Hrithik Roshan's Michael Jackson moment

The story’s been doing the rounds since December 2008, but Hrithik Roshan only now produced this picture of his unexpected and eventful meeting with Michael Jackson in LA last year.

Maybe he didn’t think it was a big deal earlier, but now with Jackson dead, and looking at the worldwide mourning for the King of Pop — Hrithik couldn’t help sharing his moment with the great singer.

According to the Roshans, Jackson casually walked into Hrithik’s makeup room in a Bel Air apartment in LA, where the actor was shooting for Kites. The story goes that first Jackson’ bodyguards entered. Hrithik was taken aback to see the burly men. On questioning them, he learned that they were Jackson’s bodyguards come to do a recce as the pop star was shooting the next day at the same venue.

Coincidentally, Jackson also dropped in the same day as the Kites team was shooting. “My name is Michael,” he is reported to have told Hrithik, his Mexican co-star Barbara Mori, and Rakesh Roshan. “It was funny to see someone like him who the whole world knows introducing himself. Jackson and Hrithik Roshan spoke for a short time and then the singer left,” said a source.
“I’ve been a huge Jackson fan since childhood,” said Hrithik. “So dad requested the mansion owner that we’d like to come over and meet Jackson. Instead he turned up in the room to meet us. That meeting is etched in my memory.”

According to Roshan Sr, “Michael Jackson was very curious about our shooting.” Naturally, the Roshans were grief-stricken when they heard the news of his untimely death on June 25. Anything else they remember about that meeting? They do, actually. The singer, who was usually seen wearing gloves, didn’t have them on that day!

Bollywood Stars at Kambakkht Ishq Success Party Night

Bollywood Stars at Kambakkht Ishq Success Party Night

Katrina Kaif is in pain!

Here’s another name to the list of those injured on the sets of Priyadarshan’s De Dana Dan.

This time it’s Katrina Kaif, who injured her back on Tuesday, while shooting with Akshay Kumar. Incidentally, this is the second time she was injured on the film’s sets.

Earlier, it was Sunil Shetty who was hurt after accidentally hitting an iron rod during an underwater sequence. He took nearly six months to recover. In December last year, Katrina had wounded her leg.

Wincing in pain, Katrina said, “It was a typical baarish-mein-bheegi-sari song. And well, I danced over enthusiastically. It’s always disastrous when you bend your back without a preliminary warm-up. Despite knowing this, I foolishly bent my back on Akshay’s (Kumar) arm. And as soon as I did that, I felt something give way. Now, I can hardly move around without experiencing pain.”

Katrina insisted that the shoot mustn’t slow down just because of her. She is more than eager to wrap up the current schedule of De Dana Dan as soon as possible. “I want to go to London to join my family and then we’re all going to Italy for a holiday,” she said excitedly. Laughing off the observation that this is the most accident prone film she’s ever done, Katrina said, “Akshay says De Dana Dan will be a hit because we’ve given our blood for it.”

Akshay Kumar: It's not enough for me to speak Hindi, English..

Voice modulation and languages were earlier considered Akshay Kumar's weak points as an actor. But he is determined to change all that.

Akshay recently visited the Spanish-speaking countries Honduras and Puerto Rico and picked up a smattering of Spanish terms and phrases which he uses generously on his family, much to their amusement and annoyance.

"I like connecting with foreigners, understanding their language. It's not enough for me any more to speak Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and English. I want to know foreign languages. The only way for me to grow as an actor is to broaden my horizon," Akshay, who is basking in the success of his just released "Kambakkht Ishq", told IANS.

More than the cuisine or the touristic sights, Akshay is fascinated by the language of the countries he visits. Often wife Twinkle would be seen shopping during the just-concluded vacation while Akshay would strike up a conversation with strangers.

So does Akshay intend to be as good with languages as he's with kissing? His "Kambhakkht Ishq" co-star Denise Richards has described him as a good kisser.

