'Rani is heading YRF'

Though unwillingly, Ranveer Singh has let the cat out of the bag. His acting skills were lauded extensively in Band Baaja Baraat but Ranveer proved to be quite an amateur at improvisation. 

 While shooting an episode with Anushka Sharma on Karan Johar's chat show Koffee With Karan, Ranveer accidentally referred to Rani Mukerji as "MD" of Yash Raj Films while not taking her name.

Ranveer has a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films and happens to be Aditya Chopra's blue-eyed boy. Our source said, "The conversation on the show was between KJo and Anushka Sharma and Karan asked Anushka if she thought she could act better than all other actresses in the industry.

Anushka said, 'Yes, barring one.' Before she could say who, Ranveer, who had been silent, blurted out the question, 'MD?' and before anyone else, KJo said, 'Oh, let's not go that path'."

According to industry sources Rani is believed to be the one calling the shots at YRF. And if this rumour were anything to go by, Ranveer accidentally affirmed it.

Though Anushka spoke soon enough and said that she was referring to Kareena Kapoor, the damage was done.

The source added, "It is known that ever since Rani has been dating Adi, the head honcho of YRF Films, she is one of the most feared people in Yash Raj Studios.

She is believed to be one of the key decision makers in the YRF camp. Ranveer might have referred to Rani, hoping Anushka would name her and in turn impress Adi."

Whilst a lot may be lost in translation we would still give Ranveer benefit of the doubt and ask: were you referring to Madhuri Dixit by any chance?

Vidya, Sid getting engaged?

"More women are lost to marriage than floods and famine,'' said a skeptic. Despite constant and vehement denials from the concerned parties, it seems like Bollywood is about to lose some of its best talent to the institution shortly. 

 Talk is that B-town's most celebrated talent Vidya Balan, who is good friends with Siddharth Roy Kapur, a top film corporation honcho may reportedly get engaged to him.

A top industry source says, "Vid and Sid are close. And in the past weeks they have been spotted spending quality time with each other on two occasions. The first time was when they reportedly stayed back after an awards night in Singapore and more recently when they were photographed in casual attire at a beach destination in India.''

Rumours say that Vidya who is doing some exceptional film work this year may consider getting engaged to Siddharth. There is also talk that the film corporation executive is not comfortable talking about his friendship with the actress because he is allegedly waiting for his divorce to come through.

Vidya's secretary however rubbishes all this talk. Says he, "Vidya has to first know Siddharth well enough to marry him. One doesn't necessarily marry people one is friendly to or has dinners with."

The actress remained unavailable for comment.

Genelia gets behind the bar!

Sassy babe Genelia D'Souza is helping raise money for an NGO that works towards providing aid to women in need. 

 Genelia will don the robe and raise a toast to uplifting the lives of women in need by hosting the entire evening at a popular nightclub. She will also personally assist in fundraising, mingling with the guests and will show her solidarity towards empowering women to live a life of dignity, respect and financial independence.

Genelia says, "This is a great opportunity for me to align myself to a cause that has always been close to my heart. I totally believe that the strength of a woman and her ability to deal with adversity is phenomenal. I also believe that if you educate and empower one woman, she has the capacity to turn around her entire family and improve their standard of living. Women have always been the paragon of undeniable strength, intelligence and courage."

Puja Gupta is single

So we found out yet another Delhi girl who's soon going to make it big in B-town. Former Miss India Puja Gupta plays a spoilt child with a carefree attitude in her debut film " F.A.L.T.U".

"This is my first movie. Please pray that I do well," said the tall, svelte Puja with a smile, who was mighty frightened on the first day of her shooting. "I was so petrified and lost on my first day, I didn't even know camera kahaan hai... Then Remo sir (Remo D'Souza, the film's director) took me to the corner and told me, "Kya hua? I'm also nervous, it's my first day too, so chill.' And then I smiled," she recollected. 

Lastly, we asked her if she is single? "Ummmm yes," she replied. What took you so long to say yes, eh, Puja?

Salman didn't throw me out: Kangna

TOI pins the actress down with seven prickly questions...

Charge 1:
Films in which you haven't played an edgy character, haven't clicked.
It would be wrong to say that. Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai did well. But yes, that was more of Ajay Devgn's film.

But how long could I go on playing those whacko characters? I kept getting similar roles but yearned to play other characters and I reached a pint of desperation.

I used to cry and wonder why I was not being offered roles, which could do justice to my talent. I could see that those roles were going to girls who had boyfriends and contacts at the right places. I couldn't make friends.

I was lonely Nobody was even recommending me. Instead of unwinding, I would often be researching drug-addicts or schizophrenics.

