Pak actress Meera battles controversy, loses cool

Pakistani actor Meera who featuired in Bollywood film Nazar is now in a fresh controversy.
The actress is now reportedly involved in a spat with a Dubai-based businessman named Attiq-ur-Rehman who allegedly claims to have married the actress.
Rehman is reported to have claimed that Meera walked away from his house with valuables and is currently in possession of a house gifted by him.
But Meera has slapped a case of attempted murder registered against Rehman. Meera has lately been having skirmish with the media, calling press conferences and then vanishing herself.
In what seems to be her latest stunt with the media, the actress was seen throwing tantrums on a Pakistani news channel when asked about the alleged marriage, asking for the camera to be switched off as there were threats to her life and she needed to talk.

I'm suffering from incurable cancer: Lisa Ray

Canadian born Bollywood actress Lisa Ray has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the plasma cells, and says the disease is 'incurable'.
'I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on June 23. Started my first cycle of treatment July 2. Not long ago. For me, it was a relief to hear what was wrong,' Lisa, 37, posted on her blog .www.lisaraniray.wordpress.com.
'The plasma cells in my bone marrow were rampaging, multiplying, squeezing out the red blood cells and it was time to begin doing something about it. I was also tired of being tired all the time. So when I sat there with Bobcat, my life partner and reservoir of Yellow, and got the news I didn't react and I didn't cry. I'm an actress, believe me, I can be dramatic. Not just then though,' she added.
The model-turned-actress decided to undergo medical examination a few months ago after she felt 'exhausted, pale and drained' all the time.
Explaining her disease, Lisa said: 'Myeloma is incurable. It's a relatively rare cancer of the bone marrow... Every year, approximately 2,100 more cases are diagnosed. I'm a junior member in many ways, having been diagnosed at 37, while the average age is 65... makes the disease not quite as 'sexy' as other cancers.'
However, Lisa is hopeful that 'it can be cured' with the new treatments available in the healthcare sector these days.
'So today with Velcade and, Revlimid and other promising new treatments in the pipeline, our survival rates are improving. But only with an ever expanding toolbox of treatments and awareness can this cancer be beat. So I'm going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto myeloma and cancer awareness. I believe it can be cured. That's the dirty realist in me,' she wrote.
Lisa was born to a Bengali father and a Polish mother. She joined showbiz as a model and later ventured into films with Tamil movie 'Nethaji'. After that she was seen in Vikram Bhatt's 'Kasoor' in 2001, but stayed away from mainstream Hindi films as she could not speak the language fluently.
In 2002, internationally renowned filmmaker Deepa Mehta cast her opposite Rahul Khanna in the crossover film 'Bollywood Hollywood'. The Canada-based director later repeated Lisa in her Oscar-nominated period drama 'Water' (2005), in which she impressed critics with her performance as a young widow.

Slumdog child actors to star with Anthony Hopkins

Slumdog Millionaire’s child stars Rubina Ali and Azhar Ismail are heading back to Hollywood.
This time their co-star is none other than Hannibal star Sir Anthony Hopkins.
After their first film won multiple Oscar awards, the kids have earn international fame and have now been signed for Lord Owen’s Lady, reported Sun online.
Rubina, 9 and Azhar, 10 will star alongside Hopkins.
The film is reportedly about a Welsh nobleman who falls in love with an Indian girl.
Producers of the film, which will be shot in Wales and India, are reportedly in talks with Hopkins to play Lord Owen's father.
The news comes just days after Azhar’s father died of tuberculosis in India.
Executive producer Martin Pennell has offered his condolences to the youngster and hopes the tragedy won't hinder his blossoming Hollywood career.
“It is very sad, but it was his dad's desire for him to play a part in the film,” he said.

Kamal Haasan releases Telugu remake of A Wednesday

Kamal Haasan has just begun his golden jubilee year in films. The actor who wears various hats as director and producer was in Hyderabad to release the poster of his film Eenadu (the Telugu remake of the Hindi film A Wednesday) at a grand function.
The venue, a five-star hotel, was packed with luminaries like producer Rama Naidu, filmmaker Dasari Narayan Rao, actor Venkatesh, filmmaker Parachuri Venkateswara Rao, director Srinu Vytla, Neelakantha (the dialogue writer for Eenadu) and young debutant director of Eenadu Chakri, Toleti.
Showers of praises were heaped on Kamal by Dasari (who went to the extent of saying if he was younger, he would have touched Kamal's feet for his great talent) and Rama Naidu (who spoke of his long association with the actor).
Venkatesh who acts in Eenadu as the police officer said he is inspired by Kamal and his films. "When I have to do an emotional scene, Kamal is a reference point for me. If you're feeling low, a Kamal movie will make you feel happy," he said.
As for Kamal, he said that it's time to move on and do different films. "It's (Eenadu) a sincere and honest film. I was supposed to do an important role in Marmayogi but that fell through. I was a little hesitant because I had to do the same role in both Tamil and Telugu. But I am happy I did Eenadu.
"I am happy Venkatesh accepted the film as I wanted him to do it. Our association goes way back and I chose Chakri as director not because I knew his father but because of Chakri's qualifications. The same with Shruti, who was selected as music director on account of her qualifications," said Kamal.
Parachuri Venkateswara Rao spoke of how they had made Eenadu, a film in the 1980s with superstar Krishna. The film was a satire on the political conditions then.

