Lara to do a Paro

After Aishwarya Rai's interpretation of Sarat Chandra's heroine from the classic Devdas, it is now the turn of another former beauty queen to attempt the role. Lara Dutta will play Paro in Sudhir Mishra's movie Aur Devdas.

"It is a modern take on Sarat Chandra's classic - it's an adaptation," says Lara about the film. " It does have the three central characters (Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi) but the story is set against the backdrop of a political situation in Rajasthan.

It is a bit grittier than the other Devdas adaptations. I play Paro.

" In preparation for the role, Lara has been watching the other adaptations of Devdas. "I've seen the versions by Bimal Roy and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

But our adaptation is absolutely different," she says. Quite likely, with Sudhir Mishra at the helm.

Besides this serious role, Lara has a line-up of comedies to keep things light. She stars in Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai with Govinda and Blue with Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt.

Sagarika Ghatge likes light make-up

Sagarika Ghatge aka Preeti Sabarwal of 'Chak De India' fame says that she is only comfortable with light make-up.

The actress was present at the WIFW Wednesday for a make over at Salon Di Wills.

'I always use light make-up and that is what I asked Ambika (Pillai, a makeup artist) to do. I am happy with the results.

Commenting on the Ghatge makeover, Pillai said: 'She has fair skin colour and sharp features. It wasn't tough at all to do her make-up. As instructed I used lighter shades like grey and black.'

'Love Story 2050' trailers to be released with 'Race'

The trend of trailers being attached to big films continues. The latest to get a boost, months ahead of release, is Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra-starrer 'Love Story 2050', which will be seen with Abbas-Mustan's racy flick 'Race' March 21 in the theatres.

Director-producer Harry Baweja is launching his son in the movie. Its slick-cut trailer, which has, among other things, Priyanka in two different avatars, Harman's rock-happy dancing and loads of FX, will be seen along with 'Race'.

The trailer has been put together by the father-son duo. Harman is personally ensuring that the trailer goes to all the centres with 'Race'.

'In fact Harman has also closely collaborated in the scripting of 'Love Story 2050' and just might take credit for co-scripting,' said a source

I don't want to struggle in Hollywood: Bipasha Basu

With films like 'Corporate', 'Omkara' and 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal', it has taken the unconventional looking Bipasha Basu about seven years to carve a niche for herself in Bollywood and she says she doesn't want to go and struggle again in Hollywood.

'Working globally is a tough thing. Offers are there but what will finally become a substantial offer and what goes into production is what matters,' Bipasha, who was in the capital for the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, told IANS.

'India is a very comfortable place for us because we have already made a niche here. So why would anyone want to go and struggle there? I don't want to go and struggle. I have gone through my struggle,' said the actress, who walked the ramp Wednesday for designer duo Gauri and Nainika Karan.

'If anything comes by, and if I'm lucky enough, I will. But it is not easy. It happened with Aishwarya Rai after six years of wanting to figure out doing global cinema. She has done 'Pink Panther', which is her first studio film. She has done those crossover films, Irrfan Khan has done it, but it takes time,' she added.

After playing a Pakistani girl in 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal', the actress returns to the celluloid in a completely new avatar. She will be seen in an action role and sporting a new hair cut in Abbas-Mustan's 'Race'. Releasing March 21, the film also has Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy.

Commenting on her role in 'Race', Bipasha said: 'I am playing a complicated character. In fact, each character is complicated in the film because it is a thriller genre. A lot is driven by each one's motive, so the plot is very interesting. They start off looking as predictable as characters, but as the story goes on, each character has all kinds of shades.

'For me, it was an interesting character, the story interested me and I love Abbas-Mustan, my first directors. Also, I was working with new kinds of actors, so there is a new chemistry - all in all it has turned out better than what I expected.'

Bipasha said that technically this is her third film with the director duo. Her first film with them was 'Ajnabee'.

'In the middle we started doing another film, 'Mr. Fraud'. We did about 70 percent of the film. It got stuck in the making. But it is always a pleasure to work with them - they are very nice people, haven't changed.

'They understand the needs of a thriller. They are very tech savvy and use the best cameras and technical team. They are fantastic editors, so our film is very crisp.'

