Sallu & Mallika to sizzle together on screen

With Sallu bhai set to kick-start with Season 2 of Dus Ka Dum, celebrities are eagerly awaiting their much-desired chance to grace the show with the hottie himself. Now the latest buzz is that our very own queen of hearts Mallika Sherawat has been adamantly persisting to make an appearance only if she's paid an enormous Rs 50 lakh and what luck! She has got it her way!

CHECK OUT : Sallu's show to remain star studded

It makes even bigger news as the bootylicious babe reportedly had backed out in the previous season of Dus ka Dum, as a result of a bitter cold war between her & the macho hunk Sallu. Apparently Mallika and Salman had issues with each other when touring together for 2006 'Rockstar'. Ever since then, neither of them tried mending fences. But fortune struck when the deadly seductress played the diva bit & cleared the issue. After that, beautiful lass Mallika was even seen attending Sallu's birthday bash in Panvel. All's well that ends well. 

The shooting of the show is said to take place on May 24, where she will also be seen promoting her next release, HISSSS, directed by Jennifer Lynch. Get set to survive as hotness erupts with the macho man Salman & glam doll Mallika soon sharing the same frame for 10 Ka Dum!

Producer Mehra died of cardiac failure

Bollywood lost one of its veteran producers, F.C. Mehra, who passed away on Tuesday. Mehra, who has given us some popular films (under his company Eagle Films) like Professor, Mujrim, Sohni Mahiwal, Qila, Chamatkar, Ram Jaane and Aashiq Aawara died of a cardiac failure at a Mumbai hospital. He was 80 years old.

F.C. Mehra was also the proud owner of one of Mumbai's oldest cinema halls- Minerva and also the Plaza cinema hall in Delhi. In his illustrious career, he has also produced television serials like Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Mamaji, Office Office and Khatta Meetha. He is survived by his four sons (which include filmmakers Umesh Mehra, Parvesh Mehra and Rajiv Mehra) and a daughter.

'99' to end dry spell at multiplexes

New Delhi, New Bollywood release "99" starring Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan is expected to bring relief to multiplexes and film-starved movie buffs after nearly five weeks of a dry spell due to a deadlock between producers and multiplexes. 

Made at a budget of over Rs.150 million, the film is releasing Friday worldwide with around 500 prints. 

The makers of "99" are going out of way to release it despite the deadlock which halted the release of new movies last month. The producers are going for an independent release as the United Producers and Distributors Forum (UPDF) were against it. 

Anupam Mittal, chairman of People Group, one of the producers of the movie, says that releasing the film without the industry's support was not easy. 

"There were reservations from the producers' association and I understand their perspective. We tried having a dialogue and explaining our situation to them. They are not happy, but we don't have a choice," Mittal told IANS over phone from Mumbai. 

"When we approached the multiplexes for a release, it was like a call from heaven for them. They were very happy and welcomed the film with open arms," he added. 

Mittal though refused to divulge details on the revenue sharing ratio arrived at between them and the multiplexes for "99". 

Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., "99" is a comedy inspired by real events in 1999 and 2000. Experts say "99" doesn't fall in the "big product" range, but it will bring footfalls. It also stars Boman Irani and Cyrus Broacha in the lead. Mahesh Manjrekar and Vinod Khanna will also be seen in pivotal roles. 

Mittal has co-produced the film with Aditya Shastri, CEO of People Pictures. 

"'99' is a multiplex movie as it has some star value attached to it. Moreover, the reports are positive for the movie from Mumbai and it just might help increase the footfalls," said a PVR cinemas official on condition of anonymity. 

"However, we need at least four to five back-to-back big budget movies to draw in audiences in huge numbers. But we are pinning hopes that this movie might help in bringing audiences," the official added. 

"99" has already had eight test screenings in Mumbai and one in New York and Mittal informs "anybody who has watched the film has thoroughly enjoyed it". 

"We had timed our release during the IPL (Indian Premier League) because cricket plays an integral part to our film. Our first date was April 18, which was then pushed to May 1 and then further pushed to May 8. This was done because we were given to understand that the strike would be called off by May 5," said Mittal. 

