5 most eligible bachelors of Bollywood

One of the biggest hassles involving Bollywood bachelors relate to their walking in and out of virtual marriages, secret marriages and rumored marriages. Nevertheless, Bollywood has its share of confirmed bachelors who seldom miss a date yet remaining single all their life. Of course, these are real heroes whom their ladyloves hate to see in the role of husband as they themselves had missed the bus during their prime time. Nevertheless, there are exceptions where the hurt hero gulps his own sorrow, yet showing little disrespect to women with whom he once happened to be in love. 

1. Salman Khan

Take, for instance, the case of Salman Khan, Bollywood Hero Numero Uno who is said to be the heartthrob of numerous females, starting from Mumbai super models to most sought after Bollywood actresses. However, looking at his filmy career chronologically we may find Salman plunging into Bollywood with the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisa, playing a supporting role. The actor’s first lead role in Sooraj R. Barjatiya’s Bollywood romance Maine Pyar Kiiya (1989) won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut Aard and a nomination for Filmfare Best Actor award, while the film itself was considered the biggest hit of the year. Of course, it also helped established his status in the Mumbai film industry. Hoiwever, Salman received international acclaim through the movie Phir Mileng (2004) where he played the role of an AIDs patient, an issue greatly appreciated by WHO. 

But in spite of Salman’s being romantically linked with quite a few actresses and having relationship with ex-girlfriends Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bij;lani and Aisharya Rai, Salman is perpetually portrayed by the Indian media as Bollywood’s most eligible bachelor.

2. Karan Johar

The next in line in the list of 5 most eligible bachelors of Bollywood, we have illustrious young bachelor Karan Johar  who had given us a handful of blockbuster movies during the recent past. In 1998, Karan directed a moving love story Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mookherjee. This was followed by Kabhi khushi Kabhi Gham, starring Amitabh-Jaya Bachchan, Sah Rukh-Kajol, Hritik Roshan-Kareena Kapoor. An entertaining comedy about children and their parents, it drew praise from all quarters and was a super hit.

3. Ranbir Kapoor

Next in line as one of the 5 eligible bachelors of Bollywood, we have charming  Ranbir Kapoor who surely is living up to the Kapoor legend. His lively performance in Ajab Prem Hi Ghazab Kahan and Rocket Singh seem to have hit the right note, bringing him all  the accolade. Being the son of actor Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, grandson of legendary Raj Kapoor and great grandson of famed Prithviraj Kapoor who first introduced cinematographic faculty in the family way back in the thirties, Ranbir will prove his talents in not too distant future.

4. Neil Nitin Mukesh

As our next most celebrated bachelor roaming the woods of Bollywood, we have  Neil Nitin Mukesh with his milky skin tone and trimmed stubble. Being the grandson of the great singer Mukesh and son of Nitin Mukesh whose famous lines in the film song So Gaye Ye Jahan from Tezaab were simply great would sure take Neil to greater heights. Neil Nitin Mukesh first appeared as a felon in Johnny Gaddar in 1997and was given due appreciation for hid role in the film, even though the film itself did not see much of box office success. However, his upcoming roles are quite encouraging and unless he gets himself much too obsessed with success, Nitin Mukesh is going to shine through.

5. Shahid Kapoor

And our last but not of least significance is one of the 5 most eligible Bollywood bachelors, we have none other than young and handsome Shahid Kapoor. The actor started his career with the romantic movie Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar. The cine idol had a romantic relation with the gorgeous actress Kareena Kapoor in the past. However, the love didn’t last for long. Shahid Kapoor is single and happy to mingle now.

SRK, Bebo pair up for classic ‘Angoor’ remake

Shahrukh Khan  and Kareena Kapoor team up for the classic remake of ‘Angoor’. It was one of the funniest movies of the 80’s by Gulzar. Shahrukh Khan will essay the role of Sanjeev Kumar and Kareena Kapoor will step into the shoes of Moushumi Chatterjee. The film will go on floor this year end.

The movie will be directed by Rohit Shetty. After ‘Golmaal’ series, Rohit has taken a tough task to remake the laughter riot of the 80’s with scriptwriter Sajid-Farhad. The original was inspired from Shakespeare’s play ‘A Comedy of Errors’.

