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Bollywood's Ugly Fights & Famous Truce Treaties

2011-10-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

Some fights between actors and filmmakers that have made news in the recent times... Kangna Ranaut - Sanjay Dutt
A little over a month ago, Kangna Ranaut fell out of favour with Sanjay Dutt, her co-star and producer of the recently released Rascals.

According to reports, she left the dubbing mid-way due to non-payment of her pending remuneration.

However, there's more to it than meets the eye. Insiders reveal that she was not too pleased to be left out of the movie's pre-release promotional events.

Sources explain that Dutt and Devgn weren't too happy with Kangna going around claiming to be great friends with the duo.

However, some time before this, she fell out of favour with Maanayata Dutt. Though buzz is that Ameesha Patel getting closer to the Dutt family has caused Kangna's ouster.

Ajay Devgn - Anubhav Sinha
At one time, Ajay Devgn was most gung-ho about the heist thriller Cash, directed by Anubhav Sinha. However, Sinha was seeing Shilpa Shetty then and was said to be partial to her sister Shamita, who played Devgn's love interest in the movie.

Things changed when Anubhav had major differences with the film's producer, Sohail Maklai, also a good friend of Ajay. Needless to say, the actor sided with his producer buddy, for whom he agreed to do the movie.

It's another thing that the matter went to court before being resolved in time for the release. But Ajay didn't promote the film and had then stated that he'd never work with Anubhav again.

Aamir Khan-Amol Gupte
When Amol Gupte first met Aamir Khan with the script of Taare Zameen Par, the actor insisted the former direct the film.

However, after some days, when he wasn't too happy with the result, Aamir conveyed his displeasure to Gupte.

The actor-producer then maintained that he was willing to let Amol make the film with another producer, but he couldn't back it any more.

Reportedly, Gupte felt that they had invested enough work in the subject to allow someone else control it.

So, he's said to have suggested that Aamir direct it himself. While the rest is history, the friendship the two shared before embarking on the film soured.

Back then, Gupte was said to claim that Aamir gave him a raw deal. On the other hand, the actor-filmmaker maintained that he continued with Gupte as the creative supervisor of the film.

Salman Khan - Anees Bazmee
To begin with, Anees Bazmee was nowhere in the firing line of Salman Khan.

During the Bangkok outdoor of Ready, Salman had major differences with the co-producer Rajat Rawail. While the actor was firing all cylinders, Anees tried to play peacemaker and tried to stand up for Rajat.

That was enough for Salman to aim his guns at his director. Infuriated by the filmmaker's intervention and siding with his opponent, the fiery actor started showering barbs on him.

Realising that his hero was in a bad mood and unwilling to reason, the director packed his bags and returned to Mumbai.

Some famous truce treaties

Kareena Kapoor - Karan Johar
Although they claim to be like siblings, Kareena and Karan fell out over monetary issues regarding Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Kareena felt that she should be paid her market price as it was being directed by a first timer, Nikhil Advani. However, Karan felt that she was being unreasonable and replaced her with Preity Zinta.

Of course, the bhai-bahen patched up after over a year. But she's still to work under his direction again, after Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.

Kareena Kapoor - Madhur Bhandarkar
There are a couple of theories over their differences. One is that she wanted him to make some changes in her character in Heroine.

But he was unwilling to compromise. And after months of going back and forth, she opted out citing a busy date diary.

Another theory is that Bhandarkar insulted her director friend Lovely Singh's father, Amarjeet Singh, consequently infuriating Kareena enough to keep him hanging till they parted ways over Heroine.

However, less than 15 days after he started shooting the film with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, it came to be known that she was expecting.

Left with no choice, Madhur had to eat a humble pie and go back to Kareena.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

'Khan Queen' Kareena Kapoor Dumped Shahruk For Aamir Khan?

2011-10-17T22:38:00.001-07:00

Kareena Kapoor to miss the Toronto premiere of 'RA.One' as it clashes with the shooting schedule of 'Dhuaan'

Kareena Kapoor, better known of late as the 'Khan Queen', finds herself in an awkward situation thanks to that very celebrated title.

The dates of the Toronto premiere of her RA.One with Shah Rukh Khan and the shooting schedule of Reema Katgi's Dhuaan with Aamir Khan are apparently clashing.

Not surprisingly Bebo has chosen Mr Perfectionist, the Khan she has been raving about ever since their blockbuster film 3 Idiots, over G One.

A source, however, defends her decision of choosing Aamir over SRK.

"Kareena has to take some special training for an underwater sequence in the film and she needs time for that too. So going for the premiere is out of the question."

The shoot sequence in question was supposed to be shot in the outskirts of Mumbai. It was cancelled last minute due to certain technical issues.

Now, apparently, the location for the shoot has been finally finalised. Since it's one of the last few scenes to be shot, it cannot be delayed again.

Adds the source, "Kareena is the plays the female lead and SRK obviously wants her around as much as possible. She is trying her best to attend the Dubai and London premieres because she does not want to miss the international premieres of her film."

However, she has not been able to work around her dates for the third global premiere.

"This film is obviously her biggest this year, and she definitely wants to be a part of all promotional events. It's just unfortunate that the premiere is now clashing with the shoot dates of Dhuaan."

The actress will be shooting for Dhuaan on October 26, and hence will not be part of the premiere in Toronto or any other promotional activity on that day for the Shah Rukh-starrer.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Aditya Chopra & Rani Has Adopt Katrina Kaif?

2011-10-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

Katrina is spending a lot of time at the Yashraj Studio discussing her career with Aditya Chopra

Although Aditya Chopra is younger than Salman Khan, Katrina reverently calls him "Adi Sir". That doesn't come as a surprise as the reticent Chopra is currently advising Katrina on her career moves.

Katrina has been slated to be the leading lady of Yash Chopra's next directorial venture which will star Shah Rukh Khan, thereby bringing to fruition Katrina's dream of breaking the embargo on her pairing with SRK because of Salman having had a place in her life.

Salman's non-ambiguous declarations about his single status has liberated Katrina from the obligation of keeping up appearance of them being together.

She's now pursuing her heart unfettered, especially when it comes to her career. And, at the moment her heart is set on the film with SRK.

Not only Aditya Chopra, Yashraj's favourite leading lady Rani Mukherjee too has taken to Katrina in a big way. There's a big bonding between the two actresses, and Katrina is certainly not seen as a threat to the senior actress.

In fact, both Rani and Aditya have "adopted" Katrina. Much in the same way that Salman and his family had earlier "adopted" her.

All her waking hours are spent at Yashraj Studios where she is polishing up her clothes, lines and character-contouring for the film.

