Celebrity couples - will they tie the knot?

Will these celeb couple tie the knot?
Kareena and Shahid:


Kareena Kapoor is number 3 and Shahid Kapur is number 7. This relationship is an extremely volatile one. But the attractions are extremely strong. In the relationship of 3 and 7, the bondings are very strong but a small spark of misunderstanding can ruin it totally. Kareena Kapoor may take an abrupt desicion to get married. The problem is not marriage, but what will happen after marriage, because Shahid Kapoor may be a different person from what he is now and there are chances of problems to creep up.

- Bollywood Gossips

Celebrity couples - will they tie the knot?

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu:



Bipasha Basu is number 7 and John Abraham is number 8. 7 and 8 make it as very good friends. But this year, 2007, is a tough year for both of them. The possibilities of the relationship getting over are extremely strong. It may have a bad impact on John’s career. Whatever has happened to John’s career may have happened due to Bipasha’s luck and once the lady luck will be gone, John may also start losing all his stardom.


- Bollywood Gossips

Celebrity couples - will they tie the knot?

Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia:



Preity Zinta is number 4 and Ness Wadia is number 3. This relationship is not a strong one. This is because both of them will have different views. They will get along as friends but their thoughts will not match. The biggest problem is that Ness Wadia’s name comes to number 29 which means that you can be ditched by your closest friends or associates or lover at any moment. Therefore chances of Preity Zinta calling off the realationship without any reason are very strong.

- Bollywood Gossips

Celebrity couples - will they tie the knot?

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif:



Salman Khan is number 9 and Katrina Kaif is number 7. This is a good combination. But Salman Khan is presently going through a bad phase in life. After the flop of 'Salaam-E-Ishq,' there may be one more huge flop this year. If he continues his relationship with Katrina Kaif till the end of the year then he will decide to get married to her next year and he will have many super hit films next year.

- Bollywood Gossips

I don't think I'll look older than Shahid: Vidya

One cannot even imagine seeing Shahrukh khan sitting idle. Believe it or not, King Khan is jobless recent times. After the grand success of his movie Chak De India where he played the Hockey Coach of Indian Women's Hockey team, the actor is waiting for the release of Om Shakti Om which is set to release this year.

Though he is working on some other movies too but he is not very sure about their release dates. It happens sometimes Shahrukh..

Good Luck !!


- Bollywood Gossips

Whats up ? Ramu !!

Before the release of his much awaited and talked about film Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag , Mr. Varma definitely must have had ‘Butter- flies’ in his stomach. Moreover, since it was not just any usual copy or remake heard of but was a remake of the legendary film, Sholay . Well the film did release and as expected ( especially by Ramesh Sippy) Varma did get his share of flaks pelted at him, but what was really unexpected was that people who usually butter him up too melted away. So when we have the famous and popular ‘Butter ad’ take a dig at him saying, “Ab tera Kya hoga Ramu” one cannot help but be the mean Gabbar Singh to him.

- indiafm.com

Casting Ouch: Shilpa Vs Ash

'Pink Panther 2' casting has now become the hotly debated issue in Bollywood. Contrary to latest media reports, Aishwarya’s international agent Simone Sheffield says, "Ms Rai was the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film Pink Panther 2."

The casting director Ilene Starger too endorses this fact by saying, "We did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya. Period. Ash was the actress I envisioned when I read the script. Her intelligence, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us are thrilled to work with her.”

A couple of actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in. It’s sad. If either of them had been offered a role in such a big budget international film, they’d have jumped at the opportunity instead of passing it up.”

Giving her side of story to SantaBanta, Simone says, "Please look at the original document received from Shilpa and you will see a standard letter signed by an office assistant and NOT by Ilene Starger."

"NO WHERE in the letter is there an offer for Shilpa to read, appear or even consider appearing in the film.....it is merely an invitation for Shilpa to submit a tape of herself. PERIOD.....this process is standard in the industry," she adds.

