My favorites: Vibha Anand

Vibha Anand aka Sugna from Sphere Origins’s Balika Vadhu speaks about the favourite things in her life.

Your favorite car…
Lexus

Your favorite perfume…
Passport

Your favorite meal…
Indian food

Your favorite restaurant…
Taj

Your favorite drinks…
Soft drinks and Lassi

Your favorite getaway in Mumbai…
Juhu Chowpati

Your favorite getaway outside Mumbai…
My native place Dehradun

Your favorite outfit…
Casuals. jeans and tee shirt.

Your favorite actor/actress…
The three khans, Aamir, Salman, and Shahrukh. As far as actress is concerned I like Madhuri Dixit

Your favorite film…Hum Aapke Hai Kaun

Ismail Darbar misses out on working with Bhansali again?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has now officially turned composer with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer ‘Guzaarish’. However, till a few days back, there were feelers that Ismail Darbar may make a re-entry into the Sanjay Leela Bhansali camp. The question making the rounds was - ‘Is Ismail Darbar going to compose music for ‘Chenab Gandhi’ and/or ‘Guzaarish’?’

If that would have happened, it would have marked the return of the composer with Sanjay Leela Bhansali along with whom he has earlier come up with master soundtracks like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’? While there were murmurs making the industry rounds that Ismail could well be at the helm of composing music for at least one of the two projects, announcement of Bhansali composing music for ‘Guzaarish’ has put an end to all the speculations.

“A courteous handshake doesn’t mean that Bhansali is resuming his professional stint with Ismail”, says a source close to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, “Yes, Bhansali is being nice to him in the social gatherings but by no means should that be taken as a signal for go-ahead by the composer. He hasn’t been signed for any of the two projects and if he is getting any feelers that this is actually the case then God have mercy on him.”

Though quite a few music followers would want to believe that Bhansali’s films gain an extra edge when Ismail Darbar composes for them, the source has his own argument.

“Didn’t ‘Black’ have a fantastic score? It was meant to play in the background and it did phenomenally well in that context. Even ‘Saawariya’ music was huge. It went on to do so well even after the movie was off the screens. Imagine the kind of business it would have enjoyed had the film too stayed on for longer at screens”, he questions.

He further goes on to add, “At the end of the day, it is Bhansali’s strong sense of music that creates the best magic. Both Ismail Darbar and Monty Sharma (who scored for ‘Black’ and ‘Saawariya’) have done quite well with him. It should not be any different for the composer of ‘Chenab Gandhi’ too, now as Bhansali is himself at the helm of affairs for ‘Guzaarish’”.

Well, there is still some time to go before one gets to witness the truth behind that. As of now, ‘Chenab Gandhi’ is still searching for a leading man (John Abraham is no more a part of the film even as Harman Baweja, the original choice, continues to be in the hunt). On the other hand ‘Guzaarish’, which stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai together, is also waiting to get on the floors.

Come 2010 and we would see for ourselves who composes the music of ‘Chenab Gandhi’, and how does the it eventually turn out to be. Till then, it’s a long way to go. Fingers crosses.

Priyanka defends Shahid and hits back at Kareena

Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday May 12th evening launched the website of her Yash Raj Productions film Pyaar Impossible. The film is directed by actor turned filmmaker Jugal Hansraj and co-stars her with Uday Chopra.

Priyanka launched the website of her romantic comedy film – www.pyaarimpossible.in and then speaking about her role in the film said, “I play the beauty and Uday plays the geek. But in real life, when I was in school-college I was very geeky.”

During the media interaction a journalist asked her reaction to the recent comments made by Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan that their names were being unnecessarily dragged for publicizing her forthcoming film Kaminey with her ‘good friend’ Shahid Kapoor. Priyanka like a true loyal ‘good friend’ gave a fitting reply to Kareena (she was Shahid’s ex girlfriend remember) and Saif’s accusations made in a Mumbai tabloid few days back. Priyanka said, “Kaminey is directed by Vishal Bharadwaj whose directorial credentials don’t need any introduction and it is produced by UTV which is amongst the best production houses in the country today. I have seen the film and I feel it’s a brilliant piece of work. All those who will see the film will definitely love it. We as the team of Kaminey are extremely well equipped and capable of publicizing the film and don’t require any outside help for the same.”

Few days back Kareena and Saif had reportedly claimed that their names were needlessly dragged to gain publicity for his films by Shahid. Kareena was in fact quoted stating, “Shahid should move on.”

Gurinder Chadha on her future plans

Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life is one of my favourite films. It A Wonderful Afterlife takes me back to the Bend It Like Beckham territory. Sanjeev Bhaskar and Shaheen Khan are there. I’ve actors from Beckham back in my new film. It’s that kind of film. It takes me back to my Punjabi roots, very West London. What would be an interesting challenge for my leading lady Shabana Azmi is that for the first time she plays British Indian. We haven’t seen her do a British film. Shabana will be playing an Indian woman who has been living in Britain for the last 45 years. She’s never done that before. Besides, I’ve a completely different take on being British Indian from what Indians perceive. My film is going to be the quintessential British comedy. When Shabana read the script she began to get the cultural connotations. For the first time I’m partnering up with Indian production companies The Indian Film Company and TV18. I’m very excited about that.

How was your last film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging received?
Oh, very well I made like it a coming-of-age British version of John Hughes’ 16 Candles. It was a very very English film. It came out in England with Mama Mia which was massive. It affected every movie that came out last summer. We did spectacular business in the matinee shows. But because of Mama Mia we weren’t able to expand into the evening shows. However, when we released Angus on DVD every parent presented one to their kids. As a result a lot of people wrote in to say how much they connected with the film as a parent and as a teenager. The film comes out in May 2009 in in the US. In America April-May is like a Diwali release in India.Paramount is releasing it in the US. The young lead Georgia Groome will become the British version of Jodie Foster. I like introducing new talent. I’m introducing a new girl in my new film It’s a Wonderful Afterlife.

What happened to Parminder Nagra after your Bend It Like Beckham?
She signed up for five years for the American soap ER. That’s quite an accomplishment for her. She’s quite a household face in the US. She chose to do television. In the West it’s still not easy for Asian actors to get a big break. No, I won’t say it’s easy for them to break into Hollywood.

