Maqbool is still Fida over Madhuri

Indian artist MF Husain, a self-confessed fan of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, has booked an entire show of her comeback film Aaja Nachle, releasing in theatres in the UAE on Thursday.

The famous painter, now living here, has reserved 194 seats for the 2 PM show at Lamcy Cinema on the day for special guests from all walks of life. Madhuri had been missing from the acting scene for quite some time after her marriage to US-based surgeon Dr Sriram Nene.

Husain said movie tickets for Aaja Nachle would act as invites and would have his autograph and a sketch of the Bollywood diva. "I'll also be exhibiting paintings of Madhuri in the foyer of the theatre. I have made these paintings based on her great hits," he told the Khaleej Times. "In fact, the paintings are a part of a series I have undertaken and will be exhibited sometime next year as my tribute to Bollywood, the biggest and greatest movie industry in the world."

Husain is currently painting a series of huge panels that depict the glorious 100-year history of Indian cinema for the exhibition titled, 'From the Silver Silence of Dadasaheb Phalke to the Golden Dazzle of Madhuri Dixit'. Dixit told the paper that she was overwhelmed by his gesture of booking a theatre for her comeback film. “I feel very flattered,” says Madhuri.

Kareena Kapoor's ultimate dream

Kareena Kapoor is all set to feature in a RK banner film.

After much deliberation, the Kapoor brothers -- Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv – are ready to work on a breezy romantic comedy early next year.

The script has been finalised and the screenplay is in its final stages. Confirming the news, Randhir Kapoor says, “I’m making a film with Kareena. It’s going to be a youthful romantic film, and it should start in a few months from now.”

Ask him for details and he says, “We are going to make a formal announcement at the right time.”
Those in the know reveal that another film starring Ranbir Kapoor will hit the floors alongside. Randhir Kapoor says, “We are making a film with Ranbir too. Both the films are set to start at the same time next year.”

News has it that elder daughter Karisma Kapur intends to make a comeback. However, papa rules out any such possibility. He says, “I don’t think so.”

Randhir came up with a unique nickname for Shahid (read ‘Dodo’). We urged him to make suggestions for Kareena’s latest boyfriend Saif Ali Khan and he says, “I won’t get caught in that trick again and I don’t even know Saif Ali Khan.”
Sandipan Dalal

View her Exclusive Photo Album

Sonam Kapoor is unhappy

If sources are to be believed, debutante Sonam Kapoor had shot far too many sequences for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya than what we have seen in the film.

The 22-year-old actor has been telling friends that many of the scenes flattering her beauty didn't make it to the final print. A reliable source says, "She has shot far better sequences than the ones that are shown in the film."

However, Sonam is not in a mood for making unpleasant revelations. In an email interview she says, "That happens in any film. Scenes are meant to be edited for the betterment of the film. As an actor, one has to be prepared for it." Like most docile newcomers she has decided to preoccupy herself with the compliments received.

Mahima will return to films

Actress Mahima Chaudhary is looking stunning these days.

Having become mom nearly six months ago, we thought we’d see a plump Mahima.

But when we met her, she looked simply stunning and very much in shape. “Everyone’s been asking me ‘Where’s the tummy?” she says, feeling good. About plans of staging a comeback, the Mahima states, “Not now, but soon!” It’ll be quite a thing to watch this marvellous face on the big screen again.

No films, no problem:Udita

With no film projects in hand, Udita Goswami has ditched the most diplomatic statement of the filmy world — ‘There are projects in the pipeline but I’ll speak about them when the time is right’.

She’d rather say that she isn’t working in films, as she is busy earning money. “I am too smart. I have too much pride — I can’t stand people laughing at me after they watch me in a role that doesn’t suit me. It really makes no sense. I’m content with the numerous stage shows, performances and appearances that are coming my way,” says the actress.

But, with no films in her kitty, doesn’t she feel insecure about her career? “Not at all. I’ve been given only negative shades to play post my debut in Paap. I have certain things that others don’t have and I’m glad I’m revelling in just them,” she says. And, what are they? “My looks. I can’t help but look sexy all the time. I don’t look Indian and I’m not cut out for those kind of roles. For instance, I don’t see myself playing a housewife,” she answers.

