Sonali Bendre in Ekta Kapoor's daily soap

Sonali Bendre will feature in Ekta Kapoor's upcoming soap and she won't be playing the quintessential bahu

Last year, Ekta Kapoor got Sonali Bendre to make a comeback in Bollywood with her film, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara. Now the producer has convinced the actress to feature in one of her upcoming soaps as well. 

The buzz is that Sonali will be seen in a stellar role in the show that is slated to air on a general entertainment channel. Ekta has been in talks with this channel for the last few months, and it seems that she has managed to convince Sonali to feature in her show.

Says a source, `A lot of discussions were on with the channel and the production house over the show's subject. Now that the concept and the storyboard have been finalised, casting is on for the show. The production house is conducting auditions for various roles in the drama.`

Adds the source, `Ekta may be known for her saas-bahu soaps, but this time she is charting new territory with politics as the backdrop. The channel, known for its mythological shows like Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev, also wants to make a mark in the general entertainment category.`
Incidentally, though Sonali was one of the first actresses to appear on television reality shows - remember Kya Masti Kya Dhoom almost 13 years ago - she stayed away from acting on the tube. Over the years, her TV outings have seen her play judge in shows like Indian Idol, India's Got Talent, Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz and India's Best Dramebaaz. She recently featured as a narrator in Mission Sapne.

Ekta remained unavailable for comment.
By Santa Banta News Network

Swara Bhaskar is scared of horror films

Versatile actress Swara Bhaskar, who features in forthcoming paranormal thriller "Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai", says she is personally scared to watch horror movies but couldn't have said 'no' to this project.

"I dont hate horror films, but I am scared of watching them. I don't watch horror films, but before signing 'Machhli...', I was asked to watch there horror films. As an actor, it would have been foolish of me to say no to this film," Swara said here.

Talking about the movie, she said: "It's a paranormal thriller. This film finds a space where science doesn't have an answer. It's a kind of a film which you would not have seen before."

Swara spoke at the film's trailer launch here Wednesday. The film is directed by Debaloy Dey.
By Santa Banta News Network

Lara Dutta is excited about 'Chalo Delhi' sequel

Lara Dutta, who had taken a sabbatical post the birth of her baby, says she is focussing on movies now and will be shooting for a film this year.

Lara married Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi in 2010 and in January 2012, she delivered a baby girl. Now, the actress-producer is gearing up for a comeback in films.

"Right now I am focusing only on doing films. I am definitely going to be back in films, you will see me soon. I am shooting this year, the release is not in my hands. I can't talk about which films I am doing," Lara said in a media interaction here.

"Everyone knows that we are doing a sequel to 'Chalo Delhi', that is in pre-production stage. I am quite excited about it. Besides this, there are films that I am doing outside my production house," she said. 'Chalo Dilli' (2011), directed by Shashant Shah, had Lara and Vinay Pathak in the lead and Akshay Kumar in a guest appearance.



Now, Lara is getting ready to roll a sequel, reportedly titled 'Chalo China'. "There is a lot happening this year with my production house Bheegi Basanti Entertainment. We are producing films and TV shows," she said.

Though Bollywood actors are seen on the small screen, Lara is clear she won't be coming on television.
By Santa Banta News Network

Rani Mukerji to play cop in 'Mardaani'

Actress Rani Mukerji will play the role of a cop in 'Mardaani', her first release post marriage to Aditya Chopra. 

The Yash Raj Film, out on August 22, is directed by Pradeep Sarkar, who last helmed Rani in 2007 film 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag'. Rani plays Shivani Shivaji Roy, an astute cop working in a Mumbai Crime Branch unit, who stumbles into the kidnapping case of a teenage girl.

Shivani embarks on an obsessive hunt for the girl and what follows is a cat and mouse game between a fearless cop and a ruthless mafia kingpin. Rani will play the role of a cop for the first time in her career in the movie, which is also a distinct departure for Sarkar, erstwhile known for his films like 'Parineeta' and 'Lafangey Parindey'.
By Santa Banta News Network

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, family drama with a difference, says Swara Bhaskar

Swara Bhaskar, who is a part of Sooraj Barjatya's upcoming film 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo', says although it is a family drama, but it would have some different elements. 

"This is a very good thing about Rajshri (productions) that they have maintained that family space with their films. This films is also definitely a family drama and a very interesting film. But some things will be different from their regular films," the 27-year-old told reporters Wednesday.

Swara was speaking at the trailer launch of her horror film 'Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai'.

Swara further said: "I am excited about it. I am going to start shooting for it in July."
"Right now we have done some styling tests, reading and some basic trial shoots to see what is looking good. So that's the kind of work that is going on." 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' marks the reunion of superstar Salman Khan and director Sooraj Barjatya after 15 years. Their last film together was 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (1999).

Sonam Kapoor is roped in as Salman Khan's leading lady in the movie.
By Santa Banta News Network

Jesse Randhawa upbeat about action in TV show

Supermodel and dancer Jesse Randhawa, who is ready to debut in the fiction space on the small screen with "SuperCops v/s SuperVillains... Shapath", says her role as an Interpol officer requires her to perform intense action.

The tall, fit and flexible artiste, wife of dancer par excellence Sandip Soparrkar, will play the boss of the character essayed by Aman Verma. 

Since Jesse will be a permanent member of the cast, she has been training aggressively to fit in the role. She has recently started martial arts training and yoga to help her in this role.

"It's a very interesting role and I simply could not refuse it. My role is that of head of Interpol and it requires a lot of intense action sequences. I'm looking forward to this show and I hope that people like my work," she said in a statement".

"SuperCops v/s SuperVillains... Shapath", aired on Life OK, focuses on the adventures of policemen as they deal with villains with destructive powers.
By Santa Banta News Network

Fiction on TV is repetitive, feels Kritika Kamra

TV actress Kritika Kamra has taken a break from fiction shows to try her luck in the celebrity dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'. 

The 25-year-old 'Kuch Toh Log Kahenge' star feels the storyline of fiction shows on small screen is similar to what she did few years ago. "I was away from the small screen for a long time after 'Kuch Toh Log Kahenge'.

I returned as a host for 'MTV Webbed' because I wanted to do something different after doing fiction for almost six years on TV," Kritika said. "I did those shows because I wanted to do that kind of work at that time in my career. Now many characters and serials are similar to what I have done in the past. So, I kept away from fiction," Kritika said.

The actress said opting for a reality show like 'Jhalak...' was a conscious decision to break the mould and explore a different side. "The show is all about you and how much effort you put in to survive on the show. You have to be as good as your choreographer. This is kind of an experiment for me. I am exploring myself and want to know where I stand," she said. Asked if she is comfortable being a part of reality show like 'Bigg Boss', Kritika said she would like to keep her life private. "I prefer talent hunt shows.

I am not open to a show like 'Bigg Boss' as I am a private person and can't let my life go public like this. I have nothing against the show and I have immense respect for the people who participate in it." For 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', Kritika is leaning dance from scratch because she is not a professional dancer. Her first performance on the show would be a 3D free-style dance with her choreographer. "My training in dance is from scratch.

Unlike others, I was not a professional dancer. I was rather a bathroom dancer. And in this show how much you have grown as a dancer is what matters," she said. Kritika, who is currently hosting 'Webbed', is not apprehensive that she has to struggle a lot to strike a balance between the two shows.

"It's a weekly show and that's why I can manage both. I am not the kind of person who can strike a balance between daily soap and a talent hunt show."

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Big screen plans for Menaka Lalwani

TV actress Menaka Lalwani (Rangeeli of Na Aana Iss Desh Laado) who featured in Ashim Ahluwalia's Miss Lovely will now be seen in Arijit Lahiri's sci-fi thriller Out Of Time. 

The film stars Indo-Brit actor Danny Sura in the lead and veteran actor Tom Alter. Menaka is now keen to step into Bollywood.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

Shanti Dynamite emulates Rihanna for her debut flick 'Savita Barbie'

Body piercing, in fact, is nothing new. In all cultures, it is normal to decorate your body. Thus, in ancient Egypt navel decoration was reserved to queens, in ancient Rome, the nipple ring was a sign of manhood and the time of Louis XIV, in high circles was considered mandatory for the ladies. Development of piercing in the last years, after a rush-aided stars like Naomi Campbell or music video by Aerosmith, proved how wrong are all diviners so-called Lifestyle. The piercings for women and men are part of everyday look in the disco, but as well in the bank. Piercing from a fashion hit turned into a classic, your piercing should fit into your personality.

Belly button, ear, lip and nose piercing it is one of the most popular and common body piercing today. Many Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities have got them pierced. From their noses, to their arched brows, to places we can only assume would really hurt to stick a needle through, these stars have adorned themselves with body jewelry but recent nipple piercing fashion has grabs many eyeballs. Celebrities like Rihanna, Rachel Bilson, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Nicole Richie, Amber Rose, Cassie and Janet Jackson has done nipple piercing and now Bollywood sexy siren Shanti Dynamite got listed in this sexiest list too. Recently Shanti has done her nipple piercing in London for her Bollywood movie `Savita Barbie`. The carefree actress wasn't worried about her own current style.

Shanti Dynamite said, `Nipple piercing offers the most sensuous, sexy and feminine look by increasing the sex appeal of a woman. And it didn't freak me out at all. I was really happy to do it. It just felt like a good one to get - a necessary one to get.`

Recently Shanti walked Cannes Red Carpet with Satish Reddy and met lots of people who advice her to do something unique and different for her upcoming Bollywood debut movie `Savita Barbie`. Shanti feels like she has every right to bare her body parts and she sees her nipple piercing as a form of artistic expression. Poised and confident, Shanti's body language works to her advantage making her Ms Pierced Perfect.

By Santa Banta News Network