By Jilawatan

As Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai sequel will roll soon, the hunt for the leading lady of the film, which stars Akshay Kumar in lead, is on. Top contenders likely to bag the role are Kareena Kapoor and Vidya Balan!

The sequel will show Akshay as a matured Dawood, the role essayed by Emraan Hashmi in the first part. As Dawood was allegedly linked with Mandakini, the makers are having trouble in finding the right actress to play her part in the film opposite Akki. It’s reported that Mandakini’s character needs a strong actress who can emote well on celluloid.

Now the speculations are rife that either Kareena or Vidya can be approached for the role. As per sources, Ekta Kapoor, the head of Balaji Motion Pictures, wants a top actress to play the lead. The production house is already working with Vidya in Dirty Picture and Kareena is quite close to Ekta and her brother Tusshar Kapoor.

By Jilawatan

Actor Vidya Balan’s thumb-sucking act in Abhishek Chaubey’s Ishqiya may have elevated the sex quotient of Hindi cinema, but her desperate attempts at recreating that scene by sucking Rani Mukherjee’s thumb in season 3 of Koffee with Karan, looked outrageous and as some said, not very dignified. Nor was Saif Ali Khan’s response “Reliable, Strong and Long”, when KJo asked him what would be his tagline if he ever endorsed a product. Kareena Kapoor looked away innocently but few missed the thrill that coursed through her eyes. Koffee With Karan, as critics have noted, is the new confessional chamber of Bollywood, showing B-town celebrities for what they really are. A bunch of ambitious, brash and cheeky people, as prone to self praise as to the criticism of their colleagues. It is the new rogue’s gallery, where the one who speaks most unguardedly notches maximum points. Dry humour, instant wit, self-praise and a bit of sexy banter — they allow it all to hang out. “People in the entertainment business appear on chat shows like these only to reaffirm their existence in the industry. It is all about image creation,” says director Mahesh Bhatt. “Slander is now legitimate,” believes Bhatt. Ad-man Alyque Padamsee says, “The film industry is now more competitive than it was and bitching is a part of it. It’s bound to happen,” he says. With dirty linen laundered openly, KJo’s dhobi ghat is the hotbed of a public display of lack of affection. Remember the shocking suds, don’t you? Deepika Padukone suggested that former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor should endorse condoms and the three-flops down Sonam Kapoor, dissed Bollywood’s fashion sense. Kareena Kapoor snarled at Priyanka Chopra’s accent, Suzanne Roshan hinted at bedroom secrets and almost all guests on the gossip couch made fun of Ram Gopal Verma. Padamsee is right when he says, “I have also realised that this season, the women are more outspoken than men.”

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan and former union minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor have been voted as the hottest celebrity vegetarians in an online poll by animal rights organisation PETA.

Vidya and Tharoor beat out actors R. Madhavan and Lara Dutta to claim the title. They

faced competition from Mallika Sherawat, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahid Kapoor, and even international names like Natalie Portman and Bryan Adams.

“Vidya Balan and Shashi Tharoor embody many admirable qualities, but their commitment to a vegetarian diet that’s as kind to animals and the earth as it is to their own health makes them true royalty in our book,” Poorva Joshipura, chief of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, said in a statement.

“All our nominees are winners because there’s nothing more beautiful than a caring heart to go along with an attractive appearance,” she added.

By Jilawatan

After finishing the research work, now US-based Indian filmmaker Krishna Shah is looking for the right face to play main lead in his biopic on late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Titled Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story, it will be a big-budget two-part movie on the life of the Indian leader who was known as Iron Lady. Shah earlier wanted Vidya Balan to play Indira, but changed his mind after consulting Hollywood make-up artist Greg Cannom, Shah’s publicist said in a press statement here.

The filmmaker is again hunting for the right face.

“Casting is very critical for the role of India Gandhi. As it stands today, only two actresses in Bollywood are on the scanner. One is Kareena Kapoor and the other is Priyanka Chopra. Both are equally suited to play Indira Gandhi,” Shah said.

“I haven’t yet met with either of the stars. I hope to meet with them soon. Now everything depends on their response, their dates and the deal. I know whoever plays the role will be an Oscar contender. She will be remembered through posterity as Indira Gandhi,” he added.