Bollywood pays musical tribute to Jackson

I don't watch Katrina's films: Salman Khan

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been a part of the Indian film industry for more than 20 years. Controversy’s favourite child, the actor will soon be seen in his new film Wanted. In an interview with CNN-IBN's Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand, Salman gets candid about Katrina, marriage and ex-girlfriends.
Rajeev Masand: Salman it's been 20 years exactly since Maine Pyar Kiya. It's the film, which shot you to success and fame. What are your memories of making the film?
Salman Khan: I didn't want to go meet Suraj (Suraj Barjatya). I was literally forced ot go and meet him. I was thinking it's Rajshri, they will make wear a dhoti. They had made serious films so I said I didn't want to go meet him. Then I was told that I must go n meet him. So Honey uncle, who works with my dad, gave me money for taxi and then I went and met him. But when Suraj started narrating the script to me I thought it was super cool. And when he started talking about the Kabootar song Suraj got tears in his eyes. Looking at Suraj I got tears in my eyes. The way he looked at me, he knew that I felt the scene. As soon as the narration finished I said okay Suraj, I'm on. He said 'no, no I haven't signed you yet, I’m looking for more people'. So I on hearing this suggested four-five of my friends and said if not me one of my friends should get it.
Rajeev Masand: There is this story that filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar who was an actor at the time was almost signed for the film with Bhagyashree?
Salman Khan: No, no he's lying. But Rajiv Goswami and Deepak Tijori were considered. Suraj was flying to Ooty to sign Neelam Kothari for Bhagyashree's role. He then saw Bhagyashree in the office and signed her, I told him Bhagyashree looks like my sister. But he said she was perfect for the role and then when we saw her on screen, she was an absolute delight.
Rajeev Masand: In these 20 years, you have done films which went on to become big blockbusters and some that were complete washouts. Do you get upset when a film doesn't work or flops?
Salman Khan: When one does a film and everything goes on right in it, the director, producer, actors have all done their bits, but when you see it just doesn't work. Sometimes it turns out superb and sometimes it just doesn't work. My film Love is an example of that, I was really happy with that film but it didn't work. Even Andaz Apna Apna which is now a cult comedy film didn't work at the time. They were ahead of their time.
There are also times when an actor tells the director not to make a film in a certain way, but then the director tells you to trust him and you have to. And then when the film doesn't do well, I realise that I told the director the same thing. Now days what I've started doing is, I tell the directors that I've heard enough of 'trust me' and people ultimately say 'Salman's film didn't work' so I tell them to trust me now that I've been in the industry for 20 years.
Rajeev Masand: Your new film Wanted is an all out action film. It's been a long time since you have done an action film?
Salman Khan: Yes, it's been quite some time. Veergati and Karan Arjun were the last two action films.

Kamal Haasan on rivalry with Rajinikanth

Shekhar Suman to construct children's hospital in Patna

Shekhar Suman's is making a special trip to the US. This time, he has a serious mission. The TV actor is collecting donations from NRIs so that he can fulfill his long- cherished dream of building a hospital for children in his hometown Patna.
The actor, who lost his first born, nine-year-old Aayush, to a chronic heart ailment in 1994, has never been able to get over the incident. The death of his son has continuously haunted the actor. That is the reason why he wants to build a hospital for children. There is no children's hospital in Bihar which specializes in heart diseases so he has decided to fulfill that need. The hospital will be a charitable one for children of parents who cannot afford treatment. Shekhar has already spoken to the Bihar Chief Minister and also a lot of medical organizations in different parts of the country. The actor is now touring the US to collect donations from NRIs. He has received a good response from them in his bid to collect money.

Mallika turns down Feroz Khan Offer

Mallika Sherawat is not going to be part of the remake of Feroz Khan's Qurbani. Apparently, reports saying that the actress has already signed the film are false.
The producers of the film have been in talks with the actress for quite a few months now but nothing concrete has come about as of now. Mallika has not yet consented to work on the film. Apparently Feroz Khan had approached the actress when the film was announced. But she feels that too much time has passed and there is no real interest in the film now. She feels that the interest in the film has fizzled out. Also, it seems that Mallika is not exactly impressed by Feroz Khan's credentials as a director. He is not exactly among the leading directors right now. According to sources, Feroz is location hunting in the US currently. Once he returns, he is likely to announce the leading lady. Feroz will be acting and directing the remake. But this time he will be playing the role made immortal by the late Amjad Khan. Fardeen will be playing dad Feroz's role while the search is on for an actor to play the role of Vinod Khanna. Saif Ali Khan was the original choice but the differences between him and Fardeen lead to the actor opting out.

