Deols in Anil Sharma's SINGH SAHEB THE GREAT

Director Anil Sharma is all set to announce his next movie with all the three Deols. After working with Sunny Deol in GADAR and then with the Deol trio in APNE, the director has yet again roped in actor Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Dharmendra in a film which is supposedly titled as SINGH SAHEB THE GREAT.

According to a reports, Sharma was initially working on a 3D film venture - MASTERS (which was again with the Deols). However, he decided to start with SINGH SAHEB THE GREAT before that.

Writer Shaktiman Talwar, who wrote GADAR with Sharma, has penned the script of this film as well. Sharma brought Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby together on screen in his earlier movie APNE.

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Ranbir Priyanka starrer BARFI!'s release date announced

UTV Motion Pictures today announced the release date for BARFI! as July 13, 2012.
The film is directed by Anurag Basu and Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and newbie Ileyana are playing the lead roles. The music of the film is composed by Pritam.

	RANBIR KAPOOR and PRIYANKA CHOPRA

BARFI! is a story of a young man who is cute but shrewd as well. The girls love him. The cops hate him. He can't speak but is always talked about. His naughty antics will make you scream, but he will never listen. Because he can't!


BARFI! is a rollercoaster of emotions.

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Comeback Queens

Bollywood welcomes Madhuri, Karisma, Manisha and Raveena, T'town's former queens

Madhuri Dixit

Living in anonymity, far far away from the glitz and glamour and the flashing cameras is a hard thing. Ask Madhuri Dixit and she’ll tell you why. It was no wonder that she packed her bags last year and decided to shift to Mumbai once and for all to face the arc lights again.

These days we hear that the actress had been filling up her schedule with endorsements and reality shows.
Other notable actresses desiring to relive the glory of their successful acting careers are Karisma Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Raveena Tandon. Apart from promoting her upcoming movie ‘Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Char Aane Ki Barish,’ which has been directed by actress Deepti Naval (‘Mirch Masala’) Manisha is rumored to have signed up for a Malayalam movie. The buzz is that the movie will explore the relationship between an Indian and a Tibetan and that it will be shot in English as well.Raveena Tandon already embraced the spotlight last year when she appeared in a cameo for ‘Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap.’ Now, rumors are abuzz that she has signed on reality shows as well as new films.

But the actress who everyone is waiting to watch on-screen is Karisma Kapoor. Bebo’s elder sister who was quite a sensation in the 90s’ with her svelte figure and fashionable clothes will make her comeback with Vikram Bhatt's ‘Dangerous Ishq.’ Industry insiders say that Karisma will also feature in the remake of the 1982 classic ‘Satte Pe Satta.’ When Kareena was approached for comment she said that her sister was busier than her nowadays!

One wishes these ladies all the luck. But the point is will the audience who dream of the Katrinas and Deepikas give these divas a chance again?

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Ranbir’s special gift for his father

The actor is getting a knee brace for Rishi Kapoor who injured his leg recently

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor is always known to be a mama’s boy. In fact, the grapevine even suggested that he wasn’t too close to his father. So the news that he has done something special for dad Rishi comes as a pleasant surprise.

Some time back Rishi sustained an injury during a vigorous dance sequence for ‘Housefull 2’. The recovery was a slow process with the actor needing to undergo regular physiotherapy. That’s when the doctors suggested getting a special knee brace for his speedy recovery.

Hearing this, Ranbir was very concerned and though father and son are not in touch too frequently, the young Kapoor would keep asking mum Neetu for regular health updates. When he heard about the knee braces, Ranbir decided to immediately procure the best quality piece from abroad.
The brace is on his way and naturally papa Rishi was overwhelmed when he heard about his son’s gesture. Here’s wishing the senior Kapoor a speedy recovery!

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Vidya refuses Ekta's movie

The actress turns down 'Shootout at Wadala' and wants to work in solo projects

Vidya is all set to do solo roles after the success of 'The Dirty Picture'

It looks like ‘The Dirty Picture’s’ enormous success has ensured one thing. Insiders elaborated the statement with the comment that Vidya won’t ever play second fiddle to a male lead in a movie no matter how interesting she finds the story.

