ishQ attracts Rakhi Sawant’s ire!

India’s mad-max music import from Canada, ishQ Bector, has a dangerous secret. Since the singer-composer loved Sherlyn Chopra’s boy-cut look in Bigg Boss last month, he decided to experiment the ‘same’ on her arch rival Rakhi Sawant, for the video of his new music album ‘Jhagde’. And a naïve Rakhi has innocently fallen for his game.

Now it wasn’t long ago that Rakhi and Sherlyn fought like wild cats, after the latter quipped, “How can people compare a Mercedes Benz with a Nano”. Rakhi didn’t take the Nano tag too kindly, and went on national television claiming that Sherlyn was “using” her name for “cheap publicity”.

When Rakhi did the ishQ Bector video of ‘Jhagde’, she least realised, the music man’s mischief would cost her a ‘copycat tag’.

ishQ tries to justify, “Though Sherlyn’s look was the seed, it’s blossomed into a lovely flower, with Rakhi surpassing expectations. The brand new Rakhi is looking hotter than ever before and Sherlyn’s no match for her.”

With Pen Audio releasing the album’s first video next week, ishQ’s dirty secret is going to be out of the bag. Tch tch!! When Rakhi comes to know of it, we can expect fireworks from the firebrands… or should we say, jordaar jhagde!

ishQ Bector to launch Rakhi Sawant’s hi-glam avatar

ishQ Bector, India’s mad-max music import from Canada, will now launch our very own Rakhi Sawant in an all-new hi-glam avatar, next week.

The title track of ishQs latest album ‘Jhagde’ to be released on Pen Audio, will witness the metamorphosis of Rakhi Sawant. “The spunky brand, known for her bold and brazen personality attracting mass appeal, will now be seen in a completely classy, upmarket trendy look and style,” informs ishQ.

Her new look comprises of boy-cut hair (ah, is Sherlyn Chopra listening!), jazzy tops right out from a Karan Johar movie and the hottest hot-pants to compliment them.

“We’re taking her cattiness to the next level,” quips ishQ. The composer, who also sings and performs for his videos (most of them having crazy shocking antics and scandalous lyrics), is best known for his hit video track “Aye Hip Hopper”, “Karle Gunaah” from the movie ‘Ugly Aur Pagli’, “You Got Me Rockin and Reeling” from ‘Billu Barber’, the title track of ‘Maan Gaye Mughall-e-Azam’ and rap-vocals for ‘Race’.

In this new video of “Jhagde”, the Sawant babe will be seen coming to blows with ishQ in a freestyle boxing match. Gosh! Who wins it and how is still a mystery. But Rakhi, full of excitement about her new chic look, laughs and hits hard, “If ishQ thinks he will get away with the ‘jhagde’, he’s sorely mistaken. Even with a hip look, I can beat the Hip Hopper black and blue in any boxing match.”

Round One begins next week.

John comes to Natasha’s rescue!

At a recent promotional event for UTV Bindass’ new reality show ‘Big Switch’, its contestants were given a task to push handcarts to a finishing line, while gen-X heartthrob John Abraham was in attendance to boost their moral and add to the glamour value.

Everything was hunky-dory and all the contestants were having fun in the frenzy, when one of them, former Miss India World Natasha Suri, was seen lagging behind with her handcart, as she was wearing high heels. Little did she realise, she had a gentleman marking her plight.

Within seconds, John jumped into the fray and joined Natasha in her task, as if like a knight in shining armour. While her co-contestants couldn’t help but stare almost in jealousy, winning and losing hardly mattered to Natasha after that. No wonder, this Barbie doll of fashion now wants to be “the female John Abraham – hot and sexy, but with a heart”.

Zeenat all praises for Nikita

Ask any pretty lady and she’ll tell you that it is not so much about getting compliments, as much as it is about who one gets complimented by. In this case, Nikita Anand has struck gold, with no less a diva than Zeenat Aman herself complimenting Anand on her looks.

