EMAET: Imran Kareena's Valentine's Day gift

Promos of EK MAIN AUR EKK TU are on-air and it's obvious that the film has been designed as a romcom. Though, one may wonder whether the film is pretty much a 'template' affair where the film begins with fun, then there is drama and emotional moments and eventually it is all a happy ending. With the genre catching heat in Bollywood since last few years, can we expect first time director Shakun Batra to deliver something different?

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The first time director Shakun Batra says, ''See, every genre has certain conventions to be followed, whether it is a thriller, drama, action or romcom. A genre comes with its own grammar and we to play around with the script and tweak the rules while not allowing the genre to go haywire. Of course in a romcom you would have a boy and girl falling in love followed by banter. It is my job as a story teller to play with the narrative characters.''


This was exactly what Kareena and Imran, too, went through when Shakun explained the graph of the film to them.

''I had to make my actors feel like being a part of a new set up instead of presenting them something which is a mishmash of drama and suspense. Now this is a movie about lighter moments in life and we didn't go astray. It is about being able to share your feelings with someone without turning melodramatic or going over the top,'' asserts Shakun.

No wonder, he is kicked about the film arriving in the weekend leading to Valentine's Day. 'This is a perfect film for Valentines Day,' he smiles, 'If you are planning to take someone out for a date, go to the theatres and watch this film. You won't be disappointed.'

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Most award nominations are undeserving, I'll boycott them all

Rues Emraan Hashmi who has now decided to boycott all award galas unless he is paid to perform there 

He may have two of last year's biggest hits in his kitty, (Murder 2 and The Dirty Picture), but Emraan Hashmi has surprisingly failed to win any nomination in two of this year's most popular award events.

Probably why he has now decided to stay away from award functions, unless he's paid to perform there.

The actor says, "Best of luck to everyone who wants to be party to it, but I find it an ordeal to sit through an award function.

Anyway it's never on merit. I think most of the nominations are undeserving and I can't sit through the circus. Ultimately, the audience's verdict is more important for me. That's my trophy."

The actor is obviously upset about not being acknowledged for his role in The Dirty Picture which earned him accolades from the critics as well as the crowds.

He adds, "I may not be the darling of award ceremonies, but I'm the people's champion. I'd rather be declared a winner by the nation, than by a jury of a dozen odd people."

The actor seems to be following in the footsteps of Salman Khan who only performs at such functions if he is paid to do so or else does not even bother to attend.

Not just that, he also claims that award functions simply want to ride on the success of the film and nothing more. "It's the audience who makes a film popular.

The award functions just want to ride on that. So if it's between a billion people and a few jury members, I'd rather choose the former."

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Ooh la la... Let's see Vidya Ka Jalwa

Ooh la la... Vidya Balan will be performing live for the first time at a film awards event later this month.

The actress who is seen at such programmes in her trademark sarees will shed the six yards and don a raapchik costume for her thumkas, latkas and jhatkas on stage.

The rehearsals are currently on and if our khabru is to be believed, Vids is leaving no stone unturned for her performance. Chalo, let's see her jalwa!

Playing pregnant woman was cakewalk

If she effortlessly essayed the role of a sex symbol in "The Dirty Picutre", it was a cakewalk to play a pregnant woman in search of her husband in "Kahaani", says Vidya Balan.

"It was not tough at all. During our college life, we all friends used to do all the nautankis and these stand-up items. And my favourite role would always be of a pregnant woman. So the walk and all came to me very naturally, " Vidya, 33, told reporters here.

Vidya ruled Bollywood as Silk last year and it seems she wants to take it forward with "Kahaani" as she is aggressively promoting the movie. If she dressed like her character for the promotion of "The Dirty Picture", the actress appeared with a baby bump at the "Kahaani" promotional event.

"Kahaani", scheduled to release March 9, is not the first film to feature her as a mother -- in "Paa" and "Heyy Babyy" too she had played a mom.

Besides her hard work, Vidya can't stop praising director Sujoy Ghosh's efforts and said: "He is very energetic. We managed to shoot continuously for 64 days without any break. Sujoy would not let the mood drop."

Vidya, who started her career with Pradeep Sarkar and went on to work with acclaimed directors like Priyadarshan, R. Balakrishnan and Abhishek Chaubey, hasn't got an opportunity to repeat her directors.

When asked about this, she said: "I don't make any rules. I would be happy to work with the directors with whom I have already worked. Few times it didn't work out. May be in future I will work with them. I am very greedy."

Her recent was with director Milan Luthria - they teamed up for "The Dirty Picture" and the film became a super-duper hit.

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We used to swim together and go for long drive in the night

Swimming, driving and gymming -- model-turned-actress Mugdha Godse did all that with co-star Shriya Saran while shooting for "Gali Gali Chor Hai" and dispelled the notion that two actresses cannot bond well while working together.

"Shriya and me were friends even before signing the film. When I got to know that we both are in the film, I thought it's going to be girls' time. I think girls can have the best girlie time.

We had the best time together. We used to swim together, workout together and we used to go for drive in the night, " Mugdha told.

Mugdha, whose performance was praised in her debut film "Fashion", seems to be pretty excited about the project, a remake of 1994 "Laadla" that had Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Raveena Tandon in the lead roles.

"I am playing Sridevi's role in the remake. It's going to be very challenging and I am really looking forward to it, " she said.

Directed by Rumy Jaffery, "Gali Gali Chor Hai" stars Akshaye Khanna in the male lead. As the trend of item numbers has become big in Bollywood, Mugdha is also keen to shake her leg on such a song.

"I wouldn't mind doing an item number, but it depends on something that I would like to do.

As everyone is doing item numbers, so what new you are getting to do? So, if something different comes up, then why not!" she said.

Mugdha has handful of films in her kitty for 2012 -- "Will You Marry Me", "Afra Tafri" and her first Marathi film, which is again a remake of "Laadla"

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KISMAT LUV PAISA DILLI faces cyber nuisance

Innovative marketing of a film is one of the most important ways to grab eyeballs. Thus, one of the basic ways to spread awareness about a film is to make an official website. But, it is not always easy as it sounds. Apparently, many have involved in the business of developing websites as soon as a production house announces a film.

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Reportedly, the makers of KISMAT LOVE PAISA DILLI lately became a victim to such an incident. The producer of the film Amit Chandrra realised that the website name of their film was already owned by someone else. The owner of the original website demanded for an exorbitant sum of money that the makers decided to mend the film title itself.
A source close to the film elaborates, "Kismatlovepaisadilli.com was fully operational when the team got to know about its existence. The website posted latest news and updates about the film. It was then discovered that the domain name was created soon after the film was announced. When contacted, an official claimed himself as to be a fan of the film, but refused to part with the domain name until he was paid 10 lakh. That is when Amit Chandrra came up with an innovative way to get the desired domain name without bowing down to the man's unreasonable demands. He simply changed the spelling in the title of the film to KISMAT LUV PAISA DILLI. The change in title meant that the domain name was now officially acquired by the producer."

A similar incident had taken place during OM SHANTI OM. Farah Khan wanted a particular domain name, but it was owned by someone else. The original creator wanted to meet Shahrukh Khan on the sets of the film.

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We have not kissed: Hrithik Priyanka

Hrithik Roshan will be seen playing the Gen Y Vijay Dinanath Chauhan while Priyanka Chopra plays a prostitute in Karan Johar’s Agneepath. Sreya Basu in conversation with the actors in Mumbai

With this new Agneepath the most obvious question that rises is whether it is a risk worth taking? 
Hrithik: Films are about entertainment. And I think, there is nothing more entertaining than platforming an impossibility; it’s more entertaining to see how the kid turns Goliath in the film…is it possible?...it’s not…now go watch the film. It ends there.

Priyanka: When we do a remake of a film for a second time, we keep in mind our generation…may be they have not seen or experienced these cult classic films.

As for our Agneepath, it is inspired from the original (1990 one) and a tribute so that our generation can also experience these beautiful films. And that Karan (Malhotra, director) bahut khoobsurti se aur apne tareeke se kiya hai.

But there are bound to be comparisons between Amitabh Bachchan’s and Hrithik-Priyanka’s Agneepath… 
Priyanka: There is no scope for comparisons at all. We are not trying to touch the heights of the original film…so there is no question on whether we have been able to make it like the original version.

Priyanka, you will be playing a Maharashtrian girl for a second time (after Kaminey). Do we see a similar Marathi mulgi in Agneepath too? 
Priyanka: Yes, you are right. I am playing a Maharashtrian girl for a second time. When Karan (Malhotra) and I were discussing my character Kaali Gawde for Agneepath, we were very clear that we have to keep it a bit different from Sweety in Kaminey since the two girls have different personalities.

Karan was very sure about Kaali’s character and so it was very easy for me. Thodi chirkiyan hai ek Maharashtrian ladki ki but the best thing about Kaali is that she is Vijay’s (Hrithik’s) strength.

She is his soul with her happiness and naughtiness in the film. That’s what I loved about her. But to prepare for the role, all I had to do was to stand on Karan’s feet.

Hrithik, Sanjay Dutt shaved his head to play Kancha Cheena in the film. What did you do? 
Hrithik: Sanju Sir shaved his head, I grew my beard and went to the sets and everything went right. (Laughs)

How was the experience of working with Sanjay Dutt? 
Hrithik: Have you seen his size? So whoever stands with him…be it me or you…it is not possible not to get overshadowed.

Your and Priyanka’s kissing scene in the film is being much-talked about these days. Like to comment? 
Hrithik: Aree yaar, there is no kissing scene in the film. We (Priyanka and me) were very, very close at a particular scene, but you can’t kiss from a distance.

