PakSpice.Com

We in the media all know how Yash Raj bosses are a stickler for privacy and how well guarded their huge studio premises is. Well just that we didn’t know that even some Bollywood stars are no exception as Yash Raj’s strict rules are being enforced on them too.

Our source narrates, “On Friday morning just before the trial show of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi began at the Yash Raj Studios’ preview theatre, a white Skoda drove up to the gates of the studios and began honking at the gates so that the watchman would open the gates for them.

But instead, the watchman refused to open the gates and walked up to the driver.

Though the watchman had clearly seen it was Kangana Ranaut sitting next to the driver’s seat, he knocked on the window and asked the driver whom he wanted to meet at YRF and whom should he say has come while confirming.

But then even that wasn’t enough. He then left Kangana and her driver waiting at the gate for some more time till he went back to confirm the actress’ appointment over the intercom.”

What left Kangana visibly upset was the watchman asking on the intercom to someone at the other end that whether the actress should be let in or not and also whether her car had permission to be parked in the YRF studios basement parking!

Finally after a good 15-20 minutes wait at the gates, actress Kangana Ranaut was finally allowed into the YRF studio” the source concludes.

We are now the wondering whether Kangana shall soon be the next starlet to join the Yash Raj bandwagon following her Fashion, co-star, Priyanka Chopra.

Trust Kareena Kapoor to be an absolute professional. The actress floored debutant director Prem Soni completely by finishing her shooting in time.

A source reveals, “Recently Kareena was shooting for Sohail Khan Productions – UTV combines’ Main Aur Mrs Khanna at a Dubai mall.

The mall authorities could not give the unit much time to shoot. The makers had booked the mall for 14 hours but the mall authorities informed them that they could not lease the mall for that many hours. With less time in their hands the entire unit had to hurry and complete the entire shoot.

And Kareena Kapoor had four changes in costume during the shoot.

The director was worried how they would manage but all the while Kareena kept her cool and managed to change her costumes and make up in time and shoot for the movie.

In fact they managed to complete the entire shoot much before time and that left director Prem Soni baffled. Kareena also came up to the director and joked – ‘You will have to give me a special treat for completing the shoot much before time.”

Director Prem Soni who was amazed at her professional attitude tells us, “She completely floored me. I thought we would never be able to complete the shoot but she was so quick.

She had to change four costumes and that was really surprising. So much so that we didn’t realise we had finished so much in so very little time. Hats off to Kareena”

By Subhash K Jha

Katrina Kaif has just been voted the most googled girl from Bollywood.

Down with a bad flu attack Katrina says, “I’m very surprised. I really didn’t expect this. Google is the only thing I know on the internet. I’m not too internet savvy. Who doesn’t want to be recognized and loved?

I think it’s really sweet because it means I’m a little more popular with the younger generation. People between 19 and 30 go to the internet more, I think. And that’s the audience I want to connect with.”

This in spite of the fact that Katrina doesn’t think she’s sexy. “Maybe the way I define sexy is different from the general definitions. Maybe the people who have voted for me think differently from me..thank God for that! The beautiful thing about this world is that there’re so many different opinions.”

The names of the other ladies in the Top 10 google searched candidates surprised Katrina. “The important thing is to enjoy this moment. I smile about these things. Such momentary honour makes me want achieve a lot better. They help me take the next step.”

Katrina has taken over from Aishwarya Rai as the most googled Bollywood girl. Both actresses have a more wholesome image than the term ’sexy’ generally suggests.

Katrina smiles. “I can’t be compared with her…She’s iconic. I like that word…wholesome. I like being wholesome. Maybe today being attractive has more to do with the relatability factor.”

Deepika Padukone and Genelia d’Souza are also in the list. “So maybe too much in-you-face appeal is no longer that much in favour. Maybe finding the balance is important.

Otherwise one appeals to only a section of people. Me? I didn’t project myself in any one way. I’ve projected myself the way my projects have allowed me to. I’ve been fortunate to be accepted in spite of not being conventionally sexy.”

Katrina says she’s ready to play characters that are not straightforward.

“I play more intricate characters in Yashraj Films’s New York directed by Kabir Khan, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. They are nerve-wrackingly challenging.

But I need to go to another level. After watching me in these films no one, not even me, will say I’m just being glamorous.”

She is perhaps the youngest Mumbai based actress who has been lucky enough to make her foray in a Danny Boyle film abroad with aplomb and win accolades for her immaculate performance.

She has made her debut with Slumdog Millionaire in which her co-actors are top notch actors of the caliber of Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan.

When I meet this chirpy actress at a Café Coffee Day outlet in Malad where she stays, Freida Pinto told me at the outset that she has not at all learnt acting formally, though she has now decided that she would opt for a career in acting.

“I had registered with the elite Modelling Agency as a model after I had passed out from my college. It was after I anchored for a travel show called Full Circle for the channel Zee International that I received a call from Loveleen Tandon to audition for Danny Boyle for his film Slumdog Millionaire”.

Freida confesses that she had heard of Danny Boyle when she went for the audition. “I had seen Train Spotting which was a cult film of Danny Boyle, who had also made the career of Ewan McGregor. I was glad when Danny himself took my audition along with Loveleen.”

What is the role that you are playing in Slumdog Millionaire?

I ask Freida. “I play an eighteen year old girl who is brought up in the Mumbai slums and undergoes a harsh life and is in a painful situation after losing her love. She begins as a stubborn girl who wants love and acceptance because she is an orphan.

What I liked about the character that I play in the film is that she becomes a mature girl even by the time she turns 14. Eventually she turns into a submissive girl.”

Freida tells me that Slumdog millionaire is a completely Indian story. “I play an Indian girl in an Indian story. The film is a foreign perspective to an Indian story. I play the role of Latika.

The film is not based on the book Q& A written by Vikas Swaroop but has been imbibed by the concept of the book. Simon Beaufuoy has adapted Q&A into his own conception as Slumdog Millionaire.”

According to Freida, the title of the film is most appropriate because it is the story of an underdog and his struggle, rising out of adversity. Dev Patel plays the title role of the Slumdog Millionaire.

“The character that I play in the film is docile and submissive. I play it low though in real life I am quite a fiery and animated girl. I play a simple girl who is believable in Indian costumes.”

Freida confesses that she had become very empathic to a lot of situations around her after she acted in the film. “Earlier I used to take everything about life for granted. Acting in the film changed me a lot.

I found Danny to be very humble and down to earth though one expected him to be egoistic. What is the best about Danny as a director is that as a director he makes it a point to make his actors comfortable.”

Though she did not learn acting when she was acting in the film, Freida says that she made it a point to learn a lot about theater related acting from Barry John. “Thanks to what I learnt from Barry, I learnt how to connect with myself. I learnt that understanding yourself is the base for everything in life, after I learnt acting from Barry John.”

Freida admits that she does not have a Godfather or a filmy background, though she had always wanted to get an outlet for her creativity.

“I have modeled for Skoda, Femina etc and my biggest break was the travel show Full Circle that I did for Zee International. I am lucky I have been able to see most of the South East Asian countries in the world.

As a model I have gone to various places in the world like Fiji, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.”

Frieda is pragmatic when it comes to exposure in films as an actress.

“If it is only to excite the public, I am not at all ready to expose but if the role demands it and the character that I am offered justifies exposure, I am game for exposure.

Like Nandita Das did in Fire, Seema Biswas did in Bandit Queen or for that matter Nandana Sen has now done it in Rang Rasiya.”

Freida also adds in the same breath that she would not say that she is absolutely comfortable for exposure because the perception of people here of Indian girls is different.

What was considered vulgar yesterday is being done tastefully now. However at the same time, I also have no qualms to confess that I am too skinny now to carry off myself in a bikini“.

Now this is going to makje Salman Khan very angry. According to a latest buzz, Katrina Kaif recently got hit on the face by Ranbir Kapoor, of course unintentionally, on the sets of a Rajkumar Santoshi film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.

The incident happened on Monday evening when the stars were shooting a chase sequence. “An elaborate set was created at Madh Island and it was a chase sequence where Ranbir and Katrina were supposed to be running away from some goons.

All was fine till the point where Ranbir needed to suddenly turn around. He did that but in the bargain hit Katrina’s nose with his hand and the delicate actress went tumbling to the ground. She was in great pain but realised that it was unintentional, so she didn’t complain,” says a member of the crew.

The director had to cancel the shooting as they had to seek medical attention for injured Kat. The next day, too, Santoshi did not shoot the film but used the free time to do some decoration on the sets.

Well, Ranbir must be hoping that Salman doesn’t take this episode to the heart!

Neha Dhupia isn’t shying away from admitting that she made quite a few wrong choices in her five year long career.

She has seen hits and flops at regular intervals but 2007 onwards; she is being seen in a different light altogether. While she is doing Mithya with as much as ease as Singh Is Kinng, soon after Dasvidaniya, she is appearing in Maharathi. A planned move?

“For me, the most important thing is the fact that I am enjoying it all. There are these so-called commercial projects and then also the other kind of films that I am doing.

There is a very definite line between the two. I am not undermining the ‘masala’ fare but seriously, films like Mithya, Dasvidaniya and now Maharathi are made from the heart.

These are the kind of films that are made for the love of cinema. I am enjoying being a part of both kinds of films”, Neha says happily.

So the balancing act would continue? “Pretty much so”, Neha says promptly, “I have to feel good with the kind of work I do and currently I am very happy.

However, let me clarify that not even for a single minute am I saying no to big commercial cinema. After all, that’s where I have my maximum accessibility to audience.

These are the films that have maximum reach and more and more people want to watch them since they wish to leave their worries back home. So yes, I would be seen in all kinds of cinema.”

She goes on to add, “Today when I sign a movie, I make sure that my role has to be good. Length is not the deciding factor.

Also, I don’t see a project as commercial or offbeat. I check whether there is something about a project which is good. Something has to come out of it, whether cinematically or commercially.

There should be at least one set of target audience where it is guaranteed to work. This is why not you would see me either as a part of a good film or a good project.”

The change doesn’t seem sudden though. She would have certainly planned it all out while choosing the distinct projects that she is seen in today?

Says Neha, “If you have to look ahead, you have to see what you have left behind as well. It is plain and simple mathematics. I took two steps back to make sure that I could take four steps forward.”

And what made her do that? “Honestly, I was not enjoying the work I was doing at all. But no, let me not say that I was being misguided.

Puhleeeze, they were my decisions and no one else was responsible for the work that I did. Today, I can gladly look back and say that yes, I was facing a storm but I braved it. I was making a few mistakes; I learnt from them and moved on.”

The future looks good though, isn’t it, what with 2009 also showcasing her in a variety of roles? “Yes, I can confidently say that 2009 would be even better.

There are movies like Raat Gayi Baat Gayi and I Am 24 which are completed and should release early 2009. Then I have also just completed Pappu Can’t Dance Saala which is another amazing film.

Raftaar with Emraan Hashmi is a film I am looking forward to as this is commercial and yet so demanding as an actor. I would also be beginning work on Priyadarshan’s De Dana Dan with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. So as you see, quite some variety at play”, smiles Neha.

Newcomer Harman Baweja is lucky to have a girlfriend like Priyanka Chopra.

She supports him in every way possible. She bailed him out and did her best to make his debut movie ‘Love Story 2050′ work. Alas, that didn’t work out and Harman’s Hrithik aping too did no good for him.

Now like a supportive girl friend Piggy Chops is set to do a sizzling item number in his next flick ‘Victory’. And hold your breath, the reports are that she would be wearing nothing but a two piece. She’ll be shooting for it early in the New Year.

Harman might not admit it but it seems he’s shaken up by the fact that his extra expensive debut film bombed. The buzz is that there are no buyers for the flick.

Maybe that’s why he’s so hopeful that the inclusion of Priyanka might help the film to sell.

According to sources, “The film ‘Victory’ was facing some production hassles and now they are finding it difficult to find buyers, especially since the industry is also reeling under the impact of the recession in the market.

Although the film is backed by Adlabs; they are having trouble selling it. That Harman’s last film was a non-starter is also a factor. Distributors who had earlier shown interest have now backed out and agree to come back in on the deal if they are offered heavy cuts in the price.”

The source further adds, “Now one of the producers of the film, Manmohan Shetty, has urged the debutant director of the film, Ajit Pal, to put an item number in the film.

This may just improve the prospects of the film on the ticket windows. Harman has requested girl friend Priyanka to do the number and she has agreed.” Well, that’s what true lovers do. Support each other all the time. Bet Piggy Chops would agree.

Now there has been a lot of talk about how Sallu is busy promoting Zarine, the heroine of ‘Veer’ and the look alike of his girl friend Katrina Kaif these days. She’s been his arm candy at public places.

Many are surprised and have even wondered if Zarine plans to replace Kat in Sallu’s life.

Strangely Katrina herself doesn’t seem to mind this at all.

She’s simply joked about it, “She is so sweet and I helped her with her make-up during her screen test. She is a lovely girl and I hope she does very well. Although I do not think she looks like me. But if Salman misses me and wants to work with girls who look like me, that is so sweet.”

This sounds more like a weird thought. Not every girl would like her man to party with someone else just because she’s a look-alike or because he misses her.

Or maybe everything is easy for Katrina because she’s so much in love at all!

The buzz is that the Chote Nawab and his beloved girlfriend Bebo are planning to move in together. They are set to share the same apartment soon.

Well, good for them. After all they love to act like Siamese Twins all the time.

Saif and Kareena have been traveling long distances just to be with each other in the middle of their hectic work schedules. They’ve indulged in PDA whenever possible.

Saif has shown off his passionate love by getting his name tattooed on his arm. Now, the pair is planning to take their relationship to another level by living in together.

The buzz is that they have bought a flat in Bandra which is being renovated and decorated by Twinkle Khanna. They will move in whenever the apartment is ready.

It’s being said that the live-in relationship is like a prelude to the couple’s marriage, which is likely to happen soon.

Actually Saif wants to marry Bebo as soon as possible. But she wants to concentrate on her flourishing career right now.

Audiences are set to get a feel of their real life passionate romance soon in Karan Johar’s upcoming production to be directed by Rensil D’Silva.

Looks like this is one couple which will never fall out love with each other!

Wake up and strike terrorism with an iron hand, say Bollywood’s stars shocked by the brazen terror attack that targeted Mumbai’s poshest areas. From Hema Malini, who worries about her daughters, to Bipasha Basu, who narrowly missed the Vile Parle blast, this terror strike has shaken them all.

Bipasha Basu: It’s shocking and scary. We’re going through a very disturbing and inhuman phase. On Wednesday night, I travelled on the highway two minutes after the Vile Parle blast. There was mayhem on the roads.

John’s (John Abraham) aunt, who works at the Taj (Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotels), reached home at 7 a.m. Thursday. I wonder where and when it will end.

Shveta Salve: Please send me Raj Thackeray’s number, if you can find it. I don’t know where he is when we need him. We want him to go and save ‘Amchi Mumbai’ along with his MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) men.

After all they are the ’sons of the soil’, aren’t they? The army, the commandos who are right now battling to save Mumbai are not all ‘Marathi Manoos’, are they? I wonder why they should risk their lives for us!

Hema Malini: I think the Mumbai police rose to the occasion. It is very sad that we lost some brave officers. Hats off to the army for rescuing people. It’s really sad that Mumbai has become so unsafe. I wait with my heart in my mouth until Esha and Ahana are home. We desperately need more security.

Shilpa Shetty: I had an early morning shoot Thursday so I went to sleep early. I had no clue about what happened in my city until someone called from London to ask if I was alright. That’s when I switched on the TV and quickly made calls to friends who live in town.

Raveena Tandon: We were in a restaurant in south Mumbai having dinner with friends when we started getting calls to leave immediately. We still waited. But then a policeman called and advised us to go home.

We headed home in groups and stayed on the phone till each of us reached safely. It’s time for the corrupt politicians to wake up. Stop thinking of your vote banks and think of what’s happening to the country.

Vishal Bhardwaj: My “Kaminey” unit was lucky. We were shooting a minute’s distance away from the Taj and Oberoi hotels. We had to quickly gather our stuff and flee.

Shabana Azmi: I was on the phone with a friend in London when she asked me to switch on the TV. It’s a diabolic war waged on our city and country. This isn’t the time to place blame.

We need to maintain peace and communal harmony and cooperate with the police. Our condolences to police officers who sacrificed their lives. Terrorism should be struck down with an iron hand.

It makes me sad and angry that Mumbai residents are soft targets for such attacks. It’s an unsettling feeling, especially since we seem not equipped to deal with it. This is an open war against humanity.

Celina Jaitley: I was at the Four Seasons hotel in Worli when the attacks happened. Till 3 a.m. Thursday we remained close to the exits and then we went up to our rooms. I got calls from friends and my security head to stay put. Is this really happening to our wonderful city?

Iqbal Khan: Mujahideen is such a sure and strong word. I’m sure they don’t even know the meaning.

Arshad Warsi: I was on my way back from Panchgani Wednesday night. The explosion at Vile Parle happened 15-20 minutes after I passed by that area. I trust the police and army. They’ll sort it out. Nothing can stop Mumbai residents from getting back to normal. But we need to exercise more caution.

Sammir Dattani: Five friends and I had a table booked at the Oberoi hotel for dinner. We were just a stone’s throw away from the hotel when I changed my mind because I had an early morning flight. That’s when we heard a loud explosion in the hotel. Before we could react, all hell broke loose. We quickly drove off.