Salman, Katrina having tough time in Ireland?

Salman-Katrina starrer " Ek Tha Tiger" is facing protests from locals in Ireland, where it's being shot. Industry workers demonstrating over poor pay targeted the shooting of the film, reported Irish newspaper Evening Herald. Excerpts from the report:

They're bringing Euro 1.5million into the country, creating more than 1,000 short-term jobs and spending hundreds of thousands of Euro - so why is a major Bollywood production being shot here facing protests that threaten to drive filmmakers away from Ireland for good?

Ireland's potential as a base for multi-million Euro Bollywood movies is being jeopardised by a handful of industry protesters. Two A-list actors have been left frightened by protests at the filming in Dublin city centre, it's been claimed. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, described as the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of India, were said to be "frightened and worried".

Industry workers demonstrating over poor pay and conditions picketed a weekend shoot of blockbuster "Ek Tha Tiger". Gardai (Irish police) were called to the scene after the 30 or more protesters allegedly used klaxon horns and other methods to ensure filming was seriously interrupted. "They started to shout and stick their placards across the wall at the crew and cast," said a source.

Irish production company Fantastic Films told the Herald the firm had "worked long and hard" to bring "Ek Tha Tiger" to Ireland. "The film is a high-profile Bollywood production that will reach an audience of over 100 million in India, the Middle East worldwide," a spokeswoman said, "It's breathing life into the Irish film industry, creating jobs and generating revenue. It is disappointing that the actions of a small minority will jeopardise the reputation of Irish filmmaking internationally."

However, a shop steward for Irish film workers, John Arkins, rejected the claims, saying the shoot took place on All-Ireland final day when hundreds of football fans were blowing horns and chanting. "What sort of genius said, 'Let's film 100 metres from O'Connell Street on All-Ireland final day'? I witnessed the Viking tour bus blowing its horn, people blowing car horns..." He said demonstrators were highlighting low pay, long hours with no overtime and a lack of regulation within the Irish film industry. Mr Arkins doubted claims that the Bollywood stars were frightened, saying "You have hundreds and thousands" of fans "chasing these people around the streets" in India.

Dhoom 3 without Katrina Kaif in bikini

She might have had to wear a bikini in her debut film Boom in 2003.

But it seems that Katrina, who is relatively newer in the industry, is taken as seriously as veteran actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Reportedly Katrina, who has signed on to Dhoom 3, managed to get Aditya Chopra to agree to her terms that two of the former leading ladies (Esha Deol and Bipasha Basu) of the YRF franchise had no say in. Aditya seems to have given in to Kat's terms, just like he did for Ash in Dhoom 2.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror that initially Aditya had categorically told Katrina that she would be required to wear a bikini in the film. In the past too, YRF had got Esha Deol and Bipasha Basu to don the two-piece swimwear for Dhoom and Dhoom 2 respectively. "Whether they did it willingly or reluctantly, nobody knows. But Katrina was extremely reluctant," said the source.

The source explained that there was a lot of back and forth between Aditya and Kat before the decision was taken. The source added, "Aditya is very fond of Katrina and they are very good friends. He had other options, including a few foreign actresses, but Katrina towered above all those options. Katrina managed to convince Aditya that it was not necessary for her to wear a bikini in the film."

Talking about the entire bikini issue, another source informed us, "Aditya is not even disappointed. In fact, he is very happy that Katrina is on board. Bikini ka problem shayyad ek hi reason tha that he took so long to finalise the female lead in the film."

Justifying her no-bikini stance, a friend of Katrina said, "Today, Katrina is a big star. She adds tremendous value to a project. She is justified in her reservations, if any, when she signs a film."

Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan to travel together

It's a known fact that Bollywood stars are famous across the globe. But who would've thought that their wax figures would get as big a response as the stars themselves? That's exactly what's going to happen on foreign shores next month. Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, United Kingdom, is to launch a Global Touring Bollywood Exhibition, which will showcase the Indian superstars at Madame Tussauds in all their filmi glory.

This is a first-of-its-kind exhibition for the world-famous museum, allowing fans across the globe the chance to see their favorite Bollywood stars immortalized in wax. A special Bollywood room is being created within Madame Tussauds Blackpool for the event, where a week-long series of activities will take place alongside the exhibit.

The exhibition will kick-off in Blackpool on October 8 and will run until December 28. After Blackpool, the exhibition will move to Bangkok and other cities, including London, Hong Kong, and other places across Europe and USA. The latest addition to the Bollywood figures of Madame Tussauds - the wax statue of Kareena Kapoor - will be unveiled in the midst of the exhibition, on October 18, as will a new figurine of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan!

The buzz is that Miss Kapoor will launch the exhibition, and might be joined by some of the other stars. A source at the museum states that the Bollywood room attracts a large number of Indian tourists; the touring exhibition will give more filmi fans around the world a chance to see their reel-life stars in wax. Kareena will be the sixth B-Town star to be part of Madame Tussauds Bollywood wax figures, after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

Veena Malik's an item girl!

Veena Malik is all set for her Bollywood debut with Riteish Deshmukh-Genelia D'Souza starrer, Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya directed by Mandeep Kumar.

She has done an item song - her first - in the film. She says, "I had many offers but I wanted to pick the best one. This song is spicy and goes perfectly with my personality, at least I feel that. I hope its the right decision. Enjoyed doing it is an understatement."

She adds that there's no concept of item numbers in Pakistan, "There are hardly any films being made in Pakistan at the moment. Hope that changes soon." Veena doesn't feel that the people in Pakistan will react negatively to her item song. "They love me. I'm their favourite child."