Do you think the actors from Slumdog Millionaire will benefit from its success?
That’s a difficult question to answer. The good thing about this movie was that it was a movie with no big budget or Hollywood stars, and no American content so to speak, winning all these Oscars. It’s like someone in American making a film in Boston and winning all the Filmfare awards. I’d say it’s wonderful for A R Rahman and the grace with which he has accepted all the accolades was heartwarming. He’s an asset to India.

You share a unique personal rapport with Karan Johar?
Yes, in fact I sent the script for Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging to Karan in New York. He thought I had gone mad. After reading it he said his hormones refuse to go back to normal. He said he’d love to see a remake of the film situated in Chandigarh.

I believe you wanted to work with Shabana for a long time?
Who wouldn’t want to? Earlier I never had a script that would challenge her enough. I mean she has played everything. Here she not only gets to do a role that’s tonally different to what she has done so far, but also do comedy, and a British comedy at that. It’s not easy thing to do. I don’t think she’s done a film in England before. What she would find specially interesting is to work with a cast of British and Indian actors.

How much do you think the Slumdog factor matters to your cinema?
I don’t think it matters much to what I do. Though I don’t doubt moreIndian subjects will be greenlighted in the West. That’s not necessarily a good thing. I wouldn’t have made Slumdog Millionaire the way Danny Boyle made if it was offered to me. I’d have made a different film. That doesn’t mean Danny Boyle hasn’t made a film from his heart.For me what I’m doing in my new film It’s A Wonderful Afterlife is what I’m comfortable with. For a while something vital was missing from the script. I realized it was the Gurinder Chadha factor. I am making comedy. But the human essence was missing. I got down to it, left my kids to the nanny and got in front of the computer. Now I’m ready.

Barbara Mori insisted on The Kiss: Hrithik Roshan

While shooting a critical sequence in Santa Fe, Babara Mori made her shy co-star Hrithik Roshan discard his desi inhibitions to express love in one of its natural manifestations. The kiss.

After Dhoom 2 and the absolutely aesthetic kiss with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Hrithik will be seen doing a number of lip-locks with Barbara Mori in his next release, the much-anticipated Kites.

When asked about it Hrithik is amused. “Why are we even talking about kissing? Is that such a big deal ? Hasn’t our cinema grown up? Yes, there’re kissing scenes in the film. But nothing to make me squirm. In fact I’d be more than happy and completely comfortable watching those kissing scenes with my wife, son and parents when the film is released.”

Rationalizing the need to look at lip-locking in Bollywood rationally Hrithik argues, “Kites is a love story. It’s about people in love. And what do people in love do to express their mutual feelings? In fact it was Barbara Mori who made me realize how silly we look on screen while shying away from expressing love naturally.”

This happened while Hrithik and Barbara were shooting a tough and dangerous action sequence in Santa Fe.

“We were both supposed to jump off from a rooftop at an impossible height. Before we did so our director Anurag Basu suggested I kiss Barbara since we were doing something dead-defying and dangerous and potentially lethal. I reached out and kissed her on the cheeks. Barbara turned around to ask why I had kissed her on the cheek. ‘Given the same situation with your real-life wife Sussanne would you kiss her on the cheeek?’ I was floored by her logic.”

The take was repeated. “And this time I kissed her the way real-life couples would in the situation. On the lips,” says Hrithik with matter-of-fact directness.

Now getting ready for a long and final schedule of Kites in Mumbai Hrithik says, “I first shoot with Kangana Ranaut in December. And then Barbara joins us in January.” -

Mansi Salvi making a come back

Mansi salve who used to be a cute bahu and sweet face of television is back in action. Mansi was raising her baby and was on maternity leave from television but now after two years break she is come back with the Madhur Bhandarkar’s show on Sony, special @10, titled as Anjali. She is playing the lead in the show. We had a candid chat with Mansi about her role, career and her journey in the industry.

Tell us about your role in the show special @10?
I am playing a role of a doctor. Her name is Dr. Anjali Pradhan. She is a doctor in a small town called Dabrawati and there were some happenings in Dabrawati which were quite strange based on superstition and it is basically her fight against those beliefs.

You have delivered a baby so you enjoying motherhood? How’s your baby doing?
I am really happy and yes I am enjoying my motherhood a lot. And my baby is doing quite well and she is cooperating with my shooting schedule. Although this is my first project that I have shot for after a gap but she didn’t bother me much and so I am able to concentrate on my work well.

You are again working with Shakti Anand so tell us about him. How is he as a co-star?
It’s quite strange but before taking my break, two years back I shot in the same studio with Shakti and for the same channel. Sony and now coincidently I am back in the same studio with Shakti and the same channel. It’s really strange and weird. Shakti is always been very modest and down to earth guy and he is still the same person that he was. It was a pleasure to work with him again.

Its very difficult to bring a social change or awareness alone as there comes so many barriers and it happened in the soap also with you so what do you think is the reason people see things going wrong around them but never raise there voices?
Some are quite feeble to even raise their voices and some are scared about the fact that they won’t be supported but there are some who take a step forward. I think somebody has to take an initiative and has to be supported as the things are going to happen gradually but positively it will happen someday. As a human being we have evolved from what we were and what we are now, so everything is going to take time but someday things will definitely happen.

You being an actress would like to bring any social change or awareness?
I don’t want to look at any change or awareness globally or on the country level. My idea of creating an awareness and change is to do it from your home; anywhere where you are mingling around. It’s not necessary to go out of our way to bring a change or something, we can notice small small things around us which we generally ignore and we can bring a change right from our home after all “charity begins at home”.

Your fans are very happy to see you back on television so what do you want to tell them?
It’s great my fans have supported me from past twelve years from my first show Ashirwaad so I am glad they have been supporting me in all phases of my life, like while I was a student then I got married. Today I am a mother and they are still there with me. I can make out from the websites and comments and response that they give me it’s wonderful and I just want their love and support and that will keep me going for sure.

What were you doing all these days?
I was losing my weight, was working out to get back my shape and one best part that god has helped me that I have started looking the same what I used to look two years back. After losing my weight, I am quite happy. Initially it was very easy for me to just get and go for work and come back home and sleep but now things have changed. I have so many responsibilities. I have to take care of my daughter, my family but good thing is that my mother and in laws are very supportive and I so I am able to manage everything very well.

Where most of the tele-stars are seen in reality shows, you aren’t visible. Why?
I guess too much of commitment is required for the reality shows and as of now I am comfortable for four days shoot or something. But if anything good comes then I will definitely take it.

How would you describe your journey till now in the entertainment world?
For me, my graph was never too high, never too low. It’s always been steady. I have been able to do many things along with my career. I did my studies while I was shooting. It’s been a balance between everything. I always wanted it go slow and steady.

