Katrina Kaif - Interview

Having already created a buzz with her 'no make up' look in the promos of her forthcoming venture "New York", Katrina Kaif says her character Maya in the movie is a reflection of what she is in real life.

"The first brief that I got from my director (Kabir Khan) was that 'it (the character) is the Katrina whom you have not seen in other films... She is not the one by whom you are intimidated when you see her'. I have just been myself in the film," Katrina told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"I was told 'look at yourself, the personality you have and the things you go through in real life'... Of course, the situations would be different but Maya is what Katrina is off-screen. She is what I'm in real life," she added.

Asked if it was a deliberate effort to have a deglamorised look in the film, she said: "When I hear the word deglamorised, I think of someone who has put mud on the face and is wearing dirty clothes... It's not a deglamorised role... It's a very realistic role where I bring out what I am in reality."

Portraying her real characteristics in the movie was also a "different experience" for the 24-year-old. "It was a kind of a challenge in itself, but it was the most wonderful part too," she said.

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films, "New York" is releasing June 26 worldwide.

Apart from Katrina, it stars John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh in male leads with Irrfan Khan in a pivotal role.

Set in New York, the narrative spreads over nine years. It tells the story of three young friends whose lives take an unexpected turn after 9/11.

"My brief was very clear that Maya is not a Muslim and also that 9/11 attacks are only a backdrop to the film, after which their (the three friends') lives change and take a turn... it's about their emotional journey in the film than anything else," she said.

The Britain-born model-turned-actress' career soared to heights after she gave four back-to-back hits in 2007 - "Namastey London", "Apne", "Partner', "Welcome" and the first hit of 2008 "Race" in which Katrina played a character with shades of grey. She continued the winning streak with the comedy "Singh Is Kinng".

Apart from honing her acting skills, Katrina has also begun dubbing her movies on her own with an improved Hindi accent.

"I choose to dub on my own and make the efforts. I try to make it sound correct. Where some other artist might take three days to dub, I take six days, but I am trying very hard," she averred.

Katrina also denied taking Hindi classes.

"I don't think I need to take Hindi lessons."

After predominantly juggling with comedy, Katrina has moved to serious roles with "New York" and Prakash Jha's "Rajneeti".

"I've just arrived at a point where I am being offered diverse films," said Katrina who was last seen in Subhash Ghai's dud "Yuvvraaj".

Her future projects include a bevy of big-budget ventures like "Blue", "De Dana Dan" and "Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani".

The actress is content with her career.

"Everything is given to us by god. All you can do is work hard towards something. I've always believed in that and have always tried staying professional and given my best. And I love criticism... you have to take it constructively and move ahead in life," she said.

Controversial Queen busy Twittering!

Rakhi Sawant has joined the bandwagon of celebrities who have caught the Twitter bug.

In a bid to promote her ongoing reality show "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar", through which she will find her life partner, the item girl has taken to Twitter to share her day-to-day experiences on the show being shot at Udaipur's Fateh Garh Palace, a source from the show told the media.

One of her posts read, "Nervous hoon..excited bhi...zindagi ki nayi shuruwat hai (I'm nervous but also excited. It's a new beginning in life for me)".

The Twitter page of the actor, who has also done cameos in films like "Main Hoon Na" and done item numbers in films like "Krazzy 4" and "1920", can be found on www.twitter.com/rakhisawant.

The latest updates by Rakhi include the proceedings of her shows and how much she hates breaking the contestants' heart.

Stuntman Akshay Enthrall Delhi With Super model Kareena

He talked about his character Viraj Shergill, a Hollywood stuntman in the film, and the importance of women in the lives of men.

Popular for his daredevil stunts, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar jumped off a 60-foot high elevated structure in the capital Thursday evening to promote his new film "Kambakkht Ishq" releasing Friday.

Clad in a black body hugging full sleeved T-shirt, jeans, sports shoes and shades, the actor played his comic self with the fans and the media before jumping off on the stage.

He talked about his character Viraj Shergill, a Hollywood stuntman in the film, and the importance of women in the lives of men. "I'm a typical male chauvinist (in the film)... do you even know who is a male chauvinist? He is one who believes that he is God's gift to women. But I must tell you that if men are from Mars, women are from heaven," said the actor while still standing suspended with wires from a crane at DLF place in Saket.
The 41-year-old then probed the media for questions from the height. "Hi media. Won't you like to ask me anything right now. I've done almost 120 films and I haven't seen such a pc (press conference). Go on, ask what you want. I won't jump before you do."

The actor who was last seen in duds "Chandni Chowk To China" and "8x10 Tasveer" also warned his fans not to repeat the stunts shown in films.

"Stunts are amazing but please don't do them... it's way too dangerous. Three months ago, my cousin was trying one of my glass breaking stunts from the film and he ended up with a lot of stitches. Even we (actors) have to undergo a lot of rehearsals before doing them," said the actor before taking the leap.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, "Kambakkht Ishq" has been directed by debutant Sabbir Khan.

It also stars Kareena Kapoor and has much publicised cameos by Hollywood stars like Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

Joining Akshay after the stunt, Kareena couldn't stop raving about her co-star of six films including "Kambakkht...".

"The star of this film is none other than Akshay Kumar. He has done a fabulous job... it is a must watch out for," she said.

Beckhams spend $81,660 on luxury eco-spa

The couple - who had initially been expected to celebrate the anniversary at Sir Richard Branson's exclusive Necker Island - are set to stay at the resort for 10 days.

Celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham splashed out $81,660 on a luxury eco-spa break for their 10th wedding anniversary.

The soccer star and the former Spice Girl, who wed in a lavish ceremony in Ireland July 4, 1999, were keen to mark the occasion in style so they flew out to a romantic retreat in the exclusive Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

The couple - who had initially been expected to celebrate the anniversary at Sir Richard Branson's exclusive Necker Island - are set to stay at the resort for 10 days.

Bips smitten by Black Berry!

Bipasha has lost all her numbers and she can't identify any caller, she just can't get enough of her new phone.

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has got a swanky new toy - a Blackberry - gifted to her by her co-star and producer Ajay Devgan for working round the clock for his new film "All the Best".

And though Bipasha has lost all her numbers and she can't identify any caller, she just can't get enough of her new phone.

"I love it! I'm going totally crazy with it. Though I've no numbers on it and am trying to figure it out, I just can't get enough of it," says the actress who finished shooting for Ajay Devgan's comedy "All The Best" in Goa this week.

Devgan gifted the phone to Bipasha out of the blue (or shall we say, black?) on the last day of shooting for working round the clock including late nights and early mornings. In fact Bipasha kept off the phone to the extent of not even connecting with her boyfriend John Abraham who was limping around on crutches in Mumbai trying to promote his new film.

Apparently Bipasha also agreed to do an additional role in "All The Best" without charging a single penny extra.

Devgan known to be a generous producer had heard Bipasha mention she wanted a Blackberry.

The actress said: "Yeah, Ajay knew I wanted it. In fact it was he who got me interested in it. It is actually a gift in appreciation for working long hours and changing at lightning speed between shots when we had loads of work to finish. Ajay is a fabulous co-star and producer."

Bipasha soon leaves for Hyderabad to shoot the songs for "All The Best". On Saturday she also watched her boyfriend's new film "New York" finally.

"I'm so proud of him," she whispered.

No Ifs For These Bollywood Butts!!

Not always you get someone from Bollywood flaunting her ass and moreover talking outrageously about its shape.

"I was always curvy but I wanted to change the way my derriere looked. Somehow the thought stayed in my mind. And I am now proud to flaunt a JLo-like derriere," said Sherlyn Chopra in an interview.

Not always you get someone from Bollywood flaunting her ass and moreover talking outrageously about its shape.

In the past, Hindi cinema had its share of butt-shaking beauties who flaunted their curves on screen and heard whispering sounds of appreciation rather than aggravation, from male audiences.

Sharmila Tagore was one such actress who was more admired for her curvy butt than the big kohl eyes which were more prominent in her feature.

In 70’s Sharmila was not alone, there was a bunch of actresses who were keen to sizzle on the celluloid with their hottest property: butt.

Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi and Neetu Singh followed ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ in the later years.

In every generation Bollywood actresses hoodwinked men with their well toned bottoms. It never was a matter of debate but it has always been talked and adored.

Today, the silicon transplant may have killed the natural bump of butts but it has given the beauties a way to find their route for wanting whispers.

Sharmila Tagore top the list of having the most seriously carved butt by some craftsman, the Bengali diva was the first woman in Hindi cinema to don a bikini in ‘An Evening in Paris’. Opposite to her name Sharmila: Shy; she was audacious and bold.

After many years, she said, “You know I remember a funny incident. As you know I wore a one-piece bathing costume in 'An Evening In Paris' and not a bikini as is generally believed. But I wanted to wear a bikini. Shaktida put his foot down. He forced me to wear a one-piece.”

When we talk about butts, we can not dare to miss Saira Banu, the alabaster complexion, mahogany eyes, aquiline nose and an enviable figured actress of 60’s heated the screen with her back-beck. (Image- Purab Paschim)
Saira Banu made her debut in 1961 opposite Shammi Kapoor in ‘Junglee’ and her very first film earned her the nomination for Filmfare best actress awards. Saira was beautiful with curvaceous features, like an artwork which asks for heartily attention rather than mere craftsman’s labour.

In the age of conventional cinema Zeenat Aman dared to experiment with unconventional roles, shedding the clichéd image of heroines of hindi cinema – obedient and sweet lover – with boisterous and opportunist characters like hippie in ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, hooker in ‘Manoranjan’ and extra-marital relationship in ‘Prem-Shashtra’.

Smita Patil was known for her acting acumen, dusky looks and sharp features and one ‘rarely’ looked beyond what was obvious on screen. But in ‘Chakra’ the goddess of parallel cinema left everyone breathless as she dared to put her rear for public scrutiny.

The yesteryear actresses may be forgotten in a blink after watching today’s hindi cinema where dare-bare and well-toned bodies prerequisite for any glamorous role – a must have spice of the recipe called career.

And with easy availability of feature altering technology, changing ones looks or shape is no longer a stigma as it used to be back in good old days.

The bong girl Bipasha Basu lead the pack of today’s butt revolution, the dusky lass entered with an average derriere but soon understood the basics of the game and worked hard to gain a ready to die for butts - no wonder why John Abraham stands tall at her back.

Mother of two Mallaika Arora Khan has no competition in the Bollywood when it comes to keeping the ‘butt’ in shape. The siren has worked wonders when she went on the top of the train along with Shahrukh Khan to shake her ‘bounty’ in ‘Chaiyyan Chaiyyan’ for Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se.

The Barbie girl of Bollywood Katrina Kaif has struck the cine-goers big time with her looks. Many people can argue about her acting skills but when it comes to beauty all hands will go up in affirmation for her hour glass looks and a well endowed body – her butts - no ifs for that either!
The revolution called on-screen kissing goes to the bombshell Mallika Sherawat for her countless kisses in ‘Khawahish’, while ‘Murder’ further ingrained ‘outrageous’ to her name. Mallika might be out of media glare for sometime now, but trust me: all ‘butt’ list-ing will be incomplete without a mention of her assets. Good looking Diya Mirza may never be talked as the hot or hottest girl in the B’ Town but her back can send many a men in fantasies. Off-late Diya isn’t seen often on silver-screen. However, still Diya raises the temperature whenever she passes-by – back effect!

Many of us would have forgotten the innocent faced ‘Lakeer’ girl for whom Sohail Khan and John Abraham fought on screen. Nauheed Cyrusi, model -VJ – actress has been away for long from the limelight yet the black-saree clad diva managed to get herself listed here purely on the basis of her rear-talents!!!
To miss this sexy-itsy-bitsy-babes butt, you need to have heart of a lion or taste as bad as Govinda’s dressing. Actress-model and ‘flasher’ Sherlyn Chopra is riding [ruling] high these days as she is the most searched internet babe in India currently. And it’s butt-so-obvious that the most ogled [zoomed] part of her body is not her face – butt is what we all crave for – it’s the talented cushions that have kept her floating in the glamour world till now!!! Yana Gupta originally a Czech model who strived to make it big in Bollywood after successful modeling for some big brands however strangled being an item number after her hip-jerking ‘Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo’. Lately she appeared on ‘Colors’ with host Akshay Kumar in Fear Factor- Khatron Ke Khiladi since then Yana is nowhere to be seen; yet she’s so curvy that we cannot help ‘butt’, give her place here.
Her intense role in ‘Julie’ made Neha Dhupia unforgettable for sometime, but thereafter nothing noteworthy came from the busty actress kitty. The Keraliite who was crowned ‘Miss Universe India in 2002’ made headlines for her outrageous comment, “Only Shahrukh Khan and Sex sells in Bollywood” and since then the hot actress knows how to go about the business – Butt way!

The list will look incomplete without the leggy lass Priyanka Chopra, more you drool over her body more it reveal the sensuous side of her. The Miss World 2000 may not have a great debut in Bollywood, but ‘Aitraaz’ left no-doubts over her seductiveness. Priyanka’s well toned looks in ‘Dostana’ left fans with hard breath.

‘Shut Up and Bounce’ is what Shilpa Shetty must be telling to her butts! She has one of the best bodies in Bollywood today, although it didn’t earn her a 3 hour roles but keeps her busy bouncing around.
Sushmita Sen may not like to reveal her sensual bottoms often, yet woman of essence sometimes poses in ways that leaves one without air. It may not be the most noticeable part of her body – knowing her attractive face – but-t [is] it’s worth a mention here!!!

Mother of Jackson's two elder kids may fight for custody

The 50-year-old Jewish blonde, who had given up her rights to the two kids in 2001, may now challenge the temporary custody granted to Jackson's mother Katherine.

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael Jackson's two older children, may go to court to seek their custody, said reports here.

The 50-year-old Jewish blonde, who had given up her rights to the two kids in 2001, may now challenge the temporary custody granted to Jackson's mother Katherine, a report in the Los Angeles Times said Wednesday.

Giving up the two children, Rowe had told the court eight years ago that she had borne the children for Michael Jackson.

"They wouldn't be on this planet if it wasn't for my love for him. I did it for him to become a father, not for me to become a mother. You earn the title 'parent'. I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title," she had told the court.

Their divorce was finalised in 2000, with Rowe getting an $8.5 million settlement.

But she stopped visiting the children - Prince Michael Junior and Paris - six months later, complaining that she had to go through lawyers to send birthday balloons to her children, travel long distances to see them and had trouble getting makeup visits if she missed a scheduled appointment because of illness, the report said.

Rowe had met Jackson while working for Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein who is now being considered the biological father of Rowe's two children, not Michael Jackson.

According to the newspaper, Rowe, who now lives on a horse farm in Palmdale near here, has a strong claim to the two children she has not seen for a long time.

She will attend a custody hearing Monday, though it is not known whether she will seek custody of the older kids or just visitation rights, the report said.

The report added: "Court records and interviews paint Rowe as vulnerable, an animal-lover who doted lavishly on her horses, dogs and birds as though they were her children and vacillated in her desires to see the girl and boy she bore with Jackson.

"She also appeared to love Jackson, even though her marriage was established for the sole purpose of bearing him children.

"Jackson rewarded the blond, blue-eyed Rowe with large sums of money for forsaking the children, and money appeared to be a concern when she later tried to obtain custody."

Rowe, who gave up parental rights in a petition in 2001, later moved court to contest her waiver of parental rights when Jackson was charged with child molestation and became associated with the Nation of Islam, "whose members Deborah believed 'do not like Jews'," the newspaper said quoting court records.

Court records said: "Because she is Jewish, Deborah (Rowe) feared the children might be mistreated if Michael continued his association (with the Nation of Islam)," according to the newspaper.

DPA adds: Jackson named fellow music great Diana Ross as the backup guardian of his three children in the event that his mother Katherine, 79, was unable to fulfil that role, according to his 2002 will, which was revealed Wednesday.

According to the will, dated July 7, 2002, all of Jackson's assets have been left to the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

The document was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court with a separate petition that estimates the value of his estate at more than $500 million, primarily comprised of his half of a music publishing catalogue that holds the rights to more than 250 Beatles' songs, as well as other music.

The will specifically excluded Jackson's heirs and his former wife, Debbie Rowe, but they could be beneficiaries of his trust, legal experts said. Jackson's father, Joe, was not mentioned in the will.

The revelation came amid feverish expectations outside Jackson's Neverland Ranch, some 200 km to the north, where television cameras already occupied prime positions along the country road leading to his home in advance of a reported public viewing there Friday.