Those Bollywood aspirants who turn dreamy-eyed at the sight of actors giving away autographs to their fans or mouthing flamboyant award acceptance speeches, here’s an eye opener.Beneath the gloss and glam of the profession lies the brutal reality of long and gruelling shooting schedules at most odd hours.Ask Katrina Kaif, who hasn’t exactly been in the pink of her health lately. She’s in Spain shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s film Zindagi...

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Oscar-winning film technician Resul Pookutty Wednesday said he has no plans of directing a film."I have no plans to direct a Malayalam film. I will continue to do the job I know the best and there will be no change in my profession," Pookutty told reporters here.Pookutty along with Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for "Slumdog Millionaire" last year.This year he has been invited to be on the...

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Indian cricketers Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan are set to make a cameo appearance on the small screen with SAB TV's comedy show "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah".The show has the Gokuldham Premier League (GPL) - a cricket tournament - and the cricketers will be joining the cast for one episode each.They will cheer the two teams of GPL. While Patel will be seen Thursday, Pathan will make an appearance on the episode to be aired...

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Salman Khan gave 'Raavan' a miss, even as the crew members of his film 'Ready' in Sri Lanka took off to see the latest Mani Ratnam movie.Salman was also asked to accompany the excited group of actors and technicians."Initially, Salman did show interest in the film. But when it was time to accompany the rest of the unit, Salman opted out because of the controversial nature of the subject and also the fact that he has earned the...

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Students from Edinburgh Napier University's Screen Academy in Scotland are currently working with an Indian film crew for the shooting of "Mausam", which stars actor Shahid Kapoor and is directed by his father, Pankaj Kapoor.The shooting of the movie, in which Pankaj Kapoor debuts as director, was delayed for over a month in May because of the ash clouds following a volcanic eruption in Iceland.The Edinburgh City Chambers threw...

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Now that the newbies are going topless in Hindi films, the talk of bikini isn’t as stimulating as it used to be. But wait till you catch a glimpse of Mugdha Godse in a white two-piece from her coming movie Help.Ever since Hollywood actress Bo Derek emerged out of the sea in a superhot bikini in the 1979 movie ‘10’, the scene has been repeated ad nauseam in Bollywood films. Now, watch Mugdha do the same in Help, which, by the way,...

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Despite two box office turkeys on a trot, Imran Khan continues to be a heartthrob among his female fans. This was more than evident at a nightclub in Dubai where Imran visited to promote his upcoming movie I Hate Luv Storys during the weekend.After stepping out of the club, the actor was shaking hands with his fans. That’s when a crazed female fan shook his hand, but wouldn’t let go of it. Initially, Imran did not mind. But she...

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Hi da hi my hot dimsums! How goes it in your duniya? It's going easy in mine, thanks to the bheegi bheegi rut, courtesy the baraste baadal. So here I am, chilling in my penthouse while the rest of the city goes through its daily hustle and bustle, ready to serve you some of the chatpati news from tinsel town. Here you go...For starters, I've some really interesting dope on Kareena Kapoor. The lissome lass who made headlines with...

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Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has got a new role to play -- he will represent Canada tourism in India and is quite happy to do so."Feeling extremely privileged by the honour bestowed upon me by the Canada Tourism Commission to represent Canada tourism in India. I feel a strong connection to this great country and its extremely warm people. It's truly a memorable moment for me," Akshay posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.In May...

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What’s brewing between Karan Johar and Vidya Balan? The latest is that the two have struck a new friendship after meeting and interacting at a recent function.Vidya was spotted sitting next to Karan there. Recently, Vidya was seen at Karan’s office in Khar, which is incidentally diagonally opposite to her new house. She was living in Chembur earlier.A couple of days ago, she even went to Karan’s house at Union Park for dinner...

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Amitabh Bachchan is off to Ooty to shoot for his Malayalam project and says he gave his nod for the film only because of his admiration for southern superstar Mohanlal."My admiration for Mohanlal could never have made me refuse this offer and so I do it for him," Amitabh posted on his blog. "I have admired him and his work through many years of my existence in this pro fession. He has a unique body and face language.You get the...

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Genelia D’Souza has been crowned as the Brand Ambassador of the Year by CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards. Last year Shah Rukh Khan had won the title.The actress currently endorses nine brands including Cadbury’s Perk, Fanta, Spinz, Dabur Vatika, LG Cookie, Virgin, Margo, Garnier and Fasttrack."It is an honour that CNBC AWAAZ and the Indian consumers have chosen to bestow this award on me and I couldn’t be happier. Stalwarts like Shah...

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Since she is the current reigning Bollywood princess, everyone has only nice things to say about her. But this little story is still worth telling.Apparently, Kat who travelled to some small time village a couple of months ago for her charity work surprised the locals when she was most non-fussy about the toilet she used.It seems the locals were embarrassed with their modest facilities and thought that a superstar like Kat would...

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Bipasha Basu is out to shock and stun! The bong bombshell, who was recently in news for her topless advertisement that was shot way back when she was an anonymous model, is now set to perform an explicit lovemaking scene.And it’s all for her upcoming film ‘Dum Maro Dum’. The sassy diva has done a hot sex scene with Hyderabad sensation Rana Daggubati for Rohan Sippy’s film.With the glitzy Goa drug scene serving as the film’s background,...

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Veteran singer Asha Bhosle has revealed that she was once offered to play the role of Indira Gandhi, the 'iron lady’ of Indian politics, in a musical in Britain."Years ago I was asked to play Indira Gandhi in a UK musical play.Condition: I had to live in London. I refused," she posted on her microblogging site Twitt...

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Indian cinema's evergreen star Dev Anand has been invited by the BBC Asian Network for an interview July 7.Known Indian-born compere Sonia Deol will conduct the interview at London's Radio Theatre.In his career spanning more than six deacades, the 84-year-old thespian delivered hits like "Ziddi", "Taxi Driver", "Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai", "Tere Ghar Ke Samne", "Guide", "Johnny Mera Naam", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Jewel Thief".Dev...

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Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar's looking different these days. The stylish new hair do that he sported in the stands during the Wimbledon match between Serena Williams and Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday is getting thumbs up from the hairstyle experts, though they make it clear that his crop of wavy, thick hair is thanks to some cool styling and not hair weaving or transplant."It's a textured cut where lots of wax...

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Three of England's top cricket grounds have opened their doors to Bollywood for the first time. The Oval and Lord's in London and Trent Bridge in Nottingham will be the locations for Akshay Kumar's Patiala House. The film will release post Diwali, alongside Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.The movie is set entirely in London and revolves around a cross-generation conflict within an immigrant Punjabi family that lives in Patiala...

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It was a chance remark by a Kashmiri student describing Kashmir as a "beautiful prison" that set filmmaker Rahul Dholakia thinking, and led to the making of his ’Lamhaa’. The film, releasing July 16, is facing censor trouble over certain dialogues.Dholakia, who won the National Award for his ’Parzania’ (2005), says he took the decision to make ’Lamhaa’ after meeting a few Kashmiri students."The reason why I decided to make a film...

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Aishwarya Rai seems to have gone into depression especially after the disastrous response to her film Raavan. Aishwarya who acted in both — the Hindi and Tamil versions of the Mani Ratnam film — seems to have taken the failure of Raavan very badly and is reportedly depressed after the initial negative response of the film came in.Our source said, “Aishwarya Rai was extremely excited working on the film.However, after the initial...

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has purchased a plot of agricultural land in Kakori area on the outskirts of Lucknow, an official confirmed Sunday.While the deal was kept under wraps and Amitabh Bachchan got the transaction carried out through a power of attorney, the seller of the land spilled the beans to a TV channel Sunday."Amitabh Bachchan has purchased 2.4 hectares of land in Muzaffarnagar village of Kakori; while part of the...

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Bollywood stars tweeted praise as Saina Nehwal completed a stupendous hat-trick of badminton titles and made the world take notice of her.Jubiliant at Saina's exploits at the Indonesian Open Super Series, the Bollywood brigade took to microblogging site Twitter to shower praise on the 20-year-old sports sensation.Anupam Kher congratulated Saina by writing: "Saina is the most focused sports person in the country today. And it shows....

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Two unreleased songs sung by legendary singer Mohammad Rafi have been lying in a vault in Meerut for the past 40 years. The songs are in possession of octogenarian Ved Prakash Sharma. "I've kept these songs close to my heart for 40 years," says Sharma, the lyricist who penned the songs for the 1970 film Pyaar Ek Ret Ki Deewaar, which wasn't completed.The film was Sharma's own production and was being directed by Raj Jalandhri....

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The fact that Shah Rukh Khan feels he is capable of doing absolutely anything in order to rediscover himself is what makes him different than his contemporaries.The actor has no boundaries and never feels he is confined to doing a particular thing in order to please his fans. After being able to get six packs in Om Shanti Om at the age of 45, SRK will now be entering pop star Shakira’s territory!We don’t mean the superstar is...

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There’s something quite English about the Junior Nawab of Pataudi Saif Ali Khan. Not only did he study at Oxford, he has always had a weakness for everything British. Now, it seems, the British are reciprocating. Jon Harris director of the film The Descent 2 and renowned editor of half a dozen films like The Pond, Eden Lake, Stardust, Snatch, Kick-Ass and soon to be release X-Men: First Class has a unique relationship with Bollywood.Jon...

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Bollywood and cricket link-ups blossom into raging love affairs often. Are MS Dhoni and Asin headed the same way?Mumbai Mirror carried a story (Indoor Cricket) that India’s cricket captain MS Dhoni visited Asin’s house at Lokhandwala to watch the semi-final match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Dhoni had reached Asin’s house in the evening just before the first ball was played and had stayed there...

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She’s a Black Belt 2nd Dan. She loves to cook veggies and chicken. She’s a basketball player, but only plays with men! She’s into kathak, but loves to move like Shakira and JLo. She rides motorbikes, though she banged the last one!She sings quite well and plays the harmonium. Now, she’s learning to play the flute, as well as the tanpura. She’s perhaps the only Bollywood actress hailing from Bihar. If you are thinking she’s a multi-faceted...

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Okay, so we are jumping our gun! But it is not without good reason. Bollywood’s now become an over-used cemetery with umpteen films being buried Friday after Friday. And since the inhabitants of this ghost town (the filmmakers) refuse to face reality, the point has to be driven home hard.“If Bollywood lost Rs.200 crore on the 70 odd releases in the first quarter, then it is set to lose at least Rs.250 crore in the second quarter,’’...

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When Amitabh Bachchan cribbed about the poor editing of Mani Ratnam’s movie Raavan on his blog, it certainly did no good to the movie which was already getting a severe beating from the critics.Cinematographer Santosh Sivan and actor Vikram had quickly jumped to Ratnam’s defence by saying it’s a director’s prerogative to decide how the characters should be depicted. Mani Ratnam had kept quiet till now, but now he’s learnt to have...

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Actor John Abraham, a football lover, admits that he wants to make a film on every conceivable sport in the world."I've worked on a football movie, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007), which didn't get the response it deserved, probably because we set it in Southall and not in India. But, I completely relish the idea of exploring victory, angst, jealousy and loss on a sports field. I want to show that these words have different connotations...

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Good morning my lazy couch potatoes! What's hot 'n' happening in your little worlds? Mine is shining rather bright because my dearest sakhi is back from her umpteenth pilgrimage trip this year. Actually I'm happy that she's made these trips on all our behalves.You savour gossip and I dish it out to you, so guess we need someone pious on our side! Anyway, bahut hua! Before I buzz off to catch another 40 winks, let me fill you in...

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The fashionable couple, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may not have been successful in winning the audience's heart with their latest movie, but when it comes to style, the two always manage to make a statement.And finally, this 'it' couple of Bollywood will be seen on the cover of the July issue of Vogue.Needles to say that they are looking a million bucks!As is seen on the cover, Abhi has donned jackets teamed...

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Katrina Kaif, who is shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara in Spain, recently sprained her neck while in the gym.The actress is now unable to turn her neck to the right or left and can now only look straight. The injury has raised concerns in the unit as to whether Katrina will be able to perform the stunts required for the film.Kat is expected to perform risky stunts in the outdoors for the film. However, Kat is...

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Everyone has heard of Celina Jaitely, the hot bombshell of Bollywood. She is the one of the B-town style icons because of her vivacious hair and captivating eyes.Till date, she has not given any blockbuster hit, but she is a popular actress. This appealing celeb is admired among girls, who follow her mainly to know the secrets of her beautiful, flowing tresses. Celina reveals some tips for this monsoon season.Hair: Oil your hair...

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Bollywood's singing legend Lata Mangeshkar has expressed her regrets over not being able to meet late King of Pop Michael Jackson.Remembering the "Thriller" hitmaker on his first death anniversary Friday, Lata wrote on her Twitter page:"My humble tribute to one of the greatest pop artists ever, Michael Jackson...may his soul rest in peace... I never got opportunity to meet him... I'll always have this regret in my heart..."Jackson...

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Akshay Kumar is the host for a prestigious event at the Presidential House in Toronto, Canada, on June 27.The Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will be present at the gala. The summit offers several opportunities to improve bilateral ties.The Bollywood star has been officially invited by the Canadian Prime Minister and will be the guest of honour at the eve...

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Vivek Oberoi has just wrapped up a hectic schedule of Ram Gopal Varma's Hindi-Telugu bilingual, Rakta Charitra. And he is preparing to fly down to his school in Vrindavan that not only educates 1,500 girls from families below the poverty line, but even offers them free meals."We have also set up filteration plants in the villages so these children don't have to walk miles for a pot of undrinkable water," informs the actor, who...

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Ever since Sachin Tendulkar added a new feather to his illustrious cap - that of being conferred the honourary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, congratulations from the celebrity brigade haven't stopped pouring in.Congrats"Sachin is the greatest role model. Who could have been a better choice?" said cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu. "He deserves every bit of this honour," said anchor Mandira Bedi.On...

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Sanjay Dutt is the happiest man today. As he is going to be a father again, he has flooded wife Manyata Dutt with diamonds.Ever since they were married, he gifted her something or the other but now as Manna is going to give him the biggest happiness, he has gifted Manna with the biggest solitaire earrings.Manyata is going to make him father for the second time and Sanjay who was ardently expecting the good news from Manyata could...

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According to the buzz in the industry, Mallika Sherawat asked a jewellery brand for Rs 10 crore, when the officials approached her to sign up as their brand ambassador.Mallika apparently believes that she has made a mark internationally over the past two years, having spent a lot of time in the US.The brand she endorses will benefit from that and so Mallika believes she is right in asking for a sum that will catapult her to the...

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As a power couple, John Abraham and Bipasha Basu draw the line at health and fitness products and services endorsements.Proof of that recently came when they turned down an offer to promote an Indian herbal aphrodisiac despite being offered crores.A source confirms, "They were approached to endorse the product but refused. Though the concoction consists high quality extracts from some of the world's most exotic herbs, it's a potent...

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Salman Khan is learning editing skills, for the temperamental actor wants to take no chances with his home production ‘Dabangg’.News has it that Salman spent quality time on cutting table before flying off to Sri Lanka, where he will be shooting for Anees Bazmee’s ‘Ready’. However, before leaving for Bazmee’s flick, Salman spent great time in editing ‘Dabangg’. It is believed that Salman wanted to edit his last release ‘Veer’,...

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News about a diving champion who claimed to have performed Abhishek Bachchan's death-defying stunt in Raavan, has gone silent all of a sudden. The diver, MS Balram, in an interviwe, said that the much talked about stunt, where Abhishek was seen diving off an 80-ft high cliff, was actually done by him.Balram says, "I was a part of a team of professional divers hired by the crew of Raavan. I'm not saying a word about Abhishek."This...

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Citing the growing Maoist violence in some states of India as the reason, authorities in New Delhi have refused to allow public screenings of a documentary on Nepal that depicts the Maoist insurgency in this country in a series of uprisings against dictatorship, finally ending in the abolition of monarchy.New Delhi's Central Board of Film Certification, whose approval is mandatory to screen films in India, has denied permission...

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Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for the most challenging driving lesson of his life. He will be taught how to drive one of the world’s fastest production cars, the Volkswagen Bugatti, for his forthcoming film Ra.One.Yes, knowing how to drive isn’t enough; you need special lessons for driving this mean machine. And knowing that SRK is a perfectionist, the teaching session is sure to last a while. The title of the film Ra.One, which...

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Monica Bedi the Bollywood actress who was later charged and arrested for being an alleged associate of gangster Abu Salem, was shooting for reality TV series Desi Girl in a village. Monica Bedi has caused a rift between the villagers of Sialba Majri and its panchayat.In Sunday's episode, the villagers revolted against their panchaya-decision to keep Monica in the reality show though fellow-contestants had voted against her.This...

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While the Bachchans are spending quality time as a family in London, my khabru from their current neighbourhood informs that they can't get over a cheeky journalist's questions at the Raavan red carpet premiere.My khabru says that the lady asked Aishwarya Rai Bachchan about her director, Mani Ratnam, and she replied, "He's my guru." The lady retorted, "I thought Abhishek was your guru?"I'm told, even before Ash could think of...

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It's official. Amitabh Bachchan is back on Kaun Banega Crorepati that will soon start airing on Sony. But who will fill in for him on Bigg Boss 4 that starts in the last quarter of this year, on Colors? Bachchan was the pop philosopher on the show last season.The buzz was that it could be Shah Rukh Khan. But according to a well-placed industry source, SRK "has a contract with Star Plus that forbids him from taking on a show on...

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