I was a short, dark and round girl: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu came into the limelight with her coffee bean complexion in Ajnabee.

But she has now moved on from being just a sex icon and is signing on mature roles. But being confident young girl right from the start the actress says being dusky has never a bane in fact the actress says it made her stronger. Reminiscing her childhood Bipasha says "I was never meant to be beautiful.

I was a short, dark and round girl. I was incorrigible. I was the brat of the neighborhood. However, I had my defenses in order. Before anybody could scold me, I would start bawling loudly. Nevertheless, I was good kid in school.

I was the prefect in my school at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Kolkata, later I became the Head Girl. If I had not started modeling at an early age, I would have liked to study. Not having done so will always be regret," says the actress.
But the actress says that she didn't have many friends then. "I was always the butt of their jokes since my elder sister was the pretty one in the family. She was taller, fair; always the centre of attention. But somewhere along the way, I shot up in height and started to look better. I won a few beauty contests. Things changed when I won the Ford Supermodel of the World in December 1996" she reveals.
The actress says there were times when she enjoyed the limelight and at times she didn't. "There were times when I enjoyed the attention and the lifestyle. At other times I wanted to lock myself in my room and hope the world outside the door would just go away"
Bipasha in fact started life a little earlier than most people. "I started modelling at the age of 16, doing fashion shows all over the world. I used to live between Delhi and Mumbai for most of the year. That is, when I was not abroad. It has taken me a while to accept Mumbai as my home after living in Delhi and Kolkata.

I have lived in a series of rented rooms and apartments. Many of them shared with other models for roommates. It was difficult to call any of these places home, until now. I have my own apartment in a secluded lane in the city. It's a great place to come home to" she concludes.

Ranbir- Deepika's wavering relationship

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone came together quietly under dramatic circumstances more than a year back.
There were talks that Ranbir was seeing his first co-star Sonam and Deepika was oscillating between Yuvraaj Singh and M.S Dhoni after her break up with Nihar Pandya.
They have been officially seeing each other for a while but there have been some uncertainties.
Of late there have been talks about Ranbir getting close to his new co-star Katrina Kaif and Deepika being spotted with some mystery man.
In the beginning, Neetu Singh seemed to be confident about her dear Ranbir's relationship with Deepika. Both Rishi and she seemed to have accepted her as their bahu.
In fact, she was even spotted with Deepika at the Lakme Fashion week and caught the attention of all and sundry.
But now things have changed. Because of the differences they too are uncertain about what the future holds for the young couple.
Neetu has recently said, "Deepika is just another girlfriend in Ranbir's life. Both of them are very young. It's a long way to go before marriage. No one knows what the future holds for them."
The bad thing is that both of them are busy and don't have enough time to sort out things. We too wonder what the future holds for the young love birds.

Maharashtra Government Yielding to Fascist Elements: Mahesh Bhatt

Mumbai: Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has criticised the Maharashtra government for ignoring an apex court order to release producer Kamaal Khan's Deshdrohi in the state and yielding to the pressures of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
He said by ignoring the Supreme Court's order for the safe theatrical release of "Deshdrohi" in Mumbai on Jan 23, it was playing into the hands of the fascists elements of the state.
"The government has brazenly succumbed to the fascist elements operating in the state with impunity. It is very sad. 'Deshdrohi' has the legal sanction to be screened in Mumbai and yet the government has failed to ensure its safe release in the city, doling out excuse that its theatrical release would create a law and order problem. In other words, it has allowed itself to be dictated to by the MNS, which is unfortunate," Bhatt said Saturday at a press conference.
Bhatt was speaking in support of the film's embattled producer, who had to knock the doors of the courts to secure the release of "Deshdrohi" in Mumbai in the face of stiff resistance from the MNS because the film depicts the party's anti-North Indian campaign in the city.
He also said by toeing the lines of the previous state government headed by Vilasrao Deshmukh and failing to honour the constitutional rights of the civil society, the Ashok Chavan government forfeited the right to govern the state.
When asked whether a film's content should be called into question, or can a state government put its screenings on hold after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clears its release, Bhatt said CBFC has no teeth to impose its order as it is merely a gradation authority.
"Law and order," he said, "is a state subject and so a state government can play any game to suit its purpose in the name of law and order. This is most unfortunate," Bhatt said.
He observed that the civil society of India could not afford to be a mere spectator to the manner in which the state government has trampled upon its constitutional rights.
"Time has now come to create a strong public opinion against it. It is not the battle of Kamaal Khan alone," Bhatt said.
But the sad part is that, of all the Bollywood filmmakers, barring Maheash Bhatt, only Ketan Mehta came forward to extend support to Kamaal Khan's fight against the state government, even though the entire industry was called upon to raise its voice against the fascist MNS elements seeking to take the industry for ransom

The Salman-Katrina marriage sham

'Saamna', the famous Marathi daily which also happens to be the Shiv Sena mouth piece had claimed that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif were married which of course came as a piece of shocking news, no less.
Now the news has been refuted by Salman's father Salim Khan who was reported to have said it.
The interview was for the special supplement to commemorate Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's birthday on Friday. During his conversation, Salim Khan had talked about the secular values of his family and their cool attitude towards religion.
He'd said, "I mentioned how Arbaaz was married to Malaika, a Christian, Sohail to Seema, a Hindu, and Salman's girlfriend Katrina is a Muslim."
Salim said he was misquoted by the newspaper and clarified, "The reporter has translated my comment into Marathi saying that Salman was married to Katrina.The Marathi word "jar" (if) was missing in the operative sentence, which wrongly gave the impression that the two are married"
A senior journalist with the newspaper called it a printing mistake on the condition of anonymity.
Katrina's spokesperson termed the report as "baseless" and he said they will be sending a notice to the newspaper demanding a formal apology.
She's said in an interview, "I definitely think that Saamna should issue a clarification if not an apology because it's not a small thing. It's not the news of a movie or some endorsement that one has signed. It's a big think to make a mistake about somebody's life like this. And I think a clarification is a must because I know for a fact that Salim sahab has definitely not said anything and one should be careful while reporting for such a major newspaper and while writing articles. My managers have spoken to the editors at 'Saamna' and they were assured of a corrigendum. People who read 'Saamna' are regulars so when they open the paper tomorrow, there should be a clarification in the paper. They should say that they were misinformed or the misprinted and that's it. I think the matter should be ended then and there."
Katrina sure knows what she wants! It's definitely not marriage or talks of a marriage at this point!

Juhi Babbar is formally divorced

By: Sonal Chawla

Bejoy and Juhi are now formally divorced

Raj and Nadira Babbar's daughter Juhi Babbar has divorced her filmmaker husband Bejoy Nambiar. The case was on for the past several months. The final hearing took place last week.
Drifting apart
The couple long-time sweethearts tied the knot on June 27, 2007. A source close to Juhi reveals, "After winning the TV show, Gateway To Hollywood, Bejoy had bagged an internship with Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj.
The internship went on for over a year. Ultimately, it was distance that spelled doom for this relationship. Especially, because it was so soon after they got hitched.
Juhi tried talking to him, but it was an important career move, and he wasn't ready to give up mid-way." Bejoy is currently the line producer for Mani Ratnam's Raavan.
A source reveals, "They had barely returned from the honeymoon, when Bejoy went to Kerala to shoot a film for Ashok Amritraj's Gateway contest. He then left for Hollywood for further work, and that's when the couple actually drifted apart."
Barely three months into her marriage, a lonely Juhi immersed herself in mother Nadira's Ekjute theatre troupe and directed a play for CRY (Child Rights and You).
She also did some acting work. At the time, Juhi had said, "Bejoy is very supportive and he himself is busy with his short films and thus I am also carrying on with something I always believed in."
Pehle kaam
The source continues, "Even after he returned from US, things didn't improve. For Bejoy, work was a priority. He wanted to establish his career.
This didn't go well down with the strong-headed Juhi, who wanted him to work on their marriage. She decided to call it quits. Juhi now stays with her parents."
Bejoy, who was in Orchha for Mani Ratnam's Raavan, took a ten-day break to come down to Mumbai for the court hearings.
Juhi will be debuting on television and will be seen in Red Chillies' TV production Ghar Ki Baat Hai. On being asked to comment on her divorce, Juhi says, "I'd really not want to discuss personal stuff at this point. There's too much happening on the work front. Why don't we talk about that?"

