Monica: I have surprised myself with DHOBI GHAT

MONICA DOGRA IN DHOBI GHAT

It is a known fact that Monica Dogra, the debutant leading lady of Aamir Khan's 'Dhobhi Ghat', has been a prominent member of the band 'Shaa'ir + Func' and has cut a few albums in the past. In fact she recently sung the stunning 'Dooriyaan' for BREAK KE BAAD as well which, unlike the film, has stayed on to be popular till date. As a follow up to that when a call for acting came in for DHOBI GHAT, the young woman couldn't help but bite the bait.

With a strong presence that her character boasts right through this film which is now ready for theatrical release in India after making the rounds of the festival circuits, one wonders if Monica ever realised the enormity of the platform when she actually began to shoot for DHOBI GHAT.

"Not really actually", Monica says in a cautions tone, "You know what, my situation in case of DHOBI GHAT was quite curious actually. I have been extremely interested in music and played with 'Shaa'ir + Func' for four years now. In many ways I am very happy with my career in music. It is art that excites me, whether it is music or acting. As long as I can get a special change in the world regardless of the capacity that I can contribute, it would be worth it."

But didn't she miss her team from 'Shaa'ir + Func' while shooting for the film? After all from being a live performer, she was suddenly getting into a more rehearsed environment?

"As I stated earlier, it is all about the different formats of art that you are a part of at any given point in time", says Monica who has cut a few albums via her band in the past, "I have always been an actor; it's just the platform that differs. It's eventually about changing people's minds and pushing things forward. I have always aspired to do great things and working really hard since I was very-very young. With my first feature film now, I have happily surprised myself. More than just being an actor in the film, I am glad that a film like this has been made."

DHOBI GHAT releases all over on 21st January.

Madame Tussauds gets ready for Hrithik

The countdown is on to the unveiling of Madame Tussauds latest Bollywood star as the world famous attraction gets ready to welcome Hrithik Roshan, who will come face to face to his new wax figure on 20th January in London.

	HRITHIK ROSHAN WAX FIGURE

Pictured here is the perfect clay sculpture of Hrithik's head, which was the first step in making the figure. Work is now in the final stages but details of the pose and style of the final figure are being kept a closely guarded secret until the very moment it is revealed.

Roshan has been closely involved in the entire process, including deciding how he will be portrayed and what his figure will wear. Whilst giving no details away, Madame Tussauds is promising the end result will be one of its most daring figures ever and that Hrithik's fans will be delighted.

What You Didn't See: Katrina cried after Salman's repeated jibes

These portions were edited out of Bigg Boss and the actress reshot the scenes Most people who saw Bigg Boss on Saturday night could sense how uncomfortable Katrina Kaif appeared in the presence of ex -beau Salman Khan. Though she kept up appearances, despite his constant jibes at her. The actress, who has made several television appearances to promote her film Tees Maar Khan, looked nervous and awkward. Obviously, it was not without reason. Khan, who is known for his whacko and weird sense of humour, drove the actress to the edge. He made digs at her about working with Ranbir Kapoor, her favourite co-star Akshay Kumar and even her ability (or rather inability?) to speak Hindi. Though it was all in good fun, the pressure of being on national TV with her former flame, was just too much for the actress and she just snapped after a point. Says a source, "Before the shoot, things appeared extremely cool. When Farah and Katrina arrived on the sets, Sallu played the perfect host. They even indulged in a game of cricket at his chalet, near the Bigg Boss house. While Farah chose to be a spectator, Kat did a bit of batting while Salman bowled. Everything looked fine but once the cameras rolled, so did the host's witty remarks which were outright sarcastic." Adds the source, "As Farah stepped inside the Bigg Boss house, Kat was left alone on stage for a greater part of the show. At first, she played along but after a point she couldn't take his digs." She broke down and retreated to her make-up room. When she returned, the portions were re-shot. The offending parts were not aired. Farah maintains, "Katrina did not show that she was upset by Salman's comments at least not in front of me. I reached the sets late, so I don't know what happened before." The source continues, "Kat was professional enough and stuck on, teary- eyed, as she was there to promote TMK." Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Playboy hottie makes Bollywood debut

