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揑t was hard to believe that this was Ash

KAREENA KAPOOR

Kareena Kapoor is yet another Kapoor-family girl who took the plunge and managed to make a huge splash in the Hindi film industry. She had the privilege of debuting with the Big B's son Abhishek Bachchan in Refugee and though the film didn't do as well as expected, Kareena earned rave reviews. Born to popular Bollywood stars Randhir Kapoor and Babita Kapoor 'Bebo' as she is affectionately known, stands 5'5" tall and is a total extrovert. She wanted to study law in Harvard and had no plans to do anything in Bollywood. But destiny took a hand and now she's in the limelight like her successful sister Karisma.  

SUSHMITA SEN

Sushmita Sen made India proud as she won the Miss Universe crown in 1994. She was 19 then. She displayed great maturity when asked about the after feel of winning the crown. According to her, she told that it was more a responsibility than glamour alone. With father in the Defence, Sush's initially years were spent city and school hopping. Taking advantage of her good looks and height, she got into modeling initially to earn her pocket money. It was not late before she got noticed and entered the Femina Miss India Contest. She made her debut in Dastak, but failed to make the required mark at the box office with her performance.  

Preity Zinta on Love & Life

"Please find me a producer who makes a complete film in India. I'm shooting abroad all the time!"Preity was recently in Bangkok shooting a shampoo ad . Before that she has just completed a world tour with one of her favourite co-stars Saif. She then rushed into Mumbai headed for Cannes with buddy Karan Johar.

"I was excited about Cannes because I was with one of my most entertaining friends who by the way knows French better than the French, so I didn't fear misinterpretation.I caught "The Da Vinci Code" there. But Karan and I were looking mainly at projecting our film Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna(KANK) ."

She seems seriously possessed by Karan's passion."I saw bits of the film recently at Karan's urging. What a film Karan has made! KANK is unlike anything we've seen before and certainly unlike anything I've done. Everyone is beyond outstanding. Mr Bachchan and Shah Rukh need no endorsement from poor me. Rani is a rock star. But Abhishek is going to shock you. His expressions, his interpretation of his character have to be seen to be believed. I truly believe Abhishek is the star of tomorrow. Me? I never like myself on screen. But I must say KANK has changed my look and my personality completely. I play this cold woman which wasn't easy for a warm person like me to do.I've just a few expressions to give away. And I think I've done them well," she ends with breathless modesty.

And now she'll be paired with Abhishek again in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. "Again to be shot abroad. Groan groan," she mock-protests. "We start the film in August and wrap it up by October. I guess it'd be released early next year. So I've three releases KANK, Shirish Kunder's Jaan-e-Man and then Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom in the next six months. Wow! And to think that I had only one release Salaam Namaste since Veer-Zara. That's because I completely withdrew, stopped signing films and began to look at my life in a different way after Tsunami. Not many people know this. But I nearly lost my life in Tsunami. Some of my close friends lost their lives. For almost eight months I stopped working. Hence the long gap between Veer-Zara and Salaam Namaste匱sunami made me question my own life and priorities. I decided , if I can't be happy now I can never be happy. Not that I was ever unhappy. But Tsunami made me value what I've. I wrote down all the things that I had in life to be grateful about. And it was quite a long list! Today I've a rocking career , my mom is a rock star and my personal life couldn't get any better, touch wood. I can shop till I drop and I can visit any part of the world to work or to holiday. Earlier there would be a problem with Kareena or whoever. I find all that totally unnecesary now. Now I like all my co-stars."

She lights up at the thought of working with Bobby Deol and Abhishek Bachchan in Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. "That one is going to be an Aquarian special. All three of us are Aquarians. So it will be like three like-minded actors working together on a fun project. And what fun to work with two of my favourite co-stars. Though Bobby and I have done only one film Soldier together we're truly fond of each other. He calls me Pritam Singh. As for Abhishek, he's one of the most cultured and funniest persons I've met. So yeah, we're going to have a ball."

More joy

Kajol proves love is blind  

If you're going to return to the big screen after taking a four-year sabbatical you might as well do it with a lot of hoopla. Kajol, who is looking as stunning as ever, has been making guest appearances on the small screen, doing TV commercials, a slew of magazine advertisements as well as walking the catwalk - she certainly understands the fringe benefits of creating hype.

Similar to actresses Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Karisma Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna and Juhi Chawla, Kajol succumbed to the pull of motherhood and, much to the disappointment of her fans, took a break from Hindi cinema.

After a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, she had daughter Nysa.

While Kajol was content with keeping the home fires burning, husband Ajay Devgan has been gaining popularity in Bollywood - he had eight films released last year and currently has seven projects in hand.

In Kunal Kohli's Fanaa, Kajol has a challenging role playing the blind love interest of Aamir Khan. By the by, before the movie got underway in Poland there were reports of bad vibes between the two co-stars.

