No-whining of the Week

Love is in the air. But don’t take inspiration from the raging Raveena who did the most outrageous thing in one of the parties recently. Finding her husband Anil Thadani’s ex-wife, Natasha Sippy, trying to get cosy again with her (Natasha’s) ex-hubby, Ravs boiled over. So, she just went and poured a glass of wine she was carrying lovingly for her (Rav’s) hubby on her (Natasha’s) head instead. No whining second wife, this Ravs!

Kareena Kapoor

Bebo beware!

Kareena feeling insecure about boyfriend Shahid' Well, she’s definitely all worked up ever since Shahid’s constant costar Amrita Rao has started gushing about him. Earlier Kareena had herself stood up for Amrita as Shahid’s costar in films like Ishq Vishk, Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi and Shikhar, but now could be biting her tongue. Amrita and Shahid star together in Rajshri Production’s Vivah, and Kareena now seems more than concerned. She is said to have asked the crew of Vivah to keep vigilant eye on Amrita and what she is up to when with Shahid! See, the coolest of couples can also have sleepless insecure nights!

Rani Mukherjee

Rani’s time out

Rani Mukherjee is having a great time ever since Amitabh Bachchan fell sick. That sounds cruel, but it’s nothing like that really. We know how much they love each other. So much so that Rani has just two films in hand and both are with the Big B. And since it’ll take some time for him to recover and get back to work Rani is using the time to have fun with family and friends. She’s socialising, shopping and catching up with friends nothing of which was possible for a while. “I am absolutely free! I plan to do all those things that I could not do or had put on hold. For starters, I plan to go shopping. I haven’t shopped since a long time. I intend to catch up with friends and family. I am going to have fun.” Either way, it’s her time, definitely.

Priyanka Chopra

Is Sallu actually a god'

“The sexiest man alive,” according to Priyanka Chopra is Amitabh Bachchan, but her “angel on earth” is Salman Khan. Yes the “nightmare of the society” claims Pri Chops, is the most generous and caring person she’s ever known, to the extent that she, a strong lady herself, didn’t shy from breaking down in front of Sallu when her father was taken seriously ill. The man’s concern about her father was so genuine and how he went out of his way to spend some time with Chop’s father left her completely moved. Ask her and she’ll tell you what a gentleman Sallu is. “Salman is a thorough gentleman, a really really cool guy. He has always behaved decently with me.” Both are doing another comedy, God Tussi Great Ho, with writer-turned-director Rumi Jaffrey. And that’s exactly what’s in Priyanka’s mind ' Sallu tussi great ho.

SPOTLIGHT

John Abraham

Deepa, Water and John. And John again!

The raves and waves for Water have still to reach their optimum level. But the film’s rapturous director and mobbed leading man have decided to come together again. Deepa Mehta has decided to sign John Abraham for a key role again, in her next multi-million epic project, Komagata Maru. Reveals Deepa, “After Water, I’ve realised how professional and pleasant Indian actors can be. John’s discipline before, during and after Water is exemplary. Here was this actor from an English-speaking background who mastered the Sanskrit words in the dialogues, learnt to play the flute and to wear the dhoti and came on location in Sri Lanka fully prepared. I was totally bowled over. As the shooting progressed I realised what a fine performer John was. I think subconsciously I had made up my mind to work with John again even before Water was completed.”

John will now play a pivotal role in Deepa’s Komagata Maru. Deepa is keen to have Amitabh Bachchan in the central role. “I think it’s very important to have the cast in place. When I close my eyes I see Mr Bachchan and John in Komagata Maru.” Elaborating on the impact John has made on the director personally and on the movie-going public in Toronto after the festival, Deepa says, “His goodness of heart shows up onscreen and in his real-life conduct. You’ve no idea how much of an impact John made with his performance. He has mobs of fans of every age and gender running after him.”

Deepa regrets her first choice for the two leads in Water didn’t work out. “I sincerely wanted Kareena Kapoor for the main lead. I had seen her in Refugee and thought she was the perfect blend of beauty and talent. She’s ethereal. I though she would be perfect as Kalyani. I flew down to Mumbai and met her with her mom. Kareena seemed so excited. Then suddenly I was left with only her secretary to deal with' As for Rahul Khanna, I’m very, very fond of him. It’s a pity he couldn’t do Water. But it was all for the best. Because I can’t imagine Water without John and Lisa.” John goes into Komagata Maru as soon as Deepa finishes her script. “Right now we’re both enjoying the attention after Water.”