Neha minds wearing a two piece

She emerged from the blue waters in a gold bikini in her debut film Qayamat, which released five years ago.

The culture police wrote her off, and her seniors and fellow contemporaries didn’t take to her two-piece ‘hip’ avatar very kindly. “The actresses who didn’t want to show skin, and swore that they’d never wear bikinis and swimsuits then, are doing just that these days. People are hypocritical, and have double-standards,” says Neha Dhupia, shrugging. “And those who reprimanded me are applauding them like there’s no tomorrow! But you know what? I don’t think wearing a two-piece is cool anymore. I've been there, done that years ago!” claims the actor who has shifted from the show-substantial-skin mode to more serious cinema! A compromise on hard-core commercial flicks, may have brought with it lesser fame, money and close to zero GQ (Glam Quotient)? “Maybe, but the satisfaction is immense, and the contentment I derive from my work today is multifold. Being a part of simple, beautiful films like Mithya, Maharathi, Dasvidaniya... and working with the likes of Vinay Pathak, Rajat Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Paresh Rawal... has given me more than what money ever could. They’re stalwarts and they do no wrong! “I’ve dabbled in ‘commercial films’ at the beginning of my career,” explains Neha, “But priorities change over time. Yes, I could’ve made an obnoxious amount of money by taking up more commercially viable projects. But what am I going to do with so much money? I’m earning enough,” she says. Working with actors who are twice her age, and not necessarily conventionally good-looking, boyfriend Ritwik Bhattacharya must be heaving a sigh of relief. “Listen, if I’m working with Naseer and Paresh, I’ve also worked with the Akshay Kumars, Ajay Devgans and Emraan Hashmis. But I’ll never give Ritwik a reason to feel insecure. Not even if I get to do a film with Brad Pitt,” winks Neha!

Beckhams, Cruise spend time together

The Beckham and the Cruise families are spending time together in New York to celebrate Thankgiving Day.

According to mirror.co.uk , David and Victoria Beckham headed to Central Park with sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz to meet up with Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, their daughter Suri and Cruise's adopted children Isabella and Connor for the celebrations. The two families also hooked a day before to watch Katie perform in her Broadway play All My Sons and then had dinner together.

Wake up to Aamir and Shah Rukh threat Salman!

Salman Khan seems to be going through a rough phase for the past three years. Of course this Khan is making more news for his wild ways, romantic link ups with several actresses, a steady girlfriend as well as extra soft feelings for a certain ex-girlfriend and for being dubbed by the Indian media as Bollywood's most eligible bachelor than for his career.After 'No Entry' in 2005 all his films have flopped one after the other.In 'Kyunki', his next release after 'No Entry', he played the role of a mad man accused of murdering his lady love. Salman's performance was good but it couldn't help in the success of the film.2006 turned out to be an unsuccessful year for him when 'Jaan-E-Mann' where he played a rock star and 'Baabul' where he had a small role tanked.He started 2007 with the ensemble film called 'Salaam E Ishq' and though there were loads of stars in the film, it bit the dust.His next release 'Partner' did very well at the box office but now 'Yuvvraj' has been thrashed as well. The competition is tough with Aamir's ambitious 'Ghajini' and SRK's labour of love 'Rab ne Bana Di Jodi' coming up! But Sallu seems to be least worried about his career. He's probably preparing for his 43RD birthday on 27th of Dec and hopes to fight back with a vengeance.

Aishwarya makes up with Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has fulfilled another one of her dreams. She has patched up with her 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Devdas' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.The inside buzz is that she's been trying that for a long time. Quite understandably so! After all, many have felt and said that he's one director who brings out the best in her. Well, that seems quite a correct analysis considering the fact that even though her films with others like 'Dhoom 2' and 'Guru' have done well; she hasn't really walked away with all the accolades. The icing on the cake is that the venture will also be on a grand scale like 'Devdas'. Moreover in the movie she's opposite Hrithik Roshan with whom her on screen chemistry simply rocks.Not surprisingly Ash on her part is quite grateful to the director who has given her two of the biggest films of her career.She doesn't really care about the fiasco that 'Saawariya' was. If all goes well, the film will go on floors by the middle of next year Bhansali has finally got over the sorrow he felt after his poetry in motion-'Saawariya' flopped. That movie was slammed by audiences and critics alike.By the way, SRK's loss is Hrithik's gain.The buzz is that the director was quite angry at the actor for making fun of 'Saawariya' at a film award function and calling it a 'blue' film. The news is that he's sworn never to work with SRK again.As for Ash, she and The Bachchans just celebrated the 70th birthday bash of her sick father.She managed to take some time off from the jungles of Kochi where she is currently shooting for Mani Ratnam's biggie 'Raavan'.This is one actress who really knows how to balance her personal and professional life!

Nicole's ipod doesn't have hubby's songs

Oscar winning Australian actress Nicole Kidman has many artists on her ipod list but her husband's music is conspicuously missing.

iTunes released Nicole's playlist, reports tmz.com . Some artistes on the playlist include John Mayer and The Kings of Leon. There are also some older bands like Crowded House and Midnight Oil. But her husband Keith Urban's songs are missing. Nicole and Urban got married a few years back. Nicole at one time was married to superstar Tom Cruise.

Naomi sparks engagement rumours

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has ignited rumours that she got engaged when she sported a huge ring on her finger.

According to thesun.co.uk, the 38-year-old supermodel wore the ring when she went out with her Russian boyfriend Vladimir Doronin. Naomi had met Doronin in May and has reportedly even bought a wedding dress. Doronin is a property dealer and was reportedly showing Naomi off to his friends. A witness said, "She was very pointedly looking at her ring and admiring it." The two were spotted together at a magazine bash in Moscow.

Director feared Brandon's gay role

London, Director Kevin Smith, who recently directed "Zack and Miri make a Porno", was afraid Brandon Routh might get in trouble for his gay kiss in the comedy.According to thesun.co.uk, Smith also feared Superman franchise owners Warner Bros would be upset with Routh playing a gay character and kissing co-star Justin Long. Smith said: "I was on set with Brandon and shooting the sequence where he acts incredibly gay. At one point I was like, 'Hey man, I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth but doesn't Warner Bros have some sort of moral clause? I mean, you played Superman! Are you really allowed to do this?" Routh denied there was any problem with his commitments. He said: "The only thing I have to go to them with is if I'm going to play another superhero. Other than that, it's fair game'. So I'm like 'Great, get in there and kiss that f***ing dude right now!'" But Routh did not like kissing Long. He said: "He made me sick! It was a very quick kiss, but it was absolutely shocking."

The meteoric rise of Daniel Craig as Bond star

When Daniel Craig first heard from the Bond producers that he had got the part of the super spy, he was in a store buying dishwashing tablets. After the call, he dropped them and bought a bottle of vodka instead. This perfectly sums up Craig.Without the James Bond role, Craig would have very likely ended his career in anonymity, toiling in critically acclaimed but unacknowledged roles. He never cared for fame, reluctantly took up the Bond role, but is now positioned to be one of the biggest stars of his generation.The two recent releases starring him - "Quantum Of Solace" and "Flashbacks of a Fool" - perfectly point out the ambiguity of Craig."Quantum Of Solace" is a big- budget 22nd instalment of the Bond franchise and "Flashbacks Of A Fool" is a small independent movie, which he took on mainly because a good friend (Baillie Walsh) of his directed the movie with him in mind for the lead role.When Craig was announced as the new Bond, almost everyone was surprised, but not pleasantly. There was severe backlash and the nasty criticism carried on well into the filming of his debut in "Casino Royale".But after the smashing success of the movie and Craig's brilliant performance of a more raw, muscular, gritty, darker Bond, the actor has been flying high and is well on his way to becoming one of the most popular Bonds.The beauty in the meteoric rise of Craig's stardom is the absolute obscurity from which he rose. He did not have a major hit. He did star in the hit "Elizabeth", but even there he played a monk featured in very few scenes, who is only remembered for bashing someone's head with a rock.He also starred in the critically acclaimed "Munich" directed by Steven Spielberg, but played second fiddle to Eric Bana. Hardly anybody would have heard of the movies that Craig starred in before he became famous. There was "The Mother" (2003) where he played an unhappily married building contractor having an affair with a woman and her old mother. That same year he starred in the forgettable "Sylvia" co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow.In "Infamous", he played a killer involved in a torrid homosexual relationship with the complicated author Truman Capote. The only role that looked somewhat similar to the Bond role he would take on in the future was in "Layer Cake" where he played a violent drug dealer. Though Craig appeared in numerous below the radar roles, there was one aspect of his acting that he has effortlessly transplanted into the Bond role - intensity. Craig's Bond is not only muscular but also more dangerous. Even his sexuality is more primordial.In one scene in "Casino Royale", he emerges from the sea in just his swimming trunks, his well-toned body glistening. Later he is captured by the villain, tied up naked and tortured. In both, his body is on display but used to relay contrasting messages.Craig clearly had to shoulder one of the weightiest burdens of any actor in recent memory when he took on the Bond role. He was a virtual unknown, the first blonde Bond to be born after the franchise began and clearly the most gifted of all Bond actors.He has more than fulfilled all expectations and is a bona fide superstar. He is here to stay.

Tom Cruise wants more children with Katie

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is keen to expand his family with wife Katie Holmes but is waiting until his wife finishes her current stint on Broadway before trying for another baby.Holmes is starring in a new adaptation of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" and will be based in New York until the end of her run, which is expected to finish early next year, reports contactmusic.com.Cruise admits the couple, who already have two-year-old daughter Suri, are keen for another baby, but they have to wait until Holmes returns to the family home in California."We will have more children. I'm saying this despite Kate's not here," said Cruise.

Clint Eastwood, 78, retires from acting

Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, 78, says he will not act in another film after starring in his current project "Gran Torino".Accroding to mirror.co.uk, the five-time Oscar winner is tipped to pick up his first Academy Award as an actor for the drama, which is about a racist Korean War veteran's attempts to reclaim his stolen car."That will probably do it for me as far as acting is concerned," said Eastwood who will continue to direct films.

‘Himala’ best Asian film in history

Visitors to the Cable News Network entertainment website voted Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala,” which starred Nora Aunor as a simple provincial girl turned faith healer, as the best movie of all time in the Asia-Pacific region, outclassing such greats as Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Others in the top 10 that vied for the honor, in which “Himala” was the only Filipino film, included Andrew Lau and Alan Mak’s “Mou Gaan Dou (Infernal Affairs)” from Hong Kong, Chan-wook Park’s “Old Boy” from South Korea, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)” from Japan, Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” from India, Peter Weir’s “Gallipoli” from Australia, Wong Kar Wai’s “Chung Hing Sam Lam (Chungking Express)” from China, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s “Gabbeh” from Iran.
According to the CNN website, critics, industry insiders, Asian film stars, and CNN viewers chose the movies that landed in the shortlist of ten films. The online poll that ran in October determined the winner.
The Filipino classic, which was written by Ricky Lee and originally released in 1982 for the Metro Manila Film Festival, was announced the top vote-getter in the popular vote and named the winner of the CNN-APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time on Tuesday at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Hundreds of film industry luminaries from around the world attended the event.

Records set as folk escape 2 movies

Hollywood is set for a counter-cyclical boost to its fortunes after strong early box office sales for two high profile films.


The latest proof that people flock to cinemas in tough times is a record North American opening weekend for the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.
The movie earned $US70million ($107million) in four days, making it the best opening for a Bond film and the highest-grossing opening for any spy drama.
The movie, estimated to have cost $US200million, had already racked up $US250million worldwide.
"It could really, genuinely be a time to start relaxing, yes," the film's relieved star, Daniel Craig, said in Sydney yesterday.
"It's been about nine months of my life, and we're at that stage where we can kind of breathe a little. I haven't sucked in breath for eight-nine months now, because it's just been so intense working to get this film out."
Ben Stiller was a little more relaxed. He is in Australia to promote his latest film, the animated sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, with co-star Chris Rock and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg.
That film has already banked a $US60million opening weekend in North America before it unspools around the world, including a December 11 release here.
The star of There's Something About Mary is a little wary of Hollywood's future as the global financial meltdown dries up the financing options.
"Everybody's affected, but it seems to me, even in the past few weeks, we've seen these big movies come out and open big," he said.
"People seem to want that -- to go to the movies to get a little bit of relief or escapism, which always seems to be the case."
Two films might not validate a theory, but Hollywood studios hope they may ride out the recession, just as Hollywood films, particularly gangster movies, boomed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s.
Stiller believes the effect of businesses and consumers tightening their belts around the world will have some effect on the movie industry.
"I just hope it doesn't affect things in a way where the direction of movies becomes what has happened lately -- where these bigger films drive everything, and the independent film world is trying to find its way," he said.
"It doesn't seem like it's going to be positive for the film industry in that way, in the same way it's not going to be positive for anybody until we get through this time."
However, "this time" doesn't feel very different for the major film distributors.
In the space of four days, the premieres of three films expected to earn more than $20million each at Australian cinemas will take place: Quantum of Solace last Saturday, Madagascar 2 at Sydney's State Theatre last night, and Australia at Sydney's Greater Union George Street cinema tonight.
They're targeted marketing opportunities, though. In a sign of the times, only one of the premieres will hold a post-show party -- Baz Luhrmann's splashy Australia.

Minogue supported after on-air breakdown

Dannii Minogue has been backed by her X Factor co-stars after being reduced to tears live on air following a row with Louis Walsh.The pair exchanged heated words on last night's live show after Walsh claimed that his fellow judge had "stolen" a song that he wanted to secure for his boyband JLS. The track in question, Take That's 'Rule The World', was given to Rachel Hylton as Minogue had first choice as part of a rota system drawn up between the mentors.After the ITV1 programme returned from a commercial break, Minogue had broken down in tears and was unable to introduce Hylton's performance.Speaking later on ITV2 spinoff The Xtra Factor, Simon Cowell insisted: "Dannii did exactly what I would do, which is choose the right song for the artist and if Louis doesn't like it, tough! "There's no point pointing fingers at Dannii saying that she stole the song. She didn't steal the song, she had the right to choose that song and [she] did the right thing for Rachel. Next week, we change the order again - that's the way it goes." Earlier this month, Minogue admitted that she was trying to put on a brave face after receiving "taunts" in the press this year.Asked for her take on the argument, Hylton said: "Leave Dannii alone. It was a rota system. I think it's really unfair that you keep having these bad jibes at me and my mentor. It's not on. We're people and we've got feelings too. I just want people to leave my mentor alone - she's a lovely woman."The programme's host Holly Willoughby added: "She is a lovely lady and she's strong as well. I think the good thing about tonight is that no one thinks Dannii was in the wrong."

Nicole Kidman to quit acting for kids?

Nicole Kidman has hinted that she may leave her Hollywood career behind.According to Reuters, the Australian actress suggested that she may take time out to have more children.She said: "In terms of my future as an actor and stuff, I don't know. I am in a place in my life where... I've had some great opportunities and I may just choose to have some more children."I've no idea what is in my future but I am very at peace with where I want to be. There are many things I want to do besides act."Kidman's latest film, the World War II epic Australia, opens in UK cinemas on Boxing

At Least Daniel Craig Is Still Hot

In 2006, James Bond was reborn for the first time in the person of Daniel Craig, a slightly dingy hunk whose eyes are the color of blue Otter Pops. Craig—who, I will throw my cards down now, is to my mind the best Bond by far (and no trouble to look at, let's be honest)—was new to the role, but he was also playing a new role. After Pierce Brosnan exhausted every winking reference to the facile character's shopworn charm in four movies from 1995 to 2002, the franchise needed a reboot. It futurized by reaching into the past: 2006's Casino Royale told the story of how Bond became Bond, opening with the two kills that earned him his 007 status. It moved on to one of the best on-foot chases in action-movie history, a geniusly choreographed performance of physically witty parkour between a real parkour star and Craig (content to portray himself by contrast as a doltish fighter who smashes through walls rather than scaling them).
Revolutionarily, the movie then became a love story. Bond fell in love. There was a marvelous scene involving scrotum torture and before long, Bond was e-mailing his resignation to MI6. Bond was getting a life! He was also getting, about 100 years after Freud, a psychology. And none of the cartoonish fun of Bond was lost—the villain wept blood! Bond rocketed into the sky on a construction crane!—even when his soul was first glimpsed (it began not with a kiss but with a hug), and even when this newborn soul was predictably trampled at the end.

Bond immediately set out for vengeance, and the new movie, Quantum of Solace, picks up right where Casino Royale left off. Quantum's plot was hatched and scripted by a team of producers and writers who began their work while Casino Royale was still shooting, and frankly, it is a mess by comparison. (Its title comes from a short story in Ian Fleming's For Your Eyes Only, but the plot is made up from whole cloth.) The psychology is more heavy-handed and simple. (Reportedly, Paul Haggis's idea to complicate it by giving Bond's early girlfriend a child was rejected.) The fun is less fun. (The villain is just a pretend environmentalist.) Also—and don't accuse me of action-mental-midgetry because I understood every move Jason Bourne made—the plot's turns are occasionally confusing, and worse, you don't care why. The end, especially, just hangs there, limp. It's a wishy-washy film, like the word "quantum" is wishy-washy. It can mean "large, significant" or "very small increments": This is not a word; it is an antiword.
Quantum of Solace, the 22nd Bond film, then, has only two built-in audiences: those who follow Daniel Craig, and those who follow James Bond. Those audiences will have to go to this film, and for them there are a few perks. The fact that Bond conducts high-speed chases using a stick shift rather than an automatic transmission appears to great effect at the start. The fact that the contemporary Bond prefers murder to torture provides something to think about. The ravishing staging of Puccini's Tosca as a production-within-a-production—and the use of the opera audience as a United Nations–style gathering place for the global underworld—offers a delicious opening to continue the age-old argument about the supremacy of opera among all art forms.

Dating Clooney was stressful, says ex

George Clooney's ex-girlfriend Sarah Larson revealed that she had a stressful time while dating him.

Sarah was a waitress and she says she did not enjoy the relationship with the superstar. Contactmusic.com reports her saying: "It was a little nerve-wracking because everybody loves George, and so, to be in the public eye like that, it was a little bit stressful. It's a lot to take in. I think I just went like a deer in the headlights. At times, I didn't know what to do." The two dated for almost a year, but she hasn't been in touch with him since they broke up. She added: "I haven't spoken with him in a very long time. It's not necessarily that there's hard feeling, but we just haven't. When you break-up, it's difficult but you move on. "Out of respect for George, I know how personal he is and so I really do try to avoid as much of that as possible, because I know that he's a very personal guy and I would never wanna do anything to make (him) uncomfortable."

Paparazzi are dangerous

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has vowed to stay away from the paparazzi and has branded them " disrespectful and dangerous".

The 'Aviator' actor admitted that he has been trying his level best to keep away from the paparazzi, since he became a major Hollywood phenomenon. "Actually I''m not in the tabloids anymore. I am sometimes, but I''ve watched the culture change. I''m old hat. And I love it. You know what it is with me? This is something I''d like to clarify. I''ve heard people say, ''Because you hide, it makes you seem ungrateful," Contactmusic quoted DiCaprio, as saying. The 34-year-old actor revealed that he is abhorrent of the fact that the paparazzi try to make a living by intruding into his private life. "The mere fact that these - I''ll use the word piles - are earning money from exploiting my image is the only reason I hide myself or am not a photo-friendly person. I do not like the way they conduct themselves. I think they''re disrespectful and dangerous. "The reason I don''t pose or smile or that I seem mad is that I don''t want them to make a living off my private life," he added.

Jackman wears movie costumes while having sex!

Hugh Jackman has a unique way of spicing up things in the bedroomhe wears his movie costumes for the kinky act.The ”Australia” actor often keeps his outfits from films including ”X-Men”, in which he played sexy mutant Wolverine, to impress wife Deborra-Lee Furness in the bedroom.Hugh, who has been named the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, has two adopted children with Deborra-Lee.“It’’s easy with my wife. She loves the idea of me coming home in costume because it makes her feel like she’’s having an affair in a good way, he told People.He added: “When we met, I was cast as a prisoner with tattoos and she”d say, ”Don”t take your tattoos off tonight!” and I”d be like, ”All right!” But what works best with her is the stockbroker look.”The 40-year-old actor also revealed that very often he shows off his “sexy dance” moves to lure his ladylove into bed, reports China Daily.He said: “She also says, ”Do your sexy dance for me,” an 80s-like, hip-swivelling number, and that works for me!”

Karolina Kurkova’s missing belly button mystery solved

After appearing at a shoot for Victoria’s Secret in Miami Beach, Karolina Kurkova became the talk of the town, thanks to her looks, curves and a missing belly button. Now the navel case has been solved.According to the stunners rep, the missing body part is because of an infant surgery.“She had an operation when she was an infant,” the New York Daily News quoted the rep, as saying.“Its a fact and just thank God she’s healthy, the rep added.The mystery of strangely smooth tummy of Karolina, who was recently voted E! entertainment’’s World’s Sexiest Woman title, surfaced as the Czech supermodel strutted her stuff on the runway in Miami two weeks ago.There was simply an indentation where the center “button” should have been.According to doctors, it was likely an umbilical hernia.“It does look like [she may have had] an umbilical hernia as a child that was either fixed or not fixed, which can distort the belly button,” said Dr. Matthew Schulman, a plastic surgeon at Manhattans Mount Sinai Medical Center.The condition is a fairly common in infants, Schulman said.Usually a portion of the intestine has popped through the abdominal muscles, causing an oversized “outie.”“Most people have them fixed, because you should have any hernias fixed,” Schulman said.

Kim Cattrall goes topless for Titian's masterpiece

Actress Kim Cattrall, the star of Sex and the City, has posed semi-naked to appear in a recreation of Titian's masterpiece as part of a campaign to save the artwork from being removed from public display.The Police Academy star went topless for a modern version of 'Diana and Actaeon' to help artist and photographer Tom hunter raise 50 million pounds to save the artwork from hitting the open market.Kim, a regular at the London National Gallery and a huge admirer of Titian's work, argued viewing the painting as 'being in the presence of genius... it would be a tragedy if it were not on public view'.The 52-year-old actress had been enlisted by Hunter along with a troupe of twenty somethings students to pose for the 21st century version of the painting, reports the Telegraph.He said, "Kim is the perfect Diana. Just like the Greek goddess, she combines beauty with a sense of threat. She was a great sport and at 52 made an amazing Diana. She more than held her own among a room full of twentysomethings."The picture can't of course hold a candle to the original which deserves to remain on public view. This painting is sublime and to lose it to a private collection would be a tragedy," he added

Jackman's wife Catches Halle Giving Him Oral Sex

Aussie actor Hugh Jackman's wife Deborra-Lee caught him in the middle of getting oral sex from actress Halle Berry while on the set of the movie Swordfish.Deborra-Lee had just walked in while he was filming the explicit sex act with Berry.Though it was an awkward occasion, Jackman revealed that the way his wife handled the situation enabled him to do other saucy scenes in front of her."There's a scene in Swordfish where I've got a gun to my head, I've got to crack a code and a girl is under the table giving me a **** *** all at once," the Sun quoted Jackman as saying."We shot it for two days and Deb turned up unannounced right as I was finishing. Afterwards she went straight up to the girl and said, 'Hi, I'm Deborra-Lee. I think you're giving my husband a **** ***.' The actress went bright red and apologised but Deborra just said, 'Oh, don't worry. You're getting paid to do it so enjoy it!'," he added.

What made you get into acting?
I am a creative person and I wanted to explore my creativity. I found this to be the best medium.

You worked in South films before your first Bollywood appearance in Khalbali... It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.

Being a Punjabi girl, working in a South film was really a challenge for me. But I got to learn a lot from them. I’m a fast learner so it wasn’t that difficult for me. I got a chance to improve on my dancing skills as well.

What has it been like working in Bollywood so far?

I feel wonderful and lucky to be working here. I’m really grateful and thankful to the people I have worked with, and those that I will work with in the future. Yes, I feel great, being a part of this industry.

What is your opinion on the casting couch?

I believe the word ‘casting couch’ has been elaborated a lot, though it hardly exists. People have given undue importance to it. Exploitation can happen in any industry and not necessarily only in the glamour industry.

Have you taken any formal training in acting?

I have done theatre in Delhi in the beginning of my career.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Surely I will be in Bollywood as a successful actress.

What do you do when you chill out?

I relax at home, listen to music. Play with my puppies.

Big B all praise for Ajay

Recently Amitabh Bachchan in his blog went all out in praise of Ajay Devgan with whom he shot for the film Teen Patti.

“The crowds below are swelling. The police has been informed to bring order. It’s a hundred meter walk from the ground door to the van. It’s a gauntlet. The masses explode and cheer and applaud. I feel elated and swell my chest. Hey! At 67, not bad to still demand such recognition. It’s then that I notice another fancy vanity van. It’s Ajay Devgan’s. Yes of course. He is playing a day’s guest appearance today. Damn! And I thought the crowds were for me. Sad. But happy for Ajay... “We all live within feet of each other. Ajay and Kajol now 10 metres away from my boundary wall in Jalsa. Opposite him, 6 metres away, Dharamji, Sunny and Bobby. They share common boundary wall with Yash Chopra, Adi Chopra... and we never see or meet each other!! Ajay called on phone after about eight months when we were in the same hotel in London. I was presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dharamji in Yorkshire, England, where I met him after years!! Ha..Ha.. But I know and they know that any time they need me or I them, we will be the first to come together!!”

All’s ‘gay’ in Bollywood?

It wasn’t just Kantaben who was left gathering her wits. The entire country sat up and took notice of two Bollywood hotties teaming up for the gay act.

While the moral police was ready to forgive it as a one-off instance, muttering Kal Ho Na Ho under its breath, John flaunted his derriere and did a simmering tango with good friend AB junior in Tarun Mansukhani’s latest. Why, they even engaged in an onscreen kiss! So, is sexuality finally coming out of the Bollywood closet with Fashion and Dostana, films dealing with the gay theme, being churned out back-to-back? Gone are the Fire days, when effigies were burnt and screenings disrupted. Though a comparatively low-key My Brother Nikhil dealt with homosexuality, the Bollywood scene had never seemed more ‘gay’ before. And the fact that producers are laughing their way to the bank, only goes on to prove that the audience has been acceptable like never before. Mansukhani says that the success of his film can only be credited to its being real. I wanted to deal with real problems. Dostana is a very straightforward film dealing with a sensitive issue. But at the same time, I didn’t want to sound preachy and added dollops of entertainment to the film. That people are coming out of multiplexes discussing the film, is indicative of the film’s success.” The director adds that the scene where Kirron Kher is seen in a dilemma over whether to address John as her son-in-law or daughter-in-law, is his favourite. “Parental opposition is one of the common problems in this context. I wanted to keep the scene simple yet meaningful.”And it’s not just directors who are all set to break away from formulaic films, actors too are becoming more forthcoming when it comes to playing offbeat characters. Harsh Chhaya, who plays a gay designer in Fashion, elaborates how he approached director Madhur Bhandarkar for the role. “I shot a five-minute DVD of myself as an effeminate character. I met Madhur again and requested him to watch the DVD. Within four days, I got the news that I had bagged the part.” Ask him whether he was apprehensive about the role and the actor says that he was “bored to death playing an America-returned MBA or a doctor and wanted to take a chance”. Actor Irrfan feels that it’s a positive trend to have emerged. “It’s good that the society is shedding its hypocrisy.” Ask him to put forward a possible reason behind this trend and the actor explains, “Being exposed to Internet and the TV, the yuppie crowd is updated on everything going around them. Though Mills & Boons will always rule the roost, sentimentality has most definitely taken a backseat. They want a slice of life.” Talk of the depiction of sexuality in Bollywood and author and film critic Anupama Chopra endorses Karan Johar’s views of this being a ‘baby step’. “Fire is a serious film, where Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das are lovers. But in Dostana, John and Abhishek are only pretending to be homosexuals. It’s an irreverent tongue-in-cheek way of dealing with a serious issue. Dostana is not a Brokeback Mountain. The Indian audience has no reason to get agitated as it’s not even based in India!”However, a step has been taken in a positive direction. And we have every reason to be ‘gay’!

James Bond star Daniel Craig has promised 007 fans that the superspy's next film will involve more sexy scenes.

For Quantum of Solace , Craig and Bond boss Barbara Broccoli decided to focus on action, rather than his bedroom antics. However, the British actor has promised the next film in the successful franchise will be much steamier. "For Bond to jump in bed with ten women would contradict the whole things,” Contactmusic quoted him, as saying. “But the next movie - everybody wants it (saucy scenes) so we're going to have it," he added.

Moore's word is his Bond

Hundreds of shoppers queued out of the door of an Auckland book store on Friday to catch a glimpse of iconic British film star Sir Roger Moore.
Sir Roger is in the city to launch his autobiography, My Word is My Bond.
Whitcoulls store supervisor Jeremy Eyles told NZPA that just before 4.30pm more than 300 people were lining up to get up close to the James Bond star.
"We've had good sales of his autobiography today and it's great to see so many people have turned out to meet him.
"The last time we had this many people in the store was when Terry Pratchett and Jamie Oliver were here about two years ago," Eyles said.
At 81, Moore is certainly one of the more elderly celebrities to visit New Zealand in support of their autobiography, but his fans were clearly eager to snap up a copy.
Earlier he was a guest at a literary lunch at Auckland's Hyatt Regency Hotel.
On Saturday he will be at Borders in Sylvia Park from 12pm until 1pm.
Suave and sophisticated, Moore has starred in some of the most popular films and television series of the past half century - from his roles in The Saint and The Persuaders to Agent 007.
He has also become heavily involved in the United Nations children's organisation Unicef.
My Word is My Bond looks back on his life and career - from his early childhood in wartime London to life as a struggling actor and his early Hollywood days, to his battle with prostate cancer.
The book goes behind the scenes of playing some of the world's most famous roles - and playing alongside the world's most legendary stars.
Born in London, Moore started out as a trainee animator. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and a stint in the British Army, he worked in theatre and radio, then as a model and salesman before a contract with MGM in 1953 led to Hollywood and roles in TV series Ivanhoe and Maverick.
But it was the hit series The Saint that brought international stardom. He went on to play James Bond on the big screen in seven films, more than any other 007. And in 2003, he was awarded a knighthood for his work for Unicef.

Beyonce, Jay-Z top Hollywood rich list

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z, who together made 108 million pounds, topped the list of the top ten power couples released by America's Forbes magazine.

While actor Will Smith and wife Jada are on second number with earnings of 56.6 million pounds, David and Victoria Beckham have been named the third richest couple in Hollywood after earning 38.6 million pounds in the past year, reports dailymail.co.uk. Beckham, 33, earned a salary of 3.6 million pounds from Los Angeles Galaxy but more than doubled that from merchandise and sponsorship revenues. Another 23.3 million pounds of the total came from lucrative endorsement deals with Motorola, Adidas and Pepsi, among others. Meanwhile, Victoria, 34, generated another 5.3 million pounds thanks to her cut of the Spice Girls reunion tour and products including sunglasses, perfume, couture clothing and DVB jeans. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the year's most talked about pair, only managed fifth place with joint earnings of 22.6 million pounds.

Janet's nipplegate case to be reviewed

The ‘nipplegate’ scandal involving Janet Jackson is to be reviewed again.


After Janet’s right nipple was exposed while she was performing with Justin Timberlake at the 2004 SuperBowl, a fine of 550,000 dollars was slapped on TV network CBS by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission officials, who said that they broke indecency rules. However, a federal court subsequently ruled that CBS would not have to pay the fine, as they were not responsible for Janet’s actions, reports the Daily Star . Now, almost five years after the wardrobe malfunction scandal, government officials are asking the Supreme Court to review the footage again, suggesting the panel which oversaw the original investigation may have "erred in holding that the federal communications commission acted arbitrarily and capriciously."

Kylie had to gatecrash aftershow party

Kylie Minogue may have been paid 1.5million pounds for her gig at the launch of Dubai Atlantis, but when it came to the entry to the lavish aftershow party, the singer had to gatecrash her way in.

A clipboard flunky couldn’t recognise the crooner as she was dressed from head-to-toe in baggy cover-up clothes. And Kylie had to eventually wait an hour until someone came vouching for her. "It was so embarrassing. The jobsworth didn’t recognise her and made her wait until someone came to get her,” The Mirror quoted a source as saying.

Why is Mischa swimming with dolphins?

English born American actress Mischa Barton has found a novel way of curing a hangover –swimming with dolphins.

Mischa, who had attended a party at Atlantis in Dubai, found that the experience totally cleared her head up. “Mischa had a great time but was feeling a little delicate yesterday. A swim with the dolphins totally sorted her out,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying. Meanwhile, ‘ The O.C. ’ star has launched her own website to counteract false reports about her personal life. The actress recently launched the website www.mischabarton.celebuzz.com in the hopes of correcting the misconstrued stories surrounding her life.

MOVIE REVIEW

The Secret of The Grain (drama)

Cast: Habib Boufares, Hafsia Herzi

Direction: Abdellatif Kechiche

The film has been a winner at several international film festivals and has won the Best Film award in France. Rightly so, for The Secrets of The Grain is both cinematically and thematically mesmerising. On the one hand is its camera work which captures the highs and lows of an immigrant French family with riveting intimacy. And on the other hand is the heartwarming story which serenades the institution of family like never before. No homilies, no fake goodness; on the contrary, there are loads of internecine rivalries, bitching, breaking apart until the final coming together, when the head of the family actually ends up bringing the disparate members of his extended family together, even in his absence. Sixty-year-old Silimane is a Tunisian immigrant who has been laid off from his work and decides to use his severance pay to set a restaurant that serves couscous made by his ex-wife. Currently, he is living with his mistress and his step daughter who run a seedy hotel. Naturally, they are treated as outsiders by the rest of the family that gets together every Sunday for a family lunch, excluding them. It's a quaint ritual, meant to preserve the traditions of a family that may have become quintessentially French, yet it hasn't lost it's traditional culture. It takes many a hurdles before Silimane's dream actually comes true. But more importantly, his couscous eatery ends up bringing the feuding Tunisian family together, despite the bitterness, the rivalries. Watch out for some excellent performances and a refreshing new look at 'family dramas.'

Mirrors (horror)

Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton

Direction: Alexandra Aja

THE horror factory in Hollywood relentlessly keeps churning out Asian remakes, after the success of The Ring series. This time, the devil manifests itself through malevolent mirrors, which suddenly turn murderous. Ordinary people begin to die when their reflection turns assassin and pulls jaws, cuts veins, slashes necks, or what you will. Enter Kiefer Sutherland, a dysfunctional cop whose punishment posting now entails guarding a burnt-out building. Nothing wrong with that, except that the spooky house has a larger-than-life mirror that begins to show him strange things. His wife dismisses it as musings of a stressed mind, but goes on high alert, when her six-year-old son too starts staring into mirrors and conversing with them. Time to go back in history and find the cause behind the mysterious apparitions. But that doesn't matter really. What matters is the spook quotient of the film. How many times do you jump out of your seats or cover your eyes with fear? Just two or three times, to be precise, when a reflection stares at you long after the person has moved or maybe, when it tears it's face apart with its bare hands. The rest is mostly a hunt for the missing link between illusion and reality, with lots of half-lit sequences of bloody body parts and gutturals moans. Strictly for diehard horror buffs, Mirrors doesn't really have anything new to offer.

Kendra worried about Playboy career, Naked Pictures

While Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson is all set to walk down the aisle, she fears that her life as a Playboy bunny and her naked pictures in the men's magazine wouldn't stop following her even after her marriage.The 23-year-old's engagement with Philadelphia Eagles hunk Hank Baskett was recently announced by Kendra's former beau Hefner himself.Known for her rather outspoken attitude, the 'Girls Next Door' girl still 'freaks out' over the thought of the world being able to flip open the men's magazine and see her naked."If you do the math, you only see a good 3-5 minutes of me in an episode, and I'm generally clothed, but you can have a magazine lying around forever and open it up and see me totally naked," Fox News quoted Wilkinson as saying.She also said that she gets scared just thinking about people scrutinizing her 'personal places'. In fact, Kendra, who has reportedly inked a deal to appear in a series of Marc Ecko lingerie ads, revealed she wanted to be on the other side of the camera in the future."I have no regrets coming to the Mansion and doing the show, I've had so much fun through the years and seasons and I'm very proud of what I've achieved," she said.She added, "Being here has opened my eyes to so many opportunities, now I can really dream. But I'm scared of the entertainment business, I'm scared of being around all these people. I just hope I can get a behind-the-scenes job."

Kate Hudson ready to strip off on big screen

Hollywood actress Kate Hudson, who was spotted flirting with Madonna's rumoured beau Alex Rodriguez, has revealed that she would 'do anything' for a challenging role, even if it required stripping off on the big screen.The 29-year-old star admits that she is comfortable with stripping as long as it works for the movie, reports the China Daily."It depends on the movie and depends on the circumstance, but nudity is always something that is an issue for women," she said.“I am pretty comfortable with that but as long as it works for the movie. Nudity is normally the biggest issue that I think about in a movie. But if I wanted a part I would pretty much do anything I needed to in order to get that role," she added.The Almost Famous actress had earlier revealed that she loved walking around the house in the nude. "My mother and father never made a big deal about nudity in our house. I often walk around naked or just wearing panties. Actors are all supposed to be emotionally naked anyway," she said.

Madonna advises Britney Spears not to marry again

Madonna, who recently announced she's divorcing Guy Ritchie, has reportedly advised Britney Spears never to marry again.According to reports, the 'Material Girl' has told Britney, who divorced Kevin Federline in 2006, not to walk down the aisle again, reports China Daily.Earlier this month, Britney joined the 50-year-old diva on stage at a performance as part of her 'Sticky and Sweet' world tour."Britney asked Madonna if she will ever marry again after her split from Guy. Madonna not only said she wouldn't but told Britney to forget about marriage. She said it just doesn't work for girls like them," a source close to Madonna told gossip website AbsoluteNow.com.The source added, "Madonna clearly sees a lot of herself in Britney because she seems very eager to help her."Madonna and Britney have been friends since they appeared together at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003, where they infamously shared a kiss on stage. Britney also collaborated with Madonna on her 2003 hit 'Me Against the Music'.

Kissing Jennifer Aniston was painful

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin has jokingly described his onscreen kiss with Jennifer Aniston on the hit American show 30 Rock as painful.The The Marrying Man actor revealed that the experience was not as enjoyable he had expected it to be.It was painful. I mean, every man who’’s had to make out with her in TV and movies - I don”t know how they do it! The Sun quoted Baldwin, as saying jokingly.Baldwin was also asked whether he believed the 30 Rock episodes suggestion that crazy women are better in bed.He added: That’’s assuming I”ve been with crazy women. If I answer that question in the affirmative, that would type a woman I”ve been with as being crazy, which I don”t really feel like doing. But I hear it’’s true. I hear from my friends it’’s true.Alec laughed: I will say this on the record - I”ve never slept with a crazy man!

Scarlett Johansson behind the scenes allure mag pics

Megan Fox GQ magazine 2008 Men of the Year party in LA