Khan, being the stickler for detail that he is, went through the entire script and made a lot of changes and in so doing shortened the length of Kajol's role.

When she got wind of this, she went through the script and made changes of her own. Suffice to say, Kohli had a migraine that an entire bottle of paracetamol couldn't cure.

The story is centred on Zooni Ali Beg, a blind young Kashmiri woman, and her relationship with Rehan Qadri (Khan), a local tour guide who is somewhat of a ladies' man.

Despite being warned against falling in love with Rehan, Zooni does. However, Rehan has a dark secret that not only threatens the romance but could change their lives forever.

Aside from Kajol will be making a special appearance in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

During her acting career, the 30- year-old actress won several Filmfare Awards for Best Actress: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995). She also won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Gupt (1997).

Coming from a family of actors - father Shomu Mukherjee, mother Tanooja, great grandmother Ratan Bai, sister Tanushree, cousin Rani Mukherji - Kajol made her film debut in Rahul Rawaail's Bekhudi (1992) opposite Kamal Sadaana. While the film bombed at the box office, she was noticed by the film industry.

Kajol endeared herself to fans with her sterling performance in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge opposite Shah Rukh Khan, who is not dead, according to the hoax e-mail that was doing the rounds recently.

Some of the actress' memorable performances were in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - where she traded in her sari for the tomboyish gear of jeans, slacks, T-shirts and caps - Dil Kya Kare and Gupt.

Maybe bombshells Mallika Sherawat, Celina Jaitely and Bipasha Basu can take a page out of the book of a high-calibre actress like Kajol!

Hrithik to show him in chaddi baniyan!

Govinda was the first actor, who donned a chaddi baniyan for a commercial. Later Sunny Deol wore the same for an innerwear brand.

And soon, other stars like Salman Khan jumped into the act. Now the buzz is that Hrithik Roshan is set to appear in a chaddi baniyan commercial. The rumour also has it that Hrithik has charged a whopping amount for the endorsements.

Will Kajol be lucky for Karan?

Kajol and Rani Mukerji are Karan Johar's lucky mascots and must make an appearance in every film that he makes. It's no different in his latest Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

According to insiders, Kajol will appear in a song along with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in the much anticipated film that stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani.

The special song is scheduled to be shot in July with the other three key players in the film.

Earlier, Rani and a pregnant Kajol appeared fleetingly in the very popular 'Mahi Ve' song in Johar's love story Kal Ho Naa Ho with Shah Rukh, Saif Ali Khan and Preity.

Kajol

Pakistani singer for Shah Rukh?

Shafqat Amanat Ali, the lead singer of Fuzon, a Pakistani rock band, has been signed up to sing for Shah Rukh Khan in the forthcoming Karan Johar flick Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

Not much has been revealed about the song apart from the title, Mitwa. It is also not 100% certain that the song will be pictured on Shah Rukh or not.

Akshaye Khanna takes a break

After shooting for five films in a row, the actor heads to New York for a breather

An otherwise choosy Akshaye Khanna went into an overdrive last year by working in five films. The result, the actor is suffering from exhaustion and has decided to recharge his batteries by taking a 20-day break by heading out to New York.

It also happens to be his best friend Jahangir抯 birthday. 揑t抯 going to be a close-knit friends and family affair. I like to be with people I am comfortable with. I am not a filmi guy and don抰 intend to be one ever,

Priyanka is the new Carmen

The actress replaces Urmila in Shyam Benegal抯 Hindi adaptation, Chamki Chameli

Soon after Urmila Matondkar opted out of the Hindi adaptation of the legendary opera Carmen called Chamki Chameli, she was replaced by Priyanka Chopra; giving the actress the opportunity to work with director Shyam Benegal and producer Sanjay Gupta.  

Priyanka landed the role after it was accepted and turned down first by Kareena Kapoor and later by Urmila. With Urmila opting out, there are to be some more changes in the cast. Originally, Jimmy Shergill was to play the jealous lover of Carmen/Chamki. With Urmila opting out, Gupta is on the look-out for a replacement.

The film's music score is being done by A R Rahman. 揑've never worked with either Shyam Benegal or A R Rahman before. The prospect of such a   creative team is certainly challenging. Priyanka is ideal for the title role," says Gupta.

Didn't Gupta and Priyanka get into a tight corner over Musafir when the actress opted out of his Musafir on the grounds that it was too bold and unconventional for her? 揟hat was then,

Ajay Devgan in 'Cash'

It is a film that will have as many as four heroes.

Director Anubhav Sinha 抯 latest flick Tathastu may not have gone well at the marquee, but the filmmaker is looking at his next project, which will be a big venture.

To be produced by Sohail Maklai, the film, titled Cash , will have four actors in the male leads, out of which Ajay Devgan and Zayed Khan had already been finalized sometime back. Now, it is learnt that Ritesh Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal have been added to the cast to complete the quartet.

