Anushka asked to get in shape!

Yash Raj Films has asked her to shed any extra inches gained before she begins shooting for her next film Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl. The actress has had a long break after the shoot of her last project Band Baaja Baraat.

The production house is very strict when it comes to the fitness of their heroines. While signing a film, their contract insists they be of a certain weight and have a specific Body Mass Index.

A source reveals, "A foodie she binged on her favourite delicacies and let herself go. YRF has instructed her to go slow.

The actress began working out with her trainer and got a toned look. Since she has a high metabolism rate, losing weight quickly isn't a problem."

Those who have worked with the banner insist that they are pretty weight-specific when it comes to the women.

"Every one from Kareena to Deepika have followed the YRF diktat of getting the right digits on the weighing scale. It's a rule they don't let anyone break."

The YRF spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.

Reema Sen is back!!!

It has been quite a while since the ravishing beauty Reema Sen was seen in Tollywood circuit after her hits like Cheli, Manasantha Nuvve, Chitram etc. Now, it is heard that she is making a comeback in a new movie to be directed by V N Aditya. Sources say that this will be produced by a noted producer while the details of the hero are being kept as a secret. This is slated to be canned mostly on foreign locations. Welcome back Reema!!!

kavya now writes plus two exam

In an interesting note, ace Mollywood actress Kavya Madhavan has started writing her public exams for the 12th standard. The actress who had to discontinue her studies due to her busy schedules in cinema and then a disastrous marriage, decide to pursue her studies, once she returned to Kerala last year.
The actress who already have three back to back hit movies this year, was seen yesterday at the Edathala Al Ameen International school to write her 12th standard exams of national Institute of Open School. Kavya who arrived with her father by two pm to attend the exam, that was scheduled for 2.30, stayed in her car byhearting the lessons and just entered the class only by the last minute. The other students in the class room was indeed surprised to see their favourite actress sitting by their side, seriously pondering over questions, but Kavya maintained a serious look all through completing her first exam with finesse.

vega is lasay

Vega is set to rock Kollywood, that too as a rock musician. The submissive city girl of ‘Saroja’ and chirpy village girl of ‘Pasanga’ is playing Lasya, a rock music artiste, in her forthcoming release ‘Vaanam’.
“Again it is a character which I loved to play. My directors (Venkat Prabhu, Pandiraj) have always been kind to me and Krish is one more to the list,” says the model-turned-actress, who hails from Chattisgarh.
Directed by Krish, ‘Vaanam’, a Tamil remake of Tollywood hit ‘Vedam’, has STR, Bharath, Anushka, Vega, Prakashraj, Sonia Agarwal and others in lead roles. Music is by Yuvanshankar Raja. It is produced by VTV Productions and Magic Box Pictures.
Vega adds: “I am not in a hurry to sign new projects. Substance is always important to me. Discussions are on with a couple of banners and I will announce my next venture soon. And I am ready for glamour too if the character demands it.”

Vivek Does It Again!

Mangalore’s pioneering photographer has done it again! Vivek Sequeira of the famous Vivek Studio has won the Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer Of the Year 2010 award -one of photography’s most coveted titles – beating a total of 16, 584 photographers of India.
April 14, 2011 was Vivek’s day as he humbled himself on the stage while receiving the award at a grand ceremony in Hotel Novotel in Juhu.
Apart from this Vivek won the Best Bridal Portraiture award while four of his photographs got nominated under three different categories – Bridal Portraiture, Couple Portraiture and Behind the Scenes.
Vivek won two trophies and a cash prize of Rs one Lakh.
“I was totally surprised. I could not believe it when I heard my name announced as the WPOY of the Year. I never thought I would make it there. The competition was touch. Four photographers among us six finalists were of international repute. I would not believe it and the thought just did not sink in quick,” said Vivek recollecting the moments of that wonderful award night.
Vivek dedicated his award to his parents and was also accompanied by his wife Vinitha Sequeira.
Vivek is also the winner of last years Couple Portraiture award. To his glory, Kodak and Better Photography magazine have used Vivek’s award winning picture of 2009 for its entire publicity campaign for WPOY 2010. Around 4 lack prints have gone around India during the publicity month.
WPOY 2010
The quest for India’s best wedding photographer began as early as September 2010 through a grand scale pan India hunt, where entries were called across six categories namely Bridal Portraiture, Couple Portraiture, Family and Friends, Behind the scenes, Emotions and Photo series on a single wedding. Around 16,584 of entries were received etching a jump of 100% over last year. The participation was seen from 544 different cities and towns across India.
After several rounds of elimination by a jury of eminent photographers comprising Bipin Mistry, Bankim Jain, Maz Mashru, Venkat Ramana, Sephi Bergerson and Jagdish Agarwal, the final 6 category winners were chosen. These 6 winners then competed in a unique Face-Off round that took place in The Wedding Cafe Lounge, Andheri (W). The finalists shot a mock wedding complete with a bride and groom.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of an exclusive coffee table book which showcases the best entry pictures of the WPOY contest. Vivek’s award wining picture took the cover page slot – a worthy honour to Vivek’s talent.
“The few days spent in Mumbai for the contest has been a great learning for me,” admits Vivek. “Apart from winning the contest what I also won is lots of friends. All appreciated my work and I was humbled and wanted to learn more from them. The rest of the contestants were so advanced in technology and I realised that there is great deal of learning for me. They also shared their technical knowledge and this was valuable learning for me.”
VISION
Back home from the event, Vivek revealed his plans for the future. He plans to set up a state of the art studio in Kulshekar, Mangalore, one of the biggest studios in Karnataka with 5000 plus sq feet exclusive studio space. Camera and other equipment sales, repairs will also be housed in the studio complex which will a special spot for portraiture photography. He also has an ambitious plan to set up a studio/office in the Gulf (Dubai). He also plans to conduct workshops for beginners and amateur photographers
With enhancing the quality of the service at his current studios, Vivek aims to deliver quicker service and cater to the mass and class customers.
“This award has increases my responsibility. I now carry more expectations entrusted upon me. I am game for it. I want to work more on contemporary and candid style of photography rather and traditional styles. I am looking at more focus on Destination weddings which is more challenging,” says Vivek.

Katrina takes a dig at Deepika's 'hot' item number

One-time rivals in love Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone aren't ready to bury the hatchet and make peace just yet.

This time, the bone of contention is their item numbers -- KK's Sheila Ki Jawani and DP's Mit Jaaye Gham. Apparently, Kat has been telling friends what she thinks of Dippy's Dum Maaro Dum number.

Mine is better

Says a source, "Katrina has been telling friends that her song Sheila Ki Jawani (choreographed by Farah Khan and Geeta Kapoor for Tees Maar Khan) was much better than Deepika's song in DMD in every way -- from styling to choreography and the look.

Incidentally, Dippy's song has come under criticism but has connected with the youth upsetting the TMK actress, who was the talk of the town when her song became a chartbuster and she was offered big money to perform at events."

It is but natural that Kat and Dippy will not like each other's songs given their history.

So when asked what she thinks about DP's song, she says, "I'm not interested in such things. I haven't seen the film as I have been out of town shooting for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan in Agra."

Prod her on and ask her if she has seen the song and she says, "I have only seen the promos till now and the choreography looks good.

Bosco (of Bosco-Ceasar) has choreographed many songs of mine and he's done a great job!" (Note: How she doesn't mention Deepika at all)

Has she been telling friends that her track was hotter than Dippy's? Kat laughs, "I wouldn't do that."

Deepika remained unavailable for comment.

Aamir's favourite superhero is... Hint: It isn't SRK!

No prizes for guessing who Aamir Khan picked, when asked. Hint: It wasn't SRK!

Aamir Khan doesn't miss an opportunity to poke fun at Shah Rukh Khan. He did it again at an event held at his Pali Hill home to promote Darsheel Safary-starrer Zokkomon, which releases today.

Between the two, there was some light-hearted ribbing, at SRK's expense. King Khan's Ra.One was mentioned, simply by virtue of it also being a superhero flick.

Darsheel was asked if he had seen the promos of the SRK Ra.One. To which the child star quipped that in 30 seconds you can't figure out anything about a film. When the same question was posed to Aamir, he promptly said, "I'm happy and content being a hero and superhero means going a step ahead which I don't think I can, like the others."

Furthermore, Aamir claimed that he hadn't seen Ra.One's promos. AK chuckled while signing off and said, "Right now, I'm concentrating on Darsheel Safary's Zokkomon and he is my favourite superhero." The great Khan snub-fest continues..

PS: Is this Aamir's way of making his prot eg e's (Safary debuted in Aamir's Taare Zameen Par) film a talking point?

In the past

~~ Aamir Khan had blogged that his dog at his Panchgani farmhouse was called Shah Rukh!

~~ In the stakes of being the number 1, he had stated that he is No 2 because Shah Rukh always claimed that he is No 1

~~ During his birthday celebrations last month when he was asked about about film awards he said, "Like someone recently gave the Best Actor award to Shah Rukh Khan. Salman Khan should have won it for Dabangg or Ajay Devgn for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai."

malli malli Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat's 'Love, Barack/Politics of Love' might go direct-to-DVD

Nothing seems to be going right for Mallika Sherawat on the Hollywood front.

While Hisss was a damp squib, it seems her other H-Town project Love, Barack/Politics of Love is stuck. The film is still struggling to find distributors.

In the cans

Directed by William Dear, the movie is set against the backdrop of the 2008 Presidential elections. Mallika plays the role of Aretha Gupta, an Obama-worshipping Democrat. Despite her attempts to find a permanent foothold in the West, the film has been stuck in the cans for the last few months.

If a theatrical release isn't possible, the project just might go direct-to-DVD. It's a common trend in the West. Even stars like Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson haven't been spared.

A source reveals the reason for the stalemate, "It's not easy to get distribution for a film that has a African-American hero unless you are Will Smith or Denzel Washington. Also the distribution market is still grappling with post-recession woes, especially smaller studios.

Politics of Love was planned to release last year to cash in on the Obama craze, but now it seems too late. No one is interested in buying the film now."

MAL'S CLAIMS TO FAME

>> Appeared with Jackie Chan in The Myth
>> Has a milkshake named after her
>> |Reportedly signed another film, where she will play a character partly inspired by Kamala Harris, Attorney General of San Francisco.
>> First Indian celebrity to get invited to Twitter's LA headquarters
>> Claims singer Usher would dedicate a song to her
>> Said Oprah wanted to make a trip to India with her
>> Says she hung out with Ozzy Ozbourne before one of his concerts
>> Bumped into Inglourious Basterds director Quentin Tarantino on red carpet

Gujarati accent troubles Preeti Desai

London-based model-actress Preeti Desai, who is making her Bollywood debut with "Shor In The City", says she is more troubled by her Gujarati accent rather than her British one.

"As soon as I came to India, I started working on my Hindi. I can speak Hindi, but with an accent - not so much of an English accent, but more of a Gujarati accent, " said Preeti.

She is now taking lessons to improve her chances of getting work in the Hindi film industry.

"I'm taking diction lessons and trying to brush up my Hindi, " she said.

"Shor In The City" will release April 29.

Sanju Weds Geetha In Heaven

Title –SANJU WEDS GEETHA, Producers – Pramod Narayan and Murali Mohan, Story Screenplay and Direction – Nagashekhar, Music – Jaasie Gift, Cinematography – Satya Hegde, Cast – Srinagara Kitty, Ramya, Suhasini Manirathnam, Sharan, Umasri, Jai Jagdish, Sharat Lohitashva, Avinash, Rangayana Raghu, Bullet Prakash, Harish Roy, Doddanna, Tabala Naani, Sadhu Kokila and others
In the days of rampant remakes and assorted films ‘Sanju Weds Geetha’ is pretty interesting because of simple script, gripping narration, lovely songs, cinematography and above all for the presence of pretty Ramya.
Director Nagashekar in his debut ‘Aramane’ a few years ago delivered a sordid saga in the undercurrent but in this film being a comedy actor gives a cool injection to the hearts and projects the tragedy that soften any stony heart.
For such a beautiful Ramya why so much of problem on the screen one would say and curse the destiny. So much she comes close to the heart in this film. After ‘Amrutha Dhare’ Ramya once again dies on the silver screen!
Sanju (Srinagara Kitty) an educated youngster from Coorg the hilly district of Karnataka come back to Virajpet to live with his fond mother till he gets a placement at a big company. In his home town he finds Geetha (Ramya) and her human nature, sweet looks and anger in her attracts him very much. Sanju very quickly admits that he wants to be her partner in a convincing and absorbing style. So far hating boys Geetha finds something unique in Sanju.
When everything is in right order the destiny has something in store. Geetha express her sordid past when she was very young and that makes Sanju to come even closer. The danger mark reaches a point now. Geetha decide to marry Sanju out of fear of something striking in her life the day of marriage the psychopath Arun Sagar (who is responsible for arresting the modesty when Geetha was young) charges with a brutal blow. That enrages Sanju and chasing him in the town of Virajpet he kills Arunsagar. On the other side Geetha getting treatment is confined to her home. Sanju is imprisoned for murder. Geetha knowing this and remembering past meets with another tragedy. She loses her memory. The doctors treating Geetha suggest a plan for the meeting of Geetha with Sanju. With police protection Sanju comes for one hour for the tracing back of memory of Geetha. It does not happen as Geetha is missing from the hospital. Another shock that Geetha is pregnant mounts up the worries for Sanju.
Serving the term Sanju is offered a deal in the prison. Now he has to commit a murder of a person announced by the gang leader in the prison.
It is finally ‘Sanju Weds Geetha’ in Heaven!
Looking pensive Srinagara Kitty has given quite a competent performance. It is Ramya who finds the role very interesting and makes it worth watching. A lot of modulations in acting and Ramya dubbing her role sounds very interesting. The costumes selection for Ramya in this film especially in the songs is marvelous.
A dozen of supporting characters are perfect in their presence. Suhasini and Jai Jagdish combination is after ‘Bandhana’ has nothing notable but Sharat Lohitashva is grand in his role. So is Avinash, Ramesh Bhat, Rangayana Raghu, Umasri and others. Sharan and Bullet Prakash dialogue delivery wins applaud.
There are three gifts of tunes from Jaasie Gift. Gaganave baagi…is superb of all. Satya Hegde the flamboyant cameraman angles, lighting are very catchy. He has best used the nature of Coorg district. The Bidar fort is masterpiece in the song Gaganave Baagi….
Shreya Goshal after a small gap has given two touching songs.
This is worth watching once.
......
Score – 8/10
...........

@ steevanrego

Ten Secrets of Sachin's Life

Sachin Tendulkar is world's top batsman and star of Indian Cricket Team. He has played 20 yrs of cricket so far and is still hunting for more. There are few things that you want to know about this iconic player, things you have not known so far.
Sachin is possessive about his gear. He doesn’t like anyone touching his bats and gloves.
He hopes to drive a Formula One car someday.
He is so possessive about his Ferrari that he doesn’t let wife Anjali drive it.
He is a die-hard Amitabh Bachchan fan. His favourite Bachchan movies, in that order, are Sholay, Deewar, Black, Hera Pheri and Satte Pe Satta.
London is his favourite holiday destination. He loves the fact that he can play with his kids in the parks.
He owns five cars: One Ferrari, three BMWs and a Skoda. He also had two Mercedez Benz cars, one red and one silver, but he has sold them off.
Sachin believes in ‘vaastu shastra’ . His new house in Bandra is being constructed according to vaastu requirements.
Audemars Piquet is the Swiss watch Sachin usually wears. It is also the one he endorses.
Comme des Garcons is Sachin’s favourite brand of perfume.
His motto in life is: Be true to yourself and be happy. Keep Smiling.