I've never learnt how to act: Aishwarya

Aishwarya has been traveling extensively. "The last couple of months have been very very hectic. I had joined Abhishek in Jaipur where he was shooting for Dilli 6. Then I was with him in Miami for Dostana. I also packed in Cannes and Paris...Life is beautiful. It really is. You know, life is as special as you make it for yourself. Of course you can't live your life in a bubble. There're people who want to rain on your parade. It's up to you how you protect your space." Aishwarya Rai Bachchan considers Guru a very precious experience. "It has been very precious experience on every level, and not just on a personal level. I'd say it was professionally very fulfilling. It's a really exciting thought for me and Abhishek to be coming together again with Mani Ratnam." Refusing to divulge too many details about the new Mani film Aishwarya says, "All I can say is that it goes into a completely different theme from Guru. You can't expect Mani Sir to go into the same space twice. Working with him is an exciting thought for any actor. The way he connects to his actors is very clear in the films that he makes. He creates magic on screen." And please don't blame Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the delay in Shankar's Robot. The film got moved forward because the film's writer passaed away in February this year, thereby pushing the project back by some months. Says Aishwarya, "After Sujatha Sir's sad demise the project got delayed slightly. People chose this tragedy as an occasion to spread all kinds of rumours when the fact is death slowed down Robot. But now we're back on the track, though now we need to work on a tighter schedule." Aishwarya explains why the film needs extra planning. "Robot has loads of special effects. And the film will be using a lot of crew from overseas. All this needed to re-scheduling." Robot wouldn't be the first F-X driven film in Aishwarya's career. "There was Dhoom 2. And right at the start of my career I did Jeans. And that too had very complicated special effects. And I had to do it in Tamil. So I learned a lot during Jeans, as I hope to do during Robot." After a thought she adds, "Come to think of it I've never taken formal training in acting. I've always learnt on the job." Tell her she's now equipped to direct a film, and Aishwarya laughs, "Everyone says that. I don't know maybe one day." Returning to Robot she clears another misconception. "People seem to think it's in Tamil and Hindi. But it's only in Tamil."

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Katrina Kaif runs risk of being exposed

Now everyone would feel that with her recent string of hits, Katrina Kaif would feel that she's the luckiest girl in the world. But it's really not like that. Apparently the dame is worried and mighty jittery about the fate of her next film- Subhash Ghai's 'Yuvvraaj'. The actress has reportedly says, "I really want this film to do well. This is my first romantic drama opposite Salman without the support of comedy like 'Partner' and 'Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya'. 'Yuvvraaj' is special to me and I want it to remain as a special memory. I play a cellist who is a part of an orchestra in Austria. " Umm… looks like many others she also must realized the bitter truth- that she's a wooden actress. There's no piggybacking on Akshay Kumar or other razzmatazz to bail her out here! She must be scared that only a good performance would save her day! She's added, "Subhashji (Ghai) spared no cost for my costumes. They must have cost lakhs but not once did Subhashji say anything. My styling was done by Rocky S and I wore outfits designed by Jenny Packham, Rocky and Tarun Tahiliani." Wonder what happens if in spite of all the efforts this movie too goes down the drain like Ghai's previous over hyped ones- 'Yaadein' and 'Kisna'!

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I am a very homely girl, says Kareena

Kareena is shooting for a TV commercial and she looks like a million bucks. On spotting you , she says, "Come. Let's settle down for a chat."

Excerpts from the interview:

You look far calmer these days; quite unlike the restless Kareena we all knew a few years ago.
I was a child then.

Is it the Saif effect?
Of course, it is. Also, experiences have made me stronger.

Like?
I mean whatever I have gone through in my personal and professional life. I’m a stronger girl now, far more at ease with myself than I was earlier. I’m doing things, which I want to.

You have moved on in your personal life. Was it difficult parting with Shahid?
Yes, it was a very difficult period. Whatever went wrong between Shahid and me is very personal. I have always maintained that Shahid will always be part of my life. But, we are better off as friends. There is no animosity.

On hindsight, do you think you could have done something to save the relationship?
Sometimes there are no reasons for things which happen in life. Even if there’s one, I don't think it’s right to talk about it openly.

Did it take time for your family to absorb the fact that you were in love with Saif?
No, I don't think so. My mother is cool about it. And Karisma and Saif get along like a house on fire.

How is Saif as a partner?
He is fun and extremely loyal. He has all the qualities which I always wanted in a man.

Is he very possessive? There were stories that he was upset with your dress at the IIFA awards and also when you gave a peck on the cheek to Sylvester Stallone?
Saif is very supportive. He gives me space. All those stories were false.

You get along well with his two children, Sara and Ibrahim?
Both his kids are very loving. They are like Samaira (Karisma's daughter) to me.

Are you in touch with Shahid?
Oh yes. I message him and he messages me.

What about marriage with Saif?
Way in the future.

Way in the future? Not in the near future?
(Laughs) Yes, it's in the future definitely, but not for the next two-three years. But, we want to be together.

You value marriage. You helped Karisma reconcile with her husband Sanjay?
Contrary to what people believe, I am a very homely girl. I am always there for those who are there for me. Frankly, I am nobody to help somebody with their marriage. But as a sister, I can only offer support and advice. It has worked.

You lost out on Dostana and Dilli 6 because Abhishek didn't want to work with you?
Firstly, there was no fight with Abhishek. He has decided not to work with me and I have decided the same.For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

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Deepika Padukone glitters on the cover of Cosmopolitan Luxury

After having been a top model, she made a stunning debut opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om. Her next film, Bachna Ae Haseeno, had her romancing her real-life sweetheart Ranbir Kapoor. And now she is 'All Yours' as she graces the cover page of fashion magazine 'Cosmopolitan Luxury'. She is none other than the super sexy Deepika Padukone who is the cover girl in the October issue of 'Cosmopolitan Luxury'.

Deepika is seen sizzling in a golden colored dress which perfectly compliments the Diwali festive season (a time when people do indulge in some gold shopping). The actress also talks about her breakthrough into films, her relationship with Ranbir and her style statement. For all you die-hard Deepika Padukone fans, this one is a complete must-have!

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Ash turns 35 on November 1

At 35, Bollywood's blue-eyed-girl Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who celebrates her birthday Saturday, continues to woo Indian filmmakers with her international appeal, making her one of the most bankable stars in the Indian film industry.

Says popular film critic Taran Adarsh: “Aishwarya's career graph has been very good though not excellent but she is the only actress who can attract national and international crowds. She is the face of so many international brands and a very good actress also.”

London-based Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra, who directed the actress in the critically acclaimed English movie “Provoked”, also credits her as a superstar with an international appeal.

“She is a superstar. Not only is she a recognised name worldwide; she is a totally bankable star. My personal experience with her from 'Provoked' says that the film wouldn't have worked without her.

“The best thing about her is that despite her stature, she is completely a director's actor. She would also give her inputs in the character and would never come back to see a shot once the director approves it. She is thoroughly professional,” Mundhra added.

Aishwarya, now married to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, was born in Mangalore to Krishnaraj Rai, a marine biologist, and Vrinda Rai, a writer.

After winning the Miss World crown in 1994, Aishwarya took to acting in 1997 with a Tamil film “Iruvar” opposite southern superstar Mohanlal and made her Bollywood debut in the same year opposite Bobby Deol in "Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya". Both films bombed.

In the following year, she won her first Filmfare Best Actress award South for the Tamil film “Jeans” but became an overnight star with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” in 1999. She bagged the Filmfare Best Actress award for this too.

In 2000, she gave a power packed performance in Subhash Ghai's "Taal" but followed it up with a string of flops like "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai"(2000), "Dhai Akshar Prem Ke"(2000), "Albela" (2001), "Hum Kisise Kum Nahi"(2001) and many more.

In between, she was recognised for her supporting role in Yash Chopra's 2000 hit “Mohabbatein”.

Her career was resurrected in 2002 with Bhansali's “Devdas” fetching her another Filmfare award in the Best Actress category.

She was highly appreciated for her performances in “Chokher Bali"(2002), “Raincoat” (2004), "Guru"(2006), “Dhoom 2” (2006), "Provoked"(2007), “Jodhaa Akbar” (2008) and “Sarkar Raj” (2008).

In her career spanning 11 years, Aishwarya has acted in over 40 movies in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and English. Her English projects included “Bride & Prejudice” (2003), “Mistress of Spices” (2005), and “The Last Legion” (2007).

She is also starring in another international project “Pink Panther 2”, a sequel to the original comedy.

The beauty queen-turned-actress is also counted among the 100 most beautiful women in the world.

Actress Priyanka Chopra feels that “Aishwarya has a perfect face”.

“She is a gorgeous lady, a very elegant person and a great representative of India abroad and I think she has made some great cinema recently. I'd like to watch a lot more of her in films,” Priyanka told IANS.

After her wedding in April last year, Aishwarya has cut down on her projects and has become very choosy too. But critic Adarsh feels it is only due to her “added family responsibilities”.

Currently, the actress is busy shooting with Abhishek in Kochi for Mani Ratnam's forthcoming film tentatively titled “Raavan”.

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John turns producer!

John Abraham is super excited about his next film with Abbas Tyrewala. So much so that he's decided to turn producer with the film. Guess John's been mighty impressed by Tyrewala's success with 'Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na'! The buzz is that the movie '1-800-Love' is a quirky, witty and savagely funny look at the man-woman relationship penned by Tyrewala's wife Paakhi. Apparently so impressed was Abbas with his wife Paakhi that he had no objection about she wanting to be the heroine of his film! As for John, he can't help but gush over the film's script! The word is that after Anurag Kashyap's 'No Smoking' and Nagesh Kukunoor's to-be-released 'Aashayein' John is now looking out for roles that would challenge him as an actor. Now very few people could get 'No Smoking' and apparently the upcoming 'Aashayein' is finding it difficult to get buyers! So even though John thinks he's doing great, we wonder if he's actually making the right moves! He's said, "After hearing the narration, John not only loved the script, he wanted to come on as a partner. So, effectively, the project will have three producers - Madhu K., John and myself." The movie gets its title from the toll-free phone numbers in the US. It will be shot in Boston in April in a start-to-finish schedule. Let's wait and watch to see if John's career takes the right path post this flick!

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Bollywood villain Raza Murad to play emotional Sikh on TV

After portraying negative characters in Bollywood for over three decades, noted actor Raza Murad will now be seen playing a pious Sikh in a new TV series "Meet Mila De Rabba". "For me 'Meet Mila De Rabba' is a very important project since it will break my on-screen villainous image and prove my versatility as an actor," Raza told over phone from Mumbai. "The serial is bound to do well since it's a fresh story, very emotional and touching and entails characters with different shades," he added. Raza started his career way back in the mid-1960s and since then has worked in over 400 films including hits like "Prem Rog", "Ram Teri Ganga Maili", "Ram Lakhan" and "Kala Bazar", to name a few. He was also associated with a few TV shows in the past. "Meet Mila De Rabba" is about a young Punjabi girl's poignant love story and highlights the trials of the bubbly girl who happily accepts her fate, simply to please her family and society. The show goes on air Nov 3 on Sony entertainment channel. In the serial, Raza plays the role of Gyaniji, who moves out of his village in Punjab to Delhi to build his fortune but always misses his hometown. His character in the show has an emotional streak to it, something the actor has been looking for in a role. "I always wanted to do an emotional role but was rejected a couple of times because the directors felt that I have always done negative roles and so I wouldn't fit the bill. That was dejecting. So when I was offered this show, I readily agreed to it," Raza said. As for his Bollywood career, Raza was last seen in Ashutosh Gowarikar's period drama "Jodhaa Akbar". After acting in the epic romance, he was busy dabbling in regional cinema. "All this while when I was not seen in Hindi films, I did a lot of regional cinema. I was a part of various Gujarati, Punjabi and Bhojpuri films. "At the same time I wasn't in favour of playing second fiddle to anyone on the small screen even though I have played supporting roles in films. So I was waiting for something that was worth taking up," he added. The veteran actor feels that Bollywood has undergone a "complete transformation" since the time he entered the film industry, especially the villains. "The traditional villain has died a natural death. Today even a hero can portray a negative character. There are no lines drawn. The scope for actors like me has condensed," he said.

