BollyWood Media

Ranbir ka dabba!

2011-08-09T11:10:00.001-07:00

Mumbai, July 30 -- Oh, here comes Sher Lock Holmes, finally. And he's not come back empty-handed. He tells me that he's been working multiple shifts, like my friend Merena Senon, who runs around like a headless chicken all day in her little office. My trusted detective was on the sets of Barfee at Mehboob Studios, while he discovered something about Ranbir Kapoor. The actor is known for always insisting on working even when he's bruised.
But what about the RK scion now? Sher Lock says he's most comfy working in Mumbai, rather than any other city. Why? Because he doesn't have to bother anyone in the crew for the kind of food he wants, considering he's extremely particular about what he nibbles. He gets his stuff from home and munches all day out of his mini-eatery, set up under momma Neetu's supervision. I always knew Ranboo was a good boy!

Salman Khan worth Rs 50 crore now!

2011-08-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Salman Khan, 45, who took a fee cut for Ready during recession has hiked his price, post his super successful run at the box office. The actor who was charging Rs 40 crore for his films, will now take back home a whopping Rs 50 crore.
Two filmmakers have confirmed to film expert Subhash K Jha that Salman has not only hiked his price, but is also 'choosing' his directors.
"Salman is not only quoting a fee close to Rs 50 crore, he is also 'recommending' (read: appointing) directors for these films. Like, for the T Series project Salman has put forward the names of two directors and has asked producer Bhushan Kumar to choose from one of them. Furthermore, he insisted on Sonakshi Sinha for Kick and now he's recommending Zarine Khan to his prospective producers," a source told film expert Subhash K Jha.
Filmmaker Bhushan Kumar told Jha that Salman's price has been re-structured for his next. "When Salmanbhai did Ready the film industry was facing a huge financial crunch. But he agreed to cut down his price from Rs 40 crore to Rs 17 crore. This was the only way we could have made Ready at that time. Now the market has changed for the entire film industry. So, we are currently re-negotiating with him for our next film."
Well Sallu, you certainly deserve it!

Salman aims to outdo all Khans by dancing!

2011-08-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) With his newly acquired confidence as a box office champ, Salman Khan is now working on proving himself as the best dancer among all the Khans.
This was his brief to his current favourite choreographer Mudassar Khan, when they started shooting the track "Desi beat" for his upcoming "Bodyguard".
"Salman is hell-bent on proving he's the best dancer among the Khans. When 'Desi beat' was being planned, Salman very clearly told Mudassar that he wants to be the best dancer among all the Khans. Salman shot the song like crazy," a source says.
As if getting his favourite choreographer was not enough, Salman also got on board a song director to shoot the number.
The concept of a song director joining the choreographer for a star is still novel in Bollywood. Sanjay Leela Bhansali served as a song director in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "1942: A Love Story" even as Farah Khan was the choreographer.
And now Salman, we hear from reliable sources, wants to patent this collaborative style of shooting a song.
"Salman will work simultaneously with a choreographer of his choice and a dance director in all his major song and dance numbers," says the source.
When asked about the "Bodyguard" number, producer Atul Agnihotri confirmed: "We got Mudassar and also a song director, Sumit Dutt. The number rocks."
The collaboration that started with "Dabangg" where Salman gave Mudassar the chance to choreograph the song "Humka peeni hai", has now reached a stage where Salman insists on bringing his blue-eyed choreographer in all his films as a lucky mascot. Looks like, Salman has found his own version of what Saroj Khan used to be for Madhuri Dixit.
For the "Bodyguard number", the source adds: "Mudassar was told to take Salman out of his comfort zone as a dancer. Salman has never done this before. This is the first time Salman has followed a choreographer's instruction to the minutest detail."

Clean shave for Anil!

