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Abhishek and his 'Thaggu Ke Laddoo'

Not many will know this but the director of Abhishek-Rani's 40 crore earner BUNTY AUR BABLI, Shaad Ali is the son of former Kanpur MP Subhashini Ali. Shaad calls the owner (Prakash Pandey) of the famous shop 'Thaggu Ke Laddoo', 'mama' (maternal uncle). One of the important sequences of BUNTY AUR BABLI was shot at the famous sweetmeet shop of Kanpur and even Abhishek addressed Pandey as 'mama' and is believed to have told him that he will order his delicacy for his marriage.

The owner on hearing about the wedding of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, reached Bombay with 51 kilograms of his famous delicacy 'Thaggu Ke Laddoo' and was given extensive media coverage. Unfortunately the security staff of the two Bachchan residences did not allow Pandey inside. A disappointed Pandey fed the sweets to the media people and security staff outside the two Bachchan residences, 'Prateeksha' and 'Jalsa' and left for home.

Celina Jaitely to endorse a mineral water brand


Celina has always been health conscious right from the beginning. And one of the reasons for her glowing skin is that Celina swears by the regular intake of Water daily.

And like her Hollywood counter parts like Madonna who promotes 'Kabbalah mountain spring water' and Tom cruise who is associated with 'Fiji Water', Celina Jaitely has been approached to endorse a Mineral spring Water brand for a whopping sum. The brand will be the most expensive mineral water brand in India. And Celina was most excited to promote the brand since she is the strongest votary of the health benefits of pure drinking water. "Yes, I will be endorsing a mineral water brand, and am excited but more so because I believe in it. Pure drinking water is the best for the health conscious,"Celina informs us.

No connection between Tabu's fashion walk and FASHION

It is not very often that the over choosy Tabu walks the ramp. And so when she did participate in a fashion show recently, people thought that it was because she would soon start shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar's FASHION.

However, we must tell you that there is absolutely no connection between Madhur's FASHION and the fashion show. In fact, it is not even clear whether
Tabu would be part of Madhur Bhandarkar's next English title film or not.

We must add that Madhur is keeping the name of FASHION cast and crew very close to his chest. Is it because TRAFFIC SIGNAL could not perform as per the expectations?

Shilpa抯 invitation to Jade merely a rumour

It was recently reported in the media that Shilpa Shetty has invited ex-'Big Brother' participant Jade Goody for the London premiere of Anurag Basu's forthcoming film METRO. But this news turns out to be yet another false rumour about the actress. "Shilpa has indeed invited a couple of 'Big Brother' participants who are in touch with her after the show. But Jade is not one of them," clarified Dale Bhagwagar, spokesperson and publicist to Shilpa Shetty.

The actress, leaving for London in the second week of May, is also planning to invite part of the 'Big Brother' production team for the premiere.

Shilpa Shetty


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 9-5-2007 02:09 PM ]

Kareena, Celina hot up UP polls

Bollywood beauties Kareena Kapoor and Celina Jaitley are all set to sizzle the UP Assembly elections in the temple town of Varanasi.
The two actors have been roped in by Congress candidate Mohammed Sheikh Shamim to 揷harm voters

Rani Mukherjee got slimmer for the film 'Tara Rum Pum'
	Rani Mukherjee got slimmer for the film 'Tara Rum Pum'. She reveals, "I got slim. That's the magic mantra. The minute I was told about the kind of look I'm supposed to carry off in a major part of the film, I knew I had to get seriously slim. If I had put on those short skirts looking the way I did earlier, I'd have looked pretty stupid." When asked is it just because the film or some romance are there, she immediately replies, "I'm not holding my breath for love. It doesn't obey a time frame. In a way, I'm glad I don't have a man in my life. It gives me the chance to focus completely on my work. But if and when it happens, I'm not going to say 'no' to love just because I'm busy."

Ash-Abhi not a hit pair on the adv space

Ash-Abhi could well be the latest Jodi No 1, but India's most famous celebrity couple has surprisingly found few takers on the brand endorsement circuit as a hit pair. Contrary to popular belief that the Ash-Abhi pair would now be the hottest property in marketers' books, very few top-line brands the two independently endorse, such as LG, AmEx, Motorola or Lux, seem to be keen on getting them on board as a twosome.

Industry observers believe that Ash-Abhi's combined price would be something only super-premium luxury brands would be able to afford, besides their tentative on-screen chemistry which could also be deterring advertisers.

According to sources, Ash-Abhi together have put a price tag in the range of Rs 8-10 crore, unlike Kajol and Ajay Devgan who charge Rs 5-7 crore per endorsement. 揑n addition, Kajol-Ajay Devgan convey a homely, mass appeal, which works well for brands.

GoAir aims to fly high with Preity Zinta

GoAir, India's upcoming airline is the first domestic airline to appoint a Bollywood Star as its brand ambassador, the company has appointed Preity Zinta to help them make a strong statement in the already overcrowded airline space. Preity will feature in their new thematic nationwide campaign 'Chalo India, Lets Fly Smart'. Jeh Wadia, Managing director of the airline said, "GoAir is committed to achieving a leadership position in the low fare airline segment. In a short span of time, it has been able to capture 5% market share while generating recognition and loyalty among its passengers and also within the airline industry. I am pleased to announce, Preity as GoAir's brand ambassador." Speaking on her new role Preity said "I'm absolutely delighted to be part of a brand that echoes my inherent sense of self. I hope that the affordable and competitive pricing policy will enable a larger chunk of Indians to fly." The 'Preity' instinctive style, full of beans and youthful persona are in line with what the airline wants to convey as its USP. Preity will support and be part of various marketing and branding efforts in the months to come.

John and Bipasha's dating game

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Mumbai: It抯 not often that we get to go out on dates outside a relationship. But actors John Abraham and Bipasha Basu have managed that and successfully so.
And Zubin and Namita beat 300 others to grab a date with the star couple all as part of the Clinic All clear Cruise with Me Contest.
And it was clearly a first for the star couple who got a perfect excuse to date others.
揟hat's what Namita wanted to know when she was sitting with me for dinner,

Arshad Warsi keeping aloof

Arshad Warsi mostly likes to keep to himself on the sets of Vivek Agnihotri抯 movie Goal which is being shot in London.

Ever since the movie went on the floors, rumours have been afloat about a 慶old war

Mallika vs Himesh Reshammiya now

Action never stops with Mallika Sherawat. This sexy babe of Bollywood and the 'Unveiled' lady of Hollywood will now play a negative role. The name of the film is 'Aap Ka Suroor', the debut movie as an actor for music composer and singer, the man in the cap, Himesh Reshammiya. The role will be a vital one in the film, according to the sources. The movie has seven tracks by the man himself and possibly one of the tracks will be around the 'Mayya Mayya' girl. Produced by Vinay Tarneja and directed by Prashant Chadha, 'Aap Ka Suroor' will be introducing a new face Riya into the industry. The film which is slated to hit the silver screens on June 29th is said to be based on the life story of Himesh himself. The film has two endings; a good and sad one and the decision as to which ending will be used for the film is yet to be decided. Doesn't matter which ending will be used but the good news of Mallika in the film will surely draw more crowds to the multiplex.

Bebo refused itsy-bitsy dress!

Last seen in Don, Kareena Kapoor will now be seen in a single dance number in the forthcoming 'Kya Love Story Hai' which she did as friendly gesture towards the film's director Lovely Singh. Says kareena, "I've known him since 'Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'. Doing the song was a gesture of love and friendship. And when he explained the concept to me and I heard the song I knew it was going to be a rocking number. I loved it. I've worn the most glamorous clothes, driven a limo and strummed a 25-feet guitar! It doesn't get better!" Incidentally, kareena had taken the year off after her last perfomance in Don. And now she chooses to return to work with a dance number. What a coincidence! Kareena plays herself in the song and when asked if she had contributes to the song in any way, she said, "I told Lovely that I would not go overboard on the glamour front with any itsy-bitsy costumes. It was my idea to perform in jeans and gorgeous gowns. Otherwise, it has been the team work of music director Pritam, choreographer Bosco, my dress designer Manish Malhotra, the director Lovely Singh, and Alisha Chinoi who has lent her golden voice to this number." Ofcourse, she knew from the very start that the song would become a chartbuster - "When I first heard it, I loved it!, she adds. So, does she have any expectations from such an appearance, we ask. "There are no expectations except that I can experiment with some really glamorous looks. It is a good balance after doing films like 'Chameli' and 'Omkara' where I am deglamorised. And then there is the additional high of knowing that millions of people out there are going to dance to my moves" replies kareena who will soon be seen in Imtiaz Ali's film with Shahid as her co-star, Yash Chopra's next with Akshay and Saif, and Mani Ratnam's 'Lajjo' with Aamir Khan. Finally, the glam girl signs off with some valuable tips on how she maintain her figure- "I begin the day doing yoga and that has really helped! And thanks to Shahid (Kapoor) I have turned vegetarian, which has further enhanced my physique!". -