Ask her about beau, director Mohit Suri, and she says, “We are living life for now. Mohit tells me that I’m quite the opposite of the ‘sexy cool chick’ image that I exude. He’s surprised to see me bargaining even for Rs 50 at times. Actually, we are just bacchas — I am 24, while he is 26 — having fun together,” she laughs.

Salma Hayek’s figure is God’s gift

Salma Hayek claims her figure is a present from God. The Mexican actress, famed for her curvy figure, used to be flat-chested when she was younger and regularly prayed for a bigger bust.

She even put her hands in holy water to try and make a miracle happen. She said, “My mother and I stopped at a church during a road trip we were making from our home in Mexico. When we went inside the church, I prayed for the miracle that I wanted to happen.

I put my hands in holy water and said, ‘Please God, give me some breasts’!” The mother-of-one added, “And he gave it to me.”

Exclusive photo album of Salma Hayek

Christina Aguilera2

previous/Next

Christina Aguilera1

Previous/Next

Christina’s hubby begs her to slow down

Pregnant Christina Aguilera’s husband has begged her to slow down.

The Dirrty singer - who is believed to be around six months pregnant - has refused to reduce her hectic workload and husband Jordan Bratman fears she is pushing herself too hard. A source said, “Jordan was hoping Christina would give herself time to just chill out, but her daily business appointments and meetings are endless.

Christina doesn’t plan on slowing down just because she is pregnant. Like any pregnant woman she does get tired, but she has told friends she intends to keep going right up until the birth.” Christina, who discovered she was expecting her first child during her world tour, was determined to continue performing to avoid disappointing her fans.

The source added, “While Jordan is excited about becoming a dad, he was worried when Christina discovered she was pregnant on tour. He tried desperately to scale down her performances.

She said she would feel like a failure if she let her fans down. Jordan shadowed her every move during the last leg of her tour and was so relieved when it was over.”

Hot Photo Album

Kylie’s new album available online

Fans will be able to stream the 13 tracks of the album, which will be available at music.ninemsn.com.au/kylieminogue for four days, until the album goes on sale on November 24.

The album had been recorded in London, Stockholm and Ibiza and features the first new Kylie material since the greatest hits compilation in 2004, reports news.com.au.

X includes collaborations with the likes of Richard "Biff" Stannard, The Freemasons, Calvin Harris, Greg Kurstin, Eg White, Guy Chambers and Cathy Dennis.

Minogue's first single from the album, 2 Hearts, entered the Australian singles chart this week at number one.

Beyonce’s clothes not to be blamed

R&B singer Beyonce Knowles has revealed that blaming her clothes for the tumbles she takes wouldn’t be fair because she is used to taking a spill every now and then.


The 26-year-old singer, who slipped and fell during a concert in Orlando in July, said that she her clothes are not responsible for her falls.

“I recently fell down the stairs, because my heel got caught in the hem of my coat. But really, I’ve fallen down the stairs a lot of times, so I can’t only blame it on the coat,” she said.

However, Knowles is confident that she would not fall when it comes to her three-year-old fashion business with mum Tina Knowles, although the inspiration for their dress designs often arrives in unexpected ways.

“Usually, I call months before and tell my mom, ‘I woke up from this dream. I was wearing gold and I was a robot’. And she’s like, ‘Okay you’re crazy, but I’m going to make it happen’. So she makes about 50 robot suits and we choose from those,” Knowles added.

Natalie named Hollywood’s style queen

‘Star Wars’ beauty Natalie Portman has topped a list for the 20 most stylish women in tinsel town.The list was complied by In Style magazine, which choose the actress because “she exhibits unwavering faith in the cut and quality of a great dress.”

Coming in close on her heels was Drew Barrymore, who beat best pal Cameron Diaz to the second spot.

Diaz came in third on the list, reports Contactmusic.

The top five was rounded off by Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz and Latina Jennifer Lopez, who came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Ronaldo and Bipasha

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu's plans to get her new friend, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, to promote her feisty football flick Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal have come a cropper.

"There's a huge problem. I was very keen and so was John (Abraham) and everyone else in the team. But then the sponsors got in the way," she said.

