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Rakesh Roshan: 揑 will always work with Hrithik

Salman, in all his moods

Salman Khan is taking a breather. Out on bail in the poaching case, he is now taking a working holiday of sorts in the US to, among other things, perform at Rockstars 2006 - a set of live shows featuring Bollywood stars.

Meeting his fans and the press at an event in New Jersey soon after his arrival, moods shifting from the reflective to the cute to the tiredly macho, he answered questions on upcoming films, why he feels victimized in the poaching case, maintaining a body, his view on the many Khans in Bollywood, whom he intends to marry, his favourite actors and films, and what he is here for.

Khan got the conference going by asking the gathering if there was any angry pressperson with a question. Through the humour, he appeared to be suggesting that he had taken plenty of flak already and that more wouldn't be unexpected.
But the questions were soft-pedal ones, about the show, including one from a child about his favourite film (answer: Andaz Apna Apna) and how he compared Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor with the ruling Khans of Bollywood (none that he could put a finger on).

There appeared to be a new maturity about him in the wake of his imprisonment, even it were just for three days -- in the way he played down the show he was figuring in or while gauging his position in the industry. There was a novel sincerity when he claimed he would not like to be remembered as an actor - derisively describing any such wish as "the most stupid thing ever" -- but for the difference he could make to other lives.

He also appeared to see himself as a victim in the poaching case, pointing out that he was the first person convicted under the law instituted in 1992.

Khan, who just came in after attending a show in Abu Dhabi, has a full schedule in the US, including shooting for underproduction films and performing at shows. He will also sing a song at the show, custom songs being a novel feature of Rockstars, organized by local group Funky Buddha.

Back home, he will have to juggle court dates - given that he has appealed the verdict against him - with shooting schedules for his movies still under production - Shirish Kunder's Jaaneman, Ravi Chopra's Baabul, Rumi Jaffrey's God Tusi Great Ho, Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq and Rajkumar Santoshi's London Dreams.

Salman mixed with the select group of fans attending the event. He made small talk with them after the press session and posed with some for pictures.

Rockstars will be held on May 6 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and on May 20 at the Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York. Also performing at these shows will be John Abraham, Mallika Sherawat, Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapur, Zayed Khan and Esha Deol.

Meanwhile, outside, fans waited for hours, braving the chill, for a glimpse of the actor and, perhaps, the chance of getting an autograph. Salman may have come in late, but that he came at all was enough for them.

Surily designs for Salman in Jaanemann

We had told you in March about the presence of the two main stars of 'Jaanemann', Salman and Akshay at the 'new designer on the block' Surily Goel's fashion show. While Salman walked the ramp (with Malaika and Neelam), Akshay whistled in appreciation and the two freaked out at the Lakme India Fashion Week, where Surily抯 show took place!
But the reason is now out. The pretty young lady has dressed up the three main actors of 'Jaanemann'

Kajol to appear for 4 seconds in KANK

Karan Johar's forthcoming 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' has made Kajol-Shah Rukh pair to comeback on screen. Dont get excited Kajol has only agreed to make a blink-n-miss appearance. She will be seen in a song along with film's other major stars Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherji and Preity Zinta. So its just four seconds like in Kal Ho Naa Ho but would fulfill their desire. Kajol is back in action after a long time as a blind Kashmiri girl in film Fanaa. Karan Johar has always considered Kajol as a lucky charm for his films.   

Priyanka Chopra's character in Krrish

The character of Priyanka Chopra Krrish has certain grey shades to it.

The former Miss World plays Priya, a TV reporter in the film, who goes to a hill station for camping and trekking, where she meets Krrish

'Priyanka Chopra was the most Fun'

Sidharth Basu's new game show Heartbeat which began telecast on Star One from May 1 every day from Monday to Thursday, is in the news for its starry lineup of celebrity guests from the world of cricket, television and movies.

Cricketers include Ajay Jadeja, Vinod Kamble and Salil Ankola卽nless you want to include the last-mentioned among the tv celebrities.

Speaking of television's children Varun Bandola who made a rather dishonourable exit from Star One's channel-turning Nach Baliye wows the audience with his acumen on Heartbeat.

According to Star One sources Varun Bandola who kicks off the Heartbeat series on May 1 is the best player of the lot recorded so far. Other guests who appear on Heartbeat include Supriya Pailgaonkar, Neha Dhupia, Shabbir Ahluwalia.

