Vivek Oberoi mending his fences

After confessing to having erred many times in his personal and professional life in the past, actor Vivek Oberoi seems like a man on a mission to mend his fences.

Vivek is in a perpetual confessional mood nowadays. All his interviews are full of candid admissions of his past mistakes – the most prominent of which was that infamous press conference in which he humiliated Salman Khan , the then jilted lover of his then girlfriend Aishwarya Rai who is presently happily married to Abhishek Bachchan .
In a recent interview, Vivek had said he still feels “haunted by the demons of my past mistakes”. To get over these demons, Vivek has been making peace with people he has hurt.

He has apologized to Salman Khan publicly. Though Salman has yet not responded to Vivek’s gesture, Vivek thinks Salman will forgive him when he feels like doing it.

Vivek has also been re-forging his bond with the Bachchans. He surprised everyone when he paid a visit to the mourning Bachchans after the demise of Big B’s mother Teji Bachchan early this year.

Vivek also visited Amitabh Bachchan recently on the sets of Aladdin . The actor met the superstar and had a brief chat.

Not just Big B, Vivek’s bond with Abhishek (whom he befriended while shooting Yuva ) has also begun to thaw.

After Vivek’s IIFA performance in Bangkok, Abhi sent him a complimentary SMS.

But ask Vivek anything about Aishwarya and the actor goes into diplomatic mode.

“I respect her and wish her the best,” is all he is willing to say.

Nana, Harman and Genelia at Delhi's malls!

Well, don't be confused, we don't mean that Nana Patekar has taken Harman Baweja and Genelia D'Souza on a shopping spree, nor were the trio there for any inauguration ceremony. But what we say is relevant, nonetheless.

Actually, we are referring to actor-producer Sanjay Kapoor's (brother of Boney and Anil Kapoor) Hindi remake of the Telugu blockbuster, BOMMARILLU's shooting in Delhi. As is known, Sanjay Kapoor has roped in hit director Anees Bazmee (NO ENTRY, WELCOME and SINGH IS KINNG) for the Nana Patekar, Harman Baweja and Genelia D'Souza starrer.

The first shooting schedule of BOMMARILLU's Hindi remake, with a working title ITS MY LIFE, was completed abroad a few months ago, while the second one concluded just recently in Delhi. The film was extensively shot in the modern, spic n span shopping malls, a sort of first for the Indian capital.

Book on celeb drug troubles

A book by authors Adriano Sack and Ingo Niermann will reveal drug problems of celebrities like Sir Elton John, Courtney Love and Whitney Houston.

These artists have struggled with drugs and the book The Curious World of Drugs and Their Friends claims to give "fun and fascinating facts" about "every conceivable kind of drug and the people who use them", reports contactmusic.com.

Sack and Niermann write about John admitting to his drug addiction problems saying: "I did not know how to speak to anyone unless I had a nose full of cocaine."

Scheduled for August release, the book also includes stories of celebrities like George Michael, Amy Winehouse and Beach Boys' singer Brian Wilson.

Shahid shoots for KISMAT KONNECTION promotional video

Shahid Kapoor, who is all set to enjoy a hat trick of successful films in the form of KISMAT KONNECTION (after VIVAH and JAB WE MET), is going all out to make sure that his latest romantic comedy grabs all the eyeballs.

Not just content with the great response that his dance number 'Ae Pappi' has got amongst music lovers, he has now gone ahead and shot for a special promotional music video for the film. The number in question is Atif Aslam sung 'Bakhuda' that has been on the music channels for last fortnight. However, this time around, it is 'remix version' of 'Bakhuda' which is the center of attraction as it has been shot entirely on Shahid.

Picturised on indoor sets where Shahid is at the center stage with only a mike for company, the music video of 'Bakhuda' shows the young actor in a rock star avtar and truly adds on to the youthful appeal of the film.

Sanober dances for Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan

Sanober Kabir, the petite young girl who made her big screen debut close to a decade back with MOTHER 98, is back in the limelight. She would be seen performing on an item number where she is required to dance in front of Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan for the film MEHBOOBA. The song is titled 'Babuji Bahut Dukhta Hai' which is rendered by Alka Yagnik, written by Late Anand Bakshi and composed by Ismail Darbar.

Everything from sets to costumes to a fort setting has a strong Rajasthani folk setting to it with Sanober getting into a naughty act. The number takes off from where 'Nimbooda' [HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM] left and though it could have easily breached into the territory of being vulgar, Anand Bakshi saab has done a right job in drawing a fine line with Alka Yagnik too giving a certain grace to the proceedings.

Incidentally the song was picturised more than 4 years back but is being seen only now since the film continued to get delayed over the period of time. However, to the credit of the people associated with the film, they have gone all out to ensure that MEHBOOBA doesn't look dated by any means.

Now one waits to see how 'Babuji' manages to resurrect Sanober's career who otherwise has been busy doing her music vidoes, most notable being the remix version of 'Meri Ber Ke Ber Mat Todo' which had turned out to be a huge hit. With her film career hardly paying off (each of her films from MOTHER 98 to ANGAAR - THE FIRE, BASTI and KYON? were resounding flops), 'Babuji' may well help Sanober grab some eyeballs in weeks to come.

Starring Manisha Koirala in lead, MEHBOOBA is produced and directed by Afzal Khan and is now all set for 11th July release.

Urmila will be better than Sushmita

Urmila Matondkar has never been more glamorously inclined. For the role of the high-flying super-socialite in the new remake of the 1980 blockbuster Karz, Urmila is going to be more glam-driven than for any other part that she has ever played.

Urmila's favourite costume designer Manish Malhotra is working on her clothes which will reflect the character's diva-like splendour.A budget of several crores have beeen set aside for Urmila's clothes.

Says Urmila, "She'll basically be an ageless diva. A very stylish and super-exclusive heiress and her clothes and demeanour would reflect a kind of inherent glamour."

Manish Malhotra has been asked to design some of the most elaborate and expensive clothes ever worn by an actress for any part. "Manish and I have collaborated on numerous films. But this one will be something else, " laughs Urmila.

The character's clothes, hairstyle amd lifestyle all seem to indicate a royal status. And indeed the character's inherent aristocracy is inspired by none other than Gayatri Devi.

Reveals the director Satish Kaushik, "Urmila in Karz will be the epitome of glamorous high-flying existence. She's a 50-plus woman who lives in isolated splendour in a castle, wears the most stunning clothes and lives life queen-size.

She'll be riding horses, flying planes and gambling the night away in casinos and living the high life at the highest level."

It'd apparently be the most lavishly done-up female character ever in a Hindi film.

"We're certainly aiming at that. And Urmila has the correct body language to carry off the role of the queen-like socialite who also sings and shakes a leg in two songs with Himesh Reshammiya.

This character will be completely different, far more sensuous and glamorous, than what she was in Subhash Ghai's Karz, " promises Kaushik.

What about the original Kamini, Simi Garewal's comment that Sushmita Sen and not Urmila was suited to do the remake?

Satish laughs, "Simiji is entitled to her opinion. But Sushmita would've been too imposing and intimidating.We wanted someone who can be a socialite and a dancer, someone to match steps and body language with Himesh."

I'm happy being 'Saif's ex-flame'

It's almost been a year since Italian beauty Rosa Catalono parted ways with Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan. But Rosa says she is making no effort to shed the image of being 'Saif's ex-flame' even though she has moved on in life.

'I haven't tried hard to get out of this image and I am not even trying hard at it. People need time to move out of a relationship and so do I. Right now I am happy, ' Rosa told here.

Her former boyfriend Saif, with whom she is not even on talking terms now, is currently dating actress Kareena Kapoor, but Rosa is still single.

'Love is the most powerful and beautiful experience and I would be very comfortable if I fall in love again. There are lots of special people who are special to me but right now my mom tops the list because she cooks great pizzas!' she quipped.

Rosa, who was in the capital for the music launch of her forthcoming film 'Deshdrohi', says that though she came to India to be with Saif, her mission has changed after her break-up.

'Now I want to act, and right now every day is a new learning experience for me. It's not like I am 20 and have the enthusiasm of doing everything at one time. I want to go easy and grow in Bollywood, ' she said.

The actress is foraying into Bollywood with 'Deshdrohi', where she is doing an item number 'Bewajah yun' choreographed by dance maestro Saroj Khan.

'When I heard the song, I refused to do it as it would have required a lot of Indian touch to it, which I couldn't imagine myself doing. It shows a village girl dancing.

'But Saroj Khan, who is so experienced, motivated me and it wasn't very difficult to do the song. We shot the whole song in two nights and whenever I would get tired, Saroj used to pep me up by asking me to drink Red Bull (an energy drink), ' she recalled.

She has two item numbers in her kitty right now, including one for Sunny Deol's 'Chamku' starring yesteryears actress Zeenat Aman.

'I'm only going through scripts which are in Hindi. I don't know how to speak in Hindi but I know how to sing in it. I really want to learn the language though, ' Rosa said.

