Groove to top hits on Holi!

Imagine the vibrant festival of Holi without your favourite Bollywood numbers to accompany the celebrations. Unimaginable! Nothing to dance on, nothing to hum and nothing to tease each other with... 

We've dug into the past and present and bring you some evergreen songs to spice up the season. Here is a glimpse of the 'most wanted' Holi songs — for your eyes-only!

Holi Ke Din Rang Mil Jaate Hai:
This colourful number from Ramesh Sippy's 'Sholay' is one of the best Holi songs with its lyrics emphasizing on washing away enmity by splashing colour on each other.

Rang Barse:
The chemistry crackled between Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha in this song from 'Silsila'. It's a perfect depiction of getting naughty on Holi with your 'special' friend!

Hori Khele Raghuveera:
Holi tracks are synonymous with Amitabh Bachchan and it is inevitable that his name figures again. This one from 'Baghban' makes you dance with the dream jodi of Hema Malini and Big B.

Ang Se Ang Lagana Sajan:
This playful track from 'Darr' adds zing to the hues of Holi and is a flawless depiction of showering colours of love on each other.

Do Me A Favour Let's Play Holi
Featuring doomed lovers Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra, this song from 'Waqt' reminds one of his salad days. So, do us a favour and groove with this sumptuous number this Holi!

Aaj Na Chhodenge Bas Humjoli Khelenge Hum Holi:
Rajesh Khanna, in his typical style, entices Asha Parekh on the sacred day of Holi. This timeless song from 'Kati Patang' is a must on the list.

Dekho Aayi Holi:
This one from 'Mangal Pandey' conveys the message of forgetting sorrows in clouds of blues, greens and reds. So, go and paint one and all alike while grooving on this track!

Chandi Ki Daal Par:
This song from Salman Khan's 'Hello Brother' is an accurate portrayal of the Maharashtrian tradition of rejoicing on Holi with the challenge of breaking the butter-milk pot hung high in the middle of the street.

Chhan Ke Mohalla Saara:
This song from 'Action Replayy' makes a spanking new entry in the category of Holi songs with Aishwarya Rai shaking a leg and splashing colour!

Soni Soni Ankhiyon Wali:
This sparkling track from 'Mohabbatein' breathes an air of romance and adds to the merriment, the very spirit of Holi!

Some other Holi classics:

Mal De Gulal Mohe, Aaye Holi Aaye Re from 'Kaamchor'
Apne Rang Mein Rang De Mujko from Aakhir Kyon
Aayee Re Aayee Re Holi from 'Zakhmee'
Phagun Aayo Re from 'Phagun'
Holi Aaye Re Kanhayee from 'Mother India'
Tan Rang Lo Ji Aaj Mann Rang Lo from 'Kohinoor'
O Dekho Holi Aayi from 'Mashaal'
Rang Di Preet Ne Rang Di from 'Dhanwan'
Arre Ja Re Hat Natkhat from 'Navrang'

So, if music be the colour of Holi, play on!

'Sunidhi, Enrique didn't shoot together'

It was big news that Sunidhi Chauhan was to croon with international singing sensation Enrique Iglesias.

But TOI has stumbled upon some startling facts. Sunidhi hasn't recorded with him for 'Heartbeat'. The collaboration is simply to make an Indian version named The Masala Mix composed by Shamir Tandon. The other 'fact' being drummed was the music video that she shot with Enrique. Sources say the original video featuring Enrique and Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls has been edited. Nicole has been chopped out, and Sunidhi fitted in! Apparently, Enrique is not in touch with Sunidhi or the composer, he is only in touch with the record label. When confronted on this, Sunidhi attempts to come clean. Read on....

Was Enrique present when the recording happened? We hear otherwise.
Enrique has not re-recorded the song. His part is from the original song. My portions have been fitted in. We've brought in Indian elements into his song.

What about your interviews about "working with Enrique"?
There might be a misunderstanding. You may want to hear the recording before jumping the gun. I mean, it was great to collaborate with Enrique, which is his song, and we have made a totally different new song for the Indian audiences. It is fresh and doesn't sound like the original. It isn't a remix.

