MISS INDIA 2011: THE BIG NIGHT!

It was truly the most unforgettable moment. The lives of the three beauties - Kanishtha Dhankar (Mumbai), Hasleen Kaur (New Delhi) and Ankita Shorey, (Mumbai) changed forever when their names were called out as the winners of the PFMI-World 2011, PFMI-Earth 2011 and PFMI-International 2011 at the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011 grand finale, held at the Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. 

At a gala evening, ably hosted by actors Sonu Sood and Manish Paul and judged by a jury panel of Kangna Ranaut, Sajid Nandiadwala, Shiamak Davar, Dino Morea, Prachi Desai, Tarun Mansukhani, Ritu Kumar and Leander Paes, the final call was tough to select the very best amongst 20 finalists from came different cities across India to win the crown. Filmmaker Sajid Nandiadwala announced Ankita Mohapatra from Bhubaneshwar as Bollywood Diva. She wil now be cast under the Nadiadwala Grandsons Entertainment banner. Rakul Preet Singh from New Delhi was declared the People’s Choice Miss Indiatimes 58888. 

Once the select few narrowed down to Top 5, the final question was asked: There’s a lot that children can learn from their mothers. But what can mothers learn from their children? Kanishtha, 22, a professional model and an ardent swimmer, confidently answered, “Today, mothers who did not have many opportunities earlier can to go out and learn to live their dreams from their children. We can set an example for them.” Hasleen, 22, also a ramp model, spoke of how mothers can learn to do things uninhibitedly, just like a child. And Ankita, 24, cited unconditional love in her reply. The title holders’ camaraderie was evident as they hugged and congratulated each other. Thanking her parents and friends, Kanishtha blew a kiss to the audience when she was crowned by Manasvi Mamgai, PFMI-World 2010. Hasleen, who had a charming dimpled smile, was crowned by Nicole Faria, Miss Earth 2010 and Ankita held back her tears when she was sashed and crowned by Neha Hinge, PFMI-International 2010. As the winning moment sunk in, the girls wanted to celebrate in their own cute ways. “I want to eat Panipuri,” said Kanishtha while Hasleen and Ankita wanted to gorge on sweets and chocolate cake. 

The moods and moments 
The evening at the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011 finale on Thursday night, started with the hosts Manish Paul and Sonu Sood welcoming the audience. The stunning contestants were introduced to them by television stars Gaurav Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput, Gaurav Khanna and Harshad Chopra. 

Experts, partners and sponsors 
Marc Robinson: Creative Director, PFMI 2011 
Sabira Merchant: Diction Expert 
Dr Jamuna Pai: Cosmetologist and Dermatologist 
Dr Sandesh Mayekar: Smile Care Expert 
Yasmin Karachiwala: Fitness Expert 
Alesia Raut: Rampwalk Training 
Jitu Savlani: Official Photographer 
Gaviin C Miguel: Official designer & stylist 
Bharat & Dorris: Hair & Make Up Expert 
Queenie Singh: Image and Makeover 
Prasad Bidappa: Contestant Advisor 
Associate Sponsors: Hewlett Packard, RMKV Unique Silks and Forever Jewellery 
Telecast Partner: Sony Entertainment Television 
Radio Partner: Radio Mirchi 98.3 
Outdoor Partner: Times Out of Home 
Reality Series Partner: Zoom 
Destination Partner: Lavassa 
Official Foot Fashion Partner: Liberty 
Powered By: Divine Thoughts 
Official Car: Skoda 
Official Time Keeper: Tissot 
Beauty Partner: No Marks 
Official Grooming Partner: Veet 
Hospitality Partner: Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach 
Radiance Partner: Kaya Skin Clinic 
Whyte & Mackay: Beverage Partner 
Event Produced and Managed by: 360 Degrees Experience 
Special thank you to Femina magazine 
Event Produced by 360 Degrees, On Cue - Stage & Wardrobe Management. All entertainment dance acts was choreographed by Shiamak Davar. On Ground event conceptualised and executed by Aditya Bhat and team from Business of Ideas. 
Bollywood Diva jury: Sajid Nadiadwala and Nadiadwala Grandsons, Entertainment, Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares, Shiamak Davar’s Guru of Modern & Contemporary Dance 

PFMI 2011 Sub contest winners 
Pantaloons Femina Miss Fresh Face - Rakulpreet Singh 
Pantaloons Femina Miss Body Beautiful - Kanishtha Dhankhar 
Pantaloons Beauty for a Cause- Kriti Kapoor 
HP Femina Miss Digital Diva - Deepika Bajwa 
Forever Femina Miss Traditional - Ankita Mohapatra 
RMKV Femina Miss Photogenic - Dayana Erappa 
Veet Femina Miss Beautiful Legs - Kanishtha Dhankhar 
Kaya Femina Miss Radiant Skin - Purva Rana 
Femina Miss No Marks - Kanishtha Dhankhar 
Femina Miss Divine Thoughts- Surabhi Rao 
Novotel Femina Miss Congeniality - Aditi Mishra 
Lavassa Femina Miss Vivacious- Aprajita Sharma 
Tissot Femina Miss Perfect Time - Asmita Sood 
Femina Miss Talented - Rakulpreet Singh 
Femina Miss Water Baby - Kanishtha Dhankhar 
Femina Miss Iron Maiden - Asmita Sood 
Femina Miss Ramp Model - Kanishtha Dhankhar 
Femina Miss Beautiful Smile - Rakulpreet Singh 
Femina Miss Beautiful Eyes - Rakulpreet Singh 
Femina Miss Beautiful Lips - Ankita Shorey 
Femina Miss Perfect Hair - Aprajita Sharma 
People’s Choice Miss Indiatimes- Rakulpreet Singh 

The ladies shone on the catwalk in Ra’ collection by Rajesh and Anirban. The audience were held spellbound with stunning performances from Sonakshi Sinha, Malaika Arora Khan, Anushka Sharma, Hard Kaur and Sunidhi Chauhan. 

The finalists later dazzled in RMKV georgette designer collection. The last round saw them walking the ramp in blazing red evening gowns by Gaviin C Miguel. Ankita Mohapatra let out a huge sigh of relief when Sajid Nadiadwala declared her the winner of Bollywood Diva title. Ankita will be cast in a forthcoming film under the Nadiadwala Grandsons Entertainment banner. 

The winners proudly displayed their crowns that were designed by Forever Jewellery. As the shower of confetti engulfed winners, the girls knew their journey towards stardom has just begun.

Ranbir Kapoor denies dating Katrina Kaif

The dashingly handsome Ranbir Kapoor’s image of a cassanova was perhaps blown out of proportion by the media. Very recently the actor aired his grievances with him being linked with any and everybody. Apart from Deepika his list of dates was supposed to have been big and varied. Katrina the former girlfriend of Sallu bhai was one of its attractions.


In a television show he insisted that Katrina had never been dated by him thus either break- up or heart wrenching consequences following it do not arise. The chat show featured a pleading Ranbir requesting all and sundry not to fabricate stories regarding relationships. The actor re affirmed the embarrassment caused to his parents as a result of such fictions. He feared going out with friends on grounds that he may again be at the receiving end


Irrespective of the fact that the actor may or may not be truthful about his relations with Katrina, media is expected to show restraint and undergo proper research before coming to such drastic conclusions. Such judgments involving two persons should not be based on mere hear say or a cursory glance. Somewhere down the line there is a need to re think and redefine the role of media.

Teen Thay Bhai Review

Film: ‘Teen Thay Bhai’; Starring: Om Puri, Deepak Dobriyal, Shreyas Talpade; Directed by: Mrigdeep Singh Lamba; Rating: * 1/2 – very disappointing fare.


Some comedies mean well. But they lose their way in their noble intentions. ‘Teen Thay Bhai’ seems like a terrific idea for a comedy. Three brothers separated more at mirth than by birth, trying hard to keep the spirit alive. They fail miserably, not for the want of trying.


The script here depends too much on extraneous trappings, too little on integral assets. There’s no scarcity of acting talent here. Shreyas Talpade, Deepak Dobriyal and Om Puri shine in that order… Alas, they have no meat to sink their sharp teeth in. Often we see the actor groping and grappling with material that doesn’t give them a chance to move beyond the immediate laughter of a situational comedy. Beyond the sound of current laughter there’s no hereafter in the humour.


The static snowcapped location doesn’t help either. The three principal actors seem as frozen in their efforts to rise above the stagnant humour as the snowy landscape in Jammu where veteran cinematographer Ashok Mehta tries desperately to find a centre in the meandering mirth.


The script has the seeds of an engaging satire. But the story never takes off. Minimalist props and background music don’t help drive away the feeling of growing boredom that clutches at the throat of this vapid tale of three brothers who could kill each other with sibling friction and kill us with sheer boredom.


Towards the end, the plot shifts out a snow-strapped cottage into the outdoors where the brothers are assailed by hippy women who feed them with parathas filled with marijuana. By this time the script has completely run out of tricks to hold our attention. A climax with a giant steamroller as the villain is just about all that we are left looking at.


‘Teen Thay Bhai’ is like one of those books whose backflap synopsis offers us tempting insights into human nature. But by the time we settle down to the experience the plot has betrayed its own interests.

Minissha Lamba looks stunning in a bikini

Things have really changed over the last decade or so as far as the Tinsel town is concerned. Previously not many would pose for the cover page of magazine in sizzling outfits. Now it has become more or less an established trend, with every odd one going for a revealing pose.


Well this isn’t the first time for the hot and sensuous Minishaa Lamba. A cover page of a glamour magazine had once projected the gorgeous babe sizzling in her two pieced bikini. The latest version of another such journal projects her again in an eye catching two pieced bikini. The dazzlingly bright looking bikini suits her to the tee with the actress posing on a sea beach. Impressed as she was with her snaps, the actress had the similar ones posted for a well known social networking site.


Making it to the cover page of a magazine meant for men would definitely leave an enchanting influence on the readers of the opposite sex especially those belonging to teen age. However, in order to influence the producers and directors of Bollywood she needs to make use of her acting skills as well. It is good that she is photogenic and comfortable in a wide variety of outfits, but she needs to bring other aspects of acting to the fore for overall success.

Deepika Padukone gets a call and praise from Zeenat

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman, who has been rumoured to be upset about the lyrics of the new version of her song ‘Dum maaro dum’, picturised on Deepika Padukone, has reached out to the young actress and congratulated her for looking ‘ravishing’, says a source.


‘Zeenat Aman reached out to Deepika and cleared the miscommunication. She didn’t want Deepika to misunderstand,’ said the source.


Zeenat, who featured in the original song from the movie ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ in 1971, was disturbed with reports that she didn’t like Deepika in the new version. So, she found out Deepika’s number.


‘Since Deepika is in London shooting for ‘Desi Boyz’, she is using a local London number. So Zeenat Aman spoke to Deepika. She communicated that Deepika looks ravishing and she finds her the best in this generation of heroines,’ said the source.


The song has faced the ire of many critics for its vulgar lyrics, but it is quite popular with the youth.


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Salman promotes ‘Teen Thay Bhai’


Bollywood star Salman Khan went out of his way to help the cast of ‘Teen Thay Bhai’ in promoting the film and reached out to his friends and fans on Twitter to watch the film, releasing Friday.


Producer Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, along with the cast – Om Puri, Shreyas Talpade and Deepak Dobriyal and Ragini Khanna and director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, were promoting the film and while moving from one floor to another in Mumbai’s Filmistan Studio, when they bumped into Salman.


The actor was also shooting there.


‘Salman asked them what they were promoting and when he heard the name of the film, found it very interesting as he has always been referred to as Salman bhai and the film is called ‘Teen Thay Bhai’. Then he very graciously wanted to take a picture with the entire cast and immediately put it up on Twitter.


‘He posted the picture, which also included Rakeysh, and put up a note, which read – ‘Teen thay bhai aur ek mein’. He also mentioned the release date. It is really nice of him to do this,’ said the publicist of the film.


The movie is a comedy about three brothers who cannot stand each other and are forced to come together as a result of their grandfather’s will.


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Pooja Bhatt thanks dad for ‘Zakhm’


When actress-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt recently watched her performance in critically-acclaimed film ‘Zakhm’, she immediately thanked her father Mahesh Bhatt for giving her such a special project.


‘Just caught a glimpse of ‘Zakhm’ on TV. Thank you @MaheshNBhatt for giving me a film that will be highlighted in my obituary… And thank you Kunal Khemu… All of us actors, without exception,shone as brightly, on account of your dazzling performance!’ Pooja posted on her Twitter page.


In ‘Zakhm’, which was released in 1998, Pooja essayed the role of a Muslim mother caught in the tension between different religions in Indian society.

Ranbir Kapoor deaf-mute but happy-go-lucky in ‘Barfee’

Though Ranbir Kapoor plays a deaf and mute man in Anurag Basu’s ‘Barfee’, his character would be no sad sack but a happy-go-lucky chap.

For some months, Anurag concentrated on instilling a positivity and laughter into the script before he began shooting and decided to make ‘Barfee’ a positive life-affirming film with plenty of humour, music, dancing and singing.

The title of the film was changed from the dark ‘Silence’ to the sweet-and-cute ‘Barfee’. The film will now have as many as 10-12 songs, although the hero doesn’t talk or speak.

Said a source: ‘Anurag Basu was earlier working simultaneously on his two Ranbir Kapoor projects ‘Barfee’ and ‘Kishore’ (the Kishore Kumar bio-pic) for UTV. In the past few months, he abandoned ‘Kishore’ to focus on altering and fine-tuning ‘Barfee’.’

‘Though Ranbir’s character of ‘Barfee’ cannot hear or speak, he will be shown to be a happy-go-lucky sod. He will be goofy and fun-loving, making others laugh while laughing at his own debilitating disabilities.’

In the film, Ranbir stars with Priyanka Chopra, who plays a mentally challenged girl.

There is no vulgarity in nudity, said Poonam Pandey, the model whose offer to go nude before Team India if they won the Cricket World Cup shot the mercury up for the India-Sri Lanka final in Mumbai.


‘We were all born nude. People take nudity as vulgarity. I see it in a different way. If I keep it as an offer for bringing the World Cup to India, which incidentally worked (laughs), I see no harm in it,’ Pandey told IANS in an interview.


The model’s offer hit the headlines prior to the April 2 World Cup final in Mumbai. A court case was also filed against her over the issue.


‘After such a long time Team India was again very close to winning the World Cup and I truly wanted to them to be successful. It (going nude in front of the team) was a sort of offering from my side to our cricketers,’ Pandey told IANS in an interview.


Does she believe that Team India won the World Cup just so it did not miss her offering?


‘No, I won’t say that. But I had prayed to God that if India brings the Cup I would strip in front of the team. I am yet to fulfil my commitment though,’ Pandey said.


But her parents were certainly upset.


‘Frankly, when I gave the statement my parents felt very bad. But when I explained to them why I made the offer, they were relieved a bit,’ she said.


Pandey, an aspiring actress, is one of the contestants in the fourth season of the action adventure reality show ‘Khatron Ke Khilladi’ on COLORS channel.


If she could face the whole country over the nudity controversy, competing 12 pairs of contestants in the ‘Khatron ke..’ show is nothing, the model said.


‘I am not afraid of anyone. I wasn’t afraid when whole India was after me. There is no chance I fear a bit about the 12 pairs of contestants. On the contrary, I would love to make people fear me,’ said Pandey.


Asked if she has any particular plan if she wins the reality show, Pandey said: ‘I want to keep it a surprise.’

Thank You Movie Review

Film: “Thank You”; Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Irrfan Khan, Rimi Sen, Suniel Shetty, Celina Jaitley; Directed by: Anees Bazmi; Rating: *** – another comedy on the perils of skirt-chasing.


Bow to the wow. Men, we are told, are dogs. They cheat on their wives. And have themselves the time of their lives. And the wives, poor creatures, are so devoted to their spouses they observe the Karva Chauth for their pati-devils even when they have no reason to do so. Such devotion in show motion.


“Thank You” is a kind of backhanded ode to the classic Indian wife we grew up watching in the films where the resplendent Nutan would sing “Tumhi mere mandir tumhi mere pooja” to her smug husband.


Times have changed. But mores and marital values have only shifted location. Inexplicably “Thank You” is shot in Canada. Caucasian girls steeped in a slutty splendour, fill up the fringes of the saturated frames. Blonde salad-dressing apart, the message at the heart of “Thank You” remains as desi as the Punjabi accent that Akshay Kumar doesn’t even try to conceal.


Since this is a film about the perils of skirt-chasing there are plenty of women of all shapes and sizes in skirts (including Sonam Kapoor whose dress code defies all analysis) and other designer clothes.


For that talented writer Anees Bazmi the theme of infidelity in “Thank You” is familiar territory. In the past he has done jokey takes on men who can’t keep their libido down with varying degrees of humour. A certain higher level of intelligence is perceptible in the way the characters are put out for scrutiny in the light of their unfaithful characters.


Irrfan Khan as the sarcastic bully of a husband scores the highest marks in the acting department. His wry caustic responses to semi-petrified wife Rimi Sen make a mocking mark mainly for the way the lines are written and delivered. Irrfan is priceless in projecting parody. Rimi Sen, an underrated actress, provides Irrfan valuable support.


Akshay Kumar plays the pied piper of the libido. He tries to teach the three womanizers how to check their carnal instincts. That is the best joke in the film. Such self-righteous cool roles of the social reformer are not new to Akshay. He delivers a rousing monologue at the end on the virtues of fidelity. While his comic timing remains sharp and spot-on it is the way he tries to create an aura of suspense about his character’s motives as a man on a mission, that provides a cutting edge to the tale of three skirt-chasers.


Remarkably the dialogues remain free of innuendos. Surprising, considering how lurid films about infidelity have gotten in the past. The proceedings adhere to a sense of fun without getting cheesy. Suneil Shetty’s body language and comic timing in some sequences show his coming of age as an actor of mirthful value.


“Thank You” has moments that come close to illuminating the underbelly of infidelity. But fearful of forsaking the mood of a riotous farce writer-director Anees Bazmi pulls out of any serious statement to lounge languidly in his comfort zone. As far as masala comedies go “Thank You” gets by on the strength of some smart writing, sassy dialogues and of course a handful of performers who try to balance out the lacklustre performances of other actors who, lethally for a comedy, just don’t get it.

Katrina Kaif’s visit to London

London, Apr 10: Recent thrilling buzz of Bollywood is the reasons behind Katrina Kaif’s trip to London. Though her trip to London especially was to endorse an event but the buzz in and around the tinsel town is revealing that after a heart-breaking separation from her buddy Ranbir Kapoor she was tremendously disturbed. And in order to soundly nurse her wounded heart she opted to visit London. Even there was a warm call from her elite family who efficaciously wanted her to have a change.
As reported, Katrina is quite hurt about her personal life’s rumours. Though she presumptively started dating Ranbir during `Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ but did not disclose her relationship. Now she does not see him though heart eruptions are not easy to mend. So, her family perceived that she requires an alteration and effectively called her to London. At present, Katrina is back and is again busy shooting for a sequence of wedding in `Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ with handsome Imran Khan in dynastic Agra. Katrina also faced tough period after separation from Salman Khan when media popped up variable stories. However, she states that her friendship with Salman will be persistent. We truly wonder in future what will be her quotes for Ranbir.

I am not part of ‘Dostana 2′: Priyanka Chopra

New Delhi, April 10 – Actress Priyanka Chopra has shot down reports that she will be starring in the sequel to 2008 hit ‘Dostana’.
‘I was never doing dostana two..hello..reason bein my love story ends in the first film..so where is the question. this was cleared some 2 years ago,’ Priyanka wrote on microblogging site Twitter.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Karan Johar, the 2008 film starred Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Bobby Deol. There were also reports that Priyanka was likely to do a comeo appearance in the film and Katrina Kaif might play the lead.
‘And whn it comes to a special appearance or something thats a much later call. once and for all (sic),’ she added.

Lady Gaga’s song gets Bollywood twist!

New Delhi, April 11 – International pop star Lady Gaga’s hit single ‘Born This Way’ has got a desi twist! Bollywood composers Salim-Suleiman have added a sitar intro and dhol beats to her vocals for the special remix.
The latest version of the song has been produced by media company Desi Hits.
Gaga will also release an urban-desi version of the song for Britain’s South Asian market. Created and produced by Culture Shock, this version of ‘Born this way’ fuses bhangra with elements of dubstep.
‘Gaga has truly fallen in love with India, so we’re helping her pursue this audience to authentically connect with both the huge diaspora and South Asia itself. The debut of these remixed tracks is step one,’ Anjula Acharia-Bath CEO of Desi Hits, said in a press statement.
‘We collaborated with Indian music producers from across the globe to show our respect and appreciation for our desi fans and music community. We’re looking forward to more desi collaborations in the near future,’ Troy Carter, CEO-Atom Factory, Lady Gaga’s management company, said in a press statement.

Shahid Kapoor promotes vegetarianism in new PETA ad

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who was voted Bollywood’s sexiest vegetarian by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), will be seen urging people to turn vegetarian in a new ad of the animal rights group.


In the new ad titled ‘Chicks Love a Vegetarian’, a casually dressed Shahid is seen with two downy yellow chicks perched on his body, extolling the benefits of a plant-based diet. The ad is shot by ace photographer Atul Kasbekar


‘I love chicks… pigs, cows, fish, and all the other animals too. That’s why I turned vegetarian,’ said Shahid.


‘I am very happy being a vegetarian and I believe that it is the best way to be. The day I started believing in the fact that I would want not to kill animals for my taste buds.

Work will keep Bollywood’s star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai busy on their fourth wedding anniversary April 20.

Abhishek says he will be busy promoting ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, releasing April 22, after which he will be off for a shooting schedule.

‘I don’t have a break at all. As soon as ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ releases, I will be going to Russia for shooting (Abbas-Mustan’s) ‘Players’. There’s going to be no break for the anniversary as I am going to be thick in the middle of promotions at that time,’ Abhishek told IANS.

The 35-year-old whisked off his wife to the US for a vacation last year. In 2009, the actors took a week off from the shooting of Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’ and went for a holiday, while for their first anniversary, Abhishek was busy shooting in Miami for ‘Dostana’, and Aishwarya had joined him there.

The couple tied the knot in 2007 in Mumbai.

Salman Khan agrees to kiss Asin

  After innumerable denials, it is surprising to note that finally the great actor Salman Khan has come to terms to gracefully kiss the beautiful Indian actress Asin in the upcoming movie `Ready’, directed by talented Anees Bazmee. Though initially Salman Khan was not ready at any price to kiss this ravishing actress of Bollywood, Asin, but when the eminent director of this highly awaited film, Anees Bazmee grandly explicated the requirement of script to Salman Khan, he eventually agreed.

Even the hot actress, Asin tried to persuade Salman Khan that the scene of kissing is rightfully demand by the film script and thus he should perform the required act. However, this kiss is not an amazing lip-lock but a peck on the soft cheeks of Asin. If Salman is not ready for a lip lock then it is inevitable that the director has to be satisfied with Salman kissing Asin on her cheek. No doubt, the favourite action hero of Bollywood, Salman Khan has played in many films over the last years and has acted with innumerable beautiful actresses but he has never offered a lip-lock kiss to any of his glamorous actresses in an incredible tenure of his variable and outstanding performances.

Mallika Sherawat turns a sizzling avatar for the FHM

 The daring actress of Indian cinema, Mallika Sherawat has graciously featured on the cover of prestigious Indian edition magazine of FHM, effectively for April 2011. Mallika Sherawat who is truly known in Bollywood for her avatar that is quite bold is rightfully finding it hard to perfectly balance her marvellous career. She very much tried to woo the magnificent directors of Hollywood but it all went in vein. In true sense, she unfortunately even lost her presence in Bollywood because of this reason.

Mallika Sherawat tried very hard to win back, her crowned postion in the tinsel town so far, only time will be able to tell whether she will succeed in her endeavour or not. Anyway, it is impossible to guess what was going on in the mind of the actress when she agreed to do the photo shoot for the FHM magazine.
She has acted in many roles, in the Indian cinema throughout her career. Most of the characters she played were audacious. Let us wait for the reaction of the viewers in India, about the bold photos of her in the magazine. She has once again proven that she is the most dare to bare actress of the Indian movie industry.

Sheila Ki Jawani finds its way to Lifestyle India Fashion Week

 Designer James Ferreira’s line at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) was inspired by Aesop’s fable “The Hare and The Tortoise,” and while the audience was wowed by it, the surprise of the show was an impromptu jig by the designer on “Sheila Ki Jawani” in a hot-pant and a T-shirt with a long overcoat.

The Mumbai-based designer was showcasing at the WIFW for the first time.

While the business-to-business event is extremely focused on serious work, the popular item-number from the film “Tees Mar Khan” electrified the environment as it started playing in the background when the designer came to take his bow.

First, the models started the jig and soon Ferreira joined them and the entire spectacle was well received by the audience who cheered and applauded.

The show was different right from the word go.

Three models came together on the ramp while in the background the “The Hare and The Tortoise” story was being played. Suddenly two models started talking in the middle of the ramp, while the third model walked till the front – enacting the story and giving and message “slow and steady wins the race.”

Ferreira picked up on tortoise because he wanted to give the audience the message that tortoise too is an endangered species even while the whole world is talking about tiger, an organiser said.

The well-structured garments and signature drapes of Ferreira were put together with pleating and tucking in the hues of moss green, golden yellow, teal blue and burnt sienna in fabrics like Italian silk, heavy wool in A-line shapes. Hence the line had dresses, long overcoats and shrugs paired with pink stockings.

“While designing my clothes, I think about the comfort level. While I design dresses, I think about a sari, so I drape my garments the way a sari is draped,” Ferreira said.

I'm not scared of item numbers: Sonakshi Sinha

Actress Sonakshi Sinha wants to prove that she is truly "Dabangg" when it comes to her professional career. Brushing aside the rumours that she wants to refrain from doing item numbers, the actress came out saying that she is not scared of doing them.

The 23-year-old, who has shown her dancing expertise on stage at various award shows earlier this year, revealed that she has no problems in joining the lines of Katrina Kaif, Malaika Arora Khan and Mallika Sherawat by doing an item number, but she has to be comfortable in doing so.

"I'm not scared of doing item numbers. For me, when I did stage shows, I was wearing what I was comfortable in and the moves that I was doing were also what I was comfortable doing. So all depends on comfort. If what is offered to me, I'm comfortable doing that, then I might just take it up. I'm not averse to it," Sonakshi told reporters here.

Sonakshi, the daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, has laid down various rules for herself. She has been maintaining that she won't be doing any kissing scenes in films and also won't sport a bikini on screen ever.

Yet the budding actress has been getting plump Bollywood offers. After her debut film "Dabangg" with Salman Khan, the actress will be seen in "Joker" with Akshay Kumar and is also a part of "Race 2".

At an event Tuesday, she was also named as the brand ambassador of fashion brand Provogue, that has had actors like Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Fardeen Khan and Katrina Kaif endorsing it in the past.

"I'm very happy to be associated with Provogue. I think they've seen how my career is shaping up and they think that I'm able to contribute to their brand in some way as a brand ambassador. So very happy about this association and hopefully it will be a long and fruitful one for both of us," said Sonakshi.

Deepika turns down offer to perform Dum Maaro Dum

While Deepika Padukone’s item song for Dum Maaro Dum continues to be a subject of debate for its crass lyrics, the marketing team of Harley Davidson is hugely impressed and wants her to dance to it at a major event of theirs in India later this month. But Deepika has reportedly turned down a lucrative offer of Rs 3.5 crore for her act.

The actor, who is currently filming Desi Boyz in London, is believed to have declined saying that, she will be involved with the film’s promotions then and will not have time.

But an associate from Harley Davidson confirms that Deepika is still their first choice. “The song is perfect for us because it has a great youth connect,” he says, under the condition of anonymity, “Deepika is a craze in the 16 to 30 age bracket. We unanimously agreed that she was ideal to take our bike to Indian connoisseurs.” The team has been tracking the song’s popularity ever since it went on air.

“The high-energy choreography and much-discussed lyrics have caught the fancy of youngsters,” he added.

The Harley marketing team is still keen on the actor and are hoping to convince her to come on board. Deepika, who is in London, didn’t revert to our text messages.

Salman chooses Deepika over Katrina!

Deepika Padukone, who had expressed her desire to work with Salman Khan, may play his female lead in Kabir Khan's next under Yash Raj banner. The Break Ke Baad girl has left behind Katrina Kaif in the race.

How did Deepika land up with the role? "They needed a young A-lister opposite Salman for the film. So it had to be Katrina, Deepika, Kareena or Priyanka. Kareena and Priyanka are not in the running anymore. After the misunderstanding over the promos of Roadside Romeo, YRF is not too keen on Kareena. As for Priyanka, though she had patched up with Salman, the chances of the two working together are very less," a source told Mumbai Mirror.

As reported earlier, Salman is becoming a hindrance for his ex-girlfriend Katrina Kaif's career as he is not too keen on working with her. This has increased Deepika's chances all the more. Now, both Aditya Chopra and Kabir Khan are considering Deepika for the role.

Speculations are doing rounds that Kaif may herself opt out of the film to avoid controversies, reported the tabloid.

All things are going in favour of the Om Shanti Om star who has wanted to work with Salman from long. "Just one dance with Salman is not enough. I would want to do a full-fledged film with him," Deepika had said in an event after the Dabangg star had expressed his desire to do a song with her.

"I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the biggest names in the industry. Now, I would like to work with Salman. I feel he is a very honest person. He is genuine about what he feels and from what I have read and known about him, he seems to be very caring," said Deepika.

Seems like Dips is getting back at Katrina for stealing Ranbir and Salman is happy to oblige.

Hollywood project gave me fresh perspective: Bipasha Basu

Mumbai, April 3 – Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu has completed a decade in the Hindi film industry and donned numerous roles, but her forthcoming international venture ‘Singularity’ , she says, gave her a fresh perspective towards acting.
‘Singularity’ has been a fantastic experience because I have been in the film industry for a long time now. But this film gave me a completely fresh take towards acting,’ the 32-year-old actress told IANS in an interview.
‘It just introduced me to a new kind of acting, new kind of cinema, which for an artist is great,’ she added.
Bipasha stars as a Maratha warrior in the period film that is being helmed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Roland Joffe. It also stars Hollywood star Josh Hartnett.
‘My role is that of a Maratha warrior and the backdrop of the film is the Anglo-Maratha war in 18th-century colonial India. It’s basically the love story between a British soldier and this Maratha queen that is played by me,’ she revealed.
The actress, who has worked in films like ‘Ajnabee’, ‘Apaharan’, ‘Corporate’, ‘Race’ and ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’, among others, said ‘Singularity’ just fell into her lap.
‘Any actor would give an arm to work with Joffe and for me it happened so easily. I kind of bumped into him and he just loved my voice and cast me in the lead role,’ Bipasha said.
‘I was in Los Angeles and I just happened to say hello to him because a friend of mine knew him and I was there for a meeting. So for me this role just fell into my lap,’ she added.
Bipasha has always been known for fitness and her perfect 10 body. Because of her fitness levels, the actress was itching to do an action role and her dream came true with ‘Singularity’ and another forthcoming film ‘Players’.
‘Yes, I was looking forward to doing action roles and I’m so glad that I got an opportunity to do that in not one but two of my films. I’m looking forward to both,’ said the ex-model.
Bipasha will be seen in many much-awaited films this year. So would she call 2011 a very exciting and productive year for her?
‘Every year has been very exciting for me. There has been a little bit of re-invention that I do as an artist every time because our business is very harsh,’ the actress said.
‘There are a number of fears. If the screen presence of female actors is longer, people tend to get a little harsh on you but thankfully with me people have been very appreciable,’ she added.
‘Every year, I project myself and re-invent myself as an artist. I don’t let any staleness creep into me and even as an artist, I think that’s exciting for me,’ she added.
Along with ‘Singularity’ and ‘Players’, Bipasha will also be seen in ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, which will be her first release for the year.