Honey Singh

Even as more trouble knocks on Yo Yo Honey Singh’s door with the honourable High Court ordering him to delete allegedly offensive words from his songs for Akshay Kumar in the new film Boss, the rapper has just completed a 3-city Australian-New Zealand tour with Shah Rukh Khan that has given his career a further boost.

Speaking excitedly from Auckland on the morning after the concert Singh said, `We performed on stage in Sydney, Perth and Auckland. Each venue was sold out. At all the concerts Shah Rukh Bhai introduced me on stage as his friend. A special segment was set aside for our Lungi dance during each concert.`

Honey Singh says these concerts have given him a renewed confidence in what he does.

`Shah Rukh Bhai is loved by family audiences. Our association in the Lungi dance song and these concerts have shown to the world that I’m not the dirty song writer that I am made out to be. Actors like Shah Rukh and Akshay won’t hob-nob with artistes with the wrong reputation.`

The rapper is unperturbed by the new charges of vulgarity and the High Court’s demand to delete vulgar words.

Says Singh, `I am away from India, so I don’t know about these gag orders. I am willing to be censored. But I won’t gagged. I’ll do whatever the honourable courts ask me to. But I won’t stop doing the music that I am good at and known for.

There are so many musicians in India who are more talented than me. I’ve been chosen to be loved by the people. No one who attends my concerts finds my songs vulgar. Only those who go by hearsay have a problem.`

During the concerts with Shah Rukh, Yo Yo Honey Singh also bonded with Madhuri Dixit,Rani Mukherjee and Jacqueline Fernandes.

`We were all like one family. Madhuri M’aam, Raniji and Jacqueline are so different from one another and yet so much fun to hang around with. I showed them my music video that I shot in Hollywood. They said they loved it. Now if some people don’t like my music what can I do?`

‘Dhoom 3′

Actor Aamir Khan does things to perfection. He is known to be a Perfectionist. But in Dhoom 3 his advice is being ignored (he plays a villain in the film) and the actor has apparently been kept away from giving his own inputs.

Aamir is used to give his views and decisions in movies but things are a bit too different for YRF’s Dhoom 3.

According to a reports, the makers of the film are keeping Aamir miles away to close the post production work quickly. They have kept him far -far away from the rough cut of the film!

Doesn’t it seem insulting for Aamir?

From his early days starting from Lagaan till now, the star has always been privy to the rough cuts of his movies. From Ashutosh Gowarikar to Reema Kagti, Aamir has provided his inputs to all and every director has incorporated his wishes in the final cut as well.

Further reports say the movie is slated for release this Christmas, the banner probably intends to start promotions with a bang post the release of Krrish 3. Given that the release isn’t too far, the producers fear a delay in promotions if the icon demands changes!

Shraddha Kapoor

Do you feel that Aashiqui 2 should have been your debut film?
I have no regrets. But honestly, after Aashiqui 2 and the fact that it was such a huge success, people keep calling me as Arohi (my character’s name in the film). I am elated that people have loved my character so much. People say that they want to see me in a lot more romantic films.

How has life changed after Aashiqui 2?
That I am being appreciated and people want to see me in more films, give me a sense of relief. But I have a long way to go.

Will you like to do more romantic films now?
I would like to do romantic films. But I would want to go beyond that genre. Only then it will be fun. In fact, I have a very long wish list. I am really interested to do a character with grey shades.

What kind of films do you like to watch?
I am crazy about romantic films.

Are you working with Mohit Suri again?
Yes, I am working with Mohit Suri again after Aashiqui 2 in The Villain with Siddharth Malhotra. I am really excited about getting this film immediately after Aashiqui 2 as Mohit Suri is one of my dream directors. We will start shooting soon.

So you are the villain in the film?
Wait till the film releases to find that out.

Being a Bollywood heroine, how punctual are you?
For me time is money and it is very valuable. I try my best to respect time though at times I go late and rush around a lot. However, I try my best to manage my time well.

Do you remember your first watch?
The first watch of my life was a Titan with funky strap. My mom (Shivangi Kohlapure Kapoor) got it for me though it was I who chose it.

What factors do you keep in mind while agreeing to endorse a particular product?
It’s important to do things and get into those associations that you believe in. I do the same.

How do you believe in changing with time?
Frankly, every day and every hour and every minute is very new for me. I just try to keep my mind open to things that are coming my way. It’s great to change with time.

Are diamonds your best friend?
I like diamonds. But I am a big fan of pearls.

Is there an advantage being born in a film family?
I think it’s good for you if you are born and brought up in a film family because as soon as I enter my house there are constant opinions, advices, criticisms and banter around floating from my father (actor Shakti Kapoor) and my aunts (Padmini Kolhapure and Tejaswini Kolhapure).

Are you a romantic at heart in real life?
I am a hardcore romantic. I blush a lot when just talking about love. I believe in fairy tale-like romance. I would like to experience that kind of romance at some point of my life when my man will come on a white horse.

Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor has featured on the cover of the movie magazine Filmfare almost 20 times, and she has also won six Filmfare awards – but she says any association with the brand is never enough.

Kareena also graces the cover of the latest edition of the magazine.

“I would like to thank the entire team of Filmfare for having me on this reinvented Filmfare cover for 19th or 20th time. But it’s just never enough,” the 32-year-old said here at the launch of the new magazine.

“It’s never enough to be on a Filmfare cover and it’s never enough to have Filmfare awards. There are two things that every (Indian) actor or actress wants,” she added.

The new Filmfare packs in fashion, lifestyle and luxury besides the routine film news, gossip and interviews.

Kareena hopes to feature on many more Filmfare covers, even when she is 60.

“I hope I can always be on the Filmfare cover, even when I am 60 with all my wrinkles, hopefully no botox! I would still want to be on the Filmfare cover like I was when I was a six-year-old child,” Kareena said.

Aishwarya and Sonam

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor seem to have been unceremoniously dropped while Freida Pinto made it for the new ad of the cosmetic giant they endorse

The entry into the elite club of actresses who are the million dollar faces of an international cosmetic giant is no mean task.

The final poster of the commercial in which Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor are missing

No wonder that only Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor have been able to make the cut apart from Freida Pinto, who has made America her home post her debut in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

Aishwarya during the making of the commercial

However, in a recent print ad for the brand, strangely both Ash and Sonam are nowhere to be spotted while Freida finds a place of pride amidst the likes of Jane Fonda, Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria.

Sonam Kapoor during the making of the commercial

Not many months ago, did we hear about the two Bollywood actresses shooting for the much talked about advertisement. Insiders say Ash shot for her portions when she visited Cannes this year. A source says, `The ad has been beautifully made with all the actresses looking stunning.

But Ash and Sonam’s absence is quite conspicuous and has taken the industry by surprise. Freida is unmistakable in the sequence but the two are nowhere to be seen.`

Incidentally, the video shot during the making of the ad has both the actresses present among the bevy of beauties. But from the looks of it, they don’t seem to have made the final cut.

The brands spokesperson however says, `The campaign for this very exclusive collection has different versions featuring different groups of ambassadors including Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor.` In that case, we wonder why it’s only Ash and Sonam missing this time?

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor is pulling out all stops to create a buzz around his upcoming film, Besharam. Buzz is that RK is taking a month off to promote the film helmed by Abhinav Singh Kashyap. Ranbir recently flew back to the country after completing Bombay Velvet’s first schedule on time.

Currently, he is shooting for the promotional video for the film with his parents, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor.

A source says, `Ranbir is in his elements after giving back-to-back hits. This film is an acid test for Abhinav.` The actor had been shuttling between his Sri Lanka sets and the city to do his dubbing for Besharam.

A friend of Ranbir says, `He is very excited about his film with Abhinav and he is making sure he keeps his slate empty for the next month. He will be completing some patchwork and also promote the film.`

Salman Planning

Looks like Salman Khan is planning to take the workings of his charity organisation a notch higher. The actor who has been part of Bollywood since 25 years is planning to launch his production house under the group’s banner. Insiders say Salman will be producing five films under his banner.

His NGO already retails clothes, watches and accessories as part of its merchandising. Says a source, `Salman has given breaks to a lot of people, including Katrina Kaif and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Even his brothers Sohail and Arbaaz are now involved in filmmaking. His NGO has grown with leaps and bounds and bhai realised it was time to take it forward.`

The star’s friends say he is already in talks with many directors to make films, one of which will be the remake of Hero with Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. Two of the other projects in his kitty are Mahesh Manjrekar’s Shikshanachhya Aaicha Gho and Dr Cabbie with Vinay Virmani. A friend of the star rubbished the rumour.

Shah Rukh Khan

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has been in the film industry for over two decades, says an actor’s life in India is all about jumping from one work commitment to the other

Shah Rukh, who has often called himself a workaholic, has given hits like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge“, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Kal Ho Naa Ho”.

“I think that an actor’s life in India is best described by the game ‘Hop Skip and Jump’. Hop on a film…skip normal life and jump to the next,” SRK posted on Twitter.

Currently basking in the success of his latest movie “Chennai Express”, SRK will next be seen in director Farah Khan’s movie “Happy New Year”.

Priyanka

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who is busy hopping from one TV show to another to promote her forthcoming film ‘Zanjeer’, says she would love to become a ‘bahu’ (daughter-in-law) in a daily soap someday

Movie promotions have been tolling high on television these days. Priyanka Chopra and her co-star Ram Charan Teja are the latest ones making their presence in the every next show, whether it is daily or reality.

In the upcoming sequence in ‘Bade Acche Lagte Hain’, Priyanka and Ram Charan are the chief guests for an event organized by Ram’s friend Vikarm. Priyanka will be seen giving a talk about Beti Foundation and shares her thoughts about importance of trusting daughters.

“I would love to play a TV bahu. The most special thing about TV bahus is that when they go to sleep they look beautiful and when they wake up that time also they look beautiful,” quipped the 31-year-old.

“Besides, they are loaded with jewellery all the time. So why wouldn’t I want to be a bahu of that kind,” added the actress on the sets of ‘Bade Acche Lagte Hain’.

The actress admitted she doesn’t watch TV serials but she stays updated about every show thanks to her mother and grandmother.

“There are a lot of daily soap fans in my home. My grandmother, my mother, everyone watches them together. In the evening, it gets tough to talk to them at the dining table.

“They know the story of every TV serial and I also get to know about them because of them as they tell me everything during dinner time,” she said.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, ‘Zanjeer‘ hits theatres on Friday.

Priyanka Chopra happy

Priyanka Chopra is happy to have made her way to the top in Bollywood without the help of any godfather and the actress says she is finally at a place where she is being offered challenging roles

The 31-year-old former Miss World, who is doing commercially viable films like “Zanjeer“, “Krrish 3“, “Gunday” and Mary Kom biopic, says she finally understands the industry. “I have never been to any acting school and didn’t have any clue when I joined.

I didn’t have a godfather or boyfriend to guide me. I was 18-year-old and it took me a few year to understand the industry.

“I am very fortunate that in the last few years, I have reached a point where filmmakers can see me playing all kind of role. So, now I want to have a mix bag of all kind of cinema,” Priyanka told. In her two upcoming films – “Krrish 3″ and “Zanjeer“, the focus is more on the male leads but Priyanka decided to take up the projects because she liked the script.

“‘Krrish‘ and ‘Zanjeer’ are both boy films. But I had no apprehension about being a part of these films because I love to watch them. I am very spontaneous and I do films if I like the script. I don’t consider other things.” The “Barfi!” star is the brand ambassador of NDTV’s initiative ‘Our Girls Our Pride’.

Priyanka says her upbringing helped her to understand the campaign in a better way. “The cause of the girl child has been very close to my heart. My mother is a gynaecologist and my father was a doctor. Since my childhood, I have seen my mother with women and children and she has been a huge influence in my life also.

Our sex ratio is 840 girls out of 1000 boys, which is really absurd,” said Priyanka, who is also the Goodwill ambassador at UNICEF. Priyanka, however, wants to keep her movie career and her charity work separate.

Asked whether she would like to take up the cause in her films, the actress said, “No, that would be very unfair. Movies are entertainment and they are fiction. What I do as a person is very different to what I do as an actor. I don’t think it is right to put that kind of pressure on movie business.

Nobody watches such films. Let’s be realistic and not be delusional about it.” Priyanka, who now has a budding international music career, is also looking forward to the release of Disney’s animated film “Planes”. “I am lucky to be a part of Disney and I think it is every girl’s dream to act in a film by them. I am really excited for ‘Planes’. It will release on August 23 in India.”