We hear Enrique hasn't shot even for the music video and that you've merely been fitted in?
As I said, you have to see the video before you can decide that. Enrique has shot for the video. We have scenes together in the video. (Sources from the record label reveal that when Sunidhi was in LA for four days, Enrique might have shot a couple of shots with her for some part, but most of it was shot separately)

'Meet'ing of minds
Meanwhile, the public relations executive of the music label informed us that the entire office staff was busy in a crucial meeting and and thus unavailable for a comment. Hmmmm... what was the agenda? An album with Sunidhi and Jay Z?

Himesh in a MJ-Based film

Himesh Reshammiya marks his international debut in French director Christopher Lenoir's film A*, based on Michael Jackson's death

Recently there was a buzz in the industry that Himesh Reshammiya was about to embark on an international debut.

Well, Reshammiya has not only signed and sealed the international deal with French director Christopher Lenoir, but has also completed shooting for the movie.

The film, called A*, which is reportedly based on the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, will feature Reshammiya essaying the character of Sidharth Patel.

Our source tells us, "The makers of the film have come up with a unique strategy and have just released the promo of the film on the web. In the promo of A*, the mysterious circumstances leading to the death of a superstar has an uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson's death. Himesh has already shot for the film.

He was selected by producers ARI Films and director Christopher Lenoir, who felt that he would best suit the part of Sidharth Patel, the only Indian actor in the film.

Himesh's character, Sidharth, is an Indian musician mesmerized by the superstar."

The source adds, "While everyone thought that Himesh is down and out, he has now surprised everyone with a film, which is sure to make headlines all over, especially in India due to its controversial subject." Despite repeated attempts to contact Christopher Lenoir and Reshammiya, they remained unavailable for comment.

MJ's controversial death

On June 25, 2009 - MJ died after he suffered cardiac arrest, at his home. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he found Jackson in his room with a faint pulse, and so he administered CPR, however to no avail.

Initial reports discussed the possible role of painkillers in Jackson's death. He reportedly took medication for insomnia.

July 08, 2009 - MJ's death certificate was issued by the Public Health Officials, who referred to cause of death as "deferred".

August 28, 2009 - The Los Angeles County Coroner declared Jackson's death a homicide caused by the combination of drugs in his body. Before his death, Jackson reportedly had been administered Propofol, along with two anti-anxiety medicines.

Law enforcement officials investigated Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, who told investigators that he had been trying to wean Jackson off Propofol.

Some statements described Murray using a non-standard CPR technique on Jackson. During the tape of the emergency call, released on June 26, the doctor was described as administering CPR on a bed, not on a hard surface such as a floor, which would be standard practice.

Katrina's near wardrobe malfunction

On Friday night, the actress's red top kept slipping at a music award function. But things did not get out of hand...

On Friday night, the actress's red top kept slipping at a music award function. But things did not get out of hand... Wardrobe malfunctions happen all the time these days; Katrina Kaif nearly encountered one on Friday night at a music award function. The incident in question happened on stage when Katrina was grooving with a bunch of girls. Her top slipped off on more than occasion.

She managed to ward off a half-monty, even as her outfit, which was tight at the shoulder during the start began to steadily fail her.

A source from the event said, "Clothes to be worn at the event are made in a very short period of time. Although stars do have dress trials and Katrina had one too, it was a mere accident of her strap giving way. Wearing an outfit and standing is different from wearing an outfit and performing.

So one assumes when she tried it, it was perfect, but while the body parts were in motion, the strap seemed to slip off at various occasions.

Being a regular at stage shows Katrina managed it and did not cause any kind of embarrassment to herself."

Guess in the future she will be more careful before dressing up for a stage act. We assume that she was in some tearing hurry before she donned the red top.

Kat, Sallu: From lovers to best-friends

Are they together? Are they not? The confusion, if any, is only in the onlookers' minds. As far as Katrina Kaif is concerned she and Salman Khan have moved on in life, though not exactly away from one another. 

 Unlike some of his acrimonious partings with former girlfriends, Salman continues to look out for Katrina. Says a friend of Katrina, "They've parted ways quite some time back. But Salman is fiercely protective of her. No one is allowed to badmouth Katrina in Salman's presence, contrary to the bitching sessions that went on till the wee hours when he parted bitterly with some of his other women."

