PREITY PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS

Citing the example of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta recently pledged to work for the welfare of widows and said they could achieve a lot, if given an opportunity. Preity, 34, became the brand ambassador of Loomba Trust that supports widows and their children around the world.

“Sonia Gandhi is a perfect example. If a woman is not stolen of her opportunities, even if she is a widow, she can do great things and achieve a lot. This is more than enough reason to say that a woman can stand shoulder to shoulder with any man anywhere in the world,” Preity said.

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“I have always held women’s causes in India very close to my heart. I have always felt that women get a raw deal. This cause was a little more close to my heart because I lost my father when I was very young,” added Preity, who lost her father at the age of 13.

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“I was lucky to come from a family that was financially stable, but I did grow up realising that it was definitely more difficult for a woman. I can identify with this problem very closely,” said the multi-faceted actress.

Preity also revealed that a documentary by filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s brother influenced her and she realised it was important to work for the welfare of widows.

“Deepa Mehta’s brother made a documentary called The Forgotten Woman. It’s a documentary on widows and what really happens to them. That was the first time I looked at this besides something I had grown up with and that stayed with me,” she said.

“So when I was asked to be a part of this Trust I thought that God has given me more than I can ever imagine and if I can give back, it will make a difference; in whatever way we can raise awareness, we will,” she added. Good on you, Preity, you’re so much more than a pretty face.

Shahid’s single and ready to mingle

After being linked to a string of actresses, Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor has finally cleared the air about his relationship status. Not surprisingly, he says he’s single. “I am very much single, available and definitely ready to mingle,” Shahid said on Sony TV’s new reality show Lift Kara De. Shahid was a celebrity guest on the show, and found himself on sticky ground when host Karan Johar asked him about his link-up with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi actress Anushka Sharma, signing a relatively smaller film like Pyaar Impossible? Though she claims it was the film’s script that made her sign, she admits that big banners like Yash Raj Films have their relevance.

Sethi’s untitled directorial debut.

“You had better ask Parmeet that question. After all directors have all the fun these days!” he quipped. “I want to clarify that I am not dating Priyanka Chopra or anybody else,” added Shahid. I’ll bet single Bollywood babes make a beeline for sexy Shahid.

Priyanka won’t play…

Describing her fundamentals about working in films, she said, “It’s best not to do any prior calculations and instead just step into doing something where your instinct drives you. This is why I concentrate completely on my work.”

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The numbers game, that is. Priyanka Chopra has enjoyed back-to-back hits with Dostana and Fashion in 2008. Last year, her Kaminey succeeded and if What’s Your Raashee? had worked, she would have certainly come one step up the rung to being number one. But the actress refuses to get drawn into the numbers game. “When a couple of my films would succeed at the box office, people would start commenting, ‘Oh yes, you are at the number one spot’. But one flop later they may end up stating, ‘Arrey, yeh spot toh thoda hil gaya’,” said a sensible Priyanka.

“In fact, sometimes you experience something even worse because the same people may even end up saying that she is gone and there is no future for her... However, one hit later, every statement would be retracted. No one can be really blamed because this entire numbers business is so fickle,” said the actress who has seen quite a few ups and downs in her career.

“Yes, one can’t deny the relevance of big banners. However, a fact that also cannot be denied is that sometimes even big films don’t work. I have first-hand experience in that because there have been some really big films that I wasn’t convinced about and hence had to decline them,” Priyanka said. “I have also done small films out of sheer gut instinct and they went on to be very good successes. So, you know, one can’t really be sure about this industry which is anyway so unpredictable,” the former

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“As long as people say that I am a decently good actor and a very fine professional, I can say that I am in a happy place. I would be quite worried if they start saying anything to the contrary,” added Priyanka, who has worked in around 30 films during the last six and a half years in Bollywood.

Priyanka will be seen in Siddharth Anand’s Anjaana Anjaani with Ranbir Kapoor and she will begin work on Vishal Bharadwaj’s

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yet untitled film. She is now set to play Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s wife in Vishal Bharadwaj’s next movie, Seven Husbands. This will be the second time Priyanka has played multiple characters in a single film, the first being What’s Your Rashee? Priyanka’s heading for the number one spot, that’s for sure!

Canada calling!

loved this film. It proves true Rancho’s (the protagonist in the movie) mantra - chase excellence and success will follow.”

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Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood’s leading hunks is planning a cross-cultural film on Canada with their favorite sport ice hockey, as the main theme of the movie. He decided this when he ran for the Winter Olympic Torch Relay in minus eight degrees.

“I love hockey, and am in the processing making this film. I will start work on it next

Aamir echoed the sentiment, saying, “As a member of the team I am so happy with the kind of success that the film is achieving.

Thanks to Raju (Hirani), for making the film so well, to Vinod for doing such a great job as a producer and to Reliance BIG Pictures for the kind of release they gave the film.”

According to a statement released, more that 60 million people have so far watched the film in theatres since its release on Dec 25. Its box office collections have exceeded the over Rs.260 crore earned by another Aamir starrer, Ghajini, considered Hindi cinema’s highest grosser till date.

3 Idiots is also being touted as the highest grossing Indian film ever to release in the US, Middle East, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Kenya and Fiji.

The film has retained its position in the top 10 film at the British Box Office and is also Aamir’s biggest grosser so far and highest box office grosser of 2009. The screen count in the US for 3 Idiots has increased by 25 percent by the third week. Indian multiplexes added on an average 14 to 21 new shows in the second week of the movie compared to its first week with 150 additional shows. Even the paid previews of the movie garnered over Rs.9 crore worldwide. The film also stars R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani and Kareena Kapoor in pivotal roles. Proves that the movie’s not so idiotic after all, right?

Bips-John still going strong the impression that people in past eras never used to laugh, but promises that his new movie Veer will have its light moments. “We haven’t followed the regular format. This has emotion, drama and comedy unlike other period films, which always casts an impression that no one used to laugh in those days,” said Salman in an interview. “The language has undergone a huge change. The dialogues are in contemporary language but would show that people of that time used to speak and behave like this,” he added.

Explaining how his co-star Zarine Khan joined the cast, Salman said, “The film is of a different genre, so we needed a young fresh look. More than that, we needed somebody with a yesteryear look. With just two weeks left to start the film, we didn’t have anyone who would fit the role. Then I met Zarine by coincidence on the set of Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj.” Salman denies any resemblance between

Zarine and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif. “Except being fair and having a sharp nose, I don’t see any similarity between them,” said a smug Sallu. The film’s story has been written by Salman himself and while scripting it he was scared whether his father Salim Khan, a noted writer, would approve. “I showed the story to my father and the biggest fear was what he was going to say. But he said it’s a good story.”

When asked why he chose to make a period film now, he said, “I had written the story 20 years ago but at that time it wasn’t possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did.” This is Salman’s second film as a scriptwriter, his first was Baghi (1990). “Baghi showed a good relationship between a father and son and Veer does that too. I believe that father and son should be the best of friends. Today, my father and me chat, drink and chill out together. But if I cross my line, I run away. I stay outdoors for two months. That’s the chemistry they should share. The respect should also be there,” said Salman, who claims that he could be a good father. “I am not sure how good I would be as a husband, but I believe I would be a good father. One has to get married, I will also get married but haven’t decided when.” gaps between people. He is also keen on making a Punjabi movie, because he is a Punjabi and loves the language. This Bollywood star also has a house in Canada with a permanent residence status. “Canada is like a second home to me. I love Canada. Though the weather here is cold, people are very warm,” added Akshay, whose connection with Canada goes way back to 1995 when he visited the country and fell in love with it.

The actor has been in the industry for more than two decades and has played a variety of roles, worked in various genres and sported different looks. Asked if there was anything particular he looked forward to as an actor, he said, “No yaar. I do whatever comes my way.” Well, let’s hope Veer leads Salman to victory.

He says, “Seven to eight of my films have been shot in Toronto and Vancouver, and six of them have done very well. So I have special connections with this country.” The privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch was a rare honour, and Akshay said, “It is a dream come true. I am honored and privileged to have been selected as an official torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch relay. I would like to thank Canadians for this honor and recognition.”

The actor is also very happy that Toronto is hosting the Bollywood Oscars in 2012. “I am very happy that the event is coming to Toronto. It will be a great honor for Canada,” he said. Well, let’s hope Akshay plans some more movies in Canada – he desperately needs a hit right now!

3 Idiots hits the jackpot

Aamir Khan starrer comedy-drama 3

Idiots” has grossed over Rs.315 crore ($70 million) globally in the 19 days since its release, with a huge response across continents. Based on Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller Five Point Someone, the film has opened new visats for the Indian Film industry, says Amit Khanna, chairman of Reliance BIG Entertainment. “The huge response across continents reinforces our belief that a well-made, well-exploited film can still create magic in the darkened auditorium. We are proud to be associated with Vinod, Aamir, Raju and the talented team of 3 Idiots,” he continued.

Added Chopra, “I am thrilled and humbled that so many people all over the world have

They’re undoubtedly one of Bollywood’s best-looking couples, but rumours were in the air that all was not wonderful between Bipasha Basu and John Abraham. Apparently, Bips decided to end the relationship around the time John made New York. But now the truth emerges that the couple are very much together, and have even moved in together. A source close to Bipasha says, “John is now living with Bips at her Khar residence. Even though the move is not permanent, the two spend a lot of time together. Like any couple, John and Bipasha also have arguments but that does not mean they have split.” When asked about their relationship, the sultry Bips laughed and said, “I guess we are