Odd couple Sonam and Abhay Deol reunite

The Sonam Kapoor-Abhay Deol jodi finds another taker. Dibakar Banerjee has cast the two in his next, Shanghai

Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol might well make their second coming in Dibakar Banerjee's next titled Shanghai.

While casting for the film is still on, well-placed sources inform us that that the Love Sex Dhokha (LSD) director has locked in the Aisha jodi as his lead pair. The two will be seen romancing each other in the political thriller despite having creative differences in their first film together.

Abhay was the director's first choice. The two had worked together on Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and share a great camaraderie. Reveals a source, "Apart from having a great work equation, the two are also good friends off the set."

Shanghai is a thriller that follows a particular incident that happens in Abhay's character's life and its repercussions on everyone around him."

The lukewarm response to Aisha didn't stop Dibakar from considering Abhay and Sonam as his lead pair. The source says, "Even though that film didn't work, it hasn't stopped film makers from approaching the two as leads for future projects", adding, "Dibakar has spent the last nine months working on the concept and ideation for the film. Unlike his previous films, this one will have violence as the core theme."

However, when contacted, Dibakar denied he has cast Abhay and Sonam as the leads.

I will never participate in KBC, It will expose me

 I will never participate in KBC, It will expose me

Having already proven his mettle on the big screen, National Award winning actor Manoj Bajpayee is now anticipating offers from the small screen and says producing films is also one of his options.

"I am looking forward to offers on TV. In fact, I am waiting for these to happen," Manoj told in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

No points for guessing that even the serious actor has fallen prey to the lure of reality shows on the idiot box.

"Fiction is too much of a commitment because it comes twice or thrice in a week and sometimes four to five times in a week. Taking out time and shooting for a fiction show is quite impossible at this point for me," he said.

"But yes, a reality show is something you give maximum 10 days in a month and you can do as much as possible. That is something I can do at this point of time," added Manoj, who has been chosen as the celebrity of the month by UTV World Movies for its "50 movies to see before you die" segment.

So what kind of reality show would that be?

"One reality show that I loved watching is 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' and the way Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan handled it. The way he commanded respect and with the dignity that he approached the entire game is something to learn from... something like that definitely," he said.

But says he will never participate in a show like KBC as a contestant.

"I will never be a participant in a quiz show like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. I'll expose myself," said Manoj, whose latest release is Telugu action movie "Puli".

So that means there are layers to be unravelled of Manoj's persona?

"Or there is no layer at all," quickly responded the actor, who won laurels for his modern adaptation of Duryodhana in "Raajneeti".

His aspirations don't end here.

"In future, I'd love to produce films. That is something I think I can do but there is no immediate plan for that. But production is something that I can think of," he said.

What about writing or direction?

"I can't do writing. It is a very lonely job. As far as direction is concerned you never know…I never say never. Anything can happen anytime," he said.

Irrespective of the medium, the versatile actor is, however, confident his performance won't ever get hampered in any which way.

"I will work with the same intensity and sincerity that I have been doing and definitely my audiences will never be disappointed," he said.

Manoj's forthcoming releases include 3D animated movie "Ramayana - The Epic" where he has dubbed for Lord Rama - "Dus Tola" and "Chittagong". His future projects are "Aarakshan" and Anurag Kashyap's yet untitled mafia thriller.

Did Aishwaya and Salman Khan clash?

Film City was abuzz yesterday as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan shot in neighbouring sets, wondering if they'd cross paths

It wasn't just another ordinary day at Film City yesterday. Not if you consider that exes Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan were shooting in neighbouring sets.

While Ash was shooting with Akshay Kumar for Star Plus's MasterChef, Sallu was grooving for the music video shoot of Bigg Boss 4 nearby at around the same time.

Said a unit hand, "Film City was buzzing with excitement since morning. As soon as word spread that Salman and Aishwarya were expected to shoot, hushed whispers did the rounds about the possibility of the stars crossing paths."

Salman arrived a little after 2 pm for the shoot. Wearing jeans, T-shirt and a leather jacket, he shimmied to Pony Varma's choreography. When not shooting, he would pull out his notebook and start sketching. Ash arrived a bit earlier and got busy with her shoot immediately.

It's confirmed, John Abraham is a liar!!!

We're not saying that. Machines being used to promote his upcoming film Jhootha Hi Sahi have arrived at that conclusion

Around a hundred lie detectors have certified John Abraham as a liar!

The marketing team of Abbas Tyrewala's Jhootha Hi Sahi has come up with a promotional activity that involves a lie detection machine. A person has to put his finger on the machine and answer questions. The machine will indicate if the user is lying or telling the truth.

Says a source from the team, "These brand-new lie detectors will be attached to the film's standees in cinema halls. Anyone can get a lie detection test done. To show how the machines work, we asked John to get used to it, since he would be encouraging others to use it."

Says producer Madhu Manthena, "John kept trying out the lie detector and it kept branding him a liar. He tried another, thinking something was wrong with the machine. But a few other folks tried them out and received an opposite result (that they were telling the 'truth').

Hundred-odd standees later, we've decided that he's a confirmed liar. He wanted us to change and tweak the standee but I don't think that's going to happen."

Our source adds, "John was quite irritated. He couldn't believe that every machine was producing the same result."

Vidya Balan do a voluptuous Silk Smitha

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is going to enact the late South Indian sensation Silk Smitha. Now, if everything goes well, she will be accompanied by another Bollywood star Ajay Devgn in this forthcoming film, which deals with Smitha's life.

The movie is being made by television queen Ekta kapoor's Balaji telefilms. The officials from the production house are likely to discuss with Ajay on this topic very soon. Ajay has recently worked with Balaji in his latest release Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai.

A sourced was quoted saying that Ajay is supposed to essay the role of a renowned filmmaker, who was involved with the actress Silk Smitha in her glory days. The source added the movie won't deal with the entire life of Silk Smitha, rather it will concentrate more on her relationships.

However, Vidya is also yet to sign the papers to finalize her inclusion in this project. But the director Milan Luthria is very much interested to sign Vidya to play the role.

The source further said that a Malyalam girl with a very Indian type of body is required for this role and Vidya fits the bill perfectly. If both the actors sign the project, it will be their second film together. The first was Halla Bol.

Shahid Kapoor is not my man: Priyanka Chopra

She has her own parameters of what her ideal man should be like, but actress Priyanka Chopra, who is being linked to Shahid Kapoor these days, says she has left it to god to choose a suitable life partner for her when the time is right.

"I feel every girl thinks about her ideal man since her childhood, but I have learnt that we must not make such plans, and that especially goes for me... because I propose, and then god disposes. He says 'I have my own plans for you', " Priyanka told reporters here when asked about the kind of groom she wants.

"Till now, I have felt like god's chosen child. He has blessed me and I have got immense success. So I hope He finds the right guy for me whenever it is the right time, " she added.

Priyanka, who was in the capital Thursday for the promotion of her romantic film "Anjaana Anjaani", releasing Sep 24, also shared what she wants in her groom.

"He should be sincere, honest and he should love me unconditionally... and yes, he should be funny, " said the 28-year- old.

But hasn't she already found her man in Shahid Kapoor?

"I have decided to talk about my professional life only. I don't talk about my personal life anymore. Yes, the media has a right to ask...but I have always denied it and will keep denying it, " she said.

The young National Award winner also retorted to a suggestion that this time around, she has escaped the usual link-up that happens with most actors before their film's release. Instead, rumours of her getting back with Shahid have been doing the rounds.

"Almost all films made in India are romantic... so you mean that for every film, with every actor, I should have a romantic link-up? So that you believe the film is real? We do fiction films.

Maybe when I do docu-dramas, I will do a film with my boyfriend or husband. But otherwise, we try and keep everything very professional in the industry, " said Priyanka, whose next projects include "Saat Khoon Maaf", "Don 2" and Anurag Basu's next, again opposite Ranbir.

Ameesha Patel is very upset with Sonakshi and her mom

Ameesha Patel and the Dutts -- Sanjay and Maanayata -- are upset that a family close to them didn't even respond to their invite

Sanjay and Maanayata Dutt and their baby shower organiser Ameesha Patel are miffed that Punam Sinha and her daughter Sonakshi didn't care to respond to their invite for the event.

Says an invitee, "It was a guest list drawn up by Maana and Ameesha, who was personally calling and messaging people. As the Sinhas have always been very close to the Dutts, they were invited too. The Sinha patriarch, Shatrughan has been part of almost every social event of the Dutts."

But, adds the source, even the ladies who were out of town at the time (like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Natasha Fardeen Khan) or unwell (Kirron Kher was down with conjunctivitis) cited their inability to attend, but the Sinha maa-beti didn't.

"Punam didn't pick up Ameesha's call, neither did she reply to her messages. Ms Patel was very upset and the Dutts felt hurt too but preferred to keep quiet about it. Ameesha even told Maana that she wouldn't have called the Sinha ladies had she known they'd snub her."

The source feels that since Sonakshi has become part of Salman Khan's inner circle of friends, she has developed an attitude."

And Punam is a star mother, now that Dabangg is a big hit. Sonakshi wasn't in town as she was in Norway promoting Dabangg with Salman on September 13. Punam could have at least told Maanayata that Sonakshi and she weren't coming, no?"

Says Punam, "So what if I couldn't call or message back? My sister, a cancer patient for eight years, suddenly had to be admitted to hospital last week. She is my priority. I couldn't even attend Sonakshi's Dabangg events."

Poonam adds, "I have been in the hospital for the last few days and it's impossible to even think of calling or messaging people from there. I have far more important stuff going on in my life.

Please understand my frame of mind and what I am going through. Even now I am sitting with my sister at home after she was discharged a day ago.

Sanju and Maana are very close to us and will always be. I hope they understand my situation..."

Screen Buzz: Rajnikanth’s Secret Is Out!

          Robot, which is the biggest film made in India currently, has in store yet another surprise for Rajinikanth fans. Sources from the sets of Robot have confirmed that Rajnikanth has a triple role in Robot. There are three roles that Rajinikanth essays in the film. So the fans get a triple whammy!
          Rajinikanth plays a scientist and the creator of the Robots. He also essays two robots, one who is the good robot and the other is the evil one. This would be a challenge in itself for any actor, but Rajinikanth played all the three characters with an amazing élan. “He was very committed to all the three characters,” says the source, and would get into the skin of each character he was playing. It could only be Rajni sir, who could do justice to all the three characters,” says a source from the sets of the film. Robot which is directed by Shankar, is a sci-fi film.

Soundarya Rajinikanth offers prayers at Tirumala

           Newly married Soundarya Rajinikanth, younger daughter of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, and her husband Ashwin recently offered prayers at the Lord Vekateswara Temple at Tirumala in Tirupati. Actor Rajnikanth had accompanied the newlyweds.

Gossip: Why Has ‘Gaganam’ Stopped??

            There is a difference between a delay in the completion of a film and releasing of the film after it is completed. Especially when big heroes are involved, it is very rare for a film to get delayed for release. For someone like Nagarjuna who has been part of the industry since 20 years, there has never been such an instance.
              His new film ‘Gaganam’ under the direction of Radha Mohan of ‘Akasamantha’ fame has wrapped up its shooting 4 months ago. After that, the new movie under the direction of Veeru Potla with the working title ‘Ragada’ has already wrapped up 40% of shooting. Nag has already announced that the film will be up for release in December 3rd week. Not only that, recently the new film ‘Rajanna’ under the direction of Vijayendra Prasad, father of Rajamouli was also launched grandly. Despite all this, producer Dil Raju not showing keenness to release ‘Gaganam’ is giving rise to few doubts.
           As mentioned before, it is rare to see a film of a big hero like Nag to be silent like this for so many days after finishing the shooting.

Sandhya 70 MM ‘Komaram Puli’ Collections

             The film which came in with a lot of hype has turned out to be a disappointment and is staggering along. Yes, we are talking about ‘Puli’ and here is a report from the Sandhya 70mm theatre, which is the main theatre. The theatre is known for its passing traffic and even if somebody is going by, he/she walks inside the cinema hall for a view.
             However, the staff has revealed that any show right from morning to second is not exceeding more than 50% collections and nothing more from Tuesday onwards. This is the main theatre and the sought after one for the masses but still there seems to be no signals of hope.  
            Though reports from other parts of the state are showing the figures to be nearly Rs 16 crores, the trade pundits say that it is only a saving grace for the massive loss since the film’s budget touched Rs 40 crores. The advantage for ‘Puli’ is the time it has got till the arrival of the next biggie which is still two weeks away.

Madhurima Escapes Molesting Men In Theatre

                    She is barely two films old but in no time, she has become the delicious doll for the Tollywood circuit. She is our very own Madhurima and yesterday, she got a taste of how much the audience wants to rub shoulders with her, albeit literally. This happened on the eve of her new release ‘Saradaga Kasepu’.
                  Madhurima was present at the famous Sandhya 35mm theatre. She came along with a group comprising of crew and family members. In no time, the news spread and when interval happened, crowds started flocking around her. Even the front ticket people also mobbed in and started staring at her. When others asked them to leave, they just stood there and glared.
                  Unable to handle it, Madhurima put a hood cap on her head. The pretty girl was there till the end of the film and when she wanted to leave, no one allowed her to move and were trying to get as close to her as possible. Luckily, the group around her used their knack and took her outside. Otherwise, this delicate beauty would have been devoured by the lecherous masses.

Screen Buzz: Namitha Goes Sniff!

       Actress Namitha, who’s a regular on several social networking sites, has remained inactive online for the last two weeks. And the reason behind is it that the lady has taken ill and is down with cold.
        Meanwhile, the actress has been telling her fans and friends online that deciding on the ideal weight for an actress is always a problem. Nevertheless, she says she’s happy because she’s lost oodles of kilos and is on her way to become fit and trim. Way to go, girl!

Laxmi Prasanna Supporting ‘Free Sex’

             One of the noted celebrities of the Tollywood circuit and a rather enterprising and charming woman, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna has made a mark of her own with her presence despite her father’s legacy. Now, she seems to be taking few bold steps which are getting mixed reactions.
             Lakshmi is currently in the US and recently, she posted a picture on her twitter ID which has raised few eyebrows. While the Billboard ad she saw in US talks about virginity, the reaction of Lakshmi was the attention grabber. In essence, it conveyed that Lakshmi is in full support of ‘free sex’.
              The Billboard is as shown in the picture and Lakshmi Manchu reacted to it with the line on twitter, “Ok, now that is a brilliant billboard ever!! Lol. Hahahahahagahaaaaaa”.
               Is that not sounding to be supporting Free Sex??!!
              However, few others said that this gesture of hers was purely done on a lighter vein and was meant to be taken as a joke and not literally. Given the celebrity status that this pretty lady has and the impact she has on the general public, this naughty act of hers has set few debates triggering..