Katrina continues to be 'Katrina Bhabhi' among Salman's friends. This respect that she elicits from the Khan camp reflects more on her personality than on his. To put it briefly, Katrina invites no negativity from the people she is close to. Says a friend, "She doesn't invite proximity. But once you are a part of her close circle, she effortlessly draws you close to the goodness of her heart. It is impossible to be angry or sarcastic with Katrina. Forget about being violent. No man would dare to misbehave with her."

Salman, in all his time with Katrina, never ever showed a violent streak. As she once told a friend, "I don't know what his equation with other women was. I know only that Salman retaliates when provoked. I've never seen that side of him."

There is a cute anecdote that defines Katrina's relationship with Salman. When they were very much together, a close friend of Salman had dropped in at the Khans' residence in Bandra. After a while, Katrina sauntered into the living room wearing a pair of jeans and a casual top. "Baby, it's too skimpy," Salman drawled. Katrina went back inside and came out wearing an even briefer top. Everyone, including Salman and Katrina, laughed. Katrina has an enormously mollifying effect on Salman. I remember once when he was drinking heavily he rang her up to join us. She refused. Sheepishly, Salman confessed, "She won't join us because I'm drinking."

Even now, when they are no longer a couple, Salman will listen to Katrina. He knows she will fearlessly say only what is right for him. She has the knack of cutting across the humbug and getting to the core of a problem. Unlike some of his other girlfriends, Katrina never tried to isolate him from his friends. For a good five years, Salman took her around the film industry recommending her to all his filmmaker friends. Some like David Dhawan happily complied and cast her. Others like Sanjay Leela Bhansali were harder nuts to crack.

Salman wanted Bhansali to cast him and Katrina in Bajirao Mastani. He didn't think that was right casting. Salman moved on. He knew she was star material. Katrina or Sonakshi, Salman knows a star when he sees one.

Now when she's moved on and is fanatically focused on her career, Salman, who is known to be bitter about betrayals, is not the least bitter about Katrina. Says a friend, "She knows she has moved to another level in their relationship where they are no more boyfriend-girlfriend. Salman has attained a level of empathy with Katrina that he has never reached in any previous relationship."

As one friend put it, they are sorted because she is sorted. They are no longer a couple, but Salman Khan continues to look out for Katrina, as he has done in the past for most of his girlfriends. Somy Ali and Sangeeta Bijlani continue to be one distress-call away from the large-hearted Khan. The same is true of Katrina. When last month the Income Tax raid took place at Katrina's residence, Salman was immediately on his phone to find out more details from his friends in the concerned department. And, after the raid, Salman was the first to ring up Katrina asking about her. Says a friend of Katrina, "Salman continues to care for Katrina's well-being. He knows she's alone in Mumbai and he makes regular enquiries about her. After the raid, Salman called up to ask, 'You ok, need anything?' He was as usual terse but he made his point. Katrina knows she has a 4 am friend. But she is quite capable of looking after herself."

That's the other thing that Salman likes about her. She can think clearly during crises. He can't. Says the friend, "Katrina had her sister Isabel over. So she was fine even after the raid. But she was deeply touched by Salman's concern. Salman is in Pune shooting for a film that Katrina said no to. This once he doesn't seem to mind being turned down because he knows Katrina doesn't mean to offend him. He will stand by her and probably be the best-man at her wedding."

Rising to the occasion comes easily and naturally to Katrina. Someone had said after her first film Boom that her career had gone bust. Katrina started from scratch and made a comeback. Somebody said she can't speak Hindi. She got herself a coach. Then someone said Salman will never forgive her for moving on. She proved these naysayers wrong too. Salman continues to be Katrina's friend. She won't let that change.

I'm an obsessive actor: Aamir Khan

This may well be one of Aamir Khan's busiest birthdays. He is shooting for Reema Kagti's suspense thriller, bulking up for Aditya Chopra's Dhoom-3 and getting ready to release Delhi Belly.

He's also learning to swim, speak Marathi more fluently and planning to enroll in a cooking class. In a quick Q & A, the actor confesses to his current highs.

So who is it with you in Dhoom-3? Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone?
Dhoom-3 will roll in January 2012. I'm only building my physique for it from now on. And why are you assuming that I'm involved in the casting. Aditya Chopra and Vijay Acharya Krishna (Victor) will select the heroine. I have no say in the matter.

