‘Saifeena for Metro 2? ridiculous!’

Anurag Basu the director who shot to fame after making Life... In A Metro, has put an end to rumours about him casting Saifeena in a sequel to the movie. When BT contacted him, the director, who didn’t seem very pleased about the news, clarified, “I have no intention of making a sequel to Metro. In fact, I have shelved the project for good, so news of me approaching Saif and Kareena for it is ridiculous.”

Remind him that he had once been very keen to make a sequel to the movie and Anurag says, “Yes, we did announce it. But in the past two years, a few movies were made along the same lines with ensemble casts. So, we decided to put the idea of having a sequel to Metro on the back burner.”

The director, who has recently wrapped up the Barbara Mori- and Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kites, is, however, open to working with Saif and Kareena. “They’re wonderful people, but so far there is no specific story or film, in which I can cast them. However, Saif and I have met a couple of times to figure out what can we do together. That is also not easy considering that Saif now has his own production house,” says Anurag.

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'I haven’t been asked to shave my head'

She may be known for her trademark curly locks, but Kangna Ranaut has no qualms shaving them off if the right role presented itself. But the actress denies that she’s getting paid Rs 1 crore to go bald for a Tamil film.

“Yes, I am working on a Tamil film, but I haven’t been asked to shave my head for it. But I’d give my left arm to be able to play such a character. Going bald is no big deal for me and if I’m required to do so, I won’t hesitate to do it,” says Kangna.

Rick Roy, who has styled Kangna in the past and will be doing two more projects with her, says, “Kangna believes in putting every effort to get the character she’s playing right even if it requires her to shave off her hair. She is not very particular about her curly hair and likes experimenting with it,” says Rick, who believes that the actress will be able to carry the bald look off gracefully.

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Ranbir stars in Home Alone Part 5!

Hold your horses and get set for the next series of Home Alone.

From our very own Bollywood, starring the dashing young Ranbir Kapoor. We present to you Home Alone Part Five. Okay, okay, jokes apart, the fact is that Ranbir is gonna be home alone for nearly a month. This is quite a change for this lad, who always has mommy dearest doting on him. This time his parents are shooting together in Delhi (for their comeback film as a jodi, after over two decades), and he’s been left all by himself in the big city of Mumbai. Poor boy, or is he? Umm... you wanna know of his exploits and all the action that’s happening in the Kapoor home? C’mon, we aren’t all that naughty, are we?

We did try to scoop around a bit, and all we found is goody boy at home. Yeah, he’s had a few house parties, nothing wild really, just a boys night at home kinda stuff. Well, looks like yeh maa ka laadla bigad nahin gaya! Hai na, Neetuji?

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Deepika Padukone to endorse yet another product!

After endorsing brands like Fiama Di Wills, Pepsi, Kingfisher Airlines and Tissot, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has now signed up as the brand ambassador of Wrigley's sugar-free chewing gum Orbit.

It is for the first time that the brand has partnered with a film actor to promote oral health benefits, a statement said.

"Deepika's association with Orbit will synchronise well with the brand and its objectives. We believe that this association would help us achieve widespread awareness about the importance of oral care and the benefits of chewing Orbit sugar-free chewing gum," a company spokesperson said.

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Katrina ready for serious cinema

After a slew of out and out comedies like Namastey London, Partner and Singh Is Kinng, Katrina Kaif is now working on two "difficult" films - Prakash Jha's political drama Rajneeti and Rajkumar Santoshi's romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. So the actress wants to devote extra time and thought to the projects.

"This year I would like to allocate time to big films. The kind of films I am doing - Rajneeti and Ajab Prem are a little more difficult. They need time and also a little more thought process," Katrina told IANS. The films are slated for release this year.

In Ajab Prem,. Katrina shares screen space with Ranbir Kapoor and Upen Patel, while in Rajneeti she stars alongside a host of actors including Ranbir, Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai.

Katrina says that Santoshi's dedication and "knack for making his actors win national awards" is something that makes her want to work hard for his film.