Confirming the news, a source said, “After he made Golmaal 3, everyone was wondering what Rohit Shetty’s next plans were. People were guessing if he would make a fourth sequel but the director surprised everyone by choosing to work on an Angoor remake. That he decided to work with Shah Rukh Khan on this came as a real shocker. It seems that Rohit is now wanting to work only with A-listers,”

Well, making audience laugh is a tough job and it is even tougher to remake a classic comic film like ‘Angoor’. Hope, he will able to give his audience another dose of laughter.

Paris Hilton’s beau faces criminal charges in Las Vegas

New York, Jan 21 – Paris Hilton’s boyfriend Cy Waits is expected to be charged with three criminal counts following the couple’s drug-related arrest in Las Vegas last August.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Waits faces felony charges for allegedly being under the influence of marijuana, and two misdemeanour charges for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, reports the New York Daily News.

The police arrested Hitlon and Waits on August 27 and found a ‘roach’ – a white piece of rolled paper w/ green leafy sub inside’ – in his car.

Laboratory results showed the 35-year-old was high on marijuana at the time of the arrest.

If convicted, Waits could be sentenced to jail and/or probation. However, it is unknown whether he will be offered a plea deal like Hilton.

In September, the 29-year-old heiress pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour charges in exchange for a year of probation, a 2,000-dollars fine and a mandate to complete 200 hours of community service as well as a year a drug abuse program. (ANI)

Amitabh Bachchan offers support to A.K. Hangal

New Delhi, Jan 21 – After Aamir Khan, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has come forward to offer support to ailing veteran actor A.K. Hangal, who is languishing in penury.

‘It has been sad and unnerving to learn today of the dire condition of one of our most devoted and dedicated character artists of the industry, Mr A.K. Hangal. I came to know of this through the kind offices of the cyber – the net and the social net,’ Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

‘I have now initiated my office, sitting some distance, to render immediate support and help. As individuals, as fraternity, as humans, that is the least we can do (sic),’ he wrote.

The 68-year-old has worked with Hangal in ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Sholay’ and ‘Sharabi’, and Amitabh admits that he’s disturbed to read about the 95-year-old’s condition.

‘It has always been disturbing to read and learn of such occurrences. I do not wish to mention names here, for they are individuals that were idolised and revered in their prime, and bringing up their condition now is an act that would seem most demeaning to them and to their stature,’ he said.

‘Life’s stories have been overloaded with vivid descriptions of unfortunate circumstances. Circumstances that have brought the greats down to their knees. It is shocking and most undesirable to comment on it, but a quiet yet considered action for their good, is what I would want to get involved in. And I do. My prayers and wishes for Hangal Saheb.’

Hangal, a professional tailor-turned-actor, currently lives with his son Vijaya, 75, in his ground floor flat in Saraswati Apartments, Santacruz East. He is unable to afford his mounting medical bills as he suffering from old age related problems. The father-son duo together have a medical bill of over Rs.15,000 per month and now have to practically choose between spending on food and medication.

IANS

Longoria plans baby shower for Victoria Beckham

London, Jan 21 – Actress Eva Longoria is reportedly planning a baby shower for mum-to-be Victoria Beckham.

The ‘Desperate Housewives’ star has reportedly joined forces with actress Kate Beckinsale to throw a bash for the former Spice Girl, who is expecting her fourth child with soccer ace husband David Beckham, reports contactmusic.com.

It will also be a farewell party for Victoria as she and her children Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, 8, and five-year-old Cruz head to England to be with David while he is training there.

‘Eva Longoria and Kate Beckinsale are organising a little get together so they can congratulate Victoria, but also say goodbye,’ said a source.

‘They’re really sad that there’s a chance she’s going to be away from Los Angeles for so long. But there’s happy news too, with the pregnancy. They’re planning on getting all their mutual friends together for tea and cakes at Eva’s,’ the source added. 