In an Aamir film, Aamir normally has all the say...
Yaar nahin, I'm only an actor on set. I'm an obsessive actor but nothing more. Right now, I'm totally preoccupied with Reema's film. It is a genre that neither I nor anyone else has dabbled in for a long time. It's also got a strong emotional core.

And, it has no title?
Yeah, if someone gives me a title for Reema's film, it will be the best birthday gift I receive today.

Heard you are learning to swim?
Yes, in fact I've enrolled for swimming lessons with Mickey Mehta. I have to swim in Reema's film. Actually I'm very excited about this one. After 3-Idiots this is my next film. I was in Dhobi Ghaat, but it was more Kiran's movie.

You also have conversations only in Marathi?
With my staff I only speak in Marathi. My teacher Suhas Limaye says that it is the best way to polish my language. I have poor language skills; I'm a little slow but I am thoroughly enjoying speaking the language.

What's this cooking thing you are getting into?
Cooking is also something I want to learn. Honestly, I haven't started.

One hears Kiran and you have moved into your mother's house?
Yes, Kiran and I are now sleeping in the bedroom where I spent my childhood. My mother has come to live in my building; Kiran and I have moved upstairs to her home. Our things are still in our home downstairs but we sleep and wake up in mom's house. After pack up, I go straight to mom's house and I am with her till bedtime.

What according to you is your biggest achievement in the year gone by?
I have given the industry two women directors-Anusha Rizvi (Peepli Live) and Kiran Rao (Dhobi Ghat). I've supported talent that I believe in and I have also shown that art house movies which earlier collected two-three crores can collect as much as 15 crore-plus.

Is Delhi Belly also art-house?
No. It is a kameena commercial film.

Are Shah Rukh, Salman and you still the front-runners?
I don't know about being number 1 or 2; I'm excited about my success. My fans are happy to see everything that I put out there in the market. That's immensely gratifying.

Do you feel any different at 46 than you felt at 40?
Frankly, age is just a number. Physically, no one can counter age; to me it has never mattered. Goals can be achieved even when you are 90. The audience doesn't ask an actor's age when it comes to seeing his film.

Shahid Kapoor to grow old...again

Priyanka Chopra aged in Saat Khoon Maaf and now her ex, Shahid Kapoor will grow old in Kunal Kohli's film. Determined to shed his boyish image,

Shaks wants to do roles that take him away from the dancing-dude campus-caper image. He is already playing an older guy in his dad Pankaj Kapur's directorial debut Mausam.

Kohli's film requires him to go through several phases of life until the character reaches old age. The problem is, how will the actor ensure he looks old in two completely different ways in the back-to-back releases? Last week the actor and the director were in Goa deciding on the look for the various phases of his character's aging process.

Shahid has done a series of disguises in Badmaash Company, but to show a man aging in front of the audiences' eyes is not going to be easy. In Kunal's film, the age-span of his character is far wider than in Mausam and prosthetics will be needed.

The director admits, "I did spend a lot of time with Shahid in Goa discussing his look. I can't reveal what is required of him. But for Shahid who's a brilliant actor, it is important to constantly push the envelope. He can't repeat himself. The roles in both the films are very different."

Bollywood skips Gul's wedding!

Gul Panag got married to her long time boyfriend Rishi Attari yesterday in a gurudwara in Chandigarh.

The guestlist was restricted to close friends and family. Few of her co-stars who were invited, like Purab Kohli and Eesha Kopikkar could not make it due to work commitments. Many others in B-Town weren't even aware of the wedding.

The low-profile actress did not want any tamasha of shutterbugs, so she kept the wedding a secret. She will have a small reception in Mumbai later, for people from the film fraternity. The honeymoon destination is also being kept under wraps. Rishi and Gul have known each other for 11 years.

BT spoke to her co-actors. Shreyas Talpade (Dor) said, "I wish her the very best and a rocking married life." Abhay Deol (Manorama Six Feet Under) conveyed his best wishes to the couple. Arbaaz Khan (Hello) confirmed he wasn't going to Chandigarh. Riteish Deshmukh (Rann) wasn't even aware she was tying the knot. He asked surprised, "Is she getting married?"

Knightley felt like superwoman in new ad

Hollywood actress Keira Knightley felt like she was playing a superwoman when she shot on a bike for an advertisement for fashion brand Chanel.

The 25-year-old - the face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle fragrance - talks about her experience in a teaser of the ad to be released in full Monday, reports dailymail.co.uk .

"Nobody said exactly what it was going to be like. I knew that it was something about a motorbike, and I knew that it was going to be beige. They said, 'Sort of catsuit', and I said, 'OK'. It was completely unexpected. It's a Chanel superwoman, I think," Knightley said in the voiceover of the teaser video.

The "Pirates of the Carribbean" actress is shown in a beige catsuit standing next to a vintage motorbike, and she looks stylish and chic.

Knightley shot for the campaign in September 2010, when she was pictured zooming around the Place de la Concord in Paris.

In the teaser video, the actress appears as though she tried hard to concentrate when she rode the bike, but it doesn't seem like she actually drove it around.

She was towed on a trailer as a camera captured close-ups of her face, and a stunt woman was also seen taking over from the actress.

Knightley has been the celebrity face of the French fashion house since 2006.

Paris Hilton wants kids with boyfriend

Socialite Paris Hilton says Cy Waits is the best boyfriend she has ever had and would love to start a family with him.

"I feel broody sometimes. I'd love kids in the future. Cy's the best boyfriend I've ever had. I'm so happy with him," contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

The 30-year-old socialite has been dating nightclub mogul Cy Waits for a year.

Paris' mother Kathy recently admitted she and her husband Rick would love to see their daughter settle down with Cy.

"I know that they've been dating a little less than a year and I think she's waited this long. She adores him and I never ever ask or ever push that question with my girls because I got married so young, I never want them to feel pressure," said Kathy.

"Anyone that loves animals and is kind like that ... she'll be an incredible mom. I was at Macy's with her recently and there were 1,000 people there and the little children came up and she lights up. I could see babies and a wedding."

Madonna upset over grandmother's death

Pop diva Madonna is emotionally upset following the death of her beloved grandmother Thursday.

The pop legend's maternal grandmother Elsie Mae Fortin passed away at a care home in Bay City, Michigan, reports femalefirst.co.uk

Fortin helped raise the singer after Madonna's own mum lost her battle with breast cancer in 1963.

The star, who flew to Michigan Friday for Fortin's funeral, has refrained from commenting on the tragedy.

A statement from Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg reads: "I'm sorry, but Madonna will not be issuing any statements or conversing with the media regarding her grandmother. It is a totally personal matter to her".

Salman gave Zarine a glamorous makeover

Zarine Khan credits her " Veer" co-star Salman Khan for her cameo in director Anees Bazmee's " Ready" and says she has got a very glamorous makeover for the role. 

"It's a cameo with a club song. Salman offered me to do this and I would never say no to Salman," Zarine, who made her Bollywood debut with "Veer", told

This is a little role, would cause an image makeover after showing a traditional Indian look in "Veer", maintains Zarine.

"I also found it quite exciting specially after 'Veer' because there I had a totally Indianised look, totally covered and after that it is like total 360 degree makeover, a very glamorous avatar," said Zarine adding: "We shot for it for three days in a club in Bangkok. I'm really waiting for people reaction about this song."

Her formal training in dance came in handy for the song.

"I have learnt different dance forms like Bharatnatyam and belly dancing. The latter really helped me to get the moves in this club song very easily," said the 26-year-old.

Asked if she has signed any other project, she said: "There are two projects in the pipeline, which I am going to sign very soon, but I don't want to talk about them, till I sign them."

Sonakshi to groove in 'Joker'

Sonakshi Sinha is sure being pampered. When the actress who is shooting for Shirish Kunder's "Joker" got wistful at not having done any modern dance so far, choreographer Farah Khan, who was in Chandigarh to shoot a desi number, introduced a hip-hop section in it.

Akshay Kumar's song-and-dance with Sonakshi, meant to be a hard core desi number, was shot in the lush mustard fields of Chandigarh last week.

In the middle of the song, a hip-hop section was introduced, much to Sonakshi's delight as it was her first attempt at something western.

"Sonakshi was very keen on trying western steps. She was looking forward to grooving in 'Joker'. But when the first song and dance in the film turned out to be a desi item, she was disappointed. Shirish and Farah agreed to pamper her. And a hip-hop section was put in," a source said.

