Anushka Sharma is still clinging on to SRK

Rubbing the right people the right way has worked out really well for people. And young ambitious gals like Anushka know this secret very well.

Working in the thakela ‘Rab Ne Banadi jodi’ opposite SRK worked in her favor and she was all over the place. Not knowing anything about acting and having zero charisma didn’t really come in her way.

Now, without much work or experience behind her, this amateur chick gets to sit in the judge’s chair for SRK’s reality show ‘Kinghts and Angels’ to finalize six feisty cheerleaders for the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders which fared rather badly last season.

It’s all about the money honey and no one cares what their performance was last time around.

The show will have contestants from different cities vying to make it to the final six and they would be judged on the basis of their dancing skills, attitude, personality, energy, style and looks.

The buzz is that Anushka will be the judge on the first of the six episodes of the show to be telecast every Saturday. They are saying that Anushka’s been a model and has some fame; hence her opinion is important before the IPL season kicks off in April.

Gosh…the people concerned don’t even have logical excuses.

Priyanka Chopra played hostess at Shahid Kapur's birthday

Priyanka Chopra not only attended good friend Shahid Kapur's birthday (February 25) at the lounge bar of a suburban five-star hotel but also played hostess to the hilt. That too in the presence of Shahid's close friends like Vidya Balan and Amrita Rao.

Says a guest present at the party, "Priyanka and Shahid were behaving as a much-in-love couple. In fact, it was as if they were ready to be open about their feelings for each other in front of friends. This from the reserved Shahid and cautious Priyanka surprised the starry guests. The bigger surprise was Priyanka's hamari-bahu-Alka act at the party. She was the official hostess."

The guest further elaborates, "Priyanka had helped Shahid organise the party (including the guest list) and had even turned up early to help him out. She was looking after the guests, and making sure that food and the drinks were circulated properly. In fact, when Shahid went down to see a guest out downstairs and was away for five minutes, Priyanka went down to look for him. They behaved like besotted lovebirds. Priyanka even asked people who wanted to leave, to stay back and party till morning."

It is to be remembered that last year Priyanka's ex Harman Baweja had thrown a birthday party for her at the same restaurant last year.

ade Goody and Shilpa: Still not the best of friends

It seemed Shilpa Shetty and cancer-stricken British reality TV star Jade Goody have made peace and become good friends in the last couple of months. Especially after Goody’s short lived ‘Bigg Boss’ stint and the discovery of her fatal illness.

Shilpa even publicly shown her support for ailing Jade who has reportedly been given only months to live.

Jade has penned her doubts about the Bollywood actress 2007 win in the Celebrity Big Brother show in her autobiography ‘Jade: Catch A Falling Star’ and says the win was orchestrated. Jade’s racist spat with Shilpa on the show became world news

Tension built in the show when Goody spat out the phrase “Shilpa Poppadom” for the Indian actress that resulted in the infamous racism controversy.

They only seemed to make up recently when the mother-of-two even participated in the Indian version of ‘Big Brother’.

According to thesun.co.uk, Goody has revealed that once she was inside the house, she began to have suspicions that Shilpa was getting special treatment from the producers.

She’s reportedly written, “I got the impression that the producers jumped through hoops for Shilpa Shetty. This was magnified in my mind because in the house she informed us of certain things (obviously none of this was screened, though).”

The autobiography further read, “Shilpa specifically told us all she had insisted on certain clauses in her contract. One was that if she went into the diary room and asked for something (within reason) she would get it.’”

But she also apologized, “Yes, I said those things and they are nasty, but I am not a racist… I shouldn’t have done that.”

It has also come out that after exiting ‘Big Brother’, Goody was diagnosed with depression within a month and was admitted to rehabilitation centre ‘The Priory’, where she got a text that made her once again question the motives of the producers of the show and their apparent bias towards Shilpa.

Goody’s bodyguard has tested after the final results were out: “You okay, Jade? Standing here at the final. Shilpa’s won. The crowd is booing. But on TV everyone can only hear cheers.”

Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Rock On' sweep Filmfare Awards...winners list inside

Slumdog Millionaire walked away with 8 Oscars last weekend, on the home turf, Jodhaa Akbar and Rock On!! are the biggest winners of the 54th Annual Filmfare Awards, each taking home 5 awards. The following is the list of award winners. As any more names officially roll in, this list will be updated.

Best Film - Jodhaa Akbar
Best Director - Ashutosh Gowarikar (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Actor - Hrithik Roshan - (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Actress - Priyanka Chopra - Best Actress (Fashion)
Best Supporting Actor - Arjun Rampal (Rock On)
Best Supporting Actress - Kangna Ranaut (Fashion)
Critics' Award Best Director - Nishikant Kamat (Mumbai Meri Jaan)
Critics' Award Best Actor - Manjot Singh (Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!)
Critics' Award Best Actress - Shahana Goswami (Rock On)
Lifetime Achievement Award - Om Puri & Bhanu Athaiya
Best Music Director - AR Rahman (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Best Story - Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On)
Best Playback Singer (Male) - Sukhwinder Singh (Haule Haule - Rab Ne Bana De Jodi)
Best Playback Singer (Female) - Shreya Ghoshal (Teri Ore - Singh is Kinng)
Best Debut (Male) - Farhan Akhtar (Rock On) & Imraan Khan (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Best Debut (Female) - Asin (Ghajini)
RD Burman Upcoming Talent - Benny Dayal (Guzarish - Ghajini)
Best Costumes - Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
Best Background Score - AR Rahman (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Cinematography - Jason West (Rock On)
Best Editing - Amit Pawar (Mumbai Meri Jaan)
Best Choreography - Longinus (Jaane Tu)
Best Lyricist - Javed Akhtar (Jashn-e-Bahara, Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Sound Design - Vinod Subramanyam (Rock On)
Best Visual Effects - John Deitz (Love Story 2050)
Best Action - Peter Hein (Ghajini)

I didn't have time to cut my hair: A R Rahman

Well, when you represent you country, you don’t want anyone to say he looks like a beggar. This is one of the occasions where the world is looking at you so better be careful. Represent yourself in the best way possible.

After bringing home 2 oscars home, AR Rahman visited Madrasa-a-Ameeniya, a dargah in the Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh.

The maestro is an ardent follower of the dargah pir and pays visits annually to offer prayers here. Rahman said he wanted to thank the lord for bestowing him with such honour and seek his blessings to continue making music.

It's not an acting piece, it’s a fun film: Ash Rai

Ash is on a world wind tour! Just a few weeks ago we saw Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with hubby in tow at the New York premiere of her film The Pink Panther 2, Ash was also spotted in LA doing rounds for her film. And this time round she was in Kolkata on Friday talking about her just release film.

"Working in Pink Panther was a wonderful experience. It's a family experience. A complete joy ride," says Ash.

In Pink Panther 2 she plays the role of Sonia an international detective and looks like it was a cakewalk for this lady!

"It's not an acting piece, It's a fun film," adds Ash.

And for AR Rahman, who has actually made the music for a majority of her films, she is all praise

"Working with Rahman has been an absolute pleasure,” states Ash. And her career advice to everyone is that you should enjoy your work.

Aamir-Akshay in a knockout Guess who wins

The cast and crew of 3 Idiots know how to have fun. Earlier this week, a tournament was held in Juhu where four teams comprising of the film’s cast and crew contested in the game of cricket for the trophies that were aptly titled: ‘Idiots Forever’ (for the winning team), ‘Pukka Idiot’ (Man of the series), ‘Most Idiotic Batsman’ (Best Batsman) for the winning team and ‘Almost an Idiot’ and ‘Almost the Most Idiotic Batsman’ for the runners-up.

If you find that funny, here’s more. The names of the four teams that took part were: Fools, Duffers, Dumbos, Stupids.




Aamir Khan led the Duffers and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra took charge of the Fools. Director Rajkumar Hirani helmed the Stupids. Surprisingly, Akshay Kumar dropped by and decided to play too. He joined Chopra’s Fools.

Things got exciting when the Aamir-led Duffers took on Fools that had Akshay on their side. The match was gripping but Fools lost, and Duffers moved on to play the finals with Stupids who knocked Dumbos out of the tournament.

So the final match was a duel between Aamir and Raju Hirani. Aamir, the perennial improviser that he is, won, and the Duffers reigned supreme.

*Who All Played?*
Aamir, Akshay, Hirani, Chopra, Madhavan , Sharman Joshi , Mona Singh , Shantanu Moitra (music director), Swanand Kirkire (lyricist) and many crewmembers from the production team.

I will do my best to make Pinki a doctor, says father

With the spotlight now on Pinki, the protagonist of Oscar-winning documentary "Smile Pinki", her daily-wage-earner father says he will work hard to ensure that her dream of becoming a doctor comes true besides spreading the message that a girl child is a blessing.

Though it is tough ask for Rajender Sonkar, who says he earns very little to meet his ends as a wage earner, there is this belief in him that his daughter's future will be bright.

"It was her destiny to go to America. Now she wants to become a doctor. She says 'bapu, I will become a doctor and operate other children with cleft-lip'. I want her to get educated," Sonkar told PTI.

Pinki, born with a cleft-lip and declared a social outcast in Rampur Dhabai village in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur district, got a new lease of life after a free surgery by Dr Subodh Kumar Singh.

Her transformation from a social outcast to a normal child was captured on film by American moviemaker Megan Mylan. Pinki's fame has brought some changes in Sonkar's attitude as well. "I will now tell the villagers that a girl child is a blessing. See what my daughter has done. I went to America and met so many important people because of her," he said.

Kylie in Bollywood

Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue is now in Bollywood to do an item song for the underwater epic Blue, which stars a strong A-list contingent in Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan. She had lunch yesterday with Akshay and his wife Twinkle Khanna. Akshay is even said to have cooked some of the food himself. The song has been composed by Oscar-winner AR Rahman and will be sung as a duet with Sonu Nigam. Kylie will also be in the video with Akshay which will be choreographed by Farah Khan – you can’t ask for better than that! In addition, Kylie will appear in a second solo video as a promo for the movie. This is promised to be hot, hot, hot!

Akshay is thrilled at the prospect and sees this as another step in the opening up of Bollywood to the rest of the world. "Slumdog Millionaire has opened many doors for our film industry,” he explained, “Only weeks ago, Kylie was honouring AR Rahman at the Bafta Awards. Now she's composing a song by the very same man. I've heard Kylie moves as sweetly as she sings, so it's back to the rehearsal room for me!"

Kylie, who stole the show at the recent Brit Music Awards in London wearing a red sequined mini-skirt, will also be the star at the Ischgl Top of the Mountain concert in Austria in May, the annual super-concert that marks the end of the Tyrolean ski season. She’s no stranger to movies either having made a critically-acclaimed debut in The Delinquents as far back as 1989. She also appeared as the green fairy in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.

John and Neil’s Dostana

By now everyone has heard of the on and off screen dostana of Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham. However, in more recent times, Abraham has gone ahead and added newbie Neil Nitin Mukesh to his friendship circle. The duo have worked together in the Yash Raj movie New York alongside Katrina Kaif. In addition, Mukesh has also costarred with Abraham’s love Bipasha Basu in the upcoming Aa Dekhen Zara. No doubt a beautiful friendship has formed between the trio.

Most actors have great tales to tell while they shoot abroad. One such story comes out of the New York camp. One night after a long days shoot in Philadelphia for New York, Abraham and Mukesh headed out for a much deserved dinner. They zeroed in on a great sushi bar in a gay area known as “gaybourhood.” This fact was of course unknown to the “couple” for a while. It seems that Mukesh was considered quite a hottie for the local men around. Needless to say, the stares and glares caused Mukesh to head for the nearest door, leaving his dinner behind.

Akshay Grants Kylie's Wish

Kylie Monogue arrived in India recently to shoot her much hyped song with Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar for the film Blue. Along with work, however, there are many other things Kylie wants to see and do whilst she's in India. One of them is witness an Indian wedding and in particular a baraat entrance where the groom or dulha enters on a horse. After spending a costly lunch time at Akshay's residence, Kylie told Akshay about this wish. He immediately said that a very close acquaintance was getting married that evening and she should definitely come along with Tina and him. The trio were later spotted at the wedding where Kylie indeed had a great time.

Our Akki seems to be the next international hit of Indian cinema. Silvester Stallone, Brandon Routh, Kylie Monogue and God knows how many more are going to be added to this list. All we can say is we couldn't be prouder of Akki, who seems to be doing everything right in the recent years!

AA DEKHEN ZARA Bipasha ke abs

Fitness freak Bipasha Basu loves experimenting not just with her looks but also on her workout regimes every now and then. Give the lady a chance to try out something new on fitness part and there she is - always geared up!

First time it was for DHOOM:2 where the bombshell had lost oodles of weight and gained oodles of sex appeal just to don a bikini in the film. She worked day in and day out to tone up her body almost starving/surviving on oranges for 3 days continuously. Then it was during RACE and BACHNA AE HASEENO when the bootylicious babe again shaped her body according to the characters she played in the movie.

And now once again Bipasha is in news for having done some grueling workouts for her upcoming film AA DEKHEN ZARA starring Neil Nitin Mukesh alongside. But this time the lanky lass has gone one step ahead. It is being said she has built awesome abs which no other lady in Bollywood has ever tried out.

The source confirms, "With AA DEKHEN ZARA Bipasha starts the trend of women with awesome abs. She worked out and made a special effort to get her body more in shape because her look in a particular song in the film demanded it."

Khans may have started a trend of six and eight pack abs but it is the dusky beauty Bipasha Basu who will be remembered as the first lady to build abs.

Bipasha's beauty secretes revealed

The sensuous beauty Bipasha Basu is a perfect combination of beauty and fitness. This leggy lass knows how to stay fit and look beautiful. Bipasha believes that healthy diet and right exercise make you strong and keeps you athletic all the time.

"I am a kind of person who is completely into workouts. I believe in being healthy and it's not about just looking good. I always feel that being healthy is the key reason for me. That's the reason I am so much into fitness", Says Bipasha.

Bipasha reveals her health and beauty regime. "I drink 10 glasses of water a day. Apply sunscreen with a high SPF every time I step out in the sun. Eat small meals, around six times a day at regular intervals. Involve the proper food items in my diet judiciously which are highly nutritious. Exercising 4 times a week at minimum for an hour a day and minimum 7-8 hours of sleep a day definitely makes one look fit and beautiful." she signs off.

Saif and Kareena Kapoor playing terrorists?

2009 is a special year for Rensil D'Silva as he takes the big leap from writing to direction. By now it's known to one and all, that Rensil would be making his directorial debut with the Saif-Kareena-Vivek Oberoi starrer to be produced under the banner of Dharma Productions.

The buzz in the media circles is that the intense film is titled Jihaad but Rensil denied this rumor. "No...my film is not called Jihaad. It's a name that the media seems to have given the film but it's not the official title", says Rensil

Probe him a little bit on what the film is about and Rensil says, "It's a romantic thriller set against the backdrop of global terrorism."

There is a strong buzz that Saif and Kareena are playing terrorists in the film but the director is not ready to reveal much. "I can't reveal plot points or character sketches at this point of time", says the writer turned director, who doesn't deny the news.

Apart from Saif, Kareena and Vivek Oberoi the film was supposed to star Tara Sharma. However, the actress is due to have her first baby soon and hence had to back out of the project. Minissha Lamba would now be essaying that part. The supporting cast also includes Kirron Kher, Om Puri and some talented new faces.

So, how much of the film's shoot is complete at this stage? "We are around 40% through with filming. We've shot in Philadelphia, Delhi and the Mumbai schedule is currently underway. We plan to complete shooting by May and will release the film in the last quarter of 2009, " says Rensil.

While the story of the film has been written by Karan Johar, Rensil has worked on the screenplay of the film. An interesting fact however is that instead of Dharma favorites Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, this time it would be Salim-Sulaiman who would be composing music for this film.

Will Salman heed Aamir?

It is known that Salman, the "Bad Boy" of Bollywood listens keenly and really adheres to some advice if it is conveyed by his best buddies.

So can it be presumed that he has taken Aamir Khan's advice to completely withdraw from boozing quite seriously?

Now don't start to think whether Aamir has a special place in Salman's heart.

In the recent times the two khans have bonded big time and if Salman gets his guts to say no to the "bottle", more than him, it will be something for Aamir to cheer about.

You may ask why?

It is because, Aamir has acknowledged in the past that if anyone has the best body in the whole of the Hindi filmdom it was Salman and it remains so.

According to a tinsel town buzz, Aamir got hurt after coming across a snap of the one time most handsome hunk of B-town and the original muscle man of B-town with a slightly bloated face and a paunch.

This led Aamir to have a talk with Sallu to get him kick away his booze once and for ever before it becomes too late.

The man who coined the word "Ribbed" for six packs is known to break the rules and go back to his old ways without any particular reason.

This time let's see how far Salman can push himself and restrain this habit.

Gulzar goes by his rules

Lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar is a man who has been in Bollywood long before any one of the top stars of the present times even thought of making a career out of acting. The kind of respect with which the young and old of Bollywood see the still highly productive man can be ascertained from a single incident.

Refusing a request from the omnipotent Shah Rukh Khan and still remaining in the good books of the superstar is a rarity in today's Bollywood.

SRK wanted Gulzar ji, known for his poetic lyrics, to include the words "Love mera hit hit" for a particular song in the recently released film 'Billu'.

Shah Rukh even went to Gulzar's house and made the request urging that the words be somehow sandwiched into the song.

But Gulzar has never listened to what the stars wanted him to do and has no intention to do so in the future too. Only SRK can say whether he went to Gulzar even after being fully aware of the ways and preferences of the writer while putting down the words.

May be Shah Rukh must have thought that he can somehow persuade the veteran to consider his wish perchance things have not seemed to work his way.

King Khan's pleas never reached anywhere and Gulzar instead of writing all the songs of 'Billu' left the project midway after penning the words for just three songs.

For SRK, it must have been a novel experience being rejected by someone. For Gulzar, it is nothing new.

The history of Bollywood has many instances when the master writer has said goodbye to a project or just deserted a film half way into writing lyrics because of being asked to work forgetting his principles.

A man who strictly goes by his rules we should say.

Freida roped in by Woody Allen

This is the difference that can be brought about by a single film with a mammoth success.

Freida Pinto, the female lead of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has been roped in by none other than the acclaimed film maker Woody Allen for his new movie.

No one knew Freida before Danny Boyle's film happened and it has to be ascertained that her looks are not that of a lass who normally gets noticed as a potential Bollywood heroine.

So Freida could not have asked for more than the perfect launch pad called ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which has made her an overnight international celebrity and is taking her rapidly forward.

Her film to be directed by Woody Allen will start production in July.

For all those people who do not know anything about the Hollywood director, take this sample of his achievements. He has won three Academy Awards and has been nominated a total of 21 times. That is six times as a director, fourteen times as a screen writer and once as an actor.

Penelope Cruz, the winner of the best actress in a supporting role in the 81st Academy Awards won it for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ made by Woody Allen.

Freida great going girl!

Mama Is No Longer Sexy

The 13B soundtrack is creating rave all around including the industry. Audience’s favourite track from the album ‘Oh Sexy Mama’ has been censored heartlessly by the censor board for a number of reason. Firstly, they claim to have problem with the word ‘sexy’. Secondly, they claim to have a problem with the amount of times the word is used and lastly, they even have a problem with the visuals. Director Vikram Kumar faced a tough decision to alter the lyrics for television promos which are now airing the song as ‘Oh Crazy Mama’.

Singers Anushka and Baba Sehgal agreed that they simply may have a bit too much time on their hands and being so particular may be a bit silly. Lyricist Neelesh Mishra cannot believe that it was this word that they came down upon and he added to Hindustan Times that perhaps it's one rule taken too far.

Well it seems like Mama is now crazy and no longer sexy!

Finally, Ekta Kapoor’s “K” magic is out..

The trends come and go but there are some which creates a lot of buzz. The trend of “K” initials set by Ekta Kapoor was the most followed and noticed trends on television. But as everything has a life and now the magic of K is fading away giving B to take its place. The most popular soaps on the television these days like Balika Wadhu, Bidaai, Bandhan tell it all about that how B is replacing K. Even the ‘K’ queen Ekta Kapoor who is one to start this trend seems to be moving with the current trend of ‘B’ factor and her new show aired on NDTV Imagine is titled as Bandhini.

But what suddenly went wrong with the ‘K’ factor? Noted astrologer Sunita Menon, who is said to have recommended the alphabet ‘K’ to Ekta Kapoor, says, “Yes I gave ‘K’ alphabet to Ekta. I, being an astrologer, can only give a guideline that which path would be better to follow and which not. It is not about ‘K’ factor or ‘B’ factor. It’s about person’s hard work. It is nothing like anything went wrong with ‘K’ factor; it’s just that everyone goes through this stage wherein sometimes you have success and sometimes you have failure. Its life and life is a roller coaster ride, you see!”

Now as K’s story is over and to make her luck shine again with the equal amount of effort, Ekta tried taking help of the numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani with the spelling of her NDTV Imagine’s soap Bandhini. “I have spelled the name for her new soap Bandhini,” admits Sanjay B Jumaani. On being further asked whether these spellings are only meant to give someone psychological satisfaction or does it really work, the numerologist says, “you are asking a doctor that his medicines works or not. Obviously it works and that is what I am paid for. I can’t fool anyone on that part,” confirms Sanjay B Jumaani.

Though we have heard that Creative team of every channel do consult a numerologist or an astrologer for their serial name ceremony, Saurabh Tiwari denies the fact, “No. We, in Colors, don’t consult anyone. I don’t think so opting for any initial helps you. It’s just your frame of mind and your personal view. Some people believe it and some don’t. I personally don’t believe in all these stuffs.”

Vivek Bhal, Creative Director Star TV, too seems to agree with the opinion of the creative head of his rival channel. “I don’t believe forcing a K or a B into a title will matter eventually. If it’s so then I wouldn’t have decided on Ye Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai for Star’s next biggest show. The title should be apt for the show and also appealing to viewers; then, if it starts with K or B or any other letter, that’s fine,” says Vivek.

Slumdog kids may get out of slum, get into flat

A day after the child actors Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Rafiq of Slumdog Millionaire walked the red carpet at the Oscars, the Congress has proposed to gift a flat each to them.

Azharuddin Ismail Shaikh Usman and Rubina Rafiq Asghar Ali Qureshi, both residents of Garib Nagar slum in Bandra East, Mumbai, played the youngest version of the lead characters in the Oscar-winning film and were flown to the US for Hollywood's biggest awards ceremony on Sunday.

"Slumdog Millionaire" won eight Oscars at the 81st annual Academy Awards -- almost following the fairytale journey of its hero in the movie.

"These children have brought laurels to the country. It is our duty to look after and safeguard them," Mumbai Congress president Kripashankar Singh said Tuesday.

Singh said he would meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan Tuesday evening and initiate the process. Also, he urged Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) chairman Amarjit Singh Manhas to take up the issue on a priority basis.

In all, it seems these kids made famous by the film are having the time of their life. Not only have they been flown to Hollywood but may also earn a flat as a gift - an opportunity to move out of the slum life.

Rubina's father Rafiq is a casual carpenter while Azharuddin's father Ismail trades in old furniture.

Abhishek and Delhi 6 become butt of ridicule

It has started all over again, i.e. SMS jokes being floated around the country after the release of a film. Of course the intensity, volume and composition is much higher when a film is being disliked and the same is happening in case of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's latest release Delhi 6 which is fast becoming a butt of joke.

Sample these quick one liners that are currently making the rounds:

- A far better title would have been 'Silly Six'
- Six has gone for a Sixer

It all started with Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag when dozens of Ramu bashing, Aag bashing, Big B bashing and 'everything- associated-with-the-film' bashing jokes started making the rounds.

So much so that after a while, Ramu himself was seen smiling at the jokes and even became an active participant once he moved on to newer projects (check his blogs and you would know that the man who is having most fun at the expense of Aag is Ramu himself!)

Wonder whether Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra would be seen smiling when he hears this one:

- We thought that he was the Rang De man and he turned out to be the Aks man!

Ganesha says Shahid may find his true love in 2009

Actor Shahid Kapoor, Bollywood's Prince Charming, will turn 28 on February 25th. In the last six years, Shahid has evolved from being an enthusiastic newcomer with boyish good looks to a versatile and talented actor who can deliver his lines with confidence and play roles that are convincing and life-like. In his personal life, he has successfully dodged a nosey media and maintained a dignified silence over his break-up with actor Kareena Kapoor and speculations about his numerous link-ups.

Though his debut film ISHQ VISHK failed to generate enough revenue at the Box Office, Shahid proved that he is truly his father's (acting legend Pankaj Kapoor) son with films like VIVAAH and KISMAT KONNECTION. Finally, the superhit movie JAB WE MET put Shahid in a league of young actors who aren't just good looking and great dancers, but who also know how to act.

On the occasion of his birthday, Ganesha analyses his future prospects and predicts how 2009 will be for Shahid.

Aamir cannot play a young boy, loses a role

Actor-turned filmmaker Sanjay Kapoor, who is busy with his film It's My Life, says he roped in Hurman Baweja for the lead role instead of Aamir Khan because the senior actor would not have fitted the character of a young boy.

"You should be looking at what is your story trying to tell. For It's My Life', the role required a young boy. Now obviously Aamir Khan wouldn't have fitted in there. Similarly for the role of a father, I needed someone whose mere presence bears a commanding authority. Of course there was no other choice but Nana Patekar," Sanjay told IANS.

It's My Life is a remake of Siddharth and Genelia D'Souza starrer superhit Telugu film Bommarillu.

Considering Hurman has seen back-to-back failures in Victory and Love Story 2050, does Sanjay have a sense of regret for his choice of leading actor in the film?

"Not at all!. There are two reasons for that. First, you have to be confident about your guy. When I signed him on, Love Story 2050 had not yet been released but I still believed in him. Second, always remember that your product is more important than a star. A good product can work without a known name but a bad product with the biggest of superstars won't work."

FTN: Slumdog and Oscars belong to West, not India

Slumdog Millionare, directed and produced by foreigners has brought oscars for showcasing India's poverty and exposing Mumbai's dirty underbelly. Music composer A R Rehman and sound mixer Resul Pookutty got the top honours at the Academy Awards ceremony and from politicians to the film fraternity, everyone is singing Jai ho.

An intense debate has erupted on the way the celebrations have taken place in the last 24 hours. The one section that has left no stone unturned to claim their share of credit are the politicians who are trying their level best to take the maximum from the Slumdog Millionaire hype.

In Mumbai, political parties have put up posters congratulating the Jai Ho team and child actors from the slums have been promised flats. In the poll season all this seems like a vote gaining gimmick.

However, many critics believe India should not celebrate Slumdog Millionaire’s success at all. But here are the reasons why India can and should celebrate the film's Oscar glory.

Aamir wouldn't have fitted my film: Sanjay Kapoor

Actor-turned filmmaker Sanjay Kapoor, who is busy with his film "It's My Life", says he roped in Hurman Baweja for the lead role instead of Aamir Khan because the senior actor would not have fitted the character of a young boy.

"You should be looking at what is your story trying to tell. For 'It's My Life', the role required a young boy. Now obviously Aamir Khan wouldn't have fitted in there. Similarly for the role of a father, I needed someone whose mere presence bears a commanding authority. Of course there was no other choice but Nana Patekar," Sanjay told IANS.

"It's My Life" is a remake of Siddharth and Genelia D'Souza starrer superhit Telugu film "Bommarillu".

Considering Hurman has seen back-to-back failures in "Victory" and "Love Story 2050", does Sanjay have a sense of regret for his choice of leading actor in the film?

"Not at all!. There are two reasons for that. First, you have to be confident about your guy. When I signed him on, 'Love Story 2050' had not yet been released but I still believed in him. Second, always remember that your product is more important than a star. A good product can work without a known name but a bad product with the biggest of superstars won't work."

Why didn't he think about any actress other than Genelia for female lead?

"Why should I have looked elsewhere when Genelia was just so perfect in the original film 'Bommarillu'. The moment I saw her in the film, I didn't look elsewhere and decided there and then that she would be my leading lady in 'It's My Life' too", Sanjay said.

Speaking about the diminishing boundary between main lead, parallel lead and the next lead in Hindi cinema Sanjay said actors like Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan helped in removing that.

"Look at Aamir Khan in 'Rang De Basanti'. How many actors would have dared to be one of the leads in the film that had so many other prominent characters. Still, he took up the challenge in spite of the director going ahead with almost equal footage to everyone."

I don’t have plans of having a baby as of now: Abhishek Bachchan

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that Drona failed to click at the box office because its screenplay was its undoing and also adds that he and Ash have no plans to have a baby as of now.

The film has not taken the box office by storm but when I meet him for this interview at his office in the bungalow Janak, Abhishek tells me that what appealed to him when he was offered the film Delhi 6 was the fact that though Roshan is an American by mind, he is an Indian by heart. “It was not at all tough for me to get into the character of Roshan, because I could easily connect to it, since I could understand him, having spent twelve years abroad in a different culture. I could relate to the character because like Roshan, I too had learnt abroad and know how it is to feel like an outsider, though born and brought up in a hard core Indian family, steeped in the culture of the ancestors”.

Abhishek had almost lost the opportunity to act in Delhi 6. “When Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra gave me the script to read it, frankly I did not know whether he wanted me to be a part of the film because in the past too he had given me the script of his films. I was happy when he said that he wanted to cast me in Delhi 6, though I could not adjust my dates for the shooting since he wanted to shoot in the winter in Delhi though I had committed those dates to Mani Ratnam for Guru. Rakeysh asked me whether I would mind if he goes ahead with the film with some other actor and reluctantly I had agreed too. I think I was destined for the role of Roshan because came back to me, after tweaking the script after a year”.

