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When Aishwarya and Hrithik jumped into a deep gorge!

Jumping down into a gorge from a height of 500 metres is no easy task.

If you think Aishwarya Rai was only made for delicate roles, think again. In Dhoom 2 , the actress has pulled off stunts so daring that they could even make some of Bollywood抯 macho men flinch.

The most daring was the stunt in which she and Hrithik Roshan had to jump into South Africa抯 famous Oribi Gorge.

The stunt comes in the film when Hrithik challenges Ash抯 character Sunehri to jump from a cliff.

While Hrithik is used to doing death-defying stunts, Ash says it was the first time she did something so daring.

She and Hrithik were harnessed to a bungee cable, and other safety measures were also taken. When the movie抯 director Sanjay Gadhvi called 慳ction

Priyanka Chopra welcomes holding of IFFI in Goa

Welcoming the idea of holding the International Film Festival of India in Goa, Priyanka Chopra says the film industry will have a larger participation in the event due to Goa's proximity to Mumbai.

"Since the festival is held in Goa, it is much easier for us in the Hindi film industry to take part in IFFI, to just come to Goa for a film or two and go back," she said while reacting to criticism that Bollywood did not take much interest in festivals like IFFI.  

"I cannot speak for other actors, but as for myself, I would love to participate in a festival like this beyond just performing on stage for the inaugural ceremony," the former Miss World told reporters in Panaji on Thursday.

"However, tight shooting schedules don't allow me to do so. Otherwise, I would love to catch a film."

Priyanka and Bollywood stars like Salman Khan , Bipasha Basu , Esha Deol and Ritesh Deshmukh participated in IFFI's inaugural ceremony.

Priyanka was full of praise for the organsiers of IFFI, saying, "This festival will have everything from movies to fun activities and a good representation from all parts of the Indian film industry, not just Bollywood."

The 10-day festival was inaugurated Thursday evening by veteran actor Shashi Kapoor .

Dino Morea is in a steady relationship

Dino Morea may give the impression of a man who gets along easily with any female. But the suave actor is apparently in a very steady relationship with one particular woman.

And that woman is none other than the beautiful entrepreneur-designer Nandita Mahtani. Dino and Nandita have been very close friends for years now.

Like any other relationships, their affair too has had its share of highs and lows. Rumours also had it that the two broke off after Nandita抯 growing friendship with Ranbir Kapoor (Rishi Kapoor抯 son) recently.

However, Dino has laughed off these rumours of split. He has reportedly said that he and Nandita are together and will remain so.

Meanwhile, Dino is planning to venture into film production. He already runs a chain of restaurants along with his brother Santino.

Dino also has plans to make a film with Santino in the lead role. But that is still in distant future.

Aishwarya Rai at her sexy best!

She may be one of the most beautiful women in the world, but Aishwarya Rai isn抰 much known for her sex appeal.

However, that may change with this Friday抯 release Dhoom 2 . The movie has Ash in a sizzling, scintillating role of a spunky girl who teams up with a most-wanted thief to pull off some nearly impossible heists.

When the movie抯 director Sanjay Gadhvi approached Ash for the role, he told her that she has been doing very stereotypical, goody-goody roles in films. Gadhvi wanted to break this image and bring forth another side of Ash in 慏hoom 2

Taxing times for Shah Rukh?

Income Tax Department on Thursday carried out a survey of actor Shah Rukh Khan's company Red Chillies Entertainment at his premises in suburban Bandra to ascertain if norms relating to Tax Deduction at Source has been followed.

"The survey commenced in the morning and is still on," Commissioner, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), K M Verma said.

"We are carrying out a survey to find out whether norms related to TDS have been followed by Red Chillies of which Khan and his wife Gauri Khan are directors," he said.

The survey would last until midnight, he said adding that it was a routine survey.

Red Chillies Entertainment makes movies and had produced films like Main Hoon Na and Paheli starring Khan. When contacted, the actor was not available for comment.

Abhishek kicked out of Dilli 6

Abhishek Bachchan is no longer doing Rakeysh Mehra's Dilli 6, a film based on the childhood days of the director in Delhi's Chandini Chowk locality.

Bachchan junior was all set to play Mehra in the film. Even the director was quite excited. In fact, he had even roped in Amitabh Bachchan to play a cameo in the film. Now, of course, things are different and reportedly Hrithik Roshan has been roped in to play the character.

Mehra has been working hard on the script of the film as there are high expectations from him post Rang De Basanti.He has even spent two and a half weeks with legendry Hollywood script guru Syd Fields for Dilli 6. The film has been titled Dilli 6 as it is the pin code of the area.

The leading lady opposite Hrithik is rumoured to be Deepika Padukone. However Deepika was to make her debut in Farah Khan抯 Om Shanti Om opposite Shahrukh Khan.

Saif and Soha onscreen for the first time
   
You抳e seen Saif Ali Khan get sentimental about his guitar and hang it on a freshly painted Asian Paints wall. Now sister Soha will join Saif in the new Asian Paints Royale commercial.

The ad film, yet to be shot, will follow the old formula and will have an emotional story line. According to a source, the film, in all probability, will have the duo reminiscing childhood memories.

When contacted, Asian Paints' advertising agency Contract and ad film production company Highlight Films refused to comment, saying, 揥e are in no position to give out any information.

Filmmakers having problem with Shahid Kapoor's boyish looks

A lot of filmmakers having problem with Shahid Kapoor's boyish looks. Which makes his female co-stars looks older than him. He stay cool and says, "I don't worry about that, I let my producers and directors worry about that. I have done nine films so far and we've managed and I think we will manage in the future as well. And I am sure that I will come across many new beautiful faces of girls as well, so it will solve my problem."

Stars in trouble!

Rani Mukherjee
Rani and media at war!Rani Mukherji recently embroiled in a controversy with the media in Benaras.Media alleged her personal security persons of misbehaving with some media persons during the shooting of Yash Raj production抯 next 慍hudiyan

Bipasha抯 bikini on auction!

Bipasha is launching her own website now. "I'm launching my own website. It will be maintained entirely by me. And it will have regular, almost daily updates of my life, my ideas, thoughts, observations and basically things that I want to share with my audiences," she reveals in a recent interview.

And there's going to be more to it, which includes auctions of her personal stuff. "Every month, I'll auction away stuff like clothes, etc, and the proceeds will go directly to the Make A Wish foundation which I've been associated with for two years," she says.

揑 don抰 look at Arbaaz,

Brad Pitt to learn dance from Hrithik?

Brad Pitt said himself a terrible dancer and so he would never be able to do a Bollywood movie. But there's a way - as actor Irrfan Khan advised to Pitt's partner Angelina Jolie, with whom Irrfan is doing the Hollywood film 'A Mighty Heart'. According to Irrfan, if the Hollywood superstar watches Hrithik Roshan's steps he would be able to learn everything about dancing.

We don't know whether Brad Pitt got the chance to see any of Hrithik's jadoo dance steps!

But we all know what a fabulous dance Hrithik is. He has showcased that right from his first movie 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai'. So we must definitely think that Irrfan's advice was well indeed a good piece of advice. Let's hope Brad learns a step or two.

Brad Pitt


Hrithik Roshan

Shilpa went on pulling down her skirt and

Salsa class for Akshaye Khanna!

Akshaye Khanna, who is shooting with Urvashi Sharma in an untitled film directed by Abbas-Mustan, took salsa classes for a chartbusting track with huge salsa over tunes. He has left everyone amazed with his dancing skills and Latino looks. Next year starts with 'Salaam-E-Ishaq', 'Gandhi My Father' and two films of Abbas-Mustan!

Ash's kiss pisses off Abhishek

Dhoom 2 might be getting mixed reviews but Ash-Hrithik chemistry has been praised a lot in the film. But according to sources the duo's onscreen kiss hasn't gone down well with the Bachchans were invited to Yashraj Studio for an exclusive preview of Dhoom 2.

