Not a publicity stunt, I was unwell and resting: Veena Malik

Controversial Pakistani actress Veena Malik, whose sudden 'disappearance' became a talk of the town, today said it was not a publicity stunt and that she was just resting in a hotel as she was not keeping well.

"This was not a publicity stunt. A person cannot do two such (publicity) acts in 15 days, " the actress said. Few days ago, a nude picture of Veena, sporting an ISI tattoo on the cover of the FHM magazine had caused much outrage. However, Veena had denied posing nude for the magazine.

Following this, there were reports that she has been receiving death threats. "I was keeping unwell since quite few days. I had called up Ashmit Patel and my mother that I was going to the hotel as I was unwell, " she said.

Veena, who went 'missing' since December 16 from the sets of her upcoming film 'Mumbai 125 kilometres', was found at a suburban hotel in Mumbai yesterday.

Her manager's claims she had gone missing without informing anyone, had created a hullabaloo. There were also reports that she had left for Pakistan as her father had disowned her after her nude picture and that her visa was to expire.

However, the actress said it was due to the long shooting hours and no breaks between her working schedule, that she had fallen ill.

"When I got to know that the shoot is over, I called up a close friend of mine to pick me up from the sets. I had taken anti-biotics and so was sleeping for about 20-24 hours, " she said. When asked who that close friend was, Veena refused to give any details.

Following the high dose of antibiotics, the actress said she slept and was surprised to know that everyone had been finding her since then. "The moment I got up, I called up my manager and informed him about my health. I also want to meet my father and clear things, " Veena said.

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Arch rivals turned friends? Priyanka hugs Kareena at an award event

Arch rival Priyanka Chopra made the first move and hugged Kareena Kapoor at the same event

Did they fake it or was it for real? Arch rivals Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra yet again did an all is well act at the entertainment awards event in Andheri on Sunday night.

It was PC who made the first move and couldn't resist giving Bebo a warm hug. The Kapoor girl taken unawares was forced to extend a warm hug too.

Everyone in Bollywood knows that the two stars are not on talking terms. Professional rivalry apart, there is also a personal angle. Bebo's ex flame Shahid Kapoor had an on-off relationship with PC.

Both the actresses avoid being seen together at the same place and at the same time. And in the past, there have been instances of how one would avoid having a run on with the other.

Says a source, "Kareena arrived late and made her way to the reserved table. For a while she was sitting alone. Later director Madhur Bhandarkar was seen with her at the table. Meanwhile PC was seated a few tables away waiting for her performance.


PC hugs Kareena Kapoor

Says an onlooker, "As soon as she saw Kareena seated, Priyanka walked up to her and bent over her to give her a warm hug. Bebo reciprocated. For a few moments they exchanged niceties and PC went back to her seat."

Adds the onlooker, "Everyone was taken by surprise by PC's move." Last year, at the annual police mela PC had apparently gone up to Bebo and said, "Let's forget what has happened and begin anew." Both had also danced together on stage with Shah Rukh Khan.

But the buzz that did the rounds at that time was that Bebo had given PC her famous Poo look (from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum) meaning 'Whatever!' and continued with what she was doing.

At that time, it did not look like the Kapoor girl was in the mood to forget. Did she this time? Time will tell.

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Kareena to go on a vacation with beau Saif

After shooting back-to-back for the whole year, Kareena Kapoor is finally taking a break.

She is going on vacation with her beau Saif Ali Khan.

The Chammak Challo leaves for a vacation to Europe after Christmas.

Last year-end, too, the couple spent time together in Stadt, Switzerland Bebo's favourite holiday spot where they own a chalet.

It's a well-deserved break we say.

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I carried stone to stop my car: Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s magic never stops…so much so that German car major Audi recently gifted him a sleek white Audi Q7 to acknowledge the success of his 2011 blockbuster Bodyguard.

Sreya Basu chats up the actor in Mumbai to find more about his automobile adventures

How does it feel to own a new Audi car? 
These Audi people are really good men yaar. I used Audi car in Bodyguard and now got one for my own…kaamal ho gaya. I just pray I get a new car in and after every film.

So that gaadi ka phatka na parein. I have quite some (bad) experiences with cars in real life…not similar ones though. But hope this kind of functions (car gifting events) happen to me every day…morning, noon, evening and night.

What do you have to say about the car? 
We used this car (model) throughout the film. It’s a beautiful car. Even Katrina Kaif has this car.

What was your first car? 
My first car was a Herald. It was used in a film which my father (Salim Khan) wrote. It was Zamana (1985). Mr Rishi Kapoor rode the care in the movie.

How was the experience with your first car?
After the shooting of Zamana was over, I got the car to drive. It was in such a bad condition…there was no flooring board, every time you lift the clutch, the joint board used to break, there was no handle on the doors.

So I used to put these chitkanis, the ones you have on your doors at home…not the knob ones but the old, bolt-and-action ones, on the doors of my car.

The breaks also kept failing all the times. So I used to carry stones in my car to stop it. For that reason we could never drive the car very fast. Also the bonnet of the car used to open up from time-to-time.

I remember, once we were going to a moat indigo party, it (bonnet) opened up and smashed the head of a friend who got about nine-stitches at that time. The party got cancelled and we never went for a moat indigo party since then.

You also had a motorcycle?
Yes, I also had a motorcycle. Am sure you heard of Dilawar Khan? The stunt guy? He had an engine lying somewhere. The other fat friend of mine Salim, who has acted in many films with me, also used to have a lot of motorcycles.

I got some tyres and engine from Dilawar Khan, and all other parts from Salim. Then I spent about eight months getting that motorcycle ready. I was going to (St) Xavier’s, I met Salim on my way…I waved to him and said: “It’s the same motorcycle dude.”

I came back the next morning…the motorcycle was missing. He used it for a stunt in the Filmcity lake and it was gone. That was the end of that story.

You also used your personal car in Maine Pyar Kiya. What was the story behind it? 
After the Herald and the motorcycle, I got another car that used to be parked next to a friend’s building. I bought that for Rs 15, 000. I swear on God, I have pushed that car more than I drove it. Every time the car used to fail.

We got it repaired and used the same car in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989, Salman’s debut as hero). It was a French Fiat and it had a similar shape of a Mercedes. So I put the Mercedes emblem in front of that car.

So, the car worked after that?
In that car also, the day we were supposed to shoot, we were driving down Altar Mount Road, one tyre burst and went straight into the railing. And the whole car got destroyed.

We sent the car back and got it repaired again and then used it for Maine Pyar Kiya. As soon as the film was over, I went for the shooting of Baaghi: A Rebel for Love (1990), and sold the car. So she also left.

Now from there to doing a movie like Bodyguard, which has been appreciated so much, and now the Audi coming in with us and we get a car which is chakachak…a nice, brilliant baby.

So I am sure we won’t have any problems with this car…like the brakes are not working, joint boards breaking, flooring board problems, or doors won’t have locks. We have everything here now…it’s a fully loaded Q star.

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It seems the Khans will never patch-up

Shah Rukh Khan apparently didn't attend a recent awards event, because Salman was performing there...

It seems the two Khans Shah Rukh and Salman are still not in a mood to let bygones be bygones and patch up. The Don 2 star gave a recently held awards event a miss. Rumour is that this was due to his rivalry with long time foe Salman.

A source reveals, "Since Sallu was to perform at the awards (event), Shah Rukh being his rival did not confirm his attendance until the last minute. And he didn't turn up."

Apparently there is another reason as well for SRK skipping the event.

The source adds, "SRK was not very pleased with the organisers for giving the Best Actor award to Salman for Dabangg instead of him for My Name Is Khan, last year."

The stars had a huge fall out at Katrina Kaif's birthday a few years ago.

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I want my children to know everything about me: Shahrukh Khan

 

Shah Rukh Khan has become the first Bollywood actor to have an official opus. While he is awaiting his Christmas release Don2, Sreya Basu catches up with SRK after the launch of King Khan-The Official Opus of Shah Rukh Khan, a 37-kg, 800-page diary, in Mumbai

How does it feel to join the league of Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Jackson, Manchester United FC, Formula One and Ferrari and have an opus (King Khan-The Official Opus of Shah Rukh Khan) dedicated exclusively to you? 
I am extremely humbled by this honour and personally very excited also, because I like books. Books have been written on me and my work over the last few years…very interesting ones. But to be a part of this pictorial journey is something else.

Have you gone through other opus?
I have seen the Michael Jackson book very wonderfully done. I have gone through The Opus of Michael Jackson, on Prince, on Manchester United, on Ferrari…and they are such a treat to read, watch and a great experience.

You are the first Bollywood actor to have his exclusive opus. That makes you truly the Badsaah of Hindi film industry? 
As I said, I am very thrilled about the book on me, which will hopefully talk about cinema, the existing state of cinema in our country (India), and the international opinion it holds.

And I just happen to be one of the central figures the whole book is pegging around. So I take it in that spirit.

As we all know there have been a number of books chronicling your journey in films. Why should people churn out so much money for opus?
Like I said, this book is a very impressive one. Opus books are collector’s items…they are also very expensive…to be really honest. But it is something that if you are dedicated to books, it becomes a piece of beauty to keep in your house.

Apart from that, over the last two years, opus is also going digital. It takes out smaller versions which are cheaper.

So you think opus will help you connect to you fans better?
Definitely. And not just that. When I write, the biggest wish is that my kids (Aryan, Suhana) and my family get to know everything they want to about me. That’s why the opus is very personal.

This book is not meant to be consumed by consumers or with all respect, just you (media). I want it for the consumption of my children; so that when they read it, they say “Okay, we like our father” in spite of this, because of this, despite of this…and perhaps also, exactly for this.

Or they discover something they didn’t know about me and say “Oh, he used to be like this” or “He is like this because he has gone through this in his life”. There is a lot of things I have gone in my life which I have never openly talked about even to my family and my closest of relations-my wife (Gauri) and children.

Do you really write?
Yes…I do…I do write sometimes. They (children) find it very boring. But it’s important for me to write it and leave it behind for them to read it.

So you are not eyeing the commercial side of the book? 
Commercially, this is not a regular book that you want lots of copies out. The beauty of this opus is that there are only 999 books with exclusive control over the photographs and the content.

So when you collect it, it’s not just about the money they make (opus publishers).

To be honest, I don’t even know if opus makes a lot of money on these books. Even if they do, it’s a very high-end method of making it commercial. It’s not that they will take out another 500 copies if it sells. It’s a different scheme of commerce.

Your opus will also be circulated in prominent libraries in India? 
I was being told one thing they are planning to do with this book is that they are planning to send copies to all prominent libraries around the country and request them to keep the book.

Here I would like to clarify again that this book is not a self-centred proposal of sending me across to these big pictures.

The idea is to sum it out so that they like the Indian film industry and the journey it has taken…may be in the last 20 years with me being a central figure somewhere…rightly or wrongly.

It’s a great pride for us to get such an international recognition and I have requested them that the first one should be sent to my school library where I have learnt everything.

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I didn't lose my cool because I know how sensitive Indian people are: Andrew Symonds

Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds is out of the Bigg Boss house and raring to get back home for Christmas.

What are you plans now? 
I am heading home tonight. It’s Christmas time. I haven’t done my Christmas shopping as yet.

What are your plans for after Christmas? 
I’ve got the IPL coming up. So I’ll be back here in March. It’d be good if we play well.

But for now I am just enjoying the thought of being home with family and friends for Christamas.

What prompted you to go into Bigg Boss? 
It was a good opportunity, a new challenge and something that I hadn’t tried before. I’ve great affection for India and the Indian people.

I’ve a lot of friends here. So I keep coming back here. I enjoy being here. I will never lose my affection for India.

You did a role with Akshay Kumar in Patiala House? 
Yeah, that was fun.

Are you relieved to be out of the Bigg Boss house? 
Yes. But it was a good experience while it lasted. It taught me what are the important things in life.

Family, for one? 
Yes, this is a good time to get back home when Christmas is around the corner.

How did you handle the cultural differences between you and the rest of the Bigg Boss inmates? 
I just tried to observe my surroundings for a week or so. I didn’t want to lose my cool. I know how sensitive Indian people are.

I just wanted to stay out of everyone’ way and try and have a calming influence on everyone.

I wanted to bring some positivity into the House.

There had been a lot of disagreements within the House.

Do you think you succeeded in doing what you set out to? 
I don’t know. I haven’t seen the episodes. But from what I hear it was good. I need to look at myself. Personally it’s been a good experience for me.

Tell me about the contestants you liked and the ones you thoroughly hated inside Bigg Boss house? 
My mother always taught me hate was a very strong word.

Okay so which ones did you find hard to get along with? 
Pooja Missra was hard to understand. Her moods changed quickly. I was in a position where I could help her. I wanted to try and understand her.

I didn’t give up on her right till the end, really. I think Siddharth Bharadwaj responded better to my advice.

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Playing safe?

Buzz is that John Abraham is unwilling to commit to Sanjay Gadhvi's next, due to his pending legal dispute and his recent box office record

Despite making the much successful Dhoom that catapulted John Abraham back into the limelight, Sanjay Gadhvi is now finding it difficult to get the actor's nod for his next movie.

Dhoom had come to John at a time when he was still getting over a string of flops at the box office post his successful debut in Jism.

It is learnt that the director is trying to put together his next movie, and has approached the hunky actor to play the lead. However, Abraham isn't sharing his enthusiasm and consequently, is unwilling to make any commitment.

A source tells us that John is skeptical about working with Sanjay because of his legal trouble with a corporate studio over a film called 7 Days In Paris. "Reportedly, Sanjay had incurred expenses running to over Rs 4 crore for the rom-com with Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif.

But there was no final script and eventually, it was shelved. Besides, the corporate studio also sued Sanjay and the matter is yet to be resolved. And not to forget Sanjay's last film Kidnap (2008), which failed to fetch even a decent initial at the cinemas, " points out our informer.

Our source further explains, "Sanjay is keen to get a nod from John so he can write the character and script keeping him in mind.

But the absence of a sound script along with the dispute has made John extra cautious. Sanjay won't begin until John gives an approval.

The latter won't consider until he has heard the story, knows who's producing it and is certain it will be made and marketed well."

Gadhvi, however, denies approaching John or waiting for his nod to begin working on a script.

Though the director admitted he'd love to work with his Dhoom actor again, he maintained, "I don't approach actors without a script, so I don't know where you heard this from.

I do have a couple of scripts and I'm in talks with a few producers. So as and when things materialise, I'll make the announcement."

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Tension mounts between Salman and Shahrukh

The Khans just won’t call a truce

 

Salman Khan is still at war with Shah Rukh

Two occasions presented themselves to Sallu and SRK this week but both times the Khans seemed adamant to avoid a closure to their three year long fight. The first was Riteish Deshmukh’s birthday party, when the two arrived there was a palpable tension among the guests. According to a source, when the Khans realized they were both present at the party they were shocked. Still, they somehow managed to avoid each other by staying in two different corners of the room.

The second occasion was at an awards ceremony for which both the Khans had been invited to. It is rumoured that when Shah Rukh found out Salman was performing at the venue, he decided to skip the event. Sources also revealed another scandalous detail – “SRK was not very pleased with the organizers of the award ceremony for giving the Best Actor award to Salman for ‘Dabangg’ instead of him for ‘My Name Is Khan’, last year."

The SRK- Sallu rivalry started at Katrina’s birthday bash three years ago and we really hope that the two Khans make amends soon!

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Ranbir and Shahid at war?

Both actors are rumored to be competing for the same role in ‘Chithiyan’

Shahid Kapoor is in the running for the lead role in 'Chithiyan'

When it comes to winning women’s attention, the hottest Kapoors of Bollywood just need to be themselves! We wonder how far they’ll need to go to get Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s attention?! Rumor has it that both Ranbir and Shahid are competing for the lead role in Vidhu’s upcoming project titled, ‘Chithiyan.’

‘Chithiyan,’ is said to be based on a love triangle and will feature the ‘3 Idiots’ actor, Salman Joshi. With the scripting and research going on in full swing, Vidhu hasn’t been able to decide whom to cast for the lead role. Apparently, the ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ producer met with Ranbir in Los Angeles, a few months ago and discussed the project. Later, he also fixed an appointment with Shahid at his office in Mumbai to discuss the same role.

A source close to the producer said – “The casting is still in process. It's a two hero film. Sharman Joshi is definitely playing one of the two heroes. Chopra decided to sign him after watching the rushes of ‘Ferrari Ki Sawaari.’”

So, while we laze around and wait for more updates on this scoop we know two people who are losing their sleep over planning their next move to impress Vidhu. May the best man win!

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Ranveer and Sonakshi are at it again!

The couple’s short-lived real life romance to continue on screen

Ranveer to star in the upcoming romantic thriller, 'Lootera'

We are all aware of how Ranveer’s real life romance started with Sonakshi at the IIFA awards in Toronto this year and now we know how it will continue. First we heard that the two stars signed up for ‘Lootera,’ a romantic thriller with a whopping budget of Rs 60 crores. Then, we were flooded with news that Ranveer was going to take his commitment up a notch by serenading Dev Anand’s love songs such as ‘Khoya Khoya Chand, ‘Tere Mere Sapne’ and ‘Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara’ to his alleged lady-love for ‘Lootera.’

Reportedly, producer Madhu Mantena is going to apply for the rights of Dev Anand’s hit songs. Filming of the song will be done by director Vikramaditya Motwane (of ‘Udaan’ fame). The video of the song will be shot in black and white and will feature Ranveer as a Dev Anand fan.

When Madhu was asked to comment on Dev Saab’s influence on ‘Lootera,’ he said- "We're most certainly going all-out to get the mood of the song right. Beyond that it would be premature to reveal our exact plans."

Ranveer himself confirmed the news that 'Lootera' was the only film that he had signed after 'Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl' and that there was a huge amount of preparation involved as the film was set in Kolkata.

It’s okay Ranveer, you can work all day and it won’t make you a dull boy because you’ll have Sonakshi for company!

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