Bollywood Hollywood

Shah Rukh Khan among 500 most influential Muslims in the world

2009-12-14T10:43:00.001-08:00

Being one of the most successful stars in Bollywood brings with itself loads of accolades and awards. This time Shah Rukh Khan finds himself in the august company of former Indian President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam and Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman. The trio have been included in the list of The 500 most influential Muslims in the world released by Georgetown University, USA.

The actor has been included in the 'Arts and Culture' segment of the list and has been lauded for 'campaigning for better relations between India's Muslim and Hindu communities'.

Katrina Kaif advised bed rest

2009-12-14T10:42:00.001-08:00

As her hemoglobin count continues to plummet, Katrina’s health is causing distress to all those who know her.

Everyone around Katrina, wellwishers, co-stars, friends and family are beginning to be extremely worried about Katrina’s deteriorating health. On Sunday she was again at a suburban hospital to take further tests as her haemoglobin count continued to fall, despite treatment from the best doctors in the city.

Though Katrina has been extremely selective recently about the appearances she makes, she is obviously still straining too much and it is affecting her adversely.

On Sunday Katrina woke up unable to get out of bed. The worst blow to her frail energy level was the hectic wedding of Salman Khan’s close family-friend Krishan Narayan’s daughter which Katrina attended for two consecutive nights on Friday and Saturday for the sangeet and wedding.

Forgetting her delicate health, Katrina had simply let herself go, dancing and having a good time.

A friend explained, “It was a commitment she couldn’t wriggle out of. The bride’s father, an associate of politician Praful Patel, is a very close friend of Salman Khan. And Katrina who has always looked at Salman’s friends as her own, had to be there.”

The result of two consecutive nights of merry-making was a relapse. On Sunday Katrina had to undergo a series of complicated medical tests that went on the whole day

The friend continued, “Katrina’s haemoglobin count continues to plummet. The doctors are perplexed by this. They can’t figure out what is causing this abnormality in her blood. She has been prescribed complete bed rest.”

When contacted, Katrina tried to dismiss her indisposition with. “I will be just fine. I just need to rest.”

Aamir Khan meets with a road accident

2009-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

As part of promotions for 3 Idiots, Aamir was recently travelling in an auto-rickshaw in Varanasi and met with an accident. Aamir was unhurt, his publicist said.

The auto-rickshaw the actor was travelling in collided with another three-wheeler. Aamir was unhurt but one of his two co-travellers sustained several bruises. He was taken to a medical centre and discharged soon after.

"At around 5 am on Sunday, while returning from the Dasaswamedh Ghat where he had taken a boat ride, the auto ahead of Aamir's rickshaw tilted due to the potholes on the road. To avoid a collision, Aamir's rickshaw was forced to grind to a halt. Due to the impact, a co-passenger was hurt," a source told a tabloid.

Aamir's publicist confirmed the mishap and told the tabloid, "He was lucky to be saved. He did not sustain any injuries." The actor has been travelling in disguise as part of a marketing strategy for his forthcoming film 3 Idiots. The actor has a launched a game to hunt him.

He will be travelling across the country and his friends will give clues which would help people locate him. The winner gets to spend New Year's Eve with Aamir and his family.

Salman will marry soon

2009-12-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

When a woman reporter asked Salman about his marriage plans, the 43-year-old Indore-born actor smiled in a mischievous manner and said, "very soon".

Salman arrived here to take part in a road show in support of the Congress mayoral candidate Pankaj Sanghvi from Indore.

To a question he clarified that he had never ventured into politics and would never do so in future.

He said that his fans have given him lot of affection since the release of his first film Biwi Ho To Aisi.

Salman said that by taking part in political campaigns he only urges people to elect good persons.

Aamir Khan walks the ramp to promote 3 Idiots

2009-12-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Bollywood Actor Aamir Khan designed doodles, launched merchandise and walked the ramp along with fellow actors Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan here on Friday (December 4) to promote his forthcoming flick 3 Idiots.

The movie 3 Idiots is the celluloid adaptation of author Chetan Bhagat's best selling novel Five Point Someone.

The movie revolves around three friends, whose dismal grade point averages at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) influence their friendship, love life and career choices.

Aamir Khan was all excited to promote his movie and said it would definitely be an inspirational one.

"I agree with you Rang de Basanti was an extremely inspiring film. I think that's been the effort with 3 Idiots as well. I am hoping that the story that Raju (director Rajkumar Hirani) and Abhijat (Joshi) have come up with and the way Raju has directed the film, I am hoping that it will be an extremely inspirational film for not only the youth, but each and every person who sees the film," he said.

The three actors had earlier worked together in Rang De Basanti, which was acclaimed by everyone and won several awards.

The stars walked the ramp in a collection designed by Aamir himself, and the movie merchandise was launched in collaboration with a reputed fashion house.

Aamir Khan flair of connecting with the youth is the idea behind designing the apparel and accessories, as he was also pleased to put forward his doodles in front of his fans.

"Doodling is something that all of us keep doing all our lives. So some of these doodles are in my film, or on paper while I was working on the film during rehearsals, or when I am reading the script; some of them I did later on when this concept was out that we can come out with merchandising with my doodles. So, for example, this t-Shirt I did later on," he said.

Kareena Kapoor stars opposite Aamir in the movie.

Pregnant Padma Lakshmi poses naked for Page Six cover

2009-12-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Padma Lakshmi sits in a cozy corner of the East Village Italian restaurant Supper, her black hair half pulled back, the rest rippling around her shoulders. As she orders a cup of coffee and an appetizer of burrata mozzarella with tomato, basil and grilled bread, the Italian words come out with a perfect roll of the r's. The waiter, eager to please but flustered, strains to avoid looking in the direction of Padma's spectacular breasts. The Top Chef host, visibly, pertly pregnant, is wearing a stretchy wool dress by Temperley, and though her limbs are still reed thin, her boobs are another story. "Everything is...plumped up," she jokes, shrugging, her large gold earrings flashing in the dimly lit room. At 39, Padma is blooming, and she appears to be heartily enjoying the second trimester of her pregnancy. She dunks a substantial hunk of bread into a small dish of white beans, garlic and olive oil. "I'm eating all the time now."

Lately, she's also in the news all the time. After divorcing writer and Manhattan party fixture Salman Rushdie in 2007 and being linked to the 69-year-old billionaire Teddy Forstmann, Padma announced this October that she was happily, mysteriously pregnant. A flood of tabloids speculated on who the father could be, but Padma, who has spoken publicly about her long struggle with endometriosis—a condition that can cause infertility—wasn't telling. Then, later that month, a curious catfight erupted between Rushdie and his recent flame, the actress Pia Glenn, after Glenn claimed to Page Six that Rushdie was still infatuated with his ex-wife: "He would talk about Padma day and night," said Glenn. Rushdie disputed Glenn's assertions in a missive to Page Six, calling her "unstable" and "radioactive."

When asked about Glenn's and Rushdie's statements, Padma pauses and goes uncharacteristically silent. "Even though my name was there, in that text, I don't feel that it had—how can I put this...?" She trails off, as if at a loss for words. "I just don't think I have anything constructive to add to that."

But in the few years since her divorce, as Rushdie has been spotted about town with ever-younger women, Padma has been launching business ventures that seem to fulfill the promise of her last name—Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of prosperity. She's no longer arm candy—nor does she want to be. Says Padma diplomatically, "I [have been] reconstructing my life and putting it back together in a way that looked more appropriate to who I was."

Jewelry collection can be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman

In May of this year, she introduced an eponymous line of jewelry at Bergdorf Goodman, and she is hard at work on her new collection of the delicate gold and precious-stone pieces inspired by traditional Indian designs. This fall she also launched a line of spices, teas and kitchenware for the Home Shopping Network. "Jewels, spices and teas—I sound like Magellan," says Padma, laughing.

Once the Top Chef season-six finale airs next week, she is also set to begin writing a third cookbook, a follow-up to her 2007 tome, Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet. "I'm thinking American classics retooled or something low-fat, since everyone is always asking me how I manage to eat so much and stay thin."

Indeed, the image of Padma as a captivating foodie siren, all breathy voice and body-hugging gowns, is a familiar one. She's the hot, graceful woman who—remarkably—eats. It's also a persona that Padma is willing to have some fun with. On an episode of 30 Rock that aired in mid-November, Padma played herself in a cameo on the cult show, joining the ranks of megastars like Oprah and Jennifer Aniston. In a scene with Alec Baldwin's character Jack Donaghy, she vies to host a dating show for his network. Leaning toward Baldwin, she purrs, "Men always tell me I'm very funny." If she were to land the fictional gig, Padma enthuses, "I could actually find a balance between work and...[she strokes her belly fondly]...being a mommy!" She then steals grapes from Baldwin's coffee table, apparently ravenous. The appearance, says Padma, who declines to speak directly about her pregnancy but is not afraid to reference it on TV for an audience of nearly 8 million viewers, "was a sweet coup for me, but I don't want to read too much into it. I mean, I think I can laugh at myself. I'd have been like, 'Here's your tea, sir,' and left if they'd asked me."

The fame that attends a popular show like Top Chef has other perks and is drawing her a growing fan base. She is now frequently recognized on the streets of New York, even makeup-free, in her unglamorous gym clothes at local food markets. "I went to a bar mitzvah on the Upper East Side last year," recalls Padma, who is talking with her hands. "And not to toot my own horn, but I might as well have been Michael Jackson to these 13-year-old boys and girls. There were something like 30 children around me, and they were all practically hyperventilating. I had this swarm of little kids going, 'Oh, my god! Oh, my god!' Kids are so authentic, so pure, and they'd be telling me, 'My sister and I had an amuse-bouche contest, and we need you to tell us who should have won.' I think that's really cool."

Padma strips off for Page Six Magazine

Those who've worked with Padma say she exudes a powerful, sensual allure—one that can make her seem mysterious and even aloof. "[Padma] could be perceived as the bitchy bitch kind of girl because of her composure," says Nikki Cascone, the co-owner of restaurant 24 Prince and a former Top Chef contestant. "She walks on the street, and you don't see any woman remotely in her ballpark." Dale Talde, a sous-chef at Chelsea restaurant Buddakan and also a past Top Chef contestant, confesses he was mesmerized by her. "She's absolutely stunning. She's probably one of the most beautiful people you will ever see in person, and she's gotten better with age. It was completely distracting—there's a lot of downtime, a lot of time when you have nothing else to do but stare off into the world. Who do you have to stare at: [Top Chef judge] Tom [Colicchio] or Padma? It's a no-brainer, even for the gays."

Born in New Delhi, Padma moved to America as a young girl and was raised in New York and Los Angeles by her mother, a nurse, often returning to India to stay with her extended family there. After earning a degree in theater from Clark University in Massachusetts, Padma was discovered by a modeling agent in Spain and was soon walking the runway for fashion icons like Ralph Lauren and hosting a TV show in Italy. As if her caramel skin, magazine-ready figure, and growing cookbook business weren't enough, Padma is also fluent in Hindi, Tamil, Spanish and Italian. She attained name recognition in New York after she wed Rushdie, whom she met at the glitzy launch party for Tina Brown's Talk magazine on Liberty Island. After marrying in a traditional Hindi affair in 2004, they became incongruous regulars on the party circuit, even appearing together in the front row at fashion week, Padma often wearing gorgeous, skin-baring frocks.

Two Grammy nominations for A R Rahman

2009-12-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

It's Jai Ho yet again for composer AR Rahman, after receiving two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Song, a BAFTA for Best Music Director, the Mozart of Madras's winning streak is far from over.

