Sunday, October 2, 2011

Telugu Movie Review: 'Dookudu' an out and out Mahesh Babu film

Film: 'Dookudu'; 

Cast: Cast: Mahesh Babu, Samantha Prabhu, Parvathy Melton, Sonu Sood, Sonia, Brahmanandam, Vennela Kishore, M.S. Narayana, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Dharmaavarapu Subramanyam, Shaaji Shinde and Nazar; 
Director: Sreenu Vaitlaa; 

Writer: Gop Mohan;

Producer: G. Ramesh Babu; 
Camera: K.V. Guhan;
Music: S.S. Thaman; 
Rating: *** 1/2
'Dookudu' was much awaited because of the two big names of the Telugu film industry associated with it - Mahesh Babu and director Sreenu Vaitla. 

Vaitla has been known for making successful comedy-action films, while Mahesh's movies stood out for his trademark stylish acting, glamour and breathtaking action sequences. 

Since his biggest blockbuster 'Okkudu', Mahesh's performance has always been of higher level. 

Vaitla uses Mahesh's style and presence well in 'Dookudu', which boasts of his signature style of narration and this film too he focuses on punchy dialogues, which will satisfy moviegoers. The touch of comedy is felt in most of the sequences in the second half where focus is on reality show and two eminent comedians -- Brahmanandam and M.S. Narayana -- have been liberally used to entertain the audience. 

There is also Parvathi Melton's well-shot item number. 

Within a few minutes of the film, you will realise that it is an out and out Mahesh Babu's film. His versatility, his dances and body language -- all add up to highlight his characterisation. In many scenes, the actor has allowed two veterans, Brahmanandam and Narayana, to take centrestage. 

Mahesh's character has all the elements that his fans expect from him and there is a good dose of emotion, which may go well with family audience. His love for his father and the emotional sequences that happen in his large family will tug at the audiences heartstrings. 

The film is replete with visual treat and style as each sequence is shot with the backdrop of a rich canvas. 

The story may be formulaic, but there is enough space for entertaining elements. Though the writers have failed to give a credible story and script, artists and technicians make up for it and take the film to a greater height. 

However, music could have been a little better. 

The story starts with the assassination attempt made on an honest politician Shankar Narayan by some anti social elements. Though it is believed that Shankar Narayan is dead, he survives but goes into a coma and his trusted aides keep him in a hospital for 14 years. 

Shankar Narayan wants his son Ajay to be a politician, but he becomes a super cop instead and is on a mafia wipeout spree. He is sent to Istanbul to track down a don called Nayak and there he bumps into a girl who is a stylist and is there to participate in a fashion show. 

Ajay kills many notorious gangsters and finally Nayak, who is also his father's tormentor, is eliminated with others. 

As earlier said, Mahesh Babu's performance and style quotient is the main attraction. Samantha Prabhu has little to offer in terms of performance, but looks good in song sequences. Sonu Sood is becoming quite repetitive in villain's roles. 

The veterans comedy is top class. Parvathy Melton excels in the item song. Vennela Kishor Mahesh Babu's side kick is impressive. 

K.V. Guhan's top class cinematography captures the scenic richness of Turkey as well as Mumbai and many other outdoor spots. The title song and "Guruvaram" are well shot and composed. 

Dookudu is a treat for Mahesh's fans. But others can also enjoy this film for its comedy elements and Mahesh's powerful presence. 

Source: IBNLive.com

Nagarjuna booked for abusing woman journalist

Leading Telugu actor Nagarjuna was on Saturday booked on charges of abusing a woman scribe and for criminal intimidation, police said. 

The Jubilee Hills Police registered a case against Akkineni Nagarjuna, based on a complaint filed by Y Sunita Chowdhary, who alleged that the actor had used "filthy and vulgar" language against her and had even threatened to kill her when she met him during the film shooting of 'Damarukam' on September 29. 

According to police, Chowdhary and the actor had an argument over a previous matter and when she met him during the film shoot, Nagarjuna allegedly abused her. 

The actor, whose career spans over two decades, had won Filmfare best award for Bollywood flick 'Shiva' directed by Ram Gopal Verma in 1989. 

He has many Telugu hits to his credit, including Annamayya (1997) for which he had won Nandi Award for best actor. 

"The actor has been booked under section 506 (criminal intimidation) and section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC," Jubilee Hills Inspector of Police K Narsing Rao said, adding, "We are investigating the case".

Telugu Movie Review: 'Madatha Kaja' has nothing new

Film: 'Madatha Kaja';
Cast: Allari Naresh, Sneha Ullal, Jayaprakash Reddy, Ali, Dharmavarapu Subramanya and Vennela Kishore; Director: Sitarama Raju; 
Producer: K.K. Radha Mohan; 
Music: Vasanth;
Rating: ** 

Telugu film makers are weaving the same type of stories and remixing the content of films already released. They end up making silly movies, but yet complain that well made films do not run. 

