Amisha Patel Top Less Daboo Ratnani Calendar

January 21st, 2009

Latest unseen behind the scene picture of Topless Amisha Patel at Daboo Ratnani Calendar shoot

Exclusive Interview: Deepika Padukone

January 21st, 2009

The uber chic and sexy, Deepika Padukone is just a year old in the industry and she has already made quite a name for herself and achieved a large global fan base!. Check out this exclusive Desi Hits! interview where she gets candid about her family, films and much more..

DH!: 2008 was a great year for you and we hear you have a great line up of films in 2009. So where do you hope your career will take you in 2009?

Deepika: I hope that 2009 is as exciting as 2008 and I am very happy with the way my professional life is going now so I just hope that this year is the same for me. I always hope that I remain happy because I think happiness is very important.

DH!: Your birthday just passed, How were your birthday celebrations? We heard that you visited a temple, did you party as well?

Deepika: No, partying is not my thing, I preferred spending time with my family and yes I did visit a temple in the morning, that's generally how I start my day on my birthday and do things
that I enjoy doing. So I spent time with my family and also worked a bit, so I managed to
balance out both. (smiles)

DH!: Any birth-day wishes?

Deepika: Well...what better way to start the year then with a big film? My film, 'Chandni Chowk To China' is out so I hope that it does really well.

DH!: 'Chandni Chowk to China' was your first action movie. Was it tough to emote the action
scenes?

Deepika: Yes, it was tough, but I am glad that I went through the extensive training - physically
and mentally it was important. So I was well prepared.

DH!: What training did you undertake prior to filming?

Deepika: I was trained for six months. My trainers came down from Hong Kong and trained me in all the cable work and wire work and all the sword fights and all those things.

DH!: What made you decide to work on 'Chandni Chowk to China'?

Deepika: This project was offered to me before 'Om Shanti Om' released. I was always very keen to do an action film, and it sounded like a very big and exciting project. Also Nikhil Advani was directing it, and it was opposite Akshay Kumar and also I have a double role, so what more could I have asked for?

DH!: You are playing a double role once again. (after Om Shanti Om)Do you think opting for double roles gives you more scope to exercise your acting prowess?

Deepika: I would consider myself very lucky to get the opportunity to do a double
role again. It just gives me that much more confidence that my directors and the
audience believe that I can carry off different kinds of looks in different kinds of
roles. And obviously as an actor it is a lot more challenging doing two roles in the
same film. It's definitely not easy and is quite challenging.

DH!: Do you plan on taking up non commercial?
films in the future?

Deepika: Sure, as an actor I would definitely like to
do different kinds of roles and different
kinds of cinema?

DH!: Tell us about your experience on Chandni Chowk To China?

Deepika: For me the most interesting part would be shooting at the 'Great Wall Of China.' I had
always thought that I would end up there as a tourist, but it was a greater experience actually shooting there. I think it was the first film to have ever been shot at the Great Wall Of China.

DH!: How was it working with Akshay Kumar? How do you rate his stunt quotient? Were you
intimidated by performing alongside the Khilladi actor?

Deepika: I wouldn't say intimidated because then that would be taking away credit from him. He's someone who has made me feel extremely comfortable, whether it was on the sets,
whether it was in a scene or whether it was an action stunt. He's made me feel absolutely
comfortable and also I give my director credit for that and I would also give myself a
little bit of credit for that because I had trained really hard for it. No, I wasn't intimidated.
I am just someone who really admires the way he's groomed himself over the years and
the way he has evolved as an actor and the kind of cinema that he's doing, I think he's
someone who we can all really learn a lot from.

DH!: You are considered to be one of the most beautiful/promising faces to hit
Bollywood in a long time? Do all the sky-high expectations bog you down?

Deepika: No, it doesn't. I am here to enjoy my work. I think I enjoy my work and it is extremely important and that is the
reason I am here.

DH!: Who is your worst critic?

Deepika : I think myself and my family. I think my family would be most honest
with me.

DH!: When you see yourself on screen, do you cringe or do you analyze it to
pieces?

Deepika: I do a little bit of both. (grins)

DH!: How would you best describe Deepika Padukone-the person and the Deepika Padukone - the celebrity?

Deepika: I don't consider myself a celebrity, I believe that I've had a fantastic up
bringing and I believe my parents have kept me really grounded and rooted and my family keeps me rooted. And I hope that success never gets to me. I've seen my father handle success really well and I hope I continue in the same way because I believe that fame and money, all of that are all secondary things. The main thing is to enjoy your work.

DH!: With the economic downturn, do you think it's feasible to plan magnum opuses? As an
actor, how do you plan to tackle the downturn?

Deepika: I'll tackle it when I have to; I haven't really faced the situation yet.
You seem to be very picky about choosing roles?

DH!: Do you consult anybody from the film
fraternity before signing on a venture?

Deepika!: Obviously the final decision is mine, but I do have my parents who I always consult with
before I do a film and I take their advice.

DH!: Will we ever see you in a Hollywood venture?

Deepika: If something exciting comes up, why not?

DH!: How do you de-stress after a day's hard work and what'
the mantra that keeps you going?

Deepika !: I enjoy doing simple things. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, eating simple home food.

DH!: Tell us something that nobody else knows about you

Deepika: Nothing in particular. I like to believe that I am a very simple person. I like doing simple things, I like spending time at home with my family and friends. And I am extremely fond of chocolates.

DH!: Does it rile you up about your personal life being discussed? And if we may ask, what's
the status on you and Ranbir Kapoor?

Deepika: I am very secure any happy in my relationship.

DH!: How does it feel to be a part of Imtiaz Ali's next venture 'Production No 1'? Were you
aware of the tug of war between Saif Ali Khan and the director over who should be cast?

Deepika: That's really none of my business and decision. I think if Imtiaz has approached me for a film and if he thinks I fit the role then... (grins) It was offered to me and obviously I
agreed to do it. It's a great script and a great role and I think certain roles are written with
certain people in mind. So that's really the director's decision. I am no one to really
comment on that.

DH!: You won several awards for your role in 'Om Shanti Om'. How has the film changed your
life?

Deepika: It's changed my life in a lot of ways. The fact that I got to debut with Shahrukh Khan and Farah, they gave me such a huge launch. Apart from that I am completely thankful to the
industry and the audience for accepting me and the fact that I have got such fabulous
roles and opportunities to be a part of such good films.

DH!: Coming back to your personal life, you used to play badminton, like your father. What
made you change your career path?

Deepika: I always wanted to be a model and wanted to be in the glamour field. So it's something
that I always wanted to do.

DH!: You famously criticized the media for publishing stories about your romantic link-ups.
Has this affected your private life and how you conduct interviews?

Deepika: To me it really doesn't matter; I understand that it's the job of the media to get as much as they can. I understand that it's also a part of the profession that I am in. I know that
people appreciate my work and that's the most important thing. I really don't react to
these kinds of things when they are written.

Lastly, what do hope for in 2009?

I hope that my films that release do really well.

Anupam Predicts a Golden Future

January 21st, 2009

Visiting his Bollywood Academy, Actor Prepares in West London, Anupam Kher predicted a golden future for Bollywood. “From now onwards, in the last three years and for the coming years, it’s going to be the best period for Indian cinema,” he said. He went on to discuss the importance of Bollywood dancing. "The problem with modern society is that it curbs your inner feeling,” he said, “The more sophisticated we become, the less we express ourselves. Bollywood dancing teaches you not to be shy."

Kashmiri-born Anupam flew on to Lal Chowk where he has been filming for Lamhaa which stars Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu. “I am here to shoot for Rahul Dholaki’s upcoming Lamhaa,” he explained, “Last year, I was in the valley to shoot for Tahaan. I want more and more films to be shot here in the valley so that the tourism sector gets a fillip and unemployed youth get some relief.”

Anupam, who recently made a big impact in A Wednesday, has launched a new campaign called School of Life in aid of underprivileged children. "We want to provide education to the disadvantaged kids, children who were born in impoverished families, or were destitute by destiny or forced to beg and feed themselves on the street," he explained, “We're calling it the School Of Life because we want to show kids how not to get frustrated with the knocks of life, how to deal with poverty, humility and rejection.”

Finally, city sees the faces world missed

January 21st, 2009

Mumbai For Mumbai, the Slumdog Millionaire team had a surprise on Tuesday. The six young actors — who have been missing from its publicity posters as well as Golden Globe photo-ops — were introduced at a media interaction. Tanay Chheda, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubaina Ali, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala and Tanvi Ganesh Lonker came holding the four Golden Globes, which the movie had won recently.

“They are the reason the film works,” said British director Danny Boyle. He said it wasn’t possible to take these young actors around for international events as they would miss their school. The actors play the role of the film’s three central characters as children and teenagers. Boyle cited shooting with them as one of his key challenges as he was scared they could be hurt while running alongside trains or doing action sequences.

In a run-up to the film’s release in India, the event also brought together Boyle, screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy, producer Christian Colson, actors Freida Pinto, Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Madhur Mittal and co-director Loveleen Tondon. But it was Mumbai that came across as the biggest star at this star-studded event.

Pinto exulted over her Mumbai roots, Beaufoy talked about coming here as a backpacker two decades ago and Boyle spoke about its energy that dares people to dream. “With our release in India, we complete the Holy Trinity after the film’s outing in the US and the UK. We have tried to cram in as much of Mumbai as possible in the film,” Boyle said.

The film is releasing in 81 Indian cities on January 23, both in English and in Hindi — Slumdog Crorepati, with 400 prints.

Boyle is eager to explore the city’s cinematic potential further; this time for a modern thriller.After sweeping the Globe, all eyes are now set on its possible conquests at the Oscar. But the team seems to be savouring each moment now without worrying about the upcoming Academy Awards. “We can’t expect such things right now,” said Boyle.

On Amitabh Bachchan’s controversial blog about the film, Boyle said one should be ready to accept criticism. The director, who hasn’t ever met the Indian superstar, said he would “love to meet Bachchan”.

“The film has benefited by the superstar’s presence,” he said. There are clippings from landmark Bachchan movies in Slumdog Millionaire. It also captures the Bachchan phenomenon as the hero as a child does the impossible to get Bachchan’s autograph.

Anil Kapoor said he admires Bachchan a lot though he doesn’t agree with the veteran actor’s views. Kapoor’s remark was seconded by Irrfan Khan, who felt the film presents a real picture of Mumbai’s slums.

Akshay seething over movie reactions

January 21st, 2009

Mumbai: Akshay Kumar's latest film Chandni Chowk To China has generated lots of news, for all the wrong reasons. While most critics have panned it badly, others in the industry have gone out of their way calling it one of the worst movies they have seen.

Bad reviews apart, Akshay is reportedly seething with uncalled reactions from people like Shekhar Suman, who called the film the worst of the century. A friend of the actor says, "Suman obviously went out of his way to trash it because his son Adhyayan's film is up for release and he does not want any competition. Competition is good but now it is reaching unhealthy levels in the industry."

Even when producers are claiming a 60% opening (which is pathetic for an Akshay film, according to trade pundits), Akshay chooses to keep mum about it. "Why don't you ask Warner Brothers about it?" he says. When asked about the extreme reactions to the movie from his colleagues, he simply says, "It's sad that people from my own fraternity are indulging in this for whatever motives. I would rather not say anything in this matter."

Genelia D’Souza had shot for Ghajini

January 21st, 2009

If there is one actress who must be feeling really frustrated looking at the stupendous success of Ghajini is Genelia D’Souza. Many must be aware that Kangana Ranaut and Ayesha Takia were being considered for a role in Ghajini but that was for the role which eventually went to Jiah Khan.

Sources inform, “The makers had zeroed down on Asin but her dates were getting to be a big problem. Finally as no word came from Asin, Genelia was brought in. Genelia too infact shot for 3-4 days with Aamir. But during that time Aamir started getting this feeling that audience would somehow not accept their jodi as she would be appearing with his nephew Imran Khan in his debut venture Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Just then the makers got a word from Asin that her dates issue had been sorted out. Immediately then, Genelia was replaced by Asin and as they say rest is history”

Well Genelia has managed to get her shot at fame with Jaane Tu produced by Aamir but it would have definitely been a double whammy for her had she been in Ghajini as well.

Celina’s inspired by Kareena

January 21st, 2009

Kareena Kapoor impressed one-and-all with her weight loss, so much so that she has got most of her co-actors turn obsessive and addictive about their weight and fitness regimes.

That’s another thing that Bebo is now on an indulgent spree, what with producers wanting her to put on some healthy weight for her roles.

But while shooting Golmaal Returns Kareena inspired best friend Amrita Arora to shed some kilos, and then it was the light-eyed Celina Jaitley who wanted to be ‘babe’, too. She said, “Both Kareena and Amrita used do 108 suryanamaskars everyday. I have no idea how they used to do it. I used to be panting after 35 and they used to motivate me to carry on. But I continue doing suryanamaskars to this day.” Well, the results are for all to see and Celina’s fans for sure are not complaining, right Celina?