The film is two hours and 15 minutes long. Bipasha says today's audience doesn't have the patience to sit through a long film.

'People don't have patience. They want to condemn anything that is lengthy even though for us it's a creative process. But we totally understand that it is very difficult to keep the attention of the people because the stress level is so high that everybody wants to see something relaxing and uncomplicated.'

She says she is trying to create a balance between commercial and art house cinema.

'It is interesting for an actor to think about audience interest, but then I would not have ended up signing a film like 'Pankh'. I believe that I do have the intelligence to understand that I need to keep the balance between commercial entertainer and art-house; only then can I command different audiences.'

In director Sudipto Chattopadhyay's 'Pankh', Bipasha plays an imaginary character.

'I play an alter ego. I am an imaginary character - the protagonist in the film is a boy called Maradona, he has done a fabulous job. It is about a boy who goes through gender confusion.'

Bipasha, who got a makeover in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Corporate', says she is curious about his next film 'Fashion', which has Priyanka Chopra in the main lead.

'I'm curious about anything Madhur does. But I have warned him: please do not portray only negative things about the fashion world. I am from the fashion world and I know there are lots of good things you can highlight. It is a huge profession and it's a big business so the subject has to be handled responsibly. I hope he has done that.'

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Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?

SRK begins his second season of hosting with the quiz show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? The phone lines have been opened while the actual shooting begins on April 4. The show is expected to start by the end of April.

A source from the channel informs us, “According to the schedule, we will begin shooting on April 4 and right now there is no change in it. The first promos of questions go on air from March 4. The shooting will take place in the same studio, Film City, where KBC 3 was shot.”

Adds the source, “There will be a panel of 5 kids, which will be chosen through auditions. The kids have to download and fill up forms for the same. The procedure will end by this month.”

Format of the show

The contestants have to answers questions from Maths, Social Studies, General Science and Language. The questions will be in the range of 1st to 5th standard. The contestant will be offered a card of 10 subjects from which they have to select subjects as per their convenience. Every correct answer will help contestants earn prize money.

Further, the contestants can use three ‘cheat’ facilities provided to them. These cheats involve a group of children who will be the contestants’ classmates and can answers the questions. Every two correct answers will add one more kid in that group.

The three cheats are Copy, Peek and Save. In Copy, the contestant can copy the current teammate’s answer to the question. Peek means the contestant can review his teammate’s answer before submitting his. Save cheat is triggered automatically if the person gives a wrong answer and his partner has given correct answer. The contestant is then saved.

‘One Two Three’ is not inspired by ‘HERA PHERI’

He’s penned one of the most successful shows on television [OFFICE OFFICE] and has three films lined up for release in the next few weeks. Ashwani Dhir may be unknown to film buffs, but the writer-director makes his directorial debut with the laughathon ONE TWO THREE. That’s not all, for Ashwani has two more films lined up for release - KRAZZY 4 [he’s penned the screenplay and dialogues of this film] and U ME AUR HUM [he’s the dialogue writer here].

ONE TWO THREE revolves around three characters, all having the same name - Lakshminarayan. The promos of the film remind you of Priyadarshan’s HERA PHERI. “It’s not inspired by HERA PHERI at all. Sure, I’ve seen the works of Priyadarshan and HERA PHERI is a classic that has timeless appeal. However, ONE TWO THREE is not HERA PHERI, though I pray it goes the same way vis-à-vis the recall value,” Ashwani states.

Prior to the release of ONE TWO THREE, Ashwani has been involved in a controversy, with Upen Patel, one of the actors in the film, getting miffed with the director for chopping off his role. Also, the leading ladies [Esha, Tanisha, Sameera] didn’t vibe too well with one another. “Not just Upen, I’ve chopped off Esha and Sameera’s songs as well. Besides, I’ve edited Suniel-ji and Paresh-ji’s sequences. All for the betterment of the film. The original length was 2.30 hours, which was brought down to 2.09 hours. Going by that logic, even Esha, Paresh-ji and Suniel-ji should be upset, but they aren’t,” he clarifies.

Divya Dutta’s bare-dare sequence in Monica

Divya Dutta, who plays a true-life political liaison in Sushen Bhatnagar’s Monica is all set to do a bare-dare sequence, a paper reported.

Divya told the paper, “Normally, I wouldn’t do such a scene for anyone. I earlier did another real-life drama Trisha with the same director. So I know his level of commitment is genuine. I play a character inspired from the headlines and this is a scene crucial to the narrative.”

“Divya is playing a character inspired by Shivani Bhatnagar, the small-time girl who came into fame through her association with the late Pramod Mahajan. Ashutosh Rana plays the politician who exploits her, uses her as his arm-candy to show off at parties, “director Sushen Bhatnagar told the paper.

Govinda’s gift to Rani Mukerji

Actor Govinda had gifted Rani Mukerji a bungalow in Juhu on a plot that belonged to him. But now he wants it back, a paper reported.

A source told the paper, “At the time he gifted the place to her, he was a big star and she was just an upcoming actress. Today she is the bigger star and he is struggling to make a comeback. Naturally, he thinks he has the right to ask her to return the gift.

He’d gifted Rani the Juhu property due to emotional reasons and those reasons no longer exist. Besides, Rani recently bought a sprawling property in Juhu’s Janki Kutir area, so Govinda thinks it’s the right time to ask her to hand over the bungalow back to him.”

The source further told the paper, “Except a few close friends, no one knows about Govinda’s gift to Rani, “She too didn’t mention it to anyone. But now with Chi Chi talking about taking the property back, it will soon be out in the open.”

When the paper contacted Govinda over the issue, he hung up.

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Friendship Explains Chemistry

Mumbai, (IANS) Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan made a perfect couple and their on-screen chemistry sizzled in both “Dhoom 2″ and “Jodhaa Akbar”. The actress attributes the chemistry to their rapport off screen.

“Hrithik has been a special co-star. We’ve shared a fantastic rapport that gets translated into wonderful chemistry on screen. We’re both genuinely committed to our craft. That apart, we share a special friendship from the time we did a commercial together many years ago,” Aishwarya told IANS in an interview.

Aishwarya said that she met Hrithik for the first time when she was offered “Mission Kashmir”.

“I had been approached for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘Mission Kashmir’. That’s the first time we met. He was very new then. I was also offered ‘Krrish’ but had no dates. We never came around to working together in a movie until ‘Dhoom 2′. It was a very new genre for me.

Bipasha Basu’s hot look especially the eyes, in “Race”

Mumbai, (IANS) Everybody is talking about Bipasha Basu! Her hot look, especially the eyes, in “Race” is a turn on. The smoky look of the extended eyeliner a la Sophia Loren has sparked off a trend not only in the film industry but also in the modelling circle.

Bipasha said, “Eyes speak volumes! You don’t have to say anything at that point of time! It is the eyes that talk! They say, ‘Samjhnewale ko ishara kafi hai!’ Anaita has done a great job of styling me in ‘Race’ and trying the new make-up trend by extending my eye liner.”

Yesteryear glamour icon Sharmila Tagore was the first actress to have started that trend.

Bipasha has also been open to experiments and is always willing to try out something new when it comes to her looks and character in films. “Race” gave her that chance.

Also starring Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy, the high paced action thriller is set to hit the marquee

Lara Dutta is on a fast track now

Lara is on a fast track now. There’s a new determination in her to overcome her inhibitions, whatever they might be worth. While she prepares to do her first ever avant-garde film Devdas with Sudhir Mishra where she intends to change her entire image and get-up to play a modern-day Paro, in a new sporty film entitled Blue, Lara has gone several steps further. She has actually managed to overcome her fear of the underwater to do some serious scuba- diving with the ever-sporty Akshay.

For years now Lara has been petrified of taking the plunge. Akshay urged her to not only accept a film that needed her to go against her ingrained fears, but also helped her out of the dive-despair.

Laughing throatily, Lara admits she has gotten over a lifelong fear. “But I can’t speak about what it is. Yes, Akshay’s natural sporty spirit is highly contagious. And it did help me to take the plunge.”

Mallika Sherawat in" Dasavatharam"

According to a press release, Bollywood sex-kitten Mallika Sherawat , is playing the role of a CIA agent in Dasavatharam . While Kamal Haasan ’s ten different roles and an equal number of dictions in the much-awaited film has been hogging the media limelight all these days, it has now emerged that the female leads are also in for some meaty roles, with Asin playing a double role.

And the surprise package could well be Mallika, who, making her first direct entry into Kollywood, “dons an altogether different cap in the movie,” the release said. Asin, who has been delivering quite a number of hits, pairing with top Tamil and Telugu heroes, will for the first time play a double role. The other Bollywood

connection to the film comes by way of singer Himesh Reshammiya , who also makes his debut in Tamil cinema. However, it is not clear whether he will render one of his own numbers in Tamil. The release further said that the audio rights of the movie have been bagged by Sony BMG, which makes its foray into the regional music market through the Kamal-Asin starrer.

The release quoted Shridhar Subramaniam, Managing Director Sony BMG India as saying it was “privilege for us to enter the Tamil music market with a project as grand and special as ‘Dasavatharam’”. Earlier slated for a Pongal (January 15) release, post production delay ensured that the producer, Oscar V Ravichandran rescheduled the dates for April.

Deepika Padukone: 'No qualms in telling the world that we are in love'

File photo of Deepika Padukone at the 53rd annual Filmfare awards after party at DJ Aqeel's pub BLING at the Leela Hotel early hours of Sunday, February 24. Photo Credit: CelebMagic News

March 13, 2008 (Celebmagic.blogspot.com) - Following Ranbir Kapoor's admission to the press that he and Deepika Padukone are an item, Deepika has now opened up saying, "We have no qualms in telling the world that we are in love."

"So sorry as the media will not have gossip to write about me anymore," she added tongue-in-cheek, sounding rather naïve to us. We don't think the girl knows Mumbai's tabloid press well enough!

In an interview with the Mumbai Mirror, Deepkia confirmed that she and Ranbir fell in love while on the set of Bachna Ae Haseenon in Australia earlier this year.

But she was tight lipped about the exact nature of her relationship with cricketer Yuvraj Singh, and the circumstances under which it ended.

"I don't want to talk about that. If two people are spending time together and having dinner in a restaurant, why does it make front page news?" she said, subtly hinting at what may have happened.

"I am not commenting on my past. I am very happy right now in my relationship with Ranbir," she continued.

Life has changed for Deepika following her impressive debut in Om Shanti Om.

Her modest ambitions earlier included becoming a world famous model and an interior designer, before settling down to a life of marital bliss.

Having made it big in Bollywood there is no looking back now. She has relocated from Bangalore to Mumbai where she recently bought her own home in Bandra

The 22-year-old is currently on the set of her third film. Chandni Chowk to China, in which she plays lead opposite Akshay Kumar.

She is currently learning jujitsu from a Chinese trainer for her role in the action oriented comedy film inspired by the life of Akshay.

PepsiCo dumps Priyanka Chopra in favor of younger Deepika Padukone

A file photo of Deepika Padukone at Levi event on December 13, 2007.

March 13, 2008 (Celebmagic.blogspot.com) - Globe straddling junk food peddler PepsiCo has dumped former Miss World (2000) Priyanka Chopra, 25, as its brand ambassador in favor of the younger Deepika Padukone, 22, to better target its consumer base of teenagers and very young adults.

The company appointed Chopra as its brand ambassador for a two year period in 2005. Her contract lapsed a few months back without an offer from PepsiCo to renew it.

The company recently launched a new TV campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone to promote their cola drink. The campaign introduced the tag line 'Youngistaan,' for 'Young Hindustan,' alluding to the consumer segment that it targets.

The new campaign on TV will soon be extended to radio, web, wireless and hoardings.

The brand appears to have opted for Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone because they represent fresh and young faces of Bollywood and fit the tag line better than the company's erstwhile brand ambassadors Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

PepsiCo has also roped in young cricketers like Ishant Sharma and Rohit Sharma to promote its brand.

Georgeous Rani Mukerji and stunts?

Rani Mukerji. Photo Credit: CelebMagic News

March 14, 2008 (Celebmagic.blogspot.com) - Rani Mukerji's forthcoming film, a fantasy family drama directed by Kunal Kohli, required her to do dangerous sequences flying in the air as an angel.

Rani's character plays a nanny with magical powers who looks after the kids of Saif Ali Khan's character, a business executive.

The film is reportedly inspired by the classic drama Mary Poppins (1964).

In it Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) is a super-nanny who looks after the kids of a cold banker. She flies in with her umbrella whenever the children are in distress and proceeds to set things right for them using her extraordinary magical powers, before flying off again.

It was the flying around that she had to do as an angel that forced Rani to grapple with wires, harnesses and pulleys, equipment you would expect Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar to be more comfortable with.

"Rani underwent many rehearsals and trials for the stunt scenes. We shot on many outdoor locations in Mumbai, at Film City and inside the Yash Raj studios. At every place, we took utmost precaution. It could have been very dangerous if Rani had slipped. Thankfully, she pulled it off without retakes," Kohli told TOI.

Another challenge for Rani was that she had to wear the same delicate angel ensemble, designed by Manish Malhotra, throughout the film.

Amisha Patel, also in the film, faced her own challenges. She had to learn Scuba diving for underwater sequences between her and Saif, presumably the masala part of the film.

Meet Hrithik's Mexican beauty

Hrithik Roshan has now found a partner for his forthcoming film, 'Kites', as dad, Rakesh Roshan has successfully roped in top Latin actress, Barbara Mori as the leading lady.

The film has Kangna Rawat too and is set to be directed by Anurag Basu, while the melodious music will be given by Rajesh Roshan. The remaining cast for this film is being finalized in Bombay and Los Angeles.

The film, Kites is to be shot in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The film is another Film Kraft Production's presentation and is scheduled to go into production by the end of July 2008.

Bipasha's long hair surprise!!!

Actress Bipasha Basu, who recently cut her hair really short, surprised audiences at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Wednesday by sporting her signature long tresses once again while walking the ramp for designer duo Gauri and Nainika Karan.

'See how wonderful stylists are today! In the morning I had short hair and now I have long hair,' Bipasha told.

'I had to revert to my long tresses because it was important for the look,' she said.

Asked about her association with the designers, she said: 'I have a very close association with Gauri and Nainika and they have made me look beautiful on many occasions.'

'They are two little dynamites, who are very talented and their clothes are very elegant and royal,' she added.

The show saw a series of lavish romantic gowns, with Bipasha setting the ramp ablaze in a blush pink 'Cinderella' dress, having an empire cut bustier and a velvet band across her left shoulder.

It opened with a model dressed in a soft, merino wool and tweed attire with subtle, pared-down cuts. The show saw plush duchesse satin folded, pleated, darted, draped, bunched-up and ballooned in strong silhouettes.

'We started with muted brown and subtle shades to first appeal to an audience, which is not comfortable sporting bright and vivid colours,' Gauri said after the show, which also had Bollywood actor Amisha Patel in audience.

Rich black velvet bands were used throughout the entire line, giving it a sharp and tailored edge. Golden and scarlet roses delicately woven into wispy black fabric brought an element of fairy tale fantasy to dresses in feminine cuts.

'Our collection is very feminine, rich, strong, sexy, glamorous and structured. However, we didn't draw inspiration from a single subject but a variety of them. This time we just did what we wanted,' the designer said.

The palette had colours ranging from magenta, blood red and pink to acid green black and white.

Fabrics like satin, velvet, tulle and lace were used to design A-line dresses paired with shorts or pants.

'The use of these fabrics signifies opulence,' she explained.

SRK, Gauri, Karan and Preity into table-top grooving

Friday night, after the wedding of Anil Deshmukh, Prive, witnessed a sight any Movie lovers would give an arm for….Shah Rukh Khan, wife Gauri Khan, director Karan Johar and Preity Zinta in a hot foursome dance number.

It so happened Shah Rukh and Gauri came into Prive with their gang of close friends comprising Karan Johar, Kajal Anand, Preity Zinta, Mehr Jessia, Manish Malhotra, Maheep and Sanjay Kapoor among others. They came in directly after attending Riteish’s brother Amit’s reception, followed by dinner at Tetsuma. The four Bollywood celebrities danced on top of table-tops and grooved to a mixture of English and Hindi music until early in the morning.

No need to mention that the crowd was thrilled to have them amongst them. No one bothered them for autographs or photographs. They just watched them letting their hair down and enjoying themselves. The group only left when Prive was shutting its doors at 3 am.