Arshad Warsi turns Villain now

Arshad Warsi admits he's fed up of doing comedy. Now he is all set to turn negative with an author-backed assassin's role on Kabeer Kaushik's Qazaa (death). "I'm playing a terrorist on hire. My character doesn't just shoot to kill, he plants bombs to destroy cities. Qazaa is a film about global terrorism." Apparently the director is unable to convince any actor to play the positive character since he has already cast scene-stealer Arshad in the author-backed negative role. Says Arshad, "I've two other films where I play negative roles. Kabeer Kaushik has tremendous faith in me. I think I can pull off the villain's role in Qaazi. It's not about playing the main role. I've refused so many leads, you'd be shocked if I start counting." Arshad currently shooting for Goal in London is in the mood to get serious. "I try variations but I'm bored of comedy. It's like having the same food everyday. There's bound to be tedium. In fact I've stopped accepting comedy," admits the affable actor whose comic turn in Munnabhai, Salaam Namaste, Hulchal and Gol Maal brought the house down. "My last comedy after Lage Raho Munnabhai will be Indra Kumar's Dhamaal匒nthony Kaun Hai is a thriller. I'm not trying to be funny in it. Again in Kabul Express I was a guy with a sense of humour who maroes his one-liners but he isn't a funny-guy." After Salaam Namaste Arshad is pleased to be in another Yashraj film. "The took keen interest in the whole release of Kabul Express. See, I get very upset when I'm asked to hop on-board to provide the talent quotient while another guy regardless of talent gets all the money and attention because he's a star. I won't support weak actors by playing stupid roles. That's why I enjoy working with Sanjay Dutt. He's not at all insecure. I started my career late, stayed away for three years匢've seen it all." Earlier Arshad played a serious anti-establishment cop in Kabeer Kaushik's Saher. "That gave me a completely different role to do. If Saher didn't work it wasn't because of my comic image. It just didn't have the money to be marketed well." About losing out working with Rituparno Ghosh in Sunglass. "I knew it'd be great fun working with. But never mind. I know some day he'll call me again. Yes, it was a money issue. In signing films my logic is very simple. Either give me the money or the fame. The big filmmakers don't pay you. So who the hell pays my bills? I think I'll have to find another job to support myself as an actor." How about theatre? "I've been a choreographer on stage before I became a film actor. Theatre gives even less money than movies."

Every night, I thank God:Rani

Rani Mukherjee, the 'girl-next-door' of Bollywood, awaits the release of one of her most awaited flicks from Yashraj Films - 'Tara Rum Pum'. The film to be released the coming Friday, is a story that revolves around the fast and dicey world of car racing and entails tragedy and drama in its weaves. The film is expected to tug at the heartstrings of all lovers and entertain children everywhere hugely with its cute stuffed-toy characters. On a personal front, Rani Mukherjee has, in recent months, housed her extremely fortunate parents and brother Raja's family in five star hotel suites while her apartment as well as her bungalow in suburban Mumbai was under renovation and restyling. Her close friend Twinkle Khanna has designed the apartment into which the family will move this week. It won't be long before Suzanne Roshan gets the Juhu bungalow ready and the family will move into this spacious home. For the Mumbai bred girl with a family that has braced the highs and lows of the Hindi film industry by sticking together, staying close matters a lot. The 'staying together through adversities' theme seems to be the key one in the up coming Tara Rum Pum, too. "Suzanne has been working on the bungalow for two years - she had her son Hrehaan during this time," says Rani, "When we move in there soon, the present apartment will be my workplace. Looking around at the break-ups in celebrity families, I feel our family has been fortunate. Every night, I thank God for the happiness which my family shares in togetherness." Though not invited to the Abhi-Ash wedding, she will resume shooting for Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunari Mein Daag. The film with Abhishek and the very versatile Konkana Sen will resume shooting their scenes together on June 11 post the 'Abhiash' honeymoon, when the unit starts shooting abroad.

