Bollywood Zone : Blog, Movies, Celebs

We never doubted that the deadly Devgan was a superhero in the making, but now he’s gone ahead and proved it. Ajay is playing super-hero in an animated film called Toonpur Ka Super-Hero; it is the first time he is doing a film like this, where he will be playing a character, but not in flesh and blood. The screen superhero will look and act just like Devgan. Well, considering it is a tough feat for anyone to imitate an actor like Devgan in reality let the lad from Toonpur enjoy his field day. We wonder if superboy Krrish has any advice for our ‘toon’ superhero?

He’s written scripts for films such as Subhash Ghai’s Pardes and Ghaath, and now Neeraj Pathak is turning director with a bang. The man is not only directing his first film soon, but he’s also been signed on for another film. “Yes, my directorial debut will begin soon. I am considering Konkona Sensharma and Irrfan Khan for the same. But I can’t reveal any more about it.” After Life in a Metro, people have been wanting to see more of this pair on screen. Hope they create similar magic again.

Actress Kareena Kapoor is the latest entrant on the Golmaal wagon. The lady will play the female lead in this supposed to be laugh riot, and sequel of Golmaal, titled Golmaal Returns. Producer Dhillin Mehta confirms, “Yes, we have roped in Kareena for the sequel of Golmaal, which will be directed by Rohit Shetty.” To be shot in Dubai in a 40-day schedule, the producers are keen to make some more maal with the sequel as well.

So would “Dr Shetty” be a befitting title to address the lady who has become the virtual poster girl for all things Indian today in Britain? “Plain old Shilpa will do just fine!” says Shilpa Shetty – her trademark giggle firmly in place – minutes after receiving her honourary doctorate for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema from the Leeds Metropolitan University.

“What makes this honour double special for me is the fact that I share this privileged title with stalwarts from Bollywood like Amitji, Shabanaji and Yashji, who are all previous recipients,” Shilpa adds, her voice brimming with pride – a pride that is palpable despite the fact that the 32-year-old actress is thousands of miles away in Leeds, UK, speaking to BT on a phone line that’s threatening a break down any minute!

It’s been six months since Shilpa won Celebrity Big Brother, catapulting her into the international jet-setting life. How has life changed for her both in the UK and here in India? “I have got a lot of adulation and respect these last six months. And the responsibility to portray India not just as an exotic flavour of the month, but as a country that has some amazingly talented and intelligent people, waiting to show the world what they are made of,” says Shilpa.

“Though, I must add that the brickbats and barbs have not evaded me. I have been at the receiving end of a lot of them. Especially back home. First you had people calling me a ‘has been’ and a B-Grade actress, then the whole Richard Gere incident that was so blown out of proportion,” says Shilpa, her voice laced with disappointment. But mention her future projects and Shilpa’s exuberance is back. “I can’t wait to start rehearsals with Ganesh Hegde for Miss Bollywood – my musical. Not just the UK, but we plan to tour with the musical to other places as well, like Germany, where we are planning 60 performances. It is the story of a girl who gives the world a taste of India through her Bollywood songs and dances,” gushes Shilpa, quick to dispel any rumours that Miss Bollywood is based on her life. Where there’s Shilpa, there’s bound to be speculation on a whole number of things – right from what she’s doing next, to whom she’s seeing. What’s her take on this? “I feel that people should stop thinking for me and let me do that on my own,” she replies. “Shilpa should do this, Shilpa should do that. Shilpa should try for the new Bond movie. Enough! I am quite capable of doing what’s best for me on my own.” Letting us in on the latest development in her life – a British movie that she will soon start – Shilpa makes no bones about the fact that Bollywood is the place where she belongs. “I am and will always be very much a part of the industry. But I will also see to it that I do films that do justice to me and my image,” Shilpa says pointedly. A signature perfume, a musical and an international film… what’s next? “Hopefully a lot more!” laughs our very own ‘Dr Do-alot’.

A lot of newsprint (and cyberspace) has been allotted to the Priyanka-Salman fight. While Priyanka is supposed to have had a misunderstanding with Salman Khan on the sets of Salaam-e-Ishq, there was another story about the actor having a showdown with the Khan on the sets of a film to be directed by debutant director Prem Soni. However, Priyanka claims that such rumours are baseless. In fact, she’s doing her third film God Tussi Great Ho with the Khan, and she claims the truth is apparent. “I am very fond of Salman,” says Priyanka. “I have worked with him since I was very new to the industry and I owe him a lot. I respect him a lot so I don’t have any adverse feelings towards him.”

With the actor being busy with a number of assignments, does she find time for herself, we enquire? “Of course I get time to relax. Everybody gets time to relax, and those who say they don’t are lying,” she laughs. “Seriously, of course, some people work 20 hours a day, and I know a lot of those. In fact, I used to be one of those, but I’ve slowed down a little bit. But relaxing is something that is very mental – it’s all in the mind. You could be physically sitting in a room thinking you’re relaxing, but if you’re constantly thinking, then such relaxation is meaningless.” What does she do when she wants to relax? “A very therapeutic way of relaxing for me is listening to music or watching a good film or reading a great script,” she reveals.

And what about singing? We hear she’s got a fabulous voice. In fact, we have heard that she plans to release an album of her own? “No, I have never sung in any of my films, and there are no plans so far for an album. But yes, I want to do something like that in the future, not right though. I am not ready yet.”

Does she do riyaaz everyday? “That is something I want to do before I sing,” she admits. Now with Priyanka thinking on those lines, don’t be surprised if a film-maker convinces her to do a ‘Kya Bolta Tu’ any day now!

Bollywood hottie Katrina Kaif is easily one of the most envied women in Bollywood today. And it has as much to do with her pretty face and the plum projects she has in her kitty, as her closeness to Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan. But what really has the pretty actor charged up is the tremendous response she’s garnering at the box-office. Katrina has been appreciated for her heroine-centric role in Namastey London and is now basking in the accolades pouring in for her role in Apne. “That should keep the detractors shut for good,” she laughs. And while she’s forthcoming about her professional life, she has a stoic stand on her personal life. And Salman’s one topic that’s off her chat radar, for unlike many actors of her ilk, she guards her personal life fiercely. “My relationship with Salman is too personal to talk about,” she states firmly. “I take my work like any other regular job and what I do in my personal life is no one’s business. I’d rather let my work do all the talking,” she says rather matter-of-factly. And that it certainly is. With big-budget films like Main Yuvraj, Race, Welcome and Partner to look forward to, she’s certainly on a professional high.

But wasn’t she worried about being overshadowed by the Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby) in Apne? “Not at all. We have to accept that Bollywood is a hero-centric industry and roles like the one in Namastey London are a rarity here. But I loved the experience of working with the Deols. They are such warm people. Perfect gentlemen to the core!” she exclaims. Katrina’s equally excited about dubbing for her own voice in the film. “It feels so much real that way,” she says. Having faced flak for her accent early on, Katrina reveals that she takes it as “constructive criticism”. “I’m working on my Hindi. After all, no one’s perfect here and there’s always room for improvement,” she says.

And while she’s quite open about admitting her shortcomings, she’s equally defensive when it comes to facing the barrage of accusations being hurled at her, including the ones that accuse her of using Salman’s clout to better professional prospects. Questions she, “What connection does Vipul Shah (director Namastey London) have with Salman? Or what connection do the Deols have with Salman? None at all. We are talking about big money here and no one in the industry would take you in a project, if you have no merit to back it up,” she avers.

And wasn’t she disturbed with rumours linking her to co-star Akshay Kumar, thanks to the crackling chemistry the two share on screen. “I think this is the work of idle minds who are really not happy with their own lives and have enough time on their hand to speculate about others”

A successful model caught in the big, bad world of Bollywood? “Nope, that Bollywood’s definitely not!” she laughs, “though there may be a few people who certainly are.” On a serious note she adds, “I am lucky to have been able to work with good directors and brilliant co-stars.” A selfadmitted introvert by nature, she says that she’d love to spend her life with close ones and not be seen by anyone. “But then this is what I am doing for a living and sometimes it’s more interesting to go against the tide.” Talking about her close ones, how important is love in her life? “It’s an absolute necessity, be it of parents, siblings or friends. That love is what sees you through all odds and keeps you going. It’s easy to lose yourself in the showbiz and all the fame, but it’s this love that keeps me firmly rooted and secure.”

And is marriage on the cards? “It will happen some day. But definitely not anytime soon…” she smiles. And the reports of her set for a December wedding… “Are all rumours,” she signs off.

Just because glamorous people smoke cigarettes, doesn’t make smoking glamorous. That’s the constant refrain in Rani Mukherjee‘s household these days.

We’ve heard that mom Krishna Mukherjee has been coaxing daughter Rani to quit smoking.

Although not a regular smoker, the story goes that Rani hankers for cigarettes every morning. Apparently the actress believes a smoke gives the much-needed boost to the bowel movement.

