I've Proved All My Critics Wrong: Katrina Kaif

Five years into Bollywood, Britain-born actress Katrina Kaif is proud that she could prove wrong all those people who wrote her off during her initial days in the industry. She is one of the few actresses who can boast of giving six hits in a row.

"When I started, people were not only writing me off for my strong British accent, there were many others who tried to prevent me from making it till here, " Katrina told in an interview here.

"They didn't do so in an aggressive or excessive manner, but they used to say things like 'I don't know...' and 'I'm not sure...' that would suggest a not-so-positive approach towards me. But I proved myself ultimately.

"I always try and push myself to exceed expectations. I use this ideology in a positive way, " she explained.

Katrina was emphatic when she spoke of her belief in destiny.

"The great thing about life is that you never know what can happen and there's no limitation to it. Someone can tell you that you can never be this and never be that. It's not true. Anyone can be what he wants to be and destiny plays a major part in it. God has of course been very kind to me.

"I believe that everyone should try and live their dreams, follow them and they might just come true someday, " Katrina said.

From her disastrous debut with "Boom" in 2003 to five hits in a row in 2007, the 24-year-old has not only worked hard on her acting skills, she has also shown a marked improvement in her Hindi dialogue delivery.

Commenting on her improved accent, Katrina - born of a Kashmiri father and a British mother - said: "Interacting with various people on and off the sets and doing some eight Hindi movies, dealing with Hindi scripts, practising dialogue delivery... I think that in itself has taught me and helped me improve my accent."

Katrina is in the news nowadays for having delivered one box office dud "Yuvvraaj" after delivering six back-to-back hits including "Namastey London", "Apne", "Partner', "Welcome", "Race" and "Singh Is Kinng".

After so many hits, she was tagged as a lucky mascot for producers by trade pundits, but the actress is not pleased with the "lucky" label.

"'Lucky mascot' doesn't make any sense. It is such an illogical statement. A successful film is a combination of a good director, good music, intelligent script, good timing, destiny, everybody's efforts and audience's reaction. There isn't a reason or an explanation that you can tag a person as lucky, " she remarked.

In her career, Katrina has predominantly dabbled in comedies, but she has lately "felt the need to progress a bit" and try her hand at different things.

"If you see Akshay Kumar, he was an action hero and then he went to comedy and found out his real calling. It took him to new heights of superstardom. I think it is important to take risks and figure out what really suits you.

"Every actor has a strength like Aamir does romance and Akshay does comedy, but I don't know my strength yet.

"If I get a contrast role in one film like where one get-up has me play a simple, shy and homely girl, the other has me as a brass and loud girl, I would definitely do that, " she said in an excited tone.

As of now, Katrina has a number of films in her kitty.

She is doing two films with Ranbir Kapoor including "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" by Rajkumar Santoshi. She is also working with Prakash Jha on his multi-starrer "Rajniti".

These apart, she has one comedy film in hand and a two-film deal each with UTV and TV 18 respectively.

I'm The Next Female Akshay Kumar: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is mighty happy about being an action star in her forthcoming film with Kinng Kumar - 'Chandni Chowk To China'.

She's done so many stunts in the film that she's calling herself the female Akshay Kumar.

Deepika can't stop talking about them.

She's said, "I'm sure I have gone through a lot of death defying action in the film. But I was prepared for it when I signed the film."

Deepika sports a very interesting look in the film. She's pleased that she's learnt some interesting tricks from him as well.

She's added, "Akshay taught me lots of action. He said that action is like dancing so you have to be very graceful while doing it. I like to believe that main next female Akshay Kumkar hoon (I'm the next female Akshay Kumar)."

MTV Roadies is back with a more adventurous journey in its sixth season, Roadies — Hell Down with a prize money of Rs 10, 00, 000. The show has tied up with Rohan Sippy's 'Chandni Chowk To China', which would also be Deepika's first film with Akshay Kumar!

Kunal Kohli’s Say's Mumbai - The War Within The City

Whats sad is that we can’t put one date for the attack on our beloved Mumbai as the attack has gone on for over 3 dates. After the dust settles and our brave security forces have overcome the terrorists the question that really needs to be asked is that ‘is this the new face of terrorism ?’

Is this going to be the way the terrorists attack our cities, our country our world? It somehow seems, very sadly and shockingly, that the terrorists have figured out that it takes the same number of terrorists to wage a war on a city rather than have bomb blasts. The war that have they raged in Mumbai has not only got the attention of the entire world, but its got one of the major financial capitals to a halt for about 36 hours.

While giving some interviews to the BBC world service radio stations I realized that a lot of people all over the world were critical of our security vis a vis the attacks, to theses people I argued about the security of the U.S when their pentagon was attacked during the 9/11 attacks or the London or Madrid bombings. Its very easy for the western world to point fingers at our forces easily forgetting their own failures of intelligence.

Our security forces are amongst the best in the world or possibly the best in the world, in hopeless or really tough situations like Kargil our forces have proved victorious time and again. The operation at the Taj, Oberoi Trident and Nariman Bhavan were certainly not easy when you keep in mind the scores of guests, the multiple places for the terrorists to hide, the size of the hotels, the various rooms, back offices, its like a maze, through which the forces have to go through every corner and not just flush out every terrorist, but protect the lives of innocent people and try and cause as less damage to the heritage property. Our armed forces truly need to be saluted.

How can we ever repay the sacrifice of Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and so many other jawans.

We also need to take out time to salute the journalists who braved their lives and brought us the live images. Did you notice one thing that apart from Srinivasan Jain and a handful of others, most of the journalists were women ? Across all channels there were women journalists covering the most dangerous terror attack the city has seen. Barkha Dutt, Mahroof and so many other women were covering the attacks, were in the line of fire, were at every dangerous spot and were there more than the men, theres something to be said about that too.

Pranoy Roys interview of the pakistan Foreign Minister was strong and direct as were his answers.

A harrowing point we all haven't come across yet was mentioned in passing by an American woman who was rescued, she said "they made us wait in our rooms till they cleared the staircase of bodies". How many bodies are finally going to come out of the Taj and Oberoi Trident are truly going to shake us all.

This attack however was an attack on the entire world on Indian soil. The terrorists clearly asking for British and American nationals, the attack on a Jewish centre at Nariman Bhavan, all this points to the fact that the terrorists wanted the impact of this attack felt all over the world. This new kind of terror attack of waging a war on the streets of a major city is something the world needs to take note of and try and fight together.

This is not the time for the world to look down on third world or developing countries and pull out investments. This is not a time for clichés of the spirit of the people or the resilience. We have no choice, we have to get back to work and we will. This is the time for every one to take note of and to study together the root of these attacks. The world needs to pool resources and get to the root of these attacks. Who funded the attacks ? where did these young boys get their military training to carry out such a well planned attack ? Who planned the attacks ? The attacks have been planned with such military precision and intelligence, so as to cause maximum impact with least resources, and also to prolong the attack.

The answers to these questions and the relevant and appropriate actions thereof will help curtail such attacks in the future on future cities. Otherwise what happened in Mumbai in November 2008 can happen again in another city in another part of the world, because suddenly terror has found a new war to wage on us. What are we going to do about it ? How we act in times of adversary is what defines us and our future, how are we going to act ?.

"OLLO Is Basically A Work Of Research, Imagination And Memories" - Dibakar

He made his splashing debut in the dream world of Bollywood merely two years ago with a smash-hit film called Khosla Ka Ghosla starring the factory of versatile actors like Anupam Kher, Boman Irani and Ranvir Shorey in lead roles. He is none other than the extremely down to earth Dibakar Banerjee, who is back to amuse the cine goers yet again with his latest offering Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! which is all set to test itself at the Box-Office this Friday (Nov 28).

Bollywood Hungama caught up with the director for an exclusive one-on-one interview.Dibakar, to start with Khosla ka Ghosla and now Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, it seems that Bollywood can completely trust you when it comes to uncommon movie titles. In a nutshell, tell us as to what's Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! all about?The film is about a thief called Lucky and his rise from being a normal guy (like anyone one of us) to a thief. Even as a thief, he goes on to become not just the country's most wanted but also the most loved thief. Since the film is set in Delhi, the title has got lot of prominence and significance with the city. Look, what happens in Delhi is that whenever you want to call out to someone whose name is Lucky; you generally tend to call him in this fashion 'Oye Lucky...Lucky Oye'. Hence, the title.

Even as a thief, Lucky goes on to become not just the country's most wanted but also the most loved thief Do you accept or refute the rumors that Lucky's character inspired from a real life thief?I totally refuse to but such rumours. Lucky's character is purely a piece of fiction and my imagination. It also reflects the memories of my childhood. Moreover, I've also exploited the characteristic behaviors characteristic behaviors of many thieves. All of this, plus, there are many adventures that I've taken from magazines, television programs. All in all, Oye Lucky!

Lucky Oye! is basically a work of research, imagination, and memories.
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is basically a work of research, imagination, and memories What are the locations that you have shot the film? We shot the film in Delhi, Manali and Mumbai. You have managed to get the super versatile Paresh Rawal in not one, but a whopping three roles. Which one of his three characters do you identify with? All the three characters are very dear to me because they are all my creations...they are all like my babies. Hence, I love all of them. So, it's really difficult for me to single out one character. Any memorable moments while shooting for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! that you would like to share with us? My most memorable moment was when Paresh Rawal was playing Sardar's character with around 2000 people waiting to see his act on the sets. It so happened that Paresh Rawal came in the Sardarji's get-up, played his part and simply went off. Throughout the shoot, no one recognized that the 'Sardar' was actually Paresh Rawal, as a result of which everyone kept on waiting for him!

