Is Anushka seeing Arjun Kapoor?

Is Anushka seeing Arjun Kapoor?:
Well, this may all be just some wishful thinking on the part of press people but if the latest reports are anything to go by then, Cupid has come to visit our favourite Anushka Sharma yet again.

The actress who has been courting back to back headlines for her juicy linkups with Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor is now dating Boney Kapoor’s son Arjun. Ranbir and Ranveer are now a thing of the past as the ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ girl is hooked to Arjun Kapoor now.

The word has it that during a dinner party Anushka was caught getting too friendly with the Kapoor lad, giving out clear signals that something was brewing up between the two. They were enjoying each other’s company so much so that even Aditya Chopra and Habib Faisal’s presence did not matter to them.

Not just this, it is also being reported that Anushka Sharma will be paired opposite Arjun, in ‘Virus Diwan’ which will be a Yash Raj Banner venture.

Despite many attempts Anushka remained unavailable to comment.

Read more...

Shahid Kapoor’s Mausam copies Titanic’s posters

Shahid Kapoor’s Mausam copies Titanic’s posters:
Well, it seems tinsel town’s filmmakers are running short of ideas these days. They are aping Hollywood films and are constantly turning to the west for inspiration.

After we heard Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’s clearly ripped from ‘Lords of Dogtown’ and Rascals posters lifted from ‘Hangover’, the latest movie to now join the scene is Pankaj Kapoor’s directorial venture ‘Mausam’.

Rumours across the grapevine have it that Mausam’s poster bears a stark similarity to that of Leonardo and Kate Winslet starrer ‘Titanic’. In the poster, Shahid is seen holding Sonam’s hand in exactly the same style like Leo and Kate did for the 1997 film. Not just this, another major resemblance between the two posters is Sonam’s costume and her hairstyle. She is wearing a gown just like Kate Winslet, on the poster.

B’town get original please.

Read more...

Relief package for affectees announced

Relief package for affectees announced:
BADIN/TANDO MOHAMMAD KHAN (Agencies) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday visited rain-hit areas of Tando Mohammad Khan and Badin and assured provision of relief to the calamity-hit people. He said the federal and Sindh governments would offer all kinds of support to the people to help them recover from the disaster.
Addressing gatherings of representatives of affected people in Tando Mohammad Khan and Badin, the prime minister ordered immediate provision of 15,000 tents for the homeless, issuance of Watan Cards by Nadra for compensation, widening of Benazir Income Support Programme area to the rain-affectees for humanitarian assistance, interest-free loans by the Agricultural Development Bank and for the implementation of a drainage scheme to avoid such losses in future.
The prime minister, accompanied by Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Ministers Syed Khursheed Shah and Syed Naveed Qamar, had an aerial view of the vast areas affected by the rains in Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan districts and Sindhri area of Mirpurkhas.
He said National Disaster Management Authority has been directed to look into the needs of the affected people including tents, food, water, medicines and ensure their availability.
“I have asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the other concerned departments to assist in the rescue and relief efforts,” Gilani said.
Gilani said the people of Tando Mohammad Khan had supported Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and appreciated their courage. He said the people of Sindh faced unprecedented floods last year and stayed at relief camps for long. He assured that the federal and provincial governments would extend all the assistance to them to mitigate their sufferings.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister declared rain affected areas of Tando Mohammad Khan and others as calamity-hit.
Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar briefed the prime minister about the losses due to rains and said the whole area looked like a sea. He demanded of the government to declare the area as calamity-hit and necessary assistance should be extended to the affected people.
Later, Gilani witnessed the distribution of relief items among the affectees.
“I feel very sad that the people of Badin have once again become victims of a natural disaster,” he said and added that the people of the area were brave and resilient as they turned a new leaf of their lives every time they were struck by a disaster.
The prime minister said, “I will direct the Finance Ministry to look into the matter of waiver of loans owed by the rain-affected people”.
The prime minister accepted the request of DCO Badin Kazim Hussain Jatoi who sought support of the Air Force for resuce operations.
The Prime Minister also visited a classroom of children set up at the relief camp in Badin where he handed over gifts to the children. He also visited a medical camp where he spoke to patients and doctors.

