Salman - 100 per cent, unadulterated

The 'Bigg Boss' host reveals what to expect from him on the show 

He has learned to take media gossip with a pinch of salt and now finds rumours amusing. Salman Khan, whose latest love is the small screen, says he will display his "unadulterated" side as the host of Colors' 'Bigg Boss 4', a reality show he accepted only after consulting his mom.

"I asked mom (Salma) before considering it and she instantly said yes," Salman, 44, said. "I am going to be myself, 100 percent unadulterated Salman. I will call a spade a spade and have lots of fun," he added.

The show started Sunday and has already run into controversy because of the presence of two Pakistani contestants.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Q: Back as a host on the small screen with 'Bigg Boss 4' after hosting two seasons of 'Dus Ka Dum' - have you taken a fancy to TV or hosting reality shows?

Ranbir unplugged

The star on the advantages of being single, comparisons with Big B and much more 

 

 Ranbir Kapoor has his feet firmly rooted to the ground. So flattering comparisons with Amitabh Bachchan are brushed aside by the star as "very premature".

Ranbir, 27, doesn't approve of the comparison with the megastar, insisting that stars like Amitabh "come once in a lifetime".

The comparison was made by director Siddharth Anand, whose 'Anjaana Anjaani' in which Ranbir co-stars with Priyanka Chopra is due for release soon.

Siddharth, who collaborated with the actor earlier in 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', said that Ranbir has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Amitabh and become the "complete Hindi film hero".

"You cannot follow somebody's career path or match your stardom to anybody else's, especially Mr. Bachchan, because people like them come once in a lifetime," Ranbir said.

"Neil is my friend for life"

Deepika Padukone reveals more about Neil Nitin Mukesh, who even did her make-up for her

Working together in director Pradeep Sarkar's forthcoming film 'Lafange Parindey', actress Deepika Padukone has found a friend for life in Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Neil once went out of his way to do her make-up personally, which was somewhat different, required for an accident scene.

"I think I have made a friend for life and I think that's what I cherished the most because he is a wonderful human being and that comes across on screen. We got along really well," said Deepika.

"There is an accident scene, where I need a different kind of make-up and he is trained in it so he told dada (Pradeep Sarkar) that he will do my make-up and he did. Another day where I was doing...not exactly an action sequence, but lot of cable work and all of that, he choreographed the entire act. So I think in every way he was there for me," Deepika said.

Set in the mean streets of Mumbai, 'Lafangey Parindey' is a love story where Neil Nitin Mukesh plays the character of Nandu, a fighter who pummels his opponents in the ring and Deepika Padukone plays Pinky Palkar, a dancer who is blind but ambitious and dances with roller skates on her feet.

He teaches her to see and she teaches him how to love.

Neil used to be around Deepika, even on his off days.

"I can confidently say that he has been the most supportive and encouraging co-star, with whom I have worked so far. Even on days when he was not required, he would be there," said Deepika.

Deepika believes that regardless of his experience in the industry, Neil has every quality of being a director.

"I think he is ready to direct. We keep thinking that he is new, we saw him in three-four films, but I think in terms of experience and his knowledge where cinema is concerned, I think he is technically very sound and he is ready to direct a film," said Deepika.

Katrina Kaif’s plane truth

The new Etihad ambassador got tackling some tough questions, about ex Salman in particular

It was a press conference in Mumbai to announce that Katrina Kaif was the new brand ambassador for Etihad Airways. The question that everyone from the media wanted to ask was simple – Was she single? After Salman’s statement a few days ago that he had broken up with her, the thought was on everyone’s mind. Kat answered, in her usual politically correct and composed that she was single. But apparently she burst into tears later at the bombardment from the media about the Salman issue. What else did she have to share? Here’s the Q&A


We saw the Etihad ad that was shown just now (where Kat gets dancing in Etihad’s First Class Lounge). What do you actually do during the waiting period at the lounge?
Trust me, this is exactly the way I am at the lounge waiting for my flight. I practice some the latest steps of my dance. And I had an amazing time shooting for the ad. Farah (Khan) has her own signature stamp and I always enjoy working with her.


If any other airline approaches you to be their brand ambassador, would you take that up?
I think you have to make that decision when you are choosing. And you have to choose something that you feel you would be comfortable talking about. Honestly there were twenty airlines but Etihad was the one which I knew a lot about. So I did not need too much convincing.

