Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra Engagement Stills

Farhan Akhtar loves to Rock On again

The young guy got himself ennobled as ‘Man of experiments’, laying his hand on almost all panoramas of films as a script writer, playback singer, producer, director, film distributor, lyric writer and television host.

Farhan Akhtar made it all straight onto the headlines with his stunning debut directorial ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ in 2001. He has traveled a long way across the tinsel town in swaying with stupendous success. Well, the multi-faceted personality is open to all experiments as he says, “My mind is open to everything and I take every work with extreme passion. Of course, after couple of years, you would witness my new avatar into a different arena of film production…”

When asked about the buzzes rounding up in air about his sequel to Rock-On, Farhan said, “Definitely, I am much curious about kick-starting with the sequel, but I am occupied with couple of projects. Don-2 was supposed to start-rolling this yearend, but got shelved as Shah Rukh Khan’s hand was fractured. Literally, I’m busy now working on script of Sid and nothing has been decided about star-casts. My upcoming film ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ boasts of being an unusual comedy entertainer…”

Asin: Salman didn't bring his personal problems on sets

Asin is truly impressed with her second Khan co-star, Salman Khan. While she has already come out in his defense by stating that 'all negative stories about him are cooked up', she also maintains that he didn't allow his personal problems to come in the way of LONDON DREAMS.

She is happy to narrate an incident around the death of Salman's dog. Rather than indulging himself in mourning, he reported for the shoot of the film and did all that his character demanded once the director called 'action'.

"Everyone knows that Salman is so close to his dog. Even though when his dog died, he didn't call to cancel the shoot for that day. Instead, he turned up for the shoot in Karjat. It would have been even more difficult since he had to shoot for a happy and rejoicing song", Asin narrates.

Preity Zinta cheers for Salman Khan’s Being Human HDIL show

Salman Khan had many Bollywood biggies sashay down the ramp for his ‘Being Human’ show at the ongoing HDIL India Couture Week here late Tuesday. The celeb list included the likes of Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.

But, the person who pepped up the show was bubbly Preity Zinta who sat with her friend choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan and fashion designer Manish Malhotra and started cheering and clapping right from the beginning of the show when Salman graced the ramp.

‘Wow! Salman! Salman!,’ shouted Zinta attired in a black T-shirt and sporting a new look with fringes falling perfectly on her forehead, the actress looked as ravishing as ever. Farah Khan and Manish Malhotra too joined her.

‘I must tell you that my throat is already gone. I was so happy that all this shouting and cheering just happened. The show was all about being human and being together. It celebrated togetherness of the industry and this is what had me do all the shouting. But it is worth it,’ said Preity.

Commenting on Aamir Khan’s ramp debut, she said that the actor looked cute.

‘I think he was looking very cute on the ramp. He is already so charming and you can’t take that away from him,’ she said.

Preity Zinta cheers for Salman Khan’s Being Human HDIL show

Salman Khan had many Bollywood biggies sashay down the ramp for his ‘Being Human’ show at the ongoing HDIL India Couture Week here late Tuesday. The celeb list included the likes of Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.

But, the person who pepped up the show was bubbly Preity Zinta who sat with her friend choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan and fashion designer Manish Malhotra and started cheering and clapping right from the beginning of the show when Salman graced the ramp.

‘Wow! Salman! Salman!,’ shouted Zinta attired in a black T-shirt and sporting a new look with fringes falling perfectly on her forehead, the actress looked as ravishing as ever. Farah Khan and Manish Malhotra too joined her.

‘I must tell you that my throat is already gone. I was so happy that all this shouting and cheering just happened. The show was all about being human and being together. It celebrated togetherness of the industry and this is what had me do all the shouting. But it is worth it,’ said Preity.

Commenting on Aamir Khan’s ramp debut, she said that the actor looked cute.

‘I think he was looking very cute on the ramp. He is already so charming and you can’t take that away from him,’ she said.

Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra spend romantic moments at Taj Mahal

Monday afternoon was special for those around the Taj Mahal as Shilpa Shetty was there with her beau Raj Kundra to spend an hour cherishing their love. The couple was guarded by their personal security guards as a huge crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of Shilpa. Shilpa and Raj, at present, own a business empire which includes a $16.2 million (10 million pounds) stake in the Rajasthan Royals Twenty20 cricket team and a recently acquired food and beverage company, Gourmet Creations.