What else are you working on these days? Any new shows coming up?
No, nothing! I just want to concentrate on one show now. I am doing advertisements. I have done an advertisement for Britannia and one more. Frankly speaking, its going to be very difficult for me to take up a daily now but still if something good comes why not. I have a long way to go and I have just kept my fingers crossed.

‘99′ to bring back smiles for beleaguered Bollywood?

Though there is still some more time to go before the tumultuous phase at Bollywood comes to an end, there is little respite in store with the arrival of a new movie at the least. It is Kunal Khemmu and Soha Ali Khan starrer ‘99′ which would be seeing a release at single screens as well as multiplexes.

The film comes at the time when Bollywood is reeling under three way pressure. a) Producers v/s multiplex stand off is still on which means premier multiplex chains would have to wait for a while before films start screening there. b) Keeping aside this strike, 2009 has been a horrific year with barely a couple of movies managing to be successful at the box office. c) Recession, which showed it’s ugly face in 2008, has started showing it’s uglier side as hardly any new projects are currently being announced.

In such context, even if ‘99′ turns out to be a moderate success, it would be some reason to cheer at least. Not that it would make much difference to Bollywood score card since this small budget film is not expected to become a 50 crore super success overnight, hence bringing in good moolah back to the industry. In fact if the film manages to bring in even 20% of the stated figure, it would be celebration time for Bollywood.

So what kind of opening are we looking at for this comic caper which also stars Cyrus Broacha along with veterans Vinod Khanna, Boman Irani and Mahesh Manjrekar. Well frankly, in spite of ‘99′ being the first decent new film releasing after 6 weeks (’8X10 Tasveer’ was the last film with known names that arrived before the strike took off), there aren’t many expectations of an opening per se.

Moreover, promotion of the film has been below average, both on television as well as print media. Songs too haven’t been popular hence not really contributing to the buzz around the movie. What surely can be mentioned though is that the talkie promo of the film looks interesting, hence promising to be on the lines of a Guy Ritchie caper. If the entire film is as slick and interesting as the theatrical promo, we may actually have a film in hand that may go on to cover some distance in days to come.

Nevertheless, from an opening perspective, it would be a win in itself for the film if it manages to touch 50% mark on Friday. Fingers crossed and here is hoping that in the second quarter of 2009, ‘99′, which is directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, brings back some smiles into Bollywood.

Fardeen Khan’s back to work

Reports said that Fardeen Khan was totally devastated by the death of his father Feroze Khan, a while back and had taken it really very badly.

In fact Ajay Devgan, the producer of his forthcoming film, gave him a few days off.

Now he’s recovered somewhat and is starting work again.

Currently he’s doing a film which has middle eastern influences. Something which his father did in a small way in ‘Qurbani’, ‘Janasheen’ and also some other roles he played.

In ‘Basra’ he shares screen space with Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna. It’s being produced by Nikhil Advani and directed by ‘Manorama Six Feet Under’ director Navdeep Singh.

The film is expected to go on the floors in a couple of weeks.

It’s set in the Iraqi town of Basra, from which it gets its title. The story deals with post 9/11 Iraq, with the US forces invading the country in their attempt to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

The music of the film scored by Kailash Kher will have a lot of Middle Eastern influences.

Fardeen hopefully is fully recovered and gives a great performance to make up a bit for the huge void in his life.

Kites initial publicity ignores Kangana Ranaut?

One look at the Kites synopsis and it immediately strikes that there is no mention of Kangana Ranaut who plays a significant role in this Hrithik Roshan – Barbara Mori starrer. Kites is directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Hrithik’s dad Rakesh Roshan.

Our source involved with the film however reveals, “Kites has Hrithik playing a salsa teacher. Kangana plays a very rich girl and is shown as Hrithik’s dance student. Her role is comparatively shorter than that of Barbara in the film.”

Kangana seems to be heavily banking on this film as it’s the only big project she has on her hands right now. With a big raw deal given to her with the film’s initial publicity campaign, one wonders what unpleasant surprises are stored ahead for her.

Take a look at it yourself and decide whether Kangana has been given a raw deal or not -

“In the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, a mortally wounded man is left for dead in the heat of the desert sun. This is J (Hrithik Roshan) - once a street-smart, carefree young guy and now a wanted man. As death looms, the only thing that keeps him alive is the quest to find the love of his life, Natasha (Barbara Mori). A woman, betrothed to another man, surely destined for J; a woman who comes into his life like a bolt of lightning, and changes his life forever.

Love is a moment. The moment J and Natasha saw each other, words were not necessary. In that moment, they knew instantly that they belonged together. But something went wrong. The ensuing fight of the two lovers resulted in a deadly chase. J battles death, but nothing can prepare him for what he is about to discover.

Kites is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. It is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship which takes two lovers on a journey that is filled with violence and death, of precious moments that are unforgettable. Finally, it is a story of betrayal that is beyond comprehension.”

Barbara Mori–Hrithik Roshan at Cannes

Hrithik Roshan is heading for Cannes with his first international project Kites later this week.

Father Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu will accompany the film’s leading man.

Barbara Mori will also be joining Hrithik in Cannes.

Rakesh Roshan who is frantically working to complete all the details took time off to proudly confirm the rendezvous at Cannes.

“Yes Hrithik, Anurag, representatives from Big Pictures and I will be in Cannes later this week.Barbarba Mori will be joining us from Mexico.We’ll be screening a specially-prepared trailer of Kites on 15th. Then on 16 May we’ll screen the film at Cannes for internantional buyers.”

So far all of Rakesh Roshan’s productions have been very desi in their appeal. Kites is being taken to an international audience. And Cannes is the first stop, therefore very important.

Says Rakesh, “We hope to pitch Kites as our production house’s first truly international product. Cannes is a very important venue for international cinema. That’s why we’ve made sure to complete the film in time although Anurag Basu and I have been working against time to do do. But we’ve managed.”

Miraculously Rakesh Roshan and Big Pictures have been able to circumvent the current producers-multiplex deadlock to take Kites to Cannes.

Defends Rakesh Roshan, “Why should the strike in the mutiplexes affect our visit to Cannes? We aren’t breaking any of conditions laid down during the strike. We’re not screening our film publicly or for the media at Cannes. This is a screening only for potential buyers from the West.”

