Tamannaah Bhatia bats for animal rights

Tamannaah Bhatia, who will be next seen inHumshakals, recently shot for an ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.

She shared a picture and tweeted: 'Buy cruelty-free cosmetics! See me & my friend 'Tiny' in our @PetaIndia ad against animal tested cosmetics.'

Image: Tamannaah Bhatia

Meet John Abraham's hot new costar

Brazilian hottie Nathalia Kaur, who was seen in an item number in Ram Gopal Verma's 2012 film Department, is all set to make her debut as an actor.

She will be seen opposite John Abraham in filmmaker Nishikant Kamat's next movie.

Confirming the news, she tweeted: 'Official remake of Korean film The Man From Nowhere, titled Rocky Handsome will have @TheJohnAbraham opposite @Nathalia_Kaur.'

'Just for those who had no knowledge, I've studied at the music conservatory of Rio de Janeiro as a popular and classical opera singer,' she added.

Kaur will play a single mother in the film.

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Image: Nathalia Kaur

Lisa Haydon

Actress Lisa Haydon celebrated her 28th birthday on June 17.

She turned to Twitter to thank her fans and wrote: 'how could I ever forget my fan club that tweet me daily. it's beautiful thank you so much.'

Lisa is currently shooting for the remake of Basu Chatterjee’s 1982 hit Shaukeen.

Image: Lisa Haydon

Halle Berry, Lindsay Lohan: A day out in Hollywood

Actress Lindsay Lohan arrives for the presentation of the Moschino collection during its London Collections: Men show in London on June 16.

Image: Lindsay Lohan

Halle Berry, Lindsay Lohan: A day out in Hollywood

Looking svelte and glamorous, Halle Berry, who welcomed son Maceo Robert Martinez in October last year, arrived at the premiere of CBS sci-fi TV series Extant in Los Angeles on June 16.

The actress, who also in the show, is seen here posing at the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion.

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Image: Halle Berry

Know all about Humshakals of Bollywood? Take this quiz!

Sajid Khan's new film Humshakals, set to open in Indian theatres June 20, stars leading men Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor in triple roles.

While it's not so common in Hindi films anymore -- the last movie featuring multiple characters played by an actor was What's Your Raashee that released five years ago -- it may have brightened Humshakals' prospects at the box office.

How it fares at the box office will be known only after its release on June 20. Before that, take this fun quiz on Bollywood's humshakals that we rustled up for you!

1. How many characters does Priyanka Chopra play in What's Your Raashee?

 a. 5
 b. 7
 c. 12

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Image: Priyanka Chopra in What's Your Raashee

Sunny Leone wraps up Splitsvilla

Sunny Leone, who is hosting Splitsvilla 7, recently shot for her last episode.

She shared a picture from the sets and tweeted: 'Last day on set for @MTVSplitsvilla , going to miss everyone!!!

'Thank you so much @MTVSplitsvilla crew and cast for such an amazing time shooting the show. Awesome experience I will never forget!' she added.

Leone will next be seen playing a princess in Bobby Khan’s upcoming dance musical, tentatively titled film Leela. 

Image: Sunny Leone

Preity Zinta: I am not settling in USA

Preity Zinta, who has filed a police complaintagainst her former boyfriend Ness Wadia, denied that she is moving to the US.

Clearing the air, the 39-year-old actress tweeted: 'A big Thank U 2 all the people 4 the support. Amazed at how much speculation in the media. No I'm not selling my stake or settling in the US.'

'SO called sources says anything & its getting reported. Pls No hearsay. There are many IMP Issues in India which are much more news worthy,' she added.

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Image: Preity Zinta

Sangeeta Bijlani opts out of her comeback film

Sangeeta Bijlani, who was all set to make her comeback in Onir's forthcoming film Shab, has decided to opt out of the film as she was uncomfortable doing intimate scenes.

Confirming the news, Onir tweeted: 'Sangeeta Bijlani opts out of @IamOnir’s Shab.'

Image: Sangeeta Bijlani

Anushka Sharma's day out in Italy

Anushka Sharma, who is currently shooting for Dil Dhadakne Do in Naples, took some time out from and went out sightseeing.

She shared a picture of her and tweeted: 'Weeeeeiooooeeeee !! Greetings from Italy !!' 

Anushka will be seen next in Anurag Kashyap'sBombay Velvet.

Image: Anushka Sharma

Filmi family tree: Know which former costar Rani is related to?

There have been quite a few instances in Bollywood where distant relatives are cast together in a film.

Rani Mukerji, of the renowned Mukherjee clan of Bollywood and now married to Aditya Chopra, starred opposite a relative in some of her early films too.

Guess who that is?

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Image: Rani Mukerji

Bipasha: Extremely disturbed by the end result of Humshakals

Bipasha Basu, who has been missing from Humshakals' promotional events, finally broke her silence on Twitter.

'This is to put an end to all the discussions around my absence for Humshakals promotions,' she tweeted. 'I take full responsibility of getting into a film only on the basis of trust. But after dubbing for my character in the film, as I had professionally committed to do so I'm extremely disturbed by the end result of the same. In these circumstances I didn't know how to promote a film with all honesty and that's why I thought it was better to stay away. I am confident that the film will be true to it's genre and will be a full entertainer because of the people involved. I wish fox star studios who I have had my biggest hit with Raaz 3 and vashu ji who is a fantastic producer all the best. Wish all my co stars Saif, Riteish, Tamannah, Esha and the technicians best of luck. Sometimes, certain journeys cannot be completed and this is one of them - no one to be blamed, combination of things that made me disrupt my journey.'

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Image: Bipasha Basu in Humshakals

The three guys were dressed in drag in a few scenes. Saif, Riteish, and Ram were more self-conscious than we were. Ram was the biggest (literally) surprise for us when we saw him in a bikini. Poor Ram kept on taking off his wig and saying I can’t take it, it is too hot. I can’t take the make-up. If Ram told you he enjoyed the drag portion, he is lying. Saif, on the other hand, wanted to be a big voluptuous girl, so he kept on padding up and pouting. Kareena (Kapoor) just kept laughing. Riteish has dressed as a girl before. He wanted everything matching right from his nail paint to eye shadow. Once when he did not find the right eye shadow, he came to me and I put him on to my make-up artist. He still did not get the right shade so he shopped for it! He did not like the clothes he was given to wear so he wore Genelia’s skirt! We wanted to cover ourselves, but he wanted to show more mid-riff. Riteish kept on touching up his make-up All the three men got waxed! Plus, they kept on asking for deep necks and short costumes. What is Saif’s character like in the film? Saif is a really chilled out, cool guy in real life. His character in the film is very endearing. He is a sweet guy put into an asylum where I am a doctor. They are ill people there but not because of themselves but because someone electrocutes them. I am a fan and I have never seen him play such a character ever. And he played it so well. He is a 10-year-old in heart and mind in this film and in love with me. The moment he sees me you can see the innocence on his face. I take care of him and I fall in love with him. Saif always plays cool characters in his films. This is the first time he has broken away from that image. Image: Esha Gupta

Do you think star kids get a break more easily than others?

I don’t know. I don’t know their struggles and I don’t know if they are criticised enough because they will always be compared to their star parents.

It is easy for them in the sense that when they fall, there will be someone to hold their hand.

In my case, I know that will not happen. If I take one wrong step there will be 10 more hands pulling me down and pointing fingers at me.

I am making the best of what I get.

Do you have boyfriend?

Yes.

Is he from the industry?

No not at all.

Image: Esha Gupta in Jannat 2

This is the first time Saif has broken away from his cool image

The three guys were dressed in drag in a few scenes.

Saif, Riteish, and Ram were more self-conscious than we were. Ram was the biggest (literally) surprise for us when we saw him in a bikini.

Poor Ram kept on taking off his wig and saying I can’t take it, it is too hot. I can’t take the make-up. If Ram told you he enjoyed the drag portion, he is lying.

Saif, on the other hand, wanted to be a big voluptuous girl, so he kept on padding up and pouting. Kareena (Kapoor) just kept laughing.

Riteish has dressed as a girl before. He wanted everything matching right from his nail paint to eye shadow. Once when he did not find the right eye shadow, he came to me and I put him on to my make-up artist. He still did not get the right shade so he shopped for it!

He did not like the clothes he was given to wear so he wore Genelia’s skirt!

We wanted to cover ourselves, but he wanted to show more mid-riff. Riteish kept on touching up his make-up

All the three men got waxed!

Plus, they kept on asking for deep necks and short costumes.

What is Saif’s character like in the film?

Saif is a really chilled out, cool guy in real life. His character in the film is very endearing.

He is a sweet guy put into an asylum where I am a doctor. They are ill people there but not because of themselves but because someone electrocutes them.

I am a fan and I have never seen him play such a character ever. And he played it so well.

He is a 10-year-old in heart and mind in this film and in love with me. The moment he sees me you can see the innocence on his face. I take care of him and I fall in love with him.

Saif always plays cool characters in his films. This is the first time he has broken away from that image.

Image: Esha Gupta

I have done holidays with my father and I have worn a bikini in front of him

You said you are very comfortable wearing a bikini…

If you are showing a beach scene, what else will you wear?

If you speak English and if you wear jeans and T-shirts it means you belong to western culture which means that if you are on a beach or in a pool you will either wear a swimsuit or a bikini.

Those days are gone when you would wear a sari and dance on the beach.

I have done holidays with my father and I have worn a bikini in front of him and thousands of people have seen me. What’s a thousand more?

So long as you look good and you are comfortable, you can wear it.

If you have it, flaunt it. More than having a bikini body, it is all about having confidence.

You can wear jeans and t-shirt and be fully covered and still look awkward because you are not comfortable in your own skin.

Image: Esha Gupta in Humshakals

Tamannaah and I are different personalities. So there is no clash ever

Are the reports of fights between you and Tamannaah and Bipasha Basu, true?

I first met Tamannaah when we were shooting the song Caller Tune. Bipasha was not shooting that day. Though I am not in the song in the film, I am in the promo of the song.

Tamannaah and I immediately became friends and started talking about dieting which she had started for this film.

I was having a slice of pizza and was telling her how I can’t diet at all. Sajid sees us having this friendly talk and tells us, “Please can you guys fight? There is no gossip at all.”

Tamannaah and I are different personalities. So there is no clash ever.

She is too girly and feminine. I am not girly at all, or feminine. I won’t be quiet or shy.

During shootings I would ask her whether she would like to go swimming and she would say do you want to do yoga and meditation?

I was okay for yoga but not for meditation.

My point is we are that different that we never really had problems with each other.

When I met Sajid and Vashu Bhagnani, Sajid told me what my role would be. He did not promise me something that wasn’t there.

He told me exactly what I would be shooting, what is my character, how much is my role and he also told me what the other girls are playing. And that is exactly what was there.

Even our characters in the film are very different, so we really never clashed. There was no competition whatsoever.

Image: Esha Gupta

During Jannat 2, I was very nervous

Before this you did Jannat 2 and Raaz 3,all the Bhatt films. Now you are working with Sajid. How different are they?

I love the Bhatts. They are like family to me. I call Mukesh sir and tell him ‘I am in this area can I come and meet you’. I go there and have lunch with them.

Mahesh sir is like a mentor. I started with him. I sit and talk to him. I have the most argumentative discussions. I like the whole family.

During Jannat 2, I was very nervous, so I just did my work. With Raaz, I got to know more and I was very comfortable.

For Humshakals, Sajid told me you have to look hot and ham throughout.

That’s all I have done. Sajid helped me a lot.

Image: Esha Gupta in Jannat 2

Just because a film has flopped doesn't mean the director is a flop

Were you anxious about working with Sajid Khan since his last film Himmatwalaflopped?

Just because a film has flopped doesn’t mean the director is a flop.

Just because a film flops, you don’t stop giving a chance to the actor or actress or music composer.

Everyone has their good days and bad days.

You can write an article tomorrow which doesn’t make sense. I can wear something really hideous one day but that doesn’t mean that designers are not going to give me outfits.

Okay, he did a bad film. At the same time he gave two big hits. They were really funny. They were mass commercial hits. That’s why I decided to do Humshakals.

Do you count Housefull and Hey Babyy among his better films?

I watch all kind of films.

When you are not from the industry, you are either a full film buff or you don’t watch films at all.

I was a complete crack case. Every Sunday my mom’s side of the family -- a group of 40 of us -- would go to the theatre to watch a film (in Delhi). There were no multiplexes only single-screen theatres.

So, I am used to watching every kind of film. I don’t rate a film and say the director is not good. I will say the film is not good.

I wouldn’t say Sajid Khan is not a good director.

My film before this was Chakravuyh. It was critically acclaimed. Whoever saw it said it was good. But it did no business at the box office. That doesn’t mean that Prakash Jha is not a good director.

Image: Esha Gupta in Humshakals

Esha Gupta: If you have it, flaunt it!

Esha Gupta claims she has become the ‘hamming’ queen after her stint in Humshakals,as director Sajid Khan asked her to overact!

The film, also starring Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Tamannaah, is a mad comedy and is up for release on June 20.

Esha, who was previously seen in the hit films Jannat 2 and Raaz 3, talks to Patcy N about her next film, her glamorous co-stars and her unabashed take on wearing bikinis.

This is your first film directed by Sajid Khan. What did you think of the experience?

Sajid is really funny. The kind of films he makes is because of the kind of person he is.

The film is slapstick comedy. Sajid is like that. Even if he is sitting at the dinner table, he will crack a joke.

I am glad that he is out of the Himmatwala phase and back to what he is really good at.

Your song Look Into My Eyes is doing well. You also did an item song in Gori Tere Pyar Main.

In Gori Tere Pyar Main I only danced to an item song but here I am acting. I have a proper role.

I am glad that I got a solo song in a multi-starrer and it’s a good song so why not do it?

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Image: Esha Gupta

Bollywood bravado, and real cinema

Last Wednesday I took a 24-hour trip to Washington, DC. The next day I was a guest on Al Jazeera’s talk show The Stream and they wanted me to be in the city the night before.

The show -- Women Through a Bollywood Lens -- also featured actress Mallika Sherawat, who appeared from a studio in Los Angeles, and journalist Anna M M Vetticad and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, both appearing via Skype from India.

I was the only in-studio guest along with the two anchors, Femi Oke, who is the main host of the show, and Malika Bilal, who follows audience comments via social media.

It was all very cordial as we discussed the basics of Bollywood cinema until the conversation shifted to item numbers. I knew that would be the controversial part of the discussion.

Both Bhandarkar and Sherawat defended Bollywood’s item numbers with a lot of passion, calling them entertainment and just song and dance. Sherawat kept asking, “What is an item number?” as if it was the first time she had heard the term.

Vetticad and I maintained that item numbers -- now almost a must in every Bollywood film -- were demeaning to women who in their skimpy clothes were almost treated like a commodity for leering men. 

While I said censorship was not the solution -- in fact, I am personally in favor of nudity of any kind, if the narrative requires it -- Vetticad and I felt that Bollywood filmmakers should look deep inside their hearts to see what kind of a message they were sending out.

It was mostly a fun conversation -- full 45-minutes of it -- with clips of many item numbers.

At one point Sherawat got really carried away when she compared her position on women’s rights to that of Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid.

I was speechless, but Oke asked her: “So now you likening yourself to Nelson Mandela?” To that Sherawat responded: “Why not? And do you know that Nelson Mandela was inspired by an Indian -- Mahatma Gandhi?"

That was too much for any of us to handle and we let it go, without getting personal.

The show ended with each of us recommending our favourite Bollywood films: Chak De India: Bhandarkar; Chandini Bar: Sherawat; Queen: Vetticad. Band Bajaa Baaraat was my choice.

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Image: Mallika Sherawat