Ragini MMS 2: Sunny Leone to start shooting soon

Mumbai: After 'Jism2', it's 'Ragini MMS 2' for Indo-Canadian adult entertainer Sunny Leone and she reveals that the shooting of the horror-thriller sequel will start in a few months.

"I love India. I am so happy I am here, I'll be staying here for a while. I have a lot of different projects coming up. 'Ragini MMS 2' is something we are going to start shooting by the end of this year," the 31-year-old said here Sunday at the announcement of her association with music company Saregama which will give its customers access to her content.

Taking about the preparations for 'Ragini MMS 2' and other projects, she said: "I'll be doing workshops here in India, I'll be doing them before 'Ragini MMS 2'. I'll be taking dance classes, Hindi lessons, watching Hindi movies... It's like going back to school for me."
'Ragini MMS 2' is a sequel to Ekta Kapoor's 2011-film 'Ragini MMS' which starred Kainaz Motivala and Raj Kumar Yadav.

Meanwhile, Sunny does not feel any heat from established Bollywood actresses.

"I don't like the word. Competition is something, unless it's in sports, it's kind of like a negative word, at least in my book. These women (actresses) work so hard. I know what goes into making a movie now," Sunny said.

"I know all these different appearances and other things that we do, it's a business and on top of that you have a lot of fun. But competition, everyone is in their own league and in their own space," she added.

Shruti Haasan’s got the viral!

B-Town’s been recently hearing of too many actors falling ill due to the sudden climatic change. The actor who’s currently taken ill is Shruti Haasan. The pretty girl, who has been shuttling between Mumbai and Chennai, suddenly fell ill and is now apparently stuck within the confines of her home.

A source close to her reveals, “Shruti has just about made Mumbai her home, She recently shifted in to her new apartment in Bandra, something she has been wanting for quite sometime now. The actor, who had barely managed to settle in Mumbai for work and was just about adjusted to the city, has suddenly fallen ill. Since she also lives alone, Shruti has been feeling a little homesick and has friends coming over to visit her. But the actor couldn’t stay holed up at home for long as she had a lot of professional commitments to fulfill.”

Despite running a high temperature, she recently travelled to Chennai on a work assignment and is back in Mumbai recuperating. Thankfully, she is yet to begin shooting for her next film with actor Girish Taurani, so her shooting schedules haven’t been affected by her health. She has cancelled all her other appointments and is planning to spend some quality time at home, taking adequate rest before her next film goes on the floors.

Met Dawood Ibrahim Once, but Not Linked to Mumbai Blasts: Sanjay Dutt

New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS): Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt Tuesday admitted meeting underworld don Dawood Ibrahim once at a dinner that was hosted by him in Dubai. The actor was answering a question in the Supreme Court

He responded in the negative to a court's query if he had any friendship with the don.

Senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Sanjay Dutt in a case related to illegal possession of a rifle, answered the questions raised by the court about his relationship with the underworld don wanted in India in connections with his key role in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

As Salve was reading Dutt's confessional statement, given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the wake of his arrest in 1993 bomb blasts, there was a mention of the actor having met Dawood Ibrahim.

This prompted the court to inquire into his relationship, if any, with Dawood.

To this Salve said that Dutt had met the don in Dubai where he had hosted a dinner. Salve told the court that the actor went to the dinner along with two film producers.

The court was told that the said dinner related to the period prior to the 1993 serial bomb blasts and that was the only occasion that the actor met the don, suspected to be in Pakistan.

The court's query came during the hearing on an appeal file by Dutt challenging a trial court verdict convicting him under the Arms Act and awarding him sentence of six years for possessing weapons illegally.

Not linked to 1993 Mumbai blasts, Sanjay Dutt tells SC

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS): Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt Tuesday told the Supreme Court that his offence of possessing a rifle and ammunition was not linked to the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.

The blasts struck the city in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in Uttar Pradesh Dec 6, 1992.

Appearing for the actor, senior counsel Harish Salve told the apex court bench of Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice B.S. Chauhan that he came to possess the weapon in September 1992 when his father Sunil Dutt and sisters were facing threats as the senior Dutt's help to Muslim victims annoyed some.

"He had nothing to do with it (the 1993 Mumbai blasts) before, during and after the blasts," salve told the court.

"Crime has many facets. A crime is under Indian Penal Code but aimed to awe the society," Salve told the court, adding that the conviction of Sanjay Dutt under the Arms Act was in no way connected with the 1993 serial blasts.

Salve said that the only caveat in putting Sanjay Dutt to trial under an anti-terror law was if there was any "inextricable linkage" between his possessing arms with the serial bomb blasts.

He said that this was the least common denominator that could be used for seeing any such linkage. He said that there was no linkage between Dutt possessing a rifle and the 1993 bomb blasts.

The senior counsel said that a "disconnect" between Sanjay Dutt acquiring a rifle and some ammunition with the larger conspiracy took him out of the trial under the now-repealed Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).

The court was told that Dutt had never met blasts accused Tiger Memon and all that he knew about him was hearsay from Samir Hingora in whose under-production film "Sanam" he was playing a role.

"This is what you say," Justice Sathasivam told Salve and asked: "But what other accused say about you?"

Salve said that what other accused had said about him was contradictory.

The senior counsel told this to the apex court hearing Sanjay Dutt's appeal challenging his conviction under the Arms act and sentence of six years awarded to him. The cinestar's appeal challenging his conviction was being heard by the apex court.

As Salve commenced the arguments, the court pointed out that there were objections that the "CBI filed appeal against all making an exception for Sanjay Dutt".

The court was apparently referring to senior counsel Jaspal Singh casting shadows on the impartiality of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by not appealing against the TADA court verdict in Sanjay Dutt's case.

Jaspal Singh, who appeared for accused Yakub Abdul Razak Memon, said that the CBI did not oppose the bail of Sanjay Dutt who had confessed his guilt and weapons were recovered from him.

The special bench of the apex court is hearing a batch of petitions filed by accused challenging their conviction and sentencing by the TADA court. The hearing commenced Nov 1, 2011.

By daijiworld.com

National award winning actress Rakhee Mazumdar Gulzar, who was born in 1947 in West Bengal, turned 65 years

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IBNS): National award winning actress Rakhee Mazumdar Gulzar, who was born in 1947 in West Bengal, turned 65 years.

She made her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Jeevan Mrityu’ in 1970, under the banner of Rajshri Production, where she was cast opposite Dharmendra.

The actresss, who was featured in several hit films like ‘Heera Panna’, ‘Daag’, ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’, ‘Kasme Vaade’, ‘Kaala Patthar’, was shot to fame with the movie ‘Sharmilee’.

Best known for setting up romantic pair with the Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, she did eight hit films with the superstar including ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’, ‘Kasme Vaade’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Kaala Patthar’, ‘Jurmana’, ‘Barsaat Ki Ek Raat’, and ‘Bemisal’.

The powerhouse actress was well praised for her role in ‘Shakti’, where she portrayed the role of Bachchan’s mother. She received critical acclaim for her role in the award winning Bengali film ‘Paroma’, which dealt with a serious and controversial issue.

In 2003, the actress added another feather to her crown as she was conferred Padma Shri Award, by the Government of India.

The actress holds the record of being most-nominated female performer in the Filmfare awards.

The actress’s first marriage with Bengali director Ajay Biswas was short lived. The actress later married lyricist turned director Gulzar, with whom she has a daughter named Meghna Gulzar, who is also a director.

Breastfeeding helped me to tone my body: Lara Dutta

Bollywood Actress Lara Dutta, who recently gave birth to a baby girl with husband Mahesh Bhupathi, today said that breast feeding has helped her to tone up her body after seven months of motherhood.

The 34-year-old former Miss Universe became a proud mother of Saira on Jan 20 and is all set to be back on silver screen with director Bejoy Nambiar's David.

"After seven months of motherhood, apart from exercising and dieting, breastfeeding helped me to tone my body up to get back to acting," Lara told reporters after inaugurating a poster exhibition on 'Goodness of Breastfeeding' at a private hospital here.

"Being a mother is the most beautiful aspect of a woman's life. It is also a great responsibility. As a mother I want to help all new and expectant mothers understand the importance of breastfeeding," she added.

Lara said that she has started shooting for gangster-comedy David.

"David is going to be my first comeback film," she said.

The film also Vinay Virmani, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Tabu and Isha Sharvani in the prominent roles.

Lara said she is also working in one of the films being produced under her banner Bheegi Basanti Video.

"I am quite busy. There are lots of things on the plate," she said.

However, Lara said she will be too choosy with her projects now as she wants to spend more time with the tot.

"She (Saira) is the best bridge to choose work for myself because it is all about choosing quality films or projects. There is very little time to spend away from her. If the film is really worth it I am going to take it up," she said.

Lara added that Saira is a wonderful baby and is best thing to happen in her life.

By PTI

Kareena Kapoor's 'Halkat Jawani' saree to be auctioned

Mumbai: Ever since Kareena Kapoor featured in her bright pink saree and dark blue blouse in her item song 'Halkat Jawaani' in Madhur Bhandarkar’s upcoming film, her costume became the talk of town. And now buzz is that the same ensemble is being auctioned for a cause.

Our source says, "The money will be donated to a charitable organisation, which Kareena is associated to." There is also news that the Manish Malhotra-designed costume managed to create quite a buzz at the recently concluded Mumbai fashion week.