Priyanka accepts Shahid’s proposal

If sources are to be believed a new online love story is brewing between Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapur. The duo is romancing on internet, created facebook account and with nicknames, they are addressing one another. Shahid and Priyanka are so much addicted to the site that whenever they get time, they flirts exchanging funny messages. In fact, they now communicate more via net than through phone. But things took a reverse turn when their account got leak in media. Shahid who used to refer Priyanka with the name Sir Pranks suggested her to change her name to Lady Paradox as it is disclosed to the world and Priyanka accepted his proposal and changed her name to a new one.

Both are acting in Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminay and are using internet to know about the reactions of the audience to their upcoming release. "They not only write on each other's walls, but also send personal emails that are inaccessible to others."

Interestingly, Priyanka now does not have ex-beau Harman Baweja’s name on her friend’s list and she too disappeared from Harman’s friends list.

Priyanka-Shahid’s web love story is progressing with every passing day. Let’s see how far it goes or just end up with the release of Kaminay.

Frieda’s ex boyfriend is totally miserable, Thanks to Slumdog Millionaire

The ‘Slumdog’ team might be celebrating hard and the whole of India might be celebrating with them, but Rohan Antao sure isn’t one of them.

The man says that he hates the Oscar winning movie and won’t watch it because it ended his relationship with the film’s heroine Freida Pinto.

He thinks the movie’s reported off-screen romance between Freida and her co-star Dev Patel, who is six years her junior eneded his relationship.

Antao reportedly told the News of the World, “She ended it with me after getting close to Dev Patel. Now everywhere I go I see them on billboards. I am devastated. I hate the film. It wrecked my relationship. As soon as it became a success and she started spending all her time with Dev, she ended it.”

Antao is a marketing executive, said the two met six years ago and that he proposed to her in 2007. Some even claim that they were married in 2007 but ‘Slumdog Millionare’ turned their lives around.

He’s said, “The film bosses didn’t want her to be engaged. It would affect the whole emphasis of the film, the love story. I had no say in it. I was kind of forced to lie to director Danny Boyle about their relationship when they met at a party. He was very down to earth, but I had to lie all evening and say I was just Freida’s boyfriend.”

After seeing Freida with Dev at the Toronto Film Festival last September, Antao said he sent Dev an angry text message saying: ‘You do know she is engaged, don’t you?” but he never responded.

He’s said, ‘I feel bitter towards Dev. If you are engaged to someone, the last thing you want to be thinking about is whether Dev Patel is telling her how wonderful she is. She is infatuated with Dev. I don’t know if they were having a sexual relationship but if I came face to face with him I would have things to say. I wish her success in her career, but I can’t watch the Oscars, and I don’t want to watch the film - it wrecked our love.’

Obama wants to see Slumdog Millionaire

Washington (PTI): The US President, Barack Obama, wants to watch Slumdog Millionaire, the White House has said.

"I don't know if he has seen Slumdog Millionaire. I know he wants to," White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters during the course of his daily press briefing.

Slumdog Millionaire, the exhilarating rags-to-riches fairy tale set in Mumbai, swept the Oscars with eight awards including the best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, with A R Rahman becoming the only Indian to bag two Oscars for the best score and original song.

Slumdog tax free in Delhi and Maharashtra

Slumdog Millionaire, which has won as many as eight awards at the Oscars, was on Monday granted entertainment tax exemption in Delhi, with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit saying it had "created history in the field of Indian cinema".

Dikshit expressed her pleasure over Slumdog Millionaire - a film by British director Danny Boyle with India as its backdrop and at its heart - sweeping the 81st Academy Awards.

"This film has earned a special distinction by claiming eight Oscar awards in different categories and hence created history in the field of Indian cinema," Diskhit said in an official statement.

The film has been made tax-free in Maharashtra too, an official said Monday evening. The movie has a number of Mumbaikars, majority of children from slums of Dharavi, the music director A.R. Rahman and Lyricist Gulzar.

The state government’s move to make the film tax-free in Maharashtra came after a similar announcement by the Delhi government.

Jai Ho’ to A.R. Rahman

The world is roaring at his feet. He was India’s past; he is truly India’s present and will for sure be India’s future too. The 81st Academy Awards will forever remain and will be cherished not just by the ace musician, but will be celebrated by every Indian living across the nation. Yes, A.R. Rahman is certainly the man of the moment, a name which is famous even on the slum children’s mouth.

Indian music maestro, A.R. Rahman has proudly won two Oscars awards for Best Original song for ‘Jai Ho’ and best background score. Rahman win comes as the crowning glory and he truly deserves the honor, not just for this movie, but for the fabulous music he has been making for over a decade. Our heartiest congratulation goes to the musical genius A.R. Rahman. Let us take a sneak peak at his filmi(musical) career graph.