"Ronaldo is part of the Manchester United Team whose sponsors are Nike while our film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal is sponsored by Reebok. We had almost signed up with them. But now it seems impossible."

Apparently, the 22-year-old footballer is as disappointed as Bipasha.

"You know they were thinking of getting another celebrity footballer to promote our film. I offered to get Ronaldo. I had personally spoken to him. And he seemed very pleased to help a film that was so close to his heart. But then man proposes, sponsor disposes," said the disappointed actress.

The entire cast of the movie wear Reebok shoes throughout the film.

"And I was the only girl among all the boys playing on the field. To be honest John, Arshad (Warsi), Boman (Irani) and the other male actors had all the fun. But I did get to kick some ball off camera and off field," said Bipasha.

Bipasha plays a Pakistani medico who rushes to the field every time a player gets injured.

Raveena: A plate full of happiness

Actress-mom Raveena Tandon is looking fresh as a daisy.

We spotted the beautiful lady last week at a five-star hotel in Delhi helping herself to a sumptuous buffet lunch. Looking content and happy, we wonder if this actress will ever make a comeback anytime soon!

After all, some of her contemporaries have returned to the silver screen. But having turned mom for the second time only recently, we guess the actress will first work hard at getting into shape and then face the arc lights.

But if her meal was anything to go by, the getting into shape hasn’t begun yet. But it’ll be soon, we’re sure!

A Hope and a Prayer for Troubled Hollywood

With former pop princess Britney Spears battling for her children and her career and frequent rehab guest Lindsay Lohan fresh from her 84-minute jail stay earlier this week, some think Hollywood's hotshots don't have a prayer.

But, one congregation believes they do. Its message is that the Lord can and will set anyone free.
So, the Hollywood Prayer Network hopes to help troubled starlets by praying for them.

"I think that people have a difficult life here," said Karen Covell, of the Hollywood Prayer Network. "I think we're not all created to be able to handle fame and wealth."

The group of more than 5,000 Christians prays for stars instead of thinking of them as lost causes, and co-hosted a prayer breakfast in Beverly Hills Friday to stir a larger movement to get Christians to help celebrities.

It also picks up-and-coming child stars for its monthly kids prayer calendar and pairs hundreds of mentors with struggling actors, the kind more likely to take your order in a restaurant than appear on your television, according to the Associated Press.

Its ultimate goal was to reach those who influence millions, hoping divine intervention will help troubled celebrities shape up, thereby helping to fix the world around them.

"I believe if you want to change the world, you need to change Hollywood," said Tim Winters of the Hills Church.

But the prayers weren't just for Britney and Lindsay. The group, which chapters in 16 U.S. cities and eight countries, is encouraged to pray for anyone who comes to mind.

Group members have even handed out bibles to the rich and famous, like Paris Hilton. It plans to hand Britney Spears a bible too, according to the AP.

But some who represent Tinseltown's A-list said they found the act misguided and sanctimonious.

"The question is, of course, whether Britney Spears needs prayer or rehab," said publicist Michael Levine.

Still, the group believes its prayers may help guide those stars going through a difficult time.

"Hopefully, they will feel encouraged and know there are people who haven't lost hope with them," said Jared Isham of the Independent Filmmaker.

Klum wants naked Sundays with Seal

Heidi Klum wants to have ‘naked Sundays’ with husband Seal.

The German supermodel is planning to follow in Christina Aguilera’s footsteps and spend one day a week as nature intended.

She says, “You know Christina Aguilera has ‘naked Sundays’? I might have to copy her and do that. I.” Heidi and her Crazy singer husband — who have two sons, Henry, Johan, as well as Heidi’s daughter Leni from a previous relationship — recently also revealed that baby Johan is ruining their sex life.

Seal said, “Our youngest is now 11-months-old, so I’ve told Heidi we’re booting him out of the bedroom. I’m not having it any more. This is the longest time I’ve known Heidi without her being pregnant. She’s got her body back and it is real good fun!”