Thankfully, times have changed. Today I am in very happy space. I am playing a flirtatious girl in Rascals and Sanjay Dutt's secretary in Dhamaal 2.

Charge 2...
You said nobody was recommending you. But today, Ajay Devgn does.
(Interrupts) That's not true. In fact now, Ajay and I are thinking of not doing films together for two-three years. We are taking a break from each other professionally.

That's how Ajay also feels. We can't make our on-screen chemistry repetitive.

Charge 3...
Its' said that you use names of A-list actors to add to your brand equity.
If I could win so many awards- there are close to twenty lying in my house- without dropping names and without even working with big actors, then why would I suddenly start now? That too at a time, when I am actually doing better for myself.

I suspect sabotage. I know people who bitch about me; they are nice to my face though.

Charge 4...
Salman and you had an issue earlier.
Salman has never had a problem with me. Why doesn't anybody ask this question to Salman? It could be that people misconstrue my introvert nature.

I could never develop friends in this industry. I don't like filmi life and I don't connect to people who say nothing but, 'yeh woh picture kar rahi hai, yeh woh picture nahin kar rahi hai'. Most people are self-obsessed here and can't have a good conversation.

Charge 5...
You have had a wardrobe malfunction more than once at social gatherings. Its' said that you do it for publicity.
I have seen the pictures that were printed. It was definitely not intentional. I would do anything to be left alone.

If nobody believes that, I request the media not to fall prey to my plans. I am too smart. Don't give me publicity.

Charge 6...
You have become a part of Sanjay Dutt's house. You are more close to his wife Manyata than her best friend Amisha Patel is.

If I could be a part of my own household, I would be glad. I haven't gone home for the last three months. How can I be a part of Sanjay Dutt's house and why?

Charge 7...
You gatecrashed at Salman's party in Bangkok and were asked to leave.
I am young, successful and happening. People pay me to attend their parties. Would you close the gates to me if I wanted to attend your party? Salman, who I repeat is a friend, requested me to do a cameo in Ready. Why would I go uninvited to his party?

Woods' ex mistress to sell her apartment

Tiger Woods' former mistress Rachel Uchitel has put her Park Ave. apartment on sale for 1.95 million dollars.

"I renovated it and it's gorgeous. I don't live in New York full time, and it's a good time to sell. Other units are available on my floor, and mine is mint condition and cheaper," the New York Daily News quoted Uchitel as saying.

Uchitel bought the three-bedroom condo just last year for 1.63 million dollars.

The former nightclub hostess is living in Los Angeles studying forensic psychology and fielding local job offers, she said.

She put the swank pad up for rent in October asking 10,600 dollars a month.

Uchitel claims she had some offers, including one from actor Chris Noth, but she was using the apartment on and off and ultimately decided to sell.

Asked if she'll ever move back to New York, Uchitel said that remained her "hope."

Back in October, she said her dream was to settle down in the Park Ave. pad.

"Ideally I'd love to have a career, own a small business and live with a family in that apartment. That would be my happily ever after," she said.

Will Natalie break the curse?

A study conducted by the University of Toronto has found that actresses who win an Academy Award have either broken up with their husbands, boyfriends or lovers just months after winning.

And if the new research is to be believed, then actress Natalie Portman, who is the hot favourite for the top award for her performance in ''Black Swan'', could end up being the next to feel the curse, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The study showed that Best Actress winners have a 63 percent chance of ending up divorced, and that winners were proven to be 1.68 times more likely to head to the divorce court than those who were nominated but didn''t take home the gold.

Betting agencies are already giving punters the chance to bet on the likelihood of the newly engaged and pregnant Portman, 29, succumbing to "the curse".

Sports Interaction is just one US site who will pay 1.50 dollars if the actress and her fiancee Benjamin Millepied remain together officially until December 31, 2012.

Stars who were affected by the Oscar''s curse are:

Sandra Bullock 2010 - Her five-year marriage to Jesse James ended just days after her Oscar win for ''The Blind Side'' when she discovered he had been having an affair with a tattoo model.

Kate Winslet 2009 - A year after winning the Best Actress award playing a concentration camp guard in ''The Reader'', Winslet''s marriage to director Sam Mendes ended.

Reese Witherspoon 2006 - Witherspoon accepted the Best Actress award for her role in ''Walk the Line''. By the end of the year, she had left her husband and father of her two children, actor Ryan Philippe.

Hilary Swank 2005 - Swank split from husband Chad Lowe, whom she had called "my everything" during her acceptance speech, a year after winning for her role in ''Million Dollar Baby''.

Charlize Theron 2004 - As Theron accepted her Oscar for ''Monster'', she said of long-time boyfriend Stuart Townsend: "I have to thank my incredible partner in crime. You are one hell of a partner to have. Thank you for standing by me."

