| Abhi: Life ho toh 'Ash'i We hear JP Dutta has put the curtains down on an extensive shooting schedule at Jaipur for his epic-film Umrao Jaan. Only a little patchwork is pending, which will be completed next month. The impressive cast includes Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Sunil Shetty.
When we asked Abhishek how he was enjoying shooting for his first period drama, he said: "It's very easy. All I have been doing is sitting on gadelas and watching Aishwarya dance." Vaah! life ho toh aisi.
On second thoughts, Junior B is getting spoiled with too many beauties around (Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra and now Ash). Mama Bachchan, time to pull up naughty Abhi's ears! Sushmita promotes Chingari Finally… Sushmita Sen obliged a stressed-out Kalpana Lajmi by gracing a media gathering to promote a delayed Chingari. What it looked like from her animated moves is that she has heaped her anger over co-star Anuj Sawhney's endless bragging about the lip-lock scenes in the film.
She branded Sawhney as an immature yet enthusiastic juvenile when quizzed about the so-called controversy generated for publicity. "Chingari delves deep into a prostitute's life and such publicity gimmicks pours water over our dignified presentation in the film," says Sen.
The highlights of the evening: Madame Sen complained about disorganised work culture rampant in Bollywood after having worked in Karma confessions and Holi; director Kalpana Lajmi had the last laugh as her USP (read Sushmita Sen) is at work. Urmila: Anything for Locco Another goofy tale is out of the bag! Urmila Matondkar has unfortunately lost her cell-phone for the second time and the only number she has been trying to hunt down since then is her pooch Locco's veterinarian's number.
We hear that she has not been bothered about losing a big producer's number who is on the verge of signing the damsel for a big budget film.
Earlier, the doting lady had confessed that her life boils down to the only man in her life (read Locco) and nowadays, the only thing that plays in her mind is a noted vet's contact number. And yes, our lady did manage to recover the number. Let's hope she doesn't lose it again. Lanky Oberoi Of late, Viveik Oberoi has lost an excess eight kgs in an attempt to do justice to his character in Vishal Bharadwaj's Omkara (an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello).
Presently, in Khandala, the actor has taken along his weight trainer to retain his lean look throughout the schedule. Interestingly, Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali have been training under the same physical instructor.
Says a member of the crew, "The leading men take turns every day to do their exercise and physical training. Ajay, Viveik and Saif are having a ball of time here." Speaking out Pooja-style This Bhatt gal has been down with a throat infection for a week now.
But there's no stopping her overflowing speech bubbles even though she has been squeaking. We hear that hubby Manish Makhija and friends have already made futile attempts to make the lady rest her vocal chords.
Following chirpy papa, Mahesh Bhatt's footsteps, Pooja simply refuses to listen. A little birdie informs, "It's like a crazy frog that's stuck in her throat. She has been literally croaking." Pooja, you surely need some medical advice. Azmi can't stop gushing The World Economic Forum will honour Shabana Azmi and American actor Michael Douglas with the prestigious Crystal Award in Davos, Switzerland, on January 28. The citation reads, "An award to artists who have achieved outstanding excellence in the field of culture and have used their art to reach out to other cultures."
Previous recipients have been Paulo Coelho, Peter Gabriel, Richard Gere, Nikita Mikhalkov. Azmi says, "I am deeply honoured. It is a recognition that extends beyond me personally. I have always admired Michael Douglas and to be included in a list of previous recipients like Paulo Coelho, whose book The Alchemist has been read by the entire world, the celebrated Peter Gabriel and my favorite Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, is an honour." Raza's Bollywood
Q. What would a Roadside Romeo sing if he's slapped by Shefali Zariwala? A. 'Chaanta Lagaa'. | 
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