"I wish for a daughter who looks just like Ashwariya..."- Abhishek

Abhishek and Aishwarya are finally going to be parents, after four years of marriage. Unable to contain his joy, the Big B had proudly announced the joyful tidings on a micro-blogging site. Abhishek confirmed that Ashwariya is due in November, “How do I feel? It's not sunk in yet. There's been no time. We're still busy sharing the news with our friends. The realization will come later. Right now I'm, kind of, numb. It's a big moment, yes." He also put to rest the flak the bachchan family received for having announced Ash's pregnancy just in time for Big B's movie release.

Abhishek Bachchan is on top of the world and says the feeling of becoming a father would sink in only when he’ll hold the baby in his arms. Abhi confirms that it was in fact Ash’s idea to let his father, actor Amitabh Bachchan, reveal the news to the world. “I had told Ashwariya when my mother (Jaya Bachchan) was expecting my sister Shweta, who was the first Bachchan in our generation, my father had gone to his dad and asked him to relay the good news to family and friends. Ash said we should follow the tradition and not rob him of that honour. So he let the family know first and then tweeted the news to our well wishers across the world. I wanted that moment to be his as well.”

And the world, predictably, has reacted with joy. “The house is full of flowers, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. It’s just the happiest feeling,” he says, and adds, “The baby’s due in November. I wish for a healthy baby, hopefully a daughter who looks just like Ash. We would like to have two kids, so maybe a son after that.” With the new baby on the way, you won't be the baby of the house, “ (laughs) Yes, I never thought of that. No, I won't be but it's wonderful. It's very hard to describe how I'm feeling.... I mean it's nice, everybody is smiling, everybody is just very happy at home. The house is filled with flowers and people are calling and congratulating. It just feels wonderful. It still literally hasn't sunk in that there's going to be a child... you know, an offspring, I haven't gone into that father zone yet.” Has the dinner table conversation turned to discussing baby names and ultrasound appointments? “Not yet but it soon will,” he laughs, “I haven’t had the time to read up on what she should be doing and eating in this stage but after my film releases, that’s what I’ll get down to doing.” Ask him if he plans to pamper Aishwarya during the pregnancy and he replies, “I would like to think she anyway has no complaints, but yes, of course!” Are you going to reading books on preparing and taking care of the child? “Yeah, I'd love to do that. I've already started looking for them. Although there are so many 'experts' around. My parents, Aishwarya's parents, my sister and brother-in-law and my friends, most of who are all parents. But even so, when you hear your wife is going to have a baby, you just go into a different level of panic. You feel like you need to know more. Just hearing other people say things isn't always just enough. So yes, I am going to do all of that..... I am looking forward to it. I think it's a fun period.” Better husband or better father, what do you think? “ I'll have to be both. I'll try and be good at both. But I am not worried...I think I'll be a good dad. Because I love kids and they generally take to me. I am feeling bad for Aishwarya because I think am going to be more than a handful to handle. She is going to have to spend more time taking care of me than taking care of the baby.” Why do you say that? “I don't know I am just.... You know it's weird, when you finally share something with the world, it suddenly hits you that, 'Okay, this is happening now.' Since we've made it official, I've been only bouncing off the walls.” There have been congratulatory calls and a lot of positivity but there's also been some negativity, like raising a question on the timing of the announcement hinting that it was carefully aimed to scuttle the IIFA awards how do you deal with that? “ Absolutely disgusting is how I would term such reports. Some morons think that we would use the happiest moment of our lives to gain cheap mileage. I can only wish that when such a moment comes in their lives, they don’t have to face such deplorable negativity. Right now, it's just such a happy time for the entire family, that I am not even going to bother with it. At a time like this, if there are people who are only going to think negative thoughts, then they don't deserve any attention.”

Aishwarya, decided to use hubby’s account to tweet a word of gratitude: “My dearest extended family world over. Thank you so sooooo much 4 all ur love, prayers, best wishes and blessings for us and “ours”… at this most precious time in our lives. deeply moved … truly cherish all your wishes. god bless and love. thank you thank you and THANK YOU (sic).”