Recently, a hassled Rani was heard telling her fellow colleagues on the sets of Laaga Chunari Mein Daag about her mommy’s constant rants about the unhealthy effects of smoking.

Nevertheless, Rani chooses to ignore mamma’s advice and continues to secretly smoke in the loo. A close friend of the actress says, “Rani needs a smoke every morning. It helps her overcome irregular bowel movements. She did try to give up smoking several times but her efforts only caused her serious indigestion.”

The constant nagging has now led the actress to hide her quota of cigarettes in unsuspecting corners of her room. She is also armed with mouth fresheners and deodorants whenever she grabs a cigarette.

When we tried speaking to Krishna Mukerji about Rani’s habit, she said, “No. Rani doesn’t smoke. Who told you about this?”

Talking about trying to instill all the right habits in her daughter, Krishna has also reprimanded Rani about her eating habits. The daughter-mother duo has had frequent fights over ‘rice plates’ too in the past. If Rani had her way, she would wolf down heaps of rice for every meal. But mommy Krishna fears that the flab which comes along with rice will make Rani lose out on the plum film offers… She’s right, of course.

Yes, folks. Even the much-complimented Celina Jaitley can blush beetroot red at a fresh compliment. As the rest of her cast and crew discovered when she was shooting in New Zealand recently. “A foreigner saw her at a night club where the entire crew was present, and he was so besotted with her that he took up a guitar and began singing a song for her in front of everybody. Celina was blushing beetroot red, especially since her mom was also present. When the actress didn’t respond, the man actually penned an impromptu poem and sent it to her. When a little later one of the unit people went up to him and told him she was an actress from India, and that she didn’t want to be disturbed, he apologized saying, “With such beauty, you couldn’t be anybody else.” As for Celina, she’s spending one more month in New Zealand for the shoot – and, of course, enjoying all the attention from her admirers.

There’s a new Salman Khan in town. A more atpeace avatar of the bad boy of Bollywood. At 42, and with rumours of marriage fast threatening to erode his eligible bachelor image, he is still ruggedly handsome. Perhaps even more than before, despite (or is it because of) the silver earrings on both ears now. If anything, age has only given him a softer, more mellow look.

“I am fortunate,” Salman said, shrugging off all praises about the way he looks. “I have done nothing in this regard. In fact, I have done things that have damaged the way I look and feel.” Like the earrings? Salman gives his famous scowl, ” Arre, I am a Pathan, and I have to look like one. My grandfather, father and uncles wear earrings. I had my ears pierced when I was baby.”

He is truly back in the saddle these days, and in action -doing art exhibitions, attending film premieres, going for parties. His Hollywood debut Marigold is ready for release, finally. “Hollywood movies function differently,” he said irritably when questioned about the delay. ” Aise nahin ki print bann rahe hai aur aap date set kar rahe ho. It takes about eight months of post production work, then another six-seven months to plan and work on the marketing strategy and all that. So by their standards, it’s not a delay. That’s the way they work.” He is open to more Hollywood offers, provided they don’t make him look like an idiot! “I have a certain sense of contentment today,” he explained mysteriously.

And his new film with Govinda is releasing this Friday too. Salman’s face lights up when he talks about the maverick actor-politician who is making a comeback to Bollywood with this film. “I never wanted to work with Govinda simply because he destroys you on screen. Look at the past comedies. Except for Sanjay Dutt, he has wiped out every actor he has worked with, including Amitji in Bade Miyaan, Chote Miyaan,” Salman said. “But Govinda is a secure actor, by far the best we have, he excels in every department. To be on par with him, a co-star has to constantly work on himself, like I did.”

If Govinda inspired Salman to go in for comedy, he is also inspired by the legendary macho star from the South, the evergreen Rajnikanth. Salman claims to be inspired by Rajnikanth’s philantrophy. “I want to do what he is doing. Whatever he earns, he is giving back to the people,” said Salman. Thus inspired, he intends to raise funds for his Salman Khan Foundation that goes to support a number of charitable causes through his own efforts because he dislikes depending on others for money. “Through my movies, my shows, my paintings, it’s basically going to be through my money. If anybody volunteers, I will accept donations, but I certainly am not going looking out for funds,” he said with conviction. He talked about marriage. Or, rather, the rumours of him getting married on his birthday around Christmas, this year. “The day I get married, or decide to, I will let the world know,” he said in exasperation. “Of course, I intend to get married, but it will happen only when it’s destined to. And I will celebrate the occasion with my friends, family and well-wishers. I won’t hide my marriage because I need people’s blessings and good wishes always.”