What to expect at the IIFA this year

The International Indian Film Academy is a first-of-its-kind effort to promote Indian cinema globally, thus reaching out to millions of its fans. An annual event, it honours its talents with an awards night show fun-filled with performances from various artists to represent not only their work, but also to promote Bollywood on alien shores.

IIFA AwardsPREVIOUSLY, starting with the Millennium Dome, London, IIFA has traveled through Sun City, Malaysia, Johannesburg, Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Yorkshire. This year the gala event is being held in Macau.

What is the schedule of the event?

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will unfurl in the exotic locale of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau, China. The 10th edition of IIFA will be held at the picturesque resort during June 11 – 13, 2009.

Which Celebs are NOT attending IIFA?

Here’s the lowdown first, superstars Shahrukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar, have both used the family vacation bahana to not show up at the awards function event. A source close to the Kumar family reveals, Akki had worked out his summer vacation schedule to make time for his son Aarav, and despite the organizers promising both heaven and earth, Akshay will not budge.”

We smell a rat there. Seems, like the previous IIFA events in the past, which have become a Bachchan parivaar extravaganza, none of the major stars want to be over-shadowed by the luminaries.

Take the case of Shahrukh Khan, who has been quoted in the media, being non-committal to his presence at the show.

Who is attending? You must have guessed by now!

Which Celebs have backed out of their IIFA performance?

Bebolicious Kareena Kapoor was supposed to perform Marjani from Billu at the IIFA 2009 ceremony, but she has reportedly dumped the idea. Why you ask?

She obviously wanted to be the event opener and the one to close it with her dhamakedaar performances but since Big B is the brand ambassador and the key performance spots are booked for the khaandaan, she had to re-think her decision.

She decided to jump out of the fray and join beau Saif Ali Khan to watch the T20 event in England. IIFA show organizers have surely been fed a healthy dose of Bebo-ism.

After Bebo, ex beau Shahid Kapur, followed suit. Since his break-up with Priyanka, they too have decided not to perform at the event, where they were supposed to be the hottest item on the menu.

They were due to do a medley number on their Kaminay numbers, which would have been a treat.

"I was looking forward to performing at IIFA and showcasing Kaminay. However, my commitment to my producer has to be honored. I regret being unable to attend this year, " Shahid quoted in a statement.

Producers of the show have been sorely missing on masala this year.

What to look forward to tomorrow?

We will tell you who is performing apart from the Bachchans. Which film will unveil its first look at IIFA?

Find out, as StarBoxOffice brings you that and all the gossip tomorrow.

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John finds it hard to play himself

Bollywood hunk John Abraham is playing himself in "Fillum City" and says it is tougher than doing other roles.

"I'm playing John Abraham. And believe you me, it's not easy. I keep looking for myself in the character and find there are so many things that I want to keep for myself. I'm trying to act and dress as I do in real life. It's tough because you're constantly trying to 'act' like yourself," John told IANS.

The film is being made by debutant director Deven Khote.

John is also not happy with reports about him signing an international project. He wishes people wouldn't put out misinformation about him.

"I believe websites have put out stories that I'm doing an international film called 'American Empire'. I haven't even read the script. So where's the question of my doing it? Doing international films isn't a burning ambition for me," he said.

Though an enthusiastic voter, John couldn't be part of Karan Johar's short-film featuring most of Bollywood's youth icons to promote voting awareness. But he is hoping to team up with the Karan and director Tarun Mansukhani in the second instalment of "Dostana".

"Would you believe I was part of that project from the start. I sat with the director Tarun Mansukhani and Karan and we discussed the idea. But on the day we were to shoot, I was down with a viral fever. I'd have loved to work with Tarun. He's a wonderful boy. Hopefully, we'll be doing the 'Dostana' sequel shortly," he said.

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Salman & Kareena are friends again

Guess what Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor did during a photoshoot of Main Aur Mrs Khanna?

They surprised director Prem Soni with a massive cake. “Since it was their last day on the set, Salman and Kareena ordered a huge cake with Main Aur Mrs Khanna on it,” said a unit hand. Prem Soni who cut the cake with the awesome twosome said, “It was a memorable moment, more so because this film got Salman and Kareena back as friends.” Salman and Kareena were not on talking terms because of Salman’s rift with Shahid. This was when Kareena and Shahid were together. “But Prem quite frankly told Salman that he wanted Kareena for the film and that he had already spoken to her about it. Salman read the script and he was all game for it. He told Prem that handling the cast and crew was his responsibility and as long as the director was confident, the actor was okay with everything. What’s more? The film’s shooting was completed in 58 days flat. Hence, the cake was kind of a double celebration — Salman-Kareena coming together and the film getting completed,” said a source.

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Katrina's advice to Claudia

Claudia Ciesla, the German model with the 38-DD cleavage and leading lady of Karma — Crime Passion and Reincarnation, is not really “Salman Khan’s blue-eyed girl”.

BT learns there is no truth to the Claudia-Salman proximity theory.
The German model met the Bollywood hunk through a common friend at his home in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra. Present at the meeting was also Katrina Kaif, because Salman had asked her to be present when Claudia arrived and make her feel comfortable and at home.

An insider reveals, “Salman introduced Claudia to his family and then Katrina. No one till then had even noticed Katrina because she was in track pants, her face shorn of makeup, and she looked like a pretty girl who was part of the actor’s immediate family.”

Once pleasantries were exchanged, Katrina took charge and gave Claudia (who is alone in Mumbai) advice on how to go about making her career in Bollywood. “I understood her predicament of being an outsider in Bollywood. I told her to get herself a good female manager like I have. And, I wished her all the best,” is all Katz had to say of her meeting with Claudia.

Next thing she knew, was that the world was buzzing with the news that Claudia had a thing going with Salman. But for once, the actor must be at peace, because his lady love knows the truth on this chapter at least.

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In Pics: Kareena Kapoor's Latest Photo Shoot

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Hrithik Roshan as Jesus Christ

Not since Mel Gibson cast James Caviezel as Jesus in his 2004 film The Passion of The Christ, has there been any comparison between an actor and the Lord.

But now several Latin American distributors, who saw the international version of Rakesh Roshan’s Kites, are stunned by Hrithik’s resemblance to Jesus Christ in the film.

It’s been two weeks since the Bollywood film was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, but the buzz around it still continues at the French Riviera. And, another thing, if the Mexican actress Barbara Mori has taken Bollywood by storm, Hrithik has done the same thing in Latin America. Foreign distributors were reportedly taken up by the searing intensity in his eyes, his lithe frame and Adonis-like tan. Some of them were heard commenting that Hrithik would be the ideal actor to play Christ in a western production.

Rakesh Roshan, who was present at Cannes, admits there was huge excitement among the foreign distributors who saw his international trailer. “A lot of people did mention that Hrithik’s looks are suited for the western market. But I didn’t catch the comment on him bearing a resemblance to Christ,’’ Rakesh said. “It was not possible for me to keep track of everything said and heard.’’

Meanwhile, B-Town buzz has it that the company taking care of Hrithik’s business interests is in Hollywood hooking up with an internationally renowned casting agency that will source out scripts for the Bollywood hottie. Will Hrithik give in to temptation and fly westwards? Guess he will if Kites rises to dizzying heights.

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Gul Panag Hot Scene From Hello

Check out Gul panag hot scene from the movie Hello
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Kareena Kapoor: People don’t go swimming in jeans!

Firebrand Kareena Kapoor looked gorgeous in a white outfit with splashes of colour at Kambakkht Ishq’s first promotional event. The superstar actor spoke to StarBoxOffice about working with Akshay Kumar, wearing a swimsuit again, her glamorous clothes and why Saif will always be on top.

Your character in the film is called Simrita Rai. Tell us more about her.
Simrita is a feminist. She doesn’t like love, she doesn’t like men and she doesn’t like relationships. The reasons for all this are established in the film. Actually, what happens to her and how and why she falls in love forms the story of Kambakkht Ishq.

This is the seventh time you are working with Akshay Kumar. How did it feel?
I love working with Akshay and feel very comfortable with him. I have known him since I was a kid. Akshay gave his first shot with Karisma in the film Deedar. I was in my school uniform when I saw him give the shot. Today, I am working with him. He is one of India’s biggest superstars. He feels like family to me. I am good friends with his wife Twinkle. It is great fun to work with him. He is my favourite co-star and one of the biggest superstars in India. He is India’s true action hero. I want him to be at the top. All my wishes and prayers are with him.

If you want Akshay to be at the top, what will happen to Saif?
Saif is at the top anyway!

How was it working with your best friend, Amrita Arora?
Working with Amrita is fun. I worked with her in Golmaal Returns and it did well, so I hope KI does well too.

Tell us about your look in the film.
Aki Narula has styled my look in the film. He bought the clothes, which are non-filmy, from Rome and Milan. There are no sequins and bling and stuff you normally see in Hindi films. The costumes are very chic, understated and classy, which you don’t normally see. I love shoes. Everyday, there were sixty pairs of shoes to choose from and I picked the best for the shot. I get lots of messages on my phone about the look. I am glad people like it.

How different is Kareena Kapoor from Simrita Rai?
Simrita Rai is a feminist, I am not. Simrita is a tough nut to crack, which I am not and she is very insensitive, which I am not. To play characters that are very different from our true selves-that is where the fun lies.

Weren’t you apprehensive about working with Sabbir Khan, who is a new director?
I have always worked with new directors. Even when I worked with Imtiaz (Ali), he was a new director as Jab We Met was his second film. My faith lies in the script more than anything else. Anybody can make a good film. Sabbir has done a great job.

The film has words like ‘Bitch’ and ‘Bastard’ which the Censor Board had a problem with. Do you think it’s justified in the film?
Definitely! It fits perfectly in the film. You will know when you see the film. We see English films all the time, and the language is foul, so why are we making such a big deal of the dialogues of KI.

How was it shooting in Hollywood with a Hollywood cast and crew?
I love Los Angeles and the weather was great. We had a Hollywood crew; they were very helpful. I just have one scene with Denise Richards and two with Sylvester Stallone. They are as normal as normal can get. It was amazing talking to Sylvester Stallone about movies and just sitting next to him was such an honour.

Tashan also starred you and Akshay and there was a lot of focus on your look in the film. So how was making KI different from making Tashan?
Tashan was tiring as I had to maintain a figure that sent the national economy in a tizzy. I challenged myself to do action and also changed my body type for it. Nobody expected that. KI is different. The girl needed to be more fashionable with a fuller and voluptuous figure. I wore a bikini in Tashan and have worn a swimsuit in KI. I don’t know why it is such a big deal because people don’t wear jeans when they go swimming. I will mould myself according to my roles.

We have heard the title song and it’s great. What is your favourite song in the film?
A song in the movie has my name, Bebo, in it. That is my favourite.

Bebo, Bebo, aye Bebo Bebo! Wasn’t there a song like this which was a bit hit in the discos? Here’s hoping Kareena has the same luck with her new film.

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