'Akshay hot air, Sallu, SRK better'

Shailendra Singh, producer of the National Award-winning Kanchivaram, tears into starry hype and starry

Shailendra Singh

fees.

What brought you to Delhi?
My peace initiative in Kargil, of course, and my new venture in stand-up gigs. I’m expecting a return of Rs 10 crore on that, and I’m going to invest Rs 2-3 crore in the next three years. Stand-up comedy is serious business for me. It was four years ago too, when I recommended it to Star Plus, and they took it and made it into Laughter Challenge. I lost an opportunity with them, but it’s okay. I waited for that to mature and came back to the idea. This time, it’s in six languages – English, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Bengali. It’s simple, low on investment and a great product. People want uncomplicated entertainment, they don’t want to get confused. I think cinema is cheating them, they don’t want to spend 250 bucks and get a shit looking film.

Why is North India so interesting to producers now?
Bombay’s packed. There are nine press conferences in Bombay every day, with a Salman and a Shahid and an Asha Bhonsle standing there. The media there doesn’t even care now. Delhi doesn’t have celebs – you have politicians and fashion designers. So put ’em (actors) on a flight and take them to the city, and boom.
Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Lucknow – that is the future. UP is the largest player for Manmohan Singh, not just for you and me. It’s population-based – the consumer exists, it’s all about technology reaching them. The one thing I understand is the consumer. That’s why, in motion pictures, I’ve stuck to what I know best – content. It just reinforces my belief that in cinema, content is king. Packaging cannot rule. Bollywood had 300 releases this year, and 292 flops. Promos show songs – why? Where’s the story, where’s the dialogue promo?

So the consumer’s evolved to the point where they don’t want just ‘the song’?
Of course. It’s 250 bucks for a ticket, some cola, popcorn. What do you spend 10 dollars for? Timepass? Some average looking product? Value for money is going to get even sharper now. The North is huge – it has six states. And now, due to telephony and the media, the level of understanding has grown. The spending power was always there. People just didn’t know how to spend their money. Now, they’ve understood that it’s not about saving. Abhi ke liye jiyo, f*** tomorrow, man.

The food and beverages offtake in the North is huge, and its 65 per cent of the money. The interval has gone up from five minutes to 24 minutes, and they don’t play trailers in intervals now – so that people can go and eat.

The common belief is that since all you get is the first weekend, in ‘multiplex cinema’, you have to make a movie with stars to get the audiences.

I don’t think so. I think the star who has the most false packaging is Akshay Kumar. He’s my best friend, but I’m saying it on record. It was my biggest mistake – Jaaneman, with Akshay and Salman, got a 22 per cent opening. There was no reason for that. It was well-shot, great music, the works. The star doesn’t get the opening. The consumer has matured to the point where he knows what content he has an appetite for. Akshay doesn’t get an opening. Tasveer 8x10 was fine. I got a 12 per cent opening. Akshay doesn’t have a fan following. It’s all media-created. They can get written about, but they can’t get people to watch their films. After Kanchivaram’s success, I believe in content. Akshay without content is nothing, just hot air.

Has Kambakkht Ishq proved it?
Everything is proving it. He just surrounds himself with talent. When he succeeds, he says it’s him, when he doesn’t, he blames it on his support cast. His first movie with the ‘lucky’ Katrina didn’t run for a day. He doesn’t have the aura. Aamir has it, Shah Rukh has it, he doesn’t.

And Salman?
No. He’s lost his equity over the years. But he’s fun, he’s my best friend, I love him, and he’s in – he has a blast, he doesn’t care. I think his fans also believe in that, and they live his lifestyle more than his cinema.

Was Nagesh (Kukunoor) a factor in the failure of 8x10?
No. He’s making brilliant films for me... Aashayein, Yeh Honsla – and he was super in Dor, in Iqbal. He also has his space. But he also trusted Akshay. It’s happened before with another director – Madhur (Bhandarkar) made a film called Aan – Men At Work with Akshay. That flopped too. The media gives Akshay the license to remain A-list when the ROI (return on investment) doesn’t permit that. ‘

What do you think of Aamir and Shah Rukh’s films?
They make their mistakes too, but their success is greater than their mistakes. They don’t cheat the customer. Akshay is a buddy, he’ll kill me for this, but there it is.

There’s something called the right price. You have a cup of tea at a five-star for 400 bucks because of the ambient music and the surroundings, but the cup of tea is worth 40 bucks. Akshay is a good talent, but he has to know his price. You can’t charge 50 crores and not get an opening.

Priyadarshan (the director of Kanchivaram) has said on record that Shailendra Singh forced him to make the movie. He had this film for nine years and no producer backed it. But the corporatisation of Bollywood won’t last long if the prices are not right. On the past few weekends, Bollywood’s collectively lost Rs 350 crores. Aagey Se Right, ShortKut, Luck – even Kaminey, after being successful, is a loss for UTV. Ghajini is the most hyped movie of recent times – on the stock market, UTV showed a loss of Rs 9 crores on it.

