When Bipasha Basu and Rana Daggubati became an item

Bipasha Basu’s camaraderie with Hollywood hottie Josh Hartnett on the sets of Singularity led to speculations of a possible break-up with her long-time boyfriend John Abraham. But soon the Bong babe got into action and dismissed Josh as just a friend. And that was the end of the rumoured romance.

Bips returned to India and began shooting for Rohan Sippy’s Dum Maaro Dum with south Indian hottie Rana Daggubatti. Once again gossipmongers sniffed of a possible romance between the two good-looking actors. Around the same time news broke that Bips-John had finally ended their nine-year-long romance.

At first, fingers were pointed at Rana for the rift, but later it was revealed that the bone of contention was John’s unwillingness to get married. Since then, the sexy single became a favourite for link-up stories. From Rana Daggubati to Shahid Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor, Bips has been linked with every single guy she has been spotted with. 

Anyway, now that Rana is back in Mumbai to shoot for Ram Gopal Varma’s Department, once again stories of their romance are making headlines. A recent one was that the two actors are getting married. 

The story emerged after they were spotted at Paris Hilton’s party. Though they entered separately, invitees at the party reveal they stayed together all through the night. But Bips has denied the rumours and we feel sorry for the girl. Maybe Rana is just one of the co-stars she is friendly with like Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Sikander Kher and Ranbir Kapoor. Let the girl have some fun!

Spotted: Bipasha Basu and Rana Daggubati

Bipasha Basu was seen with Rana Daggubati at a Pali Naka restaurant over the weekend. The Bong bombshell and the South hottie were deep in conversation over dinner.



And were oblivious to people around them. Bips in a white tee and jeans was looking ekdum garam and Rana looked yummy! They were the free sizzlers that I hadn't ordered!



Sridevi and Boney Kapoor visited the Tirupati temple recently to seek blessings for her Bollywood comeback project. Check out Boney, he looks like a pucca south Indian in his mundu.

Genelia, Rana are "just good friends"

Southern hottie Rana Daggubati and Genelia D'Souza, who are shooting for their movie Naa Ishtam, seem to have developed a soft spot for each other.

There's buzz on the sets that the duo has grown quite close and can now officially use that oft-quoted line of  being "just good friends."

This is the second time that the Rana has been linked to a B-Town actress. Previously, Rana was reportedly close to Bipasha Basu while they were shooting for Dum Maro Dum in Goa. Genelia on the other hand has an immaculate image and has been with Riteish Deshmukh ever since their first film together, Tujhe Meri Kasam, in 2003.

"Even as Genelia's marriage plans with Riteish are being firmed up for next year, Southern industry insiders just can't stop talking about the growing 'friendship' between D'Souza and Daggubatti," says a tabloid.

With Genelia's image in perspective, this could very well be the tried and tested publicity stunt that film makers spin to promo their films. Yawn.. get original people!

Rana Daggubati to romance Kangana

After wowing audiences with her performance in Tanu Weds Manu, Kangana Ranaut is set to do another love story titled Kris And Suri. This time, she romances southern star Rana Daggubati.

It is third time lucky for the pair who missed out on working with each other in Dum Maaro Dum and Department.

Confirms a source, "Though Rana Daggubati is shooting for Department and Kangana is tied up with I Luv NY and the Ishqiya sequel, both loved the script so much that they readily gave dates for the film. It goes on the floors in October."

The film, directed by Rajshree Ojha and produced by Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, will have a very international and urban vibe to it.

A source connected with the film reveals, "People who have loved Kangna in Tanu Weds Manu are going to love this film even more. It's a very different take on love. Also, Kangana will be given a very modern look in this one. The director was really keen to cast Kangana opposite Rana. She was keeping her fingers crossed since the efforts to bring the two together in the past have failed terribly."

A source close to Kangana adds, "Kangana had a lot of fun doing Tanu Weds Manu and she got tremendous response for the film. She was looking forward to another sweet love story to come her way."

While the actress remained unavailable for comment, Rana said, "I'm working on two films currently, Department and Naa Ishtam (Telugu). I haven't signed anything else as yet."

Rana's lingo trouble!

Southern actor Rana Daggubati, who prepared full-on to play a Goan rock musician in the Hindi movie " Dum Maro Dum" (DMD), says he had to get rid of his Hyderabadi accent and learn Goan Hindi to fit into the role.

"I can play the guitar. But I don't know how well I play it. I had to go into preparation not just playing the guitar but to look convincing as a Goan musician. I can't say much about plans to take me on stage. The producers will know better," said Rana, who is currently dubbing for his new Telugu film.

Directed by Rohan Sippy, the film revolves around the lives of six Indians who meet in Goa, and how their lives change forever once involved in drug mafias. The film starring Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Prateik Babbar is releasing April 22.

Both Rana and Prateik had to learn both Goan body language and the spoken language.

"We became really close. He's now like my younger brother. We've kept in touch even after the shooting. We were bonded in our nervousness as virtual newcomers. Since it was live sound, I had a Hindi coach with me throughout.

"I had to get rid of my Hyderabadi Hindi and learn Goan Hindi. It wasn't easy because the two kinds of Hindis were mutually incompatible. I had to unlearn one kind of Hindi and then learn a new kind. Since I was brought up in Chennai, I speak fluent Tamil and Telugu. I am confused about which language to sing in," said Rana, grandson of veteran Telugu film actor-producer D. Ramanaidu and son of producer D. Suresh Babu.

Rana will be rushing into Mumbai to promote DMD and then rushing back to Hyderabad because he has a Telugu release "Nenu Na Rakshasi" a week after DMD.

"It's a hectic time. I am not nervous because DMD is not really a debut for me. I've already gone through that acid test with my Telugu release 'Leader' last year. We shot DMD in Goa. So I don't know what it feels like to be a part of Mumbai," he said.