IK - Deepika Padukone is cute as well. Never heard of her, thanks. Here she is.

No problem Alena, i saw her in oso, she is beautiful and have this 'bubbly' personality in her acting.

btw: her boyfriend is Ranbir Kapoor (Rishi and Neetu's son)

quote:

Originally posted by IK:
the pepsi contract was given to Deepika Padukone (of OSO) fame, maybe they wanted a younger person and a fresher face

one star's loss is another star gain. good for her to get the contract as a newcomer.

btw Priyanka is very pretty...

Water is the secret of Hema Malini's beauty

New Delhi, March 19: Hema Malini, Bollywood's Dream Girl, Wednesday revealed the secret of her beauty - water.


"The secret of my beauty is water," Hema Malini told IANS. "I drink a lot of water."

The MP was in the capital to launch advertisement campaigns for a company's water purifier system featuring the actor and her daughters Ahana Deol and Esha Deol.

Hema Malini earlier told reporters: "I also do 'pranayam', yoga, stretching and exercise to stay fit. I also take lots of milk and milk products. In fact, all homemakers like me must dedicate at least one hour to themselves.

"I know all of them would instantly give an excuse that they do not get time. In that case they must get up one hour early and do yoga to avoid problems like joint pains.

"Also, women must set a target for themselves that they would not gain weight beyond a certain point. They must become a vegetarian but fast twice in a week. It helps one know the body better."

She spoke glowingly about her daughters.

"It was interesting to work with the kids (daughters). Although, we stay together at home, working collectively was great fun! I am looking forward to do more work with them."

Shilpa Shetty turns producer

New Delhi, March 21 : Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is all set to turn producer with a big budget action-comedy film.


A few top international technicians will be part of the crew of the as-yet-untitled film being produced by Shilpa's production house S2 Global Productions. The actor's publicist Dale Bhagwagar confirmed the news.

"The film will have two heroines. While Shilpa will be playing one part, she is in the process of signing on another big Bollywood star for the other part," he said in a press statement.

Shilpa hit the jackpot after winning the British television reality show "Celebrity Big Brother 2007" and became a big name. Her emoting in films like "Phir Milenge" (2004), "Dus" (2005), "Apne" (2007) and "Metro" (2007) also fetched her acclaim. She has become selective about the roles she takes up.

"Shilpa now only takes up those roles which give her complete creative satisfaction," Bhagwagar said.

According to the grapevine, Shilpa is being offered a number of projects in Hollywood too. To this, her publicist said: "It is natural for her to get a number of offers after the international fame that she has earned."

The actor's forthcoming movies include Sunny Deol and Neeraj Pathak's "The Man", and an international venture titled "Hanuman" with filmmaker Uru Patel.

"'The Man' will see Shilpa portraying the role of a simple, dedicated girl who rises to instant global stardom - very similar to her real life experience. In 'Hanuman', she would be portraying Goddess Sita," he said.

Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves is being tipped to play the role of Lord Ram in "Hanuman".

--- IANS

Actor Mithun Chakraborty buys ICL's Kolkata Tigers

Kolkata, March 26 : Following the steps of Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan, Tollywood superstar Mithun Chakraborty has bought the Kolkata Tigers team of the Indian Cricket League (ICL).


Mithun Da, as he is popularly called in West Bengal after he shifted to the Bengali film industry from Bollywood, told IANS: "Yes, I have bought the Kolkata Tigers of the ICL. Thursday everything will be formally announced after completing some legal formalities.

"I have always been a sports lover and had organised the Raj Kapoor Trophy in Chembur, Mumbai, for several years where big stars played. But it was not just passion that made me buy the team, there is business in it also."

The king of disco dance said: "I am an entertainer and Twenty20 is a fantastic form of entertainment. There is craze and good business in it. So I decided to try my luck."

Asked how much he spent on the team, Mithun said: "At present I cannot reveal the figure, but it is certainly a triple digit in crores (tens of millions)."

He said after completing the formalities he would go for an overhaul of the team and add to its sheen by giving it a logo along with a slogan and a theme song.

