Sanjay Dutt gifts bike worth Rs. 25 lakhs to Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor’s birthday celebrations made headlines for the guest list of invitees who arrived at the do. However Sanjay Dutt, who has earlier proclaimed his affinity for the young star, made a dashing entry at the party to present the birthday boy with a special gift.

Dutt presented Ranbir with a red Harley Davidson bike worth approximately Rs. 25 lakhs. The two actors have been neighbours for years now and while Ranbir looks up to Dutt as an idol figure, Dutt has more than a liking towards him post offering him the lead role in the remake of his father’s film Mujhe Jeene Do.

So, the next time you see Ranbir zooming in and out of Pali Hill in a brand new bike, you know it’s given by none other than the Deadly Dutt.

Salman-Kate to meet in Dubai

MUMBAI: Katrina Kaif is planning to fly down to Dubai and bring in the New Year with her ex-friend Salman Khan and his family.

“Katrina has been seen bonding again with Salman and his family lately. She was spotted at his Tees Maar Khan trial and then went to wish him before he left for Dubai to bring in his birthday with an entourage of forty friends and family members,” says a source,

“The actor will return on the morning of December 31 to shoot Bigg Boss and will then fly back to welcome 2011 with his near and dear ones. It is learnt that Katrina will fly down tomorrow to be with Salman and his family.”

“Salman”s parents, Salim and Salma, Helen, brothers Arbaaz, Sohail, sisters Alvira and Arpita and their children are all in Dubai, though some friends have returned. Kat might even fly down with Salman tomorrow to Dubai depending on when she wraps up for her Yash Raj Films film.”

However, the actress wants to keep her visit secret, the source insists. “Last year she had apparently visited Ranbir Kapoor in New York while he was shooting for Anjaana Anjaani. Katrina is keen to get back into the Khan family fold again but she doesn”t want the media know about it.

Last week, she was very upset when she had gone to wish Salman a day before his birthday (on Christmas) at his Bandra residence and photographers had caught her in the act. Right now, Katrina is still testing the waters with Salman,” said the source.

However, the actress has denied any plans of going to Dubai, “I am shooting Mere Brother Ki Dulhan with YRF till January 31. If weather permits, I may go to London for a day.”

Ranbir & Imran auditioned for Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Ranbir Kapoor quietly did a 2-hour audition for Mira Nair’s ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’. This is the first time since Saawariya that Ranbir agreed to an audition.

Mira has almost solved her casting dilemma over ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’. She will no more cast a Bollywood actor in the main role, though she had a secret audition with Ranbir Kapoor.

Reveals Mira for the first time, “I did a beautiful audition with Ranbir. Some years ago an audition for Bollywood stars was unheard of. But Ranbir did an excellent full-hearted audition with me. I’ve great love for the guy. He auditioned for two hours and I was deeply affected by his performance.”

Alas, Ranbir couldn’t give the dates. “I needed him for three months from March. Sad that it didn’t work out, although Ranbir initiated the discussion. I think it was for the best. After Ranbir didn’t work out I decided to go for an authentic Pakistani. But I think I will work with Ranbir at some time. Now I’m going to choose between the two Pakistani actors I wanted from the start. One is from Lahore and the other from Karachi. In The Namesake too I went to Kal Penn and Tabu after Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee declined.”

Mira also auditioned Imran Khan for ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’, but was not too impressed. Says Mira diplomatically, “Imran is very cute. It’s going to be a Pakistani actor. The fact is, the protagonist Changez Khan in ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ is Pakistani. He’s a unique character. He’s rooted to Pakistan but is a global citizen. It’s a very challenging role.”

Mira has the choice between two Pakistani actors. “One is a Pakistani rock star; the other is a very famous film and television star-actor. But the Pakistani rock star is not Ali Zafar. I’m also looking at a British-trained Pakistani actor. Out of 300 actors we’ve zeroed in on these 3.”

Now a decision has to be taken in two weeks. “But these are my three candidates,” declares the far-from-reluctant movie-maker.

Though the film will be shot with a Pakistani actor in the lead, the shooting will be in Delhi, Mira’s home town. Explains Mira, “Spiritually and architecturally Delhi is akin to Lahore. But I’ll be shooting in Lahore for ten days as well. Then four weeks in New York and four days in Chile. We start shooting in March.”

