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Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Gupta bury hatchet

Arjun Rampal Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Gupta have sorted out all the differences aroused some time back. Arjun Rampal will soon be seen in one of Sanjay Gupta's White feather films and Ekta Kapoor抯 Balaji Telefilms next joint venture to be directed by Yusuf Khan of dud 'Khel' fame. The film will also have Sanjay Dutt, Tusshar Kapoor and Fardeen Khan and will go on floors in July.

Priya Gill to act in Bhojpuri film

Priya Gill, who had vanished from the limelight after few films like 'Tere Mere Sapne', 'Sirf Tum' and 'Josh' will soon be back on the scene. But hold on, it won't be in Hindi but rather a Bhojpuri film called 'Piya Tose naina Lage'. Her last Hindi film was J.P. Dutta's 'LOC: Kargil'. Truly, Bollywood's loss is Bhojpuri's gain.

Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty to perform at IIFA

International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) will be held at Yorkshire this year. The grand ceremony that IIFA is every year, this year too it will be a three day function to be held between June 7

Emraan undecided about UTV 3-film offer?

If grapevine is to be believed, Emraan Hashmi was recently offered a 3-film contract by country's premier film making house UTV MOTION PICTURES. Surprisingly, Emraan is still contemplating whether to accept or reject the offer and is keeping everyone guessing. Says our source, "Emraan is basically playing a wait and watch game. Yes, the offer does sound interesting but he first wishes to test the waters and also see how is it working out for other actors who have got into such details." But what could really be the reason behind all the apprehension? Also won't it anyways add to his profile by being associated with a biggie production house like UTV? "If he had to jump to an offer like this, he always had Mukesh Bhatt's VISHESH FILMS to look up to", adds the source, "But he didn't sign any contract there too, right?" Is it money, the kind of projects he is getting there or something else altogether which is keeping him waiting? "See, he is at such a stage of his career that he has to think a lot before he decides what is lucrative and what is not. Money is a good thing, yes, but then the projects and the kind of subjects he works on is of utmost importance too. He has to move up the ladder now and show the film world that he has in him which makes for a versatile actor. I am sure UTV would only offer him the kind of projects which he truly deserves; they realize his true potential and are well aware of his star and fan power. Let's wait for some more time and Emraan should be able to make up his mind."

When would Shilpa Shetty be revealed?

She may have been hailed for her performance in LIFE IN A....METRO but she is still waiting to be revealed. Surprised? Well that's true since she is also a leading heroine in upcoming APNE but one is yet to see her in the promotional campaign of the film. While all the Deol stars [Dharmendra, Sunny, Bobby] featured in the opening teasers for the film, since last week Bobby Deol and Katrina Kaif have been prominent in the promotional scheme of things with their dance number 'Mehfuz' on air. This leaves Shilpa Shetty as the sole leading actor from the film who is yet to be revealed in the publicity material of the film. One looks forward to that happening in a fortnight's time once METRO euphoria settles down and audience is ready to watch Shilpa in a new role.

Bobby wants to keep Katrina 'mehfuz'

Promotion of APNE is gathering steam and after an initial teaser featuring the three Deols together, music channels have now started featuring a track choreographed on Bobby Deol and Katrina Kaif. A fast moving dance number composed and sung by Himesh Reshammiya, 'Mehfuz' is the number in question which has its setting on a stage created outdoors. The track has been set on the lines of some recent concerts by leading music channels which were held on open grounds with all the lights, pyrotechnics and the works in place. Flashy in appeal, 'Mehfuz' boasts of ever-so-stunning Katrina Kaif shaking a leg or two with Bobby who carries on his rock star look from the days of SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM. The film also stars Shilpa Shetty in lead with Sunny Deol while Aryan Vaid plays a baddie. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film was finished in a time span of 8 months and is now aiming for a late June/early July release across the globe.

Madhuri Dixit: An ode to a beauty

Where it not announced today that she has attained the mystical figure of forty, nobody would have come to believe that Bubbly as Madhuri Dixit is called has indeed reached this scale. It still appears as if it was just yesterday she galloped into our hearts with the EK DO TEEN, and may again do so. Though she had started her career with a flop ABODH under Rajshri Banner, it was the same banner that gave her one of the biggest hits of her life, HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN. It was thanks to HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN, where Madhuri brought out the shocking purple colour out of the closet and established it into the priority of the brand conscious as the new pink colour. This had never been achieved with anybody else earlier as it happened with Madhuri.

She had shown the spark of her dance prowess in the Anil Kapoor starrer HIFAJAT and though it was not a hit the wolf whistles that she had got for her movements, was a tell tale sign about a diva which was going to set the screen on fire. And indeed, she did fire the screen, as the phenomenal success that TEZAAB achieved and in the success a major contributor was the EKDO TEEN song which set ablaze the screen all across the country, and it was owing to her dancing that she for the first time a new trend was introduced in the Hindi films where a song was subsequently added in the film to encash the magic of Madhuri. This had set a trend of the similar kind for various songs, but the aura that Madhuri could create, could not be emulated by anybody else and the result was that this trend died out a quite death. This was also the time when she was acting with seniors like Vinod Khanna as also with her contemporaries.

She was the real super star heroine from the Marathi ilk, as the kind of success that she enjoyed and the way she dominated the screen for the time that she did, is a feat yet to be emulated. The kind of success that Anil Kapoor also enjoyed acting against her, he could rarely follow it up with other heroines. She could also be the first film actress in the Hindi film industry who made two super heroes of their time Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda dance to her tune in tandem, a feat which may not be repeated in the near future. Besides, she could hold the fort against her successors like Karishma Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai in DIL TO PAGAL HAI and DEVDAS respectively is also a characteristic of her passion for the craft of the cinema. It was indeed, the passion, which sort of coaxed her to work in an off-beat film like MRITYUDATA against a very junior actor Ayub Khan as the cause was dear to her heart and for Prakash Jha MRITYUDATA turned out to be the film which catapulted him into the major league.

Indeed there would not be another actor any where in the film fraternity who could have a film named after her, while she still is going to start a second innings of a career, MAIN MADHURI DIXIT BANNA CHATI HOON, an ode to the fact that Madhuri could extend her charm even to small towns and villages and created a new sense of confidence in the girls to try and emulate her.

The loss of microbiology indeed has been the boon for the entertainment industry, and it is hoped that her second career would be another treatise in dancing prowess.

[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 17-5-2007 04:59 PM ]

Emraan was to play Sharman's role in METRO

Not many are aware but Emraan Hashmi was the first choice to play the role of a call center executive in LIFE IN A...METRO which eventually went to Sharman Joshi.

As per insiders, Emraan along with Konkana Sen were the only two actors from the ensemble cast of the film who were given a complete script narration before the film came on floors. While Konkana merrily got into the project, Emraan had to opt out due to date hassles. Rest of the starcast was game to be a part of the film and was signed in without any hassles or second thoughts.

While Emraan hasn't lost much due to two exciting films on the anvil [THE TRAIN, AWARAPAN], Sharman Joshi must definitely be grinning from ear to ear since he has received accolades from all corners ever since METRO arrived last Friday.

His act has been hailed as flawless by masses, classes and the industry folks alike and has turned out to be yet another instance when people have stood up and taken notice of this talented young man.

As a 20 something call center executive who sells his self respect and pride to fulfill his dead father's wish of building a house of his own, Sharman has managed to come up with a commendable act which lights up the mood every time he appears on screen.

He would soon be seen in this Friday's release RAQEEB where he plays a playboy and Rahul Khanna's best friend. The film also stars Jimmy Sheirgill and Tanushree Dutta and is being touted as a dramatic thriller set in Hitchcockian mode.

Mika's girl romances Akshay and Bobby

For someone who first got noticed after shaking a leg with Mika, it is quite a journey to be getting into the league of Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna!

We are talking about Urvashi Sharma, a popular face in the world of modeling, who soared temperatures with her high-on-sensuality act in Mika's popular album SOMETHING SOMETHING. Her moves on the groovy beats of 'Something Something' in an ultra-exciting white attire were the talk of the town when the music video arrived. It went on to become a huge hit and suddenly she was being one of the most sought after girls in the film world.

Later this year, she was seen taking a 180 degrees shift as she made an appearance in the music video of Atif Aslam's non-film album DOORIE. Yet again, she was attired in white though this time around she was covered from head to toe and gave an altogether different account of hers. Showcasing her versatility as a heartbroken girl, she attracted eyeballs yet again.

Now after a successful stint with music videos, she would finally be seen on the big screen in July release NAQAB. A suspense film by Abbas Mustan which is being touted as THE MOST SHOCKING THRILLER OF THE YEAR, NAQAB stars Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna in the lead with Urvashi Sharma as their center of attraction.

The film's theatrical promo has created a sensation ever since it was first aired along with the screening of LIFE IN A...METRO and since then the followers of Abbas-Mustan duo have been eagerly awaiting the film to arrive.

Akshaye Khanna


[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 17-5-2007 05:06 PM ]

Aishwarya抯 next Hollywood release !

According to sources, Aishwarya Rai's first release after marriage will be her Hollywood flick 'The Last Legion ', which will hit the Indian screens in August. It is a classic period drama featuring Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth with Ash as the only female lead. The film will have simultaneous release worldwide and will also be dubbed in Hindi. After Paul Mayeda Berges's Mistress of Spices and Jagmohan Mundhra's Provoked where she plays Indian characters for an international audience, in The Last Legion she'll finally play a character that has nothing to do with her nationality.

Bipasha Basu turns Pakistani

Bipasha has finished shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's football flick Goal. Laughs Bipasha, "What makes it special is the fact that John and I are coming together after three years. The last film we did together was Madhoshi. After that I was determined to do only a good film with him. Also, in Goal I play a Pakistani girl. I wanted to make sure that whenever we come together again our chemistry mustn't be a repeat of Jism. In Goal our chemistry is completely different." More exciting than the presence of John is the fact that Bipasha plays a girl from the other side of the border. In this she becomes one with Preity Zinta in Veer-Zara and Kareena Kapoor in Refugee. "I've never played anything like this. Though the focus of the plot is the game of football, I do have a substantial role to play." She laughs and remembers, "This is my first role as a Pakistani. But I've played a Muslim girl in a Muslim Social called in Ishq Hai Tumse. I got to play a very sweet girl in that. I' excited about Goal not only because it's got John in it, but also because my character stands out."

Kareena, totally unemployed?

After having been ousted from Tarun Mansukhani's untitled film (starring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Saif Ali Khan), Kareena Kapoor's prayers might just be answered as she might be seen in Karan Johar's next production, which is definitely not Karan's much-talked-about next, which is set in New York and stars Shah Rukh Khan. The film is an 'unusual' love story and will be directed by Siddharth Malhotra who's presently writing the screenplay of the film. Siddharth has previously assisted Karan in Kal Ho Naa Ho. Karan has approved the script and Siddharth is writing it out now. The cast would be finalised in a month's time. Everyone knows that Kareena has been very keen on working with her favourite director (read Karan Johar) for a long time, after a period of fallout. Be it interviews or brief appearances on telly, she has been vocal about her aspirations. Her last appearance in a Dharma Production film was for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Kareena has been in talks with Karan for sometime for various projects. But nothing has really materialised. Hopefully, this one should work out. Karan, however, refuses to spell the name of her leading lady. When quizzed about Kareena, he saysshe hasn抰 been confirmed yet. the film though is a one-guy-one-gal romantic film." Nevertheless reportedly Kareena stands a good chance of grabbing the film. Kareena is yet to sign on the dotted line as she is filming for Imtiaz Ali's next film. But she has been more or less finalised for the role says another source!

Main Madhuri nahin ban sakti

Konkona Sen Sharma was hardly afraid sharing screen space with Madhuri Dixit cos she knew she could hold her own, but when the actress heard that she had to dance with the nimble-footed Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nachle, she nearly ran away from the sets. One has to be totally crazy to even attempt to match dance steps with Madhuri says Konkana. Vaibhavi Merchant choreographed steps for Konkana which thankfully didn抰 make her look foolish in front of Madhuri. The film itself required Madhuri to dance much better than the rest of the cast. Konkona is currently basking in the sunlight of good reviews for Metro. Says Konkona, "I just loved meeting Anurag Basu for the narrations. He kept getting all the characters' names confused. It was hilarious but I liked his honesty, passion卆nd maturity. Talking about the reactions she received after the release of Metro, she says, "People are so pleased to see my chemistry with Irrfan in the film. He is a good actor. Irrfan also has a guest appearance in Aaja Nachle."

Aishwarya Rai getting used to a new moniker

The gorgeous Aishwarya Rai says she is getting used to be addressed by a new moniker

Aishwarya at Cannes Says Honeymoon Is The Best Time For 'Normal' WomenRajeev Masand: Now, you have been on a long holiday. It's been the honeymoon and you have been a while away from home, haven't you?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Yes, it has been fantastic. It's probably the best time for any normal girl.
Excuse me, any normal girl? What did she mean? Women who don't enjoy their honeymoons aren't normal? The babe has been exposed to the male anatomy more times than anyone of us would want to know and it isn't our business to question her past colored by monogamous promiscuity but her careless statement shows the lard of fat that sits between her ears.
For many 'South Asian' women the honeymoon period can be a jarring time when they try to come to terms with the male sexuality. Most Desi girls are bought up to fear strange men and are admonished to guard their virginity no matter what. Sex is treated as a dirty activity, best not talked about and indulged in with the woman lying on her back wondering about the cobweb trailing on the fan with her husband humping her missionary style.
Before the wedding the virgin is generally told by an aunt that sex hurts initially, its dirty and a duty to be performed with no questions asked. Does one really expect an apprehensive woman whose exposure to men has been limited to family and male relatives to suddenly rip her clothes off and say - Come Do Me Raju!!
Here is what generally happens - either the men force themselves on the women and it becomes honeymoon from hell or they become friends and after returning home from the vacation they have sex.
Love marriages are on the rise in India and hopefully men are more sensitive to womens' needs. But when a honeymoon goes wrong do we lay the blame on the woman and say that she wasn't normal and so her honeymoon didn't go right?

