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How Hrithik misjudged Aishwarya!

Hrithik Roshan had some preconceived notions about Aishwarya Rai before he began working with her.

In Hrithik抯 own words, sometimes the beauty of a person overshadows the other talents in him/her.

While the beauty of Aishwarya Rai is unquestionable, doubts have often been raised whether there is talent behind her beautiful face. After all, no other top Bollywood actress has been as unlucky at the box-office as Rai. The strongest of Ash抯 critics put it down to the lack of talent in the actress.

Quite similar was Hrithik抯 notion before he began working with Ash in Dhoom 2 . But just one shooting schedule with Ash in Rio De Janeiro completely changed Hrithik抯 opinion of the gorgeous actress.

揑 have to say that I had judged her wrong. I felt really foolish at that匰ometimes beauty just takes over so much of the other talents. She's someone with a lot more mettle than just what shows on her face,

AMRITA QUITS BAHRI'S MOVIE

Relations between a brother-in-law and his sister-in-law have been a talk of the town since ages. A recent incident in Bollywood has brought it again in the limelight. Lately, Amrita Arora quit Deepak Bahri's movie on this count. Bahri had signed her to picturise certain sexy scenes on her with her brother-in-law Arbaaz Khan. The latter is married to Amrita's sister Mallaika Arora.

Amrita didn't like to play sexy scenes with her brother-in-law, presumably because of the old saying " Saali is aadhi gharwali" (A sister-in-law is just like a half wife!). The incident has shocked Arbaaz Khan though. Incidentally, Amrita Arora who has been brought up in the lap of Sanjay Dutt, did not mind pairing with Sanjay Dutt in their 'Jodi No 1'. Industry circles wonder why Amrita chose to quit Bahri's movie starring Arbaaz Khan when she could do romantic scenes with Sanjay Dutt.

Interestingly, Amrita Arora has just returned from London. Though she claims to have had a ball shopping there, in fact, she traveled there to watch Usman play cricket. "It was fun to watch a cricket match there." Lester and Wooster are small towns situated on the outskirts of England, and specialise in vintage shops that have a collection of old clothes, which one would never get otherwise. Among international designers Gucci, Top Shop and River Island are Anrita's favouite brands. When someone compare her to Lindsay Lohan , Amrita Arora gets excited. " She is one of my favorite singers. " Besides, Amrita has recently been on the cover of A-line fashion magazine and has been called the next fashion icon. But she likes a saree more than anything. " There is nothing that can beat the saree when it comes to complete dressing and, Indian jewelry goes too well with it."

Amrita Arora

ESHA'S BAG IS FULL WITH OFFERS

This seems that the bubbly daughter of Bollywood's dream girl is now settled. Yes, we are talking about Hema Malini's daughter Esha whose hands are now full with movie offers. While talking with the media in the midst of a party, Esha announced that she was doing Meghna Gulzar's 'Honeymoon' opposite Fardeen Khan besides her home production, which was supposed to be directed by her sister Aahana. When asked about the 'Honeymoon' she said, " At present, I can only tell you that I am playing the character of Fardeen's wife."

Are you doing Hema Malini's directorial debut movie too? She said, " Yes, it's right. But it will take some time, as the script is incomplete. However, I may inform you that it will an action flick." Are you acting in any other film? She said, "I am doing Harry Baweja's action thriller 'Red', starring Zayed Khan and Aftab Shivdasani. Then, there is Ramesh Sippy's 'Rooh', a movie based on supernatural powers." Aren't you upset with your absence in 'Dhoom Part II'? "Yes, it is unfortunate that I am not the part of it, but I wish all the best to the whole unit of Dhoom Part II'."

ISHA KOPPIKAR BANKS ON FARHAN'S 'DON'

NKhallas girl Isha Koppikar who shot to fame in Ram Gopal Verma's 'Company' and later in 'Girlfriend' and 'Kya Kool Hain Hum' is very excited these days. She is anxiously waiting for her latest 'Don'. Significantly, Farhan Akhtar has not only assigned her an acting role in his remake of 'Don', but has given her the coveted role played by Zeenat Anaam in the original 'Don'. Isha doesn't stop talking about her character of Aneeta in 'Don'. We chatted with her.

