I am game for bikinis and skin show: Anjana Sukhani

Anjana Sukhani says she is game for bikinis if her role really demands it. Though she has adopted a glamorous persona in films like "Golmaal Returns" and "Salaam-E-Ishq", the actress is yet to join the bikini brigade.

"It's not in my wish list either. However, there comes a point in your career where you get a film that requires you to shed your inhibitions. Of course, the role that I play has to be of utmost importance - if it is justified for the character to wear a bikini, then I won't fret about it, " Anjana told.

Skin show has taken a different dimension in the last few months with actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Minissha Lamba and Amisha Patel getting into the swim wear for their roles. Also with dozens of film and fashion magazines hitting the stands, actresses are making a bee line to be seen on the cover.

"I'm very sure about the fact that posing seductively for the camera doesn't really pay. It can't help you grab work. What eventually matters is how talented you are and whether you can deliver goods on the screen, " said the actress who had grabbed attention in the Cadbury ad with superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

But being in the glamour world where beauty sells, isn't that a dicey statement to make?

"Of course, looking pretty is a valuable thing, but then talent matters as well", said Anjana. "At the end of the day, it is about coming up with a balancing act. Being 'just pretty' or 'just talented' doesn't help because one of them working just in isolation can't take you anywhere. You have to have a good mix of both."

"My dad has always said that you should do things that reflect the goal that you want to ultimately meet. If a small step taken by me helps me get closer to that goal, I won't mind doing that as long as I don't cross any limits, " she added.

In that case, how does she look back at her first few steps when she had just started her career with films like "Humdum" (2005) and "Sun Zarra" (2006)?

"I continue to be emotionally attached to these films because those earlier steps reaffirmed that I existed and paved the way for me to appear in bigger and better films.

I didn't come from a filmy family; nor did I have any supermodel experience that could help me get work. Those were testing times and everything that I decided to do, I had to do it on my own without any godfather supporting me."

With "Jashn", "Tum Milo toh Sahi" and "Allah Ke Banday" in the pipeline, life is certainly looking up for Anjana.

"Certainly. I am glad that these are turning out to be good times. I stand by all my decisions in the past and, regardless of whether they have succeeded or failed, I have no regrets, " she said.

What's Neetu Chandra doing in Apartment with Tanushree

Two months back, Neetu Chandra was at pains to explain to all and sundry that her 13B wasn't a horror film but instead a supernatural thriller. Now she is forced to take the same route of denial even as the shoot of her latest film Apartment is making brisk progress.

"I don't know why some out there are hell bent on placing me in a horror film. I have nothing against the horror genre and who knows, I may work in one as well in near future.

But just like 13B wasn't a horror film, as everyone saw it for themselves, even Apartment doesn't have any inclusion of horror element. Guess people have started associating horror with every film that is set within the confines of four walls in a skyscraper apartment."

She insists that while 13B still had supernatural element attached to it, if not the horror, Apartment is a plain and simple dramatic thriller.

"Jag sir (as Jagmohan Mundhra, the film's director, is popularly called) is really shaping up Apartment quite beautifully. It is an edge of the seat thriller and I am enjoying every day of the shooting.

This is one of those films where I feel like coming in every day the moment I wake up. In fact I get depressed when there is an off day since I am myself so inclined to see which scene is going to be shot next."

Interestingly, Apartment is the same film which was earlier titled Roommates and was supposed to star Gul Panag and Raima Sen along with Pakistani actor Mikaal Zulfiqar of Mundhra's own Shoot On Sight fame.

However, the cast as well as the film's title went through a complete change and Apartment stars Rohit Roy and Anupam Kher along with Neetu Chandra and Tanushree Dutta.

Though Neetu is not willing to talk much about her character in the film, she hints on being prodded further, "Apartment tells the story of this girl (played by me) who comes from a small town to this big city. She sees quite a lot of changes around her which start reflecting in her personality.

Soon, she becomes quite possessive about things and obsession takes over. Now what is she so obsessed about is something for which you would have to wait. It is too early to talk about it."

In the film, Neetu's character is shown to be sharing an apartment with Tanushree Dutta. Now whom does she get obsessed with? Is it the apartment, Tanushree, someone else or herself? Well, time should tell!

I’m tired of being the sweet girl now I am going hot: Amrita Rao

Shocking as it may sound, Amrita Rao who has been in two of the most successful films of the decade –Farah Khan’s Main Hoon Na and Sooraj Barjatya’s Vivah and whose success rate and iconic status is certainly higher than most of her contemporaries, was not asked to part of Karan Johar-Tarun Mansukhani’s Vote Aapke Haath Mein Hai campaign.