Paris is looking for 'Mr Perfect'

Paris Hilton has made it clear that she’s looking for her Mr. Perfect through a T-shirt.
The socialite, who has been linked to Hollywood hunks like Josh Henderson, Rick Solomon and Andy Roddick, recently revealed her intentions by wearing a T-shirt, saying “Looking for Mr. Perfect.”
The former jailbird has been known to have a huge crush on British royal Prince William, reports The Sun.
However, sources say she has now "decided that Prince Harry's the one for her because he's wild, cheeky and loves to party."
Meanwhile conservationists in India have hailed Hilton for highlighting the plight of binge-drinking elephants

Activists said Hilton had highlighted the plight of elephants that got drunk on farmers' homemade beer and then ran amok in north-east India.
They also proposed Hilton to visit the remote region that is home to the world's largest concentration of wild Asiatic elephants.

Sonali Kulkarni gets to taste realism

Sonali Kulkarni, while shooting for her film Mohandas, got the taste of reel life in real life. Sonali is playing the role of a TV reporter in the film who goes to coal mines for an investigative story. The scene required her to interview Sharbani Mukherjee about her plight in a rice field.

According to the script Sonali was to interview Sharbani and while the interview is on, some people from town charge towards them. They force Sonali to abandon the interview and leave from the place. "As luck would have it, we had chosen one particular field for this shot and taken due permissions”, says director Mazhar Kamran.

“However, when we started the shoot, suddenly one of the owners of this field came rushing in and asked us to leave. I very patiently told him that we had taken prior permission and paid. Still he kept insisting and started shouting and ordering us to scram. When I offered to pay more money, he just tripped and began abusing also. It was exactly the way we wanted our shoot to be. Eventually we moved over to other spot but not before I told my artiste playing the local goons, to learn from the real incident and bring the same velocity in their behaviour also".

Sonali had found the entire incident extremely amusing. According to her this entire film was full of realistic experiences. Currently she is busy with her realistic experience in Jhalak Dikhla Ja.

Mohan Das deals with problems of common man and treats it with open satire. The film stars Sonali Kulkarni, Nakul Vaid, Sushant Singh, Sharbani Mukherjee, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Uttam Haldar, Aditya Shrivastav, Akhilendra Mishra and Govind Namdeo.

Reese is perplexed!

The Walk the Line actress recently revealed Deacon, her son with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, wants a career delivering fast food.


Now a pizza chain has sent Deacon a letter promising him a job at one of their chains when he turns working age.

Sandi Karrmann, identified as the Chief People Officer for the worldwide chain, wrote: "Dear Deacon, we recently heard that you want to be a pizza delivery driver when you grow up. How wonderful! You’ve got several years to go before you can join our team, but in the meantime we're sending you a few things, so that you can practice."

The company's gifts to Deacon include a specially tailored the pizza company’s uniform, a mini delivery car and gift cards for pizzas. Karrmann signed off the letter with some words of encouragement for the little boy. She wrote: "We have delivery drivers who have worked for us for 10, 15, even 20 years! And the same Pizza Hut drivers who deliver hot, fresh pizzas right to your door have gone on to become successful businessmen, doctors, lawyers and, yes, actors. Deacon, keep on dreaming big and know that we’re saving a spot for you on our team."

Reese who also has an eight-year-old daughter, Ava, with Ryan recently admitted neither of her children want to follow in her Hollywood footsteps. The Legally Blonde star said: "Deacon wants to be a pizza delivery boy. Not that there is anything wrong with that but it's hard to see how it could be a career as such. My eight-year-old daughter Ava wants to be a scientist but they are both at the stage where it changes from one week to the next. Neither has said they want to be actors but you never know."

“Vidya Balan doesn’t look like a star”

Many a times message oriented films tend to get extremely preachy and tend to be categorized as being arty. Making the film entertaining and at the same time putting across the message is a director’s skill. Well director Raj Kumar Santoshi who is known for his message oriented films definitely poses this skill. Anger is always predominant in his films. The characters in his film always stand up for their rights and fights against injustice, may it be a frustrated Sunny Deol in Ghayal or a wronged Meenakshi Sheshadari in Damini or a rebellious Ajay Devgan in The Legend of Bhagat Singh – all of his characters have expressed themselves with extreme and strong emotions. And now Raj Kumar Santoshi is ready with his next project Halla Bol and the title says it all. Like all Santoshi films this one too is a film based on struggle, injustice and gives out a strong message. We at Indiatimes spoke to this talented director and found out more about the film