What's role in Farhan's 'Don'?

This has been the famous movie of Amitabh Bachchan. And, I am assigned Aneeta's character in it that was once played by Zeenat Aman. So, I am very, very happy.

What's special about Aneeta's character?

Shah Rukh Khan is playing 'Don' in it though Amitabh played it in the earlier avatar of 'Don'. I play Aneeta's character. Incidentally, I was chosen to do an item number in the movie, but Farhan decided to try me for Aneeta's character. He had faith in my acting talent.

Will you quit item numbers after 'Don'?

No, I am not averse to doing item numbers. After all, I have earned fame as an item number dancer only, say, because of Khallas. Besides, one is remembered for one's item number for long. So, I shall never quit doing an item number.

Which has been your favorite character so far?

I like my character in Dwivedi's 'Pinjar'. However, my character in 'Kya Kool Hain Hum' has brought me offers since it had hit the box office. But, I am keenly waiting for Farhan's 'Don'.

Isha Koppikar

Bips in new avatar

Isn't Bipasha Basu playing a double role in Abbas-Mustan's next venture, starring Ajay Devgan and Sanjay Dutt? Yes, she will be seen in a new avatar in his mentor's untitled movie. She will surprise her fans as she has got her beautiful long hair cut short for this movie. After all, it was Abbas-Mustan who launched her in his 'Ajnabee', and Bips has never looked back since. However, this time it is Abbas-Mastan's comedy unlike 'Ajnabee' in the past. When she played a gray character. When asked to throw more light on her role, she expressed inability to do so, at this stage.

Amisha's b'day in Venice

Director Vikram Bhatt will celebrate Bollywood actress Amisha Patel's birthday in Rome (Italy) quietly. Yes, he wants to celebrate this in a romantic way. And, no place could be better than Venice to be with his girlfriend on the latter's most auspicious day. Certainly, Vikram knows this better than anyone else as Amisha has come to him in his second innings of lovemaking. The smashits wishes both Vikram and Amisha a happy life full of love.

JUNIOR B ENDORSES OMEGA WATCHES

Abhishek Bachchan has added one more feather in his cap, as he has become the brand ambassador of an international watch company, Omege. During a function in the Capital, Omega announced that from today onwards Abhieshek would be the brand ambassador of Omega watches. To a smashits query as to made him to become brand ambassador of Omega watches, he replied, " I have been using Omega watches for a very long time and find these excellent. So, I accepted to become their brand ambassador."

To another question as to what he sees in a product before endorsing it, the junior Bachchan replied, "I endorse only those products which I am used to". Would he be ready to endorse undergarments, he replied, "I will look into it when the proposal comes to me." The actor replied in affirmative to a media question if he would pay taxes on income derived from endorsements. Though the actor was in New Delhi in connection with Omega function, he didn't attend to his grandfather Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan's centenary celebration being held in the evening.

MADHURI'S SCHOOL CRUSH

Childhood Babli never dreamt that one day she would throng millions of hearts a few years hence. Yes, later this girl turned Madhuri Dixit. Before joining Bollywood, she has had a crush, but luckily for her and unlucky for her schoolmate who turned down her proposal. Though Madhuri began her acting career as a seven-year child in a Marathi drama. Then, she acted in Rajshri's 'Abodh'. However, Subhash Ghai discovered her as his future girl on the sets of 'Swati', playing as a younger sis of Meenaxi Sheshadri. Ghai picturized a song on her for his'Karma' but dropped the song! But, her destiny made Ghai to sign her opposite Anil Kapoor in h 'Ram Lakhan'. From here, Madhuri never looked back, and rose to be the number one bee queen of Bollywood.

In spite of this, Madhuri reminisces how keen she was to meet her idol Vinod Khanna. The fate fulfilled her this desire too when she was cast opposite Vinod Khanna in Feroz Khan's 'Dayavan'. When asked Madhuri still remembers her 'Anzaam' with Rahul Rawel as the best. She takes revenge on Shah Rukh Khan in this movie where the latter turns crazy about her. We may recall that Madhuri had recommended Karisma for the role of a second heroine in 'Dil To Paagal Hai'. Similarly, she had recommended Akshay Kumar for this movie where he has appeared as a guest. This isn't the end of the story. During the shooting of this movie, Madhuri also advised a lean young man to shift to direction. This was none other than Yash Chopra's son Aditya's friend. Yes, he is Karan Johar, who first assisted Aditya as his assistant, and has turned now a successful director.