When asked about this surprising omission Amrita laughs away the query. “You’ll have to ask them why I wasn’t part of it.”

Amrita, it would seem, has antagonized the Johar-Chopra’s by refusing to do Bachna Ae Haseenon. She a was offered the role that Minissha Lamba finally did.

Says Amrita, “I won’t say I’m tired of playing the sweet girl nextdoor who looks at life each day with wide-eyed wonder. But I do crave for a change of image. In my next release Short Cut I play a very glamorous girl.

For the first time I’m being dressed up by Manish Malhotra. That does say something about the characters I’ve played so far. So yes I declined Bachna Ae Haeseenon. I couldn’t relate to the character.”

No one says no to a Yash Chopra presentation. Amrita’s behaviour was secretly described as “high-handed” and “reckless”.

And now she was refused a place among Bollywood’s 30-minus icons in Karan Johar’s voting-awareness film although everyone from Kareena Kapoor to Ritesh Deshmukh featured in it.

Not that Amrita was brooding over being left out. On Thursday Amrita Rao voted for the first time. So excited was she by the prospect of casting her vote that she reached the polling booth even before the gates had opened.

“At 7 am I was the first voter at the booth in the municipal school in Mahim.I feel so proud of being able to vote for the first time. I keep looking at the black mark on my finger proudly. For years I envied that tell-tale mark on my parents’ finger.”

Amrita’s chosen candidate had to fulfil three prerequisites. “He had to be well-educated, young though not inexperienced, and without a criminal background.”

Interestingly she says she attained a voting consciousness from a electorally-galvanizing website jaagore.com.

Did Kangana Ranaut really go nude?

These are completely false and baseless reports. There has been a variety of speculation in the media that critically acclaimed actor Kangana Ranaut will be doing a nude scene in her upcoming Telugu film Ek Niranjan. These are completely false and baseless reports.

Kangna Ranaut has no nude scene in this or any of her upcoming films and has clearly stated that she will not be essaying a role in cinema that requires nudity in any of her movies.

In the film, directed by Puri Jagannath and produced by Aditya Ram, Kangna essays the role of a guitar teacher opposite South Indian actor Prabhas.

An out-and-out commercial movie, Ek Niranjan gives equal importance to romance, action, fun and emotion.

Meanwhile the actress has slowed down on her projects. She has just two movies on hand. Kangana has complete shooting for Rakesh Roshan’s Kites and is concentrating on her next venture Once Upon A time with Ajay Devgan being directed by Milan Lutharia.

John to do love scenes with director's wife in 1-800-Love

After director Sam Mandes' spectacular spousal success directing his wife Kate Winslet in the richly resonant Revolutionary Road in '1-800-Love' John will be romancing his director Abbas Tyrewala's wife.

And he is cool about it. "I know Abbas and Pakhi well. They make a beautiful couple. There's absolutely no awkwardness about doing a love story with the director's wife.

Pakhi has co-written the script and knows her character and mine, in and out. She's an unknown face and extremely pretty. These are her biggest advantages. A beautiful woman whom the audience hasn't seen."

John is dead serious about this project. "I'm going to sit on script readings with Abbas, do workshops and rehearsals with Pakhi, just like Abbas did with the cast in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na. 'm hungry for acting challenges.

But most of the time my physicality comes on much too strongly on screen. People haven't really seen the performances I'm really proud of, like No Smoking, Kabul Express, Zinda and Aashayein.

My physicality always takes precedence. But you know what? I'll change that. I've been in this industry only five years. People have started looking differently at me after Dostana. The body was talked about. But when they praise my performance it really feels good."

Where next? "Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayein. I'm very proud of it.Yes, it has been delayed. There's a problem between Reliance and Percept that needs to be sorted. We're working on a solution.

Aashayein is a beautiful film and we have to release it. Another film I'm really excited about is Kabir Khan's New York. I know I've got it right this time.

Kabir says so. It's an awesome film. And I'm thankful to Aditya Chopra for showing faith in me at a time when I didn't have Dostana."

John describes himself as an off-roader. "I travel my own road. Like I'm doing Abbas Tyrewala's 1:800 Love. When he offered me that film he was directing Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na. The film's producer Madhu Mantena had Ghajini in the making and I was doing Dostana.

By God's grace we all have a success on hand. So we're a proud team and very comfortable with.

It's my intense love story and it's such a wonderful space to be in. Before Dostana I was only doing films that kept me within my comfort zone. Now I'm going to test myself as an actor as much as possible."

When questioned whether he would feel any awkwardness directing love scenes between his wife and John, Abbas Tyrewala said, "I hope not! If I can't remember they're acting then I lose the moral ground to ever a direct a girl in a love scene. Luckily I've never written explicit love scenes in my film.

The only explicit love-making scene I've conceived was for Vishal Bhardwaj's Maqbool.

That apart I like my writing to be benign. It doesn't matter whether my wife is acting or not. I can't forget my parents will be watching my film."

Kiddie times again for Aamir

Things you never knew about Ayesha Takia Azmi

Ayesha Azmi born as Ayesha Takia (April 10, 1986 is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood movies.

Takia appeared in "I'm a Complan Boy. I'm a Complan Girl" advertising campaign alongside Shahid Kapur and also in a music video, Falguni Pathak's Meri Chunarii Udd Udd Jaye, when she was fifteen.

She then appeared in the video, Shake It With Me Daddy, when she was sixteen, which brought her to the attention of the movie industry, and a few film offers followed.

She signed a contract for Socha Na Tha, then for Taarzan: The Wonder Car. However, delays in making Socha Na Tha meant that Taarzan released first and was therefore her "debut" film.

She won the Filmfare Best Debut Award in 2004 for her performance in Taarzan: The Wonder Car.

Ayesha Takia was born on April 10, 1986. She comes from a mixed family. Her father, Nishit, is Gujarati, and her mother, Faridah, is half British and half Maharashtrian, an Anglo-Indian.

Takia went to St. Anthony's High School. Her father interacts with her producers and handles her dates. She has a younger sister named Natasha.

On March 1, 2009, Takia married Farhan Azmi, a restaurateur and the son of Muslim politician Abu Azmi, a Samajwadi Party leader.

The couple had originally planned to marry in December 2008, but the wedding was delayed due to the Mumbai attacks.

Hrithik and Kangana's Kites at Cannes

BIG Pictures is gearing up to market KITES to the international buyers, distributors and media during the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

To begin with, BIG Pictures will host a press conference and an elite cocktail event at Cannes. BIG Pictures has also purchased time slots to screen the KITES teaser on two digital screens adjacent to the red carpet entrance of the Palais, for the entire duration of the festival.

This is a regular feature for big-budget Hollywood films, but for the first time ever, an Indian studio will showcase their film publicity on that screen.

KITES stars Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangna Ranaut, Nick Brown and Kabir Bedi in pivotal roles. The film is produced by Rakesh Roshan's Filmkraft and directed by Anurag Basu. KITES is being readied for release in the last quarter of 2009.

Apart from KITES, BIG Pictures will market and publicize its art house film slate.

The International Distribution team has also lined up meetings with officials from Hollywood studios such as Fox, Sony, Paramount, Disney, Warner, Universal, Lionsgate amongst many others in order to explore business propositions.

I hope I have done justice to Kaminey: Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra is all excited about her role in director Vishal Bhardwaj's new movie "Kaminey" and says the character will "definitely make an impact amongst audiences".

"I do hope that I have been able to do justice to Vishal's vision for this wonderful character that he has created. You don't get to work in a fantastic movie like 'Kaminey' and play someone like Sweety (the name of her character) every day, " said Priyanka, who donned an altogether new look for the film.

"I am confident that my character of Sweety will definitely make an impact amongst the audiences. You can't expect anything less from Vishal. This character is so well written that it is bound to create an impact."

Earlier, the film was expected to release on June 5. But due to the standoff between the producers and multiplexes, "Kaminey" is expected to be pushed forward by at least a month.

Asked whether it was a conscious decision on her part to mix glamorous roles (as seen in "Dostana" and "Fashion") with a real look, Priyanka said: "Well, yes, it was a conscious decision for sure. I am mixing it up and 'What's your Rashee', which would come next, would see me in a completely different light as well."

Just like "Kaminey", "What's Your Rashee" is being produced by UTV Motion Pictures (though in collaboration with Ashutosh Gowariker Productions). The film was earlier slated for a September release but it has to be seen whether the delayed release of "Kaminey" has any bearing on "What's Your Rashee".

"Kaminey" also features Shahid Kapoor in a double role and Amol Gupte (writer of "Taare Zameen Par") as a villain.

