A girl next door can also be hot: Amrita Rao

In an industry flooded with glamour girls, she comes across as a breath of fresh air with her girl-next-door looks and her graceful screen presence in films like 'Ishq Vishk' and 'Vivaah'.

The so-called glamour girls may be getting the major share of sound bytes on television these days but pretty Amrita Rao feels that as an actress with a girl-next-door image she too has got more than her share of audience attention.

''The girl-next-door is the best compliment given to me.

However, my definition of a girl-next-door is different from the general perception. I think you girl-next-door can also be hot. Just because she is the girl-next-door does not mean you will not notice her. In that sense, I would like to play the girl-next-door in all my films,'' Amrita says.

Talking to press in an interview, Amrita said,''what matters to me the most is that however contrasting my roles are, something in the role must appear real to that every girl-next-door sitting in the theatre. I don’t want to lose the charm of being a girl from the real world when they see me on screen.''

Currently, Amrita is basking in the success of her latest film 'Welcome to Sajjanpur', a satire made in the backdrop of a village in contemporary India that has been untouched by the winds of modernisation and globalisation in the country.

The film, marking the return to direction by veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal after a long hiatus, features her in the lead along with Shreyas Talpade.

''We are all happy to see that 'Welcome to Sajjanpur' has been so well received by audiences not only the MTV generation but also the masses. What is good to note that the film has appealed to all stratas. Also we were really surprised to find that the lingo of the film and the spirit of the residents of Sajjanpur have really caught on with the people.

What is really exciting for us is that people seen to be already in the swing of the film,''Amrita said.

The film has her playing the role of a rural bottler who is illiterate, naïve and gullible, oblivious to the world around her small village Sajjanpur.

Being a city bred girl, what kind of preparations did she have to do for the role?

''I had to observe a lot of these ladies coming from the villages and those working in houses for a living. I know a couple of them and used to keep on observing them; their body language and the whole pathos of their husbands staying away from them and their feeling on working in the city,''she said.
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I do want to get married and have a couple of kids

The day Mumbai nearly drowned hasn't been forgotten. At least not by Mukesh Bhatt. He's now making a film with Soha Ali Khan and Emran Hashmi about the 2005 trauma.

Says Soha, "This is my second film based on a real trauma that happened to Mumbai. But I was in Pondicherry when the Mumbai train blasts on which Mumbai Meri Jaan is based, happened.

I was shooting an ad campaign in Pondicherry. But I was right here in Mumbai when the monsoon deluge happened. We're shooting the film in November. It's a love story set on the night of the floods in Mumbai. Kunal Deshmukh who did Jannat is directing it."

Reading the script Soha relived the entire trauma of that fateful day in 2005. "I had gone to town and got trapped in the deluge in the evening. My car broke down and I had to make my way through the deluge. A friend found me walking through the water. We went to a mutual friend's house where I passed the night dressed in someone else's clothes."

The one memory that Soha has of that rainy day was that of being very hungry. "And of course losing my slipper in the horribly dirty water. I was submerged in the water. And I pretended I was someone else when Kunal Kohli spotted me wading through the water. Getting home was never more pleasurable."

Soha's home which she bought last year keeps getting additional stuff into it. "Every time my mom visits she adds or takes away something into it. I feel very settled now in my house. I love being at home. And I like to be by myself. Being a little mysterious is good, no? "

Ask her when her life progresses to its next logical stage, and she laughs, "What is the next stage? Have you been talking to my mother?

If you mean marriage then right now I feel too young and too selfish to share my space with anyone else. My elder sister and brother are both unmarried. Let them get married. I'm not mature enough to think of marriage. I don't have a vision beyond a year.

And I don't see it happening in a year. But I do want to get married and I do want to have a couple of kids. When I decide to marry then I'll start thinking about who it would be to."

Speaking on Saif and Kareena, Soha says, "They're both very happy together. It's a very strong relationship. I'm looking for a similar permanency in my life. But let me tell you, I'm happy in the place that I am in. So I don't need to be envious of anyone else's happiness."

Soha had great fun at Saif's birthday party. "The turn-out was lovely. Kareena arranged everything at the last minute. She was the perfect hostess."
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No time for celebration - Katrina Kaif!!

Katrina is on a career high. Presently she is shooting in Philadelphia in the US for the Yashraj film with John Abraham and Neil Mukesh, directed by Kabir Khan.

Sources reveal that though SINGH IS KINNG is huge hit, instead of celebrating the success back home, she is shooting non stop for 18 hours at a stretch. Industry folks compliment her on her dedication, hard work and professionalism. Though she has been getting a deluge of complimentary call for the double hat trick in her career. Success hasn't changed Katrina.

Industry sources also say that if Katrina would have been in BACHNA AE HASEENO, the film would have got a bigger opening, since she is considered as a lucky mascot in the trade circles. Incidentally Katrina was supposed to be in the film, but since the film would have got longer, the producer felt that it would not do justice to her.

Yashraj then signed her for the film with John and Neil Mukesh, directed by Kabir Khan, in a role which will have huge scope to perform. Infact keeping with her stature at the box office, she is touted as the highlight of the film.

With 6 hits in a row, and a promising YUVRAAJ later this year, Katrina is truly on a roll!!

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KARZZZZ theatrical promo - Superb

T–Series and Himesh Reshammiya are going all out to ensure that their film takes one of the biggest openings of 2008. They would shortly be unveiling their theatrical promo of KARZZZZ along with the release of KIDNAP. This writer had an exclusive dekko at the 3 minute long promo and the only way to describe it's after effect is – 'KARZZZZ is surely going to be one sure fire box office success'.

Himesh doesn't just prove that he has grown leaps and bounds as an actor; he also shows his prowess as someone who just in his second film as an actor has done well enough to grasp the grammar of what is expected from a commercial hero. Some of the notable sequences highlighted in the promo are:

– Himesh's confrontation with Urmila where he challenges her on killing him in his previous birth

– Flashback shots that are interspersed brilliantly along with the current day sequences

– Himesh's emotional scene with his mother from the previous birth (played by Rohini Hattangadi)

– Background music centered on the remixed theme tune of 'Ek Haseena Thi' is a killer as it keeps the tension high throughout those 3 minutes

– Striking visuals captured by director Satish Kaushik who not just keeps the dramatic portions intact but also showcases the outdoor locations of Johannesburg

– Last but not the least Himesh's angst around Kamini (Urmila) who just romanced and then married him, only to kill him later

Surprise element of the promo truly is Himesh Reshammiya as it clearly acts as his show reel. For those who thought that AAP KAA SURROOR – THE MOVIEE was a fluke; they just need to have one look at the promo of Himesh which shows him in a different light altogether. If the actor/composer/singer was more subdued in AAP KAA SURROOR, he is sheer dynamite in KARZZZZ where he gives a serious account of himself, especially in the dramatic portions.
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KIDNAP cleared with UA certificate!

Shree Ashthavinayak Cine Vision Ltd's forthcoming movie KIDNAP starring Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan and Minissha Lamba has been cleared by the Censor Board with UA certificate without even a single cut.

The keenly awaited movie releases worldwide on 2nd October 2008 and is directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of DHOOM fame.

This marks Imran's second release after JAANE TU YA JAANE NA and breaks his chocolate boy image, while Minissha goes for an all glam and sexy makeover. The story revolves around how Imran Khan kidnaps Sanjay Dutt's daughter, played by Minissha Lamba, to settle old scores.

With such an interesting starcast and plot, we bet the audiences are eagerly anticipating the film to hit the screens on 2nd October!

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Minissha: Sanjay Dutt, the Mel Gibson of India!

The pretty and petite Minissha Lamba is currently riding high on the success of her latest venture, Yash Raj's BACHNA AE HASEENO. Apart from that she is receiving praises from all quarters for her hot, bold image makeover in Sanjay Gadhvi's KIDNAP. Her ''Hey Yaa'' is rocking the charts and is on every teenager's lips.

As is known to all, Minissha essays the role of Sanjay Dutt's daughter and Dutt plays the richest Indian in the world. However, what many will not know is that she also plays a daughter who is troubled with the fact that her parents have broken up and so she is quite disturbed as a result of their separation.

Minissha says that she does not have many scenes with Sanjay Dutt, but accepts that it was quite an experience working with an actor of the calibre of Dutt. She goes on to add that Sanjay Dutt is the Mel Gibson of India and enjoys the same status and reputation, as he is very dynamic as well as supportive.
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How Minissha got signed for KIDNAP!

Minissha Lamba, last seen as the tame Mahi in BACHNA AE HASEENO, has been in the news for her sexy avatar in the forthcoming KIDNAP

About how and why director Sanjay Gadhvi zeroed down on her, he revealed exclusively, 'I believe that there is a shortage of good young talent in the industry. I was looking for a young and effective girl opposite Imran (Khan) in KIDNAP as the film centers on her getting kidnapped. I had a number of names in mind but when I put Minissha through a test shoot I knew she was my Sonia.'

And what exactly made her clinch it? 'I gave her the setting of the shot and she enacted it with the level of meticulousness that one gets to see only with seasoned actors. I told her immediately after the test shoot that she'd be doing KIDNAP but would have to lose a bit of weight. She hit the gym immediately and worked out like a nutcase, as you can see in the promos! She's fabulous in the film!'

Commenting on JAANE TU YA JAANE NA and BACHNA AE HASEENO, Sanjay adds, 'It's funny because I signed both Imran and Minissha way before these two films. The fact that both these films did it for them only proves how proficient the two are. KIDNAP will showcase them in a completely new light.'

KIDNAP is the big Eid release by Indian Films – Studio 18. It will be out on Wednesday 1st October.
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Akki-Priyanka OR Akki-Katrina?

Those who have been badly missing Akki–Priyanka's rocking onscreen chemistry there is good news for them. As the chances are quite bright, that the duo might pair up once again.

As per the latest hearsay from the B–town, ace filmmaker Priyadarshan who is once again directing his favourite stars Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Paresh Rawal in a film is planning to cast Priyanka Chopra opposite Akshay Kumar. This venture of Priyadarshan, to be produced by Ratan Jain of Venus, as usual will be a complete out 'n' out comedy, but whether a sequel to HERA PHERI series, is still undeclared.

Priyanka and Akshay have worked in many hit films like AITRAAZ , ANDAAZ , MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI and WAQT – A RACE AGAINST TIME . However, the two began avoiding working together after rumours of their romance started in the media.

With Priyanka stepping out, Akshay quickly moved on to Katrina Kaif and started delivering even bigger successes with her like NAMASTEY LONDON, WELCOME, SINGH IS KINNG And the former hit jodi (Akki–Priyanka) disappeared from the scene

However, Akki's career bloomed well with either of the lady but it is quite difficult to vouch for, which of the two pairs sizzle on screen as both have equal charm to attract eye balls.

Well, whom would you vouch for Akshay–Priyanka OR Akshay–Katrina!!!
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