Amisha Patel at the launch of 'Nailspa'

Lazy Lamhe’s crazy times

A feverish Ameesha, chilly weather and Saif-Rani’s speedboat trips marred the shoot of Kunal Kohli’s film

Kunal Kohli insists he doesn’t believe in the concept of item songs. He refuses to label the song Lazy Lamhe shot on Rani, Saif and Ameesha in a remote villa in Alibaug as an item song.

Instead he calls it a sensous song in the league of the Kaatein nahi katate track shot on Sridevi in Mr India.

However, shooting for this particular song was quite an ordeal for the director.

Talking about the shoot that involves Ameesha getting into a Manish Malhotra swim suit, Kunal says, “We had actually planned for an eight-day shoot but we ended up spending more than that.

Both Saif and Rani would take private speedboats from the Gateway of India to come to the location everyday.

In fact, I didn’t even know there was a private gate opposite the Taj hotel that was used to hire private speedboats.

Since Saif didn’t want to stay at the location, he would land up at Gateway at 7.30 in the morning and take the boat to Alibaug. He did this everyday. It would take him about 20 minutes to reach Alibaug.”

Kunal adds that Ameesha developed fever during the shoot of the song and they had to stop the shoot. “We were shooting in January when it was quite chilly.

The entire pool was freezing, and since Ameesha had to get in the water we had to heat up the entire pool every time she stepped in. That took us over two weeks.”

Apart from the shoot at the resort, Kunal has also shot underwater for portions in the song. “This isn’t just a sensous song, it’s a part of the film and there’s a plot happening in it. We used a special camera for the underwater scenes and also had someone do the visual effects.”

Rani McPhee

Aditya Chopra remade Nanny McPhee as Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, after the actress recommended it

Fly With Me! (Leftt) Rani Mukerji in Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic; Grounded? (Right) A still from Nanny McPhee

Ever since Kunal Kohli began work on his next, starring Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan, the project has been touted to be a remake of Mary Poppins.

However it is now learnt that the Yash Raj film, which was recently titled Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (TPTM), is also greatly inspired from a more recent Hollywood film — Nanny McPhee.

The 2006 Emma Thompson-starrer had the actress play a nanny with magical powers. She pays a visit to Colin Firth, a single parent with six kids. While Colin and the kids don’t get along, it’s Nanny McPhee who brings a truce between the two.

TPTM has a man (Saif) living with four kids who is visited by a fairy (Rani). The film also has elements of magic and romance.

On being asked if his film bore a resemblance to Nanny McPhee, Kunal remarks, “I’m just waiting to be told about the next film I’m inspired from.”

But the source informs, “It was Rani who watched Nanny McPhee on a flight and suggested it should be remade. She had a word with producer Aditya Chopra who hadn’t seen the film.

Rani was quite impressed with McPhee. She was heard telling close friends how the film had all the right elements for a B-Town film. Her only concern was that unlike the original, the fairy in the remake had to be up to B-Town’s standards — good-looking and glamorous.”

Apparently, Aditya, who watches a lot of foreign flicks, asked for a copy of Nanny McPhee and was impressed with the storyline. “He went ahead with Rani’s suggestion and Indianised it.

In TPTM, Rani plays a mediator between Saif and his kids. Eventually there’s romance between the two, while Ameesha plays the third angle,” adds the source.

Tushar Joshi

Ameesha's dil maange more!

Ameesha Patel has opted out of the SRK starrer Billo Barber. Reason?

She’s not too excited about playing the minuscule role of a barber’s wife. Says our source, “Ameesha feels that she might get lost, as the film essentially concentrates on Shah Rukh and Irrfan Khan. Ameesha’s making a serious attempt at reviving her career, and cannot keep playing these marginal characters.”

The actress, who’s previously worked with Priyadarshan in Bhool Bhulaiya , explained the situation to him and made a gracious exit from the project. Priyadarshan, who wants to start filming in May, is not too happy with his so-called leading lady calling it quits.

TNN

Lakme Fashion Week takes Mumbai by storm

The who's who of the city of Mumbai made their presence felt at the on-going Lakme Fashion Week which kicked off in the city on March 29.

The fashion extravaganza which goes on till April 2nd saw many established and some new designers show their designs to the world. Day 1 had Manish Malhotra display his designs in a spectacular fashion show and needless to say, B-town celebs turned up in full strength to support their favorite designer. Manish's show had stars like Saif Ali Khan with lady love Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Urmila Matondkar, Amisha Patel amongst the audience. The same day also saw Bollywood's latest pin-up boy Ranbir Kapoor walk the ramp for the first time for his good friend- designer Arjun Khanna. Cheering the Kapoor dude was his mommy dearest Neetu Singh and lady love Deepika Padukone. What's more? Ranbir even decided to give an impromptu flying kiss in the direction where the two most important ladies of his life were seated.

