Kareena Kapoor: SK to SRK!

Mumbai, Aug. 2 -- Good morning my dark chocolate cookies! The barsati mausam seems a bit overdone. If it were in my hands to control the weather, I would have ensured that the rimjhim happens only in the night. I haven't been able to step out of my house because of the downpour, aaaarrgh!
Anyway, it hasn't restricted me from getting you spicy hot nuggets from Bollywood, courtesy my team of informers, spies, detectives and eavesdroppers. Here goes... I'm mighty impressed with the kind of professionalism Kareena Kapoor has been displaying lately. Even the rain hasn't been able to deter her, beams Sher Lock Holmes. What did she do dude? My jasoos says that Saifu's ladylove was shooting at some studio, deep in the suburbs with Salman Khan and company for Bodyguard. Isn't that film likely to release this month?
It is, Sher Lock says, and adds that it's only the heavy patchwork that's left. So, after completing the shoot that lasted over 12 hours, Kareena, although tired, decided to attend the wrap up party for RA.One, her Diwali release with with Shah Rukh Khan. My efficient detective says that not only did the Kapoor kudi make it to the do in time, she also hung around for quite some time in the night.
Her staff it seems had been advising her to go home and rest instead. But she insisted that she had to be there for all her films. And so, the party was important on her day's agenda. Kewl!

Kareena refuses to expose à la Mandakini

After going wet and wild in Asoka, Kareena Kapoor has put her foot down to not reprise Mandakini's waterfall sequence for the sequel of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. The actor is stepping into the shoes of the yesteryear actor in the film.
The portrayal of Mandakini, as we all know, cannot be complete without the famous waterfall sequence in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But Bebo refused to do the scene as it required her to wear a white sari sans blouse.
According to sources, Kareena, who can get married to Saif anytime, doesn't want to take such career 'risks'. But director Milan Luthria has not given up yet. He is working on the sequence to make it convenient for Bebo.
Akshay Kumar plays a role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Kareena plays his love interest.

Kareena refuses to expose à la Mandakini

After going wet and wild in Asoka, Kareena Kapoor has put her foot down to not reprise Mandakini's waterfall sequence for the sequel of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. The actor is stepping into the shoes of the yesteryear actor in the film.
The portrayal of Mandakini, as we all know, cannot be complete without the famous waterfall sequence in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But Bebo refused to do the scene as it required her to wear a white sari sans blouse.
According to sources, Kareena, who can get married to Saif anytime, doesn't want to take such career 'risks'. But director Milan Luthria has not given up yet. He is working on the sequence to make it convenient for Bebo.
Akshay Kumar plays a role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Kareena plays his love interest.

Hrithik Roshan named brand ambassador for Liberty

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Hrithik Roshan has been made the brand ambassador for shoe giant Liberty and the makers say that they zeroed in on the Bollywood heartthrob because he connects with the youth.
"Hrithik has an immense sense of style and connection with the youth that complements Liberty which is trying to revamp the brand by adding youthful and vibrant feel to it. Hrithik is a complete family person; he has strong family values and thus he is an apt personification of Liberty's ideology," Anupam Bansal, director, Liberty Shoes Ltd, said in a statement.
The company hopes the superstar will give the brand a vibrant and youthful makeover.
"It feels great to be part of a home-grown brand which has been constantly serving the worldwide audience since more than 50 years. Besides, the collection is superbly stylish yet comfortable, just how we all like it. I am really enjoying being associated with the Liberty family," Hrithik said in a press statement Tuesday.

Liberty has plans to introduce innovative and stylish products towards the end of the month.

Zarine's double role - on the ramp!

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Celebrities walking the ramp is no news anymore, but actress Zarine Khan enjoyed her ramp stint so much that she walked for two different jewellery houses at the same event.

Zarine, who was introduced by Salman Khan opposite him in "Veer", was the showstopper for Divya K. Ahuja's show Monday at the ongoing India International Jewellery Week (IIJW), and Tuesday too the actress walked the ramp for Dwarkadas Chandumal Jewellers.
"The piece I was wearing yesterday had its own uniqueness and this has its own. I like both the designers, so I walked for both," Zarine told reports here.
Explaining the piece she was wearing for Tuesday's show, the actress said: "I feel very beautiful wearing it because it's such a grand and opulent piece. It's worth around Rs.1.75 crore. It's a beautiful piece especially with the sapphire and as it is, blue is my favourite colour, so I love it."
The 23-year-old was dressed in an Archana Kochar outfit, which was a blue corset and a colourful lehenga with thread embroidery.
The show also saw models strutting down the ramp in the jeweller's Polki Jadau Collection, heavy and light diamond bridal collection, couture collection and chandelier collection.

I took break to plan my future: Ayesha

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Ayesha Takia, who is making a comeback with director Nagesh Kuknoor's "Mod", says the break post her marriage was a practical step towards a secured future.
After marrying restaurateur Farhan Azmi in 2009, Ayesha got involved in his restaurant business. Salman-starrer super-hit "Wanted" was her last release.
"I had been working for so many years before 'Wanted', which did really well at the box office and I am thankful for that. I really took time to understand about the restaurant business," Ayesha told reporters at the unveiling of first look of "Mod" here Tuesday.
"I took the break because I really needed to look at the things from an outsider's perspective. As an actor, it helped me a lot."
Her love for acting inspired her to make a come-back, she said.
"For me, it's really about the craft and I enjoy it thoroughly. So, if I don't sign anything that genuinely excites me, I lose interest right there. I was fortunate that Nagesh came to me with 'Mod'," said Ayesha, who made her debut as an actress with "Taarzan: The Wonder Car" in 2004.
The 25-year-old, who earned critical acclaim for her performance in Kukunoor's "Dor", is all praise for the director for extracting the best out of her.
"Nagesh is one who truly brings out the best in me. He taught me my true potential as an actor. I am fortunate to get a chance to work with Nagesh, who gives me role any girl would die for."
"After 'Dor', I didn't think it was possible to do such a role again, but 'Mod' is the best film for me to do after a long wait," said Ayesha.
Set in a small hill station, "Mod" is a love story about two different people. In the film, she has been paired with MTV VJ Rannvijay.
Ayesha is in awe of the character she essays in the film.
"The character I play is amazing. She is matured, independent and totally opposite me. I am amazing (laughs) but not that independent. She manages her life. She has this clock store and earns her living. She meets Raanvijay and falls in love with him."
"She is unlike the character I have ever played before. When you do a Nagesh film, you really go into that detail about the character, her mind and her life. So, the character is amazing and I would miss her forever," she said.
Releasing Sep 30, the film also stars actor Raghuvir Yadav and Tanvi Azmi in pivotal roles.

Cameo calling for Bollywood A-listers

Appearing in a cameo in a film is the latest trend in Bollywood, as many A-listers make a beeline for small roles in upcoming films. Here’s a list of the superstars who will soon be seen in guest appearances.
Salman Khan
For: Tell Me O Khudda
Actor Salman Khan will be soon seen in a special appearance in veteran actor Hema Malini’s upcoming directorial venture Tell Me O Kkhuda, which is touted to be a relaunch vehicle for her daughter, actor Esha Deol. Hema, who has recently joined the social networking website Twitter, confirmed the news through a tweet that read, “Salman Khan has been very gracious to be a part of my film Tell Me O Khuda. What an adorable person!!!!(sic)” Reportedly, Khan will be seen in a song with Deol in the film that releases on September 30.
Amitabh Bachchan
For: English Vinglish
Actor Amitabh Bachchan will be seen in a cameo appearance in actor Sridevi’s comeback film English Vinglish, which is being directed by Gauri Shinde (wife of Paa director R.Balki). Talking about the cameo, Balki was quoted as saying, “It’s actually a two-day cameo for Mr Bachchan, and not an afterthought. Gauri had written the cameo with Mr Bachchan in mind. It’s actually a very funny midair cameo. And only Mr Bachchan could do it.”
Priyanka Chopra
For: Ra.One
Actor Priyanka Chopra will be seen in a cameo in actor Shah Rukh Khan’s ambitious project Ra.One, which also stars actor Kareena Kapoor in the lead role. Apparently, Chopra would be performing an ‘item-action-sequence’ in the film. Reportedly, she will have superhuman abilities so that she can match up to Khan on-screen during the action sequence, which is being touted to be one of the highlights of the movie. She will also be doing a lot of stunts in the film. Chopra even tweeted about the cameo saying, “On my way to set to shoot for Raone. Should be super fun (sic).”
Hema Malini
For: Aarakshan
Veteran actor Hema Malini will be seen in a cameo opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan. In February, Bachchan tweeted about the same saying, “Hemaji joins us for the shooting of ‘Aarakshan’ .. a cameo but all looking forward to her arrival ... ‘Baghban’ remembered (sic),” Reportedly, Malini’s role is very short but strong in this film. She has acted with Bachchan in many movies such as Satte Pe Satta, Sholay, Baghban and Baabul among others.
Karisma Kapur
For: Bodyguard
If the reports are to be believed, then actor Karisma Kapur, who is making her comeback with Vikram Bhatt’s Dangerous Ishq, will be seen playing a part in Salman Khan starrer upcoming film Bodyguard. The film, which releases later this month stars Karisma’s sister Kareena Kapoor in the lead role. Quite a sister act we must say. Actor Sanjay Dutt will also be doing a cameo in the same film.
Shah Rukh Khan
For: Love Breakups Zindagi
Actor Shah Rukh Khan will reportedly be doing a cameo in actors Zayed Khan and Dia Mirza’s debut production Love Breakups Zindagi. “Since both Dia and Zayed have known SRK, they decided to request him to do a special appearance in the film. And SRK, who has always valued friendship, has agreed to do so,” reveals a source. Apparently, Zayed was keen on roping in brother-in-law Hrithik Roshan for doing the same cameo, but there were date issues.

Don’t ask me about Bhajji: Geeta Basra

She may have never been talked of because of her work, but Geeta Basra’s bond with cricketer Harbhajan Singh always keeps the buzz around her alive. Basra, who has been part of box office duds such as Dil Diya Hai and Train, walked the ramp for Sangam Chains on Day 1 of India International
Jewellery Week (IIJW) at The Hyatt in Mumbai recently. So, when the obvious question popped again, the actor blushed.
Are you dating Harbhajan? “I’ve never denied that we’re friends.” But, that’s all she’ll give away on that front. Basra is in talks with producer Vinod Bachchan for a sizzling item number in Zilla Ghaziabad, which stars Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi and Minissha Lamba. “Yes, I’m in talks with them for an item number. If everything goes well, I will do it,” she says.
So, no reservations against item numbers? “I don’t know who has given these tracks this title of an ‘item number’. Bollywood movies have great songs full of dance and music. I love dancing; I have no problem with an item number,” she explains.
Why doesn’t she do more movies, then? “People ask me this question very often. The truth is, I’m very particular and choosy about the kind of roles I do.”
Would she want to be part of a film with Bhajji then, sometime in the future? “I believe we should not mix Bollywood and cricket,” comes the reply. She won’t mind working with Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, though.
And another obvious question — marriage? “Not Now,” she signs off.