without her role. The actress is apparently playing the main villain in the movie! “She is actually the one who steals the Pink Panther diamond, and in the end, Steve Martin finds out,” says a source close to the unit of the movie.

Aishwarya plays the role of Sonia Solandres, a criminology expert, in the film. She is part of the team of detectives who are trying to find the Pink Panther diamond. But in the end, Inspector Clouseau figures out that Sonia, played by Ash, is the real culprit and no criminology expert. “The climax has a fight scene where Ash even kicks some butt and tries to flee. But eventually, she gets caught and is put behind bars,” says the source.

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Happy Birthday, Shahid

Shahid Kapoor turns 27 today. We take a look at his eventful journey in Bollywood.

Veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor is his father and actress/dancer Neelima Azim is his mother. The two divorced when Shahid was three. Shahid also has a half brother, Ishaan Khattar from his mother’s marriage to Rajesh Khattar. Shahid lives with his mother.

Baby faced Shahid wowed our hearts in the Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra video in the late 90s. He was also the boy who drapes the saree on Aishwarya Rai’s head in the song Kahi Aag lage lagjaave from Taal. He also shared screen space with SRK, Rani and Kajol in a Pepsi ad post Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

Finally, he made his big screen debut in 2003 in Ken Ghosh’s rom-com Ishq Vishk alongside fellow newbies Shenaz Treasurywalla and Amrita Rao. The film was a sizeable hit and the songs became a rage. Shahid became a teenage sensation because of his cute charm and dancing skills. He won a Filmfare Best Debut Award that year.

After Ishq Vishk, Shahid was seen in Fida, a thriller alongside Kareena Kapoor, his real life girlfriend and Fardeen Khan. The film didn’t do well but Shahid’s performance was appreciated.

A few more unsuccessful films like Dil Maange More, Deewane Huye Pagal, Vaah Life ho toh Aisi, 36 China Town, Shikhar and Chup Chup Ke till Shahid made a breakthrough in 2006 with Rajshri Films’ Vivah! In the film he co-starred with Amrita Rao and had to fill in the shoes of Prem, a character previously played by Salman Khan. The film was a hit and Shahid’s performance was highly appreciated.

A lackluster Fool ‘n’ Final later, Jab We Met was a big commercial success. Though it was Kareena’s film through and through, Shahid’s mature and subtle performance complemented her vivacious turn perfectly. Their chemistry was natural and sizzling.
They had done three films together before this: Fida, 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke. All of them flopped. Sadly, the two of them broke up after dating for four years when Jab We Met released.

After Jab We Met, Shahid co-starred in Aziz Mirza’s Kismat Konnection which was an average hit with super hit songs like Ba Khuda and Aai Paapi.

Since his break up with Bebo, Shahid has been linked to Sania Mirza, Vidya Balan and most recently Priyanka Chopra, his Kaminey co-star. But he has remained tightlipped on all of this.

He has recently been signed on as brand ambassador for Pioneer music systems and V.I.P. luggage.

Shahid will be seen in Ahmed Khan’s Paathshala, Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminey and Anurag Singh’s next film for Yashraj with Rani Mukerji. We wish this talented and good-looking actor a very Happy Birthday and many joyful and successful years to come.

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