Has Manisha Koirala split from her hubby?

The actress has apparently filed her divorce papers

Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala is facing relationship trouble once again. The actress, once highly acclaimed for her roles in movies like ‘Dil Se,’ ‘Khamoshi’ ‘Bombay’ and ‘1942: A Love Story’, is in the news for her marital troubles.

The 42-year-old Manisha who married her long time friend and businessman Samrat Dahal in June 2010, went through a turbulent time with her husband. Just six months after the wedding the actress declared on a social networking site that she wasn’t happy with her marriage and her husband had become her “worst enemy.”

The couple then apparently patched up and all was well, or so it seemed. But recently, at a party hosted by Manisha, she allegedly announced to her friends that she had filed her divorce and was ready to move on in life.

The development follows close on the heels of reports that Manisha has taken refuge in the Wellness University, 80 miles away from Chennai, where she apparently is learning how to cope with stress and depression.

Well we sure do hope Manya stays strong during this tough time and tries to get her bearings soon.

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Has Sunny Deol become arrogant?

The actor is giving scriptwriters of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' sequel a tough time

Sunny Deol

When ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ (YPD) starring the three Deols, Dharamendra, Sunny and Bobby hit the theatres in 2011 around the same time as the Aamir Khan’s ‘Dhobi Ghat’ few gave it a chance. But ‘YPD’ surprised everyone when it went on to become a smash hit while the hyped ‘Dhobi Ghat’ did just mediocre business. Perhaps that’s why it seems the success of the movie has gone to Sunny Deol’s head.

Apparently the ‘Gadar,’ actor has rejected five drafts for the sequel of ‘YPD’ so far. A source revealed that Sunny has turned very demanding because he wants the sequel to be even more hilarious than the first and has his expectations set really high.

There is nothing wrong in being a perfectionist but sources say the writers are having sleepless nights because of the 55-year-old actor’s unreasonable demands.
Well it is no secret that Sunny has already fired the original director of the movie Samir Karnik due to fights and arguments. But now with his high-handed behavior towards scriptwriters, we wonder if the movie will ever get made!

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Design Diva Richa Murgai

Designer Richa Murgai talks about her brand Diva Rich'e

Richa was raised in the tranquil environs of the Himalayas which is reflected in her calm, self-assured persona. She might be gentle and soft-spoken, but her excitement is palpable when she talks about the feng shui-based quilts and other products from her brand Diva Rich’e.

Design is her true calling but Richa loves being a corporate hotshot too – she is the director and marketing head for a water disinfection solutions company! Merging two disparate worlds comes easy to the lady who believes her greatest strength is her ability to “prioritise and disengage” when required. We really enjoyed chatting with the enterprising young woman!

Can you tell us a little about your childhood and formative years? 
I was born and raised in the beautiful Kullu-Manali, an area in the lap of the Himalayas, known for its apple, plum and kiwi orchards. The landscape is stunning and it’s popularly called the ‘Valley Of Gods’. I did my schooling from Lawrence School in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh and my journalism honours from Lady Shri Ram
College in New Delhi.

How and when did you come to Dubai? 
I got married in the UK where I attained a degree from the London College of Fashion. I am passionate about fashion and have been involved with the fashion fabric trade for the last 10 years. I moved to Dubai about two years ago and entered the corporate world. Currently I am the director and marketing head for ‘Ximax Middle East’, a water disinfection solutions company. I also launched my label Diva Rich’e.

Tell us more about the inception of Diva Rich’e, your soft furnishings label? 
Having been brought up in a quiet, peaceful place like Kullu-Manali, I give a lot of importance to natural elements. I strongly believe that the environment at home
influences one’s personality. That’s how we came up with the idea of customised digital designs for people complementing their style, auras and personality. Two years ago, my sister, Divya and I launched Diva Rich’e, under our six-year-old company, ‘The Sunflower Forest’. In Dubai, the collection is available at Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor’s boutique.

What sort of synergy do you share with Divya? 
Divya heads the production unit in Delhi while I handle the PR and marketing for London and Dubai. I love ideating with Divya. Both of us have a strong flair for fashion and design and it works well for our products – customised, design-oriented soft furnishings along with room accessories such as lampshades, trays, towel sets etc. We believe in tapping the rich cultural heritage and workmanship available in India to create products of bespoke luxury and elegance.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
Our designs are inspired from cultural civilisations of Greece, Rome and Mughal India and also the Renaissance and Victorian period. The idea is to create ornate pieces carrying emotional and spiritual symbolism with a theme and history behind each piece.

I am a firm believer in the uplifting power of colours so I use shades that beat stress and increase the happiness quotient. Our feng shui based furnishings use embellishments like the evil eye and semi-precious stone tassels. We also use a lot of design elements like cupid for relationships, lotus for prosperity and renaissance mermaids for fame!

What are the most essential qualities to turn into a successful entrepreneur?
Focus is very important. Do one thing properly, not 10 things poorly! Do what you love and love what you do. Dream big but start small; keep your goal worthy and in sight. Be flexible in your thinking. You can get the best out of others only when you give the best yourself! Finally, advance with self-confidence in the direction of your dreams and you will meet with success.