IANS

A New Death Bed For Snape In ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II’

Andrew Ackland-Snow, the art director of the last leg of final installation of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, has suggested a change in the main story. Snow wanted to give the character of Snape, a more dramatic place to die. He did not want the infamous Hogwarts professor to breathe his last in Shrieking Shack, as he was supposed to according to the book.

Snow has reportedly said that they wanted the place to be changed. They have asked for permission from the writer of the book series, J. K. Rowling, about the change. They have made a crystal house and everything that happens in the boathouse can be seen from there. Even when the school of the wizards, Hogwarts, will be in flames, it will be visible. According to Snow, Rowling loved this idea. Their idea is a more romantic one as Snow points out and he said that they are giving Snape an extremely good way to die.

This change is not being considered as a drastic one. The death in the crystal house will be more symbolic with Harry delving into the silvery crystal memory of Snape to know the truth and everything becomes crystal clear to Harry. There will be no change in the plot of the story because of this.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II was shot just after the first part of the film. The second part is scheduled to hit theaters on July 15, 2011.

Taylor Swift, Jake Gyllenhaal back together?

London, Jan 21 – It looks like Jake Gyllenhall and Taylor Swift are giving their alleged relationship a second chance.

Just weeks after breaking up, the two were spotted having dinner together in Swift ’s adopted hometown of Nashville.

Gyllenhall and Swift were seen eating at Bound’ry, a restaurant near the actress Nashville apartment.

The two, who split at the end of December, sat by the fireplace and chatted as they ate their dinner.

“They did eat,” the Daily Mail quoted a fellow diner as telling People magazine.

“They were cordial to one another, but not affectionate,” the diner added. (ANI)

Scientologist Kelly Preston had a ’silent birth’ when she welcomed son

London, Jan 21 – John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston has admitted that she had a ’silent birth’ when she welcomed son Benjamin into the world last November.

The 48-year-old star, who said the style of birth is common practice in her religion of Scientology, was forbidden to talk during labour, reports the Daily Mail.

Preston’s admission comes as she was seen out for the first time since having baby Benjamin when she stepped out last night with Travolta for dinner in Los Angeles restaurant Mr Chow.

“It’s just no words as much as possible. If you need to moan, if you cry out or all of that, of course, is normal. But just bringing them in as peaceful and gentle a way as possible,” Preston said in an interview on the Today show yesterday.

Referring to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, Preston added: “L. Ron Hubbard found that the single source of aberration, of psychosomatic illnesses, stress, fears, worry, things like that, have to do with the reactive mind, and in that part of the mind is different words and commands that can come back to affect you later in your life.

“I’m blessed with, my kids have always been amazing, very calm, very peaceful, happy, and I absolutely know that it’s very much because of that,” she said.

Preston also revealed she and Travolta regard the pregnancy and subsequent healthy birth of their son, which comes after the death of their late son Jett in 2009, as a ‘miracle’.

“I just think any time you get pregnant at this age, it is a miracle. We were sort of blessed with being lucky to still conceive,” the actress added. (ANI)

Meryl Streep visits House of Commons for Margaret Thatcher role

London, Jan 21 – It seems Meryl Streep can go to any extent to portray a role with perfection.

The legendary actress recently caused a stir at the Houses of Parliament, after she turned up to watch the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session as part of her research for the upcoming Margaret Thatcher biopic, reports the Daily Star.

The star is taking on the role of the first female prime minister in ‘The Iron Lady’, and she attended the weekly debate at London’s House of Commons between the country’s leader and his opposition to get a taste of British politics.

Streep sat in the public gallery to see Prime Minister David Cameron argue with his left-wing counterpart Ed Miliband, and the actress caused a buzz s politicians began to realise she was watching.

According to reports, her visit was facilitated by the prime minister’s office, although she left before having the chance to meet Cameron. (ANI)

Bullock’s ex set to tie knot with his best friend

London, Jan 21 – Sandra Bullock’s ex-husband Jesse James has announced his engagement to Kat Von D seven months after his divorce was finalised.

The motorcycle entrepreneur was divorced by Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock last year after the reports of his affair with tattoo model Michelle McGee surfaced.

‘You know sometimes the public and press gets it wrong. This is one of those times. 2010 was actually the best year of my life because I fell in love with my best friend. An amazing woman who stood behind me when the world turned their backs,’ femalefirst.co.uk quoted James as saying.

