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Monday, 30 January 2012

Ameesha Patel to Play Sex Worker

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.

Sunday, 22 January 2012

I have Become a Nun: Mallika Sherawat

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.

Friday, 20 January 2012

Vivek Oberoi Rubs Sanjay Gupta the Wrong Way

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.

Friday, 13 January 2012

Sanjay Dutt to Move Out of Family Home

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.

Priyanka Chopra wants to do an Item Song

Priyanka Chopra wants to do an Item Song

She claims to be unaffected by Munnis, Sheilas, Razias and Chikni Chamelis, but looks like the 'item' frenzy is getting to Priyanka.

Every other actress in her league has a rocking song to her name and is boasting about it at events and award shows. When zoOm asked Priyanka about the absence of an item song on her resume, she laughed it off saying, "Well, I did Desi Girl but it was in my own film. I don't think songs in your own film should count as item songs" (Ouch, there goes Sheila's credit).

Recently, zoOm's sources learnt that Piggy Chops wanted a song to her name and convinced Kunal Kohli to add a special number to Teri Meri Kahaani Hai. Given that this one is also in her film, we don't think she'll call it an 'item song'. But for what it's worth, we wanna see this Desi Girl show her jalwa again!

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Kareena Kapoor is Technically Challenged

Kareena Kapoor is Technically Challenged

Even though she is endorsing a leading laptop brand, Kareena Kapoor is quite helpless when it comes to operating one.

Sources reveal that Bebo is technically challenged when it comes to things like sending emails or surfing the web. In fact during the shoot of their film Ek mein Aur Ekk Tu it was Imran Khan who would coach her on everything related to computers!

I worked at a Petrol Pump: Mugdha Godse

I worked at a Petrol Pump: Mugdha Godse

Mugdha Godse had quite an adventurous college life, doing odd jobs for pocket money.

I went to the MMCC in Pune, where I studied commerce. I remember, when I entered college, I wanted to do every thing at one go - study, party and have boys friends. I had a handful of friends who were my partners in crime for fun and work.

My friends and I worked for some extra money so that we could be more indulgent.

I did odd jobs like selling oil or doing a survey at petrol pumps. We'd make ' 100 a day. Coming from a middle class family, I had a nominal pocket money - ' 300 a month. The extra money was used to take care of our so called 'lavish fun'. While movies occupied most of our free time, we also enjoyed lunching outside, and sometimes even having beer in the afternoon!

Afternoon discos, and hanging out at Vaishali, a famous place on Pune's FC Road was another passtime. Sometimes we'd get hold of studious kids to gain entry into the british library, where we'd chill for hours.

There is loads of lukhagiri to talk about. Mass-bunking and going for coffee instead. Another pastime was puncturing bikes and car tyres.

However, there was one class I never bunked. I loved attending the Economics lecture. No one bunked her lecture, especially the boys, as she was very beautiful. I was quite in awe of her.

Among all the masti, I also remember I moment of pride. During my standard 11 exams, I was given a class 12 English paper by mistake, which I ended up solving! Being an 'outstanding' student that I was (pun intended), I didn't know my syllabus so didn't guess it wasn't meant for me. I was in a hurry to catch a film, so took to solving it right away. And though I found it to be difficult, I assumed it was because I hadn't studied. After the exam, when my friends and I started discussing the paper, to my horror I realised that I solved the wrong paper for my final exam. I met the principle and thankfully the issue was resolved.

Quick Five
1. Fav canteen snack - Vada pav
2. Fav subject - Economics
3. My crush - A new one every day
4. Topmost 'outstanding' activity - Puncturing tyres
5. Hangout budget - Rs 10 every day