Princess Katrina Kaif

After making biopics on Sardar Patel and Mangal Pandey, Ketan Mehta, the director of classics such as Mirch Masala and Maya Memsaab (whose last film Rang Rasiya, which depicts the life of the father of calendar-art, Ravi Raja Verma, has been stuck in the cans for nearly two years), has moved on to another biopic entitled Noor. It is the legendary story of Noor Inayat Khan and we have it from very reliable sources that Mehta has zeroed in on Katrina Kaif to play the enigmatic woman's part.

Paresh Rawal goes bald for Table No.21

Guaranteed to send chills down your spine, Paresh Rawal is set to shock audiences with his all-new look in the forthcoming thriller Table No.21 produced by NextGen Films and presented by Eros International.

After several look tests, the high-concept thriller, sees the powerhouse performer don an edgy look reminiscent of his villainous roles he's essayed in the past. And while details of his role in the film are tightly being kept under wraps, the makers confirm that it is indeed one of his career's finest.

If sources are to be believed, then the actor suggested the novel and edgy transformation for his character and even contributed with inputs on the styling. Confirms the film's producer Viki Rajani, "We wanted Pareshji to have a new avatar for Table No.21 and he was more than willing to experiment and go those two steps further. After several looks tests, we settled on this one and it worked splendidly in support of his character, taking it notches higher".

Presented by Eros International and produced by NextGen Films, Aditya Dutt's Table No.21 starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Tena Desae and Paresh Rawal, recently went on floors with the first schedule being shot at the picturesque Fiji Islands.

SRK takes Yash Raj to Ladakh

TOI told you in May that Yash Chopra was toying with the idea of revisiting one of his favourite destinations, the Kashmir valley, as a backdrop for his directorial next starring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. 
The last time the snow-dusted valley featured in Chopra's films was in the 1976 blockbusterKabhie Kabhie, after which the filmmaker, known for his choice of the most beautiful locales, had shifted his attention to the Swiss Alps for the longest time. So much so, the production house even conducted a recce of Kashmir, raising anticipation levels there.
However, TOI now has it that the climax of Yash Chopra's yet-untitled film will be shot in Ladakh and not Kashmir, only because Shah Rukh suggested the venue.
A source close to the film had said, "Yashji loves the snow in Kashmir and has shot two of his most romantic films, Daag and Kabhi Kabhie, there. They need a snow-capped landscape for the climax. Hence, initially, he contemplated shooting in Kashmir."
However, Shah Rukh came up with the idea of Ladakh, where he had shot for Mani Rathnam'sDil Se, and still has fond memories of the place, the source revealed.
That's when and how the plan changed. So this winter, the film's unit will head for a ten-day climax shoot to Ladakh instead of Kashmir.
Yash Raj Films' official spokesperson confirmed the news saying, "The next schedule is in Ladakh."

Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha just hit it off

Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha are the new fresh pair of Bollywood who will be seen inMilan Luthria's next ' Once Upon a Time' sequel. The two have never worked together apart from a cover shoot for a magazine. By large it was the first time that they actually met properly and took everyone around by surprise.

It was the first meet between Imran and Sonakshi for the look test and discussion about preparation of the film. The two of them started chatting and did not just stop. It was then someone made them realize that they were sitting and chatting for over one hour.

A source close to the film says, "Imran was chatting away about his recent Europe trip with wife Avantika. Sonakshi was asking about all the places he visited and Imran was patiently describing about each place he went to. The two looked very enthusiastic about meeting and chatting with each other".

Most people have the impression of Imran as a reserved guy and so did Sonakshi. But that did not come across at all. "Apart from Imran's recent trip the duo was also seen talking about Sonakshi's two successful films Dabbang and Rowdy Rathore. In fact Imran also quiet loved Sonakshi's look in the item song of Akshay Kumar's 'Oh My God'", adds the source.

Someone literally had to barge in between their conversations and ask them to store some more conversations for future.

