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URMILA BACK IN RAMU CAMP IN 'BADLA'

Ram Gopal Varma is always in the news, especially when he comes with a new movie. This time Rangeela girl Urmila Matondkar's comeback in Ramu's camp cannot go without making headlines. This is true that now Urmila will be seen in the Ramu's next movie titled 'Badla'. Though Ramu has confirmed that he has finalized Urmila's name for her heroine, he hasn't yet decided on the actor playing opposite her. However, industry circles believe that Ranveer Hooda will act opposite Urmila in Ramu's 'Badla'. Ramu is determined to resume shooting for 'Badla' before undertaking his remake of 'Sholay'. Interestingly, Ramu has assigned Urmila to play an item number in his 'Sholay'.

According to sources close to the Ramu camp, Urmila will play the character of Helen who danced in the original 'Sholay' on the song 'Mehbooba O Mehbooba

Lisa Ray to act lesbian

Earlier you watched much in controversies movie, 慓irlfriend

Salman Bhai Ka Ek Aur Lafda!

Salman seems to be rather rigid about his current favourite choreographers Bosco-Caeser for all his concerts. After carting them along on the Rock Stars concerts Salman now insisted on the duo-in-favour again for the IIFA in Dubai where Salman is expected to perform tomorrow.

He leaves with his favourite choreographers tonight for Dubai. Evidently Salman doesn't mind being isolated from his colleagues. Everyone else's performance is being choreographed by Shiamak Davar. Bosco-Caeser will stand out as the guys choreographing Salman exclusive at the IIFA.

Apparently since Salman had no time to rehearse (he returned from the Rock Stars concerts on Tuesday) he needed choreographers who know his body language in and out.

Rehearsals for the main event tomorrow (June 16) are on full-swing in Dubai.The show's brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan arrived in Dubai yesterday with daughter Shweta. Wife Jaya and son Abhishek are expected to arrive on Friday (June 16) just before the main event.

Abhishek rushes back to Chennai right after the release of the music soundtrak of Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna..

Aishwarya Rai breezed in and out of Dubai on June 14 for the premiere of her film Provoked. She fielded questions from the press before quickly flying out. Rani Mukherjee arrived in Dubai on Thursday. She's expected to perform an entire item based on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black. Mr Bachchan is expected to join Rani on stage.

Preity Zinta, rushing through the rehearsals rigorously will be performing an item based on the Arabian Nights. But the one most nervous and excited is debutant Sikander Kher who's going to perform with newcomer Neha Uberoi to one of the songs from their debut film Woodstock Villa.

Such is the secrecy surrounding the duo's debut performance on Friday that they weren't allowed to be present at producer Sanjay Gupta's press conference on Wednesday in Dubai.

"All I'm doing is rehearsing and chilling out in my room. No partying for me," laughed Sikandar nervously from Dubai. He's at the IIFA with his mother Kirron Kher.

"I don't know how our performance will go. But we've worked really hard. This is not just my first performance but also my first step into showbiz. And to dance on the same stage that has seasoned troupers like Saif, Salman, Rani and Preity is scary," shivers Sikandar.

Rani never looked so Hot: Preity Zinta

Barely has she landed in Mumbai after another longish stint abroad, when Preity is already immersed in doing an ad.

"And after this I immediately fly for the IIFA to Dubai for just one day. I'll be performing there to Shiamak Davar's choreography. I've yet to sit and finalize my item with him. The decision was taken overnight. Can you believe it, this is the first time that I'm performing at such a short notice. I haven't even started rehearsing. "

After IIFA Preity returns to Mumbai to complete Sajid Nadiadwala's delayed Jaan-e-Man and Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna. Those who have seen her in Karan's film have declared Preity an outright winner in a role that entails her to do a complete makeover.

"Yes," Preity giggles happily. "Shah Rukh's wife Gauri and Jaya aunty whose opinion I value immensely seem to be think highly of me in the film. I must say it felt good to be wearing clothes that sometimes cost more than the location, ha ha.