Farah Khan confirmed the inclusion of hip-hop in the song. "It's a situation where Akshay Kumar has returned home in Punjab from the US. There's a celebratory song and dance. It does have a very special hip-hop section."

Vidya retrospective at Indian film fest in Oz

The spotlight is on acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan at the ongoing 2011 Indian Film Festival (IFF): Bollywood and Beyond, which is screening a special retrospective of acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan's finest films from " Parineeta" to "Ishqiya". 

Over over 30 films will be screened at the fest, including 15 Australian premiers. The 10-day festival, which is screened in Sydney (March 9-19), Melbourne (March 11-20), Adelaide (March 22-29) and Auckland (March 24 to April 3), kicked off this week at Hoyts Cinema Paris in the Entertainment Quarter, next to the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Vidya starrer " No one killed Jessica" and British producer Leslee Udwin's "West is West".

Since making a dream debut in "Parineeta", Vidya has mesmerised audiences with her powerful performances.

"The most exciting thing as an actor is to do diverse roles. A film has to be engaging and entertaining as for me cinema is ultimately about hope," said the 33-year-old, who is looking forward to the June release of Sujoy Ghosh's thriller "Kahani" in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman, and Milan Luthria's "The Dirty Picture", based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema's ultimate sex symbol.

For Vidya, who has travelled the world, Australia's Gold Coast, known for its sunny surfing beaches, is the favourite locale to shoot. "I had the most chilled out time in Surfer's Paradise. I also enjoy shooting in Toronto, which has a lovely energy with cultural activities all around," she told, recalling the time she had while shooting for "Heyy Babyy" in Sydney.

She feels the more independent voices Indian cinema embraces, the more universal appeal it will have.

Director Raj Kumar Gupta, on his first visit to Australia, told: "It is a privilege to have 'No one killed Jessica' as the opening film of this festival. The landscape of cinema is changing and how the audience receive the film, connect with the emotions and identify with this journey is important for me."

Australians and Indians have been coming with friends, partners and spouses to the festival, which is showcasing a sizzling mixture of comedy, romance, action and drama - from hardcore blockbuster "Dabangg" and the critically acclaimed "No One Killed Jessica", to "West Is West".

Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali film "Abohomaan" and Ananth Mahadevan's Marathi film "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal" too is a part of the bouquet.

As festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told: "This year we've made a conscious effort to bring you films that eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema; a hugely exciting seismic, cultural shift that must be shared. The aim is to showcase just how absolutely versatile and unique is our film industry. We have ventured beyond Bollywood to include some of the finest regional films."

The credit for bringing Indian films into mainstream cinemas in Australia goes to Mind Blowing Films, which has also been promoting Australian locations to Indian film producers and directors.

The festival director called on the Diaspora to ditch pirated two dollar DVDs sold at South Asian spice stores and support filmmakers by watching their works on the big screen.

Audiences also warmed to "West Is West", a sequel to Udwin's much loved "East Is East", which opens in India next month (April).

Udwin, who now lives in Copenhagen, told: "I always knew there was going to be a sequel. People recognise that this film is about their story. It is a crowd pleasing film with a heart and spirit, which makes the audience cry and laugh. It is where comedy and tragedy fit in the same frame, an absolute reflection of life. In fact, I feel there is a trilogy in `East Is East'."

Also screening is the winner of the Western Union Short Film Competition, "Mumbaikar Ganesh" by Indian director Collin John D'Cunha.

"Acknowledgment of 'Mumbaikar Ganesh' means a lot to me as I am able to share my work with family and friends in Australia through this festival," said Kush Badhwar, the cinematographer who was born and brought up in Sydney and is now working in Mumbai.

The festival closes with producer-actress Juhi Chawla and director Onir's "I Am", an innovative film that explores the issues of homosexuality, prostitution and child abuse.

Every project is a first: Soha Ali Khan

She hasn't been seen on the big screen since the 2009 release Tum Mile, but that doesn't mean Soha Ali Khan has taken a cinematic hiatus. 

