Thursday 24 April 2014

Mumbai votes: Bollywood turns out to vote, but for many it's IIFA over polls




Many leading faces from Indian cinema flaunted their inked fingers at the Mumbai polls today but celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar and Sonakshi Sinha skipped the electoral process to attend IIFA awards in the US. In pictures: Bollywood celebs step out to vote Actors who apparently left for IIFA without casting their votes also include names like Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Madhuri Dixit, Boman Irani, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Bipasha Basu. The ones who flaunted or talked about casting their votes were Amitabh Bachchan and family, Shah Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Vidya Balan and Preity Zinta. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-votes-bollywood-turns-out-to-vote-but-for-many-its-iifa-over-polls/15251065#sthash.7FnTNhjG.dpuf

Alia Bhatt's sister - another star in the making?


Alia Bhatt's elder sister Shaheen turned quite a few heads at a fashion show recently. Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan’s daughter fetched several compliments that evening. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/alia-bhatts-sister---another-star-in-the-making/15245081#sthash.gJsgJlhL.dpuf

Caught on camera: Actress abused, car damaged in Mumbai road rage


A day after a television actress Monaz Mevawala filed a complaint against an auto rickshaw driver who damaged her car and abused her during a road rage incident, police officials identified the accused and arrested him yesterday. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/caught-on-camera-actress-abused-car-damaged-in-mumbai-road-rage/15247072#sthash.DrOS9mUw.dpuf

Salman Khan with Sajid Nadiadwala's wife and kids


Salman Khan who is shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala's upcoming film 'Kick' in Poland was clicked with Sajid's wife Warda Nadiadwala and their two sons. Warda posted a picture on the microblogging site Twitter. 'Kick' which also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Randeep Hooda is a remake of the 2009 Telugu hit of same name. - See more - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/salman-khan-with-sajid-nadiadwalas-wife-and-kids/15248096#sthash.5cuS3i40.dpuf

Kudos! Priyanka's new single in third spot on Itunes India


The going is great for actor-singer Priyanka Chopra. She is out with her third solo single "I can't make you love me", which made it to the No.3 spot on Itunes India in less than 24 hours.

After the riveting success of "In My City" featuring Will.I.Am and "Exotic" featuring Pitbull, Priyanka has nailed it with her third song "I Can't Make You Love Me". It is a unique cover of the Bonnie Raitt's 1991 song that made it to Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"My cover of 'I can't make you love me' is really different because the original is a ballad and we have used dance music for my version of the song. Watch out for the video,` Priyanka, who launched the new track Tuesday, said in a statement. 

Her rendition of the ballad is already on its way to making waves on the international music scene.
By Santa Banta News Network

Monica Dogra roots for LGBT cause


Singer-actress Monica Dogra says that she is in favour of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and when she was offered a lesbian's role in American short film "Relapse", she was thrilled. 

"Relapse" tells the story of two women in love torn by an illness. Produced by Film Independent in Los Angeles, the film also stars Casey Legler - the first woman to be signed exclusively as a male model. 
`I am very happy to be a part of a film that revolves around the idea I firmly believe in, and working with Casey has been an exciting experience, being an ex-Olympian she pushes herself to take a step further every time and seeing her doing that motivates me to bring out the best in me,` Monica said in a statement. 

The film, directed by Rosie Haiber, will be premiered at the LA film festival June 9.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Sonali is enjoying her life


Bollywood diva Sonali Bendre has no plans of returning to the big screen with a lead role and is happy with her TV commitments which give her ample time to be with her family.

The 39-year-old actress, who was last seen in a guest appearance in Milan Luthria's "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobara", said she does not want to miss the growing years of her eight-year-old son Ranveer.

"I am getting many film offers but they are not my priority. My priority is my family now. You have to change with every phase of your life. I believe in growing and not clinging on to the past. I am quite happy in this phase of motherhood. I don't want to regret later thinking I missed my son's growing years," Sonali told PTI.

She is back on the small screen but this time in a new avatar of a narrator on Colors' "Mission Sapne". The show features 10 celebrities from different walks of life and will be seen stepping into the shoes of the common man, taking up their jobs for the day and earning their daily wage.

"I am scared as I have not done something of this kind before. I am really looking forward to the feedback of the audience after watching the show. I really liked the concept of the show and I took it up. It's a realistic show and emphasises how small things can make a difference in a needy person's life," she said.

"Mission Sapne" will go on air on April 27 and has celebrities including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, Siddharth Malhotra taking up the job of barber, vada-pav seller, photographer, vegetable vendor respectively.

"It's so good to see some people who have lost their hope to dream big in life are again dreaming big with the show. The response which these celebrities get when they go to step into their shoes is really amazing," she said.
The 'Sarfarosh' actress, who is married to producer Goldie Behl, said she did not have to prepare much for her stint as a TV host. "I was like a blank slate on the studio. My only thing was listening to the celebrity and common man. I didn't have to be physically present at the location. I just have to give my views after listening to their conversation," said Sonali, who is not an avid TV viewer. After taking a break from big screen, Sonali was one of the early birds to join TV.

She was the part of kids dance reality show "Kya Masti Kya Dhoom". "I joined the TV industry almost a decade ago when it was not a cool thing for Bollywood celebrities. I was one of the few actresses who were seen on TV after I took a break from films. "I continued my fan following through TV. With time, small screen has become more happening and powerful medium as cinema," she said.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

After acting debut in 'Hawaa Hawaai', Pragya Yadav makes her stage debut


Director Abhishek 'Gattu' Kapoor's fiancee Pragya Yadav, who makes her debut in Amole Gupte's film 'Hawaa Hawaai', is all set to make her stage debut too. 

The actress features in Makrand Deshpande's production 'Krishna Kidding'. The play is a funny take on the story of Krishna's childhood and is directed by Tejas Malap.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Toy Boy Game: New man in Sushmita's life?


Actress Sushmita Sen is apparently dating a Mumbai-based hotelier Ritik Bhasin

Sushmita Sen is known to live her life with no regrets. The actress has had several failed relationships, but she has always managed to pick herself up and move on. According to the grapevine, the latest man in her life is Ritik Bhasin. 

Says a source, `Ritik owns a couple of nightclubs in Mumbai. Sushmita has been seeing him for quite some time now. The duo seem to be quite open about it.
Recently, the actress was apparently out with Ritik for a dinner date at a plush restaurant. When asked to pose for the cameras, the actress chose not to do so. In the past, she has been linked to cricketer Wasim Akram, who was her co-host on a TV show.

Sushmita remained unavailable for comment.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

The truth behind Rani, Aditya's wedding


The duo, Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra, apparently got married on the spur-of-the-moment during their holiday in Italy and it wasn't a lavish affair; but a small church wedding

If sources are to be believed, then Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra's wedding, which took place in Italy on April 21, was not a planned affair, after all. 

Sources say that the couple had gone to Italy for a holiday where they decided to get married. This is also why it wasn't a lavish affair; instead, it was a small church wedding.

A source close to the actor says, `They are private people and have always wanted their wedding to be a small function rather than a mega event. Accordingly, theirs was a white wedding where only close friends and immediate family was invited. Choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, who is known to be Rani's closest friend, flew down to Italy on April 19.
Moreover, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee was asked to create a wedding ensemble for the actress. Sabyasachi remained unavailable for comment, but a source close to the designer says, `Yes, it's true that Sabyasachi worked on the trousseau. But given the couple's desire for privacy, the designer will not be divulging anything about it.`

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

No looking back for 'Revolver Rani' director


The director of Kangna Ranaut-starrer film, Sai Kabir's first directorial venture 'Chemistry' is yet to release

Writer-director Sai Kabir's Kangna Ranaut-starrer, 'Revolver Rani', hits the marquee tomorrow, but his directorial debut, 'Chemistry', has not yet seen light of day. Starring Shreyas Talpade, Soha Ali Khan and Tanishaa Mukerji, the film was shot almost four years ago. 

Says a source, `The film, though complete, did not see light of day due to production issues. There were differences between the producers. Shreyas, who was also co-producer, tried to help the film get a release, but it was of no use.` 

Sai has earlier penned films such as 'Lamhaa' (2010) and 'Kismet Konnection' (2008). 'Chemistry', a romantic comedy, deals with the love equation between a highly ambitious girl and a boy-next-door who has a penchant for kulfis.

Interestingly, it was Shreyas's bonding with co-actor Kunal Khemu on the sets of 'Golmaal 3' that translated into a role in 'Chemistry' for the latter's flame, Soha Ali Khan.

During the France schedule of the film, Tanishaa's make-up and hair was done by professionals in Paris as Sai wanted her look to be along the lines of socialite Paris Hilton.

Sai remained unavailable for comment.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Mugdha Godse's night out with Rahul Dev


Mugdha Godse (left) and Rahul Dev were seen attending a bash together. There has been speculation that there is something on between them, though Mugdha has maintained that Rahul is just a friend.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Acting in gay-themed movie no big deal for Anupama Kumar


Anupama Kumar, a well-known southern actress, will be seen in upcoming Hindi independent film "My Son Is Gay" and she wonders why it is a big deal to act in such films."My Son Is Gay" is about an emotional journey of a mother who finds out that her son is gay.

"I don't understand why it is a big deal to act in this film. It's just another film with a story I feel needs to be told to create some awareness. To all those who are asking me why I'm doing this film, I would like to say why not," Anupama told IANS. 

"People are asking me like I've done something revolutionary by agreeing to work in this film. Of course, I know many actors would hesitate to play this role but the fact that I'm doing it is to change the whole perception about taking up such roles. I would like to live in a world where playing these roles is welcomed," she added. 

Anupama feels responsible as an actor when she takes up roles such as these. 

"I feel it's the responsibility of every actor to take up such roles. Since we have a public persona, whatever we do is influential to a certain extent. If we can make a change, we should not miss an opportunity to do that," she said. 

She admits taking up the role required her to be emotionally involved, but it didn't affect her personally. 

"I usually put myself in the shoes of the character I play, and therefore, it doesn't affect me. If I were to do this role convincingly, I have to believe in the character. Therefore, I had to be emotionally involved in the role of the mother who finds out that her son is gay and was required to react in a certain way," she said. 

"My Son Is Gay" is being directed by Chennai-based independent filmmaker Lokesh. It also features actor-filmmaker Nakshatra Bagwe.
By Santa Banta News Network