Thursday, 28 February 2013

Zila Ghaziabad a hit in the Delhi-UP belt

by lipika varma

Published: Thu, Feb 28, 2013
AVS Newsroom
Posted by: AVS Newsroom



Zila Ghaziabad a hit in the Delhi-UP belt 
This rarely happens, but reports have it that the number of shows for ‘Zila Ghaziabad’ in the Delhi-UP belt has increased on public demand. Not just has the film fetched a lot of money over its first weekend, but the shows for the Sanjay Dutt-starrer have increased from six to ten. However, director Anand Kumar is unhappy that certain sections of the media are comparing the film to ‘Kai Po Che’ and not even revealing its true box office collections. Showbiz distributor Imran Galani says, “‘Zila Ghaziabad’ has also made good collections in Qatar, Dubai, Malaysia and even London. We are happy with the response and the collections we are getting.”
- See more at: http://news.avstv.com/2013/02/28/zila-ghaziabad-a-hit-in-the-delhi-up-belt/#sthash.fuQnYJka.dpuf

Kangna’s starving moments

by lipika varma

Published: Thu, Feb 28, 2013
AVS Newsroom
Posted by: AVS Newsroom



Kangna’s starving moments 
Working with the Deols is an interesting prospect. Not only for the respect they bring to a project, but also the food they get delivered on the sets. However, Kangna Ranaut who shares screen space with Sunny Deol in her next venture, ‘I Love New Year’, seems to have been deprived of the Punjabi ‘khan’. “I had heard stories about the Deols and the delicious dishes they serve on the sets. But I was kept totally starving. No food was served to me at all, and hence I have turned skinny,” says Kangy. She doesn’t reveal why though. Perhaps so she didn’t put on weight?
- See more at: http://news.avstv.com/2013/02/28/kangnas-starving-moments/#sthash.KNxrPiRx.dpuf

Monday, 25 February 2013

Sonakshi’s ’special song’ for Sajid Khan

by lipika varma

Published: Mon, Feb 25, 2013
AVS Newsroom
Posted by: AVS Newsroom



Sonakshi’s ’special song’ for Sajid Khan
Item numbers have become passe, top-billed actresses now perform ’special songs’ for films. Or at least Sonakshi Sinha does. Sonakshi who features in a song in Sajid Khan’s latest venture ‘Himmatwala’ has apparently sizzled in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’. “This cannot be referred to as an item number. Dancing comes to Sonakshi very easily and she has given a wonderful performance,” says Sajid. He adds, “The first look has been inspired by Parveen Babi’s look in the film ‘Shaan’ and the second look is close to Sridevi’s in ‘Chaalbaaz’.” For those who were wondering, he adds, “Let me clarify once again that my film ‘Himmatwala’ has nothing to do with the story of the yesteryear ‘Himmatwala’. It is a different film altogether.”

I don’t think that I’m hot: Alia

movv2.jpg
Her petite stature and trendy style may have made Alia Bhatt among the hottest young newcomers in Bollywood today, but the Student of the Year actress is quick to shun the “hot” tag. “I don’t believe that I’m hot, I feel I look very simple,” smiles Alia.
As for the sartorial statements she makes, Alia says she relies on mom Soni Razdan’s opinions. “My mom is really good at advising me about what to wear, how to enact certain scenes. But if I had to take any lessons in how to move ahead in the film industry, then I would speak to my dad (Mahesh Bhatt) about it,” says Alia.
And is a movie with cousin Vishesh Bhatt in the offing? “I would love to work with Vishesh,” Alia chirps. “Even if it is a remake of Raaz. Vishesh has always protected me.”

