Rani’s hot high-budget item number

Yashraj Films rarely include item numbers in their projects, but it looks like there’s no escaping this Bollywood trend. Aditya Chopra recently made a generous offer to Rani Mukerji, asking her to do an item number for his film Rab Ne Banaya Jodi for a hefty fee. Rani, of course, couldn’t refuse! So, after SRK, Hrithik and Aishwarya, it’s now Rani’s turn to shake things up. Early in her career, Rani had done an item number in the Aamir Khan-Manisha Koirala film Mann.

Her sensational performance had brought her a flood of offers from Bollywood bigwigs. Now, she’s a star. She is, after all, doing an item number; that’s what the stars do these days.

Minissha's melodious evening

It was a musical evening for sure as the stars of a latest film got together under one roof to enjoy the music. The pretty Minissha Lamba looked stunning in a kneelength flowery dress. Must say, the girl seems to have lost oodles of weight and was looking fresh as a daisy herself! Although Dino Morea couldn’t make it, his absence was made up by the presence of other celebrities like Abbas-Mustan and others, who really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Dressed in their trademark white, they chatted with Hussain Burmawalla. Ratan Jain and Champak Jain too made their presence felt here while Anant Mahadevan was the man on the hot seat, everyone wanted to talk to him! Annu Malik and Sameer chatted with each other and kept each other company all through the do. The evening ended on a high ‘note’ for sure

Bips romances another younger hero

Wonder what it is about Bipasha Basu that inspires filmmakers to cast her with younger heroes! The bong beauty is currently working with Ranbir Kapoor in Yash Raj’s upcoming Bachna Ae Haseenon, and has now signed a film with the ultra talented Neil Nitin Mukesh. While Bips has become super choosy (not to mention virtually unaffordable!) after Race zipped its way to success, Neil too is carefully handpicking his projects. After an impressive debut in Johnny Gaddar, he is now working on the sequel, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny.

Considering both stars chose this film from among a heap of offers, it must really have something special going for it. Of course, the cherry on the pie is the exciting Bips-Neil combo!

Riya gets touchy about Rushdie

Rumours of the growing ‘friendship’ between Riya Sen and novelist Salman Rushdie were splashed all over the papers a few days ago. While Rushdie stated they are indeed good friends, Riya got very upset upon being asked about their association. “Please don’t keep asking me this question,” she snapped. “I don’t want to comment!”

Riya prefers not to talk about her personal life, but gladly speaks volumes about her upcoming projects. She is currently shooting for Tara Sitara, in which she takes on the role of two popular characters from the epics. “I play Draupadi and Sita from the Mahabharata and Ramayana,” she says. “The film is a comedy, a spoof. Comedy is quite hard to do. In fact, it is harder than serious cinema for an actor, because regardless of whether you are happy or sad on a particular day, you have to try and make people laugh.” Let’s hope her connection with Rushdie is at least helping her stay in a good mood, if nothing else!

It's true: Arbaaz has remarried!

From split to hit — well, that’s how Malaika Arora Khan and hubby Arbaaz Khan had you believe as they squashed Thursday’s rumours of their marriage going bust by remarrying that same night. The drama unfolded at the re-launch of Ponds, the brand synonymous with skincare the world over. The face care expert that entered the top-end segment in 2006 has re-invented itself in a brand new avatar with superior and holistic solutions for the Indian woman. Amidst much fanfare, this timeless brand re-launched its hugely successful revolutionary anti-ageing skincare range Ponds Age Miracle, skin lightening range White Beauty and a multi-benefit illuminating cream Perfect Results.

It was all Greek with a Grecian musical put together by Terence Lewis and his dance troupe, celebrating the rebirth of love, romance and beauty. The ambience drew inspiration from the mystical and magical world of Greek mythology. Unfolding before your eyes in the packed house was a Greek love story with Malaika Arora Khan as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and Arbaaz Khan as Adonis, the handsome lover. It was a re-invention of love that came alive with the couple in question renewing their marital vows and clinching it with a kiss.

“For the past few days, media interest in Malaika and I as a couple has been high. The most interesting one has been that we are splitting. Nothing could be further than the truth. We have been rehearsing together for some days and actually have been planning to hitch up to each other once again and renew our vows, as the concept of rediscovering and rebirth of love as you saw in this timeless Greek classic, is beautiful. Romance exists at all ages and should be rediscovered. That is the real test, and I am glad that Ponds touched upon this enchanting aspect of love. So people, go out and fall in love, and most importantly, stay in love, with a little help from Ponds!” said Arbaaz. Venkat Sridhar, Category Head, Skincare from HUL, who was also present, couldn’t agree more.

The face of Ponds, Priyanka Chopra, was not there but you saw her on the big screen, telling you that love makes the world go around and Ponds is love’s helping hand. Getting all excited was host Rakshanda Khan who asked guests like Ronit Roy how far they would go for love. And joining the Khans on stage was another Khan — Zayed Khan who made an appearance with Dia Mirza. Yes, it looked like Bollywood all the way, script or no script.

Mallika Sherawat’s expensive tantrums

Mallika Sherawat made jaws drop a few days ago when she quoted a mind-boggling fee of Rs 3.5 crore for an advertisement. More stunning than that was the fact that her demand was met! Now, despite this, the bombshell was in complete diva mode at the shoot. In fact, the ad film couldn’t be completed on time due to her tantrums! While Bollywood’s top actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Bipasha Basu bump up their rates upon delivering hits, Mallika hasn’t had any to her name. Yet, she charges astronomical amounts. First, she quoted Rs 1.5 crore for a cameo in Aap Ka Suroor.

Then, she rejected Kundan Shah’s offer as she felt a signing amount of Rs 95 lakhs was too small! Go figure.

Shahid-Vidya: Kismet re-connection?

Are Shahid Kapoor, Bollywood’s new Prince Charming, and the pretty Vidya Balan an item? It would seem so going by earlier rumours and the more recent sighting of the couple enjoying a quiet little dinner at a suburban restaurant. The two were accompanied by a friend who looked lost in her world, while Vidya and Shahid chatted and laughed in gay abandon. She was dressed in a knee-length black dress held in place by a big belt while he, well, had on his usual charming smile! The meal over, the couple got into a fight over whose treat was it! “Let me pay. If you don’t allow me, next time I’ll never come out with you again,” said Vidya snatching the bill.

It is good to see Shahid happy and smiling since his break-up with long-time girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Vidya and he grew fond of each other then, though she denied an involvement, and the two maintained that they were just good friends. Later Shahid was linked with tennis star Sania Mirza. Apparently, he visits her whenever she’s in town or whenever he goes to Hyderabad.

Professionally, several top Bollywood actresses are eager to work with him, starting with Katrina Kaif in the face of reported strong opposition from Salman Khan. Jiah Khan, too, was supposedly doing everything possible to adjust her dates for Ghajini to act opposite Shahid in Star. Fortune, it seems, is returning his smile.

John and Ayesha’s romantic comedy

Get ready for an unusual pairing! John Abraham and Ayesha Takia will soon get cosy together onscreen in Sachin Pilgaonkar’s Hoga Hoga Hoga. But this is not just another romantic comedy, as the film also focuses on society and religion. Shooting will take place in London and Mumbai. Neither John nor Ayesha had much box office success in the recent past. Perhaps this cute new pairing will do the trick?

Models on top of the world!

It sure can be a heady feeling to immerse yourself in beautiful creations when you’re on top of the world. Yes, that’s how it was on Wednesday morning when models walked the ramp in Nisha Jamvwal’s creations in an airplane, leaving behind them the whiff of a new fragrance. Host Abdulla Ajmal regaled the audience with the history of fragrances. Models like Fleur Xavier, Anchal Kumar, Shahwar Ali, Zulfi Syed and Mughda Godse sashayed down the aisle amidst claps and cheers from the audience. The groovy music spun by DJ Khushi made everyone sit up and tap their feet with the beats.

Bips goes international again!

While some Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty launch their own perfume brands, others gladly become the glam face of high-end perfumes. Bipasha Basu was recently chosen to endorse an international perfume brand, and her sky-high fees may have you grabbing smelling salt! The gorgeous actress has always been a hot favourite for brand endorsements, but she is more in demand than ever after the runaway success of Race. Even international brands have caught a whiff of Bips’ sensual appeal. She was recently chosen as the cover girl for Europe’s top magazine, Grazias, and now this. Smells like sweet success to us.

Bollywood's most glamorous moms

They juggle work, family and a flurry of responsibilities. And yet, they unfailingly turn heads with abundant glamour and charm. Here’s to Bollywood glam moms. Take a look at our favourites and their ‘little ones’.

Tri-devi?

Oops, you caught me!

Kajol and Nysa

Boys will be boys!

Madhuri Dixit with Arin and Ryan

Hema Malini flanked by Ahana and Esha

Sizzling Sameera's secret revealed

Sameera Reddy wasn’t a sexy, sultry babe when she started her career. On the contrary, there was quite a lot of baby fat that Sam had to shed before acquiring that ultra-sexy figure. But surprise, surprise, at a recent do, the hottie revealed that she is a big foodie. “I have an extremely sweet tooth, and I like all kinds of cuisine. Having said that, I then spend time in watching the number of extra calories I’ve gained and compensating for them in the gym! We all love to overdo eating, knowing that we shouldn’t overdo it!” she smiled. Words of wisdom, eh?

Himesh and Urmila strike a rapport

Himesh Reshammiya and Urmila Matondkar are currently shooting for the remake of the 1980s hit flick, Karz. And the two actors are bonding very well. “Himesh is very down-to-earth and hard-working,” says Urmila. “He’s very passionate about his work. It’s been great working with him.”

As for Himesh, he is at home with people in the film industry, despite being new to acting. “There’s a high level of comfort here,” he says. “I’ve worked with most of them as a music director or singer at some point or another. So, I’m not really new to the industry.”

He certainly isn’t, but he is new to is the lush crop of hair he’s been sporting recently. On the sets, Himesh reaches for his hairbrush every chance he gets, to make sure his new locks look good. “I was going bald, so I got this done. I’m just a Gujarati boy. But you have to try to do your best in everything, and God helps you out.”

Saif-Rani: Little magic, too much time!

After months of wracking their brains, Kunal Kohli and his team have finally hit upon a title for their Rani Mukerji-Saif Ali Khan-starrer: Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic! It couldn’t have involved rocket science to come up with that, could it? “Sometimes, the simplest things are the most difficult to do!” says Kunal. “Yes, the title sounds simple, so you might wonder why it took us so long. We just had a hard time figuring out what a film like this should be called.”

Saif and Rani will be sharing the screen once again after the hit Hum Tum, but Kunal intends to present them in a completely different way. “When I completed the script, I began thinking about who we should cast. Then it struck me that whenever Saif has done an unexpected role, as in Parineeta, Omkara, Race or Tashan, he has excelled. Those are his landmark films. I felt he’d be perfect for this. Even Rani has never done something like this.”

This Yashraj film is rumoured to have been inspired by Kajol-Ajay Devgan’s Raju Chacha. “No, this hasn’t been inspired by any film,” Kunal clarifies. “It’s about four orphans and how they come into contact with an industrialist. You’ll find out why their paths cross and how an angel helps them.” In the meantime, let’s hope the sweet ‘n’ simple title works magic for the film.

Zee Cine Awards 2008

Check out Deepika Padukone as she brings her glowing presence at the 'Zee Cine Awards 2008'

Saif and Kareena go for a holiday to Maldives!

Yash Raj Films’ first big release Tashan opens across cinema halls today. While the film does have some really big names like Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor, audiences are surely more curious to see the chemistry between real life couple Saif and Kareena on the big screen. After all, it was during the making of this film that the two actors became close to each other.

In fact, just before the release of their film Tashan, Bollywood’s very own IT couple ‘Saif-eena’ decided to take a break from the prying eyes of the media and headed off to Maldives for a quick holiday.

However, we at Bollywood Hungama nevertheless managed to get hold of these rare pics of Saif and Kareena while they were enjoying some cozy moments in the business class of the Maldives bound flight.

Saif and Kareena seem quite relaxed and completely at ease in each other’s company. Wonder what they are looking at and smiling? Is it some cartoon flick or the promo of their latest film Tashan that they are watching as part of the in-flight entertainment?

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