Guess what we heard recently? The rather hunky Sonu Sood was getting wet in the rain with the sultry Eesha Koppikhar! Don't you wish you were there to watch?

Well, actually you can watch since they were shooting for their next film Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi at Filmcity. So once the film releases you can catch the hot actors getting wet in the artificially created rain, what say?

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Amitabh Bachchan's blog has been creating ripples for some time now. The latest in the list being the recently put up pictures from his forthcoming film Alladin on the blog. The movie sure has been receiving some real hot publicity because of it but the producers are however not too impressed. In fact, the filmmakers are quite unhappy with Bachchan for releasing the pictures even before the film publicity has started rolling.

Amitabh in his blog has written along with the pictures, "My role is that of the genie and yes I will appear at the rub of the lamp to fulfill the three wishes of the one that carries the object of desire. The one feature that you do notice in both the stills is the green backdrop with little red marks on them. These are where digital images will be filled in later. Green backdrops are used when greater depth or volume is required and when they cannot be physically built. So a minimal construction is set up, actors act around it and imagines that there is a lot more to it. There are photographs too of another sequence - the genie atop a snow mountain. There is a lot of blue that surrounds the image. This is all cloth where digitally snowy peaks and a large mountain will be filled in. And you would never know the difference. I mean now you would, because you have been told of it, but in general it is seldom noticed."

Well, that more or less has given away the PUNCH factor which the producers wanted to keep so hush- hush'.

But that's not all. Apparently the actor is also not being too co-operative while shooting. We hear that he’s been acting pricey and refusing to shoot after his time is over claiming that the shot doesn’t need a retake. Well, well, well, AB sure has taken his role of a genie too seriously. Wonder when he'll realise that he is not really a magical being!

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Guess what's turning out to be the USP of Mallika Sherawat's upcoming release Ugly Aur Pagli? Those 99 slaps that she has in the offering for Ranvir Shorey.

Believe it or not but in this upcoming riotous comedy from the house of Pritish Nandy Communications, Mallika slaps Ranvir a staggering 99 times

. And all this happens even as the two are shown to be love birds in the film. One wonders if Ranvir was a real sport to this treatment mainly because at the end there was also 1 kiss reserved for him, as indicated by the film's tagline - 99 SLAPS 1 KISS!

Ugly Aur Pagli is the story of Kabir (Ranvir), a carefree guy who has been studying engineering for ten years now.

However, his life goes through a spin when he meets the quirky and kinky Kuhu (Mallika Sherawat). Though Kabir always wanted a girl to love, never in his wildest dreams had he imagined to come across someone like Kuhu who would make him do crazy things.

And what were these crazy things? Well, nothing less than dancing around circles, run semi naked, ride cycles without seats or wear high heeled ladies shoes! Well, 99 slaps were just a few more add-ons!

A desperate Kabir tries hard to escape Kuhu's clutches, but in the process only ends up falling in love with her even more! Will he survive all her insane demands and tantrums?

Ugly Aur Pagli brings together Mallika and Ranvir for the second time after Pyaar Ke Side Effects. In fact it is quite a jump for Ranvir who has graduated from being Rahul Bose's sidekick in Pyaar Ke Side Effects to being the leading man in Ugly Aur Pagli.

So what if his role required him to be a receipient of 99 slaps!

As per the makers of the film, Ugly Aur Pagli is touted to be 'This Summer's Craziest Comedy'. Ugly Aur Pagli is directed by debutant film maker Sachin Khot and has music by Anu Malik with lyrics by Amitabh Varma. - Joginder Tuteja

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Saif speak….straight from the heart.

Why are you frowning so much in public these days?
Am I? If you're talking about the promos of Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic that's a frowning role.

Is it because of the prying eyes?
No. One should get comfortable with the public attention. I'll make an effort to look happier. I am happy. I've so much to look forward to. I'm doing so well professionally. I've a great personal life. I guess I'm just a frowning guy.I must stop that.

You're moody, that's all.
I guess I am. I can't help it.

You're leaving to shoot for your first home production?
Yes, I leave for London now. It's a love story and I'm proud to be producing it. It's very original, a little too original.

You mean it's bold?
Bold and beautiful. We shoot in London, San Francisco and Delhi. My partner Dinesh Vijan chose the locations.

You do want to spend as much time with Kareena as possible?
Obviously. Look, she's shooting in Australia and I had two months off. So obviously I'd go to visit her.Or if she's doing an event in Andheri and I can join her, I will. I know people will talk about it. I don't care.

Every relationship goes through a period of consolidation. We've been together for nine months. We both know how much we mean to each other.

Broken by the failure of Tashan?
Not at all. I liked the script. The role didn't end up the way I thought it would. It was edited quite a lot. As Aditya Chopra explained to me it was for the betterment of the film. But yeah, it was a disappointment. I won't pretend about that.

Race was a hit. But it was a terrible film.
Who cares what you think about it ? (laughs uproariously). It ran, and I was frowning throughout. A super-hit, that's nice. I enjoyed the wheel-dealer plot.

But James Hadley Chase came and went 20 years ago.
He's still a cool dude. I stand by Race. I stand by Tashan too. The director Victor, Akshay, Kareena and I shared a vision. It went wrong. The role was edited. Adi and I spoke about it. He said it was for the betterment of the narration.

Were you convinced?
Well….it has taken me a long time to get to the position of the main lead. And the man responsible for this in many ways is Adi Chopra who gave me Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste. I've always trusted Adi's judgement.

But Akshay Kumar had all the punchy dialogues.
You win some lose you lose some. I knew he had a stronger part. Our roles turned out different from what it was expected to. I really believed in the idea, and we all stood by it. Now let's see. It was great fun making the film and something really positive came out of it.

What's that?
I met Kareena during Tashan.That's enough for me.

You seem to be inaccessible to a lot of producers who want to sign you.
When I started out producers didn't understand the way I worked, and vice versa. A regular filmy set-up wasn't suited to me, not because of any snobbery but because I'm not at good improviser.

I needed my script and lines so I could work on them. For so long I was comfortable in my kind of world …you know, Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum…. I was a little wary of the more old-school directors.

I decided to venture out and try a cinema I thought I wouldn't be comfortable with. I worked with Abbas-Mastan. Today I'm open to working with anyone.

But you are still very picky?
Yes. Because no matter how many films you do you can't have more than 3-4 releases a year. So why do any more?

Why did you opt out of Farhan Akhtar's Voice From The Sky?
The dates and the finances weren't making sense. It's a great story. It's really sad that it didn't work out.

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Salman with whom Subhash Ghai once had a major run-in, is back in Ghai's ambit.

Ask the seasoned filmmaker about it, and he explains, "It's like this. I've a sister who spent her childhood with me. Then she broke away from me and left for her husband's home. Then she had children and they left her home.

Situations and relationships change. And when people are close to each other they fight. If you love someone deeply he's bound to come back in your life. Salman and I share a deep bond.

Somewhere he always wanted to work with me. I always treated him like a child. He's my friend Salim Saab's friend. When Salman fought with me, Salim Saab ordered him to come to my home and apologize. He came home early the next day and apologized."

The filmmakers continues to speak fondly of Salman. "He's a good soul. And I realize he's truly a gem of a person. If he had watched his steps he would become an emperor in the entertainment business.

Apart from a few films his talent hasn't been exploited well. Even he doesn't know how talented he is. I don't want to present him as Salman in Yuvraj. I want to present him as an actor, like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam did."

He's excited about directing again.

"I'm free to direct films again because my 27-year old daughter is fully looking after our film school now. Before you ask me, why I'm directing a film after three years let me tell you, I've spent the last three years setting up my film school Whistling Woods.

I wanted to get the faculty and curriculum right. Whatever time remained I spent supervising our productions. Now when I freer I'm directing two back-to-back films."

Subhash says Yuvraj is about the arrogance of contemporary youth. "You want to know who's the Yuvraj? Salman, Anil Kapoor or Zayed Khan? If I reveal that who would want to see my film?

Yuvraj is about the over-confidence of today's youth. Every one wants to be a rock star, regardless of whether they have the morals to go with the appellation."

He says he isn't into signing stars just to raise his equity. "I don't want to be known as the producer who signed Shah Rukh during one year, Aamir the next year and Salman the following year. That's not my ambition.

I want to add to the talent in the industry, and give our cinema reason to be proud 10 and 50 years from now. As for stars. I've seen four generations of superstars come during my time—Dilip Kumar Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

No one can remain a superstar for more than fifteen years. Aaj Hrithik aa gaya hai na. There will be more talent coming in. Maybe a lot of this talent will come from Whistling Woods. But it would be talent with knowledge, not ignorance.

Aaj-kal a majority of the stars and directors don't know the craft. Only some like Vinod Chopra and Sanjay Bhansali know their craft. We hope to change that."

What about the scarcity of good screenwriters? "The film industry has been moaning about it for the last thirty years. No one has done anything about it except the Chopras and Barjatyas.

We've a story workshop at Mukta Arts. But you've to pay them. Today everyone who wants to be a writer becomes a writer. That isn't the way creativity works.

My little daughter Muskaan can dabble on a piano. It doesn't mean she's qualified to be a music composer. In Yuvraj I've got a team of six writers to write the screenplay, three of them veterans (including me) and three youngsters.

These innovative writers will guide the veterans. Right from Kalicharan to Kisna I've had a team of writers. I think screenwriting is a collaborative effort."

Call him a seasoned musician first, a filmmaker second…and Subhash protests, "I won't take that as a compliment. Drama was my passion from childhood. Music came much later.

But yes, music plays a very important part in my creativity. My early films like Kalicharan started as a drama and then the music was added on. My latest directorial venture Black & White was also a drama with music in it."

AR Rahman who worked earlier with Subhash Ghai in Taal and a part of Kisna is back in Yuvraj. "Rahman and I have been in touch constantly. We jell really well. Like Taal, Yuvraj is based on music.

I've told Rahman, Yuvraj belongs to two people, Rahman and Subhash Ghai, in that order. All the main characters are musicians in Yuvraj."

As for people talking about Salman recommending Katrina Kaif as the female lead in Yuvraj. "This is a modern film with a European backdrop. The girl is an NRI. I never asked Salman whom I should sign.

And very honestly Salman never recommended her. And even before Namaste London clicked we had finalized her. Salman and Katrina were signed as independent entities."

What about the lack of chemistry on screen between real-life couples? "Why do you say that?" protests Subhash Ghai.

"What about Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Dharmendra-Hema Malini? Look at Guru. Audiences loved it much more once they got to know Abhishek and Aishwarya are in love. It's up to the filmmaker to tap their potential.

I'll present Salman and Katrina in such a way that even those who don't know they love one another would want to see them in love."

Ghai has two banners in his production house. "Black & White is very close to my heart. It introduced an extraordinary actor Anurag Sinha from Bihar. He's a trained actor, intelligent and well-researched and cultured. The other hero in Black & White was Anil Kapoor who also features in Yuvraj.

He's part of my family. And I'd like to cast him in all my films. He has tremendous faith in me. When my Kisna flopped the sky fell on other people, not me, not Anil, " he ends tongue-in-cheek.

As for the fair-weather friends of filmdom here's Subhash Ghai's take: "I laugh more when others cry for me. Lots of stars fight with me and return after three years, saying sorry or pretending nothing ever happened.

I don't hold grudges against anyone. People may think I'm a hypocrite. But I live honestly. And modestly. I still love in a 3-bedroom flat. I want to create a body of talent and cinema that people will remember.

For me Whistling Woods is a mission, not a commercial enterprise. I feel I started not thirty years ago, but yesterday. I wish I had taken better care of my health. Today I want to be as fit as a 21- year old."

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Almost one and half a year have passed since Rosa and Saif Ali Khan experienced a split in their dwindling relationship and it’s only now that Rosa has thought of it as perfect time to opine about the issue.

Almost half the world is now very well aware of the matter. But the matter to ponder upon is why Rosa has decided this to be the perfect moment to melt the ice!

Albeit we do not believe in whispering words, a believable source has informed us that Rosa is completely shattered about slowly losing her piece of earth in Bollywood.

It’s true that fulfilling her daydream of getting crowned as the best heroine of the tinsel town is a far cry for the desperate babe, but she has nothing to do as dreams are always like sticky bees that keep coming back.

After the sonorous separation from Saif, Rosa, till date, has nothing, other than few episodes of tele-reality Jhalak Dikhla Ja and an item number in as-appeared-as-gone film Shaurya, in her sleeky showreel.

But those two stuffs are mere than anything required to leave an impact. Still the shunned lady is roaming with the tag of Saif’s ex.

While the scenario is like that Rosa may cry a little either reminding her past with Saif or for the extra burden of Saif’s tag.

Bollywood runs on news and whether it’s the flash of hero slapping his girlfriend or glitz of slipping pallu of any heroine, everything gets served to people with perfect masala. How can such a media savvy town miss such an incident where sad Rosa seemed so desolated and helpless and desperate for free publicity!

Still… under the name of Saif!

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Sikander Kher may not be a typically good-looking actor of the generation but definitely has the urban appeal, which many would like to vouch for.

His film Woodstock Villa released and went without a whimper but the actor is ready with another release up his sleeve. TWF Bollywood correspondent had a chat with the current flavour of the month…

How does it feel to have two films released?
It feels good to have films rolling out within a gap of one week.

What is the response of Woodstock Villa? And what to expect from Summer 2007, your forthcoming release?
I got a great response for my first film. I would like to thank my parents and seek their blessings for this.

People have liked my performance and I am very happy for now. As for Summer 2007 is concerned, I have put in a lot of hard work and hope it does well.

Tell us about your relationship with Gul Panag?
I am not seeing Gul Panag. Its great fun and a blast to work with Gul.

What’s your mothers reaction and are you planning to work with her soon?
My mother liked my work which is of prime importance to me. She is very critical and honest about my work. According to her I did a good job in Wodstock Villa. I would love to work with my parents, if I like the script and it’s a good role. There is no film with my parents at the moment.

What next for you? When do you begin shooting of your next? What kind of roles are you looking forward to?
I will begin shooting for my next film soon. For now I am finishing the promotion work for Summer 2007. I am a little superstitious so I will talk about it when I am ready to talk.

For me, it’s the character and the script, which is of utmost importance. I haven’t planned anything yet. I am comfortable with all kinds of roles, I enjoy acting and love getting into skin of different characters.

What does your close buddy Abhishek Bachchan have to say about your debut?
Abhishek advises me about life and work. He is like my older brother and a great buddy. He liked my work in Woodstock Villa, he has known me as a child and very proud of me as an actor. Jaya aunty said that watching me in Woodstock was like watching Abhishek in his first film. Its very flattering to get such reviews.

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Post his break up with Bebo, Shahid is hitting the headlines yet once again. Thanks to his latest affair with Vidya Balan! Everyone is talking about it, but no one knows how it all started.