Hridayesh Sangeet Samaroh

If the city of Pune boasts of a huge festival of music like 'Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav' which draws an audience of over 10,000 Mumbai too can justifiably take pride in the 'Hridayesh Festival' of classical music which is held every year in the open ground of the Parle Tilak Vidyalaya at Vile Parle E.
The festival is being held without a break over the last 18 years.Earlier it was dedicated to the memory of the Kirana gharana singers Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Badodekar.Now simply called 'Hridayesh Sangeet Samaroh'.it will be held from 24th Jan to 26th Jan from 5.30pm to 10pm everyday.
This Year It will begin with a vocal recital by the noted Gwalior gharana singer Ms Neela Bhagwat. Ulhas Kashalkar,one of topnotch singers will also sing on the first day.He was recently selected for the 'Sangeet Natak Academy' award. He will be accompanied on the tabla by the veteran Suresh Talwalkar. Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will conclude the first session with his sarod recital.He will be accompanied on the tabla by Vijay Ghate on 24th Jan 2009
The second session on 25th Jan will open with a vocal jugalbandi recital by the famous Benaras singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra.Bansuri wizard Hariprasad Chaurasia will also play.The last artiste on the second day will be Mewati gharana legend Jasraj. The third and the last day will begin with a vocal recital by Aarati Ankalikar Tikekar. Rashid Khan, the most sought after musician of the present era will also perform in the same session. Shivkumar Sharma, the santoor maestro will write a finis to the colorful samaroh .He will be accompanied on the tabla by Yogesh Samsi.

Kareena is a perfect friend!

Bebo has proved yet again that she is one helluva firend! Recently, she threw a big birthday bash for her family doctor, Dr. Agarwal.
Says a source close to Kareena, "Bebo is very fond of Dr.Agarwal. She went out of her way from her busy schedule and threw him a nice party. She herself made each and every phone call and invited people. A lot of family friends attended the party. Tushar kapoor, Shabina Khan, Babita, Karisma and many others were present. They all really enjoyed themselves and had a wonderful time. This shows how close Kareena considers her family friends. She is a considerate person."
"Dr. Agarwal was flattered. He was unaware of the surprise party. He was very happy . He thinks Bebo is a wonderful actress and watches all her films. Dr. Agarwal is a family doctor for other celebrities like Tabu, Karisma, Urmila and many more", adds the source.
Kareena Kapoor proves that she is a good friend time and again. Be it helping best friend Amrita with health tips or doing a song for her favourite, SRK in Billo Barber free of charge, she is the true Czarina of Bollywood!

My new book is about adult love: Shashi Deshpande

By Madhusree Chatterjee

New Delhi: Love and relationships stir the storyteller in her, says award winning 70-year-old author Shashi Deshpande while revealing that she still writes with a thick-nibbed fountain pen on smooth paper.
"All my books are about relationships - particularly this one which is about love between an adult man and an adult woman," Deshpande, whose new book, "In the Country of Deceit", has just hit the stands, told IANS in an interview here.
The Bangalore-based author, who is the daughter of celebrated Kannada dramatist Shriranga, has six novels and four children's books to her credit. The Sahitya Akademi Award was conferred on her for her book, "The Long Silence", in 1988.
Excerpts from the interview to IANS:
Q: Your new book is about adult love. Are all your books themed on relationships and love?
A: All my books are about relationships - particularly the new one, which is about love between an adult man and an adult woman. Most of my novels emphasise love because I am fascinated by the idea of love. Devyani, the protagonist of my new book "In the Country of Deceit", falls deeply and passionately in love.
Relationships are not something one decides on. They happen naturally, especially adult relationships, and one must know what the consequences are and take responsibility for it. It is very difficult to judge if adult love is good or bad. Human beings always crave for love, even in death a dying man wants to hold someone's hands.
Q: How did the novel (a Penguin India title) come about?
A: Devyani, the protagonist, came to me from an earlier novel and I knew that I wanted to write her love story this time. The process of writing the book and publishing it took me three-and-a-half years.
I always write in long hand with a thick-nibbed fountain pen on smooth paper. After two drafts, I fed the book to the computer.
Q: Is the quality of love different in adolescent, youth and maturity?
A: It is very difficult to distinguish love according to the level of mental maturity. A 60-year-old man or a woman can fall in love and behave like a child. People realise the true meaning of love only when they fall in love.
My novel is about adult love. Devyani, the protagonist, who chooses to live alone in the town of Rajnaur after her parents' death, falls in love with the town's new district superintendent of police, Ashok Chinappa, who is much, married and- as both painfully acknowledge from the very beginning older - it is a relationship without a future.
In my book, the first thing the man tries to tell the woman is that I promise you nothing. But I stand outside your gate and cannot get you out of my mind. I think that's the real sign of love.
Q: What are the kind of books do you like to read?
A: I read very adult books as a child like Jane Austen and plays by Leo Tolstoy. In school, I read authors like T.S. Elliot, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray and Walter Scott - all of whose works I loved. I read everything that I got hold of. My father, who was a famous playwright, gave me the freedom to read and think for myself.
I also love crime fiction by women authors like Dorothy Sayers and P.D. James. And of course Sherlock Holmes, which is a classic. But I think the new crime thrillers - the ones written by Patricia Cornwell - are too gory because the murders are mindless. I think the new crime fictions are a reflection of urban angst and loneliness.
Q: Do you think contemporary Indian writing in English is productive, prolific and qualitative?
A: I think it very productive. The country has a huge number of writers, but young writers have two problems. One - they are impatient. The minute they write a book they are in a hurry to take it to the publisher and make fame and fortune. They have no ideas about the realities of publishing. Publishers on their part have too many manuscripts and too many new writers. It is very difficult to judge young writers - you have to nurture a writer.
Q: What books are you working on at the moment?
A: I am taking a break, though mentally, I am working on another book. I plan to write a non-fiction for a change and one more children's book, a genre, which I had given up since my children grew up.

I'm not a celebrity: Deepika Padukone

New Delhi: She made her first big screen appearance with superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in her second film she worked under the prestigious Yash Raj banner and her third release saw her teaming up with Akshay Kumar, and yet Deepika Padukone doesn't consider herself a celebrity.
"I don't consider myself a celebrity. I believe that I've had a fantastic upbringing and I believe my parents have kept me really grounded and rooted.

I hope that success never gets to me," said Deepika whose "Chandni Chowk To China" has just hit the screens.
"I've seen my father (badminton champion Prakash Padukone) handle success really well and I hope I continue in the same way because I believe that fame and money are secondary things. The main thing is to enjoy your work," she added.
The 23-year-old was applauded for her performances in her maiden venture "Om Shanti Om" followed by "Bachna Ae Haseeno".
She is currently working in Imtiaz Ali's "Production No. 1".

Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan runs for Rahul Bose's foundation

Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan will run the marathon for Rahul Bose's foundation that is into charity.
Bose feels that the Mumbai Marathon is the best community event. "Especially in the wake of the recent terror attacks 26/11 attacks," Rahul says. The actor says that this is the only occassion where differences visible in the everday life melt away and the entire city comes together in the spirit of oneness.

He says that the marathon is one event which actually does not require any personal investment from anyone but we should invest in it as its a great platform to see the different lifestyles thriving in the city come together for the support of different causes.

