I think Kareena needs to lose some weight: Saif

Once a size zero not always a size zero. Once in news for her lean mean avatar Kareena Kapoor has now put on oodles of weight and boyfriend Saif is not laughing. Apparently the Chote Nawab likes Bebo's leaner look prtly because their romance blossomed on the sets of Tashan, when she was in the perfect shape.

Recently at Stardust awards, where Kareena gave a rocking performance on stage, Saif was seen a little bit disappointed. As the couple made their way out together, he couldn't resist telling Kareena, “I think you need to lose some weight, yaar.”

However, Bebo took the comment quite sportingly and laughed over it.

Her trainer Payal Gidwani adds, “I don't think Kareena has gained weight. She fluctuates between 53 and 54 kilos, which is perfect for her height. She is extremely fit and still does Yoga for an hour every day.

Kareena is looking her best these days. I think she looks awesome, no matter what she wears, whether it is salwar kameezes or Western dresses or sarees. She was a sight to behold in 3 Idiots, especially in the orange sari. She is perfect the way she is.”

We hear that Kareena Kapoor had to lose her ideal figure for Karan Johar's last flick 'Kurbaan', wherein she essayed the character of a housewife. She also needed to look a little fatter than that of a skinny model in Karan Johar's upcoming 'Stepmom'.

Abhishek hits back: Priyanka thrown out of Italian Job

Priyanka Chopra has lost her role in Abbas Mustan's remake of The Italian Job. The film would have seen her star alongside Katrina Kaif.

The reason behind Priyanka losing the film seems to be her leaving Rohan Sippy's film in a lurch. Priyanka was under the impression that she would be cast opposite Abhishek in that film until she realized that her co-star was South star Rana Daggubati. The actress then decided to drop out.

Rohan was appalled when Priyanka dropped out citing date issues and complained about this to Abhishek. Abhishek was also disgusted by her behaviour. And Abhishek is part of The Italian Job so he may have something to do with her ouster.

Already Abhishek and Priyanka weren't exactly sharing a rosy friendship. Priyanka's decision to drop Rohan's film may just have worsened matters. Priyanka's manager however, states that she hadn't even heard Rohan's script so she can't have possibly opted out of it.

Meanwhile, Priyanka may be replaced by Preity Zinta, but nothing has been announced as of yet. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kunal Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna and Katrina Kaif.

On the Gilded Path to Oscar Night

The ever-affable Sandra Bullock, elegant in a red velvet dress and stilettos, was surrounded by a swarm of conspicuously underdressed journalists, leading an animated discussion about macaroons of all things. A few feet away under a crystal chandelier, “The Blind Side” director John Lee Hancock earnestly praised the actress while nearby one of the film’s producers Andrew Kosove gushed about having a “film in Oscar contention.”

Bullock’s Golden Globe win was still a few days away. And the “Oscar contention” still wishful thinking. But this bit of banal chatter is the sort of merriment that often paves the path to awards. Not that any publicist in her right mind would ever publicly admit that a couple hours of cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in a dimly lit Beverly Hills restaurant could lead to filmmaking’s most coveted honor. Still, there seems to be a strategy that works. Hold enough of these gilded affairs, for instance, where the actors and filmmakers work the charm on select members of the press and a few gadfly Academy voters, and it can mean the difference between an Independent Spirit award and Oscar himself. At least, that’s the theory. This year, with the best picture category expanded to ten films and a complicated new vote-counting method, theories are all we’ve got.

To hear the veteran Academy members talk, scrounging up ten Oscar-worthy films is an enormous chore. Everyone seems poised to grudgingly thrust a statuette in James Cameron’s face and move on. “Filmmakers and executives are just furious and remain furious with Academy board’s decision,” said one longtime voter. “The [Academy] board has been defending its choice to everybody they run into. I just got an email from an Academy producer who is only going to nominate two films.”

Whatever. The Hollywood publicity machine loves a challenge. And at this point, that formidable force moves into what one studio Oscar consultant termed “Phase Two.” The Globes’ awards have narrowed expectations a bit. “Avatar” is the one to beat. It has two Golden Globes for best director and picture and racked up industry guild nominations for best picture (Producers Guild of America) cinematography (American Society of Cinematographers), direction (Directors Guild of America) and best original screenplay (Writers Guild of America). The Academy ballots are due Saturday. Two weeks from today (TUESDAY, Jan. 19), the Oscar nominations will be announced.

