Prateik, Amy opt to live-in

Actor Prateik Babbar and British model-turned-actress Amy Jackson are the new lovebirds gossip mongers are chirping about. Quite candid about their liking for each other, news has it that this handsome couple has taken their relationship to a new level altogether.

If talks are to be believed, Prateik has moved in with Amy Jackson and lives with her in her Bandra home. Eversince the duo started dating, Prateik has been often spotted in Amy's building.

Prateik has been seen escorting Amy arm-in-arm at various social dos, introducing her to the who's who of the film world. The two are now shooting for Ek Tha Tiger together. With Prateik living in with Amy now, we guess the two are extremely serious about their relationship, and only too happy to have taken it to the next level. 

Mommy wants Esha and Ahana to be independent

Hema Malini and her daughters Esha and Ahana Deol will no longer stay under the same roof. Rather, under the same ceiling any longer. Hema has decided to let her two daughters have their independent space. And thus, she has converted the family bungalow in Juhu to a four storey building – one storey each for the three women in the house and the ground floor for their family occasions.

Speaking about her decision to let her daughters live independently, Hema told Mumbai Mirror, "It's better this way, no? I've converted our bungalow into a four-storey building. Esha, Ahana and I occupy three floors. We all are free to come and go as we please. In this way we're still together and yet we lead independent lives. The ground floor is for our family members  and there's a dance hall there where my daughters and I practice our Bharat Natyam."

Explaining why she took this decision, Hema said, "Esha and Ahana will eventually have their own family. I wouldn't want them or me to be unprepared for their life as wives and mothers. I have completely stopped interfering in my daughters' lives. They can do what they like. Esha has decided not to do any films at the moment. Ahana is undecided about her future. I think I should let them be. They are mature enough to handle their lives."

Yash Chopra to bring snow back in romance

He made Swiss Alps the most wanted honeymoon destination for newly wedded couples in India. The sub-zero temperature notwithstanding, for Yash Chopra films, snow clad mountains became the perfect backdrop for romance. Be it Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhee Gulzar snuggling in a shawl in Kabhie Kabhi or Amitabh and Rekha holding hands and singing Dekha Ek Khwab in Silsila, Yash Chopra, snow and romance have been inseparable. And iconic. And now, the filmmaker who is returning to direction with the yet untitled Shah Rukh Khan - Katrina Kaif starrer after 8 years, is keen on bringing back the same white romance in his upcoming venture. Mumbai Mirror has learnt that Yash Chopra is busy location hunting. And this time, he wants his favourite snow clad mountains back.


The filmmaker confirmed that he wants a part of the film to be shot in a snow clad region. "It is being planned," said Chopra.


Mirror learnt that the production house is busy hunting the perfect locale for the film.


Apart from snow clad mountains, the SRK-Katrina starrer will also be shot in several other foreign locales. In fact, for the next schedule, the entire cast and crew of the film will be traveling to London next month.


Talking about his favourite hero SRK and the progress of the film, Chopra added, "Shah Rukh is such a lovely boy. It is always fun shooting with him. We have finished shooting a song here (in Mumbai). Now, we will be going to London next month. After we return, we will be shooting in India for a while. The team is still busy location hunting. Everything will be finalised by the time we come back."


Interestingly, SRK too has romanced various heroines on snow clad mountains for the filmmaker. In YRF's Darr, he sang Tu Mere Saamne for Juhi Chawla on a snow clad peak. In Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, SRK was subjected to Kajol's drunken passion in the song Zaraa Sa Jhoom Loon Main. And that too was on a snow clad vale.

Aamir scores Rs. 90 crore deal

Aamir Khan seems to have created a record yet again. Beating Shah Rukh Khan's Don 2 by a margin of Rs 10 crore, the theatrical rights for his forthcoming film co-starring Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, Talaash has been sold to Reliance for Rs 90 crore. The deal between producer Excel Entertainment and Reliance was finalised last week. A source close to the production house informed Mumbai Mirror, "Rs 90 crore is a huge amount. Don 2 sold for Rs 80 crore and that was already an established franchise. This however, puts a lot of recovery pressure on Talaash."  Trade analyst Amod Mehra however, did not feel that the amount was too surprising. "I think it's a reasonable amount," said Mehra. Excel Entertainment and Reliance remained unavailable for comment.