Read more...

Karan not happy with Katrina

Karan not happy with Katrina:
Katrina Kaif is a reigning queen of tinsel town. Every top – notch filmmaker is waiting in queue to work with the sizzling actress. But when Katrina herself approached Karan Johar and envisaged interest in doing his production’s film ‘Dostana2’, Karan was extremely elated.

Unfortunately, the director Tarun Mansukhani could not pen down an ideal script for ‘Dostana 2’. As a result of which K Jo had to quash the plans and move on to making other films. He then decided to make a movie with Ayan Mukherjee instead. When Katrina learned about this, she once again sent out feelers seeking role in the flick.

An industry’s reliable source says, ‘Since Kat is the No 1 Bollywood girl today Karan and co were reportedly flattered with her interest in the project.”

However, the ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ starlet later dithered and switched loyalties to Yash Raj Banner. She allotted her November month dates to their film instead.

Reportedly, Karan Johar and Dharma Production’s associate are not thrilled to see Katrina’s turn around and are apparently miffed with her.

The source continues, ‘Kat has clearly played favorites and this has reportedly not gone down well with some at Dharma.”

Although, Karan has denied having issues with Katrina and is in a cordial relation with her but the industry insiders are sure that all is not that well between the two now.

Read more...

Sanjay Dutt out, John Abraham in

Sanjay Dutt out, John Abraham in:
Well, tinsel town hunk John Abraham has also got into Bollywood’s replacement game. The macho actor has replaced Sanjay Dutt in Sanjay Gupta’s forthcoming project.

Sanjay Gupta was suitably impressed with John when he worked in his action thriller ‘Zinda’. He then decided to pencil in the actor in his next movie ‘Shootout At Wadala’. And now the two have decided to co- produce films under Sanjay’s banner ‘White Feather Films’. A source informed, ‘John and Gupta have been spending a lot of time in each other’s company and ever since, they have been chalking out plans for their future professional endeavors together. In fact, when Ekta was keen to sign Saif for the role of Manya Surve, Gupta was insistent to cast John instead.

After filming for Shootout At Wadala, John and Gupta will sign a co-production deal. Following which, they are slated to work on their first co-produced film, tentatively titled Khotey Sikkay, in which John will also act.”

Earlier Sanjay Gupta was very close to Sanjay Dutt, they both used to make films together under their production house ‘White Feather Films’ but later their friendship fizzled and Dutt had stop working with Gupta. He even left their banner in 2007.

Now, some industry insiders are of the opinion that Gupta has found Sanjay Dutt’s replacement in John Abraham and will be making movies with the actor from now on. “Although Dutt and Gupta had a bitter parting, one thing is clear that they were a magical pair on-screen. Their company made some good films and no one has ever presented Dutt the way Gupta has.

While Dutt moved on to star in some mindless comedies, Gupta himself did not make any film for five years. However, he is now back with a vengeance. John has now become like a family member. He is often seen at Gupta’s bungalow Woodstock, in Versova.”

When contacted, Gupta said, “It’s not about replacing anyone. It is about moving on. I have a fantastic equation with John and his personality and presence is perfectly suited for the kind of films I make at White Feather. We’ve begun work on Shootout At Wadala. We’ve also locked another script, which is a huge action franchise that we intend to start immediately post Shootout. John has no agendas and what you see is what you get and that is what I respect and love about him.”

Read more...

