"It's scary what has happened, " says Madhavan, referring to the explosion of expectation that the Tanu Weds Manu trailers have garnered. He isn't flattering himself, the curiosity for this film is high. It's true the publicity has struck a chord but why should that be frightening?

Then it dawns on Koel, Maddy and Kangana have never had to shoulder the responsibility of a much hyped film. They've been good in other people's hits. This film, if it works, will be their own hit. The stakes are high. They are still not considered true blue insiders by the film industry.

Kangana may have a national award but she still gets ignored by the self-appointed core group for being too 'down market'. When she told me this off camera it broke my heart.

Koel says she liked her from the first time we met because she was never shy of being different. By remaining true to herself she was braver than most aspiring actresses who are happy to be cast in a clone like mould.

She saw no shame in wanting to learn whether it was English or the etiquette of urban society. Deep in her heart she was and is a philosopher.

She always thinks out of the box. "Love is too huge a thing for me to talk about just like that: Why are we obsessed with marriage as girls? Can't we live happily ever after as we are?"

But no one can escape the insecurities the industry inspires, not even this pretty philosopher. The result is amply evident on her lips and her body though her mind remains beautifully unaltered.

Maddy may not have a similar problem but he too ends up playing sidey parts in Hindi films when he's such a huge star down south.

But the more I meet him the more I think that he's not really interested in being a star; he gets off on the acting and also on Jennifer whilst sitting on the couch. You'll have to watch the show to get that one. Another reason to make a date with your tele is the easy flow of jibes between Tanu and Manu.

Like their characters they too are poles apart. Perhaps, this is why they really dig the other's company but there certainly isn't a romantic thing going on there.

They like to tease each other and they are friends enough for constant jibing. Their chemistry is genuine and based on mutual respect.

Madhavan gushed at how wonderful it was to work with an actress that came prepared and knew more about the character than even the writer. Kangana praised Maddy's intellect and patience but wanted to know what he does for two hours in his vanity van when she can be ready in 20 minutes.

Known as much for his violent on-set confrontation with a certain George Clooney as his critically acclaimed, darkly comic ventures like Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees, director David O Russell is anything but boring. He tells YOLANDE D'MELLO he has no words to describe how he feels that The Fighter has received seven Oscar nominations, and why Mark Wahlberg had a boxing ring in his backyard for the shooting of the film

How did you feel about making a film that would inevitably be compared to Raging Bull and Rocky? 
I knew that my film would be compared to these iconic films but once you see it, you'll realise that it's not really a Raging Bull or a Rocky. Boxing is just a backdrop; it's a story about a family, their adversities and their triumph.

It is a real story based on Micky Ward's (an Irish boxer born in 1965) life and his determination to overcome difficulties and emerge a winner.

What spin did you want to give Micky Ward's story? 
My only aim was to make it as original as possible, since it's a film based in real life. Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale had to undergo rigorous training under Micky and Dicky Ward for almost one-and-a-half years to look and fight like real boxers.

Earlier, we were supposed to shoot the film in Toronto, but we ultimately shot at Lowell, Massachusetts, where the original story took place.

What kind of research and training went into it? 
Micky was our Bible. We had to sit with him for days to understand every aspect of his life. Mark and Christian had to train to look and act like the legends of boxing. Micky and Dicky Ward moved in with Mark. They set up a boxing ring in his backyard, where they would practice regularly.

How did you cast Mark Wahlberg? 
I knew Mark was always interested in doing a boxing film and he knew Micky Ward very well and had seen his life unfold very closely. So there couldn't have been a better actor to play the title character.

Any interesting anecdotes while shooting?
In the film, Amy (Adams) plays a loudmouth sexy bartender, who abuses a lot. After a point, she ran out of all the bad words she knew! I would tease her, telling her that she needed to do better and was very poor at this.

Apparently, you used cameras from that era to give the scenes a certain look? 
Actually, Mark had some connections with the HBO guys, who shoot pay per view boxing matches and had shot few of Micky's matches as well. So they knew exactly how to go about it.

What was the experience of shooting the fight scenes like? What was the toughest scene to shoot? 
Mark trained himself for one-and-a-half years to fight like a professional boxer, so he was obviously more than willing to do his own stunts. Shooting for the fight scenes was great, but also tough, since you have to cover each and every move from all possible angles to give the feel of a real fight.

There is a scene where Mark takes on real life fighter, Alfonso Sanchez, who was number 2 middle weight in the world, while we were shooting for the film.

How was it working with Micky Ward? 
Obviously there is certain kind of pressure associated while telling a real life story. Micky was always with us while shooting and corrected us whenever required without ever trying to interfere.

What do seven Oscar nominations mean to you?
No words can describe the feeling. All I can say is that it feels like a dream.

Salman Khan's commitment ensures film will be complete ahead of schedule 

We've scooped some pics for you from the sets of Salman Khan's upcoming film, Ready, a film being shot in Thailand in record time.

The second schedule of the film is currently underway in Bangkok, a week ahead of time. Obviously, producer Bhushan Kumar is thrilled with the progress.

Says a source from the unit of Ready, "Salmanbhai is very charged about the film and is taking a keen interest in every aspect.

Though he parties in his hotel along with his friends at night, in the day, he only focuses on the film and ensures it's briskly moving ahead."

Changed pattern

Khan wants his next after Dabangg to hit screens soon. Ready began shooting in December last year and is due for a June 3 release. That's just six months. By comparison, Dabangg took 11 months to complete.

The source adds, "Earlier, Bhai would take almost two years to complete a film but now he's changed his pattern. In fact, we signed up for a 40-day schedule in Bankgok, Pattaya, Kraabi Islands and the Kanchipura jungles where the action sequences are being shot currently."

Says Bhushan, "I'm very happy with the way Ready is progressing. We were to finish and return to India on March 22, but now I think we will return by March 15.

All credit goes to Salmanbhai, director Anees Bazmee, co-producer Rajat Rawail and my uncleKishan (Kumar) who is present on the sets every day." 

Farah Khan flies to Chandigarh to shoot a lavish song for Joker in open fields

Farah Khan has flown into Chandigarh to choreograph a lavish number for hubby Shirish Kunder's Joker. The track rendered by Daler Mehndi will be shot from today.

The movie's lead stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha along with Shreyas Talpade and Minissha Lamba besides the supporting cast consisting of Darshan Jariwalla will feature in the song.