But seriously all credit must go to Karan for being one of the best directors and Manish Malhotra for being one of the best stylists in the world. I couldn't have done it without them.

In my career of 22-23 films I've never been more unsure of how to approach a role. People are commenting on my look. But that was the least of my worries. I had to play a woman who didn't seem to airdrop into New York from Mumbai.

My character Rhea has to blend into the milieu, and not just in dress but demeanour. Yeah, it was tough. Thank God for my co-stars Shah Rukh, Rani, Abhishek (who I confess out-chatters me) and Mr Bachchan who's like the Mount Everest of acting..

By the way Rani has never looked more glamorous and in-character. There's one sequence of hers with Abhishek where I've cried. Normally I'm not much of a weeper at the movies.

I like to keep it all inside. Only my family and close friends have seen the vulnerable side of me. For others卻orry, I don't want to come across as a drama queen."

More makeover for Preity. The first Indian issue of the posh international women's magazine Marie Claire features Preity on the cover. "I guess the bubbly perky Preity has currently taken a backseat. KANK sees me like never before. And the Marie Claire cover didn't expect me to be the typical Preity either.

The magazine has undertaken the 'let-me-be-me' campaign for Indian women. The inaugural cover was supposed to represent the resolute no-nonsense but still fun and feisty face of the Indian woman. I like being in that slot. I'm glad if I'm being taken to be a woman of substance.

Isn't that what all woman crave to be? The picture was meant to be less stylish, more substantial more attuned to the rhythm of workaday womanhood. Yeah I do like to see myself as a woman with an opinion."

For now this woman with an opinion on life and art is all set to remain in India for one month after her trip to Dubai.

"This would be my longest stay at home in recent times. In July I go for an event to London, then probably attend the BAFTA awards and finally get a week off for myself before joining my friends Bobby Deol and Abhishek Bachchan for Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. All in all, this is quite a hectic time for me. And I'm enjoying every bit of it."

Rani Mukherjee


Preity Zinta

Abhishek says Yes but Ash says No!

Though Aishwarya Rai won't be able to make it to Dubai, Abhishek will be able to somehow squeeze in a quick trip to Dubai and come back to Chennai to join the crew of Mani Rathnam's Guru.

"I've to be there. I'm nominated and by dad is the ambassador for the event," says Abhishek.

But it's impossible for Aishwarya and the rest of the Guru team in Chennai to get away.

However Karan Johar is very much on for IIFA. Says a close friend, "Karan is on the advisory board of the IIFA awards. There was never any question of his not attending the awards.

He's gone to London on Thursday in connection with the media promotion of the music of Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna . From there he proceeds to Dubai for IIFA."

However Shah Rukh isn't attending. "And that's because he' s on holiday with his wife and two kids in London after working non-stop on Don with Farhan Akhtar in Malaysia for three months. This was a holiday he had promised his family for months, and they had been looking forward to it," says a close friend of Karan and SRK.

Sanjay Dutt will also have to give the event a miss. Because of his legal problems he isn't permitted into Dubai. However efforts were on to arrange a special permit for Sanju Baba, so he could accompany his pal and business associate Sanjay Gupta and their production company White Feather for the launch of their forthcoming films.

Says Gupta, "Yes unfortunately Sanju can't accompany us. But we'll all be there and we expect our launch to be spectacular."

Jagmohan Mundhra who flies down from London for the event in Dubai will be premiering Provoked at IIFA on 14 June.

There will be a stunning scattering of stars at IIFA in spite of the conspicuous absence of Shah Rukh Khan.

Abhishek Bachchan & Aishwarya Rai


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 18-5-2007 04:30 PM ]

Shilpa Shetty is marrying who?

Is something cooking between Shilpa Shetty and director Anubhav Sinha? Everyone was asking the million dollar question till a few days back when a Hindi newspapers carried the news of two tying the know real soon.