Why don’t you take up many endorsements like other actresses?
You are right, I don’t take up too many endorsements. And the ones I have in hand are all beauty products which are to be used and they seem quite logical. Actually beyond that you are so busy with your films that you can take up only a certain amount of endorsements. Physically you don’t have so many days on hand to give to your endorsements. But with Etihad it was such an honour as they are one of the leading international airlines. And I had never earlier heard of anyone being a brand ambassador of an international airline. So the very thought of it was so new to me. They are an ideal when it comes to standards of quality travel and the luxuries associated with an international flight. And also during the initial years of my career I did shoot a lot of movies in Dubai and a little in Abu Dhabi. I was pretty well informed about the brand and the services and during that time I flew with the airline a lot. So it was a very natural thing for me.

Are you single at the moment?
I think all of you know the answer and I am going to give you the same answer that I have been giving you for the last few years. I have always believed that you are single until you are married. You may have a friendship but until you are married the relationship is always single. Beyond that you have known me for many years and you know my stand. It is hard enough to take decisions in your life, professionally sometimes, mostly personal. And whatever decisions that you take, if you have to make them in front of everyone whether it’s the media or the public or the world at large, I think it is a little more that what I can handle. This is why for the last six years I have never commented who I am with, if there is a break up or an argument. Whatever the situation may be, I have never commented in the open. So despite your curiosity, if you can just respect my feeling I would be really privileged. I have nothing more to say.

Do you believe in sticking to your commitments?
Yes of course. If I have made a commitment, I would definitely stand by it. But yes, if the situations change, commitments also change. But to end it all and answer your question, I would say that I am single at the moment.

We are pestering you so much because Salman in a recent press conference for Dabang said that you guys are only friends an don’t share any other relationship, what is the truth behind that?
If Salman Khan has said that he is single and I have also said that I am single, then beyond that I don’t think it correct to comment anymore.

Who are your mentors in the industry?
There are many. The entire Khan family (Salman's family, we're guessing), the directors that I have worked with, Akshay Kumar and many other co-stars who really helped me in the beginning. They have given me wonderful chances and I will always be grateful to them.

Ravishing Raveena interview

chatted with the yummy mummy on her recent Dubai trip

Raveena Tandon was in town recently to lend her star power to India’s leading beauty and fitness brand VLCC’s new treatment ‘MOMZ’ –for moms who want to get back into shape. Raveena, now a mom of two herself, shared her tips on getting back into top-notch shape post pregnancy and babies. Read on for what she revealed

What are some of your secrets to getting back in shape post-pregnancy?
It is a lot of hard work, but at the end of the day if you want to see results you have to use your own will power – you should want to get back into shape not for your husband, but for your own self! I thank VLCC for supporting me at every step from setting up my diet to offering customized massages that are suited to my needs. It’s been a good journey, sometimes frustrating but the results are here for everyone to see.

You’ll be on TV for the Kitchen Champion show, are you a kitchen champion at home?
I’m not bad, even the chefs on the Kitchen Champion show were pretty impressed with the tricks that I pulled out there. Earlier on, I used to joke that the day my family wants to eat out they ask me to cook. They knew my cooking would be such a disaster that they would eventually have to eat out! Fortunately for me and unfortunately for them, over time whenever I have tried my hand at something in the kitchen, it turns out to be amazing. I’m a cook by fluke!

How are you celebrating Diwali?
This is the first time in my life that I’ll be away from Bombay on Diwali. We’re going away with friends and kids on a family vacation to London and Germany, so we’ll be missing out on the traditional Diwali celebrations this year.

What are your must-dos while in Dubai?
I have a different itinerary when I’m here alone and when I’m here with the kids. With kids, we go to Atlantis and Zabeel Park, where there’s tonnes of gadgety games to keep them entertained. When I’m alone, shopping is definitely on the list, as well as trying out new restaurants because my husband’s a complete foodie! Tonight I’m going to the Italian restaurant in the Armani hotel, but on the whole Buddha Bar is my favorite – they play phenomenal music!

Who's a star you’ve been star struck by?
No one in particular, maybe because I’ve been brought up in this field and seen the industry people in and out with my dad. However, I’ve always had a crush on Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis –I would love to meet them.

What's your biggest fear?
The fear of manifesting the negative thoughts that I think, that’s one thing I try to push aside.

When was the last time you cried and why?
When my dog died, I cried and cried for a month. He passed away a day before I was leaving for my honeymoon, and I remember I spent the entire time crying –I felt quite bad for my husband!

Freida Uncut Interview

At the Abu Dhabi FIlm Fest, she reveals what'd make her say yes to an Indian film

At the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Freida Pinto is out to prove she's no one-film wonder with her performance in 'Miral', based on Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal's semi-autobiographical novel. The actress believes in speaking through her work and says she won't mind working in an Indian film -- provided she falls in love with the script.

"If Indian films came my way and I loved the script, I would say yes. Quite contrary to what people believe, I haven't said yes to every international script that has come my way. I have said no to quite a few. Similarly, unless and until I fall in love with the Indian script, I will not do it," Freida said in an interview.

Screened in the Narrative competition section at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 'Miral' that opens in Jerusalem in 1948 is the true story of Hind Husseini, who turns her family home into the Dar Al-Tifl Al-Arabi Institute, providing hope and education to orphans, especially girls. Freida's character too grows up in the same orphanage.

The film is directed by American artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel and Freida says he cast her after seeing her in 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

"I auditioned for it, Danny Boyle put me on tape for this because Julian requested us while we were doing a press junket for 'Slumdog Millionaire' in LA.

"I read the script and I completely fell in love with it. I felt this story definitely needed to be told to the world. I was getting an opportunity to be part of a story that talks about peace, so why not? That's how the film happened."

The 26-year-old speaks English with a Palestinian accent in the war film. "I'm lucky, I can do accents well. I can listen and I can repeat what people say. So Julian set me on a mission - I didn't have an accent coach, I had real people to learn from. I went to the old city of Jerusalem, stayed with a Palestinian family for eight days.

"I also went to the orphanage where Rula grew up. I picked up whatever I could from the students and local people. I recorded everything and found out words that are common and found my own accent. That's my take on my Palestinian accent," she said.

The actress says she doesn't have to prove anything to anybody back home and hopes Indians watch 'Miral' since it talks about peace.

"I never had to prove myself while doing 'Slumdog…' either. When the film went out, it did the best it could and did really well and that's the story of my life. I didn't have to go out of my way to prove a point in my first film, I don't have to do it in any film," said Freida.

"I would definitely want to show 'Miral' to India, but not to prove a point...the film (is) about peace which is so relevant in my country and in the countries that are warring or have some kind of conflict with neighbouring countries," she said.

Freida also got lucky to work with star Hollywood filmmaker Woody Allen in 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger'.

"I auditioned for Woody Allen's film too, quite contrary to what people think that these roles just fell in my lap. He saw me in 'Slumdog Millionaire' and thought I would be great in that part. But he made me audition because he needed to know I'd be able to do it.

"He is definitely very unique and a genius in what he does. What's most amazing about him is that he will take up serious and disturbing topics and punch the right amount of humour in it, which makes the film so much enjoyable and less depressing."

So what are the other international projects in her kitty?

"I have worked with Tarsem Singh in 'Immortals'. It's a Greek epic. I play Phaedra, the oracle. Again there is no ethnicity to the character - she could be from any part of the world. The film is so multicultural that we never talk about ethnicity, though we talk about Greek places. We shot in a studio in Montreal and it's in English. I did speak a bit of ancient Greek," she said.

"I also did a film called 'Rise Of The Apes' with Rupert Wyatt. It's a prequel to 'Planet of the Apes'," Freida said.

"Since I've taken acting as my profession, my ambition is to keep doing it and keep getting better. So I guess, my ambition is to enjoy life and enjoy my work as well," she concluded.

Indo-Asian News Service

"Aishwarya dances like a dream"

Who's the Bachchan bahu's latest celeb fan?

Choreographer Longinus Fernandes made actors in 'Slumdog Millionaire' dance to his tunes and also directed a sequence in the Hollywood film 'Eat, Pray Love', but it is Aishwarya Rai who bowled him over with her "dream" like dance moves.

He has choreographed the song 'Udi udi' in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's forthcoming film 'Guzaarish'.

"It's very unusual. We have never seen Aishwarya doing these steps. It's very different from what she has done in the past and she has done a brilliant job with it. She is a wonderful dancer and dances like a dream," Longinus said.

"It did not take her long to learn the dance but it did take her some time to perfect it and to get into the mood of the character," he added.

The song is slowly becoming a rage especially because of Aishwarys's impressive and graceful moves in a black and red long dress.

"Sanjay wanted to make the song different and unique. I asked him if we can add a little bit of Spanish to it and give it a raw, earthy feel. He liked the idea, so we gave the whole dance a look which is very rustic to make it look as natural as possible," said the dance director.

Longinus, who won a Filmfare Award for best choreography for the song 'Pappu can't dance sala...' in 'Jaane tu Ya Jaane Na', had assisted Farah Khan for a couple of years.

It was on the sets of the dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa', where Longinus was a contestant and Bhansali a judge, that the two met.

"It was not very difficult for me to get this break because Sanjay Leela Bhansali has always been very fond of me. He was a judge with 'Jhalak...' and he told me that time that he will work with me for sure. And he kept his promise.

"I did a small piece in 'Saawariya' too, but that went unnoticed. But with this one Sanjay and I are so happy that people are actually liking the sequence," he said.

Also starring Hrithik Roshan as paraplegic patient, 'Guzaarish' releases Nov 19.

Indo-Asian News Service