2011-08-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, July 31 -- Anil Kapoor is ready for a makeover. For Roger Donaldson's upcoming Hollywood movie, Cities, he will shave off his trademark goatee. He plays a "serious cop" in Cities that co-stars Clive Owen (Closer, Sin City, Inside Man). The goatee was a part of his look in the TV series 24 as well as the Tom Cruise franchise, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. But now, he has asked director Priyadarshan to quickly wrap up his Hindi movie, Tezz, so he can get rid of it.
"I haven't locked the final look yet, but it's going to be very different from how I look now in Cities and Race 2. I am really excited," says Anil. The last schedule of Tezz gets over on August 15 and then Anil will fly off to Los Angeles to shoot some additional scenes for Mission Impossible 4. "I start Cities in November after wrapping up a little portion of Race 2 that flags off in October. We have a schedule in London before moving to Mumbai in January. Ramesh Taurani (producer) has told me that we should be finished with Race 2 by February," informs Anil.
The 51-year-old actor had earlier played a cop in films like Ram Lakhan (1989) and Race (2008), but insists that he will be portraying a "serious Indian cop" for the first time in Cities. "The look has to be right. I've also started meeting people, including policemen, to get into the character," he asserts.
However, Anil admits that he doesn't have any scenes with Clive. "There are stories set in three different cities - New York, London and Mumbai. They are inter-connected, but the characters don't meet. So Clive will shoot only in New York and not come down to Mumbai," he reasons.
He is also thrilled to be working with Donaldson, who has directed films like The Bounty (1984), Cocktail (1988) and The Recruit (2003). "I was with him when he came to Mumbai for a recce and later met him in LA," says Anil. "He is very satisfied with the locations in Mumbai."

Bhatts' 'simple' heroine!

2011-08-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, July 31 -- She received much attention for her role as a simpleton Shefali in Aisha (2010). Now, Amrita Puri, daughter of HDFC Bank's managing director Aditya Puri, is set for a new celluloid stint. She will be seen as Bhatts' new heroine in their upcoming Blood Money alongside Kunal Khemu.
"I play a nursery school teacher in the film," says Amrita. "So, I visited a Montessori (an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori) to speak to the kids. It gave me a feel of the role."
Blood Money's first schedule kicked off yesterday and Amrita is clearly excited. "I love my character. In Aisha, I played a small-town girl from Bahadurgarh. Now I play a Mumbai girl from Chembur. She is a simple, middle-class girl and not flamboyant at all," she says.
Ask Amrita if she will be playing a sensual role like a majority of Bhatts' heroine and she says, "I don't think so... Mallika Sherawat and Jacqueline Fernandes bring certain qualities with them but the Bhatts must have been looking for something different when they selected me," she says.
Not many know this but Amrita has been equally active in theatre. "Acting in films and theatre is completely different. But I want to do both. As soon as I finish Black Money, I will perform The Interview (with Sahil Jaffrey and Anish Trivedi) and Famous Last Word (with Kalki Koechlin and Tom Alter)," she says.
Lastly, did she never want to follow father's footsteps? "My father always gave me a lot of freedom. I was never very interested in the financial world," she says, adding with a laugh. "If I had gotten into banking, people would have faced a lot of trouble because I am bad with numbers. But now, dad is extremely proud that I am bagging films without any backing."

Ash behind Somy-Sallu split?

2011-08-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Aug. 2 -- After all these years, actor Somy Ali, 35, has finally revealed the reason behind her split from Salman Khan. It's Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Ali, who broke up with Khan in the late '90s, said in a recent interview to entertainment portal lassiwithlavina.com that it was Ash who caused them to drift apart. When she was asked who came between her and Salman, Somy said, "Aishwarya Rai". When further asked whom she blames more, Sallu or Ash, she said, "Neither. They both did what they felt was the right thing to do at that time."
Describing her affair with Khan, Ali said that he she was all of 15 when she developed a crush on him. "Salman was my first boyfriend. I had a huge crush on him as a teenager. The crush led me to leave Florida and move to India and join films just so I could find him and get married. You have a licence to do idiotic things when you're 15."
And, she has no regrets. "I learned a great deal from Salman and his family ... growing up in front of Salman has made me who I am today. He and his family taught me that it does not matter what religion one follows, what culture one comes from ... what makes a person good is their actions. He was a good role model, outside of the boyfriend aspect of things."
Ali, who last met Khan on the sets of Ready in Bangkok in May, added, "They say if you can count four friends on your fingers, you're fortunate. Salman happens to be one of them. He has a heart of gold; I know that if I were ever in need he'd be the first person I'd call.

Bips wraps up first Hollywood film!

2011-08-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 2 -- For the past few weeks, Bipasha Basu's personal life has been grabbing headlines. Daily stories of her break-up with long-time beau John Abraham flood the news, but the actor insists, "I have nothing to say. Enough has already been spoken about it. Right now, I am enjoying life."
Keeping her distracted are multiple movie projects, including her first Hollywood flick, Roland Joffe's Singularity, which the actor just finished working on. "Yes, I have wrapped up work on Singularity," says Bipasha with a smile. "And now, the film is in Roland's hands. I think he is busy with the post-production. Honestly, I'm proud to have done the movie at a time when global filmmakers are finding India exciting."
The actor plays Tulaja Naik, a Maratha warrior, in the film that's set against the backdrop of the first Anglo-Maratha war in 18th century colonial India. The story revolves around the romance between Tulaja and British soldier James Stewart, played by Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor, 2001, Sin City, 2005).
"As an actor, it was a very challenging film," she says. "Working with Roland has been a novel experience." And although Singularity is over, "life continues to be hectic" for Bipasha, who says with a smile, "But I am not complaining. That's the way I love it."
Headed to Cannes Singularity, directed by Joffe - best known for The Killing Fields (1984) and City of Joy (1992) - has been majorly shot in the Orchha district of Madhya Pradesh, and Australia. Bipasha also informs that the film, also featuring Abhay Deol, will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival next year.
Now, Bipasha is looking forward to Abbas-Mustan's multi-starrer Players, the Hindi remake of the Hollywood hit, The Italian Job (2003). "I am looking forward to it. It's a fantastically packaged film," she says, adding that she still has two songs to shoot.

Stork visits Lara-Hesh!

2011-08-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 2 -- It's official now! After Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupati have gone the family way. Within the first year of their marriage, the couple has confirmed that they're expecting their first baby early next year. They tied the knot and exchanged vows on February 16 this year in Goa.
Soon after the wedding, the media was abuzz with speculation around the couple's private life. It was even reported that their marriage was on the rocks. Other reports said that Lara was pregnant and had been avoiding movie assignments. The last film she shot for is Don 2, which releases at the end of the year.
The couple is understandably excited, nervous and anxious to welcome their bundle of joy. "We are both extremely happy and blessed with this wonderful development in our lives, and we look forward to having a new addition to our family," says daddy-to-be, tennis ace Mahesh, who also runs a movie production house Big Daddy Productions that produced Chalo Dilli (2010) in collaboration with Lara's company Bheegi Basanti Productions.
The former Miss Universe was expected to launch her line of shoes this summer and take up a movie assignment that she was in talks for. Lara was also to make her TV debut with a fashion-based show, and was reportedly planning to start off her second production this year. All the aforementioned plans have been put on hold. But we're sure no one is complaining.

Kareena Kapoor: SK to SRK!

2011-08-09T10:08:00.001-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 2 -- Good morning my dark chocolate cookies! The barsati mausam seems a bit overdone. If it were in my hands to control the weather, I would have ensured that the rimjhim happens only in the night. I haven't been able to step out of my house because of the downpour, aaaarrgh!
Anyway, it hasn't restricted me from getting you spicy hot nuggets from Bollywood, courtesy my team of informers, spies, detectives and eavesdroppers. Here goes... I'm mighty impressed with the kind of professionalism Kareena Kapoor has been displaying lately. Even the rain hasn't been able to deter her, beams Sher Lock Holmes. What did she do dude? My jasoos says that Saifu's ladylove was shooting at some studio, deep in the suburbs with Salman Khan and company for Bodyguard. Isn't that film likely to release this month?
It is, Sher Lock says, and adds that it's only the heavy patchwork that's left. So, after completing the shoot that lasted over 12 hours, Kareena, although tired, decided to attend the wrap up party for RA.One, her Diwali release with with Shah Rukh Khan. My efficient detective says that not only did the Kapoor kudi make it to the do in time, she also hung around for quite some time in the night.
Her staff it seems had been advising her to go home and rest instead. But she insisted that she had to be there for all her films. And so, the party was important on her day's agenda. Kewl!

