Katrina: Salman looked after me when I was young

Katrina Kaif who is the next guest on Karan Johar’s Celebrity chat show Lift Kara De and she talks about Sallu and her struggling days.

Katrina reveals that she was only 19 years old when she shifted to Mumbai and did not know much about the living in Mumbai.
She says, ‘Salman Khan, his family and friends looked after me’.
When Karan asked her about her relationship status, she said, “I believe that until you are married you are single!”
Well now that’s a very diplomatic answer.

No moon crater for SRK

Well this could be a sad news for all overwhelmed SRK fans, who were on moon when a crater on moon was named after their idol, because the UN Outer Space Treaty does not allow anybody to claim celestial lands because they belong to the whole mankind.

Tanja Masson-Zwaan talking about the recent trend of celebrity craters on moon says, “The trouble is that, legally, nobody can own the moon or anything else in space, for that matter.”
Talking about the Lunar Embassy – Hope that sells people craters and land spaces on Moon, Masson says, “What Lunar Embassy is doing does not give people buying pieces of paper the right to ownership of the moon.”
International Astronomical Union on its website says, “As an international scientific organization, the IAU dissociates itself entirely from the commercial practice of “selling” fictitious star names or “real estate” on other planets or moons in the Solar System. Accordingly, the IAU maintains no list of the (several competing) enterprises in this business in individual countries of the world.”
Now that’s a steep fall from moon. Welcome back to gravity!!!

Aishwarya Rai latest L’Oreal video

Check out Aishwarya Rai’s L’Oreal advertisement for L’Oreal Total Repair Five, where she says, “Mera mission hai duniya ko hair fall se bachana.” Like?

My Name is Khan International Trailer

Check out the English/International trailer of Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol.Like the English trailer? SRK’s voice is very mesmerizing.

Aishwarya Rai Longines advertisement , Priyanka’s Levis advert

Check out Aishwarya Rai giving a picture perfect pose for Longines watch. She looks great in the picture.

Check out Priyanka Chopra’s latest Levis print advertisement. She oozes loads of confidence and oomph. Like?

Zarine Khan: I can never wear a bikini

While Zarine Khan is getting major attention thanks to her good performance in Veer, the girl is taking the steps slowly in the right direction.

Zarine who was seen wearing fully covered dresses in Veer, is open to wearing modern clother for her upcoming movies.
She says, “I am more than willing to do so. What I am sure about though is that I would never be able to wear a bikini. That’s because I am constantly thinking that I am fat, I am fat, I am fat. Till the time this voice reverberates inside my head, I will always be apprehensive.”
Adding more about her weight she says, “I’m very conscious about my weight. In fact, during my school and college days, I used to weigh as much as 100 kilos. It’s only now that I weigh a lot lesser. I want to play all kinds of roles and get into the kind of attire that a Hindi film heroine is required to wear.
“However, before that I will have to get rid of all the excess weight that I currently have on me. It’s just a few more pounds to go and after that it should all be well.”
“Whatever role that I consent to play, it has to be done with dedication. However, I’m a new entrant and there are so many established actresses who are taking the size zero route. Obviously, I can’t beat them due to my body structure, but I wish to get into shape to the best of my ability.”
Good luck for your weight loss Zarine.

Rakhi fumes as Censor bans her Kamini song

Rakhi Sawant is angry with Censor board for censoring the word Kamini from her latest song with Ishq Bector Kamini Tera Bhooth Chadh gaya re.

Rakhi says, “I’ll wait for a week and then I go on a bhookh hartaal in front of the Censor office. I’ve sent a legal notice to the Censor Board. This is the first time something like this has happened. The members of the Board have done me an injustice by deleting the word ‘kamini’ from my song. Dharmendra has been saying the word ‘kaminey’ for years.”
Rakhi adds, “Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminey came, were they asleep? If Rakhi Sawant sings Kamini Tera Bhoot Chad Gaya Re, they get stung. The song has been produced by my company Faith Inc. and I’m being damaged.”
Tell her that the word Kamini is vulgar and she retorts back, “Kyon? In the trailers of Ishqiya they show Vidya Balan punch-drunk on television, and that too in a saree. Is that allowed in our culture? Ladkiyan khule-aam choli utaar rahi hai.
What was Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai? What were they asking? We all know what’s behind the choli. If that can be air played for years why can’t my song be telecast?”
She then talks about serials and says, “In serials, we have men dragging their wives by their hair muttering. ‘Kamini main tujhe chodunga nahin.’ No one pays any attention. Why point a finger at me? Stop all the malpractice on television and I too will shut up.”
What do you think folks the Censor board took the right action or wrong?

Ranbir-Priyanka shoot for Anjaana Anjaani

Check out stills from Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra starrer Anjaana Anjaani. They are shooting together for the flick in New York. Like?

