Katrina Visits Ajmer Sharif to Pray for Success of Rajneeti

With her forthcoming film Rajneeti all set to release,Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif is keeping her fingers crossed for the film's success.And so what better than god's blessings to bring her wish true.Katrina on Friday visited the famous shrine of a Sufi saint,Khwaja Mouinuddin Chisty,Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer to seek blessings,ahead of her film's release.Draped in a white coloured traditional salwar-Kameez,the actress offered the religious Chaadar (Blanket) on the mausoleum of the Sufi saint and prayed for the success of her movie.

‘Hyderabadi Damaad’ Proves to be Sania’s Worst Nightmare

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Controversy doesn’t seem to leave Sania Mirza alone. The tennis star, who has been in news over her much rusher marriage to Pakistan’s cricketer Shoaib Malik, is now tending to a headache of a different kind. Nevertheless, it’s her marriage that is at the centre of this mess too.



News has it that ever since Sania has been informed about a certain filmmaker making a film on her life and the controversy surrounding her marriage, the tennis star has lost her sleep.

And why? Well, the film is called ‘Hyderabadi Damaad’ and the director has not asked for any kind of permission from Sania.

According to sources, the film stars Amar Upadhyay, Ali Merchant and TV star Debina Bonerjee (as Sania Mirza). The flick was launched last week in Mumbai and is produced by PD Garg and directed by Jaiprakash (Market).

The film revolves around the drama surrounding Sania’s marriage to Shoaib Malik. And that’s not all. The film also intends to explore the circumstances leading to Sania’s break-up with her former fiancée Sohrab Mirza.

Speaking to a news daily, Sania voiced her anger, “I was surprised to read in newspapers that a director is making a film on me and my marriage. I think that a commercial movie based on my personal life is hardly relevant, but I hope that the concerned director will make it clear to his viewers that the film is merely a fictional account based on his imagination.”

“It is intriguing that I haven’t even been approached (by the filmmakers) regarding this. Very few people in the world would know the real Sania Mirza. It’s a shame if the director is relying on distorted information he’s picked up through inaccurate media coverage,” she sates.

Lara Dutta Starts Voice Blogging

May 31, 2010

New Delhi, Actress Lara Dutta is following in the footsteps of megastar Amitabh Bachchan by launching her own voice blog.

“Hey! I just started Voice Blogging, you can dial *5148* from your Airtel number to listen to me. Catch you all there,” Lara posted on her microblogging site Twitter.

Meanwhile, the actress is set to co-host this year’s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Colombo June 3-5.

“I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh,” Lara, who was present in the capital for the launch of an international clothing brand Zara, told reporters here Friday.

Lara has also been roped in to star in Farhan Akhtar’s “Don 2″ alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal.

Shahid doesn't want to Leave Priyanka

It seems Shahid Kapoor is too emotional at times. So much that he cannot decide on buying a new property just because he doesn't want to part ways with his best pal - Priyanka Chopra who is his neighbour too.

According to latest reports, Shahid Kapoor wants to buy a bigger apartment but is delaying the move since he�s worried about parting ways with his best buddy Priyanka Chopra. So, purely for this reason, Shahid has put the plans of buying a new property on hold.

Well, looks like Shahid's friendship with Priyanka is actually stronger than what we thought. So, let's see which new level it touches with the passage of time.

Shahrukh & Aishwarya not Reuniting

Well, who doesn't want to see the two highly regarded luminaries world over - Shahrukh Khan & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan coming together for a film. But mere speculating and floating baseless rumours wouldn't do any good!

Recently a few reputed publications reported that Bollywood's premier production house Yash Raj Films is planning to reunite the duo for a movie. Not only this, it further stated that Aditya Chopra even had telephonic conversations with both Shah Rukh and Aishwarya trying to coax them to do a project under their prestigious banner. Whenever this jodi came together, they did wonders at box-office. Be it JOSH, MOHABBATEIN or DEVDAS - all have been huge blockbusters. Infact MOHABBATEIN was produced under YRF banner and directed by Aditya Chopra.

However, YRF have denied all such reports. A spokesperson from the production house clarified, "The latest news which appeared in a publication about YRF trying to convince actors Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to reunite for a movie is baseless. No such project is being planned which has the two of them paired together. Also, our next set of scripts are still under finalization and as and when the cast for each of them is locked, we will be more than happy to make the announcements."

Wish it had been true! Meanwhile, we wouldn't complain if other filmmakers are considering to pair-up the duo.

Salman Avoids Katrina

Though Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have not parted ways in their personal life, but the two are not exactly sharing the same old chemistry which at one point of time was exemplary.

Buzz is that Salman recently avoided meeting Katrina at a marriage ceremony giving rise to speculations about their relationship. In the recent past too there have been occasional rumours that all is not well between the two, but Katrina has denied such rumours flatly.

So, what could explain the latest incident of Salman and Katrina avoiding each other in public then? Well, we are not saying anything, but it seems all is not surely well in Sallu-Kats paradise.

Salman Khan's Game for a Backlash!

Actor Salman Khan, who played a friendly cricket match against Pakistani celebrities in Dubai sports city on Thursday - to raise awareness for his charity Being Human - admits he won't be surprised if he faces a backlash from right-wing groups in Mumbai now.

"We might get hammered when we go back," Salman said. "But that is the chance we have taken. We, as India and Pakistan, have to show (we) are together. Only a few elements have a mudda."

Salman's brother Sohail captained the Indian team while Shoaib Akhtar was the Pakistan team's captain. Riteish Deshmukh and Sania Mirza were also present at the match, which the Indian team won.

Kareena Not Playing Truant for 'Milenge Milenge' Promos

New Delhi, The makers of "Milenge Milenge" have denied reports that actress Kareena Kapoor is playing truant with producer Boney Kapoor in doling out shooting dates for the promotional video and publicity shoot of the film.

"Milenge Milenge", which is believed to be a remake of "Serendipity", is being produced by Boney Kapoor and directed by Satish Kaushik, under the banner of S.K. Films.

S.K. Films insists that the stories floating around the film are baseless and untrue.

"Though the film has been in the making for some time now, the delay has been due to certain unforeseen factors and not because of any hesitation or reluctance from the actors to complete the film," said an official statement here Friday.

"Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor inspite of their busy schedules have completed the entire dubbing of the film in time for the release and have given appropriate time for the promotional campaign," it added.

"Shahid has completed his portion for the promotional music video and Kareena will be doing hers shortly as she was busy shooting in Goa."

"Milenge Milenge" is in making since 2004 and is now slated to release July 9. The first teasers of the film have already hit the television screens.

Aamir Khan Upset With Sharuk Khan?

Mumbai, May 29 -- At long last, the weekend is here and I'm so glad I can get away from the shor-sharaba of the shaher for the next couple of days. What are your plans, my sweetums? Before you wonder if I'm going to go on and on about my chuutti with Madhu my Mottu Maid and Rapchik Rajni, let me share with you some of the garma-garam gup that everyone in tinsel town is shupping about.