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Aishwarya Bachchan's bumpy journey to marital bliss Aishwarya's journey to marital bliss may not have left a trail of destruction behind but it sure did leave two very broken hearts. In the past her love has been as elusive as her histrionic talent - it should have been there but it just wasn't!

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Aishwarya's journey to marital bliss may not have left a trail of destruction behind but it sure did leave two very broken hearts. In the past her love has been as elusive as her histrionic talent - it should have been there but it just wasn't! A famous adage says that land (property), gold and woman are the causes of most wars in the world. It has been proved time and again in human history that beautiful women have caused strife and bloodshed. Beginning with Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Desdemona and coming to the legendary Indian beauty Rani Padmini of Chittor, extraordinarily beautiful women have set even mighty kings against each other and brought about the downfall of empires. In lighter vein, the world's most beautiful woman, Aishwarya Rai, may turn out to be no exception. Tracking her history since she became Miss World and progressively one of biggest stars of Bollywood, we find that she has left a trail of broken hearts and the men who have wooed her have fought bitterly and rather openly.

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai became friends when they made Dhai Akshar Prek Ka

Many reports note that the Junior Bachchan (then a beginner) met Aishwarya during the making of Dhai Akshar Prem Ka and later Kuch Na Kaho and the pair hit it off instantly. Though they were attracted to each other, they did not express their emotions because Aishwarya was seeing Salman Khan then and Abhishek was in a relationship with Karisma Kapoor. Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan came close when they made Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam During the shooting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's mega successful film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ash and Salman fell in love. The twosome continued their affair quietly for long though neither openly acknowledged their relationship. It was hinted that Ash's parents were not so happy with their daughter's love affair with the Bollywood brat. Soon, there were reports of Salman's aggressive and possessive behavior with Ash and even instances of physical abuse.

After the final showdown on the sets of Shah Rukh Khan's filmChalte Chalte, wherein Salman Khan walked in and messed up the shoot and bashed up Ash's car, Ash broke off the relationship and said that she would never work with him.

Appearing on the Simi Garewal show soon after, she refused to comment on her relationship with Salman but said she had decided not to work with either Salman or Shah Rukh in the future. Rumors hinted that her parents were relieved! Aishwarya Rai then fell in love with Viveik Oberoi Soon, Ash was in a relationship with Viveik Oberoi, though once again, she maintained her Sphinx-like silence except that once in a TV interview, she admitted that Viveik was a 'very special person in her life'.

Producer Boney Kapoor even made Kyon Ho Gaya Na, a film starring the pair, thinking it would be a great hit! However, this Samir Karnik-directed film was a disaster, sadly setting back Viveik's career! But the two continued to be a 'couple', meeting secretly until December 2005.

It is not known exactly when Ash began to see Abhishek and when the two declared their love for each other. Ash seeing Viveik Oberoi till December 2005 In this context, it is interesting to go back to a report published in the After Hours supplement of the DNA dated January 25, 2006 (from their website) to learn more about the Viveik-Ash break up. "Everything was hunky-dory till a month ago,' the paper says, quoting Viveik's friend, "In ..November, I saw Aishwarya in Viveik's home, all lovey dovey and being the perfect girlfriend

No more item girl act: Isha Koppikar

Born and brought up in a doctor抯 family in Mumbai, this 5 feet 7 inches tall beauty抯 only aim was to make a career for herself in Bollywood. After participating in Miss India contest, she tried her luck in Tamil movies for a while, but Bollywood was where she wanted to be. Isha Koppikar finally hit the bull抯 eye in 2002 with Khallas

[table=98%][tr][td][table=98%][tr][td=2,1]Kareena Kapoor gives as good as she gets

You don't mess with Kareena because, as she is brashly inclined to say, she is a Kapoor! She maybe out of work from August onwards if, as is being reported, 慙ajjo

[table=98%][tr][td]Life looking up for Dia Mirza

Suddenly, pretty Dia Mirza抯 plate seems to be overflowing with goodies. Earlier, she would be in the news for everything but work; but now the former Miss India is happy with the way things are moving for her.

揑 am all raring to go,

[table=429][tr][td]Shilpa Shetty has hots for Tom Cruise & Brad Pitt! [/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]It seems that Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty has the hots for Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jude Law.

In a recent interview with the Mirror, the Bollywood actress said that she would love to be stuck in a lift with the three Hollywood hunks.

揂 lift man. And I quite like, erm, who is the guy in The Holiday with Cameron Diaz? Jude Law? Oh, he is hot. And while we抮e at it, I wouldn抰 mind Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise,