BOLLYWOOD (Hindi)

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Amitabh Bachchan taking up sitar, sarod lessons

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is planning to learn to play the musical instruments sitar and sarod. The 69-year-old actor, who is recovering at home from his abdominal surgery which happened last month, is set to buy the classical instruments so that he can learn how to play them. "So am getting into the business of acquiring a Sitar and a Sarod soon enough so I may have the pleasure to be pulling a few strings!! These are times I shall look forward to... my Sitar, my Sarod, my Piano and me... sounds like the title of a really bad book or movie! ha! "But... even though I may be able to learn the instruments now, just the fact that I shall be holding them and pretending to be some great master, shall indeed be of great interest and value to me," Bachchan wrote on his blog. Bachchan is also an occasional singer, having sung for films like "Baghban" and the recent "Kahaani".

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Stylists make everyone look the same: Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor, known for her unique fashion style, believes that the trend of hiring stylists means that everyone looks the same.

"All are hiring stylists now and we all are looking the same. So it's all good," said the 26-year-old who has earned accolades more for her style statement than her acting skills.

Meanwhile, when asked which Bollywood actress would she want to give fashion advice to, Sonam quipped, "Honestly, a lot of them."

Her choice of best dressed people is unique. She says that she finds, "Kalki Koechlin is really amazing."

"Priya Kishore (owner of bouqtique Bombay Electric) dresses very well. I mean they are not very known for their fashion, but for me, they have an amazing individual style and they don't ape anybody else. So I like them."

"If I have to look beyond our generations, then I will look at late Maharani Gayatri Devi, late Maharani of Cooch Behar and Audrey Hepburn," she added.

Her tryst with all things fashionable started with her sister Rhea's production venture "Aisha" and post the movie she established herself as a fashion icon for youth.

Sonam's last film "Players" bombed at the box office and she is currently shooting for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's " Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" with Farhan Akhtar.

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Don't have right figure for item numbers: Sonam Kapoor

Mumbai: She is slim, tall and pretty, but Sonam Kapoor feels she can't do justice to a saucy and pacy item number.
"I don't have a body to do an item number. I am slim, trim and healthy but I don't have the grace and style and all that requires a little time to develop. I am a little young right now," Sonam said at an event here.
The fashionista's dancing ability was seen in 'Saawariya', 'Delhi-6' and 'Aisha'. But she doesn't have any hit dance number to her credit so far.

However, she loves Bollywood's 'Munni' Malaika Arora Khan among the string of actresses who have grooved to item songs in recent times.
"Malaika Arora. She is the Helen of our generation. If anybody can do an item number, then it is Malaika. She is superb. Nobody can beat her. She is fantastic," said Sonam.
The actress is currently busy shooting for Rakyesh Om Prakash Mehra's 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', in which she will share screen space with Farhan Akhtar.

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Dating reports with Shahid amusing: Nargis Fakhri

Nargis Fakhri may have made her Bollywood debut in one of the biggest hits of the country last year, but her acting was panned by all. Though her fresh looks managed to make heads turn everywhere. She was reported to be seeing his casanova co-star Ranbir Kapoor during the shooting of the film, but their relationship fizzled away with time. And there has been a strong buzz these days, regarding another heart-throb Shahid Kapoor dating the pretty lass. But Nargis has denied such claims and says they seem amusing to her.

Shahid and Nargis have been seen enjoying each other’s company at various places recently. Firstly, the couple was reported to be having a gala of a time in Goa for Shahid’s birthday. Then, the two were caught dining at a posh restaurant in Mumbai. But Ms. Fakhri has claimed that there is no base in the rumours and she finds them amusing. She further explained that Shahid is a very caring and down to earth guy, but that is about it.

She concluded by joking that it is actually the people that call up to tell her about the guy she is currently dating. With such a lovely face as yours, Nargis, the rumour mills will never cease to work.

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Abhay Deol, the new action hero

The youngest Deol of Bollywood, who is renowned for being a part of some out of the box movies, has shown his inclination towards action genre now.

Abhay Deol has never confined himself into a comfort zone and played varied characters. But, the latest decision of acting in an action film hints at the possibility that he wants to follow the footsteps of his uncle Dhamendra and siblings Sunny-Bobby respectively.

Dev D actor however, begs to differ and clarifies that his love for action films has nothing to do with other Deols. After acting in a thriller Shanghai, the desire to be a part of an action flick came in naturally with no plans as such.

He has already signed two films under the category, one is yet to be titled and another is Prakash Jha’s Chakravyuha.

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Nargis on moving-in with Shahid

Are Nargis Fakhri and Shahid Kapoor romantically linked? Mid Day has reported that Shahid Kapoor, 31 and Nargis Fakhri, 32 have moved-in together. This isn't the first time that a tabloid has speculated about their relationship status. Rumour mills have been suggesting that the two are
finding each other's company comforting.

The Rockstar actor decided enough is enough. Today she took to the social-networking site Twitter to clear the air. She tweeted: "I'm amazed at how the papers seem2know more about my life than me! N none of it is even true.i woke up this mornin SHOCKED! (sic)"

The rumour took root when Nargis was spotted at Shahid's Versova residence way too often. "Two weeks ago, Nargis stayed over at his place for five to six days. It appears the duo have become more and more familiar and comfortable with each other," a source told Mid Day.

The Kingfisher model apparently even introduced her special friend to her mother. "In fact when Nargis' mother flew in from abroad, she, too, made it a point to visit Shahid. So one can gauge how close Sasha is to Nargis that her folks too have been dropping in at his place," the tabloid quoted the source as saying.

