'Horn Ok Pleassss' - a truck driver's hilarious love story at 7:27 AM

New Delhi, Nana Patekar is all set to woo movie buffs with another comedy, "Horn Ok Pleassss", after wining accolades for his hilarious performance as underworld don Uday Shetty in the 2007 hit "Welcome".

Directed by first-time filmmaker Rakesh Narang, the comedy drama features Rimi Sen and model-turned-actor Muzammil Ibrahim alongside Nana and releases Jan 9.

Other actors in the film include Ali Asgar, Nirmiti Sawant, Mukesh Tiwari, Vrajesh Hirjee, Raakhi Sawant, Kunika and Satish Shah.

The two-hour laugh riot is about a down-to-earth truck owner Govinda (Nana) who is a great believer in love and is madly in love with his wife (Rimi).

Being a firm supporter of love, he saves the life of a heartbroken suicidal photographer Ajay (Muzammil). On learning that the boy loves a married woman, he advises him to kill the husband and chalks out a murder plan himself for his new friend.

Little does he know that he is planning to kill himself as Ajay is in love with Govinda's wife? What follows is complete madness.

Muzammil, whose first film "Dhokha" proved to be a box office dud, is quite excited about working with a seasoned actor like Nana.

"I believe an actor needs to grow quickly. The sooner you prove yourself in a tough genre, the better. I started with a very complex role. But I feel comedy, and that too with a seasoned actor like Nana, will be really tough. Let's see. I love challenges. And the challenge of working with Nana really grabs me," Muzammil had told IANS.

Aamir struck with 'prenatal depression' before 'Ghajini' release at 8:01 AM

New Delhi, The extreme tension he was undergoing prior to the release of "Ghajini" took its toll on actor Aamir Khan. A day before the film's Dec 25 release, Aamir went into "prenatal depression", losing his appetite, his sleep and walked around like a zombie.

"The last 24 hours have been (the) most traumatic… I am emotionally totally drained… just before any of my films release I go into a pendulum mode. One sec I feel very optimistic about the film and the next I'm sure no one's going to like it. I lose my smile, my appetite (and) my sleep," Aamir posted on his blog www.aamirkhan.com/blog Dec 24. 

"On the whole, I am listless and walk around like a zombie. VVC (Vidhu Vinod Chopra)…accurately described it as prenatal depression. The film is about to be delivered and will be out of our systems so to speak. Then, it will have a life of its own which we have absolutely no control over," he wrote.

The actor also said filmmaking was a tough job and he was anxious over his performance in the Hindi remake of the original "Ghajini" directed by A.R. Murugadoss in 2005.

"It's too tough making films. All the two years of planning, preparation, creative discussions, the struggle to shoot the film and the sleepless nights of post-production ultimately culminate in a three-hour experience in the darkness of a cinema hall." 

"(And) this time around it is a remake of a Tamil film, so I am especially anxious. 'Ghajini' was a huge success in the south and Surya (Sivakumar) had done an excellent job in the original. I hope that I have been able to do justice to the film," he posted.

However, the mass promotionals took their toll on Aamir, and he was down with fever before the movie's release. 

"…the last couple weeks have been too hectic and as a result of the exhaustion and excitement I'm down with fever, so I am lying in bed as I write this," the actor wrote

All SRK fans who were eagerly waiting for a sequel to Don are all set to be disappointed, as the lead actors of the movie don’t have time for the sequel.

Priyanka the lead actress of Don says,“I think the sequel is a little far now. I don’t think it will start soon. Everyone involved in the project is pretty busy now I think with other work.”

A source reveals, “Farhan is busy with Luck By Chance in which he is acting and also with his next directorial film Voice From The Sky. So, as of now Don 2 is not starting.”

“Shah Rukh too is very tied up now. He has to look after the promotions of his own production Billoo Barber, then he will do Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan and then move over to his another production Happy New Year which Farah Khan will direct. He is also busy with his animation film Ravan. He does not have time for Don 2 at the moment but yes as everyone knows Shah Rukh is ready to act in the sequel.”

Well as Priyanka said, Don2 is really really far away, it might be ready in 2010 I guess.

Shah Rukh and me have made it on our own” - Akshay at 7:55 AM

As Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi reaches mid-week, it is crystal clear that Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Raj Films have a big money spinner up their sleeves. With no questions being asked about the big opening that Ghajini is all set to take, industry is smiling again. Hat-trick of big bucks flowing in is pretty much on the anvil as Chandni Chowk To China is on it’s way to create a hat-trick of box office winners once it releases on 16th January 2009. No wonder, there is a lot riding on each of these biggies.

Says Akshay Kumar, “Shah Rukh Khan and me are the only actors in the current times who have attained this level of success all on our own without any Godfather backing us. We came without any connections in Bollywood and still have managed to reach this stage by sheer hard work and determination.”

He chooses to shrug away the ‘who amongst the two is supreme’ talk when the question was raised around his rap number in Chandni Chowk To China. In the song composed by Bohemia which would play during the film’s end credit titles, there are a few lines that go as:

“Mera Ek Haath Ka Khel, Sara Bollywood Ek Mera Koi Nahi Mel,
Acting Karne Chale Vaise Hazaaron, Badsaah Ek Baaki Sare Fail”

Is this the superstar talking for himself? “But if you listen carefully, am I bringing in the ’superstar’ angle at all? And there is a lot of other stuff which is being talked about in the song, especially the parts around me coming from the Chandni Chowk lanes and beating the odds to live life on my own terms. Where does he question around me reigning supremacy come in? In any case, a rap number belonging to such situation and genre is all about attitude and this is what is demonstrated in the entire song. Let’s not make much ado about it”, protests Akshay.

When Shah Rukh kissed Anushka at 7:54 AM

After a great debut performance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Shah Rukh Khan introduced Anushka Sharma to the media. This is the 20-year old’s first public appearance after she shifted from modelling to a film career.
SRK was charming, as he joked with his leading lady, and landed the rare kiss on her cheek.

We Khans are three idiots in the industry: Aamir Khan at 7:52 AM

As Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Ghajini vye to capture audience attention, it is once again the clash of titans at the Box-Office.

Both Shah Rukh and Aamir claim their right to stardom’s ace seat. But as far as Three Idiots which incidentally is what Aamir’s next film is called, is concerned the actor says the title should go to the three Khans of Bollywood.

“My next film Three Idiots will have me playing the character of an idiot along with Sharman and Madhavan but Shah Rukh Khan, Salman and I are the three idiots of the film industry,” Aamir joked on a tour to the capital to promote Ghajini.

The actor tried to avoid questions from the fans about the infamous fight between Shah Rukh and Salman. “Fight! how can I dare to fight with Shah Rukh. He is a very good friend and I have a lot of respect and love for him.”

Top 10 most searched Bollywood Stars on the Internet in 2008 at 7:50 AM

Katrina voted Sexiest Asian Woman; also most searched person on Google here the complete list. And Katrina Kaif says: “”I’m very surprised. I really didn’t expect this. Google is the only thing I know on the Internet. I’m not too Internet-savvy. Who doesn’t want to be recognised and loved? I think it’s really sweet because it means I’m a little more popular with the younger generation. People between 19 and 30 go to the Internet more, I think. And that’s the audience I want to connect with,” Katrina Kaif said.”

1 Katrina Kaif
2 Aishwarya Rai
3 Salman Khan
4 Hrithik Roshan
5 Kareena Kapoor
6 Shahid Kapur
7 Deepika Padukone
8 Shah Rukh Khan
9 Mallika Sherawat
10 Genelia D’Souza

In the wake of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, Ayesha Takia’s wedding to restaurateur Farhan Azmi has been called off.

The shaadi was to take place on December 25. It now has been postponed to mid-2009. But a date has not been finalised as yet.

Ayesha is currently in Greece shooting a song for Boney Kapoor’s Wanted. The groom-to-be confirms, “When Ayesha heard the news of the attacks, she broke down. Dad (SP party leader Abu Azmi), was in a hospital recuperating from an operation; he too started crying when he heard about the terrorist attacks. None of us are in the mood for any celebrations this year. Our mood is too grim and somber. There can be no wedding celebrations as of now maybe mid-2009 and that too it will be a small and private affair.”

Farhan adds, “We are all shaken up by what happened. I saw it happening next door, as Nariman House is seven buildings away from our home and very close to the Taj and Oberoi hotels. When the Oberoi was sealed, many guests came from there to Koyla and Cafe Basilico (both owned by Farhan). None wanted to stay, so I took them home. On the first night from Koyla, which is 500m away from the Taj, we could see the fire burning on the sixth floor and hear women and children screaming to be let out ‘please help us’… It still gives me goose bumps to even think about it.”

Ayesha, meanwhile, is busy completing her last three projects Ahmed Khan’s Pathshaala, Nagesh Kukunoor’s Tasveer and Boney Kapoor’s Wanted Dead or Alive. She had earlier informed her producers that she won’t shoot in December, as she was planning to quit acting after tying the knot.

Mallika Sherwat: Sherawat’s birth name is Reema Lamba; she says that she adopted the screen name of “Mallika”, meaning “empress” to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema. “Sherawat” is her mother’s maiden name. She has stated that she uses her mother’s maiden name because of all the support her mother has provided for her. She has obtained a degree in Indian philosophy from Miranda House, Delhi University.

Kareeena Kapoor: Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India into the Kapoor film family of Punjabi origin, Kapoor is the youngest daughter of actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita. According to Kapoor, her first name was derived from the book Anna Karenina. She is the granddaughter of actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor and the great granddaughter of Prithviraj Kapoor. Bebo, as she is fondly called, is also the sister of actress Karisma Kapoor and the niece of actor Rishi Kapoor.

Basu was born in New Delhi, India, into a Bengali family. She is the second of three daughters to her parents, the elder being Bidisha, and the younger—Vijayeta. Although she was born in New Delhi, her family later moved to Kolkata. According to her, she had come into modelling and acting quite by accident, because initially she had planned to study medicine.

bipasa at 7:28 AM

bipasa at 7:26 AM

bipasa at 7:25 AM

Vidya Balan plays ‘bad girl’ in her next flick Ishqiya at 7:20 AM

Vidya Balan has been missing in action ever since she finished making publicity rounds for her last release Kismat Konnection.

Many thought that it was the negative reactions to the film that forced Vidya to get underground but the actress denies to all these rumours and says she busy shooting.

“I was shooting in Wai for Ishqiya, so i wasn’t here. I had just come down to Mumbai for a day in between,” says Vidya.

Bollywood’s good girl will be seen in a negative role for the first time in her forthcoming film Ishqiya opposite Arshad Warsi.

“It is a different character from the kind of characters I have been portraying so far. But in every film I have tried to do something different so I think this is in keeping with that,” adds Vidya.

Meanwhile the buzz around Bollywood is that Vidya has lost out on two films because of Bipasha Basu.

The first being Hook Ya Crook opposite John Abraham.

“It is true that I was offered the role but due to some problem I couldn’t do it and whatever is said is untrue,” claims the actress.

The second movie that she lost was Lamha opposite Sanjay Dutt. The movie now features Bipasha Basu.

“Yes, I was approached to do the film, but I am happy now that they are doing the film with her,” says Vidya.

First look og ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ at 7:16 AM

SMS reveals the climax of Ghajini at 2:26 AM

e climax of the film.

“Someone killed Aamir’s girlfriend and he lost his memory. Then he tries to find out the killer. Suspens… Aamir himself is the killer. Now enjoy Ghajini!” says the SMS that has been doing the rounds on the mobile phones for the past few days.

Whether the SMS is true would only be clear once the film is watched. However, several people have received this SMS through known as well as unknown sources.

Says 22-year-old Surbhi Pant: “I received this SMS a few days back. I was very irritated after reading it because I wanted to watch the film. Now I don’t know if it is true or not. Just in case this is the story of the film, I would be really disappointed, as I know the plot now. Eventually, I thought I should forward it to all my friends.”

The film is the much-hyped Hindi remake of director A.R. Murugadoss’ Tamil hit with the same name.

While the original “Ghajini” featured southern actor Surya Sivakumar along with actress Asin Thottumkal, Murugadoss cast Aamir to play the main lead in the Hindi version and repeats Asin in female lead.

Ghajini is the love story of a rich businessman Sanjay Singhania (Aamir) and a model Kalpana (Asin). The story takes a U-turn when Kalpana is murdered and Sanjay suffers temporary amnesia due to a brain injury. Sanjay’s character sets out to take revenge from those responsible for Kalpana’s death.

While in the Tamil version of Ghajini, Sanjay finds the murderer and completes his revenge by killing him; the ending has been altered in the Hindi version.

Namitha caught nude on camera? at 2:16 AM

The buxom babe Namitha has been caught on the camera. A video clipping is now doing the rounds on the internet. In the video, a buxom lady is seen changing her clothes.

The video first shows the heroine from the back and later as she turns around, the camera captures her with her top completely exposed. She is seen with just a panty and her heavy twin assets fully exposed.

The hidden camera could have been placed inside a caravan. Some of the top actors are provided with a caravan by the film makers to enable them to relax in between shots and also for changing their costumes.

Asin on Vogue at 2:14 AM

Ranbir ’slaps’ Katrina, Akshay saves her again at 2:13 AM

In case you didn’t know Katrina Kaif is very accident prone.

A month ago Ranbir Kapoor missed his cue and slapped Katrina Kaif so hard on the sets of Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, her face ballooned and shooting had to be cancelled.

Last week Katrina got her leg rather badly injured at Film City in Mumbai while shooting for Priyadarshan’s Dhan Dhana Dhan.

According to members of the cast, Katrina was doing an underwater sequence with Akshay Kumar when her foot got tangled under water.

Says a source, “The more she tried to extricate herself the more her leg got tangled. She tried to scream for help. But because of the noise on the sets including the stunt co-ordinators who were shouting instructions to the entire cast, no one heard Katrina’s screams of pain.”

Finally it was up to the film’s leading man Akshay Kumar to do the needful.

Says the source, “Akshay saw Katrina was in trouble. He quickly swam to her and got her out of the tangle.”

Katrina leg was bruised and bloodied. Panic prevailed on Priyan’s sets for a while until medicos arrived and took care of Katrina’s wounded leg.

“It could’ve been worse, ” shudders the source, “But tetanus shots and sedatives have eased her pain.” When contacted Katrina tries to downplay the incident. “It was nothing.I hurt my leg. Nothing serious at all. There was a cut that hasn’t healed as yet. So I’m in a lot of pain.”

‘Saif is fine, undergoing treatment’ at 2:12 AM

Saif Ali Khan was on Thursday (December 25) admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of abdominal pain.

Hospital spokesperson Mohan Rajan said 38-year-old Saif was undergoing treatment but refused to reveal more details.

However, actor’s mother Sharmila Tagore told TIMES NOW,” He has been admitted for stomach infection for some drips, he will be there for 24 hours or so for obversation. But, he is completely out of danger.”

Coming out of the hospital last night, actress Karishma Kapoor also said that the actor was out of danger.

“He is absolutely fine. He had an acute case of stomach infection…he will be out in a day or two,” she said.

Saif had spent a week in a Mumbai hospital last year after complaining of chest pain.

The actor had undergone an emergency appendectomy surgery after complaining of abdomen pain during a shoot in Kuala Lumpur in early 2006.

raaz the mystery continues at 2:02 AM

billo barber at 7:46 AM

Billo Barber Trailer at 7:40 AM

Billo Barber Billo Barber Trailer Shahrukh Khan Irrfan Khan Kareena Kapoor Priyanka Chopra

At 43, Salman still amongst Bollywood's hottest bachelors at 7:35 AM

New Delhi, He set pulse racing with his suave and charismatic approach as Prem in “Maine Pyar Kiya”. Two decades and more than 70 films later, Salman Khan, who turns 43 Saturday, is still among Bollywood's most sought after stars and hottest bachelors.

At a time when fresh faces are entering the film industry, Salman, who is considered a part of the formidable Khan trio - Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan - still makes girls go weak in the knees not only because of his body which is close to absolute perfection, but also because of his alluring charm. 

Miss World first runner-up and a Salman fan Parvathy Omanakuttan has said: “I would love to do a movie opposite Salman Khan, as I have a big time crush on him.”

He might be infamous for his line of controversies, but industry insiders say that the actor is boyishly likeable.

"I must say that Salman has a heart of gold,” filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who directed Salman in recently released film “Yuvvraaj”, told IANS.

“When I was working with him on my film, not even once did I feel that I'm working with a star. I felt I'm working with a family member, a younger brother," he added. 

Echoing the same, Priyanka Chopra, who played his leading lady in "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" and "God Tussi Great Ho", had said: “Salman is always fun on the sets”.

Born to renowned scriptwriter Salim, Salman made his acting debut as a supporting actor with the film “Biwi Ho To Aisi” in 1988. He had his first commercial success as the lead with the blockbuster “Maine Pyar Kiya”. 

After this he went on to do commercially and critically rewarding films such as “Saajan”, “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun”, “Biwi No.1”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, “Tere Naam” and “Partner”, among others.

The actor has also won two Filmfare Awards including Best Debut for “Maine Pyar Kiya” and Best Supporting Actor for “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”

Salman's penchant for a fit body is no secret. He was one of the first actors to take a plunge into bodybuilding and since then has given tips for that fab look to many including Hritik Roshan.

Singer Sonu Nigam, who took initial exercising lessons from the actor, has said: “We are familiar with his perfect six-pack abs and the upper body muscles, but fans have yet to see his muscular legs, which are so perfect. I think he should expose his legs too.”

Salman's talent is not just confined to the film domain. The multifaceted star often indulges actively in his by-now-famous passion for painting.

Recently, Salman painted two portraits of his contemporary Aamir Khan on black canvasses, showing his interpretations of the character Aamir plays in his new film.

The small screen too got a taste of the six-pack hunk when he agreed to host Synergy Adlabs' reality show “Dus Ka Dum” on Sony channel.

“Salman was most cooperative and an exceptionally generous and hospitable host, which I believe came through in the show,” said Siddhartha Basu, head of Synergy Adlabs. 

“He seemed to enjoy the experience and along with his very personal style and star charisma, his genuine generosity, warmth and connect with ordinary people was evident on the show, together with explosive bursts of energy and a gut feel for entertainment,” he added. 

Salman is the fourth Indian actor to have been a wax statue in the Madame Tussauds museum in London. 

Though box office success eluded the actor this year with duds like “God Tussi Great Ho”, “Hello”, “Heroes”, and “Yuvvraaj”, he can keep his hopes up, as he has a new release on the horizon, “London Dream”

Why am I still getting Mr. Bachchan's rejects, asks Naseeruddin Shah at 7:32 AM

Mumbai, Naseeruddin Shah, one of the finest actors in filmdom, has a major career problem - he says he is being offered the films that are rejected by Amitabh Bachchan.

This embarrassing state of affairs just after having delivered a hit like "A Wednesday" at the box office is quite intolerable to Naseer whose follow-up to "A Wednesday" is Jagmohan Mundra's "Shoot On Sight", a film which was first offered to Amitabh.

"There's no change at all. I'm still being offered films turned down by Mr. Bachchan. In fact, I'm surprised that 'A Wednesday' proved a survivor. I thought it'd get killed," Naseer told IANS.

After that Paresh Rawal's "Maharathi" too was offered to Amitabh first. When he refused to play the role, Naseer was roped in to do it.

But isn't Naseer being slightly cynical in his opinion that all the offers coming his way first go to the Big B?

"It doesn't take too much imagination to know whom a role is written for when the character being offered to me is described as 'a towering personality with a baritone'," he said.

Naseer even gets offers for characters with physical attributes defined by the Big B's personality.

"One script actually said 'with a neat white goatee'. Can it get any clearer? I can show you the scripts. And these scripts don't even bother to disguise whom they really want for the part. They feel I should be 'honoured' to be getting these roles!"

It isn't as if Naseer is resentful. But he is well within his rights to wonder why he has not been able to stake a claim to an individual and unique position in the film industry after 30 years of superlative performances.

In fact, the Big B recently said he wished to share screen space with Naseer, an eventuality that hasn't occurred after so many years in the industry and careers that started at about the same time.

"While I am getting all these rejects of Mr Bachchan, there's one role that I rejected and he eventually accepted. It's Kaizad Gustad's 'Boom'."

Ask Naseer why he rejected that one. "It stank," comes the prompt and straight reply.

Priyanka, Akshay together again, for a show at 7:29 AM

Mumbai, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra, who had stopped working together in spite of doing successful films like "Aitraaz" and "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi", came together after a four-year gap for a show in Hong Kong.

Akshay and Priyanka performed together on stage Thursday for Christmas at the Convention Centre in Hong Kong for the show - From Chandni Chowk To Hong Kong.

"Yes, I performed on stage with Akshay Kumar in Hong Kong. It was great fun," Priyanka, who has delivered two hits in the row - "Fashion" and "Dostana" - told IANS.

And what a rollicking show it was! Audiences have been craving to see the hit pair together for three years. Joining the pair was Bipasha Basu. 

For reasons best known to them, Akshay and Priyanka, who came together for the first time in "Andaaz", were never seen as a couple on screen after "Waqt - Race Against Time". So deep was the cleft between the pair that Suneel Darshan had to scrap an Akshay-Priyanka starrer after picturising a song with them.

After Priyanka drifted away, Akshay tried to form a screen pair with Kareena Kapoor by doing some not so successful films like "Talaash", "Bewafaa" and "Tashan". When that didn't work too well, the actor turned to Katrina Kaif for professional sustenance.

I prefer to play dark characters: Emraan Hashmi at 7:28 AM

New Delhi, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who has stayed away from doing boy-next-door kind of roles, maintains that he would rather portray dark characters than do roles where he would be required to dance around trees.

"I prefer to do dark characters. That's closer to me and that's what I enjoy doing more. I cannot insanely dance around trees; at least till the time the role really doesn't demand that," Emraan told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

The actor is yet again playing a character with grey shades in his upcoming supernatural thriller "Raaz - The Mystery Continues", a sequel to the Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea starrer 2002 hit film "Raaz".

"I'm playing a painter. He can foresee the future and paints the same on his canvas. My character is dark and complicated and has no contact with the outside world," Emraan said.

Isn't he nervous about the comparison being made with the original?

"I'm sure there will be comparisons with the earlier 'Raaz'. That's bound to happen," said Emraan. But I'm sure that people will love this one too since it's got all the ingredients to be successful at the box office. This film has a different plot and will give a new definition to the horror genre."

The film, being co-produced by Sony BMG and Vishesh Films, is set to release Jan 23 next year. Emraan has teamed up with Kangana Ranaut and Shekhar Suman's son Adhyayan in the movie.

Emraan, who entered Hindi filmdom in 2003 with "Footpath", shot to fame with hit films like "Murder", "Zeher", "Aashiq Banaya Aapne" and "Gangster - A Love Story", among others.

The actor is usually seen only in the films produced by the Bhatt camp.

"I am very comfortable with Vishesh Films and the Bhatt (Mukesh and Mahesh) camp. They churn out good films and have always given me scripts that helped me to prove myself. Every actor is hungry for good roles and Vishesh Films has always given me challenging characters to portray," explained Emraan.

The actor, who was once infamous for his "serial kisser" tag, is gradually trying to break away from the image.

"I've not done kissing scenes in my last three films. I don't know why people have typecast me and put me in that bracket. I don't do things unnecessarily, a particular shot is given only if the scene and the role demand it," he said.

Emraan's other forthcoming films are "Raftaar" with Esha Deol and "Tum Milean" with Soha Ali Khan

Southern star Asin shifting base to Mumbai at 7:27 AM

Mumbai, With several Bollywood projects in hand, southern beauty Asin Thottumkal is moving lock, stock and barrel to Mumbai from Chennai and has almost finalised a house in Bandra. What's more, her parents have given up their jobs to look after their talented daughter's flourishing career.

"I've been travelling non-stop. I had no time to look around and find a place. But now we're finalising a place in Bandra. Hopefully, by new year I'll lock in to the place. Right now we feel a little unsettled. In Mumbai, you desperately need your own home," Asin, who made her Hindi film debut with the just released "Ghajini", told IANS.

Asin's parents have moved from Chennai to Mumbai with her.

"Both of them gave up their jobs to be with me. Mom is a doctor. She has taken voluntary retirement. She manages my home now. And dad had seven business enterprises. He gave them up to look after my career. Right now I'm quite a handful and worth more than all his business ventures," she laughs delightedly.

Asin, who is a fun-loving and loves to talk, admits she was asked to keep quiet till "Ghajini" hits the screen. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Allu Arvind, the film starring Aamir Khan in main lead was released Friday.

"The marketing team felt that I should maintain a distance from the press until the film's release. However, that didn't stop speculative write-ups about me. I read things about myself that I didn't know," she said.

Like feeling insecure about her co-star Jiah Khan?

"Is that really me? I've worked in South Indian films with female co-stars and never felt insecure. I worked with Nayantara in the Tamil 'Ghajini' without any conflict. Why would I feel threatened by Jiah?

"Was this a publicity strategy? It was being implied that I was somehow responsible for keeping Jiah out of the publicity. I don't know how one heroine can influence a huge marketing strategy," she said.

Jiah and Asin have no scenes together. "But we have of course met and we're very cordial with one another. We got along fine. I've had no fights with anyone in Tamil or Hindi cinema so far. All these stories of friction make me feel strange."

Asin also denies reports that she was under contract with the "Ghajini" makers.

"I'm under no contract. Didn't I sign 'London Dreams' while 'Ghajini' was being shot? If I haven't signed another film, it's because I haven't come across anything exciting. I was supposed to do Priyadarshan's film with Akshay Kumar, but that clashed with promotional dates of 'Ghajini'," Asin said.

She will be moving into her new home in Bandra in January.

"But even without my own home I feel at home in Mumbai. For one almost the entire unit of 'Ghajini' was south Indian. Most of them were people I had worked with. So we were constantly chattering on the sets in Tamil or Telugu. Except, of course, Aamir who was new to all of us."

"London Dreams" was much tougher.

"The total crew was totally Bollywood. So practically speaking 'London Dreams' is my first Bollywood experience. 'Ghajini' was easier than my second Hindi film 'London Dreams' where I had to start from scratch with the character. In 'Ghajini', my character remained untampered except the language. Here I was speaking Hindi instead of Tamil. Otherwise no changes," said Asin whose Hindi has always been good and she doesn't require any dubbing.

How different is Aamir from Salman Khan?

"While Aamir mulls overs scenes, Salman must be prepared from beforehand because you don't see him rehearse on the sets. But everyone in Mumbai is thoroughly professional."

Tehran Film Festival to honour Amitabh Bachchan at 7:26 AM

New Delhi, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has been invited by the Tehran Film Festival to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. However, the actor is not sure he would be able to attend the event.

“The Film Festival in Tehran invites me to honour me with a Lifetime Achievement (Award). I wonder if it will be possible for me to go there. I have another decoration in Davos at the (World) Economic Forum that I have accepted around the same time,” Amitabh wrote on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

The actor will also be flying to Paris for the Salon du Cinema next month where some of his films, including “Sholay”, “Black”, “Sarkar Raj” and “The Last Lear”, will be on screened

100 percent collections for 'Ghajini' on opening day at 7:24 AM

Mumbai, Actor Aamir Khan's latest film "Ghajini" rocked the box office, taking in 100 percent collections across the country on its opening day Thursday, an executive of the movie's India distributor said.

Aamir Khan, who was present at the trial run of the movie at a preview theatre in Mumbai Wednesday, reportedly said that "Ghajini" has created a record by becoming the first Bollywood movie in recent times for which the tickets had been sold in advance for all five days of the opening week across the country.

According to trade reports, in view of the unprecedented audience expectation for the film, the multiplexes are asking the distributors to increase the number of prints. 

The decision in this regard has not yet to be taken. 

The movie has been released within the country with 1400 prints. Reliance BIG Pictures has released 213 prints overseas.

Meanwhile, "Ghajini" raked in Rs.70 million during 650 paid previews at multiplexes in India Wednesday. 

"Although the movie has not received uniform favourable reviews, the hype created around it has worked wonders and there is little doubt that the movie will turn out to be a superhit," said trade analyst V. Verma

Katrina Kaif is accident prone at 7:23 AM

Mumbai, Katrina Kaif is very accident prone. A month ago, Ranbir Kapoor missed his cue and slapped her so hard on the sets of "Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani" that her face got swollen badly and shooting had to be cancelled. Last week, she got her leg rather badly injured while shooting for "De Dhana Dhan".

According to cast members at Film City here, Katrina was doing an underwater sequence with Akshay Kumar when her foot got tangled under water.

"The more she tried to extricate herself the more her leg got tangled. She tried to scream for help, but because of the noise on the sets including the stunt co-ordinators who were shouting instructions to the entire cast, no one heard Katrina's screams of pain," a source told IANS.

Finally, Akshay bailed her out. 

"Akshay saw that Katrina was in trouble. He quickly swam to her and got her out of the tangle," said the source.

Katrina's leg was badly hurt. "It could've been worse," said the source, "but tetanus shots and sedatives have eased her pain." 

When contacted, Katrina tried to downplay the incident saying: "It was nothing. I hurt my leg. There was a cut that hasn't healed as yet. So I'm in pain."

Asin unveils Salman's painting of Aamir's Ghajini look at 7:21 AM

Mumbai, Asin, the leading lady of "Ghajini", Wednesday unveiled a painting of Aamir Khan's "Ghajini" look by Salman Khan here.

She showed no signs of tension about the uncertainty that prevailed throughout Wednesday afternoon about the movie's scheduled release Dec 25 as she unveiled the painting at the INOX at Nariman Point in South Mumbai.

The painting was special for her not only because Aamir is her leading man in the movie, but also because it was the work of Bollywood's painter of leisure, Salman Khan, who has created a life-like portrait of his colleague based on the "Ghajini" look.

She said she was "highly impressed" by the creative talent of the star "who can paint so well".

Asin, who makes her Bollywood debut with "Ghajini", is all set to create a strong foothold for herself in Hindi movies and Salman Khan is among the stars she may soon be paired with if everything goes as planned.

UTV suspends all commercial deals with Pakistan at 7:20 AM

New Delhi, UTV Software Communications Tuesday temporarily deferred all deals with Pakistan in an endeavour to support the Indian government in demanding stricter action against terrorism emanating from across the border.

The UTV has decided not to release any of its forthcoming films in the neighbouring market until the issue was satisfactorily resolved. 

"Pakistan is an important market. But in the present situation it is important for all companies to support our government in its demand for strong action by the government of Pakistan against terrorism,” said Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO of UTV motion pictures, in a statement.

“We would be happy to resume business in Pakistan once we all see affirmative action,” he added.

The entertainment and media network has also withdrawn plans of launching two of its channels - Bindass and Bindass Movies in the country

Madras High Court stays screening of Aamir starrer 'Ghajini' at 7:17 AM

Chennai/Mumbai, The Madras High Court Tuesday stayed the release of the much-awaited Aamir Khan-starred Hindi film "Ghajini", two days before it was to hit the screens worldwide after the producers of the Tamil film on which it is based filed objections.

Justice P.R. Shivakumar granted the stay after A. Chandrasekaran, the producer of the original Tamil film of the same name, filed a suit claiming that the producers of the Hindi remake had "fabricated documents to claim ownership over the remake rights". 

Senior Counsel A.R.L. Sundaresan who appeared for the petitioner told IANS: "The judge has accepted our plea that Geetha Arts and director A.R. Murugadoss had fabricated documents to claim ownership over the remake rights of the movie 'Ghajini', which our clients had not assigned at all."

"Our matter is not connected to any other matter in any other court," he said, referring to the Bombay High Court order allowing release of the film.

"Our colleagues have filed a caveat to meet any appeal filed during the winter vacation starting tomorrow (Wednesday) in view of the release that was scheduled on Dec 25 - which has now been stayed," Sundaresan added.

"Ghajini", a revenge saga, has Aamir Khan in the lead role and Asin plays his love interest. 

In the petition filed in the Bombay High Court, Mumbai-based K.B.C. Pictures had sought a stay claiming "Ghajini" infringed its copyright of a film being made by them on the same subject entitled "Kahani Ghajini Ki". 

Film industry circles say an amount of at least Rs.1.2 billion was riding on the Hindi remake.

Mumbai reports said earlier that Rs.140 million had been spent on the Hindi version's publicity alone.

According to the Hindi version's producer Madhu Mantena, various brands being endorsed by actor Aamir Khan have joined hands for the Rs.140-million promotional campaign, the costliest ever Bollywood movie.

"This kind of promotional campaign is necessary to create a hype around the film, so that more people become aware of its release," Mantena said.

Some brands associated with the campaign have come out with their new product lines. 

While clothing brand Van Heusen has already launched its new 'Ghajini' apparel, the mobile instrument and accessories' company Samsung has come out with two special edition mobile sets, L700 and M200. These two models are pre-loaded with 'Ghajini' ringtones, songs and pictures.

ghajini review at 7:14 AM

Cast: Aamir Khan, Asin Thottumkal, Pradeep Rawat, Jiah Khan and others
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Rating: **1/2

"Ghajini" is a simple and straightforward revenge story, but Aamir Khan's bravura performance makes it an extraordinary watch. The film brings back the popular theme of the '80s and early '90s - revenge, romance, action and thrill with a nice touch of humour. 

Just like Christopher Nolan's "Memento", the past and present are juxtaposed neatly in "Ghajini" that has great action scenes excellently choreographed. Director A.R. Murugadoss maintains the thrill till the end. 

After playing a sensitive teacher in "Taare Zameen Par", Aamir goes for a role reversal in "Ghajini" and impresses as an amnesiac killer. His agility and ruthlessness in the action scenes make it a compelling watch. 

Now the flaws. 

In terms of script, the film has nothing new to offer. What actually plays spoilsport in the film is the romance sequence. Although love forms the basis of the revenge that the protagonist seeks, the romantic scenes are neither written properly nor executed convincingly. 

Also, Asin's character is not etched out properly and her acting skills are not impressive either. She looks good in a few scenes, especially in song sequences.

Comparatively Jiah Khan, who has a sizeable role, does a better job as a medical student. She looks quite hot in the "Lattoo" song. 

Sanjay Singhania (Aamir), a businessman tycoon who owns a cellular phone company named Air Voice, falls in love with Kalpana (Asin), a struggling model who fabricates a story that she is dating Sanjay in order to get big offers though she has never met him. She goes to the extent of giving an interview about her relationship with Sanjay to a magazine. 

Irritated by Kalpana's lies, Sanjay decides to confront her. On his way to meeting her, he sees a young girl (who happens to be Kalpana) helping handicapped children. At the studio he is pleasantly surprised to realise that Kalpana is the same helpful girl he had seen. He chooses to hide his identity. 

Thereafter Sanjay keeps meeting Kalpana and their romance blossoms. He never reveals his true identity. The two decide to get married.

Meanwhile, Sanjay has to go to London on some business deal. While he is abroad, Kalpana saves a group of young girls from flesh traders led by the don, Ghajini (Pradeep Rawat). When Ghajini comes to Kalpana's house to avenge the loss and embarassment, incidentally, Sanjay too arrives. 

Ghajini kills Kalpana and injures Sanjay with a heavy iron rod that causes him to lose his memory.

Apart from Aamir's admirable performance, the film's editing and music are excellent. 

The film is good in bits and pieces. There are several loopholes in the film and scenes that leave many questions unanswered. The director takes an easy way out by not detailing the scenes. 

Undoubtedly, Aamir is the highlight of "Ghajini", and it is worth a watch for his sake.

Aamir gets set to shed the macho look at 5:34 AM

 Beating King Khan’s record by pumping two extra abs, Aamir Khan is now gearing up to shed the 8-pack macho look and return to his original cute boy frame.

The actor, who underwent months of training and sweated his guts out to don that killer sculpted shape, is now working equally hard to do away with that raunchy appeal. As against his earlier regime where he breathed every single breath working out, this time round he is keeping miles away from the gym.

In order to reduce his bulk the actor has taken on his favourite sport Badminton instead. “I had put in all my efforts to build the body. But the look was for a film and now that its shooting is over, I don`t want to remain that way. I know that that there is a trend in our film industry for heroes to sport six-packs, but I don`t intend to follow any”. 

Looks like Aamir can get rid of his six-pack abs but there is no getting away from his poke fun wit. 

`Jodhaa Akbar` selected for BAFTA awards in London at 5:30 AM

After bagging the prestigious Grand Pix award at the Golden Minbar, the filmfestival for Muslim cinema held at Kazan in Russia recently, Ashutosh Gowariker`s magnum opus `Jodhaa Akbar` is all set to rock Britain. The movie has enthralled the jury and the audiences at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards in London.

The Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan starrer has been nominated in the Best Foreign film category of the BAFTA.

Jinxed Ghajini’s December 25 release cleared; court lifts stay at 5:25 AM

Mumbai, Dec 24: The Madras High Court on Wednesday lifted the stay on the release of Aamir Khan’s much-awaited flick ‘Ghajini’, on the condition that its producer will pay Rs 5 crores and 50 percent of the profit made from the remake to A Chandrasekaran, the producer of the original Tamil film with the same title.

The order came after a special hearing and clears the way for the film’s release as per schedule on December 25.

On Tuesday, the HC had stayed the release of the film after A Chandrasekaran filed a suit claiming that the producers of the Hindi remake of ‘Ghajini’ had "fabricated documents to claim ownership over the remake rights". 

The film has already drawn crowds to the theaters recording the biggest ever advance booking. Industry experts say that an estimated amount of at least Rs 1.2 billion is riding on the Aamir Khan starrer flick.

Aamir`s ‘Ghajini’ is a remake of AR Murugadoss` Tamil film ‘Ghajini’, starring Surya, Asin and Nayantara. Murugadoss and Asin are part of the Hindi adaptation as well

Like Aamir, I'm also quite a perfectionist: Asin at 5:17 AM

New Delhi, Aamir Khan's perfectionist attitude often sends jitters down his co-stars' spines. But southern beauty Asin, who is set to make her Bollywood debut with Aamir in "Ghajini", says she had no issues matching up to the superstar as she too always settles for nothing but the best.

"People often call Aamir a perfectionist and a tough taskmaster, but I didn't have any problem matching up to him because I'm also quite a workaholic. We gelled quite well as far as the demand of perfection was concerned. Even I like things to be the best," Asin told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.

Just like any other girl her age, 23-year-old Asin has been a huge Aamir fan.

"I have always admired Aamir and have enjoyed his movies 'Lagaan' and 'Dil Chahta Hai' and also loved 'Taare Zameen Par'. I have danced a lot on 'Dil Chahta Hai' songs with my friends," she said.

After working with the superstar, she says he is unlike what the media and industry project him to be.

"Shooting with Aamir was great fun. He isn't as serious as he is projected to be. He is highly dedicated to his work but is very cool and easy to work with. He's a simple person, very genuine and frank about his opinions despite having such a good stature in Bollywood," said Asin.

The actress, who was brought up in Kerala and debuted in Sathyan Anthikad's Malayalam film "Narendra Makan Jayakanthan Vaka" in 2001, also starred in the Tamil version of "Ghajini" released in 2005. It was in this film that she received her second South Filmfare Award for best actress.

Asin has been kept away from the promotions of the Hindi remake thanks to Aamir's knack for keeping his cast away from the media prior to the release. But she is nonchalant.

"I have not felt overshadowed by Aamir's publicity at all. Actually, I'm not used to all this really because we don't have it in the south film industry. The marketing team for 'Ghajini' has its strategy to promote the film in the right manner. If Aamir is promoting the film in the north, I am doing it in the south," she said.

Besides, Asin believes publicity is something that would only bring people to the theatres. Liking or not liking the film is in the viewers' hands, she said.

According to her, though audiences down south have already seen and appreciated the original "Ghajini", they would surely revisit theatres for Aamir's charm.

"Aamir has got a huge fan following and he is the highlight of the film. In fact, since a lot of people down south have seen the Tamil version of the film, they will now probably come to theatres just to watch Aamir.

"I have no issues about that as 'Ghajini' is the story of Sanjay Singhania, played by Aamir. So the fact that his presence is being highlighted is completely justified," said Asin.

As of now, the actress is "excited but anxious" of how her "new audience" will react to her performance when "Ghajini" hits theatres worldwide.

Her next Bollywood release after "Ghajini" would be Vipul Shah's "London Dreams" in which she stars alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan. She is also a part of Walt Disney's multi-lingual project "19 Steps" and would be sharing screen space with south Indian superstar Kamal Haasan and Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano.

Court stays Aamir’s ‘Ghajini’ release after Tamil producer’s objection at 6:47 AM

Mumbai, Dec 23: The Madras High Court has stayed the release of Aamir Khan’s much-hyped film - ‘Ghajini’. The producer of the original Tamil ‘Ghajini’ objected to the film’s release, and applied for stay orders. Bollywood’s last and most awaited film for this year has now been put on hold.

Aamir Khan, the producer of the Hindi remake, is in a fix about the release date, which was scheduled to be this Christmas. The objection of Salem A Chandrasekaran, producer of the Tamil film, came as a surprise as the adaptation had been amicably agreed upon by both the Hindi and Tamil filmmakers in the past. AR Murugadoss, the director of the Tamil ‘Ghajini’, is also the director of the Hindi remake.

So far, producer-actor of the film, Aamir Khan, is unavailable for comment, and further information about the release date is yet to be announced.

‘Ghajini’ in Tamil language was a 2005 release, and it won over Aamir Khan with a tight, thrilling plot that revolves around the mysterious murder of an innocent girl. Asin, the heroine, is also common in both the versions. The film promised some high-octane action sequences, and Aamir donned a tough, eight-pack look for the same.