Explains Farah, "We are shooting in the open fields about two hours drive from Chandigarh. Sets have also been erected for the shoot.

It is an extremely peppy number but it is not a typically Punjabi track. It is one of the a highlight of the movie as the entire cast is part of it."

The film's music is by G V Prakash who is A R Rahman's nephew. "He is barely 23 but extremely talented, " she says.

The stars are being styled by Rick Roy for the shoot. "As it involves a huge number of people, the rehearsals for it have been on since the last few days."

Apart from handling a vast number of people in the song, Farah is also travelling with her triplets (Anya, Diva and Czar) and their maids for the location shoot!

Handling huge numbers are hardly a deterrent for her on the sets or off the sets!

Sanjay Leela Bhansali turned 48 on Thursday with a not-so-quiet lunch with his close friends, associates and assistants, he also decided to change the course of his life.

At 48, SLB turns into a netizen. He is determined to master the commands on the computer at any cost.

Oops!

His birthday resolution is to write his new script on the computer. And never mind if the first ten pages of his proposed next film were lost when the comp-challenged filmmaker punched the 'delete' button by mistake.

For an artiste who sends out no more than two SMSes a week, and that too under duress, getting on the computer would seem like a Herculean task.

Tech unsavvy

SLB is now struggling manfully with the intricacies of the internet, all thanks to his two little nieces who had begun to look at him like a dinosaur for being so ignorant of computer technology. Laughs Sanjay, "I barely know how to turn on my CD player.

I had never touched the computer before. My sister's kids had seriously begun to make fun of me. They said, 'Maama, get onto the net because that technology is on the way to becoming obsolete."

Thanks to his accountant Chetan whom SLB took into confidence, he is very slowly learning to put on the computer and access the internet. "My next script will materialise on the net, no matter what it takes, " promises SLB.

And he promises to double his output of SMSes from two a week to four by the end of this year, "About time I moved on with the world."

Govinda turned up late for film promotions as his make-up man was unwell! 

The notoriously tardy Govinda has taken his unpunctuality to another level. The actor walked in hours late for the unveiling of the promos of his film Naughty@40.

When asked about the delay, he blamed his make-up man!

Chi Chi was to arrive at 7 pm on Friday at a venue in Juhu close to his home. However till almost 9 pm there was no word from the star.

When the makers of the film tried to contact him, he remained unavailable. His cell phone was also switched off.

Says a source, "Everyone was on tenterhooks as several guests had been invited and no one knew his whereabouts.

Producer Anuj Sharma, director Jagmohan Mundra and his co-star Yuvika Chaudhry were all patiently waiting for him."

No one knew his whereabouts till Govinda entered the venue and said that he was late because his make-up man had fallen sick.

As actors can't step out of their homes without their greasepaint, you couldn't expect Chi Chi to.

But Sharma maintains, "There must have been a genuine reason why Govinda was late for the unveiling of the promos.

He told us his make-up man was unwell. Otherwise for the shoots, he has been co-operative and on time."

Aarya Babbar chased Farah khan relentlessly to let him borrow the role of the siamese twins from Tees Maar Khan for his stage debut

While Farah Khan paid a handsome amount to acquire the rights to MGM's After The Fox, Farah herself, it seems, is at the receiving end of copyright compensation from one of the actors in Tees Maar Khan.

Usually it is Farah's triplets that the world wants to cuddle, but for actor Aarya Babbar, he wants the copyright to use Farah's on-screen twins from her movie Tees Maar Khan for his upcoming theatre play.

Aarya who is currently dabbling in cinema, comic-book writing and theatre has borrowed the idea for his play Gorky Aur Tinku Ke Kaarname from Farah's film Tees Maar Khan where there is a pair of Siamese twins played by real-life twins Raghu Ram and Rajiv Laxman.

In ardent need to make his stage debut where his parents and sister Juhi Babbar have their roots, Aarya desperately sought Farah's permission to use her twin characters in his debut play.

And Aarya wouldn't hear a no. He chased Farah relentlessly with his 'Twin-Do Andolan'.

Aarya will play Siamese twins in Gorky Tinku Ke Kaarname with his childhood friend actor Divesh Wankhede. Admits Aarya, "I was definitely inspired by Tees Maar Khan to play the Siamese twins in my play.

In fact 

I asked for Farah's permission to use her characters in the film for my play."

Aarya can't thank Farah enough for the role of the cop and for permission to let him use her characters in his play.

"For some reason Farah took me under her wings, looked after me, pampered me to no end, " he said. Aarya's role in Tees Maar Khan has got him considerable notice.

He is now looking forward to the release of Prashant Chaddha's Mujaahir where he plays a terrorist.

Aarya has also authored a comic book called Puspak Vimaan where he claims the copyright for the original aircraft belongs to Hindu mythology and not the Wright Brothers.

"I'm now flying high. Things have taken time to happen to me. But it's all good now, thanks to films like Jail and Tees Maar Khan, " says the young actor.

After Water gained the ire of Hindu radicals, the director's new film -- an adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children -- was shot secretly in Colombo last week

Fire director Deepa Mehta quietly began shooting in Colombo last week for her much-anticipated adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, which will star Shabana Azmi, Seema Biswas, Soha Ali Khan and American Indian actor Satya Bhabha in the protagonist's role of Saleem Sinai.

The working title of the film is Winds of Change. She will later arrive in India for a portion of the shoot in undisclosed areas. For now, Colombo will masquerade as India. This is not the first time Mehta has used Colombo to depict India.

In 2005, she shot in Colombo after being denied permission to shoot in Varanasi for her critically acclaimed Oscar- nominated film, Water. Mehta relocated the aborted project to Colombo and shot the film under a secret working-title, Moon River.

Her current shooting spell for Midnight's Children in Colombo could also face trouble. While radical Hindu political groups had disrupted the shooting of Water in Varanasi, this time, protests are expected from Islamic fundamentalists, who haven't taken kindly to Salman Rushdie's writings.

In 1989, Iran issued a fatwa against Rushdie for his fourth novel, Satanic Verses. The book also met with widespread protests and Muslim communities in several nations including the West held public rallies, burning copies of the book.

Which explains why the actors and crewmembers of Midnight's Children were sworn to secrecy by contract about the location of filming. One crewmember accidentally revealed, "We are shooting in Colombo. But no one is supposed to know about it." 

Puja Gupta who makes her debut in F.A.L.T.U is facing an identity crisis.