And then it’s all just a glittering downhill slalom to March 7. “It’s like the Tour de France,’” said the studio Oscar consultant. “You have to reserve your energy for the post-Oscar nomination part of the race. You’re asking yourself, ‘What else can we do? What else can we do again?’”

Sure, news of the starving Haitian earthquake victims, coupled with our nation’s 10% unemployment rate dampens the mood a bit. There have been reports of more semi-private parties, more filmmaker Q&As. The Hollywood Reporter last month declared it “no longer cool to throw a splashy, public event to hype an Oscar contender.”

And publicists are finding their jobs especially tough this year, because as one Oscar consultant put it, no one wanted to “spend the money, effort, and time to campaign a film that would conceivably be the seventh or eight or ninth nominee.” (Yet, with a broader best picture category, many more filmmakers expected to have a shot.)

“Moon” director Duncan Jones wasn’t one of the lucky ones. He angrily Tweeted in late December that Sony had omitted screeners of his film from its awards season packet send out to voters. “They say it costs too much for our little film,” he wrote. In desperation, he launched an online petition — seeking an Oscar nomination for the film’s star Sam Rockwell. It now has more than 3,700 signatures. (We’re big fans, Sam, but don’t hold your breath.)

For the top contenders, though, there appears to be plenty of time and money to go around. Studios still rely on the trades to run their “For Your Consideration” ads. According to the Los Angeles Times’ Tom O’Neil, each studio spent $200,000 just to send screeners to the entire 94,000-person Screen Actors Guild membership in an attempt to give their nominees a leg up.

Just last week, even Magnolia Pictures’ little documentary “Food Inc.” had scheduled a party at the upscale Italian restaurant, Campanile. And there have been no shortage of events honoring Jane Campion’s indie costume drama “Bright Star.”

Then there was that swag-bag faux-pas last month at the “Brothers” event held by Relativity Media chief Ryan Kavanaugh in which party-goers, including Hollywood Foreign Press members and celebrity Academy voters, were given Blu-Ray players and DVDs of Maguire’s Oscar entry “Brothers.” (The next day, the HFP members returned the players. But that didn’t stop at least one disgruntled competitor tattling to Nikki Finke that it was the gifts, not Maguire’s publicist Kelly Bush’s relentless lobbying that got Maguire his Globe nomination.)

Harvey Weinstein and Universal Pictures meanwhile haven’t exactly scrimped on promoting “Inglourious Basterds.” Producer Lawrence Bender held a big, star-studded party at his home for the film. Then a swank DVD release screening was held at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, complete with cute girls dressed as WWII era movie ushers. Before the film, Tarantino showed a series of specially edited “trailers” from old films that had inspired him to make “Basterds.” Later, guests went to the nearby Grace restaurant, which was turned into a vintage lounge complete with schnapps bar and DJ Bizzy spinning records.

Back at Bullock’s low-key soiree at the Il Cielo restaurant, her “Blind Side” co-star Quinton Aaron couldn’t entirely believe his luck.

“It’s been interesting,” said Aaron, who had apparently hit hard times after a couple small film roles in Michel Gondry’s “Be Kind Rewind” and the Channing Tatum movie “Fighting.” “A year ago today, I was living in a house with no food, no water, no lights.”

He towered over the rest of the crowd, beaming about the night before at the premiere of “The Book of Eli.” Rosario Dawson had hugged him. Gary Oldman congratulated him. He got a picture with Denzel Washington. Best of all, he stood eye-to-eye with Magic Johnson. “We’re almost the same height,” he said.

“I’ve watched ‘Entourage,’” Aaron said, referencing HBO’s comedy. “But to actually be in the moment and be the main reason for people coming to something. It’s almost indescribable.”

Is Rannvijay dating hottie Anusha Dandekar?

Rannvijay Singh, who has now moved from Veejaying to acting as a career option, says given a chance he would have loved to work as a bartender in Spain.


