RANI'S SEXY IN HER BIKINI

Believe it or not, but the whole ‘bikini top ‘n’ skimpy shorts’ avatar in short — grand Rani Mukerji’s hot new bod wasn’t her idea. Not even the producer or director had something to do with it.

After she realised how much she had toned up (to play a male cricketer in Dil Bole Hadippa!), Rani just happened to talk about this idea with her designer friend Manish Malhotra. And from there on it was Manish’s game plan, after all, he’s altered many a Bollywood girl in to glam queens. He recommended that it would be a pity to waste such a well-toned body by not showing it off. That’s how the idea of a special song was born. And is she looking hot? Talk about her ‘shapely’ success, and Rani says, “Believe me, I didn’t starve at all. I love my food, especially rice and sweets. There was no way I was giving up all that. So, I just worked out harder and was occasionally allowed my ‘cheat’ meals of rice, sweets, etc. And I’m happy. All gain, no sacrifice.” Imagine our Bong tigress on a ghaas-phoos diet? That’s not fair to such a beauty, na?

'DIL BOLE HADIPPA' IS SO CONTRASTING TO 'KAMINEY', SAYS SHAHID

It is ‘very much in the space of business genre'.

The promos of "Dil Bole Hadippa" are centred on Rani Mukerji, giving a feeling that the film mostly tells her story, but Shahid Kapur maintains that it's not a woman-centric film.

"Sincerely, I don't think 'Dil Bole Hadippa' is a woman-oriented subject. Of course, Rani has a very, very important role in the film and when you see it you will realize yourself how both of us in fact fit into the storyline," Shahid told IANS.

The actor, who had confused schedules before and after the release of dark thriller "Kaminey", is now busy promoting Anurag Singh's "Dil Bole Hadippa". But he admits that he could let down his hair more often during the shooting of "...Hadippa" when compared to Vishal Bharadwaj's "Kaminey".

"Seriously, 'Dil Bole Hadippa' is so contrasting to 'Kaminey'...in terms of genre, setting, performances, space, treatment and audiences. The film is very much in the space of the commercial genre. It is a complete entertainer with a Punjabi background to it. Playing Rohan was not as challenging as enacting the role of Charlie or Guddu. After a 'Dhan Te Nan', it was a lot of fun to be indulging in some 'bhangra shangra'!" Shahid said.

Made under the Yash Raj Films banner, "Dil Bole Hadippa" also stars Anupam Kher, Rakhi Sawant and Vrajesh Hirjee. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday (Sept 13) and is set to hit screens in India on Friday (Sept 18).

Shahid, who will also be seen in Ken Ghosh's "Chance Pe Dance", is happy to be playing a young lover boy.

"By god's grace I have been accepted by audiences in my romantic avtar; so why let that go? A movie like 'Kaminey' or a 'Dil Bole Hadippa' only helps further in getting a contrast. Your value as an actor is realised due to the contrast you bring in," he said.

"Now look at 'Jab We Met'. I was an introvert there and the role was so different. Audiences gave me a thumbs up there and they did so for 'Kaminey' as well. But, frankly, after a point in time I don't want to start gauging audiences' reaction too much. Instead I wish to follow my instincts and give them what I feel could be a real value add," Shahid said.

Doesn't the actor in him now look out for only performance-based roles after "Kaminey"?

"Honestly, I would love to do different kind of films. I can't be getting nor doing 'Kaminey' all the time. To even think in that direction would be unfair. After all such a role can come to any actor may be once in a couple of years," Shahid said.

AAMIR, SRK ‘GAVE BLESSING TO OUR SET IN A WAY’

Rani Mukerji memorizes first day of 'Dil Bole Hadippa' shoot.

Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji says she was pleased to see Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, "two particular people" in her life, on the first day of shooting of her film "Dil Bole Hadippa".

"It was my first schedule for 'Dil Bole Hadippa'. We were shooting the song 'Bhangra Bistar' and accidentally Shah Rukh was shooting for 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' and Aamir was shooting an ad at Yash Raj Films studios at the same time...they were all keen to see what I am doing in the song and if I am playing a man so they came and kind of gave blessing to our set in a way.

"It was really sweet because Aamir and SRK are two very special people in my life and I see their attendance on the set on the first day of the shoot as a happy accident."