According to Zeenat, who stars alongside the newbie in Nileish Malhotra’s ‘Monopoly’, Nikita looks ravishing without make-up. In fact, Zeenat, who is an iconic beauty herself, says that she now sees a different side of Nikita when she performs, having seen her natural beauty. Zeenat has even vowed that if she ever makes a film, she shall cast Nikita and give her a no-makeup look.

Nikita, of course, is thrilled by the diva’s appreciation. The two have much in common, both having been former beauty queens who stepped into movies. What’s more! It seems, the two also share an appetite for a super-healthy lifestyle. Says Nikita, “Zeenatji told me that she identifies a lot with my diet and my lifestyle. I’m a confessed health freak, and I don’t miss a single day of gym and my workouts. I feel uneasy if I ever have to skip it. It’s a part of my day-to-day activity and I totally worship my body. Now, to learn that Zeenatji was also like this in her heydays as the industry’s leading diva, makes me feel like I’m on the right path with my regimen.”

Now, with the compliments flowing between the two divas, we can’t help, but see the similarities.

Sujit Kumar celebrates his 75th birthday with best friends

Together forever, never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart; that is a maxim which best friends Jeetendra and Rakesh Roshan seem to be living by. And this was evident a few days ago during the birthday celebrations of their other best friend, veteran actor and filmmaker Sujit Kumar.

Kumar, who has produced big-budget Bollywood films like ‘Champion’, ‘Aetbaar’ and ‘Khel’ has also acted in hundreds of Hindi films and been a superstar in Bhojpuri cinema. He celebrated his 75th birthday at a surprise party that his friends threw for him recently. The occasion, complete with all their friends, including producer Saawan Kumar Tak, was celebrated at a suburban restaurant and even had Kumar’s favourite pineapple cake.

Speaking about the day, the maker says, "It was a splendid way to bring in my birthday. There is nothing more I could have asked for, than to go over the good old days with my friends." He adds with a laugh, though, "But this doesn't mean I'm old. There's still a whole new innings for me to play."

The trio, Jeetendra, Rakesh and Sujit, who practically grew up together, have been pals for ages and catch up with each other regularly, still exercising together at a common gym at times. Now, if that isn't friendship, what is!

Govinda ga-ga over Amrita

With the success of ‘Life Partner’, the new pairing of Govinda and Amrita Rao seems to have clicked with the audiences. In fact, audiences have called the pair the highlight of the film and are looking forward to seeing the two together in more films. But if there’s one new fan Amrita Rao can definitely lay claim to, it is her co-star. Ever since the movie released, Govinda can’t stop raving about the lass.

“She was a pleasure, and a splendid person to work to with. She is hard-working, dedicated, talented and on top of it all, absolutely professional. She is a truly gifted actor. With values like that, Amrita is definitely going to go places in the industry,” gushes Govinda, who is now looking forward to working alongside Amrita in his other movies too.

With their dazzle spilling over the silver screen, let’s hope we get to see them together more often.

Narmmadaa’s the latest fitness freak!

It seems the fitness bug doesn’t spare anyone. Even though she’s already quite slim and svelte, Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa Ahuja is the latest debutante to jump onto the treadmill. The bodacious beauty, who is getting ready to announce her debut film, has been exercising religiously over the past weeks, led by her personal trainer, Viraj Samalkar. And the results seem to be showing.

Not that she needed to, but Narmmadaa has already lost around four to five kilos of weight under Samalkar’s guidance. Viraj has put her on a strict regimen of dieting and exercise.

“I’m very particular about working out and sometimes even manage to workout at the break of dawn.” Though the newbie says, she prefers exercising “on warm summer mornings, rather than these dull rainy ones”. While she has her mind set on her health, Samalkar makes her do thirty crunches every alternate day that in her own words, are “the most tedious part of the regimen.”

But if there is one thing that Narmmadaa has no complaints about, it’s her diet. A mix of carbohydrates and proteins, along with lots of vegetable juices and chicken, she simply loves binging out on it, while still maintaining her 25 inch waist. “The diet has left my hair and skin glowing gorgeously,” she says with a smile.

Article in Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age

To see the article, click on the link below it.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sunday-debate/all-fair-showbiz-399

Govinda ala re!

He was in the wilderness for a while. But with the success of ‘Life Partner’, the original darling of the B’town box-office, Govinda, seems to be back in full form and for good.

‘Life Partner’ has clicked with audiences and the Govinda-magic seems to be working all over again. For one, how could a film released on the holy day of ‘Janmashthami’ or ‘Govinda’, as it is called, not be a hit for the actor, who takes his name from it?

The film, which sees him paired up with the beauteous Amrita Rao, features the actor in the quirkiest role of them all, as a marriage-averse divorce lawyer. But the audiences have just lapped it up, even braving through the Swine Flu epidemic, to get their dose of Govinda, both inside and outside the theatres.

While his last big success was the similarly titled ‘Partner’, ‘Life Partner’ shares no connection with the earlier movie, apart from Govinda as the common factor. While ‘Partner’ saw him share screen space with Salman Khan, ‘Life Partner’ stars Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor, Genelia D’Souza and Prachi Desai alongside Govinda and Amrita Rao and has been directed by Rumy Jaffrey, with Abbas-Mustan as producers.

Now one wonders, if the ‘Partner’ tag is a lucky gem for Govinda and whether we ought to expect more such titles in the future.

However, the most interesting aspect of it all is the fact that originally, Govinda was just meant to appear in a cameo role in the film. But with him working his magic, the makers realized that ‘Life Partner’ needed to have him in a longer track and kept extending the role, till it eventually turned into a starring role.

With the actor in such fine form, it truly seems like his golden days are back. For once again, Govinda ala re!

Click on link:

Can Shah Rukh Khan save America?

Is US less sensitive than UK?

When Shilpa Shetty faced racial discrimination, the whole of UK rallied behind her. I was her publicist then and was overwhelmed with UK journalists calling me in Mumbai just to ascertain facts, while Shilpa faced Jade Goody’s onslaughts in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

But when Shah Rukh Khan has alleged community discrimination at a US airport, even many Indians are calling it a ‘publicity stunt’ for the promotion of Karan Johar’s ‘My Name Is Khan’. Not fair. Would King Khan need a publicist to get things moving in his favour and make people understand that this is not a stunt ? Or is US less sensitive than UK?

Though it’s doubtful, even if this is a stunt, it at least exposes the continuous discrimination towards Muslims in America and gives hope to so many seeking a life of respect. If you still want to call it a stunt, then call it a stunt with a cause!

-Dale Bhagwagar

Click on link:

Shah Rukh Khan does not need gimmicks!

Zulfi designing for Roy, Raina and Dhoni

While various industries are hit by a downturn, Zulfi Syed’s clothing business is booming. His fashion boutique ‘Flo’ at Oshiwara, is now designing custom made suits for Sahara supremo Subroto Roy and beach wear for cricketers Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina.

So happy are the two cricketers with Zulfi’s designer wear that they’ve been inviting him and his friends to every match they play.

The actor might not have won the ‘Bigg Boss’ reality show some time ago, but in his real life, he is sure hitting a sixer.

Gayatri remembers Jackson’s moonwalk

Bollywood’s new dancing sensation Gayatri Patel made her debut in ‘Lets Dance’ last week, gaining widespread acclaim for her twinkle toes and polished performance.

The US-born-and-bred girl had been following Michael Jackson’s moonwalk since childhood and was shocked at his demise. “When someone called me at 4am this morning to tell me about it, for some time I just couldn’t understand what the person was talking about. It was unbelievable. It took me a while to gather myself and realise that the King of Pop was no more!”

“This is heart-breaking and a loss to performers worldwide. I was so excited to hear about his upcoming tour and now we'll never get to see the legend sliding across the stage doing his classic moonwalk. In fact, there was a rumour that he'd invented a new moonwalk for the upcoming shows. Michael may not perform every again, but his music, style and legacy will live on.”

My little Tribute to Michael Jackson

Hi friends,

I made a few Wallpapers as my little Tribute to Michael Jackson.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026879&id=1099915545

Hope you like them.

Regards,

Dale

‘Gayatri Patel is the best dancer since Madhuri Dixit’

Some films take a roaring start with awesome initials and some grow on the audiences and get better known with word-of-mouth publicity. ‘Let’s Dance’ falls into the second category.

Continuing its streak of good reviews, the film has now received glowing comments from the popular US-based magazine, India West. In his review, film critic Rajiv Vijayakar calls ‘Let’s Dance’ “a crisper, far smaller but emotionally gripping and superior product to ‘Aaja Nachle’, which had a similar theme.”

He points out that the film “is marked by decent music, some fabulous choreography and dances by debutant Gayatri Patel and overall good performances from the entire cast.” “Technically upbeat, the film also has a sweet message… It might do decent business, as it deserves to,” Vijayakar adds.

The reviewer further praises the lead actress, stating, “Gayatri Patel is the best dancer we have seen since Madhuri Dixit, and that’s no exaggeration despite her humble status today. Her climactic Bharatanatyam dance is the highlight. As actors, she and her twin leading men Ajay Chaudhary and Aqib Afzaal act well… Among the kids, child actor Aabhaas Yadav dances like a dream and plays to the gallery, and yet it is diminutive Nikuunj Padaya as Ali who stands out as an endearing presence.”

Giving the film three-and-a-half stars in his review, Vijayakar prompts his readers to go watch it, terming it “heart-warming”. In his conclusive lines, he states, “content-wise, ‘Let’s Dance’ is a welcome first shower after a long spell of qualitative dry fare.”

That’s quite some praise for a film with modest beginnings.

‘Let’s Dance’ compared to ‘Jaane Tu…’, ‘Slumdog…' and ‘Rock On’

After a slow start, petite debutante Gayatri Patel’s film ‘Let’s Dance’ has picked pace, mostly with good reviews and strong word-of-mouth publicity.

‘Let’s Dance’ has “the understated romance of ‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’, the fleeting emotions of ‘Slumdog Millionaire and the mood of ‘Rock On’,” states film reviewer Martin D’Souza in Glamsham.com. The film is gathering appreciation with kids and dance fans and has got the newbie Gayatri some rave reviews for her dancing abilities.

“Gayatri is a fine actress and her dancing skills catch your attention,” says film critic Taran Adarsh in his review of the film. Rajshri.com describes the film as the “first monsoon drizzle after a terrible dry spell of movies.” The Times of India reviewer Nikhat Kazmi says, “The film is actually sweet and sensitive and gently tugs at your heart with the recognisable stories of the dreamers who make up the fabric of Mumbai.”

Surprisingly, even a hardcore tabloid like Mumbai Mirror has some good words for Gayatri. In her film review here, Meena Iyer writes, “The dusky, petite girl, with her curly hair and chocolate complexion, has twinkle toes.” She adds, “Gayatri Patel is to dance what Ashwini Nachappa was to running.” That’s some compliment.

While another reviewer Udita Jhunjhunwala mentions that the actress “makes an assured debut,” Piroj Wadia in her review in Free Press Journal says, ‘Let’s Dance’ is “a fresh-looking, commendable first film.” Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express feels the film has some “spirited climactic song-and-dance” and Gaurav Malani of IndiaTimes.com calls Gayatri “a flexibly fabulous dancer and a confident actress.”

Janhvi Patel of Hill Road Media finds Gayatri “a joy to watch” while the SmashHits.com film review reiterates that she’s “an excellent dancer” and “the USP of the movie.” In its review, the IANS news agency says, Gayatri “lights up the screen every time the music plays and one is hooked on to her dancing steps that are quite fresh and extremely engaging. Also, she is not just a dancer because even as an actor she makes a good debut.”

With so much praise flowing in, the spirited girl is thrilled to bits. “I am overjoyed to get so much love from the industry and public alike,” she says and adds, “I aim to do many more movies and grow with them. Hope the success of ‘Let’s Dance’ helps me further my little dream.”

‘Shiney is innocent until proven guilty’

Shiney Ahuja has been embroiled in a rape case and is awaiting medical tests. An 18-year old maid servant has made the charges, which landed the Bollywood actor in the custody of the Oshiwara Police Station in Mumbai this week.