Gul Panag tears Mahesh Bhatt apart in public

High drama took place during the book reading session of Varon BK Sharma’s acclaimed novel Assasination of George Bush at Crossword’s Juhu branch. Actress Gul Panag, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and filmmaker cum activist Ashok Pandit engaged in a verbal duel which led to early wrapping up of the book reading session.

The high voltage book, Assassination of George Bush written by actor turned novelist, Varon BK Sharma has been fast gaining popularity and to celebrate its success a book reading session was organized.

It saw a decent celebrity turnout of Bollywood town folks such as Mahesh Bhatt, Gul Panag, Shefali Shah, Ashok Pandit, Suchitra Pillai, Roza Catallano, Aman Verma and socialite Nisha Jamwal.

Since the celebrities present had already read the book, a healthy discussion began on its content and the issue of global Islamic terrorism it deals with.

One thing lead to another and when the topic came to why there are few Muslims in Indian army; a heated argument took place between Gul Panag and Mahesh Bhatt. Gul comes from an army background and she therefore put up her views more strongly.

Ashok Pandit too chipped in voicing his opinion on the topic. Mahesh Bhatt known for his command over such issues, for once appeared cornered. Soon their voices raised as their argument continued and it was all happening right in front of the present media and the guests present.

The Crossword store official sensing that the matter would go out of hand intervened and hurriedly announced the end of the event. Bhatt was seen leaving the venue in a huff post that.

When asked, Varon who has also written the critically acclaimed film directed by Subhash Ghai, Black and White, said, “I feel it was a healthy debate and nothing much should be read into that. The matters of the book are explosive so some sparks are bound to fly.”

What John, Celina, Shilpa have in common

John Abraham, Celina Jaitley, Shilpa Shetty and Malaika Arora Khan have something in common apart from their celebrity status. They have come forward to endorse a message for animal welfare in the country.

Whether it is turning vegetarian, binding themselves in chains, getting inside cages or going out of their way to provide shelter to animals - the actors have done their bit to promote awareness about cruelty against animals.

"When it comes to raising awareness for animals, the celebrities are available at a click for the cause. They do it for free and give us time from their tight schedule knowing what they are standing for, " Anuradha Sawhney, chief functionary of PETA India, told over phone from Pune.

Sawhney said PETA India did not, in fact, try to rope in celebrities just for the sake of it, but noted that when a known face says something to people, the impact is greater.

Launched in 2000, PETA India is the Indian chapter of the US-based animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The celebrity involvement in campaigns for animals started in 2001 when actresses Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit wrote letters to people in South Africa and Assam appealing for the endangered black rhino and elephants respectively.

Since then, celebrities like Rahul Dev, Ameesha Patel, Eesha Koppikhar, Yana Gupta, Raveena Tandon, Gulshan Grover, Shamita Singha, Jiah Khan, Rahul Khanna and controversy queens Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra have shed their inhibitions to wear outrageous outfits, sometimes, just leaves or red chillies to spread the message that animals must not be killed for commerce.

Celina Jaitley, who appeared in a torn and tattered grey vest and was tied with chains for a PETA ad to save elephants from captivity, said: "I have been an animal lover all my life...they are the most loyal and unconditional givers of love...they complete us and bring joy to us with their crazy antics. But we humans don't understand their value and treat them with cruelty for our own purpose, which is wrong."

Shilpa Shetty, who reflected her concern for the misery of circus animals through a print commercial, told via text from South Africa: "Just the thought of getting into the cage for the PETA ad made me so uncomfortable...just imagine what animals who spend their entire life in cages go through."

Another actor who has worked relentlessly for the cause is John Abraham. He provided a helping hand in creating India's first elephant village in Maharashtra, for which he was even awarded an EcoWarrior award in 2008.

"Real men are kind to animals. If we don't treat our animals and the habitat with kindness today, it'll be not long that we lose both, " John said.

The celebrity involvement did not go in vain.

"We had a tremendous response when John got into a cage to show the dilemma of caged birds. We even had a fabulous response for Shilpa and Rakhi's ads where they got themselves caged to show the plight of circus animals, " said Sawhney.

"Children from schools wrote to us pledging not to visit any circuses that had any animals. The response has been fabulous and it increases each time a celebrity does a campaign. Even when the Big B was voted the hottest vegetarian three times in a row (2002-2004), the response was huge and his fans even asked us to help them turn veggies, " she added.

While actors like Raveena Tandon and Lara Dutta are "very anti-fur and anti-leather", said Sawhney, other indirect efforts by celebrities to stop atrocities against animals have been by promoting vegetarianism.

These efforts have involved Aditi Govitrikar, Mahima Choudhary, Rajniesh Duggall and Devang Patel among others.

Actor R. Madhavan and Kareena Kapoor were also voted the "cutest vegetarians" of 2007 with Kareena even bagging the crown for 2008's "sexiest vegetarian".

After Darsheel, Aamir set to make little girl a star

After ‘little boy bana big superstar’ Darsheel Safary, perfectionist Aamir Khan is set to make a star out of a little girl.

When Aamir Khan mentors anyone, the person concerned does well.

And the lucky little gal is a nine-year old girl is Parul who he has taken under his wing for a movie called 'The Falling'. The movie in itself will handle a serious topic of farmer suicides.

Now Aamir saw her fantastic performance playing the role of a farmer’s daughter at a stage play during his trip to Delhi. And he’s giving the kid hailing from Muzzafarpur of Bihar a similar lengthy role in the film.

The kid has trained under renowned theatre stalwart Habib Tanwar and has traveled across the continents and won acclaims as a part of her Theatre’s play in Germany and European Countries.

This kid already has done well. So when she actually becomes a film star post the film, chances are her starry tantrums will be much much more

Anyway, the film is already on the floors of ‘The Falling’ and spread across the towns of Bihar.

Let’s wait and watch to see what the movie brings to the audience and what the future holds for the gal

I look hot in skimpy and short dresses: Rosa Catalano

Q. What is fashion according to you?
A. I will define fashion as being yourself. It is not about following a trend or something. Wear good comfortable clothes and think positive, that is what fashion means to me.

Q. Where do you mostly shop from?
A. I mostly shop my clothes from Italy. I am not much into buying Indian stuffs. That does not mean that I don’t like Indian stuffs (laughs) but I generally prefer to pick my clothes from Italy only.

Q. Any brands you prefer?
A. I am not that brand conscious but I make it a point to pick good cloths from good shops. I can’t buy cheap clothes even if they are comfortable.

Q. While at home, you mostly wear?
A. I like wearing shorts and ganjee when I am at home. During monsoons and winters, I slip into my tracks and ganjee with a jacket on it.

Q. Your gym wear is like?
A. I am a big fan of Adidas, so most of my gym wear is from the same. I can’t think of anything beyond Adidas.

Q. Do you go for the formal look at times?
A. Ohh, I love formals. I do slip into formals once or twice a week. I think I really look hot in formals.

Q. Do you adorn yourself with accessories?
A. Yes, I do. I wear some or the other accessories in my daily life.

Q. Which is the latest perfume that you bought?
A. My latest addiction is a perfume called Princess.

Q. Which colours do you think are a must in a wardrobe?
A. I love wearing black. I am just addicted to black color. Most of my wardrobe is filled with black clothes only.

Q. What do you have to say about short and skimpy clothes?
A. I think people who can carry it off well should only wear it. I personally think that I look hot in skimpy and short dresses. It’s all because I know I carry it off well.

Q. Any fashion tips for our readers?
A. I will only say wear whatever you are comfortable in and nothing else. One has to be comfortable in whatever he or she is wearing.

Not without my Mother: Soha Ali Khan

The glamour of tinsel town has always been irresistible for girls who want to make it big as heroines but with the reputation of casting couch existing in the industry most of the heroines are accompanied by their mothers on sets and while meeting producers.

Despite the fact that shootings generally happen in a friendly atmosphere mothers are always particular that their daughters do not fall prey to unreasonable demands. On the occasion of Mother's Day falling on Sunday, let us take a look at a few mother daughter relationships in connection with Bollywood.

During the yesteryears, actress's mothers would always accompany their star daughters. Nargis used to be often accompanied by her mother, Jaddanbai who was also Bollywood's first woman director.

It can be recalled that Sharmila Tagore, then broke the myth and started coming to Mumbai all alone for her shoots would generally stay alone at the Taj in South Mumbai.

Like her mother, daughter Soha is also quite independent. Soha is always on her own when she is shooting and also lives alone in Mumbai. "Yes I do take Amma's advice and bhaiya's (Saif Ali Khan) advice but when it comes to taking our career decisions we are all very independent" Soha had earlier stated.

Mala Sinha was one more actress who was particular when her daughter Pratibha came in Bollywood.