Releasing on Sept 18, the film will see the actress playing a man too. She is starring opposite Shahid Kapur and took cricket lessons for the role.

RANI’S ACID TEST THIS FRIDAY

For her, a lot is riding on 'Dil Bole Hadippa'.

After starring in continuous duds like "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" and "Saawariya" and doing a few cameos in the last two years, Bengali beauty Rani Mukerji returns to the big screen in a new avatar in "Dil Bole Hadippa!". Releasing on Friday (Sept 18), the film will see the actress playing a man too!

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the romantic comedy is the directorial debut of Anurag Singh, who has been an correlate director for five films with filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and with Sanjay Gadhvi for "Dhooom 2".

The movie also marks the entry of Shahid Kapur into the YRF camp. He is paired opposite Rani.

The film tells the story of Veera (Rani), a fire-cracker of a girl who lives in a small village but dreams of playing cricket in the big league. Rohan (Shahid) is an accomplished captain of a county cricket team in England and returns to India to captain his father's cricket team, which has been losing consecutively since the last eight years.

In a village where girls don't play cricket, Veera has to wear a turban and beard to cover herself as a man to fulfil her dreams. Her brilliancy on the field earns her rave points and an entry into Rohan's team.

"There is something which the film says very subtly because preachy films can be really boring. 'Dil Bole Hadippa!; is very entertaining and in the end, it just leaves you with a thought," Shahid had said.

The 31-year-old actress also hit the gym for her toned look in the movie.

"Rani is very committed towards her body and her dedication has resulted in mind-blowing results. She is looking outstanding," celebrity trainer Satyadev 'Satya' Chaurasia had told IANS.

Debutant director Anurag Singh says the film has been shot entirely in villages.

"There is no trace of any city or skyscrapers in it. We did all our shooting in villages outside Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Amritsar over 80 days," he said.

Asked why he chose Rani and Shahid for the lead role, he said: "I wanted to bring in a pair which had never worked together before. There is some sort of freshness about Rani and Shahid working together. There was instant chemistry between the two," he added.

The film has had its share of controversies too. Initially, the title of the film was "Hadippa" but the rights to the same had been bought by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who refused to part with it on YRFs request. The movie title was then announced to be "Dil Bole Hadippa!"

Then the Punjabi Cultural And Heritage Board showed displeasure over Rani's character in the film donning a patka instead of a pagdi, since an adult Sikh normally wears a pagdi and not a patka.

The Sikh community also raised objection regarding the use of a patka sign in place of a dot on letter 'I' in the movie title "...Hadippa".

Apparently, this is YRF's second film on a sport after their hockey-centric 2007 hit "Chak De! India". Also starring Anupam Kher and Dalip Tahil along with item girls Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra, the movie premiered at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival.

RANI DAZZLES AT TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL

‘Dil Bole Hadippa’ premieres at the event. “Dil Bole Hadippa", became the first Bollywood film to premiere at the enduring Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) before its release in India.

Present in Toronto, Canada, was the film’s leading lady Rani Mukerji and debutant director Anurag Singh. Seen here is the duo posing for a portrait during the “Dil Bole Hadippa" photo call at The Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto on September 13.

“I am over the moon at this opportunity given to 'Dil Bole Hadippa',” Anurag Singh had said earlier. He surely is looking pleased, but it’s Rani we can’t help admiring. We rarely see in a gown, she’s looking stunning.

SHAHID GETS CANDID ON TV SHOW

Shares stories from his stressed days with host Farah Khan.

The success of "Kaminey" has hurled him into the big union, but actor Shahid Kapur says he sat at home for six months with no work after his box office hit "Vivaah" in 2006.

"The hardest time was after 'Vivaah' was a super hit. I was at home for six months without work. I got some 60 film offers but nothing inspired me," Shahid told choreographer-director Farah Khan on STAR Plus' chat show "Tere Mere Beach Mein".

On the show, the actor spoke of trailing his self-confidence after a spate of failures following his debut film "Ishq Vishk".

He even shared how anxious and tense he was when he had begun shooting for "Vivaah", but gained a little confidence after director Sooraj Barjatya gave him a pep talk saying: "There's only one thing that can take you ahead and that's talent and you have that in you!"

"I was unmoved and gave one shot, then I saw it on the monitor and I said, 'I've given a perfect shot...I know my work.' After that I used to just focus on my work."

The episode featuring Shahid will be aired on Saturday (Sept 5) at 9 pm. Also on the show with him will be Genelia D’Souza.

SHAHID KAPOOR CHARGES RS 15 CR PER FILM

The actor has saddened Subhash Ghai who approached him with a script.

Director Subhash Ghai is apparently upset with Shahid Kapoor as the actor has asked for Rs 15 crore to do a film with him.

Ten years ago, Shahid Kapoor was a dance spare in Subhash Ghai's Taal and now after the success of Kaminey the actor has asked for Rs 15 crore to do the director’s movie.

Even if Shahid has previously done 36 China Town with Ghai, it seems he is no mood to take a lower price now.

RANI WILL FOLLOW HER HEART

Rani Mukerji is enthusiastic to star in films outside the YRF banner. She has been analysis other scripts but is in no hurry to sign films only to prove a point....

Rani Mukerji is fed up of the cruel efforts by people within the industry who insist on labelling her as the special leading lady of Yash Raj Films. According to Rani, some envious actresses are spreading the rumours. In the meantime, Rani’s friends say that opposing to rumours that she is just not interested in signing films outside the Yash Raj banner, she has been reading scripts by other banners but is in no hurry to sign films just to prove a point.

She was heard telling a friend, “I won’t do something just as it’s expected of me. My heart has to be in it.”

Rani now finds herself in the same place she was during Saathiya in 2002. One of her friends said, “At that time, Rani had only one project, which was Yash Raj’s Saathiya. She had told friends that if it didn’t work, she would quit films. Luckily, Saathiya was a big hit and proved to be a turning point in her career. Now again, Rani has only one film on hand, Dil Bole Hadippa, which again is a Yash Raj film.”

For Dil Bole Hadippa, she has guaranteed that her talent and beauty are showcased better than ever before. Most probably inspired by Andy Fickman’s 2006 football flick She’s the Man where a girl masked herself as a man to enter an all-male soccer team, Dil Bole Hadippa is also about cross-dressing.

Her friend added, “Rani decided to work round-the-clock on her figure so that she could do the burning dance numbers with Shahid. She also spent hours with her chreographer-friend Vaibhavi Merchant so that she could deftly match steps with Shahid.”

SALMAN KHAN VS SHAHID KAPOOR

This year Bollywood has just woken up to hits such as New York, Kaminey, Love Aaj Kal when the downside of which is that a flurry of unheard films are bombarding theatres.

Irrelevant and insignificant films such asYeh Mera India, Chal Chalein, Shadow, Chintu Ji, Three, Baarbarr, Bachelor Party, Fox, Love Khichdi, Toss, Aamras, Ruslaan, Sikander, Vaada Raha, Mohan Das- which of these films have you been highly anticipating to watch?

We think none! Why? Because Dil Bole Hadippa and Wanted the two most talked about films are releasing on September 18, and this clash is certainly going to cost someone good as Salman has not had a hit in over a year and Shahid just delivered a power-house performance in Kaminey. Distributors, instead of being wary, are quite up for the clash as hope to make twice the moolah if both the films hit jackpot. Wanted is releasing in the month of Ramzan, and it will be a good time to offer the film as a welcome break for Muslims, who tend to come in droves for a Salman film. On the other hand, those who are not looking for all that action his film offers can rely on the sweet charms of Rani and Shahid in Dil Bole Hadippa.

A source from one of the local multiplex confirmed, "Most films that have been releasing in the last 2-3 weeks are average to non-starters which do not bring foot-falls, and we are looking forward to Septemeber 18, which is not very far, and which will be a big day for cinemas as two very big releases, one a prestigious production house, and the other a Khan starrer are touted in bring in big crowds.

At the time of its release Dil Bole Hadippa and Wanted will be close to Eid and Navratras and the festive audience is likely to use the time to catch up on quality stuff, add the source.

