Sherlyn Chopra trusts Sardars more; refuses security in Chandigarh

After beginning her first promotional tour for her new album ‘Dard-e-Sherlyn’ and charming fans at Kolkata and Hyderabad, the ‘outrageous’ singer and actress Sherlyn Chopra made an appearance at Club Voodoo in Chandigarh this week.

But what surprised everyone is that Sherlyn who had a tight security of eight bouncers besides the stage and four civil-dress security men in the audience in Kolkata as well as Hyderabad, refused any in Chandigarh.

“Sherlyn told me she refused security as she felt safe in the company of robust Sardars whom she considers very gentlemanly people,” informed her publicist Dale Bhagwagar. “She also admires Sardars as she believes they have the best physiques in our country,” he added.

It can be recalled that Sherlyn’s show organisers had panicked earlier about the bold and flamboyant girl wearing her bikini top along with her golden hot pants that she has famously worn in the new superhit video of her remix album. Apart from expecting trouble from unruly crowds due to the skimpy attire, the organisers had felt it was very risky for her to wear the bikini top as it is actually studded with a couple of real diamonds on the sides.

When asked about Sherlyn’s fixation with bikinis, Bhagwagar retorted, “If Sherlyn had her way, she would even die wearing a bikini”.

Following Calcutta, Hyderabad and Chandigarh, Sherlyn will continue her tour with appearances at Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Vizag.

After the runaway success of her first album ‘Outrageous’ on T-Series, Sherlyn emerged a diva, out to make men go weak in their knees. The second album ‘Dard-e-Sherlyn’ is her tribute to the original dreamgirl Hema Malini and takes off from her 1976 hit song “Mujhe dard rehta hai, dil mein dard rehta hai…” from the film ‘Dus Numbri’. But the “Dard-e-Sherlyn” video has already attracted 19 cuts from the Censor Board and also invited the ire of Hema Malini. The new remix video is set to hit our TV screens next week.

The firebrand is heavily promoting her two remixes of the “Dard-e-Sherlyn” title track by DJs Akbar Sami and Pramz, while donning her controversial trademark diamond-studded bikini top for all her appearances.

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You don’t ask questions when Rajkumar Santoshi calls: Upen Patel

Upen Patel has just returned from a mini schedule of AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI from Ooty. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Ramesh Taurani of TIPS, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead along with Katrina Kaif. However, the surprise package is touted to be Upen Patel who has a special appearance in the film.

“So what if it is a special appearance”, says Upen who continues to have big film makers back him ever since Abbas Mustan launched him in 36 CHINA TOWN, “When someone of the stature of Rajkumar Santoshi calls, you neither ask question nor carry any doubts. You just report to work. This is what happened when he said that he wanted me to be cast in the film.”

Though he refuses to divulge about his role in the film, Upen admits that Santoshi’s knack of extracting powerhouse performances from his actors is what prompted him to go for the role. “I could rattle down the list of each of his films so far and how every film has at least one actor stand out due to a great performance. But then we all know his films and how he works for his actors.”

He refuses to bite the bait when asked if he, Ranbir and Karrina form a part of a conventional love triangle in AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI. Choosing to bypass the question, he only replies, “I am looking at enhancing my skills while shooting for the film. I am working harder on my Hindi diction and want to make sure that the performance gets noticed.”

Majority of critics have been noticing the rise of the young man who began with two successful films - 36 CHINA TOWN and NAMASTEY LONDON - before SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM proved to be a setback. However, he returned with a successful ONE TWO THREE even though he had minimal part to play in the film. A few weeks back when MONEY HAI TO HONEY HAI released and bombed, he was one of the few people in the film who were appreciated for their comic timing.

“Well, there has been an increase in acceptance over the period of time. I am sure I would win the balance critics as well over a period of time”, quips Upen.
Joginder Tuteja

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President Bush’s gift to the team of Horn Ok Please!

We can certainly call it a gift from President George Bush to the entire team of Abdul Samee Siddiqui’s forthcoming film Horn Ok Pleassss…. Some time back they had gone to Dubai for a shooting schedule and were shooting non-stop for days together. Naturally everybody was tired and in need of a break. On the contrary, director/co-producer Rakesh Sarang wanted to finish the schedule as quickly as possible.

But looks like that luck was with others. George Bush came to visit the City of Gold and for security reasons, city came to a stand still. Shooting had to be cancelled and this is when Rakesh Sarang decided to humor his cast and crew. Comments Muzzamil, “he would turn down all our requests for a break, but suddenly he came to us and said that there is no shooting for the day. We were surprised, but didn’t wan tot look the gift horse in the mouth. So everybody jumped at this offer and then he even treated us all to an excellent lunch. The menu was selected by Rakesh personally and he made sure everyone is having good time.” It was later that everybody realized the true reason behind this sudden off, but who cares. As long as it was entertaining and fun.

Produced by Abdul Samee Siddiqui under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd, in association with Sarang films and directed by P Rakesh Sarang, film Horn Ok pleassss…… stars Nana Patekar, Rimi Sen, Muzamil Ibrahim, Ali Asgar, Shaurya Chauhan, Nirmiti Sawant, Mukesh Tiwari, Vrijesh Hirji, Rakhi Sawant, Satish Shah and Kunika Kohli . It has lyrics by Salim Bijnori and Sajid Farhaad, story is by P.L. Mayekar & Rakesh Sarang, screenplay is by Rakesh Sarang, Mangesh Kulkarni & Ganesh Pandit, cinematography by Johny Lal, thrills by Sham Kaushal and art direction is by Shailesh Mahdik & Sheetal Kanvinde

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Katrina Kaif bags it big in Bollywood

Katrina Kaif seems to be riding the crest of a bright new wave of success. The things have been happening to her career within just a matter of time, sometimes surrounding like a fairytale coming true.

She has given six blockbusters back to back in the recent times and as a result she has been signing some of the very best films. The actress seems to have her kitty full of projects and directors and actors are just dying to work with her. If the latest hearsay is something to go by then the actress has apparently bagged the lead role in a film which will be directed by the eternal romantic filmmaker of the Indian silver screen, Yash Chopra.

The celebrated director is going to make a comeback to movies after a long gap of four years. The film will have The Badshah, Shah Rukh Khan and The Megastar, Amitabh Bachchan leading the way. Can Kat ask for anything better?

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Happy Birthday Kareena Kapoor!

She is currently going through the best phase of her career and also having a ‘nawabi’ boyfriend in her tow. Noted astro numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts what’s in store for the ’size zero girl’ Kareena Kapoor.

Born on 21st September 1980, Kareena is a No.3 ( Jupiter ) in numerology, a Virgo ( Earth sign ) ruled by No.5 ( Mercury ) & her destiny number also adds up to No.3. again ( 2 + 1 + 9 + 1 + 9 + 8 + 0 = 30 = 3 + 0 = 3 ).

“Kareena will be entering the 29th year ( 2 + 9 = 11 = 1 + 1 = 2) of her life which clearly focuses an upliftment in her personal life and she is most likely to concretize her relationship with Saif soon”, predicts Bhavikk. A favourable time for marriage is also indicated post September 2009 till September 2010.

“On the career front, her performances in her forthcoming releases ‘Main Aur Mrs. Khanna’ and ‘Three Idiots’ will be much appreciated”.

“She is correctly wearing a Yellow Sapphire and an Emerald stone and should not remove them at any point”, recommends Bhavikk very strongly

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Drona Super Woman Priyanka

Drona Super Woman Priyanka. Check out the New Pics of Priyanka Chopra from the Title Song of Drona Movie.

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'I am doing a comedy after a very long time'

At 73, the veteran director Shyam Benegal is one of the most enthusiastic people around. His new film, Welcome To Sajjanpur is ready for release this Friday, and the director clearly loves talking about it.

But when Patcy N went to meet him, the great director was running late. He needed to wrap up this interview quickly, as he had to be home in time to pick up his wife, and take her to watch the films, Tahaan and A Wednesday, back-to-back.

Benegal still squeezed in time to talk about Welcome to Sajjanpur, as well as his favourite films and directors these days.

Is it true that you have an item number in Welcome To Sajjanpur?

I have songs and dances. You can call them item numbers if you like but they are not. They are a part of the fabric of the movie.

After Mandi, this will be your second comedy. How come a comedy at this stage? Did you want a break after the seriousness of Bose? What is the film about?

This is not my second comedy but the third. First, there was Charandas Chor (1974), then Mandi (1982) and now, Welcome to Sajjanpur.

I am doing a comedy after a long time. There has been comic situations in most of my films but this is the first film where I have comedy all the way.

I had a good subject for a comedy, that's why I am doing one. Also, it's a romantic comedy, so that's a nice combination. It also has satire. It has politics and many sub-angles.

Welcome to Sajjanpur is a story set in today's Indian village. A village, which is remote but not isolated. It is connected by way of cell phones and television.

But the remoteness is emphasised because of the low level of literacy, like in most parts of India. So the educated people in that village can make a living as a letter-writer.

This is the basis of the film as well as the comedy in the film.

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"Yes, I have joined the bikini bandwagon" - Minissha Lamba

A much coy Minissha Lamba is going through a massive image makeover. In her soon-to-be-released Kidnap, she would be donning a bikini which certainly comes as a surprise to those who have been following her career in films like Yahaan, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, Shaurya and Bachna Ae Haseeno.

"Well, it is shocking for quite a few people but if you ask me, I am really enjoying it all", says Minissha who has seen an eventful 2008 so far, "Seriously, I felt beautiful when I donned the bikini for Kidnap. And though people do ask me how comfortable I was with the thought of wearing a bikini, let me tell you that I was more focused on getting my body into the right shape than worrying about anything else."

Talking about her decision to join the bikini bandwagon, Minissha admits, "Yes, I have joined the bikini bandwagon. After all, not many girls are doing it even today, isn't it? In any case when you see Kidnap, you would realize that the makeover isn't for the sake of it. This was meant to be a part of the character and I was duly convinced that donning a bikini was indeed an integral part of the script."

While industry and cine-goers are definitely noticing this makeover, what were the kind of reactions that she got from people close to her - read friends and family? "We are not grown up in a conservative household and together, we watch a lot of Hollywood films", discloses Minissha, "Something like a bikini is hardly a culture shock since as a family, we are quite modern in our outlook and very progressive. In any case, everyone today understands that at the end of the day, it is just a part that you are playing for a film. The buck stops there."

By wearing a bikini for Kidnap, Minissha now joins the gang of young women who have willingly agreed to get into the costume for a Sanjay Gadhvi film. After Esha Deol (Dhoom) and Bipasha Basu (Dhoom 2), she is the new bikini girl for Gadhvi.

"And I am so very proud of that", exclaims Minissha, "When Sanjay told me that I had to go through this image change in Kidnap, I was game for it. I feel it was great to explore a new side of me. Going by the reaction that I am getting from people, I guess the experiment has indeed paid off."

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