Wishing Kangana Ranaut A Very Happy Birthday

Today is the Birthday of a girl, who, at such an early age, has got the whole of Bollywood under the magical sway of not just her mystical eyes and lustrous beauty, but also by her immensely magnetic acting prowess. She is none other than the Almighty's kindest Gift to mankind...Kangana Ranaut!

Kangana is one of the very few actresses in Bolly-land today, whose mere name commands unprecedented initials at the B-O window. After having won everyone's hearts and attention alike with her stellar performances in each and every film (including the smash hits like Gangster, Fashion, and the much-recent Raaz-The Mystery Continues), Kangana is indeed a name to watch out for in 2009, as she has the mega prestigious Kites in her kitty, in which she gets paired opposite the 'Knight of Bollywood' Hrithik Roshan himself!

You too can join Indian Masala News as we wish the Birthday girl Kangana Ranaut oodles of Happy Birthday

Will '8x10 Tasveer' Make Lit On 3rd April?

Will 8 x 10 TASVEER make it on 3rd April? The film producers and distributors' associations have decided to stop all releases from 4th April onwards and the only film okayed for release in April is Nagesh Kukunoor's Akshay Kumar starrer. But there's talk that the film won't make it on the scheduled date since the post-production work is still incomplete.

Elahe Hiptoola confirms that the post-production work is going on in full steam, to meet the deadline. "We are working very hard to meet the deadline. I am well aware that our film has got the okay from the producers/distributors' body to release the film by 3rd April and we are optimistic of meeting the deadline. The film requires heavy-duty visual effects and we're working on it 24 x 7," she says.

Meanwhile, Percept has decided to give a controlled release to the film. Unlike other Akshay Kumar starrers, which were released with 1500 - 1800 screens worldwide, this one will be released with a lower print count, approx. 1200 - 1400 screens worldwide

Priyanka Poses For Ferragamo's Spring-Summer '09 Collection In L'Officiel

'If there is heaven, it is here, it is here, it is here'...goes a famous saying. But after looking at the recent cover of L'Officiel, we are forced to conclude that 'If at all, there is a Fairy on Earth, it is her, it is her, it is her'. And we are indeed referring to none other than the yummy delight and the visual treat called Priyanka Chopra, who looks like a Mother of all Fairies!

Full marks to the creative team as well as the (Lucky) photographer and also to the (Luckiest) camera to have caught this actress' mind blowing expressions, which are totally priceless! Although one must admit that the cover does make Priyanka resemble the lovely Sophie Lauren at the first go, but it's the Desi girl's desi-ness that brings her exclusive charm to the picture. And it is this Chopra girl, who simply has the year 2009 tailor made written for her, thanks to the multitude of releases that she has got this year.

All in all, this Power-packed issue of L'Officiel really lives up to the tagline of 'The Power Issue'.

Things You Didn`t Know About Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor is the daughter of Anil Kapoor and Sunita Kapoor, granddauhgter of filmmaker Surinder Kapoor and niece of producer Boney Kapoor, actor Sanjay Kapoor and Sandeep Marwah.

She is the eldest of three children; the others are sister Rhea and brother Harshvardhan. Kapoor studied at University of East London and then enrolled in the United World College of South East Asia to do her International Baccalaureate.

She later graduated from the University of Mumbai with Political Science and Economics as her majors. She is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. She has received training in classical and Latin dance forms.

Birthday: June 9, 1985 in Mumbai.

Debut Film: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007).

Second Film: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi-6 opposite Abhishek Bachchan.

Awards: Winner of the Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow – Female for Saawariya.

Upcoming Film: Come on Pappu with Akshay Kumar.

Facts we didn’t know:

She assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the filming of 'Black' and often went to Mumbai's notorious Chor Bazar near Grant Road Railway Station to shop for props.

Favorite brands are Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dior.

She enjoys reading, shopping, writing, playing squash and basketball, video games and painting.

She went to university at Bombay University (Majoring in Economics and Political Science).

Weighed over 80 kilograms (about 180 pounds) when offered Saawariya (2007). After she returned from Singapore, she got into weight training with Shervir and Monisha as well as artistic yoga with Bharat Thakur.

Sonam was never interested in acting. Direction and writing were her basic interests, but Sanjay Leela Bhansali showed so much confidence in her that he wanted her to be in his film.

Kareena's Blouse Malfunction

Kareena Kapoor's blouse came off during Filmfare award function. Saif Ali Khan came to her rescue leading to speculation that this malfunction could be a publicity stunt!

Now 'Deshdrohi 2'

KRK continues to make news! Actor/film-maker Kamaal R. Khan [KRK], who hit front-page news when he made DESHDROHI, is now making DESHDROHI 2. While DESHDROHI dealt with the injustice meted out to North Indians in Mumbai, DESHDROHI 2 - 26/11 WAR IN MUMBAI [yes, that's the title of his new film] is about the terrorist attacks across Mumbai. The attacks, which began on 26th November and lasted until 29th November last year, drew widespread condemnation across the world.

Besides KRK, DESHDROHI 2 - 26/11 WAR IN MUMBAI will co-star Priyanshu Chatterjee, Anuj Sawhney, Siddharth Koirala and Aslam Khan [NAYEE PADOSAN], who will play the role of the dreaded Pakistani terrorist Kasab. KRK faced a lot of problems during the release of DESHDROHI, is he prepared to face the heat again in DESHDROHI 2 - 26/11 WAR IN MUMBAI?

"I am well aware that there would be obstacles on the way, but I am ready to face it," KRK informs me. Produced by Abhay Sinha and KRK, DESHDROHI 2 - 26/11 WAR IN MUMBAI will be directed by Sanjay Jha Mastan, who had directed PRAAN JAAYE PAR SHAAN NA JAYE in the past and is directing MUMBAI CHAKACHAK currently. The film will be launched today.

Slumdog Millionaire' Kids In Hindi Film

The SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE kids are under a spotlight. After attending the Academy Awards and hobnobbing with the biggest and best names in Hollywood, the kids have been in the public eye ever since. While the world is still talking about them, Vashu Bhagnani has gone ahead and shot with two kids from the SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE cast - Azhar and Rubina - for his new film KAL KISSNE DEKHA. The sequence was filmed on Tuesday night [March 3] at the airport in Mumbai.

The sequence is an integral part of the film. Lead man Jackky Bhagnani rescues the two kids after they arrive from the Academy Awards. "Jackky can 'see' the future and he realises that the lives of Azhar and Rubina, who are returning from Los Angeles after attending the Academy Awards, is in danger. Hence, he rushes to the airport and rescues the two," Vashu Bhagnani enlightens me.

Incidentally, the kids were dressed in the same outfit that they had sported at the Academy Awards.

Ranbir Kapoor Glows On The Cover Of GQ

He was all over the place when he made his debut with Saawariya. This was followed up with his Adonis act in his next film Bachna Ae Haseeno, in which he got to romance not one, not two, but three hot looking women! If that was something that really made you stand up and take notice, then, the current issue of the world famous magazine 'GQ' will surely have you asking for more.

This issue, besides having a super-glorious Ranbir on the cover, also has his supercool interview, in which he talks about (read 'CONFESSES') that he has done that druggie thing. He, in his own admission, says "There was marijuana, there was alcohol, I started smoking cigarettes". Wait...there's more! He also revealed that he must have been around 15 years old, when he lost his virginity.

This is definitely one of the most 'revealing' interviews of Ranbir Kapoor and makes quite an interesting read.

"Kartik Calling Kartik Is A Thriller But Has A Lot Of Light Funny Moments" - Farhan

After two back-to-back sober-and-thoughtful roles as a wannabe singer and wannabe actor respectively, Farhan will for the first time try his hand at comedy in Kartik Calling Kartik.

"Not that Kartik is a full-fledged comedy. It's a thriller. But it has a lot of light funny moments, something that I missed out on in my first two, actually three (the unreleased acting debut in The Fakir Of Venice) starrers on doing any of the light-hearted stuff," explains Farhan.

Strange, considering Farhan is well- known for his sense of humour in real life. "I don't know why I've been cast in such serious parts so far."

Besides Deepika Padukone who plays the female lead, Kartik Calling Kartik also stars Shefali Shah and Boman Irani.

"We start shooting in April," informs Farhan who also plans to cut a music album. "But for that I need to take out a chunk of time and devote my full attention to it. Singing is not just a hobby. It never was. I need to pursue it seriously. And not only because of Rock On. I can't just have someone else composing the songs while I go in the studio and record."

Farhan has just completed his innings as a chat-show anchor on 'Oye! It's Friday!' In the last episode we saw him with cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Kangna Ranaut. "I don't think I've had so much fun before. I'm a huge cricket addict and Sourav was a delight. And I'm amazed by how relaxed and natural Kangna is."

Gurinder Chadha's Next With Indian Film-Studio 18

The Indian Film Company (TIFC) and Bend It Films have entered into a strategic partnership to produce Gurinder Chadha's next feature, It's A Wonderful Afterlife. The shoot of the film will taking off on 28th March, 2009 in London. The co-producers will enjoy global revenues in perpetuity.

It's A Wonderful Afterlife is a TIFC and Bend It Films presentation in association with Studio 18, and is slated for a worldwide release in early 2010. The announcement was made today by CEO - TIFC, Sandeep Bhargava, and Director - Bend It Films, Gurinder Chadha.

With this announcement, TIFC becomes the only Indian company to have forged a partnership with both the top cross-cultural directors - Mira Nair and Gurinder Chadha.

Chadha's previous works, Bhaji On The Beach, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Bride & Prejudice and Bend It Like Beckham have made her a popular name the world over. After a string of successful Bollywood distributions, Indian Films ventured into international film production with the Sooni Taraporevala-directed Little Zizou, a co-presentation with Mira Nair, and Road, Movie, a Dev Benegal film whose script was an official selection at Cinefondation, Cannes 2006.

Sandeep Bhargava, CEO - The Indian Films Company said, "We couldn't be more proud to join forces with Bend It Films to make this fantastic comic script into a reality. Gurinder is an extremely talented and popular writer-director whose films have fared incredibly at the box office. Ever since our team met her in December 2008, we developed great chemistry and I'm delighted that conversations moved at a brisk pace to allow us to work together."

Chadha added, "I am thrilled to have found an Indian partner in The Indian Film Company & Studio 18, as this new film has huge international appeal for the NRI and Non-NRI audience. It's A Wonderful Afterlife is part of a new slate of films by me that have an Indian element but are aimed at the global audience and I am excited to be working with Sandeep, Tanuj, and their colleagues on what I hope will be a long and fruitful relationship."

Afterlife will feature a top multi-cultural cast comprising of the legendary Shabana Azmi, Sendhil Ramamoorthy ('Heroes'), Shaheen Khan (Bend It Like Beckham), and other well-known international names to be announced shortly. Building on Chadha's record for discovering new talent, Afterlife introduces British-Indian theatre actress, Goldy Notay.

Freida Pinto Features In The March Issue Of Vogue

At first we thought that this beautiful lady some supermodel on the cover of the latest issue of Vogue. It's only after we saw her glacier like eyes, tresses that will give Rapunzel a huge complex, eye brows that takes you through a virtual tour of the most luscious desert, lips such that even Gods must have repented after having sent her to Earth... .that we realised that she was none other than Freida Pinto, World's envy, India's pride!

This issue is going to be a sure-shot sellout considering the fact everyone now wants to know about this new actress and Vogue provides its readers just that. Talking about this gorgeous girl, Danny Boyle says, "I met many breathtakingly beautiful and talented actresses in Mumbai, but in addition to being beautiful, there was a grace to Freida, an ease that transcended her physical beauty. She is truly unique."

We simply couldn't argue on that, neither could the Oscar's jury. Way to go, Freida!

Kareena Kapoor Shines On The Inaugural Issue Of Harper's Bazaar

The aforementioned words aptly and also literally describe the lissome lass of Bollywood as she is the 'Inaugural cover-girl' of the mega launch issue of the world-famous fashion and lifestyle magazine Harpers' Bazaar.

As we had (exclusively) carried the news earlier this week, the issue does contain some of beautiful pictures of Kareena And Saif on the beaches of Mauritius. After seeing this couple romancing along the coastline, one wonders if this romance is enhancing the scenic beauty of the to-die-for beaches or is it the other way round! Get this issue to see for yourself some of the most precious verbal gems that Saifeena have belted out in this issue, with Bebo saying, "I think I am just perfect, because on screen, being my size looks great".

All in all, a must buy-issue for the Bollywood buffs! BTW, when we said that 'Kareena shines on the inaugural issue of Harper's Bazaar', we really meant our words as this issue comes with 'diamonds' attached on its cover! Go and check for yourself!

Sajid Nadiadwala Signs Siddharth Anand For His Next

Siddharth Anand is the latest director to branch out from Yash Raj Films. After having made successful films like Salaam Namaste, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Bachna Ae Haseeno, Anand is all set to direct a film for producer Sajid Nadiadwala. "The contract with YRF is over. We are starting a film with him in August," Sajid confirmed with Indian Masala News.

We probed him about more details and this is what he had to say, "It's an interesting film which has its moments. The cast should be finalized in a week's time. In the first week of April we can announce everything...it's an interesting star cast."

Nadiadwala is eagerly looking forward to his next release Kambakht Ishq which apart from Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, also stars his all time favourite actor-icon Sylvester Stallone in a pivotal role. Those who've seen the first look promo of the film just can't stop raving about it.

