Censor Board objects to Kangana’s nude scene; gives Raaz - The Mystery Continues an A certificate.

January 9th, 2009

Censor Board objects to Kangana's nude scene; gives Raaz - The Mystery Continues an A certificate. But producer Mukesh Bhatt believes he will be able to retain the scene

Mukesh Bhatt's dream of retaining Kangana Ranaut's nude scene in Raaz - The Mystery Continues has come to naught. The Censor Board Committee which saw the film last night has ordered the nude scene to be deleted if Mukesh wants the film to see the light of day.

Also, Raaz has been given an A certificate. However, Mukesh has the option of approaching the Revising Committee of The Censor Board.

In this scene Kangana is attacked by the ghost for the first time. According to our sources Mukesh Bhatt, who was present at the screening, was livid with the Censors' decision. There was a big argument between Mukesh and some members of the Board who refused to cow down.

Mumbai Mirror had learnt about the scene nearly15 days back and asked Mukesh for a picture. But Mukesh had said, "I don't want to release the picture as then I may have more difficulty in getting a U certificate for this film. I want a bigger audience for the film" We told him that irrespective of whether he gave us the picture or not, the censors would do their job anyway. But Mukesh did not part with the picture.

We tried to persuade Kangana to get us the picture, but even she was apprehensive about releasing the picture to the media.

Vinayak Azad (Regional Officer, Censor Board) confirmed on Friday evening that his panel has ordered Vishesh Films to delete Kangana's nude scene. He said, "My officers have told me that they had told Vishesh films to delete the nude scene. Despite the deletion of the scene, the film will have an A certificate since there is a lot of horror content in it."

Our source clarified, "Obviously, Kangana did not shoot in the nude and she wore a body suit to create an illusion. But the Censors' objection is valid since the viewer will definitely feel that Kangana is nude in the scene."

Funnily, Mukesh Bhatt is still living in denial. After we spoke to Vinayak Azad, he told us, "Raaz - The Mystery Continues has got a UA certificate. We have not been asked to delete Kangana's nude scene."

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala was robbed at gunpoint by his own security guard

January 9th, 2009

Sajid's very own Judas

Early morning yesterday was probably the most terrible morning for Sajid Nadiadwala, who has produced films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Heyy Babyy (2007). In what seems like a plot straight out of a Bollywood film, he was rendered helpless as his own security guard robbed him, holding his wife, Wardha at gunpoint.

Said Inspector Suresh Nalawade of Versova police station, "Sajid and his wife returned home early in the morning at around three and asked the watchman to retire for the night. His wife then went to check on their daughter. It was at this time that the watchman, Prabhat, 24, thrust a revolver at her and demanded money and jewellery. Sajid quietly handed over Rs 10 lakh in cash and jewellery worth Rs 40 lakh. Thankfully, Prabhat did not injure Wardha saying that Sajid was co-operative enough to part with the booty. The investigation is on."

We asked him if they had a lead on Prabhat's whereabouts. Added the Inspector, "Prabhat was working with a firm called Tiger Security, but they seem to have no information on him. He had been working with Ocean View, Sajid's residence, since the last six months."

The Starlet building reconstruction at Carter Road is to be Salman Khan's dream home

January 9th, 2009

From starlet to star

Word on the street is that the Starlet building reconstruction at Carter Road is to be Salman Khan's dream home

Salman Khan's dream to build a high rise building at Carter Road in Bandra has been squashed by the concerned authorities. The plot does not meet the construction requirements of a high-rise, so Salman will instead build a five-storied building.

Our source informed, "Salman had bought all the flats in the three-storied building called Starlet. He had plans to build his dream bungalow replete with a swimming pool and a huge gym. However, during construction, some problems cropped up, forcing him to change his construction plans to a high rise building. But even this plan was not passed as the building came under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Regulation Zone and Environment Notification Act of 1996. So Salman has now decided to build a five-storied building instead. Salman will shift there along with his parents. Salman's dream house is expected to incorporate all that his heart fancies. The construction work of the building is already on in full swing."

Considering the fact that the earlier plan of building the bungalow didn't go as per plan and the news of building the bungalow was also leaked out to the media; the new change of plan has been kept under wraps.

Salman's media consultant said, "Salman was never building a bungalow there. The Khan family already had some flats in the building, which has now gone for redevelopment. So after construction, flats will again be allotted to them."

On the other hand, builder S. V Anand, completely denied Salman's involvement in the building. Anand said, "Earlier Salman was interested in constructing a bungalow here but not anymore. Right now, we are constructing a new society here and Salman is no longer involved with the building."

However, our source maintains that Salman is indeed constructing the building for himself.

Bollywood team back in Srinagar to shoot Lamha

January 9th, 2009

Post elections in Kashmir, Bollywood film units have resumed shooting to complete their unfinished productions

A few days after National Conference leader Omar Andullah took over as Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Bollywood film units resumed shooting to complete their unfinished productions in the Kashmir valley.

While lead actor Sanjay Dutt, Kunal Kapoor and others arrived in Srinagar on Thursday, lead female character Bipasha Basu is expected to arrive in a day or two to complete the shooting of the Rs 30-crore Lamha . The unit headed by director Rahul Dholakia had to abruptly return on November 5 last year after a mob disrupted shooting near Parimpora Sabzi Mandi on the outskirts of Srinagar.

The people, who were watching the shooting had objected to "Kashmiris being shown as weapon carriers'' in the film. Dholakia has denied the charges and said the film is "entirely pro-Kashmir'' and depict the aspirations of Kashmiris.

He had said Lamha is a love story woven with boundless agony Kashmiris are facing in the past 61 years. "Without the help of Kashmiri people I cannot do justice with my film.''

The glamorous Bipasha will play Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi in Lamha, while Anupam Kher is playing the role of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

There were protests when the director was shooting a sequence in which Kashmiri youths burn tyres and chant anti-India slogans.

Samajwadi Party's decision to field Sanjay Dutt as their Lok Sabha candidate from Lucknow

January 9th, 2009

Bollywood happy with Sanju's new role

Prominent Bollywood personalities are pleased with Samajwadi Party's decision to field Sanjay Dutt as their Lok Sabha candidate from Lucknow

Bollywood on Thursday welcomed the Samajwadi Party decision to nominate Sanjay Dutt from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency.

Though the actor himself chose to stay mum before the legal complications were cleared, people close to him said he knew that those hurdles could be a roadblock to his political aspirations.

Actor Suniel Shetty, known to be one of Sanjay's closest friends, is not surprised at the SP decision to offer the actor a Lok Sabha ticket. He said: "I am not shocked to hear that Sanju has been offered a ticket. After whatever has happened to Mumbai on 26/11, there is definitely a need to have more people coming into politics, especially those who have a heart and think like Sanju and want to bring about change and are ready to give time for the country.''

Actor Jackie Shroff, too, feels that Sanjay has the genes in him. "He is the son of Sunil Dutt, who has given his blood and sweat and was considered the pride of the Congress. Sanju definitely has the same qualities. Besides, anybody who feels for the country should join politics and Sanju has always expressed a desire to work for people. I wish him a successful beginning like he had in his film career,'' he said.

Producer-director Mahesh Bhatt, who gave Sanju a second lease of life in the film industry (with Naam), said: "I wish my buddy nothing but the best. But let me warn him that the road ahead will be full of challenges, which he will have to negotiate alone. The world of politics is bizarre. But it's great news that two people from such an illustrious family are going to represent two different parties.'' Dutt's sister, Priya, is a Congress MP.

Producer Punkej Kharbanda, a close family friend, said, "Dutt Saab (Sunil) has taught his family to stand up and serve the people and Sanju has chosen his father's path. We require people like him who are not joining politics for making money.''

Others reacted cautiously. "I really don't know anything,'' David Dhawan, who directed Dutt in many a laugh-riot, said. "I will be able to comment only after I know about Sanjay's decision.'' Sanjay's sister, Namrata Dutt, too said, "He has not spoken to us and so I really cannot comment. Besides, I am not into politics at all.''

" Priyanka Chopra "and "Harman Baweja" have called off their three-year-old now-on now-off relationship

January 9th, 2009

Stories of differences between the Love Story 2050 couple, Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja, have been floating around for a while now. Now they did, now they didn't. But we have confirmed reports from our source that the couple has finally split. Says our source, "This time it's confirmed."

The couple has ended their three-year-old relationship. Our source close to the couple said, "There were problems between Priyanka and Harman earlier too but of late it had become very stressful to keep the relationship on an even keel. So much so that the two decided to call it off. However, both have decided to be friends and be cordial to each other at public events."

According to our source it was quite evident when the couple called off their plans to celebrate the New Year together. Priyanka chose to be in Manali with her family for the New Year, while Harman brought it in with friends.

A source from the sets of What's Your Rashee said, "Priyanka and Harman remain holed up in their vans between shots. The two come face and face only when they are called for the shot." The situation was not like this while shooting for Love Story 2050 when Priyanka would hang around on the sets with Harman even if she was not required for the shot. She was there to lend Harman moral support and vice-versa."

According to reports Priyanka, whose career is on an upward swing, felt that she needed to focus on her career. "Harman has yet to establish himself in the film industry, while Priyanka's career is going great guns. All this complicated matters and distanced them further," said our source.

The source added, "The two decided to split gracefully and continue to be friends so that there is no awkwardness between them. Also being professionals, they shoot for Ashutosh Gowariker's What's Your Rashee? leaving their differences at home."

It is Priyanka who decided to call the relationship off. Said our source, "Priyanka told Harman that they should remain good friends while they complete What's Your Rashee?"

We tried to contact Priyanka and Harman but both remained unavailable for comment. Priyanka's father Ashok Chopra put a complete different spin on the story when he said, "They were not together anyway." Like we don't know.

China Jet

January 9th, 2009

It pays to have tycoons as best buddies. This luxury seven-seater jet is Akshay Kumar's close pal, Toronto-based tycoon Ajay Virmani's loan to the Chandni Chowk to China team.

Akshay, Deepika Padukone, Twinkle Khanna, Nikhil Advani, Ajay and senior members of Warner Brothers' production will travel to the various premiere destinations of the film.