Shetty, 34, believes in relishing every moment of her life inspite of problems and controversies cropping up every now and then. She recently became the co-chairwoman of Gourmet Creations after she and fiance Raj Kundra paid 6 million pounds to buy a 33 per cent stake in it.

Now, the former boss of her newly acquired restaurant chain has sued her for 6 million pounds on grounds of unfair dismissal.

Jamal Hirani, 42, founder of fast-food chain ‘Tiffinbites’ alleges that he was forced out by colleagues in a process that led to the firm closing and opening under a new name, the V8 Gourmet Group.

“They manufactured false accusations against me. This ultimately was my company and I have been removed. I understand that since I have left Shilpa Shetty has invested in the business,” said Hirani.

A spokesman for the actress reacted to the controversy by saying, “The case refers to events that happened before Shilpa and Raj joined. She was always aware this tribunal was coming up and hopes for a fair outcome.”

Bipasha clears airs for not being a part of ‘Raavan’

There had been rumors that Bipasha Basu was kicked out of ‘Raavan’ because her role as Mandodari opposite Abhishek Bachchan was posing a threat and overshadowing other female characters in the film.

Now, Bipasha speaks up saying that these rumors are baseless and her leaving the film was an amicable decision between her and the director.

“They were all rumors and only rumors. I am not a part of ‘Raavan’. I was initially a part of ‘Raavan’ but Mani sir thought he couldn’t do justice to my role… as to whatever he had promised me would definitely be in conflict with the actual story of the film once it is shot, ” said Bipasha adding, “So he took a call instead of being in an embarrassing position later on. He decided to tell me that and amicably we decided that it should not be done…hopefully we’ll work together soon. So now there’s going to be no Mandodari in the film.”

Bipasha spoke up at a press meet for All The Best in New Delhi on Saturday, October 10, 2009. This Yash Raj production has been directed by Rohit Shetty and stars Fardeen Khan, Mugdha Godse, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn, besides Bips.

About the film, Bipasha revealed, “‘All The Best’ is a situational comedy and a total entertainer. It deals with a lot of mistaken identities, people lying and getting into trouble. My character is called Jahnvi who is married to Ajay in the film. She is a straightforward girl who is trying to run her life and family by looking after a totally rundown gym. She cons people to join the gym by lying because by the looks of it, nobody wants to join it.”

Apart from “All The Best”, Bipasha’s future projects include “Lamha”, “Pankh” and Priyadarshan’s next. Check out this 30 year old looking gorgeous at the press meet for ‘All The Best’.

Deepika Padukone awaits her forthcoming ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’

The 23-year-old Deepika Padukone is the brand ambassador of Fiama Di Wills and she recently launched two new soap variants of Fiama , which is also the associate sponsor of the upcoming Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WLIFW). She also unveiled designer Sumeet Varma’s preview collection for WLIFW titled ‘The Life of a Swan-Swan lake’.

On the occasion Deepika spoke out on a variety of topics including the fact that she is eagerly awaiting the release of her forthcoming ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ where she plays a bold role.

”’Karthik Calling Karthik’ is a romantic thriller and my role is quite bold and optimistic in the film as opposite to Farhan’s which is a very pessimistic one,” Deepika told reporters adding, “It is a tough film and was a very challenging role.”

Directed by Vijay Lalwani, the film is about a man who gets phone calls from himself. It is co-produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under their banner Excel Entertainment and Amit Chandra and Vijay Lalwani of Magic Beans.

About her Diwali plans, Deepika said: “I will be with my family.”

Deepika Padukone was last seen in ‘Love Aaj Kal’ and talking about the success of the film, she said, ”I am glad that people have liked it and it is a hit. I think it’s a step towards more interesting and realistic cinema. A lot of people who have been through an experience like that have actually related to the film.”

Padukone was all praises for beau Ranbir Kapoor’s latest release ‘Wake Up Sid’. ”I think Wake Up Sid was a really sweet, funny and romantic film. Ayan (the director) has brought out the best in both the actors,” she said.

Amrita Rao in hot photoshoot for ‘Maxim’

Amrita Rao debuted as the simple girl-next-door with ‘Ishq Vishq’ and she continued with that image in quite a few of her flicks like ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Vivah’. Then she decided that it was enough of playing coy and petite roles and she went for a sexy and glamorous makeover with ‘Shortcut-The con is on’. Though the film bombed at the box office, Amrita has taken to her glamorous image.

And what could be better than to appear on the cover of the notorious magazine ‘Maxim’ which is known to portray actresses in ultra hot looks. Check out Amrita Rao in her sexy avatar in the photoshoot for ‘Maxim’ and do not forget to let us know your comments.

Priyanka Chopra rules as the ‘Diva’ for Levis

Priyanka Chopra is riding high these days. Even the failure of ‘Whats Your Rashee?’ at the box-office could not hamper her success are much and now she has signed the endorsement deal with the famous brand Levis who will reportedly pay the fattest ever cheque to Piggie Chops for the ad campaign. This special edition of Denims is called ‘Diva Rule’ and ace designer Tarun Tahiliani has been roped in by the company for the campaign.

It may be mentioned here that Akshay Kumar, Kangna Ranaut, Deepika Padukone, and also Priyanka’s good friend Shahid Kapur are associated with the brand. Check out hot Priyanka Chopra in the photoshoot for the brand.

Rani Mukherji’s debut in small screen

There have been more and more celebrities marking their presence in reality shows over small screens. And for those ardent buffs yearning to catch Rani Mukherji in ‘idiot box’, here’s the good news for them all.

Yeah! Sources have officially confirmed about Rani Mukherji making her presence in a reality show titled ‘RIN Dace Premiere League’ (DPL), where she’ll be assigned with the speculative task of judging the contestants. Of course, the actress will be accompanied by actor Arshad Warsi and dance guru Shiamak Davar.

According to the programme producers of DPL, they are so elated about Rani accepting the offer as they believe she would add more to the glamorous quotients and elevate the credibility quotients of this show.

Dance Guru Shiamak Davar has been assigned to set sort of impedimenta for the contestants on every level while Arshad Warsi will be ‘special guest judge’ in preliminary rounds of auditions.

Dance Premiere League will have different teams across India and abroad taking part to showcase the richness of their respective cultural dances.

Asin's French connection!

Asin loves to travel and explore different places and know more about the people culture. During the shoot of LONDON DREAMS in Paris Asin would go sight seeing a lot.

Salman Khan: I love Preity Zinta

Every body who comes on the popular show 10 Ka Dum makes it a point to ask the host Salman Khan only one thing: When does he plan to get married? If that fails to get a response then they try to veer the conversation towards Salman's beloved, Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.

Salman obsessed with Katrina look alike

Salman Khan is now looking for a Katrina Kaif lookalike for the Parisian love story that he is working on. He has put aside his other projects– the sequels to No Entry and Wanted for later. The film will be produced by his sister Alvira and her husband, Atul Agnihotri.

Salman is also working on another film that will be produced by his brother, Arbaaz. Arbaaz’s film, however, has a North India setting. For his Parisian film, Salman is looking for a girl who has half Caucasian and half Indian features. Salman actually wanted to cast Katrina in the film but since they have decided not to star together in movies, he has asked an agency in Paris to keep a lookout for a girl like Salman has asked.

In Salman’s upcoming film, Veer, too the lead heroine, Zarine Khan, is said to look exactly like Katrina.

Asin declines Farah’s offer for a movie with SRK

Asin, who has always expressed a desire to work SRK after having worked with Salman and Aamir Khan, recently turned down Farah Khan’s offer. Farah had asked her if she wanted to do her film, Happy New Year opposite Shah Rukh but Asin refused.

Farah has been in touch with her ever since Asin appeared on Farah’s show. Farah had asked to think about the offer carefully. Asin was very keen on it at the beginning but she spoke to her father and then refused the offer citing date issues.

Now that Asin is out of the race for the female lead in Happy New Year, the other top Bollywood heroines, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are all eyeing the role.

When Lara was no to Blue…

She is smoothly gliding through the blue waters, flaunting her hot body in this Andrew D’Souza’s flick. But did you know initially this hottie was strictly against acting in this movie? Well, it is said that Lara Dutta was quite apprehensive to work in ‘Blue’, for her fear of water.

When Lara was approached by the producers for this underwater action film, her immediate answer was no. Being the most expensive film in the Hindi film industry, the producers were taken aback when she even refused to hear the script. They in turn asked Akshay Kumar’s help to convince her. Lara had severe hydrophobia and that is how Akki suggested her to take up swimming lessons.

