Ranbir`s Girlfriends

While the glamour world is speculating about Ranbir and Deepika, Ranbir`s mom says Deepika is just another girlfriend in Ranbir`s life!

Lara Dutta In Sajid Khan's Housefull

After delivering the smash-hit Heyy Babyy, Sajid Khan announced that his next directorial venture Housefull would star Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, and Deepika Padukone besides two more leading ladies. Soon the super-sexy Jiah Khan was also added to the star-cast and a hunt for the third and final leading lady was on.

A lot of names of top Bollywood beauties such as Genelia D'Souza, Vidya Balan etc did the rounds but now after months of speculation by the media and industry-wallahs of who the third heroine of Housefull could be, we at Indian Masala News.com finally reveal the suspense. The lady in question is none other than Lara Dutta. Yes, its official, Lara has been signed for Housefull and when we contacted director Sajid Khan, he seemed a little surprised at how we managed to get the news but nevertheless confirmed the same.

Now with an ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan, expect the 'Housefull' boards when this film hits the screens later this year.

Movie Perview Raaz - The Mystery Continues

The team behind RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES have often clarified that it's not a sequel to RAAZ, one of the most interesting cinematic experiences, besides being the biggest Hit of that year. Yet, you cannot but draw parallels with the first film of the franchise.

Horror as a genre hasn't been tapped to the optimum in India. We've witnessed spooky fares in the past and some of them have succeeded in making you break into a cold sweat [BHOOT stands tall in this list]. Last year's PHOONK and 1920 were scary movies as well.

There's tremendous curiosity to watch RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES, but does it scare the living daylights out of you? Fortunately, yes!

The story [Mohit Suri] is absorbing and Mohit treats the subject like a veteran, as if he knows the genre very well. There're moments that make your heart beat faster, you watch the events with eyes and jaws wide open. Sure, there're blemishes as well, but they don't overpower the plusses or make you change your opinion about the film. While the beginning and the middle of the film is engrossing, it's the end that could've been better thought of.

Wanna get scared? Wanna get goose pimples? Buy the ticket for RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES pronto. It lives up to the hype and expectations completely.

A brooding artist Prithvi [Emraan Hashmi] experiences mysterious and distressing visions about Nandita [Kangna Ranaut], a woman he has never met, while he paints on canvas. Intrigued by these visions, Prithvi tracks her down and warns her that these are not merely paintings of her, but accidents that are waiting to happen.

At first, Nandita refuses to believe him and dismisses him as an eccentric stalker. However, the striking resemblance between Prithvi's paintings and the near-death incidents in her life is hard to ignore.

Now, one of Prithvi's paintings has revealed her as dead. The only way she can change her fate is to unravel this mystery with his help, at the risk of alienating herself from her boyfriend, Yash [Adhyayan Suman]. But he refuses to believe in Prithvi's premonitions. Will Nandita risk her love and her life to unravel this mystery?

Most of us have heard, witnessed or perhaps had a first-hand experience of supernatural. The present-day generation may, perhaps, term it as wild imagination or hallucination, while the believers may have their point of view. Mohit and screenplay writer Shagufta Rafique's characters in RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES are believers and non-believers, both.

Mohit smartly builds up the atmosphere. Sample these: Emraan and Kangna's first encounter at a mall and minutes later, inside an elevator; the New Year bash when Kangna is 'attacked' by spirits; Kangna's experience in her bathtub and also when she looks at the mirror; Kangna almost jumping off a cliff; the highpoint sequence, when angry bulls attack Emraan and Kangna. Incredible sequences all! Mohit has handled the most difficult portions with panache.

However, the entire flashback part, towards the pre-climax, is not as convincing. The ending too could've been better in terms of writing, although Mohit has filmed it exceptionally well. Mohit's choice of the subject as also the actors is right. This is, without doubt, his finest effort to date. Shagufta's screenplay is watertight at most times. Like always, the Bhatts come up with a lilting musical score and at least two songs -- 'Soniyo' [Raju Singh] and 'Maahi' [Sharib-Toshi] -- are first-rate compositions. Ravi Walia's cinematography is up to the mark. The effects are impressive.

On the acting front, both Emraan and Kangna vie for top honours. Emraan is excellent. He conveys a lot through facial expressions and that's the sign of a proficient actor. He's just getting better and better with every film. Kangna is top notch. After FASHION, this one's another power-packed performance from the actress. Adhyayan Suman is super-confident and registers a strong impact, especially towards the climax. He shows promise. Jackie Shroff is quite okay in a brief role.

Movie Preview Slumdog Millionaire

First things first! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE deserves all the accolades and awards that it has been receiving of late and will continue receiving in the future. Also, in this writer's individualistic opinion, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE doesn't make a mockery or an attempt to sell the poverty of India to the West.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE depicts life on the mean streets of Mumbai, so what? Doesn't it exist? Should we ridicule the effort it just because a gora has made it? We don't raise a noise when Indian film-makers do so, so why now? Double standards!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is, at heart, a love story and director Danny Boyle treats it like a Bollywood film. In fact, the screen writing [Simon Beaufoy] is so smart, so energetic [he must be a big fan of Bollywood] that everything is spoon-fed to the viewer, unlike most international films.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is dark and gory at places, but at the end of it all, it offers a ray of hope for those who've been plain unlucky when it comes to the materialistic things of life and most importantly, love.

So what's the final word? Jai Ho!

Accused of cheating and desperate to prove his innocence, an eighteen-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai reflects back on his tumultuous life while competing to win the prized money on India's 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'.

Jamal [Dev Patel] may not have a penny to his name, but that could all change in a matter of hours. He's one question away from taking the top prize on India's most popular television game show, but as with everything else in Jamal's life, it isn't going to be easy.

Arrested by police under suspicion of cheating, Jamal is interrogated by the authorities. The police simply can't believe that Jamal could possibly possess the knowledge to get this far in the game, and in order to convince them of how he gained such knowledge, Jamal begins reflecting back on his childhood.

Minissha Lamba: Delirious Attraction

Watch Out The Hot Indian Actress

"Minissha Lamba"

Celina Jaitly Sizzles On The Cover Of Stuff

Gorgeous eyes, luscious lips, breezy hair, finely sculpted nose, finely crafted eye brows that will make you forget paradise! Friends... we are not talking about different beauties with single quality. Instead, we are talking about one beauty with different qualities. And that beauty is none other than Bollywood's very own Celina Jaitly, who is all herself on the latest cover of 'Stuff' magazine, the mag that spells not just class, but is a class apart!

By now, you all will agree to the fact that we just do not mince words and call a spade a spade. So, you better trust us when we say that its not just Celina who looks a millions bucks on the cover and the inside pages, but also the lucky gadgets and the gizmos that get to rest itself in the arms of the Greek Goddess!

Now only if we had our say, then, we would have surely renamed the article as
'Angel And Her Tools'.

First Day First Show Of 'Chandni Chowk To China'

Check Out The Public Opinion 1st Day 1st Show

"Chandi Chowk To Chaina"

Kajol On The Cover Of M

"Blue eyes say, Love me or I die; hazel eyes say, Love me or I kill thee."

If the above statement is even one percent true, then be ready for the kill as Kajol is all ready and already on the prowl with her killer eyes, all this and more only in the latest issue of the magazine 'M'. With the magical hands of the ace shutterbug Jatin Kampani at the helm of things, it's totally needless to say that Kajol looks like a million bucks and like never before!

Kajol speaks all about her pre and post marital life, in the article that's aptly titled 'Forever Fantasy'. She also lets the cats loose as she speaks about the things that she is passionate about, her cooking, nightmares etc... With her being all set to make the comeback innings with My Name Is Khan, Bollywood is all set to sway again to her tunes! Till then, 'M' is the way to go!

B.O. Update: 'CC2C' Is Below Expectations!

The much-awaited CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA was expected to fetch a stupendous start, but producer proposes, audience disposes. The paid previews were below the mark at several screens, while the Friday numbers were best in North, Delhi-NCR specifically, but average at best at several places.

A section of the industry [read exhibitors] was of the opinion that CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA would embark on a similar start as GHAJINI and SINGH IS KINNG, but forget being at par with GHAJINI, the film was lower than SINGH IS KINNG almost everywhere. This doesn't go well for a film like CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, since it stars a hugely popular star, Akshay Kumar, whose standing in the industry is at par with SRK and Aamir Khan today.

The reports of CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA are outright negative and a fall in business is expected on Saturday or Monday. But a fall is imminent!

Winners: Bollywood Hungama Surfers Choice Music Awards 2008

Best Soundtrack

Here's the first award, which is for the 'Best Soundtrack', and which quite deservingly goes to Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na! The film's music was composed by none other than music maestro A.R. Rahman himself. The soundtrack of this film swayed back the listeners to a nostalgic trip of the melodious 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' days! Even though the chartbuster track 'Aditi' (sung by the debutante Rashid Ali) got itself the honour of being hailed as the sweet love anthem, all the other tracks in the album equally struck the right chord

with the listeners.

While Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na walked away with the top honours, we have the first runner up in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (with Salim Sulaiman as its composers) and the second runner up in Ghajini (Rahman again!). Even though the talented duo of Salim-Sulaiman faced some early criticism, they sailed their way into the hearts of the listeners 'Haule Haule'.

On the other hand, when you have the divine magical fingers of Rahman calling the (musical) shots in Ghajini, one can never go wrong on the tracks that simply gets (read 'mesmerizes') the listeners under its sway.

Based on the votes provided by our surfers and the validation done by us, the Award for the 'Music Company of the Year' goes to T-Series. While the Award for the 'Music Director of the Year' goes to A.R.Rahman.

Best Male Playback Singer

After having crowned the Best Soundtrack, its time for us to move onto the next category, which is the 'Best Male Playback Singer'. While Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi missed the trophy in the earlier category, it has more than made up for it by winning the 'Best Male Playback Singer' award for the 'busier-than-ever' crooner Sukhwinder Singh for his breezy rendition of 'Haule Haule'. They say that you can take man out of India, but cannot take India out of a man. But with Sukhwinder, the case is totally different, as you simply can neither take this man out of music, neither the music out of this man. Needles to say that Salim Sulaiman have extracted one of the best tracks from Sukhwinder once again.

When spoke to Salim (of the duo Salim-Sulaiman), he said, "'Haule Haule' was composed keeping the character of Surinder in mind. As always, we've tried to do our best while composing the Rab Ne... album, but it is the audiences who are responsible for the success of the music. Of course there's a team effort of everyone involved with the film. But it's only because of people understanding and appreciating the music that it has become a super-hit. We thank the audiences for this success."

