Ever since filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has unveiled the first look of his forthcoming Heroine, there’s been buzz of the film having a likeness to last year’s The Dirty Picture. And the comparisons have caught both the director and his heroine Kareena Kapoor by surprise. “Yes we were expecting lots of questions but nothing remotely like this, as there’s just no connection between the two,” says Madhur. When asked about the resemblance between the two, Kareena also insisted that both are very different stories. “One was the story of an item girl, Heroine is about a superstar,” said the actor, adding, “It’s silly to even compare the two.” An insider reveals, “People tend to forget that Madhur had already locked in his script way before The Dirty Picture released, so where’s the question of inspiration. In fact, Madhur has been toying with this idea even before he made Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji.”

Veteran actor Raza Murad, who was last seen in the historical Veer Shivaji is all set to make an entry in Madhubala – Ek Ishq, Ek Junoon as the hero RK’s step-father. The show has been touted to be a tribute to 100 years of cinema and Murad, who has been a part of over 200 films is be excited to take up a show that is based on the film industry. The actor plays a studio owner and an aspiring film producer, who doesn’t get alongwith his son because of his manipulativeness . Says Murad, “Just like me, my character has also been associated with the industry for long. Although my character’s wardrobe is too bold and flashy for my personal liking, I’m sure the audience will appreciate me in this new avatar.”

Aam girl
Actor Sonal Chauhan apparently swears by green tea. She drinks it every half hour to keep herself rejuvenated. Other than green tea, Sonal digs mangoes but since she was shooting in Fiji for her forthcoming film 3G, where the fruit is not available, she was feeling bad. Especially, when she knew that it was the mango season here. However, her co-star Neil Nitin Mukesh came to her aid. He told one of the crew members, who was going from Mumbai to Fiji to bring mangoes for Sonal, who was more than delighted.

Boman keeps a check on Farah
Apparently, director-turned-actor, Farah Khan, who is making her acting debut in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is known to be a tomboy on the sets. Since she has always been behind the camera, for her being an actor is secondary. So much so, that while shooting for her forthcoming, many a times Farah didn’t pay attention to the minute details as far as her costumes, hair and make up are concerned. So her co-star Boman Irani took it upon himself to keep a check on her. In between the shots, he would yell, ‘Farah your hair, Farah make-up, Farah touch up’. Looks like the duo share a warm camaraderie, now whether that translates onto the screen is something we have to wait and watch. 

Laurent Naouri who began his career with the title role of Milhaud’s Christopher Columbus and has gone on to perform for a variety of roles since then, is slated to perform Schumann’s Dichterliebe; various lieders from Schubert and music by Rachmanioff with pianist Maciej Pikulski later this week. The singer admits that there are a great number of musicians that have influenced his work. “I could name Leonard Bernstein, for his incredible versatility and ability to communicate with the audience, and Bill Evans, my major influence on the jazz scene. Singers such as George London, Maria Callas in opera, Anita O’ Day and Mark Murphy have had a great impact on me. But ask me the same question again and I’ll come up with 10 different answers, for there are indeed so many amazing musicians around!” says Laurent. He confesses that he’s not that acquainted with Indian music. Still, he’s seen Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia on stage quite a few times in Paris and found them “absolutely mind-blowing!” The singer is frank that the response to opera and classical music by younger audiences is minimal. “Opera lovers tend to be on the old side, around the world, it’s a fact; but I do have my share of young fans. The radio and internet is saturated with easy-to-digest, short formatted music, and it leaves little room for styles needing some time to be enjoyed fully,” he says. When asked if he sees opera music making its way into mainstream media, the singer doesn’t mince his words. “Rather less and less, it seems to me. But I don’t mind that, I find the content of mainstream media more and more empty and boring!” His performance in the city will not comprise theatre but mostly love songs in Russian, French and German. Next on the cards for Laurent is some Shakespearian projects — playing the character of Falstaff and Jago.

It was exactly a year ago that actor Salman ‘crore’ Khan was gearing up for the release of his film Bodyguard. The film went on to become the highest opening day grosser ever till then before hitting the Rs 100-crore mark. It was also the time that the actor had to undergo surgery to treat the facial nerve disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, which the actor admitted to suffering for almost seven years. Today, as the actor gears up for the release of Ek Tha Tiger — his next post-Bodyguard — Salman reveals that he is finally off medication. “I am happy to put that behind me, it was quite a pain in the face,” he laughs. But what about rumours of him going for another surgery? “Who told you that? It’s not true, I’m absolutely fine now,” he insists.
So, is he looking forward to breaking many more records this time around with his upcoming action thriller? “Records I don’t know of, but I hope the film does well. There’s a lot of pressure.” Pressure because of competition? “Not just that. I welcome competiton. The more the better. But the pressure is because my stardom affects ‘Being Human’ and I want to keep it up to be able to support that. Today success is valuable for me, as it ensures that I can help that many more people through my NGO,” elaborates Salman. But what about the competition then? “Well, there’s a very strong and healthy competiton and it’s only increasing. But I want everyone’s films to do well… Aamir (Khan), Ajay (Devgn), Akshay (Kumar), Shah Rukh (Khan)…” Even Shah Rukh (considering the equation the two share)? “Well, I do want his films to do well… purely professionally… it’s not just him. There are hundreds of people involved in a film and it’s good when everyone makes money. So, I do wish Shah Rukh all the best,” says Salman.
Awaiting the release of his own film Ek Tha Tiger this Eid, we point out that the festival has been lucky for him, “I hope this one will be no different,” he says. Last year, the actor was unable to fast during Ramzan due to his medical condition, but this time however, Salman has been observing the rozas. So what is it that he is praying for this time? “The same as always, happiness for all and to be at peace,” says the actor.

When people get successful they often forget their roots but actor Nawzuddin Siddiqui believes that being humble and down-to-earth is what keeps one ticking in this industry.
The actor is curently in the news for his performance in Gangs Of Wasseypur, but Nawazuddin displays no starry airs despite winning an award at the prestigious New York Film Festival. Not only that, three of his films — Gangs Of Wasseypur part 1 and 2, and Miss Lovely – were screened at this year’s Cannes festival. Talking about his recent success, the actor insists nothing has changed. “I haven’t changed. I am the way I was before winning an award at the New York film festival. For me it’s not like I have become a star now, so I have to throw an attitude. I have worked hard for this and I am just glad that it has worked out for me. My hard work paid off finally.”
With several film offers coming his way the actor is more excited about his film with actor Bipasha Basu. He says, “I’m excited to shoot with Bipasha for the upcoming thriller Aatma. I’m happy that I am getting to do such good films.” But, now he is waiting anxiously for his Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 to release. “Yes, I’m a little nervous. My character goes through a huge transformation in the second part and I just hope it becomes a box office hit,” he says. He signs off saying, “I want to continue doing quality films, which will be appreciated worldwide.”

When actor Sonakshi Sinha was shooting for her item number Go go Govinda in Oh My God, it was raining on the first two days of the shoot. Since it was an outdoor shoot, actor-turned-director, Prabhudheva, who was choreographing the song ordered for kanda bhajiya. However, since Sonakshi was on a strict diet for the song, Prabhudheva would order for the entire crew except her, just to tease her. When the kanda bhajiyas would arrive, the actress would lock herself in the vanity vain, so that she’s not tempted to eat!