Same-same?
In the meanwhile, Urmila Matondkar has also worn a similar nine-yard saree and blouse in her first ever Marathi item number titled 'Yana Yana' in 'Hridaynath'. Considering that both the actresses are quite close to designer Manish Malhotra, it comes as no surprise that Urmi and Bebo should flaunt the almost-same ensembles.

By Mid Day

Watch out all Video Songs From the latest Movie of Salman - Katrina "Ek Tha Tiger"

Let's Check out all the Video songs From Ek Tha Tiger

1.  Watch MashAllah Full Video Song Ek Tha Tiger - Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
2. Watch Laapata Song From Ek Tha Tiger

3. Watch the Banjaara Song From Ek Tha Tiger
4.Watch Saiyaara Song From Ek Tha Tiger

Richa Chadha the newest item girl in Bollywood

After portraying de-glam roles in all the three feature films she has appeared in so far, Richa Chadha did what she has never attempted before. She recently shot for an item song composed by the British Punjabi band RDB in Akshay Chaubey’s untitled directorial venture.

With an acting career that has her playing characters way too older than her actual age, she found the whole experience a welcome change from her usual drama-driven act. And she enjoyed it thoroughly as well!

Speaking about her experience, Richa explains why she opted for an item number, “I agreed to the song only because Akshay asked me to. Also, he’s one of the very few in the industry who knows that I can dance. The pub-type number was catchy and I learned my moves within a couple of hours when the cahoreographer had scheduled an eight-hour shift to teach me the whole thing!”

Incidentally, Akshay and Richa go back a long way. The debutant director who assisted Dibakar Banerjee during the making of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is also a friend of the actress’ brother and has known her for quite a long time now. Both hail from New Delhi and even the song is set in the neighbourhood that the two grew up in.

By Mid Day

Spotted: Abhishek Bachchan with Mary Kom in London

Abhishek Bachchan with Mary Kom in London

'Gangs Of Wasseypur 2' earns Rs 16.3 cr in 5 days

Mumbai: Anurag Kashyap’s 'Gangs of Wasseypur 2' has not had the flying start that it was expected to have, after the buzz of the film’s part one raised expectations. However, the film has managed to collect around Rs 16.3 crore in its first five days. The producers of the film claim that the film has been made in Rs 13.5 crore and going by that, the film seems to have recovered its money.

On the other hand, 'Jism 2', which had a flying start largely due to the presence of adult content star Sunny Leone, did not bring any cheer for its investors during the weekdays. 'Jism 2' after a Rs 21 crore weekend ended up at around Rs 25 crore after the entire week. The second weekend saw it further collect Rs 2.5 crore. 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum' has touched the figure of Rs 45 crore after its third weekend.

Atul Mohan, trade analyst said, "Gangs has fallen short of expectations as compared to its part one. Too many films released as well and there is already a pre-release buzz of Kabir Khan’s 'Ek Tha Tiger'. This in turn has affected Gangs II. We in the trade expect 'Ek Tha Tiger' to be the fastest film to get into the Rs 100 crore club. On the other hand 'Jism 2' did not do well after its initial weekend."

The buzz of 'Ek Tha Tiger' is too powerful and all eyes are now on the Salman-Katrina Kaif starrer. With the hype consistently building up around the film, will it manage to create a Rs 200 crore club? Only time will tell...

'Gangs of Wasseypur 2' disappoints at box office

New Delhi: Despite getting good reviews from the critics and thumbs up from the audiences too, Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur 2' failed to attain flattering numbers at the box office. 'Gangs of Wasseypur 1' which was released on June 22, 2012 earned Rs 28 crore and the makers were pretty happy with the collection.

Releasing a film on a weekday is a risk anyway. However, in this case, Kashyap took the right decision as Salman Khan’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ hits the screens on August 15, 2012. This way ‘GoW’ 2 got a few more days to attract the audiences. Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, “#GOW2 Tue previews 34 lacs, Wed 2.75 cr, Thu 2.30 cr, Fri 3.20 cr, Sat [est] 3.25 cr. Total: 11.84 cr nett.”

It is quite evident that ‘GoW 2’ may not be able to match up to the box office collection of part 1. After the release of ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, which is a typical masala entertainer, the box office collection of ‘GoW 2’ is likely to drop. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi and Richa Chadda play the lead roles in the film.

The film opened to 30-40% occupancy with just selected theatres registering better occupancy. Commercial success doesn’t matter to filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, so he might not be really worried with this.

In pics: Soha Ali Khan enacts molestation scene

Mumbai: Recently Soha Ali Khan had to film a very uncomfortable scene. In fact, the actress requested the director to shoot the molestation sequence within closed doors, without allowing any still photographer to be present in the room.

