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Patil with actors Rekha Ganeshan, Saif Ali Khan Pataudi and Kareena Kapoor during Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI Photo by Subhav Shukla

More Khans …. Sighs Padukone

Her debut with Khan ('Om Shanti Om') was a super success.. And she's scored a winner with another Khan (Saif Ali Khan) in the second most successful film of 2009. But Deepika Padukone isn't contended. She's set her sights on two other desirable Khans too. "I'd love to work with Salman Khan …. and Aamir Khan too," sighs Padukone.

Fresh from the heartbreak with Ranbir Kapoor, the actress has thrown herself headlong into her career. Besides, the thumping win and the critical acclaim for her work in 'Love Aaj Kal' has earned DP work of calibre. "I've bagged some super duper assignments," she exults.

High on that list ranks director Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se' with Abhishek Bachchan as co star. Enacting a revolutionary in Gowariker's flick, buzz has it that DP is likely to watch away with all the top acting honours, once again.

Besides, she will also romp around in a bikini with Akshay Kumar in 'Houseful' and pair up with Neil Nitin Mukesh in Pradeep Sarkar's next. And right around the corner is … 'Karthik Calling Karthik' waiting to grace cine screens soon. Guess, it could be Success calling Padukone ….

'Kurbaan gave a shock to the system'

Authur J Pais in New York

The pre-release excitement over Kurbaan was not sustained despite some good reviews. But writer Rensil D'Silva [inset], who makes his directorial debut with this film, says it will not be written off.

Best known for his screenplay for Rang De Basanti, D'Silva, 41, discusses films and people that have influenced him the most.

When did you fall in love with the movies?

It started with Star Wars over three decades ago. I had begged my family to take me to that movie. I was amazed to see the spectacle unfold, though my mother (a classical piano teacher) complained during the interval that she did not understand a word of it. But for me, everything in the film was magical.

Is there someone else in the family who loves movies as much as you do?

My mother's father (Walter Netto), who is 95. He used to take me to the movies, and, more importantly, discuss them with me. I saw some of the best Indian and Hollywood films because of him. He also kept a thick notebook, and from 1940 he had been entering the names of the films he had seen, with a few lines about them.

Is the notebook still around?

Very much. I began adding some of the films I had seen and wrote a few lines about them. Just to keep the tradition going. The 400-page book is almost full.


Image: A scene from Kurbaan

First Look: 'Kurbaan'

Avantika (Kareena Kapoor) is a teacher in a university in Delhi. She has come back from New York where she teaches, because her father has suffered a heart attack. During this period, she meets a temporary Professor called Ehsaan Khan (Saif Ali Khan). Soon they begin seeing each other and love blossoms. A few months later, Avantika receives a call from her university in New York, asking her to come back for the Fall Semester. Avantika breaks the news to Ehsaan. He in turn, tells her he doesn't mind coming to the States with her, to find a job. But first they need to get married.

Soon after the marriage, they leave to start a new life in New York. They buy a house in an Indian neighbourhood and move in. Just as they are setting up home, their conservative Muslim neighbours, Hamid and Anjum, invite them over for dinner. The next morning, Salma, one of the women Avantika met the night before at the dinner, visits her under the pretext of gifting her sweets. When Avantika invites her in, Salma tells her that she is in grave danger. Nothing is what it seems. Salma pleads with Avantika to help her. What follows next, is a series of incidents that sucks Avantika into a vortex of danger and intrigue. As her life spirals out of control, Avantika realizes that she is a pawn in a huge game. And no one is to be trusted.

Shooting Kareena 'topless' in Kurbaan

The promos of Saif Ali Khan's film with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor -- Kurbaan -- are out, and it's getting a lot of attention. The music is riding up the charts, and it looks like producer Karan Johar may have a winner on his hands.

The man helming the film is Rensil D'Silva. This may be his first directorial venture but Rensil is not new to the field. An ad man with about 18 years of experience, Rensil has also scripted films like Aks, Rang De Basanti and Mani Ratnam's upcoming film Raavan.

When we asked Rensil why it took him so long to finally direct a film, he said he was 'waiting for the right time.' Well, it looks like the right time has arrived.

Rensil talks to Nithya Ramani about what to expect in Kurbaan and even the much-talked about poster showing a topless Kareena.