Last week, Ash shot for the film in Paris shooting alongside Steve Martin (who reprises his role as Inspector Jacques Clouseau) and Andy Garcia (Vincente) and has now returned to Mumbai to complete Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj.

- SantaBanta.Com

'I wanted none other than Aishwarya'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

Saif to be Desi James Bond!

It has been a childhood fantasy for Saif…. To play a secret agent,a la James Bond or Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible.

Ever since the Rajshris made the low-budget espionage thriller Agent Vinod in 1977 featuring the then-rising Mahendra Sandhu (whatever happened to Sandhu?!) as the spy who loved girls gadgets and stunts, Saif has been fascinated by the thought of doing a take on the title.

Director Sriram Raghavan who did a career-turning film Ek Haseena Thi with Saif, is all set to make Saif's dream come true.

Says Sriram, "Though our Agent Vinod will have nothing to do with the old Rajshri film of that name it would be exploring the same espionage territory, albeit in an entirely new idiom. Saif and I had been brainstorming over this project for a long time and yes, now it's on."

Saif currently sporting a moustache for his role in Yashraj Films' Tashan is all set to lose weight to look lean mean and macho to play Agent Vinod.

Says Saif, "I looked sinewy for Ek Hasina Thi. I can do the same again."

Apparently it would be a full-on take on the James Bond-Tom Cruise genre of sensuous spying with Saif dressed in the best, wooing and bedding some of the most glamorous women in the industry.

To ensure Saif's Agent Vinod turns out just so, the star-on-the-rise would be producing the film under a banner he's starting with his friend and business associate.

Says Saif, "I want to produce anything from an espionage thriller to a period murder mystery which might not make too much money, to an off-the-wall romantic comedy, any slice-of-life film…. I'm not looking at making money here, though it'd be nice if my productions do make money.

But my partner and close friend Dinesh Vijen and I are making films that other people wouldn't want to make with me. "

Sallu refuses to forgive Vivek!

Everyone was waiting with bated breath for this clash of titans and it happened at 10th Rajiv Gandhi Awards function when Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi came face to face for the fist time.

Sallu was present at the event as he was being given an award in the Best Actor Category and Shilpa Shetty who was also present was being honoured with the Best actress award.

To add some spice to the event, the organizers as usual had a number of performances put up to entertain the audiences. And Vivek was also performing at the awards function.

According to sources, after Vivek wound up his act, he folded his hands and bowed before Salman as a sort of apology. He even grabbed his ears and bowed and mouthed bhai, but Salman just shook his head.

Unfortunately though Vivek’s gesture did not make Salman relent and when he was later asked about the incident, he refused to even acknowledge that he knew anybody by the name of Vivek Oberoi.

However, seeing this apologetic gesture, Shilpa tried to coax Salman to relent and forgive Vivek, but Salman was still adamant and refused to forget and forgive.

Vivek’s friend though claims that Vivek did not plan on making a public apology and it was more of an impulsive thing that he did at the last moment.

Hot and Sexy Sridevi

THE GREAT BOLLYWOOD GOSSIP

They always deny it when the news leaks out, but then shut up and look sheepish when the news goes public. They say that marriages and relationships in Bollywood are easily consumed. Indeed.

These relationships do not last long. So no one wants to talk about it, because they are never sure about it in the first place. They do not know whether a one-night stand would result in an affair, followed by an engagement and a marriage and then even by a divorce. Sex, casting couch, one night stands, second wives, Bollywood denizens have denied them all a little too often.

Tanushree Dutta has still been denying that she and director Aditya Dutt are dating.

Ditto with Mahima Chaudhary, who continued to deny her marriage until she got pregnant and delivered the child of Bobby, a business man.

Mahesh Bhatt has often said that he is a "bastard" as his father Nanabhai Bhatt had married his mother despite having a first wife. Hence he was an illegitimate son. Nanabhai Bhatt denied that Mahesh was illegitimate as his marriage to Mahesh's mother was before 1955, when the Hindu Marriage Act came into place. Strange story!