While the first runner-up of this award happened to be Atif Aslam, whose 'mellow-dious' rendition of 'Pehli Nazar', till date, reignites the magic of first love, the second runner-up was the debutante Rashid Ali, whose rendition of 'Aditi' not just gave all the Aditis the world over a reason to smile about, but also the listeners a reason to feel proud about!

Best Female Playback Singer

Third in the category of music awards is 'Best Female Playback Singer'. This one was a toughie as the contenders included newcomers like Shruti Pathak, Monali, Dominique Cerejo to veterans such as Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal. Finally, ladies and gentlemen, hold your breath as we spill the beans by announcing the winner, who is none other than the lady whose 'sweeter-than-honey' voice and extremely 'down to earth' nature has not just got her immense work, but also made her an inseparable family name. Friends, please put your hands together for the young and supremely talented Shreya Ghoshal who bags the Numero Uno position in the 'Best Female Playback Singer' category for the smash hit track from Singh Is Kinng - 'Teri Ore'. If one has to listen to this song with their eyes closed, the magic of this crooner's voice transports you to a different magical world altogether!

Talking about the first runner up in this category, will be equivalent to holding a torch before the sun. We are indeed talking about Alka Yagnik, whose rendition of the soulful 'Tu Muskura' from Yuvvraaj, gave the listeners reasons to smile aplenty. As far as the second runner up is concerned, it is the very versatile Shruti Pathak, about whom, one can confidently say that, Fashion's music would have been incomplete without the resonating vocals of this talented singer! Way to go, Shruti!

Best Lyricist

It's that section of the awards, when one is simply forced to give the nominees a standing ovation, by merely hearing their names, for this is the award for the 'Best Lyricist'. The contenders included the likes of Javed Akhtar, Prasoon Joshi, Abbas Tyrewala, Jaideep Sahni, Sayeed Quadri, Anvita Dutt and Munna Dhiman to name a few.

Ultimately the winner was a name which is none other than the Master of Poetry himself, Javed Akhtar for the song 'Jashn-E-Bahaara' from Jodhaa Akbar. Speaking to Javed saab said, "I am so very happy to be getting this award. It really acts as a mirror to the work that all of us have put in."

Jaideep Sahni, who bagged the second spot for his 'Haule Haule' from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, "I love writing songs as much as I love writing films, and have been fortunate to have my lyrics too appreciated by the audience. Regarding this compliment, films being a collaborative in nature, it really belongs to our entire 'Rab Ne' team, beginning of course with Salim-Sulaiman and Sukhi, and then Shah Rukh, Anushka, Vaibhavi, and of course, Adi, whose vision our work was a part of."

Prasoon Joshi, whose 'Guzarish' from Ghajini bagged the much coveted third spot, said, "I think that the 'Guzarish' track will go even higher on the popularity charts. According to me, it's on its way up. Still, whatever the people feel, I am happy with it. For me, being appreciated directly by the audiences is what makes every bit of effort worthwhile. I write for the audience and if the work connects with them and moves them, it is fulfilling. I hope to continue writing for them and that it makes a small difference in their lives. I thank each one of you for making this song so likeable. It's indeed a reflection of your sensitivity."

Best Music Video

For the 'Best Music Video' category, there were some really wonderfully picturised songs. Be it the grand 'Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah' from Jodhaa Akbar or the funky 'Desi Girl' track from Dostana each one of these songs were vying for the Top Honors in this category.

As for the winner... it was indeed the brilliantly shot 'Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah' track from Jodhaa Akbar that came out triumphs in the end. The picturisation of this music video was so very impeccable that a mere look of the delicately crafted sets and the lavish locales, simply transported the cine goers to an era gone by. People, who found history as a boring subject, changed their opinion, especially after watching this Song Royale!

While 'Haule Haule' from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi bagged the second place, 'Pappu Cant Dance Saala' from Jaane TuYa Jaane Naa, came third

When the ace director Abbas Tyrewala, as to how he felt about 'Pappu Cant Dance' being featured in the Top 3 in the Best Music Video category, he said, "Frankly speaking I don't know how I feel. I don't think I've shot 'Pappu Can't Dance' really well but I guess it's due to the popularity of the song that it featured in the Top 3 in the 'Best Music Video' category. Honestly, I am much happier about 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' bagging the Best Song award. That means a lot more to me."

Best Song

They say 'If Music be the food of life, then play on'. Well, it's indeed 'Play On' time for the entire gang of Jaane TuYa Jaane Na, for the reason that it's 'Aditi time' again at the winner's desk and this time, it's for the 'Best Song'. Well, with names like Aamir Khan, A. R. Rahman, Imran Khan, Genelia D'Souza and the icing on the cake being in the form of the sea-breezy cool vocals of the debutante Rashid Ali, can things evergo wrong !

While its 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' at the top, let us also put our hands together for the first runner up: the super melodious 'Haule Haule' from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and also for second runner up position, that's gracefully held by the 'Love-meets-eternity' song of the decade 'Guzarish' from the super hit film Ghajini.

All Eyes On 'CC2C'

GHAJINI and RAB NE BANA DI JODI continue to dominate the international markets, although the collections, expectedly, are on a decline now. GHAJINI hasn't had a good run in U.K. [due to the 15 certificate, which kept a section of the audiences away], but is fantastic in U.S. On the other hand, RAB NE BANA DI JODI is good in these two markets, although the expectations were higher, keeping in mind the SRK - Aditya Chopra combo. Everyone's keenly awaiting the new biggie this Friday -- CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.

Weekend: January 9 - 11, 2009.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE

• GHAJINI [last weekend: No. 14, this weekend: No. 19]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 34,013 on 27 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,260. Total: £ 6,82,815 [approx. Rs. 4.95 crores].
  


• RAB NE BANA DI JODI [last weekend: No. 16, this weekend: No. 20]: In its fifth weekend, the film has collected £ 23,064 on 26 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 887. Total: £ 14,61,993 [approx. Rs. 10.59 crores].
  


• DOSTANA [last weekend: No. 58, this weekend: No. 75]: In its ninth weekend, the film has collected £ 423 on 2 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 212. Total: £ 9,80,724 [approx. Rs. 7.10 crores].

THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]

U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE

GHAJINI [last weekend: No. 25, this weekend: No. 32]: In its third weekend, the film has collected $ 1,10,955 on 60 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 1,849. Total: $ 23,55,778 [approx. Rs. 11.48 crores].

RAB NE BANA DI JODI [last weekend: No. 39, this weekend: No. 53]: In its fifth weekend, the film has collected $ 20,058 on 25 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 802. Total: $ 20,74,346 [approx. Rs. 10.11 crores].

Is It Dhoni Or Sehwag Who Inspired 'Victory'?

Is VICTORY based on Dhoni or Sehwag's life? Does Harman Baweja's character in the film bear a striking resemblance to these two icons? That's the rumour floating around! "Not true," VICTORY director Ajitpal Mangat clarifies, "The only similarity is that like some of our cricketers, Vijay Shekhawat [the role enacted by Harman in VICTORY] hails from a small town. In fact, I'd say it's the story of an underdog, who rises from ashes to glory."

VICTORY is a make-or-break film for both Ajitpal and lead man Harman. Having dabbled in acting and later, directing ad films, Ajitpal decided to try his hand at film-making. "The script of VICTORY was ready way back in 2000. Much later, when I narrated the story to Manmohan Shetty, my mentor, he suggested that I should not only direct the film, but also produce it. Manmohan-ji also suggested Harman for the project and when I met him, I knew I had found Vijay Shekhawat," Ajitpal says.

Getting cricketers on board was tough, but once Ajitpal signed Brett Lee, it was easy convincing other cricketers. Come to think of it, he could've cast actors in those roles. "I wanted the matches to look authentic. With actors, it wouldn't have looked natural. That's why I chose real-life cricketers for those parts," he reasons. So why Harman? Why not someone like Dhoni in the central role? "Most of them may be fabulous cricketers, but they aren't good actors," he smiles

Harman, labeled a Hrithik look-alike, will now face Hrithik and Farhan Akhtar [LUCK BY CHANCE] on 30th January. What are the prospects of VICTORY then? "There's space for everyone. I genuinely believe that two films can co-exist easily. I'm sure, they've made a good film. VICTORY is great as well," he says.

Akki Beats SRK

Akshay Kumar

Has paid the highest advance income tax surpassing Shah Rukh Khan.

Does that mean Akki is number one in Bollywood? May be we should wait!

People Have Found Me Quite Sensuous And Hot: Neetu Chandra

Neetu Chandra is ensuring that the winter of 2009 begins on a RED HOT note with the dare bare shoot that she has just done for the magazine Maxim.



Never ceasing to surprise month after month, Neetu Chandra shows the other side of herself (well literally!) as she confidently poses for the camera in a never seen before avatar...



What prompted you to get into a new avtar like this? Frankly, your dare-bare avtar has left quite a few of us shocked?

(Laughs) Don't be so shocked; it isn't that scandalous after all. Maxim approached me to do the photo shoot.



I thought to myself that when I am quite comfortable to do so many different kinds of characters anyways in my films then why not be a face for this photo shoot as well? I have worn swimsuit in my very first film (Garam Masala) so there was no big deal in doing it again.



For the Maxim shoot, it was quite a collaborative act and I worked with the costume designer to arrive at a final look for me.



Are we going to see you on the Maxim cover?
It's not for a cover but for a full fledged feature in the magazine. (Laughs) I remember an incident when a man out there was telling me that audience wanted to see me in different look. He came up with an idea around coming up with an entirely new sensual look and design for the shoot. The result is there for everyone to see.



You have been in the industry for 3 years now. Had you been waiting for the right moment to strike?
(Pauses) It's not that I waited for the right kind of moment to 'strike' or anything. I didn't plan anything like that, in fact no one can. Luckily things were falling in the right place and the shoot happened. I am glad people are liking this look.


At the end of the day, the entire skin show exercise would come with a purpose, right? Is it like enhancing your portfolio further?
It was not about enhancing my portfolio further. People have in any case seen me in a swimsuit earlier so it was not about projecting my new look further. It was just about being excited to do something like this.

How about the approval from your family folks? Any objections from their end?
My family people were quite okay with the idea of the shoot. They very well understand the profession that I am in. In fact I am here in Bollywood because of my family.

They always persuade me to do what I want and have been with me throughout. See, the point is that as long as the pictures are shot aesthetically, it is all fine. In fact I didn't even have to inform them before I posed for the camera.

During the shoot, how comfortable were you with your own skin?
Quite comfortable because I am someone who doesn't believe in the concept of 'Size Zero'. I believe that for a woman, her curves and curls should be in the right place. I have been getting calls appreciating my approach towards the shoot.

Of course, people have found me quite sensuous and hot. The credit for that should also go to the magazine which is quite creative in itself and photographer R. Burman who was excellent behind the camera.

So after the shoot, is Neetu making a statement to her colleagues in the industry?
I don't know whether the shoot is akin to making a statement or not but for sure people would be able to realize now that I can be versatile as required by the situation and the setting.

I can get into the skin of any character that they could think of. If required, I can play a girl next door and give me a platform and I would be your sexy next door girl.

Happy with the way life is treating you?
Much more than just happy (smiles). I am pretty much satisfied with the way things are going in my own life. I am looking at things quite positively, especially 2009 that should be my special year. And yes, as long as I can tease all the guys out there, it is excellent!

Why No One Raised Any Eyebrows When Ranbir Showed His Bum

Bipasha brought in her birthday at an unknown destination. She was surprisingly quiet and reluctant to talk.

"It's been fantastic year for me. Personally and professionally. Family is great. Boyfriend is great.

Everything is fine. I couldn't have asked for anything more this year. I'm actually surprised the year went so well. I even got time to watch my niece and nephew grow. Yes, I've spent one more beautiful year productively...

"Suggest that she needs to have children of her own, Bipasha baulks, "No no I don't have the patience for kids. I can't bear to have my 7-year old nephew around for more than two hours.

He's a talkative brat. My 1-year niece is an a item number. She dances superbly to the worst songs. So yes another actress coming up in my film. And she's the first light-eyed fair-skinned Basu girl in the family.

"What pleases her was the success John had achieved.And the label of the 'sexiest' for her man pleases her even more. "There has to be one person who's the sexiest every year. In 2007 Eastern Eye voted me the sexiest. In 2008 it's John.

If they didn't vote him the sexiest they'd look really foolish. I mean John is the hottest. No one is going to look hotter than him for a long time. And I'm not saying that because I'm in a relationship with him."

Ask her how she felt about John letting it all hang out in Dostana, and Bipasha chuckles, "Ranbir Kapoor showed his bum (in Saawariya). How come no one raised any eyebrows? It was not so drastic with John.

He has a fantastic body. If a woman on a beach is appreciated why not a man on the beach? If you are comfortable with your body and you can carry it off with grace like John did, why not?

I'm proud of what John has achieved. I've been with him from the time we shot Aetbaar and Jism. We started dating on Aetbaar.

"Bipasha says she was really proud of her bikini shot in Dhoom 2.

"At no point did I look cheesy. There was no heaving thrusting. It was just a healthy shot of a woman on the beach. Incidentally I came out of the water in Jism wearing a thick white dress. Such was the impact that people think I wore a bikini."

Kangana Ranaut Bares It

Buzz has it that the makers of the world-famous Dictionary and Pictionary are upset, as after their fanatic research, they ultimately settled for the synonyms of Heat as 'warmth' and 'high temperature', whereas the guys at Pictionary used the photograph of the sun to show what Heat was all about.

But when they saw the snap of Kangna Ranaut in the ace photographer Dabboo Ratnani's calendar of 2009, they, in unison, decided that nothing in the world can be as HOT as this chic!

One look at the snap and you will know as to what the whole world is talking about! After having scorched the silver screens with her stellar performance in Fashion, Kangna seems to be all over the place!

If Fashion wasn't enough for the zillions of this scorcher's fans, then, be ready to be attacked by the ocular pangs of Kangna in her forthcoming film Raaz 2-The Mystery Continues, in which she stars with her real-life sweetheart Adhyayan Suman.

But till the time the film releases we are all praise and thankful to Dabboo Ratnani for giving our parched eyes some relief in the form of Kangna Ranaut, who simply has redefined the term 'HOT' and that too in her own way and style! Atta girl, Kangna...Happy New Year to us!

Salman's Big Valentines Day Plan For Katrina Kaif

Valentines Day is a month away but Salman Khan is already getting ready to shower an expensive gift on girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

Though there are rumors of a rift, things still don’t seem to be over for the two.

The buzz is that Salman has painted her many times while she’s been visiting the sets of his films and accompanying him on some of his mid-night adventures and has even rode an auto rickshaw with him.

Now Sallu’s big plan is to surprise her with a lavish Valentine’s Day gift.

He has chosen a plush apartment in Bandra and plans to gift it to her on Feb 14.

The flat’s location and its architecture go with Salman’s taste. He’s thinking of roping in Suzanne Roshan, Hrithik’s wife, to do the interiors.

The flat has a spacious living room space for paintings and portraits. It has two balconies overlooking the city in different directions. Apparently Salman wants to decorate the flat with some of his paintings before handing over the keys to Katrina next month.

Well, keeping in mind things like that, it seems all’s well in Sal-Kat’s paradise. So should we say, all the talks about Sallu being laid astray by Asin and the like are just rumors?

022-61424800 - The 'Lustline' Opens

After launching a marketing campaign on internet that saw visitors logging on to the official website of Dev D to hear the lead character Chanda talk dirty, UTV has now went a step ahead.

They have launched the 'Lustline' on phone as well where a caller, who is required to declare that he/she is more than 18 years old, can listen to a husky sounding girl at her naughty best.

On this line, Kalki Koechlin (Chanda), who enacts the role of Chandramukhi in Anurag Kashyap directed Dev D (based on 'Devdas'), gives a caller numerous options to choose between English, Hindi, French and Tamil.

022-61424800 is the 'Lustline' contact number for which lines are already open.

This is the first time ever that a bold campaign like this has been planned, something which truly goes as per the mood, flavor and setting of the film. Moreover, for Dev D where sex and lust plays an integral part of the narrative, a marketing tool like this is being looked at just apt and also quite innovative.

Says a source attached to the film, "We want to give audience a hint of what to expect in the film.

Of course, the film is based on a piece of literature but with current milieu in which Dev D is set, Chanda is shown to be a girl belonging to upper class who operates in the dingy lanes of Paharganj in Delhi

An exotic femme fatale who seduces men, she is required to get into lusty chats, something that has been projected on the 'Lustline'.

A first ever initiative of it's kind as far as Bollywood is concerned, this promotional drive is all set to shock quite a few because not just it brings the word 'sex' out of closet, it also pushes the envelope with the leading lady of the film being open about the lust factor in her very first film.

"The makers want the audience to be prepared about what to expect from the film. Of course Dev D is a musical with as many as 18 songs and while this very fact also forms an integral part of the film's narrative and hence the marketing, the sexuality angle that Chanda brings in can't be ignored either.

She is young, naughty and sexy and this is what callers would get to know when they dial the number", adds the source.

Now it has to be seen whether the marketing ploy works and 022-61424800 sees record callers dialing in till the 6th February release of the film.

Top 5: 'Ghajini' Is Extra-Ordinary; 2 Weeks' Total: Rs. 92 Cr. Nett

B.O. Update:- 2009 Begins On A Cold Note

The Year 2009 has kick-started on a thanda note, what with the two Hindi openers, KAASHH... MERE HOTE! And BAD LUCK GOVIND, opening to dull houses. The films were released at select screens of select stations and the response was extremely poor... All eyes are on the biggie that opens next week ----------------> CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA. The Akshay Kumar starrer is expected to fetch a hurricane-like start everywhere.

Music Reviews Billu Barber

EXPECTATIONS

A Shah Rukh Khan film is always special. But what does he do when the film is centered on Irrfan Khan, as also conveyed by the title of the film, with him being only in a special appearance? Well, he only goes full-on to make it as commercial as possible by appearing in number of song and dance appearances. Not just that, he also ropes in some of the top heroines in the industry and makes them dance along with him. If in Om Shanti Om, he had opted for Vishal-Shekhar as the composers, for Billu Barber he gives Pritam the responsibility of creating a hardcore commercial score. While 2008 was superb for the composer with number of back to back successful albums (Jannat, Singh Is Kinng, Race, Kismat Konnection, Golmaal Returns), 2009 also promises to follow suit with Billu Barber beginning the year!

MUSIC

Item song no.1 - that's 'Marjaani' for you! From the very first beat, you know that there is no way this song won't succeed in reaching the top of the charts. A fast paced track that remains Indian at heart even with all the Western beats surrounding it, 'Marjaani' has Pritam giving his all to ensure that his 'jodi' with Kareena Kapoor continues to be a big hit. Remember 'It's Rocking' (Kya Love Story Hai) and 'Yeh Ishq Hai' (Jab We Met)? The fun continues with 'Balkan Mix' and 'Electro House'

He goes on to create 'Love Mera Hit Hit' which he could have composed in his sleep, considering the 'template' feel to it. Item song no.2, it is just a follow up to many a dance floor chartbusters that he has created in movies like Race ('Khwaab Dekhe Jhoothe Moothe') and Kismat Konnection ('Ae Pappi'). 'The House Mix' and 'Remix' version ensure that the song remains with you much after you have heard it first.

Another 'template' song in the album is 'You Get Me Rockin & Reeling' which has a beginning akin to that of 'Zara Zara Touch Me' [Race]. However, soon after it moves to being much more childlike and innocent with the advent of lyrics that go as 'Khudaya Khair'. In fact based on the same tune with just the words 'Khudaya Khair', there is another namesake song that follows later in the album. While the former has a slight Western twang to it, the latter comes with a full-on Indian feel. These two are yet another very good additions to this album that seems to have one chartbuster packed after another in the album.

There is a speed breaker though in the form of 'Ae Aa O' which is the first rock track of the album and doesn't really make you jump with joy in the very first listening. In fact the very sound of 'Ae Aa O' (also appearing later in the remix version) that remains persistent throughout the track is ordinary and straight out of a commercial.

It's a different Pritam that one hears in 'Jaoon Kahan' which is a sad song expected to play in the background at multiple junctures. Though there isn't anything extraordinary about the compositions due to the heard-before factor, 'Jaoon Kahan' is still a soothing number enough to keep your interest in the song to follow. Later, one can sense a clear Priyadarshan influence to the proceedings with 'Billoo Bhayankar' bringing the album to a close. With a rustic folk flavor to it while keeping the fun quotient intact, 'Billoo Bhayankar' is a song that hails the central protagonist of the film played by Irrfan Khan.

LYRICS

'Marjaani' boasts of lyrics that have a characteristic Gulzar touch to them. In fact with the kind of flavor that Pritam brings to his lyrics, one wonders whether we are looking at another Pancham da-Gulzar 'jodi' in the offering since the composer makes it all sound so commercial that one ends up remembering many a chartbuster hits that Pancham da and Gulzar had delivered three decades back! On the other hand, don't bother about lyrics like 'Khit Pit', 'Hit Hit', 'Kudi Tu Sexy' etc. - it's the catchy feel and rhythm that matters most for 'Love Mera Hit Hit' and lyricist Ashish Pandit does well on those grounds! Neeraj Shridhar also turns lyricist for 'Ae Aa O' but the words here aren't anything above ordinary.

I Was Really Trapped By Dirty People: Kangana

All of 21, Kangna Ranaut has seen and suffered a lot (in her own words) during last few years in showbiz!

In an earlier conversation, she had admitted that she was going through bad times. She had said, "I got everything very soon in my life but personally my life was going through too much of trauma.

I was really trapped by dirty people and they wouldn't let me concentrate on my work. They tried to harm me both physically as well as mentally.

"However, everything seems to be passe now ever since she moved on to 'yoga'. The biggest gift she's received from this, she says, is the practice of Silence or "Maun". The practice of staying silent physically brings to the fore the tremendous busy-ness of the mind and help to bring some quiet there as well.

Effervescent and vivacious by nature, Kangna has found a 'thehrav' in her life ever since she adopted 'maun'. "Initially I found it very difficult to stay silent; however through perseverance I did manage to develop this as a regular part of my yoga practice and have benefited ever since."

"When I am working, I have to give it 100%. So that's why I took a break for my personal work to sort out all my issues and only then got back to work. I did not want to struggle between work and personal issues. I am not that kind of a person. I can do only one thing at a time", she had stated earlier.

"Now, through Silence, I feel I've discovered my Soul, the very centre of my being, which is the source of all my energy - creative, spiritual, emotional and mental.

I've always been a very focused person, and I've chosen to portray characters in my film that are challenging and strong. This awareness and practice has given me greater ability to channel my energy effectively to deliver even better on these performances", she says in an obvious relaxed tone.

Through shooting Raaz-The Mystery Continues, Kangna has been even more diligent about this practice. That's because the character is one who gets possessed and has to deal with the horrific consequences.

"The role required a lot from me. It's a very intense role. So it was imperative to keep my practice alive during the outdoor schedules to be able to maintain the focus and equanimity needed to deliver the required performance."

"I know where I want to go. That inner destination's where my eventual goal is", concludes Kangna

Rani's New Found Kick-Ass Figure

After being criticized for her out of shape self, Rani has finally managed to achieve a leaner frame and all this with the help of good old friend Aamir.

Just when Rani Mukherjee was struggling badly to lose weight, good friend Aamir came to her rescue.

Rani has always been struggling to look slim, from strict diets to regular working out regimes; Rani has tried all she could to fight flab but all her attempts failed. And that's when Aamir suggested his personal trainer Stayajit Chaurasia's name to Rani.

Satyajit Chaurasia played a major part in helping Aamir achieve the eight-pack abs look for Ghajini.

Being impressed by his work Aamir suggested Rani to hire Satya as her personal trainer. And as they say, hard work pays, after working out an hour every day for two months, Rani has been able to lose oodles of weight and look the way she has always wished for.

The all new Rani did a cameo in Aditya Chopra's Rab Ne…in a song with Shah Rukh Khan. Her new slim look had the audience in awe and reminded one of her Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai days.

The bong babe will next be seen playing cricket in Yash Raj's forthcoming untitled film and we are sure her new found kick-ass figure will play Thoda Magic once again on her fans.

The Kareena-Priyanka-Deepika Battle Royale

Now that Shah Rukh Khan has roped in three screen sizzlers for three different item songs in Billu Barbar a battle royale seems to be brewing among them as to who jives and sizzles the best with Shah Rukh Khan.

At the moment Kareena has the edge. Or so she seems to think. "My song wuth Shah Rukh is awesome. That's why it's the first song to go on air on television.Shah Rukh and I have done an item song before. So we share the required vibes, " says Kareema whose Yeh mera dil track with SRK in Don was talked-about for months.

Kareena has a point to prove. In Yeh mera dil she was criticized for her dress, weight and even the remixed song which many (including the singer Sunidhi Chauhan) thought lacked verve.

This time says Kareena, she wanted every component in the item song to be perfect. Farah Khan who had choreographed the Yeh mera dil number in Don was this time assigned Deepika Padukone's item song in Billu Barbar.

Kareena got herself a brand new choreographer. "He's Prasanna a choreographer from the South. And what innovative movements he has given to Pritam's song which just rocks.

I think I've always been lucky with my item songs.Whether it was Yeh mera dil or It's rocking, they've always rocked. The fact that mine is the first song to be in the promos does say something."

Though Kareena won't talk about the money she says, "Saif and I both love Shah Rukh and his wife Gauri. They're like family."

Priyanka, on the other hand, describes herself as an unabashed fan of Shah Rukh Khan. "I'm his biggest fan. There's no way I'd say no to him for anything.

All he had to do was ask and I was on…In fact people ask me why I wasn't there in the song featuring all the heroines with Shah Rukh in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Actually I wasn't asked. If I was, do you think I wouldn't be in the song?"

Deepika, the third item queen in Billu Barbar has bagged Farah Khan as her choreographer, thereby ending talks of a fall-out with the director-choreographer during the making of Om Shanti Om.

"I don't know why there's all this talk of fall-out. I'm very fond of Farah and she of me.We can never fall out."

With all three Bollywood hotties vying to be in Shah Rukh's good books the item songs in Billu Barbar are bound to be the film's USP.

Sonam Wasn't The Most Delicate And Demanding

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's much talked-about Delhi 6 has a large cast of distinguished actors.

But the most delicate demanding and sensitive actor on location was…no, not Sonam Kapoor but a dove named Masakali who not only serves as the romantic leitmotif in the plot but also became a favourite of the entire cast, specially Sonam whom the dove became unbreakably attached to, almost like Mary's little lamb.

So crucial was the dove to the film and its unit that a whole song was written and composed in its honour. The song Masakali is sung by Mohit Chauhan whose voice A R Rahman had used in Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti.


Speaking on the genesis of the dove song Rakeysh says, "The song was not really meant to be part of the narrative. I mean, who would think of putting in a song about a dove in a film like Delhi 6? It just happened. When I came to the pre-climax portion of my script I was stuck. I needed a continuity link taking the narrative to its finale."

That's where composer Rahman came to the rescue. "When I narrated the scene to him Rahman said, 'I can see a dove here.' I was taken aback. I had never mentioned Sonam's dove to Rahman. How did he know about it? That's how the song Masakali was born.

"There seems to be plenty of anxiety about the music of Delhi 6.

Saya Rakeysh, "Is there anxiety? Not really. When Rahman and I did Rang De Basanti we didn't think about anything except how well the songs and music fitted into the plot. The music of Delhi 6 is again designed only for the film. The dove song Masakali makes sense only within the parameters of our plot."

There have been songs about pigeons (Kabutar jaa jaa in Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya ) and a swan (Oh hanseeni). But now about a dove in times of love.

I Wasn’t Uncomfortable In The Steamy Scene With Abhay: Parakh Mohan

Q. Talking about Monica Mogre Case Files. Why Monica
Mogre as a name?

A. Monica Mogre is just a name. I had never played a cop’s role in my life. Thanks to Zee, they fulfilled my dream of playing a cop as inspector Monica Mogre. I always wanted to play a cop’s role.

Q. What is your role in Monica Mogre Case Files?

A. I play a cop in this show. It is about playing a cat and mouse chase with the criminals and risking one’s life and putting the criminals behind the bar. It is about giving justice and serving for the welfare of the society.

Q. Shifting from Monica Mogre Case Files to Dev D. What
is Dev D all about?

A. Dev D, as the name suggests, is the short form of Devdas and it's a modern take on the classic love story of Devdas. I won’t say it is completely similar to Devdas, but then the basic story line and the basic characterization is the same.

Q. Your character in the movie…

A. I am playing a character called Rassika which is a new character in the modern version of Devdas. This character was not there in the original Devdas. It’s Anurag Kashyap`s visualization. I portray the role of today’s girl who has been born and brought up in city and hence has a completely modern outlook towards life. She is neither a sati-savitri nor a vamp.

Q. How it's been working with your co-star Abhay Deol?

A. Working with Abhay was amazing. I mean, I have my own apprehension because Abhay is four or five films senior.

Q. After portraying a role of a homely girl in your debut serial Saathi Re…, do you think people would accept you portraying this modern girl's character?

A. See, even when I started with Saathi Re… this was what many people thought of because I was never a sati-savitri in real life. I was not the ideal Indianised bahu, also.
But then it is basically the way you carry out yourself, the way you look and how much you believe in the character and eventually people accepts you in that particular role.

Q. How did you bag this film?

A. We had a normal audition and then I got a call the very next day from Anurag. He said that he wanted to meet me.

I went to his office where he informed that my audition was good and he would forward my name to the producer of UTV. The next day the UTV personal called me and said that I am on for the project.

Q. We heard you had a steamy scene with Abhay in the movie, which you were finding it uncomfortable to shoot?

A. I wasn’t uncomfortable because of the steamy scene. That is ok. But the place where we were shooting was really stinking of shit. It was in a poultry farm and all that we could smell was the chicken shit.

Frankly, it was the stinkiest place I have ever been to. The last thing that we had in our mind was the love making scene and we had to shoot it somehow.

Q. You have had the opportunity of working for both big and small screens. How would you differentiate between the two?

A. A film on one hand is completely different. But at the same time I won’t say there is no pressure at all in films. The pressure does exist in films too, but it’s not that much as you do have time in hand. So, you can concentrate on your work.

Q. You had some problem with Balaji for the serial named ‘Kis desh main hai mera dil’?

A. I was not having any problems with Balaji. They had offered me a certain character in the show, but when the shoot started I came to know that it was totally a different character. I was not comfortable with the character which they were giving me and so I backed out from the show.

Q. Any future projects?

A. As of now, in television is just Monica Mogre Case Files and in cinema its Dev D. Lets see how much the audience love me, accordingly I will decide on other scripts as well. I hope the audience like my performance in Dev D.