Tees Maar Khan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna

Director: Farah Khan

Rating: **

Farah Khan tried all the industrial tricks to give a real hit during the Christmas with the hit pair Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in Tees Maar Khan. However, all the hype created around ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ could not safeguard this latest Farah Khan flick.

Akshaye Khanna plays a superstar Aatish Kapoor, who dreams to win an Academy Award one day. Katrina is a wannabe actress Anya, who also happens to be the girlfriend of Tees Maar Khan (Akshay Kumar).

The conman disguised as a Hollywood filmmaker ‘Tees Maar Khan’ plans a big train robbery of 10, 000 kilograms of antiques and goes for a fake shooting of a film. He even goes on signing Aatish Kapoor as the hero and appoints some villagers for this purpose.

But then, the viewers will scratch their hair to find logic behind Aatish signing for the act. The film does not have the typical flavor of Farah Khan films.

It seems she messed up the things after signing Akshay and Katrina or more concentration went to the much talked item number ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’. The spice factor is missing and tries to go by the slapstick way.

The film is a remake of 1966 movie Caccia Alla Volpe but one change in the Hindi version is that the robbery is shifted to train than the original ship.

However, Farah could play around the interesting train plot and somewhere the magic and charm got lost. It seems Sheila is the only spicy thing in the story with her raunchy choreography.

Why would Shah Rukh do that to me: Ajay Devgn

In one of his most candid interviews, Ajay Devgn talks about everything -- from his favourite toons to his rivalry with Akshay Kumar

Ajay Devgn is a risk-taker. He debuted as an action star but today he's just as popular in the comedy and the drama genres. With four successive hit films in a row, he has never been in a better position.

While most actors are comfortable in their comfort zone, AD has acted in films as diverse as Raajneeti and Golmaal 3 this year.

And his Friday release is a live animation film, which has not been attempted by any A-List actor in India.

I spend an interesting hour with the actor at his Juhu bungalow to chat about his latest film Toonpur Ka Superrhero over cups of coffee. Read on...

Your fav cartoon characters while growing up?
Tom and Jerry were my favorite toons. I found them cute and maybe because I liked action, I liked their attacks on each other. Also the cat-and-mouse games were quite intelligent and interesting.

Do you still watch cartoons?
Yes, with my daughter Nysa, who watches cartoons all the time. She knows I love Tom and Jerry so whenever I walk in, she puts that on and we watch it together.

Your favourite animation film?
There are several but my favourite is The Lion King because it's a complete film. It can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. It has the right kind of emotions, fun moments, good music and a message given without being preachy.

Who's your favorite superhero?
I like Superman because he has actual powers and doesn't need any gimmicks. Also he's a superhero and yet human, and has an emotional connect.

What cartoons does Nysa watch?
She's always watching cartoons on all the different TV channels. I don't even know the names " there are so many new ones now!

Has Nysa seen Toonpur Ka Superrhero? What was her reaction?
Yes, she has seen it with all her friends and they all loved it! She plans to see it again.

How does Toonpur compare with Hollywood animation films?
It is on par with Hollywood animation films. Whatever happens to the film tomorrow, nobody can predict now, but after I saw the film, I told Kireet that this kind of animation has never been seen before in India.

I also told him, 'Whatever happens to the country after watching the film I don't know, but you have gone to Hollywood'. That's for sure! In Hollywood, people recognise talent for what it is and Kireet is extremely talented in the animation field.

Why has this genre never been attempted by an A-List actor?
Kireet narrated the script to me and I liked it. He has a great animation background and has won several National awards but I wasn't still very sure because in our country there's still a hitch that Hollywood cartoons are of a much higher standard. So though I liked the concept, I wasn't sure about how it was going to happen.

So we shot a scene and then he did all the animations and came back to me. Kireet told me that this was the quality of the film that we would shoot but I still wanted to see the final quality. We saw it on print at the theatre and it was fabulous. That's when I said yes. I felt we had an opportunity to make something never done before in India, and we should do it.

Did you also do this for Nysa?
I won't say exactly that I did it for my daughter but yes, she was in my mind. I did it because the concept was nice and very different.

There has been a buzz that Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One and Toonpur Ka Superrhero are the same especially about the part about the child wanting his dad to become a Superrhero. Comment.
Honestly speaking, I don't know where this came from because I don't know Shah Rukh's story, nor does he know the story of Toonpur. So how can we decide whether it's similar or not? Also, Toonpur was shot almost two years ago.

Any comments about the Guppy vs Bappi Lahiri controversy?
He's filed a case without seeing the film. It's not a wise decision. See the film first and then take a call. I can understand Bappida's point of view because 'Bappi' and 'Guppy' sounds alike. But the clothes and jewellery worn by the character and his style may just as well be Elvis Presley's.

Did you plan Toonpur's release along with Tees Maar Khan tomorrow because of your rivalry with Akshay Kumar?
Why would I want to harm my own film for so-called rivalry? I would be the happiest if my film was a solo release. TTMK is a big film.

Why would I want to clash with a film and eat into each other's business? It would be foolish of me to do something like that, which I am not. The only reason we had to come out on December 24 is because Toonpur is a film that needsa long weekend. I needed a week which continued from Sunday to the next week and that's Christmas week because it's a time when children want to go out and have fun.