For starters, I've just been informed that Aamir Khan is upset with Shah Rukh Khan. I had gone to see a special screening of Prince Of Persia

Lara Dutta to co-host IIFA awards

New Delhi, Bollywood actress Lara Dutta will co-host this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards at Colombo June 3-5 along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh.

"I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh," Lara told reporters here Friday.

The actress was in the capital for the launch of international clothing brand Zara's store at Select Citywalk, Saket.

The actress looked stunning as she posed for shutterbugs in a short blue dress paired with pink sandals and a pink clutch. She has also given up her long locks for a shorter hairdo.

Also, Lara's face lit up at the mention of "Don-2" but she refused to divulge any details about her role in the film.

"Right now I can only confirm that yes, I am a part of 'Don-2' and I am really looking forward to working with Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan. As for my role you have to wait and watch," Lara added.

Kareena not delaying Milenge Milenge

The makers of Milenge Milenge, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, have issued a press statement, which is being reproduced verbatim:

"It is mentioned that Kareena has been playing truant with producer Boney Kapoor in doling out shooting dates for the promotional video and publicity shoot. S.K. Films wishes to clarify that there are many stories floating around the film, which are baseless and untrue.

"Though the film has been in the making for some time now, the delay has been due to certain unforeseen factors and not because of any hesitation or reluctance from the actors to complete the film. Rather, Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, in spite of their busy schedule, have completed the entire dubbing of the film in time for the release and have given appropriate time for the promotional campaign.

"Shahid has completed his portion for the promotional music video and Kareena will be doing her's shortly, since she was busy shooting in Goa."

Aishwarya, Kareena and Preity will Come Together for SLB’s ‘Heera Mandi’?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has long time back announced his plans to make a film titled ‘Heera Mandi’, apparently based on the famous red light area in the walled city of Lahore. However, he had later shelved the idea, but the grapevine has it that Bhansali has now decided to start this project soon and the lead roles in the movie will be played by the cream of Bollywood- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. Sanjay had initially wanted Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Sonam Kapoor for lead roles.

Sanjay will start working on the film as soon as he wraps up with his ambitious project ‘Guzaarish’ starring Hrithik and Aishwarya. With three beautiful and very talented actresses sharing the screen space, the project definitely seems to be a promising one!!!

Shahrukh Always Misses Working with Juhi Chawla

Bollywood superstar Sharuk Khan misses working with Juhi Chawla and director Aziz Mirza with whom he teamed up in the initial days of his career.

Shah Rukh gave hits like “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman” (1992), “Yes Boss” (1997) and “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” (2000) with Juhi and Mirza.

“Last night (I) was thinking wot (what) beautiful times I had making ‘Yes Boss’…’Raju Ban Gaya (Gentleman)’…’Phir Bhi Dil Hai(Hindustani)’… missing Aziz (Mirza) and Juhi (Chawla),” Shah Rukh wrote on his twitter page.

The 44-year-old was last seen with Juhi in Amitabh Bachchan starer “Bhootnath”, a comedy directed by Vivek Sharma.

Shah Rukh also started a production house called Dreamz Unlimited with Juhi and Mirza as partners and produced films like “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” and “Chalte Chalte” under the banner.

Shah Rukh is the most popular Bollywood celebrity on Twitter with more than 400,000 followers.

Katrina n Arjun Love Making Scene in ‘Rajneeti’ was Essential

Bollywood upcoming movie “Raajneeti” has finally got a UA certificate but not without some vital scenes, including Arjun Rampal and Katrina Kaif’s “aesthetically shot love making scene” that director Prakash Jha says was “absolutely essential”, being edited out.

“It was a very aesthetically shot love making scene. Arjun and Katrina are two very beautiful people. And they made love to the camera. The Tribunal (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal) felt it was a bit too explicit for a ‘UA’ audience. I didn’t argue,” Jha told IANS.

Jha’s weeklong battle with the censor board ended Wednesday with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal in New Delhi viewing “Raajneeti” and granting it a ‘UA’ certificate.

The director had challenged the censor board’s decision earlier last week to grant “Raajneeti” an ‘A’ certificate with cuts.

Jha sees the reduction of the Katrina-Ranbir love making scene as a blow.

“The love scene was absolutely essential. Unlike other directors I had not shot extra footage so that the censors could take away whatever portion they liked. I had shot the love making scene exactly the way it was meant to be. I’ve had to reduce it by half.

“It’s a disappointment to all of us. I’ve also had to beep out the F… word uttered by Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in two different places in the plot. Ex-justice Usha Mehra, who headed the Tribunal, requested me to do away with the F… word. But it didn’t make a difference,” he said.

Ajay Devgn, Naseeruddin Shah, Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai too will be seen “Raajneeti”. Releasing June 4, the political thriller will be the behind-the-scenes look at politics, strategies behind election campaigns, scandals and much more.

Apparently, the censor board had earlier objected to two sequences – one showing the rigging of elections by fitting ballot boxes with specially designed gadgets and the other showing a female politician offering sex in exchange for an election ticket.

“An ‘A’ certificate brings on a specific mindset on the audience. They think the film has sleazy content. So I preferred to let the film be referred to the Tribunal,” said Jha.

Also Arjun’s volatile character in “Raajneeti” shouts lurid and graphic expletives Hindi at a police officer. These remain intact while the ‘f’ word is gone.

Several recent Hindi films like “Omkara” and “Ishqiya” were plastered with expletives but got away at the censors with an A certificate.

‘Dum Maaro Dum’ Movie to Release in February 2011

New Delhi, The Abhishek Bachchan-Bipasha Basu-starrer thriller “Dum Maaro Dum” will release Feb 4 next year, its producers say.

“We are hugely excited about ‘Dum Maaro Dum’. It has a great script. It is vibrant and contemporary and we expect the film to appeal to a wide audience. The February timing is perfect and it is strategically timed just before the cricket World cup,” Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, said in a statement.

Fox Star Studios India is co-producing the film with Ramesh Sippy.

“Dum Maaro Dum” will be Fox Star’s third outing to release in the same period. The studio released multiple Oscar-award winning “Slumdog Millionaire” in January 2009 and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “My Name is Khan” in February this year.

“The window of late January and early February works for us also as we are familiar with the release environment during that period”, said Singh.

Ramesh Sippy echoed similar sentiments. “The film is shaping up very well and the audiences should get ready to enjoy a gripping, moving film with great visual appeal, coming their way on February 4,” he said.

Directed by Rohan Sippy, “Dum Maaro Dum” is an action-thriller with Abhishek playing a fearless cop. The movie races through India’s largest tourist destination Goa and also stars Aditya Panscholi and Pratiek Babbar. Telugu star Rana Daggubati makes his Bollywood debut with the movie.

After completing the first schedule of the film in Goa, the cast and crew will start shooting for a second schedule in Mumbai next month.

Katrina Kaif Still Undecided About Home Production

Media reports hinted that Katrina Kaif will start work on her first production venture after the release of her political thriller “Raajneeti”, but her spokesperson says that the reports are not true.