Aamir, A.R Rahman and Saif receive Padma Bhushan and Shri Awards

Nations most prestigious award Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri award was awarded to Bollywood celebrities and actors. While actor Aamir Khan and Oscar winning composer A.R Rahman were awarded with Padma Bhushan, Saif Ali Khan was conferred with Padma Shri.

Reacting to the good news, Aamir said, “I am so happy to receive this unique honour. The first thing that comes to my mind is my mother’s smiling face. Indeed this has been a good day for me. First my film Peepli Live gets a superb response here at the Sundance Film Festival, and then I receive this wonderful news of receiving the Padma Bhushan. I only wish I was back home right now. I would like to thank God for these happy moments, and all my fans and well wishers for their love, support and good wishes. All izzzz well!!! “
Saif was also elated to get the award and said, ‘I am very proud and honoured to have received this honour. I would like to thank my family and loved ones who have been there for me and the industry for supporting me. I would particularly like to thank Imtiaz Ali, Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Ramesh Taurani, Farhan Akhtar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Siddharth Anand, Kunal Kohli and Vishal Bhardwaj for having faith in me and making me who I am today.’

Abhi-Ash attend Boman Irani’s Wedding Anniversary

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai attended Boman Irani’s 25th wedding anniversary bash. Boman served very delectable parsi food at the party which left our Bollywood celebrities asking for more and more.

SRK: My Name is Chand

Well this is what SRK saying after a Lunar crater in the Sea of Tranquility was named after him.

Reacting to the news SRK says, “It’s absolutely thrilling and humbling at the same time. “I am in a small way doing good service for my country. The fact that my name is chosen is because the world is looking at India and I happen to be a part of this wonderful land of opportunity.”
SRK talking about the honor says, “I came to Mumbai with stars in my eyes and Allah has granted me all and more. I am so happy that through the opportunity given to me by my fans, audience and the media platforms that I work with… So thanks to all those who suggested my name and to everyone who has made films with me. My kids are very excited and I know my parents would have been very proud. I’m already telling Karan to launch the next film called My Name Is Chand.”
SRK is over the moon to join the likes of Christopher Columbus, Issac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, Julius Caesar and others.
Congratulations SRK.

Katrina: I will marry in 2012

Katrina Kaif believes that she will settle down and get married in the year 2012. Katrina is also not looking out for a new home because just after two years she will be shifting to her husband’s home.

Katrina says, “I’ll get married and go to my husband’s home. Why put in so much money into a new home when I have a perfectly comfortable one at the moment?”
When Katrina was asked about her groom, she did not react. Well Katrina’s marriage is only two years away.:)

When Ranbir met Kobe Bryant

It was a dream come true for Ranbir Kapoor who met basketball player Kobe Bryant during the Lakers vs Knicks game.

Ranbir who is currently shooting with Priyanka in US for Anjaan Anjaani has always been a Basketball fan.
A friend of Ranbir says, “Ranbir is a huge NBA enthusiast. He follows the game closely. When he found out that there was a game happening in New York, he immediately booked tickets and went for it.”
Ranbir also received Kobe’s jersey and giant sneakers.

My National Award made my family emotional – Arjun Rampal

Mumbai, Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, who has been declared the best supporting actor at the 56th National Film Awards for his performance in Director Abhishek Kapoor’s “Rock On!”, says that it was a very emotional moment for his family.

“It’s a real honour and a wonderful feeling. It’s a big one. It’s a very emotional moment for everybody in my family. It was same for my friends and whole team of ‘Rock On!’ as well,” Rampal told IANS.
Asked about his wife Mehr Jesia’s reaction, he said, ” I won’t tell you whether she cried or not, but definitely she became very, very emotional.”
The story of “Rock On!” is about five band stars as once-aspiring musicians who chucked up their dream of taking their band professional. But a chance reunion ten years later inspires them to consider returning for one last gig.
Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny played the lead roles in the film.
Rampal celebrated the occasion with the team of “Rock on!” at his house.
“We are going to party tonight at my house. We are going to start now, as a part of celebration,” said Rampal.
The actor, who has recently opened up a restro-bar named LAP Lounge And Party in Delhi as joint venture with Restaurateur AD Singh, is going to celebrate there too, very soon.
“I am looking forward to celebrate in LAP soon,” said Rampal.

Katrina wants to win a National Award

After Priyanka Chopra won the best actress National Award for Fashion, Katrina Kaif is also very keen on winning the National honor for her performance in her upcoming flick Rajneeti where she plays a role of a politician.

A source says, Katrina is very keen on winning a National Award. She doesn’t seem to hanker after the rest of the awards, but yes, on the sets she often mentioned that winning the National Award would mean the world to her.”
Katrina apparently asked Prakash Jha to give her some strong dramatic scenes in the movie with National award winner Ajay Devgan.
However Katrina slams the rumors, she says, “The script of the film is exactly as it was. And I certainly don’t think I’m winning the National Award.”