'Madatha Kaja' featuring Allari Naresh in the lead role may well remind you of films like Ravi Teja's 'Mirpakaay' and 'Don Seenu' released just a few months ago.
But one thing that is distinctly clear in 'Madatha Kaja' is that the film is made with very poor production values and the hero Naresh just looks like a poor man's Ravi Teja. 

That is the real tragedy of 'Madatha Kaja' as Naresh is really talented and can be a great entertainer if he is properly supported with a good script and if the film is handled by a competent director. 

This is amply clear from the number of hits Naresh and his famous father E.V.V. Sathyanarayana have delivered and you will understand the potential of the former in author-backed roles. 

Besides the hollowness of the script, 'Madatha Kaja' suffers from other aspects as well. 

The dialogues lack the punch and many sequences in the film fail to make any impact. Comedy films need to have good, quality dialogues of great entertainment value. With passive dialogues, the predictable comedy sequences are not hilarious enough to make the audience laugh. 
The film's heroine Sneha Ullal, a look alike of Aishwarya Rai, struggles with acting. 

Kalyan from Visakhapatnam is a police informer who is in love with Sneha. As his mission in catching criminals by tipping off police is hugely successful, the police chief wants him to go to Hyderabad to give information about a notorious don Nanda who is controlling illegal activities in Hyderabad by remote control from Bangkok.
His trusted lieutenants J.P. and K.P. running separate gangs are always fighting which results in bad execution of activities and losses to Nanda. 

Nanda wants to bring in some unity between JP and KP. He decides that KP's daughter Sneha should marry J.P.'s son. 

Then Kalyan decides to bring Nanda from Bangkok and uses his intelligence and guile to eliminate the don's gang. He also gets his lady love Sneha. 

Allari Naresh tries to deliver justice to his routine role and he evokes laughter through some of his funny mannerisms and dialogues. Sneha Ullal is ordinary, but looks good in song sequences. The veterans have put in a good show. 

'Madatha Kaja' is certainly not in the same league as Allari Naresh's earlier films like 'Kitha Kithalu' and 'Seema Thupaki'. 

If you have no other better alternative, you can watch 'Madatha Kaja' once.

Just Dance winner Ankan Sen wants to become the best dancer

He is 18 and has not taken formal dance training but Ankan Sen received his moment of fame when he won Star Plus' Just Dance. The youngster now aims to become the "best dancer ever".

"It feels like I am still dreaming and I really don't want to get out of it. It's simply a great feeling and an even more flattering thing was that I got a chance to shake a leg with my idol Hrithik Roshan on the same stage," Ankan, who hails from Kolkata, told IANS on the phone from Mumbai.

Ankan on Saturday beat Mumbai boy Karan Khanna and Delhi-based Surjeet Bansal, both 24, to walk away with the winner's trophy, a Rs1 crore cash award and a Maruti Suzuki Swift.
So what does he plan to do with the money?

"I want to buy a laptop, I want to learn international dance forms and perfect my style. I would dedicate myself completely to dance and make it big in this art. I want to be known as the best dancer ever. I also plan to conduct my own workshops," Ankan says.

Ankan has been enthralling TV viewers as well as the judges of the show with his contemporary and hip hop dance moves, as a result of which judges Hrithik, Vaibhavi Merchant and Farah Khan nicknamed him the "Wonder Boy".
Dance has become a part of his life but Ankan says: "My parents were never in favour of me taking it up as a profession. They were not very happy when I told them about my audition in Just Dance, but now their perception has changed towards dance and they completely support me now."

Ankan credits Bollywood 'god of dance' Hrithik for whatever he has learned.

"Hrithik Roshan has been my biggest inspiration. I used to look at his videos and learn steps. I also saw videos of Ganesh Hedge to practise the steps," says Ankan, who dropped out of school after class 10 to learn dance.

"Today if anybody asks me where did I learn dance from I would say Just Dance. Before coming to the show I didn't know much about dance. On this platform I got a chance to learn almost all forms of dance," he adds.

"I used to feel nervous before the performance but once I would go on stage and see Hrithik sir, Vaibhavi mam and Farah mam in front of me, all my nervousness used to vanish. I just thought I have to give my best," he states.

Kalki Koechlin gets out of intense roles for her next film

Actor Kalki Koechlin’s last release, That Girl In Yellow Boots got her a lot of critical acclaim, but she confesses that she didn’t think her film would be accepted, let alone expect the praises that came her way.

"It was a difficult film to make and I never knew I would get the kind of response I got for it. It was dark and quite complex, not the usual happy stuff people want to watch, but the feedback I got only makes it pretty evident that there is a market for these films as well. There are people who want to watch these films as well.”

Having said that, Kalki is now super excited about her next film, a commercial film in every sense. She is paired with Prateik in this film and their pairing has been creating a buzz for quite some time. Describing Prateik she says, “He is quite chilled out, but he can get shy at times. He is in his own world most of the time so I call him a dreamer and keep saying that he lives on his own planet — Planet Prateik.”

About working in a typical Bollywood film, she adds, “I know people have this image in their head of me being an intense and serious actor, but trust me, this film has been a joy ride. For a change, I am not trying to shock you. It is a sweet, innocent film that makes you laugh.”

She is romantically paired opposite Prateik in the film, but is she a romantic off screen too? “I am a sucker for romance,” she’s quick to reply. “I watch all the romantic comedies and I am a complete mush pot. I like these really cheesy films.”

Though she has been doing different films, she confesses that she still does not get flooded with offers. There have been times when she didn’t have anything to do, reveals, Kalki. “A year after Dev D I was unemployed for a year. It’s not like I was offered a lot of films. Even now, it is pretty slow. Anyway I am glad it is like that because I would get confused with too many options otherwise.”

In that one year to now, Kalki also gave up smoking and is hoping husband filmmaker Anurag Kashyap too follows suit. “I quit smoking three years back, right after Dev D. As much as I would like Anurag to give up, I know it is not something you can tell or force someone to do. It has to be your own decision and I know that because I have quit too. But it would be wonderful if he stopped as most of his health issues would be solved then.

Kate Winslet: Ned is The One

KATE Winslet has told friends her new man Ned Rocknroll is "The One"

The star, 35, is "madly in love" with Richard Branson's nephew and wants to set up home with him, a pal revealed.

The pair spent the weekend at Ned's aunt's house in Chichester, West Sussex.

A source said: "They have really fallen for each other. They are even mentioning marriage."

Married Ned, 33 — born Abel Smith — has rejected a US job offer to be near twice-wed Kate after they got close on Branson's holiday isle Necker in August.

He is separated from his wife Eliza.

Source: thesun.co.uk

Megan Fox's hair-raising Christmas ads

MEGAN Fox gives fans an early Christmas present with these classy festive ads for Armani.

The actress underwent a glamorous style overhaul for the promos, rocking a couple of finely-crafted hairdos and sexy black frocks. 

It's a far cry from the jeans and crop top-clad babe who dashed about the place in the first two Transformers films. 

Megan was famously fired from the franchise after comparing director Michael Bay to Adolf Hitler. 

Talking candidly about his approach to movie-making, she said in an interview: "He's like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation. 

"He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is. So he's a nightmare to work for but when you get him away from set, and he's not in director mode, I kind of really enjoy his personality because he's so awkward, so hopelessly awkward. 


"He has no social skills at all. And it's endearing to watch him." 

Despite her sacking, Megan – who was replaced by British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in the movies – is desperate to watch Transformers 3. 

She said: "I haven't seen it yet but I want to. 

"It's not like I didn't want to see it because I did. The trailer looked awesome but I didn't want to go to a crowded theatre and watch it because of how that may have looked. 

"I have no problem with Transformers or Shia (LaBeouf). He's a great guy and I still count him as a friend."

Now risque Rihanna exposes her bottom half in revealing photoshoot

As a superstar you can expect the rough with the smooth. And having been chased from a muddy field by an angry farmer for posing topless on his land, Rihanna was certainly due some luck.


Today the risque R&B singer finds herself on the cover of style bible Vogue.

In the front picture she presents  an almost sophisticated look with a  Monroesque pout and blonde hair.

Inside, however, she’s back to her old tricks – posing more provocatively and  revealing every inch of her legs against some rusty girders. She also sports a natty beret.
Rihanna has courted controversy with a series of edgy videos – including being tied up and taped to the wall with clingfilm in the video to her hit ‘S&M’.

But in a Vogue interview, the singer insists: ‘That’s not me. That’s a part I play. You know, like it’s a piece of art… I just want to make music.’ The singer, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, said that life with her parents, Monica Braithwaite and Ronald Fenty, a former crack addict, triggered her rebellious attitude.

‘I saw too much. I was way too mature for my age,’ she revealed.

Last week, the singer ended up being humiliated when farmer Alan Graham, 61, halted a racy video shoot on his land at Bangor, County Down.

He had agreed for one of his fields to be used but protested when he spotted her stripping down to a bikini made up of red handkerchiefs.

To Read More: Dailymail 

How passionate Pippa gave her chap a smacker at 4.30am after boxing match

They had just spent several hours watching well-bred young men beat each other senseless in the boxing ring.

 Even at 4.30am, however, Pippa Middleton and Alex Loudon were still in romantic mood.

The couple shared a lingering kiss yesterday as they waited for a cab outside a London hotel where they had attended the Boodles Boxing Ball charity event.

Pippa gazed tenderly into her boyfriend’s eyes before the lateness of the hour caught up with her and she failed to stifle a yawn.

The couple’s body language dispelled any remaining suspicions that they had drifted apart following 28-year-old Pippa’s show-stealing appearance at the royal wedding in April, when her pert derriere won world-wide admiration.

Mr Loudon, 31, a former cricketer who played for England in a one-day international against Sri Lanka in 2006, is now a financier. 

He and Pippa, younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, have been dating for more than three years.

For Saturday night’s event at the Park Plaza Hotel, she wore a striking red gown with plunging neckline and gold high heels with matching clutch purse. 

Also attending the ball, which cost £1,950 per table of ten, were Geri Halliwell, Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy and his brother William’s old flames Jecca Craig, Olivia Hunt and Isabella Anstruther- Gough-Calthorpe.

There was no sign of the princes, but their cousin Princess Beatrice made an appearance in a floral gown.

To Read More: Dailymail 

F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo wants to meet Aishwarya Rai

AshFormula One apart, if there’s one thing on Australian racer Daniel Ricciardo’s mind, it’s Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “I still remember her in Bride and Prejudice. And, I’ve heard a lot about her American films. She’s really pretty. If I get a chance, I would like to meet her when I’m here for the Grand Prix,” says the 22-year-old, who is a part of the Hispania Team that’ll be competing on the Buddh International Circuit between October 28-30.

And, the foodie’s favourite Indian food is “curry”. “Whenever I think of India, I think of curry,” says Ricciardo, who feasted on Indian food at the ITC Maurya, shortly after a prelude to the Indian Grand Prix at Rajpath on Saturday.

Though his girlfriend, whose name he shies away from revealing, will not accompany him for the event, he says she’ll cheer for him on TV. “Like I would not go and spend a day at her office, it’s the same for her. When it comes to drivers, they keep their personal lives private. But some are open about it, like Lewis Hamilton is usually accompanied by Nicole Scherzinger and Jenson Button by his girlfriend,” he says.

A fan of rock music, Ricciardo is looking forward to the Metallica concert in Delhi on October 28. “I’d prefer Metallica to Lady Gaga (who is also performing at the event). I respect the band.” Though he has to be in his team uniform at most events, Ricciardo says when he’s off the circuit, he’s super casual. “I usually roam around in shorts, flip-flops and sometimes even without a tee,” he says. Anticipating a “big welcome” when the Grand Prix starts, he says, “It’ll be a different experience for the crowd, as they’d see such an event for the first time here.”
DanielWho is Ricciardo? 
 
Name: Daniel Ricciardo

Age: 22 

Date Of Birth: July 1, 1989

Number of F1 races: 6

Team: Hispania Racing Team

Recent wins: British Formula Three (2009), Formula Renault 2.0 WEC (2008).

You can race, too
The official e-game for the Indian Grand Prix, launched recently by Zapak, has drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as characters, and the Buddh International circuit as the venue. Ibibo.com has also added an F1 car to their already live game, Parking Wars.

Complaint over loud music leads cops to Deepika Padukone's new house

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone's house-warming party ended abruptly early on Saturday after the police landed up at her brand new pad at Prabhadevi. A witness, who was present outside the flat, told TOI, "A police patrolling van stopped outside the building around 3.15am. An officer went to Padukone's flat on the 26th floor. We learnt that local residents had called up the police control room complaining of loud music.''
Deepika Padukone's house-warming party ended abruptly early on Saturday after the police landed up at her brand new pad at Prabhadevi
"Later, another police vehicle came and plain clothed cops went up to Padukone's apartment. Strangely both vehicles and the cops didn't exit from that side of the building where a lot of people were present. They preferred to leave from the other gate of the building, probably to avoid being asked questions by the waiting media on whether the actor was penalized," said the witness.

A few minutes after the cops had left the building, some of the actor's guests, too, made an exit. These included actor Imran Khan his wife Avantika, liquor baron Vijay Mallya, actors Abhay Deol and Preeti Desai. The guest list at the party was top notch with names like Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Siddharth Mallya, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh, Ranveer Singh and Genelia D'Souza. Bachchan even tweeted about being the oldest guest at the party.

An officer from the Dadar police station told TOI no complaint was received from the local residents. "Our team went to the building as a large number of people had gathered downstairs, including mediapersons, and we didn't want a law and order problem cropping up," an officer said. 
 

See Video of Pregnant Ash's glowing new look! | Aish's New Ads Lux Soap with Ankita Lokhande and Suashant singh

Pregnant Ash's glowing new look!
Pregnant Ash's glowing new look! | Aish's New Ads Lux Soap with Ankita Lokhande and Suashant singh

Kunal Kapoor helps Sikkim earthquake victims

The actor teams up with footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, who too was caught in the quake, in his initiative to help the victims.

India's star footballer Baichung Bhutia was caught in the devastating earthquake in Sikkim last week which has resulted in the loss of over hundred lives, left thousands of people homeless and left parts of Sikkim completely paralyzed and cut off.

Baichung had asked people all over the country to come forward to help his home state and has also announced plans for a charity match to raise funds.

News is that actor Kunal Kapoor has taken initiative and come forward to lend a helping hand. The actor has joined hands with footballer Baichung Bhutia to help raise funds, through a relief fund started by Baichung Bhutia.

The actor makes a fervent plea for help, "The situation in Sikkim is quite bad. Lots of people have lost their lives and homes. Baichung Bhutia has started a fund. It's the USFC And Sikkim express fund a/c no 24950100005733, Bank of Baroda and RTGS BARB0GANGTO, Bank code 012. Every contribution no matter how big or small will help. And you can be assured it'll go to the right place. Thanks."

Baichung Bhutia was quoted as saying "Sikkim is going through a tough time. But we are resilient people and there are numerous people that are going out of their way to help us. Hopefully with all the support we'll tide through these difficult times."

I don't want Salman's help: Zarine Khan

Zarine Khan is currently living with her family in Bandra but is looking for a new, bigger house in the same locality. But ask her whether good friend and "Character Dheela Hai" dance partner Salman Khan is helping her in the house hunt, and the actress clams up. Zarine says she is fed up of Salman's name cropping up in every story connected to her.

Khan has been searching for a larger home in Bandra for the past year but hasn't been successful so far. When quizzed about whether she has asked Salman for help, Zarine says, "Can we please keep him out of this? I don't want to answer questions related to Salman anymore. We are very good friends but people keep asking me about him, which is not right. I don't like using his name and our friendship. I don't want Salman's help in finding a new home. I am capable of doing that myself!"

Zarine prefers to open up about the new house she is seeking, instead. "Right now, I am living in a one BHK apartment. I have been living in Bandra for years, so I'm looking forward to finding a new house here itself. It's been almost a year but I haven't come across something that I've liked in my budget. The rates in Bandra are sky-high and I don't have a lavish budget. Affordability is important, especially since it is a three-BHK flat that I am looking for."

Zarine won't be living alone in the new apartment. "My mother will be moving in with me. I just want some open space around me and no constructions around. Most houses are so close to one other that one can see what others are doing in their homes. I don't want that."

The actress will next be seen in "Housefull 2" and the Tamil film "Karneekaran" with Vikram. 

Deepika may ditch Saif for Ranbir!

It had to happen. Once Deepika Padukone signed on Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, everything else had to take a backseat. The first casualty seems to be Abbas Mustan's Race 2, where she is teamed opposite Saif Ali Khan.

Our source informs, "Race 2 is meant to be shot between January 2012 and June 2012. Saif, John Abraham (the baddie), Anil Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha have allotted dates accordingly. However, Deepika is not able to accommodate this film now as the dates of Race 2 and YJHD are clashing."

Deepika was asked to make a choice and she chose Ranbir (naturally) over Saif. Reports suggest that producer Ramesh Taurani is livid with Deepika. Her last-minute ditch may leave the project in limbo.

Since it is a multi-starrer with big names involved, putting the project together with all their dates itself has taken a while. Now, Deepika's exit may just jeopardise it. Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma don't have dates for this project either.

Deepika's spokesperson said, "It's still not final whether Deepika will quit Race 2. Her dates are being worked out." 


Mumbai Indians look strong: Ameesha Patel

"Though I wanted Kolkata Knight Riders or Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the Nokia CLT20 trophy this time, but it seems unlikely as Mumbai Indians are looking stronger.

Anyhow, it will be nice to see an Indian team winning the world championship of club cricket."

My shelf life is limited: Ayesha Takia

Mirror reader Vinay Vishwanath meets a content Ayesha Takia who talks about doing all the things she loves after marriage

He paced anxiously outside the cafe where we were to meet Ayesha Takia. He tapped his foot against the wooden floor nervously. Finally, he walked up to her as she turned to him with a warm smile. For three years, Vinay Vishwanath harboured the desire to meet the bubbly and doll-like Ayesha.

From the word go, Vinay was comfortable chatting with Ayesha. He told her about his job as a research analyst, which impressed her, as she too has turned to research in the last few years to understand the restaurant business better. "Research is especially important when we're deciding on a new menu. But the most fun bit is the tasting, which becomes more like eating for my family and me," she laughed.

After her marriage to restaurateur Farhan Azmi, Ayesha took a backseat from films to learn the ropes of the business. "I had been working for ten years and though I love films, I needed a break. Everyone should do more than one thing so that life becomes more fulfilling. I knew that my shelf life is limited; someone else would soon take my place. I had to make sure that I had my life sorted."

As she spoke about her work, Vinay got curious about her journey from the Complan girl to becoming an actress. "That was by sheer chance. The director of the ad film was my father's friend, so when the main girl for the ad didn't show up, he begged my dad to send me. There's been no looking back since," she recounted.

