the Buzz

Bipasha breaks free

Actress Bipasha Basu who recently released her second fitness DVD called Break Free, says choosing a male fitness icon from hunks like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik roshan is hard, because each of them has their own story to tell. But she does have a favourite. “I think Salman Khan has brought fitness into our industry. He is just going to be iconic forever. He is the fitness icon,” said the 33-year-old Bengali beauty at the launch of her DVD recently.

“Hrithik is an extremely handsome guy, great body. He has lot of issues which he fights and he triumphs to he looks the way he does... so definitely there is a great story there with Hrithik’s kind of physique,” Bipasha added, keen to explain the charisma behind her second choice. And naturally, she can’t leave out her first co-star Akshay, saying, “Akshay Kumar is my first hero. He is a guy who is not just physically fit, he is also mentally fit. So, everyone is iconic and inspirational and every one has their story.”

The sultry siren turns 34 soon, and will celebrate her birthday in sunny Goa with friends and family.

Bips’ latest DVD is based on dance workouts, but you can bet that most hunks and non-hunks will buy it to watch the sultry actress work out. Well, whatever works for you!

Zoa bags Bhaag Johnny

Actress Zoa morani will soon be seen in a lead role opposite Kunal Kemmu, as she has recently been signed on as the leading lady of Bhaag Johnny. And she will be presented in a new avatar, says co-producer Bhushan Kumar who is coproducing the film with Vikram Bhatt. So why did Kumar decide to pick Zoa, a relative newcomer? “Zoa is a fresh, young talent who has a lot of potential

Arjun’s not a ‘campwallah’

Rumours are rife around Bollywood that Arjun rampal has shifted his loyalty from Shah rukh Khan to Salman Khan, but the actor is indignant that anyone should think so. Arjun says he doesn’t believe in such concepts and adds it’s his own ability that keeps him going in the industry. “It’s all nonsense, I am telling you,” the National Award winning actor said recently. “First of all, I don’t believe in camps. I just don’t. I am friends with everyone. I know Salman Khan since my modelling days and I have a lot of respect for Shah rukh as well. But at the end of the day, wherever I go, whatever I do, I do it with my own ability. I don’t need any camps to be a part of,” he explained vehemently.

There were reports that Arjun, who worked with Shah rukh in Om Shanti Om, RA.One, and Don, has now switched camp to Salman Khan. And Arjun’s tweet: “Killer first look Ek Tha Tiger, wow, can’t wait to see this one. Awesome”, added fuel to the fire. But the actor isn’t interested in these rumours as he is busy promoting his next release Inkaar that focuses on sexual harassment at the workplace. Arjun has teamed up with Chitrangada Singh in the movie, due to release in end-January. So SrK or Salman, it looks like Arjun’s heading for good things. Good luck to him!

GUESS WHo ?

and we have just given her a platform to prove herself after her first release. Bhaag Johnny will showcase her in a new avatar and the audience will definitely love her,” he says enthusiastically.

The film is a film about a man who is forced to lead two lives and the chain of events that follow when he has to opt for one over the other.

Discovered by Shahrukh Khan, Zoa made her acting debut in Always Kabhi Kabhi in 2011. Surprisingly, she started off her career in Bollywood as assistant director for Om Shanti Om in 2007, and also for Halla Bol in 2008. Zoa has no interest in directing films, but took up the directing roles to familiarise herself with acting. She has also walked the ramp, trying out her talent at modelling. Well, let’s hope Zoa makes it big in Bollywood, good luck to her.

Rural flavour grips Bollywood

Designer dramas set in the glossy urban milieu may regale Hindi film audiences, but the endeavours of a few creative minds who are delving deep into the Indian hinterland to prise out stories reflecting the rustic and raw flavour of villages and towns, are paying rich dividends.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola is all set to continue the trend started by rural-based hit dramas such as Ishqiya, Peepli Live and Paan Singh Tomar. The film, featuring an interesting combination of new generation actors like Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma with a veteran like Pankaj Kapur, is set in Haryana. Given Bhardwaj’s past offerings like Omkara and Ishqiya, one expects Matru... to be truly Haryanvi in taste.

The intent surely seems to be itwhether it is Imran in the traditional khamiz, a tunic worn by the men of the region, Anushka in a desi ghaghra or the raw music, which is very much in sync with the movie’s setup.

So what inspired Bhardwaj to narrate rural stories?

“I love Indian folk music and villages. People from there are more interesting than the urban people, and I really liked to have those characters in my films. I grew up in a small town of meerut (in Uttar Pradesh) and so mostly my movies reflect experiences of my childhood. While making movies I go back to my past and draw experiences from that,” he was recently quoted as saying.

