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Shah Rukh-Rani-Aishwarya together!

For the first time the three stars coming together, but for not movie, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherji will be seen together in a comic.

The three will be the main protagonists in a comic series being created by illustrated Comics, based in Singapore.

The story will be a typical love triangle where Shah Rukh will be seen as a college student for whom both Rani and Aishwarya will woo. So get ready!

Shah Rukh Khan


Rani Mukherjee


Aishwarya Rai

When Abhishek wooed his dream girl

Be it Aishwarya Rai trying to whistle in the Coca Cola ad, Shah Rukh Khan trying to woo a firang in the Compaq ad, or Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji exclaiming superlatives about their performances, actors are taking to endorsements in a big way.

Ad man Pradeep Sarkar (who directed Parineeta) recently shot back-to-back commercials with Shah Rukh Khan (for Compaq) and Abhishek Bachchan (for LG).

The director gives us the behind the scenes dope on the ads. Over to him:

"Shah Rukh has being in the industry for long and has done innumerable ads. He knows exactly what to do. So from Abhishek, you get freshness. And he's cool, which was required for the LG commercial.

Shah Rukh has spunk, and that was required for the Hewlett Packard product.

Shah Rukh does exactly what is needed for the ad while Abhishek gives us a range from which we can select.

Because the LG ad required a cool Abhishek, I kept the camera rolling and the music on, even when we were not shooting. Later, we retained it in the ad. The crew really enjoyed themselves.

In the LG ad, Abhishek is shown waiting for his dream girl and he plans his home for her and how everything should be neat. In the four-minute ad, he looks at the washing machine, microwave, refrigerator and air conditioner...

Throughout the ad, we have tried to give the products the prominence. Later, the ad will be divided and individual products will be introduced.

SRK's firang crush

But in SRK's case, we followed the story to the T. Shah Rukh is a perfectionist. He rehearses each line the way he needs to deliver it, until it turns out exactly the way we need it. Both (Shah Rukh and Abhishek)are excellent actors.

The Compaq ad shows Shah Rukh going to a showroom to buy a computer. A foreigner also comes to the shop with her Indian friend to buy a computer and mistakes Shah Rukh for the salesman.

Shah Rukh, who is smitten by her, tells her so in Hindi.

He just about asks her for her phone number in Hindi, when the actual salesman walks in and calls out to him. Shah Rukh tries to push him away, and later tries to leave the shop sheepishly, when he realises that his cover is blown. And the foreigner surprises him by talking to him in Hindi.

You can't say that the ad is copied from Rang De Basanti (when Aamir Khan introduces Alice Patten to his screen mother Kiron Kher). These kind of things happen so often. Since it was used in Rang De, people will think it is copied. If we had added 'eegjactly' after the foreigner said 'sorry' then that would have been copying.

It took two days to shoot Shah Rukh's ad and five for Abhishek's.

Watch Kareena step on the pedestal at Miss India 2006  

Caked in chocolate or planting the kiss of coffee, Kareena Kapoor is always in the spotlight . Elusive or effusive, Kareena Kapoor doesn抰 believe in half measures. Depending on how your stars shine on a given day, you can find Bebo at her phlegmatic best, playing every move ever so slightly, or see her go chitty-chitty bang-bang, grooving full throttle. The Femina Miss India 2006 pageant held last weekend was one such occasion where Bebo put the shimmering lights to shame with her sparks.

Kareena danced to some of her all time popular tunes from 態ewafaa

Vivek, Fardeen judge Indian Idol

After what happened last week in Indian Idol, an invitation to the shooting of the next round was tempting.

Defying soaring temperatures in Mumbai, a huge crowd had gathered at the studio in suburban Andheri.

The tension in the air was evident with enhanced security arrangements (partly due to Vivek Oberoi and Fardeen Khan who were special judges for the episode) and the presence of two executives from Fremantel Media

Bipasha in a suit for 'Corporate'

The trailer of 'Corporate' opens with a graph showing the ascend of National Award winning director, Madhur Bhandarkar with his realistic films like 'Chandni Bar', 'Satta' and 'Page 3' placed at each level of the graph and the gradient just escalating upwards. While the chart shows the director's ascending career-graph, it also simultaneously sets the correct vibe of the film that deals with the corporate world.

Faces of Rajat Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Kay Kay Menon and Harsh Chayya flash as personalities from the business world. But the one who catches your notice is Bipasha Basu. The sultry siren, usually seen in designer wear in films, is seen in corporate suits in this one. However her sex-appeal doesn't decline in any way. Samir Dattani and Minisha Lamba form the young members of the corporate world and most certainly as the love-birds in the film.

Flashes of Mercedes Benz, media cameras, conference halls, corporate meetings, social gatherings, presentations and parties follow. There's also an aesthetically shot love making scene between the dusky Bipasha Basu and the 'not-your-conventional-Bollywood-hero' Kay Kay Menon.

Corporate is termed here as a modern day battlefield. The trailer ends with the title 'Corporate' emerging from the top view of a sensex graph. This summer, stay tuned for a game of paisa, power and politics. Enter another world of realistic cinema by Madhur Bhandarkar - enter the world of 'Corporate'.  

Bollywood starlet Esha Deol says she plans to take it easy in 2006

Bollywood starlet Esha Deol says she's planning to take it easy this year after a busy 2005.

Most Bollywood biggies work at a breakneck pace, making numerous films a year and Deol was no different in 2005, when she made six films, according to IMDb, a movie Web site.

``I was busy a lot in 2005,'' Deol was quoted as saying in Monday's edition of the Hindustan Times newspaper. ``This year I am going to take it easy and will sign only the films that excite me.''

Still, the 23-year-old actress is taking it easy Bollywood-style in 2006, she's already filming a movie and plans to star in at least one other film.

Deol's family is well known in India's movie business, based in the western city of Bombay, also known as Mumbai. She's the daughter of renowned actress Hema Malini and the stepsister of actor Bobby Deol.

Why Shilpa Shetty walked out of 'Honeymoon Travels'

One would have thought that Shilpa Shetty would have lapped up producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's offer to appear in 'Honeymoon Travels', which features an ensemble cast. But the lady decided to walk out of the film after John Abraham sited his inability to do the film.

Shilpa was excited at the prospect of working opposite John for the first time but when things didn't materialize she decided to quit the project. Arjun Rampal has replaced John Abraham but that was only a month after John and Shilpa both left the project.

'I am still young enough to work round-the-clock.' - Amisha Patel

AMEESHA PATEL has had two flops in a row- 'Humko Tumse Pyar Hai' and 'Teesri Aankh' but she is as chirpy as ever. One, or even two swallows, does not make a summer for Ms Patel.

What made you sign 'Teesri Aankh'?
It's not every day that you get interesting characters to portray in an acting career. 'Teesri Aankh' is a suspense thriller, in which I'm playing a mute who witnesses a murder. I love thrillers.

Was it tough to play mute?
I prepared to portray a mute by learning sign language, which is not easy. My sign language teacher was Sangeeta, the same person who taught Rani Mukerji for 'Black'.

You worked with Sunny after a long time?
Sunny is professional as ever. But one thing I must say is that he's only getting better with age. Contrary to the serious and sober impression most have of him, he's a very warm person with a good sense of humour. Also, working with him is a great learning experience.  

You have also worked with Bobby?
Right. Bobby is a fantastic co-star to work with. I worked with Bobby in 'Humraaz', which was a hit, then 'Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai' that released few days back. It's sad that the co-producer and director Bunty Soorma expired while shooting was in progress. Irrespective of the fate of the film at the box-office because the audience is really unpredictable these days, the entire cast and crew of the film is very happy that Bunty's dream has been realized.

Tell us about 'Tathasthu'?
After 'Gadar', I'm playing a mother once again, in a very performance-oriented role. 'Tathasthu' is a very real story about a couple's struggle to save their child from a fatal ailment. A story that people will easily relate to as it shows how far a couple can go when their child's life is at stake. I am also very excited about Vikram Bhatt-directed 'Ankahee'.

Go on...
'Ankahee' is based on real instances and characters inspired from real life. What would happen if a husband were attracted to another woman? It's about relationships, the complications that people get into, how they affect one another and how they're sorted out. I am also doing Dharmesh Darshan's 'Aap Ke Khatir' and Farhan Akhtar's 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd' directed by Reema Kagti.

You have just returned from London, shooting for 'Aap Ki Khatir'?
It was such a different and lovely experience shooting in old mansions. It was freezing there. Priyanka Chopra, Dino Morea, Sunil Shetty and I all had a blast. I love the cold season. Now, I am leaving for Goa for 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd'. In Goa, it is going to be hot. I hate summers, but I am looking forward to work with my director Reema.

You have been traveling quite a bit?
It's really hectic, but frankly speaking I am enjoying it. I am a workaholic and the more I work, the better I feel. I am still young enough to work round-the-clock. I think I have the rest of my life to take it easy.

You have also lost some weight?
Yes. And I am getting lots of compliments for my looks today. But losing weight is not just for glamour but also to feel fresh and glowing all the time. When I am in Mumbai, I go to the gym two to three times a week for my workout.

'I loved Madhuri Dixit in Devdas' - Vidya Balan

VIDYA BALAN is one of the most talked about names in Bollywood today. In conversation with Vickey Lalwani, she outlines her forthcoming films and more...

