We’ve zeroed in on ladies who looked their best at the event for the Bollywood Celebden Redcarpet Award. Who would you vote for? Any favorites?

sources say the climax of Hrithik Roshan’s romantic thriller ‘Kites’ has a nail-biting action sequence inspired from ‘Bad Boys 2’ and ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’. Director Anurag Basu recently shot a difficult action sequence in Santa Fe in New Mexico. The scene required around a month of preparation and was shot over three days.

The scene was initially directed by Dick Ziker, but the Roshans weren’t quite pleased with his work and reshot the scene with action director Spiro Razatos and they were happy with the final result.

It is a scene similar to Bad Boys 2 where the villain pushes cars off an automobile mover (the vehicle that transports cars from the factory to the dealer) during a car chase. The rented a garage for a month where he kept second-hand cars that he purchased. These cars were modified to make them look new.

No, wonder, the film’s marketing and distribution rights have reportedly been sold for a whopping amount of Rs. 110 crores to Anil Ambani’s Big Pictures.

We read about how Himesh Reshammiya has refused to sing for A R Rahman. But Rahman says he has never met Reshammiya.

Laughs the soft spoken maestro sarcastically, “Our communication has been only through the press. He told the press he wanted to sing for me. I told the press I had composed a song that would suit his voice. To this he replied again through the press that he didn’t want to sing for me. We’ve not met. We haven’t exchanged a call or an sms.”

Rahman finds it strange that after hounding him for so long Reshammiya changed his mind. “For the past two years I had been reading about how he wanted to sing for me. As a gesture returning his compliment I thought this song would be perfect. I didn’t know he would sing for me only when I compose for a film starring him. I don’t know if I can do that,” say Rahman who turns 41 in January.

“2008 was my most productive year in Hindi cinema in the last ten years. I had 7 soundtracks in the North and South. And I’m happy with all of them. God has been kind. I haven’t planned anything big for 2008. But my music school in Chennai is my biggest dream come true. The whole of 2008 the school gave me a high.”

Rahman has just composed his first ever song for an international opera-on-film that’s directed by Shekhar Kapoor. “I thank Shekhar for trusting me with something so unusual. The singer Kavita Baliga is a teacher at my music school. Though she’s Indian she comes from LA. It’s a great team that we have at music school. Right now I’ve 110 students. They come from India, Singapore and Malaysia. I want to cultivate musicians who don’t know just about classical music but also new-age sounds. Today’s complete musician has to be clued into world music. And that’s what we’re trying to inculcate at my school.”

Eventually Rahman wants a music orchestra coming out of his school. “And I also want to produce new voices for films.”

Rahman regrets the fact that music and harmony have gone out of our music. “In the course of time listeners have lost patience with melody. All the tracks have to be super-racy. As a composer I’d definitely prefer melody. But if people want to come to movies just to have a good time then I’ll give them racy songs. I don’t want to lose out on the young audience. However filmmakers need to understand the value of melody. It’s not as though people have not liked the melodies in Yuvraaj. I’ve to give it to Mr Ghai for taking film music away from the predictable. I’m very proud of Yuvraaj. There are two kinds of music, the one to draw audiences in like Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na or the one that propels the plot forward like Yuvraaj.”

Speaking of his very special rapport with Aamir Khan Rahman says, “Whatever goes to Aamir is a very high-profile and filtered project. So my music has to automatically match up.”

The year has been plush with projects for Rahman. “I’ve worked with three generations of directors, and in as many continents. I can tell what they like and not like. Working with Abbas Tyrewala in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na was a rewarding experience. Yes, I’ll be doing Abbas’ next.I’m as proud of Pappu can’t dance sala as Tu muskura. Now after Ghajini, I’ve Delhi 6 and Adaa coming up one after another.”

An unfulfilled dream? “All my private album projects have been neglected because of my movie commitments. All my colleagues at my private music-label are crying about this. I want to complete these non-film projects

This year Vidya is done with searching for various by-lanes to her screen identity. She wants to films with substance and purpose.

Perhaps the fact that directors like Sajid Khan for whom she went glam have gone to other leading ladies has something to do with Vidya’s decision.

“All my forthcoming films have a sharp sense of social purpose, and that definitely includes Vibhu Puri’s Chenab Gandhi which I’m enormously excited about because it’s produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.”

Vidya has been attending costume and reading sessions for Chenab Gandhi and is spellbound by the script. “But I haven’t really interacted that much with my co-star Hurman as yet. With Mr Bachchan who plays the title role, I share a lifelong bonding.Right from Eklavya we’ve been paired in so many films right up to Chenab Gandhi and now Balki’s Pa. If I did all the films last year that I was offered with Mr Bachchan I wouldn’t be working with anyone else,” says Vidya, adding she’s excited to work with Abhishek Bachchan for the first time in Pa.

“We’ve never been paired together.It would be interesting to have another interesting co-star to work with,” says Vidya who went to Panchgani for her birthday this year, with her parents, sister and brother-in-law. “It’s very rare for all five of us in the family to be together. My birthday falls on a very unforgettable day, the New Year. It’s preceded by Christmas, so we all take time off to be together. Another advantage of being born on the first day of the year is, no one can claim to forget your birthday,” she says with loud laughter.

Vidya recently saw Ghajini and was bowled over by Aamir Khan. “I’m dying to work with Aamir. And Shah Rukh of course is my favorite. I said on Sajid Khan’s chat show I want to kill Shah Rukh’s wife. No one took me seriously. There was no enhancement in the security around her. Sad

The Mumbai High Court Tuesday dismissed the plea of singer Adnan Sami's wife Sabah that he and his parents be evicted from the house they all presently live in. Adnan says he will fight the matter out with her in whichever court she appeals. "It has been a traumatic time for me, what with my father lying critically ill in the same house that my wife wanted me out of. I was determined to have my parents stay in my house. Now the honourable court has dismissed my wife's plea to have us out. The honourable judge said this case belongs to the courts dealing with domestic cases, not the High Court. If Sabah decides to appeal I'm ready to give her a long and gruelling battle ahead. I'm a lawyer, remember?" Adnan told IANS. Sabah had filed for divorce and, among other things, she had complained that he plays his "music too loud". Trouble started last month when a non-cognisable offence was registered against Adnan at the Oshiwara police station here after Sabah accused him of "mental and physical torture". The Pakistani singer was then summoned to the police station and warned against misbehaving with his wife in future. Adnan had earlier said Sabah never wanted his parents staying in their house. He is firm about fighting the legal battle right to the finish. "She wanted to take away my home and dog. If she had her way she'd snatch away my father as well. When my frail father heard that the High Court had ruled in my favour, he opened his eyes, smiled and closed them again. That smile is all the vindication I needed," he said.

Being very talented and beautiful makes her one of the most envied actresses in filmdom.

Ash has even left behind hubby Abhi too.

And though he’s very supportive of her, he’s also a little bit jealous.

And most of it is because of the attention she’s getting from her co-star of Pink Panther 2, Steve Martin.

Abhishek remarks, “We were at the premiere of ‘Pink Panther 2′ and it was great fun. It’s a hilarious film. Steve Martin is a genius. I am very jealous of Ash. He is someone I have been idolising when I was growing up. And Ash gets the opportunity to work with the likes of Steve Martin and Jeremy Irons.”

But he’s looking forward to his films with wifey and hoping that the great personal and professional chemistry continues for a long, long time

Sonam Kapoor has become an actor today but she was quite inclined towards academics in her growing up years. In fact one wish that she still has is to become a college graduate. Reason? After Class XII, she discontinued her studies and started concentrating in films.

“I really wanted to study more, especially language”, says Sonam who will soon be seen in ‘Delhi 6′ this weekend, “I have completed by Class XII and though English and Hindi were my favorite subjects, it’s a pity that I couldn’t pursue them further. I still feel bad that I haven’t done my graduation.”

Talking about her love for reading, she also shares an interesting fact about herself. She is not just fascinated with the English language but also loves studying subjects like History and Geography.

“That’s true”, confirms Sonam, “While I had a soft corner for languages, it wasn’t possible for me to stay away from History and Geography for long. I always enjoyed my stint with studies during school and for me reading was a lot of fun. What also helped me engage in studies was the fact that I didn’t have to do the same things time and over again. I was constantly learning.”

For the moment, it’s her brother Harshvardhan Kapoor who is keeping her abreast about the finer techniques of cinema.

“He is currently studying screen writing and I keep calling him and understanding from him the new things that he is learning. Yes, I get to know some good things of screen writing from him but I would always carry the regret of not being able to study things myself. May be some other day, some other time”, concludes Sonam

Celina Jaitley says she had a harrowing experience with the airport authorities in New Delhi when she was going through the security check for her morning flight to Mumbai. In the city for a special Valentine event, Celina Sunday went through body frisking and her belongings being scanned. However, she was shocked after realising that her expensive state of art iPod and Blackberry were scratched while quite a few other things in her bag were broken. "I agree that authorities there are doing their duty and we too are completely cooperating with the security measures. It is for our own benefit and I understand that we should comply with them. However, who gives them the right to mishandle things belonging to others? It was heartbreaking to see my stuff in a bad shape. Both my iPod as well as Blackberry have lost their sheen due to callous attitude of men who were doing the scan," Celina told IANS. Worse, the cops who were apparently responsible for the damage, were found smiling even as Celina was complaining against them. "These guys don't know how to behave with women. I went up to the officer in charge and all he could say was 'Sorry'? Also, they told me in no uncertain terms that they couldn't repair what was broken. Moreover, the guys who did it were grinning in front of him. What a shame! Someone ought to teach these cops how to behave with women", she said. It wasn't just the material loss that angered Celina. During the same time, she also saw an old female passenger being pushed around. When she approached the officer in charge, all she got from him was a casual 'sorry'. Celina is thinking of approaching higher authorities and apprise them about what transpired with her at the airport.

Shah Rukh Khan, who underwent a surgery to repair the tear in the main muscle of his left shoulder, is recovering well, doctors attending on him here said on Tuesday.

Shoulder specialist Dr Sanjay Desai, who led the team of doctors to operate on the 43-year-old actor-producer, said
Khan had recovered well and had a normal diet.

"I will be visiting him later in the day," Dr Desai said, adding that he is discussing with the actor's family whether
to discharge him today or tomorrow .

Khan was operated on Monday at south Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital.

"The Arthroscopic method of surgery, which was performed on the star does not require opening of the entire joint. The
surgery ensure less pain and minimal scar," the doctor said.

The actor had injured his shoulder on the sets of Dulha Mil Gaya in November last.

Shah Rukh was in London to promote his latest film Billu during the weekend and returned to Mumbai on Monday after which he was admitted to the hospital in the afternoon.

His wife, Gauri is with him in the hospital.

Shah Rukh Khan, who underwent a shoulder surgery here, is recovering well and doctors have permitted him to go home.

Shoulder specialist Dr Sanjay Desai, who performed the surgery on the 43-year-old actor-producer, told PTI that they have permitted Shah Rukh to go home and it is up to him to decide when to leave the hospital. Shah Rukh was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Monday to repair the tear in the main muscle of his left shoulder.

"The arthroscopic method of surgery, which was performed on the star, does not require opening of the entire joint. The surgery ensures less pain and minimal scar," Desai said.

The actor had injured himself on the sets of Dulha Mil Gaya last November and continued shooting for Karan Johar's [Images] My Name is Khan in Los Angeles during which he experienced severe pain leading to the surgery. Wife Gauri is with him in the hospital.

As the two prepare for their date with Oscar on Feb. 22 (the film is nominated for 10 Academy Awards), here's some inside scoop on the young stars of the movie sensation.

1. They have beginners' luck
Patel and Pinto are movie newcomers; Slumdog is the first film for both. "It was actually the first film script I've ever read," says Patel, who had starred in the U.K. TV series Skins. "My track record's really spoiled now."

2. They had different first impressions
"She's absolutely stunning," Patel thought when he first met his costar. But now he can dish about the real Freida (whom he calls a "wicked buddy"): "She's super funny. In [public] she's very gracious. But she's quite the goof, she can poke fun at herself. And if someone dishes something out to her, she can give as good as she gets. She's not shy."

And Patel? "When I met him for the first time I was like, 'Oh, my god, he's a kid!' " Pinto recalls. "But I realized during the shooting of the film that as much as this boy is really funny and goofy, there's this really mature, sensitive side to him as well."

3. They have celebrity crushes
All the hoopla has brought Pinto face-to-face with her childhood crush,Leonardo DiCaprio. "In the eighth or ninth grade, I had a scrapbook with his face on it," she admits. "I [recently] met him at the Palm Springs Film Festival. It was fantastic. It was a crush back then; now it's just admiration for a fabulous actor."

For his part, Patel is partial to Hollywood beauties like Eva Mendes andRosario Dawson, and – crushes aside – hopes he gets to meet Will Smith. "He's one of my idols."

4. They have an Angelina connection
Irrfan Khan, the Indian megastar who plays the police inspector investigating Jamal's game show success, costarred with Jolie in A Mighty Heart. Patel used the connection on a red carpet. "I was like, 'Irrfan, make a beeline for Angelina! Tell her I want to say hi!' And he did," says Patel. "I didn't say much. I was just more looking in awe at Angelina Jolie ... I think she said 'great film' or something like that. It was a blur."

5. They still haven't chosen Oscar dates
Patel will probably take "my mum [Anita, an elder care worker]. She's my good luck charm." Pinto (who, like Patel, is single) is still deciding. "My mother [Sylvia, a school principal] can't really take a break because it's during board examinations." Pinto may not know who will escort her, but she's already prepping for the red-carpet walk. "I'm clumsy, so that's when I have to breathe, control, and just walk as straight as possible."

US-based mortgage broker and Bollywood impresario Vijay Taneja has been sentenced to 84 months in jail followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $33 million in restitution to four financial organisations, on charges of money laundering.

The four banks are Franklin Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and EMC Mortgage Co, a wholly owned subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase and Co. Taneja was found guilty of defrauding the banks to the tune of $33 million and of cheating immigrants with fake home loans.

'I'm very sorry about my conduct and the embarrassment to my family,' Taneja, 48, told the US federal court in Alexandria at his sentencing January 30. 'I fully accept my responsibilities, and I am really very sorry.'

Taneja, under the banner of Elite Entertainment, has been promoting Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan [Images] and Aishwarya Rai[Images] for shows across the United States. Federal prosecutors revealed that Taneja had been defrauding home owners and using some of that money to fund shows and movies he has produced like the Himesh Reshammiya-starrer Aap Kaa Surroor.

Prosecutors described it as one of the largest mortgage fraud cases in at least two decades, while laying out proof that Taneja took out home loans in the names of various immigrants, mostly Indian Americans, under the banner of his company, Financial Mortgage Inc. Court documents state that Taneja took out bogus mortgages along with genuine ones.

Taneja parlayed some of that money into the purchase of an enormous house, which was auctioned last year for $3.9 million as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. He filed for bankruptcy last June when he was $77 million in debt.

British teenager of Indian origin Dev Patel has been getting accolades from all fronts, thanks to ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

While walking up the red carpet for the BAFTA awards ceremony, the actor, who comes from an ordinary family in the London suburb of Harrow, got the loudest cheers.

According to Sky news, he received a deafening welcome from fans when he joined the red carpet at the Royal Opera House on Sunday night, even louder than that of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The actor might have lost the BAFTA lead actor award to Mikey Rourke for ‘The Wrestler’, but was honored about being pitted against the likes of Pitt.

The 18 year old said, “I haven’t got anything down to a tee yet, I just look baffled. I’m a British boy, from Harrow, so it’s nice to get local support. Those guys are just amazing actors; I’ve been watching them since before I ever contemplated acting.”

Danny Boyle has been saying that he has learnt a lot about the film from audiences and that he didn’t realise that the film is really the Rocky story - a kid from nowhere making it, and it being not about money or success, it being about a girl in the end.

Katrina's role in 'Rajneeti' not based on Sonia Gandhi: Director

Bhopal, Feb 10 (IANS) Film director Prakash Jha Tuesday denied that the role played by Katrina Kaif in his "Rajniti" was based on Congress president Sonia Gandhi's political career.

"It (Katrina's character) has nothing to do with either the life or political career of Sonia Gandhi", Jha said here.

There have been media reports that the movie was based on the life and career of Sonia Gandhi and that the character played by Katrina bears an uncanny resemblance to her.

We all know that Preity Zinta owns a part of the 20Twenty team Kings XI Punjab along with boyfriend Ness Wadia. But not many know her actual reason for joining the IPL.

“I had originally planned to start a special sports school in memory of my father, but then I put off that idea due to lack of funds. However, determined about starting something sports-related, I chose to get into the IPL.” revealed the dimpled actress,

She further stated, “My father was very interested in sports. In Northern India, he used to organize the Durganand Zinta Football Tournament. He used to sponsor poor children who were interested in sports. After his death, I decided to start a school that pays special attention to sports. It was to be a huge project. But I didn’t have the resources to start it just yet. So I put that dream on hold. And thought to myself, ‘Why not get into the IPL?’. I’d been hearing a lot about it. And that’s how it happened.”

Ranbir and Deepika hit a rough patch in their relationship just like every couple. Seemed like they had a tiff over something so to forget things they decided to go for a film.

A source reports an eyewitness account, “An eyewitness says, “It was a late-night show for Marley and Me. The hall had only a handful of people present.

Ranbir and Deepika got the best seats in the house right in the last row in the corner with ample privacy. The couple looked a little distant.

Ranbir was pre-occupied on his phone and Deepika was looking very bored. At some point, they began talking and then made up and made out.

The people who were present at the screening at some point screamed at them to ‘get a room’, which was ignored by Ranbir.”

After the film Ranbir and Deepika made their way to the car park where Ranbir’s brand new Range Rover was waiting with his driver. Ranbir ordered the driver to get on the back seat while he and Deepika sat in the front and made their way towards Bandra.

We caught up with Deepika Padukone at the Idea Filmfare Awards 2009 unveiling event at a Mumbai star hotel. The beautiful actress was missing boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor at the event.

When asked about Ranbir’s absence from the event she replied, “You’ll have to ask the organizers that”.

Talking about her recent debacle Chandni Chowk To China, Deepika stated, “I would still count it as a great experience. If you work hard on a film or anything and then it doesn’t do well, you are obviously disappointed but it was a great experience for me. I learnt a lot from it. It’s an experience that pushes me to better myself and my performances.”

Speaking about her Imtiaz Ali film, Love Aaj Kal with Saif Ali Khan, she said, “Imtiaz Ali was always on my wish-list of directors to work with and I am glad I am working with him so soon in my career. It was fantastic working with Saif. He is brilliant yet he needs to be taken care of like a child. My character in the film, Meera, is a modern yet traditional girl. She is practical yet emotional in matters of the heart. I think youngsters will relate very well to the love story in the film.”

Deepika has also made a small appearance with her debut film hero Shah Rukh Khan in coming Friday’s release, Billu Barber. Recalling his shooting experience for the same, the tall beauty said, “I shot for three days for Billu Barber shooting the song Love Mera Hit Hit. It actually brought back memories of Om Shanti Om for me. In fact even the caterer, Muthuswamy was the same. Farah and SRK are like family to me and I would do anything for them.”

Finally when we asked her plans for Valentine’s Day? she cleverly replied, “I am spending the day with my parents.

actress Kareena Kapoor is not vying for the crown of Bollywood queen despite her hit performances and high profile brand endorsements because she feels that kings and queens only exist in a pack of playing cards. "I think kings and queens are in cards, not in Bollywood," Kareena told reporters at an event here Saturday.

On being asked her opinion about Katrina Kaif as an actress, Kareena bluntly said: "I don't talk about other actresses in press conferences."

Kareena was present in the capital to promote a new initiative by hair removal cream brand Anne French.

She is looking forward to the release of a number of films in her kitty including Rajkumar Hirani's "Three Idiots" and Sajid Nadiadwala's "Kambakkht Ishq".

In "Three Idiots", she stars opposite Aamir Khan. In "Kambakkht Ishq", she will be sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar for the seventh time.

About working with the two actors, Kareena said: "I pick up the best from whoever I work with. When you are working with someone, you kind of get tuned to the way that actor is working. I would like to pick up all the best qualities from both these people."

The actress also spoke about her experience of working with Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh in "Kambakkht Ishq" and said it was "an honour".

The Supreme Court Thursday permitted Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to extend his visit abroad by two weeks.

An apex court bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and P. Sathasivam allowed Sanjay Dutt to stay abroad till the first week of March to attend a UN function on malnutrition as the brand ambassador.

Currently on bail, pending disposal of his appeal in the Supreme Court against his conviction for possessing illegal firearms in the run up to the Mumbai serial bombings in 1993, Dutt cannot go abroad without the permission of the apex court.

Both these medium-budget releases of last week (Jan 30) have proven to be duds in terms of business. Despite much appreciation by critics in India and abroad, “Luck By…” got a slow initial on the opening day with the counters warming up in the evening.

The momentum did stay over the weekend, but started dwindling Monday onwards.

On the other hand, the cricket drama starring Hurman S. Baweja has proved to be a debacle with no takers at the windows. Despite mixed reviews and some appreciation for Hurman's portrayal of an underdog cricketer, the film couldn't lure audiences.

“It doesn't happen with too many movies. Surprisingly, the collections for a genuinely well-made movie like 'Luck By Chance' haven't been as per expectations over the opening weekend. The film has seen a good release but the occupancy at theatres has only been near 50 percent,” trade analyst and critic Joginder Tuteja told IANS.

“As for 'Victory', it has turned out to be one the lowest openers in the last many months with only around 20 percent odd collections and that too only at single screens. There wasn't much buzz about the film to begin with and somehow as the film got close to the release, the interest level only continued to go down. Promotion was weak, promos uneven and marketing uninspiring,” he added.

Said Joginder Mahajan, a Delhi-based distributor: “Sports movies are not that successful in India and considering the disastrous record of Hurman's first movie 'Love Story 2050', 'Victory' already had less chances of survival.

“So far as 'Luck By…' is concerned, the movie is being appreciated for its true flavour and the inside look of Bollywood, but business-wise it could rake in whatever was possible only over the first three-days,” he explained.

Produced by Excel Entertainment in association with Big Pictures, "Luck By Chance" stars Zoya'sbrother Farhan Akhtar and an ensemble cast featuring Konkona Sen Sharma, Dimple Kapadia, Rishi Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Hrithik Roshan and Isha Sharvani.

It is the story of an aspiring actor who arrives in Mumbai to make it big in Bollywood.

On the other hand, “Victory” produced by Mangat and Manmohan Shetty is the story of a father's dream to see his son become a national cricketer.

Released over 900 screens worldwide, Excel's Ritesh Sidhwani did not divulge any details about the budget of “Luck By Chance” while “Victory”, which hit close to 500 screens in India, was made at around Rs.400 million.

However, keeping the box-office boat steady have been Vishesh Films' “Raaz - The Mystery Continues" and Danny Boyle's Oscar-nominated underdog drama “”Slumdog Millionaire”.

Despite being in the second week, while, the former had already proven to be 2009s first hit, the latter has also picked up the momentum because of the hype due to the 10 Oscar nominations.