I admire Aamir, Salman and Sunny: Mukesh Rishi

Mukesh Rishi has worked in many Bollywood blockbusters such as Sarfarosh, Indian, Gardish, Koi Milgaya, Run, Ghatak and Tumko Na Bhool Payenge and has done quite a few south indian films as well. And, now he is making his come back to Bollywood with film the'Lahore'. Q. Tell us some thing about your forth-coming film Lahore? A. It's an India-Pakistan story that has not been seen ever before in the history of Indian Cinema and Cricket plays a role in the film. It is a humble but a strong move to bind the cords of friendship between the two countries. It's a story which touches the heart of an ordinary person. Q. How was your experience with your co stars? A. In this movie, we will be introducing new stars as the Hero and the Heroin and there are other actors like Nafisa Ali, Farookh Shiekh, Nirmal Pandey, Ayub Khan, Ashish Vidyarthi as well. A major part of the movie is yet to be shot- we have just completed a part of it and it has been a good experience to work with them. Q.What is your dream role? Are you planning to do comic roles as well? A. See, it is all up to directors and what kind of characters they offer. I usually get all the negative characters and so, that what I am doing. However, I have already played a role with a touch of comedy in the film Run and I would be very pleased to work in movies like Black & Eklavya. More over there is no variety in our work as a villain. Q.What do you think about Bollywood's future 05 to 10 years from now? A. After watching the movie Krrish, I can say that Bollywood is going to produce movies at par with Hollywood in terms of technique and budget. Q. Are you planning to move towards any other wing of film making like Direction, Production etc? Is there any other movie in the pipeline apart from Lahore? A. No, I don't have any such plans. I will continue with my acting. And I am working in movies like Kamal Amrohi's 'Hote Hote Hogaya' and another Punjabi film 'Varisha' in which I am doing lead role. Q. How you are going to manage with your work in South India as well as in Bollywood? A. I don't want any hustle in work; I will do 3-4 movies in the south and 3-4 movies in Hindi. Q. Who is your favorite actor in Bollywood? A. I admire Aamir, Salman & Sunny; I have worked with Sunny in movies like Ghatak, Arjun Pandit, Indian etc as well. Q. What do you do in your free time, and tell us some thing about your family? A. ( grinning) Well I have two kids. Exercise is my best friend, whenever I get time I work out. -

Aamir Khan

Salman Khan

Sunny Deol

Mukesh Rishi

Abhi returns to Rani and Ash to Hrithik

Abhishek will now romance Rani in Pradeep Sarkar抯 Laagi Chunri Mein Daag and Hrithik will court Ash in Ashutosh Gowarikar抯 Jodhaa Akbar.

The marriage is over and now Abhiash must get back to work. Bollywood is naturally keen to see where the star couple will pick up their careers from. Abhishek has always looked good with Rani Mukerji (a Bachchan family favourite, once) while Ash sizzled with Hrithik Roshan (who can forget Dhoom 2 ); but after Rani and Hrithik were kept out of the wedding guest list, it will be interesting to see if the on-screen couples sizzle again. So, Abhishek will now romance Rani in Pradeep Sarkar抯 Laagi Chunri Mein Daag and Hrithik will court Ash in Ashutosh Gowarikar抯 Jodhaa Akbar .

Even as Abhi and Ash were making the saat pheras and garlanding each other at Prateeksha on Friday last, both Rani and Hrithik were quietly shooting for their respective films without their lead counterparts. It抯 more or less confirmed that post his honeymoon, Abhishek will join the unit of Laagi. .. on June 11. 揂fter shooting for a few days in Mumbai, the cast and crew will go to attend the International Film Festival in Yorkshire between June 7 and 10. And Abhishek, who will be at the event, will join them on the 11th as they have a schedule slated abroad,

Sanjay, SRK, Saif Ali, Salman get framed for a special song

In a coup of sorts (and a further proof of 慘han bonding

Bitching doesn't bother me: Rani

It's the 11-year-itch maybe. Ever since 1996, she has done 35 films ..and just a year ago, was even acknowledged as Heroine No. 1. Then a somersault. She became associated only with the Yashraj banner and her cell phone numer became a national secret.

Yet, there's no denying that her very name sparks feelgood vibes among the audience..next Friday, she shows up in Ta Ra Rum Pum

Shah Rukh and Amitabh in the same film

Despite rumours of a long-simmering rivalry, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan will be working together again, a news report said yesterday. The two actors have signed for producer Ravi Chopra's next film, Bhootnath, a story of a friendly ghost. Bachchan is expected to play the ghost's character. Rumours of a bitter rivalry between the two have been fuelled by media reports that Khan was not invited to last week's high-profile wedding between Bachchan's son, Abhishek, and actress Aishwarya Rai. However, the Asian Age quoted Chopra as saying that the two actors were very keen to work together, and "kept calling me to know when the other was free".

Shah Rukh Khan

Amitabh Bachchan

揂rjun is a very good observer, so he would always capture the right mood.