“Katrina is just going over details and is in talks regarding her debut production but nothing has been finalized as of now,” says the actress’ spokesperson.

There were also reports that Katrina will play an army recruit in it.

“There is no truth to the news that Katrina will be playing an army recruit. It is too soon to talk about it as nothing as been finalised as of now,” said a source close to the actress.

“When the time comes an announcement will be made about her debut production project. As of now Katrina is just in talks and toying with ideas,” added the source.

Sensuous selected Lara in ‘Don 2′

The sensuous Lara Dutta is the new face among the gang of Farhan Akhtar’s Don 2 that will hit the box office this December.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan are tight-lipped about the actress’s joining to the team, but reports says that the actress has been roped in to play a femme fatale in the movie.

A source revealed that Lara is a completely a new addition to the cast with an entirely new defined part written for her and has not replaced Esha Kopikar.

The source also revealed that, the role will require Lara to learn some form of martial arts and the actress is excited to do an action role.

This is the second time after Andaaz (2003), when both Lara and Priyanka will be teaming again and that too against a solo hero.

For Why Big B Congratulated SRK

Amitabh Bachchan, who joined Twitter some time ago, congratulated Shah Rukh Khan for having over 400,000 followers on the site.

"Congrats!! you crossed 400,000... meri gaadi thoda dheeli chal rahi hai (I'm at a slower pace at the moment)," the 67-year-old posted on his Twitter page.

Amitabh, who has become a regular on the site now, presently has 98,228 followers. While he writes on his Twitter page couple of times during the day, he also has a blog, a voice blog and a mobile blog.

As of now, he is following just five people on Twitter - Shah Rukh, son Abhishek, Sachin Tendulkar, Shammi Kapoor, and Suhel Seth.

Katrina Kaif Beats Sharukh Khan and Aishwarya

Katrina Kaif is the most searched celebrity on mobile phones and has beaten the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai, as per recent research by a company.

The research was conducted by mBit Infotech, a Value Added Service(VAS) provider.

Among Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, Katrina is on the number one spot followed by Angelina Jolie, Kareena, Shah Rukh, Salman Khan, Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya, Monica Bellucci and Aamir Khan.

Commenting on the results, Raghavendra Agarwala, CEO of mBit Infotech, said: "It is amazing to see that Katrina Kaif is ruling the charts with a major slice of the pie, presumably implying that her popularity is mounting for both national and international audiences."

The research is based on the searches performed by over 120,000 users of mBit in the first quarter of 2010 (Jan to April).

Salim-Sulaiman to Perform at FIFA World Cup

Indian music composers Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, who collaborated with South African singers Loyiso Bala and Eric Wainaina to record the anthem for FIFA World Cup 2010, will perform at the opening and closing ceremonies of the football event.

"It’s definitely an honour to get the opportunity to perform at such a huge platform. In fact, besides this anthem, we are also going to sing our song 'Shukran allah' from 'Kurbaan' with Loyiso and Eric. Music knows no boundaries," said a delighted Salim.

Later the duo will also perform for the fund raising concert for Nelson Mandela Foundation, a trust that is actively working towards providing medical assistance for corrective surgery of cleft lip and palate.

The opening ceremony of the football World Cup will be held June 10 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Indo-Asian News Service

Deepika's Need a Protective Hero

Deepika Padukone says that her co-star in Pradeep Sarkar's 'Lafange Parindey', Neil Nitin Mukesh is so protective of her that he gets tense every time she has to perform a stunt sequence.

"It's very sweet of him. But I insist on doing what I want to. Neil does get tense," she said.

The actor has so impressed her that she cannot stop praising him.

"Neil is such a well brought-up guy, absolutely impeccable in his manners. Besides being a brilliant actor, he's also a great technician. I see him turning director soon. My other co-star Imran Khan in 'Break Ke Baad' is great fun too. We shot in Delhi and bonded immediately," she said.

Speaking of Imran, there was talk of Deepika deliberately working with Ranbir Kapoor's immediate rival after their break up.

When asked about it, she flared up.

"No one tells me what to do and what not to do. My personal life has nothing to do with my professional one. Imran is a wonderful co-star. I like working with actors who are fun yet professional, like Akshay, Imran, Neil and Abhishek Bachchan."

When asked about her linkup with liquor baron Vijay Mallya's son, Deepika sighed, saying: "Can't I be seen with the people I'm working with without being linked to them? Not too many people know this. But Siddharth Mallaya actually runs the whole IPL (Indian Premier League) show for his father. So it was natural for me to celebrate with him when our team won a match. Anyway, the IPL season is now over. So I guess that rumour will end."

Deepika is very happy about her roles so far.

"Housefull was a new experience. I had to do comedy. Like Akshay Kumar, I chose to do a more subtle comedy in Housefull. For me being funny doesn't mean screaming and rolling my eyes. Now I've three films that are about to be completed -- Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Se', Pradeep Sarkar's 'Lafange Parindey' and Danish Aslam's 'Break Ke Baad'. Let's see which comes next."

‘Kites’ Grosses Rs.65 Crore Worldwide in Opening Weekend

The Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer “Kites” grossed over Rs.65 crore in its opening weekend worldwide, according to its distributor.

“Kites” released across 2,000 screens in India and across 500 screens overseas Friday.

The film has been distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures and produced by Hrithik’s father Rakesh Roshan. Directed by Anurag Basu, it is a love story between an Indian man and a Mexican woman.

An international version of the movie titled “Kites-The Remix”, edited by Hollywood director Brett Ratner is also releasing worldwide May 28. Kites weekend box office collection are very good as some review are negative.

Aamir Khan’s Surprise to Visit His Assistant Wedding

Bangalore, Bollywood star Aamir Khan along with his wife Kiran Rao paid a surprise visit to Channarayapatna town here Monday to attend the marriage of his trusted assistant Sudhakar.

Kiran was seen participating in several events of the marriage. The fact that Aamir Khan came all the way from Mumbai to Channarayapatna, 160 km away from Bangalore, had even the media persons in the town surprised.

Most of the TV channel reporters were caught unawares and had to rush to the marriage hall to shoot the couple. Fans were thrilled to see the top Bollywood star blessing his assistant.

Sudhakar, who hails from Channarayapatna town of Hassan district, has been working in Aamir Khan’s office for more than 15 years along with his father Kushe Gowda. Sources said that Aamir and his family members were impressed with Kushe Gowda and Sudhakar’s honesty, integrity and dedication to work.

Aamir and Kiran Rao, who hails from Bangalore, did not want to miss out attending the marriage. They flew from Mumbai Sunday evening and stayed at Hassan Sunday night. They reached Channarayapatna at noon Monday and went straight to the marriage hall. The people of the small town were thrilled to see Aamir Khan and his wife.

Sudhakar and his wife Mamatha were very happy to have them at the function. Sources said Aamir Khan has donated a car valued at Rs.15 lakh to Sudhakar. Kushe Gowda, who is also working in Aamir Khan’s office, revealed to media persons attending the function that the actor had even financed the construction of a house for his son.