Halla Bol which is predominantly used as a war cry is the title of Rajkumar Santoshi’s film. So what made the director use it as the title of the film? “It signifies the fact that when one feels something is wrong one should stand up and raise their voice”, says Santoshi. Even if we live in an over populated city many a times we feel lonely. We as citizens should raise our voice and bring about the change. The problem is that we follow the divide and rule policy. We always tend to fight in groups. It is important to come together and fight for the injustice. And Halla Bol is a call to stand up and fight.

A lot of thought seems to have gone into deciding the title which makes us even more intrigued to know what the film is all about. The director adds, “ Halla Bol is about today. The film doesn’t only deal with corruption but also with ones consciousness. The film is about how a star comes out and raises a voice against injustice which is not quite easy for the actor knowing that he is a big star”.

The star in the film is played by Ajay Devgan who has been a favourite of Raj Kumar Santoshi. The duo have worked together in several films including Lajja, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Khakee, Insan and London Dreams (which is currently on hold). “Ajay is a very good friend of mine. He is a versatile actor and merges into any role given to him as his persona suits every kind of a role”, explains Santoshi.

Vidya Balan plays Ajay Devgan’s wife in the film. So what made Santoshi cast Vidya for the film? “We chose Vidya because we wanted someone who doesn’t look like a star and Vidya fitted the character perfectly.” Another actor who will be seen along with Vidya and Ajay is Pankaj Kapoor who is playing the role of a reformed dacoit turned street theatre artist who brings about awakening amongst the masses through his plays. According to Santoshi, Pankaj was the right choice for the role “Pankaj is a very popular actor. He has a background of street theatre which was a plus point. So we thought that he would be perfect for the role.”

Being a message oriented film, does Halla Bol tends to get preachy at times? “The main aim of the film is to entertain and if you can also give out a message through it then why not.” Doesn’t the director feel that sometimes his films aren’t commercially viable? “I know for the fact that unfortunately my films don’t work commercially. Halla Bol is my twelfth film. We have worked hard on the film with an aim to entertain people. Whenever I could convey a message through my film I have without any fear. I always try and make films which are not only entertaining but will also raise questions about oneself and their conscience. I am not a social reformer. I make films and take money for it.”

Mallika’s theatrical workshop

Mallika Sherawat might not be making news offline, but that doesn’t mean she’s sitting quietly. For a change, she’s making all the right moves.

And on top of her priority list is Sanjay Chhel’s directorial venture Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam which is on a roll.

Mallika plays a character from a theatre group in this film, and Sanjay, being a perfectionist, is making sure that Mallika gets into the nuances of theatre artistes to incorporate it in her character.

And that’s why he recently took Mallika to the ongoing Prithvi theatre festival to have a first-hand feel of the theatre environment.

Says Sanjay, “The story revolves around a theatre group which performs a play titled Mughal-e-Azam, which has nothing to do with the epic.

The film is a complete comic-thriller. Paresh and Mallika both work in a theatre group and act in the play, whereas Rahul Bose is a CBI officer and KK Menon plays the role of a ghazal singer in the film.

And since all the other actors have a theatre background, I felt it’ll add on to Mallika’s performance if she picks up a few theatrical tricks.” We hope, her theatrical learning shows in the film as well!

Oh baby! Is Aishwarya on the family way?

The Bachchan family has been religiously adding to the list of holy shrines they have visited and this time star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai offered prayers at the famous Amin Pir Dargah in Andhra Pradesh's Cuddapah district.
Rumours have it that daughter-in-law Aishwarya is on the family way, and the trip was to seek blessings for the mother and child.
This is not the first shrine that the family has visited in the state. They had sought blessings at the Tirupati temple shortly after Abhishek and Aishwarya's wedding this year.
The couple was accompanied by actress Jaya Bachchan and Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh, dargah officials said.
Abhishek and Aishwarya offered a chadar and conducted special prayers at the dargah, which is dedicated to Sufi saint Pir Amin.
A large number of Bachchan fans and curious onlookers gathered at the dargah to have a glimpse of the star couple.
Security was tightened at the dargah following their visit. Later, all four of them rushed to the state guesthouse from where they flew to Bangalore in a helicopter.
The dargah is visited by a number of Bollywood personalities and politicians. Music director A R Rahman is a frequent visitor to the dargah.