慍ash

Ajay says no to US shows

Ajay Devgan is not known to do shows, and he has never been comfortable dancing or performing on stage.

So, when there were reports that Devgan, along with wife Kajol and daughter Nysa, would be attending shows in USA in September this year, we decided to check with him.

The shows are being organised by Vijay Taneja and also have performances by Aamir Khan.

Kajol and Aamir will be performing together in a stage show for the first time. Aamir, it is said, initially refused the show, but fell prey to the mega bucks offered, and subsequently agreed.

No show: Ajay

Devgan was shooting in London for Abbas-Mustan抯 untitled film when we caught up with him. Is it true that he is going to be a part of Taneja抯 US shows, with Aamir and Kajol?

揘o, I抦 not going,

Vivek-Ash: Kitne Paas, Kitne Door!

Last year in Cannes they had made public appearance holding one another's hand. After one year, the scenario is totally changed. Then they were a happening duo, now they are separated. Meanwhile their relationship has gone kaput.

This year both Vivek and Aishwarya were in Cannes, but miles away from each other. Aishwarya busy promoting her next crossover 'Provoked' and Vivek promoting Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Omkara'. In photo session, Vivek struck pose with co-star Ajay Devgan. The spotlight firmly focused on Ash and Ash only. What a tragedy.

Vivek Oberoi


Aishwarya Rai


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 11-6-2006 08:14 PM ]

Anil Kapoor's association with a social cause

To promote the birth registration as part of Plan India's (a child centric development organization), Universal Birth Registration campaign (UBR), veteran film star Anil Kapoor has pledged his support to the cause in India. In a first ever association with any cause, commercial or charitable, Anil Kapoor will be active in promoting UBR in a variety of ways, such as participating in select UBR events, appearing for television commercials supporting the campaign and for opportunities to raise awareness and visibility of the movement's mission. Anil's absolute and confirmed views have made him very discerning of associating with any cause in the past. His participation in the campaign is a reflection of his beliefs in upholding the basics right of a child - the right to a name, a legal identity and a nationality.

Commenting on Anil Kapoor's association with UBR, Ms. Bhagyashri Dengle, Executive Director, Plan India, said, "Anil Kapoor shares Plan India's vision for bringing about a progressive change in the status of birth registration in India. Anil will bring an immense amount of focus and attention with him. He sends the spotlight directly to the campaign making it more effective and powerful. The UBR campaign is an excellent example of how effective celebrity partnership can assist in achieving social goals ".

Plan India, and Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) have come together to ensure universal birth registration. The birth certificate is the first legal document that the state gives to its citizens. The possession of a birth certificate by a person can ensure a large number of rights and privileges to him or her. First of all, it is an affirmation of a person's identity. Secondly, it is a legal document that can be used to procure a large number of other legal and administrative documents and privileges like school admission, ration card, bank account, and many official documents. Finally, in case of a legal situation faced by an individual, or in case of an accident where the state is involved, the birth certificate can be a very powerful document in the hands of the individual, which can ensure timely and appropriate redress.

Ash, Ash everywhere, no Indian cinema though

The only time Aishwarya Rai has had a film in the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival was in 2002 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas" was accorded a special red carpet screening. Since then the doe-eyed Indian beauty has become bigger than the film and Bollywood itself.

Aishwarya isn't just India's most visible face on the Croisette, she is literally everywhere in the form of neon-lit portraits and hoardings - down the boulevard, in the movie halls, in the shopping areas and in every little pamphlet pertaining to the festival.

It is abundantly clear: Cannes loves Aishwarya Rai. But then it loves Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell, Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh just as much. All these beautiful ladies, representing the five continents, are brand ambassadresses of L'Oreal Paris, which has been the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival without a break for nearly a decade now.

L'Oreal sponsors the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival, which explains why Aishwarya never fails to put in an appearance when the whole wide world's entertainment press is at hand to record the red carpet walk for posterity. It has nothing whatever to do with Indian cinema.

Jackie Shroff is awesome at the steering wheel

The drive in them takes them places! Literally, in this case. Jackie Shroff and Karan Kapur have a pet passion that they share

Juhi di 憌ah bhai wah

Aamir, Kajol to perform in US shows

Aamir Khan and Kajol usually don抰 like performing in entertainment shows. But they are making an exception this time.

The shows, to be held in the US in September this year, are being organised by Vijay Taneja.

The man seems to have convinced Kajol and Aamir to perform together in a stage show for the first time.

Reports have it that initially Aamir was very reluctant to take the offer

What makes Kajol抯 慒anaa

Kajol抯 top seven personal picks of all time  

Baazigar
揑t was my first big hit. Also the first time I was paired with Shah Rukh Khan-we became great pals. I have so many good memories of the shooting because it was early days for me and I still enjoyed going to the sets.