Deepika says love is blind….


They say love is blind but rarely has it applied quite so literally.

Deepika Padukone was apparently so determined to charm boyfriend Ranbir's mother at the Lakme Fashion Week that when she came face to face with Gauri Khan at the event she looked through her.

Lest we forget Gauri is married to the man who gave her the break wannabes can only dream of and did we mention when she went onto to bump in her director Farah Khan it was more of the same.

Not long ago, the OSO girl had said: "They (SRK and Gauri) are like my parents."

She shouldn't count on a Karan Johar film anytime soon since she clearly doesn't believe that it's all about loving your family.



Bips not interested in second Race..


Bipasha Basu may be walking away with accolades for her role in Abbas Mustan 's Race but the girl does not believe in being repetitive.

News is that when she was approached to star in the next Abbas Mustan thriller to be directed by Rumi Jaffery, sultry actress turned down the offer.

After all lightning doesn't strike twice though some try telling the director duo that.



Ash rethinking about Robot


Onset reports suggest that filmmaker Shankar wants to shoot Robot over a span of two years and though the project is lucrative, its got Mrs Bachchan thinking.

Deepika was a contender the question is could she be one again?



David Dhawan is back


After an eight-month sabbatical, the irrepressible David Dhawan, who churned out hits like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Biwi No 1, is back in the swing of things and will direct two films.


"The layoff has done me good. I needed the break from direction! It's not as if I was sitting idle at home. I was a judge on a dance show (Nach Baliye). That I enjoyed thoroughly. I was finalising the scripts for my next two films and spending time with my family," said Dhawan.

Dhawan is teaming up with Govinda for producer Vashu Bhagnani's next film. The duo has given successful films like Hero No 1, Coolie No 1 and last year's hit movie Partner, which also starred the director's another favourite actor, Salman Khan.

"The first would be for my friend Vashu Bhagnani with my dear friend Govinda in the lead. It'll be an out-and-out David-Govinda dhamaka, the kind that audiences will expect from us," said Dhawan.

In Bhagnani's untitled film, Dhawan is repeating the Govinda-Lara Dutta pair after Ravi Chopra's Pappu Pass Ho Gaya. The film will also star Riteish Deshmukh.

While the Bhagnani project takes him into familiar territory, Dhawan has decided on a completely new team for Hook Ya Crook. Dhawan's son Rohit is also ready to turn director this year.



Katrina's mango connection


PepsiCo India has signed Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for its mango drink Slice.

Katrina becomes not only the first brand ambassador for Slice but also the first Indian film actress to endorse a brand in the juice category. She will also be the face for Slice Mangola.

Katrina said: "I am extremely proud to be associated with Slice. When the brand approached me, I readily agreed because it is the best-tasting mango drink, and has been my favorite for a long time. Its delicious taste makes it a perfect drink suitable for all occasions."



Abhishek's pranks entertain Divya Dutta


Contrary to talk about how much Abhishek Bachchan has mellowed down, he was still the prankster on the sets of Dilli 6 in Jaipur.
He has been up to his pranks in Jaipur and the schedule has turned out to be a family affair.

"Has Abhishek really changed?" Divya Dutta wonders. "If this is the mellow Abhishek, I'd like to know what the bratty Abhishek is like. In fact, prior to his marriage, when we worked together in Umrao Jaan, he was far quieter." He makes Divya stand next to him.

"He's used to short women in his life (mom Jaya, favourite co-star Rani Mukerji). And now he has his tallest co-star Sonam Kapoor in the same film. So there's no dearth of variety on the sets," said Divya.

In Jaipur, Abhishek apparently gets food for everyone on the sets.

"He gets us kachauris and all kinds of goodies, but refuses to tuck in himself. He's scared of putting on weight. I don't mind, since I've lost so much weight. The entire atmosphere on the sets is very friendly.

"We're constantly laughing and joking, quite like the people from Chandni Chowk in Delhi, whom we're playing. I even get to feed squirrels with my own hands in Jaipur. Something I've never done before."

Divya got a chance to bond with two of her childhood idols.

"I play Waheedaji (Waheeda Rehman) all her old songs on my I-Pod. She's so amazed to hear her songs that she had long forgotten. As for Rishi Kapoor, he's so chilled out. I can't believe I'm sitting and chatting with my first crush. And Om Puriji is so much fun."

Divya gets sentimental.

"The Dilli 6 unit has become one big family for all of us. It will be really heartbreaking when we've to move on. I've been lucky. Working with Yash Raj Films in Veer-Zaara and Aaja Nachle, Subhash Ghai in Joggers' Park and Hello Darling and now Rakeysh Mehra in Dilli 6, not for a second do I feel I'm not at home. Now, I need to get lucky in love."



Lara Dutta loves Las Vegas


Bollywood actress Lara Dutta, who recently attended a party hosted by lifestyle brand Ed Hardy and spent Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, said she had a gala time and would love to visit the city again.

"I went there for three days and had a great time. I went for sightseeing, saw the musical "Phantom of the Opera" and generally just let my hair down, along with my close friends. It was a good experience," Lara said.



S H Raza inspired me: Muzaffar Ali


Bollywood writer-director Muzaffar Ali, who also dons the hat of a painter, says he has borrowed his sense of geometry from the famous artist SH Raza.

"I know him since the 1970s and stayed with him in France. I have some precious memories of visiting his studio in Paris," Muzaffar said.
"I have been painting since I was a child. I met Raza in my formative years and was largely influenced by his art of dividing space on the canvas. When you look at the canvas, you don't know how to start. And I have borrowed that sense of geometry from him."

He also said he held the painter in high esteem because of his passion to take Indian culture across the globe.

"Raza is truly one of the greatest Indians who has walked the earth. The most wonderful thing is his passion to take the ethos of India and Madhya Pradesh across the globe," the filmmaker said.



Singer Mukesh's wife passes away


An 'Ira' ended when Hrithik Roshan's grandmom, the legendary music composer Roshan's wife Ira Roshan passed away a couple of years ago. And now, Roshan's best friend the late singer Mukesh's wife, Saral Mukesh, also passed away on Monday.

Neil Nitin Mukesh who was very close to his grandmother was inconsolable.

"I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who lived in the same building as my parents and me. While we occupy the first floor, Dadi stayed on the seventh floor. As a child, I'd look forward to weekends. Every Friday my sister and I would rush to her floor. And since there was no school on Saturday and Sunday we were allowed to sleep with her. She would tell us so many stories about my grandfather, his friendship with Raj Uncle (Raj Kapoor)."

"I'd stare at the pictures of my grandfather and Raj Uncle and at the Filmfare trophies lined up on her shelf, hoping that one day I'd get one too. It's strange but I danced at the Filmfare award for the first time just two days before dadi died."



RGV wants to make Sholay again


Ram Gopal Varma is a changed person. No longer willing to make films at the drop of a hit. No more the dial-a-quote wizard, this maverick moviemaker has mellowed but says he may remake Sholay again notwithstanding the "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag" fiasco.

"Yes, I agree Aag was a special flop. The reason I didn't speak is because there was nothing to say. I went into a phase of introspection. I now feel I was making films lately with a certain frivolous even callous attitude," Varma told IANS.

"I was also making press statements for effect, for shock value. I decided to keep quiet for a while. High time I stopped talking stupidly," he added.

Asked what lesson he has learnt from Aag, Varma said, "That I need to get it right. Ramesh Sippy was right. I was foolish to attempt Sholay the way I did. At some point of time when I'm ready, I want to do it again. This time I won't make the same mistakes."

Many people are thinking that Varma had gone into hiding, but he differs and says he was busy with new projects. "Why would I hide? I've made flops before. I have been shooting my new film Contract in Mumbai and Bangkok, besides shooting the balance and post-production of Sarkar Raj, which releases in May.

Varma says that he has learned a lesson from Aag. "Nobody realises mistakes until he gets a solid slap. Aag was that slap. Making a success isn't in my hands. But making sure that I make films with objectivity is something I can do, and I will."



Lara Dutta on FNL cover


Come February and the only name that strikes your mind is that of Valentine, the Love-God! This is that time of the year when red becomes the universal colour, which depicts and symbolizes love.

Well, the current issue of 'FNL' (Fashion N Life), a leading fashion magazine, has their February issue in green, the reason being that it has none other then the eternal lady of all reasons and seasons Lara Dutta, the 'Diva Of Romance' herself, posing in a dreamy background.

This issue has the Lara girl bare her heart out, touching upon various aspects like her family, modeling, her sense of style, competition, regrets, importance of being a woman, her take on art and commercial films, Bollywood and of course Love.



Bollywood to have its own Charlies Angels


Rohit Jugraj, whose recently released Superstar opened to favourable reviews and revived his career, is set to direct a desi version of Hollywood's super chick flick Charlie's Angels.

According to industry insiders, medico-turned-moviemaker Jugraj, who started his film career by assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali and then directed the fiasco James for Ram Gopal Varma, has been approached by Abbas-Mustan to produce his take on Charlie's Angels.

Confirming the news, Jugraj said: "Yes, I'm directing a film for Abbas-Mustan. And it's the Charlie's Angels styled girls' action flick."
Three former Miss India title-holders - Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra are expected to star as the three sexy 'angels' played originally by Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu.

However, Jugraj warned that his Charlie's Angels would be very different from the original. Jugraj is amused by the comparisons between Superstar with Om Shanti Om.



Lola Kutty to make her Bollywood debut


Anu Menon, of Channel V's Lola Kutty fame, is all set to step into Bollywood with Pritish Nandy Communication's Raat Gayi Baat Gayi.

The film also stars Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Neha Dhupia and Navneet Nishan. Anu plays Vinay Pathak's wife in the film

Rongita Nandy says that Anu suited the character very well. As a producer Rongita had many options to figure out which actor would pull off the interesting characters in the film. And the dynamic Anu Menon had immense potential to bring in energy, fun and magic to her character.

Excited about her first film, Anu said that it was the well-written script, which made her sign the film.

Raat Gayi Baat Gayi is directed by Saurabh Shukla and is expected to release later this year.



Zayed becomes father


Zayed Khan became a proud Papa yesterday. The actor’s wife, Malaika Khan, delivered a baby boy at Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital early Friday morning.

The baby boy has been named Zidaan as Zayed was really keen on having his child's name start with Z. The actor is thrilled to bits on seeing his bundle of joy and feels the child resembles both Malaika and him.

Here's wishing them tons of good wishes on this happy occasion.



Amrita clears air over kiss


Sometime back, Amrita Rao was being considered for a pivotal role in Yashraj’s new film, to be directed by Siddharth Raj Anand and starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead.

The reason, as cited in the media, was Amrita’s refusal to indulge in a passionate kiss with Ranbir [on screen, of course]. Resultantly, Amrita decided to make an exit from the film. Amrita had been maintaining a silence about the entire episode, but she decided to clear the air when this writer questioned her about this raging controversy.

“I opted out because I had reservations about certain things. Kissing was never an issue. I really don’t understand how this issue [kiss] cropped up in the first place, when the fact is that the issue was something else altogether,” Amrita divulges.

So how did the Chopras take to Amrita’s refusal? “Adi [Aditya Chopra] understood my point of view. He wasn’t upset, nor did he throw a fit. He assured me that we’d work again, in the future,” she states.

While on Amrita, although she didn’t have a Hindi release in 2007, Amrita will have four releases in 2008, starting with E Niwas’ My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, Shyam Benegal’s film, Neeraj Vora’s Shortcut and Victory.