Big B's blog to be compiled into a book?

Ever since his blog was launched in April 2008, Amitabh Bachchan has been regularly updating it. From movies to his arguments with the media to social issues—he has written at length on various subjects. And now it may be compiled into a full-fledged book.

"During one of my meetings with BigAdda.com, the people that matter said that they have a desire to convert the blog and my posts into a book and release it,” Amitabh wrote on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com. “I would find that terribly embarrassing, but if they were to persevere, I would want to suggest that the book also contain some of the responses from fans."

The sexagenarian says he has received some very thought provoking responses and that is why he would like them to be included in the book if it ever takes shape.

"I have found that during this long journey of ours there have been incredible inputs from those that have so liberally contributed to every blog of mine. Many among them have had a most lasting effect on me... I'm sure they must have on you as a reader too.

"Some of the discussions and points of view have been so engrossing and valuable that it would be a pity if they are left out to dry. It would have to be a mix of several different categories - serious, intellectual, humorous, indifferent—so that there is an opportunity for some democratic fairness in their representation," he explained on his blog.

Amitabh, who shares his thoughts with his fans regularly, refers to bloggers as his extended family.

Dostana to kick start iView film fest in New York

Director Tarun Mansukhani's hit movie Dostana, a light-hearted take on homosexuality, will open the iView Film Festival starting Aug 28 in New York.

The director, who said to have brought homosexuality and gay talk out of the closet and into mainstream cinema with the film, will attend the festival along with actors John Abraham, Kirron Kher and Boman Irani.

Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, who were also in the film, won't be able to join them due to their shooting commitments.

The three-day festival will be held at the world famous Lincoln Center and will also showcase other Indian films like veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed 1983 film Mandi, Rituparno Ghosh's Bariwali starring Kirron Kher and Mira Nair's My Own Country. While Zoya Akhtar's directorial debutLuck By Chance will be the closing film of the festival.

Shah Rukh Khan to go live 24X7 in one-of-its-kind reality show

Mumbai: With the burst of reality shows, Shah Rukh has also leaped into the trend – but with a difference! He has decided to go 24X7 public through a first of its kind show!
A leading lifestyle channel Discovery Travel & Living is to do a show King Khan.

It will be produced jointly by SRK`s own Red Chillie Idiot Box along with Blu Mango films. Addressing a press meet about the show, Shah Rukh said that he was very excited about the concept. Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the TV Channel said that they were thrilled to work with a star like SRK.
With this kind of exposure, it would be hard to imagine of a personal life for the megastar and his family. His wife Gauri Khan was unavailable for comment on this show, which is bound to equally infringing her privacy as well.

Though Shah Rukh has been known for his uncanny business skills, this particular step seems a bit overboard - almost like selling a part of his life to media!

Philanthropist Salman Khan hands out Rs 25,000 to a beggar

Known for abandoning the cushy comfort of his luxury sedans for fun packed auto rides, Salman Khan is already a favourite of the Mumbai rickshaw drivers. And now, his latest nobel act, where he handed out a generous sum of Rs 25,000 to a beggar has made him popular with the city’s beggars.

Sallu whose philanthropist side is as famous as his reckless antics, left the crew of his forthcoming flick ‘Wanted’ gobsmacked when he handed out a whooping sum to a beggar on the sets.

Story goes that Sallu was shooting for a song sequence when he saw a beggar. He went up to him and asked him if he was the same person who used to sell kites at Band Stand, Bandra a long time ago. The beggar indeed was.

Apparently, the actor used to buy kites from him as a child. After seeing the beggar for a long time Sallu was much too overwhelmed and decided to show his affection by giving away huge bucks.

Confirming the news a source told a news daily, "Salman gave him Rs. 25,000 and bought him some food and clothes. The beggar was eternally grateful. Salman Khan has grown up at Bandra’s Band Stand. And flying kites on the rocks wasn’t unusual for him”.

But this isn’t the first time the actor has done a good deed. Besides running his NGO, Salman does a lot for slum children, orphans and the handicapped, but he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t like to speak about these things.

Kareena says no to Gurinder Chadha, again

Kareena Kapoor has her roots firmly sunk in India and Bollywood. International fame is not for her. No, thank you. At least not if it’s Gurinder Chadha who wants to launch her in the west.

“Three years ago Gurinder wanted Kareena to act in Bride & Prejudice. Kareena naturally thought it was the lead role. She was shocked when she realised the director wanted her to play Aishwarya's youngest sister,” says a source. “She had turned down the author-backed central role in Deepa Mehta's Water. And here she was being offered the fourth lead. She vowed never to work with Gurinder again.”

So when Gurinder offered Kareena her new film, she immediately said no.

"Who offers a role is not important. What is being offered is important,” says Kareena. “I'm really not that enthused by the idea of going international unless it's something really big. I don't even know if Gurinder's offer was with Johnny Depp. I was just not interested." Ok Bebo, we believe you. Not!

Britney Spears collapses during rehearsal

Fans of pop star Britney Spears are worried about her health again after she collapsed during a recent rehearsal on the European leg of her Circus world tour.

The Toxic hitmaker was practising a dance routine for a new song when she keeled over, suffering a bruise to her chest, reported IANS-WENN

"She collapsed when the dancers went to put her back on her feet. She fell to the floor and landed on one of the dancers' legs," said a source.

"The dancer's tennis shoe smacked Britney in the chest and on the face. It hit her chest with such a force that it caused a four-inch bruise," added the source.

It was reported that Britney's hectic tour schedule and a low blood-sugar level were responsible for the incident.

Loved up Brangelina quash rumours of rocky relationship

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie dispelled rumours of a troubled relationship as they cosied up on the red carpet for the US premiere of his new movie, the Quentin Tarantion-directed ‘Inglourious Basterds.’the loved-up’ couple wore matching black and had eyes only for each other, reports the Mirror.

Wearing tight leather strapless dress and killer heels, Jolie held Pitt close, debunking rumours of any tension over the past few months.

Meanwhile, director Quentin Tarantino, who helmed ‘Inglourious Basterds’, revealed that Pitt has reached the zenith of his career and is no more a `pretty boy. `

"What`s really cool about Brad right now is that the pretty boy is gone. He`s a man now. He can bear the weight. Brad is at the zenith of his iconicness," he said.

Daniel Radcliffe supports gay teens with 'generous' donation

London: `Harry Porter` actor Daniel Radcliffe has donated a large sum of money to help suicidal lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs), after he found the figures "extremely distressing".

The 20-year-old star has given the money to The Trevor Project, an American helpline for the LGBTs and ``Questioning`` teenagers.

The Sun quoted Radcliffe as saying: "I am very pleased to begin my support of The Trevor Project, which saves lives every day through its critical work.

"It`s extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top three killer of young people, and it`s truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

"I deeply hope my support can raise the organisation`s visibility so even more despondent youth become aware of the Trevor helpline`s highly trained counsellors and Trevor`s many other resources.

"It`s vitally important that young people understand they are not alone and, perhaps even more important, that their young lives have real value."

Radcliffe who had earlier confessed to being brought up around gays, recently featured on the cover of the gay magazine, Attitude.

He also said rumours about his sexuality were "awesome."

Mallika’s shabby flesh flashing antics at ‘Inglorious Basterds’ premiere

Met with a royal treatment in Hollywood, oomph queen Mallika Sherawat seems to be living her dream life as she goes hopping from one starry event to another. But the swishy babe, who is rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty on her Hollywood sojourn, has clearly failed to take a tip or two from her foreign contemporaries when it comes to her dressing sense.Wearing shoddy, revealing black dress at the premiere of Brad Pitt’s movie ‘Inglorious Basterds’, the svelte belle has once again come in the line of fire for her drastic choice in clothes.

The event that saw the who’s who of Hollywood dressed in elegant gowns and subtle suits had our desi beauty in a raunchy dress that in her signature style was split at several inappropriate places.

And like everything else there is quite a tale behind this gross mishap. According to sources, Mallika, who has been boasting about her prominent foreign acquaintances, had flashed her plans of meeting Quentin Tarantino, director of ‘Inglorious Basterds’, on Twitter. On the day of the premiere, the actress asked her twitter fans to suggest her an appropriate dress for the event.

Her question of the day was: "What should I wear to the Tarantino premiere tonite? Would something scandalous be appropriate?"

Well considering her flesh flashing dress, it was less scandalous but more shabby. But like they say class is something you just can’t acquire, either you have it or you don’t. And Mallika clearly doesn’t!

Loyal supporter Vinod Pande sticks by infamous Shiney Ahuja

Mumbai: In custody for the alleged rape of his housemaid, Shiney Ahuja’s career might have gone down like a sinking ship but the infamous actor still has some loyal supporters in filmdom. Unwilling to give up on the actor, director Vinod Pande seems to have gone against the current as he refused to act on the popular advice that suggested an editing of Shiney’s cameo from his ready to release flick ‘Chaloo’.So while all other filmmakers are keeping a safe distance from Shiney, Pande has refused to chop Shiney’s role.

A daily quoted a source as saying, "As soon as Shiney was arrested, there was a big question mark over the fate of many of his movies as most of them were complete and ready for release. ‘Chaloo’ movie was also one of the projects. Shiney was playing a special cameo in the film. Vinod is quite a close friend and mentor right from their Sins days. When he was jailed and his trial started, Vinod was requested by many people associated with the film to rethink about how his role in the film."

While some suggested a partial edit of Shiney’s role, others demanded a complete omission. But being an old pal of the actor, Vinod reacted very strongly and was angry that something like this about his friend was being suggested.

Vinod confirmed the news, saying, "I find that people sentence a person before the law does and character assassination takes place even when one is still not declared guilty. The law will take its own course. Meanwhile, I can`t do injustice to the effort that he has put in the movie. I`m not chopping his role," he says. "I realise that his name is invoking negative reactions and feelings from people but that does not mean that if I have him, I`m risking my film."

My love life is recession-hit: Soha Ali Khan

Mumbai: Going by the family trends, the Pataudi family is an immensely loving group. From parents to children, all keep falling in love and have no qualms expressing their love in public – take Sharmeela-Tiger Pataudi’s love story or the younger love-birds Saif and Kareena. Then what is Soha doing lurking behind the curtain of singlehood, one would wonder! The almond-eyed beauty is gloomy at the lack of a loving partner.

When asked about her still-uninhabited love-life, Soha was sporty, but the disappointment showed in her words. She said to news daily, “Oh, it’s under a dry spell,” she states, “I wish something happens. But, my love life is recession-hit for the time being.”
With brother Saif deep in love with the charming Kareena, the singlehood must be jarring. However, she has only pleasant words for the Chhoti Bahu. She said, “Kareena is very lovely, very warm and caring and takes care of home very well. Both of them are very happy together.”

Overflowing with love, Soha? When will the knight come riding to collect all this loving profusion?

Abhay Deol takes Salsa lessons for `Ayesha`

Mumbai: From Salsa lessons to riding classes - Abhay Deol, who is back here from New York to shoot ‘Ayesha’, is neck deep in preparations for the film that is going to hit the floors Aug 27.

Director Rajshri Ojha direct the delayed project of Anil Kapoor`s production with Abhay and Sonam Kapoor. The film is said to be an adaptation of Jane Austen`s novel ‘Emma’, about the perils of misconstrued romance.

"I know there were rumours about the future of the film. There always will be rumours about everything. I`m taking Salsa lessons for my character from my choreographer Ashley Lobo. After this, I`ve to start taking riding lessons. So work is on full swing," Abhay, who made it big with ‘Dev D’, told reporters.

The actor admits he hasn`t read Austen`s novel as part of his preparation for ‘Ayesha’. "But all of Jane Austen`s heroes have some distinctive traits."

