My Dad does not fight my battles: Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor has denied she is having ego problems with her 'Mausam' co-star Shahid Kapoor and that her actor father Anil Kapoor helped her iron out the differences.

The actress, who is shooting for Abbas Mustan's Players in New Zealand, says she does not need her father to fight her battles. "Shahid and I are both grownups. If we had problems we would sort them out without the involvement of our parents. My dad has never fought my battles," Sonam said.

Reacting to the controversy over her comments on Ranbir Kapoor on 'Koffe With Karan', Sonam maintains that she did not say anything nasty about her 'Saawariya' co-star. Ranbir's father Rishi was furious with Deepika and Sonam. "Imran and I are good friends and hopefully we will be doing a film together soon. I do not think that I said anything nasty about Ranbir. All I said was that I do not find him sexy and he said the same about me when Imran and Ranbir came to the show but it did not upset me," Sonam added.

Sonam has three films lined up for this year 'Thanku' with Akshay Kumar, 'Players' with Abhishek Bachchan and 'Mausam' with Shahid.
Source:PTI

Deepika 'dying' to be with Salman

All Deepika wants is a movie with Salman 

Though Deepika Padukone has worked with many big names of  Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) like Shahrukh Kan, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan, still there is one star with whom she is very keen to work. And that is none other than the Dabangg Salman Khan. She wants to act opposite Salman in Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a Rajkumar Santoshi project and earlier there were talks of Abhishek-Aishwarya teaming up to play the lead in this flick. And according to sources, Deepika is so keen to work opposite Salman that she is even ready to work in less than market prize, which is not something she often does.
Source:IE

Salman Khan desperate to work in Joker

Fascinated by the 3D technology that Shirish Kunder will use for his next superhero flick, Joker, the actor wants a role in the film too. First it was a cameo in a song in Om Shanti Om, then another in a song in Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer Tees Maar Khan. For husband wife duo Shirish Kunder and Farah Khan, Salman Khan's presence seems to be lucky.

While we know that Khan will play the lead in Kunder's film Kick, the beefy actor is also keen to show his face in Kunder's 3D project that's in the pipeline. Titled Joker, the superhero action flick will star Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha, and although the first schedule began on February 14 in Chandigarh, Salman wants Kunder to scribble a quick role for him too. "Shirish has already locked in on Akshay for the lead in Joker with Sonakshi Sinha. But when Salman heard Shirish was making a film in 3D, he got excited. He told Shirish to get him into the picture even if it is for just a cameo," reveals a source. Kunder is busy trying to find a good enough role for Salman to play in Joker.

"Salman is fascinated by 3D. Creatively, this technology allows filmmakers to give viewers a more lifelike experience, as if they were actually in the world of the film and can reach out and touch the characters. Both Salman and I love 3D. Plus, it discourages piracy, as viewers have to go to theatres to see the film. In Joker, I intend to take the audience to a world they've never seen or experienced before," says the director.

Kunder admits efforts are on to write Khan into Joker. "I would love to include Salman in Joker. But it has to be a role that would do justice to him." Apparently, Salman is not willing to take no for an answer. If it's a three-dimensional experience, he would like to join the crew as the fourth.
Source: NDTV

Almost Famous

It was dream debut for actor Anushka Sharma: playing the love interest of actor Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, a Yash Raj Film. Her second stint saw her being paired with actor Shahid Kapoor followed by newcomer Ranveer Singh and, finally, Akshay Kumar in her latest release. Even though the Yash Raj protegee has had a successful run at the box-office from the start, she is not yet in the same league as her closest competitors, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor.

Trade analyst Amod Mehra says that Anushka is a better actor than most others around. "Only after Band Baaja Baarat, did people sit up and take notice of her as an independent actor. In the latest Akshay Kumar starrer, she's the only redeeming factor. She is much ahead of Sonam and Deepika in terms of acting abilities, and just needs a couple of big films and her market value will shoot up."

