‘Tell Me O Khuda’ changes hands

Following a rift between the director and producer, ‘Tell Me O Khuda’ will be directed by its producer now.

According to sources, there had been a creative difference between director Mayur Puri and producer of the film Hema Malini. Recently when Hema had watched some rushes of the movie, she was quite unimpressed and unhappy with what Puri had shot so far. She felt that the director had not stuck to the basic storyline that he had initially told her. Besides he said to have overshot the film, with extra footage.

Frustrated with the film’s outcome, Hema decided to remove Puri and take the directorial responsibility in her hands, for the remaining part.

Earlier Hema Malini had directed the Shah Rukh Khan-Divya Bharathi starrer ‘Dil Aashna Hai’. So it is not new for the actor-producer to take on the directorial reins.

‘Tell Me O Khuda’ is considered as Esha Deol’s second launch pad. It also features Arjan Bajwa, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor.

Katrina to launch her sister Isabel in Bollywood

Katrina Kaif is all set to launch her sister Isabel in Bollywood. Isabel who has learned acting from a New York based academy of acting and performance will be debuted in her sister Kat’s home production. Isabel is keen to become a big star like her sister Katrina Kaif. She is always interested in Bollywood and now finally the time has come when her dream will be converted into reality. Helping Isabel in her endeavor is her sister.

It is heard that filmmaker Farah Khan will direct the film. In the past, it was rumored that Salman Khan has taken the task of lifting Isabel’s career exactly the way he has done for Katrina Kaif. But as the distance between the two widens, he gave it up.

It is not only Katrina but Salman Khan is also bonding with Farah Khan in a bigger way. Farah has promised ‘Om Shanti Om’ sequel to Salman.

Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif paired up again

Abhishek Bachchan and Katrina Kaif would soon be seen together on the silver screen, after a hiatus of about five years. They will be seen as a couple, much in love with each other in as many as three forthcoming films.

They would be seen romancing together in the sequel Dostana 2 right after Katrina returns in the initial week of August so as to shoot for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Abhishek Bachchan and Katrina Kaif will shoot a song together in Mumbai, which will be followed by a long stint in London.

Earlier, the two actors have only done one movie together, Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar.

Katrina, however, reveals that she hardly knows Abhishek, but whatever little she knows, she has liked and is excited to do projects with him.

No marriage plans for John Abraham, Bipasha Basu

It’s a well known fact that John Abraham and Bipasha Basu are one of the hottest couples from Bollywood.

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu have been in a relationship since 2002. It has thus been eight long years of their collective existence and some people might even expect them to tie the knot. However, the couple reveals that they have no marriage plans.

They aren’t yet ready for marriage commitments. They say that they are both happy with their current status and right now a marriage isn’t something that they are looking forward to. They say that they are too busy with their own work.

Bipasha says that both are very careerist people and would love to settle done only when the time is right. Both the parents from each side are coaxing them to tie the knot, even though both families know that a marriage is inevitable. She further reveals information about her second fitness video and also a clothing line that would come up very soon.

Pakistani Pop Star Ali Zafar Wants To Relocate To Mumbai… But Can He?

“Keep politics out of art and culture”, says Pakistani pop singer Ali Zafar, who arrived in Mumbai this month. He would like nothing better than to move to Mumbai and become a singing actor like Kishore Kumar. But would the current milieu of hostility allow him to make that move?

“Things have to get better between the two countries”, Ali says optimistically. “The sooner the better. The present hostility is unbearable. We from the entertainment industry in Pakistan are hard hit by the suspicion between the two countries.”

Ali Zafar is honest enough to admit there’s more scope for him to function in India than in Pakistan. “I’ll be honest. There are more avenues and prospects here. So if the God above and the politicians down on earth permit, I’d love to move to Mumbai. An artiste knows no bounds and boundaries. My first home is Lahore. But I’d like to make Mumbai my second home.”

Ali has a wife and a 3-month baby boy back home. “When I left home I kept looking back at my home and loved ones. I wish they could come with me.”

Ali expects his wife to join him in Mumbai later during his current trip to the city, his first after 26/11.

In the last 6–7 years he has been to Mumbai at least 20 times.

However, he was unable to return recently because of the current political scenario. “Things have changed. My last visit was before 26/11 and I remember how pleasant the mood was in Mumbai. I was free to move around the steeets of Mumbai. I cannot deny there’s tension between the two countries. Earlier aana jaana laga rehta tha. Initially, we artistes from Pakistan used to get multiple visas quite easily. Now it’s different. However, I feel singers and other artistes should be exempt from politics.”

