I’ll never be able to wear a bikini: Zarine Khan

Mumbai, Flaunting one’s body in a bikini is no more taboo in Hindi films, but new entrant Zarine Khan, who debuted with “Veer”, says she would never be able to don a two-piece costume on screen.

In “Veer”, the Mumbai girl was covered from head to toe throughout the film. But is she ready to play a chic urban girl and wear contemporary costumes in her future movies?

“I am more than willing to do so. What I am sure about though is that I would never be able to wear a bikini. That’s because I am constantly thinking that I am fat, I am fat, I am fat. Till the time this voice reverberates inside my head, I will always be apprehensive,” Zarine told IANS.

“I’m very conscious about my weight. In fact, during my school and college days, I used to weigh as much as 100 kilos. It’s only now that I weigh a lot lesser. I want to play all kinds of roles and get into the kind of attire that a Hindi film heroine is required to wear.

“However, before that I will have to get rid of all the excess weight that I currently have on me. It’s just a few more pounds to go and after that it should all be well,” said Zarine.

Zarine, who plays princess Yashodhara in “Veer” that has Salman in the lead role, understands that if she wants to be in the business of showbiz, she will need a good figure.

“Whatever role that I consent to play, it has to be done with dedication. However, I’m a new entrant and there are so many established actresses who are taking the size zero route. Obviously, I can’t beat them due to my body structure, but I wish to get into shape to the best of my ability,” she said.

Narrating her journey of weighty issues, Zarine said: “It was only after I started doing modelling that my weight went down by 40-45 kilos from an original 100. I have a tendency to lose and put on weight. This is why while working on ‘Veer’, I was so happy. For a change no one was asking me to lose weight.”

In “Veer” she was not required to look skinny; therefore she could even pile on chocolates.

“Why just chocolates? I also got to eat other junk stuff which I had to earlier sacrifice. Any actress would have thought 1,000 times before eating the kind of things that I got on a platter on the sets of ‘Veer’. Having said that, I had to be reasonably conscious about not becoming 100 kilos again. I was regular with my workouts to maintain a curvaceous body.”

Zarine is now biding her time before she gets ready for her next venture.

“I am taking things slow and waiting for what best comes to me next. Industry has been supportive so far though I’m looking forward to something concrete. I’m taking things slow; there is no hurry,” she said.

Katrina Kaif to enter into wedlock in 2012

Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif has finally sealed the mouth of the media person who always chase her with the question of marriage. Katrina Kaif has declared the date that she has set for her wedding. The most auspicious ceremony will be held anytime around 2012.

When the actress was asked about her plan of purchasing a new house, Kat replied easily, “I’ll get married and go to my husband’s home. Why put in so much money into a new home when I have a perfectly comfortable one at the moment?”

Now that the date has been set, husband’s abode has been decided, the million dollar question which is obviously going on everyone’s mind is who the lucky guy is whom Kat will marry. Whether it is Salman Khan or someone else?

Whatever, Kat wants to enjoy her career to the utmost before getting into matrimonial commitment. She has a bagful of films this year which includes, Farah Khan’s 'Tees Maar Khan', Imtiaz Ali’s 'Rockstar' and Tarun Mansukhani’s 'Dostana 2'.

All the best to Kat for her films and marriage!

5 Highest Grossers of 2009

Like every year, this year too some films hits and some misses out. Overall, the year was a fabulous one for Bollywood. It has seen many hits and most importantly some small budget films like 'A Wednesday' and 'Dev D' has done a tremendously good business at the box office.

Films like 'De Dana Dan', Delhi 6, Luck By Chance, What's Your Rashee, Tasveer, Chandni Chowk to China, Kambakkht Ishq, Blue, Main Aur Mrs Khanna etc were badly beaten at the box office. Here the star power cannot show its power. In spite of high publicity, those films failed to stand up to the expectations of the audience. Box Office collection fell down drastically.

The multiplex strike did some damage to the films collection but at the same time the year also saw some fabulous films and has been able to spell magic at the BO.

The films that won the heart of the audience and brought smile to the producers, distributors and boom the box office collection are listed below.


5. Wanted – Salman Khan starrer and Prabhu Deva directed film 'Wanted' is made on a small budget but in the first week itself it has been able to recover the investment. The film earned Rs 38 crore in the first week.

4. All The Best – The only comic film of the year that could make audience laugh is Rohit Shetty's 'All The Best'. It is a multi starrer film made on a budget of 30 crore but earn Rs 50 crore. It opened up slowly but gradually picked up the pace.

3. Kaminey – Made away from the usual track by Vishal Bharadwaj, 'Kaminey' starring Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra was one of the hits of the year. Made on a budget of Rs 48 crore, the film has been able to earn Rs.63.75 crore in India.

2. Love Aaj Kal – Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal was one of the highly anticipated movies of the year because of the sizzling pairing of Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone and successful director Imtiaz Ali. It was made on a budget of Rs.48 crore but it did business of about Rs.75 crore in its first week itself. Love Aaj Kal was amongst the best openings of 2009.

1. 3 Idiots – It came at the end of the year but struk gold. It is the biggest hit of the year 2009 and the box office collection records Rs 240 crores and still going strong. Aamir Khan once again proved his potential. Apparently based on Chetan Bhagat's 'Five Point Someone', the film not only invited success but drag some controversies also. The film has done a fabulous business not only in domestic market but overseas also.

Apart from the above mentioned hits, the films that will also be counted among the hits of the year are 'Dev D', 'New York', 'Wake Up Sid', 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues', 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahini' and 'Paa'.

Hope 2010 will see more hits and fewer flops.

Fox to telecast “Nevermind Nirvana”, a comedy about Indian-Americans

Washington, Fox television network has chosen Canadian-born Indian American writer, director and producer Ajay Sahgal’s comedy “Nevermind Nirvana” as its next pilot.

The show resembles “Everybody Loves Raymond” but with Indian-Americans, says Sahgal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

It is an ensemble multicamera comedy about two grown-up sons, their Indian immigrant parents and their friends, including one of the son’s Caucasian girlfriend.

“It’s about how their lives intersect in often polarising ways and about the clash of the old Indian values and the new American values,” Sahgal said.

“Nirvana” is said to be largely based on real-life experiences by Sahgal, who is the son of Indian immigrants and is married to “Lie to Me” co-star Kelli Williams.

He first developed “Nirvana” for NBC and NBC Studios during the 2003-04 season under Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly, who then was NBC’s president of primetime development, the Hollywood Reporter said.

The project was picked up to pilot starring Kal Penn and Judy Greer and directed and produced by David Schwimmer.

In the fall of 2004, NBC redeveloped it as “Nearly Nirvana,” with Schwimmer as director-producer and, in a last-minute recasting of Arj Barker, Sahgal as the lead opposite Greer.

While it ultimately didn’t make the cut at NBC, Reilly remained a fan of the concept, and when Sahgal ran into him at a “Lie” event last year, Reilly encouraged him to revisit it, which Sahgal did under a blind script deal he had with 20th TV.

“Maybe third time is the charm,” Sahgal said, dismissing any possibility for him to star in the new pilot.

“I’d like it to be successful,” he quipped.

Sonam Kapoor nominated for fourth Asian Film Awards

Hong Kong, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor is the only Indian to have been nominated for the fourth Asian Film Awards.

The 24-year-old has been nominated in the best newcomer category for her role in “Delhi-6″, said a statement after the nominations were announced here Thursday. She will be competing with four contenders from China and Korea.

The award ceremony will take place here March 22.

Daughter of versatile actor Anil Kapoor, who made an international mark with his role in Oscar winning film “Slumdog Millionaire”, Sonam made her Bollywood debut in 2007 opposite Ranbir Kapoor in “Saawariya”.

Thereafter she was seen alongside Abhishek Bachchan in “Delhi-6″, which didn’t do well at the box office.

Now the actress is busy shooting for “Aisha” and “I Hate Luv Stories”.

Fardeen Khan to produce films

Fardeen Khan

Fardeen Khan is planning to revive his old production house known as F.K. Films in a few months. He was also sharing his plans of being a producer with some of his actor friends. Once he gets all his projects in a loop, he will be making a formal announcement. A close source to Fardeen confirmed saying, “yes, he is restarting his home production, it was his dad’s dream to see Fardeen turn a producer. He always told Fardeen that he should someday start making the kind of movies he believes in. after his father’s passing away, Fardeen has been low for a while, but is now working towards becoming a producer.”

Recently there was a rumor that Fardeen Khan signed Mudassar Aziz, the director of Dulha Mil Gaya for his first movie. However, Mudassar refused saying, “Fardeen is a great friend but there is no truth to the news of me directing a film for him.” Fardeen is planning to remake Qurbaani, since Firoz Khan was interested in recreating the magic of this classic movie. Fardeen will definitely do it for his dad

Bollywood Heartthrob Imran Khan gets engaged

Avantika Malik, Imran Khan

Imran Khan has got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Avantika Malik. The couple has been dating each other for a very long time. They have always been very open about their relationship. The duo was engaged at the Malik farmhouse in Karjat, Avantika and Imran arrived together at the farmhouse to exchange the rings.

This engagement ceremony witnessed many Bollywood celebrities. Imran’s mamu Aamir Khan came with his wife Kiran Rao and his son Junaid, also Reena, Aamir’s ex-wife was present at the function. Aamir’s entire family was present at this occasion to bless Avantika and Imran. The other guests at the party were Kunal Kohli, Kunal Kapoor, Sarika, Karan Johar and Abhay Deol.