Aamir Khan kept on denying a little too hard that he had no affair with anyone and that he and first wife Reena were together, till the time the papers of his divorce came out in the open. Interestingly, he even denied that, but went ahead to marry Kiran who is much younger to him.

Rishi Kapoor once said, "We act as if we are in love with each other while doing a few scenes in the films. It is not difficult for two artistes to fall in love with each other." A sentence like that coming from an actor who has acted opposite the maximum newcomers in Bollywood is rather symbolic of the pitfalls the relationships of a married actor has in Bollywood.

Even as Viveik Oberoi's girlfriend Gurpreet cried herself hoarse that Bollywood had consumed her relationship with Viveik, one can remember how Pooja Bedi shouted from the rooftops that Aditya Panscholi had raped her maid and thus ended her relationship with him.

They say that Sushmita Sen broke Vikram Bhatt's house, Rani Mukerji broke Govinda's house, Mahima Chaudhary almost broke Ajay Devgan's marriage to Kajol and now Kiran Rao has broken Aamir Khan's household. It was also said that Meenakshi Seshadri and husband Harish Mysore had broken up. But Meenakshi's father was quick to deny everything, putting things in the right perspective.

Karisma Kapoor must have gone mad trying to deny that she was married to Abhishek Bachchan till the time she got engaged to the lad and the news came out. No one was ready to believe her. Indian film stars like politicians have no credibility. No one wants to believe them. The reason being, all these film stars have lied through their teeth about their affairs, marriage etc.

Raveena Tandon denied that she was engaged to Akshay Kumar. When he got married to Twinkle Khanna after ditching her and later Shilpa Shetty, Raveena had to accept the engagement part.

When Juhi Chawla got pregnant, she had to agree that she was married to industrialist Jai Mehta. She had denied the entire episode till that time. When a journalist broke the news of Boney Kapoor marrying his 'rakhi sister' Sridevi, Kapoor called and abused the journalist. He also asked the newspaper to tender an apology which they refused. A month later when it was discovered that Sridevi was pregnant, Boney Kapoor came around.

But Sridevi never agreed that she was earlier married and then got divorced from the already married Mithun Chakraborthy. They fought and broke up after Mithun in an interview to a gossip journalist revealed that he had married Sridevi.

Saif and Amrita Singh also did not reveal their marriage. When a journalist wrote about it in a popular Mumbai tabloid, they called up and abused the newspaper stating that it was false. Their denials also appeared in the columns of some so-called star columnists. But these columnists too fell flat on their face for supporting Saif and his much older wife when the news was confirmed later.

Denials come very easily to the stars. One can recall the most famous denials of all - Dilip Kumar's lie about his once paramour Asma. He denied his second marriage to Asma. And when his 'nikaahnama' was published as proof, he had no answer!

Ditto with Raj Babbar. He denied his marriage to Smita Patil. But his wife Nadira threatened that she would have him and Smita arrested. At that time Smita delivered a child and died. It was a cruel way of dispelling justice. Smita's child was accepted by Nadira. Later, there was news of Rekha marrying Raj Babbar, which appeared in Evening News, an eveninger from the Times of India group. Rekha denied the wedding, but Babbar preferred to remain silent. Rekha, however, has never denied her love for Amitabh, though Bachchan has never accepted that in public.

Dharmendra's wife Prakash Kaur never said anything when he married Hema Malini. So Dharmendra or Hema never had to deny the marriage. The Zeenat Aman-Sanjay Khan marriage was also denied by the couple. Sanjay alias Abbas Khan was already married to Zarine. The split also happened after Khan beat up Aman in a hotel in full public view. Zeenat then married the much-married Mazhar Khan. The affair was denied till she actually married him.

But Nana Patekar has never denied his relationships. Luckily no one dares to ask him about his affairs thanks to his temperament. He is still married to Neelkanti, though they never live together. He has had affairs with Vaishali Dandekar, Manisha Koirala and Ayesha Jhulka, but never married any of them, as a divorce would affect his son Malhar.

In the Kapoor family Randhir Kapoor and Babita have separated, as they could not get along. But Rishi and Neetu have stayed together, despite the latter alleging that he beat her up often. Raj Kapoor and wife Krishna have been together till the showman's death. Ditto with the maverick Shammi and his first wife Geeta Bali. Shammi is still holding on dearly to his second wife Neela Devi, who he married after Geeta's death. These Kapoors have always been silent about their family matters just like the Deols and the Bachchans who have maintained a studied silence when it comes to their relationships. Strange are the ways of show biz.

I'm not here to please Pakistani audiences: Sunny Deol

Despite a series of flops at the box-office in the recent past, Sunny Deol has reason to rejoice following the critics' verdict on family drama "Apne" and for his role of a Pakistani freelancer in the forthcoming "Kafila". Now, the actor wants to try his hand at direction. He talks about "Kafila" bridging the gap between India and Pakistan, his experience of working in it and his aspirations in the field of direction. Q: What did you like the most in Amtouz Mann's film "Kafila"? A: I liked the story which is based on the problem of illegal immigration. These days, people move to foreign lands with the help of visas. This results in intellectual immigration. At the same time, there are others who migrate illegally in search for a better life. But they end up residing in the foreign country like thieves. Q: Have you ever met a person who had migrated illegally? A: No, but then, playing a character doesn't require meeting the persons on whom the characters are based. As an actor, it's my duty to make the job of the director easy. Q: Tell us about your character in the film. A: I play a Pakistani in the film, who, like a freelancer, roams through Afganistan, Rajasthan, Bulgeria, Russia and other places, with a group of nomads. Q: What's the reason behind playing a Pakistani character in the film? A: (Laughs) Yeah… it's quite an interesting question but you have to ask it to my director. Q: It's said that by playing a Pakistani character you want to please the Pakistani audiences? A: I don't want to please anyone. I'm an actor and it's my job to portray every kind of character. I don't know who is spreading such rumours about me. Maybe the people who are doing this want to give me some message. Q: There were one Bulgarian and two Pakistani actors in the film. How was your experience of working with them? A: I enjoyed working with them. I would like to mention that all of them were newcomers. So, they had the liveliness and enthusiasm, and an intention to learn new things. Q: Is the film going to be released in Pakistan too? A: So far, whenever we have interacted with Pakistan it has been either for banduk or for business. It's a pleasure for me to state that nowadays it is more for business. And it is a part of our movie business to get our films released in Pakistan. It's better to forget the past and move ahead. Q: It is said that the completion of "Kafila" took a long time? A: Who says so? There's nothing like that. And even if there was any delay, it was not due to me. If people still believe otherwise, it's fine by me. Q: Your last film "Apne" couldn't leave a mark at the box-office? A: "Apne" couldn't prove itself at the box-office, but film critics, as well as the audience, liked it very much. My dream came true. Q: Why are you doing very few films these days? A: Yeah, I have reduced my working hours because of my health. Nevertheless, I have played small roles in several films in the last two or three years. I had undergone three operations for my backache and in that situation, my first priority had to be my health. Q: We heard that you are going to direct films? A: Yeah, we are going to shoot four films in the coming year. The first one is titled "Man", in which I am assisted by Neeraj Pathak. I'm also playing the lead role in it, but the leading lady has not been decided yet. The second film is "Chamku" named after the lead character of the film, played by Bobby. It will hit the floor within a month and a half. Kabir Sadanand, the director of "Sahar", will assist me in that film. Q: Will the three of you Deols come together again after "Apne"? A: Absolutely. It'll be in the film "Masters", directed by "Apne" director Anil Sharma. People actually complained to us that we have made them cry in "Apne". So, keeping that in mind, we have decided to make them laugh in "Masters". Q: Your father, Dharmendra, was supposed to publish his poetry (shayaree). Please tell us about that. A: It's true that he has penned his experiences, both on and off screen, in his shayaree. He's going to publish them very soon. Q: Do you enjoy writing too? A: It's difficult giving my experiences a written form. Maybe after reaching his (Dharmendra's) age, I shall also start writing. As of now, it's tough to comment on it. Q: What would you like to do besides acting in the near future? A: I want to be an outstanding director. I have a dream project that I wish to accomplish. But it's better to keep mum about it right now as it's too early to speak on the subject. -Rajnee Gupta

