Why Salman Snub to Vivek?

Vivek Oberoi rubbished reports of Salman Khan snubbing him at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, saying there were better things to talk about during the ceremony than just spread rumours out of the blue.

"Who told you this?" questioned Vivek when asked what he had to say about the whole episode.

On the inaugural day on June 3, Vivek was the host of the "IIFA Foundation Fashion Extravaganza" with Dia Mirza.

There were reports that Salman refused to be introduced by Vivek, the anchor of the night, and got Anil Kapoor to introduce him instead.

"'Aap log kyun itni chhoti si baat ka itna bada issue bana rahein ho?' (Why are you making fuss about such a small incident)" Vivek asked reporters in Colombo.

"Even when I will be a 70-year-old man, you will ask me such questions that have nothing to do with me or you will create situations to write about it," he added.

The actor said the media should concentrate on so many good initiatives and talks taking place at IIFA and not on such silly stuff.

The war between the two actors started when Vivek called a press conference in 2003 to announce that he had been receiving threatening calls from Salman over Aishwarya Rai. Vivek was dating Aishwarya that time.

Ever since that episode, Salman has not forgiven Vivek despite several public apologies by the latter.

What Aamir Khan Learnt from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who sported an eight-pack look for his blockbuster film "Ghajini", has a suggestion for those wanting to go for body-building -- read "The Encyclopedia of Body Building" by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"One book I would strongly recommend to anyone who is training is 'The Encyclopaedia of Body Building' by Arnold Schwarzenegger, " he said on Facebook.

Aamir says he wants to take fitness more seriously now and has created a group on his Facebook page to encourage even his fans to stay healthy.

"Let's make a group, who decides to live healthy. Anyone who wants to join can. Each one of us is responsible for figuring out a diet for ourselves, a workout/sport/walking schedule, and a rest schedule.

"You decide what is good for you and stick to it and every night on Facebook, I'll post how I fared that day and in response you comment on my post. That way all the comments are tagged together to my post in one space, and so it will be easier for all of us to stay together on this one topic. If one of us is finding it tough the others can encourage, " Aamir posted on his blog.

The 45-year-old also shared his knowledge on how to be fit and maintain a healthy and toned body.

"Let me share with you what I learnt in the last few years in the process of building a physique, losing weight etc. Three things are most important, a healthy and balanced diet, exercise and rest, " he revealed.

Aamir informed that an average person uses around 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day. In order to lose weight one simply needs to take in less than one spends. So it's better to consume less than 1, 800 calories in 24 hrs. But the less calories one intakes need to be divided into fat, carbohydrates, and protein. A balanced diet is generally 1/3 fat, 1/3 carbohydrates and 1/3 protein.

"The best way to get a healthy and balanced diet for yourself is to visit a qualified dietician. Not the dieticians who put you onto new fad diets, like high protein diets, low carb diets, blood group diets, 'don't eat carbs at night' diets, Atkins diet, Santa Barbara diets, 'have this pill' diet, 'eat only this one day and that on another day' diet, falana diet, dhamkana diet etc, " said Aamir.

"You need to visit a qualified dietician, who gives you the good old fashioned calorie count diet, " he said, recommending Mumbai-based doctor Dhurander in Santa Cruz.

Aamir also stressed on the importance of proper exercises and work out sessions for the desired results.

"For general fitness, walking, jogging, swimming, or playing a sport are all great exercises. So if you are not looking for anything particular then choose one. Yoga is great too. In case you are interested in body building, building muscle, shaping your body etc., then what worked for me is weight training, " he said.

"For that, you need the right equipment and a good trainer. So the easiest would be to join a gym and use one of the trainers there. If you can't afford that then do free hand. Pull ups, push ups, crunches etc, " he added.

Finally, Aamir wrote about the benefits of proper rest to stay fit and healthy.

"The importance of rest is often underestimated. No matter how hard you train, if you don't rest your body, it will not respond as well. During 'Ghajini' as a rule, I slept for eight hours (at least) every night, " he informed.