The yesteryear actress would always accompany her daughter everywhere and used to make sure that she would go through the scripts before her daughter signed on the dotted line. She never let Pratibha make her own decisions.

Ultimately Pratibha started losing a lot of work and she was left with no films on hand. Pratibha has now completely retired from Bollywood.

Hema Malini's mother also often accompanied her on the sets of the films that she signed. It was said that her mother took the decisions right from choosing the scripts to the actors she worked with.

But the same cannot be spoken of Hema Malini. She never accompanies her daughter Esha on the sets. She had once told us in an interview, "I often take my mothers advice on the script but ultimately it is my decision. She leaves it to me. She often tells us that we have to fight our own battle"

Sridevi could always be seen with her mother on the sets. She was famous for her line – "Ask my mummy" whenever any journalist posed questions to her.

In fact Ram Gopal Varma had even carried a spoof on Sridevi and her mother in his Rangeela (1995) with Shefali Shah and her mother played by Shammiji mocking the ex super star actress and her momma.

Madhuri Dixit used to be sometimes accompanied by her mother but her parents never interfered in her work. It was always her secretary Rikku Rakeshnath who took care of all her work including the scripts that she chose.

When Madhuri had to shoot the bold lovemaking scene with Vinod Khanna for Dayavaan (1988) she made sure her mother was not present on the set.

Babita never went with her daughters on the sets but she always interfered in their work. She made sure that she went through all the scripts before her daughters signed the film.

When Kareena Kapoor was signed by Rakesh Roshan's Kaho Naa Pyar Hai it was Babita who made huge demands and finally asked her daughter to opt out of the film.

Even when her elder daughter Karishma had signed Raja Hindustani, during its launch in Lonavala when Karishma was asked by a journalist whether she or her mother chooses her scripts, she had ended up in tears and left the press conference midway.

It was Aishwarya Rai who broke the trend of being accompanied by her mother on the sets.

Very rarely her mother used put in an appearance on the sets. It is said that Ash was far too head strong to let her mother interfere in her work. So is Sushmita Sen.

The Ex Miss Universe had once stated, "I love my mother a lot but have always been independent when it comes to work. She has been the backbone of my life. She is always there when I need her. She comes running to me but also has a family and life of her own."

Amisha Patel's mother used to accompany her on the sets and had even got herself a role in her daughter's debut film directed by Rakesh Roshan.

But problems followed thereafter and now Amisha refuses to acknowledge her parents anymore. She has cut ties with them following financial irregularities with her income.

Actress Amrita Rao is often seen accompanied by her mother on the sets. It is her mother who has always been instrumental in taking her career decisions that include right from choosing the films, her co-stars, directors, the PR and her interviews.

One has always experienced that Amrita Rao is a tough nut to crack because her mother is always overpowering her. Amongst other actresses of the current lot, VJ turned actress Sophie Choudhary is many a time accompanied by her mother.

Till she was very active in Bollywood, Ayesha Takia was also always seen with her mother on the sets or at film functions. Her stand was, "I make sure mummy is on the sets with me. I feel comfortable if she is around.

The decisions are always mine. I make sure I take decisions that don't hurt them but I bring her on the sets because I feel there's someone to take care of me when I need something not because I cannot make my own decisions"

Shankaracharya organises special puja for Mallika

Calling Mallika Sherawat "a pure soul," Shreemad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji, the 36th and present pontiff of Shree Ramachandrapura math, made a special invitation to Mallika Sherawat to visit his new ashram in Karnataka and organized a number of special pujas in her honor.

The Shankaracharya brought a number of high priests from Kerala and Mangalore for the special occasion, which included Miss Sherawat breaking ground for the pontiff's Hanuman project at the cave the Shankaracharya says Lord Hanuman was born.

Sherawat also initiated a new Hanuman temple on the site, where the largest Hanuman monument, over 15 stories, will be built.

Miss Sherawat received the Shankaracharya's invitation while staying in Los Angeles for the post-production of her new film "Hisss" and made the trip back to India especially for the occasion, which included extensive pujas with 600 lotus flowers.

Sherawat returned the sentiment by inviting Shankaracharya to the United States during her stay there. If the pontiff accepts her invitation to visit the U.S., it would be the first time in history a Shankaracharya traveled to America.

Sherawat said, "After having spent most of my time recently in the U.S., it was a great honor for me to make a special trip back to India to meet the Shankaracharya. In a very special way it reconnected me to my Hindu roots. The experience was truly one of the best of my life and one I will never forget."