Kat becomes eye candy for Akki

Katrina Kaif role in most of her flicks was just of an arm candy. Post New York she decided she wouldn’t play arm-candy anymore but bent the rules for good friend Akshay.

She says, My reason for accepting this film is only because Akshay asked me if I would do it.” 

“Akshay is a friend and I could never refuse. The two of us have given some of the biggest hits together. When I learnt De Dana Dan is Akshay’s home production (Akshay’s Hari Om Productions is producing the film in partnership with Ratan Jain’s Venus Productions) I said yes without hesitation.”

Talking about playing an arm-candy, Katrina says, “I have played the arm candy in one too many films in the past. Post New York, I have Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti where I’m the only girl with superb male actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Nana Patekar and Arjun Rampal. It is a performance oriented film for me and that’s the way I would ideally like most of my future films to be.”

Moving over to De Dana Dan, Katrina says, t has a host of almost 22 super actors. Obviously, there may not be too much of me on screen.”

Katrina is currently filming Prakash Jha’s Rajniti.

Shahid Kapoor: I don’t miss Kareena

Shahid Kapoor in a recent tell-all interview revealed that he doesn’t miss Kareena Kapoor at all.

He says, “I have moved on in life. I don’t miss her. It’s been quite long. I am happy to be where I am. I am not in love and if there is someone, people will eventually come to know. Till then, people should keep patience. However, I will not go outside and wave. I feel very loved by the masses; they want me to get settled for good.”

Shahid however talks about his dream woman, “My dream woman is someone who is real. By real, I mean honest and straight-up…someone who tries to understand me as a person and does not care for the persona. Someone, who is very simple. No, I don’t think I have met her. Love cannot be planned and it happens. It can happen now, it may happen five years down the line. My search continues…”

All girls love in love with Shahid, you have a chance now!

On a Date with Priyanka Chopra - Part 2

Priyanka Chopra has moved from rom-com success to weightier drama. But, writes UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel, its hard work telling when the acting stops and the real Priyanka Chopra starts. Part two of 'On a Date with Priyanka Chopra' continues....

She's not one of those Bollywood stars who plays on her stardom to have you listen to her on other issues. She's worth listening to because of her own inherent intelligence, experience and background. In films, she suggests so much while saying so little - anger, desperation, loneliness, humour - all through the tiniest movements of a tight-lipped mouth. Priyanka has often portrayed women of rare strength, despite her super glamorous image.

Her professionalism is to the core and so is her privacy when she informs me, "I don't invite cameras in my house. I don't mind doing a one off interview sometimes but don't want it to become national television where everyone comes to know what my house looks like." 

I ask her whether she considers herself lucky. "There was a lot of being at the right place at the right time but there was also a lot of not getting the right films to start off with. If I missed out on a film, somebody up there was making place for something better to come along. That has made me a very positive person because I've seen it happen in my life too."

Her accent is American but she is a rooted Indian who came back after four years of studying in the United States. "I remember one day when I suddenly decided to come back to India because of racist issues back in the States. I left India when I was twelve and came back when I was sixteen. My father saw me as a grown up girl and I was happy. But was very upset that I came back. It was all well. I often myself questioned why I came back; just because of the racist issues or because I missed home." But little did Miss Priyanka Chopra know that her home coming was going to take her the world over in years to come. "I then wanted to go to Australia and study engineering and I was applying in colleges out there. The next thing I see myself becoming Miss India and then Miss World. For a girl picked up from school in a school uniform and then be standing on the world stage wearing the Miss World crown was ridiculous."

Call Priyanka destiny's child and she will agree. "Yes. My life has entirely been a twist of destiny. So I've left it up to it. I never plan my life and what I do at this moment is what matters to me. I'm not worried about tomorrow." Good for me too because I never planned this gorgeous 'date'. It just happened. 

What's Kaminey going to bring out in her? "I'm going to make people laugh a little bit. My character is very endearing and small, comparatively. My role of Sweety has no interest in studies and likes going to the boys' hostel and hangs out with her boyfriend. It's a sweet love story and very grounded. She doesn't have time to go through the make up routine. She puts on her Indian dress, makes her choti (Indian hairstyle) and out she goes. It was very liberating for me to do that."

Watching Chopra talk so much felt like watching a movie. It was liberating. But reading scripts does engage this Miss World quite a lot. "I love reading scripts. I also proof read scripts for friends. It's a good way to pass my time. We did a lot of reading sessions for Kaminey because it's an interactive film."

Her film talk continues. "The title of the film is really doing wonders for the film. When my director Vishal told me that the film is titled 'Kaminey' I thought he was joking. It is definitely something that's making people inquisitive." She adds, "The film is a very different take on the way Indian cinema has been. The characters are so real that you can touch them, feel them and talk to them. My character of Sweety and Shahid Kapoor's character of Guddu are lovable. Kaminey is probably Vishal Bhardwaj's most commercial films. It's an action comedy caper like Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels type. Kaminey caters to an intelligent audience. It intrigues you because it looks different, it has got music which touches your tastes somewhere and here is my role of a middle class girl who is a sister of a local mafia don going to college whose aim in life is to get married."

Priyanka's manners are impeccable. She's smart enough to talk at length without letting her guard down. But she noticeably retreats when the conversation turns personal. But I like slipping in things. "What about your marriage plans?" I ask. I see Priyanka sensed this one coming. "You do a lot of these things, don't you Devansh? Nicely slipped in", she comments.

With her career's soaring success, I ask Chopra whether marriage eventually will take a back seat if and when she does get married. "I think that happens to everyone isn't it? There are some professions which need priority. I really believe that from the age of 18 to say 35 is the only time where you will be working with the zest. The rest of the years you can get married and have kids. It's a balancing act."

Not many are aware of the fact that the former Miss World is a big foodie. She believes that London serves the best Indian food. When asked whether she would prefer the famous Mushy Peas of London, she replies, "I hate mushy peas but love boiled peas with lots of butter with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. That's yummy." Along with foods, she is a voracious reader too. Her favourite book is 'Letters by a father to his daughter' by Jawaharlal Nehru. 

Having met Priyanka in the past, she reckons that I'll like her new film. "I think I know that you'll like Kaminey. I can sense it", she says. She also checks on her fear. "But you will criticise the film too, isn't it?" she wants to know. I answer, "I will if I want to and if the film deserves to be criticised." Pat comes her comment, "You should."

Ever thought of being a part of the London's musicals or America's Broadway? "I love stage. It's something else. I've seen Mama Mia in Las Vegas. I'd love to perform one day on stage. It may sound tragic but because of my non vacation life since the last six years it's been difficult to cherish the best musicals or broadways. I just can't take out time and though it may sound stupid, I cannot explain it to people."

"Once everybody leaves the seventh floor of Priyanka Chopra's apartment I clean up. This is how I am: real and clean," she confesses. So as I prepare to leave, my eyes spot her picking up the gift wrap lying on the floor. There she was: the real Priyanka Chopra.

Emraan Hashmi speaks out; minority commission's verdict today

Friends close to Emraan Hashmi insist he will fight out the issue to its bitter end, no matter how isolated he may be in his battle to prove that sections of supposedly progressive metropolitan Mumbai practice religious segregation.

Says a source very close to Emraan, "He moves around with a lot of security. It's a precautionary measure. Emraan has filed a complaint with the minority commission. It will come to its decision today, the 10th August. Until they do, he's in danger. Emraan is not really troubled. His house IS looking like a fortress. The police complaint doesn't deter Emraan at all. It's an age-old ploy to silence you. No one can accuse Emraan of inciting communal disharmony. Religious discrimination in buying and renting property has been going on for a very long time. No one talked about it openly. It's a sensitive issue." Now the people who denied Emraan property are tripping over changing their statements repeatedly. "They said he was kept out because Emraan was serial kisser. For some reason they also made up an absurd allegation that Emraan's parents barged into the office of the property dealers. Emraan's parents had taken a proper appointment and gone and they were treated badly. They were told the housing society people were busy. Emraan was enraged because his parents were badly treated. He had earlier bought an apartment in 2007 in Pali Hill. But there was no such problem. This was his first real encounter with discrimination."

Now the people whom the actor was trying to buy property from have buckled under. Says Emraan's friend, "The prospective property seller now says he doesn't want to sell. But for Emraan it is no longer about personal hurt. He's standing up for an issue. People have accused him of doing this to gain publicity. Let them say what they like. He has no releases in the next few months. Emraan doesn't care what the cynics say."

About the lack of support from within the industry, Emraan's friend says, "He wasn't expecting any real support. Javed and Shabana have spoken on it. Also, Saif, Emraan didn't raise his voice hoping to get support. Emraan is prepared to take the issue to its logical issue. He hopes people will no longer keep quiet about being denied property in spite of being law-abiding citizens and paying taxes."

For Emraan the issue has become much larger than a personal one. Says Emraan, "The problem of being denied property on grounds of religion is prevalent all over the country. Now so many Muslims have come forward claiming the same. And mind you, I know religious profiling works both ways. I know of Muslim colonies where Hindus are not allowed to stay. I spoke out as a segregated citizen, not a Muslim. I want all discrimination in property allotment to go. Otherwise why do we call ourselves a democracy?"

Emraan hopes more voice to be raised against discrimination. He's shooting for Ekta Kapoor's Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. The shooting doesn't stop.

I'm not focussing only on comedies: Shreyas Talpade

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) He's made audiences laugh in several films and has signed on four more comedies, but actor Shreyas Talpade insists he is not concentrating on just humorous films even though he enjoys doing the funny man's act.

"Attempting comedies is not everyone's cup of tea...it's very tough to carry off and my doing comedies has just been a coincidence, as the scripts were very good. But that doesn't mean I'm doing only comedies. There is a mixed bag of roles that are happening to keep me going as an actor," Shreyas told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.

"There are a couple of films that I'll be doing that are going to be thrillers. It is only if you attempt something new that keeps you going; otherwise it's like offering the same staple diet," said the actor, who has given some hilarious performances in "Apna Sapna Money Money", "Om Shanti Om", "Golmaal Returns" and "Paying Guests".

But Shreyas, who debuted with the more serious "Iqbal", refused to divulge any details about the forthcoming thrillers. "It's too early to talk about them."

The laughathons he has lined up include "Hook Ya Crook", "Aage Se Right", "Season's Greetings" and "Mirch".

Apart from comedies, Shreyas has also been a regular in multi-starrers. Is that a conscious move?

"It's not like that. It's just that my career has been mixed so far. I go by what film appeals to me. I'm going to do solo roles too. And for that matter two of my forthcoming films 'Click' and 'Aage Se Right' have me in the solo lead."

Of all the movies he has done, Shreyas has been in the lead role only in "Iqbal", "Bombay To Bangkok" (2008) and "Welcome To Sajjanpur" (2008).

The 33-year-old is also known for his mimicry skills that he showed off in Nagesh Kukunoor's "Dor" (2006), but he has gone slow on that front now.

"I used to do a lot of mimicry when I was in college and I won quite a few awards too. But I've stopped doing it because it started affecting my acting career.

"Nagesh, however, knew about my mimicking capabilities and he came out with it in the 'bahurupiya's' character in 'Dor'. But the art is now more like an added thing in my whole package than anything else," he said.

Not many know that Shreyas started his career by acting in many Marathi soap operas and doing stage shows across Maharashtra before foraying into Bollywood.

Asked if he would like to go back to his roots, he said: "Well, that's quite on halt as of now because of my Bollywood commitments. But I will produce a Marathi film this year and it'll go on floors this September."

Bollywood newcomers prefer good scripts over big banners

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Teenage pregnancy, terrorism, an out-and-out actioner or a spooky jungle thriller-Bollywood newcomers like Shruthi Haasan, Ruslaan Mumtaaz and Arunoday Singh are opting for different themes and strong scripts rather than being lured by big banners and typical potboilers.

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan's daughter Shruthi chose an unconventional debut in "Luck", a hardcore action film.

"I've never understood what is or is not commercial. I chose 'Luck' because I loved the concept. I'm glad I was a part of it. I chose a script that excited me and I will continue to do so-whatever the genre may be," 23-year-old Shruthi told IANS.

Similar is the case with Arunoday Singh, grandson of Congress veteran Arjun Singh. Arunoday is making his entry into Bollywood with Piyush Jha's "Sikandar" and he plays a militant. Set in Kashmir, the film is slated to hit screens Aug 21.

The budding actor says he can't fathom the need for a marked difference between commercial and non-commercial cinema in Bollywood.

"I don't know why there is an understanding here that films with a serious subject are inherently better than typical masala films. It's not like that.

If the story and the script of a film are interesting-that's all that matters," said Arunoday, who had been living abroad for nine years.

He says doing a film like "Sikandar", which has terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as its backdrop, was not at all a deliberate effort to do something out of the box.

"I've just arrived in Bollywood. It's not like I had to choose a certain role. I was keen to just work and didn't think it was practical to wait for someone to launch me. I had economic reasons to get work as well.

"But when I heard what Piyush (Jha) wrote for 'Sikandar', I really liked it.

It is a very strong script and that's why I'm proud and grateful to have been cast in the film. The film is not preachy-it doesn't give a biased view on terrorism," said Arunoday.

While Shruthi and Arunoday made a conscious choice of doing 'script-based' roles, Ruslaan just happened to be roped in for "Teree Sang", Satish Kaushik's take on teenage pregnancy.

"My first movie 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar' was not a commercial one and I wanted my second project to be a commercial one. When I was approached by Satish Kaushik for 'Teree Sang', I gave my nod, thinking his films are always commercial in theme and presentation. But after reading the script, I realised it was not. But I'm glad I did it," Ruslaan said.

"The film just has a non-commercial theme, teenage pregnancy, interspersed with a love story. It has turned out to be a great learning experience for me and I've grown a lot with this role. Ultimately, it's the character that makes you a hero-not always your acting," he said.

Another newcomer to make an unconventional entry is Gautam Rode. He plays a superstar in Ram Gopal Varma's adventure thriller "Agyaat", which again is not a regular Hindi potboiler.

For Gautam, his choice of "Agyaat" was a mix of three things-a "gripping story", "different character" and the "way Ram Gopal Varma narrated it".

"I took up 'Agyaat' after the way I was approached for it. Ramu approached me for the film in November. He met me for an hour and the way he narrated my character and told me about the film, I was assured it wasn't going to be a regular role," Gautam said.

Having said that, the 31-year-old actor says he felt it was a risk doing such an offbeat film-but was confident about going ahead with it.

"I was open to taking risks. I knew it was not going to be a conventional story with 8 to 10 songs in it. All I saw was that it was a combination of a good script, a good banner and a fabulous director," he added.

Varma's 'Agyaat' to open with 960 prints

Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is pleasantly surprised that his "Agyaat" is being released on more screens than any of his earlier films despite not boasting of big stars. The horror thriller opens on 740 screens in Hindi and 220 in Telugu.

The film, releasing Friday, stars Nitin Kumar Reddy, Priyanka Kothari and Gautam Rode.

"I don't understand it. 'Agyaat' has no big stars, and yet it will open on more screens across the world than ever before, even more than 'Sarkar Raj', which had the highest star value among all my films," Varma told IANS.

"Not bad for a non-star film, huh? I think there're two kind of releases. The ones with the star value and the ones where the genre is the star. I don't have to tell you which genre 'Agyaat' falls into," he added.

Would he attribute the large number of prints to the hype created by the publicity?

"I think we did a good job of creating hype. Even the dummy corpses worked," said Varma, who landed in a controversy after the publicity stunt for "Agyaat" saw around 15 dummies of dead bodies suspended from the movie's posters