"But we can't wait any more. IPL gets over in a couple of weeks and our financiers have already waited patiently. We owe it to them and the entire cast and crew to get this movie out in the best way possible. We think May 15 gives us that platform and beyond that I cannot go or else I'd face some severe financial consequences," he added. 

While, the advance bookings for the movie opened Wednesday evening, multiplex chain like BIG Cinemas is also offering special offers like two tickets at Rs.99 for the first day first show of the film.

I refrain from excessive commentary on films: Amitabh

New Delhi, He has been part of the Hindi film industry for four decades now but Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he refrains from "excessive commentary on films" as his knowledge of the medium is "beyond zero". 

"I have prevented myself from excessive commentary on films after they are ready, primarily because my knowledge of the medium is beyond zero and secondly because each time I have, the film has crashed at the box office. So much for the 40 years of my so called association with the business," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com. 

Big B, as he is fondly called, raised the topic while recalling a incident when he first saw his 1981 film "Laawaris" in Bangalore before it was sent to distributors and exhibitors for release. 

Dejected at some of the "technical" glitches, the 66-year-old had then wanted to bring about changes in the Prakash Mehra movie. 

"Disappointed at some of the final technical results of the film...lamenting the glitches and waiting for the morning to appear so I could speak to Prakash Mehra and express my anguish and hope that he would give in to my suggestions of the changes I had in mind. 

"Apart from the fact that technically it was impossible to change anything...it was the calm and confident persuasion of my director that kept me from further despair. And more than that it was the massive success of the film that conveyed to me that I knew absolutely nothing and was completely out of sync with direction and the making of films," Amitabh wrote on his blog. 

Apart from Amitabh, "Laawaris" also starred Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan and Raakhee.

Aishwarya goes beyond glitz halo, campaigns social cause

Cannes, Aishwarya Rai, a regular at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet and L'Oreal brand ambassador, is going beyond her glitz and glamour tag. She is beginning to reinvent herself on the global scene as an activist for social and humanitarian causes. 

As a step in that direction, the Bollywood diva will, alongside Queen Noor of Jordan, address a press conference May 14 at Hotel Martinez here to announce the third edition of the International Tribunes Cinema Verite event that will take place in Geneva (Oct 6 to 8) and Paris (Oct 9-10) later this year. 

Cinema Verite is a special film event dedicated to films and social actions that promote human rights and the eight Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. 

The Cinema Verite event, hosted by the Cinema Verite Institute, has in past years seen the participation of Hollywood actresses like Susan Sarandon, Meg Ryan, Ellen Birkin and Sharon Stone. Aishwarya will be the first non-Hollywood actress to lend her name to the cause. 

Her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 62nd Cannes Film festival, will also be present at the press meet. 

This year's Cinema Verite event will include a special focus on India with the screening of Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar Raj", starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya and Abhishek. The drama had Aishwarya in the role of an executive of a power sector multinational who is sent to oversee the setting up of a plant in rural India. 

Also to be screened at the Cinema Verite event is "Bullshit", a documentary made by Swedish filmmakers Pea Holmquist and Suzanne Khardalian about the work and vision of Indian environmental activist and nuclear physicist Vandana Shiva and her organisation, Navdanya. 

The 73-minute-film was shot over a period of two years and followed Vandana as she, among other things, supervised work on her organic farm at the foot of the Himalayas, took on American biotech giant Monsanto and fought alongside the Dalit villagers of Kerala to try and close down a Coca-Cola plant. 

'Thank you God, thank you Mom,' says Ranbir

One look at the comfort level between the mother-son duo of Neetu Kapoor and Ranbir and Neetu More Pics

Ranbir Kapoor and you don’t feel the age Ranbir and Neetu More Pics
difference. 

It’s more like the two are friends, buddies who know each other inside out. One Knows what the other is thinking, is going to say, wants to say. For every time we put forth a question to Neetu, Ranbir would take the lead and answer, and mother dearest would agree. 

“When we go out for dinner, I don’t even order for myself. I let Ranbir do the ordering, I know he’ll choose what I like,” Neetu smiles, adding, “My kids know a lot about me.” Such is the camaraderie between the two. 
Ranbir admits he’s mama’s boy ’coz daddy Rishi Kapoor wasn’t around too much during his growing up years. And Neetu chose to be a full-time mother to daughter Riddhima and son Ranbir. “It’s essential to be connected to your children,” she states. That’s also the reason the two share an “open relationship” and discuss life, movies and almost any topic under the sun. 

So what’s Ranbir going to do today to make Mother’s day special for Neetu? “Nothing in particular, ’coz I love Mom just as much every day of the year. Every night before going to sleep I say, ‘Thank you God, thank you Mom’.” 

Neetu Kapoor 
Ranbir as a child... 
It was easy bringing up both my children, neither of them were the rebellious kind. Ranbir was a good student, but was more interested in sports and other extra-curricular activities. To which Ranbir adds, with a smile: ‘Actually, I was quite notorious, but mom wouldn’t know!’ 

The best gift that Ranbir has given you... 
Ranbir used to make me wonderful cards as a small boy. I still treasure those. It’s not materialistic at all, just a pure sense of love and gratitude. The way Ranbir is, is the best gift for me. 

Your fondest memory of Ranbir as a child... 
Ranbir never got angry; even when I used to shout at him, he would pull my cheeks and say ‘Mom, you look so cute when you are angry!’ 

When Ranbir got naughty, how would you teach him a lesson? 
Ranbir was very scared of the dark, so if he misbehaved, I would lock him in the bathroom for 10 seconds and shut off the lights. 

Was there sibling rivalry between Ranbir and Riddhima during their growing up years? 
In front of me, the two were extremely sweet to each other, but I was told that the moment I left the house, the two would be at each other! Of course, he used to trouble her like all brothers trouble their sisters, but those were cute fights. 

Ranbir Kapoor 
Do you speak to your mother about relationship problems? 
Mom is my best friend, and I can talk to her about almost anything. Except the guy stuff, you know. 
To which Neetu adds: “I don’t interfere in his personal life, but I do guide him and give him my opinion on professional matters. But the choices he makes are ultimately his own.” 

What’s the best advice your mother has given you? 
Ever since I was a child, my mother used to tell me ‘Handsome is what handsome does’. What makes a man a class apart is what he does. Mom always pushed me to become a complete man. 

From school boy to the teen years and beyond, some memories... 
When I was in school, my deadline to be home was 7 pm! As I grew older, it went to 8, 9, 10 and then later. But after saying ‘Good Night’, I used to quietly sneak out and go out again. Since I stayed in a bungalow, it wasn’t that difficult. 

As a child, did you get pocket money or were you treated as a star kid? 
Mom was quite money-wise, and there were restrictions even with our pocket-money. We got just as much as we needed, nothing extra. In fact, I used to get pocket money till Saawariya! But that’s why both Riddhima and I have value for money.

SRK: Any more patch-up will lead to marriage with Aamir!

Two of Hindi Film industry's greatest stars of the present times, Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan, have been more in the news for all the bad and sad reasons! However, the two showed unity and maturity when they landed up together on the same dias and spoke at length about their thoughts on the ongoing multiplex issue. Naturally both being producers shared the same thoughts and the press had a field day hanging on to every word. It was nothing short of media frenzy as all the satellite channels and the print media tried their level best to outdo each other with their coverage of the coming together of the two super stars!
However, Shah Rukh Khan does not see this re-union as a patch up, because according to the level headed Khan, when there was no break up in the first place, so how could there have been a patch up? Logical one must say!
CHECK OUT: Who's Shah Rukh Khan's travelling partner. Any Guesses?
SRK also reveals that they may be having a few small problems, little ups and downs, but these minor things tend to get resolved at a personal level and they do not need a media platform to sort it out. He also elaborated that the two exchanged SMSes, chatted and spoke to each other about the multiplex issue. On a lighter note, SRK (with his deadly sense of humour!) added that if he were to patch up more with Aamir, they would end up getting married!
Right said SRK. But seeing the media frenzy that the two created, here's hoping for the impossible, the coming together of Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan in a project, directed hopefully by Yash Chopra. Imagine the records that the movie might go on to break!

Sneak Peek: Katrina Kaif on the sets of De Dhana Dhan!

