Kareena hates Ash because she is a Bachchan bahu

Kareena Kapoor has made no bones about not liking Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.This dislike must have a lot to do with the Karisma- Abhishek breakup and Ash being such a fine replacement of her elder sister Karisma as the Bachchan bahu.The Bachchans have talked about how Ash is the perfect daughter in-law and Karisma really wasn't homely enough for them!

Or it might have something to do with Ash still being considered ethereally beautiful and very much in competition despite being older and not having too many big hits!The latest is that Kareena Kapoor hadn't really turned down a role opposite Hollywood actor Johnny Depp because of date problems. It had a lot to with Ash.According to a source, "Three years ago, Gurinder Chadda who offered her this role, wanted Kareena for Bride & Prejudice.

Kareena naturally presumed it was the lead. She was shocked to know the director actually wanted her to play Aishwarya's youngest sister's part for which the lesser know Piya Rai Choudhary was signed later. Bebo was irked at being offered the fourth lead and vowed never to work with her again.

Now when a new Gurinder Chadha film was offered to Kareena she quickly said no without hesitation."Kareena on her part has been a little diplomatic this time around. She says that she'll only take up something that's substantial. She won't go international unless it's something really big and isn't sure whether Gurinder's offer was with Johnny Depp or not as the role didn't interest her at all.

All we can say is that Kareena is rocking in B-Town her own way. It's high time she only does her thing and stops thinking so much about the tremendous beauty and international appeal of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. After all, Ash hasn't really cared to react to her cribbing!

'I'm making a film with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai'

You seem to have quietly signed a Pakistani actor called Imran Abbas for 'Heera Mandi'.
So quietly that even I don't know about it. I haven't signed anyone called Imran Abbas. I'm not making 'Heera Mandi' right now. It may happen much later. I'm now directing another film with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. I'm very excited about the film, and so are they.

What prompted you to sign Hrithik Roshan?
Hrithik and I have been wanting to work together for a very long time. I've always been impressed by his sincerity as an actor. I was waiting for the right opportunity to sign him. Working with Hrithik would be a new and rewarding experience.

You and Aishwarya Rai created magic in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Devdas'. Time for a hattrick?
Aishwarya is very special to me. She suits the role in my new film to perfection. When she read the script she was deeply moved. Of course the true friend that she is, she told me she would've agreed to work with me even if I didn't send her the script.

Will this Hrithik-Aishwarya film be your first for an international market in English?
'Black' was in English, too. It's important for me to make my films for our market. But we must take our cinema to the remotest corner of the world. Today the spoken language is no barrier. The spoken language in our country is as much Hindi is as English. I want to capture that feeling of everyday conversations.

You continue to be fearless in spite of 'Saawariya'?
This is the time when filmmakers need to be fearless and experiment with themes. Fearlessness is my biggest asset as a filmmaker. I will continue to make films that come from deep within me. My very first film "Khamoshi: The Musical" didn't do well at all. A lot of people think it's my best work.

There were reports that some actors, like Ranbir Kapoor, don't wish to work with you?
People are writing tragic tales about me every day. They are even deciding what film I'm making and also casting actresses in them... Maybe stories about me sell. But when the misrepresentations go beyond my tolerance, it's time to speak up. The truth is Ranbir and Sonam would be there for me whenever I need them. However, at the moment I'm making a film with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.

Rahman Does A Sexy Number

The Pussycat Dolls, that vivacious all-girl American pop group that made men swoon and wonder with their raunchy song and video Don’t You Wish Your


