Kareena becomes first ever top Bollywood actress to be the face of Lakme

Here’s something more for the stunning Kareena Kapoor to preen over. Kareena has been chosen as the new face of the international cosmetic range of Lakme. The first Bollywood actress to be given this honour.

So far her appointment has only been a matter of speculation. But now we have it from a source very close to Kareena that she is indeed the first Bollywood actress to be thus appointed.

Says the source, “The Indian faces of Lakme have so far been all models. Even Katrina Kaif was a Lakme girl only when she was model. This is the first time that a Bollywood actress has been given this honour in the history of the cosmetic’s existence.”

According to the source close to Kareena, the formal announcement of Kareena’s appointment would be made this weekend.

Big B bars family from appearing on KBC

After Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, it’s Abhishek Bachchan, who has stayed away from Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by his father Amitabh Bachchan.

This week, the director Ashutosh Gowariker and his leading lady Deepika Padukone of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey recorded an episode of KBC. Abhishek opted out, although this is a crucial release for him.

Apparently, there was much behind-the-scenes maneuvering to convince Abhishek to occupy the hot seat in front of his iconic dad-host. Abhishek refused to budge.

Says a source, “Both the channel personnel and the crew of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey felt getting Abhishek and his dad on the same platform would be great publicity for Abhishek’s film. Abhishek wouldn’t relent. They finally went on the show without him.”

In fact, the channel’s plans to bring the entire Bachchan parivar for the grand finale on December 9 has also fallen through. According to sources, the Big B thwarted the plans of getting his family on the show by throwing the rule-book at the channel. They finally had to make the finale a Sholay special featuring the Big B with Dharmendra.

Says Sony Entertainment’s CEO Ajit Thakur, “We were indeed in advanced talks with the Bachchan family to come on the show. However, it finally didn’t work out. Even Abhishek is missing in the episode featuring his colleagues for the promotion of their film.”

Argues Big B, “As per the rules and regulations of the company that owns the original rights of KBC, relatives of the anchor are not permitted to participate in the show. There’s a signed contract in this regard.”

However, the channel’s personnel argue that the contract rules don’t apply to special episodes of KBC.

Says the source, “We were very keen to have the family on the show. But the Bachchans don’t want anyone to say they’re using the show to promote their family.”

Mahie Gill’s item number edited out from Knock Out

The much talked-about item song in Mani Shankar’s Knock Out has been knocked out of film just days before its release.

Touted as the next ‘Munni Badnaam’ in the charts, the number was shot recently by the film’s producers and apparently without the director’s consent. On hearing about the embellishment director Mani Shankar was horrified.

Says a source, “Mani immediately got in touch with his producer Sohail Maklai asking why material was added to the film without his consent. Sohail tried to explain to him that it was to enhance the massy element. Mani had no choice but to allow the song to be shot. But when he incorporated it into the film he immediately felt it was not working. He removed the song just days before the prints went out.”

Apparently, the producers had decided to do all the promotional footage on their own without the director’s active participation. Says the source, “Mani was opposed to cutting the promos highlighting shots that resembled Phone Booth. If the producers had listened to him the trouble with 20th Century Fox over plagiarism allegations could’ve been avoided since Knock Out has nothing to do with Phone Booth.”

This time Mani Shankar stood his ground. He would not allow the item song into his narrative especially since the director apparently found the movements given to Mahie to be vulgar.

When contacted Mani admits he opposed the inclusion of the song and removed it from his film. “My film is a political thriller that moves in real time. A break for an item song was just not needed. We removed Mahie Gill’s number after shooting it. As for whether I approved of her movements, that question has no relevance since the number is no longer in my film.”

Mahie Gill appears surprised to know that her number has been knocked out of Knock Out.

Trying to hide her disappointment the actress says, “Nobody has informed me! Has my number really been edited out? Maybe after shooting it they realized it didn’t jell with the narrative. I had fun shooting the number with Ganesh Acharya. Now I’ve shot an item song for Vinay Shukla’s Mirchi with the legendary choreographer Saroj Khan.”

Hopefully, Mahie’s item number in Mirchi would have a better fate.

John Abraham to play 18th century warrior

It promises to be the mother of all period films. John Abraham is all set to star in a lavish 18th century costume drama which would give him his first chance to take a trip back in time.
John, so far identified strictly and purely with urbane contemporary themes, is currently in full preparation for his role as the blast action hero in the Hindi remake of Kakha Kakha.
He will start preparing for his warrior’s part right after he finishes Dostana 2. According to a source, the real-life 18th century warrior’s part requires John to stretch himself beyond his limits as an athlete and fighter.
Says the source, “The role needs him to be extremely agile almost panther-like. He will have to train in a martial-arts discipline from the 18th century and also specific to the community that the real-life character belonged to.”
The venture yet to be titled is to be directed by John’s close pal Sabal Shekhawat who has directed John in several high-profile ads.

Madhu Mantena who will produce the film has purchased the rights of a book on the 18th century warrior. “But I can’t disclose the name of the book because we haven’t fully closed the deal. I’ve bought the rights at a huge price (close to Rs. 75 lakhs). In the costume, John bears a striking resemblance to the real-life warrior,” says Mantena.
John says it’s too early to talk about the new project. “But I like new challenges thrown at me as an actor. I’ve never done a period film. It would be nice to get into that space.”
Interestingly, though set in a different period, John would still flaunt his upper torso and fight with an adversary.
Ask him about the stripping quotient in Dostana 2 and John quips, “It is so cold in London. How can I take my clothes off?”
How indeed?

Vidya Balan shoots in crowded places of Kolkata for No One Killed Jessica

While Vidya Balan who considers herself half a Bengali had herself a ball in Kolkata last week shooting for Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica, Rani Mukerjee who is a fully certified Bengali was not to be seen in her home-town.

Going by the way Vidya’s shooting schedule went in Kolkata it was all for the best if Rani stayed away.

Apparently, the 2-day schedule had to be shot with secret cameras in prominent public places where the security was most inadequate.

Says the source, “We had to shoot in crowded locations like the Kolkata airport, Baliganj, Park Circus and New Market. The crowds in these places were impossible to control. We had rushed in place the cameras secretly. Vidya would then get into camera range and before the bystanders recognized the star in their midst, we were out. If Rani had also accompanied Vidya it would’ve been impossible to control.”

Director Rajkumar Gupta is tight-lipped about the details in Kolkata. “All I can tell you is that shooting in Kolkata was even tougher than Delhi. But it was fun. By now, I am used to shooting on crowded main streets with my actors. It was the last two days of shooting. On the second day after we finished, (dress designer) Sabysachi Chakraborty who belongs to Kolkata, took the entire unit out for dinner. We had some terrific Bengali food. We celebrated till the wee hours.” Rani, alas, was no part of the celebration.

Ashley Greene Pictres

Ashley Greene!  pictures of the Twilight starlet hit the ‘net this morning, at around the same time as photos of her making out with Chace Crawford in a limo hit the web. Everything’s coming up Ashley Greene today! We may have a full-blown A-lister on our hands soon if she keeps up at this pace. I mean, it sure helps to have an international blockbuster under your belt, but nothing says “uber-famous” like having what’s under your belt go international.

Regarding Chace, a friend of the twosome says:

“Ashley and Chace have known each other for a while. They used to hook up actually back when he lived in L.A. It was never anything too serious. It was before either of them were famous. They stayed good friends.”

Originally posted here:
Ashley Greene Pictres

Bollywood Star Salman Khan Gift Rs.25,000 to Begger

MUMBAI: Actor Salman Khan may be a brat, but the brat has a heart of gold, and this, we must say is proven time and time again.

The actor while shooting for Boney Kapoor’s ‘Wanted’ at Bandra Fort seemed to recognize a beggar on the street. He went up to him, and asked him if he was the same person who used to sell kites at Band Stand, Bandra a long time ago. The beggar indeed was!

“Apparently, Salman Khan used to buy kites from him as a child. He hadn’t seen him for years, and now suddenly after 20 years to have spotted him in this state” says the source, adding, “But Salman is a very generous guy. He gave him Rs. 25,000 and bought him some food and clothes.

The beggar was eternally grateful.” Salman Khan has grown up at Bandra’s Band Stand. And flying kites on the rocks wasn’t unusual for him.

The actor has always done his bit for the underprivileged. He runs his own NGO, Salman Khan Foundation, and the proceeds of all his paintings go towards social causes.

View original post here:
Bollywood Star Salman Khan Gift Rs.25,000 to Begger