Shahid writing letters to Sonam for two years!

Believe it or not. But its true. In the age of smart phones and sleek wheels, Bollywood prince charming Shahid Kapoor has been writing letters to the tall and beautiful Sonam Kapoor.

Well before getting into any wild ideas let us make it clear that it was the practice introduced by papa Pankaj Kapoor who in his keenness to ensure nothing goes wrong with his dream project 'Mausam' gave this unique workshop to his lead actors Shahid and Sonam to communicate without phone, sms or any short format for communication in order to get into the skin of the character.

He asked them to write handwritten letters to communicate for two months before they started shooting with each other. Initially both hated it as its unmanageable for today's generation to imagine life without cell phones.

On top of that both didnt know how to write! So Pankaj put a strict rule that unless and until they go through this exercise he will not start shooting.

Both wrote really bad notes for two weeks which left the director Pankaj Kapoor fuming and baffled.

Pankaj Kapoor felt that it was very important for them to be able to write their thoughts down. And also since Pankaj Kapoor belongs to theatre he applied all mythologies of theatre.

After that the two got so use to writing letters that they continue to do so even today. Now it's been two years that they have continued this exercise and now are used to it.

Pankaj Kapoor says, "I belong to different school of acting. Everything that my actors do have to be contextual. I made Shahid and Sonam go through this extensive excercise so that they could start feeling like the characters they plan. It took sometime as first we need to break inhibitions, then develop new habits and then fall in love."

Suhasini celebrates her 50th birthday

Suhasini Mani Ratnam is one of the finest actresses in the country.

Today on Independence Day, the actress celebrates her 50th Golden Jubilee birthday.

She has been part of south Indian cinema for nearly three decades wearing all kinds of caps- actor, director, dialogue-writer,film critic and producer.

On Sunday (August 14) night Mani Ratnam threw a very private party to usher in his wife’s 50th golden jubilee birthday.

All her close friends were present on the occasion.

As an actress she is still sought after in all four south Indian languages in pivotal character roles. She also looks after Mani Ratnam’s production house Madras Talkies.

Mammootty's son Dulkar Salman debuts

Finally, Malayalam megastar Mammootty's son Dulkar Salman is debuting as hero in a Malayalam film titled Second Show.

The film will have all newcomers in the cast and crew along with Baburaj and Salim Kumar.

Salman's friends like Srinath Rajendran a former associate of Jayaraj is debuting as director, script and screenplay is by Vini Viswalal and cameraman is Rajiv Ravi’s assistant Pappu.

A new girl Dr Avantika is going to be the heroine of the film which has music by Kaithapram and the Avial band.

Remember a few months back there were rumours that the top Tamil director Lingusamy will introduce the Chennai born and brought up Dulkar Salman.

Later it was said Mammootty's favourite director Anwar Rasheed will be the 'chosen one' to direct the megastar's son.

Last month, Dulkar Salman got engaged to a Chennai girl at a very private engagement ceremony. Now that Salman is settled, Mammootty himself is taking an interest in the launch of his son’s film career. The buzz is that Mammootty has gone through the script and cleared it.

The shoot of Second Show will start in Kozhikode from today (August 10). The film will be produced by AOPL Entertainments, the Kochi based company which had recently produced Siby Malayail directed Violin.

Shammi Kapoor dies

Veteran film actor Shammi Kapoor died at 5.15 am today. He was 79. The actor had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for Kidney failure and lung congestion.

He debuted in Bollywood with 'Jeevan Jyoti' in 1953 and ruled the silverscreen during the late 1950s and 1960s with his super-energetic performances. According to BBC, Shammi Kapoor was "one of the most popular actors of his generation, Kapoor starred in hits like Junglee, An Evening in Paris, Chinatown and Kashmir Ki Kali.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted that with Kapoor's death the "flamboyance and joie de vivre of the [film] industry [was] lost".


Shammi Kapoor acted in more than 100 films. Fans called him the "Elvis Presley of India" for his frenetic and nifty dancing.

He developed a style of his own and moviegoers flocked to the theatres just to see Shammi Kapoor's antics and mannerisms."

With his infectious on-screen persona and energy, Shammi Kapoor was Bollywood's first real star, say correspondents. BBC also says that "The actor was also a keen internet buff and amongst the first Indians to have a website of his own.

When Yahoo opened its office in Mumbai (Bombay) several years ago he was invited by its co-founder Jerry Yang. As the launch, Kapoor was pleasantly surprised to hear the band playing his Yahoo song from the film Junglee [or Wild], made famous years before the internet existed, and so called for his famous cry of "Yahoo!".

Later, Mr Yang told him how inspired he was by the Yahoo song and the way the actor had used the word in his inimitable style in so many of his films. "It was all very flattering. Many of my relatives still call up and ask whether I own Yahoo," he told the BBC in an interview.

Shammi was married to actress Geeta Bali who he said was the love of his live. She died of small pox during the filming of Teesri Manzil.
They have two children - a son Aditya, and a daughter Kanchan. He later married Neela.

Bebo deal sealed

So,its official. Kareena Kapoor, who had first turned down Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine, is back onboard, after Ash fell pregnant.

You win some,after Ash loses some!

Vidya not Married.............

Although the virtual world was abuzz with reports of Vidya Balan and UTV head honcho,Siddarth Roy Kapur's secret wedding and their subsequent luxury honeymoon,the actress has finally clarified that she's still unmarried and is busy filming Milan Luthria's latest flick,Dirty Picture.The two have been linked ever since they worked together on No One Killed Jessica.

Is Priyanka rocking another marriage?

Priyanka Chopra is at it again. The rumour mills are abuzz with details of her hot new affair with a co-star, who also happens to be married! While recently making a film with him, things got hot and heavy between them. The unit members of the movie were shocked by this liaison, as the man rarely gets involved with his co-stars. As far as his image goes in the industry, his slate is far less tainted than the others!

There were murmurs of closeness between them when they did a film together a few years ago too. But the rumours died as soon as the movie released. Some even defended Priyanka saying that the gossip emerged only because she was quite open about her affection, admiration and love for the actor!

What really got tongues wagging was that the actor suddenly started recommending her to producers — something he is rarely known to do. And guess what? They are now slated to do a few films together!

Friends of the superstar have defended him saying he can't be blamed as she is hot, sexy and totally gaga over him. She gushes and blushes about him all the time.

However, the star's wife hasn't reacted to the rumour yet. "There are two reasons for that — either she is blissfully unaware of the latest developments in her husband's life or she chooses to turn a blind eye. One wouldn't be surprised if the wife ignores this piece of news; she has far more interesting things to do anyway," says an actress. Priyanka still gets invited to parties at this star's house!

Not the first time

Curiously, this isn't the first time PC is embroiled in a controversy that involves a married man. Years ago, her former manager Prakash Jaju gave her itemised phone bills to the media. The bills were proof that she was having an affair with Akshay Kumar. Both Akshay and she vehemently denied any romantic links, but the phone bills gave away the truth and the number of hours they spent talking to each other.

Twinkle, however, didn't take her husband's philandering well. When the news reached her, she was holidaying with Akki in Goa. Not only did she walk out on him but she also slapped Akshay!

Twinkle later barred him from working with Piggy Chops and Akki silently obliged in order to keep his marriage going.

Now the question still remains — will the star sever ties with PC or will this liaison continue till someone actually reveals names and releases phone bills like the last time? Wait and watch as this story unveils. BM

Namitha wants an image makeover

Namitha’s fans, do rush and watch your screen goddess’s next movie Namitha I Love You. If Namitha has her way, that will be the last film you will see her in a bikini. For Namitha, the glam queen of south cinema, is reportedly fed up with the “awww”s and “oooh”s that emanate from the front benches every time she appears (scantily clad) on screen. What she wants is a standing ovation for her performance instead of whistles for her figure.

The actress was recently heard lamenting her choice of roles and telling an august gathering of pressmen that she desperately needed an image makeover. Of course, fans are crestfallen at Namitha’s decision to wear less-revealing clothes on screen. Namitha I Love You will be the last time she will be dancing to kuthu numbers skimpily clad.

Namitha I Love You revolves around a Yoga teacher (played by Namitha), who is very violent when she is not glamorous. She takes on a gang of villains, who want to use some of her students for illegal activities. We wonder though if producers are willing to experiment and cast the new Namitha in prominent roles.

Anushka Shetty signs Allu Arjun

It’s good times again for Anushka Shetty. Just when the critics had written off the sultry lady in favour of younger talent in Tollywood, Anushka bounced back. She delivered hits likeVaanam and Deiva Thirumagan and now has bagged an Allu Arjun-starrer to be directed by Selvaraghavan. It’s a bilingual project and buzz is it will be shot at a huge budget of Rs. 50 crore.

The as-yet-untitled film is expected to go on floors by the end of 2011, after Selva completes his current projects including Irandam Ulagam. This is the second time Anushka will team up with Allu Arjun after their much acclaimed Vedam last year. Anushka is proving to be a favourite for multilinguals. She is also the heroine of Chaitanya Dantuluri’s (of Baanam fame) directorial venture, Rampachodavaram. The heroine-oriented flick is produced by Konda Krishnamraju in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.

Nayanthara Munni in ‘Osthi’?

Buzz is that the soon-to-be married actor will now do the item number in the Simbu film

Nayanthara, it seems, is keen on keeping her fans in a perpetual state of confusion. Weeks after movie mags announced her retirement from films, Nayan has bounced back with a promise to return to the big screen. Latest reports suggest that the uber-hot babe, who is currently on a break from movies, has raced past Shriya Saran to grab the coveted item number in Silambarasan’s Osthi, which is a remake of Bollywood superhit Dabangg. While Simbu plays Salman Khan’s role, Richa Gangopadhyay essays the character which Sonakshi Sinha had in the Hindi flick.

Malaika Arora Khan had performed the item number Munni badnaam hui in the original, and there was stiff competition among the actors in Kollywood as to who will do the song in Osthi. Buzz is that Nayan had initially turned down the offer to do the item number and it was then offered to Shriya Saran. Just when we thought Shriya was the final choice, Nayanthara has now snatched the song back.   Looks like this ‘Munni’ wants to be ‘badnam’ just one more time before she settles down with her ‘Darling’ Prabhudeva!

Kareena Kapoor not getting married soon- Karishma Kapoor

Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor Tuesday denied reports that her younger sister Kareena is set to tie the knot with beau Saif Ali Khan towards the end of 2012.
“Kareena is not getting married anytime soon,” Karisma said here.
Rumour mills have been abuzz with information that the couple – ‘Saifeena’ – is ready to settle down, and that their nuptials would happen at a palace in Bhopal in royal style.
A report also said that Kareena’s wedding trousseau would be designed by Ritu Kumar
But Karisma’s denial proves otherwise.
The charismatic 37-year-old was here to promote skincare product Olay Total Effects, which she feels is the reason behind her “ageless beauty”.
“When I started using this product in 2007, it was a life-changing experience. I strongly believe that if you look good, you feel good, and that’s just what happened with me,” said Karisma, who will be seen on the big screen once again soon
The actress, who has done films like “Dil To Pagal Hai”, “Biwi No.1″ “Raja Hindustani”, and “Zubeidaa”, was last seen in “Mere Jeevan Saathi” which released in 2006.
She has now teamed up with model-turned-actor Rajneesh Duggal for Vikram Bhatt’s film titled “Dangerous Ishq”.
“I can’t speak much about the film but yes, I am doing it because I think the time was right,” said the actress, who looked stunning even in a simple black top and a pair of dark blue jeans. - IANS

Punjabi family comedy "Breakaway" to premiere at Toronto

Akshay Kumar co-production “Breakaway”, a hilarious Punjabi family comedy on the lines of “Bend It Like Beckham”, will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), it was announced here Tuesday.

A cross-cultural hockey comedy-drama set in the Indo-Canadian community in the Toronto suburb of Brampton, “Breakaway” features Anupam Kher, Vinay Virmani, Russell Peters, Camilla Belle, and Rob Lowe.

Toronto young man Vinay Virmani, who wrote the script, plays the lead role in the film directed by Canadian Robert Lieberman. The film revolves around a Punjabi immigrant family which goes through turmoil in trying to come to terms with social mores of Canadian society.

A cross-cultural emotional family comedy, it is set in the background of ice-hockey which is Canada’s national sport.

Rajveer Singh, played by Vinay Virmani, dreams of becoming a pro hockey player but he is caught between expectations of his traditional Indo-Canadian family ruled by his religiously devout father (Anupam Kher) and his own ambition.

As the film producers said, it is “both a fun-filled sports comedy bringing a dash of Bollywood to Canada’s favourite sport and the heartfelt journey of young immigrant man’s quest to find himself in his new country.”

According to said Frank Siracusa of Whizbang Films which has produced the film, “We are absolutely thrilled that Breakaway will have its world premiere at TIFF.

“We know this film will resonate with festival audiences, with its diverse Canadian, American and South Asian cast, its Toronto backdrop and its irresistible cross-cultural clash within a family and a son’s passion for the game of hockey.”

Breakaway is the first India-themed film to join the list of over 300 films coming from around the world to TIFF..

The 36th annual film festival runs from September 8 to 18 here. - IANS

South Indian Actress Nayanthara changed religion?

By Indo Asian News Service, IANS

Bangalore, Aug 9 (IANS) Top southern actress Nayanthara has converted from Christianity to Hinduism, say sources close to the Arya Samaj, even as she herself maintains a studied silence on the issue.

Nayanthara, born and brought up as Diana Mariam Kurian, was a born Christian. She changed her name because of her foray into films.

She reportedly converted to Hinduism Sunday morning at the Arya Samaj Temple in Chennai, the sources said, adding she has retained her name Nayanthara.

Some see it as a step towards her impending marriage to actor-director Prabhu Deva who divorced his earlier wife, a Muslim and did not change her religion at the time of marriage.

Nayanthara is tightlipped. Asked about her marriage, she says: 'No comments.'

On Sunday morning, the actress reportedly headed straight to the Arya Samaj Temple on Waltax Road.

She went through all the religious processes as per the scriptures. All the procedures of 'Shuddhi Karma', a procedure involving Vedic purification, were meticulously followed, say the sources close to Arya Samaj.

They also added that a 'homan' or fire ritual was held where Nayantara chanted hymns and the Sankeerthan Mantra.

Incidentally, the members of Prabhu Deva's family are devotees of the Suttur Mutt in Mysore. His parents are devotees of Male Mahadeshwara Swamy.

The sources said Nayanthara left soon after the purification ceremony. A certificate of conversion to Hinduism was issued to her. The actress flew back to Kochi by an evening flight.

It is reported that her parents have expressed their opposition to Nayanthara's desire to convert to Hinduism.

Nayanthara's last film 'Ramayana', directed by veteran director Bapu, was completed only a few days ago.

Nayanthara who plays Sita's role in the film became emotional on the last day of her shoot and even lay prostrate before all the elders in the unit, including the octogenarian director Bapu.

Nayanthara says her decision to convert to Hinduism is purely personal.

'Yes, I have become a Hindu and it's my own personal decision. I went through the entire ceremony with passion and conviction,' she is believed to have told a friend.

She sports a tattoo of Prabhu Deva on her body. The couple were also seen in some film related functions together.