Katrina Kaif is the Most Searched Celebrity on Mobile Phones

Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif is the most searched celebrity on the mobile phones and has beaten the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai.

The research was conducted by mBit Infotech, a Value Added Service(VAS) provider.

Among the Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, Katrina is on the number one spot followed by Angelina Jolie, Kareena, Shah Rukh, Salman, Bipasha, Aishwarya, Monica Bellucci and Aamir Khan.

Commenting on the results, Raghavendra Agarwala, CEO of mBit Infotech, said: “It is amazing to see that Katrina Kaif is ruling the charts with a major pie, presumably implying that Katrina’s popularity is mounting for both national and international audiences.”

The research is based on the searches performed by over 120,000 users of mBit in the first quarter of 2010 (Jan to April) and it also found out that “sex” is still the most popular searched keyword followed by music where mostly international music icons like Akon, Linkin Park, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rihanna and Michael Jackson top the list.

Katrina Says Thank You but not to Anees

The Kumar - Kaif duo has sizzled on the screen quite a few times in films like Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Namaste London, Welcome, Singh Is King and De Dhana Dhan and are known to be one of the most enviable couples on screen. Their chemistry on screen is worth watching and has created hits every time. But recently Katrina had to turn down a film with Akshay.

The film Thank You was offered to Katrina by Anees Bazmee, but the lovely lass turned down the offer politely as she is already working with Akshay Kumar in Tees Maar Khan and could not manage two Akshay Kumar flicks together. Tees Maar Khan will be directed by Farah Khan and apparently the Akshay-Farah duo is the reason for the fall out between SRK and Farah.

The shoot for Thank You is ongoing in Canada and Anees is still hopeful of casting Katrina in his film. He sends a representative to meet Katrina almost every day in order to somehow work out the dates and at least make a guest appearance in the film.

Thank You will also star Sonam Kapoor opposite Bobby Deol. Anees has mentioned that casting Sonam was not for the sake of personal relationships with the Kapoors but keeping in mind her fresh face and her raw talent.

The search for a leading lady for Akshay still continues. Anees might just convince Katrina to do a cameo. Whether she will be seen with Akki in this flick is something to wait and watch!

Shahrukh Khan to perform at IIFA 2010

New Delhi, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will perform at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards being held in Colombo June 3-5.

“This year Shah Rukh Khan will be performing at IIFA,” Sabas Joseph, one of the directors of Wizcraft that organises the gala, told reporters here.

This quashes rumours that Shah Rukh is in a cold war with IIFA brand amabssador Amitabh Bachchan.

Shah Rukh, who last came for the Amsterdam IIFA in 2005, will also participate in a charity cricket match between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers. The proceeds from this will be used to help rehabilitate former Tamil Tiger child soldiers.

Bollywood celebrities like Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi will also be performing at the award function.

Apart from the main award ceremony, a global business forum, a fashion extravaganza, a film workshop and premieres of upcoming films will also be held.

The award ceremony is said to be hosted by Boman Irani and Riteish once again, along with Lara Dutta.

KAREENA:Size Zero Became Like the Sensex

picture: Getty Images

Kareena Kapoor, who made size zero the talk of the town, says she is "round and healthy" but admits her figure got the nation's attention much like the Sensex.

"The size zero did become a brand... it became like the Sensex, people were discussing it," Kareena said via video conferencing from Mumbai Sunday night at the Quick Heal NDTV Tech Life Awards 2010.

"But now I'm more round and healthy," said the 29-year-old, who was named the celebrity brand ambassador of the year.

Kareena endorses Sony Vaio's Size Zero laptop.

A common phrase in the fashion industry, size zero means being really slim.

'Kites' Grosses Over Rs. 21 Crores on Opening Day

Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer 'Kites' grossed over Rs.21 crore on its opening day and has become the second highest opening-day grosser after '3 Idiots', its distributor said Saturday.

'Kites' released with 2,000 screens in India and across 500 screens overseas on May 21.

The film that has been distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures is a love story between an Indian guy and a Spanish girl. Directed by Anurag Basu, the film has been produced by Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan.

The movie has also caught the fancy of the American media, making it perhaps the most reviewed Bollywood film on opening day by so many US critics. The New York Times considered it "all completely loony, but the stunts are impressive, the photography crisp and the leads so adorably besotted that audiences might as well check their cynicism at the door."

"A lovers on-the-lam blast of pure pulp escapism. Directed by Anurag Basu with a finger in every genre jar, 'Kites' caroms from car chase to shootout, from rain dancing to bank robbing with unflagging energy," it said.

In Times' view Bollywood star "Roshan requires viewing uncut: writhing on the dance floor or just gazing into space, the man was made to drive women crazy, one movie at a time."

Calling it "A romantic adventure!", Los Angeles Times noted "the love story draws from westerns, musicals, film noir, chase thrillers with stunts so preposterous they verge on parody - and it gets away with everything because of Basu's visual bravura and unstinting passion and energy."

While the movie was seen as "An exhilarating escapist entertainment that plays out like a violent and floridly poetic allegory," the two top stars got noticed for their looks. "Mori has a sultry gorgeousness that at times recalls Ava Gardner. Roshan has the dashing, chiselled looks of a silent movie matinee idol."

To the New York Daily News it was "An engaging Bollywood tale! Melodrama, romance and action are cheerfully jumbled together ."

"You'll get more than your money's worth," said Newsday describing it as "A boldly old-fashioned, I'll-die-without-you, nobly self-sacrificing movie romance. Gogeously photographed. The story is the stuff Old Hollywood tear-jerkers are made of."

Variety magazine found it "Deliriously entertaining!" The film, it said, "owes more to Hollywood than Bollywood, though director Anurag Basu borrows plenty from both, aiming to give Indian song-and-dance pics the same sort of crossover success 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, did for Asian martial-arts movies."

"Indian star Hrithik Roshan makes a striking international debut in an ambitious Bollywood crossover film. Grand, action-packed love story set amid the garishness of Las Vegas," said The Hollywood Reporter.

"'Kites' flies! Entertaining and lovely to look at! It works perfectly well on its own terms," said the Film Journal.

"Roshan and Mori are as beautiful as human beings can be, and the love they depict is as high-flown as you'll find in a movie," said the San Franciso Chronicle suggesting, "Go in smirking, but by the time it's over, you'll believe."

Philadelphia Inquirer found it "Preposterously entertaining!" Chicago Newcity called it "a glory of delirium. Anything can, and does, happen. I long for an Amer-Indie movie with the same lunatic verve. As curry-dusted popcorn goes, 'Kites' is savoury distraction."

'Raajneeti' Has Now Landed in Censorship Trouble

picture: Getty Images

After being dogged by a slew of controversies, Prakash Jha's upcoming political drama 'Raajneeti' has now landed in censorship trouble. The censor board is still undecided whether to give it a U or U/A certificate.

Jha has also quashed rumours that his movie title was lifted.

"There is a (censor) board category dispute going on whether a U or a U/A certificate is to be given to the film. There is a difference of opinion there for the voting of the category of the film," Jha told reporters in New Delhi today (May 20).

Jha was at the PVR Cinemas, Select Citywalk, Saket, to promote the movie. Also present with him were the cast of the film Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal.

'Raajneeti' also stars Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Ajay Devgn and Manoj Bajpai.

"It is a difficult film and it took time to make it, so it will take some time for them (censor board) too," he added.

The 58-year-old slammed the claim by filmmaker Kamaal R. Khan that his movie title has been lifted. Khan has claimed that the title was registered under his name for he last five years.

"There is no problem with the title. We have it since the last nine years. We'll soon come out of it and everyone will see... it is just that someone is trying to cash in on our name," he said.

Meanwhile, Arjun and Katrina, who play politicians in the movie revealed who they admire most among the real-life politicians - it's Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

"Among the emerging politicians our eyes are all set on Rahul Gandhi. He is doing great work and I was very happy when he took Bill Gates to Amethi and made him meet people there," said Arjun.

Added Katrina, "Rahul Gandhi is doing a fantastic job. It costs a lot to put yourself in the line of fire and he is doing a good job."

Bollywood Actress Susmita Now Wants a Biological Child

picture: Getty Images

After adopting two children, former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen now wants to give birth to a child.

"I will go for biological baby because the clock is ticking for me," Sushmita, 34, told reporters on the sidelines of a preparatory workshop for the 2010 Miss Universe pageant.

Sushmita’s production company Tantra Entertainment was awarded the India franchise to select participants by the Miss Universe Organisation.

The Hyderabad-born actress ducked questions about her marriage.

"I said the clock is ticking... I never said anything about marriage," she snapped when reporters asked whether marriage was on the cards.

"Every girl wants her prince charming. I have stopped thinking about it long back but still I want it," said the actress.

Sushmita adopted daughter Renee in 2000 and another girl Alisah in January this year.

Anushka Sharma’s Hottest Film Is Yet To Come

We all know that she was the simple and rather somber girl in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, but Anushka Sharma’s compensating for it in full measure by turning on the heat with her revealing attire in ‘Badmaash Company.’

Close insiders, however, squeal that the Yash Raj Films flick is but a precursor to what follows next.

Reportedly, Anushka has flashed plenty of skin and has gone all out to revv up her sensuality quotient for Nikhil Advani’s ‘Patiala House.’

A close source insists that ‘Patiala House’ is her “hottest film”, as yet.
Coming soon to scorch at a cinema near you.

Katrina Kaif Turns Down Akshay Kumar

Our sources reaveal that, Akshay-Katrina, might have sizzled on the silver screen a lot many times, but this hasn’t stopped Kat from turning down an upcoming film with the hunk. Reports reveal that Katrina recently chose to opt out of Anees Bazmee’s ‘Thank You’, also starring Akshay Kumar, who has also been her lucky mascot. Our sources inform that Katrina turned down the offer politely as she’s already working with Akshay in ‘Tees Maar Khan’ and could not manage two Akshay flicks together.

According to an industry insider, the shooting of ‘Thank You’ is currently going on in Canada and Anees is still trying hard to get Katrina on board. Grapevine has it that the filmmaker sends a representative to meet Katrina almost every day in order to somehow convince the actress to at least make a guest appearance in the film.

‘Thank You’ will also star Sonam Kapoor opposite Bobby Deol. However, now that Kat has declined the offer, the search for Akshay’s leading lady in the venture is still on!

‘Kites’ Not to Release in Karnataka

Bangalore, The much-awaited movie “Kites”, starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori, slated to be released all over the world Friday, is not to be screened in Karnataka, the state’s film association has said.

In a special executive meeting, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) Thursday night decided that “Kites” will not be screened in any theatre in Karnataka.

Basanth Kumar Patil, president of KFCC, told IANS that the executive meeting decided against allowing the film’s screening because its makers have “violated the regulatory principles of the chamber”.

“The film’s release will be detrimental to the interest of Kannada cinema if it is allowed to be screened all over,” Patil said.

All single screen and multiplexes are members of KFCC.

No representative of Reliance was present at the meeting Thursday evening. Big Pictures owned by Reliance Group is releasing the film.

Kannada film producers and film distributors of all languages who are members of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce have protested against the film as it was slated to release in more than 90 theatres, exceeding the limit of 24 theatres stipulated in the state.

Patil had earlier said that many big Hindi films starring Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan like “3 Idiots” and “My Name is Khan” have been released in fewer than 24 theatres and the distributors of these major films complied with the KFCC orders.

Akshay Hired a Private Jet for Friends for T20 World Cup Finals

Akshay Kumar recently took a break from his hectic shooting schedule and flew to Barbados in a private jet to enjoy the T20 World Cup finale between England and Australia.

His friends coaxed him to take a break to catch the match and celebrate the success of his last release “Housefull”.

“Akshay flew his friends in a private charter for a four-day-long all guys vacation where they stayed at a friend’s bungalow on Bridgetown beach,” a source close to the actor said.

The star made sure he and his pals got the best seats in the stadium.

“Seated in the most expensive seats in the stadium, they cheered their hearts out during the England v/s Australia final at Barbados and were seen having a riot of a time,” the source added.

England lifted the World Twenty20 beating Australia by seven wickets in the final Sunday at the Kensington Oval.

Soon after the match, Akshay flew to London in a private jet to shoot for Nikhil Advani’s “Patiala House” since all flights to and fro to London were cancelled due to volcanic ash.

“Yes, Akshay did take a private jet since he wanted to reach London on time for the shoot schedule. He has always been a thorough professional,” Akshay’s spokesperson said in a statement.

Apart from “Patiala House”, the actor is also working in Farah Khan’s “Tees Maar Khan” and Anees Bazmee’s “Thank You”.

Aamir Khan-Teaching should be the Highest Paying Job

Mumbai, Actor Aamir Khan, who has raised pertinent questions about the education system through his applauded films “Taare Zameen Par” and “3 Idiots”, believes that teaching should be made the highest paying job in India to encourage the best brains to join the profession.

“By and large, people go for teaching who don’t find jobs elsewhere. So if I don’t find a job elsewhere I will get into teaching. Therefore the cream of minds from every field end up going into business or something else to achieve success in their lives. The reason is that our teaching jobs don’t pay much.

“For me as a part of society, we give maximum value to the teachers, which mean the teaching jobs should be the highest paying. So after getting an education of higher level, a student should feel that his first choice should be to be a teacher because they will feel much more respected, will have a better pay scale, a better life,” said Aamir at the 1st anniversary of Forbes India magazine here Thursday.

Aamir maintains that students should be encouraged to enjoy education and eventually grow as good human beings.

“I think we need to teach them to think for themselves, to explore. We need to allow them to challenge. So if a child gives an answer, which sounds incorrect to us, we must not put that child down, we must encourage him to think for himself and question us and encourage him to discover, search, enjoy and grow as a good human being,” he said.

Asked what is that one idea that would change the world, he said: “For me education is the big idea. When I say education, I mean education for all. I also mean not just teaching one particular subject to the children but rather allowing them to bloom by recognizing the uniqueness of children. Reaching education to each child… know India is a vast country but that would be the big idea.”

Aamir also said that that teaching profession should be given more value in Indian society to increase the quality of education.

“It’s not just about giving education but giving quality education. And by quality I mean the quality of teaching we do, and I think for that it is up to us how much value as a society we give to teaching. If we give lot of value to teaching then the quality of teaching also improves,” he said.

Why Suspect Sanjay Dutt’s Career Finished?

There are 5 steps for suspected Sanjoy Dutt's Career Finished:

Weight Issues
He was super slim in Rocky, lean and mean in Khalnayak and super hot in Kaante. But looks like his toned and muscled days are behind. In All The Best he had to tie a scarf around his neck to hide the flab. And now he is no longer able to regain his fit and fab bod as and when he wants.


Poor Politics
He may have been Munnabhai but he could not fall back on all that goodwill when he tried his hand at politics. Also his departure from the Samajwadi Party and Indian politics showed his political immaturity and proved that he was in it cause of Amar Singh and not because of any desire to serve the nation. He has also provided his support to Indian origin politicians in the UK.


Jail Time
His repeated stints in prison have done long-term damage to him. For one, each visit has understandably aged his face. But the other more serious fall-out is that in his absence others have stepped in to fill the gap and he has found it increasingly difficult to bounce back into B’wood.


Other Heroes
In an age when SRK, Salman and Ajay Devgn are considered the older heroes, Sanjay Dutt is almost a dinosaur and thought of in the same vein as Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. Which means all he is being offered nowadays are dad roles – stylish dads, but dads nonetheless.


Interfering Wife
Manyata Dutt has systematically alienated all the people who have been a part of Sanjay’s success. While she is definitely managing his money better now, unfortunately the directors (like Sanjay Gupta) who have given him his biggest hits are no longer part of the Dutt inner circle and this is harming his career.

Ajay Devgn Caught Smoking in Public Again

uld be punished for his second violation

A tobacco watchdog organisation on May 19 asked the health authorities to fine Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for smoking in public while on the sets of his film 'Golmaal 3' in Goa.

In a complaint to the state tobacco control cell and the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) general secretary Shekhar Salkar has said that Devgn, who was fined once for smoking in public in Chandigarh, deserved more stringent action as he was becoming a habitual offender of the 'no smoking in public' rule.

"This being the second violation by Ajay Devgn, we feel that the punishment given to such type of habitual law breakers is too meagre. In view of this, we strongly feel that the penalty under section 4 of the COPTA (Control of Tobacco Products Act) law for both one who violates the law and one who allows violating the law should be increased," Salkar said.

Local newspaper flashed photographs of Devgn smoking on the sets of 'Golmaal 3' Tuesday with the film's director Rohit Shetty standing an arm's length away.

The general secretary of NOTE, which has in the past dragged Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to court for directly or indirectly promoting smoking, has also said that habitual violators of the COPTA law should be jailed.

"Fine for the first offence should be Rs.500, for the second it should be raised to Rs.5,000 and for the third offence an imprisonment for a period of 6 months, in addition to a fine of Rs.5,000 should be imposed," Salkar said.

Devgn is the third Bollywood actor to be caught smoking in Goa this month.

Earlier this month, actors Tusshar Kapoor and Arshad Warsi were hauled up by NOTE for smoking during a film shoot in Margao, 35 km from here.

King Khan Now Endorses Pepsodent

After endorsing brands like Hyundai Santro, Linc pens, Navratna Oil and Tag Heuer, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will now endorse Pepsodent toothpaste.

In the ad campaign titled “Papa & Pappu (P&P)”, Shah Rukh will be seen playing a doting father, while child artist Keval will play his son Pappu.

“Shah Rukh Khan is the best choice for ‘Papa’ in the campaign as the super successful actor also practices what he preaches. He is the perfect role model of a father who finds ways to spend time with his own children away from his active schedule and stardom,” Srinandan Sundaram, Category Head – Oral Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited said in a statement.

Shah Rukh and his wife Gauri have two children – son Aryan and daughter Suhana.

‘Kites’ will be the Business Successor of ‘3 Idiots’

New Delhi, Super duper hit and the successor of “3 Idiots” is how multiplex bosses predict the future of Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer international love story “Kites”, which is releasing Friday.

“We have very high expectations from ‘Kites’ as after ‘3 Idiots’ this will be the biggest release. We are going to have 13 shows per three screen and 14 shows per four property respectively for the movie,” Deepak Taluja, senior vice president (business and operations) of Fun Cinemas, told IANS.

“In terms of paid previews, as of now we just have one show (for Thursday night) but if (booking) response will be good, we’ll look for more,” he added.

A senior executive from PVR cinemas said on condition of anonymity that “Kites” has a very good pre-release buzz. “And after ‘3 Idiots’, we have very high hopes with this one. If all goes well, this could anywhere be the successor of ‘3 Idiots’.”

“On an average we are keeping around 10-15 shows per property for the movie. The advance bookings have already opened and it’s picking up well while the paid preview bookings for Thursday is decent so far,” the source added.

Produced by Rakesh Roshan and directed by Anurag Basu, “Kites” is a mega-budget venture worth Rs.150 crore in three versions – English, Hindi and Spanish. While the Hindi version will hit screens Friday, the crisper and racier English version, edited by Hollywood fame Brett Ratner, is scheduled for a May 28 release.

The film also stars Kabir Bedi and Kangana Ranaut in cameos.

Releasing simultaneously on more than 2,300 screens worldwide, including over 500 overseas in over 60 countries, it is being distributed by Reliance Big Pictures.

Shot in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Santa Fe, “Kites” is a love story about an Indian man and a Latin woman who fall in love without understanding each others’ languages. It is about their thrilling journey filled with precious moments and unexpected betrayal.

To cash in on the unprecedented buzz and hype, Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, has big plans.

“We are looking at ‘Kites’ as a super duper hit. We are going to have 33 shows per day for the movie with the capacity of 8,600 seats per day and we expect a mass footfall because of its successful commercial banner and huge star cast like Hrithik and Barbara,” Awasthi said.

“3 Idiots” grossed about Rs.400 crore, making it Indian cinema’s highest earner.

“‘Kites’ will repeat the big bang theory in cinema. We are going to have on an average 15 shows per property and around three paid previews Thursday night. Hrithik and Barbara’s chemistry is going to scorch the screens,” said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas.

Director Basu says with its international appeal, “Kites” will take Bollywood globally in the true sense.

Priyanka Chopra: No Cricketer Wants to Work with Me

No cricketer wants to work with Priyanka Chopra in her TV debut with ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ season 3, which means the show is in trouble.

The list includes players of international circuit, such as Yuvraj Singh, Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee, who are not interested in the show and have not signed the project. These cricketers were supposed to accompany Priyanka Chopra in Brazil for the show.

“Talks have been on with cricketers. Ever since Priyanka was announced as the show’s new host two months ago, negotiations have been on, but no player is on board yet. Several names were to be picked from the various IPL teams. But the happenings towards the end of the tourney threw everything off-gear,” a source informed.

The reason for their denial could also be the fact that Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lambasted the fellow teammates for not concentrating hard on themselves during the Indian Premiere League.

‘Kites’ Successful in Accessing People's Heart: Hrithik

Hrithik Roshan is a guys' guy and, obviously, a ladies' man. It's not just the looks and the voice, the irony, the charm, the political and social awareness and the unphoney compassion - an Indian who isn't an embarrassment to India; it's the whole package.

He must be too good, surely, to be true? The Hrithik effect is even more astounding. You can attract your own little fan club just by announcing that you are off to interview him. Within minutes you start receiving comments from friends on Facebook. Girls label him as a 'Greek God', Boys call him 'The Italian Stallion' and I call him 'The sexiest man alive'. He is like a rare Siberian tiger.

He is being firmly guarded by his film and personal PR execs when I arrive for the interview in his vanity van. India's busiest star has just had three changes in a photoshoot and I am waiting for him to unwind before he calls me in his private room inside his van. But as soon as I clap eyes on him, and take in that kittenish smile, the tousled, leonine eyebrows and - of course - the lush whip of unwashed curled up hair, all that instantly vanishes. Roshan is calm, polite and pleasant: heaven on a stick. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent meets the man who is flying high, who is on cloud nine but yet rooted to the ground when it comes to his acting prowess - Hrithik Roshan. In this interview Hrithik talks about ‘Kites’, the belleza Barbara Mori, father-producer-director Rakesh Roshan, the temptress Kangna Ranaut and the new man inside Film Kraft - Anurag Basu.

Hrithik Roshan is a rare example of what I consider a successful interview for any journalist.

Yes, I agree I am a rare find because I am not easily accessible. I regard that as my short coming. Other actors are able to do what I do, plus do the other social and media responsibilities. I can't. I can't do two things at the same time when I am trying to give a hundred per cent to one thing. It becomes a distraction. The kind of roles I am doing are too different and it makes me immerse into the world completely. I don't see the point of being in the news and on the face of all covers just for the heck of it. It makes sense when I have something to talk about.

So you're like the joker of The Dark Knight. You get sucked into your characters?

huh? (laughs) Not really. I am not that crazy. It's not about my character sucking me in. It's also about my personality. I've always been shy. I don't interact too much.

You've been flying high in the sky more than the Kites do. But how does it feel to be up there on cloud nine?

Never knew I completed a decade in acting. I am very happy standing on the ground than flying high. Feeling good about wherever you are is more important than thinking that you will feel better if you're up there. I've been through failures and successes, and have understood that there is no bad experience in life. Every experience is good. My mission in life is not money, fame or to be the best. It is to evolve as much as one can on a personal level as a human being.

Will Kites be used as a teaching tool when it comes to romance in films? Is it going to re-invent romance?

I don't think anything that is creative can be taught. But I think Kites might prove to be successful in accessing peoples mind and heart. An honest space is the source of all creativity. Kites is honest when it comes to every single frame we've shot, every single aspect of its making, every single twich, etc.

You debut as a singer in Kites too.

Yes, I have tried. When my director Mr. Anurag Basu told me to sing in the film, we all sat and thought that we were stuck. I mean, we thought that if my character sings, it had to be my voice. You can't fake that. So, I went through two weeks of training and that's all they gave me (laughs).

Is the writer a better of his film or the director or both?

Wow! I always feel that it is the brain that gives birth to the germ. If it's the writer's conception and if it's coming from that heart, he can convince me or anybody. It usually seems to be that the person who writes is the best person to express it. Fortunately for us, Anurag Basu is the writer and the director of Kites. So far in my life, whoever I've worked with, it seems that makes the best combination.

How tight is the screenplay of Kites?

I don't believe in such words. They are manipulative. If a scene requires a certain pace, then that's the pace. If the scene requires a certain sensibility, so be it. The audiences liking it or not isn't the question. The story you're expressing has to be expressed in complete sanctity. I don't think there is any right kind of filmmaking. You have to be convinced, inspired and enjoy what you're trying to do.

How objective and critical do you get when it comes down to playing your characters?

Up until Kites, everything I did was very well graphed out and calculated. Kites was all about unlearning that. Kites needed a space where you just felt like you were seeing that moment happening for the first time. To achieve that, I had to let go of all my past conditioning as an actor. My approach to my art completely took an extremist kind of a shift and that got pushed even more because of my co-actor in the film Barbara Mori. I was very influenced by her. We Indians are very happy in a small pond of acting but the people from the West with whom I've worked in the film live in a vast ocean. I let go and dived into the ocean. I never saw the reproduction of my takes in the video assist. I never wanted that safety net. I instructed everyone around me that if anyone saw me sneaking a peek, they had to stop me. That was me being critical.

Did you ever land up in a debate over Kites with your father and uncle (producer and music director of Kites)?

At every juncture. Every single decision was either agreed instantly or discussed and argued out. It was about the process of convincing each other about the better thought. There was the fourth head too, my director Anurag Basu. I cherish all arguments we had. We work without egos. It's not 'my thought' or 'your thought'. The moment one person was able to convince the others; it was readily accepted and celebrated without one feeling lesser of himself that his thought was not the successful one.

Film Maker Pradeep Sarkar Gifts iPads to Deepika

Filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar have gifted iPads to Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone, who play lead roles in his new film "Lafange Parindey", after the shooting was completed.

Deepika wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: "Pradeep sarkar gifted me the ipad on completing 'Lafangey'... yyiiipppeeee!!my new toy!!"

Neil also tweeted: "My director Mr. Pradeep sarkaar gifted me the "ipad" on completing" 'Lafangey Parindey'."

Made under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film is a gritty romance set on the streets of Mumbai. It is rumoured to be about bike gangs of Mumbai. Neil and Deepika will be seen doing daring stunts in the film.

Katrina Kaif Ignores her Security,Hails Local Cab

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif is said to be becoming a security hazard to herself, and her latest disregard for all rules of self-preservation takes the cake.

On Monday morning when Katrina was required to fly to Bangalore for an event with her "Raajneeti" co-star Ranbir Kapoor, she just hopped into a taxi with her hand-luggage and took off. Much to the shock of the cabbie who had no clue about the 'star' passenger he was carrying until he looked into his rear view mirror.

"But what's the big deal about hopping into a cab to rush to the airport? Thousands of girls do it all the time. What's there to get hyper? My driver was late because he got caught in a traffic snarl," Katrina, 25, told IANS.

"If I had waited any more, I would've missed my flight. So I waved for a cab hopped in and zipped off."

While Katrina cracks up at the recollection of the moment when the cabbie spotted her in the rear, her "Raajneeti" crew were far from amused when they saw her hop out of a cab unaccompanied.

Ranbir and director Prakash Jha were seen soundly ticking her off for her disregard for security rules.

Releasing Friday, multi-starrer "Raajneeti" is a dark political thriller that will highlight behind-the-scenes happenings in the corridors of power.

In fact, Katrina has always disregarded security threats.

Some time ago when hordes of young and old people had descended on her at a public gathering, she had fobbed off the security arrangements made by the organisers, arguing: "They love me. They can never harm me."

The actress has been indulging in such reckless security-adventures much too often these days. According to a close friend, she takes off on her own, usually accompanied by her trusted driver and no other companion just for a spin far away to drive off loneliness.

What concerns people close to Katrina is her utter obliviousness to obvious security dangers.

"Katrina doesn't realise the effect that her solitary presence in crowded places can have on people. Hopping into a cab early morning in Mumbai when there are no cops around is just not done. But she refuses to believe anyone would harm her," a close friend said.

The British actress lives on her own here and her latest adventure-ride to the airport on her own has left her family far from amused. Her youngest sister Isabel, who has been studying cinema in the US, may cut short her acting course to join Katrina in Mumbai.

It seems Katrina's days of zipping off on her own are nearing an end, thanks to the timely intervention of her family.

Bollywood Superstar Katrina Tired of Gymming!

Guess what? Looks like Katrina Kaif has had enough of kasratbaazi while shooting for Tees Maar Khan, says Rapchik Rajni as she sashays her way into my study. What now, I wonder and she says that the adakaara has stopped working out every day at the gym, lately.

Kyun? Kyunki, she was tired of the strict diet and exercise regime she had to follow because her character in the Farah Khan movie demanded a certain kinda look. But now that the shoot has wrapped up, Kat, who hates doing regular workout, has cut down her visits to the gym to just twice a week, Rajni informs.

According to her, Kat's mantra for her gorgeous looks is to follow a proper diet and the right kind of lifestyle, and not going overboard with exercising. Chalo, good for her.

Salman Khan and Sanjoy Datta Hand-to-hand Combat

Salman Khan in Dabangg and Sanjay Dutt in Knock Out, both actors will be seen in hand-to-hand combat with their adversaries in the climax of their films

Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt are racing towards the release of their action dramas at around the same time. While in Abhinav Kashyap's Dabangg Salman does some of the most intense action scenes of his life, Sanjay Dutt has pulled out all stops in Knock Out with action scenes that are bone-breaking real.

Interestingly, the climax of both Dabangg and Knock Out show Salman and Sanjay locked in a hand-to-hand combat with their adversary.

While in Dabangg, Khan fights Sonu Sood, in Knock Out Dutt is locked in a photo-finish fight with the British choreographer Joey Ansah who directed stunts for Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum. Initially Ansah was only supposed to direct the climax.

Bash like Bourne
Says a source, "Sanju Baba wanted the fight to be as hard-hitting and real as the one between Matt Damon and Joey Ansah in The Bourne Ultimatum. So he suggested to director Mani Shankar that the adversary fighter in the climax should be Ansah himself."

Almost 18 kilos lighter, Dutt has done the most intricate wrist-supported somersault-in-the-air seen in Indian cinema in Knock Out. Ansah has also smashed empty bottles on Dutt's head.

Breaking bottles
Says the director, "Sanju insisted on letting Joey Ansah break bottles on his head. We had ordered special bottles made of brittle glass from Los Angeles but still it was very painful."

So whose hand-to-hand combat would have that optimum impact? Salman's or Sanju's? Wait and watch.

FACT Abhishek Bachchan too has a bloodied hand-to-hand combat with Southern star Vikram in Mani Ratnam's Raavan.

"Kites" May Open Global Skies for Indian Movies

Set for simultaneous release Friday on over 2, 000 screens worldwide, including 200 in North America, "Kites", starring Hrithik Roshan and Mexican star Barbara Mori, may well open the global movie market to Indian films.

"If 'Kites' does even five percent well of what we have thought, well, we have opened the door, not for me and my film, but for many young filmmakers in India, " producer Rakesh Roshan - and Hritik's father - told in an phone interview from New York.

"They have good ideas, but they are not as good as producers because they are scared that 'No, no, this will not work', " he said. "So once you have a bigger territory globally and have an audience to see it, then you can take a chance to make a film like that. "

Shot completely on location in Las Vegas, Sante Fe and Los Angeles, a re-worked English language version of "Kites", presented by A-list Hollywood director Brett Ratner, will open in several major markets for the Memorial Day holiday weekend beginning May 28.

Ratner, who offered to re-edit the English version of the film to attune it "to US sensibilities" after watching the print after a casual dinner conversation at his house in Los Angeles, "made the film a little crispier, a littler racier and a little faster", said Roshan.

He said it was all his idea to cast Barbara Mori, "a very good actor, a very fine looking girl, a very stunning looking girl" after watching "My Brother's Wife", a Mexican film that he "loved very intensely".

So director Anurag Basu and Rakesh Roshan went to Los Angeles to meet her. "She was very excited about the script and the screenplay. And then she was there in the film, " said Roshan, who thinks she's par excellence.

Casting Barbara was no gimmick for Rakesh Roshan. He would not comment on "those films" where foreign actresses were just one of the characters. "But here my leading lady is the main protagonist of the film. Getting some girls and some character actors in one reel or two scenes will not really make a difference. "

He also dismissed the controversy about some explicit footage in the English version of the film in Indian media. "No, there is nothing. When I told them there is no topless scene, they printed one photograph of a backless scene, " Roshan said. "A backless and a topless scene are two different visions absolutely. "

So how did he think of "Kites"? To make a film to release globally "I thought the best story to pick up is a love story. And when kites fly they don't know who is holding the string - an Indian, an American or a Mexican".

The Mexican kite girl and the Indian boy "don't speak each other's language and still they fall in love and we show that language is no barrier. Love has no language".

Roshan thinks "Kites" will do well among non-Indian audiences too. "My gut feeling is that whenever you go out in a different path and make a film and make it honestly and put your heart and soul in it, audiences do accept it. "

With many Bollywood films tackling unusual subjects, Roshan thinks Indian audiences have "grown up". "What has happened till now is that most of the filmmakers underestimated the audience. They feel, 'No, they will not understand'. But I feel today's generation is far ahead than what we think. "

Roshan, who has for once handed over the directorial reins of a film starring his son to another director, said: "It just happened on the spur of the moment. "

He liked Basu's "Gangster" and wanted him to make a film with Hrithik.

Basu thought Rakesh Roshan was joking when he asked him to direct the movie "because I have nothing to prove. The only thing is we have to make a good film for Hrithik. It's my banner. So either I direct it or you direct it. "

And does he see Hrithik crossing over to Hollywood? "I haven't made this film to launch him in Hollywood. I have made the film to show the global world how good an actor he is, " Roshan said.

"And if a good character or a good role comes to him by a good director.... doing an Indian film or doing a Hollywood film is one and the same thing. "