KARAN JOHAR ASKED ME TO TWITTER: RITEISH DESHMUKH

Who is the latest Bollywood celeb to tweet?

The Twitter bug has bit many celebrities in glitter town and the latest entrant is Riteish Deshmukh. The actor says it was filmmaker Karan Johar who asked him to join the popular social networking site.

"Karan Johar asked me to get on to Twitter. I didn't know a thing about it. I asked him how to go about it. He just told me that it's a wonderful thing and once I open my account, I'll understand how to operate it," Riteish told IANS.

Celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Celina Jaitley, Karan Johar, Dino Morea, Imran Khan and Gul Panag are among those who have been twittering and connecting with their fans.

REVEALED: ALADIN'S SRI LANKAN BEAUTY

Jacqueline Fernandez and Ritesh Deshmukh revealed the first look of their film Aladin on Wednesday night at a Mumbai hotel. Jacqueline looked hot in a green shirt and a grey skirt, in what she described as her "first press conference". Ritesh also looked cute in a white tee and a jacket, oozing the Aladin boyish charm. The pair also discovered the Godrej contest for the film, and met mortally ill kids from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Check them out.

RITEISH DESHMUKH BACK TO SCHOOL

Riteish Deshmukh has reasons to feel ‘nostalgic’ these days. The 30 year-old actor will be seen sporting a school bag in Eros International’s Aladin directed by Sujoy Ghosh. He plays a nerdy teenager.

Aladin is a contemporary look at the classic fairy tale where Riteish plays the title character. However, in Sujoy’s version, Aladin shares nothing other than his name with the protagonist of the famous fairy-tale. Here Aladin is a shy, young man who is constantly bullied by a certain gang of boys in his college. Since Riteish plays a college student in the film, he was required to carry a bag. The actor suggested using a sling, since that is very popular with the youth today. However, Director Sujoy insisted on Riteish carrying a typical school bag as it would be a perfect fit with his reclusive character in the film.

Riteish immediately disagreed, but later decided to try it out on Sujoy’s persuasion. He was given a worn-out brown leather bag by Art director Sabu Cyril to try on. After giving a few takes with the bag, he discovered, to his own surprise that the bag indeed added that ‘authentic’ touch to his character in the film and gladly agreed to carry it.

Riteish said, “Sujoy is a brilliant director and knows exactly what he wants. He was very sure about his portrayal of Aladin and though I was initially hesitant, I realised that the bag completely matched Aladin’s personality.” And how was the school-going experience? “Carrying that typical ‘two-shoulder’ school bag initially felt weird, but it was fun too. It was like reliving my school days after all these years,” reminisced Riteish.

I'VE DELIVERED HITS IN FOUR DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Genelia D'Souza has one more reason to be happy.

Actress Genelia D'Souza has done films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada no big deal, did you say? She's delivered hits in all four languages not bad! In one single year, she tells us - wow!

Ever since Genelia D'Souza, who celebrated her birthday on August 5, took her first steps in Bollywood with "Tujhe Meri Kasam" and down south with director Shankar's "Boys", there's been no looking back for her.

"I delivered super hits in all four languages - 'Satya' (Kannada), 'Santosh Subramaniyam' (Tamil), 'Ready' (Telugu) and 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Naa' (Hindi). I guess I'm the only heroine who delivered four super hits in four languages in one year," she said.

The actress has a further reason to be happy.

"I'm the heroine in all the three languages of 'Bommarillu'. The Telugu film was made in Tamil as 'Santosh Subramaniyam' and in Hindi as 'It's My Life'," she said.

Asked about which language she prefers, the actress replied: "I enjoy doing films in all languages. Script is the first factor I look into. I don't mind doing a five-minute role if it's worth it. Secondly I should have a console level with the director/producer I work with. Language is never the principle for me."

Quiz her about how she keeps fit, Genelia says: "I am mainly an athlete. I was a state level runner and I played for the national football team. Hence, I am fit. I don't stay away from any kind of food. I love biryani, even if it's oily."

On her much talked about affair with Riteish Deshmukh, she said: "No, I've always kept that he is a good friend. The press wrote what they wanted to but that hasn't affected our friendship. Besides, I am single."

RITEISH TWEETS ON TWITTER

Riteish Deshmukh is the newest B-Town actor to get on to Twitter. His status message on Facebook was: At last on Twitter ....... tried for my name and various mixture but weren't accessible. So lastly got the one I was given in Bluffmaster! riteishd.