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[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Ajay Devgan 'almost' bares all[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]The latest tongue-teaser from the Ram Gopal Varma抯 Sholay is the sensuous song, Chaa raha (picturised on Ajay Devgan and Nisha Kothari), which was shot only recently.

This time the package is for girls as this song has a bare-chested Devgan in the most intimate poses with Nisha Kothari, making it a first for the brooding actor!

The song has been choreographed by Shabina Khan with music by Nitin Raikar. Make-up artiste Harish Wadhone has done Devgan抯 styling.

Says Ramu, 揑t抯 one of the most arresting songs of my career as the concept is so different. I have tried to capture different images with each image creating a different emotion. Each shot is different and has a certain intensity, the most intense being love.

The way the characters in Sholay, including that of Veeru (Devgan) and Ghungroo (Kothari), have been designed has brought certain changes in the context of relationships. Veeru and Ghungroo抯 love story is much stronger in my Sholay.

'Bebo & I look good together'

After being labelled a comic actor, Tusshar Kapoor was looking for variety and a chance to prove his versatility. And now he is happy that his forthcoming films will present him in various new avatars. "I don't want to be typecast. I don't want people to say that he was a good comedian or a good romantic hero. I want people to remember me as a good actor. I want them to say that I could do all kinds of roles," Tusshar told. To prove his talent he signed Apoorva Lakhia's crime thriller "Shootout at Lokhandwala", Ashwin Chaudhary's romantic comedy "Good Boy, Bad Boy" and Anant Mahadevan's thriller "Agar". Right now he is eagerly looking forward to the release of Lovely Singh's "Kya Love Story Hai", opening May 25. "I am really excited about it because it is directed by my friend. It's a triangular love story. I play a boy called Arjun who is laid back and doesn't like doing anything. His parents have left enough money for him. Then he falls in love and things change in his life." Tusshar, who was understandably bored with his current screen image, readily accepted the role of a hit man in "Shootout at Lokhandwala" and underwent special training for flawless delivery. The film is based on a true incident that took place in Mumbai 1991. "I attended a small workshop to prepare for the role. My friend Prakash Bhardwaj arranged the workshop and conditioned me for the role. I met Prakash while working in 'Good Boy Bad Boy'." Talking about "Agar", he said: "In 'Agar' I play a media person who loses his mental balance due to an incident. He gets cured after some time and tries to put his life back on track but his past keeps following him." So far Tusshar, who debuted with "Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hain" in 2001, hasn't made a permanent pairing with anybody on screen and admits that there is a dearth of new faces in filmdom. "People thought that Kareena Kapoor and I look good on screen. But we didn't do too many films together. Right now there isn't any particular actress with whom I have formed a good on screen pairing. "Of course, there is a dearth of new faces. People are scared of experimenting with new faces. They prefer working with established faces only." About venturing into direction, he said: "No, I don't have any plans of getting into direction. Acting is such a time consuming job that I can't think about anything else. I just want to concentrate on my acting. I do help my sister but that's it... nothing beyond that." Most actors say they don't give much importance to critics' views but Tusshar thinks otherwise. "We all know where we have goofed up. We are aware of our shortcomings. I don't read all the reviews. I pick four or five of them and while reading I try to analyse how honestly critics have assessed my performance. Of course, I have learned from their criticisms. But sometimes I don't find them convincing. "I also give importance to a film's performance. If I feel that it is doing well and producers are happy with the profit, I feel happy too."

Ash wanted more brutality...

Now that the Sonia Gandhi bio-pic is shelved Jagmohan Mundhra is planning to move quickly into yet another autobiographical pic after Provoked. " Shoot On Sight is the story of a 55-year old Muslim cop in Britain. After thirty years in England the July 7 terrorist bombings happen, and the cop's loyalties, priorities and commitment to the law enforcement agencies in Britain are questioned. It's a role that takes on both personal and political colours. The character is modeled on a real-life cop Tariq Gaffoor. And since it requires someone with a strong assertive but sensitive personality who better equipped to play it than Mr Amitabh Bachchan? I'll meet him very shortly." The film will again take the director into the realm of reality, like Kamla, Bawandar and Provoked. "I love going into lives that have struggled. Sometimes the struggle is not so successful. This was the case with the character that Nandita Das played in Bawandar. Her struggle against oppression failed but it's no less remarkable than Aishwarya Rai's struggle in Provoked. But I guess Ash's character triumphs at the end, hence the exhilarating impact at Cannes. We went into the real-life character Kiranjit Ahluwalia's life through the book she co-wrote with Rahila Gupta. But I found the book wasn't giving my film the right perspective. So we got Carl Austen in. He got together with Rahila to re-work the book. We picked out episodes and lines from the book that were really shocking." Jagmohan is all praise for his leading lady. "Ash is undoubtedly very beautiful. Beautiful women are more prone to be abused by men. Ash really worked on her character. Never flinched from doing the brutal scenes. In fact Ash's agent from the US Simone felt we we weren't going far enough with the brutality. She didn't want audiences to feel Ash's beauty was coming in the way of her portrayal of the trauma匒s for Nandita Das she's a dear friend and I had promised her I'd not cast her as a victim this time again after Bawandar. And I kept my word." Provoked is being praised for its hardhitting theme. "One of my predominant concerns was the 'David Versus Goliath' theme, how this frail village woman from Punjab took on the British system. I was also interested in the whole sub-plot about the Southhall sisters (Nandita Das & Co) getting together to help Kiranjit in her crisis." The director never felt better. " We worked so hard on Provoked that I fell ill in the middle of the schedule. But I've started looking after myself now. I've lost a lot of weight, want to lose more. I've finally discovered my m閠ier as a movie maker. I feel I'm just starting out. "

Manoj Bajpai is a very good human being: Juhi Chawla

Juhi Chawla is a long runner, no doubt. She has been in the Bollywood fraternity for almost twenty years now, first as the bubbly and sweet girl next door and now as a veteran actress who dares to try out all kinds of roles. We decided to catch up with Chirpy Chawla on her shoot and asked her about her latest film 'Swami' which is in the last phase of its shooting. Q: What is this song all about that you are shooting for? A: It抯 the last schedule of our shooting and what could have been better than to end the film with the name of Ganeshji. Ganesh Visarjan is going to take place in the song. Manoj (Bajpai) gets good news about his family and his dream is finally going to come true. Q: But we have heard that there are no songs in the film匸/b] A: It抯 a theme song, which is being shot. When there抯 a celebration, music has to come in always. You can call it music but not the kind o song you normally see, in other Hindi movies. Q: What according to you is the USP of this film? A: First of all, this is not a typical multi-starrer film. The story is such that any person could relate to it. Ganesh (Acharya) has written it from his heart. Music and moments are very nice and touchy. You wouldn抰 see any melodrama or violence happening in the film. Overall it抯 a very beautiful simple film, which narrates its story in a simpler way. I had tears in my eyes when Ganesh narrated me the story for the first time. Q: Tell us something about your character? A: I am playing the character of a Maharashtrian woman named Radha. There抯 a family touch and simplicity attached with the character. Q: You are working with Manoj Bajpai for the first time匸/b] A: Yes. He抯 a tremendous actor and a very good human being. It was a great experience working with him. When Ganesh told me that he has signed Manoj (Bajpai) for the role of Swami I was really very happy and satisfied. No other person would have justified Swami抯 character other than Manoj. Q: How do you analyze Ganesh Acharya in his new role as a director? A: Ganesh has got a lot of experience in this industry. When he shoots a song then too there抯 a touch of comedy, action, emotions etc attached to it. It was his story and I think directed the film from his heart. Q: You have always been associated with the big banners. This seems to be a low-budget film匸/b] A: For me, more than a banner it抯 the film that I am working on counts. Any film with a good story would work. The budget of a film doesn抰 necessarily decide the future of a film. Q: Where was the film being shot? A: We completed the film in 130 days. It was mostly shot in Mumbai. We also shot some sequences in Khandala. We have worked hard day in and day out for the project.

Juhi Chawla

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Celina has a lot of oomph factor: Upen Patel[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Model-turned-actor Upen Patel is slowly but steadily making deep forays in Bollywood. He has two films to boot which are awaiting release in the theatres. Butterflies in his stomach, Upen is expecting his career in tinsel town takes off from here.

Q: Considering the fact that 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' and 'Namaste London' will be in theatres pretty soon, what is your present state of mind at present?
A: Right now I'm very excited about 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom'. It's a very big film for me. I'm a bit nervous but more excited than nervous because after one year I'm coming back on screen.

Q: Your expectations and experience from your first movie and the expectation after it.
A: Yes '36 China Town' was a fantastic launch pad for me. I was very happy with it because it gave my the chance to work with Subhash Ghai and Abbas Mastan, fantastic actors like Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Khanna and Shahid Kapur and also when the film was released the public liked it.

The critics appreciated my performance, my song became a super-hit. Because of the film '36 China Town' I'm in Bollywood today and because of the film this year I will be winning the 'Best New Comer' awards'.

It has really changed my life and today I'm here sitting in front of you. I have another big movie 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' directed by Sunil Darshan, another huge director. In this movie I'm playing the lead and there are six songs picturised on me, I have two love interests and it has been a big leap and has changed my life.

Q: Is there any similarities between your character in 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' and your real self?
A: Yes I do find them a bit similar because I myself have come from UK to India with stars in my eyes. I am ambitious, I'm focused so I can see bits of Reggi in me and I think every body, who comes to the industry has Reggie in him.

They come in, have big dreams of being number one, they want to work with the best directors, the best cast but one thing is for sure Reggi has a lot of talent and it shows. All who come into the industry have a bit of Reggi in them. That is why they will relate to it.

Q: How was the experience working in the movie especially with Bobby?
A: To be true it was fantastic working with him. He is a very easy going person. He is not insecure. He is very talented and he has been very supportive to not only me but everyone; that's why people have good things to say about him.

It was fantastic as a new comer to work with someone who is so established and so experienced. Then there is Kangna. I think she is in the same boat as me as she is a newcomer too. We have both been winning a lot of awards this year. People have appreciated us in our first films so it is an exciting moment for both of us because we are working with Suneel Darshan, such a big director, at such an early stage of our career.

Celina definitely is the oomph factor in the film. She adds the glamour to the film, so it is a pleasure working with all three of them but the biggest pleasure is working with Suneel Darshan. He is like a father figure to me, he believed in me, supported me and he believed that I have the talent to take it to another level.

He kept up the belief by signing me in another film and giving me such a platform to perform. So all the credit, respect and everything goes to Mr. Suneel Darshan for this. He is the man who worked with Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, he has worked with do many big people, so for me it was a pleasure to work with him as a newcomer.

Q: How did 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' happen to you?
A: I was shooting for '36 China Town' and I went to meet Suneel Darshan and I just told Mr Darshan that I wanted to be in his next film, I love and admire your work. And he said ok I have a subject which suits you and I'm doing a film with Bobby Deol so I'll call you.

Ands he aid I have seen your pictures of modeling and '36 China Town' and I think you have the potential. He also said that no matter how '36 China Town does, but you are in my next film. He said as simply as that.

Q: Any particular incident which occurred, that you remember?
A: Every instance I still recall. It was such a fun time; it was so exciting shooting in different locations, all the fan that came to meet me. It was such a big thing for me, I was so happy to be a part of it and be in South Africa.

Q: Doing a lead role in just your second film. Do you think you have blessing from God?
A: Getting such a fantastic launch and such a big film as a main lead with the songs being super hit, making a comeback after one year, winning awards being from UK and getting acceptance from the public, God has been great to me and given me a lot so I think I'm blessed by God.

Q: Apart from acting which aspect of film making attracts you most?
A: Only acting. I love being in front of the camera, I love performing, I love doing different characters and 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' gave me a chance to keep performing.

Q: Do you feel that having a godfather in the industry would have made things easier for you?
A: I don't know how easy is having a god father. So I cannot answer that. I am happy the way I have come into this industry and the way people have accepted me. I'm working with the best director and the production houses. For me it is fantastic the way it is.

Q: How are you marketing yourself in the film industry?
A: My films do the marketing for me. They do well and will market me.

Q: Tell us about you character in 'Namaste London'. Are you satisfied with it?
A: I'm playing a Pakistani boy called Imraan who falls in love with a British girl. I have not seen the film and moreover I'm concentrating on 'Shaka Laka

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Man, this dude Hrithik is so Hot: Nisha Kothari[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Q: What Ideal qualities you would look for in your dream man?
A: He should be extremely honest and sincere, plus have a positive and gungho attitude to life, as well.

Q: Don't looks figure high on your wish list?
A: If I like somebody then it would not really matter whether he looks good or not, for I believe more in the concept of inner beauty, rather than just exterior appearances.

Q: What gift would you want from your guy?
A: As of now I don't have a guy, but if had, all I would want from him would be his undivided time, that would be more than enough. As for material things, by God's grace, I already have everything what I need.

Q: Hottest looking Bollywood stud?
A: That would have to be Hrithik Roshan. Man, this dude looks really royal and dashing.

Q: The romantic Bollywood number you would want your guy to croon for you on?
A: 慡anson Ki Zaroorat hai

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]I didn't go to Tabu first, I went to Rani: Mira Nair[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]You're next getting into another Big One Shantaram.
(laughs) Yes, I'm very charged about that one. When in June 2006 Peter Weir left the project, the producers Warner Brothers who had approached me for the Harry Potter film, called me. It's a big big project. Not like you make a phonecall and you get Shantaram.

They sent me the script in confidence and warned me other directors were being considered. I went off to Kampala where I've a home and a film school, for the summer. There I read the book. When I returned they requested for a private screening of The Namesake. They liked the film.

We met in October. By then I was completely immersed in the book and its concept. I knew it thoroughly. It's the same territory as Salaam Bombay匢t's set in my beloved city of Mumbai. Shantaram is set in the 1980s' Mumbai at a time when I was in the city.

The producers of Martin Scorcese's The Departed and my Namesake was the same. So I was doing the festival route with Martin's film. That's when another meeting was arranged.

The script for Shantaram was written by Eric Roth even before Peter Weir came on. So I was working from that draft and telling my producers my concept of how Shantaram should be done.

And how should it be done?
It's about time we got Mumbai and India right. Who needs another City Of Joy here? Really, so much talent in such films. But there's a hollowness from inside. Authenticity is very important to Shantaram.

And the producers feel I can deliver. I guess it my love for Mumbai city, my knowledge of the script and their fondness for my work that clinched the matter. And of course Johnny Depp felt Shantaram was in secure hands.

How's Johnny Depp?
Oh, for all stratospheric boxoffice status he's a humble soul. He's generally inquisitive about the world. He considers Shantaram his bible. You know Russel Crowe and Brad Pitt were also very keen.

Mr Bachchan is very impressed by you.
By lovely chance he was there for the first screening of The Namesake in Mumbai. Everyone was transported卼he response was overwhelming. He's overwhelming in Black and Sarkar. The best part is he loves to act. He still enjoys the process. I can close my eyes and see Mr Bcahchan and Johnny Depp together.

You had a casting problem with The Namesake. You originally wanted Rani Mukherjee.
We met in New York. Her dates were looking completely fluid. It wasn't looking possible for her to define when it'd be possible for her to shoot for me. Then I met Karan and he told me his dates (for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna).

Rani and I will definitely work together. But for The Namesake I wonder if she'd have been comfortable aging far older than she is. The heroine has to go from 21 to 50.

Was that a bit of an upset?
Fortunately it was early days for the project. I had seen Rani in Yuva and thought she was my Asima. Because she was Bengali I didn't go to Tabu first. Finally Tabu fitted in perfectly. She makes me believe in destiny. We knew each other personally.

I really hold her in high regard. Tabu loved the novel and her character. We worked together to create Asima, the musicality in her voice, her delicacy and strength. Tabu is an amazing listener. She took instructions and internalized them.

Tabu shot in New York where she had the comfort of anoymity and hence the freedom to reinvent herself into the character. She was free to be whatever what she wanted.

And then of course I marinate my actors completely in love. They open their hearts in front of the camera. That isn't an easy thing to do.

And Kal Penn?
He was a comic star before The Namesake. It's a ground-breaking role for Kal. I've to give my 15-year old son credit for my signing Kal. He loved Kal for Harold & Kumar

I've told Shah Rukh Khan not to worry: Samir Nair

Why the change of heart? Well, even when I spoke to you last, I did mention that the change (from Star) might happen in the future. I wasn't aware that it would be so soon. The thought was in my head for a long time. Finally I decided I needed to do something new, and in an independent manner. I was getting restless. I need to have a sense of equity in the company that I proceed to next. Both you and Peter Mukherjea seem to be moving out simultaneously? No, his departure was on the anvil for quite a while, though obviously I didn't ask him details. As for me, I came to Star when I was 29. Now I'm 42. So it's more than a decade. It's time to carry my vision forward. It's time for an unfettered creative expression with a sense of ownership and purpose. Would you say you've peaked at Star? I wouldn't say that. No I wouldn't say that. I believe there's a lot of bad blood against you at Star? (evasively) My father always taught me one thing. 'Turn the page. Never dwell in the past'. Yes, there were differences about the management style卽ntil it came to a point where I said, just forget it. In life you can't choose parents and bosses. I want to do other things in life匢 want to make a movie. In fact that's been a dream since 1999. I used to make ad films. But my experience at Star has been great fun. It has taught me everything I know. And I'd think I've given a lot back to the channel. Yup, I've had a good time. If you had a choice to do things your way would you stay on at Star? Let's not ponder on the imponderable. Was switching over from Mr Bachchan to Mr Khan on KBC a tough experience? We were pursuing Mr Bachchan all the way from the time he fell ill. At first he was undecided. In April-May he said no. Then it was just me pursuing him all the way till August 2006. Shah Rukh is very close to you and not happy about your move from Star. But I'm not leaving right away. I'm working with him very closely on KBC. In an interview to HT SRK says he isn't aware that you're leaving Star? No he knows. In fact I've spoken to him about this at length. I've told him not to worry. I'm going to be around for KBC for a while. We both are very fond of each other. And there's no way I'd leave him in a lurch. The buzz is that a lot of Star's staff is leaving with you? I've had a meeting with them and told them that the channel needs them, work needs to be done, serials need to be made. I'm sure we'll work together again. This isn't a ride off in the sunset for me. But I need to start afresh. I needed this change.I don't feel rudderless. I've met the heads of all the departments at Star and advised them to let the show go on. Your highlights at Star? Well卛n 1994 one of the first interviews I did for Star Movies was with Naseruddin Shah. I asked him what he thought of Shah Rukh Khan. Naseer said SRK reminded him of the early Rajesh Khanna. The next big thing for me was when I got to handle Mr Bachchan's comeback movie Mrityudaata. That was a big event for me because I was such a big fan of AB. Then came the great movie acquisition when I managed to change the 5-year embargo on new films shown on tv. I reduced the time between theatre to satellite to five months. Then I became programming head and along came KBC and the all the Balajee soaps. Then the launch of channels like Star One. In 2006 I got promoted, and I got married, and I got Shah Rukh Khan on KBC. Now in 2007 I've quit my job at Star. Now it's the future, here I come. Balajee might decided to leave Star with you. I hope to work with everyone I've worked with.

Shah Rukh Khan

Samir Nair

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Esha and Fardeen make a fabulous pair: Meghna Gulzar[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Meghna Gulzar抯 first film Filhaal didn抰 exactly rock the box-office, but it did get her noticed. As a filmmaker who wanted to make films her way. The film starring Tabu and Sushmita Sen was widely discussed for its unique subject --- surrogate motherhood, where Sen's character carries the child for her best friend, played by Tabu.

Four years later, Meghna Gulzar is on the threshold of her second film called Just Married and will also be directing a story in Sanjay Gupta抯 Dus Kahaniyaan. Just Married, as opposed to Filhaal, is based on a less somber topic

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]I'll never fall for a guy who's gay: Aarti Chabaria[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Q: Tell us about your kind of a man?
A: First of all, I don抰 dig for a man. I prefer a self-made man, who抯 down to earth. One who抯 loving and caring. It must be someone who understands me and pampers me a great deal. He should have respect for my parents. He should also have a killer smile.

Q: Your favourite romantic getaway would be匸/b]
A: Gold coast. It抯 a beautiful beach in Australia. In India, it would be Goa.

Q: Do you believe that men are from Mars and women from Venus?
A: No. I don抰.

Q: Which man inspires you the most?
A: My dad for the person he is. He is head strong, focused in life, very intelligent and educated. He has taught me that money isn抰 all that matters in life. He believes in good will. He has proved to be a great husband and the greatest father.

Q: If given a chance to date a historical character who would he be and why?
A: Hitler. Maybe I would have brought out the romantic angle in him and prevented Second World War from taking place.

Q: You believe in one night stand or commitment?
A: Definitely, commitment.

Q: Can a man and a woman have a platonic relationship?
A: People say that a man and a woman can抰 be friends, but I believe that they can take care of each other without any sexual feelings attached to it.

Q: Your first crush?
A: There was a cute boy residing in my society. I used to go and stand for my school bus half an hour before to take a glimpse of this boy.

Q: What do you think about the institution of marriage?
A: Indian culture and 憆asams

Preity's affair with Ness is in danger!

Suchitra Krishnamoorthy's outburst has had far-reaching repercussion. Among those whom she has upset is Preity Zinta's special friend Ness Wadia who has been wondering why Suchitra has been talking in this way. Preity Zinta who absolutely denies having anything to do with Shekhar Kapoor has issued the filmmaker an ultimatum to clear her name. Preity called up Shekhar Kapoor asking him to clear her name immediately. Shekhar who was in Mumbai on Thursday to meet his daughter, was apparently very embarrassed and has promised Preity that he would clear the air. "Otherwise Preity will take drastic action against those who are bad-mouthing her," says a close friend of Preity. "I mean, Shekhar treats Preity like a child. He has virtually seen her grow up. Surely there're more discreet ways for an angry wife to be noticed? How would Suchitra like it if her 6-year daughter is questioned by her friends in school about her dad and Preity? Suchitra claims Preity called her up and said not to talk this way because she, Preity was getting married. No such thing happened." Preity adds, "Main pataa nahin kahan se controversies mein ghus jaati hoon. Where do I come into this? I've met Shekhar maybe five times in ten years. He was supposed to make my launch film. But it never happened. But we've kept in touch and we've met up when he was in India. In fact I was supposed to have been directed by Shekhar for producer Vishal Bharadwaj in a film called Mantra. That was the last I met him."

Preity Zinta & Ness

I didn't break her marriage: Preity

Preity Zinta continues to keep silent and stay unperturbed, despite all accusations of being a home-breaker by Suchitra Krishnamoorthy. Suchitra had previously blamed Priety for her broken marriage and held her responsible for estranging husband and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, in front of the media. Preity, however, says that she has nothing to do with the singer-turned-actress-turned-painter's husband and has been wrongly blamed. She explains, "It's unfortunate that I'm bearing the brunt of someone else's paranoia." Suchitra has accused Preity of having an affair with Shekhar Kapur Previously also when she had written about Preity in a personal blog. When informed that Suchitra had called her names the actress says, "It clearly shows that Suchitra is unstable and I wish her a speedy recovery." Preity has just completed her shoot with Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal in Kolkata for Rituparno Ghosh's film. "Kolkata was wonderful and working with Amitji and Rituda was a learning experience," she says.

Is Aishwarya a Bachchan already?

"Aishwarya never had any ceremony to get rid of her manglik curse. Nothing like this ever took place," Abhsthek told this week's edition of the "The Week" magazine,calling the widespread media accounts of the ceremonies "intrusive and insensitive." Abhishek and Aishwarya's marriage is expected to be Bollywood's biggest wedding in years. Last November the family travelled with Rai to a temple in for what the Indian media reported were prayers to clear up mismatches in their stars. The Bachchans -- known as the first family of Bollywood for their dominance of the entertainment industry -- held the ceremonies to offset the curse of being a "manglik" hanging over the green-eyed Rai, according to media reports. Pictures of Rai and the Bachchans emerging from the temple were splashed in Indian newspapers and one well-known astrologer, Chandrasghekar Swami, said he had "advised both the families to perform this corrective puja (prayer)." Astrologers also said Rai might have to marry a tree before her actual wedding to rid herself of her supposedly unlucky status. This would mean any bad luck would befall the tree, not Abhishek, one of Bollywood's leading men. Asked why he had not come out earlier with a denial, Bachchan, replied his job was "to act and I guess I am doing fine." Meanwhile the duo is supposed to tie the knot on April 19. The festivities associated with Abhishek's wedding with Aishwarya are expected to spread over three days. There will be a Sangeet ceremony on the April 18 and a Mehendi ceremony the next day, both at the Bachchan residence - Jalsa. The Bachchan boy will walk the aisle with Aishawarya in the early morning hours of April 20 at Bachchan's bungalow - Prateeksha. The baaraat will leave Jalsa for Prateeksha on the night of Apr 19. Though Hindu marriages are traditionally solemnized at the bride's house, these days, it is not uncommon for the bride's side to arrange the wedding at a venue outside their house to accommodate larger number of guests. But the bride's parents arranging a wedding at the house belonging to the groom's family is unprecedented. If the wedding has to take place in a house, it has to be the bride's house. Amitabh Bachchan has gone on record saying the wedding will be a low key affair in view of his mother's indifferent health. An inner circle of family and friends are expected to attend. The Bachchans are known to be staunch and unabashed traditionalists. They believe in their faith, they visit temples and they consult priests and even astrologers. What happened to their respect for Hindu traditions when it came to choosing a venue for the wedding? Just wondering!

Heard from Ria tis mrng...anak perempuan Achik Spin yg berusia 3 bln da meningal dunia akibat demam panas.Innalillahirojiun....

Hrithik-Shahrukh clash!



[table=98%][tr][td]Coming 12th October Hrithik & Shahrukh Khan are expected to battle it out at the ticket window and Sushmita Sen & Aiswarya Rai are also expected to clash on the same date. Director Ashutosh Goarikar will realease his next Film 慬i]Jodhaa-Akbar抂/i] with starring Hrithik and Aiswarya had already confirmed on 12th October. On the other hand director Vivek Vaswani also announced on the same date of 慏ulha Mil Gaya

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]How bankable is Aishwarya Rai?[/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]After being the hot property for years, the Ash fixation continues till today. Aishwarya Rai was touted as the next Miss India way back in 1993, months before she even participated in the contest.

The grey-green eyed beauty was a well known supermodel and when she came second to Sushmita Sen by a very small margin, there was much disappointment in the air that cleared only after she was crowned Miss World and embarked on a Bollywood career.

Almost fourteen years later, things are still the same.

Today too, she is as hot as she was during those days. The biggie Dhoom 2 has done well, and one of those to have gained most out of it is undoubtedly Aishwarya Rai. With her re-invented look, her Adonis- Venus kind of pairing with handsome hunk Hrithik Roshan, she is in the wanted list.

And importantly, all the films in her kitty are an impressive lot - Mani Ratnam抯 Guru, Ram Gopal Verma抯 Sarkar 2, Ashutosh Gowarikar抯 Jodha Akbar, Suneil Shetty produced Raaste alongside John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan and Gaurang Doshi抯 Happy Birthday which is in the process of getting finalized.

Ash is in great demand in spite of the fact that many can抰 really recall her last big solo hit. It was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999 more than seven years ago. One can count the 2002 hit Devdas too but Ash didn抰 really carry the film on her shoulders

Even her affairs have portrayed her in bad light, be it the unfortunate Salman Khan episode, her association with Vivek Oberoi or the liaison with current 慻ood friend

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Salman foils Ash-Abhishek's plan![/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]It is learnt that as part of his act, Bachchan Jr had planned that he would step down from the stage to Ash, who was seated in the front row, and lead her onto the stage for a shimmy at last weekend抯 Zee Cine Awards in Malaysia.

But to their horror, Katrina and her dancers (who performed before AbhiAsh) leapt into the audience mid-way through their frenzied gyrations and dragged a suitably surprised looking Salman to the stage for some synchronised dancing.

Both couples had different choreographers for their performances. Ganesh Hedge directed AbhiAsh抯 segment, while Bosco-Ceasar choreographed the KhanKat抯 act.

When asked about KhanKat抯 act, choreographer Bosco Martis says, 揟hat part of the act was Salman抯 own doing. It was impromptu and we did not know anything about it.

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]It's not easy being Vidya Balan![/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]It's not easy being Vidya Balan. "I've had four releases in the past one year. After Lage Raho Munnabhai, Eklayva and Guru last year, the next year started for me with Salaam-e-Ishq. There I played this fey and feisty woman married to John Abraham."

So that's how the two got linked! "Precisely," Vidya chuckles. 'We got along well enough for people to notice. But an affair? Have a heart! I haven't found a man I'd like to spend my life with.

When he comes along I'd give up everything, career included, and probably surrender completely. Do you think I'd risk that kind of commitment at this stage of my career when things are going well?"

So what's the truth about John? "We just got along well shooting Salaam-e-Ishq, as we were supposed to. So maybe people saw us getting along well and made up their own screenplay. From the little I know of Bipasha she's a no-nonsense honest person. She won't take such nonsense lying down. But Sanjay Dutt?

Poor thing! He's become so self-conscious after our link-up stories he mumbles a hello and moves away. I can see how the story was planted. After interviewing me the journalist called the next day to ask if something was up between me and Sanju.

Obviously the editor must have said, 'Vidya not interesting enough. Masala maro.' I'd rather be uninteresting than known for my link-ups."

Vidya bursts out laughing, revealing that rare side to her personality which people don't notice too often. "I do have a sense of humour. That's why I enjoyed doing Lage Raho Munnabhai so much. I had a ball shooting with Sanju and Arshad. "

In Hey Baby Vidya is cast as the baby's mother. "I don't mind playing a mom if the role is as charming as the one in Hey Baby. In fact I've no reservations about anything. Just bring on the challenging characters."

Priyadarshan's Chandramukhi would be a big challenge since Vidya plays a classical dancer in the film. "Since I'm Tamilian Iyer Brahmin I'm trained in Carnatic singing. I was also trained in Bharat Natyam for a while. But I lost interest.

Later I took up Kathak, and got busy with other things. But I need to brush up my dancing for Chandramukhi. I've seen what Shobana has done in the original Malayalam film. I adore Shobana. To match steps with her would be impossible."

Isn't there a danger of Vidya getting tyepcast as the old-world heroine after doing Parineeta and now Chandramukhi? "I don't mind the era and aura as long as the role is challenging. It's not as if I'm only playing old-world roles. In Lage Raho Munnabhai and Salaam-e-Ishq I'm very much a woman of today."

Though Vidya was pivotal to Lage Raho

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Shah Rukh For the Dummies![/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Shah Rukh had an 憃ut of body

[table=98%][tr][td=2,1]It's not easy to Kick Butt: Saif [/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1]Saif has really decided to take it easy while he sends letters to his producers saying, "No more work on Sundays. I'm a hundred per cent recovered now. I have been asked to give up on smoking, and even if I wasn't, I'm smart enough to know that smoking is seriously damaging to my health."

Saif dismisses the rumour that he has started smoking again as "absolute rubbish". I aint that crazy to start after I've quit? the initial three weeks is always tough for anyone who wants to quit. Once you get over that phase you're home and free. Luckily for me, I was in hospital and under medication. By the time I came out of the hospital the addiction was over," he says.

Saif suffered the usual withdrawal symptoms, like the trembling of the hands, in the hospital. "But it wasn't that bad either. The real ordeal will start now.

When I'm in a bar watching friends smoke, the urge is bound to hit me. I wouldn't call quitting smoking a sacrifice but a necessity requiring a very strong motivation to give up, which I had. Either I quit, or I fall ill again."

"Smoking adds to the chances of your falling sick. It's like adding a bottle of whiskey to fast driving. That's what my cardiologist compares smoking to," Saif says.

Saif's cardiologist is almost a divine figure in his life at the moment. "I wasn't afraid when I fell ill. I've always had a fatalistic attitude to life