How and where did you meet your husband Anjan? 
I feel relationships are pre-destined. Anjan was born in London and I first met him when I was eight! We met again years later while I was studying journalism in Delhi. Before I knew it, love happened! We have now been married for 11 years and have a nine-year-old son, Aarman.

How do you juggle your home and a business? 
Home, family and relationships are my topmost priority. When I am at work, I focus entirely on work and when I am home I focus on spending quality time with my family. I know how to prioritise and disengage when required.

Can you give us five tips while furnishing one’s home? 
Well, I suggest that you create your own personalised living space keeping in mind your likes, style and personality. Keep comfort level in mind. Use the uplifting power of colours. Paintings and art that you connect with are a must. Lastly, ensure that the theme, colours and furniture you choose are in sync with
your personality.

How would you define your style quotient? 
I don’t go by what’s in or out! I use trends as an inspiration and create my own unique style. I follow a simple diktat... don’t let your clothes wear you; it’s you who should wear them with confidence and a smile.

What are your hobbies apart from work? 
Well, fashion is obviously my passion. I love dancing, skiing, golfing and travelling and am also heavily into meditation and healing workshops. Having tapped my intuitive abilities and learning Reiki and theta healing, I have realised that in theta state you can create anything and accept reality instantly. It’s all within us.

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Are John and girlfriend Priya married?

It's a question that has been looming over John Abraham's head for a while now, but he absolutely refuses to answer.

Rumours about Johnny boy tying the knot have been doing the rounds for a few months, but yesterday social networking sites were once again abuzz with news about his hush-hush wedding to girlfriend Priya Runchul.

The actor apparently got hitched in Los Angeles two weeks ago, since her family is from the USA. 'John also spent his birthday' with Priya and her family.

Anyway, if it's true we'd like to congratulate him. But we wonder what the secret is about...shaadi kiya toh darna kya?

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Absolutely No acting for Trishala: Sanjay Dutt

When it comes to his daughter Trishala, Sanjay Dutt is a very protective father. He does not want her in showbiz.

The 22-year-old was interested in acting but Sanjay didn't back her.

"Absolutely true and underline it 500 times, " Sanjay told, about his opposition.

"If somebody says give me the reason, I am going to show my finger because she is my daughter."

Trishala is from Sanjay's first wife Richa Sharma, who was an actress and died of cancer.

The 51-year-old Sanjay, now married to Manyata from whom he has twins, believes women have to struggle a lot in the film industry and he doesn't want his daughter to face all this.

"If you want the reason, my father (Sunil Dutt) never wanted any female from my family to join the film industry.

Not because film industry is a bad place for woman, not because film industry is taboo in the country, only because it's a huge struggle for women.

Being the oldest in the family I can't give up that legacy, " said Sanjay, whose mother Nargis was a top notch actress of the 1950s and 1960s.

This restriction is not only imposed on his daughter, but his nieces are kept away from the arclight.

"My sisters would have also come... even their daughters, who are so pretty, could also have come, " he said.

Unfortunately, he didn't spend some quality time in her childhood days with Trishala, who was raised by her maternal grand parents in the US.

"I have never seen the aspect of fatherhood with Trishala. That's a sad thing and my bad luck.

I feel sad for her. Anyways that was my bad luck. I wish I could spend all those moments with her also. Nonetheless, we will make up."

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Shahrukh promotes Priyanka's film at Awards Function

When it comes to promoting and helping colleagues and friends from the film fraternity in popularizing their products, Shah Rukh Khan is a yaaron ka yaar.

He proved it once again at a recent awards function.While co-hosting the event with Vidya Balan, he told the audience to please go and see Kunal Kohli’s next film.

The film in question is Kohli’s under-production untitled film which he has just finished shooting.

Kohli who was present on stage when the incident happened, said, “It was really very sweet of Shah Rukh Khan.He was on stage co-hosting the show with Vidya Balan.

I went up on stage to give Priyanka Chopra an award, and I said I hoped she’d get one next year for my film. Shah Rukh turned around and asked me, ‘What is this, plugging your film at any given opportunity?

’ I told him, ‘Sir, I learnt it from you only.’ Then Shah Rukh announced to the audience that they must watch my film next year. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture.”

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Neil leaves behind Ranbir and Imran

Neil Nitin Mukesh may have just become immune to all the comparisons withRanbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, especially when it comes to their respective box office standings. However there is one department in which he has beaten his young counterparts and joined the likes of seniors like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan,Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. Just like the quartet, he too is working in the remake of a South hit and has headed the 'masala' route.

	view NEIL NITIN MUKESH picture gallery

''Amongst the seniors, only Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan have refrained from heading Southwards in hunt of a sound script even though Aamir Khan started the trend with GHAJINI and Salman and Ajay saw good success coming their way with WANTED, READY, BODYGUARD and SINGHAM. Akshay too would be seen in ROWDY RATHORE, another remake. Though remaking South films has become like a trend, neither Ranbir nor Imran, have been bitten by this bug yet. However Neil didn't mind taking the plunge and is the only young actor to be working in a South remake today,'' says a source.


