What my heart says I will do: Asin

Asin arrived in Kollywood with a bang and then moved up in popularity with amazing deftness. She then announced her decision to shift to Bollywood at a time when she was the No. 1 actress in the South. After making waves in Hindi, she chose to return to return to Kollywood for the Vijay starrer ’Kaavalan’.

Asked about her interesting career moves, the actress said: "I was in Tamil when a film of mine was remade in Hindi. Then, a couple of interesting projects over there came my way, so I agreed to do them. Meanwhile, my latest film with Vijay too was offered to me and I found it to be a different venture which excited me.
So I returned here to do it as well. For me, the project is the criteria. Not the industry, not the language or the money! I don’t have a strategy when it comes to deciding the films I accept. I’m someone who goes by what my heart says and it’s worked for me. In fact, my decisions have gained me acceptance from different sets of audiences."

Actress Mandira Bedi is pregnanent?

Mandira Bedi set the trend as a chirpy and bubbly anchor for the World Cup shows in her noodle straps. She has always been in news every now and then, be it for her reality shows, the hot Maxim photo shoots or her most recent topless photo shoot in a mini skirt for the Vogue magazine.

Well, the girl is in news once again- this time for expecting a baby. Though Mandira and her husband Raj Kaushal have not gone public with the news of Mandira’s pregnancy, her tiny baby bump noticeable at the calendar launch of Gold’s Gym in Bandra let the cat out of the bag. Sources also claim that even for the short time that Bedi attended the event, she was careful about her moves.

Well, Mandira has been married for around 11 years now and it was high time she started a family. However, her fans may have a reason to be upset because if the rumor is true, it could mean that the sultry actress would not be hosting the World Cup this year…..

Actress Kajol gets Padma Shri Title

She has been honoured with Padma Shri now and Bollywood actress Kajol, who is among this year’s recipients of the India’s fourth highest civilian award, is on top of the world.

’It’s an honour and a pleasure when you are selected for the Padma Shri and I thank all those who thought me worthy of it. I am very, very happy with the way this year has started,’ said Kajol.

The actress started her cinematic journey at a young age of 17 with Bekhudi, but got commercial success with her second movie Baazigar. Her hit pairing with her good friend, superstar Shah Rukh Khan in films like Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name Is Khan, continued to work through her career.

Born to actress Tanuja and late Bengali filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, the 35-year-old is known for her versatility and natural flair for acting.

She is married to Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and they have two children. Kajol was last seen in We Are Family and Toonpur Ka Superhero.

Katrina Kaif is set to make debut on-screen kiss with Hrithik Roshan

Bollywood’s sexy actress Katrina Kaif is set to make debut on-screen kiss with Hrithik Roshan in Zoya Akthar’s film.
Director Zoya Akthar has shot a lip-locking scene on the duo, which lasts for two-minutes in her upcoming flick Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara. It is believed to be the longest lip-lock on-screen so far in the B-town.

Zoya Akthar said that the scene of kissing has been filmed awesomely and it demands for the sequence.

It is her second directorial after Luck By Chance, also stars her brother Faran Akthar in the movie. But the director is not ready to reveal the details of the movie.

Sources close to sets says that Kat showed no interest and was hesitant for the shot, but somehow Zoya managed her and after the shot Kat felt comfortable.

The story of the kissing goes like this “When Hrithik bids an adieu to the Kat looking in her eyes without any words, then Kat realizes how much she loves and runs off and shows her affection in form of kiss. The scene continues for two- long minutes.

It is the first longest Lip-lock after Raja Hindustani, which was shot on Aamir khan and Karishma Kapoor.
So, let’s watch it on the Silver Screen and hope the upcoming trends in B-Town shatters the records of this.

Raids at top Bollywood film actresses’ residences

Income Tax sleuths swooped on the office and residence of Bollywood megastars Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra Monday morning in connection with alleged tax evasion cases, an official said.

The raids started around 7.30 a.m. simultaneously at 12 sites, including the residences of the two actresses in the western suburbs. Priyanka’s home in Versova, Andheri West, was raided.

Also raided were the homes of their secretaries, their respective office premises and other locations, the official said.

The IT department is investigating whether the two actresses have paid taxes proportionate to their known sources of income during the past year.

Both Katrina and Priyanka are high ranking Bollywood actresses who work with top stars and leading film banners, besides endorsing top brands and participating in the major stage shows in India and abroad.

The raids are still continuing.

I want to thank my producer and Salman Khan: Sonakshi.

At a time when it has become pretty clear that actor-politico Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi is frontrunner for most awards in the country for best debut, the doting dad makes sure she never forgets one thing ever - and that’s to stay grounded!

“I feel proud to accompany my daughter on the stage when she’s receiving an award. I have always advised her to be level-headed and keep her feet on the ground,” says the doting father.

The newbie, on the other hand, admits that there couldn’t have been a better platform for making her debut on screen than Dabangg. “I want to thank Arbaaz Khan (producer) that he thought that I could fit into the role opposite Salman, and of course, director Abhinav (Sinha) for holding my hand and treating me like a younger sister while I was still learning the ropes of acting,” says Sonakshi.

But the actor is quick to add that the biggest contribution to her career in Bollywood will always be that of her co-starSalman Khan. “I am here because of Salman. He discovered and convinced me that I’m the one he’s looking for. I owe a lot to him and am glad now that he made me find the actor in me,” she adds.

Sonakshi, it is learned, plans to take to charitable causes in a big way, and is considering to take up the cause of promoting Women’s education in India.

“Sonakshi might associate herself in a bigger way with Wave, an NGO that is working towards the welfare of women from the lower stratum of the society. Wave works in close association with two other NGOs, Muskaan and Nanhi Kali for this whole endeavour, and is actively working towards garnering funds for them. They are currently working towards helping to build a school for the girl child, and it is expected that Sonakshi will be a part of the endeavour in a big way,” says a source.

Malaika Arora Khan is Back to the Music Television

Malaika Arora Khan, who made her debut in to film, through hosting a show in M TV as VJ, is back on the Music Television.

Malaika Arora, the sizzling hottie, who married Arbaz Khan, brother of Salman Khan, was introduced on the music channel that eventually became her home.

Malaika Arora hosted shows like Loveline and MTV Style Check before she danced on top of the train with Shahrukh Khan for ’Chaiya Chaiya’ in Dil Se, directed by Mani Ratnam.

The dusky beauty with long legs returns to the channel, after 10 years for a new campaign called Vitamin M that will include 10 vignettes, beginning this Saturday at 7 pm on MTV. It will have a 11-week run.

Malaika’s controversial Munni avatar and her hot demand among public, has made her to endorse MTV again!

Chitrangada Singh turned as Playback signer

Gorgeous and talented though Chitrangada Singh is, the lass does not appear in many films and is very choosy about what she signs. Her forthcoming flicks are ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ opposite Irrfan Khan and Rohit Dhawan’s directorial debut, ‘Desi Boyz’ opposite John Abraham.

Now, Chitrangada has signed yet another flick opposite John Abraham being directed by Goldie Behl. Says the beautiful actress, “Yes, I’m doing Goldie Behl’s next. It’s opposite John Abraham. The film is untitled now. We begin shooting from 17th February. It’s a drama. But I can’t reveal more about it right now.”

Prakash Jha Productions’ gangster romance, Yeh Saali Zindagi, is slated for a February 4 release, and for the first time, Chitrangada has exercised her vocal chords to render the title track of the film with composer-singer Abhishek Ray.

For the female vocals, Ray auditioned a number of singers but wasn’t happy. It was Mishra who suggested he try out Singh. “And she was an apt choice because she had the right attitude befitting a snooty woman who, when asked to wait forever, retorts that she doesn’t even wait for the bus,” laughs Ray, admitting that he needed just an evening’s rehearsal with the actor to make her “musically correct” for the recording.

I Like to act not for publicity:Yana Gupta

Yana Gupta who was recently in news for her panty-less act has denied the fact that she had done it for publicity.

She stated “If I wanted to do all that for publicity, I would have instead posed in a stylish, sensuous, raunchy manner for some magazine and got more attention.”
Despite performing consistently well, her elimination came as a big surprise. Babuji girl

Yana Gupta will make a wild card entry on dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 along with her choreographer Salman Khan.

Buzz is in the air that Yana is having an affair with her choreographer Salman Khan. She added “I love singing, playing the guitar and flute, and I want to explore that further.”
She said further, “I plan to release my album and I am working on it with a UK-based company.”

Karisma Kapoor is back to Bollywood

She is busy running after her children and has no complaints against life, yet Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor feels tired answering queries about her plans of making a Bollywood comeback.

"To be frank, I am under so much pressure because every time I get to meet you (media), I have to answer this question - When I am doing a film? I am here only and the day I decide to do a movie, everyone will get to know about it," said Karisma at the launch of Modicare’s premium skin care product Essensual 20.

"You people feel I am completely off media, but I am very busy with my children and I do a lot of promotional events, even I have done few things on small screen as well, so I am very much here and active," she said.

The 36-year-old actress looked ravishing in a pure white gown. She admitted that she was lucky to be in the industry at a time when she got meaty roles in women-centric movies like Biwi No 1, Zubeidaa and Shakti.

"If you are a good actor, directors will come to you with their script, but I must admit I was fortunate enough to be a part of this industry when I got some really wonderful, meaty roles," she added.

Karisma has been an inspiration to all mothers who struggle to lose weight after pregnancy, as she admits, she had a tough time to get rid of that extra flab.

"I really had a tough time. But I took it up as a challenge as I believe if you put your heart and soul into something, then you can achieve it," she said.

Karisma is blissfully married to Delhi-based industrialist Sanjay Kapur and has two children - five-year-old daughter Samaira and baby boy Kiaan, who will turn one this March.

While her sister Kareena Kapoor propagated the idea of "zero-figure" in India, Karisma believes in healthy living.

"I eat everything, be it pastas, rice, rotis or pizza, but in moderation. I don’t believe in depriving my body. I like going to gym and love to run and jog, but I feel my kids are my detox machines as they rejuvenate me completely," she said.

Ash and Aamir cold war comes to end.

The long long battle between Ash and Aamir was came to a still on the anniversary party of Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna.

Akshay and Twinkle celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary a couple of days ago and at the party, the bonding between Aamir and Ash was a sight to watch. They bonded at the party like nothing had ever gone wrong between them.

Differences between Ash and Aamir cropped up when the former opted out of Mangal Pandey and that too at the very last minute. At the time, Aamir had requested his good friend Rani Mukerji to step in.

According to a source, “Aishwarya had come much before Aamir arrived. Normally, Ash leaves most parties in not more than 10 minutes. However, at this one, when she learnt that Aamir and Kiran were on their way, Ash decided to wait.

When Aamir and Kiran arrived, Aishwarya met Aamir and spoke to him warmly. They discussed quite a few things including Kiran’s film Dhobi Ghat. Both Ash and Aamir were together at the party for some time but Aamir had to leave early, so he left with Kiran.”

Well, this time it was Ash who took the initiative.

The source further said, “Aamir has always been on very good terms with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and would meet up with him whenever he could. However, there has been a problem between Ash and him for the longest time, which finally seems to have ended.”

Bollywood is really on a patch up spree..

Vidya Balan voted as most hottest vegetarian.

Of the galaxy of Bollywood beauties, Vidya Balan is fast becoming a supernova. Latest, she’s been voted the hottest vegetarian.

Vidya has been sweeping Best Actress awards lately and now she’s topped an online poll by the animal rights organization PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Vidya and Shashi Tharoor, former union minister of state for external affairs, have been voted the hottest vegans. Vidya beat competition from other powerful contenders like Lara Dutta, Mallika Sherawat, Kareena Kapoor and even the recent Golden Globe winner Natalie Portman.

Tharoor scored over the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Shahid Kapoor and Madhavan to become the hottest male vegan.

“Vidya Balan and Shashi Tharoor embody many admirable qualities, but their commitment to a vegetarian diet that’s as kind to animals and the earth as it is to their own health makes them true royalty in our book,” Poorva Joshipura, chief of PETA, said in a statement.

I have become more confident than ever before: Rani Mukherjee

The only thing that can break me is when my audiences don’t want to see me anymore,” says Rani Mukherjee, who has had a long innings in the industry. The actress is currently on a high after the success of her latest film No One Killed Jessica, where the critics and audiences have applauded her performance.

The doe-eyed actress looks back on her journey and says, “I have become more confident than ever before. When I entered the industry years ago, I was quite naive and innocent. Over the years, I have changed according to the demands of life and have become much smarter now. I have learnt not to react to certain things that are being said about me,” says Rani, who was almost written off by critics after the debacle of Dil Bole Hadippa.

The actress says that she is now looking forward to doing better work. “For me, it’s a challenge and I am working hard. It’s not that I was not offered roles, but I have to scrutinise a script before taking it up because of my image and respectability. My fans will always expect good work out of me. It’s a constant reaction I keep getting from my fans. It’s for them to decide whether to make me a star or not,” she says.

Mallika is a very dear friend and suits perfectly for this song: Anees Bazmee

The rage among Bollywood babes to sizzle in raunchy item numbers continues. After the flattering success of Malaika Arora Khan’s ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ and Katrina Kaif’s ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’ it is now time for sex kitten Mallika Sherawat to shake her legs on an item number.

Mallika has already shown her oomph factor in ‘Maiya Maiya’ and will now be seen in a raunchy item song in director Anees Bazmee’s next film Thank You. Like ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, this song too has a desi folk appeal to it and it titled ‘Razia Gundo Mein Phas Gayi’ (Razia stuck with the goons).

Composed by Pritam, the song will feature Mallika with all the male actors of the film- Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol and Sunil Shetty. Well, more so, Mallika is doing the number for free as she shares a good rapport with Bazmee which developed when she worked with Bazmee in ‘Welcome’.

Bazmi, who is currently busy shooting the song, confirmed the news saying, “Mallika is a very dear friend and suits perfectly for this song. She is shooting with us for five days, as the song will be shot with all the actors in the film.”

Vidya Balan has proved once again

Vidya Balan’s staggering start ‘Parineeta’ followed by Lage Raho Munna Bhai, created a mark in Bollywood with her beauty and performance.Later her movies failed at box office and hard work turned vain her good start.

However, things have been changed with ‘Ishqiya’ Vishal Bhardwaj’s film and her performance opposite Naseer was admirable, it was last year’s first hit. Fortunately she started this year with award winning performance in No One Killed Jessica, which was marked as a first hit of the 2011.

Beauty without performance may fade out and disappear but performance will remain. That has been proved once again by Vidya Balan.

It gives me great joy when I see children smiling happily:Katrina kaif.

This is one story that’ll tug at your heartstrings. Asia’s sexiest woman she may very well be, but Katrina Kaif recently proved that she also has the heart of a softy. A few days ago, Katrina was shooting for a commercial at Film City, when a gang of kids, who had heard that the Bollywood actress was shooting in the vicinity, descended on the sets. Rather than shrug them off, Katrina went up to them and she even offered them some sweets to munch on!

A source on the sets revealed, “Kat shook hands with all her little fans, asking them about themselves, where they had come from and so on. She then went up to her van, got some cinnabons and handed them out as a special treat to all the children. The kids were in seventh heaven and Kat made them even happier by saying that they could come visit her on the sets whenever she was shooting in the same locality.”

Kat on the other hand says the incident is hardly one to make a fuss over, as it merely stems from her fondness for children. “It gives me great joy when I see children smiling happily. I’ve perhaps been inspired by my mother who works for the upliftment of abandoned children in Chennai. It’s a cause I wholeheartedly endorse as well.”

Priyanka and Shahid created ripples with their sizzling on-screen chemistry.

Well, the more we talk about the off-screen chemistry between Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor, the less!! The pair which created ripples with their sizzling on-screen chemistry in ‘Kaminey’ went on to create more news with their romance.

So, it did not come as a surprise that Piggie Chops’ name had constantly been guessed about for the female lead ever since Kunal Kohli announced his next directorial venture with Shahid Kapoor in the lead. Though Kunal was upset with PC for not giving dates for one of his past projects with Saif Ali Khan, he again went up to this talented actress seeking her nod for the new project. While both Kunal and Shahid remained tight-lipped about it initially, the news is now finally out. Yes, Priyanka Chopra will be the one opposite Shahid in this love story.

Confirming the same, Kunal tweeted, “Priyanka Chopra will star opposite Shahid Kapoor in my next film. Pritam is the music director. Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi.”

On the toher hand, a very diplomatic Shahid said, “I have loved Kunal’s works in the past whether it’s Hum Tum or Fanaa and I’m looking forward to this like tale. Whoever he decides to be cast opposite me, I’m okay with it.”

I am working very hard to speak Hindi :says Jacqueline Fernandez

The former Sri Lankan beauty queen has a very strong accent and Jacqueline Fernandez admits that she is really trying her level best to get rid of it. And yes, she admits that it’s giving her a very tough time.

“You need to learn to speak the language (Hindi) without any accent. I know that I need to speak Hindi like a pro and I am working very hard with it. It’s very difficult to get rid of an accent when you have grown up with it. I am learning Hindi,” says Jacqueline, speaking to After Hrs at the Zee Cine Awards in Singapore.

She adds that speaking Hindi like a pro will take many years. “It will require years of practice to perfect the diction but I can tell you that I will be giving it my best shot because I need to take that step for the sake of my career,” she adds.

The actor admits that she is slowly turning up the heat on the big screen because she is playing a seductress in her next movie which is the sequel of Murder. “I know that you have always seen me in cute, girl-next-door type roles and audiences also liked it that way. But I thought that it’s time that I change all that. Getting a little bold on screen is a planned move because I wanted to change the way I am perceived in Bollywood,” she adds.

The actor says that she will be taking up roles from which she was shying away all this while. “It doesn’t matter what it takes but if I think that the role will suit me or that the audience will like me…I am surely going to take up the role. I am living in the city (Mumbai) for such a long time. There were days when I took a long time to learn. I have now learnt that the faster you learn, the better it is for your career,” she ends.

Shah Rukh Khan wants to do romance with katrina-kaif.

The latest buzz in tinsel ville is that Shah Rukh Khan will soon be seen romancing Katrina Kaif onscreen in Karan Johar’s upcoming next.

Despite the fight that took place between Salman and Shah Rukh at Katrina’s birthday party, Katrina is keen to act opposite King Khan as all leading ladies have romanced with him.

Shah Rukh too is keen to act opposite Katrina. Sources stated “At Hrithik Roshan’s birthday bash, Katrina was seen enjoying SRK’s company.”

Source stated further, “The two talked for a long time and there was hardly any sign of animosity between the two.”

He said, “Not only that, Shah Rukh even escorted Kat back to her car. She left the party with Karan Johar.”

Deepika Padukone and I are good friends :Asin

"There is a myth that actresses don’t get along well but there is no truth in it. I have a lot of friends in the industry. Deepika Padukone and I are good friends. We share an extremely cordial relationship. I am also friends with Sonam Kapoor and director Farah Khan.

I have friends in the South too. I value friendship a lot," says Asin. Her latest film Kaavalan, co-starring Vijay, released on Saturday and has won good reviews from the media.

So has Asin forgotten Telugu cinema? "Not really, I’m just waiting for the right film to fall in the right league." If she could invite any five people to a dinner party, she’d like to dine with Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker and Rahul Gandhi. Asin says she has a special liking for the aforementioned celebrities.

Aishwarya Rai wins Zee cine Awards 2011.

Actress Aishwarya Rai walked away with the special jury award for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Guzaarish” at the Ponds Gold Radiance Zee Cine Awards 2011 held in Singapore.

Aishwarya was honoured Friday as the best actress (female) jury choice for her outstanding performance in the sensitive and challenging role of Sofia in “Guzaarish” that also starred Hrithik Roshan as a paraplegic patient.

The actress also performed at the event on hit numbers from “Raavan”, “Action Replayy” and “Robot”.

The award comes right after winning a gong for cinematic excellence for her work for the same film at the recently held Apsara Awards.

Shazahn Padamsee speak about Ajay Devgn

She is a novice; he is a veteran. She is just 22; he is 41. Shazahn Padamsee was apprehensive about matching up her performance with Ajay Devgn, whom she romances in Madhur Bhandarkar’s first comedy ’Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji’, but says her ’zero confidence’ level shot up when he praised her acting skills.
’When I met Ajay sir for the first time...I wasn’t nervous, but I was just hoping that there were no complaints. I felt so junior suddenly...and it was like ’My god! I am working with someone so talented!’ Shazahn told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
’I just hoped that I could impress him with my talent. So, when at the end of the shoot he came and patted me on the back and said: ’Well done!’, my confidence level went from like zero to 100.’
In ’Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji’, Shazahn plays June Pinto, ’a happy, bubbly young girl who ischild-like, very cute and innocent’. The film will release Jan 28.
The actress said it was simply ’inspiring’ to be around Ajay, who has been active in showbiz for the past two decades.

’I remember watching him in ’Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and his performance was so good. He was so awesome in ’Raajneeti’. Ajay sir chooses his films so carefully and all of them are so different, because of which he is among few actors who are not typecast and that’s what I love.

’The journey that he has taken in his career is so inspiring because he is not someone who says ’I am an action guy’ or ’I am the lover boy’, he is someone who does so many different roles. That, for someone new like me, is very inspiring and one feels to be like him,’ she said.
Shazahn, daughter of noted theatre artiste Alyquee Padamsee and singer Sharon Prabhakar, loved being in Ajay’s company not just because she got to learn a lot from him but also due to his sense of humour.

’People think Ajay sir is a very serious kind of person, but he is not so! He is very witty. Many people know that my dad has a very good sense of humour, very tongue-in-cheek, very sarcastic. And I found Ajay sir very similar with the tongue-in-cheek humour.
’I love people who are funny, so I loved being on the sets because he would always keep me in splits,’ she said.
For a girl as young as her, the box office fate of her debut Hindi film ’Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year’, in which she had a blink-and-you-miss role, could have shaken her confidence. But Shazahn has no regrets.
In fact, she is more than happy that she has got the chance to work with formidable names like Ajay and Bhandarkar so early in her Bollywood career.
’I think if I wouldn’t have done ’Rocket Singh’, I wouldn’t have got ’Dil Toh...’. In life, everything happens for a reason. I don’t believe in living with regrets, it’s quite a waste of time. I am a super-optimistic person and very positive. It was my first film; so it will always remain special’Butm, of course, ’Dil Toh...’ has been a great learning experience. I just adore Madhur sir. For a newcomer it is very comforting to have someone who believes in you - and it was very satisfying to know that Madhur sir, who is such a big name in the industry, believed in me. He was confident that I have the potential to do a role opposite someone as big as Ajay Devgn in his film,’ she added.

Asin denies taking extra interest in Dhoni.

Now that M S Dhoni is happily married, one would presume that all the talk linking the cricketer with Asin would end. Last week, at an event launching the cricket World Cup’s official merchandise, Asin was apparently more interested in knowing how Dhoni’s performance at the match between India and South Africa than in promoting the merchandise with some of cricket’s other luminaries like Irfan Pathan and Dinesh Karthik.

Says a source present at the event, "Asin kept asking Dinesh about the score, especially Dhoni’s, in Tamil. What she didn’t know was that Irfan Pathan who was in hearing distance, understood and spoke Tamil. He quickly caught on to Asin’s keen interest in the goings-on at the India-South Africa match. Irfan even reprimanded Asin sportingly for being focussed elsewhere other than the event they were attending.

When contacted, Asin denies taking extra interest in Dhoni’s score. "I wanted to watch the match instead of being on stage. I was inquiring in Tamil from Dinesh about India’s score. Not too many people seem to know I am keenly interested in cricket, not cricketers. I was inquiring about our team’s score at the third Test from the boys backstage."

Apparently, Parthiv Patel, who was in hearing distance, playfully scolded Asin and Dinesh Karthik for going on and on in Tamil. Says Asin, "Yeah, Parthiv had to cut into our conversation finally. I was surprised to know Irfan Pathan spoke Tamil too.’

Actress Sonam Kapoor gifted 3000 Kites to School Children.

Actress Sonam Kapoor has donated special kites with regulation strings to school children and urged them never to use glass powder-coated manja (string) to fly kites.

The actress sent a letter to the principal of Arya Vidya Mandir School in Mumbai on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, pointing out that thousands of birds, as well as children are injured by glass-coated manja.

’The (donated) kites send a positive message to children, encouraging them to prevent the suffering of birds by using only string which has not been coated with glass’, Sonam said in the letter.

’I have been shocked and saddened to learn from my friends at PETA that countless birds are slashed, wounded, maimed and killed every day during Makar Sankranti and Basant Panchami. I am also disturbed by the fact that manjha (string) is responsible for numerous human injuries and even deaths, including that of a teacher who was killed just last year in Maharashtra,’ she said.

’In another incident, a youth was nearly decapitated by a manjha string while riding his bicycle. Such needless loss of life has moved me to take action for the sake of humans and birds alike.’

’I would also like to relay this message to all your students: study hard, be goal-oriented and be compassionate. You can start by showing compassion and not using glass-coated string,’ she wrote.

The manja (string) used in kite-flying competitions is often gummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed glass, making it lethal for pigeons, crows, owls and other birds who become entangled after the strings get caught in trees or on poles.

Priyanka and Shahid agreed for being ambassadors of the coffee brand.

Brands swear by the power of a celebrity couple. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan have earned a fortune by doing a series of ads for the various brands they endorse as a couple, and now Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor have been signed together for a coffee brand.

Is it their way to show that they are couple! As per reports, both will be seen sharing a hot cup of coffee in the commercial which will go on air next month. Though both PC and Shasha have played enough hide and seek with the media with their now-off and now-on relationship, the couple agreed for being ambassadors of the coffee brand. Recently they were spotted having good time in Durban while rehearsing for their show.

We bet, whether they are couple or not, the deal must be very lucrative, and the ad will be an instant hit.

A lot can happen over a cup of coffee!

I now do a lot of cardio, pilates, regular workouts :Zarine Khan

When she weighed close to a 100 kgs in 2005, Zarine Khan wouldn’t have dreamt of becoming an actor. She managed to shed 30 kgs and bagged a dream role opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 box office disaster, Veer. Being panned for her weight, Zarine hit the gym with vengeance and on Tuesday, shared her magical transformation with us. She’ now a svelte 57 Kgs. Zarine made headlines last year for her striking facial similarity with actor Katrina Kaif. She was even nicknamed Fatrina - a fatter version of Katrina.

“I had to be overweight for my role in Veer, but now, I want to look fitter and better. I am 5 ft 7 inches tall and have a big built, so Zarine Khanmy weight needs to suit me. Right now, I am 57kgs, and I want to maintain it. I don’t want to become a size zero, because I feel Indian women should be voluptuous.

Interestingly, she hired none other than Katrina’s fitness trainer, Yasmin Karachiwala to help her shed the flab. “I now do a lot of cardio, pilates, regular workouts. I eat every two hours to increase my metabolic rate - I eat everything from pasta, noodles to rice and rotis but no sweets and no fried food.” Her inspiration, she says, is her mentor, Salman, opposite whom she stars in another movie this year. “He’s really happy that I’m getting fitter.”

Kangana Ranaut and Katrina Kaif threw temper tantrums while flying.

Travelling by air is not an easy task especially for those who are always travelling from one corner of the globe to another.

kangana-ranaut-and-katrina-kaife28099s-tantrums-while-flying

A frequent traveller stated that actress Kangana Ranaut and Katrina Kaif threw temper tantrums while flying.

A source revealed “Katrina was travelling for her promotions for Tees Maar Khan and she’d fallen asleep, without making her seat upright, or tying her seat belt.”

The source said further, “Before take-off the airhostess called her name twice and tried to wake her up, but the actress was in deep sleep and didn’t stir, so she gently tapped on the actress’ bare shoulder (she was wearing a sleeveless top) and requested her to put on her
seat belt.”

She yelled at the air hostess and fired her saying ‘How dare you touch me? Don’t you know who I am?’ On the other hand Kangana Ranaut always travels with her assistant wherever she goes.

An insider stated “The funny thing is: whenever the stewardess asks Kangana what she would like to eat or drink, the actress tells them to direct all queries to her assistant sitting in the economy class!”

The source said further, “So the airhostess has to keep going back and forth searching for Kangana’s assistant to satisfy her food demands.”

Filmmaker Farah Khan teams up with Aamir after 10 years.

Tees Maar Khan” is over and done with, filmmaker Farah Khan is all set indulge in her first love, choreography. She’s been asked by Aamir Khan to choreograph a song for “Delhi Belly”.

Confirming her professional reunion with Aamir after 10 years, Farah says, “Yes, I’m doing a song for Aamir’s ‘Delhi Belly’ because he has asked me to.”

So, does this mean Farah is returning to choreography in a big way?

Retorts Farah, “Not at all! I don’t actively do choreography any more. Only a song here or there for friends. Besides Aamir’s song I will be doing the ‘Housefull 2′ numbers for my brother Sajid and, of course, my husband Shirish Kunder’s ‘Joker’. That’s it for now. No more choreography this year. I’m busy writing my next script.”

“Delhi Belly” was completed by director Abhinay Deo last year.

The project is as special to Aamir as his wife Kiran Rao’s “Dhobi Ghat” because it stars his nephew Imran Khan. The quirky film about a prodigal’s return to the capital has been described as a sex comedy.

The song choreographed by Farah Khan in “Delhi Belly” would be filmed on Imran Khan. Apparently Aamir wants the same feeling of youthful vibrancy in it that Farah had created for Aamir in the “Pehla nasha” number in “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar”.

“Pehla nasha” was the first song that Farah choreographed. After “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar”, she has choreographed only twice for Aamir, in “Sarfarosh” and “Dil Chahta Hai”.

Aamir’s attention is now turning towards its post-production work, now that Kiran Rao’s directorial debut “Dhobi Ghat” is about to release.

Deo has moved on to his next project, “Game”, for producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

Mallika Sherawat makes others to dance in media.

Bollywood bombshell Mallika Sherawat, who is making her foray into television with dance show “Chak Dhoom Dhoom”, made members of the media dance with her on the launch event of the show here Wednesday.

Mallika, who is one of the judges on the show along with actor-comedian Jaaved Jaaferi and ace contemporary dancer Terence Lewis, made her entry at the event, dancing on her hit track “Maiyyan maiyyan”. She was clad in a short red sleeveless dress.

After that, she urged members of the media to join her on the stage and shake a leg with her. Many journalists obliged and danced with the actress on the song “Main talli ho gayi”.

“The press has always made me dance on their tunes but today (Wednesday) I wanted to do something different and make the press dance instead,” Mallika said.

While Jaaved couldn’t be at the event, Terence joined the “Murder” and “Hisss” actress on the stage.

The show, which will showcase groups from all over the world, will be aired on Colors Jan 14 onwards. They will be judged on the basis of their choreography, timing, synchronization, team effort and appeal.

Aishwarya an integral part of the L’Oreal Paris.

Bollywood celebrity media wars seem to have gone international and viral.

Several reports recently claimed that Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai (Jodhaa Akbar) had been replaced by Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto as the face of cosmetics firm L’Oréal. This has been trashed by the company in an official statement.

Both Aishwarya,37 and Freida, 26, are ‘spokesmodels’ for the cosmetics brand, alongside Sonam Kapoor.

The reports were fuelled by a New Year commercial by the cosmetics brand, which showcased the dusky Pinto and other Hollywood beauties, but not Aishwarya Rai. After the commercial, many claimed that the exclusion of the former Miss World was permenant and that she had been replaced by the younger star.

The claims went viral and a few even commented that the actress, who has been seen in many Hollywood and crossover films, is no longer seen as the most prominent International star.

L’Oreal Paris finally decided to head these rumours off with an official statement. The statement said, “…Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to be our valued spokesperson, as she has since 2000…she remains an integral part of the L’Oreal Paris world wide Dream Team…She is one of the most iconic women of our times…”

Rai is the face many L’Oreal campaigns in India and abroad. The former beauty queen is associated with the brand’s Color Riche Star Secrets range of lipsticks and other products.

Apart from Indian beauties, the brand is also promoted by Hollywood stars like Andie Macdowell, Beyonce Knowles, Claudia Schiffer, Jane Fonda, Doutzen Kroes, Eva Longoria, Milla Jovovich, Diane Kruger, Cheryl Cole and Rachel Weisz.

Katrina Kaif spending most of the time with Ranbir Kapoor.

Katrina Kaif was recently in Delhi and was spotted spending time with Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir is in Delhi shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar.

A source present on location says, “Ranbir has been shooting with Imitaz for Rockstar in Delhi for almost a month. Kat wasn’t able to travel and meet him because of her prior commitments and as she was promoting of Tees Maar Khan.
But when she got an opportunity to visit Delhi for promotions, she rushed through the events and met RK at his sister Riddhima’s house.”

Buzz has it that just a few days before their secret meeting, the duo had had an argument over his growing closeness with his Rockstar co-star Nargis Fakhri.

The source adds, “Ranbir was a bit put off with Kat’s growing insecurity and her clinging nature. He stopped answering her calls and replying to her text messages. But when they caught up in Delhi, they talked and sorted out their issues.”

Rani rocks in No One Killed Jessica

No One Killed Jessica review and box office report, Rani rules. No One Killed Jessica is the talk of the town. The film is based on the life story of model Jessica Lal who was killed by a son of a powerful man. The film has many twists and turns.

The producer has highlighted the problem faced by Jessica’s family members, including her sister Sabrina Lall. She single-handedly mounted pressure on the government and judiciary to do justice. Long at last justice was delivered and her killer is behind the bars.

The film shows how things were tempered at the scene of crime. But there was such a media and public pressure that justice was delivered.

Initially efforts were made to weaken the case. The bullets fired from a “22 bore Italian Baretta” at the scene of crime was mysteriously swapped in the forensic lab. In the film the cop is shown frustrated. However, he took home a bribe of Rs 70 lakh. He was shown doing so merely not to hurt the murder-accused at the time of interrogation.

The cop reasons: “Sab koi khaata hai (Everybody eats). Kisliye, mein fark hai (For what, is the point).” This only depicts the fact that how Indians are tolerant toward corruption at large. It has become part of Indian society.

Corruption is so entrenched in society that it is no more look down at. As a young girl (Vidya Balan who plays the role of Sabrina Lal is shown fighting the battle herself. Interestingly, she got support from the media and the public.

Katrina Kaif spotted at stage with Shah Rukh Khan.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan along with divas Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra will perform at the 6th edition of Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards on Tuesday.

Govinda will pay a tribute to veteran star Dharmendra at the gala. King Khan, who performed at the awards ceremony last year as well, will be giving the finale performance. Katrina will give her first stage performance ever since she has become a rage with sizzling number Sheila ki jawaani and Desi girl Priyanka Chopra will also groove to her popular songs.

"This year, the Apsara Awards look especially promising with some star studded performances. There is a spectacular line-up of stars from various sectors of the industry and we are really looking forward to the show," filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, President of the Guild, said in a press statement.

A special highlight of the show, which is being produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, will be Govinda’s tribute to Dharmendra to celebrate 50 years as he will dance to the songs that made the latter actor iconic.

"With the performances at the Chevrolet Apsara Awards, we wanted to showcase the best talent in the industry. While we revere the veterans and well-established actors, we also promote the exciting new talent in the industry today," said Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International.

Others like Gauahar Khan and Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez will also add some zing with their performances. In fact, Gauahar will also share the stage with fellow stage-actors Hussain Kuwajerwala and Kashmira Irani for a joint performance from the hit Bollywood musical - Zangoora: The Gypsy Prince, performed at the Gurgaon-based Kingdom of Dreams.

Band Baaja Baraat actress Anushka Sharma will also be among the star performers for the event, to be hosted by funnyman Sajid Khan. The Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards honours the achievements and efforts of Indian artistes in the field of entertainment. This year, the awards will be up for grabs in 30 different categories across TV, technical, creative and performance categories.

Shah Rukh-starrer My Name Is Khan is leading the nomination list of the awards among movies, while Pavitra Rishta, Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are among the TV shows with maximum nominations.

Asin pairs with Salman again.

Salman, who is acting once again with Asin after their 2009 film London Dreams, made sure that she got plenty of rest and ate her medicines on the sets.

“Salman was extremely caring right through the shoot of Ready and especially when I was ill. I caught an infection and even as I continued to shoot, I was on constant medication. Salman made sure that I ate properly,” said Asin.

The Dabangg star kept a constant tab on his leading lady, who was down with an infection during the last days of the film’s shoot. Asin’s mother, who is a doctor, prescribed the medicine and it was Salman who made sure that she ate them on time.

“On a hectic day of shooting, one tends to forget about medicines but he was always there to remind me of taking them on time. He forever kept checking that my fever was under control. That was so nice of him,” said the actress.

The actress who debuted in Bollywood opposite Aamir Khan in 2008 hit Ghajini said that Salman is really a ‘cool’ co-star. The two stars had been linked in gossip columns while they were shooting London Dreams and after Salman’s reported break-up from Katrina Kaif, the stories are circulating again.

“I am fond of Salman. Since we are working together in Ready, we spend a lot of time together. I understand the value and importance of comfortable professional relationship and am well aware of how people perceive the coming together of two actors,” said Asin.

Vidya understood the beauty of the character perfectly. Director Milan Luthria

The year 2010 ended on a good note for director Milan Luthria whose Once Upon A Time In Mumbai hit the high notes at the box-office. This year, he’s hoping to top that with his film

The Dirty Picture that is based on late sex siren Silk Smitha’s life. And Milan, who’s known to have a knack for exploring the darker side of life, has no qualms in admitting that this one’s full of sexual content. “The film is high on sex, but if you’re looking for sleaze, you’ll be disappointed,” he says, adding that it’s also where the real challenge lay for him as a director.

“Sex sells, but that’s not what I am selling in this film. My film is a story about this bold woman who meets with a tragic end. It’s difficult to maintain a balance in showing sex and titillation without diluting the depth of the story, which is not sexual but an emotional one,” explains Luthria.

“I’m putting my reputation as a director at stake with this film and I have no intentions of letting the balance tilt in favour of cheap entertainment,” he adds.

Talking about his choice of actress Vidya Balan to play the lead role, Milan says that she understood the beauty of the character perfectly.

“Sexuality need not come from lewd actions, it can be conveyed through one’s eyes and expressions alone and Vidya’s eyes do all the talking. She’s also very comfortable and unapologetic about being sexy. But at no pint can she ever be vulgar. Vidya will shock everyone in this film,” says the director.

The inspiration for this film, reveals Luhtria, came from some works he had read about the South star. “It was explosive material,” he shares. But he points out that they have been used as sketchy references and that the film does take cinematic liberties.

Milan also adds that he plans he plans to turn producer soon. He says, “I begin my second phase this year, where I hope to make more films. Turning producer is also on the cards.”

Mallika Sherawat to play in DHAMAAL 2

Mallika Sherawat is looking eastwards. It’s time for her to focus on some home based projects before she plot her next westward film outing. According to sources, after doing a few Hollywood projects in the past, Mallika has now shifted her focus on bollywood. Her film DHAMAAL 2 is one of big projects this calendar. The film assumes significance since Mallika will be seen in her sharp wit avtaar in the film.

Mallika’s film is courting spotlight for another reason too. Much has been written about Kangna and Mallika’s on-set chemistry. But, according to eye witnesses, the things between the two are not as bad as often reported.

For the moment Hollywood seems to have taken a back seat in Mallika’s career. After finishing with DHAMAAL 2 shoot, there are reports that the actress will sign some more Hindi films before giving Hollywood some more attention. For the moment east seems to hold a lot of promise for Mallika and her film career.

Shweta Tiwari won the prize of Big Boss Season 4.

Alll the fights, accusations, bitching, melodrama and controversies are over finally as the Big Boss Season 4 comes to an end after getting its first female winner in the form of Shweta Tiwari who made her way to the victory beating Ashmit Patel, Dolly Bindra, and The Great Khali.

Out of four finalists, the first one to be called out of the house was Dolly Bindra. Next one to be called out of the house was Ashmit Patel who was supposed to be a very strong contender for the title. Well, then the expectations zeroed in to The Great Khali because of his international fan following.

However, calm, soft spoken and beautiful Shweta Tiwari emerged as a winner making it a history in Big Boss by being the first ever women contestant to win the show. She received an amount of Rs 1,000,000.00 and a beautiful trophy. She can only expect better

It looks like a party is surely on the cards and all the contestants who participated in this season’s Bigg Boss will be invited.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Shweta, unable to speak much.

Kangana say no to Krrish Sequel.

The buzz is that Kangana was the first choice for second lead opposite Hrithik, who will again don the superhero garb for the sequel to the hit Krrish.

The Roshans apparently asked Kangana for a role that is on the lines of catwoman. Yes, a super-heroine! Though the offer looked lucrative, Kangs has vowed not to play the second fiddle anymore. Krrish has Priyanka Chopra as the main actress.

Reports also have it that the Roshans tried to woo the actress by telling her that the role requires a lot of action and that it’s written keeping her in mind, but Kangs remained unperturbed.

She has played second lead in some of her recent flicks and hasn’t benefited at all. Kangana was even kept out of the promotions for Kites while the whole attention was on Barbara Mori.

Rani Mukherjee teams up with Aamir Khan again

After 2005, Rani Mukherjee and Aamir Khan will unite once again in Reema Katgi’s upcoming suspense drama.

“I am doing a film with Aamir. Over the years our chemistry will only get better, so it’ll be better in this film,” Rani told reporters.
“For me its wonderful to work with Aamir and specially after so long because the last film I did with him was Mangal RaniPandey: The Rising and over there also it was not a film based on us. But this one is more about us,” she added.

The 32-year-old also revealed her favorite actors.
“Shah Rukh and Aamir have always been my favorites and I have learnt a lot from them in my professional pursuits and in my life. It is my great honor that I worked with them in such wonderful films. I can do anything for them,” she said.

The actress also want’s to re unite with SRK.
“I’m going to meet Shah Rukh and tell him that he better start a film with me soon because I’m missing working with him,” she said.

Bipasha Basu celebrates her birthday today.

January sees a lot of birthdays of Bollywood stars. Bipasha Basu, who’s presently in the news for her hot pic on the cover of Maxim magazine, turns a year older today. So how does she plan to celebrate the day?

We hear that Bipasha would be with her family and close friends in Mumbai. There won’t be any big party but just a quiet get-together. Boyfriend John Abraham is expected to be with her.

It’s been ten years since Bipasha stepped into Bollywood with Abbas-Mustan’s thriller Ajnabee for which she won the Filmfare Best Female Debut award, her only notable award till date. During the decade, she was twice voted as ‘Sexiest Woman in Asia’ by the London weekly Eastern Eye.

2010 was rather forgettable for Bipasha with all three films starring her - Pankh, Lamhaa and Aakrosh - falling flat at box office. But 2011 looks promising. Apart from Rohan Sippy’s Dum Maro Dum, she’s doing her first international film Singularity with Josh Harnett. She’s also in Abbas-Mustan’s thriller Players.

PC and Kat behaved like strangers at 17th Annual Star Screen Awards.

Priyanka and Katrina Kaif walked pass each other without even saying a ‘Hi’. The incident happened at the 17th Annual Star Screen Awards in Bandra-Kurla Complex. Says an eyewitness, “Priyanka and Katrina were next to each other for quite some time backstage.

Their eyes met, but they did not give each other even a faint smile. They behaved like total strangers. There was ample opportunity for both the ladies to at least acknowledge each other’s presence but even that did not happen. Everyone around them noted this.”

Just for those who do not know the history of their rivalery, Priyanka was upset when Katrina stepped into her shoes for Tarun Mansukhani’s Dostana 2. And then Katrina walked out of Anurag Basu’s Barfi (earlier titled Silence) when Priyanka signed up for the second lead’s role.

But what’s more surprising is that, just a few days ago, the two girls hugged and kissed at Salman Khan’s Being Human function. All those exchange of hugs and kisses between Priyanka and Katrina were fake. They still hate each other.

Lara Dutta announced her marriage date.

Lara Dutta is ready to walk down the aisle and take wedding vows with her boyfriend and fiancé Mahesh Bhupathi.

It would well nigh be a Valentine wedding for Mahesh and Lara, for February 19 has reported been finalized as the day when the two shall become man and wife.

The couple is said to be planning a wedding in Goa. A five-star hotel will be the wedding venue.

It’s been more than a year since Lara and Mahesh began dating. Before that she was in a long relationship with Kelly Dorjee and had a very brief fling with Dino Morea. Tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, on the other hand, has been married once. He recently divorced his wife Shweta Jaishankar.

We hear that after the marriage, Lara will move into Mahesh’s new apartment in Pali Hill.

Vidya Balan invited megastar Amitabh Bachchan to her Movie

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan invited megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the screening of her new film No One Killed Jessica, which is releasing Friday.

’Vidya Balan called us over to the screening of her latest film No One Killed Jessica, a strong film based on the real life incident of the Jessica Lall murder in a club in Delhi and the legal and police to and fros, before her family got justice, by punishing the killer, the son of a renowned and powerful politician,’ Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

The actor, who has just returned from Goa after a family vacation, was all praises for the performances in the film and added he was delighted to meet Rani Mukerji who is also playing a pivotal role in the movie after a long time.

’The performances living up to the title and story of the film. Meeting Rani after so long was a joy. And Vidya is just so graceful as always. My best wishes to them all for the film. It has been creating quite a buzz,’ he added.

Haji Kaleemullah named Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Guava Fruit

Well, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan does own the sweetest and the prettiest face in Bollywood. So, it did not come as a surprise when grafting expert and Padmashree horticulturist Haji Kaleemullah Khan decided to name his new discovery, a sweeter variety of guava after this actress. The fruit resembles an apple in texture and is sweeter in smell and has more pulp with softer seeds.

“The new variety of guava is very different in taste, smell and look from the traditional and normal varieties grown in the country,” Kaleemullah told adding, “It took almost eight years to develop this unique variety of guava and no chemical fertiliser or pesticide was used in developing the same.”

“All measures were taken to ensure that the product is free from any possible side effect which chemical fertilizer or pesticide may have on fruits. One can get as many as 72 fruits on a 3.7 foot long tree”, Kaleemullah said.

In fact, Kaleemullah used Neem Oil as a pesticide to keep this unique guava free of any chemicals. Kaleemullah is known for growing unique variety of fruits especially mangoes. This Lucknow-based agriculturist has no formal qualification in agriculture but has immense knowledge on the subject. In May last year, the 70-year-old Khan grafted a new variety of mango, which he named after batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

“I am a 7th standard dropout and have been looking after the family business since 1957. My family’s record in this business goes back to 150 years. I am more interested in developing different varieties on a single tree and began the multiple grafting process,” he said.

Kaleemullah won the Padmashree for growing more than 300 varieties of mangoes of different shapes and sizes on one tree. The tree is about 100 years old and he started working on it in 1987 to develop the craft of growing different varieties on one tree.

Anusha is moving out of YRF

The reason after doing three films with Yash Raj banner - RAB NE BANA DI JODI , BADMAASH COMPANY and BAND BAAJA BAARAAT, Anusha is moving out of the secure environs of YRF with her upcoming film PATIALA HOUSE.

Anushka has her feet firmly placed on the ground and has also managed to find a foothold in B-Town with her three film deal with YRF. Going by this fact, this outing on her own should not be a difficult thing to handle.

