"I picked it because I loved it," said Mara of the Riccardo Tisci custom-made gown made of mixed laces and multilayered chiffon. Stone's gown had a high-neck bow, a trend on the designer runways right now, and Chastain's black strapless gown designed by McQueen creative director Sarah Burton was embroidered with gold bullion and metallic thread.

Some seasoned style stars stepped up their game, too, including Michelle Williams in a burnt-orange Louis Vuitton covered with delicate details, Jennifer Lopez in a crystal-covered Zuhair Murad, Cameron Diaz in a strapless sand-colored Gucci and Penelope Cruz in a feminine, off-the-shoulder, smoky-blue Armani Prive. Angelina Jolie did her simple, sexy thing in a black strapless gown with a high slit by Atelier Versace.

Gwyneth Paltrow went sleek and chic in a white Tom Ford that had a matching slim cape, and Stacy Keibler was statuesque in gold lame Marchesa. "Stacy's dress was chosen straight off the Fall '12 runway.

The fabric has real gold metal woven into it, which gives it an almost liquid feel," described Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, herself an Oscars attendee in Marchesa on the arm of husband Harvey Weinstein. "I was at fashion week, saw it on the runway and was like, 'I need to have that,'" Keibler said.

Paltrow, who has done the Oscars as a pink princess and Goth rebel in past years, made the best-dressed lists of InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein and Louise Roe, Glamour magazine's editor-at-large. "Gwyneth had the unexpected dress, and I find that very appealing," Rubenstein said.

"Absolute knockouts were the simplest," said Roe, co-host of ABC's live coverage. "I died for Gwyneth in Tom Ford with its elegant cape, Emma Stone in fuchsia halter-neck Valli and chunky-crystal Vuitton clutch.

Shailene Woodley was a home run in Valentino and Jessica Chastain in classic gold McQueen. Wow.

" Roe was pleased to see Woodley in her modern, fashion-forward gown. "She's Hollywood's new hot thing, and this dress finally lived up to our expectations: chic, simple, elegant, I loved it.

" Rubenstein said he liked that there wasn't a cookie-cutter look; there wasn't one way to describe this red carpet. "One thing I did love is that it was a night not about one shape -- not just the clothing, but the women.

" His "wowza movie-star moment" belonged to Lopez. "Jennifer Lopez did exactly what you want Jennifer Lopez to do," he said.

(Later, during the telecast, Lopez looked close to a wardrobe malfunction with her plunging V neck.) Viola Davis' emerald-green, corset-style gown by Vera Wang had a little beading on the bustline and a chiffon pleated skirt.

She matched her earrings to the jewel tone of the gown, which seemed a popular trend. Melissa McCarthy also did it, pairing her rose Marina Rinaldi with crystal neckline and waistband with 10-carat diamond earrings decorated with pink diamonds by Chopard and a pink tourmaline cocktail ring.

Her high-school pal, shoe designer Brian Atwood, made her glittery shoes. "He put a beautiful inscription on the bottom of the shoes, which made me cry and almost ruined all my makeup.

" Penelope Ann Miller also wore the rose color. She worked with Badgley Mischka to create her slightly retro halter gown made of rose gold sequins and chiffon.

Meryl Streep doesn't always do it up for awards shows but she did this time in a gold dress by Lanvin that she paired with antique gold pendant earrings and a 19th-century diamond cluster ring by Fred Leighton. Glenn Close did a modern mix of a menswear-style jacket over a feminine corset dress by Zac Posen.

Posen also had a big celebrity get with Miss Piggy: She wore a gold V-neck gown with a Fred Leighton 55-carat diamond necklace and 10-carat diamond headband. Rose Byrne in shimmery black Vivienne Westwood, Kristen Wiig in a delicate champagne J.

Mendel and Tina Fey in a regal indigo gown by Carolina Herrera with a trend-right peplum and black velvet waistband also elevated their fashion credibility -- and likely their star wattage -- with their appearances. Fey was another fan of the matching earrings: Hers were almost 48 carats of blue sapphires from Bulgari.

Octavia Spencer continued to work with Tadashi Shoji on her awards-show wardrobe, this time in a hand-beaded, draped ivory gown with cap sleeves. Milla Jovovich, best known as a model, channeled a screen siren in a one-shoulder, white-beaded Elie Saab gown.

"I wanted something very clean, structured, like a statement piece without being overpowered," she said. Berenice Bejo chose a mint-green, fully embroidered gown by Saab.

Her makeup artist Julie Hewett said they purposely created a fresh, unfussy look to complement the dress because it was an unusual color. "We decided to go very simple and not complete," said Hewett, a Dior artist.

"I kept her skin very fresh: not powdered, very clean, very natural." Hewett saw the influence of the 1920s and '30s on the red carpet and thought it could be a nod to The Artist, for which Bejo was nominated.

"Old Hollywood never goes away, it never goes out of fashion, but 'The Artist' brought it back for a generation that didn't know about Hollywood at that time," Hewett said. "It's how we want our stars to look.

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No one dies. But yes, John most definitely John.

" Tony had vowed that come what may, he would have John play the lead in his second film. "I wanted John in Blue for the role that Zayed Khan's playing, but the dates didn't work out.

Then I swore that I would cast John in my second film or I won't make another film," he added. Mumbai: ?? Although Abbas-Mustan are planning their legally bought version of The Italian Job with John Abraham, Blue director Anthony D'Souza (better known as Tony) has begun his own desi version of the movie featuring the actor.

Tony said, "It's a heist film with cool guys riding the coolest cars and bikes and cooler locations.??In terms of genre it comes close to The Italian Job and is an absolute have-fun popcorn caper.

No disease, no poverty, no misery. No one dies.

But yes, John most definitely John."Tony had vowed that come what may, he would have John play the lead in his second film.

"I wanted John in Blue for the role that Zayed Khan's playing, but the dates didn't work out. Then I swore that I would cast John in my second film or I won't make another film," he added.

Work on the film is scheduled to start in November. The Italian Job (2003) is a Hollywood movie and is based on a film (of the same name) made by Michael Caine in 1969.

In the film, a gang of robbers create the largest traffic jam in the history of Los Angeles to pull off a theft of gold bullion. After executing the robbery, they get away in their Mini Coopers, which are small enough to drive on sidewalks so they can make a clean escape before the traffic jam clears.

The Italian Job (2003) is a Hollywood movie and is based on a film (of the same name) made by Michael Caine in 1969. In the film, a gang of robbers create the largest traffic jam in the history of Los Angeles to pull off a theft of gold bullion (less)

Directed by F Gary Gray, The Italian Job was about a gang of robbers who created the largest traffic jam in Los Angeles history, hence giving them time to pull off a theft of gold bullion. "The Indian character would have a far greater depth.

The Hindi remake will retain the fun and thrills but we saw only one side of Ed Norton in the original. However, my character is 100 times meaner than him," Neil told PTI.

Director duo Abbas-Mustan are currently scouting the location for the film and the actor says they would soon sit together to finalise the look and graph of the character Talking about his look, Neil does throw a hint about growing a beard and long hair for his role. "I can't say much about my look since it is still under the process of being finalised.

But yes, to give my character a mean look, I would most likely be seen in a beard and long hair. It will stand out for sure," says Neil, who first got noticed with debut film Johnny Gaddaar .

In fact the new look should pretty much augur well with those who felt that he was way too neat in the role of a tapori for Lafangey Parindey . "I was appalled when some felt I was too good looking for my part of a tapori .

Come on, can't people in bastis and chawls be good looking," says the actor. While he waits for the shooting of The Italian Job to kick start in the month of November, he is also looking forward to the release of Vishal Bhardwaj's Saat Khoon Maaf where he plays one of the seven husbands of Priyanka Chopra.

The film is expected to release in January next year. "It was wonderful interacting with such talented people in the film even though that was for a relatively smaller part," he says (less)

It goes on floors in November. It is learnt that the actress will be seen in sexy minis and short dresses for the part.

And that Anahita Adjania will style her. A source close to the project reveals Kapoor's look, "Abbas Mustan are famous for presenting their girls in the most glamorous way.

Hence, in Players, Sonam will be seen in some really hot western clothes. Apart from her ensemble, she will also be accessorised and styled uniquely.

" The film's first schedule starts off in November and later moves on to Russia and New Zealand. The source adds, "The film has a $30 million-dollar budget and will be shot around the world.

Abbas Mustan recently went on a long recce to Russia to finalise the locations for the shoot." Produced by TV18, Players is an official remake of the 2003 Mark Wahlberg-Charlize Theron film, The Italian Job.

Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam will play lead parts. The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised.

The last film Abhishek & Sonam co-starred in A date clash with this film almost saw Sonam crash out of players The original Italian Job is a 1969 British caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley and directed by Peter Collinson. Starring Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill and others, the film quickly achieved cult status.

Subsequent television showings and releases on video have established it as something of a national institution in the United Kingdom.In November 2004, the magazine Total Film named The Italian Job the 27th greatest British film of all time.

F Gary Gray directed the 2003 American remake starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham and Donald Sutherland. The film was released in 2003.

It is about a team of thieves who plan to steal gold bullion from a former associate. Despite the shared title, the plot and characters of this film differ from those of its source material.

Gray described the film as "an homage to the original." It was theatrically released in the US on May 30, 2003 and grossed over $176 million worldwide (less)

He also met actors Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and director duo Abbas-Mustan. In order to boost tourism, New Zealand has opened its doors for Bollywood to shoot Hindi films in the country.

"We have signed an agreement with the Indian government that will lead to more Bollywood films being shot in New Zealand. In the last ten years, approximately 150 films were made in New Zealand.

We want filmmakers to make many more. Itsa great place to shoot," Key said.

'Players' also stars Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher. Shot in India, New Zealand and Russia, the action-thriller is expected to release on December 23 this year.

"It is a great movie. Its the most anticipated film," Key said.

Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said, "Showcasing New Zealand's tourism appeal on the big screen has played a strategic role in attracting Indian visitors to our country. I would like to thank to all the producers who choose to incorporate New Zealand's beautiful scenery in their films.

" The film which is a remake of the 2003 American film, 'The Italian Job', is about a team of thieves who plan to steal gold bullion from a former associate who double crossed them. "From the little that I have seen of 'Players' at the time of filming in New Zealand, the movie looks fantastic.

I am very excited to see it and I am sure more Indian visitors will come to New Zealand as a result," Bowler said. The Prime Minister is on a three day visit to India.

While actors Abhishek and Bipasha too said that they enjoyed shooting in New Zealand. "The scene that was shot here at Filmcity was already shot earlier.

We did it again in honor of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. But this scene is there in the film," Abhishek, said.

Talking about his experience in New Zealand, Abhishek said, "The experience of shooting in NZ has been wonderful. Both Bipasha and I have shot several films there.

The local film crew over there is very helpful; they are well equipped to make films there. Also, foreign films also go there to shoot.

It is a very film-friendly country." "I am very glad to hear about the agreement between the Indian and New Zealand government to bring more films to come down there.

It is a wonderful place to shoot. It is not only a nice place to holiday but also to work," he said.

"We had lots of fun at NZ. But looking forward to the release.

The whole experience was good," Bipasha said. Tweet (less)