Pussycat Dolls Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me, is apparently under our A R Rahman’s musical spell. The Indian Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee who’s got the world standing up and saying Jai Ho to his music in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, is remixing the award-winning song for a single music video track by the Pussycat Dolls. The original was done by Indian rap-bhangra artiste Sukhwinder Singh. But Rahman, after hooking up with American music producer Jimmy Iovine — has worked with bands like U2, Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen and Eminem, has done a remix version for the Pussycat Dolls. The Pussycat Dolls, made up of lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt and Carmit Bachcr, achieved worldwide success in 2005 with their album PCD and produced hits like Buttons and Stickwitu, the latter which earned the group a Grammy Award nomination. Last year, they released their second studio album Doll Domination, which included the hits When I Grow Up and I Hate This Part. Throughout their rise to fame, the group has been criticised for its overtly sexual image and explicit dance routines, but Rahman has apparently no issues working with them. According to a source, the website desihits got in touch with Rahman and Iovine for the remix version. The track is being produced by American singer and record maker Palow Da Don who has done albums with Will Smith, Fergie, Rich Boy, Usher, Nelly, G-Unit and Mario. The website’s CEO Anjula Acharia Bath, admitted that she had spent time with Rahman on the track which would “be a great dance anthem with an amazing beat and a collaboration of sounds of the East meeting the West”. She added, “I was humbled to watch Rahman and Iovine in the studio.” Rahman, after the double whammy delivered by the Golden Globes and Oscar nomination, has characteristically gone underground and could not be contacted for comment.

Priyanka Playing the Games!!!

By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, June 7 -- Here comes Madhu my Mottu Maid, minus my icy Kiwi Mojito. Ask her about it and she's insisting that I hear this tiddy-bitty on Priyanka Chopra first. Since she won't let me breathe in peace, I give in to her demands.

I'm informed that apni Priyanka is hooked on to the games on her mobile, and whenever she gets any time off, she instantly starts playing the games downloaded in her handset. Can't blame her for indulging herself actually, reasons Mots.

Kyun? Kyunki she's shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj's Saat Khoon Maaf in Coorg, and the network around the location is really bad. And if that's not enough, she has to keep her mobile in silent mode on the sets. So akele akele aise hi baith ke kya karegi bechari, sighs Mottu. Hmm, if you insist, I shrug. Now go and get my Kiwi Mojito, pronto, I fire her.

Asin keeps the boys waiting

The Ghajini girl has a life outside of

Asin

Bollywood.

For starters, the girl is a bookworm! “I used to have a huge library at home, so reading has been a habit since childhood. And even today, I just can’t do without a book...,” said Asin when we met her recently. So the girl is ‘booked’ in some sense of the term... but about being booked in real life, love still hasn’t happened to Asin.

The hooking and booking may have to wait for a while she tells us. As she is more engrossed in books and films, the boys will just have to wait. And we are sure they’d be willing to wait for this hottie.

Is sexy Shriya in love with a hero?

Buzz is that sexy Shriya has fallen in love. According to Bollywood press, she is currently dating Hollywood hero Jesse with whom she has acted in a Hollywood film - The Other End Of The Line. During the shoot, Shriya is said to have fallen for the charms of Jesse.

This is current hot gossip doing the rounds in Mumbai. It remains to be seen whether it is movie promotion or the real news. It is normal practice in Hollywood and Bollywood to link the lead actors before a film releases so that media creates buzz which helps the film getting good openings.

Anushka Sharma’s Hottest Film Is Yet To Come

We all know that she was the simple and rather somber girl in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, but Anushka Sharma’s compensating for it in full measure by turning on the heat with her revealing attire in ‘Badmaash Company.’

Close insiders, however, squeal that the Yash Raj Films flick is but a precursor to what follows next.

Reportedly, Anushka has flashed plenty of skin and has gone all out to revv up her sensuality quotient for Nikhil Advani’s ‘Patiala House.’

A close source insists that ‘Patiala House’ is her “hottest film”, as yet.
Coming soon to scorch at a cinema near you.

Katrina Visits Ajmer Sharif to Pray for Success of Rajneeti

With her forthcoming film Rajneeti all set to release,Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif is keeping her fingers crossed for the film's success.And so what better than god's blessings to bring her wish true.Katrina on Friday visited the famous shrine of a Sufi saint,Khwaja Mouinuddin Chisty,Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer to seek blessings,ahead of her film's release.Draped in a white coloured traditional salwar-Kameez,the actress offered the religious Chaadar (Blanket) on the mausoleum of the Sufi saint and prayed for the success of her movie.

Salman Khan's Game for a Backlash!

Actor Salman Khan, who played a friendly cricket match against Pakistani celebrities in Dubai sports city on Thursday - to raise awareness for his charity Being Human - admits he won't be surprised if he faces a backlash from right-wing groups in Mumbai now.

"We might get hammered when we go back," Salman said. "But that is the chance we have taken. We, as India and Pakistan, have to show (we) are together. Only a few elements have a mudda."

Salman's brother Sohail captained the Indian team while Shoaib Akhtar was the Pakistan team's captain. Riteish Deshmukh and Sania Mirza were also present at the match, which the Indian team won.

Shah Rukh Khan and his many facets!

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and a chic black suit with neatly cropped hair, the 43-year-old actor spread cheer among the 200-plus crowd, including many kids, at the Emporio Mall in Delhi where he played the brand ambassador for Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer on Wednesday.

From his famous cold war with Aamir Khan to his love for dear wife Gauri and his political plans... SRK was at his wittiest best as he went around answering the many questions hurled at him. We give you a dope on all that happened at the event.

‘Dum Maaro Dum’ Movie to Release in February 2011

New Delhi, The Abhishek Bachchan-Bipasha Basu-starrer thriller “Dum Maaro Dum” will release Feb 4 next year, its producers say.

“We are hugely excited about ‘Dum Maaro Dum’. It has a great script. It is vibrant and contemporary and we expect the film to appeal to a wide audience. The February timing is perfect and it is strategically timed just before the cricket World cup,” Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, said in a statement.

Fox Star Studios India is co-producing the film with Ramesh Sippy.

“Dum Maaro Dum” will be Fox Star’s third outing to release in the same period. The studio released multiple Oscar-award winning “Slumdog Millionaire” in January 2009 and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “My Name is Khan” in February this year.

“The window of late January and early February works for us also as we are familiar with the release environment during that period”, said Singh.

Ramesh Sippy echoed similar sentiments. “The film is shaping up very well and the audiences should get ready to enjoy a gripping, moving film with great visual appeal, coming their way on February 4,” he said.

Directed by Rohan Sippy, “Dum Maaro Dum” is an action-thriller with Abhishek playing a fearless cop. The movie races through India’s largest tourist destination Goa and also stars Aditya Panscholi and Pratiek Babbar. Telugu star Rana Daggubati makes his Bollywood debut with the movie.

After completing the first schedule of the film in Goa, the cast and crew will start shooting for a second schedule in Mumbai next month.

Aishwarya, Kareena and Preity will Come Together for SLB’s ‘Heera Mandi’?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has long time back announced his plans to make a film titled ‘Heera Mandi’, apparently based on the famous red light area in the walled city of Lahore. However, he had later shelved the idea, but the grapevine has it that Bhansali has now decided to start this project soon and the lead roles in the movie will be played by the cream of Bollywood- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. Sanjay had initially wanted Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Sonam Kapoor for lead roles.

Sanjay will start working on the film as soon as he wraps up with his ambitious project ‘Guzaarish’ starring Hrithik and Aishwarya. With three beautiful and very talented actresses sharing the screen space, the project definitely seems to be a promising one!!!

Aamir Khan’s Surprise to Visit His Assistant Wedding

Bangalore, Bollywood star Aamir Khan along with his wife Kiran Rao paid a surprise visit to Channarayapatna town here Monday to attend the marriage of his trusted assistant Sudhakar.

Kiran was seen participating in several events of the marriage. The fact that Aamir Khan came all the way from Mumbai to Channarayapatna, 160 km away from Bangalore, had even the media persons in the town surprised.

Most of the TV channel reporters were caught unawares and had to rush to the marriage hall to shoot the couple. Fans were thrilled to see the top Bollywood star blessing his assistant.

Sudhakar, who hails from Channarayapatna town of Hassan district, has been working in Aamir Khan’s office for more than 15 years along with his father Kushe Gowda. Sources said that Aamir and his family members were impressed with Kushe Gowda and Sudhakar’s honesty, integrity and dedication to work.

Aamir and Kiran Rao, who hails from Bangalore, did not want to miss out attending the marriage. They flew from Mumbai Sunday evening and stayed at Hassan Sunday night. They reached Channarayapatna at noon Monday and went straight to the marriage hall. The people of the small town were thrilled to see Aamir Khan and his wife.

Sudhakar and his wife Mamatha were very happy to have them at the function. Sources said Aamir Khan has donated a car valued at Rs.15 lakh to Sudhakar. Kushe Gowda, who is also working in Aamir Khan’s office, revealed to media persons attending the function that the actor had even financed the construction of a house for his son.

8 Filmfare nominations for ‘Rab ne..’, 6 for ‘Ghajini

After months of speculation, the Filmfare nominations are finally out. Time to see who will take the 'beautiful dark lady' home this year! Will

Filmfare nominations

it be King Khan’s simpleton Suri act in Rab ne.., happy and 'gay' Dostana or 8-packed Aamir Khan?

Even as the stars get ready for the big night, stay glued to get all the inside dope and starry controversies surrounding the event. So, who are you betting on this year?

THE NOMINATIONS ARE...

Best Film
Dostana
Ghajini
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Jodhaa Akbar
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Rock On!!


Best Director

A.R. Murugadoss: Ghajini
Abhishek Kapoor: Rock On!!
Aditya Chopra: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Ashutosh Gowariker: Jodhaa Akbar
Madhur Bhandarkar: Fashion
Neeraj Pandey: A Wednesday


Best Actor (Male)

Aamir Khan: Ghajini
Abhishek Bachchan: Dostana
Akshay Kumar: Singh Is Kinng
Hrithik Roshan: Jodhaa Akbar
Shah Rukh Khan: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Naseeruddin Shah: A Wednesday


Best Actor (Female)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Jodhaa Akbar
Anushka Sharma: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Asin Thottumkal: Ghajini
Kajol: U Me Aur Hum
Priyanka Chopra: Fashion


Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male )

Abhishek Bachchan: Sarkar Raj
Arjun Rampal: Rock On!!
Prateik Babbar: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Sonu Sood: Jodha Akbar
Tushar Kapoor: Golmaal Returns
Vinay Pathak: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi


Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female )

Bipasha Basu: Bachna Ae Haseeno
Kangna Ranaut: Fashion
Kirron Kher: Dostana
Ratna Pathak Shah: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Shahana Goswami: Rock On!!


Best Music Director

A R Rahman: Ghajini
A R Rahman: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
A R Rahman: Jodhaa Akbar
Pritam Chakraborty: Race
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy: Rock On!!
Vishal-Shekhar: Dostana

Best Lyrics

Abbas Tyrewala: Kabhi kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)
Gulzar: Tu meri dost hai (Yuvvraaj)
Jaideep Sahni: Haul –haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Javed Akhtar: Jashn-e-bahara (Jodhaa Akbar)
Javed Akhtar: Socha hai (Rock On!!)
Prasoon Joshi: Guzarish (Ghajini)


Best Playback (Male)

Farhan Akhtar: Socha hai (Rock On!!)
KK: Khuda jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
KK: Zara si dil mein (Jannat)
Rashid Ali: Kabhi kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)
Sonu Nigam: Inn lamhon ke daaman mein (Jodhaa Akbar)
Sukhwinder Singh: Haule haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)


Best Playback (Female)

Alka Yagnik: Tu muskura (Yuvvraaj)
Neha Bhasin: Kuch khaas hai (Fashion)
Shilpa Rao: Khuda jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Shreya Ghoshal: Teri ore (Singh is Kinng)
Shruti Pathak: Marjaawa (Fashion)
Sunidhi Chauhan: Dance pe chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Shahrukh Khan to perform at IIFA 2010

New Delhi, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will perform at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards being held in Colombo June 3-5.

“This year Shah Rukh Khan will be performing at IIFA,” Sabas Joseph, one of the directors of Wizcraft that organises the gala, told reporters here.

This quashes rumours that Shah Rukh is in a cold war with IIFA brand amabssador Amitabh Bachchan.

Shah Rukh, who last came for the Amsterdam IIFA in 2005, will also participate in a charity cricket match between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers. The proceeds from this will be used to help rehabilitate former Tamil Tiger child soldiers.

Bollywood celebrities like Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi will also be performing at the award function.

Apart from the main award ceremony, a global business forum, a fashion extravaganza, a film workshop and premieres of upcoming films will also be held.

The award ceremony is said to be hosted by Boman Irani and Riteish once again, along with Lara Dutta.

'Kites' Grosses Over Rs. 21 Crores on Opening Day

Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer 'Kites' grossed over Rs.21 crore on its opening day and has become the second highest opening-day grosser after '3 Idiots', its distributor said Saturday.

'Kites' released with 2,000 screens in India and across 500 screens overseas on May 21.

The film that has been distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures is a love story between an Indian guy and a Spanish girl. Directed by Anurag Basu, the film has been produced by Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan.

The movie has also caught the fancy of the American media, making it perhaps the most reviewed Bollywood film on opening day by so many US critics. The New York Times considered it "all completely loony, but the stunts are impressive, the photography crisp and the leads so adorably besotted that audiences might as well check their cynicism at the door."

"A lovers on-the-lam blast of pure pulp escapism. Directed by Anurag Basu with a finger in every genre jar, 'Kites' caroms from car chase to shootout, from rain dancing to bank robbing with unflagging energy," it said.

In Times' view Bollywood star "Roshan requires viewing uncut: writhing on the dance floor or just gazing into space, the man was made to drive women crazy, one movie at a time."

Calling it "A romantic adventure!", Los Angeles Times noted "the love story draws from westerns, musicals, film noir, chase thrillers with stunts so preposterous they verge on parody - and it gets away with everything because of Basu's visual bravura and unstinting passion and energy."

While the movie was seen as "An exhilarating escapist entertainment that plays out like a violent and floridly poetic allegory," the two top stars got noticed for their looks. "Mori has a sultry gorgeousness that at times recalls Ava Gardner. Roshan has the dashing, chiselled looks of a silent movie matinee idol."

To the New York Daily News it was "An engaging Bollywood tale! Melodrama, romance and action are cheerfully jumbled together ."

"You'll get more than your money's worth," said Newsday describing it as "A boldly old-fashioned, I'll-die-without-you, nobly self-sacrificing movie romance. Gogeously photographed. The story is the stuff Old Hollywood tear-jerkers are made of."

Variety magazine found it "Deliriously entertaining!" The film, it said, "owes more to Hollywood than Bollywood, though director Anurag Basu borrows plenty from both, aiming to give Indian song-and-dance pics the same sort of crossover success 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, did for Asian martial-arts movies."

"Indian star Hrithik Roshan makes a striking international debut in an ambitious Bollywood crossover film. Grand, action-packed love story set amid the garishness of Las Vegas," said The Hollywood Reporter.

"'Kites' flies! Entertaining and lovely to look at! It works perfectly well on its own terms," said the Film Journal.

"Roshan and Mori are as beautiful as human beings can be, and the love they depict is as high-flown as you'll find in a movie," said the San Franciso Chronicle suggesting, "Go in smirking, but by the time it's over, you'll believe."

Philadelphia Inquirer found it "Preposterously entertaining!" Chicago Newcity called it "a glory of delirium. Anything can, and does, happen. I long for an Amer-Indie movie with the same lunatic verve. As curry-dusted popcorn goes, 'Kites' is savoury distraction."

Was 'Raavan' Team Scared of Tamil Protests?

Reufting reports that 'Raavan' director Mani Ratnam and actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai skipped the IIFA event here because of the Tamil protests back home, Nikhil Dwivedi said on June 4 that this was just not true.

'Raavan' was supposed to be screened at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Colombo and the director not only cancelled the screening but also refused to attend it, citing work pressure.

"It's not true that Abhishek, Mani Ratnam and Aishwarya didn't come here because of the Tamil protests. Govindaji will be here. I'm already here, so I think it should put the rumours to rest that the 'Raavan' team is not here because of the protests," Nikhil said.

"We should take Mani Ratnam's word when he said that he is busy with post-production work. Any filmmaker will be madly immersed in his film just two weeks before its release. Other team members are also busy with some or the other things. That's the only reason behind their absence," he said.

Back home, Tamil groups were not in favour of IIFA going to Sri Lanka and asked everyone to either boycott it or change the venue. According to them, Sri Lanka needed to be shunned as its military had killed Tamils in large numbers last year in the war that led to the bloody decimation of the Tamil Tigers.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce announced a boycott of Colombo by southern actors and filmmakers and said it would boycott the Bollywood stars who went to Sri Lanka as well as their movies.

The 31-year-old Nikhil, who has worked in films like 'My Name is Anthony Gonsalves' and 'Khallbali - Fun Unlimited', will be seen as Abhishek's younger brother in 'Raavan', which is scheduled for a June 18 release.

"It was an absolutely marvelous experience. I got an opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam very early in my career and I feel I'm very fortunate," said Nikhil.

Talking about his co-stars, he said: "It was great shooting with Abhishek and Aishwarya. Abhishek made me very comfortable on the sets. I had a great time. I'm really looking forward to working with them again."

'Raavan', shot simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi, is said to be a modern day version of the Indian epic Ramayana.

Lara Dutta Starts Voice Blogging

May 31, 2010

New Delhi, Actress Lara Dutta is following in the footsteps of megastar Amitabh Bachchan by launching her own voice blog.

“Hey! I just started Voice Blogging, you can dial *5148* from your Airtel number to listen to me. Catch you all there,” Lara posted on her microblogging site Twitter.

Meanwhile, the actress is set to co-host this year’s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Colombo June 3-5.

“I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh,” Lara, who was present in the capital for the launch of an international clothing brand Zara, told reporters here Friday.

Lara has also been roped in to star in Farhan Akhtar’s “Don 2″ alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal.

What Aamir Khan Learnt from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who sported an eight-pack look for his blockbuster film "Ghajini", has a suggestion for those wanting to go for body-building -- read "The Encyclopedia of Body Building" by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"One book I would strongly recommend to anyone who is training is 'The Encyclopaedia of Body Building' by Arnold Schwarzenegger, " he said on Facebook.

Aamir says he wants to take fitness more seriously now and has created a group on his Facebook page to encourage even his fans to stay healthy.

"Let's make a group, who decides to live healthy. Anyone who wants to join can. Each one of us is responsible for figuring out a diet for ourselves, a workout/sport/walking schedule, and a rest schedule.

"You decide what is good for you and stick to it and every night on Facebook, I'll post how I fared that day and in response you comment on my post. That way all the comments are tagged together to my post in one space, and so it will be easier for all of us to stay together on this one topic. If one of us is finding it tough the others can encourage, " Aamir posted on his blog.

The 45-year-old also shared his knowledge on how to be fit and maintain a healthy and toned body.

"Let me share with you what I learnt in the last few years in the process of building a physique, losing weight etc. Three things are most important, a healthy and balanced diet, exercise and rest, " he revealed.

Aamir informed that an average person uses around 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day. In order to lose weight one simply needs to take in less than one spends. So it's better to consume less than 1, 800 calories in 24 hrs. But the less calories one intakes need to be divided into fat, carbohydrates, and protein. A balanced diet is generally 1/3 fat, 1/3 carbohydrates and 1/3 protein.

"The best way to get a healthy and balanced diet for yourself is to visit a qualified dietician. Not the dieticians who put you onto new fad diets, like high protein diets, low carb diets, blood group diets, 'don't eat carbs at night' diets, Atkins diet, Santa Barbara diets, 'have this pill' diet, 'eat only this one day and that on another day' diet, falana diet, dhamkana diet etc, " said Aamir.

"You need to visit a qualified dietician, who gives you the good old fashioned calorie count diet, " he said, recommending Mumbai-based doctor Dhurander in Santa Cruz.

Aamir also stressed on the importance of proper exercises and work out sessions for the desired results.

"For general fitness, walking, jogging, swimming, or playing a sport are all great exercises. So if you are not looking for anything particular then choose one. Yoga is great too. In case you are interested in body building, building muscle, shaping your body etc., then what worked for me is weight training, " he said.

"For that, you need the right equipment and a good trainer. So the easiest would be to join a gym and use one of the trainers there. If you can't afford that then do free hand. Pull ups, push ups, crunches etc, " he added.

Finally, Aamir wrote about the benefits of proper rest to stay fit and healthy.

"The importance of rest is often underestimated. No matter how hard you train, if you don't rest your body, it will not respond as well. During 'Ghajini' as a rule, I slept for eight hours (at least) every night, " he informed.

Shilpa Shetty in Desire, an Indo-Chinese film!

While her contemporaries are keeping themselves busy in Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty has decided to take a leap across the Great Wall of China... quite the case of Chembur (mumbai) to China, eh!

Apparently, Shilpa has signed an Indo-Chinese venture called Desire , and this desirable actor is excited, not only because this is an 'international venture' and a 'new experience' but more so because she'll get to share screen space with one of the mainstream Chinese actors.

About the 'Indo' connection... the film is to be directed by a leading Malayalam director R. Sarath. Well, Shilpa can surely take a crash course in the Chinese languages from a certain Mallika Sherawat who has hobnobbed with the Jackie Chans of the world.

And then there's of course ex-beau Akshay Kumar who can teach her a 'stunt' or two... after all he must've picked up some words of the language while shooting for Chandni Chowk To China , na?

Shilpa to celebrate New Year in Spain

After recuperating from her foot injury Shilpa Shetty preferred to celebrate Christmas in London and now she will be celebrating New Year with her family and beau Raj Kundra in Spain. Shilpa Shetty's foot injury is responsible for this extended holiday. It is known that Shilpa was supposed to shoot for her first international film Desire which got delayed because of her injury. However Shilpa Shetty has taken full advantage of her 'rest period'. "I enjoyed Christmas in London," she told us, "The trees were beautifully lit up, the hustle and bustle of last-minute Christmas shopping was exhilarating, the excitement and warmth on people's faces was umatched," said Shilpa Shetty. Not just that the actress who loves cooking, cooked delicious dinner for her loved ones. "I do love cooking, but cooking for 15 people can be back-breaking. Yet it was worth. I was showered with generous compliments for my chef skills, so that felt good," said Shilpa Shetty. The actress and her family also sat around the table and maintaind a two-minute silence for those who had lost their lives in 26/11. "It was an awakening," she told us. Shilpa Shetty hopes for love and peace in the year 2009. And just how is she bringing in the New Year? "In Spain, my darling!" she claims.

Why Salman Snub to Vivek?

Vivek Oberoi rubbished reports of Salman Khan snubbing him at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, saying there were better things to talk about during the ceremony than just spread rumours out of the blue.

"Who told you this?" questioned Vivek when asked what he had to say about the whole episode.

On the inaugural day on June 3, Vivek was the host of the "IIFA Foundation Fashion Extravaganza" with Dia Mirza.

There were reports that Salman refused to be introduced by Vivek, the anchor of the night, and got Anil Kapoor to introduce him instead.

"'Aap log kyun itni chhoti si baat ka itna bada issue bana rahein ho?' (Why are you making fuss about such a small incident)" Vivek asked reporters in Colombo.

"Even when I will be a 70-year-old man, you will ask me such questions that have nothing to do with me or you will create situations to write about it," he added.

The actor said the media should concentrate on so many good initiatives and talks taking place at IIFA and not on such silly stuff.

The war between the two actors started when Vivek called a press conference in 2003 to announce that he had been receiving threatening calls from Salman over Aishwarya Rai. Vivek was dating Aishwarya that time.

Ever since that episode, Salman has not forgiven Vivek despite several public apologies by the latter.