These cute toddlers are cousins too. And now they’re both rising stars in Bollywood…

(Find the answer under Caption Contest)

In the recent past, the Hindi film industry has witnessed an upsurge in rural dramas. Dor, Gulaal, Rakta Charitra, Gattu, Dabangg, Udaan and the two-part Gangs Of Wasseypur were set against rural backdrops. Be it the ups and downs of politics, gang wars or even just the aspirations of people in small townsthese have been tackled with aplomb, and, at times, with a tinge of satire. If it strikes a chord with critics and fans alike, the formula is working equally well at the box office.

No doubt that a star like Salman Khan, but its backdrop was totally rural! You rarely ever had a hero named Chulbul Pandey, but his quirkiness and magic worked - making the movie the highest grosser of 2010; and part two titled crossed the Sanjeev Bijli, joint managing director of PV taste of viewers and filmmakers.

“The Indian moviegoers, and makers have matured so much... it is very heartening to see (the change),” Bijli remarked at a recent event. The willingness of the audience to step into the theatre to watch something beyond the A-list stars, the jazz and jamboree of fancy family dramas, and romantic sagas is certainly helping filmmakers to push the envelope.

Producers and distributors too have become experimental and don’t hesitate to take a risk to promote and support small budget entertainers portraying rural India, their set of problems a la postindependence movies like Naya Daur Bijli says such films are providing profitable option for distributors and exhibitors.

“From our company’s perspective, it is great because we don’t have to bank on just big budget commercial films. We will now be able to bring small films with much more confidence than we could about six years earlier,” he said. Offshore too, such films are a huge hit and crime thriller Gangs of Wasseypur (GOW) and Peepli Live are a case in point. If GOW wowed film aficionados at the prestigious 2012 Cannes film festival, Udaan became the first Indian film in seven years to represent the country in the Cannes official section. One hopes the trend is only poised to grow, and we’re certainly supporting it.

Vivek Agnihotri’s into social comedy

We have to admit, Vivek Agnihotri is an interesting filmmaker, experimenting with various genres. After experimenting with adult film Hate Story and his current sociopolitical drama Freedom, next in line is a social comedy project.

“Currently I am busy shooting for my film Freedom, but soon after this I am going to try my hands with a comedy film. film will be a social comedy,” said Agnihotri recently, also revealing that the name of the film is and it will be a political satire,” he added.

But he was quite reluctant to drop names for the star cast. “There will be many established stars in this film. It is going to be a huge project. It is a very expensive film, so I have to make the best out of it. I will soon make an announcement,” he said.

Agnihotri started his career with the thriller Chocolate, followed by a sportsbased movie Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal

“I enjoy working on different genres. I don’t want to repeat myself as a director. I want to explore myself with different films, and so I have decided to make a comedy film this time round,” he said. Well, let’s wish him good luck, at least he’s trying!

Sonakshi to shake it

After grooving with Prabhdeva in ‘Go, go, Govinda’ for the film OMG: Oh My God!, Sonakshi Sinha will now shake a leg and much more for a 1980s’ disco style of dance for ‘Thank God it’s Friday”, a special song in the movie Himmatwala

The song, to be choreographed by Chinni Prakash, will have almost 100 dancers and 400 extras, said a source. “It is a retro disco number which will have reflective dance floors, mirrors and everything shiny and glamorous,” the source added. And anish malhotra has designed Sonakshi’s dress for the song, so its obviously going to be hyped. Himmatwala, a remake of 1983 hit movie of the same name, is being directed by Sajid Khan and features actors Ajay Devgn and Tammanah. Wow, looks like Sonakshi’s making headway into the league of item numbers with two under her belt. And many more to come, I’ll bet!

Saif, Aamir on Sudhir Mishra’s list

Off-beat filmmaker Sudhir mishra, fulfilled a lifelong desire by teaming up with megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Mehrunnisa, and is taking baby steps into the wide world of commercial filmmaking. “I waited for 15 years to do ‘mehrunnisa’ with Amitabhji. I don’t have a right to talk about the film now,” said mishra recently, who is best known for directing films like Dharavi and Chameli

And now after working with the Big ishra is keen to work with stars Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan. “If there is a star and correct casting, then it obviously increase the business. In today’s cinema scenario, if you have extreme engaging script, even that works. And if you don’t have star in your film, you better make a really very good film,” said the filmmaker who has just wrapped up his next directorial venture Inkaar starring ampal and Chitrangada Singh. So what’s next on the mishra horizon?

Sit up and take notice of women,

says Big B

Amitabh Bachchan says Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, who recently won rs.5 crore in a sixth season game of Kaun Banega and has become the first female contestant to take home the mega prize, has proved that women are strong and no less than men.

“Sunmeet Kaur of mumbai, aharashtra, a housewife that gave tuitions... was impeccable in the HotSeat. She never hesitated on any question, or did any kind of guesswork. At the rs.1 crore mark, she had the option of two life lines, but refused them because she said she was somewhat sure of the answer,” Amitabh wrote on his srbachchan.tumblr.com

Amitabh also mentioned the Delhi gang-rape incident that