Bollywood's Ugly Fights & Famous Truce Treaties

Some fights between actors and filmmakers that have made news in the recent times... Kangna Ranaut - Sanjay Dutt
A little over a month ago, Kangna Ranaut fell out of favour with Sanjay Dutt, her co-star and producer of the recently released Rascals.

According to reports, she left the dubbing mid-way due to non-payment of her pending remuneration.

However, there's more to it than meets the eye. Insiders reveal that she was not too pleased to be left out of the movie's pre-release promotional events.

Sources explain that Dutt and Devgn weren't too happy with Kangna going around claiming to be great friends with the duo.

However, some time before this, she fell out of favour with Maanayata Dutt. Though buzz is that Ameesha Patel getting closer to the Dutt family has caused Kangna's ouster.

Ajay Devgn - Anubhav Sinha
At one time, Ajay Devgn was most gung-ho about the heist thriller Cash, directed by Anubhav Sinha. However, Sinha was seeing Shilpa Shetty then and was said to be partial to her sister Shamita, who played Devgn's love interest in the movie.

Things changed when Anubhav had major differences with the film's producer, Sohail Maklai, also a good friend of Ajay. Needless to say, the actor sided with his producer buddy, for whom he agreed to do the movie.

It's another thing that the matter went to court before being resolved in time for the release. But Ajay didn't promote the film and had then stated that he'd never work with Anubhav again.

Aamir Khan-Amol Gupte
When Amol Gupte first met Aamir Khan with the script of Taare Zameen Par, the actor insisted the former direct the film.

However, after some days, when he wasn't too happy with the result, Aamir conveyed his displeasure to Gupte.

The actor-producer then maintained that he was willing to let Amol make the film with another producer, but he couldn't back it any more.

Reportedly, Gupte felt that they had invested enough work in the subject to allow someone else control it.

So, he's said to have suggested that Aamir direct it himself. While the rest is history, the friendship the two shared before embarking on the film soured.

Back then, Gupte was said to claim that Aamir gave him a raw deal. On the other hand, the actor-filmmaker maintained that he continued with Gupte as the creative supervisor of the film.

Salman Khan - Anees Bazmee
To begin with, Anees Bazmee was nowhere in the firing line of Salman Khan.

During the Bangkok outdoor of Ready, Salman had major differences with the co-producer Rajat Rawail. While the actor was firing all cylinders, Anees tried to play peacemaker and tried to stand up for Rajat.

That was enough for Salman to aim his guns at his director. Infuriated by the filmmaker's intervention and siding with his opponent, the fiery actor started showering barbs on him.

Realising that his hero was in a bad mood and unwilling to reason, the director packed his bags and returned to Mumbai.

Some famous truce treaties

Kareena Kapoor - Karan Johar
Although they claim to be like siblings, Kareena and Karan fell out over monetary issues regarding Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Kareena felt that she should be paid her market price as it was being directed by a first timer, Nikhil Advani. However, Karan felt that she was being unreasonable and replaced her with Preity Zinta.

Of course, the bhai-bahen patched up after over a year. But she's still to work under his direction again, after Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.

Kareena Kapoor - Madhur Bhandarkar
There are a couple of theories over their differences. One is that she wanted him to make some changes in her character in Heroine.

But he was unwilling to compromise. And after months of going back and forth, she opted out citing a busy date diary.

Another theory is that Bhandarkar insulted her director friend Lovely Singh's father, Amarjeet Singh, consequently infuriating Kareena enough to keep him hanging till they parted ways over Heroine.

However, less than 15 days after he started shooting the film with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, it came to be known that she was expecting.

Left with no choice, Madhur had to eat a humble pie and go back to Kareena.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

'Khan Queen' Kareena Kapoor Dumped Shahruk For Aamir Khan?

Kareena Kapoor to miss the Toronto premiere of 'RA.One' as it clashes with the shooting schedule of 'Dhuaan'

Kareena Kapoor, better known of late as the 'Khan Queen', finds herself in an awkward situation thanks to that very celebrated title.

The dates of the Toronto premiere of her RA.One with Shah Rukh Khan and the shooting schedule of Reema Katgi's Dhuaan with Aamir Khan are apparently clashing.

Not surprisingly Bebo has chosen Mr Perfectionist, the Khan she has been raving about ever since their blockbuster film 3 Idiots, over G One.

A source, however, defends her decision of choosing Aamir over SRK.

"Kareena has to take some special training for an underwater sequence in the film and she needs time for that too. So going for the premiere is out of the question."

The shoot sequence in question was supposed to be shot in the outskirts of Mumbai. It was cancelled last minute due to certain technical issues.

Now, apparently, the location for the shoot has been finally finalised. Since it's one of the last few scenes to be shot, it cannot be delayed again.

Adds the source, "Kareena is the plays the female lead and SRK obviously wants her around as much as possible. She is trying her best to attend the Dubai and London premieres because she does not want to miss the international premieres of her film."

However, she has not been able to work around her dates for the third global premiere.

"This film is obviously her biggest this year, and she definitely wants to be a part of all promotional events. It's just unfortunate that the premiere is now clashing with the shoot dates of Dhuaan."

The actress will be shooting for Dhuaan on October 26, and hence will not be part of the premiere in Toronto or any other promotional activity on that day for the Shah Rukh-starrer.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Aditya Chopra & Rani Has Adopt Katrina Kaif?

Katrina is spending a lot of time at the Yashraj Studio discussing her career with Aditya Chopra

Although Aditya Chopra is younger than Salman Khan, Katrina reverently calls him "Adi Sir". That doesn't come as a surprise as the reticent Chopra is currently advising Katrina on her career moves.

Katrina has been slated to be the leading lady of Yash Chopra's next directorial venture which will star Shah Rukh Khan, thereby bringing to fruition Katrina's dream of breaking the embargo on her pairing with SRK because of Salman having had a place in her life.

Salman's non-ambiguous declarations about his single status has liberated Katrina from the obligation of keeping up appearance of them being together.

She's now pursuing her heart unfettered, especially when it comes to her career. And, at the moment her heart is set on the film with SRK.

Not only Aditya Chopra, Yashraj's favourite leading lady Rani Mukherjee too has taken to Katrina in a big way. There's a big bonding between the two actresses, and Katrina is certainly not seen as a threat to the senior actress.

In fact, both Rani and Aditya have "adopted" Katrina. Much in the same way that Salman and his family had earlier "adopted" her.

All her waking hours are spent at Yashraj Studios where she is polishing up her clothes, lines and character-contouring for the film.

Even otherwise, Katrina these days loves spending time at Yashraj getting gyan from "Adi Sir" who is closer to her generation than "Yash Uncle" (Yash Chopra).

When asked about her proximity to Yashraj and Aditya Chopra, Katrina says, "I am very close to them. Adi Sir is someone I look up to and seek advice from.

For all my reputation of delivering hits, I'm still new to the industry and the odd one out. I don't have too many friends in Mumbai. That's why I constantly need a family member around me."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Minissha Lamba & Mukul Deora Are A Couple

A little panchi chirps in my ear that kuch kuch hota hai between Minissha Lamba and Mukul Deora.

He was the producer of her film Bheja Fry 2 and suna hai ke when she had a tiff with the director Sagar Bellary, Mukul stepped in to help her out.

Minissha Lamba and Mukul Deora at Bheja Fry 2 party

He also distributed her other film, Hum Tum Shabana.

Though both the flicks were duds, Mini is said to have managed to strike a chord with the politician Murli Deora's musician son.

Sweet no?

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

You Can't Afford Ujjwala Raut...

Ujjwala Raut has sashayed down the ramp for international luxury brands like Yves Saint-Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana and Oscar de la Renta but is hardly seen on the Indian ramp. The Indian supermodel candidly admits money is the reason.

"They (Indian modelling industry) can't afford me; that's why I am rarely seen. Also, my involvement with ad shoots and magazine covers takes maximum time," Raut told in an interview.

The leggy model shot to fame when she won Femina Look of the Year at the Miss India contest in 1996. She was just 17. The almond-eyed girl was pushed by her elder sister to join this glamorous field.

"I used to be an average looking girl; so I had never thought of modelling as a career option. It was my elder sister who inspired me to get into this field. She was completely fascinated by Madhu Sapre and instructed me to follow her and that's how my journey started," Raut recollected.

Raut has appeared on the cover of fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire and was once the face of Yves Saint Laurent. She has also walked the ramp in Milan, Paris and New York fashion weeks.

Unfortunately, India hasn't been able to produce any supermodel after the likes of Madhu Sapre, Milind Soman and Raut. And she blames Bollywood for it.

"The main reason why there is no supermodel left in the Indian modelling industry is the presence of Bollywood which has become an obvious career option for most models," she said.

