Oscar-nominated short film to catch the eye of Bollywood filmmaker

He is no `slumdog-turned- millionaire` but Mumbai boy Sagar Salunke, who plays the lead role in Oscar-nominated short film ‘Kavi’, has managed to catch the eye of Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

"I met Anurag Kashyap and he said he liked me in `Kavi` and will cast me in his next film," Sagar, who is all set to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards night on
March 7, told reporters.

Kashyap said he will be taking Sagar in his next project, praising his performance in ‘Kavi’.

"Yes, I will be casting Sagar in my next movie. `Kavi` is an important and a moving film on the subject of child bonded labour," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Sagar plays the lead in debutante American director Gregg Helvey`s fictional Hindi film which has been nominated in the Best Live Action Short Film category at this year`s Oscars.

The 19-minute-long film, made as part of Helvey`s diploma project, is about a boy who wants to escape from a brick kiln where he is forced to work as a `modern-day slave`. He yearns to play cricket and go to school like a normal kid.

Sagar`s life is not much different from the one depicted in the film. He comes from a slum in Jogeshwari and is the youngest child in the family of six. But unlike his character, Sagar studies in the class IX and dreams of ecoming like Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan.

He is looking forward to attend Oscar red carpet and hopes to return home with the golden statuette and meet President Pratibha Patil.

"I have already got warm clothes because it will be cold there but I will do my shopping there only. Someone has sponsored the trip for me," Sagar said.

"(If I win) I will first bring the Oscar to India, I will come straight here. I want to meet our President after I return with the award," he hoped.

The film was shot on a shoe-string budget with senior technicians like Berry John chipping in for free.

"We have put our heart and soul in this movie. We had no money when we started but we have come this far and hopefully will be able to highlight the issue further. We never expected Oscar nomination but are very happy," said producer Harish Amin.

He said he got a very positive response from the government and hopes that the film will make a positive difference in Sagar`s life.

"He comes from a very modest background and we are trying our best to get him education. There are only two people allowed at the Oscars but we wrote to the Academy because we want to give Sagar the exposure. Miracles do happen. His passport was ready within three weeks. But it is a long way," said producer Guneet Monga.

She said Oscar-winning films like "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Smile Pinki" made their task easy.

"They created a positive atmosphere for us and helped us tremendously. It is awesome the way world is looking at Indian film industry. It is very encouraging," she said.

Sajid Nadiawala is all set to entertain the masses with Housefull

After the success of laughter riot ‘Heyy Babyy’, filmmaker Sajid Nadiawala is all set to entertain the masses with his upcoming release ‘Housefull.’ A big-budget multi-starrer flick that boasts of a melange of Bollywood A-list actors like Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal, ‘Housefull’ promises to be high on glam factor.

Talking to a news daily on the hype surrounding ‘Housefull’, an elated Sajid Nadiawala said, “I’m happy that people have such high expectations from my movie. I can boast that we have made a very good product which the audiences will definitely love. We have the right cast, right script and right director and partner (presented by Eros International) and I don’t see any reason why it should not open to houseful audiences.”

“I love making grand films. I grew up on cinema with a big canvas and we have a heritage of making films for over 54 years now. We don’t cheat audiences by giving them bad content. We have the ‘Heyy Babyy’ team reuniting for the movie and we have the three lovely ladies with Arjun being the cherry on top,” added Nadiawala.

‘Housefull’ is supported by Sunil A Lulla and Kishor Lulla’s Eros International. “I hope audiences enjoy the first look, which is just a glimpse of the full on entertainment that is to follow. After the super success of Heyy Babyy, Eros is excited to join hands with Sajid Nadiadwala and Sajid Khan once again and hope to recreate the magic with this one,” Eros International’s Sunil Lulla said.

‘Housefull’ releases on April 30 and its promos are already making waves in the industry.

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The Bachchan family is going to give Holi celebrations a miss this year

The Bachchan family is going to give Holi celebrations a miss this year too, due to the death of a close relative of family friend Amar Singh and the recent Pune blast, which killed 17 people.

"We do not celebrate again this year. Primarily because of the death of a close relative of our family friend Amar Singhji, but also we do not feel comfortable in celebrating when our own have lost lives in the Pune blast recently," megastar Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com Saturday night, from his Prateeksha residence.

The first family of Bollywood also skipped the festival celebrations last year as a mark of respect to the 26/11 terror attack victims and did not celebrate the same in 2008 due to Amitabh`s mother Teji Bachchan`s death.

The 67-year-old actor, however, did greet his fans for the festival.

"My wishes and those of my family remain, however, with those that do bring in this festival, a festival that fills us with the joy of achievement and change and produce," Big B wrote.

"Happy Holi! And may the colours bright and beautiful ever remain with you in celebration. May it bring peace and calm and may it become the turning point for good tidings," he added.

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Siza Matters? Padding or No Padding

Though Sridevi is looking top heavy with some sort of obvious padding, she seems to be giving an obvious size to the flat chest Diya Mirza that size matters

Hot Shruti Hassan At Filmfare Awards

Check out Shruti Hassan looking hot in this dress. Well, some women have all the LUCK.

Nandita Das Saree Look

Check out Nandita Das looking beautiful in a simple saree. Defintely a cut above the rest.

Sunidhi Chouhan Looking Hot in Filmfare Awards Nite

Sunidhi Chouhan looks beautiful in this dress. This hottie Sunidhi may be a singer but she can give most actresses a run for their money

Minissha Lamba vs Sherlyn Chopra,Who is Hotter?

Whom do you think is hotter, Minissha Lamba or Sherlyn Chopra. Do let us know. Sherlyn Chopra has been doing bold movies for quite some time but Minissha Lamba done skimpy outfits and two piece bikini for Kidnap, but that dint quite work. So who is hotter, Minissha Lamba or Sherlyn Chopra?

Payal Rohatgi looking Hot At Filmfare Awards

Check out Payal Rohatgi looking voluptuous and hot in the silky dress. Amazing. Tauba Tauba, she is hot boss

Hot Amrita Rao Pregnant Look at Filmfare Awards

i
No, Amrita Rao is not pregnant, but she is definitely looking that way because of the way her dress has ballooned. Amrita Rao looking smashing hot at Filmfare Awards.

Elizabeth Hurley No Blouse See Through Saree

Elizabeth Hurley, British Actress left nothing to imagination as she went without blouse, clad in a saree attending the Love Ball at The Roundhouse yesterday in London, England with her husband.

Elizabeth Hurley's breast looked high and proud as it was visible to the trigger and happy photographers. The fact that she didnt wear a blouse but she did wear a saree. We know no one cared about the saree. For some reason, Elizabeth did feel that she has gone far with her exposure and beat a retreat with some file on her ample bosom. Elizabeth is 45 years old and mother of one kid. Well, shocking exposure in saree is something that Nauheed Cyrusi has done when she had attended a celebrity wedding. Check out Nauheed Cyrusi wearing blouse without anything inside.

Shriya Saran Drunk At Party, Reema Sen Drunk

Check out Shriya Saran getting high on booze, having a great time at the party. Shriya Saran is having a great time with friends.Though she may deny that she had too much (who agrees), one thing is sure...Shriya Saran has definitely gone to the loo more than often that day. Check out Illeana drinking beer

Sophie Chaudhary Partying with Vijay Mallya

Sophie Chaudhary is having fun with the king of good times. Keep flirting babe and have fun. Check out Shilpa Shetty being charmed by Vijay Mallya

New Improved Deepika Padukone

Must say Deepika Padukone looks really sweet and cute in Karthik Calling Karthik. Plus, she has acted well in the film. Atta girl..and yes, Deepika Padukone's legs are killer!

Shilpa Shetty Blushing, What did Vijay Mallya Do To Her?

Shilpa Shetty is blushing. What did Vijay Mallya do to her? Never mind, we dont wanna know. In any case, it is an old picture

Kareena Kapoor Gorgeous and Sexy

As Kareena Kapoor grows mature, she is looking hotter and sexier than ever before. Check out Kareena Kapoor looking like an amazing diva.

Kareena Kapoor Tohfa Kabool Karo

Kareena Kapoor looks great as ever. Well guess what she is saying "Jahapannah tussi great ho, tohfa kabool karo"

Kaveri Jha Butt Obvious

Kaveri Jha's butt is so well toned and firm. Check out how the sassy hot Kaveri Jha swings her hips and makes that posterior move so enticingly

Kaveri Jha Hot Hips

Check out the hot full hips of Kaveri Jha. Kaveri Jha's hips are well rounded and full

Konkona Sen restricting herself to the bigger banners

With the kind of success she is enjoying, any other actor in her place would have signed films in dozens by now but not Konkona who continues to go by her instincts. Continuing to mix various genres of cinema without restricting herself to the bigger banners and known names, Konkona is content with the choices that she is making.

While ATITHI TUM KAB JAOGE? is a comedy on surface, at the core of it the film appears to be boasting of a realistic setting, what with Konkona and Ajay playing a married couple and Paresh Rawal being an unwelcome guest. Due to the realism factor involved, one tends to believe that Konkona must have felt like being in a comfortable zone. After all the talented actress has always reveled when it comes to being natural in her act.

"Why just this film", questions back Konkona, "I am sure most of the films that I have done before have boasted of a realistic setting. So there wasn’t a question of a ’comfort zone’ or anything."

How about the familiarity factor? With Ajay Devgn, she is working once again after OMKARA. Her old association must have come in handy, isn’t it?

"Yes, I knew him a little bit from the OMKARA days, but then I didn’t have many scenes with him", says Konkona, "Instead I had more scenes with Kareena and Saif. I worked more closely with Ajay this time around and it was reaffirmed once again that he is not really that serious and intense that he is made out to be. Instead he is so easy to work with since he is really relaxed and chilled out. I saw a really nice side of him."

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Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan returns leg-pulling hosts at Filmfare

Last to last year, when Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan took the stage to host the Filmfare Awards dressed in mere towels on their torsos and face-packs on their mugs, they pulled up everyone from their peers, colleagues and even critics.

The swashbuckling duo returns this month as the leg-pulling hosts once again for the 55th Filmfare Awards, slated for February 27, at the Yash Raj Studios in Andheri.

We hear that this time also SRK-Saif are going to take funny potshots and jabs at many a film celeb. Will they also give out the Na-real awards, a la the Razzies, this year?

A source says SRK and Saif are coming up with an entirely fresh skit this year. Expect the unexpected.

Well, we don’t mind as long as they stay within their clothes.

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Kareena wants to be the best bride

Kareena Kapoor has lots of great plans for her wedding, she wants a grand wedding and surely wants to look the best ever on her wedding day. But right now marriage is not on her agenda.

Talking about recent rumors about her secret Nikaah with Saif, she says, “We have been together for two-and-half years now. We are very happy. Marriage will happen, but it hasn’t happened. At some point, we are going to settle down but we don’t know when. And catch me doing anything secretly! Anything about my life has been so much in the open. Why would I break my record and go have a hush-hush wedding? I am the last unmarried Kapoor girl in the family and I want a grand wedding… I want to be a beautiful bride but right now, I am too busy being a bride on the big screen.”

When she was reminded that Saif is actually ready to get married, but says no because he doesn’t want to destroy her uphill career, she says, “That’s why I love him so much more.”

Farhan sings again

For those who have been missing Farhan's singing since Rock On, here is some news. For his sister Zoya Akhtar's movie Running With The Bulls, Farhan will be singing once again.

The movie also stars Hrithik Roshan and Abhay Deol. It is said that Katrina Kaif has been signed for the female lead role. Multi-talent Farhan Akhtar said with excitement, “After a long break from singing, I will take the mic and will be heard singing in Zoya’s next film. We will start shooting very soon for the movie.”

Running with the Bulls will take a while to come into light. However, Farhan can be caught in the upcoming romance-thriller Karthik Calling Karthik which also stars Deepika Padukone. The movie is slated to release on 26th Feb.

Suniel Shetty feels Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to save hockey

Bollywood star Suniel Shetty feels Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should step in to save the sport from the "doldrums".

"Only Rahul Gandhi with his initiative and youth power can rescue hockey from the doldrums. Otherwise the game is doomed," Suniel told reporters.

Suniel intends to request Rahul Gandhi to bring a sense of direction to the game.

The fiasco on Saturday at the sports event hosted in Chandigarh by the AMR Sports Foundation, where the national hockey players apparently asked for Rs.500 million at the eleventh hour to play at the event, has not left Suniel disillusioned or discouraged.

"See, what happened in Chandirgarh was really sad. I don`t know what happened between the event`s organisers and our boys from the national hockey team. If they really asked for the money, then they shouldn`t have.

"But think of it from their point of view. Hockey players in our country are still so underpaid. They`re under so much pressure from their family to give up hockey and do something more paying. How long can our players withstand the financial pressure?"

The sports event at Chandigarh was touted as the ultimate teaser before the World Cup matches, but ended up being a damp squib. Dharmendra and his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, were shooting in Patiala and were expected to attend, cancelled at the last minute.

"It was not Dharamji`s fault at all. He was all set to travel from Patiala to Chandigarh when the organisers informed him not to come because of the chaos that happened over the money the hockey players demanded. I was also told not to come. But I didn`t listen. And I`m glad I went. There were 30,000 expectant people in the stadium at Chandigarh," said Suniel.

He feels every sport in the country barring cricket is in a shoddy condition.

"Look at the way our world-class sport persons like Abhinav Bhindra are treated. It`s a shame. We really need to respect sports and sportsmen other than cricket. We keep forgetting we have a Hockey World Cup coming up. And we cannot allow our hockey players to be demoralised in this way. Like I said, we need Rahul Gandhi to step in," said Suniel.

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Oscar winning editor Hughes Winborne to edit film Teen Patti

First it was Anurag Basu`s ‘Kites’ that had Brett Ratner from Hollywood to put together the material. Now director Leena Yadav has roped in Oscar winning editor Hughes Winborne to edit her film ‘Teen Patti’, which is releasing Friday.

Winborne, who has edited Will Smith starrer ‘In Pursuit Of Happyness’ and ‘Seven Pounds’ and also won an Oscar for his editing in Paul Haggis`s ‘Crash’, has `re-edited` ‘Teen Patti’, which was first edited by Kaushik Das.

"We needed that international sensibility to be placed on the footage. We sent a subtitled print to Hughes. But he soon did away with the subtitles. He got all the Hindi jokes and punchlines," Yadav told reporters.

Why was it felt that a Hollywood editor would be able to give ‘Teen Patti’ the global cut?

"It`s really about getting the rhythm right. The Western audience has a different pace for movie viewing. That pace worked beautifully in my film," said Yadav.

An international editor was not all that ‘Teen Patti’ got from abroad. The film also imported a stunt coordinator. The German stunt director Armin Sauer, who has worked with global biggies like Matt Damon in ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ and Ralph Fiennes in ‘The Constant Gardener’, had been called to supervise the stunts.

Yadav let go of all stops and made sure she pulled the punches as hard as Armin.

"These stunts that Mr. Bachchan has performed are very real, very raw. Not for a second was I allowed to feel like a woman on the sets. Agreed there were a lot of men on the set and two intimidating stalwarts like Mr Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley. But any director regardless of gender would have fely equally intimidated by these two stalwarts."

It`s generally said that female directors have a much tougher time directing a film than their male counterparts. Yadav says she has never had to suffer because of her gender.

"Not once did I feel I was disadvantaged by my gender. On the sets, my authority was never questioned. Whether it was legends like Mr. Bachchan and Sir Ben or the newcomers, they all surrendered to my vision," she said.

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Akshay Kumar aims to excel in his facet as a businessman

Apart from his innings as an entertainer, Akshay Kumar has also carved his niche as a brand ambassador and model. Now, the actor aims to excel in his facet as a businessman too.

Earlier, Hari Om Productions has greenlighted ventures such as ’Waqt’, ’Namastey London’, ’Singh Is Kingg’ and ’De Dana Dhan’. "It was my dad’s biggest dream to start a production house," reveals Kumar in a tabloid chat. "But I do feel bad that I could not start Hari Om Productions when he was alive."

The invaluable lessons he’s picked up as a producer are proving profitable with his future trio of ventures: ’Khatta Meetha’, ’Tees Maar Khan’ and ’Patiala House’.

"I’m a businessman of commercial cinema," avers Akki. "I want all my producers and distributors to earn money."

Although the small screen is lucrative business, Kumar isn’t keen on venturing into TV, although ’Khatron Ke Khiladi’ (Colors) did earn him a fresh horde of fans. "I did the show coz’ it was a ’Fear Factor’ kind of concept," he asserts. "I could never do a quiz show."

On second thoughts, Action Kumar states, "As of now, I’m clear that Hari Om Productions will not get into television. But, you never know! Five years back, I’d said that I would never turn producer. A decade ago, I didn’t want to do ads. Look at me, now!."

Brand Akki speaking….

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TV actor Sunil Grover is all set to play a role similar to ‘Mr.Bean’

Stand-up comedian and TV actor Sunil Grover is all set to play a role similar to ‘Mr.Bean’, the lovable and comical character from the popular British series of the same name, in ‘Gutur Gu’ - a silent comedy show being launched by SAB TV.

The actor, who is better known as Sud of radio show ‘Hansi Ke Phuvare’, will be seen as Balu Kumar, a simple, innocent and super-enthusiastic character who invariably manages to get into misadventures in his everyday life.

Asked about the similarities his character has with ‘Mr.Bean’, Grover told IANS: ‘The thing is that since ‘Mr.Bean’ is also silent comedy, the genre is similar. Plus my look - the unruly tie and short trousers, but this (similarity) could be a coincidence. We never thought about making our character look like ‘Mr.Bean’, but it is a coincidence… there has been no intention for such a thing.’

‘Even if the characters look similar, it’s not bad. It’s not bad because it becomes easier for people to relate to and understand the concept,’ Grover said at the show’s launch here Tuesday.

‘It’s happening in India for the first time and the stories are in a family set-up. The show is for Indian masses, majority of whom may not have had the exposure to ‘Mr.Bean’ or ‘Charlie Chaplin’ and other such English content. Maybe you and I are aware of these shows, but lot of people don’t (know). For them it’s a new thing,’ he added.

Grover has earlier been seen as a host on shows like ‘Kaun Banega Champu’ and ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Fail Champu Hai?’ on channel Filmy. As a stand-up comedian, the first-time actor had a tough time keeping his mouth shut while shooting for the show, but says he managed it fine. For his role, he did look for inspiration from classic silent comedies like ‘Charlie Chaplin’ but says he stopped watching them beyond a point.

‘I did start watching ‘Charlie Chaplin’, ‘Mr.Bean’ and ‘Laurel and Hardy’ before we started. But after watching two or three films, I thought, ‘Let it be now’. The set-up (of ‘Gutur Gu’) is different, the storytelling is different - so rather than concentrating on my own thing, I thought it would be wise to develop a chemistry with the other actors of the show,’ he said.

‘Gutur Gu’ is a weekly show, produced by B.P. Singh of ‘CID’ and ‘Aahat’ fame. It will be on air every Friday starting March 5.

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Ace designer Rohit Bal underwent an emergency angioplasty

Ace designer Rohit Bal, who suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning, underwent an emergency angioplasty late last night after he complained of fresh chest pain.

Reports state that the doctors had to rush the procedure as a major part of Bal’s muscle was left damaged by the cardiac arrest. Talking about Bal’s condition, chairman of interventional cardiology at Medanta Dr Praveen Chandra, who conducted the angioplasty, said, "We realized that if we didn’t conduct the angioplasty immediately, Rohit Bal’s heart would suffer more damage."

As to what caused the heart attack, doctors said that one of Bal’s arteries - the left anterior descending (LAD), was blocked almost 90%. A thrombosuction to clear up the artery was then conducted on Bal following which he was administered a clot dissolving medicine to clear up the remaining partial block. A stent was then put into the artery. LAD supplies blood to the front of the left side of the heart.

Another artery - the right coronary, was also found to be blocked 100%. But doctors left that untouched since they found that the body had already created a bypass channel.

An intra aortic balloon pump has also been put on Bal which will support the fashion designer’s heart in the next 48 hours and help it recover faster. The balloon will increase blood flow to the heart muscle and decrease the heart’s workload through a process called counterpulsation.

"We will have to be watchful over the next 24 hours. He is on the intra aortic balloon pump and blood thinning medication. The attack was very severe," said Dr Chandra added.

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Oscar winner Barrie Osborne will produce Shekhar Kapur’s movie

Oscar winner Barrie Osborne of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame will produce Golden Globe nominated Shekhar Kapur’s directed and written sci-fi ‘Paani’.

Oscar winner A.R. Rahman is providing music for this futuristic film about water wars between rich and poor, which includes a love story also.

Spirituality author Deepak Chopra (Secrets of the Seven Sounds) is another producer while Oscar nominated Jill Bilcock (Moulin Rouge!) is the editor.

Cast of ‘Paani’, scheduled to be released in 2011, includes Filmfare winner Vivek Oberoi (Company).

Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that this increasing collaboration between Bollywood and Hollywood might bring East and West closer.

Cinema was a powerful medium, and if used appropriately, it could bring positive changes in the world, Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.

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I am a very romantic person-Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi has many wishes - he is hoping his forthcoming film `Prince`, which is his first solo hero movie in five years, brings positive changes in his career and he also wants to meet his soulmate soon.

"I am very excited about the film because it has something that I have never done before. I am the solo hero, so it is very important for me. I hope it would give a positive turn to my career," Vivek told reporters after the music launch of "Prince" here Sunday.

Asked if he is seeing someone in real life, he said: "I am a very romantic person. I am waiting and hoping? someday I will also get someone special in my life. You never know someday I may find her in a crowd like this. I hope to find someone simple, someone lovely, someone who steals my heart."

Vivek`s last film as solo hero was 2005 movie "Kisna - The Warrior Poet".

Debutant director Kookie Gulati`s "Prince" is about one of the savviest thieves in the world who commits the biggest heist of his life. Vivek has teamed up with Nandana Sen, Neeru Bajwa and Sanjay Kapoor in the film.

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Sonam Kapoor's Fart Pose

Sonam Kapoor's fart pose, looks like she is going to launch a rocket from underneath. This so funny with actresses going for the fart pose every now and then. Check out other Bollywood actress farting

Salman Khan in the wish list of Deepika Padukone

She began her Bollywood journey with Shah Rukh Khan in `Om Shanti Om` but it is actor Salman Khan, who is on the wish list of Deepika Padukone.

"I am really looking forward to work with Salman," Deepika told reporters.

"In fact we were supposed to be paired up much earlier but then a couple of films didn`t quite work out. That`s sad but I am sure that in near future, we would be paired opposite each other," said the actress, who will next be seen with Farhan Akhtar in `Karthik Calling Karthik`.

The 23-year-old has already worked with hotshots like Akshay Kumar `Chandni Chowk To China` and Saif Ali Khan `Love Aaj Kal` and will next be seen opposite Abhishek Bachchan, Imran Khan and Neil Nitin Mukesh in `Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se`, `Break Ke Baad` and YRF`s untitled film respectively.

Meanwhile, one wonders what happened to a film called `Kick` which was rumoured to be featuring Salman and Deepika together. The remake of the namesake Telugu film, it was supposed to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by AR Murugadoss of `Ghajini` fame.

"It is plain rumour. Reports of me working with Salman in `Kick` are untrue. In fact I haven`t been offered any such film", the actress said.

While Deepika`s track record shows that she has been enjoying a release once every six months ever since the release of `Om Shanti Om`, the frequency is all set to
increase in the coming months.

Soon after `Karthik Calling Karthik` (February), Deepika would be seen in `Housefull` (April). Either `Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se` or her film with Neil Nitin Mukesh would be
her next release thereafter. Incidentally, both the films are being shot at a brisk pace.

With so much work happening and no play, isn`t she worried of burn out? Doesn`t she fear getting all tired and worn out with so much work happening month after month?

"Honestly, I don`t look at working in films as a job. I really enjoy performing and what I do is something that gives me maximum pleasure and satisfaction. I am better off facing the camera", smiles Deepika.

"In any case, I am taken well care of both on and off the sets. I feel comfortable and secure and there are no complaints whatsoever," she said.

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Click is not my comeback in Bollywood-Sneha Ullal

Sneha Ullal was known as the Aishwarya Rai-lookalike when she entered the film world but the actress is now keen to carve a niche for herself. After featuring in spooky thriller "Click", she feels it`s time she proved her calibre to people who misguided her when she first came to Bollywood.

"See `Click` is not my comeback in Bollywood because the film doesn`t revolve around me. I need a film like `Lucky` (her debut vehicle) to make a comeback; then I can show what I can do," Sneha told reporters.

"Now it`s time I prove myself because there are a lot of people who misguided me in Bollywood - whom I trusted. I never knew Bollywood is like that, you know," she said.

The young actress has already signed two Hindi movies, including one opposite Akshay Kumar.

"I am doing a film with Ashok Tyagi where Akshay Kapoor is my co-star and there is another film with Shubir Mukherjee. The film is being launched by Joy Mukherjee`s son Sujoy. One of them is a thriller, the other is a love story and both are expected to release later this year," said Sneha.