She is being constantly referred to as Pooja Chopra who is also a beauty contest winner.

"As long as my pictures don't get messed up and people know my facae I am happy."

But she requests people to please take note. Point taken, Puja!

After the success of Robot, the legend has developed a fixation for the letter R; signs Rekha for Rana

It seems Rajnikanth has become a little superstitious.

The legendary actor, who has developed a fixation for the letter 'R', flew down to Mumbai early this month to convince Rekha, whose name starts with the 'lucky letter', to star in his next film Rana.

This zeal for the letter developed after the astounding success of his film Robot.

Says a source, "Rajni considers Rekha and the letter 'R' lucky for him. Robot is his biggest hit to date. And he was keen that the title of his new film starts with the letter 'R'.

Coincidently, his director in Rana is named Ravi (K Ravi Kumar). Rajnikanth wanted his co-star too to be someone with 'R'."

When he heard that Rekha had some reservations about her role in the film, which has Deepika Padukone as the leading lady, Rajnikant decided to fly down to Mumbai, to meet the actress personally.

Says the source, "Rajni assured Rekha that her role would not overlap with Deeepika's.

Rajni has a triple role in Rana. Two of them are full-fledged parts while the third is a cameo. While Deepika is paired with the 'young' Rajni, Rekha will co-star opposite the father Rajnikanth in a different time zone."

Rekha finally agreed to do the role after a lot of persuasion. The shooting of the film will start in Chennai from April.

The film will also be made in Tamil and Telugu. "Rekha insists on speaking her own lines and is also mastering Telugu. The actress who herself is a big Rajnikanth fan, is very excited about her role, " said the source.

Rekha with Rajni
In the past, the duo has starred in Bhrashtachar, Phool Bane Angaaray and Bulandi.

Ali Fazal, better known as Joy Lobo of 3 Idiots is the new poster boy for SRK's banner Red Chillies latest project Always Kabhi Kabhi.

The lad had to lose 14 kilos to fit in to the character of a school boy. He also had to abstain from working out as he could not look muscular.

He says, "It was a vast change from playing Joy Lobo, who was serious with clear ambitions. I had to literally unlearn everything I had done so far." He stars opposite Giselle Monteiro (Love Aaj Kal). The film is about a bunch of friends in school.

Satyajit Dubey who was discovered by Roshan Abbas in a couple of ad films makes his debut in Always Kabhi Kabhi. He hasn't been trained as an actor but has a theatre background. The newbie who plays a geek in his debut is cast opposite Zoa Morani.

He says, "Roshan Sir was more of a teacher to me than a director. He taught me how to get comfortable in a given setting and always encouraged spontaneity." He's proud to be part of a film from SRK's banner, and adds, "God has rewarded me for my patience."

Such humility... let's hope it stays after his first release. A certain Ranveer Singh sounded just as humble before Band Bajaa Baaraat became a hit.

NB: Satyajit is the grandson of theatre stalwart Pandit Satyadev Dubey!

By Subhash K Jha

Singer-composer Adnan Sami is none too pleased by attempts in the Pakistani media to club his case with that of the lately-beleaguered Pakistani singer Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who returned to Pakistan.Foiled attempts have been made by the media from across the border to get in touch with Adnan and his family in Pakistan and India.

Says Adnan angrily, “I don't know why the Pakistani media is bringing my name up in Rahat's context. First of all I am not being hounded/targeted/victimized/persecuted in Mumbai. I am doing just fine, shukriya. Yes, I'm in a spot of trouble with the government over a foreign-exchange issue.But you can't compare my problem with Rahat's. I had done everything as per official instruction.It was the authorities who did not read the fine -print.”

Adnan sidesteps the strong rumours that he is under renewed threat from a regional political party to leave the country.

“Arrey yaar, there will be the party-poopers in every situation.You can't run away and hide just because some people want to get rid of you. Let me make it very clear that Mumbai is my city. This is where I now belong.And no one can drive me out.”

Reacting to rumours that he still maintains a Pakistani passport Adnan sighs, “My application for an Indian passport is almost come through. I'll soon be an Indian citizen. Until then, yes I do hold a Pakistani passport. Does that make me Pakistani?

We've an example of a very important and beloved leader coming from Italy. How Italian would you consider this beloved leader who is dedicated to Indian politics? Nationality is a state of mind.I am Indian.I dare anyone to prove otherwise.”

Udita Goswami has been in Los Angeles for more than two months and has been meeting Hollywood folk.

She recently met Danny Boyle, Natalie Portman and Gillian Jacobs at the Oscar festivities and also attended the screening of Hall Pass starring Owen Wilson followed by the annual Art of Elysium charity benefit event which was attended by stars like Gerard Butler, Ginnifer Goodwin, Nicky Hilton, David Arquette, Claire Danes, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo and what's more, she bumped into A R Rahman and his wife Saira too who are in LA for the Oscars.

The director of 2007 cult hit film Bheja Fry is angry with producers of his new film for their shoddy marketing

Sagar Ballary, director of 2007 hit film Bheja Fry is unhappy with the way producers Sahara Motion Pictures have marketed and released his latest film, Kaccha Limboo. Ballary now intends to take legal action against his producers.

"Even my mother doesn't know about the release of Kaccha Limboo! It was released so quietly, almost apologetically. If Sahara was not interested in my film, why did they agree to produce it in the first place? Bheja Fry too was strapped for resources. But producer Sunil Doshi made sure the product got noticed."

Sahara promised Ballary a 100 film prints and hoardings across the city, claims the director. Ballary has now cancelled his three-film deal with Sahara. "I'm not making any more films for a company that doesn't know what it is doing. I begged them to postpone the release.

I wanted them to wait till the summer holidays. But they claimed they needed to release my film before the financial year ended on March 31. I am upset with the step-motherly treatment, and the manner in which so many talented children have been insulted."

The director claims the posters were printed but weren't sent out for distribution. Audio CDs were sent out late too, he says. "The film has six songs but the producers didn't bother holding a music release.

I didn't see any promos on television wither. Even the mandatory print ads announcing the film's release were not placed." Ballary's legal advisors have already sent a notice to Sahara Motion Pictures.

When contacted, Deepak Segal who heads Sahara Motion Pictures laughed, "Is Sagar upset with us because his film didn't get an audience? We did what we could. But we can't help it if Kaccha Limboo didn't connect with the audience.

I personally feel it had the potential to be a rollicking coming-of-age film like The Wonder Years. He squandered the opportunity. The second-half of the film didn't jell with the first."