Born in Madras (now Chennai) on 6th January, 1966, Rahman complete name is Allah Rakha Rahman. Rahman played many instruments and later joined people like Zakir Hussain, M.S. Vishwanathan, and Ramesh Naidu on world tours. He soon obtained a degree in Trinity college, Oxford where he graduated with a degree in western classical music.

Rahman’s tasted the fruit of success in 1992 by providing music score and sound track to Mani Ratnam’s Roja. He was awarded with Rajat Kamal and best music director for national film awards.

Rahman worked wonders in many tamil and telugu movies. Some of his noted and renowned work in hindi cinema which created a vibe for more than a decade are Roja(1992), Bombay(1995), Rangeela(1995), Fire(1996), Daud(1997), Dil Se, Earth(1998), Taal(1998), Zubeidaa, Nayak(2000), Lagaan(2001), Sathiya(2002), Lakeer, Meenaxi(2003), Yuva, Kisna, Swades(2004), Rang De Basanti, Guru(2006), Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane tu ya Jaane na, Yuvraaj, Ghajini(2008), Slumdog Millionaire, Delhi 6(2009). Rahman is working on many more projects which are yet to create history.

This is just a brief on the great renowned singer. He is truly a masterpiece in his department. Rahman is certainly someone who has redefined the meaning of music and things related to music.

It was a challenge to make EK - THE POWER OF ONE: Sangeeth Sivan

Director Sangeeth Sivan is a happy man. His EK - THE POWER OF ONE is finally getting ready for release this March. Starring Nana Patekar and Bobby Deol in the lead, his Hindi remake of superhit Telugu film ATAHDU has been ready for a while but is now being revived for a theatrical release.

“Yes, I am indeed happy that the film has shaped up so well”, confesses an ever energetic Sangeeth, “It was a challenge to make a film that I have always touted as ‘Die Hard meeting DDLJ’. Once you make a statement like this, you have to be doubly sure to make an entertainer which truly turns out to be a right mix of action and romance.”

Has he been successful in doing that? After all it has been ages since he made an action film. Also, post the success of APNA SAPNA MONEY MONEY and KYA KOOL HAIN HUM, he is known more as a film maker who knows a funny trick or two?

“This is why I wanted to move on and make some different cinema. I sincerely believe that we as a team have been able to even surpass the expectations that we had set for ourselves. I am so glad to have both Nana and Bobby to be on the same frame.”

He goes on to add, “Bobby and Nana are so contrasting, both in real life and as the characters in the film, that it gives me ample opportunity to explore their different facets. Bobby is very much an on-off actor. He could be doing anything on the sets but once the shot is ready, he transforms into a character right away. As soon as you call ‘cut’, he would be back to his regular self. On the other hand Nana asks a lot of questions before facing the camera.”

Chennai celebrates Rahman’s win

People in Chennai, the home city of A R Rahman were in the celebration mood post Rahman’s win.

They are ecstatic over the homeboy’s clean sweep at the Oscars.

Youths, kids, old men and women and even the folks who aren’t film buffs are celebrating Rahman’s two Oscars on the Academy night in Los Angeles.

As soon as Rahman was declared the winner around morning time in Chennai, fans came out on the streets and celebrated Rahman’s win by cutting cakes, distributing sweets and bursting crackers.

The buzz is that family members of Rahman and his fans cut a huge cake right in the middle of the street opposite his house in the Kodambakkam area and burst ‘10,000 wala’ crackers. Students of several city colleges also joined the celebrations distributing sweets while the film fraternity, including singers, hailed his achievement.

Similar scenes of celebrations were witnessed at the house of Rahman’s sister AR Rehana in nearby Virugambakkam area.

People prayed for his success and all the prayers really seemed to have worked out for Rahman and his Slumdog team.

onu Sood playing 11 characters in Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge

Having received rave reviews for his performance in recent Telugu release Arundhati, Sonu Sood is looking for greener pastures now. The actor who is busy with his next, a Hollywood venture titled, City of Life. Sonu tells us that he is now looking forward to a great 2009 ahead.

“I am definitely looking forward to 2009. It has been a pleasant year for me with my South film Arundhati having had a huge response. Now my producer plans to make the film in Hindi. My next Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge is all set for a release. I play a star in the film and what is more interesting is that I get to play 11 characters in the film right from Sholay, Deewar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge and Lagaan” informs Sonu to Ilovebolly.com.

The actor says more than the characters it was giving 11 different voice modulations in the film. “Making them sound different was the most challenging part” he reveals.

After the debacle of Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi Sonu is now looking forward to doing more romantic movies “Romance is one angle which connects to the audience. I love romantic films. Even in Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge I have a romantic angle. I play a superstar who falls for an ordinary girl played by Soha. It’s got it’s own comic angle to it” says Sonu. He is also looking forward to J.P. Dutta’s period film. “Last year has been a good year Jodha Akbar, Singh Is Kingg and Rajashri Productions Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi. I had three good releases. I want to be choosy and just not pick up anything that comes my way for the heck of it. I want something that takes me to another level. Lots of scripts are coming my way so I am hoping for the best” he says and concludes.