Sahid gets a new Bike

Shahid is an enthusiastic bike lover. Recently he got himself a new bike. Not many know that that the younger icon of India got this bike only after his parents allowed him to do so. And for that he had to assure them that he would ride safely!

Says a source, "Shahid loves biking. When he was shooting with Ahmed Khan for ISHQ VISHK PYAR VYAR, Shahid would go with him for long bike rides along the Western Express highway. And now, he has gifted himself a new bike but only after his parents' approval. Shahid's new bike is a midnight black, air cooled, sportsbike with high torque speed and 1670cc machine, costing around Rs. 15 lakh."

"Shahid chose black as he doesn't like anything bright, flashy and over the top but rather classy, understated and subtle stuff. He is very possessive about it and insists on cleaning it himself. He has been biking a lot these days especially at nights and also while going for his shoots", said the source.

Real SlumDogs of Slumdog Millionaire

The roaring success and Oscar nominations for Slumdog Millionaire has put the spotlight on Mumbai's underbelly and the child actors Mohammed Azharuddin and Rubina Quereshi — who play Salim and Latika respectively in the film — are enjoying all the attention while it lasts even as they slug it out in Mumbai's bustling slums.

"Danny uncle ko bahut miss karte hai, (We miss Danny uncle a lot," said Rubina.

Despite reports of their parents alleging that the child actors were underpaid for the film's 30 day shoot, Rubina's father refutes the claims.

"Dannyji ne sabkuch kiya hai, bacchon ke liye fund bhi hai, cycle bhi kareed de aur unki padhai bhi hogi (Danny has done a lot for the children. He has created fund, bought them cycles and even their education will be taken care off)," said Rubina's father Rafiq Quereshi.

Meanwhile, director Danny Boyle spoke about the other controversy around the film. Earlier this week, a PIL was by Andheri Corporator Nicolas Almeida which alleges that the film's title is offensive and it should be changed from Slumdog to Slum Dash Millionaire.

"For us, "slumdog" was always a very affectionate term because for us it was a hybrid, a mixture of underdog and rooting for the underdog, and obviously he comes from the slums," explained Boyle.

As for the young stars, they have their own starry-eyed aspirations.

"Mujhe Salman banna hai, mujhe Preity Zinta unki acting acchi hai, (I want to be Salman. and I wan to be Preity Zinta, we like their acting," said Azhar and Rubina.

And with the constant media attention, the children are now local celebrities. But Azhar admits he would like a bigger home.

"Sab basti mein bolte hai, ab tum log actor ban gaya idhar ko rehte hai. Bandstand mein jaake flat mein rehna chahiye (Everyone tells us that now taht we are actors we should get a flat in Bandstand and live there)," said Azhar and Rubina.

As the excitement to the Oscar countdown builds up, the duo is obviously rooting for their film.

"Oscar milna toh chahiye, humne acting ki hai aur London ke director hai (The film should get an Oscar, we've acted in it and it's been directed by a director from London)" said Rubina.

Ranbir-Katrina to celebrate Valentines Day together

Ranbir Kapoor is all set to give a surprise party to Katrina Kaif and not to Deepika Padukone, this Valentines Day. 

If sources are to be believed, Ranbir has already planned to throw a Valentines Day party for her co-star in "Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani", Katrina Kaif. 

Ranbir and Katrina has to shoot for some romantic songs in Turkey around Valentines day. And so, this Valentines Day, Ranbir and Katrina are going to be together in Turkey away from their partners Deepika and Salman. 

Sources from the movie crew have reported a growing closeness between the duo ever since the shooting of "Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani" has started. A few days back when the shooting for this film was going on in Ooty, the couple was spotted having dinner together and spending quality time together. And so for her new friend Katrina, the lover boy Ranbir wants to ensure that she does not miss her boy friend Salman on Valenties day and planned for a surprise party. What a caring friend Ranbir is, we must say.

Ranbir dear, think twice before stepping into Sallu bhai's personal space and be careful Deepika is watching you too.

Dhoni bowls over Amrita now

The girl next door of bollywood, Amrita Rao is on cloud nine these days as most of her roles are being appreciated by critics. She admits that it was a dream come true to work for Shyam Benegal's "Welcome To Sajjanpur".

And now she has another big film, Victory ,opposite Harman Baweja, line up to hit the theatre and the lady is very excited about how things are shaping up for her.

Victory is a movie on cricket and Harman Baweja plays a cricketer. When asked about whether she is a cricket fan or she learnt cricket for the sake of the film, this is what the lady said

"Of course I love it. I was introduced to cricket when I was in Class IX and since then I have been in love with this game. I grew up on Sachin Tendulkar but right now I am a big-time Dhoni fan."

Oooooooh la la Dhoni, we mus say....the poster boy of indian cricket is defintely having a luck with the girls..Deepika, Lakshmi Rai and now Amrita..

Asin keeps a distance with Salman

The Ghajini lead acress Asin, who is currently busy shooting LONDON DREAMS, denies the report of being overtly friendly with co-actor Salman Khan.

There were reports earlier about Asin and Salman getting closer on the sets of London Dreams.

Contrary to earlier reports of the two exchanging gifts, no exchange of gifts happened on the sets! There was buzz that Salman Khan gifted a glamorous glass doll as a belated Onam gift to Asin. We recently bumped into Asin and asked her about her 'good friendship' with Sallu.

She simply laughed and said, ''I don't know how to react to it because it's absolutely false. I have not got any gifts from Salman. In fact I read that he gave me a gift on Onam and I gave him a return gift on Eid...

We are shooting 24 x 7; there's no time to buy or exchange gifts. In fact when that news came out the whole unit was laughing...''

King Khan to undergo a Surgery

Actor Shah Rukh Khan will undergo a surgery to rectify the tear on his left shoulder in the next couple of days.

Sources close to the actor said that the shoulder injury had worsened during the shooting of Karan Johar's 'My Name is Khan' in Los Angeles. The superstar who had undergone a major shoulder surgery a couple of years ago, had hurt himself while shooting for an action scene in 'Dulha Mil Gaya' last year.

He was undergoing physiotherapy sessions before leaving for the US. Despite being advised surgery before he left, SRK postponed it because he did not want to delay Johar's shooting. Sources said the injury had worsened during the shoot and when the actor returned home on Tuesday, the pain had aggravated.

He has not yet decided whether to go for the surgery in India or abroad and when. His home production 'Biloo Barber' releases on February 13 and Khan wants to promote the film aggressively, they said. Sources said he wanted to go in for a surgery after the release. But, doctors have advised him go for it immediately. 

Odds of Slumdog winning an Oscar

If experts are to be believed, critically acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire is at 2-7 odds of winning the prestigious Academy Award for the Best Motion Picture.

The film, which has won four Golden Globe Awards and has garnered 10 nominations at the Oscars, tracks the story of Jamal Malik, a dirt-poor orphan from the slums who astonishes India when he does well on the country's version of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

Indian music composer A R Rahman has been nominated for original score while director Danny Boyle is a nominee in Best Director category.

Damian Smee, film expert from William Hill, one of the largest bookmakers in the UK, has been compiling Oscar odds for 27 years and picks up the winner 'eight times out of ten'.

He said that Slumdog Millionaire is at 2-7 odds of winning the Oscars while The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is at 4-1 odds.

Boyle is at 4-9 odds of winning the Oscars for the Best Director compared to 7-2 for David Fincher, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, 8-1 for Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon, 8-1 for Stephen Daldry, The Reader, and 10-1 for Gus Van Sant, Milk.

Kate Winslet has 8-15 odds of winning the Best actress award for The Reader, while Anne Hathaway is at 8-15 odds of winning for Rachel Getting Married.

Angelina Jolie (Changeling) and Meryl Streep (Doubt) are at 8-1 odds of winning the gong.

Mickey Rourke's role as retired professional wrestler Randy in The Wrestler puts him at the highest odds of winning the Academy Award for Best Actor with 4-6 odds.

Brad Pitt has 14-1 odds of winning award for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, while Sean Penn is at 6-4 odds of winning the gong.

'The biggest prizes have never looked as settled as they do this year,' Times Online quoted a spokesman for the betting company as saying.

'There's normally at least two contenders for each award but this year the favourites are all nailed on,' he added.

A Book on Big B

The occasion was the release of Bachchanalia, a book on Amitabh Bachchan memorabilia, written by Bhawna Somaiya and published by Osian.

Audience tossed questions at AB who was there to announce the release of the book Bachchanalia . Bachchan spoke on everything from the state of Indian cinema to the much-acclaimed film Slumdog Millionnaire and AR Rahman’s numerous nominations at the Oscars.

“I am a bad reader,” Big B confessed at a point.

“ I think that we are very happy making the kind of films we have because we have to cater to the 1.2 billion people of this country. But I do believe that our creativity and our talent is not inferior to anyone else’s in the world,” said Bachchan senior.

With reference to the Oscar nominations announced recently, he quipped,” A R Rahman has won numerous nominations. We hope and pray that he wins lots of awards and make the nation proud.”

Bachchan’s visit generated a huge response from the public as each nook and corner leading to the Diggi Palace was jam packed with cars and two wheelers well three hours before the book launch. Just everyone wanted to grab a vantage point to be up close with the biggest living legend of Indian cinema,

The publishers announced that Amitabh Bachchan will autograph books that are bought from the stalls and there was a rush towards the Osian stall and in a matter of minutes 50 copies of the Rs 3,000 books were sold. It was Bachchan mania in full throttle !

Julia Roberts visits Taj Mahal

She came, she saw and was left mesmerised -- Hollywood diva Julia Roberts made an almost incognito visit to the Taj Mahal and succeeded to a great extent in her escape act from shutterbugs and journalists.

Wearing a scarf to hide her identity from the large number of fans and mediapersons who had gathered at the monument of love awaiting her visit yesterday, Julia behaved like an ordinary visitor preferring to walk towards the edifice from the main gateway on the sidewalk rather than the main platform running along the central vista.

Only a few journalists could recognise her though many had laid in wait for her and in vain scanned the road from Amar Vilas Hotel, where she was staying, to the Taj.

When she appeared at the Taj gate, it was almost dusk and she mingled with the crowd, avoiding the media and walking barefoot from the barrier to the marbled platform with her husband and a guide.

She reportedly asked the guide more questions on Mumtaj Mahal than on the Taj -- she was curious to know about the number of children Mumtaj had and how she died.


At the cenotaphe chamber, she showed interest in the marbled inlay work touching the surface to see how well the stones fitted in their grooves.

Inside the chamber, she heard the famed 15 seconds echo and walked around the marbel screen, peeking at the tomb of Shah Jahan and Mumtaj as no visits are now allowed inside the screen.

She also had a riverside view of the city from the northern terrace of the monument.

Shah Rukh: No Regrets to decline ‘Slumdog’

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who was apparently the original choice for the role of quiz-master in Danny Boyle’s much acclaimed flick ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, says that the actor doesn’t regret his decision of turning down the offer. With ‘Slumdog’ having bagged as many as ten Oscar nominations, it was being assumed that Shah Rukh must not be too sure now, about the decision he had taken then.

When asked about his decision to turn down the role, the actor said, “Everything isn’t made for me alone. God has given me enough. I’d better be happy and contented.”

However, Shah Rukh has been all praise for Anil Kapoor and feels no hesitation in saying that he has done a fabulous job as the host of the game show.

Well, we believe it would not have been too hard for Shah Rukh to be satisfied with his decision, for the actor must have got used to it now after rejecting ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ out of many more in the past.

Amir's TZP misses Oscars

While Amir is enjoying the huge success of Ghajini and preparing for his next flick "3 Idiots", there is a little  disappointment for our Mr. Perfectionist. The news is that TZP (Taare Zameen Par) has missed the Oscar short list and Amir's hopes of getting Oscar this year too are shatterd in the beginning of the race itself.

TZP, which was India's official entry into Oscar race, didnot figure among  the nine films selected in the initial screening for the Best foreign Language film category in the list released by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science, the official website of the Oscars.

The films chosen by a committee of several hundred Academy members and will be narrowed down to five nominees by a special committee in New York and Los Angeles.

These nominees would be announced on January 22, 2009.

Kareena - Saif broke up?

Post the success of ‘Jab We Met’, Kareena Kapoor has been all over the place. First her breakup with Sahid and then her relationship with Saif Ali Khan kept her in news all the time. However, inspite of being in news, the movie for which she developed her size zero frame-’Tashan’ flopped badly. The Diwali release ‘Gomaal Returns’ made money but then the credit for the same doesn’t go to her fully as it was a multi-starer with a lot of boy bonding.

Looks like all these events has depressed the actress.With new comers like Deepika, Asin catching up the market and her career is going downhill, she’s decided to  make her high profile relationship low profile now and rather focus on the career. She’s realized that being in the media glare all the time with Saif is harming her career. So she’s decided to play it safe and is not breaking up completely. Instead she’s keeping her private life away from the media.

Well, good strategy Kareena but think of poor Saif also, you might be her last chance. 

Ash to walk on Red Carpet

The premier of Aishwarya Rai's next Hollywood flick Pink Panther -2 is scheduled on February 4th in NewYork. For the premier of this, the entire Bachchan family is all set to walk on red carpet.

This film is very special to Aishwarya Rai and thats why entire Bachchan family is going to be with their Bahu in this specail occasion.

Aishwarya was in Boston last year for the shooting of Pink Panther while Abhishek was busy in the shooting of Dostana and entire family is looking forward to spending some quality time together in Newyork because of this.

Way to go Aishwarya...

Karishma Kotak: Yuvraj's next crush

Karishma Kotak is in news these days. No for her another movie, but for her name being attached to Yuvraaj Singh. Reportedly, Yuvraaj and Karishma are dating for quite a some time. Yuvraaj has dated Kim Sharma and Deepika Padukone before this. Karishma has done modeling and is a familiar in Tollywood film industry. 

Big B takes a dig at Slumdog Millionaire

Amitabh Bachchan takes a dig at Slumdog Millionaire. Big B seems to be perturbed over projection of India as a poor third world country in the hugely successful film SlumDog Millionaire.The film has been in the news ever since its launch. It has gone on to win some big time awards including Golden Globe. The film also fetched a Golden Globe award to India’s musical genius AR Rahman.
.
But Big B seems to be unhappy over the portrayal of India as a third world nation.

While writing on his blog Big B says, “If SM projects India as Third World dirty under belly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky under belly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations.

He goes on to say, “Its just that the SM idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a Westerner, gets creative Globe recognition. The other would perhaps not”.

He is also angry over world cinema bodies not recognizing the Indian cinema. “The commercial escapist world of Indian Cinema had vociferously battled for years , on the attention paid and the adulation given to the legendary Satyajit Ray at all the prestigious Film Festivals of the West, and not a word of appreciation for the entertaining mass oriented box office block busters that were being churned out from Mumbai. The argument. Ray portrayed reality. The other escapism, fantasy and incredulous posturing. Unimpressive for Cannes and Berlin and Venice. But look how rapidly all that is changing. Retrospectives in Paris and New York. Dedicated TV channels running Hindi cinema on prime timings. Premiers at Leiscester Square, the home of all Hollywood royalty, thronged by hundreds on the street in cold biting weather. Affable recognition at most corners of the universe… And a dear friend from Los Angeles wires in that Hollywood is abuzz with India and the phenomenal talent that exists there. We’re talking cinema still” adds the actor.

Amir staying at IIM Bangalore

Aamir Khan is definitely a true perfectionist. The Mr. perfectionist, after having a huge success with Ghajini, is busy doing the ground work for his next flick "3 Idiots". The movie is based on Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone - a story about the life of IIT Students in hostel.

To better understand the life of students in Hostels and get into the role, Amir is staying in IIM Bangalore hostel these days. A source says, “Aamir reached the hostel campus of Friday. Even though he had seen pictures of the location, he wanted to see the location for real. Once he reached there, he decided that he must stay at a hostel, as he plays a college student staying in a hostel in 3 Idiots.”

The other cast of 3 Idiots are also staying at IIM Bangalore campus.A student says, “Aamir meets students regularly in the mornings and evenings. He chats with them about their routine, studies and way of life. He wants to know how an IIM-Bian thinks.

Good job Mr. Amir, we can definitely compare you with Sachin Tendulkar now.

Kareena declines a huge international endorsement offer

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor, who is fast turning into an advertisers' delight, has declined to endorse an international cosmetic brand because her hands are full.

'The international brand is a trademark to reckon with. Any other actress in Kareena's place would have jumped at it,' said a source who refused to reveal the name of the brand.

'Kareena is endorsing brands like Anne French, Globus, Lux, Boroplus, Vivel and Kurkure and clients are very happy with her. Their product sales have shown a rise so it is obvious that they want Kareena to continue to endorse their products,' added the source.

Total Ten: A movie on Mumbai Attack

Mumbai's horrific terrorist tale on 26/11 may soon be translated on the big screen.

Titled Total Ten, the film will be directed by Surnider Suri and produced by Ram Gopal Productions (not to be confused by filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma [Images]).

The film stars Rajan Varma (in the picture), playing Ajmal Kasab [Images], the lone terrorist who was caught by the Mumbai [Images] police, and is presently in custody.

"This role is a challenge for me. There is a message in the film too," Varma tells us. "It is that we must never becomes fidayeen as it will not lead to you anywhere. Look at Kasab today. He is in custody and repenting for his deeds. He is missing his mother in his jail cell and crying. So what is the point? What has he achieved by doing this drastic act?"

Total Ten will go on the floor next week, and will be shot in a start-to-finish schedule.

Varma has earlier acted in My Friend Ganesha. His movies, Jai Maa Jagdambe, Mumbai 118 and Deewane Ne Haad Kar Di, will release soon.



This is the first film to be made on Mumbai's terror nights. Many film personalities have registered movie titles revolving around Taj and Oberoi -- the hotels affected during the attack -- but none of them have gone on the floors yet.

Is Amrita behind Priyanka-Harman split?

It is almost public that three year old couple Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja has decided to end their relationship. 

The next big question in the industry is what is the reason behind this split. There are speculations in the market the Baweja Family didnot approve of Pigy Chops as their Bahu and Priyanka was disappointed with Harman for not standing for their relationship. 

However, there is another talk doing the round which is the growing closeness between Harman Baweja and Amrita Rao. The duo reportedly has come close in the sets of Vicotry.

Not only have they become close friends but are finding it hard to spend time without each other! Now does that mean that  this could be the reason that the old couple Priyanka-Harman parting ways  or is it that the distressed Harman is using Amrita to distance himself from girlfriend Priyanka Chopra after their breakup? 

As per production team, 'Amrita drops in on the sets of WHAT'S YOUR RASHEE and then both Harman and Amrita leave together to hang out at a cafe'. 'Amrita and Harman get along very well. He may be on the sets with Priyanka, but he often chats endlessly on the phone with Amrita. That's not all, Harman has also been sending flowers to Amrita, when both of them are not together', continues the unit member of Ashutosh Gowariker's WHAT'S YOUR RASHEE. Also, we hear that Priyanka Chopra is aware of this blossoming camaraderie. 

Priyanka and Harman says it's Over

 Industry insiders say that the "Love Story 2050" couple and a couple in real life too for last three years, Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja have decided to part ways gracefully.

The sources say , "The couple bid adieu to their three year old relationship due to many problems. Both have decided to be friends and be cordial to each other at public events."

The buzz in the industry is that Priyanka Chopra has dumped her love interest Harman Baweja even before their 'Love Story 2050' flopped at the box office! However, industry circles attribute this break up to the Baweja family that has been protesting against their relationship. It is believed that Harman's dad became fond of Priyanka in the sets of "Love Story 2050", however, it's Harman’s mum who refuses to accept an actress in the family. She is very conservative and has very set ideas about who her son should date. She feels that one cannot trust an actress. This is one of the main reasons why the poor boy could not come out into the open and declare his love for her.

On the other hand, Priyanka feels that Harman should stand up to his family and talk to them about his feelings. This relationship has made her very insecure. She is a very family oriented girl. Her parents too feel that she deserves better treatment.

The couple is shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker’s What’s your Raashee?, these days and have been talking to each other just during shots and for work and not otherwise. 

Aishwarya's Pink Panther Promotion

Who wants Saif and Kareena to split?

According to sources, Saif Ali Khan suspects that some unwanted elements are trying to create a rift between him and his lady love, Kareena Kapoor.

Saif apparently feels that some people are trying to feed friends and the media with negative stories about their romance and this leads to various stories about their love tiffs.

A friend of the couple says, "When Saif and Kareena hear about their so-called fights now and then, it obviously bothers them. They think that someone is trying to meddle in their personal and professional lives. Kareena wants to get to the bottom of the matter and find out who exactly is the culprit." She has apparently asked her manager to investigate who exactly is behind the smear campaign.

Earlier stories have circulated that Saif-Kareena were having constant fights - incidents had been reported on the sets of Kareenas films and even once inside her vanity van. Also, it was reported that Kareena, tired of Saifs possessive ways, was trying to end their relationship.

The friend continues, "Kareena reacted strongly when it was reported that she has been replaced by Deepika Padukone in Saifs next home production Agent Vinod, directed by Sriram Raghavan. Kareena was very upset over the issue."

Saif, when contacted, admits that he is upset over constant rumours being floated about him and Kareena. "I dont know whether these rumours come from. Non-issues are made into issues. They are so baseless," says Saif.

According to Saif, the rumour of Kareena getting replaced by Deepika was floated at a time when Kareena hadnt even heard the script of Agent Vinod. "It was always going to be Kareena in my film provided she wants to do it of course. In fact the script still hasnt been narrated to her," Saif says.

Saif, sources say, sniffs business rivalry. "Saif is worried that his business rivals are trying these subversive techniques to stab him in the back and sour his relationship with Kareena. They dont know that the understanding between them is very strong," the close friend adds.

Ranbir Quits Smoking

Ranbir Kapoor has decided to give up smoking as a b'day gift to girlfriend Deepika. Deepika Padukone couldn't have had a better beginning to 2009 and her birthday yesterday. A source close to Deepika says, "Deepika didn't like Ranbir's smoking habit.

From January 1 this year, after being a smoker for years, Ranbir has completely quit smoking. Lots of people tried to make him quit but they didn't succeed. Now he has given it up for Deepika." The actress is proud of the fact that the Kapoor lad has not lighted up in the last five days."

The source continues, "The best thing is that she never nagged him about smoking. She accepted him the way he was but Ranbir realised that she didn't like his habit, as she was always uncomfortable when he smoked around her. So he made a resolution to quit. It's a big decision for him and even his mom (Neetu Kapoor) doesn't know that her son has kicked the butt."

How Adhyayan fell in love with Kangana?

Adhyayan Suman has just stepped into Bollywood and he fell in love with the co-star of his second flick Kangana Ranaut. Kangana and Adhyayan have developed feelings for one another while shooting for the Bhatts, Raaz-The Mystery Continues. Adhyayan is so obsessed with lady that he vowed not to look deeply into the eyes of any other actress while shooting a romantic sequence.

"I fell in love with Kangana while shooting the song O Jaana. I had looked very deeply into her eyes." And what was it that he saw in her eyes? "The way she had put her kaajal," he laughs. "In fact, I have decided never to look so deeply into the eyes of another actress."

He adds, "I always knew that even Kangana liked me." So who proposed? "Kangana did [Laughs]. Actually, it was very mutual and obvious," he smiles.

The 20-year-old actor is full of praises for Kangana,"“She is a wonderful co-star. I have got to learn a lot from her. I don’t want to be known as Kangana Ranut’s boyfriend."

Adhyayan wants to establish himself in Bollywood and wishes to make his father Shekhar Suman proud. He debuted with Haal-E-Dil.