Bollywood Instyle

Hell broke loose when Salman and Kareena arrived at Hotel Taj Palace to inaugurate Mumbai-based designer Purva Kothari’s jewelry exhibition. Media persons went crazy trying to capture the hot Bollywood stars as they entered the Roshanara Hall at the hotel. The exhibition was ignored, as lensmen got busy clicking the stars. Forgotten were Kothari and Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation in the madness that ensued. Salman was not keen to discuss his forthcoming film Jaan-e-Mann, preferring to talk about his recently acquired pierced bellybutton. Gorgeous Kareena talked about her love for jewelry and discussed everything from jewelry to movies. It made the uninvited media persons’ day, but nearly ruined the exhibition.

Om Puri needs no introduction being one of the finest and classiest actors of Bollywood cinema. He, along with Naseeruddin Shah, is in a league of his own. Puri is all set to do the movie Charlie Wilson’s War with Hollywood biggies Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The movie, directed by Mike Nichols of The Birdcage, and Closer fame, will see Puri enact the role of late General Zia-ul Haq, ex-President of Pakistan. Om Puri had worked with Nichols earlier in Wolf. Puri is not new to Hollywood cinema having acted in movies like City Of Joy, Ghost In The Darkness, Wolf, East Is East, and others. We are sure that ‘General’ Puri will add another feather to his shimmering hat…err cap!

Aamir Khan is hoping that Rang De Basanti does it for India what other Bollywood movies failed to do – win an Oscar in the foreign films category. RDB outpaced such biggies as KANK, Krrish, and Lage Raho Munna Bhai in the race to the nominations. Director Rakeysh Mehra and producer Ronnie Screwvala are committed to put in all that they have to promote the movie among the jury members. They are also roping in Aamir Khan to benefit from his experience of Lagaan. Aamir had left no stone unturned to win an Oscar nomination for Lagaan a few years back, but was pipped to the post. Here’s wishing the trio Aamir, Rakeysh, and Ronnie good luck!

The most charming onscreen pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla will soon be seen together on the silver screen again. Their fans are agog with excitement, and Saavi, a self-confessed fan of the loving duo, summed up the excitement saying, “We almost thought that we’ll never be able to see them together again after Juhi’s marriage. The news of them coming together again is like a breath of fresh air”. We could not agree any less after the magical spell the twosome cast with their movies Yes Boss, Darr, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, 1 2 Ka 4 and others. Shah Rukh will be doing a cameo in the Ravi Chopra movie Bhootnath slated to commence shooting from October 18. Nice to see the smiles back on the fans’ faces.

Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan is straining every nerve of his to kick the cigarette butt in the butt, but will he be able to do so? King Khan said on the launch of a cancer drug developed by Biocon that he was desperately trying to kick the habit, calling it a “shameful thing”. Unfortunately SRK lost his father to cancer in 1981 and his mother to a related disease in 1991. Having seen cancer from such close quarters, Shah Rukh Khan finds himself helpless at the hands of his habit. Though he admits to having reduced the numbers he smokes, but getting rid of the malady completely will take some time. Here’s to SRK on the success of his mission!

The very thought of Umrao Jaan brings back memories of Rekha’s superlative performance in and as Umrao Jaan. When asked, fans were unanimous in their opinion that it is impossible to imagine anyone else but the glamorous Rekha as Umrao Jaan. Aishawarya Rai has taken up the gauntlet by accepting the role, but even her fans are a bit apprehensive whether the pretty Aish will be able to deliver. The million-dollar question is whether Aish will be able to add another dimension to the role that Rekha immortalized. We are waiting with baited breath for the approaching D-day. October 20 might start an interesting debate all over the Bollywood crazy country; who knows! 

Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dor is drawing rave reviews from the public and critics alike since its release yesterday. Ayesha Takia stands out in the movie for her brilliant performance. We all knew that the gal had oodles of talent, and she just demonstrated that in no small measure. From a chirpy, frolicking new bride to a young brooding widow, Ayesha displayed the wealth of her subtle acting skills that could put a veteran to shame. Gul Panag too put in a performance of her lifetime. The story revolves around these two young women staying geographically apart – Gul as Zeenat in the beautiful hills of Himachal Pradesh and Ayesha as Meera in the land of colorful Rajasthan. Both their husbands land jobs in Saudi Arabia where they stay as roommates. Meera’s husband falls off a balcony and Zeenat’s husband is charged with murder and sentenced to death. Only a condoning statement from Meera will save his life. Zeenat sets out in search of Meera. Will she be able to extract that statement? You’ve got to watch it to know how the movie climaxes.

When you are talking about the sexiest women in Asia, there is no discounting the fact that the list will be populated by Bollywood’s most desirable beauties. The UK based magazine Eastern Eye came out with a list that concurred with the common belief. Bollywood was fairly well represented with queens of the marquee Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta placed at 36 and 41. There was a keen tussle between the Bollywood beauties to grab the top spot. At number four spot came Mallika Sherawat with every pore of hers oozing oodles of oomph. One spot above her went to the beautiful Aishwarya Rai. The talented and sexy Bipasha Basu claimed the second place, what with her ability to perform item numbers and serious acts with aplomb. The crown went to the growing-in-stature Priyanka Chopra, deservedly. You cannot help but fall in love with those beautiful eyes, puckered lips, and hot body. Carry on gal! You’ve got places to go.

Did you know that Sushmita Sen and Imran Khan are cool buddies? Yes, you guessed it right! We are talking about the friendship between the Bollywood star and ex-Miss Universe and the debonair ex-skipper of the Pakistan cricket team. Not many know that Sushmita Sen is a painter of some substance. Her recently auctioned painting “Ibaadat” fetched Rs.25 lakhs, which the philanthropic Sush is donating to Imran Khan’s Cancer Hospital. The Bollywood star had earlier participated in a telethon in Dubai to raise funds for Imran Khan’s pet project. Sushmita is expected to visit Pakistan on the opening of Imran Khan’s second cancer hospital. If only politicians could understand that friendship knows neither religion nor boundaries.

Two of the hottest Bollywood hunks, Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, are on a hot pursuit to promote Asin in Bollywood. “Who is this pretty lass?” you may ask. Well guys, she is the happening star in South, and was acclaimed for her role Ghajini, which got her a Filmfare award in the Best Actress category. Aamir is said to be smitten by Asin’s performance and is planning to make a Bollywood version of Ghajini with Asin in the lead. Abhishek too is trying hard to hog all the credit for introducing the ‘South-star’ in a Bollywood movie. It will be interesting to see who out-lunges the other to the finishing line and bags the pretty damsel. Lage Raho Bhaiye!