Her last release was supposed to be Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, which has been delayed for more than a year. However, she's been keeping herself busy shooting for films in "a whole gamut of genres" that she hopes will all release this year. Her next film, Life Goes On..., is very much a family affair and not just because it's a family drama. "This is the first time I've worked with my mother ( Sharmila Tagore) and perhaps the only time I'll work with her because she keeps threatening to retire. But I don't take her seriously in that regard," Soha tells TOI.

The film, which is set in London and is about how an Indian family comes to terms with the loss of the mother (played by Sharmila), will see Soha play a character very much like herself. "It's just me with a British accent. Of course, the fact that my mother plays my mother makes it all the more real. My character, who's the youngest of three siblings, is also someone who has been very protected and molly-coddled by her father and who's always keen to make her parents proud. She's very much like me — I have a big desire to make my father proud and it's crippling to me to disappoint him," explains Soha.

Right now, Soha's working on Soundtrack, which is the remake of the 2004 film It's All Gone Pete Tong about a DJ who goes deaf. "I play the girl in his life who's born deaf. It was quite challenging for me to learn how to play a role like that. I had to learn sign language and work on the speech a little bit because there will be a speech impediment," she says. There's also Chemistry, her first comedy, and Accident, her first horror film. When told that it seems to be a year of firsts for her, Soha says, "That's what excites me about cinema — getting a chance to try out new things. Every project is a first."

Unlike her contemporaries, Soha doesn't seem to have joined the rat race to be Bollywood's numero uno heroine. She also hasn't shied away from talking about her relationship with Kunal Khemu on the pretext that it would detract from her career. "I haven't experienced that yet. Obviously, there is an interest in your life. People like to know about it and read about it. They can also get ahead of themselves and ask when you're getting married; if you're married they want to know when you're getting divorced. But once it's out there, there's no scoop. So there's nothing interesting to talk about other than whether you're in a fight or secretly married. But people have the right to ask and you have the right to say 'no comment'," she says as a matter of fact.

While she is candid about her personal life, the one thing Soha won't discuss is her role in Winds of Change, the film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children. "I'll get into huge trouble if I do," she laughs, adding, "All I can say is that I'm in it and very excited. I think I'll be allowed to talk about it soon."

Shocking pink for Katrina, blue for Ash!

With Holi just round the corner, ace fashion designers give their take on Holi fashion and the colours that would go well with the Bollywood actresses. 

 Every Fashion designer loves to play with colours. In the ongoing fashion week, Renuka Vyavahare spoke to noted designers on what's their take on the festival and colour of the season.

Delhi designer Parvesh said, "White goes with almost every complexion and is the best colour you can wear for Holi as it will showcase all the other colours on it beautifully. Wearing old clothes is what we do mostly but white is what is ideal."

Talking about actresses, he added, "However if I had design for actresses, I'd give shocking pink for Katrrina for she has this lovely peach complexion, Blue for Ash for she looks stunning in blue, Baby pink for Kareena, Yellow for Kareena as she is extremely fair, Yellow for Priyanka for she pulls off that colour really well and white for Rani as she is so earthy and beautiful."

Renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee said, "White is the colour of Holi. It can never go wrong and one should't even think of any other colour for this day. All the actresses would look fab in this colour."

Orissa based designer Manas Ranjan Dash added, "A white flowing Anarkali would be fab for Holi as even if you get wet, the fabric won't cling onto your body because of the flair as other clothes would. As far as actresses are concerned I'd love to see Katrina, Kareena in pinks and Rani, Ash in red."

A Sheila Ki Jawani Barbie doll?

Katrina Kaif Barbie Doll all set to hit the Indian market... 

 Katrina Kaif, who walked the ramp dolled up as a Barbie, to celebrate the completeion of fifty years of the galamorous doll a couple of years ago, will soon find a plastic version of herself on the shelves of toy stores.

Yes, the Katrina Kaif-Barbie Doll is all set to this the Indian market and will be on the stands this month, we are told. The news has made the actress ecstatic. Katrina says, "I am looking forward to this. I used to play with Barbie as a child. It's indeed a humbling experience for me."

The big question, however, is: Will there be a Sheila Ki Jawani theme for the Barbie doll? "Well right now for starters, it's a beautiful a doll that will look just like Katrina," we are told. We guess we will have to wait a little longer for an item girl barbie doll, if at all.

Birthday Boy Aamir to get more powerful

Aamir Khan, who turns another year older on March 14, will have reason to smile... 