Lara recounts that it was a sink or swim situation. However, she stepped into the movie with a brave heart. “I got a coach, who taught me to take the first lap in seven swimming sessions. Then for the next three months we just learnt how to swim and breathe underwater,” stated the actress to sources.

Hmm, now don’t see her swimming beautifully in the promos of ‘Blue’? Looks like Akki’s Fear Factor cajoling has helped here.

Vipul: Ajay has intensity and Salman has madnes...

Both Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan have their individual movie releases in the coming week (ALL THE BEST and MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA respectively) but Vipul Shah's magnum opus LONDON DREAMS will see the two stars reuniting on the big screen after a decade!

Last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's smash hit HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM in 1999, Ajay and Salman never got cast together till LONDON DREAMS, in which they play music aficionados in a London-based rock band.

Celina Jaitley’s close shave with death…

Celina Jaitley certainly is one lucky gal. Recently on a shoot at Maldives for her south film ‘Sreemati’ opposite superstar Upendra, Celina had a close brush with death.

It was the camera assistant, whose quick thinking and deft actions pulled her from the jaws of death. Recalling the incident, Celina says, “I escaped severe injuries by falling into shallow rocky seas from a great height. While shooting, the camera buggy was supposed to go past me while I was standing near an outcrop. But it swung out of control and I toppled, barely managing to grab a buggy rung. I lost my grip on that too but the camera assistant Ram Gopal Mishra grabbed me and that saved me.” All of this happened in just a few seconds and it was Celina’s good fortune and the camera assistant’s sheer presence of mind that saved Celina.

But Celina also has an unshakable belief that those who have the blessings and goodwill of others have nothing to worry about.

We sure agree with you and are grateful for the lucky angel guarding you.

Rakhi Sawant blows up in rage on Tanaaz for insulting her mother on TV

Rakhi Sawant is appalled and angry by the way her mother is being treated on Bigg Boss. She wants revenge.

“How dare the Channel use my mother as a pawn? Last year it was Rakhi Sawant. So this year it’s her mother? I could take on the whole house. Let them send me into the house once. I’ll show all these English-speaking snobs what a daughter can do when her mother is insulted. No one can fool around with me. But my mother is a simple housewife. That poor woman is being completely isolated by the other contestants.”

And Rakhi, though not on talking terms with her mom, won’t take any slight to her lying down. “How can they isolate her because she can’t speak English? We come from the chawls. My grandfather never sent my mother to school. She is a poor uneducated housewife. I wonder how she put those two signatures on the Bigg Boss deal because she can barely sign her name.”

Rakhi is especially upset with Tanaaz Currim. “Tanaaz is behaving extra-smart. When the housemates did the Mummy-Daddy act, Tanaaz completely ignored my mother. And do you know, when I meet Tanaaz’s mother I’m very polite and respectful?”

Rakhi blames the channel for using her mother as bait. “They thought Rakhi is coming on ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, so let’s put her mother on another show. I had no idea my mother was invited to Bigg Boss. Whatever our personal differences I don’t want my mother to be put in a compromising position,” says Rakhi and accuses the other housemates for discriminating against her mother.

“There’s definitely bhed-bhav against my mother. Nine contestants voted her out on the second day. I’m frantically calling up all my friends and fans to vote for my mother,” says Rakhi who has just bought herself an office in Lokhandwala.

“It’s in the Kamdhenu complex. I’m very proud of it. From there I’ll start my production house. Whatever money I’ll make on the reality shows I’ll use to produce my serial on the Bible. As it is I’ve realized movies don’t pay. I got only a token amount from Yashraj Films for Dil Bole Hadippa. And on the top of that, my role and my dances were cut drastically. So why should I not do television where I’m the queen?”

Sallu-Aamir on a magic after 15 years

Post ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, the superstars of B-town Salman Khan and Aamir Khan have decided to come together again. If what we heard from sources is believed to be true, then both the Khans will act together in a film produced by them.

According to the buzzes, Aamir Khan will produce the film with Salman’s brother Sohail Khan as the co-producer. Earlier reports stated that both would be seen together in the sequel of Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Andaz Apna Apna’. But then, Mr. Perfectionist not seems to be interested with it.

Consequently, this duo is looking out for a fresh and gripping tale, with filmmaker to be finalized soon. But when approached Aamir’s closer hand, the reports were quite contrary as they uttered, “Right now, Aamir has got his hands full with 3 Idiots and three more projects and he has no time for other projects…”

Aamir Khan’s creativity strikes on 3 Idiots

Mr. Perfectionist keeps moving ahead with smart and innovative approach on publicizing his every film. But, here’s something Aamir has got on out-of-box thinking for his upcoming film ‘3 Idiots’.

