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Singh Is Kinng mania unfolds in April

Singh Is Kinng, among the most keenly anticipated titles of 2008, will reveal its first look on Baisakhi, April 13. The Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer releases worldwide on August 8.

From Vipul Shah & Anees Bazmee, the hit makers of Namastey London, Waqt, No Entry and Welcome, Singh Is Kinng is a whopper of an action comedy about an adorable bumpkin from Punjab who ends up in Australia in a zany situation that he had never imagined.

The minute-long teaser of Singh Is Kinng, which will reveal superstar Akshay Kumar's stylish new Sikh get-up, will play across television channels from the following Sunday. The trailer will also play in cinemas worldwide from April 25, along with Tashan.

Singh Is Kinng is an Indian Films - Studio 18 release.

Johnny Depp to do an item number in Shantaram

Item numbers may just have risen a notch higher. After all, it's not everyday that we see Johnny Depp gyrating to one!If things go as planned, Depp may perform an item number for Mira Nair's Shantaram.When we asked the film's music director, Vishal Bhardwaj, about this, he exclaimed, "I pray and hope! Doing an item number for Johnny Depp will be a pleasure!"

Even though the film is not yet on the floors, its music has been decided.

We will have two Sufi songs and one item number in Shantaram," Bhardwaj informs us.

Shantaram, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan, is based on Gregory David Roberts' bestseller on his life on Mumbai's streets.

Amitabh, Shatrughan reunite on screen!

Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha will reunite on screen after 26 years. The last time we saw them together was in Yash Chopra's Kaala Patthar.
Now, Yaar Meri Zindagi, which releases this month, will feature both actors in pivotal roles. And in case you are wondering why you haven't heard of the casting coup in this film before, the reason is Yaar Meri Zindagi has been lying in the cans for 37 years!
The shooting of Yaar Meri Zindagi started in 1971 when the actors were still relative newcomers in the industry. Due to several obstacles, including finances, distribution and lack of dates, the film did not get released.
The film also stars Sharda, Sudha Chandran, Ranjeet and Iftikhar, and has music scored by the late R D Burman. It has been produced and directed by debutant Ashok Gupta.
Yaar Meri Zindagi is about friendship between a rich and a poor man and the subsequent crack later on -- a subject that has been explored umpteen times by Bollywood in the 1970s.
Though the verdict of this film on the box office is a foregone conclusion, nevertheless the dynamic jodi of Amitabh and Shatrughan would be a treat for their fans.

Saif-Kareena to wed, post Tashan?

The latest bit of rumour that we heard on April Fool's Day is that Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan plan to wed after their film, Tashan, releases on April 25. And no, this is not a joke, insist all.
Kareena is quoted as having told Zee News that she will get married 'very soon,' adding, 'So maybe, post the release of Tashan this month, you all can see us wedded.'
Incidentally, it was on the sets of Tashan that the two fell in love, and they have been inseparable ever since. To prove his prove Saif even got her name tattooed on his arm.
The actress also told Zee News that there was nothing wrong with getting married at the peak of her career, especially after the success of Jab We Met.
'I didn't say I'd stop working after marriage,' she is quoted to have told Zee News. "Today, I've already reached the Rs 3.5 crore package, and I hope to work and earn more in the coming years.'
So will we hear wedding bells soon? Let's wait and watch.

Mallika adds oomph to Mughal-E-Azam

If you have been wondering what Mallika Sherawat has been up to, the actress has been busy putting on Madhubala's shoes for her new film, Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam. But writer-director Sanjay Chhel says that his new film is not a remake or a spoof of K Asif's classic. In fact, it's a black comedy, costarring Paresh Rawal, Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon and Pavan Malhotra.
Chhel, who has directed films like Khoobsurat (1999) and Kya Dil Ne Kaha (2002), talks about his upcoming, Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam.
Why did you wait six years before you took up Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam? My last film Kya Dil Ne Kaha, with Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol, did not do well, and that made it difficult for me to get a foothold as a director. But I decided I would only do a film that would appeal to me. I did get offers from banners like Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts but I was not inspired by the stories. So I waited. I was doing well as a writer. I have spent over 20 years writing movies. Age was on my side so I thought I should wait for the right opportunity.

Review : One Two Three

Let's start with a simple litmus test to see if you will enjoy One Two Three:

Do you think adding an 's' to all things English and making them plural (as in, Suneils Shettys, yous understands?) is a singularly brilliant gag? If you do, then this is your movie of the year.

If not, then you're best advised to leave this B-grade farce alone and pretend it never existed. It's all right, you won't have to try too hard -- I bet the actors are doing the same thing themselves.

Why make a film like this, so obviously bad it hurts?

It's scary to think of who made it. Ashwani Dheer, who did some fine -- albeit occasionally repetitive -- funny work with television's Office Office directs this monstrosity, bringing along a couple of the show's actors but none of its wit.

The prolific Kumar Mangat co-produces the film, which brings to mind the nightmarish thought that a poster for this hideous thing could actually, accurately, carry a 'From the producer of Omkara' tag. Aargh.

Somewhere, Dheer and his gang decided to play the old mistaken-identity game, and placed three diverse characters together in the same hotel and waited for obvious chaos to ensue. Unfortunately, beyond a weak two-para summation of the premise, not much else seems to have been written -- which is why the pained gags set up in the first few scenes by narrator Irrfan Khan continue to play out, again and again, right to the very climax.

Even that aforementioned 's' bit is something audiences have tired of, having seen it by now in both Saawariya  and Om Shanti Om -- and it's not as if it worked at all in either of those movies.

The first Laxmi Narain is Tusshar Kapoor, a bhai-to-be with justifiable reasons for matricide, out to get his first kill. The second LN is a moronically indecisive Suneil Shetty, out to buy a vintage car for his boss. The third LN is undergarment seller Paresh Rawal, out to get designs and move into 'lingeries,' we're told.

Alongside these buffoons are rival dons Manoj Pahwa and Mukesh Tiwari, the latter far higher up than even a bhai, his cohorts calling him 'Papa.' Yup, it's that kind of movie. Oh and when these two appear on screen, the background score, in its misguided attempt to be cool, tries to be casually profane and turns out to be simply embarrassing.

Speaking of wince-provoking, there are the obligatory bunch of bimbettes. Neetu Chandra, playing a tough Jat cop with revolting taste in men, is the only one who keeps her clothes on while car salesgirl Sameera Reddy hesitatingly decides to strip to sell Esha Deol's car. Somewhere in the mix is Tanishaa, a girl who owes her film career to her neckline, even as Deol herself goes all Tamil in her trilled affection for the Mumbai underworld, going into the undergarment business because it too has the 'under' prefix to it. I kid you not.

And so the madness drags on. And on. As said, each gag is stretched far beyond its sell-by date, with a simple bag-swapping routine taking almost 20 minutes, and Shetty and Sanjay Mishra continuing to persist with the imbecilic routines they started the movie with.

Tusshar Kapoor isn't obnoxiously bad, while Mukesh Tiwari actually does quite okay � a mammoth achievement in this scriptless film.

It's as if you gave the Great Indian Laughter Challenge contestants a camera crew and asked them to make a movie. Sure it'd have some basic comic-sketch idea and maybe even funny dialogues, but try watching it beyond 15 minutes. I dare you.

Rating:

Nandita Das in a Pakistani film

Nandita Das, the queen of unconventional cinema, has gone one step ahead by signing a film titled Ramchand Pakistani which is directed by a young Pakistani filmmaker Mehreen Jabar. The film also stars some famous television actors from Pakistan.

Throwing some light on the story of the film Nandita says, "The story is inspired by a real life incident and revolves around a small seven year old boy (Ramchand) who along with his father (Hindu Dalit settled in Pakistan) accidentally crosses the border. The story moves parallel between the father-son in Kutch jail and the mother left in a small village in Pakistan, unaware about the whereabouts of her family." Talking about director Mehreen, she says, "I met Mehreen at Kara Film Festival where Bawandar was to be screened. Later on, we became friends and she narrated me this story which I found very powerful. She is a very intelligent and a sensitive director."