The Kites team leaves for Cannes reaches Cannes on May 14 and leaves on the morning of May 17.They’ll be staying at The Martinez in Cannes.

Abhishek and Aishwarya travel like Crazy

It’s been a time of incredible traveling and stock -taking for Bollywood’s golden couple who are now in Cannes.

But believe it or not, just a few days earlier they were in Bhopal, visiting Mrs Jaya Bachchan’s mother who lives in the city.

Says a source, “It was a flash visit last week. Abhishek and Aishwarya had never visited his Naani together. They wanted to surprise her. They had a day off. So they just took off for the day. There was no direct flight. So they had to take a hopping flight. But it was finally worth it because the visit made their grandmother in Bhopal so happy.”

And now the Golden Couple has taken off for Cannes at a very short notice.

Says a source, “They’ve both gone on a personal and very special invitation from the Cannes festival. Aishwarya attends the festival opening or closing every year, depending on the time availability. Abhishek just decided to accompany his wife on the special invitation of the Festival.”

They return immediately. Aishwarya resumes shooting with Akshay Kumar for Vipul Shah’s Instant Replay. Abhishek joins his father for another schedule of Balki’s Paa.

Incidentally he can’t wait to abandon his clean-shaven look for Paa and get back to his stubbled look.

Abhishek Bachchan watches Chelsea Vs Barcelona semi-final game with Clive Owen

Abhishek Bachchan was a special invitee for the Chelsea v/s Barcelona to the invited to the game by Chelsea Football Club. He watched the game in the company of Peter Kenyon, CEO of Chelsea Football Club, England’s national coach Capello and Oscar nominated actor Clive Owen of The International and Closer fame, Carles Puyol - Barcelona Captain. Bachchan Jr. was also in fact the first one to be presented the new ‘jersey’ of Chelsea team. It was Abhishek’s seventh trip and he flew to London just to watch the game and flew back to India the next day. However, he has been following the Premier League avidly on television back home. Abhishek is a self proclaimed Chelsea fan. In fact in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom his character Ricki Thukral was shown as one too.

Abhishek’s spokesperson, confirming the news told us, ‘Yes Abhishek was specially invited for the game. In fact the Chelsea Football Club does keep sending him invites for all their games. Abhishek always tries his best to catch their games lives as much as he can whenever he is not shooting.”

Arjun can’t stop raving about Nicole Kidman

Arjun Rampal is holidaying in the Caribbean islands but he’s disturbed in the midst of his holiday with too many text messages.

And all of them are about the latest Schweppes commercial that he filmed with blonde beauty Nicole Kidman recently.

And he just can’t stop raving about the svelte beauty.

He’s said, “She’s tall, fabulous, gorgeous, and professional and has ball of fire rolling. She’s a bit of a serious person and was overpoweringly attractive before the lens.”

Ok, maybe he thinks praising her a lot will help him bag a good Hollywood project.

Interestingly in the commercial Nicole Kidman walks straight into his room unzipping her dress.

Ummm… so this chap got a chance to get lucky with a gori chick.

He explains, “It’s quite a gripping humor at the end where Nicole walks and unzips her dress intending to go for. Fine It’s up to audiences to decide what I would go for… Schweppes or Nicole”

And his joy doesn’t end there. The makers have now decided to take this commercial to the Cannes International Festival.

He’s said, “I’m not sure attending the ceremony. But I guess there would be whole of fun to spend 24hrs of time in Cannes with my family.”

Sometimes a lot of good things do happen together. We just hope he doesn’t get too carried away and forget the fact that B-Town success came to him after many years of struggle.

Salman Khan gives 10 Ka Dum makers the scare

Yet again Salman Khan has put the makers of his reality game show 10 Ka Dum in jeopardy.

Sources inform, Salman Khan earlier shot the promo for 10 Ka Dum and along that he was supposed to shoot four episodes of the reality show. But Salman just left after shooting the promos for the shoot of Veer in London. He did not the shoot for the show episodes. The makers were then left worried as how will they be able to deliver on their announced show date on May 30th when Salman is now still in London shooting for Veer?

However, Salman’s spokesperson has informed us that Salman is coming back from London and will start shooting for the episodes on May 20th now so that the deadline is met.

Salman was a huge hit with the audiences in the first season of 10 Ka Dum where he wooed and wowed the audiences in his inimitable style. Sometimes shaking a leg, sometimes breaking into a song and often answering questions about his girlfriend and marriage, it was a different side of Khan that very few had seen.

According to an industry source, “It was a mutual agreement between Salman and the show makers about the reduction in his fee charges for the second season and it wasn’t forced on him as a few tabloids reported. Looking at the popularity there is a buzz that Salman has been signed for the third season as well.”

First Look Of Kites at Cannes Film Festival

BIG Pictures, motion pictures brand of Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd today unveiled the first look of KITES, its tent pole international production at a press conference held in Cannes.

Present at the conference were Indian superstar Hrithik Roshan, Mexican actress Barbara Mori, director Anurag Basu and writer, producer Rakesh Roshan. The cast and crew unveiled a teaser trailer and some key art posters of KITES (www.kites-thefilm.com). This will be followed by a cocktail reception hosted by BIG Pictures, today evening for KITES cast, crew, international buyers and distributors.

Sunir Kheterpal, Chief Operating Officer, BIG Pictures, says, “KITES brings together India’s premier production house (Filmkraft and Producer Rakesh Roshan), Top Acting Talent from India (Hrithik Roshan) and Mexico (Barbara Mori), International Crew and India’s most well known name in the global filmed entertainment business (BIG Pictures). We are extremely proud to be associated with Filmkraft for marketing and distributing KITES and have put together a diverse team with relevant international experience to take the Film to the widest possible international audiences. Cannes 2009 is the beginning of this exciting journey”.

Producer Rakesh Roshan adds, “Filmkraft is India’s most, forward looking film production house. With each of our film we have tired to push the envelope with path breaking technique, story telling and novel presentation. A film like KITES has never been attempted in India before. This is our attempt to tap the mainstream international audience and we are hopeful that with an able partner like BIG Pictures, we will be able to meet this objective”

Director Anurag Basu says, “I am glad Rakesh Roshan and Hritik Roshan entrusted me with an opportunity to direct KITES. It has been an enriching experience to shoot the film with an international team across world cites. I am happy that KITES is getting such great exposure at Cannes Film Festival, the world’s biggest film market.”

Actor Hrithik Roshan says, “KITES is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. With an internationally renowned crew and crisp story telling we have attempted to create a film which we feel has a scope to reach wider world audience and set new benchmarks.”

Actress Barbara Mori says, “KITES is my first international experience of working in a film with Indian cast and I must say it has been extremely overwhelming. I have cherished every moment of being a part of this film…it’s been like being part of a family. I am glad KITES is being marketed at the Cannes film festival and looking forward to the response the film gets.”

KITES is being marketed extensively across international platforms. BIG Pictures is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the film at the Cannes Film Festival. The cast and crew of the film will be present during all activities related to KITES at the Cannes Film Festival.

KITES also stars Kangana Ranaut, Nick Brown and Kabir Bedi in pivotal roles. Two versions of the film are being readied for release in the last quarter of 2009. In the international markets, KITES will release in the English language version where as in India, the film will release in the Hindi version, which has been shot simultaneously.

Shahid-Priyanka’s closer ties

Since he broke up with Kareena Kapoor, he’s been linked with( in fact he was accused of having something for Ayesha Takia even when he was with Bebo), Amrita Rao and most recently with Priyanka Chopra.

By the way, no one cares about his first showbiz girlfriend Hrishita Bhatt anyway! She ain’t no star after all!

The speculations started after they were spotted hanging out together at parties and many other occasions. In fact even when Priyanka was hospitalized, Shahid was spotted like the caring lover.

Though they never came out in the open like how Shahid in his naughty lovey dovey days was seen allegedly clicked kissing Kareena at a pub, many are sure they are a couple.

Shahid and Piggy Chops haven’t confirm anything and are enjoying life instead. But now it seems they are finally ready to do some ‘khullam khulla pyar’.

The Café Bitch heard Shahid say, “Priyanka and I are good friends. However, people have been jumping the gun. If we take our relationship further, I may talk about it; but people are in a rush to link us together.”

Well, that’s means Sasha is not denying his thing for Piggy Chops.

As for the girl herself, she spoke out against Shahid’s strong headed ex Bebo recently and shooed off her and beau Saif’s allegations that Sasha is using their name to publicize ‘Kaminay’.

She hit back by saying it was a great piece of work by Vishal Bharadwaj with a good story/ cast/ production house and doesn’t need anyone’s support or help.

Awww…hit Kareena where it hurts, huh?

But that’s talking like a caring lady love.

The Café- Bitch is quite sure that something’s brewing between the two. This sure is going to be an interesting love story, until of course both go separate ways. If the beginning and middle is so damn interesting, the end sure would be.

Watch this space for more

Out with Daadi, in with Naani: Ava Mukherjee

84-year-old Ava Mukherjee may have won hearts as the Ayurvedic Concepts Dadima, but people still stop her on the streets to ask her how Shahrukh is doing. Why? Because thanks to re-runs of “Devdas” on TV, they see her as Dev’s beloved Dadima again and again. But that was then, this is now - her most ambitious role, one she has taken on with the vitality and vigour of a 34 year old. Meet “Detective Naani”.

Tell us a little about your film “Detective Naani”
“Detective Naani” is a feel-good family film that happens to be a mystery thriller as well. A crime is committed in Naani’s society complex in Mumbai. When she decides to solve the case along with her 2 grandkids, neighbours and dog Bruno, the laughs, thrills and spills start rolling.

So, it’s a children’s film?
It’s a film for all ages. Kids, teenagers, 30-somethings, senior citizens, all play a major role in solving this crime. Each one approaches the case through his/her own point of view, giving rise to hilarious hijinks, romantic squabbles, nail-biting tension and emotional moments of drama.

The film seems to have many characters. Then why is it called “Detective Naani”?
Because Naani is the sole witness to the crime. When no one believes her story, she becomes the leader of this team of home-made detectives. Her relentless search for one little victim forms the heart and soul of the story.

How did you approach the role? Did you identify with Naani?
Haha, funnily enough, I don’t have any grandchildren. But I love kids. I’m a people person. I love being active and in touch with everything that’s going on in the world. I drool over Gregory Peck and George Clooney at the same time, and can watch a Kishore Kumar or an Akshay Kumar comedy any number of times.
So when I read this script I felt that this was a very unconventional Naani, a real “cool cat”, as my daughter would say. Who can resist that. I even worked hard to learn Hindi for the role.

Any memorable moments while working on this film?
Oh yes. The scenes with the kids and dog always kept me laughing. Our Labrador dog Bruno was a character. The director had a running shot which started with little Nakul giving Bruno food from the dining table, then taking a phone call, then getting up and answering the doorbell.

In one take Bruno would refuse the food, but when Nakul would take the phone call Bruno would start sniffing him, searching for the food. I don’t know how the kids kept a straight face.
In the next take, Bruno would again refuse the food, but when Nakul would finish the phone call and go off to answer the door, then Bruno would quietly steal the food from the table and eat it up. When Bruno finally got it right, it turned out to be the most boring take.

Any shooting experiences involving you?
Ah, my poor memory was a big joke on the set. Having the main role means remembering so many lines! In one scene I had to be very tough with the CID, and there was a lot of important dialogue to be delivered in one flow. I did it with full force, and then when the director said “Cut” I collapsed in relief and went, “Oof, orre baapre” in Bengali. Everyone cracked up. After that, the cast and crew would keep saying “Orre baapre”

What kind of genre does “Detective Naani” come under?
“Detective Naani” doesn’t come under the usual horror, murder, romance or comedy genre. It draws from real life where we go through so many emotions all the time, from laughter to sorrow, fear…to hope, love and warmth.

For all the feel-good fun that happens while solving this case, the crime itself is a very serious one, the kind that makes the headlines on a regular basis. And though the characters get caught up in larger-than-life situations, they are basically like you and me, real and relatable.

Why should people go and see “Detective Naani”?
So that they can feel good for days and days. So that they feel inspired by watching ordinary people do extraordinary things to right a wrong. We are living in extraordinary times after all, and now is the time for us to be alert, active, plucky citizens. If Naani & Co. can do it, anyone can

Aamir Khan goes skiing

Aamir Khan has decided to take a break from work and globe throttle with his two children.

All work and no play can make anyone dull, including Mr. Perfectionist.

His next film is Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Three Idiots’ on which he’s working very hard. In fact he’s been working non-stop for the last two years and hence has taken a long sabbatical for two months to holiday with his children.

He recently enjoyed his Canadian skiing vacation thoroughly and is recommending it to everyone.

He’s said: “Those of you who have the resources and ability to try out skiing please do so, it is absolutely one of the best things I have done in a long time.”

Actually it was his kids, son Junaid and daughter Ira who forced him to try the sport.

He’s said: “Thanks to my persistent kids I ended up committing to a week of skiing, and I am glad I did. We were in Banff, a popular ski resort in Canada, a very warm and friendly place and great for skiing. Lovely slopes, very good facilities and great instructors. My kids have been there twice before, first time for me.”

Well, Mr. Perfectionist deserves all the fun in the world. We just hope he advises people to take extra care and all kinds of precautions too as someone as huge as talented English actress Natasha Richardson lost her life in a unfortunate skiing accident in Canada only about two months ago.

Aamir’s advise sure could be heeded by all and sundry.

Onir has big plans

Acclaimed filmmaker Onir, post Sorry Bhai is planning to launch a series of five films. First one, titled Abhimanyu will have the backdrop of a survivor of child sexual abuse. His second will be Omar based on gigolos. It will showcase about how such men are harassed and given step motherly treatment. A common thread between society, family, his third film will be titled Afia.

Onir has already written the script for three stories and is in the process of finalising the other two. Onir states, “I am planning Abhimanyu in June, Omar in July and Afia to go on floors in August. The fourth film is Megha which I am busy scripting right now. The fifth projects shall be worked on soon.”

“All the five stories will be based on real life tales. Each of my short stories would be content-oriented rather than being gimmicky or trying to be overtly issue-based. I can promise though that all these subjects are the kinds that have never been touched in Hindi films,” Onir says.

In regards to the casting of his film, Onir says he would begin casting for the film in a week from now and start shooting in June and will be directing all the five stories himself. He adds, “My idea is to make available each film for educational / awareness purposes and at the same time be put together and released as a single film. At the end of the day, it is important for the normal cinema going audience to see this film. You never know, tomorrow Abhimanyu could be your own child.”

But what is unique about the project is that Onir plans to raise money for the films from the audience. “The film will be partly financed by our banner Anticlock films and partly by the audience. The audience will be the co-workers of the film. Even when I produced my brother Niklhil, Sanjay Suri and I raised money through friends. We all put the money together from different parts of the world, and made the film possible. I have already put across the idea on my blog as well as face book and websites. There are many people who have come forward to contribute. Some are ready to do the promotions for me. They are marketing heads. A singer came with his own songs and said that I could use them. My films are alredy TMG nominated scripts. I will have 5 different music directors, amongst them Amit and Pritam have already been finalized the others are in the process of being finalized.” he adds before signing off.

Mithun Da and Big B to share screen space after 19 years

There’s buzz going around that veteran actors, Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakroborty will once again be teaming up together after a long gap of 19 years. The two greats were last scene sharing the screen space in Agneepath. Their performance in the film was highly appreciated but things didn’t go well when the two worked in Jaadugar and both of them were not on talking terms after this. But it seems now director Vivek Sharma has convinced and signed the two veterans for his upcoming project Buddham Sharanam Ghachammi.

The flick is expected to hit the floors later this year. It’s surely going to be a treat of Amitabh and Mithun’s fans.

Freida Pinto upset with her leaked bold pictures

Making a name for herself with Slumdog Millionaire, actress Frieda Pinto isn’t a happy lady at the moment. The gorgeous diva is upset with the bold pictures of her been circulated all over the internet, which she had shot for a calendar in 2006. If this wasn’t enough, Freida was stunned to find picture of her while stepping out of a portable toilet during the shoot of Julain Schnabel’s Miral on many blogs.

The actress is paying a heavy price for being famous as even her private moments with her boyfriend Dev Patel was been captured in a camera and posted on the internet. But Frieda should understand that a celebrity has to go through all this and shouldn’t get upset due to it.

Who’s trying to sabotage Kunal Kohli’s film?

Reports in sections of the media suggesting that Kunal Kohli submitted the same script to Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan have intrigued not just the director but also his colleagues from the filmmaking fraternity who wonder why the two actors needed to make a public issue of the matter, and if Yashraj Films from whom Kunal is supposed to have broken away with some acrimony, are in way behind these ‘stall’ tales.

Says a director – colleague also a part of Yashraj once, “I wonder which is more unethical. To give the same script to two actors or for the actors to compare notes and gloat in the press about it?”

Kunal is reluctant to speak on the matter. When coaxed he finally says, “I know Ranbir would never speak to damage my project, regardless of whether he does my film or not.Besides I did not submit the same script to the two actors. ”

That leaves us with the question on why Imran Khan has been comparing notes about his scripts with his colleagues and tomtomming the fact in the press when in fact Kohli says he has just finished his script and will now approach the suitable actor.(Apparently it’s Saif again).

According to Kohli he’s producing two films.One of the subjects is to be directed by Kunal’s assistant while the other is a political satire which he will co-produce with Big Pictures.

A theory doing the rounds is that sections of Yashraj Films from where Kohli broke away last year were spreading the rumours in the bid to stop top actors from working with him.

But Kunal Kohli gives Yashraj a clean chit. “My wife Raveena still works for Yashraj and my relations with them are cordial. Aditya Chopra is too above all these things. But I would like to say that no actor should disclose which project comes to him. Have you ever heard Mr Bachchan or Shah Rukh talking about what they are offered? My Hum Tum went to Hrithik Roshan and Viveik Oberoi before it came to Saif. Did you ever hear those two actors talking about Hum Tum? Are you aware of how many actors were offered Lagaan? All these premature efforts to talk about my cast is just so annoying.”

In brief, Imran Khan’s statements suggesting that Kunal Kohli came to him with the same script that he gave to Imran are premature and unethical.

Over to you, Imran. (The actor remained unavailable for comment).

Slumdog kids: Still rotting in the rut

He was on Oscar pedestal sometime ago but life is back to square one and worse for Mohammad Azharuddin in less than three months.

His shanty in Garib Nagar in Bandra, a Mumbai suburb, was torn down by the Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika (BMC) recently.

The young lad, who won accolades for his performance as Salim in the film, was seen among debris of his home. He was seen playing with a chicken among the debris.

The 10-year old just said, “I was sleeping when people came and broke down my house.The police chased us out of our house.”

It was ironic as the boy came to Mumbai in a white Mercedes after winning at the Oscars only a few months ago. His luckier co-stars Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto and Dev Patel have gone miles forward.

The film brought fame and good education to Azhar but also put his illegal house in focus.

Azhar’s mother said, “The municipality has been breaking down our house 10-15 times every year. They just come, run bulldozers over and break the place for no reason. We are illiterate and don’t know who to go to for justice. If we question the BMC, they chase us away and the police asks us for a fine of Rs 5,000. If we had a proper house to live in, why would we still live here and suffer? We don’t have any other place to live.”

And that’s that. The real reality of the country we live in. Where all kinds of flash in the pan acts go down the drain.

The middle age songs were really horrible: Neha Marda

Gorgeous actress Neha Marda from Sphere Origins’s Balika Vadhu speaks on music.

Q. Which songs are you enjoying most these days?
A. Very soothing songs because right now I am in Goa so the Thai and the Chicago music really soothes ones ears.

Q. Which film songs from the recent releases have appealed most to you?
A. I think Soniyo from raaz and songs from Delhi 6.

Q. What do you like most – original or remix?
A. Originals.

Q. Which are your five all time favorite songs?
A. Pal pal dil ke paas, You say the most when you say nothing at all, Aaoge jab tum, Maula from Chak De and Soniyo from Raaz.

Q. Which is your favourite romantic song?
A. Soniyo from Raaz and You say the most when you say nothing at all are the most romantic songs for me.

Q.Which opinion is most close to your heart – Today’s songs are better than oldies, Today’s songs are as good as oldies had been or Today’s songs are worse than oldies.
A. It is very subjective right now. The middle age songs were really horrible songs I believe but now we have Aatif Aslam and Kailash Kher, people who have given some amazingly good songs. The whole tone has made a lot of difference, the kind of music has changed; the lyrics have improved a lot too.

Q. How do you look at the concept – Old is Gold?
A. I respect this concept, but with the context with somebody who is experienced enough, somebody like grandparents, I believe they are old and gold

When Abhishek Bachchan played loving grandson

Abhishek Bachchan along with wife Aishwarya found time from his busy schedule for another member of his family, he’s close to.

That member happens to be Jaya Bachchan’s mother who he met in Bhopal, just before he and wifey flew to France to attend the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.

A source has revealed: “It was a flash visit last week. Abhishek had never visited his naani with Aishwarya. They wanted to surprise her. They had a day off. So they just took off for the day. There was no direct flight. So they had to take a hopping flight. But it was finally worth it because the visit made their grandmother in Bhopal so happy.”

The Bachchans can never stop showing off their family ties in public. This sure is one big happy family.

And they mix business with pleasure quite well.

After the meeting, the two took off for Cannes to attend the festival that opened Wednesday.

The source added, “They’ve both gone on a personal and very special invitation from the Cannes Festival organisers. Aishwarya attends the festival opening or closing every year depending on the availability of time. Abhishek just decided to accompany his wife on the special invitation from the festival organizers.”

But they will return immediately so that Aishwarya can resume shooting with Akshay Kumar for Vipul Shah’s ‘Action Replay’, while Abhishek will join his father, Amitabh Bachchan, for his next schedule of R Balakrishnan’s ‘Paa’.

Well, whatever, one must say the Bachchans how to balance their personal and professional lives well! Many B-Town folks have a lot to learn from them

Suno Na Review

Movie Review: Suno Na – Ek Nanhi Aawaz; Star Cast: Tara Sharma, Dharmendra Gohil, Avinash Tiwari, Rinku Patel, Makarand Shukla and Neha Baam; Director: Amy Thanawala; Rating: * 1/2 - Is simply boring.

Small town girl from Andhra, Anupama’s (Tara Sharma) boyfriend ditches her after she becomes pregnant. But Anu taking a brave step decides to get keep the child much against her family’s wishes. Facing their opposition, she moves to Mumbai with her best friend Raina (Rinku Patel) and even manages to get a job. Soon she begins experiencing an unusual thing. She starts hearing her yet unborn child talking to her. She names her unborn child Sammy and starts enjoying conversations with it. As Anu sets out to get a father for her child, she encounters three men from varied backgrounds. First one is her neighbour, musician HMV (Avinash), the second one is middle class professor Dhruv (Dharmendra Gohil) and the third one is her office colleague Deepak (Makrand). But then as Anu is trying to zero down on one, she realizes HMV is gay, Deepak is too conservative to accept someone else’s child and Dhruv is heartbroken on knowing she is carrying someone’s child without marrying him. Finally it boils down to a hospital climax which is the height of idiocy wherein all the three suitors are shown going inside the labour room wearing the scrubs. As expected by the audience by now, the new born turns out to be a girl. Professor saab Dhruv then makes Anu realize that it was her own inner voice she was listening to and not the unborn baby’s!

The whole concept of the film is suited more for a TV serial than a full fledged film. As you sit down to watch the film, your interest wanes of 20 minutes into the film. Lack of imaginative writing, screenplay full of clichés seen umpteen times before starts grating on your nerves and you wait for the film to end. Towards the end also you lose the curiosity who shall Anu end up with.

Tara Sharma is a decent actress but has a bad dialogue delivery. Amongst the three newcomers in male leads, Avinash Tiwari is okay while the rest two just about pass the muster. Rinku Patel is good.

Just give this film a pass and save yourself the agony which seems much worse than actual labour pains.

I really liked Shahid Kapoor: Prachi Desai

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I was born in Gujrat but grew up in Panchgani.

Q. Were you a good student?
A. Not really. Till 7th or 8th standard I was a good student but after that I lost interest in studies.

Q. What was the worst popular trend when you were going to college?
A. We were not allowed to follow any trend at that time. But when in school we used to keep big nails and different hair cuts in spite of the teachers strict restrictions.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. I always wanted to be an actress.

Q. What is the craziest thing you ever did to let a guy to notice you?
A. I didn’t do anything. I was in a girl’s school and when I went to college I really didn’t do anything since I only studied till 11th standard and when in 12th I shifted to Mumbai. There was no time actually for me to go to disco et al. It actually never happened.

Q. What were your hobbies back then and now?
A. When I was in college I was already acting. I started acting at the age of 17. Well dance was one of my secret hobbies. I liked to dance a lot. Now also dancing is my hobby but at the same time I like listening to music also.

Q. What rumours were people spreading about you then and now?
A. There were a lot of rumours at that time for sure and right now I don’t know if there are any rumours. If I see something in newspaper I will tell you.

Q. What nick names did you have back then and now?
A. I did not have any nick name at that time which I really miss. But now when I started working, people here call me chotu because I am very small. It is a very cute name but not a girly one.

Q. What did you do for fun? And now?
A. On weekends, we used to go for movies after college. We went for shopping, at friend’s birthday party and so on. Now I rarely do anything.

Q. What advice did your parents give you when you were in college? And now?
A. My parents were never forceful but they did advise me for studies as I was in hostel. They never stopped me from going out with friends as long as the study went on properly.

Q. Who was your sweetheart in college and now?
A. I think there were a lot of people whom I must have liked but I don’t remember them now. But I had a true friend, a very nice friend whose name was Manti. She was my best friend from Burma, a chinki girl. She was very sweet and it was really nice time I had with her. Now I don’t have the time and I regret that I did not do anything when I had the time in my hands.

Q. With which celebrity you wanted to go to an isolated island? What was your naughtiest fantasy with him?
A. When I was in school I really liked Shahid Kapoor and now I like Hrithik Roshan. I don’t think fantasies are supposed to be out, but sorry there haven’t been any.

When Sanjay Dutt bailed out ‘Aladin’ director

While it is common news that Sanjay Dutt plays the role of ‘Ringmaster’ in Sujoy Ghosh directed ‘Aladin’, not many are aware that he was also supposed to star in another film called ‘Borivali’ with Sujoy. Though it’s a different matter that the film never took off and Sujoy went on to make ‘Aladin’, the film maker fondly remembers the time when the actor agreed to work in the film unconditionally.

“A few years back I was supposed to work with Sir (Amitabh Bachchan) on this film called ‘Borivali’. However, it was stuck because of budget. Also, I needed another actor who could stand up to Sir. I had my apprehensions though. Since it was a very dark and disturbing role, not many actors would have wanted to do that role”, remembers Sujoy as he goes back down the memory lane.

Sanjay Gupta (Kaante, Musafir) was the first to lend a helping hand.

Says Sujoy, “In one of our conversations around ‘Borivali’, Gups (Sanjay Gupta) asked me that why hadn’t I considered Dutt saab for the role. Even as I told him that I didn’t have the balls to ask him to do such a dark role, he reprimanded me for not showing courage. In fact he further reinstated my belief by telling me that Dutt saab was just perfect for the role and no one but him would actually have the guts to play that role. He further assured me that he would have a word with Dutt saab on ‘Borivali’”, Sujoy explains the turn of events.

Eventually Sanjay Gupta took Sujoy to a coffee shop where Sanjay Dutt was having a meeting.

“I can never ever forget the moments that followed. I was genuinely nervous as Gups called Dutt saab out. He joined us and soon Gups told Dutt saab that I was in a bit of a problem and that could be solved if he did that role. Guess what Dutt saab said in a split second reaction? ‘Cool bro…I’ll do it’. Now these are some words of reassurance that so much work for you when you are in deep trouble. He didn’t ask for any script or narration. All he needed to hear was that someone was in trouble and he can help that someone. Nothing else mattered for him”, says Sujoy fondly.

This was not the end of the story. Before returning to his meeting, he had further guidance for Sujoy. “As he was going, on his own he guided me: ‘Bro, take a letter from me; it will help you’. Really, no heart gets bigger than this. No wonder, I still have that letter”, concludes an emotional Sujoy.

An co-production of EROS and Boundscript that also stars Jackie Fernandez as the leading lady opposite Riteish Deshmukh, ‘Aladin’ has music by Vishal & Shekhar and is all set for a 24th July release.

99 Premiere held at PVR Phoenix

The premiere of People Pictures’ 99 was held at PVR Phoenix, on Thursday May 11th late evening. It was a well attended affair comprising of cast and crew of the film and the Bollywood celebrities.

The premiere saw 99 lead stars Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha present and also one of the main highlights of the film, actor Mahesh Manjrekar whose character AGM had everyone laughing throughout the screening. Mahesh fresh from the success of his Marathi blockbuster film, Me Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy was in a jolly mood. Cyrus the joker that he is came in most casually dressed wearing a ‘99’ T-shirt and knee length shorts. This film has Cyrus in his first full fledged role. He was his funny self as well and was heard telling a journo before the screening that this film is basically a love story of him and Kunal with lot of thrills and frills thrown in.



While we didn’t see the heroine of the film, Soha Ali Khan around, the glam quotient was provided by model Anchal Kumar who is supposedly a ‘good friend’ of producer of the film, Anupam Mittal. Also making head turns were model turned actress Urvashi Sharma and Taare Zameen Par actress Tisca Chopra who simply looked ‘WOW’ in a short dress.

Katrina Kaif cheers for Royal Challengers

Bollywood’s rising super starlet Katrina Kaif who is also the brand ambassador of the IPL team, Royal Challengers on Thursday May 14th evening joined the fans of the IPL team in Mumbai at the ITC Grand Maratha to cheer the team for the match against the Chennai Super Kings. Katrina also gave away merchandise, hampers and prizes to the ten lucky fans who won an online and on ground contest to join her at this event.

Katrina like a true blue fan cum brand ambassador came in donning the Royal Challengers jersey at the event and her enthusiasm about the team could be noticed as she interacted with the contest winners. Speaking on the occasion on the dais she said, “It has been a great pleasure for me to be a part of Royal Challengers, a team with a great talent pool. The team has been performing well this season and I wish them all the best to continue their sportsmanship for the rest of the tournament. I would like to thank our fans and enthusiasts for their immense support and undeterred faith in the team and players. I will continue to cheer for the Royal Challengers for every match they will play.”


Katrina will be cheering for the Royal Challengers across the country with Mumbai following the screenings in the hometown Bangalore and then Hyderabad.

John Abraham meets the Governor of Maharashtra

Thursday May 14th evening saw Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon brand ambassador John Abraham coming together with the Governor of Maharashtra, his Excellency Mr. S.C. Jamir at an event held at Hotel Trident at Nariman Point, Mumbai to announce the charity raised in the year 2009 and for felicitating the winners of the ‘Best Published Photograph’ competition.

The charity amount raised through the sixth edition of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon held in January 2009 was declared to be a whopping Rs 7.75 crores. At the event, all those individuals and companies who worked selflessly to raise the highest amounts for charity were recognized and felicitated.
John attired in a formal wear looked dashing as usual and also posed for photographs with the Governor and his wife. He also spoke about the importance of the annual event and lauded the efforts and hard work gone behind making it a huge success this year

Kites Bollywood movie – Hrithik Roshan warming upto Mexican beauty Barbara Mori | Barbara Mori Wallpapers