How has 'Parineeta' changed your life?
Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) was very sure he wanted only me for the role. His confidence and faith in me really boosted my energy levels. It helps when someone stands and backs you. I had done nearly 80 ads by the time I came to an acting career, still one needs inspiration from the right quarters. He was sure no one else could play Lolita. I think people who debut at an early age have had to wait a few years to get that kind of a role. In that way, I am lucky. Touch wood.

So, you came into 'Parineeta' without auditions?
No. Dada is a thorough professional. I had to undergo several auditions before I was finalized. That did my ego a lot of good.

You are doing the sequel to 'Munnabhai MBBS'?
It's not a sequel per se. I play Sanjay Dutt's love interest in 'Munnabhai Meets Mahatma'. The characters Munna and Circuit are there in this movie also, but it is not a sequel to 'Munnabhai MBBS'. One of the great things about the film is that everyone sees it as a fresh film, including Rajkumar Hirani. It may be titled 'Munnabhai Meets Mahatma' or 'Munnabhai Lage Raho'.  

Have you seen the original 'Munnabhai MBBS'?
I loved 'Munnabhai MBBS'. There was not a single unwanted moment in the film. Picture ho to aisi!

Then you have Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 'Eklavya'?
Therein, I play Saif Ali Khan's romantic interest.

Aren't 'Eklavya' and 'Parineeta' roles quite similar?
To an extent, yes. The similarity between the character I play in this movie and the one I played in 'Parineeta' is that both are very Indian. Plus like in 'Parineeta', I don't have the typical song and dance routine here.

But aren't you looking for the usual song and dance stuff?
Of course I am. So, I have signed Nikhil Advani's 'Salam-e-Ishq' where I am cast opposite John Abraham. It is an urban love story, which revolves around the love stories of six couples. John and I play one of them. But...

Please go on...
If people have liked me in 'Parineeta' it's because I'm projected as typically Indian. I won't try to shrug off that image just to be like the other girls. I'm aware that I'm perceived as demure and dignified after 'Parineeta'. And that's an image I'm happy with. I'm not here to be a teenybopper heroine. I'm looking for roles of substance.

Who is your protective system?
Sometimes I feel I've two sets of parents. My sister and brother-in-law are more particular about how I go about my life than even my parents. It feels good to lead a sheltered life. Out here in showbiz everyone needs a support system.

Who is your idol?
I loved Madhuri Dixit in 'Devdas'. I'm a huge fan of hers. If I can conduct my career with half her dignity and grace I'd have achieved more than what I had thought.

You recently went to Pakistan?
Yes. I went to Karachi for the launch of the Urdu version of a children's book called Mo's Star. It has been written by London-based international lawyer Mahnaz Malik. The proceeds of the book sale will go towards educating the needy and poor children in Pakistan.

You have also signed a Deepa Mehta film?
I am not supposed to talk much about it. But yes, I am doing that one. It's a comic caper.

Madhuri Dixit


Vidya Balan


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 30-5-2007 01:11 PM ]

Urmila doing an item number

A while back there was buzz that Urmila and Ram Gopal Varma would be working together again in his remake of 'Sholay'. But it seems that Urmila will only do an item number in the film on the lines of what Helen had done in the original!

Incidentally, Kareena Kapoor will also do a Helen in Farhan Akhtar's 'Don'!  

"I don't have anyone to get married now," Shilpa!

Shilpa Shetty wants to shed her sexy image. Shilpa doesn't deny that also. In a recent interview she said, "According to me, sex appeal lies in body language and not body show. My looks in some of my past films depended on the roles. But I am doing very glamourous roles too."

Most of her contemporaries have got married. On asked about her marriage plan, Shilpa said marriage is on card but where is the right man.
"Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to get married now. But I do believe in the institution of marriage," said Shilpa.  

Mahima to seduce now!

Sex sells no more and now the film producers have no doubt on that. However two years back, the scenario was not like that, when one after one sex flick would hit bull's eyes. As said now the things have changed but director like Karan Razdan still believes in immense box office potential of films based on sex and sleaze.

His forthcoming 'Souten -The Other Woman', is another bold film to rock theatres this Friday. It stars Mahima Chaudhary as the other woman, newcomer Vikram Singh, who plays Mahima's stepdaughter Sapna's (Kiran Rathod) boyfriend.

The most surprising thing is the Bengali babe Mahima Chaudhary for the first time playing a seductress. As a jealous stepmother of Sapna Mahima cannot bear the fact that her stepdaughter is getting attention from a young man Vikram Singh because she is stuck with the middle-aged Thakur Ranbeer Singh.

Dissatisfied and frustrated, Mahima causes trouble for Sapna by seducing her boyfriend.

As expected the director of 'Girlfriend' fame, Karan Razdan is very positive about the film and says he has treated it differently to meet the expectations of the audience.

Abhishek took 5 days to do a 4-minute stint!

Abhishek Bachchan took five days to do a 4-minute commercial for LG.
'Parineeta' director Pradeep Sarkar shot the ad recently featuring the 'cool' Junior B as a stylish guy who is waiting for his dream girl in his home and planning how he could keep everything green for her.

In the five days, Abhishek gave a range of takes. Even the camera was kept rolling when the shooting was over.

Pradeep Sarkar, who worked with Abhishek for the first time said, "He'd been cool throughout the session, and that was required for the LG commercial."

But why did it take so much time? Pradeep Sarkar replied, "Abhishek is not only an excellent actor but very much keen on perfection. He's restless until his shot looks quite authentic."

Pradeep Sarkar recently shot another commercial featuring Shah Rukh Khan for Compaq computers, however Shah Rukh took only two days to okay that.

So it seems there's another perfectionist hero emerged on the block after Aamir Khan.

Sushmita Sen as Emperor Ashoka's fifth wife

Sushmita Sen may play Emperor Ashoka's fifth wife in a film on the Mauryan emperor that Pinjar director Dr Chandraprakash Diwedi is about to make. Diwedi has been working on the project round-the-clock.
Two years ago, Sushmita had been offered an item song in Santosh Sivan's Asoka, but she refused.

Apparently, Sushmita really wanted to play the legendary queen Jhansi Ki Rani, and has been researching the part and grabbing every book available on it. Dr Diwedi admits she has spoken to him about it.

Ketan Mehta is making Jhansi Ki Rani with Aishwarya Rai. This is nothing but an attempt to play up the two actresses. "I am working on Prithviraj-Sanjukta, which will have Sunny Deol. Ashoka may star a major Hollywood actor." Dr Diwedi said  



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 7-4-2006 04:56 PM ]

Rani celebrated her birthday with the physically challenged children
  
Rani celebrated her birthday on Tuesday with the physically challenged children of the Helen Keller Institute on Monday.

Rani抯 bonding with the physically challenged children of the Helen Keller Institute was not limited only to the days she shot for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed film.

The kids organised a birthday party for Rani. Beroz Vacha, director of the institute, said, 揜ani knows that the hands of these children are their eyes, she allowed them to touch her and hold her hands during the party.擱ani shared a piece of cake with all of them.  

Kareena Kapoor just wants to act her age

Bollywood starlet Kareena Kapoor says she just wants to act her age.

The 24-year-old actress says she is not interested in taking on complicated roles or playing the part of an older woman.

"I'm young _ only 24. Let me play characters my age,'' she said in a Times of India newspaper interview published Thursday.

"I don't want to play these complex characters. I don't want to do any classics or period films either,'' said Kapoor, whose family has produced several generations of stars in Bollywood, the nickname for India's Hindi-language film industry _ the world's most prolific.

Kapoor said she is just enjoying her youth, which she considers "the best period of my life.''

"Let me be young and carefree for as long as I can,'' she said.

Kapoor has starred in more than a dozen films over the past six years.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-9-2006 03:31 PM ]

Rani Mukherjee to perform at Commonwealth Festival in Australia

Actress Rani Mukherjee will perform a semi-classical dance number at the grand finale of Commonwealth Festival. Trained in Odissi dance from Guru Ravindra Athiputi, Rani will create a fusion with Odissi style on her film tracks.

Rani left for Australia the day after her birthday. Her fusion dance will have music based on her film tracks, which are fast and peppy numbers. Rani feels that dance is like a form of worship to her. Representing India at the International level Rani feels proud to have got an opportunity to display her talent to the world. She will be back to Mumbai on March 28 after which she will resume shoot for Ravi Chopra Babul. Subsequently she will be completing the final shoot for Karan Johar抯 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.  

Has Manisha Koirala split from her beau?

Rumours have been afloat that actress Manisha Koirala has split from her restaurateur boyfriend Prashant Chaudhary.

It has been more than eight months since Manisha began seeing Prashant after her split from Cecil Anthony, a Britain-based businessman. For the early few months, the Nepalese beauty was often spotted at Prashant抯 restaurant Mangi Ferra in Mumbai. The relationship seemed groovy as the two would often hang out till late nights.

But if latest reports are to be believed, a wedge seems to have appeared in their relationship in the last few months. Manisha has been conspicuously missing from Prashant抯 restaurant and there have been whispers that Prashant抯 sister Puja is the reason for this rift between the two lovers.

It is speculated that Manisha doesn抰 get along well with Puja.

While Manisha flatly refuses to talk about Prashant, a source is quoted as saying that Prashant抯 over-protective behaviour towards his sister put Manisha off.

Prashant, on the other hand, denies there is any split and says he and Manisha are still together.

Arjun Rampal抯 health secret

Actor Arjun Rampal is much disciplined when it comes to health and maintaining his physique. The man when offered a bowl of fruits after his meal always politely declines them stating that they are not very 慺ruitful