The couple ended their nine-year relationship in January 2010.

Halle Berry 2002 - Berry became the first black woman to win an Oscar for ''Monster''s Ball'' and a year later she left husband Eric Benet.

Julia Roberts 2001 - Roberts took home the Oscar for ''Erin Brockovich'' and thanked boyfriend of four years Benjamin Bratt in her speech. Three months later they parted ways.

Gwyneth Paltrow 1999 - Paltrow won her best actress Oscar for ''Shakespeare in Love'' and at the time was reportedly deeply in love with Ben Affleck. The couple split two months later.

I'm still sleeping with Alex: Jordan

Katie Price a.k.a. Jordan has revealed in a new interview that she is still sleeping with estranged husband Alex Reid. 

She also thinks her ex Peter Andre is still in love with her.

The 32-year-old glamorous model, who has parted ways with her cage fighter hubby Reid, confessed that they still share a bed on occasion.

"We're separated. Yeah, he still comes to the house but we're not together. Do I go and f*** Joe Public or do I go and f*** an ex? Can anyone here tell me that they've never f***ed an ex?" the Daily Mail quoted Jordan, who flew to Los Angeles for this weekend's Oscars, as saying of Reid.

"We are still friends, we are adult and amicable... It's completely different from Pete," she told Evening Standard in a confessional and often foul-mouthed interview.

Jordan also claimed that Andre was 'probably' still in love with her even after he contacted lawyers over an accidental burn their 3-year-old daughter Princess Tiaamii got while on holiday.

"I wish you could see the burn. It is tiny and not painful. She was with my mother and sister in Klosters and I asked them to put her pyjamas in the sauna so they would be warm and cosy for her when she went to bed and she must have followed my mum in and caught her arm," she said.

"If you knew what went on over on Pete's side of things, it is pure evil. He's probably still in f***ing love with me. That's the problem. There's a thin line between love and hate," she added.

Drew Barrymore finds love again

Actress Drew Barrymore is reportedly dating art consultant Will Kopelman.

The two were spotted coming out arm-in-arm from a restaurant in Beverly Hills. They were previously seen on a night out at the Music Box, reports contact music. Barrymore was previously dating her "Going The Distance" co-star Justin Long.

Naomi questioned by police

Actress Naomi Watts was questioned by police after a tussle with a videographer in a playground. 

 Watts was out with her two young sons, Sasha and Samuel, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, when she took issue with a female paparazzo who got too close for comfort, reports contactmusic .

The actress was asked to explain about her heated exchange after the videographer called the police.

Producer halts Charlie Sheen's TV show

The makers of " Two And A Half Men" has stopped the production of the hit TV show after its lead actor Charlie Sheen lambasted the show's creator Chuck Lorre in an interview. CBS and Warner Bros. Television confirmed it in a statement, reports People.

"Based on the totality of Charlie Sheen's statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros Television have decided to discontinue production of 'Two And A Half Men' for the remainder of the season," said the statement.

The statement was released after Sheen, 45, went on profane, rambling rampages against Alcoholics Anonymous, Party Girls, his ex-wife, and Thomas Jefferson and Lorre.

In an open letter posted on TMZ, Sheen responded: "I fire back once and this contaminated little maggot can't handle my power and can't handle the truth. I wish him nothing but pain in his silly travels, especially if they wind up in my octagon. Clearly I have defeated this earthworm with my words - imagine what I would have done with my fire breathing fists."

Arquette thought Cox was cheating on him

Actor-director David Arquette has revealed that he suspected that his estranged wife Courteney Cox was having an affair. 

 "There were tabloid stories coming out about her and someone on her show having, you know, an affair," Arquette told Oprah Winfrey on her talk show.

"I thought she was having an affair with someone. Nobody would've said something like that if she weren't." (He, however, now says he knows those stories weren't "true".)

Arquette says Cox went into depression after hinting the marriage was over and that the news hit him hard as well.

"She came down really depressed one day, and was like 'I'm really just not happy.'. I felt really sort of abandoned at that point. A deal is a deal." (The phrase is engraved on the inside of the couple's wedding bands, which they exchanged in 1999.)

"I was angry with...the dynamic of our relationship. I was angry with my wife," said the star, who has struggled with addiction.

Arquette also revealed that he was upset with Cox earning more money than him. The actress made $1 million per episode in the final season of the hit sitcom "Friends", reports usmagazine .

"She was on this incredibly successful show, so she made more money than me. I was sort of always in her shadow. And I'd held all this bitterness," he added.

Jennifer Lopez's daughter has the singing bug!