"Yeah, I heard about that. Hmmm...It's not as if I travelled to the moon or achieved something to be proud of. But anyway I'm happy. Good action hero, good comic actor, and now a good kisser. Maybe people will start calling me a good actor soon. I'm working on it," he said.

About matching paces with Sylvester Stallone in "Kambhakkht Ishq", Akshay joked: "It's only because I take Chyawanprash. But don't tell Stallone about it. I don't want him to start taking it also."

On a more serious note, he said: "When I was working as cook in Bangkok, I had three posters on my wall. Bruce Lee, Sridevi and Sylvester Stallone. The first of my idols I couldn't work with. But I've been lucky enough to work with Sridevi and Stallone."

Deepika Padukone raises Rs 1.3 crore for several charities

Bollywood Heroin Deepika Padukone ran the marathon in her city this year and raised an unprecedented Rs 1.3 crore for 80 different causes.

The Bengaluru marathon this year registered a 300 per cent increase over last year. This was all because the Om Shanti Om girl, who hails from the city, was part of the marathon.

Deepika was thrilled at an opportunity to promote a sporting culture and didn't charge a fee to endorse the marathon. The actress is happy that she could raise so much money for so many charities at one go, "There was a huge turnout and I am very glad that I associated myself with an event like this.

If my being there and giving an hour of my time makes such a huge difference I can't help but support it. I will always available for such events. I guess because I am from Bengaluru that it made a difference. The marathon was very well organised and sports will always be a priority for me."

Amongst the 80 causes that the marathon contributed to, was one that close to her heart, "One of my closest friends in Bengaluru was running at the marathon too. She had lost her father many years ago to haemophylia and today her mom has formed an NGO which offers free aid to under privileged haemophaelic patients including children." The actress supports that cause personally.

Celina Jaitley at the Jashn store launch

Shruti Hassan is all sport for bikini in ‘Luck’

Kamal Hassan gave entirely new heights to Indian cinema and his contribution to the entertainment industry cannot be over emphasized. Now, when his daughter Shruti is debuting with Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd.’s film ‘Luck’ directed by Soham Shah, it is but obvious that cine goers are looking forward to it.

Shruti has given a bikini scene for the flick and that too without any qualms. Says the sporty female, ”When Soham narrated the script, I did not even consider the bikini thing as a big deal it was logical to the premise. While shooting for it, the weather was very weird that day. It was freezing cold, but apart from that it was like any other scene in the film for me.”

Director Soham praised Shruti saying, ”Shruti did work out to get a toned body. Moreover she worked more hard to maintain it. We shot the sequence in Cape Town. The temperature was only two degrees. She had to brave the icy weather for the shoot.”


‘The scene involves Imran Khan, Ravi Kishaan and Mithun Chakraborthy. Shruti was not at all apprehensive of wearing a two-piece swim wear as she was aware of it from before. The scene is totally justified as Ravi Kishaan’s character pins his eyes on her,” he adds justifying the scene.

Binal Shah, the designer, says about the outfit, ”I bought a plain Bebe bikini that fitted Shruti perfectly. I then embellished it with mother of pearls in shades of green that matched the night pool ambience.”

Kareena Kapoor scorches in blue on Maxim covers

Kareena Kapoor is on a high these days. Not only is she the reigning Bollywood style diva, she has many leading endorsement brands in her kitty. Her latest release ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ has received a grand opening at the box-office.

Now, she sizzles in blue as she appears on the cover of Maxim India edition for the month of July 2009. This is the second time she is scorching the covers of this magazine. And we do not blame the mag for this. When the copies with Kareena on the cover fly off the bookstalls, she will be the obvious choice as the cover girl.

Mallika Sherawat: New Age Naagin

Mallika Sherawat is raising quite the furore in her upcoming film Hisss, the actress has posed in nothing but leaves in one of the scenes of the film.

Starring Irrfan Khan and Divya Dutta, Mallika is a snakewoman with a vengeance. Gobbling up anything that comes her way, the movie is based on a Far Eastern myth of the snake woman who is able to take on human form. According to Mallika, this is by far her most difficult role too date; she had to wear huge contact lenses that even covered the white of her eyes and had to take out the lenses every few hours to let her eyes breathe. The elaborate nagin costume had to be kept on for 8-10 hours at a stretch and she has to be carried around.


For now the actress is living it up in LA, promoting her film. The actress is enjoying the high life with Usher and Yanni and the latter even dedicating a song to her in front of millions of people at a concert. Not only has she been featured in many international T.V shows, she even went on a movie date with Johnny Depp. On quizzed on her return to Bollywood, the actress replied, “I'll come back to Bollywood when they learn how to treat a woman right.” This will be one highly anticipated snake bite for sure!

Ramayan Returns: Hrithik Roshan to play the Lord Rama

Sanjay Khan, a secular Muslim whose family members have married into every conceivable religion and community and who once produced a controversial television serial on the life of the notorious Islamic invader Tipu Sultan, is all set to do his own big-screen take on the Ramayan.

Throwing light on this precious epic project Sanjay Khan's son Zayed says, "Yes, my father is indeed making the Ramayan. It's called The Legend Of Rama.

He has been planning this film for three years. But he needed the perfect Rama. And who but Hrithik would be perfect for the role? Earlier Hrithik had no dates. But now he's doing very selected films."

As for Zayed as Laxman the young actor who will be seen as the pampered younger brother Subhash Ghai's Yuvraaj chuckles, "Playing Laxman in one form or another is the story of my life."

Amitabh Bachchan had been approached to play Dashrath two years ago. And it's likely that he would continue being functional in that role.

The Legend Of Rama co-scripted by Sanjay Khan and Briton-based author Faroukh Dhondy will feature the producer-director's superstar son-in-law Hrithik Roshan as Rama and Sanjay Khan's only son Zayed as Laxman.

Dhondy who's currently in Mumbai to put finishing touches to the script. "The script is ready. Hrithik is the perfect Rama and Zayed the perfect Laxman. I'd love them to do it. It's the Ramayan in modern format. It's not a modern but a traditional adaptation but with the grammar of a modern films.

This means it would be the Ramayan in The Lord Of The Rings genre. The screenplay has the motion motivation and movement of a Shakespearean play.

When you do a Mahabharat, Ramayan or any other scripture the danger is, it just becomes…. the Gods did this Gods did that because the Gods can do anything they like.

That's why you are taught in writing school to never include Gods in your creativity. I'm trying to rationalize the ways of the Gods."

Interestingly, Raj Kumar Santoshi had announced the Ramayan with Ajay Devan, Kajol and Riteish Deshmukh as Rama, Sita and Laxman.

The project was shelved. Some years ago an ambitious filmmaker made Luv –Kush with Jeetendra and Jaya Prada as Rama and Sita. It flopped. And this year Ekta Kapoor's ambitious serial Mahabharat floundered and fell from the TRPs.

But now Sanjay Khan is determined to break the jinx on the mythologicals.

Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif Wallpaper

Akshay Kumar: If you don’t smooch, you lose

Do you think Kambakkht Ishq (KI) will please audiences?
People are hungry to be entertained. But they see a movie
because they want to, not because they have to. 8x10 was the last movie to release before the strike started, yet that didn’t make the crowds fall in. It’s totally up to what they see is right in the ingredients that make a movie.

KI is reportedly a remake of the Tamil film Pammal K Sambandam ...
How can it be a remake? When I first saw the movie I thought I’d never seen an Indian film like it. Not only was the script well written, but also most of the screenplay was spontaneous madness. I’m sorry you can’t take this film away from any of its artistes. This is Sabir Khan’s and Anvita Dutt’s little baby.

In real life, you are not an MCP, but where women are concerned, your charm and sex appeal cut across age groups.
Believe me, I’m not that irresistible. It’s all because of my father that I know how to treat women. It’s been one of my biggest blessings in life. Women like me, adore the honest gentleman in me who makes them laugh and feel wanted and comfortable. I don’t throw my weight around. I only throw my arms around (laughs). As for my sex appeal, I don’t know where that lies. I can’t answer that. Most women like menwho take care of themselves. I’m worried my wife will leave me the day I let myself go!

You’re often dragged into controversies. Does this come with the territory?
I’m fully aware people like to voice their opinions and make themselves heard. Fair enough, it’s their choice. Do you think complaining about it is going to make them stop? Hell, no! So, all I say is, if people think it’s important enough to cry about, then one must be important enough to cry over, don’t you think? I remember the days when no one gave a toss about what I said. Now, they pay attention to every word I say. Don’t know which is worse!

Are you going to take them on?
Oh, I never play them at their own games. I don’t need to stoop so low to get somewhere in life. But if you play with fire, you’ve to be prepared to get burnt. But I don’t agree with messing with people’s careers or families, no matter what ...

First Kylie Minogue, then WWE star Kane. What makes your place such a hot destination?
I have a good cook and feel these people need to be fed! When people show an interest in my work or in my industry, I like them to taste true Indian hospitality and give them something to take back.I open my doors to everyone with good intentions. Plus, I’m proud of the home my wife has created. What’s wrong with a few luncheons here and there?

Denise Richards endorsed your smooching skills...
Well if you don’t smooch, you lose! Like I said earlier, I know how to treat the ladies. You’ve to make them feel special. Women really aren’t that difficult, you just give them what they want and you’ll be fine. They deserve it for just being women, I think.

After parkour, what’s your latest craze?
The Hula Hoop ... When there’s no gym for miles around, I whip out my Hula Hoop and Hula until I can Hula no more.

Aarav, a chip off the old block?
Yeah, he takes after me in the crazy department, for sure. Give him a wall he’ll jump off it, hold out your arm and he’ll punch it. Twinkle loves this adventurous streak in him. Even my sister’s daughter is as action packed as my son Aarav. Danger seems to run thicker than blood in my family.

Trisha is doing Khatta Meetta with you...
Yeah, she’s definitely signed for our movie. Kind of looking forward to working with Priyadarsan, who has a different take on Indian cinema. It was Priyadarsan’s idea to have her. And what he says goes, and it works every time ...

What’s the riskiest thing you’ve done so far?
Get married! It was the biggest jump of my life. But what I love is, is that this jump will never end. It’s a thrill I get to enjoy forever. All my other stunts are over in a flash.

What gets AK so high in life?
I know where the ground is!

Your elixir of youth ...
Live life like a child. Our bodies are our temples. Keep your temple clean and cared for and you’ll look as young as the Chinese ...

Aamir Khan played a doubles match with the Padukones and won

On Sunday evening, Deepika Padukone and dad Pakash Padukone played a doubles badminton match against Aamir Khan and Aparna Popat, at the annual tournament for the Padukone Academy run by the one-time badminton champion.

Even though the actress lost the match against Aamir, Deepika believes it's the sportsmanship that won at the end of the day. In her words, "I know that Aamir plays badminton at the Khar gym. He's extremely fit and a great player. It was an incredible experience to play opposite him."

Deepika who's extremely passionate about badminton adds that she always enjoys pairing with dad on the court, "Even after so many years dad is such a driving force and an inspiration for badminton enthusiasts.

I remember in the older days when he would train in Bangalore there were no high roof courts, so he would play in shaadi mandaps. From that day to having his own badminton academy he's come a long way."

The actress grabs every opportunity to promote any kind of sport activity. "I have always been a champion of fitness and well being. I think badminton is a great sport for anyone who wants to increase his stamina and fitness level."

Sajid's will celebrate the sucess of Kambakkht Ishq with team tonight

Sajid Nadiadwala and the team of Kambakkht Ishq will party at a suburban five-star hotel night club tonight.

Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Sajid will raise a toast to their film, and it's super duper opening at the box-office. Also, it is Sajid's wife Wardha's birthday today, so it's a double celebration.

Akshay, who is a close friend of Sajid, is helping organise the bash, as the producer is feeling under the weather. Almost the entire industry is being invited along with Sajid's best friend Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, to all of Akshay's heroines including Deepika Padukone with her beau Ranbir Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Karisma Kapoor."

Akshay affirms, "It's a party to celebrate the success of Kambakkht Ishq. Kareena, Sajid and I are hosting it together. But it's not just a celebration for the film but also for our film industry which suffered losses worth Rs 250 crore because of the multiplex strike. It's good that films like New York and Kambakkht Ishq are doing well. It's great news for our industry."

Sajid is not deterred by the poor reviews. "I am thrilled with the great opening. Out of the seven films I've produced, all except Jaan-E-Mann, went on to become blockbusters in spite of getting poor reviews. Jaan-E-Mann, which got four stars, didn't do well. Kambakkht Ishq has grossed Rs 30 crore in the first three days! Akshay has been organising the party as I haven't been keeping too well."

Is Sajid's best friend Salman Khan coming? Sajid says, "I have invited Salman and I hope he joins me in our celebration. It would mean a lot to me."

Kareena Kapoor says, "I am excited about the collections of Kambakkht Ishq. I have heard that it is doing much better than New York. I am happy to host a party with Akki and Sajid. I will invite my colleagues personally. After the release of Love Aaj Kal, if it's a hit, Saif and I might throw a party."

Priyanka Chopra still bonding with Shahid Kapoor

Dressed in a chic short outfit, her shapely legs adorned in a pair of stilettos, the actress makes a high-profile entry with an entourage.

There’s a PR man dressed in a suit, a valet holding her clothes on a hanger, her hair-dresser, her secretary and a marketing executive from a film corporation. It’s a melee. Also every detail of this meeting with the actress has been worked out with precision. “My days are always like this,’’ warns the 26-year-old laughing. “If you waste time, you may just have to drive with me to my next appointment.’’ Without much ado, we ask:

You’ve received ten awards in six months, many of them international honours...
I can’t tell you how exciting it has been. While awards like Filmfare have come for my film Fashion, there have been honours like the Jin Jue Award at Shanghai and the Nielson Box Office Award (Outstanding contribution to Asian Cinema) that have also made me proud.

You have three releases lined up now. Are you nervous?
Extremely nervous! Kaminey is a film where I play a middle-class Marathi mulgi; then there’s What’s Your Rashee where I play 12 characters. And I have Pyaar Impossible with Uday Chopra.

Are you miffed with Ashutosh Gowarikar for his remark against you at a film awards function?
I wouldn’t like to give it any importance. I’m a girl to whom nothing matters more than my film. I would rather see the bigger picture than hold grudges. After the incident, he and I were on set and we were perfectly fine.

What’s with you and your co-stars — Shahid Kapoor, Hurman Baweja and Uday Chopra. Are you talking/sulking with them? Sometime ago it was suggested that you were dating Shahid...
Who says we’re not talking? Of course, Shahid and I are talking. I will not tell you whether I’m dating him. I’m also on talking terms with Hurman. For God’s sake — he is my co-star. And, Uday and I can’t stop talking.

Kareena Kapoor has some boy fun

How would you like it if Kareena Kapoor offered to shake a leg with you? Well, the bunch of 400 men present at a special screening for ‘men only’ of her latest film Kambakkht Ishq sure loved the idea.

As Kareena plays a hard-to-get woman in the film, she decided that attending a screening of the film just with boys would be a lot of fun. So on Friday afternoon she set out to implement her crazy idea.

A source close to Kareena says, “When Bebo shared the idea with a few of us, we seemed unsure whether she actually should do it or not. A theatre packed with guys and Bebo in the middle of it sounded risky.”

Well, the screening went smoothly... until Kareena offered to dance with a guy who performed the best to her song, ‘Bebo mein Bebo’. Our source reveals, “That’s when all hell broke loose. It was unbelievable how the entire pack broke into a jig to seek Kareena’s attention. Imagine 400 guys dancing for Kareena, all at the same time.”

With the pandemonium that followed, Kareena was whisked away to safety soon. The actress says, “It was great fun. If the clamour got at bit out of hand, well, so be it.”

Kareena Kapoor endorses jewelry group

Yes, this is Kareena Kapoor looking just a perfect coy bride displaying the special range of jewelry for a leading group which will be launching two different brands Gitanjali Jewels’ Bridal Collection Jewelry and Multitasking Jewelry for Women with Kareena as the brand ambassador. Kareena here is dolled up under the designs of ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

The makers of the group carried out a survey to choose their brand ambassador and in the survey majority people responded that they would like to see Kareena in a bridal get-up.

Must say, be it a bikini or a bridal wear, Kareena carries off both with equal amount of grace.

Celina Jaitley is happy that homosexuality is legalized

Celina Jaitley is one actress who has never been shy to express her feelings on homosexuality. She was the one who came out to launch the first official gay magazine in India and also had to face a lot of threats and abusive remarks for standing up for the gay community. Now that Article 377 has finally been nullified and homosexuality is legalized in India, she is definitely happy.

Here is what she had to say to express her feelings, “I have been receiving threats from radical and cultural groups. But I was simply standing for the fundamental right of a human being, so what if he or she is a homosexual.There are many people in the film industry who are from the sexual minority and they will now be able to come out in the open.Some of the people who have touched my lives were homosexuals. I owe a lot to them.”

That was Celina Jaitley on homosexuality. How many of you welcome this decision of the Government?

Aamir & Katrina as Guru Dutt & Waheeda Rehman

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next will be a movie based on Guru Dutt’s biography by Nasreen Munni Kabeer. The movie will have Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif in the role of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. Before this, Guru Dutt had himself made the movie ‘Kagaz Ke Phool’ based on his own life. Later filmmaker Johnny Bakshi made ‘Khudaai’ in which Rajesh Khanna was cast to play Guru Dutt.

In keeping with the roles they are to play in this yet untitled film, Aamir and Katrina posed for the latest issue of ‘Cineblitz’ in the look and getup of the original actors Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman.

The intense romance exuded by this photograph is subtle, yet exotic. The couple looks extraordinarily beautiful. Check out the pic for yourself.

Deepika Padukone redefines style in ‘Vogue’

With her forthcoming ‘Love Aaj Kal’ making news all around creating buzz about her fabulous chemistry with Saif Ali Khan in the film, it is just the right time for Deepika Padukone to make appearances in photoshoots, magazine covers and reality shows and this is just what she has been doing.

Deepika Padukone appears as the covergirl of the July issue of Vogue India. The edition also has an exclusive interview with the promising newcomer where he reveals lesser-known facts about herself like how she starts her day with what she calls “a maaaajor breakfast”. “I think it’s a very South Indian thing. I can’t start my day without breakfast. This ’something’ can range from idlis, dosas and upma, to sausages, baked beans on toast and even potato toasties.”

About spending time with Ranbir she says, “We do our own thing because tomorrow, I don’t want to sit and say, ‘I should have done this but I didn’t.’ And, she insists, when Ranbir and her exchange notes on Bollywood, it’s not gossip. “I’ll never put anyone down. It’s definitely not my thing.”

Check out ravishing Padukone in ‘Vogue’!

Exclusive pictures from star studded Kambakkht Ishq press meet

Kambakkht Ishq that is expected to do big as assured by its makers, however, had a star studded press meet attended by celebrities like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and no doubt big and tall Akshay Kumar was also at the meet to promote the movie. According to Kareena Kapoor, ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ is a “power-packed film which is going to rock today and tomorrow”. However in meantime, watch some pictures from the press conference.