'Nobody got physical with me!'

Saif has just completed a grueling schedule of Yashraj Films' Tashan in Ladakh.

He returns to stories in Mumbai about getting into a 'scuffle' over Kareena with rowdy fans in Ladakh.

Says Saif, "That's not quite correct. Yes, there was an unpleasant incident. But it didn't end with me getting physical with anyone."

So what happened? "Some guy wanted to shake hands with Kareena. The lady didn't want to. We requested the 'fan' to respect her feelings. The guy chose to get offended and called five of his friends."

Ever since Saif and Kareena came together for J.P. Dutta's LOC they've shared a very special bonding.

So it comes as no surprise if Saif stepped in to rescue Kareena from aggressive fan attention.

However before anything untoward could happen in Ladakh , Saif and the Tashan team called security.

Laughs Saif, "If they were 5, we called 11 persons from security. For a while there was a loud and heated argument in Marathi, and that was that.

However let me repeat, I didn't have to resort to physical violence to protect the lady. The security intervened quickly."

Incidentally Saif has grown a moustache for his role in Tashan. "It's part of that discipline I've acquired during Omkara. There, I was so apprehensive about shaving off my head.

Once I got over the typical star-vanity of looking glamorous I realized a physical makeover makes a helluva difference to the characterization. Watch out for more of Saif's altered physicality in his coming films.

Shah Rukh and Sushmita at war?

Sushmita is a monsoon miss. "I love the feel of rain. I loved doing the Laga laga re in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. And I loved getting wet for Farah Khan in Main Hoon Na".

However playing props who just dance in the rain is not her scene. "My fans feel let down when I've nothing to do in my film. So at this stage in my career I've to do the films that do me justice.

At the same time I'm aware they didn't like me in Chingari. But I don't regret doing it. I don't regret anything in my life. Every role is about creating something you believe in. I'm working very hard in both Sholay and Dulha Mil Gaya although Sholay isn't quite my film alone."

Sushmita Sen is tickled pink, red and purple by stories that she and Shah Rukh Khan are at war.

"So that's what the tattlers have been talking about while I was out of the country? Shah Rukh and I at war? Interesting copy. But totally untrue. I've never had a problem with Shah Rukh.

We had great fun shooting Main Hoon Na with Farah Khan. Although it was his home production he didn't once let me feel unwanted. It was great fun playing SRK's m'aam in that film."

If Sushmita had a kind of extended cameo in Main Hoon Na, SRK returns the compliment now. He has an extended guest appearance in Ms Sen's new film Dulha Mil Gaya. "Shah Rukh doing Dulha Mil Gaya has nothing to do with me. He likes his role, the producer Viveick Vaswani and the director Mudassar Aziz.

When I signed Dulha Mil Gaya I didn't even know Shah Rukh was part of it. And let me tell you Dulha Mil Gaya is not a heroine-centric film."

She warms up to the SRK topic. "When we met for this film it was just like old times. Not a moment's awkwardness between us. So sorry guys, whoever is spreading the crude word about us, needs to take a reality check.

SRK and I are both Scorpios. But we don't sting each other. We take on the world instead."

Reverting to the kind of films she does Sushmita says, "I don't do films just because they're women-centric.

I like roles that are powerful. Watching ten guys fight the hero while I bite my lips in the background…I'm not very good at 'Bachao bachao.'

And yet, ironically, I was this object of adoration in Main Hoon Na. That role was all about the right presentation."


- SantaBanta.Com

Aishwarya Rai is not Pregnant!

Refuting the reports about Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, Abhishek Bachchan has made clear it amply clear that his wife is too busy to start a family.

In fact, she is going to be very busy shooting for the next two years. Just after completing the shooting of Sarkar Raj, the actress will fly to Europe for her third Hollywood venture which is a sequel to Hollywood blockbuster Pink Panther.

It is also reported that the actress will be playing the female lead opposite Steve Martin. Actors Andy Garcia, John Cleese and Alfred Molina have also joined the crew of Columbia Pictures/MGM's ‘The Pink Panther 2’.

Ash will star as a detective along with ‘Spiderman 2’ villain Molina and Garcia, who join forces with bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau, to be played by Martin, to catch the thief who has been stealing artifacts around the world.

Cleese will play Clouseau's superior chief inspector Charles Dreyfus in the movie, according to reports.

Agent Cody Banks director Harald Zwart will be directing the film, which was penned by Scott Neustadter, Mike Weber, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel and Steve Martin.

The film will be produced by Robert Simonds and Ira Shuman will be executive producer.

It is also learnt that Ash will start shooting for a film with Abhishek Bachchan to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions early next year.

With a such packed shooting schedule ahead Ash might just be glowing with work only.

I'm not jealous of Malaika's success

Arbaaz and and his high-profile wife Malaka Arora are finally working together in Kannada filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh's first Hindi film.

Says Arbaaz, "I play the lead in Lankesh's film Shaadi Ke After-effects Malaika does an intem song with me. Though my wife in the film is played by Tara Sharma I loved being on screen with Malaika."

After the success of the film and his role in Shootout At Lokhandwala, Arbaaz is looking forward to Lankesh's film. "After Shootout… I am glad to be in a light-hearted film, on the lines of The Seven-Year Itch. I'm trying to change my image with this film.

I'm tired of being known as a serious guy. Close friends like Sajid Khan know me as a very funny guy. Lankesh's comedy is the story of a married guy with a roving eye. I dance and sing with Malaika in a dream song."

A situation Arbaaz would never be. Though he plays a jealous and possessive husband in Hansal Mehta's Woodstock Villa, Arbaaz Khan is anything but that in real life.

"I'm quite comfortable being the husband of a woman who's a big celebrity. And of course a superstar's brother. It's not an enviable place to occupy. But it's the reality. I'm very closely related to two very successful people, and I accept that happily."

It's not easy having a superstar-brother (Salman) and a stunningly beautiful wife Malaika. "But I don't fight their presence in my life. I know their celebrity status is a reality in my life. I'm very closely connected to two very successful people.

But I love my brother and my wife so much that I want them to grow from strength to strength. And though Salman is where he is on his own, I'd like to take some credit for where Malaika are. We've been together for fourteen years. Even before she was my wife and the mother of child I was very encouraging and supportive.

I've always encouraged her to work. I've always believed, if you love someone then let that person occupy the space that makes her happy. That in turn, brings you tremendous happiness." In public Arbaaz always has to take a second position to his glamorous wife. Ask him if he minds.

"Not at all. It's so strange. Before marriage people want everyone to look at their girlfriends. But after marriage they want to keep their wives locked way. I'm as proud of Malaika today as I was before we got married."

He sighs and then says, "All you need to do is be sensible about life and what it offers. By allowing yourself to get upset over matters such as these, you're only encouraging negativity to creep into your marriage."

He says he's clearly a better father than a husband. "You go through so many roles in life. I may or may not have disappointed Malaika as a boyfriend and a husband, but not as the father of her child. I know for sure my son will grow up one day to say I was a great dad."

Arbaaz is happy looking after their son when Malaika is working. "We want a baby girl in the near future…maybe next year. Right now we both have professional commitments to keep us busy. Life is such today that couples have to plan their baby for the right time."

As an actor Arbaaz feels charged and ready to start a new phase in his career. "I feel I wasn't focused enough. I've now taken the reins in my hand. I'm giving my hundred percent to my career. If I fail I won't have any regrets."

I'll never get a boob-job done

Kangana Ranaut who once boasted about her serene nature and flawless skin is now all stressed up. Perhaps hard life in a metro, work pressure and erratic hours are taking toll on this small-town actor's health.

But her hard work has paid her well. After two years of hardship Ranaut has bought her dream home at Turner Road.

“It was way too expensive but I am stubborn and so I decided to buy it. I’m moving in the next two months. The apartment is currently being done up. It’s got three rooms — one for me, one for my sister and one for my parents, whenever they visit,” she tells.

Kangana has been saving to pay the installments, reportedly getting paid Rs 75 lakh per film, and spending next to nothing on other activities.

Incidentally, Rani and Priyanka are also shifting into their dream homes in the next few months. “It’s a race to the finish between us,” says Kangana.

But she keeps this healthy competition on the home front only because when it comes to looks Kangana is pretty satisfied with what she has got.

In a candid interview recently she said that she will never go through a boob-job. Even though most of her fellow stars have had silicone implants she is in no hurry to increase her bust-size. According to her she will put more weight on her acting than on other places.

Says Kangana, "These girls feel this is the best way to attract men and become a sex symbol, but little do they realise that it has an adverse effect on their health. I will never get carried away. I’ve often heard men talk about buxom women but I want to know what matters more: a nice pair of boobs or a girl with a good heart?"

Rani to talk about her 'engagement'

Apart from a scene or two in her films, Rani Mukherjee has never touched a cigarette in her life.

A story that Rani has been lately puffing on the cancer stick has her family and friends amused exasperated and bewildered.

A very close friend of Rani says, "Rani's mother has apparently been asking Rani to quit smoking. Rani's mom is having fits. She wants to know why she'd ask her daughter to quit smoking when the girl doesn't light up at all?

All her friends smoke and drink, and Rani is okay with that. But she won't touch either. We've never seen Rani smoke in our life. She has done a couple of scenes in Bicchoo and Bunty Aur Babli where she had to smoke. Beyond that she has never touched the damned thing. "

Says the friend, "First the false report on Rani's engagement with Aditya Chopra, now this report about she being a smoker…The day Rani was supposed to have been engaged she was shooting the entire day for Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag and laughing her head off.

'Hey guys guess what? I got engaged and I don't know about it,' she called her friends and joked. But now Rani is really up to her neck. Her father cannot go on clarifying on her behalf.

Even on the engagement issue she felt it wasn't right to for her ailing dad to be harassed. 'Dad is already handling my work. How much more can he take?' Rani said to us friends.

Her silence is being misconstrued as acquiescence. Rani has been lying low because she feels the stories are much too baseless to be dignified with a clarification. But now she feels some people are taking advantage of her silence. "

The lady in question is all set to speak out against all the controversies.

Ironically, the story about her smoking comes at a time Rani is all set to do a campaign against smoking.

Says the friend, "Rani had decided to do an anti-smoking campaign on television even before this story came out. Now she's all the more determined to do the campaign, and not just that.

She'll soon be giving her version on the supposed engagement with Aditya Chopra because her family and close friends feel such talk and her silence are damaging her career. "

I can write this in blood, She rocks: Akshaye Khanna

Akshaye Khanna speaks on his role as Gandhi...

Gandhi My Father was made under an oath of secrecy among the cast and crew?
It wasn't secrecy, just a low profile until we were ready to release. A film like Gandhi My Father isn't easy to make. There was a huge amount of production and post-production work. And we haven't made a a small art film. Gandhi My Father is a big commercial film.

It's important to plan a film's promotion properly, specially when it comes to Mahatma Gandhi who's so much part of our lives even today. Now when we're finally allowed to talk, we feel we've been let out of jail.

You play Gandhi's son. Not much is known about him.
You're right.Gandhi is an integral part of every Indian's life. With his son Harilal whom I play it's just the opposite. Before I read the script I didn't even know he existed! Of course I was aware Gandhiji had a family. But I knew nothing about Harilal. A very minuscule number of people know about him. So it was relatively easy for me to play Harilal. I disn't have to copy someone people knew about.

So how did you get a grip on the character?
Very tough. I asked my director Feroz Khan how to play him. He's almost an authority on the man. He gave me Harilal's biography by Chandulal Dalal For me the research was in capturing the spirit of the man. Then I read the letters that Harilal had exchanged with Bapu and Kasturba. That was pretty much it.

Do you see Gandhi's son as a dark character?
Not dark at all. I see him as the most courageous character I've ever played. For any person, even the son, to stand up to Gandhi required a tremendous amount of courage. The entire British empire couldn't stand up to Gandhiji. Harilal could!

Did you delve into your own relationship with your father to play Gandhiji's son?
Let me say one thing very clearly. I've never used my personal life to play any character. I read about actors digging into their experiences. To date I've never done that. I look for the emotions in the moment, and then I let it go. I don't carry my roles home. Yes, scenes in Gandhi have eaten into my soul. I may have been tired after a scene. But I never carried my roles home.

Did you get a lot of support from your co-stars?
Darshan Jariwala who plays Gandhi, Shefali Shah who plays Kasturba and Bhoomika Chawla who plays my wife were extremely relevant to my performance. Let me tell you Darshan Jariwala had a thankless task. It's terrifying to play Gandhi, especially after Ben Kingsley.

It was an act of great courage for Darshan. I wouldn't have been able to do it. In spite of the enormity of his burden Mr Jariwala has carried Gandhi off with ease. As a fellow-actor I know the full measure of his achievement.

And Shefali Shah as Kasturba?
Please do not take my words lightly when I say is the single greatest performance given by an Indian actress. I can write this in blood.

Have you told her this?
Yes I have. She's one of those rare actors with an inborn talent. Highly underused and underrated.She just needed to be given the right opportunity. I can't put words to her performance.

How do you rate your own performance?
I don't want to compare any performance. But yes, this is one film I'm immensely satisfied with my work. I feel happy about my work. Not that I've ever left any stone unturned. But there's a quality to the film that benefited my performance. Every actor has excelled.

Feroz Abbas Khan as a director?
He's such an intellectual. In one sentence I'd say he's aesthetic intellectual.. Anil Kapoor said he had yet to meet a director as deep as Feroz. This is a director with immense integrity and honesty. Even as a simple father-son story Gandhi My Father has great sensitivity. This his screen debut.

But it looks he has done twenty films before. Coming from theatre and being an actor himself Feroz has a tremendous sense of performance. It'd extremely interesting to see where Feroz goes after Gandhi.

You did two comedies Shaadi Se Pehle and Salaam-e-Ishq. Now you've done a very dramatic film in Gandhi
I don't want to suffocate myself by playing the slotting game. I see myself as an actor who does his job. And look at the variety of roles this year Salaam-e-Ishq, Naqaab and now Gandhi My Father. What a spectrum! The very fact that I'm offered such a variety of roles proves writers-directors have faith in me.

Were you disappointed when Salaam-e-Ishq and Naqaab didn't work?
Hugely. I feel there was a lot of negative attitude towards Salaam-e-Ishq. It was virtually targeted. These things happen. But I feel Salaam-e-Ishq pushed the envelope. I adored the script and the film.

Salaam-e-Ishq is a work I'm proud of. I can work with Nikhil Advani any time of the day.In Gandhi the director has gone further than his other scripts. Now I'm in full Gandhi mode. I'm in the best place I've ever been.

- SantaBanta.Com