Kareena to be with Aamir on B'day not Saif

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has many reasons to look forward to her birthday Sep 21 - one of them being shooting with Aamir Khan, her favourite actor.

"On my birthday I will be shooting for Rajkumar Hirani's 'Three Idiots' in Ladakh. And the best part is that I will be shooting with my favourite actor, Aamir Khan, " Kareena told Saturday.

Whether the actress will be sparing some time to be with fellow actor and beau Saif Ali Khan in the midst of her busy schedule is unknown, as she remained tight-lipped about her personal life.

"My personal life is personal, " she said.

When asked whether she is irritated with the media frenzy surrounding her relationship with Saif, Kareena said: "I am not irritated. But these things are personal. You guys (media) keeps hovering around us and keep taking pictures wherever we go."

Kareena, whose latest film "Tashan" was not well received by audiences, seemed upbeat about her forthcoming animation film with Saif titled "Roadside Romeo".

"The reaction to the trailers of 'Roadside Romeo' is just great. In fact, when I saw the rushes in the theatre myself, I told Jugal (Hansraj) that we should make the film with real characters also because it is such a fun film, " she said.

For "Roadside Romeo", Kareena and Saif have lent their voices to animation characters. The film, written and directed by debutante Jugal Hansraj, is a co-production of Yash Raj Films and the Walt Disney Company.

Kareena, who was in the capital to launch a Lambency Chandan Sparsh Spa, looked gorgeous in a peach anarkali suit with a shaded green dupatta.

Kareena denied rumours that she has shot for a Rs.60 million song for "Golmaal Returns" and that she has signed a Hollywood project.

"I have not done any such song and I have been offered one project but I am actually very happy doing Indian films. Its tough to do a Hollywood film - I mean the language and stuff, I can't put on an accent. I would rather be the best here than go there, " she said.

Besides this, the actress appreciated how the newly launched spa had state of the art technology to offer to its customers.

"It's seven star treatment at three star prices, " she said.

Malaika reveals first bizarre item no. experience

Malaika Arora who has so far done some way-to-go-go item songs agreed to do her first regional item song in the Telugu film with the reigning superstar Mahesh Babu.

And only because Mahesh's wife Namrata Shirodhkar who's an old friend, requested Malaika. But once in Hyderabad to shoot the song Malaika was in for a confounding culture shock.

"I never thought I'd dance in a regional film. She said they needed me to do a song and dance. I thought I wouldn't be able to mouth those Telugu words. But Namrata convinced me. It was ages since I had met her.

I told her the entire team including the choreographer was unknown to me, and I wouldn't be comfortable. And to me being comfortable in what I do is very important.

She told me to just relax and promised to be there for me. When I heard the track I found it very cool."

Malaika still can't believe the experience. "I had taken my friends along and at the end of it they were wondering if it was for real."

Malaika describes the experience as "hysterical."

"All those words and movements. And some of those steps….The whole bump-and-grind routine that I was used to was completely changed."

What Malaika found truly weird was the complete absence of interaction with her leading man during the dance.

"When I danced with Shah Rukh in Dil Se and Kaal we were…dancing together. But the entire definition of screen-heroism in the South is different.

With Mahesh there was absolutely no interaction even though we were dancing on the same set. He was playing the unattainable Adonis and I was the ….dancer. I found it hilarious.

Mahesh said all of five words to me during the entire shooting. But let me add he's a thorough gentleman."

Malaika requested the team for a more interactive dancing. "But I was told this is the way it is in South. So I just did my work. It was nevertheless fun, and worth it because I did it for a friend."

Malaika is still not open to doing full-length parts. "I've neither the time nor the patience. Every other day I get an offer. But I politely decline. I really don't have the space or time. I can't divide my time between my son and work. I can't break away for two months and do a film."

She is in the process of getting over her 'item' career. "Lately I heard a couple of scripts where I've more to do.

Incidentally I also did an item song with my husband Arbaaz for a Hindi film by Kannada director P. Lankesh which they'll probably dub into Kannada.That was any day more interactive than my song with Namrata's husband, " she breaks into peals of laughter.

Salman-Aamir in Andaaz Apna Apna sequel!

Vinay Sinha the original producer of Andaaz Apna Apna is getting excited by the positive buzz of his cult comedy 1994 comedy now wishes to make it himself.

Since last few days, the news about Salman and Aamir keenly interested in making the Andaaz Apna Apna sequel and wanting its original director Rajkumar Santoshi to direct it had been floating around.

Both Aamir and Salman on various occassions openly admitted to the media and the audience on Salman's game show 10 Ka Dum that they desperately wanted to act in its remake.

Now Vinay Sinha who after a long gap has jumped back into production with a Govinda, Rimmi Sen and Vidya Malavade starring yet untitled comedy is keen to produce the film himself.

He told us, "Everywhere I have been hearing about Aamir and Salman wanting to act in my film's remake. So why should I myself not produce it? I have decided to approach both the Khans and Rajkumar Santoshi in regards to it.

I am also open to idea of co-producing it if Aamir wants to join in with his production company."

I hope I live up to my name in Bollywood: Asin

Having stormed Telugu and Tamil cinema Asin has now moved to Mumbai conquer the Hindi belt.

And if the growing buzz is to be believed, after Hema Malini, Rekha and Sridevi, Asin Thottumkal is poised to be the next Bollywood diva from the South.

Tell her this, and Asin laughs in delight and embarrassment. "I admire the names you've mentioned. I'm a long way from getting anywhere near them. I thought I was fairly unknown in Mumbai.

I guess I'm lucky. But yes I feel hugely welcome in Mumbai. I don't know why filmmakers are showing so much interest in me. I guess they must've seen my work in Tamil and Telugu.

Spirited spunky and beautiful Asin (pronounced Ah-sin) has a better sense of humour than most of the screen divas in Bollywood.

"Thanks for pronouncing my name correctly. Most people tend to give it an Islamic spin. 'Asin' is coined from Sanskrit and English. It means 'sinless' like 'Amala'….without blemish. I hope I live up to my name in Mumbai."

For now Mumbai is home. "I'm in Mumbai now. I thought that was the practical thing to do. But only because my immediate commitments are in Mumbai. I'm the brand ambassador for six multi-national companies and the ads need to be shot in Mumbai. Now there're the Hindi films."

Luckily Asin speaks Hindi without an accent. "I can manage it quite well. And I don't have a thick South Indian accent. In these days of globalization I don't think language is a barrier.

And I'm only looking for good roles regardless of the language. I'm interested in films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and any other language as long as the projects are exciting. I look at the script, then the role, director, banner and finally my co- star."

Since she has moved to Mumbai there're rumours in the South that she's giving up on South Indian cinema.

"That's completely untrue. Whatever I'm today is because of Tamil and Telegu cinema. Why am I expected to choose between Mumbai and the South?"

Asin is equally popular in Tamil and Telugu cinema. "I speak both languages fluently and do all my dubbing myself. I've never used a dubbing artiste for any of my films, not even for the Hindi ads that I've done. And I'm speaking in my own voice in my first Hindi film Ghajini. It's in sync-sound, so there was no choice."

With such a hectic 3-language cinematic career when and where does Asin get the chance to be normal?

She laughs musically, "I guess I'm pretty normal and grounded. Because of the so-called stardom down South people expect me to behave in a particular way. And they're disappointed when I don't."

Flops brings Mallika's price down to 75 Lakhs

Two back to back failures - Ugly Aur Pagli and Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam have brought Mallika Sherawat's soaring market price down!

An industry source revealed, "She had begun quoting 1 to 1.5 crore per film post the success of Welcome. She was expecting both Ugly Aur Pagli and MGMA to become hits but well fate had something else in store for her.

Not only both these films flopped badly but also got her acting severe criticism from all quarters! This has been a major set back for her in terms of demanding the price she wanted for herself.

Now with these two massive flops in a row, producers are being vary of negotiating any price with her beyond Rs, 75 lakhs. Mallika too has been left with no choice but comply with it without being the snooty self that she had been for last few months!"

The source further added, "Mallika was offered a film by Zee Group to be directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia few months back. It was a solo lead role and Mallika had quoted Rs. 1.5 crore as her acting fees.

That time the Zee officials decided to take some time to come back to her as the script too was yet to be completed. But now just a few days back. the Zee guys went back again with a complete bound script to Mallika.

It is learnt that they both have mutually agreed on a price of Rs. 75 lakhs for the film. The shooting for the film will begun in 2008 end."

Adi said I could be Shah Rukh Khan: Vivek

No other actor in the recent times has seen a star status being taken away from him no sooner than it was bestowed upon him.

After films like Company and Saathiya, sky was there for an asking for Vivek Oberoi who could have fit in comfortably into action as well as lover boy role. However, that was not to be! What went wrong? In a heartfelt conversation with Sajid Khan in 'Sajid Superstars' show, Vivek Oberoi bares it all!

We bring some exclusive tidbits on what to expect from the show:

- This is one conversation where Vivek Oberoi is said to have bared his soul out when it comes to professional as well as personal matters. He talks about what went wrong in his career, the kind of mistakes he made over last few years and how he is looking forward to making amends in years to come.

- In the current times, no talk with Vivek gets completed without mentioning the name Salman Khan. He apologizes once again for the bad blood shared between the two a few moons back and promises that he would continue to ask for forgiveness till he is actually forgiven!

- There is an emotional moment in the show where Vivek talks about what prompted him to meet Salman Khan's mother when she was sick and hospitalized.

As per him, he could understand the pain she may have gone through when Salman Khan was attacked from all ends because he has seen his own mother suffering with all sorts of things being written about him over last so many years.

- On a lighter note, Vivek also reveals how he was Sajid's junior in college and entered his gang for the single most reason of 'pataofying' girls!

- Getting candid, Vivek (like no other actor in the recent times) admits that he lost his bearings the moment his initial films turned into a success.

He reveals that the moment he became a star, he started calling the shots on the film's sets and didn't even allow some of his directors to look at the monitor and check the scenes. However, now in the hindsight, he says that he values success because he has seen failure.

Talking about how it feels like sitting at home and waiting for that elusive phone call for work, Vivek appreciates the importance of this second innings which he has kick started!

- It is known to quite a few film followers that there was a time when he was offered films like Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli and quite recently even Om Shanti Om, which for reasons known to him, he refused!

No wonder, Aditya Chopra had remarked - 'Vivek, you have in you to become Shah Rukh Khan. However, you can't be because today itself you think that you are Shah Rukh Khan!"

- Things turned a little lighter though in the Q&A session with other celebrities. Anil Kapoor asked Vivek about the better actor between him and his dad Suresh Oberoi while Malaika Arora asked him to talk about how he could stay away from controversies for so long!

However, the cake was taken by Sajid Khan who gifted him the book - "How to influence people and win friends?" Also, in a special segment of this episode, Vivek also did a stand up comedy with the spotlight entirely on him.

- Last but not the least, a pointed question popped to him was - 'In last 7 years of his professional career, which are the three incidents that he would want to change?'

What did Vivek reply? To know about this, tune in to Sajid's Superstars at 8:00 PM, Saturday on the newly launched channel COLORS!

I will kill Gauri Khan: Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan made a shocking statement quite recently. She declared her love for Shah Rukh Khan and even went on to state that for him, she would be even willing to kill Gauri Khan.

However, it is quite obvious that she said so in light humor as all this chit-chat happened on the 'Sajid Superstars' show! We bring some exclusive tidbits on what to expect from the show

- On being asked about her crush, Vidya Balan didn't bat an eyelid as she only mentioned one name - Shah Rukh Khan! When warned by Sajid Khan that Gauri Khan could well be watching the show, she confessed that for getting the man of her dreams, she would even be willing to kill Gauri Khan!

- She did mention her disappointment though for missing out on being even nominated for Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Though she gave her heart, body and soul for the role of a woman possessed and saw some critical and commercial acclaim for the film, she was left perplexed when award functions ignored her completely. In fact one of her scenes from the film even made it to the best scenes selected by Sajid Khan.

- Her worst scene was an embarrassment for her though as a sequence from her tele-serial 'Hum Paanch', which was aired years back on TV. No wonder, she was red faced all through the duration as the scene played.

- There was some more fun in store as she was asked to choose her favorite between designers Manish Malhotra and Aki Narula. For the uninitiated, there is no love lost between Vidya and the two designers, hence the query holds on quite some relevance.

- She also mentioned about how uncomfortable she was about the thought of enacting a love making scene with Sanjay Dutt for Parineeta. In fact a few weeks back, even Sanjay Dutt had mentioned that it was quite strange to shoot for the scene since director Pradeep Sarkar insisted in dozens of retakes before the scene was finally canned!

- However, Vidya admits that Sanjay Dutt made it all comfortable for her and in the end she didn't have any hesitation to continue with the shoot. Just like the major part of the industry which loves Sanju baba, even Vidya couldn't help singing praises for her co-stars whom she truly believes has a heart of gold.

- Sajid however didn't have a heart to listen to what Vidya had to say, especially when she opened her mouth to sing a song. The moment she started singing 'Pal Pal' from Lage Raho Munnabhai, Sajid went off to sleep!

- Things perked up further though when other celebrities started placing their questions to her. One such question came from Ritiesh Deshmukh, her co-star in Heyy Babyy, who asked her to clarify the legend behind her being called 'Nagin Chachi' by quite a few members of the film fraternity. Keep guessing the reason before Vidya spills the beans in the show!

- While she was all fun in making her dancing entry into the show with the song 'Dholna' [Heyy Babyy], things turned a little serious as she was asked to reveal some bitter truths. In a round of controversial questions which followed, she was asked about her role in the Shahid-Kareena break-up. In addition, she was also grilled about her involvement with John Abraham.

She did come up with smart answers for two of the biggest controversies of her personal life ever since she entered celluloid. To know about what did she have to say about her 'affairs' with John and Shahid, tune in to Sajid's Superstars at 8:00 PM (note the revised timings), Saturday on the newly launched channel COLORS!