‘I have never met anyone so kind and loving and committed to making the world a better place every day. My love for her is beyond description. So honoured that she said ‘yes.’ Growing old with her is going to be a f***in’ blast,’ he said.

Kat, 28, was equally gushing about her 41-year-old fiance, saying: ‘There is no one else for me. He’s the one.’

‘LA Ink’ star Kat currently lives in Los Angeles where she has her own reality TV programme about her life as a tattoo artist and has no plans to move to Austin, Texas, where Jesse resides.

‘If only it were that easy. Having two places we call home will be good for now. In the end, home is where the heart is, and my heart’s with him,’ she said.

This will be James’s fourth marriage – he has two children, Chandler, 15, and 12-year-old Jesse Jr, with his first wife Karla James, and six-year-old daughter Sunny with Janine Lindemulder. 

IANS

I bought weed from Snoop Dogg: Cameron Diaz

London, Jan 21 – Actress Cameron Diaz admits she once bought drugs from rapper Snoop Dogg when they were in school.

The 38-year-old, who plays a teacher who smokes marijuana in her upcoming film ‘Bad Teacher’, says she once purchased the narcotic, known as weed, from the rapper.

‘We went to high school together; he was a year older than me. He was very tall and skinny and wore lots of ponytails in his hair and I’m pretty sure I got weed from him. I had to have,’ femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying.

Diaz also confessed that her school days were ‘rough’.

‘I used to get in fights with boys more than girls, for some reason boys liked to fight me. But one time in junior high, I had this girl come up to me in the locker room from behind and pull my hair back. I had to shut her down!’

Snoop Dogg, 39, was previously banned from entering Britain because of his convictions for drugs and firearms offences.

IANS

Movie Review Dhobi Ghat

Film: ‘Dhobi Ghat’;

Cast: Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra;

Director: Kiran Rao; 

Rating: **** 1/2

Every year literally hundreds of thousands throng to the city of dreams, Mumbai. To cover so many dreams in a small span of an-hour-and-a-half calls for some brilliant filmmaking. And watching ‘Dhobi Ghat’ will make you realise that there indeed have been very few debuts as stunning as this one.

‘Dhobi Ghat’ is the story of five characters – Yasmin (Kirti Malhotra), Arun (Aamir Khan), Shai (Monica Dogra), Munna (Prateik Babbar) and the city of Mumbai. After a one night stand with Arun, who is a painter, Shai, an investment banker from America and an amateur photographer, obsesses over him, while her dhobi Munna pines for Shai.

Arun, meanwhile, discovers a few tapes in his flat from the previous tenant and, watching them, falls in love and find a muse in the woman who has made them – Yasmin. Each of the character is thus looking for something in one another, while the fifth character, Mumbai, simply stares blankly at them without comment or prejudice.

One of the best things about the film is its casting. Each of the actors complement the film, its director, and the city of Mumbai perfectly. Each is believable in his or her own garb. Prateik is bound to become the heartthrob of the generation, while Kirti Malhotra’s innocence has to be seen to be believed. Real life singer Monica brings out the uncertainty of her character beautifully.

The only one who is a little out of place, and hence the small sore point of the film is actor Aamir Khan. He begins shakily and is self conscious, unable as he is perhaps of shaking away two decades of Bollywood’s acting baggage. By the end of it though, he manages to get into the film’s rhythm and gives a believable performance.

It is hence not Kiran Rao’s luck that she got superstar husband Aamir to act in the film, but Aamir’s luck that he is in this film, which will go down in the history of cinema as one of the best character sketches of a city and its people. Very few people in the world have sketched any city with such tender love, care and affection. And to add to the lilting melody that is Mumbai in the film is composer Gustavo Santaolalla who gives a haunting background score.

Director Kiran Rao brilliantly manages to find a physical representation of Mumbai city, in the old woman who blankly stares at all the characters, but says nothing. The metaphor is simple but powerful – Mumbai is a dying, decaying city, but one that is definitely alive and watches over all.

