Ash to play Mumtaz in Sir Ben Kingsley's Taj Mahal

Sir Ben Kingsley is agog with excitement.

He has just announced the female lead to his movie on the Taj Mahal. And it is Aishwarya Bachchan!

Yes, the Bachchan bahu will play the legendary Mumtaz Mahal to Sir Ben's Shah Jahan in the movie that will be shot next year in Agra and Fatehpuri Sikri.

Sir Ben, one of the world's most honoured actors with four Academy Award nominations for his memorable role of Gandhi, apparently considered Aishwarya over Bengali sizzler Bipasha Basu.

Ever since he met Bipasha in Lisbon for the unveiling of the New Seven Wonders, there has been a buzz that Sir Ben was coming to India to see the Taj.

Now it is learnt that his purpose of visit wasn't just sight seeing, but also to hunt for ideal locations and start the shoot in India.

Sir Ben said, "The movie is on the building of the Taj Mahal. The romance will also include Shah Jehan's abject isolation for years in a prison cell.

I had spoken to Aishwarya last year while we were working on The Last Legion and she very generously agreed to do the movie with me. My production house is working with a screenwriter on the project. I have very clear ideas about how I want to approach the subject."

Amitabh unveils Dev Anand's Romancing with Life

The autobiography of legendary film actor, director and producer Dev Anand, Romancing with Life, was launched by mega star Amitabh Bachchan in a glittering function in Mumbai on Thursday night

Speaking to the scribes, the evergreen hero thanked all those present saying his autobiography is for his fans and people from film fraternity.

"My book is now in their hands, they will enjoy it," he added.

Several personalities including Bachchan, Hema Malini and the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh were present on this occasion.

Anand's autobiography was released by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, on September 26, the birthday of both Singh and Dev Anand.

Kareena in Saif Ali Khan's Agent Vinod

According to industry reports, Kareena has bagged a role in Saif's next home production.

The film, Agent Vinod, directed by Sriram Raghavan (of Ek Haseena Thi fame) is produced by Saif 's Serendipity Films. Bebo will play the romantic lead opposite current favourite Saif .

This comes close to the heels of her bagging a film with Shah Rukh Khan, Shankar's Robot.

After a longish period of drought, Bebo seems to be back to doing the big banner films again!

Sanju is free for another month

Looks like Ganpati Bappa has really heard Sanjay Dutt's prayer, when the whole world bid him adieu.

Because, Sanju baba, who was sentenced in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case under the Arms Act, can now breathe free for yet another month.

Apparently, the judgment copy which was to be served initially has now been postponed to the end of October.

And according to the officials, Sanjay Dutt is expected to head back to the Yerawada Jail in Pune if the judgment is carried out, first copies of which are expected around October 15.

Shah Rukh Khan cheers Team India to victory

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was constantly cheering the Indian cricket team on its way to victory in the finals of the Twenty20 Tournament against Pakistan on Monday.

Shah Rukh Khan, who watched the match along with his son Aryan from the stands, wearing a black suit, constantly clapped when a dot ball was bowled from the Indian side and stood from his seat in joy whenever a Pakistani wicket fell.

In the final overs, when Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq looked dangerous and the match seemed slipping away from India's grip, SRK stood in the stands and gave a thumbs-up sign to Indian captain MS Dhoni in the field.

That was just a moment before the wicket of Sohail Tanvir, who had hit two sixes, fell and optimism returned to team India. That was also the moment the DJ played a few lines of the song Chak De! India from SRK's recent release Chak De! India.

Words are not sufficient to describe what happened after that. A billion hearts erupted in joy as Haq flicked bowler Joginder Sharma's ball into the air and Sreesanth caught it.

As the Indian team celebrated the historic Twenty20 World Cup win, SRK exulted with uncontrollable joy.

Later, SRK went to congratulate the players on the field and hugged each player individually. Harbhajan Singh, who was completely ecstatic, lifted SRK up when the superstar hugged him.

SRK was heard saying to his son: "They (the Indian players) are the true superstars".

Well said, SRK!

And a million congratulations to Team India from us. You've made us proud!

Abhishek in Rakeysh Mehra's Delhi 6

Abhishek Bachchan, who was the original choice for the role, is finally doing Rakeysh Mehra's autobiographical Delhi 6.

The film chronicles the director's growing-up years in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi, and the title refers to the postal pincode for the area where Rakeysh Mehra's film unfolds.

Abhishek, it would be remembered, was always the first choice for the role.

Mehra and the younger Bachchan, fast friends and creative collaborators since Rakeysh was supposed to direct Abhishek's debut in Samjhauta Express, fell apart over date problems.

The project then went to Hrithik Roshan (who said yes, then no since he didn't want any ill will with the Bachchans), Rang De Basanti's Siddharth (who also declined for reasons best known to him) and finally the bright superstar-in-the-making Ranbir Kapoor (who had a problem connecting with the script).

"Like they say, Daane-daane par likha hai khane wale ka naam. The world is indeed round. The fact that the project has returned to Abhishek proves it," says a source close to the project, while Abhishek in his habitually diplomatic way is cautious. "Right now, it's too early to talk about it."

He now leaves for Nambia for the shooting of Goldie Behl's Drona. The dates for Delhi 6 will be worked out when Abhishek returns.

The film is expected to be shot in the summer of 2008 in Delhi.

Eklavya is going for Oscars!

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's produced and directed movie Eklavya - The Royal Guard has been voted as India's official entry to the Oscars.

This is the third time Chopra will be going to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .

His short non-fiction film, An Encounter with Faces was one of the first Indian films to be nominated for an Oscar in 1980. In 1989, Parinda was sent to the Oscars as India's official entry.


Chopra said, "I'm elated by the new but this was only the first battle. The real one is still ahead. I'm leaving for the US on 2nd October and will start my groundwork there.

I'm banking on my previous experiences at the Academy and the overwhelming support the film has received in the West. I hope to make India proud."

All the best Vidhu !

Sanjay to launch his own production house

Sanjay Dutt is going to launch his own film production house.

Ever since the release of Shootout At Lokhandwala, Dutt has been distancing himself from White Feather Films, the production house that he ran along with good friend Sanjay Gupta.

Gossip mills said it was probably due to some tiff with Gupta (due to alleged non payment of some of the crew of SOAL), but now it seems that Dutt had other plans.

Yes, Dutt is looking forward to begin his own production house called Sanjay Dutt Productions Private Limited.

Reports say Dutt will merge his late dad Sunil Dutt 's defunct production house Ajanta Arts into his company. Moreover, Sanju's sisters Priya and Namrata will also be involved in the company.

Shilpa Shetty - the coolest one!

According to the Cool Brands Council in Britain, Shilpa Shetty is "one of the coolest things to happen to humankind over the last year"!

Yes, Shilpa has joined an exclusive list of the 'coolest celebrities' chosen by the British public and the Council - a group of style gurus, designers and commentators from Britain.

This puts her amongst the likes of world famous sportsman David Beckham, supermodel Kate Moss and the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and makes her the first Indian ever to bag this honour.

No wonder Shilpa's indefatigable publicist Dale Bhagwagar is beaming with enthusiasm.

"Wow. So now, India's 'hottest figure' is Britain's 'coolest girl'," he exclaims with a broad smile. "That's some kinda temperature fluctuation, but being her publicist, I simply love it," he adds.

Metro got her a lot of critical acclaim and proved to be a big success at the box-office, while Apne did extremely well in North India.

Since then, she launched her perfume S2 in UK, delved into production and made a DVD video on yoga for the UK and Dubai market under her banner S2 Global Productions; walked the ramp for Tarun Tahiliani at the Fashion Week in Delhi and recently presented the One X One Difference Award to Richard Gere at a grand fund-raising charity event in Toronto.

So the tag of the coolest celebrity is yet another feather in Shilpa's illustrious cap!

Exclusive First Look: Singh Is Kinng

Bollywood Buzz presents a sneak peak on Akshay Kumar's upcoming flick, Singh Is Kinng!

In this Anees Bazmee project, Akshay, who initially plays a clean shaven Sikh, later portrays a menacing underworld gang lord.

Singh Is Kinng is releasing in the summer of 2008.

First Look: Dus Kahaniyaan (New Trailer)

Ok guys, I just came across a brand new trailor of Sanjay Gupta's Dus Kahaniyaan.

You must be wondering why am I calling it "brand new"?

Well, in the past we have seen a completely different trailer of the above mentioned movie and now the production house has released a new slick promo!


Dus Kahaniyaan boasts of a cast of 22 stars, including Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Naseeruddin Shah, Neha Dhupia, Dia Mirza, Manoj Bajpai, Arjun Rampal, Esha Deol and Vidya Balan.

The producers have adapted original stories from writers like Roald Dahl and Harold Pinter and roped in big writers like Vishal Bhardwaj, Kamlesh Pandey, Gulzar, Javed Siddiqui, and Kartar Singh Duggal.

Shilpa Shetty: Once kissed twice shy!

Shilpa Shetty presented Richard Gere with the prestigious ONE X ONE Difference Award at a charity gala organized by the world famous ONE X ONE Foundation to raise funds for awareness in welfare of children, at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, in Toronto (Canada) recently.

The foundation honoured the 57-year-old Gere; a practicing Buddhist, in appreciation of his charity work towards AIDS awareness, peace, justice and understanding, and for the rights and lands of tribal people throughout the world.

Though like Shilpa, controversy hasn't eluded Gere in recent times.

It can be recalled that a few months ago, a furore ensued when the Pretty Woman actor planted a couple of loving pecks on Shilpa's cheeks during an AIDS awareness rally in India. Crowds burned posters of Shilpa and Gere in protest.

This time around when Gere offered Shilpa his hand as she stepped off the stage at the Awards Night in Toronto, guests held their collective breath. Would there be a kiss? Or even a peck?.

But there was no smooch at the Awards to honor Gere for his Indian AIDS foundation work.

Mention of the kiss was studiously avoided until Gere himself brought it up, noting that in introducing Shetty, host Ajay Virmani "left out an important part of her career which happened this year. A certain slow dance movement with a certain American movie star."

Gee!

Hrithik Roshan to be questioned on his underworld links

Krrish may soon need his superpowers as the Mumbai Police are likely to question Hrithik on his alleged links with the underworld.

Dawood's henchman Attrawala was extradited from Dubai to India on September 5th, a day before being deported Attrawala mentioned Hrithik Roshan's name in his conversation with NDTV.

He also gave names of various other Bollywood stars. Mumbai police suspect that Attrawala has brokered deals between Bollywood stars and the Underworld and wants to expose this entire nexus.

Hrithik Roshan will be questioned but, we are confident that our Krrish will come out all clean and clear!

Vogue with a Bollywood tadka!

With so much happening in the fashion town, one must have mastered the 'art' of reading between the lines.Now, move over lines, it's the time to read between the names!

Well, sample this: Bipasha Basu, Roberto Cavalli, Gemma Ward, Valentino, Priyanka Chopra, Giorgio Armani, Laxmi Menon, Chanel, Preity Zinta, Christian Dior, Monikangana Dutta, Gucci!

Doesn't that sound wow?

Well, it will also look and feel more than wow coz Vogue's Indian edition is on its way to hot the Indian markets and how! It has the above mentioned names modeling for the 'between the names' designers!

With so much happening in the fashion world, we believe now you must have also mastered the 'art' of reading between the names.

Namaste India…here comes Vogue!

International musician Yanni to compose for Akbar Khan's Changhez Khan

Ever since he made his last film Taj Mahal, filmmaker Akbar Khan always wanted to work on his dream project Changhez Khan.

He wanted to mount this ambitious project on a grand scale with some international names in the cast and crew of his film. While he is considering many international names, the one artist he confirms is world famous music composer Yanni.

"International composer Yanni will do the music of Changhez Khan", confirms Akbar Khan. "The film is going to be in English".

Ask him about the starcast of the film and he says, "It's too early to speak on that as I am still finalizing the final draft of the script which will take some time. But the cast will have some international names for sure".

Here's one of my all time fav video of Yanni. The song's name is Nightingale. I simply love the flute in this song..so peaceful. I sometimes listen to this song while driving or just chilling out@home!

Abhishek is flying high!

Is it his rugged look, his DYOT (Do-Your-Own-Thing) super-cool attitude or the fact that he's a self-confessed "jeans-kind-of-guy" that makes Abhishek Bachchan the perfect brand ambassador for Flying Machine jeans?

Maybe, it's a bit of it all.

Flying Machine - India's very own indigenous brand of jeans - is back, re-launched in a new avatar, and who better than Abhishek Bachchan to sport the new look with elan!

"Yes, I'm most comfortable in a pair of jeans," confirms Abhishek, adding that he is proud to be associated with Flying Machine.

"The product is now positioning itself as an Indian international brand. Currently, the market is flooded with international jeans brands, and India's original jeans, Flying Machine, is on par with the rest, both creatively and technically. It's about time we stepped onto the international platform here as well".

Right here, right now, India sure is 'flying' high!

Gauri Khan to endorse paint brand

After Shah Rukh Khan, who has been associated with some of the biggest brands today, its now turn for wife Gauri to join the bandwagon of brand endorsements!

After refusing several films and advertisements, Gauri Khan has finally agreed to do an advertisement for a premium brand of paint.

Gauri, who has earlier endorsed diamond jewellery designed by Maheep Sanjay Kapoor for Notandas Jewellers flew to Dubai last night to sign the contract for the new paint brand.

It's reported that Karan Johar who has shot an advertisement with Kareena Kapoor for the same paint company suggested Gauri's name for the brand. Apparently Gauri was taken aback and only gave her consent after consulting Karan and Kareena.

Gauri will also be seen in a guest appearance in the soon to be released Om Shanti Om.

Bollywood officially enters L'Officiel

Fashionistas the world over consider L'Officiel as one of the premier and classic magazines of all times and life just cannot get better than this for all ya' Bollywood fans out there, coz' L'Officiel has come up with its first Bollywood special edition!!

And with the Godfathers of Bollywood at the helm of things, one can expect this to become the Bible of Bollywood in the days to come.

For starters, one can find the man who has the copyright for the human tears and emotions Karan Johar as the guest editor, the man with the magical hands, Manish Malhotra working on designing and executing the features, and lastly the man to whom even the camera goes 'Cheese'…Atul Kasbekar!

Rock n Role!
Zayed Khan who hit the jackpot with his impactful role alongside SRK in the mega blockbuster Main Hoon Na is seen rocking and rolling in this issue! Not only does the Rockstar image suit this man to the 'T', but it also leaves the readers asking for more! It just seems like Zayed was simply born to be a rocking rock star! And if his roles in Dus and Cash were anything to go by, then, lo! Behold! Here's announcing the arrival of Zayed, ready to rock and role!

Black N Right
Whoever said that Black N White is a thing of the past, should definitely have a look at the Venus of Bollywood! Kareena looks so elegantly exquisite that one feels like throwing away all the digital cameras and trade them for black and white reels! The radiance that her eyes exude in this will make any man go Fida over this damsel of de-stress!

Either You Stay Away... There Is No 'Or'
There are 2 types of actors. One who demands attention and the second who commands attention! Priyanka Chopra belongs to the latter! This kind of paparazzi attention is something that only she can command! With her eyes doing all the talking, she simply deprives her fans of listening to her honeyed voice and her trademark laughter!

Kajol in an item number!

She hasn't been around for quit a while.

After her power packed performance in Fanaa opposite Aamir Khan, Kajol has re-opened her vanity kit only to pose as the main lead in husband Ajay Devgan's directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum.

A special song is being picturised on Kajol.

The song is being choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, and the music of the film has been composed by none other than Ajay's best buddy Vishal Bhardwaj.

But the question is: Is this an item number of sorts?

We'll have to wait and watch!

Shah Rukh Khan in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire?

If reports are to be believed, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may play a small but important role in British filmmaker Danny Boyle's next film, Slumdog Millionaire.

The film tells the story of a Mumbai slum kid who contests in the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati to catch the attention of a girl who watches the programme everyday. It is a love story with unusual twists.

Because Shah Rukh has actually been the host of KBC, it is learnt that Danny Boyle might cast the superstar as the host of the show in Slumdog Millionaire also.

However, no official confirmation of this has yet come either from SRK or from Boyle.

Danny is an acclaimed filmmaker who has directed movies like Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach. Slumdog Millionaire has been written by Simon Beaufoy (who wrote the hilarious The Full Monty) and will star Brit newcomer Dev Patel in the lead role.

The movie's shooting will begin in November in Mumbai.

The Great Khali in Bollywood?

Having won the body building title of Mr India in 1997 & 98 and also a champion of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), The Great Khali just might make his debut in Bollywood with Sahil Khan's Rama - The Saviour which also stars Tanushree Dutta.

Khali is a very popular wrestler in the U.S. and has fought opposite wrestlers like The Undertaker .

Sahil Khan says, "Yes we have approached his agent with the offer and Khali seems really interested. Things are working out and hopefully we will cut the deal with him."

Sahil Khan had seen Khali (whose real name is Dalip Singh) in his Hollywood film The Longest Yard alongside Adam Sandler.

"I saw Khali in the film and liked him. I wanted a larger than life character for a role in my film and he aptly suited the role. I am also proud of the fact that Khali is an Indian", says Sahil.

Speaking on Khali's role in the film, Sahil Khan says, "He will have a full fledged role in the film and he stars alongside me and Tanushree Dutta. I am a fan of Khali and I am looking forward to work with this massively popular wrestler."

Hrithik launches Rupa's new innerwear range

Hrithik Roshan, the newly-appointed brand ambassador of Kolkata-based hosiery manufacturer Rupa & Co Ltd, launched its new range of briefs and vests, called MacroMan M Series, and said that he can identity with the brand on a personal level.

"I am excited to be associated with this collection. I can identify with the brand on a personal level, as it is everything that I am.

When it comes to selecting my innerwear brand, I am very choosy and would settle for nothing less than brands which are attractive, stylish yet comfortable," said Hrithik at the launch function.

Maxim'um exposure by Malaika Arora Khan

Malaika Arora Khan appears on the cover of this month's edition of Maxim magazine.

Malaika is unarguably the hottest mom in Bollywood. She still scorches the ramps at fashion shows, still shakes her booty in item songs (the latest one was in Heyy Babyy) and she still can make many heads turn with her beauty and sex appeal.

And now she has posed for Maxim. Titled Black Velvet the photographs show Malaika in black lingerie, striking provocative poses on a couch.

The concept of the shoot is by Wendell Rodericks while photographs are snapped by Farroukh Chothia.

Talking about her wildest experience, Malaika told the magazine that it was swimming with sharks.

When asked about the stupidest pick-up lines guys have tried on her, Malaika said she cannot remember many. She added she gives out an aura that intimidates guys when it comes to pick-up lines.

When asked about what she sleeps in, Malaika said: "Hot pants, Satin nighties or old pyjamas". Malaika also said that she sees it as a compliment to be seen both as a mother and a sex symbol.

Image Source

Kareena eager to work with Shah Rukh Khan

From what we hear, Kareena Kapoor is very eager to be part of Shankar's Shah Rukh Khan starrer, Robot.

So much so that the actor paid a personal visit to SRK to convince him that she is just right for the role. Known to prepare painstakingly for roles, Kareena doesn't shy from doing what it takes to deliver her performances.

Obviously, she's going the whole hog to ensure that this plum role, too, falls in her lap.

After Asoka, Kareena hasn't had a chance to act opposite SRK. They were seen in Karan Johar's Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham but they weren't opposite each other.

Kareena has always openly admitted that she is an ardent SRK fan. Shankar's Robot, she felt, was a good opportunity to work with SRK once again.

For those unfamiliar with Shankar's Robot, the director had originally planned the film with Kamal Hassan in the lead. However, the role finally went to Shah Rukh.

Although Shankar has chosen to remain secretive about the story of the film, but insiders have it that the film is a science fiction and is a futuristic and stylish movie.

Mallika Sherawat learns kickboxing

It is no secret that Mallika loves to workout to maintain her svelte figure. But her newfound penchant for kickboxing is somewhat perplexing.

Reports say the actress has been practicing kickboxing not so much for her self-defense as for physical fitness. Moreover, the hot belle is reported to have roped in a trainer and is learnt to be reading books on kickboxing.

Sources say that because Mallika is making her foray into international cinema she wants to look absolutely fit, and kickboxing is one way to do it.

Akshay Kumar’s most expensive dance!

Akshay Kumar is unstoppable and going places riding high on success and that's why there's a virtual AK film festival happening everywhere these days.

Now soon at your nearest multiplexes, will be one of Akshay Kumar's most expensive dances.

Bhushan Kumar's Bhool Bhulaiyaa, directed by South's ace filmmaker Priyadarshan, has a special lavish song picturised on Akshay amidst sultry belles, a sports car, desert setting, wet beaches and a gigantic Buddha statue.

And for this extravagant special title track, dancers were specially flown in from the UK to groove with Khiladi Kumar. Choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, it was shot at different locations including Mumbai's Film city and Aksa Beach.

The title has Akshay sporting a totally cool look while crooning Hare Ram.


"We can't disclose the amount, but let me assure you, its one of the most expensive dances ever to be shot. We wanted to create something different and grand, and that's when along with my producers, I stumbled upon this idea. Akshay has been given a cool new look," says Priyadarshan.

Bipasha Basu bags 2 Hollywood projects

Bollywood hottie Bipasha Basu is all set to make her presence felt in Hollywood now!

Bipasha caught the attention of many people throughout the world when she hosted the New Seven Wonders of the World event in Lisbon in July with Hollywood stars Hilary Swank and Ben Kingsley.

After that, Bipasha signed Simone Sheffield as her manager in Hollywood. Simone is already the international manager of Aishwarya Rai.

Talking about Bipasha 's foray into Hollywood, Simone told a Mumbai-based tabloid that Bipasha will work in two English movies to be made by prominent Hollywood studios.

Simone further adds that Bipasha has got another Hollywood offer on the table but things are not yet finalized because the male star of the film is still to be decided.

While Simone refuses to reveal anything about these projects, there is a rumor going around that Bipasha is being considered for a plum role in the future episodes of famous TV series Lost.

Of late, Bollywood beauties have begun catching a lot of attention in Hollywood.

Aishwarya Rai is already working in Pink Panther 2. Mallika Sherawat will be seen as a Muslim woman in Unveiled. Celina Jaitely also signed a Hollywood project recently.

Sanjay Dutt will shoot for Alibaug and Lamha

Putting to rest all speculation about Sanjay Dutt's future acting plans, his close friend Sanjay Gupta said that the actor will resume shooting for Alibaug in Mumbai.

"Right now I'm in Goa shooting with the entire cast of Alibaug barring Sanju. But he joins us later in Mumbai to complete his work," Gupta said.

Sanjay, who is on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court, has already completed one shooting schedule of Alibaug in Mumbai after which he was incarcerated. He is expected to join the team later in the month.

Meanwhile, another of Sanjay's buddies, Bunty Walia is going full steam ahead with his plans of making Lamha with the actor in the lead role.

"I'm giving Sanjay a completely new look for Lamha. We start shooting next year," said Walia.

Amitabh Bachchan bags National Award for Black

With son Abhishek and daughter Shweta joining in the loud applause, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan received the National Award for Best Actor for his role in Black from President Pratibha Patil at a glittering function in New Delhi on Friday evening.

Looking debonair in a black bandhgala suit, Amitabh Bachchan walked up to the stage at Vigyan Bhawan to receive the award from the president.

Bachchan's performance in Black was recognised for his "dramatic rendition of a reformed alcoholic who struggles to give a physically handicapped child a new life".

53rd National Film Award Winners

After a delay of over two years, the 53rd National Film Awards were finally presented at the Vigyan Bhavan in the capital on Friday in a ceremony officiated by President of India Pratibha Patil.

And the winner of the evening was Rang De Basanti.

The film not only won the Best Popular Film award but also took home awards for Best Audiography, Best Editing and Best Male Playback Singer award.

Filmmaker Rakesh Omprakash and producer Ronnie Screwvala were both present to receive the honors.


Here's a list of winners:

Dadasaheb Phalke Award - Shyam Benegal
Indira Gandhi Award - Pradeep Sarkar for Parineeta
Nargis Dutt Award - Daivanamathil (Malayalam)
Best Child Artist Award - Sai Kumar for Bommalata - A Bellyful Of Dreams (Telugu)
Best Actor - Amitabh Bachchan for Black
Best Actress - Sarika for Parzania
Best Film - Kaalpurush - Memories In The Mist (Bengali)
Best Popular Film - Rang De Basanti
Best Film on social issues - Iqbal
Best Children's Film - Blue Umbrella
Best Director - Rahul Dholakia for Parzania
Best Male Playback Singer - Naresh Iyer (Roo Ba Roo - Rang De Basanti)
Best Female Playback Singer - Shreya Ghoshal (Apne Aansoo Peene Ke Liye - Paheli)

Chak De! India enters management books

Chak De! India team gets another reason to smile.

The word Chak De! India not only drove them to win the world Cup in the film but now, has created its magic on MBA students as well.

Chak De! India will make its entry in textbooks of Business schools as a case study!

The subject dealt in Chak De! India and curriculum of business schools might be poles apart. However, Chak De! India boasts about a magnificent inspiration taken by management schools from various places in India.

Says YRF spokesperson, Monika Bhattacharya, "We have been getting mails from institutes in Chandigarh and Bhopal saying that they are including the film into their curriculum."

Chak De! India team, especially SRK and the director Shimit Amin have felt extremely proud to make such an inspirational film.

Says Monika," It's feels great as it is a matter of honour. We didn't probably expect that the film would have such kind of effect on the youth and inspire people in such a way. I think it's very heartening."

Before Chak De! India, Lagaan and Corporate were included in management syllabus.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Douglas to film in India

Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband, Michael Douglas, are planning to shoot a movie in India.

"I'm looking forward to going to India," the actress was quoted as saying by The Times of India on Thursday.

"Michael and I are developing a script that will be set up in India. We will take our kids and all of us will come there, set up camp in India and shoot a film."

Douglas visited Mumbai two years ago and announced plans to co-produce and star in Racing the Monsoon, an action-adventure about a diamond heist aboard an Indian train.

Zeta-Jones won a supporting actress Oscar in 2003 for her role in the musical Chicago. Douglas has won two Oscars - as an actor for the 1987 film Wall Street and as a producer for 1975's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan in Ketan Desai's next film

Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan may come together for Ketan Desai's next film.

To be made under his father Manmohan Desai's banner, this film will be a treat for movie-goers since it will have such an unusual pairing.

Salman and Ketan have been friends for a long time and have also worked together earlier in Yeh Hai Jalwa which Ketan had produced and David Dhawan had directed. They have wanted to work together since a long time.

So, when Ketan approached Salman, the latter immediately agreed to do the film, no questions asked.

"I have spoken to Salman and we both are very keen to work with each other but at the moment I can't say anything as Salman's date-diary is full," says Ketan Desai.

Preity wants to shed 'bubbly' image

Bollywood's original Ms Bubbly wants a break from her image and she has chosen the art route to do it.

Preity 'bubbly' Zinta is getting a portrait of herself done by Anjanna Kuthiala , who otherwise paints only her muse - Shah Rukh Khan.

"Preity wants to break free from her chirpy, bubbly and happy-golucky image. So, my painting will show her in a serious avatar," Anjanna says. And how did the switch happen - from painting only SRK to painting Preity now?

"Preity was initially hesitant when I told her about making her my new muse. She said people would think she loves herself to madness and is vain enough to decorate the walls of her house with her own paintings," says Anjanna, adding, "But Preity's house doesn't have a single picture of her.

And I told her that the only other actor who doesn't have his pictures adorning his walls is SRK. She doesn't want to be painted as a cool and casual chick. She demanded two things in the painting - a complete change of her personality type and the touch of Himachal Pradesh.

She told me, 'I want the old Rajput look and the painting should be an antithesis of my image."

So, Anjanna is all set to paint her in Veer-Zaara style with a veil covering her face.

Howzzat for an image makeover, Preity?

Dev Anand's autobiography Romancing With Life coming on Sep 26

Dev Anand's autobiography, Romancing with Life which is published by Penguin International, will be launched on his 85th birthday on September 26 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Race Course Road, New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi would also join them during the celebration as the chief guest.

The book will be released the next day in Mumbai, followed by subsequent launches in Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. The launches will then ensue to Europe, US and Canada.

The London launch will be conducted by Tina Ambani as that's where Dev Anand made the film Des Pardes and launched Tina.

The quixotic Dev Saab, for the first time writes about his 62 years in Mumbai. His zest and enthusiasm is difficult to match. His Navketan still acts as a launching platform for many debutante actresses. The veteran actor continues to work, as he believes creativity does not die with age.

The guest list for the launch is endless, as he cordially invites the whole country for his book launch.

The 465 pages book also contains some 50 exclusive pictures of the actor, taken on different occasions. It took him almost three years to draw the book to a close.

Malaika in Reality TV

Malaika Arora Khan has just signed a reality-based television show.

If sources are to be believed the model-turned-actor is now more keen on hosting shows rather than just wielding the judge's baton on television. Malaika, who signed the dotted-line last week, starts shooting in January next year.

Presently, she is actively participating with channel heads in the process of concept development of the show.

A reliable source from the channel informs, "We have signed on Malaika for a reality television show. Since our channel is going to be operational from next year she will start filming early next year."

Jodhaa Akbar is coming on Jan 25, 2008

It's finally confirmed!

Ashutosh Gowariker and UTV have finally locked the release date of Jodhaa Akbar.

An official communiqué received by Taran Adarsh of IndiaFM states that the much-awaited epic romance is slated for a worldwide release on 25th January, 2008.

"The change of release date is due to the fact that Jodhaa Akbar has an extremely demanding post-production schedule," the statement adds.

With Hrithik Roshan as Akbar and Aishwarya Rai as Jodhaa, the film is produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions.

Amitabh turns dialogue writer with The Last Lear

Having repeatedly proven his versatility - from playing Babban in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag to a 60-something man in love with a teenaged girl in Nishabd - Bachchan adds yet another feather to his cap with The Last Lear.

Having written dialogues for the film as well, Big B plays Harish Mishra , an aging Shakespearean actor.

"It was exciting to approach the role because part of him is still an actor on stage, and the other half he's a very normal human being and therefore a lot of contrast in portraying the role in different ways. Also the fact that although English is a very common language in our country, it's spoken in different variations in different parts of the country, so I tried to bring all of that in one role," he says.

Based on a play by Utpal Dutt, the film also stars Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal along with Divya Dutta and Shefali Shah and is slated to hit the Indian theatres later this year.

Dutts go down memory lane

Sanjay Dutt, together with his sisters Namrata and Priya Dutt, has contributed to a picture book on their parents Nargis and Sunil Dutt titled Mr & Mrs Dutt: Memories Of Our Parents that is due for release next month.

The book includes letters from Nargis during her cancer treatment in America to Namrata including one that foresees Sanjay's troubled future. The quote reads:

"Please look after Sanju, see that he does not get mixed up with those silly boys again. He is too stupid in his head, he does not realise what he is doing and know it is going to hurt him."

"It's a coffee table book and it's about my dad and mom how they met. It compiles all the beautiful memories, of the time we have spent with our parents. I am looking forward to the release of the book. It will be out early October," said Sanjay Dutt.

The book's publisher expects the memoir to be a major seller of the season given Sanjay Dutt's controversial jail sentence.

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