Movie Review : Speedy Singhs is a Bend it like Beckham on the ice rink!

Film: Speedy SinghsDirector: Robert Lieberman
Cast: Vinay Virmani, Anupam Kher, Camilla Belle, Russell Peters and Rob Lowe
Rating: ***

The film evokes a strong sense of déjà vu right from the word go. It’s Bend it Like Beckham meets Patiala House. So you have a typical Punjabi family settled in an Indian community abroad, a dictator-like-dad maha-unhappy with their daughter/son’s choice to pursue their passion for sports, a wedding in the family and a predictable climax in the stadium. But once you overlook all this, Speedy Singhs takes you on an entertaining ride.

So there’s Rajveer Singh (Vinay) whose heart beats for ice-hockey, while dad Darvesh Singh (Anupam) wants him to join his brother’s transport business. 

Though settled in Canada, the family is seeped in Indian culture and that includes considering every sport other than cricket a waste of time. To add to this woes, there’s Sam (Peters) his cousin sister’s fiancé, who considers Rajveer competition in their family business.

When the chances of Rajveer making it to the top team, Hammerheads, seems impossible thanks to his Indian roots, Harry forms his own team Speedy Singhs with fellow Sikhs under coach Dan Winters (Lowe). Dan’s sister (Camilla) is Rajveer’s love interest. How the Singhs take on the Hammerheads forms the rest of the story. 

The highlights of the film are definitely the super-crisp dialogues topped with an impeccable comic timing, that’s maintained consistently on a high tempo all through and the film’s fast pace. 

The audience is spared of the technicalities of the sport, but is kept aware of what’s going on in the game. The music is tappy enough to enjoy and the beats stay in tandem with the highs and lows of the film. 

The only chink in the armour is the story that could’ve been worked on, but on the upside the film is minus the melodrama that happens in the wake of the protagonist ditching his father’s dreams to fulfill his own. 

Also refreshingly, Harry is unapologetic about his passion and takes on all obstacles with his smarty-pants attitude, so you don’t feel sorry for him, but are with him all through hoping that he succeeds.

The director handles all the relationship angles between the hero and his father, mother, brother, cousin, her fiancé, the opponent, uncle, girlfriend, coach, his team rather well and there’s no beating about the bush as far as emotions are concerned. 

All actors give convincing performances and a thumbs up to the high-on-energy-new-kid-on-the-block Vinay, who looks promising. Camilla and Lowe do good jobs too.

Overall, it’s a fun two-hour watch with friends or family over a bucket of popcorn.

SRK too busy for Paris Hilton

Heiress and international celebrity Paris Hilton arrives in India Saturday morning and while she is expected to meet Indian celebrities during her visit, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has denied the rumours that he is hosting a party for her.

Some days back, some news reports had surfaced that suggested that SRK is set to host a party for Paris Hilton during her visit, but the actor said he is too busy at the moment.

"Some friends were planning to host a party for Paris Hilton. But I'm very busy with RA. One. So it's a little difficult. So my friends decided that if I can't come, then let it be. So we aren't having it now," Shah Rukh told reporters here at the sidelines of an event organised to announce the collaboration of his film RA.One with Western Union Money Transfers.

Paris will unveil her fall-winter designs during her three-day trip here.

Paris Hilton arrives in Mumbai

International celebrity Paris Hilton arrived in Mumbai today on her maiden visit to India to launch her line of handbags and accessories in the country.

Donning a blue long dress with sunglasses, Paris stepped out from a Turkish airline flight around 4am at the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.

She will be addressing the media at 3pm on launching her line of handbags and accessories, unveiling her fall-winter designs. This move makes India the 36th country in the world to have the glamorous Paris Hilton collection.

Following this, she is expected to meet Bollywood severalities.

Paris Hilton Entertainment has entered into a tie-up with an Indian company, Brand Concepts to market and distribute her global range of handbags and accessories.

The American socialite will be in the city till September 27.

See Video : Katrina Kaif Falls of Her Cycle

A-Rod confirms split with Cameron Diaz

Baseball star Alex Rodriguez has confirmed that he has parted ways with actress Cameron Diaz. But he insists they will "always be friends".

"I have a lot of love for Cameron. We'll always be friends," dailystar.co.uk quoted Rodriguez as saying.

The " Charlie's Angels" actress began dating the sportsman in 2010, but they disclosed their relationship status in May this year.

The grapevine had been abuzz with news of their break up, since last week.

Diaz has previously romanced Justin Timberlake, while Rodriguez was linked to Madonna and went on to date actress Kate Hudson.

Pamela Anderson's British royal family's fan

Pamela Anderson thinks Britain's Queen Elizabeth would hit it off with her great aunt.

The Canadian star and her family are a huge fans of the 85-year-old monarch and says she would be made to feel very welcoming should she ever want to visit them.

She said: "I'm such a fan of the queen, my family and I watch the queen's speech every year. I think she would get along with my Great Aunt Vie, who's 86, perfectly."

The former 'Baywatch' babe says her late great grandmother was a big admirer of the queen and was hoping to get a telegram from her on her 100th birthday - but sadly passed away when she was 99.

She said: "In Canada you used to get a letter from the queen if you made to 100 years old, that's one of the reasons my great grandmother hung on so long - she wanted that letter. Sadly she only made it to 99.

Grandma Sherwin, on her little death bed, was still holding out hope for that letter."

Source: Bang Showbiz