Vidya Balan has a string of movies to her credit- Parineeta, Munnabhai, Salaam-e-ishq, Guru, Eklavya, Heyy Babyy, Halla Bol, Bhool Bhulaiya, Kismet Konnection and most recently Paa. All these movies have given her critical acclaim for her acting talents, but nothing could give the sensuous tag to her the way the most recent ‘Ishqiya’ has given her.
She had been trapped being called as “Behenji” type actress who was constantly being criticized for her dressing style, but with ‘Ishqiya’ she has sent the message through that “she can be seductress too” signaling that she is ready to fit in current trend.
February sees her on the cover story of ‘Verve’ and ‘The Man’. For the latter, she was styled by Vikram Phadnis and her makeup was done by Shreyas Mhatre.
Here is an excerpt from her interview with ‘The Man’:
“I am a good listener but I rarely give advice. When the good times are between two people, the problems too should remain between them. A relationship is never perfect; you have to work at it. You can’t be running in opposite directions at the first sign of dissent.
There is no perfect person you can connect with at all levels. A guy can’t be a looker, intelligent, sensitive, the guy that your friends and family like, a guy who likes the things you like and all that. Sometimes, if he is all that and he is available he may not have a sense of humour. May be he seems perfect on the face of it, but when you get to know him, the problems start. No two human beings are a perfect fit. That’s the joy and beauty of being in a relationship.
When the dressing debacle happened two years ago, I was bothered by it. Until then I’d only been heaped with praises and then suddenly, the criticism came in truckloads. I didn’t know how to deal with it. Then I looked at it objectively — they did have reason to criticise me. Most of it was exaggerated. I am clearly not a fashionista.
As an actor people expect me to look my best all the time. I didn’t realise that people were actually happy seeing me the way I am. It was not just about clothes — I was going through a period of confusion where I was giving a certain vibe. I was unsure, not happy with the way I was looking and trying to be someone I am not.”
Check out Vidya Balan for the two magazines.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may have chosen to take it easy post her marriage, but a recent development in her career has made all those speechless who feel that the beautiful actress’ career is no longer on an upswing. She has broken the record of Kareena Kapoor with her whopping ten crores contract for her latest film. Earlier, this honor was with Kareena Kapoor with a figure of seven crores.
The film is to be produced Bobby Pushkarna, of the critically acclaimed film ‘Page 3′. Pushkarna was keen on cast Ash only and was determined to shelve the project if the lady did not give an affirmative nod. Finally, after a three-month long chase, Pushkarna was able to persuade her to do his film.
The deal has not yet been finalized in pen and paper but both the parties seem positive.
Sameera Reddy’s career has been facing a slow down since a couple of years. Lately, the hot siren has signed a project with Nagesh Kukunoor titled ‘Yeh Honsla’ in which she will be seen in a de-glam avatar.
She will portray the role of a Rajasthani village belle in this one without makeup and with a ghoonghat. Talking about her character in the film, Sameera says, “I’m looking forward to Yeh Honsla. Of all the roles that I’ve ever done, Nagesh Kukunoor’s film is ‘it’. It’s where I’ve done my best. I’m a Rajasthani girl, who takes on all the Panchayats. She’s a very strong girl – her name is Rani, and it’s this woman’s story.”
About her de-glam look, she adds, “It’s like you’re bare – you have nothing to work with except your character – and the focus is just on your emotions. Being glamorous is actually much easier!”
Sameera was also seen in a new makeover in her previous film ‘Red Alert’ where she played a tribal woman-cum-Naxalite.
Sameera had won the hearts of millions with her oomph. How much she is admired in her de-glam look, is to be waited and watched.
Though Anoushka Sharma delivered a mega hit with her debut venture ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, she does not seem to have impressed any other banner except Yash Raj Films. Her second film is with Shahid Kapoor under YRF.
Now, YRF has signed her for the third venture opposite a newcomer Ranveer Singh. The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by debutante Maneesh Sharma, who had been an associate director of ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ and had assisted before on films like ‘Fanaa’ and ‘Aaja Nachle’.
This yet untitled film has its storyline revolving around Shruti (Anushka Sharma) and Bittoo (Ranveer Singh), who are just out of Delhi University. The film further goes through the ups and downs of their friendship and entrepreneurial venture with the lavish world of the glamour and glitz of Delhi baaraats and weddings.
After Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu too has come out with her fitness DVD titled ‘BB Love Yourself’. The first release from Bips will be Fit & Fabulous, a do-it-yourself DVD devised for a 25-minute workout which promises to cut fat and tone up muscles.
Bipasha Basu, who has always been a fitness freak says, “Love yourself is my philosophy in life, hence the brand’s name. It is not a narcissist attitude (to use her initials) because I truly believe that we all must love ourselves before we set out to achieve anything, whether it’s a work goal or a relationship and the first step here is to get fit, as everyone wants to look good.”
Fitness is what Bipasha believes in and the entire concept of this DVD is hers inspired by this belief in health and fitness. “Films, fitness and fashion are my passions,” she says, “this is the first time that I will be doing something professional for the latter two. The focus is on health, and it has a scientific approach.”
“It is very compact, targeting people who are busy, who don’t like to go to the gym or don’t have time,” says the actress. “It is entirely my baby, from the script to shooting it, the camera angles and lighting. But I did have fitness expert Deanne Pandey on board when the initial groundwork was done. He is my dear friend,” she adds.
Check out Bipasha with beau John Abraham at the launch of the DVD.
On Tuesday afternoon Katrina along with her ‘Rajneeti’ co-stars Arjun Rampal and Manoj Tiwari flew into Patna in a private jet hired by Prakash Jha. They headed straight from the airport to Jha’s residence in the suburbs. The reason was the inauguration of her director Prakash Jha’s news channel at Patna’s Shri Krishna Memorial Auditorium amidst other big names like Manoj Tiwari and Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Katrina’s presence on the stage made the crowd nostalgic. Even Nitish Kumar had to admit that his presence was not required with Katrina around.
The best part of the entire event was Katrina wooing her audience with her Bhojpuri dialogues trained by Prakash Jha who admits it wasn’t easy coaching Katrina to speak a few line in Bhojpuri. “But it worked, and how. Katrina had the whole of Bihar eating out of her hands. It was so unexpected from someone who has the reputation of barely managing her Hindi,” chuckles Jha.
Prakash cannot just stop praising Katrina and says, “Katrina had no idea of her popularity in Bihar. She has a very deep connect with audiences. She has the kind of image that Hema Malini has. Not one cheap remark, no jostling crowds, no. They now call her Bihar Ki Beti.”
Katrina, Arjun and Manoj flew back to Mumbai late Tuesday night. Prakash Jha intends to hold the premiere of ‘Rajneeti’ in Patna instead of Mumbai.
It seems like Bollywood has lost Mallika Sherawat completely to Hollywood. The latest project bagged in by this sexy bombshell is ‘Love Barack’ where she is cast opposite none other than AVATAR co-star Laz Alonso. The movie is a political romantic comedy set during the frantic and intoxicating days leading up to 2008 U.S. Presidential election to be directed by Doug McHenry. The script has been written by Los Angeles Times contributing writer Gary Goldstein and Francis Kenny is the Director of Photography.
Mallika Sherawat will play the female lead and central character Aretha Gupta, a devoted, local Obama volunteer coordinator. The story is based on a romantic and political rollercoaster that develops when, the month before Election Day, Democrat Aretha unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome, dynamic African-American working for the local McCain office.
Other stars that make up the cast include veteran actress Ruby Dee (Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominee for 2007’s American Gangster) has also joined, comedy veteran Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.
No wonder an elated Sherawat says, “Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I’m very lucky to be working with him.”
Rahul Mahajan, son of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, will begin his quest for a bride on TV starting Monday. He will choose his bride from 15 women who were selected after much scrutiny from over 16,000 applicants from across the country. Among the 15 girls who will participate on the show, we introduce you to five of them.
Nikunj Mallik:
This 25-year-old girl is an established accessory designer. Having done her Masters in accessory design and fashion management from NIFT, she has worked with established companies like Wills Lifestyle and Lee Cooper. She wants to marry Rahul because she finds him to be a courageous man.
