What do Hrithik and Abhishek have in common?

Not all stars takes the glamour and glory of Bollywood for granted.

Some are passionate enough to learn about the finer aspects of filmmaking before facing the camera.

There is a hefty list of actors who previously worked as assistants or production-in-charge till stardom beckoned.

We start with Bollywood's new kid Harman, son of filmmaker Harry Baweja.

The handsome aspirant, often linked to co-star Priyanka Chopra and likened to Hrithik Roshan for his appearance, makes his big screen debut with the sci-fi caper, Love Story 2050.

Even before, however, he worked in the production team on his dad's productions like Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai and Karam.

I would have been Teacher

Shahrukh KhanHe’s the reigning Badshah of Bollywood, so it’s difficult to imagine Shah Rukh Khan as being anything else but the glam superstar. Little wonder, then, that the actor’s revelation — “Agar main actor nahin hota, toh teacher hota” — comes as a surprise. For SRK, who is all set to host the kids’ quiz show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai on television, has admitted that teaching has always been a secret passion with him. “The show allows me to fulfill my childhood dream,” reveals the actor who’s more of a moderator than a teacher on air. But then, this is the closest he can get to playing a mentor to kids, for now at least.

SRK’s pranks as a student himself, are legendary. “School was fun, I was very naughty, but I was very studious as well,” says the prankster, “I used to force my teachers to dance with me. I also remember blowing up something in the chemistry lab once.” He still retains his sense of mischief and the kid in him surfaces when the star is in his favourite role — that of doting dad to Suhana and Aryan. Kids need their parents to be both — responsible as well as friends they can trust and have fun with, believes SRK. And it’s the confidence he has garnered as a parent that he hopes will help him face kids on his show now. Armed with this experience, the actor’s ready for the barrage of ‘childish’ questions he’s expecting. “I don’t find any question that a kid asks childish, and no childish questions are stupid. When my own children ask me questions, the answers are on the tip of my tongue, but I often can’t answer at that point of time. It’s not that I don’t know; it sometimes is hard to recollect at the right moment, you know,” says SRK. Ji masterji!

Amrita Arora to tone down her body for a bikini shoot

Following the footsteps of her hot best buddy Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Arora has also taken the route to a hot body- eating right and yoga.

Amrita has been so inspired from Kareena’s Tashan look that she has asked her guidance to work on her figure.

In the bikini photo shoot Amrita will be baring a lot of her body and the barely-there bikini is just enough to hold her bare assets in place.

Let’s wait and watch how Amrita transforms for a bikini.

Kareena’s dietician quashes the crash diet rumors

Malaika-Arbaaz spread false rumors about their marriage

A highly unprofessional attitude from Malaika-Arbaaz saw them speaking about their divorce just for a publicity for a new skincare product that the couple are endorsing.

Malaika defended herself by saying, “It is part of an ad campaign for a product that Arbaaz and I are launching. Rather re-launching. See, the concept of the ad is that he comes towards the end and re-proposes to me. What was told to the press was that Arbaaz was getting remarried. I don’t know how and when, where they came up with the rest [of the story].”

Arbaaz also made a excuse by saying,” We thought the campaign would come and go. But in no time a section of the media jumped on to the campaign line ‘Arbaaz to re-marry’ and made up their own screenplay about my break up with Malaika.”

“By God’s grace we’re very happy together and we don’t need to resort to gimmicks to stay in the news.”

Arbaaz also added, “Honestly, Malaika and I never thought it’d blow up into this unsavory story. And we never thought media persons would latch on to the remarriage strategy in the campaign and create a whole story about our break up,”

Malaika also added that it was all for the concept of the new product, “It was concept-related. When it was mentioned that Arbaaz is re-marrying, nobody waited to see with whom.”

Arbaaz said, “I have re-married my wife. This was an occasion to revive our vows by getting married to each other, once again. Any doubts about our marriage on the rocks should be set to rest.”

Himmesh Reshammaiya’s Karzz unvieled

Hey Folks, watch out the first look of Karzz starring Himmesh Reshammaiya along with Urmila Matondkar and Shweta Kumar. Karzz is a remake of yesteryear’s Rishi Kapoor hit Karz along with an extra Z. Although Himesh is no match to the charming Rishi Kapoor but I guess the movie would be made hit by Himesh’s die hard loyalists Rickshaw wallah’s throughout India. What are your verdicts guys? Will you watch it or give it a miss?

Celina Jaitley - The story continues

Controversies and Celina Jaitley can’t seem to get enough of each other. Now, this one started when Anand Chavan approached Celina Jaitley for the reality show on TV called ‘Fear Factor’ for Endemol. Celina turned down the offer on the plea that her contract did not allow her to do reality shows. However, Celina charges that Chavan kept pursuing her by calling her continuously and even sent her champagne and flowers.

Celina was so annoyed that she sent the company Endemol a notice alleging that she was being harassed by Anand. After charging Ananad, the actress also charged Pooja Bedi who took Anand’s side and said in a media report that Celina was over-reacting and was “delusional”.

Celina was so angry at Pooja’s comment that she has now sued Pooja for Rs. 5 crore as compensation for her derogatory remarks. Pooja, on the other hand, is surprised by Celina’s behaviour for she feels that every person has a right to speak his or her mind whenever, he or she feels strongly about an issue.

As for us, our space seems to have had enough of stances where Celina believes she has been abused, harassed or insulted by someone or the other.

Mailaika and Arbaaz head towards splitsville

The everlasting 10-year long marriage of Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan has finally come to an end. The couple who were looked upto for their wonderful marriage are seeking talaaq from each other.

Ala Kareena-Shahid style the hot couple are separating when they are starring in a Kannada film ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ opposite each other.

Both Arbaaz and Malaika are tight lipped about their married life.

Arbaaz said, “It is my private life and I would not like to discuss it in public. Life is uncertain and no one knows what will happen tomorrow.”

When asked about the trouble in paradise Malaika kept mum, “It is too personal and I would like to keep quiet on this issue and I believe silence is golden.”

A source close to the couple said, “Malaika and Arbaaz have stopped communicating with each other completely. She is not even aware where Arbaaz is.”

Rumors are abuzz that Arbaaz is having an extra marital affair and has been living-in with his new love at his Bandra House and has separated from Malaika almost two weeks ago.

When quizzed about remarriage, Arbaaz said, “I don’t want to comment on my personal life or on Malaika. Why is the press so impatient? They will know whether I’m remarrying or not in due time. I will probably talk about it soon. At this moment I don’t want to say anything further.”

Sherlyn Chopra spreads false rumors

All Shahid Kapoor fans can breath a sigh of relief ‘coz all that Sherlyn has been blabbering about being Shahid’s co-star is untrue. The outrageous liar used Shahid’s and Yash Raj’s name to gain some indecent publicity but the truth finally prevailed.

A source from Yash Raj Films said, “Shahid has been paired with Rani Mukherjee in the movie. Sherlyn is just making a brief appearance in the film. The report of Shahid acting opposite Sherlyn is false. Sherlyn is doing it just to gain mileage for her and some cheap publicity”.

Ash-Abhi to celebrate first anniversary in Miami

It’s almost a year since Abhishek and Aishwariya tied the knot. The beautiful couple will celebrate their first anniversary in Miami, not that they planned the special occasion “It just happened” according to Big B.

Senior Bachchan said, “Abhishek is shooting in Miami for Dostana on their marriage anniversary. And Aishwarya is going to be with him.”

“We’ll get them by a new technology called skyscape to speak from Miami to media persons in Mumbai at the launch of Sarkar Raj - which happens to be on the same evening as their wedding anniversary.”

Katrina Kaif has no plans of marrying

Bollywood is abuzz with rumors that Kat and Sallu are going to tie the knot very soon and the special wedding will have only relatives and close buddies attending it.

But Katrina has denied all these rumors,” These rumors are completely false and ridiculous. I am not getting married. These are silly people playing games by spreading these rumors. I’d also like to add that I’m booked every day of this year already for my films.” said the gorgeous Race star.

When asked why doesn’t she hit back at these silly rumors, Katrina said, “It is because people know that both Salman and I do not comment on our private lives ever.”

One skill I Learnt while Acting

Bipasha Basu:"For Dhoom 2 I finally learnt to swim. Earlier I couldn't even get into the water. Swimming was required for a surfing shot. Finally though I didn't have to apply my new skill because the sea was too rough. But at least I learnt how to swim."

Amitabh Bachchan: "For the first time in my career I had to learn a skill for Sanjay Bhansali's Black. I learnt the sign language. I think this silent but utterly eloquent way of communicating helped me become a better humanbeing and actor."

Victor Banerjee: "The one skill that I had the hardest time learning for a role, was a bit of a joke. You see, I had to learn to speak Urdu for my first film ever in Hindi Shatranj Ke Khiladi, and that too for the mighty Satyajit Ray.

I had three Urdu teachers Shama Zaidi, Javed Siddiqui and Saeed Jaffrey, all spewing venom and tearing me apart because Urdu with a Bengali accent is certainly peculiar.

And another unique skill was for a Bengali film Pratidaan where I had to learn wild the lathi to play the baddie while Naseer and Sharmila played the romantic lead.

Urmila Matondkar: "For Naina I had to learn and understand the complete body language of the blind. I also got to understand the psychological changes and physical disturbances in a person after she gains her vision. It was then that I realized how much we take our senses for granted."

Bollywood turns to online promotions

Teasers and trailers on television have become passé. Now movies are being promoted on the internet on social networking sites like Facebook, Orkut and My Space.

First one
Subhash Ghai first kicked off the trend with promos of Black and White first appearing online. Now Yash Raj Films is promoting Tashan intensively through Orkut and Facebook.

On Facebook, the Tashan community has over 200 members. Eight teasers from the movie are available here, and the wall is full of posts from members discussing the movie.

The community on Orkut has more interactive features, such as forums and polling booths, and has more than 1000 members. Channels like MTV, Disney and Sony Entertainment Television are also active on Facebook. MTV has plans to bring Roadies to Orkut.

Rakhi's item is simply the best: Dia Mirza

Dia Mirza has been a lost and found case, as she gets back to tinsel town after a hiatus. As the ravishing Dia gets ready for some comic action with 'Krazzy 4', where she plays Arshad Warsi's beau, we get to talk to the lady on her role in the film..

Q.: You are appearing in "Krazzy 4" as a big surprise package. What would you like to say about that?
A.: (Smiling) Yeah, you are absolutely right. Actually, it was Jaydeep's idea to introduce me as the trump card at the end of the film. Previously, I have done few comedies, but working in "Krazzy 4" was something different.

It's much better than the so- called slapstick and sensitive comedies. You can call it social comedy. Hats off to Jaydeep's effort in depicting a good story with a cool comic touch!

Q.: There are three item numbers in the film. Don't you bite nails for missing any one of them?
A.: Not at all. I think, the director would have asked me to do so if there was any requirement. He didn't feel any such thing and I think it's perfect for the project.

Director's decision is always honorable in any film and it's my pleasure to respect Jaydeep's decision regarding "Krazzy 4".

Q.: Who, between Shahrukh and Hrithik, did you like most doing the item number?
A.: (Smiling) Rakhi Sawant's item number was the best amongst them. Truly speaking, I liked both Shahrukh and Hrithik's item numbers. And believe me, it's not my diplomatic response.

Bipashah Basu's Favourite Singer Is Pakistani Singer Atif Aslam

Actress Bipasha Basu is a fan of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam and she wants him to do the playback for her movie "Race". Just back from Kolkata after shooting for her first Bengali film, "Sab Charitra Kalpunik" (All Characters Imaginary)" by Rituparno Ghosh, Bipasha almost swoons at the mention of her favourite singer. "I am a diehard fan of Atif from the time he sang 'Tere Bin' and 'Doori'. I wish he would sing for me some day. I listen to his albums in my car all the time and so when I heard about the track 'Jaan-e-Jana' in 'Race', I knew only Atif could do it," she said. Bipasha not only recommended Atif for the song but also urged the film's producers to sign up her favourite singer. "And why not? Atif has a deal with Tips, which is producing 'Race'. So this was my golden opportunity to get Atif into one of my films. And now 'Jaan-e-Jana' is my favourite song in 'Race'." Talk about the crackling chemistry the actress shares with Saif Ali Khan in "Race", Bipasha lights up. "It's a slick sensuous thriller and I share good chemistry not only with Saif but also with Akshaye Khanna. I was working with both Saif and Akshaye for the first time. They're good actors." "It's been really hectic for me. We worked on Ritu's film on a very tight schedule. I loved my role and the chance to speak in my mother tongue for the first time. I also shot in Santiniketan. It was something I really looked forward to. Unfortunately, I was there for just two days and it was raining all the time. I reached late in the night, shot the whole day and returned to Kolkata." Bipasha has a lot to look forward to in 2008. "Besides Ritu's film, which gives me a completely new image, I have one more Bengali movie, Shudipto Chattopadhyay's 'Pankh', lined up. It's a very disturbing film about a child actor, who grows up thinking he's a girl. I play his muse. I play myself. It's a very different film. Then of course, there's 'Race' with Abbas-Mustan." Bipasha started her career with Abbas-Mustan and hopes to work more with the duo. "In fact, I've an incomplete film 'Mr Fraud' with them. It is a full-on comedy with Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan and Anuuj Sawhney. I'm ready to give dates whenever Sanju and Ajay find time. But they're so busy, and so am I," the actress said.

Mr Charming of Bollywood

Saif Ali Khan may be the new Prince of Bollywood but the title of Mr Charming of Bollywood goes to none other than Shahid Kapoor. Apparently, the cute actor has suddenly turned hot property and actresses are checking their date dairies so that they can work with him.

Call this an after Jab We Met effect or his single status after he broke off with his longtime girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, but Shahid is now on a roll. One actress who is extremely fond of him is Jiah Khan. The two were cast opposite each other in Star, but apparently since Jiah is also doing Aamir Khan’s Ghajini, she couldn’t chalk out her dates to give her fave actor.

Then there were rumours of Katrina Kaif being roped in for Star, and there were also talks of how Salman Khan was dead against his girlfriend acting with Shahid. Now we hear that Jiah has somehow convinced the Ghajini filmmakers and got herself back in Star.

Katrina was also very keen to work with Shahid. She genuinely made attempts to re-schedule her dates so that she could work with Shahid, who she is very fond of,” says a friend of Kats. Well, we have these two actresses who are extremely fond of him but who is he fond of? Did we hear the name of Sania Mirza?!

Bollywood's summer blockbusters!

Akshay, Saif and Kareena go blonde.
Big B comes back from the dead. Later, he plays God-God.
Abhishek and Aishwarya breathe down each other's neck.
And Rani Mukerji develops Peter Pan's flying skills.
All this and more, this summer in Bollywood
Read on.
Tashan
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.
Director: Vijay Kumar Acharya

Plot: A desi cowboy (Akshay Kumar). A smooth call-centre employee (Saif Ali Khan). A sly femme fatale (Kareena Kapoor). A kooky gangster (Anil Kapoor). The crazy foursome get together under larger-than-life circumstances with the intention to thrill and kill.

Pros: The cast, definitely. Besides starring Akshay Kumar -- the hottest superstar of the season and Anil Kapoor, on a roll post-Welcome and Race, there's the much-hyped real-time jodi of Saif-Kareena all set to sizzle on screen.

Cons: Not everyone's idea of style or substance is Bebo's zero-size figure or Welcome Kapoor's broken English.

I had to pay Ram Rs 2 crores

"We took a NOC from Sony-Erricson and on 13 December 2008 they gave me a letter of consent. I went about this the right way. My conscience is clear.

Towards the end of March I was told the tune belongs to Ram Sampath and not Sony-Erricson. Not in my wildest dreams could I doubt the company's intentions. I was misinformed. I was in a crisis situation and had no choice but to pay up the Rs 2 crores that was asked of me.

I'd like to ask Ram Sampat one thing. If his tune was the same as the one in Krazzy 4 wouldn't it have been an equally big hit when it was played as part of the cellphone ad campaign? That too had Hrithik dancing in it…

Yes the main hookline is the same. And if Ram Sampat sensed an irregularity why did he wait until my film's release was around the corner?

Mallika Sherawat - The queen of ‘Nakhras’

When Studio 18 signed Mallika Sherawat as the female lead of their film ‘Masquerade’, little did they know that they are playing with fire (red-hot one) and now, madam Mallika has annoyed director Kundan Shah with her ‘Nakhras’ to such an extent that the makers are left with no other option than to shelve the project.

Reports are that Mallika was signed for Rs. 9.5 million and was even paid 25% of her fee as the signing amount before she reported for the movie’s shoot. However, Miss Sherawat started throwing tantrums even before shooting could begin saying that she was not happy with the choice of the director and the cinematographer. When director Kundan Shah refused to give in to her interference, Mallika coolly went to the press and declared the she had walked out of the film.

The standoff between the two reached such a peak that eventually Studio 18 found no alternative but to call off the project. Now the production house has lodged a complaint with IMPPA asking Mallika to return the signing amount paid to her.

On the other hand, Mallika refuses to entertain any calls from Studio 18 and refuses to talk to the media on the issue.

Anjana Sukhani - Good times ahead

The future seems bright for Anjana Sukhani as the girl awaits the release of not one, but three of her films in toe.

Anjana Sukhani has already worked, though not with much weightage and recognition in ‘Salaam-e-ishq’ and ‘Sunday‘. Now, she is set to set the screen afire with three big releases, ‘Golmaal Returns’, ‘Allah Ke Banday’ and ‘Jai Veeru’.

The actress is excited about all her projects and says, “Allah Ke Banday is expected to release in early June, in which I am paired with Sharman Joshi. This adventurous film also stars Naseruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni and Anupam Kher”.

However, her film ‘Jai Veeru’ by Narendra Bajaj- Shyam Bajaj is going down in enthusiasm because of the failure of ‘The Train’ and ‘Aggar’.

“It’s a good film, but I guess the makers are taking it a little slow as of now”, is what Anjana has to say about the movie. Adding on, she says, “It is a fun film with Fardeen Khan and Kunal Khemu being part of it. I am sure it would get released before 2008 ends,” says Anjana about it.

On the other hand, Anjana is having a ball of time shooting for ‘Golmaal Returns’. In fact, during one scene with Ajay Devgan and Shreyas Talpade being shot at Film City, the girl found it difficult to control her laughter while shooting. When, she could not control laughing even after more than a dozen re-takes, the actors and the director lost their patience. It was then, Ajay Devgan gave Anjana one of his serious and intimidating looks and told her to stop laughing and get serious about work. Devgan’s gesture worked and Anjana gave the next shot perfectly.

Anjana has a lot to say “I am paired opposite Tusshar Kapoor here, and imagine all the fun I would be having since Tusshar continues to play his mute character which was so popular in ‘Golmaal’. The manner in which we both interact is a mystery and you should see this ‘unusual love story’ to believe it”.

Chitrangada Singh is back

The memories of the talented dusky beauty of Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi’ are afresh in the hearts of the cine goers. Now, after a long silence of three years, Chintraganda Singh is back and how!

Reportedly, the gorgeous actress has been signed by Aamir Khan for his next production ‘Delhi Belly’. The film is supposed to be a quirky, risqué set in New Delhi.

Earlier, the film was to be directed by Swedish director Robert Nylund, but now he has been replaced by ad-filmmaker Abhinay Deo( famous for ‘Youngistan’ Pepsi ad).

Chitrangada is also playing the female lead in director Onir’s next ‘Sorry Bhai’ opposite Sanjay Suri and Sharman Joshi . She is also playing Chandramukhi in Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Aur Devdas’.