Latest Bollywood News

Preity Zinta is my favourite actress and I’ not saying that because she is the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab,” said express bowler Brett Lee at the press conference of his acting debut Victory in Jaipur yesterday. Lee alongwith Mike Hussey, Brad Hogg, Simon Katich, RP Singh, Praveen Kumar, Dinesh Karthick and Yousuf Pathan played a competitive game under the luminous floodlights in the dexterously maintained Sawai Maan Singh Stadium. While huge sixes were being lofted all over the park, director Ajit Pal canned one shot after another in the beauteous 35 MM camera which was always at the risk of being smashed by one of Dinesh Karthick’s massive strikes.

Victory stars the sensation of 2008 Harman Baweja in the role of a cricketer from a humble background rubbing shoulders with the best in the business. “This is for the first time that you’ll see real players will be playing in a film. Except for Harman, all professional players are playing,” said producer Manmohan Shetty. Incidentally, this happens to be his first production post the winding-up at Adlabs. Shetty hasn’t coined a name for his production house (set up along with industrious daughter Pooja Shetty) yet and as for the budget of Victory, this is what he has to say, “It’s a big budget looking film but we still don’t know the exact amount as it is yet to be complete.”Alright let’s bring you an ‘ankhon dekha haal’ of what really happened at this unusual on location of a Hindi film. No grease paint adorned heroine simpering-n-careening away to glory, no humungous delays and no starry tantrums from the film crew. The film’s hero Harman Baweja remained ensconced in the player’s dressing room politely distancing himself from media speculation as his first big release Love Story 2050 is yet to be released. Without an iota of doubt Brett Lee was the hero of the day. Right from having fun with his mates at Sheraton Rajputana swimming pool (Yup watching them jump in water fully clothed was a sight) to being mobbed by the frantic crowd at the stadium who jumped barricades (A couple of demure looking policeman were more keen on protecting the newly baked pitch especially for the impending IPL fiesta than shooing away the irate public).

Lee was the cynosure of all eyes and like a star he mingled with fans, burnt sky hugging fire crackers and patiently answered queries from fan-like journos keen on knowing if he would build up a six pack or eight pack to maybe giving the Khans and the Roshans a run for their money. “I am a cricketer he said,” with a shining-sword smile and the impact was hard to miss. “Playing for Australia is my first love but there are so many other things that I like doing like fashion, music (he carried his guitar even to the stadium), and watching movies and now being a part of it. When it releases in Australia there will be lots pf laughs, lots of fun.” So, why did he agree to do Victory where he plays himself? “It is a fantastic script and hats off to people who’ve written it.”

When quizzed about the recent altercations between Indian and Australian players, Lee diplomatically said, “The relations between Indian and Australian cricketers are brilliant. There have been a few instances but these kind of things happen.” Actor Dalip Tahil who plays the coach of Indian cricket team in the field light-heartedly jumped in at this moment, “We are trying to get Brett busy with Bollywood assignments so that he doesn’t find time for cricket.”

Everyone wanted a piece of Brett Lee (though there were some who were overwhelmed with the presence of Mr Highest Average Mike Hussey too). So Brett, would you sing for us? “Haan mein tumhara hoon aur tuhara ho rahoonga,” he mouthed his lines from the Asha Bhonsle. And what’s the best Hindi film you’ve ever watched? “Any film starring Preity Zinta,” he said with a chuckle. Talk about keeping your team honour in good humour. Or does it have to do something with the rumours of their alleged fling a few years ago. Hmmmm…we aren’t jumping to conclusions. Are we! Never mind…

Victory also stars Amrita Rao and Anupam Kher in pivotal roles. The music of the film has been given by Anu Malik and it is slated to release in October 2008. Don’t forget to check out the exclusive On Location video of Victory…

According to sources from South Africa, Yuvraj Singh is believed to be more than just good friends with Mandira Bedi. Buzz is that the cricketer and the commentator have been bonding big time a couple of weeks after the Indian Premiere League took off.

“They were very good friends earlier, but somewhere along the way they got too busy with their schedules and couldn’t really keep in touch,” says our source, adding that Yuvi and Mandy caught up in SA like more than just long-lost buddies. The cricketer and television hottie’s bonding hasn’t gone unnoticed. The two have even made it to the the famous ‘fakeiplplayer’ blog as the author writes, “Sometime during this tournament, the Prince and Sandy Baddy Babe have renewed their long friendship.

They have been seen together in clubs, hotel lobbies and corridors having long discussions on the finer nuances of the beautiful game.” Reportedly, Prince is the blogger’s name for Yuvraj Singh while Sandy Baddy Babe is Mandira Bedi. Now this is something that isn’t too hard to believe.. since the Kings XI Punjab captain is reported to be quite a ladies’ man, considering his partying ways in Mumbai, Delhi etc. That was after he had broken up with long-time girlfriend, actress Kim Sharma.

Yuvi and Kim were in a relationship for four years.. and were reportedly even considering marriage. But it is believed that his mother didn’t exactly approve of an actress bahu right from the time they committed to each other. Initially everything was hunky dory, but after a couple of years, his mother’s dominance began to show.

Yuvi, who’s known to be a maa ka laadla, reportedly gave in under pressure from her.. and gradually he and Kim drifted apart, sometime in the middle of 2007. It’s believed that Yuvi used to call and SMS her till last year, but wisened a year-and-a-half since their split, Kim didn’t revert to him.

Mumbai, Hrithik Roshan has made news for a lip-lock again, this time with Latin co-star Barbara Mori in "Kites". But the actor says she helped him discard his inhibitions and they kissed like real-life couples.

"Why are we even talking about kissing? Is that such a big deal? Hasn't our cinema grown up? Yes, there're kissing scenes in the film, but nothing to make me squirm. In fact, I'd be more than happy and completely comfortable watching those kissing scenes with my wife, son and parents when the film is released," Hrithik told IANS.

The star had scorched the headlines when he locked lips with Aishwarya Rai in "Dhoom 2" and "Jodhaa Akbar".

Rationalising the need to look at lip-locking, Hrithik said: " 'Kites' is a love story. It's about people in love. And what do people in love do to express their mutual feelings? In fact, it was Barbara Mori who made me realise how silly we look on screen while shying away from expressing love naturally."

It happened while Hrithik and Barbara were shooting a tough and dangerous action sequence in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the US..

"We were both supposed to jump off from a rooftop at an impossible height. Before we did so our director Anurag Basu suggested I kiss Barbara since we were doing something death-defying and dangerous and potentially lethal. I reached out and kissed her on the cheeks.

"Barbara turned around to ask why I had kissed her on the cheek. 'Given the same situation with your real-life wife, Suzanne, would you kiss her on the cheek?' I was floored by her logic," said Hrithik.

The take was repeated. "And this time I kissed her the way real-life couples would in the situation. On the lips," said Hrithik.

Yashraj Films recently launched a website for its underproduction romantic comedy Pyaar Impossible.

Featuring Priyanka Chopra along with Uday Chopra, the film is all about how a next door geek woos a glamorous unattainable beauty.

But the buzz is that Pyaar Impossible might just be a rip off of Hollywood’s popular Julia Roberts - Hugh Grant starrer Notting Hill.

“It is not true. The only similarity it as that Notting Hill and Pyaar Impossible is that they are about a geek and an unattainable woman. Otherwise there Julia Roberts was a film star and here I am a normal ordinary girl,” says Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra.

Well we hope that the makers would be making some changes to the original plot! What’s more the story and screenplay of the film is actually written by Uday Chopra himself.

“It is Uday’s baby. He has also written it and has an insight of this film in a big way. It was great knowing Uday. I had not known him before. It was great working with him,” adds Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra.

But what in the world would make Priyanka Chopra do a film with strugglers Uday Chopra and Dino Morea at this stage in her career?

“When I listen to the script of this movie, I realised that this has even happened with me. So I thought that a lot of people will be able to see this movie. This is the reason that I did this film,” says Priyanka Chopra.

Bollywood actress and co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, Shilpa Shetty is going to share screen space with Australian cricketer Shane Warne in a movie to be produced by Bobby Bedi. Apart from Shane Warne, some other handsome players of the Rajasthan Royals have been roped in. Bobby Bedi thought to make film with Shilpa Shetty along with her team much before she owned the team.

Confirming the story, Shilpa said, "It's a film with some of the RR players. This was discussed before I became co-owner. The project is under review because of the shift in venue to South Africa. They would have shot some bits during the camp if the IPL had happened in India."

A source reveals, “Bedi was always very keen to do a movie with Shilpa, but couldn't find the right script. The producer has finally come across the script that not only suits the actress, but also the Rajasthan Royals' captain-cum-coach Warne. Bobby met Shilpa during her visit to Jaipur after this year's Rajasthan Royals team was finalized. They also had a dinner meeting to discuss it."

Bedi was also present at the party thrown by Shilpa and her beau Raj Kundra's along with their players at Hotel Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur.

How much Shahrukh Khan shouts from the roof top that he shares a good camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan or whatever Amitabh Bachchan writes on his blog stories about his friendship with Shahrukh, the truth is something else. The duo still does not share a good rapport.

In order to avoid Amitabh Bachchan who is the brand ambassador of IIFA, Shahrukh Khan has decided to skip the event. That he will be invited for the event has already been known to SRK when Big B publicly said that he would invite Shahrukh to IIFA. But grapevine abuzz that Shahrukh Khan to stay away from the event and from Amitabh has planned for a 10 day vacation to London with his family.

Shahrukh Khan knows very well that being the brand ambassador of the IIFA, Big B will steal all the limelight and he will not get the required amount of attention which is unacceptable on his part. Shahrukh also did not return to South Africa to cheer his team.

Kareena Kapoor who recently asked her ex love Shahid Kapur to stay away from Priyanka Chopra and move on in life has received a tight slap from Priyanka verbally. Kareena who further went to say that Shahid and Priyanka are dragging her and Saif’s name to publicize ‘Kaminey’ has further intensified Priyanka's anger and she responded hardly. She hits back at Kareena and gave an appropriate reply to her false accusation.

Priyanka said, “Kaminey is directed by Vishal Bharadwaj whose directorial credentials don’t need any introduction and it is produced by UTV which is amongst the best production houses in the country today. I have seen the film and I feel it’s a brilliant piece of work. All those who will see the film will definitely love it. We as the team of ‘Kaminey’ are extremely well equipped and capable of publicizing the film and don’t require any outside help for the same.”

It is even said that the relationship between the two beauties turned sour ever since Priyanka started to date Kareena’s ex-boyfriend.

Esha Deol’s staying away from films and media lead to the rumor that she has undergone botox and facelift treatment. To this rumor, mother Hema Malini reacted strongly and denied of her daughter undergoing any such cosmetic treatment. Actress and member of Rajya Sabha feels proud to be called Esha’s mother as she is not into any sort of alleged relationship with her co-stars and moving on the right track. She even spills that beam that she is looking for a perfect groom for Esha.

“I must thank God that Esha hasn’t taken that route to fame. She doesn’t have boyfriends or even boys who are her friends. She gets linked to all her co-actors but I know she’s clean. She will find a suitable man, ask my permission and marry him. I’m also on the look out for an appropriate groom for her,” says the eternal beauty.

Esha who fail to rise to stardom like her parents is currently concentrating on her dance and exercise routines. Hema Malini confirms that she will not be part of her father Dharmendra’s home production but focus on her respective career.

The film takes us straight into the relationships between couple of individuals who are very different. Both so stubborn, they stick to their way and don't get along despite being pushed so many times together. It's fireworks in the making, certain to tickle.

Akshay Kumar plays Viraj Shergill, a flamboyantly adventurous stuntman in Hollywood goes with the mantra of 'Women are only good for two things -' Making Love & Making Love'. And then there's Kareena Kapoor who plays Simirita Rai, a hardened feminist who has the ability to stare down the most arrogant male with her harsh, corrosive and sarcastic tone. Well, she strongly trusts "There's no such thing as love".

Thusly, imagine the situation when these stubborn characters encounter each other at Simrita's best friend Kamini's(Amrita Arora) and Viraj's brother Lucky's (Aftab Shivdasani) wedding? It's a wedding that both Viraj and Simrita are violently opposed to and desperate to stop. Sparks are bound to fly as the two are bound by the twists of fate into a situations neither ever dreamed about.

Only time will tell whether Akki can find success without his lucky mascot Kat. Or if Kareena and Amrita's off screen friendship can translate into on screen luck. We'll wait and see!

Kambakkt time, keeping us waiting from watching the movie immediately!

After giving such box office hits as Jodha Akbar, Jodhaa Akbar (2007) and Dhoom 2, Back In Action (2006) , Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been singed by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his next film, Guzaarish (2010) , which is scheduled to go on the floors by the end of 2009 after Hrithik finishs up with Kites (2009) .