"Ajab Prem is a very different film. Rajji is a taskmaster on the sets and the results of that are visible. I need to dedicate enough time and attention to this film because I think the movie is going to be very special and very important for me. It's nothing like I have done before," said the 24-year-old actress.

Katrina shares similar sentiments for Jha, who has helmed films like Gangaajal and Apaharan in the past.

"Prakash Jha is highly intelligent and highly interested in his project. A film like Rajneeti is not something where I can just jump and say - 'Sir, my hair is done, my costume is done and I'm ready', something I can do in most films that are comic capers.

"For films like his, one has to research clothes. I can't decide on my own what I want to wear or what I would prefer. I have to follow the character I am playing. Rajneeti is a very grounded, a very rooted film, and so I am going to be dedicating a little more time as the project requires it," she said.

In Rajneeti, Katrina sports a simple and de-glamourised look in a crisp cotton sari and with her hair neatly tied in a ponytail. Although the look bears a resemblance to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, the director has denied that her role has anything to do with the senior leader.

Though Katrina has mostly starred in comedies like Namastey London and Singh Is Kinng, Partner and Welcome in her over five-year-old career, she says she "might not be doing another comedy, fun, masti film very dedicatedly any time soon".

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“There’s room in my heart for Abhishek”: Kareena

Talking about her relationship with Abhishek Bachchan, which spiralled into nothing after his engagement with sis Karishma ended, Kareena said, “It’s sad that it had to reach this point but in my life there’s still room for Abhishek, I would say that quite openly. I just wish this little bit of room was still left in his heart for me.”

She adds, “I got launched with Abhishek, irrespective of whatever issues are there today, and that’s engraved for life because that was a special moment in my life. If he doesn’t want me to be in a film with him it’s okay. Co-stars have to feel comfortable with each other. You cannot work together if one person is uncomfortable.”

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What's BUZZING in Bollywood

Of painting the town red, lovely looking ladies and few good looking men.

Happy Threesome
Adhyayan Suman was flanked by his co-stars of Jashnn, Anjana Sukhani and Shahana Goswami. He announced the launch of his website so he can interact with his growing number of fans. We really like Shahana’s chic dressing style. Her bright shirt suits her really well complimenting her skin perfectly. We wish Anjana dressed with a little more seriousness and looked less like a college girl. Adhyayan should button up!


Not Tedha Medha
Gul Panag is the centre of attention at the premiere of her film Straight. While she looks as pretty as ever; with her glowing skin and pretty white dress, why is Vinay Pathak sporting the scruffy look? We like Anuj Choudhry’s casual look.



New couple
Aftab Shivdasani and Aamna Shariff make their red carpet entry for the premiere of Aloo Chaat. We like Aamna’s soft pink shaded dress and her clutch compliments her gown well. Aftab should have chosen something lighter and not so shiny.


Sexy In A Sari
The three gorgeous ladies, Shahana Goswami, Nandita Das and Tisca Chopra, strike a pose for Das’ directorial debut, Firaaq. We are pleasantly surprised by the glow on Tisca’s face. Her earrings are big and beautiful too. Nandita’s bright pink sari blouse suits her perfectly. Shahana could not look better!


Lady in Red
Asin is the woman of the hour! She is the brand ambassador of a fairness cream. We love her piercing red satin dress and those lovely intense red peep toes. If only the background wasn’t as red, it would not have hurt out eyes!

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I don’t think I am that sexy: John

On a warm Thursday afternoon we headed to a film city to catch up with Bollywood dreamboat John Abraham who’s shooting for David Dhawan’s Hook Ya Crook. In real life, the headturner exudes easy charm, flashes his trademark dimpled smile and settles down for an interview in between shots.

Exclusive excerpts from an interview:

This is the first time you are doing a film with Genelia D’Souza, who’s also a big name in Telugu films. What’s it like working with her?
She’s great to work with. She’s normal. It’s hard to find normal people these days!

You were injured while shooting for this film. Have you recovered completely?
Every third day I am hurt (shows a gaping cut on his finger).