"I think it was time for me to do something other than just TV. I'm not Cyrus Broacha. I'm 26 and I'm growing old. I needed a career which I can sustain for a longer time. Films were the next logical step for me and that's just what I did, " Rannvijay told.


"But if I had an option, I would have been a bartender in Spain. It would have been a relaxed life. That's like one dream job - but I could have done that only if I would have earned enough to last me a lifetime, " he added.


Rannvijay, who was in the capital recently, has featured in three films including "Toss", "London Dreams" and "Mumbai Cutting" till now. Now he will be seen in Vipul Shah's "Action Replay", Mahesh Manjrekar's "Ekant" and in comic thriller "Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene".



"All my films are almost ready for release, so I will have to start promoting them in some time. Otherwise I am keeping busy with my company EGO Custom Wheels that customises bikes and cars, " he said.


Apart from acting, he is also hosting the sixth edition of MTV's adventure reality show "Roadies". He has recently returned to India from Africa where he had been busy shooting of the show, the first season of which he won in 2003.


He also went for winter vacations to his family in his hometown Jalandhar, Punjab.


"I went home for New Year this time. It's been a long time since I had spent any time there with my relatives and friends. I visited so many people, " he said.


So does meeting people mean meeting girls for marriage as well?


Rannvijay laughed and said: "I am from a typical Punjabi background and there are just too many people who send rishtas (proposals). But I'm not game for it yet. It's not the right time."


He denied being in a relationship with any girl, despite rumours that he is dating VJ-actress Anousha Dandekar.


"I'm single right now. I have actually been single since a year and a half and I'm happy. I think if you ask a lot of people, they will say - 'My work is fine, health is fine but there's a problem with my girlfriend or boyfriend'. I don't want to be in that mode, " he said.

These isn't anything to talk about my kiss with Saira

Actor R. Madhavan will for the first time play a character with "grey shades" in Bollywood in "Teen Patti". While he is a professor in the forthcoming film, the actor will also be seen sporting "six different avatars" in the thriller that also features Amitabh Bachchan and Hollywood star Ben Kingsley.

"I have different looks in the film. I'm playing a professor, but when I go to different areas, I'm dressed up as different characters, " Madhavan told in an interview.

"There's one (scene) with a very suave, high-end party look; then there is one for the low, scum areas. Another one's of a mid-level thug; there is the professor's look of course and all sort of stuff leading to even a casanova's and an Italian' look, " he explained.

"In Hindi films, this will be my first grey kind of character as one who wants everything very fast in life, " the 39-year-old added.

"In 'Teen Patti', I'm playing a professor who believes he deserves a lot more than what life is offering him at that point of time. He decides to take certain steps which land him in a web of greed, lust and defeat - and how much of a heavy price he pays for those decisions."

The multilingual actor is not apprehensive about the audience's reaction to the transition from his chocolate-boy image.

"When the film is wholesome and you are playing a character, they (audiences) will accept you in any case, " he said.

"Even Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan and Shah Rukh (Khan) have done that. It's very important to play different kinds of roles and I am very excited about it. I am very keen to see how the audiences will react to it, " he added.

Releasing Feb 26, director Leemna Yadav's "Teen Patti" is about greed and deception set in the backdrop of high stake gambling.

After his hit "3 Idiots" was dragged into a controversy for apparently promoting ragging, Madhavan is playing safe and insists "Teen Patti" doesn't glorify gambling but is inspired by mathematics.

"If there is anything that 'Teen Patti' will provoke, (it) is mathematics. It deals largely with mathematics in our lives and youngsters' desire to get anything 'now and today' in no time, " Madhavan told.
"Youth today want everything fast which is kind of an instant gratification and they want to live life on the fast track and that is what is shown in the movie with the magic of mathematics, " he added.

Saira Mohan, Raima Sen and newcomers Shraddha Kapoor, Siddharth Kher, Viabhav Talwar and Dhruv Ganesh also portray pivotal roles in the movie. "Teen Patti" also boasts of special appearances by Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ranjeet, Shakti Kapoor and Tinnu Anand.