Rani pays Rs 33 lakh for land, but never gets it

Actor Rani Mukherjee may have sold the Taj Mahal in a movie, but in real life, she might have been duped in a land deal.

The actor had reportedly paid Rs 33 lakh in December 2005 for a non-transferable farmland near Shirdi in Maharashtra.

After the purchase, Rani is said to have paid a stamp duty of Rs 1.32 lakh for registration in the district tehsildar office, but the ownership of the land could not be transferred to her name because the tehsildar said it was government land leased out to a farmer. Now the deal has been scrapped by the district collector.

The farmer Sampat More is now apparently willing to return the money to Rani. The land was purchased in the name of Rani's father Ram Mukherjee.

The actor, who was aware that it was agricultural land, has not come forward to lodge any complaints so far.
The Government of Maharashtra has certain procedures where non-farmers are allowed to buy agricultural land and it is believed that Rani’s father had agreed to follow the law of the land.

Seventeen other people in the area have been duped in land cases in a similar manner.

Britney under probe for running over cop's foot

Britney Spears' woes have still not ended as the troubled star is now being investigated for allegedly running over the foot of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy while fleeing the courthouse following her sons' custody hearing.
The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that it is investigating the claim that the 'Blackout' artist was behind the hit-and-run case.
"We are aware that Britney Spears was leaving the courthouse," E! Online quoted a LAPD spokesperson, as saying.
"We are also aware that a deputy was injured. We're unable to confirm the details of the incident or the deputy's injuries, as the investigation is in the initial stages," the spokesperson said.
However, there was no immediate word from the Sheriff's Department on the identity of the stricken law enforcer, other than that it was a woman who suffered "minor to moderate" injuries.

In love, it’s all or nothing: Sandhya Mridul

You’ll be seen on television after a long gap. What made you take up a dance reality show?
Television has never been a good or a bad medium for me. Jhalak Dikhla Jaa sounds like fun. Though I’ve never learnt dancing, I’m really fond of it. They had approached me for the first season as well, but I couldn’t take it up then.

You sound thrilled... will you take the competition seriously?
I always take up projects to have a good time. In this show too, I’ll try and keep that in mind. But you never know, I might have to turn competitive if the show demands that.

You last did a cameo in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin.Weren’t you offered anything interesting after that?
What interesting shows? Saas-bahu? No thanks. Of course, many offers have come my way. People have tried to bring me back as a good bahu or a bad one. But no chance, man. I’ve been there, done that. Everything offered to me was repetitive.

Have you come across any other show as strong as Koshish — Ek Asha?
If you want to play the protagonist these days, you have to be the bahu. I’m not ready to do that again. I can’t be wearing heavy saris with dark pink lipstick all my life.

You made your debut with Tony and Deeya Singh (Banegi Apni Baat). Haven’t they offered you anything else?
Yes, they did. In fact, they’ve asked me to call them whenever I want to do television again. But I want a break from television. It’s a huge commitment.

So you’re now focusing on films?
Yes. I don’t have a problem with TV but with what is being churned out. I’m getting more time to live my life with cinema. I can work out and be healthy. Jhalak.. shouldn’t be mistaken for my comeback to television.

Which films are you doing?
I’ve completed four films — Chowki, The Great Indian Butterfly, Via Darjeeling, BBD and There’s a fifth one in the
pipeline.

At the end of the day, how satisfied are you as a person and as an actor?
I’m very happy. I’m glad that I didn’t accept the junk offered to me. I may be going slow but it will pay off in the long run. Had I done 15 films after Page 3, I wouldn’t have been happy.

And what about your love life?
Zilch! Not because I want it to be that way. It’s just that I haven’t found anyone worthy enough. I was seeing someone three years ago, but not anymore. I am an all or nothing kind of a person. So right now I’m in the nothing phase.