And like the character of Arun who becomes a voyeur into the life of Yasmin, it is Kiran Rao that has played voyeur on the city of Mumbai.

Another good thing about the film is that nowhere does it slacken or lose pace. On the contrary, it unfolds almost like a mystery, like a rose bud, only to scintillate the senses in full bloom. It thus might become the low budget indie Indian film that will finally make money like big-budget Bollywood fare.

In the end though, that wouldn’t matter much to the audience who will find themselves somewhere in the film. Each one of the characters in the film is like Mumbai, and Mumbai is like each one of us who inhabit it.

IANS

Maa Exchange: Archana And Sujata Rrealized That They Had The Best Families

‘Maa Exchange’, the show on Sony Entertainment Television had the two regular housewives from Nainital and Mumbai going in for a week of living life in the other’s shoes which was nothing less than a chaotic week. Both Archana and Sujata had their respective mindsets which did not match up with the families of the other and that certainly formed the basis of the two housewives getting quite irritated with each other by the end of the entire week.

Thus in Thursday’s episode, the two housewives were seen struggling to impose their new rules on the families of the other and there was nothing but just a few hate words and tears flying down.

If Sujata was only criticizing everything about Archana’s home keeping skills, Archana was busy trying to see the lack of love that was there in the relationship between Sujata and her kids.

The last day saw both the housewives realizing that they were better off in their own homes and as they went back to their respective homes, they were both received with open arms by their families and amidst all the crying and complaining, one silver lining was that both Archana and Sujata realized that they were happy with their own families and that’s what is important in life.

Check Out Bollywood’s Five Most Fashionable Male Brigade

Bollywood has some of the most fashionable stars who look dashing at almost all events or public appearance that they make. Over the years, there has been a certain brigade of male stars in B Town that have carved a niche for themselves in the world of fashion and style.

Many stars could be categorized in the list of the most fashionable hunks in tinsel town, however to pick the best five amongst them is certainly quite an uphill task.

Thus just going by a random selection there are these top five that take the cake in the world of high fashion and style.

Shahrukh Khan, this man has it all. The style, the elegance and the attitude to carry off any high fashion couture at any given point of time. His confidence adds more zing to his personality and at most events this star is seen suited and booted which dies call for his being on top of the list.

Not far behind is Salman Khan. This hunk has of course oodles of style and his shirtless stance notwithstanding, Salman Khan is one deadly Khan who looks all prim and proper in his great tuxedos and even while in casuals his penchant for designer clothes just beats any high world fashion male right to the hilt.

Saif Ali Khan is yet another stylish man in B Town who can carry off just about any look with a cool stance. This cool dude has the look and the attitude of an alpha male which adds a lot of class and panache to his personality which is quite a hit with all his female fan following.

Abhishek Bachchan, this is one actor in Bollywood who can give quite a tough competition to some of the stalwarts in the industry with his killer looks. However, his style and sense of dressing is always the center of attention as often he is expected to dress well due to his very stylish dad Big B. But so to speak, Abhishek Bachchan has indeed got the perfect penchant for carrying himself with great attitude and aplomb combined with his ultra fashionable choice of clothes at events he does have the right to be on top of the most fashionable males in tinsel town.

Akshay Kumar is one star who has changed over the years. His casual sense of dressing earlier has now been replaced by some very classy designer wear which has added a lot of charisma and raw appeal to his deadly male image. Akshay Kumar is certainly one of the most stylish male stars in Bollywood today.

Preview: Episode 3 Of Medical Drama ‘Off The Map’

As ‘Off The Map’ steps into its third episode on January 26, viewers can get to see a closer look of how do villagers deal with problems like landslides and absence of electricity even as people are dying without much help or support from trained people. The show’s six young doctors are in an South American village where they will discover the hardships of living in remote areas. Before the doctors can apply their skills, they must deal with the natural and man-made problems.

The episode sees festivities on in the village, which get marred by a young native falling prey to live-wire. They are under the care of Dr. Otis Cole (played by Jason George) and D. Mina Minard (played by Mamie Gummer). If that was not enough for the doctors to last through the festive season, a mudslide takes place and a couple is stuck under it.