Paresh Rawal came in the Sardarji's get-up, played his part and simply went off. Throughout the shoot, no one recognized that the 'Sardar' was actually Paresh Rawal! How has the music of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! shaped up? The music of the film was done after a month long research in the interiors of Punjab and Haryana. The music director of the film- Sneha Khanwalkar went on researching for new kinds of tunes, and sounds. And she came back with really off-beat tunes, themes, and voices. The voices used in the film are such that they can only be heard in the deep interior villages and local musical shows. And, when we heard the Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! album, it was very root layered and folk in terms of its sound and orchestration. It truly brings out the flavor of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.

The voices used in the film are such that they can only be heard in the deep interior villages and local musical shows. One of the characters played by Paresh Rawal is that of a 'marriage band master'. How did you get the idea of such a character? This 'bandwala' character I got from a newspaper article that I had read nearly ten years back. I built on the character and hence it's not based on any real person but is a figment of my imagination. Paresh Rawal was given a week's time to research and perfect the character. He had to do the speech exercises to get the right mix of Delhi style Hindi-Punjabi accent. We even had a voice artist who recorded some long dialogues in that accent so that Paresh could get the right feel of the language. Obviously, Paresh Rawal kept hearing and practicing his lines and did get it bang on target.

Paresh Rawal was given a week's time to research and perfect the character. The buzz doing the rounds is that you are directing a film for Yash Raj Films. Is it true? No, I'm not doing any Yash Raj Film. Finally give us 3 reasons, why people should go and watch Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!? Well, the first reason is if you are a thief then you should watch the film. The second reason is if you are not a thief then you should watch the film, the third reason is if you are not a thief and are planning to become one then you should watch it!!!

2009 to begin with 'Horn Ok Pleassss

HORN OK PLEASSSS was slated for release in the forthcoming week [December 5]. In fact, the makers had started pushing the film all over again, with gusto, on all channels. But the release date has been shifted yet again. The film will now hit the screens on January 9 next year, making it the first major release of 2009. Why was the release date shifted ahead again? "We want to promote the film far more aggressively. Now that the film has been pushed ahead, we will have ample time to promote it further," Abdol Samee Siddiqui clarifies. Nana's PAATHSHAALA was initially supposed to be the first release of 2009, but now another Nana starrer, HORN OK PLEASSSS, will be the first release of 2009.

Karan Johar Features In The November Issue Of People

Kuch toh 'log' kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna...Well, the ironical part is that the abovementioned famous yesteryear's song has just been proved right (repeatedly) by the super-cool magazine 'People'. Looking at the way they are 'breaking' stories, it won't be surprising to see the leading dailies' editors breaking the heads of their journos! The latest issue has Karan Johar...even before you get any kind of ideas about his 'confessions', then let us play the spoilsport by saying NO...Karan has not spoken on his sexual preferences. And even though 'People' tried to take up the forbidden route, the normally calm Karan suddenly becomes 'Current Johar' and answers, "That's not for you to know and not for me to reveal. My personal life will always be my personal life". Not just that, you can find the ever-so-charming Karan share his views on his family, his background (how he had almost landed up in France and what made him stop), his very closet friends and of course, the icing on the cake...you guessed it right...the one and only SRK! Overall, after reading this issue, one would surely be forced to rename May 25 (Karan's birthday) as Friendship Day, as we certainly believe that there cannot be a greater friend, philosopher and guide than Karan!

Reality Shows Are Far Away From Reality, Feel Participants

Most reality shows, which have gained immense popularity in the recent past, are far from presenting reality to the viewers, the participants of some of these shows say."Whatever these channels are showing us, it is all false, manipulative and usually fixed weeks before the actual shooting. One cannot rely on their authenticity as it is all based on the irrational choices of a few decision-makers, " British-born pop singer Taz aka Tarsame Singh Jarnail told.Taz, of pop band "Stereo Nation", had participated in a singing realty show "Dhoom Macha De" on NDTV Imagine early this year. He came to the city to participate in Chandigarh Carnival."I do not want to comment anything on the genuineness of the judges' decision. In future, I have decided that I will not take part in any of the reality show, either as a judge or as a participant, " he said.Supporting these views, Diana Hayden, who had recently participated in the "Big Boss 2" on Colors TV, said: "It is difficult to believe them as all these reality shows are motivated with making profits and they can go up to any limit to attain it." However, one should also understand the fact that after all, the TV channels were a commercial proposition and not a charity, she added. "Amid the rat race among various channels, these reality shows are an easy option for increasing the TRPs during prime time. The producer will only show that thing on screen that is controversial and will help in engaging the audiences, " said the former Miss World.Talking about the "Big Boss 2", she said: "They showed only a one hour edited version from a recording of 24 hours. They did not show truth and presented our relations in such a manner that everyone outside the house and media persons started concocting wrong stories about our relations."