It is said that Big B, Jaya and Abhishek were upset with Ash抯 decision to smooch on screen after having said no in her English films.

According to sources, her skimpy costumes too have not gone down well with the first family of Bollywood. "They are wondering where was the need for Aishwarya to change her demure image at this stage." said the friend.

When asked about the kissing scene in the film, Ash's co-star and Abhishek's childhood buddy Hrithik simply laughed it off and refused to comment.

Aishwarya Rai


Abhishek Bachchan

'No competition with Abhishek'

Madhavan plays a journalist for the first time in Mani Rathnam's ready-for-release Guru.

Says Maddy, "I've always been on the other side of the firing line. Now I know how it feels to be asking the questions."

Reliving the experience of shooting with his mentor Maddy says, "Guru is going to be no ordinary film. Trust me, I've worked thrice with Mani before, including the Tamil versions of Saathiya and Yuva. Never have I seen him so charged. Mani wanted to go into the various time passages in Guru chronologically. He waited for all our dates, and then did it in one go."

Any regrets about not being the central character in his mentor's film? "None at all. I've no qualms in doing anything Mani asks me to. He's my guru. And when my guru asked me to be in Guru there was no question of questioning him. Nobody questions Mani."

Maddy is happy to have worked with Abhishek. "He's one actor who's a friend first. It is very difficult to make friends with your colleagues. Somewhere the sense of competitveness comes in. Not with Abhishek. I always wish I could do Hindi versions of my Tamil films. But when Abhishek did Run and Yuva, I was the happiest. If Mani's Yuva took Abhishek two steps forward, Guru will take him ten steps."

Interestingly Madhavan shot for Rituparno Ghosh's Sunglass back-to-back with Guru. "Though it was my first time with Ritu it felt like we had worked together many times. If in Guru I have Abhishek for company in Sunglass I've Jayaji. People tend to notice how strong his mom's influence is on Abhishek's personality, specially the eyes and smile."

After completing his work in Guru and Rituparno Ghosh's Sunglass Madhavan is now in Malaysia for a week-long vacation with his family with his wife Sarita and son Vedant.

"Actually," Maddy confesses seriously, "My parents advised me to go alone. Taking my son along is as good as kissing my vacation goodbye. To say he's a handful would be an understatement. He's barely 1, and he turns on my laptop and plays the music.

He seems to be a gizmo expert from now only. He makes us run around his little finger. The only one not in his control is our parrot Ashley. Ashley hates Vedant for stealing away the attention. Even I feel the same way every time I see my wife and son together."  

You can criticise my son:Big B

Strongly refuting the lately-perpetrated speculation on his return to politics Amitabh Bachchan says, "I'm not into politics at all of any kind. There's absolutely no question of my going into politics. I've repeatedly said I don't understand politics, nor do I have any wish to get into it in any capacity.

Let me say once and for all I'm not going to get into it. I don't make any political statements. Nor am I on any political platform. I'm not qualified to understand or participate in any of our politics."

But then what about Amar Singh's statement to the effect that the Big B might be asked to stand elections?

"Ask him why he said what he said. Why are you asking me?" reasons the Big B calmly.

The Big B admits that perhaps his close association with politicians who are his friends, often leads to the belief that he is going the political way.

"I agree I've many friends who are heavily into politics and affiliated to many different parties. But I do not follow any of their political ideology. You are also my friend. Does it mean I might take to journalism ? Or would it be right to presume that you'd become an actor just because you know me so well?"

While the speculation on Tuesday ran rife after a close family- friend Amar Singh alluded to the Big B's return to politics, the actor was busy shooting a music video for his forthcoming release Baabul.

"The video is woven around my song Kehta hai babul. I think they'll use my song only in the credit titles and the end titles卭r maybe a portion in the background."

About the controversy surrounding Abhishek receiving the Yash Bharti award in Lucknow, the Big B responds, "Achcha hai. There should be debate and questioning in any free society. We're a democratic country and everyone is entitled to an opinion."

I am not dating Kunal Kapoor yet: Dia Mirza  

The latest grapevine is that Dia Mirza is dating Kunal Kapoor.

Q: Are you dating Kunal Kapoor?
Gosh! Straight to the point! (laughs) I know people are talking about this, but I am not dating Kunal Kapoor (pauses)

Q: Please continue.
I wish something was happening between us. He is so cute. I would love to go out with Kunal.

Q: Define the current status of your relationship with him.
We are great buddies. I am very fond of him. If this one went through, I will be the happiest person.

Q: What is so good about him?
He is a wonderful person. He is a very sincere, honest and emotionally rich. I feel very inspired when I am with him.

Q: Are you physically drawn towards him?
Every girl is. He is a very good looking man.

Q: Where did you meet Kunal first? You'll have not worked together?
Yes, we have not worked together. But I am not answering this one. Why can't some things be left as unexplained mysteries of life?

Q: Earlier, you were dating Sameer Hafeez?
Sameer and I are not together anymore. The relationship with Sameer is over now and I really don't want to talk anything more about it.

Q: Tell us something about your role in 'Cash'?
'Cash' is the first film in my life where I am playing a negative character. At the same time, I am very glamorously dressed in the film. And how can I forget that 5 metres water dive which I practised rigorously in South Africa, with a special trainer Charlie.

I have always been a water baby; I love swimming. But I hadn't ever dived into the pool from a height. And this dive is from a height of at least two-and-half storey.

Q: Has this dive been shot?
Not yet. I was trained and I am raring to go. It will be soon shot in Mumbai.

Q: And you'll wear a swimsuit for that shot?
Yes.

Q: A two-piece swimsuit?
Wait and watch.

Q: What else in your kitty?
I have three flicks of Sanjay Gupta- 'Dus Kahaniyan', 'Shoot out at Lokhandwala' and 'Alibag'. Then, I am doing Shyam Bajaj's 'Jai Veeru' opposite Fardeen Khan and Kunal Khemu and Anant Mahadevan's film (untitled) with T-Series.

I am also doing 'Bits and Pieces', which is a tale of two characters- a novelist (Rahul Bose), who is caught in the world of his literature and Dia, his reflection in the mirror of what he needs to be. 'Bits and Pieces' is being directed by National Award-winning director Manmohan Mahapatra.

I didn't want to be Pamela Anderson

She may be one of India's most sought after actresses, but when it comes to donning a bikini for her latest movie, Bollywood beauty Bipasha Basu has the same fears as every other woman.

"Let me tell you shooting in a bikini is not easy," the actress

The journey from Aishwarya Rai to Aishwarya Bachchan starts

Amitabh Bachchan, wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter Shewta Nanda, brother Ajitabh Bachchan and Ajitabh's daughter Namrita are all expected to be present on the occasion. However, it is the surprise inclusion of Aishwarya that gives the occasion a special significance, in view of earlier reports that the Bachchan family had consented to an Abhishek - Aishwarya wedding.

This is the first time Aishwarya Rai is participating in a Bachchan family only event signaling the acceptance of the Bollywood star as a member of the Bachchan family.

The family is reportedly assembling at the Taj Ganga Hotel in Varanasi late on Sunday night. A private jet is flying in Abhishek, Aishwarya and Shewta from Delhi while another one is flying in Amitabh, Ajitabh and Namrita from Bombay.

In Varanasi the Bachchans will be joined by family purohit Chandramoily Uphadhaya. His presence too may be significant since he had overseen the wedding of daughter Shewta Nanda 10 years ago.

No one is expected to sleep much because at 2 AM on Monday family members will go to the Kaashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi for Mangal Arti. They will next go to the Sankat Mochan Mandir to offer prayers. A visit to the Ganga Ghat may also be on the cards.

The early hours at which the family plans to visit Baba Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan temples will preclude the presence of crowds. Nevertheless, security has been beefed up at the two temples. Amitabh Bachchan is entitled to Z-category security in his official capacity as the brand ambassador for UP.