Esha Deol to get engaged with boyfriend on Sunday

Mumbai: Esha Deol, the gorgeous actress of Bollywood trade, is too all set to join in the bandwagon of the actresses who are married, engaged and going to be married. Yes, that’s true, the 29-year-old beauty Deol is set to get engaged this Sunday, 12^thFebruary – two days prior to the lovers’ day ‘Valentine’ Day’.

The reports say that Esha is going to be engaged with his longtime boyfriend Bharat Takhtani, the Mumbai-based businessman. She has been dating with him quite silently and now decides to tie the knot seeing the leading actresses turning to marriage bonds and producing babies. Her business manger confirms the news saying ‘yes, she is going to get engaged on Sunday where only her close family members will arrive to attend the ceremony.’ The ring exchange will happen in true traditional Indian style.

Esha Deol, who has not been good in films since quite some time even she could not make her standing in Bollywood post her turning to skin-show as well, has made her cinematic debut way back in 2002 with the flick ‘Koi Mere Dil Se Poochche’. Post that movie, she was seen in many flicks like Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Dhoom and few others. Most recently she was seen doing the leading role in her mother’s production ‘Tell Me O Kkhuda’ released last year. The movie failed bombastically at the box office.

Esha, after struggling very hard and with the support of family, could not generate a place for herself in movie’s world. Thus it is a good idea to tie the knot and lead a married life. Bollywood babes are now inclined to getting married and delivering babies and it is undoubtedly a healthy sign since getting married in young age is good rather than tying the knot in old age.

Priyanka defends Bollywood cinema & India at Berlinale press meet

February 11, 2012 11:04:54 AM IST

After the DON 2 press show, many among the 'non' Indian media were left wondering if the film was actually a Bollywood film. The film's team of Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, and Ritesh Sidhwani had to do a lot of explaining about it during their press conference here. Though they refused to accept that the film was a deliberate attempt to get away from the Bollywood mould to gain international acceptability, and insisted that it was developed 'organically', there were no takers to this argument. Even the German co-producer of the film Mathias Schwerbrock did not seem to agree with them and spoke about the film being a fusion of Hollywood and Bollywood elements.

	view BOLLYWOOD CELEBS AT 57TH FILMFARE AWARDS picture gallery

It was Priyanka Chopra, the film's leading lady, who finally decided to defend the traditional Bollywood cinema and Indian way of life. She said that songs and dances that are termed as 'Bollywood elements' are part of Indian socio-cultural life that is full of music and dances. That is why most of Bollywood films turn out to be 'musicals'. She also added that she loves doing songs and dances and the 'so called' item numbers and keeps wondering why Farhan did not let her do that in DON 2.
CHECK OUT: Shahrukh & Priyanka planning Nepal trip together?
The press conference became a Priyanka show all the way. She even answered questions that were addressed to the film's director Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani, who seemed a bit jet-lagged and took some time in comprehending the questions asked to them. The press conference was a lackluster event owing to the absence of Shahrukh Khan. The generally crowded venue at Grand Hyatt Berlin was partially filled. 

'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' is light and breezy

Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Imran Khan, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak-Shah

Director: Shakun Batra

'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu', starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor, is a competently made romantic-comedy with a predictable story at its core. A straight-laced architect meets a free-spirited hairdresser in Vegas; they get drunk one night, and wake up the next morning to find out they're married. Even as they decide to annul the marriage, the couple realizes they have a connection.

It's fairly typical stuff, and first-timer Shakun Batra adds all the usual ingredients. If you've seen even three decent rom-coms, you know where this is headed. Yet these characters feel real, and they grow on you gradually despite their standard-issue problems - he has controlling parents, she only lives for the moment. But it's the curveball that the writers throw at you in the end that displays a rare maturity about relationships that films in this genre seldom possess.

It's hard to believe, I know, given that the film opens with a stereotypical and slapstick introduction to Imran's character, Rahul. The first 20-odd minutes or so are a bumpy affair, but the film picks up steam once the leads are thrown together and left to work through their differences.

'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' is a narrative that unfolds mainly through dialogue, and the lighter moments come at you as the odd couple gets to know each other. The humor hits the mark many times and falls flat occasionally, but the movie doesn't grate because the characters aren't trying too hard to be cute. A scene in which Rahul's ex-girlfriend decides to get frisky with him in a restaurant toilet stall, much to his horror, is amongst the high points in the film's first half.

There are touches of 'Jab We Met' to be found here as Kareena's character, Riana, encourages Rahul to let go of his inhibitions and live a little. In fact, like that runaway hit, Kareena ends up being the soul of this film too, although Riana is more urban and polished than Geet. And like that distinctive Punjabi set in 'Jab We Met', we meet Riana's jolly Goan-Catholic bunch when the couple lands in Mumbai. Even Rahul's parents, played by Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak-Shah, are total stereotypes. She's a fashion-obsessed socialite, and he a humorless, success-driven businessman; yet these caricatures are salvaged by convincing performances.

Despite his wide-eyed, one-note approach in the early scenes, Imran Khan slips comfortably into his role as the story moves along - he's fantastic when he has meltdowns; like that emotional one with Kareena in a school, or seething with anger against his parents at a dinner table. It's refreshing also to see him let go in the foot-tapping Auntyji song, and he shares a surprisingly warm chemistry with Kareena. Meanwhile, it's heartening to see the actress sink her teeth into a role she deserves, and has fun with. She may not be treading new ground here, but Kareena infuses energy into even ordinary talkie scenes, and strikes you with how fresh-faced she can look after all these years.

At 1 hour and 50 minutes, the film is light and breezy, and mercifully never turns too syrupy for your taste. I'm going with three out of five for director Shakun Batra's 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu'. I was particularly impressed by the unconventional but entirely appropriate ending. I think you will be too.

Anushka Sharma - Bollywood's new promising celeb

Anushka Sharma is a Bangalore-born model and Bollywood actress. She began formal modeling training during her early teens with the help of renowned fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa, who Anushka Sharma met when she was just 15. While shopping in Bangalore, Goan-based fashion designer Wendell Rodricks discovered her and offered her a chance to work with his 2007 collection.

Dreaming to make it big in the modeling industry, the 5’9” beauty moved to Mumbai, where she landed a spot on the Les Vamps Show of Goa-based designer Wendell Rodricks at the Lakme Fashion Week. During this time, Anushka Sharma was also chosen to be the finale model for Rodricks’ Spring Summer 2007 Collection. Since her show-stopping debut at the Les Vamps Show, Anushka Sharma continued to land various campaigns including Whisper, Fiat Palio, Silk & Shine as well as Nathella Jewelry, among others.

With the help of Elite Modeling Agency, who sent Sharma’s portfolio to the casting directors of an Aditya Chopra movie, Anushka Sharma won the female lead in the 2008 romantic comedy “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.” Starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan for the film, Anushka Sharma received two award nominations from Filmfare – one for “Best Actress Award” and the other for “Best Female Debut Award.” “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” also earned Anushka Sharma a Star Screen Award nomination for “Most Promising Female Newcomer,” and a Stardust Award nomination for “Superstar of Tomorrow.” In addition, the newcomer actress won the Apsara Awards for “Best Female Debut” and the V. Shantaram Awards for “Best Female Debut.” “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” became the 6th highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time, earning INR 850 million in India alone.

In 2010, Anushka Sharma made another movie with Yash Raj Films, this time alongside Shahid Kapoor on the comedy crime flick “Badmaa$h Company.” Playing Bulbul Singh, one of four new college graduates who decided to start a smuggling business to get rich quick, Anushka Sharma transforms from the homemaker role on her debut film, into a hot young adult caught in a web of criminal activities and a ravishing lifestyle.

Also in 2010, Anushka Sharma appeared opposite newcomer Ranveer Singh in the romantic comedy flick entitled “Band Baaja Baaraat.” Her role of Shruti Kakkar earned Anushka Sharma the Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination, the Zee Cine Award for ‘Best Female Actor,’ the Star Screen ‘Best Actress Award,’ and the ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ from the Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards.

With awards and nominations here and there, Anushka Sharma’s popularity reached all time high, landing on the covers of magazines “Beauty” and “Femina” for February and May 2010 respectively. In 2011, Anushka Sharma appeared on the cross-generation drama “Patiala House,” where she takes the role love interest of Parghat Singh Kahlon (played by Akshay Kumar). Her most recent project is the Hindi romantic comedy film “Ladies VS Ricky Bahl,” which is scheduled for release on December 2011. 

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

Nominated

• 2009: Filmfare Best Actress Award; Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi^[22]
• 2011: Filmfare Best Actress Award; Band Baaja Baaraat^[23]

Star Screen Awards

Nominated

• 2008: Star Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer - Female; Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
• 2011: Star Screen Award for Best Actress; Band Baaja Baaraat

IIFA Awards

Winner

• 2011: IIFA Award for Best Actress; Band Baaja Baaraat^[24]

Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards

Winner

• 2009: Best Debut (Female); Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi^[25]
• 2011: Best Actress in a Leading Role; Band Baaja Baaraat^[26]

Zee Cine Awards

Nominated

• 2011: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Female; Band Baaja Baaraat^[27]
• 2012: Zee Cine Awards, International Icon Female

Other awards

• 2011 - GQ Men of the Year Awards: Excellence Award.^[28]

Genelia D'Souza weds Riteish Deshmukh

Bollywood coupleRiteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza tied the knot today according to Marathi traditions in the presence of Bollywood and political biggies.

The marriage came at the end of an eight-year-long courtship with Riteish (32) and Genelia (24) taking their vows around a sacred fire at the suburban Grand Hyatt hotel.

The groom, wearing a white sherwani and red 'feta' (turban), entered the hotel riding a white 'ghodi'. Genelia wore a red and gold lehenga designed by Ritu Kumar.

The 'baaraat' started from the grounds near Grand Hyatt. Amidst the singing and dancing, Riteish, with his face covered with a 'sehra' (flower veil), waved excitedly while sitting on the horse.

The actor's Congress minister father Vilasrao Deshmukh was dressed in a brown sherwani.

Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, Subodh Kant Sahay, Sunil Tatkare and Johny Joseph were among the political figures present at the wedding.

B-town guests present included Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Kajoland Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Sajid Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, Sajid Nadiadwala, Satish Shah, Asin, Jacky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Ramesh Taurani, Nishka and Neeta Lulla.

Riteish took to Twitter last night, saying, "Saw the Last sunset as a Bachelor."

And soon after the wedding, the actor took to Twitter to post a photo of him and Genelia, with the caption, "MR & MRS DESHMUKH".

The wedding capped three days of festivities that included sangeet, haldi, mehndi ceremonies and a traditional bachelorette party for Genelia. The reception will take place tomorrow at the same hotel.

Riteish and Genelia have been seeing each other since their Bollywood debut, 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' in 2003 but they chose to be secretive about it. They finally opened up about their relationship last year.

The couple will be seen romancing in their forthcoming film 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya' that will hit the theatres on February 24.

Lata Mangeshkar is not dead!

Yes, we know tweets have been doing the rounds that legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar has breathed her last, but let us assure you that is not so. Don’t believe us? Here’s the proof: “Namaskar. Pls don’t believe any rumours which are doing the rounds about my health & well-being. All is well, by the Grace of God,” Lata tweeted last night. She followed it up with another tweet this morning (February 3), “Sharing some thoughts which i read with my Twitter family: If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude Remember, we all stumble, everyone of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand,” she posted. With Lata having celebrated her 82nd birthday last year, her fans have been worried about her health for quite some time now. No wonder many actually believed the tweets about her death. However, Lata was just a victim to the celebrity death hoax that occurs every few months. Even Hollywood celebs like Jackie Chan and Mick Jagger have fallen prey to such hoaxes earlier.

Sanjay, Rishi's impromptu party to celebrate 'Agneepath' success

They play antagonistic villains in "Agneepath" but in real life, Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor have discovered a new warmth and friendship that goes beyond the success of a collaborative film. 

The last film they had done together was "Sahibaan" 18 years ago. Now while working together in "Agneepath", the two actors seem to have discovered a mutual fund of fondness.

Sanjay's new friendship was evident when on Saturday night he simply walked into Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's Pali Hill residence with his wife Maanyata with a bottle of wine to celebrate their mutual success in "Agneepath".

When we contacted Rishi to confirm the impromptu party, he said: "On Saturday night Dalip Tahil who loved me in 'Agneepath' came home. A few of my friends were already here. And lo and behold! In walks Sanju and Maanyata for an impromptu celebration. It was very sweet of him. We were two villains rejoicing our villainy together."

The on-the-spot party went on till the wee hours of Sunday morning with some of Rishi's close friends joining in. At some point during the evening Ranbir also joined his dad and Sanjay.

The Dutts left only after extending an invitation to the Kapoors to join the Dutts at a party on Sunday evening.

Incidentally, Saturday night also saw Hrithik Roshan, who plays the male lead in the new version of "Agneepath", hosting a party to celebrate the success of the action drama, which has been directed by Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar.

Agneepath Creates History with 25 Cr First Day Collections

Agneepath… Agneepath… Agneepath!! That is what the world is talking about. From record breaking theatrical trailer views on the official Dharma productions You Tube channel to the record breaking views for Chikni Chameli music video, Agneepath has been breaking all the viewership records.

Now Agneepath has broken records of all movies in terms of opening day revenue. With a Republic Day release and a heavy weight star cast, this movie has surpassed all expectations. The movie has crossed the expected numbers not by a satisfactory margin but an over whelming number.

The previous record of 20.6 Cr opening day collections has been broken by an excess of 4.5 Cr. The mega starrer has exploded over the box office with a whopping 25 Crores opening day collection. We will wait and watch which movie can break this huge record.

Agneepath Rocks

Mumbai, Jan. 27: When Karan Johar decided to remake Agneepath, he declared that his prime objective was to give the cult classic of 1990 the box office “recognition” it deserves.

If first day collection of a film is any indication of public response and approval, Karan Johar has every reason to celebrate his latest release — Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra-starrerAgneepath.

The new version of Agneepath has set a new record of first-day collection in Patna. Compared to Salman Khan’s Bodyguard and Shah Rukh Khan’s Don 2, which were the top grossers of 2011, Agneepath has taken a massive lead of at least Rs 4 lakh on the first day of its release.

While the first-day collection of Bodyguard, Ra.One and Don 2 were Rs 7,87,500, Rs 3,69,340 and Rs 6,87,000 respectively, Agneepath collected Rs 11,87,500 on Republic Day, its release date.

Even across India, the film has earned Rs 25 crore, the biggest single day collection of any film released in the country. The performances of Hrithik Roshan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, Sanjay Dutt as Kancha Cheena and Rishi Kapoor as Rauf Lala are being appreciated by audience and film critics alike.

Former chairman of Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy and film critic Shankar Prasad said: “The location of the Mandwa village on the seafront is truly fantastic. Sanjay Dutt’s performance as Kancha is brilliant. His get-up and his walking style are similar to his earlier film Vaastav. He looks villainous. His black dress and bald look add to his fearsome character, not to forget his way of reciting the Bhagvad Gita. All these things have made the film much different from Bodyguard and Don 2.”

On the record-breaking collection, he said: “Like other trade pundits, I also had this feeling that Agneepath will surely break some record. It has all the components to become a big hit. Debut director Karan Malhotra and producer Karan Johar have given a tre-mendous film to the viewers.”

Despite the running time being long (3 hours), the film never lost its grip on the audience. Each and every dialogue was lauded by the audience. The whistles, however, were reserved for Chikni Chameli, the item number performed by Katrina Kaif, who sizzled on the screen in her Marathi mulgi avatar. “Katrina is always hot but in this film she adds to the fire of the film. The timing of the song is perfect and her dance movements are better than any other actress in Bollywood,” said Ravi Prakash, a resident of Boring Road, who watched the first show of the film at Regent theatre.

Regent is running five shows of the film while Cinepolis is running 17.

“All the shows till Monday are booked in advance. The film has got a great opening,” said Suman Kumar Sinha, owner of Regent.

He added: “I am sure this film will run for another three weeks. We did not get such a response for any other film, not even Bodyguard.”

Cinepolis manager Abhishek Ranjan is mulling increasing the number of shows. “We were planning to increase the number of shows to 25 but it does not seem possible as the film’s duration is quite long. In terms of collection, Agneepath has surpassedBodyguard and Don 2.”

The audience believes this film has changed the concept of remakes. “We always say there is no comparison between an original and a remake, but this film has changed that concept. The remake of Agneepath has set a new trend,” said Veenit Kumar, a resident of Bud- dha Colony.

Dilip Saab joins twitterati on eve of 89th birthday

MUMBAI: Just a day before thespian Dilip Kumar turns 89 on Sunday, he made his debut on Twitter.

"His twitter handle is Thedilipkumar. The constructionof his official website is underway and pages are being developed right now," said his biographer and family friend Udaya Tara Nayar.

Born on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar, Dilip Kumar joined the film industry in 1944 with Jwar Bhatta. Considered India's first method actor and an inspiration for generations of stars, Dilip Kumar ended his celluloid journey in 1998 with Qila.

"He has been the reference point for generations of actors. Where would Indian Cinema be without his heart-wrenching performances in Gunga Jamuna and Mughal-e-Azam? The wells from where we drink water were dug by this giant, called Dillip Kumar," said director Mahesh Bhatt. Bollywood has long been petitioning the Prime Minister to confer the Bharat Ratna on Dilip Kumar. "The best way to celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema will be to bestow the Bharat Ratna on Dilip Saab. The History of Nations is the story of its people.

The narrative of free India, which is wholly and solely committed to its secular creed, is epitomized by Dilip Saab. It will be our collective failure, not only as film people but also as Indians, if we do not give this last Mughal of Indian cinema what he rightly deserves."

As he sets out on his 90th year, his friends and admirers from the industry, including 90-year-old Pran, Yash Chopra, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mahesh Bhatt, will visit Dilip Kumar's Bandra residence on Saturday night to usher in the actor's birthday.

Earlier on his birthday, the gates of his bungalow would always remain open to everyone. "The entire day, his fans, friends and colleagues would come and wish him on his birthday as Dilip Saab would sit in the drawing room and meet everyone. Now they have made it a little formal and guests are invited in the evening."

Dilip Kumar's actress wife, Saira Banu, who has sent out all the invites, said, "I am overwhelmed by the respect and adulation my husband is receiving on his birthday from his admirers in India and all over the world. The house is overflowing with flowers that have come from Australia,Dubai, London, Germany, Turkey and Amsterdam. I pray to God to keep my husband well and happy."

Some of the film industry who were present at his residence to bring in his 89th birthday. were 90 year old veteran actor Pran, Yash Chopra, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Mahesh Bhatt and many more.

Aamir is a wonderful actor: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan is very excited to be working with Aamir Khan too for the first time in Dhoom3. 

He says, "The icing on the cake is that I get to work with somebody like Aamir. He's a senior I have always looked up and whose work I have always admired. I always wanted to work with him but I never had the gumption to walk up to him and say that. 

Dhoom3 is not a one-sided film but about these two characters going at each other and as equal a part as you can get. Aamir is a wonderful actor and top of his game right now. I will get to learn so much from him."

Veena Malik’s dad disowns her

Veena Malik's nude magazine cover kicked up a storm with not just strong reactions in Pakistan, but the actress alleging that the nude photos were fake and suing the magazine.

But the latest salvo came from her own father, who said in an interview to a British newspaper that he was disowning her. "I have disowned her. I have severed all ties with her and I don't want her to have any share in whatever meagre assets I have until she is cleared of the controversy and pledges not to visit India again," Veena's father, Malik Mohammad Aslam, was quoted by the paper as saying.

He added that his daughter should be punished if found guilty of stripping "so that no other woman would think of doing such a thing". "I can ignore (it) if she disobeys me but I cannot tolerate anything against my country and my faith," he was quoted as saying.

This outburst by her father apparently came as a shock to Veena, who only reacted with a "no comments" stance when we tried to contact her.

However, in an earlier interview to DT, Veena had said her family was always supportive of what she did, and it was only after their permission that she said yes to "Swayamvar", which also created a controversy recently due to her nationality. "My parents have always supported me.

I agreed to do "Swayamvar" after I got their permission. Unhi ki vajah se maine yeh offer accept kiya tha. My siblings too suggested I should give it a shot. My parents and friends will come to my show. You will get to see them on the show soon," she had said. The actress also told us that she had only stayed with her parents for two years, and had been raised by her grandmother.

Dev Anand’s village has hazy memories of the star

The last time Bollywood actor Dev Anand visited his hometown was to attend the last rites of his brother in October 1971

Gharota (Gurdaspur), December 5
Not many in Gharota, where Dev Anand was born as Dharam Dev Pishori Anand on September 26, 1923, remember the legend. The village elders have but hazy memories of the actor. However, septuagenarian Sadhu Ram, who remained in touch with the film icon till a decade ago, was a picture of melancholy.

“Dev Sahib, like a falling star, has disappeared into the darkness forever,” he said, his voice quivering.

Locals said the ancestral house of the Anand family in this hamlet, 22 km from Gurdaspur, was sold for a pittance by the film icon’s father, the affluent advocate Pishori Lal, several decades ago.

The family then moved to nearby Gurdaspur where they lived on rent at the busy Amaamvara Chowk in the heart of the city. Senior Advocate Balraj Mohan, a close friends of Dev Anand’s father, said: “Dev was a reticent person. He studied at the government boys’ school near the old bus stand. His mother was a dignified and deeply religious lady. His father was a leading lawyer of Gurdaspur, whose sole endeavour in life was to provide first-grade education to his children. “I started my practice in 1968 and it was then when I first met Pishori Lal. He was fond of cigarettes and had a good command over Persian and Arabic. He was fond of reciting Urdu poetry to his sons Manmohan Anand, Chetan Anand, Dev Anand and Vijay Anand. Barring the eldest Manmohan, who became an advocate, the other three went on to make a name for themselves in tinsel town.”

Said lawyer Pushkar Nand, Dev Anand’s distant kin: “During the summer vacations, Pishori Lal would rent a small cottage owned by an Englishman (Robinson) in Dalhousie and the family would stay there.”

Dev Anand did his FSc from Government College, Dharamsala, and his graduation from Government College, Lahore, with English Honours.

The actor was very close to his mother, recalled a Gharota resident. “Once she developed TB and Dev, accompanied by a friend, would daily travel to Amritsar, 40 km away, on a bus to buy medicines for her till she finally recovered.”

Local residents said the last time Dev Anand visited Gurdaspur was to attend the last rites of Manmohan, then chairman of the Punjab Khadi Board, in October 1971. After that the actor severed all ties with his native town.

One of the actor’s best friends, 90-year-old advocate Sukhdev Aggarwal, tried to speak about him but was overcome by emotion.