According to them, Anubhav who is already in some legal problems with his wife, had developed special feeling for the sultry siren while working in Dus. But Shilpa was not amused with the entire tale.

She clarified through her spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar, that reports of her "impending marriage" in the media were unfounded and false.

"Its a figment of someone's over-creative imagination," quipped Dale and added, "Some of her recent interviews have been misconstrued, making it look like she was considering plunging into matrimony, which is not true.

'Rani should get National Award!'

Konkona has found a new holiday haven. "Spain is my current favourite. I love to travel. And I often do so alone. I love the feeling of a new place. I make friends quite easily. I was in Japan recently on my own. And I made a couple of life-long friends. Travelling broadens my horizon for sure."

She's so often out of the country, she could well be the Preity Zinta of the avante garde cinema.

"Is she out of the country so often? I don't know. I love travelling alone. I've just returned from Spain. I was on the jury for Asian Film Festival. It was the first time on a jury for me.And I had a great time catching up with films I hadn't seen. Believe it or not, it actually rained in spain, ha!"

On 11 may Konkona left for the US for two festivals in Pittsburg and Maryland where two of her films Amu and 15 Park Avenue were to be shown.

She returned on 22nd to Mumbai and headed straight for Karjat to join Madhur Bhandarkar's Traffic Signal.

"It was a four-day cameo. I had a tough time accommodating the dates. But I couldn't say no to Madhur. Look at what he did in Page 3. And I wouldn't want to say no anyway to a role like this. It's a really challenging role of a prostitute. I'd a nice challenge to get the body language and lingo in place."

Considering how saucily Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi and Preiti Zinta played a tart inGulzar's Mausam, Lekh Tandon's Doosri Dulhan and Abbas-Mustan's Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Konkona has a hard act to follow up. " It requires me to be street-smark spunky and sassy and earthy. I haven't done these things in any of my roles."

She has another cameo in Vishal Bhardawaj's Omkara. "I'm cast opposite Saif Ali Khan, can you believe it?! It's not a big role. But it's interesting enough."

She's kicked about about Rituparno Ghosh's Sunglass which starts shooting in July. "Because I always enjoy working with Rituda. My just-released Dosar was very interesting. I'm so lucky to have done a black-and-white film in this day and age. I liked my character because she doesn't get cowed down by her husband's infidelity.

She fights it out. And Sunglass is my first bi-lingual so I get to speak in Hindi and Bengali. Both are languages I'm not completely at home in. Since my leading man changes in the two versions I'd get an interesting perception on the same theme through two different languages and co-stars."

What about Rani Mukherjee being her closest contender for the National Award ? "Rani in Black is simply outstanding. She must get it. I've already got one (for Mrs & Mrs Iyer). So even if I miss it for 15 Park Avenue I wouldn't be heartbroken."

Aishwarya paid for dumping Salman!

Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai抯 film 揃ride and Prejudice

I really really like that girl: Kareena

In an industry where there are only working relationships, Kareena's friendship with Amrita Arora has out-lasted all constraints of time jealousy and back-biting.

Says Kareena, "I really really like that girl. She's fun, easy-going, hassle-free and honest卝ust like me. Our friendship cannot be measured against other filmy friendships. I make friends for life. For example my best friend has been with me from school. Amu too will remain with me."

To prove Kareena right Amrita is flying down to London from 5

Kareena is great to be with: Priyanka Chopra

"It was an awesome experience. I felt so much at peace just walking up that hill. I feel a load off my shoulder now, " says Priyanka Chopra about her three-day trip to Vaishno Devi with her parents.

"What was it for? Oh, it was a sense of accumulated gratitude that took me to Vaishno Devi," says Priyanka from Malaysia where she re-joined the unit of Don on Wednesday after a 3-day break from the 10th of June.

"I guess the visit to Vaishno Devi was long due. And I wanted it to happen before my father's next surgery. My father's illness was a reason for the pilgrimage. So was the release of Krissh. So many things, good and bad, have been happening lately.

Fortunately there has been no end to things to be grateful for. I guess I had a lot to speak to God about. So I just flew off to Jammu with my parents."

At Vaishno Devi Priyanka went barefeet up the hill while her parents were taken up by a chopper. "It was tough. But why do we need to talk about it? As a daughter and as an individual, I've a certain relationship with God. And I value that relationship above everything else."

Did she fly down from Malaysia only for the trip to Vaishno Devi? "Of course!" says Priyanka. "The minute I could get Farhan Akhtar to let me go, I flew back to Mumbai. I had been delaying the pilgrimage for a while now. My schedule just didn't allow me to take that crucial break. Now I'm back to work on Don."

Kareena Kapoor joins the unit of Don in Malaysia from Thursday. "That should be good fun. Kareena and I go back to Aetraaz. We had a ball over that film," says Priyanka.

She'll be unable to go to IIFA. "We're shooting over here in Malaysia non-stop until 18 June. I've always given my work top priority over anything else. I've never allowed any event, no matter how important, to come in the way of my work."

Kareena Kapoor


Priyanka Chopra

Manisha's show in Trinidad

Manisha Koirala will soon present a special show in Trinidad on the occasion of a Bollywood film awards program to be held there on June 10th. Manisha has agreed to present her show in place of Karisma Kapoor, who had to cancel her schedule following her illness from jaundice. The program is being held after a gap of seven years when Shah Rukh Khan had performed. Several Bollywood bigwigs will grace the occasion, besides the top persons from Trinidad. Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman will be honored for their outstanding achievements in Indian cinema.

AISHWARYA RAI

After its entry in Cannes, screening of the Aishwarya Rai-starrer 'Provoked' will be the highlight of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony to be inaugurated on June 14 in Dubai. The film festival, besides showing famous Hindi movies like Parineeta and Bluff Master, will also provide a feast of regional movies to film lovers for the first time.  

RANI MUKHERJEE

Rani Mukherjee 's blind and mute girl act in Black has swept all major awards ceremonies and the 7th International Indian Film Academy (IFFA) awards are slated to be no different. Rani leads the list of nominations in the best actress category for the awards to be held in Dubai on June 16. And along with Rani, Bollywood mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan lead the nominations in best actor category.  

Malaika Arora Khan Felicitates Children

Malaika Arora Khan Felicitates Children, supporters of Shiksha at Big Bazaar,Lower Parel, Mumbai on 13th June 2006. Shiksha supporter Malaika Arora Khan announced this initial contribution at unique painting event were she felicitated four Shiksha children supporters & winners of a painting competition organized to raised awareness for the cause.

Hrithik says 'Krrish' will herald a new genre

Hrithik Roshan 抯 character in his soon-to-be-released movie Krrish is already being dubbed as 揑ndia抯 First Superhero

IIFA : Feroz Khan, Fardeen Khan announce 'Kurbani'

The ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend in Dubai has seen announcement of several new projects.

Actor-filmmaker Feroz Khan , his son Fardeen Khan and music director Anand Raj Anand held a press conference at the IIFA festival in Dubai to announce their film Kurbani , a remake of Khan抯 own hit movie Qurbani from 1979.

At the press meet, a pepped up version of the title song Qurbani Qurbani from the new movie was played and a teaser of the old movie was screened. After that, Feroz Khan formally announced the movie抯 modern remake.

Khan said although the basic story of 慘urbani

IIFA : Aishwarya has an eventful day

The gorgeous actress attended a movie premiere and left her handprint in Dubai Studio City.

At last, Aishwarya Rai did make it to Dubai on the opening day of the seventh International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend. The actress has been shooting for Mani Ratnam抯 movie Guru in Chennai and could make it to IIFA for a day only.

But quite an eventful day it was for Ms Rai on Wednesday.

Aishwarya attended the premiere of her movie Provoked , which is directed by Jagmohan Mundhra . The film has Ash playing a real-life character of a Punjabi woman (in Britain) who kills her husband after suffering years of physical and mental abuse at his hands.