Producers of ‘3 Idiots’ are gearing up for hosting a series of concerts for promoting their film. Of course, all credit goes to Aamir Bhai for rendering such a creative appeal.

Film’s music director Shantanu Moitra and his playback singers will perform live on the songs across various cosmopolitan cities. The first concert would be held in Mumbai and later followed by Western, Central and Southern parts of India.

Also the producers are planning to spell more on unique publicities with the film’s star-casts.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, ‘3 Idiots’ is based on Chetan Bhagat's book Five Point Someone and features Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor in lead roles.

Sonam Kapoor on magazine covers

Sonam Kapoor has been rated as the best dressed actress of Bollywood and the style diva by the ‘People’ magazine. This month Sonam appears on the covers of two magazines- ‘People’ and ‘Prevention’. Where one magazine reveals Sonam’s secrets of what it takes to be on the list, the other has Sonam revealing her secrets of slimming down.

Sonam has not yet tasted success on the box-office as he first two releases ‘Saawariya’ and ‘Delhi 6’ fell down with a thud and now all her hopes are pinned on daddy Anil Kapoor’s home production ‘Ayesha’. Check out Sonam looking naturally gorgeous on both the covers.

Kajol and Kareena to match their acting skills

Actress Kajol and Kareena Kapoor would be working together in the hindi remake of ‘Stepmom’ to be directed by Siddarth Malhotra. Kareena is very excited about the role which according to her is quite different from what she has done in the past. The film would be having a lot of dramatic scenes between the two actresses and Kareena has been attending workshops and rehearsals so that she can match the acting caliber of Kajol.

Says Kareena, “The last time I rehearsed for a part was for Vishal Bharadwaj’s Omkara. But that was a more unconventional film and role where I had to get into a milieu and character I knew nothing about. But Stepmom is urban and very contemporary. I play a very normal metro-centric working girl.”

Kareena is known for the way she oozes glamour and she is finding it hard

to play a normal girl. “I walk, talk, dress like an ordinary working girl. I’ll be using no makeup,” she says. Even Bollywood’s ace designer Manish Malhotra is having a hard time to tone down Kareena’s glamour quotient in Stepmom to look like an ordinary working woman.

Talking about Kajol, Kareena said: “She’s always been one of my favourite actresses. We worked together in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. But this is something else.”

Talking about her role in the film, Kareena said, “The desi version of Stepmom is very different from the original. My role is also a big departure from what Julia Roberts played in Stepmom.”

Priyanka & Mugdha glam up the music release of ‘Jail’

The music of Madhur Bhandrakar’s forthcoming flick ‘Jail’ was launched this Saturday at a multiplex in Mumbai. The film stars Neil Nitin Mukesh along with Mugdha Godse and Bhandarkar invited Priyanka Chopra to launch the music which has been composed by Sharib-Toshi and Shamir Tandon.

Mugdha and Priyanka have earlier worked with Madhur in his blockbuster ‘Fashion’.

The music of the film has created news already because it has one song titled ‘Saiyan Ve’ which has been recorded by none other than Lata Mangeshkar along with Neil Nitin himself.

According to Neil, “I enjoyed taking a break from his usual acting duties to croon for the film. I love singing. So when I was offered this song I just couldn’t refuse to go along with it. Jail is a very dear movie to me and this would just add a little more involvement. I am super excited and hope that people love this song. Sharib-Toshi have given amazing music and lyrics which is another USP of the song. Bonding with the duo was so much fun and I really had quite a nice time singing this rock version.”

About her role in the film, model-turned-actress Mugdha says, “My look in Jail is very de-glamorized. On the first-day of the shoot, I came for my shot with make-up on, and Madhur asked me to wash my face and get the make-up off. He wanted a completely natural look and I finally ended up with only kajal and mascara.”

Mugdha is also full of praises for her director who has given her a chance to show her potential for the second time after ‘Fashion’. She says, “Madhur always gives equal if not more importance to his female characters and I am happy that he trusted me to play two diametrically different roles (in both Fashion and Jail). He has in fact given me the courage and confidence to experiment with different roles.”

‘Jail’ is scheduled for release on November 6.