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After bikes, Ash and Hrithik now ride elephants!
05th Dec 2006  21.00 IST
By Nikhil Kumar  

The real thrill of acting profession is the varying experiences actors go through while enacting different characters.

It is going to be a giant leap in time for Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan . After riding superfast motorbikes for Dhoom 2 , the two stars now ride elephants for Ashutosh Gowarikar抯 movie Jodha Akbar .

The movie, currently on the floors, takes Hrithik and Ash in a different time zone altogether. It is a love story between Mughal emperor Akbar and Hindu princess Jodha Bai. The two stars will be seen wearing expensive costumes and jewellery in the film. They will also ride elephants and horses.

Ash has already shot for a scene in which she rode an elephant named Lakhi. Although it was not the first time Ash sat on an elephant, the actress was reportedly thrilled by the ride.

Hrithik has had such experiences during his training sessions for the film when he was learning sword fighting and horse riding.

Ash, on the other hand, has already learned sword fighting for her role of a warrior princess in the yet-to-be-released Hollywood movie 慣he Last Legion

Jugal opposite Madhuri?

If rumormongers to be believed actor Jugal Hansraj will play hero in Yash Raj Film's next opposite Madhuri Dixit. It will be Madhrui's comeback film after a long self-imposed hibernation. Cinematographer Anil Mehta will direct the movie.

Madhuri Dixit

Shah Rukh denied spat with Big B!

Shah Rukh denied his spat with Amitabh Bachchan. Shah Rukh was at Hotel Lands End to announce his comeback to television as the host of the biggest game show ever 慘aun Banega Crorepati' (KBC). When questioned about the media reports regarding the cold-war between him and Big B, Shah Rukh said it's baseless.

"Yes, even I have read this in the newspapers. We are grown-up educated people and working professionals. In Hollywood , do you hear news like Tom Cruise bashing up Brad Pitt? Then why is such stuff carried by you here?"

Shah Rukh Khan


Amitabh Bachchan

Aishwarya swims in 慓uru

Abhishek-Aishwarya in an intense love scene!

In Mani Ratnam's forthcoming 慓uru', Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have an intense love scene. The real life couple plays husband-wife in the film. As per source, while shooting the scene, both Abhishek and Aishwarya were so involved in the sensational act that when director Mani Ratnam finally called 慶ut', they were a little confused because of the interruption. Abhishek-Aishwarya starrer this film will release early next year.

Abhishek Bachchan & Aishwarya Rai

Mystery parcel: Aishwarya in trouble again!

Aishwarya in trouble again. As per latest, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started a fresh inquiry into the mysterious parcel sent to her, contained 23,000 euros.

The parcel was mailed from Rotterdam in Netherlands in November. Though custom officials after questioning Aishwarya and her father Krishna Raj Rai gave a clean chit, but ED's decision made the issue resurface again. ED will be examining whether there has been a violation of the Money Laundering Act or the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

The person, named Avineshwar, who has reportedly sent the parcel to Aishwarya will also come under ED's scanner.

However Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has criticized the ED's decision and said law should be equal for all. Singh said he was sure that Aishwarya was innocent. 揔ar nahi to dar nahi

Kareena isn't into chicks now!

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor says cutting meat from her diet keeps her weight in check.

She is happier, too, now that she is no longer responsible for killing animals, said a report on Tuesday.

But the recent change in diet has her parents worried she is becoming too thin, Kapoor told a newspaper.

揑t's true that I used to love non-vegetarian food,

I like Rani Mukerjee so much!

Life couldn't get any rosier for Konkona. Omkara, she agrees, has started a new phase in her career. "I'm so glad I did Omkara. So happy that I got to work with Vishal Bharadwaj.

And to think I had constant apprehensions about doing the Hindi language in a UP dialect. Finally Vishal had to tell me to stop getting conscious about my language because it was hampering my performance."

Tell her she had some really naughty things to say to Kareena Kapoor in Omkara and Konkona giggles. "Oh, my dialogues get even naughtier in Madhur Bhandarkar's Traffic Signal where I play this street walker. It's a small role. But very peppery."

She stops to think. "You know I don't mind doing small roles. But it has make some sense in the script. Some people are offering me senseless and tiny roles presuming I'm game for anything."

The one she's truly excited about at the moment is the one she's shooting for in Kolkata. "Sunglass is my third film with Rituparno Ghosh. 協ourth if you count both the Hindi and English versions of Sunglass separately. And it's my first comedy. Though I did have light moments in Omkara, nothing like this film where I play this wacky woman with wacky powers."

Konkona has a lot to hum about. "You know, I used to admire Jayaji's earlier films so much. The way she emoted, and her whole personality exuded a certain warmth. And now Jayaji is playing my mother in two films!"

Konkona Sen-Sharma is thrilled by the thought that she'll have Jaya as her mom in Sunglass and then in Pradeep Sarkar's untitled film for Yashraj films.

"Since I haven't met her I'm very nervous and excited. I guess we'll get to know one another during the shoot. So Pradeep-da will reap the harvests of our compatibility," she jokes.

Mention of Pradeep Sarkar's film brings a sparkle to her voice. "It's so different in mood to Sunglass, so Jayaji and I get to play very different mother-daughter pairs in both films."

She admits she's kicked by the presence of Rani Mukherjeee who plays her sister in Sarkar's film. "Rani is an actress I like immensely. She was so wonderful in Black I've looked forward to the time when I can actually share screen space with her."

Is she kicked about doing a Yashraj Films? "I accepted this film because Pradeep Sarkar strikes an even balance between art and commercialism. He doesn't really fall into the Shyam Benegal-Govind Nihalani bracket. Yet he's superior to your average commercial potboiler-maker."

She's also thrilled by the thriller Deadline which was released last month.. "I've done a horror film Amavas and now a thriller Deadline. It's always a pleasure to work with Irffan Khan. He's among the best. We's done a film called Meridian, and we're working in Anurag Basu's Metro

Priyanka obsessed with Johar!

The crisscross of stars from Govinda, Salman Khan, John Abraham to Priyanka Chopra, Juhi Chawla and Vidya Balan in "Salaam-E-Ishq" could've broken an average director's back, but Nikhil Advani is having a ball working with them.

He is enjoying every bit of it. Even the notoriously undisciplined Govinda seems to be giving Advani a splendid time.

"Govinda is like a dream," Advani raves. "He's on the sets on the dot and embarrassingly apologetic if he's a few minutes late."

In fact, initially, the second-time director - who made his debut with "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - was petrified about how to handle the vast cast.

"But it's like a cakewalk. No actor has given me any grief. I've already finished filming my portions with Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla, also a part of the shooting required with Salman-Priyanka and Akshaye Khanna-Ayesha Takia.

"To watch these actors before the camera is an amazing experience. I'm like a child in a candy store greedily wanting more and more. And you know what? These guys are more than willing to deliver.

Allegedly, there has been cold war going between him and Karan Johar. However, Nikhil rubbishes these rumours saying, "Ridiculous!!! There is absolutely no bad blood between Karan and me. Actually, he would have attended the function, had he not been in Barcelona."

Nikhil continus, "This cold war is a fantasy of some envious elements. Throughout the making of 'Salaam-e-Ishq', Karan has offered constant moral and creative support. In fact, he even allowed me to use two of the songs which were originally composed for 慘al Ho Na Ho

Bollywood unites for Sanjay Dutt

In a show of support for actor Sanjay Dutt, Bollywood will organise a signature campaign on December 12 at Film City. But contrary to reports in certain section of the media, there will not be any peace march or bandh.

"We are not calling a bandh. All we are doing is launching a signature campaign to show our gratitude towards the actor who has been kind to all our workers of the film industry. The signature campaign will only be for a day and all our workers

Former Indian movie star Madhuri Dixit juggles work, family for comeback film

Former leading lady Madhuri Dixit is anxious about balancing her career with caring for her young sons when she films a new movie early next year.

Her comeback film, likely to be released by mid-2007, will be produced and directed by Yashraj Films, a company run by veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra. No details were available about the script or other members of the cast.

Dixit told The Times of India that while her children were important, she needed to think of the world outside her home.

"I'm extremely nervous," she said. "My children are the most important part of my life. But they are growing and need to be a little independent."

She said she was comfortable with Chopra, whom she described as "sensitive to the schedules of an actor who is a wife and mother."

Dixit, who was one of India's most sought-after stars, stopped acting after marrying a U.S.-based Indian surgeon in 1999.

Her last hit movie, released in 2002, was "Devdas," in which she played a courtesan in a saga of doomed love.

Govinda scares Priyadarshan

Govinda, notorious for his unpunctuality, made Priyadarshan almost faint on the sets of 'Bhaagam Bhaag'. The director was busy shooting a promotional song when he suddenly realized that his lead actor, Govinda was nowhere to be seen, and his phone was out of the coverage area.

Priyadarshan was anxious because Akshay was waiting in his make-up van for the combination shot. He didn't have the guts to tell Akshay that Govinda was untraceable.

There were only two minutes left for the shot. Suddenly, Govinda stormed in. "I was sleeping in my make-up van," he said. Priyadarshan felt like screaming!  

Pooja Bhatt injured in a road accident

Film actress Pooja Bhatt has sustained minor injuries when the car in which she was traveling collided with another vehicle. "She has suffered minor injuries to her head. But it was nothing serious. There is no need to worry," Director General of Goa Police Ujjwal Mishra says.

Bhatt was on her way to the airport to board a flight for Mumbai after attending the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) when the mishap occurred. She was only 2 km away from the airport this afternoon, reported Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudeshai. The actress was admitted to Goa Medical College.

A foreigner, who was sitting in the car, which dashed against Bhatt's vehicle, was also injured. The driver of the other vehicle was detained.

Mahesh Bhatt who flew into Goa said, "I have started believing in miracles."  

SRK, Aamir in 'Dhoom 3'?

Yash Raj Films seem to have made up its mind. They will be making 'Dhoom 3'. Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will continue to play the cops, as in 'Dhoom 2'.

Buzz is, Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in to play the smart thief (played by John Abraham in 'Dhoom' and Hrithik Roshan in 'Dhoom 2') There's also talk doing the rounds that Aamir Khan will be included in the film.

What about the girls? Rimi Sen and Esha Deol who were in 'Dhoom', were not chosen for 'Dhoom 2', but instead were replaced by Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu. Will Rimi and Esha return? Or will Ash and Bips continue? Or will we have some other gals? Let's wait and watch.

One thing is for certain. Sanjay Gadhvi who directed the first two parts will not be directing the third one. Gadhvi has since parted ways with Yash Raj Films.  

Shah Rukh Khan


Aamir Khan

Richard Gere phones Shilpa Shetty

Richard Gere recently phoned Shilpa Shetty to thank her for her work in creating awareness about the scourge of mankind. With what results? Shetty is on cloud nine, tom-tomming about it to everybody and roaming around wide-eyed.

Shilpa who has been actively involved in several AIDS awareness programs, will also be attending the World Aids Day function in Delhi on December 1st. She also played the lead in Revathy's AIDS story directorial 'Phir Milenge', which starred Salman Khan.

Incidentally, Gere, who himself works actively against AIDS, has seen 'Phir Milenge'.  

Richard Gere & Shilpa Shetty


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 9-5-2007 04:05 PM ]

Don't you be afraid Aishwarya

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a move to ascertain whether a case of foreign exchange violation could be made out in connection with the receipt of a parcel from the Netherlands that contained Euros 23,000 in the name of actress Aishwarya Rai.

The ED has asked the customs department in Mumbai to submit its report about the parcel sent to the former Miss World by one Avineshwar from Rotterdam in September-end, official sources said.

The ED asked its Mumbai office to approach the customs department to obtain the report pertaining to the parcel, which contained electronic goods and 23,000 Euros, so that it could ascertain if a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could be made out.

The ED's move came after the customs department and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) gave a clean chit to Ashwariya in the matter.

Senior officials of the ED termed the move as routine, saying the directorate had to probe all cases of recovery of foreign exchange.

Aishwarya was extensively questioned by the customs department on November 20 for two-and-a-half hours, after which she was given a clean chit "as of now".

This has now raised a few political questions, in view of the strained relationship between the country's most powerful political family - that of the Gandhis - and India's biggest superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Is this an effort to further embarrass Big B by Asihwarya under the scanner? After all, these days, she is often seen in company of junior Bachchan.

Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh said law should be equal for all. Singh said he was sure that Aishwarya was innocent. "If you are not guilty, don抰 be afraid," he said.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said his party has nothing to do with the matter.

The customs registered a case against Avineshwar under the Customs Act for not declaring the goods sent in the parcel. The punishment for this offence ranges from a fine to imprisonment for three years.

The parcel arrived at the Foreign Post Office in Mumbai in September-end. Besides the currency, it contained a top- brand shirt, a pair of binoculars, a DVD player and electronic items.

Aishwarya meant to be Jodha

"You could say that," she concurs chirpily on the eve of her departure to Jaipur to begin shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha-Akbar. She has been a part of so many films that require elaborate sets and costumes, right from Rituprano Ghosh's Chokher Bali and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas to J.P. Dutta's Umrao Jaan and the forthcoming Mani Rathnam opus Guru which is also a period film of sorts opening, as it does, in the 1950s.

Then of course there're those costume/period dramas in Ash's life that never happened, like Raj Santoshi's Prithviraj-Sanjukta.

"I've often been told I belong to another era. And my selection of films reflects that old-world reality," she says as she packs to leave for a large part of November.

Ashutosh Gowariker had been keen to work with Ash for a long time. One suspects a part of the charm of recreating the Mughal era was to see Ash in the Madhubala mould in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam.

But Hrithik while speaking on the subject of Jodha-Akbar was quick to stress the fact that this project had nothing to do with Mughal-e-Azam. "It goes into another period of Emperor Akbar and his Rajput wife's life.

For me the challenge of doing my first costume drama is to look convincincing in the old-world costumes. I'm r eally looking forward to my first period film卼hough a bit afraid of the unknown."

Interestingly Hrithik was supposed to do Gowariker's previous film. "I had read Ashutosh's script for Swades. I couldn't see it from the director's perspective, and therefore didn't think I was equipped to perform the part. I wasn't the best person to translate Ashutosh's vision.

And this was right after Lagaan! Ashutosh coming to me made me feel on top of the world. Unfortunately or fortunately my conscience didn't allow me to be honest with such an honest film..But Shah Rukh was superb. Swades is one of my favourite films.

And Ashutosh is definitely one of my favourite filmmakers, more so after Swades than Lagaan. This director's vision is unimaginable. It's such a challenge to satisfy Ashutosh. I hope I live up to his expectations."

Hrithik saw Jodha-Akbar like no other costume drama. "I suspect Ashutosh will see the theme in a different light. I don't think my Akbar will be like anything you've seen. You know it always helps to have a director who knows more than you. The minute you feel you know more about the script than the director the project is cooked."

There's also the challenge for Gowariker to make his amazingly good-looking pair look Mughal-bound after they slip into futuristic gear and groove in Dhoom 2. This shouldn't be much of a challenge

Feast on John Abraham 2007 Calendar

Zee Muzic has come up with a collector's edition calendar with exclusive photographs of John Abraham for each month of the year.

Titled Zee Muzic - John Abraham 2007 Calendar, it was shot by Bollywood's ace photographer Subi Smauel at exotic locales in Goa. It will be unveiled on Dec 11.

Said a thrilled John: "I am very excited to be part of this initiative. We had a blast shooting the calendar. Subi has done a terrific job.

"My fans can take a sneak peek of this exclusive calendar also on my official website along with information on my upcoming releases - 'Baabul', 'Kabul Express' and 'Salaam-E-Ishq'."

It presents nature lover John in a sizzling avatar that brings out the five S' - sun, sand, sea, skin and loads of sex appeal.

Subi feels John is the right choice for the calendar. "John is the quintessential youth icon. He's a unique amalgamation of great looks, a chiselled physique and a childlike quality, which makes him the perfect subject for this calendar."  

Real and reel bonds tie Amitabh and TV star Pawan

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and "Kkasam Se" actor Pawan Shankar will share screen space again after their ad for Reid & Taylor. This time the duo will be seen in a commercial for Dabur Swas Amrit, which will go on air in the second week of December.

Both have too many things in common to ignore. They are both from Allahabad, both their families happened to know the Nehrus quite well and both their fathers were Hindi litterateurs.

Pawan's grandparents were the caretakers of Swaraj Bhavan, the home of the Nehrus in Allahabad after Anand Bhavan. His father Shyam Krishna Pandey was the all India secretary of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. Of course, Amitabh's father was the renowned Harivansh Rai Bachchan and the family had close links with Indira Gandhi.

Even on an individual level, the coincidences don't cease. Both left corporate jobs to get into the glamour industry and both of them are passionate table tennis players.

"It's quite nice to share so many similarities with such a legendary actor, but of course, there is no comparison with Mr. Bachchan," said Pawan, who can be seen in Zee TV's "Kkasam Se" as a lawyer and STAR Plus' "Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan".

Amitabh Bachchan

13-yr-old Hrithik fan steals Rs 13,000

Spends mother抯 savings on acquiring Dhoom 2-style bike, jacket, sunglasses

Clad in a black leather jacket, Reebok shoes and Fast Track shades, this biker failed to zoom away like his favourite actor, when the police nabbed him on Wednesday night near Thakur Complex at Kandivili.

He insisted on being called Mr A by the policemen, after Hrithik Roshan抯 character in Dhoom 2, but Jay Kodekar (name changed) is only 13. A student of Std VI at a BMC school in Kandivli, Jay was nabbed by the Samta Nagar police. He had fled with Rs 13,000, his mother抯 savings, from their residence in Kandivli (East) on Tuesday, and spent most of it in acquiring accessories and apparels worn or used by the actor in the film.  

He got a battery-operated sports bike worth Rs 7,000, a pair of shoes for Rs 1,800, a leather jacket and branded sunglasses worth Rs 1,000 each.

揌e has admitted to fleeing with the cash, as he wanted to imitate Hrithik Rohan in the movie Dhoom 2,