Revealed: Saif Ali Khan in his new 'Sardar' look

The turban is slowly and surely finding its way with our very own Bollywood actors. After Akshay Kumar's super-duper sardar act in the blockbuster Singh Is Kinng, every actor worth his salt is donning the pagdi these days.

By now its common knowledge that Salman Khan would be seen playing a sardar in Samir Karnik's multi-starrer Heroes and even chocolate boy Ranbir Kapoor is all set to play a sardar in Shimit Amit's next. Now the latest actor to don a pagdi is none other than cool dude Saif Ali Khan.

Saif was seen shooting in this completely new get up for his as yet untitled home production directed by Imtiaz Ali.

The film pairs Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone for the first time. The unit recently shot in and around the Lake Market area of Kolkata. In order to avoid any disruptions during the 4 day shoot, the hawkers, vendors etc. were given adequate compensation.

As for Saif's get up, the buzz is that he sports this look during certain flashback sequences in the film. Whether the audiences will warm up to this avatar of 'Chhote Nawab', only time will tell but going by the increasing number of actors donning a pagdi, we can't help but agree that Singh is indeed King.

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Dream to be like Kareena Kapoor? Click!!!

Her glowing skin and svelte figure has millions of girls aspiring to be in her shoes. But Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor says it is her 'vegetarian' diet that keeps her fit and glowing.

"Apart from doing yoga to keep myself fit, I am a pure vegetarian. I don't eat meat and that has helped me a lot to keep fit, " Kareena told reporters here over the weekend.

"I am proud to be a vegetarian and I am against those who eat meat. Go green to be fit, that's the best way for me at least, " she added.

Kareena had given up non-vegetarian food in 2006, that is two years after she started dating actor and former beau Shahid Kapur, a strict vegetarian himself.

But even after her break-up with Shahid, the actress has continued to follow a vegetarian diet to keep her weight in check.

In fact, in 2007, Kareena had also won the 'Cutest Vegetarian' online poll conducted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's youth division 'PETA Dishoom'. She shared the title with actor R. Madhavan.

Apart from eating vegetarian food for her figure and fitness, Kareena's water intake is high to keep her skin radiant.

"I drink a lot of water for my skin. And yes, my mom is beautiful, so it is also my parents who have gifted me with beautiful skin, " she said

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Hey Ya - Kidnap Movie

Hey guys check out this hot song from the movie Kidnap featyuring Minisha Lamba in a bikini dancing her way on the beach and having a bash...

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It's leaked out: Nandana Sen's Bosom

Yes, Nandana Sen's bosoms are revealed out. It was in a scene from Ketan Mehta's coming film, 'Rang Rasiya'.

For people who are already on the edge of their seat after reading this can silently calm down and get back to their seats because the censor board has already cut the scene saying it to be too revealing and eye-catchy for the Indian audience.

While scrutinizing the film, 'Rang Rasiya', the censor board saw that in a particular scene Nandana Sen's breast could easily be seen. Immediately after seeing that scene the censor board sent a notice to Ketan Mehta.

Ketan Mehta did confirm the news but said that the scene is very long and if cut by the censor board they will have to re-do it all over again.

Rang Rasiya stars Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen as leads and is already certified as an 'A' Grade film.

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Shocker: Deepal Shaw mistaken for a house maid

A Wednesday's heroine, Deepal Shaw was mistaken for a house maid. The item girl turned actress was left shocked by this incident.

A friend of Deepal's told us, "Deepal had gone visiting another friend's house and as she boarded the lift, two more ladies hopped in. Very casually dressed in a Salwar Kameez, Deepal was her normal self sans make up.

Both the ladies looked at her up and down and enquired with her whose house was she going to? When she told her friend's name, they immediately replied back, 'Oh so you are doing their house work.

We are short of a house maid too. Can you manage to do it for us? If not then do you know any of your friend who can do it? We shall pay good money.'

Hearing this Deepal could simply not react and giving a half smile she instantly hoped out as soon as her floor came."

The friend adds, "Deepal shared this incident with all of us her friends and was very embarrassed about it.

But she didn't feel angry about the two ladies and she told us that may be they were too much engrossed in themselves and their problems in hunting the right maid that they failed to recognize her."

On her career front, Deepal has managed to achieve a rare feat of becoming the first actress in Bollywood history to perform a triple role in a Bollywood film. The former item girl is enacting a triple role in Navneet Baj Saini's as yet untitled film. In the film she is starring opposite Irrfan Khan, Lucky Ali and Ranvir Shorey.

Deepal Shaw had debuted with Mohit Suri's Kalyug, featuring Emraan Hashmi and fellow-newcomer Kunal Khemu in a role of a cabaret dancer.

She has also a Hollywood film Karma, Confessions and Holi to her credit which also stars famous international model Naomi Campbell along with Sushmita Sen and Randeep Hooda and is produced by Robert De Niro's daughter, Drena.

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Poisonous Snake in Lara's Room, SRK faces Hell

Priyadarshan's dream town Pollachi where he shot some of his favourite films turned into a bit of a nightmare last week when heavy rains disrupted the shooting of Billo Barbar at a time when Shah Rukh Khan's dates were in the imminent danger of being wasted.

And if you think that was the end of Priyan's ordeal, here's more. One night an extremely poisonous snake entered Lara Dutta's room in Pollachi.

Recounts her co-star Irrfan Khan, "To her credit, Lara handled the situation very sensibly and bravely, probably because she didn't know how poisonous the snake was. If it had bitten her it would've been disastrous.

But then Lara is nothing if not spunky. I've realized that facing the camera with her was as challenging as co-starring with Tabu or Dimple Kapadia. Lara is the most underrated actress I've worked with."

More problems for Lara. Apparently her mom has taken ill very seriously.

Says Irrfan, "I could sense she was tense and dealing with a situation on the phone. But she never let it affect her work."

It wasn't just Lara who faced tough times in Pollachi. Shah Rukh and Irrfan Khan together with Lara Dutt faced hell and high water.

Priyadarshan just about managed to wrap up Shah Rukh's work before the mega-star had to leave to get back to Mumbai.

Says Irrfan, "Pollachi is one of the most peaceful spots in the world. Though prone to the monsoon vagaries that grip Kerala at this time of the year, never did we imagine that the weather could act so unpredictable."

Recounting their harrowing experience Irrfan says, "Suddenly during the last two days the weather acted up more than all of us who were facing the camera, ha ha. We were in a panic.

Because there was no way Shah Rukh could delay his departure. Priyan had to wrap up his work at any cost by Sunday. So we had no choice but to shoot through the rain. Which was harrowing. "

On the bright side SRK seems to have won himself even more friends.

Says Irrfan fondly, "Shah Rukh is as entertaining off camera as he's on screen. We all bonded big time. Now that he's no longer with us in Pollachi we find that spark is gone out of the unit. Seldom have I missed a co-star after shooting with him or her. Shah Rukh, I'm missing."

Irrfan has his family over in Pollachi. "I always take my wife and two sons to as many outdoors as possible, even if it means making my kids skip school. It's the only way we have of finding time together. In fact I'm out of Mumbai shooting till the end of the year. And I'll try to get them to come with me whenever possible."

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An interview with Farhan Akhtar

TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network
There are a very few things that Farhan Akhtar hasn't tasted success with. From making his directorial debut with landmark film like DIL CHAHTA HAI to a hit remake like DON, Farhan has come a long way. And now his fans are eagerly waiting to see him in a yet another avatar, as actor and singer in forthcoming release ROCK ON. The director-actor-singer speaks to our correspondent on his new roles.

So from a director you are now an actor and a singer...

(Ha...Ha)...It's nothing like that. I am doing this film because I liked the story and the role. That's why when director Abhishek Kapoor came to me, I did not hesitate much.

But we never knew that there was an actor and singer in you...

I was never averse to acting. I always liked acting, only that I never thought of giving it a serious try but I was always open to it. I was waiting for a right time because I don't think I could do so many things at a time. I started as a director and wanted to focus on my work.

But you are a brilliant singer too. Didn't you think of singing someday?

Oh...is it so? I was also interested a lot in music but again I never gave it a serious thought. It just happened but I really enjoyed the whole experience.

So do you plan to act and sing in the future?

Why not if I enjoy the script... I am in fact acting in my sister Zoya Akhtar's LUCK BY CHANCE. As of singing I haven't thought much. I am right now immersed in ROCK ON.

Okay then tell me how did ROCK ON happen?

Abhishek came up to me with the script, he wanted me to act. I too liked it and it just happened. But he was very clear from the beginning that whoever plays the lead vocalist has to sing. He knew me for a long time and he trapped me. (Laughs)

But you did justice to the songs?

I learnt playing the guitar and was a great rock fan but I should also credit Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy who showed faith in me. I have worked with them earlier IN DIL CHAHTA HAI LAKSHYA and DON so I know how talented they are. In fact it was Shankar who honed my singing skills and a lot of credit goes to him.

Won't you say that ROCK ON is another film that the audience is waiting for because rock music hasn't found that much of a place in Bollywood?

That's because Indians have heard international rock music and sound. But there are so many good musicians here who haven't been tried out. Had they been utilized we would have got rock music in Hindi films long before.

So, you will be the person to look out for once the film releases?

Come on don't say that. It is a film about four friends and the story doesn't move if one is missing out. It is a film of four people, Arjun Rampal, Luke Kenny, Purab and myself. But at the end of the day it's Abhishek's film. I must say he has done a brilliant job.

So what next after Rock On? Acting or back to direction?

In fact both because I am gearing up for my next directorial VOICE FROM THE SKY at the same time I will be acting in LUCK BY CHANCE. I take my job seriously so once I start these two things my focus will shift there completely.

And what's your next film all about?

I won't say much but what I can promise is something interesting...

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Drona - Music Review

Rating: **

Creating music for a film like Drona is always a tricky preposition. A conventional soundtrack isn't really what the film warrants while boundaries have to be set around how unconventional can the music actually go.

This is why one carefully looks at what composer Dhruv Ghanekar (who was a part of the composer duo Ashu-Dhruv) has to offer in Drona which is Abhishek's first solo release since Guru.

Surprisingly, unlike some huge expectations that one had from recent biggies like Singh Is Kinng, Bachna Ae Haseeno and Karzzzz, Drona (which has lyrics by Vaibhav Modi) is relatively low key in nature.

One can't exclaim 'I have been waiting with a bated breath' for the music of Drona which has just hit the stands. And this is what turns Drona into a fairly okay score which is certainly not exceptional but not a bad hear either.

The anthem track 'Drona' (sung by Dhruv himself) opens up proceedings and it has the kind of sound which just fits in well with the theme of the movie.

A number with a Western base to it, it does have an advertisement jingle feel to it but one doesn't quite mind it due to the comic book spirit of the movie. Narrating the background of 'Drona' and how he would be acting as a savior for the rest of the world, 'Drona' is a kind of number which appears at numerous junctures in the film.

Sunidhi Chauhan version of the same song comes at the album's end and carries a funky feel to it, courtesy a full on club setting. In both the versions, 'Drona' stays on to be primarily situational though and doesn't even attempt taking a popular route.

The number which does aim at being popular though is 'Oop Cha' which has an interesting orchestra throughout its duration. Different instruments are brought together to give this item number an edgy sound.

The number by Sunidhi Chauhan and Nandini Shrikar is foot tapping, yes, but beyond the initial setting 'Oop Cha' doesn't quite turn out to be THE item number which Priyanka Chopra could carry for couple of years or so.

The culprit here are the lyrics that do touch upon the philosophy of 'living life every moment' but somewhere down the line, they fail to make an impact. 'Remix version' sounds good at high volume as well though how one wishes the lyrics could have made a little more impact!

'Bandagi' follows next and though it doesn't promise much in terms of popularity, it is easy on ears nevertheless.

While Roop Kumar Rathod is subdued as usual, Sunidhi Chauhan too keeps her pitch low for 'Bandagi' which comes across as a laidback love song to be heard with the lights switched off.

For those who are fond of 'ghazals' and soft music, 'Bandagi' is a decent offering though a wide spread reach of the number doesn't seem feasible.

A number which is seemingly picturised on Jaya Bachchan and the kid (who grows on to be Abhishek Bachchan), 'Nanhe Nanhe' is a lullaby that follows next.

Sadhna Sargam (with support from Nandini Shrikar) comes up with good rendition in this extremely slow moving number and at places does sound like Lata Mangeshkar from 'Ek Tu Hi Bharosa' (Pukar).

A situational track, this is yet another number which derives its value from it's placement in the film's narrative.

Finally arrives 'Khushi' which is experimental to say the least. With a jazz feel to it, 'Khushi' sees quite a few ups and downs during it's 4 minutes duration even as Suzzane D'mello, Francois Castellino, Dean and Sunaina Gupta give Shaan, the prime singer here, ample support.

A conversation song which seems to be picturised on Abhishek Bachchan having fun with his friends, 'Khushi' has a lot to look forward in the way it is picturised because audio wise it is not a number that one expects to be sung or played around.

As mentioned in the start, Drona takes an unconventional route for most part of the album and the only place where it does follow the popular trend ('Oop Cha'), the final result is 'theek-thaak'.

Goldie Behl, Dhruv and Vaibhav have their intentions right in making Drona look and sound different from the league; however while doing so the soundtrack turns out to be the kind which would has it's chances of making a better impression as a part of the narrative and able choreography/picturisation.

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