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

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.”

Court Claim Against Dum Maaro Dum Song

A claim has been registered in a court in Rajasthan to protect against Deepika Padukone and producers of Dum Maaro Dum for an claimed indecent and obscene item song in movie.The director Rohan Sippy, producer Ramesh Sippy and music director Pritam Chakraborty have been named in the claim.

The complainant, Mukesh Kumar, a person of Pal Road region in Jodhpur, contacted a city magistrate’s court and registered the claim to protect against a track in the movie Wednesday. Kumar has claimed that his feelings were damage in the song.”The court is to document my sentence June 6,” mentioned Kumar.

Dum Maaro Dum is a offense thriller movie featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Rana Daggubati, Bipasha and Prateik Babbar. Deepika has performed an item song in the flick. The movie was launched April 11.

I don't want to date anyone from Bollywood: Udita

Model-turned-actress is penning a script for veteran actor Naseerudin Shah

Udita Goswani has just completed a film script. The model-turned-actress steps into her new role as writer with a romantic yet mature love story.

And the only actor, she had on her mind while writing her project is Naseeruddin Shah.

"I have written my scenes keeping him in mind and no one else. He's perfect! I just hope he says yes when I'm done with the script, " said Udita. "I will approach him with the final draft. Then I can narrate each and every scene to him."

Udita had been toying with the idea of writing for a long time. "I started writing, then got confused and stopped.

But I am finally completing the script now. Although the story is ready, I am working on the screenplay. I have realised that every scene in the film can't be from a woman's point of view."

Speak in Hindi, Saif and Prateik

Unhappy with their dialogue delivery during shooting, Prakash Jha has asked the two actors to take voice-rehearsals before dubbing begins

While you can understand why John Abraham would require 'dialogue-orientation classes' (he took the classes with Anurag Kashyap for his role in Deepa Mehta's Water) and agree with Katrina Kaif taking 'voice lessons' (for her public speech scene in Raajneeti), do you think Saif Ali Khan and Prateik Babbar would require a similar session?

Surely, Khan would have convinced anyone of his dialogue-delivery with his performance as a thug in Omkara and Babbar is after all the son of legendary actress Smita Patil. However, all this doesn't pass muster with Prakash Jha.

With the shooting of Aarakshan complete, director Jha has asked both Khan and Babbar to take some time off for 'voice rehearsals' before dubbing begins. After hearing them deliver their lines during the shoot, Jha felt both actors needed to work on their diction and accent.

No Dabangg 2 but search on for an item as hot as Munni

Arbaaz Khan concedes that he may produce another film before he takes up the Dabangg sequel

Arbaaz Khan does not want to take any chances when it comes to giving the best for his superhit film Dabangg's sequel. His brother Salmaan Khan is busy with other commitments and he does not want to rush things.

"Salman Khan is a big star. He has several films lined up before he gets ready for Dabangg 2. He has to finish Atul (Agnihotri)'s Bodyguard.

Then he has to start two films later this year, one for Yashraj and the other for brother Sohail. This is the first time Salman is working with Yashraj.

And we're all very excited about it."

Arbaaz reluctantly admitted that he might produce another film in the meantime. "If I come across something exciting, or a script that feels right, I'll

Neither Ashmit nor I believe in marriage: Veena Malik

Contrary to the reports from Pakistan, Veena Malik has not been injured in a road accident

In an accident involving the Pakistani actress Veena Malik while she was travelling from Islamabad to Lahore, the actress has declared herself to be unhurt, opposing the claims of the Pakistani media.

According to Pakistani media reports, Veena was recovering in a hospital.

"Not true, " said Malik, "Miraculously, I didn't get a single scratch. Although the vehicle is completely mangled we managed to escape unhurt. I think there is a guardian-angel watching over me."

The incident, however, has resulted in one good aftermath.

Her boyfriend, Bollywood actor Ashmit Patel and she are together again. Ashmit has been on the phone constantly inquiring about Veena's well being, specially since the reports in the Pakistan press were fairly alarming.

No wedding bells

Prodded about marriage, Veena chuckled, "Neither Ashmit nor I believe in the institution of marriage. The day marriage makes sense to us, we will take the plunge."

Veena returns to Mumbai in two weeks. "I've accepted three movie projects and will talk about them when I return to India."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Salman comes to foe Subhash Ghai's rescue

After Yuvraaj's failure, Ghai and Salman Khan's relationship went for a nose dive, but recently Khan agreed to do Ghai's next film

While everyone knows that the once sought after director Subhash Ghai has fallen on bad times (his last hit was Taal, way back in 1999), look who's coming to his rescue?

Salman Khan who had once infamously, got into fisticuffs with the director in a toilet, and whom one would assume would stay away after the colossal flop that Yuvraaj turned out to be, is going to do a film with Ghai in the coming months. The film will reportedly be a lavish musical set in contemporary times, and work will commence by the year end.

The director had forgiven Khan for their loo spat before taking him on for Yuvraaj. But the film bombed, and the relationship between the two nose dived. However, last Monday, Ghai dropped in at Khan's makeshift pad in Film City.

According to an eyewitness, "Salman met Ghai with a lot of warmth. Neither of them brought up Yuvraaj. What was meant to be a brief hello, turned into a lengthy discussion about Ghai's next project. Salman loved the idea and immediately agreed to do the film."

According to the source, Khan even told the grateful director, "Anytime for you." When contacted, Ghai did not deny meeting Khan for a new film. "We may be doing a project together, " he said, adding, "To this date Salman and I are very close." Can Khan, who is riding on his Dabangg success, pull Ghai out from misfortune?

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ranbir's ex Angela would love to do an item number

Born in Chennai to an Icelandic father and Mangalorean mother, 21-year-old model Angela Jonsson maintains that being half-Indian is no disadvantage in making it big in the Bollywood film industry any more.

"I don't think being a half-Indian impedes entry into Bollywood any more. In fact, I would like to believe that I have been blessed with the best of both worlds, " Angela told over phone from Mumbai.

There was a time when half-Indians and foreigners were offered only typical roles, but the scenario has changed ever since experimental scripts have come into play, said the model, more in the news for her link-up with actor Ranbir Kapoor.

"Also, the industry has become open and encouraging to newcomers. Films with newcomers seem to be getting a good response at the box office. So I am hoping for the best for myself too, " she added.

'I got clicked more than Mallika Sherawat at Cannes'

Fagun Thakrar claims that she managed to grab more eyeballs than Mallika Sherawat in her maiden trip to Cannes.

The UK- based actress danced her way at the opening ceremony of the screening of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Shekhar Kapoor's Bollywood documentary, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

Fagun features with Kal Penn and Martin Sheen in Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain. She claims, "I got clicked more than Mallika Sherawat!" Over to Madam M.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Will Karan Johar take RGV's punch lying down?

Varma has slyly got his friend to name Amitabh Bachchan's character in a new film, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. This at a time, when Johar is remaking Agneepath

AND the Karan Johar-Ram Gopal Varma saga continues. After a bit of a lull, Varma has thrown in a big right hook.

As Johar readies to remake Agneepath with Hrithik Roshan, Varma has not only got his dear friend Puri Jagannath to cast Amitabh Bachchan in Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap, he has also gotten his friend to name Bachchan's character in the film, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan.

As one might remember Bachchan played Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in the original Agneepath. This is Telugu director Jagannath's first film in Hindi and Varma introduced him to Bachchan.

According to a source, when it came to giving a name to Bachchan's character in Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap, Varma suggested Vijay Dinanath Chauhan.

"His name in the film is no coincidence. Everyone knows Ramu loves to provoke Karan. Karan is remaking Agneepath with Hrithik, and by naming Amitabh Chauhan, Ramu wants to draw attention to the real Vijay Dinanath Chauhan."

Varma and Johar have had many showdowns in the past. Varma once claimed Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna was the scariest film he had ever seen.

Johar, later, took a potshot at Varma, after Phoonk 2 bombed, tweeting, "I have not seen Phoonk or Phoonk 2. I am sure Phoonk 3 will not be made." Varma then retorted on Twitter, "I've completed scripting Phoonk 3 and I'm planning to approach Johar to act opposite the crow."
However, when asked about his role in naming Bachchan's character, Varma feigned ignorance. "I am not guilty of this, " was his reply. Now we are waiting for Johar's retaliation.

Ramu can fight, sala

Varma once claimed Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna was the scariest film he had ever seen. Johar took a potshot at Varma, after Phoonk 2 bombed, tweeting, "I have not seen Phoonk or Phoonk 2. I am sure Phoonk 3 will not be made." Varma then retorted on Twitter, "I've completed scripting Phoonk 3 and I'm planning to approach Johar to act opposite the crow."

Later, Johar tweeted, "Early morning dreams come true? I dreamt I was watching Phoonk 2 and holding RGV's hand in fear. Is this possible?" Varma, however, was quick with his reply. "Well, I don't know about Phoonk 2, but I'm scared of the Karan Johar hand-holding part."

Mallika Sherawat meets Obama once again

Mallika Sherawat once again met Barack Obama at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' dinner.

The starlet wore a white gown designed by Shahab Durazi on the occasion.

Madame M had also met the US President last month during his campaign visit in Hollywood. She is said to have spoken about her film Politics of Love, Barack.

Obama had told her invite him to the film's premiere! This time, however, the pics have her at a distance from the President.

If UK royal wedding was planned by Indian filmmaker...

A Hitlist reader sent us this stating that if the recent wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton had been planned by Indian filmmakers, it would be as follows...

The Yash Chopra version: The royal couple romancing in the Swiss Alps. Cut to Mr Middleton saying Jaa puttar jaa.. jee le apni zindagi!!"

The Karan Johar version: Prince William steps out of a chopper and sprints towards Buckingham Palace! All of London (dressed in Manish Malhotra's saris) dances to Shava Shava!

The Bhansali version: Lavish sets, tacky wigs, heavily orchestrated songs and the colours black and blue!

The SOORAJ BARJATYA version: Queen Elizabeth plays the harmonium while Prince Harry breaks into a gig to Joote Do Paise Lo.

The Ram Gopal Verma version: William kills Harry by chopping off his neck with a butcher's knife, for having a secretive affair with Kate and then does an item number with Priyanka Kothari and Urmila Matondkar!

The Ekta Kapoor version: William and Kate go for their honeymoon, but in their room looms the spirit of Diana! They didn't know it... but it was a threesome!

Salman breaks kissing record, gets kissed 108 times!

Salman Khan attempted to break a record for most kisses received on the hand in a minute on Guiness World Records -- Ab India Todega.

The previous record for the stunt was set by an actor from Japan who received 87 kisses.

To break this record, Sallu was joined by 25 young girls who were thrilled to have the opportunity to kiss the superstar. They managed to kiss him 108 times in a minute, breaking the Guinness world record!

Maybe Salman should now star in the male version of Katrina's famous song -- Zara Zara Kiss Me Kiss Me. Wot say?