On what do you blame this?
Hype. Aamir Khan! Ghajini! By the time Blue releases, it’ll be purple. The price is not right. Even George Clooney, when he charges a lot for a film, takes a stake in it. The whole unit of Kanchivaram did the film for free. They said, if you make money, you give it to us. And everybody’s benefitted. What does Akshay have? 1000 crores? He always says I don’t care for awards, but he’ll never get one. You can pull a bluff once, not 10 times. SRK is so candid about it – he’s said, a movie with me, if it crosses 40 crores, it’s going to go into a loss. He makes all his money from endorsements and dancing at weddings, cinema is for the creativity.

Is that why the big stars are all turning producers these days?
I think they’re being wise. Saif is being wise. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, everybody’s done it. Because you reach a point where you can’t cut you price any longer. You’re a superstar, you charge 20 crores, 30 crores, right? But every movie can’t afford that. Akshay hasn’t got this yet. When you want creativity to be at the helm, you must take a stake in the film, and not charge the cinema. Bollywood is the only business in the universe that has a 90 per cent failure rate and is still running.

3 kisses for Aamir, Bebo

That there are three actors (idiots?) in Raju Hirani’s December release 3 Idiots is known, they being Aamir Khan, Madhavan and Sharman

Aamir Khan More Pics

Joshi.


There is also Kareena Kapoor, who is nobody’s fool, and that also everybody knows. But what is just coming out is that the film has three kisses as well that Hirani was not keen to publicise until the film’s launch date. All three kisses are between Aamir and Kareena, naturally.

Aamir, incidentally, famously kissed Kareena’s elder sister Karisma Kapoor in Dharmesh Darshan’s 1996 film Raja Hindustani - a kiss that still holds the record for being one of the most passionate in Bollywood history. And for which, Aamir and Karisma had reportedly done umpteen rehearsals.

The actor continues to be a perfectionist with exacting standards. For a scene in 3 Idiots where Kareena blows him a kiss, they apparently did 14 retakes. That was Kiss No. 1. Aamir improvised then and got Bebo to kiss him on the cheek next. And that was Kiss No. 2. But it’s Kiss No. 3 between the two superstars in the climax of the film over which the buzz has already begun. It’s said to be a proper lip-to-lip kiss.

Aamir and Kareena have a history of near misses. They were to do Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo, a film that had a strong physicality to it, which got shelved. Then Vishal Bharadwaj’s Mr Singh & Mrs Mehta, whose original heroine was Rani Mukerji, but Rani reportedly walked out when she heard there was a kiss involved because she had already got flak for kissing Kamal Haasan earlier in He Ram! That’s when Kareena stepped in... but again, Vishal’s film too didn’t take off. Finally, Aamir and Bebo have got together for 3 Idiots. Happily, the kiss has continued to follow them.

No Bigg Boss house for me: AB

Let me correct you ma’am, I shall be turning 68 in a few days, so I’m no longer a 67-year-old (his birthday is on October 11),” says

Amitabh Bachchan. More Pics

Amitabh Bachchan, the man who’s currently playing the role of a 12-year-old in Balki’s Paa. And from the look of it, it is with that very childlike mindset that he came for this event because the usually reticent, monosyllabic Bachchan spoke, and even joked over lengthy interviews to the press.

So, he’s to play a pop psychologist for the inmates of the Bigg Boss 3 house. What’s he supposed to do? AB confesses to not knowing it exactly. “It has always intrigued me, this whole ‘mind’ part of us human beings. Why does someone behave the way he does? When he loses his temper, when he shouts at someone? When he laughs or does peculiar things ... would it not be nice to know the answer? Is there a past that he has lived? Is there any incident in his life that could’ve perhaps influenced his behaviour? I thought it would be interesting to know.” Is he then a ‘vibe’ kind of person? Someone who likes or dislikes people immediately, or does he psycho-analyse them before extending his hand for a shake? “I don’t pursue this role in my personal life. It’s an interesting angle to see things. But I’m bad even at self-analysis,” he says. “We all think that we are smart and intelligent, but I have realised that there are a whole lot of people, young and old, who are far, far more intelligent than us. People who can express themselves better, do riveting analyses of situations and people,” he adds.

From lock kiya jaye to unlocking people’s emotions – Big B’s TV career has also come a long way, mired in controversies, nevertheless ... was he aware that this reality show was considered unfit for family viewing earlier? How did he then consent to be a part of this Colors show? “I am aware. Ghar ke logon ne, parivaar ke logon ne bhi yahi kaha. But then, when I was going to do KBC, they had said the same thing. Things worked out there. Also, controversy kariye, toh hota hai, na kariye, toh hota hai. Hum logon ka jeevan aisa ho gaya hai ke cheekhein toh controversy, na cheekhein toh controversy. We have to live with it. I have come to terms with that ... I get angry too, but I have learnt not to express it ... publicly at least.” Would he like to be inside the Bigg Boss house? “I probably shouldn’t be saying this – but no, never. How can you be cut off from life like this? Living in isolation, without near and dear ones, no newspaper, with strangers, with no mobiles, TV, etc, is just not me. No knowledge of time ... I can’t do it,” he says vehemently.

Equally vehement is he about not doing sweet, romantic roles anymore. “I have to be doing roles that suit me,” he says. And when someone asked him if he thought Bollywood offered roles to suit his age, then, what offended AB was not the age bit, but the fact that the journo said ‘Bollywood’. “I don’t like the word. It’s not us. Indian film industry kahiye please. The term Bollywood was probably coined by some smart journalist,” says Big B.

And for Paa ... “It’s not that I wanted to do a 12-year-old’s role, but it amazed me when I heard of the role – to be aging physically, and yet be mentally young,” says he, adding, “The role requires a lot of prosthetics. A couple of hours to get the look and then another hour to get it off ... ” And where does the inspiration to play a 12-year-old come from, at his age? “I draw from the memories of my own childhood, kabhie sochta hoon Abhishek kya karta tha, when he was young, and then there are my grandchildren. So yes, I think about all of them.”

Did he watch Abhishek and Aishwarya on the Oprah Winfrey Show? “No, I didn’t. I haven’t had the time yet. When I get back, maybe, they’d have taped it or something. I have been busy the last couple of days. Must’ve given at least 400 interviews,” he says, and reaches out for a plate of sandwiches. “May I? I am hungry, haven’t had the time to eat,” he says. So busy at this age ... And when actors half his age have no work, and are reluctant to admit it too, Big B, in his full baritone, announces, “I have no new projects in hand as of now. I had planned it that way. I knew that I had to be with a dear friend of mine (read Amar Singh) and he went into surgery and recuperated. I deliberately finished all my projects before that. Now that I am back, I am fortunate to see that many people still want to work with me.” That they probably always will, but doesn’t he get tired of it all? He admits there’s still something magical about Bollywood films. “There is a fascination with Hindi films. Even though Hollywood is bigger because of its language connect, the people watching Indian films are far larger in number. When I was young, I used to ask my dad why he’s so fascinated with Hindi cinema. He used to tell me that Hindi filmon mein poetic justice hoti hai. Aur woh bhi, teen ghante mein. Aur isi poetic justice ke liye wait karte karte aapki aur hamari saari zindagi nikal jaati hai,” says AB.

Talking about magic, what about Aladin? “That’s come up nicely.” He apparently plays a genie ... any three wishes he’d want granted, were a genie to offer him the chance? AB groans. “Arrey baba ... In Mumbai at the press conference, I’d been asked this question so many times, ke main raat bhar sochta raha ke iska toh koi jawab nikaalna chahiye, Dilli mein bhi poochhenge. But I could come up with nothing,” he says, laughing, “Bas, film chal jaaye, mujhe press conferences se chhutkara mil jaaye ... ” That’s the pop psychologist playing his part ... always staying behind the mask of politeness and political correctness ...

Asin feeling lonely

Asin is feeling lonely these days.

Asin More Pics

And it’s all because her best friend Pia has moved to the US. “Pia was Asin’s closest confidante. Asin used to confide in her. Whether it was work or home-related issues, Pia was the first person Asin would call and share it with. But Pia had to shift base to the US. She was Asin’s 4 am friend. Ever since she has moved, Asin is feeling lonely and depressed,” says a source close to Asin. Well we are sure many guys would volunteer to fill up the post and be Asin’s 4 am friend, but is Asin ready for it?

Rakhi, Elesh smooch on camera

After the much hyped and famous kiss-and-tell episode between Rakhi Sawant and Mika Singh, we got to know about a liplock between the

Elesh and Rakhi in Pati Patni Aur Woh More Pics

recently-engaged couple Rakhi and Elesh.

If rumours are to be believed, Rakhi and Elesh have called off their relationship, but sources from the production house say that there is a twist in the story.

Apparently, Rakhi and Elesh were caught on camera getting cosy and intimate during the shoot of NDTV Imagine’s reality show Pati Patni Aur Woh. During the shoot, Rakhi was made to wear an empathy belly to have a first-hand experience of pregnancy. She felt the effects of pregnancy like morning sickness, swelling of feet, backache, etc, but she was touched by the concern Elesh showed. He took good care of her and ensured that she was comfortable. Elesh earned brownie points from her, by doing the household chores to ease her burden. Within a few hours they let their emotions get the better of them.

The couple forgot that they were being watched and were caught on camera in a liplock. To find out more about the couple, tune in to Pati Patni Aur Woh, on NDTV Imagine.

Salman's sweet: Bebo

That Salman Khan is all about “Being Human” is

Kareena Kapoor and Salman Khan More Pics

known.


But here is proof that the dildar Pathan is more than generous as well. And the recipient of his generosity was the beautiful Kareena Kapoor, Salman’s co-star in Main Aur Mrs. Khanna.

In Melbourne on the shoot, the two stars who are friends would always be laughing, cracking jokes and having fun. And when pack-up was announced, Kareena would often go shopping. Once, Salman accompanied her to carry the bags! At one particular store, Bebo went on a shopping spree, picking up things for friends, family and herself.

When she went to settle the bill, she was zapped to be told her that it was already paid. Seeing Salman grinning from ear-to-ear, Kareena realised who her benefactor was. Of the things that Salman apparently ‘gifted’ her was a limited edition bag worth Rs 2. 5 lakh! She uses the bag in the film too. When asked about the incident, Kareena replied, “Salman’s generosity cannot be matched. It was a very sweet gesture on his part. He is a wonderful person at heart.

SRK to run for Delhi

Dilli ka munda, ya, that’s me. I was born here, in Talwar Nursing Home. I lived here for more than two decades in Rajinder Nagar.

Shah Rukh Khan More Pics

It is here that I studied, met Gauri for the first time and even started my career with serials like Fauji and Dil Darya. I remember I used to be the galli cricket champion. We used to play between parked vehicles and dodge cycle rickshaws. In between all this, we would still manage to remain focussed on the game. It did not matter how narrow the bylanes of Rajinder Nagar were or how much traffic there would be on the roads. What mattered most to us was the score. Those memories are still fresh and never fail to bring a smile to my face.

When Airtel invited me to be part of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on November 1, I simply could not resist it. The very idea of coming back to my own house, returning to the same streets and mingling with Dilliwalas while they take to the streets was extremely tempting. It almost feels like Delhi has got its very own carnival. And I can’t miss it for anything.

I saw the marathon on television last year. It almost looked like people had left behind their daily chores and shed all inhibitions for the sheer joy of running on the streets. It was almost like everyone had become a child again.

So Dilliwalas, on, November 1, I will be here. Join me!

I need to be alone: Amitabh

As Amitabh Bachchan sets out to play ‘pop philosopher’ to the inmates of a house isolated from the world, on a reality show, he tells Indu

Amitabh Bachchan More Pics

Mirani about isolation and living life in the public glare 24X7

Have you ever been, either deliberately or by circumstances, isolated?
It depends on how you treat isolation. When I was sent to boarding school I felt isolated because we were in Sherwood School in Nainital and we had to do nine months at a stretch from March to November. There were no breaks, we never came home and we only saw our parents after nine months. When you get your first job, you have to go to a new city, you are in a completely different environment, and you feel isolation. But at the same time you have the independence of earning your own money, taking your own decisions.

When I was in the film industry, I took a sabbatical some years ago for about five years. I lived in other parts of the world. That was isolation, but in a different sense. There was the joy of getting my own groceries, making my own breakfast, parking my own car, doing things that were ordinary.

There are times, I must admit, when I need to be left alone. We are all artistes and deal in a profession that is very sensitive in many ways. We are constantly trying to portray characters which are, perhaps, completely alien to us in nature, in constitution, in words, in action. And, after continuously being in this loop of repetitive impersonations of different people all the time, maybe we forget who we actually are. Therefore, we need to be by ourselves, just to do ordinary things, spend time with our grandchildren and just walk in nature and do nothing.

So isolation is not really bad?
No, it’s not. Recently, I was with a friend, who was ill, for about two-and-a-half months without any pressure of work. I had deliberately not taken on any work and it was a very refreshing time for me even though I was there for something which was more medical centric and we were always tense. But it was great to not have to get up at a stipulated time and not worry about whether I need to have a shower now and get ready, or I need to be at the dining table at so and so time otherwise the lunch break will be over, to just be able to not do anything that is routine or has been stipulated as routine. I never watched TV, never read papers. Just sat there, looked out of the window or just sat by myself. At times, though, I began to wonder “What am I doing? I need to occupy my self” because I am used to working for such a long period of time and suddenly I had nothing to do. That was very disturbing.

How does being in the public glare 24X7 change you as a person?
With the benefit of being a celebrity, there is also the burden of being a celebrity. You have to be on your best behaviour all the time. You must not be seen doing things that are objectionable to society, to the constitution, to the law. But I think if you reconcile with that and conduct yourself in a manner where you follow the rules, then you are fine. As individuals and as a nation, I think, I have always wanted to express that there should be a national policy, which is what our attitude should be. I want that there should be a very definite identity, what an Indian is when he goes out of his shores. I see a German and there is something definitive about his nature. I want a distinctive positive quality but it should be universal. I go abroad and sometimes when I meet my countrymen they say, “I am from Kerala or I am from Bengal”, I would like him to say, “I am from India”.

How do you account for the fact that today people are willing to come on national television and talk about their lives, something that didn’t happen before all these reality shows?
I think it is to do with the way we are developing, the fact that we are unable to keep other influences, other cultures away from us because of the communication facilities available to us. We see other channels from other parts of the world, we see them behaving differently and there is an intent or desire or perhaps just a commercial desire to emulate that. I think that we are growing as a nation and we are still at a developing stage. Until we reach a certain stature, we will have to go through this process. And then eventually, one day, society itself will decide and say “No you can’t do this.” Just like one would say that we are Indians and this is not our culture. How did we get that? There is a huge history behind us. These are phases; we will sift the good from the bad, and then eventually live with the good.

You are always very politically correct, where does this come from?
I don’t know what you mean by politically correct. Sometimes people ask me how you like a particular person. I will obviously like him and say good things about him because perhaps I haven’t seen the other side of his personality. I would have to feel ugly inside to sniff out the ugliness in anybody else. I would rather say he is normal; every body has good and bad qualities, why talk about the bad ones. What good is it to you? Is he going to change? Are you going to change his psychology? Are you going to change yourself with respect to him? He is still going to be that way. So why go through this whole trouble of disturbing my internal system in trying to decipher that his internal system is wrong. I think it’s a waste of energy.

'I had to put on weight for my role in Do Knot Disturb'

Sushmita Sen has been missing from the marquee for a long time. Her last film -- the disastrous Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag -- released way back in 2007.

This Friday will see her in David Dhawan's long-delayed Do Knot Disturb with Govinda, Ritesh Deshmukh and Lara Dutta.

