Salman never did anything for me

Katrina currently basking in the positive reviews for her portrayal of the British Asian Punjabi girl in Namastey London has an extra reason to be happy. On the sets of her new film Race Katrina has found a chess partner.

"Thank God, Saif is an avid chess player like me. Whenever the camera is switched off we play chess. Over here in India nobody plays chess. Earlier I persuaded my sister. I had to virtually bribe people to play chess with me," says the London-born girl who has found the perfect part of Londoner in Namastey London so early in her career.

"When Vipul offered me the role I wasn't very sure I could pull it off. Once I was on he gave me the freedom to interpret the character how I wanted. That really helped me to come to grips with my character's language and personality.

And then to hear some reviewer in Mumbai comment that I pronounce 'yatch' wrongly. Hello! This is probably some guy who has spent his life in Mumbai. I lived in London and know how to speak like young Indians out there. I've a good mind to dash off a letter to him."

In fact one of Katrina's chief attractions in doing Namaste London was that she had the chance to finally dub her own lines. "But you won't believe this, I finally wanted to chicken out of dubbing my own lines. I lost nerve. I had this lengthy 45-minute discussion with Vipul convincing him why I couldn't dub.

He heard me out quietly. I think secretly he had decided I'd do the dubbing. I finally relented. But I made the sound recordist's life miserable. He finally told me to get out of the recording studio and return only during my next film. Thankfully it's turned out well now."

She sighs and gets dreamy. "I hope Namastey London works. I'm tired of waiting for my films to work. I know I'm only three films old and my first film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya was quite a success. But I still haven't been able make a place for myself."

She's unnecessarily grateful to Akshay Kumar for agreeing to do Namastey London with her. "Not too many actors in his position would want to do a female-oriented subject. But Akshay had absolutely no qualms. I like that."

Surprisingly Katrina had more off-camera fun with Akshay shooting their other film Humko Deewana Kar Gaya. "People are talking about the compatibility visible between us in Namastey… but it was the other film where we really had all the fun. In Namastey… Vipul and I had more fun.

This time with Akshay was equally enjoyable but a far more serious business. Off-camera we were discussing scenes, getting our stance right, and so on."

Katrina and her director Vipul have now established a gratifying comfort zone between them. "Before the film released I'd ask him the same question twenty times. I guess I was just nervous. Vipul would patiently answer the first few times and then cut me short saying, 'The answer isn't going to change, no matter how many times you ask me.'

Next, Katrina has just signed on the dotted line for Subhash Ghai's new directorial venture Main Yuvraj where she's paired with beau Salman.

People would presume Katrina bagged the role through Salman's recommendation. "To think Salman got me Subhash Ghai's film is ridiculous especially when I have Namastey London to my credit now. Actually I met Subhashji long before.

He had offered me a film. I think it was Kisna. He asked Vipul Shah to show him my work in Namastey London before finalising me for Main Yuvraj. That's how I think he decided on casting me," says Katrina.

Trying to curb her annoyance about the allegation that Salman is responsible for her professional progress, Katrina says, "Do people think Subhashji is the kind of filmmaker who would listen to others before signing an actor? He would only sign an actor who suits the role and has always gone by what is right for his film."

Katrina will also be seen in Anil Sharma's Apne. "Though my co-star in the film is Bobby Deol I'm completely captivated by Sunny Deol. He's the hero I've watched in my growing years. Whenever he's on the sets I'm totally tongue-tied."

Is Salman simply using Katrina Kaif?

It's nothing new. When Katrina Kaif was just his drop-dead beautiful squeeze, they said Salman Khan was squeezing her into ramp shows and also helped to get her some roles in good Hindi movies. That time, he perhaps had another agenda too, just to spite Aishwarya Rai.

So, her stunning looks did matter. And her English accent (actually, she couldn't speak Hindi at all) did NOT matter! So, Kats was also squeezed in between two brothers (Salman and Sohail) in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. It was Just chill, chill, chill!

All of a sudden, however, Kats struck up a sizzling chemistry with Akshay Kumar in Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. Though the film flopped, the pair was identified as hot. And now their second starrer, Namastey London, has gone on to become a runaway hit, and she has dubbed her own voice as well!

So much so that the media has already started planting stories that Salman is getting upset with Akshay -- and Akshay has gone to say that Sallu respects him and their onscreen chemistry, and that is why the Akshay-Katrina pair has another three films coming!

So, it is difficult to understand the whirling rumours again that Salman is using his not inconsiderable clout in the film industry to promote Katrina, much to the discomfiture of his friends and even Katrina herself.

When work on the magnum opus, Bajirao Mastani, got stalled the industry assumed Aishwarya had declined the film because ex-lover Salman figured in the cast and she would have nothing to do with him in the same film.

It later turned out Aishwarya wasn't the problem. It was Salman! He had wanted Sanjay Leela Bhansali to replace Aishwarya with Kareena! Salman's priorities have since changed and his focus is now on sweetheart Katrina. Determined to have her counted amidst the top three leading ladies of Bollywood he is now asking Bhansali to give Aishwarya's role to Katrina!

Bhansali has chosen to bat defensively for the moment and has deferred shooting the venture indefinitely. The Bollywood business is abuzz now with pointers to Salman's relentless recommendations for Katrina for all films -- including the earlier hit, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, directed by David Dhawan.

One of the clauses that Salman puts up while signing a film is that Katrina has also to be signed, and many directors are willing to play along. Incredibly enough, he is known to have even asked other actresses to opt out of a film so that Katrina could replace them!

He should not forget the example of his debutante heroine in Maine Pyar Kiya (interesting coincidence in the title!), Bhagyashree, who soon after the super-duper hit got married to Himalay, and made it a condition that she would only act with him as costar. We know what happened to both of them eventually.

In Rajkumar Santoshi's London Dreams, where Salman was paired with Priyanka Chopra, his requesting Priyanka to opt out -- by giving false reasons of unavailability of dates -- to make room for his beloved Kat is out in the open now.

Katrina, on her part rubbishes rumours that Salman is helping her career in any way. After the recent success of Namastey London, she is happy and busy shooting for many films, she says.

When Subhash Ghai cast her with Salman in his just announced film, Main Yuvraj, she was categorical that her success was derived from her own hard work.

"I am delighted to be in a Subhash Ghai film," she told the media, "Ghaiji has created great heroines. But the news that Salman has got me roles is ridiculous," she added. "Ghaiji offered me Kisna earlier, but it didn't work out. He saw me in Namastey London and confirmed my role in Main Yuvraj.

Do you think directors like Ghaiji would listen to Salman while casting for their films? I am where I am on merit. I work hard to fit into the roles I play and my hard work on acting and speech has got me my success. Also, Bollywood needs fresh faces and I happen to be that face." - (SAMPURN)

Kangana: Catfight with Celina Jaitley!

Were Kangana and Celina at loggerheads during the making of Shaka Laka Boom Boom?

Suneel Darshan has made it rather obvious in his press interviews that the two ladies couldn't see eye to eye. But according to a source, "Celina hardly has a role to equal Kangana's.

She's at the most a supporting actress. So I don't know why Suneel and Upen Patel speak of her as one of the two female leads…It could be because Kangana has her own head and uses it.

Many times she refused to comply with her director's dictates leading to arguments both off and on screen. But Kangana isn't one to take orders blindly from anyone."

Kangana, just back from Malaysia after an awards function has another story to tell. "I wouldn't like to comment on the length of Celina's role, and mine. The film is being released and everyone will see for themselves what the truth is.

And I don't know why it's being made out that Celina and I have been fighting with each other. The fact is, we got along very well. We even did a promotional video together for Shaka Laka Boom.

Since we both live in Versova Celina has invited me home. I haven't been able to take up her offer because of my crazy schedules. In fact I came back from Malaysia and hardly had time to recover."

Protesting against her reputation of being rapacious on the sets and refuting Suneel Darshan's statement that two heroines can never get along Kangana shrugs, "I don't agree at all. I've had a ball shooting with Shilpa Shetty in Metro.

She has become an international star. But she has no airs. She treats me like her little sister. One morning I was waiting groggy-eyed at the airport for my flight when someone suddenly grabbed me affectionately from the back. It was Shilpa!"

Pausing in pleasurable recollection Kangana asserts, "I've no problems with anyone, not even Shiney Ahuja and Upen Patel, as reported. If they've a problem with me what can I do about it? Upen and I aren't friends.

But I found him to be a harmless guy during Shaka Laka Boom Boom. And he's so eager to learn. He knows his Hindi needs improvement. And he's always be open to suggestions."

The one aspect of Shaka Laka Boom Boom that Kangana finds remarkable is that it finally allows her to be relaxed.

"After doing two author-backed stressful dark characters in Gangster and Woh Lamhe I'm just relaxed in Shaka Laka…It's a relief that I don't have to shoulder the entire responsibility. I want to do films that allow me to just be part of a fun set-up."