Sunny Leone in Shekhar Suman’s next?

The Adult film actress has been approached byShekhar Suman to be in his directorial debut. 

Actor, tv presenter Shekhar Suman is keen on casting adult film actress Sunny Leone in his directorial debut as the lead heroine. The film will mostly have Shekhar's son Adhyayan Suman playing the hero. That however depends on Adhyayan's dates and availability clarifies the proud dad as his son has four films in hand already.

Speaking of Sunny, Shekhar revealed, "I will be coming up with my own first film. I will be directing it later this year. It's my directorial debut. I am in talks with Sunny Leone. I am keen on casting her not just for the oomph factor. She has an extremely beautiful face and that attracted me."

Sunny has already stepped into Hindi films with Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2. 

2012: The year of violence

The unapologetic use of blood and gore seems to have become the mainstay of Bollywoodreleases this year
The year began with Agneepath's bloodbath. The brouhaha surrounding the excessive violence in the movie quickly died down in the wake of the movie's success at the box office. Six months into 2012, several Hindi films have repeated the act of violence successfully —Jannat 2, Rowdy Rathore, Ishaqzaade,Kahaani, Shanghai and Gangs Of Wasseypur.

Agneepath director Karan Malhotra feels that "illogical maar-dhaad is unacceptable. Family audiences now accept films with violence if presented as entertainment". While entertaining violence has been the mainstay of many movies this year, Ishaqzaade director Habib Faisal explains that violence is not always physical in its manifestation, "In Kahaani, the violence is more emotional. Sometimes filmmakers choose to glamourise violence and sometimes, heroism is also defined by violence. Like in my film, the heroism of the boy and the girl lies in the violent act of them taking their own lives." In effect, Faisal uses violence to give an anti-violent message.

This ballad of blood has been most pronounced in Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai and Anurag Kashyap's Gangs Of Wasseypur. When Dibakar claimed that Shanghai's "probably the most violent film" he's ever done, he wasn't being hyperbolic. At the time of the movie's release, he'd said, "By violent I do not mean people being killed or decomposed bodies. With violence, I mean emotional violence," reiterating the point about the many forms of violence. GoW, with its violent characters, managed to combine commercial success with gore and bloodshed.

Jannat 2 producer Mahesh Bhatt says violence works very well with single screens, "In the overseas market and in multiplexes, violence may not sell as well as it does with single screens. Movies which show violence work quite well with single screens and make a lot of money there. However, there is no getting away from the fact that the Indian audience is now willing to witness violence on screen, but with not so much blood, and filmmakers have realised that too."
Given the fact that violence-ridden films seem to be making more money at the box office this year than most other films, it certainly seems to be a good time to experiment with the genre. 

Bollywood's memorable monsoon moments

Next

1. Zoobie Doobie - 3 Idiots - This fun number from 3 Idiots became quite popular. Fun-filled lyrics, charming choreography and striking screen presence of Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor, who looked gorgeous in the orange saree, make this a memorable rain number.

Rajesh Khanna hospitalized again

Actor Rajesh Khanna was Saturday again admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here, six days after he was discharged from there, hospital sources said.

A hospital source told IANS that the actor was back in the hospital but refused to disclose the reason behind his re-admission.

A source close to the Khanna family said his condition was not serious.

"It is because of weakness, nothing serious. He should be fine in a day or two. Dimple Kapadia and Rinki are with him," the source told IANS.

Khanna was admitted to Lilavati Hospital June 23 and spent two weeks there.

The actor has been battling health issues since April l when he was admitted due to weakness and fatigue and was discharged in three to four days.

Fondly known as Kaka, Khanna, who gave hits like "Aaradhana" and "Amar Prem" in the 1970s, was out of limelight for years. He recently acted in an advertisement.

He married Dimple in 1973. They separated in 1984.

Cocktail review

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty, Dimple Kapadia, Boman Irani, Randeep Hooda

Directed by Homi Adajania

Rating: *1/2
Those who love judging a film by its trailer will be quick to assume that this is another version of ‘Love Aaj Kal’. Those who watch American reality shows would spot similarities with ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’- as Saif looks old enough to father the two leading ladies in this film. But those who actually watch this film will know that it’s neither. It’s a hollow approach to relationships that leaves you with an empty feeling of nothingness. Here’s a cocktail mixed with laughs, dances, songs, tears, stunning beaches but the cumulative effect of this mix: permanent sobriety.

Welcome to present day London, where Veronica’s (Deepika Padukone) present is all about making her presence felt wherever she goes. So if she’s at a club, she has to get nasty on the platform, if she’s getting wasted in a limo, her bladder will be the first to give up.

The Dirty Picture cleared for TV screening

Vidya Balan starrer The Dirty Picture has now been cleared for prime time screening  by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry, after ordering several additional cuts in the movie.

The I&B ministry had earlier banned the TV screening of The Dirty Picture in April despite the Censor Board giving it a U/A certificate as they considered it too risqué to be telecast at prime time due to its bold content. At that time the I&B ministry suggested that the film be screened post 11 pm. 

Under rule 33 of the Cinematograph Act, the makers of the film approached the Central Board of Film Certification and have agreed to the additional cuts suggested by the I&B ministry. The makers are believed to have made 59 cuts in the movie amounting to a total of 3 minutes and 10 seconds of editing.

Katrina to do dangerous stunt scenes in Dhoom 3

Katrina Kaif

Cutting short her planned family holiday in London with her mom and sisters, Katrina flew back to Mumbai on Tuesday to practice for some additional action sequences in Dhoom 3.

Yes, Katrina Kaif's stunts in Dhoom 3 just got more ominous and dangerous. We hear the Yash Raj team watched her super-smooth kicks and flips with Salman Khan in Ek Tha Tiger, and decided to give a substantial fillip to Katrina's action quotient in Dhoom 3.

We now hear in Dhoom 3, she will perform the most dangerous stunts ever by a leading lady in Yash Raj film.

Says a source close to the project, "If you look at the other Dhoom films, the ladies Esha Deol, Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai had no real stunts to perform. In Dhoom 3, Katrina was given at least 3 major action sequences for which she was to be specially trained. Now after Ek Tha Tiger, Yash Raj is adding a couple of more action sequences which would be managed by a fleet of action co-ordinators."

Interestingly, Aamir Khan who plays Katrina's soul-mate in Dhoom 3 doesn't have that many action sequences.

"He plays a cool cerebral villain, more into the intellect than fists. Yes, he does have some major stunts. But Katrina plays the more fist-friendly character. And Dhoom 3 would be her first full-fledged action role. Though she plays an aggressive character in Ek Tha Tiger, she wasn't allowed to do any really daring stunt scenes," says our source.

Apparently, Salman watched over Katrina's derringdo quotient in Ek Tha Tiger and told her to "take it easy", even "whispered" to the international directors to "make it easy".

Says our source, "Katrina always wanted to do a full-on high-voltage action film with no body doubles. InEk Tha Tiger she could only get halfway there. In Dhoom 3 she has just been provided with even more scope for the hi-jinks."

The actress has been on a no-fat diet in London to get into the required shape. She flies back this week ready to kick some serious ass
.

'Talaash' Release Postponed To 2013?

Fans of Aamir Khan, who are eagerly waiting to see their favourite actor don the police uniform inTalaash, might have to wait for some more time, it seems.

Sources claim that the release of Reema Kagti's psychological thriller might be postponed to next year. The reason-Aamir Khan is too busy with Dhoom 3 and Peekay to spare any time for the promotions of Talaash, which might result in the delay as the makers don't want to get the film released unless and until Khan is ready for promoting it. There are also rumours that Khan and Kagti are at loggerheads over the former's suggestion to re-work the film a bit, which might also be the reason behind the delay, claim sources.

Talaash, which will see Aamir play a cop after many years (his last cop flick was Sarfarosh), also stars Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor.

