Playboy Model Candice Boucher is the Big Fan of Aishwarya Rai

Mumbai, Sep 19: I am a big fan of Aishwarya Rai, says Playboy model Candice Boucher, who is set to make her Bollywood debut with 'Aazaan' and describes it as an opportunity of a lifetime. 

'I did know about Bollywood before doing this film because while growing up in South Africa, we did have a few Indian movies showcased on the TV. I was aware a little bit about the industry that it's very colourful and has a lot of music and dance,' Candice told IANS in an interview.

'I don't remember the names of the film right now, but as far as the actors are concerned, I am a big fan of Aishwarya Rai. She is gorgeous and a great actress too. The fact that she has made a mark not only in Bollywood but also Hollywood, speaks a lot about her. She is beautiful,' added the model who visited India six times earlier and loves the family bond people share here.

The 27-year-old, who also modelled for magazines like FHM, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated and Elle, is excited about director Prashant Chadha's 'Aazaan'.

Entrepreneur-turned-actor Sachin Joshi plays the male lead in the film, while Candice is roped in as a sand artist and as Sachin's love interest in 'Aazaan', slated for an Oct 14 release.

The model says being a part of a Hindi film was nerve-wracking for her.

'Prashant got this project to me. He gave me a call when I was in New York last year and told me that he has a part that is perfect for me. I was little nervous because it was a Hindi movie. I don't speak the language and my dancing is also not really up to the mark. 

'But Prashant kind of scripted the role around me and my personality and then he changed all my dialogues to English. It was a fun experience, but equally nerve-wracking,' said Candice.

Will she stay and make a career in Bollywood?

'Prashant just gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and I couldn't say no to it. It was a learning experience. If I think about going in the Bollywood direction, I have to see my Hindi definitely. It has to be a lot better and also the dancing. So at the moment I'm happy that I got this opportunity and I'll keep on trying to learn Hindi. But Bollywood isn't something I'll only concentrate on.

'However, if something great comes up, I'm open to the idea,' said Candice who has done an item song in the film, which was choreographed by Ashley Lobo. 

IANS

Movie Review : Crazy Stupid Love

Film: 'Crazy Stupid Love';
Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa; 
Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore; 
Rating: **** - poignant and hilarious

There's good news in the air for cinema fans. The rom-com genre, a strong forte of Hollywood that was sadly dwindling thanks to some totally lacklustre films in the past few years, is back with a bang. The proof is 'Crazy, Stupid Love', one of the best romantic comedies of our new millennium, and a laugh riot to boot.

Cal's (Steve Carell) world turns upside when his wife for over 25 years Emily (Julianne Moore) reveals that she has slept with a co-worker and wants a divorce. He moves out of his house and frequents a bar where a casanova Jacob (Ryan Gosling), taking pity on his self-pity, teaches him the moves to make women fall for him. To complicate matters are Cal's children, their baby sitter's crush on him and a mad English teacher.

It's been some time that a romantic comedy has either been romantic or comic. Many of them are witty or have slap-stick humour. But genuine, situational humour, funny observations about life and relationship and a true squeezing of a story's potential to make you laugh your guts out have been rare. That is the reason that this film shines amidst dull contemporaries.

In terms of poignancy, you can call it the 'American Beauty' of rom-coms. While 'American Beauty' manages to get the satire out of marriage and its fall out, this one gets the humour out of it.

And what's more, it's got a totally unexpected twist in the end like a thriller and a scene after that which will totally sweep you off your feet with its humour.

The shots are conceptualized beautifully and best of all the directors - Glenn Ficarra and John Requa - know the importance of silences and pauses even in a comedy that usually rely on a lot of dialogues. It ends up being as poignant as it is hilarious and totally natural in its execution.

Yet, at the core of it, this one is a film for the family. What it is to fall in love, to stay in it, to fall out of it and to fall back in again. It analyses the concept of love from various viewpoints, that of a young boy in love with a much older girl, a young girl lusting for a man more than double her age, of a long married husband and wife now bored with each other and a lustful smooth-talking man who always has his way with women.

It shows how our viewpoint of love is influenced by the loves of those around us.

And it is to the credit of a stellar cast that brings the eccentricities and love in their character out front. Steve Carrell and Juliana Moore are at their usual best, while Ryan Rosling will steal many pretty young things' hearts with his antics.

Yet, beyond it all, it is the smart screenplay of Dan Fogelman that, despite its flaws, manages to keep you focused on its strengths.

This one's bound to go down in history as one of the most original rom-coms of all time. And that is no small achievement.

IANS

Kalki Koechlin's big patch-up

Anurag Kashyap and Sanjay Bhansali haven't been on good terms for a long time.

The reason being Bhansali's protege Vikramaditya Motwane crossed over to Kashyap's camp to make Udaan with him.

Bhansali felt like Kashyap was poaching from him and there was a cold war between the two for a while. However, that changed recently due to Kalki's intervention. Describing how the patch-up happened a source says, "Kalki was doing some patch work for My Friend Pinto and Kashyap happened to land on the sets. Bhansali was also around and Kalki broke the ice between the two and made them talk. The two sat down and it felt like there was no major problem in the first place."

Salman Khan has opened a charitable dispensary

Actor Salman Khan has opened a charitable dispensary at his own house. But the star, who’s shooting in Dublin, has maintained a low profile about it and has instead asked his friends in NGOs to spread the word as discreetly as possible about the arrangements made for medical consultation and treatment of 40 patients every week.

“There is a garden opposite Salman’sapartment in Bandstand at Bandra, where he has arranged for a medical camp every Tuesday. Currently, there only one doctor, who attends to the 40 patients on that day. The cost of each patient (Rs 300) is borne directly by Salman,” says a source close to the Khan family.

The expenses may not make any kind of dent in Salman’s earnings,but there’s more than just the doctor that he’s arranged. The actor also bears the cost of the follow-up treatmentif necessary.

“This is absolutely Salman’s own initiative, which he doesn’t want to share with anybody. He didn’t try to get a reputed specialist to come in for the make-shift medical camp as it would attract attention. It’s just a chair, a table and patients in need of urgent attention,” the source adds.

Salman is already bearing the costs of three patients who’ve been hospitalised, say sources.

“The doctor comes in by 11 in the morning and begins attending to the patients that’ve gathered there. There are a few personal staff from Salman’s entourage, who help out with the patients. The requirements are noted down and serious cases in need of medical attention are referred to hospitals, the cost of which is borne by Salman. Bhaidoesn’t want to talk about it because it is not like his Being Human initiative, which has now become a brand and is governed by marketing needs,” the source adds.

Next Year, I will Marry Kareena : Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan and his long-time girlfriend Kareena Kapoor might walk the aisle after the release of Saif's home production Agent Vinod. The otherwise shy Saif, dropped cues about his wedding plans at a recent promotional event.

He said that the wedding date would be announced after his home production Agent Vinod is completed. The actor is reportedly planning to settle down with Kareena next year. Evidently, even the movie is scheduled to be released on February 10, 2012. 

The 41-year-old actor, who walked as a show-stopper for designer Mandira Wirk at the ongoing Blenders Pride fashion tour, was seen wearing a black, sophisticated Band Gala suit with matching shoes. He also revealed his wedding outfit,"Since I belong to Bhopal, I will definitely wear an achka," Saif said.

I never dated Ranbir : Katrina Kaif

One of the top actresses in the film industry today, Katrina Kaif seems to be on the face of every magazine cover, and on every other ad.

In a revealing interview with Zoom TV, Katrina talked about everything under the sun -- from her relationship with the top three Khans in the industry, her link-up with Ranbir Kapoor and even growing up without a father.

We present an excerpt of the interview:

What was it like growing up in a house with six sisters? Do they look up to you?

Oh no, they don't. There is a certain amount of responsibility that I am now aware I have. I have a family which is dependant on me. They are all strong and incredibly intelligent and when we all do get together, it is really nice. Those are the times that I miss.

It's also nice to see that there is a whole other world out there and they are surviving and doing great and it's not just the film industry world that exists.

One of your sisters Isabella is trying to get into the movies. Has she signed something?

No, she's actually not here. There were a few misreports that she was looking and trying to get into the industry, which is not correct. She is currently in New York. She has been studying for the last two years. She has done her acting training but she's not here yet. She is yet to decide.

I'm hoping she does and if here's where she wants to work, then obviously now I think I have some very good friends and obviously, it would be easier for her.