But clearly the star of the show so far is Priyanka Chopra. She clearly had optimum fun doing the show. "I always enjoy a challenge. And this was one helluva challenge. Here your time to answer questions is monitored by your heartbeat. So even if I got excited or nervous I couldn't let my heart know about it."

Says Deepak Sehgal of Star, "We're hoping Heartbeat would be as popular as Nach Baliye. Heartbeat provides a different kind of thrill. It certainly won't make audiences get up and dance.

We're trying to make the lineup of celebrities as impressive as possible. But all of them seem too busy with other activities. We've Priyanka Chopra in the second week of May. She's excellent."

In the meanwhile Nach Baliye is all set to return. Says Deepak Sehgal, "We're coming back with the second season of Nach Baliye during the Dussehra-Diwali festive season. We still have to decide what kind of couples to bring on. But it won't be just TV couples this time."

I am a fighter, says Amisha Patel

Amisha Patel, an actress whose career has seen better days with films like "Kaho Na Pyaar Hai" and "Gadar - Ek Prem Katha", is fast fading into oblivion. But she says she is confident about putting her career back on track.

"I am a fighter and can overcome any situation," Amisha, who is quite upbeat about her role in "Ankahee", told.

Directed by Vikram Bhatt, "Ankahee" is a triangular love story based on his affair with actress Sushmita Sen.

Amisha, who has been dating Bhatt for quite some time, will be seen as an emotionally shattered wife coping up with her husband's philandering in the film. Aftab Shivdasani plays Bhatt's part and Esha Deol will be seen as the other woman.

Amisha has gone for a completely deglamourised look for the film and those who had a sneak peek of "Ankahee" are raving about her natural performance.

"Everybody has a good and bad day. Who can predict what works? The best I can do is to portray different characters to avoid repetition and monotony. Nobody knows the secret rule of a hit film," said Amisha, unfazed by the poor response to her two recent releases - "Teesri Aankh" and "Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai".

Amisha has now pinned her hopes on "Ankahee" and "Tatasthu". She has performance-oriented roles in both the films.

"I have no qualms about the way my career is shaping. I think it's just going fine and with every film I am learning something new. Like everyone else, I too have some hits and some misses. Hopefully this year I will experience positive vibes in my life," she said.

Kareena on a high note

Kareena Kapoor has everything going in her favour. She has a host of releases this year, 36 China Town, Chup Chup Ke and Othello. Vishal Bharadwaj抯 adaptation of Shakespeare抯 Othello making it to le Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival, which features a show reel, the release of the book on the film, a party and an interaction with the international media).

Kareena is currently on a world tour as part of the Rockstar team. She starts shooting for Ram Gopal Varma抯 Time Machine with Shah Rukh Khan soon and has just finished the Helen act in Farhan Akhtar抯 remake of Don.

Could Kareena have asked for more? "I wouldn抰 say this is the best phase of my life but I am delighted," gushes the actor. She, however, rues the fact that she can抰 go to Cannes due to her Rockstar commitments.

Kareena is ecstatic about Othello in which she plays Desdemona. "It is a role worth dying for. Vishal抯 film is likely to emerge as a dark horse this year,

Fardeen Khan gets trendy

We all know the impact of celebrity endorsements. But when they endorse a cause it gets noticed instantly. Reportedly Fardeen Khan was recently seen endorsing one such cause. He was spotted in Shillong for an AIDS awareness campaign. Coming back to brands, 'Provogue' the high profile apparel brand has reportedly come up with some of the trendiest colours and clothes. Fardeen Khan, the brand ambassador of Provogue will once again walk the ramp for them along with some of the other top models flaunting the latest Provogue (Spring-Summer 2006) collection.

'IDHAR UDHAR' with Sushmita Sen and Ritesh Deshmukh is one of his forthcoming releases. Also there's this buzz about Feroz Khan planning a remake of 'QURBANI' with Fardeen and Saif Ali Khan in the lead role.

Ajay, Kajol holiday in Goa

While the entire media speculates about Kajol's comeback film "Fanaa" and how it will fare, the actress herself has been chilling out with husband Ajay Devgan and daughter Nysa in Goa.

Kajol flew down to Goa, where Ajay was shooting for Rohit Shetty's "Golmaal", to spend some quality time with him.

Ajay's parents joined him as well for 2 days.

Shetty is filming the final schedule of the rib tickling comedy. He has been picturising a song with choreographer Ganesh Acharya and some outdoor college scenes with the entire cast of the film, including Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi, Tusshar Kapoor and Rimi Sen.

Other families joined in too.

While the wives of Sharman and Arshad were in Goa, Tusshar and Rimi didn't have any company.

"The ever busy stars are getting some time to spend with their families after the shoot. All of them are staying at the Hotel Marriott, which is very close to the location. It is like both work and pleasure for them," a source told IANS.

"Kajol has left and rest of the team will leave after two days," he added.

Produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Limited, "Golmaal" is schedule to release some time in July.

Ajay Devgan


Kajol

Shun suicides: Vivek Oberoi to farmers  

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi has appealed to debt-ridden farmers of Vidarbha region to not to take their own lives.
Vivek, accompanied by spiritual leader Bhayuji Maharaj made the appeal during a programme at Khamgaon in Buldana district yesterday.

Bhayuji Maharaj, who enjoys a good following among the farmers particularly from Kunbi community, also appealed to them to refrain from suicidal tendencies.

Dishy Dino to wed?

Dino Morea is all set to tie the knot.

"I will get married. But sometime next year! Maximum in a year and a half." But, Morea refused to comment on Nandita Mathani.

Morea said that he had become a hardcore businessman. "You have to be like this when it comes to business, otherwise people take you for a ride. They take advantage of you. I am here to make money not listen to personal woes."

Dino said that his chain of restaurants was doing good business and he planned to branch out in other localities. As for his films he was looking forward to Tom, Dick and Harry.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 5-5-2006 11:44 PM ]

Shilpa Shetty urges people to boycott circuses

In the new ad for PETA India抯 new youth arm, PETA Dishoom, Shilpa Shetty, stripped down to stripes and crouched in a small cage with a look of despair on her face to illustrate the misery of animals confined at circuses. Shot by ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, the ad encourages the actor抯 legions of fans to boycott circuses with animal acts. Shilpa makes the case dressed in a figure hugging bodysuit, her make-up compliments of glamour make-up artist Cory Walia with the tagline 態eaten, Lonely and Abused

Kareena Kapoor抯

揑 didn抰 know my daughter was a manglik,

Gals pawed Vivek!

Vivek Oberoi's single status attracting women like bees to a hive. Recently the 'city of joy' Kolkata, where the star was to launch the Times Food Guide 2006, witnessed Vivek's huge female following. His smile attracted a bevy of Bengali beauties, who refused to leave him. Vivek also visited a nightclub there, where the gals couldn't just stop gushing over him and almost pawed Vivek, who was at his flirtatious best, dedicating a song to one and dancing in a corner with the other. He almost drove the gals in a tizzy as they went wild and almost flung themselves on the actor. "Is it my fault?" he asked giving one of his innocent smiles, as one of the gal made a provocative gesture dancing before him. Certainly leaves no room for doubt that Vivek's back with a bang.

Salman, Saif get respite in poaching case

Film stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bhendre, Neelam and Tabu facing trial for allegedly poaching endangered blackbuck, gained a respite today when a court here dropped some of the charges against them.

Partially allowing two revision petitions filed by the accused, the court of the additional district judge (ADJ), however, said the stars and another accused would face trial under sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Charges were dropped against Salman under section 27 of the Arms Act and section 148 of IPC for possession of arms with intent to use for an unlawful purpose.

Charges framed against the other five accused under sections 147 and 149 of IPC for being part of an unlawful assembly were also dropped.

The accused had filed revision petitions against charges framed against them on February 27, 2006 in the court of the judicial magistrate in connection with the alleged poaching of blackbuck at Kankani in October 1998.

Salman has already been convicted in two other poaching cases in Rajasthan and given two separate jail terms of five years and one year. He has filed appeals against both convictions in a higher court.

Salman Khan

Saif Ali Khan


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 22-5-2007 05:44 PM ]

Priyanka Chopra in 36 China Town

The cat is out of the bag.

But no, we are not revealing the identity of the killer. That we leave up to you to find out. But we can give you one more reason to watch the film. And the reason is Priyanka Chopra.

Yea, the beautiful actress makes a special appearance in the film. In fact, Priyanka won rave reviews for portraying a negative character in 'Aitraaz', which was also directed by Abbas-Mustan and produced by Subhash Ghai. More recently, Priyanka made a one-scene appearance in Milan Luthria抯 Taxi No 9211.  

Priyanka Chopra in India Calling.

Priyanka Chopra will soon be seen in two episodes of STAR One抯 India Calling, to be aired on May 8 and 9. In the serial, Aditya and Chandini have fallen in love but Aditya is unable to meet his ladylove because her protective beeji ,who suspects an affair, doesn抰 let her go anywhere. It抯 Amy抯 (Chandini and Adi抯 friend) birthday. Adi sees an opportunity and decides to throw a party for Amy, knowing fully well that Chandini will surely come for the party. But beeji does not allow Chandini to attend the party. Aditya feels he has to do something special to get Chandini for the party. He gets an idea! He knows Chandini and Amy are great fans of Priyanka Chopra and her latest film Krrish. He gets his brother to invite Priyanka as a surprise guest for the party. And he is supremely elated when Priyanka agrees to come to meet her old friend Vishesh! Chandini learns about Priyanka抯 arrival and is very excited. Priyanka talks about herself and her character in Krrish. She tells them how the power of love gets the best out of superhero Hrithik Roshan. Adi and Chandini are inspired by the story and the power of love. The party begins. Chandini and Aditya make Priyanka sing a song from Krrish. Priyanka plays cupid between Adi and Chandini... and makes them dance to the song.

Kareena, unplugged!

Fida bombed. But that didn't stop Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur from doing another film together. Abbas-Mustan's upcoming thriller, 36 China Town, sees the two star with Akshaye Khanna. There's also Priyadarshan's Chup Chup Ke, also featuring the pair.
Kareena chats with Priyanka Jain about her upcoming films, Shahid and what the two of them have in store for us.

You have two releases coming up with Shahid. How does that feel?

It feels great. I like both roles we have played. While 36 China Town is a thriller, Chup Chup Ke is a comedy. Both roles are very different from each other and the characters are very interesting.

Your first film Fida with Shahid bombed. What are you expecting from the next two?
Fida may not have done very well commercially, but it is very close to my heart. Perhaps people did not like the fact there was no love story in the first film. Shahid and I have both worked towards bettering our performance in both the new films and we hope audiences will like our work.

Do you both discuss your films?

We talk about a lot of things and as we were doing two films together, there was some conversation about them.

Did you both discuss why Fida didn't work?

We do talk about why and how some films work and some don't. We learn from our experiences and try to do better.

What is your role in 36 China Town like?
It is a murder mystery, and I play a character called Priya whose boyfriend leaves her just before the wedding. Shahid plays a struggling actor and we are strangers until a promise to make some money brings us together. Our meeting is chaotic too. We become prime suspects at a murder and turn fugitives. While on the run, our love blooms.

However, as it's a thriller and has a comedy touch, don't go to the theatre expecting any chemistry.

What about your role in Chup Chup Ke? How did you prepare for it?
It's a light-hearted romantic comedy. My character falls in love with Shahid's. For the first time, I play the role of a girl who can neither speak nor hear. Suniel Shetty plays my brother who is trying to get me married and Neha is the interpreter and my cousin who helps Shahid and me communicate.

The character I play here is new for me. You can say I had fun sitting back and relaxing while others were practicing their lines.

However easy it may sound, it was not so, as there was this added pressure of conveying everything through actions and the eyes. Here too, as the film is a comedy, the romantic bit is little. Enjoy the comedy. Don't go with high expectations of chemistry between Shahid and me in Chup Chup Ke. We are yet to do a complete romantic film together.

What were Priyadarshan's instructions while you prepared for the role?
He told me not to watch Black or any other film that depicts characters with a physical handicap. I did as he asked. It's been a great journey working with him, except that he shot the film in Chennai. I don't like the city much. This is my third film with him after Hulchul and Kyon Ki, which are both close to our hearts. This is also my first association with UTV. We share a very good bond.

How was it working with Shahid in both films?

It was fun. In 36 China Town, we were fugitives, so we kept running. Not from each other but with each other. As for Chup Chup Ke, we have just shot a promotional music video for the film called Arrey Arrey.

Are you going to be seen together in any more films?

We won't be doing any films together for a while now.

What are you doing next?

For now, both of us are out on a world tour and will be back after a month.

What happened to Satish Kaushik's Milenge Milenge?

Please ask the producers. We don't know when it will be released.