Amazing Bollywood

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken strong exception to allegations of "indecent behaviour" levelled against Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by upcoming star Tanushree Datta.



The MNS has written letters to different associations of cine producers to 'blacklist' Tanushree for accusing a senior actor like Nana of bad behaviour during the shooting of an item number for the movie Horn OK Pleassse on Wednesday.

The organisation, which was recently in the news for its violence against the north Indians living in Mumbai, has threatened to agitate against the actress if she does not give an unconditional apology to the actor, whom it describes as the "pride of Maharashtra".

Meanwhile, producer of Horn OK Pleassse, Sami Siddiqui, filed a complaint Saturday with the Association of Motion Picture and TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) against Tanushree.

He alleged that his production firm, Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd, incurred a heavy loss because the actress failed to complete shooting for the item song being filmed on her and Nana.

In his complaint, Siddiqui also stated that the goodwill of his production firm was tarnished because Tanushree went to the media saying that she was "coerced" by director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya to do steps in the item song she did not feel comfortable doing.

Acting quickly on the complaint, the AMPTPP dashed off a letter to the actress, asking her to pay a compensation of Rs 65 million. This would include Rs 15 million to Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Rs 50 million for defaming it in public.

Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. had signed Tanushree for Rs 1.5 million for the item number to be shot over four days. She had been paid an advance of Rs 500,000.

According to Siddiqui, he as well as Sarang and Acharya had explained to Tanushree what her steps would be in the dance number.

"She had agreed to it," Siddiqui said.

"They [Sarang and Acharya] also agreed when she requested them not to compel her to wear a costume she would not be comfortable with. So we were surprised when she walked out of the sets on the last day of the shooting [March 26] after taking part in it for two days," Siddiqui said on Saturday.

On Friday, Tanushree shot off a letter to the Cine and Television Artistes' Association (CINTAA) explaining the sequence of events that led to her stomping out of the sets and the scuffle that subsequently took place between media persons present on the sets and her secretary.

In her letter, the actress also referred to the "unbecoming" manner in which Nana Patekar behaved with her during shooting of the item number on the first day and why she felt the need to ask her parents and her secretary to be present during the shoots later.

CINTAA is yet to act on her letter, but it is likely to ask Patekar for his explanation.

It is rarely that a member of a cine association complains against a fellow member. In this case, what makes it unique is that an upcoming star has lodged a serious complaint against a senior member at the risk of her budding career.

The lead actors and actresses of a film not getting along with each other is not uncommon. But what took this issue to another level altogether is the spat which happened yesterday, between Tanushree Datta and Nana Patekar on the sets of Rakesh Sarang’s Horn Ok Pleassss.



The incident occurred during the picturisation of an item number with choreographer Ganesh Acharya. Tanushree, allegedly, reasoned that instead of the chorographer, it was Nana who started showing her the steps and in the bargain, he came too close and made her feel uncomfortable. After which she immediately ran into her vanity van and shoot was stalled for quite a while. Tanushree then called it a day and got into her car along with her mother. Her car was then allegedly ‘attacked’ by hoards of journalists, who just wanted a video ‘byte’ from her over the issue.

Tanushree’s family, in the meanwhile, has filed a FIR against those who attacked their car.

On the other hand, it’s the perpetual hot favourite Rakhi Sawant, who has replaced Tanushree Datta. With the kind of item number that our laadli Maharashtrian mulgi is doing, she will surely create a world record in item numbers, Rakhi isshtyle!

No one can deny the fact that Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest global superstar in the Hindi film industry. As is well known, King Khan has taken up another TV quiz show (after Kaun Banega Crorepati), which will run during prime time on the country's number 1 channel, across March end, April and May. It is given that the show, 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? ' will command record eyeballs for sure, especially during the initial episodes.



As is known, Shah Rukh Khan also owns a cricket team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkota Knight Riders, which will play Twenty20 competitions in which a record 59 matches will be played and telecast in April-May. Knowing the involvement of SRK and some of the other high profile members in IPL, it is naturally going to be a huge event that will command undivided attention of the cricket crazy nation.

So it is but obvious that both Shah Rukh's television show and the IPL cricket tournament will have an adverse effect on the films releasing during those times. And will take away the audience that might otherwise have bought tickets for entertainment purposes.

Well, on a serious note, its only the makers (who have cinematically inferior products) and media hyped stars who need to worry and will crib about these factors for the failure of their projects. There have been countless instances when audiences have thronged to the theatres despite the most hyped events. But then on many of those occasions, King Khan was on the right side of the fence for Bollywood!

To begin any Bollywood actress's interview by calling her 'different' is surely a cliché and you'd be ready to put it down to the interviewer's fancy, but here's something for starters – she readily admits she's not a huge cricket buff (though she doesn't mind the Twenty20)! Meet Amrita Arora, the Bollywood bombshell who made audiences sweat as she moved to the sardi of Dilli, and who has no qualms about wearing her sexuality on her sleeve.



Do you mind the 'sexy siren' tag? Do you think the image prevents you from getting more serious roles?
Not at all. I like being sexy and I think it is a woman's prerogative to be sexy! I don't fear the label, for I think 'serious' is a very hypothetical term. Does it mean being de-glam and doing rona dhona ? I think there'll be sexiness even in the de-glam Amrita.

You're quite the queen of item numbers. Are you still game for more?
Hey, I've done just one item number, Dilli ki sardi . People have the impression I've done more since most of my movies have popular numbers. Well yes, if someone offers me another item number that is to my taste and I like the track, I will be happy to do it.

You're one of the fittest actresses on the scene. How much effort goes into working out and dieting?
Lots...(and repeating it for emphasis)...lots! When you're 21, if your genes are good, you can eat like a pig and still stay in shape. But as you grow older, it requires a lot more effort. I do yoga thrice a week and weight training thrice a week. I do control my diet, but don't believe in not eating. And one day in the week is my 'cheat-day' when I let myself go completely mad and have all the cakes and chocolates. Being half south Indian, tairasadam (curd-rice) or sambar-rice is a must on that one day.



At a time when a lot of actresses are uncomfortable doing bold roles, you did the daring role of a lesbian in Girlfriend . What made you do that?
Well, the mindset of the average heroine here is still somewhat prudish, and they want to do the tried and tested roles. Girlfriend may be gone and buried now, but I did it for the right reasons, wanting to work on a subject that's important. Unfortunately, it got lost in a season of sleaze with movies like Hawas . I hope five years down the line, someone will handle the subject better and win accolades.

What are your upcoming projects?
I am trying to do really varied stuff. In Atul Agnihotri's Hello , I do a de-glam role of a girl addicted to substances. In Banda Ye Bindaas Hai , I play a Maharashtrian bai! Besides, Golmaal Returns is a laugh-riot, and Samir Karnik's Mera Bharat Mahaan is about four college students whose lives change when they go on a road trip through Ladakh and Punjab to make a film on the army.

You and sister Malaika seem to share a great chemistry on-screen. What's it like off-screen?
Even better! We're like peas in a pod. Growing up, I was always the naughty one while she was responsible, and she would even take shoutings for me. And till date, things haven't changed!

PepsiCo India has signed Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for its mango drink Slice.



Katrina becomes not only the first brand ambassador for Slice but also the first Indian film actress to endorse a brand in the juice category. She will also be the face for Slice Mangola.

"Slice enjoys high salience in the Indian market and is known to be a great tasting mango drink for all occasions. We are delighted to associate with Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for Slice and are positive that she will help build the brand's connect with our core consumers," said Homi Battiwalla, vice president (emerging categories), PepsiCo India.

Katrina said: "I am extremely proud to be associated with Slice. When the brand approached me, I readily agreed because it is the best-tasting mango drink, and has been my favorite for a long time. Its delicious taste makes it a perfect drink suitable for all occasions."

As the reports of Kareena Kapoor's collapse during the shoot of Tashan raise questions about her crash diet, dad Randhir Kapoor is quite upset with Bebo's weight obsession.



Voicing his concern, he says, "I have told her to stop the 'diet business.' She has become quite thin and must not lose more weight, but Bebo tells me that I should go on a diet because I am terribly overweight. Now what you can you say to that!"

It's common knowledge that Bebo is literally surviving on love and fresh air these days, with chhote nawab by her side. But has the daddy dearest accepted her beau? "If my daughter is happy with Saif Ali Khan, then I am happy too and my blessings are always there for my children."

While Dabboo is certainly worried about his younger daughter's health, he is also quite proud of her achievements and says happily, "I was thrilled when Bebo got the Filmfare Best Actress Award and my brother Rishi got the Lifetime Achievement Award, while my nephew Ranbir got the award for Best Male Debut. Now we are going to launch two films soon under the RK Films Banner with Bebo and Ranbir. Happy days are here again! My father and grandfather must be really proud watching our family from wherever they are!"

Everybody's talking about Bipasha Basu! Her hot look in RACE is a turn on! Especially the eyes! The smoky look of the extended eyeliner a la Sophia Loren has sparked off a trend not only in the film industry but also in the modeling circle.



Sharmila Tagore was the first actress to have started that trend.

Bipasha has always been open to experiments. The actress has always tried out something new when it comes to her looks and character in films. RACE gave her a chance to experiment with different looks importantly playing with her eyes.

Bipasha said, "Eyes speak volumes! You don't have to say anything at that point of time! It is the eyes that talk! They say, "Samjhnewale ko ishara kafi hai!" Anaita has done a great job of styling me in RACE and trying to new make up trend by extending my eye liner."

Bollywood actress Sherlyn Chopra, the 'Outrageous' kid in Bollywood is all set to release her album' OUTRAGEOUS-The End of the beginning. And with the launch of OUTRAGEOUS, Sherlyn Chopra is increasingly turning out to be a 'nice package' of talent and glamour.



T-Series have officially signed her to release the album 'Outrageous'. The girl with attitude surely has what it takes. She has a crack team in place for the album. A very international looking video has been shot by Ad legend Prahlad Kakkar, with designer Wendell Rodricks designing her outfits and ace choreographer Ashley Lobo choreographing some wild outrageous dance moves. And with T-Series backing her up, OUTRAGEOUS promises to be the biggest launch in India.

Says Ajay Kapoor, T-Series, "OUTRAGEOUS' is a nice album. When Sherlyn Chopra came to us with the album, we instantly liked what she did. The songs are very trendy and youthful and will connect with the youth. She is very talented. We have officially signed her for her album 'Outrageous'



He adds, "Infact the title track 'Outrageous' is very catchy and goes with the music trend today. We are mutually looking at releasing the album in December. An elaborate promotion plan too is being chalked out with channels and promotional city tours. Sherlyn has got the attitude, and it reflects in her album. We would like to wish her the very best for her debut album 'Outrageous'.

Says Bollywood Actress Sherlyn, "I have always been singing since my teenage days. With OUTRAGEOUS, I will showcase my talent as a singer, lyricist, composer and obviously as a hot and glamorous actress in the video. The visuals in the video are going to be outrageously outrageous and it will appeal more to the youth than any other age group, because the youth have a better understanding of sex than adults.

Most downloaded internet wallpaper babe Sherlyn Chopra for PETA’s ad campaign.Sherlyn Chopra is the latest addition to this august international list of celebrities who have lent their support to PETA. Anuradha Sawhney of PETA India, said, “We have an ‘outrageous’ theme planned for PETA with Sherlyn Chopra as the lead model.