"Apoorva wanted me to be strong and think strong to act strong"- Vivek Oberoi

What happens when you stop a Bollywood star who is just about to board an international flight? He'd say 'Sorry, not now'. But if the man in the picture is Vivek Oberoi, what then? I'm sure he'd remind you of Maya in Shootout at Lokhandwala and you'd rather not mess with him. Here, the story took a bit of a turn. Nicknamed 'Tiger' and 'Rockstar' by his friends and colleagues, Vivek Oberoi is on a high these days because his director thinks Mission Istaanbul is his best work till date. Devansh Patel grabs the actor moments before he boards his flight to find out his comment on the quote, his bad and good guy image, his mission and lots more interesting answers to some hard hitting questions.

So, Maya is back after Shootout… to complete his Mission... What say Vivek?
(Laughs out loud) I like the way you put that. Very creatively done. Have you ever thought of dialogue writing? Actually, I am really excited. 'Maya' was a big bad boy who ended the Shootout. Here the good guy is going to complete his Mission. Rizwan Khan (Vivek's character in Mission Istaanbul) lost his own family, his wife, and his child to a bomb blast in Ankara. So, he takes an oath that he will try and protect as many innocent lives he can from the dreaded terrorists. That's his mission, he is the hero and the good guy. But having said that, his attitude is a real bad one and that's what I love about him.

I am really excited. 'Maya' was a big bad boy who ended the Shootout. Here the good guy is going to complete his Mission.

Gabbar Singh's famous dialogue 'Jo Darr Gaya, Samjho Mar Gaya' has been transformed by Apoorva Lakhia, which reads 'Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai'. So who's right?
Gabbar Singh was a legend and the dialogue is part of history. You don't mess with legends. But as far as 'Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai' is concerned, it rocks for us. Rizwan Khan (Vivek Oberoi) forgot to get introduced to fear. He is that kind of guy (laughs). There is a situation where Vikas Sagar (Zayed Khan's character), tells Rizwan Khan which is my character, "Wahan pe bees armed security guards hain yaar, andar kaise jaayenge?” to which Rizwan smiles casually and says, "Pahuncha doonga.” And the next moment, they both are in. He breaks through everything and lands up killing the bad guys in the terrorist network. He is in the cold zone where 40 people are staring at him from their work desks and are shocked to see how this guy came there. Rizwan then comes in and casually looks at all of them, loads his automatic weapon and questions, "Bahar jaaoge ya upar?"

Chiseled looks, bulging biceps and long hair is what we haven't seen much of from Mr. Oberoi. What went into creating such a look?
Rizwan Khan is such a cool guy that in terms of the clothing, styling and everything was an extension of his personality. When I read the character itself, it was so cool. I mean, he is the kind of guy who'll land up anywhere, anytime. That is precisely what Vikas Sagar tells him, "Rizwan Khan tum toh bhoot ho yaar, kahin se bhi aa jaate ho aur kahin se bhi nikal jaate ho." Anything that is impossible, he'll make it possible with a wink of an eye. One wanted someone who could physically also look like that. Rizwan Khan had to have this demeanor that we had never seen before. Dilshad who is my hair stylist, did my hair, and Falguni Thakore did the clothes and designed the entire look. On the other hand, Apoorva was working with both of them in tandem to create the entire image of Rizwan.

What went into your exercise regime? Did you have to build your six-pack and then shoot the film?
The first thing that Apoorva narrated to me was a scene where Vikas Sagar is running through the grand bazaar with six guys after him to kill him. And just as you think that he is going to get killed any minute, in the nick of time, a guy comes from nowhere, grabs him and pins him up against the wall and takes care of the six baddies in thirty two seconds single handedly. Rizwan is that strong. Apoorva wanted me to be strong and think strong to act strong. Therefore, there was little more that went into my training, even though we actors have to stay fit. Here I had to stay extra fitter.

Apoorva wanted me to be strong and think strong to act strong.

When I spoke to Apoorva last week, he said that he had Abhishek Bachchan in mind before he signed you for the role of Rizwan. Do you consider yourself lucky?
You know, it's been strange. I think many people don't know this but my first two films - Company and Saathiya both had Abhishek Bachchan in the lead. I got a break because Abhishek didn't do Company and then I got Saathiya for the same reason. Even in Apoorva's previous film Shootout at Lokhandwala, he had considered Abhishek to do a full fledged role but only managed a special appearance. So all this is rather quite interesting. People remember that Saif Ali Khan did Hum Tum after I said no. I couldn't do that film. I think it's destiny for all of us. Someone's loss is another's gain.

My first two films - Company and Saathiya both had Abhishek Bachchan in the lead. I got a break because Abhishek didn't do Company and then I got Saathiya for the same reason

We have seen you at your best in Company and Shootout. In between, you have a bit of Masti as well. But then again you are on a Mission. Should we change your name to Versatile Oberoi?
Thank you so much. It's a very nice compliment. It actually goes with my initials too (laughs). Many critics tell me that I should stick to roles like in the two films you mentioned. Critics will always be critics but the point to remember for me everyday is that I'm a greedy actor and I like to do every kind of role whether it's action or comedy. Recently, at the IIFA Awards in Bangkok, I had twenty pretty girls apprehend me. They grab hold of me and told me that we are going to threaten the action hero. The point they conveyed to me was that if I didn't do another love story for them, I'd be in big trouble. They said, "We supported you through Shootout, we are supporting you through Mission Istaanbul and are going to see it but it's time you do a love story.” So yeah, I am doing different stuff now. I am excited. I'm doing a big film in South Africa with Tips and that's a huge solo hero film for me. After that, I'm doing Karan Johar's film with Rensil De Silva directing and writing it which also stars Saif and Kareena in it. And there is this love story which I am doing and is being developed in the first quarter of next year. It's a very sweet, Saathiya kind of feel.