So what exactly does Sushmita do in the film? Patcy N finds out.

What is Do Knot Disturb about?

The film is about marriage -- the Knot in the title is the wedding knot. The best thing about the film is that it is David Dhawan's film, which means it is a completely entertaining, comedy film.

How was it working with Govinda?

It is a great honour to work with Chi Chi (Govinda). What you learn from him is spontaneity, which he has in abundance. The atmosphere is light, as he keeps making fun. He says that he has been dancing for over 25 years now. But if you see him dance, you would think he's doing it for the first time -- he dances with so much energy.

A David Dhawan film is fun. But if your co-star is Chi Chi, you will not have a single sad moment. It is fun all the way.

'Everybody thinks of me as a very serious actress'

Konkona Sen Sharma is not one to do run-of-the-mill kind of movies. Just look at her films like Mr & Mrs Iyer, Page 3, Life... In A Metro and you will know what we mean.

Her new film Wake Up Sid, opposite Ranbir Kapoor which hits theatres on October 2, looks unconventional as well. Fans dying to know more about the film got their wish during a chat with the actress last week. For those who missed the chat, here's what transpired:

Konkona Sen Sharma says, Hi everyone. Konkona here. Shoot your questions.

shekhar asked, pl u act with emraan hasmee
Konkona Sen Sharma answers, I haven't got a chance to work with Emraan Hashmi yet. Why, you think we'd look good together?

amti asked, why do u always fall in love with a gay in movie
Konkona Sen Sharma answers, I know! It's so sad. I told my directors but I guess that's what they wanted in their movies!

Vivek asked, Just happened to visit rediff by chance and saw you live chat session going on..lucky to be here....
Konkona Sen Sharma answers, Hi Vivek, all the best for your meeting!

Vivek asked, Thought before I leave I should post one last time , I am very very big fan of yours ..I liked you very much and more then that the intensity with which you perform any character .be it Meenkshi in Mr & Mrs Iyer .MAdhavi in Page 3 Mithi in Park Avenue .Indu of omkara ..Sonam in Luck by chance ..It's very difficult for me to judge which one was your best performance; to me each succeed each other .What do u think Which one was your best ..Well there in only one role which is missing in your plate..that is off a Authoritative woman..who rules the world on its own terms (More like your real life)..you have always played the soft but yes tough characters ..R u planning to take up one .Just to tell you one secret my girl friend looks like you..may be that is one of the reason I like you so much ..and more importantly she resembles with your character of Madhavi in Page 3..I am really lucky to have her in my life
Konkona Sen Sharma answers, Long question! I think Mr and Mrs Iyer is my favourite among my own films! Hope you liked it!

saum asked, hi Konkana, i am an admirer of your simplicity.
Konkona Sen Sharma answers, Thanks a lot :-)

SRK, Salman in ramp wars!

Salman and Shah Rukh take their rivalry to the ramp at the upcoming Couture week. While SRK will walk for Karan Johar, Salman counters the move
by roping in Aamir Khan

The Khans, when not on good terms, can take their rivalry to new levels. There has been a history of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan trying to outdo each other and they have fine-tuned it to an art. When Mumbai Mirror reported that Shah Rukh and Gauri will walk the ramp for Karan Johar, Salman’s immediate reaction was to launch into a contest of one-upmanship. Not content with just using Katrina Kaif as a counter-attack for Gauri, he has convinced Aamir Khan to walk the ramp for his charity, Being Human.

Shah Rukh and Salman are both keen that their show is the grand finale for the Couture Week, which will be held from October 11-16. The final decision is yet to be taken and it will be a tough choice. It will be a rare treat though, to watch Aamir on the ramp. A source confirms the story, “Aamir Khan doesn’t usually walk the ramp. As Salman has personally requested him, he has agreed to do so. Also, since it is for a good cause and charity.”

There is a greater cause than charity though: now it’s two Khans versus one. The war has intensified. Shah Rukh, increasingly isolated, is now pitted against two formidable adversaries: Aamir, a shrewd strategist, and Salman, who will never make it as a diplomat to any country.

Though Salman and Aamir are great pals now, they hadn’t shared a good rapport during the shoot of Andaaz Apna Apna. Salman had taken the surprising initiative to make-up with Aamir when he gifted the latter two paintings of Ghajini a few days before the release of the film. This broke the ice, which was good news for the two stars, but not-so-good news for Shah Rukh.

In the glam world, where showstoppers make all the difference, will Shah Rukh walk away with the glory? Or will Salman triumph with his trump card, Aamir? After all, wanting to come out on top is only being human, isn’t it?

Shah Rukh is my idol: Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra has thousands of fans, but who is the actress's all-time idol? The man she admires most is adored by millions across the globe

Priyanka Chopra More Pics

as well... who else but superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

"Shah Rukh Khan is my idol and has always been. He has been a favourite actor of course, but I really look up to him also as a person . Looking at where he came from and how he became who he is today, I find it extremely fascinating," Priyanka told IANS in an interview.

"He started with theatre, did plays, got a break in TV - he turned from a regular college kid to a mega superstar... and all that completely on his own with no help from anybody in the film industry. I admire a lot about him and I think it's just fantastic," said the actress who has bagged the youth award icon for entertainment.

In the past, Priyanka has teamed up with Shah Rukh for Farhan Akhtar's "Don" and did a cameo in a song with him in Farah Khan's "Om Shanti Om" and also in "Billu".

Priyanka and Hrithik Roshan bagged the youth icon awards in the entertainment field at the inaugural edition of the India Youth Icon Awards at an awards ceremony in Gurgaon Friday.

The actress is currently on cloud nine after getting rave reviews for essaying 12 roles in Ashutosh Gowariker's "What's Your Rashee?", which also stars Hurman Baweja.

"It's been great feedback so far. People are enjoying the film...I had an author-backed role which included playing 12 different characters - very difficult to do. And it feels fantastic to be encouraged and be told that I pulled it off well," she said.

The 27-year-old actor said she was extremely nervous before the film's release Friday.

"My biggest worry was - 'Oh God! Will I ever be able to pull this off or not?'. Since most people who get to play multiple roles in a movie get it after a lot of experience, I was nervous. I have spent a short span to do roles as difficult as the one in 'What's Your Rashee', but as an actor all I can say is that I do my work with as much honesty as possible and the rest is destiny," she said.

If "What's Your Rashee?" hits the jackpot at the box office, it will be her fourth consecutive hit in a row after "Fashion", "Dostana" and "Kaminey".

But she is unmoved. "Hits and flops are a part of the business, isn't it?" she said.

Asked how she handles success at a young age, the former Miss World said: "I have always been grounded. I have an incredible passion for what I do (acting). I don't know how to do anything else, I don't want to do anything else and I love what I do. There's nothing else that affects me."

What about growing expectations from audiences and critics?

"It scares me when my films release. I wonder if people will like it or not. That for me is the most important thing. But at the same time I think: what's the point of living a life without any expectations? You will just stagnate, become complacent - that's not the kind of person I am. I like striving, I like things that challenge me; I take up difficult films and difficult roles to challenge myself," Priyanka said.

"I like it when people say things like 'Fashion' was a female-centric movie and yet it was successful and that 'Kaminey' was an all-boys film, still my part was really appreciated, and 'Dostana' was majorly on gay guys, and it ended so well. I enjoy that - I like the fact that I can take up different scripts.

"It's just that I like to take up challenges," she added.

Priyanka's next will see her paired with Uday Chopra in Yash Raj Films' "Pyaar Impossible", where she will play the beauty and the latter a geek.

Money doesn’t matter to Preity

Preity Zinta, we hear, has not charged a single penny from the Khans for the brief appearance she’s made in Main Aur Mrs Khanna.

Priety Zinta

A source said, “Preity and Salman have been good friends for a long time. The two have acted in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha, Jaan-e-Man and Heroes. Preity shares a great rapport with Salman. And he’s stood by her whenever she needed him. So when they approached Preity to do a brief appearance in Main Aur Mrs Khanna, she agreed instantly.” In fact, according to the source, she even let money matters take a back seat. “She was just happy being a part of the film,” he said.

Genelia has the Big Switch!

This perky actress has rocked down south as well as in

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Bollywood.

And now, Genelia D’Souza is all set to reach a bigger audience through TV. But it wasn’t a calculated move, she says. “I didn’t plan any of the things that have happened to me. Whether it’s acting, modelling or this TV show I’ll be hosting, it’s my fans who’ve decided for me,” says Genelia. “I’m doing two films with the production house that owns the channel which will air the show, Big Switch. I share a great rapport with them. They liked my work and attitude and asked me to host the programme,” she tells us.

And TV isn’t just for out-of-work Bollywood actors, she maintains. “I don’t think it’s a back-door entry to the limelight. Television is the best way to reach out to a lot of people,” she says, adding, “I’ve always lived by my own fundas. When I started my film career down south, people told me it was a place for Bollywood drop-outs. But I’ve proved them wrong and made a place for myself there.” So, does this mean that Genelia is in the same league as Salman Khan and Farah Khan, who are now hosting TV shows? “Oh, no! They’re great. I’ll be glad if I get anywhere close to them,” she replies.

Meanwhile, the actress has several releases slotted for this year. Apart from Hook Ya Crook and Chance Pe Dance, she also has a Telugu film ready for release. But not all her Bollywood flicks have done as well as her southern films. Is she making the wrong choices? “I need some time to get it right. It wasn’t all that easy for me even in the south. But I made it and I’m confident I’ll make it here as well,” asserts Genelia.

But won’t she get typecast by doing so many comedies? “I’ve just started my career and hope to get plenty of scope to experiment with all genres. But on second thought, there’s nothing wrong in playing the fun-loving girl-next-door,” says Genelia.

She’s also the new face in the advertisement world after Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. “If anyone shows 10 per cent confidence in me, I’ll give them my 100 per cent. I feel privileged to endorse these brands because it comes with huge responsibility,” says the actress.

What about all the rumours surrounding her ‘relationship’ with Riteish Deshmukh? “It’s so irritating to respond to gossip. It’s a rumour; a part of our profession. If there’s something worth talking about, I’ll come out with it openly,” she clarifies.

I stripped completely: Neil

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh almost follows a Gujarati lifestyle at home (his father being a half

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Gujarati).


