A little nip and tuck

From botox to breast implants, at some point, most stars resort to it as a quick-fix to what does not look right to them in the mirror.

2011 was filled with buzz about the following stars. Pics don't lie. Take a look...

Kangna Ranaut: Her in-your-face 'assets' quite obvious in Rascals could not however uplift the film.

Sridevi: While preparing for her B-Town return, the actress has been 'changing' herself and trying hard to keep up with the young girls.

Though those close to her say that her frugal diet is making her face look different!

Bipasha Basu: In July, B-Town was buzzing about the actress getting her assets enhanced.

But apparently the real reason she quietly checked into a south Mumbai hospital to get top heavy by a veteran cosmetic surgeon was because of a previous job gone wrong!

Apparently the gel breast implants done a while back came undone, resulting in 'double trouble' that had to be rectified!

Shazahn Padamsee: She was seen through the year in various stages of swollen lips and by the year-end has finally got the desired pout!


Shazahn Padamsee


Sridevi


Biapsha

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Has Priyanka become too big for her boots?

Apparently, Priyanka Chopra is throwing too many tantrums on the sets of 'Barfee'

Looks like Piggy Chops is following the footsteps of her ex-beau Shahid Kapoor. Similar to his obsession for perfection, Priyanka too has been throwing a few starry tantrums to have things her way on the sets of Barfee.

Buzz is that PC is working a tad too hard on her role in this Anurag Basu film, which has caused a few problems for the crew.

A source from the crew spills the beans, "Priyanka is a wonderful actress but she has been acting a bit difficult on the sets. She is known to be very accommodating but we don't know why this sudden change in her attitude."

The source further reveals that PC has been acting very fussy about her look in the film. He points out, "She wants everything her way.

She is being too fussy when it comes to her looks and make-up in the movie. She even changes her dialogues at her own will and also insists on doing retakes even though the director is okay with the take.

Not only that, she demands to take her shots from a specific angle. She is a big star and there is no point arguing with her. So we have to give in to her demands." Priyanka remained unavailable for comment.

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Response to Don 2 better than expected

Actor Kunal Kapoor, who plays a key role in Farhan Akhtar's much-awaited film Don 2: The King is Back, says the film has got a promising reception.

'The response has been superb. We expected a good response, but I think it's been far beyond anyone's expectations,' the 34-year-old actor said here at a special screening of the film.

Don 2: The King Is Back released in 41 countries Friday, and hit screens in Britain Thursday.

"Everyone liked it. I think you know once the movie works, people like things about the movie, then they like everything about the movie," said Kunal, who has shared screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan for the first time in the movie.

Kunal made his Bollywood debut with M.F. Hussain's Meenaxi: A tale of two cities, but tasted success with Rang De Basanti the following year. He has worked in films like Hattrick, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachle besides making special appearances in Bachna Ae Haseenon and Welcome To Sajjanpur, and was last seen in "Lamhaa".

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Don 2 Review

By: He Who Must Not Be Named

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Kunal Kapoor, Boman Irani, Aly Khan, Nawwab Shah, Florian Lukas

Story and Screenplay: Farhan Akhtar, Ameet Mehta, Amrish Shah

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Director: Farhan Akhtar

Rating: ****

Both Salman and Shah Rukh Khan are, perhaps, the biggest prisoners of their own success stories in Bollywood. While the former is deeply mired in his ever brooding Bhai image it is SRK, who at times, redeems himself with his suave performances.

No, I certainly have no doubts about their acting prowess. They both are extremely talented gentlemen and a treat to watch on screen. But for that you need to have capable directors like Farhan Akthar or Abhinav Kashyap who don’t get too deferential to the biggest stars of our times. Perhaps that’s why a Chulbul Pandey or Kabir Khan charms the pants off you while Lovely Singh and Shekhar Subramanium look like a poor joke.

So yes, Don 2 is FARHAN AKHTAR’s film who gives us SRK we all love to see – funny, witty and never too loud.

Barely ten minutes into the film and you are sold to his Don who is back with his eviler designs and delectable wisecracks. He is a suitable cousin to Ethan Hunt and Danny Ocean, an anti-hero planning to rob a Berlin bank of its euro printing plates in a daring heist.

To do so he escapes with his old foe, Vardhan (Boman Irani) from a Malaysian prison giving yet another heartburn to ex-flame Roma (Priyanka Chopra) and veteran cop Malik (Om Puri).

What ensues is high octane action, deadly car chases, treachery and of course unpretentious dark humour.

I’m sure the human moments will be missed by some in this slick thriller but then they may have very well worked against the film which has some ruthless men saying very mean things to each other. Well, how can you expect a man like Don to go all mushy over a girl, who puts his enemies under a bone crushing machine and exhorts them to make a right choice by saying “Main Nahi Chahta Tum Kisi Dabav Mein Koi Faisla Lo.”

Shah Rukh Khan is spot on as Don. Perhaps with this film, he is out of the shadow of the original Don. Now, he can certainly look forward to the subsequent sequels of this franchise without getting compared to Mr. Bachchan.

Priyanka Chopra looks convincing as Roma. She is still not over her failed affair with Vijay/Don, looks impervious to his charm before finally giving in. But remember... it’s still complicated.

Lara Dutta glitters in her small cameo as Don’s liaison. Kunal Kapoor as Sameer Ali, Don’s technology consultant, is just okay for his screen space. Hrithik Roshan who makes fleeting appearance as a masquerading Don looks pleasant but sticks out like a sore thumb in otherwise believable Don adventures.

The script is taut. Music and background score are cracking. Songs don’t impede the story telling. The cinematography captures the virgin locales of Berlin in full glory as King Khan goes all wild on German streets.

Farhan Akhtar makes a welcome comeback behind the camera. Undoubtedly an accomplished actor, he should certainly direct more often. A special mention is in order for his writing team Ameet Mehta and Amrish Shah who make Don 2 not only a slick but a smart thriller as well.

So, while catching Don may be an impossible task for the Police force around the world you can and certainly should catch him at a theatre near you.

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I am most close to Jacqueline and Asin: Sonam

In an industry where people play the numbers game, actress Sonam Kapoor believes in being friendly. 

"Almost all of my directors are my friends. Be it Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Punit Malhotra, they all are dear friends. Even all my male co-stars are my friends, " Sonam said at a recent event.

As for her female friends in B-Town, she said: "I am most close to Jacqueline (Fernandes) and Asin (Thottumkal). In fact, these two are doing a movie ('Housefull 2') together and I am so jealous of them!"

The actress, who is looking forward to her film "Players", is set to don the garb of Santa, and play peacemaker between two friends on UTV Stars' new show "Superstar Santa".

"My episode has two girls whose friendship is broken due to misunderstanding. My job is to bring them together and try to understand what went wrong, " said Sonam, who insists she tries her best to be there for her own friends despite being busy.

"I have a huge bunch of friends and I am always there for them whenever needed, " she added.

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I'm a very desi girl at heart: Mahie Gill

Simple living, high thinking is Punjabi kudi Mahie Gill's motto. If she's not acting, you're bound to find the actress living a simple life.

Says Mahie, "I'm a very desi girl at heart. I love gorging on fish, crabs, dal and sabzis.

Whenever, I get some time, I love to cook for myself. It's kind of therapeutic.

Even my dressing is very simple. On most days, you'll find me wearing jeans, t-shirt and chappals.

However, I like dressing up on occasions like a function or a film awards.

Then, you'll spot me in saris paired with chunky earrings." All we have to say Mahie is that we like your attitude.

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When abuses became fashion in Bollywood

Bollywood this year clearly rode on bold content and bolder language with expletive-ridden films like 'No One Killed Jessica' and 'Delhi Belly' getting the green signal from Censor and the audience.