Sari, sari night

At Filmfare, while stars competed to hold the lady in black, the ladies on the red carpet vied for paparazzi attention. Like every year, Bollywood divas tried to grab eyeballs with their stylised gowns and designer ensembles while walking down to the venue. Though many maintained the long flowing gowns trend, the 2012 red carpet saw a return of the Indian nine yards. Mumbai Mirror lists out the women who caught our attention - for better or for worse…

Filmfare’s top 10 ‘priceless’ moments

 10  Rekha grabbed many eyeballs as always on the red carpet. Sadly for them, the diva did not wait to pose or talk to anybody.

 09  Grabbing every possible interval as an opportunity to smoke, Rockstar director Imtiaz Ali kept flitting in and out of the venue with a cigarette in his hand.

 08  AR Rahman who had let go an Indi-German concert to be at the award did not waste too much time after grabbing the black lady for his compositions in Rockstar. In fact, Rahman headed for the door directly from the stage and did not even return to his seat.

 07  SRK and Ranbir on stage discussed the Khans and the Kapoors of Bollywood. While they were on the topic, Ranbir mentioned how SRK's KKR cheerleaders should dance for the Kapoors for a change and know how it is to be on the winning side.

 06  Bipasha, when asked about her date, pulled her friend who she had come with and quipped, "She is my date." Interestingly, like lovebirds, the two were colour co-ordinated.

 05  SRK announced Deepika Padukone's performance and when Ranbir refused to get off stage, pulled him aside saying, "Gone are the days when Deepika used to dance for you."

 04  Another SRK-ism: The Khan raving about Kareena and her 'hotness' quotient tells Ranbir that it is his bad luck he is Bebo's brother.

 03  For the first time in her 42-year-long playback career, Usha Uthup won her first Filmfare for the Darling song from 7 Khoon Maaf. And when she went on stage to receive it, the singer couldn't hold back her tears. 

 02  Last time he performed at Filmfare, he had the late Kishore Kumar for company. After several decades, Bappida returned to the Filmfare stage with Priyanka Chopra and his Ooh La La song.

 01  Two consecutive seats had the same celebrity name: Vidya Balan. Now that's how 'big' a name she has become after The Dirty Picture.

Kat gets her claws out

He directed Sheila LeBeouf’s stunts in Transformers. Nicolas Cage, too, is busy learning his action sequences from him for his forthcoming film Seeking Justice. But currently, Hollywood action director Conrad Palmisano is busy helping Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan perform some daredevil stunts on the sets of Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger in Cuba. And Mumbai Mirror has learnt that Katrina under the tutelage of Conrad is busy performing what a member of the Cuban unit describes as the ‘real thing’.

The real thing is ‘scary’ but Katrina isn’t afraid. Talking about her stunts, Katrina said, “It’s scary. But it is also great fun. I’ve only done very delicate feminine roles till now. This is a new challenge for me. I guess that’s what I’m looking for at this stage of my career.”

A unit member informed Mumbai Mirror, “Katrina is really pushing herself to perform stunts that are generally done by male actors. She has been doing free-falls and midair fights with Salman.”

Apparently, action director Conrad had initially suggested something ‘softer’ for Katrina. “Two very different sets of stunts were planned for Katrina and Salman. But Kat was too excited and wanted to do whatever Salman was doing. Conrad finally gave in to her wishes,” added the unit member. 

Katrina in fact has been getting up really early to practice her stunts under the Cuban sun. “She wakes up at the crack of dawn. And she gets down to serious business. She practices every sequence.”

mallika sherawat goes on 3d

You've seen her on the big screen in various avatars, now Mallika Sherawat will be seen in a totally different dimension.  The actress is the first Bollywood actress to feature in a 3D magazine from Hollywood.  Talking about the experience of shooting in 3D, she says, "They approached me and they wanted a face to represent India. I had met President Obama and been to the Oscars, so they thought I would be the right person to be on the cover of their issue. They saw my work and I said I would love to be party of anything new and 3D is such a youth platform."  "The magazine comes with 3D glasses so when you see the pictures I will be three dimensional! What's more interesting is that the guys developing it are all Indians. Now you can have me really close to you! It's the next best thing after the real thing," she adds.

Rahul Bose turns baddie

Rahul Bose was last seen in a villainous role in "Thakshak" in 1999 and after 13 years he is once again set to play a negative character in Kamal Haasan's "Vishwaroopam". The actor is excited about the project.

"After 'Thakshak', I have got a chance to play a villain in 'Vishwaroopam'," the 44-year-old actor said at a sports event here.

His last film was "Kucch Luv Jaisaa", which came out in May last year, and the actor will not be seen on screen before till June this year.

However, Rahul reveals he has shot for some big films but their release will take time.

"One film that I have done is 'Midnight's Children' by Deepa Mehta which is based on Salman Rushdie's novel and will not release before June. The second is 'Vishwaroopam' with Kamal Haasan. It is a big action film and we are doing it in two languages - Hindi and Tamil. The action sequences require a lot of technicalities which are taking time. In April, I'll start shooting for a film with Konkona Sen Sharma," Rahul said.

Rahul's other projects that have been announced include "Click & Marry", "Ghosh Ghost Na Raha", "Laptop", "Travelling with Mohammad", "Jeene Do" and "Ami Charulata."

Deepika, Siddharth to part ways?

If grapevine is to be believed, the relationship of lovebirds Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Mallya has hit a dead end. 

The couple who have not been making public appearances from quite sometime may be heading towards a splitsvilla, reports Mumbai Mirror.

"Since August 2010, theyhave made several appearances together. But if you recall, they have been strangely cold and aloof while talking about their relationship. But all of us wanted to believe that they were headed for something stronger when Sidhartha dined with Deepika's family," a source closed to the star told Mumbai Mirror.

According to the tabloid, Mallya Jr even confided in a friend that "the relationship is not working and heading nowhere."

Deepika, meanwhile, is concentrating on her work. "She is putting up a brave front, focusing on her work and hoping for the best,"  a source close to Deepika informed the tabloid.

Deepika-Ranbir coming close again?

*Deepika was spotted partying with Ranbir Kapoor on his 29th birthday.

*Deepika on being good friends with Ranbir: “Ranbir is an extremely talented actor. Technically, we have only done half a film together since I came in only halfway through BAH. We were both keen to do another one, but till Ayan’s film came along, we had not come across the right script. There are no issues anymore, we are good friends.” 

*Ranbir Kapoor recently gifted a piano to ex-flame Deepika when he came to know about her interest in learning music.

Dad's passion inspires Ranbir to do better work

In his about four-decade career, Rishi Kapoorhas tried various roles and has been appreciated for his work. Right now he is being applauded for his villainous avatar in "Agneepath" and his actor son Ranbir says his father is a wonderful performer and his inspiration too.

"I am hearing such amazing stuff about my father and his performance in 'Agneepath'. He has always been a wonderful performer. If a person is a good actor then he will deliver good performance throughout his life," Ranbir told IANS.

"Today my dad is 55-plus and still he gets so many awards. Just by looking at his passion inspires me to do better work," he added.

While both father and son are delivering incredible performances in Bollywood, one wonders when both of them will be seen together on the silver screen.

When asked the same, Ranbir quipped: "If we get a nice script then we both will definitely work together. We haven't got a convincing script yet."

After the success of "Rockstar", Ranbir is looking forward to Anurag Basu's "Barfi".

"'Barfi' has been in the news for quite some time. Few days of shooting left, then I will start with Ayan Mukerji's film from March 1. 'Barfi' is a fun film. It's a romantic comedy. It has me,Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D'Cruz in it," the 28-year-old said.

Farhan Akhtar urges people to fight violence against women

Farhan Akhtar, who's done a print campaign for the Delhi Police urging people to fight violence against women, volunteered his services.

"Farhan offered his services to educate people on such a sensitive topic," said Delhi Police's PRO, Rajan Bhagat, "We are in talks with him to create a minute-long short film. Also for radio, we are planning to use his voice, where he'll urge people not to allow violence against women." Asked why Farhan, Bhagat said, "He volunteered, and we agreed."

I'm not typically Karan Johar: Karan Malhotra

Debutant director Karan Malhotra tells us what helped him strike gold at the BO with Agneepath

Did you not want to cast Abhishek Bachchan as Vijay Dinananath Chauhan?

Not really. Hrithik has the charm of a boy and the attitude of a man. Also, he has a certain vulnerability, which I was looking in my characterisation of Vijay Dinananth Chauhan.

Did you not want to check on how Amitabh felt at your choice of Vijay? Since it wasn't his son...

It was not a controversy as far as I was concerned.

How did you keep the Karan Johar flavour out of your film?

See, I have worked with Karan on My Name Is Khan. Not on K3G, KHNH and KANK. So that typical Karan flavour hadn't rubbed off on me. And trust me, he never interfered in the making.

It was a huge responsibility handling his father's film...

Absolutely. I was constantly aware of tof it. Remaking Agneepath was an emotional decision.

How did Sanjay, Priyanka and Rishi get into the picture?

For Kancha Cheena's role, I wanted someone who is larger than life and yet is charming. And before you say that I was inspired by Priyanka's Maharashtrian character in Kaminey, let me tell you that I am a big Priyanka Chopra fan. I loved her even in Andaaz. And how can I ever forget Fashion? But I didn't have an easy time casting Rishi Sir. He was very apprehensive. He kept changing his mind. He felt that he may s**** up the film if he failed to pull off a negative role.

They say that the inclusion of Katrina Kaif was a last minute decision since you were nervous about box office collections...

The song was not a last minute decision. I would say bringing in Katrina was a practical decision taken by Karan Johar to make the film as big as possible.

And why no Mithun in the film?

Simple. Nobody could have played Mithunda's role. It would have been stupid if I had attempted to put someone else in his shoes.

Hrithik's character is too subtle...

Nobody can do it the way Mr Bachchan did, and I would have wanted my Vijay to be subtle even if it wasn't Hrithik. I wanted the negative characters in my film to be bigger. This made Hrithik's victory seem bigger. There is no need of a Nehle Pe Dehla type of elocution competition in the film. Actually, Hrithik's character is similar to what I am - simple, short-tempered and stubborn (laughs).

So tell us about you...

I don't have too many friends. I only love watching films. I neither drink or smoke. I am actually a boring guy.

Moral of the story - India loves drama - Dabangg, Singham, Agneepath...

We Indians are dramatic by nature. We are intrinsically built like that. Foreigners may find us too sensitive and we may say they are insensitive.

Is Agneepath 3 on the cards?

No baba. Everybody died in the film (laughs). But yes, my next will be with Dharma Productions as well. I have a three-film-deal with Karan Johar.

Ragini stays loyal to local team

It is true that Ragini Dwivedi's presence at a match in which the Telugu film team took on their Bengal counterparts at the ongoing celebrity cricket tournament match was unexpected. 

It is also true that she hung out in the Telugu team's dugout. What is not true is a report that the actor was only supporting Venkatesh and Co. and ignoring team Sandalwood. 

In fact, Ragini - who is not associated with the tournament's organizers or any individual team and is not obliged to make appearances at other matches - came to the stadium at the behest of Venkatesh. "Venkatesh gaaru called me on Saturday and asked me to hang out with his team in their dugout. But as I had some previous commitments, I could not go. I decided to make up for it on Sunday and joined them towards the end to honour gaaru's request and stay back and watch the big fight of the evening - team Karnataka vs team Mumbai," says Ragini. 

Meanwhile, a source close to the actor adds that her presence at the Telugu team's dugout was to help her make the right contacts as she is looking at making inroads in that industry. "Ragini has been getting offers from Tollywood and she has been considering some of them seriously. There's also a chance that one of her Kannada films might be remade in Telugu. So it is important for her to be seen and known there," says the source. 

Interestingly, despite the rumours that Ragini was not being loyal to the home side, the actor was seen cheering wildly for her home team, along with official ambassadors Aindrita Ray and Sanjjanaa, and she remained on the field for almost the entire match. 

I still feel like a newcomer: Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan has tasted big success after a long time with " Agneepath" and the Bollywood heartthrob says the overwhelming response to the movie has motivated him and he is geared up to take up more challenges now.

Directed by Karan Malhotra, "Agneepath" is the remake of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 1990 film of the same name, which was not a commercial success. But producer Karan Johar's decision to give it a makeover is paying him rich dividends - the film's opening day collection was Rs.23 crore. Excerpts from an interview:

'Agneepath' has taken a historic opening....

History used to be my worst subject in school and it's suddenly become my favourite now that "Agneepath" has created it!

You visited different theatres....

Yes, I visited theatres and kind of re-lived the 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" sensation once again, only this time I was able to absorb it better. I went to Chandan, PVR and of course Gaiety. The reactions were deafening and soothing at the same time.

"Agneepath" is the first hit of 2012. Comment.

It's weird because until the release of the film, I really didn't fathom what we were up against! I really didn't realise the extent of the risk we had taken and what we would stand to lose if it had not worked? Incredibly, that fear was non-existent through the making of the film for bothKaran Malhotra and myself.

In retrospect, now we agree that it was because of the script, which had totally engulfed us as artistes leaving no room for any other emotion to fester. We gave it our heart. So somewhere it makes complete sense that this "Agneepath" has its own individual identity and stands apart from the earlier classic. I am completely overwhelmed, relieved, thankful for the kind of appreciation it's getting.

Were you nervous on release day?

Yes, extremely nervous and empty. Playing Vijay Dinanath Chauhan somewhere depleted me I guess. I needed something to fill me up again before I started " Krrish 2". I was afraid that if I didn't get that pat on the back, my next journey would become extremely tough and burdened. Anyways all that is history now, I'm all fuelled up and ready for the biggest challenge yet again.

The best compliment you got?

The spontaneous hug from my dad in the middle of a conversation. The tears of joy in my mom's eyes, Sussanne reminding me in her broken voice of the faith she had in me - my proud, proud sister and grandparents.

I still feel like a newcomer and every time the people who I look up to from the industry have a nice thing to say about me, it fills my heart with joy. It feels good to belong to a world where we can give and receive love without agenda or ego. Also it becomes my biggest source of motivation.

Vidya Balan & Ranbir Kapoor shine at Filmfare

The Akhtar siblings Farhan and Zoya stole the show at the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Zoya's second outing as director, won seven awards including Best Film (Popular and Critics' Choice), Best Director, Best Dialogue, Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor (Farhan) and Best Choreography.

Imtiaz Ali's musical drama Rockstar won leading man Ranbir Kapoor two trophies (Popular and Critics' Choice), while AR Rahman's score for the film won him his 20th trophy. It was befitting then that Filmfare chose to give the Oscar winner the historic 2,500th statuette encrusted with a diamond. Clutching two ladies dressed in black - one being wife Saira and the other being the coveted 'Black Lady' Filmfare trophy - the maestro beamed and said, "I'm thrilled!"

Playback singer Mohit Chauhan, nominated for Sadda Haq and Jo Bhi Main from Rockstar, picked up the trophy for the latter. Lyricist Irshad Kamil too had two songs up for nomination - Sadda Haq and Nadaan Parindey - with Sadda Haq getting left out again in the Best Lyrics category.

Vidya Balan picked up the Best Actress trophy for her perfect impersonation of Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture. The film also picked up an award for Best Costume. However, the Critics' Award for Best Actress went to Priyanka Chopra for her act as a serial killer in 7 Khoon Maaf. Child actor Partho Gupte, who played an endearing Stanley in father Amole Gupte's Stanley Ka Dabba, also picked up a Special Jury Certificate for Outstanding Talent.

Delhi Belly, which had 11 nominations, won director Abhinay Deo his first trophy and took home four awards in all. Shah Rukh Khan also stood vindicated. RA.One may not have got him acting honours, but the film's special effects won the Best SFX trophy.

But the night really belonged to the Akhtar siblings, who went home with two trophies each, leaving parents Javed and Honey Irani teary-eyed.

Ileana and I are friends: Priyanka Chopra

Actor Priyanka Chopra talks about her alleged cat fights with Ileana, her chemistry with Hrithik Roshan and desire to do a Tollywoodflick soon

"The year has begun on a fabulous note for me. 'Agneepath' is a hit and I won the Filmfare for Best Actor (Critics Choice) for 'Saat Khoon Maaf'," said actor Priyanka Chopra.

The lady is in Hyderabad on a nine day shooting schedule for her forthcoming film, the sequel to 'Krrish'. In between attending the award ceremony last night and taking a flight to Hyderabad, the actor made time for a press interaction as she launched a new line of air conditioners for a global brand she endorses.

Ask her if she has had time to celebrate and the actor says, "I wish I could celebrate the wonderful start to the year. But I'm working round the clock and there is absolutely no time for celebrations."

Now that the hit pair, Hrithik and Priyanka, is in the city celebrations are sure due.

Talking about her chemistry with Hrithik, Priyanka said, "Hrithik is a great co-star. We've worked together a few years ago in "Krrish", we just did " Agneepath" and now, we are shooting the sequel to "Krrish". He is amazing."

With'Don 2' also fairing well at the BO last year, the actor does not mind playing 'Junglee Billi' again. "Well, I don't mind playing the Don's 'Junglee Billi'. But only Farhan and Ritesh know if they are ever going to make a sequel to 'Don 2'. In fact it took them five long years to make the sequel to 'Don'," quipped PC.

The actor also expressed her desire to star in a Tollywood flick sometime soon. "I have done a Telugu movie, but that was a long time back. The offers that come to me these days from Tollywood are either not too exciting or I have some date issues. But yes, if something great comes my way and I can accommodate my dates, then yes, you'll see me in a Tollywood flick," said PC.

While on the topic of Tollywood, the also cleared the air on her so-called catfight with Ileana. "Ileana is a sweet girl. We've been shooting for 'Barfi' for over a year. I've met her mother, sister and nephew. She is a beautiful girl and good actor. We got along really well. And yes, we are friends," clarified PC.

Why Shah Rukh Khan's alleged slap’s most shocking!

Its hard to believe, that Shah Rukh couldn't take Ra.One criticism too well.

Shah Rukh was trending the whole of Monday on Twitter, reason being his alleged fight with Farah Khan's husband Shirish Kunder at Sanjay Dutt's party. The news was splashed all over the web, tv etc.

It has been reported that Kunder was beaten up by SRK as Kunder had written unflattering things about Ra.One on Twitter. The filmmaker's wife has also confirmed the news clarifying there was no provocation from Shirish's end.

However its hard to believe considering, Shah Rukh Khan mocked himself and Ra.one throughout the 'Filmfare' evening before heading to Sanja Dutt's party where the fiasco happened.

Shah Rukh stated things like, "Ra.one ka sab kuch beeka, sirf tickets hi nahi beeke." Ra.One's every merchandise was sold out except for the tickets. He also joked about how producing Ra.One was a painful experience. He even laughed at Ranbir joking about his 'overacting' in Don 2 at the Filmfare awards last night.

SRK doesn't come across as someone who cannot take criticism, for he mocked himself the whole evening. Wonder if this episode has anything to do with a personal rivalry more than a professional one.