Actually part of that scene was put in the promo and people started speculating we have a kissing scene. But then, kiss or no kiss, it’s our profession…I don’t find there is any need to hype on this particular issue.

You suffered a lot of back pain recently that delayed shooting of Krrish 2 as well… 
Hrithik: You know, it happens to all of us at some point of our lives, when this body that we are using needs to be respected and taken care of. I had abused my body so much that it retaliated. But now I am back on track.

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That fight is between Shirish and SRK, admits Farah Khan

Director speaks fondly about her two-decade journey in choreography that began with Jo Jeeta Woh Sikander

This year, Farah Khan completes 20 years as a choreographer in the industry. Nonetheless, she admits she still feels nervous on the first day of the shoot of a song.

Recalling her journey over 20 years, Farah who turns 46 is making her acting debut in editor Bela Sehgal's first directorial venture, Shirin-Farhad Ki Nikal Padi, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, says, "It's great that someone is actually making a film with Boman (Irani) and me in the cast because the script demands it. Instead of changing the script and taking two youngsters in the movie, " she says.

Farah admits that she never wished for venturing in front of the camera before. And she's not planning to act in another movie again.

The time to get ready for her scenes has prompted this decision. In her own words, "I like the part from 'Action' to 'Cut'. I'm a low fuss person.

Acting seems like too high maintenance for me. Getting the hairstyle and make-up done is the most tedious part."

Fast four

Since you made your first two films as director with Shah Rukh Khan, do we see you working with him again? 
At one time, I had said that I'd never make a film without SRK. But I did Tees Maar Khan with Akshay (Kumar). He's produced a film with another director. So never say never. We just might.

Apparently, he's upset by your husband Shirish Kunder's tweets on RA.One. So he didn't reply to your invitation for your housewarming party.
That's between Shirish and SRK. I'm not on Twitter, so I don't know what's happening.

Despite being best friends at one time, you and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have fought and patched up a couple of times.
We go back a long way, since 1942 - A Love Story. I know him better than anyone else. We all fight and make up with our friends. Because of our profession, our fights and friendship is highlighted.

Despite debuting with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, you worked more with SRK than Aamir...
There's no particular reason. After Jo Jeeta, I choreographed for Sarfarosh and then for one song in Delhi Belly.

His wife Kiran and I share the same IVF specialist. We met at a book launch and got along like old friends.

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Bipasha's birthday video leaked online

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Bipasha Basu, who turned 33 on Saturday, was joyous and in a groovy mood as she celebrated her birthday with family members and close pals at her residence. But, the actress' happiness did not last for long. A video that contained private moments of her birthday party was leaked online.

The video has Bipasha dancing crazily with some girls in her apartment's bathroom. Bollywood actors Abhay Deol, Milind Somanand Sikander Kher are also seen in a playful mood at the party. Bipasha cuts her birthday cake which had fancy candles on it and even poses for a photograph withAftab Shivdasani.

As soon as Bips got to know that such a video has been leaked, she expressed her displeasure on twitter, ''I'm still in shock that my privacy has been invaded! These were private moments from my birthday that were leaked and I am very upset.''


But, this is not the first time that a private moment of a Bollywood celebrity has been made public. Bips on her twitter account further added, ''Just because we are actors doesn't mean we are not entitled to our privacy! These troublemakers should just get more productive with their time!''

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They invaded my privacy: Bipasha upset with leaked birthday party video

Bipasha Basu's crazy birthday party is out there on the internet for all to see. But the leaked video has left the actress miffed as she feels her privacy has been invaded.

"I'm still in shock that my privacy has been invaded! These were private moments from my birthday that were leaked and I am very upset, " tweeted Bipasha.

The actress turned 33 Saturday, and true to her latest song "Ho gayi tunn" from her new release, "Players", Bipasha seemed to be high in the video.

She can be seen dancing around with celebrity friends like Milind Soman, Aftab Shivdasani, Sikander Kher and Abhay Deol, amid a lot of drinks and cheers.

She even cut a quirky cake, with special candles on it, and looked fabulous in a nude-coloured gown. She can even be seen dancing in the washroom with a couple of girls, and later grooving on the dance floor with Sikander.

No wonder Bipasha is so upset. "Just because we are actors doesn't mean we are not entitled to our privacy! These troublemakers should just get more productive with their time!" she wrote.

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Shahrukh meets Beti B

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan paid a visit to the Bachchan residence to meet Aishwarya-Abhishek's newborn daughter.

"Shah Rukh drops by to meet the 'little one', a few others too from the fraternity visit the still in wonder bundle... and we spend all our time in trying to spend as much time as possible with her!! Simple pleasures of life..!!" the 69-year-old Big B posted on his blog.

Aishwarya gave birth to a baby girl Nov 16 last year and the Bachchan's brought her home Nov 22.

The family is yet to decide on a name for the baby, who is fondly called Beti B.

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