"Teen Patti" reportedly has some passionate scenes between Madhavan and Saira Mohan but the actor steers clear of controversies and says it has been approved by the censor board.

"I'd like to say that on record that the film has a very large U certificate so there will be nothing explicit about it, " Madhavan said.

And what about the kissing scenes with Saira?

"These aren't anything to talk about. All that you see (in the movie) is completely universal. The censor board doesn't give you a U certificate if there is a large number of kissing or other such stuff, " he said.

Apart from "Teen Patti", Madhavan's future projects include "Tanu Weds Manu" opposite Kangana Ranaut. 

Ayesha to marry boyfriend Robert Taylor

Actress Ayesha Dharker has decided to make her relationship with boyfriend Robert Taylor official. They are planning to get married in May and the engagement will be held soon.

The news has been confirmed by Ayesha's father, renowned writer Anil Dharker. He isn't sure if there will be an engagement ceremony but the marriage will be held in London. Robert is an Englishman and the marketing director of a company. He takes pleasure in arts, theatre and dance which is how he met Ayesha.

Ayesha won a National award for her performance as Malli in the film The Terrorist (1999). She is also known for playing Queen Jamilia in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

She has done quite a few Hindi films and is constantly involved with theatre and television. She was seen in Arabian Nights and Bombay Dreams.

Zarine Khan: From a struggling model to Salman's girl

Just few months ago, she was nobody but as soon as she came on the board for Veer opposite superstar Salman Khan she has been the talk of the town.

Yes, we are talking about none other than Zarine Khan who couldn’t have got better launch than Veer which has showcased her in ultra-gorgeous avtar.

Zarine reveals out how she bagged such a pivotal movie as a debutant, “I was a struggling model. All of a sudden I got the call from the Mukta Arts and they called me on the sets of Yuvraj. I was thrilled to see Salman khan who was shooting there. I’m a huge fan of Salman.”

Zarine Khan goes on to add, “I went ahead to meet him like an ordinary fan for an autograph. To which he replied, ‘Sweetie now you will sign autographs for the world and I knew I was in Veer.”

Well, sounds interesting but now it will be more interesting to see whether Zarine Khan will be able to struck gold or not with Veer.

Karan Johar ignores Abhishek. Junior B fumes!

Popular filmmaker Karan Johar is so busy promoting his film "My Name Is Khan" that he didn't even notice actor Abhishek Bachchan waving out to him on the streets recently.

"Just passed Karan Johar on the road. And he didn't wave back! Ooooooh you in trouble now boy!" Abhishek posted on his Twitter page.

Though Johar has never directed Abhishek in any of his films, they have worked together in "Dostana", which was produced by Johar's Dharma Productions.

Ranbir-Priyanka are very competitive with each other

We hear that Ranbir Kapoor spent the entire New Year weekend gliding on ice. No, it has nothing to do with the ongoing cold-wave, Ranbir is learning the ice-skating for his latest film 'Anjaana Anjaani' with Priyanka Chopra.

During the shooting for the romantic movie New York, both Ranbir and Priyanka were supposed to do ice-skating together at Central Park but Priyanka returned to India to promote Pyaar Impossible leaving Ranbir all alone for the shoot.

Praising the actor, producer Sajid Nadiadwala told a tabloid, “Ranbir’s dedication to get it absolutely right just took our breath away. He is relentless. He skated for three nights from 11 pm to 4 am in minus 6 degrees in Central Park.

The footage we’ve captured of him ice-skating shows his ballet-like elegance and precision. I don’t think we’ve ever got anything like this before."

Apparently Priyanka had a sneak peek at the footage of Ranbir ice-skating and has expressed a desire to do some of it herself. It’s learnt that they are not only playing a combative couple in the movie but are competitive while shooting.

A special award given to make angry Katrina happy?

Did people at Star Screen Awards created a special category to please Katrina Kaif? Well, it seemed pretty much the case when the Morani brothers and the publishing house behind handed her the trophy for the best entertainer of the year.

The story has it that Kat was to perform for the awards but it wasn't for the live event. It was for the TV telecast only and was to be recorded after the ceremony ended. But when Katrina arrived, she learnt that Bebo had bagged the Best Actress award (Popular) for 3 Idiots. Though she was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in New York (Critics' Choice), Vidya beat her to it for Paa.

Kat felt it was unfair that her achievement of delivering the maximum hits in one year was going unrecognized. The organizers sensed her bad mood would jeopardize her stage performance. So, to avoid any conflict they pleased her with a special award- Entertainer of the Year.

While Katrina remained unavailable for comment, Sandeep Khosla of Screen told a leading daily, "It's true we created an award for Katrina but this was decided by the Screen jury. We had a special award to Katrina her for the three hits -- New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, De Dana Dan -- that she had last year and the jury thought she deserved it.

Katrina didn't insist or ask for any award. Nor did she throw any tantrums. She came and performed according to her commitment."

Meet Ranbir's new temporary girlfriend Sarah

The secret is out. Cruel Intentions 2 actress Sarah Thompson is Ranbir’s girlfriend in Raajneeti.

According to the latest Bollywood news, Sarah plays Ranbir’s perfect arm candy in Prakash Jha’s political thriller.’ In the film, she plays the role of Ranbir’s American girlfriend, the one whom the actor abandons to pursue his dynastic politics in India.

Sarah Thompson played South African cricketer Hansie Cronje’s wife in 2008 biopic ‘Hansie.’ Sarah was chosen for ‘Raajneeti’ after a great deal of prudence as Jha said, “We auditioned nearly 30 girls before we selected Sarah. She was right for the part. It’s a substantial role and we needed an actress who could act and would look compatible with Ranbir.”

We also hear that both stars shared cold vibes as a result Prakash Jha has to scrap a kissing scene between the two!

R. Madhavan's son outsmarts him

If Madhavan is being smart by making slow and steady grasp over Bollywood with short but significant roles and you think- nobody can be smarter than him then think again. Maddy’s four year old kid is a step ahead of his father and how? Let’s hear it from horses’ mouth.

“I have been living in Mumbai since quite a long time now so my son Vedant knows Hindi, English and Marathi but he is not versed with his mother tongue Tamil. Some years ago, my parents insisted me to teach Vedant Tamil, ” shares Madhavan.

He further adds, “So, when I was to shoot outdoors for three months I left him at my house in south so that he could pick up the language from people around.” So, did this trick work?

“When I returned after three months and went to see him I was shocked to observe that all the people and domestic helps in my house had started speaking in Marathi but he did not learn much Tamil, ” exclaims shocked Madhavan.

Well, this handsome actor’s son surely has an upper hand in smartness after all son takes it from his father as they say ‘Like father like son’.

Imran Khan prefers work to girlfriend Avantika

Imran Khan is celebrating a very silent birthday shooting for his film. This talented actor is not really in a celebration mood which has become a tradition since three years now.

The chocolaty boy’s fame skyrocketed right from his debut movie Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na. And his future too seems to be no less considering the numerous birthday wishes poured in his twitter profile by his fans.

To which he replies, “Thank you all so much for your wishes... I'm spending my birthday the same way I spent my last three; shooting! I like it that way.”

Well, take sometime out for personal life Imran, wonder what his charming girlfriend has to say on that considering the rumours of him getting engaged are believed to be true.

Sikhs love me so much that I'm said to be a half sikh

The fact that Anees Bazmi is not part of the sequel to his own successful Sardar saga Singh Is Kinng has not dampened the busy director’s spirits at all.

At this very moment he is shooting the pre-climax song for his comedy No Problem on a set at Film City with his 17 principal male actors and 150 junior artistes, all dressed as Sadarajis dancing to a boisterous number entitled Mast Punjabi.

Says Anees, “The fun part of it is is, not a single principal actor or junior artiste is a Sardarji. They’re all disguised as Sardarjis for a number that is my tribute to the community I came to love while making Singh Is Kinng.

The Sikhs too love me, so much so that I’m said to a half a sikh myself. I had to do something after Singh Is Kingg to show my love for that wonderful community. The climax of No Problem is my tribute to the Sikhs who keep urging me to do the sequel to Singh Is Kinng.”

Anees admits there has been no feelers from producer Vipul Shah to do a sequel to Singh Is Kinng.

And only Vipul can tell why I haven’t been approached to do Singh Is Kinng 2 when the entire concept look and execution of the first film is mine.”

Anees says he would accommodate Singh Is Kinng 2 into his busy schedule even at this late stage if Vipul asked. Since Vipul is directing the sequel Anees whose affinity to the Sikh community is intense, decided to write the entire climax of No Problem as a homage to the Sikh community.

Every actor from Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Anil Kapoor to Paresh Rawal, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Suresh Menon is dressed as a Sardarji.

“It’s supposed to be a roadside Punjabi dhaba in South Africa. We’ve called it The Dhaba. All the 17 main actors and 150 junior artistes barring Vijay Raaz are Sardarji. And a sign on the set says “Punjab 0 Kms’. ”

Adds Vipul Shah, “I’ve nothing against Aneesbhai. We did Singh Is Kinng amicably. But at the moment he’s directing many projects. He’s over-committed. When he did the first Singh film for me I was accused by producers of stealing him away from other projects. I don’t want that accusation on my head again.”

Priyanka Chopra and her Seven Husbands

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is now set to play Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's wife in Vishal Bharadwaj's next movie "Seven Husbands".

"Mohanlal will be playing one of Priyanka's husbands in 'Seven Husbands'. The names of other actors are being kept under wraps as of now, " a source close to the actress told.

This will be for the second time that Priyanka will play multiple characters in a single film. She had essayed 12 roles in Ashutosh Gowariker's "What's Your Rashee?", but the film failed to pull in audiences.

"Seven Husbands" is Bharadwaj's next venture after his acclaimed movie "Kaminey", which also starred Priyanka. The movie is said to be co-written by Bharadwaj and author Ruskin Bond.

Sonia Gandhi is the perfect widow: Preity Zinta

Citing the example of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta Wednesday pledged to work for the welfare of widows and said they could achieve a lot if given an opportunity.

Preity, 34, became the brand ambassador of Loomba Trust that supports widows and their children around the world.

"Sonia Gandhi is a perfect example. If a woman is not stolen off her opportunities, even if she is a widow, she can do great things and achieve a lot. This is more than enough reason to say that a woman can stand shoulder to shoulder with any man anywhere in the world, " Preity said at a press conference here.

"I have always held women's causes in India very close to my heart. I have always felt that women get a raw deal. This cause was a little more close to my heart because I lost my father when I was very young, " said Preity, who lost her father at the age of 13.

"I was lucky to come from a family that was financially stable but I did grow up realising that it was definitely more difficult for a woman. I can identify with this problem very closely, " the actress told reporters.

Preity also revealed that a documentary by filmmaker Deepa Mehta's brother influenced her and she realised it was important to work for the welfare of widows.

"Deepa Mehta's brother made a documentary called 'The Forgotten Woman'. It's a documentary on widows and what really happens to them. That was the first time I looked at this besides something I had grown up with and that stayed with me, " she said.

"So when I was asked to be a part of this Trust I thought that god has given me more than I can ever imagine and if I can give back, it will make a difference and in whatever way we can to raise awareness we will, " she added.

Sushmita Sen and Mudassar Aziz are still together?

The rumors about Bollywood diva Sushmita Sen break-up with her Dulha Mil Gaya director Mudassar Aziz has been doing rounds since a while now and they are not in talking terms.

But putting a rest to all these rumors director Mudassar Aziz exclaims, ” I don’t know what media is stating about our relationship in fact we never disclosed about our relationship in public to begin with. Without keeping us in loop media keeps on changing our relationship status which is ridiculous.”

On asking Mudassar whether they are still together, he says, “I don’t want to name our relationship but I would say we- are two personalities who have a lot of respect and affection for each other and we continue to have that.”

Well, Mudassar forget about media you too don’t seem to be clear about this relationship. Wonder what Miss. Gorgeous Sen has to say on that?

'I want Aishwarya Rai' Karan Johan tells Bhansali

If grapevine is to be believed, Karan Johar is toying with the idea of finally working with Aishwarya Rai, with whom he hasn't made a single project in his over decade-long career.

"Karan said that Aishwarya is his ideal heroine and all the scripts that he writes are keeping her in mind. He also said that various reasons have veered them from working together. But he is hoping that it is the right time that he gets her to work in his production sometime soon, " a source, who overheard Karan's conversation with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, told on condition of anonymity.

The two filmmakers were discussing Aishwarya at Sonali Bendre's birthday party Dec 31.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali was overheard telling Karan Johar that Aishwarya is very original and there is no one like her. He further said that if a director has not worked with her in his or her career, it's a big loss for them. Sanjay also praised her work in 'Guzaarish', " the source said.

Aishwarya has worked with Bhansali in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" and "Devdas" - both of which did well at the box office. Now she is being directed by him in "Guzaarish", which also features Hrithik Roshan.

Zarine Khan is not a Katrina Look Alike : Salman

Salman Khan says period dramas usually give the impression that people in past eras never used to laugh, but promises that his new movie "Veer" will have its light moments.

"We haven't followed the regular format. This has emotion, drama and comedy unlike other period films, which always casts an impression that no one used to laugh in those days, " Salman told in an interview.

"The language has undergone a huge change. The dialogues are in contemporary language but would show that people of that time used to speak and behave like this, " he added.

"Veer", slated to release Jan 22, is a story of bravery, treachery and love. The story revolves around the 18th century Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought to their last breath to save their land. Salman plays the lead role.

Throwing light on how his co-star Zarine Khan joined the cast, Salman said: "The film is of a different genre, so we needed a young fresh look. More than that we needed somebody with a yesteryear look. How our grandmothers and great grandmothers used to look, we needed someone like them.

"Just two weeks were left to start the film and we didn't have anyone who would fit the role. We were searching left, right and centre and met her by coincidence on the set of Subhash Ghai's 'Yuvvraaj'."

Salman denies any resemblance between Zarine and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

"Except being fair and having a sharp nose, I don't see any similarity between them. Give god that credit for not making two people identical, " said Salman.

The film's story has been written by Salman himself and while scripting it he was scared whether his father Salim Khan, a noted writer, would approve. "I showed the story to my father and the biggest fear was what is he going to say. But he said it's a good story."

When asked why he chose to make a period film now, he said, "I had written the story 20 years ago but at that time it wasn't possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did."

This is Salman's second film as a scriptwriter. His first was the 1990 movie "Baghi" and there is a common thread running through both the scripts - the father-son relationship."

'Baghi' showed a good relationship between a father and son, 'Veer' does that too. I believe that father and son should be the best of friends. Today, my father and me chat, drink and chill out together.

"But if I cross my line, I run away. I stay outdoor for two months. That's the chemistry they should share. The respect should also be there, " said Salman who claims that he could be a good father.

"I am not sure how good I would be as a husband, but I believe I would be a good father. One has to get married, I will also get married but haven't decided when."

The actor has been in the industry for more than two decades and has played a variety of roles, worked in various genres and sported different looks.

Asked if there was anything particular he looked forward to as an actor, he said, "No yaar. I do whatever comes my way."

Saif is out of work and desperate to be Agent Vinod

Saif Ali Khan is worried now. The actor, who had relaxed for a fair bit after Love Aaj Kal was a hit, is now tensed. He didn’t sign any films after Love Aaj Kal merely because he thought the scripts were run-of-the-mill or not the central roles.

He was certain Kurbaan, which was a Karan Johar film and starred opposite him his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor would be a success. So, even though his second home production, Agent Vinod, got delayed, he wasn’t bothered.

But reality came down knocking hard when Kurbaan sank. The directors he liked, Siddharth Anand and Imtiaz Ali had shifted to Ranbir and he had no project in his hand. That’s when he started off Agent Vinod at the fastest speed possible.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film’s script has been fixed. Kareena, who was working on Karan Johar’s Stepmom and was about to sign another film with Aamir Khan after 3 Idiots, has been asked to keep herself free for Agent Vinod.

Saif is pinning all his hopes on this film as it is his only film along with being a home production. According to Sriram, the film will begin shooting in March for a few days in Mumbai and then move on to Morocco.