Sneha made her debut in 2005 opposite Salman Khan and her second release was "Aryan: Unbreakable" (2006) with Sohail Khan. After that she moved down south and featured in Telugu films like "Nenu Meeku Telusa...?" and "Ullasanga Utsahanga" .

"I have done three films in the south and the fourth is releasing in April. In the south, people are very genuine. They will tell you the right things. I had rejected one film because I was not comfortable kissing on screen.

"Two months later, I got another film and I called the same director, whose film I had rejected, for some guidelines and he guided me properly. It`s unlike Bollywood. Here people will misguide you and take you in the wrong direction. That`s what happened with me," said Sneha.

The 22-year-old feels she owes a lot to southern cinema. "I won`t stop doing films in the south ever. It teaches you how to be an actor...how to be a lady. I don`t know about Bollywood as I haven`t done much work here."

But at the same time she is keen to leave her mark in Bollywood as well and says she will be less choosy about roles than earlier.

"I am going to do any role now that takes me to another level. If my role is good, I don`t mind even if it`s a D-grade film," said Sneha.

"I was choosy, but it didn`t work for me. I need to learn because that`s what an actor is all about. She needs to play different kinds of characters...You can`t stick to one genre."

Asked if she has any regrets about her initial years in Bollywood, Sneha said: "I don`t regret but if I am to re-do, I will re-do now. I don`t regret because `Lucky` gave me name; people know me today because of `Lucky`."

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Salman Khan will host India's largest cycling event

Galloping ’Veer’ is gonna have the ride of his life. On a Hercules bicycle, if you please! Mumbai will host India’s largest cycling event together with ’Being Human’, Salman Khan’s NGO which aims to elevate facilities in education and healthcare.

The Mumbai chapter of the ’BSA Hercules India Cyclothon’ (Feb 21,2010) is being touted as a "community ride which will promote the practice of cycling in the city." Cyclists, working professionals, house spouses and children too are expected to take part in the racy cyclothon, which will be kicked off with Khan’s starry presence.


"I loved to cycle as a child," revealed Khan at a Press con. "It was my dad who taught me cycling. In fact, even as I was learning to cycle with my dad holding my cycle, my mom called out to him. Absent mindedly, he let me go as he turned to answer her, but I went ahead… I had learnt to cycle! I used to cycle to the medical store to fetch medicines for dad."

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Actress Tabu is queasy donning that hallowed aura

In a virtually actor dominated industry, she’s one actress who stands apart. Tall in stature and taller on talent, Tabassum Hashmi casts a verrryyyyy long shadow.

Tabu, as she’s more renowned, has proved her worth in worthwhile efforts such as ’Maachis’, ’Chandni Bar’, ’Astitva’ and ’Hu Tu Tu’. With Ramesh Taurani’s ’Toh Baat Pakki!’, the national award winner will display her skills in the comic genre.

Most filmmakers regard her as the "hero" in her flicks, though, Tabu is queasy donning that hallowed aura. "All this is fine for the ego," she asserts in a media chat, "When I’m playing the protagonist, I have to work that much harder to come up with an outstanding performance."

Sharman Joshi who shares screen space with Tabu in ’Toh… reveals in a tabloid quote, "Earlier, she’d called me up after seeing ’Life In A Metro’ and ’Rang De Basanti’ and described my performance as ’superlative’. I was flattered, happy and humbled. When we started shooting together, I realised that she’s not just a fine actor, but a hassle free person, as well." Notch one more to the Tabu list…

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Arjun Rampal receiving end of Jiah Khan’s endless chattering about London

London girl Jiah Khan couldn’t contain her excitement when the shooting of Sajid Khan’s comedy film Housefull began in her home city. In the starting days of the shooting schedule in London Jiah began to dole out all the gyan about the city to director Sajid Khan and others.

Sajid, being fond of Jiah, heard her out most of the times, but when co-star Arjun Rampal was at the receiving end of Jiah’s endless chattering about London, he did the obvious thing. He gagged her mouth with a scarf.

Of course, it was just a prank and Jiah took it sportingly, but from thereon whenever anyone in the crew made a mere mention of London, everyone would turn to Jiah for verification.

On another occasion Jiah became the butt of a prank by none other than Akshay Kumar. While dining at a restaurant, Akshay stealthily slipped the cutlery into Jiah’s bag to make her look like a cutlery chor.

Poor Jiah! Now she knows what it’s like to work with irrevocable pranksters.

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