Jennifer Lopez, who swapped her singing career for the relaxed life of a judge on American Idol, has revealed that her two-year-old daughter has the singing bug.

The 41-year-old pop diva said 2-year-old Emme, her daughter with husband Marc Anthony, has a 'beautiful little voice'.

"She has a beautiful little voice, like a little Shirley Temple vibrato thing," the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

But Emme might need a bit of training.

"She sings out of pure joy and pleasure but the minute she thinks you are watching she stops," she explained.

Kate Moss felt faint at NME Awards

Supermodel Kate Moss had to be taken backstage at the NME Awards because she was ''feeling faint'', according to sources.

The catwalk queen was given oxygen by volunteers from St John Ambulance, at the O2 Brixton Academy.

"Kate was getting stuck in. She wasn''t sat with shrinking violets-Bobby Gillespie, Mick Jones and all the usual suspects," the Sun quoted a source as saying.

"Halfway through, she was feeling faint. The place was jumping and she had to get Jamie to help her to the first-aid room.

"Afterwards he took her home in a taxi and then went out to carry on the party at a London Fashion Week bash," said the source.

Tyson's series is about his love for pigeons

Former world boxing champion Mike Tyson will open up about his love for pigeons in a new documentary series.

The 44-year-old has been breeding and racing the birds since childhood.

His new six-part series called ''Taking On Tyson'' starts on the Discovery Channel in March, reports the Sun .

Tyson, who has served time in jail for rape, calls pigeon-fancying a ''secret solace''.

"I have been dedicated to pigeons even when I have been fighting or getting locked up," he said.

The documentary shows him caring for birds in roof-top coops in his home city of New York.

Portman shows off her sexy side in new ad

'Black Swan'' star Natalie Portman has shown her sexy side in a French fragrance commercial.

The ad for Miss Dior Cherie perfume shows the actress standing with her bare back in a half zipped little black Dior dress while her on-screen lover awaits her in her bed, reports the New York Daily News .

Portman is also seen blindfolding her on-screen beau with his bow tie, kissing him passionately on a bed and soaking in a tub wearing nothing but her Dior sunglasses.

Director Sofia Coppola drenches the ad with Parisian glamour from the Serge Gainsbourg soundtrack to the clear homage to Jean Luc Godard''s 1960s films.

Another image that Coppola added is a white swan gliding through the water – an obvious nod to Portman''s Oscar-nominated role as a ballerina in the Darren Aranofsky film 'Black Swan'.

Dad blames himself for LiLo's downfall

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan's father Michael admits he is "100 percent" responsible for his daughter's personal troubles.

Michael believes the collapse of his marriage to Dina prompted Lindsay's downfall.

"Justifiably, no doubt, 100 percent. Her mother - Dina and I are responsible. I have to say myself more than Dina. Because if it wasn't for the fight I had when I caught her brother smoking crack at my son's party. I reacted the wrong way," contactmusic.com quoted him as saying.

"I did not have to beat him up. I did not have to react the way I did - and inevitably that was the launch for our divorce... It was me or her (Dina's) family, and she chose her family, and that broke Lindsay's heart... It's a wake-up call for me."

The " Mean Girls" actress is currently facing a prison spell as she prepares to go to trial over a felony theft charge stemming from allegations she stole a necklace.

Shakira to fall in love again

Colombian singer Shakira has fuelled rumours that she is dating Spanish footballer Gerard Pique after the two were spotted happily walking hand-in-hand.

The photographs show Pique gently leading Shakira, as they left their car and entered an eatery in Barcelona.

The 24-year-old FC Barcelona defender had been squiring the 34-year-old singer around the Catalonian capital before they decided to stop for a bite.

Both of them beamed at the cameras as they pulled up in a car outside the restaurant, and didn't hide their hand-holding as they made their way inside.

For long, the duo has been insisting they are just good friends. Shakira has previously dated lawyer Antonio de la Rua, 37, the eldest son of the former Argentinian premier. However, they broke up amid rumours that he was cheating on her.

Shocking pics of bruised Rihanna emerge

Shocking new pictures of singer Rihanna following her beating at the hands of ex-beau, Chris Brown, have emerged.

In the images, the pop star has multiple lacerations on her lips, huge bruises on her eyes, around her cheeks and forehead, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Brown was forced to speak out after MediaTakeOut released pictures showing the results of physical abuse he inflicted on the ''Umbrella'' hitmaker after a 2009 fight.

Brown was convicted of assaulting his then girlfriend back in 2009. He was sentenced to five years probation, 180 days of community labor and ordered not to contact Rihanna.

The leak of these latest images come just a day after a Los Angeles judge revised a protective order which now allows Brown and Rihanna to communicate.