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Arjun Rampal gears up for Chkravyuha

After Rajneeti the actor gets ready for yet another film with Prakash Jha, Chakravyuha.

Arjun Rampal has been doing very selective films these days, mostly with renowned filmmakers. Having recently wrapped up Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine, Arjun is now getting set for Prakash Jha's forthcoming film Chkravyuha.

Chakravyuha stars Abhay Deol and Manoj Bajpai in lead roles. The film's shooting will begin on April 7, and it will be shot mainly in Madhya Pradesh.

"Now to prepare for Prakash Jha's Chakravyuha, he is one of my favorite directors and spending some quality time with loved ones, before I disappear into MP," said Arjun, who is currently vacationing with wife Mehr Jessia in Thailand.

The actor is believed to have a specific look for the film. Arjun will have to fine tune his Hindi before starting the film. Reportedly, Chakravyuha will have a political setting just like Prakash Jha's earlier films.

The film has been written by Prakash Jha, Anjum Rajabali and Sagar Pandya. The music will be scored by Salim-Sulaiman.

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John’s injury sets back Sanjay Gupta's film

After Ranveer Singh's back injury, it is John Abraham's broken leg that's playing havoc with a film's shooting.

Sanjay Gupta's 'Shootout At Wadala', suffering a series of bizarre hiccups ever since its commencement earlier this month, suffered another setback last week when the film's leading man John Abraham suffered a hairline fracture in his foot during an action sequence.

And now a very expensive action sequence to be shot on a crowded street where John had to run through a gauntlet of pursuers in the midst of BEST buses, would have to be postponed.

The losses, though running into an exorbitant sum, have left the director Sanjay Gupta unperturbed. "It's okay. John is going out of his way to be accommodating. It was a very important action sequence requiring a lot of paperwork, permission and costs. But more than my concern for the lost schedule it's John's condition that bothers me. He shot one action scene through the shooting pain in his leg after it was fractured. He was ready to shoot the second action scene in that condition. But it was out of the question. How could he run through a crowded street with buses, with that leg."

John had undertaken intense preparations for his big action sequence which was to be shot on March 22 and 23.

Informs Gupta, "He had to run faster than the buses. He was on a fish-only diet. And he was looking forward to ending the bland diet after finishing the action sequence.The postponement means more fish no-carbohydrate diet for a month more for John."

Unperturbed by the financial losses Gupta says John has already given alternative dates to shoot the postponed action sequence in April. "In the meanwhile John isn't sitting idle at home. He will be doing dialogue reading sessions with Anil Kapoor while his leg heals."

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Doe eyed beauty Rani Mukerji turns a year older!

Mumbai: The queen of million of people’s hearts, Rani Mukerji celebrates her birthday today. The cute looking and extremely talented actress turns 34 today.

Rani made her acting debut with ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat’ in 1997, but the actress tasted her first and biggest commercial success with Karan Johar`s rom-com ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ which was released in 1998.

Subsequently, Rani made a mark in Bollywood with the critically acclaimed drama ‘Saathiya’, for which she received numerous awards and nominations, including her first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.

The actress established herself in the industry by working with the three Khans of Bollywood Aamir, Salman and SRK in films ‘Ghulam’, Hello Brother’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’.

Rani in her illustrious career has done it all. Her roles have varied from small town village girl, to a dumb deaf and blind girl. She has played every role with ease, and succeeded in making everyone stand up and take notice of her abilities.

Some of her path breaking films in the recent years are ‘No One Killed Jessica’, Black’, ‘Nayak’, ‘Yuva’, ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Hum Tum’ and ‘Veer Zaara’. She will now be seen in Reema Kagti’s ‘Talaash’ along with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

As Rani turns a year older today, we wish her a very Happy Birthday and hope the dazzling lady continues to enthrall us.

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Akshay Kumar: Soon, film earning Rs 400 cr won't seem big

Mumbai: Last year quite a few Bollywood films made record collections of over Rs 100 crore at the box office, but Akshay Kumar claims that in next five years things will change so much that even Rs 400 crore won't seem a big amount.
"After five years, Rs 400 crore will be too small. Hits and flops keep on coming in its own way. I personally feel keep on working. I delivered 14 flops together seven years back, big deal. You just keep on working. Records will keep on breaking. I challenge you within five years Rs 400 crore (collection) from India will happen," Akshay told reporters here.
Akshay starres like 'Desi Boyz', 'Thank You' and 'Tees Maar Khan' didn't turn out to be box office wonders, but he is unperturbed.

"Every human being has to go from high to low from low to high. If you understand that then you will never be in trouble," the 44-year-old said.
Right now Akshay, known as one of the highest paid actors in Bollywood, is gearing up for 'Housefulll 2' release. This is his third film with director Sajid Khan and he feels Sajid's strength is his immaturity.
"With Sajid, I have always enjoyed. Besides, shooting one will always keep laughing with him. That is another sign of immaturity when you say I have become matured. His strength is that he is immature. Because he is full of fun and enjoyment it can be shown in his films.
"He should not improve. He should be as he is. It is better if he doesn't improve himself. He tweaks the dialogues. He is very spontaneous," he said.
The actor describes 'Housefull 2', coming out April 5, as a story driven movie and said: " 'Housefull 2' is an entertaining film. There is a story in the film. The story begins when Riteish Deshmukh wants to get married, while his father Mithun Da (Mithun Chakraborty) is a very strict man."
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, 'Housefull 2' also features, Asin Thottumkal, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Zarine Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Shazahn Padamsee, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor and Boman Irani.