Absolute Hotness - Talia

Will Aamir Khan launch Jackie Shroff's Son?

By Subhash K Jha Did Aamir Khan meet Jackie Shroff in Mahabaleshwar last week to finalize plans to launch Jackie's son Tiger?  Jackie doesn't deny that Aamir has shown an interest in launching Tiger. But he says the meeting in Mahabaleshwar was not professional. "Aamir and I have known one another for years. We're fond of one another. I was shooting for Ananth Mahadevan's Life's Good in Mahabaleshwar. Aamir has a home there. He dropped in to see me twice. As far as launching Tiger goes, I'd be really happy if it happens. " It's straight-off tug-o-war between Subhash Ghai and Aamir Khan to launch Jackie and Ayesha Shroff's son Jai (Tiger). Both the producers have shown a keen interest in the boy. In fact Ghai's interest goes back to Tiger's childhood when he had made a pledge he would launch his friend and discovery Jackie's son whenever the boy was ready to take the plunge.  But now there is a very interesting twist in Tiger's tale, with Bollywood's resident maverick-producer Aamir Khan showing a keen interest in launching Tiger.  Says a source, "Jackie and Ayesha were more or less decided on their family friend Subhash Ghai launching Tiger. But then a call came from Aanir Khan's production house stating that the boss-man wanted to meet Tiger. The boy met Aamir. "  Apparently the meeting went off very satisfactorily, with Aamir spending a couple of hours briefing the Shroff boy on life cinema and other vagaries.  Says the source, "The meeting with Aamir was definitely fruitful. And Aamir is most interested in launching Tiger. But then what happens to family-friend Subhash Ghai's sentimental plans of launching the Shroff boy? That's the dilemma being faced by Jackie and Ayesha who naturally want the best launch for their son. But they don't want to anyone to be hurt in the process. "  When asked about his son Jackie's voiced swelled with parental pleasure and pride. "Tiger has turned out…decent. Hasn't he? Yes, he has met Aamir Khan.  To be launched by Aamir would be a big privilege. Aamir is very fine producer, actor and humanbeing. My boy would be in great hands. However Subhashji is also very keen. Do you know he had done Ayesha and mine kanyaadan?To unka Tiger pe haq banta hai. Let's see…" Reminiscing about his own launch Jackie chuckles, "Tiger has it all laid out in front of him. When I had come into the industry I had no one to guide me. If Subhashji had not given me a break I wonder what would've happened to me!"

Male models have short life

If female models do not enjoy a longer shelf life, their male counterparts have an even shorter career in the glamour world, says Mumbai-based model Sahil Shroff, who is making his film debut with "Don 2".  "Modelling has a very small life especially for male models and they need a lot of hard work and skill to get noticed. I won't say men has harder life in modelling world but yes there is less work for them and that is where the diversion to Bollywood comes into, " Sahil told. Rahul Dev, Milind Soman, Dino Morea, John Abraham, Arjun Rampal and Arjan Bajwa started their respective careers with modelling, but later strutted towards the Hindi film industry.  "There are many who are still trying to get into Bollywood but at the end of the day, you have to make opportunities yourself by polishing your acting skills. "Luck and hard work obviously plays an important part. I am really impressed with the way Arjun Rmapal and John Abraham have outshone themselves in Bollywood. Coming from modelling background, they have done fabulous job, " he added.  Sahil, who grew up in Australia, comes from a Sindhi family, and walked for designers like Manish Malhotra, Vikram Phadnis, Narendra Kumar and JJ Valaya. He has also done TV commercials for Lux with Aishwarya Rai, Tata Indica Xeta and Cadbury's Eclairs.  However, he didn't walk into films without preparation - he took acting and voice lessons from veterans like Anupam Kher before bagging a role in Farhan Akhtar's "Don 2" where he will share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra.  "I am playing a character named Arjun. It was great sharing screen space with Shah Rukh and Priyanka, " he said.  "Through 'Don 2' I am not shifting my focus, but enlarging my focus. Modelling allowed me to try commercials which enhanced my acting capabilities and inspired me to focus on acting. I won't say I am quitting modelling forever, but yes there will be balance of both." It was reported that Sahil became too close to Priyanka while shooting for the movie and that they were seeing each other.  Sahil describes this link up rumour as people's figment of imagination, and added: "Since I am a newcomer, Priyanka helped me with acting tips. When you are making your film debut, you need all kinds of advise. And being in the industry for almost a decade now, she gave me a few tips. The link up rumours were more of sarcastic comment. Media took it in wrong way."  And how about the experience working with the superstar Shah Rukh?  "Shah Rukh is such a down-to-earth person that he doesn't come across as being a huge star. There was no feeling of seniority from his side. He was extremely funny and pleasure to work with, " he said.  Any other Bollywood project in hand? "Until 'Don 2' comes out, I am going ahead with my modelling career. I want to act in good films, so I am reading scripts and meeting people. I haven't signed anything new yet."

I'll undertake a nude SlutWalk march if Veena Ka Swayamvar goes on air

South actress Ameesha Yadav has threatened to undertake a nude Slutwalk March or Besharmi Morcha in Mumbai if the Reality Show Veena Ka Swayamvar is aired by the general entertainment channel Imagine.  Speaking to this reporter Ameesha Yadav – a member of the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum said, "Our forum has decided not to allow the telecast of the show. We have planned different methods of protest against the show. Some models and myself have decided to undertake a nude, silent Slutwalk March or Besharmi Morcha if the show is aired by Imagine."  The Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) had announced earlier that it will not allow the telecast of the Veena Malik ka Swayamvar Swayamvar Reality Show on General Entertainment Channel Imagine.  Flynn Remedios, publicist and spokesperson for the IAAF said that the IAAF – a representative body of actors and artistes is not against any one individual in particular. "We are against this trend of selecting foreign artistes for common roles in Indian television and films. Thousands of Indian girls go through hell trying to get a bit role in a TV serial or a film. These production houses and channels must understand the sentiments and feelings of thousands of Indian artistes and actors.  Veena Malik is no great or unique actor or artiste. She is merely an item girl and starlet and is very much replaceable by so many Indian artistes. What is the USP that Veena Malik brings to the show, except for the fact that she is non-Indian. The channel is trying to stir up controversy and increase their own TRPs.  We will teach them a lesson that they won't forget. We will not damage their office or protest like some others have done. We will ask all patriotic Indians and Indian companies to stop watching or supporting Imagine and all other shows on the particular channel and this show in particular. This is our action plan for now.  We will also approach the courts at a later date if the channel does not relent, " said Flynn Remedios, adding, "Right now we have over 200 members supporting this agitation from among artistes, junior artistes and actors all over India.  Our forum is open to all actors and artistes including singers, dancers, junior artistes, etc from India. Each day we have more and more people coming forward in support of this cause."  Ameesha Yadav did not specify in which city the nude, silent Slutwalk March will be held, but added that "they are considering various options. We will go ahead with our plan once the channel officially announces the dates of the show."

Arjan Bajwa, Tia Bajpai travel 45 kms for a shoot

Arjan Bajwa, who is very fond of bikes was shooting for a film along with Tia Bajpai on the highway from Bijnor to Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh. The duo kept on riding without realising that they had travelled 45 kms!  The bechara cameraman not only had to keep pace with them but also alert them about the trucks and buses hurtling at breakneck speed.  Fast and furious on the road! Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

I enjoyed doing stunts in Players: Neil

Bruises and fractures notwithstanding, actor Neil Nitin Mukesh says he enjoyed doing daredevil stunts in his upcoming film "Players". "I broke a finger... I had fractures at least four times during the making of the film. But all is fine now. Even on a regular day if a person falls on the road, he gets hurt. Here we were doing stunts, " said Neil while promoting "Players".  The promo of the film is on air and Neil, 29, says it is not misleading and gives the real feel of the movie.  "These days the promos of the movies mostly mislead the audience. They only show those portions that are good or glamorous. But the promo of 'Players' will reveal a lot about the look and feel of the movie in one second, " said the actor who earned critical acclaim for his debut film "Johnny Gaddaar". He later did films like "Jail", "New York" and "Lafangey Parindey".  Directed by Abbas-Mustan, "Players" is a remake of hit Hollywood action-thriller "The Italian Job". The film, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Bobby Deol, will be the first big release of 2012 when it hits the screens Jan 6.

Vidya Balan goes on a tram ride in Kolkata

While promoting her upcoming flick in Kolkata, Vidya Balan and her team got an opportunity to ride a 200-year-old heritage tram that took them across famous landmarks in the city. Apparently it was the first time a tram was made available for a film promotion.  It might have been a slow, but a rather pleasant ride.  Courtesy: Mid-Day.com