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

I’m lucky enough to get a good role
Prachi Desai in conversation with Lipika Varma about her choices in Bollywood and much more.
Prachi Desai may have played different roles. At an early age she started playing matured roles. Films like ‘Rock On’ may have brought her recognition but she seems like better the character she plays in ‘I, Me Aur Main’. “I surely find myself in this character.
I pay the character of a make-up artist. Playing a hair stylist I tried to pick up mannerisms from my hair stylist. I have played a subtle and mature character, which showed me older than I was. However, this character is really very close to me heart as I identify with it. I play bubbly, vivacious, coloruful person. While, I played the conservative character in ‘Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai’ and in ‘Bol Bachchan’, I played a hard nut to crack kind of a character. But what makes me happy is that when people walk out of the theatre they remember my role. Hoarding all the appreciation’s definitely puts me on the seventh heaven. Belonging from outside the industry and having achieved so much makes me happy.”
Prachi has learnt her lessons. “I am lucky to have got good roles. I am thankful to the television industry for the popularity I garnered and this helped me carve a niche for myself on the silver screen. I have benefited through the small screen but one thing is clear, talent and luck goes hand in hand. Having gotten work in big banners brings is an assurance but yet the fact remains that every Friday the destiny of the people belonging to the film fraternity is on the line. Having stepped into an industry where no one was known to me I took baby steps by choosing films on my own. I always cared for the production house I would work for not forgetting the actors involved in the film. Belonging to a diverse culture initially I think was able to take the right decision and hence I have been able to be where I am at the moment.”
Coming to her character in her latest she says, “I don different looks in this film. I learnt from certain college girls and hair stylists as to how they wear anklets, looking shabby with hair is the fashion in, elephant earrings’ and with messy hair with purple streaks etc has been tried by me to bring this character alive. Experimenting designer wear and bringing in a realistic feel made me adore this character to the fullest.”
Prachi had to follow a different fitness mantra for this character. “I had to go regularly to the gym and make some muscles. I can’t compare to John Abraham, but I had to concentrate on high protein diet, avoid pulses etc. As actors we have to follow different fitness regime in order to put on or lose weight for the characters we play. But the moment I finish with all that I surely eat a lot of desserts and chocolates.”
Talking about going into a shell she says, “I am a mood driven person. At times when I get into a little bit of depression I like to go into my shell. For days in and days out I do not like to come out of my room. When I feel a little relaxed I love to watch English shows on television, this gives me a relaxed state of mind.”
Prachi is still in awe of television. “I am grateful to get the opportunity to be able to showcase my talent on small box. Television has surely mad me a house hold name. This medium is indeed very large. Given a chance to do any good show I will definitely like to be a part of it. Celluloid and television have their own benefits the span of longevity on the idiot box is great similarly with every film people remember and forget the actors. On the whole the span of being in the mind of the audiences’ fades in and comes in pertaining to the body of work we do. Growth on both the mediums varies.”
Prachi is also looking forward to working in ’1920 Part 3′. “I play the Princess in the film. I am surely in awe of the character which is fabulous.”
 

‘I want a man who will look after me’

Feb 19, 2013 - Lipika Varma |

·         Age Correspondent

·         At 24, Prachi Desai has already done some serious roles in films like Rock On and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. But her character in the John Abraham-starrer I Me Aur Main is the closest to her heart.
“Yes! I identify with the character. I have earlier played mature characters that portrayed me as an older woman, but this one is different. I play a vivacious and vibrant hairstylist,” she says. Prachi admits that she has had it easy. “I am lucky as I started getting good roles since my entry in television. I am thankful to the television industry for my initial popularity, which became a stepping-stone for the big screen. But I believe that talent and luck go hand in hand,” she adds.
Coming back to her character in I Me Aur Main she says, “I don different looks in this film. As research, I observed college girls and hair stylists and experimented with anklets, shabby-looking hair with purple streaks, etc.” The actor who loves watching English shows on television to relax is also looking forward to working in 1920, part 3. “I play a princess in the film. It is a fabulous character.”
Having been single-handedly brought up by her mother, Prachi has a lot to thank her mom for. “I got maximum support from my mother. Although she wanted me to study, she did not stop me when I told her that I wanted to pursue acting as a career.”
About getting hitched, the star smiles and says that she is still single. “But yes! I want a man who will look after me, who will know how to control me and take all the right decisions.”