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I had no choice initially as an actress

National award-winning Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta, who is now concentrating more on Hindi films, says she won't be giving up Bengali cinema altogether. "Bengal is a very important seat of cinema for me. I can't even think of giving it all up. Though I am concentrating more on my Bollywood career now, I'll never say no to Bengali films in my lifetime. I got my name, fame, identity and even my National award from Bengali cinema, " Rituparna, who forayed into Bollywood with "Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh" in 2005, told in an interview. However, Rituparna's first commmerical Hindi venture was Parto Ghosh's suspense thriller "Teesra Kaun" (2004) with Mithun Chakraborty, Chunky Pandey and Somy Ali. Her success and commitments in the Bengali film industry and in Bangladesh did not allow her to focus on her Hindi film career at that time. In 2005, she was seen in Chandan Arora's light-hearted "Main, Meri Patni...", which was technically termed as her Bollywood debut. Her portrayal of an educated housewife in the film earned her rave reviews. She was then seen in box office duds like "Unns - Love...Forever", "Gauri - The Unborn" and "Sirf - Life Looks Greener on the Other Side". The actress, however, is not upset with her Bollywood ventures not taking off and doesn't shy away from her failure in choosing roles. "I had no choice initially as an actress to get a break in Bollywood. Moreover, in those days, I was just feeling my way through Bollywood. I almost felt like an intruder, as I was not familiar with the ways of the industry. "But now I can say I know the pulse of Bollywood as I have a line-up of movies that I have accepted on merit. Now I look at the subject matter of a film first before signing it and then to a substantial and meaty role, " said Rituparna, who has worked in over 50 Bengali movies. Rituparna says she is going through a transitional phase now. "My taking to Bollywood films is a transition. I don't want to get confined to only regional cinema as I want to exploit my potential. I want to perform challenging roles in a much more complex sphere like Bollywood. "Bollywood films are going through a change. Audiences have become more intelligent and I want to reach out to them in different roles through my Bollywood projects. They have woken up to the fact that it is the content of the film that matters, " she quipped. Known for doing bold scenes in some Bengali movies, Rituparna idolizes former Bollywood diva Dimple Kapadia. "Dimple-ji could slip into playing any bold role and still be on her own, maintaining her dignity. That's the status I want to achieve in Bollywood, " she said. Rituparna shared her first National Award for Best Actress with renowned Bengali actress Indrani Haldar for her role in Rituparno Ghosh's "Dahan" in 1998 and recently won the same for Aniruddha Choudhury's Bengali film "Anuranon". The actress has quite a few Hindi and Bengali films in her kitty right now. In Bollywood, she will be next seen in Priyadarshan's Hindi version of Iranian film "Children of Heaven", "SRK", "Saab Chai Pani", "Mujhe Rang De", "Love Game", "Mittal versus Mittal", "BBD", "Paroshkar", "Dard-e- Disco" and "Do Not Disturb". "Trishna", "Mon Amor" and "Piyalir Password" are some of the Bengali projects she has signed on. Rituparna says she will try her best to "maintain a balance" between the Hindi and Bengali film worlds.

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