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Shahid-Kareena : Eyes wide open  

Even as director Priyadarshan led the stars to perform in yet another comedy of errors, the sizzling couple couldn't help but reveal their real life chemistry.

In the film, Kareena plays a deaf and mute girl who silently romances Shahid, but when it comes to real life, she just cannot stop raving about her beau.

"I think that he is the most promising actor that we have today. He is a not just a star, he is an actor," says Kareena.

Shahid, however, maintains his modesty. "I always keep saying this to her that I am not scared to stand in the frame with anybody, but when I am standing in the frame with her, I am always a little scared," he says.

The star cast of the film includes Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Sunil Shetty and Neha Dupia, who is steadily breaking out of her 'bold' image.

Dhupia swears by the on-screen chemistry of the two actors. "I would say that from the very beginning, they have been a very pleasant looking couple and the offscreen chemistry obviously does come out on the screen as well," says Dhupia.

When they were first cast as an on-screen couple in Fida, the film fizzled at the box office.

However, the stars hope to shine together in Boney Kapoor's Milenge Milenge, Subhash Ghai's 36 China Town as well as Priyadarshan's Chup Chup Ke, which releases in June.

Shahid Kapoor


Kareena Kapoor

Gujarat calling for Shahid Kapur & Bebo, Chup Chup Ke

Shahid's on top of the roof!
The shoot we're at is the last day's work for the 'Chup Chup Ke' team. They are shooting for a song. The set, resembling that of a row house supposedly in Gujarat, (where the film is based) is white in colour. Says Ram Mirchandani, associate producer, "We have used mostly pastels as the theme colour. But the set is looking really nice." As part of the song, Shahid is to climb on the rooftop and sing, while Kareena and Neha are eavesdropping on it. Shahid says that he plays a guy who's pretending to be deaf and dumb. "In this song, he is in real danger, since the girls might find out that he isn't actually deaf and dumb," smiles Shahid.  



Bebo's a plain Jane
Though not exactly in good health (that's what we were told) Kareena Kapoor shuttled in and out at lunch time. A friend of hers dropped in and she busied herself. Kareena plays a deaf and dumb girl in the movie. On being asked why suddenly Bollywood is showing so much interest in the physically challenged, she clarified that 'Chup Chup Ke' isn't a film that's taking up any issue. "It is a comedy movie. It hasn't got to do with any issues."

Kareena Kapoor's Fan Attempts Suicide

Mohammed Mairaj Rehman (25), who was accused of harassing Kareena Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon and Smriti Mishra through SMSes and phone calls, tried to kill himself in Hyderabad when the Mumbai police went there to arrest him.

Rehman jumped from his third-floor residence in Hyderabad on March 24 and fractured both his legs. He was brought to Mumbai and admitted to Cooper Hospital, Juhu, on March 25.

Mohammed Mairaj Rehman fractured both his legs while jumping from his third floor residence in Hyderabad

The three actresses had filed different complaints against Rehman in October 2005. He was arrested the same month and released on bail in January. Rehman then left for Hyderabad and did not attend court hearings.

揘ot only did Rehman not attend court, but he also started harassing a female artiste called Sapna and Kareena抯 secretary Zahid Khan.

Because of this, the court cancelled his bail and we went to arrest him,

Ajay Devgan goes WWW

Very few know that the aloof and shy Ajay Devgan, who proved his mettle in films like Raincoat and Gangaajal, is net savvy and has launched his personal website ajaydevgan.net.

A source close to the actor said: "Ajay has realised that it is important to have a website in today's hi-tech world. A website not only gives important and correct information about him but also connects him with his fans all over the world.

"He regularly monitors his website and makes sure his fans get all the up-to-date information on him. He replies to all mail himself."

Good going Ajay, especially when you have so many biggies lined up for release.

Anil Kapoor all over for HDKG promotion

Normally the 'surprise star' of a film is kept 'hidden' from a film's promotion for at least one or two weeks after it has released. But the makers of 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' have chosen to tread a different path...and rightly so!

The suspense about "Who is the other lead in the film opposite Katrina Kaif?' is finally over with Anil Kapoor being openly projected as the man in question. For last six months there were talks about either Salman Khan or Anil Kapoor being the 'surprise' star in the film but the makers have relieved the anxiety by showcasing the current set of promos primarily on Anil Kapoor's character. Akshay Kumar and other stars too share some screen space in the promos but it is primarily the veteran actor who looms large all over.

Making his presence felt as the senior most actor in the film, he adds an additional spice to the proceedings with his appearance and has now enforced renewed interest in the minds of moviegoers who want to catch the flick.

Incidentally Anil Kapoor has earlier worked with Raj Kanwar in 'Laadla [1994]' and 'Judaai [1997]'.



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 29-4-2006 01:57 AM ]

Preity: 揑f I was a scribe, I抎 never write about movies & stars!

Preity's heroic crusades for the 'victims'!  

揑 think what we are witnessing today is really appalling. It抯 so sad that when an actor, Salman Khan, kills a black buck in isolation in the middle of a forest, he gets sentenced to jail for a year.

But when somebody shoots a living girl dead in the presence of fifty people, seven years later he walks away scott free. It抯 alarming, shocking and utterly shameful.

This is where I suddenly have a lot of admiration for the media, as they are bringing this case back in sharp focus; but I really hope this is not treated like one of those 48-hr TRP winning stories.

I would like to believe there抯 more substance, truth, facts and sincerity in reporting this case. Fortunately, there are a lot of women reporters in media, so I assume they will take this up personally.

Today when you voice your opinion for a certain cause, or stand up for an issue of such gravity, people turn around and say, 慦hy are you fighting other people抯 battles?

Not in Bipasha's footsteps

Success might have eluded her, but Preeti Jhangiani feels that she cannot resort to clothes dropping to woo the box-office.

Preeti Jhangiani stole the hearts of the nation's teen-station when her picture perfect face sprang out of television commercials even before she charmed viewers with her coy appeal in Milind Ingle's famous Chui mui video.

She followed its success with a couple of sequel videos for Ingle's song produced by the Rajshris, before making a leap on to the silver screen. During her visit to the city Kanpur Times caught up with the dainty damsel.

Considering that Preeti had a successful stint in modelling before she made a smooth transition to video albums and then acting with big banners like Yashraj Films, how did it all happen? "It was sheer luck!

The fact that I was chosen among 400 other girls and that Rajat Barjatya and Kunal didn't even take my screen test proves that I was plain lucky. Then Aditya Chopra, who had seen my videos, thought that I was perfect for Kiran's role in Mohabbatein and insisted I take it up.

By then I had signed a few films in the South, but he urged me to leave them, so convinced was he about my part in his film!" relates Preeti.

But Preeti didn't quite get a taste of filmi success as she starred in one box-office dud after another that included Sukh with Govinda and Chahat Ek Nasha with Aryan Vaid. Does she regret her wrong selection of movies?

"I cannot be held liable for the flopped films. Working with Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan can never be a wrong decision. But I cannot shed my clothes like Bipasha Basu or Mallika Sherawat to make my film a hit. In fact, I want to do films that have a lot of gravity and also which I can sit and enjoy along with my parents," says the actress.

Apart from mainstream Hindi cinema, Preeti is also exploring unchartered territory: "I have just returned from Scotland after shooting for Punjabi-English film with Bali Sagoo," she tells.

But despite her onscreen hiatus, Preeti does manage to stay in the limelight. Is she a page three wonder? "I personally feel that PR matters, but being on page three regularly doesn't mean that it can get you a lead role. Talent is needed to survive in the industry," quips Preeti.

And one talented lady that Preeti looks up to is Sridevi. "I'm a film freak. I'm always watching movies on my DVD player, especially Sridevi's. I think she is a marvellous actress. I would love to play the character which she played in Chaalbaaz and Khuda Gawah," she signs off.

Bipasha signs on for thriller

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu, who is pinning all her hopes on recently released Humko Deewana Kar Gaye to boost her sagging career, has been roped in to play the female lead in an Abbas-Mustan-directed thriller.

The actress, whose Corporate by Madhur Bhandarkar is ready for release, was signed on by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Limited for the as yet untitled film.

The film goes on the floors Monday and the opening shot at Filmistan studios will start with a song sequence under the supervision of choreographer Remo.

Bipasha will share screen space with Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan in the suspense story. The rest of the star cast is yet to be finalised.

Composer Himesh Reshammiya, who is going places after churning out chartbusters like Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Aksar and Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, will score the music for the film.

Esha Deol says her new movie taught her more on love

Indian actress Esha Deol says her new movie ``Ankahee'' showed her the perils of falling in love with a married man, a newspaper reported Monday.

Her advice for any woman in that position was to get out and find someone else, Deol told The Times of India newspaper.

She said it was a disturbing experience for her to play a beauty queen who falls in love with a doctor with a wife and child. The movie is set for release next month.

``Being the other woman is a very unhappy situation to be in and I wouldn't want to be in that situation ever,'' Deol said adding she'd like to tell women, ``Don't go for second best.''

She said she was emotionally drained after tense scenes on the sets where she would need to scream and become hysterical. Deol said her character doesn't care what the world thinks of her and doesn't bother about the doctor's family.

Deol has acted in more than 15 Indian movies, her most recent blockbusters were ``Dhoom'' and ``Yuva''.

New Job search for Manoj Bajpai, after Kam Ya Zyaada

The concept of new season seems to have caught on on Indian television. After Siddhant, Deal Ya No Deal, Special Squad and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, the other show going off air for this season is Manoj Bajpai anchored Kam Ya Zyaada. The game show will be off air for about five months and will be back with a new look and format. Says Bajpai, "I made a commitment with the channel for 100 episodes and that's over. Now, when they take a call to come back again with a new season, we will talk all over again. There will be a new contract in the second season."

On the rumors that the show had not picked up at all. Bajpai says, "On the contrary, it was doing better than other game shows in that time slot on other channels." He further adds, "I think after Kam Ya Zyaada, my Hindi has become much better. I did speak chaste Hindi but after coming to Mumbai it had got corrupted by English."

His career has been rocky, but Manoj Bajpai seems to be on a roll now. Not just with his TV game show Kam Ya Zyaada, but also with a spate of films lined up. To start with, he is teaming up again with director E Niwas after the critically acclaimed Shool. The subject, says Bajpai, will revolve around the police and the system, like it did in Shool, but with a twist.

There is also Iqbal Rizvi's film 90 Minutes, which is about indoor football. It's an interesting subject and there is also lyricist Mehboob's first film as director called Ek Minute, which is a thriller. Meanwhile, Bajpai is awaiting the release of Return to Rajapur, Amrit Sagar's debut film 1971 on the Pakistan war and Rajeev Virani's The Whisperers.

Madhuri to play Hrithik抯 mother?

Yesterday in this space we had reported that director Onir of 'My Brother Nikhil' fame is planning to make a movie on Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' in which he wants Hrithik Roshan to play the title role.

And here is more, as per latest Onir wants Madhuri Dixit to play the queen, Hamlet's mother in the movie.

In a recent interview, Onir said it's a very complicated character and Madhuri can do full justice to the role.

A certain section of the industry also speculating about Onir's second choice Sridevi for playing Hrithik's mother in this Hindi version of 'Hamlet'.

However Onir, on contacted said, he hasn't talked yet to any of them. "Both Madhuri and Sridevi are very strong and talented actresses; however if Madhuri refuses to do the role only I would approach Sridevi," said Onir.

Madhuri Dixit


Hrithik Roshan


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 8-9-2006 03:10 PM ]

Is Shilpa out of work?

It's time for the sexy Shilpa Shetty to say "I do," feel many in the industry. But the actress who started her career more than a decade ago and has been linked with many of her co-stars, is still waiting for the "right" guy.

Only recently Shilpa was seen enjoying a game of polo with finance guy Ajay Sohi in Delhi. But are the two an item? Shilpa responds with a, "Who Ajay Sohi? It's my personal life and I don't want to talk about it."

The svelte Shilpa can give any model a run for her money. So, when she walked the ramp for "good friend" Tarun Tahiliani at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, everyone loved it. But she is quick to clarify, "I am not out of work. Right now I'm shooting for Apne  and am looking for more quality projects."

Salman was never a part of Humko Deewana Kar Gaye

Raj Kanwar抯 Humko Deewana Kar Gaye that released last week is doing good business. By now we all know that Anil Kapoor also makes a special appearance in this Akshay-Katrina starrer. But some months back, when the movie was still in making, a newspaper had went on to report that even Salman Khan has been roped in to play a special appearance in the movie. In fact the daily went on to report that Salman will come together with Bhagyashree, 16 years after their first film together, the blockbuster hit Maine Pyaar Kiya with this film. But when the film released Bhagyashree was very much visible in it as Akshay Kumar抯 sister but Salman was nowhere to be seen.

The gossip took a turn now saying that Salman was roped for the flick and even shot some sequences but later he opted out of the film. When we called up Raj Kanwar to clear all the confusions he laughed at the allegations explaining, 揃hagyashree is a part of the movie and perhaps that might have lead people to speculate about Salman. But he was never part of the Humko Deewana Kar Gaye

Esha's new discovery!  

Often, actors discover a lot about themselves too while acting and emoting. Such is the case with Esha Deol, too. The actress who is playing the other woman in Ankahee, a film allegedly based on the relationship between Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen, seems to have understood a lot about how one can love a man even if he is married. "Playing the role I could relate to and understand those who fall in love with married persons, and that includes my mom," she was overhead saying. Seems like acting too can be a balm to one's senses!   

Saif抯 wedding bow!  

After Aamir Khan, it抯 Saif Ali Khan who is contemplating on whether he should take the plunge and tie the knot a second time over. We hear that the star is so smitten by his lady love Rosa that he抯 seriously thinking of marriage. According to sources, Saif has already procured an NOC (No objection certificate) from his parents. But the question is, will he or won抰 he?   

Ameesha: 態rown

Kareena in Karan Johar抯 next!  

Our Bollywood stars do have their share of brawls and scraps. But like in any other lovers tiff, they make-up, even without kisses, can you believe that? Well, its common knowledge that Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor went through a period of cold silence. When Bebo was offered Karan抯 Kal Ho N Ho and she declined it. But the two have buried the hatchet long since then; and we now hear that Kareena is being signed on by Karan抯 next production to be directed by Soham (who directed 慘aal

Lara Dutta抯 silent mode!  

Silence is golden, alright. And our lovely lady Lara has taken the adage really seriously. The truth is that like many other Bollywood babes, Lara has enrolled into the Art of Living, and the advanced course required her to go on a three-day maun vrat (silent mode), which Lara followed that conscientiously. Her cell was turned off, and shunned herself from the rest of the world, boyfriend Kelly Dorjee, included. Now that抯 some art in itself, isn抰 it?   

Kajol抯 creating a storm!  

Till sometime ago, the Bong beauty, Kajol was playing hard-to-get for filmmakers, fans and media alike. And then suddenly, the tables turned and one fine day she let down the barriers. The advertisers were amongst the first to make the most of the opportunity, followed by filmmakers. Of course, when she signed 慒anaa