Brown took to Twitter to address the release of the horrific images:

"The Devil is always busy!! But when u have a destiny, nothing or no one can stop what god has planned!"

Madhuri in Remo's musical

Madhuri Dixit and Remo D'Souza, co-judges of the reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa are now taking their professional acquaintance a notch higher.

Reportedly, Dixit will feature in D'Souza's upcoming song and dance film. When contacted, D'Souza tells us, "It's my dream to direct a musical film, unlike the way we usually define a musical in our Hindi films.

It will be a Broadway styled musical with the characters expressing themselves through song and dance, instead of dialogues. I can't imagine making a musical without Madhuriji. According to me, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun is one of the finest expressions of human aspirations in song and dance. That is the kind of musical I want to do with Madhuri."

Patience is a virtue, believes Katrina

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif sincerely believes that "Sabr ka phal meetha hota hai" (Patience always pays off) -- the slogan for her new Mango Slice ad campaign. She says she adapts to it in real life too.

"When one hears the word patience, a lot of people think of 'waiting for a long time' and sitting idle doing nothing' but it is not my interpretation of patience. For me, patience is about waiting for the right thing and also about what you're doing while you're waiting," said Katrina.

"It is about actively having a plan and a goal and knowing what you want to do; it is the most important thing for me. Of course, hard work and determination are important, but having a passion for something is what makes the difference. That is the mantra I follow in my career and in my life," she added.

However, the 26-year-old stunner, who has made it big in tinsel town in a span of just seven years, also believes luck played a strong role in her life.

After a bad start with the 2003 "Boom", the British-born actress started her success story with "Namastey London" and continued with "Apne", "Partner", "Welcome", "Race" and "Singh Is Kinng" -- not to forget her stint in political thriller "Raajneeti".

"I had a goal and I was very passionate about it, but I was not in a rush to grab anything to get there. I've also been blessed, the right opportunities unfolded for me at the right time. But still it is a step by step journey, it is a process...," said Katrina, who is a rage nowadays for her saucy dance in "Sheila ki jawaani".

She says that is also the thought behind the Mango Slice campaign featuring her.

Shot in Thailand, the Slice commercial features Katrina wearing an orange dress. Her look has been styled by designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock.

Abhi, Ash to attend Oscars

After Cannes film festival, Abhi-Ash has been invited by the Academy to grace the Oscars Award ceremony on Sunday. 

The beautiful couple, Abhishek and Aishwarya is busy shopping in LA these days. Reason? The couple will grace the Oscars Award ceremony on Sunday.

Junior Bachchan and his beautiful wife have been invited by the Academy to attend the Oscars and it is believed they are one of the few Indian celebs attending the awards this year.

Happy about the news of beta-bahu gracing the Oscars, Amitabh Bachchan confirmed, "Abhishek and Aishwarya have been invited by the Academy to attend the Oscars on Sunday."

He also informed that Abhishek and Ash will join an American actor Warren Beatty whom they met during their shopping at LA.

Now that's an honor for Bachchan parivaar isn't it!

SRK dons new role with Mughal-E-Azam

Sporting the super hot look of Don 2, SRK talks of preserving old classics. 

 It looked as if it was a Don 2 event. The sassy dialogues from the film stylishly mouthed, the sexy stubble combined with an unkempt pony-tailed look and his inimitable wit thrown in between, Shah Rukh Khan was literally coerced to give glimpses of what was coming in the forthcoming Don 2 ... But hang on. It wasn't Don 2 event. So SRK skillfully turned around the focus from him to the actual event, the documentary launch of K Asif's classic Mughal-E-Azam , this time by mouthing his favorite dialogue from the classic Salim tumhe marne nahin denge Anarkali, aur hum tumhe jeene nahin denge and there it was .....the evening rolled out and how!

To commemorate the fifty years of the classic, SRK's company put together this 22 minute documentary that presented clippings of the colorized version of the film. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Randhir Kapoor threw in their bits of suggestions, views and appreciations along with the family members of K Asif who spoke about the need of preserving this all time classic.

The stage was set and SRK, who flew down from Malaysia where he was shooting for Don 2 , assumed the role of the narrator and took the audiences through the making of the documentary and film with some personal anecdotes thrown in between.

This film was special to him, he said. And not just because of its majestic execution and exploration of a unique love story, but also because King Khan's father, Taj Mohammed Khan, shot for the film! "My father was cast in the role that Ajit played, but later K Asif saab decided against taking him. Maybe Asif saab thought my father would be good at producing children than act in movies," said King Khan amidst laughter.

Though SRK didn't understand the film when he first saw it as a child, he fell in love when he saw it again years later. "The grandeur and magnificence, the vision with which the film was shot and the purity of love and passion shown between the lovers enamored me".

SRK feels Hollywood filmmaker Martin Scorsese inspired him at initiating the thought of movie preservation. "Martin was keen on preserving some old Hollywood classics, but what I found amazing was his interest in preserving some of our films of Ritwick Ghatak and Satyajit Ray. I thought `why can't we do it?' and that's how it all started," explained the actor.

Any plans for any of his movies to be documented. "Aree I have many more years to do many films. Lets see how things go. Maybe Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ....I know it's not a classic and nowhere near any great classics we have in our legacy. But no harm in thinking", he said with a wink. The actor also urged that nobody should think of remaking Mughal-E-Azam . "It's the mother of all films, and Maa ki remake nahin hote ".

Other than SRK's wit, the evening also saw one of Sa Re Ga Ma's singer croon the eternal song Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya , from the film.

Warren Beatty in awe of Big B?

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan finds it hard to believe that American actor Warren Beatty knows him, respects him and is in awe of him.

The "Bonnie and Clyde" actor met Abhishek Bachchan at a store in Los Angeles, and while the father and son were talking online, he revealed the news to the 68-year-old actor.

"Abhishek informs of his meeting with Warren Beatty at a store in LA, his knowledge and respect for me and my films and his wonder at me still working. Warren Beatty?? Indian Films?? Knows about Amitabh Bachchan and is in 'awe' ???!!!(sic)," Big B posted on his blog.

"Hmmm ... some things not right here!! And he actually asked for Abhishek from the store owner because he knew he was my son !! This is getting weird !! I mean ... how would... you know... how does he ... its not possible ...you mean he actually (sic)," he added.

Haarsh debuts with SRK's 'Always Kabhi...'

Haarsh Nagar is making his big debut in a supporting role in " Always Kabhi Kabhi", which is being produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment. The newcomer will also feature in a Coke ad and is very excited about it.

"Cricket to us was more than a sport, it was a worship and that's one reason I'm doing the TVC for Coke Pakistan for the Cricket World Cup in 2011," said Nagar.

The debutant also spills the bean on how cricketing fever gripped the cast and the crew of his film.

"The entire cast and crew were great cricket lovers including (director) Roshan Abbas. This energy not only motivated us but the entire crew of 'Always Kabhi Kabhi' and we started following it as a daily regime during our free time," he said.

"It was a pleasant sight to watch Roshan Abbas play a jovial cheerleader as compared to the thorough professional he portrayed while shooting. In fact, we were so excited with the whole cricketing concept that we requested him to make us all a part of Shah Rukh's IPL team (Kolkata Knight Riders)," he added.

Haarsh has previously played a lead role in director Arnaud Selignac's Hollywood movie "The Queen" opposite actress Mylene Jampanoi. It will be aired on HBO in Europe shortly.

2011 - the year of action films

Everyone from SRK, Salman, Aamir, Hrithik and Ajay Devgn are doing action films in 2011. 

 Shah Rukh Khan who has always been popular as the eternal romantic in Bollywood will be seen as an action hero or rather superhero in 2011. Both his releases in this year – Ra.One and Don 2 are action-packed entertainers. Aamir Khan might have done a Ghajini in between but he has always been more popular for his chocolate boy image. However even he has beefed up his body for the suspense-thriller to be directed by Reema Kagti. Salman Khan has reason enough to celebrate his topless appeal after the success of his actioners like Wanted and Dabangg which he will take forward with their sequels and films like Bodyguard .

So how come this sudden upsurge in action films in Bollywood in recent times? Action has always been a common genre in Hindi films but off late they have become very popular. While on one side we say that Hindi cinema is evolving with more sense and sensibility coming in storytelling, on the other hand masala entertainers and blatant hardcore action films are still a big hit amongst masses. So for every Taare Zameen Par , Aamir Khan attempts a Ghajini and Ajay Devgn alternates every Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji with Aakrosh . Even his comic legacy of Golmaal is spiced up with generous dose of action. In fact his next film with Rohit Shetty is a hardcore action film – the remake of South hit Singham starring Suriya.

South is a major inspiration when it comes to exaggeration in action. Their no-hold-barred stunt sequences, which till now seemed too overstated in Hindi films, are now common phenomena in Bollywood with remakes like Ghajini and Wanted making big money. That has made way for more South films and 2011 will see remakes of superhit south actioners like Singham, Bodyguard and Kick .

South films have always gone a step ahead whether in stunts or in SFX. The kind of action sequences that are choreographed for Rajinikanth's Robot is unmatchable and Bollywood is still making efforts to reach their standards. Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One which has a suspiciously similar storyline like Rajinikanth's Robot also has the train action sequence similar to Robot for which apparently a two-kilometer chroma-screen was erected.