Tell us more about your role in the film?
Okay, I play the role of Viraj, who loves cricket. Then an incident happens in his life that lands him in prison. When I read the first draft of the script written by Renzil D’Silva, I immediately knew that this was the kind of role I always wanted to do. When I came to know that David Dhawan was directing the film, I knew that this would be one laughter riot.

Is this film a sports-thriller?
I don’t know about this new genre, but it’s a fun prison film and there’s a lot of cricket in the film. The prisoners play cricket with passion –– it’s a fight between two gangs. I was coached by Dinesh Lad, Rohit Sharma’s coach. Dinesh is so dedicated that even when I am shooting, he calls me up and says, “John, practice ke liye aa jao!” He says he wants me to be the first star to play world class cricket. I also value the suggestions my good friend Mahi (MS Dhoni) gives me. I learnt how to hold the bat right, from him.

We hear you are on a special diet these days?
Well, I do have a diet and exercise regime. A gym has been set up for me with a treadmill, home gym, Swiss balls, mats, etc. The whole cast comes and works out at the gym. I eat egg whites in any form, tuna sandwiches, brown bread and pulsed tofu.

What’s your take on marriage and how does it feel like to be called the ‘Sexiest man in Asia’?
Marriage is an institution. It needs to be respected. Coming to the ‘sexiest man’ tag, I don’t think I’m ‘tha-a-a-t’ sexy. It’s a great compliment, nevertheless.

What are the films you are working on next?
I have plans of co-producing a film with Sabal Shekawat. It’s an action thriller, a genre I’ve never done before. And I’d love to do an Anurag Kashyap film any day.

Any Hollywood projects?
Is it important to do a Hollywood film? I’d like it the other way round — what about my films going international?

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Censor raises finger on Preity's next

Filmmaker Deepa Mehta whose forthcoming film is the Preity Zinta starrer Videsh (earlier titled Heaven on Earth), has run into a spot of trouble with the Censor Board.

During a screening session last evening, the Censor Board felt that the film shows too much violence being inflicted on Preity and consequently insisted on some cuts, which would make the film look less gory. The film is based on domestic violence.

Now, Deepa Mehta has to once again show the edited version to the Censor Board before she gets the green signal to release the film.

Deepa Mehta’s representative who was present at the screening wanted a U/A certificate, but the Censors refused to relent unless several violent scenes where Preity is battered by her husband (played by Vansh Bhardwaj) are toned down.

Vinayak Azad, Regional Officer, Censor Board, confirmed and said, “We have asked them to tone down the domestic violence scenes by 50 per cent. And we had one more objection. The film has used expletives too, which will have to be either beeped or deleted.”

“We will review the film once again after they make the cuts which we have asked for,” Azad added.
Incidentally, Preity received the Silver Hugo Award for best actress in the Feature Film Competition section at the 44th Chicago International Film Festival, for Videsh.

Preity was quite disturbed after she shot for the scenes in which she was beaten up and humiliated by Vansh. Talking about the experience of working in Videsh, Preity had said in an interview, “I remember asking a woman, who was a victim of domestic violence and had left her husband, what the turning point in her relationship was and she said, ‘I told my husband if you want to beat me, beat me in the bedroom, don’t beat me in front of the family.’ I could never understand that. It’s terrible. I really didn’t know what it was to be in a situation like this till I actually did the film.”

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Bipasha wants some action

Kudos to Bipasha Basu.

She’s trying to be different, ok? What with her taking on roles like the one in Bachna Ae Haseeno, the soon to be releasing Aa Dekhen Zara or even her forthcoming Pankh. But if variety is the spice of life, Basu wants hers to be spicier. She wants to kill some ‘Bills’ now. Nah, this has nothing to do with recession, instead it has everything to do with daredevil acts in the movies. The girl wants to do an action flick ala Kill Bill, and is desperately looking out for an action-packed flick that’s going to give her scope to flex those lovely legs of hers. Bring it on, Bips.