We should invest in it as its an enriching experience for all and sundry. Adds Sharmila,""Children are the future of India and as UNICEF'S Goodwill Ambassodor, I have pledged to speak up for the cause of children whenever and whereever it is necessary. I am perticipating inthis marathon to support HEAL, a project run by Rahul Bose's NGO - the foundation, to raise awareness for sexually abused children.
If this small effort in anyway alleviates the misery and stigma that these little children have to face, it will be worth my while."

My film is certainly not called 'Jehad': Rensil d'Silva
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai: Saif Ali Khan's films have a tendency to go nameless until the last minute. The latest is a Rensil d'Silva-directed terrorist thriller, which is produced by Karan Johar and has Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Viveik Oberoi and Om Puri in leading roles.
Nearing completion, the film has no title yet.
This week sections of the media were abuzz with reports that Rensil's film has finally found a title "Jehad".
Rensil is appalled by these reports. "Am I mad to call my anti-terrorism drama 'Jehad'? What signal will it send out to the audience? Please don't believe such rumours. 'Jehad' was a name suggested by Kareena and Saif.

I am certainly not going by that title. Suddenly everyone thinks it's called 'Jehad'. Considering the current climate, that's a really inappropriate title."
So what is Rensil going to call his film?
"I've no clue. And I can't put it to public vote because that would give away the title. But it's certainly not 'Jehad'."

If Sanjay Dutt can't contest, Manyata will be our candidate: Amar Singh

New Delhi: If Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt is not qualified to contest the Lok Sabha elections, his wife Manyata will be the Samajwadi Party candidate in his place, party general secretary Amar Singh said here Saturday.
"If Sanjay Dutt is unable to contest the polls, we will request the Dutt family to allow (his wife) Manyata to fight from Lucknow," Amar Singh told reporters here.
He had announced Thursday that Sanjay Dutt would be the party candidate from Lucknow for the poll expected by May. However, the actor has a number of criminal cases pending against him and may not be qualified to contest.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee represents the Uttar Pradesh capital in the Lok Sabha

Paki actor's B-town dreams crash.

Mikaal Zulfikaar, the Pakistani-British actor was hoping hard to make it big in Bollywood. But his dreams now have gone for a toss.
And the reason is the unofficial ban on Pakistani entertainers in Maharashtra.
Mikaal has made his debut as Naseeruddin Shah's nephew in Jagmohan Mundra's 'Shoot On Sight'. He was supposed to arrive in Mumbai this month to begin shooting for Mundra's 'Roommates' in February.
After this ban against Pakistani performers, the producers have quietly decided to replace Mikaal.
Says director Jagmohan Mundra, "You can't blame them. My producers Evolution Films from Chennai, are new to Hindi cinema. They can't afford to antagonise a section of Mumbai for the sake of the cast. Better that we replace Mikaal, although his mother is a British and he holds a British passport. But it's not ours to question why."
He adds, "This is a kind of terrorism beyond the recognised forms of terrorism. How can artistes be segregated according to their religion and nationality? Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Farida Khannum and Ghulam Ali don't belong only to Pakistan. They belong to all of us. I was deeply disturbed to know that books by Pakistani authors have been taken off the shelves of Mumbai's bookstores. Creative arts should be kept above politics."
Some things in life are unexpected. Better luck next time, Mikaal.

I will reserve my lip kiss for the bedroom - Sneha Ullal

SNEHA ULLAL , whose next release Kaash Mere Hote is round the corner, tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in a khullam khulla baatcheet
Sneha Ullal, better known as the look-alike of the pretty Aishwarya Rai is back with a bang after a long period of hibernation after Aryan with the film Kaash Mere Hote.