Also Shah Rukh has jumped down a 300 feet building in Don 2 and confessed that at his age it is physically taxing to do an as much demanding action film. Hrithik Roshan's road adventure flick Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara promises loads of thrills including Katrina's dirt-biking stunts, Abhay Deol's deep-sea diving and a bull-running match in Spain in the climax. Ajay Devgn's Singham and Salman Khan's Bodyguard will have raw action in the form of fist-fights and physical combats.

Priyadarshan's Tez starring Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal is an action adventure film about a man holding a speeding train between London and Glasgow to ransom. While that may sound suspiciously similar to films like The Bullet Train and The Taking Of Pelham 123 , Priyadarshan claims that Tezz resembles more to Keanu Reeves' Speed . Abbas-Mustan's Players which is remake of the Hollywood hit The Italian Job is an action-packed heist thriller. Real life lovers Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor will fight each other in Agent Vinod where director Sriram Raghavan wants to revive the charm of Bollywood spy drama of 70s like Farz and Aankhen but in contemporary context.

So, for a change, take a break from the feel-good genre and get ready to kick some butt in 2011. Bollywood is back in action!

Action films in 2011

1. Ra.One
2. Don 2
3. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
4. Tezz
5. Players ( The Italian Job remake)
6. Singham remake
7. Kick remake
8. Bodyguard remake
9. Agent Vinod
10. Power
11. Department

Priyanka's date with Lady Gaga

Actress Priyanka Chopra seems to be completely smitten by American popstar Lady Gaga after she got an opportunity to attend her concert in New York.

"Hey guys. I'm in my most favourite city in the world. NYC baby! Went to the lady gaga concert at MSG (Madison Square Garden) last night," Priyanka wrote on microblogging site Twitter.

"She's so hugely talented, completely crazy and so unapologetic. That was awesome. She's also totally sweet which was nice to c. Go gaga! (Sic)" she added.

Priyanka to miss Shahid's b'day!

Shahid Kapoor may end up spending his 30th birthday today without his soul-mate Priyanka Chopra singing happy birthday to him. The actor, who is throwing a close door bash has reportedly 'split' with PC.

PC, according to rumours, is in the US. Some say the actress is reportedly shaken up by the lukewarm box office reports of her latest release and she planned a quick getaway to America. She is expected to join the Don-2 schedule in Malaysia shortly. Though PC may not end up going to the bash, Shahid who was a regular at her home till a few days ago, has invited Priyanka's parents to attend his party. When they were seeing each other Shahid and PC were inseparable. From their New Year getaway in Goa to Priyanka landing up on Mausum's sets in Punjab, we have seen the two head-over-heels in love. Now rumours (sometimes these seem engineered) say PC will not be there at Sasha's do.

Though Priyanka could not be contacted, her manager confirmed that PC will not attend Shahid's bash that is happening in a suburban Italian joint. Knowing how fickle these two are, who knows?

I'm good at untying saris: SRK

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan Wednesday urged the youth to stay away from corruption and make India a better place by being honest citizens.

"The negative has to change. There is so much corruption around and the future can be bettered by young boys and girls only, so that the generations to come can be proud of the country," Shah Rukh said while addressing students at a management institute in Delhi.

"It is my earnest plea - do not indulge in scams or corruption. Everyday there are new scams in newspapers and TV. So I request the young generation to do things that do not leave the new generations embarrassed. Just make the best of opportunities and I wish all of you all the best," he added.

"A lot of people ask me what advice I have to give to them. But I'll tell you honestly. I was at an award function with Mr. Bachchan once and before going to the stage, I asked him - 'Sir, do you have any advice to give?' He said- 'Before going to the stage, just check if your zip is up or not!'

"So I did that before my performance! And that's all I have to advise you youngsters - make sure all your zippers are intact when you do anything in life, and all shall be well," said the actor.

The 45-year-old also repeated his dialogue from "Om Shanti Om", and said: "Agar end mein sab kuch theek na ho, to woh the end nahi hain dosto...Picture abhi baaki hai... (If something does not end well, that's not the end, friends...the picture is still pending)".

His nearly three-hour delay left the students and media drained, but Shah Rukh's grand entry in a blue Bentley lifted everyone's spirits in no time. Sporting his deadly, new look for "Don - The Chase Continues" - complete with long, unkempt hair and a beard, the actor left the girls asking for more.

The audience at the Parkland Exotica were enthralled as Shah Rukh hosted the quiz show in his trademark, witty style.

He joked, laughed, pulled the contestants' legs and even took a dig at college dean Arindam Chaudhary's long locks.

