Katrina skirts another controversy

Katrina Kaif has just returned from Egypt after shooting a song with her favourite co-star, Akshay Kumar, for the keenly awaited Singh Is Kinng.

And while Katrina is delighted with the way the song has shaped up, she is even more charmed by Egypt and its culture.

"It's among the most beautiful countries I have visited - the pyramids, the temples and the landscape are absolutely exotic. I even enjoyed the barbecue dinner on a boat on the Nile. We shot in a number of places and I've come back with fond memories of my trip."

Ask her about the song she shot, Jee Karda, she smiles, "Wait and watch. It should be on air later this month. We shot at 4am every day to capture the light and it was scorching. To keep cool we would stay in shades and sip fruit juice or mint tea."

But her recent tour to the African land almost got into trouble when local police reportedly arrived at the scene and objected to Katrina’s outfit that exposed her bare legs while she was shooting against the backdrop of the great pyramids along with Akki.

Egypt is predominantly a Muslim nation and revealing outfits are not accepted in public places.

According to reports director Anees Bazmee, who was determined to shoot at the pyramids, managed to get the matter resolved with the help of others. And another skirt controversy was successfully skirted.

How much can I actually go wrong with Sarkar Raj?" - RGV

Ram Gopal Varma is confident about his upcoming film, Sarkar Raj. Now does it really warrant to be touted as Breaking News? No, not at all. After all the man has always sounded positive about his movies, regardless of whether the man behind the camera is him or his spot boy, driver or an office boy! He was confident about Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, he was confident about Nishabd, he was confident about Darling and he was also confident about Shiva!

So what really makes one believe the words coming from Ramu are indeed sincere when he talks about Sarkar Raj? Well, of course, the vintage factor which makes one nostalgic about Sarkar, his last bona fide success.

Laughs Ramu, "You tell me, how much can I actually go wrong with Sarkar Raj? I am making a movie which takes its setting and characters from a film which has already been largely accepted by the audience over the years."

Tell him that it indeed is the case since Nagres did turn out to be household names after the release of Sarkar and he adds on, "See, Sarkar was liked by quite a few people. The box office itself is witness to that. The subject was lapped up well while the characters were appreciated. People wanted to know what more happened in the lives of Subhash Nagre and Shankar Nagre, the characters played by Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan respectively."

So how does he delve into the journey of the family from this point on? "When power changes hands, a lot of things happen. And in case of Sarkar Raj, third dimension comes in the form of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's introduction too. All of this does lead to quite a few volatile situations in the film", hints Ramu, "See, my characters are all set so it saves me a lot of time (and some raw stock) to establish/introduce them to the audience. All I have to do now is tell them what happened once Shankar started calling the shots."

Remove Value Added Tax, says Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan has asked the Centre to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Service Tax on the entertainment industry and sought the conferment of de-facto industry status today.

Khan said that it is imperative to bring the entertainment industry under the "Concurrent List" so that it can be governed by Central rules and enjoy tax concessions announced by the latter from time to time.

At present, the entire entertainment and film industry comes under State Government's jurisdiction because of which, it is unable to enjoy the dejure industry status conferred on it.

Khan would release a study on the entertainment industry this evening, highlighting the need for the removal of VAT and Service Tax.

The study has been done by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

In the study Assocham said, "Retaining the industry in the State List deprives the tax concessions given by the Centre."

Assocham has also called for the enactment of the Optic Disc Law to combat piracy. Such a law has been introduced in Malaysia and Hong Kong and the results have been encouraging.

The Government has set up five groups on piracy, taxation and custom duties, exports of films, promotion, development and marketing for films.

The Central Excise department under the Finance Act of 2007 has issued notices for the recovery of Service Tax from the industry in cases of renting, leasing and letting out immovable properties.

Mama versus bhanja

Aamir Khan starrers have clashed with various actors in the past, but come October 2 and Aamir will battle it out with nephew Imraan Khan.

KIDNAP -- directed by DHOOM and DHOOM 2 director Sanjay Gadhvi and produced by reputed production house Ashtavinayak -- was initially slated for release on August 21. But the film has been shifted ahead, it is now confirmed for October 2, the same date as the Aamir starrer GHAJINI. Incidentally, both GHAJINI and KIDNAP are distributed by Studio 18.

“October 2 [Thursday] happens to be Gandhi Jayanti and it promises to be a long weekend. It coincides with Idd this year as well and since both GHAJINI and KIDNAP are action films, we expect a thunderous start for the films,” Aman Gill of Studio 18 confirms.

Have they spoken to Aamir about it? What's his reaction to the mama-bhanja clash? “Of course, we did speak to Aamir about it. And he's pretty excited about it. Aamir also feels that two good films can easily co-exist in a week,” Aman adds. Expect fireworks on October 2.

SRK's punishment SMS to his Knights

After giving Chennai match a skip SRK is not going to attend the team’s next match at home, against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday but amidst his team's dismal performance in the IPL and the reports of a rift in the camp, King Khan has sent the following SMS to his Knights on Wednesday, which is inspirational and commanding at the same time:



“Story time boys... I told you if you keep losing you have to bear with my long, boring msgs.... This is your punishment.... Many times I have made movies which don’t do well....



When I’m doing them, of course, I don’t know they won’t do well.... The story is written by somebody else and I just do my bit as an actor. But I have a way of dealing with flop stories..., I try my best to keep my character in the film at a level that it makes a failed story also special for me....



“I enjoy the work.... I make jokes about the failure.... And, of course, feel awful about it too.... So, right now, all of us have become part of a failed script... A bad IPL script.... Let’s try and keep our characters worthy of still looking back at this story and remembering it as a special story becos we all worked very hard at this....



“So, chin up and don’t spoil yr character in the next two games.... Let’s go out with a bang and not a whimper.... In films, we say u r only as good as yr last film.... So let’s make the whole world know how good we r in the last (maybe not) two games...



“Also, do ignore all this bit about Dada, me and John having issues.... It’s a normal thing in the world.... People like to hit you when u r down.... So, we will be hit.... No stress.... It will make us stronger.... The only way to avoid this is to win.... That’s one of the reasons why everybody likes to be a winner....



“On the other hand, the beauty of failure is that it brings people together.... So, let’s stick this out together.... You know me well enuff to know I am not the kind of owner who has issues with the team ’cos of losses... I am too much of a sport myself to get beaten by defeats.... Like you guys are.... Like Dada and John....



“I am still trying to understand the code of conduct expected of me at the matches of the IPL.... ICC... Etc....



After I understand it, I will decide whether to accept it or not.... Till such time, I will be with you guys at the hotel... in the meetings etc., but won’t come for the matches.... So, please don’t ever feel it is anything to do with us as a team....



“I am as dedicated to my Knights as I am to my kids.... Only, I won’t be coming to the class room till the headmaster’s rules are understood by me....



I am a bit anti-Establishment kind of a guy, so I apologise for this quirk to u all.... So, head’s up.... Have a good match and let’s make 200 runs tomorrow.... This 150 seems to not work any more....



“We have nothing to lose now, except our character.... Let’s not lose that.... Lov... SRK.”

Screen Shots From Sarkar Raj

Dia replces Bips as 'sex bomb'

It’s sad yet true. Sanjay Gupta’s much waited and hyped flick, Acid Factory, will showcase Dia Mirza as ‘sex bomb’ replacing its previously finalized diva Bipasha Basu.



With elapsing time and increasing expectation from audience Bipasha had already visualized the releasing day of the flick. The proud Dia, replacing the bong beau, exclaims, “In all my previous films I have portrayed common and very normal girls.



I am quite happy and excited about my present offer of a sexy and hot character with which I can play a completely different role from my previous ones.”



Being the only heroine to show her glitz amongst the six Bollywoody hunks, Dia is already flying high in the sky. She underlines the fact that having no other feminine competitor in the flick she is doubly sure of getting all the whistles and winking gazes at herself only.



The character she is portraying in the film will be known as Deadly Max. “She is such a character who doesn’t regret any of her wrongdoings and never wish to explain them to anyone else.



I have done all my stunt scenes in the film myself only. During the shoot I got the chance of playing with guns for the first time in my life and I really enjoyed it”, Dia explains exuberantly.



It’s very usual that while there is only one flower amongst many thorns, the flower is subjected to attract attention. Dia, in the same way, will surely catch eyeballs.



But we only can advice Dia not to get mingled with so many actions and stunts otherwise she will pose just as the seventh hero in the film and audience will keep looking for the sexy gait of a missing diva in the acidic disaster.

Aamir apologies for his Shah Rukh dog blog

Putting an end to the blog controversy, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan Tuesday apologised for his blog entry where he said he had a dog named 'Shahrukh', inviting criticism from King Khan's fans and shocking people in the Hindi film industry.

Aamir told newsmen at the residence of yesteryears' Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor: "I just wrote it out of humour and if it has hurt the feelings of mine or Shahrukh's fans then I apologise to all."

The actor also said that he shares a healthy relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.

The actor had reportedly proclaimed that he has a dog by the name of "Shahrukh". The unflattering comment had sent shock waves through the film industry.

Commenting on the episode, Shah Rukh had said: "Earlier, people used to name their children after famous people. Somebody naming a dog after a known person is a new beginning in that direction. I don't have a copyright over this name if used non-commercially."

Esha's loss is Sonal's gain

Sonal Chauhan is all set to pop the champagne.

After cutting three cakes on her birthday on May 16, yes, the same day as her debut film Jannat's released, Sonal Chauhan has received the best birthday gift ever. "Jannat has opened to 100 percent," gushes the ecstatic newcomer.

Sonal who's already made waves in the modeling industry has now been accepted with open arms by Bollywood, too. She's bagging offers galore and now has hit box office gold with the stupendous opening of Jannat.

Says Sonal, "It is the best birthday gift I have ever received. Jannat has released on my birthday and I've been told that it’s doing really well.

Apparently, Jannat has fetched the biggest start after RAAZ, for the Bhatts." The Bhatts seem to have a winner on hand and so does Sonal!

In fact so happy are they that they have signed Sonal for their next after Jannat, Raaz 2 the sequel to Raaz. Not many know that Sonal replaced Esha Deol in Jannat. Esha's loss is Sonal's gain!

"I was hurt, I was angry…" - Emraan Hashmi

success works wonders. Especially if you your last few films don't work. And if it's a solo hit, well, the joy knows no bounds.

Post JANNAT, Emraan Hashmi is grinning from ear to ear. JANNAT has come as a breather for Mukesh Bhatt, as also for debutante director Kunal Deshmukh and debutante writer Vishesh Bhatt, whose careers depended on how JANNAT fared.

"I was hurt, I was angry after AWARAPAN," Emraan admits, "The film hadn't worked and people had written me off. I had to prove the detractors wrong. The lull that followed only helped. I wanted to come back with a vengeance."

And it has been a terrific comeback for the talented actor. Three weeks ago, the presence of Akshay, Saif and Kareena couldn't ensure a terrific start for TASHAN. Big B and SRK's presence in BHOOTHNATH didn't help the film open to full houses either. But the excellent start of JANNAT did catch the traders by complete surprise.

"I was shocked as well. See, what went in favor of JANNAT were various factors. The buzz was very strong. Plus, a promo with content or even an attractive poster grabs your attention instantly. The first jhalak counts and JANNAT benefited for the aforesaid reasons," Emraan tells me.

What about his popularity with the youth? "Everything falls into place if the film is good. And I always had the gut that JANNAT would click in a big way," he states modestly.

Dog fight: SRK answers Aamir

The battle of the blogs has just intensified, what with the Taare Zameen Par self-crowned genius and the universally acknowledged clutter-breaker Aamir Khan proclaiming that he has named a dog Shah Rukh Khan.

The shocking display of insolent humour has sent shock waves in the otherwise-insulated and unconcerned film industry.

Says a very popular character-actor who has worked with both the actors, "I guess the freedom provided by a blog tends to loosen tongues. Amitji has never been known to be as undiplomatic as he's on his blog.

Aamir must have thought it's time to increase the odds, what if Amitji's blog gets more eyeballs! Also, his nephew's film is around the corner.

During the release of Taare Zameen Par Aamir created a controversy by taking on Amitji and Black. Now for the nephew it's Shah Rukh being called a dog. All I can say is, life's a bitch."

Shah Rukh remains characteristically unfazed and humorous in the face of his colleague's uncharitable and tasteless remarks.

When this writer expressed shock and indignation at Aamir's remarks, SRK responded, "Earlier on people used to name their children after famous people.

Somebody naming a dog after a known person is a new beginning in that direction. I don't have a copyright over this name if used non-commercially."

But a close friend of SRK on promise of anonymity reacted far more aggressively.

"Aamir's megalomania has been brewing for a while. Earlier he declared himself no.1 as compared with SRK who took it smilingly. Now Aamir is down to street-level provocation.

You know those neighbours who try to get your attention by breaking your windows, letting their dogs crap on your lawn or just dirtying your car. It's best for Shah Rukh to ignore these efforts to get his attention."

Aamir's pet dog named Shah Rukh

Aamir Khan is at it again. After taking potshots at Big B and his film Black late last year, this it year looks like its SRK who is Aamir's latest punching bag. Just a few months back when Aamir was asked at an event what would he like to ask Shah Rukh Khan, he replied tongue-in-cheek, "I would like to ask Shah Rukh, how it feels to be No.2." While SRK did take it in the right spirit, there sure seems to some love lost between these two superstars.

Now the latest comes in the form of Aamir's blog where he talks about Shah Rukh licking his feet and asking for his attention. And before you think that Aamir has lost it, the actor quickly clarifies that he is referring to his dog named Shah Rukh in his Panchgani home. Hmmm….Now how many dogs have a name like Shah Rukh we wonder?

In Aamir's own words this is what he says, "Shah Rukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for?

Now, before you jump to any conclusions let me add that Shah Rukh is the name of our dog. And before you jump to any further conclusions let me add that I had nothing to do with naming him. In fact Shah Rukh is the dog of the caretakers of our house. When I bought this house it came with the caretakers and their dog! Apparently Shah Rukh (the actor) was shooting for a commercial in this house a few years ago, and that very day the caretakers bought a pup…, and named him Shah Rukh. What are the chances of me buying a house which comes with a dog called Shah Rukh!!!

Some of my friends claim that I bought the house just because of the dog. I would have to be a serious fan of Shah Rukh's to want to do that. Your guess…"

Even before signing off from his blog he takes one final dig at the Baadshah of Bollywood by saying, "Well Shah Rukh is once again begging for my attention, so let me get back to him. He is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath. "Heel boy, heel."

Now we can't wait to read what King Khan's would have to say on Aamir talking about his dog Shah Rukh in his blog.

The big fight - Big B v/s Khali-d Mohammed

That Big B was more popularly referred to as the Angry Young Man is something which is known to one and all. And why not? After all, he did display that side of his with panache in films like Deewar, Zanjeer, Shakti, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar etc.

However, as the years passed, Big B moved on to more sober and mature roles like the restaurant owner in Cheeni Kum, to the weird looking traveler in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom to the friendly ghost in Bhoothnath. This is on- screen; Off-screen Big B seems to be hell-bent on keeping the title of Angry Young Man or should we say Angry 'Old' Man. After all, off-late he doesn't let go of anyone who rubs him the wrong way.

First it was the media who faced his fury a number of times, right from the Abhi-Ash wedding to the Barabanki land case. Then it was Anurag Basu who rubbed Big B the wrong way and as they say, got it back tit for tat.

The latest to face Big B's wrath is noted film-critic and director Khalid Mohammed. Apparently, Khalid had written some not too pleasing things about Big B's latest release Bhoothnath in his review in a leading newspaper and Big B decided 'Enough is Enough'. He has publicly lashed out against his one time good friend, Khalid Mohammed, in his blog. In Amitabh's own words, these are some of the excerpts:

“Khalid Mohammed who reviews the film for Hindustan Times of date, who instead of reviewing writes a personal letter to me through a public document, who wishes that I go and learn how to act from the Pune Film Institute, who laments at the only dialogue he heard in the entire film, my oft repeated 'Haiiiiiiii', who as director made three of the most colossal bombs in the history of Indian Cinema and who now tries to educate others in the craft, who credits the cast of the film as AB,AB AB, disrespecting the other eminent star presence, who allegedly as Editor of Filmfare, coerced the talent of his directed films to work for him in lieu of the alleged consideration of an Award, titles his diatribe -

'TO BOO OR NOT TO BOO'

Well KHALIDA ! And this is not a gender error, but a call you respond to lovingly, when Jaya addresses you, as you spread yourself across our dining table in Jalsa, sipping our, in your own words, 'exclusive and expensive wine', this is what I have to say to you -

'BOO'!!!”

With one of the biggest WWE superstars, The Great Khali, in town, looks like even Big B is in a mood to fight. But must say, all you WWE fans, the battle has only begun and this time it's not between Big Show and Khali but between Big B and Khali-d!

Bangalore model opposite Shahrukh in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Bangalore model, 19-year-old Anushka Sharma has been identified to play the female lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra’s third film as director RAB NE BANA DI JODI.

Said Yash Chopra, "We were looking first and foremost for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small-town Punjab and we know we have found her in Anushka. And while she has no previous acting experience, we have seen that unique spark in her that makes us confident that she will be a standout even opposite Shah Rukh."

RAB NE BANA DI JODI will go on floors on 16th May and will hit theatres worldwide on 12th December.

Muje Johnny Ki Yaad Aa Rahi Hai

By Subhash K Jha

Karan Johar's Dostana team in Miami is never short of VIP guests. Barring Priyanka Chopra's Harman who's too tied up with the release of his maiden film to be besides his maiden, one or the other soul-mate of one of the principal stars keeps making an appearance sunny Miami.

First it was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who flew in last month to be with her husband Abhishek Bachchan for their wedding anniversary.

Now it's Bipasha Basu who ion Monday flew from London to Miami to be with John Abraham in Miami. "It's just for three days.

My work got over on Monday in Switzerland, so I decided to rush to Miami for three days to be with John before I go on to my next shoot," she laughed joyously, happy to be finally seeing John after a month.

While John went off to Miami for Dostana Bipasha headed for various parts of Europe to shoot with Ranbir Kapoor for Bachna Ae Haseenon.

"Italy was paradise. And I really enjoyed myself in the European summer. I had a super time shooting with Ranbir and my director Sid (dharth Anand). In fact the entire unit was loads of fun. I enjoyed my time in Capri, Rome and Zurich."

Interestingly Bipasha couldn't attend the Zee awards in London because of her shooting in Italy, though her co-star Ranbir could. She flew into London to catch a flight for Miami barely 48 hours after the awards.

You won't see much of Bipasha in Bombay. She has been shooting in Italy and Switzerland. And now after her brief stint in Miami, she rushes to Bangkok to join Neil Nitin Mukesh for a 40-day schedule of new-director Jehangir Surti's Freeze.

Interestingly in both Bachna Ae Haseenon and Freeze, for which she shot back-to-back in Europe and Bangkok Bipasha plays a slightly older woman to her co-star.