She took this job very seriously because she did not want to let her parents down. She also took it up because she wanted to pull her family out of one of the rockiest patches - financially and emotionally - ever.

Fifteen years hence and innumerable awards and accolades later, her life looks like a fairy tale or a Bollywood script that could not have been written any better. In an industry where the shelf life of an actress is getting shorter by the month - even as actors rule the roost for two decades or more - Rani has seen her fair share of ups and downs that have taught her valuable lessons.

In the last few years, she has faltered in terms of choice of films. But one thing that she hasn't forgotten is to do her job well, i.

e. to act.

She takes it up as seriously as she did during the mahurat shot of "Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat" as a 16-year-old. But today, there's more passion than ever, and a mastery of her craft that compels you to appreciate her skills as an actress, even if you aren't her die-hard fan.

After the success of "No One Killed Jessica" early last year, she is awaiting her next two releases this year - the Reema Kagti-directed thriller "Talaash", with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap's quirky comedy "Aiyya" directed by National Award winning director Sachin Kundalkar. We ask the 'Queen of Bollywood' about the journey during which her job turned into her passion, the girl Rani morphed into the woman who rules hearts and, of course, a certain someone she "is dating".

What are you doing these days? I've just returned from Lonavala where I was shooting for "Aiyya". A few songs are left.

Has the industry changed since you joined films? Immensely. Today, the first look of the film is almost as important as the film itself.

I'm eagerly waiting for the promos of "Talaash", which are to hit the screens soon. It's going to be released in June.

The fact that I'm doing two films that are as different as they can be, in the same year, speaks volumes about how times have changed. It's a far bigger, more diverse than ever industry that's gone global in terms of its scope in every possible way.

Did you always want to become an actress? Arre, my joining films is a poori filmi kahaani. Though I technically come from a film family, my father had stopped making films even before my brother and I were born.

So I did not really grow up in a filmi environment. And when I was growing up, becoming an actress was still quite a taboo.

And you may not believe this but even my father did not want me to join films. Salim (Akhtar) uncle, who was very close to my family, came with the offer of "Aa Gale Lag Jaa" in 1994, but my father was aghast and turned it down.

In the meantime, I joined college (SNDT, Juhu) pursuing Home Science. Those days, the 'in thing' that most girls were going after as a career choice was jewelery and interior designing.

I did not have the money to pursue a `3 lakh course to make a career. And then Salim uncle came back again.

I think he must have been pretty desperate to launch a new actress. This time, he managed to convince my parents.

How did he manage that? (Laughs) When Salim uncle came to me and said he wanted me to act in his film, I started crying. I thought he was making a pass at me.

..

Why on earth..

.? Because I was daft.

And the fact that in those days, acting was still considered a taboo for the girls in my family. My mom's side was okay with it, as my aunt (Bengali actress Debashree Roy) is an actress.

In fact, she had kept it from me till then, but she was seriously harboring dreams of me becoming an actress. My father was still adamant about me not joining films.

But by that time my second cousins, Kajol and Sharbani, had entered films. And that sort of paved the way for me.

My mother and father still fought over it for quite a few days before he finally agreed to give me at least one shot at it - of course, with the strict clause that my mom will accompany me everywhere. And you? Did you know anything about acting by then? I wish I could show you the recording of my first screen test.

You will literally sprint away from the room thinking 'who is this horrible actress?' What was so bad? Those days, I used to be quite chubby. And Salim uncle, who had done "Baazi" with Mamta Kulkarni a few years ago, fished those shorter-than-short and tighter-than-tight clothes that looked completely hideous on me.

And to top that, I had to act! I was a shy kid with inhibitions galore. It was some courtroom scene and when someone gave me the sheet with dialogues, I was dumbfounded.

I saw all these famous dialogues from famous films which I had to say in front of the camera. My understanding of films was just as much as any young girl who watches Bollywood films.

I had no idea about the whole process of filmmaking, about dialogue writing, scripts, screenplay etc. I had probably gone to two or three film shoots in my childhood.

And even when on a shoot as a young girl, I would find actors just giving their shots and sitting in their vans getting bored in-between shots. So when the whole picture opened up in front of me about the reality of becoming an actress, I was petrified.

And my screen test was a disaster. I came back crying and said 'I would not be able to do this - anything but acting! Then? But Salim uncle came back and said I had a photogenic face and the camera captured me quite well, which is very important for any actor.

That was one glimmer of hope in my otherwise nightmarish experience. My mother sat me down that night and told me, 'Opportunity knocks at your door just once, take it up.

What's the worst that could happen? You'll fail at your effort? We are there after that. But at least you'd know you have tried, and won't regret leaving this golden opportunity'.

And though it was never told to me, but I knew my family was going through a financial crisis. And there was also tension in the family because of a lot of bickering between my father and his brothers.

I decided that I would work very hard (there was a month left for the shoot of "Raja Ki..

.") and give myself one good shot, even if it did not work out in the end.

I took it up as a job that just had to be done. What happened in that one month for you to give that spirited performance? My father took me to join Roshan Taneja's acting classes.

Mr Taneja had two courses, one was a year-long one and the other a three-month one. I had to learn all the acting I could in one month.

I told Mr Taneja I would come in the morning and evening for a month and be a dedicated student. On the very first day, my dad said to him, 'Please teach my daughter how to act'.

Mr Taneja said, 'Acting isn't a tablet. You can't pop it and become an actress.

It has to come from within you. It's either deep within you or it's not there'.

His statement stayed with me for a long time. It was my first lesson.

But in the classes, I did not know where to start. Thankfully, one good thing was the improvisation classes - where we all had to face the camera and say whatever came to our mind and enact a scene.

It sort of broke through my shy exterior. In any acting class, there are always a lot of faces looking at you from all corners and that's done on purpose so that the person drops all his/her inhibitions.

On the day of the mahurat, when I was called to give my first shot, I thought, 'yaar, I can't let my parents down. I just have to give it my best'.

And then, when I walked into the shot, I was this confident, fiery ball of energy, spouting dialogues like I had never imagined I would. I haven't looked back since that day.

And how did this job eventually become your passion? That happened later when I started getting fan mails. I was doing a lot of films.

But my fans kept on writing that they were not happy with me. So I wondered 'Arre, I am working 72 hours at a stretch, not eating right, not getting enough sleep, giving my best to each shot, so what was going wrong?' Then I realized that after "Ghulam" and "Kuch Kuch Hota Hain", my fans' expectations of me were higher than my own.

That's when I learnt my second lesson - that it's not just performing, I also had to know good scripts from the not-so-good ones. I started getting more involved in the whole process; understanding films beyond just acting.

During this whole process, acting became my passion. Coming back to the present, what went wrong in the last couple of years before "No One Killed Jessica" last year? You had some consecutive flops after a spate of hits, and suddenly you just vanished.

..

(Snaps her fingers and says with a smile) Don't worry, from this year, you'll see me in two films every year at least. Coming back to your question, I had seen failures before but when those three films ("Laaga Chunri Mein Daag", "Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic" and "Dil Bole Hadippa") failed in quick succession, it affected me in a way no flop had before.

My confidence was completely shattered. All my movies failed to make a mark with audiences and critics alike.

Maybe the critics thought 'we've praised her enough, now it's time for her to fall a bit hard, so she steps her game up' (smiles). I also think I was plain unlucky.

The audience has little memory of what you have done before or are capable of doing. What matters is today.

So three flops probably told them 'Rani has worked so well in the last few years, maybe it's time she took a back seat and settled down'. And are you settling down? (Smile that says read-my-expression-if-you-can) When I plan to settle down, I will announce it to the world.

Marriage is an occasion to celebrate. I'll celebrate it when it happens, letting everyone know about it.

What about the rumors of your relationship with Aditya Chopra? I have been linked with so many of my co-stars and this Aditya rumor has stayed with me for the longest time. This time, I'm going to give you the cliched answer no journalist wants to hear, 'No comments'.

Are you dating someone? Yes, I am dating, but that's as far as I'm willing to talk about my personal life. Your fans want to know about your personal life? They want to know if marriage is on the cards.

They will know when the time comes. Right now, I have two movies coming out and that's what I'm going to talk about.

Are you saying nothing is serious as far as your dating goes? In a relationship, there are two people involved. Since I'm a public figure, if I start answering questions, it'll open doors for more questions, speculations, gossips, and then it comes to a point where every day someone has something to say about your personal life.

It's unfair to the other person. I do not mind a bitchy comment about the way I dress or my films, but a comment on my private space isn't welcome.

Are you a romantic? I'm a born romantic. I romanticize everything in life.

My personal life is full of love and romance. God's given us one life.

You should romance it. It's not always nice and cool to be practical and logical.

What have your relationships/ heartbreaks taught you? I haven't been in a lot of relationships. Heartbreak definitely teaches you to be a better actor.

Don't they say, an artiste always performs better when he or she has experienced heartbreak? (Laughs) That was a joke. I don't give that much importance to men.

All my heartbreaks have been because of close friends, and not men. Seriously? (On a serious note) Heartbreak, anger, frustration - if you can overcome these emotions, you become a better person.

If you're a person of substance, you'll overcome your bad times. Who wants to be a loser? Will you marry an actor? No, two megalomaniacs can't exist in the same house.

We'll end up killing each other. What's the best thing about being in a relationship? (Enigmatic smile) That you can hide it.

And the best part of getting married is that you can announce it to the world. What about the fact that today the shelf life of actresses is low? Would you ever decide to do an item number or attend red carpet events as visibility is important these days? No.

Because for me, it's important to cement an impression of my work. Acting is what I do best.

It's not difficult to be in the public eye. Go anywhere and you'll find the media.

I am not trying to sound high and mighty here. If I was being launched today, I would do exactly what newcomers do these days.

But after 15 years in the course of which I have firmly established my credentials as an actress, I plan to only focus on acting. But if friends call me, I'll be there.

Like I went to Farah's (Khan) house-warming party recently. Aamir (Khan) and Kiran (Rao) had a son and going there was important for me because he is someone who is very dear to me.

As are Shah Rukh Khan and Karan (Johar). Have you spoken to Abhishek after he became a father? We aren't in touch on the phone, but whenever I come across him, I will definitely congratulate him.

It's great news. What did that low phase in your life teach you? When I was joining films, my dad had told me, 'Don't ever be disheartened with failure and don't be over-excited with success'.

This is an important lesson in any actor's life. But can you really separate your emotions as professional and personal in your mind? Hurt is hurt, disappointment is disappointment.

..

That's where your family and your strength as an individual come in. I am very close to my family.

And I have other interests, like baking. I started baking in one of my very low phases in life.

I find it therapeutic. So, would we see a Rani Mukerji patisserie soon? You could.

I'm serious about going to Paris or Chicago for a fulltime patisserie course. Any other venture in mind? A lot of actresses are starting their own fashion lines.

Or maybe even film production..

. No.

The only thing I will be producing next is babies. No other production happening with me.

Is there a lot of bitching/backbiting in the industry? There is, but that's true of any industry where over-competitive minds are always at work. But it is blown out of proportion in ours because it's the glamor industry.

Have you been at the receiving end of bitching? People say bitchy things about other people to feel good about themselves. Whatever I have got in life has been a huge blessing.

I've never gone after something that's not mine. Today, I am sitting at my office in Juhu, overlooking the sea.

I used to live in a shack before. I used to travel in rickshaws.

Today, I have a Mercedes. But if I start thinking, 'I have a bungalow, why not a building in Bandra tomorrow? Or now, I have a car, why not a yacht next?' my life will be difficult.

My mind doesn't work that way. The only ambition I have is to pick up interesting scripts and give a stellar performance that'll be etched in the audiences' and my fans' minds (less)

But hua kya? The "Rockstar" team, which included Imtiaz, Ranbir, Nargis Fakhri, Ranbir's trainer Pradeep, his bodyguard and several others, visited Lucknow on Friday to promote the film. According to the itinerary given to the mall management, the team was supposed to visit Phoenix Mall in the Alambagh area of the city twice on the same day - once in the morning for a short stage performance and a press conference, and then later in the evening at 8.

30 for the launch of a lounge in the mall. For this, the team had apparently been paid close to `10 lakh, which included 14 business class air tickets, 18 regular air tickets, rooms at a five-star hotel and `1.

25 lakh later, after they had arrived at the mall. Apparently, the producers, Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, had delegated the coordination of the team's promotional visits across the country to a company run by a lady named Roshan Ara, who in turn, gave it to a Delhi-based PR called Danny, who subleased it to two guys called Chaitanya and Dishant.

After the mall appearance, Imtiaz and Ranbir had planned to go and have kebab-paranthas at a famous shop in Lucknow. However, upon landing in Lucknow, they went to the parantha shop first, and then to the mall.

At the mall, they all said a few words, Ranbir distributed the "Sadda Haq" T-Shirts, and within five minutes, the team had left for the airport. The "Rockstar" team was to take a 6.

40pm flight to Delhi. Meanwhile, the mall's senior manager, marketing, Namrata Kapoor, followed the team right up to the airport and amid much drama and chasing around, threatened to prevent their departure from Lucknow if they did not refund the mall's `10 lakh.

She also lodged a formal complaint with the police, and bought air tickets to enter the waiting area and confront Imtiaz. By then, the police had also arrived.

Imtiaz then apparently intervened and sorted out the matter, promising to have all the money owed to the mall refunded. Finally, the team was able to leave for Delhi, after having delayed the flight.

All sorted out? At around midnight on Friday, Chaitanya spoke to us and told us that he had been "locked up" by the mall's management and they were harassing him and asking for a refund. "I'm going to die in half an hour," he said in a dramatic phone call to DT, adding, "Save me!" However, Priyank Tayal of Phoenix Mall told us, "We have not kept him 'locked up'.

We were told by Chaitanya that the team would visit the mall twice on the same day, but they did not. In fact, they only came for five minutes.

So, we asked for a refund. Chaitanya's partner, Dishant, told us that he's arranged for `5 lakh and then left the mall to get it, while Chaitanya stayed back.

We even met Imtiaz and Roshan, and they said they would ensure that all our money is refunded. We have sorted things out with everyone.

" Roshan also said, "It's Chaitanya who is at fault. He overcommitted to the mall management on our behalf; we knew nothing of it.

He took money from the mall in our name. But Imtiaz and I have promised the mall that we'll ensure they get their money back soon.

" By midnight, in fact, Chaitanya himself had changed his version, confirming that he was in fact having a comradely pizza with Tayal, and in a swift U-turn, claimed that he had earlier "lied" about being "locked up". What Imtiaz says When asked about the whole fiasco, Imtiaz, while boarding the flight to Delhi, told us, "It's very unfortunate that this has happened.

I, on behalf of the whole team, apologise, and will try and make up for it if I can. I will try and bring the team to Lucknow again after the movie has been released.

" He added, "We don't know who's responsible. When a film is made, so many people are involved.

If any one of them misrepresents us, I am not responsible. I feel bad for whatever has happened.

It's unfortunate and I hope that Lucknow's people will forgive us..

. I told our reps categorically that if it wasn't done within five minutes, I'd pay the money from my own account.

" The Locha in Lucknow 'Rockstar' team visits Lucknow, plans to visit a mall for 45 minutes over two visits on the same dayHowever, team visits the mall for only five minutes and leaves for the airportIncensed mall rep follows them to the airport, holds up flight and amid high drama, refuses to let them leave till their money, `10 lakh, is refunded. Also files police complaint and calls the copsMall rep confronts Imtiaz at the airport, he assures her that either the team or he personally will re-fund their money in 'five minutes', and their flight to Delhi is finally able to take offLate at night on Friday, all parties say issue sorted out, mall management assured of a refund by Imtiaz and the team With inputs from Garima Sharma (less)

"Salman Khan is my first serious relationship," she has been quoted by Cosmopolitan magazine. The couple, who have never spoken about their on-off relationship, split last year but still remain friends.

Katrina also did an item number in Salman's last release Bodyguard , and the two are currently shooting for their next film, Ek Tha Tiger . However, Chikni Chameli (Katrina's item number in the new Agneepath) refused to comment on her rumoured affair with Ranbir Kapoor.

(With inputs from Mid-Day.Com) Tweet (less)

In a recent episode, Bachchan had randomly given out a mobile number when a participant at the show pestered him for his contact. "No sooner was the show aired on Sony TV channel than all hell broke loose for me.

I have received thousands of calls in the last few days. People are calling 24 x 7 - from northeast India to Gujarat, Kashmir to Kanyakumari," wedding planner Karan Wahi, one of those 'seriously' affected by Amitabh's prank, told IANS here.

Amitabh, popularly referred to as Big B, had given out nine digits of a mobile number (987730000) during the show, leaving viewers to guess the last one. Eager Amitabh fans did not take long to dial all digits - from 0 to 9 - in that mobile series.

Since the series belongs to mobile operators in Punjab, the mobile users with these numbers became sitting ducks for the fans who started calling. Sony, the TV channel which airs the show, remained unavailable for comment.

Wahi, who owns two of these mobile numbers - ending with 1 and 5 - in this series, says his nightmare is unending. Puneet Bansal, a businessman from Punjab's industrial town of Mandi Gobindgarh, 60 km from here, is another victim of Big B's prank.

Jalandhar resident Inder Preet, who has two numbers in the series, is at the receiving end of constant harassment due to unwarranted calls. Bansal is moving a court in the matter and has already slapped a legal notice on Sony TV and Amitabh.

"People are calling from Australia, Canada , the USA, London and everywhere else. I have not received so many calls in one year as I have received in the last three-four days," an exasperated Wahi said.

Harassed by the constant calls and streams of SMSs, Wahi has slapped a legal notice on Amitabh and Sony TV. "I am at my wits' end.

I feel like committing suicide. I will seek a compensation of at least Rs.

50 lakh from the TV channel and the host for this harassment and constant mental agony," Wahi said. "People want me to connect to Amitabh Bachchan and don't listen to my arguments.

From knowing about his health to when he is becoming a grandfather, they ask everything 24 hours. "They even want to talk to Aishwarya (Amitabh's daughter-in-law and actress) and son Abhishek.

Initially, we enjoyed the calls but soon got fed up with these. Even giving choicest Punjabi abuses has failed to ward off people," Wahi said.

His business is suffering due to hundreds of these calls, Wahi added. The affected people have now either switched off their numbers or have started diverting the calls.

"My roaming bill has gone up by Rs.10,000 in just the last few days.

What is the use of buying VIP numbers if a small joke can create so much chaos?" another affected 'victim', not wishing to be identified, told IANS (less)

"Can you believe people are calling me sexy. I don't know where to look when they call me that.

I am like 'really me?'," she said at the launch of a new programe "Super Santa" for UTV. "I don't know yaar, maybe I am like one of those girls.

But it's nice to hear it for the first time in my life," added the 26-year-old who played a simpleton in her last film "Mausam" opposite Shahid Kapoor. The first big release of 2012, "Players" promos are out and Sonam, who sports sytlish wardrobe and glamorous look, says her sister Rhea should be credited for turning her into a sexy diva in the action thriller.

"It's all because of my sister. She has very carefully chosen clothes for me.

It's not typical sexy, but it is like edgy sexy," said Sonam, who was earlier styled by her sister Rhea for their home production "Aisha". Coming out on Jan 6, "Players" also stars Abhishek Bachchan , Bobby Deol , Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu.

Sonam debuted as a traditional girl in "Saawariya" in 2007 and later played girl-next-door in "Delhi-6". But with "I Hate Luv Storys" she moved on to more chick look and continued it in "Aisha" and "Thank You" with elan.

Currently Sonam is filming for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" opposite Farhan Akhtar and would also start work on her sister's untitled next project soon (less)

We list those weddings which everyone took a note of. B-Town weddings got bigger and better in 2011.

Harshada Rege lists some of the walks down the aisle that were much-talked about Imran Khan and Avantika Malik When: January 10, 2011 Imran and Avantika will soon celebrate the first anniversary of their marriage. The two got married after being in a relationship for eight long years.

Theirs was probably one of the most high-profile weddings in B-Town. The mehendi, sangeet and a grand reception saw all of B-Town coming in to wish the couple.

Mamu Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao welcomed the guests. Celina Jaitly and Peter Haag When: March 16, 2011 Celina Jaitly announced her engagement with Peter Haag in January and their wedding took place at a 1,000 year old monastery.

B-Town got a whiff of her wedding much later. The actress is now expecting twins.

Vijender Singh and Archana Singh When: May 17, 2011 Vijender Singh married Archana Singh in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi was among the eminent guests who took part in the celebration.

Shabbir Ahluwalia and Kanchi Kaul When: November 27, 2011 This wedding of two small screen actors was very lavish. The entire television industry showed up for the sangeet ceremony as well as the wedding.

Ganesh Hegde and Sunayna Shetty When: June 5, 2011 Ganesh Hegde agreed to dance to Sunayna Shetty's tunes in June. Many superstars including Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Priyanka Chopra were present to wish the couple.

Samir Soni and Neelam When: January 23, 2011 The first thing Sameer Soni did when he walked out of Bigg Boss's house (during the fourth season of the show) was ask girlfriend Neelam to marry him. The wedding was attended my the their B-Town and society buddies.

Nikhil Dwivedi and Gauri Pandit When: March 7, 2011 Nikhil Dwivedi's lavish wedding to Gauri Pandit had guest like Abhishek Bachchan, Salman Khan , Anil Kapoor , Tusshar, Manish Malhotra , Juhi Chawla and Abhishek Bachchan on the guestlist. Gautam Gambhir and Natasha Jain When: October 28, 2011 Gautam and Delhi-based Natasha's wedding was held at a farmhouse in Gurgaon.

His team members turned up to congratulate the couple. Gul Panag and Rishi Attari When: March 13, 2011 Gul Panag married boyfriend Rishi Attari in a traditional Sikh ceremony at a gurudwara.

The wedding took place in Chandigarh and was a family affair. But trust Gul to do things differently.

The baraat had Rishi riding a bike and Gul plonking her self in the sidecar. Very filmi! Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi When: February 16, 2011 Lara and Mahesh first had a civil ceremony, in Bandra.

But they took their vows on February 20 in a Christian ceremony at Sunset Point in Goa. Friends like Raveena Tandon and Priyanka Chopra were among the guests.

Anurag Kashyap and Kalki Koechlin When: April 30, 2011 Anurag Kashyap married Kalki Koechlin in a traditional ceremony in Ooty. This, too, was a family-only affair, but the couple had invited a few of their friends from B-Town.

Rajeev Khandelwal and Manjiri Kamtikar When: February 7, 2011 Rajeev Khandelwal's wedding, too, was a family-only affair. The wedding that took place at Khimsar Fort in Jodhpur and was conducted according to the Arya Samaji rituals.

Sameer Dattani and Ritika Jolly When: March 16, 2011 Sameer Dattani married girlfriend Ritika Jolly amidst family and friends at a ceremony in Dehra Dun. The married couple later hosted a huge reception for industrywallahs in Mumbai.

Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan , who have worked with Sameer in I Hate Love Storys were present to congratulate their co-star (less)

It's absolutely fine if the release date got pushed by a week. We have worked very hard and we are waiting for the film to release for a long time.

Another seven days don't matter," Sonam told IANS. The directorial debut of eminent actor Pankaj Kapoor, Mausam features Sonam as a Kashmiri girl who falls in love with a Punjabi boy, Shahid Kapoor.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had raised an objection to a 30-second scene in the film. Though the censor board had given a U-certificate to the film, IAF had given a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) as they wanted that 30-second sequence to be corrected.

Getting the NOC from IAF after correction was too late to send prints overseas, which compelled the makers to postpone release from Sep 16 to Sep 23. The actress, who made her debut in acting with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya opposite Ranbir Kapoor, describes Mausam as her first true love story.

"I have never done a perfect love story. The film is about two people who want to be together.

Here both of them love each other. I have never done a love story where both of them love each other," said the actress who featured in films like Delhi-6 , I Hate Luv Storys , Aisha and Thank You .

Sonam, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, is confident she would sustain long in the industry. "I know that I am here to stay.

I work very hard and hopefully I would be here for a long time," said the 26-year-old. Tweet (less)

When do we get to see a bolder you? Sonam : When I have a better body..

. I have the body of a normal girl but I don't have ripped abs.

I have a little bit of paunch, little extra flesh on my arms and legs. I don't have the body for a bikini.

Eventually whenever I want to work that hard on my body instead of my acting, I will. People want me to stay innocent in a lot of ways.

A director said, 'you are the only actress who doesn't look jaded'. Ques : You patched up with Abhay.

..

Sonam : I am not going to pretend as if nothing went wrong between us. I got upset about what he said.

He wasn't happy with the script. I think he was upset with the production also.

If he wasn't a good actor I wouldn't be working with him again. If he said something about my dad or the production, that reflects badly on him, not me.

Ques : Is Ranbir next in line? Sonam : It's not in my hands. There have been no issues between us for me to extend an olive branch.

I have always been civil and good with Ranbir. Ques : Has the times changed for better for heroines? Sonam : It's degraded.

Do you see women-oriented films like Mother India, Bandini, Sujata and Guide being made today? In the last one-year we saw films like Aisha, Fashion, No One Killed Jessica and The Dirty Picture . Ques : Do you feel the need to be more diplomatic at times? Sonam : I have always spoken my mind.

I have never said anything mean unless someone attacked me. Obviously, I am not a Gandhian.

You can state your opinion without stepping on another's toe, which I am foolish enough to do once in a while. Ques : You are known more as a fashion icon than an actress.

..

Sonam : People love me as an actor, that's why some of the biggest directors are offering me movies. I'd rather be known as a fashion icon than someone who is very easy, or someone who sleeps around or someone who has too many boyfriends.

Ques : Your dad said other actresses are jealous of you. Sonam : My dad can say that.

I can't. That will be really immodest (Smiles).

Honestly, I have known girls who say 'I wear simple clothes' and the next thing you know is that they are flaunting designer clothes. That's hypocrisy.

Ques : He also said you turned down Hollywood films! Sonam : I don't like talking about films I am not doing. Tweet (less)

This young actor, who has been very successful in the rom-com space with I Hate Luv Storys (2010) and Mere Brother ki Dulhan (2011) hitting the bulls eye at the box office, is getting ready for yet another rom-com co-produced by Dharma Production and UTV Motion Pictures. Ek Main aur Ekk Tu, which is prescribed as the perfect date film, has Imran romancing Kareena Kapoor for the first time.

It has been directed by debutant Shakun Batra, who is very close to Imran and who actually indulged him by casting him opposite the girl of his dreams. Imran, who turns a shade of red even when you mention Kareena casually, says, "Kareena is perhaps the most beautiful actress that I have worked with.

And I've worked with some real beauties.'' Long before he even dreamt of being an actor, Imran had a huge crush on Bebo.

Says he, "I found her beautiful right from her first film Refugee. I couldn't articulate my feelings then, but perhaps I nursed a silent crush.

When we started working together, we got along really well. We had a rollicking time shooting for EMAET.

I observed her closely while we were working and even took her pictures without her knowledge. She sometimes looked so beautiful and ethereal that clicking her was a natural response.

" The EMAET promos have created a buzz amongst youngsters and the trade. Two of the songs - the title track and Aunty ji are also potential chart busters.

As Imran says, "With Bebo by my side, everything is working out just fine.'' Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu releases on February 10, 2012 (less)

Excerpts from a Q and A with the papa-to-be. As the due date nears, you must be getting increasingly asked about the baby and fatherhood? Actually, I've been so busy shooting Bol Bachchan that I haven't really thought about it.

Parenthood is something that's going to happen naturally, so there's no point stressing over it. But you must have begun thinking of baby names and started shopping? Thinking about names is an ongoing process.

We don't know whether it's going to be a boy or a girl, but suggestions are more than welcome. We haven't started shopping yet.

Reportedly, you're taking paternity leave and have got your work schedule adjusted to be able to remain in town till some time after the birth. That the media has already decided for me.

I don't have the liberty to take time off. Of course I'll be around as and when the baby is born, but otherwise, I'm going to be working.

So will Abhishek make a strict daddy or a pampering papa? I think I'll be okay; not very strict nor will I allow the kid to get out of hand. I'll ensure that my children are down to earth.

Aishwarya also believes in the same. We'll bring our kids up to be good human beings and that's what my parents also taught me.

Your next film, Players , releases in the first week of January, earlier considered an unfavourable week to release. Earlier this year, your Dum Maaro Dum came to cinemas in the middle of the Indian Premiere League.

Almost every month, we see old myths broken. While those might have held true years ago, the audience's perception has also changed.

As a kid, I heard that monsoon was not a good time to release movies. Race released in the middle of IPL and became a runway hit.

Films like Kaho Na..

. Pyaar Hai , Rang De Basanti , and No One Killed Jessica released in January and did well at the box-office.

So many films released and broke records, which is proof that the audience is going to the theaters in large numbers. Do you feel the Bachchan surname brings greater pressure? It's strange I'm always asked about pressure considering that I'm doing the most number of movies.

I do films as per my convictions. People were looking forward to seeing you and Aishwarya on screen again in Rajkumar Santoshi's Ladies And Gentleman .

Has the idea been shelved and will it be made with another leading lady? Or will it mark Aishwarya's comeback after the baby? Rajji wanted to make it with Aishwarya and me. But after her pregnancy, he decided to put the film on hold and said that he will make it only when Ash is ready to work again.

Until then, Rajji and I have discussed four-five ideas. Tweet (less)

It's absolutely fine if the release date got pushed by a week. We have worked very hard and we are waiting for the film to release for a long time.

Another seven days don't matter," Sonam told IANS. The directorial debut of eminent actor Pankaj Kapoor, "Mausam" features Sonam as a Kashmiri girl who falls in love with a Punjabi boy, Shahid Kapoor.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had raised an objection to a 30-second scene in the film. Though the censor board had given a U-certificate to the film, IAF had given a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) as they wanted that 30-second sequence to be corrected.

Getting the NOC from IAF after correction was too late to send prints overseas, which compelled the makers to postpone release from Sep 16 to Sep 23. The actress, who made her debut in acting with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" opposite Ranbir Kapoor, describes "Mausam" as her first true love story.

"I have never done a perfect love story. The film is about two people who want to be together.

Here both of them love each other. I have never done a love story where both of them love each other," said the actress who featured in films like "Delhi-6", "I Hate Luv Storys", "Aisha" and "Thank You".

Sonam, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, is confident she would sustain long in the industry. "I know that I am here to stay.

I work very hard and hopefully I would be here for a long time," said the 26-year-old (less)

They had to change their shoes to start with. "Oh God, I'm going to look crazy in these shoes with this dress," Sonam said to Abhishek, who was also changing sitting next to her.

"Oh, you mean you don't look crazy otherwise?" retorted Abhishek, laughing. After some more good-natured ribbing, AB decided a warm-up session was in order.

He bowled..

. and scored a strike! There was a huge round of applause as AB swaggered around, arms spread out in triumph, and told Sonam and Neil, "You guys should quit now, I think.

" Finally, Sonam decided to go barefoot, as her size of shoes was not to be found, and the teams were announced - Abhishek and Bipasha, and Sonam with Neil. That's when AB discovered Bipasha wasn't playing! We later heard her tell Sonam, "You're not as short-sighted as I am, so go ahead.

" So we guess that's the reason she chose not to play. Either that, or the lady was too much in love with her bubblegum pink stilettos! But she cheered the players from the sidelines.

So poor Abhishek had to play for Bipasha too, but he took to the task seriously. So intent was he on the game that after the eighth round, he removed his jacket, and shooed Neil away so that he could concentrate.

But it paid off - beating his co-stars by a whisker, AB won the 'tournament'! There was a quick press conference post this, amid squealing kids and squabbling parents. In fact, in the middle of all this, one little something was heard telling a guard, "Aap toh bodyguard ho.

Aap dila do autograph. Aapko kaise nahin denge?" Anyway, the questions ranged from who their inspiration is (to which Bipasha said her mother, and Neil said Nutan and Waheeda Rehman !), to whether there were any catfights between Sonam and Bipasha.

AB had to leave midway, but someone asked Sonam, Bipasha and Neil if they were to be a part of a game, which game it would be. "WWF," said Bipasha promptly, "These precision games are not for me, lekin kisi ko maar-vaar ke kuch karna ho toh jeet jaungi!" "Talking competition," said Sonam.

"I can talk to anyone about anything and I can talk a lot!" "Shooting or archery," said Neil, to which Bipasha interrupted with, "Not WWF?" Promptly, Neil said with a wicked look, "Sure. If I'm fighting with you, I'd welcome all the punches and kicks and beatings.

" Soon after this, they all stood up to leave and they were followed till the lift by screaming kids, onlookers and the shutterbugs. As they left, the actors were discussing what time to meet to go to a party! Some energy, wot say? (less)

. RAVEENA TANDON AND ANIL THADANI WHEN: February 2004 LOVE-O-METRE: Nearing the 10-year milestone.

THE PROPOSAL: The couple met for the first time on Valentine's Day at Olive restaurant in Mumbai. After that, however, they did not see each other for two years! Then Raveena made her first film, "Stumped" as producer, and Anil sent her an SMS that he would like to help her distribute the film.

"We actually dated for only two months," shares Raveena. "We met in August 2002, and he proposed in October.

That year, like this year, Diwali and my birthday were on the same day! So he planned a proposal on Diwali day. We first went to his chacha's house to celebrate, and then headed to my family's Diwali puja.

When I reached my dad's house, I saw huge ornate baskets, lots of them lying around the house, and my mom just dismissed them saying, 'Your brothers want to send this to their colleagues and friends.' We started getting ready for the Lakshmi puja, but we were just waiting! And I kept asking, 'Why are we delaying things, it's nine o' clock.

..

lets start! And it was the first time my two adopted daughters, Pooja and Chhaya were standing around with their cameras. Usually I would film or take photographs of the celebrations! Suddenly the doorbell rang and I saw Anil's mom, dad and sister walk in.

It still didn't strike me, but I said, 'So mom, we were waiting for them?' And then my dad asked Anil to do the honours! Everybody was giggling as Anil got on his knees and pulled out a big box with a ring and asked, 'Will you be my wife?' It took me a long time to respond, I saw my mom all teary-eyed, and my daughters were both laughing and crying..

. and everybody said, 'Please say yes, he will get tired being on his knees!' So I said 'Sure!'" WEDDING TRIVIA: Manav Gangwani designed Raveena's bridal wear.

He also designed three exclusive outfits for the groom. The bride's wardrobe was 10 times more elaborate than the groom's.

Raveena got a dream wedding going, after scouting for the best possible locations with Anil. Her sangeet and mehndi parties were held on separate evenings at the Shiv Niwas Palace hotel in Udaipur.

Her wedding reception was held at the Jag Mandir Palace hotel, on Pichola Lake, Udaipur. Farah Khan Ali designed Raveena's jewellery.

Guests included the who's who of Bollywood, and a diverse range of the couple's friends like Gautam Singhania, Manish Malhotra, Vijay Mallya, Ravi and Ritu Shastri, Amar Singh, Vasundhara Raje and Subrata Roy Sahara. HRITHIK ROSHAN AND SUSSANNE KHAN WHEN: December 2000 LOVE-O-METRE: They celebrated a decade together in 2010 and have two delightful little boys, Hridhaan and Hrehaan.

THE PROPOSAL: One year after he started dating Sussanne on Valentine's Day, in 1999, Hrithik went down on his knees and proposed to her at Juhu beach in Mumbai. "I'd known since I was 12 that she was the girl for me, but that was the big moment, complete with a ring.

Earlier, on another Valentine's Day, I'd told her those three all-important words, 'I love you,'" Hrithik has been quoted saying. WEDDING TRIVIA: In a confluence of Hindu-Muslim rituals and cultures, Hrithik performed certain Hindu rites and Sussanne, Sanjay Khan's youngest daughter, performed certain Muslim rites.

The mehndi and sangeet were homespun affairs, mostly at home with close friends and family. But the wedding was a spectacular affair.

The ceremony took place at Sanjay Khan's heavilyguarded Golden Palms resorts and spa, on Bangalore's outskirts in December 2000. In a brief appearance before the media in the midst of the pre-wedding haldi ritual, Hrithik said with a laugh, "There will be no heartburn.

They are my well-wishers. They will continue to wish me luck and success," he said, referring to his choice of bride vis-avis his family's response.

"Sussanne is our last daughter and I'm very happy that she's getting married," said Feroz Khan. About 70 members of the Khan and Roshan families and their friends attended the wedding.

Guests at the reception included stars like Dimple Kapadia, Rishi and Randhir Kapoor, Uday Chopra, Karan Johar and childhood friend Abhishek Bachchan. Hrithik's mode of transport to his wedding was a white horse.

His wedding oufit was a white Jodhpuri suit with gold-embroidery designed by Rocky S, while Sussanne wore a gold and red ensemble designed by Tarun Tahiliani. ABHISHEK BACHCHAN AND AISHWARYA RAI WHEN: April 2007 LOVE-O-METRE: They have reached the half-decade mark this year and are parents to the new-born angel! THE PROPOSAL: This classy couple surprised everyone with their engagement announcement back in 2007.

Although Abhi and Ash were very hush-hush about the love brewing between them, it seemed inevitable as fate repeatedly cast them together in a slew of magnum opus projects such as "Umrao Jaan", "Dhoom 2", and what seemed a turning point, "Guru". Aishwarya becoming a part of the Bachchan parivaar started looking more imminent when she did an electrifying stage performance of Kajra Re at the 2005 IIFA Awards with senior and junior Bachchan.

Abhishek popped the question with a borrowed ring in hand (allegedly from the production department of his film), proposing to Ash spontaneously as they were heading home after the premiere of "Guru" in Toronto, waiting for their flight at the British Airways lounge at New York's JFK airport on January 12, 2007. According to eyewitnesses, a very emotional Ash accepted.

After Abhishek called home with the good news, the couple was asked to come and they had a formal engagement ceremony at Jalsa, attended only by close family friends like Amar Singh, Anil and Tina Ambani, Kirron Kher and the Johars. Finally, the couple was unafraid to hang out at each other's sets and make public appearances together.

WEDDING TRIVIA: The actual wedding became a homely, though celebrity-studded affair mostly set around the Bachchan residences, Jalsa and Pratiksha, as Teji Bachchan, Amitabh's mother, was critical. However, many details about the nuptials were unique: the wedding invite had two 'editions' - one invite only solicited blessings, while the second set actually invited a limited number of guests.

While the Bachchans sent out golden chocolate boxes with the cards, they also sent ensembles by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla to close friends. The Rais also sent out jewellery and clothes to select invitees, including close friend Subrata Roy Sahara.

Celebrations kicked off at Pratiksha with the sangeet, where it is believed a lot of family members danced to Bollywood songs, with Karan Johar playing MC. The mehndi was held at La Mer, Ash's residence.

Fifteen kilos of special Nihar henna was brought in by Shweta Nanda, Sonali Bendre, Rinkie Khanna and other close friends for Ash from Sojat in Rajasthan. A 30-foot walkway was erected at the entrance of La Mer to the main area of the ceremony.

The actual wedding saw 11 pundits from Benaras and Bangalore, and it was conducted in Arya Samaj tradition. Chanting started in the morning, and massive tents were put up to accommodate guests around Pratiksha.

The ceremony was conducted in an air-conditioned pandal in the same garden. At 5.

15 pm the colourfully-dressed dhol players kicked off the baraat from Jalsa, which ended at Pratiksha, where a bejewelled Aishwarya in a gold kanjeevaram ensemble waited for her groom. The ceremony was over by 7.

30 pm and then the friends danced the night away. KARISMA KAPOOR AND SUNJAY KAPUR WHEN: September 2003 LOVE-O-METRE: " He's (Sunjay) not the film-going sort.

I think Sunjay has made me a calmer person; if you ask me that's the one thing that has changed about me after marriage," said Karisma a year after her wedding. The couple completes a decade in 2013.

WEDDING TRIVIA: Bollywood's blueeyed girl Karisma Kapoor tied the knot with Sunjay Kapur in a ceremony marked by style and grandeur. The wedding ceremony, which was to take place at 11 am, was delayed because the groom was stuck in traffic.

Sunjay arrived at the venue at 12.45 pm and rushed inside the cottage's gates.

He was dressed in a cream sherwani and wore a gold sehra. The pheras finally took place at 1.

00 am in the presence of both families. In typical Kapoor tradition, Karisma was married at her grandfather, the late Raj Kapoor's home, R K Cottage.

The couple opted for an hour-long Sikh ceremony. At around noon, Karisma's family and friends were still busy with pre-wedding ceremonies.

Both the bride's sister Kareena and her aunt Rima Jain supervised last-minute preparations. The strains of the shehnai wafted through the air.

Outside the cottage, the scene was both crowded and confused. Curious onlookers were milling around, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

Journalists, photographers and camera crews had stationed themselves outside the gates of the cottage. A phalanx of policemen was doing their best to manage the crowds and the ensuing traffic jam.

Because of the crowds, no member of the RK family was present at the gates to welcome the groom and his family. Among the guests who drove in were Lolo's uncle Rishi Kapoor, actor Sanjay Kapoor who reportedly played the brother's part at the ceremony, designer Manish Malhotra, granduncles Shashi and Shammi Kapoor, filmmaker Bharat Shah, cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani, Govinda, Rahul and Akshay Khanna.

Manish Malhotra had designed Karisma's trousseau. Being a style icon herself, it wasn't a surprise when she chose to follow the unconventional route and opted for a pastel shade for her bridal outfit instead of the usual reds and maroons.

The tasselled dupatta was embellished with zari and stones. The house was decorated with flowers and the garden that surrounded the house was turned into a Sheesh Mahal-like mandap that could accommodate 600 guests who were offered non-alcoholic drinks and vegetarian starters until the wedding ceremony was completed.

Karisma's father Randhir, according to reports, opened a bottle of champagne after the wedding, after which a wellstocked bar was thrown open to the guests. An elaborate lunch was served later which included a variety of cuisines like Oriental, Thai, Chinese, Italian, French and Continental.

It also included Punjabi, Gujarati and Rajasthani food (less)

Says Karan, "Short Term Shaadi was just a working title that attached itself to this film through the making. Neither Shakun Batra (who makes his directorial debut here) nor I were happy with it from the start, so we went title hunting.

Just recently, we settled on Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, but there was a process attached to getting it, hence the delayed announcement.'' KJo adds that the new title fits this rom-com perfectly well.

He says, "Short Term Shaadi wasn't giving the right vibe. This story is about the conversational chemistry between these two very beautiful people - Imran and Kareena.

EMAET is a witty, feel-good, slice-of-life comedy and it conveys the energies of this couple.'' Revealing a secret, Karan says, "Imran is a self-confessed Kareena fan.

When I saw these two together in one frame at the photo shoot, I realised that they were a smashing couple. Casting them together was a wise decision.

It is amazing that Kareena is romancing Aamir in one film and then his nephew Imran in another. Getting Bebo and Imran together is a coup of sorts.

'' Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu will release on February 10 and KJo recommends it as the perfect Valentine's Day flick. Says he, "You can watch it with your friend or with your date.

'' He also feels that this could well be Dharma Productions' hat-trick in the romcom genre; the earlier two being Wake Up Sid and I Hate Luv Storys. "Shakun and Imran are close friends.

And this film also shows their comfort level as an actor-director team,'' he says, adding, "Kareena hasn't done a romcom in a while; Imran has made a perfect place for himself in this genre. As I said earlier, this film has captured the conversational chemistry of these two perfectly.

And though Imran has acted with several other leading ladies, the USP of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is seeing Bebo and him together for the first time." (less)

Recently at the BT party, they walked in hand-in-hand and were spotted hanging out with Imran's buddy and director Punit Malhotra . When zoOm asked Punit to reveal a secret about Imran, he quickly told us, "Imran's scared of Avantika.

He does what she wants him to do." Well, we can't blame him.

..

With a lovely wife like her, we won't be surprised if Imran's the perfect joru ka ghulam! (less)

In a recent episode, Bachchan had randomly given out a mobile number when a participant at the show pestered him for his contact. "No sooner was the show aired on Sony TV channel than all hell broke loose for me.

I have received thousands of calls in the last few days. People are calling 24 x 7--from northeast India to Gujarat, Kashmir to Kanyakumari," wedding planner Karan Wahi, one of those 'seriously' affected by Amitabh's prank, told IANS here.

Amitabh, popularly referred to as Big B, had given out nine digits of a mobile number (987730000) during the show, leaving viewers to guess the last one. Eager Amitabh fans did not take long to dial all digits--from 0 to 9--in that mobile series.

Since the series belongs to mobile operators in Punjab, the mobile users with these numbers became sitting ducks for the fans who started calling. Sony, the TV channel which airs the show, remained unavailable for comment.

Wahi, who owns two of these mobile numbers--ending with 1 and 5--in this series, says his nightmare is unending. Puneet Bansal, a businessman from Punjab's industrial town of Mandi Gobindgarh, 60 km from here, is another victim of Big B's prank.

Jalandhar resident Inder Preet, who has two numbers in the series, is at the receiving end of constant harassment due to unwarranted calls. Bansal is moving a court in the matter and has already slapped a legal notice on Sony TV and Amitabh.

"People are calling from Australia, Canada, the USA, London and everywhere else. I have not received so many calls in one year as I have received in the last three-four days," an exasperated Wahi said.

Harassed by the constant calls and streams of SMSs, Wahi has slapped a legal notice on Amitabh and Sony TV. "I am at my wits' end.

I feel like committing suicide. I will seek a compensation of at least Rs.

50 lakh from the TV channel and the host for this harassment and constant mental agony," Wahi said. "People want me to connect to Amitabh Bachchan and don't listen to my arguments.

From knowing about his health to when he is becoming a grandfather, they ask everything 24 hours. "They even want to talk to Aishwarya (Amitabh's daughter-in-law and actress) and son Abhishek.

Initially, we enjoyed the calls but soon got fed up with these. Even giving choicest Punjabi abuses has failed to ward off people," Wahi said.

His business is suffering due to hundreds of these calls, Wahi added. The affected people have now either switched off their numbers or have started diverting the calls.

"My roaming bill has gone up by Rs.10,000 in just the last few days.

What is the use of buying VIP numbers if a small joke can create so much chaos?" another affected 'victim', not wishing to be identified, told IANS. Tweet (less)

Says Imran, Both DB and MBKD have done well. I am extremely happy that I am having a party at homethis Thursday for a select few friends from the industry.

'' Imran who is staying a make-shift address because his iconic bungalow 24 Pali Hill is under renovationis entertaining at home. Friends like Karan Johar , Punit Malhotra , Deepika Padukone , Kunal Kohli , Kareena Kapoor are expected.

I honestly don't know where Aamir(Mamu) is,'' says Imran, when asked if uncle Aamir Khan would also bethere to join the celebrations (less)

The New Year holds a lot of new promise in Bollywood. We list down 10 debutantes to look forward to in 2012.

Varun Dhawan: David Dhawan's elder son Rohit Dhawan made his debut as a director in 2011 with Desi Boyz. His younger son Varun Dhawan will debut as an actor with Karan Johar's ambitious project 'Student of the Year'.

Both sons of David Dhawan have paved their own path into Bollywood without the need of their father having to launch them. Varun has earlier assisted Karan Johar on My Name is Khan .

Alia Bhatt: Other than David Dhawan's son, Karan Johar will also be introducing Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Alia Bhatt in his campus love-story 'Student of the Year'. Alia Bhatt is Mahesh Bhatt's daughter from his second wife Soni Razdan.

Again like in the case of Varun Dhawan, even Alia isn't being launched by the Bhatt banner Vishesh Films, especially when Bhatts are known for introducing several new talents in Bollywood. Nevertheless with Karan Johar at the helm of affairs, it should be a dream debut for Alia anyways.

Siddharth Malhotra: Siddharth completes the debut factor in the lead cast of Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year'. Not to be confused with the director of We Are Family (also a Karan Johar production), Siddharth Malhotra is a Delhi boy who boasts of great looks.

Karan Johar would ensure he acts well too. Arjun Kapoor: 2012 seems to be a year when most celebrity children are being launched in banners outside their home productions.

Prominent Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor's son and Anil Kapoor's nephew, Arjun Kapoor will be launched by Yash Raj Films. Arjun was to debut with a film called 'Virus Diwan' until the banner scrapped the project and is now introducing him with 'Ishaqzaade' to be directed by Do Dooni Chaar director Habib Faisal.

Like Cousin Sonam Kapoor, even Arjun used to be overweight at 140 kgs. But under Salman Khan's gym-guidance, he lost oodles of weight and is now his smashing-self.

Arjun Kapoor assisted on films like Kal Ho Na Ho, Salaam-e-Ishq, Wanted and No Entry . Ileana D'cruz: Ileana is a popular Telugu actress who has to her credit superhit films like Pokiri, Kick and Nenu Naa Rakshasi.

She makes her Bollywood debut opposite Ranbir Kapoor in 'Barfii'. Director Anurag Basu has put her through meticulous diction coaching so that she is comfortable with the Hindi language.

And with Ranbir playing a mute character, she is expected to do all the talking in the film. Subsequently she will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar in 'Khiladi 786' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2'.

Tapsee Pannu: Another Telugu actress Tapsee Pannu will be making her debut in the remake of 'Chashme Buddoor' being directed by David Dhawan. The charming actress will be reprising Deepti Naval's role from the original and is paired opposite Ali Zafar in the film.

Tapsee was a Miss India contestant in 2008. Amy Jackson: After Katrina Kaif and Nargis Fakhri, Amy Jackson in another foreign import in Bollywood who will make her debut opposite Prateik Babbar in 'Ek Deewana Tha' - the Hindi remake of Tamil hit Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa .

The ravishing looking actress has won titles like Miss Teen 2008 and has already worked in a Tamil film Madrasapattinam . Esha Gupta: Model Esha Gupta bagged the role in 'Jannat 2' for her hot looks and sex appeal.

Bhatts wanted an actress with a bold body language and thereby she replaced girl-next-door Prachi Desai who was earlier signed for the film. The dusky bombshell is known as the desi Angelina Jolie in modeling world and was also considered as the second lead for Krrish sequel.

Pulkit Samrat: Best known for his television stint as Lakshya Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , Pulkit Samrat was out of the scene following fallout with Ekta Kapoor. He now makes his Bollywood debut with 'Bittoo Boss' from the same banner that produced the hilarious flick Pyaar Ka Punchnama with a complete new cast.

Imran Zahid: Imran Zahid would be another Bhatt discovery who will debut with 'Jannat 2'. This theatre artist has worked with Mahesh Bhatt earlier and Jannat 2 will mark his foray into feature films (less)

Pankaj Kapur is known to be a very hard taskmaster..

. Not with me.

He never raised his voice at me. He knew that I prepared a lot before coming to the sets.

I imbibed a lot from his narrations. But yes, every actor is different and Pankaj Sir dealt with each one of us differently.

Once I met him, I knew that I wouldn't be sidelined in the film even though his son was the hero. And did his son live up to his reputation of being a meddler? I haven't worked with Shahid before Mausam, so I don't know how he behaves otherwise.

But during the filming of Mausam, he was extremely respectful of his father and obeyed him completely. I know there were rumours of Shahid and me not getting along as well.

The truth is, Shahid and I share a very good equation. We are good friends.

Just because I am not having an affair with my hero, doesn't mean I don't get along with him. Let me tell you something about him.

..

Go on..

. He doesn't give a damn about what he wears.

He is too much of a teenager who dresses up like an 18-year-old skateboarder. He can pull off just about anything without raising eyebrows.

But..

.and it's hilarious.

..

he is extremely worried about his hair. But you, on the other hand, are too particular about what you wear.

I don't wear tight dresses that outline my butt. I refuse to get into body hugging tops with spandex simply because it doesn't fit my body type.

I do not believe in cosmetic surgeries either. I think, every single imperfection adds to your beauty.

I'd rather be imperfect than perfect. And yes, I have a certain sense of aesthetics.

Think about it..

. I still look good in both Indian and Western wear.

(And she winks) Maybe not tight clothes, but would you ever sport a bikini? I don't have a body like Deepika Padukone or Bipasha Basu. But if it's a beach scene, I surely can't wear a salwar kameez, right? Speaking about Deepika, why haven't you two resolved your cold war? She is sweet if and when we meet.

However, we haven't met since we made an appearance on Karan Johar's show. We don't have time, I guess.

Also, for two people to be friends, they need to think alike, isn't it? Correct me if I'm wrong..

. but you are not apologetic about your remarks against Ranbir on Karan Johar's show.

No correction required. You are not wrong.

Well, it was Ranbir who started it all by saying 'Sonam is not sexy'. I just shot back and said 'Ranbir is not sexy'.

If a man says it, chalta hai. But when a woman says the same thing, nahi chalta hai? That's sexist! Why should I say 'sorry' to him? Just because his father made a hue and cry about it? If Ranbir apologises to me, I shall too.

So, you don't talk to Ranbir anymore..

. I don't know Ranbir anymore.

He is not my friend now. I did have offers to act opposite him but I turned them down.

And that's simply because I thought that those roles did not suit me. If I get something nice, I'll act with him.

It isn't necessary for me to be friends with all my actors. How do you judge whether a role suits you or not? Depends on my mood.

I am eccentric.(Smiles) Punit Malhotra? What about him? He was my director in I Hate Luv Storys.

You are dating him..

. I shall talk about my personal life if and when I decide to get married.

That day is yet to come (less)

People started noticing my clothes only a year ago Says Sonam, "I've been in the industry for two-and-a-half years. When "Saawariya" and "Delhi 6" came, people only spoke about how Indian I looked.

The memory of the audience is very short. They forgot about these two years, when all they spoke about was how Indian my looks were and how I was doing those 'Smita Patil' kind of roles.

But suddenly, with "Aisha" and "I Hate Luv Storys", they started identifying me with those characters. But that's also nice as it means I did my job well.

" I'm glad that 80% of my fans are female Despite the 'fashion icon' classification, Sonam claims she has no specific public image. Says she, "I don't think I have an image in the public space.

What I really like about myself in this space is that most of my fans are female. In fact, 80% of my fans are female and I like that because they like the fact that I'm a real girl.

They like that I dress up, and that I dress up for real girls. My dressing is aspirational, but I don't wear the 'tight-tight sort of clothes' that make me look like I'll steal your husband or boyfriend.

I like the fact that they like that I read, or that I speak in a certain way or that I'm not scared of people judging me. I speak my mind.

And I have women fans because of that. And that is one thing I will never change about myself.

" I only get flak from the men in the industry While Sonam says that women appreciate her for what she is, it is usually the men who give her flak for speaking her mind. She tells us, "My father has always brought me up like a son and he's more ambitious for me and my sister than he is for his son.

So I think giving us that freedom, giving us that strength..

. I have so much self respect for myself because of the way my dad has brought us up.

..

I always speak my mind and I have an opinion and I feel girls get inspired by it, they like it." But Sonam denies that it is something she has cultivated after coming to the industry, and tells us, "It is the way we have been brought up.

Yes, it gets me flaks from men (and uncles), but being so plainspoken has never worked against me because I've never done it with a bad intention..

. When you don't mean any harm, things don't come and bite you back.

So I'm not doing anything to mar someone's image or put someone down when I say something. I am just plainspoken.

I say it as it is. For example, I don't have a bad reputation, people don't talk about my affairs, or catfights because I have never had any fights with people and I never had affairs with my heroes.

So, there is no reason for people to talk about anything. Even though there are girls who are quite diplomatic about stuff like that, their image is far more tarnished than mine could be.

I am plainspoken and I say things in a certain way, but I also lead my life in a way that people can't question what I do or who I am. I feel like I have a responsibility because there are a lot of girls who do look up to me and who see me in the public eye and I am aspirational to them and I have a responsibility to behave in a certain way, to conduct my life in a certain way.

" I support any movement for the betterment of our country As someone who people look up to, Sonam says she realises how important it is for known faces to support public campaigns. And the actress is certainly supporting the wave against corruption.

Talking about Anna Hazare and the entire campaign, she says, "I do support any movement that is for the betterment of our country or one that causes a lot of people in the country to come together. A lot of people are saying that had become a catfight between various political parties.

But people shouldn't just get on with their lives like earlier. There should be some change that happens.

..

I am for every movement that is positive..

. who does it, who is part of it or who instigating, it is inspiring.

Any person who causes that change becomes a symbol." But as far as getting out on the street is concerned, Sonam says that that becomes particularly difficult, adding, "That is something that I don't think I will do.

I would love to, but a lot of attention is diverted from the cause when a celebrity comes to the ground. People were asking that " Mausam" was supposed to have its musical launch in London but we cancelled it because of the riots.

So, the news should be about the riots and not the launch. Similarly, while Anna Hazare's fast was on, the news should've been about Anna Hazare and not about Sonam Kapoor supporting him.

" I bought a Manjit Bawa with my first paycheck Since Sonam was in the city for an exhibition, we did question her about her fascination with art, and the aficionado told us, "I love art. With my first paycheck, I didn't buy any clothes.

I bought a Manjit Bawa. This was three years ago.

He was one of the best painters out there. I wish I could own more of his brilliant art.

Besides him, I love the Indian masters - Souza, Raza, and I love Jayshree Burman and Shakti Burman. I love sculptures and I love Paresh Maity's work very much.

I love collecting paintings and hopefully one day I will have my own collection." While she wants to own all the big masters, the Kapoor girl says she is already an investor, and tells us, "I've invested quite a bit in art.

In fact, property and art are the only two things I understand and I think those are very lucrative. Ever since I started working, I've been investing in art.

My mom and my maasi are really into art. My mom's a big collector, and she used to buy paintings 20-30 years ago and they are worth crazy amounts today.

When she'd bought those, they were worth very little. And it's not that I am ever going to sell my art.

It is for pleasure more than anything else." Tweet'; var stindex=100; var stp=150; var taglen=0; var tmp; var tagcheck = new Array("div","span","br","font","a"); if(storymetalinks==true) { var storydiv=document.

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innerHTML = b2 + b1; (less)

In the recent past, Johar has given a platform to first-time directors like Ayan Mukherji for Wake Up Sid ; Rensil D'Silva for Kurbaan ; Tarun Mansukhani for Dostana ; Siddhartha Malhotra for We Are Family ; and Punit Malhotra for I Hate Luv Storys . His upcoming production, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is also directed by newcomer Shakun Batra, while Johar's co-production with Ekta Kapoor will see newcomer Akshay Roy wielding the megaphone.

"I think it's an instinct that I have. I have got it right some times and I have gone wrong with it at times but mostly, I have gone right with the directors I have worked with because they are solid human beings and that is what I look for," the 39-year-old said here at the success party of Agneepath , a remake of his father's 1990 film by the same name.

Karan also has a handy tip for all the directors who are trying to work their way to the top. "The only thing that I did in my first film and that I would tell every first director is that let your work speak for yourself.

I never gave a single interview till Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released because I had nothing to say." "Why should anyone hear me out when they had not seen the work that I had done," said Johar, who hit the jackpot with his debut film and continued his success story with his second film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham .

"Now Karan Malhotra is open to the world of media and I would like him to spread his wings and fly and today you can ask many things from him because you have seen his film," he added. Johar's last directorial venture was My Name Is Khan for which he won the Filmfare award for best director.

He is currently busy directing his next, Student of The Year. Tweet (less)

Flash-bulbs popped and the paparazzi went into a tizzy as Kareena dressed in a short black dress, stepped out of her high-end luxury car, accompanied by Madhur. Bebo calls the film "a fascinating insider's account of a leading lady's life".

She adds, "Madhur has touched on some aspects that have never been explored on screen before.'' Ask her if she was offered eight crores for the film (including a share in the profits) and she clams up.

"I've been rewarded with a role of a lifetime. Everything else is a bonus,'' she insists.

For Madhur, just the fact that Heroine has gone on the floors is a happy moment. "We've started work in right earnest,'' he says.

"Our target is to make a hard-hitting, mainstream commercial film that will shock and entertain.'' Known for his amazing collaborations with some of the top heroines - Tabu, Konkona Sen Sharma Shorey, Priyanka Chopra , Bipasha Basu and Kangna Ranaut , Madhur says, "Working with Kareena is a dream come true.

She was always my first choice.'' Heroine, a UTV Motion Pictures and Bhandarkar Entertainment co-production, has Manish Malhotra designing for Bebo and music director duo Salim-Sulaiman scoring the music.

Arjun Rampal , Randeep Hooda and Shahana Goswami also star in the film. Siddharth Roy Kapoor, CEO, UTV, is excited about the association with Madhur because their last outing Fashion brought them accolades, National Awards and box office returns.

He says, "Heroine is one of the most anticipated movies of 2012 and for all of us associated with it that means a lot of hard work over the next few months to meet the massive audience expectations. With an excellent script, a talented director and a superb cast and crew, we're confident we'll be up to the challenge!" The project also marks 10 years of Madhur's critical and commercial success.

In the span of his career, he has bagged 11 National Awards. "But Heroine is my biggest film,'' he says.

"I'm delighted that I'm making this film with this production house. We made a fabulous team for Fashion and we're happy to be taking this beautiful relationship forward.

'' (less)

Having bid his final goodbye to his father, Aditya Raj Kapoor now wants to pay homage to Shammi Kapoor, one of Bollywood's best dancers through salsa. And the 55-year-old Kapoor man has been training for the same.

He also plans to make a documentary on his dad. But before all this, he aspires to build a memorial for his father Shammi Kapoor and mother Geeta Bali.

"Nothing can compare with my father. I recently told my Dad I look, walk and talk like him.

But for my acting I want to be compared to my mother. Now, I can only try to be a good human being.

Besides that I want to build a memorial for my parents. My first mother grew up in penury and died before she could enjoy a good life.

Today my parents are united," sighed the bereaved son Aditya Raj Kapoor. A day after the last rites were performed at the Banganga, Aditya realised what being Shammi Kapoor's son really meant.

"You've no idea what happened when we took my father's body to the cremation ground. God bless the administration for a supreme bandobast in spite of it being 15th of August.

I wanted my father to be cremated at Ban Ganga because my mother (Geeta Bali) was cremated there. The send-off was unbelievable.

And the whole Kapoor clan coming together as one family..

.Who but Shammi Kapoor could've managed this feat! "There's a black-and-white photograph we put up for the Chautha.

It was the first picture of my dad, taken when we moved into the house where I now live. We moved in when I was 3-years-old after his first flush of success with the release of Tumsa Nahin Dekha.

Looking at that photograph, I remembered how much fun I had going for the shoots with him. Even while I was away from home, people on the roads, wherever I was, would sing his songs for me.

When I was driving down to the cremation ground with his body, people on the way had put his songs on loudspeakers. Chahe mujhe koi junglee kahe was being played for the final send-off.

The funeral process was going very slowly because of the number of people. People peeped into the ambulance, threw flowers inside and said 'Yahoo'.

I am a deeply spiritual man. I realised the power of mantra long ago.

I realised that my father's mantra was 'Yahoo'. At that moment it dawned upon me.

..

what being Shammi Kapoor's son really meant," said Aditya. Recalling his growing up years with his father Shammi, Aditya said, "When I was six, my parents did the wisest thing.

They got me admitted into a boarding school, Lawrence School in Sanawar. Dad came every year for Founders Day.

Pran Saab and Sunil Dutt Saab also came because their children were also there. Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) and Pran Saab's daughter Pinky in fact came to meet me yesterday.

Pinky was my local guardian-sister in Sanawar. When I wanted more money I had to take her permission.

My mother Geeta Bali an almost-uneducated woman, came to see me at the boarding school more often than my father. My mother had given up her career and my father's had just started.

So she had more time to visit me. My mother was the original Sridevi.

She passed away when I was nine. The whole boarding school wept with me.

She used to mother all my friends." Those were not easy years for Aditya.

"Mom was gone. Dad had become so successful he had no time for me.

Superstars today have organised lives. In my father's time fans had no access to him through Internet, television or magazines.

They'd barge into our home at any time. I was left with no space that I could call my own with my father.

It was my second mother Neela Devi who made that space for me in our home. She devoted her life to my father, decided not to have any kids of her own because my sister and me were already there.

No Hindu woman would do this. From boarding school I used to write threatening letters to my father.

I used to tell him that I'd run away from school. I told him he could marry any woman he wanted.

But I had to have a mother. Neela Devi filled that gap.

She turned me from a wounded anguished rebellious howling animal to a human being. Just goes to show, that a mother makes the family.

" But Aditya never stopped missing his mother Geeta Bali. "My first and second mothers were different people.

Do you know, my second mother was a fan of Shammi Kapoor and Geeta Bali. She once asked for an autograph and Geetaji wrote, 'Remember M remember E, put them together and remember ME'.

Geetaji almost blessed Neela Devi as though she knew what was going to happen. Geetaji was very adventurous.

She was the only woman in the world who could punch my dad and get away with it. She is the one who turned Shammi Kapoor into a star.

Before Geetaji, Shammi Kapoor was under the shadows of his father Prithiviraj Kapoor and his brother Raj Saab. Geetaji brought that change of image.

She made him the 'Yahoo' star." Recalling the painful and sudden death of his mother, Aditya added, "My mother was gone in just 15 days.

I had gone on location in rural Punjab where she contracted smallpox. It was for a film called Rano, which was later made with Rishi Kapoor and Hema Malini and titled Ek Chadar Maili Si.

At that time Dharmendra was playing Rishi's role and Mummy was playing Hema's role. My mom had picked me up from boarding school and taken me to the location.

I spent the whole month with her. Then she fell ill.

My father left his own shoot and picked both of us up. Her condition got worse and finally she died.

Dad was doing Teesri Manzil at that time." The death of his mother left Aditya scarred.

"It took my second mother a good ten years to heal me. By the time I was 17, I was a rebel without a cause I was going to make my film debut.

Then I found my spiritual guru. And he told me those life-changing words - Leave The Film Industry.

At that juncture when I was to be launched as a hero under the RK Banner right after Rishi's was launched in Bobby, I left. I was also assisting Raj Saab and preparing to be a film director.

My father questioned my decision over and over again. But I was adamant.

My Guruji instructed me to try my luck in entrepreneurship. He arranged for me to work with a shipping magnate Yogendra Madhav Lal, then Rajan Nanda.

Then I started my own company. For 25 years I never looked at cinema.

I stopped seeing films. The temptation to return to the industry never left me.

Even after my Guruji's death, I didn't look back at the film industry. Only after I migrated to Dubai , did I return to movies.

Circumstances forced me to direct 300 episodes for a TV serial. I directed my first English-language film, followed by two others.

Wheb I returned to Mumbai at the age of 52, I became an actor..

.finally.

"My father watched every single shot of mine in promos, trailers, films..

..

At the age of 76, he played the role of my career guide and mentor..

.a role he would've played when I was 19 had I not left the film industry.

Now at my father's funeral the entire Kapoor clan came together. The cycle was complete.

My father allowed me to go wherever I wanted and do whatever I wished. Today I've allowed both my children the same freedom.

My father wrote the manual for us to follow." (less)

More recently Sonam was seen in a drop-shoulder corset gown by Gaultier at the Dubai premiere of her action flick Players . The actress tweeted in the morning: "Packing for Paris.

" According to reports, she has also been invited for an exclusive dinner with Lebanese designer Elie Saab and for his show. Sonam is being dubbed as a fashion icon for the youth but the Players actress feels the tag comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"It's only been four years since I have been in the industry, and if in such a short time someone calls you iconic, it is scary and overwhelming," the 26-year-old actress said. Sonam is currently busy shooting for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Rajkumar Santoshi's untitled film.

Tweet (less)

When do we get to see a bolder you? Sonam : When I have a better body..

. I have the body of a normal girl but I don't have ripped abs.

I have a little bit of paunch, little extra flesh on my arms and legs. I don't have the body for a bikini.

Eventually whenever I want to work that hard on my body instead of my acting, I will. People want me to stay innocent in a lot of ways.

A director said, 'you are the only actress who doesn't look jaded'. Ques : You patched up with Abhay.

..

Sonam : I am not going to pretend as if nothing went wrong between us. I got upset about what he said.

He wasn't happy with the script. I think he was upset with the production also.

If he wasn't a good actor I wouldn't be working with him again. If he said something about my dad or the production, that reflects badly on him, not me.

Ques : Is Ranbir next in line? Sonam : It's not in my hands. There have been no issues between us for me to extend an olive branch.

I have always been civil and good with Ranbir. Ques : Has the times changed for better for heroines? Sonam : It's degraded.

Do you see women-oriented films like Mother India, Bandini, Sujata and Guide being made today? In the last one-year we saw films like Aisha, Fashion, No One Killed Jessica and The Dirty Picture . Ques : Do you feel the need to be more diplomatic at times? Sonam : I have always spoken my mind.

I have never said anything mean unless someone attacked me. Obviously, I am not a Gandhian.

You can state your opinion without stepping on another's toe, which I am foolish enough to do once in a while. Ques : You are known more as a fashion icon than an actress.

..

Sonam : People love me as an actor, that's why some of the biggest directors are offering me movies. I'd rather be known as a fashion icon than someone who is very easy, or someone who sleeps around or someone who has too many boyfriends.

Ques : Your dad said other actresses are jealous of you. Sonam : My dad can say that.

I can't. That will be really immodest (Smiles).

Honestly, I have known girls who say 'I wear simple clothes' and the next thing you know is that they are flaunting designer clothes. That's hypocrisy.

Ques : He also said you turned down Hollywood films! Sonam : I don't like talking about films I am not doing. Tweet (less)

In fact, Sonam told Mumbai Mirror that she always thought Abhay was 'the most talented actor' and that they had stayed in touch even when 'he was in Spain shooting for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'. "He said something weird about my dad.

I didn't like it. But to be honest, it's between my dad and Abhay," said the same actress who had earlier expressed her shock over Abhay's comments about Anil Kapoor .

The actress who clearly stays separate from her father's affairs also stated that being a star kid has not really helped her in her career. "My dad is crazy.

He thinks I am headstrong. But I always have this thing.

..

I have to do everything on my own," she added. But when it comes to dressing (and that is one thing she does really well), Sonam is totally dependent on her sister Rhea.

"My Players look is completely Rhea. I gave her a brief that I want to look sexy but not 'nanga'.

I am all covered up in the film and yet I look sexy. The entire credit goes to Rhea," said the actress.

While her style quotient has remained a constant, the roles she has played have been extremely diverse. From intense drama in her debut Saawariya to a rom-com I Hate Luv Storys and now the action packed Players, was the choice intentional? "No one has ever asked me this before," said a surprised Sonam and added, "I love the fact that directors feel I can do everything.

I'm glad to get all kind of roles. I get to wear Indian clothes as well as western.

It's exhilarating. I have multiple personality so I can play multiple genres.

And though I am not very intelligent, there is a little bit of thought that goes behind my choice of films." (less)

What's surprising is that, he was clueless about the whole fight at Dutt's party. He wasn't happy about being dragged into a fight between two people, especially because he wasn't at the party.

And not even in the country! Says a source close to the family, "It's really strange how bhai's name has gotten dragged into this. He hasn't called anyone.

Salman doesn't even have network where he shoots. We haven't been speaking to him often also.

He wasn't even aware of the fight..

. how can he call Shirish to offer support? When we called the newspaper to check about their source, we were told that Shirish told them about Salman's call to him.

But shouldn't they have checked with him or someone from his side? Salim uncle is very upset about Salman's name being used in this fight." BT tried contacting Salman but his phone was not reachable.

Finally we managed to reach his manager Reshma Shetty who is also in Cuba. The line was bad and got disconnected a few times before we got through.

She asked us to call later and put the actor on line. He said, "I am filming in Cuba.

I am not using my phone here. I haven't called anyone and no one has called me.

If you are printing this also say hello to my mom and dad." And the line went dead (less)

In the recent past, Johar has given a platform to first-time directors like Ayan Mukherji for Wake Up Sid ; Rensil D'Silva for Kurbaan ; Tarun Mansukhani for Dostana ; Siddhartha Malhotra for We Are Family ; and Punit Malhotra for I Hate Luv Storys . His upcoming production, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is also directed by newcomer Shakun Batra, while Johar's co-production with Ekta Kapoor will see newcomer Akshay Roy wielding the megaphone.

"I think it's an instinct that I have. I have got it right some times and I have gone wrong with it at times but mostly, I have gone right with the directors I have worked with because they are solid human beings and that is what I look for," the 39-year-old said here at the success party of Agneepath , a remake of his father's 1990 film by the same name.

Karan also has a handy tip for all the directors who are trying to work their way to the top. "The only thing that I did in my first film and that I would tell every first director is that let your work speak for yourself.

I never gave a single interview till Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released because I had nothing to say." "Why should anyone hear me out when they had not seen the work that I had done," said Johar, who hit the jackpot with his debut film and continued his success story with his second film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham .

"Now Karan Malhotra is open to the world of media and I would like him to spread his wings and fly and today you can ask many things from him because you have seen his film," he added. Johar's last directorial venture was My Name Is Khan for which he won the Filmfare award for best director.

He is currently busy directing his next, Student of The Year. Tweet (less)

"Salman Khan is my first serious relationship," she has been quoted by Cosmopolitan magazine. The couple, who have never spoken about their on-off relationship, split last year but still remain friends.

Katrina also did an item number in Salman's last release Bodyguard , and the two are currently shooting for their next film, Ek Tha Tiger . However, Chikni Chameli (Katrina's item number in the new Agneepath) refused to comment on her rumoured affair with Ranbir Kapoor.

(With inputs from Mid-Day.Com) Tweet (less)

More recently Sonam was seen in a drop-shoulder corset gown by Gaultier at the Dubai premiere of her action flick Players . The actress tweeted in the morning: "Packing for Paris.

" According to reports, she has also been invited for an exclusive dinner with Lebanese designer Elie Saab and for his show. Sonam is being dubbed as a fashion icon for the youth but the Players actress feels the tag comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"It's only been four years since I have been in the industry, and if in such a short time someone calls you iconic, it is scary and overwhelming," the 26-year-old actress said. Sonam is currently busy shooting for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Rajkumar Santoshi's untitled film.

Tweet (less)

It's absolutely fine if the release date got pushed by a week. We have worked very hard and we are waiting for the film to release for a long time.

Another seven days don't matter," Sonam told IANS. The directorial debut of eminent actor Pankaj Kapoor, Mausam features Sonam as a Kashmiri girl who falls in love with a Punjabi boy, Shahid Kapoor.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had raised an objection to a 30-second scene in the film. Though the censor board had given a U-certificate to the film, IAF had given a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) as they wanted that 30-second sequence to be corrected.

Getting the NOC from IAF after correction was too late to send prints overseas, which compelled the makers to postpone release from Sep 16 to Sep 23. The actress, who made her debut in acting with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya opposite Ranbir Kapoor, describes Mausam as her first true love story.

"I have never done a perfect love story. The film is about two people who want to be together.

Here both of them love each other. I have never done a love story where both of them love each other," said the actress who featured in films like Delhi-6 , I Hate Luv Storys , Aisha and Thank You .

Sonam, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, is confident she would sustain long in the industry. "I know that I am here to stay.

I work very hard and hopefully I would be here for a long time," said the 26-year-old. Tweet (less)

. Avantika Malik and Imran Khan completed one year of marriage last week.

But there were no surprises for her. She's known her beau-turned-husband for 10 years.

They even lived together for a year in Los Angeles when he was training to be an actor. Soon after the wedding the young couple moved out of their family home, which is currently being renovated, and are living in a teenie (well, by their standards) apartment like any other working couple next door.

They don't even have a live-in maid. In her first-ever interview, Avantika talks about the highs and lows, getting along with her hubby's co-stars, and getting back to work.

Are you Avantika Malik, Avantika Khan or Avantika Malik Khan? I am Avantika Malik. One thing you discovered about Imran after marriage? Nothing.

I've known him for too long, so the only surprise was how easy marriage is if you meet the right person. I feel very blessed and lucky.

And I highly recommend marriage to everyone. Is Imran a better husband or boyfriend? He's a better husband, there's no doubt about it.

He's fantastic. He's the best person to live with because he is able to be with you and be supportive, but also gives you tremendous space.

He really looks after me, I have to give him that. Especially when we were moving into our own space and I was really nervous.

I have lived in my mom's house all my life, except for the year-and-a-half in LA as a student, so there were no responsibilities. I was nervous about whether I would be able to run a house, but he was very supportive of me, and in everything that I have chosen to do or not do.

Most actors have an entourage around them. Imran doesn't.

Is that him or you? I think it's both of us. But it's him first.

He's so regular. Our intimate group of friends are people who have been with us since school and college.

We have made many friends in the industry, but our core group remains the same. And we both like it that way.

He doesn't like to surround himself by people who constantly tell him how great he is, because that can make you lose touch with reality. I am so grateful he's that way.

We are a normal young couple, as normal as you can be with him being a movie star. Is it difficult being married to a movie star? He could have been a banker or a lawyer, it's just his work.

I am an ordinary girl in love with a boy who happens to be a movie star. It's very consuming work and it does take away from his life in a way while he is making a film, as it should be.

I don't think there is any other way to do it. I just feel like I fell in love with this boy 10 years ago, he was a 19-20 then, and though he's grown tremendously in many ways, his core being is still the same.

I will give him a lot of credit too, as when Jaane Tu..

. Ya Jaane Na was releasing, we were thinking about when we should get married because we had been together for so long.

And I remember my mother-in-law telling me, 'Wait for two years. Right now he's just started, you have to see what happens with fame and success and how you both handle it as a couple.

' I give Imran a lot of credit because he hasn't changed in any way. Except that he's more confident as he knows what he's achieved.

Is there any part of his career that you don't like? Just that I feel a lot of time he's just gone! But right now since you have no kids, you can travel and be with him, no? True, but I have a routine here, things that I like doing and I have an entire world of my own that I enjoy. So I would feel very inadequate if I gave that up and just left.

How do you deal with the highs and lows he goes through as an actor? The kind of person he is, he handles it with aplomb. His career started off on a major high and he saw tremendous success with Jaane Tu.

..

but he handled it beautifully. At no point did he lose his grounding.

For me, his lows were heartbreaking. I am very protective about him.

I see all the things that are so great about him that when someone else can't see them it bothers me. When people would write things about him that are untrue, or give him bad reviews, I would get very worked up.

In fact his mom and I were discussing this, when he was having a hard time, he was taking care of me not the other way around..

So now the negative stories don't upset me the way they used to in the beginning. Now he's had a successful year and I hope that they continue in life so there's a balance.

How is he on a Friday before release? He's calm, cool, collected, sleeping, and eating normally. And me? Not sleeping, not eating, really nervous, running up and down.

He is Zen! He's like now I have done the work. I have done my bit in the film and promoting it, so now jo hota hai dekhenge.

..

Lot of star wives get involved their husbands work like designing their clothes, or managing their dates or producing films etc, have you considered that? As far as being involved in his career, the extent of it is we have a discussion if it's a big decision which will affect everyone. But ultimately he's a decision maker, whether he should do a film or not do a film.

And I like to keep my life separate from his as much as possible. What about producing films? I have always wanted to produce films and I will do that.

But it won't necessarily mean it will be because of Imran or because he's in my film. I want to produce films, I am very clear, as I believe I have a keen understanding of films; I have produced films in the past.

And I feel like there were a lot of things that were happening there, corporate set up and things had to be done in a certain way. There were a lot of things I was keen on that didn't happen, but I feel like I developed a sense and feel for films.

Now it comes instinctively to me. You can't be married to someone who is deeply entrenched in films and not love it yourself.

I think that would be difficult. I want to produce films I am just waiting for the house to get ready.

My mom-in-law is working, Imran is working, so I am the only one who is overseeing the work right now, so I don't want to lose track. But by the end of the year, I would like to get back to work.

You reaction to his kissing and intimate scenes in films is..

..

(laughs) I can't remember the first time he had a kissing scene. In Jaane Tu.

..

there was one peck with Manjiri, and I was so worked up because then it was all too new for me and I was like how will things go, this that, but now I am fine. It's his work and I know him so well.

..

He told me it's not the most comfortable thing in the world, it's quite uncomfortable, there are 100 of people, retakes, so no matter what you might imagine, that it's exciting, it's very uncomfortable and it's part of his job. Which of his co-stars are you friends with? You won't believe this but I like all of them.

If you ask me who I am very friendly with then, it has to be Deepika and Sonam. Because we are almost the same age, and we were all a gang during I Hate Luv storys and Break Ke Baad, and we had a blast making those two films.

But I cannot tell you how wonderful all of them have been to me and am being very honest. Genelia, Deepika, Sonam, Katrina and Kareena they have all been really wonderful.

And everyone asks me, 'You don't feel insecure, upset that he's working with these gorgeous women because they are all so stunning.' And I give him credit, as I know how he's so faithful but also these girls have been really lovely to me and we should give them some credit some times.

Is Imran the perfectionist like his uncle Aamir? No. actually he's quite easy going.

Hes particular about his work and certain things. I know he's made jokes about these things, but how his things are lined up in the bathroom.

And he's very particular about these things. He's a very good boy.

But the human being that he is, they don't make men like him anymore, they just don't. And I keep telling him that for me the most important thing I love about him is that he's a good person.

I have seen him grow as an actor and I know he puts his everything into it and if you are honest to your work eventually you will achieve whatever you want. What do you guys fight about most? We don't really fight that much.

Considering I am a feisty person, I think he just knows how to handle me. (laughs) We fight about silly things like how much time he spends on the ipad or things like that.

But no major conflict. His most annoying habit? Ipad! Phone! Computer! I think he's addicted to the internet and he is Mr.

Know it all. Like if you ask him Imran how do you fix this? He will be like give me a second! And start typing.

He will Google everything, we should make him the brand ambassador of Google. Which film of Imran's is your favourite? It would be hard to pick between Jaane Tu and Delhi Belly because Jaane Tu he had this incredible boyish charm and looked so good.

In DB he was scruffy and with stubble..

I am caught between whether I like him more as the cute chocolate boy or huis grungy look. I love them both.

That's the best part of being married to an actor is that I come out of a theatre and have a crush on him all over again. It's an incredible feeling, after 10 years of togetherness to watch a film of his and find him so good looking and charming and sexy, and it's like falling in love all over again.

It has happened to me with most of his films. Can't conclude without asking any plans to start a family? Not for a while! When it happens organically, it will.

Is there any part of his career that you don't like? Just that I feel a lot of time he's just gone! Like if he is shooting for six months in Agra or Delhi, he's not here. For Mere Brother Ki Dulhan he was gone for three months straight.

I have a routine, my own life and I cannot possibly just leave to be with him for months wherever he goes..

. and that distance is something I don't like.

Now again he has to go for Vishal's (Bhardwaj) film..

But right now since you have no kids, you can travel and be with him, no? True, but I have a routine here, things that I like doing and I have an entire world of my own that I enjoy. So I would feel very inadequate if I gave that up and just left.

How do you deal with the highs and lows he goes through as an actor? The kind of person he is, he handles it with aplomb. His career started off on a major high and he saw tremendous success with Jaane Tu.

..

but he handled it beautifully. At no point did he lose his grounding.

For me, his lows were heartbreaking. I am very protective about him.

I see all the things that are so great about him that when someone else can't see them it bothers me. When people would write things about him that are untrue, or give him bad reviews, I would get very worked up.

In fact his mom and I were discussing this, when he was having a hard time, he was taking care of me not the other way around..

So now the negative stories don't upset me the way they used to in the beginning. Now he's had a successful year and I hope that they continue in life so there's a balance.

How is he on a Friday before release? He's calm, cool, collected, sleeping, and eating normally. And me? Not sleeping, not eating, really nervous, running up and down.

He is Zen! He's like 'now I have done the work. I have done my bit in the film and promoting it, so now jo hota hai dekhenge.

..

' Many star wives get involved their husbands work like designing their clothes, or managing their dates or producing films etc. Have you considered that? As far as being involved in his career, the extent of it is we have a discussion.

And if it's a big decision which will affect everyone. But ultimately, he's a decision-maker, whether he should do a film or not do a film.

And I like to keep my life separate from his as much as possible. What about producing films? I have always wanted to produce films and I will do that.

But it won't necessarily mean it will be because of Imran or because he's in my film. I want to produce films, I am very clear, as I believe I have a keen understanding of films; I have produced films in the past.

And I feel like there were a lot of things that were happening there, corporate set up and things had to be done in a certain way. There were a lot of things I was keen on that didn't happen, but I feel like I developed a sense and feel for films.

Now it comes instinctively to me. You can't be married to someone who is deeply entrenched in films and not love it yourself.

I think that would be difficult. I want to produce films.

I am just waiting for the house to get ready. My mom-in-law is working, Imran is working, so I am the only one who is overseeing the work right now, so I don't want to lose track.

But by the end of the year, I would like to get back to work. You reaction to his kissing and intimate scenes in films? (laughs) I can't remember the first time he had a kissing scene.

In Jaane Tu..

. there was one peck with Manjiri, and I was so worked up because then it was all too new for me and I was like 'how will things go', but now I am fine.

It's his work and I know him so well..

. He told me it's not the most comfortable thing in the world, it's quite uncomfortable, there are 100 of people, retakes, so no matter what you might imagine, that it's exciting, it's very uncomfortable and it's part of his job.

Which of his co-stars are you friends with? You won't believe this but I like all of them. If you ask me who I am very friendly with then, it has to be Deepika and Sonam.

Because we are almost the same age, and we were all a gang during I Hate Luv Storys and Break Ke Baad. We had a blast making those two films.

But I cannot tell you how wonderful all of them have been to me and am being very honest. Genelia, Deepika, Sonam, Katrina and Kareena have all been really wonderful.

And everyone asks me, 'You don't feel insecure, upset that he's working with these gorgeous women because they are all so stunning.' And I give him credit, as I know how he's so faithful but also these girls have been really lovely to me and we should give them some credit sometimes.

Is Imran a perfectionist like his uncle Aamir? No. Actually, he's quite easy going.

Hes particular about his work and certain things. I know he's made jokes about these things, but how his things are lined up in the bathroom.

And he's very particular about these things. He's a very good boy.

But the human being that he is, they don't make men like him anymore, they just don't. And I keep telling him that for me the most important thing I love about him is that he's a good person.

I have seen him grow as an actor and I know he puts his everything into it and if you are honest to your work eventually you will achieve whatever you want. What do you guys fight about most? We don't really fight that much.

Considering I am a feisty person, I think he just knows how to handle me. (laughs) We fight about silly things like how much time he spends on the iPad or things like that.

But no major conflict. His most annoying habit? His iPad! His phone! His computer! I think he's addicted to the internet and he is a Mr Know-It-All.

If you ask him how to fix something, he will say 'gimme a second. I'll look it up.

' He will Google everything..

. we should make him the brand ambassador of Google.

Which film of Imran's is your favourite? It would be hard to pick between Jaane Tu and Delhi Belly because in Jaane Tu, he had this incredible boyish charm and looked so good. In DB he was scruffy.

I am caught between whether I like him more as the cute chocolate boy or his grungy look. I love them both.

That's the best part of being married to an actor is that I come out of a theatre and have a crush on him all over again. It's an incredible feeling, after 10 years of togetherness, to watch a film of his and find him so good-looking and charming and sexy, and it's like falling in love all over again.

It has happened to me with most of his films. Any plans to start a family? Not for a while! When it happens organically, it will (less)

Pitt quickly scooped her up in his arms and put her back on her feet before she faced the risk of getting badly injured. "Lots of people hurt themselves and Brad (Pitt) came to the rescue of one woman who slipped.

I don't think she could believe it when Brad picked her up. He didn't have time to speak to her as it was mid-shoot.

"But she said afterwards how grateful she was, despite having a grazed knee," femalefirst.co.

ukquoted a source as saying. Tweet (less)

"He had so much courage and so much of energy, which was just wonderful. He was a fun loving person," she told a news channel.

Reminscing about the shooting of "Kashmir Ki Kali", Tagore said: "I remember while shooting 'Kashmir Ki Kali', he would rehearse something and do something totally different during the take. He would come from right and then from left and start doing impromptu scene which we never rehearsed.

It was great fun working with him." When director Shakti Samantha used to ask him the reason for his pranks, Shammi Kapoor used to just laugh.

"He was completely over inhibition and full of life and this is what I learnt from him. He was so bubbly and this is the lesson which I took from him," she added.

Stating that Kapoor was a person full of life, Tagore said his ill health never dampened his high spirits. "Whenever he was alright, he met people, always eager to know about the world.

He was the kind of person who never wanted people to be sad around to him because he himself was full of life," she said. Saira Banu said the news of Kapoor's death came as a grievous shock.

"Shammi Kapoor is one person you cannot associate with death. One would feel that he is eternal.

He was so full of life. Even on the wheelchair, he couldn't restrict his bubbly nature.

He came out of every illness with absolute perfection," she told news channel Headlines Today. "There was never a moment of pain in his talks, neither was there any craving for sympathy.

He always used make us laugh with his anecdotes, always sharing lovely tete-a-tate with Yusuf Sahib ( Dilip Kumar )," she added. "We met recently and when I asked him about the health of his brother Shashi, who was ill, he told me he will recover soon," she said adding that Kapoor was such a positive person and that losing him is a terrible shock.

She said that Kapoor was one actor who carved a niche in Bollywood not only with his own style of acting, dancing and songs but also because he was a wonderful human being. Reminiscing about "Junglee", the film that she starred in opposite Kapoor, Saira Banu said he put himself on the map of leading actors in Bollywood of that time.

" 'Junglee' brought a new musical colour in Indian film industry. The movie set everything on fire, everyone started running towards Kashmir and everyone started aping his style and dance.

"He was like a bottle of soda. I have never seen him quiet or upset.

He used to vibe well with every age group, be it my grandmother, my husband (Dilip Kumar) or my niece who had a terrible crush on him," she added. Hema Malini, who worked with Kapoor in films like "Andaaz" and "Meera" tweeted that it is a very sad day for the Hindi film industry.

"The film fraternity has lost one of the most loved actors and a much adored human being today, Shammiji. I had the most wonderful opportunity to work with him in films," she posted on microblogging site Twitter.

"He was a live-wire on and off the sets. So enthusiastic about his work and very dedicated to giving his best, Shammiji's power-packed performances touched people's hearts and his high level of energy was not limited to acting.

"His presence anywhere drew attention. Although he was at the end of his career when I acted with him in Andaz, I was simply amazed at the way he performed the number 'Dil use do jo jaan de de'," she added.

A member of the famed Kapoor family, the actor passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital at 5 a.m.

He was admitted to the hospital a week ago after renal failure. He was the second of three sons born to the iconic Prithviraj Kapoor.

His equally versatile actor brothers were Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor (less)

Be it Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Punit Malhotra, they all are dear friends. Even all my male co-stars are my friends," Sonam said at a recent event.

As for her female friends in B-Town, she said: "I am most close to Jacqueline (Fernandes) and Asin (Thottumkal). In fact, these two are doing a movie ( Housefull 2 ) together and I am so jealous of them!" The actress, who is looking forward to her film Players , is set to don the garb of Santa, and play peacemaker between two friends on UTV Stars' new show Superstar Santa .

"My episode has two girls whose friendship is broken due to misunderstanding. My job is to bring them together and try to understand what went wrong," said Sonam, who insists she tries her best to be there for her own friends despite being busy.

"I have a huge bunch of friends and I am always there for them whenever needed," she added. Tweet (less)

(Read Luck and Kidnap) Imran is back to Dharma's staple with 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' in which he will be seen with Kareena Kapoor. On casting Imran, Karan Johar said, 'Imran is in-house, loyal, productive and energetic.

Its great to have him back, he is a promising actor." Karan has maintained his take on Imran from day one.

Imran reciprocated by stating, "It's wonderful to be back. I am pampered every time I work with Dharma, in fact I am taken for granted when I work with family but these guys are really great.

" (less)

Flash-bulbs popped and the paparazzi went into a tizzy as Kareena dressed in a short black dress, stepped out of her high-end luxury car, accompanied by Madhur. Bebo calls the film "a fascinating insider's account of a leading lady's life".

She adds, "Madhur has touched on some aspects that have never been explored on screen before.'' Ask her if she was offered eight crores for the film (including a share in the profits) and she clams up.

"I've been rewarded with a role of a lifetime. Everything else is a bonus,'' she insists.

For Madhur, just the fact that Heroine has gone on the floors is a happy moment. "We've started work in right earnest,'' he says.

"Our target is to make a hard-hitting, mainstream commercial film that will shock and entertain.'' Known for his amazing collaborations with some of the top heroines - Tabu, Konkona Sen Sharma Shorey, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu and Kangna Ranaut, Madhur says, "Working with Kareena is a dream come true.

She was always my first choice.'' Heroine, a UTV Motion Pictures and Bhandarkar Entertainment co-production, has Manish Malhotra designing for Bebo and music director duo Salim-Sulaiman scoring the music.

Arjun Rampal , Randeep Hooda and Shahana Goswami also star in the film. Siddharth Roy Kapoor, CEO, UTV, is excited about the association with Madhur because their last outing Fashion brought them accolades, National Awards and box office returns.

He says, "Heroine is one of the most anticipated movies of 2012 and for all of us associated with it that means a lot of hard work over the next few months to meet the massive audience expectations. With an excellent script, a talented director and a superb cast and crew, we're confident we'll be up to the challenge!" The project also marks 10 years of Madhur's critical and commercial success.

In the span of his career, he has bagged 11 National Awards. "But Heroine is my biggest film,'' he says.

"I'm delighted that I'm making this film with this production house. We made a fabulous team for Fashion and we're happy to be taking this beautiful relationship forward.

'' (less)

The purple mid calf length flared skirt had elasticized high waist in red and orange colors. The ivory front button top had slouchy short sleeves.

Sonam was styled by her friend and stylist Tanya Ghavri. She accessorized with Jimmy Choo nude peeptoes, cat eye glasses, oversized hoops and a chunky black oval ring on her left hand middle finger.

Sphere: Related Content Posted in (less)

Excerpts from a Q and A with the papa-to-be. As the due date nears, you must be getting increasingly asked about the baby and fatherhood? Actually, I've been so busy shooting Bol Bachchan that I haven't really thought about it.

Parenthood is something that's going to happen naturally, so there's no point stressing over it. But you must have begun thinking of baby names and started shopping? Thinking about names is an ongoing process.

We don't know whether it's going to be a boy or a girl, but suggestions are more than welcome. We haven't started shopping yet.

Reportedly, you're taking paternity leave and have got your work schedule adjusted to be able to remain in town till some time after the birth. That the media has already decided for me.

I don't have the liberty to take time off. Of course I'll be around as and when the baby is born, but otherwise, I'm going to be working.

So will Abhishek make a strict daddy or a pampering papa? I think I'll be okay; not very strict nor will I allow the kid to get out of hand. I'll ensure that my children are down to earth.

Aishwarya also believes in the same. We'll bring our kids up to be good human beings and that's what my parents also taught me.

Your next film, Players , releases in the first week of January, earlier considered an unfavourable week to release. Earlier this year, your Dum Maaro Dum came to cinemas in the middle of the Indian Premiere League.

Almost every month, we see old myths broken. While those might have held true years ago, the audience's perception has also changed.

As a kid, I heard that monsoon was not a good time to release movies. Race released in the middle of IPL and became a runway hit.

Films like Kaho Na..

. Pyaar Hai , Rang De Basanti , and No One Killed Jessica released in January and did well at the box-office.

So many films released and broke records, which is proof that the audience is going to the theaters in large numbers. Do you feel the Bachchan surname brings greater pressure? It's strange I'm always asked about pressure considering that I'm doing the most number of movies.

I do films as per my convictions. People were looking forward to seeing you and Aishwarya on screen again in Rajkumar Santoshi's Ladies And Gentleman .

Has the idea been shelved and will it be made with another leading lady? Or will it mark Aishwarya's comeback after the baby? Rajji wanted to make it with Aishwarya and me. But after her pregnancy, he decided to put the film on hold and said that he will make it only when Ash is ready to work again.

Until then, Rajji and I have discussed four-five ideas. Tweet (less)

At least professionally. When faced with personal questions about rumours of her special friendship with Shah Rukh Khan, the actress fidgets and declares, "I will not talk about this.

I shall never talk about this." However, when it comes to her films, the actress doesn't shy away from answering.

About her upcoming Dharma Productions venture 'Agneepath', the actress gushes, "I am nervous and excited. Reports have been brilliant.

They have liked Hrithik (Roshan), Sanju ( Sanjay Dutt ) and my work. More than anything, they have loved the film.

I'm very proud of Karan (Malhotra, the director) as this is his first film and I'm his first heroine. For me, it's not a remake.

I hadn't even seen the original 'Agneepath' till I signed this film. Also my role has been written fresh.

" And this film strengthens her bond with Karan Johar and Dharma. She had earlier worked with the production house in 'Dostana'.

Though she is not doing 'Dostana 2', "My love story ended in the first part when I walked away with Bobby Deol" being the actress' reason for the same, her relationship with the production house has remained. "Miami to Mandva.

It was lovely working with Dharma again. As an actor, you don't involve yourself with the production much.

You're closer to the director," says the actress. Despite her proximity to Dharma, her relationship with Yash Raj Films is reportedly not as strong.

Rumour has it that Yash Raj did not keep its promise of offering her a big film after she agreed to do a small project 'Pyaar Impossible'. However, the actress maintains that it wasn't YRF she was working for but Uday Chopra Productions.

Good with a section of the industry and not too close to the rest, this is Priyanka's career graph in a nutshell. However, with single minded determination and what trade analyst Amod Mehra calls 'luck' the actress despite being shunned some, has managed to maintain her position in Bollywood.

The actress has also tried to hold on to the few 'good' relations she has in the industry. For example, despite delivering an award winning performance for Madhur Bhandarkar in 'Fashion', the filmmaker's next project 'Heroine' finally had Kareena Kapoor.

But the actress doesn't begrudge him that. "I couldn't have done that role.

Working on a similar plot did not make sense for Madhur and me. We spoke about the film several times.

I'm glad that Kareena's doing it. Both of them will work very well.

" Priyanka puts up a brave front on her reported alienation from the Salman Khan camp. "I have worked with every co-actor possible.

I don't come from a film background. I don't have relationships with people in terms of uncles and aunts.

I have been an outsider. Wherever I'm today is due to the support of this film industry.

They have given big films and amazing work to me. It hasn't been because of any director, production house, actor or a person.

I have never been a part of any camp. I respect every co-actor tremendously and equally.

I would work with anyone," declares the actress. As for her not having worked ever with the third Khan of the triumvirate, Aamir, she simply laughs, "Ask Aamir.

If the offer hasn't come to me yet, what can I say about it?" While in hushed tones, insiders do cite her friendship with Shah Rukh as the reason of her alienation from the other Khans, when questioned about her rise and rise in Bollywood, they all agree upon one thing - her professionalism. According to Suneel Darshan, who gave her the first break with 'Andaaz', " Priyanka is not the conventional beauty like Kareena Kapoor.

Despite that, she has done very well for herself. Knowing well that the perks of stardom can be really high, she has set her goals accordingly.

There is determination written all over her face. When it comes to her, there is hardly anything left between the apple and the arrow.

" But trade analyst Amod Mehra feels differently. "Kareena is number one.

Katrina is on number two. And Priyanka who was once on the second position is now on number three.

That's because Priyanka has made all the wrong choices and given many flops - '7 Khoon Maaf', 'Kaminey', 'What's Your Rashee', 'Drona'. I would say that she has been lucky," says Mehra and adds, "Also, she has limited choices.

Her big star bracket is restricted to SRK and Hrithik. Salman doesn't want to work with her.

Aamir hasn't worked with her yet. She hasn't worked much with Ajay Devgn.

And she can't work with Akshay Kumar." Filmmaker Ratan Jain who worked with Priyanka in 'Aap Ki Khatir' however seems to be almost on the same page as Darshan.

Maintaining that films in Bollywood depend on the male actor, Jain says, "Priyanka is a very popular actress. She is an excellent performer too.

Else, why would she be cast in so many movies? Note that she has also improved her acting abilities over the years." (less)

She took this job very seriously because she did not want to let her parents down. She also took it up because she wanted to pull her family out of one of the rockiest patches - financially and emotionally - ever.

Fifteen years hence and innumerable awards and accolades later, her life looks like a fairy tale or a Bollywood script that could not have been written any better. In an industry where the shelf life of an actress is getting shorter by the month - even as actors rule the roost for two decades or more - Rani has seen her fair share of ups and downs that have taught her valuable lessons.

In the last few years, she has faltered in terms of choice of films. But one thing that she hasn't forgotten is to do her job well, i.

e. to act.

She takes it up as seriously as she did during the mahurat shot of "Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat" as a 16-year-old. But today, there's more passion than ever, and a mastery of her craft that compels you to appreciate her skills as an actress, even if you aren't her die-hard fan.

After the success of "No One Killed Jessica" early last year, she is awaiting her next two releases this year - the Reema Kagti-directed thriller "Talaash", with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap's quirky comedy "Aiyya" directed by National Award winning director Sachin Kundalkar. We ask the 'Queen of Bollywood' about the journey during which her job turned into her passion, the girl Rani morphed into the woman who rules hearts and, of course, a certain someone she "is dating".

What are you doing these days? I've just returned from Lonavala where I was shooting for "Aiyya". A few songs are left.

Has the industry changed since you joined films? Immensely. Today, the first look of the film is almost as important as the film itself.

I'm eagerly waiting for the promos of "Talaash", which are to hit the screens soon. It's going to be released in June.

The fact that I'm doing two films that are as different as they can be, in the same year, speaks volumes about how times have changed. It's a far bigger, more diverse than ever industry that's gone global in terms of its scope in every possible way.

Did you always want to become an actress? Arre, my joining films is a poori filmi kahaani. Though I technically come from a film family, my father had stopped making films even before my brother and I were born.

So I did not really grow up in a filmi environment. And when I was growing up, becoming an actress was still quite a taboo.

And you may not believe this but even my father did not want me to join films. Salim (Akhtar) uncle, who was very close to my family, came with the offer of "Aa Gale Lag Jaa" in 1994, but my father was aghast and turned it down.

In the meantime, I joined college (SNDT, Juhu) pursuing Home Science. Those days, the 'in thing' that most girls were going after as a career choice was jewelery and interior designing.

I did not have the money to pursue a `3 lakh course to make a career. And then Salim uncle came back again.

I think he must have been pretty desperate to launch a new actress. This time, he managed to convince my parents.

How did he manage that? (Laughs) When Salim uncle came to me and said he wanted me to act in his film, I started crying. I thought he was making a pass at me.

..

Why on earth..

.? Because I was daft.

And the fact that in those days, acting was still considered a taboo for the girls in my family. My mom's side was okay with it, as my aunt (Bengali actress Debashree Roy) is an actress.

In fact, she had kept it from me till then, but she was seriously harboring dreams of me becoming an actress. My father was still adamant about me not joining films.

But by that time my second cousins, Kajol and Sharbani, had entered films. And that sort of paved the way for me.

My mother and father still fought over it for quite a few days before he finally agreed to give me at least one shot at it - of course, with the strict clause that my mom will accompany me everywhere. And you? Did you know anything about acting by then? I wish I could show you the recording of my first screen test.

You will literally sprint away from the room thinking 'who is this horrible actress?' What was so bad? Those days, I used to be quite chubby. And Salim uncle, who had done "Baazi" with Mamta Kulkarni a few years ago, fished those shorter-than-short and tighter-than-tight clothes that looked completely hideous on me.

And to top that, I had to act! I was a shy kid with inhibitions galore. It was some courtroom scene and when someone gave me the sheet with dialogues, I was dumbfounded.

I saw all these famous dialogues from famous films which I had to say in front of the camera. My understanding of films was just as much as any young girl who watches Bollywood films.

I had no idea about the whole process of filmmaking, about dialogue writing, scripts, screenplay etc. I had probably gone to two or three film shoots in my childhood.

And even when on a shoot as a young girl, I would find actors just giving their shots and sitting in their vans getting bored in-between shots. So when the whole picture opened up in front of me about the reality of becoming an actress, I was petrified.

And my screen test was a disaster. I came back crying and said 'I would not be able to do this - anything but acting! Then? But Salim uncle came back and said I had a photogenic face and the camera captured me quite well, which is very important for any actor.

That was one glimmer of hope in my otherwise nightmarish experience. My mother sat me down that night and told me, 'Opportunity knocks at your door just once, take it up.

What's the worst that could happen? You'll fail at your effort? We are there after that. But at least you'd know you have tried, and won't regret leaving this golden opportunity'.

And though it was never told to me, but I knew my family was going through a financial crisis. And there was also tension in the family because of a lot of bickering between my father and his brothers.

I decided that I would work very hard (there was a month left for the shoot of "Raja Ki..

.") and give myself one good shot, even if it did not work out in the end.

I took it up as a job that just had to be done. What happened in that one month for you to give that spirited performance? My father took me to join Roshan Taneja's acting classes.

Mr Taneja had two courses, one was a year-long one and the other a three-month one. I had to learn all the acting I could in one month.

I told Mr Taneja I would come in the morning and evening for a month and be a dedicated student. On the very first day, my dad said to him, 'Please teach my daughter how to act'.

Mr Taneja said, 'Acting isn't a tablet. You can't pop it and become an actress.

It has to come from within you. It's either deep within you or it's not there'.

His statement stayed with me for a long time. It was my first lesson.

But in the classes, I did not know where to start. Thankfully, one good thing was the improvisation classes - where we all had to face the camera and say whatever came to our mind and enact a scene.

It sort of broke through my shy exterior. In any acting class, there are always a lot of faces looking at you from all corners and that's done on purpose so that the person drops all his/her inhibitions.

On the day of the mahurat, when I was called to give my first shot, I thought, 'yaar, I can't let my parents down. I just have to give it my best'.

And then, when I walked into the shot, I was this confident, fiery ball of energy, spouting dialogues like I had never imagined I would. I haven't looked back since that day.

And how did this job eventually become your passion? That happened later when I started getting fan mails. I was doing a lot of films.

But my fans kept on writing that they were not happy with me. So I wondered 'Arre, I am working 72 hours at a stretch, not eating right, not getting enough sleep, giving my best to each shot, so what was going wrong?' Then I realized that after "Ghulam" and "Kuch Kuch Hota Hain", my fans' expectations of me were higher than my own.

That's when I learnt my second lesson - that it's not just performing, I also had to know good scripts from the not-so-good ones. I started getting more involved in the whole process; understanding films beyond just acting.

During this whole process, acting became my passion. Coming back to the present, what went wrong in the last couple of years before "No One Killed Jessica" last year? You had some consecutive flops after a spate of hits, and suddenly you just vanished.

..

(Snaps her fingers and says with a smile) Don't worry, from this year, you'll see me in two films every year at least. Coming back to your question, I had seen failures before but when those three films ("Laaga Chunri Mein Daag", "Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic" and "Dil Bole Hadippa") failed in quick succession, it affected me in a way no flop had before.

My confidence was completely shattered. All my movies failed to make a mark with audiences and critics alike.

Maybe the critics thought 'we've praised her enough, now it's time for her to fall a bit hard, so she steps her game up' (smiles). I also think I was plain unlucky.

The audience has little memory of what you have done before or are capable of doing. What matters is today.

So three flops probably told them 'Rani has worked so well in the last few years, maybe it's time she took a back seat and settled down'. And are you settling down? (Smile that says read-my-expression-if-you-can) When I plan to settle down, I will announce it to the world.

Marriage is an occasion to celebrate. I'll celebrate it when it happens, letting everyone know about it.

What about the rumors of your relationship with Aditya Chopra? I have been linked with so many of my co-stars and this Aditya rumor has stayed with me for the longest time. This time, I'm going to give you the cliched answer no journalist wants to hear, 'No comments'.

Are you dating someone? Yes, I am dating, but that's as far as I'm willing to talk about my personal life. Your fans want to know about your personal life? They want to know if marriage is on the cards.

They will know when the time comes. Right now, I have two movies coming out and that's what I'm going to talk about.

Are you saying nothing is serious as far as your dating goes? In a relationship, there are two people involved. Since I'm a public figure, if I start answering questions, it'll open doors for more questions, speculations, gossips, and then it comes to a point where every day someone has something to say about your personal life.

It's unfair to the other person. I do not mind a bitchy comment about the way I dress or my films, but a comment on my private space isn't welcome.

Are you a romantic? I'm a born romantic. I romanticize everything in life.

My personal life is full of love and romance. God's given us one life.

You should romance it. It's not always nice and cool to be practical and logical.

What have your relationships/ heartbreaks taught you? I haven't been in a lot of relationships. Heartbreak definitely teaches you to be a better actor.

Don't they say, an artiste always performs better when he or she has experienced heartbreak? (Laughs) That was a joke. I don't give that much importance to men.

All my heartbreaks have been because of close friends, and not men. Seriously? (On a serious note) Heartbreak, anger, frustration - if you can overcome these emotions, you become a better person.

If you're a person of substance, you'll overcome your bad times. Who wants to be a loser? Will you marry an actor? No, two megalomaniacs can't exist in the same house.

We'll end up killing each other. What's the best thing about being in a relationship? (Enigmatic smile) That you can hide it.

And the best part of getting married is that you can announce it to the world. What about the fact that today the shelf life of actresses is low? Would you ever decide to do an item number or attend red carpet events as visibility is important these days? No.

Because for me, it's important to cement an impression of my work. Acting is what I do best.

It's not difficult to be in the public eye. Go anywhere and you'll find the media.

I am not trying to sound high and mighty here. If I was being launched today, I would do exactly what newcomers do these days.

But after 15 years in the course of which I have firmly established my credentials as an actress, I plan to only focus on acting. But if friends call me, I'll be there.

Like I went to Farah's (Khan) house-warming party recently. Aamir (Khan) and Kiran (Rao) had a son and going there was important for me because he is someone who is very dear to me.

As are Shah Rukh Khan and Karan (Johar). Have you spoken to Abhishek after he became a father? We aren't in touch on the phone, but whenever I come across him, I will definitely congratulate him.

It's great news. What did that low phase in your life teach you? When I was joining films, my dad had told me, 'Don't ever be disheartened with failure and don't be over-excited with success'.

This is an important lesson in any actor's life. But can you really separate your emotions as professional and personal in your mind? Hurt is hurt, disappointment is disappointment.

..

That's where your family and your strength as an individual come in. I am very close to my family.

And I have other interests, like baking. I started baking in one of my very low phases in life.

I find it therapeutic. So, would we see a Rani Mukerji patisserie soon? You could.

I'm serious about going to Paris or Chicago for a fulltime patisserie course. Any other venture in mind? A lot of actresses are starting their own fashion lines.

Or maybe even film production..

. No.

The only thing I will be producing next is babies. No other production happening with me.

Is there a lot of bitching/backbiting in the industry? There is, but that's true of any industry where over-competitive minds are always at work. But it is blown out of proportion in ours because it's the glamor industry.

Have you been at the receiving end of bitching? People say bitchy things about other people to feel good about themselves. Whatever I have got in life has been a huge blessing.

I've never gone after something that's not mine. Today, I am sitting at my office in Juhu, overlooking the sea.

I used to live in a shack before. I used to travel in rickshaws.

Today, I have a Mercedes. But if I start thinking, 'I have a bungalow, why not a building in Bandra tomorrow? Or now, I have a car, why not a yacht next?' my life will be difficult.

My mind doesn't work that way. The only ambition I have is to pick up interesting scripts and give a stellar performance that'll be etched in the audiences' and my fans' minds (less)

Was it difficult directing a star, after making niche films earlier? The first thing I did when I started direction this movie is to tell Mithun that I am a small director and that he will have to guide me. But Mithun turned that around and said that he is nothing more than an actor in the film.

I really miss those days when we were shooting. Did you have to keep Mithun's signature dialogue delivery and mannerisms in check? It had to be muted for this movie but I didn't have to ask him to do that.

Mithun also comes from a small village, but he didn't know how to play the character initially. He would come up to me and ask me a lot about the character.

I am surprised at Mithun's memory. There was this man called Surja Santhal, who seemed similar to Bhanu.

So he changed the style he walked in, the way he wiped his face. It really was quite something.

I'm sure there is a lot of hate for the person who stole the Nobel prize. Your film does not pass any judgments on the robber.

Do you think this would have an unhappy response? I know Bengalis are very sensitive about the subject. I took a lot of care.

I didn't want to show Rabindranath Tagore in any bad light. I am personally a big follower.

The film asks people to look inwards. The many years since Tagore has passed away, what has happened to Bengal? Would Tagore be happy seeing the state we are in today? In an earlier interview you've said that you are still searching for 'your' audience.

Do you feel you have found it with Nobel Chor? I know that because this film has Mithun and it is about Tagore in some way, it will attract a larger crowd. But it wasn't done on purpose.

I live in Miami for eight months of the year, and every time I return I see how much India and Bengal is changing. I try and make my movies snapshots of these changing times (less)

I got along with him soon. I just loved his sensibility.

I have always admired him as an actor," Sonam told IANS. The veteran actor is often considered to be a serious person, but Sonam says she wasn't nervous.

"You need to have a sense of confidence and I learnt that from Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. He said nobody will hire you if they will feel you can't do their job.

So, I go there thinking I have to go there and do my job. You go there, you learn from people and experience things," she added.

The film also stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead. It releases Friday (less)

Be it Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Punit Malhotra, they all are dear friends. Even all my male co-stars are my friends," Sonam said at a recent event.

As for her female friends in B-Town, she said: "I am most close to Jacqueline (Fernandes) and Asin (Thottumkal). In fact, these two are doing a movie ( Housefull 2 ) together and I am so jealous of them!" The actress, who is looking forward to her film Players , is set to don the garb of Santa, and play peacemaker between two friends on UTV Stars' new show Superstar Santa .

"My episode has two girls whose friendship is broken due to misunderstanding. My job is to bring them together and try to understand what went wrong," said Sonam, who insists she tries her best to be there for her own friends despite being busy.

"I have a huge bunch of friends and I am always there for them whenever needed," she added. Tweet (less)

If I feel that I loved a particular movie, then I would like to see the hero of that film only doing that role. I watch 'Sholay' for Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra.

I wouldn't like anyone else doing that," the 28-year-old told IANS. He has similar thoughts about sequels.

"Sometimes people make sequels unnecessarily..

.just because the film has worked.

If it has a scope, like if it's an action film or a superhero film, then I can understand. But it should not be made without a reason," he said the actor who has done films like "Jaane Tu.

..

Yaa Jaane Na", "I Hate Luv Storys", "Break Ke Baad" and "Delhi Belly". On his professional front, Imran is looking forward to the release of "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan" (less)

Here, Shahid and Sonam talk about their friendship, chemistry and bonding. Read on.

..

Sonam on Shahid: Somebody once asked me what was the one thing I didn't know about Shahid. I said, 'I know everything!' Opposites generally create intense chemistry.

There are more chances of fireworks when different people are together than similar personalities. I like the fact that Shahid is hard-working, he is a gentleman and treats me well.

What I don't like about him is that he is too much of a perfectionist. Usually you have to warm up to your co-star while doing scenes, but with Shahid it happened right from day one.

We are still in touch and we know most stuff about each other. We haven't spoken about our friendship and it was presumed that we aren't friends.

It is a quiet kind of friendship. We both understand what is happening in our lives.

We know what films we are doing next, where we are going to be in the next two to three years. I rarely make friends in the film industry and Shahid is one of them.

He likes talkative girls. We discuss our personal lives but it is better if we keep it to ourselves.

Shahid on Sonam She has a very vulnerable and innocent quality about her, that is essential for a love story like Mausam. She has an Indian face and I find girls with Indian faces very attractive.

We spent about two years together during the making of the film, and have become good friends now. In fact, she is my 3 am friend.

We went through a lot of ups and downs during the shoot. Since dad was directing, there were many days when I would get stressed out but Sonam was always there to comfort me.

When we were shooting the climax, which had lots of emotional and dramatic sequences, she would be talking non-stop before every shot. I don't talk that much! She does that when she is nervous.

It is fun to be with someone who is different, otherwise it gets boring. Family is her priority and I admire that quality in her.

She loves gossiping and is always interested in knowing who I am dating, but I don't tell her anything because I know she will blurt it out. I don't trust her on that front! She keeps asking me about my personal life and I lie to her! As told to Seema Sinha (less)

..

says actor Sonam Kapoor , in defence of the clip in her latest film that has been censored, which shows her giving someone the finger She can easily be described as the candid Kapoor, with her penchant for telling it like it is. In a chat with BT, Sonam talks about her Hollywood aspirations, reuniting with Abhay Deol onscreen and more.

We will see you in a different avatar in your upcoming film. Tell us what it was like playing this outspoken character.

Every character is a challenge and this was just fun. I am outspoken as a person and I just had to take how I am in real life and make it larger than life.

The script was so beautifully written that there wasn't much that I needed to do. In terms of styling, we padded the character a lot.

There was uproar over the middle-finger scene in the film, which has been blurred by the Censor Board. I think it is no big deal.

It is a part of our lingo and most youngsters do it these days. I have shown it to a lot of boys back home who tried to act smart (laughs) with me.

You said recently that you don't have a bikini body. How did that come about? Everybody just went on how hot I am and that I should wear a bikini.

Honestly, I was just being modest. I don't have Bipasha's body.

Will you don a bikini sometime soon, as it is the flavour of the season? I always do things that are not the flavour of the season. And that's why people like me.

Mausam, despite being a great story, did not do well at the box office. Were you disappointed? I am used to people loving what I do in a film, and the film itself not doing well.

I have three films that have done really, really well, so three out of six is not so bad and hopefully, my next film will even out the odds. After the success of I Hate Luv Storys, director Punit Malhotra has planned another film with you and Shahid in mind.

..

Yes, I heard about that, but I'm not doing Punit's film. Will you be reuniting with Abhay Deol soon onscreen? A couple of directors have offered us scripts for films that feature us together, but Raj Kumar Santoshi's is the best.

It's so much fun and I am dying to do this film. It's only Abhay and me talking throughout the film and it's brilliant.

There were differences between your father and Abhay Deol. Any comments? No comment, because it was between my father and Abhay.

How was your meeting with Tom Cruise ? He is so beautiful looking, very sweet and it was lovely interacting with someone who is so modest and down-to-earth. He looks you in the eye, and gives you that much attention.

Your father has already consolidated his position in Hollywood. Do you also have Hollywood aspirations? I have aspirations to conquer the world.

Let's see what happens. There must have been discussions about a Hollywood debut for you after your meeting with Tom.

..

It doesn't work like that. You audition for roles and you get them, just like in Bollywood.

Critics have taken digs at your father's cameo in Mission: Impossible 4..

. He always said it was a cameo.

My dad has been in the industry for 30 years. I don't think anybody has done the kind of roles he's done.

The exposure he's gotten in M:I4 is amazing. I think most critics are just jealous.

Who do you count as your friends in the industry? Asin. (pauses) And Jacqueline (Fernandez) (less)

In a recent episode, Bachchan had randomly given out a mobile number when a participant at the show pestered him for his contact. "No sooner was the show aired on Sony TV channel than all hell broke loose for me.

I have received thousands of calls in the last few days. People are calling 24 x 7--from northeast India to Gujarat, Kashmir to Kanyakumari," wedding planner Karan Wahi, one of those 'seriously' affected by Amitabh's prank, told IANS here.

Amitabh, popularly referred to as Big B, had given out nine digits of a mobile number (987730000) during the show, leaving viewers to guess the last one. Eager Amitabh fans did not take long to dial all digits--from 0 to 9--in that mobile series.

Since the series belongs to mobile operators in Punjab, the mobile users with these numbers became sitting ducks for the fans who started calling. Sony, the TV channel which airs the show, remained unavailable for comment.

Wahi, who owns two of these mobile numbers--ending with 1 and 5--in this series, says his nightmare is unending. Puneet Bansal, a businessman from Punjab's industrial town of Mandi Gobindgarh, 60 km from here, is another victim of Big B's prank.

Jalandhar resident Inder Preet, who has two numbers in the series, is at the receiving end of constant harassment due to unwarranted calls. Bansal is moving a court in the matter and has already slapped a legal notice on Sony TV and Amitabh.

"People are calling from Australia, Canada, the USA, London and everywhere else. I have not received so many calls in one year as I have received in the last three-four days," an exasperated Wahi said.

Harassed by the constant calls and streams of SMSs, Wahi has slapped a legal notice on Amitabh and Sony TV. "I am at my wits' end.

I feel like committing suicide. I will seek a compensation of at least Rs.

50 lakh from the TV channel and the host for this harassment and constant mental agony," Wahi said. "People want me to connect to Amitabh Bachchan and don't listen to my arguments.

From knowing about his health to when he is becoming a grandfather, they ask everything 24 hours. "They even want to talk to Aishwarya (Amitabh's daughter-in-law and actress) and son Abhishek.

Initially, we enjoyed the calls but soon got fed up with these. Even giving choicest Punjabi abuses has failed to ward off people," Wahi said.

His business is suffering due to hundreds of these calls, Wahi added. The affected people have now either switched off their numbers or have started diverting the calls.

"My roaming bill has gone up by Rs.10,000 in just the last few days.

What is the use of buying VIP numbers if a small joke can create so much chaos?" another affected 'victim', not wishing to be identified, told IANS. Tweet (less)

Rishi Kapoor who does the role of a gay dean in the film broke the coconut. Farah Khan will choreograph the songs.

Aditya Chopra dropped by to wish his erstwhile assistant Karan. Many well-wishers dropped by to wish Karan.

Since the film is a Dharma and Red Chillies Production, Shah Rukh Khan, who is also Karan's best friend and the producer came over to wish the filmmaker and the youngsters in the cast. Salman Khan who was shooting next door for Aditya Chopra dropped by too.

So did the two warring Khans meet? Apparently not. Instead sources say Salman came and charmed Karan's staff.

He was accompanied by his lead actress Katrina Kaif. Imran Khan also dropped by as did some of the directors who are working with Dharma like Karan Malhotra and Punit Malhotra.

David Dhawan and his wife Lali dropped by to wish their younger son and so did Soni Razdan, whose daughter Alia plays the female lead (less)

And to essay a village girl residing in Punjab during the 1950s also means that the actress will have to do without her gizmos and gadgets. Mehra has asked Sonam to sweat it out without airconditioners and mobile phones and live like the village belle she is supposed to play in the film.

An entire village on the Indo-Pak border, a few kilometres away from Ferozpur is now being transformed, to represent 1930s India by art director Sumit Basu. "We had to travel to the remotest corners of Punjab to find a place that resembles Milkha Singh's birthplace Lyallpur, now in Pakistan ," informed filmmaker Mehra.

Having found an authentic location for his film, Rakeysh is now concentrating on keeping his key characters Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor real. No cellphones, no computers, no gadgets, not even air-conditioners that's the rule Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has laid down for the lead actors.

"We often tend to think shooting in black-and-white or sepia colours as reflective of period cinema. But that's like drawing attention to rather than recreating the era.

I want to merge into the era that we're going into, not stand outside it by drawing attention to it," said Mehra explaining his decision. "Sonam and Farhan have to feel like they belong to the 1950s, just as I've started feeling.

Nowadays when I wake up, I am shocked to feel the chill of the airconditioner in my house. I am gradually cutting myself loose from all the luxuries we take for granted," he added (less)