So all he doctors are busy saving life, not in the modern hospital settings of Los Angeles or Seattle, but in a village, where means are less, problems are more.

As the show is progressing into deeper terrains and problems, people will get to see some sparks flying between the young doctors, and some romance brewing in the face of danger too! So this episode will have Zee and Otis seeing each other longingly!

The show is titled, ‘A Doctor Time Out’.

Grammy’s This Year Will Be Like Never Ever Before

If you had a wish list of performers for this year’s Grammy Awards, then your wish-list is probably already been fulfilled. Lady Antebellum too will be lending her voice on stage, bringing all of the Album of the Year Nominees together! Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Arcade Fire have already been confirmed from the top five album list. Which of these will get the biggest cheers? Guess it remains to be seen!

But for now, the more exciting news is that Will Smith’s son Jaden Smith will rap some songs for the audience standing alongside Usher and Justin Bieber. Doo-Wops and Hooligans star Bruno Mars is slotted to stand in seven nominations at the awards night, so his presence at the stage seems was mandatory and has been confirmed. Lending him voice would be Bobby Ray Simmons Jr (B.o.B) and concept album The ArchAndroid singer-songwriter Janelle Monae.

Still waiting for more names?

Twilight’s Love is Forever band Muse will come on the stage to perform as part of the awards night. In case you didn’t know, their super-hit albums have bought by over 10 million people.

So finally, with all these names, who do you think will win a Grammy sure shot? Or will it be more of shocks that people can expect with the likes of Lady Gaga and Katie Perry present on stage yet again?

Abhishek teaches Italians to wear dhoti

Mumbai, Jan 21 – After the dhoti-clad look in his last period film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’, Bollywood’s star actor Abhishek Bachchan has become quite a pro in tying one and displayed his expertise to Italians on a trip to Florence.

‘When Abhishek was in Florence, people requested him to show how to wear a dhoti (the wraparound waist-wear). So he actually showed them,’ a source close to the unit said.

‘He also went on to say that he loves wearing Indian wear a lot and as and when he gets the opportunity to wear he doesn’t miss it,’ the source added.

Abhishek, son of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, and who is married to another star and former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai, travelled to Florence to be a part of Florentine label Ferragamo’s ‘Shoes for a Star’ project, becoming the first Indian actor to receive the made-to-order Tramezza shoes from Ferragamo.

Abhishek, his wife and father endorse several leading national and international brands. 

IANS

Megan Fox turns up the heat in new Armani advert

London, Jan 21 – Megan Fox has stripped off for a brand new advertisement for Giorgio Armani jeans and underwear.

The 24-year-old actress has posed provocatively, reclining on a battered leather couch and showing off her curvy figure in a black lacy two-piece, reports the Daily Mail.

In another sizzling pic, the star shows off the tattoos on her bare back as she poses in just a pair of Armani jeans.

The tattoo on her shoulder, from Shakespeare’s King Lear reads, “We will all laugh at gilded butterflies.”

And another tattoo on her ribs reads, “Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”

The shoot is a part of the spring 2011 campaign and will be appearing on billboards from February. (ANI)

I’m choosy because my work, not my face, sells: Irfan Khan

Mumbai, Jan 21 – From Doordarshan serials to Hollywood films, Irfan Khan has traversed a long path. The 48-year-old actor says he is very conscious about which project he chooses as it’s his work that sells, not his looks.

‘I am choosy because it’s not my face that sells. My work is what people like and want to see again and again; so I can’t repeat myself,’ Irrfan told IANS in an interview.

‘I have to look at the stories, which are exciting, which give me scope to do what I haven’t done earlier, which have entertainment, which can engage me for a long period of shooting. So it also becomes important to see with whom you are going to work,’ he said.

Irrfan also maintains that co-actors matter a lot while signing a film.

‘The co-star matters a lot while doing a film. It depends on the film as well. Some films require a certain kind of chemistry, some films don’t require the chemistry. But there are some dramas where the co-actor becomes very, very important. There it is not how you are performing your character or reacting to the other but how you are interacting with your co-star becomes very important. It’s definitely a concern when it comes to a film where the co-star matters. Especially when you have a very sensitive chemistry,’ said Irrfan.