Kareena refuses to expose à la Mandakini

2011-08-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

After going wet and wild in Asoka, Kareena Kapoor has put her foot down to not reprise Mandakini's waterfall sequence for the sequel of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. The actor is stepping into the shoes of the yesteryear actor in the film.
The portrayal of Mandakini, as we all know, cannot be complete without the famous waterfall sequence in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But Bebo refused to do the scene as it required her to wear a white sari sans blouse.
According to sources, Kareena, who can get married to Saif anytime, doesn't want to take such career 'risks'. But director Milan Luthria has not given up yet. He is working on the sequence to make it convenient for Bebo.
Akshay Kumar plays a role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Kareena plays his love interest.

Kareena refuses to expose à la Mandakini

2011-08-09T09:49:00.001-07:00

Hrithik Roshan named brand ambassador for Liberty

2011-08-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Hrithik Roshan has been made the brand ambassador for shoe giant Liberty and the makers say that they zeroed in on the Bollywood heartthrob because he connects with the youth.
"Hrithik has an immense sense of style and connection with the youth that complements Liberty which is trying to revamp the brand by adding youthful and vibrant feel to it. Hrithik is a complete family person; he has strong family values and thus he is an apt personification of Liberty's ideology," Anupam Bansal, director, Liberty Shoes Ltd, said in a statement.
The company hopes the superstar will give the brand a vibrant and youthful makeover.
"It feels great to be part of a home-grown brand which has been constantly serving the worldwide audience since more than 50 years. Besides, the collection is superbly stylish yet comfortable, just how we all like it. I am really enjoying being associated with the Liberty family," Hrithik said in a press statement Tuesday.

Liberty has plans to introduce innovative and stylish products towards the end of the month.

Zarine's double role - on the ramp!

2011-08-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Celebrities walking the ramp is no news anymore, but actress Zarine Khan enjoyed her ramp stint so much that she walked for two different jewellery houses at the same event.

Zarine, who was introduced by Salman Khan opposite him in "Veer", was the showstopper for Divya K. Ahuja's show Monday at the ongoing India International Jewellery Week (IIJW), and Tuesday too the actress walked the ramp for Dwarkadas Chandumal Jewellers.
"The piece I was wearing yesterday had its own uniqueness and this has its own. I like both the designers, so I walked for both," Zarine told reports here.
Explaining the piece she was wearing for Tuesday's show, the actress said: "I feel very beautiful wearing it because it's such a grand and opulent piece. It's worth around Rs.1.75 crore. It's a beautiful piece especially with the sapphire and as it is, blue is my favourite colour, so I love it."
The 23-year-old was dressed in an Archana Kochar outfit, which was a blue corset and a colourful lehenga with thread embroidery.
The show also saw models strutting down the ramp in the jeweller's Polki Jadau Collection, heavy and light diamond bridal collection, couture collection and chandelier collection.

I took break to plan my future: Ayesha

2011-08-09T09:42:00.001-07:00

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Ayesha Takia, who is making a comeback with director Nagesh Kuknoor's "Mod", says the break post her marriage was a practical step towards a secured future.
After marrying restaurateur Farhan Azmi in 2009, Ayesha got involved in his restaurant business. Salman-starrer super-hit "Wanted" was her last release.
"I had been working for so many years before 'Wanted', which did really well at the box office and I am thankful for that. I really took time to understand about the restaurant business," Ayesha told reporters at the unveiling of first look of "Mod" here Tuesday.
"I took the break because I really needed to look at the things from an outsider's perspective. As an actor, it helped me a lot."
Her love for acting inspired her to make a come-back, she said.
"For me, it's really about the craft and I enjoy it thoroughly. So, if I don't sign anything that genuinely excites me, I lose interest right there. I was fortunate that Nagesh came to me with 'Mod'," said Ayesha, who made her debut as an actress with "Taarzan: The Wonder Car" in 2004.
The 25-year-old, who earned critical acclaim for her performance in Kukunoor's "Dor", is all praise for the director for extracting the best out of her.
"Nagesh is one who truly brings out the best in me. He taught me my true potential as an actor. I am fortunate to get a chance to work with Nagesh, who gives me role any girl would die for."
"After 'Dor', I didn't think it was possible to do such a role again, but 'Mod' is the best film for me to do after a long wait," said Ayesha.
Set in a small hill station, "Mod" is a love story about two different people. In the film, she has been paired with MTV VJ Rannvijay.
Ayesha is in awe of the character she essays in the film.
"The character I play is amazing. She is matured, independent and totally opposite me. I am amazing (laughs) but not that independent. She manages her life. She has this clock store and earns her living. She meets Raanvijay and falls in love with him."
"She is unlike the character I have ever played before. When you do a Nagesh film, you really go into that detail about the character, her mind and her life. So, the character is amazing and I would miss her forever," she said.
Releasing Sep 30, the film also stars actor Raghuvir Yadav and Tanvi Azmi in pivotal roles.

Cameo calling for Bollywood A-listers

2011-08-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Appearing in a cameo in a film is the latest trend in Bollywood, as many A-listers make a beeline for small roles in upcoming films. Here’s a list of the superstars who will soon be seen in guest appearances.
Salman Khan
For: Tell Me O Khudda
Actor Salman Khan will be soon seen in a special appearance in veteran actor Hema Malini’s upcoming directorial venture Tell Me O Kkhuda, which is touted to be a relaunch vehicle for her daughter, actor Esha Deol. Hema, who has recently joined the social networking website Twitter, confirmed the news through a tweet that read, “Salman Khan has been very gracious to be a part of my film Tell Me O Khuda. What an adorable person!!!!(sic)” Reportedly, Khan will be seen in a song with Deol in the film that releases on September 30.
Amitabh Bachchan
For: English Vinglish
Actor Amitabh Bachchan will be seen in a cameo appearance in actor Sridevi’s comeback film English Vinglish, which is being directed by Gauri Shinde (wife of Paa director R.Balki). Talking about the cameo, Balki was quoted as saying, “It’s actually a two-day cameo for Mr Bachchan, and not an afterthought. Gauri had written the cameo with Mr Bachchan in mind. It’s actually a very funny midair cameo. And only Mr Bachchan could do it.”
Priyanka Chopra
For: Ra.One
Actor Priyanka Chopra will be seen in a cameo in actor Shah Rukh Khan’s ambitious project Ra.One, which also stars actor Kareena Kapoor in the lead role. Apparently, Chopra would be performing an ‘item-action-sequence’ in the film. Reportedly, she will have superhuman abilities so that she can match up to Khan on-screen during the action sequence, which is being touted to be one of the highlights of the movie. She will also be doing a lot of stunts in the film. Chopra even tweeted about the cameo saying, “On my way to set to shoot for Raone. Should be super fun (sic).”
Hema Malini
For: Aarakshan
Veteran actor Hema Malini will be seen in a cameo opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan. In February, Bachchan tweeted about the same saying, “Hemaji joins us for the shooting of ‘Aarakshan’ .. a cameo but all looking forward to her arrival ... ‘Baghban’ remembered (sic),” Reportedly, Malini’s role is very short but strong in this film. She has acted with Bachchan in many movies such as Satte Pe Satta, Sholay, Baghban and Baabul among others.
Karisma Kapur
For: Bodyguard
If the reports are to be believed, then actor Karisma Kapur, who is making her comeback with Vikram Bhatt’s Dangerous Ishq, will be seen playing a part in Salman Khan starrer upcoming film Bodyguard. The film, which releases later this month stars Karisma’s sister Kareena Kapoor in the lead role. Quite a sister act we must say. Actor Sanjay Dutt will also be doing a cameo in the same film.
Shah Rukh Khan
For: Love Breakups Zindagi
Actor Shah Rukh Khan will reportedly be doing a cameo in actors Zayed Khan and Dia Mirza’s debut production Love Breakups Zindagi. “Since both Dia and Zayed have known SRK, they decided to request him to do a special appearance in the film. And SRK, who has always valued friendship, has agreed to do so,” reveals a source. Apparently, Zayed was keen on roping in brother-in-law Hrithik Roshan for doing the same cameo, but there were date issues.

Don’t ask me about Bhajji: Geeta Basra

2011-08-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

She may have never been talked of because of her work, but Geeta Basra’s bond with cricketer Harbhajan Singh always keeps the buzz around her alive. Basra, who has been part of box office duds such as Dil Diya Hai and Train, walked the ramp for Sangam Chains on Day 1 of India International
Jewellery Week (IIJW) at The Hyatt in Mumbai recently. So, when the obvious question popped again, the actor blushed.
Are you dating Harbhajan? “I’ve never denied that we’re friends.” But, that’s all she’ll give away on that front. Basra is in talks with producer Vinod Bachchan for a sizzling item number in Zilla Ghaziabad, which stars Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi and Minissha Lamba. “Yes, I’m in talks with them for an item number. If everything goes well, I will do it,” she says.
So, no reservations against item numbers? “I don’t know who has given these tracks this title of an ‘item number’. Bollywood movies have great songs full of dance and music. I love dancing; I have no problem with an item number,” she explains.
Why doesn’t she do more movies, then? “People ask me this question very often. The truth is, I’m very particular and choosy about the kind of roles I do.”
Would she want to be part of a film with Bhajji then, sometime in the future? “I believe we should not mix Bollywood and cricket,” comes the reply. She won’t mind working with Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, though.
And another obvious question — marriage? “Not Now,” she signs off.

Marriage rumours are not true: Siddharth Roy Kapur

2011-08-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

All Bollywood A-listers must have lived through stories about their alleged weddings many times in the hayday of their careers. Many would have extracted some social mileage from it as well. Any news is good news as long as you're in the news, right?
But Vidya Balan's alleged beau Siddharth Roy Kapur played spoilsport to rumours about the two being married and honeymooning, by going out and confirming to TOI that,"No that's not true."
K Sanjay, Balan's manager, went one step ahead with, "Nonsense, its rubbish."

How the SRK-Salman clash was avoided!

2011-08-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

They say when a lion marks his territory, no other predator can enter it. A similar situation arises when the Badshah Khan and Dabangg Khan are on the same territory.
Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were recently scheduled to shoot in the same studio on the same day, and the staff and crew members had to ensure the two did not cross paths.
While Salman was already shooting at Mehboob Studios, SRK's shoot for a commercial with wife Gauri got rescheduled to the same day.
"It was only when the production team of Sunhil Sippy, who directed the ad, reached the sets, did they learn that Salman was to shoot in the same premises later that evening," a source told Mid Day.
Salman's crew too was extra cautious.
"Sallu didn't know SRK was also shooting at another floor in the studio," said our source.
Apparently, a few of the crew members were given the task of finding out when the other was scheduled to leave.
"At midnight, when Shah Rukh was leaving, a unit guy from his shoot double checked Salman's status," the source added.
Incidentally, this is not the first time a face off has been averted. The two have closely missed each other at Dubai airport and at another shoot.
We wonder when the two will bury the hatchet! After all friendship and animosity rarely last in B-Town.

Aamir rallies with Saina!

2011-08-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 4 -- He played cricket like a professional in his blockbuster film Lagaan (2001), but Aamir Khan's interest doesn't only lie in the gentleman's game. As badminton ace Saina Nehwal readies to go for the kill at the World Championships next week, the 21-year-old is looking forward to some encouraging words from an unusual fan - Aamir Khan.
The actor, in fact, has been regularly cheering for Saina and makes it a point to send her congratulatory messages before and after each game. "It's very kind of him," says Saina, adding that the 3 Idiots (2009) star follows sports very closely. "He not only keeps a tab on my events, but also encourages me. He sends me messages saying, 'All the best. May you win the tournament' before I go for competitions. Similarly, he messages me whenever I win a tournament. And it feels good because, after all, he is a big star."
The Hyderabad resident, who is currently ranked No. 6 in the world, also made it a point to reciprocate. "After Delhi Belly became a hit, I sent him a congratulatory message. Since Aamir does things so perfectly, he gets all the success," says Saina, adding that she hasn't got a message from Aamir for World Championships as yet.
Of late, grapevine has been rife that Telugu filmmakers are chasing her for a film role. Is there any truth to that? "I'm happy and busy with one profession - badminton. Plus, I'm doing well for the country through it, so I would rather focus on that," says the player, who is an ardent film buff and always carries DVDs with her on tours.
But she did mention that she would like to work with Rajinikanth? "My first priority is my game; and why only Rajinikanth? I'd love to work with Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir too. All of them are legends," she smiles.
Lastly, ask Saina if she in touch with friend Deepika Padukone and she says, "Deepika is very clued in to badminton since she has also played the sport." Besides being badminton legend Prakash Padukone's daughter, not many know that the young actor has also played the game at state level. "Earlier, Deepika and I would keep in touch very regularly. Since she is a busy Bollywood star now, it's difficult. But she's a good friend."

Saif Ali Khan: Jaaaagte raho!

2011-08-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 4 -- Gooood morning my darling pesto cream pastas! I'm in the mood for some firangi food today. It's on my mind. So, you guys please don't mind. Anyway, I had no choice but to get that moronic Safedi Lal, my washerman back on duty. He was threatening a police case. Not that I'm scared, but I don't want to be harrowed by these khaki vardiwalas.
It's too much work you see! Now enough on my private affairs. Here's what's naya, taaza and masaledaar in the lives of your favourite B-townies, courtesy my spies, detectives, and eavesdroppers. Ah! I'm so proud of them, of course with some exceptions. My jasoos from Goregaon has reported that Saif Ali Khan has become a nightrider of sorts.
Nightrider? I thought Shah Rukh Khan's team was called Kolkata Knight Riders. And since when did chote nawab become a cricketer? My jasoos says that he was only punning (which obviously didn't strike me). He says that Kareena Kapoor's Saifu was stuck at Film City for eight and a half hours. That's long!
It was pouring torrentially that evening when he shot for Kaun Banega Crorepati with Deepika Padukone and host, Amitabh Bachchan. The shoot took that long to start because the set was flooded. He sat in a van with star company without a fuss. After wrapping up the shoot, he headed straight for a late night shoot of Agent Vinod in another part of the city, where his crew members were waiting for him.
By the time nawabsaab returned home, he had been awake for over 24 hours. However, my informer says that he didn't get a chance to rest even then. A couple of meetings had been scheduled in advance for the day. After a shower and change, the actor headed for those. Haaye bechara!

No mobile phones for Shahid and Sonam!

2011-08-09T09:27:00.002-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 4 -- These days, Bollywood directors make actors go through all kinds of training and workshops to get into the skin of their characters. Pankaj Kapur too joined this list recently by making son Shahid Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor go out of their way and do something "really astounding."
Kapur, who makes his directorial debut with Mausam, asked Shahid and Sonam to stop using mobile phones, SMSes or any short format for communication. Instead, he instructed them to write letters to communicate for two months prior to shooting with each other.
"I belong to a different school of acting. Everything my actors do has to be contextual," says Kapur, about the film that's partly period based. "I made Sonam and Shahid go though this extensive exercise so that they could start feeling like the characters. It took some time, as we needed to break inhibitions and develop new habits and then fall in love (on screen)."
Initially, Sonam and Shahid hated the idea of shunning their mobile phones. And since they were used to constantly messaging and emailing, felt it was a cumbersome job to write letters. But Kapur insisted that until and unless they go through the exercise, he wouldn't start shooting the film.
Sources close to the film's unit say that both Shahid and Sonam wrote really bad notes for two weeks, which left Pankaj Kapur fuming and baffled. But he persisted since he felt it was important for them to be able to write their thoughts down.
Interestingly, Sonam and Shahid have gotten used to writing letters that they continue to do so whenever they find an opportunity even today, two years after the incident.

Govinda-Akshaye: Catch me if you can..!

2011-08-09T09:27:00.001-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 4 -- This one is a riot, and it's not by any of my eavesdroppers or spies. It's by this sakhi of mine who knows a filmmaker called Nikhil Advani. She says that this poor man is having a tough time figuring out the promotional activity for his movie Delhi Safari. He has cast a weird combo: Govinda and Akshaye Khanna. That's just the beginning of his troubles.
Govinda refuses to give interviews on certain days of the week (which is at least six out of seven) because he believes they are inauspicious. Akshaye, on the other hand, complains of acidity in his tummy at the mention of media interactions. And now, Mr Advani is looking for help and he doesn't know which way to look. Okay, I know it's mean but I can't stop laughing at this one.