We had no choice. We were almost ready six months ago but didn't release it then as we wanted a Diwali or Christmas release.

Don't you consider Akshay your rival or competitor?
Not really. I know we always have had releases on the same day for the last year or so, including this Diwali but that's a coincidence. Nobody plans this. Like the Golmaal 3 release date was decided when we started shooting for the film.

A tabloid reported that Shah Rukh allegedly urged Eros to release Toonpur with Tees Maar Khan to spite Farah Khan...
Rubbish! Why would Shah Rukh do that and why would any producer listen, do it and harm his own film? When you make a film, the most important thing is THE FILM. You want the film to work, that's why you make the film and that's how you decide the release date, the marketing, promotion and publicity of the film.

If you had to cast any other actor in your role in Toonpur, you'd pick...
Nobody can be as good as I am in the film! (Starts laughing) I know it sounds pompous but it's a very difficult film to do because here I am acting with nobody around me. I am doing action sequences and emotiing with nobody around. It's a very difficult performance.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Kareena Kapoor Shops Endlessly In Bad Mood! Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor is overall a very satisfied personality, but her fans know little about her on and off mood or mood swings. She is very moody and at times, when she is irritated, she goes on an endless shopping, without beau Saif.

 

Bebo doesn’t take Saif along with her, as she very well knows the fact that no man in the world has enough patience to accompany his girl in her endless shopping. She rather prefers to go alone and take her own sweet time, without interference.

 

Now-a-days, Bebo is having mood blues and she has even told Saif that she is very irritated and wants to be just left alone. To overcome her unpredictable mood, she goes on long shopping sprees.

 

Sources suggest further, “Kareena and Saif usually have small skirmishes since Saif finds it really tough to accompany Bebo on her shopping expeditions. Such is the level of incompatibility here that Saif has decided to let Bebo be on her own. Even Kareena prefers the same since she wants to take her own sweet time while shopping, something which Saif can hardly stand."

 

So popularly called ‘Saifeena’ in Bollywood, the couple is expected to get married by the year 2012.

Big B, John joins to save tigers

Bhopal: Bollyood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh to participate in the Save Our Tigers campaign. He feels the cause is more important than his films.

“The tiger`s cause is more important than my films. Kids should start tiger clubs and create awareness,” Big B, 68, who is busy with a telethon for the Save Our Tigers campaign, told told a TV channel.

Big B and Bollywood hunk John Abraham, who often associates himself with social causes, arrived Saturday evening and will stay in Pench till Dec 13.

Pench Deputy Director O.P. Tiwari said the two will take part in the programmes related to Save Our Tiger projects.

Spread over 758 square kilometers, Pench is among the six tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh and is the original setting of Rudyard Kipling`s most famous work, “The Jungle Book”.

Talking about his participation, Amitabh said in a message on his blog: “Tomorrow (Sunday) starts the Telethon for the Save the Tiger campaign. There is a desire and hope to collect as much money as one can for the benefit of those that manage and look after these regal animals and prevent them from being poached and destroyed.”

Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Jee

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Emran Hashmi, Omi Vaidya, Shruti Hasan, Shazahn Padamese, Shraddha Das

Director Madhur Bhandarkar

Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Jee is a movie, which as the title suggests, is about the essence of a human heart which almost always retains its child like quality. The heart is where life's entire essence is.

Thus to prove this point, director Madhur Bhandarkar has significantly dealt with the subject of love in a very humorous way.

The movie stars Ajay Devgn portraying the character of Naren, a middle aged manager of a multinational Bank. There he falls head over heels in love with a young girl barely out of her teens called June Pinto, played by Shazahn Padamese.

Omi Vaidya as Milind Kelkar is the typical idealistic poet living in his own transient world has a deep crush for a girl called Gungun Sarkar played by Shraddha Das. Gungun who is a very ambitious and career minded gal has a thing for the playboy Abhay played by Emran Hashmi.

Abhay or Emran is strongly attracted to a young and vibrant gal called Nikki, played by Shruti Hassan who is an out and out loud mouth. Nikki does not hesitate to call a spade a spade, a trait which is simply loved by the Casanova Abhay.

This entire gamut of affairs and secret liaisons creates a total chaos and as each event gets entangled with the other the movie becomes one big platform of drama and melodrama.

Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known for making realistic cinema, has put in the flavor of realism in this movie too, with the characters all very believable and something which a common man can relate to. The music has been scored by Pritam. The movie releases on the 28th of January 2011 so watch out for this one!

Yeh Saali Zindagi

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Chitrangda Singh, Arunoday Singh, Aditi Rao, Saurabh Shukla, Vipin Sharma, Yashpal Sharma, Sushant Singh, Prashant Narayanan

Music: Nishat Khan

Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire

Dialogues: Manu Rishi & Sudhir Mishra

Story, Screenplay, Direction: Sudhir Mishra

Yeh Saali Zindagi Its a quirky love story in the guise of a thriller. Its an obtuse take on how far they both the heroes go to get the women they love and how sometimes one screw-up can set everything right!

Arun (Irrfan Khan) has to save Priti (Chitrangda Singh) the woman he loves, but for that he first has to save the man Priti loves- Shyam, the future son in law of a powerful Minister.

