Agent Vinod doesn’t have the K factor

Why was Kareena missing from the film’s first big promotional event?

Kareena Kapoor

The much-talked about spy thriller ‘Agent Vinod’ began its promotional rounds and held its first event the other day. But for a movie which boasted of its Saif-Kareena pairing, strangely the leading lady was missing from the first big event.

Kareena apparently gave the big press meet a miss and instead, attended the Apsara Awards that was scheduled on the same day. Is there trouble in paradise? Well, apparently not because the reason she didn’t attend the event was simply because she had already given her commitment to perform at the awards function.

The maker of the slick thriller, Sriram Raghavan (‘Ek Hasina Thi,’ ‘Johnny Gaddar’) and its producers Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan remained unavailable to comment. However, a member of the film unit said that it was Kareena’s beau Saif’s conscious decision not to include Bebo in the promos because he wanted the movie to be received seriously and not a gimmick to sensationalise his relationship with Kareena. (Isn’t that a bit late in the day considering Saif is mentioned in the same breath as Kareena?).

Saif also revealed that he would reveal details of his character in the film on February 12, only after Kareena’s ‘Ek Mein Aur Ekk Tu,’ releases in the theatres.
Not that’s what we call a supportive boyfriend!

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The Biwi and Gangster's Second Tryst

Mahie Gill will play a socialite who has an affair with a male prostitute

They may have only just finished a film together -- Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster -- with a sequel in the pipeline, but Randeep Hooda and Mahie Gill have been signed up together for another film.

This one, titled Mayanagari is based on popular Hindi novelist Surendra Varma's Do Murdon Ke Liye Guldasta and will be made by Satish Kaushik.

While Hooda, along with actor Prashant Narayanan, (who earlier essayed a psychopath in Murder 3), will play two migrants living in Mumbai, Gill will play a rich socialite who starts an affair with both actors.

In the film, Narayanan will play the role of a gangster, and Hooda, a male prostitute. According to sources, Hooda is leaving no stone unturned in his attempt to get his performance correct. He has reportedly even met male prostitutes in Mumbai to prepare.

When contacted, Kaushik confirmed the casting of the film. He also said, "Mayanagari will focus on the seamy side of a migrant's life. Randeep's role is something never attempted before (in Bollywood). So far, our films have only focused on female prostitution."

Dilip Shukla, who earlier wrote Dabangg, is writing the script of the film.

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Ahana Deol has given up on being an actress

Hema Malini's daughter will now focus on fashion designing instead

Ahana Deol has given up on being an actress. Hema Malini's younger daughter apparently was never interested in acting but due to her mother's insistence decided to give it a shot.

Though she had offers from directors like Aparna Sen, Vikramaditya Motwane and Shoojit Sircar, for some reason or the other, none of the films got on the floors.

Ahana had also refused to play the lead role in one of Dev Anand's films some years ago. There was also buzz that Ahana was keen to be a director.

A source close to the Deol girl says, "When your heart is not in something, it doesn't work out.

Ahana's heart is not in acting. She wants to pursue fashion designing. It's her mother who wants her to give it a try because she feels Ahana has the talent."

About her opting out of Shoojit Sircar's Second Time Lucky, the source adds, "She was reluctant to audition for the role.

The production house was keen to cast her opposite Prateik. But he has apparently been replaced by Vinay Virmani (who featured in Speedy Singhs) and Hemaji was not very keen for Ahana to debut with Vinay."

Hema Malini confirms, "Ahana is not very keen on acting but she keeps getting a lot of offers. Right now she is not in a mood to pursue acting.

She wants to focus on fashion designing. But who knows? She might change her mind tomorrow."

Is she the one trying to convince Ahana to get into films? "Though I think she can be a very good actor, I am not going to force her to do anything against her will."

Is she happy with Ahana's decision? "My happiness lies in her happiness and if designing makes her happy, so be it."

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Shahrukh Khan unwell

Shahrukh Khan has been quite busy from past few days with lots of award functions to host and perform. Perhaps, the frantic schedule and rehearsals have taken their toll on King Khan’s health with him being down with seasonal cold and flu.

Ever so charming Khan tweeted in a rather depressed tone, “Damn cold & fever winning the battle,slowly taking over my robust pathan constitution.

Cigarette tasting bad in mouth now...this is serious!”, adding, “Explaining life to kids is tough enuff....explaining death extremely painful. Son & me being grown up. And me falling sick...throat hurting”.

We would just like to wish the actor a speedy recovery.

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Agent Vinod Sab Ka Hai

The first look of much-awaited "Agent Vinod" is out and Saif Ali Khan says he wants to move beyond the 'suited-booted' Enlgish speaking audiences and reach out to the masses with the thriller.

"I think Vinod is a universal name and you can see it written on the back of an autorikshaw. India is a very big country. There is a huge market out there apart from people who wear suits and speak English.

So, we want to reach out to as many people with this film as possible. I think that what was the reason why we called it that," the 41-year-old said here at a promotional event.

Saif is not only starring in it, but it is being produced by his banner Illuminati Films.

The title "Agent Vinod" is same as the 1977 film that starrred Mahendra Sandhu as the protagonist.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, "Agent Vinod" had been in the making for quite some time but Saif is unperturbed about the delay. "I think it's a big film, it's an interesting film. So, there were rumours from the beginning that the film is getting delayed or it's getting over-budgeted. We don't have to bother about these things."

"The minute the first trailer and then the second trailer will come out, people will stop thinking about all these things."

"Agent Vinod" is set for a March 23 release and Saif, 41, is expected to tie the knot with his long time girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, who also stars in the film, in the same month.

Meanwhile, Saif is busy shooting for "Cocktail", "Go Goa Gone" and "Race 2".

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Salman to play Dhoni?

Mahesh Manjrekar's plan to remake his Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho in Hindi with Salman Khan is now getting an unexpected push.

Khan, who has been putting off the Hindi version of Manjrekar's film for some time, has now suddenly decided to give the film immediate time. According to sources, this is because Prakash Raj's soon-to-be-released Tamil film Dhoni, is based on Manjrekar's film.

When contacted, Manjrekar admitted to the news, adding in jest. "The current trend is that of Southern remakes in Hindi. So before someone in Bollywood buys the rights of Prakash's Dhoni, which is a remake of my Marathi film, I will make the film with Salman, as planned."

Raj's film is about the academic pressure faced by a teenage boy interested in cricket. Manjrekar says he gladly gave the rights for a Tamil remake of his film.

He said, "Prakash Raj is a friend. When he told me he wants to direct a Tamil version of my film, I readily agreed. The film has a strong message about our education system and I am only too happy to spread it."

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Jacqueline, Sajid Khan hunt for a home together

Sajid Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez were spotted checking out apartments in the Mumbai suburb 

For a while now there has been buzz about how Sajid Khan is influencing Jacqueline Fernandez to go about her career.

The latest is that the director is helping his actress girlfriend hunt for a suitable house. The couple were spotted househunting on Republic Day in Bandra.

Sajid stays in Juhu while Jacqueline presently is living in a rented place off Carter Road.

Says a source, "The couple checked out a few homes at Pali Hill and D'Monte Park Road. She has this dream house in mind, so she'll take her time till she finds it."

Apparently Jacqueline is looking for a three-bedroom apartment.

The source adds, "Sajid told the estate agent that he should line up a few more places to check on their next visit soon."

Jacqueline however maintains, "I've been living in my apartment for the last three years and don't plan on moving."

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Big B and Rajini working together?

Apparently Amitabh Bachchan and Rajini will get together for Puri Jagannath’s next

The Big B is possibly getting himself a very popular costar!

The biggest news that is doing the rounds nowadays is the Big B teaming with South India’s revered superstar Rajinikanth.

The true veterans of Indian cinema have apparently been approached by filmmaker Puri Jagannath for an ambitious, untitled project. It is also believed that Puri is currently in Chennai to discuss the story with Rajini.

An insider revealed that Rajini Sir was very excited by the idea of sharing the screen space with Amitabh and at the same time also felt that Puri had the capability of taking on such a challenging task of putting together a good story with memorable characters that would do justice to their presence.
Puri who previously worked with the Big B in ‘Buddah Hoga Tera Baap’ confirmed the news and said that it was his dream to work with Rajinikanth just as much as his dream to cast the Big in his movie, and that getting both of them together was nothing short of an overwhelming achievement for him.

Rajini and Amitabh previously starred together 21 years ago in ‘Hum.’ The movie went on to become a huge hit so we are expecting director Puri Jagannath to face a lot of pressure to make his movie a treat for die-hard fans of the legends.

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Mallika’s Extra Dimension

Get ready to be entertained by Mallika’s special 3D presence!

Mallika reaches a milestone in Hollywood

Mallika Sherawat may be known for her item songs and vamp roles in films but soon she will be recognized as the first B’wood actress to feature in a 3D magazine for Hollywood.

The 35-year-old siren gushed about her experience to the media. She said she was approached as the best face to represent India as she had gained some high-profile attention after meeting US President Barrack Obama and also attending the Oscars. The actress expressed that she believed 3D had great appeal for the young people and she was especially proud to grace the cover of the magazine as the 3D magic was being developed by Indian men.

In a playful mood, Mallika also added that the magazine came with 3D glasses to ensure the readers really felt they were seeing her close enough; like she was with them as they were reading!Now if we were parents of teenage boys we would take Mallika’s admission as a threat and ensure that the magazine was kept as far away from them so that they wouldn’t get distracted!

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Deepika's upcoming break-up

Sid and Deepika are apparently headed for splitsville

Sid and Deepy may be calling it quits!

Gossipmongers are excitedly discussing the state of working affairs between the exes Deepika and Ranbir, who are going to star in a romantic movie together.

But while we may get to see the much talked about relationship of the exes in the spotlight - at least while they are working together, another one of Deepy's relationships seems to be slowly coming to a sorry end. The sad couple we are speaking about is none other than Deepika and her billionaire boyfriend Sidhartha Mallya.

Insiders say that there are many reasons to believe that the gorgeous couple has grown weary of each other. Apparently, Sid didn’t show up in Deepika’s apartment on her birthday earlier this month. Sid’s grand New Year bash also didn’t include Deepika among the guests. Both the events seemed strange for a couple who has often shown keen interest in getting their intimate moments photographed by the media.

A source revealed to a tabloid that since August 2010 although the couple made several public appearances together they seemed withdrawn and uninterested in talking about their relationship. The source also added that the couple’s relationship turned sour when Deepika agreed to do a film with her ex-boyfriend Ranbir. Sid continually expressed his disapproval but Dippy paid him no attention. That Deepika and Sid had since then stopped talking with each other was also revealed by the same source. A friend of the 26-year-old actress confirmed the news and said that although Deepika was distraught about the rifts in the relationship she was trying to stay strong and hope for the best.

Now, we know when Deepika broke up with her alleged ‘boyfriends’ Dhoni and Yuvraj she found Ranbir and when it was over with Ranbir she found Sid now we are really interested to know what happens next or shall we say in this ‘Break-up Ke Baad!’

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