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Deepika sizzles on ramp

It’s a model arrangement – with so many models making the jump to films, the Bollywood showstopper at designers’ shows already knows the ropes.

And Deepika Padukone, who walked the ramp for Tarun Tahiliani at the Delhi Fashion Week, was in her element. The looker was a natural on the ramp, and she felt at home on it, too. “Delhi is the hub of fashion and where I started modelling,” she said.

So, has a lot changed since her days as a model? “The scene backstage was almost the same. The only new thing was the many international faces, which is encouraging,” she says.

Deepika is now based in Mumbai, but she’s all for Delhi designers. “The clothes that they make are wearable and very creative,” she says. Maybe that’s why she’s coming back to walk the ramp again this week – at the Wills Lifestyle India fashion Week, for Ranna Gill and Rina Dhaka, and she says she’s going to catch up with friends in Delhi.

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'Slumdog' kids turn models at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

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Directors pick Rani's best

Rani Mukerji turns 31 today. As she celebrates her birthday, we spoke to some of the directors she has worked with and they are well, (almost) unanimous in their decision that Black is her best performance so far. Read on to find out.

Vikram Bhatt, Director, Ghulam: Black would be my favourite performance of Rani Mukerji. It takes a lot of courage for an actress to de-glamorize herself and makes faces. It is very important for actresses to look pretty all the time and for an actress to sell all that for a performance that it noticed in mainstream Bollywood is commendable

Goldie Behl, Director, Bas Itna sa Khwaab Hai: I think everyone’s favourite performance if Rani would have to be Black and there are no two ways about it. I was awestruck by the way she carried herself and communicated without saying a single word. It was a sensational performance right from the first frame where she walks towards the Church.

Tarun Mansukhani, Assistant Director on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Paheli and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: I loved Rani in Black. My favourite scene in the movie is when she calls her mother to tell her she has failed. It is am amazing piece of work to say so much without speaking a word. She makes you cry and feel your own failures and then realize that we are all the same and go through the same emotions in life.

Aziz Mirza, Director, Chalte Chalte: Rani is a very fine, natural actress. No matter what the roles, she shines in all her performances. I can’t pick a favourite performance. She was brilliant in Black and very good in Chalte Chalte.

Ravi Chopra, Director, Baabul: Black has to be Rani’s best performance. She was terrific, she made me believe she was the character she was playing and not anyone else. You felt for her character. My favourite scene was the last scene in which she gets her degree.

Kunal Kohli, Director, Hum Tum, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic: My favourite Rani film and performance would have to be Hum Tum. It was the first film with which I got success and she got her first best actress awards at all the functions. More importantly, she was a big support to me during the making of the film and I will always remember her very warmly for that.

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Preity Zinta: I am in a content and happy space now

Preity Zinta is a Bollywood icon but when it comes to numbers, she is not part of the top three. Younger actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra have taken her place. She gives us her take on competition.

“When I entered the industry ten years ago, I said that there will always be someone younger and hungrier standing behind you to take your place. At that time, I was the younger and hungrier person. Today, I want different things. What I wanted ten years ago, I don’t want that now. There are bigger mountains for me to climb. If I start comparing myself to the younger, newer heroines, or compare what I am now to what I was ten years ago, it would be a very sad situation for me. Competition is healthy but if it depresses and worries you, you must be a very insecure person with low self esteem. I am a very secure person from within”, asserts the vivacious Miss Zinta.

Preity explains she wants different things in life now. “I want a lot of growth in other areas of my life. Even film wise, the films I want to do now are not the ones the younger girls are doing. I don’t want to sound presumptuous but I turned down a lot of these roles and other people went ahead and did them. I don’t talk about it because I don’t think it is cool. So I think as an individual who is secure within oneself, every day is a new day and once you achieve what you have aspired to achieve, you go for a higher goal, you go for a different dream. The dream and success that you have realised isn’t that sweet if you keep sticking onto it. You have to go for higher ground, to a newer dream and ambition. I am in a very happy and content space today. The films that I am doing today are very different from what I did earlier because even the actor within me has grown up. Two years ago, I was frustrated because I didn’t feel I was growing as an actor. Five years from now, I will want to achieve something else and totally different from what I want now.”

And Preity has already garnered praise for her stellar performance in the independent film Videsh: Heaven on Earth. “The film has made a lot of money abroad. Foreigners have understood the message of the film completely. I was even nominated for the Genie Awards, which is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars, alongside Susan Sarandon, so that felt amazing. I remember at the first screening in Toronto, a famous American actress from the 70s grabbed my arm and said, “Where have you been hiding? You are such a talent!” It feels great that I have done something different and I am being appreciated for that. Now I just want people in India to like the film,” signs off the actress.

Videsh: Heaven on Earth hits Indian theatres on March 27.

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Lara Dutta’s modest avatar!

Lara Dutta’s oomphalicious looks in her forthcoming film Blue are already becoming the talk of tinselville. And with good reason.

Those who’ve seen the promos swear by her sizzling hot avatar. And director Anthony D’Souza credits it completely to the Bollywood actress. “Once we explained the required look to Lara, she just gave it her 100 per cent. She was really determined and regular with her work outs and diets,” he revealed. However, Lara on her part prefers to be modest about it. “Well, the role required me to be really fit and I just concentrated on that,” added Lara. Well, it’s not surprising then that the compliments flowing your way too seem to ‘fit’ you completely.

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Karan's dostana is intact

There’s been news about Karan Johar opting out of the biz deal with Yash Chopra on the distribution of his films.

But the filmmaker is insistent that it is all a purely business decision and that the relationship between the two parties —the Johars and the Chopras — hasn’t strained at all. We believe him! We really do! And there are some more clarifications...this time on the astro front! We did tell you of Karan’s decision to let go of superstitions et al. He clarifies, “Suneeta Menon (his astrologer-cum-dost) is a great friend; we go out to dinners and all that and I do consult her on certain issues, but doing away with the ‘K’ fixation with Dostana was purely my decision,” he says. Now ‘D’ surely did wonders for K as well!

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Sonam, the matchmaker

Sonam Kapoor might be happily single but the bubbly actress loves to play matchmaker — she hooks up her single friends!

“I am happily single, but I do play a matchmaker at times for my friends. However, I often end up fixing the wrong guys with the wrong girls!” laughs Sonam. It’s a little uncanny then that the actress will be essaying the role of the match-making Emma from Jane Austen’s classic, in a celluloid, modern-adaptation (called Aisha) of the same. Now, if only the girl can do some ‘fixing’ for herself... But it better not go wrong this time round.

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Lara Dutta's magic unfurls on Knights & Angels

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British reality TV star Jade Goody dies of cancer

LONDON, England - British reality TV celebrity Jade Goody died early Sunday morning following a public battle with cervical cancer, her publicist has announced.

Jade Goody married her fiance Jack Tweed weeks before her death.

Goody, 27, died in her sleep at home in Essex, east of London, just before 4 a.m. (midnight Eastern Daylight Time), a spokeswoman for Max Clifford Associates said.

Goody's husband, Jack Tweed, who she married last month in a lavish wedding ceremony, was at her bedside when she died, Clifford said.

Her mother, Jackiey Budden, who was also at the house, said: "My beautiful daughter is at peace."

Goody leaves behind two sons, Bobby, 5, and Freddie, 4, by former boyfriend and TV host Jeff Brazier.

"She died knowing that she had touched a lot of hearts and minds across the world," Clifford told CNN by phone from Portugal.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply saddened" by Goody's death.

"Her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer which will benefit thousands of women across the U.K. Every death from cancer is a tragedy and my thoughts go out to her two sons, husband and family at this time," Brown said in a statement.

The British media has reported a rise in the number of screenings for cervical cancer since Goody announced she had the disease, a phenomenon some have dubbed the "Jade Goody effect."

Goody's death marks the tragic end to a very modern tale. Images of her shrinking frame and bald head have dominated the pages of British media since she announced she had just weeks to live.

However, she has openly courted the attention since bursting into the spotlight courtesy of the British version of "Big Brother" in 2002.

At first the former dental nurse was a hate figure for Britain's vociferous tabloid newspapers, who attacked her for being ignorant and stupid.

The public, however, warmed to her loud, honest streak.

She did not win the series, but was able to parlay her popularity into a series of reality television and business deals.

Her face was soon regularly boldly looking out from the cover of gossip magazines and you could buy the fragrance Shh... Jade Goody, fitness DVDs or pick up a copy of her autobiography.

In 2007, with her fame starting to dip, she agreed to return for the celebrity edition of "Big Brother," with her mother and then boyfriend, Jack Tweed, joining her in the house.

It was to prove an ill-fated decision.

Goody was soon accused of making racist comments and bullying her housemate -- the Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. More than 50,000 complaints were received.

When she was voted out of the house the show's producers took the unusual step of banning the public from attending her eviction.

Goody was tearful and apologetic but British PR guru Clifford summed up the general opinion at the time by saying: "It looks like she has ruined a very lucrative career."

Ever resilient, Goody had a Christmas cookbook out at the end of 2007 and in 2008 signed up for India's version of "Big Brother."

Two days into the show her cancer diagnosis was revealed on air. She flew home immediately to begin treatment.

Last month Goody revealed her cancer was terminal and that she only had weeks to live.

With typical bravado she, with Clifford's help, organized her wedding to Tweed, who had only just been released from prison after serving a sentence for assault, selling the exclusive rights to OK! magazine for a reported $970,000. It was also filmed for her reality TV show.

The British government even stepped in to extend Tweed's 7 p.m. curfew, a condition of his release from jail, so the couple could spend their wedding night together.

Despite her weakening state Goody continued to open her door to the media, saying she needed to keep selling her story to help secure the future of her sons.

In the days leading up to her death there were newspaper stories on a hammer-wielding woman getting into her room, the baptism of her sons, her last view of "sun-kissed" fields and final farewells with family.

There was also controversy when OK! published a memorial issue nearly a week before she died. The issue, with a coverline announcing "Jady Goody, 1981-2009," went on sale Tuesday.

Clifford said Goody had loved her time in the spotlight.

"I think they've (she and the media) exploited each other. Both have benefited. In Jade's own words, she's loved the last 7 years. They've been wonderful. All the people's she's met, all the things she's done."

CNN's Glen Scanlon and Per Nyberg contributed to this report.

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Kajol the best dancer!

Kajol is nowhere in the news of late... How is it that we suddenly remembered her? Well, it’s thanks to dance expert Sandip Soparrkar.

While in conversation with him, we gradually went on to speak about the dancing talents in Bollywood. And, he bravely claimed, “Kajol is one of the best dancers we have! Nobody has tapped her dancing talent on screen as yet. I have seen her doing the salsa and have to say that she is simply superb. She can do hip-hop, folk, any form of dance with equal ease!” Ajay Devgan, it’s time to make a musical next and get wifey dearest dancing to your tunes all over again!

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Amisha joins politics!

Amisha Patel, whose film career is not really going anywhere, will now be standing as a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Gujarat in the general elections.

Jayant Patel, NCP Gujarat unit president, said she will be standing from the Rajkot parliamentary constituency.

“I called up Amishaji and sought her consent. She agreed immediately,” Patel told news wires in India.

The NCP leader said the actress has her roots in Gujarat, which would help to secure victory for the party.

"“I have known the family of the actress for years and can say with confidence that her contesting will be a winning proposition for NCP in the Saurashtra region,” he added.

Patel said the party could also field another celebrity from the Ahmedabad (East) constituency.

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Police head to Mumbai, looking for Asin's missing assistant

A special police squad flew to Mumbai on Friday to search for one of actress Asin's former employees who has allegedly gone missing. The star, meanwhile, said he had called her many times asking for huge sums of money.

"A team headed by a deputy superintendent of police flew to Mumbai today (Friday) to find Asin's missing assistant N Muthu Kumar on the basis of a complaint from his mother S Vadivu," a police official told IANS.

Kumar's family has alleged that he has gone 'missing' because of abuse by the actor - a charge Asin has denied. The actress said Kumar had stopped working for her but had called her up and demanded money.

"After the aide left my employment, he has called me several times asking for money up to Rs15 lakhs to settle unpaid bills, although I am in no way concerned with his problems. I have, however, offered to cooperate with the police personnel to find Kumar in Mumbai," Asin said in a statement.

Vadivu, who said Kumar worked with Asin for four years, has alleged wrongdoing on the part of the actor.

"While Asin's father Joseph claimed to have sacked my son after he joined the Mumbai underworld several days ago, Asin has been saying different things and now I suspect Kumar is being detained because he knows the family's dirty secrets," Vadivu said.

"I am afraid that if I speak out, my son's life will be endangered," she added.

Asin has said that all accusations against her were false.

Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Sangram Jangid said the matter was just "being blown out of proportion".

"For reasons best known to the media, the issue is being blown out of proportion. The registered complaint is being investigated by my subordinates. There is nothing more to it," Jangid said.

Asin is currently shooting for London Dreams as the female lead with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan.

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Anil Kapoor to star in American TV series 24

After starring in the multiple Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor will play an anti-terrorist cop in hit American TV action drama 24.

Contactmusic.com reports that Anil will play an Indian counter-terrorist cop who teams up with Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland in the eighth season of the long-running programme.

"Anil would play Jack Bauer's counterpart in India. It's not known yet whether Anil will appear in just one episode of whether he'll be a recurring character. Either way the producers are very excited about having him onboard," said a source from the production house.

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Deepika Padukone longs for classic role

Deepika Padukone has had a dream-run in Bollywood with just three releases, but the model-turned-actress says her dream is to play the elegant Audrey Hepburn, her style icon.

"I would like to play Audrey Hepburn, my style icon, in movies like Breakfast At Tiffany's or Roman Holiday," Deepika told IANS on the sidelines of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) on Saturday, where she walked the ramp for Ranna Gill and Rina Dhaka's collections sponsored by luxury brand Fiama Di Wills.

After debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2007 hit Om Shanti Om, and acting in Bachna Ae Haseeno and Chandni Chowk To China, Deepika's next is Love Aaj Kal alongside Saif Ali Khan. And she is all praise for filmmaker Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met fame.

"I enjoyed working with Imtiaz Ali in his movie Love Aaj Kal, where he cast me opposite Saif. It was a dream working for a sensitive director like him. Imtiaz just seemed to know the kind of person we were and brought out the best in us. He guided us all through the movie," said the leggy beauty who was dressed in a simple black halter-neck.

Deepika is now looking forward to begin work for newcomer Vijay Lalwani's Kartik Calling Kartik, which also stars actor-director Farhan Akhtar and Boman Irani.

"It is an offbeat movie, a psychological thriller. But I am not going to talk much about it," she said.

The actress admits she has a soft corner for action movies, though all genres appeal to her.

"An action movie is something I have always wanted to do, but I cannot specify any real genre that appeals to me. Cinema today is changing. And as an actor, I will never throw my hands up... will never be happy saying this is the best character I have portrayed. I am critical of myself, rarely happy," said Deepika.

As Indian cinema changes to adapt new formats and contents, Deepika feels the role of women in cinema is also changing.

"It is becoming more challenging. Even in the past, there were movies where women did not have to run around trees. An actress could opt to show off her talent instead."

People, she explained, have this strange notion that if a woman wears make-up, she cannot be taken seriously.

"Take off your make-up and only then you can do serious cinema. But glamorous roles and a glamorous screen presence do not make one a non-actor. The content of cinema is also changing, evolving... it is no longer the regular boy-meets-girl story," the actress said.

Deepika usually decides on the projects she takes up after reading the scripts.

"The movies are my call though I run my parents through what I am doing. But they are new to movies, hence unfamiliar. But after Om Shanti Om and Bachna Aai Haseeno, I have matured," she said.

The actress confesses that she is not much of a bookworm. "But I am reading the Kite Runner now and it might turn out to be the best book I have ever read. I have grown up listening to all kinds of music - from Kishore da to Mohammed Rafi," she said.

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Aa Dekhen Zara not a copy: Neil Nitin

Is the forthcoming film Aa Dekhen Zara very similar to the British movie Freeze Frame? Incidentally, the Neil Nitin Mukesh-Bipasha Basu starrer was earlier titled Freeze. But the lead actor maintains the two are very different.

"What nonsense! I will reaffirm that Aa Dekhen Zara is an absolutely original film based on a completely original concept. It's not at all a copy of any film. There is not a single element in the film that has been copied," Neil told IANS.

Freeze Frame, a 2004 film starring Lee Evans in a lead role, was about an ultra-paranoid murder suspect who takes to filming himself round-the-clock to provide an alibi just in case he's ever accused of another crime.

Directed by Jehangir Surti, Aa Dekhen Zara tells the story of a man who gets a camera that can tell the future.

"Just because the two films have a camera in the middle of it all doesn't classify one as an original and other as a copy. You can't bring two and two together and make it 22. Once you see the film you will realise that Aa Dekhen Zara has nothing to do with Freeze Frame," Neil said.

He also explained: "Freeze was always the working title of the film and we always knew that it would change later. The kind of subject that we had in hand, the title Freeze wasn't really going with it."

So is he happy with the title Aa Dekhen Zara?

"Of course, it's the apt title. The film is about something that may happen tomorrow, courtesy the powers that the camera comes with. It's like 'let's go and see what's going to happen next'. So doesn't the phrase Aa Dekhen Zara convey the same point? The same cannot be said about the word Freeze. You can't excite people to peep into the future with that," Neil remarked.

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Aishwarya has a 'super-busy' shoot schedule ahead

Aishwarya Rai sure has a crowded year ahead, having signed movies with filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Rituparno Ghosh, Abhinay Deo and Vipul Shah.

And the actress says each of these films is equally challenging and "special" to her.

The former Miss World has something unique to say about each movie and filmmaker.

"Ritu-da and I have agreed to work together again after Chokher Bali and Raincoat in Bengali and Hindi respectively. Our next film together is bilingual. And a very challenging one," said Aishwarya.

"As for Abhinay Deo's film it's got me and Abhishek (Bachchan) in it. But it covers a territory very different from what audiences have seen in Guru, Dhoom 2 and Sarkar Raj. Abhinay's film is also very different from Mani Ratnam's Raavan. It's a special challenge to work with my husband because we've to make sure we don't repeat ourselves," the Bachchan daughter-in-law added.

The 'super-busy' star is also looking forward to working with Akshay Kumar after a long time in Vipul Shah's next movie.

"It's something that Vipul, Akshay and I haven't done before. The last time Akshay and I came together in Khakee we played almost antagonists. This time we'll hopefully play a more compatible couple," Aishwarya laughed.

So why the sudden flurry of activity?

"These are projects with directors whom I've wanted to work with for a long time. To say no to them when we both are so keen to work with one another seems inappropriate," she explained.

Aishwarya also teams up with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj for the first time.

"Vishal and I have wanted to work together ever since he was the music composer on a project that got shelved. We had promised one another that I'd star in his film whenever he turned director," she said.

Right after his directorial debut with children's film Makdee, Vishal had offered Aishwarya a film called Timbuctoo, but it got shelved.

"I was very impressed by Vishal's work. But he insisted that we'll work together only when he finds the absolutely right project. That has finally happened. Vishal has bounced the script off me. And we both feel this is the right project for us to come together."

The project will go into production by the year-end.

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Akshay Kumar and Nagesh Kukunoor at the 8x10 Tasveer media meet

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