"I am sporting long hair for my new film...but I should really learn how to keep them shampooed and straight like Arindam's hair...," he quipped.

His witty and naughty one liners didn't spare some international students too. When one young girl from the US said she loved Indian saris, Shah Rukh commented: "Oh well...I am quite good at untying saris!"

Red ants on Deepika's back!

She had around 50-60 big red ants crawling on her back for almost half a day while shooting for the item song Dum Maaro Dum.

Ever since Deepika Padukone was signed on for an item number for Rohan Sippy's film Dum Maaro Dum , she has been making news. Now that the song has been shot, industry insiders who have had a sneak peek of it claim it to be the item number of the year. Deepika Padukone is looking red hot in the song and we tell you why.

Deepika had some very tough scenes to do in the song. There was this one scene where she was required to have around 50-60 big, red ants crawling on her back. Though the scene was a very crucial one, director Rohan Sippy was not keen on having Deepika do the scene, as it would be a very risky one.

However, Deepika being the thorough professional that she is refused to use a body double, even though Rohan Sippy insisted on using one for the scene, as she felt that would not look authentic. She chose to do the scene herself.

"Deepika had to have the crawlies on her back for almost half a day, as the scene had to be shot from various angles. Many times Deepika would be bitten by the ants, but not once did she complain. In fact, when the shot was over, Deepika's back was completely red due to the ant bites", informs a unit-hand present at the closely guarded song shoot.

Deepika also worked very hard to look her sexiest best for the item number. She worked out rigorously and trained hard for the dance. The number which is one of the most awaited songs of the season will see Deepika in her sexiest avatar till date.

"She was going to wear the shortest skirt, ever to be worn  by a Bollywood actress, however, when she started doing her dance movements, she realized that her movements became awkward due the short skirt, and since Dum Maaro Dum song has some great dance movements", adds the unit-hand.

"That's when Deepika called director Rohan Sippy, and requested him to change her outfit a bit, as otherwise she was not being able to do justice to the sensuous dance movements. Rohan immediately complied, and asked designer Anahita Adajania Shroff to change the outfit a bit. The short skirt was finally changed to hot shorts with tassels over it to give the look of a skirt. However the new outfit is no less sexy. In fact, the shorts are too short and barely cover Deepika's derriere!"

So smoking hot is Deepika looking in the song that she has become the first item girl ever to make it to the poster of a film, that too solo.

Urvashi Sharma in lead

Shuja Ali Khan's "Kuch Log" boasts of a cast that includes veteran actors like Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover, Ganesh Venkatraman, Rati Agnihotri, Neelima Azeem and Tom Alter, among others like Arya Babbar, but the female lead for the film was a last-minute decision.

The movie, based on the 26/11 terror attacks, was announced in Lucknow in November last year without a leading lady, but with actor Aarthi Thakur being promoted as the second lead in the movie.

Apparently, the producer Hoori Khan and director Shuja Ali Khan settled on Zarine Khan. But just when they thought they had their film's lead in place, Zarine cited date problems and a fresh hunt began. Actor Tulip Joshi was also approached for the same role but she too was busy with the shootings of her Punjabi film. Finally, LT learnt yesterday that actor Urvashi Sharma, who was last seen in "Khatta Meetha", is the heroine of the movie that begins filming today.

When questioned about this confusion the director of the film Shuja Ali Khan says, "We wanted a fresh face for the lead role and we did look at a lot of portfolios but none fit the bill. After approaching Zarine Khan and Tulip Joshi among many others, we chose Urvashi. She's a fine actor and a very pretty girl," says Shuja.

Meanwhile preparations are almost complete at the Residency in Lucknow where Urvashi and the hero of the film, Ganesh Venkatraman will be shooting a romantic song choreographed by Shabina Khan of the "Tere Mast Mast Do Nain" fame.

Tanu, Manu is about today's youth

The makers of " Tanu Weds Manu" certainly have a lot of courage to release their film at the time of the cricket World Cup.

It is the content that is giving them courage to release their film this Friday. The film that has timed its release this shaadi and Valentine's season, have characters Tanu and Manu that are realistic representations of today's youth, who even though influenced by the western world are Indian at heart. Set in North India the film is shot on location in cities like Kanpur, Kapurthala and Delhi and has a realistic, innocent feel about it.

The earthy touch to the romance brings alive the concept of 'ishqbazzi'. Mischievous yet sweet, the crackling chemistry between the lead pair of Kangna and Madhavan hits you like a breath of fresh air. The very identifiable characters of their friends like Pappi (Deepak Dobriyal) and Jassi (Ejaz Khan) make the film even more endearing. "Tanu Weds Manu" has created a lot of buzz among the audiences.