The former Italian model says she is very comfortable with her life in India, though it hasn't been all that easy.

She said: 'Even though it's not my country, I don't feel alone here. It's been four years since I have been in India and I have learnt to appreciate the beautiful and spiritual part of the country.

'If people come one hour later than the decided time, I have learnt to be patient and accept the way people work here. I do have to make a lot of adjustments.'

I wish I could be there at Gay parade

Deepa Mehta who has just completed another celluloid treatise on the subjugation and repression of women, can't stop that sense of pride in her voice when she's told that the Gay Parade on Sunday began at Regal cinema in the Capital where the screening of her lesbian film Fire was forcibly stopped and disrupted.

"I remember I was in Dubai in 1996 watching A R Rahman's concert. I had put the release of Fire behind me. I just thought it would come and go in India without creating a ripple, like all films on unconventional themes.

I should've been warned. I got a call in the middle of the Rahman concert asking me to come to Delhi fast. They had just halted the screening of Fire. I was aghast.

It was my first brush with the moral police. Later of course I got used to be bullied by extra-constutitional censors in India."

And to think Fire had been passed without a single cut when it was submitted to the censor board. "Not a single shot was cut. Not even Shabana and Nandita's love making.

And this was a decade ago. And I was lulled into a false sense of security. I guess India has progressed. But a section of the moralists won't accept it."

Deepa recalls with much fondness the vigil that Delhi's gay community had kept at Regal cinema. "And they carried placards saying, 'We're Indian, And We're Lesbian.'

Till then some Indian moralists believed homosexuality specially lesbianism didn't exist in India. Fire was a turning point for me as a filmmaker. I saw what responsibility was being put on my shoulder. To me Fire wasn't a film only about lesbianism."

About the parade in Delhi on Sunday Deepa says, "I wish I could be there. My heart swells with pride when Fire is mentioned as a favourite film on alternate sexuality. If Fire has inspired the homosexual community I guess I have much to be proud of."

For years after Fire there was no significant film on lesbianism. But now there's films like I Can't Think Straight and When Kiran Met Karen.

"I think Lisa Ray who's done a number of films with me is part of I Can't Think Straight. I feel happy to see other filmmakers going into the theme. But I repeat, I wasn't making a film on lesbianism. It was about subjugation and repression. My new film Heaven On Earth is also about the same film."

ROCK ON!! with JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA

While there have been issues in the recent past, whereby trailors of upcoming films have not been included in the prints of new films, or added after much deliberations, here is a totally opposite case, which should set new precedents!

Producer Aamir Khan has proved to be a genuine friend of new actor, though highly successful director (DIL CHAHTA HAI, LAKSHYA and DON), Farhan Akhtar and also of producer Ritesh Sidhwani.

Apparently, Aamir Khan himself asked producer Ritesh Sidhwani to include the promo of his film ROCK ON!!, in the prints of Aamir's forthcoming production venture, JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA. After getting the nod, Aamir has gone ahead and the promos of ROCK ON!! can be seen this Friday, during the screening of JTYJN.

As may be recalled, Aamir Khan had acted in Ritesh's DIL CHAHTA HAI, which was Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut venture.

Bipasha: Ek Bangla Bane Nyara!!!

Bipasha just got herself another dream. The home that she always dreamt of. And she doesn't have to step out of her current home to make it come true.

No. All she has to do is dismantle demolish and reconstruct the entire top floor of the highrise in Khar where she lives.

"After I finish shooting the last of my current films I'm taking a large chunk of time off to build my home just the way I would want it to be. It would be my birthday gift to myself."

Bipasha would be traveling to remote corners of the world to get just the right colour and quality of the wood, tiles, furnishing, upholstery and other accessories.

"While I'm traveling my parents who live a stone's throw away from me will supervise the construction."

In fact Bipasha plans to move in with her parents down the road while her home gets re-constructed

The sheer impracticality of 'impulsive Basu''s dream project hits you hard. Wouldn't it make more sense to buy new land and build an entirely new place rather than break down a beautiful place?

"No no!" she demurs. "I love the space that I live in and wouldn't want to leave it for anything at the world. I agree there's nothing wrong with my home as it is.

But when it was being constructed I couldn't give it the time and attention I should have. Now I miss the specifications that I had in mind but never got around to implementing. I need to modify my space to suit my energy."

The re-construction of Bipasha's dream house begins right after the current monsoons. "I know it's going to be tough to get down to doing something so drastic in my life. But I'm forever adventurous.

And I've set a deadline—7 Jan—my birthday for all the construction guys, designers and decorators to finish and move out of my Taj Mahal. I've to set a deadline. Otherwise it could go on forever.

Interestingly Bipasha's building Muktangan on Sarojini Road in Khar, has a history of demolition and reconstruction. It used to be the location of Raakhee Gulzar's bungalow.

When she sold it and moved out (to just two building away) she had only one pre-condition. That the highrise would continue to be called Muktangan. When another Bengali actress Bipasha moved into the newly-constructed Muktangan she occupied the top floor.

Ronson turns down Hasselhoff

DJ Mark Ronson was surprised when former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff complimented him on his talent and said he wanted to work with him. But Ronson had to turn down the offer because he is too busy.

Ronson was genuinely surprised when Hasselhoff wanted to collaborate with him for TV shows, reports contactmusic.com.

He said: "He came up and was like, 'Hey, I really love your stuff,' and I was just taken aback. He stayed and watched our show and said that he's got some new TV show and wanted me to produce a song with him. But I'm a bit busy right now!"

Ronson has worked with the likes of Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse.

A French actress for Govinda!

Our very own desi actor Govinda is now set to romance a French beauty in a film by director Jagmohan Mundhra .

After making a believable pair with South African actress Shannon Esrechowitz in the last year’s super-dud Salaam-e-Ishq , Govinda is now set to tag up with a French actress in the Hindi remake of the Hollywood comedy ‘The 40-year-old Virgin’.

In the film, Govinda plays a 40 year-old NRI nerd who stays mostly indoors and therefore remains a virgin until his friends decide to help him get some sex.

The first half of the film has Govinda pairing with French actress Luchiya Cats. The second half will have Ayesha Takia as Govinda’s love interest. Funnily, Ayesha, too, plays a virgin in the film.

Director Jagmohan Mundhra, who has directed films like ‘Bawandar’, Provoked and the yet-to-be-released Shoot On Sight , is now departing from serious cinema and making a light-hearted film for change.

The movie is titled Excuse Me Please

Will 'Love Story 2050' be Bollywood's special effects coup?

Hindi filmdom's most ambitious futuristic sci-fic - Love Story 2050 - seems set to up the standards of special effects in the country, with a reported budget of Rs.500 million propping it.

Transformation of Mumbai into a super-futuristic metropolis, modelled on Shanghai, robot, teddy bears and an energy-blasting fight scene are some of the visual treats awaiting viewers when the film by director Harry Bajewa goes on the marquees on July 4.

Introducing Harman Baweja opposite star actor Priyanka Chopra, Love Story 2050 is heavy on special effects and gizmos and may just be the impetus needed for filmmakers in India to invest in the country's own sprouting industry.

Even as India is emerging as the destination of choice for Hollywood studios to outsource their animation and special effects jobs, domestic film studios have been treading cautiously and are only now warming up to pumping big monies into the digital sphere.

Hindi filmmakers have for long shied away from investing huge sums on special effects and instead preferred to park most of the film's budget for remunerations of stars. As a result, though the country has the wherewithal that meets international standards, films churned in Bollywood suffer from tacky effects and graphics.

In fact, the Oscar-winning special effects for The Golden Compass, the Hollywood blockbuster that took $370 million at the box office last Christmas, were put together in India.

Increasingly, post-production movie work - everything from complex digital effects such as the talking armoured polar bears in The Golden Compass, one of which sported a fur coat with seven million individually rendered hairs, to basic colour grading, making sure shades stay consistent throughout a film - is steadily migrating from traditional centres such as Los Angles to low-cost locations on the sub-continent.

Nasscom, the Indian IT industry lobby group, estimates that the global animation market will be worth about $80 billion by 2010, and is targeting it as a prime source of future outsourcing revenues as more film work is shifted to India from the US and Europe.

Yet, Indian filmmakers form a very small portion of their clientele. The budget of Love Story 2050 may sound high enough, but it is not.

It is impossible to match the kind of standards that our counterparts from the West have set. It all boils down to the budget at the end of the day and with the kind of resources we work with, even though we may hire the best team out there, you can't expect results on the same lines, says a candid Harman.

Nevertheless, the Indian filmmakers are hoping to ripe a good harvest from film merchandise and sale of rights to mobile and gaming companies to recover costs.

Love Story 2050 features a fully animatronic robot teddy bear which was created by Oscar winner John Cox, who also worked on Babe and The Host. It also features a female robot. Similarly, airborne fight sequences will lead to spin offs like video and mobile gaming.

If India is to become more than just outsourcing sweatshops that sketched, painted and digitised ordered content, fully indigenous innovative breakthroughs are the need of the hour. And this can only happen if creative minds join hands with technical talents and create a fully Indian version of Babe.

With the growth in the outsourcing model reaching a plateau, big players claiming ownership of their products is the need of the hour as this co-production yields multiple sources of revenue from merchandising to licensing.

Kids lapped up Hrithik Roshan starrer "Krrish", which was loaded with special effects.

All eyes are now set on Love Story 2050". Come Friday and both the film as well as the digital worlds will be hoping for audiences to embrace Love Story 2050, its hero and its lovable teddy bear - Boo.

Kareena, Harman repair 'rift'

Debutant actor Harman Baweja, who is foraying into the film world with the much talked about futuristic film Love Story 2050, says he has sorted out his problems with Kareena Kapoor created by fabricated remarks.

The actor says he was shocked and embarrassed after reading reports about him making uncharitable remarks about Kareena. The remarks attributed to him about Kareena being 'robotic' in her performances had upset Harman.

"I'd never speak like that about anyone, least of all someone who is a senior (colleague) and who was gracious enough to work with me when I was just starting out. That she finally opted out of Love Story 2050 doesn't take away from the fact that we got along really well," Harman, who later teamed up with Priyanka Chopra for the film.

Harman's agony ended while he was in Delhi for an event earlier this week. On an impulse he sent an SMS to Kareena, telling her how awful the words attributed to him about her made him feel.

Kareena, who is in the US shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambhakt Ishq, reportedly replied back in a long heartfelt message, saying she has been a part of the film industry long enough to know how such things work.

She is also said to have ended her message by assuring Harman she had no ill feelings towards him and was looking forward to seeing his film that releases on Friday. Harman is relieved and overjoyed that the matter has been sorted out. "All I'll say is I'd never talk like that about anyone. Kareena is someone I truly admire. And if people want to spoil my relations with her, let them try. It won't work."

All is well between Kareena, Harman

Debutant actor Harman Baweja, who is foraying into the film world with the much talked about futuristic film "Love Story 2050", says he has sorted out his problems with Kareena Kapoor created by fabricated remarks.

The actor says he was shocked and embarrassed after reading reports about him making uncharitable remarks about Kareena. The remarks attributed to him about Kareena being 'robotic' in her performances had upset Harman.

"I'd never speak like that about anyone, least of all someone who is a senior (colleague) and was gracious enough to work with me when I was just starting out. That she finally opted out of 'Love Story 2050' doesn't take away from the fact that we got along really well," Harman, who has teamed up with Priyanka Chopra in the film, told IANS.

Harman's agony ended while he was in Delhi for an event earlier this week. On an impulse he sent an SMS to Kareena, telling her how awful the words attributed to him about her made him feel.

Kareena, who is in the US shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala's "Kambhakt Ishq", apparently replied back in a long heartfelt message, saying she has been a part of the film industry long enough to know how such things work.

She is also said to have ended her message by assuring Harman she had no ill feelings towards him and was looking forward to seeing his film that releases Friday.

Harman is relieved and overjoyed that the matter has been sorted out.

"All I'll say is I'd never talk like that about anyone. Kareena is someone I truly admire. And if people want to spoil my relations with her, let them try. It won't work.

France to honour Yash Chopra

Romance in Bollywood has always been defined by Yash Raj Films and the man responsible for this is Yash Chopra.

Chopra is indisputably one of India's most successful filmmakers. He has been associated with more than 40 films, most of which have been successful at the box-office and, arguably, he can be called India's most successful convergence of creativity and administrative genius as a director and producer.

Yash Chopra has a lot of awards to his claim, in addition to that, he has now been bestowed with the `Officier de la Legion d`Honneur`, the highest French distinction, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

The French cinema halls, where his films are being played, will be decorated in a special ceremony at the French Embassy in Paris on July 5.

Earlier this prestige was bestowed upon the likes of late Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, and Amitabh Bachchan among other Indian film personalities.

Mr. Jérôme Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India, would present the award to Yash Chopra at the French Embassy during the official ceremony

Zeenat Aman joins reality show bandwagon, 'maybe soaps too'

After years of demurral, Bollywood's glamour icon of yesteryears Zeenat Aman has finally said yes to television. She will be a judge on Ekta Kapoor's reality show "Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket" to be aired on 9X.

"Ekta has been so sweet. I've watched her grow up in front of me. I'm happy that my first foray into television is for her, though I must admit I don't watch much TV," Zeenat told IANS.

"But every time I'd run into Ekta's mom - and that is once a year - she'd tell me to please let them know when I'm ready for television."

The former beauty queen, who has starred in many memorable Bollywood hits, has been offered a number of soaps in the past, which she declined to do.

"TV does take a lot of time. Very honestly, I wasn't willing to invest the amount of time it required. And my priority has always been my family. But this time I was approached with such enthusiasm, I just couldn't say no."

She admits "Kaun Jeetega..." requires a more pronounced level of commitment than the average reality show.

"This is a reality show about discovering new talent and needs to be treated with special care. I'm willing to go that extra mile for it. To be able to find fresh talent for our industry is wonderful.

"And Ekta has gone into it with such passion - just like in everything she does. I'm so delighted to be on board with her," said the actress.

"There was no plan, thought or conscious strategy to do or to be anything. I just did what I wanted to."

At the moment both of Zeenat's sons, who were studying away from home, are back with her.

"And to me, having my children around is the most important thing in life. I lead a very contented and private life. I've my sons, dog and lots of greenery surrounding me. What more could I ask for?

"Honestly, I'm treating this project as a one-off thing. I'm not looking ahead at what I'd be doing or not doing. At the moment I'm just happy to be focusing on 'Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket'. As for soaps, maybe yes. I've never said no to anything."

Zeenat starts shooting "Kaun Jeetega...' on July 1.

"Basically it'd take up no more than a week. I hope to enjoy it. It provides a platform for young people. The winners will be given a chance to work in a film produced by Ekta.

"Today there're such platforms for hopefuls. When I had entered, the opportunities for newcomers were so limited," said the actress who was seen in such memorable hits like "Yaadon Ki Baraat", "Don", "Qurbani" and "Satyam Shivam Sundaram".

Zeenat is looking forward to meeting up with her old colleague Shabana Azmi on the show.

"Yes, she's a colleague and we did a film together: 'Ashanti' - Shabana, Parveen Babi and I - it was loads of fun."

On veteran actor Dev Anand's autobiography, which has pointed references to his friendship with her, Zeenat answers with consummate clarity.

"Dev saab is a senior person, and someone I respect very much. Due to him I had my first success 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'. And subsequently I shared a long and fruitful association with his banner Navketan.

"However, two different individuals have differing perspectives of the same situation. I leave it at that."

Abhijeet Sawant set for image change with film debut

Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant says he is set to change his 'romantic' image with his acting debut in "Lottery".

"The movie is not at all a romantic flick. It is in total contradiction with what audiences must be expecting from me. It is basically a thriller," Abhijeet told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

In the film, Sawant plays an accountant working in a fashion magazine, who gets trapped in a murder case.

The singer-turned-actor, whose voice was widely appreciated in the film "Aashiq Banaya Aapne" and the album "Junoon", has been cast opposite television actor Rucha Gujarati and newcomer Manisha Kelkar in the film.

However, "Lottery" was not his first film offer. Abhijeet said he was flooded with movie offers immediately after he won the first season of talent hunt show "Indian Idol", but he turned them down.

"I thought I lacked the confidence to act at that time," he said.

So what made him sign "Lottery"?

"I met director Hemant Prabhu a year ago and he told me about the role. I was convinced since I felt the role was very close to my real self and it suited my nature.

"Initially, I thought it would be difficult to act, but gradually I grew as an actor and the outcome was surprising for all," he said.

Apart from "Lottery", he has a couple of other acting offers, but he hasn't finalised anything as yet.

Though he has taken his first steps into Bollywood, singing remains a passion for him.

He is currently a participant on STAR Plus' reality music show "Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar", where the winners and runners-up of previously held talent hunts across channels compete with one another.

But what made him want to compete with his colleagues again?

"I came to 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar' because it appeared as a challenge to me to compete with all of them once again ... And I also thought it would be a treat for the viewers," he quipped.

Abhijeet's upcoming projects as a singer include "Care of Footpath" and "Mumbai.com".

Shilpa Shetty is now mobile

As the svelte and sexy Shilpa Shetty moves and arches her body, so can you keep pace. Just with a click of your mobile handset, “Shilpa’s Yoga” has been made available for fitness enthusiasts.

Shilpa's Yoga is very well executed, picturised on the scenic beach in Kerala with ceremonial elephants and Kalaripayattu fighters in the background. Most importantly the Asanas are demonstrated in a simplified manner.

Shemaroo, the dvd company, has tied up with various mobile operators to offer Shilpa’s Yoga content for download, to mobile phone customers.

The videos have been cut and edited such that each video captures one complete Asana. The Asanas are categorized according to the benefits they provide like Back Asanas, Stomach Asanas, Neck & Shoulder Asanas and Pranayam [Breathing] among others. Also on offer are detailed write-ups explaining the benefits and description of each Asana. Apart from these videos, consumers can also have Shilpa Shetty in her Yoga poses as their mobile wall-papers and screen-savers

Shilpa Shetty shared her thoughts saying, ‘I have made this product with a lot of passion; it is my first production venture and am proud of this product. Unlike other fitness regimes, we do not have to rely on equipments for practicing yoga; we just have to rely on our self. The objective of Shilpa’s Yoga is to make ‘practicing yoga’ simple for people. I am completely overwhelmed by the beauty and power of yoga. It is a lifestyle choice.’

With this, it looks like ‘ Mobile Fitness’ will be the next lingo to catch on !!

Kunal Kohli impressed by Rani Mukherjee's daredevilry

Bollywood filmmaker Kunal Kohli , who has directed Rani Mukherjee for the third time in his latest film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic , is impressed by her daredevilry in the film and says Rani is no less than Hrithik Roshan 's Krrish .

"Rani is a female Krrish. She was always excited about her stunts. She had to do a lot of things like cycling across rainbows, roller coastering in water etc. At times even I was scared when she had to cycle at 60 feet but she was always excited," Kunal says.

Kunal who reckons TPTM as his most difficult film says it is a blend of fantasy and reality.

"We all have pain and sorrow in our life. So somewhere we all need these magic. So this film tries to address these issues in a very simple way. Its about emotions and basic goodness of life," he says.

In all my films I have tried to capture as how different people react to different emotionally volatile situations and this film also deals with a different emotional situation," he adds.

A self-confessed film buff, Kunal says he is obsessed about Indian films. "I have always been obsessed about Indian films, I watch a movie every night before going to sleep. I don't know about world cinema and neither am I interested in them, he says.

Journalist-turned-director Kunal shrugged off all controversies regarding another film of the same title releasing on the same date, saying he has spoken to the director and there is no such controversy.

"There is no controversy. The titles of both the films are not the same and they are not releasing on the same date. I have met the director of the film in a get-together and there are no issues between us. I wish him best of luck for his film," he says.

Although Kunal reckons Delhi and Kashmir as his favourite locations and even shot TPTM in the capital says there are lot of hassle that one has to go through and unlike other countries there are no benefits.

"We should get some benefits while shooting in this states, but rather what we get is hassles. In other countries a lot of tax benefits, airlines and hotel fares are exempted but it is not the same in India, once these things are streamlined it will encourage our filmmakers to shoot in the capital which will enhance tourism," he says.

Kunal rues that Indian films are not marketed well and are not seen by the world audience. However, he is hopeful with the corporates joining the bandwagon things are going to look good in the future.

"Indian films are watched by Indians who are settled abroad rather than world audience. One reason is that these films are not marketed well. China has a huge market, we also have the potential to beat them, we should take our filmmakers like Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt to the world outside. Thankfully a lot of corporates like Reliance are coming up and I hope it will help to take Indian cinema to the world audience in the real sense," he says.

When asked about the burgeoning number of reality shows plaguing the small screen, Kunal says these are good way of earning some pocket money.

"An actor can earn doing so many films in a year but for people like us I believe these reality shows are a good means of earning some pocket money," he quips.

Kunal who turned producer with this film says he would be financing all his films from now and will also encourage other independent filmmakers.

"I have co-produced the film with Yash Raj Production. I always wanted to produce my films because it is like owning your own film. I hope in the future I will produce my films. I have also decided to finance few films of my assistant producer and encourage them. I never had a godfather in the industry so I would like to extent my hand to all those who are in a similar situation," he says.

When Katrina Kaif performed despite being ill

Katrina Kaif was down with viral fever during the IIFA awards held in Bangkok recently and doctors had advised her complete bed rest.

The organisers wondered whether Katrina would be able to live up to her commitment and perform live for the event. In fact taking the doctor’s advise into consideration the organisers too suggested that Katrina should just take it easy and not perform at the show.

But Katrina being a thorough professional, just popped in some antibiotics and was all ready to take on the stage. Retracting from a commitment was out of question.

And the kind of performance Katrina dished out, not once did the onlookers come to know that she was completely down with high fever as she looked as fresh as the morning dew and won the Glamorous diva title at the event.

After the show when people learnt that Katrina had performed despite her illness, they praised her for her professionalism.

Producers, who had worked with Katrina earlier, also swore by the professionalism of the actress who will soon be seen in Singh Is Kinng .

That’s Katrina, a true professional.

Five facts on Imran Khan

With just one week to go for the release of Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, debutant Imran Khan is indeed the talk of the town.

The promos have already caught on big and Imran seems to have found many girls going ga-ga over him. While there is a lot written and spoken about Bollywood's new pin-up boy, here are some facts which you wouldn't get anywhere else.

1. Imran studied in Conoor in a hostel. After finishing school, he studied filmmaking at New York film academy.

2. He actually wanted to be a film director until one day he met Abbas Tyrewala and fell in love with the script of the film and Jai Singh Rathod's character. He then made up his mind to do the film.

3. Imran is the son of Anil Pal and Nuzhat Khan. His father works with a very famous web portal in United States.

4. Imran hates to train or gym. He has been forced to start training for his character in Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap. He has now taken over Aamir's gym and works out daily.

5. Imran Khan is an extremely good cook and according to him cooking is a therapeutic exercise. After a long day's work, its cooking that helps him unwind. His favorite dish is Dal Tadka and Rice.

Shenaz on the cover of Time Out

Having done her stint of fame with modeling and VJing, acting was obviously the next step for Shenaz. She starred opposite Shahid Kapoor in Ishq Vishk and she was indeed the girl whom many would be wanting to take home to their mothers.

And now the news is that she is back.

Shenaz Treasurywala is not just hosting the Great Indian Laughter Challenge, but also is the cover-girl of Time Out.

But the comeback has already painted a picture of gloom. Whatever happened to that smile Shenaz?

Nevertheless, we will look forward to you hosting Great Indian Laughter Challenge and a more appealing version of that dew-drop smile, something that viewers were being deprived of since Ishq Vishk.

What's so special about the effects in Love Story 2050?

Hindi filmdom's most ambitious futuristic sci-fi flick, Love Story 2050, seems set to up the standards of special effects in the country, with a reported budget of Rs.500 million propping it.

Transformation of Mumbai into a super-futuristic metropolis, modelled on Shanghai, robot, teddy bears and an energy-blasting fight scene are some of the visual treats awaiting viewers when the film by director Harry Bajewa goes on the marquees on July 4.

Introducing Harman Baweja opposite Priyanka Chopra, Love Story 2050 is heavy on special effects and gizmos and may just be the impetus needed for filmmakers in India to invest in the country's own sprouting industry.

Even as India is emerging as the destination of choice for Hollywood studios to outsource their animation and special effects jobs, domestic film studios have been treading cautiously and are only now warming up to pumping big monies into the digital sphere.

Hindi filmmakers have for long shied away from investing huge sums on special effects and instead preferred to park most of the film's budget for remunerations of stars. As a result, though the country has the wherewithal that meets international standards, films churned in Bollywood suffer from tacky effects and graphics.

In fact, the Oscar-winning special effects for The Golden Compass, the Hollywood blockbuster that took $370 million at the box office last Christmas, were put together in India.

Increasingly, post-production movie work - everything from complex digital effects such as the talking armoured polar bears in The Golden Compass, one of which sported a fur coat with seven million individually rendered hairs, to basic colour grading, making sure shades stay consistent throughout a film - is steadily migrating from traditional centres such as Los Angles to low-cost locations on the sub-continent.

Nasscom, the Indian IT industry lobby group, estimates that the global animation market will be worth about $80 billion by 2010, and is targeting it as a prime source of future outsourcing revenues as more film work is shifted to India from the US and Europe.

Yet, Indian filmmakers form a very small portion of their clientele. The budget of Love Story 2050 may sound high enough, but it is not.

“It is impossible to match the kind of standards that our counterparts from the West have set. It all boils down to the budget at the end of the day and with the kind of resources we work with, even though we may hire the best team out there, you can't expect results on the same lines,” says a candid Harman.

Nevertheless, the Indian filmmakers are hoping to ripe a good harvest from film merchandise and sale of rights to mobile and gaming companies to recover costs. Love Story 2050 features a fully animatronic robot teddy bear which was created by Oscar winner John Cox, who also worked on Babe and The Host. It also features a female robot. Similarly, airborne fight sequences will lead to spin-offs in video and mobile gaming.

If India is to become more than just outsourcing sweatshops that sketched, painted and digitised ordered content, fully indigenous innovative breakthroughs are the need of the hour. And this can only happen if creative minds join hands with technical talents and create a fully Indian version of Babe.

With the growth in the outsourcing model reaching a plateau, big players claiming ownership of their products is the need of the hour as this co-production yields multiple sources of revenue from merchandising to licensing.

Kids lapped up Hrithik Roshan-starrer Krrish, which was loaded with special effects.

All eyes are now set on Love Story 2050. Come Friday and both the film as well as the digital worlds will be hoping for audiences to embrace Love Story 2050, its hero and its lovable teddy bear - Boo.

Jennifer wants to experiment

The television industry is really witnessing a great boom and it has ensured that we get to see some really talented youngsters on a daily basis.


Jennifer Winget is one such promising actress, who is probably best known for her role of Ganga in the serial Sangam. Besides, she has also been a part of such shows as Kkusum, Kahiin To Hoga, Kasauti Zindagi Kay and Shaka Laka Boom Boom. Her on-screen journey started early, when she appeared in the movie Raja Ko Rani Se Pyaar Ho Gaya at the age of just 12. She was also a part of the Abhi-Ash starrer Kuchh Na Kaho and was 14 at that time.

Says Jennifer, “Looking back, I believe that acting was the best that I could do. It just happened. I kept getting good offers and the going has been good. I have really enjoyed all my projects so far. I may not have a back-up, but God and life have been kind to me. I hope this good luck continues!” She has quite a sense of humour, which comes to the fore when you ask her about her dream role. “I don’t dream of roles,” she laughs. On a more serious note, however, she adds, “I would love to do all kinds of roles, but a dream one would be something like what Rani did in Black. If all goes well, I will love to be a part of many good films in the future.”

So how is the off-screen Jennifer? “I am a very normal person, who likes to meet people, read, watch movies and listen to music,” she says. Is there somebody who has really influenced her? “Not really. But I believe there is something to learn from everyone, as we all possess good qualities. However, one person I really admire is Amitabh Bachchan,” is her reply. Well, what’s her criterion for selecting roles? “I believe that if I can relate to a character, there is little challenge in it. A good role is something that will stretch your abilities and make you go beyond your levels. The way the TV industry has grown is just fabulous and it’s no less than films. The standard is going up day by day and it’s a really exciting time for actors!” she says enthusiastically.


Talking of memorable events while shooting, she fondly recollects an experience that she had recently, “We were shooting in Film City on my birthday. It was a jungle area and during one of the scenes, a leopard passed by just behind me! It was quite uncanny!” So is she in love? “Oh, not as of now! But the day I find someone, I would like to let the world know about him!” she signs off.

Sushmita’s weighty woes

We did tell you how Sushmita Sen was melting in Delhi because of the heat. It’s a different story that the once sexy damsel, who upped the temperature with her oomph, will probably need all the heat to melt the fat that she has put on.

While there, for a shooting schedule, Sush frequents a gym with her personal trainer in tow, and everyone at the fitness centre is talking about how 'out of shape' she is. It’s time this Sen return to her sensuous avatar. How? Well, Sush you’ll just have to ‘figure’ that one out!

Grow up, Harman'

Priyanka Chopra thinks it’s time for boyfriend Harman Baweja to grow up.

Yesterday, on the sets of Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar the successful actress refused to step out of her vanity van and promote their upcoming film, Love Story 2050 . For quite some time, people on the sets couldn’t figure out why Priyanka refused to appear on the show.

Even though top officials of the channel requested her to step out of her van, the actress refused to do so. After being pestered by questions, she finally revealed that she felt it was about time for Harman to handle the promotion independently. She evidently feels that she is towering over her boyfriend in public. And is passing on the message, loud and clear.

Shweta's solid luck!

Luck favours those who are least expecting it, and one such person to experience the same is debutante Shweta Bharadwaj, who debuts in the movie Mission Istaanbul.


The girl is the face of a famous skin product and has her face all over town, which was her road to fame. She says, “It was Suniel Shetty who first noticed my commercial and thought I would be the perfect face for the role of Lisa Lobo in Mission Istaanbul. I met him and Apoorva and that meeting sealed the deal.” We guess some girls have all the luck.

Bollywood half-yearly review : Nothing much to cheer about

It’s no laughing matter. Six months of 2008 have flown by and Bollywood, the world’s biggest movie producing industry, cannot give more than a few hits.

If you set out to count the number of hits this year so far, you won’t go beyond the fingers of just one hand. Four hit films out of scores of releases! Where’s the cinematic revolution we all thought was going to sweep Bollywood? One after another, films have come and gone this year and only few distributors have laughed their way to the bank. The rest, which is a staggering count, have suffered losses, bit the bullet, and moved on.

Leading the pack of hit films is Race , an over-contrived Abbas-Mastan suspense thriller that was scoffed at by critics but lapped by audiences. Estimates say the movie has made approximately Rs 47 crore, even surpassing Ashutosh Gowarikar ’s royal romantic saga Jodhaa Akbar , which kicked up a storm over the actual relationship of its titular protagonists played by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai .

Ram Gopal Varma redeemed himself and regained some of the lost respect in the eyes of fans and film fraternity with his Sarkar Raj , starring for the first time the three Bachchans – Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai together in fleshed out roles. The film is still running in the theatres and will expectedly near the Rs. 30 crore mark at the box-office. Big B’s other release Bhoothnath didn’t do so well but it managed to stay afloat for a few weeks.

The count of hit films ends with Jannat , an out-of-the-ordinary story of a bookie who loses love in pursuit of his idea of heaven. The movie not just brought the Bhatts back into the reckoning, but it also pushed up the market value of Emraan Hashmi , whose revised acting fee became a subject of curiosity and even envy for peers in Bollywood.

That’s just about it for the successful films in the first half of 2008. So far not so good.

Recalling all the duds of the year can be a depressing task, but some of the notable disasters deserve another whack.

The most deserving of this honour is the super-duper hyped Tashan , which, I’m sure, wrecked the attitude of many of its unfortunate viewers. Neither size-zero Kareena Kapoor ’s bikini act (which some found ‘hot’) nor the certified hit-giver Akshay Kumar ’s superb comic timing saved the film from sinking deep at the BO.

Ajay Devgan ’s directorial debut U Me Aur Hum with Kajol made its viewers glum, grim and weepy with its sob tale of a couple going through marital crises. The film’s failure was a blow to Devgan who was already reeling from the super-disaster of Rajkumar Santoshi ’s pretentiously righteous film Halla Bol early this year.

Rakesh Roshan’s much hyped comedy Krazzy 4 also found no acceptance from the viewers despite some sizzling items by Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan on ‘copied’ tracks.

While the big films were biting the dust, some of the small films like Mithya , Khuda Ke Liye and the recently released Aamir showed that you don’t need big stars or big budgets to make good films. These were the films that were immensely appreciated by critics, even though they failed to set the cash registers ringing.

Some hope has been revived with the release of Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic in the last days of June. But it will still take weeks, if not days, to clearly know whether the film does well or meets the same fate as the previous flicks from Yashraj Films

Kareena Kapoor plays a caring hostess to Saif and crew

As Saif Ali Khan is shooting his first home production in London, Kareena Kapoor is playing a caring hostess to the film’s crew.

The yet-untitled film by Imtiaz Ali has got Kareena immensely interested even though she doesn’t star in it. After her dance performance at Shahrukh Khan ’s Temptation show in Amsterdam recently, Kareena flew straight to London to be with the film’s crew and, needless to say, to spend a few days with Saif.

On the sets, Kareena is making herself useful to the crew. Making sure that she doesn’t come in the way of work, the actress has been pro-active in playing a perfect hostess – organizing dinners, lunches, finalizing the menus and making sure that everyone is well looked after.

And it is Saif who is most surprised to see this new side of hers.

“This is the first time I have had the opportunity to observe this hospitable, nurturing side of her personality,” Saif is quoted by a Mumbai tabloid.

Saif had earlier stated that he strongly wishes Kareena was cast opposite him in the film. But Imtiaz Ali, who worked with Bebo in Jab We Met , insisted on having Deepika Padukone , and Saif had to bow to the director’s demand.

Kareena will soon leave London and fly to Los Angeles to shoot Sajid Nadiadwala’s movie Kambakht Ishq with Akshay Kumar .

Witherspoon, Gyllenhaal living together

Hollywood couple Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon have started living together.

Gyllenhaal moved into Witherspoon's 2.5 million pound ($5 million) house in Los Angeles earlier this month. The two have been together for a little more than a year.

Sources said the actors are close to getting married. The two became close while co-starring in the film Rendition last year.

Witherspoon's seven-year marriage to actor Ryan Philippe ended in October 2006.

NRIs lap up desi film fare with a difference

MUMBAI: Just like the rickshawwallah only showed a penchant for Bollywood’s songdance fare, the NRI audience couldn’t get enough of the mustard fields of Punjab, with Yash Chopra and Karan Johar being happy to oblige. However, recent trends indicate that a shift in videsi taste. Earlier this month, Sarkar Raj debuted at No 11 at the US box-office , almost breaking into the Top 10, a tough act considering the size of the market (the UK top ten is much easier).

In its first three days it collected $642,543 according to Nielsen and has tilled over a million. In the UK, the film debuted at No 8, collecting approximately 200,000 pounds on the first weekend. Previous hits in the last six months are Taare Zameen Par (Rs 19 crore); Jodhaa-Akbar (Rs 20 crore) and Race (Rs 16 crore).

“Foreign markets are showing diverse trends,’’ says Priti Shahni of Indian Films. “The demographics of the market are changing because the overseas Asian population is now an eclectic mix.’’ Keeping north Indian fare company in a foreign theatre are south Indian offerings . Regional films like Shivaji and Dasavatharam have also grossed big numbers. Shahni adds, “While a starstudded romantic comedy is still the safest bet, films of different genres too are scoring in the foreign market.’’

Actor Amitabh Bachchan says that the overseas market has always been a bit of an enigma, largely because the opaqueness of the distribution processes. But with the penetration of renowned production houses, corporate and non-corporate , there is credibility and transparency. “My personal reckoning of the issue was guided by the pioneering efforts made by a few enterprising individuals who took me out on worldwide concert tours in the early 80s,’’ says Bachchan.

“The stupendous turnouts and the excitement generated was an eyeopener . How were thousands of stadia filling up with audiences so conversant with our cinema and our stars?’’ Acknowledging the contribution of Yash Chopra, Adi Chopra and Karan Johar who understood the potential of Hindi films overseas, Bachchan adds that the immense popularity of Shah Rukh Khan came as an added benefit and thereafter the market was never the same.

“The same West that virtually scoffed at our content and its escapist song-anddance routine began to see just that as its unique selling point. And the so-called NRI quotient that prevailed began to flourish ,’’ he says. He also feels that the success of Race, Taare Zameen Par and now Sarkar Raj points to a healthy shift towards recognising creativity of a different order. An order that can compare well with what the West produces.

Praveen Nischol, producer of Sarkar Raj, says, “Our film is not conventionally suited to the palate of the NRI. Perhaps after this. realistic, high-drama films will fetch better prices in overseas territory.’’ Producer N R Pachisia, however, says “a lavishly mounted drama has a better chance of succeeding overseas because the NRI loves all things big’’ . He feels that Jodhaa Akbar and Sarkar Raj have worked well also because Aishwarya Rai is a style icon, whom the NRI loves.

Watch out for 'George Bush' in Mission Istanbul

Originals and impersonators dot the cast of Apoorva Lakhia's Mission Istanbul. While Jammu and Kashmir's politician Omar Abdullah appears as himself in the film on world terrorism, Brent Mendenhall plays George Bush.

Mendenhall is invariably mistaken for George Bush all over the world and Lakhia says that the actor has made a career out of impersonating the US president. "We had to have Bush in a film on international terrorism," director Apoorva Lakhia said tongue in cheek. "Since we couldn't get Bush, we went to the guy who plays Bush as a habit," said Lakhia.

"Brent Mendenhall has made a career out of impersonating George Bush. He's a well-known stand-up comedian and has been on the Jay Leno, David Letterman shows, and is invited to play Bush whenever required," added Lakhia.

Mendenhall, posing as George Bush, went visited Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. "We had him accompanied by the full state-level paraphernalia. Vilasraoji's security just let him pass by without even contemplating a security check. Of course, we had to take the CM into confidence. But the rest of his staff was kept in the dark. And they got completely fooled," laughed Lakhia.

Apparently, producers Suniel Shetty and Ekta Kapoor had to pay a fortune to get Mendenhall in the thriller.

Explaining how Omar Abdullah became the part of the cast, Lakhia said, "Omar and I went to school together. I met him to play a role because Mission Istanbul is about international terrorism. And he has had first-hand experience of it in Kashmir. I got to know so much from him. Omar's inputs really helped the film."

Lakhia not only learnt a whole lot about the anatomy and politics of terrorism from his school friend Omar Abdullah, he also got him to play a role in the film.

"It was great fun. He flew down to Jaipur with his family to shoot. After we shot with him, his son ran to him for his autograph," recounted Lakhia.

Omar appears as an interviewee on television in Mission Istanbul that has Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan in main lead.

Lakhia also got bang-on look-alike for Osama Bin Laden. "Osama is played by Khalil Ahmed, who is an exact replica of the Al Qaeda chief," said Lakhia.

Launching Harman was tough, says mom

Harman Baweja's mother Pammi, the producer of his much-awaited launch vehicle Love Story 2050, is a tad nervous about her son's debut.

"Launching Harman was tough. It is a costume drama and so a lot of experimentation with making the sets and deciding the costume was tough. We all worked really very hard," she said.

Pammi was here with her son Harman for the launch of a magazine last week. Love Story 2050, starring Priyanka Chopra as the female lead, is set for release on July 4.

'm a TV person, says Malaika

Malaika Arora Khan, known for her dance moves in popular Bollywood songs like Chhaiya chhaiya and Mahi ve, has been a part of quite a few small screen reality shows and she admits that she is more inclined to television.

"The small screen today is tomorrow's big screen," Malaika said here at the launch of new dance reality show Zara Nachke Dikha.

Malaika is the judge for the show to be aired on STAR One starting July 14. "I have always been a TV person. I don't do much on big screen apart from songs," she said.

The dance show apart, Malaika is now all set for her first full-length role as an actress opposite Arjun Rampal in Suniel Shetty's EMI.

Chatting Mamujan Aamir Khan

So you are launching your nephew Imran Khan...
Actually it didn't start that ways... Jaane Tu was being produced by Jhamu Sugandh along with two other films. Unfortunately there was a financial crisis and Jaane Tu... was without a producer. When Imran Khan and Abbas Tyerwala narrated the script to me I just fell in love with it. As a producer or an actor, rather wherever I put my name, I want the audience to identify that the film will be a quality cinema. After I decided to produce the film I went through all the auditions to check if they were perfect for their roles... only then did I approve. But now that the film is ready it brings back emotional memories of chachajaan launching me in QSQT. Our families are very close and we all have grown up together, Mansoor, Nuzhat, Nikhat and me. All my formative years were spending at their house itself....

What do you think of Abbas Tyrewala, as a director...
Abbas Tyerwala is very talented and that is reflected in his earlier works. He has written scripts for Munnabhai, Maqbool... I really like his sense of humor. When he approached me, I had asked him to shoot 5 scenes based on which I decided to produce the film. He did a commendable job and I was confident of him.

Having mentioned about QSQT, we have heard that you had gone to several places and taxis to stick posters and stickers of your movie?
Yes, I have done that; you see earlier newcomers faced a lot of difficulties. Unlike today we never had platforms where we could promote our films. In fact I remember Juhi and I hardly gave any Interviews and the few that we gave never got any coverage... but now the awareness has become a lot more and there are lot many platforms.... (He laughs)

So you mean it has become easier for Imran Khan?
Yes it has, as compared to my time things have really changed a lot. These young actors like Imran, Genelia don't require doing all that...

You are accused of interfering with your films...
Actually to the contrary I was not there for a single day of the shoot of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. I was shooting for Taare Zameen Par at the same time as the Jaane Tu... as being shot. In fact there was a very funny incident that I recall. I was traveling or rather passing by bandra bandstand and I saw shooting happening at bandstand. Curiosity got better of me and I stopped to see who was shooting in middle of night at bandstand. When I got down I was surprised to see Mansoor Khan, Abbas Tyerwala and Imran Khan shooting for Jaane Tu... that was the only day that I was on sets of Jaane Tu...and that too accidentally

What do you think of the Music of the film?
I love the music... AR Rahman is one of the big talents in the music world. After a long time he has come up with a youthful, light album. He has basically followed the style of the film very well.

Aamir Khan, we have seen different facets of yours in your movies.
I have actually lived a full life as an actor. I have always tried learning and growing with each role that I play. And I have felt the change in my personality with every movie. In fact more than me, I'm sure you all must have noticed that.

Your blog keeps you in news.... Especially about SRK blog?
You know what Shahrukh Khan and I keep joking with each other... we have such a comfort level with each other that we can understand a joke as a joke... That's the strength of our friendship and the understanding we share. He has made fun of me several times in past and I have understood that as a joke. However most of our fans didn't appreciate the humor so I apologized to them for hurting their feelings... In fact we spoke couple of days back... I had called him to invite him for the premiere.

For the premiere of the movie, you have called both Amitji and Shahrukh?
Yes... it was an emotional moment for the family and I know that chachajaan would have wanted to call the fraternity. I have called all my friends and colleagues from the industry.

Is the song "Pappu can't dance" hinting at Salman?
No. How can that be? Firstly Salman is a very good dancer...

So whats the plans for Aamir Khan Productions...
Jaane Tu... releases on July 4... As an actor, I have Ghajini releasing this year then in production I have two films. Delhi Belly and one more untitled film by Anusha... after I complete Ghajini, I would be starting Raju Hiran's next film.

Lindsay may have a stepsister!

Just when Lindsay Lohan thought that her life was back on track, she’s back in the spotlight and this time it’s the actress’ father who is to be blamed.

According to reports, the Mean Girl star may have a secret sibling from dad Michael's extra-martial tryst.

A woman who says she had an affair with the actress' dad, Michael, claims they had a love child who is now 13 years old, reports OK! magazine .

"I don't know if she's mine. I've seen pictures and, to tell the truth, there are similarities with Linds,” the New York Daily News quoted Michael, as saying.

Michael Lohan identified the woman as Christy Horn and said the little girl is named Ashley. They live part of the time in Montana, he said.

"She said she believed the child was mine and stated that I was the only man she was with. I find it hard to believe because she has had three other relationships since that time and is going through another divorce now,” he added.

Michael Lohan, who is divorced from Lindsay's mother, Dina, said he met the mystery woman in Houston, Tex. in 1982.

"I did not have an affair with Christy Horn. In 1995, while I was separated from Dina, I was contacted by Christy as she was living in New York and going through a divorce. I met with Christy and I was with her,” he explained.

Lindsay's dad said they corresponded while he was in jail for drunk driving.

"She said she had a paternity test with her ex-husband and it was negative," he said.

Michael Lohan said he's willing to take a paternity test.

"I will do what's necessary to find out the truth and handle the matter as I should," he said.

But he doubts that Ashley is his and suggested Horn might be looking for a payout.

SGPC yet to give clean chit to 'Singh Is Kinng

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is yet to give a clean chit to Vipul Amrutlal Shah 's film Singh Is Kinng in which Akshay Kumar sports a trimmed beard that led to protest from the Sikh community.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar that Akshay with a trimmed beard in his the film may encourage young Sikh fans to emulate him.
Another thing which has angered the Sikhs is a line of Gurbani recited wrongly. It was a grammatical error and the producer has been asked to re-dub it.

"We suggested that it would have been better if he had sported a full-grown beard," said Makkar.

"We have advised the producer (Vipul Shah) to change the script, which portrays Akshay as a 'Patit Sikh' (a Sikh with trimmed beard), who later wants to rejoin the mainstream of Sikhs."

He said that the producer has assured Sikhs in Mumbai on stamp paper that he will re-shoot the objectionable portions.

"The producer will re-shoot those (objectionable) portions and after the post-production the film will be ready by July 12. After reviewing it, the Sikhs and two members from SGPC will give the clean chit," added Makkar.

Sikh leader Gurbachan Singh Bachan (ex-secretary of SGPC) and his colleagues saw the film and gave us a clean chit.

Tanisha, in a film with Tanuja

Despite a much-hyped Neal ‘N’ Nikki with Uday Chopra, Tanisha’s career didn’t take off the way it ought to have.

After a short hiatus, the bubbly actress was seen in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj and One Two Three this year. But then, the lady has managed to make a mark in Telugu and Tamil films and is all set to make her presence felt in yet another regional film. She will now be seen in a Bengali film, tentatively titled Mukti, with her mother Tanuja. And, expectedly, she is very excited. “I’m really looking forward for shooting to start in August. I’m very excited about it and cannot wait to sink my teeth into it,” she gushes.

Tanisha, who will be sharing camera space with her mother for the first time, is playing a young girl who lives with Tanuja as a paying guest. “It’s going to be interesting. I have seen my mother work with my sister in Bekhudi, and there was a comfort level that they shared. I feel the more you know the person you are acting with, the more you can get the subtle nuances out of the other person,” she opines.

I’d rather be called sensuous: Vidya

Vidya Balan is sure flying high on the wings of success. Reached the heights that she has, talk to Vidya Balan and she’ll sound as modest, in fact, oblivious of all the attention she commands.

Praise her, and you hear a humble “Oh God! That’s such a boost to my ego.” Tell her she’s beautiful, and she comes up with an emphatic “Thankkk you!” As if she really needed a confirmation! Gravity in her voice when she’s talking, broken by frequent peals of laughter, Vidya is, simply put – a bundle of joy.

And all this when, “I have been travelling and haven’t even slept.” Add to that the stress of promoting Kismat Konnection, fighting rumours of link-ups with Shahid and constant remarks on her dressing, Vidya has learnt to take all of it in her stride, and happily.

“I guess the media is seriously starved of news on me,” laughs Vidya on controversy revolving around her dressing sense in Kismat...(once again) post Heyy Babyy. “People have nothing more to discuss I guess. Heyy Babyy was an aberration. But this time, I actually had so many people telling me that there’s nothing wrong in that Kismat... dress. In fact, it’s nice. Anyway, I’m not thinking that anymore.”

However, we insist, do actors have no say in deciding what they'll wear in a film? “Of course we have a say, but I hadn’t used it so far. This time, I’ve exercised my say completely.”

Not just her dresses, scouting rumours about any affair between Shahid and herself is another bother. “Linking me with Shahid is preposterous.” But then didn’t we have her quoting a while back that ‘there’s someone with the alphabet ‘S’ in her life’? “Oh! Can that only mean Shahid? I have so many people in my life whose name starts with ‘S’. In fact, those days when I had quoted this, I meant my ‘girlfriend'’Saloni who was down from the US.” Now, whoever imagined that it was a girl!

All right, with all these rumours add to the great onscreen chemistry that’s showing in the Kismat... promos, ask her if she’s prepared for comparisons between her jodi with Shahid to the one he shared with Kareena in Jab We Met? “Firstly, thank you for praising our chemistry,” she smiles, as she adds, “I’ve always shared a good on-screen chemistry with all my co-actors, including Shahid. Shahid and Kareena may have had a good chemistry in JWM, but that doesn’t bother me.” But to atleast avoid the constant link-ups with co-actors, the best that she does is, “I disconnect with my co-stars beyond a point. Or I wouldn’t talk much to them for the fear of what’s being said or what’s unsaid. The rest I really can’t help.”

From comparisons about on-screen jodi to a size-zero figure, Kareena’s enviable figure, (that’s almost set a trend much like the six-pack ab of SRK) doesn’t even fit in her list of discussions. “We’re not a part of the herd that we have to look similar. Each has his own style and that makes one liked or the other disliked. It’s more important to look healthy.”

And she believes that strictly, given the quote in one of her previous interviews that ‘I don’t want to be called sexy.’ “Yes, I mean that. Sexy is now equated with shedding clothes, just like glamour is equated with wearing Western. But I think I looked both sexy and glamorous in Parineeta, despite my Indian look in the film. Sexy is all about the appeal one has in his eyes. But since that’s not how it’s perceived, I’d rather want to be called sensuous than sexy.”

For those waiting to see more of her, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Chenab Gandhi with Amitabh Bachchan and Vishal Bhardwaj's Ishq Kiya are next in line after Kismat...!

Kylie Minogue back with Olivier Martinez?

Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue has sparked rumours that she has reunited with French actor Olivier Martinez.

The two were spotted cuddling and nuzzling one another on a family lunch in Paris, during a break from her X tour, reports The Sun. The two of them had ended their four-year relationship in 2007 after Martinez cheated on her.

But while lunch was going on, the two of them could not keep their hands off each other and were seen neck stroking, hair twiddling and leg touching at the restaurant on Tuesday, and all this in front of her folks Ron and Carol. However, Kylie’s side have insisted that the two are just “good friends”.

Hollywood calling for Shiamak

The dance wiz has apparently expressed his desire to choreograph in 'Michael Douglas’ film

Reliable sources reveal that choreographer Shiamak Davar has approached Hollywood star couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones to choreograph a sequence in their film Racing the Monsoon. The film is a thriller involving a diamond robbery and will be shot partly in India. The source adds, “Shiamak has approached Michael for the film. He really wants to do it.”

When contacted Shiamak said, “I met Michael and Catherine in Davos. I had a word with both of them. They congratulated me for my performance and we spent quite sometime together. I would really like to do the film. But as of now I don’t know how I will feature in it. I don’t know what I will choreograph since it’s a Hollywood film. When I met them I did not discuss their project.”

Interestingly, Michael will be shooting the train robbery sequences on the Palace of Wheels, the luxury train that departs from New Delhi and during its eight day journey travels around Rajasthan. It stops in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra.

“Michael wants the film to look grand. He is currently seeking permission with the railways to shoot on the Palace on Wheels,” an insider says. Michael has also visited Rajasthan to get a first hand feel about the shooting locations. Racing the Monsoon will be shot extensively across Rajasthan and some portions of the film will also be shot in Kolkata and Delhi. The six-month schedule is expected to begin by December this year or early 2009. As is now known, Michael will be in India along with his star wife Catherine for the entire shooting schedule. Matt Damon, who also stars in the film, will also be in the country.

Racing the Monsoon will see Michael playing a double role. The film will be co-financed by Michael’s company Further Films and Percept Picture Company. It will be directed by Steve Carr. Insiders say that art director Nitin Desai and Alan Amin are in talks with Percept regarding their inclusion in the project. When contacted Shailendra Singh of Percept said, “Many technicians, almost 600, will be a part of this film. It is a great exposure for them. Huge doors will open for them.”

Katrina: Sister concern

Three months ago, Katrina Kaif bought a big bungalow in London for her family. Though she has made Mumbai her base, she grew up in London with her mother and nine sisters. Her family has already moved into their new home. Our well-placed source says, “Katrina bought a very spacious bungalow in the Hampstead area of London early this year. From roles that were only an appendage to the heroes, she has evolved as an actor in the top bracket. But, she is not the type to spend her money foolishly. She decided to invest wisely by buying a house for her family.” Adds the source, “Her mother and sisters originally lived in a small apartment, which wasn’t too comfortable for such a large family. So Katrina wanted to buy a bigger house for them. It’s the least, she felt she could do for them. She misses them very much, back in Mumbai.” When contacted, Katrina did not deny that she has purchased a bungalow in Hamstead area of London. Though she told us that the bungalow is a very beautiful, she refused to give any further details. She said, “I would prefer not to talk about it.”

Kangana’s rainy days!

While actor Kangana Ranaut has been in the news for the wrong reasons - Aditya Pancholi claiming that he owes her a few lakhs, and her much talked about relationship with Shekhar Suman’s son, Adhyayan—the girl seems to find herself on the right side of Madhur Bhandarkar.

The filmmaker is happy that he cast her for Fashion . Wanting to do justice to her role of a fashion model, the fashionably slim actor shed a few more kilos.

But the rainy season has her binging all over again. “I love to have vada pav in the rains. I’m a sucker for road side food,” she tells us.

A good metabolic rate however leaves her unworried. Yoga, too, helps her keep trim and fit. Let’s hope it helps her cope with the controversial punches that Pancholi’s outburst seems to have created as well.

Sanjay Dutt: Basking in the Bahamas?

Actor Sanjay Dutt is looking trimmer these days. After having shed all that weight - thanks two personal trainers and a nutritionist, the actor is also living a high adrenaline lifestyle. About what he is upto? The actor has enough and more film offers coming his way. Currently in the Bahamas, the fit-and-trim Dutt, we hear, is having a 'whale' of a time.

Blue is a hard core action film and is being made on a huge budget. It also stars Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan and Lara Dutta. However, it's Zayed and Sanjay who are having some good time in the Bahamas. Shooting for Blue in the island, Dutt and Khan are required to indulge in some intense, adventurous deep sea diving activities. And the two heroes are loving it.

"There's so much adventure in this film. And Sanju Baba having lost all that weight and is even more charged to do some stunts. He's having a lot of fun," says a unit member. Well, on his return, we're surely going to ask him of the wonderful fish he fished around whilst on the beautiful island. Watch this space for more

Preity is upset!

Preity Zinta is hopping mad.

A report in this newspaper on an alleged and imminent break-up in her romance with the dashing Ness Wadia has made her furious. That, coupled with loose talk that she was more than friendly during the IPL with cricketer Yuvraj Singh, the captain of her King’s XI Punjab team, has made the lovely Bollywood actress see red. And turn red. I watched her cheeks glow with indignation, dark eyes flashing, as she tore into the allegations over a coffee with me that never came because the cafe’s espresso machine broke down.

“I’m tired of silly rumours,” snapped Preity, “they mar my reputation for being me, it’s a heavy price to pay for being normal. Just because I’m female doesn’t give anybody the right to take that respect away from me. I want to be respected in my work. I earned it in my ten years with films. I now demand it in sports.”

She, of course, never talks about her personal life. So I stuck to cricket. “My team from coach down to junior most player, is like my family,” stated Preity, “when I stand with them on the field, win or lose, it’s personal... but what I feel is divided between the whole team, its not just for the captain. It’s a rush of adrenaline when you’re rocking. You go under the table when you’re not. But it’s collective energy. The same thing’s in a film. A group of people put mind, heart and hard work to create a beautiful film. Only with cricket, it’s instant karma.
A good moment is a six. A bad moment is a wicket.” She chose this team because she comes from the North (“Mr Ambani had the maximum money — he bid for Mumbai”), from Himachal, and the team carried the combined culture of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal... “It is a vibrant culture, this is a proud community, I knew we would always be supported by the people. Our motto was ‘Live Punjabi, Play Punjabi’. And the people just go out and do it. There is an aggression about them, but it’s a happy and positive aggression. Plus, the stadium is the one of best in the country. What facilities... !”

But now the IPL season is over, and cricket mercifully has restored Preity back to Bollywood, to films, and the Bachchan’s world tour for which she is practising her steps with the “extremely talented” Shiamak Davar. The tour will keep Preity on the road for two months.

“It’s like 50 days,” she told me, “and I’ll be going everywhere, to Toronto, London, Trinidad, LA, Chicago, Houston, Dallas... no, not Dallas, San Francisco, a couple of other places, Europe... where in Europe? Hmmnn, England.” She’s done this sort of thing before, yes, she’s been on Temptations, the most successful tour of all time, with Shah Rukh Khan, Saif, Arjun Rampal, Rani Mukherji and Priyanka Chopra.

“This time, it’s with the Bachchans. They, Riteish Deshmukh and me are the core group. Shilpa Shetty comes on in London, MD (that’s Madhuri Dixit) everywhere in the US, Akshay Kumar in Toronto... they are all guest stars.” Can she dance, I asked. “Oh yeah, when I’m required to,” replied Preity. “Did you see Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, it had a lot of dancing in that.” And she’s back to films, as well, she’s just finished dubbing for Heroes and Har Pal. Deepa Mehta’s Heaven On Earth is slated for release at the end of this year. And the English film The Last Lear.“I don’t know when that’s coming,” she said shaking her head.

Now here’s a bit of news for you. Preity Zinta wants to join Bollywood’s bloggers Aamir Khan and Amitabh
Bachchan. “Instead of not giving interviews to the press and having them printed, I may as well write about myself,” she said sarcastically. “When an actor does something wrong, the press ruins them, but what happens when a journo does wrong? The power of the pen goes all across the world, how do I counter that?”

I had no answer. I asked, instead, if she had gone onto Bachchan’s and Aamir’s blogs. “No,” she replied. Why not? “Because I can meet them whenever I want! But I’d be quite happy writing a blog and having people read it.” Was she technically savvy to do that? “If you have the intent to do anything in life — you can do it,” she said.

“And you know what’ll be the best thing about my blog? The section called Pay Back Time! It’ll be for all journalists who did bogus interviews of me.” I offered my hand, and apologies, for any embarrassment and hurt our report might have caused her professionally and personally. She shook it with surprising strength, offering to pay for the coffee I never had.

Akshay Kumar's Australian trainer

That Akshay Kumar is a self-confessed fitness freak is a fact well known. All close to him in the industry vouch for the dedication of this self-made star and also credit his latest chiselled physique to Jenna, Akshay's trainer.

In fact, so close is the bond between Akshay and Jenna that he ensures her presence on his sets to keep his workouts and diet on track. The surprise, however, came in the fact that Jenna learnt the Gurbani while Akshay was filming for Singh is Kinng in Australia and also got the Ek Omkar tattooed on the back of her neck.

For the uninitiated, Gurbani is a form of prayer practiced by Sikhs all over. Such was the influence of the film on Jenna that she felt compelled to know more about the religion and community, epitomised on screen by director Anees Bazmee.

Shilpa Shetty is now mobile

As the svelte and sexy Shilpa Shetty moves and arches her body, so can you keep pace. Just with a click of your mobile handset, “Shilpa’s Yoga” has been made available for fitness enthusiasts.

Shilpa's Yoga is very well executed, picturised on the scenic beach in Kerala with ceremonial elephants and Kalaripayattu fighters in the background. Most importantly the Asanas are demonstrated in a simplified manner.

Shemaroo, the dvd company, has tied up with various mobile operators to offer Shilpa’s Yoga content for download, to mobile phone customers.

The videos have been cut and edited such that each video captures one complete Asana. The Asanas are categorized according to the benefits they provide like Back Asanas, Stomach Asanas, Neck & Shoulder Asanas and Pranayam [Breathing] among others. Also on offer are detailed write-ups explaining the benefits and description of each Asana. Apart from these videos, consumers can also have Shilpa Shetty in her Yoga poses as their mobile wall-papers and screen-savers

Shilpa Shetty shared her thoughts saying, ‘I have made this product with a lot of passion; it is my first production venture and am proud of this product. Unlike other fitness regimes, we do not have to rely on equipments for practicing yoga; we just have to rely on our self. The objective of Shilpa’s Yoga is to make ‘practicing yoga’ simple for people. I am completely overwhelmed by the beauty and power of yoga. It is a lifestyle choice.’

With this, it looks like ‘ Mobile Fitness’ will be the next lingo to catch on !!!