| The Sameera-NTR connection A reader from the South wrote to us to say, "I enjoyed reading Sameera's Mediterranean sojourn, in hitList.
But I am surprised to see there is no mention of name of the film that she was shooting for. She went there for picturisation of Songs for Ashok, her second teaming up with NTR.
She actually left Mumbai prior to her birthday (Dec 14, 2005) or that is what I heard.
She made all the hoopla hitList story on her friendship with NTR but she has signed on his second film and there are also rumours that NTR gifted her some Lexus on her birthday." True or false, Sam?
Jaya: Kabhie neem neem… Amitabh may have sold Colas, suits and washing powders. Bachchan bachchua Abhishek has peddled cars and watches but nothing touched like us his mommy's series of short public service StarCare films for Neem trees.
We especially like the one where she is surrounded by little kids. In the clip, Jaya urges people to grow Neem trees.
Target? Dus karod. So while the two Bachchan men concentrate on making that amount, we want to go out and spread that we want to go out and spread JB's message. And hey… plant a few plants ourselves. Bhavana's marathon for animals Telly actress Bhavana Balsaver will be running the Mumbai Marathon on January 15 for the cause of animal welfare.
Even though there was no animal NGO listed in aid of whom celebs run the marathon, Bhavana offered to have In Defence of Animals (IDA) enlisted for whose cause she is running.
Bhavana has been associated with IDA since a year. She has been an active participant in the sterilisation drives, first aid, shelter to homeless street dogs around Mumbai. Lara plays it cool We saw Lara Dutta (streaked mane and all) sporting a yellow tee with SLURP air-brushed in black over it, and a print of a can of 'Miss Sixty' pineapple juice just below.
Even her lipstick is colour-coordinated with the color on the said can. Some stars chill in Goa, others make do with tees.
The things our stars do to keep cool… even though the mercury's steadily falling. Anuj sponsors Filmfare awards Telly actor Anuj Saxena (Karan of Kumkum, Abhay of Kkusum) is on a new high of late. His family business, Elder Pharma, is sponsoring the 51st Filmfare Awards 2006 slated to be held next month. It is learnt that the tie-up is for three years.
So now don't be surprised if you see Anuj giving away an award to Shah Rukh Khan! This brush with Bollywood comes before Anuj's production house, Maverick, makes a foray into film production.
At the moment they are into commercials and television — Maverick's show Khiladi No 1 is on air on Zee Smile. Anuj, who will also be seen in Sony's new show Rishton Ki Dorr opposite model-actress Anupama Varma, obviously has lots ahead in 2006.
Raza's Bollywood
Q. What would Rani Mukerji's friends from Punjab and Haryana ask her? A. Aati Kya Ambala? | 
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