The movie抯 premiere was a star-studded event attended by Amitabh Bachchan , his wife Jaya Bachchan , Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar .

The response to the movie was quite heartening and Jagmohan Mundhra particularly looked elated.

When asked by a journalist what prompted him to make this movie, Mundhra said: 揙nce somebody asked Kiranjit (the story抯 protagonist) how she felt when she was serving her sentence in jail. She said I feel free. Which is a telling statement. It shows how bonded she was with her husband who tortured her.

Salman's tantrums at IIFA

Salman Khan seems to be rather rigid about his current favourite choreographers, Bosco-Caeser, for all his concerts.

After carting them along for the Rock Stars concerts in Britain, US and Canada, the actor has now insisted on the duo for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards show in Dubai on Friday.

Evidently, Salman doesn't mind being isolated from his colleagues. Everyone else's performance is being choreographed by Shiamak Davar. Bosco-Caeser will stand out as the guys choreographing Salman exclusive at the IIFA.

Apparently since Salman had no time to rehearse (he returned from the Rock Stars concerts on Tuesday) he needed choreographers who know his body language in and out.
Rehearsals for the main event are on full swing in Dubai. The show's brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan arrived in Dubai with daughter Shweta on Thursday. Wife Jaya and son Abhishek reach on Friday, just before the main event.

Abhishek rushes back to Chennai right after the release of the music release of Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

Aishwarya Rai breezed in and out of Dubai on June 14 for the premiere of her film Provoked. She fielded questions from the press before quickly flying out.

Rani Mukerji arrived in Dubai on Thursday. She is expected to perform an entire item based on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black and Amitabh will probably join her on stage.

Preity Zinta, who is rushing through the rehearsals rigorously, will be performing an item based on the Arabian Nights.

But the one most nervous and excited is debutant Sikander Kher who's going to perform with newcomer Neha Uberoi to one of the songs from their debut film Woodstock Villa.

Such is the secrecy surrounding the duo's debut performance on Friday that they weren't allowed to be present at producer Sanjay Gupta's press conference on Wednesday in Dubai.

"All I am doing is rehearsing and chilling out in my room. No partying for me," Sikandar said.

"I don't know how our performance will go. But we have worked really hard. This is not just my first performance but also my first step into showbiz. And to dance on the same stage that has seasoned troupers like Saif (Ali Khan), Salman, Rani and Preity is scary," said Sikandar who is at the IIFA with his mother Kirron Kher.

揂sh shouldn抰 do item number

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra says destiny crucial to her success

Indian beauty-queen-turned-actress Priyanka Chopra chalks up her recent box-office success to hard work and a strong dose of help from fate.

"I believe in doing my job with utmost sincerity because I'm fond of acting,'' Chopra, a former Miss World, said in an interview published in Friday's Hindustan Times newspaper.

"There were instances when someone left a film and I accepted it, and the movie turned out to be a hit. It's all destiny,'' said the actress, who initially struggled to find success in Bollywood.

She didn't specify any movies or actors who opted out of films, allowing her to get the roles.

Her biggest hits over the past two years include "Bluffmaster;'' "Waqt: The Race Against Time;'' and "Mujse Shaadi Karogi,'' or "Will You Marry Me.''

"I just followed my instinct and accepted the projects I was being offered,'' she said. "I listen to the script from an audience's perspective.''

Chopra said she is equally confident that her new film "Krrish,'' due out next week will be a big hit.

"Every film I do, I do it with the conviction that it will be a hit. 'Krrish' is a very special film for me, and it's a film that people will love,'' she said.

In the film, Chopra plays the love interest of Bollywood favorite Hrithik Roshan, who discovers he has super powers.

Chopra had a string of flops when she entered the movie industry four years ago after winning the Miss World and Miss India pageants in 2000. Her luck began to turn with "Mujse Shaadi Karogi'' in 2004.