Folks do you think Katrina has chance of winning a national award?

Priyanka Chopra wins a National Award for Fashion

Last year Priyanka Chopra sweeped all the awards for her hard hitting performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion, this year she has bagged her first ever National award for the same movie.

Talking about the award from America, Priyanka said, “I will give full credit to Madhur (Madhur Bhandarkar) and the crew. I am really honoured. National Award is the biggest honour of our country and I am really honoured to have received one.”
Later she also tweeted, “Thank you Madhur, Ronnie, Kangana, Mughda, Arjan, Arbaaz and the cast and crew!! A huge shout to my team and all of u!! God is kind!!! Yaaaaayyy!!”
Kangana Ranaut also won the best supporting actress award for Fashion and Priyanka congratulated her on Twitter. Arjun Rampal won the best supporting actor award for Rock On.

Sonam Kapoor nominated for fourth Asian Film Awards

Hong Kong, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor is the only Indian to have been nominated for the fourth Asian Film Awards.

The 24-year-old has been nominated in the best newcomer category for her role in “Delhi-6″, said a statement after the nominations were announced here Thursday. She will be competing with four contenders from China and Korea.
The award ceremony will take place here March 22.
Daughter of versatile actor Anil Kapoor, who made an international mark with his role in Oscar winning film “Slumdog Millionaire”, Sonam made her Bollywood debut in 2007 opposite Ranbir Kapoor in “Saawariya”.
Thereafter she was seen alongside Abhishek Bachchan in “Delhi-6″, which didn’t do well at the box office.
Now the actress is busy shooting for “Aisha” and “I Hate Luv Stories”.

Freedom is remote-controlled in India – Ram Gopal Varma

New Delhi, Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who was asked to remove a controversial song from his soon-to-be-released media-based film “Rann”, says freedom in India is “remote-controlled” just like the country’s democracy.

“There’s a line in ‘Rann’ – ‘Democracy is remote-controlled’. In the same way, I think freedom is also remote-controlled in India,” Varma told IANS.
“No matter how much we like to hear the word ‘freedom’, I’m not sure how free we are. Obviously, if with freedom of expression you would harm anyone’s sensibilities or feelings, you can’t be very free, but on the flip side anybody can get up and say, ‘This is offending me’. So where do you draw the line for that?”
Last year Varma faced the ire of many protesters and a ban on the song by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after he showcased the first look of “Rann” with a tampered version of the national anthem titled “Jana gana mana rann hai”.
Though he had to change the song to “Vande mataram”, he still maintains that the original did not portray the national anthem in a bad light.
“I was not okay with taking it (the song) out. But it was better to take it out instead of fighting with the censors and delaying the process, so we replaced it with ‘Vande mataram’. I did not change my mind (about the song), I was made to change my mind. Otherwise, the censors wouldn’t have given the certificate,” he said.
Releasing Jan 29, the film is primarily about the conflict between business and conscience in the electronic media these days. It features megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with Riteish Deshmukh, Gul Panag and Paresh Rawal.
At the beginning of the project, Varma had said that the film is his attempt to “expose the media”. But now he says that the film is “not about media bashing”.
” ‘Rann’ is not about media bashing at all. I’ve always said that the media exposes, and now I am exposing media. Now it is not necessarily about the bad things – I may be talking about the media’s vulnerabilities, their compulsions and their greed – after all every human being is susceptible to situations and pressures and his own emotions.
“But media cannot be generalised. There are so many channels and so many people and all of them cannot be the same. But it is a fact that a powerful tool like that exists and if wrong people want to use it for whatever purpose, it can be very easy – that’s just what I have represented in ‘Rann’,” he said.
Ramu, as he is fondly called, says he is expecting mixed reviews and reactions to his movie from media barons and journalists.
“Everyone is only speculating at the moment. Since they are unsure about what I have done in the film, they are speculating about it. I think whatever criticism has to come, it will be after the release. I think it will depend from person to person. One could agree with my ideas or disagree. I am actually expecting varied reactions,” he said.

SRK accessorizes himself for MNIK

SRK has never been in news for accessorizing himself in his flicks, however of My Name is Khan, SRK is seen wearing his very own wedding ring presented to him by Gauri and a very old Tag Heuer watch.

Director Karan Johar, says, “Normally, Shah Rukh doesn’t wear accessories but since the watch and wedding ring is part of the narrative and his character in the film, he agreed to wear both. It’s his own wedding ring that he’s wearing for a certain period of time.”
SRK says, “Normally, Shah Rukh doesn’t wear accessories but since the watch and wedding ring is part of the narrative and his character in the film, he agreed to wear both. It’s his own wedding ring that he’s wearing for a certain period of time.And I do wear accessories in films when designers tell me to but only if it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, meri acting hi mera gehna hai… Ha! ha!”
Talking about the two accessories SRK says, “The watch is gifted to my character Rizwan Khan by his very old teacher who had got it from his father. Therefore it needed to be of 1920s at least. The watch brand I endorse had their old pieces from those years in their museum and kindly agreed to give it to us.It’s one thing that is so sacred to him and kind of depicts his love, marriage and relationships.”