Segal says that while Bellary cribs that Sahara didn't release a 100 film prints, the fact is they made UFO prints, which are more economical. "Only the most discerning viewer would be able to tell the difference between film and UFO prints.

As for Sahara not spending money on marketing and promotion, Sagar has been around long enough to understand that stars sell a film during promotions. Kaccha Limboo had no stars. Did Sagar want us to take 100 kids to various centres for promotion? It's the product that matters finally." 

Bollywood actor Abhay Deol was asked to take off his shirt for a scene in Zoya Akhtar's next film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", but he firmly refused to do so. The reason -- he has hair on his chest.

Zoya had asked him and Hrithik Roshan, who also plays a lead role in the film, to go topless in a scene. Hrithik obliged but Abhay refused to bare his chest, a source said.

"Abhay refused to take off his shirt as he doesn't prefer to shave his chest hair, " the source told.

"Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" is a fun-filled road film shot largely across Spain and apart from Hrithik and Abhay, also seen in pivotal roles will be Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin.

The film is scheduled to hit theatres June 24.

Deepika Padukone is doing an item number in Jayanth C Paranji's Telugu flick Teenmaar which stars Pawan Kalyan.

She had also shaken her booty in Paranji's 2009 Telugu film Love 4 Ever. Looks like Dippy is always willing to groove in his movies.

Or is it the lure of the greenbucks from down South too?

By Subhash K Jha

Even as Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sang an off-key tune in India this week Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar went across the border along with 10 theatre artists including MS Sathyu, Shama Zaidi, Atul Tiwari, Rajendra Gupta and Lubna Arif on an invitation from the Faiz Foundation for the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Centennial.

Shabana had a tearful reunion with Faiz's two daughters Salima and Moneeza Hashmi.

Says Shabana, “Faiz is my most favourite poet of all and even Abba (father Kaifi Azmi)accepted that without qualms. Faiz's completed works Saare Sukhan Hamare accompanies wherever I go.”

About her indelible bonding with Faiz's daughters Shabana says, “Salima and Moneeza Hashmi and I came together in sisterhood because we share a common heritage having been raised as children of the Progressive Writers Movement.” Shabana made history with Javed by crossing the Wagah border on her feet.

“Since I was shooting in Colombo the fastest way of reaching Lahore was across the Wagah border. It was the first time for me. To see India on one side and Pakistan on the other with just a thin line separating the two countries is overwhelming.

Faiz's daughters were waiting on the other side with outstretched arms and garlands of roses. We ran across with open arms and tears flowed down our eyes as we hugged each other.Not a single eye around us was dry.”

Shabana urges the illwill between the two countries to end. Her father Kaifi Azmi and the Hashmi Sisters' father Faiz Ahmed Faiz desired to dissolve differences between the two nations.

Says Shabana pasasionately, “ Our fathers struggled all their lives for social justice and empowerment of the underpriveleged. They dreamed of a harmonius world.

Artists can only speak the language of peace and sisterhood because art knows no boundaries. Javed's song Panchi nadiya pawan ke jhonke koi sarhad na inhe roke from the film Refugee had never sounded more relevant. In Lahore we were welcomed and feted with all the warmth of Pakistani hospitality.

I sang Faiz's poem Bol. Javed read a paper on the PWA and Ila Arun regaled them with Faiz sung in Rajasthani folk style. And we ate the best food in the world.”

Shabana wants the animosity across the border to end. “We must encourage people to people contact. Today is the time not only of countries but of regions. If the European union can come together why can't our subcontinent?

We should come together for art and trade and set the agenda for our respective govts that people in both countries want peace not enemity.We should have joint ventures in film co- productions.The youth needs to make exchange trips.”

Unable to attend the premiere of his new English film, West is West, Om Puri does the next best thing -- 125 press interviews in all of three days

As if making a film isn't tiring enough, Om Puri shows us that promoting it is no mean task either. A grand premiere was planned for Puri's new international film, West Is West on February 25. But the actor ended up missing it. Puri was unable to attend the premiere since he was shooting for Karan Johar's Agneepath in Mumbai.

To make up, the actor visited London earlier this month and gave 125 press interviews in three days!

"They are releasing 200 prints of West Is West in England. This is unprecedented for a film with an Indian theme. But then the earlier film, East Is East (1999) was a surprise hit. The producers want to cash in with the sequel, " says Puri.

He admitted that his assignment at home prevented him from going to London for the premiere. "Agneepath is an important film. I play the role of an honest cop, which was played by Vikram Gokhale in the original 1990 film. I knew I couldn't be present in London for the premiere. So I went earlier this month to London for press interviews."

Although Johar is known to accommodate schedules of his friends, he was in no mood to let Puri off, even for a day. Puri tries not to sound disappointed. "The rest of the cast was there. My presence would've made a difference since I am the principal character. Lekin chalta hai.

I'm glad I've enough work to keep me busy all year around." West Is West will release in India and abroad on April 1, the same day as Puri's comedy, Teen Thay Bhai. "I consider myself lucky to have both my English and Hindi films releasing on the same Friday, " he said. 

Close proximity to Sanjay and Maanayata got Ameesha Patel booted from Leander Paes' debut Rajdhani Express

While it has been reported that Ameesha Patel walked out of Ashok Kohli's Rajdhani Express starring Leander Paes, insiders insist that her exit had to do with her close friendship with Sanjay Dutt's wife Maanayata.

It is common knowledge that the new Mrs Dutt and Mrs Paes, (who was formerly Mrs Dutt) do not share a good equation. And the actress became collateral damage and was ousted from Leander's debut film.

Meanwhile, Ameesha has been telling people that she walked out of the film because the part required her to do steamy scenes with the tennis ace, which she wasn't comfortable doing.

This didn't ring true because the actress has never shied away from dare-and-bare roles. Paes later clarified in a recent interview that there are no intimate scenes in the film.

Wife says no

It all started when Leander learnt about Patel's dosti with Maana from his wife Rhea. She expressed her misgivings to her husband, who in turn told his producers Ashok Kohli and Manoj Kejriwal.

"They all felt that in the best interests of the film, she should leave the project and be replaced by a newcomer without any contacts in B-town."

The tennis star was irritated when she started planting stories of her walking out from the film because of steamy sex scenes.

Adds an insider, "Leander hasn't met Ameesha so there's neither friendship nor animosity towards her but her rumours were hurting him, his film and his image. He's a national celebrity with a clean image and wouldn't act in questionable film."