“I have handled the publicity for Shiney a year ago and was also one of the first to reach the Oshiwara Police Station last evening (June 14), to try and help him.

When I received the news that Shiney was in trouble, I cancelled all my appointments for the evening and rushed to the Police Station. On my way, I called my advocate friend Mr Rizwan Siddiquee who has also worked with Shiney earlier and apprised him of the situation.

The advocate joined me there within minutes and we discussed a couple of points and met some police personnel. Though the cops had taken Shiney in for questioning, we did the best we could to help. After this, I headed to Shiney’s residence but discovered that his family was out of town.

From last evening, there has been widespread media reaction and speculation about him. I understand that television is much about sensationalism, but at the same time, I feel that the channels need to restrain themselves a bit in such matters, before jumping to conclusions or tarnishing Shiney’s image. Our constitution says, a man is innocent until proven guilty. I guess, we just need to give this a little more time, until there is clarity about what really happened.

I’ve known Shiney for almost four years now. He is a good human being and I will do all that is possible to help him.”

-Dale Bhagwagar

Ex-publicist to Shiney

Gayatri is the dancing diva of GenX, says Malaika

When the gorgeous Malaika Arora graced the ‘Let’s Dance’ music release with her friend and the film’s co-star Aqib Afzaal at JW Marriott this week, she might not have expected much of the event. But after she saw the film’s heroine Gayatri Patel give a scintillating live dance performance, she was spellbound. When she came up on stage to release the music, Malaika was all praise for Gayatri and even went on to state, “she’s the dancing diva of GenX”.

These complementary words from the ‘dancing diva’ were the most mellifluous for newcomer Gayatri, who has earlier been termed a ‘dancing tornado’ by her National Award-winning director Aarif Sheikh.

Prefixes apart, the music launch saw Smilie Suri, Shaad Randhawa, director Manish Gupta and singing star Himesh Reshammiya gracing the occasion, as Siddharth Kanan anchored the event with wittiness personified (he had the audience in splits with his wise cracks).

The other cast and crew of the film including Ajay Chaudhary, Sugandha Garg, Asif Basra, Abhaas Yadav, Nikuunj Padaya, Paras Arora and Anjan Srivastav was also present.

Having music by Vipin Mishra and another National Award winner Tarali Sharma, her movie’s songs have been choreographed by none other than Longinus Fernandes (of “Jai Ho”-‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and “Pappu Can’t Dance Saala”-‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’ fame), Rajiv Goswami (of ‘Veer-Zaara’ and ‘Dhoom’ fame), Pappu-Malu (of ‘Saawariya’ fame) and the evergreen Saroj Khan.

The US-born-and-bred Gayatri, has done jazz, hip-hop, filmy, Kathak and Natwari dancing in the film. She plays a simple but determined dance teacher, who on her path to fame, changes course, to motivate a group of underprivileged kids. Gayatri is trained in Kathak and is also a pro at Yoga. A lethal combination this, it helps her attempt the most daring dance steps, breath-taking whirls and swirls and some awesome splits.

Produced by Dr Arvind Patel, Let’s Dance is all set to hit the cinema halls on June 19. So put on your dancing shoes and get set for the fun. And don’t be surprised if Malaika joins in!

CBI lands up at Shama’s residence

It sounded like a plot out of a typical Bollywood potboiler… but with a diference. The difference being, it turned out to be a damp squib.

 

Apparently, the CBI landed up at actress Shama Sikander’s residence some time ago, inquiring about her car and claiming it to be a stolen one. When Shama heard their allegations, she threw a fit.

 

“The claims were not only false but frivolous,” she says raising her eyebrows. She guesses that “someone might have put in a fake complaint” which would have led to the sleuths landing up at her place.

 

But the bold and gritty girl is not the kind who can be shaken so easily. It is learnt that Shama gave the cop team a piece of her mind, after which they apologised for the goof-up and left.

 

After winning accolades for her participation in the popular dance reality-show ‘Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena’ on Colors last year, Shama is doing a film with Rohit Roy Productions. She has also signed two other feature films to be made by the renowned short film writer-director Kamlesh Kunti.