Meanwhile, time is running out for Kuldeep (Arunoday Singh), the young gangster who is on his last job as his wife is threatening to walk out on him completely, and he begins to suspect she is leaving him to go into the arms of another man.

The job has gone haywire for it is still unknown to Kuldeep that the Ministers daughters engagement with Shyam is off and now she doesn’t care whether Shyam lives or dies and more importantly neither does the Minister who Kuldeep hoped would pay the ransom!

Priti finds herself inextractably caught in this mess and Arun has to save her life. But for that he has to risk everything, and put his own life at stake, he wonders why he should do it at all, if she still loves another.

He’s torn, but love knows no reason. Meanwhile Shyam is trying to make deals in captivity, and his goodness only seems superficial and as Kuldeep tries desperately to save his situation, there are dons coming from Bangkok, who have their own plans.

The film rides a roller-coaster towards a shattering climax, where all the players have to fend for their lives and loves. Who gets the girl, and who gets the money, and who escapes by the skin of his teeth, is now anybody’s guess. But hold on, there are still jokers in the pack, and aces up some sleeves.

Band Baaja Baaraat

By Subhash K Jha

Starring Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh

Directed by Maneesh Sharma

Rating: ***

Have you ever wondered what they mean when they talk about the chemistry between a screen pair? Watch this delightful ode to the Great Indian Wedding.It solves the mystery of chemistry for keeps.

The super-accomplished Anushka Sharma and debutant, quite easily the discovery of the year, Ranveer Singh (is this really his first film?) whip up a wondrous camaraderie in scenes written with such skill and craft you really don't see the labour that has gone into building this love- shove during the time of weddings-sheddings in the heart of Nayee Dilli.

Capital pleasure, anyone?

Band Baaja Baaraat (BBB) is an utterly joyous and enjoyable look-see at the world of Punjabi weddings in Delhi as seen through the eyes of two wedding planners, partners in business Shruti and Bittu who have sworn from Day 1 never to get involved with one another.

'Pyar' (love) and 'Vyapaar' (business) just don't jell. The couple keeps telling one another this.But are the Gods listening? The skilfully-written superbly crafted rom-com takes the no-holds-barred pair's relationship through a lavish labyrinth of shaadi shindings replete with Bhangra tracks (Salim-Suleiman) that provoke your heart and feet to jump up and dance.

Outwardly the film looks like Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding put into a maze of wedding festivities that seem to meander from one joyous jig to another until we come to a point where we ask in unison…now what?

With a smoothness of touch that shows the hand of a writer who knows his job thoroughly (full marks to the dialogue and screenwriter Habib Faizal) BBB changes the profile of Shruti-Buttu's relationship midway.

What remains unchanged is that sense of joie de vivre which comes to a film on that rare occasion when the writer and director know where they're going and how to take the characters there without giving away the signposts to the audience.

Delhi, that city of bustling streets, speeding autorickshaws, restive bus stops, bottom pinchers and money filchers has never been more vibrant and alive in any other recent film. Aseem Mishra's camera penetrates the heart of the Capital and the souls of its two unforgettable protagonists.

Unlike Yashraj Films' Bunty and Babli some years ago, Bittu and Shruti are fooling no one except themselves.

“Tujhe saanp-seedhi ka khel bahut pasand hai na?” Bittu challenges Shruti towards the end.

Oh, the games people in love play with one another to ward off the inevitable embrace! This vibrant voluptuous ride through the kaleidoscope of weddings as the two wedding planners forget that there is a planner far more powerful than they to plan their destiny, is as engaging as it is caliber-defining for the rom-com in Hindi cinema.

What does one say about the two principal performers without tripping over with the excitement of being in the midst of remarkable talent?! With just three films Anushka Sharma has grown into one of the most watchable and eloquent contemporary actresses.

To the role of the spirited Shruti Anushka adds the kind of spice that one associates with Kajol and Rani Mukherjee.In two key sequences with Ranveer Singh (where she conceals her true feelings and much later lets them all out in a tumble of smirking hurt) Anushka blows the screen apart.

As for the film's hero debutant Ranveer Singh sinks his teeth into Bittu's part with a self-confidence that comes to actors after at least ten full-fledged films. And that too if they are gifted. Here's new talent in a film industry dominated by jaded superstars.

Ranveer's spirited screen presence and quicks-silver comic timing makes the older stars look…well old, if not outdated. In the climax where he calls himself an ass for denying his feelings, Ranveer is a revelation.Go for this newcomer, producers. He will soon be booked for the next three years.

The supporting players are largely unexposed artistes. They add to that sense of feisty freshness that runs across the film.

Bravo, Yashraj for bringing such exceptional new talent to our cinema. Bravo, debutant director Maneesh Sharma for taking us through the organized chaos of traditional weddings in movements of pure pleasure and enjoyment that communicate themselves to the audience.

Hours after watching the film I've still not stopped smiling.

No Problem

By Subhash K. Jha

Cast: Anil Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Kangna Ranaut, Paresh Rawal

Director: Anees Bazmi

Rating: * ½

The bad news is that good films are not doing well. But the better news is that bad films are also being rejected.

"No Problem", if we must talk about it, is no better or worse than all the other, comedies that have come and groaned. A series of wildly improbable characters and ideas strung together in sequences of flabbergasting haphazardness, this is the sort of comic romp where the laughter is lost in transit.

The credits boast of four writers. But there is no rhyme in the crime no logic in the laughter.

Just fasten your seat belts and let Anees Bazmi, a fine writer when given better circumstances, take you for a ride. The film opens with Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna playing two con men Yash and Raj (Yash-Raj, get it? ha ha) rescuing a baby gorilla from the dicky of Paresh Rawal's car.

The baby gorilla and its grateful parents show up in the climax where all the male characters (approximately 33 at last count) are dressed as Sardarjis to sing a song that goes "Kad lamba chaudi chest chest".

Ahem. Chest joking, I guess.

Not too many sequences make much sense in this homage to hectic incoherence. The gags are as flat as Neetu Chandra's belly. She has some funny moments with Suniel Shetty (playing the assassin named, with excruciating unoriginality, Marcos). But the funniest character in the plot is Sushmita Sen. A schizophrenic wife to bumbling-cop Anil Kapoor, she does the split-personality act with lip-smacking relish.

You often wonder what a woman as gorgeous as Ms Sen is doing in a place as farcical as this where anarchy prevails. Nothing makes sense. Nothing is supposed to. The film is shot in South Africa. For what purpose, we will never know. The film's confounding idiocies could have easily been located in Matunga or Mangalore.

The most important component of a situational comedy is that the actors must LOOK like they're having fun. There is not much below-surface camaraderie among the actors. Anil Kapoor brings in a zany fun into his self-deprecating role. But really, just the ability to laugh at oneself is not enough.

You have to communicate that laughter to the world that's watching you. On that score "No Problem" simply parts ways with the audience.

Bipasha is living it up down under

Bipasha Basu had a swell time shooting Down Under and living the good life, while there.

The actress who shot in Australia for Roland Joffe's Singularity has Hollywood hottie Josh Hartnett as her co-star.

The film revolves around the Marathas in 1780s India and will also be shot in India as it is set across two time periods and continents. Here's a look at the cast party on the sets.

Bips certainly looks to be in the thick of things with the crew and cast members.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

When Sunidhi totally felt like 'Sheila'

Singer Sunidhi Chauhan is on cloud nine. And why shouldn't she be? 'Sheila Ki Jawani' has come and conquered the whole of India and is raring to become a chartbuster hit in the country.

While people still love Munni from Dabangg, Sheila from Tees Maar Khan is equally popular. Speaking to the media, Sunidhi Chauhan says that she is very pleased with what Sheila has done for her career.

Though Sunidhi Chauhan is already a renowned item singer in Bollywood, seldom has it happened that her songs have caught the attention of moviegoers even before the film has hit theaters.

Sunidhi Chauhan very modestly announced that the entire credit for the super success should be given to Tees Maar Khan music composers Vishal and Shekhar.

Vishal Dadlani is also the lyricist of the chartbuster song 'Sheila Ki Jawani', and we have to agree that it is the lyrics of the song which has brought instant success to not only Sunidhi Chauhan but also Katrina Kaif, making the actress an overnight item queen.

In a statement to the media, Sunidhi Chauhan says that an item number with Farah Khan was long overdue. The singer – director duo were supposed to work together in Farah Khan's previous ventures Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om.

However, things did not work out. Sunidhi Chauhan though is not complaining. 'Sheila Ki Jawani' has more than made up for the absence of the singer in Farah Khan's earlier projects, the song is blaring everywhere from marriage ceremonies to discotheques.

Sunidhi Chauhan now remembers how she followed Farah Khan's advice and felt like Sheila while recording the song!

Inspired by Shakira, Katrina has no marriage plans

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif says she drew inspiration from pop star Shakira for the sizzling item song "Shiela Ki Jawani" from her upcoming film "Tees Maar Khan".

When asked by reporters here about comparisons of her dance in the superhit number with that of Shakira, she said she can only dream of such comparisons.

"I can only dream of such comparisons. To be very frank, I drew inspiration from her. If my dance in the song 'Shiela ki Jawani' reminds the viewers of Shakira, it's a huge reward for me, " said Katrina Kaif, who was in Kolkata with her "Tees Maar Khan" co-star Akshay Kumar Saturday for the promotion of the film.

She was all praises for director Farah Khan and gave her the credit for the grand success of the song.

"We have worked hard for the song. But the credit goes to Farah and her conceptualisation of the song. She is a brilliant choreographer, " the actress said.

"Tees Maar Khan", directed by Farah, is slated to release Dec 24. It has already hit the headlines for its scorching item song "Shiela Ki Jawani" featuring Katrina.

Asked about her role, Katrina said she is not so bold in the film as it seems from "Shiela Ki Jawani".

"My role is of an aspiring actress. She is not so very aggressive as it looked in the song. She is very naive and sweet. She is the girlfriend to Akshay in the film. She lands herself into trouble because of her own stupidity. It's a fun kind of a character, " the actress said.

Katrina Kaif also says she has no plans to tie the knot right now, but feels that marriage is a cute thing.

"I don't have any plans. But I think marriage is one of the cute things. You have to leave it in god's hand, " said Katrina.

When the question about Katrina's marriage was popped to Akshay, he shot back: "Why do you want her to get married? She is a very talented actress. She is making her career. Let her make it."

The movie revolves around Tarbez Mirza Khan, a criminal played by Akshay, and his girlfriend Anya played by Katrina who gets the job of robbing antiques worth Rs.500 crore from a heavily guarded moving train. The film is an action comedy.

Deepika and Saif team-up again. What will Bebo say?

Deepika Padukone gets her wish, teams up with her fav co-star in his next home production. What will Bebo say?

Love Aaj Kal duo Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone team up yet again in an Illuminati Films (Saif and partner Dinesh Vijan's banner) project.

Contemporary script

The untitled movie has been scripted by Imtiaz Ali (who directed Dippy-SAK in Love Aaj Kal) and directed by Homi Adajania (Saif featured in his Being Cyrus).

Set to go on floors in April 2011, it will be shot in New Delhi, London and Spain.

Says Saif, "I was waiting for a script as contemporary and relevant as this is to come my way and it has been worth the wait. The story is romantic, funny and has a great balance of drama and entertainment.

I've wanted to do a love story with a modern sensibility and treatment."

About working with Deepika again, the actor-producer says, "I'm looking forward to my pairing again. She has a fantastic role and I think she has grown impressively since Love Aaj Kal and will handle it very well."

Like Imtiaz's earlier movies Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal they all delve into relationships the writer-director's script explores the various choices of life.

As Adajania puts it, "It's a similar space from where Love Aaj Kal left off and then it roller-coasters from there."

Deepika, who considers Saif her favourite co-star feels she hasn't played shades of a character like this before. "To find a script like this, which is edgy and quirky, had an instant connect for me.

It also marks the reunion of the LAK team, with Saif, Dinoo (Dinesh Vijan) and me. I'm very excited to be working with Saif again, and I hope we can recreate the magic of Love Aaj Kal once again."

Dinesh maintains, "At Illuminati, Saif and I have always wanted to develop projects of diverse genres and stories we believe in.

We want to take our time and create content that today's well-exposed audience might like. Imtiaz has given us a beautiful story."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Deepika getting into shape for utterly sceret item song

By Subhash K Jha

Deepika Padukone is getting into shape to shoot the sizzling Dum maro dum track for Rohan Sippy's film of that title at Yashraj Studios on Tuesday.

The Anand Bakshi-penned song re-written by Jaideep Sahni (who has scripted Yashraj's Chak De and Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year) and re-composed by Pritam Chakraborty will be choreographed by Bosco-Caesar. The song will be shot in utter secrecy.

And now in the film's leading lady Bipasha Basu's absence (she's in Australia shooting for Roland Joffe's Singularity) the song is all set to sizzle with Deepika dazzling on the dance-floor, her second item song. The first was with Shah Rukh Khan in Billu.

This time she go-goes it alone.

Says a source from the crew, “It's rave-party song. Deepika will be seen dancing to Dum maro dum at the party. At the end of the song cop Abhishek Bachchan will raid the rave party. So even he can't be part of the song.”

Adds the source, “Dum maro dum could never have been filmed on Bipasha. Her character cannot be present during the time when the song happens.”

However that's not the impression Bipasha had been given.

The song is being shot in a great rush. Apparently composer Pritam Chakraborty has not even decided on the voice to be used to sing Dum maro dum.

“They're going ahead to shoot the dance with a scratch recording, ” whispers the source. Let's hope Bipasha doesn't raid Deepika's rave party before Abhishek does.

Kareena hits back at Priyanka: I Am Beautiful!

The sets of television chat show 'Koffee With Karan' has turned into a battleground for all our Bollywood beauties.

With host Karan Johar fielding some of the most controversial questions to the celebrities sitting on his couch, they too, do not shy away from giving some of the wackiest answers in spite of the fact that they are on national television.

And if reports are to be believed, the celebrities have taken the show so seriously that they are suffering from the after effects of 'Koffee With Karan'! What else can we term the catfight between once good friends Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra?

When asked by Karan Johar what she would like to take away from Bebo's laptop, Piggy Chops promptly asked whether Kareena Kapoor at all has a computer in the first place!

And now it looks like that our catty Bebo is not prepared to sit back and listen to such baseless allegations. Well, did she go back to Karan Johar to sort things out with Priyanka Chopra? No, Kareena is smarter than that.

According to reports circulating in the media, Bebo has made it a point to post a text on her mobile phone informing all her friends and everyone else in the industry that some people may think that she does not own a laptop, but they will have to accept the fact that she is beautiful.

Through the message, Kareena Kapoor has made it very clear that she is better looking than Priyanka Chopra! What does Piggy Chops have to say about that? Fans are eagerly waiting for more!

SRK imparts some lessons to Priyanka Chopra!

Shah Rukh Khan was spotted giving tuitions to co-star and friend Priyanka Chopra inside a studio in Mumbai. Well, the King of Bollywood was not teaching Priyanka how to act, but how to use a camera and capture the finest images on its lenses!

According to reports in the media, Priyanka Chopra paid a surprise visit to her favorite actor and friend while he was busy with dubbing work for a television reality show at a recording studio in Mumbai and it was there that Shah Rukh Khan tutored Priyanka Chopra on the use of a camera.

People present at the studio reported to the media that Shah Rukh Khan was visibly surprised to see Priyanka Chopra arrive as he was not expecting any guests.

But as soon as the actor saw her, he wasted no time in greeting Priyanka and inviting her to spend some time with him inside his vanity van. The onlookers have reported that SRK and Priyanka Chopra spent close to half an hour inside the actor's van chatting and catching up on the latest happenings in each other's lives.

It was later on that Priyanka Chopra emerged from the van with a camera in her hand, and Shah Rukh Khan started telling her the nuances of photography and how to get the best picture with the camera that Priyanka Chopra was using.

If reports are to be believed Priyanka Chopra obeyed each one of King Khan's directions and was very happy taking camera lessons from him.

Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra will soon be seen on screen together in Farhan Akhtar's action flick Don 2. In fact, the actors had been shooting in Germany for an entire month in the recent past.

The story of Mahie and Randeep's love bites

That's director Tigmanshu Dhulia's solution to the bee sting marks on actors Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda's necks from shooting in a bee-infested haveli

The team of Tigmanshu Dhulia's Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster is in a stinging position. The haveli in Baria, Gujarat, where the film is being shot, is infested with beehives.

Groans Dhulia, "We look like a mess. Some of the actors have swollen faces and lips. These will obviously show on camera, more so since we're using a very sophisticated camera, the Alexa, for the first time in Indian cinema."

Short of time, Dhulia hit upon a novel idea to camouflage the bee-utiful faces of his actors. He has turned those red swollen welters on Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda into love bites in the script.

Laughs Dhulia, "Those swellings had to be justified. They play lovers on the run. Their passion borders on mutual destruction. I wanted the lovemaking to be extremely violent, almost like two people making war on society by making violent love on screen."

He adds, "I've shown Randeep and Mahie go further in their love-making than any Indian film so far. I'd have gone even further if I thought the censor board would allow it."

"The haveli that we are shooting in is colonised by bee-hives. They haven't taken kindly to the shooting in their territory, " he concludes.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Katrina forced to postpone holiday for Imran's wedding

Thanks to co-star Imran Khan (he's getting married January 8 and they have to finish shooting Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) and Farah Khan (TMK is due for release Dec 24), Kaif has had to postpone her annual holiday by a week

Katrina Kaif will forego her usual Christmas vacation with her family in London, thanks to her Tees Maar Khan director Farah Khan (their film is due for release Christmas Eve) and her Mere Brother Ki Dulhan co-star Imran Khan.

Why the delay...

Explains the actress, "Ideally, I'd have liked to be in London with my siblings and mom for Christmas. But Tees Maar Khan is up for release. So I pushed the trip back to the New Year."

Prod her some more, and she lets the cat out of the bag, "Imran's wedding is on 8 January. We have to finish another schedule before his wedding because he's taking time off after that."

She will rush through the current schedule of Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara before getting into the preponed schedule of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan for IK's sake.

She adds, "Imran is a really cool guy.I don't mind working extra-time to wrap up our schedule in time for his wedding. Shootings will go on. Imran's wedding will happen only once."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

I had given 'X' amount of flops. I can't run away from that: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek gets introspective about luck, his career, his last film, his Pa and the coming year

Abhishek Bachchan never wanted to be the country's biggest star like his dad. People expected him to be. He just wanted to act, like many other star kids.

But he wasn't ANY star kid. He was the Big B's son. So his flops always seemed bigger and his hits never big enough. Somewhere along the way, he accepted it as his destiny.

He didn't defend himself and stopped his dad from defending him. He went into hiding after his (or rather Mani Ratnam's) last dud, Raavan.

He emerged after Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (KHJJS). Though it opened poorly, he is proud of the film. Read on to find out why as far as he is concerned, the film is a success.

I believe KHJJS didn't get a good opening, as it wasn't promoted well. Agree?
If you say that, I will accept it, because I look at it as a reaction. But I also feel that a film like this cannot be promoted like any other normal film. I can't promote this film as the same way as Dostana, by going on reality shows etc, because you have to maintain the dignity of the film.

Postmortems important or waste of time?
Postmortems are very, very essential. I learnt something important from Ashutosh during the making of this film a completely different way to analyse a film from what I have been doing. He always says to ask yourself: What goal did you set yourself when you decided to make this film? Have you achieved that?

If you did that, that's a form of success. Success should not always be measured with box office. I never thought like that before. I am an industry kid. I believed that if you make a film, it should make money, it should be a box-office success.

Your last few films haven't done well. Bad luck or bad films?
(long pause) I don't know. Luck plays a huge factor, but we take the easy way out by saying it's bad luck. Having said that, everybody's making a big deal about it.

My last two films have not worked but people are conveniently forgetting that I had a Dostana and a Paa before that. But it's a mixture of everything. At the end of the day, the genre doesn't matter. You just have to connect with the audience. Maybe they didn't connect with the films I have done.

Do you think you get singled out for more criticism because of whose son you are?
No. I've never thought like that, because I would like to believe I am not given special treatment, in the positive or the negative way. I think you get what you deserve. I've also been on the other side of the fence, when my films were doing well and no one was criticising me. In the end you have to give a successful film, that's all they want.

I meant the media, not the audience.
The media is an audience as well, I don't differentiate. That's something people don't understand about me. I equate them on the same level. I don't get affected by criticism. After my first two films, I did. I was young, immature, and I was like, 'Hey, I am working very hard, why are they doing this to me?' Then when you gain a bit more experience, you wonder, 'Why am I fighting this?' 'Why have I got it into my head that somebody has an agenda against me?'

The fact of the matter is that my films are not working. So if my films are not working, there has to be a reason for that. If my movies were doing exceptionally well and I was still getting criticism, I could have got negative about the whole thing.

Why do actors think, 'Oh I have been singled out!'? To think that I am being singled out because I am my father's son would've been a very easy crutch and convenient. What's the fact of the matter?

My last film did not work. If it did work, would you say the same thing? Oh, they are being nice to me because I am my father's son? No, it's a very easy crutch to use. You should go out there and take it on the chin when you deserve it.

Did you tell your dad not to talk about your films? He stopped that after Raavan.
For a parent, I think that's very sad. Any parent reading this would agree. You've made a father so aware that he cannot pass comments on his own son's work.

But we have to accept the fact that some people don't appreciate Amitabh Bachchan, the icon, passing comments on his son's work. So be it. I know what he thinks of my films because he tells me to my face. When I do a good job, I get a big hug.

When I don't, I am told what I've done wrong and how to improve it. I've done a lot of work to get my parents' approval and it puts me on the top of the world when they like my work. And when they don't, I get advice from two of the best actors in the industry, so....

When Prahlad Kakkar made digs at you, you hit back. It was one of those rare times you reacted. Why?
I didn't react to what he said about me. I know Prahlad. He was at my wedding. He is a fun guy. I have no absolutely no problem with what he said about me and that's because it is the truth.

What did he say?
That I had given 'X' amount of flops. I have. I can't run away from that, it's my reality, I accept it. He said I should be in the Guinness Book of Records. I am already there (for breaking a record during the promotion of Delhi-6). I have absolutely no problem with what he said about me. But I have a huge problem with people taking potshots at my film industry.

A large group of people work very hard and make films with a lot of blood and sweat. It's unfortunate that we are always targetted.

To call the industry a mom-and-pop store where only sons and nephews (get a chance) is unfair.

You want to say something about me, fine. No problem, go ahead. But don't take potshots at the film industry. I feel very strongly about it maybe because I have been born and brought up in this industry.

I have grown up in this fraternity, playing with the spotboys and lightmen on my father's sets. They are all like my extended family and that's why I reacted.

Any reaction to Anurag Kashyap's comments on KHJJS and your dad.
I have nothing to say about that.

As an actor, any resolution for 2011?
I don't have resolutions. They are the first thing to go out the window.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Aamir waiting for SRK's yes?

Yes you have read it right! Bollywood's 'perfectionist Khan' Aamir is waiting for King Khan to say yes to a project offered to them together. The project in question is being offered by King of family dramas Karan Johar, who's trying to arrange this casting coup. According to sources,Khan has gladly accepted the offer, Shah Rukh is still thinking whether he should do the project or not.

While SRK holds the record of doing maximum movies with Karan Johar, it's strange that the new joinee in KJo camp Aamir has  given his nod so easily, considering his perfectionist nakhrasIf insiders are to be believed,If insiders are to be believed, bhaanja Imran has convinced mamu Aamir to do the film. Well SRK, we wonder what's stopping you, the 'dog' comment? Oops!

Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar on the Cover of Filmfare

Katrina Kaif and her constant co-star Akshay Kumar are busy promoting their upcoming film Tees Maar Khan and they had the honor of gracing the cover of Filmfare's special Tees Maar Khan edition!

Dressed in a maroon colored tube gown, Kat looks glitzy and glam, while Akshay looks very sleek and smart in his grey suit. The popular jodi is hoping for another success at the box-office but only time will tell if they have another hit on their hand.
Tees Maar Khan is directed by Farah Khan and produced by Twinkle Khanna, Shirish Kunder and Ronnie Screwvala. The action comedy also stars Akshaye Khanna, Raghu Ram, Rajiv Laxman and Arya Babbar.
The flick that releases on December 24 tells the story of Tabrez Mirza Khan, or TMK, an international conman described as a half Robin Hood because he steals from the rich without giving anything to the poor. Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan make guest appearances and Sanjay Dutt plays the role of Sutradhaar, the narrator.
But it seems like the Filmfare cover is the last thing on Akshay's mind as he took to Twitter to talk about everything else, including his nani and son.
"Today has probably been the longest day i can remember!I dont think anyone in my family has slept, But like my father said "Work never stops" So before sunrise i was at my Parkour gym sweating my feelings away,i then rushed to Bandra to rehearse for the stunt I'm about to perform tonight,then quickly finished touch up dubbin for TMK.I then went with all my uncles to collect my Nani's ashes & took a helicopter to Nasik to lay her ashes to rest. On landing,my staff were waiting to prepare me for the juhu beach concert,i gave all the energy i could on stage before trying to beat the traffic & get to the ZEE Rishety awards so i could run from the cops and fly around the arena. But right now before i perform my stunt all i can think about is going home to my family & sleeping safe in their arms.This is what has got me through today. Life is nothing without family & i swear to spend my life supporting them. Well wish me luck Im about to fly over 500 unsuspecting heads in the audience! Remember take care of your family everyday while you still have them."
Let us know if you're digging Katrina Kaif's and Akshay Kumar's Filmfare cover or not.
 

 

Ranbir's midnight ruckus at Deepika's house

The Ranbir Kapoor – Deepika Padukone love story does not seem to reach its end anytime soon in the future.

Leggy lass Deepika may have vented her anger sitting on Karan Johar's couch and subsequently changed relationships among many within the Bollywood fraternity, but Ranbir Kapoor is unfazed.

And if his attitude towards Deepika Padukone is anything to go by, the Kapoor lad is also in the mood of reconciliation!

Though this may sound unbelievable, Ranbir Kapoor was reportedly spotted in front of Deepika Padukone's building on several occasions following the popular 'Koffee With Karan' spat.

Reports in the media claim that Ranbir Kapoor was photographed in front of the Cozy Home Apartments building where Deepika Padukone puts up in Mumbai in the late hours of the night.

According to these reports, Ranbir Kapoor could be seen repeatedly calling up Deepika Padukone and urging the security guard of the building to allow him to enter his ex girlfriend's home.

However, the guard on duty could not do so because according to a rule of the Cozy Home Apartments, anybody is not allowed to enter without the permission from the owners!

So did Ranbir Kapoor move away a loser? Not at all, in true filmy style, the Kapoor boy stood adamant in front of Deepika Padukone's house constantly ringing her to receive access.

A source who was present in the area when the incident took place at around 12.45 am in the night has said in a statement to the media that he overheard Ranbir Kapoor pleading to Deepika Padukone to let him enter her home so that he may be able to explain his situation.

Well, we are not really sure what he had to explain considering that he has already spoilt his image by admitting that he really cheated on former girlfriend Deepika during his chat on 'Koffee With Karan'.

Last heard, Deepika Padukone did let him enter when he refused to stop creating a fuss but not after more than half an hour of public drama. Did they kiss and make up inside? Watch this space for more!

Priyanka and Vivek on Eco-friendly Honeymoon

Vivek and Priyanka Oberoi head to the Red Sea in January to spend their special time together

Come January, Vivek Oberoi and his wife Priyanka will be off to the Red Sea for their eco-friendly honeymoon.

Responsible tourists

Says a source close to VO, "Priyanka and her family have always supported causes that help protect the environment and ecosystem.

The eco-conscious couple had ensured that the wedding invite and the bag carrying the invite were made from handmade herbs and that the scroll was made from 100 per cent recycled materials.

As far as choosing a honeymoon destination was concerned, it was Priyanka who suggested they go in for responsible tourism."

Elaborating on 'responsible travel' the source says, "Vivek and Priyanka are going to the Red Sea for their honeymoon.

Eco-friendly companies that arrange holidays for people, use a certain percentage to rehabilitate ecologically damaged places like jungles where wildlife is endangered, beaches where turtle breeding have been hampered and coral reefs that are dying out.

The couple is going on a tour organised by one such company."

Apparently, Priyanka likes responsible travel. "Priyanka brought it to Vivek's notice that one could be environmentally responsible while on holiday too.

Their company will give a percentage of their travel fees to maintaining beaches and marine life. Vivek will perform for New Year in Dubai and then take a yacht in the middle of the Red Sea to spend his honeymoon."

Yeh Kya!

Even as Vivek Oberoi is busy planning his honeymoon, a recent story on a TV channel has left him and his family feeling disgusted.

Apparently, the channel stated that the actor invited them to cover his honeymoon and share bedroom secrets at a huge price.

A source close to VO fumes, "Vivek has always been very protective about his family and even kept his wedding a private affair.

How could he invite the channel for his honeymoon in return for money? He plans to send a legal notice to the channel.

The Oberois are extremely hurt. The channel even put up the story on Twitter as a trending topic. If the channel doesn't respond to the legal notice, VO will sue for defamation.

He wants to send a strong and clear message that his family is off limits!"

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Oooh So Nasty Priyanka: Does Kareena have a computer in the first place

Bollywood ladies are known for their catfights. But so openly ahem!!

But then, K Jo can make that happen on his show ‘Koffee with Karan’. Kareena and Priyanka got engaged in this real nasty fight. Friendly during the making of Aitraaz but then later turned foes over the fact that Priyanka ‘Piggy Chopps’ was with her ex beau Shahid Kapur, the duo exchanged scathing remarks between each other.

Taking another potshot at the female scion of the Kapoor khandaan, Piggy Chopps said that though she is extremely flattered at being praised by the lady for her acting skills, she doesn’t know of anyone in the industry who takes her seriously. Work wise or personally? Well Saif has to answer that.

Kareena aka Bebo asked innocently as to where on earth did Piggy Chopps get that ‘accent’ of hers. And pat came the reply from our Desi Girl “from the same place where her boyfriend (Saif Ali Khan) got his." This was a smart reminder to Bebo and all those who were tuned in, that apart from chote nawab Saif, even she had the good fortune to study abroad.

And here is the one that stole the show. The question which Karan asked on the show was that what she would like to steal from the computers of Bollywood superstars like SRK, Shahid, Kareena and others. Miss World very promptly enquired giggling "Does Kareena have a computer in the first place?"

Naughty Piggy Chops; now that‘s underestimating Bebo a bit too much. Even if she doesn’t have one, I guess Saif must have gifted her one, by now. Or even better, the company for whom she models can surely gift their brand ambassador one single piece. Isn’t it?