A director, on the condition of anonymity, opines, "Sonam comes from a film family. Deepika picked up everything on her own, learning from her mistakes. Anushka is a fine actor, but will get her dues soon. At Yash Raj, actors are signed for a three-film deal, so she hasn't had the opportunity to sign films outside the banner." Anushka had dismissed competition earlier, saying, "I don't know why everyone keeps comparing me to Deepika and Sonam. Though I'm a part of the industry, I'm not aiming to be the top heroine, so it doesn't really matter at what number I am placed at. I am career oriented but audience appreciation is what matters to me."


Brand strategist Harish Bijoor says, "Sometimes even with one film the audience is convinced. Also, controversies and personal life add to an actor's brand equity. If you say something controversial on a chat show or have a break up, you are invariably grabbing eyeballs."
Source:DNA

‘We celebrate Valentine’s every week’: Hi-Fi's high-profile couple Akshay and Twinkle say life is bliss

Akshay Kumar is flight-hopping from Dubai to Patiala gathering critical acclaim for his sensitive performance in Nikhil Advani's Patiala House. Despite such a hectic itinerary, the actor has made it a point to return home to wife Twinkle Khanna on Valentine's Day. 
    
This handsome couple has spent a decade in marital bliss and Valentine’s is yet another occasion for them to seek each other out. Says Akshay, “Days like Valentine’s and our wedding anniversary definitely have a special significance. But honestly speaking my wife and I celebrate Val entine’s every week.” 
    
The Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) A-lister explains that it is 10 years since they married, but Twinkle and he do not take each other for granted. Says he, “When planning a vacation I bring the plastic globe in our home and rotate it in front of Tina (Twinkle). She has to just put her finger on a place and we fly there for our next holiday with our son Aarav. Twinkle knows her every wish is my command. Whatever she desires, be it diamonds, a car or a villa; she has to ask and it will be hers. But the beauty of the whole thing is, that in the decade gone by, I have realised that what my wife really craves for, is my time. She has made me promise that I will always spend quality time with her and Aarav.” So the Kumars have a set routine. Every weekend is a do-not-disturb affair. “On Saturdays we usually dine with Aarav. However, on Sundays it is just the two of us who go out for a romantic meal and a drive,” he smiles. 
    
A little known fact about Akshay is that he has the image of an action hero. He has even done several comedies successfully. But somewhere deep within, the actor is very romantic. Says he, “If you see Patiala House, you will realise that the romantic scenes between Anushka and me are very subtle. These scenes were not even written down. We added them spontaneously. I have a romantic side to me that I don’t necessarily flaunt. I feel love whether it is on or off the screen cannot be scripted. It is something you have got to feel from within.” Now you know why Twinkle is one of the envied superstar wives. Her husband’s world definitely revolves around her.
Source:TOI

Patiala House Review

Director: Nikhil Advani
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Prem Chopra, Hard Kaur, Rabbit Sack C

A while ago, I posed a question on Twitter and Facebook, asking people what their expectations were from Patiala House. The reaction ranged from encouraging and affirmative to unenthusiastic and unexciting. A wide number of caustic and scathing comments were a consequence of Akshay Kumar's last year's releases, namely Khatta Meetha, Action Replayy and Tees Maar Khan. Also, a few called it similar to De Dhana Dhan Goal, while some even compared it with Namastey London.


In fact, a lot many factors go against Patiala House. Director Nikihil Advani and Akshay's last outing together, the infamous Chandni Chowk To China, remains a favourite punching bag to this day. Besides, Patiala House comes at a time when people have had an overdose of Akshay starrers. I reiterate, there ought to be at least six months' gap between two films of a major star, while this is Akshay's fourth release in six months (Khatta Meetha - 23 July, Action Replayy - 5 November and Tees Maar Khan - 24 December). Moreover, the film opens exactly one week before the keenly anticipated World Cup cricket matches and coupled with that, it will have no breathing space as the very next week witnesses the release of another much-awaited film 7 Khoon Maaf. Expecting Patiala House to overcome these hurdles is tough, mainly when the chips are down!