Day 2 (Sun- Mar 30) saw one of Bollywood's top lady designers Neeta Lulla show her unique designs and for all you people wondering who the showstopper at her show was, it was none other than child prodigy Darsheel Safary. Yes you heard it right; in a moment which took everyone by surprise, the small boy-wonder walked the ramp in style along with the designer herself. Indeed a moment to cherish for the young child.

Day 3 saw yet another prominent designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed showcase his collection on the ramp. 'Nari' as he is fondly known as, had the pretty Kangana Ranaut as the star attraction for his show. The evening also saw designer Nandita Mahtani who walked the ramp with model turned actor Kelly Dorjee.

And for all of you who thought it was only Bollywood which made its presence felt at the Lakme Fashion Week, you couldn't be further from the truth. Gregory David Roberts, author of the best-seller Shantaram also walked the ramp along with his fiancée on Day 2 of this Fashion extravaganza.

With tomorrow (April 2) being the last day , and some more impressive designers set to showcase their work, get ready for a grand finale to one of the most hot-n-happening events of the week. As they say The Best is truly reserved for the Last.

Bollywood Hungama

Ameesha’s enjoying herself

Actress Ameesha Patel has lost it...we mean the entire baby fat. She is a few kilos lighter and is seen making merry, with her girl friends most of the time. We spotted her one evening, recently, at a Chinese restaurant.

She was again with her usual gang of friends, and looking gorgeous! After her sumptuous meal, when we caught up with her, she told us that she was packing her bags for a business-cum-pleasure trip and will return a different person. More relaxed and upbeat and certainly not fatter.

Image: TOI | Source:TNN

Ameesha shifts home

Normally stars shift from smaller to bigger apartments but Ameesha Patel will be shifting from a bigger to a smaller one soon. Ameesha is in the process of finalising a deal with which she can shift to her new home in Juhu in a month.

Talking about moving from her larger 4BHK penthouse apartment in 10th road, Juhu Scheme, to a smaller 2BHK in the same area, Ameesha admits, “Though my apartment in Juhu was very large with a terrace, I will be shifting into a smaller one soon. It’s very difficult to maintain a large home on one’s own.

I love cleanliness and like to do everything myself, so I want to stay in a smaller home, a 2 bedroom one. Smaller apartments are easier to keep clean especially with my hectic lifestyle. I have almost finalised the new apartment.”

However Ameesha is not selling off her penthouse, “I may rent it out but won’t sell it.”

Ameesha will also be doing the interiors of her house herself. “I had done the interiors and decoration of the Juhu penthouse myself and will do the new one too. I am not taking any stuff from my old home but will be refurbishing it completely. It’s stressful to design and start from scratch; but I love picking up small knick-knacks and stuff from all over the world on my own and decorating my apartment and giving it my own unique style.”

On the work front, the actress has just signed a film with Sanjay Dutt. “It’s a comedy and has got the scope of becoming a rage like the Munnabhai series. There’s a modern, comic side to my character. This year I am doing plenty of comedy – there’s Sanju’s film, Neeraj Vohra’s Run Bhola Run and the Yash Raj film with Saif. It’s a feel good film where I have a comic role. It’s great because I like comedy.”

Ameesha was recently hospitalised because of acute food poisoning. She brushes it off, “I was hos-pitalised for the night and put on saline. I suffered from a bad bout of gastro. I had eaten prawns during my Yash Raj shoot in Alibaug. I am allergic to fish. 24 hours later, I started vomitting and got severe cramps. I ignored it till things became worse. When it didn’t stop at 3.30 am, everyone panicked and took me to Arogya Nidhi hospital in Juhu.” Amisha has a delicate stomach. “I love junk food like bhelpuri and sevpuri and normally I survive. If I don’t get gastric attacks, I break out into boils and rash but I’m okay after a few anti-allergy pills.”

Author: Upala KBR | Source: Mid-Day

Ameesha, Rani: No catfight

Actor Ameesha Patel may have got the sour part of the cream when working with the likes of Lara Dutta and Bipasha Basu, who were frank about not being overtly fond of their co-actor.

But Ameesha, these days, seems to be doing just fine with her fellow actors, girls included. And what she is looking forward to is working with Rani Mukerji again in Kunal Kohli’s next film.

They both worked together in Mangal Pandey years ago, and Ameesha’s sure that the two will get along fine. Here’s to their ‘rising’ dos ti.

