Salman jumps to Katrina's rescue

Katrina Kaif recently found out that being a lone wolf rather than one of the pack doesn't pay.

Members of FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) recently sent summons to the actress and halted a recent shoot of her deodorant commercial at Mehboob Studios. It is apparently mandatory for every working actor to be registered with the organisation.

She has yet to fill the required forms and sign up for membership. A source reveals, "Some members from the body came and stopped the shoot. They wanted to know her registration number, but since she hasn't completed the legalities, they issued her a warning and asked her to comply with the rules. A visibly upset Kat was disturbed by the entire episode."

Calls were made and it was only when Salman personally gave assurance that she would complete the registration, did they allow the shoot to continue. Dinesh Chaturvedi, President-FWICE says, "We didn't halt the shoot, but we wanted to know why Katrina still isn't a member of our organisation. I understand she has a busy schedule, but it doesn't take that long to finish the formalities. Every one from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan has registered with us."

He adds, "I did get a call from Salmanbhai saying that the needful will be done. I am speaking only for the benefit of the actors who aren't registered. Since Katrina is the only big star who doesn't have the card, we wanted to know how we could help her out." Chaturvedi adds that the card only costs Rs 600 but has many benefits. "It gives you insurance of around two lakh, besides you can even use it during international schedules. Our organisation is working towards making life easier for the industry."

Katrina Kaif's bikini dilemma

Production house orders Katrina Kaif to wear bikini for film or risk losing role in Dhoom 3

The Story : It's confirmed that Katrina Kaif is in talks with a production house for their upcoming project Dhoom 3. However, the banner has laid down a condition that she should be willing to wear a bikini for not just one but two major scenes in the film.

The Hitch : Kaif, who wore a bikini in her debut film Boom (2003), has refused to don swimwear since.

The Dilemma : A source close to the project reveals, "Kat is at the final stage of discussions with the producers. Everything else is on track, except for the two bikini scenes. This is crucial as the banner is famous for getting all their leading ladies in swimwear. There's no way they will write out those scenes just because she's not ready to do them. During the meetings, Kat has raised doubts on the nature of these scenes, and the makers have assured her they would be shot in the most aesthetic manner possible."

The Argument : If Kareena Kapoor (Kambakht Ishq, Tashan) and Priyanka Chopra (Don) can, then why can't she? "These days everyone is ready to get into a bikini. It's a 'flaunt it if you got it' mantra. And they are telling Kat that she will lose out on a good role if she decides to stall the film based on these two scenes."

What next? If negotiations fall through, the banner has a second choice lined up. "If Kat is perisistent in her refusal, they have a newcomer who is being trained at the moment. She will be cast in the film if the star doesn't sign on."

Did Katrina Kaif kiss Hrithik Roshan?

To the best of our knowledge, Katrina Kaif has refused to lock lips with her heroes onscreen. And she has also resisted wearing a bikini so far.

However, the grapevine is buzzing with news that she has actually made an exception for Zoya Akhtar's " Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", and gone ahead and locked lips with Hrithik Roshan for the first time ever.

Even as the speculation continues, we've managed to get some intimate shots of the two good looking people in Bollywood – Kat and Duggu. The photos imply that there is an elaborate kiss sequence, but of course the producers, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, director Zoya and the stars are all tight-lipped about it.

There's news that while Zoya was editing the song "Ek Junoon", there was a lot of pressure on her from the actors to tone down the chemistry. Apparently Duggu and Kat wanted the sizzle element to be brought down, and they even suggested that Zoya make "Ek Junoon" a group song instead of a romantic number.

There was also the additional dilemma of this very passionate sequence between the lead actors. There is a moment in the film when Kat, who is seen riding a motorcycle, chases Hrithik and then draws him into a tight clinch that leads to a kiss. Says a source, "It is an extremely important and sensual scene in the film. It is one of those hot sequences. But the makers are not sure what to do. The actors want it toned down, but Zoya is still debating what to cut and what to keep. So whether the kiss makes it to the screen or gets lost at the editing table is still a suspense." The source adds, "That one passionate moment is crucial as it triggers the romance between the Kat and Duggu. However, the makers are still in two minds about it."

Those who have seen the rushes of the movie say that the chemistry between Katrina and Hrithik in the "Ek Junoon" number is enough to scorch the screen. Let's wait and watch!

People are jealous of me & Saif: Kareena Kapoor

Saif Ali Khan's girl and Salman Khan's original 'desi girl', Kareena Kapoor might appear to have it all going for her, but the actress's life has been far from a bed of roses.

Of late she has had to deal with troubling rumours about her four-year long relationship coming to an end. Upset with the 'baseless' stories doing the rounds, Kareena revealed to Mumbai Mirror, "This is all unnecessary news spread by jealous people.

I think, in this industry, people can't see two people happy in a relationship and doing so well. We are both in the best phase of our careers and that is what affects people. I am hurt and upset, as the entire news is false and baseless.

I would never have reacted if there were any truth to it. We definitely don't want to entertain such malicious gossip."

When asked who she suspects of spreading these false claims, Kareena said, "Obviously these rumours have started from somewhere.

It is disgusting to involve families into things like these. I would never discuss my personal life on film sets. And the fact of the matter is that Saif and I know how close we are. We don't owe anyone any explanation.

All these media speculations sometimes get to us. At the end of the day, we are known for our jobs and we have always been open to everyone about our relationship. "

Ironically, amidst these talks of a break-up, there have also been rumours of the couple marrying soon. However, Kareena confessed, "I have been shooting regularly. I know that people have been speculating that we will marry soon, but I have so many movies to finish and Saif is busy with his films.

We have Agent Vinod, which releases in December. How can we get married now? If we announce that we are going to get married on a particular date, then people will speculate about the guest list and other things."

Her personal life might be attracting negative publicity, but nobody can take away the professional high she is on with films opposite the Khans. Kareena will soon join the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and other Bollywood icons idolized at Madam Tussauds.

Kareena excitedly said, "I have not spoken to anyone about this, but it is wonderful and a proud feeling. To be next to our legends like Amitji, Shah Rukh, Salman, Ash and Sachin is a proud feeling. It is something that my grandchildren can go see."

And she will not be the only Kapoor sister we see on the silver -screen this year. In regard to Karisma's return to Bollywood, in Vikram Bhatt's 3D thriller Dangerous Ishq, Kareena said, "You know I have hardly spoken to Karisma, but I am very happy for her.

She is looking better than any of us these days and she is super hot. I guess she wanted to come back and was waiting for the right script and now that she has got it, she is coming back."

After working on four projects this year, Kareena and Saif are all geared up to jet-set to Paris for some much needed rest and recreation.

She explained, "I have been shooting non-stop. Saif and I are now taking a break and going to Paris for a vacation to spend some time together, as I have four films releasing this year."

Lara Dutta back after a break

Actress Lara Dutta, who was vacationing till last week, is now back in town and it is back to business. She first took off on a vacation to an undisclosed location with her husband, ace tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, her family, domestic help and pets.

Post that break, she landed in New Delhi and only a couple of hours later, she again left for Paris. Lara accompanied Mahesh to Paris to give him the much needed support during the Grand Slam tournament but unfortunately, Mahesh crashed out of the tournament towards the end. And now with the Wimbledon going on, Mahesh is in London, but this time without his wife.

Lara, who has been a constant source of support for Mahesh in all his tournaments, has not joined him this time as she’s busy with a second film under her own banner.

But this time, Lara is apparently not co-producing her film with Mahesh’s production house. A source close to the actor says, “Lara is not sure if Mahesh is going to be on board or not. They both have their individual visions and are independent people with their own ideas. They had both liked the script of their first venture, Chalo Dilli, which is why they went ahead and produced it together. It really depends on the script this time too and if Lara really needs Mahesh’s help, she can always ask him.”

The film that Lara is working on now was apparently decided on even before Chalo Dilli released and plans are currently being chalked out. Lara is also still deciding if any part in the film fits her so as of now it is not known if she will act in it or not. She is also super excited about her next release, Don 2. Talking about it she had earlier said, “I am not nervous because we are confident about the product. I had a great time shooting for the film. I am hoping the audience likes it too.”

Prince William-Kate to get young Brits their big Hollywood break

In an attempt to promote British talent in Hollywood movies, the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge will help creative young boys and girls get their big break in different realms of filmdom.

Prince William and Kate are joining Tinseltown bosses at a BAFTA party and plan to pair the executives up with undiscovered actors, directors, writers and designers from home.

The royal couple's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton revealed that British talent would be seated so they were “buddied” with executives and studio bosses.

“We hope it will get them that big break but also that it will generate greater interest in investment in UK creative industries, The Mirror quoted him as saying.

“The Duke sees this as a tremendous opportunity to build on the momentum of British success in TV, film and video games,” he added.

Aishwarya is pregnant: Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood's star couple--Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai--are expecting their first baby.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, the expectant granddad and Abhishek's father, spilled the beans on the microblogging site Twitter tonight to say his daughter-in-law Aishwarya is pregnant.

"News news news !! I am going to become a grandfather .. Aishwarya expecting .. so happy and thrilled !!!", Bachchan Sr tweeted.

The baby will be the couple's first child.

Abhishek, 35, and Aishwarya, 37, tied the knot on April 20, 2007.

Aishwarya has not personally confirmed she is pregnant. But Archana Sadanand, the publicist for the former Miss World, said there is nothing more to add other than what Amitabh had said.

Aishwarya recently signed Madhur Bhandarkar's ambitious project Heroine.

The cyberspace was abuzz with comments relating to Aishwarya's apparent weight gain seeing her walk the red carpet at the Cannes film festival last month.

Mallika's bikini scene chopped

After the buzz Mallika generated about donning a two-piece and finally settling for a bikini top with a sarong, it was much ado about nothing, as Mallika Sherawat's bikini look has now been removed from Double Dhamaal. And not surprisingly the actress is miffed about the whole thing.

A source informs us, "When Mallika saw that her bikini sequence was edited from the film, she confronted the director Indra Kumar and producer Ashok Thakeria.

Apparently, the Double Dhamaal makers didn't want family audiences to be offended by the sight of Sherawat in a bikini."

But producer Ashok Thakeria clarifies, "We haven't entirely removed Mallika's bikini scene. But we've voluntarily diluted it. Earlier it was an elaborate bathing sequence. But, now it is just a passing shot."

"We didn't want to offend the family audience and their sensibilities. We don't want Double Dhamaal to be considered a sex comedy. Double Dhamaal is a clean fun family comedy," explains Thakeria.

On the point of Mallika being offended, Thakeria plays down the incident saying, "Oh she'll be fine. She leaves with us for an award function in Canada this week, where she will perform her item song from our film. That should make her happy."

Deepika-Sidhartha in Bali

We told you just a few days ago that despite media musings on there being trouble on the Deepika Padukone-Sidhartha Mallya front, this young couple continue to be an item.

Deepika Padukone has taken time off her work schedule in London, to make a short trip to Bali with some friends. However, it wasn't for a personal holiday. The actor took time off to attend the wedding of boyfriend Sidhartha Mallya's stepsister. While details are not known, a source reveals that the couple is using this as an opportunity to spend time with each other. "She's very close to Sid's family and it was important for her to be with them. Also she's been shooting round the clock for Cocktail in London hence this served as a good break."

I am not living in with Zaheer Khan: Isha

In her crisp white shirt and cropped schoolgirlish hair Isha Sharvani looked ready to face the brunt of summer when she was in Ahmedabad recently.

She seemed in good humour as she perched herself on a lounger and struck picture-perfect poses for the shutterbug. Excerpts from an interview:

Aapnu Amdavad
I keep coming to Ahmedabad every now and then. As soon as I landed this time, I went to my grandmother's place and ate lots of aam ras rotli. I love to gorge on food whenever I am in Ahmedabad.

Just Dance
I am doing a lot of choreography these days, it helps me understand my craft better. But I think it's too early to do choreography in films. I have just started out as a choreographer. I have been dancing for a decade now but I don't know how it will develop better. I am not someone who thinks about the future. I am not worried about my goals.

Nothing Filmi Yet
I might do Hindi films in the future, but I have nothing in hand right now. I am working hard to refine myself as an dancer. I love films. Ideally I would love to pursue both, dance and acting at the same time but I know that isn't possible. I won't be able to do justice to both. I can specialise only in one thing at a time. It is difficult for me to films right now.

Dance Like Isha
I come from a family that patronises the fine arts. Mom's a dancer, dad is a musician and my brother is a drummer. I think I owe it to myself to do something for dance. I like the classical dance form. But I am also someone who can groove and move in a disc. I love the hip-hop style.

Leisure
I love my work and there is hardly a time when I am not thinking about it. Even when I am having dinner I think about dance and how will I set the sequences. I am an avid reader and love music — of all kinds. I like to explore different cultures and meet new people, that's why I travel a lot.

Marriage? Not me
I am not living in with Zaheer Khan, nor do I have any plans of getting married in the near future. I don't know where these rumours come from! I have stopped reacting to them. My family gets very stressed out when they read this rubbish and that makes me angry sometimes. Everytime my grandmother reads the newspapers, she asks me questions. I have told her to stop believing whatever is published, unless I tell her so myself. I think these are the hazards of being a celebrity and one has to pay the price of being one.

We can breakup & get back: Katrina

While she's been in the headlines as much for her break-ups and link-ups as her sexy Sheila moves, Katz has smartly dodged the media on relationship questions.

Now, for the first time, in an exclusive chat with zoOm, she reveals the reason for maintaining a silence in matters of the heart. "If people say that I don't talk about my personal life to portray an image to the media, they've got it all wrong. It's not about the media or my fans, because for me, it's been a very personal thing since the start. I'm very sensitive about the other person involved.

And in the eventuality of life, if you break-up and get back together, I don't want to explain myself to the media constantly. I'm a sensitive person and I choose to protect myself by not talking about my relationships." Sometimes silence says a lot gal. For exclusive interviews, Bollywood parties and events, tune in to B Tonite, Mon – Fri at 10pm & 1pm, only on zoOm – India's No.1 Bollywood channel.

Love Express Movie Review

A girl and a guy are engaged to be married but don’t want to marry each other. They plot to sabotage their own wedding by calling each other names. As soon as their families break off the arrangement, the girl and boy fall in love. Read the review of Love Express to find out what happens next.

Business rating: 0.5/5 star

Cast: Om Puri, Sahil Mehta, Mannat Ravi.

What’s Good: A few comic scenes.

What’s Bad: The unoriginal story; poorly written screenplay; average performances; poor direction.

Verdict: Love Express has nothing to offer by way of entertainment. Flop.

Loo break: Several.

Watch or Not?: Decide for yourself!

Mukta Searchlight Films’ Love Express (UA) is the story of girl and a boy who are engaged to be married, but want to break off their impending marriage as they don’t know each other and also don’t want to get married to one another.

Ashneet (Mannat Ravi), a young girl from Amritsar, Punjab, and Kanav (Sahil Mehta), a boy from London, are engaged to be married by their fathers, who are fast friends. The duo’s parents and Ashneet’s aged grandfather (Om Puri) are very happy with the union. The entire marriage party is travelling by train from Amritsar to Mumbai, where the young couple’s wedding is scheduled.

Ashneet and Kanav are travelling in the same train cabin and have nobody else for company in that cabin. Kanav soon reveals to Ashneet that he is being forced into the marriage. On her part, Ashneet, who loves one Kuljeet (Siddhartha Chaudhary) back in Amritsar, says that she had agreed to the marriage only because of the wishes of her elders. Realising that they both don’t want the marriage, they plot to sabotage it.

They start telling lies about each other to their own parents. The parents initially ignore their complaints, but when Ashneet and Kanav start raising suspicion about each other’s character, their marriage is called off during the train journey itself. Ashneet’s mom, worried about Ashneet’s future, tries to commit suicide by jumping off the train. Even Kanav’s father is heartbroken as he feels that he has been cheated by his best friend, Ashneet’s dad. In all of this, the guests in the marriage party, unaware of the fractured relations between the two prospective in-laws, start gossiping about what is happening. Soon, Ashneet’s paternal grandfather finds out that something is amiss. He makes a few mysterious calls in a bid to set things right.

Even as things get out of hand, Kanav and Ashneet realise their folly after seeing the pain their lies have caused their parents. They also start missing each other’s company. Soon, they confess their love for each other. Kanav even promises Ashneet that he will find a way out of the situation they have landed themselves and their families in.

To everyone’s surprise, Kuljeet (Ashneet’s lover from Amritsar) arrives on board, claiming that Ashneet’s grandfather has decided to marry her to him. What happens next? Are Ashneet and Kanav able to get out of this conundrum they have created for themselves? What about the role Ashneet’s grandfather plays in all of this? The rest of the film answers these questions.

Love Express Review – Script Analysis

The story of Love Express is ordinary and far from novel as similar plots have been the base of many films (most recently, Tanu Weds Manu). The screenplay writers (Gayatri Gil and Divya Nidhi Sharma) have failed to create any drama or many worthwhile comic situations in the narrative. There are a few funny moments when the grandfather tries to flirt with Ashneet’s maternal grandmother, that too, in front of his own wife. The basic setting of the film (a marriage party on board a train) could have provided for many interesting scenarios but the screenplay is riddled with boring exterior shots of the train and inane dance sequences inside it! The lies Kanav and Ashneet resort to to prejudice their family members against each other are so childish that they hardly seem believable. And yet, after a point of time, the parents get so affected that they call off the marriage! Again, why the two youngsters start loving each other is not clear and also their love does not ring true. The climax, where Ashneet and Kanav create melodrama for the sake of their love, is unintentionally hilarious because it is so poorly conceived. Since the love and the fake tension are both, half-hearted, the audience does not pray for the lovers to come together and also does not rejoice when they make an attempt to, in fact, come together after drifting apart. Even the fun and frolic which the family members have in the train, is hardly entertaining or enjoyable. All in all, the screenplay is kiddish, weak and uninteresting.

Moreover, the track of Ashneet and Kanav’s best friends being long-lost lovers (who are reunited on the train) is just too convenient to be believable. Three songs in the film (lyrics by Kumaar and music by Jaidev Kumar) add no value to the narrative. This is a major minus point for a love story. Dialogues are below average.

Love Express Trailer

Love Express Review – Star Performances & Direction

Sahil Mehta (as Kanav) and Mannat Ravi (as Ashneet) do ordinary jobs. However, they don’t look like lead players as they are not hero-and-heroine material. Om Puri (as Ashneet’s grandfather) does a fair job in the small role he has to play. Vikas Katyal (as Kanav’s friend), Priyum Galav (as Ashneet’s friend) are so-so.
Anil Mange and Roobie (as Ashneet’s father and mother respectively), Gireesh Sahedhav and Silky Khanna (as Kanav’s father and mother  respectively), Siddhartha Chaudhary (as Kuljeet), Daljeet Kaur (as Ashneet’s paternal grandmother) and Alka Mehta (as Ashneet’s maternal grandmother) have done average jobs. Nishi Singh Bhadli (as Ashneet’s maternal aunt), Neeru Chopra (as Savita Maami), Nandinii Sen (as Kanav’s paternal aunt), Chaitanya Chinchlikar (as Chokhani), Rekha Desai (as Rubina) and Kareema (as Rosy) support well.

Sunny Bhambani’s direction is very poor. He has neither been able to extract good performances from the cast nor has he been able to maintain the tenor of the drama. Kabir Lal’s cinematography is average. Yashashwini’s editing is shoddy.

Love Express Review – Verdict

On the whole, Love Express does not entertain at all because as a film, it fails to express anything. The film will prove to be a disaster at the box-office.

Rajinikanth discharged from Singapore hospital

Superstar Rajinikanth has completely recovered and has been discharged from the Mount Elizabeth Hospital here after being treated for respiratory problems.

"Superstar discharged from hospital. He has recovered completely and taking rest," his son-in-law, actor Dhanush tweeted.

Rajinikanth, 61, was admitted to the hospital here on May 28 after being flown in from Chennai a day earlier after he was discharged from Sri Ramchandra medical centre where he was undergoing treatment since May 13.

The film icon is expected to spend some more time in Singapore along with his family before he returns home.
Dhanush, who has won the best actor national award for his role in Aadukalam' said they are planning to celebrate their success with the superstar. He tweets, "Soon award celebrations."

Anything for Salman bhai: Himesh

Himesh Reshammiya gets candid on Salman, success and more

After being in hibernation for a while, Himesh Reshammiya is back with a bang! You can't help but notice something distinctly different about the composer-singer. Gone is that unapproachable aura! Today's Himesh is more friendly and easy to relate to. But then, having seen a tough phase recently, he has mellowed down for good. TOI catches him in a candid mood...

Salman's Bodyguard
After being in news for a long time about his soured friendship with Bollywood's Dabbang, Himesh surprised many of his detractors recently when the news of his composing music for Salman Khan's forthcoming film became public. Ask him how did the cold war between the two friends end, and Himesh says getting emotional: "We never had any problem whatsoever! It was only media speculation, and it was proved when I went to his show Dus Ka Dum. Salman Bhai is my brother for whom I can do anything if he tells me to do so! He's the most generous person and a true friend, and I'm happy be a part of Bodyguard!" Seeing that Salman's last two releases were huge hits on musical front too, will he be able to deliver the goods for his next film? "I know expectations will be great and I can only hope and pray that I'm able to live up to them," says he.

Dammadamm mast!
Himesh has more than one reason to be happy these days. Along with sharing warm vibes with Sallu miyan, he's also quite gung-ho about his forthcoming film Dammadamm, wherein he will romance with acting genre yet again. Ask him if he's slightly nervous seeing that his last three films tanked at the BO, and he says: "Not at all! I've worked hard on this project, which is a full-on dhamaal flick. It will be released around Diwali. And despite the flops, my acting was appreciated by critics, so I'm not complaining!"

Fruitful sabbatical
His fans often wondered as to where he had vanished after Radio. The composer says: "I was busy composing 500 new songs, which have been stored in my music bank for my own music company. I've already signed more than 250 artists and lyrics writers, who have helped me in creating this databank. In our industry, composers and singers do their job for a few years and finally fizzle out. So, to survive in the long run, one has to deviate and I'm all ready to extend my boundaries!"

Sanjay Dutt shaves off his head

A heat wave in Diu, where Sanjay Dutt is shooting for Agneepath, literally forced him to go bald.

The actor took the extreme decision to shave off his head. The temperature in the union territory was a searing 48 degrees Celsius and the prosthetic make-up he had on (which took three hours to apply and would take an hour-and-a-half to remove) began melting away.

Dutt's character sports a hairless look in the film and he was expected to have a tonsure. However, he has several films on the floors, and to avoid continuity problems, Hollywood makeup artist Robin Slater's services were enlisted to create the 'bald' look without actually shaving his head. "The first two days of shooting — at a factory in Mumbai went smoothly. Trouble began when they started shooting in Diu. "It started looking scary," says a unit hand, noting, "The make-up started melting and dripping down Sanju's face.

It became so bad that Sanju did a re-think. He had to wake up at 5 am to get ready and report for a 9.30 am shift. It was time consuming as well as cumbersome, so Dutt spoke to his Business Manager Dharam Oberoi and wife Manaayata and decided to go bald. The manager was worried about shooting Dutt's home production Rascals. So Hollywood's famous wigmaker Victoria Wood was flown to Diu to take measurements to make a wig for all his films on the floors.

Dutt says, "I couldn't have handled the make-up mess after a point. It was too tiring. Also, it was a strain on my eyes as prosthetic make-up is heavy.

Asin's attitude killing her?

Three years ago, Asin Thottumkal left her top ranking position in Kollywood to shift to the Hindi film industry. In the time since, she has managed Ghajini and Ready, two of the biggest hits in Bollywood.

Yet what does have to show for herself today? Says a trade source, "She has just one film, Housefull 2, in which she will share screen space with Jacqueline Fernandez and Zarine Khan."

Apparently, her PR machinery did try spreading rumours of her doing Vishal Bharadwaj's Two States with Shah Rukh Khan, but the fact is that as of today, even SRK is not keen on Two States. So, that project is definitely in limbo.

What's ailing this 25-something actress? She's a competent actress, pretty, has a good strike rate at the box office but seems to be going nowhere.

Trade sources in Chennai are livid with her because she shortchanged them when she felt Bollywood was opening its doors to her. So, except for a dud Dasavatharam with Kamal Haasan and a hit Kaavalan earlier this year with Vijay (that too an old commitment), she has no Kollywood offers. The newer kids on the block like Ileana D'Cruz, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha are more sought after.

In Mumbai, she turned down films with several top-ranking filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowariker, because after the debacle of London Dreams, in which Vipul Shah gave her a short shrift, Asin was pretty shattered. She actually sat at home for a year in the prime of her youth doing precious nothing.

Now, Ready is creating records and though Asin (courtesy her friendship with Salman) is the leading lady, she still has no future projects with him. He is committed to doing Kick and Dabangg 2 with Sonakshi Sinha, Ek Tha Tiger with Katrina Kaif and nothing with Asin.

A leading Mumbai producer says that he is keen to cast Asin but the actress has three things going against her. One, she is demanding to be paid as much as Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, two, there is reportedly too much interference from her close ones and three, though she is dependable, she brings no novelty to a project.

Shaitan Movie review

 

Cast: Rajit Kapoor, Rajeev Khandelwal, Kalki Koechlin, Pawan Malhotra, Shiv Pandit, Gulshan Devaiya, Neil Bhoopalam, Kirti Kulhari

Directed by: Bejoy Nambiar

Rating: ***1/2


Teens in Bollywood movies are usually blessed with a disposable income, fancy wheels and a life that makes you forget yours (a strong pull for most films in recent times). The ones in 'Shaitan' confirm to the above, don't confirm to a limited dosage of cocaine and have a healthy appetite for destruction. While some may blame the parents for lack of bum-slapping during childhood, what really is pumping the insanity and unwarranted angst into the veins of today's youth is the game that could be included in the Olympics of the future, Angry Birds! Or not?

The film introduces 5 friends, Amrita/ Amy (Kalki Koechlin), Dushyant/ Dash (Shiv Pandit), Zubin (Neil Bhoopalam), Karan/ KC (Gulshan Devaiya) and Tanya Sharma (Kirti Kulhari). Apart from Dash, who works at a coffee shop, the rest belong to affluent families. So, like most rich and rotten teens their age, they party on yachts, get sloshed in fancy swimming pools, go cruising about town in Hummers and indulge in all those things you saw them doing in the promos.

Now a peculiar thing to note, which will be the cause of most unforeseen events in this film, is an unexplained and often misplaced flight of fury over the most trivial things. So, a guy is seen chatting up with Tanya and KC races to the scene and punches his face to pulp. KC loves Tanya? KC is protective? KC is seen kissing another girl in the very next scene! So, KC loves thrashing up people for fun?

Also Amy's warped childhood has a striking resemblance to the little kid in 'The Ring', who would draw different things with a black crayon and then strike them off ferociously. The only difference, that kid was possessed and Amy is, well, clinically depressed.

The crux of this story is an accident resulting out of road rage that thrust our fearless five-some to resort to extreme cover-up measures. And trying to uncover their ugly truth, is Inspector Arvind Mathur (Rajeev Khandelwal) who is as angry as he is suspended. But well aware of how nasty criminals have succumbed to his unparalleled wrath in the past, the police commissioner (Pawan Malhotra) summons him to a case of national importance. He is assisted by obedient and righteous cop (Nikhil Chinappa).

Now we're drifting between two parallels. One is Arvind's wild-goose chase to track down the missing teens (who've kidnapped themselves) and the adventures of Zombieland (the fearless five become the frantic five). As the intensity of this murky story gets murkier, Arvind's marital turmoil track gives you a break but it's underdeveloped enough to be ignored. This review doesn't need to tell you whether or not Inspector Arvind cracks the case or what happens of the dirty rotten pranksters. That is quite evident, anyway.

The film gets full marks for style. Crisp visuals accompanied by a great soundtrack ensure a dreamy audio-visual experience. 'Hawa Hawai' tickles your ears softly, while the groovy version of 'Khoya Khoya Chand' eases your senses, to balance the disturbingly violent visuals.

None of the actors shine over the other, while Kalki's character seems a bit over-written than others. With producer pati backing the project, that's hardly a surprise. Rajeev Khandelwal disappoints as an honourable cop, who's not convincingly angry or young or heroic. Perhaps the fact that he ditches the 'khakhi vardi' for polo tees (suspended means no uniform) takes away from his character.

The promos suggest that 'Shaitan' is about the devil inside each of us. But it's actually about human trash, who're hardly evil and only end up committing crimes as casually as they swing into a song. If there is any devil in this world, it is the red bird that slingshots itself to spell doom for pigs.

Shaitan Movie Trailer

Abhi-John's dostana again!

Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham have decided to take their dostana forward! The two actors are planning to come out with a series of films starring both of them — thus branding them a pair.

Says a source, "AB Jr and JA have been in talks to come out with a series of films in different genres to take their Dostana a step further. While Tarun Mansukhani will bring out the film's sequel, the two actors are very excited about branding their pair. Some people even felt that the men shared more chemistry on screen together than they did with lead actress Priyanka Chopra.

The informer adds, "Both actors get along extremely well. AB Jr has mentioned in interviews that wife Aishwarya and John are his favourite co-stars. Last year, at an award event when he was absent, Abhi asked Aish and John to jointly collect the award."

The stars have yet to decide if they will find producers or their own individual production houses will jointly produce the films. "The films will be launched next year. The duo plan to approach big directors to helm their films. Currently, they have been going through various scripts to finalise some projects. They don't just want to do romcoms. From niche films to cop dramas, everything's on the agenda."

John confirms, "Yes, Abhishek and I have been in talks to bring out a series of films with us starring in it. All films will be of different genres. It's our way of taking the chemistry we share on screen forward. Abhishek is a wonderful guy and I'm very protective and fond of him. I don't like it if people criticise him in front of me. I tell them not to do it."

Asin, Zareen say no to bikini

Director Sajid Khan is having tough time convincing his leading actress Asin and Zareen to wear bikini for Housefull 2.

Sajid wants H2 to be as glamourous as the prequel. The director is expecting his glam girls to don the bikini just like Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan did in the original. But as we all know, both, Asin and Zareen aren't comfortable sporting bikini.

It is believed that as per Sajid's instructions Zareen has lost weight to look glamorous for the film but bikini is out of question. Now that both the actresses are not convinced, Sajid has no option left but to concentrate on Jacqueline Fernandes to add the perfect glam quotient in the film.

The bold and beautiful Srilankan beauty Jacqueline has confirmed to sport the two piece. Hope that will give much-needed relief to director Sajid!

'Jacqueline is a different animal'

There's tremendous buzz around Vishesh Films' Murder 2 starring Emraan Hashmi and Jacqueline Fernandez for obvious reasons.

The trade and the public who have now come to expect a staple erotic quotient from the Bhatt brothers (Mukesh and Mahesh) — Jism and Murder being the reference points — know that Murder 2 won't just push the envelope but tear it.

Mahesh Bhatt, the brain behind these films, admits that Jacqueline is bolder than Jism's Bipasha Basu and Murder's Mallika Sherawat (Murder). Says he, "We at Vishesh Films decided to make films with a high quotient of erotica to cater to the new consumer who is living a life radically different from the life I lived in my youth. "Bollywood cinema was slow to realise this but society had moved on. That is why when we made Jism and Murder and Raaz, the audience lapped it up. They had no problems with it. But the purists were outraged.

"For the first time in Indian cinema, Bipasha uttered the words, "the body doesn't know love, it only knows lust." Then we had Mallika in Murder who sleeps with another man and returns to her marriage only because her affair isn't working out. She has an intensely fulfilling sexual extra-marital relationship and feels no guilt. This is the post modern Indian woman.
"The India in which we were groomed, was shackled to certain beliefs. In the cinema made by our predecessors — Raj Kapoor and Raj Khosla — we were invariably shown that good people fell in love while bad people had sex.

"For me, the eye-opener came when I saw Jism in Delhi and found 70 per cent of the audience comprised of rich women. It was not just being viewed by sex-hungry frontbenchers but also by an evolved upmarket audience. "Raaz was simply the precursor. With Murder 2, women have gone one step further. Jacqueline is a different animal from Mallika and Bipasha. While they sinned with their eyes open but still yearned to conform towards the end; for Murder 2's Jackie, sex is even more casual. For her sex is like an expression. She does it as casually as she would inhale or exhale. That is what it is." The film releases worldwide on July 8.