Even otherwise, Katrina these days loves spending time at Yashraj getting gyan from "Adi Sir" who is closer to her generation than "Yash Uncle" (Yash Chopra).

When asked about her proximity to Yashraj and Aditya Chopra, Katrina says, "I am very close to them. Adi Sir is someone I look up to and seek advice from.

For all my reputation of delivering hits, I'm still new to the industry and the odd one out. I don't have too many friends in Mumbai. That's why I constantly need a family member around me."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Minissha Lamba & Mukul Deora Are A Couple

2011-10-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

A little panchi chirps in my ear that kuch kuch hota hai between Minissha Lamba and Mukul Deora.

He was the producer of her film Bheja Fry 2 and suna hai ke when she had a tiff with the director Sagar Bellary, Mukul stepped in to help her out.

Minissha Lamba and Mukul Deora at Bheja Fry 2 party

He also distributed her other film, Hum Tum Shabana.

Though both the flicks were duds, Mini is said to have managed to strike a chord with the politician Murli Deora's musician son.

Sweet no?

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

You Can't Afford Ujjwala Raut...

2011-10-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

Ujjwala Raut has sashayed down the ramp for international luxury brands like Yves Saint-Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana and Oscar de la Renta but is hardly seen on the Indian ramp. The Indian supermodel candidly admits money is the reason.

"They (Indian modelling industry) can't afford me; that's why I am rarely seen. Also, my involvement with ad shoots and magazine covers takes maximum time," Raut told in an interview.

The leggy model shot to fame when she won Femina Look of the Year at the Miss India contest in 1996. She was just 17. The almond-eyed girl was pushed by her elder sister to join this glamorous field.

"I used to be an average looking girl; so I had never thought of modelling as a career option. It was my elder sister who inspired me to get into this field. She was completely fascinated by Madhu Sapre and instructed me to follow her and that's how my journey started," Raut recollected.

Raut has appeared on the cover of fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire and was once the face of Yves Saint Laurent. She has also walked the ramp in Milan, Paris and New York fashion weeks.

Unfortunately, India hasn't been able to produce any supermodel after the likes of Madhu Sapre, Milind Soman and Raut. And she blames Bollywood for it.

"The main reason why there is no supermodel left in the Indian modelling industry is the presence of Bollywood which has become an obvious career option for most models," she said.

"I never tried Bollywood because it requires a lot of attention and time which I won't be able to give keeping in mind my other projects. In future I will definitely think about the same but no plans as of now," she added.

Currently Raut is on the judging panel of the NDTV Good Times popular reality show 'The Hunt for the calendar girl' 2012 along with Milind Soman and Sonam Kapoor.

Raut feels the most important thing a young model should have is right focus to excel in this business.

"I do what I want to do and I just don't do anything and everything. There are girls who would often say 'You are a model, I want to be a model too!' I would tell them that modeling is not for everybody. You actually have to understand where your interest lies and what you are capable of pursuing as a profession," she said.

Raut, whose father is a cop and mother a homemaker, believes that the Indian modelling industry has increased manifold but there are miles to go before one is satisfied.

"There is no doubt that the Indian modelling industry is growing but it's still new, while in the West it is very old. In the West, there's much more competition because you are competing with girls from different parts of the world, whereas in India there are just a few girls from outside, rest all are just Indians," she said.

Aishwarya Rai's Baby Bump's Glimpse

2011-10-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Though Aishwarya Rai has been doing a cover up act of her baby bump by wearing loose kurtas and flowing dupattas, here's a jhalak finally of the bump.

While Ash has been playing coy about flaunting her baby belly, suna hai ki the Bachchan Seniors have made trips to various religious places and doing everything to protect their bahu from buri nazar.

A Juhu panchi chirps to say they have put up thick curtains on their windows so that no preying eyes can get any jhalak of Ash.

MEANWHILE: Her hubby Abhishek Bachchan is being told that the new arrival might just bring him luck at the box office. AB Jr is quite sporty about his duds.

He doesn't get upset when the cast and crew of Bol Bachan chide him about being jinxed at the box-office.

A camel from Jaipur tells us that Abhi laughs it off when Ajay Devgn, director Rohit Shetty and the rest of the crew jest that his baby will bring him, and in turn them also, some good luck. Chalo intezaar karo tab tak.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ex-Lovers Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif Paint Dublin Red?

2011-10-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

It's one relationship Salman Khan seems to be handling differently. The actor has been bonding with ex-girlfriend and actress Katrina Kaif in Dublin, where he is shooting for Kabir Khan's Ek Tha Tiger.

"Katrina was apprehensive about how Salman would behave on their first film together after the break-up. He has always been unpredictable. But he's been looking after her, making sure she's comfortable. He has been protective towards Katrina, " says a source, who was in Dublin.

Far from being bitter, Khan is said to have taken his friendship with Kaif to another level. "It's obvious they are in a happy place, " says the source.

Thanks to Khan, the actress is said to have gathered an interest in checking out the Irish capital's nightlife.

"They are having a ball together, and they deserve it. It's been a stressful time for both. For Salman, on the health front, and for her, because she's been overworked. We are shooting nights here in Dublin, and that's tough on Katrina, but great for Salman. He is a 'night person', " says the source.

"When did we become enemies? Salman is and will be there for me, " said Kaif over the phone from Dublin.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Riya Sen's Item Song Turned Into An Embarrassing Publicity Gimmick

2011-10-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

The tamasha that ensued on the sets of new director Ishraq Shah’s Ek Bura Aadmi last week could make for a great soap opera.

Apparently Riya not only refused to shoot the item song with Arunodoy Singh (who left for a month-long family event in the US) she also refused to interact with the media that was called to cover the shooting.

The traumatized director relives the Tuesday trauma.

“It was a nightmare. Riya Sen had signed on to do an item song. We had recorded a really zingy song Uchal gayee chamiya kunwaron ke beech mein. Jayesh Pradhan who has done the choreography in Aarakashan was supposed to choreograph Riya’s number. Everything was finalized, But then…. ”

Apparently Riya refused to show up for any rehearsals.

Says the director, “She claimed she was unwell and could not rehearse for the item song. Then she showed up for just one shot. I agreed since Arunodoy had to leave. But then she refused to talk to the media. I’m a new director.

This is all very new and embarrassing for me. My producer has suffered losses of at least 70-80 lakhs because of this. I don’t know how I will shoot the song now. Arunodoy is gone for a month.

When he returns he immediately starts shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine. My mentor Gulzar Saab had worked with the great Suchitra Sen. Look at what I had to go through on my birthday with her grand-daughter!”

Riya Sen, upset and ill as she is, had another story to tell.

“This is all a publicity gimmick, as far as I can see. Ishraq Shah is a new director. I helped him out by agreeing to do the song. Besides I thought the song was nice and I could use it in my shows.

According to the contract we were supposed to shoot on 4th and 5th October. He requested me to come for the shoot on the 3rd because he said Arunodoy was leaving the same night for the US. I agreed out of kindness, although I’ve been unwell. But at the shoot there was pure chaos.

There was a very strange set of media persons at the shoot whom I had never seen before. They kept coming in front of the camera while we were shooting.

The director asked me to speak to the media. I refused. Please understand I wasn’t even supposed to shoot on Monday. Is this what I get for my kindness?

Why use my name for publicity? We recently had Mr Dev Anand being quoted against me. I shot for his Chargesheet three years ago. If he had a problem with me why didn’t he speak earlier? Why at the time of release?”

Last heard Riya’s mother Moon Moon Sen was trying for a patch up between her daughter and the director of Ek Bura Aadmi.

Shahid Kapoor furious On Report Of Kissing Anushka Sharma

2011-10-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

A report by an English daily made Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor angry, as it claimed that Shahid and actor Anushka Sharma had locked lips at a party, recently.

It was B-town hero Imran Khan's celebration party to mark the success of his recently released film 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' where it was reported that Shahid and Anushka got engaged in lip-locking, media reports said.

Reacting strongly against this report, Shahid tweeted: "Extremely distasteful story in mirror today... some journalists need to really understand where to draw the line between imagination and Reality. Sad. Unfair. Makes me angry. "

"If nothing else they need to respect the dignity of a girl !!!!!" he remarked.

"I usually don't react to any of these stories but this one was just a bit much, " the 'Jab We Met' famed actor mentioned.

Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma had worked together in the film 'Badmaash Company'.

Movie Review Of "Rascals"

2011-10-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon and Arjun Rampal. Director: David Dhawan. Rating: *1/2

At some point in this pointless parody of all of David Dhawan's Tom and Jerry comedies from the past, Devgn and Dutt, playing a pair of warring, snaping, snarling, sneering con-persons, call for each other. 'Chetan? Bhagat? Chetan? Bhagat? …."

In that pause between the last blast and the next you know the script writer (Yunuz Sajawal) is thinking of how to carry the plot to the next gag.

Wish they had actually roped in author Chetan Bhagat to write some of the episodes.

We would at least be looking at more than just an endless raunchy wordy ramble into the realm of toned bikini bodies. And these include the two leading ladies Kangna Ranaut and the striking Lisa Haydon.

In fact the film looks like one long excuse to let the camera ogle at semi-nude female figures in Thailand and Bangkok. The laughter, if it was ever intended, is strictly incidental.

The gags in "Rascals" are so stale and tasteless and the situational comedy so devoid of any kind of originality or freshness, you wonder if David Dhawan just made this unfunny comedy to please his friends who play the major roles in the film.

As Chetan and Bhagat, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn get to ham to their hearts' content. Not their fault. It's the need of the hour. Make that two hours. Two long painful hours of mirthless gags and skits adding up to no sense of hilarity.

Kangna Ranaut is the funniest thing in the film. And not in any intended way.

But nothing matches up to the brazen insulting nature of the dialogues.

At one point Chetan or Bhagat (hard to say which one speaks, as they're constantly interrupting and shouting down one another) look at a dark-skinned man and comment: "How did this black gulab jamun get a white rashogolla for a daughter?"

Go get a laugh, Mr. Dhawan. The prolific and trendsetting director has clearly run out of tricks to make the Tom and Jerry act any further. And really, Anil Kapoor-Govinda in "Deewana Mastana", Salman-Govinda in "Partner" did the sniping and snarling, so much better.

The film is carpeted with dreadfully unfunny jokes that insult every community including, of course, the movie-going community which is expected to laugh at a scene where Sanjay Dutt puts on an unconscious woman's underwear on and wonders: "Why is it so much easier to take off a woman's clothes than put it on?"

Really, Mr. Sanjay Chhel, what were you thinking when you wrote such embarrassing lines taken straight from the wall of a private toilet?

Any silver linings? Yes, Arjun Rampal. He's so cool and in control, you wonder what he is doing in such an uncool rudderless comedy.

And poor Hiten Paintal. An actor with considerable comic timing, is stuck among actors who seem to be totally out of rhythm. Hiten is reduced to being Sanjay Dutt's sidekick.

Wanted urgently: A makeover for David Dhawan's brand of comedy. Seriously, this comedy is not funny.

Movie Review Of "Super 8"

2011-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Cast: Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler

Director: J.J. Abrams

Rating: ****

Steven Spielberg is the original master of the mixed-genre movies. His films like "ET" and "Close Encounters…" are sci-fi, action, mystery, thrillers with a very generous dose of children's cinema. With "Super 8", he returns to the same, with a delightful vengeance. Only this time he is the producer, with J.J. Abrahms sitting in the directorial chair.

Set in the 1970s, the film shows a train carrying a mysterious cargo derailing outside a small town.

A bunch of kids, who were shooting a film with their 8mm camera, not only record the events, but have to get behind the scenes to unravel the mystery even as the entire US military descends on the otherwise sleepy town.

In the age of digital cinema, "Super 8" is not just about the nostalgia of filming on prints, but is also a throwback to the films made during those times. Films that were not only good on action and mystery, but were also good-hearted and sensitive.

You thus have a story told through the eyes of a bunch of kids, which also serves as nostalgia for your childhood and the mystery one felt about everything at that age.

And the film has got the heart of a child as well and it takes the innocence and openness of a child to see it for what it is, a scared being in a hostile world.

The alien that wreaks havoc on the small town becomes a metaphor for the person, the community or the subject that is a perennial outsider to the world and its ways and is not only prejudiced against, but hated vehemently.

At a very ethereal level though this almost seems like a film that Spielberg forgot to make during the 1980s when he was rising to the top. And it is a mistake he is correcting now.

Unlike the benevolent alien of "ET", here you have a violent one, but violent only in self defence, for the alien is nothing but a creature trying to go back home; remember 'ET going home'?

Yet, it is different and often better than "ET" and "Close Encounters…" in many ways. It's quicker on its feet and has great special effects. The initial scene where a high speeding train derails and the kids are scrambling for cover in a place that has no cover to give them, is scintillatingly done enough to bring you to the edge of your seat.

The difference is of course director J.J. Abrams, whose last outing as director was the delectable and delightful rewinding of the "Star Trek" sage. Abrams is a self assured and confident director who knows his strengths and how to play them, enough for a viewer not to look at the flaws.

The performances in the film are good. Yet the ones who are exceptional are the kids. Their acting and innocence rendered on them by a good script also makes it a very delightful children's movie.

Movie Review Of "Tere Mere Phere"

2011-10-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Cast: Vinay Pathak, Riya Sen, Jagrat Desai and Sasha Goradia. Director: Deepa Sahi. Rating: * 1/2

Though comedy has grown into a lush genre over the years, few directors in India have mastered the art of relaying it on celluloid. "Tere Mere Phere" is an earnest endeavour by actress turned director Deepa Sahi.

"Tere Mere Phere" is not only a romantic comedy, it is a black comedy, slapstick comedy, satire, comedy of manners, screwball comedy -- all rolled in one. Deepa's attempt to weave in every sub-genre of comedy is probably the nemesis of the movie.

The premise of this film is about compatibility in a marriage. The story revolves around two couples - Rahul and Pooja (Jagrat Desai and Sasha Goradia) and Jai and Muskaan (Vinay Pathak and Riya Sen). Their lives get intertwined by fate.

A squabbling Rahul and Pooja are on their way to Shimla by flight. They are on the verge of splitting after three days of honeymooning in a motor home, travelling in Himachal.

But the aborted landing of their aircraft takes them back to their incomplete honeymoon with Jai for company. Jai is desperate to meet his sweetheart Muskaan, who would be forcibly married by her brother to some other bloke.

The narration slips in and out of numerous cantankerous moments of flashbacks to reveal to a lovelorn Jai as to why they (Rahul and Pooja) are bickering all the time. By the end of it, Jai is convinced, by watching Rahul and Pooja, that familiarity breeds contempt.

He decides that marriage is not for him. He makes a decision to desert his waiting Muskaan. Roles reverse with the climax culminating at the hilarious fast forward wedding of Jai and Muskaan.

The scuffle in the aircraft cabin with force fed humour sets the tone of the film for a mediocre fare. The scenes that follow seem substandard and clumsy. With no detailing done, the characters seem to be shallow.

The plot has no major inciting moments and with screechy loud dialogues like - "Tum kya Eskimo thi?", "Tum kya chipkali ho?" and "You are queen of Main Main", "No you are king of che chee". The script along with the dialogues seems to be the weakest point of the film.

The film belongs to the newcomers Jagat Desai and Sasha Goradia. For first timers, they exude confidence. Sushmita Mukherjee as Rahul's overbearing mother is convincing. Riya Sen with a naturally poker face and sing song expressionless dialogue delivery is a bad choice for a comedy film.

Vinay Patak is wasted as he hardly has anything to do in the film.

On the other hand, the verdant Himalayan terrain is beautifully captured by cinematographer Christo Bakalov. The film has been shot in beautiful and unusual parts of Himachal, especially in the newly opened Kinnaur Valley. The climax of the film has been shot at Hatu Peak and Jhamunda (near Tethys Resort, Narkanda).

The music by Shivangi R. Kashyap is nothing to write home about.

The first half of the film is just tolerable. The second half has its moments of extreme comedy. The end is equally disappointing leaving the viewers wondering as to why you wanted to witness this meaningless marriage.

Movie Review Of "Love Breakups Zindagi"

2011-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Starring Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza, Cyrus Sahukar, Tisca Arora. Directed by Sahil Sangha. Rating: *** ½

There is only one death in Love Breakups Zindagi (LBZ) and it isn’t the death of our faith in the power of the romcom to move and engage us.

When during a long wedding festivity in Chandigarh the affable Beejee (Fraida Jalal) quietly passes away you are suddenly awakened into a world beyond the love and breakups that consumes the zindagi of the average 20-something urban youngster today.

Blessedly the characters who inhabit debutant director Sahil Sangha’s plot are young urbane hip and happening, but not annoying in their shallow concerns. This is the world that the writer Sanyukta Shaikh Chawla knows inside-out. Sangha occupies the rom-com territory with confidence dignity and pride. But it isn’t the arrogant pride of a filmmaker thinks he knows it all.

Sangha seems to share our bemusement and curiosity about the characters. He seems to explore their world with inquisitive candour, giving them space to grow even as they graon and whine and dine their way through a series of well-written misadventures that never end in an embarrassing deadend.

Yes, you know the culmination. You know Jai (Zayed Khan) will get rid of his bossy fiancée and Naina (Dia Mirza) will be out of a suffocating association with a man who loves her but not in the way she yearns to be.

You know how it will finally turn out. And yet you get involved with the lives of these mismatched pairs looking for love warmth and togetherness in a fast-moving world of cut-throat dreams.

Sangha lets the lives of his protagonists take their own time to get to know their hearts and mind. He is in no hurry to tell his story.

The pace is steady and the flow of events not quite out of the rapidfire round in a quiz show. Cinematographer Aseem Bajaj shoots the characters in warm detail. The cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh are never accentuated by the visuals. The characters inhabit their world unselfconsciously.

There are questions to be answered on what makes the urban relationship an endangered phenomenon. As the characters explore their own befuddled emotions and their misplaced devotions, the narration acquires its own momentum.

Here is a director who is not apologetic about letting his characters speak their hearts out Sangha keeps intrusive devices such as the background score at a bare minimum.

Love has its own reasons. So does this lovely, aesthetic and decent exploration of love and relationships. The characters speak a language and words that you’ve probably overheard between couples at cafes and in the lift.

There’s no straining for effect. As the film builds to a foregone conclusion (blessedly the hasty reunion at the airport is avoided) there is no apology for having adhered to the rudimentary regulations of the rom-com.

LBZ is a mellow and lingering look at lives that don’t seem borrowed or faked. The film’s title says it all. Happily this juicy slice of urban life delivers its drama with minimum fuss and optimum insight into how relationships tick and get tweated in today’s troubled times.

Curiously there isn’t a hint of sexual intimacy between the protagonists, or for that matter between the protagonists’s friends, played with a casual confidence by Cyrus Sahukar and Tisca Arora who discover belated love.

The characters convey the warmth of a breakfast meeting conducted in the fresh outdoors under a mellow winter sunshine. Zayed Khan and Dia Mirza slip so effortlessly into their parts, you wonder what keeps them from reaching the top.

Zayed has worked on getting his timing right. He is a revelation. Dia’s empathy with her character’s innerworld is visible in her smile and eyes. She is a far better actress than she’s made out to be.

There are endearing cameos by Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani and Shah Rukh Khan. But that isn’t the reason why you’d want to see this amiable film. Treating his in-love twosome with genuine warmth, director Sahil Sangha displays confidence and sensitivity.

Here’s a take on that thing called love that’s urbane, intelligent, sassy and involving. Go for it.

Movie Review Of "Force"

2011-10-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

A forceful masala punch In the age of booming remakes Force is another meat on the already full plate but this Bollywood masala action packed dose has some good moments to offer.