 Aamir Khan celebrates his birthday on March 14. The actor will complete 46 years. The future, numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts is only going to shine brighter on the Khan, who already features in the top rung of actors.

"Aamir will be entering his 47th year which happens to be his 'destiny' number and the only way his graph will go from now on is up," says Sangghvi.

His forthcoming production 'Delhi Belly' will be successful at the box office, Aamir will stand his own in Reema Kagti's movie, but it's Aamir Khan-starrer Dhoom 3 that's all set to break box office records, predicts Bhavikk.

So the successful Aamir Khan is only going to become more successful and powerful in 2011!

SRK is inexhaustible, Aamir's passionate

Don 2 is slated to release by the end of this year in December 2011 but that did not stop us from asking the hunky Kunal Kapoor what's in store of us in this Don flick.
  

"It's too early to talk anything but Lara, Priyanka, SRK and I are having a blast on the sets. The styling done for each character is so unique. Farhan's wife Adhuna has played a crucial role in making us look totally different. It is one of the most awaited films of the year and the wait will be worth it" said Kunal who walked as a showstopper for men's brand Energie on day 2 of the Lakme Fashion Week.
 
"Shah Rukh is inexhaustible. He is so energetic all the time" said Kunal of his Don 2 co-star.
 
Also a great admirer of Aamir and having worked with him in Rang De Basanti, Kunal adds, "Aamir is extremely passionate about the work he does and that is the common things between these two Khans."

Sonakshi not bold as Bips

The one-film old Sonakshi Sinha has already walked her way into prestigious projects like Joker and Prabhu Devaa's next with Akshay Kumar, an untitled film with Kamal Haasan, Race-2 with Saif Ali Khan, Dabangg-2 and Kick with Salman Khan.

Salman's protégé does come with her share of will-dos and won't-dos. Being the daughter of BJP Minister and yesteryear superstar Shatrughan Sinha comes with its share of advantages; and responsibilities.

A trade source says, "She is already getting paid a bomb. We hear that her remuneration for Race-2 is almost a crore and she is getting paid twice that amount for the Kamal Haasan film.'' What's more, according to trade circles, Sonakshi has a stringent contract. "It stipulates 'no kissing, no explicit lovemaking and no bikini','' says our source.

Because of her lineage, the Dabangg girl is allowed to dictate terms to filmmakers. Though the born-with-a-chip-on-her-square-shoulders actress refuses to divulge anything, a source from the crew of Race-2 reveals that she has made it clear to director-duo Abbas-Mustan that she is okay with doing something as hot as Katrina, but she will not do the kind of bold scenes that Bipasha did in Race.

Quick Rewind:
Saif and Bipasha steamed it up in a barn scene in Race and the Bengali bombshell also seduced' Akshaye Khanna on screen with her bare-n-dare act. Whereas Kat played the sweet secretary who shed her inhibitions in just the song-dance routine.

Veena Malik receives death threats from Taliban | Video News

SRK shakes a leg at at bro-in-law's wedding

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan flew from Malaysia on Friday evening especially for wife, Gauri Khan's, cousin's wedding. The star landed in Delhi around 11pm for brother-in-law, Rustam Tiwari's wedding, which took place on Saturday evening. 

Even though SRK looked very tired, he was full of energy during the entire ceremony and partied till the wee hours. The private party was hosted at the groom's residence.

Delhi-based DJ Amit B spun some popular Bollywood chartbusters at the do. He told us, "Shah Rukh looked quite happy and was enjoying the party with his wife, mother-in-law and family members, and kept dancing all through the night to some of his own popular songs. He was dressed casually in a T-shirt and denims and was dancing with wife Gauri on the number "Mil Gayi Aaj Yahan Pe" from the movie "Guzaarish". Later, he also danced with his saasu ma and other relatives on the song "Ainvayi Ainvayi" from the movie "Band Baaja Baaraat"." After a while, actor Chunkey Pandey also made a surprise visit to the do and was seen having a good time with all the guests at the party.

SRK's son, Aryan, was busy reading a novel and didn't participate much in the function, while daughter Suhana was busy playing with her cousins. Gauri was dressed in a simple long floral printed kurta and jeans, and looked radiant with hubby dearest by her side.