Lara Dutta Starts Voice Blogging

May 31, 2010

New Delhi, Actress Lara Dutta is following in the footsteps of megastar Amitabh Bachchan by launching her own voice blog.

“Hey! I just started Voice Blogging, you can dial *5148* from your Airtel number to listen to me. Catch you all there,” Lara posted on her microblogging site Twitter.

Meanwhile, the actress is set to co-host this year’s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Colombo June 3-5.

“I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh,” Lara, who was present in the capital for the launch of an international clothing brand Zara, told reporters here Friday.

Lara has also been roped in to star in Farhan Akhtar’s “Don 2″ alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal.

Was 'Raavan' Team Scared of Tamil Protests?

Reufting reports that 'Raavan' director Mani Ratnam and actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai skipped the IIFA event here because of the Tamil protests back home, Nikhil Dwivedi said on June 4 that this was just not true.

'Raavan' was supposed to be screened at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Colombo and the director not only cancelled the screening but also refused to attend it, citing work pressure.

"It's not true that Abhishek, Mani Ratnam and Aishwarya didn't come here because of the Tamil protests. Govindaji will be here. I'm already here, so I think it should put the rumours to rest that the 'Raavan' team is not here because of the protests," Nikhil said.

"We should take Mani Ratnam's word when he said that he is busy with post-production work. Any filmmaker will be madly immersed in his film just two weeks before its release. Other team members are also busy with some or the other things. That's the only reason behind their absence," he said.

Back home, Tamil groups were not in favour of IIFA going to Sri Lanka and asked everyone to either boycott it or change the venue. According to them, Sri Lanka needed to be shunned as its military had killed Tamils in large numbers last year in the war that led to the bloody decimation of the Tamil Tigers.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce announced a boycott of Colombo by southern actors and filmmakers and said it would boycott the Bollywood stars who went to Sri Lanka as well as their movies.

The 31-year-old Nikhil, who has worked in films like 'My Name is Anthony Gonsalves' and 'Khallbali - Fun Unlimited', will be seen as Abhishek's younger brother in 'Raavan', which is scheduled for a June 18 release.

"It was an absolutely marvelous experience. I got an opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam very early in my career and I feel I'm very fortunate," said Nikhil.

Talking about his co-stars, he said: "It was great shooting with Abhishek and Aishwarya. Abhishek made me very comfortable on the sets. I had a great time. I'm really looking forward to working with them again."

'Raavan', shot simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi, is said to be a modern day version of the Indian epic Ramayana.

'Kites' Grosses Over Rs. 21 Crores on Opening Day

Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer 'Kites' grossed over Rs.21 crore on its opening day and has become the second highest opening-day grosser after '3 Idiots', its distributor said Saturday.

'Kites' released with 2,000 screens in India and across 500 screens overseas on May 21.

The film that has been distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures is a love story between an Indian guy and a Spanish girl. Directed by Anurag Basu, the film has been produced by Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan.

The movie has also caught the fancy of the American media, making it perhaps the most reviewed Bollywood film on opening day by so many US critics. The New York Times considered it "all completely loony, but the stunts are impressive, the photography crisp and the leads so adorably besotted that audiences might as well check their cynicism at the door."

"A lovers on-the-lam blast of pure pulp escapism. Directed by Anurag Basu with a finger in every genre jar, 'Kites' caroms from car chase to shootout, from rain dancing to bank robbing with unflagging energy," it said.

In Times' view Bollywood star "Roshan requires viewing uncut: writhing on the dance floor or just gazing into space, the man was made to drive women crazy, one movie at a time."

Calling it "A romantic adventure!", Los Angeles Times noted "the love story draws from westerns, musicals, film noir, chase thrillers with stunts so preposterous they verge on parody - and it gets away with everything because of Basu's visual bravura and unstinting passion and energy."

While the movie was seen as "An exhilarating escapist entertainment that plays out like a violent and floridly poetic allegory," the two top stars got noticed for their looks. "Mori has a sultry gorgeousness that at times recalls Ava Gardner. Roshan has the dashing, chiselled looks of a silent movie matinee idol."

To the New York Daily News it was "An engaging Bollywood tale! Melodrama, romance and action are cheerfully jumbled together ."

"You'll get more than your money's worth," said Newsday describing it as "A boldly old-fashioned, I'll-die-without-you, nobly self-sacrificing movie romance. Gogeously photographed. The story is the stuff Old Hollywood tear-jerkers are made of."

Variety magazine found it "Deliriously entertaining!" The film, it said, "owes more to Hollywood than Bollywood, though director Anurag Basu borrows plenty from both, aiming to give Indian song-and-dance pics the same sort of crossover success 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, did for Asian martial-arts movies."

"Indian star Hrithik Roshan makes a striking international debut in an ambitious Bollywood crossover film. Grand, action-packed love story set amid the garishness of Las Vegas," said The Hollywood Reporter.

"'Kites' flies! Entertaining and lovely to look at! It works perfectly well on its own terms," said the Film Journal.

"Roshan and Mori are as beautiful as human beings can be, and the love they depict is as high-flown as you'll find in a movie," said the San Franciso Chronicle suggesting, "Go in smirking, but by the time it's over, you'll believe."

Philadelphia Inquirer found it "Preposterously entertaining!" Chicago Newcity called it "a glory of delirium. Anything can, and does, happen. I long for an Amer-Indie movie with the same lunatic verve. As curry-dusted popcorn goes, 'Kites' is savoury distraction."

Aamir Khan’s Surprise to Visit His Assistant Wedding

Bangalore, Bollywood star Aamir Khan along with his wife Kiran Rao paid a surprise visit to Channarayapatna town here Monday to attend the marriage of his trusted assistant Sudhakar.

Kiran was seen participating in several events of the marriage. The fact that Aamir Khan came all the way from Mumbai to Channarayapatna, 160 km away from Bangalore, had even the media persons in the town surprised.

Most of the TV channel reporters were caught unawares and had to rush to the marriage hall to shoot the couple. Fans were thrilled to see the top Bollywood star blessing his assistant.

Sudhakar, who hails from Channarayapatna town of Hassan district, has been working in Aamir Khan’s office for more than 15 years along with his father Kushe Gowda. Sources said that Aamir and his family members were impressed with Kushe Gowda and Sudhakar’s honesty, integrity and dedication to work.

Aamir and Kiran Rao, who hails from Bangalore, did not want to miss out attending the marriage. They flew from Mumbai Sunday evening and stayed at Hassan Sunday night. They reached Channarayapatna at noon Monday and went straight to the marriage hall. The people of the small town were thrilled to see Aamir Khan and his wife.

Sudhakar and his wife Mamatha were very happy to have them at the function. Sources said Aamir Khan has donated a car valued at Rs.15 lakh to Sudhakar. Kushe Gowda, who is also working in Aamir Khan’s office, revealed to media persons attending the function that the actor had even financed the construction of a house for his son.

Aishwarya, Kareena and Preity will Come Together for SLB’s ‘Heera Mandi’?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has long time back announced his plans to make a film titled ‘Heera Mandi’, apparently based on the famous red light area in the walled city of Lahore. However, he had later shelved the idea, but the grapevine has it that Bhansali has now decided to start this project soon and the lead roles in the movie will be played by the cream of Bollywood- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. Sanjay had initially wanted Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Sonam Kapoor for lead roles.

Sanjay will start working on the film as soon as he wraps up with his ambitious project ‘Guzaarish’ starring Hrithik and Aishwarya. With three beautiful and very talented actresses sharing the screen space, the project definitely seems to be a promising one!!!