On whether he wanted to rename the side Bengal Tigers, he said: "I have strongly recommended it. Kolkata is the capital of Bengal, but my side will represent all the people of the state. I have fans in every corner of the state."

Asked what made him go for a team in ICL and not Indian Premier League (IPL), Mithun said: "I woke up late. The realisation that I could even own a team and make it into a profitable business venture dawned late on me.

"There is no question of competing with Shah Rukh Khan. He is one of the finest gentlemen I have come across and he gives a lot of respect to his co-stars. Besides, you can't compare our popularity. He is way above me."

On whether his Bengal Tigers would imbibe his fighting spirit, the reigning hero of Tollywood said: "Undoubtedly so. Life has never been a bed of roses for me. I have fought for everything and my team will be a fighter too."

wow dem guys buying cricket teams like i buy groceries.

I will work at my own speed: Kajol

By Arpana, New Delhi, March 29 : She is one of the most talented actresses in Bollywood, but Kajol, who graces the screen after a gap of two years in her home production "U, Me Aur Hum", says her priority is her family.


"I am not going to do four films a year. I will work, but at my own speed," Kajol told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

After marriage with Ajay Devgan in 1999, the actress cut down her film roles and was occasionally seen in hits like "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "Fanaa".

For "U, Me Aur Hum", she teams up with hubby. The film, which releases April 11, marks Ajay's directorial debut and he has written the script too.

Asked how different this film is from her other movies, the ebullient actress says: "Well, I hope it is not so different that it becomes a bad film (laughs). I won't say it is different, but it is a very special film for me."

"While working in the film I never felt constrained. In fact, it was the other way round. I felt very comfortable and at home."

Her debut film, "Bekhudi", in 1992 did fairly well, but it was "Baazigar" with Shah Rukh Khan a year later that was her first blockbuster. She later went on to deliver some of the biggest Bollywood hits like "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" opposite Shah Rukh.

Juggling multiple roles of a wife, mother, actress and judge of a TV show, Kajol is neck deep in work. "Time management is a huge issue. I'm doing it with difficulty. Even a 15-minute delay makes a lot of difference. But I think it is not impossible to manage all this, you can do it."

Commenting on the changes in the film industry in the last one decade, Kajol says this evolution is vital.

"It is very important that things should change. We should change. You will die if you don't change. In the last few years viewers have changed, their demands have changed, the business of cinema has changed, and with so many changes the parameters of Indian cinema has changed."

On rumours that she has signed Karan Johar's next venture, Kajol said: "I have not signed the film, but I am discussing it with him. When I sign, I will certainly let everybody know about it."

She is having a ball as judge on Zee TV's new reality show "Rock n Roll" along with her husband and mother, actress Tanuja. "I'm really enjoying the reality show. There is so much positive energy," she said.

She has a high opinion of her fans. "I think we underestimate our fans. They are so level-headed and know where to draw the line. Only a very small percentage of fans go overboard."

Hrithik may promote Mumbai Indians

New Delhi, April 3 : Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan is likely to be the brand ambassador for industrialist Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai Indians cricket team in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) starting April 18.


Speculation is rife that Hrithik will soon be shooting for an ad campaign and even an album - the music for which has been composed by Anu Malik - for Mumbai Indians.

Bollywood actors are making their presence felt in the IPL. It all started with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta buying IPL teams and then Akshay Kumar being roped in as brand ambassador for Delhi Daredevils.

*-*

Yellow fever at Chepauk

The recently concluding first Test between India and South Africa at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium will be remembered for two reasons - Virender Sehwag's triple ton and the introduction of the Chennai Super Kings to the city's cricket lovers.

Over the five days of the Test, the stadium and its surroundings were a sea of yellow, the official colour of the Super Kings.

The promos arranged by India Cements Ltd, the owner of the team, began during the ticket sales, when those in the queue received pamphlets inviting them to 'Get Caught Yellow Handed' at the Test: wear yellow to the match and be treated to surprise gifts.

The walls surrounding the stadium were painted yellow and bore the Super Kings logo. The road leading to the pavilion entrance was lined with Super Kings flags.

There were posters of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mathew Hayden and Stephen Fleming, the big stars of the Super Kings, adorning the entrances to the stadium. En route to their seats, fans were handed masks of Makhaya Ntini, Hayden and of course, Dhoni, which proved to be a big hit with everyone.

The walls and roof of the stadium were plastered with banners proclaiming 'Welcome to the Lion's Den' and 'Out here the Super Kings rule'. Pillars were painted yellow and bore the Super Kings logo. To top things off, there were a couple of enormous Super Kings balloons flying proudly above the stadium.

*-*

Shoaib says PCB chief wanted cut in IPL contract

Banned Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has accused Nasim Ahsraf, the country's cricket board president, of blackmailing him to get a share of his IPL contract.

"I have been victimised, I have been pin-point targeted. I refused to pay him the money and that was why I am being victimised," said Shoaib after the temperamental fast bowler was banned for five years.

He was punished for criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not offering him a central contract.

*-*

England players to be asked views on IPL

Professional Cricketer's Association chief executive Sean Morris will talk to leading English cricketers and officials next week to find a way to accommodate them in future IPL tournaments.

The move comes after IPL chairman Lalit Modi's willingness to shift the dates of the cash-rich Twenty20 competition in future to allow Englishmen to take part in the league.

Although Hampshire's Dimitri Mascarenhas is the only England international in the IPL, which starts this month, plans need to be put in place now if a window is to be opened in future.

"We will ask the players how they feel," said Morris. "We need to sit them down and ask their views, some might have different opinions to others. But I would like to think on behalf of the players we would be able to take advantage of this concept and allow them to reap the benefits."

this IPL league is really heating up, i read that SRK is trying very hard to get Shoaib on his team...

New Miss India is keen on Bollywood

By Shweta Thakur, New Delhi, April 9: Kerala beauty Parvathy Omanakuttan, who won the Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008, says she wouldn't mind trying her luck in Bollywood provided the offers are good.


"Why not? I have grown up in Mumbai and am a movie buff. If I get a good chance, good money, good co-stars, I would go for it," the 20-year-old winner told IANS on phone from Mumbai. She won the Femina contest Saturday in Mumbai.

An arts graduate from the Mithibai College, Mumbai, Parvathy said that winning the pageant was her childhood dream.

"I was just seven when I saw Sushmita (Sen) and Aishwarya (Rai) winning the pageant. I decided then that one day I would also be like them," said the dusky long-legged beauty.

"I always wanted to be Miss India. I am on cloud nine after winning the contest. However, I must confess when I saw my parents and friends crying after I was announced the winner that it is not just my dream that has come true. Everyone's dream related to me has been fulfilled. What could be more satisfying than this?"

Parvathy is keen to do a master of business administration (MBA) as a career option.

"I want to pursue MBA because it is very important to have a backup. Films or modelling would not last for long."

She had won the Pantaloon's Femina Miss India South held in Hyderabad in December last year.

Asked how life has changed after winning the coveted title, Parvathy said: "It has changed overnight! Before winning the competition I could pull out any T-shirt from my wardrobe and go out with my friends anywhere. But it is not so any more, as all eyes are on me."

Commenting on her preparations for the Oct 4 Miss World pageant, she said: "This is not a crown of joy. With the crown, the responsibility of upholding the name of the country has also fallen on my shoulders."

"The preparations started ever since I won the contest. Apart from just concentrating on my appearance, I am also trying to be a stronger person to face the contest."

Asked about her views on women, she said: "I am a student of English literature and I think feminism has enlightened me. There have been certain cases when women have been refused their rights. The security of women is another very important issue in our country. I want to voice my opinion against female foeticide and crime against women.

"Women can't run the world alone. You need both - men and women - but I strongly feel for women and am a liberal feminist," Parvathy said.

"I am sure if the government doesn't do something it is not far when women would come out and work for their community."

"Education not only makes one knowledgeable but also makes one think, act and feel independently. It is imperative for everyone, especially for girls, to be educated," said Parvathy. She worked with Akbar Travels Online.com after completing graduation.

"Everyone wants to earn quick fame and money today. But one must always remember that there is only one Sachin (Tendulkar) and Dhirubhai (Ambani) who worked wonders despite less educational qualifications," said Parvathy, soaking in her new found success.

quote:

I was just seven when I saw Sushmita (Sen) and Aishwarya (Rai) winning the pageant

them 2 musse feel real old if they read that

She has the looks to give Bollywood a shot. If she can act is another issue

Hrithik Roshan finds a place at Madames Tussad's

Hrithik Roshan is the latest star who is going to be waxed at Madamme Tussaud's, is the buzzing news making waves now!! A trend which was started by Amitabh Bachchan who was the first to make it to Tussaud's was soon followed by Aishwarya and then the honor was bestowed upon the very popular King Khan.


Later, it was Salman Khan's turn to hit the headlines with this news and now, it is Hrithik's turn to get waxed at Madame Tussad's.

According to sources, as soon as Salman's statue was unveiled, the hunt was on for the next Bollywood star to make it here, and Hrithik, for his immense popularity and fan following all over the globe will now see himself getting a place in the wax museum.

Only the 5th actor from Bollywood to be honored among the greats, Hrithik has surely made a mark for himself! Well, wondering where Aamir Khan is in this list? The answer is very much on the expected lines, as it is heard that Aamir had got a call long back to pose for the statue to be made, but the actor had turned the offer down!! Nothing new in this, right?

Anyway, kudos to the celebrities who have made it to the Madame Tussad's!!

Kajol's father Shomu Mukherjee passes away

In a strange twist of fate, on the eve of husband Ajay Devgan's first directorial venture U, Me Aur Hum's release, Kajol's father film veteran Shomu Mukherjee passed away.

He was 65. Mukherjee is survived by actor-wife Tanuja, daughters Kajol and Tanisha.

Sources said Mukherji was unwell for quite some time and had to be hospitalised as well. Mukherji's passing away on the eve of the release of `U Me aur Hum', the directorial debut of his son-in-law Ajay Devgan, casted a pall of gloom in the family.

Family sources said the film will be released as per the schedule. Devgan had not organised a premiere for the film on Thursday.

Shomu, youngest son of late Sashidhar Mukherji, founder of the Filmalaya studios was a producer-director of films like Ek Baar Muskura Do (1972), Nanha Shikhari (1973), Chaila Babu (1977), Fifty Fifty (1981), Pathar Ke Insan (1990) and Sangdil Sanam (1994).

His other siblings Joy and Deb Mukherji were actors.

Choose the script when I am offered a film, not Ajay, Aamir or SRK - Kajol

'U, Me Aur Hum' may not have got a great opening like Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om, but Kajol is happy that she was a part of the project.


When I meet her at her actor-director husband Ajay Devgan's office in Juhu, Kajol confesses that it was not very tough to play the role. Kajol adds that she was confident that people would be able to identify with the role, when Ajay narrated the role to her. Here is a chat with the actor.

"I had a superb director to back me. I should undoubtedly give the entire credit to my director for the ease with which the character of Piya has unfolded on the screen in 'U, Me Aur Hum'. The best thing that I liked about my character in the film was that besides the fact that she was normal and not handicapped in any way, Piya had a wicked sense of humor and at the same time, she was a little vulnerable too."

Kajol kick started her career with the film 'Bekhudi', more than a decade ago, with Kamal Sadanah as her leading man. Kajol is practical enough to confess that her role in 'U, Me Aur Hum' is not the best in her career till date. "Every role that I have done has been the best at that particular point of time in my career. Since my latest release is 'U, Me Aur Hum', I feel that it is my best as of now." Kajol quips.

She admits that she is far too picky as an actor. "I am lucky that I have been approached by various kinds of directors, in spite of the fact that I am very choosy. The problem is that my expectations as an actor are quite high and I am not getting the kind of roles that I want to do and I am not interested in doing the kinds of roles that I am offered", she avers.

What is interesting about Kajol is that she is capable of throwing surprises not only as an actor who gets into the skin of various characters but also as a person who can shock you out of your wits with statements you do not expect at all. "I want to do films that I want to watch. I watch very few films for my entertainment. As far as I am concerned, happy and positive films make me laugh. I am not against other kinds of films, though I may not be tempted to be a part of it. For instance, if tomorrow Mira Nair offers me a comedy film, I'd gladly grab it, without a second thought."

She disagrees when you tell her that married actors are not accepted by the audience when they set out to stage their comebacks in films. "For your information, I acted with Ajay in films like 'Raju Chacha', 'Dil Kya Kare' etc only after I was married to him. Didn't 'Fanaa click'? I had acted in it after my baby Nysa was born. Didn't I? I think that if you choose the right role, you can click, especially if you are a married actor, that too with a baby. If I had made my come back with a film in which I played a college girl with a short skirt, I am sure I would not have succeeded. You should know to choose the right role."

Kajol confesses that she has mellowed a lot and is not the fire-brand rebel that she once was. "I think motherhood changes you in many ways. Motherhood removes the chasma which is experience and you start looking at people in a different way and also judge them in a different way. Your perceptions about people too changes. The way Nysa looked at people changed my pre-conceived notions too."

She adds, "Today, thanks to my growth as an actor, I feel that I can adapt my technique. I did not know what technique was earlier. I have, over the years, actually learnt a method to acting, and use it honestly with a lot more expertise and finesse."

Kajol says that then only film which she has signed is 'Toonpur Ka Super Hero'. She adds in the same breath, even before you can ask, that she has not signed any film with Karan or for that matter with Shah Rukh Khan. "Ajay has got nothing to with me doing or not doing a film with Karan or for that matter Shah Rukh Khan. I choose the script every time I am offered a film, not Ajay Devgan, Aamir Khan or for that matter Shah Rukh Khan. Ajay is proud that I choose to do films which I believe in."

She continues. "I have not heard Karan's script. It would not do him and his project justice, if I tell him that I'd do his film without listening to the script, though as a friend, he trusts me enough to let me make a decision and vice versa. Our friendship is so strong that it will stand the test of time, whether we do a film together or not."

Kajol is happy that she agreed to be a part of the TV show 'Rock N Roll Family' with her mother Tanuja and her husband Ajay. "We were offered a lot of reality shows earlier but we kept on declining each of them, although we appeared in one episode of 'Little Champs'. We agreed to be in 'Rock N Roll Family' because of the concept. It is about the family and the principles that we believe in."

Though it was a life long dream of Ajay to wield the megaphone, Kajol says that she does not plan to take up direction. "I'd say that as of now I am not inclined to take up direction, though I do not know what is in store. Unlike Ajay, whose strength as a director is his clarity, I am a selfish actor. Mujhe sirf apne kaam se mutlab hain. I am in fact surprised that Ajay and I never had any disagreement throughout the shooting of the film. I have had some point of disagreement with almost every director with whom I have worked till date. In fact, I'd say that the director Ajay Devgan exceeded my expectations when I worked with him."

"I hope that I have affected Ajay a lot. I have taught him a lot and vice versa. I believe that any marriage works only if there is a lot of give and take between the couple. In fact I agree one hundred per cent with the message that 'U, Me Aur Hum' sets out to drive home. That man makes a problem bigger though it is never bigger than a man. We make the solution impossible, because we do not make an attempt to solve a problem, since we concentrate more on the problem than the solution," she concludes.

Jackie Chan, Kamal Hassan to act together in film soon

Chennai, Apr 25: Hollywood actor Jackie Chan today expressed his ''yearning'' to act in a film with one of Indian cinema's ace actors Kamal Hassan even as Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and Malayalam superstar Mammooty said Kamal's yearning for perfection had to be emulated by every actor.


Jackie Chan, who participated in the glittering audio launch function of Kamal's latest offering 'Dasaavatharam' (ten incarnations) in which the ace actor plays ten roles,said he was in awe when Kamal showed rushes of the new film.

'' Immediately after watching the rushes, I felt that I must do a film with Kamal Hassan. I hope he would fulfil my wish'', Jackie who received the first copy of the audio released by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said amidst thunderous applause from Kamal's well wishers and special guests from Indian film industry who were invited for the function.

Kamal reciprocated Jackie's gesture and promised that he would do a film with the popular Hollywood star ''as soon as possible''.

Amitabh Bachchan said he had done just one film with Kamal while another was shelved. ''But I have always admired his perfection. I admire his dedication.'' Mammooty said he grew up watching Kamal's films and had been his admirer since his college days. Kamal also belongs to the Malayalam film industry, he added.

Bollywood stars Mallika Sherawat, yesteryear heroines Jayaprada, now a Samajwadi Party MP and Hema Malini also participated in the function.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi described Kamal as ''a world class actor''('ulaga maga nayakan) and observed that Jackie Chan and Kamal had a lot of similarities in their personal character besides sharing the same date and year of birth.

Kamal's feat of playing ten roles in 'Dasaavatharam', emulates the eight played by late English and Hollywood celebrity Alec Guinnes in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'' in 1949 and none by Tamil cinema's thespian late Sivaji Ganesan in his 100th film, ''Navaratri'' a 1964 release. In one of his roles in the film Kamal appears as US President George Bush.

Sony & BMC Music Entertainment company hold the audio CD and cassettes rights for the film.

After Aishwarya-Abhishek, it is Bipasha-John in Miami

By Subhash K. Jha, Mumbai, May 2 : The two "Dostana" heroes had a pleasant break while shooting in Miami. First Abhishek Bachchan had wife Aishwarya Rai join him on their first wedding anniversary and then John Abraham had Bipasha Basu for company.


"It's just for three days. My work got over on Monday in Switzerland, so I decided to rush to Miami to be with John before I went on to my next shoot," Bipasha said, happy at the thought of finally seeing John after a month.

The Karan Johar-produced "Dostana", being directed by Tarun Mansukhani, also stars Priyanka Chopra in the female lead.

Bipasha was shooting in Europe with Ranbir Kapoor for "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

"I really enjoyed myself in the European summer. I had a super time shooting with Ranbir and my director Sid (Siddharth Anand). In fact, the entire unit was loads of fun. Italy was paradise. I enjoyed my time in Capri, Rome and Zurich."

After her brief holiday in Miami, Bipasha rushes to Bangkok to join Neil Nitin Mukesh for a 40-day schedule of new-director Jehangir Surti's "Freeze".

Interestingly, in both "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and "Freeze", Bipasha plays a woman slightly older than her co-stars.

--- IANS

Hi Alena, i love the old dostana, is this going to be a remake....

quote:

Originally posted by IK:
Hi Alena, i love the old dostana, is this going to be a remake....

................................................
IK, it is due to be released in Dec 2008... it is a love story with a twist so might be little different than the old one.. see below.

Karan's film with Tarun Mansukhani titled Dostana

By Subhash K. Jha, February 6, 2008 - 18:35 IST

It's a proud moment for Karan Johar. Because he has decided to name his new production starring Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra after a hit film of his father from 1980. The film directed by his assistant Tarun Mansukhani is set in Miami, the shoot for which starts this summer. And it's just been named Dostana.

Says Karan Johar, "For a long time we had no title for Tarun Mansukhani's brilliant script. It's funny, sassy, hilarious…and it's about the friendship between these two guys played by Abhishek and John. So, I don't know why it took us so long to hit on the right title. Dostana, it is. I was waiting for Tarun to return from location scouting before firming in on the title."

Karan gets nostalgic about the title. "You know when my father produced Dostana in 1980 when he was going through hard times. But all the three principal actors Amit Uncle (Bachchan), Shatrughan Sinhaji and Zeenat Aman co-operated to the fullest. That's how the film was made."

So is the new Dostana a love triangle like the old one? "Ha! Well, yes and no. Though it's a love story. There's a never-before twist in the tale. All I can say on-record is that we've never had a love triangle like this before. And you'll never see Abhishek and John playing something like this again," promises Karan.

He's also relieved that there was no title hassle. "For Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna I had to ask Aroona Irani aunty. She sweetly gave me the title in exchange for a pappi (kiss). For Dostana, I had to kiss nobody, except my father's memory."

Hi Alena, it seems it's going to be somewhat different in that 'twist' that's talked about, now i can't wait to see what it is...., tnks for posting.