Contrary to many believes that it was Shahid who was on a rebound and found solace in Vidya’s arms, it was Vidya who took initiative and got something flowing between them.

It was on the sets of Kismat Konnection in Canada. They had never met each other or interacted before. Upon that, they were supposed to shoot an extra intimate romantic scene.

Needless to say, both were nervous and not at ease at all.

A birdie from the sets reveals, "Shahid is an introvert and takes time to open up to people. The unit was worried because Vidya and Shahid had never met each other before. Worst it was the first day of the shoot and the scene to be shot was a romantic one."

But then our Vidya is one hell of a girl. She decided that enough is enough and she is going to break the ice between the both.

"Vidya just walked up to Shahid. "Autograph please, " she said placing an autograph book before him. The move took Shahid by complete surprise and he broke into laughter.

The scenario changed completely. The atmosphere suddenly seemed warm and friendly. And what's more the romantic scene was okayed in just one take, " the source adds.

Vidya confirmed the incident saying, "Shahid and I had not known each other. He stood aloof and so did I. I decided to break the ice and begged for his autograph. An embarrassed Shahid did not know where to look. We have turned good friends since then."

Just good friends! We wonder if everyone is lying about them!

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Aishwarya says Katrina bought the FHM award

A few days ago we reported that Abhishek Bachchan was not happy about Harman Baweja getting signed by ace director Ashutosh Gowarikar… the jealousy of this was seen on Aby’s Baby’s face at the IIFA fashion show where Harman walked the ramp. Now, we hear that Abhishek’s wife Aishwarya has joined him on the ladder of jealousy…

Aishwarya is amazed as to how fellow actress Katrina Kaif has been declared the sexiest Asian woman by FHM. Apparently Ash has been joking that Kat must’ve paid a handsome amount to get on the cover. Ash has been saying she’s been here long enough to know how undeserving actresses end up on the covers of international magazines and Katrina definitely isn’t in the league to make it there!

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Shah Rukh refuses to pay tribute to Amitabh Bachchan

The cold war between Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan is now giving director Aditya Chopra a massive headache.

According to the rumour mill, Aditya has penned an 11 minute song for the forthcoming Shah Rukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi that has been sung by Sonu Nigam. The song is a retrospective look at top Bollywood actors since 1950, showcasing some of their most memorable numbers. In the film, Shah Rukh Khan will mimic the greats of Bollywood and this song would be one of the highlights of the film.

Initially, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand. Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan were to be given the tribute. However, Shah Rukh Khan refused to dance to Amitabh Bachchan’s songs and wasn’t willing to be part of a tribute to the great Big B. He felt that it would bring unnecessary media hype and would not benefit the film. Aditya then went back to the drawing board and removed the Amitabh Bachchan segments, replacing them with Rishi Kapoor.

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'Agg Lage Aaj Kal De Fashion Nu' - Now that's yet another chartbuster track by Pritam which is fast heating up the charts. From the film Haal-e-Dil which introduces three new faces - Nakuul Mehta, Amita Pathak and Adhyayan, this Labh Janjua and Hard Kaur sung number comes with a mix of English, Hindi and Punjabi lyrics and has some great club rhythm in motion.

But are you aware that this song was first offered to Shahid Kapoor who had refused it since he didn't really feel that the song had good enough potential to become a national rage?

Confirms a source attached to Haal-e-Dil, "Yes, Pritam had composed 'Agg Lage Aaj Kal De Fashion Nu' for Shahid's upcoming film Kismat Konnection keeping in mind the young and cool image that the Jab We Met star carries. However, Shahid wasn't too convinced and requested Pritam to compose something else. The composer did oblige and did come up with some other smash hit numbers that would soon be heard in Kismat Konnection."

Talking about the placement of the same song in Haal-e-Dil, the source divulges, "All this while Pritam hadn't forgotten 'Fashion'. He was attached to the song and knew its worth. This was the time when Bhushan Kumar too was looking for a song to be included in Haal-e-Dil. Though he was aware that Anand Raaj Anand, Vishal Bhardwaj and Raghav Sachar had done a good job with their respective songs in the Kumar Mangat film, he was still in lookout of that sure shot chartbuster song which could propel album sales overnight."

"Since Pritam has made many a hit numbers for T-Series in the past, Bhushan didn't hesitate in approaching the composer", reveals the source, "He asked Pritam if he could create a dance number in a jiffy and the young composer was more than happy to hand him over 'Fashion'. Bhushan took an immediate liking to the song and soon Nakuul, Amita and Adhyayan were summoned on the sets to shoot for the dance number. Rest, as they say, is history."

Well, looking at the kind of popularity that 'Fashion' is gaining, one wonders if Shahid Kapoor is ruining the missed opportunity. With due respect to the three newcomers, one thing is for sure that if Shahid would have danced to this Pritam's tune, it would have been a different experience altogether for the viewers!

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They have done only one film together. But that happens to be a cult film. Even today, millions of people stay glued to the T.V. each time Andaz Apna Apna unleashes its hilarious lines…. “Aap purush nahin….mahapurush hain….” Or “Crime Master Gogo hai naam mera… aakhen nikaal kar gotiyan khelta hoon main.” Well, Salman and Aamir Khan will be seen together once again. No, not on big screen, but yes Aamir will be a celebrity guest on Salman's game show 10 Ka Dum on Sony TV. Now, wouldn't that be a spectacle!

Recently, Aamir along with nephew Imran Khan shot for an episode way past midnight at a Mumbai studio. An executive from the PR agency handling the show confirmed this news. The episode will be aired in July (maybe matching the July 4th release date of Aamir Khan Production's next Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na). Unlike others, Aamir has made rare appearances on TV reality shows. The first one was for Amitabh Bachchan's Kaun Banega Crorepati and then more recently on Little Champs.

There had been reports in a certain section of the media that the song 'Pappu Can't Dance' in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na is based on the bachelor life of Salman Khan. Aamir had vehemently denied the report by saying, “In fact, Salman dances better than me and the song is most certainly not based on him.” Film's director Abbas Tyrewala had clarified that if the song makes fun of anyone then it is that of Aamir Khan for it has a reference to 'Papa Kehte Hain Bada Naam Karega'.

Now, wouldn't it be fun if Salman actually dances to Pappu… and Aamir and Imran follow suit! What do you say?

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Since the Movie release date is on July 18 th, the songs are expected to be released any time in this month. Just stay tuned for the songs.


Kismat Konnection CBR 2mint : Link 1 | Link2

Kismat Konnection Trailer - Click Here

Kismat Konnection Title Track - Click Here

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Our story begins at the airport. With a story. When Rotlu, Jiggy, Bombs and Shaleen offer to tell Mala the tale of Jai and Aditi - a match made in the pastry shop of heaven - Mala is convinced that she is in for yet another clichéd love story with joys and sorrows, happiness and heartbreak, laughter and songs, fights… and a climax at the airport.

And indeed, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na is all of that. And more!

Meet Jai Singh Rathore (‘Rats’), the most non-violent Rajput either side of the Aravallis. And meet, if you dare, the violent and passionate Aditi Mahant (‘Meow’).Whatever you do, do not pick a fight with her. She scratches. And abuses. If you do get into a scrap, take cover till Jai arrives, as he alone can calm our snarling wildcat.

Never was there a less likely couple. Jai thinks Aditi’s parents should have rinsed her mouth with soap when she was a child. Aditi thinks that Jai is the biggest coward she has ever encountered. Heaven, it seems, has mixed up its apples and oranges.

