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| Dude looks out for his lady We love Salman Khan. Now, we love him more for making attempts to show girlfriend Katrina Kaif off to the rest of the world. That's showing the relationship the respect it deserves. We recently spotted Sallu being a darling around his ladylove on a night out on the town, and they sure look loved-up in the pictures. Notice how Sallu's looking on in adoration? And notice how we're looking on with pride? Our boy's finally grown up! *Sniff*
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Mandira's hug-a-thon Extraaa Innings' luscious host, Mandira Bedi, went on a hugging rampage at a party to celebrate the show's success. No one who came in her line of vision was spared a bear hug. Happily for her, we didn't hear anyone complaining! "I'm amused that a paper can get away with writing a story like that, without verifying facts and quoting "sources". One doesn't even know if those "sources" exist or not," he says. So all's well in Manish and Rani's paradise? Manish says, "Absolutely. In fact, we had a good laugh over the story this morning. Next week, I'm shooting a Nestle ad with her where I'm doing her clothes. I think the story was done to give the other guy some publicity."
Gajra re! The Bachchans are humility personified. But this one had us completely floored. Ordinarily, you find mostly cabbies and rickshawallahs decorating their vehicles with beads and flowers. But to see the Bachchans' posh BMW adorned with a gajra was the ultimate leveller. The family makes it a point to act just like the aam aadmi, and their savaari act supplements this notion. Oh, and as for that story about how the Big B went with beta to pick up Ash for the Guru music launch, here's the actual picture of the Bachchans' arrival. Funny how a certain tabloid manages to cook up facts with such alarming consistency, no?
Rain, rain go away On Sunday evening, Malaika Arora-Khan threw a lavish birthday party for her son, Arhaan. The celebrities who attended included Hrithik Roshan, Shrishti Arya and others. However, we heard that unseasonal showers dampened the spirits of the bachchas and their mommas that evening. Nevertheless, the highlight of the evening was Hrithik's son, Hrehan, who was the center of everyone's attention. Oh baby!
Abhi in Ramu's Sholay After butchering Basanti into Ghungroo (we're still reeling from the fact that Nisha Kothari is going to pay tribute to Hema Malini), Ram Gopal Varma has now roped in 'item boy' Abhishek Bachchan for the Mehbooba number. So while AB Sr aka Gabbar Singh, will look on in glee, his baby will groove with Urmila Matondkar, just like Jalal Agha did with Helen in the original. Last heard, the film's crew is location-hunting in Morocco for the perfect setting. When Ramu first announced his intentions of remaking the classic, we were very interested in seeing how he would interpret the film. Now, we think the maverick director is indulging in one too many gimmicks to get attention. Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay is either going to be a stroke of whacked-out genius or a gimmick-laden exercise in futility. For his sake, we hope it's not the latter. | |||||||||||||
RAZA'S BOLLYWOOD
Q What would Bobby Darling say when told that a lot of people wanted to be his special someone on Valentine's Day? A Kitney 'aadmi' thay? |
Ritesh Deshmukh is ready for Money
Apna Sapna Money Money
He came into the industry with a tag. Ever since his debut in 2003 with Tujhe Meri Kasam, people prefixed Ritesh Deshmukh's name with that of his father's, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
But now, after he's had big hits like Masti and Kya Kool Hai Hum, and won critical acclaim for his work in Bluffmaster and Naach, the actor has come into his own. And his career is rocking.
"I am happy I am employed all the time," the actor laughs it off. "I'm enjoying my job and have no dates till 2007, because I have half a dozen films in hand."
Watching him shoot in Mumbai for Sajid Khan's directorial debut, Hey Baby with Akshay Kumar and Fardeen Khan, it's easy to believe he has no time. He jumps onto the set for a quick take, and rushes back to resume the conversation.
"I am seeing good times in my career at the moment, and I don't think of the future," Ritesh explains. "I take life as it comes."
His latest film Apna Sapna Money Money releases on Friday but Ritesh isn't too nervous. "The anxiety is always there for me when my film releases, but I no longer get nervous. Earlier, I used to get a bit nervous and especially during my first film Tujhe Meri Kasam there was too much anxiety from my side."
Apna Sapna Money Money reunites Ritesh with Kya Kool... director Sangeeth Sivan. "Every film has it's own merit. We have worked hard on it. We don't know how audience will take it," Ritesh shrugs. "They may like it or they may not. I can only hope for the best."
In this film, he plays a conman and a master-of-disguise. So just how important is money to the young star? "It is a very important means to buy goods in life, but I think money can never buy love," Ritesh rattles off without a pause. "I must add that every person has a different take on money and I am sure you must be having your own take too."
And what about the theory that money is the root cause of all problems? "Again, this depends from person to person. How do they take it? How do they react when they get too much money in their pockets? This all depends on individuals."
Has the Malamaal Weekly actor ever fallen short of money? "Yes," Ritesh reveals. "I always knew the depth of my pocket. If I had Rs 10 in my pocket, I always knew I had to buy a Vada Pav, and I couldn't go and spend in excess in some expensive hotel."
Ritesh calls Priyadarshan's film his biggest challenge, since he had to be comic in front of great actors like Paresh Rawal and Om Puri. "Malaamal was an experimental film. It became a big hit and we all felt very happy about our work. It was a great learning experience and I was more than happy when the film clicked at the box office," says Ritiesh.
Ritesh might have tried serious roles in films like Naach, but his box office success is largely due to comedies. Is he the next Govinda? "I think it is a huge compliment if you compare me with Govinda, but I can never be compared to Govinda," Ritesh gushes, in awe of the actor. "There will always be only one Govinda and that is Govinda, the Hero No 1. He is far too talented and no one can be compared to him."
Is Ritesh as funny in real life as he is on screen? "It depends on my company. If I have serious company, I am serious. I react according to situations in real life."
"But then if someone is talking philosophy, then I shut up" he grins. "It isn't my cup of tea, so I better be quiet."
Shah Rukh rules in Chanderpaul country
More than Hollywood, Bollywood has left an indelible imprint on Guyana with films starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji hot favourites in this South American nation, whose cricketers Shivnaraine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are the toast of the cricketing world.
Songs from Hindi movies seem to be more popular here and the cab driver carrying Indians flaunts a CD of Bollywood hits with a sense of pride. There are half a dozen cinema halls in Georgetown, Guyana's capital town, and there are occasions when most of them screen Hindi films. About 44 per cent of the 3.27 lakh (300,000) population are ethnic Indians. Films like Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna are big crowd pullers. The younger generation like to see films starring Preity Zinta and Kajol while older movie buffs enjoy films with Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. Mithun Chakraborty used to be quite popular in Guyana once, locals recall. While Hindi is taught at a local college, Hindu festivals like Phagwa (as Holi is known in these parts) and Diwali are celebrated with gaiety. Many Hindus recite the Gayatri Mantra and institutions like the Guyana Hindu Dharmik Sabha and Arya Samaj are found in this distant South American country. Like Hindi cinema, Indian music too has caught the fancy of the local people. Chutney music is gradually becoming very popular in Guyana whose population comprises 43.5 per cent Indian, 30 per cent African, nine per cent Amerindian, and the rest of European, Chinese and Mixed origin. Chutney is an up-tempo, rhythmic song, accompanied by the dholak, harmonium and dhantal. Originally, Chutney songs had references to deities and were deemed offensive by religious leaders. Some of the new Chutney compositions contain calypso and soca rhythms. There is also accompaniment (especially in the growing number of Chutney competitions) by bands which include Indian, Western and African instruments. The exotic sounds of Chutney music blare from taxis, dance clubs and on the streets. Formerly British Guiana, Guyana is located on the northeastern shores of South America. English is spoken by most inhabitants. Its Amerindian name means Land of Many Waters and the country is laced with countless creeks and rivers. As if all this tropical beauty is not enough, diamonds and gold are deposited in the hillsides and the bottom of rivers.Georgetown has charming 19th century homes and tree-lined boulevards along the canals built during the days when the Dutch ruled the country.
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