She is a self-proclaimed spoilt girl, who lives in a bubble. But despite the glamour and the fun she had between the words 'action' and 'cut', she wanted more. "I didn't like waking up at 5 am and taking three hours put on make-up. Now, I'm enjoying life."

At the tender age of 23, right before the release of one of her biggest films, Wanted, Ayesha shocked (and disappointed) many by getting married. "I don't know why people say you can't have a career and a marriage. Farhan and I loved each other so I didn't see why it wouldn't work," said Mrs Azmi.

Today, two-and-a-half years into her marriage, Ayesha seems more in love than ever. "What was your first date like?" asked Vinay. "I don't like bikes but he had arranged a number of Ducatis and Harley Davidsons to take me out on a ride. All his friends were there at Marine Drive too and we went for a ride around Mumbai. It was fun, but I still haven't learnt to enjoy bikes or speed," giggled Ayesha.

Though she told us how she gets along with Farhan's friends, she admitted to not having too many herself. She said, "We moved around a lot as kids and I didn't go to college to make life-long friends. Now it's difficult to make friends because you don't know whether or not to trust the person's intentions. I am close to my family but I don't have too many friends."

This seemed to surprise and disturb Vinay, who told Ayesha how amazing it is to have 'chaddi buddies'. "You can call up your friend at 2 am and say 'let's go to the dhaba'. Last night we brought in one of our friends' birthday," he said. Having missed out on this herself, Ayesha enjoyed listening to Vinay's stories.

But she is contemplating going back to college. "I'd love to have the complete college experience, though I don't think it would be possible now. I want to study psychology. I like to peek into people's minds and see what they're thinking," she said, winking.

Finally, it was a common belief that made Ayesha and Vinay really bond. Ayesha's opposition to kissing, lovemaking scenes and item songs is well known. But having one of her biggest fans endorse her views made all the difference. "If the content is good, you don't need an item number to spice things up," said Vinay, inviting a high five from his favourite star.

Ayesha said that she didn't have too many ways to interact with her fans, except via social media. Vinay suggested she create a fan website. And he offered to develop it too. "Your movies make me happy, now I want to give something back to you," he said. 


I have my own destiny and life: Katrina Kaif

In an industry that is still slave to dynasty and lineage, a British-Asian girl emerges from nowhere and attains vertiginous heights in Bollywood.

Katrina Kaif has defied all conventional film wisdom - she barely spoke Hindi, her acting skills came up for debate and she is politically correct in interviews to the point of boredom. But Katrina has the X-factor, accentuated by an angelic face and a body that could tempt the devil. Who else could pull off a raunchy Sheila ki Jawaani with lyrics like 'khudko pyaar karoon main' with such playful innocence?

Katrina's box-office track record is enviable, as proved again recently by Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Considered a good luck mascot, she is much in demand and is probably among the few actresses who can boast of working with all the Khans. But her superstar status today is by no means a fluke.

Perhaps the fact that Katrina has not grown up with a sense of entitlement, like other star kids, has contributed to her success. She never seems take her success for granted. Directors vouch for her commitment, and her acting skills and diction have amped up over the years. And she seems to have mastered the art of Khan management. No mean feat, if you think about it.

Katrina has delicately worked around temperamental boyfriends, bloated egos and fickle relationships and built goodwill that spans diverse camps. Yet for all her astute networking, few seem to know the real Katrina. Vague information filters in about her past, she hides behind a veneer of correctness. What we don't know about her just seems to add to her mystique.

The early days
Katrina first floated into the industry with her debut, Kaizad Gustad's Boom (2003). The director though, refuses to talk about his discovery as he tersely says, "I don't want to hurt anyone."

Boom's producer Ayesha Shroff is more forthcoming, "During the course of some research, Kaizad chanced upon her. He tells me that a few days later, she went to his house and asked him, 'I'm interested in India.

Do you think I have a future in India as a model or in films?' She came down to Mumbai, auditioned and got the role. I think she had done some modeling in London. I thought she would have a career here. At that time, there was nobody with a good body, no one was wearing bikinis."

But where did Kaizad meet her? Ayesha refuses to say. "I can't talk about it. What's the point? What she has achieved is admirable and it's not easy for a woman to pull herself out of nothing and make such a huge name for herself."

What she does talk about is how Katrina got her last name. "Her passport says Turquotte. We created an identity for her. She was this pretty young English girl, and we gave her the Kashmiri father and thought of calling her Katrina Kazi. We thought we'd give her some kind of Indian ancestry, to connect with the audience. Those times were different, now people are more accepting. But then we thought that Kazi sounded too... religious? We were to introduce her to the press and at that time, Mohammad Kaif was at the top, and so we said, Katrina Kaif sounds really great. In fact, the brochures for the press say Katrina Kazi. We passed that off saying, 'Oh that's a printing mistake," says Ayesha.