On asking about her character in the film, Nandita informs, "I play the mother of Ramachand, a Hindu dalit who is a Pakistani by Nationality named Champa. There are lot of Hindu Dalit families who were left behind during the partition in the Sindh area. In fact, their language and their ways of dressing is very similar to that of people living in Rajasthan and Gujarat border area." She further says, "The film also brings in the limelight the complexities of being a Hindu dalit and Pakistani at the same time, in an Indian jail."

Ramchand Pakistani will be showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Deepika Padukone teams up with Rishi Kapoor

It may take yesteryear lover boy Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir some time to showcase their talent together. But the young actor's girlfriend Deepika Padukone already has that privilege. She will be sharing screen space with Rishi in Saif Ali Khan's first production to be directed by Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met fame. "I did a reading with Rishi uncle for the film, and I was simply stunned. He's that good. Imtiaz's film will be a departure for me," Deepika told IANS. "I'm lucky enough to work with both Ranbir and Rishi uncle. Now all I need is a film with Neetu aunty to complete the picture," she added. The actress, who debuted with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om, will play Saif's leading lady in the yet untitled film. "I'm definitely looking forward to working with Saif. He's one of the best actors we've ever had," she said. But before that Deepika is currently shooting for Nikhil Advani's action flick Chandni Chowk To China with Akshay Kumar. "I've trained in martial arts for the film and I enjoyed myself thoroughly because I'm athletic. People see me as very ladylike and proper. But there's another, very tomboyish side of me that you'll see in Chandni Chowk To China." However, her first post Om Shanti Om release would be Yash Raj Films' Bachna Ae Haseenon. In the film, Deepika has to share her boyfriend Ranbir with two other leading ladies. "Yes, but that's only for the screen no?" she quipped. "It is Ranbir's film all the way. In my very first narration I was sure I wanted to do it. "Siddharth Anand suggested I take some time to decide, but I liked his honesty and I loved my bit in the script. Siddharth was honest enough to tell me there were three other girls with Ranbir in the film - now, of course, there're only two other girls. As an actor it's important for me to be part of projects I believe in even if my role is comparatively small."

Julia Roberts is the most memorable on-screen prostitute!

Julia Roberts has topped an online poll for the 25 Most Memorable On-Screen Prostitutes.

 

The Oscar winner's role in Pretty Woman saw her beating off competition from other actresses.

 

Second on the list was Jennifer Jason Leigh for her role as Tralala in Last Exit to Brooklyn.

 

In third spot on U.S. magazine Entertainment Weekly's online countdown is Patricia Arquette in True Romance.

 

Rounding up the top five was the only male in the top ten Dermot Mulroney in The Wedding Date and Kim Basinger  in L.A. Confidential.

 

1. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

2. Jennifer Jason Leigh in Last Exit to Brooklyn

3. Patricia Arquette in True Romance

4. Dermot Mulroney in The Wedding Date

5. Kim Basinger in L.A. Confidential

6. Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour

7. Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge

8. Charlize Theron in Monster

9. Nancy Allen in Dressed to Kill

10. Elisabeth Shue in Leaving Las Vegas 11. Richard Gere in American Gigolo

12. Jon Voight in Midnight Cowboy

13. Rob Schneider in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

14. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries

15. Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix in My Own Private Idaho

16. Lukas Haas and David Arquette in Johns

17. Rebecca De Mornay in Risky Business

18. Jamie Lee Curtis in Trading Places

19. Shelley Long in Night Shift

20. Jane Fonda in Klute

21. Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver

22. Kathleen Turner in Crimes of Passion

23. Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8

24. Rita Hayworth in Angels Over Broadway

25. Marlene Dietrich in Blonde Venus

Like Aamir's new look?

Trust Aamir Khan to toss us a surprise.

Always experimenting with his looks, Khan stunned us all when he walked in with wife Kiran Rao at the Race premiere last week.

Sporting tremendously close-shorn hair -- apparently the next step is shaving it off entirely -- for his upcoming Ghajini, Khan looks drastically different from the spiky-haired look we'd gotten used to with Taare Zameen Par

What do you think of the new look, dear reader?

Is it yet another Aamir masterstroke? And which of Aamir's distinctive looks have you liked best, over the years?

Sarkar Raaj complete after Abhishek's patchwork

Abhishek Bachchan took a day off from his hectic schedule to do some additional shooting for Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raaj before he flew off to Miami to join Karan Johar's crew for Tarun Mansukhani's Dostana.

According to Ramu, "There were a few vital close-ups of Abhishek that I wanted to add to the film, so before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I re-shot my film, let me quickly clear the air. I think Abhishek excels in silent close-ups. Not too many actors of his generation know how to hold silences on camera. I made him do that in Naach. And I just thought a few tight close-ups would add to the drama in Sarkar Raaj."

According to Ramu, Abhishek has given yet another riveting performance in Sarkar Raaj after Guru. "I wouldn't even compare the two performances on any level except that intensity that Abhishek brings to both the roles. Abhishek and Aishwarya in Sarkar Raaj will be very different from Guru. And if you ask me, he has gone far beyond what he did in Sarkar."

Ramu adds, "Abhishek is looking really thin these days. For those who are writing that he's frantically gyming to lose weight here's some disappointing news. I don't think Abhishek can lose any more weight."

On Tuesday night Abhishek left for Miami to do what he calls a fun film on the beach. Before that he tried to spend as much time as possible with wife Aishwarya who, incidentally, is trying juggle domestic duties with script readings.

Shatrughan Sinha's son ready for debut !

Another superstar son is all set to make his debut in the film industry following the footsteps of other star sons like Abishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor.

Former cine star and BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha is all set to make his debut with film Sadiyaan, which is based on the relationship between India and Pakistan.

"Like others, I also wish that my son becomes a far better and successful actor than me," Shatrughan Sinha said on Sunday. Sinha had also interacted with the film's unit which is shooting near Chandigarh.

Sinha said the film which has been shot at different locations in Punjab and Jammu, is expected to release by September next.

Actress Hema Malini and Rekha will be seen together in this film almost after 20 years. Actor Rishi Kapoor is playing the role of Luv's father in the film while the role of heroin is being played by a Kashmiri girl Fareen.

The film is being produced and directed by Raj Kanwar who has given hit films including Shah Rukh Khan starrer Deewana. Popular Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh is also playing an important role in the film

I get nervous working with Salman: Kareena

Kareena Kapoor, who's been on a high since the release of Jab We Met, finally started shooting a new film Main Aur Mrs. Khanna with Salman Khan. She says the idea of working with her "sister's co-star" makes her nervous. "Although we've done Priyadarshan's Kyon Ki... before, I always get nervous working with Salman. He was my sister's hero long before we were paired together. And now to be doing a film with him," Kareena told IANS. Kareena started shooting on Tuesday at Film City at the outskirts of Mumbai. Kareena and Salman were expected to serenade to immortality in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani, but the film never happened. She was also signed for Salman's home production My Punjabi Nikaah. That never happened either. Kareena chuckles in disbelief. "Main Aur Mrs. Khanna is an intensely romantic film. I don't think Salman has done a pure love story like this before. Neither have I. Sohail is also in the film." Interestingly, this is the first time in her distinguished career that Kareena will be working with a debutant director Prem Soni. "He's very talented. It wouldn't matter even if he wasn't - I'm doing it for Salman," said Kareena emotionally.

I Love You too, Deepika declares to Ranbir

The backstage of the53rd Annual Filmfare went on fire suddenly, when eavesdroppers heard the stunning Deepika Padukone softly declare "I Love You" to Ranbir Kapoor. This bit of news was thousand times spicier than what was happening on stage. The eavesdroppers blessed their luck on witnessing the soft romance between the "oh so in love" couple. Looking deep in her eyes, Ranbir first confessed his love by saying, "I love you", and then Deepika responded shyly. Reports say that after the romantic declaration, the lovey-dovey couple left for Farah Khan's party, where they were seen holding hands and even kissing. Earlier, Ranbir had refuted the entire romantic link-up between him and Deepika by stating that, "We have been friends. Then she was busy with her first film`s release and I was busy with mine. Recently we were shooting in Australia and became friendly again. She`s an amazing, caring girl. I enjoy spending time with her." Sources say that cupid struck during the shoot for Siddharth Anand's film in Australia. Since then, they've been pretty much together and have often been seen in public. The duo was recently seen in a highly entertaining advertisement, which also features SRK as Deepika's brother. It seems that our worthy cricketers (read Yuvraj and Dhoni) have been stumped in favour of "Saawariya" Ranbir. Never mind guys, better luck next time!

People will see me in a different avatar: Shilpa Shetty

After touring Europe with her musical Miss Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty returns home to work in the Sunny Deol starrer The Man and says people are going to see her in a different avatar in the movie.

"I know what I'm worth. I never expected people back home to start pampering me just because I've got a certain standing in Britain. And I promise you - you'll see a different Shilpa in The Man," Shilpa told IANS in an interview.

The last one year after Celebrity Big Brother has been a roller-coaster ride for Shilpa and she looks back at it with much happiness and affection.

"It has been a time of great experiences. Miss Bollywood was my first experience on stage and also gave me a chance to take Bollywood abroad. It was not just lucrative but also a very creatively satisfying experience," she said.

She admits that she is dating someone, but marriage is not on the cards.

"The good thing is that love happened in my life while all those good things were happening to me professionally. So everything fell into place. I don't want too much speculation on this. The next thing I know they'll be marrying me off."

Did you miss Bollywood?

It has been a time of great experiences. In the last three months I've been taking my play Miss Bollywood to the remotest corners of Europe. This was my first experience on stage and also gave me a chance to take Bollywood abroad. It was not just lucrative but also a very creatively satisfying experience. And now I've come back to do Sunny Deol's home production, The Man. I'm a huge fan of his work and admire him as a human being. I loved his first directorial venture, Dillagi. Every time we're paired together we are a success. And I've got a fantastic role. I play an actress.

How was the experience of doing Miss Bollywood?

With due respect to all the other Bollywood stage adaptations like Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bollywood Dreams and Merchants Of Bollywood, they've all been fantastic, Miss Bollywood was a hardcore Bollywood musical starring a Bollywood actress. I belong to Bollywood. I think I added a certain authenticity to the play. It was a very proud achievement for me to take a slice of Bollywood out West. I felt especially proud to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

What were the most memorable experiences during the musical?

There were good and some bad. The worst was when my zipper tore in Offenbach (Germany) 20 seconds before I was to go on stage. I don't know how but my dresser managed to stitch it back in time. All through that act I was on tenterhooks. It was such a scary moment! This was the one time when I wanted a re-take. And I couldn't have it.

And the good experiences?

Oh plenty! We got standing ovations in 95 percent of the performances. The last time we got a standing ovation was at Royal Albert Hall. It brought tears to my eyes. Gulshan Grover was there. I was so happy because he was so happy for me. He came backstage and said, "I can't believe you pulled it off." I felt so happy and proud to have one of my colleagues praising me.

Oscar nominations, 2008

The nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards have been announced. Take a look at the main categories:

Best Motion Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Director - Motion Picture

Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Jason Reitman – Juno
Tony Gilroy – Michael Clayton
Joel and Ethan Coen – No Country For Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture

Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie – Away From Her
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose
Laura Linney – The Savages
Ellen Page - Juno

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture

George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones – In The Valley Of Elah
Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role

Cate Blanchett – I'm Not There
Ruby Dee - American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan – Atonement
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role

Casey Affleck - The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook - Into The Wild
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton

Best Foreign Language Film

Beaufort (Israel)
The Counterfeiters (Austria)
Katyn (Poland)
Mongol (Kazakhstan)
12 (Russia)

Best Animated Feature Film Of The Year

Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf's Up

Achievement In Art Direction

American Gangster
Atonement
The Golden Compass
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood

Achievement In Cinematography

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Achievement In Costume Design

Across The Universe
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd

Best Documentary Feature

No End In Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing The Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi To The Dark Side
War/Dance

Best Documentary Short Subject

Freeheld
La Corona
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother

Achievement In Film Editing

The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Into The Wild
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Achievement In Makeup

La Vie En Rose
Norbit
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Score)

Atonement
The Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
3:10 To Yuma

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Falling Slowly from Once
Happy Working Song from Enchanted
Raise It Up from August Rush
So Close from Enchanted
That's How You Know from Enchanted

Best Animated Short Film

I Met The Walrus
Madame Tutli-Putli
Even Pigeons Go To Heaven
My Love
Peter & The Wolf

Best Live Action Short Film

At Night
The Substitute
The Mozart Of Pickpockets
Tanghi Argentini
The Tonto Woman

Achievement In Sound Editing

The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country For Old Men
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
Transformers

Achievement In Sound Mixing

The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country For Old Men
Ratatouille
3:10 To Yuma
Transformers

Achievement In Visual Effects

The Golden Compass
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers

Adapted Screenplay

Atonement
Away From Her
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Original Screenplay

Juno
Lars And The Real Girl
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages

Sanjay Dutt may have married Manyata

A prominent half-page colour advertisement by Sanjay Dutt and Manyata in a Marathi newspaper Wednesday, greeting Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on his 82nd birthday, indicates that the troubled film star may have tied the knot with his live-in companion, an indication confirmed by Bollywood sources.

The advertisement has been released in the 88-page special edition Saamna newspaper. Below a large photograph of a reclining Thackeray is the revealing caption: "From Sanjay Dutt and Manyata Dutt".

According to Bollywood sources, the duo had a low-profile registered marriage in the presence of a few family members and close friends.

Though his sisters Priya, Namrata and other family friends remained unreachable on their mobile phones, sources told IANS that the marriage has been kept under wraps since Dutt has been sentenced to a jail term. He is presently out on bail.

"It would appear inappropriate to celebrate a marriage with him behind bars," one of his Bollywood friends said.

Dutt was always expected to tie the knot with Manyata alias Shehnaaz Shaikh, once an innocuous Bollywood item girl, who has been seen with him during the highs and lows in his personal and professional lives.

Ever since the star, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case, was released from his latest jail stint in November last year, Manyata has been constantly seen with him at all public events, including his film shoots.

Manyata has reportedly become so possessive of late that not only Dutt's friends, even his sisters cannot walk into his apartment and talk to him without her remaining within earshot.

Sources said the couple is now planning to shift out of their Mumbai apartment building Imperial Heights to guard their privacy.

Review : Bombay to Bangkok

"Do you know Shah Rukh Khan? Amitabh Bachchan?" asks an excited elderly Thai gentleman of our Indian protagonist, who nervously shakes his head replying in the negative. The man then asks, almost desperately, "Ayesha Takia?" You can't help but smile at this sweet, likable slice-of-life dialogue. (Of course, that Takia is currently the director's favourite and will be seen in his future projects is not lost on us. But never mind.)

Usually the first few scenes set the tone of the humour in a film. But Bombay to Bangkok blends in a range: from the intelligent and witty to the corny and downright clichéd. So there's a rapper don, a Sardarji who loves to eat and has a large gregarious family (sigh), and situations that lend themselves to many unexpected turns.

Shankar (Shreyas Talpade) is a small-time cook, who on seeing a bagful of cash left in his restaurant, decides to steal it. And regrets it when he realises it belongs to Jamal Khan, son of dreaded underworld kingpin Khan Seth (Naseeruddin Shah). Jamal is the mush-hearted wannabe rapper, covered in bling, with gigantic finger rings announcing his alias 'Jam K'. He's been warned by his father to bring Shankar back, or else.

But nimble-footed Shankar escapes to Thailand as part of a doctors' troupe. What happens next are lots of twists and turns; some funny, some dubious. But in the midst of all this he meets Jasmine, a local prostitute, and falls for her.

After Iqbal and the hard-hitting Dor, Nagesh Kukunoor is all set to have fun here and it shows. He doesn't intend to make the film an all-out comedy or a syrupy romance. Neither is it a 'Visit Bangkok' promo; there are no sweeping shots of breathless beaches etc. Instead what you see are the streets, the people, the roadside shops and everyday interactions—more interesting and definitely refreshing.

Anything goes here: all within the basic premise of an ever-present language confusion between two people who are drawn to each other but can't converse without an interpreter. Does it work? Yes, in most parts. Owing largely to the screenplay that reins in the many parallel tracks. However, had Kukunoor not digressed into so many different sub-plots, the film would have been a simpler, shorter, more focused story. The director also goes overboard sometimes—like the scene where Shankar runs atop a hay stack to the sound of Aashayein much like his character in Iqbal. The technique of Shankar dreaming and then bumping back to reality is cute a few times, but naturally gets tiresome when overdone.

Technically the film, like all of Nagesh's work, is superb. Cinematography (Sudeep Chatterjee) is imaginative and so is the background score. Editing could have chopped off about 15 minutes of the film towards the stretched second half. It pulls the pace of the film down, a real bummer in a light-hearted film. The music (Salim-Sulaiman) is disappointing.

Bombay to Bangkok belongs to Shreyas. Since his debut with Iqbal in 2005, his confidence has grown to be effortless and his expressions flow spontaneously. His is one of the most likeable performances in recent times and Talpade carries the film on his able (and well worked-out) shoulders. Debutante Thai model-actress Lena Christenchen is perfect for the role and does well as the Thai girl in love with a man whose language she doesn't understand. Her character, too, is not a simple one and Lena tackles all the ranges ably.

The superlative supporting cast must be mentioned: Manmeet Singh as the rapper gangster, Vijay Maurya as the guide Rashwinder Singh, Jeneva Talwar as Dr Rati, Yatin Karyekar and Vikram Inamdar.

Bombay to Bangkok is recommended for a one-time watch for its breezy tone, a few funny moments and a stupendous performance by Talpade.

Verdict: Two-and-a-half stars

Neil Mukesh signs Freeze and Frame

The two new films that Neil Nitin Mukesh has signed have peculiar titles. "One of them is called Fame while the other is tentatively titled Freeze. I guess audiences expect unusual titles from me after Johnny Gaddar and my next release Tera Kya Hoga Johnny", laughs Neil who turned 26 this week.

Forget the staid family-oriented good-boy image that Neil Mukesh has cultivated even after playing the roguish double-dealing Johnny Gaddar. On his 26th birthday on Jan 15 Neil Mukesh decided to really let his hair down. "Well on the night before my birthday, I was with my family. My brother who's ten years my junior, has his board exams coming up. So I've been keeping up late nights with him, trying to coach him overtime. So, the birthday eve was a quiet family affair."

But the next day Neil whooped it up with the babes. "Don't ask me where how and when. And I'll tell no lies. But I cast aside my good-boy image on my birthday night," Neil laughed wickedly.

He has also gifted himself some brand new roles. "There's Tigmanshu Dhulia's Fame about how the young today are ready and willing to take any road as long as it gets them money. It's about the shortcuts to a bulky bank balance taken by youngsters, again a moral fable like Johnny Gaddar. Maybe producers see me as the good boy gone to seed."

Another day another role. Neil Mukesh has also bagged his own super-hero flick, thereby creating an atmosphere of more comparisons with Hrithik Roshan. Neil demurs, "The film from Eros tentatively titled Freeze is going to be directed by debutant Jehangir Surti. It's about a man who sudden comes upon a supernatural power and how it changes his life. Lots of FX and yes, one more morality tale."

But the first one out will be Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny. "It's an episodic look at the life of a street child named Johnny. I come into one of the episodes." Tell him it's bizarre that his first two films have 'Johnny' in their titles and he laughs. "Yeah it is rather uncanny. And when I was a child I'd often call myself Johnny for no apparent reason."

Turning pensive at a family on his birthday Neil sighs, "I already feel old. At 25, I felt young. At 26, I feel I've crossed the age where I could be a kid. Johnny is no longer Papa's kid."

Mallika takes on Sonu Nigam!

Come January 18, Mallika Sherawat will come home to you. Surprised? Let us enlighten you.

The sexy star is scheduled to appear in Star Plus' first episode of Kaho Na Yaar Ha, a new celebrity game show where celebs and their best pals take part in funny, mischievous and interesting games and thereby, undertake the true test of friendship. The team with the highest score emerges a winner.

The episode will see Mallika -- who is pitted against Sonu Nigam-- being bombarded by brain teasers.

Here's a sample of what's in store: In the question-answer round, Mallika was quizzed about the time taken for three eggs to boil if one took three minutes. Her reply? Nine minutes!

Her silly response had Sonu Nigam and all others present on the sets in splits.