“My grandmother was a Gujarati. So lunch and dinner at home comprise vatanu shaak, rotli, daal and kadhi. I never miss the dandia-raas back in Mumbai,” he says.

Much is being talked about Neil doing a full monty for Madhur Bhandarkar’s Jail, ready for release next month. Pictures of Neil in nude are doing the rounds on the net. “I don’t know how the pictures got out so soon,” says a surprised Neil. “Initially, I was apprehensive about doing the scene because it could cause embarrassment for my parents. It is only after I got a tacit approval from my parents that I went ahead.”

It was while shooting for the film New York that Neil got some tips on gymming from John Abraham. So, when he came back to India to start shooting for Jail, Madhur suggested a nude scene for the actor owing to the well-chiselled bod. “Yes, I stripped completely for the film,” says Neil

Neil can’t stop talking about a thing so special in his life! A Yamaha R1 bike, which he received as a gift from the producer of Jail recently. Already having bought an Audi, the actor says it’s definitely an obsession for someone like him whose first car was a Maruti Zen. “My obsession for my car and bike goes beyond a limit is known to all. I myself wash my car. I am quite possessive about it and treat it like my girlfriend.” But due to a hectic work schedule, the actor says that he does not get to ride much. A 20-minute ride around his residential area on Napean Sea Road, Mumbai, is what he manages to squeeze in.

Neil was also detained at the New York airport a few months ago. The actor describes the one-hour gruelling session as a “funny experience. The authorities at the NY airport weren’t convinced that I am an Indian. They told I didn’t look like one nor did I have an Indian name. But I think this is a standard procedure that they follow. Yes, it was a harrowing experience. But one need not make an issue out of this situation.”

One thing that the talented actor stays away from is ‘link-ups.’ He’s never been linked with any of his female co-stars. “Bipasha Basu and Katrina Kaif are great friends, but I guess my heart is already given,” he laughs.

Having sported a six-pack before, Neil follows a strict fitness regimen with cardios and half-hour cycling everyday. He’s also learnt taekwondo, plays tennis, badminton and swims regularly to keep fit. “One’s legs need to be strong. So I believe cycling does a great job for me,” he says.

Neil is highly superstitious, sentimental and is extremely touchy about his family. His favourite food joint is the Trattoria restaurant in Mumbai.

Before leaving for the dandia night, we ask him what his greatest physical attribute is, and he says, “I think my eyes are very expressive. I leave the rest for the audience to judge.”

Celebrate Lataji's birthday with music!

The Empress of Melody, Lata Mangeshkar, turns 80 today, September 28. We celebrate this event with some of her unforgettable songs. Click through this slide show, and get lost in Lataji's evergreen classics.

Dil deewana, Maine Pyar Kiya

Lataji has a big hand in making Salman Khan the superstar he has become today. Her songs in his first leading role as Prem in Maine Pyar Kiya became instant blockbusters, and helped make the film a success.

Dil Deewana is also sung by S P Balasubramaniam, and is composed by Raam-Laxman
.

80 songs to celebrate Lata's 80th birthday!

The fact that she turns 80 today, September 28, only underscores, more sharply than ever, the fact that Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar remains a living legend. How parallel, in a sense, runs Lata's career with Naushad's. So perennial in their appeal were Naushad's songs -- right through his first 30 years in films (1940-70) -- that the appeal of that era's music scored by this 'Sangeet Samrat' abides right up to 2009.

Likewise, such has been the quality of Lata's singing (as The Phenom) from 1948 to 1970 that the spell she cast through those years endures to this day, making her the diva without peer in the song lexicon of Hindustani cinema. Nothing Asha Bhosle accomplished in her later years could erase the memory of the singing Lata in her first 30 years.

How do we 'earmark' the fact that Lata is 80? I say where Lata is radically different from Asha is in her unique ability to hold a theme together on the sheer power of her vocals. It is on such thematically Lata landmark films that I initially focus to spotlight some 30 songs of her 80 evergreens.

Mughal themes offer the best opening gambit here, so let us begin with Bina Rai as Anarkali, the 1953 milestone movie that had a London paper noting: 'She sings like an angel.' The paper's reference, of course, was to Bina Rai as Anarkali. But obviously, it meant Lata. The paper's noting was going by Bina Rai's looks in the Anarkali theme song, Yeh zindagi usi ki hai, tuned by C Ramchandra in Raag Bhimpalasi.

But Ramchandra's own favourite from Anarkali -- clearly composed in a tender moment between composer and singer -- was Mohabbat aesi dhadkan hai. My favourite here is Mujh se mat poochch mere ishq mein kya rakha haibecause Majrooh Sultanpuri zeroed in upon this song to underpin his startling view that the song had 'a Maratha called C Ramchandra showing our 'Last Mughal' Naushad how to compose a ghazal!'

The beautiful thing about Anarkali is that you could take your pick from Lata's seven renditions for C Ramchandra in that period film and still be in a position to argue that it is her best effort there. So having already touched upon Yeh zindagi usi ki hai, Mohabbat aesi dhadkan hai and Mujh se mat poochch mere ishq mein kya rakha hai, I invite you to take your first choice from the Anarkali cluster of three above. Or from these four in the same 1953 Anarkali film --Duaa kar gham-e-dil, Mohabbat mein aese qadam dagmagaye, O aasmaan waale shikwa hai zindagi ka and Aa jaa ab toh aa jaa mere qismat ke kharidar ab toh aa jaa.

Do note how the above seven Anarkali ear-holders underline Lata's distinctive ability to make her vocalising quintessentially situational the secret of a singer's strength in an audio-visual medium like films.

'Majrooh said that about my ability to compose a ghazal after hearing my Khuda nigehbaan ho tumhara on Madhubala in Mughal-e-Azam, did he?' Naushad sought to know, as I took the Mujh se mat poochch SultanpuriAnarkali point to him. When I confirmed that Majrooh had been indeed comparing the music of Mughal-e-Azam to the quality of C Ramchandra's Anarkali score, Naushad shrugged shocked shoulders.

Raju Bharatan was Cinema Editor of The Illustrated Weekly Of India. He has penned Lata Mangeshkar: A Biography, priced at Rs 295, a book now out of print.

It's the new, improved Salman

Over a decade ago, he caught audiences by surprise when he appeared shirtless for a song and instantly won over thousands of female fans with

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his chiselled good looks and buffed body.

The song Oh Oh Jaane Jaana went on to become a major hit and sparked off a fitness craze of sorts with every man attempting to achieve Salman Khan’s torso. Even years later, the requests for Salman to strip haven’t stopped. “I feel better off now than I did 20 years ago,” says the actor who admits not being regular with his gymming. “

Growing up everyone wants to achieve a macho body but cannot because of a high metabolic rate. I’m lucky to have good genes and being into football also helps,” he says. Salman does not follow any particular exercise regime and changes his routine according to the look he wants to achieve. “

There are times when I need to get fit for a film within a week’s time and accordingly I alter my workout and eat correctly. Currently, I’m in this shape for my upcoming film Veer. When I’m not training, I indulge in biryani and rajma.

But it’s very important to have a balanced diet when you’re working out, as most diets are only rich in protein and low on carbs and so you hardly have any energy to workout,” states the actor. He believes in paying attention to the lower half of the body more than the upper half since that’s the foundation. “

When you train legs, you build faster and it is much easier overall. Getting at least two weeks of leg training is important,” he adds. Quiz the actor on the best bods in the industry and Sanjay Dutt is top on his list. “Sanju has become really fitness concious and carries off his buffed body really well. Even Aamir Khan worked hard for his look in Ghajini.” The much-loved actor says that he is relaxed most of the time. “I’m not bothered that much by small things anymore. I try and remain calm and just forget the situation,” he says with a shrug.

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Bebo has a date with Julia Roberts

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What nobody is aware of is that the Hollywood superstar met up with the Begum of Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore, and expressed the desire to meet actor Saif Ali Khan and his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Julia was particularly keen to meet Kareena when she learned that Bebo will be playing her part in Karan Johar’s Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood hit Step-Mom.

Kareena is currently prepping to shoot a romantic song with Aamir Khan for Raj Kumar Hirani’s Three Idiots at a Mumbai studio. However, after hearing from Sharmila Tagore, the actress’ manager has now sent a request to co-star Aamir asking if she can be let off for a day to fly to Pataudi. Karan is in London for the promotion of his film Wake Up Sid, but sources say, that his company is also keen to have Kareena meet Julia.

And, Chotte Nawab Saif has also got into the act, he and lady love are expected to host a dinner for Julia at the family’s royal seat in Pataudi.

The Hollywood actress is accompanied on the trip by her four-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and two-year-old son Henry. Due to strict security instructions, neither Saif nor Kareena are able to make an official comment on the arrangements. But a source close to the actress said, “Bebo is as keen as Julia to make this dinner happen. Ever since she signed Step-Mom she’s been keen to interact closely with Julia.”

Whether the Chhoti Begum of Pataudi gets her wish is something we’ll know in the next two days.

Jab We Met Julia

When we met Julia (yes, we got to see her one-on-one, and though we tried a conversation too, her bouncers came in the way and when they did, we could see nothing else – just mounds of muscle!), she was dressed in black cropped pants and a black sleeveless tee.

She looked cool and unperturbed by the people around her. Everything about her arrival at the Leela Kempinski Hotel, Gurgaon was unstarry. In fact, she chose the residential entry to the hotel over entering from the hotel’s main lobby. There was no flutter before her arrival, no security guys or hotel staff ran hither thither and neither did we spot a fleet of cars to mark her presence. She came in an unaccompanied vehicle with three members from her personal security from Pataudi Village. So, while shoppers walked up and down the driveway (some coming out with bagfuls of grocery), Julia stepped out of her black hired car and walked into the hotel – calm and composed. She’ll spend some time with her children at the hotel, as she takes a break from shooting at the Pataudi Village. Her children were already at the hotel when she arrived.

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No pageants for Deepika

Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone says she always wanted to carve a niche for herself in the glamour industry but without participating in a

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beauty pageant, unlike many of her colleagues.

“I had set up an objective to become a model without winning any beauty pageants,” Deepika told choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan on her chat show.

But the actress didn’t give any specific reason for her aversion to taking part in beauty contests. A lot of Indian actresses and ex-Miss Indias, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Celina Jaitly, Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza joined Bollywood after earning fame through national and international beauty pageants.