Candice Boucher plays a sand artist in upcoming spy flick Candice Boucher, a South African Playboy hottie who features in Percept's untitled next, essays the role of a sand artist in the espionage drama. Directed by Prashant Chaddha (Aap Ka Surror), the film stars Sachin Joshi (the Managing Director of an energy drink endorsed by Shah Rukh Khan) and Arya Babbar. The beauty had to train from a professional artiste for the role. She says, "Learning from a sand artiste from Belarus was an amazing experience. It's an intricate art more difficult than oils and watercolours on canvas as sand keeps shifting all the time. One's concentration has to be sharper and more focussed." As reported 'Playmate on board' (Hitlist, June 11), Candice was the nude centrespread attraction of Playboy magazine for April 2010 and is also the brand ambassador for an international jeans brand. She was signed for the film during the FIFA World Cup in June (it was held in her home country) to up the project's glam quotient. The movie is about an informant who has to go undercover to save his brother and the nation from the effects of a biological war. Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

SRK as Leonadro Di Caprio

Bollywood is excited that the patch-up between Shah Rukh Khan and Vishal Bhardwaj (after years!) has led to the possibility of a remake of Martin Scorsese's super hit The Departed.

That SRK and Bhardwaj will do a film is certain, and if it is the official remake of Scorsese's film, then the actor will most certainly do Di Caprio's role. Which is that of a cop! The last time Shah Rukh played a cop was 10 years ago in the average action drama One 2 Ka 4 co-starring Jackie Shroff.

Apparently, both SRK and Bhardwaj are keen on a joint production and in the meeting that they last had, they were eager to remake The Departed. The consent and rights have to be got from the international production house post which they can embark upon their ambitious film. For Matt Damon's role in the Hollywood film, the two will have to sit down and think about which other big Bollywood star to cast.

However, at the time both SRK and Bhardwaj are busy with current projects, and this remake will not take off before 2011. The Bollywood Badshah is working on Ra.One and Don 2, the former being his home production for which SRK will look into everything from marketing to promotions. He apparently has kept three months away from all other work for Ra.One. Actor SRK, meanwhile, is busy going through a gruelling schedule in freezing Berlin for Don 2. Thus, he has no time to sit with Bhardwaj and discuss their project.

Bhardwaj has dedicated all his time for Saat Khoon Maaf and his ambitious next film Dream Sequence which is still going through casting issues. Hence, the project with SRK is also not on his mind. They will only meet early next year to have a fresh discussion on The Departed remake. In case, it is too difficult for them to work out this project given the rights that have to be taken, they might discuss doing something else. But they will work together next year, that's a guarantee.

Who's the Supercop?


Interestingly, the two other Khans — Aamir and Salman — are also playing cops in movies slated for 2011. While Salman will again play the lovable Robin Hood-ish Chulbul Pandey in the sequel to Dabangg, Aamir is playing the cop after 12 years in Reema Kagti's film. He last played a police officer in the hit Sarfarosh.

Vidya Balan A Sex Symbol ?

Vidya Balan will represent Indian sensuality at its best in 'A Dirty Picture' where she will revive the sex-appeal of Silk Smitha.

Vidya Balan's performance prowess needs no corroboration. But when you learn that she will be playing a character loosely based on the South sex-symbol Silk Smitha (who featured in string of soft-porn films in the 80s and early 90s), it certainly generates a lot of curiosity. While a formulaic filmmaker would have thought of casting someone like today's sex-symbol Mallika Sherawat to portray the character of a yesteryear sex-symbol, director Milan Luthria chooses Vidya Balan for the role in his film A Dirty Picture . "I wanted the casting to arouse interest. At the same time I wanted a process of discovery to happen with the film and lend a new dimension to Vidya Balan", says Milan.

While Vidya Balan has largely restricted herself to the girl-next-door image, she displayed a hint of her sensual side in Ishqiya . Will she take it a step further in A Dirty Picture ? "Everything from sex, sleaze and exposure will essentially be a part of the character", assures Milan clarifying in the same breath, "But I am not an exploitative filmmaker. I want to capture the dramatic and moving side of the story. For that I wanted an ambassador who would not only add sex-appeal to the character but also bring a certain element of emotion and class".

So can we expect to see Vidya Balan at her sexiest best in A Dirty Picture ? "Definitely! Vidya will have a complete image makeover with this film. She will represent Indian sensuality at its best" claims Milan. And how does he plan to achieve that? Milan puts forth his point giving references, "Every actress from Waheeda Rehman, Hema Malini, Sridevi to Madhuri Dixit have, at some point of time in their career, exhibited a very sensual side of theirs. We will try to capture that sensual side of Vidya with this film". Concurrently he emphasizes that painting a dirty picture is no easy job and it's very important to get the right shade. "There will be a certain level of rawness to the sensuality but at the same time it has to be captured very tastefully. We need to strike a balance and ensure that it does not look cheap".

Reportedly Vidya had reservations about the role and also laid her conditions before signing on the dotted line. Milan doesn't deny. "Vidya had reservations regarding a lot of things and not just skin-show. When an actor plays an actor onscreen there is a tendency to get too absorbed in the character. Also Vidya wanted to understand the entire emotional graph of the character. The so-called reservations were more of questions that she had about her character and its portrayal which were answered. Having said that let me tell you that there will be no compromise on the portrayal of the character in any way."

So can we expect Vidya Balan to revive the sex-appeal of Silk Smitha? "Why just Silk Smitha", questions Milan. "My film is based on an entire generation of actresses who were bold enough and carved their own way in life. We have taken references of many such soft-porn stars of the era and added fiction to the narrative. So the story is a mix of several things relating to the character and time and is not just based on one person's life."

That lifts our expectations more. Seems like Vidya Balan is all set to revive an era and redefine the term sex-symbol with her oomph and sex-appeal!

Akki to romance Sonakshi!

Akshay Kumar is getting into the fourth gear of his promotions for Tees Maar Khan that is releasing worldwide on December 24.

Simultaneously his banner Hari Om Productions, that has given us entertainers like Singh is Kinng, De Dana Dan, Khatta Meetha, Waqt — A Race against Time, and Farah Khan's Three is Company have signed Bollywood's youngest girl Sonakshi Sinha for Shirish Kunder's Joker.

Shirish says, "Joker will be India's first 3-D magnum opus. And the reason why I've signed Sonakshi is because she is ideally suited for the role. Also, Akshay has acted with almost every heroine on the scene. Sonakshi and he are a fresh pair; the casting is already creating ripples.'' Says the Khiladi himself, "Joker is not a super-hero film. It is not about me wearing some clown's clothes or being part of a circus. Why it is called Joker is something you'll have to wait to know. However, I can tell you, it is going to be one of the most technically advanced movies made in India. Children and adults are going to love it. The story moves from a village to NASA and well after that there's some suspense involved.''

Even as he gears up to romance the Dabangg hottie, Akshay says that 2011 will be as action packed as any other year in his career. Says he, "I have Patiala House, Thank You, Joker, my international film — Rob Lowe's Break-Away (in which I have just done a music video), and we may try and bring Joker for Christmas in 2011. But then, tell me one year in which I don't have four films coming.'' Shirish and Farah Khan are also working on the Tees Maar Khan sequel. "That is for 2012,'' Akki says. "Right now the three of us are putting all our energies into Joker."

Naturally Sonakshi is also excited about her second big break. "I got to work with one superstar in Dabangg and now I'm getting an opportunity to work with the second one,'' she says. "Very few people get a break such as this. The fact that Joker will be in 3-D is taking my excitement to a whole new level." Adds Farah, "We have had a happy collaboration on TMK.

We have made a good entertaining film in the budget we were allotted. The synergy has been really good. So Akki, Shirish and I decided to make one more film." Farah says the script of Joker lends itself to a 3-D format quite nicely. "Joker is not a love story,'' she says. "It's more of a human drama and a very visual film.''

Deepika Padukone in Love

Deepika is not denying love for Siddharth Mallaya. But she isn't admitting it either. Tell her about the rumours and she laughs, “We all know how true such rumours are. I'm very uncomfortable about talking it. Let the press write and say what it has to. I'm not saying anything. ” So did Siddharth lose weight on svelte Deepika's say-so? Speaking of Sid's size Deepika sighs, “Let me put it this way. If someone decides to lose that much weight the willpower has to come from within, and not from someone else. Beyond that I wouldn't know why he lost so much weight. I never had to lose so much weight. ” She opens up when talking about her career. At the moment it's all very hush-hush. But here's the inside information. A very sensitive and passionate filmmaker known for his epic vision and grand spectacles is planning to remake Shakti Samanta's 1971 classic Amar Prem. The director will cast Deepika Padukone in Sharmila Tagore role. And Deepika is all for it. “I think it's a great compliment. I'd love to do a film like Amar Prem. I want to do a classic Hindi-film heroine's part. That's my true calling. I'm really looking forward to it. ” There is a special bonding burgeoning between Deeepika and Sharmila Tagore who plays her mother in new-director Danish Aslam's film Break Ke Baad. The screen mother-daughter spend hours together. Deepika can't keep the admiration out of her voice while speaking of the senior actress. “We had our dimples in common, and that broke the ice. She's one of the most eleganty ladies I've come across. ”

Prachi Desai gambling at casinos in Oz

Prachi Desai took her first-ever trip to Australia two weeks ago. Though she was there for an event in Sydney, she made the most of it by meeting her sister Esha, who studies in Melbourne and catching up with her best friend Manpi, who lives in Perth. The actress had planned to be there on her birthday this year, but couldn't due to work commitments. Overdue holiday Prachi admits that she stayed on for pleasure, although she was there for work, "This time I worked it around so I had some free time and could spend it with my sister and my best friend, who flew to Melbourne to meet me. It was a long-overdue holiday. Even after Once Upon A Time In Mumbai released, I didn't have a week off to holiday." She gushes about the local transit system, "It was so much fun going around in the trams and trains in a group. Everything here shuts down around 6 pm, except places like casinos and pubs. I am not great at gambling so I asked our friends to play with my money, and we won a bit." Desai says she's awestruck by the Eureka Sky Deck experience, "It's a place from where you can see all of Melbourne... it is breathtakingly beautiful. You get into this glass box like an elevator. It slides out and you are almost suspended mid-air and can see the entire city on all four sides. I really wish I could study there too... I miss growing up with friends, " she trails off.

Actress Asin visits Jaffna and Vavuniya - Photos, Video

Bollywood Actress Asin visited Jaffna and Vavuniya accompanied by the wife of President Rajapakse, Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa.
The actress took part in the events in Eye Treatment Centre in Jaffna Hospital. At the Vavuniya general hospital, she interacted with a few patients and even watched an ongoing cataract surgery, performed by a surgeon flown in from India, sources said.
The unannounced visit materialized after Asin had met Namal Rajapaksa, MP and eldest son Mahinda Rjapakse and expressed her desire to visit the war ravaged areas when she landed in the country for the shooting of her forthcoming Hindi film ‘Ready’, starring Salman Khan.

Katrina Kaif at PepsiCo Gurgaon Office - Photos

Katrina Kaif at PepsiCo Gurgaon Office

MS Dhoni with his Wife Sakshi Rawat on his 29th Birthday at Ranchi - Photos, Video

Mahendra Singh Dhoni with his Wife Sakshi Rawat on his 29th Birthday at Ranchi

Polish ambassador gifts Amitabh Bachchan salt Ganesha - Photos

After numerous postponements, the ambassador of Poland, Piotr Klodkowski, finally met Amitabh Bachchan at his residence Pratiksha and gifted him a specially crafted a salt Ganesha.
The Ganesha was originally scheduled to have been gifted to Bachchan at the Wieliczka Salt Mines, which was on his itinerary. Wlodek Czausow, consul of economic and trade affairs of Poland, who was part of the visit, says, “The hour-long visit with Mr Bachchan was very inspiring and interesting.” Bachchan gifted three books to the Ambassador. One of them, Madhushala, which had the English translation of his father’s poems, was a personally autographed one.

John asked to skip gym for staying healthy!

John Abraham is going through a very low phase. And no, it has nothing to do with his relationship with Bipasha Basu.



Trouble started when doctors asked fitness freak John to stay away from the gym. Needless to say, the advice was nothing short of a punishment for the actor.

According to the doctors, excessive exercise has taken a toll on John's body and he is suffering from acute muscle fatigue. The only way to recovery, they say, is to take a break from the gym.

For the past one-and-a-half months, John has been exercising for three to four hours every day.

He needs to have an extremely well-built body for his role in Vipul Shah's remake of the Tamil film Khakha Khakha, to be directed by Nishikant Kamat. On the other hand, Dostana 2 requires him to have a ribbed and totally lean look.

In preparation for his roles, John was following two exercise regimens under two trainers and it obviously took a toll on the actor. A source says, "Much to John's surprise, the doctors asked him to stop it for a while. They said his body can't take it anymore."

The health-conscious John is against using artificial supplements and wants to build his body the hard way. Anyway, he has been following the doctors' advice for now.

We wonder what Bipasha feels about the situation. Considering the fact that she, too, is a fitness freak, we are sure she can understand his predicament

Arjun Rampal, Katrina Kaif & Ranbir Kapoor at Gulf News Office in Dubai - Photos

Arjun Rampal, Katrina Kaif & Ranbir Kapoor at Gulf News Office in Dubai

Aish & Bebo to play prostitutes in same movie!

If the latest buzz is to be believed, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is planning something really extraordinary these days. Believe it or not, but Bhansali is gearing up to cast top-notch actresses – Aishwarya, Preity and Kareena – together in one of his upcoming projects.

Reports reveal that Bhansali is keen to rope in Ash, Preity and Kareena together in lead roles for his most special venture till date, titled ‘Heera Mandi’, apparently based on the famous red light area in the walled city of Lahore.

It may be recalled that the filmmaker had announced ‘Heera Mandi’ sometime back, but later dumped the idea of making the film. However, now Bhansali is reportedly decided to start working on the project as soon as his much-anticipated film ‘Guzaarish’, starring Hrithik and Aishwarya, is complete.

Grapevine has it that Sanjay initially wanted Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Sonam Kapoor for lead roles. Nevertheless, watching Ash, Preity and Kareena sharing screen space would also be a one of a kind experience. What say!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at a Hair Oil Shoot - Photos

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at a hair oil shoot at Mehboob Studio, Bandra, Mumbai, India

Ajay Devgn in trouble over smoking on Golmaal 3 sets

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A tobacco watchdog organisation has asked the health authorities to fine Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for smoking in public while on the sets of his film Golmaal 3 in Goa.

In a complaint, on Wednesday, to the state tobacco control cell and the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) general secretary Shekhar Salkar said that Devgn, who was fined once for smoking in public in Chandigarh, deserved more stringent action as he was becoming a habitual offender of the 'no smoking in public' rule.

"This being the second violation by Ajay Devgn, we feel that the punishment given to such type of habitual law breakers is too meagre. In view of this, we strongly feel that the penalty under section 4 of the COPTA (Control of Tobacco Products Act) law for both one who violates the law and one who allows violating the law should be increased," Salkar said.

A local newspaper flashed photographs of Devgn smoking on the sets of Golmaal 3 on Tuesday with the film's director Rohit Shetty standing an arm's length away.

The general secretary of NOTE, which has in the past dragged Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to court for directly or indirectly promoting smoking, has also said that habitual violators of the COPTA law should be jailed.

"Fine for the first offence should be Rs.500, for the second it should be raised to Rs.5,000 and for the third offence an imprisonment for a period of six months, in addition to a fine of Rs.5,000 should be imposed," Salkar said.

Devgn is the third Bollywood actor to be caught smoking in Goa this month.

Earlier this month, actors Tusshar Kapoor and Arshad Warsi were hauled up by NOTE for smoking during a film shoot in Margao, 35 kms from Panaji, Goa.

Mallika Sherawat at Screening of Copie Conforme at Cannes 2010 - Photos

Mallika Sherawat in a Golden Gown at Screening of Copie Conforme at Cannes 2010
Snaps of Mallika Sherawat looking stunning in this golden dress at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival 2010
Mallika Sherawat in a backless outfit at Cannes 2010

Mallika smiles for the shutterbugs at the Cannes Film Festival.