Abhishek-Aishwarya get 25-crore for ad!

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan to be seen together for the first timein an ad for a soap. Buzz is, they have beenpaid Rs 25 crore. After their marriage, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have seldom been seen apart. Be it filmi events, the Cannes festival, films such as Sarkar Raj and forthcoming films Raavana and Crooked or even a recent episode of the Oprah Winfrey show, the doting couple is always seen hand-in-hand, smiling happily much to the delight of photographers.

Now, the couple is ready to take brand Bachchan to an altogether next level with a soap commercial. Buzz is that they are being paid a whopping Rs 25 crore for the ad. The deal, which has been kept under wraps, was finalised four days ago.Explaining why the couple was paid an exorbitant amount, that too for an ad film, a source said, “The endorsement market is booming right now. Also, it will be the first time that Abhishek and the Bachchan bahu will be seen together in a commercial.

The couple had been in talks for a long time with the ad filmmakers, who were extremely keen to get the two together. They finally agreed to be part of the ad last week.”

The ad is likely to be shot abroad.

Another turn in Bachchan’s land controversy

The controversy over Amitabh Bachchan buying agricultural land in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh ended when the Bollywood star ‘gifted’ the land to Daulatpur village council for building a girls college named after his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.Raj Kumari Singh on Oct 27 complained to the district magistrate that though Bachchan in his 2007 letter to the Barabanki magistrate expressed his wish to gift the land to the village council, he had three years ago made the gift to an NGO to run the college.

Singh said Bachchan changed his mind and instead of the village council decided to gift the land to Nishtha Foundation headed by film actress-turned-Samajwadi Party MP Jayaprada. The foundation had taken the responsibility to build the girls’ college, and the construction has been pending for more than three years. As the district magistrate set up an inquiry into Raj Kumari Singh’s complaint, Bachchan promptly revoked his earlier ‘gift’ to Nishtha Foundation and decided to keep his earlier word of giving the land to the village council.

Bachchan’s land purchase has been dogged in controversy since he bought it. He was accused of using illegal means to acquire the land.

Aishwarya Rai wants to resurrect ABCL

Aishwarya Bachchan is now taking interest in resurrecting ABCL (AB Corp) and helping out with the marketing and promotion of Amitabh Bachchan’s forthcoming film, Paa. She wants Paa to do really well as it stars Amitabh and her hubby Abhishek Bachchan. She is taking all the marketing decisions related to the film and also has a say on how to promote the film.

Her ideas are appreciated by the Bachchans.Paa has a different story with Abhishek playing Amitabh’s dad. To make the film a commercial success, various strategies are being made. Aishwarya has also suggested a lot that they could do to promote the film.

Paa will be released in a month’s time.

Salman Khan plays Asin’s protector

Toodley too doo hoo my dimsums! A jasoos from Dubai just called to tell me about Salman Khan’s protective ways with Asin. Yeah, the two sitaras had taken off to the Gulf for the first night-out of their musical London Dreams, while co-star Ajay Devgan and producer-director Vipul Shah opted to promote it on desi shores.Point to be noted is that initially, the two stars were to reach the venue in separate Limousines.

But apparently, Sallu suggested that instead of going alag alag and akele akele, Asin and he should travel saath saath, in the same Limo.Of course, Asin couldn’t refuse… Specially since he’s a senior star and they had become good friends during the shoot of the musical. But there was another problem — she was wearing a gown and the way it flowed, it kind of swept the floor.

So Sallu ensured that her outfit didn’t get dirty and played the chivalrous hero to the hilt, apart from playing mentor and protecting her when the crowd tried pushing closer to the stars at the theatre.Now now, before you get any ideas, my jasoos reiterates that Sallu and Asin are just very good friends. Yeah, but of course. Who said anything else?

Aishwarya Rai looking forward to motherhood

The Bachchan household might soon welcome a new member as Aishwarya Bachchan is looking forward to motherhood. Ash who turned 36 yesterday said that it would be a wonderful experience to be a mother and she was looking forward to it.

In a very candid mood the former Miss World said that she would let the world know of it and there was no need for speculations.Aishwarya opened up about her current being the daughter-in-law in one of the most revered families of Bollywood and said she was happy to have Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan as her in-laws.

She said that she shared awesome chemistry with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and both of them complemented each other in life.

SRK-Salman avoid each other on flight

On Saturday, Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan flew back on the same flight from London to Mumbai. SRK was in UK for the last couple of days on some work and Salman had gone there to promote his latest film, London Dreams. While Salman was with his younger brother Sohail, SRK was by himself. When the Khan brothers walked in, Sohail (who, along with wife Seema, is on good terms with SRK and Gauri) went up to Shahrukh, they chatted for sometime after which he went and joined his brother.This was the third in the series of the jab-they-met encounters. The first time they were at the same place at the same time post their infamous feud was last year at Amrita Arora’s sangeet ceremony.The second was this year at Ramesh Taurani’s wedding anniversary bash. Other than that, the two actors have been going to great lengths to avoid bumping into each other.

So what happened when they came face-to-face with each other? Says an eyewitness, “Both Shahrukh and Salman boarded the flight without the slightest knowledge that both were going to share nine hours of airspace together! Shahrukh saw Sallu first. He appeared stunned, then he quietly went to his seat and sat down.”Both were seated a few seats away from each other but Salman was talking loudly and making sure that his dushman could overhear everything he was saying. Sallu was apparently in great spirits and kept behaving like a naughty child, reveals the source, “He kept pulling the airhostess’s legs and behaving as if he was ready to go and brawl it out with the other Khan.” After some reading, SRK went off to sleep. He didn’t wake up for his meal. He woke up only when it was time to land.Throughout the flight, it was obvious Shahrukh had decided to completely ignore Salman while he was itching for a fight.When Sallu saw SRK wasn’t reacting to his verbal salvos, he too went off to sleep.

“While deplaning, Sohail and SRK bid goodbye to each other. Salman and Shahrukh (who had walked ahead) again didn’t even look at each other.At the luggage unloading section, the two actors stood at two corners, picked up their respective luggage and strode off in two opposite directions — as if they couldn’t wait to get away from each other. Though the airline sources confirmed that both Salman and Shahrukh were on the same flight on Saturday they were tight-lipped about divulging further details on grounds of client confidentiality. Shahrukh and Salman remained unavailable for comment.

Sanjay Dutt practicing Hollywood punches

Sanjay Dutt is currently in Pune, doing some stylised heavy-duty, hand-to-hand combat scenes for Sohail Maklai’s Knockout. The high-end action sequence is being supervised by Hollywood action choreographers. Sanjay says, “I had learnt kung fu before I started shooting for Rocky (his first film) and I just needed to do some polishing up. Currently, we are doing hand-to-hand combat and other stylised sequences. I am back to doing tough action sequences after a really long time and it feels great!.Producer Sohail adds, “Sanju refused to use a body double for doing the stunts. They are a mixture of martial arts, and high-end, hand-to-hand combat scenes that requires the artiste to be very fit physically and have great stamina.

Dutt was excited about doing the stunts himself. We have been working together after six years and I wanted to make sure that he does something really sensational this time.”Sohail has action choreographers Joey Ansah and Silvio Simac flown in from UK and USA. “Joey was Matt Damon’s nemesis Desh in The Bourne Ultimatum and performed all his own stunts. He was heavily involved in the choreography and brutal execution of the now famous brawl in the Tangiers Apartment. Silvio Simac is a martial arts expert who holds black belts in different disciplines.”

For this flick to be directed by Mani Shankar, they are also reconstructing a scene somewhat similar to the famous fight scene in The Bourne Ultimatum. Sohail continues, “When Joey and Silvio came down to Pune, they wanted Sanju to rehearse his action scenes for two days before starting the actual shoot.” Dutt, who has lost 24 kilos on his keratosis diet, is off it and is now on a steady dose of steamed chicken, fish and salad.

Mallika Sherawat has had some lip surgery for a Hollywood role

Mallika Sherawat is the newest member of the bee-stung lips club. In a recent picture of hers, her lower lips appears fuller and her upper lip seems distorted.

Inspired lipping
Mallika is presently in Los Angeles shooting for a film inspired by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Devi Harris. Says a source, "She was waiting for the shooting of Hissss to end. After that, she was to start shooting for her new Hollywood film. Mallika wants to look the part and that's why she had her lips done, while she was in India. She was here for more than a month. In fact, she was supposed to leave more than two weeks ago but left for LA only last week."

Her brother Vikram Singh, refutes the charge, "What rubbish! Mallika is the same as ever before. I would have definitely known had she done something."

Mallika remained unavailable for comment.

Hrithik to shoot intimate scenes with newcomer Monikangana

Kites is not alone when we talk about Hrithik Roshan’s intimate scenes in films. Hrithik will now have some passionate love scenes in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish.

These scenes will be shot with Monikangana Dutta, a model and a debutante in Bollywood. The girl will play Hrithik’s former love interest in the film.

Although Hrithik is paired opposite Aishwarya Rai in this film but the two of them do not have any love making scenes in the film.

Monikangana has a very small but a very important role in the film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted her chemistry with Hrithik to be visible in the film as she plays his former love interest.

Although they haven’t shot any scenes by far but Sanjay Leela Bhansali has already told them. As the Monikangana is new in the film industry.

She is very nervous about the scenes she has to shoot with Hrithik but it has come to be known that Sussane knows.

That these scenes have to be shot and has also spoken to Monikangana about them so that she feels a little relaxed.

Karisma Kapoor to Reveal Secrets of her Past Life

Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor shot for the show ‘Raaz Pichhle Janam Ka’ for NDTV Imagine TV Channel yesterday in which she was hypnotized and was asked questions about the secrets of her past life, reportedly Karisma was shocked to know the secrets of her past life.

NDTV Imagine a rapidly growing TV channel in India will air a reality show called ‘Raaz Pichhle Janam Ka’. The contestants in this show will be hypnotized to speak out the secrets about their past lives.

The show will be a weekly show with 26 episodes.

A close source informs, “Till now, there are only 26 episodes allotted for the show and Sushmita Sen is the first contestant of the show followed by Sanjay Dutt.Karisma Kapoor shot for the show yesterday and she was shocked with the revelations of her past life”.

The source says, “Yes, the producers are putting in a huge amount and tell me tell you, this show will become one of the best shows ever seen on television”

Kareena-Shahid no longer in touch

When Kareena Kapoor dated Shahid Kapur, she boldly accepted and like other actresses she did not name their relationship as friendship and now that she has broken up with him and dating Saif Ali Khan, she declared the world that she is in love with Saif. She is a woman who speaks her mind out and never feels hesitate to share her feelings to the world.

But when news is doing the rounds that Shahid Kapur’s father Pankaj Kapur is penning a script keeping Kareena Kapoor in mind, Bebo openly declared that she is no more in touch with Shahid. But added that in the past she had shared a wonderful relationship with Shahid and not in touch with him now. She also said that though they drifted apart but they could wish each other well. She always makes sure that she asks him about his well-being.

Kareena cuts off with Shahid personally but professionally she wished to link up with him. Commenting in acting on Pankaj Kapur’s script, she said, “If they have a good script and a good role and ask me to do it, I see no reason why I shouldn’t.”

There is no rush to get married: Saif Ali Khan

The Power couple of Bollywood Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor today addressed the ongoing Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Addressing the summit, duo replied a volley of questions including their personal life, professional life and future plans.On marriage plan, Saif Ali Khan said that there is no rush to get married at this moment. Kareena backed the statement of Saif.

Saif said, “I first saw Kareena when she was 14 year-old.” Saif said that he was interested in cricket for long time but finally switched the gear towards cinema.He confessed that he has had 17 flops in a row. On the other hand, Kareena also responded positively to various questions.When asked about her size zero figure, Kareena said, “I was never size zero.” “I am what due to body of my work not due to body,” she replied.

The actress said that she always knew to be an actor. She said that her elder sister Karisma is her role model.

Mallika Sherawat undergoes lip surgery

After Kangana Ranaut, it is Mallika Sherawat who went under knife. Mallika has undergone lip surgery. Her lower lip appears fuller and her upper lip seems distorted. She had done the changes for a new Hollywood film that she has signed recently.Says a source, “She was waiting for the shooting of Hissss to end. After that, she was to start shooting for her new Hollywood film. Mallika wants to look the part and that’s why she had her lips done, while she was in India. She was here for more than a month.

In fact, she was supposed to leave more than two weeks ago but left for LA only last week.”Her brother Vikram Singh, refutes the charge, “What rubbish! Mallika is the same as ever before. I would have definitely known had she done something.”She is presently shooting in Los Angeles for a film inspired by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Devi Harris.

However, Mallika remained unavailable for her lippy comment.

London Dreams London embarrassment

The London Dreams show (to promote Vipul Shah’s film) at the Excel Arena in London got cancelled because of a no-show by artistes and technicians. Says a source, “Intech Image had tied up for the film promotion of London Dreams and had planned a few activities for the promotion of the film. An event had been planned at Excel Arena in London, where Salman Khan, Asin and Ajay Devgn were to participate on October 28 along with director Vipul Shah and music directors Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.Ajay backed out of the event due to prior commitments and Asin didn’t have a valid visa.

It didn’t make sense for just Salman to perform, if the other artistes were not available, so the organisers cancelled the show.”But no one bothered to inform poor Salman about the last-minute cancellation, adds an insider “Salmanbhai came in straight from Dubai where he had gone for a special show of London Dreams. When he landed in London on Wednesday, he learnt that the show had been cancelled! Fortunately, he was anyway supposed to be there for some media interaction so his trip wasn’t entirely wasted.”Vipul Shah says, “We were supposed to do one event in London but we never went ahead with the proposal. Salman has gone only for the media promotion of London Dreams to London. He is there for two days.

S Sabapaty from Intech says, “It’s kind of Mr Vipul Shah to say this but we had organised a show for LD at the Excel Arena but couldn’t gather anyone except Salman to appear on the show so we decided to cancel it. In the original agreement, we had advertised in the publicity posters that the cast and crew of LD would attend and the event would be held in the form of a concert.But the cast and crew who were to perform couldn’t make it because of the problems they had. We can’t cheat the audience so we decided to cancel the show.”

Apparently, Salman was informed at the last minute? “No, he was informed about it earlier and he was on his way to London in any case for media stuff. We got a great response for the show but had to cancel it due to technical issues. As a company, we have to maintain our reputation so we took the call to cancel the show on October 28.” Salman Khan remained unavailable for comment.

Katrina Kaif caught again!

Just before the release of her film New York, Bollywood’s numero-uno actress, Katrina Kaif had visted the holy ‘dargah’ (shrine) of the revered sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (Katrina visits Ajmer to bring luck to New York!- June 24). While on that occasion she had worn a blue scarf to hide herself from the media glares as well as her fans, this time it was a yellow one!

As per sources, Katrina was in Ajmer yesterday (Friday) to pray for the success of her friend Salman Khan’s London Dreams and also her upcoming, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Before proceeding to the shrine, Katrina briefly halted at RTDC’s Khadim Tourist Bungalow in Ajmer and changed her dress. She then left for the ‘dargah’ but despite all the secrecy, she was unable to hide herself from the media and her fans (just like last time!) who got a whiff of her arrival and thronged the shrine, thus blocking the roads to the ‘dargah’.

She hurriedly paid her respects and left.Here’s joining Katrina in her prayer and wishing London Dreams and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani the best!

Amitabh Bachchan gets threat calls

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has received threat calls from an unknown person on his mobile, the actor revealed it on his blog. Big B, who played a genie in his latest rlease Aladin, wrote: “I visit a Muslim dargah and a Hindu temple has been viciously criticised by an unknown element on my mobile. He says it is incorrect of me to do so and that I should never do it again.” Amitabh Bachchan has been paying a visit to the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai for the past few years.The actor in his reply said: “Well dear man, if you are reading this insignificant little blog of mine, here is what I have to say to you. I am going to do it again and shall continue to do it. And I want to see how you are going to stop me.

If you have the courage and guts com and get me.”Big B, who recently celebrated his 67th birthday earlier this month, said: “I do have his mobile number and I do have a name too. I believe that there is no law that can protect such atrocious uttering. We live in a temperate secular society where we learn to respect all religions. My belief is of my own making. If the temple or the mosque or a dargah has no objection to my visits ; if my Constitution and the laws of the country give me that freedom and if I do not offend them, then who is this man to stop me or correct me ? It is elements like this that penetrate the psyche of vulnerable and innocent people and subject them to unnecessary and unjustified bias. I strongly object to it and abhor the existence of such elements in society.

This gentleman even threatens me by getting personal. He says that my film Aladin shall not have success because of this deed of mine.”The legendary actor said he will never change his routine by a mere threaten call: “At the cost of every film of mine failing, I am not going to change my routine.If I wish to go to a temple I shall go there. If I wish to go to a mosque I shall go there as well and so also to a gurudwara or a church. And I want to see who is going to stop me from doing so.” Thr actor’s film Aladin has been praised by his followers.

Preity Zinta gets a rude shock!

Preity Zinta gets a rude shock as someone has been masquerading under her name on a famous networking site!Preity Zinta finally decided to join this really happening networking site to which all her celeb friends are hooked on to. But to her shock she found that there already is a fake Preity Zinta with a fan following of fourteen lakhs!

Adds our source, “Preity Zinta was shocked to find out that someone has been faking it out as her. She immediately asked her dear friend Karan Johar (who is very active on the site) to help out. He immediately put word out on the virtual world to open their eyes to the real Preity Zinta. And thanks to his reach, people are slowly realizing that the former profile was a fake one and turning to the real one.”

Preity is taking some serious damage control measures. Adds our source, “Preity has now decided to get her profile made official through the concerned website so that such a thing doesn’t happen again!”If it’s any consolation Preity has only one fake profile to worry about!

Abhishek-Kareena come together

Over the years, Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor have been quite vociferous about not wanting to work together after his marriage to Karisma Kapoor was called off. Now things seem to be looking up as Kareena and Abhishek are in the mood to move on and have agreed to star together in a film after six years. Buzz is that the two have been signed for Abbas Mustan’s untitled film, a remake of the Hollywood film, Italian Job. The movie will also star Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles.A source says, “Initially talks were on with Saif Ali Khan but he did not have dates and Abhishek Bachchan replaced him.

Although Saif and Kareena’s chemistry would have sizzled onscreen, it will be nice to watch Abhishek and Kareena after Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, which was their last film together in 2003. Both actors made their acting debut together in Refugee and have been in the industry for years but have only starred together in two films till date.”While Kareena’s manager Zahid denies that she has signed the film, a source close to Abbas Mustan says, “The directors always had Kareena in mind and now they have managed to get Katrina on board too.The film will go on the floors in April and like every Abbas Mustan film, this too will also be shot on a lavish budget at international locations.

The directors are clear about who they want to cast in the film.”The Italian Job (2003) rights are with Studio 18. CEO Sandeep Bhargava of Studio 18 says, “We have the rights of Italian Job. Abbas Mustan are working on the script and will also direct the film. The movie will go on the floors sometime next year.”When asked about the star cast, Bhargava says, “We can’t approach any actors till the script is ready.”Despite several attempts, Abbas Mustan remained unavailable for comment.

Salman-Asin resorting to cheap publicity?

Somebody might have opened the Pandora’s box as the release date of London Dreams drew near. All sorts of gossips varying from Salman Khan’s close relationship with his co-star Asin Thottumkal to their big fight filled the newspaper entertainment columns and websites.Do you think the lead pair is resorting to cheap publicity? Who knows, because they neither complained nor cared to clarify the gossips.

Yes, they say ‘no publicity is bad publicity.’ Asin, being relatively a novice in Bollywood though a big name down South, seemed to be disturbed by all the gossips. But Salman handles it differently. He keeps mum on all the issues – be it his relationship with Asin or the alleged ‘fight’. He knows it would create more hype around the film and thus pave the way for a good opening.

Well, the much-hyped film London Dreams, starring Ajay Devgn besides Salman and Asin, releases today. Let’s wait and watch whether it’s worth the hype!

Sanjay Dutt Knocks Out Kangana Ranaut

50-year old Sanjay Dutt has been shooting with 20-something Kangana Ranaut. And if they were looking super-compatible in spite of Kangana being half the age of Dutt, it’s all because of Dutt’s special ketosis-based diet.Says a source close to Dutt, “Sanjay went on this special diet in June. It required him to take lots and lots of fattie food and no carbohydrates at all. In fact carbs would’ve been potentially lethal for this diet. In no time Sanjay started losing weight. And that too without Sanju having to give up his favourite food.”

Today, Dutt is looking trimmer than he did ten years ago. And when he shot with Kangana last week, the camera made them look compatible.Dutt plays an assassin out to get his victim with a sniper rifle in Knock Out. Kangana Ranaut has always had a fascination for assassin heroes. She began her career with Gangster where her assassin-hero was Shiney Ahuja.Now in Mani Shankar’s Knock Out, she’s again attracted to the killer-hero, this time played by Sanjay Dutt.

The two became professionally fond of one another while shooting for the comedy No Problem in Cape Town. When Mani Shankar was looking for a bright intense young actress to play a television journalist it was Dutt who recommended Kangana to the director.