Is this morphed too, Veena Malik?

Veena Malik's controversial shoot has created quite a stir across the border. Mahesh Bhatt had called her and advised her to send a legal notice to all those if she believes that she has been victimized. Hours after this conversation, late on Sunday night, Veena sent a legal notice Maxposure Corporate Media (India) Private Limited, Kabeer Sharma (Chief Editor, FHM Magazine) and photographer Vishal Saxena, where she asked her offenders to pay 10 crore as monetary damages caused. 

In her notice, Veena has stated that she has been "materially misrepresented", "deceived" and "induced to take a photo shoot". She has asked her offenders to cease and desist from continuing with the publication and circulation of her nude photo images in the issue of your magazine FHM December 2011, withdraw the circulation of her nude photograph from the internet site and/or withdraw the circulation of physical copies of the publication of the forthcoming issue FHM, December, 2011, from the market and to pay her a sum of 10,00,00,000/- (Rupees 10 crores only) as and by way of monetary damages caused to her by the illegal act, within a period of 24 hours from the receipt of the notice. Veena's notice claims that she had agreed to shoot four images for the magazine. The first image would be of her wearing a shorts and tee shirt and boots. The second would have her wearing fur coat upto thighs and boots. The third would have her wearing hot pants and broad big belt and that the upper portion of her body would be covered with her hands and an ISI tattoo on her hand. The fourth would have an image with a tattoo of "ISI" appearing on one hand. The actor has claimed that she was assured that no nude photograph of hers would be shot on November 23 at Versova's Aram Nagar and that if any alleged video is shown or published with her nude pictures or frames, the same is a product of being digitally tampered.

Meanwhile, the twist in the tale comes in the form of some nude photos allegedly of Veena that are in circulation online for sometime now. The photos have been uploaded on a blog way back on November 30, 2010, and has people commenting on the shoot too. Bhatt, who saw the nude photos online on Sunday night, said, "A correspondent from Jung told me: "Why are you believing what Veena is telling you? She has posed in the nude earlier here in Pakistan." My reply was: "I am doing this because I don't prejudge people. Let the experts give their verdict. Why is everybody in a hurry to hang her? I am not shocked by her nude images on the Net."

While Veena was busy with a film shoot in Mumbai, her spokesperson, Pratiek Mehta, said, "Veena has never done a nude shoot. I have not seen those photos. If these exist, they are morphed too. We will later decide on what action we want to take against those morphed photos."

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Akshay ends 2011 on a decent note with 'Desi Boyz'

After a decent weekend, 'Desi Boyz' just about managed to hang on for the rest of the week. Though there wasn't any spectacular growth that could have turned around the fortunes of this Akshay Kumar and John Abraham starrer, there wasn't any crash either which meant that the film found itself in a respectable zone at the least.

First week total of this Rohit Dhawan directed film reads a decent 40 crores. This is much better than what Akshay's last few films (barring 'Tees Maar Khan') have done in their first week, what with 'Thank You', 'Patiala House', 'Action Replayy' and 'Khatta Meetha' being left behind. From the preception perspective though this is one film which has fetched most appreciation for itself as well as Akshay. Those who watched the film had good things to say about it as well but surprisingly that didn't reflect in the theatre footfalls. On satellite and home video though the film is all set to enjoy many re-runs for itself.

Though till a week ago it was a given that the film would cross the 50 crore mark, lack of growth over the weekdays coupled with the bumper opening of 'The Dirty Picture' means that the film would end up missing that milestone. An average earner, it has still ended the year on a reasonably good note for Akshay who is now all set for a much better 2012 ahead with 'Housefull 2' and 'Rowdy Rathore' carrying immense hype.

Another release of the week, 'Dam 999', has turned out to be a disaster at the box office and struggled to complete even a week at the box office. With negligible collections to talk about, this would now be least grossing 3D film of all times.

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Paula Patton wants to work with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Hollywood actress Paula Patton, who would be seen in the Tom Cruise starrer upcoming film Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol, says, she would love to work with Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan. "I love Aishwarya Rai and would love to work with her. She is really a good-looking woman and a good actress," Paula said.

Paula was present at the Imax Wadala Multiplex, along with the film's lead actor Tom Cruise to promote the upcoming film in India. Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who plays a role in the film, was also present on the occasion.

Paula also praised Anil Kapoor, describing him as a "very good actor".

"India is a huge market. Indian movies are accepted by audiences almost everywhere. There are lots of fans for Bollywood movies abroad. The industry over here is doing pretty good," Paula told reporters here.

"India is a spiritual place. The people over here are heartwarming. I would love to come here again," she said.

Paula would be seen essaying the role of a secret agent - Jane Carter alongside Tom in the film.

"Tom is a great actor and a producer. He is inspirational. I have always loved him and the 'Mission Impossible' series. It is dream come true for me," she said.

The film releases in India on December 16.

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Kareena Kapoor is the highest paid actress in Bollywood

For those who like to track figures, Kareena Kapoor's may be worth watching. After a long time, a Bollywood heroine has managed to break the glass ceiling. Kareena will get a share in profits from her forthcoming film, Heroine. This makes her a part of the exclusive club of superstars who earn big through film rights.

Kareena, on her part, is playing it down. "Such arrangements depend on the project as well as the actress," she told Sunday Times. "The way the economics of Heroine has been chalked out, one does not really know. But for the budget at which it has been planned, I am being paid pretty well. There is going to be profit sharing as well, in some way."

Trade analysts are not surprised that Kareena is the one who managed to pull this off. Her box-office track record has been impressive. She is, after all, the only heroine who boasts of four hits that have grossed over Rs 100 crore each recently.

But the question that everyone (especially, the other heroines) is asking is whether Kareena's arrangement can set off a trend in B-town? Distributor-producer Shyam Shroff, who has made films like Chandni Bar, categorically says that the concept won't work in India. The Kareena-Heroine deal is an exception, not the norm, he feels. "Pick up any of the five biggest grossers in the last five years and then check the contribution made by the female leads in those movies," he says. Another factor that may go against profit-sharing is Bollywood's notorious lack of transparency. "The way business is conducted here, it is better to get your remuneration upfront rather than wait for future sharings," Shroff adds.

In the last few years, heroines have managed to break the Rs one-crore mark. So, while the Khans command five to six times the price, the top-rung heroines are supposed to be content with Rs 1.5 to 2 crore as their paycheck. Kareena, currently one of the highest paid heroines in the film industry, only earns half of what her cousin Ranbir earns per film. It's not as if Bollywood has not had its share of mega-heroines ' women for whom temples have been built and roles specially scripted. Rikku Rakeshnath, who was Madhuri Dixit's manager, points out that there were several films in which Madhuri was paid more than the hero. "Even today, she is getting a comfortable price," he says.

Yet, producers today don't hesitate to replace even topmost actresses. A leading film critic recalls when Aishwarya Rai had asked for a crore for 10 days of shoot in Mangal Pandey. "The producer refused to pay her the price. Instead, he gave the role to Amisha Patel."

Many also feel that today's heroines don't really deserve the money they demand. "Can any of the present heroines draw a full house on day one? I am all admiration for Kareena, but even she needs to pair up with SRK, Salman or Aamir to be called successful," says veteran film writer and author Udaya Tara Nayar.

On their part, New Age heroines are willing to try out "difficult" roles to justify their price. Katrina not only worked on her language delivery, but accepted an unconventional role in Raajneeti. Priyanka Chopra took a huge risk in doing a film like 7 Khoon Maaf. Kareena, who has done films like Chameli, is all set to play a schizophrenic actress in Heroine.

And now there are reports that Vidya Balan has hiked her price and demanded more than her next film's leading man, Farhan Akhtar. Trade Analyst Amod Mehra thinks it makes sense. "Vidya is one heroine who does not require a hero. She is the hero of the film. Be it Ishqiya, No One Killed Jessica and now The Dirty Picture. She is certainly in a position to ask for a hike and I can easily call her the female Aamir Khan of the industry."

Vidya herself feels that women-centric films have started doing well at the box office and it's time heroines get their share of the pie. "Actresses need to take charge and ask more from producers. However, total accountability is also required."

Still, when comparisons are made with Hollywood, our desi beauties are way behind. As Kareena points out, "Angelina's (Jolie) price is more than the business of a top earning film in Bollywood."

But brand endorsements and ads have emerged as a lucrative space for actresses. In most cases, heroines earn more from endorsements than films. Today, Katrina, Kareena, Deepika and Priyanka command a premium in the brand world. Leading photographer Atul Kasbekar has a point when he says, "It's a good time to be a successful actress in B-town."

 

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Kolaveri Di’s’ Super Surprise!

Ranjnikanth is set to jazz up his son-in-law Dhanush's song

South Indian Superstar, Rajnikanth, soon to be in the movie '3'

The super hit song ‘Kolaveri Di’ is going to be spiced up even more! Sources report that South Indian superstar, Rajnikanth, will feature in the song as well as the movie ‘3’.

Apparently the 61-year-old veteran actor was persuaded by his daughter, Aishwarya, who is the director of the movie, and his son-in-law, Dhanush (who has sung the song), to face the camera for ‘3’.

Despite his health problems that started during the shooting of his upcoming movie ‘Rana’ co-starring Deepika Padukone, the actor agreed to please his family.

Rumor has it that shooting for the song ‘Kolaveri Di’ will begin sometime this month (December 2011). In keeping with the title of the movie or for what may even seem like superstitious reasons, three music videos are likely to be shot for the hit song.

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Catch Bollywood's biggest stars in Dubai

SRK, Priyanka, Ranveer & Anushka will be in town for the Dubai International Film Festival

Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra

It's raining the world's biggest movie stars right here in Dubai! And you can get up close and personal with them! Thanks to special events and dedicated fan enclosures at the red carpet fans could be running shoulders with celebs attending the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) this year.

And they've definitely got some hot stars lined up for the fest this year. DIFF is adding to its Indian cinema celebration with ‘An Afternoon with Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh’ on December 8. Yes, the 'Don 2' team will be rocking Dubai!

Later on December 8, Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma will hit the red carpet for their movie 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, which is going to have its world premiere at DIFF!

Of course, DIFF opens with the premiere of Tom Cruise's highly waited Mission:Impossible Ghost Protocol on Tuesday 7 December! The star will walk DIFF's red carpet with B'wood's very own Anil Kapoor, actress Paula Patton and UK funnyman Simon Pegg.

Also attending DIFF this year are Owen Wilson, French actress Léa Seydoux, US director Alexander Payne, Brit director James Bobin and supermodel Helena Christensen!

The Arabic talent at DIFF this year includes Fakhria Khamis and Buthaina Alraisi from Oman; Dawood Hussain, Ibrahim AlHarbi, Huda Hussain, and Mahmoud Bushehri from Kuwait; Zahra Arafat from Bahrain; and Abdul Mohsen M. Alnemer from Saudi Arabia. From the Arab world are Amr Waked, Ezzat Abu Ouf, Lebleba, and Youssra from Egypt; Ahmed El Zein and Youssef Al Khal from Lebanon; Ismail Al Ajaili and Iman Al Rabti from Libya; Mohamed Miftah from Morocco; Mozna AlAtrash from Syria; and Dorra Shihawi and Ahlam Bou Affoura from Tunisia.

See you at DIFF!

INFO
To book a place on the fan enclosure by the red carpet of DIFF, all that fans have to do is register their interest at www.dubaifilmfest.com. Space is limited and fans will be permitted on a first-come-first-served basis.

DIFF 2011 will screen 171 films from 56 nations representing the best of national, regional and world cinema between 7 and 14 December at the Mall of the Emirates, Madinat Jumeirah and The Walk at JBR.

The DIFF box office is now open online at www.dubaifilmfest.com and at the DIFF box offices in Dubai Media City, JBR The Walk, Mall of the Emirates and Madinat Jumeirah. Additional information is also available through the Festival’s dedicated customer care number; call 363 FILM (3456).

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Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s Baby Boy!

The happy couple welcomes their child into the world!

Aamir and Kiran welcomed their baby into the world on December 1st

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have been happily married for six years now and what completes marital bliss better than having a baby together? However, this hasn’t come easy to the couple as, after many complications and we are sure, quite a bit of emotional trauma, the couple has been blessed with a bouncing baby boy. Aamir Khan told a prominent tabloid, “It gives us the greatest joy to share with you the good news of the birth of our baby boy. This baby is especially dear to us because he was born to us after a long wait and some difficulty. Due to medical complications, we were advised to have a baby through IVF -Surrogacy and we feel very grateful to the Almighty that everything has gone well” And well it has gone for sure as on December 1st Aamir and Kiran welcomed their precious baby boy to the world. We can’t wait to see pictures of their lovely tot and we are sure perfectionist Khan and his lovely wife will be amazing parents. Congratulations to Aamir and Kiran!

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Veena Malik files for Rs100m in damages from FHM

Refusing to balk in the face of controversy, Veena Malik has filed for monetary damages against For Him Magazine (FHM) to the sum of Indian Rs100,000,000 following their release of two magazine covers featuring the diva naked.

The notice was delivered on Sunday and named Maxposure Corporate Media, FHM chieft editor Kabeer Sharma and photographer Vishal Saxena as respondents. It outlined Malik’s narrative of events surrounding the photo shoot for FHM, including the claim that “our client was assured that no nude photograph in any manner would be shot by you.”

The notice reiterated that Malik’s photos had been morphed, stating that Malik had agreed to be shot in shorts and tee shirt and boots; wearing a fur coat up to thighs and boots; hot pants and a broad big belt with the upper portion of her body covered with her hands and an ISI tattoo on her hand; an image with a tattoo of “ISI” appearing on one hand, in which Malik would wear a bikini and/or a thong posing with folded hands with the upper portion of her body covered with other tattoos.

Claiming irreparable harm, loss and damage, the notice said the respondents had committed offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code as well as Information and Technology Act, 2000. The notice called on FHM to ensure the magazine issue would not go into print, remove the tampered photos from the FHM website and pay millions in damages.

Full text of the notice below.

 

By Hand Delivery/Courier/Fax/Email

4^th December, 2011

To

1.       Maxposure Corporate Media (India) Private Limited,

TV Industrial Estate Basement,

B/22, A.K. Ahire Marg,

Worli, Mumbai 400 018

and its registered office at

Le-Meridien Hotel,

Old Business Centre, 2^nd Floor,

Windsor Place, Janpath,

New Delhi 110 001

2.       Mr. Kabeer Sharma,

Chief Editor,

FHM Magazine,

TV Industrial Estate Basement,

B/22, A.K. Ahire Marg,

Worli, Mumbai 400 018

3.       Vishal Saxena,

A Wing, Ground Floor,

Green Park, Leela Apartment,

Yari Road, Andheri (West),

Mumbai

Dear Sirs,

Under instructions from our client Ms. Zahida alias Veena Malik, residing at Kalpak Corner, Station Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400 050, we have to address to each of you this notice as under:-

1.                 You are aware that our client is a well known model cum film actress, realty TV star and social worker.  Our client is associated with the World Health Organization and is known for her social work and is a well known film personality both in Pakistan, India and all over the world.  Our client hails from Pakistan and has come to India for her professional assignment in the entertainment and fashion industry.

2.                 You are aware that in the first week of November, 2011, you Vishal Saxena approached our client and informed her of a photo shoot only and an interview which would be published in the FHM Magazine to be published in December, 2011.  In the past also, our client had a photo and video shoot with you Vishal Saxena in the month of October 2011 and which was published in the Zoom T.V. As our client had already established a working professional relationship with you Vishal Saxena, she agreed to appear for photo shoot as well as give her interview for the FHM magazine.  Shortly after being contacted by you Vishal Saxena, our client was then contacted by you Kabeer Sharma  chief editor of magazine FHM.  In the course of discussions, an idea was mooted by you Kabeer Sharma that our client should wear a tattoo on her hand with the letters “ISI”. On enquiring, our client was made to understand that it would be good for her image and that of ISI which Institutes / Agencies are available in India and the world including Pakistan  and that there will be no repercussion and/or ill effect if our client wears the said tattoo.  To our client’s knowledge, there are about 56 Institutes with the abbreviation of “ISI” al over the world.

3.                 You Kabeer Sharma also informed our client that after the photo shoot, he would contact our client  for a short interview which he wanted to publish in the forthcoming issue of the magazine FHM.

4.                 You, Vishal Saxena informed our client that there would be 4 photo images used in the said magazine.  The details of the 4 photo images are as follows:-

(a)     An image of our client wearing a shorts and tee shirt and boots;

(b)     An image of our client wearing fur coat upto thighs and boots;

(c)      An image with hot pants and broad big belt and that the upper portion of her body would be covered with her hands and an ISI tattoo on her hand;

(d)     An image with a tattoo of “ISI” appearing on one hand.  Our client would wear a bikini and / or a thong in the image and that she would pose with folded hands and her upper portion of her body would be covered with other tattoos.

Our client was assured that no nude photograph in any manner would be shot by you.

5.                 Our client had categorically informed each of you that by doing photo shoot, she does not want to pose nude in any photographs, which you readily agreed.  You further assured our client that upon taking photographs, you would show the same to our client and that only on our client’s approval, would you publish the said photographs in the said magazine.

6.                 On 23^rd November, 2011, a photo shoot was arranged by you Vishal Saxena and the team of Kabeer Sharma at Bungalow No. 96, Aram Nagar, Yari Road, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai.  The photo shoot went on from the afternoon session till 8.00 p.m.  After the completion of the photo shoot, our client was shown the 4 images with the clothes, as stated in paragraph (4) above.  The photo image where she has posed with her tattoo on her hand was taken with bikini and/ or thong which was worn by our client and also with hot pants and broad belt as stated above.  The size of the photograph was only upto her thighs and our client was shown with folded hands with clothes on, as stated in paragraph 4 above.

7.                 It is a common ground and an admitted position that our client has not for any of the images posed nude and / or nude.  For all the images and photographs which were shot, our client had clothes on, as stated in paragraph 4 above.  Our client, therefore, states that the photographs which are being circulated and published in the FHM magazine December 2011 and Internet site of FHM magazine have been deliberately tampered with and / or morphed with a view to cause wrongful gain to you and cause wrongful loss to our client.  Morphing is a special effect that changes one image to another through a seamless transition.  You have utilized the method and / or tampered with the photographs to cause loss and damage to our client’s reputation.

8.                 After 2 or 3 days, you Kabeer Sharma contacted our client on phone and took her interview.  Our client was informed that the photographs shown to her on 23^rd November, 2011 and her interview would be published in the forthcoming issue of FHM magazine in December 2011.

9.                 After our client gave her interview to you Kabeer Sharma, our client was chased by you Vishal Saxena and Kabeer Sharma to give some sort of written confirmation that our client consents to the photo images being published in the forthcoming issue of FHM magazine.  Our client made enquiry with each of you to send the 4 photo images to our client for perusal so that our client can confirm the same.  Each of you informed our client that the photo images our client had seen on the night of 23^rd November, 2011, are the very same photo images which are to be published.  Relying solely on your representation and assurance and without verifying the photos once again, our client sent an email on 30^th November, 2011 confirming that she was happy with the pictures shot on 23^rd November, 2011 and that they could be published.  It is material to note that at that point of time, the photo images were not sent to our client for her perusal and / or verificaiton, but it was only on your verbal assurance & representation that the photo images sent to her were the same photographs which she has seen on 23^rd November, 2011, that an email was sent.  Our client reiterates that in photo shots on 23^rdNovember, 2011, there was no nude photographs taken nor was there any of video shots taken of any nude images of our client.  Our client states that if any alleged video is shown or published with her nude pictures or frames, the same is also tampered with by you and /or morphed, for which, our client will take suitable action against each of you.  In fact our client’s contract was only for a photo shoot and not a video shoot.  On the day of the shoot as you started taking video shots, our client reminded you of the arrangement and called upon you to stop the video shoot which you did.  The video was taken only till images (a) and (b) were photographs as set out in paragraph (4) above.

10.            On 2^nd December, 2011, our client came to learn that you have posed naked photographs of our client on the internet site of FHM magazine.  You have also circulated and sold the magazine to the public showing the nude photograph. Our client was shocked, astonished and embarrassed to see the said photograph which is published all over the world.  It is pertinent to note that there was no written agreement signed by our client and furnished to you as per the Model Release Form which is a contract with your Company.  Immediately on coming to learn, our client contacted you Vishal Saxena and Kabeer Sharma.  You Vishal Saxena have since then been avoiding our client and our client repeated calls to you have not been replied nor answered.  You Kabeer Sharma has also avoided confrontation with our client and have merely sent an SMS to our client indicating that you propose to have a press conference and sort out the issue with our client.  You have failed to do so.

11.            Our client states that each of you have materially misrepresented to our client and have deceived our client and induced our client to take a photo shoot.  You have further intentionally induced our client to take photographs with clothes on and have subsequently tampered with and / or morphed the photographs with a deliberate intent to cheat our client.  Your act has caused damage and harm to our client’s reputation in the profession in India as well as in her country of birth and the world.  By your said act of publishing the said photo images which shows our client naked, our client states that you have caused irreparable harm, loss, damage to the reputation of our client and committed offence of defaming our client in the public.  Our client states that you have thus committed offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code as well as Information and Technology Act, 2000.

12.            In the circumstances, we are instructed by our client to call upon and require each of you which we hereby do to forthwith (a) cease and desist from continuing with the publication and circulation of our client’s nude photo images in the issue of your magazine FHM December 2011; (b) withdraw the circulation of our client’s nude photograph from your internet site and/or withdraw the circulation of  physical copies of the publication of your forthcoming issue FHM, December, 2011 from the market; and (c) to pay to our client a sum of Rs.10,00,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Crores  only) as and by way of monetary damages caused to our client by your illegal act, within a period of 24 hours from the receipt hereof by each of you, failing which, we have peremptory instructions to adopt both civil and criminal proceedings against each of you at your entire risk, as to all costs and consequences, of which please take note of.

13.             Please treat this as “final intimation”.

Yours faithfully,

For M/s. Bilawala & Co.

(Partner)

REGARDS

AYAZ BILAWALA
ADVOCATE & SOLICITOR
KARIM CHAMBERS,
42,AMBALAL DOSHI MARG,
FORT ,MUUMBAI 400023

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Hrithik Makes Headlines Again!

‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ star voted sexiest man in Asia

Hot and hunky Hrithik.

The hunky competition can step aside, Bollywood's real hottie is Hrithik Roshan. At least that's what a survey conducted by the British Weekly Eastern Eye concludes. Hrithik has been voted the sexiest Asian Man in the world for 2011.

We're not surprised! With those piercing light eyes and the muscled glory, Duggu was set to be in the top.

So who followed him? Here's the hot list. Shahid Kapoor took the second place, closely followed by Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Surprises included cricketer Virat Kohli at 18, Ajay Devgn at 29 and director/ actor Farhan Akhtar at 34. Other actors who featured in the list are John Abraham at seven, Akshay Kumar at nine, Arjun Rampal at 11, Imran Khan at 12, Saif Ali Khan at 13 and Aamir Khan at 35.

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Sanjay Calls It Quits!

Hrithik’s good habits rubbing off on gym buddy, Sanjay.

Sanjay Dutt has finally decided to light his last cigarette.

Hrithik Roshan is a wiser man today. There are three reasons why. He read “The Easy Way To Stop Smoking' by Allen Carr. He took leaf from the book and lit his last cigarette (fans are known to overstate things). He gifted the same book to his bench pressing buddy (fans are known to overstate things) Sanjay Dutt. And now Sanjay is a wiser man. Rumor has it that Hrithik has been persistent in preaching the hazards of smoking to his buddy on the sets of Karan Johar’s remake of ‘Agneepath’.

Sanjay spoke of the vice, his addiction, his fears of smoking in front of his twins, Shahraan and Iqra. Hrithik gave him a warm hug and said- “I have been there too.” It’s been over a year, since August 5th 2010, that Hrithik resolved to give up smoking but we aren’t satisfied. We want him to be Bollywood’s Samaritan, to spread the word, to convince smokers like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan to give up the compulsive habit.

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