Bollywood's young and charitable sizzlers

Some new-age Samaritans discreetly go about sharing their hard-earned earnings with charitable organisations

Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is probably one of the few Bollywood stars to initiate brands into tying up with charitable trusts.

In fact, a diamond brand has just tied up and donated a whopping amount towards the cause of her mother's charitable trust, Relief Projects India (RPI).

RPI has collaborated with The Claretian Educational and Social Services Society to rescue unwanted and abandoned baby girls.

They are also actively involved in preventing infanticide and improving health of expectant mothers and babies.

Kajal Aggarwal, Singham actress
Kajal Aggarwal has believed in giving back to the society since her college days. Not many people know that as a college student she used to teach at the Akansha foundation.

Whenever she has free time on hand, she teaches her house help and people around her.

Other charitable guns

Abhay Deol
Abhay vouches for four NGO's, Video Volunteers, Butterflies, The Climate Project and Wildlife SOS. The actor found Butterflies on the internet.

"They do children development banking. They basically encourage street kids to put aside a little bit of their daily earnings into a bank and earn monthly interest. They also have mobile schools. So they actually drive to where the kids are."
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor was part of the NDTV Toyota Greenathon 2010 that helped raise money to provide solar power to 160 villages across the nation. He sponsored solar lamps in the Lakhisarai, a village in Bihar, as part of the initiative.

A lot more economical and less polluting than kerosene lamps, solar lamps not only help students to study in the evening and women to work in well-lit kitchens but they also aid small scale workers to earn more as they can work late hours.

John Abraham
Jacqueline Fernandes and R Madhavan strongly support NGO Habitat For Humanity India, that runs a campaign for affordable housing. While Mika donates to Divine Help that educates children and destitute women.

Prateik Babbar
There is a side to Prateik that is little known. The actor, who will be seen in UTV Motion Picture's My Friend Pinto is a true friend of old people and street kids.

The do-gooder donates a part of his earnings from films to charities. And what more, he doesn't like blowing his own trumpet.

A family friend of the young actor on condition of anonymity confirms, "Yes, Prateik has been doing charity for many years now, much before he entered the industry and started acting in the movies. He started from the age of 18, when he was still a young boy assisting ad man Pralhad Kakkar. 
He donates a percentage of his salary to the charities. Earlier it used to be what he earned from his assisting jobs and now it's a percentage of his film remuneration. His donations go to multiple charities for aged people or street and orphan kids."

The source adds, "Prateik has a soft corner for aged people and street kids. He always wanted to do something for them.

There is this sensitive side to him that is not known to the world. He was very close to his maternal grandmother, late Smita Patil's mom. He does charity for his own happiness and likes to keep mum about it. He doesn't want it to be a publicity gimmick like others."

Reportedly, he also wore and sent tees with logo 'My Friend Anna' to Anna Hazaare to show his support. As expected, Prateik remained unavailable for comment.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
 

Share Telly babes aim for size 'Bebo'

Popular soap stars Sanjeeda Sheikh and Rashmi Desai are on a mission to achieve the size zero look

Kareena Kapoor may no longer be size zero, but she seems to have set a standard for our telly actresses.

They want to be as skinny as she was! The latest actress to follow the path and even indulge in hot yoga (like Bebo) is Sanjeeda Sheikh.

She has been working towards the goal of achieving the size for a while now. Coupled with a diet and work out regime, the Haye Padosan actress is determined to be reed-thin.

Being a fitness freak, she joined a gym and was completely taken in by the hot yoga on offer. Aamir Ali's girlfriend has been attending the sessions for the past few months now and she swears that this is the best form of exercise.

Says Sanjeeda, "I wanted to get a photoshoot done since a long time. But I was keen that it should be different from my previous ones. I thought of having a perfect figure for the shoot and therefore started working towards it."

She adds, "I've always been active and sporty, with a high metabolism rate, so it was not difficult. Plus, being a dancer I made sure that I dance daily without skipping even a day.

Being a foodie, it was difficult to control my diet, but I made sure I didn't cheat." She continues to eat healthy and avoid junk food.

Gymming hard!

Uttaran actress Rashmi Desai, too, wants to go the Bebo way. She makes it a point to never miss her gym, even if she is shooting for long hours. As Rashmi has been gaining a lot of weight of late, she is even more determined and works out with husband Nandish Sandhu.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Malaika sizzles in a Sari at National Film Awards

Malaika Arora Khan left her thigh-high slit dresses back home in Mumbai and covered up in a black and maroon sari for the prestigious 58th National Film Awards ceremony here Friday. Others like singer Rekha Bhardwaj and actress Mahie Gill too looked elegant in the six-yard wonder at the event.

Malaika was in attendance to receive the award for the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment for "Dabangg", of which she is one of the three producers.

She was dressed in an embroidered sari, with minimal make-up. The bold and beautiful "Munni" girl, who is known for her glamourous dressing, added zing to her look with large, traditional earrings.

Singer Rekha, who received the best female playback singer award for "Badi dheere jali" from her husband, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj's movie "Ishqiya, looked earthy in a traditional red and gold sari.

She chose the ethnic look with a big, round, red bindi on her forehead, and accessorised her attire with bangles and earrings.

She enthralled the audience with her live performance as she sang her award-winning number as melodiously as she did in the film, which won a total of four National awards including best audiography, best audiography (re-recording), best music direction and best female playback singer.

"Dev D" actress Mahie Gill, who was recently seen in Ram Gopal Varma's "Not A Love Story", looked pretty and sophisticated in a blue sari with a border of paisleys. She matched it with a fuschia-coloured blouse, and grabbed due attention as the host of the prestigious event, along with actor-filmmaker Rajat Kapoor.

Actress Zarina Wahab was spotted in a mustard sari, while Deepti Naval looked elegant in black.

Vidya Balan - Woman on top!

Yet another real-life character gets modified in reel just for the actress

She may not have impressed the fashionistas too much with her personal style, but Vidya Balan has managed to wow the people who matter in her professional life.

How else can you explain B-Town's creative lot actually modifying real-life characters in reel to suit her image.

In Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala, Vidya is being wooed to essay the role of gangster Manya Surve's girlfriend.

While in reality the late don's moll is a widow and mother of two, her character in the movie will now not have any kids. Her widowhood status will also not be given any importance.

Explains Gupta, "We didn't want to stress too much on Surve's girl's past.

The fact that she was married at some point in her life before she met him is of no consequence to the story. We'll barely mention it in passing. And yes, Survey's girl will have no children in my film."

With the character suitably altered, one hopes that Vidya will finally agree to come on board to do her second biographical character in a row after playing Silk Smitha in Dirty Picture.

Incidentally, this role too was substantially altered for Vidya's sake.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Desperate times? Publicity Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega

B-Town's PR cell seems to be in overdrive. From getting stars to sell jalebis to encouraging threesomes, nothing seems sacrosanct in this business of film promotion

Films have never been this aggressively marketed in India.

After getting even the biggest Bollywood stars to market their upcoming movies on multiple TV shows and social networking sites like Twitter and Face Book, PR agencies are getting even more creative (read: bizarre) with their promotional activities.

Shahid Kapoor reportedly turned weather forecaster for a day to promote his forthcoming film Mausam.

Desperate publicity stunts seem to have become the latest trend to hit the Hindi film industry. We bring you a list of the silliest PR stunts in the recent past...

During the publicity of Bodyguard, Kareena felicitated the bodyguards of most Bollywood stars barring Shah Rukh Khan's.

Since Salman is in America getting medical attention, his real-life bodyguard Shera was used to promote the film.

He wore the same uniform Sallu had on in the movie and played Kareena Kapoor's bodyguard to the hilt at all events.

John Abraham and Genelia's accidental marriage on the sets of Force was a farce.

Amitabh Bachchan turned guest principal of colleges across the countries for Aarakshan.
Sanjay Dutt and Salman allegedly staged a fake war to promote Bigg Boss 5, which they are to co-anchor.

Mallika Sherawat made jalebis to promote the song Jalebi bai for Double Dhamaal.

Ekta Kapoor promoted naughty threesome parties during the promotions of Ragini MMS.

Ranbir Kapoor milked cows to promote Rockstar.

Tusshar Kapoor turned bootlegger and earned money from selling books on the streets for the promotion of Shor In The City.

During the release of Thank You, a story came out about lead stars Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol and Suniel Shetty renewing their marriage vows, which they later denied. Then, they married off two couples in front of the entire media.

The most memorable ones so far...

Yana Gupta went commando to get noticed was quite a desperate PR attempt.

Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan's ugly break-up was a publicity stunt to promote the brand that the couple was endorsing.

Aamir Khan's missing act during the promotion of 3 Idiots.

Rakhi Sawant did not marry the winner of the Rakhi Ka Swayamvar after so much hoopla.

Akshay Kumar had his fly open while walking the ramp to promote the brand he was endorsing.

The usual suspects...

- When publicist can't find out-of-the box stories, they rely on these standard stories to promote the film
- Link ups, break ups, catfights and stars bonding.
- Actresses refusing lip locks.
- Accidental leaks of sex scenes or songs.
- Spooky activities on the sets of horror films.
- Stars selling tickets to promote the films.
- Stars doing charities.
- Producers gifting their film's stars to show love and gratitude.
- Actor, directors and producers making religious trips just before the release.
- Six packs and size zero stories. How can we forget Shah Rukh Khan's six packs in Main Hoon Na and Kareena Kapoor's size zero figure in Tashan.
- Stars getting injured
while shooting daredevil stunts in their movies.
- Alphabetical alterations.

The king and queen of innovative PR

Aamir Khan tuning barber for Ghajini and introducing people with Ghajini hairdos at cinema halls overshadowed Shah Rukh Khan's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
Ekta Kapoor's publicity campaign of putting 'Ragini Idhar Bethi Thi' at the rear of auto rickshaw was brilliant. Though it was Aamir who first introduced the idea with 3 Idiots with his catchphrase: 3 Idiots were here.

Kajol shakes her booty

The actress pursues dance while on her second, much-extended maternity leave from the film industry

Though Kajol is still on a break from films after delivering her second child almost a year ago (her son Yug turns one on September 13), the actress has found a fun way of keeping herself fit and occupied.

She has been learning Western dance at her friend Bhavesh Gandhi's institute. What's more, she will soon match steps with the students.

Confirms Kajol, "I am just doing one special class."

The actress is slated to get jiggy with dance enthusiasts at the institute's branch in Bandra in the coming weeks.

There will be strut jazz, salsa, contemporary, fusion, rock-n-roll, Afro and Bollywood fusion, it's not sure which dance form she will perform with the students.

According to the institute's spokesperson, "Our students are looking forward to dancing with Kajol."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Salman's Bigg problem

Given the rigid format, speculation is rife about whether the ailing star will co-anchor the reality show with Sanjay Dutt now

Salman Khan's health issue has not only affected his film schedules, but has also become a cause of concern for the makers of Big Boss 5.

The actor, who hosted the last season successfully, is supposed to co-anchor the fifth edition of the reality show with Sanjay Dutt from next month. In fact, promos of the show have already started airing.

According to the show's format, Salman has to trek to the Big Boss house in Lonavala every week to shoot his part. Two episodes are shot back-to-back, which can prove quite taxing.

Bigg Boss lasts for over three months and as the episode goes on air the same night, there is no way any adjustments can be accommodated.

This has led to speculation that Dutt may have to host the show solo for several episodes. Says a source, "The channel decided to have two star hosts.

They are keen that both be present every week. The Dabangg star and Munnabhai have their own inimitable styles, so together they can double the fun element."

Adds the source, "But till the picture is clear, Salman shooting for it every week looks difficult. It will prove extremely hectic as he has to continuously keep on talking being the host."
However, channel sources say, "He has not yet reverted about any changes in the shooting schedule." The show is also slated to undergo several changes this year to make it even more appealing.

A pregnant contestant in Bigg Boss 5!

As usual, the channel is tightlipped about the names of the contestants but sources state that this season there will be a participant who is pregnant. The channel refuses to name her at this juncture.

Also NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU and KAMAL R KHAN (who is claiming he is in the show) are definitely not among the contestants.

The channel is keen that KARAN JOHAR be in the house at least for a day especially after Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh have been mustering support on their micro-blogging sites to pack KJo in the house.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Salman Khan helps Mugdha get her payments

Bollywood actress Mugdha Godse of Fashion popularity went through terrible, as the producers of Jail rejected to pay a part of her payment for the movie. Percept Picture Company due her Rs.6 lakh but it did not pay heed to her request to provide her the charge. It’s only when Salman Khan intervened that the company responded.

Sources says that hapless Mugdha was forced to contact Salman, as her repeated request to the film makers of Jail didn’t support. She met the actor at a celebrity cricket game and mentioned her complaint to him. Fortunately, Shailendra Singh, head of Percept Picture Company, was also present. Taking the chance, Salman apparently advised Shailendra that it is incorrect to hold the fees.To Mugdha’s nice surprise, the owed was given instantly.

The actress accepted that Salman assisted her in getting her owed. She discussed him as a actual hero and a good buddy.

Dabangg sequel to take off in January 2012

The leading hit of yr 2010 ‘Dabangg’ is coming up with it’s follow up and the shooting of the movie will begin from January 2012. Salman Khan is in a rush to begin the shooting but Arbaaz Khan who’s starting direction initially is in no hurry to begin the film, he desires to take numerous more time. A source near to the sequel exposed, “Arbaaz will begin the ‘Dabangg’ sequel in early 2012. Since he`s directing it, there are more duties on him than the last occasion, and he doesn`t desire to dash in unprepared.

The sequel has to match upto ‘Dabangg,’ and to make sure that, the director has to prep a lot.”The source also added, “‘Dabangg 2’ will be a continuation of the first. The movie will pick-up where it ended and Salman, Sonakshi, Sonu Sood will make an appearance in the part 2 as well. Other cast is being worked out. Arbaaz has got the initial draft and he will begin working on it. “

Arbaaz verified, “Yes, the sequel will begin early next season. Salman will be providing the essential schedules. It`s too early to discuss anything else.”

Prateik desires to bowl in Salman Khan’s team

Prateik Babbar, who played a soccer player in Dum Maaro Dum, is also a cricket lover. He’s eager to sign up in the next year of Celebrity Cricket League started by Sohail Khan. He’s now likely to meet Salman Khan shortly, to make sure a place for him in the Mumbai Heroes squad for the upcoming event. Our source more informed that Prateik is a very excellent pace bowler and was angry that he could not make it to the initial edition of CCL this season.

When approached, Prateik verified his programs of approaching Salman. “Not numerous understand that I was a quick bowler for my school side. I have played cricket in the inter-school events and also at the state stage,” recalled the actor, enthusing, “So I would love to play for Salman’s squad.” Considering that Mumbai Heroes, led by Sunil Shetty, could not make it to the finals this season, here is expecting Prateik’s speed bowling helps them the next occasion.