The first preference for the role, however, was Madhuri Dixit, who could not accept the project due to personal grounds.

Part one will focus on Indira Gandhi’s political career till the 1971 war, and the other will show her personal life as a mother to her sons — Rajiv, who succeeded her as the prime minister after her assassination in 1984, and Sanjay Gandhi.

By Jilawatan

Filmmaker Krishna Shah seems to be going around Bollywood offering the Indira Gandhi role to all and sundry.

After approaching the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor, we hear he even asked Vidya Balan to reportedly essay the role of India’s most dynamic political leader. Of course, Vidya refused.

Her current venture is keeping her well occupied. Vidya has started work on Sujoy (Alladin) Ghosh’s new film where she plays a pregnant widow seeking vendetta. Sounds like some Kill Bill idea?

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan is out of Inder Kumar’s next Dhamaal 2 . The buzz in the trade is that Vidya was neither too happy with the money she was being offered for her role, nor with the role per se. A source says, “Vidya asked for a price which she deserves after she catapulted to the top bracket of actors, post the success of Paa and Ishqiya . She asked for Rs 1.5 crore (approximately). Like any other actor would in her place, she too has hiked up her market price.”

According to the film industry standards, the market prices of Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are believed to be Rs 1.5 crore (approximately) and that of Priyanka Chopra’s around Rs 1 crore. Hence, given Vidya’s career graph in Bollywood, it is surprising that neither Inder Kumar nor Ashok Thakeria, the producer of the film, objected to Vidya’s exit from the film. “Inder and Ashok failed to understand the need of the hour. Despite discussions, the makers of the film and the actress could not meet at a common consensus,” adds the source.

Meanwhile, Vidya’s friend insists the actress quit the project for qualitative reasons. She stands up for Vidya and says, “Yes, the news is true. Vidya is definitely not doing Dhamaal 2. But that’s simply because she didn’t find any meat in the portrayal of her character. She would have loved to attempt comedy with this film but it’s okay. There is always a next time.”

Interestingly, Vidya has locked horns with her Dhamaal 2 co-star Kangna Ranaut in another film Bullet Train, which is to be directed by Priyadarshan. Bullet Train, which stars Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn, is largely going to be shot on a train from London to Glasgow.

Producer of Bullet Train, Ratan Jain has clearly worked out the economics of his film much in advance. He has no qualms in giving the lead role to the actress who is willing to settle for the price he has to offer. He confirms, “Between Vidya and Kangna, whoever agrees to do the role at a lesser price, will get to play the part in my film. The availability of dates will of course be another important factor.”

Despite repeated calls and text messages, Vidya remained unavailable for comment.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan, who made an award-winning debut in ‘Parineeta’, a movie that premiered at the IIFA weekend a few years ago, continued her magical journey with the event by landing the Best Actress award for ‘Paa’. Though she shared the award with Kareena Kapoor, Balan was overjoyed, but noticeably absent from the celebrations in Sri Lanka. Shlandra Bunseelall spoke to the powerhouse performer.

How does it feel to have won the Best Actress Award?

It feels fantastic as this is the ultimate destination as an actor, I have received a couple of nominations before but it feels gratifying knowing that I have been appreciated for this movie. Everyone poured their hearts into it and God has been kind by giving me so much love and appreciation.

You must have special memories of IIFA considering your debut movie, Parineeta, premiered at the IIFA Awards in Amsterdam.

IIFA is very special to me and I am excited to be at the event again this year. My journey with IIFA goes back to Parineeta and the following year I won the Best Newcomer Award in Dubai. So, I am happy.

How has life been since Parineeta?

It has been unbelievable. You know, I did my very best from my debut movie and I felt fantastic that I was accepted in the industry. I remember entering a cinema when Parineeta was being screened and I was pleasantly surprised about the positive reaction from the audience. At that stage, I really had no clue what life had in store for me.

How did you land the award-winning role in Paa, consider- ing securing your debut was tougher?

You know the director, Balki, wrote the role with me in mind. When he initially approached me, I was sceptical and had a few doubts. I had to play the role of a mother – that, too, mother to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.

However, when Balki refused to make the movie without the complete cast, I knew I had to accept the role. I really liked the character and put my trust in the entire team.

What was it like working with the Bachchans? That must have been an experience?

Well, I worked with Abhishek in Guru and he is one of the best co-stars ever. Just sharing screen space with an actor of his calibre is an unforgettable experience.

After working on , what was it like working on an off-beat movie like Ishqiya?

This was another fantastic experience as I broke every rule in Vidya Balan’s rule book. The movie was fun and extremely challenging with a different character to portray. Despite all this, I shed all my inhibitions and it was most exciting.

Are there any directors you still want to work with?

Yes, loads of them – including Imtiyaaz Ali, Vishal Bhardwaj and Yash Chopra.

Any forthcoming projects?

I have just completed the schedule of No One Killed Jessicain Delhi. The movie will be released in December and Rani Mukerjee is my co-star.

By Jilawatan

Just few months back, so many actresses in Bollywood had headed for the most talked about ‘size zero’ trend. Now, everyone seems to have taken a back turn, stating that it’s not really a fad anymore.
Kareena Kapoor, who had gone size zero with her movie Tashan, now has a fuller body. In a statement, Kareena in her own words had said that beau Saif thought she resembles a hanger so she regained her curves.
At the same time, the perky actress feels that ‘size zero’ is not unhealthy as is believed by singer Rihanna. The gorgeous Bebo believes that if you attain ‘size zero’ in the right manner, there is nothing unhealthy about it. On the other hand, if you achieve ‘size zero’ by starving yourself, then that would be harmful.
Vidya Balan, who has always received criticism for being slightly overweight, has now shut everyone’s mouth by losing all the excess weight. Vidya, who shot to fame by her very first movie Parineeta, feels that size zero is not the ideal shape for Indian women. Vidya thinks that Indian women have always been known to be curvaceous and look good that way.
Even though this is their take on ‘size zero’ and it is vanishing from Bollywood, we still see so many models, who aspires to be ‘size zero’.
However, Pia Trivedi, one of India’s most renowned models, revealed that the ‘size zero’ trend is changing even in the modeling industry, slowly.
It seems like size zero has made an exit from India.

By Jilawatan

Having created a niche for herself in the tinsel town, Vidya Balan has now attracted a prestigious honour.
The charming actress is reported to be given the Smita Patil Memorial Award by the Priyadarshini Academy. She said to have been chosen for her outstanding contribution to the film industry. She said to have been chosen for her outstanding contribution to the film industry. Balan garnered much acclaims with her debut movie Parineeta and later went on to create success with her roles in films like Lage Raho Munnabhai, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa and Ishqiya.
Incepted in 1984, the academy is an NGO which is engaged in socio-cultural and educational activities. Earlier the award has been won by several personalities namely Preity Zinta, Yash Chopra, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor.
Talking on why they chose Balan, chairman of the academy Nanik Rupani explained to sources, Vidya Balan is an excellent actress. She is modern yet contemporary and has done decent and powerful roles. Her performance in ‘Paa’ was outstanding.
The award function is reported to be held in Oberoi Hotel (Mumbai) on 19th Sep.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan will be conferred with the Smita Patil Memorial Award for her “outstanding” contribution to the film industry.
“Vidya Balan is an excellent actress. She is modern yet contemporary and has done decent and powerful roles. Her performance in ‘Paa’ was outstanding. Our jury has chosen her for the Smita Patil Award for her outstanding contribution to the film industry,” Priyadarshini Academy chairman Nanik Rupani told IANS.

Priyadarshini Academy is an NGO which is engaged in socio-cultural and educational activities and has been holding the biennial award function since its inception in 1984.

In 2008, Preity Zinta was felicitated with the award. Other celebrities like Yash Chopra, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor have also been bestowed with this award.

Vidya Balan made her debut with Pradeep Sarkar’s “Parineeta” in 2005 and later on went to give some outstanding performances in “Lage Raho Munnabhai”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, “Paa” and “Ishqiya”.

The ceremony will be held Sep 19 in Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai.