"Raavan is my most challenging film yet"

Abhishek dived from a 90 foot cliff, braved snakes while shooting for it

He dived from a 90-ft cliff into water, stood under a waterfall for two hours, braved snakes and leeches in Kerala's forests - Abhishek Bachchan says shooting for 'Raavan' was emotionally and physically challenging for him.

The actor revealed that he decided to jump from scary heights despite a no from director Mani Ratnam.

"I did jump. There was a professional diver to train me how to do it," Abhishek, who has teamed up with wife Aishwarya Rai in the movie, told IANS in an interview.

"When we went up there, it was 90 feet or something. So the insurance people said that we can't allow him to do it. You can't put your lead actor's life at risk," he said.

"Mani said no, I am not going to risk my actor jumping off that (cliff). Actually, the current of that river is very intense. There are rocks at the bottom.

"In the meantime, a five-year-old boy came and dived into the water. We were shooting it at Hogenakkal (waterfall on the Cauvery river), where these local kids jump off for money. So five-six people jumped at the end of the day and finally the shot was taken," he said.

"This is the most challenging film I have ever done in my life. I haven't done such a physically and emotionally challenging film in my life. And it's not about going to tough locations or tough scenes. The film drains you and you feel so good when you go home at night because you feel that you have done something. Getting a movie like 'Raavan' is so rare. You don't get such a role today," Abhishek said.

Ratnam's 'Raavan' is said to be a modern interpretation of the epic "Ramayana". It also stars southern superstar Vikram, who plays a cop married to Aishwarya.

The director simultaneously shot 'Raavan' in Tamil and Hindi at various locations, including the Athirapally forests in Kerala, Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata, and the Malshej Ghats in Maharashtra. The film has lots of action scenes and stunts performed by the actors.

Ratnam completed the film despite health problems.

"Once you work with him, you will be in awe of him because of the talent he brings to the table. The minute he says cut, he turns into a dear friend. He is someone very close to me. I really feel a strong bond with him. But in front of the camera, you don't have to work to give him the respect - it just comes... He is truly just the best," said Abhishek.

It was Ratnam who gave Abhishek his first hit in 'Yuva' and they later worked together in 'Guru'.

Talking about his character, Abhishek said: "Beera is the most fun character I have played. Fun because when we work on a character, we draw an outline and then fill in the blanks. But Beera is so unpredictable that you can get away with everything. Mani said do whatever you have done. Make it a convincing performance.

"I believe if you can look the character, 50 percent of your job done. I think when you get the body language correct, half of your work is done. And if you have understood the body language, your dialogues after that would just come."

Ratnam loves shooting on real locations to extract the best from his actors, said Abhishek.

"On the first day, he puts us under the waterfall for two hours and, trust me, you are in character. Mani loves to shoot at location. You will think, 'where have we come?' The jungles of Kerala, the snakes and leeches... then you realise that he puts you into the situation where in a day or two you start reacting instinctively as your character would react because you are actually facing that.

"You don't need to act that much, you are just reacting naturally. So when you go to locations like that, it brings out the character automatically."

Tamil Actor In Pawan Kalyan Puli!

How would it be a pure Tamil song in a pure Telugu movie? Isn’t it quite different? This is really happening in some days.It happens in none other than power star Pawan kalyan’s forth coming film, Komaram Puli.

According to sources S.J. Surya, the director of the film has approached kollywood’s successful hero Simbu regarding this and Simbu also seems to have accepted the offer. So, the Tamil Manmadha will do a special song in the film.

Pawan Kalyan will be seen as a cop in this film. He has also been made a makeover which suits the role of cop with a moustache and military cut. Nikisha Patel is playing the female lead in the movie. Manoj Bajpai, Charan Raj, Nazar, Jyothi Krishna, Bhrahmaji, Ali, and Girish Karnad are the other cast in the movie.

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Bebo and Saif to bring up international terrorism on Bush's Delhi visit

Will talk on international terrorism on October 31 when George W Bush comes to Delhi

At a conference in Delhi on October 31, Kareena Kapoor and beau Saif Ali Khan will share the platform with former US president George W Bush. The couple intends to broach the subject of international terrorism, which is also the theme of their ready-to-release film Kurbaan.

While Saif is preparing his points for the big day, Kareena will go with the flow at her meeting with Bush. "I'm a very spontaneous person. It's like that with my acting. It would be like that when I meet Mr Bush. Jo dil mein hai woh bolungi."

This is the first time that Kareena will be addressing an international summit. But she isn't the least bit nervous.

"By now I've gained enough confidence to be able to speak at such summits with some amount of confidence.

Nowadays, you can't afford to have your head buried in the sand. You have to know what's happening in the world around you." Kareena admits Saif is a better talker. "In fact, I've learnt a lot of new words from him. But even otherwise I think I speak quite well."

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Stars that shined at the Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Awards night is the biggest, most glamorous night in B-Town where stars turn up looking their sparkling best in sarees or gowns or suits. We take a look at the stars that rocked the red carpet.

Dazzling Beauty and her Beau: Kareena looks absolutely stunning in this white Manish Malhotra saree with gold and silver embellishments. Her accessories are perfect, her hair and make up flawless. Saif looks absolutely dapper in his navy blue suit with his shiny tie adding a dash of colour. The French beard makes him look even more handsome.


Indian Beauty: It has been a while since we saw Ash go all Indian. We like the bindi, middle-parting hair-do and the bright lipstick. The shimmering gold saree is apt for the dazzling night.


Black Beauty and Beau: Kangana carries off this edgy-Gothic-Diva look brilliantly. The chains lend a unique touch and the gown flatters her figure. Her make-up with smoky eyes and pale lips is apt for her Gothic avatar. Adhyayan plays safe in an all black suit.


Purpleicious: We love her shiny silver accessories add dazzle to the flowing deep purple gown. With twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks and coloured lips, she looks like an adorable movie-star.


Elegance Personified: There is something very simple and elegant about this gown. We love the layers and textures it has. With minimal make-up and accessories, and her red lipstick adding a tinge of colour, Anushka carries off this gown beautifully.

Indian Bombshell: No one can look sexier than Bipasha Basu in a saree. We love her wavy hair and emerald jhumkas. The black saree with heavy copper embellishments is absolutely gorgeous and the red bikini blouse is sensual. The colourful bangles complete the look.

Well-Dressed Trio: Arjun looks smashing as usual in a black suit, Mehr sparkles in her green Godess gown and Arjun's mother glows in a saree on her son's big night

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Freida Pinto - The reigning cover girl for March 2009

The tinsel town cannot stop raving about Freida Pinto as present and as the lady still basks in the glory of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ success, there could be no other time more apt for her to make her presence felt through media and print magazines.

So, this March, we will have Freida as the reigning cover girl of almost all the leading magazines. After ‘Vogue’ and ‘Cosmopolitan’, Freida will also be seen as the cover girl of Maxim India March 2009. She has already swept everyone off their feet with her witty answers at ‘The Tonight Show’ hosted by Jay Leno, her flawless sense of style, her portraits in Vanity Fair, and irresistible movie offers from Woody Allen.

The Maxim cover has Freida with a naughty playful look wearing an oversized sweater and six-inch black heels. On the covers of ‘Vogue’ Freida portrays a different style and look with elegant attire, immaculate tresses, dripping jewelery, blood red lipstick and an evocative gaze. That’s what we call versatility!

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Katrina and Preity's unlikely yaari

In Bollywood there have been many actresses who have been friends for a long time. Just how the likes of Kareena Kapoor-Amrita Arora, Koena Mitra-Tanushree Dutta and Kim Sharma-Preity Jhangiani are. There have been others who have ended their friendships on a sour note. One famous example was when Aishwarya and Rani fell out after Ash got replaced by the Mukerji babe in 'Chalte Chalte'. The Priyanka-Kareena and the Kareena-Esha Deol friendship also didn't stand the test of time. There have been more cat fights than girl bonding between two female celebs in Bollywood. Of late there is a buzz that Katrina Kaif and Preity Zinta have struck up a friendship. Katrina who's considered wooden and cold by many and doesn't have too many females liking her in B-Town says that she absolutely adores Preity Zinta. Apparently the duo take time out of their busy schedules to chat, shop and hang out with each other. Katrina has said, "Preity is such a warm and lovely person." And she goes on to talk about why people think that two actresses can't be friends and so on. It's just that no one takes the 'best-friends-forever' status of actresses seriously. Past experience can make anyone not want to do that. We really doubt that this wooden actress would prove us wrong in the future.

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SRK: Let audience speak about Anuskha

Last year when OM SHANTI OM was about to release Shah Rukh had left no stones unturned in promoting the movie. Infact the leading lady of the film newcomer Deepika Padukone was given the maximum hype. Even before the film hit the screens she was already interacting with the media and was being touted as the next big thing in Bollywood.

So (it went quite obvious) when RAB NE was about to scorch the screens everyone expected a similar kind of hullabaloo. But surprisingly makers and SRK kept mum about the leading lady newcomer Anuskha Sharma, before the film (RAB NE BANA DI JODI) release. And left one and all taken aback. And we thought this was the end.

But all you guys out there hold it, SRK is not a kind of person to take away home all the cake. Badshah knows his strategies well. He knows how to give fair share of credits to his co–stars. Last evening YRF held a special introductory press meet for Anuskha Sharma where Shah Rukh very cordially introduced her to the media.

When we asked SRK as to why Anuskha was kept away from media all these days, to this SRK quite jokingly in his style defended, "Honestly I think all the new actors should be given a chance to prove themselves, its important first we judge their work and then only go ahead with relevant questions. Atleast let them get comfortable with the environment. I think it's quite logical and comfortable to interview the new ones only after they are done with 2–3 films rather than grilling them with same set of questions like how was your experience, whether he/she is good/bad, etc. Once they are established it becomes pretty easier to talk about their work, their films, experience. So it was nothing like that we were hiding Anuskha from anyone or torturing her in any way to not to make any public appearance. She was very much free to step anywhere she wanted to. We allowed her to talk to her parents also."

Further he adds, "Moreover it would have been easy for me and Adi to speak about Anuskha ki Anuskha toh itni accchi hai aap jarur dekheyga. Unhone bahut aacha kaam kiya, etc, etc. But we didn't want to. Instead we wanted audience/viewers to notice about her charm, her work, her persona. We wanted audience to judge, recognize her."

Well we do agree with you SRK on this part. And your strategies have also worked. The charming and vivacious Anuskha has already garnered maximum accolades for her performance.

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Was Ghajini sold for a whopping Rs. 90 crore?

So what's the price of the next biggie to hit the screens this year? I'm talking of GHAJINI. There's tremendous speculation about the price of the film, with 75, 80 and 90 crores being quoted by various sections of the media. The truth is something else. Quiz GHAJINI producer Madhu Mantena about it and he adds promptly, "The India theatrical business has been sold for Rs. 40 cr. (to Studio 18), while the Overseas rights (sold to Big Pictures) has fetched Rs. 10 cr." Of course, the Satellite rights (sold for Rs. 20 cr. to Studio 18), Home Video (not sold yet) and Audio rights (sold to T-Series) have also fetched handsome amounts. Another interesting aspect about GHAJINI is that the film isn't a scene to scene copy of the original GHAJINI (Tamil). "We've changed the last 30 minutes of the film. It's completely different from the original, " Madhu says. That increases the expectations from this Aamir Khan starrer all the more.

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Why is RNBDJ a special film for all?

Makers of RAB NE BANA DI JODI are super confident that their film about 'ordinary people' would be able to strike a chord with millions. And that's because the film has 'ordinary people' as it's target audience, tells the story from the point of view of 'ordinary people' and most importantly, conveys a message that 'being ordinary' is cool. Says an official from Yash Raj Films, "RAB NE... is a very important film because it is about people like you and me. You don't see fancy stuff because the film gets into the locality and house of a protagonist (in this case Surinder Sawhney, the character played by Shah Rukh Khan), who is a commoner." Talking further about the essence of this Aditya Chopra directed film, she says, "As middle class people, so many of us have a routine life. We wake up in the morning, get dressed, go to office, come back, sometimes for a change we buy things back home, watch TV, eat dinner and go to sleep. And then we repeat this day after day, week after week. RAB NE... talks about one such man who lives a routine life. It is a simple film at heart." Just like the kind of films which featured Amol Palekar 25-30 years back? "What you read in the newspapers or elsewhere is false. We are not talking about GOLMAAL kind of a situation here. The plot of RAB NE... is completely different. There was no point issuing any denials because the film has now released and everyone can see the difference", she shrugs. But in terms of character graph, one can't deny that the film belongs to the old world school where actors like Amol Palekar and Farooque Sheikh made a lasting impression with their middle class defining acts. "That could be one similarity but Shah Rukh Khan is different here. He will make you fall in love all over again. You will certainly come out smiling and feeling very good about your very own existence as the curtains would come down. RAB NE... is a feel good heartwarming film and just the kind which should perk up the gloomy situation which is prevalent today, both due to the terror attack and the recession in the industry", she concludes.