‘Dum Maaro Dum’ Movie to Release in February 2011

New Delhi, The Abhishek Bachchan-Bipasha Basu-starrer thriller “Dum Maaro Dum” will release Feb 4 next year, its producers say.

“We are hugely excited about ‘Dum Maaro Dum’. It has a great script. It is vibrant and contemporary and we expect the film to appeal to a wide audience. The February timing is perfect and it is strategically timed just before the cricket World cup,” Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, said in a statement.

Fox Star Studios India is co-producing the film with Ramesh Sippy.

“Dum Maaro Dum” will be Fox Star’s third outing to release in the same period. The studio released multiple Oscar-award winning “Slumdog Millionaire” in January 2009 and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “My Name is Khan” in February this year.

“The window of late January and early February works for us also as we are familiar with the release environment during that period”, said Singh.

Ramesh Sippy echoed similar sentiments. “The film is shaping up very well and the audiences should get ready to enjoy a gripping, moving film with great visual appeal, coming their way on February 4,” he said.

Directed by Rohan Sippy, “Dum Maaro Dum” is an action-thriller with Abhishek playing a fearless cop. The movie races through India’s largest tourist destination Goa and also stars Aditya Panscholi and Pratiek Babbar. Telugu star Rana Daggubati makes his Bollywood debut with the movie.

After completing the first schedule of the film in Goa, the cast and crew will start shooting for a second schedule in Mumbai next month.

Salman Khan's Game for a Backlash!

Actor Salman Khan, who played a friendly cricket match against Pakistani celebrities in Dubai sports city on Thursday - to raise awareness for his charity Being Human - admits he won't be surprised if he faces a backlash from right-wing groups in Mumbai now.

"We might get hammered when we go back," Salman said. "But that is the chance we have taken. We, as India and Pakistan, have to show (we) are together. Only a few elements have a mudda."

Salman's brother Sohail captained the Indian team while Shoaib Akhtar was the Pakistan team's captain. Riteish Deshmukh and Sania Mirza were also present at the match, which the Indian team won.

Katrina Visits Ajmer Sharif to Pray for Success of Rajneeti

With her forthcoming film Rajneeti all set to release,Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif is keeping her fingers crossed for the film's success.And so what better than god's blessings to bring her wish true.Katrina on Friday visited the famous shrine of a Sufi saint,Khwaja Mouinuddin Chisty,Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer to seek blessings,ahead of her film's release.Draped in a white coloured traditional salwar-Kameez,the actress offered the religious Chaadar (Blanket) on the mausoleum of the Sufi saint and prayed for the success of her movie.

Anushka Sharma’s Hottest Film Is Yet To Come

We all know that she was the simple and rather somber girl in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, but Anushka Sharma’s compensating for it in full measure by turning on the heat with her revealing attire in ‘Badmaash Company.’

Close insiders, however, squeal that the Yash Raj Films flick is but a precursor to what follows next.

Reportedly, Anushka has flashed plenty of skin and has gone all out to revv up her sensuality quotient for Nikhil Advani’s ‘Patiala House.’

A close source insists that ‘Patiala House’ is her “hottest film”, as yet.
Coming soon to scorch at a cinema near you.

Priyanka Playing the Games!!!

By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, June 7 -- Here comes Madhu my Mottu Maid, minus my icy Kiwi Mojito. Ask her about it and she's insisting that I hear this tiddy-bitty on Priyanka Chopra first. Since she won't let me breathe in peace, I give in to her demands.

I'm informed that apni Priyanka is hooked on to the games on her mobile, and whenever she gets any time off, she instantly starts playing the games downloaded in her handset. Can't blame her for indulging herself actually, reasons Mots.

Kyun? Kyunki she's shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj's Saat Khoon Maaf in Coorg, and the network around the location is really bad. And if that's not enough, she has to keep her mobile in silent mode on the sets. So akele akele aise hi baith ke kya karegi bechari, sighs Mottu. Hmm, if you insist, I shrug. Now go and get my Kiwi Mojito, pronto, I fire her.