What is to be seen is whether the hit formula of clashing stars will stay on. Didn’t Sunny Deol’s Gadar and Aamir Khan’s Lagaan release on the same day and do commercial and critically well? With Salman and Shahid patching up in real life, hope this reel clash does not get them going at each others lungs again. Remember Om Shanti Om and Saawariya?

RAKHI PRAISES SHAHID FOR SAVING HER LIFE

His timely intervention averted accident.

Rakhi Sawant just can’t stop talking about how Shahid Kapur saved her life on the sets of “Dil Bole Hadippa”.

According to unit sources, Shahid, Rani Mukerji and Rakhi were shooting a sequence for the song “Discowale Khisko”.

Rakhi was standing near a light stand after the shoot when suddenly Shahid noticed that the stand was not properly bored into the ground. He casually walked up to Rakhi and without alarming her told her to move.

The light stand could have fallen on Rakhi any time.

Shahid then told the crew members to fix it properly. Rakhi was so overwhelmed by the gesture that she went on telling everybody that Shahid saved her life.

THE SECRET OF RANI'S WEIGHT LOSS

Rani's new look in Dil Bole Hadippa.Yoga expert Payal Gidwani made Kareena Kapoor do 50 Surya Namaskars at a stretch till her plump figure reduced to size zero for Tashan. The size zero fact took Kareena’s status to dizzying heights. The same lady has now helped Rani Mukerji shed heaps of weight to look hot and sexy in the promos of Dil Bole Hadippa.

For Rani’s latest film, Dil Bole Hadippa, both the ladies have worked as a team to get the hot body which will help Rani to set silver screens on fire again. Everyone is talking about how thin Rani has become. Rani’s Yoga sessions began on April 16th, 2008. She weighed 56 kilos which made her 5’2” frame look heavy. After months of Yoga, she weighs 49 kilos today, which is the perfect weight for her height. About Rani’s body type, Payal says, “At first Rani had a heavy lower body. She could only do 5-10 Suryanamaskars and had very weak nerves in her body. As a result, stretching would lead to cramps.”

“To increase her cardiovascular patience, I had to integrate simple cardio exercises like walking up and down the stairs of her Juhu bungalow,” says the Yoga expert. “Now Rani has not only lost the extra kilos but she can easily do 100 Suryanamaskars, 2000-2500 Kapalbhati repetitions in one go, she holds on to Asanas for one minute and her breathing technique has improved greatly. There is a glow on her face. All of this was possible because of Rani’s dedication and hard work, praises Payal, adding, “She practiced Yoga for two hours faithfully every morning. Yoga has helped her elongate her muscles and maintain a fit figure.”

So if you have been going gag-ga over Rani’s slim torso poured into glamourous Manish Malhotra bikinis in the remix version of Dil Bole Hadippa, you know a lot of effort and sweat went into achieving that sexy and slim look.

VIDYA BALAN’S WEIGHT WOES

When will the whole thing be in the favour of Vidya Balan we wonder! First she resists losing weight and now her designer clothes don’t fit her!

Vidya Balan was always panned by the fashion police for her chubby figure and unpleasant clothes that didn’t compliment her figure. Then she switched to wearing anarkali suits that suited her body type and her efforts and change of wardrobe was valued.

She has lost not only at but also inches. Her eminent décolleté has been reduced by 4 inches and her waist by 3 inches. As a result of this most of her expensive designer, including creations by Abu Jani, Sabyasachi and Priyadarshini Rao have become very loose for her. She can’t alter them all and will have to give some of them away. The clothes are valued at rupees three lakh.

Not only is her personal wardrobe being given a make-over, Vidya Balan’s costumes in Abhishek Chaubey's Ishqiya are also being altered to fit her changed size. Confirming this, the director said to the press, "Yes we were bound to alter Vidyas outfits. But the overall effect is that she is looking gorgeous in the film."

In Ishqiya, Vidya will be seen in an all new avatar who fools the uncle-nephew jodi played by Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi respectively.

However, we wonder why Vidya didn’t buy all the creations in a smaller size if she was intending to lose weight. She shouldn’t have given them away as she will need them when the weight comes back. Poor thing, her joy of losing weight has been diluted by the loss of designer creations worth three lakhs! She better take a good stylist along when she shops for new trendy clothes.

'KAMINEY' IS BY NOW WARMING UP TICKET COUNTERS

Distributors also have positive thinking about the film.

After his critically-acclaimed "Omkara", director Vishal Bharadwaj is back with dark drama "Kaminey". Releasing on August 14, this Shahid Kapur-Priyanka Chopra-starrer is all about gangsters, rebel soldiers, rogue politicians and crooked cops.

The first rushes and songs of the film have already created an extraordinary buzz among audiences and with a healthy round of eleventh hour promotions going on, "Kaminey" has gathered just enough impetus for its release.

With advance bookings having already opened on Sunday in its place of a Wednesday, the movie is already heating up the ticket counters in terms of bookings and insiders claim it is going to be the next superhit of the year.

The film revolves around twins - Charlie and Guddu - both played by Shahid. They are as different as chalk and cheese and can't stand the sight of each other till one significant rainy night their lives cross.

Charlie gets mixed up in a deathly get-rich-quick scheme, while Guddu realises that the love of his life, Sweety, has innocently put a price on his head.

It's a dark comic ride thereon and their lives crash with the lives of gangsters, rogue politicians and crooked cops. In the middle of this crazy adventure, the brothers have to run to protect themselves, their dreams, their love.... And most prominently, realise that all they have is each other.

Produced and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, the film has been written and directed by Bharadwaj. Shahid plays a double role for the first time and it also has writer-director Amol Gupte playing the villain.

Industry sources discloses that the movie is made at a budget of around Rs.35 crore (Rs.350 million) and is releasing worldwide with around 1,100 prints and an 'A' certificate.

"'Kaminey' is an imperative film for me as I have tried many new things in it. For the first time I am playing a double role and I'm trying amazing different from a love story. In fact, this is also the first commercial film of Vishal Bharadwaj," said Shahid.

Distributors are also positive about the film.

"'Kaminey' is going to be a super-duper hit. The songs are already a hit and like every UTV venture, the promotions are in full progress. Furthermore, the unique plot and Shahid's double role has already created interest among the masses," said a Delhi-based distributor.

"The biggest factor for the movie will be that it is releasing on the weekend of Aug 15, which will draw footfalls in hordes, as everyone will be having a holiday over the weekend," he added.

"There is a big buzz for the movie and we have already started getting a very good advance booking buzz... Independence Day holidays will favour the movie, bringing in a tremendous initial and a very good business," said Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, Noida.

"Kaminey" is Shahid's first outing in 2009 after last year's dud "Kismet Konnection" and Priyanka's first full-fledged role after a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Billu". The movie is also Bharadwaj's first venture three years after "Omkara".

I AM A GYMAHOLIC SAYS SHAHID

If there is a young icon for health and fitness in this country, it could be no one better than Shahid.

The actor is well known as a fitness freak and one of the most regimented when it comes to sticking to his vegetarian diet. “I think being fit is one of the most vital things today. Regrettably, people relate working out to looking good, but it’s about feeling good about yourself. I work towards getting a sense of pleasure. Gymming should not become a passion but should be done in healthy self-control,” he says. Shahid admits that in his profession, being fit and healthy is more a condition rather than an option. “Our lifestyles are so inactive.

We go to work and sit for long hours, we go out for dinners, we travel in cars, so there’s hardly any need to even walk. We need to get a firm amount of exercise, even if it’s just five hours a week; doing yoga, running, swimming, anything!,” exclaims Shahid. The actor admits to being a gymaholic and hits his gym five to six times a week. He says his workout makes him feel much stronger and gives him a kickstart to get him going through the day. “I feel far more awake after my exercises. There is a lot of misreading about exercising and people tend to feel it’s more for body building. I suggest to everybody, not to give up on the second day itself.”

Shahid may be currently sporting a leaner look for one of his approaching films, but is known to have one of the best bodies in the industry, boasting of a six-pack and even an eight-pack on event. He admits it’s not possible to maintain an eight-pack all year round and that it’s only in the past two years that he has got serious about his workouts. “I was very skinny at 16. I’ve only become more alert in the last few years. It’s great to have abs and I did work on achieving a tight torso. However, everyone is born with a certain body structure and you should work around it. As an actor, it is part of our jobs to have a good body, but just remember that no one is born with an eight-pack, you got to work on getting it,” says Shahid.

IS IT BURNOUT FOR WORKAHOLIC PRIYANKA

Priyanka Chopra had a health scare on Thursday night when she had a shaky spell and a brief collapse minutes after addressing the media at an event to promote Kaminey at a suburban theatre.

This is the fourth time in the last few months that the actress has suffered from apathetic health sparking concern among family and friends about her approaching her body beyond survival.

“She has been running high temperature for the last some days but refuses to slow down her crazy agenda. She came for Thursday’s event propped up by antibiotics but tiredness took a toll. She stood tall at the media briefing only on sheer will power,” said an eye witness, “but instantly afterwards, she went out of the exit corridor and collapsed. Everybody around was most worried.”

She has fallen ill during every film that she has worked on be it Dostana, more lately What’s Your Rashee? When Ashutosh Gowariker cancelled shooting and last week on the sets of Pyaar Impossible with Uday Chopra when she was down with viral fever. “Down with the flu or viral or some such thing that is making me depressed. Ugh! I hate being sick! Had to cancel shoot. Guilty,” she announced on Twitter.

She has been admitted to hospital at least twice for keen exhaustion and a stomach disorder, both of which are indicative of deeper problems. Is the race to cope with shoots, promotions, endorsements, shows, public and media appearances, and a pleasing personal life taking its toll?

Friends and family of the 26-year-old Priyanka are concerned for her. Her ascent to the top of the pile has been beset with lows. There was a time when she had six flops in a row, and at the same time her father was going through serious health issues causing Priyanka to juggle a busy work schedule with constant visits to the hospital. Thankfully today both these are behind her, her father is well and her career is blazing after Fashion and Dostana.

Nearly everyone is in a hurry these days but for actresses who always have somebody younger and thinner nipping at their toes, the rush is even more. The shelf life of heroines is constantly shrinking and their time in the sun gets smaller and smaller. In this time they have to do memorable roles, look dew-drop fresh and beautiful all the time and fit in every other avenue to make money. All this while living on fresh air and love in order to maintain those waif-like silhouettes. Is it any wonder then that long term health goals take a back-seat?

When asked, Priyanka laughed off rumours of ill-health. “I have been unwell and I am working through it,” she said.

For, Priyanka, who is a perfectionist who believes in keeping every pledge at whatever personal cost, and is restless unless she has a diary packed with things to do, this is proving to be too much. And though food is not the problem, because thanks to a high metabolism, she can pack it in, her refusal to rest and take it easy, is a cause for worry as the dizziness yesterday proves. Her now on- now off relationship with Kaminey co-star Shahid Kapoor would only add to the stress.

Even though she is now in a position where she has consolidated her success, is looked on as one of the most bankable heroines and is very much in demand for endorsements, she refuses to slow down. We hear that despite her exhaustion on Thursday, she flew overseas yesterday for three days to shoot for an endorsement and is committed to a week of hectic Kaminey promotion on her return. Ill health in spite of, Priyanka, we suspect, is in no mood to get off the merry-go-round.

LOOK AT: RANI IN A BIKINI

The video of the remix version of Dil Bole Hadippa, which is suggestive of Break Free and Dhoom Again, features a super slim Rani Mukherjee in bikini tops and mini skirts.

The video has been choreographed by Ahmed Khan, who also the Mere Sang and Yaaron remixed videos. Rani’s costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra, who also worked on her look in the Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte video.

A source tells us, “Shahid is a luminous and energetic dancer and Rani, who is also a charming dancer has matched him step for step. It has been a while since we saw her dancing like this. The promotional video is likely to be used at the end of the film.”

Our source continues, “So far we have seen Rani in Sardarni and cricketer avatars in the movie. This is her other look. The film already has wanna shine starlets Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra doing item numbers with a lot of skin show but clearly, they don’t have Rani’s class, elegance and star power. Rani doesn’t look vulgar or cheap at all. Almost all YRF movies have their heroines in bikinis; take the Dhoom flicks, Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic for example. The actresses have lost weight for their roles and Rani is no exception. She has lost a lot of weight and it shows. The last time she wore a costume was in Chalte Chalte.”

Payal Gidwani, who made Kareena achieve her size zero figure has helped Rani with her Yoga routine too. She told us, “Rani weighed 56 kilos but now she weighs only 49. Her hard work has paid off and the results are for everyone to see. Her problem was her lower area but now the formation of her body has changed. Her metabolism and stamina have also increased. There is a glow on her face and she looks great. She doesn’t miss a single Yoga session even if she is traveling and practices for 2 hours every morning.”

SHAHID RUNS AWAY FROM PRIYANKA

Rumours are rife that Shahid Kapoor is leaving his extensive apartment in Raj Classic as he is tired of being linked with neighbour and co-star Priyanka Chopra.

Sources close to the actor said, “Shahid has been scrutiny out places for a long time now, and has fallen in love with a four bedroom apartment in Juhu, he is tired of the link-up stories with Priyanka and wants to put that all after him now.”

Shahid’s 14th floor apartment in Raj Classic is the desire of many, known as one of the most significant buildings in the city, his father Pankaj Kapoor is just a floor below him and mother Neelima Azam is a couple of blocks away.

When we quizzed Shahid in a recent discussion, he laughed off the rumours of the relationship saying, “Any co-star or girl I speak to, the media goes on to link me with them. Priyanka is a good friend and a great co-star, nothing more than that.”

He also takes his apartment to be the greatest asset in his life and to know that the actor is making a getaway from all things Piggy Chops will visibly be something to report, we mean look out for.

ANUSHKA SHARMA WANTS TO END YRF FLICK TO BREAK FREE OF HER CONTRACT

Anushka Sharma is at the moment shooting for Parmeet Sethi's yet untitled directorial debut opposite Shahid Kapoor. This is her second film with Yash Raj Films after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has signed a limited three-film contract with YRF, which prohibits her from signing any films with other banners.

Sources disclose that Anushka is getting restless and wants the contract to end soon so she can take on more work.

Shahid and Anushka are presently shooting in Hyderabad. Parmeet is making sure there are no delays at all with the shoot. In a closed door meeting with the director, the actress expressed her desire to wrap up the schedule for this movie as soon as possible."

After the Hyderabad schedule, the unit shifts to the US. Says an insider, "Parmeet plans to finish the film without any break. It also works for Anushka, who plans to get straight into her third and final film with the banner, as soon as this one wraps."

Anushka was approached by a few directors but she couldn't sign any films as she was bound by the contract.

When contacted, her spokesperson said, "Anushka is happy with her Yashraj contract. She is free to do films outside the banner. She dislikes talking about projects that are in the pipeline and will talk about them when they hit the floor."

RANI'S TORONTO TALES

Rani Mukerji’s Dil Bole Hadippa! has been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film, being produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Anurag Singh, stars Shahid Kapoor and Rani in direct roles. In the movie, Rani decides to dresses up as a man in a turban and beard to fulfill her dreams.
Though Rani hasn’t been seen at many parties or premieres in Mumbai, we hear that she is likely to walk the red carpet to attend the first public screening of the movie on September 13.

PRIYANKA BEATS MALLIKA

10,000 followers on Twitter in a month; Mallika has 8,000.

From Karan Johar to Mallika Sherawat, everyone is twittering these days. But foremost the pack is Priyanka Chopra who's set a record by having over 10,000 followers in a month. Before Priyanka it was Mallika Sherawat who was leading the pack with around 8,000 followers, but Priyanka has now claimed the top spot. A source close to the actress reveals Priyanka's Twitter fascination.

"She's very net know-how and a gadget freak. In fact she was very active on Facebook and when she logged on Twitter, she got enthusiastic on to it. For her it's the best way to directly interact with fans around the world. She takes time to read each and every message sent to her and replies back as and when she can." It's not just posting messages, but also taking pictures that have got Priyanka hooked. "Recently she was at a press talks and she went on stage and took a picture of the entire media in front of her. Then she also took a picture with her mom and brother. This is a chance for her fans to take a sneak peek into her personal life," added the source.

When contacted Priyanka said, "I'm having a lot of fun. It's a great way for me to interact with my 'tweeps' directly... with no one in between! I think now that people have realised that it's really me on twitter, the number of followers have grown. It's mind blowing to have crossed this milestone within a month of being on twitter... Now I'm hoping my twitter family is going to grow even more!"