Winners at Zee Cine Awards 2008

Best Film
Chak De! India - Aditya Chopra, Yash Raj Films

Best Director
Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par

Best Actor (Male)
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De! India

Best Actor (Female)
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met

Most Popular Track Of The Year
Mauja Hi Mauja - Jab We Met

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male)
Govinda - Partner

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female)
Shilpa Shetty - Life In A.. Metro

Best Actor In A Comic Role (Male/Female)
Vinay Pathak - Bheja Fry

Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male/Female)
Arjun Rampal - Om Shanti Om

Best Playback Singer (Male)
Shaan - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya)

Best Playback Singer (Female)
Shreya Ghosal - Barso Re Megha (Guru)

Best Lyrics
Prasoon Joshi - Maa (Taare Zameen Par)

Best Music
A R Rahman - Guru

Most Promising Debut Director
Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par

Most Promising Debut (Male)
Ranbir Kapoor - Saawariya

Most Promising Debut (Female)
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om

Most Promising Debut (Child Artiste)
Darsheel Safary - Taare Zameen Par

Technical Awards
Best Choreographer - Farah Khan - Om Shanti Om
Best Costume – Manish Malhotra & Karan Johar - Om Shanti Om
Best Visual Effects - Red Chilli's Entertainment - Om Shanti Om
Best Editing – Amitabh Shukla - Chak de India
Best Cinematography - Sandip Chaterjee- Chak de India
Best Action - Parvez Khan - Jhonny Gaddar
Best Film Processing - ADLABS - Namastey London
Best Art Direction - Nitin Desai - Gandhi my Father
Best Sound recording – Baylon Ponseca - Shootout at lokhandwala
Best Background Music - AR Rahman - Guru
Best Screenplay - Imtiyaz Ali - Jab We Met
Best Dialogue - Jaideep Sahani - Chak De India
Best Story - Amol Gupte - Taare Zammen Par
Zee Icon award – Shah Rukh Khan
Zee Cinema Entertainer of the year – Ritesh Deshmukh
Lifetime Achievement – Zeenat Amaan
Lifetime Achievement – Feroz Khan
British Indian Actor Award – Katrina Kaif
Bollywod Queen Award - Gauri Khan

Critics Awards
Best Film – Gandhi My Father
Best Actress – Shifali Shah – Gandhi my Father
Best Actor – Darsheel Safary – Taare Zameen Par
Critics Special Awards - Neil Nitin Mukesh

Kim Sharma in Indra Kumar’s next comedy

Kim Sharma- this bollywood hottie was last seen in the forgettable flick Chhodon Naa Yaar. Then after she almost disappeared from the bollywood arena. Now she has been signed by director Indra Kumar for his next film. The film is yet to be titled.

The movie is said to be a comedy flick which stars Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Tulip Joshi, Aashish Chaudhary and Javed Jaffrey among others. Kim plays a Catholic girl in the film.

Last year Indra Kumar delivered Dhamaal, which was a successful laugh riot. Hope this time too he repeats the history.

Celina Jaitley shares happiness at orphanage

Enough Buzz about Love Story 2050

Love Story 2050 is said to be first of its kind in bollywood as sci-fi has been too much used to create buzz about the film.
And Harry Baweja has spent sleepless nights to get the right look for his sci-fi movie. And going by the buzz the first look of his film's leads – son Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra – has created, his efforts seem to have paid off, at least till the film releases.

Priyanka Chopra sports a rather unusual red hair and carries a pink teddy sporting a blue mohawk hairdo. Harman's look is complete in a well-fitted, leather-like tee and pants along with heavy boots and biking gloves. And all the fashion prediction is the brainchild of designer Thea.

"We spent more than six months trying to figure out the right look. The idea was to give them a look that people could imagine and relate to in the future. We didn't want them resembling aliens or looking as if they've landed from Star Trek. The film is set in the future, but it's not about space travel," says Baweja senior.

Only the time can say what sci-fi effect comes to the audience after the movie hits the silver screen.

Amrita Arora to endorse Royal Fans of Pakistan

Amrita Arora, who is yet to make her presence felt in the A-league Bollywood actresses, has recently signed the dotted lines to endorse ‘Royal Fans’, a Pakistan based fan company. She says, “The ad was shot by the photographer Sanjeev Choudhary in Film City, Mumbai. Though there was no ‘concept’ behind the ad, I just played myself. It was more of a ‘lifestyle’ kind of ad. Since it was a Pakistani ad and the fact that Pakistanis are a very conservative lot, the clothes designed by Ashley Rebello, were done keeping in mind the Pakistani sentiments. I wore gowns that covered me from head to toe. All in all, the shoot was real fun.”

Quite opposite to this shoot, this young Arora chic, has a spectacular bikini shoot coming her way for the cover of the forthcoming edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. Talking about which, Amrita says, “I will be shooting with the ace photographer Farrokh Chothia for the Cosmopolitan cover on the April 23. It's the latest line from abroad from Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vuitton.”

And on the Bollywood front, Amrita has a whole lot of films lined up which includes Hello, Bandha Ye Bindaas Hai, Golmaal Returns, Saavdhaan Meri Jaan.

Marriage has been a beautiful experience, says Aishwarya Rai

Bollywood glamour queen Aishwarya Rai - celebrating her first wedding anniversary with hubby Abhishek Bachchan in Miami on Sunday - describes her marriage as a "unique and beautiful experience".

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Tell me, how has marriage changed you?
A: Marriage is such a unique and beautiful experience in my life. I've found a wonderful new family. My maiden family and this family together provide me with more than enough happiness and security. What more could I ask for?

When I went back on the sets after marriage, there was no change at all. There has been a normal flow before and after marriage. Everyone wants to know how marriage has changed my life. Nothing has changed at all. Life has been one smooth flow. And though I didn't plan such a marriage, I wouldn't want it any other way. It has been wonderful on both the personal and professional front.

I remember when I got engaged and went back on the sets of Jodhaa Akbar in Karjat nobody paid any attention. They thought it was just another rumour. When I look back on the hours put in for Jodhaa Akbar, I feel it was all worth it.

Q: Your other costume drama Umrao Jaan was where love happened between you and Abhishek.
A: (Laughs) Now that you remind me of it, of course. And if you add Guru to it, Abhishek and I came together through these.

Q: Where do you go now? Will you be working selectively?
A: When have I not been working selectively? I've been working selectively since Devdas. I'm glad I've been choosing discreetly according to how much time I've on hand. That doesn't change now. I've committed myself to a couple of films now. I really don't know if I'm going to get more selective, because I never do more than three films a year. Let's see what the future holds. So many films I've let go because of the time factor.

Q: Abhishek told me you were willing to let go of Pink Panther because his grandmother (Teji Bachchan who died in December 2007) was critically ill.
A: (Falls silent) Firstly, she was not just his grandmother, but mine too. So I wanted to spend as much time with her as he did. Of course, actors are greedy people. They like to do all sorts of roles that come their way. However, I've never been one to detach myself from reality. I'd not want my family life to take a backseat to my work. I genuinely love my husband, his parents who are now my parents, and my own parents. I want to be with my new family, get to know them better because I got to know them so late in life.

However, I also know my professional responsibilities. When I came from my honeymoon, I went straight to the location for Jodhaa Akbar. I'm lucky to be married into a family, which is the epitome of professionalism. Of course, we want to spend time together, but we can't let work suffer. When Pink Panther was offered, grandma became really unwell. During Jodhaa Akbar I'd rush back to hospital as frequently as I could. I was reluctant. More so because this was an international project.

Q: What do you mean?
A: Well, in India the entertainment industry doesn't only go by the commerce. We do operate from the heart. There's room for domestic crisis in our film industry. Overseas, one is under serious contracts. Even though Abhishek encouraged me to take up Pink Panther, I made sure I left room in my contract for visits back home because I did want to experience Karwa Chauth and Diwali. Then I checked with my international manager to make sure that I could come back if, god forbid, grandma was in an emergency.

Emraan Hashmi all set to play a ghost in Raaz -The Mystery Continues

Emraan Hashmi has been traditionally famous as a serial kisser. Now he is all set for a new role. He experimented with his image as action hero and he did Awarapan, which changed his image completely.

Now he is all set to play the role of a ghost in Mohit Suri’s forthcoming film Raaz - The Mystery Continues. Being confident about him, Mohit feels Emraan is a fantastic actor and thus he challenges to showcase Emraan in a very different character.

In a recent interview Hashmi, who is playing the ghost in the film, said that he did not
believe in ghosts, but, if the word ghost exists, there might be ghosts too. Delighted about the role he feels that this role will be a surprise for his fans as it will change his role as a romantic hero. “For my audiences it will be a new flavor, till today they have seen me in a chocolate boy’s role,” he said.

Mohit Suri , who is the director of the movie, is confident about Emraan and his film. “This film will be better than Raaz because we have used various special effects for the first time in horror scenes.” It can be recalled that Malini Sharma played the role of a ghost in Vikram Bhatt’s Raaz .

Negative roles a strict no for me, says Mandira Bedi

Actor and television anchor Mandira Bedi, says that she doesn't want to play any more negative characters on screen.

Though Mandira has been active on the anchoring front, she has been on holiday from television soaps.

'Negatives roles are a strict no for me. We all have shades of grey to our personalities, but the serials today offer either a black character or a totally white one,' she said.

What are the plans for her birthday?

'I have been working really hard for quite sometime now. So on my birthday, I will stay at home, which is by the beach and relax in my pool,' she told IANS on phone.

Her last stint with TV serials saw her playing the vamp Mandira in STAR Plus' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Earlier in 1995, she was noticed as the protagonist in Doordarshan's daily serial Shanti.

'I would immediately opt for a role like 'Shanti'. Even though there are many offers coming my way, I won't take up a show until I get a role like that,' she said.

Mandira, who is currently hosting Sony TV's Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar, says she enjoys being an anchor.

'I enjoy anchoring to the hilt as you can be yourself on TV shows unlike in movies where you have to play a fixed character,' she said.

While she has hosted many reality shows, Mandira is not too keen on participating in one.

'Singing and dancing is just not my forte, so I don't think I will be a part of a reality show, but I do enjoy anchoring it.'

Her forthcoming projects include director Sanjay Jha's Mumbai Chakachak and Chandrakant Kulkarni's Meerabai Not Out.

'In Mumbai Chakachak, I play the role of an independent woman who works for an NGO and only follows her heart whereas in Meerabai Not Out, I play a cricket crazy woman,' she revealed.

Mandira shot to fame for her noodle-strap blouses while presenting Extra Innings on TV during the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cup. And she feels that more women started appreciating the game because of her.

Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor to do an item number for Billoo Barber

Priyadarshan's forthcoming film Billoo Barber has been in the news ever since it was announced, as this is the first time that the talented director is working with the 'Baadshah of Bollywood', Shah Rukh Khan. The film which stars Irrfan Khan in the lead role is a story of friendship between a poor villager and a big star and is completely different from Priyan's usual comic fares.

The latest buzz doing the rounds is that the film will have an item number featuring none other than the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor and the super-hot Deepika Padukone along with King Khan. While Kareena has already shot for the number, it is believed that Deepika would be shooting her part later this month.

When Kareena last grooved with Shah Rukh in Don, the song went on to become a chartbuster. As for Deepika, her pairing with SRK in Om Shanti Om also re-wrote the box-office history. So will the same magic be created this time too?

Ayesha Takia, Shahid Kapoor and Nana Patekar in Paathshala

The renowned Choreographer cum Director Ahmed Khan, has now turned Producer with his film Paathshala. The film will be co-produced by his wife Shaira Khan and will be directed by Milind Uke.

"Paathshala revolves around kids and is set in the school campus. It has actors like Shahid Kapur, Nana Patekar, Ayesha Takia in essential characters. The film has child artists like Swini Khare (Cheeni Kum), Ali Haji (Partner) and Dwij Yadav (Nanhe Jaisalmer) in pivotal roles." informs Ahmed Khan.

There was a buzz that Shahid Kapoor is only doing a cameo in the film, however, Ahmed clears the rumor. "Shahid is not doing a cameo, it is a character role. He plays a teacher who teaches English and Music. Nana Patekar is playing the role of the Principal, and Ayesha Takia is a teacher who looks into the extra curricular activities. Besides them, there is Sushant Singh and Saurabh Shukla in the film as well," says Ahmed Khan.

One of the interesting facts about the film is that it will mark the come back of well-known child artist, Sunny Singh, who was seen in the famous tv serial, Dekh Bhai Dekh, as Shekhar Suman's son. "Yes, amongst all the kids, Sunny Singh (who had earlier played the child artist in English Babu Desi Mem) who would be doing one of the prominent roles in the film, along with Shraddha. The story also has the plot of a school kid played by Mehnaaz, who falls in love with her teacher (Shahid)", adds Ahmed.

The shooting of the film is wrapped up. "We are now in the post production stages and the dubbing is to be done." Talking about the music, Ahmed says, "Hanif, who had earlier composed the music for the song 'Shakirave Shakira' in my directorial film, Fool N Final, has composed the music for Paathshala. Since all the songs are very script-driven, there is no special choreography done for it, I have done that only partially. The four songs in the film only help to take the story further."

Katrina Kaif does the most expensive item number ever in bollywood

Bollywood's original action star Akshay Kumar has always been the favourite of rumourmongers due to stories of his famous link-ups with his female co-stars. The recent one (old news though) being the one with long-legged lasso Katrina Kaif, of course.

Akshay is said to have promoted Katrina once again for a special appearance in his film, Blue. And this time the statement comes straight from the horse's, rather filly's mouth. The song in the film that witnesses Katrina sizzling onscreen is said to be the most expensive number ever made in Bollywood. "It's been a unique experience to be a part of Blue. I am in the film because of Akshay Kumar. He has got me into this project. I am not much into the financial aspect of the song. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it," revealed Katrina in a recent interview.

While the onscreen chemistry of the duo had done wonders at the box-office last year, rumours did the rounds that Akshay had been promoting Katrina for almost all his films. However, the 'khiladi' Kumar had totally denied such a thing. He had even said in an interview, "If I had been promoting Katrina then she would have been a part of all my forthcoming projects which is not the case."

But the recent statement from Katrina comes as a contradictory one to Akshay's clarifications.

Shilpa Shetty KISS was an act of Insane Courage, reveals Richard Gere

Actor Richard Gere has revealed that he is not ashamed of the obscenity charges he faced in India after publicly kissing Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, insisting that he sees the whole episode as an act of courage.

Gere, who recently faced obscenity charges for publicly kissing the celebrity Big Brother winner at an AIDS campaign function, said he wears his legal woes like a 'badge of courage'.

However, India's Supreme Court decided to drop all charges against Gere last month, telling the star he is more than welcome to visit the country again.

'It's a badge of somewhat insane courage. It is a very complex society,' Contactmusic quoted Gere as saying.

Gere admits that he went a step too far and branded his ardent actions 'insane', but brave.

Shah Rukh Khan to sell IPL tickets for as low as Rs.100

By this time next week the biggest cricketing extravaganza -IPL (Indian Premiere League) would be on and cricket mania is surely going to be at an all time high for the following few weeks.

Needless to say the presence of Bollywood stars in some cricket matches would truly be a case of sone pe suhaaga for every Indian. The opening match of the IPL itself sees Dr.Vijay Mallya's 'Bangalore Royal Challengers' take on Shah Rukh Khan's 'Kolkata Knight Riders' at the Chinaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

While most of the team captains and owners would be present for the opening ceremony in Bangalore on April 18th, once the tournament starts, most owners would be seen only in the places where their teams are playing.

So this means that Shah Rukh Khan would be seen cheering his team Kolkata Knight Riders wherever they play. The charismatic Khan is particularly looking forward to cheering his team at the spectacular Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. In fact, Khan has even decided to keep the ticket prices as cheap as Rs. 100 (lowest denomination) so that the youth can get to witness all the cricketing action live.

What's more, Shah Rukh would be even handing over every 1000th purchased ticket personally to the spectator. The superstar has even urged some of his good friends to be present along with him to cheer his team.

Surely, Shah Rukh is going all out to promote his team and get maximum spectators to watch the action.

Preity Zinta and Akshay Kumar become part of The Unforgettable Tour

Wizcraft International Entertainment today announced two Superstar entrants to their grandest, blockbuster world tour- ‘The Unforgettable Tour - Experience the magic’ led by Amitabh Bachchan and the performers include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. This massive tour will have an array of today’s biggest Indian Cine stars descending onto the world stage with their scintillating performances, promising to bring alive the magic of Indian cinema which will make fans rock across 6 continents, spanning 18 countries.

‘The Unforgettable’ world tour will commence in July 2008 and will take center-stage in mainstream international venues, promoted in conjunction with international partners and promoters.

Superhit machine Akshay Kumar and the star of umpteen box office successes, Preity Zinta are today slated among Indian Cinema’s biggest performers. In the last two decades, Akshay Kumar has come to be considered a powerhouse performer, appearing in over 80 films till date. With recent hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Garam Masala, Welcome and the upcoming Tashan, he has carved a niche for himself with his heroic and thrilling stunts and his comic timing as well. Preity Zinta in a short span of time has made her way to the top with some of the biggest blockbuster hits playing her cherubic and bubbly self. She is the darling of the NRI audiences that ‘The Unforgettables’ will entertain.

Speaking on the occasion Akshay Kumar said, “I am elated to be on The Unforgettable Tour that will reach out to millions of Indian Cinema fans across the world. Touring with Wizcraft and Amitji, I believe that fans will be in store for a great journey of Indian Cinema and all the energy and excitement it has to offer.” Audiences will also get to witness Akshay perform songs from his forthcoming film, Singh is Kinng.

Preity Zinta shared the same sentiments, “It’s indeed an honour to be a part of a show of such a great scale and caliber and to be onstage with the Bachchans and others. It is always a delight to reach out to our fans and be a part of the tour, I intend on doing just that.”

Speaking on ‘The Unforgettable’ World Tour and the inclusion of the two mega stars, Viraf Sarkari, Wizcraft Director said, “I am delighted and honored that both Preity and Akshay have joined the Tour. The Tour is shaping up and promises to be one of the biggest and grandest world tours from India, bringing alive the magic of Indian cinema, on stage. In addition, we will have dazzling performances by the idols of Indian cinema- Amitabh Bachchan, superstar of the millennium, Abhishek Bachchan, hottest youth icon and Aishwarya Rai, one of the world’s most beautiful women, the multitalented Riteish Deshmukh and many more.”

Saif Ali Khan becomes a part of the big league in bollywood

Life could not look better for actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor, who had a particularly bad year in 2007, can now safely count himself as being part of the big league in Bollywood after the success of Race.

Race, the Abbas-Mustan thriller, is being labeled a blockbuster by the trade pundits. The film is believed to have raked in Rs 29.5 crore in the first five days of its release. It is being counted as one of the two hits of this year, the other being Jodhaa Akbar. With the success of Race, Saif can easily set aside the bad memories of 2007 which saw his films like Ta Ra Rum Pum and Eklavya bombing big time at the box office. Also his personal life was in a mess following his breakup with Rosa Catalano and reported link-up with Bipasha Basu. But life seems to have finally stabilized for this Khan. His love life seems to be rocking and his career seems headed the same way with this one hit. And the year promises to only get better with Yash Raj's Tashan set to release as well.

Sanjay Dutt and Manyata say they are not Married

Actor Sanjay Dutt and his 'friend' Manyata told a Mumbai court that they are not legally married, giving a dramatic twist to the case relating to the couple's marital status.

Challenging the allegations of bigamy levelled by Manyata's first husband Meraj Rehman, an undertrial, the couple has claimed there was no material to show the validity of their marriage in the eyes of the law. In an application filed before the Sessions Court on Monday, challenging the order of issuance of process against the two, Dutt and Manyata have stated that their reported marriage in Goa is a nullity.

Juhi Chawla becomes Brand Ambassador of Rooh Afza

Juhi Chawla has become the brand ambassador of the refreshing new Rooh Afza, a product of Hamdard; a Delhi based health care major, in India. 'Freshness Ka Naya Sur' is the tagline which aims to bring in light the qualities of the rejuvenating drink in terms of taste, fragrance and colour.

Although their brands are salient due to their iconic stature and unsurpassed quality, there was a need to reenergize the appeal of Rooh Afza among the younger target group, informed the Chief Marketing Officer, Hamdard India, Arshad Siddiqui.

He further added that Juhi perfectly fits in the bill personality of being a fresh, effervescent and a bubbly family person. Interestingly, Juhi is the first brand ambassador signed by Hamdard Company in the 100 years of the history of Rooh Afza. To which Juhi enthusiastically said that she has been drinking Rooh Afza since her childhood and best part is that it still tastes the same. So, she was very happy to be the part of her childhood drink.

The advertisement will feature Juhi reviving her tired family on a hot Sunday afternoon with three different flavours of Rooh Afza namely Lassi, Nimbu Pani and Milk shake.

Ajay is just unpredictable, says Kajol

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated comebacks in Bollywood. Husband and wife Ajay and Kajol Devgan are to appear together on the big screen for the first time in eight years, in U, Me Aur Hum. Hmmm, interesting! And that's not enough. It's Ajay Devgan's directorial debut. Too good! But will the film live up to the over hyped expectations? Well, Kajol has the answers to few of such exclusive questions...

Is Ajay going to rock the boat?
Can't say at the moment. But I am pretty confident that the film will do well and complete the journey comfortably. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Was the journey smooth throughout or were there any 'phool aur kaante' while filming?
(Laughs) Actually, there were few 'kaante's' but we jumped over it and completed our journey quite smoothly. Hopefully, the film will blossom like a flower after its release.

You and Ajay are coming back after a gap of 8 years. Wasn't it like you were working with a new comer?
No, not at all. And we are coming back together after 7 years. Working with Ajay is always a new experience because he is so unpredictable when it comes to sharing screen space with his co-stars and even the newcomers.

Having seen the promos, the film doesn't really speak about the plot. Don't you think people, now-a-days, see the film only if they like the promos?
If the trailer isn't giving much away, doesn't mean that the film is not worth watching. You throw in a song and some dialogues to make a promo. But that's not all. I think if the people want to go and watch the film, irrespective of the promos, they will go.

Kajol will always be remembered as a bubbly and a chirpy actress on screen. So what's so different about you in U, Me Aur Hum?
Everything is. I am bubbly, chirpy and a lot more. But the lot more, you will only come to know after the film comes out. What more?

Don't you worry. There is still more. Why Vishal Bharadwaj, an unconventional music director for a fun loving film like U, Me Aur Hum?
We took Vishal for the simple reason that he is a good music director and more importantly also a director of many films. You will love the music of the film, which you are right, is not the typical Vishal Bharadwaj music, but that's why you'll like it.

And what have you got to say about your experience working with a new director?
The director is new. Not the person. Working with Ajay the director is to learn many things, which I haven't, learn before from my directors. He has a different take, belief, and style of working. U, Me Aur Hum is the trump card and not Ajay Devgan or Kajol. The film is the real hero.

Sachin Pilgoankar's version of Satte Pe Satta

Sachin Pilgoankar will relive the moments of Satte Pe Satta by remaking and producing the same in Marathi. The film titled Aami Saatpule will have Sachin stepping into the shoes of Amitabh Bachchan with his better half, Supriya who will be seen playing Hema Malini's role.

Interestingly, Sonu Nigam will be singing in five different voices in the title song of the film and will also mimic singers like Nitin Mukesh, Shabbir Kumar, Adnan Sami and Kumar Sanu. Other than, Swapnil Joshi playing the youngest brother, which was played by Sachin himself in Satte Pe Satta, Ashok Saraf and Atul Pareshkar will also play pivotal roles.

The film is slated to release on April 18.

Bipasha Basu to follow Dimple Kapadia

Hot bollywood damsel Bipasha Basu is going to follow the Dimple Kapadia way. The actress is believed to have given the go ahead to star in a film opposite a much younger Neil Nitin Mukesh for a forthcoming film, quite like what Dimple did in Dil Chahta Hai with Akshaye Khanna.

Bipasha is likely to play the older love interest of Neil Nitin Mukesh in a film by newcomer Jehangir Surti. The actress feels it is too soon to talk about the film and her role in it, but it hasn't stopped Neil from excitedly admitting that he is cast in the film opposite Bipasha and is extremely happy about the fact.

The actor feels that their characters in the film will justify their presence. Incidentally, Bipasha was initially not too keen to act in the film. But it seems that boyfriend John Abraham, who is a friend of the director and had read the script, managed to persuade her to do so.

Meanhwile, Neil, who made a wonderful debut with Johnny Gaddar, is again playing a character with a lot of shades in Sudhir Mishra's Tere Kya Hoga Johnny.

Rakhi Sawant's item song removed from Krazzy 4

Item girl Rakhi Sawant is known for her naughty pranks and tricks to one and all but this it was the dancer who got fooled…that too by her Krazzy 4 director Jaideep Sen.

The director told the media that he and Rakhesh Roshan have jointly decided to remove Rakhi Sawant's item song as it wasn't working in the flow of the film!!!! Although Rakhi gave her best and danced for 12 hours non stop for the song and even promoted the song thanks to which she got other offers.. but still the song is going to be removed, said Jaideep Sen.

But thankfully this was just an April Fool's joke for Rakhi.

Said Jaideep Sen, "Rakhi Sawant is not only a great dancer but is professionalism personified and her song is a great hit. There is no way the song is going to be removed from Krazzy 4".

Well we are sure that if the song had really been removed the item girl would have definitely been in total shock!! And what her retaliation would have been, we wonder!!!

Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor grab Top Apsara Trophies

Film and Television Producers' Guild of India (FTPGI) honoured veteran Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra with its top award for 'outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema'.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan received the best actor award for his performance in the Yash Raj Films' super hit film Chak De! India.

Kareena Kapoor walked away with the best actress trophy for her comic portrayal of a young Sikh girl in Jab We Met at a glittering presentation ceremony at the MMRDA Ground in the Bandra-Kurla Complex in northwest Mumbai Sunday.

FTPGI hosts its own award ceremony to honour Indian artistes as well as creative and technical personalities from the film industry every year.

The trophies are known as 'Apsara' awards.

While Chak De! India was chosen the best movie of 2007, its director Shimit Amin bagged the trophy for the best director.

A Pakistani television channel, ARY Gold, also honoured actor Hrithik Roshan as the Best Male Style Icon of the year at the ceremony.

The star, however, could not make it to the ceremony. His father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, received the trophy on his behalf. Katrina Kaif bagged the Best Female Style Icon ARY Gold trophy.

Akshay Kumar, who churned out the maximum number of hits last year, was adjudged the Entertainer of the Year by the FTPGI jury.

NDTV Imagine honoured Deepika Pudokone and Ranbir Kapoor as the year's best new faces, respectively.

Salman Khan and Govinda received the hit pair NDTV Imagine trophy for their breezy performances in producer Sohail Khan's hit movie last year, Partner.

Salman Khan, Bipasha Basu, Kareena and Riteish Deshmukh performed on the stage and livened up the well-attended awards presentation ceremony put together by Wizcraft.

Lakme Fashion Week sets Mumbai on Fire

The who's who of the city of Mumbai made their presence felt at the on-going Lakme Fashion Week which kicked off in the city on March 29.

The fashion extravaganza which goes on till April 2nd saw many established and some new designers show their designs to the world. Day 1 had Manish Malhotra display his designs in a spectacular fashion show and needless to say, B-town celebs turned up in full strength to support their favorite designer. Manish's show had stars like Saif Ali Khan with lady love Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Urmila Matondkar, Amisha Patel amongst the audience. The same day also saw Bollywood's latest pin-up boy Ranbir Kapoor walk the ramp for the first time for his good friend- designer Arjun Khanna. Cheering the Kapoor dude was his mommy dearest Neetu Singh and lady love Deepika Padukone. What's more? Ranbir even decided to give an impromptu flying kiss in the direction where the two most important ladies of his life were seated.

Day 2 (Sun- Mar 30) saw one of Bollywood's top lady designers Neeta Lulla show her unique designs and for all you people wondering who the showstopper at her show was, it was none other than child prodigy Darsheel Safary. Yes you heard it right; in a moment which took everyone by surprise, the small boy-wonder walked the ramp in style along with the designer herself. Indeed a moment to cherish for the young child.

Day 3 saw yet another prominent designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed showcase his collection on the ramp. 'Nari' as he is fondly known as, had the pretty Kangana Ranaut as the star attraction for his show. The evening also saw designer Nandita Mahtani who walked the ramp with model turned actor Kelly Dorjee.

And for all of you who thought it was only Bollywood which made its presence felt at the Lakme Fashion Week, you couldn't be further from the truth. Gregory David Roberts, author of the best-seller Shantaram also walked the ramp along with his fiancée on Day 2 of this Fashion extravaganza.

With tomorrow (April 2) being the last day , and some more impressive designers set to showcase their work, get ready for a grand finale to one of the most hot-n-happening events of the week. As they say The Best is truly reserved for the Last.

Vivek Oberoi in Rensil D'Silva next movie

Post the success of Rang De Basanti, its screenplay writer Rensil D'Silva has surely entered the big league. The talented writer got his big break, when Karan Johar asked him to direct a film for his banner Dharma Productions.

It was reported earlier that Rensil's yet untitled film would star the hot-n-happening couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor along with yet another lead actor. Now it seems Rensil has finally found his second male lead. Rensil says, “Yes it's true that I have found my second male lead and it's going to be Vivek Oberoi who will be playing that role. The film is a romantic thriller and Vivek has a very important role in the film. The film is Karan's idea and I have written the story”

Who else form part of the supporting cast? “We have approached Om Puri and he has liked the script. So he is virtually on board.”

So, Vivek who was earlier seen in Dharma Productions' Kaal is back in KJo's camp. We also quizzed the director on his shooting plans, “We plan to start shooting sometime in mid-October. The film would be entirely shot in London”

Considering Karan's films are known for their music, who would be composing the music this time around? “As of now it is Salim-Sulaiman”, signs off Rensil.