'' In other words what is good for the gander is definitely not so good for the goose. Take the example of Priyanka Chopra .

She is being slandered and ostracised for her reported closeness to Shah Rukh Khan . While industy wives like Mehr Jessia (Mrs Arjun Rampal ) have made it their business to preach on whether PC should be invited to certain homes and parties or not; filmmakers like Karan Johar have decided not to give her work.

Mehr's 'concern' is still understandable. But why PC's career should bear the brunt of her personal choices is something one fails to understand.

An amused actor who is watching this tamasha says, "No one is willing to take on SRK because he is the Bollywood Badshah. So Bollywood's moral brigade is happy to take potshots at Priyanka.

'' While it is futile to even debate, whether or not SRK-PC are more than just good friends; and actually no one's business; what is disturbing is the way the world is reacting to Priyanka. Says the same actor, "If two people are in a relationship, it is their business.

It should have no bearing on their professional career. And if the industry is making it their business, then both the married man and his new friend should be meted out the same treatment.

'' Double standards though are not new in the films. Years ago Nagma was reportedly shunted out of Tamil Nadu because of her liaison with a Kollywood' Sarath Kumar.

On record, Nagma said, "I called off my relationship with him because we had reached a dead end.'' However when asked whether she was aware that Sarath Kumar and a couple of close aides had asked producers to stop giving her work Nagma denied this.

She diplomatically told Filmfare, "My reasons for returning to Mumbai were very much my own.'' Priyanka refuses to answer all questions on her controversial personal life (less)

The list is growing by the day. While these scenes generate a lot of curiosity before the film's release, is this B-Town's new formula to grab immediate attention? Director Vivek Agnihotri says, "Sex sells.

There was a time when actresses used to emphasise on 'no kissing, no cleavage' clause. But today an actress will have to go home if she has such inhibitions.

Small town youngsters want to watch films like Love, Sex Aur Dhoka and Ragini MMS . According to surveys conducted in smaller cities, parents and children go separately to watch these movies, but they do watch them.

So even if these films are not meant for family viewership, they work." Filmmakers deny that they are going the Hollywood way, suggesting that the films are actually a reflection of society.

Filmmaker Abhinay Deo says, "The youth today are coming out of their shells and our society is less hypocritical. Anything that is not agreeable will not sustain, whether it is titillating or not.

" While many actors actually get talked about when they do such bold scenes, some feel that they'd do such scenes only if the script demands it. Actor Tusshar Kapoor says, "When a film is bold, it needs to be marketed well.

There have been so many clones of films like Murder and Kya Cool Hain Hum but they did not work. Audiences are smart enough to judge a film.

" Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO of a leading production house says, "It would be a folly to continue being coy. We'd be foolish to assume that just because we don't show romance or kissing on screen, the youth of the country would not be watching it on internet at home!" So now we know why Bolly films are spicier and bolder of late! It's about money (less)

"We have so many girls from down South stepping into Hindi films but filmmakers seem to get cold feet when it comes to actors. Maybe 'Raanjhana' would break the myth that actors from South aren't successful in Hindi films.

I have seen Dhanush's work down South, he will take Bollywood by storm," Aanand told. After the success of "Tanu Weds Manu", apparently there was pressure on Aanand to rope in a much more 'saleable' name.

But the director said, "I don't understand one thing. When we have no qualms picking up films from down South for remaking them in Bollywood, why not do the same with heroes as well?" Set in Varanasi, "Raanjhana" is a love story of a middle class boy and girl.

Known for capturing the authenticity of various small towns and cities in "Tanu Weds Manu", Aanand is expected to bring similar flavour in his new film as well, "This is also going to be a close-to-soil film. Dhanush is going to melt everyone's heart in the role of this loveable guy from Varanasi.

The female character too would have a mind of her own despite hailing from a small town. She is street- smart and not a pushover.

Beyond that it would be futile to talk since it is too early," said Aanand (less)

The actress has been signed on to perform to a bold number in an upcoming movie titled, Sarfaroshi. The movie, a social drama is about war against the system.

Says an excited Shraddha, "After Bigg Boss, I got busy with dance shows also campaigned for a political party. I have done popular item numbers down south and this happens to be my first item number in Bollywood.

The song will be choreographed by Kannu Master and the movie will be directed by Mr Bhagirath." Time again to scorch the screen, eh? (less)

What has remained, are the chiffon sarees, the rain dances and the romantic medleys. Pure romance is now redefined as romcoms and the complexities of relationship and emotions are packaged in a slapstick humour style.

Does Gen-X lack the depth of understanding such romances (as Mughal-E-Azam, Silsila, DDLJ) or are the filmmakers just playing it safe? This week, Bollywood Big Story debates Does Bollywood Hate Love Stories? Tune in this Sat, 18th Feb at 12:30pm only on zoOm - India's No.1 Bollywood channel.

Genelia D'Souza Audiences come to the theater for a good laugh and a fun time, leaving their stresses behind. Maybe that's the reason why filmmakers don't want to burden them with heavy emotions and hardcore romantic films.

Vipul Shah Cinema is a reflection of the society. Audience might feel that the intense love stories of the 50s and 60s are outdated today.

Youngsters will say aisa kaun karta hai aaj kal? This generation doesn't commit as 'intensely' as people used to. Subhash Ghai Short-term relationships are an urban trend.

This Facebook, Twitter generation is losing sensitivity. For them, relationships are all about 'fun'.

Imtiaz Ali Passion and romance will remain the same, the depiction might change (less)

For starters, he understands how starry eyed we are and how every Bollywood-related news will make headlines for sure. One of the author's post on Twitter on 1st April suggested that he would soon be making an entry into Bollywood.

After all the shock and awe, one realizes that the post is a complete bluff when they click on the link posted by Bhagat to an article that supposedly has this piece of news. The link leads you to another website and has April Fool written all over it.

We say nice one Chetan! (less)

We are told Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is most likely to flag off the car drive (Lavasa Women's Drive) this year along with few other actors. Akshay Kumar , Deepika Padukone have done it in the past.

Celebs believe, Bombay Times Lavasa Women's Drive (LWD), is not any more limited to a car drive but is soon becoming one of India's largest women's programs which work for their betterment. Thus we will see Bollywood actors, choreographers, photographers conducting workshops, interactive programs for women.

The workshops are created to hone their skills which they are not able to otherwise due to various constrains such as paucity of time or varied responsibilities. These workshops are open to all women of Mumbai.

Ace Choreographer Ganesh Hegde who made Shahrukh Khan dance to his tune in the song Chammak Challo will teach participants how to shake a leg and perform this foot tapping number. Ace photographer Dabboo Ratnani who has shot leading Bollywood celebrities will be sharing a few tips and revealing a few secrets about his techniques with participants of his workshop.

Both workshops are organized on February 11, 2012 at Hotel Ramee Guestline, Khar. A free Cervical and Breast Cancer Camp for Women will be conducted from February 13th to March 2, 2012, Monday-Friday from 9:30am to 12 pm at Preventive Oncology Department, Tata Memorial Hospital & Jaslok Hospital.

To register To participate, sms LWD checkup to 58888 (less)

Love you Ma! Dia Mirza: Each day is incomplete without your mother. We all know that mother's love is selfless, no one can equal what a mother does for her child.

It's the most beautiful form of love. Aditi Rao Hydari: My mother is the most important person in my life.

Whatever she has taught me about life will always stay with me, and I am thankful to her for being the person she is. Arunoday Singh: Every day is Mother's Day.

If I call her up on one special day to say Happy Mother's Day, she will get very angry with me for only calling on just one day. Yuvika Chaudhary: For every mother, her child always remains a child, however old you grow.

Javed Ali: No one will live forever. Instead of missing her after she has gone, it is better to love and respect her while she is still with you (less)

An eyewitness even overheard the two discussing the possibility of the cricketer making a special appearance in the film. Vidhu's pokesperson confirmed saying, "The matter is under consideration.

We can't say anything more at this point of time." (less)

..

to hold, nurture or to spice up (the story lines and movie plots). B-Town's screen moms usually fit certain slots - the impoverished and helpless mom had to sew clothes for the neighbours to make the ends meet; the fiery mom could challenge the Supreme and pray for her child's well-being; she would also meticulously knead aloo parathas and whip up kheer.

Some moms often became the bone of contention between son and his 'modern' wife. The screen ma could also urge her son to avenge his father's death.

Or if she was given a choice between picking the right over the wrong, the Bollywood mom could also shoot her errant son. The mother's character was a favourite fixture in Bollywood films until recently.

Mehboob Khan's masterpiece Mother India, was among the first films that glorified a mom on screen without making her a martyr ( Nargis). Durga Khote as the supportive mom in Mughal-E-Azam gave a new meaning to her role.

Sulochana; for whom Rajendra Kumar sings Meri Duniya Hai Tere Aanchal Mai, vivacious Dina Pathak in Khoobsurat to Golmaal - there have been women who have immortalised mothers on 35 mm. On Mother's Day, here's a flashback of all those special moms from Hindi films.

Jaya Bachchan in K3G As a designer chiffon sari clad mom, dripping pearls, flashing a warm smile as she firmly held the puja thali, Jaya Bachchan in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G), was also blessed with an uncanny ability to sense the presence of her son from miles away. Throughout the long family drama, she remains the quiet cardboard figure until she steals the thunder in the last frame.

Nirupa Roy in Deewar She was one actress you could always visualise as Bollywood's eternal maa. Nirupa Roy in her trademark white cotton sari and a huge bindi on her forehead was the self-righteous mom in the iconic Deewar , who tried her level best to bring her erring son from the path of evil and failed.

She was the woman for whom Shashi Kapoor said, Mere Paas Maa Hai . Even when she was helpless, she didn't compromise on her ideals.

Though she was a filmi character, Nirupa managed to etch a place for herself in the hearts of many. Rakhee in Karan Arjun Rakhee Gulzar has proved her mettle as mom many times over, but among her most memorable shots as mom was when she turned into the long suffering ma in-waiting of Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Arjun .

Her signature one-liner Mere Karan Arjun Ayenge went on to become the butt of jokes, but she was excellent as always. Vidya Balan in Paa Playing ma to Amitabh Bachchan isn't really a 30-something's dream, but Vidya Balan took up a role delivered a game-changing performance in Paa .

Essaying the role of an independent and fun mom who was an anchor for her son Auro suffering from Projeria (in the film), Vidya proved why it's important for every child to have a friend in a mom. Tisca Chopra in TZP One role and Tisca Chopra was on a roll! Tisca caught everyone's eyes in Taare Zameen Par as the untiring Indian mom who can turn the world upside down for her child.

As the affectionate mom who gives succour to her dyslexic child Ishan, she was indeed a treat to watch. Just the kind of urban mom, every kid loves to have! Zohra Sehgal in Cheeni Kam Who said 80 year old moms can't be fun? Zohra Sehgal as the fun loving mom full of joie de vivre in R Balkrishnan's Cheeni Kam had more spunk than her sullen celebrity chef son (played by Amitabh Bachchan).

She might have had a small role in the film, but as the woman who tries to teach her grumpy single 60 year old son to live life, Zohra was a rare bundle of energy. Rekha In Koi Mill Gaya May be you don't think of Rekha at first when you think of Bollywood mothers, or vice-versa.

But we certainly remember her doing a white sari act and adamantly saving her son (Hrithik Roshan) from an extra terrestrial in Koi..

. Mil Gaya .

In this Bollywood version of Spielberg's E.T.

, she was in fact the flavour Bollywood. FYI: Rakesh Roshan was very hesitant to ask the glam-diva to play a mother on the first place, reportedly he tricked her into hearing the script casually.

Result: Rekha commanded, no one but she'd play the role. Reema in Maine Pyaar Kiya Reema changed perception of the eternal earth mom in Bollywood with a vengeance.

She was Salman Khan's favourite screen mom, a role that she slipped into naturally into with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya. She was also among the first screen mothers to have jet black hair and looked young and chirpy enough to be her son's friend in MPK.

Her portrayal as the silk sari clad mom with her hair neatly tied in chignon, was pretty convincing in her role play. Farida Jalal in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge A talented character actress, Farida Jalal was the epitome of the typical urban Indian mother in Aditya Chopra's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge .

She lets her daughter (played by Kajol) live a dream and stands by as a strong support when she's needed. For this all-compassing role that was written with care and executed with brilliance, she also won accolades and awards.

Kirron Kher in Rang De Basanti As the new-age Nirupa Roy for Bollywood, Kirron Kher stole the thunder as Aamir Khan's funny and feisty mom in Raykesh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti. As the motormouth dhaba owner who prays for her son's well-being (for which she ties her two fingers with a dhaaga) she also provides him silent strength to stand up against evil.

You rock! Ratna Pathak Shah in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Ratna Pathak Shah was a revelation in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na as the paranoid yet liberated single mom who worked as a social activist (and also vented her angst to her late hubby hanging from a photo frame from time to time complaining about her son) in Imran Khan's debut flick, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. A role that was smartly sketched, unfortunately she didn't have too many memorable scenes, although she did make an impact anyway! (less)