Case in point is the upcoming movie ‘Shootout at Wadala,’ a sequel to 2007’s crime thriller ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala.’ It is believed that Vidya had initially agreed to act in the movie after overcoming her hesitation to work with John Abraham, who she had allegedly romanced and worked with five years ago in the film ‘Salaam-E-Ishq.’
Later Vidya completely pulled out from the project, surprising the cast and crew of ‘Shootout at Wadala.’ The reason was clear enough. Her movie ‘The Dirty Picture’ had been declared a blockbuster and her solo performance had won every critic’s and fan’s praise. Naturally Vidya didn’t want to be overshadowed by men in a male centric movie.

Although her sudden refusal to work on ‘Shooout…’ which is produced by Ekta could have strained her relationship with Ekta, a source maintains that there was no bitterness between the ladies because Ekta understood Vidya’s need to work more on solo projects than multi-starrers.
We have heard and witnessed for ages that success can blind people so we hope that Vidya is safe with her shades on!

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Have Bipasha and Rana split?

Insiders insist the ‘good friends’ are no longer on talking terms

Bipasha Basu

Over months now, the media has been speculating about Bipasha Basu’s relationship with her ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ co-star Rana Daggubati. The actress, especially after her break-up with John Abraham, had never denied that she is close to the Telugu star. And there were plenty of reports of the two of them partying together and getting along like a house on fire. However, it seems the curse of Bollywood relationships have caught up in this case too as something seems to have gone wrong with their friendship.

Rumours are abuzz that during a recent trip to Goa, Bipasha was planning to hang out with Rana but the actor chose to ignore Bips and get close to southern actress Trisha instead. In fact, he and Trisha were seen getting cozy on several occasions while Bipasha was left alone.
Apparently, the actress has now ‘unfollowed’ Rana from her social networking site account. Does that mean ‘the end’ to yet another relationship?

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Karisma won’t expose on screen

The actress refuses to get intimate with her co-stars in her comeback film

Karisma Kapur

Years ago, she had no qualms in kissing Aamir Khan for ‘Raja Hindustani’. Nor did she have any problems dancing to songs like ‘Sexy Sexy’ and ‘Sarkhai Lo Khatiya’. But it seems marriage, two kids and the intervening years has turned Karisma Kapur into a shy woman.

Karisma’s comeback film, the Vikram Bhatt-directed ‘Dangerous Ishq’ is being touted as an ‘erotic thriller’. But if the actress has her way, there will no adult content in it. Apparently, Mrs Kapur, who is looking like a million bucks these days, has put her foot down when it comes to intimate scenes between her and her co-star in the reincarnation saga.

Sources say that Karisma has made it pretty clear in her contract that she won't do any sexy cenes with either of her co actors despite the storyline being about two men passionately obsessed with the heroine.

Karisma had a lot of anxieties about the scenes and she expressed her fears to Vikram Bhatt though she loved the script and the idea of playing five different avatars.
Ultimately, Vikram had no choice but to edit the lovemaking scenes. When contacted, predictably the actors Ravi Kissen and Rajneesh Duggal as well as Vikram denied the no-intimacy clause but our sources know better!

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AGENT VINOD's release date confirmed

The release date of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor's AGENT VINOD is confirmed. Finally!

The film AGENT VINOD has been completed and is set to release on March 23, 2012 says the director Sriram Raghavan.

	download AGENT VINOD wallpaper

According to reports, actor Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor wrapped up their shoot on December 24, 2011.


The director said that both of them (Saif-Kareena) have left for vacation and will be soon getting involved in the film's post-production activities.

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PLAYERS to outshine DHOOM 2 action?

DHOOM 2 is still remembered for the bravado displayed by Hrithik Roshan when he performed a heist of the lifetime on the top of a moving train. The sequence is still remembered for its grandeur but if the makers of PLAYERS are to be believed, the kind of action as seen in this film centered on gold heist would outshine the sequences seen in DHOOM 2.

	CHECK OUT PLAYERS SPECIAL

Though Abbas-Mustan aren't willing to get into any comparison mode, they are quite gung-ho about the action in their film which has been shot across places as far off as New Zealand and North Pole. Says Abbas Burmawala, ''Yes, PLAYERS has been made at an altogether different scale. If you remember THE ITALIAN JOB, it had opened with a sequence set in a canal. Here we have started with trains. Of course there have been films where action has been shot atop trains. However, we have done it differently because there are two trains involved. Visually, the entire sequence has come across as really stunning.''


''We really felt that it would be great to shoot at some virgin locations there. When two trains pass through snow and there is action happening around it, the entire sequence elevates to a different level altogether,'' adds Mustan. ''Even places like Auckland and New Zealand look superb on screen,'' Mastan emphasized.

While location as well as narrative has already gone through a changeover in Abbas-Mustan's version, how about the characterisation? Ever since the film went on floors, there has been immense speculation surrounding the cast members.

''Now that's a part of some major twists and turns in the movie so let me not say anything here. There would be no charm in watching PLAYERS if you get to know everything beforehand,'' quips Abbas.

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Neil bags SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER 2?

	NEIL NITIN MUKESH

In SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER,Randeep Hooda had played a petty goon who entered Jimmy Sheirgill's princely state as a driver and dreamt of being a prince himself one day. In the love story that followed, Mahie Gill took advantage of Randeep and deceived Jimmy. Well, now that the film's sequel has been announced, there is an exclusive dope that we managed to lay our hands on.

According to out source, "The sequel begins with Jimmy playing a paralysed character with Mahie taking over his empire (or whatever is left of it), calling the shots and aiming at being a 'maharani' in this film which is set in today's times. Interestingly, the plot would be much thicker and meatier this time around. Neil Nitin Mukesh's entry into the picture would totally change the scenario for Sahib as well as Biwi." "He is definitely not playing a gangster like Randeep. He is in fact playing another prince with Rajputana blood running through his veins," the source added. 

Of course the makers are tight lipped about Neil's exact characterisation in the film though it is expected to be grey as well, considering the fact he has received appreciation for such roles ever since he portrayed JOHNNY GADDAR. Also, apparently Tigmanshu was quite impressed with his 'princely looks' that were on display in one of his recent fashion shows. With Neil bringing on the vintage charm, it pretty much sealed the deal for him.

Though Neil didn't deny being approached for SAHIB BIWI AUR GANGSTER 2, he chose not to comment on his characterisation and look. He sent back a text stating, "It is too premature to talk about that."

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No Bollywood films in 2012 Berlin International Film Festival so far!

Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) has about 50 films in its Panorama section that includes Panorama Main, Panorama Special, and Panorama
Documente sections. These films are selected out of thousands of films considered. The 62nd edition of Berlinale has unveiled 20 titles now.

However, the list does not have any Indian film so far. Generally, a few Indian films find their place in Panorama every year. In 2011 it had showcased two Indian films - 7 KHOON MAAF (SEVEN SINS) by Vishal Bhardwaj, and PATANG by Prashant Bhargava. There is a Korean film FROM SEOUL TO VARANASI by Kyuhwan Jeon that has a remote Indian connection. There are five Asian films in the list so far including films from Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

	view 7 KHOON MAAF movie poster

The List Of Announced Features

INDIGNADOS by Tony Gatlif, France (Panorama Special)

ELLES by Malgoska Szumowska, France/Poland/Germany (Panorama Special)

10+10 by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Wang Toon, Wu Nien-Jen, Sylvia Chang, Chen Guo-Fu, Wei Te-Sheng, Chung Meng-Hung, Chang Tso-Chi, Arvin Chen, Yang Ya-Che and others, Taiwan

DEATH FOR SALE by Faouzi Bensaidi, France

DIE WAND (THE WALL) by Julian Roman Polsler, Austria/Germany

DOLLHOUSE by Kirsten Sheridan, Ireland

FON TOK KUEN FAH (HEADSHOT) by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Thailand/France

FROM SEOUL TO VARANASI by Kyuhwan Jeon, Republic of Korea

HOT BOY NOI LOAN - CAU CHUYEN VE THANG CUOI, CO GAI DIEM VA CON VIT (LOST IN PARADISE) by Vu Ngoc Dang, Vietnam

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON by Ira Sachs, USA

KUMA by Umut Dag, Austria

LA MER A L'AUBE (CALM AT SEA) by Volker Schlondorff, France/Germany

L'AGE ATOMIQUE by Helena Klotz, France

LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR by Sheldon Larry, USA/Canada

MEI-WEI (MY WAY) by Kang Je-kyu, Republic of Korea

MOMMY IS COMING by Cheryl Dunye, Germany

PARADA (THE PARADE) by Srdjan Dragojevic, Serbia/Republic of Croatia/ Macedonia/Slovenia

THE WOMAN WHO BRUSHED OFF HER TEARS by Teona Strugar Mitevska, Macedonia/Germany/Slovenia/Belgium

WILAYA by Pedro Perez Rosado, Spain

XINGU by Cao Hamburger, Brazil

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Sachiin Joshi close to Salman or Shahrukh?

The rumour mills were moving that Sachiin, who was once close to Shahrukh, is getting closer to Salman Khan during the Celebrity Champions League preparations. But now the news is that Sachiin Joshi is still friends with Shahrukhas he celebrated the New Year's eve with the King Khan in Dubai.

	SACHIIN JOSHI and SHAHRUKH KHAN

Apparently, the JMJ Vice-chairman has been in Dubai for a while now, preparing for the Celebrity Champions League, which starts a little later, this month. He is set to play for the Mumbai Heroes, which is captained by Sohail Khan. As expected, that has got the rumour mills moving with sources from the industry suggesting that Sachiin is getting closer to Salman Khan, who is also a part of his brother's team. It seemed that Sachiin had left his friendship with the DON 2 star behind in the hope of getting on good terms with Mr. Dabangg himself.


However Sachiin put all those rumours to rest by celebrating New Years with none other than SRK himself. Sachiin and Shahrukh have known each other for years now so much that Shahrukh even introduced the AAZAAN star at IIFA after the film was showcased at Cannes, a gesture Sachiin understands and appreciates. While it was unexpected that the duo would run into each other for New Years, they both couldn't be happier to ring in 2012 together.

Earlier in the day, they enjoyed a game of football together and later watched the mesmerizing fireworks light up the Dubai skyline. Sachiin himself has reiterated the fact that playing for Sohail Khan's Mumbai Heroes won't change anything between him and SRK. He understands the importance of friendship in Bollywood's fickle world. So no matter which team he plays on, he is intent on making sure that the people who mean something to him are not left behind.

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Underworld to rule the Bollywood in 2012

This year will see several Bollywood films narrating the untold stories of real life mafia

When Bhiku Mhatre called himself the King of Mumbai, it sent shivers down the spines of many wannabe gangsters, on and perhaps even off screen. That was 14 years back.

Though Ram Gopal Varma himself is skeptical about being able to bring Satya back to life, the mysterious tales of the mafia continue to fascinate filmmakers.

Attracting applause to a stylishly shot gang war sequence, cut to a remixed retro number, is probably on the wish list of every other filmmaker these days.

Gangs on the silver screen

No wonder why bombs and bloodshed or even dons and their molls, promise to rule the big screen in 2012.

So while we see a younger, more vulnerable, Vijay Deenanath Chauhan back to take his big revenge against the local mobster in Agneepath, we also see Akshay Kumar play Dawood Ibrahim's onscreen avatar in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2.


Hrithik in Agneepath

While Zilla Ghaziabad recreates the rivalry between two real-life gangs in Ghaziabad, Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur talks about the unsolved mysteries of the coal mafia in Jharkhand.

Says Milan Lutharia, "Gangsters have always lent themselves to larger than life cinema. I believe characters who are on the other side of law are much more interesting to the audience and the underworld provides perfect fodder for such stories." However, though the genre remains the same, the plot is also heavily subjective to what the filmmaker wants to show.

Like the OUATIM sequel, which will primarily be about a love triangle involving two men in positions of power in the underworld.


Sanjay Dutt on the sets of Zilla Ghaziabad

Or even Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala that promises to be an elaborate recounting of the famous Indian dacoit Manya Surve's life. Adds Gupta, "During his time Manya was the only gangster who was a graduate. There are over 820 cases registered against him. So we are getting down to the smallest of small details."

Recreating Satya?

From Deewar to Parinda to Satya, there are too many Indian masterpieces emerging filmmakers go back to, as reference points for the genre. However, many feel that it is difficult to replicate the benchmark these films did.

Says director Karan Malhotra, "I consider Ramu the god of gangster cinema. No one can emulate what he did. But yes, I have a vision, which I have tried to achieve through Agneepath.

The gang-wars in the film do not form the crux of the story, but act as a catalyst." So while they capture the dark deeds of these antiheroes, their glamorous lifestyles play a major part within the film too.