Ali thinks it’s easy for him to incorporate singing into his acting because he uses a lot of acting expression on stage. “I wanted to do something different from what my colleagues from Pakistan do in India. I always thought my first acting experience would be something different and special. I’ve no leading lady in my first film Tere Bin Laden. I was determined that when I act for the first time I’d sing for myself and not sing for others on screen. When I met the director Abhishek Varma for Tere Bin Laden in Mumbai, I knew this was the project that I wanted to start my big-screen acting career with. I laughed so much when I heard the script. I was sure audiences would love it too.”

Being married doesn’t diminish Ali’s popularity. “On the contrary female fans trust married men more than unmarried male. Married men are considered stable.”

About being inspired by Kishore Kumar, Ali Zafar shoots off, “He’s my definite inspiration just as Kishore Kumar Saab was inspired by K.L. Saigal.”Publish Post

Ali is on the verge of signing new films in Mumbai and moving in to Mumbai. “I love the city. I want it to love me back as much as I do.”

Vidya Balan has a ball in Kolkata

While Vidya Balan who considers herself half Bengali had herself a ball in Kolkata last week shooting for Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica. Rani Mukherjee who is a fully certified Bengali was not to be seen in her home-town.

Going by the way Vidya’s shooting schedule went in Kolkata, it was all for the best if Rani stayed away.

Apparently, the 2-day schedule had to be shot with secret cameras in prominent public places where the security was most inadequate.

Says the source, “We had to shoot in crowded locations like the Kolkata airport, Ballyganj, Park Circus, and New Market. The crowds in these places were impossible to control. We had placed the cameras secretly. Vidya would then get into camera range and before the bystanders recognized the star we were out. If Rani had also accompanied Vidya it would’ve been impossible to control”.

Director Rajkumar Gupta is tightlipped about the details in Kolkata. “All I can tell you is that shooting in Kolkata was even tougher than Delhi. But it was fun. By now I am used to shooting in crowded main streets with my actors. It was the last two days of shooting. On the second day after we finished (dress designer) Sabysachi Chakraborty who belongs to Kolkata, took the entire unit out for dinner. We had some terrific Bengali food. We celebrated till the wee hours”. Rani, alas, was no part of the celebration.

Kareena goes against Saif

The size zero Kareena Kapoor will be back. Kareena who has gained some weight recently will again sweat out to get into size zero figure. Bebo has experienced several odd instances of rigorous work-out and dieting like collapsing on the set, dizziness and so on. All those incidents did not go well with Saif Ali Khan and he strictly restricted Bebo from going back to size zero. But the actress went against Saif’s wording and started working out rigorously for her next film opposite Imran Khan.

The film in question is Karan Johar’s ‘Short Term Shaadi’ which is an adaptation of Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher starrer ‘What Happened in Vegas’. To match up to Imran Khan’s looks, Karan asked her not only to cut her size but also to short her hair.

Kareena’s decision upset her beau as she has signed the project against Saif’s decision.

Both Imran and Kareena are not reluctant to spill the beams. When asked about the project, Imran quips, "I’m not at liberty to discuss anything about the film right now.”.

Imran Khan as vampire Edward Cullen

Imran Khan tops the poll to play vampire Edward Cullen in the desi version of Twilight series. Actor Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen has won the heart of the millions. Now the Indian audience is keen to see Imran Khan as their desi Vampire. Fans find Imran’s complexion, hairstyle looks very similar to Robert Pattinson.

Imran Khan who is basking in the joy of ‘I Hate Luv Storys’ is aware of the Twilight mania but he is not a fan of the so, “I know it's a huge franchise the world over and that the series has a huge fan following but I have not watched any of the movies. I know the third part is up for release, but I can't watch it since I haven't seen the first two. Maybe I'll try and catch up on the first when I have time”.

However, Imran admits that his fans also want to see him in the role of vampire. "I have heard this a lot from my fans on Twitter. They find a lot of resemblance between Edward and me. They say I look similar to Robert. I think it has something to do with the way my hair was styled in I Hate Luv Storys. Otherwise, I really don't see any similarities."

Imran does not find Indian audience for desi version of Twilight.

Imran defeats Neil Nitin Mukesh, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapur in Twilight poll

Ash just want to be with Abhi

Hectic schedules restricted Bollywood sizzling couple to spend time together. So, now they have decided for a week long vacation in London. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan will spend some quality time in London. Abhishek will be heading to London to shoot for ‘Dostana 2’ and Aishwarya will follow Abhi to be with him.

A source said, “Ash will be travelling to Londonto be with Abhishek. She has made sure that she does not have anything important on her schedule as she just wants to spend quality time with him. The couple has been neck deep in work, right from shooting for their individual films to promoting ‘Raavan’ that saw both of them star in it. They hardly had a breather and so as soon as Ash learnt that Abhi will be in Londonto shoot Karan’s movie, she decided to book her tickets to Englandtoo.” “Ash loves London. It is one of her favourite cities in the world and the couple will have great fun there. We hear Ash has got everything fixed right from them partying to hooking up with their friends to even shopping,” said the source.

Shopping, hanging over, parties, meeting with friends are in Ash and Abhi’s programme. For the coming months, Ash will be busy with the wrap up work of ‘Endhiran’ and ‘Action Replay’ and Abhi will be busy with his films.

No fight with Deepika Padukone says Imran

Prior to the shoot of the Bollywood Movie Break Ke Baad there were a lot of reports about cold vibes between Bollywood StarsDeepika Padukone and Imran Khan. However, they soon struck up a friendship.

When reporters asked Imran Khan about the initial tussle, he denied that there was ever such an issue. He says they were always friends and were only pulling each others leg.

“She is one of the sweetest persons I have worked with. She is a very hardworking person and honestly I don’t have a word of complain against her,” says Imran Khan. “It is sad that you can’t joke about anything,” he refers to the joking over twitter which had led to the speculations.

All is well that ends with a happy note.  :)

Katrina, Deepika in SMS race!

The last time Bollywood beauties Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone crossed lines was over their common interest in Ranbir Kapoor.

Now that seems to have been relegated to the past. There is fresh reason for the girls to have cold vibes.

Kat has been in Spain for the last 40 odd days, Ranbir is in Delhi romancing newbie Nargis for Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar and Deepika is in Mumbai promoting Pradeep Sarkar’s Lafangey Parindey.

But, what is interesting though is that by design or default, Kat and Deepika are destined to want the same thing. Both beauties are currently messaging one famous filmmaker continuously these days. One of these two heroines is set to start work with his banner and the other wants to desperately work with him.

So each day, whether they brush their hair or not, they message this director for sure. BT had earlier mentioned that five top directors are inundated with SMSes from Bollywood’s leading ladies daily. Seems like Kat and Deepika will relentlessly continue their pursuit till the big filmmaker signs them on!

Dino and Nandita: Back to base

Life goes around in circles for fashion designer Nandita Mahtani and Dino Morea.

The couple dated till Nandita found a good friend in Ranbir Kapoor.

Dino dated Lara Dutta... and now Nandi and Dino have found each other again. The couple is together in London spending quality time.

One film at a time: Sanjay Singh

India’s solo entry at the Cannes Film Festival — Udaan — has had a successful release in India and obviously, producer Sanjay Singh is delighted. He has now launched his own production house — Sanjay Singh Films — and is all set to produce his second movie.

This time he will be working with director Manish Jha, who has previously won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, for a movie titled Manjhi. Sanjay is convinced that this movie will be more compelling than Udaan.

Now that you’ve launched your production house, how many projects are in the pipeline?
n I am looking forward to producing more films. But we will work on one film at a time and give it our complete attention. The fact that Udaan, my first film as a producer, has received such international recognition and has also had a great opening in India is very encouraging. When director Vikramaditya Motwane first came to me, he had been looking for someone to finance Udaan for almost seven years. The big production houses were quite reluctant. I loved the story and signed on immediately.

Why did you launch your production house after producing your first film?
I feel it’s important to do something good first and then talk about it. We achieved great success with Udaan, and now I feel more confident about venturing forth as a producer.

What is Manjhi about?
The film deals with a man’s heroic fight against obstacles, natural and man-made, that results in the creation of something that is truly extraordinary for his people. The story is based on the life of a man from Bihar, who passed away in 2007. It’s too early to say more, as we’re still scripting, but I am sure it will be a great film.

Will your production house only make parallel cinema?
Not at all. I don’t want to get stuck with tags of either commercial or critical filmmaker. I believe in good cinema, that entertains and also gives a message. We’re also co-producing Tanu weds Manu with Shailesh Singh, a film that I believe is fully commercial. I’m open to any project, which is one reason why we have launched a website — www.sanjaysinghfilms.com — so that we can connect with audiences, talented scriptwriters and directors, etc.

Riya high-flying ways!

Mumbai, July 15 -- Oi oi, Madhu my Mottu Maid has barged in, claiming to have some really sansanikhez khabar on Riya Sen. Seems the petite actress was having a good time partying at Prive in South Mumbai recently. So much so that she was high as a kite in no time.

Aur pata hai kya? Mots tells me that Riya grabbed Aditya Panscholi's son, Suraj, who was also in the same group and locked lips with him. Bechara Suraj was so flabbergasted that at first he didn't know how to react.

Quickly, he gathered himself and tried to break free. But Riya continued to hold on to him very tightly, says Mottu, adding not to ask what happened next, for that's all she heard. Wonder what Aditya bhai has to say about his Suraj puttar. Or shouldn't I ask?

'Lamhaa' banned in Middel East: Bunty Walia

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) After the "Lamhaa" premiere was cancelled in Kashmir, the film's release has been banned in Middle East, says producer Bunty Walia, who is extremely upset with the decision.

"'Lamhaa' has been banned in the Middle East. According to the censors there, it is a highly objectionable and controversial subject. The Indian government passed it, I don't know why they have refused to let is screen in their countries," Walia told IANS on the phone from Mumbai.

The film, based on violence and terrorism in the Kashmir valley, was due for release in Middle East Thursday. But now the producer isn't too sure about it even though the film's distributor PVR Pictures is in talks with the censors there.

"There are no scenes that they want me to remove from the film. They have outrightly refused to screen 'Lamhaa'," said Walia.

The film was to be premiered in Kashmir, but was cancelled because the producer didn't want to be "insensitive" to the sentiments of the people living there.

Produced by GS Entertainment and directed by Rahul Dholakia, the movie releases Friday.

Featuring Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher, "Lamhaa" questions whether wisdom would prevail in the Valley so that the Kashmiris are not crucified in the name of politics.

Walia, who has produced films like "Maine Dil Tujhko Diya", Hello Darling", and "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya", says the ban has upset him.

"This news has really dampened my spirits. the Middle East is a huge market for Bollywood movies these days and we could suffer a huge setback because of this ban. There is definitely a lot of money at stake that could have been recovered from that region, but more than that I am sad that the audience there can't see a film like 'Lamhaa'," he said.

According to the producer, the film will be on 750 screens across India.

Twitter brings Amitabh Bachchan, Lata closer

Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) Micro-blogging site Tiwtter is a rage among clebrities and it played an important role in bringing together two living legends - Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan.

Unable to meet frequently because of their individual commitments, the two met sporadically at functions and public events. But now, there is no lack of connectivity between Big B and Lata. So delighted was AB to find his favourite singer on the micro-blogging site that he said: "The most gratifying moment on Twitter came when I got to interact with Lataji."

The singing legend reciprocated by saying: "I am really happy to connect with Bachchan saab through Twitter. I must admit it feels good to be in touch with him again."

"I don't know if they know this, but I'm very fond of the Bachchans. I'm most grateful to both Amitji and Jayaji for always showering me with their love and affection. I'm glad I got an opportunity to connect with Amitji and the parivar through Twitter."

shahid and kareena back?????

• KAREENA AND SHAHID

After a huge breakup kareena kapoor decided to marry saif.But after the film MILENGE MILENGE , will there be a change in the relationship between kareena and shahid?

Every one is now waiting again for a hot news about SHAHID KAPOOR and KAREENA KAPOOR.

• KAREENA ANGERS ABOUT MLENGE MILENGE

Earlier Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor declared that she has no problem in sharing the screen with her ex-beau, Shahid Kapoor but now it seems it was just the thing meant to be said and not to be felt. The leading actress is being a big matter of trouble for Boney Kapoor who is waiting for her dates to shoot for the promotional video for his upcoming film Milenge Milenge while the lady is busy with her other schedule.

Although Bebo doesn’t have to shoot the sequence with Shahid as he has already done with his part of the video still the actress is getting really pricy for the shoot. A source close to film’s unit revealed, “On Kareena’s say they decided to shoot the promotional video separately and merge them while editing. Shahid shot his part, and Bebo still had to finish her part. But the actress kept postponing and giving her dates to her other projects. She was busy shooting for Stepmom and now it is Golmaal 3 in Goa.”

It added, “Boney had a word with Kareena while she was in Goa and plans were also getting implemented for them to go shoot her part in Goa. But her hectic schedule in Goa also cancelled this plan. Now that she is returning back to Mumbai, he plans to get her dates and finish off her portion for the promotional video as soon as possible.”

confirming the news, Boney said, “The promotional video was never meant to be shot together. Shahid has already shot his part and Kareena was supposed to shoot separately her part when she was in town for Stepmom photo shoots, but it couldn’t happen then.”

He ended up saying, “Kareena is currently in Goa shooting for Golmaal 3 and will do her part very soon. We will be shooting in an outdoor location because we require a sunset scene.”

Well Kareena we would suggest you to maintain distance between your personal and professional life……otherwise you can get into a mess baby…

Hyderabadi biryani calling Kareena Kapoor

For those who thought that the stunning Kareena Kapoor keeps away from food to maintain her famous size zero figure –think again!

The Czarina of Bollywood who is currently in Hyderabad shooting for Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 3 has taken a break from her diet to freak out on the local biryani that topped on her crave list.

Reveals a source “ Post pack up, Kareena would call for the typical Hyderabadi Biryani. She didn’t compromise on her yoga sessions but did gorge on delicious food. Kareena is a true blooded Kapoor after all!

Recently voted as People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman –Kareena Kapoor joins Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Khemu for the lethally comic Golmaal 3

Ode to Katrina Kaif’s inspires poem for Farhan’s Film

A couplet written by a fan in celebration of Katrina Kaif’s beauty and virtues has surfaced on numerous websites and blogs. It has inspired an entire song devoted to Katrina in Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’.

Says a source close to the project, “Katrina plays a free- spirited girl, a wanderer at heart and a bohemian gypsy by nature whom the three male leads Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol are seriously fascinated by. She inspires the boys to chase their dreams and not being afraid of reaching deep into the darkness to find light.”

And that’s precisely the character that the film’s director Zoya Akhtar’s father the sensitive poet Javed Akhtar will have to describe in his lyrics, for a song devoted to Katrina’s character.

Says the source, “There was only a vague idea for such a song in Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara. But when the poem by Katrina’s fan surfaced on the net everyone felt that the lyrics describing Katrina’s character beauty and zest for life were needed.”

Katrina, neck-deep in shooting, with Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay in Spain is flattered by all the attention she’s getting online and in person. “But I can’t think of anything but how to get into the character. This role requires a lot of physical preparation. I had almost no time to prepare for Zoya’s film. I delayed my departure from Mumbai till the very last minute because I wanted to enjoy the attention that Raajneeti was getting. I get attached to a film and need a transitional period between one project and the next. I didn’t get that space before coming to Spain.”

But pleasure comes with a price. Katrina’s preparation for her zany character in Zoya’s film is half-complete. She needs to master many outdoor sports. Most of them are new to her. But she is learning on the job in Spain. “I landed here at night and started shooting next morning, completely unprepared. But now I’m getting a hang of it.”

About the ode by her fan she says, “It’s flattering to have people write such wonderful lines for you. I can’t pretend to be unaffected by all the attention that I’m getting. At the same time, I can’t let it go to my head. There’s so much more to be done.”

Will Nepal's top leaders put aside their differences to attend her marriage?

As Nepal hosts Manisha Koirala's wedding on June 19, there's intense speculation about whether President Ram Baran Yadav will come face to face with his enemy, Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and the latter with his, ex-king Gyanendra.

Or will they come up with polite excuses to wriggle out of the invitation and along with it, a most embarrassing situation?

The 40-year-old actress, who is marrying Nepali businessman Samrat Dahal in a glittering three-day ceremony starting June 18, has invited former king Gyanendra as well as his arch-enemy Prachanda, the Maoist chief whose party fought a 10-year war to abolish monarchy in Nepal.

The wedding is scheduled for June 19, after an engagement ceremony on June 18. The reception is at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel on June 20.

With the former king planning to return to Kathmandu only on June 20, it is certain that he will not be present at the engagement or the wedding.

Though a morning flight will bring him back to Kathmandu on June 20 in good time to attend the reception, there's still no certainty as the flight will depend on the weather.

As for Prachanda, his aides said it was still not confirmed if he would attend the ceremonies.

The top leaders of the Maoist party are currently locked in an intense debate over future strategy as well as leadership after failing to topple the coalition government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal despite almost a year of protests.

If any major meetings are scheduled Sunday, Prachanda would not be able to attend Manisha's wedding reception, his son Prakash said.

In 2006, when King Gyanendra held a controversial municipal election, Manisha had flown down from Bollywood to campaign for it. The Maoists had tried to stop the polls and in retaliation, announced a "ban" on films of Manisha, the granddaughter of the nation's first elected prime minister Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.

Her father Prakash Koirala consented to become a minister in the king's cabinet, an acquiescence that caused him to be expelled from his Nepali Congress party.

Also invited to the reception is President Ram Baran Yadav.

Yadav replaced Gyanendra as the head of state. He also aroused the enmity of the Maoists by reinstating the army chief the Maoist government had sacked, an action that caused the fall of the Maoist government.

Since then, the Maoists had been boycotting all official functions attended by the president.