HRITHIK IS THE NEW KAMINA!

Buzz is Vishal Bhardwaj has lastly signed on Hrithik Roshan for his next film.

News is making the rounds that Hrithik Roshan has finally signed on the dotted line for Vishal Bhardwaj’s next determined project. Right after Kaminey, Vishal began work on his next project and zeroed down on Hrithik for the lead. But Hrithik who had signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzarish was too busy preparing himself for the part and had put Vishal’s film on the backburner. Sanjay’s film is said to be based on Hollywood film The Prestige starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale and Hrithik plays a paraplegic in the film. Hrithik has by now begun preparing himself for the role and was accurately moving around in a wheelchair for a month to get into character.

While Sanjay’s film is based on The Prestige, a source close to Vishal discloses details about his next, “Vishal has been waiting for Hrithik to give the go ahead for the film for quite a while now. Hrithik was anxious whether he’d be able to work for Vishal and Sanjay’s film at the same time as both the films would be physically and mentally draining for him. Vishal’s film is loosely based on The Departed which was directed by Martin Scorsese and starred Leonardo Dicaprio and Matt Damon. Departed was in itself a remake of the Hollywood flick Infernal Affairs about how the mob and the cops face a similar situation, unable to comprehend the terrible consequences that await them. Vishal known for his gritty, dark cinema instantly connected with the storyline and is only going to get down and dirty with the script. He is still to finalise on the mob boss and the third lead and a few of the other pre-production details.”

The Departed received innumerable number of Awards and is held as one of Scorsese's best. Whether Hrithik would play the part of mob iformant Matt Damon or the cop informant Leonardo Dicaprio is yet to be known. Still Hrithik has already proved that no one can play the smooth criminal as better as him and we can only wait and watch whether the genius Bhardwaj plans on making Hrithik the next most wanted kamina or not!

CHEERS AND WHISTLES FOR SALMAN ON RAMP

Superstar turns on the heat at men's fashion week. Love him or hate him, you simply can't ignore him. Bollywood actor Salman Khan wooed women with his charming smile as he strode the ramp at the finale of the Van Heusen India Mens Week (VHIMW) in New Delhi on Sunday (Sept 13) night.

Looking convinced, the actor walked with poise when designers Ashish Soni, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna of label Cue showcased their collection. All through his walk, the actor kept looking at the spectators who were waving, whistling and yelling to get his attention.

"Wow!" exclaimed a female fan when the actor walked in Soni's black suit.

Sitting in the front row, another young girl kept one hand on her heart and one on her mouth as she couldn't believe that her favourite actor was just a few inches away from her.

"I just can't believe it. I am his biggest fan and trust me I am still shaking because the feeling of having him just a few inches away from me is giving me goose bumps," confessed Ishita Arora.

"There was a point when I thought that I would hug him on the ramp. I am sure no one would have stopped me. But I couldn't muster up enough courage," she added.

As the designers and the actor were taking a final bow on the ramp, Salman took off his coat filling the hall with cheers and whistles. But it was not just women, men too had joined them. Salman appeared to be loving the attention.

There were some men in the audience who were envious of the actor because of his well-maintained body.

"He is so fit. How does he manage that? Look at him. Does he look like he is forty something," asked Vikram Nagpal, a model.

It was not just the magic of Khan but the designers at the finale too left a lasting impression in the audience's mind.

While Soni's "On the Run" collection comprised of flawlessly cut tuxedos, cotton shirts, jackets and pants for a leaner sexier look, Rahul and Rohit's collection "Hypernature" had pants with dropped crotches, small collars with thin ties and denim suits in forest green, apple red, mist blues and evergreen-black.

Also present at the finale were actress Mugdha Godse and director Madhur Bhandarkar.

KAT DIDN’T REPLACE ME: ASH

Some have written her off, some say her crown is under menace. But Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is unaware to such comments.

With her trademark smile in place, the graceful Bachchan bahu set about business, charming one and all during her recent trip to the city. The actress glowed in spite of reports of suffering from swine flu. “As the head of the house, Pa voiced his concerns on his blog about my health. He said I had flu like indication. Soon, word spread that I had swine flu!” said Ash when questioned about her health. But like the whole thing else, these rumours too were put to rest. “Pa had to then make clear that it was just a normal flu,” said Ash while accepting that the Big B’s blog is certainly quite a ‘hit’. “For me it was Pa blogging because he was worried and away from home at that time. But for others, it was like a confirmation of sorts that Amitabh Bachchan says Ash has the swine flu!”