Mutual decision

A source from the production says there are no intimate scenes, as there's no leading lady in a romantic role, "RE is like A Wednesday or Rang De Basanti.

In RE, the main character is Leander and the pivotal character is Paresh Rawal." Producer-director Kohli states, "Ameesha and I had discussed it and mutually decided to part ways.

I don't know why she said she walked out because of the steamy, intimate scenes, as there aren't any at all.

We decided to part ways as she comes from mainstream films and I am a debutant director working on a film with an ensemble cast. I told her we should do a film where she has a better role."

However, he denies that Leander asked for her to be replaced.

"He is a thorough professional and gentleman and hasn't interfered once in the entire process of filmmaking. He's a sportsman and brings a different kind of discipline to the film."

Ameesha remained unavailable for comment.

Go off-grid to spend time weekend together. Nobody's know where to.
PS: Our bet's on the jungles in Madhya Pradesh 

She's the busiest actress this with a lineup of films most actresses would kill for but Kareena Kapoor has always made sure that she spends ample time with her family and her love, Saif Ali Khan and her close friends.

Yesterday, she left for an undisclosed destination to be with Saif for a couple of days.

Says a source, "Bebo and the chota nawab are a couple who always make sure that one is there for the other.

While Saif spent Valentine's Day with Kareena and then left in the evening for his Aarakshan shoot in Bhopal, she has now squeezed some time out from her hectic schedule to spend the weekend with him.

She didn't have any dates to spare but was missing Saif a lot so she asked her business manager Zahid Khan to squeeze out some time.

And this time, Kareena has not told anybody about where she's going."

No media spotlight

The source adds that Saif is a very private person and hates the media spotlight on him every time they go on holiday. "He has strictly forbidden her to tell anyone where they are headed for.

Saif likes to rough it out in the wild so most probably it will be somewhere in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Kareena flew down last evening to Bhopal after which the couple drove down to their secret hiding.

She will come back on Sunday night and begin shooting on Monday for an ad film. She shot for two endorsements already this week one for a shampoo ad and the other for an international luggage brand."

Bigg Boss 4 winner Shweta Tiwari, finds an emotional anchor in Abhinav Kohli, the new guy in her life 

After her Bigg Boss 4 win, actress Shweta Tiwari opens up about the new love of her life, Abhinav Kohli, in People magazine's March 11 issue.

The two met on the sets of Jaane Kya Baat Hui in November 2008 and became close friends before getting into a relationship.

Due to her past (her volatile marriage to actor Raja Choudhury) the actress was reluctant to let love into her life again, but Abhinav's selflessness won her over.

Extracts from the interview...

Shah Rukh Khan keen on getting Lady Gaga for Ra.One

Shah Rukh Khan is keen on getting Lady Gaga for his sci-fi fantasy film Ra.One. So much that he's asked Akon to convince Gaga to do a music video for the film.

Recently, the international pop singer hinted to a US based news channel that she has some special plans for India. When asked what they were, she replied, "can't disclose, but it's a collaboration with some local people."

There has always been speculation that SRK would rope in an international singer for a music video for Ra.One.

Lady Gaga's name started doing the rounds because of her proximity to Akon who worked with Shah Rukh for a song in the film.

Not many know that Gaga was actually Akon's discovery and got her signed on his music label Interscope.

A source reveals, "Lady Gaga is the biggest international act in the world right now. If she agrees to do Ra.One it would be a huge asset for the film.

Akon has already bounced the idea to Gaga's management and her team. While she's touring right now, there's a possibility that Shah Rukh might have a meeting with her in coming weeks."

The source adds that while Gaga is what Shah Rukh wants, his team is also considering Shakira as an option if things don't work out with the Bad Romance singer.

"Shakira has toured India and has met SRK in the past. She's also familiar with Bollywood and aware of the current trends in music.

While Anubhav Sinha and Khan are trying hard to get Akon to convince Gaga, they are also sending Shakira feelers for the same."

After missing his anniversary meeting with the wife yesterday, Ajay Devgn to make it up to Kajol

It was one of those rare occasions that Ajay Devgn was separated from wifey, Kajol on their anniversary (February 24) as the star was busy shooting for Sanjay Dutt's Rascals yesterday in Bangkok.

A source close to Ajay says, "Ever since his marriage (1999), AJ has made it a point to be in Mumbai almost every year to celebrate his wedding anniversary with Kajol and his close friends and family.

This year too, the couple had decided to spend their 12th wedding anniversary together but in Bangkok, where Ajay was shooting for Rascals.

Kajol was to fly down with their two children Nysa and Yug but a hectic shooting schedule put paid to their plans."

Can't waste days

The source adds, "Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and AJ have been shooting round the clock in Pattaya to finish shooting. Kangna Ranaut is currently in Mumbai promoting her next film. Sanju has been shooting with a broken foot as he wants to complete the shoot.

Every day is very expensive - almost R 35 lakh a day and Sanju doesn't want to waste a bit of it. Kangna's flight to Mumbai could have brought the schedule almost to a halt but the guys made sure that the major portions were complete and not a day was wasted.

Everyone's treating the film as their own home production. In such a situation Ajay couldn't leave Sanju and go off to celebrate his anniversary with Kajol."

Now the plans have been slightly altered. "Instead of Bangkok, Kajol flew in early today morning to Pattaya with the two children. They will be staying there for a week. The shoot gets over on March 2 but Ajay plans to stay on with his family for a couple of more days after which he joins Rohit Shetty's Singham unit in Goa.

As he couldn't celebrate his anniversary yesterday, AJ plans to take off for a few hours to be with his family.

He has planned a special lunch for Kajol at their Pattaya hotel and a candlelight dinner on the beach tonight to make it up to his wife. Normally, Ajay doesn't like planning too much. He likes to go impromptu in matters of romance."

Party before the wrap-up

The Rascals unit had a party on February 22 at the Gulliver's Club in Pattaya. Says an onlooker, "It was an impromptu wrap up party hosted by the producer Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Ahluwalia for the stars and the unit.

They packed up from the sets and drove off to the nightclub. In fact everybody had such a gala time that nobody even missed Kangna! Everyone was happy that after this schedule almost 85 per cent of the film will get complete and only 10 days of work will be left.

Normally a wrap up party is done after the schedule gets complete but Ajay and Sanju didn't want to wait for the party after the schedule and waste another day."

Actor to play a 17th century warrior in 'Magadheera' remake

After pulling off an affable Sardarji in Rocket Salesman Of The Year and attempting a rock guitarist in Rockstar, Ranbir Kapoor now moves on to playing a 17th century a warrior in the Hindi remake of the 2009 Telugu blockbuster Magadheera.

The director of the original S S Rajamouli has been retained for the R 90 crore reboot. With reincarnation as the central theme, it is set in contemporary times and in medieval times as well.

It features RK in his first-ever double role. The actor is expected to train in sword-fighting and at least three strains of martial arts for the part.

Ghajini producer Madhu Manthena will produce the Hindi remake.

Says an insider, "The Hindi remake required a sinewy yet lean look and a sombre persona and a fantastic actor who could look convincing in both avatars. Ranbir was the only choice for the role. Only he fitted the bill."

The source continues, "Ranbir was floored by the concept of the warrior in the Mughal dynasty. He has never done a costume drama before. As a child, his favourite film used to be a fantasy film called Rani Aur Lalparee.

Ranbir watched the film umpteen times as a child. He now gets a chance to live out an old-world fantasy."

While Ranbir remained unavailable for comment, producer Madhu says, "At the moment, it is too early to comment."

Abhishek Bachchan (with wife Aishwarya Rai) is in Los Angeles holidaying after a strenuous shooting schedule of Abbas Mustan's Players in New Zealand.

The timing for his holiday couldn't be better as a devastating earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand recently.

Says a source close to him, "Fortunately, Abhishek was in LA when the earthquake hit NZ but his sympathies are with the victims and their families."

Ashu too...
Ashutosh Gowariker is also in LA to attend the Oscars. The director is staying at the same hotel as the Bachchans. They will be dining together over the weekend.

One-film-old Sonakshi Sinha seems to be having a gala time while shooting for Shirish Kunder's "Joker" in Chandigarh with co-star Akshay Kumar.

Recently, when the cast and crew had some free time on hand they decided to play paintball.

"When the cast and crew had some free time on hand they all decided to have some fun and so they went to play paintball, " said a source.

"Before starting the game, Akshay was heard telling everyone that well all know whose daughter Sonakshi is and so to make sure no one troubles her or else they would get a lot of 'Khamosh'.

Everyone had good laugh and both Sonakshi and Akshay made sure that the atmosphere was light and fun after a hard day at work, " the source added.

Paintball is a sport in which players try to eliminate opponents by hitting them with capsules containing food colouring and gelatin (referred to as paintballs) propelled from a device called a paintball marker.

Band Baaja Baraat actor Ranveer Singh is leading over Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in India's first annual Facebook Movie Awards.

FBMA has users of Facebook vote for their favourite movie star for 2010. Started by social media marketing professionals, it is an initiative to give film folk a transparent award based on viewer choice who are on social networking space. The FBMA entries close by June-end.

Meanwhile...
Ranveer Singh has landed an endorsement deal. He has been signed as the new face of a cola which is being re-launched.
Ranbir Kapoor also endorses the same brand. Way to go, RS!

A US-based Hindu group has supported Hollywood diva Pamela Anderson’s reported demand of “humane” research methods in India’s prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) on Friday, stressed that Hinduism showed respect towards animals and any form of cruelty to animals was not acceptable.

Anderson wants AIIMS to retire the aging monkeys of its animal facility. In a letter to AIIMS director Professor R.C. Deka, she asked him to send these monkeys to a sanctuary and switch to modern and humane non-animal research and training methods.

She pointed out that many of these monkeys had been languishing in cramped and rusty cages for up to 20 years. She also enclosed secretly taped video footage of the facility.

"It broke my heart to see the suffering”, Anderson wrote.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that AIIMS should reevaluate its research policies and procedures involving animals and come up with humane solutions.

Thrice divorced/annulled MTV nominated Pamela Anderson (Baywatch), 43, is a Canadian-American actress-model-author- producer-former Playboy Playmate. She is vegetarian and an animal rights activist. She participated in India’s popular and controversial daily television reality show “Bigg Boss” near Mumbai (India) in November last in a three-day cameo appearance.

Established in 1956 by an Act of Indian Parliament to “serve as a nucleus for nurturing excellence in all aspect of health care”, AIIMS is an institution of national importance.

Lady Gaga has become the third artist in the 16-year history of the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart to collect three # 1 songs from a debut album.

The single "LoveGame" takes the #1 spot following "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" from the album The Fame .

The trio have sold 1,162,000 to date in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Lady Gaga joins Ace Of Base and Avril Lavigne in accomplishing the triumphant triple play.

On the Billboard Hot 100, "Just Dance" spent three weeks at #1, and "Poker Face" led for one week.

The Fame has now shipped over 1.8m albums (for UMGI) and peaked at #1 on the Billboard European Album chart and in a further five UMGI markets.
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The album has been certified x4 Platinum in Ireland, x2 Platinum in Australia, New Zealand and UK, Platinum in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland, and Gold in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Sweden and Taiwan.

"Pokerface" peaked at #1 in 11 UMGI markets and was also #1 for 15 consecutive weeks on the Billboard European single chart.

Lady Gaga has recently toured Australia, New Zealand and Asia and is currently on a headline European and UK tour finishing in Stockholm on August 2nd.

The priest at a Hindu temple visited by pop singer Britney Spears admits he didn't recognise her when she first arrived with her four-month-old son Sean Preston to seek spiritual guidance.

According to contactmusic.com, Spears visited a Hindu temple in Malibu, California. She was born a Baptist but has tried out Kabbalah and has now turned to eastern religions, according to the temple minister Samundrala Krishna Ma Charyulu.

Charyulu said Spears was seeking "spiritual guidance" and added: "She and her baby joined us in prayer inside our Ganesh Temple. I wrapped some Hindu cloth around them both and gave them some flowers to wear as part of the ceremony."

He hopes she will return to the temple. He said: "The whole time she was very humble and respectful."

Bollywood actors R. Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut are on cloud nine after their favourite actress Madhuri Dixit praised their movie "Tanu Weds Manu", which releases Friday.

Madhuri, who came along with her family for the special screening of the romantic comedy, considered the movie a fine body of work as she could relate to the movie for its Indianness and connect to cultural roots.

On knowing this, both Kangana and Madhavan are extremely happy.

An excited Madhavan wrote on microblogging site Twitter, "I met THE MADHURI DIXIT NENE today...she said she love my work.. MY YEAR IS MADEEEEe.. YIPEEEE (sic)."

But wait!! Before you jump out of your seats in glee, let us inform you that it is not what you think…

Zee TV is back with Antakshri but this time in the wedding of the lead character in popular soap Sanskaar Laxmi.

Our very own Pallavi Joshi will grace the screens this time with the popular Marathi singer Avdoot Guptay on Zee TV's Sanskaar Laxmi as wedding festivities go into full swing.

The actress was clearly enjoying herself during the shoot and was all bright eyed and chirpy till the wee hours of the morning!

Also shaking a leg at the Antakshari will be TV's heartthrobs - Ankita Lokhande, Sushant Rajput, Nandish Sandhu & Rashmi Desai.

The four stars will sing, dance and join in the family frolic with popular tracks like Range De, Aiwaien aiwaien, Laung da Lishkara and others!

Said Sukesh Motwani, Fiction Head, Zee TV, “Laxmi's wedding will be like no other on Indian television as it will showcase the ethnicity and vibrancy of Gujarati weddings. It's an opportunity for us to acquaint our audiences with these small rituals and traditions which form such an integral part of any wedding.

“The rich Gujarati culture and heritage rooted to their traditional ethics adorn the matrimonial celebrations with typical Gujarati fancies, elaborating the vivacity and exhilaration prevalent in their community.”

The producer of Sanskaar Laxmi, Rajesh Joshi said, “It's a huge challenge for us to put together such an extravagant wedding on television. Gujarati wedding celebrations and rituals are replete with gaiety and frolic and I'm sure pan Indian viewers will surely enjoy it to the hilt.

“The unique blend of traditions and detailing is something which make Laxmi's wedding a sheer delight. Coming from a humble background, will Laxmi fight all odds to win the hearts of the Purohits?

“Will Laxmi be able to mould herself with the new way of life and adjust to a large family where each member has a different personality? Laxmi's journey from Dharigam to Purohit's family in the cosmopolitan city, Mumbai, will be the highpoint of the show.”

The wedding celebrations which are expected to go on for four days, will be a grand celebration of everything that is Guajarati.

Right from the smaller rituals like the Tippani dance, to the Athango dance, producer Rajesh Joshi is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that this is the most talked about shaadi of the year!

Noted painter M.F. Husain has paid his personal tribute to K. Asif's epic film "Mughal-E-Azam" by recreating the movie's fabulous scenes in a series of exquisite paintings.

"I love India. I loved the film and really wanted to show the grandeur and the power the film shows, " Hussain said in a 22-minute documentary on K. Asif's timeless classic.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan presented the documentary made by his production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, at JW Marriot hotel Thursday night.

The documentary shows how the film was transformed from black and white to colour and preserved for future generations.

The documentary was an initiative by K. Asif's son, Akbar Asif, to keep the cinematic treasure alive. Along with Sharoopji Mistry, he had released the coloured version of the epic film in 2006.

Shah Rukh said: "There are lots of such classics in the archive. But being stacked for a long time, the prints and negatives of those timeless films are decaying."

"My motive of making this documentary is that lets all come together and spend some money to revive or preserve these films."

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who played the role of Salim in the film, is the only actor alive among the whole cast and he would be shown the documentary, said Shah Rukh.

"I have to go and show him the documentary. He would love to see it, " he said.

Actress Swara Bhaskar, who plays Kangana Ranaut's best friend in "Tanu Weds Manu", rubbishes reports that her co-star is a snob saying she has no airs and provides comfort to people around her.

"I spent most of the time filming with Kangana as my character of Payal is her close friend who acts as a ticker in her life. By ticker I mean, my character gives a reality check to her at every point in the film, " said Swara who also worked in "Madholal Keep Walking".

"Working with Kangana was a good experience. She is very chilled out and friendly. She is just the opposite of what people portray her as - she is not snobbish. She is very approachable and has no airs attached to her persona. We got along very well, we also went out for break together so that we could share compatibility which was required for our roles respectively."

Apart from "Madholal Keep Walking", Swara also worked in "Niyati" which was directed by Pravesh Bhardwaj.

The 25-year-old is a graduate in English Literature from University of Delhi and did her masters in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, but saw her future in movies.

"I love the medium. I love the way the camera comes closer to your body and if you have spark in you to act, you cannot avoid it then. I am a firm believer of training. I have learnt the classical Indian dance form Bharatnatyam and also got training in theatre under veteran Delhi theatre personality N.K. Sharma in his group Act One."

Her future plans is to do "meaty roles. Roles that make me feel exhausted by the time it ends. I am fond of love stories and comedies. I want to do a lead role now".

Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit turned down a film opposite Tamil superstar Rajnikanth because she didn't want to play his sister.

"Would have loved to do a film with Rajnikanth, but the role was that of his sister... need to wait for the right role, " Madhuri wrote on microblogging site Twitter.

Madhuri has previously worked with the 61-year-old star in "Uttar Dakshin" in 1987.

Bollywood heart throb Shahid Kapoor turns a year older on Friday as he celebrates his 30th birthday.

If media reports are to be believed then Shahid Kapoor celebrates this birthday with good old friends in a grand party that he is arranging this time.

However, it is speculated that Priyanka Chopra will not attend the party as she will be in New York during that period adding more fuel to the chances of their probable break up, media reports said.

“Thank u thank u thank u allll....... :) “ an excited Shahid Kapoor tweeted to all his fans who will surely want to see more good films from the 'Jab We Met' actor.

It seems that Emraan Hashmi is hopping mad with Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai director Milan Luthria.

The actor didn't know he wasn't part of the sequel until he read about it in the press. Even though he knew the second part would have new faces, he wasn't ready to be replaced.

The actor has been telling people how it was unprofessional on the director's part to go to the media before telling him.

However, the director has been telling people the reason he took Akshay is because the story takes a leap and Emraan wouldn't have looked the part. 

Shooting in exotic foreign locales is not new for Bollywood, but here comes a spy thriller that is spread over as many as six countries and also shoots with the local cast and crew to get the flavour right at each location.

Director Prashant Chadha's "Azaan" is being shot in Poland, the Czech Republic, Morocco, Germany, Thailand and India in a 70-day schedule. He is planning to wrap up shooting in foreign locales by March-end.