Vijay - The Man Who Too Deserves Credit For 'Jai Ho'

'Jai Ho' has won an Oscar for A.R. Rahman and Gulzar, hence making India proud. While the entire country is singing the song and Sukhwinder Singh, the man who originally sung the number behind the mike, is basking in its glory as well, there is a man who is missing out on all the action. He goes by the name of Vijay Prakash, who is incidentally one of the four singers that were roped in by A.R. Rahman for the song, the other two being Tanvi Shah and Mahalaxmi Iyer.

"I don't have any regrets though", says Vijay Prakash who has been contributing to the Bollywood music scene for close to a decade now and is slowly but steadily making his presence felt, "Sukhwinderji is a fantastic singer and a very well known person. It happens and I don't blame anyone for not being in the limelight. As an audience, when you are listening to a song, you tend to stick to one individual whom you probably know and hence can identify with."

Smiles Vijay, "That's true, the echo is sung by me though the main song belongs to Sukhwinderji. However, Rahman sir has always been on a forefront when it comes to giving credit to his team. In some of the speeches made by him at award functions, he has named not just Gulzar saab but even me. Now that's an award in itself for me."

After years of being around on the Bollywood circuit, and singing in movies like Yuvvraaj (Manmohini) and Cheeni Kum (title song), Vijay Prakash his happy that his hard work is finally fetching him some good recognition.

"Of course, the name Sukhwinder Singh is much bigger and hence the name Vijay Prakash was perhaps relegated to the background. However, now that I am a part of an Oscar winning song, people have been taking notice. I am sure Tanvi and Mahalaxmi too will get due credit for their work in the song. 'Jai Ho' reaching at such a level is indeed quite big at this stage of my career", he says with a grin.

Any regrets that he couldn't walk the red carpet and be on stage when the award was announced? "I won't deny that", says Vijay, "I did wish if I was there but then considering the fact that Mr. Sukhwinder himself wasn't there, I didn't have any reason to feel overtly disappointed. Yes, the dream situation would have been for all us singers to be there on stage and perform live in front of a global audience. But that's ok, some other day, some other time."

Ilaiyaraja-Gulzar Team Up Again After 25 Years

Even while the Guru team of A. R. Rahman and Gulzar is being feted in the US for their 'Jai Ho' track in Slumdog Millionaire the poet par excellence has gone to the Guru of Guru's composer for his next cinematic collaboration.

Gulzar Saab is working with Rahman's mentor Ilaiyaraja for the first time in 25 years. Says Gulzar saab, "The last time Ilaiyaraja and I came together was for Balu Mahendra's Sadma. Now we're working together in another film after so many years."

The film is directed by Ajay Verma, who is grandson of the legendary inventor of calendar-art Raja Ravi Verma. "It's interesting that Ajay Verma has made a film at just about the same time when a film on the life of Raja Ravi Verma by Ketan Mehta is ready for release," says Gulzar.

Gulzar saab is not too fond of the title though. "The film is at the moment called SRK. Hopefully it will change. What the film most certainly changes is the idiom of expression for film music. I feel Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking gave me a chance to experiment with words in a way that film music generally doesn't. Now I feel the same way about my poetry in SRK."

About working with Ilaiyaraja again after 25 years, Gulzar Saab says, "His aptitude and skills for creating the perfect harmony have not altered at all. Ilaiyaraja is one of his kind. I wish he was heard more often in Hindi cinema."

Gulzar Saab would be pleased to learn Ilaiyaraja is also scoring music for Balki's Pa which features Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek and Vidya Balan.

Says Balki, "He did the music for my Cheeni Kum, and now Pa. For me there can be no cinema without Ilaiyaraja."

Feroz Khan Admitted In A Critical Condition

Veteran actor and filmmaker Feroz Khan was rushed to Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital and admitted in the ICU yesterday. The actor, producer and director of films like Dharmatma, Qurbani, Jaanbaaz and Dayavan was in a critical condition while he was being admitted.

It may be recalled that Feroz Khan has been not keeping well for a while now and yesterday's incident did give his close family members a scare. Most of his close family and friends immediately rushed to be by his side.

We at Indian Masala News pray for his speedy recovery.

Woody Allen Signs Freida Pinto For His Next

The film Slumdog Millionaire has been making waves not just in India but even across the seven seas. Along with the film, the two new found stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are also riding high on the wave of their debut film's success. Following an almost clean sweep at the recent Oscars, Slumdog Millionaire's actress Freida Pinto is quite literally going places.

Quick on the heels of this recent success, Freida has bagged herself another highly prestigious project. Freida confirmed this on an American show (The Today Show) saying that her next is a film being made by the legendary director Woody Allen. Freida and the rest of the cast of Slumdog Millionaire were on the show talking about the success of their film at the Oscars.

The legendary Woody Allen was impressed with Freida's work in Slumdog Millionaire and decided then and there that he would be casting her in his next. The film, which is as yet untitled, will also star Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Sir Anthony Hopkins in all probability.

While in Hollywood promoting Slumdog Millionaire, Freida (who has been eyeing to make a mark in Hollywood) has done the smart thing of hiring herself an agent along with whom she has been meeting several producers and studio owners.

Must say Freida is slowly and steadily making her presence felt among the bigwigs of Beverly Hills.

Sajid Nadiadwala Spends 1.5 Crores On A Song In Kambakth Ishq

Kambakth Ishq now has two faces...rather voices. There was an item song by that catchy title that Sandeep Chowta had composed for Ram Gopal Varma's Pyar Tune Kya Kiya. Urmila Matondkar and Fardeen Khan had danced that track into the charts.

Now there's a new song by that title for Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakth Ishq composed by RDB. No, not another R.D. Burman remix -God Forbid! It's the bhangra -pop group from Briton RDB, acronym for Rhythm Dhol Bass.

A favourite with Akshay Kumar, RDB were first heard in our cinema for Vipul Shah's Akshay vehicle Namastey London followed by Singh Is Kinng.

RDB walked into Kambakth Ishq after Carmen Electra and other international artistes who were supposed to participate in the song walked out.

Says Sajid, "It's just Akshay and Kareena dancing to RDB's tune and what a tune it is. It's not a music video but a song that we'll use as an integral part of the film. It will occur close to the film's interval. It will also be the first promotional song."

Press him for a sum of money spent on the song, and Sajid says it's close to 1.5 crore rupees.

Wonder what Sajid's old associate and faithful music director Anu Malik who scores the rest of the songs in Kambakth Ishq has to say about this invasion from the outside!

Shakti Kapoor's Daughter To Debut With Big B

Much like Karisma, Kareena, Esha, Soha and Sonam, another star daughter is set to turn actress. Only this time around it’s the daughter of a B-Town bad guy.

Silver screen baddie Shakti Kapoor's daughter, Shradha is making her acting debut in Leena Yadav's 'Teen Patti' opposite Amitabh Bachchan and R Madhavan.

‘Teen Patti’ is based on a true story about some students who mastered the art of card counting and made a killing at the casinos of Las Vegas. The film, which is scheduled for a release in June or July this year also features Pierce Brosnon in a cameo.

The 21 year old Shradha has reportedly inherited her looks from her mother, Shivangi and aunt Padmini Kolhapure. She has done her homework as well as she’s been associated with theatre for a while..

According to sources, Shradha won’t be romantically paired opposite anyone in the movie. The unit will be soon travelling to Boston to wrap up the shooting for the movie.

All that’s good, as long as the bad name that her father got in the industry doesn’t come between her hopes and ambitions in any way.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Playing Terrorists Iin Rensil D'Silva's Film?

2009 is a special year for Rensil D'Silva as he takes the big leap from writing to direction. By now it's known to one and all, that Rensil would be making his directorial debut with the Saif-Kareena-Vivek Oberoi starrer to be produced under the banner of Dharma Productions.

The buzz in the media circles is that the intense film is titled Jihaad but Rensil denied this rumor. "No...my film is not called Jihaad. It's a name that the media seems to have given the film but it's not the official title", says Rensil.

Probe him a little bit on what the film is about and Rensil says, "It's a romantic thriller set against the backdrop of global terrorism."

There is a strong buzz that Saif and Kareena are playing terrorists in the film but the director is not ready to reveal much. "I can't reveal plot points or character sketches at this point of time", says the writer turned director, who doesn't deny the news.

Apart from Saif, Kareena and Vivek Oberoi the film was supposed to star Tara Sharma. However, the actress is due to have her first baby soon and hence had to back out of the project. Minissha Lamba would now be essaying that part. The supporting cast also includes Kirron Kher, Om Puri and some talented new faces.

So, how much of the film's shoot is complete at this stage? "We are around 40% through with filming. We've shot in Philadelphia, Delhi and the Mumbai schedule is currently underway. We plan to complete shooting by May and will release the film in the last quarter of 2009," says Rensil.

While the story of the film has been written by Karan Johar, Rensil has worked on the screenplay of the film. An interesting fact however is that instead of Dharma favorites Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, this time it would be Salim-Sulaiman who would be composing music for this film.