Women Oriented Films

After a short hiatus, Madhur Bhandarkar is now back to the studios. After 3 critically acclaimed and commercial successful women oriented films, the National award winning filmmaker is gearing up to make his 4th women oriented movie ‘Fashion And giving three consecutive hit ‘Chandani Bar’, ‘Corporate’ and ‘Signal’, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is now set for his forth movie titled ‘Fashion’. The final countdown has just started, only recently when Madhur had a long session with Priyanka Chopra who will be the lead actress this time. The shooting of this movie will start from this month. Madhur is busy with the writers and meeting with lead actors and explaining them their roles. Madhur is also conducting workshops for Priyanka, Kangana and other actors . They are being trained by leading fashion designers. The actresses are learning various tricks of the fashion world like catwalk, style and other stuff. According to Madhur, the movie will be as real as it can get with the fashion world. The movie is likely to be shoot in Paris and Dubai besides Mumbai.

Aishwarya in a Mini Skirt and Puffed Blouse

Aishwarya Rai, last seen lighting up the screens in Dhoom II and Guru, is all set to do that again in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar pairing with her Dhoom star Hrithik Roshan. This period film, shot on a large canvas is due to hit the screens on 25 January 2008. Meanwhile, the Bachchan bahu is busy shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s sequel to his last hit Sarkar titled Sarkar Raj. Adding spice to the story, Aishwarya is playing Abhishek’s reel-life wife as well. The last time the two were seen together was in the film Guru. What is more piquant about this movie is that Ash will be seen wearing mini skirts and puffed blouses. Sources say her looks bear strong resemblance to the Enron girl Rebecca Mark. The story, this time, has the Nandigram issue as the backdrop and is expected to hit the screens in April 2008.

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Bollywood Beauty Bipasha on a Bed of Roses

Bipasha Basu may not be exactly getting $0.225 million for her much-hyped performance, as a part of the New Year's evening bash at a suburban five-star hotel. The actress, who is one of the highest paid Bollywood performers at the New Year celebrations this year, may not be going home with that whopping amount after all. Apparently, the actress will be paid a lump sum amount close to Rs 7.5 million , and the rest will be in kind.

Talking about the services, the actress has demanded free memberships at the gymnasium, pool, and the relaxation area. Starting January 2008, the actress will avail special discounts at all restaurants, suites and discotheque of the hotel. Bipasha will also get a special bedding package - mattress topper made of the best material, three different sets of pillows and duvet, which will ensure that Bipasha stays warm and comfortable. Bips have made the exception of working on the New Year's Eve, but she will have new bedding package for her bedroom.

Who's Crazy About Bollywood Hottie Madhuri?

Kunal Kapoor is so excited about his role in Aaja Nachle that he just can’t find words to describe it. The actor has performed with none other than Madhuri Dixit for the first time and he just can’t stop raving about her.

"I had great fun shooting for Aaja Nachle. I hope that it will translate itself on-screen. I worked with Madhuri for the first time. What was more interesting was watching her perform. Every time she was performing a scene we all used to sit on the sets watching her and when the shot was over we would all clap. She thought we were all crazy," shares Kunal.

Was performing a role , which is in contrast to his nature difficult? "Surprisingly, it wasn’t difficult for me," he says. "My character is cool and calm, but maybe the aggressiveness of my childhood must have been lurking somewhere and it has come out in my role," says Kunal. He admits to be a huge fan of Madhuri. This is Kunal’s second film with Konkona after Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. This is Kunal’s second film under the Yash Raj Banner. When asked if he is concentrating on bigger banners now that his career has taken off, Kunal replies, "Not necessarily. I like to work with good directors and would love to do films, which people will watch on a larger scale. I want to work with the right people and if their films reach out to a wider audience then why not." Kunal is also doing a cameo in Shyam Benegal’s Mahadev.

Triplets: I want my Kid to be a Director

Life couldn’t have been more fulfilling for choreographer-turned-director Farha Khan. Riding high on the success of Om Shanti Om, she is eagerly awaiting the birth of her triplets, in two months from now. Fagged out at times, but mostly upbeat, Farah says, “Since the time I conceived, my babies have been accompanying me everywhere including the post production work. So it’s but natural that films will be seeped into their blood.” The mum-to-be goes on to express her ardent wish, “I hope at least one of them becomes a film director.” Till then of course, Farah is busy reading more scripts for her next film. At 42, when most women pull away from an active working life, Farah is raring to go. Farah has no regrets whatsoever. She married Shirish Kunder who is younger than her by eight years. “There’s no formula to a successful marriage. I am glad I married someone younger and yes, even though there’s an age gap there’s no scope for insecurity. I don’t have illusions that Shirish married a beauty because I am not one. In fact, when he proposed, he was clear that only if I intend to have his babies, he would marry me. He may be eight years younger, but I am the kid in this relationship,” she explains.

India Beats Pakistan!

Anil Kumble's tenure as India captain got off to a perfect start at his happy hunting ground as the hosts thumped Pakistan by six wickets in the first Test to go 1-0 up in the three-match cricket series in the Capital. Kumble's tryst with Ferozeshah Kotla continued unabated and the Man of the Match award came as the icing on the cake for the veteran leg-spinner, who claimed seven wickets in the match, besides scoring a defiant 24 runs in the first innings. Needing 32 for a facile win, India completed the formalities in little over half an hour 32 minutes to be precise to score the required runs in 6.2 overs and record their seventh consecutive Test win at Kotla. Sachin Tendulkar 56 not out scored the winning run in style, rocking to his back foot to cut Danish Kaneria past the point fielder for a scorching boundary. Trying to pull Shoaib Akhtar, Ganguly offering a swirling catch to Sohail Tanvir at fine leg to leave without adding to his overnight score. Ganguly's 48 came off 64 balls in two hours, during which he hit eight boundaries. Tendulkar, however, provided the reason for celebration for the sparse Kotla crowd by notching up his 46th Test fifty via a full-blooded cut off Kaneria. Both the teams now move to Kolkata for the second Test, which gets underway on 30th November.

Miss Bollywood Shilpa Shetty

Tickets for the final show of Shilpa Shetty's debut musical in London Miss Bollywood are almost sold out. Shilpa Shetty has said that the response to her debut musical Miss Bollywood has been "fantastic" and tickets for the final show at the Royal Albert Hall in London on December 12 has almost been sold out. "It is truly my privilege and a great platform to showcase India's culture," Shetty told newsmen on Tuesday night. In the musical, Shilpa Shetty leads a performing group of over 40 leading dancers from Bollywood and beyond. Miss Bollywood is set against the backdrop of London as the city prepares for the 2012 Olympics. It follows the story of 'Maya' -- performed by Shilpa Shetty -- a classically trained dancer and choreographer who recently arrived from India to set up a dance academy in a soon to be demolished East London building. It is a concoction of riveting dance sequences, showcasing a combination of eclectic dance forms taken from the east and west of India. "Miss Bollywood will appeal not only to fans of Bollywood films and their super catchy hit songs but also to the mainstream audiences for high energy dance or musical theatre. Extravaganza is the right description." Farhath Hussain, producer, promoter and organizer of the musical said he planned to take the musical to Australia, USA and Dubai in due course.