Akshay Kumar's look in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2

Adds Milan, "In OUATIM, after a long time there was so much colour and extravagance in a film about gangsters. So I think filmmakers are trying to reinvent the genre in their own way."

An offer we cannot refuse

Many of them like director Anand Kumar are also unravelling stories about smaller gangs, that may today just find a mention in the dusty files of local police stations. Kumar's next titled Meerut Junction will be set against the backdrop of the rail mafia.

He adds, " We have extensively researched on the rail mafia and discovered that there are many stories which have never been told. So I decided to make this film." Dibakar Banerjee's next too sketches out the crime scene back when Kolkata was still called Calcutta.

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Bollywood's Hottie Brigade: Almost a generation apart

The age gap between the lead actor and actress seems to be only widening over the years 

Ever since the beginning, the Hindi film industry is known to be male-dominated. No wonder that after a point in time, younger faces have been paired with actors, once the established actresses have crossed the 30- years mark.

Besides, a newer girl adds to the novelty in the lead pair, and consequently increases curiosity about the movie.

So it's not surprising that 26-year-old Deepika Padukone was the first choice as Saif Ali Khan's heroine for the makers of Cocktail and Race 2, while Asin, also 26, was the first choice for Bol Bachchan toplining 42- year old Ajay Devgn and Thanedaar Returns featuring 52-year-old Sanjay Dutt.

Glamour quotient

While not exactly conceding that a pair's novelty wears off after a few films, Ramesh Taurani, producer of Race and its forthcoming sequel maintains that actresses like Rani Mukerji, who has worked with the three 45- year old Khans - Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh - is doing very well on her own. "Like in No One Killed Jessica, or Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nach Le.

In fact, they're doing women-oriented films, " he points out, adding that Katrina (now 27) and Deepika certainly add the glamour quotient. "In Race and Race 2, we needed a comparatively newer girl. A new casting brings a different freshness to the film."


Salman Khan (46 yrs) and Katrina Kaif (27 yrs) in Ek Tha Tiger

Novelty factor

In the same vein, Sajid Khan, director of Housefull and Housefull 2 asserts that he's always believed in fresh combination.

"From my viewpoint, I want to give the audience something they haven't seen earlier. So Housefull was the first film Deepika signed opposite Akshay Kumar (43) while Heyy Babyy was his first movie with Vidya Balan (then 29). The novelty of a new pair is different from a star combination you seen before, " he states.


Saif Ali Khan (41 yrs) and Deepika Padukone (26 yrs)

Fresh approach

On the other hand, distributor Suniel Wadhwa points out that a different pair is important when the actor has three-four films in a year.

"Like Akshay Kumar, who has Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore and Joker (both with the 24-year-old Sonakshi Sinha) lined up this year.

Last year he had Patiala House with Anushka Sharma (23) and Thank You with Sonam Kapoor (25). So it's essential for him to have a different heroine in each movie, " he explains, adding that Shah Rukh Khan's next is Yash Chopra's return to direction after Veer-Zaara.


Sanjay Dutt (52 yrs) and Kangna Ranaut (24 yrs)

"Back then, Rani (26 then) and Preity Zinta (then 29) were at the top. But now Rani (32 now) has a different image after No One Killed Jessica.

YRF is looking for universal appeal, so Katrina and Anushka are apt for the film with SRK. Like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was targeted more towards the mass audience than the multiplexes, " he sums up.

Shorter shelf life

However, S Kumar Mohan, one of the producers of Sanjay Dutt's Thaanedaar Returns, attributes it to age catching up with the actresses.

"Heroines have a limited age in acting. And whether the hero has a hit or a flop with a heroine, he wants to be paired up with a different face each time.

Also, a fresh pair with a newer actress adds to the glamour quotient and also increases the audience curiosity, " he observes.

Equally upfront is Manoj Desai, executive director of Maratha Mandir, G7 Cineplex in Mumbai, as he says that age of an actress shows on the face.


Ajay Devgn (42 yrs) and Asin (26 yrs)

"Age never spares anyone. So sometimes over-repetition of a pairing may cause a loss in novelty value. Besides, the audience likes to see a different combination on screen, " he states.