You have written the script of Kurbaan as well.

Yes. It is Karan Johar's story. He told me about the film and for the next few months, I couldn't get it off my head. A common friend told Karan that I had loved the story, so he asked me to direct it.


Image: Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Rensil D Silva

Bollywood actors walk ramp for charity in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 14 (ANI): Bollywood actors lent their support to a social cause as they walked the ramp to raise funds for a charity.

The 'Being Human' show at the HDIL India Couture Week in Mumbai, saw Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, and many others make an appearance at the ramp, to raise funds for the charity 'Being Human' run by actor Salman Khan.

Eight designers, including Gavin Miguel, Shane and Falguni Peacock, Rocky S, Rohit Gandhi and Kunal Rawal designed the collection for this special show.

The show also had children who were present at the ramp during the entire show.

"Being paid is also good. And doing this kind of stuff is even better," said Salman.

The actors said they felt good to be associated with a noble cause.

Priyanka wants to work with Aamir, Saif

After working with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh and Salman, actress Priyanka Chopra now aspires to share the screen with other Khans-- Aamir and Saif.

"I have worked with many actors in industry but I never had the chance to star opposite Saif, Aamir and Ajay Devgan so I would love to share screen space with theses actors in my future films," Priyanka, who is here to participate in Global Film Festival 2009, told reporters.

The actress who is known for portraying challenging roles in films like 'Fashion', Kaminey and What's Your Rashee? also stated that she has no plans to promote any particular candidate in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

"I am a great admirer of some of the leaders in the country but I don't want to get involved with politics at this point of my career," the actress said.

When asked whether the actress was planning to marry in near future Priyanka denied saying, "I have no marriage plans as of now, as I am concentrating on my acting career."

Priyanka, who has made brief appearances on reality TV shows in the past, said that she likes to watch such programmes in free time but when asked whether she would like to participate in any of them, she answered in negative.

When asked if she would like to buy a cricket team for the IPL like Shah Rukh Khan and Preeti Zinta, she said that she does not have the money to do so.

Babysitting Saif Ali Khan

One such reader is Nazir Patel, from Canada, who got a chance to babysit Saif Ali Khan way back in 1983. He shares his experience.

If you've bumped into any star and had memorable experiences, mail them in! We would love to publish them right here on rediff.com!

I used to work in the accounting department of one of the largest travel companies at the time, known as P Lawson Travel. From my office, I could see the Westbury Hotel where popular Indian stars and singers used to be stay when in town.

Around that time, I met Saif and his parents, Nawab of Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore. I was 54 then.

I remember these two well dressed children in shorts standing beside them. One was perhaps Saif and the other one I cannot recall. I had met them at the hotel. The Nawab came across as a very polite and classy man while Sharmila was quite reserved.

We made small talk. I said hello to the children and they smiled. Thereafter all of them went shopping in the hotel. It was later that I got a chance to take a photograph with Sharmila, who even without makeup looked quite pretty.

Saif not flamboyant in real life: Kareena Kapoor

New Delhi, Sep 9 Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, who doesn't like to make her private life public, has opened up about beau Saif Ali Khan and says he is not as flamboyant in real life as he looks on screen.

'Saif is very different (from his on screen image). On screen I think he is very flamboyant, but in real life he is very understated and relaxed,' said Kareena.

'He is very classy but he has an amazing charm about himself, an inherent charm which can be seen on screen. And I think that is what's there with him personally also,' she told choreographer-director Farah Khan on STAR Plus' chat show 'Tere Mere Beach Mein'.

The episode featuring Kareena will be aired Saturday at 9 p.m.

The fifth spot: It's Saif versus Shahid!

For quite a while now, the top four positions amongst the most commercially successful actors have been occupied by Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar, with all the four trying their level best to topple each other from their respective positions. But the fifth spot that was vacated by Salman Khan, after a series of flops lies unoccupied and vying for it are Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
The present and ex of the vivacious Kareena Kapoor are fighting it out (not literally!) at the turnstile. Round one was won by Saif Ali Khan, whose LOVE AAJ KAL managed a sterling show at the ticket window when it released to a tumultuous response all over. Not to be undone, Shahid Kapoor came back with a bang via KAMINEY, opening to packed houses (despite Swine flu scare) and extremely positive reviews. So, its checkmate with both the stars with one success each. However, Saif still holds the edge as his LOVE AAJ KAL is now a clear hit plus, while KAMINEY is an average plus, netting around 36 crores in two weeks from India, but has all the necessary fuel to propel it to a higher status. So, the fight continues and it will be pretty interesting to see who wins in the end.