JOHN ABRAHAM  

John Abraham has gone in an overdrive to put the record straight. After the shocking report about Salman opting out of films starring John, the actor is eager to clear the air between the two stars. He is shouting from the rooftop that he never had any problem with mercurial-temper-owner Khan during the 'Rockstars' concerts.  

Big B at Corporate Image PC

Big B launches Atul Kasbekar?s new company, Corporate Image that will focus on the important aspect of managing the identity of the top management within an organization. Amitabh Bachchan, who graced the other side of Atul?s lens many times was the chief guest for the launch function at JW Marriott on 29th June 2006.

Hrithik Filmfare Celebrations

Filmfare magazine celebrated the successful sale of 2 million copies of the magazine featuring Hrithik on the cover at Ra Lounge on June 18th 2006.

John at Diet Pepsi Promotion

John Abrham part of Diet Pepsi promotion met contest winner kids at ITC Grand Central.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 4-9-2006 04:03 PM ]

Akshay Celebrates PHP Success

Akshay celebrates 'Phir Hera Pheri' success.

ARSHAD: NO MORE COMEDY

Arshad Warsi came into the limelight in his 'Tere Mere Sapne' and never looked back. However, he shot to fame in his 'Munnabhai MBBS' starring Sanjay Dutt and his father late Sunil Dutt besides others. He has had stints with Sanjay Dutt in 'Munnabhai's sequel and 'Anthony Kaun Hai' ready to release soon. However, this seems he has had enough of Sanjay Dutt and comedy. So, he has decided to say goodbye to comedies for some time. He has stated this after his return from the shooting of 'Kabul Express' in Afghanistan.

The actor is very excited with his forthcoming movie where he has played the role of a television reporter along with his colleague John Abraham. This is in spite of the fact that both the Bollywood actors suffered severe cold there plus threats from Talibans there. Warsi wishes to repeat such roles in future. Arshad met with the media recently and chatted with it.

What's 'Kabul Express' all about?

This is a movie much different from others and its unusual script has been written by Kabir Khan. This would have been a Hollywood classic had it been written in English.

Has this anything to do with the other ' Express'?

No, it has no relationship with that.

What about your another Sanjay Dutt starrer?

Oh, this is Raj Kaushal's 'Anthony Kaun Hai'. The movie is like 'Munnabhai MBBS' inasmuch as its cast is the same.

What's its genre?

This is a thriller movie.

Any other movie in the offing?

Yes, this is Inder Kumar's ' Dhamaal' starring Viveik Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, Javed Jaffery and Sanjay.

What's its story about?

Our guys come across a big chunk of money and chase it.

And, what about 'Munnabhai MBBS' sequel?

This is fantastic indeed. This will be larger than its prequel. We, I mean, Sanjay and I take our characters ahead from where we left in 'Munnabhai MBBS'.

What's your future plan?

I am thinking of directing a movie.

Why delay in the releases of your movies?

I am very anxiously awaiting their release.

MALAIKA QUIET ON OPTING OUT OF SRK'S 'DON'

Mallaika Arora Khan, a model- turned-VJ-turned-actress, is one of the most wanted item girls of Bollywood. She shot to fame in her dance number " Chhaiya chhaiya.." in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dil Se' and stormed the industry. Since then she never looked back. She appeared on the screen in 'Kaal' again on invitation from Shah Rukh. Mallaika belongs to a filmi family; she is married to Arbaaz Khan, brother of Salman and Sohail Khan, besides being elder sis of actress Amrita Arora.

Now, she is mother of her child named Arhaan, wife of Arbaaz, sis-in-law of Salman and Sohail, apart from being the bahu of the Khan family. She has turned a lecturer when she visited New Delhi to groom students of the Air Hostess Training Institute and provide them beauty tips.

Why have you distanced yourself from the screen these days?

No, I haven't distanced myself from the screen. However, I never dreamt of being a heroine. But, I do item numbers because of my interest in dance and music.

Did you get an item number offer in Shah Rukh's 'Don'?

Yes, I had got the offer first.

Is any other actress doing it now?

Yes.

How come did you decline SRK's offer ?

Well, let me just mention that it didn't happen. I can't say more than this.

Why are your brothers -in-law still bachelors?

They are very busy in their work.

How do you feel after your marriage with Arbaaz?

He is a very softhearted person. He takes care of all of us.

That's all?

I feel angry when he doesn't seek any new dish at home. He eats whatever is offered to him. I wish him to tell me his favorite dish.

How do you get time to do all this?

This has been possible because of time management. I go by time management.

How do you feel now being a lecturer?

Laughs. It was great experience. When we enter the classroom everybody stands and listens to us very carefully. It's good that they consider their teacher as a guru and not as a celebrity.

Do you want to repeat this job?

Definitely, if something like this comes to me, I will do it.

What tips do you want to give to students?

I want to tell them that if they are serious about their career in this field, then they need to be serious and take full interest in it. This is going to be one of the highly paid career.

What's your style?

Wear, which you think, suits you. Don't follow others.

What do you like to keep in your wardrobe?

Pairs of blue jeans, white shirts, good shoes and, of course, goggles.

What do you like - designer's or street shopping?

It depends on the what I have to purchase. However, these days I do only designer shopping. Earlier, when I was a model, I used to go street shopping, say, on places like Janpath in New Delhi.

Malaika Arora Khan


Shah Rukh Khan

Bipasha in a C-grade controversy!

Things are just not going Bipasha's way these days. After the news of strained relationship with John Abraham, the dusky beauty now mired in a C-grade film controversy.

The entire fracas started when she noticed that a low budget film called 'Bipasha-The Black Beauty' is trying rake in moolah by presenting her real life journey into film in a kitschy way.

"I think they are making a mockery of my name," lashed out angry Bipasha. "I have a beautiful name. This is a C-grade film with a C-grade actress in it and hope it is not based on my life. As for my life, I don't think it's worth making a film on."

But the film's leading lady, Needhi Gill, who Incidentally also has an uncanny resemblance with Bipasha didn't take her criticism in a very healthy manner and sent her a legal notice.

揑 was very upset, that without knowing any details Ms Basu said it抯 a C-grade film, and she mentioned my name

Unhappy Hrithik leaves India!

As the boxoffice figures of Krissh mutiply their zeroes, Hrithik Roshan had to reluctantly leave the hub of activity on Tuesday.

He's left the country to shoot for Sanjay Gadhvi's Dhoom 2 where he goes from world-saviour to universal-destroyer. "It was a 17-hour journey from London," Hrithik explained.

"I'm feeling terrible because I'm missing all the post-release excitement back home. But that's my destiny. My history says it all. I wasn't home during Kaho Na匬yar Hai and Koi匨il Gaya. At least I'm consistent," he jokes.

Hrithik will be away for a month shooting intricate action sequences in the never-before Bollywood terrain of Namibia. He'll be joined by Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai after a fortnight.

But he put forward a request before his Dhoom producer Aditya Chopra. "I've asked for a day off just to get my heart back into Dhoom 2. It's still with Krissh!"

Hrithik-Priyanka love story works: Rakesh Roshan

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan dismisses criticism that his "Krrish" has failed to meet the standards of "Koi...Mil Gaya" and says it is "prevalent practice" to always make the last film seem better than the new product.

"Comparing 'Krrish' with 'Koi... Mil Gaya' is like comparing Raj Kapoor's 'Sangam' with 'Awaara'. Such comparisons serve no purpose and people who make them know nothing about the box office. To make a niche film is relatively easy," Roshan told .

He says that "Krrish", starring son Hrithik Roshan, has already surpassed its original "Koi...Mil Gaya" in profits.

"People expect me to surpass my previous collections and 'Krrish' has done so in the first three days. What 'Koi... Mil Gaya' had done in its entire run, "Krrish" has done in the first week."

Q: It's being said that Krrish Doesn't Touch People's Hearts like Koi匨il Gaya.
A: That's a prevalent practice here, to always make what comes in the past seem better than the new product. But Comparing Krrish with Koi匨il Gaya is like comparing Raj Kapoor's Sangam with Awaara.

Those who are comparing my two films are just trying to be smart. The boxoffice collections tell another story. The way things look Krrish is going to be the biggest blockbuster made in this country. We'll cross more than 60 crore rupees in seven days. Everything in Krrish is different.

Such comparisons serve no purpose. And people who make them know nothing about the boxoffice. To make a niche film is relatively easy. Sanjay Bhansali's Black was a fansatic film. And the business it did was surprising. But I make fully commercial films. People expect me to surpass my previous collections. Krrish has done so in the first three days.

What Koi匨il Gaya has done in its entire run Krrish will do in the first week. A friend called to say his nephew refused to budge from the seat after the show. He wanted to go on watching in the next show.

Yes, Krrish does belong to the same genre as Superman or King Kong. It had to go by the genre. In every film of that genre the heroine wonders about the super-hero's identity. Even in Shahenshah Meenakshi Sheshadri went through the same dilemma.

Q: Priyanka Chopra is being criticized for her minimized impact?
A: Even Preity Zinta had a substantial role in Koi匨il Gaya. Hrithik's role completely over-shadowed her, and now Priyanka. That's because he has the author-backed role and he's a very fine actor.

He put his whole and soul in both films. But I want to ask one thing卙ow's the film working so well if Priyanka's role isn't working?

If the love story didn't work, the film wouldn't have worked. Why are people scratching the surface of Krrish to prove it has flaws?

Q: Another criticism is that the film is too long and that the comic portions in the first-half are redundant.
A: If this film was called Koi匱umsa Nahin and not Krrish no one would've minded the length. I could've easily shown the film to be techno-savvy like the second-half.

If I have old-fashioned comedy in the first-half it's because I know people enjoy it in the interiors. I made the audience fall in love with Krishna first so they could adore Krrish in the second-half.

Krrish is nothing without Krishna. As for the comedy being old-fashioned, the film is doing so well in places like Patna because it's old-fashioned. I've to make sure Krrish runs in Tamil Nadu and the US. It's a rage in all the smaller stations.

Q: What about the songs by Rajesh Roshan?
A: Those who say the songs aren't up to the mark should see how the music sales have picked up after the release. After seeing the songs in the film people love them.

Q: Why so many product endorsements?
A: Today even in Hollywood films are packed with endorsements. Every entertainment product is now propped by products. What's the harm in showing Rekha washing her clothes in a particular detergent, or Hrithik drinking a beverage? And don't people have Lay's chips in movie theatres. So why not in my film?

Hrithik Roshan & Priyanka Chopra

I must say Ash looks stunning: Hrithik Roshan

Life is beautiful for Hrithik Roshan.

Q: Krrish comes after so long.. So gutsy of you to stay out of sight.
A: Almost two years! And it's got nothing to do with guts. I had no choice. I got involved with the scripting of Krrish. And nothing seemed to excite me at that point of time. But now I'm doing three back-to-back films.

That's the most work I've done together in a long time. That should put an end to my reputation of being over-choosy. I don't sit judgement over the entire industry's scripts, please! I choose instinctively. I react with my heart.

Your level of excitement determines how much of yourself you put in a role. There's no point in doing something you aren't excited about. Because it finally shows in your work.

Q: You always seem audacious in your selections?
A: That's the thing about life. It's always about facing bigger challenges and choosing the highest summits to climb. How else would you find the thresholds of your potentials? Might as well choose the riskiest and face your fears.

Q: Would you say you're anti-thetical to Koi匨il Gaya in Krrish?
A: Rohit in Koi

Let抯 try an untried pair!

Casting untried pair is a regular phenomenon in Bollywood, at the same time filmmakers feel assured repeating hit pair in film after film, considering their immense potential at the box office.

Still stars paired up for the first time have certain impact over moviegoers and sometimes it helps a film doing well.

In this episode we will present some yet untried pairs, who can easily set the silver screen on fire.

Here is Abhishek and Mallika, who can make a hit-n-hot pair, however yet not tried.Though in Mani Ratnam抯 forthcoming 慓uru