"The technical crew, except for the cameraman, is hired from the city we are shooting. The process of shooting was not that tedious because we spent a lot of time in pre-production. Shooting in five-six countries is not an easy job but because our preparation is so strong that we are able to wrap our shooting in stipulated time and in a given budget," Chadha told in a telephonic conversation from Hong Kong.

To accomplish his plans, the director didn't mind shooting in the freezing cold of Poland and the seething heat of Morocco one after the other.

"Poland was zero degree Centigrade and after 20 days we were at Morocco where the temperature was 30 degrees C. We had to do it because it's our job and we have to take the pain for it," said the director whose Himesh Reshammiya-Hansika Motwani-starrer "Aap Kaa Surror" came out in 2007.

If his "Aap Kaa Surroor" was a musical romance, Chadha is charting a completely new terrain with "Azaan". It took him more than three years to start this project.

"I travelled one year after 'Aap Kaa Surroor'. When I took this project, I took a year to write the script and while writing the script I was doing the recce for the film. Pre-production was happening pretty much simultaneously," he said.

Though the prime cast of the film has Indian actors Sachiin Joshi, Aarya Babbar, Dilip Tahil, Sachin Khedekar and Aly Khan, Chadha also roped in locals from each region he shoots in to add international flavour to his film.

"We did casting from each country we shot in. That makes the plot more authentic. It would have looked very off if we would have used Indians in those regions because there is almost no Indian in a place like Poland. Casting local people from Morocco or Germany adds flavour to these kinds of films," he said.

"Azaan" is the story of an informant who has to go undercover beyond enemy lines and help find enough information to be able to save his brother and the nation from destruction through biological warfare.

"It's about a conspiracy that's been hatched in another country. The conspiracy is unveiled through the eyes of Azaan Khan. This takes him to these five countries," said Chadha. "It's a very human story of one guy who travels in search of his brother."

The director has also roped in Candice Boucher, international model and Playboy cover girl, because he found her fit to play a Moroccon girl.

"Candice Boucher stays in New York and is playing a Moroccon girl. Actually, I know Candice for over four years," he said.

The director is planning to release "Azaan" in June end.

Viewer ratings for King Khan's new show take steady dip. Has lowest TRPs ever for any show hosted by a B-Town star 

The Shah Rukh Khan hosted Zor Ka Jhatka opened with dismal viewer ratings and has been dipping steadily ever week.

It has now achieved the distinction of having the lowest TRPs ever for a show hosted by a Bollywood star! Even a Rakhi Sawant anchored show attracts more eyeballs than King Khan's latest outing on the small screen.

And Rakhi has not been mincing any words on her popularity ratings. "My Rakhi Ka Insaaf on the same channel (Imagine) had more viewership than Zor Ka Jhatka."

And in her characteristic candour she declares, "Ek dum Zor Ka Jhatka laga hai!"

ZKJ opened with a 2.6 TVR but could not manage to attract audience in the second week and its average rating dropped to 1.7 to 1.4 TVR.

Rakhi Sawant's Rakhi Ka Swayamvar opened with a rating of 4.12 TVR and maintained an average rating of 3.04 TVR.

Ever since ZKJ went on air on February 1, there has been furore over SRK's decision to host Zor Ka Jhatka. The desi version of the international reality show Total Wipeout has lived up to its name.

King Khan has been under the scanner for taking up the small screen assignment that has turned out to be a damp squib just like its contestants who get dunked in pools of water.

Why SRK took on Zor Ka Jhatka

B-Town buzz is that Shah Rukh Khan was paid Rs 20 crore for the show. Insiders state that he agreed to do the show as it involved a huge sum for a few days of work.

As reported 'Khan gets Chroma-ed' (Hitlist, January 24), King Khan didn't even travel to Argentina with the contestants where the show was shot. His portions were shot in chroma in Yash Raj Studios.

There's also buzz that SRK took on the offer because of Ra. One. He needed big monies for his lavish sci-fi production.

While others state that he felt Zor Ka Jhatka would get youngsters hooked as Ra.One is targetting at a younger audience. Zor Ka Jhatka TRPs (From February 13-19).

Monday 1.2
Tuesday 1.3
Wednesday 1.3
Thursday 1.4
Friday 0.8

Opening ratings reality shows with stars
Shah Rukh Khan hosted Zor Ka Jhatka: 2.6
Madhuri Dixit judged Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa: 5.6
Amitabh Bachchan hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati: 5.4
Priyanka Chopra hosted Khatron Ke Khiladi (season 3): 5.5
SRK hosted Kya Aap Paachvi Paas Se Tez Hain?: 4.6
Salman Khan hosted 10 Ka Dum (season 1): 3.2
Salman Khan hosted 10 Ka Dum (season 2): 2.2
(NOTE: All figures courtesy TAM in Hindi speaking market; target groups is cable satellite homes) 

Kangna Ranaut has been bonding with Madhuri Dixit.

When Mads wished to see Tanu weds Manu with her family, Kangs immediately arranged a screening. After the screening, the Dhak Dhak star called up Kangna and complimented her on her performance.

Also...
Kangna and co-star Madhavan shot for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa yesterday to promote their film. For some strange reason, Kangs behaved oddly on the sets and was in a tearing hurry to leave.

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has been named the sexiest woman by Stardust magazine.

Kareena beats actresses like Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra to win the title. The decision has been made on the basis of an extensive research and readers responses.

The latest issue of Stardust magazine features the list of top 10 sexiest women.

Last year, it was Katrina who topped the list of sexiest women in Bollywood.

Akshay Kumar and Shreyas Talpade who are currently shooting for Shirish Kunder's Joker have been bonding on the sets in Chandigarh. They play brothers in the 3 D sci-fi flick.

Though the actors are working together for the first time, both the stars gelled from Day One.

What was a common point of interest was fitness. Shreyas, who is called Bhau, is turning into a health and fitness freak. And the Khiladi has been offering loads of tips on body, health and nutrition.

As Akki does not believe in weight training he has installed an iron bar for doing pull-ups on the sets of Joker. Says an unit source, "Whenever the actors are not shooting, they hit the iron bars for a quick workout.

The bonhomie is to be seen. Shreyas is getting into the Khiladi mode too! Akshay is providing him guidance which he has started following diligently."

Though Shreyas featured in Om Shanti Om, it was not Farah Khan's influence to have him cast in her hubby Shirish's project too.

As Farah puts it, "Joker is entirely Shirish's work. No one can influence him. The decision to cast Shreyas was his calling. I am just the choreographer for the movie."