The Background

The movie opens with an engaging scene of Narcotics Officer Yashvardhan coming bursting out of a window and falling off the cliff in one motion, only to somehow miraculously survive. No don't expect “127 hours” kind of survival action, it’s more of a wounded hulk climbing to the top.

Yet that scene sets the pace and as Yash is being carried to the Operation Theatre he sees flashes and we are transported to his past where this began.

ACP Yashvardhan is a fearless “goonda” cop who beats goons to a pulp and does so while flashing ample biceps and with some- don't give a damn- attitude. Sounds familiar? Well it is because that’s the basic outline of several recent Bolly potboilers generously remade from their south Indian counterparts.

Moving on, you see Maya- the girl with the smile and as Yashvardhan falls for her and cleans up drug peddlers with absolute ease, the demon arrives.

Vishnu (paradoxical name, wouldn’t you agree?) is the force of evil who plans to take revenge for the death of his elder brother during a sting operation.

Thus the battle begins and no prizes for guessing who wins this (sweaty dishum dishum) match up and that is what keeps you entertained for the rest of the saga.

The story – 1.5/5

It’s official now. Bollywood has simply run out of good ideas to enthral audiences and so it must look south if it wants to create an action venture. Well action is the word and film makers these days make it seem that if it’s hard hitting, punch cracking, bullet flying action you want, then remake is the only way.

It is fine to dabble with the concept of supercops who churn out corny lines and “Force” their way across all the filth that urban society has to offer but while you are at it, why not make things believable and less clichéd.

And the romance is fine to supplement but if the protagonists need to fall in love then is it at all possible to not spoon-feed preordained romance?

Just a thought but perhaps it is true that in this age of whistle blowing remakes that brings a sure blockbuster, jerky novel ideas of unconventional action thrillers are impossible to create.

It seems for Bollywood and “Force” it is an intransigence to stick to formulas that work even if they appear banal after a slew of such conventional action thrillers.

Still to be fare “Force” has its own solitary moments of genius in the story and some twists appear out of the common retraced mind-frame, thereby adding a slight colour to the otherwise hackneyed script.

The characters are predictable with the taciturn power cop, the bubbly talkative cutie, the loyal friend and the gag reel producers.

The only nail sticking out could be the character of Vishnu who appears a diabolical genius and an adequate foil to the hero, not just in his muscular frame, but also in the use of his grey matter. His character adds the spice that truly makes the action sequences liven up.

The direction and technique – 2/5

Had it not been for some jaw dropping camerawork and some mind numbing action sequences, the direction in itself would have been a let downer.

The question to ask is how you can go wrong when you are working with settled scripts, but one can say it is a matter of tastes. What works in some parts of the nation doesn’t work everywhere.

“Force” is a tad too long and a few sequences are a tad too overdrawn. With some judicious editing the pace would have been more gripping and hence the action could have been more striking.

Also the sudden changes of mood from cuddly romance to menacing threats isn’t good for mental digestion and tends to cause unnecessary bedlam in the mind that is already trying to grasp the fast forward details of drug peddling.

Still if you can digest the story then the storytelling nuances can be ignored.

The acting – 2.5/5

While Force is synonymous with the growing dexterity in the field of cinematography in Bollywood, acting is not exactly the sweet spot in this film.

John is good with the “Dhoom” type attitude and knows how to flex those packs and triceps. He however doesn’t quite manage to capture all the possible human moods of the character and after showing credible performances in the past “Force” is certainly not the best in his repertoire.

Nothing to say about Genelia, except perhaps her troubled Hindi accent, something we have become accustomed to thanks to another Bolly babe. She plays the character of a lively girl with a previously showcased expertise in the genre.

Vidyut Jammwal as the bad man Vishnu rocks and manages to keep us hooked onto the cat and mouse game that he plays with John.

The rest of the cast do their defined jobs well and act their roles fittingly.

The music- 3.5/5

The music hits you from the word go and the songs as well as the background scores offer much required support to the screenplay.

The song “Khwabon Khwabon” is sure to be a chartbuster and the rest of them also manage to make you hum.

So is it forceful enough?

Well there are all the customary elements from the 70-80 era of Bollywood action ventures, coupled with some stunning visuals and so if adrenaline pumping is what you need then Force will provide the adequate bloodbaths, punches and kicks to keep you hooked.

If you however need a different storyline and some credible screenplay to incite you then you can give this masala movie a rest.

Movie Review Of "Aazaan"

2011-10-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Cast: Sachiin Joshi, Candice Boucher, Sarita Choudhary, Aly Khan, Ravi Kissen and Aarya Babbar

Director: Prashant Chadha

Rating; ***1/2

As we see rescue operations post a bombing attack being carried out in slow motion, the soundtrack goes almost inert in a show of frozen protest…And you know there and then that "Aazaan" has something out-of-the-ordinary to offer to the action genre.

Tackling global terrorism and Islamic isolation as seen through the eyes of a tormented Muslim secret agent, "Aazaan" heads towards its flaming phases of flash-points with the least amount of fuss or ostentation. The narrative knows all the sign posts.

The screenplay by Shubra Swaroop is gritty and gripping, ensuring that every episode stays a step ahead of the audiences' expectations. The characters speak a language that belongs to the world of terrorism and anti-terrorism.

And yet the spoken words in various languages including Hebrew and French do not obtrude or impinge on the harmony that the narrative creates in the discordant disembodies world of serial bombing across the world.

Explosive as the theme is, no one is here to have a blast. The most remarkable aspect of the action in "Aazaan" is the lack of flamboyance. The hero (debutant Sachiin Joshi, decent and modest) is a one-man army but no super-hero.

He bleeds, he hurts, he feels the lashes on his soul of a world hell bent on destroying itself. We feel him feeling all of this, partly because the screenplay doesn't shy away from emotions when required. Men do cry. But not for long. Really, guns don't go with violins.

There is a touching but distant story about two brothers ideologically separated by extremism in Taliban-torn Afghanistan who come together towards the end in a show of strength where the script emerges the real hero.

Post-interval the clenched tactile plot (no comic relief here) introduces a brief romance between the hero and Caucasian woman, who we are told, practices a very unusual vocation.

Afreen (Candice Boucher, eye-catching) is a sand designer (not to be confused with a sound designer who does a fine job on this film).

Afreen's little daughter could possibly save the world from a deadly viral terrorism. Don't ask how. The action moves with quiet dexterity from Morocco to Agra. The Taj Mahal is under threat. Luckily the action genre is safe.

The merger of the themes of global terrorism and the personal demons that drive the characters beyond the edge, is achieved with a surprising lack of brouhaha. Though "Aazaan" is arguably the best-looking action film shot in India, it neither flaunts its resources nor takes the narrative on a world tour just for the heck of it.