National Award winner's film on M S Dhoni

2011-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 5 -- South baddie Prakash Raj will direct his next film, tentatively titled Dhoni, based on a child's aspiration to become like famous cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He has earlier directed Kannada movie Naanu Nanna Kanasu, a remake of Tamil film Abhiyum Naanum.
He says, "Dhoni is our new cricketing icon. He is already a legend among the kids and they want to grow up to be like him."
The actor, who has earlier worked with Salman Khan in Wanted (2009), Amitabh Bachchan in Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap (2011) and recently fought Ajay Devgn in Singham, says, "The cricketer leads by example. He stands for leadership, taking risks and being grounded in the face of victory and failure alike. He is a perfect role model for today's youth." So is Sachin Tendulkar passe now? Prakash says, "Of course not. He will never be passe, but Dhoni is the way ahead for the new generation."
Prakash reveals his film will also talk about how the present education system has failed. He explains, "It talks about academic and peer pressure. This system doesn't explore what our children are capable of. We need to take into account the aspirations of the new generation as well." He assures, "This film will force people to look within themselves."
The actor-director starts shooting his ambitious bi-lingual (Tamil and Telugu) project towards the end of September. He will be playing the lead opposite Mughda Godse, and has Ilaiyaraaja doing the music. Prakash, who has produced over a dozen films so far, and acted for two decades in South films, describes his directorial journey as a big personal step.
"I hope to not disappoint Dhoni's fans or mine." What about his Bollywood journey? Have the recent roles helped him gain more friends in the industry? He says, "For me, Salman is a darling. He isn't afraid of anyone. He let me be myself when we were shooting, and both Amitabh and Ajay were quite confident. That reflected in the open-hearted manner in which they dealt with everyone on the sets, including me."

'I have moved out of LSD's shadow'

2011-08-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 5 -- In less than two months after daily soap, Gunahon Ka Devta wrapped up on Imagine, its male lead, Ashish Sharma, has moved on to his next show. And this time, he plays emperor Chandragupta Maurya in the show of the same name on Imagine. He steps in as the grown up monarch, replacing actor Rushiraj Powar who was seen as the younger Chandragupta, being trained by his guru, Chankya, played by Manish Wadhwa.
Ashish, discovered by Ekta Kapoor for her movie Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010), is understandably elated. "Not too many actors get a chance to play diverse characters as leads. I've grown out of LSD's shadow with Gunahon Ka Devta. I'm glad the channel and the production house have shown faith in me to let me emulate such a complex character. With the 10-year leap, I step into the shoes of one of the most popular heroes in Indian history," he says.
However, this is not the first time Chandragupta's story is being narrated on the tube. In the 1990s, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi played Chankya in a show of the same name produced by him on Doordarshan, the national broadcaster. Several other producers have attempted biographies of the ancient Indian king, known for his virtues and the vastness of his empire that extended from Bengal and Assam to Afghanistan and Baluchistan, across Kashmir and Nepal to the Deccan Plateau. As a result, comparisons are inevitable.
Doesn't that pressurise Ashish? "No way!" he says. "Previously, all the shows have been made from guru Chankya's perspective, because most Indian writers have emphasised more on him, written about Chandragupta from his perspective and with his beliefs. However, Europe, back then, interacted with the emperor and not his teacher. For them, he was the face of the dynasty. So, their stories are written from Chandragupta's perspective."
Considering that he had only a month and a half to get his body in shape and understand the character well, did the actor manage to read any of the literature he refers to? "Yes," exclaims Ashish. "I've read it online and it's very interesting. There were lots of folk tales that I wanted to read, but that would have taken the focus away from the manner in which the story is being told at the moment."

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Marathi at heart!

2011-08-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, Aug. 5 -- Born into a Gujarati family, acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali proudly states that he's Marathi at heart.
Having lived his childhood in Bhuleshwar, Mumbai, a bustling area populated largely by Maharashtrians, Bhansali grew up on Maharathrian culture - right from the music to the food and literature. Inspired by Marathi authors and other literary works, the filmmaker loves sinking into a book when he has time. Those close to the director will also often find him listening to Marathi songs. Not just that, the director has also roped in famed Marathi music directors Ajay-Atul for his next venture, My Friend Pinto.
Says a source "Bhansali loves Marathi culture since he has grown up around it. He loves their books and music, and is very keen to propagate it. He has taken a step in that direction and roped in musical duo Ajay-Atul, who have composed the music for Marathi films like Jogwa (2009) and Natrang (2010) for My Friend Pinto."