Cool Bollywood

Bipasha Basu

It’s well known that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has no plans to cast Hurman S Baweja in the much talked about movie “Chenab Gandhi“. John Abraham has replaced Hurman Baweja in the movie that is to be directed by Vibhu Puri. But John’s girlfriend Bipasha Basu wants him out of the project.

We didn’t know Bips was this possessive about John Abraham. The actress has been coaxing John Abraham to opt out of “Chenab Gandhi” because Vidya Balan is also part of the project. Vidya Balan’s presence alongside John makes Bipasha feel very insecure.

John and Vidya were last seen together in Nikhil Advani’s flop flick, “Salaam-E-Ishq“. While they shared good on screen chemistry, their off screen chemistry was more talked about. John was also apparently seen giving Vidya Balan a bike ride at Bandstand during the shooting of the film. All this had made Bipasha quiet jealous that time and the couple even had fights over it. John for long after that never signed any film opposite Vidya and vice-versa.

Recently, Vidya Balan opted out of David Dhawan’s “Hook Ya Crook” in which John plays the lead. But now with a plum project in their laps, we think the two will settle for a compromise. Wonder how John’s ladylove feels about this.

While the film “Chenab Gandhi” was scheduled to start in April, it has now got postponed to December 2009 because of John’s delay in allotting dates. This delay from John has been on purpose because he hopes by then Bipasha would cool down. But it doesn’t seem so, as the couple has again begun to have arguments over this issue.”

Chenab is a period film that is based on life of famous freedom fighter from the North West Frontier province, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan who was also known as Chenab Gandhi. Amitabh Bachchan is playing the title role.

Aishwarya Rai

The lukewarm response to her recent Hollywood release Pink Panther-II has had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (35) conceding her position as the most popular face of Bollywood.

In the West to the new international craze 24-year-old Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), who according to reliable sources has been signed for two films — one with Woody Allen and the second with Julian Schnabel.

Freida, who is said to have earned over two million pounds, overtaking Bollywood beauties like Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif is also, according to a world film distributor, being wooed to walk the red carpet at Cannes in May 2009.

On the Bollywood front, Kareena Kapoor (28) has nudged Aishwarya Rai Bachchan out of the Filmfare Top-10 Power list.

But a producer from Chennai confirms that Ash is still the highest paid Indian heroine and has reportedly been paid a fee of Rs six crore for Shankar’s “Robot“, where she is cast opposite Rajnikant.

The actor is said to have received a cheque of Rs one crore as signing amount, that is also a first. Usually it is only the leading men who receive such a big sum as a signing amount. Reportedly, Rajnikant himself is said to come with a price tag of Rs 25 crore for the same film. He will also get a share in the profits since “Robot” will be released in Hindi and Tamil.

Also, Aishwarya has signed some more films recently with likes of Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay” wherein cast includes Akshay Kumar and Randhir Kapoor and another movie named “Ravana” wherein Aishwarya acts as Sita along with hubby Abhishek Bachchan. We’re sure, it’s just a phase and Aishwarya will soar back to top ranking with these movies.

Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif has been riding the success this year. She has not only got the cream of Bollywood projects but has also been declared as the face of the Indian Barbie. No mean achievement this.

No other Indian actress has had this honor. No wonder, Katrina, is the most talked about media icon these days. A source reveals “Barbie is coming out with a doll that exactly looks like Katrina. it is hitting the market in September. It will be an exclusive limited edition. Before this, Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor, Beyonce Knowles and Diana Ross have had limited editions Barbie dolls modeled after them. Katrina Kaif is the next to join this esteemed line up.”

Not only the industry but also kids all over are eagerly waiting for Katrina’s all new attractive Indian Barbie doll. Katrina loves kids as much as kids love her.

She recently paid a visit to the poor rag pickers of Dharavi through an NGO (ACORN FOUNDATION). “The slum kids enjoyed meeting her and they danced and sung along with her. The kids also showed her paintings and handicrafts specially made by them and Katrina couldn’t stop raving about their talent. Katrina spoke to the children at length and encouraged them to follow their dreams. Just like she has followed hers.” The source concludes.

Dreams obviously have come true for Katrina. Bollywood can’t get enough of Katrina Kaif whatsoever. She is on a roll with back to back big films releasing this year. Starting with Yashraj’s “New York” starring John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh opposite Katrina. Followed by “Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani” with Ranbir Kapoor is in the news already. Also, Prakash Jha’s forthcoming film “Rajniti” for which Katrina has mastered flawless Hindi.

Not only good films, the best of brands are also wooing Kat. “This year she has been the most favorite choice of the brands. She has been chosen as a brand ambassador of a famous jewelery brand Nakshatra and the campaign was titled Goddess of Luck. She has always topped all opinion polls and was declared as the sexiest women in India by FHM International. She was also declared as the most searched Indian Celebrity by a famous search website and search engine named “Google“. Obviously Katrina’s on a high” as quoted by an online news.

Katrina Kaif is definitely on a roll. We just hope that the success continue to be on her side for eternity.

Priyanka Chopra

It’s not even halfway down the year, but Priyanka Chopra already has reasons enough to say 2009 has been “fantastic” for her. The star has already walked away with seven awards including an international honor.

“It’s been a fantastic start to 2009. Awards mean a lot to me. After you work so hard, the award validates your work. So every award has a very special place in my heart and gives me a huge sense of achievement and encouragement,” Priyanka said.

Priyanka, who scorched the screen with distinct roles in films like ‘Fashion‘ and ‘Dostana‘, was bestowed the “Nielsen Box Office awards” for outstanding contribution to Asian cinema at the “Third Annual Asian Awards” held in Hong Kong last month.

She says the award is an encouragement for her to perform better.

“I have only been in the Indian film industry for about five years now and so it was a huge surprise and an honor to have been conferred the award. This is my first international award and is definitely an encouragement for me as an actor to perform better. It was a proud moment for me to represent India at the Asian Film Awards,” she said.

The 26-year-old actress, who won the Miss World title in 2000, also walked away with the Filmfare best actress award for her performance as a supermodel in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Fashion’.

For the same film, Priyanka also bagged the best actress award at the STAR Screen Awards, Lions Club Gold Awards as well as the Stardust Awards.

“I feel privileged to have been given the chance to essay a complex character like Meghna Mathur in ‘Fashion’ and I’m truly overwhelmed by the appreciation I have received,” she said.

“I am very grateful for the support I have received, be it from my directors and co-stars to the technicians on each film. Without them, it would not have been possible,” Priyanka added.

These apart, the now three-time Filmfare award winner also received an honour at the 10th FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Frames this year for her contribution to entertainment and was also given a best brand ambassador award at the NDTV Profit Car and Bike Awards.

And Priyanka can expect some more prizes with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards approaching soon.

Till then, she is busy working hard for her forthcoming films – Ashutosh Gowariker’s “What’s Your Raashee?” opposite Hurman S. Baweja and Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Kaminay” alongside Shahid Kapur.