SRK dares to bare for Farah

Shah Rukh Khan had promised good friend Farah Khan that if he ever dares to go bare-chested on screen, it would be for her. He has now fulfilled his promise. Shah Rukh, who has been weight training for the last three months, has just recorded a song, bare-chested for Farah's Om Shanti Om.
This is the first time in his career that the actor, who is now in his forties, has shed his clothes for the screen. Erstwhile, this kind of an act was something that was expected of a Salman Khan or Hrithik Roshan among others. Farah had consciously kept the song for the end so that SRK had enough time to prepare for it. The rest of the film has already been shot. When this song was being shot, there were many who flocked to Yashraj Studios to get a glimpse of SRK's rippling muscles and the six-pack washboard abs of the actor. The item song, was picturised just on him. There is nobody else in this song, just SRK and his new-found body. So, can we say, move over Salman, here comes SRK?

Hrithik is An Exception for Farah Khan

After turning director and specially after her second film Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan had decided to quit choreographing, but she made the odd exception or two for good friends like Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar in recent times. However, it seems that Hrithik Roshan too has managed to get the lady to agree to choreograph one of the songs for his forthcoming film Kites, being produced by father Rakesh Roshan.
Hrithik and Farah too go back a long way. They may not close friends like Farah and SRK but nonetheless share a good relationship. Farah is known to be quite fond of him as she had choreographed all the songs for his debut film, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. She had also choreographed a song for Krrish. Leave aside Hrithik, the lady also shares a good working relationship with Rakesh. So it really did not take the Roshans much to persuade her to do choreograph the particular song for them. The song in question is to be picturised on Hrithik and Barbara Mori. It seems that even director Anurag Basu was quite unanimous about Farah being roped in. The song in question is supposed to be a romantic number. Incidentally, both Hrithik and Farah are January born and will be working on their birthdays (Jan 9th & Jan 10) for this song.

Farah Gets Friends to Spill Their Guts on Show

Director Farah Khan seems to be literally all over on television. She is currently judging a reality show along with Anu Malik and is all set to be part of another show as well, called 'Tere Mere Beech Mein'.
Farah has been a part of the TV bandwagon as a judge on reality shows for quite a while now. This time round, she has managed to grab a chat show, somewhat on the lines of what Karan Johar did with 'Coffee With Karan.' Like Karan, Farah too will be using her filmi contacts and friends and coerce them to come on TV and confess their deep and dark secrets. The promos of the show on television reveal excerpts from an episode featuring an emotional Salman Khan with his mother Salma. Another superstar who did bare his soul on Farah's show is none other than Hrithik Roshan. What everybody knows is that the actor had a stammering problem when he was a kid. But what everybody does not know is that the actor still practices speech therapy every day till date as he is afraid that the problem may return if he stops practicing. On the show, the actor revealed that he started really working on the problem when he entered his teens as he had decided to become an actor. Well, if she can get all her illustrious friends to spill their guts on TV, Farah will certainly have a winner on her hands. Incidentally, the episode was shot over the weekend and Hrithik was accompanied by actress Kangana Ranaut, his co star from 'Kites' for the show. The two made an appearance on the show together to promote their film, which is being produced by Rakesh Roshan and directed by Anurag Basu. There was no sign of Barbara Mori, the film's other heroine, who had been promoting the movie so far in the company of Hrithik.

Bollywood reacts to SRK's detention at US airport

I dreaded to meet Katrina, says Neil Nitin Mukesh

His first film ‘Johnny Gaddar’ was a blockbuster, and got him instant fame and recognition, leading to the opportunity to work with top-notch actors and filmmakers in Bollywood. At a media event in the Capital, Neil Nitin Mukesh spoke to Ankita Shukla and Bhavna Khullar of Spicezee.com, about his upcoming film ‘New York’ and talked about his chemistry with co-stars John and Katrina.
Q. How was it working with John and Katrina? Neil: Well, I first met John at YRF, and we hit it off really well. Later, we met at an event in Delhi and since then we’ve had great bonding. But the funny part began when we met Katrina and Kabir. Kabir is younger than all of us at heart.I was dreading to meet Katrina initially. She apparently used to be very serious on the sets earlier because she thought it’s a serious film. So I went up to her and said ‘Excuse me…can I…I mean…Hi I’m Neil’ (Laughs).Q. How was your experience of working in the film? Neil: I play Omar, a guy from Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Well, I couldn’t recognise myself during the shoot because I used to be absolutely clean shaven. The atmosphere on the sets of ‘New York’ was very relaxed and chilled out. Q. What exactly had happened with you at the US airport when you were detained? Neil: Yes, it was really weird. They couldn’t believe the fact that I was an Indian. It was because of my complexion that they thought so. I, then, asked them to search my name on Google, and they would know about my identity. They took sometime but later did the same to know about me.Q. What kind of response are you getting after the release of the film’s promos? Neil: The response to the promos is great. In fact, I have been getting calls from all over the world. It’s overwhelming because it’s a very important film for all of us.Q. ‘New York’ is your third film. Your choice of films seems to be different. Neil: Yes. It’s my third film and I’m very thankful for the kind of role I’ve got to play so early in my career.Q. What projects can we look forward to? Neil: Well, for now you can wait for ‘Jail’.

I read Quran to find where it's misinterpreted: John Abraham

Bollywood's heartthrob and dimpled actor John Abraham is trying to breakaway from the shackles of oft-mindless cinema with a heart rendering tale of humanity, 'New York'. The actor, during a media event in Delhi, spoke with Ankita Shukla and Bhavna Khullar of Spicezee.com about his latest offering 'New York', preparations that went into it and his co-stars Katrina and Neil. Q: You read the holy Quran to prepare for the role. What made you do that? John: I read the holy Quran when I and Kabir decided to go through the transcripts to find where it is misinterpreted as it is something pure and beautiful and has to be understood well. Q: Tell us something about New York.John: This film tries to show what happened in America post 9/11 and also at the way America looks at a certain section of a community and the way that community looks at America. Q: 'New York' is your second flick with Kabir Khan after 'Kabul Express', how was the experience? John: While I shot for 'Kabul Express' in Taliban ruled Afghanistan, 'New York' was much safer a bet for me. Jokes apart, this film is a thriller and has perhaps the best role I have done so far. I think it was tailor made role for me. As far as Kabir is concerned, he is a friend and an award winning director. While 'Kabul Express' won many awards, I think 'New York' is going to win every possible award in the book of awards. It is a commercial flick, which I think will work but the audience will decide finally. Q: What do you have to say about Kabir's style of filmmaking? John: What is distinct about Kabir's style of story telling is the fact that it is real, honest and straight. Q: How do you select a particular role? John: Well, I try and do roles that take me out of my comfort zone

Akshay Kumar is a good kisser: Denise Richards

Akshay Kumar is a good kisser: Denise Richards

Former bondgirl denise richards
worked with Bollywood heartthrob Akshay Kumar in upcoming film Kambakkht Ishq, says she enjoyed locking lips with the actor as he is a "good kisser".
An impressed Richards has branded the actor India's "sexiest star", Contactmusic reported.
"Akshay was so down to earth and very genuine. He made me feel very comfortable, plus he's a good kisser! I can see why he's India's sexiest actor!," Richards said.
Directed by Sabbir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film also features Hollywood actors Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh apart from Denise Richards in key roles.
Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor play the lead in the movie, which is slated to hit theatres this July. Richards admits that she struggled with the language
while filming the movie, her first Bollywood project, but got a helping hand from her co-stars.
"I couldn't believe how kind everyone was and they were so passionate about the film. All the actors were very sweet and gorgeous! They helped translate when I needed to understand something," she added.

Sharon Stone sharing screen with Amitabh Bachchan

The internationally acclaimed “Sexy Siren” of Hollywood, Sharon stone will be soon seen with the Shahenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan in a movie titled “Lost Love”. This Tapan Saha directed movie is a story of an American girl, played by Sharon Stone, who spends 25 years of her life waiting for her beau, played by Amitabh Bahchan, and finally comes to India to find him. Additionally, it is heard that the director also intends to sign son Abhishek bachchan and the famous Mamma Mia actress Amanda Seyfried for the role of the younger version of Big B and Sharon Stone respectively. This is the first Indian movie where a Hollywood actress would play the role of the protagonist. Let's see how it fares in the Bollywood box office

Bipasha Basu to play the role of a Commercial Sex Worker

After Preity Zinta, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukherjee, now it's Bipasha Basu who is going to play the role of a commercial sex worker. The very famous director Sudipto Chattopadhyay, who is awaiting his movie Pankh's release, has offered another role to the Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu for his next film “Sonagachi”. Sonagachi is one of Asia's largest red-light districts in Kolkata with more than 10,000 sex workers. The film will be based on the story of a prostitute living in sonagachi, who raises a child suffering from Paraphilia. The movie will revolve around the hardships faced by the protagonist in raising the child. Bipasha Basu is known for playing bold roles across various movies such as Jism, Ajnabee, No entry, and more. So playing a bolder role for yet another movie wouldn't be that difficult for her.