So, 2006 comes to a close. An exciting year where remakes were the flavor of the season. But more than remakes it was the spirit of experiment that defined Bollywood in 2006. Lage Raho Munnabhai made Gandhigiri fashionable in a way no one thought possible and Rang De Basanti really did awaken the spirit and conscience of a new generation. Omkara was probably an experiment in cinema that one would expect from the likes of Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, and Mrinal Sen.

Great films and great music – Bollywood-Stars.net would like to thank the Indian film industry for the splendid moments of entertainment and thought that it gave us in 2006. We hope that the Indian film industry rings in the new year in style and we cherish the memories from the year that is about to go.

Gautam Mennon has signed Saif Ali Khan for this next film. Saif had agreed to do a small role in Menon’s film ‘Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein’ with Diya Mirza and Madhavan. But this time, Menon is casting Madhavan in a smaller role and is getting Saif to do the meatier action role. After Omkara, Saif is in the mood to take challenges and Menon has just presented him with one. The shooting for the film will start in August 2007.

We had let you know about Mallika’s new year eve’s performance, but other pretty ladies of Bollywood are not behind. Be it Mahima Chaudhary or Neha Dhupia, everyone is being paid a bomb for their new year eve’s performances but surely, Mallika is having the largest bite. Neha will perform at the Country Club India Limited (CCIL), Mumbai, and Mahima at its Bangalore branch. Mallika Sherawat is going to perform at the Marlott hotel in Mumbai.

Karan Johar is struck by wanderlust again. Come January and the lad plans to pack his bags and go globe-trotting. Of course, he will be shoving in work, shoots and other things in between. He will obviously be romping in and around london and New York – his hot-favourite destinations, but he plans to do some more exciting travel too. Well, that’s good news for us, because usually when KJ travels, his creative cells tick overtime. You know what that means – a movie idea, a movie script, and another KJ creation.

Moon Monn Sen’a daughter Riya sen has already carved a niche for herself, be it music videos, or films, and now we hear she’s even planning to turn singer sometime in the future. Of course, this will be all in good time, but seems like starring in all those music videos has certainly given Riya sen and appetite for music, and she’s chalked up that as one more step to take when things go right. Now if you suddenly see her hoardings announcing her album, don’t be surprised!

After her successful marriages in Vivah, poor Amrita Rao is being bombarded with proposals, we hear. Apparently the girl is quite amused with the sudden deluge of marriage offers pouring in after the film – which incidentally her mother politely declines, we are told. Now wonder what’s happening with Shaahid Kapoor? Well, seeing that he’s totally floored by Kareena kapoor right now, we don’t think any one’s going to mes with the kapoor gal’s man right now!

Any actress would give a lot to be part of hollywood project, but Neha Dhupia doesn’t want to jump om to the bandwagon. That is not to say that she will never do hollywood films, she clarifies – just that she feels it is better to be ‘rich and famous’ among your own people. We must say, Neha is becoming quite the wise girl!

Our sexy Sameera Reddy sure doesn’t mind calling a spade just that. Ask her which actors she wants to work with, and unlike other ‘politically boring’ actresses, she will immediately read out her list of favourite actors. But guess who she’d like to get naughty with? None other than Meil Gibson. Why? Because she thinks he looks quite naughty! Well, Sameera, you have got great choice, we will say that much, you naughty girl, you!

Gul Panag is one beautiful actress who has kept herself away from commercial movies. Recently released ‘Dor’ gave her much recognition and praises. When Gul was asked why she does not do commercial movies, she was quick to say, “I don’t find any reason for doing movies where the role portrays you in full makeup even when you get up from the bed”.

Besides her professional life, Gul’s relationship with Sikander Kher has always stayed in news, but Gul refuses to talk on this topic. She says, “I am here to work and would appreciate if people ask me questions about my work. If they are more interested in my personal life, I am sorry that I will not be able to entertain their queries”.

These days Amrita Rao is very excited. Reason? She has a powerful role in ‘My name is Anthony Gonsalwis’. In this movie, Amrita plays a lively and confident Christian girl. Now, this is quite different from her role in ‘Vivah’ where she played a naïve Indian girl.

The gal is all full of praises for the director E.Niwas. She says, “I have seen his ‘Luv Ke Liye Kuchch Bhi Karega’. He is very clear about what he wants from his actors. He has all the qualities of a good director. He had told me very clearly what he wants in the role even before the shooting started”. All the best Amrita!!

Talking about Goa…..that’s exactly where the King Shahrukh Khan is right now. He’s scooted off to this beaches and party zone just a few days before new year to spend some with his kids. It’s a breather for him. For, awaiting his return would be gruelling schedules… What with having quite a few films in hand, and now, a much publicised television show to boot. Of course, its sad that buddy Karan Johar can’t join him there, but then with the sand, sea and sea-food…there’s not much more that one needs. To top it, a lot of TLC (Tender, Love and Care) from family. Couldn’t be better, na?

We all know that a certain khan can go without long hours of sleep during shooting schedules. His co-stars even swear that he just doesn’t go to sleep – yes we are talking about SRK. And now we hear Aishwarya rai is following his ‘insomniac’ footsteps. The actress was recently so engrossed in shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Guru that she shot non-stop for 12 hours at a stretch for six days in a row – even with location changes every alternate day. Is SRK looking over his shoulder for some competition already?