Are Ritesh, Genelia dating?

The saying 'you can run but you can't hide' seems to hold true for Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza. It has been quite some time that the two have been denying that they are romantically involved, but time and again they have been spotted together spending some quality time with each other.

According to sources, the two were hanging out together at a restaurant in Mumbai recently. Ritesh, Genelia and a couple of their friends had gone to the restaurant, but soon they decided to leave as the place was brightly lit. Both the actors are very careful and do not want anyone to click their pictures together.

They left for another restaurant and according to reports the two spent over two hours together, where they even obliged their fans and gave them autographs too.

We wonder what's stopping them from making their relationship public?

'New York is the kind of film that no actor could afford to miss'

He's gorgeous, can act and not shy about letting it all hang out.

And though Neil Nitin Mukesh is just two films-old, he's not scared of playing strong roles or posing in the nude if the script demands it.

The light-eyed 27-year-old spoke to Nithya Ramani about his latest film New York directed by Kabir Khan and co-starring John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Irrfan Khan. The film, which is based on the backdrop of the 9/11 attacks in the US, releases this Friday. Neil also talks about his nude scene in Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming film Jail.

What is New York about?

It is a film about three friends and a particular incident that changes their lives completely. It is a very intelligently made film. Kabir Khan has made it into a youthful film where you can connect with the characters and identify with what they go through.

What is you role?

I play Omar, a Muslim boy from Delhi who goes to New York University to study. He meets two lovely friends -- Sameer and Maya -- who help him change his attitude towards life completely. Everything is fine until one day an incident changes all their lives.

Fatwa against Shahrukh

Following his alleged controversial remarks about the Prophet Mohammed, Shahrukh is issued with two separate fatwas by religions centers in Bareilly. Protests were also held against the actor with the protestors burning the actor’s effigies in Mumbai.

The fatwas were issued to him to condemn his remarks about Prophet Mohammed in the July issue of the ‘Time and Style’ magazine, it is learnt.

The clerics also announced that his nikah and his relationship with his wife would be considered illegal.

A public apology was also demanded from the actor failing which, the clerics noted, the author would not be provided a place in the graveyard.

Shiney Ahuja was not drunk at time of rape: police

Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja was not drunk when he allegedly raped his domestic help, according to the forensic reports, a police official said Tuesday.

'The report mentions that the accused was not drunk and in his full senses at the time of the incident,' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VI) Niket Kaushik said.

Shiney's blood samples had been taken soon after his arrest and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory to verify his claim that he may have committed the crime while drunk or after taking drugs or some other intoxicants.

However, the actor's wife Anupam had declared last week that Shiney does not drink or smoke.

Police are still awaiting the test reports from FSL on other articles seized from Shiney's residence for evidence, and the DNA tests on the semen stains recovered.

Shiney's domestic help had June 14 lodged a complaint with the Oshiwara Police Station, alleging she had been raped by the actor.

Shiney was arrested and a court sent him to police custody. He is presently in judicial custody.

A team of the National Commission of Women (NCW) rushed to Mumbai and met all the parties concerned, including the victim and her family members.

Following the NCW team's visit, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced that the Shiney rape case would be transferred to a fast track court soon.

'Fashion' to be Showcased at the 31st Moscow International Film Festival

Bollywood is definitely going places and this time its Russia. The 31st Moscow International Film Festival will showcase Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion' as one of their films in the Indian Panoram section. This is the first time that Bollywood films will be screened and Madhur has been invited to be a part of the prestigious festival and speak on Bollywood and films in India. On similar subject, Andrey Konchalovsky's 'Gloss' that released in Russia recently also shed light to the fashion world. Both of the makers believe in the same view that the world of fashion is like a web and one cannot survive without losing one's self respect. Other films in the Indian Panorama Programmes include Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par', Vishnuvardhan's 'Billa', Joseph Pulinthanath's 'Yarwng', Priyadarshan's 'Kanchivaram' and Suman Mukhapodhyay's 'Chaturganga'.

Amritha Rao’s ‘Short Kut’ to fame with bikini

Amrith Rao is now all set to jump on to the bikini bandwagon. Amritha Rao has been around for some time but she did not have big success. She even acted in the Telugu film Athidhi with prince Mahesh Babu as hero. The film did not do well and Amritha did not bag any new offers in Telugu after that.

Amritha’s films in Hindi also did not bring in the desired results. She is now determined to shed her conservative image and try and become a hot actress. She is sporting a bikini in her new film ‘Short Kut’. The film stars Akshay Khanna and Arshad Warsi in the lead roles. The film is produced by Anil Kapoor and directed by Neeraj Vohra.

Let us see if the bikini can help Amritha to make it big in Bollywood. Short Kut will hit the screens on July 10.

MTV Roadie Tamanna MMS Sex Video?

Sex tape captures girl with stunning resemblance to popular MTV Roadies contestant, including the black thread around her neck

MTV Roadies finalist Palak once bitched about her breasts comparing them to "pimples". But if a sex tape is to be believed Tamanna is surprisingly well endowed.

A 37-second sex tape with a girl, having a stunning resemblance to the Roadie, having sex with a boy has been posted on Rapidshare and Easyshare both video sharing websites.

Sujoy De, the man who apparently posted it on the Web in May, says on forum.desishock.com: "Before download don’t forget to say thanks."

Netizens are forwarding the tape to all and sundry. The sex-tape shows the reality TV contestant or someone who looks just like her having sex with a boy whose face cannot be seen.

Apart from the stunning semblance to the reality TV contestant, the girl shown in the sex-tape is also wearing a cross around her neck like Tamanna.

The lissom lass from Chandigarh was quite popular for her skirmishes with her burly counterpart Palak and her on-screen proximity to the Roadies winner Nauman.

The chemistry

She came out openly about her "close friendship" to Nauman when she was voted out. Nauman, on his part, confessed his fondness for the girl.

When asked about the tape, Nauman said, "It’s news to me. I have not heard about it and not seen the video so I don’t have a view.

I need to call Tamanna and check about it. People who are jealous may use her name and circulate such a video."

Fan following

The 19-year-old girl has a fanclub dedicated to her on Facebook. The club has 1,672 members and describe the girl as "self-obsessed" and "a free bird she will never be bogged down by negativity."

Sex videos showing look-alikes of celebrities have been doing the rounds of the cyber space for years. Often police complaints are filed and culprits hunted down.

MiD DAY broke the news of a sex-tape involving a Noida B-school student in February. In fact, there are a number of video sharing websites, which thrive on such tapes.

Celebs speak

People talk big about Indian culture, but there are some who are out to ruin it. They are sick and celebs are easy targets.
Gauhar Khan Model and Roadies fan

Celebrities are always dragged into controversies. This is the ugly side of being famous.
Anupama Verma Model and actor

She is famous, so people are curious about her, sometimes in wrong ways.
Amanpreet Wahi Model

Download MTV Roadie Tamanna MMS Sex Video

(With inputs from Navdeep Kaur Marwah in Delhi and Namita Gupta from Bangalore)

Foodie Soha Ali Khan

Royal family girl Soha Ali Khan is a simple girl at heart. We recently spoke to her about her style fundas and now we present her food habits.

Soha reveals, “I am boring person and I don’t like too many changes. I don’t like make-up but have to do it for my profession. Even where food is concerned I prefer the simple Dal Roti and vegetables. I am not a rice person. I also like Chiken, fish and white mean. I love the Bengali food that my mother cooks for us when we are in London. My father makes lovely Kebabs too. I like Indian Mediternean food and Mughlai food. I don’t like to try anything new. Yes I don’t like potatoes.”

The talented actress is all set to make her television debut as the host of India’s first branded lifestyle reality game show – Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo. Produced by Big Synergy, the show will hit TV screens on June 29th - Monday to Friday on STAR Plus.

Soha has on hands Sudhir Mishra’s Tera Kya Hoga Johnny with Neil Mukesh, Tum Mile with Emraan Hashmi and Sangeeth Sivan’s Celebrate Life with Abhay Deol.

FIR against Shah Rukh for comments against Islam

Mumbai: A complaint was today lodged against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly making statements against Islam in a magazine.

“We have registered an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan after we received an application from an advocate who alleged that the actor made some statements hurting the sentiments of Muslims,” senior police inspector of Bandra police station, Prakash George, told PTI.

The complaint was registered against Shah Rukh and the publisher of the magazine and the writer, he said.

“Complainant Khalid Babu Querishi alleged that in the July issue of the Time and Style magazine, Shah Rukh had used unparliamentary language against the Prophet which is unacceptable,” George said.

The case was registered under section 295-a (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religion feelings or any class by insulting its religion beliefs) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common interest

Shortkut wrapped in the Thai Ocean!

While the title track of Shortkut is creating waves, its second track, Pal Pal has been tickling everyone's funnybones thanks to Arshad Warsi's berserk dance moves.

The Pal Pal song shot in picturesque Bangkok sees the babe-licious Amrita Rao grooving on a yacht. What most people don't know is that while the song was being shot the yacht lost its direction and the entire crew along with choreographer Bosco were lost in the ocean! To add to their misery, it started raining. To contain the panic Arshad gathered everyone and started dancing on the yacht and in minutes, from a stranded ship, it turned into a film wrap party for the entire crew!

The incident is Amrita's favourite memory from the film: "The atmosphere was transformed! One moment we were all seriously shooting and the next we were dancing on board. It was a perfect finish to our schedule in Bangkok and I couldn't have asked for a better wrap experience!" she said smiling.

PNC's next to send a chill down the spines!

Forget mindless blood and gore, PNC's next horror-cum-psychological fare, ACCIDENT, will really send a chill down your spine and keep you on the edge of the seat. Produced by Pritish Nandy and Rangita Nandy, the film stars Shiney Ahuja, Soha Ali Khan, Rahul Dev and others. THE ACCIDENT is a 'classic psychological horror film, which shows the deterioration of a woman's mind'.

The film is about a couple moving from California to India, and meeting with an accident soon after. The woman loses her child, creating an emotional rift between the couple. Life takes an eerie turn after they move to a certain bungalow. There on, the condition of the girl's mind deteriorates... or does it really? Or are supernatural powers at play? As director Abhijit Chaudhuri aka Dadu (the renowned ad film maker in the league of Sudhir Mishra and Anurag Basu) puts it, ''THE ACCIDENT is horror in the tradition of THE TENANT. It is more a mind game than a blood-fest. Scary and freezing because the fear is immediate and palpable.''

Soha seconds this thought, as she says, ''It (the film) has an international quality to it... As the film progresses, it will keep the audiences guessing.''

Well, another reason why the film is in news is because of some intimate scenes between Soha and Shiney. The duo has shared the screen in KHOYA KHOYA CHAND earlier. Soha refutes that there are too many intimate scenes or too much intimacy in them. She says that there isn't a lovemaking scene, as such, and there are only silences and shadows. Though the actress has no qualms about doing such scenes, she admits to drawing a line if she is not comfortable.

Lately, media has been speculating about the completion of the film and when we contacted the Mr. Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Vice President, Pritish Nandy Communications, he added, ''We have completed more than 90% shoot of the film. We need to shoot just three to four more days. The scenes would require Soha Ali Khan and Shiney Ahuja. We will be shooting the solo Soha scenes and other patch works first. Once we get fresh dates from Shiney Ahuja we shall resume the shoot and wrap up the film.''

When asked about the reports published in various websites and news agency that the fate of the film is undecided, Mr. Mukherjee added, ''Certainly not. The film is almost complete and we would release it whenever we are ready with it. It's a new kind of cinema, a treatment which is not seen on Indian celluloid. Moreover I am very confident about the fact that people will get to see a talented filmmaker like Abhijit Choudhuri and writer Arindam Mitra. Horror films will get a different definition with THE ACCIDENT.''

Irrfan feels Indian Actors are IN these days!!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE opened Hollywood's doors for Indian Actors. Irrfan one of the favorite actors of Bollywood and Hollywood finds it very interesting after what SLUMDOG has done not only to Indian Cinema but also to the world cinema.
A source close to Irrfan says, ''After SLUMDOG, Indian actors have set a trend in Hollywood. After SLUMDOG, Irrfan is getting a lot more Hollywood scripts.''

Irrfan adds, ''Indian actors are IN these days, they are in fashion now. I have got better roles in Hollywood where they have revised the script where, an American character has been turned Indian, with an Indian name, Indian accent living in the US. It is about marketing eventually, so the film makers are going to cash in on Indian actors and characters. I am glad many Indian actors will join in the process; get a better chance to showcase their talent''.

Irrfan has lot of projects lined up for the year with Tigmanshu Dhulia's PAN SINGH TOMAR, HISSS with Mallika Sherawat; Yash Raj films NEW YORK, Sanjay Gupta's ACID FACTORY. Irrfan has also been offered a lot of Hollywood projects like, Peter Rice's untitled next; Irrfan has also been offered the Hollywood adaptation of the booker prize winning novel Life of Pi written by Yann Martel, to be directed by Ang Lee.

First Look: Shahid Kapur's 'Kaminey'

Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, 'Kaminey' stars Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Amol Gupte.

Kites' to hit screens in December

The much-talked about Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Kites' is scheduled for December release and producer Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu have also agreed on how different the English and Hindi versions of the film would be.

The supposed steamy scenes between Hrithik and his co-star Barbara Mori would be the same in both versions.

"We can't cheat Hindi audiences. The so-called steamy scenes will be the same in both versions. The visuals will remain unchanged in both. There won't be anything radically different in the two versions because Hrithik and Barbara speak English-Hindi and Spanish, respectively in both English and Hindi," Basu told us.

Also there would be voice-overs in Hindi and English, both done by Hrithik whose love story the film chronicles in a style that would recall David Lean's 'Brief Encounter' and K. Balachander's 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye'.

About being designated the director of the decade at International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Macau, Rakesh Roshan said: "I'm flattered. There were other truly deserving directors in the reckoning. I must've done something right."

New York' on 9/11 repercussions to break dry spell

Kabir Khan's second directorial venture 'New York', about the repercussions of 9/11, is expected to end the prolonged dry spell at the box office when it hits the screens Friday.

Industry insiders suggest good initial takings courtesy the big names - John Abraham and Katrina Kaif - associated with it.

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films, 'New York' also stars Neil Nitin Mukesh and Irrfan Khan in pivotal roles.

Set in New York, the film is about three youngsters: Omar (Neil) who goes abroad for the first time and begins to see and love America through the eyes of his Indian-American friends Sam (John) and Maya (Katrina).

Their lives are turned upside down by larger events beyond their control after the 9/11 attacks. At this point enters Roshan (Irrfan), an FBI undercover agent who sets the ball rolling for a series of tumultuous events that turn the lives of the three friends into a dangerous roller-coaster ride.

Explaining his choice of actors, Khan said: "John was very apt for the character. His physicality and body language simply fits Sam's character. I was very clear about Neil since 'Johhny Gaddar' for Omar. The vulnerability in Neil and the greyness he has is simply picture perfect. It's a very mature role for someone who is just two films old."

"Katrina is a surprise package in the film. No one would have seen her in this new avatar - deglamourised, no make-up and a real meaty role. She has been a revelation. Irrfan is a master of his craft and brings in certain credibility to the film. He is also the cornerstone of my movie," Khan added.

Katrina, who goes for an image makeover in the film, says it will appeal to the audiences looking for good content.

"Times are changing a lot in cinema and audiences are looking for something extra in a film. Cinema is all about a good script and its content," Katrina told us.

Zayed bonds with 'bro' Fardeen

Zayed Khan has been bonding more closely than ever before with cousin Fardeen ever since he lost his father, Feroz Khan. Always known to be fond of each other, the two are now almost inseparable.

Fardeen, who finds it hard to articulate his grief to anyone else, is very much at home with his cousin and had been missing Zayed in Goa where he has been shooting for the past one month for director Rohit Shetty's comedy 'All The Best'.

Trying to be funny on camera while feeling far from amused is the last thing Fardeen wants to do at the moment. Sensing his brother's anguish, Zayed after landing here from Macau suddenly took off for Goa to give him company.

Uncharacteristically, he went without his wife and son.

"But sometimes a guy just has to be with his bro," Zayed told us. "We've always been close. I guess now my bro needs me more than ever. So here I am. What is family for?"

Meanwhile, Zayed is gearing up for his second innings as his father Sanjay Khan is producing an international jungle adventure featuring him along with his star brother-in-law Hrithik Roshan.

Ali Akbar Khan was a treat for music lovers: Amitabh

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan remembers legendary "sarod genius" Ali Akbar Khan, saying he was a treat for music lovers especially when he used to play with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and tabla exponent Ustad Allah Rakha.

"We lost a great maestro in Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the sarod genius. The 'jugal bandi' between him and Pandit Ravi Shankar was a treat for the lovers of Indian classical music," Amitabh posted on his blog.

"I have had the great privilege of watching them play in concert on several occasions and it was magic every time... The duo of Ravi Shankar on sitar and Ali Akbar Khan on sarod, with Allah Rakha on tabla has been the ultimate ensemble in Indian classical fare," he added.

Ali Akbar, who along with his former brother-in-law Ravi Shankar, took Indian classical music to the world stage, died at his residence in San Anselmo, California, following renal failure Friday. He was 87.

Sushant Singh ready to direct film next year

National Award winning actor Sushant Singh, who is still remembered for playing a dacoit in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Jungle', is planning to wield the megaphone soon.

"I am planning to direct a film and hopefully by next year I will be able to fulfill my dream. I am working on the script at the moment... all the other details are yet to finalised," Sushant told us over the phone from Mumbai.

It was Varma who had introduced Sushant in Hindi films with his critically acclaimed underworld drama 'Satya' and later repeated him in 'Kaun' and 'Jungle'. Apart from that, the actor has been seen in 'The Legend Of Bhagat Singh' and 'Lakshya'.

In his initial days, most of his roles were negative in nature and Sushant soon got bored. Then came films like 'Mathrubhoomi' and 'Paisa Vasool' as well as the TV serial 'Viraasat' and Sushant managed to break out of the typecast image.

And now he's willing to go back to villainous roles.

"It's true that I was doing mainly villainous roles at a particular time, but then I stopped doing them and started dabbling in other genres because I got bored of doing the same thing. Now that I have broken that image, I will be back with a negative character in 'Mohandas'," said the actor.

Directed by Mazhar Kamran, 'Mohandas' is about a man who steals someone's identity to get a job. The film is said to be based on a real life incident.

"I play the role of a man who steals someone's identity and starts working at his place using his name. I accepted this film because of the director who was a cinematographer for my film 'Kaun'. When he approached me for this role, I couldn't say no," said the actor who has not charged any money for his role in the film.

'Mohandas' also stars Sonali Kulkarni, Nakul Vaid and Govind Namdeo. It's due to release July 10.

His other projects are director Vinay Shukla's 'Mirch', a supernatural thriller 'Shout' by Wilson Lewis and a film on kick boxing 'Lahore' by Sanjay Chauhan.

There is intolerance of freedom in India: Ketan Mehta

Director Ketan Mehta, who is awaiting the release of his movie 'Rang Rasiya', based on the life of legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, feels India's socio-political milieu does not favour artistic freedom.

"I think the socio-political milieu of our country does not favour artistic freedom. Look at what's happening to artist M.F. Husain - the kind of controversy he has courted. It shows intolerance to freedom," Mehta told us on phone from Mumbai.

Mehta's 'Rang Rasiya' had attracted controversy for a nude sequence featuring lead actress Nandana Sen. "The censor board in India is an outdated institution which has no meaning in a modern democracy," he said.

"It speaks of regressive, constrained and conflicting minds. In Europe and America, no one has the right to cut or censor movies. They only grade the movies and attach a statutory warning for viewers below 18," he said.

"But DVDs and the Internet are gradually changing mindsets," he said.

Mehta has made contemporary classics like 'Mirch Masala', 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising', 'Maya Memsaab' and 'Bhavni Bhavai'.

"I am sure 'Rang Rasiya' will be released this year," said Mehta who loves making historicals.

Even 'Rang Rasiya', he says, is a historical movie, "though it talks more about the freedom of creative expression. It is a leaf out of Raja Ravi Varma's artistic inspiration and his obsession with his muse Sugandha in whom he saw the divine."

"We are all historical beings and something within us drives us to connect to history. History tells us more about today than about the past. Almost all my movies barring 'Maya Memsaab' are in some way historical," said Mehta.

Gujarat-born Mehta, who has received several awards for his movies, has been declared the UTV director of the month for June.

Mehta is currently working on a couple of scripts which includes a science fiction with a contemporary twist and a historical thriller. The historical thriller, says Mehta, is a global project with a crossover cast.

I see part of myself in Kareena: Raveena Tandon

She is known to be outspoken. National Award winning actress Raveena Tandon makes no bones about naming her favourite actress in the new brigade, saying she likes Kareena Kapoor in whom she sees a part of herself.

"Among the new actresses I see not a reflection but a part of me in Kareena. She has a very strong, distinct and vibrant persona. She is electric and has an amazing screen presence unlike most actresses today," Raveena told us over phone from Singapore where she is currently on a family holiday.

"A lot of female actors are short nowadays. I like taller girls. Kareena's height is good. This is what actresses should be like," said Raveena, known for films like 'Mohra' and 'Andaz Apna Apna'.

Raveena, who debuted with the 1991 movie 'Patthar Ke Phool', was considered among the most ravishing actresses of her time. But after tying the knot with distributor Anil Thadani in 2004, she bid adieu to movies to concentrate on her family.

She came back to limelight last year as a judge on kids' song and dance TV reality show 'Chak De Bachche' and now she is judging another kids' comedy show 'Miyan - Chapter 2' on Colors.

Being a mother of two - four-year-old Rasha and nearly two-year-old Ranbir - Raveena says she has an instant connect with children and that is why she associates herself with children's shows.

"I do approve of shows which deal with kids simply because they are very uncomplicated. With them, nothing is made up, there are no controversies and the best part is that only true talent carries the show on its shoulders," she said.

As a judge, the actress doesn't like being a strict teacher on the show.

"I want to be like a second parent to kids on the show. It doesn't make sense to sit them down and discourage kids if they don't perform well. I would rather explain things nicely. I cannot break anyone's heart. Besides, I also believe that the role of a judge on a kids' reality show is to make them blossom in their craft," said the 34-year-old actress.