Is Katrina in touch with her? "No. But that's a personal choice. What hurts me is that she distances herself from Boom. When Boom released, she was seeing Salman, she dismissed her debut saying she didn't know what she was doing and so she did the bikini scene, the smooching scene. No one put a gun to anybody's head. She is a very intelligent young woman, she knows what she has going and doesn't want to jeopardize it."

The rise
After Boom, her early success was David Dhawan's Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and later Partner, both starring Salman. The director fondly recalls, "She was young when I met her, but her presence was very strong. She's very beautiful. She barely knew enough Hindi to save her skin. But her dedication was very strong and she was a good learner. She had the making of a heroine."

Dhawan says that it was her attention to scenes and rehearsals that was endearing. She didn't throw tantrums and she was friendly and warm. He adds with a laugh, "I took her for granted when we shot Partner. She hasn't changed, so much respect she gives me. She is looking very good, is still very insecure and that is important for an actor. It becomes difficult to hold on and live up to the success tag."

Salman at that time was always teaching her a thing or two on the sets, but the director insists, "Just being in someone's good books doesn't work. The audience really loves her."

This sentiment is echoed by her Tees Maar Khan director Farah Khan, "Katrina has the X-factor. There are prettier girls who haven't made it. She has the same fire that actresses like Sridevi and Madhuri had. The audiences love her, especially the kids."

Farah adds that no one promotes a film like Katrina does. And that she has never heard Katrina backbite. She says, "Katrina stresses about the way she looks. But she never frets over petty issues like my vanity van is too small."

Though Akshay Kumar had recommended her, Farah was initially hesitant, "I thought they'd done too many films together." On the sets, Farah was no closer to knowing Katrina intimately. She laughs, "I don't think anyone in the industry really knows her, give or take one or two people. But I've met her mother. Katrina is quite the family girl."

Managing relationships
Akshay and Katrina's chemistry had also proved to be a hit with films like Namastey London and Singh is Kinng. In past interviews, she has acknowledged Akshay and Salman's contribution to her career. She makes for a good leading lady with the younger heroes like Ranbir and Imran as well. And she can boast of a Yash Raj film with Shah Rukh and Dhoom 3 with Aamir. Add to the that, she has the instinct for the right scripts and working with the right people.

To maintain relationships with the big boys of Bollywod calls for immense dexterity. Her dignified silence and denials about link-ups has ensured that she doesn't tread on anyone's toes. There were reports of Salman having slapped her at a coffee shop in 2008, but she denied the incident. Now as they shoot for Ek Tha Tiger in Ireland, they are reportedly fond of each other and there is no bitterness as they shoot together.

In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, she said, "All my life I have judged my worth by how much I have been loved by a man. It's so with a lot of women, that their self-esteem is measured by how much they are loved by a man, their partner, their boyfriend or may be their husband. In my case, it may be because I grew up without my father. But now that I am more mature and not eighteen any more, I have learnt to overcome that and understand that I have my own destiny and life." Destiny's child has come into her own. 



Katrina Kaif to miss the kiss?

It's not just the bikini that Katrina Kaif has a problem with in Dhoom 3. It is learnt that Kat is now expressing her reservation over a kiss scene as well.
While the franchise had a kissing scene in the last film between Hrithik and Aishwarya, this time around, Kaif is putting in a special request to do away with the scene. Will Aditya Chopra give in?

Charlize Theron talks Kristen Stewart, taps into Rage

Charlize Theron is on a two-week break from her evil queen duties in "Snow White and the Huntsman," and is enjoying her time in glamorous, movie-star fashion -- playing video games.

"I'm a bit of a gamer," she told us at Friday night's launch party for the new game Rage, a first-person shooter from Bethesda Softworks. "Not too crazy, but I've been known to game."

Theron served as host for the launch, which staged a full takeover of Chinatown's historic Gin Ling Lane -- vendors, restaurants and booze joints all -- and featured a performance from the Black Keys.

Turning heads in a black tuxedo jacket and tiny cocktail dress, Theron paused to reflect on her current gig as Kristen Stewart's nemesis in the dark retelling of the fairy tale.

"I haven't gotten to work with [Kristen] yet ... it's mostly been me and my kingdom, alone, while everyone is out looking for her," she said. Production will resume in two weeks in London, where the pair will finally go head-to-head.
"We've had one day together, she did some off-camera for me and we got to hang out a little bit. She's super cool and she's going to be amazing in this," Theron said. 

The Oscar winner has been making some interesting choices of late, departing from leading lady fare and catsuit-sporting action leads. In addition to her villainous turn in "Snow White," she'll portray an alcoholic writer of teen books in Jason Reitman's "Young Adult."

Penned by Diablo Cody and set for a holiday release, there's talk that Charlize could be an awards contender come January. 

Joerage"More than anything, I wanted to work with Jason Reitman and I thought the material was really interesting. I try not to think about that stuff too much and just respond organically," she said.

Organically responding to the festivities on Gin Ling Lane was George Clooney's current girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, who arrived alone but found some pals to catch up with.

Newly single "True Blood" werewolf Joe Manganiello was on the prowl, hanging with a male pal and saying hello to "Captain America" star Chris Evans.

"Wonder Woman" star Lynda Carter made an appearance, as did Seth Green, John Krasinski and Alessandra Ambrosio. 

A Ministry shout-out to Topher Grace, who cut an impossibly long men's room line by obliging one of the gift shop vendors with a photo, getting him escorted into their private bathroom.

Now Middleton family website promotes ‘sculpt your own prince’ clay doll

With its Britannia-themed scratch cards and princess outfits, Carole and Mike Middleton’s online business Party Pieces has never fought shy of its Royal connections.

And now the website, for which the Duchess of Cambridge used to work, has selected its gift of the year - a clay doll that can be sculpted into a ‘Handsome Prince’.

The item, called Sculpt Your Own Boyfriend, promises to fulfil any single girl’s dream.

According to text on the website: ‘If you’re finding that landing your dream guy is proving too difficult, too time-consuming and seemingly doomed to failure, all you need to do is get hold of this kit and learn to design a whole variety of gorgeous guys from the Millionaire to the Movie Star to the Handsome Prince.’

The 15in toy comes with five different colours of modelling clay, special modelling tools and a guide that teaches you to design 25 ‘types’ of boyfriend.

A picture of the same product on a different website shows the doll on bended knee with an engagement ring in a box. 

However, this picture was omitted from the product description on the Party Pieces website. 

Mysteriously, the original blurb on the website accompanying the photograph of the doll has recently been removed. Now there is only a paragraph of text, with no mention of a ‘handsome prince’.

It is not the first time that last-minute changes have been made to the website.

Last year an interview with Kate and her siblings was posted on the company’s web-magazine Party Times, which is edited by Kate’s sister Pippa. 

To Read More: dailymail

Blink and you'll miss her: The X Factor bosses gloss over contestant Sian Phillips' axing over criminal past

X Factor producers glossed over the axing of popular contestant Sian Phillips in tonight's judges houses round of auditions.

The 24-year-old Liverpudlian was invited to audition at Kelly Rowland's home in Miami in the girls' category, but was denied a visa because of her criminal past.

She was swiftly replaced by 17-year-old Sarah Watson, who said her last-minute inclusion was 'still sinking in' as she sat on the beach in Florida in tonight's episode.

Axed: Sian Phillips' exit from the X Factor, after her US visa was refused, was glossed over on tonight's show
17-year-old Sarah Watson has stepped into the girls' category in Sian's place
The X Factor brushed over Sian's removal as they introduced the female contestants, simply saying that she wasn't able to continue in the competition, before introducing Miss Watson.

Final eight: Sarah, third left, joined the other girl contestants (L-R) Holly, Melanie, Misha, Amelia, Janet, Sophie and Jade


Read More: Daily Mail

Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne pictured moments before his surprise proposal

Former Australian cricketer splashed out £30,000 on diamond ring


She was sporting a stunning sapphire and diamond ring on her wedding finger today, but Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne chose not to comment on the reports he had popped the question when they appeared together at the Dunhill tournament today.

Now, the couple have confirmed their engagement by thanking fans for their well wishes over their Twitter accounts.

'Thanks for all your congratulations,' Hurley tweeted, adding a picture of the couple which she said was taken just before the dinner last night at St Andrews where Warne, 42, proposed.

The Estée Lauder model presumably had no idea that her boyfriend of ten months was about to ask her to marry him as they posed happily for a picture inside the exclusive Old Course Hotel.

Miss Hurley was wearing a strapless nude bandage dress and heavy smokey eye-make-up while the Australian cricketer wore a sharp suit and purple tie.

REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING? WARNE'S ROYAL INSPIRATION

Bling: Hurley proudly flashed her sapphire and diamond engagement ringKate Middleton's ringLiz Hurley's impressive sapphire engagement ring (right) bears more than a passing resemblance to the one Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana in 1981, pictured left.

That 12-carat oval sapphire, surrounded by a cluster of 14 diamonds, cost £28,500 from Garrard of Mayfair at the time. 

It was, of course, presented to Kate Middleton by Prince William on their engagement in November last year. Jewellers have reported a rush for similar-looking rings ever since.

But sapphire has long been a popular choice for engagement rings as it has come to symbolise love, truth and commitment.

In the 12th Century, crusaders would present their wives with sapphire rings to test their fidelity, believing the vivid colour would fade if a woman was unfaithful.

Well wishes: Both Elizabeth and Shane tweeted their thanks to fans for their congratulations

To Read More And Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne pictured moments before his surprise proposal: Dailymail

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

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