TNN

BHOOL BHULAIYAA scores over LAAGA .. in Overseas

Priyadarshan's Akshay, Shiney, Vidya, Amisha and Rajpal starrer, BHOOL BHULAIYAA, has scored over Yash Raj's Jaya, Rani, Konkona, Kunal and Abhishek (extended special appearance) starrer, LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG, in the Overseas. The gap is quite pronounced in the US and very perceptible in the UK.

Checking out the actual grosses in the UK, during the first weekend, BHOOL BHULAIYAA collected $598,341 with an impressive print average of $13,296. In comparision, LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG obtained $501,714 with a good print average of $11,149.

In the US , BHOOL BHULAIYAA grossed $512,000 with a print average of $9,309. Comparatively, LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG grossed only $320,987 with an ordinary print average of $5,349, during the first weekend.

This comes as a big surprise because the Yash Raj banner is considered a giant in the Overseas, specially with movies that have a heavy duty cast and focus on Indian traditions and culture.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

BHOOL BHULAIYAA - Get scared and laugh!

Strange as our headline may sound, but that is how the leading man of BHOOL BHULAIYAA, Akshay Kumar, sums up the eagerly awaited 'Eid' release - One will feel scared but will also feel like laughing. Elaborating further, the top star describes the movie as a psychological-horror thriller, with lots of comedy.
While we are confused about the above and will only be able to understand it after watching the remake of the Malayalam blockbuster, MANICHITHRATHAZU, on-screen, here is another interesting tid-bit about BHOOL BHULAIYAA. As per the buzz, the movie also has an interesting split-personality angle!

Releasing with about 600-650 prints this Friday, BHOOL BHULAIYAA is expected to commence a good innings at the box-office.

Glamsham

Amisha Patel joined an NGO called PlanetRead

Amisha Patel has joined an NGO called PlanetRead that helps teach people in villages to read, through the use of film songs. About her involvement with the NGO, Amisha says that she met Scott Norton from University of Boston about a year ago who told her about the concept. She liked the concept in which the film songs are played and the text appears below like karaoke. She says that since she is a film personality, her famous songs help greatly in teaching the villagers. Amisha says that due to poverty, many children in India are deprived of education and have to start working at a very young age. This educational system by the NGO is more like watching TV and learning.

Amisha has recently returned from Fiji and Sydney where she performed live. Amisha says that Bollywood films are very famous in Fiji and one can’t miss India there. Even in Australia 30 per cent of the audiences for the show were Australian who enjoy Bollywood films.

I still have no complaints against anything in life, Amisha

Source: DNAIndia

Ameesha Patel is an interviewer’s delight. Never to shy away from controversial topics, her answers have often created a furore in showbiz where hypocrisy is the name of the game. A big fan of classical music, she compliments me on my tabla caller tune and discusses music like a true connoisseur. Pleasantries exchanged, we settle for a kyon and hey:

So what’s new?

Well, at this stage I’m all excited about Priyadarshan’s Chandramukhi which will begin early next year. This is going to be my second film with Akshay (Kumar) after Mere Jeevan Saathi. Chandramukhi has an old charm about it and that’s something I’m looking forward to.

I’ve done period films like Gadar and Mangal Pandey in the past and I was appreciated in those projects. Also, it would be the first time that I’ll be working with Shiney Ahuja and Vidya Balan. So, I’ve more than one reason to look forward to that film.

Also, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd is on the verge of release. It’s a fun film, I’m playing a completely chilled-out character. It’s a mad, bizarre role in a film where six couples from different parts of India go to Goa for their honeymoon.

Audiences will certainly see a new facet of me in that project. (Laughs) So, excitement is my state of mind right now.

Do you think you’re taken more seriously as an actor now?

Yes, I’d like to think so. When I first came to the film industry I was looked at as this bubbly young girl who could only do girl-next-door type of roles. But I consciously broke that myth with films like Humraaz where I played a negative character.

Also, at a time when enacting a deglamorous role of a widow was risky, I did Mangal Pandey. I’ve always broken stereotypes. Truth must be told, Ankahee has made a lot of difference to my reputation as an actress. The film may have not worked at the box office but it has really worked for me.

How?

Well for starters, my fan following among men has increased tremendously. I’ve had men coming up to me and complimenting me for my performance.

Coming from men and that too for Ankahee, it’s a great high because my role was anything but glamourous.

Moreover, I haven’t ever been betrayed in love so playing that role was quite a challenge. I think it’s the honesty in my performance that has touched a lot of people.

Do you think it’s necessary for an actor to experience turmoil and pain in real life?

Yes, definitely. I’ve had a lot of troubles in my life and that has really helped me as an actress. The pain that I’ve undergone has only ignited the fire in me to overcome my personal problems. It has made me more determined, more focused. I think pain, trauma and tragedy are a must for an actor.

Even after saying all this, I still have no complaints against anything in life.

After spending six years in showbiz where do you think you’ve gone wrong in your career?
(Laughs) Have I?

Yeah, after a debut like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, don’t you think you’ve lost out?

Losing out won’t be the right word but I’ve certainly learnt things the hard way. I made my debut along with Abhisekh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol.

All of them had a filmi background except me. Naturally, it took me time to understand the ways of the industry. Had I been into politics or law my family background would have helped me.

But in the film industry, I had no one to advise me and even when I signed Gadar, a lot of people advised me against it. It’s always been trial and error and I only have myself to blame for it.

There were talks that Salman Khan was trying for a patch-up been you and Ashmit Patel at his Eid party?

Salman is a sweetheart and he always stands by his friends but nothing of that sort happened.

Lastly, the media is always speculating about your so-called marriage with Vikram Bhatt. Can you come clean on that?

Stories about my marriage to Vikram have been going around for three years now in the media. I’m really not bothered. I’ve always been a very honest person and the truth is that I’m not married. I’m only concentrating on my work, marriage can wait.

Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. - Movie Preview

Character Sketch

Oscar Fernandez (Boman Irani) and Nahid (Shabana Azmi)
They are a middle aged couple who have married at an old age. People around them make fun of them but they are not really bothered about it. They have come from a tough background and had faced difficult times earlier. They are keeping their past behind and searching for a future with each other.

Partho Sen (Kay Kay Menon) and Milly Sen (Raima Sen)
This couple comes from a small town in Bengal and has different sensibilities than the rest.

Pinky (Amisha Patel) and Vicky (Karan Khanna)
Pinky and Vicky are from Delhi and are poles apart. While Pinky is a talkative sort, Vicky is quieter.

Madhu (Sandhya Mridul) and Bunty (Vikram Chatwal)
This is a crossover couple with the husband being an NRI while the wife is a Mumbai girl.

Hitesh (Ranvir Shorey) and Shilpa (Dia Mirza)
This is a young couple from Gujrat. Their story raises a question of what is more important in life – love or marriage. It challenges the social norms and traditions.

Aspi (Abhay Deol) and Zara (Minissha Lamba)
They are the most perfect couple. But there is a big twist that comes in their story towards the end.

Storyline

Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. aims to be a wholesome family entertainer. It is about married couples on a package honeymoon to Goa. Exciting and cheerful, this vacation is a subsidized option for a lot of dreamers on the brink of their new life.

The film opens with six couples, a guide, a driver and a handyman riding in a bus from Bombay to Goa. The narrative humorously unfolds seven different stories that explore the nature of love and human relationships. Woven into the hectic four day honeymoon schedule is a radio show – “Pyaar Ke Lamhe”. The jockey plays the role of an omniscient narrator and discusses individual characters, revealing secrets about them and their past.

From the time the bus leaves Bombay, a man on a bike follows them all the way to Goa. We don’t know who this mystery man is. He is dressed in leather and a helmet throughout, until one day….

The 'patch-up’ between brother Ashmit and Amisha, allegedly facilitated by Salman Khan

A recent report in a city tabloid took actress Ameesha Patel by surprise. Ameesha said that she is surprised by the news of her alleged patch-up with brother Ashmit at Salman Khan's Eid party.

According to the report, when Ameesha entered Salman's house, the actor locked Ameesha and brother Ashmit inside a room to facilitate a patch-up between them. A source present at the venue confirms, "Nothing of that sort happened.

Why would Salman interfere in anyone else's personal life? Everyone comes to Salman's house for his Eid party, so did Ashmit and Ammesha. He certainly did not go all out to sort out others' problems. The house was full of guests and Salman is very conscious about all these things. He doesn't like anyone interfering in his personal life, so he doesn't interfere in others' lives too. Plus, he'd never do anything which would make his guests feel awkward. The truth is that Ameesha just exchanged pleasantries with Ashmit when Salman presented them to each other. After that, she immediately left the venue as she the situation was becoming awkward."

When we asked Ameesha about the incident, she said, "Don't be ridiculous. Salman is a good friend of both Ashmit and me. We just happened to be at his house at the same time. Why would he lock us up in a room? All I know is that I had a blast at the party. I would also like to admit that Salman and his family are perfect hosts."

Apparently, this 'patch-up' report has aggravated the rift in the Patel family. "I am travelling and I really don't know what's going on in India," said Ameesha when we contacted her in Australia. The actress was clueless about the entire incident.

So, when will the ice between brother and sister thaw? "I don't want to comment about the future, no one except God can predict what's going to happen," she replied.

It is a known fact that Ameesha is estranged from her family. She is not on talking terms with her brother since the time she filed a case against her parents.

Ashmit lives with his parents, while Ameesha stays alone. The sole person in the family with who the actress has retained a relationship is her grandmother. She continues to be very close to her.

"we're happy together,” said Vikram

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt is very happy with his girlfriend, actress Aamisha Patel. Aamisha and Vikram have been dating for a long time, and in spite of all false rumours about their break-up, the fact is that they are going very strong. "Life is great. The two of us have gone through the grind. Now we're happy together,” said Vikram in a recent interview.
However in the question of marriage, Vikram said no chance in near future. “Not for a long time. Amisha has her own ambitions, and I don't want to come in the way. She wants to pursue her career. And I'm happy to just move back and give her that space. When you're in a permanent relationship, the ground rules have to be made very clear. Amisha and I were sure we'd never come in each other's way. I'd never want her to compromise on her values or vision," said Vikram.
To Vikram, the years of his togetherness with Aamisha is so sweet to cherish. “Aamisha is wonderful. She showers me with so much attention that I never feel we aren't married. Amisha and I are for keeps. People may keep digging into our lives to sniff out a separation. But sorry, we aren't obliging," gushed Vikram.

Better try to spend sleepless nights

Sexy gals look sexier when they sleep less. We didn't know it that less of sleep can make someone look so lovely. But our Bollywood beauties can pull off anything. Over the weekend we heard Aamisha Patel saying, “I am so tired and jet-lagged that I can drop any minute now. I just got back from New York where I'd gone for a fashion show. All I need now is lots of sleep.” But with that pink glow she was flaunting, we thought she was just back from a long vacation.
Another lady who took us by surprise was Sameera Reddy, looking stunning in spite of being terrible jet-lagged. Well, you gals, who want to look sexy, better try to spend sleepless nights. Right!

Amisha's new look

And now Amisha Patel has made up her mind to stick to minimal make-up, on screen and off it. In fact, she has got a new deglam portfolio done by photographer Avinash Gowarikar.

Amisha says, "I usually don't like to wear too much make-up. All my friends tell me that I look much better without make-up and that's how I prefer to be too. But on screen it is different. There I was forced to don lots of make-up. Now I just want to scrub my face clean. So in that sense, I guess this is the new me."

Remembering her blonde-look days she says, "Well, the rebel in me made me colour my hair blonde. But now I am back to my original hair colour. And one thing I am sure about is that that I will never ever cut my hair short again. Not even if Steven Speilberg asks me to. I just love every inch of my locks."

Talking about Amisha's new look, lensman Avinash Gowarikar says, "I would call it her 'bare' look. I was discussing something with her in her make-up van when the idea struck me. She was looking particularly good without any make-up and so we decided shoot then and there. I just ran out and got my camera from my car and the results were stunning."

"When actors pose for pictures they are usually not candid. But in this set of pictures Amisha looks natural. She was looking at herself in the mirror when we shot it. After losing weight, she's looking even better," he says.

As for her weight loss, Amisha says, "I have been gymming very hard for 2 hours daily and I have a completely new and toned look now."

Ameesha opposite Akshay in Priyadarshan’s next

Ameesha Patel has been signed for the Priyadarshan’s next film Chandramukhi being produced by T-Series. She will be paired opposite Akshay Kumar in the film. This is the first time she will be working Priyadarshan. The film also stars Shiney Ahuja and Vidya Balan.

Says Ameesha, "I always held Priyadarshan in the highest esteem. I was always looking forward to working with him. And this exciting project is a realization of my wish-list. I am looking forward to this project as it seems to be an exciting script and starcast with the ever dependable Priyadarshan at the helm & music giant T- series backing it”.

Amisha Researches For 'Rising'

While we are used to actresses flirting from one film to the next without doing any homework for their roles, here's one actress who did all the research to portray a significant character on screen.Amisha enacts the role of a widow during the British Raj opposite a British soldier in THE RISING. Amisha read many books about the period and considers William Dalrymple's 'White Mughal' as the reference point.Says Amisha, “I was fascinated when I read 'White Mughal' because it talks about those times. It was a reference point in terms of sketching the character, in terms of characterization. In fact, Aamir and [director] Ketan Mehta helped me all the way.”