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May God punish Abhishek for ditching me: Rakhi Sawant

A bitter and tearful Rakhi Sawant opened her heart and bared her soul to Sam Kumar Shukla about her relationship with Abhishek Awasthi and the recent break up. In between angry and indignant sobs, she expressed the pain that she was going through. She even prayed that God may teach him a lesson. But she didn’t seek revenge. Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned, they say. But Rakhi has left revenge to her God. While blaming Abhishek for causing her so much pain, she also spoke well about the alleged new woman in his life – the gorgeous, sexy and glamourous Shradha Sharma. She empathized with Shradha and wished her well. She called her “hot, sexy, ambitious and smart” – not many women would speak well about their ex’s new girl friend. But Rakhi Sawant is Rakhi Sawant and Bollywood will never have another Rakhi Sawant. Was the sorrow and concern genuine or the expert manifestation and manipulation of the Drama Queen that she is known to be. Only time will tell. Tell us about your Yash Raj movie? What is the kind of role that you play? I am really sorry, but my contract forbids me from speaking anything at all about the movie. They have given me a water-tight contract; I can’t breathe a word about it. But I was busy shooting for the last two months for the movie. I shot for almost 40-45 days. I have a substantial role in the movie with Shahid and Rani. Your bete noire Sherlyn Chopra is also in the film? I think she is doing an item song in that film. I am not sure. I also heard that she has been dropped. I am not sure at all. You must ask Yash Raj about it. I am not her spokesperson or PRO. Tell us about your Reality Shows? I am doing Yeh hein Jalwa. The first one I won, this is the second season. I am busy shooting for that. I am doing that show with Mika. Since you are shooting with Mika you must have a lot of bodyguards around you? Yes we both have bodyguards. He has five and I have ten. Because each of his bodyguards equals two of mine in size. Tell us something about your break up with Abhishek? Yes I have broken off with him. I am now single. And I think I am better off being single. So do you have a new man in your life? No, No, I don’t want any man in my life unless of course he is ready to marry me. In case I have any one in my life, the first thing I am going to do is ask him if he is ready to marry me immediately. I don’t want to have any more relationships unless it’s for ever and ends in marriage. And do you know anything about Abhishek’s new girl friend? I do not know much, but I read somewhere that he is having an affair with Shradha Sharma. I knew that they were good friends. Both of them were part of Mika’s dance group. In fact they were even together in Delhi when Shradha was a side dancer. I am surprised that Abhishek is seeing her because I know she cannot be serious about him. What do you mean? Shradha is a sexy, good-looking girl and Abhishek is not her type. She will use Abhishek and then dump him in the same fashion that Abhishek dumped me. In fact, I wish him all the best if he is dating Shradha. He will get tit-for-tat. He will get from Shradha what he did to me. He ditched me. When I asked him for marriage, he refused to marry me. But why are you insisting on marriage with Abhishek? You could have been together for some more time, maybe a few more years? Well, we have been together for almost four years now and I felt it was time to get married. I wanted to get serious with him. But he was not willing to marry me. So you think Abhishek’s relationship with Shradha will not last? Firstly, I am not sure if there is any relationship at all. Shradha is a very ambitious girl. She is also good looking and hot. I don’t think even if they are having an affair it will last very long. Abhishek will be dumped by her very soon. I am surprised to know that they are having an affair. Because I know that Shradha was earlier dating a television actor from the Ekta Kapoor stable. She had a long relationship with him. Why do you think your relationship with Abhishek didn’t work out? I gave Abhishek my mind, body, soul, money, contacts everything. I bought him a bike as a gift. Helped him financially whenever he needed help. Went out of my way to help him get work and publicity. He would answer all my calls. My personal phone and all my financial details were with him. Yes he was initially very devoted to me, but now he has completely changed. Money and fame have changed him. He was nobody when he came to me. No one knew him. Had you heard his name then? Today every journalist knows Abhishek because of me. Today I have had to block my personal phone number which I was using for the last five years. I don’t want him answering my calls anymore. So are you gunning for revenge? No. I will not do anything. But I pray that God will teach him a lesson. For me, my revenge will be taken by my God. I hope that Shradha uses him and dumps him. In fact, I will advise her to use him and then dump him. He deserves that. He deserves to be taught a good lesson. But Shradha’s Media Manager Flynn Remedios has denied that there is any relationship. He also issued a press statement. What is the truth? I do not know about that. But even on 14th Feb, Valentine’s Day, I think Abhishek was meeting some other woman. Knowing Shradha, I don’t think she will fall for Abhishek, but even if there is something going on between them, I pray that Abhishek gets tit-for-tat.