The general saying goes 'He came, he saw and he conquered'. Well, when it comes to the pairing of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, a mere 'he' stands incomplete. That's' why it has to be rephrased as 'They came, they saw and they conquered', for this is one couple in Bollywood which has been rubbed by the magical 'Hit' formula. Examples of which are in the form of hits, superhits and smash hits like Namaste London, Race, Singh Is Kinng etc...
Well, the good news is that this red-hot pair is back to the front in yet another breezy flick titled De Dhana Dhan that's being directed by the man with the 'Madrasi' touch ...we mean...Midas touch... Priyadarshan. As per the reports, De Dhana Dhan is being extensively shot all over Singapore and Mumbai. We found these pictures on the internet which show the 'Barbie-dolled' Katrina ravishing as ever in a red saree as well as summarizing her lines. Her pairing with Akki yet again has brought down the rumor to zero about Sallu showing discomfort in them being paired together.
For the uninitiated, De Dhana Dhan brings back the superhit team of Hera Pheri viz., Akshay, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, and director Priyadarshan together once again. And the addition of Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sameera Reddy is only going to make DDD, one of the most anticipated films of the year.

"Saif's first love these days is Love Aaj Kal" - Kareena Kapoor

When Kareena Kapoor saw Saif dressed up as a Sardarji at a trial show of Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal, she couldn't recognize him!
So complete was Saif's transformation that Kareena failed to recognize Saif in the sequences featuring him as a Sardarji!
"This has got to be the most convincing disguise ever on screen. Even I got taken in," says Kareena appreciatively. "People will forget Saif is a Khan. They'll think he's a Sardarji."
Tell her Kareena's cousin Ranbir is also playing a Sardar in Shimit Amin's film and she quips, "Ranbir has a tough act to follow up."
And now Kareena has made a decision on Saif's behalf. She won't let anyone take Saif's talent for granted, not even Saif himself.
When Aamir Khan decided to get some of his A-Lister colleagues together for a meeting about the deadlock between film producers and multiplex owners, he also called up Saif Ali Khan whose instant reaction was, "Why me?"
Explains Kareena, "Saif just doesn't take himself seriously enough. When Aamir invited him for a very exclusive meeting about the crisis regarding the release of films, Saif 's reaction was to wonder why he's being invited for such an important meeting."
Kareena feels Saif needs to take himself more seriously now. "After his performance in Love Aaj Kal and Rensil d'Silva's film, I'm convinced Saif's best time begins now. But he doesn't know how to market himself."
Sadly, Saif has no time to imbibe Kareena's strategies on career management. No time for love! That could be the theme song for the Saif-Kareena relationship at the moment. Because Saif has absolutely no time for love…or Kareena.
"His first love these days is Love Aaj Kal, his first production. Saif lives, eats, breathes and sleeps with the film these days. He has no time for anything else," grumbles Kareena good-naturedly, and adds she has seen Love Aaj Kal twice.
"This is Saif's best performance after Omkara. I'm so proud of him. Love Aaj Kal is as much my baby as Saif's. I'm going to be completely involved in the publicity, marketing, everything. This is our first production and we're going to make it rock."

Shahid and Priyanka travel in Mumbai local train

Kaminey’ is the name of the much anticipated film that stars Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The movie is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

Shahid Kapoor’s double role in ‘Kaminey’, a much guarded secret by the film-makers has now become the USP of the film! The adjoining snap has Shahid Kapoor in one of his most likeable avatars with Miss Chopra, which has been shot inside a train.

The news from our sources has it that Shahid Kapoor will be seen as someone who is raw, rigid and sturdy! The locations in which the film has shot have been kept as rustic as possible, which includes local stations and junkyards! Word also has it that in this film, Priyanka plays an extremely vocal Maharashtrian girl, who believes in making herself heard. ‘Kaminey’ also marks the ‘debut’ of Amole Gupte as the ruthless villain.

Bollywood Gossip - Katrina laughs off marriage plans

“I will marry next year,” that’s what the bad boy of Bollywood has been telling eveyone who keep asking him questions about his impending marriage with Katrina Kaif.

“I am so bored with this question which I have been asked so many times,” he says. “Every year I say ‘Next Year’ and this goes on.’”

However this year he sounds serious with his plans. Talking to a leading tabloid Sallu again replied, “I’m settling down in 2009 and would like to become a father immediately. ”

According to sources, Salman has also popped ‘the question’ from several quarters: from the media to guests on his show 10 Ka Dum. Akshay made it a point to ask Sallu when he was planning to marry Kat, when he appeared on Khan’s show with the actress.

But Katrina who has tasted success at the box-office recently is not as ecstatic.

She laughs off any talks of marriage. The actress says, “I think Salman said whatever he wanted to say. Let people make of it whatever they want. I have never commented on the personal side in the media. I don’t wish to start right now.”

Salman dumped Katrina for Asin? Asin denies…

There’s a bit of worry for gorgeous Katrina Kaif as the rumours doing the rounds is that Asin and Salman Khan’s off-screen chemistry is really working very well.

It’s been said that Asin’s room is full of Sallu’s poster so that she can see his face, the first thing in the morning. Not only this, recently a Mumbai based tabloid reported that Salman has gifted a flat to Asin in Mumbai suburbs, Lokhandwala, so that Asin could have a permanent residence in the city of Bollywood.

The duo is working in London Dreams and it seems that their closeness would surely be bringing horrible dreams to Kat baby. But again Sallu Mia is known for his generosity so it can be that it is his yet another generous gesture towards the southern star.

But the Ghajini girl rubbishes all the speculation. She says that it’s nothing more than a professional relationship. She has clearly said that Salman didn’t enter her room, as reported by the tabloids.

She said, ”No one has access to my room.”

She tried her best to clear the air about the Bollywood bad boy: ”I am working with Salman in a film. Nothing more or nothing less than that.”

Sonam Kapoor’s sister enters Bollywood

t’s not only the elder daughter of Anil Kapoor who is creating ripples in B-town, his younger daughter Rhea is also gearing up for a filmy stint.

Sonam Kapoor ’s younger sibling Rhea Kapoor is turning producer with movie Ayesha which has the former in the lead role. It is based on Jane Austen’s celebrated novel ‘Emma’ and Sonam’s character is of a desi Emma who is independent, young, mature and likes to play matchmaker for others.

It is believed that dad Anil Kapoor wasn’t so happy with the kind of movies Sonam was offered after Saawariya . So he decided an exclusive movie to showcase his dear daughter’s acting talent. He roped his talented second daughter for this flick to act as an official producer though the movie will be produced by Kapoor senior himself.

Rhea Kapoor is an alumnus of Dhirubhai Ambani International School and is acting as an assistant to debutant director Ayaan Mukherji, who is Kajol ’s cousin, for Karan Johar ’s Wake Up Sid .

Rhea, like Sonam, is a tall pretty girl and has started out the same way like her sis did a few years back. Sonam, too, was an assistant director before Sanjay Leela Bhansali made her act in ‘Saawariya’.

It’s been reported that designer Mona May of ‘Enchanted’ fame will dress Sonam for ‘Ayesha’. As for now, papa Anil is busy with production plans of the movie, while the awesome twosome sisters will be in Los Angeles for costume trial sessions.


Sonam shares a great rapport with Rhea and both the girls have been spotted partying together many a time. In fact, both the sisters are creative and have started working together on various aspects of ‘Ayesha’.

Bollywood Gossip - Kangana made Udita split ??

There is trouble in paradise, between Mohit Suri and Udita Goswami.

Both of them had heated arguments on thegrowing friendship between Mohit and Kangana, who is shooting with Mohit in his film ‘Raaz - The Mystery Continues’.

Mohit and Kangana are spending a lot of time both on and off the sets and that has made Udita insecure. Udita rubbishes this by saying that these are just rumors, and added that Kangana should not be dragged into this just because she is working with Mohit.

Earlier, Udita had created a scene during the shoot of ‘Woh Lamhe’, and the reason was Kangana even then. Mohit and Udita have been in a serious relationship since 2005, when she starred in his movie, ‘Zeher’.

Bollywood Actor Aamir Khan turns Barber

While many star struck men and boys visited salons to get the perfect Ghajini cut, two lucky fans got their hair buzzed by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan himself at a market in the capital.

“Quite a lot of people are getting this Ghajini haircut from various places, so I thought I will give the cut to some of my fans myself. I felt very light when I got it done - there was no need to comb my hair after the bath,” said Aamir, who gave hair cut at Bengali Market in central Delhi as part of his promotional activities for Ghajini.

Aamir gave the hair cut to Shamshir, a hairstylist, and Shivek, a grade five student in the presence of a huge crowd.

“I felt very nice when Aamir Khan cut my hair for me. It’s like a dream come true for me. I was waiting for him since five in the morning and I will definitely watch Ghajini on the first day,” said Shamshir after his 15 minutes of fame.

While Shamshir was keen to get the nearly bald look, Aamir took special care before snipping Shivek’s tresses - he took permission from Shivek’s father before cutting his hair.

After doing his bit as a barber, Aamir said that it was a fairly simple job.

Several others were craving to sit on the hot seat, but the actor couldn’t oblige all his fans. But he compensated by singing a few songs including Guzarish from Ghajini.

Apart from adults, children were present in huge number at the event. Some of them sat and stood on their parents’ shoulders and shouted “Aamir bhaiya, Aamir bhaiya” until they managed to establish eye contact with the star.

Four-year-old Kavya came with her father just to catch a glimpse of the star, but managed to reach his arms when Aamir said he was keen to give the Ghajini look to a woman. Kavya was the only one sporting enough, but Aamir didn’t quite want to spoil the little one’s soft hair.

Lots of other kids came with autograph books, but returned dismayed because of multiple barricades and heavy security. Others came equipped with cameras and were busy taking Aamir’s pictures and videos.

About Ghajini, Aamir said: “It is an action film yet deals with a lot of human emotions. It is a beautiful love story.”

Aamir has teamed up with south Indian actress Asin and Jiah Khan in the film.

RANN: media as a battle field setting the agenda for the nation unplugged

Trust Ram Gopal Verma to bounce back with a hard hitting subject, after he gets hit hard by the rejection of his previous films. With RANN set to release in a short while from now (also hoping that the impasse between the producers and the multiplex owners would be resolved by then), he has brought into focus the role of media in setting the agenda for and of the nation. The contextuality of the topic lies in the fact that with the on-going elections, and the postures that media has adopted, more so the electronic media, RANN would provide a reference point for introspection. 

For Big B it is return to his name Vijay once again through RANN, and may be the name Vijay signifying victory for Amitabh Bachchan for quite a long time, would again do the same with RANN as well. 

There might be voices of protest and troops of unrest against the attempt to deconstruct the national anthem and run it in modern contextuality, but the deliberate breaks in the songs that have been interspersed by Ram Gopal Verma should be seen in its proper perspective as the unity of the country is indeed under threat and what better way to symbolically represent it than interpreting it through the national anthem itself. 

CHECK OUT: RAM GOPAL VERMA Interview

For Riteish Deshmukh as well, it would be an interesting point of disruption in his career as he returns to the cinema with a serious role, which he has not done so far and this could indeed give a new lease of life to his career. 

As Amitabh Bachchan during the course of his interview for the promotion of film had said RANN is manifestation of what can happen when one tries to make commerce, as in the process of doing it a compromise with the conscience has to be made, and it is this compromise that is at the root of all evil. For Big B it could also be his take on his off and on relationship with the media. 

For all the critics who had hounded Ram Gopal Verma when he had gone to visit Taj after the Mumbai attack, may be the thing can be put in perspective with RANN as Ramu was indeed on a mission to understand the nature in which the attacks were covered, and the field out there is indeed a battle filed as the Hindi meaning of RANN goes by what with TRP ratings ruling the roost and setting the agenda.

- view RANN movie stills

- download RANN wallpapers

- view RANN movie poster

- view JANA GANA RANN lyrics

Yes, Vivek and I are friends: Kareena Kapoor

Vivek Oberoi is suddenly back in business, and how! Whether it’s for a film that he is doing with Ram Gopal Varma or for a film that he isn’t doing with Satish Kaushik (featuring Abhishek Bachchan)…Oberoi seems to be in the news constantly.

Currently in New York shooting for Rensil d’Silva’s untitle film (not called Jehad) Vivek has endeared himself to the film’s other principal leads Saif and Kareena, and not just because they share camera space so comfortably, but because he was indirectly instrumental in getting them an impromptu holiday in New York, ahead of the holiday that they have planned after the schedule in New York.

