Salman Khan to kiss Asin Thottumkal

Salman Khan has finally agreed to kiss on screen for the first time in his 22-year-old career. The superstar, who has resolutely avoided locking lips to maintain a family image so far, will be seen smooching co-star Asin Thottumkal in Anees Bazmee's upcoming film, Ready. "It is not yet decided if it will be a long, passionate kiss or a short peck, but director Bazmee has managed to convince Salman that the scene is important to the script. Salman had initially refused to give the shot and it took some talking on Bazmee's part to convince him," said a source. Salman has all along maintained that he is "not too comfortable kissing on screen". Despite giving several blockbusters such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Maine Pyar Kiya and Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya as a romantic hero, he has largely refrained from kissing on screen.Naturally, when Bazmee threw up the idea, the superstar was reluctant. Salman apart, the kissing scene is also bound to arouse interest because of Asin. An established superstar in Tamil cinema, Asin has all along maintained a traditional image as an actress down South, as also in Ghajini and London Dreams, the two Bollywood films she has done so far.Lately however, having struggled in Bollywood after London Dreams flopped, Asin is gunning for a glamorous image makeover. Reports have already suggested that she is willing to don a bikini in Sajid Khan's Housefull 2. Meanwhile, the first look of Ready was launched recently in Mumbai. Initial snapshots of the film feature Salman sporting fashionable shades and a short cropped hairdo, and striking a few whacky poses, in sync with the film's slapstick flavour.Ever since shooting started for the film, Ready has been in the news for various reasons. Recently, there were rumours that Salman and Bazmee had a spat during an outdoor shooting in Bangkok after the director returned to Mumbai midway. Bazmee later denied any rift with Salman.

Asin Thottumkal to endorse Lux soap

Asin Thottumkal has joined the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif as the new brand ambassador of Lux soap.

She has been signed as the face of the soap’s new variant Lux Sandal & Cream.

"It’s a beauty accolade to be associated with the legendary beauty brand Lux, which has celebrated beauty and glamour over the decades. It gives me immense pride to endorse the new natural variant Lux Sandal & Cream, as I truly believe in being beautiful the natural way," said Asin.

"The credit of rooting the right beauty mantra goes to my mom, who being a doctor, has always entrusted the beauty of my skin to sandalwood, due to its magical cleansing, toning and moisturising attributes," she added.

Asin has featured in commercials for Mirinda, Big Bazaar, Sure - Anti perspirant, Tata Sky, Clinic All Clear and Fairever Fairness cream.

Asin turns adventurous

Southern sensation Asin Thottumkal is literally following the footprints of Bollywood’s favourite actor Salman Khan, who is known for brash ways, mercurial temper and quirky disposition and has a penchant for the unusual- hopping into rickshaws and riding bicycles to the film sets.

Recently, Bollywood newbie Asin, who had to catch a flight for Mumbai from Madurai airport, travelled in a bullock cart.

A source said, “It is a two-hour drive to Madurai airport from Kairaikudi. Asin was to catch a flight to Mumbai and was accompanied by three friends. On the way, they spotted a bullock cart and one thing led to another. When her friends challenged Asin to ride on it, she immediately agreed.”

However, when Asin decided to leave the car and choose the bullock cart, the owner was completely dumbfound. “He initially thought that Asin just wanted to click some pictures, but when she asked to ride in the bullock cart, he was flabbergasted. Since the flight was a little delayed, Asin and her friends had some time on hand, so they travelled in the bullock cart for over 25 minutes before getting back in the car,” added the source.

Even as the bullock cart owner was surprised, people travelling in close proximity were bewildered to see the actress. “Some of them came running to ask her for autographs. It was an adventurous ride for the actress and she enjoyed it thoroughly,” added the source further.

The spokesman of Asin confirmed the news and said, “She has an adventurous streak and enjoyed the bullock cart ride.”

Asin gives a royal snub to Shah Rukh Khan

While most of the B-town ladies go through their entire careers wishing to star opposite the three Khans, Asin has put aside the rare opportunity for reasons not known.

The lissome beauty whose blockbuster ‘Ghajini’ debut opposite Aamir Khan is followed by ‘London Dreams’ with Salman had been offered a chance to act with Shah Rukh- a glorious prospect that she chose to snub.

The southern bombshell, who has been making waves ever since her smash-hit debut, was reportedly very keen to work with SRK. So much was the stunner in awe of SRK that she had also expressed her desire to share the screen with him on Farah’s chat show.

Flattered by Asin’s adoration for SRK, Farah had approached the actress for a role opposite King Khan in ‘Happy New Year’. And though the actress mulled over the role for quite some time, she refused Farah’s offer on unknown grounds.

Confirming the story a source said, “Ever since Asin appeared on Farah’s show ‘Tere Mere Beach Mein’, they have been in touch. When Farah offered her the role, initially Asin was quite excited. It is not known why she refused Farah’s film”.

Rejecting Farah’s offer, the actress cited date problem as the reason for her refusal. “She conveyed that the dates which Farah needed would be clashing with her other assignments,” adds the source.

Nevertheless when King Khan is involved there can never be a shortage of leading ladies. As of now Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor are fighting neck to neck for the part.

Asin to receive highest civilian honour by Tamil Nadu government

After making a sensational Bollywood debut with Ghajini last year, Asin's career has been only going higher and higher. While her act in Ghajini fetched her the 'Best Debutant Award' at all the major award functions, Asin is all set to add yet another feather to her already impressive cap.

Asin would be receiving the Kalaimamani award which is the highest civilian honour given by the Tamil Nadu government. This will also be Asin's 150th award of her career and given the fact the she is so young it is indeed an incredible achievement. The award will be presented to her by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Asin gets stalked in Singapore

Earlier it was Katrina Kaif, and now it seems the turn of Southern belle Asin to get stalked by another star stuck fan. A stalker breached Asin’s security cover in order to meet the star at her recent Singapore trip. It is said that the star crazy fan clandestinely clicked her pictures and followed her wherever she went.

The stalker, believed to be in mid-20s followed Asin during her trip until he was discovered at the hotel where the Bollywood newbie was staying. News has it that the stalker wanted to talk with Asin, while ignoring her security guards.

A close friend of Asin said, “Before she could react, he started taking her pictures. Suddenly, he started behaving even more strangely. He pretended he was her bodyguard and stopped people from going near her.”

The stalker successfully managed to dupe the security guards at the hotel and managed to reach the dining room where the actress was enjoying a quiet meal. “He told the guards that he had come from Indore and wanted to talk to her at any cost. He tried every trick in the book to convince them and succeeded,” Asin’s friend added.

Well, the story does not end here as the stalker followed her at a shopping mall too which led a panic stricken Asin take an early morning flight to Mumbai. The friend maintained, “She feared that he would be waiting outside the airport, but luckily this time, he wasn’t around.”