The actor can’t be more right – if his performances in movies like ‘Maqbool’, ‘The Namesake’ and ‘Life…In A Metro’ were anything to go by. He was applauded and his crackling chemistry with co-stars Tabu and Konkona Sen Sharma respectively were seen as the high points of the narratives.

Now the actor is excited about sharing an unusual chemistry with Chitrangada Singh in director Sudhir Mishra’s forthcoming film ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ that also stars Arunoday Singh and Aditi Rao Hydari.

‘The chemistry I have with Chitrangada…after so many years…you know…after ‘Maqbool’, I got a chance to play that kind of equation, where this guy loves a girl, which is so unusual,’ said Irfan.

‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ is a quirky love story in the guise of a thriller.

‘The name of the film gives an impression of complaint towards life, but it’s rather an amusing, mesmerising way of looking at life. It’s not a dark film but an engaging and entertaining thriller. What you take back with you is the chemistry of the characters in the film,’ said Irfan.

In his young age, he played a character older to his age in the tele-soap ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ but now he sticks to characters his age. Irfan says there is a rat race to look younger these days, but the audience would surely mature to accept actors playing their age in movies.

‘The audience here is youth audience. It’s not Hollywood where a 50-year-old is playing the lead character. So the effort is to look younger, which sometimes is not at all enjoyable. I hope it changes. I hope people can play their own age,’ said Irfan.

‘In ‘Banegi Apni Baat’, even now in ‘In Treatment’, they had to age me. One of my friends met me in the Cairo film festival – she is a Turkish actor – and said ‘why you keep on doing this role, which is older than your age?’ Like in ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, I start being a 20-year-old and get older through the film. So I think how would I look as a 20-year-old guy?’ he added.

‘For me, there is more effort to make things effective. And things are effective when they are done and not pretended. There is a very thin line between when you are pretending and when you are doing it from within. To blur that thin line, one needs practice and working on yourself…,’ said Irfan.

The actor says the fate of a film is always unpredictable.

‘A film is such a mysterious thing that no one can say whether it’s going to work or not. You can say everything is working on paper, it cannot go wrong, but after editing the whole thing might suddenly change and the audience reacts to it in a completely different manner. So, it’s a very strange chemistry between the film and the audience,’ said Irfan.

George Clooney recovers from malaria after Sudan trip

Hollywood hunk George Clooney has just recovered from malaria, which he contracted in Africa earlier this month.

The news sparked minor panic among showbiz fans online after television host Piers Morgan revealed details about Clooney’s health scare via Twitter.

“BREAKING NEWS: George Clooney has contracted malaria following recent trip to Sudan,” he wrote.

However, Morgan, who replaced CNN’s long-serving talkshow host Larry King this year, failed to mention the actor had since recovered.

Clooney’s representative quickly set the record straight, insisting the ‘Oceans Eleven’ star was now in good health after receiving treatment for the condition.

“George is completely over the malaria he contracted while in the Sudan during the first week in January,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clooney’s representative as telling Access Hollywood.

The actor was in the Sudan as part of a humantarian trip with the United Nations and Google, called the Enough project.

In a statement, Clooney said his recovery “illustrates how with proper medication, the most lethal condition in Africa, can be reduced to bad ten days instead of a death sentence.” (ANI)

Kader Khan Chooses Television Over Films

Another Bollywood actor makes his foray into the small screen. And this time it is the funny man of the yesteryears, Kader Khan. After having worked in over 300 films over the last three decades, he is making a comeback but this time he has chosen television over the big screen. He was earlier seen in Hasna Mat on the small screen.

He will be a part of the comedy television series ‘Hi! Padosi…Kaun Hai Doshi?’ This show will be aired on Monday only on Sahara One. This comedy is being directed by Sunil Prasad, who had earlier made ‘Kumkum’.

‘Hi! Padosi…Kaun Hai Doshi?’ is about two neighbors living on the same floor of a building. While one is from Punjab, called Harvansh Lal Mehta, the other man is from Gujrat, Hansmukh Lal Mehta. The confusion stems from the same initials of both the neighbors. ‘Hi! Padosi…Kaun Hai Doshi?’  also stars Govind Bole, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Giriraj Kabra, Nilu Kohli, Muni Jha, Gulfam Khan and Govind Khatri.

We best remember Kader Khan for his comic acts in David Dhawan films alongside Govinda. In the later part of his career, we saw Kader Khan in supporting roles as an uncle, brother, father or even the side kick of the villain in several films.

Kader Khan had also written the dialogues for Manmohan Desai’s film Roti. It has been reported that Kader Khan is currently penning down the sequel of the hit comedy film, Andaaz Apna Apna. The film was supposed to go into pre-production in 2009, but the film has been put on hold for the time being.

Johnny Depp Will Recreate Lone Ranger’s Tonto

The interesting world in George W Trendle’s The Lone Ranger will get a makeover in Johnny Depp’s hand as Depp believes in the cause of Native Americans. Depp is set to play the character of Tonto in the movie, which is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Depp says that Native Americans have not got their rightful place in the movie-dom yet. He intends to change that by bringing life to Tonto in yet unseen avatar. Tonto is an important character of the series as he is always present beside the Texas Ranger and is like his best friend. The series is important as it has been played over the radio, television and even films.

Prior to Depp, names that have been associated with the character are John Todd and Jay Silverheels. Depp believes that the character has more value than any one has ever been able to portray. And a reason why the character never got highlighted enough was its country of origin.

Depp has said that Ranger’s sidekick will get funnier in this version. Also Tonto will have a larger identity in this film, giving him an independent image. Depp has informed that the screenplay so far has turned out to be a bone tickling one. Do you think this time around there will be two heroes in The Lone Ranger, instead of one?

‘Agneepath’ Gets A Romantic Makeover In Karan Johar’s Hands

1990 film Agneepath is being remade, and how! Karan Johar, who says he is making the movie with his dad Yash Johar had originally made as it had bombed at box-office then, has promised more drama than action in the movie.

Karan says that the relationship between the lead actors in the movie Amitabh Bachchan and Madhavi will be the focus this time. And it will get hotter with Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra abiding by Karan’s wishes to create some hot chemistry for the screen.

Karan had seen the making of the original movie as a kid and thinks that there was some smouldering chemistry between the lead pair then. But then times have changed and he wants to show it by even more bolder scenes this time. This time around Priyanka will not be the nurse which Madhavi had played in the flick originally.

The movie seems will be an adult one. Many are comparing this with the kind of rapport Hrithik and Priyanka had shared for Krrish. While Krrish involved making children’s movie under a science-fiction theme, Agneepath is a piece of history which needs to be ignited again!

So do you think Hrithik will dance his super cool style in this movie? Well, even that would be much different than what Amitabh had done ever!

Will attend IIFA if we’re free: Abhishek Bachchan

New Delhi, Jan 21 – Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has said that if their work schedules permit they would definitely go to attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards to be held in Toronto.

‘I don’t know when it is but obviously if we are free and not working, yes we’ll go for it. We’ll see if we could accommodate it, but if we are busy making films then obviously we won’t be able to go there,’ Abhishek, who graces the cover of latest issue of Stardust magazine along with wife Aishwarya Rai, told reporters here Thursday night.

‘Because if we don’t make the films we won’t get nominated the next year so we have to concentrate on our work. If our schedule permits let’s see,’ he added. The actor was in the capital to unveil the latest issue of the magazine along with Aishwarya.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan had been the brand ambassador of IIFA ever since its inception in 2000. However, Big B created a stir when he revealed on microblogging site Twitter that he will not attend the ceremony in Toronto as IIFA said it no longer requires his services.

An official statement from the organizers said that they have aborted the concept of brand ambassador.

‘Due to unexplainable reasons, after announcing the event as brand ambassador, Bachchan couldn’t participate in the IIFA weekend at Sri Lanka last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a brand ambassador,’ said Sabbas Joseph, director Wizcraft, which organizes the event.

The statement also said: ‘The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and in this regard we have already shared with them a proposal about their participation this year too.’

The awards ceremony will be held in Toronto from June 23-25.

IANS