It so happened that Vivek had plenty of solo scenes which apparently Oberoi suggested to the director be shot all in a bunch so that Saif and Kareena could take time off.

Resultantly Saif and Kareena ended up with two full empty days in New York. 

Laughs Kareena from New York, “Yeah, Saif and I got a two-day break in the middle of our hectic schedule because Vivek’s scenes are being shot. Saif and I just chilled out, saw some films, ate at our favourite restaurant. It was an unexpected treat.Thanks to Vivek.”

Kareena seems to be renewing her friendship with Vivek. “If you remember we did one of my best films Yuva together. He was very sweet and considerate then. I find no change in him. Yes, Vivek and I are friends.”

Kangana refutes going naked

The reports of Kangana Ranaut going absolute nude in a Telugu film is currently a pot-boiling issue. The news to a great extent is considered correct as Kangana in most of her films seen doing cozy scenes with ease and has also freely exposed body in revealing clothes. But the sultry actress denied of taking off her clothes in the Telugu film to be directed by Puri Jagannath. 

The news enraged Kangana, she angrily commented, "Nude? I'd never do a nude scene in my entire life even if someone makes me to do it at gun point. I come from a very conservative background. If my parents were to ever see that I've crossed the line of morality, they'd drag me back to Himachal. Yes, I've done aesthetically-shot pictures which reveal my physique. And why not? I've worked really hard on getting my body muscular and toned." 

But nudes? "No way. I've never posed in the nude, never will, no matter how right the zeroes on the cheque are. I've an inbuilt censor code." 

She further divulged the fact about ‘Raaz 2’, "Even the much-hyped 'nude' scene in Raaz 2 was a hoax. I wore a body suit in the bath tub. I don't think taking off all of one's clothes is a cool thing to do."

The immediate professional impact of Feroz Khan's death was on Ajay Devgan's production of Rohit Shetty's comedy All The Best.

The immediate professional impact of Feroz Khan's death was on Ajay Devgan's production of Rohit Shetty's comedy All The Best.

A long schedule was supposed to start in Goa with Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Fardeen Khan and Ajay Devgan. However, after Feroz Khan passed away, Ajay immediately postponed the schedule. 

Says a source close to the project, "It would be deeply inhuman to expect Fardeen to fulfill his professional duties, especially when it meant trying to act funny in front of the camera for a comedy at a time like this. Fardeen is yet to recover fully. But he will be joining the unit in Goa this week." 

For Sanjay Dutt who has been out of acting for three months and was looking forward to getting back before the camera, this postponement meant some more waiting before returning to his favourite activity. 

But Bipasha Basu proceeded to Goa anyway for an impromptu holiday to wait for Shetty's unit. Her entire family of parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew and niece were with her. 

Bipasha has now become a master at making optimum use of postponed schedules. When Rahul Dholakia's Kashmir saga Lamhaa got postponed by a month, Bipasha quickly signed on to learn driving and swimming. 

"And now I'm putting my swimmimg skills to use in Goa as I wait for my film to start," says Bipasha from Goa. 

The delay in the Goa schedule, incidentally, would cost Dutt dearly in terms of time. After a month of shooting for Ajay Devgan and director Rohit Shetty in Goa, he heads for South Africa to shoot with Anil Kapoor for another comedy No Problem directed by Anees Bazmee.

Abhishek Bachchan wins the Best Brand Ambassador of the Year award

Abhishek Bachchan was announced the winner of the 'Best Brand Ambassador of the Year' award at the NDTV Techlife Awards 2009 held yesterday. Nominations were called from all brands for various categories like Mobile phone of the year, Gadget Eye candy award for the best style and design and Best Celebrity Endorsement - Brand Ambassador of the year, among others. The awards acknowledge lifestyle products, gadgets and best technologies that have made a difference in India today and change the world.

On winning the award, Abhishek Bachchan commented, "It is a great honour to win the title of 'Best Brand Ambassador' for the IDEA & Motorola campaigns. The IDEA campaign carries a socially relevant message in today's commercial environment and the brilliant concept of encouraging two way communications between the government and people has connected with millions across India". 

He further added, "I feel proud to be associated with the best brands in the gadgets and technology space".