‘I want a man who will look after me’: Prachi


DC | Lipika Varma | 23 hours 11 min ago
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·         Send by emailAt 24, Prachi Desai has already done some serious roles in films like Rock On and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. But her character in the John Abraham-starrer I Me Aur Main is the closest to her heart.
“Yes! I identify with the character. I have earlier played mature characters that portrayed me as an older woman, but this one is different. I play a vivacious and vibrant hairstylist,” she says. Prachi admits that she has had it easy. “I am lucky as I started getting good roles since my entry in television. I am thankful to the television industry for my initial popularity, which became a stepping-stone for the big screen. But I believe that talent and luck go hand-in-hand,” she adds.
Coming back to her character in I Me Aur Main she says, “I don different looks in this film. As for research, I observed college girls and hair stylists and experimented with anklets, shabby-looking hair with purple streaks, etc.” The actor who loves watching English shows on television to relax is also looking forward to working in 1920, part 3. “I play a princess in the film. It is a fabulous character.”
Having been single-handedly brought up by her mother, Prachi has a lot to thank her mom for. “I got maximum support from my mother. Although she wanted me to study, she did not stop me when I told her that I wanted to pursue acting as a career.”
About getting hitched, the star smiles and says that she is still single. “But yes! I want a man who will look after me, who will know how to control me and take all the right decisions.”



Prachi Desai, excited about her new look

Feb 19 ,2013 12:13 PM





Prachi Desai could be just 24, but the actress played some rewarding roles in the films like 'Rock On', 'Once Upon a time in Mumbai'... right from her start of the career as a lead lady in a popular daily soap, Prachi has always been lucky to get some rewards for her roles. The actress admits this and says, 'I was always lucky enough to get the roles that had a lot of scope for me to perform. In fact, the Television platform has helped me to make it easy to get into films. But there is a lot of hard work followed by luck in all these years of my career. And now, I am playing the lead in John Abraham's 'I, Me aur Mein'. I can relate very much to this role. I play a happening hair stylist in the film. I have observed the trendy hair styles of college going girls and experimented a lot with my look. You can see me in different get ups in this film', said the actress.

Prachi has always been choosy when it comes to her roles and this made her earn special recognition even though she is not too many films old.

 

Sunday, 17 February 2013

vikram/fpj/lipika varma


Home » Glam February 17, 2013 12:49:01 AM | By Lipika Varma
A film is a film
David’s Vikram talks to Lipika Varma about Tollywood and Bollywood.
http://freepressjournal.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/VIKRAM.jpgVikram is a big name in Tollywood. Having worked in ‘Raavan’ with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan he says, “I did exchange a few
words with Ash during the making, but I am friendlier with Abhishek.”
He adds, “Abhishek had once attended a press meet in Chennai and had praised my work a lot. I met him then. We became good friends. While in Mumbai if I do get some time, we meet a couple of times. He is a very chilled out person and refreshes me with interesting jokes. At times he does send me SMSes too.”
On his Goan character in ‘David’, he says, “I am happy for the good response the film and my character received. My friends told me about the praises they heard for me as they left the theatre. The shots that highlight my drunken state, drinking from two bottles simultaneously, were director Bejoy
Nambiar’s idea.”
He add, “I got six offers within 24 hours of the release of film. I chose the film only because the content, as well as my character, was something different. Earlier, I would do just one film a year but now I choose to do two films in a year. But then these films definitely need to inspire me.”
Coming back to the offers he has got he says, “I “will not disclose the names. But yes, the offers poured in and they are from writers and directors. I have not read the scripts. You never know, I may go for all six of them provided the script ignites the inspiration that moves me to do characters with a difference.”
He doesn’t agree that his David was typical of all other Goan characters on screen. “In fact, the typical action that I have performed under the Bejoy’s guidance represents the character emphatically and also makes him likeable. The critics too have liked it though. Yes! I did go on excursion tours while studying in Std VIII and I liked the scenic locales of Goa. The photography that captured in black-white moods is brilliant. I do feel jealous of Neil at times… he has been captured meticulously in black and white.”
Talking about Tabu he says, “Tabu is an intelligent actor and sharing screen space with her enabled us to bring in our desired output. We would love to make
spontaneous changes and she would come up with wonderful inputs bringing in more life to our scene.” Explaining through an example, he says, “For instance, eating during dialogues added some flavour to the tone and more.”
For now he just has one Tollywood film on hand. “The film ‘I’ is being directed by Shankar and is a multilingual movie. I can not divulge more about the film.”
On Tollywood actors doing more Bollywood films he says, “If girls like to do Hindi films, they decide to settle down here. I think a film is a film. The business is always the same. Hindi films do have a wider audience. Movie making is a sensitive profession if one decides to do films in different languages, he needs to identify with the language. A Hindi filmmaker will have to get the right psyche of the Southern bhasha and the audiences and vice-versa. All in all, people involved in this profession have to work hard to attain success”
Vikram seems to be happy as he is getting constant proposals for marriage from women. “I would love to get married, not to one but all those who have proposed to me.” He adds cautiously, “Hey. I’m joking though. I follow the mantra live for today…there’s no tomorrow.”

chitrangada/dc/lipika varma


‘Was out of sight, out of mind’

Fitness MantraMy fitness regime is very simple. I work out in the gym four days a week, practise kickboxing and walk on the treadmill. Yes, I do watch my eating habits, but never endorse crash diets or strict eating timetables. Besides, I drink a lot of water and karela juice. Every once in a while, I also take to liquid diets that consist of healthy fruit and vegetable juices.
Style statementI love wearing vintage clothes that lend a sleek, structured look — especially belonging to the 60s and 70s era. My wardrobe has about twenty or more white shirts — all in different styles and cuts. My all-time favourite look is a simple white shirt teamed with blue jeans. I have a fetish for shoes too.
Only RegretI regret going into a shell after my very first film. Out of sight led to being out of mind for the audience and most filmmakers. Stardom is very short-lived and changes every Friday. I was away from films for almost four years and learnt it the hard way. However, I am enjoying my second stint at Bollywood and realise that it takes a lot of time and dedication to maintain one’s star status and position in the industry. It means a lot of hard work and very less family time. But I am a little more prepared for it this time around.
Working with John AbrahamI’ve worked with John earlier in Desi Boyz. I, Me Aur Main is my second film with him. He is a simple Parsi boy. Working with him was very comfortable, almost like a picnic of sorts!
Life philosophyI prioritise my needs. Life is full of challenges and if you face it head on, you are sure to be successful.

bips.24*7/lipika varma


Bipasha Basu wants kids, when is the marriage?

'I love kids. Preferably a girl child. I feel we can dress them up so beautifully'

Bipasha Basu is back to the horror genre with ‘Atma’. She says, “I use my intuition and have always depended on my gut feelings. I have always been comfortable and also never fallen flat. My gut feelings have definitely helped me not only chose films rightly but move ahead in life. So, be it good film or a bad film it has solely been my decision.”

She adds that she likes to portray roles which her womanhood as understandable. “It could be a romantic love story. I have loved doing films that portray me as a human being and not merely as an accessory.”

Being in filmmaking, her professional advice to all is, “I like everyone to do their job perfectly. I always expect everyone to be involved on the sets and give it their best. I am very disciplined and hence like others to be disciplined as well. Not that I’m a Hitler,” she smiles.

Bipasha talks about trust issues. “Yes! I’m an open person and I do not easily trust or wrongly like to trust anyone.” However, she says she is a positive person. “I do not like to empower any negative energy around me. I like to get over any spooky things around.”

She says she believes in God. “I feel I am blessed child of the god and hence have reached to this heights being from nowhere.”

Bips agrees that she is a trend-setter. “I am horror trend-setter. So what if I am the ‘Face of Fear’. I know how to tackle it unquestionably. I deem to do entertaining films, whether it’s comedy, romantic or horror. So long as my role is strong and the story intriguing, I say yes to the film.”

Bips says she loves kids. “I told Suparn to name this little kid in the film after my niece, so that I have that bonding with her. Nia is a wonderful kid who enacts superbly.”

Talking about her childhood days she says, “I have two siblings and we share a wonderful relationship with each other.” She says she doesn’t miss having brothers. “I have many cousin brothers. Whenever, we are together we enjoy a lot. Also my filmy brothers are Rocky Soham and Sikander. I remember once I wrote something for Soham on Rakhi day and stuck his pix on Facebook and Sikander rang me up and told me ‘It’s great you did not make me your Rakhi brother. Mein itna gadha nahi hun ki tumhara bhai banu!’.”
She says in her school days boys refused to be her rakhi brothers. “They would bluntly say ‘we would not like to be your brother’.”

She adds, “Let marriage happen. But yeah, I love kids. Preferably a girl child. I feel we can dress them up so beautifully. I will undoubtedly be a fabulous mom. Once a woman becomes a mother everything else vanished and she gets thoroughly involved with the caring and sharing with the new born. I always take up for woman.
"Women always like to multitask on one hand if they work at home they prove to be the best mom and the best wives. Also in offices they like to finish their duties to their utmost leaving no room for their boss to scold them. Women are inspirations to me. If a woman compliments for my work I feel very happy. I feel that compliment is the truest. I love to bottle up their compliments which makes my job valuable.”

Saturday, 16 February 2013


‘Was out of sight, out of mind’
Feb 16, 2013 - Lipika Varma |
·         Age Correspondent
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Fitness Mantra
My fitness regime is very simple. I work out in the gym four days a week, practise kickboxing and walk on the treadmill. Yes, I do watch my eating habits, but never endorse crash diets or strict eating timetables. Besides, I drink a lot of water and karela juice. Every once in a while, I also take to liquid diets that consist of healthy fruit and vegetable juices.
Style statement
I love wearing vintage clothes that lend a sleek, structured look — especially belonging to the 60s and 70s era. My wardrobe has about twenty or more white shirts — all in different styles and cuts. My all-time favourite look is a simple white shirt teamed with blue jeans. I have a fetish for shoes too.
Only Regret
I regret going into a shell after my very first film. Out of sight led to being out of mind for the audience and most filmmakers. Stardom is very short-lived and changes every Friday. I was away from films for almost four years and learnt it the hard way. However, I am enjoying my second stint at Bollywood and realise that it takes a lot of time and dedication to maintain one’s star status and position in the industry. It means a lot of hard work and very less family time. But I am a little more prepared for it this time around.
Working with John Abraham
I’ve worked with John earlier in Desi Boyz. I, Me Aur Main is my second film with him. He is a simple Parsi boy. Working with him was very comfortable, almost like a picnic of sorts!
Life philosophy
I prioritise my needs. Life is full of challenges and if you face it head on, you are sure to be successful.

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Love Is In The Air


Published: Thu, Feb 14, 2013
AVS Newsroom
Posted by: AVS Newsroom



Love Is In The Air
Celebs talk about the importance of Valentine’s Day in their lives
Akshay Kumar:How can you say that you will experience love only on one day? This only means that so for the rest of the 364 days you will not love at all! In fact, I do not believe in experiencing love just on one day - Valentine’s Day. For me, it is love in the air with all my friends, relatives, wife all the 365 days. Frankly speaking, there is no such term as Valentine’s Day for me.
Neha Sharma:This Valentine’s Day is very special for me as my film ‘Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story’ is releasing. I am busy promoting this film. Also being a solo release, I am looking forward to success.
Bipasha Basu:Love cannot be celebrated just in or on one day. It has to be celebrated every single day. So, go ahead and love everyone. As far as my plans on this day are concerned, I will have a small get together at home and enjoy with everyone if I have nothing on the professional front.
Vivek Oberoi:Being a married man, the scenario has changed for me. Now every day is a Valentine’s Day. When you are married and committed you want to show your wife that you love her by doing small things for her. You find excuses to do that. You start enjoying and valuing that relationship. It makes you remember the time when you were lonely and how she stood by you. There is acceptance in life. I still remember the first time I met her. I made sure I smelled good and that there was money in my pocket. I also made sure that my shoes were shining as bright as the sun. But now I wake up looking like a crap and yet she accepts me the way I am. That is what relationships are all about. Women are much better at handling relationships than men. Men don’t care. They only worry when they feel threatened by another man in her life.
John Abraham:Buy your girlfriends/wife an expensive gift this Valentine’s Day to keep them happy and have at least one nice day.
Akash:Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day to celebrate love, joy and affection. For me the joy of the day is to sit back and appreciate what I have and to love the person next to me.
Shilpa Anand:Valentine’s Day is a very special day when you express love to your loved ones, be it your mother, father, sister, brother, friend or lover. I wish everybody a very special Valentine’s Day. Do something special for someone you care for. I am going to spend this day with my co-actor Akash.
(As told to Lipika Varma)