In real life Kangana has much to be excited about. Her sister Rangoli, just out of an acid-attack trauma, has moved to Mumbai and has taken up a regular job.

"We both leave in the morning and meet up in the evening. After that I've no time for cat fights and parties. And certainly no time for a boyfriend and other distractions. I'm happy in life. Why do I need to mess it up with a relationship?"

Mein Bacche Nahi Paida Karoongi

Its very rare. But our Rakhi Sawant is one woman no one can compete with. And exactly that's what happened on the sets of 'Koffee with Karan' where the director was clean bowled by 'bindaas' babe Rakhi.

For the first time in his show, the director with K fixation has to speak in Hindi. One can guess how much pain would it have been for Karan.

And the best part was her co-guest on the show - Carol Gracious. Once her biggest rival and enemy in 'Big Boss', Carol and Rakhi got along very well.

Looking absolutely stunning in a sari designed by Manish Malhotra, Rakhi sizzled on the show in true sense. She was her usual straightforward self, answering Karan’s questions without batting an eyelid!

For a change, she talked at length about her family, her boyfriend, her fans and of course the controversy with Mika! She confesses on the show that ‘Botox is the secret of her beauty’. And if that wasnt enough, she also sang a song from her latest album “Supergirl”!

Rakhi Sawant also left K Jo speechless by saying, "Mein bacche nahi paida karoongi aur na mein shaadi karoongi!"

One also witnessed the emotional side of Rakhi as she broke down on the show, while talking about how her “item girl” image, which was created by the media, spoilt her relationship with her parents and family.

When Karan asked her about the reality show she participated in, in which she was locked into the house with celebrity-inmates for 3 months, she shudders at the very thought and told him that she had no idea what she was in for, but she also admits that the show changed her life!

I'm Salman's new partner: Kangana

If there are any doubts about Kangana's growing clout in the entertainment market, her latest triumph should put all questions to rest.

Kangana has been chosen by a leading international shoes company Red Tape to endorse their brand of footwear. So far the brand was endorsed by Salman Khan.

Says Kangana, "Until now they manufactured footwear only for men. And Salman was their ambassador. The company is launching its female lineup with me. And that's quite an honour, considering it's my first endorsement."

What made them choose her? "It was my my casual looks, I guess. The brand isn't associated with formal shoes. Only sporty footwear, sneakers etc.

They want me to endorse their shoes in my jeans and with my curly hair. Very youth-oriented. And the fact that they expect my career to grow with their new female lineup of shoes makes the endorsement a bigger responsibility for me."

She recently shot spots for hoardings and magazines and will soon be doing a tv ad with Salman Khan for the brand.

Apparently Red Tape has paid Kangana a whopping figure and has promised to enhance the amount by thirty percent in the next financial year.

"At this rate I'll soon realize my dream of buying my own own house. The shoes and my career are supposed to journey together. It's a good thought. I'm excited about the ad with Salman.

I've always been his fan. I think he's the only rock star in our cinema. I had watched him dance at an awards function and thought I'd be paired with him one day. It's happening sooner than I thought."

Aishwarya and Hrithik in legal hassle

This newly-wed Bachchan Bahu and her Dhoom 2 co star Hrithik Roshan is in legal hassle for their kissing scene. It is reported that Muzaffarpur court has issued summons to Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan for a kissing scene in Sanjay Gadhvi’s Dhoom 2.

Duo has been asked to appear in the court on May 30. An advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha filed a complaint petition against Ash and Hrithik, producer of the film Aditya Chopra and director Sanjay Gadhvi had hurt the sensibilities of the audiences by the ‘obscene’ kissing scene.

Dhoom 2 is an action flick that stars Hrithik, Ash, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra and Bipasha Basu.

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in Balki's 'Pa'

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan rocked in each movie they did together, whether it’s RGV’s Sarkar, Shaad Ali’s Bunty Aur Babli or Karan Johar’s KANK. The real life father-son jodi will play the same onscreen in Balki’s forthcoming film titled Pa. Balakrishnan has recently finished his upcoming film Cheeni Kum with Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu. This will mark the directorial debut in feature films though he has made a number of ad films. Balakrishnan will start his next with Amitabh and Abhishek soon after the release of Cheeni Kum. He informs that his next project Pa which is going to be light-hearted comedy between a father and a son. While an interesting fact is that Abhishek in real life also calls his father ‘Pa’. Apart from Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, Zohra Saigal and Paresh Rawal will play important roles in the film. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek will also be seen together in Yash Raj’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Apoorva Lakhia’s Shootout At Lokhandwala and RGV’s Sarkar 2.

"I know he’s coming back to me at night" – Bipasha

I’ve purposely ignored all the speculations about my relationship with John all this while. Too paraphrase Shaw, reports of its demise are vastly exaggerated. I have avoided commenting on this, despite a variety of insulting, ridiculous and downright laughable suggestions.

If the media is to be believed, John apparently has no consistent taste in women, so he chases every woman that the media finds available. If half of their insecurities for me were true, I would be a nervous wreck. I’m also aware that our continued togetherness doesn’t sell newspapers. Our real and imagined miseries do.

However, I feel I need to make a few things clear. I guess celebrity relationships have always been under scrutiny and nothing will change in a long time. So here’s my piece.

John is not my business partner. We are not together for the convenience of advertisers. We are a couple and that is why they ask us to endorse their products – as a couple. He is very focused. Likes to the marketing task before fitting himself, and us, into them. I like that.

I know how serious John is, about his work. And that means he spends very little of his energy chasing short term relationships. In fact, I rarely call him at work. I’m not a phone person. John does most of the calling. And if he doesn’t, I know he’s working.

John has never had just a fleeting interest in anything. Not his bikes, his business ventures, his endorsements or his relationships. Either he’s totally engrossed in them, or he’s not. So ladies, despite what I may read in the papers in the morning, I know he’s coming back to me at night.

The above column is a part of Bipasha’s diary from her official website

Metro to have a 3 continent premiere

From the euphoria of a fast paced life, to the breakdown of a short-lived relationship… it's a journey everybody staying in metros across the world undertake daily. UTV's film 'Metro' depicts this aspect, in director Anurag Basu's signature style. The very aptly named 'Metro' , which already has garnered brand associations worth Rs. 2.25 crores, releases worldwide on May 11 with a 3 continent première that includes metros like Dubai, London, Melbourne and Mumbai - first time for an Indian film. Starring Shilpa Shetty, Shiney Ahuja, Kay Kay Menon, Konkana Sen Sharma, Sharman Joshi, Kangna Ranaut, the film is about the thrills and shrills of being a metro citizen.

The action does not stop here… also seen strumming the strings of the guitar will be Band Metro, a melting pot of musical talent that consists of Pritam (music director for Metro), James, Soham, Suhail, as they set out for a 4 city tour across India in cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, where they would perform live at theatres, clubs, pubs to give the audience a slice of the film through music, which is an integral part of the film storyline.

Says Siddharth Roy Kapur, EVP - Marketing, Distribution & Syndication, UTV "We plan to take the film Metro across the globe as it's the story of people living in a metro, they could be anywhere in the world. Thus keeping this universal theme in mind we première the film across prominent metros of the world like Dubai, London, Melbourne, Mumbai backed by whole host of marketing blitz."

The visual aspect of Metro life will be captured by a photo exhibition to be held in Mumbai. Photographers across Mumbai and Delhi have taken snapshots, depicting life in metropolitans, which will be auctioned. Also on the Metro wagon are brand like Shaadi.com and Lenovo that would be running contests, promotions around the release of the film.

Ekta Kapoor angry with Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover has modeled his character in choreographer Saroj Khan's son Raju Khan's showbiz-expose Showbiz on Ekta Kapoor. The TV tycoon is far from flattered. Producer Mahesh Bhatt known to cannibalize his friends' lives, and his own in at least four films (Arth, Phir Teri Kahani Yaag Aayi, Zakhm and Woh Lamhe) is as usual, candid on the matter.

"It was my director Raju Khan and Gullu (Grover) who decided to incorporate the personality of an excessively religious media into Gullu's character. They claim this character is sourced to the lady (Ekta). If Gullu hadn't revealed this for obvious reasons no one would've known about it. All art plagiarizes from life. But here the 'credit' must go entirely to Gulshan Grover. Because it was he who thought of this touch of realism".

Ekta Kapoor is none too pleased with this 'tribute'. “All I've to say is… why? Why is Mr Gulshan Grover playing me? This is the first time I'm hearing about this. And I really don't want to say much. I've too much happening in my office to worry about who's playing me in a movie."

Currently she's neck-deep in issues involving the change of the main cast in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. "I can't deny there're some important changes happening in the serial. I'll soon be in a position to reveal those changes.”