The chips are down also because people assume Patiala House to be something which it is not. Let me clarify that Patiala House is not an 'extension' of Akshay's previous films. Sure, Patiala House has its share of humorous moments, but the humour is of the subtle kind here. Nor can one compare it to Namastey London, since that film was more of a love story between a British-born Indian and a desi Indian, while Patiala House is more of an inspirational film. It's about chasing your dreams as and when you get another opportunity, if you don't succeed the first time.

Essentially, Patiala House is a somber film, with the focal point being drama and histrionics rather than the slapstick wit or in-your-face comedy that one anticipates from an Akshay starrer. It's more about familial bonding, with a sport [cricket] interwoven in the screenplay. This one doesn't tickle your funny bone; instead it moistens your eyes thanks to the poignant moments in the narrative, especially the penultimate moments of the film. Those exhausted of watching Akshay getting typecast in similar genre films will drop the charges while watching this one. This is, without a shred of doubt, amongst Akshay's finest performances.

On the flip side, the screenplay of Patiala House is erratic - vacillating between engaging to run of the mill to flaccid moments. In fact, a chunk involving the game plan - the family trying various gimmicks and ploys to conceal the truth from Rishi Kapoor - is lame and bizarre. Ditto for the romance between Akshay and Anushka; it comes across as half-baked and looks tame. Even the members of the family, most of them, have ill-defined characters. Fortunately, these deficiencies get camouflaged as the father and son get set for an emotional showdown in the pre-climax. From this point onwards, right till the euphoric victory, the film reaches its pinnacle.

Final word? Patiala House is an underdog. The expectations are zilch, the odds are not in its favour, but the film throws a pleasant surprise. Go for it!

SRK, Salman at Imran-Avantika's wedding bash

From Shah Rukh to Salman and from the Birlas to the Ambanis, Aamir Khan managed to bring together the who's who of Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry), business and politics at the wedding bash of his nephew Imran Khan in Mumbai.

If Mr and Mrs Imran Khan were feeling short of any wedding wishes coming their way, they have little to complain about after Saturday night. Uncle Aamir Khan made sure the whole of Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) turned up for what can only be called as the biggest Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) wedding bash in Mumbai.

And, of course, it was a night where Hi-Fi's three biggest khans - Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir - came under one roof.

Be it Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) actors to politicians, anyone who was everyone was present to bless the blushing couple. Yesteryears' superstars Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor came despite their ill health and, of course, joining them were Aamir's contemporaries Akshay Kumar, Govinda and Hrithik Roshan.

And how can the both mama and bhanja's leading ladies - Rani Mukerji, Juhi Chawla, Deepika Padukone to name a few, be left out. If Aamir calls, there're few who can resist.

Aamir Khan did indeed make this a night to remember and one that his nephew and most of these stars would remember for good. 
Source: NDTV

Singer Hard Kaur is making her Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry) debut in an upcoming Akshay Kumar starrer

Singer-turned-actor Hard Kaur, known for her blunt, in-your-face attitude will soon be seen playing a character which is a far cry from her in real life image — a salwar-kameez clad Punjabi girl.

Though it is nothing like what she is in reality, the rapper says she could relate to her character because of her own Punjabi and the UK connection. Hard Kaur plays a traditional Punjabi kudi who lives with a very rigid set of family members in London.

"I spent my childhood in the UK with my mother who brought us up single-handedly. During the filming, I went back to the times when I was staying with my grandparents and they too were pretty strict. In the film, I aspire to become a successful rapper — pretty much the story of my life too. I wanted to make a name for myself in the world of rapping when everyone frowned upon a career oriented girl and here I am today," she smiles exuding a sense of triumph.

Talking about the hardships she faced to become a singer, Hard Kaur says that she attributes her success to her never-say-die attitude. But she is also clear about her goals. Though she is making her debut now, she does not harbour any ambitions of becoming a top heroine or making it big in Hi-Fi (Hindi Film Industry). "I love my food and I can never be slim like today's heroines. They work really hard on their bodies but I believe in being healthy. I know what I am here for and I am not starry-eyed."

Ask her if she got along with actor Anushka Sharma in the film and she almost immediately quips, "She is a very sweet girl. There were absolutely no issues from my side. We were like one big happy family. I am only interested in doing my job," she says, as she trails off.

Source:DNA