Big Fight: It's Priyanka vs Kareena once again

By Subhash K Jha

Now that the ultra-prolific and passionately-productive Shyam Benegal has decided to revive his costliest project Chamki, a desi version of Georges Bizet's 1845 opera Carmen the question is, who will play the challenging title role of a free-spirited fiery-tempered gypsy?

Though Benegal is at the moment reluctant to reveal details, sources close to the project claim that the closest contenders for the role are Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

Both have already been approached in the past for Chamki. But chose to opt out before the final yes for various reasons.

Says the source, "Kareena was excited to begin with. She was supremely charged by the role and what Shyam Babu had done with her sister Karisma in Zubeida.

But then she opted out, as she often does from offbeat challenges like Deepa Mehta's Water and Rituparno Ghosh's Raincoat pleading it was too early for her to attempt something so unconventional.

Then came Priyanka Chopra who was quite kicked about the part. But she and the film's then-producer Sanjay Gupta had a fall-out earlier when she had said no to his Musafir. The role then went to Urmila Matondkar who had monetary issues with the producer."

With the film changing hands from Sanjay Gupta to Reliance it is undertood that money is no longer an issue.

If sources are to be believed Chamki has now gone back to the two original choices Kareena and Priyanka.

Says the source, "Kareena continues to have reservations about non-mainstream cinema. She was recently offered another heroine-oriented film by Rituparno Ghosh. She declined.

Barring Pritish Nandy Communications Chameli she has never returned to non-mainstream cinema. But now Chamki, set in Rajasthan, is being re-designed as a big broad epic musical with super choreography and lavish songs by Javed Akhtar and A R Rahman. No expense will be spared to make Chamki a big blockbuster."

According to sources Priyanka more than Kareena is the natural choice to play Chamki since the role requires a trained dancer.

Priyanka when contacted said she was open to the offer. "But I read the script ages ago. The whole project now has to evaluated afresh. And who wouldn't want to work with Shyam Benegal?"

"I have just started hating the term 'Serial Kisser" - Emraan Hashmi

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

He's famous for being Bollywood's 'Serial Kisser' but beneath that infamous tag lies an actor who has delivered hits such as Murder, Zeher, Kalyug and Jannat. Yes, we are talking about the one and only Emraan Hashmi who is once again back on the silver screen with his latest film Raaz -The Mystery Continues.

Emraan was here on Bollywood Hungama's celeb chat to talk with his fans on Raaz- The Mystery Continues and much more but for all those who missed this interesting chat session here is a chance to check out the chat excerpts

Emraan Hashmi: hello...

Zoheb: HI...Emraan. Salam Walekum Mia. How are u dear?
Emraan Hashmi: never have been better' zoheb. [more...]

I didn't go totally nude in Raaz - TMC: Kangana Ranaut

Bollywoods bold babe Kangana Ranaut has been in news for her relationship with her co star Adhayan and also for her bold scene in Raaz. Reportedly Kanagana has a nude scene in the film which has been objected by Censor.

But Kangana surprised us by calling it as a rumor. She clarifies, “I want to clarify one thing that there’s no nude scene in the film. There’s no question of body double because I had never shot for such scene.

I don’t want to mislead public who want to watch Raaz for some other reasons. Censor definitely objected it but to the horror elements of the film because there are some really scary scenes in the film. I think kids should not watch this film alone because it’s really scary. ”

She informs that the film Raaz - The Mystery Continues and her character is definitely different from her other films and character that she has played in the past.

“All my films are close to reality and people could relate to it but Raaz is a completely different genre. When I heard its script I was completely scared and thought it’s the kind of film I wanted to work in. ” She concludes.

Check out: Sanjay Dutt's new stylish look in Luck

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

'Wow!' will be the only word that every filmbuff will mouth after looking at the deadly Sanjay Dutt after his visit to the famed hair stylist Aalim to do his new look for his forthcoming film Luck. While on one hand, Sanju has become the 'talk-of-the-town' due to his decision to step into politics, we are sure that his new look will create greater buzz amongst film lovers! Talking about the styling for Luck, Sanju says, "Soham (director) is a very talented director and he has a very creative outlook. We both sat and discussed the look and I'm very happy that Aalim has styled me exactly as we envisioned."

Katrina's big embarassment in New York

Katrina Kaif and John Abraham might be big stars in India. But they are nobodies in New York. This they realized only a while ago.

Interestingly these two are acting in a movie called 'New York'. Such is the irony of the situation.

The two were denied entry to a nightclub in New York when they were trying to join a party for a crew member on their movie 'New York'.

A source says, "When they were stopped at the nightclub, they tried to reason with the bouncers that they were well known and respected people from India. John and Katrina told them that they were film stars from India but the bouncers only stared at them. The bouncers had no clue what John and Katrina were talking about."

But the experience hasn't stopped Katrina to encourage her sister to study in New York.

The buzz is that she has been encouraging her sister, Isabelle Kaif who wishes to join the industry in a year or two, to sign up at the Lee Strasberg Theatre School in New York.

And despite her wooden acting in all her films, things in India have been going great. She's been nominated for a Best Indian Award along with others such as Manmohan Singh and Aamir Khan. She thinks it's a great honour to be considered to be in the same league as great achievers.

Well, in spite of everything, Kat sure has lots of reasons to smile about!

Trendspotting: Decoding Deepika Padukone

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, January 22, 2009 - 14:19 IST

It all began on January 7, 2009, when Deepika Padukone walked the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of her latest release Chandni Chowk To China. From here till London, her outfits have been quite the talking point. The elegant see-through cream sari with embroidery and embellishments which she wore in LA accentuated Deepika's slender figure. But the green velvet and sheer fabric sleeveless blouse with silver gota work was a shocking mismatch and distracted attention from both the sari and her lovely face.

Geeta Basra all set to make her music video debut

By Joginder Tuteja

Though she has done only two films in her short career so far, Geeta Basra ensured that her performance in both the films didn't go unnoticed. Whether it was Dil Diya Hai or The Train (both of which incidentally had Emraan Hashmi opposite her), Geeta did gain appreciation for her contrasting acts in the two films. If she was a simple NRI girl next door in Dil Diya Hai, she played the part of seductress/con-woman with aplomb in The Train, hence enacting a negative role pretty early in her career.

None of the films did well at the box office but Geeta didn't loose heart. Instead of choosing any random project coming her way that merely wanted to showcase the glam side of hers, she opted to wait. Now, close to one and a half year after the release of The Train, Geeta is ready to face the camera again. Though this won't be for a film shoot, she is still excited enough because after a lot of persuasion, she has consented to be a part of a music video.

Says Geeta, "I may have been termed choosy all this while but I don't have any regrets about it. That's the way I want to shape my career. I am young with age on my side and any wrong step would have been disastrous. I would rather wait and watch than burn my fingers."

What prompted her to say yes to a music video? "The sheer vision of the director and an emotional story that runs with it", Geeta is prompt in replying, "Apart from lead roles, there were offers for item songs and music videos but I didn't want to do anything where my heart was not set in. This one does sound exciting though. The setup is quite big, the scale is large and the grandeur amazing. This is not going to be one of those regular music video that you get to [more...]

Amrita and Shakeel's spontaneous love story

After a little family gathering at Goa in December, the most talked about couple in Bollywood - the lovely damsel Amrita Arora and her beau Shakeel welcomed 2009 in Dubai.

After painting the city red, the couple wanted to spend some time alone in each other's company so they headed off to a place where they cannot be disturbed.

Amrita says, "It was spontaneous actually. We did not plan it. It was the first time that I just didn't know where I am going on New Year's Eve as all my friends were scattered in different direction.

So instead, Shakeel just suggested that we spend some time alone in Dubai and the plan was made just then and there. And though I've been to Dubai a number of times, the fun really is in planning things on a spur of the moment and taking off."

Suneil Shetty to endorse Ford Endeavour

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

Suneil Shetty's last few films may not have worked at the B.O; however the actor does manage to stay in the limelight courtesy one news or the other. The latest is that the brawny actor has been roped in by Ford India to endorse their new SUV- the Endeavour.

The company rolled out its advertisement campaign on the 23rd of Jan, which features the actor. Suneil has always had a passion for cars and hence being appointed as the brand ambassador for Ford India's SUV is a dream come true for him.

Apparently the car makers have roped in Suneil as the brand ambassador for Ford Endeavour as he truly embodies all the brand attributes such as style, power, success, performance and adventure.

Sambhavna shocks Harman, Kisses him

Now we all know how much Sambhavna Seth loves publicity.

Her circus antics were on full display in the 'Bigg Boss' house. No matter how much she denies, this dame really is totally inspired by the queen of drama, Rakhi Sawant.

To get her share of the limelight, she recently placed a long and intense kiss on Harman Baweja's cheek and took him by surprise.

Harman was invited to grace the dance reality show 'Dancing Queen' and the attention hungry girl had a pre-planned program to kiss Harman when he comes up on stage.

And thanks to her good planning, she got to fulfill her long desire( she calls it that).

Sambhavana happily narrated the entire incident, "Well, you have got a really genuine piece of news. He's so sweet...full of positive vibes. Maine socha ek kiss le loon (I thought I would take a kiss). That's the best way to get my share of the positive vibes."

She added, "When I called him onto the stage, he told me the very first time to not make me dance. I told him that I want to kiss him and that he can't stop me…and then I did."

And when the world thinks that Harman is just a Hrithik clone, she has a total different viewpoint.

"I'm a big fan of Harman and is longing to be his mate. I will run after him. I want Harman"

Harman mightn't be some star and is still struggling to make it big in B-Town. But the chances of him choosing a dame who lacks class and shoots her mouth off for cheap publicity is very minimal.

Especially after an A-lister girlfriend like Priyanka and mingling with the cherubic and refined Amrita Rao.

Keep the stunts to yourself, girl! Taking a long walk somewhere will clear your head a bit.

Big B does a volte face on Slumdog Millionaire

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who had stoked a controversy by slamming "Slumdog Millionaire", Friday said the movie was "wonderful" and expressed happiness that composer A.R. Rahman won three Oscar nominations for his score and songs in the movie.

"The sound engineer of this wonderful movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rasool, an Indian, has also won a nomination along with Rahman. I am so happy. Bhanu Athaiya was the last Indian to win an Oscar for the designing the costumes of Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' in 1982," Bachchan said at an overflowing venue at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Referring to his comment regarding "Slumdog Millionaire" that "the film projects India as Third World's dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots", he said: "I write a blog.

But the opinions expressed in my blog were not my own. So many people write on my blog site and I was just quoting one of them. I have spoken to Anil Kapoor and Danny Boyle and cleared the misgivings. But everyone must have freedom of expression."

The superstar was here for a day to release his biography, "Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan", spanning 40 years of his career in the Hindi film industry.

The book - co-authored by Mumbai-based author Bhawana Somaaya and[more...]

'50 mulkon ki Police' to chase SRK in Don-2

By Joginder Tuteja

On the sets of 'Oye! It's Friday', Shah Rukh Khan and Farhan Akhtar found themselves in such a playful zone that it turned out to be a two-episode show instead of a single episode. Have a look at what to expect in the second and concluding episode that would be aired today.

- Shah Rukh jokes about how it's difficult to explain to his children the need for wearing makeup for macho roles. He also talks about how Indian Cinema is growing by leaps and bounds with young talent making Indian cinema go places.

- Shah Rukh tries to relive the Mohabbatein moment as he 'attempts' playing the violin all over again. A difficult task for him because he is pitted against none other than Violin maestro Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, also known as Ambi, who in spite of being in just his 12th standard has already begun to follow in the footsteps of his father, the famous Violin Maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam.

- This young genius gave his first performance at the age of seven and has already performed extensively in Indian and abroad. Ambi has also performed with his father for Karnatic concerts at the prestigious Dussehra Festival at the Mysore Palace and recently performed at the Lincoln Center Out- of- Doors Festival.

- Even though Shah Rukh believed that playing a violin was his 'Dain haath ka khel', all he could do was just 'pretend' playing the violin.

However, once Ambi started playing it, SRK didn't have any other choice but to admit that actors are after all only the face of the talent. However, the mischievous man that he is in real life, SRK did joke about how he would teach Ambi to 'act' while[more...]

'Kartik Calling Kartik'

By Taran Adarsh, January 22, 2009 - 12:07 IST

Farhan Akhtar has a penchant for working with first-time directors. ROCK ON!! may not be Abhishek Kapoor's directorial debut, but it was the first film that discovered Abhishek's true talent. Farhan's next release, LUCK BY CHANCE, is also helmed by a first-timer, his sister Zoya Akhtar. The film is carrying rave reports and those who've watched the film, speak very, very highly of it.

Farhan is ready to face the camera again and his next film as an actor, titled KARTIK CALLING KARTIK, will also be directed by a newcomer -- Vijay Lalwani. This one's a psychological thriller.

Besides acting in home-productions, Farhan and his enterprising producer-partner Ritesh Sidhwani will start a film with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, which will be directed by Abhinay Deo, who's currently directing Aamir Khan's home-production DELHI BELLY.

So where does it leave DON 2? "That has been pushed ahead," Farhan tells me, "I planned to shoot this summer, but Shah Rukh is busy with Karan Johar's film currently, so I've decided to film it next year. In the meanwhile, I am planning to start another film later this year. I've just locked the script; it's a romantic-comedy. The casting is yet to be finalized."

We won't let Shilpa shave off her head

By Subhash K Jha

Here's an example of how creative freedom can be smothered by commercial enterprises.

In a blatant show of bullying tactics a major commetic company put its foot down after reading a newsreport that she's be shaving off her hair.

A source close to Shilpa reveals she was all set to sacrifice her mane. Alerted by the news report the cosmetic company compelled Shilpa to change her plans.

On Tuessday in Kollam She went bald for the camera. But the baldness was induced by prosthetics.

Says Shilpa, "I'd have loved to shave off my hair. But my other commitments put an end to my plans. The bald prosthetics were done by an amazing makeup artiste named Vidyadhar. It took him three hours to make me look bald. And after I finished shooting it took an hour to take off the bald makeup."

Shilpa insisted on doing all the bald scenes in one day. "Getting into the bald makeup again would've been impossible. But what we've shot is amazing. Being hairless makes you look so vulnerable and childlike. I felt I had gone back to my childhood, " Shilpa said from Kolam where the film Desire is being shot.

Shilpa regrets not going the whole hog. "Seeing myself in bald prosthetics liberated me. I wish I could've actually shaved of my hair. An Aamir Khan tonsures his head and it becomes a fashion statement. But we girls have to go by the market definitions of glamour."

Akshay and Deepika are nominated for best actor and actress category
Both Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone are nominated for best actor and actress category in third Asian Film Awards. According to their official website, actor Akshay Kumar is nominated for his action cum comic role in “Singh is Kinng” and actress Deepika Padukone for her double role in “Chandni Chowk to China”. Actor Akshay Kumar is nominated for this category along with China’s Ge You for its movie “If You Are the One”. Other contender for this category include South Korea’s Ha Jung-Woo for “The Chaser” and Japanese actors Kenichi Matsuyama for “Detroit Metal City” and Masahiro Motoki for “Departures” and South Korea’s Song Kang Ho for “The Good, The Bad, The Weird”. Actress Deepika Padukone is nominated along with Chinese actresses Zhao Wei for the film “The Painted Skin”, actress Zhou Xun is nominated for “The Equation of Love and Death” Jiang Wenli is nominated for “And the Spring Comes” and Japan’s Eri Fukatsu for “The Magic Hour” and Sayuri Yoshinaga for “Kabei-Our Mother”. Michelle Yeoh, former bond girl and co–star in film “Crouching Tiger” is declared the head of the 13 members jury. On March 23, this award ceremony will take place at Hong Kong.

Serial Kisser Emraan doesn’t have any lip locks in Raaz 2
All excited about his upcoming release, Raaz - The Myster Continues, Emraan talks to us about his role in the movie, his fears and the fact that he won’t have any lip locks in the movie. Emraan tells about his role in Raaz 2, “I play a painter whose name is Prithvi and he can foresee the future of a model Nandita played by Kangana Ranaut. And in my character the audiences will find different grey shades, which surely can be spooky. I’m quite excited that finally I’m the part of a horror film. I had always wished that my debut film should be a horror film but didn’t happen.” “ Believe it not but I am scared of kisses in the films that I have to do. Also I am scared of the dark so whenever I sleep I always have one dim light on and I am also scared of empty corridors after watching The Shining.” He adds about kissing scenes in Raaz 2, “I don’t have any kissing scenes and that’s why I’m feeling very relaxed. All the kissing scenes are done by Adhyayan Suman!” He includes about lean look, “Mohit told me to reduce my weight as it was the requirement of the character and so I gave up on all junk food, switched from aata to nachni rotis and gave up bread completely.” “I am not much of a fitness freak and hate this six pack - eight pack business. I would like to admit that I am a very lazy person when it comes to body building. But I feel all this is just a fad. It is okay if one has to do for a particular role otherwise its silly to flaunt it every now and then in films.”

Megan Fox wants Salma Hayek's 'boobs'

Asian News International - Text

Washington, Jan 14: Hollywood actress Megan Fox has revealed that she wants Salma Hayek's chest.

When the stunner was asked her body ideal, she quipped and said Salma Hayek, reports Fox News.

"I really want her boobs. Those are the most amazing boobs," she said.

While at the Golden Globes Award, the babe revealed that she thinks she's ugly.

"I'm so painfully insecure I'm on the verge of vomiting right now," the Transformers star told E! news on the red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Fox alone attended the star-studded affair, as her fiance Brian Austin Green decided not to attend so he could stay home and "work on his music."

"He doesn't want to be my date," she explained.

"He's a man. He has an ego," she added.

Aishwarya Rai makes it to 'Top 50 Most Desirable Woman in the World' list

Former Miss World and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai has made it to the list of 'Top 50 Most Desirable Woman in the World'.

The annual AskMen.com poll asks readers to select their ideal mate based on 'intelligence, charisma and ambition'.

Eva Mendes has topped the poll, with Megan Fox coming second and Marisa Miller landing the third spot, reports the Sun.

Keeley Hazell stood fourth and Anne Hathway rounded off the top five.

Kareena, Katrina and Yana to sizzle at Miss India Worldwide pageant

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Yana Gupta are set to add a dash of glamour at the grand finale of PC Jewellers Miss India Worldwide pageant to be held at Pragati Maidan Jan 31.

"There will be a mix of beauty, talent and glamour at the finale of the pageant, with Bollywood beauties shaking a leg with the participants; it will be an evening to remember," host Deepak Tijori said at the press conference here Wednesday.

Deepak's Tijori Entertainment is hosting the show with Kaleidovision.

The 20 finalists will go through a 10 day grilling regime.

"Training is not going to be a cakewalk for them. They will have to go through a tough and hectic regime of around 14 hours a day, which means they cannot take it easy," said Mehar Bhasin, who will look after the grooming of the contestants.

"The finalists will undergo an exclusively designed training and grooming regime that includes fitness, diction, psyche, aptitude, hair and make-up sessions. The training will enhance their confidence not only for the finale, but for further rounds to be held on the international stage as well," she added.

Beauty expert Blossom and Samantha Kochhar will take care of their beauty and hair, while fitness tips will be given by model-turned-actors Milind Soman and Rahul Dev.

Designer duo Rahul and Rohit Gandhi of the label Cue will design cocktail and evening wears for the participant. Madhu Jain and Milind Soman of the label M will design Indian traditional wear for the grand finale.

What makes this pageant different from other beauty pageants is the fact that even short girls may take part.

Tijori said: "This pageant is not restricted by banalities like physical shortcomings; the absence of height criteria and swim suit rounds makes it different from the conventional pageants.

"Majority of the Indian girls do not match the height criteria of other beauty pageants. Though they might have oodles of talent one shortcoming ruins all their chances of applying there. We understood this thing and came with a concept that will cheer up many beautiful and talented girls all over India."

Miss India Worldwide started 17 years ago and the contestants were primarily selected from the Indian diaspora. But it was felt that the pageant without a participant from India would be incomplete.

Then Tijori Entertainment and Kaleidovision took its franchisee from the Indian Festival Committee (IFC), a pioneer organisation conducting Indian pageants and fashion shows, in the US and worldwide.

What a luck….Aamir and Shahrukh in the same film

The long wait for cinema audiences everywhere is now over with Zoya’s Luck By Chance hitting the screens on January 30.

Interestingly, the Khans play themselves in the film, but regretfully don’t share screen space and appear at different times individually. SRK interacts with Farhan and Aamir with Konkona. Both superstars have excellent relationships with Farhan and Zoya and both wanted to support this film.

Even though Aamir doesn’t do cameos, he readily agreed because he is familiar with the set-up having worked with producer Ritesh Sidhwani and director-actor Farhan in Dil Chahta Hai. Also, Aamir who works on bound scripts only, had already read Luck By Chance’s script when Zoya took it to him for feedback some years ago. So that was also okay.

‘Initially, we were in a fix wondering how to talk to him, knowing his stance on cameos’ till dad called me up to say he had spoken to Aamir,” explained the petite Zoya. Once dad Javed Akhtar succeeded with Aamir, Shahrukh was easy to approach.’I personally spoke to Shahrukh. But I won’t like to take the credit alone, because both actors did it out of friendship for Farhan and Ritesh. There is a lot of respect between all of us,’she added.

The film has Bollywood as its backdrop with Farhan playing a struggling actor opposite Koknona. “This is the first original story that gives you an insider’s journey of the film industry. A struggler’s experience,’said Ritesh. And here’s another little secret: Aamir shot for the film when he was in the midst of Ghajini and had the tonsured look; so, the consummate actor agreed to wear a wig for Zoya!

Former Miss UK enters Bollywood

She is a student of archeology and journalism and spent last year covering the US Presidential elections. Former Miss UK Brooke Johnston,is headed for Bollywood.

She will be seen acting in actor-director Puneet Issar’s film ‘Nishchay Kar Apni Jeet Karoon’ (Determined, I get triumphant). The movie will have Brooke pairing with a new Sikh actor Gulzar Chahal. Bollywood actress Tulip Joshi also plays an important role in the film.
Speaking about the circumstances in which she signed the film, Brooke said ‘I met Puneet (Issar) through some friends in the US. He told me about the film and I liked its concept. I also liked the idea of coming to India. Bollywood tempted me to pick up this assignment. It looks like there is scope.’

Brooke is learnt to be honing her Hindi diction nowadays.In the past, Brooke has worked in several TV shows and has also campaigned for PETA. In 2006, she posed in a skimpy bikini made of lettuce leaves.

Bipasha Basu

After Deepika & Kareena, now Priyanka does it for SRK

Recently it has become a routine with SRK to have a song with all the leading Bollywood celebs in the guest appearance. It started with the superhit song of ‘Om Shanti Om’ and continued in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. Now, SRK does it again in his much awaited ‘Billoo Barber’. After Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor, it is Priyanka Chopra who gets to shake a leg with King Khan. Priyanka was last seen with Shahrukh in ‘Don’ and the duo set the screen afire with their song ‘Khaike Pan Banaras Wala’.

Billu Barber stars SRK, Lara Dutta and Irrfan Khan where Irrfan plays a barber, Shahrukh a superstar and Lara Dutta gets the role of Irrfan’s wife. The movie is slated for a February release.

Payal Rohatgi at the launch of her website

Payal Rohatgi shot into limelight from the oblivion with ‘Big Boss 2’, though we need not mention here the cat-fight she had with Sambhavna Seth and the way Sambhavna gave her the hell of a time on the exit interview with Pooja Bedi on Bigg Boss 2 . Sambhavna had written down the names of her notorious movies and was defending her “down market” remarks made by Payal during the show.

None the less Payal swore that its all in the past and now has buried the past by launching her official website. This was just the right time to launch her website when ‘Big Boss 2’ made her noticed and her role as a ‘full of life’ yoga instructor in the movie ‘Dil Kabaddi’ got her critical acclaim.

Check out the pics of an all green Payal Rohatgi at the launch of her website..