Harpreet Chabra:
21-yr-Harpreet from Delhi is a model and anchor by profession. She is very religious and goes to the Gurudwara everyday. Harpreet feels her nature and personality are very compatible with Rahul.
Twinkle Mukherjee:
22-year-old Twinkle is a qualified engineer from West Bengal University of Technology. She is an avid sports enthusiast, biker and a part time cricket commentator. Her reason for participating in the show is that she always wanted to marry a Rahul as ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ is her favourite film.
Rajshree Mishra:
26-yr-old Rajshree Mishra from Kolkatta is a model-cum-actress by profession. She is a member of Brahmakumari, a spiritual organisation that teaches anger management and meditation. She admires the fact that Rahul is an honest and down to earth person despite his high profile family background.
Dimpy Ganguly:
21-yr-old Dimpy gave up a lead role with a leading Bengali filmmaker to come on RDLJ to marry Rahul. Her actual name is Soumasri which means “as beautiful as the moon”, but since childhood she has had very cute dimples which got her the name Dimpy. She finds Rahul to be a very nice, friendly and clean-hearted guy.
Besides these, other participants include Mrinmayi Kolwalker, Tanu Bhatia from Faridabad, Priyadarshani Singh from Varanasi, Sonia Kaur from Jammu, and Rupa Khurana from Rajendra Nagar Delhi
After spending many lonely years post her breakup with Vikram Bhatt, Ameesha Patel found solace in her NRI boyfriend Kanav Puri and they were into steady relationship for the past three years. However, since past eight months, trouble has been creeping into their relationship.
The reason for this trouble is that while Kanav wants to settle down with marriage, Ameesha wants to give another try to her sinking acting career. In fact, he had proposed marriage to her when he had come down to India to celebrate her birthday in June last year but to his dismay, Ameesha has been evading this topic by and again. Currently, there is so much tension that both have stopped speaking altogether.
Insiders also say that since Ameesha has patched up with her parents, she is feeling emotionally secure and does not need her boyfriend’s shoulders any more. So, while Ameesha wants to concentrate on her sinking career, Kanav wants to move ahead of a relationship which seems to have no destiny.
Femina has come out with its latest issue which celebrates 50 most beautiful women. The magazine conducted a multi-media poll and guess who emerged as the winner! Obviously and undoubtedly, it was Katrina Kaif who has already been awarded the Best Female Style Icon at IIFA Awards and was the most searched Indian celeb on Google. Other beautiful women in the list included writer Jhumpa Lahiri, actresses Kalki Koechlin and Preity Zinta, shuttler Saina Nehwal, and Priyanka Gandhi.
She accepted her award at the ITC hotel where she also launched the issue of the magazine in which she appears on the cover page. Accepting her award, Katrina said ”All of us are achievers in our own right and this is a celebration of the uniqueness of women. I believe beauty is more than physical attractiveness.”
The noted bollywood producer and father of actor Aamir Khan, late Tahir Hussain passed away yesterday after a cardiac arrest. He was 79 years old. According to family resources of Amir Khan he had a massive heart attack on day before and at the time of unfortunate happening Amir Khan along with Kiran was at Los Angeles and is returning back to India. Funeral is going to take place today.
His reputation in Bollywood has been established due to being producer of blockbuster movies like, ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’ (1993),’Zakhmee’ (1975),’Anamika’ (1973) and’Caravan’ (1973). He also directed Aamir for the first time in his first directed movie ‘Tum Mere Ho’ in 1990. He also acted in classics like “Janam Janam Na Saath’ (1977),’ Pyar Ka Mausam’ (1969) and ‘Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai’ (1961). He is survived by his wife and two sons Aamir and Faisal and two daughters, Farhat and Nikhat.
Deepika Padukone replaced bubbly Preity Zinta as the brand ambassador for BSNL 3G last year. She continues to do so and has come out with a new photoshoot for the promotion of the brand. Deepika’s breakup with Ranbir Kapoor may have shattered her personally but she is not letting it affect her professional commitments in any way. Check out her latest pics for the latest promotion of BSNL 3G broadband Services.