You will remember this interview as it's your last before you check in the immigration to go to South Africa. So who and where is the leading lady of the film?
Ahh! That's a big surprise.

This is your first film where you've performed some daring stunts all by yourself. Were you willing to take such a risk?
That's actually untrue. I've been performing stunts from my very first movie. Infact, I earned the nickname 'Tiger' because on my very first schedule in Kenya for the film Company, I was challenged to leap across from a six-storey building to a five-storey one. I went across the entire length of the road and landed on the other side. In Mission Istaanbul, too we are coming down from a 44-floor building. That was mad and insane but had to do it.

Does Mika's 'Apun Ke Saath' start from where 'Ganpat' ends?
Absolutely. It was always meant to be a follow up to 'Ganpat'. 'Ganpat' was such a rage and such a big sensation that we wanted to take it to the next level and promote Mission Istaanbul. 'Apun Ke Saath' shows the attitude of Rizwan Khan.

I have to be a bit biased here Vivek. But what do you have to say about the young Gujarati boy Chirantan Bhatt who is just 21 years old and has given chartbuster hits like 'Mission Mission' and 'Nobody Like You'?
Oh, my God dude, I didn't even know that Chiru's name is Chirantan Bhatt. We call him Chiru. But I'm really happy for Chiru and Hamza who have worked with him in both these songs. They have done a great job and very happy with not only the two songs you've mentioned but the entire album. I think, by far my favourite is 'Apun Ke Saath'. The kind of dynamics, lyrics and cool quality that Mika has come up with after 'Ganpat' and the kind of response it got at the IIFA Bangkok is truly unbelievable. Everywhere I go now people associate me with this song.

The kind of dynamics, lyrics and cool quality that Mika has come up with after 'Ganpat' is truly unbelievable.

One of the most clichéd questions for you Vivek. How was the experience of working with Zayed Khan?
It was great man! All these guys were cool. They were fun to work with and we worked pretty hard, partied pretty hard too. All in all a great experience.

That's a short answer.
Well, that doesn't make it clichéd, does it? (Laughs)

Mission Istaanbul is a film, which will have its own target audience. Do you think the film will work in the overseas?
One never thought that Shootout would do very well in the overseas audience. But it did. In the Middle East, it did terrific business. The audiences mindsets are changing. They are accepting change. There are liking different kind of cinema. So we're hoping. Overseas has a big audience and are important for the success of our films. If Mission works in the overseas, we all will be very happy.

Any plans of having a premiere in Istaanbul.
Yeah. Apoorva always wanted that. I don't know how much of that is going to be possible. At the end of the day, one wants to have a big premiere in Mumbai and then fly off to Istanbul the very next moment. It's not as easy as it looks. If it happens, it will be exciting and awesome. But that really isn't my call. It's between Apoorva, Suniel Shetty and Balaji.

Besides filming, what were you up to in Istanbul?
We had a blast man. I mean, I am a complete party animal. When I get days off, I love to club all the way through the morning. One of the other nicknames that I've earned from college days is 'Rockstar'. That's not because I'm musically inclined in anyway. I can't play any musical instruments. If I party, I've got a golden rule. I don't come back before seeing the morning sun. You party all night, see the sun, and then go home.

If I party, I've got a golden rule. I don't come back before seeing the morning sun.

Aren't we going to see any romantic side of you in Mission Istaanbul?
No man, not this time. You'll just have to wait a year more.

I know you have to check in now. But before I say Bon Voyage, one last question. Your director says that Mission Istaanbul is going to be your best performance till date. What are the odds?
I am really excited about that statement. It's a really big statement to make. But I don't know. I've given my best, worked an entire year, I've not done anything else and focused only on Mission Istaanbul. I hope what Apoorva says is true. He keeps telling me that. I haven't even seen the film yet but I have faith and belief in Apoorva.

Any message for your fans before you board your flight to South Africa.
A big Thank You straight from my heart. When I was not doing well in films, the one thing that kept me going was the belief in my fans and the support, which they have shown for me. Every little 'I love you Vivek' which comes out from them makes you feel so special. My fans aren't just statistics for me, they are the reason for who I am today and where I am.

Down to 15 % bodyfat, Koena gets into exceptional shape for her boy-bashing flick

Irony can go no further. While producers in India dub Koena Mitra's voice, for her international project Karna, she's been asked to cultivate a British accent to speak in her own voice.

For Karna, Koena is also cultivating a fat-free athletic physique; the kind she says is not fashionable in Bollywood. "With the help of my trainer Channel Pereira, I've lost so much weight. I'm down to 15 percent body fat. The rest is all muscles. This is all for my kick-ass boy-bashing role in Karna. Unfortunately, Bollywood goes ga-ga over thin not fit bodies."

She has to train especially hard since she will be the only woman in this all-male actioner. "In Bollywood, they think if a leading lady can do one free-falling kick she's achieved the unthinkable. In Karna, I've to do the kind of action which only male actors have been seen doing in the movies."

Not only that, Koena has to acquire another skill for Karna. "I've to get a British accent, and fast. Yes they've asked me to speak in my own voice and in British accent because the movie will be in sync sound. I've to learn four different types of British dialects."

The film will be shot in six countries. But mainly in Hong Kong and China. Koena thinks Bollywood isn't ready for boy-bashing chick flicks. "I recently shot three promos for the film. When I saw myself fighting aliens I got really excited. Our country isn't ready for a real chick flick like Charlie's Angels and Lara Croft. I think I'll be the first Indian actress to go out there and kick ass. And I don't have to become a Size 0 to look sexy," she chuckles.

Deepika: Crazy Kiya Re

Just one hit to her credit and Deepika Padukone is already creating waves in the film circuit. Be it with Ranbir Kapoor or without him, the actress has already become the cynosure of all eyes.

Deepika Padukone unveiled the first look of her forthoming venture Chandni Chowk To China at a suburban multiplex. The film seems promising and will feature Deepika in different avtaars all through the film.

Not only fans thronged to just have a look at the actress but also there was pandemonium when the photographers went to click pictures of her. Security guards behaved very unruly and created ruckus.

A frightened Deepika took shelter in the theatre halls and refused to come out after watching all these. The makers had to finally cajole the actress and bring her to face the shutterbugs once again.

Chandni Chowk to China is a R S Entertainment and Warner Bros film. It is being produced by Rohan Sippy and directed by Nikhil Advani.

The film stars Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Mithun Chakraborty, Ranvir Shorey and Masumeh Makhija. But looking at the Deepika craze among the audience, the makers must have been thinking about depending on Deepika only for striking the hit string.

I don't have to be Size 0 to look sexy

Irony can go no further.

While producers in India dub Koena Mitra's voice, for her international project Karna she's been asked to cultivate a British accent to speak in her own voice.

For Karna Koena is also cultivating a fat-free athletic physique, the kind she says is not fashionable in Bollywood.

"With the help of my trainer Channel Pereira I've lost lost so much weight. I'm down to 15 percent body fat. The rest is all muscles. This is all for my kick-ass boy-bashing role in Karna. Unfortunately Bollywood goes ga-ga over thin not fit bodies."

She has to train specially hard since she will be the only woman in this all-male actioner. "In Bollywood they think if a leading lady can do one free-falling kick she's achieved the unthinkable. In Karna I've to do the kind of action only male actors have been seen doing in the movies."

Not only that, Koena has to acquire another skill for Karna. "I've to get a British accent, and fast. Yes they've asked me to speak in my own voice and in British accent because the movie will be in sync sound. I've to learn four different types of British dialects."

The film will be shot in six countries. But mainly in Hong Kong and China.

Koena thinks Bollywood isn't ready for boy-bashing chick flicks.

"I recently shot three promos for the film. When I saw myself fighting aliens I got really excited. Our country isn't ready for a real chick flick like Charlie's Angels and Lara Croft

. I think I'll be the first Indian actress to go out there and kick ass. And I don't have to become a Size 0 to look sexy, " she chuckles. I don't have to be Size 0 to look sexy.

Kareena and Shahid in cold war

Lover, friends and now foes. Shahid and Kareena have entered into a cold war. After dumping him almost a year a go Bebo is making sure that Shahid is never cast opposite her.

When Imtiaz Ali, director of Jab we Met, approched Bebo for another project with former beau Shahid she expressed her discomfort quite clearly and asked him to replace him with someone else. Finally Akki was offered the role and he happily accepted.

We also hear that Bebo was extremely upset with Imtiaz, because he did not cast her in his next flick and preferred Deepika to co-star with Saif.

Imtiaz, who is back from London after a long schedule of Saif's movie says, "I guess everyone assumed that Kareena would be part of it. Moreover as Saif is the producer, it was just taken for granted.

As a director I have to see what the storyboard demands and accordingly do the casting. It's not that there was any tussle on that front; the fact that we are working together again proves it."

However after a much-publicised break-up Shahid has drwan into a shell.

A gentle query about his one-time friend Kareena Kapoor, and Shahid sounds diplomatic and cagey, “Kareena and I rarely talk. We are not in touch with each other. I guess this is something, which happens naturally. Beyond that I would not like to talk about it."

Asin comes in Sallu's London Dreams

Tamil actress Asin will play the female lead opposite Bollywood icon Salman Khan in 'London Dreams', publicists said here Friday.

The venture will be directed by Vipul Shah, publicists added.

Asin has acted as the female lead opposite Aamir Khan in 'Ghajini', the remake of a Tamil film of the same name.

The actress is also tipped to play a major role in a Hollywood film, sources close to the actress added.

Ramu gave me a wound that can never be healed: Manoj Bajpai

Manoj Bajpai got recognition in filmdom with Ram Gopal Varma's 'Satya', but says he will never go back to his mentor.

'You will never see me doing a film with him (Varma) again. The wound that he has given can never be healed, ' Manoj told.

Varma gave Manoj a role in 'Satya' after watching him in Shekhar Kapur's 'Bandit Queen'. But the two never got along well. Manoj alleged that Varma always humiliated him during the making of 'Satya'.

The final break came when Varma was casting for 'Ramu Ki Aag' and met Manoj for Samba's role. But it didn't work out and the director said Manoj and he could never see eye to eye. The day after the meeting with Manoj, Varma signed Sushant Singh for Samba's role.

Now, Manoj has found a new friend in Bollywood's funny man Govinda whom he met on the sets of 'Money Hai To Honey Hai'. The difference in their approach to acting has not affected that friendship.

'He (Govinda) is an open hearted person and is always ready to give and take suggestions. We have developed a great admiration for each other, ' says Manoj, who plays one of the lead roles with Govinda in the comedy.

'We used to be always together on the sets and used to have interesting conversations, ' he added.

Manoj says Govinda, who made a successful comeback with 'Partner' last year, is a spontaneous actor.

'It was a great experience working with him. He has a lot of spontaneity in him and to complement that one needs to be equally spontaneous.'

'Money Hai To Honey Hai' is choreographer turned director Ganesh Acharya's second outing as director. In his directorial debut 'Swami', he had teamed up with Manoj and Juhi Chawla.

Manoj claims he and Acharya share a special bonding.

'Our relationship started from the time we worked in 'Swami' and we have become great friends. We have great respect for each other. I like his work style and feel comfortable with him.'

About the film 'Money Hai To Honey Hai', Manoj said it was an out and out comedy that tells the story of five losers in life who try to make it big.

'I am playing Lalabhai, one of the losers, who tries to make it big but doesn't know how to go about it. The story is about how he meets all the other losers, finds a purpose in life and tries to achieve it.'

Manoj, who has been associated with serious films like 'Bandit Queen', 'Satya', 'Shool' and 'Pinjar', said acting is tough - be it in serious or comedy films.

'I find acting difficult. People think that it is a cakewalk, but it is one of the most difficult things.

'If anyone says that acting in comedy films is tougher than in serious films then I suggest that he should go to a doctor. Comedy requires spontaneity and serious films require more craft.'

Manoj's wife Neha, who had debuted with Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 'Kareeb' and went on to act in films like 'Fiza' and 'Rahul' among others, has gone back to her original name Shabana Raza.

Shabana is making a comeback with Sanjay Gupta's 'Alibaug'. Was it her decision or did Manoj inspire her?

'Sanjay Gupta is a dear friend and he wanted her to be there in the film. As far as her work is concerned, she takes her own decision.'

On future projects, Manoj said he is working in Gupta's 'Acid Factory' and Anand Kumar's humorous film on sealing of commercial establishments in Delhi, titled 'Jugaad'.

The actor is also doing Prakash Jha's 'Rajniti', which is expected to go on the floor in January 2009.

SRK versus Akki this Diwali

Get ready for fireworks this Diwali. With Salman's YUVRAAJ not arriving in the festive week and SRK's BILLO BARBER getting confirmed for Diwali, it seemed like a cakewalk for BILLO BARBER, since no other biggie was scheduled for release on October 24. But there's tough competition now.

Initially, the Akshay Kumar starrer CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA was supposed to arrive a week later, on a Wednesday to be precise [October 29], but Warner Bros., Rohan Sippy and Nikhil Advani have decided to bring the film in Diwali. Which means, BILLO BARBER and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA will battle it out this Diwali.

It's a battle royale, what with the two superstars, SRK and Akki, coming face to face in the festive week. Expect fireworks, for sure.

Subhash K Jha speaks about Kismat Konnection

In one of the gloriously gossamer moments in the film, the 'hero', a harassed working-class entity and the kind of bereft soul you would immediately recognize if you've grown up watching Aziz Mirza's working-class romances, with one of his shoes in hand looks up in the sky and says with a stifled sob, "I give up."

Fortunately God isn't listening when Raj Malhotra wants out. Imagine what we would do if the working-class hero stumbled and fell. Kismat Konnection is one of the sweetest and most endearing romantic comedies in recent times.

Its beauty and charm lie in its truthful and transparent depiction of life on the green but thirty side of the lawn. Mirza sprinkles the frames with soft satiny whispering waves of undulating emotions. There are many moments in this boy-meets-girl saga that spread a warm sunshine across your heart.

This time it's more about the mystery than the chemistry. Those invisible forces that guide the romantic spirit from one heart into another infusing two people with a collective ecstasy….that's the world which the two protagonists in the film inhabit. This one is not about villains and goblins and not about over-groomed mannequins and under-dressed dolls. For Kismat Konnection the mellow-toned manoeuvres of Mirza move into the metropolitan milieu and mores of Toronto.

As shot by the invincible Binod Pradhan, the city looks pretty. But not postcard-perfect. Mirza shoots the protagonists with affectionate gusto in the bustle. Raj and Priya (Vidya Balan) never get lost in the alien crowds heading towards god-knows-which-horizon. But it's more a merger than a disappearance.

Portions of the film are shot with such rare care and unfussy simplicity, you simply get sucked into the sheer artlessness of the hectic but quietly comforting romantic overtures. Pritam Chakraborty's peppy tunes are mostly kept at the periphery, used mostly in the promotional clippings on television. On screen it's the romantic 'Ba-khuda' which stirs our senses and fills us with a pervasive bonhomie.

Watch Shahid sneak surreptitious glances at Vidya from the corner of her eye. Watch as she watches him sneak glances. She knows. He knows that she knows.

We know. This is a film that could do away with those witty wise-cracking crackling words of eternal romanticism made by hearts that know no impurity and malice. The narrative flows with calm assurance bringing in its wake several interludes of heart-warming tenderness.

Shahid Kapoor is extremely adept at expressing hurt. And he gets many opportunities to do so. From the moment when he pleads with God to stop tormenting him to the time he realizes he has wronged the golden-hearted girl who trusted him to create a miniature haven in the concrete jungle, Shahid infuses a disarming verve to portrait of an artiste as an angst-laden man.

As for Vidya Balan, she exudes such positivity in that voice and smile of hers, she reminds us of the early Juhi Chawla who, by the way, makes a very unconvincing cameo appearance in this film as a goofy crystal-ball gazer.

What keeps the love-interest interesting are the details that go into preserving the core of simplicity in the man-woman relationship. The supporting cast is mildly interesting. But it's the Kapoor-Balan axis that keeps us vigorously engrossed even when the narration loses virility in parts. But the story never sags. Never stops walking tall.

Kismat Konnection doesn't aspire to be a classic look at the man-woman relationship. Like Aziz Mirza's earlier films the protagonist struggles with broken-down vehicles and a crumbling conscience clinging to his convictions as he slides down the ladder of his own self-esteem.

By the end of it all, the goodness of its all just wraps you in a warm blanket. Yup, all's well in the world. This working-class romance really works.

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God Tussi Great Ho (August 15, 2008)

Banner
Shabbo Arts

Status
Post-Production / Ready for Release

Color
C

Release Date
August 15, 2008

Language
Hindi

Genre
Comedy / Romance

Shooting Studios
Mehboob Studio
R.K.Studio
Filmcity

Producer
Afzal Khan

Director
Rumi Jaffery

Star Cast
Salman Khan...... Arun Prajapati
Priyanka Chopra...... Alia Kapoor
Amitabh Bachchan...... God
Manisha Koirala...... Sheetal
Anupam Kher
Beena Kak
Rukhsar
Dilip Tahil
Sohail Khan...... Rocky
Satish Kaushik
Sanjay Mishra

Cassettes and CD's on
T-Series

Singers
Shaan
Sunidhi Chauhan
Wajid
Amrita Kak
Sonu Nigam
Shankar Mahadevan
Neeraj Shridhar
Shreya Ghosal
Udit Narayan
Alka Yagnik

Lyricist
Jalees Sherwani
Shabbir Ahmed
Deven Shukla

Music Director
Sajid
Wajid

Choreography
Bosco Martis
Caesar Gonsalves
Ganesh Acharya

Dialogue
Rumi Jaffery

Story / Writer
Rumi Jaffery

Jail (May 1, 2009)

Status
Under Production

Release Date
May 1, 2009

Genre

Director
Madhur Bhandarkar

Star Cast
Neil Nitin Mukesh...... Parag Dixit

Wednesday (September 5, 2008)

Banner
Anjum Rizvi Film Company
UTV Motion Pictures
A Friday Filmworks

Status
Under Production

Color
C

Release Date
September 5, 2008

Language
Hindi

Genre

Shooting Locations (City & Country)
Mumbai (India)
India

Producer
Anjum Rizvi
Shital Bhatia

Director
Neeraj Pandey

Star Cast
Naseruddin Shah
Anupam Kher
Rajpal Yadav
Jimmy Shergill
Aamir Bashir
Deepal Shaw
Gaurav Kapoor

Cassettes and CD's on
Eros Music

Cinematography
Fuwad Khan

Action
Shyam Kaushal

Editor
Shree Narayan Singh

Screenplay
Neeraj Pandey

Sound
Rakesh Ranjan

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (December 12, 2008)

Status
Announced / To Go On Floors

Release Date
December 12, 2008

Language
Hindi

Producer
Yash Chopra

Director
Aditya Chopra

Star Cast
Shahrukh Khan
Anushka Sharma

Wishing Priyanka Chopra, a very Happy Birthday

Not long ago, the topmost officials from Thesaurus added words like 'Bollywood' etc, in their literary Bible! And it's not at all easy for anyone to convince these officials in adding any word, as they personally examine every word till they are fully satisfied to the core!

There was a certain request from one of Priyanka Chopra's fans to add Priyanka's name as the synonym to the word 'Gorgeous'. But when these officials saw Priyanka's glaciered beauty, they approved of the fan's request instantly. That's the magic of Priyanka Chopra!

And guess what! The girl with so many synonyms aka Priyanka Chopra is celebrating her Birthday today. And in order to prove to the Thesaurus officials that they did the right thing, simply post your messages for the Birthday girl below.

Forbes-ulous Khans!

Three Bollywood stars, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, feature in Forbes magazine's list of 10 celebrities who are brand ambassadors for different mobile phone companies.

The three Indian actors are joined by football star David Beckham and tennis champion Maria Sharapova on the list released by the US magazine, otherwise known for its billionaire rankings. Sharapova endorses Sony Ericsson phones and Beckham lends his name to the Motorola RAZR2 phone.

While Shah Rukh lends star power to mobile phones made by Nokia, Abhishek and Aamir endorse Motorola and Samsung phones respectively.

The Forbes report said that Nokia, the world's largest phone manufacturer, 'doesn't work with many celebrities but makes an exception for Shah Rukh, who says he has used Nokia phones for more than a decade.'

It added that after a popular commercial last December, the company sponsored Shah Rukh's Indian Premier League cricket team earlier this year.

The magazine said Abhishek, a former LG Electronics' brand ambassador, now represents Motorola phones in India, and that he is 'Bollywood royalty, thanks to his famous actor father, Amitabh Bachchan, and glamorous actress wife Aishwarya Rai'.

About Aamir, the report said: 'After appearing in his first movie at eight, Bollywood star Aamir now produces and directs films, as well as acts. Samsung has said it is counting on his popularity to help it double its market share in India this year.'

Samsung also claimed that Aamir's work mirrors their brand's 'qualities of innovation, change, discovery, self-expression and excellence in performance'.

Explaining how mobile phone companies are now emulating perfume and designer jean makers in hiring celebrities, Forbes said: 'As nearly everyone on the planet seems to have a cellphone, device makers must work harder to win new customers.

Cool designs and low prices help, of course. But so do celebrities. That's led phone makers to recruit some A-listers from Usher (a singer) to David Beckham to lend an ear and a smile to selling cellphones.'

Others in the magazine's 'Ten Celebs and Their Cells' list are singers Fergie, Rain (also known as Jung Ji Hoon), Andy Lau and race car driver Danica Patrick.

I didn't mind spending Rs 2 crores

When Snoop dog decided to do a rap-romp with Akshay Kumar he didn't know what he was getting into.

And though it was contractually decided that Snoop Dog would be using his own crew and clothes for the shooting, within no time at all Akshay had the rapper eating Indian food and wearing desi clothes.

Laughs producer Vipul Shah, "We finally shot the song in Chicago. It's true the contract said everything in the shoot including the clothes were to be done by Snoop Dog's crew.

But Akshay decided to shop for his own clothes. And he persuaded Snoop Dog to accompany him. They bought themselves a sherwani and a pugdi each. Plus a whole lot of accessories that you'll see them sporting in the song.

Akshay persuaded Snoop to dress up like a Sardarji for the song. The rapper sportingly agreed although he's known to never go beyond his contract."

Apparently Akshay and Snoop's shopping spree cost Vipul a bomb. "Well, it's not easy to shop for sherwanis and pugdis in Chicago. They ran up a bill of 10, 000 US dollars.

To his credit, Akshay paid his own share and told me he'd use all the stuff he had bought beyond my film. In fact Akshay bought a golden jacket that you'll see in all the hoardings at his own cost.

But yes, I did have to foot Snoop Dog's shopping bill of approximately 5, 000 dollars. But I didn't mind the cost. Because Akshay managed to do the impossible.

He got an international artiste seriously interested in Bollywood and the Indian entertainment industry. Now Snoop Dog will be visiting India for further collaborations." The whole music video cost Vipul Rs 2 crores.

Snoop Dog with whom Akshay Kumar sang and danced for a music video on July 7 and 8 will be coming to India very shortly, on Akshay's invitation.

The two hit it off instantaneously and have forged bond that goes beyond the requirements of the music video.

Informs Vipul, "It was truly heartwarming to see the camaraderie between them. They not only danced together but also sang together. I'd say this Snoop Dog-Akshay number is truly international in quality.

Snoop is from LA, RDB who mixed the song are from London and Pritam Chakbraborty who did the music score of Singh Is Kinng fine-tuned the track in Mumbai. In fact I'm truly grateful to Pritam.

Although I broke my contract with him by bringing another composer into the soundtrack, Pritam sportingly suggested changes which I've incorporated into the Snoop Dog track."

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Eros signs an exclusive mobile deal with Hungama Mobile

Eros Multimedia, the Indian arm of Eros International plc ("Eros"), the leading London-listed Indian media and entertainment company, has entered into an exclusive two year output deal with India's leading digital entertainment media company, Hungama Mobile, for the development, distribution and marketing of Eros's music content for download on mobile phones.

Hungama Mobile will repurpose Eros content into desktop wallpapers, ringtones, games, song videos and other content that has appeal on the mobile format and monetise this content by distributing it to handset manufacturers such as Nokia and Motorola and mobile service providers such as Vodafone, Idea, BSNL, Airtel, Reliance, du, SingTel, Verizon, Rogers, T-Mobile and MTN.

The deal covers content from some major forthcoming releases from the Eros roster, including the modern day Aladin starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh, Toonpur Ka Super Hero, starring Ajay Devgan & Kajol, the much anticipated Kambakth Ishq with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, Salman Khan's Veer and Freeze starring Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu. A venture which is currently under production, featuring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan, will also fall under the auspices of the deal.

According to COAI (Cellular Operators Association India), the Mobile Entertainment in India is on the rise as it caters to a 300 million and growing mobile community. India is the 2nd largest mobile market and has had a massive adoption of mobile music, gaming etc through the largely youthful consumer community.

Commenting on the deal, Kumar Ahuja, Senior Vice-President of Eros's New Media & International Sales said: "Hungama Mobile is an established player in the mobile content distribution space and we are confident of the quality content and innovative products that it will provide to consumers. Through this association, we are looking to maximize the mobile distribution potential from our premium content. The deal allows us to achieve full visibility of our mobile syndication revenues for the next two years from our film slate".

Saleem Mobhani, Chief Operating Officer of Hungama Mobile said: "We have been working with Eros for many years as partners on our portal and this association of exclusive mobile entertainment content for their future releases until 2010 only strengthens this association. Hungama Mobile is the only digital media company that has an established network across 30 countries and will scale to over 60 by the end of this year, giving immense value to studios and record labels for both promoting their films as also realizing revenues via the digital medium."

Khela (2006)

Starring Manisha Koirala, Prosenjeet, Raima Sen, Akashneel Mukherjee Dutt
Written & Directed by Rituparno Ghosh
Rating: ** ½

There's a spring in Rituprano Ghosh's gait. And no, heaven just cannot wait.

Heaven is what the creative impulses urge out of the artiste. He could be an idol maker like Abhishek Bachcchan in Ghosh's Antar Mahal. Or he could be a filmmaker, like Prosenjeet in Khela. Bearded, brooding, intense and idealistic Prosenjeet wants to make a film about little Buddha.

And he wants only little Akashneel for the role.

Akashneel, a delightfully shrewd calculating and clever observer of adult quirks, suggests the director 'keednap' him when his parents refuse permission to shoot.

There begins a charming endearing journey into a world of creativity and manipulation.

The little boy's tantrums brought to a close with never- ending bars of chocolate by the ever-patient dress designer (Raima Sen) will ring a bell in all those filmmakers who have shot with kids from Raj Kapoor in Boot Polish to Shekhar Kapoor in Masoom to Aamir Khan and Amole Gupte in Taare Zameen Par.

Beautifully capturing inner and outer landscapes cinematographer Aveek Mukherjee fuses his characters' lives with immense amounts of compassion and understanding of the landscape that nourishes them.

Whether it is the rain-flooded streets of Kolkata or the green acres of a wilderness where the filmmaker-hero shoots his precious film or just a cosy middleclass Bengali home …Rituparno Ghosh's eye for physical and emotional detailing remains unerring.

And the actors are a marvel of faultless casting. Not just little Akashneel whose tears and other manipulative efforts make him look more vulnerable than the character actually is. Raima Sen as the harassed emotional dress designer inhabiting locations that go far beyond the physical, is also in splendid form.

What the film lacks is a more cohesive emotional resonance. You want to see a deeper relationship emerge from the film unit's splendid bonding with the boy whom they bring into the picture.

The rapport between the sullen director and the precocious boy remains under-developed, probably deliberately so, to accentuate the larger picture of a film and how cinema swoops ordinary lives into its creative clasp.

The tone is kept mellow and the bitterness behind the camera is never exposed beyond a point. There are sporadic flashbacks of the director-hero's breached marriage with a timid bespectacled woman who likes her life peaceful.

That's where Manisha Koirala comes in.

That's when you wish an austerity of expression was not a rule in this film about making a film with a little hero who has been sneaked into the immediate line of vision.

Warm and original Khela isn't among the director's best works. But it has sweet and gentle tonal harmony guiding the plot. And you fall for it.

Bachna Ae Haseeno (August 15, 2008)

Why do girls always fall for the wrong guy? Their mothers warn them about him.

Their friends shake their heads disapprovingly. Their minds tell them to escape while the going is good. But no! Oh no! Their hearts are another story altogether.

You see, they are always sending all the wrong signals. His name alone is enough to scramble their brains and set their hearts racing.

Meet Raj (Ranbir Kapoor). He is the stuff of dreams, with the looks of a 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' good boy.

Who can blame him for falling in love as many times as love is fortunate enough to find him. It's not his fault that he's a heartbreaker, its in his DNA.

Come… discover his three love stories; Raj and Mahi (Minissha Lamba), Raj and Radhika (Bipasha Basu), Raj and Gayatri (Deepika Padukone).

Different ladyloves at different times in his life. And each one of them teach him a little bit about love and a little bit about life, in their own sweet, sexy or sassy way.

Come fall in love... three times over!

Subhash K Jha speaks about Khela

There's a spring in Rituparno Ghosh's gait. And no, heaven just cannot wait. Heaven is what the creative impulses urge out of the artiste. He could be an idol maker like Abhishek Bachchan in Ghosh's Antar Mahal. Or he could be a filmmaker, like Prosenjeet in Khela. Bearded, brooding, intense and idealistic Prosenjeet wants to make a film about little Buddha. And he wants only little Akashneel for the role.

Akashneel, a delightfully shrewd calculating and clever observer of adult quirks, suggests the director 'keednap' him when his parents refuse permission to shoot. There begins a charming endearing journey into a world of creativity and manipulation.

The little boy's tantrums brought to a close with never-ending bars of chocolate by the ever-patient dress designer (Raima Sen) will ring a bell in all those filmmakers who have shot with kids from Raj Kapoor in Boot Polish to Shekhar Kapoor in Masoom to Aamir Khan and Amole Gupte in Taare Zameen Par.

Beautifully capturing inner and outer landscapes, cinematographer Aveek Mukherjee fuses his characters' lives with immense amounts of compassion and understanding of the landscape that nourishes them.

Whether it is the rain-flooded streets of Kolkata or the green acres of a wilderness where the filmmaker-hero shoots his precious film or just a cosy middleclass Bengali home…Rituparno Ghosh's eye for physical and emotional detailing remains unerring. And the actors are a marvel of faultless casting. Not just little Akashneel whose tears and other manipulative efforts make him look more vulnerable than the character actually is. Raima Sen as the harassed emotional dress designer inhabiting locations that go far beyond the physical, is also in splendid form.

What the film lacks is a more cohesive emotional resonance. You want to see a deeper relationship emerge from the film unit's splendid bonding with the boy whom they bring into the picture.

The rapport between the sullen director and the precocious boy remains under-developed, probably deliberately so, to accentuate the larger picture of a film and how cinema swoops ordinary lives into its creative clasp.

The tone is kept mellow and the bitterness behind the camera is never exposed beyond a point. There are sporadic flashbacks of the director-hero's breached marriage with a timid bespectacled woman who likes her life peaceful. That's where Manisha Koirala comes in. That's when you wish an austerity of expression was not a rule in this film about making a film with a little hero who has been sneaked into the immediate line of vision.

Warm and original Khela isn't among the director's best works. But it has sweet and gentle tonal harmony guiding the plot .And you fall for it.

Rock On!! (August 29, 2008)

Singers: Farhan Akhtar, Dominique Cerejo, Caralisa Monteiro, Raman Mahadevan, Suraj Jagan
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Music Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Rating: ****

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy may hit the bull's eye with this energetic and spirited album. Comprising nine tracks, the album has wonderful lyrics that have been appropriately composed and incredibly rendered by Farhan Akhtar, marking his debut as a singer.

The title song 'Rock on' is one of those blessed by Farhan's vocals. With a heavy base and electric guitar strumming, the number has been well composed.

Farhan also croons 'Pichle saat dinon mein'. The rock number has interesting lyrics. An enjoyable track, it will surely be enjoyed even more on the big screen.

Then, there is an approximately six-and-a-half minute track titled 'Sinbad The Sailor' rendered by Raman Mahadevan and Farhan, an enjoyable piece. There's nothing extraordinary about this track, but it doesn't fail to impress.

It's Farhan yet again, and this time with 'Socha hai' and he does an impressive job.

Caralisa Monteiro beautifully renders 'Phir dekhiye'. The singer has handled the responsibility of a solo singer pretty well and Javed Akhtar's lyrics are trendy and suit the theme. The song is serenity personified with just a guitar accompanying the singer.

The composers slow down a bit in 'Tum ho toh'. Again, with a soft rock base, the track moves at a slower pace, with a romantic and dreamy tinge to it. The lyrics and rendition are credible, like most of the previous songs.

Dominique Cerejo sings 'Ye tumhari meri baatein'. What's most catchy about Cerejo's rendition is her unusual, contemporary and western voice that suits such a genre. A dawdling number that would find maximum fans among the fairer sex.

Suraj Jagan sings the high-on-rock 'Zehreelay'. For the song Javed Akhtar moves on a different route and pens some weird lyrics. Suraj croons like a typical high-on-life rock star, making the track different from the rest of the lot. A fine number!

There are a couple of things that stand out in this album and make the difference - Farhan's fresh voice, Javed Akhtar's trendy lyrics and the composers' innovativeness. The album will set the cash registers ringing for sure.

Main to Amit ji Ka Naukar hoon

"I'm Amitji's biggest fan. And that's why these comparisons are becoming a bit too much for me to digest, " says Govinda.

The final straw on the camel's back was a reality show aired on Sunday night where choreographer Saroj Khan praised Govinda to the skies…but relatively speaking.

Sighs Govinda, "I'm very grateful to Saroj-ji for all the wonderful things she has said about me. I respect her a lot.

My daughter Narmada has been training in dance with Saroj-ji. In fact she'll be directing a film for me soon. I know she meant well. But why am I being constantly compared with Amitji. Main to naukar hoon.

He's the true king of the entertainment industry. I played the naam ka Raja Babu. He's the true Raja Babu."

Though he's not willing to talk about it openly Govinda is also not amused by the constant reference to him in the context of the 'Govinda Govinda' chant in Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar and Sarkar Raj.

At a recent awards function Govinda's picture was flashed on stage while the Sarkar Raj theme raged on.

"I won't say anything more, " says Govinda diplomatically. "But I'll say this. God bless all those who are using my name for their own reasons. I'll also say this.

Don't try the patience of a patient man. My willpower is about to give way. Now I've reached a stage where I'll react even if one hair on my head is tampered with."

Mehbooba (July 11, 2008)

Starring Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali….oops, Afzal Khan
Rating: * ½

Manisha Koirala is the one reason why one would want to brave this prolonged homage to the cinema of Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

This one is a 3-hour long rag-carpet welcome to Sanjay Leela Bhansali Hum…Dil De Chuke Sanam. The plot, ambience, characters, music and even the interactive interludes between the main protagonists are all derived with lipsmacking relish from Bhansali's film.

Why, Mehbooba (no relation to Shakti Samanta's Mehbooba in 1977) even goes to Budapest where Bhansali shot the second-half of Hum….

Except, that Mehbooba goes to Budapest in the first-half and to the bustling screechy noisy food-laden haveli from the first-half of Bhansali's Hum… in the second-half.

Ho hum…. The melodies (if one may call them that) flit in and out like unwanted guests after every ten minutes of dialogue.

If the songs were sacrificed on the editing table, maybe—just maybe—Mehbooba would be more bearable in its old-world love triangle ambience of two brothers (one idealistic and lovelorn, the other unscrupulous and ever-libidinous) who fall for the same girl.

The meat of the métier goes to the majestic Manisha…Still resplendent and lovely no matter where and in what they put her, Manisha never fails to infuse a poetic aura to her character.

Fetchingly photographed by that wunder-lensman Ashok Mehta at times Manisha looks as incandescent as she did in Bhansali's Khamoshi: The Musical.

Alas, like this long-delayed film, Manisha too has gone through innumerable ups and downs in her career.

The inconsistencies in the narration are covered up with a lot of exterior gloss. To the director Afzal Khan's credit the film's scattered pastiche is woven into what can pretty much be described as a seamless 'yawn' about two men and a woman who should know better.

The sets and locations are opulent flamboyant and eye-catching. No subtlety is applied in the visuals or emotions. The song-and-dance numbers that come along with alarming rapidity are shot with an eye for unhampered opulence.

So who gets the girl at the end? That's a question which must remain in the audiences' mind in any love triangle.

Beyond a point we stop caring completely about these three compulsively conflicted characters, even though one of them is played by a star who brings in an element of the tragic and classic grandeur from an era gone-by.

And one isn't referring to either of the two male leads. Devgan and Dutt behave like Devgan and Salman Khan from Bhansali's Hum Dil… discussing the same woman with each other ad nauseam as though she were two different entities.

A case of a split personality? By the time the triangle is resolved (with one of heroes coming to a suitably stickly nemesis) the only 'split' personality is the audience.

Most of them have fled the dread of watching a film that goes back the oldest traditions of Hindi cinema and emerges with a product that substitutes genuine emotions with elaborate props borrowed from a master storyteller's creative godown.