Sallu-Bebo Sangini Jewelery ad

Check out Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor romancing each other in Sangini Diamond jewelery advertisement. Like?

I don’t compete with my father – Abhishek Bachchan

For Abhishek Bachchan, constant comparisons with dad Amitabh are an “honour” and not a problem. But as he gears up for his television debut with game show “National Bingo Night”, he says he is not competing in
any way with Bachchan senior, who hosted the popular “Kaun Banega Crorepati” TV show in 2000.

“If you are not going to compare me to him (Amitabh), whom are you going to compare me to? I have never had a problem being compared to him and, like I said, who doesn’t want to be compared to Amitabh Bachchan? He is the best we have and the best that we ever will have. It’s a matter of great honour for me,” Abhishek told IANS in an interview.
The 33-year-old has faced comparisons with his father ever since his Bollywood debut with “Refugee” a decade ago. Now he says he doesn’t want to be weighed on the same scale.
“He (Amitabh) has been on TV and he created history on the medium. Do I hope to be able to outdo that? No, because that’s not possible. Nobody is going to be a better actor than him, nobody is going to be able to make a bigger mark than him on Indian cinema and on world cinema and the same goes for TV. Do I have aspirations of outdoing him? No, I don’t compete with my father,” he said.
Abhishek, who will be seen hosting the show on entertainment channel Colors starting Jan 23, says such comparisons don’t bog him down.
“You can’t allow comparisons to deter you. You still have to do what you believe in. I am his son, I love him very much and I am his biggest fan. I want him to be around forever and I want him to be the best. I don’t think any son competes with his father. In fact, they are very happy to stand behind and support their father – just as I do, and I am proud of that,” he said.
The actor, who has shown his acting skills in films like “Yuva”, “Sarkar”, “Guru”, “Delhi-6″ and “Paa”, is excited about his newfound role as a TV show host. He says he made an instant decision to host “National Bingo Night”, which will have celebrities as well as common people playing two fast-paced rounds of the popular game Bingo.
“When the concept was explained to me and when I saw the Australian version of the show, it was right there that I knew that it is something that I want to do. The fact that it was interactive and would give me an opportunity to interact with the common man was a major draw for me,” said Abhishek.
The show will feature a line-up of celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi and Kirron Kher, but the star attraction will be his father Amitabh, who will grace the opening episode.
“I have called dad just to make sure the show’s TRPs are good,” Abhishek remarked.
After shooting for “National Bingo Night”, the actor says he will be back to his film schedules.
“I think one new thing in a year is good enough. I don’t believe in taking on too much. After ‘Bingo’, I’ll get back to my films as there are lots lined up,” he said.
Abhishek is currently shooting for Abhinay Deo’s “Crooked”. He will also be seen in films like Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey” and Mani Ratnam’s much-awaited “Ravana”, in which he will feature alongside wife Aishwarya Rai.

Salman and I had differences over “Veer” – Director

Director Anil Sharma admits he had creative differences with Salman Khan over the making of “Veer”, penned by the actor himself, but everything was finally sorted out.




Anil Sharma, who earlier made “Gadar : Ek Prem Katha”, told IANS: “Salman was not just the main actor in ‘Veer’, he was also the writer. We had a lot of differences of opinion. The way he narrated the story and the way I perceived it as a director were different.



“Moreover I brought in other writers Shailesh Verma, Shaktimaan (who wrote my ‘Gadar’) and Krishna Raghav. Raghav did all the research. So Salman’s story has been interpreted in the way I thought right.”



He said Salman insisted that Anil watch his source of inspiration, the Yul Brynner-Tony Curtis 1962 film “Taras Bulba”. “But we couldn’t get a single print of the film. So I had to make do with the images that I had in my mind from childhood.



“They made the film in Russia last year. I saw that version. ‘Taras Bulba’ was the story of the father Yul Brynner, played by Mithun Chakraborty in my film. ‘Veer’ is not the father’s story. It’s the son Salman’s story. And we had to relocate the entire story from 16th century Russia to colonial India,” Anil said.



While Salman Khan has become the face of “Veer”, the director has taken a backseat so far.



Speaking up finally he says, “For three years now all kinds of things have been said and written about ‘Veer’ and my relationship with the project and actors. The truth is we were making a very difficult film. And there were bound to be creative differences. But we sorted them out.”

Anil admits he never wanted Salman’s favourite composers Sajid-Wajid to do the music of “Veer”. “I had heard their tunes in his earlier films and I was sure Sajid -Wajid weren’t the right ones for a period drama like ‘Veer’. I met them reluctantly and was surprised by their understanding of Hindustani music. We worked really well together. And the fact that I could convince Gulzar saab to work with Sajid-Wajid was a stroke of luck.”
He also brushes off talk of “Veer” being an epic like “Gadar”.
“Please don’t expect ‘Gadar’ in ‘Veer’. ‘Gadar’ was far more dramatic and emotional. ‘Veer’ is targeted more at today’s younger audiences,” he said.
Talk is that Salman Khan had apparently first gone to his friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali to direct “Veer”. When Bhansali declined, Salman vowed to make the same story with another director. Anil Sharma was chosen because of “Gadar”.

Winners of Max Stardust Awards 2010

The Max Stardust Awards show 2010 was hosted by Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza and the winners in various categories were:

Superstar Of Tomorrow - Male
Ranbir Kapoor – Wake Up Sid & Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Breakthrough Performance – Male
Abhimanyu Singh – Gulaal
Breakthrough Performance - Female
Shahana Goswami – Firaaq
Hottest Film Of The Year
Love Aaj Kal
Hottest New Director
Ayaan Mukherjee – Wake Up Sid
Exciting New Face
Jacqueline Fernandez – Aladin

STARDUST SEARCHLIGHT AWARDS

Best Actress
Preity Zinta – Videsh
Best Film
Chintuji
Best Director
Ranjit Kapoor – Chintuji

READERS CHOICE AWARDS

Dream Director
Imtiaz Ali – Love Aaj Kal
Best Film Of The Year – Comedy
All The Best
Best Film Of The Year – Action / Thriller
Wanted
Best Film Of The Year – Drama
3 Idiots
Star Of The Year – Male
Amitabh Bachchan – Paa
Star Of The Year – Female
Kareena Kapoor – Kurbaan & 3 Idiots
Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Abhishek Bachchan – Paa
Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Kirron Kher – Kurbaan
Best Actor In A Comedy Role
Ajay Devgn – All The Best
Best Actor – Popular
Akshay Kumar – Blue
Best Actress – Popular
Katrina Kaif – New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

Salman races with top jockeys to promote “Veer”

, Bollywood star Salman Khan is leaving no stone unturned to promote his upcoming period drama “Veer” that releases Friday, even if it means participating in a race with top jockeys.

Clad in a black t-shirt, blue jeans and donning a yellow helmet, the 44-year-old raced with six jockeys at the Mahalakshmi race course Sunday, winning the event and being awarded a trophy.
“I was a bit nervous (before the race). If I’d have lost, people would have thought Salman lost the race and if I’d have won then they would have said that he had to win because he is a star,” Salman told reporters here after the race.
“But I’d like to clarify that it was not a set-up and was a genuine race. I gave my best along with the jockeys and so did they,” he added.
The epic has been produced by Vijay Galani and Sunil A. Lulla. It has been written by Salman.
It also marks the big screen debut of Zarine Khan in the female lead. Mithun Chakraborty, Sohail Khan and Jackie Shroff also play pivotal roles in the movie.

Imran gifts Avantika Volkswagen Beetle

Imran Khan gifted his long time girlfriend now fiancee a Volkswagen Beetle specially imported from Europe as an engagement gift.

A source says, “Imran gifted her a red Beetle as her engagement present. He got the car from Europe and was at it for a month and a half.”
Imran says, “I knew that Avantika had always wanted this car, even six years back when we were studying in the US. So, I just knew that I had to buy one for her and this occasion was just the perfect excuse. Since the car has just launched, I had to convince the top bosses to let me have one, way before it actually hits the roads in a few months time. That took quite an effort. But her smile made it all worth it.”
Imran and Avantika also have matching number plates on their cars, he reveals, “Both of our license plates are a combination of her and my birthdates. She totally freaked out. She couldn’t believe it.”
Imran’s engagement was held at a farmhouse in Karjat and was attended by friends and family.
The source adds, “It is a very private affair and only family and close friends are invited.”
Imran and Avantika had been dating each other for the last five years.

Sonam Kapoor at Anant Jewelery promotion

Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted at an Anant jewelery event in Bangalore. Sonam looked wonderful in a blue DVF dress. Like?

Salman-Katrina backstage at Starscreen awards

Well we have heard many stories about Salman Katrina’s break up, but check out this dramatic video below shot recently during star screen awards 2010. Looks like they are very much in love.

Sushmita officially adopts Alisah

Sushmita officially became a mother again when Bombay high court gave her the rights to adopt four-month-old Alisah.

An elated Sushmita said, ” After the court’s new ruling, it is now possible to adopt two girls. It is a big day for me. Today Alisah is officially mine.”

Shahid and Genelia promote Chance Pe Dance

Check out the protagonists of Chance Pe Dance – Shahid and Genelia promoting their movie Chance Pe Dance. Chance Pe Dance releases today.

Karan Johar keen to work with Aishwarya Rai

“Karan said that Aishwarya is his ideal heroine and all the scripts that he writes are keeping her in mind. He also said that various reasons have veered them from working together. But he is hoping that it is the right time that he gets her to work in his production sometime soon,” a source, who overheard Karan’s conversation with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The two filmmakers were discussing Aishwarya at Sonali Bendre’s birthday party Dec 31.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali was overheard telling Karan Johar that Aishwarya is very original and there is no one like her. He further said that if a director has not worked with her in his or her career, it’s a big loss for them. Sanjay also praised her work in ‘Guzaarish’,” the source said.
Aishwarya has worked with Bhansali in “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” and “Devdas” – both of which did well at the box office. Now she is being directed by him in “Guzaarish”, which also features Hrithik Roshan.

I’m very much single and ready to mingle – Shahid Kapoor

He says he is very much single.

“I am very much single, available and definitely ready to mingle,” Shahid said on Sony TV’s new reality show “Lift Kara De”.
Shahid came as a celebrity guest on the show, which is hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, and produced by Yash Raj Films.
The 28-year-old found himself on sticky ground when Johar asked him about his link-up with “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” actress Anushka Sharma, with whom Shahid is featuring in Parmeet Sethi’s untitled directorial debut.
“You had better ask Parmeet that question. After all directors have all the fun these days!” he quipped.
“I want to clarify that I am not dating Priyanka Chopra or anybody else,” added Shahid.

Preity Zinta espouses cause of widows, cites Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Citing the example of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta Wednesday pledged to work for the welfare of widows and said they could achieve a lot if given an opportunity.

Preity, 34, became the brand ambassador of Loomba Trust that supports widows and their children around the world.
“Sonia Gandhi is a perfect example. If a woman is not stolen off her opportunities, even if she is a widow, she can do great things and achieve a lot. This is more than enough reason to say that a woman can stand shoulder to shoulder with any man anywhere in the world,” Preity said at a press conference here.
“I have always held women’s causes in India very close to my heart. I have always felt that women get a raw deal. This cause was a little more close to my heart because I lost my father when I was very young,” said Preity, who lost her father at the age of 13.
“I was lucky to come from a family that was financially stable but I did grow up realising that it was definitely more difficult for a woman. I can identify with this problem very closely,” the actress told reporters.
Preity also revealed that a documentary by filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s brother influenced her and she realised it was important to work for the welfare of widows.
“Deepa Mehta’s brother made a documentary called ‘The Forgotten Woman’. It’s a documentary on widows and what really happens to them. That was the first time I looked at this besides something I had grown up with and that stayed with me,” she said.
“So when I was asked to be a part of this Trust I thought that god has given me more than I can ever imagine and if I can give back, it will make a difference and in whatever way we can to raise awareness we will,” she added.

Daboo Ratnani Calender photoshoot

Check out all the celebrities captured by the Dabbo Ratnani for his celebrity calender 2010. Which is your favorite?

Hey Ya video – Karthik Calling Karthik

Check out the video of the song Hey Ya from Karthik Calling Kathik starring Deepika Padukone and Farhan Akhtar. Like the hot new jodi?

Amitabh Bachchan turns Modi admirer I like being with girls – Shahrukh Khan

New Delhi, (BollywoodWorld.com) Seated at a restaurant in London surrounded by some 10 women, including his wife Gauri, when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh says that he “likes being with girls”, you simply have to believe him.

“I don’t have many boyfriends. I like being with girls – and probably that’s why people think I’m a little girlish. But I don’t have any such male bonding with anyone…,” Shah Rukh said in the first episode of Discovery Travel & Living’s upcoming series “Living With A Superstar – Shah Rukh Khan”.
Most of Shah Rukh’s closest friends are of the opposite sex – Kajol, Farah Khan, Juhi Chawla, Rani Mukerji and so on.
Among his best known male friends is filmmaker Karan Johar, with whom he has done many hit films like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” and “Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna”. Shah Rukh’s most awaited film of the year “My Name Is Khan” is also Johar’s baby.
The new TV series “Living With A Superstar…” chronicles Shah Rukh in his real, day-to-day life. It aims at taking viewers into the private spaces of the 44-year-old, who is fondly known as King Khan by many of his fans and colleagues.
The 10-part series, which has Shah Rukh’s voiceover, will go on air Feb 26 at 9 p.m. with a slice of his life from a family vacation in London.
He is seen taking a rickshaw ride on the street, cheering for a street performer, playing football with his children Aryan and Suhana at Hyde Park, bingeing on food, smoking, visiting Madame Tussaud’s wax studio and most of all just being himself.
In subsequent episodes, viewers can know about Shah Rukh’s relationship with his children, wife, sister and friends, unique style of shooting, time management, interactions with fans and staff and about his house Mannat.
The series, jointly produced by Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies Entertainment and Blue Mango Films, is the biggest ever by the channel, according to Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.
“This is the biggest thing we have done. We have shot in Dubai, San Jose, San Francisco, London, Mumbai, New Delhi – we had been following Shah Rukh wherever he went since March 2009 and he gave us complete access,” Johri told the media, without divulging the investment made for it.
The series will have eight repeats in a week, justifying the fan following that Shah Rukh commands across the globe.

Amitabh Bachchan turns Modi admirer

Gandhinagar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has a new fan – Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan, who has fans mooning over him the world over, has gone overboard in his praise for Modi and Gujarat after their meeting here Wednesday.
In his blog the filmstar states: “He (Modi) lives simply and with mere basic needs and most unlike the head of a state. He speaks with affection on development and progress. He is welcoming to fresh ideas and ideals. His oft repeated phrase of him being a CM, a common man, is not misunderstood.
“He does and acts as he speaks.”
“He talks of raising the level of awareness for his state through tourism and I volunteer to participate in any activity that would help promote that,” Bachchan wrote explaining his interest in promoting Gujarat.
Bachchan seems awestruck after the chief minister’s discourse on Gujarat, possibly after the two meet and watched “Paa” together at a multiplex here Wednesday.
It shows in the blog. He goes on: “Did you know or were you aware that the largest number of heritage sites in the country are in Gujarat? This away from the historic Dwarka Nagri that lies submerged under the sea and is a subject of discovery and research, where architecture and monuments and complete palaces lie buried underneath. The rann – a massive and wide expanse of miles of white soil, that glows like it was embedded with millions of diamonds in the night, separating our borders with our neighbours, Pakistan. The historic temples – Somnath and Dwarkaji and endless places of great history, all within and still unknown to most of us. So much richness in our own and yet we cherish that which is not ours at times,” Bachchan goes on.
“As I drive back we duck below a spanning sign on a bridge crossing that thanks us for visiting ‘Clean and Green Gandhinagar’. I couldn’t have agreed more,” Bachchan writes.

My next movie has to be a lighter affair – Karan Johar

Mumbai, Director Karan Johar wants to go back to “song and dance” movies after “My Name Is Khan”, which is about the journey of an unusual couple living in the US post- 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I have given my three years, heart, soul and body to ‘My Name Is Khan’. Now I would love to get back to songs and dances. I guess it’s the need of the hour for me,” said Karan who is known for making light movies like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”.
“Making a film is all about the state of mind – three years back I felt that I had to tell the story of ‘My Name Is Khan’. Perhaps after making my ’song and dance’ film, I would be fed up again and make something else thereafter. However, as of now I am very clear that my next movie has to be a lighter affair,” he said.
Talking about the trigger point that led to conceptualising of “My Name Is Khan”, he said: “It was basically a film that was needed to be addressed. I had certain feelings and wanted them to be translated for screen. Moreover, this idea also required me to get out of my safety zone.”
Releasing Feb 12, “My Name Is Khan” stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and Karan worked with writer Shibani Bathija on the movie. He did a lot of research work for the movie.
“More than just the visual presentation on screen, what was of pertinent importance was the fact that ‘My Name Is Khan’ required a lot of external research. All this while it was about my own world with which I was comfortable but here I was looking at certain perceptions which are a global phenomenon.”
It has been reported that “My Name Is Khan” is picking upon the issues and challenges faced by Muslims globally and aims at addressing them through the medium of cinema.
“Please let me set the record straight that ‘My Name Is Khan’ is not an issue- based film. Instead it’s a human drama about a couple. The film will make you smile and result in tears in your eyes.
“At the end of it all, it’s a human film with emotions that are universal. It’s a film which connects with you. But I’m not taking forward the baton of an issue. Instead I am just using it as a part of the narrative.”
“My Name Is Khan” also stars Soniya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Zarina Wahab, Parvin Dabbas, Arif Zakaria, Navneet Nishan, Sheetal Menon, Arjun Mathur and child artist Tanay Chheda seen in “Slumdog Millionaire”.
A co-production of Karan Johar and Gauri Khan, “My Name Is Khan” is being marketed and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Sufi flavour dominates “My Name Is Khan” album

Film: “My Name Is Khan”

Music Directors: Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonca

Lyricist: Niranjan Iyengar

Singers: Rashid Khan, Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Suraj Jagan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Richa Sharma and Shafqat Amanat Ali