Hero-oriented industry

To sum it up, Sajid Khan doesn't shy away from attributing this trend to the male-dominance in the industry. "Both Hollywood and Bollywood are hero-oriented industries.

Although of late, heroines have been getting their due abroad and here, no heroine can make a film run on her own steam the way a hero can.

While the heroine-oriented subjects are exceptions, they form only a small number of the movies made every year, " he concludes.

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Now Payal Rohatgi is dating a wrestler

After making headlines for her romantic alliance with Rahul Mahajan on the reality show "Bigg Boss", actress Payal Rohatgi now reveals that she is dating wrestler Sangram Singh, whom she met on another reality show, "Survivor India".

"I am dating Sangram right now. I met him on the show and the chemistry struck. He is very down-to-earth and a simple guy.

In fact, he is the complete opposite of me," said Payal, who was here to promote the adventure reality show that will go on air Jan 6 on Star Plus.

"I get hyper and throw tantrums, but he is much more rooted. He kept me calm during stressful times in the show.

Somehow we clicked. And to be honest, I feel I lasted in the show because of him and his friendship," she added.

Sangram won gold medals in wrestling in the Commonwealth Games and is also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Award.

Payal says Sangram was favourite among the contestants, thanks to his strong physique.

"Being a wrestler, he was considered very strong. Everybody used to be after him because they knew they would need him during the tasks, till the individual challenges started," she said.

Now the couple is working together in a film called "Valentines Night", being shot in the capital.

"I am shooting for the project with Sangram in Delhi. It's a romantic thriller where both of us are playing lead roles," she said.

"Survivor India" is the Indian version of US adventure reality show "Survivor". The show has 11 celebrity contestants and 11 commoners.

Payal Rohatgi, Shilpa Agnihotri, JD Majethia, Sangram Singh, Abhinav Shukla, Karan Patel, Timmy Narang, Sylvester Rodgers a.k.a. Sylvie, Priyanka Bassi, Rajesh Khera and Munisha Khatwani are the known names in the show.

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Do I look insecure of Bipasha: Sonam Kapoor

After Delhi 6, Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor will be seen jamming in style again in Abbas-Mustan’s upcoming action thriller Players. Sreya Basu catches up with the actors as they are busy with last moment promotions and touring across cities.

Do you think good promotion of a films helps lessen the threats from piracy? 
Abhishek: We try our best and I think the authorities are doing a good job. But there is always more than we can do.

I don’t know the roots of all these (piracy). But like I said, we need some very stringent anti-piracy laws. Once those are placed, I am sure we will be in a better position.

Sonam, you are spotting a bold and beautiful look in Players… 
Sonam: Yes. I have donned a very different look in the film. But then, I have only done six films before Players. I am around for a very short period of time…this is going to be my fourth year in the industry.

However, I always try to do something new in all my films. And ya, may be I am adventurous enough to do something like that in Players. I get bored doing same things in all films.

You are known as one of Bollywood’s most stylish actors. So it must not have been difficult? 
Sonam: Well…I had to prepare a lot for this film. I am used to doing films where I am a little more girl-next-door kind of person. For Players it was like getting into the inherent style in me, which may be you have seen in my public life and not much in my films.

It was translating that on screen and trying to figure how people will like me. I think that was one of the most important preparations I had to take.

In a multi-starrer, how much screen-time can you expect? 
Sonam: For me, a character is like my clothes…a character where she does something different or grows in a particular way…I try to do that with each and every film of mine. It has always been like a character arch for me.

People might or might not love my films, but they will always remember a Sakina (Saawariya) or a Bittu (Delhi 6) or Aisha (Aisha), and may be now Naina (Players).

For me, that’s what is most important. It doesn’t matter how big or small role I have. It’s how you play it and what character you play.

You share screen with Bipasha Basu in the film. Is there any insecurity? 
Sonam: Do we look insecure? See the promos and you will find we have our respective characters to play.

Abhishek, your on-screen attitude and styles are much alike your father Amitabh Bachchan. Do you consciously imitate his style?
Abhishek: See, I belong to this (film) industry. I have grown up in this industry…I have grown up idolizing so many people and their styles. I don’t know very many Indians who do not follow and try to idolize one of their favourite filmstars.

I remember, during my childhood there was a haircut called Amitabh Cut. We always wanted to get that. I think it’s the way of showing a fan’s love for what we do.

Like people are loving my clothes and jackets in Players. I am very happy about it.

Your co-stars in Players (Bipasha Basu, Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher) calls you Guruji (mentor). Why is that?
Abhishek: Arree…no, no. I am their shishya (student). I just did that film (Guru) but don’t know why they still call me that (smiles).

Who did a better job in Players-Bipasha or Sonam?
Both Sonam and Bipasha are wonderful actors, dear friends and great professionals. And I think its wonderful that they managed to transcend just the actor tag and be known for a lot of other things.

Congratulations to both of them…whatever they are doing, they are doing a great job.

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Beware Kat, Jacqueline is one of the most downloaded B-town hottie

The New Year has brought some good news for actor Jacqueline Fernandez. No, there hasn't been any announcement of any wedding date as yet.

The Sri Lankan beauty has been placed at the number four position on a list of most downloaded Bollywood female stars, after Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor, according to a survey conducted by a mobile network.

She tells CS, "I am thrilled to receive such positive feedback from the public after Murder 2. It feels great to have such a large fan following. I hope to live upto people's expectations in the future.

This year I have some exciting films on hand, and I hope that they will be favourably received by the audience."

Well Jackie, we wish you the best to take the number one position in the future.

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Rani-Aditya: Out in the open! Big announcement coming soon?

Rani Mukerji was spotted at Mumbai airport with Aditya Chopra and his folks after celebrating the New Year abroad. Is this a sign of the big announcement coming soon?

The New Year has begun on a cheerful note. First, it is now very much official that Rani Mukerji is an integral part of the Chopra parivar.

Second, that Aditya Chopra is pretty okay about being photographed and that too with Rani around!

For a change he did not run for cover and evade the flashbulbs as he always does.

Aditya along with Rani and his parents Yash and Pamela Chopra as well as brother Uday were spotted at the Sahar airport arriving together after ushering in 2012 overseas.

While they were on a holiday in the US/London, it is clear that Rani is family and was with the Chopra parivar for the celebrations. So can we expect an annoucement soon?



There has been buzz about Adi and Rani for long. Even during Diwali last year, she was very much in the scheme of things at the Chopra residence in Juhu.

Now that the filmmaker has thrown caution to the wind, there is nothing to hide anymore.

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Why do Soha and boyfriend Kunal fight so often?

The family that watches TV together, stays together. Like all families, the Khan-khandan would also have endless fights over the remote, reminices Soha Ali Khan. And not much has changed since then.

Even now, Soha and boyfriend Kunal (Khemu) keep fighting over their choice of serials and films. While Kunal likes to see American series and a lot of Hindi content, Soha loves her British crime shows and thrillers. She tells CS her love for television:

The big fight
While growing up, our family loved fighting over the remote.

My father would want to watch news, my mother would be interested in what Barkha Dutt had to say, my sister was interested in the Star World shows, while I was the one for Discovery.

One of Saif's favourite series while growing up was Remington Steele, and I remember, that we would often pause an episode and enact the character.

It was fun but bhai and I never had fights, as he was 10 years older to me. My sister and I have argued a lot over TV, as we shared the same bedroom.

Luckily now, Kunal and I like watching the same kind of content on TV. But the fights start when I put a British show. He thinks it's boring and slow. And he also finds the accent annoying. He prefers his fast-paced American series.

He also watches a lot of trailers and Bollywood trade news again and again.

I tune off at that time. We have had our fights over Bollywood films that he can watch time and again with the same interest. I can't do that. So, whenever he is out, I watch my favourite British series.

The smaller picture
Unlike Mumbai, Delhi where I grew up, was never obsessed with films. We had to do a lot of things than to just sit in front of the idiot box.

I have always been fond of TV, but when we were younger television was a bad word. We were pushed more towards pursuing extra curricular activities, outdoor sports and hobbies like reading. We had so much to do.

We would play so many outdoor games in a huge garden in front of our house. We didn't have to rely on the TV for entertainment.

Show time
But in the last one year, I have seen more TV than ever before. I take full responsibility when I say that television is a good thing.

I have my own set limits. There have been times when I have cut off from the world outside for three days, have put on my pyjamas and watched Sex in the City for hours together.

It is unhealthy but its fun to do once in a while. But I make sure this doesn't become a lifestyle.

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