However, not to be ignored is Salman Khan, whose WANTED looks all set for a big start this Eid, followed by MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA, which is also looking good. And he can bounce back to recapture his number five spot.

Saif Kareena Wisen Up

Actor Saif Ali Khan and actress Kareena Kapoor would love it if they could only work opposite each other. That way, they could end up spending maximum time with each other. The only thing that probably keeps them apart is their professional commitments.

Everybody knows how keen Kareena was to work with Imtiaz Ali again, and specially for Saif''s home production. Despite being on the best of terms with the actress, Imtiaz stuck to his decision and opted for Deepika Padukone, a fact which did not go down too well with either Saif or Kareena. But as the film's shooting progressed, Saif probably realised how overboard he had gone. His subsequent statements when 'Love Aaj Kal' was being promoted had a different tone altogether. And then, of course, the film went on to create a dhamaal at the box office. Well, the fact remains that Kareena will be a part of Saif's second home production, 'Agent Vinod'. The couple will also be seen together in Rensil D'Silva's 'Qurbaan'. But they have realised that professionally, they cannot always be working with each other. Also, the fact remains, that their jodi has the danger of looking stale. Hence, both have realised that they need to work with other people professionally as well. So far, the duo has done one film together and also a couple of ads. However, contrary to rumours, Kareena may not actually be a part of 'Race 2'. The script is yet to be completed and the cast yet to be finalised. The original 'Race', starred Saif, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu and Katrina Kaif. The couple seems to have wisened up and realised that they need other partners in their professional life as well. But they also need to do that occasional film with each other.

Deepika is flying high after the sucess of love aaj kal

Suddenly everything seems to be going right for Deepika Padukone. Imtiaz Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal' has done the trick for her and she seems to be back at the top of the heap. Despite having a fantastic debut, courtesy, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, the actress seemed to have lost the initiative to her contemporaries.

Bollywood Khans react to SRK's ordeal

After Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at Newark airport for a security check, many others like Zayed Khan and Irrfan Khan have come out with the ordeals they faced in the US because of their last names. Click on, to know what they have to say...

Love Aaj Kal grosses Rs 62 cr worldwide

MUMBAI: Love Aaj Kal, co-produced by the Eros International and Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati films, has registered impressive opening weekend
collections.

The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, grossed Rs 62 crore worldwide, according to Eros. Of this, Rs 47 crore came from the Indian box office, while Rs 15 crore came from overseas markets.

Love Aaj Kal was released across 1,800 plus screens world-wide on Friday. The film has performed better at the multiplexes than at single screen theatres.

In the UK, the film grossed almost £4.1 lakh, while in Australia its collections were Australian $2 lakh. In Pakistan, the film grossed Pakistani Rs 1.05 crore for 211 shows over the weekend, and in the US it collected $2,51,799.

When one actor isn't enough

Sometimes a character takes more than just one actor.

Sometimes Bollywood likes to stress the passage of time, which is when they get one actor to show a character's youth and another to play his future. With Saif Ali Khan all set to play Rishi Kapoor in Love Aaj Kal, here's a look at some memorable instances of two -- or more -- actors playing the same character.

Saif Ali Khan and Rishi Kapoor as Veer Singh in Love Aaj Kal

Saif Ali Khan plays the younger version of Rishi Kapoor in Imtiaz Ali's film, and this is probably the reason the Chhote Nawab has been looking so much like Kapoor's son Ranbir in the film's promos -- right down to wooing Ranbir's real-life squeeze Deepika -- but visually, it just seems like the actor's trying too hard to look young.

Saif, Rishi: No acting rating yet, but Saif gets a 2/5 for his Ranbir hangover

It's make or break time for Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan is getting the jitters, but is equally confident as 'Love Aaj Kal' is set to test his abilities this Friday.

Without doubt, the expectations from 'Love Aaj Kal' are humungous and this makes actor turned producer Saif Ali Khan anxious. He's got a lot riding on this film, which is predicted to toss him into the industry's Top 3 slot, if luck sides him. "'Love Aaj Kal' gives me very positive vibes. But, trust me, I don't like the number game. We should be our own competition," Saif tells me.

'Love Aaj Kal' has got a near perfect mixture -- hot properties in Saif and Deepika, one of the finest directors in Imtiaz Ali, music that's already set hearts pacing [Pritam] and a story that's rather intriguing. But people are bound to compare it with Imtiaz's 'Jab We Met'.

"It's an unfair comparison. Comparing the two films is like comparing two different people, even though the maker is the same. This film is an individual by itself. Why, Imtiaz even wanted to get rid of the card 'From the director of Jab We Met' in the promos, but I insisted on it," Saif reveals.

Industry watchers predict 'Love Aaj Kal' will be Saif's biggest opener ever, the position earlier held by 'Race'. "It's flattering, but scary. It's like; I'm throwing a party, but am scared too. What if no one shows up? It's so unpredictable these days. See how RACE shocked us all, its opening was mind-boggling," he states.

Let's go back a bit. What made Saif turn producer? "The credit goes to Eros. There was a period when everyone wanted to grow and Eros said they wanted to back my decisions. So they gave me money and we agreed to make two films. Also, eventually, you do like to have a control over your films," he reasons.

Saif also gives complete credit to his producer-partner Dinesh Vijan. "I was merely an actor on the sets, while Dinesh took all production-related calls. Imtiaz too wanted me to be just the actor on his sets, so that I could concentrate. Sure, I was aware of what was going on... [pauses] Dinesh and I think very much alike and we're doing this for the love of films. I could've opted for someone more experienced and prolific, but the wavelength wouldn't have been the same," he admits.

Now that 'Love Aaj Kal' opens this Friday, Saif and Dinesh are ready to move on to their next project -- 'Agent Vinod'. "After that I begin shooting for 'Race 2'," he concludes.

'Love Aaj Kal' will be a trendsetter: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone on her Kal In-Laws, her Aaj love Ranbir, her aaj kal idea about love, her being a love guru, Saif's love tips, and more!
Producers Aaj Kal

"I think both Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan have been extremely professional. I couldn't tell for a minute that they are first time producers. They have left no stone unturned. Right from approaching me for the film to the time that we are now ready to showcase our film to the world. Today's producers are more agile and are jack of all. They are young, think new and are far more experienced in the film industry than other independent producers."

Imtiaz Kal

"Having worked with Imtiaz Ali, I can definitely tell that the success of his earlier film 'Jab We Met' hasn't got into him. He hasn't even realised to date how big a film 'Love Aaj Kal' has turned out to be. That's what makes him special. The fact that Imtiaz is here to make good cinema and not be affected by the success or the failure of the film. What makes it even more special is the fact that Imtiaz had signed me for this film before Om Shanti Om had released. That brings in you a lot of confidence."

Imtiaz Aaj

"I would call him a new age director. But he does have sensibilities as an Indian and what the Indian cinema is really about. He has a good balance of both."

The film

"The film is what the title is. Love was the same twenty years back or today. It has never changed. For different people, it might be different things. What's good about this film is that every generation will relate to this film. Like I said, love is a universal language. Everyone experience it at some point in their life. That's the USP of the film. I'm sure people are going to use the same lines that Saif and I have used in 'Love Aaj Kal'. It'll be a trendsetter."

Saif Ali Khan Aaj

"He is one of the most talented actors our film industry has. He is also someone who has brought in a different kind of actor after 'Dil Chahta Hai'. Apart from that, 'Dil Chahta Hai' was the first of its kind of new cinema to venture out of the traditional commercial films being churned out. Saif Ali Khan has also improved his dancing skills (laughs) off late. There isn't any other change except that he has grown a beard and plays a sardar."

Deepika's Love Aaj

"I believe in being loved and being in a beautiful relationship. I've seen my parents in a lovely twenty five years of their marriage and happy together. That's what I've seen all my life. Both together always. I am like that and so is Ranbir. Nothing has changed between me and Ranbir. We've spent a lot of time together and in return we've known each other better. I am comfortable with Ranbir today."

Bebo `censors` sexy scene with beau Saif Ali Khan

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan have reportedly shot an aesthetic love-making sequence in Karan Johar’s Qurbaan that involves more physical exposure and intimacy than perhaps the actress’ censorship instincts allow.

Now, she intends asking director Rensil D’Silva to delete one scene from that sequence in which her bare back is visible.

There is a point beyond which Kareena won’t go for any filmmaker. And ever since Saif and she filmed the sequence, she has been wondering what both sets of parents might think on seeing in. “We are actors and can’t be coy after accepting a film on a bold subject like Qurbaan. I’ve done kissing scenes earlier. But the love-making scene is explicit by my yardstick. It comes at a crucial stage in the narration. And Saif made sure I was comfortable,” said the actress.

Kareena is a favourite of both, the producer and director, and it’s possible that Karan and Rensil might listen to her and have the bare back scene removed. The audience will be the loser. Ah well, there’s always Kambakkth Ishq in case you want to know what Kareena’s back looks like!

Elvis is Singh! Saif dons the legend's robes for 'Love Aaj Kal'

Was that the late rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley doing the jig in the promotional track of 'Love Aaj Kal'? But why was he wearing a pagri? Take a closer look -- it's our very own Saif Ali Khan.

For his home production 'Love Aaj Kal', Saif has appeared in one of the getups of Rock-n-Roll legend Elvis Presley. He has done so for the promotional track 'Aahun Aahun' which has just been unveiled.

'It wasn't planned this way but things just fell in place. I was in conversation with Dolly Ahluwalia, the costume designer, and we were discussing the retro outfits from the mid-60s. There was just one answer that we got -- Presley,' reveals director Imtiaz Ali who got Saif into the costume.

The song is a twin celebration of sorts since it showcases Saif from both 60s as well as the current times.

A fusion piece that has various flavours of Punjabi, Hindi as well as English coming together not just lyrically but also musically, 'Aahun Aahun' features the 60s Saif as a Sikh singing in Punjabi while the current generation Saif croons in Hindi and English.

'That's the way the entire song was designed,' said Imtiaz.

'Even though 'Aahun Aahun' is a promotional song, we didn't want Saif to slip out of the character. This is the reason why we had different costumes, settings and dance moves designed for both.'

Building on the idea, the team thought of showcasing Saif in a dance competition.

'Once we had the Elvis idea in place, the dance competition too fell in place. There is an elaborate sequence as a part of the song where Saif as a Sikh gets into the Elvis garb with his trademark white outfit. He challenges the modern day Saif in a dancing competition and the result is to see two Saif Ali Khans trying to be one up over the other in the same frame,' Imtiaz said.

The song also features Deepika Padukone in a stunning western outfit.

Pritam has put together the entire Punjabi-English-Hindi composition, while lyricist Irshad Kamil has brought youth flavour to the song. It has been sung by Neeraj Sridhar, Master Saleem and Suzanne.

Imtiaz says that though 'Aahun Aahun' is a promotional track, it won't be killed in the film.

'We can't infuse it unnecessarily as a part of the narrative because it won't make sense,' said Imtiaz.

'However, though it comes in the end credits of the film, it won't be wasted. Just like 'Mauja Hi Mauja' [Jab We Met] which got its due, even 'Aahun Aahun' will have its place under the sun.'

Kareena will be part of 'Race 2': Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan was so keen to revive the 'Race' magic with Abbas-Mustan that he has convinced the producers to rope them in as directors. He reveals that girlfriend Kareena Kapoor will also feature in the movie.

"They understand the pulse of the plot. 'Race' was a fast-paced action-adventure caper. Not too many filmmakers in Bollywood would've done such a wonderful job of it," Saif told us.

"Yes, Kareena will be part of 'Race 2'. We're yet to flesh out the details. But 'Race 2' has to be bigger and larger than 'Race'. Otherwise no point in making it," he added.

Bipasha Basu's character has been written out of the script to make way for Kareena.

Produced by Tips Industries Ltd, 'Race', which also had Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, turned out to be one of the big hits of 2008. But for the sequel, Ramesh and Kumar Taurani were not keen to have Abbas-Mustan on board as directors.

But Saif has convinced the producers to launch part two with the director duo.

Apparently "Race 2" will be more gadget and gizmo-friendly, as upwardly-scaled as 'Dhoom 2' was, compared to 'Dhoom'.