Indian-spilled water sinks villages in Kasur

Indian-spilled water sinks villages in Kasur:
LAHORE/KASUR – A fresh flood warning has been sounded across Punjab province in the wake of possible massive deluge, as India spilled more than 70,000 cusecs of additional water into River Sutlej without prior information to Pakistani authorities, inundating dozens of villages in Ganda Singhwala area of Kasur district on Tuesday morning.
Water experts say that New Delhi, in sheer violation of the Indus Water Treaty, released more than 70,000 cusecs of water into River Sutlej at Pakistani side which mounted its level to an alarming level and washed away dozens of villages in Kasur after creating an emergency flood situation in the entire area.
“The water level in River Sutlej is speedily mounting up as more water is coming from the Indian side. The Pakistani authorities have set up flood camps in the endangered areas of Kasur to overcome any possible mishap,” a provincial government official told this reporter.
On Tuesday morning, according to water experts, more than 48,000 cusecs of water was passing through River Sutlej at Ganda Singhwala point. “We are expecting that the water level may further rise as Indians are releasing more floodwater from reservoirs upstream,” Ayyub Khan Mayo, Chief of the Pakistan Muttahida Kisan Mahaz said.
Agriculturists feared that the expected high flood of water could destroy the standing crops on a vast land comprising hundreds of hectares. Officials said that thousands of stranded people are lying under the open sky in most parts of Kasur district while they are yet to receive any emergency aid from the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, the Metrological Department has predicted that water level in the Ravi would remain low during this monsoon but after release of water from India, floods could hit Bhutsen and Basantar drainages of the river. Though not at danger level yet, but the water level is also mounting up in the Ravi River, sources added.
Over 170 villages along the Ravi are evacuated every year while the local administration is put on high alert in Narowal and Sialkot districts to cope with any emergency, official sources said. “The local administration is working with the villagers to get over one hundred villages evacuated in Narowal district in the wake of possible deluge in the locality as India has started diverting floodwaters to Pakistan,” sources added.
The Pakistan-specific defence structures of India could also wash away drainage located at Shakargarh. Massive flooding is also possible in Basantar, Jhajri, Oojh and Khattar drainages and a water inflow of 100,000 cusec at Shahdara could cause massive destruction, if India resorted to divert floodwater towards Pakistan, the officials warned.
It is worth mentioning that during the Pak-India parleys held in March and May 2010, India had agreed to install telemetry system on the rivers in its territory to check real-time water flow. But later, New Delhi refused to respond to the issues raised by Islamabad.
In such an eventuality, the big question remains, how aggressively India is violating the Indus Water Teary (IWT-1960) by diverting the river courses.
“We have credible reports that India during this season is going to release about 200,000-cusec additional water in the River Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum and Chenab. This high flow of water is bound to wash away thousands of villages in Punjab province, if efforts are not made to stop Indian hegemony on river waters,” experts said.
Water experts also revealed that Pakistani engineers are battling hard not only to nullify Indian hegemony over the river waters but also trying to avert possible massive deluge as India is likely to release over 100,000 cusecs of additional water in the River Ravi without prior information to the Pakistani authorities.
Experts say that on the one hand India is stealing Pakistani water by building dams on rivers flowing into Pakistan from Occupied Kashmir while during monsoon season New Delhi deflect river-courses to release floodwater towards Pakistani side.
It is important to mention here that India is constructing 40 dams on River Jhelum, out of which 4 big and 16 small dams have started functioning. India is constructing the third largest dam of the world in Kargil on River Indus, which will block 45 % flow of water to Pakistan.
Our Kasur correspondent adds: As water surged in Sutlej on Tuesday and submerged standing crops in Kasur villages, the district administration issued a final call for the evacuation of the villages likely to be affected by flood. District Kasur administration claimed on Tuesday to have completed all preparations to meet any untoward condition but was facing problems to motivate villagers to leave homes and move with their cattle and valuables to safer places.
On Tuesday, the water level at Keekar post was 17.5 feet (a rise of 4 feet during the last couple of days) which was expected to rise further.
Source said the water released from India was rainwater accumulated at Opra Barrage and it had nothing to do with the Bakhra Dam that was yet to be filled.
Standing crops stretching over hundreds of acres were inundated due to the floodwater at more than 15 villages. These villages include Bhikhi Wind, Kalanger Nagar, Kamalpura, Mastaiki, Pattan, Ganda Singhwala, Basti Bangladesh, Phati Wala and Bakkarke.
Distrct administration was there for the last two nights to meet any emergency. It had installed emergency tents at Talwar post to help people of affected villages.
AC capt (R) Altaf Hussain said at Talwar post the floodwater that was of low level had so far submerged crops outside some villages but it had not entered in the houses. He added that efforts were underway to evacuate the villages and shift the cattle heads and valuables to safer places.
District’s Rescue Incharge Dr Ikhtisham Hasan said his local teams were already in the affected areas under the supervision of Naveed Chaudhry while a special rescue force from Lahore had also arrived at Talwar post on Monday night.