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AKSHAY KUMAR HAS IMPRESSED SALLU

Bollywood star Salamn Khan seems to be quite impressed with his colleague Akshay Kumar's growth as an actor over the years.

On being asked who has impressed him by his acting skills in the recent past, Salman said: "Akshay has impressed me by his acting skills in the recent past. I think he (Akshay) is the only actor who has really grown as an actor."

Salman was speaking to reporters on Monday at the promotional event of his forthcoming release "Yuvvraaj", which also stars Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan.

About the film, he said: "It is about brothers played by Anil, Zayed and me. The film is about the manipulations of the brothers to get the ancestral property. I play the second brother Deven, who tries to get a part of his ancestral property to fulfil the conditions laid down by his to-be father-in-law to marry his daughter (Katrina Kaif)."

Salman has teamed up with director-producer Subhash Ghai for the first time for the film. He said that Ghai had approached him earlier too.

"Subhashji had approached me before, but I did not accept the offer because I thought I could not do justice to the roles. But, I accepted this film because it is the story of three brothers and I could relate to the emotions."For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Salman set to rule with WANTED

The much awaited promos of Yuvvraaj may not of had the desired effect as yet but Salman Khan has a sure shot winner in Boney Kapoor's Wanted. This remake of Telugu super hit Pokkiri stars Ayesha Takia opposite Salman with Mahesh Manjrekar playing the main villain. While Yuvvraaj and Salman's next release after that, Main Aur Mrs Khanna are romantic films, after a very long time Salman will be seen in an action avatar in any film. Wanted is carrying excellent reports and is touted to get back Salman's action fans back to the cinema halls! Our source who managed a sneak peak of the rushes told us, "The biggest asset of the film is the music by Sajid Wajid which is definitely bound to rule the charts. Four songs of the film have already been picturised as yet and they look very pleasing to the eye. Two more songs remain to be filmed and they shall be shot in Greece very soon once Salman is back from London. The action scene just before the interval is totally out of this world and will see the public going wild in the theatres. Also the handsome actor has never looked more dashing than in Wanted which will ensure his legions of fans making sure they watch the film." The trade is very confident that Wanted will be a huge grosser because the first reports of Wanted are similar to first reactions of Singh Is Kinng which everyone knew was going to be a huge winner before release and it more than lived up to expectations by smashing box office records worldwide. It would be no surprise if Wanted repeates the Singh Is Kinng magic when it releases in March 2009.

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Salma Hayek's Lebanese origin turns her into a Lesbian!

Hollywood actress Salma Hayek was forced to explain her sexuality after a talk show host mistakenly asked her if she was a lesbian.

ITV talk show presenter Eamon Holmes made a gaffe while the actress was present to discuss her campaign to wipe out Tetanus, reports The Sun.

Holmes asked Salma ,”Hayek doesn”t sound very Mexican”. To which the actress replied thats because shes half Lebanese.

He didnt understand what she said and mistakenly asked: Youre a lesbian?

Hayek clarified that she was a Lebanese.

Eamon asked her to forgive him and admitted he'd thought she'd said she was half lesbian.
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