In her upcoming film based on child trafficking, she plays an NRI, who gets molested by a group of goons. Our source says, "Soha was emotionally drained while shooting the sequence. In this particular scene, the goons drag her down to the floor and rip off her shirt and manhandle her."

Producer Vibha Dutta Khosla adds that being a thorough professional, Soha understood that the scene was essential to the storyline and immediately agreed to shoot for it. Assistant director Ramzan who was present during the shoot says, "While doing the scene, Soha was badly bruised and even had to take medical aid."

Salman Khan was the first choice for 'Ek Tha Tiger'

Mumbai: Kabir Khan is currently waiting with bated breath for the release of his upcoming film, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. The former documentary filmmaker started his Bollywood career with 'Kabul Express', followed by 'New York'.

During the course of the conversation, while Khan admits that the industry today is indeed driven by numbers, he doesn’t wish to conform to the media’s make-believe clubs. In a freewheeling chat, he talks about his experience with Salman, the actor’s chemistry with former ladylove Katrina and the Rs 100-crore club...

Salman had a surgery during the making of the film. Did it affect the overall outcome?

No, it happened at the very beginning of the project. He took a proper break to get his nerve disorder in the face treated. We commenced only after his surgery, so there was no delay or interruption of any sort.

Is it true that Hrithik Roshan was the first choice for the film?

These were mere speculations. Yash Raj banner makes many films at the same time and at the end of the day, how many actors can you call Tiger in the industry? Also, I’m one of those filmmakers who write a story keeping the actor’s personality in mind.

So Salman it was from the beginning...?

Absolutely. He has the inherent qualities of the character I had envisioned even before we got down to shoot. In the film, Salman’s simply a legend and needless to say, he fits to the tee. Today, I can’t see anyone else in this role.

Did his personal equation with Katrina ever come in the way of the film?

As far as I could see, they were extremely friendly and comfortable in each other’s presence throughout the shoot. After all, they’ve known each other for almost a decade now. Their chemistry speaks for itself on the screen.

What do you think of the Rs 100 crore club?

It’s just a media creation. (Laughs) I don’t know where this club is or where its headquarter is located. Is it in Lokhandwala? (Laughs again) The box office collection is indeed a parameter of success but it’s not the only one. Earlier, we used to judge a film by its silver or golden jubilee. Personally, I believe numbers don’t always justify success. Just because Spider-Man rakes in more money doesn’t make it a superior film than Rain Man.

There are talks about you moving away from the Yash Raj camp and working with Sajid Nadiadwala. Is it true?

As of now, there are only talks going on. Nothing has been finalised yet. Anyway, it’s not like I’ll leave this production house for good and not come back to work again. Aditya (Chopra) has supported me from the very beginning and I’ll always remain thankful for that.

Movie Stills: Miss Lovely

Ver

Very Horrible Scene in this movie.

Salman eyeing Aamir, SRK, Hrithik's records

Ek Tha Tiger releases tomorrow and trade, industry as well as soothsayers have only one question on their lips - 'Will Salman Khan end up creating new records with this film?' Such is the buildup of hype around the film that while it is a given that the film would cross the Rs.100 crores milestone, the debate is around several other records that are coming under the scanner.

"To begin with, Salman is now all set to regain the opening day record that was created with Bodyguard last Eid", comments an insider, "It was tipped by Hrithik Roshan with Agneepath earlier this year but with expectation of nothing less than Rs. 30 crores opening day for Ek Tha Tiger, not just Hrithik but even Shah Rukh's Ra.One'' record of highest day ever would be smashed."

Meanwhile bets are being placed on the number of days in which Ek Tha Tiger would cross the Rs. 100 crore milestone. The record is currently held by Salman himself whose Bodyguard had managed this total in its extended week last year. Now for Ek Tha Tiger it is expected that Salman would manage this huge moolah in five-six days flat.

"With ticket rates being hiked and the film releasing at record number of screens, this is not impossible either", an exhibitor adds, "However that is just the beginning. Real fun would begin from Monday onwards after Eid. If the film is indeed appreciated, sky would be the limit as Muslim audiences are expected to flock the theatres on weekdays as well. It would be the best Eid haul ever for Bollywood if the film lives up to the hype."

That would result in another round of calculations for the film because it would be Aamir Khan's record of 3 Idiots that would come under the scanner.

"For Salman it is pretty much assured that Bodyguard total of over Rs. 148 crores would be comfortably beaten. However, he is challenging Rs. 202 crores that 3 Idiots had accumulated", comments a source, "With everything going in the film's favour, no competition in sight and no major release for three more weeks, getting on the top of the game would be the real deal for Salman."

Watch Promo of Ek Tha Tiger: