Art and Fashion: August 2012

Actor Sonakshi Sinha, who has done an item number Go Go Govinda, in Oh My God (OMG)

Special screening

Actor Sonakshi Sinha, who has done an item number Go Go Govinda, in Oh My God (OMG) was apparently so impressed with the rushes that she has decided to keep a special screening of the film for her friends and family. But what’s got everyone foxed is that the actor has decided to keep the screening a day before the release of Joker, which stars her and Akshay Kumar. Says a source, “Akshay even joked that if Sonakshi is keeping the screening of OMG during Onam, it will go with the film’s concept that revolves around God!”

Actor Neetu Chandra who is currently working on an international film

Videsi connection

Actor Neetu Chandra who is currently working on an international film with a Greek director has reportedly been getting a lot of offers from international production houses. A source close to her reveals, “Black magic films, a Los Angeles based production house, has approached Neetu for a movie which is based on martial arts. It is the story of a girl who opts for an acting career over sports. She has apparently liked the script and if all goes as planned, she will most likely sign on the dotted line, since she relates to the character in the film. Neetu has been a sportsperson herself as she is trained in martial arts and is also very good at basketball and a couple of other sports.” Guess it shouldn’t be very difficult for her to play out her real life on reel.

Garner to return to action movies?

Holly hottie Jennifer Garner wants to make a return to action movies after visiting her husband, actor Ben Affleck on the set of his new crime drama Runner, Runner.
“I just visited my husband’s set in Puerto Rico, and most of the crew knew me when I was doing action, and they were saying, ‘Hey Jen, remember that fight scene’. It felt as if I was a different person than the one they were talking about. I do miss that part of my life a little,” contactmusic.com quoted Garner as saying. But the 40-year-old admits she may not be as daring as she was in her Alias days, especially now that she has children.

Hunky blues Actor Shahid Kapoor, who has not hit the gym since the past three months, has already lost close to eight kilos to look the part in his upcoming film

Hunky blues

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who has not hit the gym since the past three months, has already lost close to eight kilos to look the part in his upcoming film

Buzz is that actor Shahid Kapoor is feeling rather low and depressed these days and the reason, say sources close to the star, is that he’s been missing his first love! But before the tongues start wagging and imaginations let loose, let us quickly clarify that this first love is not someone, but something. The actor has been asked to ease up his muscled hotbod for a ‘muted-down leaner’ look for his upcoming romcom and has been asked to stay off the gym by his director Maneesh Sharma (Band Baaja Baaraat and Ladies vs Ricky Bahl fame). And it’s his workouts that Shahid’s been missing terribly. Anyone who knows Shahid can vouch for his love for his work-out sessions, so not being able to hit the gym for the past three months have made him edgy and restless, share insiders.
“Shahid plays a simple middle-class boy, who also plays in a marriage band. So, Maneesh issued strict instructions that Shahid needs to tone down his muscled look to look the part. And Shahid, who’s never missed a single day of workout, just had to give up gymming. Not being able to exercise is getting to him, and he’s having withdrawal symptoms of sorts as he’s feeling very restless,” confirms a source.
The actor himself took to the microblogging site to share his no-workout blues. “Not worked out in 3 months cause I’m not supposed to look fit for my next ....... Missing the weights,” tweeted the star who has one of the best bods in business.
“It’s like he is fighting the temptation every day to not work out, but then he is always known to go to great lengths to get under the skin of his character,” says an insider. “I guess to find any part an actor has to look within and not outside if he wants it to be honest,” tweeted Shahid. So, it’s hardly surprising that for his role in this yet-to-be titled Yash Chopra film, Shahid has already lost close to eight kilos. The shoot of the film that also stars Parineeti Chopra along with a new face will commence in Jodhpur in another week’s time. Maha-excited about starting to shoot after a mini break of sorts, he also posted: “Shoot starts in 10 days will b back on set after a while… Every movie feels like starting all over again.”
Meanwhile, the hunky actor’s fans need not lose sleep. Apparently, post this film Shahid will once again be required to get back into his muscled best for his next three films.

Close on the heels of TV show Parichay taking an eight year leap, comes news that another show Hitler Didi is fast-forwarding by eight years.

Another show goes for a leap

Close on the heels of TV show Parichay taking an eight year leap, comes news that another show Hitler Didi is fast-forwarding by eight years. It’s a known fact that when the main story runs its course, producers resort to a leap to introduce new characters and plots to bring in freshness. In Hitler Didi, the main protagonists Indira and Rishi have run their gamut of emotions and the serial’s ratings are hovering between one plus and two. To give a spike to the ratings as well as introduce a twist in the storyline, the serial is going for a leap in the first week of September. Indira will have an eight-year-old daughter Indu who is exactly like her. She is a little terror and everyone fears her. However, Indira, who is currently shown to be in a coma and eight months pregnant is unaware that she has a daughter! Says Ila Bedi, who is scripting the show, “Before the leap, Indira will be shown dead and consigned to flames and the following week she will be back. Now how and why is something you will have to wait and watch!” Incidentally, the hunt for little Indu is still on.
–Chaya Unnikrishnan

Sonakshi gets ragged

Actor Sonakshi Sinha recently got ragged by Jay Bhanushali on the sets of Dance Ke Super Kids. As soon as she arrived, he started calling her Son‘aachhi’(imitating a sneeze..) Sinha. Soon, all the kids started calling her Son‘aachhi’ didi. Just when everybody thought Sonakshi would get offended, the actor burst out laughing and said, “This just reminded me of my childhood days when all my classmates and friends would tease me all the time by calling me ‘Sonaachhi’ instead of Sonakshi and I used to get very irritated. Thank you guys for reminding me of my kiddie days.” The actor also ended up anchoring the first segment of the pilot episode of the show. Looks like Sonakshi is ready to embark on her small-screen too!

Macca, Pammy set elephant in India free

Sir Paul McCartney

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney and Hollywood star Pamela Anderson are celebrating after their campaign to save an Indian elephant from a life of misery ended in triumph.
The former Baywatch star and the Beatles singer publicly backed a drive by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to rescue Sunder, an elephant who suffered injuries after being mistreated by his handler and kept chained in the dark for seven years at the Jyotiba Temple in Maharashtra, India, the Daily Express reported.
Both stars sent letters to Indian officials urging them to step in and end the scandal. “I have seen photographs of young Sunder, the elephant kept alone in a shed at a temple and put in chains with spikes,” McCartney had written. “Enough is enough. Get Sunder out,” he wrote.
On Thursday, it emerged that Sunder is to be moved from the temple to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre near Bangalore after an intervention by the country’s Forest Minister Dr Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam.
A Peta spokesman said they ‘are grateful to the Forest Minister for agreeing to liberate Sunder’.

Pamela Anderson

AK Hangal taken off life support on his orders

Veteran actor Avtar Kishan Hangal, popularly known as AK Hangal, is fighting for his life in Santa Cruz’s Asha Parekh hospital for the past week. Hangal was on life support but his son Vijay asked doctors to take him off the machine. As a result, the 98-year-old’s health has deteriorated over the past two days.
“I don’t want my father to suffer any more. It was his wish that he be allowed to die peacefully. I had told the doctors in the beginning itself not to put him on ventilator. Even then they put him on it for three days. But later they themselves realised that he wasn’t responding to treatment,” said Vijay.
Hangal had become very restless when he was put on ventilator and had tried to remove the oxygen pipe.
Two years back, he was in the news over his poor financial condition and deteriorating health after which political parties and others had offered help.
Fashion designer Riyaz Gangji has been trying to convince Vijay to allow doctors to put him back on the ventilator. “Without Vijay’s signature and permission doctors can’t put Hangal sahab back on life support. I have even offered to pay for his treatment,” Gangji said.
Hangal was admitted to hospital on August 16 after he fell in his house and fractured his right femur.

“Initially, he was responding to the treatment, but soon, his health started deteriorating. We put him on life support for three days. However, now he has been taken off it as per his son’s wish and also because he has several health issues,” said resident medical officer Sandeep Salve. The actor has trouble breathing and a history of lung disease, kidney problems and tuberculosis.
Hangal had also wished to donate his organs, but doctors say they aren’t in the proper condition. “Doctors have told us that only his eyes can be donated, but we didn’t take the care which is necessary if you want to donate organs,” said Vijay.

Meenakshi Dixit Telugu Actress photos, images Meenakshi Dixit Telugu Actress beautiful stills

Van Damme admits affair with Kylie!

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme reluctantly confirmed the rumour that he had an affair with Kylie Minogue, one more time, while spruiking his latest action flick The Expendables 2. According to reports, when asked if he had a fling with the 44-year-old singer while they were filming the 1994 flop Street Fighter, he tried to dodge the question but then said that it would have been abnormal not to have had sex with Minogue. “Yes, yes, yes. It happened. I was in Thailand, we had an affair. Sweet kiss, beautiful lovemaking. It would be abnormal not to have had an affair, she’s so beautiful...” he said.

Aniston engaged to Justin Theroux!

Actor Jennifer Aniston is all set to marry her boyfriend of over one-year, actor and screen writer Justin Theroux. The 43-year-old actor, who was previously married to actor Brad Pitt, accepted the proposal from Theroux, on Friday. “Justin Theroux had an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston, accepted his proposal of marriage,” a magazine quoted the actor’s representatives as saying. The couple began dating after they shot movie Wanderlust.

Trip down memory lane

As the country gears up to celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, what better way to spend August 15, than catch a glimpse Bombay as it was many years ago. This vintage art exhibit features unpublished archival prints of the city on canvas. Taken from a private collection, Bombay 100 years Ago, shows the city during the British Raj with quaint streets, horse-carriages and trams. Some of the prints capture areas such as Flora Fountain, Churchgate, Apollo Bunder and Sandhurst Road. These images have been treated with a particular ink that guarantees that they will last for years. A limited edition of only 10 prints per picture will be produced upon request.

‘The focus remains on the script’ Theatre actor Ira Dubey discusses roping in the SMS generation with a theatre festival of short plays

‘The focus remains on the script’

Theatre actor Ira Dubey discusses roping in the SMS generation with a theatre festival of short plays

Actor Ira Dubey is geared up for the second ShortSweet theatre festival in Mumbai, which will feature 30 plays of 10-minutes each. Here are excerpts from our chat with her about theatre and the festival.

The short play format is relatively new here. What made you introduce this?
Two years ago, the best eight plays from Sydney’s ShortSweet festival were showcased in Delhi, which I happened to see. I loved the idea, personally and for many other reasons. I felt like this was the kind of project I wanted to be associated with in the long run.

What do you hope to achieve through this festival in India?
The motive is to cultivate an interest in theatre, especially in the younger generation who would much rather go for a movie than watch a play. In order for them to become interested, they have to be exposed to theatre. The short format works nicely for the SMS generation because they want everything to happen quickly and these pieces are not lengthy.

What about the older
generation? Will this appeal to them as well?
It works across the board mostly because of the themes of the plays. In a single night, the selection will be done such that it’s a mixed bag of emotions being touched upon. The plays talk about everything from mother-daughter relationships, to love, family situations, comedy, and social topics that all ages can connect with.

Are the participants mostly students?
Our performers this year include current and known theatre personalities, to students and even people who have full-time jobs and careers but have a drive for theatre. I always encourage new and fresh talent. And with this festival the stage is open to anyone who wants to try their hand at it.

Why do you think the short play format will be
successful?
In addition to the short duration, the most important thing about the plays in this festival, is that they go back to the basics of theatre — to the simplicity of scripts. We encourage directors to use basic furniture, lighting and sound, so that the focus remains on the script and content. It’s a pure form of theatre, with emphasis on the audience and the text.

When Parvati had a close call!

Actor Sonarika Bhadoria had a close call on the sets of Devon Ke Dev Mahadev recently, when her sari caught fire while shooting for her wedding sequence. The actor who plays Parvati in the show was shooting for the phera sequence with co-actor Mohit Raina (Shiva) when accidentally her pallu caught fire from one of the diyas kept around the mandap. A source on the sets reveals, “On the day we were shooting for the Parvati-Shiva wedding sequnce; Sonarika was loaded with heavy jewellery. It was an important sequence and the shoot had been going on for over five hours at a stretch.” The source adds, “During the pheras, Sonarika’s pallu accidentally caught fire. She did not notice the fire immediately, but one of the actors who plays her sister in the show, was showering flowers on Mahadev and Parvati, saw the fire and alerted everyone present. Everyone immediately swung into action and put out the fire. A major accident was averted that day.”

Arjun won’t settle for less! The actor says that the roles he’s looking for better pack a punch or he’s not game

Arjun won’t settle for less!

The actor says that the roles he’s looking for better pack a punch or he’s not game

If actor Arjun Rampal has one mantra, when it comes to choosing his roles, it’s never to be predictable. Whether it’s playing a baddie (Ra.One) or a down-on-luck guitarist (Rock On! for which he even won the National Award), the actor took on roles that were extremely hatke, by the Bollywood hero standards, but Arjun insists that is the fun part of being an actor. “The idea is not only to surprise your audience, but also yourself. So, I love to take on roles that are challenging. My decision doesn’t depend on the length or screen time. The basic thing is that the role should pack a punch or I’m not game,” says the actor who will now be seen in Heroine opposite Kareena Kapoor. The actor even admits that he has no qualms when a heroine takes centre stage either. “Today more than the hero-heroine, films are about characters. They need to be strong and that’s how I look at all my roles, even the ones where I am the hero,” adds Arjun.
Heroine apart, those who’ve had a dekko at the actor’s performance in Prakash Jha’s Chakravyuh are already raving about his performance. But the actor who’s been dubbing for it of late in turn is all praises for his director. “He is so clear with his vision that it’s easier for the actor to take it forward,” says Arjun about Jha, with whom he’s teaming up again after Rajneeti. The actor is meanwhile also gearing up for the Sudhir Mishra film Inkaar with actor Chitrangda Singh.

‘It is more heart than horror’ ...reveals filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt about the upcoming horror film

‘It is more heart than horror’

...reveals filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt about the upcoming horror film

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is gearing up for the release of Raaz3 reveals that unlike the earlier two films in the franchise, which played mainly on the horror element, this one is more about inter-personal relationships. “It is more heart than horror. There is emotional conflict and is more human,” says Bhatt. The film, incidentally, has been inspired by real people and incidents.
International singer Rihanna, who is said to worship Satan (in a song), is sort of a take-off point. There is also ample usage of black magic in the film, which Bhatt has been privy to. “I have come across people in the industry, who covet others’ success, resorting to kaala jaadu. Also, as a kid I have seen this man Ranjan who had suffered some mental stress and used to do black magic. He was an intelligent man but he tried to get greedy and used Satan as his key to success, which cost him his life,” says Bhatt, who has used these experiences in the film.
The filmmaker will next get busy with the sequel to Aashiqui that is being directed by Mohit Suri. Ask him if he has any plans of getting back to direction and Bhatt clarifies that he will never ever helm a film again. “I am in a new phase now, encouraging, guiding and helping new talent. I love it,” smiles the filmmaker, who has made some path-breaking films like Arth and Saaransh among others. He feels that even today out-of-the-box ideas are the ones working at the box-office. “Despite the firestorm of negativity, Jism2 has done a great business,” he asserts.

All is well with Katrina

All is well with Kat

Contrary to rumours doing the rounds that Katrina has been down with food poisoning, the actor is apparently just down with a bad bout of flu. She has caught the flu due to the weather change and not after a binge eating session at Mohammad Ali Road, as reported. Apparently, she has been ill since Saturday itself. The actor was out promoting her film despite being unwell and even walked the ramp for her good friend Manish Malhotra. Also, since the release of Ek Tha Tiger is just round the corner, it was a collective call that she should rest it out for a day. She is perfectly fine today and will continue with her promotions for the film with actor Salman Khan as scheduled.

Brangelina set to marry ‘next Saturday’?

Preparations for a huge party at the French home of actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had sparked speculation that they were secretly preparing to marry this weekend.
But despite the furore, Mickael Latz, mayor of the nearby village of Correns, has now claimed that ‘more likely’ the wedding will take place next Saturday. “It’s a far more likely date. There are no plans for a civil wedding in Correns this weekend,” the Daily Mail quoted him as telling Sunday
Express.
Visitors had claimed that they had seen deliveries of food and champagne, a marquee being erected and the 48-year-old actor’s parents arriving at the 35 million pounds Chateau Miraval – sparking speculation that they were planning to tie the knot secretly.
“Brad flew in to oversee preparations but they’re all here now,” the Sun quoted a source as saying.

Tusshar’s spiritual journey

Actor Tusshar Kapoor has been in the news for his film Kya Super Kool Hain Hum doing well at the box-office, despite mixed reviews from the critics. He is riding a high with two big films already in the kitty. Keeping that in mind the actor recently went on a spiritual trip. A source informs us, “Tusshar is a firm believer of Lord Tirupati Balaji. So is his family, including sister producer Ekta Kapoor. They have made trips to Tirupati often to pray there. Tusshar is riding a high and he wanted go on a spiritual journey to seek blessings. Even otherwise, the actor is often spotted visiting this temple in Juhu.”
Tusshar says, “It has been a family tradition. We ususally go and visit the temple before our movies are released. But this time it couldn’t happen, so I am going now. I have been visiting the temple from my childhood days.”
Tusshar is presently working hard on Shootout At Wadala and reading a lot of scripts as well. —

I’m secretly very dull: Pattinson

Hollywood actor Robert Pattinson is presently mending his broken heart by treating himself to his granny’s favourite series Antiques Roadshow.
The distraught actor, who was cheated by his actor girlfriend Kristen Stewart, prefers staying holed up with an unhealthy dose of antique tables and priceless paintings rather than boozing with his mates. “People make it seem like I’m out all the time but the truth is I will be at home watching Fawlty Towers, Antiques Roadshow or Only Fools And Horses,” he said.
“That’s really what I am doing in LA most nights. I am secretly very dull,” he adds. According to sources, the 26-year-old is in serious danger of turning into a couch potato. “Rob hasn’t got a massive group of friends over here and he isn’t really a party guy,” they said. “He’s started to shut himself off from the outside world, preferring to watch Antiques Roadshow and listen to music,” they further added.

Cosmetic company drops ‘sexy’

Pop star Rihanna has been dropped by Nivea, a cosmetic company, for being too sexy.The 24-year-old appeared in an advertisement for the company, which was a sponsor of her Loud world tour last year. However, cosmetic tycoon Stefan Heidenreich, the new head of Nivea’s parent firm Beiersdorf, thinks she is too outrageous for the brand, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “The advert starring Rihanna was a no go. I do not understand how Nivea can be brought into association with Rihanna,” he said.

Priyanka’s back home!

Actor Priyanka Chopra who is back home after a long break is understandably in a very happy mood. The actor who was travelling non-stop for her professional commitments and her music album had been missing her family for quite sometime now. Also PC was worried about her father’s health and has been feeling low since she hasn’t been able to be with her family at a time when her family needed her the most. She was also a little upset as she couldn’t bring in her birthday with her folks, as she had gone to Spain to spend some quality time with her friends. The actor who is finally back home took to Twitter to express her happiness. She posted, “Something in the air today..hope,belief, faith, love..And nothing like waking up feeling light and hopeful! Had such a fun morning with dad!”

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap not only wanted to get his film Gangs of Wasseypur 2 released in Dhanbad

No premiere, no release

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap not only wanted to get his film Gangs of Wasseypur 2 released in Dhanbad where the story is based, he was also hoping to premiere it there. However, the cops of Dhanbad have put paid to his dream. Forget a premiere, the film will not even be releasing in Dhanbad. Incidentally, even the first part wasn’t released in Dhanbad because the locals there were offended with certain portions of the film. But apparently, since the film did well, the residents of Wasseypur had given Anurag a green signal for the film to get released, but now the cops are not allowing it. Says Anurag, “The film was all set to be premiered and released in Dhanbad, Wasseypur this time, but due to some sensitive issues, police has not yet permitted for Wasseypur 2 to be released in Dhanbad. This has in a way set me off because it was my dream to have a premiere of Part 2 in Wasseypur.”

Actor Neha Dhupia is currently in Barcelona having a ball of a time

Neha misses her friends

Actor Neha Dhupia is currently in Barcelona having a ball of a time. The actor who is very fond of travelling, often takes off to exotic locations to explore the place either by herself, or with friends in tow. This time however, the actor who is soaking up some sun in Spain is apparently missing her friends who are in Mumbai. Neha always catches up with her friends when she is in town and this time when she had to be away from them on friendship’s day, she was extremely upset. She posted on her micro-blogging account, “Missing my friends @konkonas @RanvirShorey @mrrajatkapoor @pathakvinay @saurabhshukla_ ... Where are u guys!!!Miss u". She later posted, "Off to meet my best n most favourite gal pal @palbawa in #Barcelona ! #friendshipday treat !”

When Randeep stalled his photo shoot for cello training

Actor Randeep Hooda, who had to learn to play the cello as part of his role for Jism2 was so taken up with the insturment that once he cancelled his photo shoot so that he doesn’t miss the training. Randeep had an expert cello trainer coming over to his place to teach him the instrument. Says Sanjay Chakravarty, Randeep’s cello trainer, “We had our practice scheduled at Randeep’s place that evening and so I left from my home to his place. But while I was on my way, I got a call from Randeep’s team that he will be busy with some photo shoot due to which our practice had to be cancelled. I was a little upset hearing this because I had almost reached half way. So, he said he will check again with Randeep and let me know if they can do something with it. When I reached home, I saw Randeep waiting for me with the cello in his hand.”

Film dedicated to Mani Kaul

NFDC is dedicating National Award winning Punjabi film Anhey Ghorey Da Daan to renowned filmmaker Mani Kaul, who passed away last year. He was known for films like Uski Roti, Duvidha, Satah Se Uthata Aadmi and Siddheshwari. Kaul was the creative producer of the Punjabi film directed by Gurvinder Singh. The film is slated to release across select cities with English sub-titles. Based on Jnanpeeth award winner Gurdial Singh’s novel with same title, it portrays the plight and problems of Indian farmers as well as the landlords in the outskirts of Punjab. The film has already won acclaim and accolades at various international film festivals.

Actor Sanjay Dutt, who recently celebrated his birthday

Sanjay gifts himself a vacation!

Actor Sanjay Dutt, who recently celebrated his birthday, has apparently gifted himself a vacation abroad. The actor, who’s already had three releases this year — Agneepath, Desi Boyz and Department – is now looking forward to three more releases including Zilla Ghaziabad and Son of Sardar. “He recently wrapped up the shoot for both the films and since he had been working all through, he hardly got to spend time with his kids. Now that he has a little time, he decided to make the most of it and has gone abroad on a vacation with family,” reveals a source. The source adds that the actor will be away for around two weeks.

Art and Fashion