More nuts in this fruitcake scenario: Rotlu weeps secretly for Aditi. Bombs’ heart explodes for Jai. Jiggy applies golden mascara to his hair. Shaleen… well, she’s probably the only one who doesn’t seem a few notes short of a concerto.

So, to come back to our story: Jai and Aditi are perfect for each other (in some odd, distorted way, impossible to understand). Friends know this. Parents know this.
Everybody knows this. But do Rats and Meow know?

Can two people ever, truly, know the secrets of their hearts? And how do you know it’s the real thing?

When do you know it’s love?

Add to this quandary a quarrelling portrait, strange dreams of a desert warrior, a dope-head brother and his pet mouse, two Rajput ‘cowboys’, three ancestral conditions, a fateful night in jail, a climactic ride to the airport…

… and there, you have it! Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. The coolest, warmest, hippest, funniest musical-romantic-comedy of the decade.

Well, at least of the last few years.

Ok, maybe this year.

Fine, the coolest, warmest… etc. to release on Friday 4th July, 2008.

For sure!

Hopefully…

Dramatis Personae:

Imran Khan
Jai Singh Rathore (‘Rats’) Hailing from the town of Ranjhore in Rajasthan, Jai Singh Rathore is everything a Rathore from Ranjhore is not supposed to be – pleasant, warm, funny, kind, sensitive and pathologically non-violent.

Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (8).jpgImran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (7).jpgImran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (6).jpgImran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (5).jpgGenelia D Souza, Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper.jpgGenelia D Souza, Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (7).jpg

Jai’s father passed away when he was still an infant, and he has been brought up by his mother Savitri. The few years she endured as the bahu of a Rajput joint-family remain a nauseating memory for Jai’s mother. After her husband passed away, Savitri ran away from this insane clan and came to Mumbai, where she now works as a professional social worker struggling with human rights issues.

Savitri’s upbringing has ensured that Jai is the most unlikely Rathore either side of the Aravallis. Her staunch belief is that Indian mothers are responsible for their sons turning out to be such jerks – so she has never pampered Jai. Everything – from preparing breakfast to doing the laundry – Jai does himself. They share a great friendship, but also completely respect each other’s space.

The most important thing in Jai’s life is Aditi. They connected the first day they met, and nobody has ever seen them apart since. When they are not together, they are on the phone. And so, to friends and family, it is simply a question of time before the two get married.

Genelia
Aditi (‘Meow’) Aditi had once – in a fit of honesty – admitted to Jai that as a child, she had been teased ‘Kali Billi’ by her neighbourhood friends. Jai upgrades this to ‘Meow’ and the name sticks. While Aditi will murder anyone else who tries calling her Meow, she also feels a flinch if anyone else – especially another woman – calls Jai ‘Rats’.

Genelia D Souza featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (3).jpgGenelia D Souza, Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (7).jpgGenelia D Souza, Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (8).jpgGenelia D Souza featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (7).jpgGenelia D Souza featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (4).jpgGenelia D Souza, Imran Khan, Karan, Alishka, Nirav, Sugandha featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (4).jpg

Aditi is high on life. She loves everything to do with life and living. She laughs easy, cries easy, gets into scraps, adopts stray kittens, will try everything at least once and loves a good scrap. In spite of all this, she is not exactly a tomboy. She dresses with a stylish disregard for style. She is quite attractive – the only problem is that she intimidates men too much for them to do anything about it.

An interaction with Aditi is exhausting. A friendship just barely possible. An affair would be murder. And the world wonders how Jai survives.

But no one doubts this – should someone else trouble or hurt Jai, that person would have made a vicious, vengeful and foul-mouthed enemy for life!

Karan
Ravindran (‘Rotlu’)
’Rotlu’, as the name suggests, is the whiner of the group. Show him a silver lining and Rotlu will find you a dark cloud. Show him a light at the end of the tunnel and he’ll think it’s a train – never mind that there are no tracks.

The saving grace – Rotlu is the first person to admit that he is a pessimist. He thrives on sympathy. He knows he whines. He knows he cribs and complains and that sometimes he tries their patience. But the thing that makes Rotlu special is that his love and friendship know no bounds. He will do anything for a friend.

Especially for Aditi, whom he secretly pines for.

Genelia D Souza, Imran Khan, Karan, Alishka, Nirav, Sugandha featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (4).jpgAlishka, Sugandha featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (26).jpgNirav, Sugandha featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (28).jpgNirav, Karan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (29).jpgKaran, Alishka featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (27).jpgImran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (7).jpg

Alishka
Sandhya (‘Bombs’)
’Bombs’ is slow on the uptake. If she was any slower, she would be backward on the uptake. As Aditi once remarks, her plane needs two runways to take off.

Bombs can drive you insane with her naïveté and innocence. She wears Playboy “Bunny” T-shirts and accessories because she thinks rabbits are cute. She is always the last to laugh at a joke – often without quite getting it. She also thinks it’s very funny that they call her Bombs. Her capacity to miss compliments or smile casually over flattery makes her a pretty frustrating girl to woo, second only to Aditi.

Bombs is in love with Jai. So obviously, she doesn’t like Aditi too much. Largely because she won’t let Bombs call him Rats. But also because she is always the center of attention – exactly where Bombs wants to be.

Nirav
Jignesh Patel (‘Jiggy’)

’Jiggy’ is a complete miser. A rich Gujju boy with a taste for all things loud and colourful, he is constantly complaining about being broke and hates paying for anything.

Jiggy always forgets birthdays but hates anyone forgetting his – he will start reminding people a week in advance on a daily basis, along with “subtle” hints as to what gifts he might like to receive.

However, his friends have figured him out and there is very little sympathy extended towards Jiggy for his perpetual “poverty”. The thing that Jiggy hates most is that he is automatically expected to pay for Rotlu, and he hates Rotlu for it. However, Rotlu is such a masochist that he makes himself feel terrible about this before Jiggy can even start, and sometimes Jiggy is happy to pay just to have Rotlu shut up.

For some unfathomable reason, Jiggy gets very upset when he hears about someone getting an American visa.

Sugandha
Shaleen
Shaleen is so normal; you wonder what she is doing with this lot. She is clever, perceptive, warm, and somehow free of the hormonal angst that seems to characterise the others’ lives.

She is very, very close to Aditi; they often stay over with each other and talk long into the night. The only reason Aditi doesn’t share all her secrets with her is that Aditi has no secrets. In any case, it is very difficult to keep a secret from Shaleen. She often sees things that others have missed, and can see the course friendships and relationships will take.

The coolest girl in college, she also adores Jiggy and his silliness for some reason – presumably a premature maternal instinct.

Producers’ notes:

Mansoor Khan
Mansoor featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (2).jpg Every now and then something happens that – for better or worse - shifts your life to a track that you were least prepared for. Here I was in the idyllic town of Coonoor, in the hills, preparing myself for Global Warming, Peak Oil and other catastrophes when suddenly I get a call from Aamir telling me I have to take the next flight to Bombay, if Jaane Tu… was to be shot anytime within a year. It was that simple – a call from the family that could not be ignored, as Jaane Tu… was also long over-due to launch my nephew Imran Khan.

The next day I was sitting in A. K. Productions’ office in Bombay, meeting a team of bright-eyed youngsters who were introduced to me as Abbas, the writer and director, Manoj, the cinematographer, Shaan, the editor and Raghav, the associate director. I tried to look as confident as possible and the journey started.