For Neil, this remake of Tamil film THIRUTTU PAYALE is all the more important since this is his first foray into out and out 'masala' flick.

''Most of his films have been offbeat affairs, whether it was his debut flick JOHNNY GADDAAR or JAIL. NEW YORK was a relatively serious affair whereas LAFANGEY PARINDEY didn't perform very well even though he was playing a 'tapori' in the film. However he is enjoying his stint in SHORTCUT ROMEO,' adds a friend of the actor, 'This is for the first time that he can be totally uninhibited in front of the camera. Just like Salman bhai went totally 'bindaas' in WANTED and READY, even Neil has let himself loose in SHORTCUT ROMEO.''

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Esha Gupta bags a three film deal with the Bhatts

Newcomer Esha Gupta who will be seen in Jannat 2 opposite Emraan Hashmi has bagged a three-film deal with the Bhatts.

Buzz was that she would also feature in Jism 2 along with Sunny Leone. But she will not be seen in Jism 2 but in some other Bhatt productions.

Meanwhile Esha has also replaced Deepika Padukone in a cosmetics brand endorsement.

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Minissha Lamba turns 27. Wish her!

She started her journey in Bollywood with the film ‘Yahaan’ in 2005 directed by Shoojit Sircar.

Minissha has showcased her talents in films like Bachna Ae Haseeno , Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. , Corporate, Kidnap and for Well Done Abba she was acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival.

Born in a Punjabi family in New Delhi, Minisha Lamba had first wanted to be a journalist, but soon landed in the world of modelling and got the assignment for the brand Cadbury.

Film offers followed and got her first break when she was auditioning for the Cadbury ad.

Her upcoming films in 2012 are ‘Joker’ opposite Akshay Kumar and Shreyas Talpade. and ‘Zilla Ghaziabad opposite’ Sanjay Dutt and Vivek Oberoi.

Last year Minissha was in news for wrong reasons with a brush with the customs at the Mumbai airport and her detention for hours.

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Bobby Bedi's KUTCH in Berlin Co-Production Market

 

 

	BOBBY BEDI

At the ninth Berlinale Co-Production Market (February 12 to 14, 2012), the producers and directors of 39 selected film projects from 30 countries will meet with 450 potential co-production and financing partners. The official selection of projects for the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2012 includes 25 exciting new feature film projects (chosen out of 311 entries). These projects have budgets between one and seven million Euros. The Berlinale Co-Production Market is part of the European Film Market (EFM).

The well-known Indian film producer Bobby Bedi's directorial debut KUTCH is the first Indian film to participate in the Berlin Co-production Market. Another Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra's film THE LUNCHBOX/DABBA has also been selected in the Talent Project Market section. The film has a backdrop of Mumbai's globally famous 'dabbawalas' and about two people among the millions in the city of Mumbai whose dabbas get mixed up by a quirk of fate. The film was part of the Screenwriter's Lab in the NFDC's Film Bazaar at Goa.

Three projects have been selected in cooperation with the CineMart Rotterdam for the ''Rotterdam-Berlinale Express''. These projects will participate in both the CineMart as well as the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

A large number of the projects selected for 2012 are by directors who have presented films in the past at the Berlinale: Gustavo Taretto (MEDIANERAS, Panorama), Giulio Manfredonia(QUALUNQUEMENTE/WHATSOEVERLY, Panorama) and Marcela Said (EL MOCITO, Forum) all screened their last films at the Berlinale 2011. Also Taika Waititi, Hans Petter Moland, Alexei Popogrebsky, Petri Kotwica, Ruben ostlund, Ineke Houtman, Tudor Giurgiu and Chico Teixeira are well known for their earlier works shown at the Festival. Awaited with great suspense as well are new projects by 'WCF director' Ciro Guerra (THE WIND JOURNEYS); a directorial debut by Stephanie Weber Biron, known for her camera work on Xavier Dolan's films; and the first Indian project in the official selection, Bobby Bedi's KUTCH.

''Comedies and art-house films are not a contradiction for us this year,'' comments Sonja Heinen, head of the Berlinale Co-Production Market: ''Among the entries, we had a particularly large amount of humorous projects, among which were some truly great comedies that are going to have audiences leaving cinemas in good spirits or even laughing. These films have huge audience potential and so we expect them to be especially interesting for many financiers.''

Another 247 applications were entered in conjunction with the Berlinale Talent Campus and eleven of these exciting newcomer projects have been chosen for the ''Talent Project Market''. This section of the Co-Production Market is especially attractive for those producers who want to get involved in projects at an early stage.

Over the years, out of the projects selected for the Berlinale Co-Production Market, more than 120 films have already been realised. At 40%, the success rate of these co-production meetings is exceptionally high.

The programme of the Berlinale Co-Production Market will also feature further networking opportunities, as well as an up-to-date series of events concentrating on the latest information and trends in film financing and international co-productions.

(Rajesh Kumar Singh is Editorial Consultant for Festivals and Markets for BollywoodTrade.com. He is a filmmaker, critic and market analyst)

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