He has now bagged two Grammy nominations for his compositions in the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

The composer has been nominated in Best Song Written For Motion Picture, and no surprises it's the anthem, which has had the world singing Jai Ho as well as a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for the film.

The nominations are the singer composer's first.

Currently in Los Angeles the composer is gearing up to work on a cross-cultural movie, titled Street Dancing along with with Golden Globe winner English musician David A Stewart.

The Grammy Awards will be presented on January 31 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Karan Johar receives a marriage proposal

2009-12-03T22:07:00.001-08:00

Recently, Karan Johar received a mail from a fan from Uzbekistan who proposed marriage to him along with a specially designed carpet with his image on it, thus dismissing the belief that it is only the lead actors and actresses who get marriage proposals in fan mail.
The parcel reached Karan on Sunday afternoon who was pleased to see the carpet. The parcel also contained a love letter from a girl, Dilbahar, which carried a marriage proposal for Karan. Although he was very touched that a fan had spent some time to write some nice things about him and had given him such a valuable present, he was also left a little embarrassed.

Shah Rukh Khan's old man in Zee Dish TV advertisement

2009-12-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Indian DTH market has seen intense competition from new entrants, particularly Sun DTH and Big TV. Amidst all this, the market leader Dish TV, has managed to maintain its lead over its competition, using a host of cost effective packages, a strategy that has augured well in the price sensitive Indian market.

Now they are coming up with another ad featuring their brand ambassador, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in an entirely new look. SRK is shown as an old man, romancing Tanvi Azmi. While SRK has played an old man in films like Veer Zaara earlier, the look here is different from anything that has been seen before.

The ad has been conceptualised by Prasoon Joshi of Taare Zameen Par fame, and directed by Anurag Basu.

We await the release of this ad.

Aamir, Katrina launch coffee table book

2009-12-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Mumbai, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif have launched “Cine Blitz Gold Love and Longing in the Hindi Cinema”, a coffee table book that pays tribute to the Hindi film industry. Both actors are excited about their look on the cover, as it resembles the poster of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman in “Pyaasa”.

“I was wondering whether we would get it right and how close we would come to the original. My effort went into trying to bring Guru Dutt back into life. It was a great moment for me,” he said Monday at the launch of the book.

Katrina said: “When I was asked first, I was very surprised. But it was very special being able to recreate such a magical moment.”

The book was released to celebrate 35 years of CineBlitz, which is published by VJM Media Private limited. Its Chairman Vijay Mallya said that when editors Nishi Prem and Subhash Gupte came up with the idea, he got excited.

“I was excited to capture the essence, romance and brilliant works of Indian cinema for over so many years. I thank Aamir and Katrina for their time and cooperation and for all they did to make this happen,” said Mallya.

“We have produced something of which we can be proud,” he added.

Arun Guru Dutt, son of legendary director-actor Guru Dutt, was present on the occasion. He said: “I am very happy as they have taken a lot of care while taking the photograph.”

The book has been filled with images from late Raj Kapoor starrer “Awara” to Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Fashion”, articles, quotes of yesteryear actors and actress and the current lot as well.

Shahid Kapoor's eight-pack abs for Chance Pe Dance

2009-12-01T21:27:00.000-08:00

Shahid Kapoor's all-new look is set to impress in the upcoming Chance Pe dance

Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh flaunted six-pack abs, but Shahid Kapoor is doing two better -- he will show off eight-pack abs in his forthcoming film Chance Pe Dance.

Trainer Abbas Ali said they managed to achieve the new look in a very short time for Chance Pe Dance, directed by Ken Ghosh.

"Shahid had to look cosmetically presentable. After Kaminey we had only two months in hand to change his complete look. It's Shahid's sheer hard work, dedication and consistency that transformed him from what he used to look a couple of years ago to his present look," Abbas said. "His body in Chance Pe Dance is better than all his previous films. Shahid told me that dancers are coming from abroad and he wants to look like god and move like god. I had to change the entire training to bring that look along with flexibility and muscle endurance which was required for his dance performance," he said.

Shahid first started working on his body for Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey as he had to run with horses in a scene.

"Shahid didn't have a muscular body. I was training him only for fitness. Shahid didn't want a picture perfect body in Kaminey because the film shows that he comes from street and doesn't workout in high-tech gym," said Abbas.

For Chance Pe Dance Shahid needed a sculpted body and practiced five days a week. He also had to work on his diet.

"Shahid is a vegetarian and he doesn't even takes eggs so first-class protein, which is required to build lean muscle, was not there. White carbohydrate was removed from his diet, like white potatoes and pasta. We added brown carbohydrate like brown rice, sweet potato, oats instead.

"We didn't go for low carbohydrates because if you go for low carbohydrates your performance level goes down in real life. He has to dance so we couldn't go for low carbohydrates."

Chance Pe Dance, in which Shahid plays a struggling actor opposite Genelia D'Souza, is set for a January 15 release.

Timmy and Eesha's grand wedding reception

2009-12-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, there was a wedding — that of Timmy Narang and Eesha Koppikhar — with the vows, and there were plenty of ‘wows’ as well, as a never-ending

Timmy Narang and Eesha Koppikhar

stream of guests drove into the Narang bungalow on Pali Hill for the grand reception on Sunday night.

The guest-list had the wow factor, the designer clothes people wore had the oomph factor and the function itself oozed class. The bride glowed in pink and silver, the groom by her side. Timmy’s sister Ramona shone in a silver, one-shouldered gown. Timmy’s business partners and best buddies, Rishi Acharya and Jeetu Navlani and his wife Bhumika Puri, were seen celebrating their dost’s wedded union. Eesha and Timmy’s ‘Cupid on Earth’, Leena Mogre, came with husband Nikhil, son Arjun and a huge gift. Subhash Ghai was almost accosted at the gate for soundbytes and pictures, after which he proceeded into the venue for a night of non-stop entertainment. Sunny Dewan Wadhwan, Tulip Joshi, Babita Malkani, Nishka Lulla and her brother Siddharth, Pria Kataria Puri, Shibani Kashyap... the ladies and gentlemen continued to troop in to congratulate the couple and enjoy the gala reception.

Ben Kingsley to play Shah Jahan to Aishwarya’s Mumtaz

2009-12-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

Actor Ben Kingsley, who won an Oscar for playing Mahatma Gandhi 27 years ago, is back in India.

The actor plans to play Mughal emperor Shah Jahan with Aishwarya Rai as Mumtaz Mahal in the period film Taj.

Kingsley, 65, last worked with Aishwarya, 34, in The Last Legion in 2007.

The actor said his wife Daniela Barbosa de Carneiro would play Shah Jahan’s first wife Kandahari Begum.

Aishwarya told reporters: “During the shooting of The Last Legion, (Kingsley) had shared the idea with me. I have just received the draft of the script and now we are planning to take it forward.”

Kingsley said the focus of the film would be the building of the Taj Mahal and the isolation and loneliness of the man (Shah Jahan) who built it. “All of this is held together by love and the power of love, which transcends the prison cell and even death,” Kingsley said.

The actor plans to start shooting in India from the autumn of 2010. “I am looking for Indian producers and finances for the film,” he said.

Drunk Aamir lands director in problem

2009-12-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

For a scene in 3 Idiots , Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi were to act drunk at the college adda where they regularly meet to chill out. The perfectionist that Aamir is, he suggested that the trio should actually get drunk to make the scene look more authentic. The trio agreed and after getting drunk, they started enjoying themselves and were really in their element.

With the actors being in the right ‘spirit’, director Rajkumar Hirani was happy with the way in which the actors were giving their takes with a realistic feel to it. Hirani wanted to shoot various options and later choose the best. This particular scene was being shot late in the night.

Interestingly, after a few retakes, the unit realized that they have ran out of film reel in the middle of the night. Says a unit-hand, “When Raju Hirani got to know about it, he was worried because he didn’t want this shoot to extend for another day and didn’t want the cast to get drunk all over again.”

Since it was difficult to procure raw stock at such a late hour, the production team went all out hunting for film reel... “Fortunately, there was a regional film being shot nearby and the director of the film was more than happy to help Rajkumar Hirani with reels. Finally the team managed to get a reel and wrap up the shoot,” said the unit member.

Aamir Khan-Salman Khan bond over bike rides

2009-11-28T03:07:00.000-08:00

In an industry rife with cut-throat competition where simmering emotions boil up in a series of verbal potshots now and then, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan have surprisingly been bonding like thick buddies.

Who can forget Salman’s personal ode to Ghajini when he painted Aamir’s portraits (in the Ghajini look) ahead of the film’s release last year. Though the SRK-Salman cold war may have driven a wedge through the industry and its camp-loyal folks, Aamir’s friendship with Salman has remained unaffected.

The two stars make it a point to meet and spend some time together whenever their busy schedules permit. But we now learn that they also go out for rides on Salman’s mobike when the streets of Mumbai are almost deserted in the dead of the night.

According to reports, Aamir first drives to Salman’s Bandra residence where he parks his car. Later, the duo ride out on Salman’s bike while a small pose of security guards follows them.

After the ride, the duo often sits down for a chat over a couple of drinks either at Salman’s place or at Aamir’s.

Shilpa Shetty’s Wedding Reception

2009-11-26T02:36:00.000-08:00

The wedding reception of Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty was held yesterday at the Grand Hyatt hotel. The place was brimming with celebrities, famous people all dressed in their best. The guest list was overflowing with beautiful eminent personalities from various fields. Bachchan, Khans, Roshans and all the other top names in industry had graced the reception.

We have here - Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shahrukh Khan, his wife Gauri, Hrithik Roshan, his wife Sussanne Roshan, Rani Mukherjee, Rekha, Jayaprada, Fardeen Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Sameera Reddy, Juhi Chawla, Amisha Patel, Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Shabana Azmi, Vijay Mallya, Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar, Vivek Oberoi, Govinda, Suniel Shetty, Neil Mukesh… and many many more.

There were several filmmakers like David Dhawan, Nagesh Kukunoor, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sanjay Khan; music industry junta including Adnan Sami, Alka Yagni, Sunidhi Chauhan, Javed Aktar were seen here.

Checkout the stills to find out the other celebrities who had attended the grand event.

Fox to promote My Name Is Khan with Avatar

2009-11-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

The ‘Kurbaan’ anticipation cooled down once its released, now people are thirsty for Karan Johar’s yet another much-waited production – ‘My Name Is Khan’.

The Shahrukh-Kajol movie which is slated for 12th Feb 2010 was allegedly rumoured to have released its promos alongside ‘Kurbaan’. Now it is reported that ‘My Name Is Khan’ promos will be released side by side with Hollywood flick ‘Avatar’. Why so because, both the big-time projects are bannered under 20th Century Fox Star Studios. The promos of both the movies will be unveiled globally on December 18, 2009.

Dharma Productions’ ‘My Name Is Khan’ has been tied up with the international banner for its distribution. Fox Star Studios will undertake the movie’s distribution in India, Fox Searchlight inU.S. and 20th Century Fox will distribute in remaining overseas places. Now one can expect the best of promotions for this KJo’s directorial.

‘Avatar’ is an action adventure which is directed by Titanic famed directed James Cameron.

Salman's Veer to hit theatres on January 22

2009-11-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

Mumbai: The New Year / January 2010 will witness a new chapter in Indian cinema with the year’s most awaited film Veer starring super star Salman Khan set to release on 22nd January 2010. An Eros International worldwide release, produced by Vijay Galani and directed by Anil Sharma, the epic saga stars Salman Khan in a never seen before avatar along with leading lady - newcomer Zarine Khan. Audiences will be treated to a glimpse of the film with the theatrical trailer hitting the silver screen with De Dana Dan on 27th November.

Veer, Salman Khan’s brain child that has lived with the actor for over 20 years is a legend of heroism and bravery of a Pindari soldier. The film is a period drama with the theme of love versus duty. It speaks of bravery exemplifying the courage of every oppressed Indian fighting for justice and independence. The film has been directed by Anil Sharma, a master at big canvas and historical projects.

Adds a source “The film Veer has been a 20 year dream of Salman’s even before his foray into acting. Salman’s involvement in this particular project is tremendous especially since he’s lived with the script for so long. It’s like a dream come true.” The film also stars veteran actors like Mithun Chakraborty and Jackie Shroff along with Sohail Khan, Bharat Dabolkar in pivotal roles. And new faces Zarine Khan and Lisa Lazarus –Miss UK are the leading ladies of the film.

Reveals the source “Salman has gone all out for this film. He has worked hard on his look for Veer right from the styling to his toned physique. The film has turned out great much to everyone’s delight and is touted as Salman Khan’s greatest work”

Not compromising on the music, Vijay Galani has roped in the unusual combination of musical duo Sajid Wajid for the music and Oscar winner Gulzar for the lyrics. This will be the first time Sajid Wajid will experiment on a historical film. An esteemed and exciting star cast with Salman Khan in the lead, great music, never seen before cinematography, vast historical landscapes, and a great script – Veer is set to arrive in theatres on January 22, 2010.

Aarti Chhabria denies dating Headley

2009-11-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

Bollywood actress Aarti Chhabria is trying hard to wash her hands off terror-accused David Coleman Headley. The actress has denied ever meeting Headley after reports appeared in some newspapers that she had once dated Headley known to be womaniser. There were also reports that she and Headley were regulars at Mumbai
’s Moksha gym.

Aarti who has threatened to sue some newspapers has issued a letter to the Mumbai crime branch and asked them to take stern action those people who are making up malicious rumours. The actress also alledged that the rumours have been spread with an intent to malign her image and cause serious economic loss as well as mental agony to her.

The can of worms opened after the NIA (National Investigative Agency) questioned Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul Bhatt after it emerged that Rahul had known and met Headley several times during the latter's stay in Mumbai. There have been rumours that actress Kangana Ranaut and actor Emraan Hashmi might also have had known Headley.

Tags: aarti chhabria, david coleman headley, emraan hashmi, kangana ranaut, subhadeep bhattacharjee.

Sushmita Sen adopting another girl child

2009-11-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, Sushmita Sen was seen shopping at an international baby wear brand outlet at a well-known store in Linking Road, Bandra. She was accompanied by her Woman Friday Neelam, who she refers to as her sister. Sush was in blue jeans and grey tee and was seen trying out a baby sling carrier. Both were doing a survey of all the baby stuff on display.

This lends credence to a very strong buzz that the actress is looking for a sibling for her daughter Renee â€” has she already found one? The reclusive Sush has always wanted to be a mommy for the second time (by adopting another child). More importantly, to provide company to Renee.

Process in motion
It is reliably learnt that last week the actress visited an adoption centre with her staff and doctor to select a new bundle of joy. A source says, "She became particularly fond of a newborn but then it was found that the baby was too young."

Over two years ago, there was buzz that she was thinking of adopting another girl child.
The source adds, "Sush wants to complete her family with another child, preferably female. She has already made inquiries and begun visiting such centres. The actress is keen that she adopts another baby soon."
The unconventional actress who has always lived life on her own terms became a single mom in 2000 when she adopted Renee.

Sushmita remained unavailable for comment.

Adoptive moms in Hollywood
Michelle Pfeiffer (Adopted the baby of an African-American nurse back in 1993, way before it became a Hollywood craze)
Sharon Stone (has three adopted sons -- Roan Joseph Bronstein, Laird Vonne Stone and Quinn Kelly)
Sheryl Crow (adopted Wyatt Steven Crow in 2007)
Katherine Heigl (adopted Korean baby whom she named Nancy Leigh)
Madonna (David Banda and Mercy James; both from Malawi)
Angelina Jolie (Maddox is from Cambodia, Pax is from Vietnam and Zahara is from Ethiopia)

Katrina Barbie dolls

2009-11-21T08:12:00.001-08:00

The much-awaited Barbie dolls made inspired by Katrina Kaif finally reaches India. Made by Mattel Toys, the dolls are not to be sold but made to commemorate 50 years of Barbie dolls.

Interestingly the Barbie made inspired by Katrina sports the costume worn by the actress when she walked on the ramp in a fashion show earlier this year.

Katrina, at the peak of her career in Bollywood, has been doubly delighted by this. Though she is yet to see the doll as she is busy with the promotions for her next film, she says she would meet the Katty doll soon.

The actress is planning to go to London this Christmas to be with her family. The actress, whose three latest releases including ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ and ‘New York’ have done well at the box office, claimed that her achievements have pushed her to work harder.

“I won’t take things easily. I work towards perfection,” she says

Shah Rukh to perform at UN World Assembly of Youths anniversary

2009-11-11T21:15:00.000-08:00

Kuala Lumpur, November 11: Malacca government is planning to rope in Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to perform at a concert organised to mark UN World Assembly of Youths 60th anniversary celebrations.

Shah Rukh was conferred a ‘Datukship’ title by Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob last December for indirectly promoting the state to the world through six movies.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that the event will be held at Stadium Hang Jebat in Krubong to enable as many fans as possible to catch their Bollywood idol in action.

“We are trying to get a private company or maybe several more to sponsor the event,” The Star Online quoted the Rustam as saying.

“It will be worth their while as they can get international publicity if Shah Rukh Khan endorses their products,” he added.

He said state representatives had recently met the star in India to discuss how to promote and develop the local film industry.

Katrina Kaif married?

2009-11-11T21:12:00.000-08:00

Bollywood heartthrob Katrina Kaif was baffled to hear the news that she is married to the BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola. The ruckus began when a fake marriage certificate started making rounds.

According to the certificate, Katrina and Ramesh’s marriage took place on December 2nd, 2008. However, Katrina says that she was in New York on that day shooting for a film. A police case has already been filed against the mischief mongers.

Taking all this in her stride, the gorgeous star says that it is a price that one pays as their popularity chart soars.

Katrina visits Ajmer Sharif

2009-11-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

The bedesi babe has understood that prayers have great strength. Ever since Katrina Kaif visited Ajmer-e-Sharif dargah with Salman’s sister Alvira to pray for Salman's release from the Jaipur jail, she has been a strict believer of the God and makes sure that he visits the dargah to seek the blessing of God before any new releases.

She visited Ajmer Sharif before the release of Namaste London, Singh is Kinng and New York and it all turned out to be a huge box-office hits. Recently, she had again paid a visit to the dargah to pray to God for the grand success of her upcoming movie Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani.

Hope, this time too Katrina’s prayer shows color and the film turned out to a box office blockbuster.

Shahrukh celebrates 44th birthday

2009-11-03T07:02:00.001-08:00

Though Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has celebrated his 44th birthday yesterday, he still feels he is just 25.

Speaking to the media, he has said, "I have been in my 40s since a few years now and I gracefully accept the age. But honestly, I feel like I am just 25 or 26 except for the physical problems I've had in my past year."

Shah Rukh celebrated the birthday with his close-knit family and friends and confessed that he was "a workaholic." He said that the secret of his charming look even in his mid-40s was not any "plastic surgery", and hinted that he just slept enough.

Before his next birthday, we will have seen at least two of his three films - My Name is Khan,