‘Ayesha’ would seem like a far more conventional film than the quirky off-mainstream character he has been playing. "You forget, I started my career with a romantic comedy. Imtiaz Ali`s `Socha Na Tha`," he said.

After ‘Socha Na Tha’, Ali and Abhay drifted apart. "When he has a script for me, he`ll tell me I`m sure. Both of us are busy with our own films," said the actor.

‘Ayesha’ will be shot in Delhi, Mumbai and Rishikesh. So Abhay will be in India for a while. "I`ve to go to the US back in October. I`ve other acting offers in Mumbai. But I`m in no hurry to sign. I`m right now focussing on my production house, besides `Ayesha`."

Abhay wants to buy an apartment in New York. But the kind of money that he`s offered in Bollywood won`t pay for the home in the US.

"I`ve looked at a place that I like in New York. But it`s too early to buy any property. I need to earn money first. That`s why I`m starting my own production house Forbidden Films, so I can work for myself and pay myself with the profits and really get to know my market value. Everybody needs money. I`m not here to do charity."

Abhay has finished a script and he`s now looking at a director for his first production.

‘Veer’ shoot cancelled due to swine flu scare!

Mumbai: Swine flu is giving sleepless nights to Bollywood! Earlier, if it was Karan Johar’s ‘Kurbaan’ whose shoot schedule got postponed due to the increasing number of swine flu cases in the city, this time it was Anil Sharma’s ‘Veer’ whose schedule in Pune got cancelled at the eleventh hour due to the widespread epidemic in the city.

Talking to a news daily, a close source said, "It was a three-night shoot which required almost the entire star cast consisting of Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Zarine Khan, Jackie Shroff and Puru Rajkumar."

It is believed that Vijay Galani (producer of ‘Veer’) had a word with actor Salman Khan and as a precautionary measure it was finally decided to cancel the shoot.

When enquired about the whole episode, producer Galani confirmed the reports and said, "Yes, we decided to cancel the Pune schedule because of the swine flu. We have been reading about it but we were going ahead with our shoot. We were to leave yesterday afternoon for Pune and shoot for five nights till August 15 at a college campus. We had booked two options the Pune Engineering College and the Agricultural College campus but yesterday morning we took a call not to go there. My crew had been telling me for the last few days to cancel the shoot. Salman said it`s up to me. So for the safety of my cast, crew, and technicians, I have cancelled the shoot."

However, Galani is scouting for new locations in Mumbai as, "I will try to manage the Pune schedule in Mumbai. I have to look after the safety and interests of my cast, technicians and crew."

Meanwhile, director Anil Sharma maintained, "We decided it is better not to go as our was a big unit and it would attract huge crowds. The Pune administration is busy with the swine flu and it would be unfair for them to look after us too. We didn`t want to take an unnecessary risk and have our unit exposed to swine flu. Salman also wanted it to be cancelled as he said this is the right decision."

Waif like Angelina shows off new Tattoo

London: Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie showed off her new tattoo while she walked the red carpet in a tight leather number with partner Brad Pitt.The Academy winning actress who was recently named the `Most Beautiful Woman In The World` by Vanity Fair magazine looked stunning as he walked hand in hand with partner, Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt at the London premiere of `Inglourious Basterds`, reported Daily Mail online.

The 34-year-old actress wore an unforgiving leather mini dress, which clung to her fragile frame, showing off new additions to her impressive collection of body art.

The actress sported swirls around the tattoos on her arms as he posed for cameras and signed autographs.

Last night was Brad and Angelina`s first public appearance since they walked the red carpet at Cannes in May.

The couple who have six children together and have been the subject of split rumours in recent months, made a show of togetherness as they embraced on the red carpet.

Bureau Report

Keanu Reeves tries the hippie Look

London: Hollywood heartthrob Keanu Reeves has gone for a hippie look with a beard and long hair.for grocery when he was spotted with the abundant facial hair.

The heartthrob tried to disguise himself with a large cap, but could not escape the fans and paparazzi, Dailymail reported.

Meanwhile the 44-year-old superstar who would be next seen in films like the remake of classic `Jekyll and Hyde` and `Cowboy Bebop`is reportedly in talks to star in the celebrity
dance show `Dancing With The Stars`.

Bureau Report

Brothers take advantage of star Salman Khan

While Salman Khan slogs it out hard to silence the critics and make good movie, his brother Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan always have a easy way out because of superstar brother Salman.

When media accused the two brothers Arbaaz and Sohail for using Salman Khan’s star status for their advantage they accepted the accusation.

Sohail says, You can ask Salman-bhai this. I always ask him how much he got paid for his last him film and I make it a point to pay him a few notches higher. I, of course, take advantage of my access to him because I am part of the same family. But let me tell you that there were several occasions when he (Salman) said ‘no’ on my face.”

Arbaaz says, “There are only three or four bankable stars in the country right now and Salman is among them. So, I really don’t have a choice. Yes, he seems to be running our production houses but that is a fact. When I decided to do the film with him, I also felt that I am giving him one of the best scripts of his career. So, I am giving him back something, isn’t it?”

Although Salman is not funding his brothers with money, but he acts in their not so good movies that do nothing for his career.

Rani transforms into Bikini babe

Well we never expected the girl-next-door of Bollywood Rani Mukherjee would transform into a bikini babe one day, however she has broken all shackles and looks smoking hot in Dil Bole Hadippa.

Rani Mukherjee’s last flick Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic saw the bubbly actress dressed in full length frocks covering every inch of her body but she is flaunting her fab abs now. Rani worked on her body with Aamir Khan’s train Satyadev.

So folks do you like the new hot Rani Mukherjee?

Salman panicks over swine flu

While the whole world is falling into the grip of H1N1/Swine Flu, our Bollywood folks are taking all necessary precautions to keep themselves at bay from the virus.

Salman Khan was to attend a press conference for his film Wanted in Pune, but the rapid spread of Swine flu in the city forced him to cancel the conference.

A source says,“Amby valley is close to Pune, which is largely hit by the swine flu. So, Salman took the decision keeping in mind the consequences of the situation.Now, the press conference will be held in Mumbai.”

Let’s hope all of us and our Bollywood stars don’t get affected by Swine Flu.

Pati, Patni aur Woh

Well this is the name of the new reality show that will hit NDTV imagine after Rakhi Ka Swayamwar. The show is about five real life television star couples who would be taking up the parenting challenge.

One of the couple is the recently engaged couple Rakhi Sawant and Elesh Parujanwala who would be trying their hands at parenthoot before marriage.

The contestant couples on the show will have to deal with five stages of parenthood – Dummy pregnancy, handling infants, handling toddles,handling rebellious teenagers and then grown up kids.

A source fron NDTV imagine says, “This is as real as it gets! With Pati, Patni Aur Woh, audiences will see these famous couples in real life situations and be part of their first journey into parenthood; sharing their joys, sorrows, trials and achievements. We believe that the show will not only resonate with all audiences and will also be a great fun experience for the younger generation, who plan to start their own families in the future. Patni, Patni Aur Woh promises to be an emotional rollercoaster through many unique situations, each handled differently by the various couples!”

The show is based on the famous reality show Baby Borrowers.

Genelia graces Verve

Genelia features on the front cover of latest edition of Verve India magazine. Like her?

Hook ya Crook: First Look

Check out the first look of David Dhawan’s next movie Hook Ya Crook starring John Abraham,Genelia D’Souza,Uday Chopra and Shreyas Talpade.

Top Ten Songs of the Week

Top Ten Songs of the Week

1.Twist – Love Aaj Kal

2.Dhan Te Nan – Kaminey

3.Om Mangalam – Kambakht Ishq

4.Hai Junoon – New York

5.Luck Aazma – Luck

6.Aaya Re – Jashnn

7.Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire

8.Kuke Kuke – Life Partner

9.Pardesi – Dev D

10. Khudaya Khair – Billu Barber