Filmmakers successfully experimented with bold real-life stories like in 'The Dirty Picture' and invective-infused dialogues to give a real drift to the film's terrain and its characters.

They took the 'offend and abuse' trip to be in sync with the youth. Rani Mukherjee began the year's trend with her portrayal of a competitive TV journalist in 'No One Killed Jessica'.

The erstwhile 'Babli' of Bollywood underwent a image makeover in the film puffing cigarettes, mouthing cuss words and showing the middle finger. Her favourite dialogue in the movie was: "I am a bitch."

Director Rajkumar Gupta maintained that using abuses in everyday conversations has become a norm and it was harmless The "irreverent" 'Delhi Belly' found many takers for its toilet humour. Its bouquet of bad words and the drumming 'Bhaag DK Bose' became hugely popular for its profane loop. keeping in mind the changing landscape and characters in Hindi cinema.

The abuse-oozing crime comedy, produced by Aamir Khan scored high with all, barring a few, setting new a definition of 'fun' in the industry.

"'Delhi Belly' is a very irreverent film. It does not have any skin-show but 'ashleel' (obscene) language has been used.

Its a 'kameena' comedy. There is no sex in the film. I think the movie will change the definition of bold films in the industry, " Aamir had said.

And sure, it did. True to its title, The Dirty Picture's brave and bold content coupled with innuendo-filled dialogues by scriptwriter Rajat Arora, closed the year on a high note.

Vidya Balan's acting and abuse hurling skills, inspired by the life of late south sex siren Silk Smitha, topped by ample skin-show, successfully sailed through troubled waters.

This year, use of 'desi' expletives and dialogues (some in regional Marathi language too) albeit in a humourous way, went down well with the audience in blockbusters like 'Ready', 'Bodyguard' and 'Singham'.

Also to some extent, Kangana Ranaut in 'Tanu Weds Manu', Gul Panag in 'Turning 30' and Irfaan Khan as well as Saurabh Shukla in 'Yeh Saali Zindagi' raised a toast to the foul language spoken by people in daily lives.

Luv Ranjan, director of hit adult comedy 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', also used swear words and managed to get a U/A certificate.

Although getting the cast to mouth offensive words and vulgar dialogues does not ensure successful films, it does create some buzz initially through trailers, making the required noise before the release. Diwali release 'Ra.One' saw Kareena Kapoor's character doing a thesis on Indian abuses.

She rains abuses on Shah Rukh Khan, who played her husband in the film, and her onscreen son repeatedly asks her to mind her language. But other than creating a hype, this characteristic did not make any addition to the film.

But foul language has proved to be a demand of the script in many films earlier.

Saif Ali Khan and Ajay Devgn were at their abusive best in 'Omkara'; Vidya and Arshad Warsi hit the slang note in 'Ishqiya' and it worked in Kareena's favour in 'Jab We Met' and 'Golmaal 3'.

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Salman: This one's for you ladies

At Sohail's birthday bash, Genelia, Kangna and Shriya got lucky as Salman danced the night away with them 

Bhai ke liye kuch bhi karega is Salman's mantra.

Putting aside all recent rumours of a professional rift with Sohail (who had stopped looking after Salman's business interests), the star danced the night away at a surprise birthday bash he threw in Hyderabad during the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) after-party.

Director Mani Shankar who was with the star says, "Salman had planned the surprise for Sohail from Mumbai itself.

He had shared his plans with his buddy Sajid Nadiadwala who flew to Hyderabad with him pretending to have come to the city to be with the star for the CCL."

On Monday night, exactly at midnight, a gigantic chocolate cake was wheeled into the party venue at a luxury hotel in Hyderabad.

Sallu had even brought along his own music system a clear giveaway that he intended to have his own after-party.

Mani who's planning to cast Salman in his next, says, "Salman danced to Shakira and Beyonce. The music was all American."

He adds, "When Salman started swinging with the babes, crowds tried to bust in and security was constantly weeding out the gatecrashers."

In fact, Salman was in such great spirits that he even refused to steer clear of the cold weather during midnight as advised for his neurological condition.

In fact the director adds that the star spent time shaking hands and hugging guests all night.

A guest who attended the bash says, "This was a new side to Salman. He was as excited as a schoolboy.

And when he saw Sohail's delight, he was grinning from ear to ear. Salman danced with Genelia, Kangna Ranaut and Shriya Saran."

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The Biggest Drama Queens of Bollywood

This year has been witness to some interesting choice of roles. Here's who impressed us with the most convincing performance

Considering the male-dominated nature of the industry, heroines are generally perceived as the glamour quotient in the movies.

Nonetheless, some actresses rise above this notion and the script, to deliver performances that deserve more than applause.

2011 has seen some notable performances from our leading ladies - Vidya Balan in the heroine-centric The Dirty Picture to Kareena Kapoor, who had more scope to show her acting skills in Bodyguard than her hero, Salman Khan.

In fact, Vidya hit it off at the beginning of the year with No One Killed Jessica, also featuring Rani Mukerji as a spitfire television reporter.

The Rajkumar Gupta directed film based on the Jessica Lall murder case is the only film in recent years that went on to become a hit despite releasing during the supposedly jinxed first week of January.


Rani Mukherji, Vidya on promotion spree

A month later, Priyanka Chopra donned seven looks to portray Susanna, who marries seven times at different stages of her life in Vishal Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf.

Although the screen adaptation of Ruskin Bond's book, Susanna's Seven Husbands didn't fare well commercially, it consolidated the National Award winner's position as an actress to reckon with.

One would otherwise wonder if a south Indian remake featuring Salman Khan would leave much meat for the heroine. In case of Bodyguard, Bebo made the most of it with her sincere performance as a damsel in distress who couldn't express her love, until the very end.


Kareena Kapoor

In Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, with three male leads, Katrina Kaif made the audience sit up and take note of her acting, apart from her sizzling chemistry with Duggu. If Kalki Koechlin didn't exactly deliver in ZNMD, she more than made up for it in hubby Anurag Kashyap's That Girl In Yellow Boots.


Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Cast

Sonam Kapoor (Mausam) and Anushka Sharma (Patiala House and Ladies vs Ricky Bahl) also made it to our list.


The nominations for the best actress in 2011:
Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture, No One Killed Jessica)
Rani Mukerji (No One Killed Jessica)
Kareena Kapoor (Bodyguard, RA.One)
Priyanka Chopra (7 Khoon Maaf)
Katrina Kaif (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Sonam Kapoor (Mausam)
Kalki Koechlin (That Girl In Yellow Boots)
Anushka Sharma (Patiala House, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)

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Why is Katrina Chikni Chameli?

After Sheila, Munni, Shalu and Jalebi Bai, 'Chikni Chameli' is the latest item bomb in Bollywood. Katrina Kaif has outdone her 'Sheila ki jawani' act in the song, and "Agneepath" director Karan Malhotra believes she has done full justice to it.

"I think the way the song was made, it was so wonderful, that only a topmost actress could have done justice to the song. And as far as Katrina is concerned, her USP is that she has never been seen in any film in that kind of zone that 'Chikni Chameli' is in.

So which is why she also stands out in that atmosphere and that is why the song is catching a lot of eyeballs," the director said at the music premiere of "Agneepath" at a radio station here.

The men behind the song are composer-brothers Ajay-Atul, primarily known for their work in Marathi films and serials. "Chikni chameli" is a song inspired by their own Marathi song "Kombadi palali".

No wonder Malhotra denies that the song draws inspiration from any other item number.

"No, no girl inspired us for 'Chikni chameli'," said Malhotra.

Meanwhile, Katrina's fast, rhythmic 'Chikni chameli' act has set many eyeballs popping. "Agneepath", a remake of the 1990 film of the same name, is set for release Jan 26 next year.

It stars Hrithik Roshan in the lead with Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra and Rishi Kapoor in key roles.

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