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

Vidya Balan has signed up for another film with Saif Ali Khan after five years. The pair was last seen together in Vinod Chopra’s Parineeta (2005).

This time they come together in Balaji Motion Pictures’ Dream Sequence to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

Casting change:
Says a source in Balaji, “Initially, Deepika Padukone was to do the role. The casting of the duo together after Love Aaj Kal had its appeal. But the actress begged off when she heard that the chote nawab was having second thoughts and that Abhay Deol would fill in for him.”

However Saif decided to stay with the project after a long discussion with his Omkara director. Meanwhile, with Deepika gone, there was a fresh hunt for the leading lady. Vidya was part of Bhardwaj-produced Ishqiya.

The actress, director and producer are keen to work together in this film and are currently working on the dates.”

Vidya is already doing Dirty Picture with Balaji and Dream Sequence will be her second film with the company.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan may co-star with Saif Ali Khan in Vishal Bhradwaj’s jinxed film Dream Sequences, which is still live and kicking contrary to earlier reports that it has been shelved.

Balan co-starred with Saif in her 2005 debut film Parineeta, which was well received by both audiences and critics.

Dream Sequences was initially conceived with Saif and Deepika Padukone as lead pair, the duo having earlier co-starred in the box office success Love Aaj Kal.

However, around September the project appeared to have been shelved because Bhardwaj denied that he was working on it, following reports that Saif had walked out of the film over differences with him.

Earlier this month it was reported that Abhay Deol would play the male lead in the project, filming for which will start in January 2011. Priyanka Chopra was reportedly considered for the female lead.

Mid Day now reports that Saif has decided to stay with the project after a long discussion with the Omkara director.

Balan and Bhardwaj, who earlier worked together on Ishqiya, are reportedly keen to work together in Dream Sequences and are trying to work out dates.

The film is being produced by Balaji and Balan is already doing A Dirty Picture with the production house.

By Jilawatan

After Deepika Padukone said no to Balaji’s Dream Sequence, Vidya Balan has grabbed the ‘dream’ opportunity to star opposite her Parineeta co-star Saif Ali Khan, reports Mid Day. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures’, Dream Sequence would be directed by Vishal

Says a source in Balaji, “Initially, Deepika Padukone was to do the role. The casting of the duo together after Love Aaj Kal had its appeal. But the actress backed off when she heard that the chote nawab was having second thoughts and that Abhay Deol would fill in for him.”

However, Saif decided to stick to the project, and Vidya Balan was signed for yet another Bhardwaj movie after Ishqiya.

Vidya has also been signed by Balaji Telefilms for Dirty Picture.

By Jilawatan

After the mega success of Race, filmmakers Abbas-Mastan have confirmed that they have retained Saif Ali Khan and Anil Kapoor for the sequel Race 2. However, the new additions to the cast will now include John Abrahams and Priyanka Chopra.

Vidya Balan is quickly becoming one of the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema. After winning loads of acclaim for Paa and Ishqiya, the talented actress has now been signed for a woman-centric project to be directed by Sujoy Ghosh of Aladdin fame. The movie has been titled as Kahani.
In a shocking twist to the rape drama surrounding Shiney Ahuja, his domestic worker, who claimed to have been raped by the actor in June last year, now says the alleged incident never took place. It is believed that the 20-year-old was coerced to make the statements at the insistence of the person who secured her the job at Ahuja’s house. The sudden turn of events has raised much suspicion as police officers once claimed that medical evidence proved the rape had occurred and now, suddenly, the maid has gone missing.

AAMIR Khan says his next movie, Dhobi Ghaat, will not arrive in December, breaking the tradition set with previous blockbusters Taare Zameen Par (2007), Ghajini (2008) and 3 Idiots (2009). Dhobi Ghaat, which marks the directorial debut of Khan’s wife, Kiran Rao, features the perfectionist actor together with Pratiek Babbar and has been scheduled to release in February next year.
There’s a new addition to Kajol’s family as the powerhouse actress and her husband, Ajay Devgan, became proud parents to a baby boy on Monday. The couple also have a seven-year-old daughter named Nysa. Perhaps they can now say We Are Family!

The sudden death of actor Muralli, 46, came as a shock to all who knew this humble, unassuming but talented actor. He succumbed to a heart attack in the early hours of September 8. Muralli made his film debut in 1984 in the Kannada film Prema Parva, which was directed by his father, Sidhalingaiyah. He shot to prominence through his second film, Poovilangu, and cemented his place in the industry with his third film, Pagal Nilavu, the film which introduced director Manirathinam to the Tamil film world. This was followed by a series of box-office failures, broken by the release of Pudhu Vasantham. The film was a huge hit and a trendsetter, firmly re-establishing Muralli as an actor of note in Kodambakkam. Others major hits to his name include Idhayam, Poomani, Pohrkalam, Vetri Kodu Kattu, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Anandham and Sundhara Travels. His last film was Baana Kaathaadi (still to release in South Africa) which launched his son, Adharva, as a lead actor. Muralli is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Less than a week after Muralli’s death, Kodambakkam lost yet another talented artist with the demise of playback singer Swarnalatha last Sunday. Swarnalatha, 37, had been suffering from diminishing breathing ability for the last year and did not record during that period. Her singing debut was in 1987 under the music of MS Visvanathan when she sang the duet Chinnanjiru Killiye Kannamma from Needhikku Thandanai with KJ Yesudas. Swarnalatha enjoyed the most success with composers Illaiyaraja and AR Rahman. Her first hit song was the immortal Aaatamaa Therottamma for Illaiyaraja in Captain Prabhagaran. Other notable hits she enjoyed with Illaiyaraja were Pohvoma Oorkolam (Chinna Thambi), Maasi Maasam (Dharma Dhurai) Adi Raakamma Kaiyai Thatttu (Thallabadhi), Yen Ulle Yen Ulle (Valli) and Malai Kohyil Vaasalil (Veera).

With AR Rahman, she enjoyed hits such as Mukaala Mukaabala (Kaadhalan), Uyire (Bombay), Maya Machindhra and Akadaannu (Indian) and the song that won her the national award for best playback singer, Poraale Ponnuthaayi (Karuthamma). She was a spinster and lived alone.

Rajinikanth’s Endhiran continues to record more firsts for Tamil and Indian cinema. Last Saturday the film’s trailers were released at a function that brought together a host of actors, producers and directors. What stood out about Rajnikanth was the simplicity with which he arrived and his constant modesty about the extent of his role in the film. The trailer has been received with great excitement and enthusiasm as cinema halls begin to announce their showtimes for what is easily the biggest Indian film ever. At the Mayajaal complex in Chennai’s East Coast Road, Endhiran will have 60 shows a day, with the first fortnight expected to be booked out when the first day of bookings open. Endhiran is the first Indian film to cross the 1.3-billion rupee budget and is also the first Tamil film to be released internationally by HBO. It is also the first Indian film to have a day-and-date release in China. Endhiran is also the first Indian movie to have two Oscar winners in its team – music composer AR Rahman and sound engineer Ressul Pookutty.
Kamalhassan and Bollywood’s Anil Kapoor are to come together on screen in a dual-language production that will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi. Kapoor has been very vocal in his admiration for Kamalhassan and approached him to do a joint venture. He was delighted when Kamalhassan agreed. Further details about this joint venture will be made later this week.

By Jilawatan

She has a way with the camera. An eternal connection, that transforms her from a girl next door to a diva like temptress. Someone who is easily every man’s secret desire. Neither a woman born with extraordinary good looks nor someone with a body to die for, she, is the perfect example of someone with the X factor.

Buzz up!
Someone who gives you just one look and you’re a gonner. The beautiful, scintillating Vidya Balan is probably the only actress who has been able to have the perfect chemistry with all her male leads, be it Naseerudin Shah, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan or even Shiny Ahuja. An excellent performer, Vidya has a number of hit films where she has stood for her performances. That’s a sign of a winner.