Apart from shooting for Raavan, Endhiran, Guzaarish and Action Replay, Ash also has other professional commitments to honour which takes up a lot of her time. But hey, she’s not complaining. After all, she is the face of some of the most popular brands across the world. “I’ve always been very selective about the brands I endorse. There’s no rat race. Every endorsement has a story behind it. The bottomline is, I don’t like endorsing brands which are anywhere and everywhere,” explains Ash.

And what about rumours of a jewellery brand dropping her for Katrina Kaif? “I would like to say this loud and clear; I chose not to renew my contract with the jewellery brand,” affirms the actor setting the record straight. “I had a contract with another brand under which that particular jewellers came. Once they parted ways, I decided not to endorse them anymore,” she goes on to explain.

Taking the opportunity to put to rest the talk about her being dropped by other brands due to her age, Ash said, “No one every dropped me. I chose not to renew certain contracts. Like the one with the cola brand. Post marriage I decided not to endorse them anymore as Pa and Abhishek were endorsing the rival cola brand. I didn’t want any confusion in the consumer’s mind,” she quipped .

With film and endorsement offers pouring in, Ash is indeed a busy woman just like she was a few years ago. Unlike others, marriage doesn’t seem to have slowed her down. “Earlier, it was tough for a heroine to get work after marriage. Their so-called brand value would depreciate. That didn’t happen with me, as I've always aspired to push the envelope,” she explains.

But she does not take the credit for this alone. “I have to thank the professionals I’ve worked with. They were not regressive and changed with times,” she says. And unlike other contemporaries, Ash always seems pretty secure and confident of her career. “And why not?” she asks going on to add that, “Throughout my career I’ve never said things like, ‘I’m not ready for marriage now’, or ‘marriage will happen only after five or six years’. When I was ready for marriage, everybody knew. I’ve never given escapist quotes.”

But now that she is married into the first family of Bollywood, doesn’t she want to take it slow? “I have a secret pride, you know. I’ve always wanted to work after marriage and I couldn’t see why that should change after I tied the knot,” says Ash, while adding immediately, “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not a hardcore feminist. I’m a humanist.”

The down-to-earth superstar rewinds, “I’ve had a long and wonderful journey. My photographer friends and others have pointed out that I have improved over the years.” But that did not come easy. “Earlier when a girl signed a film opposite a certain hero, it made big news. But I was not satisfied with just that, I wanted more. There were times when I signed a film and it turned out to be something else. I then brought it something different and new to the industry that protected the rights of the heroine like the MOUs and other contractual changes.”

Ask her if any of it was tough and she says, “Well I’ve constantly learnt and improved as an actor. My efforts have definitely made things a lot easier for my ilk.”

HRITHIK TO PERFORM ON STAGE AFTER THREE YEARS

Hrithik Roshan is all set to perform on stage after three years. B-Town's best-known dancer gets cool for the Rajiv Gandhi Awards ceremony. His act titled Colours of India has the star do the Lezim dance of Maharashtra besides the Kathakali dance and the Kalaripayattu martial art form of Kerala as part of the show's finale. The medley of folk dances will also have the actor gyrate to his film Luck By Chance track.

The awards event, that honours people from different walks of life, is being held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point, today.

Says Hrithik, "It will be great to perform live on stage after three long years. I have loved every moment of learning the various folk acts. When we present it on stage, I want and hope that the viewers will feel the enthusiasm and energy of this performance as well."

The actor adds, "Carving Dreams, the company that manages me, convinced me to return to the stage and be a part of the awards function." It is learnt that Roshan Jr has been rehearsing for his act for the past several days. Even though the mixing of his home production Kites is on besides a shoot schedule of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish (which ended on Saturday), he has been perfecting his steps for over five hours everyday.

Hrithik's acts have been conceptualised by Carving Dreams Live with Sanjay Shetty as choreographer and Anahita Shroff Adajania designing his costumes. He has been learning his steps from Rajit, one of Sanjay's dancers. There will also be 40 backdrop dancers for his performance.

The actor last performed live at an international awards event held in Dubai in 2006. After he was plagued by a knee injury for which he was operated, he kept himself away from live shows only shaking a leg for his films. He even had to delay the shoot of his item number Break Free for his father's production Krazzy 4 (2008) till just before the film's release due to the injury.

Other B-Town stars slated to perform at the Rajiv Gandhi awards include Priyanka Chopra and Esha Deol.

MALLIKA GETS SAUCY WITH DOLCE & GABBANA

With a great many high-profile A-List Hollywood events and premieres on her forthcoming to-do list, Mallika Sherawat will be dressed for success... by Dolce & Gabbana, that is.

The high-end clothing designer is now dressing the intersect star, in an arrangement recently made that first had Mallika in a sexy suit for her special detection by the City of Los Angeles, the first of its kind ever received by an Indian actor.

Does this mean that gone are the days of Mallika's eye-popping marvelous creations that steal headlines and fill up news and website pages? Not essentially, says the star. "D&G has some very saucy dresses. I have a few on hold that I think my fans will like."

This is Mallika's first alliance with a top designer, which also happens to be a favorite of hers. "D&G is the essence of class. I'm very happy to be associated with the D&G brand," she goes on to say, "We make a great team."

Making history in Hollywood with the first special thanks of a Bollywood star by the City of Los Angeles, the first star from Asia invited to the Twitter offices, the first Bollywood star to have a milkshake named after her in Hollywood, starring in the first Indo-American co-production in decades ("Hisss"), soon her first all-American film playing a lead role inspired in-part by Kamala "the female Barack Obama" Harris, and now a muse for world-class Dolce & Gabbana... one can only wonder what's next for the B-town bombshell!

SALMAN GIFTS RS.25,000 TO A BEGGAR

It was a person from his past!

Salman Khan has time and again confirmed that he has a very bighearted heart. This time he showed that by gifting a beggar 25 thousand rupees.

While shooting at Bandra Fort for his upcoming movie “Wanted” recently, Salman recognised a beggar. He went up to him and asked if he was the same person who used to sell kites at Bandra Bandstand. The beggar said yes.

In fact Salman used to buy kites from that person when he was a child. But he hadn’t seen him for years. And now after 20 years he saw him and recognised him!

So he gave him Rs. 25,000 and some food and clothes.

Now that was a double treat for the beggar. A superstar not only recognised him but also gave him money and other requirements.

HRITHIK & I SHARE ENTHUSIASM: AISHWARYA

Big news is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is making a third film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali called Guzaarish after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, and it stars Hrithik Roshan.

The actress, intent in the dense forests of Kerala with husband Abhishek for Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, took a call and spoke to BT about it. “We’ve evolved mutually, grown as individuals and artistes, we’re similar totally driven and adoring, the passion is mutually addictive, we don’t meet for months, but every time we meet we pick up the threads naturally,” said Ash about her filmmaker friend.

But, Guzaarish is going to be different from their first two films. “This time we aren’t going into the glamour zone,” said Ash. “Sanjay was so energized when he found the right script for us to work together in. ‘This is it,’ he said. For the first time I didn’t even read the script before I said yes. It’s a very real, very strong drama. I respect filmmakers like Sanjay, Mani Ratnam and Shankar who make the films they do because they have to. The family that I’ve married into, this belief and faith in the work we do is principal. Ma or Pa only goes into projects with complete confidence. I follow that faith.”

She laughed when asked whether filmmakers who wanted Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would settle for no other actress, “I don’t know, but when I am not able to do a project they discuss the option with me. I treasure that relationship with my directors where they don’t see me as just their heroine but a colleague even if I’m unable to do their films.”

That apart, Ash is thrilled to be working with Hrithik again. They were offered Mission Kashmir soon after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but she couldn’t meet the schedule, so her role was done by Preity Zinta.

Then they almost did Krissh, but that, too, didn’t materialise. Hrithik has admitted that the former Miss World is his favourite co-star.

“We did an ad-film together before working in Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa-Akbar. Hrithik, Sanjay and I are compatible people very focused and zealous about our work. The two films Hrithik and I did were poles apart and now Sanjay’s film takes us into a totally different subject. Like I said, there’s no glam zone in this one. I go completely by my confidence. I chose to do Dhoom 2 after ten years in the industry and not at the start of my career. I was just cracking a genre. And then I moved on. On the other hand, I was content being totally deglam in Guru. If I get loved by my audience for it, then nothing like it,” she said.

ASH TOO CLOSE FOR SALMAN'S EASE

On Sunday, Salman Khan proved that he is Bollywood's coolest dude. A fact further tinted by the fact that the condition he was in was adequate to give the heebie-jeebies to the most veteran playboys.

On one side, there was his former girlfriend Aishwarya Rai, whom he had such a burning affair with that people can't stop talking about it even today. And on the other side there was Ranbir Kapoor, who has been on more than one event linked with Salman's longtime girlfriend, Katrina Kaif. To everyone's surprise, Salman was not the least bit anxious.

The three actors were shooting for their individual films at Mehboob Studios all day on Sunday. While Salman was there for Veer, Aishwarya was shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish and Ranbir was shooting for Yash Raj Films' Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.

All of a sudden, the unit of Veer heard that Aishwarya was shooting a stone's throw away. They, of way, were waiting with bated breath for Salman to lose his cool. Though, preferring to stick to his chilled out demeanour, Salman was sprawled on cozy chairs outside his vanity van and was seen chatting with everyone in between shots. He refused to be confused by the fact that Ms Rai, oops! Mrs Abhishek Bachchan, was around.

Amazingly, Salman stayed away from the sets of Guzaarish even though Aishwarya was shooting with Bhansali, with whom Salman shares an outstanding relationship.

While Salman gave a miss to Aishwarya, he showered all his notice on Ranbir. Salman and Ranbir decided to catch up by chatting for almost an hour while taking a break from their individual shoots. If sources are to be believed, the two boys also had lunch together. Salman continued to shoot till 1am for Veer.

MADHURI, ASH TO JUDGE DANCE REALITY SHOW

If this occurs, it will be a takeover of sorts. A TV channel is trying to rope in Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Bachchan, two of Bollywood’s most nimble-footed dancers not to state gorgeous actresses, to judge a reality dance show.

Talks are on, but their dates have to match, and if it happens... this will be the first time the two divas will be seen again after Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. Consider their Dola Re performance!

Madhuri, who has been coming on and off to Mumbai for work, leaving her two sons in the care of husband Dr Sriram Nene in the US, may take up this offer. She still remains the dancing diva of Bollywood with no other actress being able to steal the crown from her.

ASH RUNNING LATE FOR BHANSALI’S FLICK

Even if Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Guzaarish goes on the floors today, Aishwarya will report on the sets only from tomorrow.

The mishap on the sets of Mani Ratnams Raavana near Cochin is the cause for Aishwaryas delayed schedule.

A source said, The mahout was killed by his elephant and it led to total chaos. The mishap occurred just after the shoot was wrapped up and it even banned Ash and Abhishek from reaching the hotel. As a result, there is a shift of location and the left over shots with Aishwarya will be canned in Ooty. Her earlier schedule had allowed her a day free between the shoots of Raavana and Guzaarish, but not any more.

Confirming the news, a source close to the actress said, Aishwarya was to finish her shoot of Raavana today but due to the unlucky elephant incident last evening, they had to request Sanjay Leela Bhansali for another day to complete her work. The unit of Raavana has shifted to Ooty for the rest of the schedule, which was at first meant to be shot in Kerala. Once she gets back, she will go directly to Sanjay Leela Bhansalis sets.

Aishwarya is very upset about the accident. The source added, She is worried about the mahouts family and prays that they get through this moment of pain and loss.

ALL’S FINE BY GOD’S GRACE: AISHWARYA

It’s general facts that Bollywood’s most romantic couple, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai, pine to spend worth time together.

But the way they were cut off together on Wednesday in the jungles of Athirapilly in Kerala was anything but romantic.

The day started usually and ended up as one of the most disastrous in the couple’s life. Says a source, “Abhi and Ash left with Mani Ratnam in the morning to check out an elephant which was believed to participate in the shooting. Little did they know what was in store.” During the monsoon season, elephants are given a month off by their owners to relax and go for an Ayurveda healing, but for the greedy owners, film shooting means Rs 5,000 per animal.

The elephant went out of control, killing the mahout. It went amok, forcing Abhishek, his wife and the director to hide until people who could rescue the trio could reach. Says the source, “For ten hours, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Mani went without food or water. They just hide from the elephant. Finally, they were rescued late at night. But until then, there was no news of their safety. Abhishek and Aishwarya’s parents were hectic with worry.”

When contacted, a stunned Aishwarya Rai simply said, “All is well, by God’s grace.”

It’s not true, says upset aishwariya

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has had it up to her collar with rumour-mongers wondering about her personal and professional life.

The actress, who is one of Bollywood’s busiest at present, having films with first-class makers like Mani Ratnam, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vipul Shah, has been absolutely balancing her married life and career.

She’s, however, angry that a section of the media has credited quotes like “My career is more important to me than my family” to her. And is not pleased with people putting words in her mouth like “If I want to stay in the film industry then I need to stay fit.”

Ash is presently shooting with husband Abhishek in the jungles of Kerala for Ravana, but she conveyed her feelings through her representative who said, “Aishwarya Rai is not just a star. She is also a daughter, a wife, a daughter-in-law and a symbol of true Indian practice. She has always alleged and practiced values that govern our society.”

The spokesperson further added, “Previously Aishwarya choose to remain silent. Even when she was married off to a tree, she choose not to speak because she in fact felt better sense would triumph. Though, her silence should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.” The actress wants to know why should people speculate, when her spokespeople are available to clarify the truth.

Steal Preview: Aladin

The clip of Aladin which was on you tube at the same point in time as ago has been yanked off. We got a steal peek of it early this daybreak. It showcases dazzling odd effects that we haven't seen in Indian movies as yet.

Amitabh Bachchan plays the genie; Riteish plays the ostensible role, Jacqueline Fernandez plays Jasmine in addition to Sanjay Dutt plays the ringmaster. It has an up to date setting as Aladin in addition to Jasmine are college-going characters. Jasmine is the pretty girl while Aladin is a loser.

The music for the Sujoy Ghosh motion picture has been scored by Vishal-Shekhar, who has beforehand worked with him on the smashing disc of Jhankaar Beats.

About Sujoy's choice of Riteish Deshmukh to play the show the way, he said, "I had just delivered a turkey-Home Delivery in addition to was toying with the idea of doing Aladin, in addition to hesitantly approached Riteish."

"I had to curb Riteish's enthusiasm because the moment he knew that Aladin was going to be an actuality, he started jumping up as well as down at the very contemplation of it."

"Since Riteish had a miniscule role in Home Delivery as well as it flopped, Riteish told me I allocated him a hit," adds Sujoy.

With the release of this big screen Sujoy hopes to recover from the adversity that was his last pictures Home Delivery.

"No one have to accuse me if my movies are delayed" - Aishwarya Rai

Starting Singapore to Chalakudy... Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on no account had such a hectic timetable to keep up. On Monday, a new schedule of Mani Ratnam's Raavan ongoing in the remote hilly area of Kerala, just when Amar Singh, whom Aishwarya was attending to, had recovered.

Illnesses in the family and at her work place have put Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's choc-a-bloc schedule under further pressure.

Original it was her father as well as father-in-law who underwent health problems. Now it's the Bachchans' relatives companion Amar Singh whose kidney relocate in Singapore has supplementary challenged Aishwarya schedules.

Mani Ratnam's Raavan has been pressed behind because of the director's heart scare. As a result, a major large piece of Aishwarya dates went to waste, though it did give her possibility to go on a holiday for her marriage anniversary in April.

Then the wished-for thriller Crooked which takes her crosswise the world for shooting with her husband got tardy from mid-2009 to the end of the year as the director Abhinay Deo's wife fell ill. Aishwarya freely reshuffled the dates.

Says a close friend, "She can by no means be unfeelingly professional. If a development is in distress, she will provide somewhere to stay in addition to rearrange it, no matter what it takes. There're three postponed projects, none delayed as of Aishwarya. But nonetheless requiring her immediate concentration. She has previously made space for the next schedules of Raavan in addition to Shankar's Tamil Robot with Rajnikanth which has also over-shot significantly in addition to requires her additional dates."

Aishwarya's preparation woes don't end there. Raavan is a bi-lingual in Tamil as well as Hindi which means it takes double her time.

Says the friend, "Abhishek is in only one description of Raavan. Aishwarya is in cooperation Tamil as well as Hindi. And she's also speaking her own Tamil lines."

Hence, at what time the material of the entire Bachchan family going for Amar Singh's surgical modus operandi came up, it was gently optional that Aishwarya minimize or cancel her sharing.

Says the source, "But for Aishwarya a family commitment is paramount. Work can wait. This is proficiently her most packed in addition to easier said than done period ever. But she is determined to come to an end all her projects on time."