"I never tried Bollywood because it requires a lot of attention and time which I won't be able to give keeping in mind my other projects. In future I will definitely think about the same but no plans as of now," she added.


Currently Raut is on the judging panel of the NDTV Good Times popular reality show 'The Hunt for the calendar girl' 2012 along with Milind Soman and Sonam Kapoor.

Raut feels the most important thing a young model should have is right focus to excel in this business.

"I do what I want to do and I just don't do anything and everything. There are girls who would often say 'You are a model, I want to be a model too!' I would tell them that modeling is not for everybody. You actually have to understand where your interest lies and what you are capable of pursuing as a profession," she said.

Raut, whose father is a cop and mother a homemaker, believes that the Indian modelling industry has increased manifold but there are miles to go before one is satisfied.

"There is no doubt that the Indian modelling industry is growing but it's still new, while in the West it is very old. In the West, there's much more competition because you are competing with girls from different parts of the world, whereas in India there are just a few girls from outside, rest all are just Indians," she said.

Aishwarya Rai's Baby Bump's Glimpse

Though Aishwarya Rai has been doing a cover up act of her baby bump by wearing loose kurtas and flowing dupattas, here's a jhalak finally of the bump.

While Ash has been playing coy about flaunting her baby belly, suna hai ki the Bachchan Seniors have made trips to various religious places and doing everything to protect their bahu from buri nazar.

A Juhu panchi chirps to say they have put up thick curtains on their windows so that no preying eyes can get any jhalak of Ash.

MEANWHILE: Her hubby Abhishek Bachchan is being told that the new arrival might just bring him luck at the box office. AB Jr is quite sporty about his duds.

He doesn't get upset when the cast and crew of Bol Bachan chide him about being jinxed at the box-office.

A camel from Jaipur tells us that Abhi laughs it off when Ajay Devgn, director Rohit Shetty and the rest of the crew jest that his baby will bring him, and in turn them also, some good luck. Chalo intezaar karo tab tak.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ex-Lovers Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif Paint Dublin Red?

It's one relationship Salman Khan seems to be handling differently. The actor has been bonding with ex-girlfriend and actress Katrina Kaif in Dublin, where he is shooting for Kabir Khan's Ek Tha Tiger.

"Katrina was apprehensive about how Salman would behave on their first film together after the break-up. He has always been unpredictable. But he's been looking after her, making sure she's comfortable. He has been protective towards Katrina, " says a source, who was in Dublin.

Far from being bitter, Khan is said to have taken his friendship with Kaif to another level. "It's obvious they are in a happy place, " says the source.

Thanks to Khan, the actress is said to have gathered an interest in checking out the Irish capital's nightlife.

"They are having a ball together, and they deserve it. It's been a stressful time for both. For Salman, on the health front, and for her, because she's been overworked. We are shooting nights here in Dublin, and that's tough on Katrina, but great for Salman. He is a 'night person', " says the source.

"When did we become enemies? Salman is and will be there for me, " said Kaif over the phone from Dublin.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Riya Sen's Item Song Turned Into An Embarrassing Publicity Gimmick

The tamasha that ensued on the sets of new director Ishraq Shah’s Ek Bura Aadmi last week could make for a great soap opera.

Apparently Riya not only refused to shoot the item song with Arunodoy Singh (who left for a month-long family event in the US) she also refused to interact with the media that was called to cover the shooting.

The traumatized director relives the Tuesday trauma.

“It was a nightmare. Riya Sen had signed on to do an item song. We had recorded a really zingy song Uchal gayee chamiya kunwaron ke beech mein. Jayesh Pradhan who has done the choreography in Aarakashan was supposed to choreograph Riya’s number. Everything was finalized, But then…. ”

Apparently Riya refused to show up for any rehearsals.

Says the director, “She claimed she was unwell and could not rehearse for the item song. Then she showed up for just one shot. I agreed since Arunodoy had to leave. But then she refused to talk to the media. I’m a new director.

This is all very new and embarrassing for me. My producer has suffered losses of at least 70-80 lakhs because of this. I don’t know how I will shoot the song now. Arunodoy is gone for a month.

When he returns he immediately starts shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine. My mentor Gulzar Saab had worked with the great Suchitra Sen. Look at what I had to go through on my birthday with her grand-daughter!”

Riya Sen, upset and ill as she is, had another story to tell.

“This is all a publicity gimmick, as far as I can see. Ishraq Shah is a new director. I helped him out by agreeing to do the song. Besides I thought the song was nice and I could use it in my shows.

According to the contract we were supposed to shoot on 4th and 5th October. He requested me to come for the shoot on the 3rd because he said Arunodoy was leaving the same night for the US. I agreed out of kindness, although I’ve been unwell. But at the shoot there was pure chaos.

There was a very strange set of media persons at the shoot whom I had never seen before. They kept coming in front of the camera while we were shooting.

The director asked me to speak to the media. I refused. Please understand I wasn’t even supposed to shoot on Monday. Is this what I get for my kindness?

Why use my name for publicity? We recently had Mr Dev Anand being quoted against me. I shot for his Chargesheet three years ago. If he had a problem with me why didn’t he speak earlier? Why at the time of release?”

Last heard Riya’s mother Moon Moon Sen was trying for a patch up between her daughter and the director of Ek Bura Aadmi.

Shahid Kapoor furious On Report Of Kissing Anushka Sharma

A report by an English daily made Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor angry, as it claimed that Shahid and actor Anushka Sharma had locked lips at a party, recently.

It was B-town hero Imran Khan's celebration party to mark the success of his recently released film 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' where it was reported that Shahid and Anushka got engaged in lip-locking, media reports said.

Reacting strongly against this report, Shahid tweeted: "Extremely distasteful story in mirror today... some journalists need to really understand where to draw the line between imagination and Reality. Sad. Unfair. Makes me angry. "

"If nothing else they need to respect the dignity of a girl !!!!!" he remarked.

"I usually don't react to any of these stories but this one was just a bit much, " the 'Jab We Met' famed actor mentioned.

Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma had worked together in the film 'Badmaash Company'.

Movie Review Of "Rascals"

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon and Arjun Rampal. Director: David Dhawan. Rating: *1/2

At some point in this pointless parody of all of David Dhawan's Tom and Jerry comedies from the past, Devgn and Dutt, playing a pair of warring, snaping, snarling, sneering con-persons, call for each other. 'Chetan? Bhagat? Chetan? Bhagat? …."

In that pause between the last blast and the next you know the script writer (Yunuz Sajawal) is thinking of how to carry the plot to the next gag.

Wish they had actually roped in author Chetan Bhagat to write some of the episodes.

We would at least be looking at more than just an endless raunchy wordy ramble into the realm of toned bikini bodies. And these include the two leading ladies Kangna Ranaut and the striking Lisa Haydon.

In fact the film looks like one long excuse to let the camera ogle at semi-nude female figures in Thailand and Bangkok. The laughter, if it was ever intended, is strictly incidental.

The gags in "Rascals" are so stale and tasteless and the situational comedy so devoid of any kind of originality or freshness, you wonder if David Dhawan just made this unfunny comedy to please his friends who play the major roles in the film.

As Chetan and Bhagat, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn get to ham to their hearts' content. Not their fault. It's the need of the hour. Make that two hours. Two long painful hours of mirthless gags and skits adding up to no sense of hilarity.

Kangna Ranaut is the funniest thing in the film. And not in any intended way.

But nothing matches up to the brazen insulting nature of the dialogues.

At one point Chetan or Bhagat (hard to say which one speaks, as they're constantly interrupting and shouting down one another) look at a dark-skinned man and comment: "How did this black gulab jamun get a white rashogolla for a daughter?"

Go get a laugh, Mr. Dhawan. The prolific and trendsetting director has clearly run out of tricks to make the Tom and Jerry act any further. And really, Anil Kapoor-Govinda in "Deewana Mastana", Salman-Govinda in "Partner" did the sniping and snarling, so much better.

The film is carpeted with dreadfully unfunny jokes that insult every community including, of course, the movie-going community which is expected to laugh at a scene where Sanjay Dutt puts on an unconscious woman's underwear on and wonders: "Why is it so much easier to take off a woman's clothes than put it on?"

Really, Mr. Sanjay Chhel, what were you thinking when you wrote such embarrassing lines taken straight from the wall of a private toilet?

Any silver linings? Yes, Arjun Rampal. He's so cool and in control, you wonder what he is doing in such an uncool rudderless comedy.

And poor Hiten Paintal. An actor with considerable comic timing, is stuck among actors who seem to be totally out of rhythm. Hiten is reduced to being Sanjay Dutt's sidekick.

Wanted urgently: A makeover for David Dhawan's brand of comedy. Seriously, this comedy is not funny.