Every location from Morocco to Germany to Hong Kong and Poland is shot by cinematographer Axel Fischer to stunning minimalist effect.

What we are looking at is not the countries and cities that the protagonist visits. But the country of the soul where a battle rages between religious and cultural allegiances and a quest to come to terms with a civilization that needs to stop killing in the name of God.

"Aazaan" takes the action genre in this country to a new level of finesse and restraint. The script is layered, though not quite free of inconsistencies and of questionable moral and political tenets as it would like us to believe.

The action is implosive opting for understatement where extravagant mayhem would have been the more obvious choice. The editing (Amitabh Shukla, Humphrey Dixon) is razor-sharp. There is no room for humbug in the narrative. Every character that populates the swarming plot has a job to do. It's done by actors who know their jobs.

The background score by Salim-Suleman and the sound design are remarkably bridled.

Debutant Sachiin Joshi knows his limitations as an actor and works way around them by playing a character who would rather be closer to realism than larger than life.

The other performances particularly Aarya Babbar, Ravi Kissan and Aly Khan too are in keeping with the films less-is-more mood. But what on earth is the talented Sarita Choudhary doing in a role that looks like James Bond's M on steroids.

As for Prashant Chadha's direction, not for a second does it allow us to feel we're watching a film that tells us, terrorism is not a formula for entertainment and violence is not an occasion for choreographed splendour. Style and substance come together in an explosive clasp that doesn't give us a chance to gasp.

"Aazaan" is not a film which wastes time in self-congratulation after staging one more terrorist explosion. It moves on relentlessly. The world has to be saved. Self-importance is miraculously averted.

Go for it.

David Realised He Overdid With Rascals

2011-10-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

David Dhawan regrets making 'Rascals'; Sanjay Dutt offers support About this entertainment industry that often harbours bestial self interest, one would think a demoniacal debacle like Rascals would put an end to the dosti between its producer Sanjay Dutt and director David Dhawan. More so, since Rascals was Dutt's first home-production.

To our surprise, we got to know that the film's staggering slump at the box office had not dampened but rather strengthened the Dutt-Dhawan dosti.

Earlier this week, after the verdict on Rascals was clear, David who was feeling guilty and out-of-sorts about letting his jigri pal down received a surprise call from Dutt telling the director to chill.

"Chalta hai, boss. Makes no difference if the film didn't run. We'll do another film together, " Dutt told the deeply moved director.

David confirmed that Dutt had indeed not taken the Rascals setback to heart. "Yes, Sanju called and we had a long heart-to-heart chat. He is my real-life Munnabhai. Mera dost hai, yaar! Whatever remorse I might have felt at the way Rascals turned out was washed away. There is no room for regret in our relationship."

Now, Dhawan has agreed to quickly do another home-production for Dutt, but only after a break.

Says the spirited filmmaker with a never-say-die attitide, "I need to recharge my batteries. I've been at it for 30 years and I've done more than 40 films.

My son Rohit is about to release his film (Desi Boyz). I need a rejuvenating break. Not that I'm retiring. I've commitments including another film for Sanju. This time, we'll make sure it is a winner all the way."

Talking about the other big lesson that David has learnt from the Rascals experience, he says, "Never ever have trial shows. Yaar, woh log sach nahin batate. The whole world knew it was not up to the mark. Everyone kept praising Rascals at the trials."

In hindsight, David realises that he has gone seriously wrong with his hackneyed formula of two guys panting after a chick. "Ab bahut ho gaya. I realise I overdid it. But I've to tell you, the film is not as big a loser as people are making it out to be."

David promises to come back from his holiday with a new idea and a new formula. "I've to compete with my son now."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Bigg Boss 5 Housemate Shradha Have A New Man In Her Life

2011-10-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

Apparently, just before entering the Bigg Boss House, item girl Shradha Sharma confessed to a TV reporter that Raja Chaudhary is a closed chapter in her life and that she is completely “out of him now”.

She also revealed that she is in love again and that there is a new man – a secret lover in her life. She however refused to mention the name of the person and said that she would tell all after she was in the Bigg Boss house.

“Yes he is from the film industry and is a successful and well-known actor. I don’t want to reveal any more details right now. You must ask me about Bigg Boss and the other participants and how I will tackle them. That is why you are here.

I will talk about my love life once I am out of the Bigg Boss house. I accept there is somebody new in my life and I am in love, but I am not prepared to say any more at this stage,” she had explained to the journalist.

Dj Jenny D – Shradha’s good friend when contacted said that Shradha Sharma is very much in love. She is very happy and as a good friend, I am too very happy for her, but I can’t give you the name of her boyfriend.

You must ask her when she is out of Bigg Boss. We hope she has a long and happy stay in the Bigg Boss House. When asked about Shradha’s recent so-called ‘wardrobe malfunction’ on Bigg Boss, Dj Jenny D denied it.

“This is just part of the gossip campaign around the show. I don’t think such a thing ever happened. Shradha is very careful about her outfits, particularly when she knows that her actions are being watched by sever.

Kangna Ranaut's Phirang Boyfriend's Name Is Nicholas?

2011-10-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kangna Ranaut's phirang boyfriend's name is Nicholas.

I hear, the actress is on baadal 9 since she has been going around with him.

The English doctor visited her on the sets of Tezz when she was shooting in England.

Now she's waiting for her angrez babu to come to Mumbai.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

A Look At B-Town's Most Superstitious Celebrities

2011-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

A look at superstitions that Bollywood is just not ready to let go of... With a good number of Crores riding on a movie, it's no surprise that many of our Bollywood folks seek divine help to sail through.

So from seeking shubh mahurats to start their movies to visiting temples and dargahs on the eve of their film's release, our stars and filmmakers won't complete a single venture without invoking support from the Almighty to ensure success.

Katrina Kaif
Having come from outside the industry and making it big, Katrina Kaif too has imbibed the superstitious ways of the industry.

Never mind if her skirt raised a controversy during the filming of Namastey London in the Ajmer Dargah, she makes it a point to visit the shrine before every release.

Even before the release of her last film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Kat had gone to pray at the mosque that is also a favourite of many B-town folks.

Ekta Kapoor, who's known to be superstitious, rescheduled the launch of her newest production, Rock The Shaadi, to Dussehra.

It is learnt that initially, the Navdip Singh directed movie, featuring Abhay Deol and Genelia D'Souza, was to start, with an outdoor in Rajasthan, on Friday, October 7.

"At first, the plan was to complete all the ceremonial puja of Navratri before starting the film," informed a source associated with the movie. He added that towards the end of the nine-day festival, the producer decided to get her film's shoot started on Dussehra itself.

Explaining the production czarina's decision, our insider explains, "Among Hindus, three days in a year are considered the most auspicious - Gudi Padwa, Akshay Tritiya and Dassera.

So much so that one need not find the best time during these days to start a new venture. Because since eons, the entire day, on which these festivals fall respectively, is believed to be auspicious.

And since Dusshera is one of them, Ekta decided that it was the best day to start her film, instead of a specific mahurat on any other day."

While Ekta was unavailable for comment, Tanuj Garg, CEO of her production house, confirmed that it was rescheduled.

Other instances of superstition

Interestingly, Ekta's superstitious is not just limited to an auspicious time alone. A schedule of her other production, Kya Super Kool Hain Hum, will be shot in Goa.

Ajay Devgn
While he adopted Ajay as his industry name over his real name Vishal when he debuted with Phool Aur Kaante, the intense actor was not given to superstitions.

However, a couple of average runners at the box-office combined with a couple of accidents saw his mother consult an astrologer. At the behest of the family's jyotish, Ajay dropped the 'a' from his surname and became Devgn.

Then onwards, starting with his production All The Best till Singham, the spelling seems to have worked. Never mind if Toonpur Ka SuperHero, Aakrosh and Rascals didn't work. His Golmaal 3 and Singham crossed the Rs 100 crore mark and he hasn't had any injury either.

Subhash Ghai
Subhash Ghai's recent movies might have failed to befit his showman status, but he still believes in one thing - the date, October 24.

It's not only his wife's birthday, but also the day he married her. And ever since, he's made it a point to announce his new ventures on this date. With his lucky date drawing near, it remains to be seen what new projects he announces closer to Diwali this month.

Aamir Khan
If you thought a perfectionist like Aamir Khan wouldn't need to resort to such beliefs, you're mistaken. The actor has come to believe that Christmas is a lucky time for him.

That's why after Taare Zameen Par, he scheduled the release of Ghajini and 3 Idiots during the December festival.

Apparently, when he locked Reema Kagti directed Dhuaan, the actor was planning a Christmas release. But since it couldn't be completed, he thought of Republic Day.

The January weekend has been lucky for him twice, with Rang De Basanti and Dhobi Ghat striking gold at the box-office.

Besides, his Dhoom 3 is already being touted as a Christmas 2012 release. And it's not without reason that Aamir scheduled the release of Delhi Belly on the first Friday of this July.

Reportedly, he thought it's a 'lucky' time as his previous production and nephew Imran Khan's debut too had opened in cinemas on the first Friday of July 2008.

Rakesh Roshan
With My Name Is Khan, We Are Family and Student Of The Year, Karan Johar might have let gone of his fixation with the letter K. But Rakesh Roshan continues to be superstitious about the alphabet with which he started his innings as a producer (Kaamchor) and director (Khudgarz).

So what if his last production venture, Kites failed to soar high. The filmmaker's next Krissh movie has already struck distribution deals amounting to Rs 125 crore. And that too without even a look test, forget a frame being shot.

Salman Khan
After the success of Wanted and Dabangg during Eid, Salman Khan has been hooked on a release around the festival. That's why Bodyguard was planned as this year's Eid release from the time he signed it.

For next year, the actor had first decided on brother Sohail Khan's Sher Khan.

But now his Ek Tha Tiger has been finalised as his next Eid release. Considering the extensive production and post-production Sher Khan required, the Khan brothers couldn't complete it in time.

Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan was one of the few tinsel town citizens not given to superstition. However, things changed this year after his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to win their first couple of matches earlier this IPL season.

A taaviz/talisman he started wearing, seemed to have brought his Knights out from the dark shadows of defeat. And it seems the good luck charm is working for his forthcoming superhero fantasy film too.

The trade pundits are positive about his Rs 150 crore plus extravaganza not only breaking even, but also making profit from various revenue avenues.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ranbir Is Search New Star Of India On Facebook?

2011-10-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

Actor Ranbir Kapoor will launch a search for actors through Facebook and they will be auditioned on the social networking site for "New Star of India", a three-minute movie. The young star says that nobody has attempted something like this earlier.

The 29-year-old, along with Nissan India, is searching for 20 contestants. The aspirants can join the talent hunt competition, which starts Oct 19, by uploading a short clip of themselves.

The 20 winners, who will be selected by online voting, will appear alongside Ranbir in the movie.

"I'm incredibly excited to be involved in this ground-breaking movie with Nissan - no-one has attempted anything like this before. Speaking to all Bollywood fans out there, this is your once in a lifetime opportunity to join me in the magic of the movies.

I'm looking forward to seeing your auditions and can't wait to meet my co-stars, so get dancing, get voting and get involved," Ranbir said in a statement.

The finalist will also get a chance to produce the movie, choose its music, work on the wardrobe and name the characters.

"New Star of India" will be premiered in various cities across India in January next year.

Hollywood Is Inspiring Preity Zinta's "Ishq In Paris"

2011-10-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

The actress is rumoured to be romancing a French actor in it Preity Zinta's comeback film Ishq In Paris is apparently inspired from a Hollywood love story Before Sunrise.

The romantic drama that released in 1995 is about a young American man and French woman who meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

The film directed by Richard Linklater starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in the lead roles earned a lot of critical and commercial success. Later, a sequel to the film Before Sunset also came out.

Preity is all set to romance a French actor in the film but his name is being kept under wraps. Even the crew hasn't been informed about him.

A source close to Preity informs, "All I can tell you is that it's a huge French star." Reportedly, the actress had trouble finding a hero. The film is expected to go on the floor in the first week of November.

The love story is said to be set in France. Most of the shooting will apparently happen in Paris featuring tourist spots like Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.

A well-placed source says, "Preity has got an impressive fan base in France and she has got a special permission from the French Government to shoot at various spots with very minimal charges."

Preity Zinta launched her own production company, PZNZ Media and she is making a comeback in her maiden home production Ishq in Paris after a gap of two years.

The film is written and directed by Prem Soni. However, the director says the film is not based on Before Sunrise.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Salman Khan Didn't Helped Shakti Kapoor's Son Siddhant

2011-10-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Apparently, the actor's father Shakti Kapoor had rubbed Salman the wrong way in the pastShakti Kapoor's son Siddhant may have finally landed a role in Shootout at Wadala.

But the newcomer was to be initially introduced by Salman Khan and later by Sanjay Dutt and ironically now, he finds himself being launched by Dutt's nemesis Sanjay Gupta.

Shakti, who is currently a participant in a reality show, had confessed in one of the recent episodes that he had rubbed a superstar, who was to help Siddhant make his Bollywood debut, the wrong way.

He also stated that he had messed up his relations with the star while in an inebriated condition and that he regretted it later.

Says a source, "Shakti was referring to Salman. As Shakti was in an inebriated state, he later realised what he had done.

But it was too late to make amends."

Adds the source, "Siddhanth was then being considered for the remake of Satte Pe Satte which is being produced by Sanjay Dutt.

But as the project has yet to take off, he decided to move on."

Siddhant who is also a DJ, essays the role of a sharpshooter in Shootout at Wadala that also stars Anil Kapoor and John Abraham.

Says Sanjay Gupta, "Siddhant has an independent identity of his own and deserves to be on the big screen. Plus he is a very talented and a good-looking boy."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Sonam Kapoor Walked Red Carpet For Kingfisher

2011-10-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Actor Sonam Kapoor walked the Red Carpet at the unveiling of first look of reality show 'The Hunt for the Kingfisher Calendar girl' on Thursday in Mumbai.

The first look of the reality show was unveiled by Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman, United Breweries today at Mehboob Studios. Also present on this occasion were the judges of the hunt Atul Kasbekar, Milind Soman and Ujwala Raut.

The third season of the show promises to be even more sizzling and sensational and what makes it even more excitingis that the winner will score a perfect ten by being a part of the 10th edition of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar.

Industry experts -ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, top model and actor Milind Soman and ramp scorcher Ujjwala Raut are searching for the girl with oomph, attitude and the perfect figure.

15 girls are chosen from the nation- wide hunt to compete against each other and face the challenges set by the judges and prove that they are worthy of gracing the pages of the celebrated calendar.

Katrina Is Most Searched Hottie & Bebo Is The 4th

2011-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has been named the most searched celebrity on mobile videos in a new survey.

She has beaten international stars Britney Spears and Linday Lohan who are on second and third spot respectively.

According to the Global Video Insights Report for September, released by Vuclip, the world's largest independent mobile video service, Kareena Kapoor is on the fourth spot, while singer Beyonce Knowles came fifth.

"Dabangg" girl Sonakshi Sinha occupied the sixth place. Singer Pitbull, teen sensation Justin Bieber, Shakira and Don Omar wrapped up the top ten.

"A Bollywood star leading ahead of her global peers in mobile video searches worldwide is a testimony to the fact that mobile videos have finally taken off in India in a big way," said Salman Hussain, Vuclip's vice president, business development and managing director, India and Middle East, in a statement.

"Each month we see more and more Indians viewing videos on their mobile screen using not just smart phones but even basic feature phones. This calls for new strategies for advertisers, broadcasters, publishers, content aggregators, and telecom and internet companies alike," he added.

Kareena Kapoor's Diets & Fitness Secrets

2011-10-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Kareena Kapoor, better known as the size-zero figure actress, has worked tremendously hard to get that shaped. Her size-zero figure has inspired many women, and even men, to hit the gym and incorporate workout in their daily lives. Size zero means having a bust size of 31.5 inches, 23 inches waist and 32 inches hip.

Kareena was not always like this. Earlier, she was a typical and chubby ‘Punjabi Kudi.’ Her diet underwent drastic changes once she made up her mind to shed pounds and she had to embark on an intense fitness regime as well. Her weight loss was so drastic (and dramatic) that many people refused to believe their eyes. People starting speculating that she thrived on a crash diet and underwent surgery! But this was not true. It was actually Kareena’s hard work and determination which paid off.

How did Kareena lose weight?

It was renowned dietician and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar who supervised Bebo for the weight-loss programme and meticulously drafted an all new diet plan for her. Back in 2007, Kareena was doing a film where her character demanded her to be really slim. It was then when she met Rujuta.

“Kareena and I met in May 2007 and I have been her dietician ever since then. But besides that Kareena has been strict and regular with her fitness regime. But she was never pencil thin so I planned her diet that consisted of healthy nutritious food,” says Rujuta. “Kareena gave me a brief saying that her character requires her to be lean and sexy and she wanted a diet that will help her lose weight,” she further adds.

Rujuta has repeatedly rubbished the news reports saying that the actress just lived on orange juice for months and fainted during a shoot. In fact, she is all praise for Kareena who managed to acquire such great fitness levels while living on a vegetarian diet.

Kareena’s workout routine

Kareena does workout for two hours on a daily basis and it includes power yoga and cardio exercises. Here’s a list of yoga asanas she does:

Surya Namaskara (50 times)
Pranayama, Bikram yoga also known as hot yoga
Naukasana (for abs)
Bhujangasana (for back)
Kapalbharti (breathing exercise)
Parvatsana and Virabhadra (for arms and legs)

Kareena’s diet

Kareena lives on a 100% vegetarian diet. Her diet is healthy and nutritious and is based on day’s schedule and the amount of physical activity required during the day. Unlike most people, she does not start her day with tea or coffee. Her day starts with fruit or milk. For breakfast, Kareena goes for museli or chillah (bread slices) and milk. Every three hours she takes light snack like nuts or soy milk or sandwich with Electral powder.

Lunch for Kareena consists of chapatis and dal with lots of green veggies and minus any rice and fatty foods though she loves cheese and occasionally pairs it up with a sandwich. During dinner, she keeps it very light: dal with chapati or soup and some green salad.

Of late, while shooting for Ra.One., Kareena has been following a slightly different diet plan (again drafted by Rujuta Diwekar) as it involves lot of physical activity and travelling overseas.

Here’s her diet for Ra.One.:

Kareena's Las Vegas diet (She shot for the song ‘Chammak Challo’ in Vegas)

Morning: bananas, cereals and milk
Afternoon: a slice of cheese
Dinner: Pizzas, Pasta, Risotto and very little rice, Soups

Flight diet

Light Parathas
Daal
Banana
Lots of water
Walnuts and other dry fruits for Vitamin E as the pressure in plane makes skin look pale and dry

Mumbai diet on the sets of Ra.One.

Parathas
Pulao with raita at night
Makhaana (lotus seed)
Grilled vegetable sandwich
Early dinner of rice and dahi

Kareena’s fitness mantras

1. Don’t start your day with tea or coffee. Nuts/fruits/milk can provide a healthy start to the day.

2. The diet should be in sync with the physical activity during the day. Eat more when the day is more active, less when less active.

3. Do not use tea/coffee/ cigarettes as a way to mask hunger.

4. You can indulge in your favourite foods but make sure you do not overeat and eat at the right time of the day.

5. Get done with dinner two hours prior to hitting the bed.

6. Eat many times during the day but keep the meals small and light.

7. It’s very important to have an orderly workout routine. Yoga is immensely helpful. (Health, MensXP.com)

Source: MensXP.com & Yahoo Maktoob