Sunday, November 9, 2008

Mallika Sherawat over stressed with Hisss

Source: OneIndia
Mallika Sherawat recently completed a schedule of Jennifer Lynch's Hisss in the jungles and backwaters of Kerala. It was almost as if she was holding on for the schedule to end. On her return to Mumbai, the actress collapsed.

Says Vikram Singh, Mallika's brother and co-producer (along with Govind Menon and Ratan Jain) of Hisss, "Mallika has been suffering from extreme exhaustion and very high fever ever since she returned from Thekkady, where we were shooting. She's resting at home but is still very weak. She had high fever on the sets but she chose to shoot through it. We had doctors and medical aid on the sets around the clock."

Though Mallika had doctors on the sets, she refused to take too much medication. Vikram adds, "Though there were doctors on standby Mallika doesn't believe in medication. She's a naturalist and believes getting cured the natural way or through yoga, so severe exhaustion hit her once the shoot got over."

The actress is suffering from exhaustion and high fever because of the rigorous schedule. "She was shooting every day from 5 am till late evening for the last 15 days. And it would rain heavily every day. Also the jungle was infested with insects and leeches which crept inside her snake suit and would make it difficult for her to remove. The leeches, especially, were all over her body as she had to lie down on the ground," confirms her brother.

But before she took ill, Vikram, Jennifer and the unit of Hisss had a Diwali celebration in the jungle. Vikram says, "We called a pandit who only chants Sanskrit hymns to do a puja. We had idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh. It was very nice and a different way of celebrating."

'Dostana is about friendship and not gay sexuality

Source: TimesNow
John and Abhishek play best friends and not gay couple in the upcoming film 'Dostana', says director Tarun Mansukhani. "They don't behave as gay. They behave as normal friends," says Tarun, who turns director for the first time after assisting Karan Johar in 'Kal Ho Na Ho'.

"In fact, gays never behave in any particular way. Their behaviour is not different from all of us. Its our own perception about gays that makes us think that they behave in a particular way," he clarifies, while adding that he has not stereotyped the gay community in 'Dostana'.

"John and Abhishek lie that they are a gay couple, and so all other characters presumes them to be gay, which brings in the fun quotient to the film," he says.

When asked about why he chose gay theme in the film, he says, "Bollywood has made films on a variety of subjects like child abuse, drug abuse, extra martial affairs, sexual exploitation, etc. But no films have been made on gay sexuality till now. So I added it to the film. And these days, everyone specially the younger generation jokes about gay.

But the film is not about gay sexuality. Its basically about friendship and its ups and downs." 'Dostana' stars Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty and has Bobby Deol in a special appearance.

Abhishek plays a male nurse in a Miami hospital, while John is a photographer who has illegally migrated to the country. Priyanka, on the other hand, works with a magazine.

Tarun, who is also the scriptwriter, says his boarding days in school inspired him to write the film. "Its a tribute to my friends with whom I used to share whatever I wanted to," he adds.

He feels that since he began writing the script, he has got whatever he had expected. "Its like a dream come true for me. While writing the script I had John and Abhisekh in my mind. And I got them in the lead roles," he says.

While praising his mentor Karan Johar, under whose banner the film is being produced, he says, "He is amazing as a producer. He provided me whatever I asked for."

He has shot the complete film in Miami. Recounting his experience of shooting at a stretch for 91 days, he says that the exotic location and atmosphere has left him spoilt for the rest of his life.

Prachi Desai turns down Ekta Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt films

Source: Zee News
Prachi Desai is just one film old, but she's already courting controversy by declining mentor Ekta Kapoor's film and opting out of Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's much talked-about "Jashan". The young actress, however, insists that she hasn't upset anyone.


Prachi got noticed for her role as Farhan Akhtar's dutiful and beautiful wife in "Rock On".

Reportedly, Abbas-Mustan, the duo working with Prachi on her second film "Life Partner" with Tusshar Kapoor, have the actress contractually bound to ensure theirs is her second release. Prachi, however, did not comment on the matter.

As for the supposed differences with Ekta, Prachi said: "Ekta, her mom Shobha aunty and I are too close for people to try and spoil our relationship. We don't only share an actress-producer bonding. I'm like a daughter in their family. And Shobha aunty is concerned about my film career. She advised me to wait until the release of 'Rock On' before signing any new films. I'll always be relying on Ekta and Shobha aunty to guide me through my career."

"They had spoken to me about a film, but we hadn't signed a contract or anything. Like I said Shobha aunty and Ekta have told me to do what is best for my career.

"When I left their serial 'Kasamh Se' it was a heart-wrenching decision for me. I had become a part of the Balaji family and I was moving into an area where I had no experience at all. Luckily, Ekta encouraged me to do 'Rock On' although the role was that of a wife and mother-to-be and I had to play a woman older than I am. But then in 'Kasamh Se' I played a wife and a daughter-in-law. So I guess those years of experience came in handy when I finally did my first film," she explained.

After Rajeev Khandelwal in "Aamir", Prachi is the second Balaji breakaway actor to make it big in films.

"What 'Kasamh Se' did for me in two-and-a-half-years, 'Rock On' has done in two-and-a-half hours. People used to say they wanted a daughter-in-law like Bani. Now they're saying they want a wife like Sakshi in 'Rock On'. And to think Farhan and Ritesh Sidwani's company used to get hate mail when they signed me on for their film! People were so upset because they felt a film career was taking me away from television," she said.

"Going into films was a big risk. I was playing a character I knew little about. I was moving from one medium to another and also to an audience from a different age group. But I had age on my side. Even if I had failed there was enough time to make corrections. I'm so glad 'Rock On' worked."

Second version of gandhigiri : EMI

After winning the audiences over with his charming portrayal of a good-hearted goon in Lage Raho Munnabhai , Sanjay Dutt is back with his 'Gandhigiri'. However, this time he is in a fresh avatar of 'Sattarbhai', a loan recovery agent, for 'EMI'.

Speaking about his role in the film, Dutt says: "Munnabhai and Sattarbhai are the same from their hearts. Even their characters could be similar, only the get-up is different. I do 'Gandhigiri' in this film also. I keep helping all the characters in the film."


Saurabh Kabra, the director of the film, agrees: "Both Munnabhai and Sattarbhai have common traits. They have a similar nature. You will fall in love with the character".

In ‘EMI’, Sattarbhai is given the task of taking on the defaulters of loans. But he eventually helps out all the characters in the film to repay their debts.

"Everybody feels that EMI will be an out and out comedy. But Sattarbhai is the most emotional character in the film. All his actions are filled with emotions," Dutt says adds.

Sunil Shetty , who is the producer of the film, says he cannot compare Munnabhai with Sattarbhai.

"Munnabhai is a legendary film and as a producer I cannot compare Sattarbhai and Munnabhai. It's not fair. But after seeing the film if people compare Sattarbhai with Munnabhai, it will be an honour for the producer, the director and all of us," he says.

Cop in Srinagar propse Bipasha for marriage

Source: MidDay
Bipasha Basu is in Kashmir shooting for Rahul Dholakia's Lamhaa but huge crowds and marriage proposals are getting in the way of her work.

A unit member from Lamhaa says, "Bipasha is one of the biggest crowd pullers we've ever seen. She's been shooting in strife-torn Srinagar for the last two weeks and wherever she goes sex appeal draws huge crowds."

Local cops and BASF personnel are providing security for the shoot, and accompany the actress and the crew everywhere. On one such occasion, one of the cops covering the shoot got so smitten by Bip's persona that he walked up to her and proposed in front of the cast and crew!"

The source adds that Bipasha was stunned. "Initially, she was flustered. Though Bipasha is used to men getting over-enthusiastic around her; normally, boyfriend John Abraham is around to handle awkward situations. This time, Bipasha had to deal with it herself. After her initial hesitation, she turned to him and politely but very firmly turned down his proposal. She told the guy that John was in her life and they both loved each other very much." The guy stood there bemused till the unit's security staff took him away.

Bipasha, who is still shooting in Srinagar, says, "The proposal is something silly. I don't really want to talk about it. I am here to work and not to get marriage proposals from cops. I wish they understood that."

Bipasha, who plays a Kashmiri girl in Lamhaa, adds, "Things are still not normal here. The Kash-miris are very sensitive and simple people and I think, because of the state of affairs for years, they take time to trust people. So we have a few problems when we go to shoot but hopefully after Wednesday's press conference, we will get their support and help during the shoot. The film is very real and my director is passionate."


Bipasha had last visited Kashmir when she was six years old but she's enjoying herself all over again. "I'm happy to be here even though it's a very sensitive area because it's such a beautiful place. But you see cops everywhere. Being an actor, it's not easy for me to go anywhere without security but that happens in all cities and Srinagar is not any different. I would like to feel it's normal."

Bipasha has a wish for the people of Kashmir. She says, "I wish them peace and prosperity that they deserve. I hope we can film here peacefully

Raima Sen gets new sexy look

Source: Rediff news

Who would have thought that pretty Raima Sen could be so hot. The latest issue of the men's magazine Maxim featured the Bengali bombshell in black and white lacy lingerie set.
We bring you some melting moments as well as excerpts from the interview she had given to the magazine.

Your birthday is coming up quite soon, we hear. Where's the party at?

(Laughs) Yes, it's on November 7th. I'm a typical Scorpio. Last year the party was at China House, but this year, I'm planning to have it at home. Nothing's been decided yet.

Home! Won't your parents prevent you from doing anything naughty?

No, not at all. They are really cool, you have to meet them to actually find out. And the best part is that I won't have to worry about organising anything as they'll take care of everything.

Parineeti and Raghav Marriage: Pari and Raghav are about to tie the knot, wedding date revealed

Parineeti and Raghav Marriage: The relationship between Hindi cinema's cutie point Parineeti Chopra and politics' macho man Raghav ...