When I met her for this interview in the suburbs, Sneha categorically stated that it was a conscious decision on her part to let acting take a back seat after Aryan because she felt that she was too young and wanted to be mature enough to take her plunge in films. "I did not even know how to talk to the media."
Sneha hastens to add that the reason that she decided to take up the offer to act in Kaash Mere Hote is that she desperately needed to act in a Hindi film to show that she is interested in working and is back in films. In fact Sneha has absolutely no qualms to confess that the film is a vehicle to launch Kumar Saahil and Sana and music director Shrawan who has produced the film wanted her to be a part of the project because he felt that she would be able to lend the film a better face value.
"I am confident that my role in Kaash Mere Hote will take me to greater heights as an actress. I play the role of Radhika in Kaas Mere Hote. I play the role of Saahil's girl friend who is bothered by Sana who keeps on trying to seduce Kumar Saahil. The character that I play in the film is like me-easy going and simple and straight forward and hence I did not need to prepare at all for the role of Radhika," Sneha quips.
Sneha confesses that though personally she does not feel bad when she is compared to Aishwarya professionally she does not like the comparison. "Though I like it personally because she is beautiful, it is unfair to me professionally. I feel that had I made my bow without Salman Khan in a film, other than Lucky, I would not have been compared to her. The comparison did not help me as an actor though I should admit that it gave me a lot of recognition".
Sneha asserts that she worships work and does not regret at all having appeared in Aryan opposite Sohail Khan after having made her debut with Lucky opposite Salman Khan, though she concedes that she does not think that she should have got launched with Lucky because she was very young at that time. To add to my woes, a lot of directors have an issue with my voice not at all reeling that my voice in Lucky was projected that way to make me sound like a kid to suit my role in Lucky."
Besides Kaash Aap, Sneha has also films like Click, Dard E Disco and Green Park up her sleeves besides her films in the South. "Sangeet Sivan called me up and offered to cast me in Click opposite Shreyas Talpade. It is a very interesting role that I play in Click. I play Shreyas's friend who is raped by his friends. I kill myself and come back as a ghost to take revenge on the rapists"
In Ashok Tyagi's Dard E Disco, Sneha has been cast opposite Akshay Kapoor. "I play the character of a bubbly young ad glamorous girl. The film has offered me an opportunity to tell every one in Bollywood that I am no longer a kid that I was in films like Lucy and Aryan"
Sneha is quite excited about her role in Green Park too. "I love my role in Green Park because I love talking in English and it is a film in English with Anupam Kher playing the role of my father. I play a very modern young girl belonging to a very Westernized family settled in USA, who falls in love with an American. The film was meant to start in 2009. We have shot just the climax of the film in Goa and I am looking forward to shoot the rest of the film in the USA next year".
Sneha is practical when it comes to exposing herself. I am ready to expose as long as I look sexy and not vulgar. In my second film, I showed nothing but my mid-riff but yet I was shown at my glamorous best in the film. I am game as far as wearing swimming costume is concerned but n bikini for me, please."
Sneha has drawn a line as far as kissing is concerned. "Though I am now single and ready to mingle, I am not a prude but I am not game at all for kissing lip to lip in films, because I feel that you should save some thing for the bedroom. I am an animal lover and hence promote vegetarianism and hence want my man also to be a vegetarian. I do not care about his physique but he should be presentable and quite understanding and not be a male chauvinist."

Kat's not going the rave party way..

The buzz is that Bollywood's hot property Katrina Kaif has reportedly refused to play murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling in Prabhakar Shukla's film 'Rave Party'.
So reports that Katrina was shifting dates to play Scarlett as her dates are booked till 2009-end are false.

Apparently Kat was keen in the beginning, but keeping the controversial subject in mind, decided to opt out as she found the subject too controversial.

Reportedly Kat has stated that she doesn't want to do films around a subject that has 'no clarity' and many unanswered questions.

The Internet Movie Database website also shows Katrina's name in the starcast of the film with its status 'in production'.Shukla is looking for someone else from UK to play Scarlett, who was murdered on Goa's beach early last year.

The director is also awaiting the green signal from Scarlett's mother Fiona Mckeown as he has sent her the film's script for approval.

The buzz is that South Indian director Venkat Prabhu is making 'Goa' which is also based on Scarlett's murder and is produced by Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya's Ocher Studios. [From Internet]