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Natasha: Preity is my role model

A television heroine who shot to fame in Ekta Kapoor's serials has now entered the film industry. She is seen in Balaji Productions' 'Koi Aap Saa'. This is none other than Natasha. She has played the character of an unwed mother in the movie. She says that her role model in the industry is Preity Zinta. " I have watched several movies of Preity Zinta to follow the characteristics of her acting. I have tried to copy a lot from her strong roles."

Preity Zinta


[ Last edited by Gadis_Venus at 14-1-2006 06:45 PM ]

MAHIMA TOO FOR SERIOUS CINEMA

A number of actresses have been trying for the role of a leading lady in Aparna Sen's 'Gulel' featuring Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan. The likes of Manisha Koirala, Rinke Khanna, Sonali Bendre and others were vying for the coveted role, but the latest on this front is that our utterly butterly 'caramelly' Mahima Chaudhry is likely to bag the honor. Mahima, who was in Dubai recently, dashed home to meet Sen, and if things continue to move the way they are there's no doubt that Mahima will bag the role.

It looks like Mahima is all set to put her glamorous image behind and do some serious roles in a career, which has exceeded its shelf life. If Aparna's film was not enough to prove that she has also signed an Indo-UK co-production titled 'Chess' to be directed by Manoj Bhatnagar. Starring opposite her in the film will be Anupam Kher. This is the first time that Kher and Mahima have been placed opposite each other. This is an offbeat film. The game of chess reveals the mysteries of life. The protagonist, because of his knowledge of the game of chess, can anticipate the moves of the people around him and that helps him to become strong and powerful.

Her slant towards art cinema can also be gauged by the fact that she has just signed writer- director- producer Iqbal Durrani's next film, 'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi', based on the life of the legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda. This movie has Mahima Choudhury in the lead role with newcomer Sameer Kochar ('Valentine's Day') playing Birsa Munda. The shooting of the film will start very soon.

Birsa Munda (1878-1904) was the legendary tribal hero of the state of Jharkhand, who fought against the oppressive rule of the erstwhile British Empire. Birsa Munda fought for tribal's natural right over forests and the land that was forcibly taken over by the British from tribals. After a long and heroic fight, Birsa Munda was finally captured by the British authorities and succumbed in prison.

Durrani confirmed that Mahima has signed the film. He added, "Mahima plays the role of the adivasi girl Phali, who is a protector of her love Birsa in the film. She is a very strong and aggressive person who is fiercely protective of Birsa. Phali is not a fictional character but a true character from history." When asked how did he get inspired to do such a movie, Durrani said, "I have stayed in Jharkhand for over 15 years". He discloses and elaborates, ''It was while I was in college that I started reading about the life of Birsa Munda and realised what a great man he was. He was a tribal, born and brought up in jungles, He was bred on violence that learnt to live by the bow and arrow and yet, when he fought against the British, he used the methods of non-violence and non-cooperation. That is why the book and the film are called 'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi'. Birsa Munda came much before Mahatma Gandhi and spread the doctrine of non-violence and non-cooperation."

Durrani has written a book on Birsa Munda's life that is titled 'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi'. The book became so successful that it spurred Durrani to make a film on it. "After the success of films like 'Lagaan', I felt it is the right time to make such a film based on such a character," he said.

Since it is a period film based on a real-life character, Durrani plans to make the film as authentic as possible yet letting a commercial vein run through it. Designers have been dispatched to Jharkhand to get a feel of the clothes of tribals at that time.

Raakhee has been approached to play Birsa's mother, while Saleem Ghouse and Aditya Panscholi (who plays a Britisher) are already a part of the film. Durrani is scouting around London for a British actor and an actress to play the roles of the villain and another female character.

Why a relatively newcomer for the lead? And Durrani replies, "Mujhe chahiye ki character se pehchaan bane. (I want the character to speak for itself)." In Sameer, he finds Birsa with "the right kind of hunger and fire in his eyes." 'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi' will be a bilingual film, made in English and Hindi.

Incidentally, Mahima Chaudhary is the latest Bollywood star to endorse for PETA's go-vegetarian campaign. She shot for PETA' s commercial in an outfit designed by Hemant Trivedi. Being photographed by Atul Kasbekar at Famous Studios in Mahalaxmi (Mumbai), Mahima played the angel perfectly. Wonder if that's because she's had a lot of practice of playing an angel lately to beau Leander Paes!

'CHAMELI'S KAREENA HAS TRAVELED QUITE A FAR

Kareena Kapoor has changed a lot. She is not harsher any more in her behavior, especially towards her colleagues in the film industry. She has been on a patching up spree. Recently, she made up with her old friend Karan Johar. Kareena and Karan had developed differences over her fee for acting in Karan's 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' movie. The differences persisted for long. But she patched up with Karan by expressing her concern over the illness of Karan's father. Earlier, she was known to have many enemies among her star colleagues. But there is no such thing now. Rather she has decided to keep herself away from controversies concerning artistes.

Presently she is keeping herself busy in her filmi career. Though initially she was hesitant to sign on R. Nandy's 'Chameli', but she accepted the offer on second thought. The hitch was that she plays a prostitute in 'Chameli', which she felt may not be liked by her family. But after going through the storyline she claims she was left with no choice but to play 'Chameli', which has proved very fruitful to her in expanding her vision and experience. She has found this the most rewarding role. Her movies include 'Dev', 'Bewafa' and 'Yuva'. She is glad that she is getting all kinds of roles to play in films. This certainly fulfils her long cherished desire.

ISHA'S BAG FULL OF MOVIES

Isha Koppikar, the khallas girl, who made swashbuckling comeback in 'Company', seems to be her debut performance. Isha, the Oomph queen, made her first screen appearance with 'Ek Tha Dil Ke Ek Thi Dhadkan' opposite Inder Kumar. She made brief appearances in 'Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat', 'Aamdani Athanni Kharcha Rupaiya' and 'Rahul'.

'Company' was supposed to be lucky dip for good-looking actress, she was expected to do lead roles, but nothing significant happened. She did insignificant roles in films like 'Kaante', 'Qayamat', and 'Dil Ka Rishta'. The success of 'Company' has hardly made any impact on her career. A talented actress with curvaceous body who created magic on screen with her pelvic gyrations is running short of good roles. She is not justifying her talent. She is preferring item roles, this may be one of the reasons she is not getting good offers. Anyhow, whenever opportunity comes Isha's way, she is going to make it. She should plan out her career moves. She is presently working in 'Aap Jaisa Koi', 'LoC' and 'Bisaat- The Game' doing small roles.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 1-6-2007 03:34 PM ]

DESPITE DEMAND AMRITA RAO LIMITS HER MOVIES

The 'Ishq Vishq' girl has traveled a long way from her debut 'Ab Ke Baras' to 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' to 'Ishq Vishq'. She has three more offers in her kitty. These offers indicate that she is in demand, but she claims to have decided to limit them at the present level. She doesn't want to crowd herself with many pictures at a time. She has recently accepted to work in director Indra Kumar's 'Masti'.

When asked about her other movies, she said she would be soon seen in 'Main Hoon Naa' too. "I am lucky to work with Farah Khan. Besides, I happen to be in the company of senior stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen in this movie. While 'Masti' will be released in February next year, 'Main Hoon Na' will hopefully be in theatres in April next. Her third movie in her kitty is 'Deewar'. Again, 'Deewar' is full of top stars like Big B, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna. The director of this movie is none other than Gaurang Doshi.

When confronted with a personal question, she replied that though she has restricted the number of movies at present, she has no plan on her personal front. She says she is keener on making her professional career at present than in her family life.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 28-4-2006 11:14 PM ]

SALMAN BUSY IN 'LUCKY'

The success of 'Tere Naam' has turned Salman Khan a thorough professional. Nowadays Salman Khan is busy with his home production 'Lucky'. The movie was launched just few days back at Filmalaya Studio. The movie stars Salman Khan opposite Preity Zinta. This is to recall that the female role was first offered to Aishwarya Rai, but in the meantime Salman and Aish spilt. So the role was offered to Amisha Patel. Amisha too rejected the film by saying that she has a date problem. And finally Preity Zinta was given the role.

Conjoined twins meet dream hero Salman

The 10-year-old conjoined twins Saba and Farah Shakeel on Friday met their dream Bollywood hero Salman Khan in Mumbai.
"The girls had expressed their desire to meet Salman, saying they were fond of him and so they came to the house and met him," Salman's father Salim Khan said.

"Salman took them to watch a film shooting and the twins enjoyed it immensely," he said.

The twins, who do not go to school but are taught at home because they don't like to be stared at, love watching Hindi films, playing carom and putting henna on their hands.

The twins said they had watched Salman's recent hit film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and also watch TV a lot.

In July 2003, a Singapore hospital conducted an unprecedented operation to separate 29-year-old Iranian conjoined twins, Ladn and Laleh Bijani who were joined at the head. The sisters, both law graduates, were separated but died 90 minutes apart from massive blood loss.

Amitabh is UNICEF envoy

UNICEF had announced Bollywood's super star Amitabh Bachchan as its goodwill Ambassador. Now Amitabh will promote the rights of children in India and around the world. According to the UNICEF, they had approached Amitabh Bachchan to become its goodwill Ambassador because of Amitabh's popularity, credibility and appeal as a genuine humanitarian. The actor said, "I hope by adding my voice to the cause of children, it will make a difference in the lives of boys and girls here and across the region."



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-12-2006 02:48 PM ]

Preity Zinta too for serious cinema

Preity Zinta is harping on serious cinema too. Starting her film career with 'Kya Kehna', she has reached a stage where she can decline good commercial offers too. She claims to say no to her directors for certain scenes, which exhibit social evils like domestic violence. She wishes to choose progressive cinema only.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 1-6-2007 02:52 PM ]

AAMIR'S HISTORICAL ACT

Aamir Khan is back in action in yet another period film called 'Mangal Pandey' in Hindi and 'The Rising' in English, which is about 1857 rebellion. According to Aamir, "Mangal Pandey is a character which symbolizes the awakening of Indian minds". Aamir, with moustache and long hairs was all charged up for the muhurt shot. Aamir researched a lot and found Mangal Pandey an important and influential character of Indian history. The film isn't anti-British. After 'Laagan', Aamir spent lot of time in reading about Pandey. The study material on Mangal Pandey was not sufficient so lots of fiction has been used in the film.

Bhuvan of 'Laagan' is a determined young village boy full of aspirations whereas Mangal Pandey has been a freedom fighter who revolutionized Indian minds. The rise of Mangal Pandey started an era of revolution. The revolution flamed the passion for motherland in the hearts of countrymen. Prince Charles gave the Muhurt clap of the film. Aamir started rehearsing for the film few days back. He was later joined by Toby Stevens (starred as Gustav Graves, the villain in the last James Bond film 'Die Another Day'). They rehearsed it before the Prince Charles' arrival. The film conceptualizes the fact that every individual has a right to freedom.



[ Last edited by Gadis_Venus at 12-1-2006 09:46 PM ]

A CONTROVERSY ABOUT AISH

Time magazine came out with a cover story on the changing face of Bollywood projecting Aishwarya Rai as "queen" and highlighting crossover movies, films with bold themes and increasing western interest in it. The weekly also focucsed on the young generation describing Aamir Khan as "India's most respected and versatile young actor" and praising director Ram Gopal Varma for "ditching song-and-dance fantasies for urban grittiness". However, the magazine describes Rai as "India's standard bearer". "She may position herself as new Bollywood in terms of roles, but in person, Rai embodies the Indian middle class - and very old Bollywood-ideal: a modern girl with traditional values."

This news story spread like wild fire, resulting in a major controversy. According to an opinion survey, 64 per cent of the people who participated in a recent poll viewed that Aishwarya Rai doesn't represent Bollywood. So, the Times story is not justified. In fact, these circles attribute the Times story on her to its obsession wish Aish. These circles wonder how Times forgot to mention about Amitabh Bachchan, who earned name and fame in the international film festivals. While Aish represented at Cannes festival, Amitabh Bachchan is the most popular Indian film star from South Africa to Alps. The Big B is superb in the film industry as a whole, whether in the field of technique, or in creative thinking. Indian film circles also blame the West for its vested interest in Aish. Why should it otherwise shower praises on the smallest star of Bollywood at the cost of giants like Amitabh and Aamir Khan?



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 28-4-2006 11:17 PM ]

GOSSIPS SHOCK PREITY ZINTA

Preity Zinta is sorry, if not angry. She says that some people in the industry circulate baseless news about her though she is prepared to face them. She was shocked to hear rumors taking rounds about her affair with Saif Ali Khan after her shoot in Ladakh. Yes, she was there with Saif Ali Khan for the shoot of 'Kal Ho Na Ho'. But so what? She was amazed that even industry men have started gossiping about something, which is non-existent. Saif is married and has children to look after. Still, gossips are taking rounds involving him with her. What a pity!



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-12-2006 02:49 PM ]

Kareena - Brand Ambassador For Garnier

Kareena announced the new brand ambassador for Garnier at Taj land's End on October 26th.



[ Last edited by Gadis_Venus at 22-2-2006 09:57 PM ]

I AM: Bipasha Basu

I believe in a God above. But more than that, I believe in the goodness within people's hearts. So much so, that sometimes the fact that I take people at face value makes me gullible. Maybe that's something I should change...

I trust people much too easily. Though I have my own personal equation with the Lord, I'm not sure what spirituality is. I've been told that I will turn very spiritual when I'm 30 but as of now, I'm quite content being at peace with myself.

I cannot function without being happy. I'm a very self-sufficient person who believes that if I can pack 24 hours of my day with hard work and the company of people I love, there's not much else that is required to achieve happiness. I am one of three sisters.

We have all been brought up like boys and I think that's where I get my sense of independence from. I like my freedom and I have been taught not to misuse it. I am a very private person and it is only those who are closest to me who I open up with. Ever since I was a little girl, Diwali has symbolised Lakshmi puja for me.

This year will be no different. I enjoy this festival of bright lights and good cheer. An eternal optimist, I always believe that if something bad happens, good is sure to follow.

I believe that before following a guru or a leader, one must believe in oneself. I like myself. I think I am a mature person who has made it a point to balance her personal and professional life. There is no philosophy better than doing good to everyone and making sure I don't hurt people.

I don't compete with other people or want to be one up on anybody. I'm also not the sort of person who would compromise on her principles. Love is very important in my life and I would go all out for somebody I love.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 1-6-2007 02:53 PM ]

Soha, Fardeen, Zayed, Esha & Ayesha on `Ba Bahu Aur Baby`

It could be dubbed the biggest multi-starrer of the season. The popular satire Baa Bahu Aur Baby on Star Plus which is aired on weekends will have a guest appearance by Fardeen Khan and Ayesha Takia in the episode on 28 October and Zayed Khan and Esha Deol on the following night.
Explains Star's head honcho Samir Nair, "These film-tv tie-ups are new to our television. But they have proved immensely successful. During the release of Viruddh we undertook the Adarsh Jodi contest. Now for Shaadi No 1 we've each of the film's star pairs appearing on `Ba Bahu Aur Baby` one after the other. So it's mutually beneficial for us and the film."

No money exchanges hands for these cameo appearances that stars make in television soaps. "Why should it?" reasons Nair. "Stars and their films get mileage from their brief appearances. The stars don't mind since they're basically playing themselves.But I must tell you Mallika Sherawat was very sweet. She actually played a part梩hat of a rustic Rajasthani woman梠n Star One's `Sarabhai Versus Sarabhai` as part of the promotion for her Bachke Rehna Re Baba."

More and more film productions are opting for this unique way of promoting their product. Rakesh Roshan has already tied up with Star for a series of promotional gambits for his forthcoming film Krrish.

Promises Samir Nair, "We've big things lined up during the release of Krrish. Hrithik fans are in for a surprise."

Soha Ali Khan


Fardeen Khan


Zayed Khan


Esha Deol


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 1-6-2007 02:55 PM ]

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Hot? Or not?  
Headline-hoggers of the week: Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn, co-stars & Hollywood's hottest are-they-are-not couple
October 30, 2005      




DOES Vinnifer have the same ring to it as Brangelina?
Lovey-dovey photographs of Friends darling Jennifer Aniston, 36, and actor Vince Vaughn, 35, kissing passionately and with their arms around each other have sprung up all over the place, thanks to People magazine.

  
Previously though, it was impossible to separate fiction from reality since they were at work filming The Break Up.

This time, the co-stars were without a film crew while they spent several days together in Chicago, supposedly to meet Vaughn's folks and visit his favourite haunts.

  
There was only one small problem: Aniston wasn't the woman in the photographs - it was her movie double.

But even this case of mistaken identity hasn't stopped the rumour mill from churning out Vinnifer updates.

Aniston is reportedly hunting for a house in Chicago so she can be near Vaughn - a move which is said to have angered ex-husband Brad Pitt.

A source told Closer magazine: 'Brad is unhappy about it, believing Jen may recently have been playing the woman scorned role while she was secretly dating Vince.'



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Dance to Madonna's music
  

WHAT better way to celebrate the launch of Madonna's hotly-anticipated new album, Confessions on a dance floor , than, well, on a dance floor?

StarHub is hosting a Madonna party at Zouk on 11 Nov at 7pm.

It is a closed-door event by invitation only, and party-goers stand a chance to win cool Madonna merchandise.

We have 25 pairs of tickets to the event to give away, courtesy of StarHub. Each ticket entitles you to a free drink worth $15.

Simply call our infoline at 1900-914-0801 and answer this question:

What is the first single off Madonna's Confessions on a dance floor?
1. Material Girl
2. Like A Virgin
3. Hung Up

Contest ends tomorrow at 11pm. Each call costs 20 cents.



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Hurt by video

WHY are people out there trying to hurt me?
That's what Janet Jackson, 39, is asking after a couple of particularly embarrassing recent revelations about the pop star.

  
Her lawyers have been working overtime to purge the Internet of a video that appears to be of her sunbathing nearly nude, rubbing tanning oil on her body, and playing a little tune on her buttocks bongo-drum style.

This comes right after her former brother-in-law claimed Jackson secretly has an 18-year-old daughter Renee with her first husband, James DeBarge - an allegation which ahe has denied.

A source told MSNBC: 'I believe that she's particularly unhappy about this video because she's not in great shape. She doesn't look that attractive. It's not the six-pack abs Janet that we see in her videos.'

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Spears not impressed  
November 01, 2005      




STOLEN baby photos aren't the only thing the Federlines are worrying about.

  
Pop princess Britney Spears, 24, had some harsh advice for her hubby about his nascent singing career - don't get your hopes up.

According to In Touch Weekly, Kevin Federline recently brought home some music he'd recorded and played it for an 'unimpressed' Spears.

An insider said: 'She said his debut CD might sell a hundred, maybe a thousand copies if he was lucky. Kevin looked really hurt.'

This comes at a time when the new parents are facing a marital crisis over baby duties, during which her 'tolerance for his behaviour is waning quickly'.

For example, while Spears is elbow-deep in changing diapers and caring for their infant son, Federline reportedly spends two hours getting his hair braided and hitting the nightclubs with his buddies.

Love scene? No problem

SOPHIA Bush has vowed to continue working alongside estranged husband Chad Michael Murray on the TV drama One Tree Hill, even if the latest script requires their characters to resume their failed romance and shoot intimate scenes together.

Last month, the actors announced they were divorcing after just five months of marriage, but will continue to play ex-lovers Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott on the show.

Bush, 23, said: 'It's not always easy, but it's my work. It's what I love and take pride in and I won't let that slack because of personal circumstan

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LIZ HURLEY DECLARES:
My bikini days are over  
November 01, 2005      




SHE crossed over from aspiring actress to glamour girl when she appeared in that dress - the Gianni Versace number held together with safety pins - at the Four Weddings And A Funeral premiere in 1994.

Since then, Liz Hurley has shown even more skin in skimpy bikinis.

But at the age of 40, the British actress is hanging up her two-piece by its teeny-weeny strings - even the ones she has designed herself.


In an interview with British magazine Easy Living, which was carried in Daily Mail, Hurley confesses that she sees 'a person who eats too much junk food and doesn't exercise' when she looks in the mirror.

She says: 'That has sadly become my reality over the past year. I'm never again going to sit eating lunch on a boat in just a skimpy bikini.

'I don't feel comfortable doing that any more.'

Hurley's curves have been a subject of fascination - and envy - among women. Yet, she says age is chipping away at her confidence.

She says: 'As the years go by, you do feel less confident about your body.

'I know that sounds bizarre coming from a woman who's photographed half-naked in bikinis, but I feel self-conscious posing for those pictures and they're all retouched anyway.'

Hurley is mother to 3-year-old Damian, her son with former lover, film producer Steve Bing.

LOW MAINTENANCE

She claims to be a six-minutes-a-week maintenance sort of gal.

'I recently heard that a well-known celebrity spends six hours a day on herself. I spend more like six minutes a week,' she says.

Hurley also sheds light on how she piles on the kilos.

'For two years, I've done almost no exercise and I've been surviving on crisps and coffee. I'm obsessed with sausages, I'd like to eat them every day.'

Hurley, who lives with partner Arun Nayar, is determined to gain more weight - she wants to have another child.

But watch out, she says, because after that, she will be back with a vengence.

She says: 'I shall annoy everyone by emerging thinner, sexier and mentally cleansed.'

Karisma cheers her husband

Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor was seen too excited on the eve of Karva Chauth when her husband Sunjay Kapur played polo at the New Delhi grounds in the presence of his wife. Significantly, Sunjay had organized the polo tournament in the name of their seven-month-old daughter. Though Karisma was frequently seen cheering her husband, yet the latter's team lost it to Aravali's. Sunjay was seen smiling even after a defeat because he had won back his lady love, after a long gap . Alas, Sunjay failed to keep his promise to Karisma to win the polo match! Meanwhile, the Mumbai police has arrested Mohd Miraz Rehman, a Mumbai screenplay writer, for sending vulgar SMSs and threats to Karisma Kapoor and Poonam Dhillon when the latter declined to oblige Rehman with work.

HRITHIK COMPETING WITH ABHISHEK

2 star sons -Amitabh Bachchan's son Abhishek, and Rakesh Roshjan's son Hrithik, are involved in a fierce competition. Abhishek Bachchan has excelled Hrithik as the latter's latest movie flopped whereas Abhishek's have fared well at the box office. So, Hrithik's father Rakesh who is a producer is determined to bring out his son's hidden talent in his own production titled 'Krish'. Besides, Hrithik is also acting in Yashraj Films' 'Dhoom-2' starring opposite Aishwarya Rai.

This is a challenging character for Hrithik to replace John Abraham's excellent role in 'Dhoom' (Original). Hrithik is playing a negative role played by John Abraham in the earlier movie. Apart from this, Hrithik will act in the 'Lagaan' fame director Ashutosh Gowarikar's period movie 'Akbar Jodha'. Here again, he is placed opposite Aishwarya Rai. Not only this, Hrithik is acting in forthcoming movies of directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Farah Akhtar. However, he is moving slow though steadily to regain the status he has lost to Abhishek Bachchan in Bollywood. Significantly, both Hrithik and Abhishek will star in 'Dhoom-2'. The industry is keeping its fingers crossed as to who will excel whom in Yashraj banner's 'Dhoom-2'?

Hrithik Roshan


Abishek Bachan


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-12-2006 02:50 PM ]