Kareena Kapoor Now Highest paid Brand Endorser

Kareena Kapoor is Bollywood’s leading actress officially emerged the most sought after actress in the brand endorsement circuit. With a whopping 13 brands riding on her, Kareena Kapoor – the only actress to stand exclusive in a male dominated industry, remains unmoved with labels of being “the best” or “the most sought after”.

Says Kareena “I don’t put a value to my worth. I’m not a product you can pick off the shelf. I have always been selective about what I endorse and the work I do. And I have always been exclusive.” With an impressive line-up of brands, Kareena Kapoor has never been the one to rush onto the endorsement bandwagon and has always stood for brands she believes in.

“There’s a lot of thought and deliberation that goes into all my work. I endorse what I believe in. It has to be aspirational, Gen-X, go-getter…brands that signify the right mix of style and substance. Just like the youth in India today. Upwardly mobile in their attitude but firmly rooted and have the right value systems in place,” adds Kareena. After pioneering the trend of Size-Zero in India and even having a range of laptops designed after her Kareena Kapoor is the only actress to not just represent the brand but also make the brand. Says a brand guru, “Kareena is the highest paid brand endorser. She has the right mix of tradition and contemporary and has phenomenal brand value. Her face sells the aspirations she stands for sells there’s no stopping Brand Bebo.”

Voice of Bollywood Asha Bhosle decided to acting

She has been the leading voice of Bollywood for close to six decades but at 77, singer Asha Bhosle has decided to take up another challenge. She is all set to make an acting debut with Hindi film ‘Maaee’. The singer has done many music videos but it is for the first time that she is doing a lead role in a movie.

The film is being produced by Subhash Dawar-Nitin Shankar and tells the story of what happens when a woman is abandoned by her only son and then goes to live with her daughter and son-in-law. The film will be directed by debutante Mahesh Kodiyal.

“It was something that I hadn’t done so far. My fans know very well that I do whatever my heart says is good to do. And the moment this story was narrated to me I connected so very strongly with it as a mother and a human being even though it was so far removed from my own life and experience,” Bhosle said. “I knew then and there that there was no way I could let the opportunity to essay this character pass me by,” she added. The ‘Dil cheez kya hai’ hitmaker said she also agreed because Padmini Kolhapure will be playing the role of her daughter. ‘Maaee’ will go on the floor in April this year and will be shot entirely in Mumbai.

Bolly Girl Priyanka Chopra now planned for family life

Priyanka Chopra says she has been planning her wedding for many years. She also has several venues finalized for the wedding.

In the second anniversary issue of the fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar, Priyanka opens up and talks candidly about various personal subjects, not the least of which is her plans to get married not once or twice or thrice but six times.

“I have been planning my wedding since as far back as I can remember! My ideal scenario is getting married six times (to the same man of course),” Priyanka tells the magazine.

Not just this, she has also decided different venues for the wedding.

“My dadaji's (grandfather's) house in Ambala - my 'big, fat Indian wedding'; underwater at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; a church in Las Vegas - wearing a short black dress and with the priest dressed as Elvis; the intimate ceremony - at a small, beautiful church in Locarno, Switzerland. It's on top of a hill that overlooks parts of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland,” she reveals in the issue slated to hit the stands on Wednesday.

Priyanka also wants to have a nikaah because she thinks it is a beautiful, romantic ceremony.

Katrina & Ranbir team again

 Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor are the hottest pair in tinsel town. No doubt, they top the wishlist of producers making celluloid love stories.

Just a few days back we reported about Ranbir Kapoor being signed up to play a medieval warrior in the remake of the Telugu superhit Magadheera. Now, we hear that Katrina Kaif is billed to bag the role of the princess the warrior is sworn to protect.

In the original film, Ram Charan Teja and Kajal Aggarwal wowed the fans with their sparkling chemistry. In the Hindi remake, to be produced by Madhu Mantena (producer of Ghajini), Ranbir and Katrina will recreate the eternal romance.

The film tells the story of a warrior who protects the princess of his kingdom, only to be killed and born again 400 years later to take his revenge. It’s essentially a love story between the warrior and the princess.

Given the subject, the director S S Rajamouli (director of Magadheera) and producer Mantena feel they need a couple who can bring out the passion on screen in the Hindi remake. Obviously, Ranbir and Katrina top their wishlist.

After all they do look good together, not just off the screen.

Will Aamir work with Katrina?

Will Aamir Khan to work with Katrina Kaif?: Aamir Khan who was hesitant to star opposite Katrina Kaif earlier as she was dating Salman Khan at that time is now ready to work with the actress post their break-up, according to the sources.

One year ago, Aamir Khan had told TOI, "Katrina is a huge star. But no filmmaker has come forward with a proposal to cast us.''

Around the same time, the two even featured in a photoshoot together, in which they reprised the look of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. After the photoshoot, there was a buzz about the two of them coming together in a film soon, but nothing happened.

Aamir reportedly even got an offer from a production house, but he couldn't say yes as Salman, Katrina were dating at that time. Now the same production house has approached Aamir again, and the actor might give his go-ahead this time around.

A source told TOI, "Now that Salman and Kat have split, Aamir may team up with the Bollywood diva."

Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” bagged the title for best film at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” bagged the title for best film at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards here Sunday.

The award was presented by Steven Spielberg.”The King’s Speech” was competing with Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan”, David O. Russell’s “The Fighter”, Christopher Nolan’s “Inception”, Lisa Cholodenko “The Kids Are All Right”, Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours”, David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, Lee Unkrich.’s “Toy Story 3″, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen’s “True Grit” and Debra Granik’s “Winter’s Bone”.

At 43, Madhuri Dixit still casts a spell

"We had been trying to get Madhuri as a judge for the past two seasons. She has been known as a dancing diva and who better could we have got for a show which is all about perfect dancing," Ajay Bhalwankar, programming head, Sony, told us.

"She has added a lot of freshness to the show and she is an extremely honest judge. In all our four seasons, this season has been the highest TRP earner thanks to Madhuri," he added.

Madhuri's India sojourn is coming to an end with the 'Jhalak...' finale set to take place in the first week of March. But her stay has proved that the graceful actor's charm hasn't faded even after 25 years, marriage and a sabbatical. Ever since she set foot again in India in November last year, she has been hogging the limelight.

The 43-year-old broke many hearts when she tied the knot in 2002 with Shriram Madhav Nene, a doctor based out in Denver, US. Post- marriage, Madhuri featured only in 'Aaja Nachle' because she got busy with family and children.

The beautiful actress was after all a rage in Bollywood. Despite her garish clothes and loud makeup, the trained Kathak dancer lit up the screen with her million-dollar smile, dance and her performances in 'Tezaab', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Sajan', 'Beta', 'Dil' and many more.

When Rajshri Productions, which had launched her in 1984 with 'Abodh', teamed up with Madhuri a decade later in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun!', they created history by giving Hindi cinema one of its biggest grossers. The audiences lapped up the movie, which ran about a year and earned over Rs.600 million.

Desi Girl Priyanka Chopra and Videsi Singer Lady Gaga meet together

Priyanka Chopra and Singer Lady Gaga

The latest buzz in tinsel town is that desi girl Priyanka Chopra and videsi singer Lady Gaga were recently spotted together after Gaga’sMadison Square Garden concert.

Priyanka is an avid fan of Gaga for quite some time. Priyanka stated “I like her tracks, “Poker Face,” “Bad Romance,” and “Drag Queen,” so it was great to see her perform.”

“She is keen on doing something in India. I think she is going on an Asia tour soon and that’s really cool. I think it would be great for her to come down [to India].”

Priyanka had a gala time with one of her favorite singer. She added “It was great to see her, her voice surprised me, she has a great voice live!”

“I loved the way she connected with her fans, people really connected with her and her message ‘be proud of who you are,’ it’s a great message.”

Priyanka felt nostalgic after seeing her concert. It reminded her of those days when she performed at Wembley and Madison Square Garden few years back.

She said “it’s an amazing feeling to be on stage.”

Aiswarya Rai in a Bronze Giorgio Armani Prive Gown at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Function

Aiswarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai looked stunningly beautiful in a bronze Giorgio Armani Prive gown at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards at Los Angeles' Kodak Theater on February 27.

Aishwarya's gown had rows of linear amber sequins and beaded detail at the waist. The 37-year-old Bollywood star, a former Miss World (1994), teamed the shimmery gown with a Jimmy Choo clutch, vintage jewelery and smoky eyes. Aishwarya walked the red carpet with husband Abhishek Bachchan, also a Bollywood star, who was attired in a black tuxedo. The couple is reported to have watched a basketball game in L.A. before the event, where Aishwarya was seen chatting with Dustin Hoffman!

83rd Annual Academy Award Winners Lists | 83rd Oscar Award Winners Lists

83rd Annual Oscar winners list: List of the 83rd Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

1. Best Picture: "The King's Speech."

2. Actor: Colin Firth, "The King's Speech."

3. Actress: Natalie Portman, "Black Swan."

4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, "The Fighter."

5. Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, "The Fighter."

6. Directing: Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech."

7. Foreign Language Film: "In a Better World," Denmark.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network."

9. Original Screenplay: David Seidler, "The King's Speech."

10. Animated Feature Film: "Toy Story 3."

11. Art Direction: "Alice in Wonderland."

12. Cinematography: "Inception."

13. Sound Mixing: "Inception."

14. Sound Editing: "Inception."

15. Original Score: "The Social Network," Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

16. Original Song: "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3," Randy Newman.

17. Costume Design: "Alice in Wonderland."

18. Documentary Feature: "Inside Job."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Strangers No More."

20. Film Editing: "The Social Network."

21. Makeup: "The Wolfman."

22. Animated Short Film: "The Lost Thing."

23. Live Action Short Film: "God of Love."

24. Visual Effects: "Inception."

Aiswarya Rai spotted bonding with hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman

Aishwarya Rai spotted bonding with Dustin Hoffman: Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai who is the international face of Bollywood was recently spotted bonding with the Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman.

Aishwarya and Hoffman reportedly met in Los Angeles at an exhibition basketball game at Staples Center. Hoffman had come with his son Jake, and Ash was with her husband Abhishek Bachchan.

Reports say Ash and Hoffman bonded for some time on the sidelines of the game. They spoke about films. The meeting was more than just a mere exchange of pleasantries but still did not last long as the two got busy cheering up the basketball teams they supported.

Aishwarya and Abhishek have also been invited to the Oscars this year, as was revealed by Amitabh Bachchan recently. In fact Ashutosh Gowariker is also expected to attend the gala awards night.

A.R.Rahma failed to bag the coveted Golden Man at the 83rd Academy Award in Los Angeles

Two-time Oscar winning Indian composer A R Rahman failed to bag the coveted Golden Man at the 83rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The composer was nominated in two categories: Best Original Score and Best Song (If I Rise) for his work in Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours. But Rahman missed out on winning in both the categories.

He lost in the Best Original Score category to Trent Rezner and Atticus Ross for their compositions in The Social Network. Rahman lost in the Best Song category to Randy Newman for his song ‘We Belong Together’ in Toy Story 3.

Rahman, however, gave a moving performance on stage along with Dido. The two sang a teaser of their song ‘If I Rise’.

All in all, the Oscars this year did not rock, partly because of strictly average hosting by a shockingly stilted James Franco and somewhat amusing Anne Hathaway. The evening also had its Oops moment when actress Melissa Leo uttered the ‘F’ word in her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Fighter’.

Katrina's Sweet voice for Yashraj Upcoming Film "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan"

Katrina Kaif’s accented Hindi may be questionable but her sweet voice is sure suited for a crooner.

Taking the cue, Katrina has consented to sing a song in the upcoming Yashraj film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, we hear. Kat was not initially gung-ho about singing for the film, but it was her co-star Ali Zafar, the Pakistani singer, who convinced her to try out singing.

Ali himself has sung three songs in the film, and Kat, reports say, has sung one. The music of the film is composed by Suhail Sen.

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has Katrina paired with Imran Khan. The film is slated to release later this year.

'Tanu Weds Manu' gives positive response

'Tanu Weds Manu' gives positive response: This Friday’s release Tanu Weds Manu has taken a decent start at the box office while the last week’s release 7 Khoon Maaf is going down.

Tanu Weds Manu, starring Kangana Ranaut as a rebellious small-town girl dead against arranged marriage and Madhavan as a possible suitor hand-picked by her parents, has opened to a fairly good 40 percent response at ticket windows. Though the response was more heartening in north India than elsewhere, the film is expected to perform well over the weekend and the coming weeks because it doesn’t any stiff competition at box office.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s much hyped 7 Khoon Maaf has turned out to be a colossal disappointment. It rounded off its first week with a collection of Rs. 15 crore nett.

Likewise, Patiala House completed its two-week run at box office with a total business of Rs. 30.50 crore so far. It’s being labelled a flop.

The coming month would see no big releases from Bollywood due to the ongoing cricket world cup and also because of the examinations in schools and colleges. It’s that time of the year when the box office goes into doldrums.

Shahrukh Khan's 'Zor Ka Jhatka' show rejected

Shahrukh Khan's 'Zor Ka Jhatka' show rejected: It’s Shahrukh Khan who has got Zor Ka Jhatka, that too for the second time on boob tube.

The television show Zor Ka Jhatka hosted by Shahrukh and shot in Argentina has been getting dismally low TRPs ever since it went on air on Feb 1. It’s TVR on the opening day was 2.6, which is shockingly low for any show hosted by a major Bollywood star on TV. But more shocking is how the show’s TVR has dipped steadily to the range of 1.3 to 0.8.

This is the second time Shahrukh has faced rejection on the small screen after his show Kya Aap Panchvi Paas Se Tez Hai flopped three years ago.

In fact, Zor Ka Jhatka has got even lesser viewership than Rakhi Ka Insaaf.

Some feel that Shahrukh has not fully committed himself to the show. He did not fly to Argentina to shoot with the contestants but rather shot his portions in a studio. His shots were added to the Argentina shoot on the editing table to give the impression that he was on location.

Vidyabalan plans for engagement with her boyfriend Siddharth Roy Kapoor

Vidya Balan to plane for an engagement with Siddharth Roy Kapoor?: Vidya Balan and her rumoured boyfriend Siddharth Roy Kapur are said to be thinking of getting engaged.

The actress has been spotted with the head honcho of UTV Motion Pictures on more occasion than one, thereby sparking the rumours that something is indeed brewing between them. The latest was their outing together on the sandy beaches of Goa. The duo was clicked in casual beach wear while holidaying together.

Apparently, Sid and Vid have been friends for some time since he stays in her neighbourhood.

But the couple are wary of being linked together because Siddharth’s divorce from his wife is yet to come through. Naturally, they are likely to play down the reports of their engagement.

Vidya’s spokesperson says just because Vidya is friendly with someone doesn’t mean she will get engaged to him.

We, however, will wait to see how this ‘love story’ unfolds.

Sameera Reddy confessed her dream work with Super Star Rajani Kanth

Sameera Reddy

Sameera Reddy confessed her dream is work with non other than Super star of Indian cinema Rajini Kanth. Yes! It’s not only her dream but also her parents dream. Many A-List actresses of the cinema either belonging to Bollywood, Kollywood or Tollywood have a dream working with him but none of them dared to walk up to Rajini and ask for a chance to pair with him.

But our daring and dashing beauty have made an attempt by walking towards Rajini and asked him “Sir I want to work with you”. Wow!!! Sameera has done this when she had a chance of meeting him in a function. Here is the reply of our super star “He smiled and said “OK”. By the conversation of Sameera and Rajini we can get to see them together in a film in future. Sameera feels blessed if she gets an opportunity to work with him and more than Sameera her parents dream comes true with this pairing.

Mugdha:My outfits aren't vulgar

Mugdha Godse gets short end of the stick from conservative Marathi viewers

Mugdha Godse has realised that there is no 'short cut' to success.

The actress, who is currently doing a stint on the small screen as a judge on talent show Marathi Paul Padte Pudhe has caused panic with her dressing sense among the Zee Marathi viewers.

The Fashion star is most comfortable in short dresses.

With a toned body to flaunt, she has no qualms wearing outfits that accentuate her curves. She had even worn a bikini in her last B-Town outing Help.

But her rising hemlines, plunging neckline and styles are cause of consternation among the audience.

"Mugdha stands out among the other judges.

Having been a model, she subscribes to a different set of sensibilities that is hard to digest for the rest on the show as well as the audience.

Says Mugdha, "I just want viewers to realise that wearing western outfits shouldn't be a problem as long as it's not vulgar or too revealing.

This is a show where we are telling people to get globalised and clothes don't make a difference. There is a famous saying 'Clothes don't maketh a man' and I truly believe in that."

Ameesha Patel is all set to surprise you all

It is a known fact now that the svelte looking diva Ameesha Patel is making many heads turn with her new glam avatar.

However, her new found fondness from the shutterbugs is apparently not going well with a lot of gossip mongers who have been playing truants by their attempts to malign her.

But the sassy babe, Ameesha, isn’t among those actresses who get perplexed by negative reports and instead believes in letting her work do the talking.

We’ve learnt that the sizzling hottie is soon to surprise all and sundry by many big announcements of her big comeback! Wait and watch, this talented actress is soon to take over all !

Playboy Covergirl Candice Boucher will make her Bollywood Debut

Playboy covergirl Candice Boucher will make her Bollywood debut as a sand artist in director Prashant Chadha`s `Aazaan`. Acclaimed sand artist Alexandra Konofalskaya was flown down from Belarus to train Candice for her role.

"I never imagined myself in a Bollywood film but now I`m looking forward to its premiere. I love your country and I want to see a lot of India," she said in a press statement. "Aazaan" is an international espionage film about an informant who has to go undercover beyond enemy lines to save the nation from destruction by biological warfare.

"While scripting the film, I felt that Candice would make the perfect mystery miss. Given that she`s a Playboy cover girl, the instant connect is, `She must be hot.` She is but there`s also a certain vulnerability that makes her more appealing," said Chadha, who made his directorial debut with Himesh Reshammiyaa starrer "Aap Ka Surroor".