But, we have digged out the real story. According to our sources, "Anushka is feeling insecure after venturing out of YRF. Though PATIALA HOUSE might have everything going for it, but the fact that Anushka is without any mentor or the backing of a big banner is clearly visible in the glint of her eyes. No matter how hard she tries to put a brave face, insecurity remains a reality of her present life."

Anushka might be without a godfather in her upcoming film, but the fact that her talent has guided her in the past remains her best bet this time around too.

2011 is going to be a busy year for the Katrina Kaif

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has been doing consistently well since she entered Bollywood in 2003. She has been belting out hit films year after year, and 2010 was no exception with Raajneeti earning her lots of accolades. Going by the projects she has in her kitty, 2011 is going to be a busy year for the actress.

Katrina is looking forward to the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Hrithik Roshan and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan with Imran Khan. Then she has director Prakash Jha’s Satsang, where she plays a character seeking spiritual rejuvenation in India. After that, she has a film with Abhishek Bachchan
to be directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.

Happy Birthday to Deepika Padukone.

Deepika Padukone, the dusky beauty from Bangalore, turns 25 today.The gorgeous Capricornian is on a backpacking trip through Europe along with her boyfriend Siddharth Mallya. The duo left for London to ring in 2011.

2010 was an eventful year for Deepika with as many as five releases: Karthik Calling Karthik, Housefull, Lafangey Parindey, Break Ke Baad and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Sadly, only one of the five did good business at theatres, but Deepika says she had something to learn from every film.

But more admirable than anything is how she came to terms with her break-up from Ranbir Kapoor. Rather than being depressed, she immersed herself in work and made new friends, including Siddharth Mallya. Their budding friendship was to be seen during the IPL, when she cheered for Mallya’s team Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Later in the year, Deepika also sparked a controversy by saying on Koffee With Karan that her ex beau Ranbir should endorse a condom brand.

This year, she is looking at a few interesting roles, including one in Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan.

My career is already made, Nobody can make or break my career:Rani Mukerjee.

She maybe hurt following talk about the end of her career, but Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee says such predictions will not break her.

"I feel bad when people say that Rani Mukerjee is finished. My career is already made. Nobody can make or break my career," the actress says.

"It is my fans who decided to make me a star. The only thing that will break me is when the love of my audience won’t be there with me and the fact that they don’t want to see me in films," she adds.

The 32-year-old Bengali beauty says being an actor she has the "huge responsibility" to entertain the audience with her every film.

"As they (audience) love me so much the least I can do for them is to do a role that is drastically different from my previous film. I want my audience to see a new and different Rani all the time. In my last film (Dil Bole Haddipa) I was a Sardar boy and in No One Killed Jessica I am a journalist," she says.

Rani, who craves for exciting and different roles, says actors are beggars who wait for good scripts.

"Every year I want to come with two-three films. I hope I get offers for roles that are exciting enough like the one in No One Killed Jessica or the one that I am doing in Aamir’s film," she says.

Directed by Rajkumar Gupta, the No One killed Jessica is based on the murder case of model Jessica Lal who was shot dead in 1999 by Manu Sharma, son of a Haryana politician, in a Delhi night club.

The film, which releases on January 7, also features Vidya Balan as Jessica’s sister Sabrina, who fought to get justice for her sister.

Sonakshi Sinha at Salman's Kid show

Salman Khan is well known for promoting new talents, be it the new kid on the block Sonakshi Sinha, or earlier Katrina Kaif and Zarine Khan. But as luck would have it the actresses who’ve made their debut opposite Salman failed to make a mark in the industry. Though Salman prompted Kaif but she didn’t start her film career opposite her and it was long time before she got paired opposite Khan. On the other hand it now seems Sonakshi Sinha is the only lady so far who has broke out of the Salman Khan jinx.

The 23 year old actress is being flooded with offers and if the buzz is to be believed she’ll be bagging nothing less than a crore for her films. Already her kitty is full with Shirish Kunder’s next project ‘Joker’ opposite Akshay Kumar. In spite of refusing to do the baring acts she has bagged a meaty role in the sequel ‘Race 2’ and it is believe that the director duo Abbas - Mustan preferred Sonakshi over Kareena. Next is an action-comedy opposite mentor Salman Khan in ‘Kick’ and another project with the Khan directed by Prabhu Deva.

All the other A-listed directors are eager to sign the lady for their future projects and she seems to be holding her forte pretty well. According to many, even though Sonakshi is a star kid her confidence oozes on-screen and while many actresses fails to do much opposite Salman this young actress did her part with conviction.

So far Bhagyashree, Naghma, Chadni failed to make their mark in the industry in spite of delivering a super hit debut film opposite Sallu, but they failed to stand out alone. But everyone thinks Sonakshi will prove it different and is here to stay, well only time can tell that.

It always feels so good to be back in Delhi, especially at this time of the year: Vidya

Vidya Balan has discovered a new side to Delhi. During her extensive shoot in the capital for No One Killed Jessica, the Bollywood star walked through crowded streets and markets, even in old Delhi, and was quite surprised to find that people did not stop to watch the shooting. Delhiwallahs are as busy as Mumbaikars, the actress said.

"I always thought Delhi was a bit more relaxed than Mumbai where nobody walks aaram se (in a relaxed way). But through my walks in Delhi during the shoot of No One Killed Jessica, I realised that people don’t have time to look at you. Life is as fast-paced here as in Mumbai," said Vidya.

The 32-year-old essays the role of Sabrina Lall in the film, based on the murder case of model Jessica Lall, who was shot dead by Manu Sharma in 1999. For many scenes, Vidya had to shoot in perennially crowded areas like Connaught Place and Bhikaji Cama Place in the capital, but says she was surprised that no one waited to see the shooting, unlike earlier times.

"I give complete leeway to the fact that I was dressed differently - very plain and simply. I saw a mad rush of people in CP and Bhikaji Cama, but people didn’t have time to stop and look at us. I had always heard that Mumbai is more used to stars and Delhi isn’t used to stars, but even here, no one cared! This is one new side of Delhi that I got to explore," she added.

Vidya spent a-month-and-a-half shooting in Delhi for the Rajkumar Gupta film, and says the experience was heart-warming. The film releases Friday.

"I actually walked through the streets of Delhi for the film. It’s been a different and heart-warming experience because it wasn’t like just shooting in one location. I had to walk through streets wearing absolutely plain clothes and shoot with hidden cameras to look like one of the people in the crowd.

"I won’t be able to specify the streets I traversed, but I know I have been through both - Puraani Dilli and New Delhi. I have really explored Delhi like I could never have done alone and I don’t think any Delhiite has explored Delhi the way I did during this shoot," she said, sounding overwhelmed.

The actress who hails from Tamil Nadu loves Delhi’s winter.

"It always feels so good to be back in Delhi, especially at this time of the year. It’s so charming... we don’t have this kind of weather in Mumbai. The streets are so much calmer during these days than the rest of the year. So I really like it."