Hansika Motwani for a Cause

Hansika Motwani is one actress who wears her heart on her sleeve. The 20-year-old had earlier celebrated her birthday by adopting 20 street kids in Mumbai. Now the actress has been signed up as a brand ambassador for an old age home in Mumbai.

"I am very thrilled to be associated with this project. I always wanted to build an old-age-home myself, so I immediately jumped at this chance. We have a lot of old people in our country, who are left homeless. If I can use my celebrity status to make a difference to the lives of some needy people, I would be very pleased," says Hansika, who adds that she is planning to hold an exhibition of her paintings and donate the proceeds to the charity.

Kareena Kapoor to Fight for Equality in Bollywood

Vidya Balan's success story has given actresses the hope for a brighter tomorrow in the Indian film industry. But they have a long way to go, says Kareena Kapoor adding that she will fight for equal "pay cheques" in filmdom.

The 31-year-old shared her side of the story in a talk about "How Does a Heroine Become the Hero?" at the India Today Conclave 2012.

"I was in Los Angeles sometime back when I got to know that 'Salt' was actually written for Tom Cruise. And Angelina Jolie was actually the second choice, it wasn't Brad Pitt or anyone else. In India, there's no such choice.

"It's always between three or four Khans or other male actors. I guess female actors are there for just dancing with them. We have to stand behind Shah Rukh and Salman (Khan) and say, 'Hey! I'm here too, give me something to do.' And the paychecks... what Salman gets and what I get... let's not even get there," said Kareena.

She is said to be the highest earning female star in Bollywood, and reportedly demanded Rs.8 crore for Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine". But Kareena still doesn't consider herself a hero among all heroines.

"I don't think I'm a hero because all the films like '3 Idiots', 'RA.One' and 'Bodyguard' that made Rs.100 crore-Rs.150 crore, their producers and all the three Khans took home their money. What am I left with? 'Chhammak challo'?

"I don't get a pay cheque as much as them. I am not on the same platform as them. But I am going to fight for it, and hopefully one day we will get there. But I do believe that god has been kind. Somewhere my hard work has been recognised, and I am also glad that there's been a stellar performance by Vidya Balan and she proved to be the hero of 2011 (with 'The Dirty Picture')," she added.

The year awaits a power-packed performance by Kareena in "Heroine" and she says: "I am giving it my very best."

"And for a change it is fun not standing behind or beside Shah Rukh or Salman," she quipped.

Samantha Turns a Safe Bet

Filmmakers believe that this actress has a strong market in Telugu and Tamil, though she hasn't delivered a hit here.

Samantha may not have single big release or hit to her credit in K-Town but she seems to be sought-after by filmmakers here. The actress started off her career in K-Town with small films like Baana Kathaadi and Moscowin Kaveri and with Neethane Enn Ponnvasantham, has attempted to move into the big league. The actress is currently working on this trilingual with Jiiva, Nani and Aditya Roy Kapur (for Tamil, Telugu and Hindi respectively). So what makes her so saleable? An industry insider says, "Samantha's last film in Telugu with Mahesh Babu, Dookudu, was a superhit. She has a strong market in Telugu and now with her signing on big films here, filmmakers think she is the best bet for movies that will be released in both markets."

As far as her remuneration goes, Samantha is reportedly currently charging 75 lakh in Tollywood per flick. Says a source, "Samantha is probably taking home a lesser salary in K-Town as she is yet to deliver a hit as the leading lady. Plus, she has worked with only smaller actors before. NEP will be a test of sorts for her." The actress is seen as more affordable than the two other popular Tollywood girls, Ileana and Anushka, in the south. Moreover, as everyone knows, both these actresses are also extremely choosy about their projects and don't sign on a flick easily -especially in Kollywood.

Ameesha Patel to Play Sex Worker

Seven years back, Kareena Kapoor vented out her displeasure about Ameesha Patel’s unceremonious comments about her in a film glossy. “Ameesha called me a prostitute in print,” the Chameli actor had said.

The old sparring match was apparently sparked off with Ameesha claiming that she was offered Chameli but didn’t take up the part as she didn’t like the character, and further stating that Bebo did it because that’s what her character is — a prostitute.

But now, Ameesha is set to portray a high-profile hooker in her first home production, directed by David Dhawan. The Gadar actor feels she’ll bring on screen a “very different, international and funky kind of prostitute.”

She says: “You will see me in a completely new avatar. Since I don’t play an Indian prostitute, it’s not set in Kamathipura or any such place.” The project will be shot in Prague and Paris.

“In places like Prague, Paris and Amsterdam, prostitution is an acceptable profession. They even pay taxes to the government. They are really good-looking, classy and well-dressed women. And also, they are not looked down upon, as is the case in India,” she says.

The film goes on floors in a month’s time. “We will start after Davidji (Dhawan) finishes Chashme Buddor.

He has come up with a super script,” says Ameesha, adding she has watched a couple of very old films for her film.

“But I want to do it in my own way. Davidji has an amazing vision. I want people to follow the trend we set instead of us following someone else’s trend,” says the actor, who came up with a sultry performance with her hit item numbers act at the recently-concluded Apsara Awards.

“I had a very elegant dance number Lazy Lamhe in Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic but I haven’t done a ‘massy’ kind of performance. Be it viewers or producers, they have always seen me in a very elegant and sophisticated parts. Some also feel that Ameesha is a baby doll. I wanted to break the image and do something different,” she says.

I have Become a Nun: Mallika Sherawat

When I tell her, "Welcome back!" she says, "But I never left!" Mallika Sherawat is in India shooting two films - Sudhir Mishra's Lucky Unlucky and Amit Chandrra's Kismat Love Paisa Dilli with Vivek Oberoi - but says she feels most at home in Los Angeles. "There are lots of suitors, you make the right friendships and they don't judge you there. People don't perceive you with preconceived notions. In India, I feel trapped in my image. People think you are the same way you are on screen. Thankfully, the films I'm doing now will break that myth."

How did you break into Hollywood? Honestly, it was tougher in Bollywood! There's no nepotism in Hollywood, so I found it much easier. They welcomed me and showed me so much love. For me, it was always about being independent, because here women don't get too many opportunities. When I met President Barack Obama some time ago, he said, "America salutes the spirit of independence, that's what America is built on, and now you have done it and we are proud of you." Those words will be with me till my dying day. I really had nothing to lose by going there. I don't doubt myself. Even when I ran away from home and came to Mumbai, who would have thought I'd be there someday? You got to have passion and faith. You live only once!

Are you worried about getting typecast as the stereotypical Indian girl there? Not anymore. I did feel that in the past, because there was a time when Spanish-speaking people were cast as maids, African Americans were portrayed as gangsters, and all terrorists were Middle Eastern people. But now I think they are writing good parts for ethnic people. I think with Slumdog Millionaire and Freida Pinto doing so well, things are changing. Experimenting with different genres is really exciting. I think young directors are braver than actors there and here. They have the courage to cast me in these characters.

How do you react to those who believe your career is over? n My obituary has been written SO many times that it really doesn't bother me now. I think women are still treated in a regressive fashion, so for me, where I started and where I am today has been a fun rollercoaster ride.

Is there any bad blood with the Bhatts? I have no issues with them. If I get a good script from them I will do it. They gave me one of my biggest hits Murder and I loved working with them. Mahesh Bhatt keeps texting me. In fact, when I met Obama, he was the only person from the industry who called me and said, "Aaj toh yahan maatam chaya hoga!"

Emraan was recently quoted saying kissing Mallika wasn't really fun. Your reaction? That's his opinion. I had more fun kissing the snake in Hisss. For me, the snake was the best kisser... my best lover ever!

Are you dating anyone? I have become a nun! If there was someone I was seeing or interested in, then I would definitely talk about it. There are some interesting men who've asked me out, but everytime I think of concentrating on love, some project comes along. It's true but I'm busy making a career. You have to give your 100 per cent here; either you do this or you have a love life. Right now, more than a man it's the scripts that are exciting me.

Vivek Oberoi Rubs Sanjay Gupta the Wrong Way

Actor Vivek Oberoi has peeved off director Sanjay Gupta so much that Gupta isn't interested in waiting for Vivek anymore and has ousted him from the project 'Shootout at Wadala'.

It can be remembered that Vivek Oberoi was very keen to play the role of Dawood in the film. However, there were rumours that actor Sanjay Dutt advised hm strongly against it. Ever since Vivek has been avoiding Gupta like the plague.

Having waited for him long enough, Sanjay Gupta has now decided to cast someone else in his movie. And Vivek hmeslf has allotted dates to another project being helmed by Bejoy Nambiar.

According to a source, Vivek couldn't afford yet another enemy in the form of Sanjay Dutt in the film industry. Vivek had already born the repercussions of Salman Khan's ire, and that's the only reason he chose to stay away from Gupta. Gupta, on the other hand, is confident that this move is only going to be Oberoi's loss.

Let's weigh what the decision has cost him once the movie releases.

Sanjay Dutt to Move Out of Family Home

His brand new apartment will occupy three floors and house a private theatre. Sanjay Dutt is moving out of the home he was brought up in. The actor lived in his parents Nargis and Sunil Dutt's bungalow, called Ajanta, until it was broken down and rebuilt as a highrise named Imperial Heights some years ago. While he occupies the top two floors of the building, his sisters Namrata and Priya live on the floors below with their families.

Now, the actor is planning to move out of his family home and into a brand new three-floor apartment, also in Bandra. Sanju and wife Maanayata have been looking for a bigger house post the arrival of their twins Shahran and Iqra. The new apartment - which is still under construction - is in the same vicinity as Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow, Mannat. The building will have only nine apartments, and each will occupy three floors. It will be ready by 2015.

Needless to say, Maanayata is thrilled with the new acquisition and has been telling friends that she plans to have a 20-seater theatre in the house. She is already chalking out plans for the interiors and is in talks with some well-known names to do up their new home.

While the topmost floor will host the couple's bedroom along with those of their twins, one floor will house Dutt's gym and a swimming pool. The final floor will be a living and dining room with guest rooms. The actor has no plans of selling his Imerial Heights apartment or giving it on rent as it holds great sentimental value for him.