A lesson in love

I've learnt my share of lessons on love the hard way, like everyone else. But in retrospect, we rarely absorb anything from what we learn. This usually results in walking into a pole with the knowledge of being hit face first. And while we believe that stars lead a far more superficial life than us, there are times when they surprise us with a generous display of human feelings.

So, when I met Vidya Balan, she mentioned an incident that taught her a lesson that she remembers for life. The lesson was if you loves someone and feel for that person, don't hold back in expressing your true feelings.

The incident dates back to Vidya's childhood. There used to be an old watchman who was a favourite among all the kids in Vidya's colony. They dotingly called him Abi. Apart from playing with the kids, he would often treat them to fruits and considered the kids to be his own. Then there was a time when Abi was diagnosed with a disease and was rarely seen about. While some of Vidya's friends went

The Salman Katrina love saga

They are not dating anymore, but Salman says that it is very easy to fall in love with Katrina.

There is always a certain amount of curiosity when it comes to Salman's marriage. Even though he has been linked to many, including Katrina, he still remains a bachelor. So, naturally there was a buzz when the initial trailer of the movie 'Ek Tha Tiger' had Kats character ask Salman why he was not getting married. And naturally, when this was one of the questions they had to face when they met the media for a promotional event of the movie....

Katrina is the sexiest woman yet again

Bollywood's Barbie Katrina Kaif is undoubtedly hottest woman in the industry. The actress has again topped the sexiest woman poll conducted by world's famous men's lifestyle magazine FHM

This is the fourth time that Katrina has topped the list. Take a look at the cover picture. Draped in a spaghetti strapped black lace dress, it's no wonder that the magazine has voted her as the Sexiest Woman in the World yet again.

'Bol Bachchan' to reach the 100-cr mark?

Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan, starring Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin and Prachi Desai in the lead, seems to have had aspectacular opening. The film has grossed rs 43.10 cr over the weekend in India. A trade source says, "The action comedy opened at 12.10 crores net on Friday and 14 crores net on Saturday. The Net Box office in India saw a phenomenal increase on Sunday, contributing to the day's total of 17crores (approx), with numbers still coming in from all centers."

The film is reportedly turning out to be Devgn-Shetty's biggest films, having generated 36% higher figures than Singham and around 43% bigger than Golmaal 3 during their opening day. In the international scenario, the film has grossed US$ 2.06 mn over the weekend with the split as follows US - US$ 540000, UK - US$ 255000, Middle East - US$ 650000, Australia - US$ 167000, Rest of the World - US$ 450000.

If the trend continues, the film will soon reach the 100-crore mark in Bollywood!

Saif to play Russian mafia guy in Go Goa Gone

Even as he is busy with his next big release Cocktail, Saif Ali Khan is prepping for the shoot of his forthcoming home production 

Go Goa Gone. The film, a zombie-comedy, is directed by the talented duo of Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK and stars Saif along with Kunal Khemu, Vir Das and Puja Gupta.

However, what is interesting is the fact that Saif will be sporting a completely new look for this film. Saif plays a Russian mafia guy who is a zombie hunter and to add authenticity to his character, the actor will be dyeing his hair platinum blonde. The actor will be shooting for Go Goa Gone towards the end of July in Mauritius. 

We can't wait to see Saif in this new avatar !

Riteish turns lyricist for KSKH

After crooning a few lines in Marathi in the song 'Hum Toh Hain Cappuccino', Riteish Deshmukh has now penned the lyrics and even sung the Marathi version of the song.

'Hum Toh Hain Cappuccino' is a tweaked version of Shilpa Shetty's famed dance number 'UP Bihar Lootne' from Shool. When Riteish sang the four lines in Marathi for the song 'Hum Toh Hain Cappuccino', music composers Manmeet and Harmeet popularly known as the Meet Brothers, were so impressed by Riteish's singing that they suggested to have a full fledged Marathi version of the song. Riteish, who feels that 'Hum Toh Hain Cappuchino' is the best song of the album, was more than happy to pen the lyrics and sing the Marathi version of the song. He even added the word Latur (his hometown) to the Marathi version of the song. Not just that, the video of the song has also been choreographed and directed by Riteish himself.

Produced by Ekta and Shobha Kapoor and directed by Sachin Yardi, Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum also stars Tusshar Kapoor, Sarah Jane Dias, Neha Sharma and Anupam Kher. The film releases on July 27
.

That's not my boy, Shilpa defends online picture

A cosy picture of Shilpa Shetty with a baby is doing the rounds on internet, claiming the little one in the picture is the actress's son Viaan. But Shilpa denies it.
"There is a picture doing the rounds, claiming it's my son and I just want to say that picture is of my niece, Shyana, and me taken a year back," Shilpa clarified on Twitter.

The 37-year-old, who is married to businessman Raj Kundra, gave birth to Viaan May 21.New mom Shilpa Shetty is slowly learning about motherhood and the actress tweeted how little Viaan has been keeping her so busy that she has hardly been sleeping.

"Tweetos I know I've been twitter lazy. Son keeps me busy. Dunno how times flown! Sleep deprived n look like a zombie but Viaan is joy personified!," her tweet read.

"Being a mother is a full time job! One has 2 be ready 2 give 25hrs a day 2 the baby or don't do it!Amazin how our mothers did it all without any help," another tweet read.

Shilpa gave birth to a son May 21 this year

She has praised all the mothers who single-handedly handle the home and their babies.

"Glad I have the luxury of time to take off but hats off 2 all those moms who multitask home chores/work after a baby single-handedly. Phew," she tweeted.

First Look Of Movie

 " JOKER Sometimes being alien is the only option !"

'Ek Tha Tiger' not anti-Pakistan, assures Kabir Khan

Director Kabir Khan is upset after "Ek Tha Tiger" promos were banned in Pakistan following allegations that it portrays the neighbouring country's intelligence agency in a bad light. But he says this is a misconception and that his film is neither insensitive nor derogatory.

"I will say it once more... Ek Tha Tiger is NOT anti Pakistan....In this day and age, it's stupid to make films that are insensitive or derogatory to any country or community," Kabir tweeted.

The director, who earlier made "Kabul Express" on post-Taliban Afghanistan and won critical acclaim for it, says that jingoistic films lead to such situations.

"This is the price we have to pay because unfortunately our industry has made insensitive and jingoistic films in the past," he wrote.

According to reports, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the country`s media regulatory watchdog, has directed cable operators and satellite TV channels to refrain from airing promos/reviews of the movie till it is issued a no-objection certificate by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan.

PEMRA alleges that the film shows the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI in a bad light.

Produced by Yash Raj Films, "Ek Tha Tiger" features Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif and is coming out Aug 15.

Kabir Khan is confident that the film will be released in Pakistan.

"I am absolutely sure that once the censor board of Pakistan sees 'Ek Tha Tiger', they will be more than happy to show the film in Pakistan," he posted.

"I can assure the millions of fans of Salman in Pakistan that 'Ek Tha Tiger' will release in theatres in their country," he added.

Exhibition in London to showcase Indian culture, goods

 Marketing services agency Impact Marketing Services will organise a three-day entertainment and shopping extravaganza in London that will feature top Bollywood artists and showcase Indian goods and services.

"India Utsav" will be held Oct 5-7 at Harrow Leisure Centre in London.

"India Utsav is an initiative by Impact to bridge the emotional and physical gap between an Indian and his/her home country, India," Impact Marketing Services said in a statement.

The event is aimed at providing complete family entertainment and give the Indian diaspora an opportunity to buy traditional Indian goods like handicraft, jewellery and garments.

It will also have food court serving Indian cuisines and there will be exhibition showcasing best of Indian properties, medical facilities, educational options among others.

Rajesh Menon, managing director, Impact said the event is aimed at providing rewarding opportunities for participants as well as visitors. These include puppet show, mehendi application, shopping for saris, bangles, pickles and handicraft, and even exploring options for booking property, exploring advanced and affordable medical facilities and educational opportunities.

Entrance to the exhibition will be free. However, there will be charges for attending evening shows like music and dance performances.

"We will bring popular artists from Bollywood for the evening shows. They will include music, theatre and dance performances. These shows will be ticketed but the amount will be such that it will suit every budget," said Sanjeev De, director with Impact.

De said his company decided to organise the event on its own after executing this high-profile international events for clients.

"After having successfully executed international events for our clients, we decided to work backwards this time and launch an event of our own, an event or a brand property that becomes synonymous with Impact," De said.

"It is an organic growth for us. We have always wanted to fill in this gap that we know exists between an NRI and India. It is, in fact, a matter of pride that we can do something like this."

Bol Bachchan: Movie Review

Director: Rohit Shetty

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan

Comedy of errors is amongst one of the most popular and maximum exploited sub-genres in comedy. The humour, particularly, arising out of confusion of mistaken identities has been exploited in Bollywood forever from David Dhawan's Coolie No.1 to Sajid Khan's Housefull series, in more recent times. So when Rohit Shetty, who himself attempted the genre earlier in All The Best (his most enjoyable comedy film yet), and who made a brand of himself with the Golmaal trilogy, decides to make another film on similar lines, he revisits the originalGolmaal made by Hrishikesh Mukherji, a cult-classic.

Riteish Deshmukh: I enjoy sex comedies

There's a reason why Riteish Deshmukh is stuck doing comedy films.

He's just so brilliant at it!

And we're not talking about onscreen only.

It's impossible to interview Riteish, without him constantly breaking into comic antics and jokes.

Yet, the actor claims he's tired and bored of comedies and sequels, and wants to change his image by doing thrillers and social dramas.

Until that happens, we get to enjoy Riteish's funny side on screen, in his latest film Kya Super Kool Hai Hum.

In this interview with Sonil Dedhia, Riteish speaks about his take on sex comedies and why the Indian audience has been receptive to bold content.

Kya Super Kool Hai Hum is the sequel to Kya Kool Hai Hum. Are you picking up from where you left off?

No, the story is different. After seven years, the humour is contemporary but at the same time, we are maintaining the naughtiness that was present in the first part. I would say it has increased a little!

The first time we were a little unsure how the audience would receive the film, but it did well at the box office.

Dara Singh: The First Superhero Of Bollywood

Dara Singh may have departed for his heavenly abode but he leaves with us a rich legacy of delightful work.

Here's looking at the lesser-known facts about the late wrestler/actor's life.

Standing tall with rippling muscles, wrestler-actor Dara Singh was a name to reckon with in the world of wrestling who ventured into an unusual territory -- films.

The 84-year-old will always be remembered for his variety of roles in cinema and on the small screen, the most memorable being that of Hanuman in the iconic show Ramayan.

Apart from making a name for himself in professional wrestling, Singh also acted in a number of Punjabi and Hindi films.

Katrina’s London househunt

Katrina Kaif

While in London for the shoot of a movie recently, we hear that Katrina Kaif spent quite some time looking for something specific — a new residence for her entire family.
Buzz is that Kat, who already has a place near the affluent Hampstead neighbourhood in the British city, is now keen on buying a bigger house. At the moment, Kat's family — her mother and her five sisters — live under one roof, and Katrina always stays with them, even if for a short time, whenever she is in London for work.
But, for a while, the actress has been feeling that the place isn't big enough for all of them, and that is what prompted her to look for a new place. While real estate prices are skyrocketing in London, Kat's apparently really keen to buy property there and the cost is not proving to be a detterent.

Says a source close to her, "She definitely wants a bigger place for her sisters and her mother. She hasn't found anything of interest yet, but she definitely plans to go back later to London and continue her house hunt till she finds the perfect place for her family."