Read more...

60,000 rendered homeless in Sindh

60,000 rendered homeless in Sindh:
KARACHI/LAHORE (Agencies) - Devastating rains have triggered floods in Sindh, where Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said one million people have been affected.
Villages have been flooded and crops destroyed in country’s bread basket, which was one of the worst-hit areas in unprecedented floods in 2010 that affected 21 million people and caused losses of $10 billion.
Badin is the most affected district where more than half of the total population has been displaced, while rains have also caused havoc in the districts of Tando Mohammad Khan, Mirpurkhas, Thar, Umerkot and Tando Allahyar. The meteorological office has forecast more rain in coming days.
More than 50 villages were inundated in tehsil Jati and Mirpur Bathoro of Thatta on Wednesday when floodwater flowing from Badin raided the area after breaches developed at eight different places in the saline nullahs carrying floodwater. Cotton, rice and other crops on thousands of acres of land have been destroyed and hundreds of inhabitants of these areas are taking shelter in two government schools at Jati Chowk.
In Badin, floodwater was still gushing out from saline nullahs on the seventh day of the calamity’s onset and thousands of flood affectees have taken refuge in different relief camps set up by district governments. A TV channel reported that eight people, including seven children, have died in the district due to gastroenteritis. Civil surgeon Dr Moosa Memon said there has been a sharp rise in the number of gastroenteritis cases and other water borne diseases are also spreading rapidly.
Eight people died due to gastroenteritis in relief camps while a woman passed away because she was not provided adequate treatment. Villagers protested and blocked the Karachi-Badin highway claiming that no relief work was being done. Flood affectees have appealed to authorities to start a boat service to rescue women and children trapped in inundated villages.
Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah told reporters overnight that one million people had been affected. Shah at the disaster management authority said crops had been destroyed and houses flooded.
But Sajjad Haider Shah, an official in the provincial disaster management authority said, “At least 700,000 people have been affected by the floods caused by the recent rains in the six districts of Sindh province... Some 60,000 people have been rendered homeless, who have migrated to safer areas.“ There were unconfirmed reports that 30 people had been killed in the past week, he added.
The new affectees are joining those tens of thousands of people who were affected by last year’s folds but could not be rehabilitated. They are still living in emergency camps and British charity Oxfam has accused Pakistan of failing to invest in prevention measures, making it vulnerable to further disaster.
The situation in Punjab was also far form satisfactory where flooded Ravi overflowed and inundated dozens of villages in suburbs of Mian Channun and Nankana. Crops of cotton, rice and vegetables on thousands of acres were devastated. The affectees complained they were getting no assistance from the government and were evacuating to safer places on their own.
Many other villages along the Ravi, particularity near Mandi Faizabad, have been submerged in floodwater. Floods have forced thousands of people to live under the open sky. No medical camp has been set up in the calamity-hit areas.
However, situation in Sutluj River near Kasur was getting better water level had started to lower and the locals were returning to their homes, according to a private TV channel report. DCO Kasur Syed Irshad Hussain said that river Sutlej will come to its normal flow in a day or two and water level will come down drastically. He said that no major flood was expected until September 15 in the area and the flood victims were returning to their areas in Kasur district.
India had spilled more than 70,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej which mounted its water level to an alarming level and inundated dozens of villages in Kasur, creating an emergency in the area.
However, it is reported that water level was soaring in Sutlej at Basirpur in Okara and in Vehari. The water inflow at Head Islam is 7,000 cusecs that will surge to 15,000 to 20,000 until Thursday (today). Owing to the situation, the people living along the banks of Sutlej in these areas have started evacuation.

Read more...

Akshay to team up with Ajay Devgn

Akshay to team up with Ajay Devgn:
Director Rohit Shetty is going to bring back the ‘Insaan’ duo Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn once again on the big screen. The actors will be seen sharing the screen space in the Hindi version of Hollywood action comedy ‘Bad Boys 2’.

An insider told a tabloid that the idea of making the movie for Indian audience has been discussed with both, Akshay and Ajay, and the process of acquiring the rights of the movie has started.

Earlier it was reported that Akshay and Ajay had some issues with each other. The word had it that Ajay was quite miffed with Akki as the actor was releasing his movies on same date when Ajay’s films were out. They clashed twice at the box office. Once when ‘Blue’ was out with ‘All The Best’ and secondly, when ‘Golmaal3’ was released with ‘Action Replay’ last Diwali. But now it seems that the B’town actors have ironed out all their differences and are ready to come together for the remake.

Read more...

Hollywood star to pair up with Aamir in Dhoom3

Hollywood star to pair up with Aamir in Dhoom3:
Well, it seems the star cast of Yash Raj Banner’s ‘Dhoom3’ is going to get bigger and better.

The buzz across the grapevine has it that a Hollywood hottie is expected to work with Aamir Khan in the action flick. The ‘Doom3’ contingent which consists of Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will now be joined by any of the three Hollywood starlets – Oscar winner Natalie Portman or Spanish star Penelope Cruz or Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame. The actress will be playing Aamir’s love interest.

Earlier, Katrina Kaif was the likely candidate for the role but as the role involves sporting swimwear and a passionate kissing scene with Aamir, the actress bowed out of the film. Hence, after Katrina’s back out the decision to get a Hollywood actress on board was taken in a closed-door meeting.

A source says, “The names you mention are definitely in the list. Yash Raj has never worked with an international star in any of its films. The production house has now decided to take the Dhoom franchise to a global level.

One safe and effective way of going global would be the casting of a Hollywood hottie.” A formal announcement however is expected to follow soon.

Confirming the same, Yash Raj’s official spokesperson says, “Yes, as of now some new international options are being considered.”

Read more...

Ranbir Kapoor apes Salman

Ranbir Kapoor apes Salman:
First ShahRukh Khan tried it in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ then Salman Khan in ‘Dabangg’ followed by Ajay Devgn in ‘Singham’ and now the moustache has come out of hiding yet again.

The latest report has it that Ranbir Kapoor will be donning the moustache in Anurag Basu’s next venture ‘Barfee’. The actor, who plays a deaf and mute character, was recently caught sporting a batik kurta and white pyjamas with a pencil thin moustache and aviator glasses on the sets of ‘Barfee’. Earlier, during the shooting schedule in Darjeeling, Ranbir was seen without the moustache. But it seems for the Kolkata’s shooting spell he has grown it.

What’s interesting is that Ranbir’s look is strikingly similar to that of Salman’s Chulbul Pandey’s look. He is wearing the aviator glasses and moustache in exactly the same way which reminds us of Salman’s Dabangg look. Not just this, Ranbir is aping Salman’s hairstyle as well.

Well, after Salman’s iconic look in the film ‘Dabangg’, moustache has now become an integral part of Bollywood.

Read more...