It’s all this that has been captured on the cover page of this month’s andpersand magazine, as Vidya poses as woman with an undying flame in her eyes. This one dedicated to all the women of substance out there.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan were cited as best actor and best actress respectively at the star-studded 55th Filmfare Awards ceremony here late Saturday.
Bachchan won the award for his role in Paa, while Vidya Balan claimed the trophy for her role in the same movie. As Bachchan was not present in the ceremony, Vidya Balan took the award on his behalf.
Hosting the gala night were Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, whose one liners had the audience in splits. Their on-stage chemistry was much appreciated by the Bollywood stars present at the ceremony at the Yash Raj Studios.
3 Idiots was declared the best film, while Rajkumar Hirani claimed the best director award for the movie. A.R. Rahman won the best music director for Delhi 6.
Mohit Chauhan won the award for the best male playback singer for the song “masakali” from the movie “Delhi 6″, while the female playback singer honours were shared by Kavita Seth and Rekha Bhardwaj.
While Kavita was awarded for the song “Ik tara” from the movie “Wake Up Sid”, Rekha won the trophy for the song “Genda phool” from the movie “Delhi 6″.
Among the other highlights of the evening was a tribute to legendary pop singer Michael Jackson by Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who charmed the audience with his perfect dance moves.

By Jilawatan

She certainly has no issues about it. While the promos are already looking steamy enough, Vidya Balan is sitting back and enjoying the turn of events. The lady has locked lips with Arshad Warsi in Abhishek Chaubey’s Ishqiya, and rubbishes the rumours of refusing the kissing scene. The actress who earlier had her screen moments with Saif Ali Khan and Madhavan says, “If I was not convinced to do the kissing scene I wouldn’t have done it. I am not at all ashamed of it as an actor. I have done it with all honesty.” However the Parineeta girl confesses that she was a bit hesitant while shooting it. “How can you be comfortable shooting a kissing scene when there is hundred pair of eyes watching you!” I had told Abhishek to have very few people on the sets on the day we shot the kissing scene. There was just Arshad, the director, the cameraman and a sound guy present on the sets at the time of the scene.” That’s smart! In the meantime, Arshad Warsi is quite kicked about his role in the film. Ask him if Babban will be as memorable as Circuit and he says, “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that about Circuit too. It was a role that I did. It’s a nice character. I loved the story and more than that I loved the film’s and Abhishek Chaubey’s sensibility.” The cuts are great, and he sure had fun, “There is a bullet shot and freeze and next cut dono kabar main bethe huye hain. I like those kinds of films. This is good filmmaking. The guy says tumhari aakhri khwahish kya hai so the other one says ‘mujhe ek chutkula sunana hai,” he snatches moments from the film. As for the director, “Abhishek is so young and so good….but the sad part is that post this film he’ll risk being typecast.” We’ll see that. the film releases on January 29.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan has lent her voice to one of the stories in the Karadi Tales.

What’s more Balan along with Gulzar did the Karadi Tales reading in Mumbai.

Balan shot to fame in the film industry with Parineeta, which was produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She debuted in the movie opposite Saif Ali Khan. Prior to that she was seen in Balaji Telefilms popular television show Hum Paanch.

By Jilawatan

When Gulzar launched another audio book of his now well-known Karadi Tales, it was Vidya Balan who donned the role of storyteller.

The actress on Tuesday evening voiced a story for group of little kids who were more than happy to listen in.

The actress has lent her voice to two books titled The Lizard’s Tail and Little Vinayak

“This is a very innovative way. You know that someone is reading along with you. There is music, there are such colorful illustrations. I think it’s wonderful because reading is very important for kids and also because it takes you to another world. It opens up the world for you. So audio books are a great way,” said the actress.

The Karadi Tales come with an endorsement from its creator.

“Whenever you think books are a burden on you, just pick up a Karadi Tales and you will enjoy reading, I can assure you,” said the celebrated author-lyricist Gulzar.

The actress was beaming after shedding all the extra kilos.

“It wasn’t a point of concern for me. Today when people are telling me I’ve lost weight, I say yes, thank you. But it’s no big deal for me,” Vidya Balan told CNN-IBN.

The latest series and campaign by Karadi Tales also features Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan and cricketr Rahul Dravid among others.