I must admit I felt like I was starting from scratch. So many things had changed in filmmaking that I could have easily surrendered. But a few things kept me going. First, Abbas had written a tight, inspired script - the real starting point before any producer should think of pouring money and effort into shooting it. Second, it was a perfect launch for my nephew, Imran, who Abbas saw in the lead role from the first time he saw him. Third, the music by A R Rahman was fabulous and one of his best in Hindi films. And last but not least - Aamir’s confidence in me to take over as producer.

Jaane Tu … was a revitalizing experience for me – to brush-up on old skills and learn new rules.

I first countered, then, gradually absorbed Abbas’s unique way of instructing his actors and playing out the scene for the camera. Though it seemed to break some rules in my head, they brought amazing results. So what if he does not like to make shot breakdowns!

I admired Manoj, the cinematographer who was strikingly amicable even while managing the heaviest shifts of lighting the Bombay streets at night with minimum fanfare, yet achieving a new look and feel. So what if he wanted half the lighting equipment in town.

I joked easily with Raghav, the associate director, on whose broad shoulders rested the weight of making it all happen on the shooting set. So what if he finished off half my sandwiches.

I gradually understood the tribulations of being a sync-sound recordist as I watched Stephen deal with all the unwanted noises of the Bombay streets, birds and occasional team members, to give a clean sync-sound track. No wonder he did not talk much.

I never knew when Shaan, the editor, put it all together but it was ready to watch with new twists, no sooner had we shot it. One way to keep the producer from making painful suggestions!

And above all I learnt how to work in tandem with Rao Sahab who played the strict executive producer, keeping schedules on track, budgets in control and adolescent hormones of crew members in check, while still being practical and loveable.

I was grateful to Kiran as associate producer who made well-timed appearances and saved us when we were in trouble.

Aamir was the perfect co-producer – few words of advice but sticking rigidly to the budget limit. That’s it! Made us think harder.

On the actor’s front, Imran was one I was most concerned about - after all, this was his launch film. It kind of reminded me of how I felt about Aamir during earlier shoots of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. But Imran put me at ease soon. He showed remarkable inner confidence with a sharp learning curve while evolving his own pitch of rendering a scene in an original and effective manner.

Genelia was dynamite the moment the camera rolled - plain watchable, no matter what she did or wore.

So many other contributors in the Jaane Tu… team and each one I have learnt something from. Oh hell, I was actually beginning to enjoy this diversion from my bucolic farm life.

And now the film is done and it is time to write a producer’s note. Well let me tell you, the defining moment of a film is the final cut. And having watched that I am glad I was pulled out of the hills to associate with a young film team that has effectively translated a wonderful script into a memorable film.

Now back to Global Warming and Peak Oil.

Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper (8).jpg Taking over as director of TZP changed my life in many ways. One of the immediate ramifications was that I was no longer available to Jaane Tu… as a producer. Jaane Tu… is important to me for more reasons than one. The obvious reason is Imran, but the more delicate one is that this would be the first film from Aamir Khan Productions which I would not be acting in. As a production house we intend to produce many films which won’t have me in the cast, and these films are as important to me as the ones I act in. I believe my involvement as producer is as important to me as my involvement as an actor. Basically, I am extremely particular about anything which has my name on it. Which is why when I took over as director of TZP I had no choice but to indefinitely delay Jaane Tu…. unless I found someone to take over from me, someone whose creative instincts I trusted as much as my own. For paranoid freaks like me that’s not an easy one.

In fact there is only one person I trust more than myself in the business of filmmaking and that is Mansoor. But how does one get him to take over? The good old reliable method of course… emotional blackmail!

Mansoor who is taking an indefinite break from films, and who I have been trying in vain to lure back into making films is not an easy nut to crack. But I have been known to be persuasive. Blood hound is how I am described by my near and dear ones, once I smell blood I don’t let go, no matter how impossible the chase.

Well Mansoor was kind enough to say yes. “Only the shooting stage,” he grumbled. “Yes, yes,” I said, “I’ll handle the rest.”

Mansoor was a godsend for us. And I pray that having spent these months with us afflicted people the germs would have got into him once again. Cinema is a very contagious disease, so please remember to thank me folks, when he makes his comeback film.

In the meantime my thanks to Abbas and his young team of actors and technicians for giving Aamir Khan Productions a film that I have absolutely no hesitation in putting my name to.

Director’s Note
Abbas Tyrewala

Abbas, Genelia D Souza, Imran Khan featured in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Wallpaper.jpgSometime in early 2005, I found myself confronted with a MASSIVE writer’s block. I could spend days sitting in front of a computer screen… and nothing. Blank screen, blank mind.

So, I supposed, I was ready to turn director.

Jokes aside, the fact of the matter is that ten years of writing had drained me. I needed a new challenge, a new role to excite and stimulate me. Thus was born Jaane Tu…

Jaane Tu… is the story of youth as I remember it. The age where we first get to know the secrets of the heart. The loves, friendships and jealousies that seem so earth-shattering, so life-altering at the time and years later, so laughably gentle and innocent. Of course, the film goes off on its own journey including some song-and-dance, a talking portrait, a corrupt cop and a couple of horse-mounted Rajput cowboys. It even has the quintessential airport climax.

But ultimately, the movie is made to remind each one of us what it felt like when we first started falling in love.

Three years and many adventures later, Jaane Tu… is complete. And a completed film no longer needs a director.

I have never been able to hold on to a film that has no further use for me. Already, it feels like someone else’s movie. Nothing remains of the heartache and the headache – the proverbial agony and ecstasy of its filming – except a vague memory.

All that remains, of course, is people. The amazing individuals I encountered during the course of filming this movie, towards whom I feel immense gratitude and affection.

Like Aamir Khan, an incredibly generous producer and a fantastic human being. A genius like Mansoor Khan, who was dragged out of his reclusive existence to help us make this movie. And Kiran Rao, who tried in vain to keep us within budget, but ultimately always found a way to meet my greedy requirements

My entire technical team, who gave me such solid support, and the wonderful actors I had to work with. All of them warm, funny and incredibly gifted individuals: Imran, who won my respect and affection like few people ever have. Genilia, whose energy can infect the most melancholy soul with random happiness. Manjari, who liked the script enough to ignore all notions of ‘lead’ and ‘second lead’, and do a role as close to my heart as “Meghna”.

A R Rahman, whom I’ve always wanted to write lyrics for, and who gave me such perfect songs. Manoj Lobo, my cinematographer, who was a friend the day I met him, and remains amongst my closest.

And above all, a girl whom I met randomly at a coffee shop and asked to assist me on this film. She not only agreed, she also agreed to partner me through life. My wife Pakhi.

To meet so many beautiful people in one lifetime is rare. To meet them over one film is simply Grace: Dad’s prayers, Mom’s blessings, the love and good wishes of my family and friends.

To all of them I say, thank you for being there. Thank you for believing. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Jaane Tu, Ya Jaane Na?

P.S. “Mom! Dad! Look… I made a movie!”

Cast & Crew

PVR Pictures Presents
Aamir Khan Productions’

Jaane Tu . . . Ya Jaane Na

Starring
Imran Khan
Genelia
Manjari, Ayaz Khan
Karan Makhija, Sugandha Garg
Nirav Mehta, Alishka Varde
Renuka Kunzru, Pratiek Babbar
Anooradha Patel, Jayant Kripalani
and
Ratna Pathak Shah

Associate Director: Raghav Dar
Casting Director: Pakhi Tyrewala
Line Producer: Akram Shah
Coordinated for PVR: Ashish Saksena
Publicity Design: Sukanya Ghosh & Nabeel Abbas (Epigram)
Promotions & Publicity: Nabeel Abbas (Epigram)
Media Consultants: Spice
Digital Intermediate & Visual Effects: Pixion - DI colourist – Jaydev T.
VFX Supervisor- Rajiv Joseph
Make-up: Sandeep Desai
Hari: Ayesha Devitre
Choreographers: Rajeev Surti & Longinus Fernandes
Costume design: Ashley Rebello & Nuzhat Khan
Production design: Aparna Raina & Malini Khan
Final Mixing Engineer: Ajay Kumar-B.R. Recording
Editor: Shan Mohammad
Sound Designer: Stephen Gomes
Director of Photography: Manoj Lobo

Executive Producer: B. Shrinivas Rao
Chartered Accountants: Bimal Parekh & Co.
Associate Producer: Kiran Rao
Lyrics: Abbas Tyrewala
Music: A R Rahman
Co-producers: Ajay Bijli & Sanjeev K. Bijli
Produced by Mansoor Khan & Aamir Khan
Writer & Director: Abbas Tyrewala

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Banner: Aascar Films

Production: V.Ravichandran

Direction: K.S. Ravi Kumar

Story, Screenplay and dialogues: Kamal Haasan

Music: Himesh Reshammiya

Background Score: Devi Shri Prasad

A flick of extravaganza driving audiences with the intellectual screenplay and scintillating screenplay, Dasavatharam has the best attributes spinning together. Kamal Haasan in 10 different roles has been talk of the town ever since the movie was launched and today the long awaited thirst has been fulfilled. Watching 10 different Kamal Haasan together on the screen is really a grand fiesta for diehard fans of Kamal Haasan.

10 different characters played by Kamal Haasan interlinked together by a statue on specified unforgettable day in the history of mankind on December 26 is all Dasavatharam about. The storyline is so exciting and appealing that it will throw you out of your imagination and clues. Known for making versatile and unique scripts, Kamal Haasan has done a speculating piece of work, having K.S.Ravikumar to direct this film. An exceptional story blended with commercial elements has the success named for it. Here goes the story of Dasavatharam…

When things start going wrong in a synthetic bio-weapons laboratory in Washington DC, various international organizations become players in a global cloak and dagger game.

The Whitehouse and CIA in the USA, P.M.'s office in India, environment lists, terrorist organizations and various others converge and become part of global hunt – some inadvertently and some intentionally.

Starting in the 12th Century AD at the Chidambaram temple complex in South India, the film will take the viewers on a heady roller-coaster ride across time and continents. The master story teller in an intriguing screenplay weaves the chaos theory and multiple chains of events into one cohesive, thrilling narrative. Spinning the story of Dasavatharam is as difficult and arduous a task as explaining the 10 different characters played by Dr.Kamal Hassan; yet another one of a kind attempt on world cinema by thespian.

Told with panache and humor, Dasavatharam does not take the IQ and the aesthetics of the Indian film going public lightly. It is one of the very few movies which will deliver what it promises, and a little more!

A thriller ride filled with lots and lots of unexpected sequences and junctures where different characters of Kamal Haasan encounter with each other are really a great piece of tremendous job. They have been well executed by Director KS Ravikumar and Kamal Haasan is the right person who can think far behind the audiences' level of perception.

For sure, audiences must have well yearned to watch different characters of Kamal Haasan and here we've the list for you…

1. Raja Nambi - 12th Century

2. Govindraj - NASA scientist

3. 110 year old granny

4. American President George Bush

5. Japanese – Master of martial arts.

6. CBI Naidu

7. Nellai Poovagan

8. American Hit Man

9. Avtar Singh – Pop Singer

10. Tall man

These characters dominate the entire flick and you have nothing to do with the performance of other actors. Asin playing dual role has excelled with decent job doing best part of justice to the roles she has donned. With the slang of Brahmin Tamil, she is sure to pick the attention of masses and so is her way of enunciating dialogues in Brahmin kind of style. Malikka Sherawat does her best part and looks more apt with the role of CIA agent she is playing.

Director K.S.Ravikumar adding two elements: Tsunami and statue has them travelling right throughout the flick. There are no room for romances, unwanted songs and parallel comedy tracks in the movie. A strong and steady storyline moving on the same lines keeps audiences adhered to the screen.

Cinematographer Ravi Varman has the best shots canned, but has some traces of unbalancing frame work. Devi Sri Prasad's background score is an additional attribute and so does the song scored by Himesh Reshamiya. Kamal Haasan has well executed each and every scene that he has focused even in carrying through the songs. You don't have any dream sequences or illogical aspects: each and every song keeps moving on with the gripping screenplay and this adds more to the positive attribute.

On the whole, valuating this film, Dasavatharam is a movie that is sure to be liked by intellect group of audiences and for others the entire movie is something over above the head. A typical flick for elite group may be too hard for an audience of B and C centres too understand.

Verdict: Must watch it…

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Abbas-Mustan and Akshaye Khanna go back a long way. Besides working in a number of films together, including the biggest hit of 2008 yet, RACE, the director duo and the actor share a terrific rapport in real life. But there's a twist in the tale, at least that's what the rumor mongers would like us to believe.

Rumors are rife that Akshaye has refused an Abbas-Mustan film, to be directed by someone else, on financial grounds. Apparently, post RACE, Akshaye has hiked his fee four-fold and feels that he deserves an 'x' price, which did not suit Abbas-Mustan's budget.

"The hike [in fee] isn't four-fold, it's eight-fold," Akshaye jokes, but gets serious immediately, "The economics of the industry has undergone a change. But my refusal [of an Abbas-Mustan film] had no financial bearings. The reason was something else altogether."

With MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP hitting the screens this Friday, the actor looks forward to working with Priyadarshan every year. "I really enjoyed working in MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP. In fact, working with Priyan relaxes me completely. I keep telling him that we should work in at least one film every year, lekin doosra Akshay beech mein aa jaata hain," he chuckles.

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Pictures taken from the sets of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na

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Shahid kapoor and vidya balan rock in a promotional song for kismat connection

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New stills from upcoming movie Love story 2050

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Yash Chopra is known to present his heroines in a highly aesthetic manner. Even when the heroines in his productions have worn swimsuits or bikinis they've done it gracefully and stylishly. In this special feature check out a few such moments in this very special video. Must Watch!

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Deepika Padukone, who stormed Bollywood with her debut film 'Om Shanti Om' last year, is to lead the 28th India Day Parade here as Grand Marshal Aug 17 to celebrate India's 61st Independence Day.

The parade, organised every year by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), moves down Madison Avenue in Manhattan, culminating at a venue where cultural and entertainment programmes are held.

The parade attracts around 50, 000 people, making it the biggest such event outside India.

Announcing details of the parade, FIA President Yash Paul Soi said at a kick-off meeting Tuesday at the Indian consulate here that former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has also been invited.

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra was the Grand Marshal last year and Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams the Guest of Honour.

FIA has started campaigning to have Mahatma Gandhi's statues erected at the United Nations in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. It has written to New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and UN Secretary -General Ban Ki-moon seeking permissions.

Set up in 1981, FIA is a large, influential umbrella organisation of the Indian American community in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The objective of its annual India Day Parade is to project Indian Americans' progress and unity with other communities.

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Controversies never eluded Salman Khan but the original six-pack boy of Bollywood has learnt the tricks of the trade and the rules of the road.

With experience Salman has become more patient and diplomatic. He takes one question at a time and answers articulately. TWF Bollywood correspondent caught up with the actor who now entertains millions of TV audience as the host of a game show “Dus ka Dum” on Sony.

Weren’t films enough?
Nothing but only the format attracted me. I never decide things, it just happened. I thought the format was interesting, easy and would appeal to many.

Interesting…
Yes, it is easy for the contestants. Dus Ka Dum has an easy format and for this the contestants need not be extraordinarily educated or intelligent. This game show does not embarrass the contestants if they fail.

So you are comfortable hosting this show?
Oh certainly. It also does not require the host to be very intelligent. I think they got the right person to host this show. (Winks)

Is that confidence?
See, I might not be the best host but I don’t think anyone else could have done this job better. I will do pretty much the same thing…acting and I know that is the only thing I can do to my best ability.

After Amitabh Bachchan and SRK you are hosting a show. Does that mean competition?
No way…please… You can’t compare three individuals. We all have different styles. And I feel it’s very unfair to compare me with Amitabh Bachchan…someone who did films like Sholay and Deewar.

And what about SRK giving you some handy tips on hosting this show?
(He...he…he…pauses…ha...ha…ha….) How could that even come to your mind? Why will he give me tips? And why should I take tips from him?

Tell me how would you avoid the media attention now? You have always stayed away from limelight. You will be seen on television now.
See, I have changed a lot. I like answering things straight. So it won’t be a problem. Earlier I had said many things openly, which got lost in translation. But they never bothered me but these days I feel scared.

I get mails from my fans asking me aggressive questions…like… why did you do this…or did you do that. So I like being asked straight questions and prefer asking them straight.

I also get anxious these days because my parents are getting old. They start panicking along with me. Tell me who would like to see his parents in that state?

You have a lot of grievances against the media…
No it’s not that. I don’t blame everyone. It’s one or two people who always did this. I said something and they wrote something…

Tell me honestly…are you confident that this show will be a hit?
Yes I am. I know my fan following and I have left everything to them. They turned so many of my bad films into hits, so I am sure they will make this show a hit too.

What about the idea of calling SRK on the show and make him play with you?
I haven’t thought of it.

But he called you on KBC. Wasn’t that a great episode?
I think that was the best episode. I am sure no other episode of KBC was as popular as was the one where I was there. It was a brilliant episode and I enjoyed it. But I haven’t decided on calling Shah Rukh yet. I have my favourites like Sanjay Dutt whom I would love to have on this show.

And will you do more of television after this?
No, that is something I am sure of. I want to get back into films- acting. I am an actor. Let me do my bit of acting in Bollywood (chuckles).

Tell me about your personal life?
What do you want to know?

Okay…when are you getting married?
Someday very soon…

Very soon?
Yes, it will happen as and when it happens but one thing is sure that I will get married. I also have my duties towards my parents. They are getting old and who doesn’t want to see his son or daughter get married. I will definitely marry because it’s a beautiful thing to happen.

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It hasn't been an easy time for Rani Mukherjee. Getting her new dream house constructed proved to be the biggest challenge of her life.

"It was like three films by Mr Yash Chopra, Sanjay Bhansali and Karan Johar all being made simultaneously, I was going mad, " Rani told a friend.

She had set a deadline for the home to be completed. "It had to be done before her next film (for Yashraj Films) started. And she had to meet the deadline somehow, " a friend recalls.

To compound her construction woes, Rani recently fell on the steps of her new home and hurt herself.

"Her thumb was badly hurt. For weeks she had to undergo physiotherapy. But before it could heal completely she plunged into cricket practice for her new film with Yashraj where she plays a cricketer.

So the thumb hasn't had a chance to heal properly. She has been going through a series of misadventures and that's why she has been keeping out of the limelight.

Earlier Rani got her office ready a year and a half ago. Now her home is finally ready."

After months and months of living with the heat and dust Rani Mukherjee's dream house has been opened to close friends like Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"In fact the Mukherjee family moved into Rani's dream house even while the construction was on. So Rani has been living with the heat dust and hurt thumb for months."

On Saturday the latch of workers and designers packed their gears and left.

Rani finally heaved a sigh of relief.

Says a source close to Rani, "She's so relieved. It has been an ordeal for Rani because she couldn't do anything else until the house was ready. But now when she sees how happy the house has made her family she feels all the effort has been worth it."

Rani starts shooting with Shahid Kapoor for her new Yashraj Films on June 18.

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It was planned as her perfect birthday bash in Dubai, but Shilpa Shetty couldn’t attend it. She lost her baggage and then went down with fever. But she has no regrets.

The ordeal for Shilpa began when she landed at the international airport in Dubai with her sister Shamita, parents, and companion Raj Kundra for the Saturday night party to bring in her birthday the next day.

Her bag went missing at the airport.

“This, let me tell you, is the story of my life,” the ever-optimistic and cheerful Shilpa laughed while speaking from Dubai on phone. “No journey of mine is complete without losing a bag. It could be a hopping flight from Mumbai to Pune. But if I don’t lose baggage, the journey is incomplete.”

Unfortunately the baggage that Shilpa lost in Dubai Saturday contained the outfit she was supposed to wear for her big birthday bash.

Late in the afternoon she went shopping with her sister for the party in the night … A party that she finally couldn’t attend.

“I’ve been on antibiotics for the past week. Ever since I got repeatedly wet in artificial rain for a song with Sunny Deol in ‘The Man’, I’ve been suffering these bouts of fever and coughing. I was in Delhi earlier last week. The humidity only aggravated my condition. It got worse on Saturday. A doctor had to be called.”

Shilp couldn’t attend her own birthday party. But she has no regrets “because I spent the evening with my family. To me there can be no better way to bring in my birthday.”

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Manisha Koirala has been getting ready to make a come back to the mainstream films. She has reduced ten Kilos and is on a special high-protein diet. This may silence the critics who were much interested in her increasing waistline and her dooming career.

After completing this difficult task, Manisha is happy about it and is busy shooting for Parto Ghosh’s film Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De, in Ashvem Beach in North Goa. She is very happy to be in Goa during the monsoon season. The slimmer Manisha happily calls herself a gypsy. She is happy trotting about Goa with Deepti Naval, her close friend.

manya (660).jpgManisha Koirala at the Lakme Fashion Week concluded recently in the city.jpg

Manisha has about three films to be released this year. She also hopes to make a second home in Paris. Manisha states that she has been working hard and wants to take much deserved break for a month long period. She will soon be off to US for a month. She also spent some time at the Oneness University, Chennai. She confesses that she goes there for self development and mental strength. When she had taken a break from the film industry she was said to be loosing it in smoke and drinks. This has hurt the actress much and she doesn’t want to explain like a newbie on the horizon.

Manisha has turned choosy with her work and she wants to look at the script and director before signing a film. Her stint with television didn’t work out well. She hopes to have children but marriage is not in her cards.

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He enters with a bang and leaves with a louder bang. Akshay Kumar and his stunts are simply fantabulous and the audience is bowled over by his antics each time. Well here's a record of how Akshay's stunts enticed the audience.

At the IIFA Awards, Akshay Kumar, stole the thunder during the grand finale. As the fireworks blazed and the audience screamed with delight, Akki descended on the stage, sliding swiftly across a cable from the extreme end of the auditorium. Clad in a 'pagdi' and snazzy overcoat, similar to his get-up in Singh Is Kinng. He was soon joined by a pack of dancers, dressed as sardars, roaring the name of his upcoming release. Among others, he danced to both the title tracks from Singh Is Kinng, leaving the Thai, Bollywood struck audiences absolutely bedazzled!

Remarks Akshay, of his exemplary stage performance, "I'm glad the performance drew a thunderous applause, as the crowd seemed to enjoy it. From the stage, all I could see were just flashing lights though! I hope my audiences enjoy Singh Is Kinng as much as they enjoyed my act. It was only a glimpse of what is to come..."

Singh Is Kinng releases worldwide on August 8 and previews in select locations on August 7. It is an Indian Films and produced by Studio 18.

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Katrina Kaif is very amused at a recent report of Akshay Kumar not taking her calls at IIFA before their performance on stage. It was reported that Akshay was sitting with his wife Twinkle so he chose not to take Katrina's calls. It was also said that Twinkle and Katrina shared cold vibes and looked through each other at Vipul Shah's party for his wife Shefali last month.

Katrina is fed up of these stories. Says Kat, "People need to stop imagining so much. This is pure imagination on someone's part. Akshay came in for the show in the night and left right after as he had a flight to catch. I had dinner with Twinkle and some of her friends after that and even my mom was with me. So what's with these stories?"

Katrina is taking all these stories with a pinch of salt and choosing not to let these reports upset her. After all, right now the actress has everything going for her. Five back to back hits, the honour of being the most downloaded girl on the internet, best of banners signing her and last but not the least topping the world wide poll for being the sexiest woman in the world, where she was voted at the No. 1 spot in FHM India's 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll.

Fending off competition from the likes of Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson, singers Rihanna and Madonna, Bollywood superstars like Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Bipasha Basu, supermodels like Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen, amongst several other sexy and successful women in the world.

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Aamir khan, as we all know has a way of surprising viewers by enacting new characters that are very distinctive from his previous characters that cannot be guessed by the film lovers.

Now the perfectionist has decided to do something that has never been done before.

Aamir has decided to attach a handwritten letter with every print of the third movie of his production house 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na'.

And this is not a publicity gimmick to add more charm to the launch vehicle of his nephew Imraan Khan.

The letter which will be exposed with the print of the movie is a very personal one written to his chchajaan Nasir Hussain who is the man behind Bollywood getting one of its most prolific actors.

Aamir wrote the letter to his uncle, expressing his gratefulness for being the person who made him a film star.

Aamir Khan launching Imraan who is the grand son of Nassir Hussain through his production company was regarded as the most appropriate way of showing respect and appreciation to the person who gave Aamir his first break.

The power house of talent is not content with that alone and now he has dedicated 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' to his uncle.

Way back in 1988, the veteran producer who was at his peak in the 1960s and 1970s producing some of the biggest hits of that time, launched Aamir in the lovely film 'Qayamat Tak Se Qayamat Tak' which is still considered as one of the most touching love stories ever made in the B-Town and for its evergreen romantic songs.

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Bollywood’s hottest couple seems to make it to the headline for whatever they do. While Kareena was heard complaining that Saif is paying too much attention to her, she has taken up a fight with him because he didn’t stay till her performance was over at the IIFA awards in Bangkok. The actor was not supposed to attend the show but he showed up just to please his lady love but the tiff started between the two lovers when, he wanted to leave early.

Saif Ali Khan,Kareena Kapoor at Fair one Filmfare 2007 in Mumbai_s plush Yashraj Studio on the 23rd Feb 2008 (176).jpgSaif Ali Khan at Chevrolet press conference in Taj Land_s End on March 12th 2008(4).jpgKareena Kapoor launches Anne French_s new products (4).jpg

Saif Ali Khan was seen attending the award ceremony with the sexy Kareena happily and safely nestled in his arm. They were like two happy love birds but when Saif had to return early as he is very busy with his home production and couldn’t spare much time for the ceremony and attending the whole of it while Kareena received her best actress trophy with her sizzling performance. This angered Kareena and she couldn’t digest the fact that she cannot show off her trophy with her handsome beau together.

Many close friends of the couple had a heated argument going on at the backstage because of this issue. Is it the time. Kareena moved on with life leaving Saif to himeslf?

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The gossip mills are working overtime when it comes to the IT couple of Bollywood - Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Every second day too much newsprint is being devoted to incorrect stories on them. Obviously, it is uncalled for and it has reached a stage where both of them are upset about this. Recently, there were reports on Saif and Kareena having a spat at a recent awards function. According to one report, the fight was over Kareena’s ‘revealing’ costumes. According to another, the fight was over Saif leaving the function early. A source close to both the actors reveals, “This is getting extremely out of hand and upsetting. No one bothers to clarify anything with him or her and choose to write whatever they want to. It is about time Bebo and Saif spoke up and put a stop to it.”

Apparently, the truth is the exact opposite. For all those predicting trouble in paradise, here’s the news. The couple’s very much together and happy as ever. In fact, Saif flew all the way from London where he was shooting for his production, Illuminati Films’ first venture directed by Imtiaz Ali. A source close to the actor spills the beans, “Saif actually took a twelve hour flight just to spend three hours with Kareena at this recent award function. Apparently, he had planned this as a surprise for her. Bebo was caught unawares when he landed up and she couldn’t stop smiling. In fact, he came all the way just to cheer for her performance and to clap for her because she received the Best Actress for Jab We Met. He’s extremely proud of her and is very supportive of her work. In fact, all this nonsense about him being upset about a revealing outfit at the awards is rubbish. Manish Malhotra who has been designing for her for a long time has done the outfit and he was very much aware of what she was wearing. And c’mon, she has worn a bikini in Tashan, so what’s the big deal over an outfit?”

Kareena when contacted, true to fiery image, takes matters into hand and clarifies. Says Kareena, “Enough is enough. Why don’t people check facts before writing? These stories are absolutely ridiculous and baseless. In fact, Saif came all the way to surprise me and I’ve never been happier.”

So all you rumor-mongers out there, you have heard it from the girl. Get over this.

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Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur

Perhaps the most publicised break-up since Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Obeori, this one came as a shock to most people outside the industry. After all, the two had been seeing each other for the last three-odd years. Enough and more has been written about why and how it all happened. But soon enough Kareena was seeing Saif and if our sources are to be believed, Shahid is busy taking Vidya Balan around in a Toyota Innova .

Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi

Once when a journalist asked Aishwarya Rai about her relationship with Vivek Oberoi (which was at its peak then) Ash apparently sang in a hushed whisper, “Que sera, sera; what will be, will be!” Then a Mumbai tabloid reported that the Bachchan parivaar was waiting for Ash at the gates of the Sarkar premiere for two hours! That was the beginning of the end, in public. Evidently the relationship was over much before that.

Reena Datta and Aamir Khan

Just what went wrong between the two? No one may ever know. But those who have seen and have been close to the couple tell us that it was a very long and tedious affair, which involved regular trips to the marriage counsellor. Newspaper reports insist that the cracks had begun to develop even during their Oscar journey. Kiran and Aamir apparently met on the sets of Lagaan and nothing was ever the same again. Reena was last seen travelling in a Mumbai local train.

Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan

Married for quite some time and with two kids, the Saif-Amrita relationship could not have been stronger. Then Kal Ho Na Ho happened and of course the famous Hum Tum. Saif got his first solo hit in the latter and said ta-ta to Amrita. And grapevine tells us that he even withdrew ALL the money from their joint account just days before dropping the bombshell! Eeeeu… if it’s true, its truly and positively cheap.

Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan

Karisma Kapur nee Kapoor was publicly declared as the Bachchan bahu at Amitabh Bachchan’s 60th birthday. Then before we could say ‘Karisma Kapoor-Bachchan’ Rishi Kapoor announced to the media that it was all over. It seems mum Jaya Bachchan was not in favour and that was that. But Jaya, it seems, had to tread very carefully because her daughter Shweta was (and is) married to Karisma’s father Randhir Kapoor’s nephew Nikhil Nanda.

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