Ranbir Kapoor voted Sexiest Asian Man

Ranbir Kapoor, the heartthrob of the nation, has been voted ‘Sexiest Asian Man’ as per a survey conducted by the London weekly Eastern Eye. Bollywood hunk John Abraham narrowly missed out on the top spot by finishing second while Hrithik Roshan occupied the third spot. R&B star Jay Sean and Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar bagged the fourth and fifth spots.

With Ranbir topping the Sexiest Asian Man poll, one can safely state that his fan following seems to be growing manifold with each passing day.

Anurag Basu confirms Telugu actress Ileana D’Cruz opposite Ranbir in Barfee

The crucial and much-delayed casting of the second heroine opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Anurag Basu’s Barfee is finally done.

It’s Telugu star Ileana D’Cruz who starred in the blockbusters Pokiri and Kick who will play the other female lead opposite Ranbir in Barfee. For a while it was Asin, the original choice for the role who was almost back in the project. Apparently, the price factor didn’t work out.

That’s when Anurag Basu who has an eye for new talent (he discovered Kangna Ranaut) happened to see Ileana’s photographs.

Says a source, “Anurag showed the pics to Ranbir Kapoor who felt Ileana had the same delicacy and grace as Deepika Padukone. He immediately approved of Ileana. Things were finalized within days. Anurag met Ileana and her mother and explained the role in Barfee and also that Priyanka Chopra plays the other part.”

While Siddharth Roy Kapoor of UTV who are producing Barfee said the other female lead in Barfee will be announced shortly, Anurag Basu confirmed Ileana’s presence in the film.

Interestingly Ileana is the third South Indian actress after Asin and Deepika to be offered the same role in Barfee. Anurag intends to put Ileana through rigorous voice and diction coaching before facing the camera.

Says a source, “Since Ranbir plays mute and Priyanka plays a woman often lapsing into incoherence, it is very important that Ileana speak clear and correct Hindi. That was the prerequisite for her signing Barfee.”

Deepika, Sonam face tough consequences for going against Ranbir

MUMBAI: Latest reports from the tinsel town confirmed that Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor will not be joining Ranbir Kapoor in his July 2011 world tour. While actresses like Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu and Malaika Arora Khan will be a part of the tour, Deepika and Sonam have been asked to quit.

It may be recalled that Rishi is upset with the two actresses for making rude remarks on his son”s character in ”Koffee With Karan Season 3” and he prefers Katrina over Deepika and Sonam.

Rishi Kapoor admitted that it is impossible to bring Deepika-Katrina on board together saying, “Deepika wanted to come along. We didn”t want any stress behind the stage. See, as it is, Ranbir has never been on stage. We want it to go smoothly, no backstage jhik-jhik, please!”

Sonam has backed out from the tour as well. Rishi Kapoor explained, “She begged off saying she didn”t have a song repertoire to stand on stage with Katrina and Priyanka.”

“We start off in the UK, US and Canada. Then after six months we”ll go for another lap of the tour. I”ve done these world tours over and over again. But for Ranbir, the world tour would be a new experience,” he added.

Rishi Kapoor asks Ayan Mukerji to choose between Ranbir and Karan

After the success of Ayan Mukerji’s directorial debut Wake Up Sid, it was pretty much certain that Ayan would once again be directing close friend Ranbir Kapoor and that too for a Karan Johar production. However, that seems highly unlikely now especially after an episode of ‘Koffee With Karan’ featuring Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone that has not gone down too well with Rishi Kapoor and his family members.

By now its common knowledge that both Rishi and Neetu Kapoor are mighty upset with Karan for the way he conducted that particular episode of ‘Koffee with Karan’. Now Rishi has even gone ahead and given young Ayan an ultimatum that he either chooses to work with Ranbir or Karan. Ayan was instructed in clear terms that if he wishes to direct Ranbir he will have to find another producer.

Rishi has even gone on record and said that his family of Kapoors will not work in any Dharma production film as of now. While Karan is known to play mediator to many fights within the film industry, it remains to be seen who will play mediator this time around in this big fight.

Ranbir, Aishwarya, Shabana and Boman win Teacher’s Achievement Awards

The 10th edition of the prestigious Teacher’s Achievement awards was a glitzy glam event as it showcased some of the most envious names in the industry. These nominees were short listed after an evaluation process by the members of the advisory board; comprising of eminent personalities from the fields of business, entertainment, sports and communication.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani were few of the Bollywood celebs honoured with the Teacher’s Achievement Award at a function held in Mumbai over the weekend.

Ranbir Kapoor received the Teacher’s Achievement award in the Entertainment category. He felt a sense of gratitude that his work was recognised and appreciated.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honoured with Teacher’s People Achiever award which she dedicated to her dad Krishnaraj Rai. The People’s award was special for her because it reflected the love the audience has for her work.

Boman Irani bagged the Achiever of the Decade Award while his co-star from Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and veteran actor Shabana Azmi was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ranbir, Aishwarya, Shabana and Boman win Teacher’s Achievement Awards

The 10th edition of the prestigious Teacher’s Achievement awards was a glitzy glam event as it showcased some of the most envious names in the industry. These nominees were short listed after an evaluation process by the members of the advisory board; comprising of eminent personalities from the fields of business, entertainment, sports and communication.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani were few of the Bollywood celebs honoured with the Teacher’s Achievement Award at a function held in Mumbai over the weekend.

Ranbir Kapoor received the Teacher’s Achievement award in the Entertainment category. He felt a sense of gratitude that his work was recognised and appreciated.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honoured with Teacher’s People Achiever award which she dedicated to her dad Krishnaraj Rai. The People’s award was special for her because it reflected the love the audience has for her work.

Boman Irani bagged the Achiever of the Decade Award while his co-star from Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and veteran actor Shabana Azmi was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

KJo is all set to resume shoot for his talk show and start work on his next

The exclusive idea for Karan Johar’s next directorial venture is finally in place, thanks to his unscheduled time off due to a sudden bout of malaria.

Because of the illness, Karan had the time to ponder deeply over what he wants to direct next. After months of a mental block, Karan has finally zeroed in on the subject that he wants to take on next.

And here’s the arresting news: after My Name Is Khan, Karan will direct a full-on fun film filled with music and songs…lip-sync songs which were missing in Khan.

Weak but back with his sharp tongue, Karan says, “I suppose out of every setback some good is bound to happen. So yes, that elusive idea for my next film for which I had even taken time off to be in New York but came back empty-brained, is finally locked in.”
Karan has decided to make a complete departure from the mood of his last film My Name Is Khan. He will now make a full-on masti musical with at least 10 songs.

Says the excited director, “I don’t think I should be talking about it so soon. But I can’t help it. Yes, after a serious film like Khan, I am moving into the fun zone. I am doing a fun-and-frolic film. I don’t care if ‘frolic’ is too frivolous a word. That’s what I am doing in my next.”

Significantly, Karan’s next is going to be full-on musical. Says the director, “In My Name Is Khan, I couldn’t have my protagonist singing on screen. Though I’m very proud of its songs, I somehow feel deprived when I don’t do full-on lip-sync songs. My next will be a full-fledged musical with the characters singing away on screen. At the moment that’s all I can tell you.”

On Saturday evening, Karan had the Big B over for dinner. Would it be correct to assume that the mega-star would feature in Karan’s next directorial venture?

At the moment, all one can assume is that Shah Rukh Khan will definitely be a part of Karan’s masti-bhari musical.

Says Karan, “Amitji just came home for a conversation, dinner and an evening with me and my mother. Every time I speak to him, I feel blessed. I’m very fortunate to have not just known him but also worked with him. Of course I’d love to work with him again and with Abhishek.”

Karan intends to invite Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan as solo guests on this season of Koffee With Karan.

“With them, there’s no combination that makes any sense any more,” opines Karan.
After 9 days of no-work, Karan will now get back to shooting episodes of his new talk show Koffee With Karan which went on air on Sunday.

Sighs the filmmaker-turned-talkshow-host, “Fortunately, I had shot four episodes before I fell ill. So there’s a bank. I’m proud of what I’ve shot so far. People talk about Imran Khan-Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor-Deepika Padukone being rivals. On my show they got along so well!”

Interestingly, Deepika is said to have confirmed on Karan’s show that it was Ranbir Kapoor whom she had accused of two-timing in print.

Says Karan, “I’m not saying anything. Just watch my show.”

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