Rating: *** 1/2

The soundtrack of the latest offering of Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan,”My Name Is Khan”, boasts of Sufi flavour. Composed by Johar’s favourite Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the album has six originals and most of the compositions are soul-stirring.
The album starts with “Sajda”. Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Richa Sharma, it’s a Sufi number that tugs at one’s heartstrings. The sounds of tablas and dholaks keep the listener hooked. With great voices behind the mike, “Sajda” is a must hear.
Next is “Noor-e-khuda”, an unplugged version sung by Adnan Sami, Shreya Ghoshal and Shankar. It’s a soft, pleasing love ballad that instantly strikes a chord. Most part of the song is male- dominated, but it gets an edge when Shreya enters with her honey-tucked voice close to the end of the track.
Shafqat Amanat Ali renders “Tere naina” brilliantly. The subtle orchestration and melody make for an interesting hear. It changes gear mid-way when it slips into the qawwali mode which elevates it further.
Up next is “Allah hi rahem” – again a Sufi number. Crooned by Rashid Ali, it is enchanting. The lyrics are simple yet profound and the song transports you to a completely different world. One of the best songs of the album.
Then there is “Rang de” by Shankar with ample support from Suraj Jagan. The song with influences of rock is nice and refreshing. It talks about peace, triumph and joy.
The album also has a “My Name Is Khan” theme song by Pakistani band Strings. It is an intriguing piece.
On the whole, every song in the album is above average. The composers have stuck to the theme of the film and the soundtrack has the potential to rock the charts.

SRK graces HT Brunch

SRK graces the cover of HT Brunch’s latest edition where he opens his life to the world. Check out SRK’s world with his cute children Aryan and Suhana.

Kareena: Is it wrong to love more than one Khan at a time?

Kareena not only loves her beloved Saifoo Khan but is also in love with other three Khans – Aamir, SRK and Salman.

Kareena says, “2010 has a lot of promise. I sincerely wish the Midas touch continues. I’ll start the year with my idol, Shah Rukh Khan, with whom I’m travelling to Miami for RA 1. Then I’m going to be traipsing the globe with Saif in Agent Vinod. And, if Aamir keeps up his promise to me, the two of us will end up in a romantic film by the end of the year.’’
Then she asks, “Listen, is it wrong to love more than one Khan at a time? I’m guilty of just that. Shah Rukh and Gauri are my close friends. I love Saifu. And as for Aamir, well, what can I say? He’s the new Khan on my block.’’

Calm down Bebo!!!

Shah Rukh goes away from Aamir

Aamir Khan’s infamous dog Shah Rukh has left his home and Aamir is not associated with him anymore. Shah Rukh’s caretaker shifted out of Aamir’s house along with the dog.

A close friend of Aamir says,“Since the old caretaker is out, there was no point keeping the dog Shah Rukh. The dog had to go with the caretaker.”
Aamir Khan’s war with SRK started when he blogged about the dog last year, Aamir had written, “Shah Rukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for?” and “Shah Rukh is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath.”
Aamir also apologized to SRK’s kids for hurting their sentiments, Aamir had said, “I have only apologized to Shah Rukh Khan’s kids because they may have felt bad about it.”

Aishwarya’s Endhiran stills

Check out the stills from Aishwarya Rai and RajniKanth starrer Endhiran. Aishwarya’s costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra. Like this pairing?

Shahrukh Khan makes his Twitter debut

King Khan SRK made his debut on social networking site Twitter yesterday and on his very first day at the microblogging site he had more than 11,000 followers.

SRK tweeted, “Being extremely shy, I never thought I would be here (on Twitter). But my friend Karan Johar insisted that I should learn to share my life.”
“Thanks everyone, this is really sweet…didn’t expect such a warm welcome. Love to you all.”
SRK shared his routine with his followers by regularly tweeting “kids and life calling.. watching tim burton’s 9 with them, last holiday…so up late…catch up later. sleep or be awake well.love to all(sic).”
He also tweeted about his huge abscence in the year 2009, “Injury has kept me away from making more films, will work my back off to be around more, the shoulder feels strong and so do I.”

Aishwarya to spend her New Year with her baby

Aishwarya Rai sure knows how to use the term “BABY” specially after the whole India is eager to know when she is becoming a mother. Aishwarya Rai in her latest LUX advertisement also cashed in on the baby news by asking Abhi to reveal the good news to the world, but the news about some silly gold coins.

Now Aishwarya has written on her social networking site that she will be spending her time with her baby – Abhishek Bachchan in Goa.
We hope you have a wonderful new year with your baby.

Katrina Kaif in love with Robert Pattinson!

Picture this – Salman Khan Smacks Robert Pattinson in face for stealing his girlfriend Katrina! Sounds funny doesn’t it! We’ll it may happen soon because Katrina declared that she has fallen head over heels in love with Twilight hero Robert Pattinson!

She has also gone ahead to say that Stephanie Meyer’s character Edward Cullen is the love of her life! She bought all the four books of the Twilight Series and reading them ravenously and she just started with her fourth book.
She says, “You don’t understand. This is like an obsession for me. I can’t get Robert Pattinson out of my head. I see the love of my life in every object that moves or doesn’t move. I’ve never felt this way about any man before.”
“Obviously, I can’t stand under his window to get his attention. So yes, the meeting has to be more formal. He says he’s single. But I don’t believe him. That’s what they all say.”
Don’t worry Katz… you are pretty enough to floor him! Just play while Sallu’s away!