Gettin’ their acts right

In results season, the young denizens of tinsel town prove that they’re a hit in the classroom too.

Zain Khan
(Hari Puttar)
Percentage: 83%
ICSE, Mumbai
Zain Khan: “I was very confident that I would score at least 75 per cent, but didn’t expect 83 per cent.I started studying only three months before the exams, but then I would stay up all night, as I would be busy with other activities during the daytime. I’ll soon be hosting a party for all my friends. It’s a double celebration for me as I fared well in my exams and my new movie Detective Naani has also gotten released.”
Zaki Khan, Zain’s father: I was surprised when I saw his results on the net. He would forever tell me, ‘Daddy, ho jaayega... aap chinta mat karo.’ And he has proved himself. I have always supported him in whatever he chooses to do, be it his decision to join acting or take up motorcycle racing.

Sreeparana Ghosal
(Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?)
Percentage: 87%
Promoted to Class VII
Sreeparana Ghosal: “Education is very important in life. No matter how successful or famous one might be, one has to be educated. While shooting for Paanchvi Paas I had to miss school, but nevertheless I would carry my textbooks to the shoot and study in between shots. The show has also helped me learn many new things. I think there should be more such educational shows on television.”
Debashish Ghosal, Sreeparana’s dad: “My daughter has been very sincere about her studies. We never had to force her to sit down to study. She was in Class V when she was doing the show, but even then she never ignored her studies. We are proud of our daughter. Sreeparana is very close to her elder sister Rituparna, who has given her Class X exams this year. Sreeparana is very excited about her sister’s results.”

Parzan Dastur
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Sikander)
HSC, HR College, Mumbai
Parzan Dastur: “I’m anxiously waiting for my results. I’m confident that I shall score around 80 per cent. After Class XII, I intend to take up management. This year, there wasn’t much pressure, so I could concentrate on my studies. Right now, I’m not doing any movies and am taking it very easy. I’m in no rush to sign anything now, I want to concentrate on my career. My parents have been very supportive throughout. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done so far.”

Avika Gor
(Balika Vadhu)
Percentage: 60%
Promoted to Class VII
Sameer Gor, Avika’s father: “We are happy with her performance and hope that she continues to do well. Avika is busy with her shoots and is not presently in Mumbai.”

Tanay Chheda
(Slumdog Millionaire,
Taare Zameen Par)
Percentage: 80%
Promoted to Class VIII
Tanay Chheda: “Even if I’m shooting, I don’t forget my school. On days when I miss my lessons, I stay back after school to catch up. Sometimes, the teachers take special classes. My studies continue to remain unaffected despite my hectic schedule.”
Tejal Chheda, Tanay’s mother: “Tanay never neglects his studies. He is very sincere and studies regularly. Whenever he takes off for a 8-10 day shoot, he always carries his schoolbooks along with him. And he takes out time in between shoots to finish his homework.”

Swini Khara
(Cheeni Kum)
Percentage: 96.8%
Promoted to Class VI
Shilpa Khara, Swini’s mother: “I’m very impressed by the way in which my daughter has managed to strike a balance between school and her career. She is excellent in her studies and for the last five years, she has won the best student award. Whenever she is out on a film shoot, she never forgets to carry her books along. At the moment, she’s holidaying in Switzerland and will be back next month. She has three movies slated for release this year.”

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Amrita won’t go de-glam

Amrita Arora’s all set for her first film release post-marriage.

The hottie will be seen opposite Sohail Khan in Team — The Force. And like sis Mallaika Arora-Khan, Amrita too doesn’t seem to be wanting to tone down the glam-girl image. If anything, we hear the actress is working out with a vengeance at h

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It's Sal'loo for Katrina

Katrina Kaif likes Salman Khan. However is she ready for marriage?

Not yet, say her friends. Katrina who is currently riding a wave with promising projects like Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani, De Dana Dan and Rajniti is keen to continue with her golden run; and so every time Salman pops the question to her, she politely excuses herself and heads for the loo. In short, she needs time to think Salman’s proposal over, say those close to her.

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Bip's co-star goes nude

Ranbir Kapoor dropped his towel in Saawariya and John Abraham’s butt became the talking point of the town with Dostana and now young Maradona Rebello has done it in his very first film.

Yes, he has bared his butt for the audience to see but it’s not for cheap publicity. The 22-year-old newcomer who’s making his debut in the Sanjay Gupta film Pankh, says he’s got some extreme reactions from people, after a publication released a picture of that particular scene. “I didn’t know this scene would be out before the movie’s release, so I wasn’t prepared for them,” he says. But it is this scene that has got into trouble with the censor board. “First of all, I would like to make it clear that one should not assume it’s a bedroom scene just because it’s a nude scene. Secondly, I knew before signing the film that there is a scene like this. I took the approval of my parents before saying yes and I’m proud of it!” he says.

The particular scene was shot along with Lilette Dubey, who plays his mother in the film. “Lilette was very supportive and we were given the best possible provision to shoot it,” he says. For a newcomer, doing a scene like this can be quite awkward but Maradona denies there was anything of that sort. “Initially it was scary but after reading the script, I realised how important this scene is to the film and even my parents gave me a green signal,” he says. The actor believes that the film will lose out on some aspects if the said scene is deleted from it. “There is a strong current of sexuality running through the movie. This scene has been incorporated beautifully and is an important scene to retain,” Maradona adds.

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'I don't have a fixed address'

While she is travelling all around the world and meeting famous people, Freida Pinto, heroine of the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire", feels Mumbai will always be her home.

"I don't have a fixed address as I'm making movies all over the world. I'm filming in Israel at the moment and who knows after that, so I'm not making plans to buy my own place yet," dailymail.co.uk quoted Freida as saying.

"Ultimately, Mumbai will always be home. That's where my family is," she added.

The 24-year-old actress is presently working on a film, "Miral", in Israel and has also been signed by Woody Allen for an untitled film to be shot in London.

Freida, a model and a travel show presenter in India, said when she auditioned for Danny Boyle's "Slumdog...", she didn't know that it would become such a big hit.

"I had no idea 'Slumdog Millionaire' would become such a huge success. In fact, when we were filming, none of us expected it, so the feeling of surprise and shock is still with me."

"The film won eight Oscars and I was nominated for Best Supporting actress at the Baftas, and now, when I look back at photographs in magazines of me at the film awards I can still hardly believe it's me," she added.

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Ahmedabad goes crazy for Kareena

Kareena Kapoor won't forget her first trip to Ahmedabad for a long time. The actress was quite rattled when hundreds of fans rushed towards the stage while she was performing at a show in the city.

Thousands of star-struck fans swarmed the Karnavati Club when they got to know the event organised by producer Vashu Bhagnani to promote his son Jackky's debut "Kal Kissne Dekha" would feature Kareena.

The fans were excited even when Sophie Chowdhary danced with Jackky for the event on Thursday (May 21) evening. But all hell broke loose when Kareena came on stage for a medley of her hit songs. Hundreds of Kareena's fans ran towards her on stage, but thankfully she was whisked away in time.

A shaken Vashu Bhagnani said: "It's true. Ahmedabad went crazy for Kareena. We expected a huge turn-out at the Karnavati Club, but not this much...30,000 people showed up! And when Kareena came on stage they lost control. About 400 people rushed to the stage. Fortunately we whisked her out of the back entrance. So nothing untoward happened."

Bhagnani says he is indebted to Kareena. "She took on these frenzied fans for my son's sake. Who says this film industry is heartless? Kareena is all heart."

In fact, after the Ahmedabad incident Vashu had reservations about asking Kareena to be part of the next Vashu-Jackky show in Delhi on May 27. But Kareena is adamant.

Said Kareena: "Yeah it did get pretty tricky at a point. Yeh sab hota hai. It was my first visit to Ahmedabad. I performed a medley of my best songs choreographed by Remo. It was for Vashu-ji's son. How can I forget he gave me my first big hit 'Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai'? When his son is entering films it's my duty to support him."

The unruly fans rattled her, but she was pleasantly surprised when a large number of little girls descended at the performance venue dressed as her character Geet in hit film "Jab We Met".

"It simply zapped me. I completely forgot the heat of Ahmedabad when I saw those girls. It will be a long time before I'm allowed to forget Geet in 'Jab We Met'," Kareena said.

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Salman introduces Claudia Ciesla to his family

Heart throb and the darling of millions of women, Salman Khan has acknowledged German model and Hollywood actress Claudia Ciesla (pictured left) as his "special friend".

According to a report in a Kolkata-based newspaper, Salman Khan has 'confirmed’ to the Indian press his friendship with Claudia and has even introduced her to his family.

According to sources, Claudia is a very private person. She will never talk about her personal life. She refused to comment on her ‘relationship’ with Salman and even forbade her spokesperson from breathing a word about anything to the media. But now Salman cleared the air in a candid and straight-from-the-heart interview to a Kolkatta paper.

Flynn Remedios, Claudia Ciesla's spokesperson, publicist and manager for India said: “Claudia has been wrongly understood by the Indian Media. She is not a topless or nude model. It was only once at the beginning of her career about 4 years ago - like many Indian actresses - that she posed topless for a very prestigious magazine. It was a very artistic and classy shoot. Claudia has never posed nude and will vowed never to do any nude shoots. All the other photos that show Claudia nude or topless are fake and digitally altered. We will sue anyone who claims that Claudia is a topless or nude model."

Speaking to the journalist from Kolkata via email, Claudia said, "I love the Indian Culture, ethos, and traditions. I respect all Indian religions. I am God-willing planning to permanently settle in India. I am not a nude or topless model but a very serious professional who has done some very good work in the west."

According to the report in the Kolkata newspaper, Salman invited Claudia to his home, introduced Claudia to his family. "Claudia is a very nice girl. I have introduced her to my family," Salman Khan said casually when queried about his 'relationship' with Claudia.

Filling in the blanks from Germany, Claudia said, "I met his wonderful family - brothers, sister and his darling and handsome father Salim. They are a very warm and friendly family. All very down to earth. Salman is a real man. He has a heart of gold. He is fearless - not scared to admit his friendship with anyone, unlike some other male actors and directors in Bollywood. Salman Khan is my hero," said Claudia.

Clarifying about Claudia’s meeting with Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes, Flynn Remedios said: “It is a fact that Claudia and Abhishek met and chatted for a while. But it was a formal discussion though Abhishek was quite friendly. The photos were not just ‘fan pix’ as made out by some media persons and publications.”

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Karisma Kapoor, David Dhawan team up after nine years

They have given comic hits like "Jodi No.1", "Haseena Maan Jaayegi" and "Biwi No.1". Now Karisma Kapoor and filmmaker David Dhawan are teaming up after nine years, but this time to judge a new comedy reality show "Hans Baliye".

While Dhawan is known for churning out a series of successful comedies, Karisma has portrayed a number of comic roles in her career. They had last worked together in 2000 in "Chal Mere Bhai", which also starred Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan.

In their new roles on television, they would judge eight real-life celebrity couples who will vie with each other by cracking jokes and enacting spoofs to win the "Hans Baliye" trophy. The show will be aired on Star One and will debut on May 30 at 8.30 p.m.

According to Dhawan, it was "the uniqueness and of course the comic aspect" of the show that made him agree to become a judge.

"Comedy is something I personally enjoy and watching these couples showcasing their humorous side will surely be a treat to watch. The show promises to be interesting and engaging," Dhawan said in a press release from Star One.

Karisma said she was attracted by the "amazing concept to search for India's best real life comedy couples".

"On Indian television, we have a plethora of reality shows such as talent shows for dancing, singing, etc but 'Hans Baliye' gives a platform to real life couples to showcase their talent to a wider audience. Making people laugh is not an easy job. It requires a whole lot of dedication and hard work. I am looking forward to having a good time on the show," she said.

Among the participants on the show are television actors Tanaaz and Bakhtyaar Irani, Delnaaz and Rajiv Paul, newly-wed Juhi Parmaar with husband Sachin and Sara Khan with beau Ali Merchant.

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